Little Black Bag Review August 2013

Little Black Bag is a service that allows you to purchase an item from a gallery (jewelry, shoes, accessories, handbags, etc...) at a discount.  You can also "bundle" your item and they will surprise you with 3-4 other items for a slightly higher over all cost. You then have 1 week to trade your items for other things in the gallery.  See my explanatory post HERE.

I returned some items that I got in my July bag because I didn't like them.  I shipped them for about $11 at my post office, plus tracking, which was another dollar and change.  LBB was really fast at getting them entered into their system and three days after I mailed the items I had the return credits listed in my account.

I picked out some items from the return gallery and that was that! I paid shipping and handling on it, but it was totally worth the extra $17 or so to get items that I like better than the ones in my July bag.

LBB August, after removing all of the paper packing.

LBB has switched to a new warehouse and they said shipping and processing should be faster.  Shipping seems to be through FedEx.  My box shipped the 29th and arrived today, the 31st.  This is MUCH faster than previously, where it would be about a week from the time I was notified of shipping to me actually having it at my door.

LBB has also switched the way they package their items.  Before, you had to be careful when digging though your packing materials because they would just toss the little baggies with jewelry items in willy-nilly.  Now there are padded envelopes with the smaller items.  This is a great switch! Good job, LBB.

Robert Rose star ring

Back of RR star ring

I like this ring a lot and turned down some excellent offers on it.  It's adjustable because of the hinge, but it's not as annoying as I thought it would be.  It doesn't pinch the back of my fingers.

Two's Company shell bowl with my other items in it

I added on the shell bowl after I saw the dimensions.  I wanted something to hold my earrings, as I currently have them in a little travel first aid container.  Yeah.  It's time for an upgrade.  This is pretty, but not as high quality as I was hoping for.  It feels like flimsy plastic instead of shell.

R.J. Graziano gold and white ball necklace

I traded a bracelet from the exchange gallery for this necklace in the hopes of wearing it with some dresses I have to nice events like weddings.  It is a litter cheaper looking than I had hoped for, but we'll see how it looks with my dresses.

MMS Design Studio cream studded bag

I love this bag! It's awesome for the upcoming fall semester.  This had insane offers on it but I liked it too much to want to trade for something different.  I was worried the studs would be sharp and pointed, but they are flat tipped and won't hurt me when I'm carrying it around.

Everything all together

If you would like to sign up for Little Black Bag, and you use my REFERRAL LINK, you will get 25% off your first order!  

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.
This post contains a referral link.  If you sign up for LBB using it, when your first bag ships, I will receive an item in my next bag. You will also get 25% off for using it.

OotD August 30

OotD August 30

We had a poster session for the incoming graduate students today and I wanted to look nice.  I was the only one...

Blazer: Grey 3/4 Sleeve, Lauren Conrad (Kohl's)

Shirt: Yellow with bow design, Lauren Conrad (Kohl's)

Jeans: Lucky Brand Lolita Skinny

Earrings: Pi, Gift

Bracelet: Feather, Alex and Ani

Shoes: Cream with Star flats, Old Navy


No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.

Retrospective: Ipsy June 2013

Ipsy April 2013: Month 10; On the Wild Side

Ipsy bag June 2013
Photo from Ipsy

This month's bag was leopard print with a neon green zipper! Unlike the other bags, this one has a zipper across the front instead of across the top of the bag.  I'm not sure I care either way, it's just something new to note.

Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner with Brush Built-In in 06 Purple
Photo from Ipsy

This is a very pretty-looking liner.  The brush pops out of the top of the case and can be flipped around and re-inserted so you have a longer handle.  However, this does make it unwieldy to carry around because it's an awkward size and shape.  I wish they had a separate flat top for the liner pot and I could just carry my own eyeliner brush separately.

The color is a rich, dark purple without any of the brightness that can sometimes make purple liners look unprofessional.  This is totally wearable for most occasions.  It goes on smoothly and stays put, which are two very important eyeliner qualities.  I have a few purple liners (both gel and my beloved UD 24/7s) but no color quite this deep.  Due to its uniqueness and quality, I'm keeping it, even if I don't wear gels too often.

Full size $21 for 4g plus brush.

NYX Powder Blush in Spice (Matte Mauve)
Photo from Ipsy

Honestly, I haven't opened this yet.  It's not particularly "summery" and I have so many blushes that I may never even get around to using it.  I'm just not a blush girl.  I wear it every day, and I have two or three I rotate throughout the year, but I don't care enough about it to have a spectrum of blush colors from bubblegum pink to deep red to peach and tangerine and all the colors in between.  I do have a powder blush from NYX that I use to contour and I like it.  It blends well, so I am assuming another shade of the same product will perform similarly.  It's not super-duper pigmented, which makes it very useable.  I hate blushes that are so bright that you can't even touch the bristles of your brush to them without picking up too much.

Full size $5 for 5.2g.

Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare
Photo from Ipsy

Starlooks is a makeup company that also has their own branded makeup subscription box.  I find it interesting that they would pair with another beauty subscription box... maybe in the hopes of gaining some more subscribers?  If that is the case, they would have done better to provide a different product.  They sent out three colors of these lip liners and from what I can tell, they were the wrong three colors for pretty much everyone.  I haven't even opened the plastic seal around this one yet, because it looks dark and greyish and will almost certainly be the wrong color for me.  I've seen people say the quality is great, but that won't persuade me to try this.  I have 3 or 4 open lip liners already and they cover the colors I need.

Full size $12 (2.4g).

J.cat Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta
Photo from Ipsy

This is in my 5 least favorite Ipsy products post.  I don't feel like talking about it again.

Full size $4.49 for 0.1 oz of product.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil
Photo from Ipsy

This is in my Ipsy Top 5.  I've used this almost exclusively as my go-to highlighter since I got it, and I've only sharpened it once! Sorry to my Benefit High Brow that is sitting neglected at the bottom of my makeup bag.  This is the perfect color for me and the texture is awesome.  It blends so easily, and even can cover up some stray hairs that you have yet to pluck from under your brows ;).  This is the final polishing step to my minimal makeup.  Chella also sells other colors of this product.  It's a little pricey, but seems like it will last long enough to get your money's worth.

Full size $18 (1.4g).

There were some variations in the bags this month.  Everyone got a blush from NYX, but it could have been powder, cream, or mosaic.  The other two potential products were J.cat eyelashes with eyelash glue and Psssst! Dry shampoo.  This would be instead of the highlighter pencil or cailyn eyeliner, I believe.

Total Value $60.49

Wow! That is a great deal for only $10! Every item was full-sized, which is amazing. Even with the dud glitter palette, this was a great bag, and I'm totally happy with it.  Way to go, Ipsy.

Ipsy costs $10/month, including shipping, and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn a free item if 2 people sign up with my link.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

OotD August 29

August 29 OotD

Sweater: NY&Co.

Dress: Forever 21 

Leggings: Love Culture

Boots: Talitha from JustFab

Earrings: Me Too- Triangle and Arrow Earring Set from Little Black Bag.

Necklace: Gorjana & Griffin from PSMH August 2013

This post contains items purchased by me.  No compensation or consideration was received for this post.  This post contains a referral link to LBB.  If you sign up with my link, I will receive a bonus item in my next bag.

Retrospective: Ipsy May 2013

Ipsy May 2013: Month 9; Spring Fling

Ipsy bag May 2013
Photo from Ipsy

This is a wind-breaker-esque fabric with a blue and orange chevron print.  It's actually pretty cute and I think whoever ends up getting it filled with goodies this Christmas will like it, too.

Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Fig
Photo from Ipsy

Oh, Juice Beauty.  You and I have such a love/hate relationship.  I love some of your products, but hate the smell of most of them.  This is no exception.  I like the texture of this gloss, it is not too thick or thin and is not sticky at all.  I love the shimmer and gloss it gives to my lips, and it has fairly decent staying power for a lip gloss.  I hate the smell/taste and the color looks terrible on me.  It looks brown.  I don't wear brown lip colors for a reason.  They look awful with my pale skin and blonde hair.  Just awful.  I don't have any friends with the right coloring for this, so I'm going to hold onto it for now.  Maybe I'll make a friend down the line who will be able to wear it!

Full size, 8g, $15.  Also available in a set of 4 for $48 ($12/each).

Pacifica Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter
Photo from Ipsy

I was super excited to see this in my bag! I know a lot of people were disappointed they got a bronzing lotion, but not me.  I'm very pale and plan on staying that way, but I don't want to blind people with my legs when I wear a dress.  Enter bronzing lotion.  I have a few already, but this one is nice and subtle.  It's not too bronzing or too shimmery, plus it smells awesome.  To me, it smells like vanilla and coconut.  To the boys at work it smells like: cupcakes, vanilla frosting, birthday cake, rice crispy treats (yeah, it kinda does, actually), and just all around deliciousness.  They couldn't stop talking about how good I smelled at lunch.  Ladies, take note: wear this and get lots of male attention because you smell like baked goods.

This 2fl.oz. size sells for $7.

Yaby Concealer Refill in Buff
Photo from Ipsy

For once, Ipsy matched my skin tone (closely enough).  There is one shade lighter than this (vanilla), but they say to pick a concealer that is a little darker than your skin tone, right?  This works pretty well on my slight under eye circles, and I haven't tried it on anything else.  Trying to cover up each individual freckle I have seems obnoxiously tedious.  Most days I don't even bother with concealer, but at least now I have one in case I want to use it! I didn't before and had been meaning to pick one up when this arrived.  It'll do.  Plus, it is magnetic and fits into the case they sent in March.

3.5g (20mm pan diameter) $4.85.

Zoya Nailpolish in Piaf (yellow, far right)
Photo from Ipsy

The purple on the far left is called Julie.  I think that if a customer had the name of a polish in this collection, they should have sent it to that person! I would have MUCH rather gotten the purple with my name on it than the ugly yellow that I'll never be able to wear.  Gross.  It's a pretty glass-type glittery finish, which I'm sure is lovely in the other colors.  Oh well.

This was full size, 0.5 fl.oz. $8.

Mirabella Perfecting Powder in Translucent
Photo from Ipsy

This is in my Ipsy top 5.  I have used up about 2/3 of this, and I've used it every day since I got it.  I'll be sad when it runs out! It really does buff into your skin to give a flawless finish.  I love it.  I can't speak highly enough of it.

Full size $30 (4g), this is 1.3g and worth $9.75.


There was a wide variety of products that were sent out this month.  It looks like everyone got a nail polish and a concealer, and three other items.  The other options were: Anastasia mini clear brow gel, Pacifica luminizing body butter, Pacifica Island Vanilla & Tahitian Gardenia Perfume Rollerball, Macadamia Hair Healing Oil Treatment, NUME Finishing Serum, Mirabella Colour Sheers Lipstick, St. Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion, Mirabella Shimmeratti Glimmer Gloss, Mirabella Lip Lustre Liner.

Total Value $44.60 (using $15 for the lip gloss).

There was a decent variety of items included in this bag, and most of them were really great! I do wish the gloss and nail polish were different colors, but I like the lotion and perfecting powder so much that its value far exceeded its $10 price tag for the bag.

Ipsy costs $10/month, including shipping, and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn a free item if 2 people sign up with my link.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

Swaggable: Hemp Hearts

Swaggable is a website where you can request samples of various products from their current selection, and then provide an honest review and feedback on their site.  I've received a number of products from them, everything from a face mask to a protein bar.  You tell the site what you would like to try, and they also use your profile to choose samples for you.  

I recently received a sample of Hemp Hearts from Manitoba Harvest to try.

Hemp Hearts Pack, shipped in a plain white bubble envelope.

Close-up of the sample package

Hemp hearts!

I have never tried hemp hearts before, so I didn't know what to expect.  I figured I'd sprinkle them on top of food instead of trying them straight out of the bag.

Snack with hemp hearts

My snack was a piece of whole wheat toast spread with garlic hummus and avocado, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and hemp hearts.

OMG SO GOOD.

I ate the rest right out of the package and wished that there were more.  They taste like a combination of walnuts and sunflower seeds to me, and I love it.  I need to buy more of these ASAP.

These sell for $8.99 for 8 oz on the company's website.

This product was received free for review purposes.  No compensation was received and all opinions and thoughts are my own.  This post does not contain any referral links.

OotD August 28

Horses.  OotD August 28, 2013.

Classes start a week from today.  That makes me sad.  I have an insane teaching load and I'm going to be as scary as possible for the first few weeks to get all the people who won't be able to handle the course to drop.  It will be better for all of us that way.  This means I probably shouldn't wear a dress with little horsies all over it.  One of the professors called it, "ridiculous."  

Dress: Target (Xhilaration) (on clearance!)

Belt: Target (also on clearance!) 

Shoes: Old Navy beige flats with ankle strap ($10 flat sale!)

Bag: Kate Spade striped flicker bon shopper (clearance...but still pricy)

Retrospective: Ipsy April 2013

Ipsy April 2013: Month 8; Pretty in Pink

Ipsy Bag April 2013
Photo from Ipsy

The bag this month is white with a pink interior.  BAD IDEA.  Why would anyone make a white makeup bag!? It will stay white for a few seconds and then get dirty and makeup-covered.  Lame.  I'm planning on filling it with stuff and giving it as a Christmas present or something.  Let someone else get it dirty!  Seriously, with a "pretty in pink" theme, they could have had a much better bag.

Be a Bombshell Blush in Beach Please
Photo from Ipsy

This blush is BRIGHT.  Holy cow.  I tested it out and looked like I got slapped in the face.  It's pigmented, to say the least.  And matte. I guess I just need a lighter touch.  I haven't used it since I tested it out, it's in my giveaway pile.  The other color option was Sweet Cheecks, a medium shimmery rose.

This is full-sized (5g) and retails for $16. 

Duo Eyeshadow in Heartache by Two Cosmetics
Photo from Ipsy

This was an either/or item.  Other people received a Mica Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow in Earth.

This is pink.  It makes me look like I have pink eye.  That's not a good look for me.  This has a matte side, which is the offending side, and a shimmery side in the same shade, which is ok.  Because it is shimmery, people aren't as apt to confuse it with an infection.  That's always a good thing.  I'm giving this away, too.

This is full-sized (0.98g net weight) and sells for $6.99 on their website.  I feel a little gypped, the mica eyeshadow was also full-sized and sells for $14.95!  Plus, more importantly, I would use it.

Sation Nail Lacquer in Love at First Byte
Photo from Ipsy

Even though this is very sheer and each coat takes about a half hour to dry, I like this polish.  It is subdued and looks good with my skin tone and lasts a long time before chipping.  It's a very sheer dusty rose color, not quite as pale as in the picture, and a little more on the orange side.  The other color option was "Of Corset I'll Call You", which was a purple-toned pink.

This is the full size, 15 mL, and sells for $5.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal
Photo from Ipsy

I have so many hair products, I couldn't even justify opening another one.  Sexy hair claims this speeds up blowdrying time, helps smooth hair out, and adds moisture.  This was sealed under the cap, which is awesome and more samples should come sealed.  I ended up giving it to a friend with long hair plus extensions and she was excited to try it.  I hope she liked it!

The other option, instead of this, was Big Sexy Hair Powder Play volumizing powder.

Full size (125 mL) is $21.95 at Ulta.  The 25 mL sample is worth $4.39.

Total Value $32.38

I'm not quite sure what the hair product had to do with the pink theme.  Oh well.  I really only got use out of the nail polish, but that's only because of my color preferences for myself.  Had the same brands been given with different colors, I would have been really happy.  It's not the best box, but it's definitely not the worst I've gotten from Ipsy.


Ipsy costs $10/month, including shipping, and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn a free item if 2 people sign up with my link.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

Giveaway Link

Hi everyone!

My real-life friend and subscription box buddy runs a crochet blog.  To celebrate the 1-year anniversary of her blog, she is giving away some squishy yarn! If any of you reading this are the crafty type, head on over to her blog and check it out at HIJinKs Crochet.

OotD August 27

OotD August 27

Earrings: Wet Seal gold balls and gold wings

Bracelet: K.Kreative spike split bracelet, from Little Black Bag
Necklace: All the Rage leaf pendant, from Little Black bag

Shirt: Mango 

Jeans: Seafoam green, Lauren Conrad (Kohl's)

Boots: Scuttle in Taupe from ShoeDazzle

Scarf: Golden Tote

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me. 

Retrospective: Ipsy March 2013

Ipsy March 2013: Month 7; Red Carpet Ready

Ipsy Bag March 2013
Photo from Ipsy

This month's bag is so cute! It has a white interior and is navy and white stripes with little anchors all over it.  I'm from RI and I have lived here most of my life, so I have a thing for anchors.  It's on our state flag, along with our state motto: HOPE.  Nice and simple, right?

Mini Freestyle GlamRx Magnetic Palette with Mirror
Photo from Ipsy

This magnetic palette is the only good thing about the bag this month, besides the bag itself.  The whole bottom is magnetic so you can rearrange products as needed.  It also has a mirror and is small enough to fit in my makeup bag without taking up much room.  Too bad I am too lazy to depot the things I like, and all the magnetic singles I have suck! I did put my Mirabella eyeshadow pan in it (from Ipsy September 2012).

The "freestyle" palette on their website is $9.95 and looks to be the same as what I got in this bag. They also sell a double-decker for $16.50.

LA Fresh Makeup Remover Wipes
Photo from Ipsy

These are good for lazy people like me.  However, I am still too lazy to use them, as I shower at night and take all my makeup off then.  I bring these on vacations in case I need to touch up my face before going out at night.  I haven't been on vacation for more than 2 nights since I got this particular pack, though, so I have a number left.

There were 8 wipes in the sample size, which LA Fresh sells for $2.50.

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist
Photo from Ipsy

UGH.

Cat pee scented.  Lovely.

Full size (WHY, PEOPLE) is $22 for 200 mL.  Sample is 30 mL of nasty with a value of $3.30.  

Yaby Eyeshadow in Sand Dune
Photo from Ipsy

Yaby Eyeshadow in Teal (So Vein? Maybe that is the color name)
Photo from Ipsy

See above link to my least favorite products.  I hate these. SO MUCH.

Yaby sells individual eyeshadow refill pans (3?!g) for $3.15.  I wonder if they are including the weight of the pan itself in that.  There is no way that tiny sub-dime-sized shadow is 3 full grams.

ASSUMING these are full-sized, the value for the two would be $6.30.

Total Value $22.35

Not only has this been the lowest valued Ipsy bag I have received, it is also my least favorite.  I liked the bag.  The palette is ok.  That's about it.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  All my other awesome months made up for this loser.


Ipsy costs $10/month, including shipping, and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn a free item if 2 people sign up with my link.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.

OotD August 26

Outfit of the Day, August 26

Sweater: Black button-up from Love Culture ($8!)

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Lucky Brand Lolita Skinny

Bracelets: Alex & Ani

Necklace: starfish. gift.

Sunglasses: House of Harlow from Popsugar Must Have Summer Fun edition

Shoes: black flats from Payless

Tool box: Harbor Freight.  It has my microscopy supplies for walking back and forth across campus. Damn right, it's an accessory! 

This is pretty standard for me.  Jeans, tank, sweater, flats.  You'll see a kajillion (yes, that is the correct scientific number) permutations of this outfit if I keep up with my OotD feature.

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me. 

Retrospective: Ipsy February 2013

Ipsy February 2013: Month 6; Red Carpet Ready

Ipsy Bag February 2013
Photo from Ipsy

You can't really tell from the picture, but this month's bag was a black pleather bag with a red lining.  It's ok, but it feels a little cheap.  I think I ended up giving this to my stepsister with some nail polish and various samples inside of it for her birthday.

Coastal Scents Shadow Palette Sample
Photo from Ipsy

First up is another eyeshadow sample quad from Coastal Scents.  I got one of these in October 2012 in different colors, but I don't mind because I actually like them.  One of the colors in this quad was the same as one from October, so that was the one I tried to depot to put a little magnet on the back.  It didn't work so well! The other colors I have left are a matte dark grey, a shimmery gold-toned grey, and a shimmery silver-toned grey.  They are decent quality, especially when considering the price.  I wear these a lot, mostly because the package is tiny and there are (now) 3 colors in it.

Net weight 2g.  Coastal Scents sells individual eyeshadow pans (1.5g) for $1.95, giving the quad a value of $2.60.

Lash Card Sample
Photo from Ipsy

These are little plastic cards that you can put over your eyelids while applying mascara so you don't ruin your makeup.  I haven't used them yet and I haven't ever had the urge to try them.  It seems like such a wasteful item! These are supposed to be for a single use... why would I waste that much plastic when putting on mascara for the day? It, to me, is an unnecessary item.

These retail for $6.99 per pack of 10.  Ipsy sent 4 cards, for a value of $2.80.

MICA Beauty Gel Eyeliner in Black
Photo from Ipsy

I used to wear gel eyeliner a lot, but I have discovered Urban Decay's 24/7 liners and haven't looked back.  I still have a number of MAC Fluidlines left and plan on giving this away.  There are only so many black gel liners you can have open at once, especially when you don't use them anymore.  It seems to have decent reviews, though.

There isn't a size listed on the sample, but comparing it to a 4g Cailyn gel eyeliner and a 3g MAC fluidline, I'm estimating this is 1g.

The full size (which also includes a brush in the cap, like the Cailyn gel eyeliners) is 5g and $35.  1g would be valued at $7.

Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer
Photo from Ipsy

This primer is unlike the other ones I have in that it is not silicone-based.  This can be good if you wear water-based makeup or have skin that is sensitive to silicones.  I'm not sure if it made my skin look any better under my BB Cream, and I don't have noticeable pores, so I can't comment on that either.  It's not bad, though, as far as primers go.  I definitely prefer it to my silicone-based ones...they just feel so slick, and not in a good way.  However, I usually am in a rush to get out the door in the morning and don't bother with primers.  Just lotion and sunscreen under my makeup.

Full size is $29 for 50 mL.  This was a very nice sample size, 15 mL, and has a value of $8.70.

POP Beauty Smokey Lash Kapow Mascara
Photo from Ipsy

The final sample was mascara from POP Beauty.  I haven't tried it yet, I have quite the mascara stockpile! I don't like to open them if I don't have to, and this came nicely sealed in plastic so I will keep it like that until needed.  It seems to have mixed reviews, so I'm not going to hurry through my current mascara to get to it.

Full size (7g) at the current conversion rate is $16.36 (from their website, which is sold out) or $18.50 from Ulta for us of those who are stateside. The sample is 4.8 g, for a value of $12.68 using the Ulta price.  I wouldn't buy just a mascara from a site based in the UK.  Shipping would be outrageous!

Total Value $33.78

This seemed to be a smokey-eye themed bag, which I can see for a "red carpet ready" theme.  A red lipstick or fake lashes might have been better in place of the lash cards, though! It was good to try some new products, but the lash cards were a miss for me.  They just seem like such a silly concept.

Ipsy costs $10/month, including shipping, and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn a free item if 2 people sign up with my link.

This post contains products I purchased with my own money.  No compensation was received for this post and all opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link, see above for details.