My Last Ipsy Glambag, March 2015: Floral Fantasy

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This will probably be my last Ipsy bag for awhile.  I've got too big of a backlog of samples, so even with the price being $10 a month I can't justify adding to the huge pile I have yet to work through.

This month's theme is Floral Fantasy.  Inside, I got five products and I also redeemed my ipsy points for a reward this month too.  I'm not sure if the products fit the theme, but the bag certainly does!  It's not my favorite design ever, I liked it better in preview than in person.  My daughter has already claimed it as hers so it will be used and enjoyed.

ACURE - Day Cream, full size $18.99:  This is a very nice cream, it doesn't have any kind of sun protection but I appreciate that it's Paraben free, Vegan, Gluten free, Synthetic fragrance free, Silicone free, Phthalate free, and uses fair trade certified ingredients.  It's supposed to help combat aging as well.  Since it's doesn't protect against the sun, I've been using it at night and it absorbs very nicely.

Chella -Ivory Lace Highlighter, full price $18:  I've gotten this before, and passed it along to a friend. You can use it on blemishes and red spots so I might hang on to this one and see if it really will neutralize these little problems.  It might also come in handy as a lip liner.

While I don't think I would bother using it to blend down the center of my nose to help make it appear thinner, that is an interesting concept to me.  I've always thought mine was a bit too wide, but not enough to actually do anything about it!

NYX - Butter Lipstick, full size $6:  There were three different colors that I could have received.  While there are some pretty colors in this line, I wasn't particularly drawn to any of them.  Pops is the shade I received and it's probably the best of the three for me personally, as the others were probably too bold for me to pull off.

Isn't it pretty?  Unfortunately, it's also almost exactly the same shade as my natural lip color.  So I will be trying to find someone to pass it on to.  I did like the texture and feel of the product, another more flattering shade might be in my future...whenever they go on sale at Ulta again!

Pixie by Petra - This Mesmerizing Duo, full size palette $12: These are pretty shimmery.  I've tried to wear them twice but they were a little overpowering both time.  I'm by no means an expert on eye make up, quite the opposite in fact, so I have a feeling with a more experience application these would be quite pretty.  I plan to keep playing with them, I think I can find a look that works for me.

skyn ICELAND - Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, full size $30: Wearing these for ten minutes, will help firm, tone, brighten and reduce the appearance of puffiness and wrinkles. Eyes are revived, soothed and rejuvenated with highly potent actives and Icelandic glacial water.  I haven't tried these yet, but they sound like a nice way to relax at the end of the day.

This was my 1000 point reward from Gallany Cosmetics, a $21.50 value and it's a really beautifully packaged lipstick.  The rose gold container feel heavy and lux.  I also love the rich Bordeux color.

Ipsy Glam Bag: February 2015, #ipsylove + December 2014 & January 2015 Ipsy Bags

*Purchased by Me
Referral Link Included

My Ipsy Glam Bag arrived on Valentine's Day so this month's theme #ipsylove theme seems very appropriate.  I didn't get around to sharing my December or January bag, so I'll briefly give you an overview of those two months and then with a full look at February this should give a good overall look at what a subscription to Ipsy is like.

December was a good month.  I liked the design and appearance of the actual bag.  It holds more than the envelope like bag that we got in January and February.  The Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry was really good and and worked great as to be expected.  That tied with the tarte lights, camera, lashes as my favorite products for the month.  That's already my favorite mascara, so I was excited to get a travel size.

I liked the Crown brush well enough, it's handy that it's two sided and I can always use a new brush.  I also liked getting the NYX Butter Lip Balm because I had been interested in trying that product out anyway.  I got it in Parfait, which is a little too bright pinky for me.  It went on sheer but like I said, it was too bright for my personal taste.  That being said, I liked the product and am considering trying it in either panna cotta or brownie, colors I think I'd be more comfortable in.  I'll still use, I just layer it under a darker gloss to tone it down a bit.`

The only product I wasn't that enthusiastic about was the Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish.  I just wasn't feeling it.  The color or the loose power or the applicator.  It's too shimmery for everyday wear and for special occasions I prefer the Lorac shadows my friend gave me for Christmas.  Those are just so much better, easier to work with, prettier, and longer lasting.

Overall, December was a very good bag, a great value for the $10 and I was really happy 4/5 is really good.  It was a great selection of products to end the year with!

January's theme was Fresh Start and overall, while the value is still more than there, it was a bit of a dud coming between two much better bags.  It made a bad first impression, as the bag itself was pretty ugly in my opinion.  The reverse side of the blue is white.  While I don't subscribe for the bags, they are a nice perk to the subscription and this was the first one I really didn't like.

Inside wasn't much better.  Liquid eyeliner - pass.  The Hey Honey mask was just okay,  I didn't think it did that much for my skin and it was a pain to peel off after.  It's supposed to exfoliate, but I find scrubs to more effective and easier to use.   I still really like this one.

I've gotten a Pacifica eye shadow duo before so I wasn't super enthused to find another shadow in my bag.  I thought the previous one was chalky and ended up destashing it pretty quickly.  This is a pretty color but I much prefer their fragrance and lip products over their eye shadow.

The Velvet 59 lip gloss is my favorite product from this month, it's a pretty color and neutral so it's good for everyday use.  I don't use lip gloss that much, and I just got two gorgeous Lorac colors for Christmas (thanks Margaret!) so with those plus this one so I should be set for a long time.  The "sample" is full sized and valued at $19 so I was glad I got this.

The only product I haven't tried yet is the La Fresh Eco Beauty Be Good.  Good Day, Day Moisturizer and whoa they actually sell the exact same sample I got in my bag for $13.99!!!  Now that's expensive and more than the subscription price...for a sample.  I like their individual travel packets, so I will be really scrutinizing the performance of their moisturizer to see if I think it's worth the hefty price tag.

Now, we're finally onto the current Ipsy bag!  I got five products and like four out of five so it's another good month!  The bag is the same style as the last month, this thin style doesn't hold much but they are still pretty handy.  I like this color scheme a lot better, mainly because my daughter likes it since she'll probably be the one using it.  These are the perfect size for throwing in backpacks with kleenex and PocketBac, like these or for making travel art/homework kits with pencils etc. for her.

I'm like my daughter, a big fan of pink, and that combined with the rose pink metal means that I'm all about this brush.  So pretty!  I always like getting makeup brushes and this one sells $15 so already more than the bag.

My favorite item this month is this China Glaze polish.  You can see it on my nails in my last Mani Monday post.  The glitters are really different from what I usually pick out and I love the colors, but it is best as a top coat.  This is one of the newest brands of polish that I've begun using in the past year.  If you haven't tried them out yet, these range in price from $7.50-$6.99 in stores but I only buy them when they go on sale.  I scored some on clearance at Sally's for a great price.

This is City Color Creamy Lip Stain in Flirtini isonly miss product of the month.  It's a pretty color but I don't like the formula at all.  Plus even with lip liner it didn't stay put.

GlamGlow is so expensive that I've never tried anything by them so even though I never use eye cream, I was excited to see these in my bag.  I've tried them and they make the skin around my eyes feel like a newborn's.  It pretty awesome and I only used half per use so I've used it three times and now only got one left :(

I don't wear blush that much and I have a similar color from Julep so I haven't opened this ModelCo Peach Bellini but I liked their bronzer so I'm assuming this will be pretty nice too.  I'm planning to pass it along to a friend since I already have a nearly full blush and another unopened one waiting for me.

That brings me to my thought on continuing my Ipsy Glam Bag subscription.  I'm considering cancelling even thought they consistently provide a great value for the $10 monthly subscription price.  Over the past year, I've been able to really build up my previously non-existent make up collection.  Now I have an overflow of products to try and I feel like it will take me awhile to work through all the ones I want to try.

I might need to take an Ipsy break, because while they send me more full sized products and larger samples it's usually Birchbox that sends me products I actually end up buying after sampling.  I'm still undecided because I really do like getting my fun packages of goodies each month.  With everyone using electronic means to keep in touch, it's so nice to get some thing real and physical in the mail.

Ipsy Glam Bag: November 2014, Girl Meets Glitter

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This month Ipsy's theme is Girl Meets Glitter and the glam bag certainly fits that description.  I think it's really fun for the holiday, it's super sparkly and the glitter is part of the printed designed so it won't flake off and make a mess.  My eight year old has already claimed this one as her own.

Wonder Lip Paint by J. Cat Beauty in Red Potion, Full Size $4.99

I was most excited about this product, we got a full size :) so that's great!  The color is very pigmented.  I's best to apply with a lip brush or if you're lazy like me and don't care to wash it afterward a bit on a Q-tip works well too!

You only need a little and it works like a stain so as the color fades it's still quite pretty.  I just take along a little gloss or balm to layer on as the day goes on & don't feel the need to take it for reapplication.

So far despite what I've seen others say, I haven't had any issues with bleeding at the edges.  I really like it, deep berry shades are my go to for fall and winter so I'll get a lot of use out of this and it's great how it's so affordable.

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Base in Submissive, Full Size $14

This is described as an intense creamy bronze with gold shimmer.  I don't know if I'd call it intense as I think you need to layer it up to get a good bronze shade but otherwise that's exactly what it is.  Use with a primer or it might crease on you, but it's a nice to use for the stated purpose and is a nice eye base.  Would I purchase it, probably not but I do like that it retails for more than the price of the bag and we got a full size!

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray, Full Size $8.29

I hardly ever use hairspray but there have been times when it would be nice to have some on hand so I was pretty pleased to see this travel size.  Argan oil continues to be very popular in hair products but I think it was the oil that might have left my hair feeling a bit greasier than it usually is.

That's actually fine with me, because in the winter is when I run into static cling.  My hair tends to be naturally dry, but it could be a concern if yours tends to be oily.  I think, overall this is perfectly fine hair spray,  Doesn't seem to stand out as special to me, except for the slightly sweet smell, but like I said I'm glad to have it.

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Ultra Orchid, Full Size $17

Oh look, another eyeliner! Quelle surprise!  Ha, at least this one is not the standard black, the purple is fun and very pretty.  I'm very happy with the color, but the Ultra Olive would've been equally as nice to receive.  I'm just glad I like the color a lot better than the first Starlooks product I sampled last April.

What makes these Gem Pencils, is of course, the sparkle in it.  If glitter by the eye is a concern for you, you'll want to stay away.  This is much finer glitter than was used in the Lord & Berry I got in my Birchbox last month and hated. Actually, the Starlooks Gem Pencil was very creamy and soft going on.  I have to admit, that after being a bit crabby to see yet another eyeliner, I ended up really liking it.  I think this is probably a full size pencil, so bonus points for that!

TEMPTU S/B Highlighter in Pink Pearl, Full Size $27.50

This is a pretty expensive product, good thing I have no idea what to with it!  Yeah, highlighter seems like an extra step this minimalist is unlikely to use.  I tried to see if any friends were interested in it, but no one was so I guess I will give it a go after all.  Ipsy suggests using it in the following ways:

CONTOURING HIGHLIGHTS for Cheeks
STEP ONE: Place a couple drops on your fingertips.
STEP TWO: Lightly dab onto the apples of the cheeks to highlight the cheekbone area.
STEP THREE: Blend upward, toward the temples, for a glowing look.

CONTOURING HIGHLIGHTS for Nose & Forehead
STEP ONE: Place a drop in-between your eyebrows.
STEP TWO: Sweep up toward the hairline blending outward from the central point.
STEP THREE: Apply down the bridge of the nose a light-reflecting contour to define and sculpt.

BODY ILLUMINATION
STEP ONE: Add three drops to a pump of body lotion.
STEP TWO: Rub between your hands to blend together.
STEP THREE: Apply where you normally would, paying special attention to your best assets.

This should be interesting, I think the body illumination sounds the easiest.  Do you use a highlighter?  Should I give this a chance?

If you want to join me as a ipsy subbie, please use my referral link when you sign up!  It's just $10 a month which is a great value versus the products I got.   My favorite this month is the Wonder Lip Paint by J.Cat.  What was yours?

Ipsy Glam Bag: October 2014, Beauty Candy

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This month's Ipsy was awesome, a total hit!  First off, the bag is so cute.  It's a padded quilted texture and the teal is super fun.  I was really happy at first glance and that was before I'd even seen what was inside!

I got five products and yes, these are totally my idea of beauty candy!  I knew I'd like this month because I peeked in my Glam Room but it's way more exciting when everything actually arrives.  Plus I had no idea how much I'd like the bag based on the little preview picture.   Doesn't everything look so nice all lined up?

Épicé Purifying Exfoliant: Described as, "A unique exfoliant which removes excess dirt and dead skin cells all while activating collagen production and hydrating your skin. This moisture rich formula utilizes mild, non-irritating and anti-bacterial cleansers with micro-fine polyspheres which enhances skin texture and clarity for a clean, fresh appearance."

I like exfoliants.  I've noticed a big difference and improvement in the texture of my skin since I began using them. However, I currently have several samples to use up so at first I wasn't overly excited about this, except for the fact that it's a fairly large sample!

Then I used it and I really like it!  It doesn't hurt that it's got a fresh citrus scent.  There's a 50% off code (IPSY5014) that's good through 1/15/15 so if I continue to like it as much as my first impression I might purchase a full size.  It's very gentle and not abrasive feeling, compared to some other exfoliants I've tried.

I wish the coupon code for this next product was as good, it's only for 15% off  but the base price is less so that probably won't hold me back!  Figs & ROUGE is one of those brands I'd heard a lot of good buzz about but hadn't tried.  Fingers were crossed that I'd get a sample from them, but then I saw the scent was Mango Mandarin and well, mango is not my thing at all.

Or at least it wasn't until now!  I love this very sweet but tart scent and how light and non greasy the hand cream is.  In fact, I think it smells a lot like sweet tarts.  Candy for my skin, yes please!   The only downer is that this 20ml "sample" is actually a full size, which normally would be a very good thing.  But the tube feels really small in my hand, I could easily use this right up.  So I'm torn, on one hand I love but on the other it's kind of expensive when you consider how little you get for the price.

This was the one "meh" product and mainly because it is yet another eye liner! This time it's a Skone Cosmetics TATTOOED Waterproof Eyeliner.  In its favor, it went on really easily and was smudge proof almost immediately.  I haven't had time to try it yet, but I think it would do a nice winged liner look.

As you can probably imagine, I was nearly breathless when I saw the Cirque Colors Nail Lacquer in XX.  This is a mini bottle, it's a little less than half the size of their normal bottle.  It's best as a top coat so this should be enough to last a good while.  It's a great sample and I am so so glad I got it, it almost makes up for the lip product fiasco I carried on about last week.  Almost.

Let's take a closer look at the gorgeousness!  It's so pretty!  {Swoon} There are over 20 different types of holographic glitter!  The polish applies nicely, I prefer two thin coats to get fuller glitter coverage but they did spread out fairly evenly without much effort.  I had no problems reaching the level of top coat coverage that I wanted.  The nail polish junkie in my is smitten.

Ipsy delivered on the hand cream, the nail polish, and then for the trifecta of awesomeness...a lipstick!  It's even an all natural brand! Yes, ipsy definitely takes October and wins the battle of the beauty boxes!

This noyah lipstick's shade is Deeply in Mauve.  It's semi-matte with a cream finish and really beautiful.  It's deeper rich color is perfect for fall and my complexion.

If you want to join me as a ipsy subbie, please just my referral link when you sign up!  It's just $10 a month and you get a Glam Bag with deluxe sized samples and full sized products!  Overall, I have been happier with the samples and sizes with ipsy versus Birchbox.  Their rewards system isn't as great but you get a better idea of whether you like a product or not since you usually get more to try out.  I really like & the little pouches I get each month, they're perfect for storing & organizing all sorts of stuff.

Ipsy Glam Bag: September 2014, Street Style

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I feel kind of bad for Birchbox this month, because even though I got a very good box, I was most excited for my September Ipsy to arrive.  That's for one reason and one reason only.  Do you spy it among the five items I got?

Yep, you guessed it!  I peeked in my Glam Room the second it was live to see if I got a Pacifica eye liner or nail polish.  All subscribers got one or the other.  You probably already know which I wanted.  I think I squealed when I saw this stunning Red Red Wine shade was coming.

My excitement was a bit amped up because Pacifica is a personal favorite because of my love for their Blood Orange scent and lip products.  I have been wanting to try their nail polish since I got their email announcing they had begun to offer nail polish.

All the sampling powers all aligned for me since I got something I wanted to buy anyway.  It retails for $9 so it's only one dollar less than the price of my Ipsy bag.  I feel like basically, everything else I got this month was free.  While over all, I'm sad to admit, I do prefer the Ruffian polish I added to my Birchbox this month, I had to pay an additional $26 on top of my monthly $10 subscription price to get them.

Pacifica's nail polish is 7 Free and it's formula is without parabens, phthalates (dibutyl phthalate), toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, resin, and animal byproducts.  Since it's a vegan product, and it can be hard for vegan polish to perform as well as polishes full of all the seven things it's without, I did take that into consideration.

There is one thing there is no denying.  This is one stunning color and just perfect for fall.  It's swoon worthy for sure.  It goes on deep dark red but it took three coats for it to reach the opacity I wanted.  It had a bit of a jelly quality about it too when there are fewer coats on.  I thought it was a bit streaky at first too.  I felt it was outperformed by the Ruffian trio I mentioned yesterday, many OPI polishes, and the 100% Pure polish I got in my CEW Prestige LE Birchbox.

However, if being 7 free is important to you then this is a very well performing vegan polish.  There is a fair amount of color selection.  If this becomes locally available and doesn't require me to special order it, unlike some other vegan polishes, then I would be willing to pick up a few more shades.  I'm really glad I got to try it as I've been very curious about this particular product.

Now onto the rest of my Ipsy samples. This Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser sounds great.  It's supposed to clean without drying or irritating.  The cucumber hydrates and soothes, the watercress has antioxidants.  It's fragrance free but not scent free and I cannot get past the smell, which is quite off putting, which is too bad since it's a good sized sample.

The Maybelline Face Studio™ Master Glaze™ Glisten Blush Stick in Make a Mauve is such a beautiful looking color, that I wish it was a lip product.  It's a little dark for my cheeks and little too shimmery too.  However, with a very light hand it is quite pretty and it blends nicely.  If I wanted to, I could probably make this last for years!

Next is this Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask.  I've been wanting to try a hair mask but haven't had time to research which one to try.  Their site says it, "Delivers an optimal blend of transformative hair nutrients, such as b-vitamin complex, rosehip & avocado oils, collagen, and silk to restore and replenish damaged hair to a shiny, healthy & lustrous state."  I do have dry and chemically treated hair so this will be great to try.

The last sample this month comes from Be a Bombshell and it's their Smooth Criminal Powder.  I don't really get products like this so I'm not too excited about it.  I wear minimal makeup so I usually can't be bothered to use a finishing powder but I may give this a try.  I know from seeing paparazzi photos to use light hand with it or I may end up looking very weird if someone happens to take my photo!

That's my Ipsy for September, besides the Pacifica nail polish and the cute and edgy bag it wasn't too exciting but it was nice to get two full sized products.  I like the polish and will use the blush stick so it's well worth the $10, even if I don't like the hair mask - although I hope I do!  If you decide to sign up for your own Glam Bag, please consider using my referral link!

Ipsy Glam Bag: Beauty Schooled, August 2014

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Ipsy wasn't very exciting this month, it's the first month that's been kind a little bit of a dud.  It was still worth the $10 price for me but just barely. However, most months of Ipsy have been great so this kind of average one just balances things out.  I'm not disappointed, just now wowed like usual.

The bag itself is tubed shaped and has cute polka dots. It's quite roomy and holds a lot more than past bags so I like that and think I'll find more uses for it than the more common pocket type bags ipsy sends.

I have seen this Absolute lip balm in store before, only in the Absolute Love Duo version which comes with both Strawberry and Bubblegum tins.  I received half of the Your the Balm set, subscribers either got Green Apple like I did or Grape.  I've seen some mixed reviews from subscribers who got this, but I happen to really like the apple scent and the very sheer bit of color it gives.  When I saw the other lip products ipsy was sending out this month I was really glad I was getting this one and I had my finger's crossed it would be the apple so I'm really happy I got this.

This Dr. Brandt product is quite nice, but I've already gotten it from Birchbox so I was kind of hoping for something new.  However, it is a higher end product that works well so I'm not complaining about a duplicate.  I still haven't finished the other sample, so these tubes go along way.

I love me some mascara and I love Urban Decay.  I am working through some other mascaras and have three tubes open so I'm waiting to open this but I don't know how long my will power to wait will last.  I'm really curious to give this Perversion sample a go!

So the next two samples are the reason why this month's ipsy is just okay.  First of all these Forever Blush samples from Coastal Scents are packaged in a very inconvenient manner.  It's hard to really get the product up onto your brush.  They are pretty colors but so close together in this sample that they swirl together.  You basically don't get to try Elegant (left) or Fresh (Right) by itself.  I'd rather get one sample in a better container that's easier to work with that this.

My last sample for August is this Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil, which is a fancy way to say black.  And it's teeny tiny.  This is about where I usually throw away my used up pencil because it gets hard for me to comfortably handle and apply.  I don't know why, but the size just kinda made me crabby.  I think ipsy usually does such a nice job of spoiling us and we've come to expect either full or really deluxe sizes that this is just really odd to find in one's bag.  It seems like a mistake!

I still got three products I like and a cute bag that I find more useful than most so I still think I got my $10 worth.  If you'd like to give ipsy a try, please consider using my referral link :)