The Party Box: Sephora Play December 2016

This is a great box and I'll tell you all about it right after I rant about my one complaint of this service: what they tell you online you got is not necessarily what you got. Which is apparently why these posts are getting so many views. I don't know how many people don't get the advertised box but enough of them are searching google for reviews and coming here to click through to the right link to the right product. It's usually a comparable product but not always. I don't usually take issue with the substitution till I go and look and see what I might have gotten. It's fine that we don't all get the same thing but at least admit to that and give me links online. Ok now on to our regularly scheduled programing, the party box. This is a fun box that had I gone somewhere on New Years Eve instead of having a sinus infection I'd have used. I really like all of these products and with every month my decision to switch from IPSY to Sephora Play! was a wise one. But as always I'll give you some alternatives I like.

Shop the box...

Sephora Cream Lip Stain $14

This is my second favorite lip stain of all time, my first favorite lip stain is Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Lip Color $11 (favorite color is top tomato), but this is a close second and they have way more colors (40+) that are rich and luscious. The only reason I'd pick the Revlon first is because it really is the longest lasting lip color on the market (12+ hours), provided you follow lip stain rules:

1. Exfoliate, you can use a fancy lip exfoliator or just rub your fingers on your lips and get off the dead skin.

2. Moisturize gently, do not put loads of aquaphor on your lips your lips just enough to set the stage for the lip stain.

3. Apply 2 coats on each lip.

4. Don't eat for drink for 20 minuets and if you do then don't complain to anyone or blame the lip stain for your folly.

This brand is creamy but bleeds a little onto cups and will last about 4-6 hours and then sort of teeter off. It's a good price for such bold color and always red is a great bold red.

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon $85

Ok so this is one of the things not on the Play! website. I like it, it's a vanilla musky scent and if that's your thing this is a good one. It seems to me the perfume samples are never less then $85 which they probably only sell through sending out free samples that out fall in love with and just have to buy. I've yet to find one of those. By the way the one on the website is the Allure beauty winner so I do feel a bit shafted. Their loss I might have bought that one and now I won't.

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizing Primer $37

Well I love a good pore minimizing primer and this one is.... My favorite pore filler primer is NYX Pore Filler for $14.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray $31
This is my favorite make up setting spray. I don't know why it's better then others but it is. Maybelline makes a version for $13.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo $23
I love dry shampoo. I need dry shampoo, I can't wash my hair more then once a week, I live in a shower cap. Dry shampoo is necessary for life. This one is fantastic EXCEPT it leaves a light colored residue that doesn't match my roots.  If I were a blonde that would be a winner it really absorbed the oil, maybe too well.  My favorite dry shampoo is Suave Color Care Dry Shampoo $5ish but it's hard to get a hold of so I buy loads of it when I see it at Walmart and am constantly on a search for the perfect  substitute.

Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Mascara $28 

The website said I should have gotten the Lancome and I am a little bummed I didn't get to try it but this is a pretty good mascara that I'll stick in my travel bag. It's not too clumpy and adds good volume. I expect all mascara to be long wear so I won't give it points for that. A comparable product would be the L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara for $9.