Ipsy - June 2016

I want to try to get this Ipsy post up more for completeness and comparison purposes, even though it’s late.  As usual, my problem was getting the pictures taken and processed.  Better late than never, I guess.  J

Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray – I’m a fan of salt sprays and use them every day.  This is a really handy travel size, so it will definitely get used.

Japonesque Solid Brush Cleaner – I’ve heard really good things about solid brush cleaner in general, and am starting to run low on my usual brush cleaner, so this will come in handy soon.  What do you use to clean your brushes?

Seraphine Botanicals Natural Blush in Happy Hibiscus – I’ve already used this, and it’s a really pretty natural flush color.  I really like it, and it now has a home in my daily makeup bag.

Formula X Nail Color in Wingwoman (Sephora) – This is a gorgeous nail polish in a great formula.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Fireball – I was a little disappointed when I first saw this because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with this color pink.  However, I found that it worked great as a fading color above the crease when doing a deep or complex purple eye look.  Now that I figured this out, and since it’s the classic wonderful UD eyeshadow formula, it should get more use than I originally anticipated.  What would you do with a rich pink eyeshadow?

I have been really happy with my recent Ipsy bags, and this is no exception.  I do prefer when it contains a lot of makeup, but what makeup junkie wouldn’t?  In fact, lately it’s been my favorite subscription service by far.  How was your Ipsy bag this month?  How does it compare to other subscription services you’ve received lately?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Ipsy - July 2016

Ipsy continues to rock it out!  There isn’t a single thing in this month’s box that I’m not excited to try.

Luxie Small Angle Brush – I love using a small angle brush to apply cream eye liner, so this will get used.  I’ve also really liked the other Luxie brushes I’ve received from Ipsy.

Organic Surge Daily Care Reviving Eye Gel – I’m a big fan of eye creams and gels.  I use them twice a day and am always looking for new ones.

The Balm Meet Matt(e) Trimony Matte Eyeshadow Palette in Matt Moskowitz – This, of all things, is probably the item I’m least excited about.  I’m not a huge matte eyeshadow fan, and on swatching this was kind of dry and patchy.  I usually really love The Balm products, especially their eyeshadows, so I will give it a shot, but so far I’m not overwhelmed.  Are you a matte eyeshadow fan or do you prefer a little shimmer?

Model Co Power Lash Black Mascara – I love receiving mascara samples, so I’m excited to see this.  I am, however, overflowing in mascara, so I don’t quite know when I’ll get to try it.  What mascara do you think I should try?

Trestique Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent – I’ve had mixed luck with Trestique products, so I didn’t know what to expect when I swatched this.  Then I tried it.  OMG!  It is so smooth and the color is beautiful.  I look forward to using this soon.  How has your luck been with Trestique?  Do you have a favorite product?

This month may be one of Ipsy’s best!  How was your bag this month?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Ipsy - May 2016

I love that Ipsy changed up the style of the bag this month.  The envelope style is so unique!  However, because it is open under the flap, I worry that things may fall out if it gets tipped the wrong way.  It would be perfect if there had been a zipper inside in addition to the envelope flap, essentially making the flap for decorative purposes only.  Also, I found it very difficult to snap shut if it had anything in it.

On to the samples.  I thought they were OK this month, but I don’t think it was the best month Ipsy's ever had.

• Vera Mona Eye Smudger Brush – What can I say; I’m a fan of getting brushes from Ipsy.  While I haven’t used any brushes from this brand before, I’m looking forward to trying this out.  It is a rather small brush though, so it might make a good travel brush.  Have you tried any brushes from Vera Mona?
• It Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Black – I’ve tried this eyeliner before and wasn’t a fan.  That time, I thought it was dry and actually did tug like crazy.  I’m also not a huge fan of black pencil eyeliner.  If I’m going to use black eyeliner, I’ve found that liquid works better for me.  In the end, I’m going to be passing this on.
• Jelly Pong Pong Caribbean Sun Bronzer Duo (likely in Aruba shade) – I found this beautiful.  I’ve been using bronzer more lately, so I’m looking forward to using this.
• Eva NYC Hungry Hair Oil Treatment – I haven’t been using too many hair oils lately, but have used them routinely in the past.  These work really well on my hair when it’s frizzy, and I’ve had good luck with other products from this brand in the past.
• Aurora Gel Effect Nail Lacquer in Safety Orange – This is a really bright nail polish.  I will use loud and vibrant polishes, but this is not usually the type of color I’d go for.  It could be fun as a toenail color for the summer, but I probably won’t be reaching for this one too often.  What’s your go-to summer toenail color?

So, a mixed review for Ipsy this month.  I’m definitely looking forward to using the brush and bronzer, and may find some use for the nail polish and hair oil eventually.  The bag may make a nice purse if you’re careful with how you hold it.

Let me know how your Ipsy was this month.  Did you have better luck than I did?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Ipsy - April 2016

I love the bag Ipsy picked this month!  The kiddo isn’t the biggest fan because, according to her, she doesn’t like the more canvas-like bags.  I don’t know what she’s talking about!  This bag, with its swirly, watercolor, almost tie-dye design, is gorgeous.

The contents this month are pretty good too.  Two makeup items, a nail polish, a hair treatment, and a brush made a great mix of products.  I also like that that there are brands here that know I love and others that I’ve never tried before.

 

This month, I received:

• Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Gel-to-Oil Overnight Repair Treatment – This hair mask will be tricky for me.  A lot of times, I use hair masks like intense conditioners.  This one, you can’t really do that.  You’re supposed to wear it to bed and keep it on overnight, putting a towel down to protect your pillow if needed.  I worry about how well that will work with how I sleep.  If you’ve used this, do you have any tips?
• Adesse Organic Infused Gel Effect Nail Lacquer in Irina – This is such an interesting color, especially for spring.  It is somewhere between lavender and light cool grey.  There’s something on the bottle that I can’t quite tell what it is; it’s colored, but it doesn’t look like the product leaked.  I haven’t been doing my nails much lately, but this is a color I’d definitely pick.
• City Color Highlight Trio – I was so excited to see this in my bag this month!  I love highlighters, so it was even better to get 3.  I’ve used some City Color products before and have been impressed with what I’ve tried, which surprised me a little because I found them at the dollar store.  I’m looking forward to using these, not just as face highlighters but also as eyeshadows.
• Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Crème in Wonder – I love Tarte, and I’m a fan of these.  I have learned that I sometimes have to use a lip liner with these, especially with the darker colors.  And I don’t know why, but the minty scent and tingly nature always surprise me when I use these.
• Crown Brush C427 Tapered Duo Fiber Brush – I like getting brushes in my Ipsy bags.  I don’t have an over-abundance of brushes, so this helps round out my collection.

 

How was your Ipsy bag this month?

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.

Ipsy – March 2016

March’s Ipsy was all about Spring.  There were actually 2 bags this month with an inverse color scheme of each other: one mostly blue with pink flower outlines, the other mostly pink with blue flower outlines. (I got the blue with pink outlines seen above) While the design doesn’t overly thrill me, it’s not the worst I’ve seen, either.

I love makeup, so I absolutely love when my subscription boxes are heavy on makeup samples.  Ipsy definitely kept me satisfied this month!  Out of the 5 samples, 3 were makeup.  Then there was 1 tool and one body product.  Not only that, but just about everything was full size this month.  Overall, this was a really good bag!

On to the products:

• Margaret Dabbs London Super Shiner Buffer – This is a full-size nail buffer that seems to be pretty decent.  It’s a little irksome to me that it doesn’t fit well into the bag, but that’s the price for being a full-size product.
• Nourish Organic Rejuvenating Rose Hip & Rosewater Body Oil Mist – I’ve liked the few other products I’ve tried from this brand before, so I’m interested in this one.  The kiddo pointed out that it says in the name that it’s a mist, but the sample came in a tube, so I won’t get the full experience of how this product is truly supposed to work.  Also, based on past experience with products from this company, oils in tubes can be a messy scenario.
• Pixi Beauty Blush Duo – This is beautiful!  I wouldn’t call both of these blushes, because one is definitely light enough even on me to be a highlighter, but the swatches look gorgeous.  I do wish the lid was a flip-top instead of a screw-off for convenience purposes, but it seems to be a very secure lid so I’m not overly concerned.
• Vera Mona Eyeshadow in Clover – This seems like a beautiful eyeshadow, and a multitasking product at that.  It’s a shimmery pink, so it could probably be used as a shimmery blush or highlighter as well, depending on your skin tone.  I’m a little surprised to see a pink eyeshadow; so many people don’t like them.  I seem to be one of the few who will use pink eyeshadows routinely; mixed properly with other colors, especially purples, they don’t make me look sick like others claim.  (It looks like this is normally one color that comes in a palette, but I don't see it sold separately on their website.)
• NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Kitten Heels – This bright red matte liquid lipstick is a gorgeous formula.  It is definitely not transfer proof, but it also never claims to be.  It reminds me a lot of the Rimmel Matte Lip Velvets in texture when they go on, or even the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, but it dries down more.

Again, I am so happy with this month’s bag.  This is probably one of the best product-wise I have gotten in a long time.

What did you get in your Ipsy this month?  Did you get any of these same products?  Were you happy with yours or could it have been better?  Shout out in the comments!

Note: Ipsy link is my referral link.  If you haven’t joined yet, you should give it a try!

All products link to the company's website when possible, but they can all be purchase through Ipsy as well.

Birchbox and Ipsy – February 2016

I know this is going up when then March subscriptions are coming out, but I want to get this up mostly for completeness purposes.  If you read my last two posts (here and here), then you can understand why this is so late.

I was somewhat unimpressed with both Birchbox and Ipsy this month.  Looking back over them to write up this post, I realize they are not as disappointing as my first impressions, but I’m still not overly thrilled.  I think the big thing was the product size.  Everything just seemed so tiny!

February 2016 Birchbox

Birchbox

• Parlor by Jeff Chastain Moisturizing Sea Salt Spray – Sea salt spray is a staple for me and I use it every day.  I’m looking forward to trying this one and comparing it to my usual Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray.
• Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment – I don’t use a lot of hair masks and don’t find a lot of use for them.  I recently used one up as conditioner, and I usually use them before I swim.  Not overly thrilled to see this one.
• Arrow Cooling Cheek Tint in Pink Punch – I love receiving makeup, so this was a pleasant treat.  The sample, however is tiny, and when I swatched it it was rather light even on my pale skin.  One thing I did find, however, was that this caused a stain where I had left a non-blended area during swatching that I could NOT get off even with thorough scrubbing.  So be forewarned: make sure to blend in quickly or risk not being able to get it off.
• DermaE Hydrating Serum – I like face serums, and after using this last night it felt really nice.  It was a tiny little tube.
• Pop Beauty Matte Velvet Lipstick in Cozy Crimson – I love that this is a full size product in a color that I will wear!  It seemed like a nice creamy formula without shimmer.  Definitely think this is more velvet and not super matte, but that’s OK with me.

February 2016 Ipsy

Ipsy

• Not Your Mother’s In a Heart Beat Blow Dry Accelerator – Love the product line, but I almost never dry my hair, so I won’t get much use out of this.
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – I’m interested in trying this out.  I’m trying to be more consistent in wearing primer, especially now that I have finished my Tarte BB Cream (coming up in my March empties, so more on that then).
• Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer – I do use nude eyeliner in my waterline, and I was pleasantly surprised by how soft this felt when I swatched.  But this is such a tiny little pencil!  I think I’ll be able to sharpen it maybe twice before I’ll have trouble holding it.
• Chella Lip Pencil in Passionate Pink – Another tiny pencil.  I normally love lip products, but this is in a color I have trouble wearing.  It’s somewhere between a bright pink and a hot pink, and I think a lot of people would have trouble wearing it.
• Luxie Flat Definer Brush – I have had good luck with Luxie brushes, and I do like that this is full size.  I’m not usually a fan of brushes this shape, but I’ll give it a fair shot.

What did you think of your Birchbox and Ipsy this month?  I’ve already heard of at least one other person who was disappointed with their Ipsy this month, so I know I’m not the only one.  Shout out your experiences in the comments below!

Note: Referral links included above

Ipsy - January 2016

I LOVE my Ipsy bag this month!  I think it is so adorable!  

Ipsy focused on eyes this month, right down to the pattern on the bag.  Besides the bag itself, I’m a big fan of what came in it, too.  I can't believe how many full size products there are!

Included products:

• Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths - Travel size package of full size cloths
• Ofra Eyebrow Pencil in Universal - Full size
• Jelly Pong Pong Fairy Lashes Curl Mascara - Full size
• The Balm Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner Pencil in Jac B. Bronze - Full size
• J. Cat Beauty Blinkle Shimmer Eyeshadow in Tangerine Light - Full size (I believe)

Ofra Eyebrow Pencil

The Balm Mr. Write Now

 

Aside from lip products, eye products are a close second.  I wear eyeliner every day I put makeup on (which is almost every day), and that is almost always accompanied by mascara.

Jelly Pong Pong
Fairy Lashes Curl Mascara

J. Cat Beauty Blinkle

Do you get Ipsy?  What did you think of your bag this month?  What are your favorite eye products?

If you don't know about Ipsy yet, check it out here. (my referral link)