Ipsy March 2014

Ipsy March 2014 Review

PSA: Throw out your lip gloss from Pop Beauty that came in the February bag.  Trust me, I know a chemical burn when I see one, and I chemical-burned the crap out of my lips.  They are still recovering.  Gross.  Just toss it if it doesn't smell like delicious vanilla cookies.  Pop Beauty claims there is a "missing flavoring ingredient" but there is clearly something fishy going on with the sample glosses.  Read about this particular issue here.

THROW THIS AWAY!

And as always, if you ever notice a weird smell or burning sensation (different from a plumping or tingling sensation), or if your skin/lips feel slimy, stretched out and tight (not just dry, but like your skin has shrunk 2 sizes), itchy, or scraped up after applying any makeup product, THROW IT AWAY.  Seriously. 

Ok.  Sorry.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

I remember the days where I would get Birchbox and Ipsy on the same day, usually within the first 10 days of the month.  Birchbox has since started to ship to me a few days earlier, and Ipsy has started to ship to me about a week later.  Sigh.  Can't have it all in life, I guess.

Ipsy March 2014

This month's Ipsy theme is "Destination Beauty" and features a bag designed by Klari Rice, an artist from California.

The bag itself is cute, but feels pretty thin and vinyl-ish.  It will wipe clean, at least!  The pattern, for some reason, reminds me of the minions from Despicable Me.  Maybe because the circle blobs look like eyes?  I'm not sure, but I get a definite minion vibe from this bag.

There were 4 products included in the bags this month.

Be a Bombshell Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad

First up, I got the Be a Bombshell eyeshadow quad in Bora Bora.  There was eyeshadow dust all over the inside of the box and the outside of the compact, but it didn't seem to be from my particular quad.  Weird.  I wiped it all off for the pictures.

Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad in the remainder of today's natural light.

The eyeshadow is more pigmented than I expected.  I like the combination of colors a lot, but I probably will still give this away as a gift.  I have too much eyeshadow!  Gah! 

Two swipes over bare skin, with a LOT of light shining in

I think Ipsy sends a Be a Bombshell product almost every month! I have lip crayons, lip gloss, felt-tip eyeliner, a one stick, now eyeshadow.... I'm going to end up with their entire product line if I continue to subscribe to Ipsy!  It totally negates the need to buy this product independently, and also makes me devalue their items.  They should probably give it a rest for a little while.

This sells for $16 on the BaB website.

Next, I got two packages of Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing eye patches.

Klorane Soothing and Relaxing Patches

I read somewhere online you could re-use these, so I'm going to try to do that.  I'd hate for these to be one-time use, but it seems like they are.  Oh well.  They felt nice on, but I will definitely take the suggestion to put them in the fridge first!  I don't think they made a noticeable difference on my undereye circles, but I wasn't puffy to begin with.

Dermstore sells a 7-pack of these for $18, making my 2 packs worth $5.14

OH hey! Nail polish! IpsyMatch really had to work hard on that one ;)

Nicole by OPI "On What Grounds?"
Different from the mystery book by the same name.

This is from the Nicole by OPI Roughles line of textured polish.  The color is "On What Grounds?" and is a robin's-egg-blue with navy and gray speckles.  It dries to a matte sandy finish and doesn't have glitter in it (like the Julep Stardust, Zoya Pixie Dust, and OPI Liquid Sand lines do).

Speckles in the bottle

When I first put this on, I didn't like it.  It looked like I had done my nails at the beach and got tons of sand stuck in the wet polish before it dried.  The dark specks don't help that at all!  Trust me- I live less than 1 mile from the ocean.  I know what sand stuck in nail polish looks like, and this is it!

"Roughles".... get it?
Stupid nubby pointer finger :( It is cracked down the middle- I need to keep it short while it grows out!

However, the longer I look at it, the more it is growing on me.  I'll see what everyone at work says tomorrow.  Two coats was plenty, and I happen to be a fan of the wide brush that NOPI polishes have.

NOPI polishes sell for about $7.99 at CVS, Target, Ulta, etc.

Last up, and my favorite thing in the bag this month, is a mini lipstick by Bare Minerals as part of their Marvelous Moxie line in Get Ready.

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready

The color is really pretty, it is a nice warm rose color that is flattering on my super-winter-ultra-pale skin.  Unlike last month, I am not having any burning feelings associated with applying this lipstick.

Face into the light.  The color of this lipstick is a little more muted in real life.

This lipstick is wonderful.  It is super creamy and richly pigmented.  There is a slight vanilla-mint scent, which I think is nice.  This is one of the best lipsticks I have gotten in a subscription box, if not *THE* best.  I love it!  I wish Ipsy had sent out full sizes, but no biggie.  I'll just buy a full one when I use this sample up.

Sample size is 0.05 oz and the full size is 0.12 oz.  The full size is $18, making the sample worth $7.50.

Ipsy March 2014

The total value of my bag this month is $36.63 (hi there, palindrome!).  I've had higher bag values, but there were some items from decent brands this month.  I am really happy with this bag, especially the lipstick!  I don't think I would have preferred any of the other variable options this month, I'm pretty satisfied.

Ipsy costs $10 per month, and will send you 4-6 sample and full-sized (mostly) beauty items in a makeup bag.  If you want to give it a try, please use my referral link here.  I'll get 250 Ipsy points.  After 1000 points, you get a bonus item.  You get 10 points for each item review you do, so it's hard to accumulate enough points for an item without referrals.  That's the only downside to Ipsy.  You also cannot skip a month, but you can cancel at any time.

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; see above for details.

Sephora Holiday Blitz Sample Bag

I recently purchased some holiday gifts on Sephora, and conveniently they were running a promotion where you could pick out a bag containing 8 samples with any $25 purchase.  This is still going on, use code BLITZ to get your free stuff!  I picked the Holly Jolly Nourishment set.  As said in the fine print, the samples did vary a bit from what was shown on the website.

Here is what I got:

The Bag

Prime Style Extender 0.33 fl.oz. from Living Proof. Full size (5oz) $20. Sample worth $1.33
I have a deluxe sample of this already, no need for me to open the foil packet.  I'll save it for a vacation or something.  It definitely helps my hair remain less greasy than without, especially if I straighten my hair and use some oils in it to make it shiny.

Living Proof samples

Living Proof frizz nourishing style cream. 1fl.oz.  Best value for the full size is 8 oz for $36. 1 oz worth $4.50.
I used this today before straightening my hair (but after my beauty protector spray) and I definitely did not have any frizz, even though it kind of sprinkled on and off today.

Too Faced Beauty Balm

Too Faced tinted beauty balm in nude glow. 1.5 fl.oz. retails for $34. Sample is 0.17 oz. approximate value $3.85.
This color is a little dark for me, especially in the winter. It has a light coverage and didn't cover up the scar on my hand.  

Buxom Lash Mascara

Buxom Lash mascara from Bare Escentuals. Full size $19 for 0.37 oz. sample 0.2 fl oz, worth about $10.27.
I think I've tried this before, but I can't be sure.  I think I remember liking the deepness of color and volumnizing properties.  I have so many mascara samples that I don't know when I'll get to this!  I won't have to buy mascara for years, even if I throw them out after 3 months of being open like you are supposed to!

Clean Perfume

Clean (original) eau de parfum. Sample 0.03 fl. oz. best deal $69 for 2.14 fl.oz. this makes the sample worth 0.97$
This smells just like Dove soap.  It smells clean.  It doesn't smell like a perfume, but that is a good thing to me.

Fresh Sugar Petal Lip Treatment

Fresh Sugar Lip treatment in petal. Full size (0.15 oz) sells for $22.50. Sample 0.07 oz, worth $10.50.
I really like Sugar products, but they are so expensive for a tinted balm!  This is a nice color, smells like citrus, and even in 3 days of using it, has made a difference in the smoothness of my lips.  This product was the reason I picked this gift set, and it didn't disappoint.

Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Cream

Origins plantscription SPF 25 anti aging cream 15 mL. Full size 50 mL for $55. Sample worth $16.50. This is a very thick face cream, and I'm surprised Origins suggests using it in the morning.  I understand that it has a lot of sunscreens in it, and that is why, but it certainly is heavier than I like for a day cream.  It smells herbal in a good way.

Ren Hydra-Calm Cream

Ren hydra calm global protection day cream, 0.17 oz. Full size 1.7 oz for $45, sample worth $4.50.
This wasn't in the sample bag, but it wasn't one of the three free samples I chose to go with my order, so it may just be a stray that hopped a ride to my house! I'm not complaining ;)  I haven't opened the foil seal yet, so I don't have an opinion on it. 

Urban Decay b6 Prep Spray

Urban Decay B6 vitamin-infused complexion prep spray, 0.5 fl.oz.  Full szie $33 for 4 fl.oz, sample worth $4.13.
This is cornstarch in a spray bottle (plus some other fancy things that won't may any sort of difference).  It smelled much better than the other prep spray I've tried (I'm looking at you, Juice Beauty cat-pee-spray!), and the starch provided a nice smooth base for my makeup.  I would CERTAINLY not pay $33 for 4 fl.oz. of this product, though.  I could make my own for fractions of pennies!  Yeah yeah, there are other ingredients, so I'll throw in some aspirin and some aloe juice and call it even.  Same effect, much cheaper.

The samples are worth $56.55, not including the bag they came in.

Other samples I got with my order:

Evel Lom Package.  The cloth was folded up so neatly inside!

Eve Lon cleanser and one cloth. Cleanser $135 for 6.8 oz. cloths 3 for $22. One cloth and 0.17 oz worth $7.33 and $3.38, respectively and $10.71 total.
I love this! The cleanser has lanolin in it, which is one of my favorite ingredients ever.  The cloth isn't really a novel idea, but it works well in this system.  The cleanser smells like cloves and chamomile ("like ham tea" says my boyfriend.  HOT HAM WATER was my response.) and is amazing.  If it didn't cost so much, I would be all about this!  It really makes my skin smooth and soft.

Marc Jacobs Dot

Marc Jacobs Dot sample, 1.2 mL (0.04 fl.oz.).  I like Honey better, but Dot is nice, too.  It's more floral and less tropically fruity than honey.  Full size $92 for 3.4 fl.oz., sample worth $1.08.

Perricone MD Photo Plasma

Perricone MD Photo Plasma.  Antiaging SPF 30 face lotion.  59 mL sells for $69.  Sample is 2 mL, worth $2.34.

I also had 100 points, so I spent them on a Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara Sample.  The sample was 0.07 oz, and full-size is 0.22 oz for $28, making the sample worth $8.91.
This mascara  had a weird smell, but it made my lashes look fake!  I was amazed that one swipe could get me such a dramatic improvement- and I have long, dark lashes to begin with!  I couldn't get a good picture of my lashes, and my mascara is in my car at the moment so I don't have a picture of that either.  Sorry.

All together, I spent $70 on gifts (free shipping!) and got $70.68 worth of samples.  NOT BAD AT ALL.  

Retrospective: Ipsy November 2012

This was the first month since I had been subscribing that there was an "OR" item.  There were a few months before I joined where this happened.

Ipsy November 2012: Month 4; Party Perfect!

November 2012 Bag
Photo from Ipsy

This bag was pretty simple.  It was dark brown with a faux-leather zipper.  The inside of the bag was also dark brown.

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss in Dare Devil
Photo from Ipsy

This smells like spiced rum to me, which makes it weird to use.  I do like the color, though! It is on the sheer side so it isn't too dark, and has some nice shimmer to it without being overly glittery.  It's a very nice holiday color.

Full size is $18 for 4.5 mL.  The sample Ipsy sent was half of the full size, 2.25 mL, for a value of $9.

Chella Defining Brow Gel (Clear)
Photo from Ipsy

This was the either/or item.  Other people received a sample of Benefit's They're Real! Mascara.  I wouldn't pay full price for just a clear eyebrow gel, but I do use this now that I have it.  I would imagine there isn't much of a difference between this and a drugstore brand, other than the price.

Full size (0.2 fl.oz.) costs $18 and the sample size 0.12 fl.oz which gives it a value of $10.80

theBalm Meet Matt(e) in Matt Batali
Photo from Ipsy

I like that this eyeshadow pan came in its own little magnetic box! It keeps it from getting everywhere and I don't have to stick a magnet to it or anything.  This is a matte eggplant color, and looks really nice as part of a purple smokey eye.  They don't make the original Meet Matt(e) palette anymore, but they do have a Meet Matt(e) Nude version with more eyeshadow for your money.

Meet Matt(e) Nude is $42 for 25.5g (9 shadows).  The sample weight is 0.9g, making it worth $1.48 at the nude palette pricing.  If I went by the discontinued palette pricing it would be slightly more, as that one was more expensive per gram of shadow.

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Millionaire
Photo from Ipsy

This is the first Nailtini product I received, and I really liked it.  This is a clear base with rose gold microglitter and gold and green bar glitters.  It is another nice holiday color. It applies well and dries fast, since it is a glitter.

This is full size (0.5 fl.oz.) and retails for $13.

Starlet Intense Eyeliner in Chocolate
Photo from Ipsy

This was a dud.

This is full size (1.5g), and while this color isn't on their website and the packaging on their other eyeliners is different, they sell for $11.

Total Value $45.28

I have said it before, and I'll say it again: Ipsy sends you a great value for your $10.  This bag was full or deluxe sample items and is definitely for the makeup-obsessed.  There was a little of every makeup category in this bag, which Ipsy is really good at doing.

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.

My All-Subscription Box Vacation, Part 2

I'm getting excited for my vacation this weekend! Here is what is in my makeup bag- almost everything is from subscription boxes! 

The non-subscription box products

NYC Browser Brush-On Brow Kit because nothing finishes your look like filled-in brows! This may be all I end up using. Who knows. 

Bare Minerals Original Foundation in case I need some extra coverage 

Various brushes and an eyelash curler. Some of these are from sub boxes (like the SoHo brush in my Ipsy top 5), and some are not. Either way, they are not anything special. 

These will make me feel pretty

Blinc Mascara (Birchbox July 2012) I love this tubing mascara. It doesn't wash off unless you want it to- perfect for going for a swim! 

Chella Ivory Lace Eyebrow Pencil (Ipsy June 2013) I've already written about this in my top 5 Ipsy list. 

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush (Ipsy July 2013) Same with this! It's the perfect summer day lip color. 

Vincent Longo Lipstain SPF 15 Lipstick in Cherry (Glossybox January 2013) For a nice dinner out, no other lipstick can beat this one, especially in a classic red. The stain lasts all night, through dinner and drinks, and doesn't come off on anyone else's cheeks or lips. 

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier (Ipsy December 2012). For when I feel fancy. I tried using this over the winter to a formal event, but I was just too darn pale for it to look good. Maybe now that I'm 0.005 shades darker, it will look better. 

Mirabella Perfecting Powder (Ipsy May 2013). See my other list linked above for a proclamation of my love for this product. It will not leave my sight until it is used up. I will then hold a funeral for it. 

Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in Peach (Birchbox July 2012). For some contouring if I feel like it, and in place of a blush if I want to get crazy with the beachy look. This isn't too dark for my skin tone, which is amazing. 

theBalm Hot Mama Shadow/Blush (Birchbox December 2012). One of my favorite blushes of all time! I was told it made me all glowy, and who doesn't want that? This barely missed out on being on my top 5 Birchbox list. It is awesome and super-flattering. 

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Quads (Ipsy October 2012, February 2013) Boy am I bringing <em>all</em> of my entire top 5 Ipsy products? I think so... 

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Matt Batali (Ipsy November 2012). It seems like theBalm is only selling the nude matte palette now, not the original one. Oh well, I still like this shadow, especially in a smokey eye. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (Birchbox September 2012). I don't plan on wearing foundation, just this. I'm bringing the Bare Minerals for night if we go out, but this will be just fine for the day. I really like this product but not as much as I like my Dr. Jart BB. Maybe if I feel the need to buy an every-day matte product I will get this one. For vacation, it will be great. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil (Ipsy December 2012) Yup. I've got my whole top 5. I also have almost every color ever made of this pencil and there is not a better eyeliner that I have been able to find. It's not up for discussion. These are the best, and they come in the best colors. 

Vincent Longo Duo Lip Pencil (Allure Sample Society July 2012). For under my lipsticks, or by itself with some chapstick or gloss over it. This is a really nice pencil, and it is great to have two slightly different shades in one. Travel is all about multi-use products, right? Streamline your packing!

Look at those packing skills!

Not all of this fit in the July Ipsy bag... Everything in the first picture was left out. So, I put it all into the January bag instead. That is the biggest one they have sent out, and all of my brushes fit (diagonally). I can't wait!

This post contains items that were received in Sample Society, Birchbox and Ipsy, both of which are purchased with my own funds.  All opinions are my own.