Sephora Play Is Not For Women of Color

[LibraLex]

I’m canceling my subscription today after 9 months. Each month I’m disappointed in the makeup samples that are sent to me. It seems like Sephora Play completely ignored my profile or don’t understand what makeup products do and don’t work for women of color. Ashy pink shades do not work for us but each month I’m either sent a light pink lip product or blush. Each month I’m left to sample yet another moisturizer or cleanser. Oh and let’s not forget the anti aging products!! If I did not list aging as a skin concern, that means it’s not! Which means I have one item in my box gone to waste. The hair samples also don’t align with my profile. My profile states my hair is course and curly but I haven’t received one curl product. Instead I keep receiving volume mist month after month. Oh and the perfume samples are getting predictable and repetitive! Sephora should partner with different beauty influencers to really understand the needs of ALL types of women. Makeup is not one shade fits all and until Sephora Play understands this I will no longer be subscribed.

[GaPearl]

Sooo totally agree!

[Iari]

Completely agree! I received this exact July box. Absolutely cannot wear. I’ve actually had a couple of boxes this year that included makeup and hair products not suitable for my skin tone and hair texture. My Sephora profile has all my correct info and I think I remember filling out something that included my skin tone. It’s almost like they’re not even considering what boxes they’re sending to who. If this continues I might have to unsubscribe. I understand that they can’t please everyone but when I can’t use 3 to 4 of the samples in every box I get, it’s a waste of money for me. It’s one thing to maybe not like the products but some of this stuff I can’t even test out to see if I like it.

[Rmarie72993]

I’m Irish, Italian & asian so I am about a medium skin tone & I have to agree, the lip colors usually work well for me but that friggen tarte blush they’ve sent me 3 times is so light if it didn’t have such pink tones I could use it as a highlighter for crying out loud. I’m looking around for some better beauty subscription boxes.

[Anonymous]

I’m subscribed to 3 different beauty boxes/bags Sephora Play, Birchbox, and Ipsy. Birchbox is probably my favorite then ipsy and then Sephora Play. All 3 are $10 each per month with free shipping. I’ve gotten a few repeats from Sephora which doesn’t make me happy and I agree that they tend to send products I wouldn’t use at all or that I’m not interested in. I seem to get a lot of the exact same products just different brands! If you’re looking for a different beauty subscription and haven’t tried Ipsy or Birchbox check them out! If you want to send me an email ------ and I’ll send you my referral link to both of them. Help me help you lol I have a couple referral links left on my ipsy I’ll send to who ever emails me about it first that will get you your first bag free! ❤️ 

[lovelytx]

I have tried different subscriptions I’m Black and I have caramel brown skin tone and Sephora is the best. If you go into Sephora to purchase anything they carry the higher end makeup products compare to Ulta and other regular stores that sell cosmetics. I think it’s awesome that we get to sample products that would be to costly or that we have not heard of. Personally I appreciate the subscription for that reason to experience new and different things. I couldn’t tell if the items you circled u enjoyed or disliked but I can tell you I used the facial cleanser mask the face butter and the fresh sugar lip treatment and they are great and worked with my skin tone I haven’t tried the lipstick yet but it’s Tarte so I’m like yeah!! If that color doesn’t work you can mix it with another color and get use out of it and I practice that behavior with anything that doesn’t work in my bag or give it to a friend.......Sephora don’t change anything about my bag you are doing Great in my book!!!

[krwes29]

I totally agree, 100%! As a African American woman, I'm not able to "try before you buy", because the items I get doesn't match my skin tone. And the "dry shampoo"...my lawd...I'm 37yrs old with natural hair, I need all the moisture I can get.

[gutkarina]

Yea, I didn’t like this month products neither. Ended up giving them away! 😩

[Exuberancia]

I am a black woman. I have lighter/medium toned skin, with a yellow and olive undertone. It is funny bc some of the items you circled are actually items I love! That tarte pink blush is everything and I think it's super cute on. The Kate Von D melted matte lip gloss is cute for a pinkish/nude lip color as well and I love it and actually want to buy that product in more shades.

I think the boxes are more generic like "try this out" and then go find in the product line what best fits your hue. It's just samples, but don't take it personally that it's not for women of color, bc I would have to disagree. I also love trying the different moisturizers to find a great one I love, without committing to buying expensive bottles.

They can't please everyone and cater to everyone. Also from a business stand point, we don't know their revenue dollars and what demo shops the most at their store. Maybe women of color don't purchase at the higher rate at this store but maybe spend their dollars at MAC more, which also dictates how companies market to who will bring in the most revenue for them.

No Shade.

Perception is everything.

-Sincerely,

Fellow Brown Girl who loves her Play Boxes

[LibraLex]

If something likes like pink baby powder on my lips and cheeks I can’t appreciate the product. It literally showed up like baby powder. Why would I have faith to make a $30 investment when my $10 sample box turned me off? As a DEEP DARK skin woman of color I would appreciate deeper shade samples.

[Anonymous]

I concur!!! I get what your saying a a fellow "chocolate" Girl!!!

[deidrevib]

Whelp.. I'm sad to report that I too have canceled my Sephora Play subscription.  I was so excited about it only to be disappointed month after month. My boxes look identical to yours. Not for chocolate brown ladies. I'm not sure why they have us build our profiles if our items arent hand picked. 😞