February Ipsy Bag - The Look Of Love

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Hey y'all.  So today I have a review of my Ipsy bag for this month.  I honestly have to say that I'm || close to just cancelling Ipsy and going back to using that money for my World Of Warcraft subscription.  

What I received:

Tini Beauty Cream Shadow Base - The color I received is Violette.  They claim this is an Ipsy exclusive, but it's listed on their website. :/  It takes forever to dry and you have to put a good amount on unless you just want a sheer wash of color.  Also it's SPARKLY as eff.  seriously.  While it is a pretty purple shade, I just don't think this works well with my blue eyes. I think Ambrosia would have been a better choice for them to send.  Not worth $18 IMO.  You can get better results IMO from drugstore brands at a fraction of the price.

Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini - I received this in Fuchsia Freesia.  I don't know how in the world this made it past quality control.  I opened it to swatch on my hand & immediately smelled something like burning plastic or rubber.  It was horrible.  Right into the trash it went.  I sure as heck wouldn't pay $16 for a full size of this. 

Zoya Nail Polish - I received this in the shade Dot.  This is part of their Awaken spring collection.  Because I'm awaiting on my press sample of that collection, I haven't opened this to swatch or anything.  I love Zoya polishes so I always recommend them.

J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes - The style they sent was EL43.  I don't see that number listed on their website.  I haven't tried these.  I've wanted to try falsies for ages, but haven't been able to actually make myself do it.  I will, eventually now that I have these to play with.  I like how full they are, that the glue included is latex free(as I know many people, not me, who are allergic to it), and made with human hair.  They're also cruelty & lead free and Hypoallergenic.  I'll probably save them for a special nite or something.

Skyn Fresh Start Mask with Ice Age Mud - This is a 2 step sample pack.  I actually just tried it today for the first time.  I tried not to use too much so I can get more than one use out of it.  Both steps have to be layered on/mixed before sitting on your face for 5-10 minutes.  Step 1 feels like a normal face mask, it has that consistency/smell/feel of toothpaste, though it's a clay product.  I did notice a few small bits in it which may have been to exfoliate?  Step 2 was like a slimy gel that gets mixed with the first step on your face to produce an effervescent warming foam.  It didn't really tingle or anything, but I could feel it warming.  My skin felt nice after wiping it off, but it felt like I couldn't get it all off without using soap or something.  A few hours later and my oily skin is like 10 times greasier than normal.  I don't think I could suggest this for oily skin.  

While I'm happy that I get to try some awesome products for just $10 a month, I don't know that I can keep going on with mostly products that I'm either "meh" about or absolutely will not waste money on.  I feel there are way better products in each bag that would be more suitable for my preferences that for some reason they replace with stuff that doesn't even work for me.  For example the face mask....I feel the First Aid Beauty cleanser would have been more appropriate for oily skin.  

I have found a few products that I like/love but the bad outweighs the good here. 

January Ipsy Bag - 19 Reasons

Hey y'all!  Today I have a review of my January Ipsy Bag (referral link) themed/named 19 reasons.  Unfortunately, I could probably name at least 19 reasons why I hated this months bag....but I'll try to be nice.

When I saw what I was getting, I was pretty excited....but that soon faded as soon as I opened the envelope.  The cute teal makeup bag smelled absolutely HORRIBLE.  It almost triggered a migraine, so I had to move it far away from me after this picture.  I emailed them & they said something about the manufacturer having to use extra paint for the bag & it would go away in 24 hours or so.  Well, it took longer than that.  I did check it the other day and didn't notice a smell, but I couldn't believe the horrible quality control letting that slide.  Anyway, onto what I thought of the products themselves.

Proactive+ Mark Fading Pads - Not 100% sure why I got these, as I only get hormonal breakouts and not very often.  I did try them, as I had a few spots but I feel my Clean&Clear stuff worked WAY better than these tiny little wipes.  Maybe if I had more than 4, I would've been more impressed.  I also didn't like that the only way to get these is to purchase them with a kit.  So definitely wouldn't purchase since you really can't anyway.

Mica Beauty Tinted Lip Balm - The shade I received was Fiesta, which is a soft mauvey pink(I think).  First off, I absolutely HATE lip products that come in jars.  If I'm putting something on my lips, I do not want to have to wash my hands before & after applying to keep from getting germs in the product and near my mouth.  I also wouldn't call this a lip balm at ALL.  When you think of "balms", you think treatment.  When you think "tinted", you think sheer.  Not with this.  It's drying and opaque.  I had to use a brush to apply it to my lips and actually had to apply it over a balm with a gloss over it.  Another that I wouldn't purchase. 

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil - I received this in Pearl.  I was excited to get this because I LOVE eye stuff.  It's rather tiny, and I was expecting a full size.  It also has a plastic like outside but my thumbnail scratched it, so I think it should be easy to sharpen.  I tried to use this over the weekend and the color is pretty, but too sparkly to use as a base & too light to use as a liner.  So, I tried to apply it to the inner corner of the eye as a highlight.  I couldn't see it at all.  I swatched it on my hand to make sure it was ok and it looked fine on my hand, beautiful & smooth even.  I tried to get more on the eye again with no luck & just gave up.  The swatch lasted forever.  I even just applied it to the top of my hand again and it will NOT rub off.  I might just try using this as a face highlighter or on the brow bone.  IDK that I would purchase.

Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion - I heard/saw a lot of people saying they didn't like the smell of this.  I can't exactly pin point it, but it wasn't off putting.  I did like this, but I think the sample size was WAY too small.  It was thin and my face seemed to drink it up causing it not to spread around easily.  I hate moisturizers, because most of them make my face look like I dunked my head in a can of Crisco, but not this one.  It was super lightweight and my skin loved it.  IDK that I loved it enough to pay $22 for it, but I might definitely think about it. 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask - YAY I remembered the alt code for the trademark (ALT + 0153 = ™) without having to look it up.  The only bad things I can say about this is there wasn't more....well that and when I tried to wear this as an actual hair mask, meaning more than a few minutes, it seemed to lather in my hair so I rinsed it out.  My hair felt so silky smooth after using this.  If it wasn't $26, and I didn't already have a HUGE stockpile of hair products, I'd be picking this up and trying the rest of the line.


Overall I only loved 2 our of the 5.  And because everything was sample sizes, IDK that it was worth the value of this months bag.  HOWEVER, I honestly can't complain for getting to sample all of these for just $10 a month. 

December Ipsy Bag

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Hey y'all.  Sorry for the delay with my review on this, but the holidays kinda threw me off.  This Celebration Glam Bag from IPSY is my 2nd bag. 

This months bag is a black diamond patent with a red lining.  The zipper is on the front, rather than the top.  I can see myself using this bag a LOT when going out and wanting to carry just a few things.

Be A Bombshell The One Stick - The color I received is called Girl Crush.  It's a dusky rosey pink with a TON of gold sparkle.  When I first got this, I was hanging out with my neighbor & wanted to show her the products.  So I swatched this on the top of my hand.  Several hours, and more than a dozen hand washings later, my hand was covered in glitter.  I wasn't impressed, but decided to try it on my cheeks.  Yeah....not only did my oily skin make me shiny, but this looked like I sprayed my entire face with glitter.  It's supposed to be a multi-purpose product.  Cheeks, eyes, lips, etc.  I "might" try it as a pop of shimmer/color on my lips, but that's about it from now on.

Julie G Textured Nail Polish - I received this in Sugar Plum Fairy.  I haven't tried it on my nails yet, but I did just put it on my toes.  It's way pretty & dried in minutes.  It could easily be a one coat polish, but I used two.  I might have to go get more of the Julie G's.

Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eyeshadow Trio - The trio I received is Smokin' Hot, which is (as far as I can tell) just a little sampler of the 10 pan palette with the same name.  I used this over the weekend and was kinda torn on it.  I used the enclosed sponges rather than makeup brushes & was shocked when the sparkle in the shadows actually transferred.  Sadly, the pigmentation was lacking.  I used a primer, but not a base....so not sure if that makes a difference.  Also, since it's only 3 of the actual 10 shades I don't know if the others have better pigmentation or not.  At $24 for all of them, IDK if I'd chance it.  

J Cat Beauty Big Lip Pencil - Red Rose is the shade I received.  I'd rather have had the mocha option.  I already have 2 red lip sticks, and one lip stain in red that I absolutely LOVE.  This sorta stained everywhere a mistake was made.  It was also very drying even though I used lip balm under.  I really don't like the fact that this will have to be sharpened.  I don't want wood shavings going on my lips.  So, most likely I'll depot this into a jar at some point and just apply it with a brush.  I much rather prefer lip pencils that just twist up.

Mirabella Eye Blender Brush - The handle on this feels like it's solid metal.  The brush itself is awesome, but I can't believe the price on it.  It's HEAVY.  I like brushes that are much lighter, as I feel it helps with lighter application of products.  I like using this to apply a transition color to my crease or to blend out harsh lines.  IDK that I would spend almost $30 on one brush though.  

Overall, I wasn't too impressed with the products in this months bag.  I definitely got my monies worth from it to justify it....but don't think I would actually purchase anything separately other than the polish.  $10 a month for stuff I probably never would've tried otherwise isn't too bad.  Especially when one product alone was almost 3 times that price.  

November 2013 Ipsy Bag

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Hey y'all!  Today I want to share the contents of my FIRST Ipsy bag.  I signed up a month(possibly more) ago and was put on the waitlist.  When I got the email around the first of November, I was all sorts of excited.  My blogging BFF Mandy had been trying to get me to sign up for a while, so I finally took the plunge.  Boy, am I glad I did.

This month's bag was themed Glam It Up.  The bag has a gold metallic snakeskin look with a pink zipper & lining.  

Pixi Beauty Bronzer - Subtly Suntouched - I've never tried any Pixi Beauty products and see them every time I go to Target.  This one is the lighter of the two shades they make.  It's a medium honey tan with a bit of shimmer to help give you that beautiful bronzed glow.  It's very subtle and perfect on my light-medium skintone.  I really really liked this. 

Nailtini Nail Lacquer - Champagne - This one I feel kinda "meh" about.  It's more of a rose-y gold and I'm not really sure how I feel about it.  I actually might just use it for some polish ornaments as I don't really like this particular shade on my nails.  

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil - Topaz - I've tried this a few times and both times I used it on the inner corner of my eyes.  It's a silvery blue color that's just too light for me to use as a liner, though I might try it as a base.  It's extremely smooth and creamy to be a pencil liner, which was shocking AND surprising for me.  

em Michelle Phan Waterliner - Royal Amethyst - I was excited to not only get 2 eye liners in this bag but to try this bad boy out.  I've heard so many great things about it.  It's a beautiful deep royal purple shade.  Unfortunately, it wasn't a total hit for me.  It's not supposed to budge on the waterline....well it did for me.  Not even 2 hours after putting it on, it was practically gone.  It did stay perfectly fine and vibrant on my upper lid though.  It's smooth and creamy as well & I love that it's retractable with the smudger on the end.  I'll definitely continue to use it, just not on my waterline.

Be A Bombshell Lip Crayon - Shameless - Every time I see this, I break out in song..the Garth Brooks song.  I'm a total fan of lip crayons and this definitely didn't disappoint.  I wore it out for birthday drinks with my friends and only had to reapply once.  This is a berry pink with the perfect amount of shimmer.  To me, it's similar to the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.  It lasts forever, but eventually does start to make your lips feel kinda dry.  It's not a problem for me since I carry lip balm EVERYWHERE.  

BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow - Eclipse - I was excited to try this since I like the other BH shadows I have.  Unfortunately, this was kinda a let down as no matter how I apply it, it's splotchy and uneven.  The shade is a beautiful deep sparkly purple.  If you have a perfect application method for this one, please let me know.  I've been interested in getting the full palette, but if they're all like this I can't see how it would be worth it.

This happened to arrive just before my birthday which was perfect timing for me to play around with them.  It's a great price to be able to try out a bunch of things that I normally wouldn't have wanted to pay full price for without trying.  I can't wait to see next months bag already.

*bag paid for by me*