Ipsy May 2014 Review

Ipsy is one of my favorite inexpensive sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! May's theme was "Fresh Picks". This month definitely seemed to lean more towards skin care, which isn't really my favorite, but most months have mostly makeup, so one skin month every once in a while isn't too bad.

May's bag - super cute!

I really like this month's bag. It's a nice fabric bag rather than the usual stiffer plastic or whatever else makeup bags are made of.

My first product is Hang Ten Classic Sport spf 50 sunscreen ($3.82). I may keep this in my bag for Chris to use, but my skin and Emily's skin are too senstive for a lot of sunscreens. We both use the mineral type baby sunscreens and even then, occasionally I'll still break out in small bumps and Emily's eczema flares us a bit if I don't get her washed off with a bath immediately upon coming inside. Also, can someone answer something for me? I know oxybenzone was determined to not be good to put on your skin (hormone disruption I think), and this product specifically points out that it's oxybenzone free, but what about avobenzone? Wouldn't that be in the same family? Is that problematic as well or is that one ok? If you want to try anything from their website, use code IPSY2014 for 25% off until 6/30/14.

Hang Ten Sunscreen

Next up, I got an Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask ($12). This one I definitely will try. It's supposed to make your hair softer and more manageable by hydrating with Argan oil and strengthening with Keravis protein. Sounds good to me. If you want to try anything from their website, use code IPSY to get 65% off (until 6/15/14)! That's a pretty nice deal!

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask

My next product was a tube of Olive Natural Beauty Lip Balm ($5.95) in refreshing rosemary. I do generally prefer lip balms to lip colors (some glosses are ok, I just don't like heavy lipsticks), so I was happy to see this. I'm still a little mixed on whether I like the scent of it, but it feels really great on, so I'll use it anyway! The offer here is 20% off any order plus a free gift with code OLIVEIPSY (until 7/31/14).

Olive Natural Beauty Lip Balm

Next up was a 1 oz tub of Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub ($16.20). This is a pretty good sized/valued item, and I'm excited to try it, but I'm not 100% sure I can while pregnant. Maybe it just sounds harsh to me? Anyone know if I can use it? I wrote to their customer service asking, so hopefully I'll find out soon enough! Anyway, they're offering 30% off any order with the code IPSY0514 through 7/31/14.

Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub

My last item, and probably the one I was most excited to see, was a Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo ($5?). These duos were apparently made just for Ipsy and the colors they contain can be found in the Charmed ($17) and Mystical ($14) palettes. I think my version, which contains a pretty light purple and a sparkly white, is from the Charmed palette. The pigmentation was ok - I have better luck obviously with loose pigments compared to pressed shadows like this - but the colors were very pretty, so I'm sure I'll use it. The Pacifica code is ipsybeauty for 25% off any purchase through 6/30/14. I really like Pacifica stuff, so I may use that one!

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo

Swatches of the Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo

May 2014 Ipsy bag

Overall, I thought this bag was ok. I mainly like Ipsy for the makeup, so to only get one piece of makeup was a little bit of a bummer for me. That being said, there's really only 1 thing in the bag I probably won't use at all (the sunscreen) and I'm mostly looking forward to at least trying everything else, so it's certainly not a total loss. Just a skin heavy bag, which isn't as exciting as pretty makeup.


What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Ipsy December 2013 Review

Ipsy is one of my favorite inexpensive sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! December's theme was "Celebration".

Theme

"Info" card - more just a list of the possible brands this month

 This month's bag was probably one of my favorite so far! Nice shiny black quilted bag. Cute!

December's bag

This bag was kind of a mix of things I liked and things I didn't. We'll start with the ones I liked. The first item was a Pop Beauty 3 color eye palette (~$7.20 - they don't seem to sell these, just bigger palettes). There were 2 varieties sent out, a collection of browns and a collection of blacks. I got the black version, which I'm very happy about! It's pretty nice. The colors are pigmented and soft. I'll definitely use this. Use coupon code EyeLuvPOP on their site for 25% off any purchase!

Pop Beauty eye shadow palette

Swatches of the eye shadow colors

Another product everyone got a variety of was the Be a Bombshell The One Stick ($16.00). 3 varieties of this went out and I got Flustered, a "warm bright pink". It is quite bright. Thankfully it blends very well and doesn't look so crazy. It's called The One Stick because it's one product that can be used on lips, cheeks, or eyes (I'm not sure I'd put it on my eyes though - that would probably just make me look really sick). I like this product. I kind of wonder if I might've liked the Girl Crush version better, but mine certainly isn't bad. Use coupon code IPSY40 on their site for 40% off any purchase plus a free full sized Raspberry Tart blush!

Be a Bombshell The One Stick in Flustered

Swatch of The One Stick. The top part is unblended and the bottom is blended out.

The last item I technically liked was a Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in the scent Snow ($10.00). I say technically because I do really like this scent, but I already had it. Last time Ipsy featured Demeter, I used the coupon code to buy like 8 of their roll on scents, including Snow (and it does actually remind me of snow!). So, now I have 2. I may try to trade this, but I'm a little wary of shipping a liquid like this. I don't want it to arrive leaked or anything. At least I have another coupon code, ipsy20dfl, now to buy more scents at 20% off, though! They do make some great scents!

Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil in Snow

Onto the products I didn't like as much. The first was a full sized bottle of Nicka K Nail Color in the color NY112 Classic Taupe ($4.99). 2 varieties went out, the other being Ripe Apple, a dark red, which I think I might've preferred. This taupe is just so dull. I know I won't use it, so I didn't even swatch it. Into the trade pile. This month, Ipsy sent out 3 different brands of polish and this one, by far, was the most boring. I really would've preferred to try either the Starrily or Jesse's Girl polish. Those looked fun! Also, looking through the Nicka K nail polish on their site, I find it a little weird that all their different lines come in different shaped bottles. The shape of the bottle I got is fairly unique. Pick that one and stick with it! It's good to have a signature style. Use coupon code IPSY on their site for 30% off any purchase.

Nicka K Nail Color in NY112 Classic Taupe

My last product was a full size J. Cat Beauty The Big Lip Pencil in the color Caramel Mocha ($3.99). I don't like lip crayons or the orangey brown color I got. I didn't even try it because, unlike some colors I'm totally unsure of, I knew this wouldn't be a good color for me. Into the trade pile. Use coupon code jcatlips on their site for 30% off any purchase.

J. Cat Beauty The Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha

December 2013 Ipsy bag

Overall, a mixed bag. Definitely not terrible though. I like the Be a Bombshell stick and the Pop palette and I would've loved the Demeter if I didn't already have it. Of the products I didn't get, I'm really not too upset I didn't get any of the false lashes (don't need more) or the eyeshadow blender brush (I think I have 3 already!). I might've liked to try the English Laundry perfume, but it looks like a lot of people had theirs arrive spilled, so I'm not sad I missed out on that! And again, I would've liked one of the other 2 polishes. But, overall, my value was $42.18, which is great for a $10 sub, so I really can't complain too much!

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Ipsy November 2013 Review

Ipsy time again (ok, I'm kind of behind, so technically it was Ipsy time like 2 weeks ago)! Ipsy is one of my favorite inexpensive sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! November's theme was Glam it Up.

I forgot to take a first peek shot, so straight to the "info" card and coupon

 The bag this month fit very well with the glam theme:

Shiny gold bag!

So, that coupon we got was for 30% off at Em Cosmetics and our first item was a full sized Em product - there were several that went out and I got mascara! To be specific, Lash Gallery Lengthening Mascara in black ($20). Perfect! I'm really glad I didn't get one of the lip products! As far as mascara, this one is pretty good, but not amazing. It's not sticky or clumpy which is nice and I like the wand, but it's not super dramatic. I don't think anything will ever live up to my beloved Too Faced Better Than False Lashes. They're the only thing that can give me lashes like my daughter's natural ones. Seriously, her lashes are ridiculous. People notice them all the time. I wish I had her lashes.

Em Cosmetics Lash Gallery Lengthening Mascara

Next was a full size Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Amethyst ($14). I'm still a little bummed about getting Starlooks in subscriptions other than their own Starbox. I do love their stuff, I just want it only from them! There's just too much risk of repeat. Like this. Seriously, like, the day before the spoilers came out for Ipsy contents, I had just bought all the remaining colors I was missing in the Gem Eye Pencils (including this one) because I love them. And then I saw I'd be getting either Amethyst or Topaz again in this. Everyone got one. I was so mad. The one I ordered went in the trade pile, unopened. Oh well. This one I did open and as expected, like the others, I really like it. A nice very pale metallic purple. Nice and creamy application.

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Amethyst

The next item was a Pixi Bronzer in the color Subtly Suntouched. I don't think this one is full sized, since the full sized one has a fairy pattern in the bronzer, which mine doesn't have. I'm not entirely sure of the value of this since I'm not sure how big full sized is to calculate it, but full sized is $18. Maybe this is half, so we'll call it $9. Anyway, it's a very light bronzer. Probably too light for many people, I'd think. This may work out ok for me since my face is somehow even paler than the rest of me, so it might be useful in adding a little color to the non-blush areas of my face. Just some highlights here and there. Or maybe I'll even try it as a blush, but it's a bit browner than I'd normally go for in a blush.

Pixi Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched

My last piece of makeup is a full sized Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in Hot Damn ($14). <sigh> Didn't even try it. Bright red. I think there were 2 colors that went out. The other was a shimmery burgundy. That one may have been a bit too dark, but I think I might've at least tried that one. These crayons can sometimes be buildable, so a light touch of it might've been nice. This one, I know won't work. I don't do red. So, sadly, no swatch for this one - it went to the trade pile. I don't like to try things I know I'll trade. Hopefully, those I trade with do me the same courtesy.

Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in Hot Damn

Next up was a full size Nailtini nail polish in the color Caviar Cocktail ($13). It's a nice subtle looking darker silver color. I have so many silver polishes though, and I'm pretty sure I have a color that will be very close to this (Bondi City Slicker, even though I'm not so wild on Bondi right now...ugh), so I didn't swatch this one out either because I put it in the trade pile.

Nailtini Caviar Cocktail

My last product is a sample size GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment ($20.70). That's a fairly expensive .5oz sample. Anyway, this is supposed to be a "facial in a jar" (well, we got a tube) that brightens, exfoliates, smooths, tightens, purifies, protects, and activates collagen production. It sounds pretty good, so I'll definitely give it a try!

GlamGlow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment (that's a lot of little red squiggles under words)

The 2 things I did swatch - the Starlooks liner and the Pixi Bronzer

You can see the purple in the liner a bit more at this angle

November 2013 Ipsy

I'm pretty thrilled with this bag. 6 products, 4 of which are full size, and a total value of about $90.70!! For a $10 subscription!! That's amazing! Even though 2 ended up in the trade pile, I'm still happy with what I got. The only thing I might have liked to try is the BH Cosmetics eye shadow sample, but honestly, I think I may just pick up the whole Galaxy palette for $9.

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included referral links.)

Ipsy October 2013 Review

I love it when Ipsy arrives in my mailbox! Ipsy is one of my favorite cheap sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! October's theme was The Art of Beauty.

Peeking into the pretty pink mailer!

Front of info card

Back of info card - basically this is just a list of possible brands and the discount available as an Ipsy member

My first item, an item that didn't fit in the bag, was a Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush ($2.49). Knowing the brand, the price didn't surprise me - they have tons of eye shadows for very low prices. I guess I just don't know why this brush is so cheap. It seems fine to me - natural bristles that don't appear to be falling out and the reviews are all good. The site has tons of different types of brushes, so if this one proves to work well, I may stock up! Especially with that 25% off discount (CS25)!

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush

Better look at the brush

Onto the bag contents!

Not my favorite Ipsy bag design, but it's functional

My first item was a trial size (1 oz vs the regular 8 oz) Nourish Organics Coconut and Argan Body Lotion ($1.25). I hoped this would smell good based on the coconut, but it has kind of an odd scent. And it's not quite as thick as I'd hope. But, maybe the argan oil in it makes it extra nourishing, so I'll keep trying it out.

Nourish Organic Coconut and Argan Body Lotion

Next up was a travel size Sexy Hair Texturizing Spray Clay ($8). I'm going to be honest. I don't know what the heck to do with this. I have very long hair, so I don't really do anything with it that would be piecy like someone with a pixie cut might do. Anyone have any tips?

Sexy Hair Spray Clay

My next product was a full size Zoya polish in the color Neve ($8). Everywhere I look online, it looks purple, but this swatched out absolutely blue. It's a really pretty blue, though! I'm tempted to use the promo code on this brand as well - buy 2 polishes, get one free plus a free Zoya Remove+ (code IPSYZ3) because I'm loving the look of Giovanna, Mason, and Channing. So pretty! I've always loved Zoya's formula too. They pretty much always look fantastic.

Zoya Neve

Swatch

My last product was a large pot of Bella Terra Mineral Eye Shimmer in Emotion ($14.99). Mineral eye shadows are one of my favorite things, so I'm so happy I got this! I also LOVE the color I got. It's so pretty! The 50% off discount isn't too bad either! The shadow prices are a bit high, but if the pot I got is any indication, it seems they're larger products than I'm used to with the indie brands I've been trying. I don't know that I need huge though. I've been pretty happy with small. The only other thing that bothers me about the site is that they don't have color swatches. It's impossible to tell what a pile of powder will look like blended out. Some look super boring in a pile and then amaze you with color and depth when you blend them out. I want to see it! I just can't buy a $14.99 jar (or $7.50 with the discount) if I don't know what I'm buying. I do really love the one I got though!

Bella Terra Mineral Shimmer in Emotion

Swatch - I think my primer was concentrated in the middle, so this may actually show with and without primer. Lovely colors!

Ipsy October 2013

I'm really happy with this month. And LOOK! No lip products!! I couldn't believe it. This felt like the first month they actually followed my profile with their IpsyMatch feature. I hope it continues! This bag was awesome! Especially for only $10! Value of $34.73!

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. The final link is a referral link, but I also included a non-referral link at the top.)

Ipsy September 2013 Review

Ipsy time again! Ipsy is one of my favorite cheap sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! September's theme was Classic Beauty.

Opening the bag

"Info" card - just a list of this month's possible brands and the % off you'll get if you buy from them later

 This month we got a little bonus item, basically an advertisement for Michelle Phan's makeup line, Em. It contained a very small sample of one of her palettes.

Em by Michelle Phan sample

This month's bag was super cute! I love the color and the print:

Pretty bag!

My first product was a set of 3 Freeman paper face masks ($5). I got all 3 varieties: brightening for dull skin, hydrating for dry skin, and purifying for oily/combo skin. My skin tends to vary with the weather/seasons, so I'll probably get a chance to try all of them. I prefer makeup from Ipsy, but this isn't a bad item.

Freeman Paper Masks

Next up was a Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner in Obsidian ($12). At first, I thought I had this exact product from my Starlooks sub, but it turns out I have Onyx. I was confused at what the difference was since they both appear to be black, so I wrote to Starlooks and asked. They got back to me in minutes as they usually do and said that Obsidian is the blackest possible, while Onyx is a bit lighter and may look almost charcoal. I swatched them next to each other and I think I maybe see a small difference, but it's so small I'm not sure it would make a difference at all on eyes. Either way, it's a nice pencil - soft and glides on - but I probably would have preferred one of the other product possibilities this month instead simply because I already get the Starlooks sub. I love it, but I don't need their products from Ipsy, too.

Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian

My next product was an NYX Single Eye Shadow in Shimmery Black ($4.50). I've been preferring loose eyeshadow to solid lately, but it was a pretty color, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It is a pretty color, but unfortunately, it doesn't have very good color payoff - it took quite a few swipes to get it showing up well. It also had a lot of fall out which I hate when applying to my eyes since it tends to leave a raccoony mess. Oh well.

NYX Single Eyeshadow in Shimmery Black

The last eye product, one that I think everyone got, was a sample size of Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara ($8). I haven't tried this out yet, but I'm hopeful for it. I like volumizing. I'm a bit surprised we only got a trial size instead of full size, especially when I found out the discount we'd get if we order from them is the highest of the month at 50% off, making the full size only slightly more than the value of the sample we got.

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara

 My last product was a J. Cat Beauty Fantabulous Lipstick in Honeycrisp ($2.49). Wow. This was just a bad color. Maybe I just don't know how to use nude lipstick, but I put this on and I looked like a cadaver. And again, a lipstick. I'm done expecting Ipsy to pay any attention to our profiles or reviews, which are supposed to influence what we get in our bags. I wish they'd stop advertising Ipsy Match - they don't use it. If I pretend they don't use it, I'm less disappointed when I get a lip product. It is still only $10 a month, after all.

J. Cat Beauty Fantabulous Lipstick in Honeycrisp

Swatches L to R: Starlooks Kohl Pencil in Onyx (not in Ipsy bag), Starlooks Kohl Pencil in Obsidian, NYX Eyeshadow in Black Shimmer (after blowing away all the dust), J. Cat Beauty Lipstick in Honeycrisp

September 2013 Ipsy bag

Technically, this bag had almost a full face (minus blush), so that's kind of nice. I just wish I liked the products more. I'll probably use the kohl pencil and face masks and at least try the mascara. The lipstick is a total loss and I don't know really if I'll use the eyeshadow - I have so many better ones, it's kind of silly to use one I don't love. Again, I'm just disappointed in the advertising of Ipsy Match to give us products matched to us. If they had followed mine, I would've gotten the Butter London polish, the Jesse's Girl liquid eyeliner, or the Chella Highlighter Pencil. I would have loved all of those! I may consider using the coupon codes to buy one or more of those, but I'd have rather just gotten them in my bag than have to buy them. 2 out of those 3 are over $10 even with the coupon code. Maybe I'll get one in a future bag.

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. The final link is a referral link, but I also included a non-referral link at the top.)