Ipsy October 2013 Review

Ipsy's theme this month was "The Art of Beauty" and once again, I'm a little disappointed by my bag.  I *might* cancel my subscription.  We will see how November and December go.

Ipsy, October 2013

In order from my least favorite to my most favorite this month:

Sexy Hair Spray Clay.

Spray Clay

I guess this is a hairspray that texturizes and mattifies.  I don't like the sound of that at all! I like smoothing things that add shine, and I don't ever use hair spray.

Sample size is 1.4 oz.  Full size (4.4 oz) $18.95 at Ulta, making this sample worth $6.03.


Next, LA Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes.

La Fresh Face Cleanser wipes

I really only use these when I travel, and I still have some left over from the LAST time Ipsy sent these to me.  Way to double up on samples! Oh, I'm sorry, La Fresh Make-Up Remover Wipes are *so* different from La Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes.  Ugh.

La Fresh sells 30 wipes for $9.99, making these 10 wipes worth $3.33.


Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush.

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush

This seems ok.  I won't know until I really use it, but extra brushes are always ok by me.  Nothing to really complain about here!  I just wish they had said if this is natural or synthetic.  They sell both, but didn't specify on the packaging- my guess is natural, but I could be wrong.


$2.49 on Coastal Scents' website.


Bella Terra Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Shimmer in Navy.

Bella Terra Mineral Shimmer

I'm glad I got the navy instead of the color that was shown in my profile!  It is a decent mineral shadow, no complaints.  It did rub off pretty easily (at least, the pretty sparkly things rubbed off of my hand easily), so I will use a primer with it.

Bella Terra Mineral Shimmer in Navy, Swatched.

This shadow sells for $14.99 for 2.5g.  The sample is 2.0g, worth $11.99.


Last, but not least, is Zoya Mason.

Zoya Mason

This is a nice dark fuchsia, with a hint of glitter.  It's a really pretty color and I know I will get a lot of wear out of it.  I don't have anything quite like it in my collection!

Two Coats of Zoya Mason

$8, 15 mL.  FULL SIZED.  Not a sneaky 80% size (I'm looking at you, bella terra!).


I think the bag iteslf this month sucks.  It's white (again, when will they learn?!) with a pink interior and the words "Love of beauty is taste.  The creation of beauty is art."  Lame.  Patterns or solids, please! I don't need your silly words of "wisdom", but thanks.

Blurry picture (my iPhone is acting up) of this month's bag.

Overall, I'm disappointed.  The other options this month were Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly; Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster; Sexy Hair Blow Dry Gel; H2O Plus Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment, Nourish Organic Body Lotion; Ofra Sultry Lipgloss and Plumper; Ole Henriksen Truth Creme Advanced Hydration; be Delectable Hand Cream; Starlooks Lip Pencil, Wet n Wild Photo Op Eyeshadow.  So, there were some other crappy options, but also some really good products!

I've gotten all of the lame stuff for the past 2 months and none of the things I actually want! I did try changing my profile, but I don't think they are paying any attention to that.

Total Value: $31.84.

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.

Birchbox October 2013 Review

If Birchbox didn't have such a great point system, I'd have dropped it a long time ago.  However, there is something to be said for $10 per month for samples and getting back about $5 per month in store credit for reviewing the products.

October 2013

I peeked at my box when they were posted yesterday, and I was even more underwhelmed when it finally showed up.

Birchbox October 2013: Beauty Buzz

First up, this box's only really excellent item: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfolient

This is supposed to be gentle enough for even sensitive skin, and it smells like lemonade.  Winning! I have no complaints about this, I use a facial exfoliator once or twice per week and am glad to have a new one to try.  I just hope I don't fall in love with this, the price is pretty steep!

Full size is $78 for 2 oz of product, making the 0.25 oz sample worth $9.75.


Next is yet ANOTHER giant foil packet from Miss Jessie's.  This time they sent me Pillow Soft Curls, which is described as a lotion, not a gel or creme.  Previously, I have tried Jelly Soft Curls (gel: NASTY) and the Stretch Curl Creme (creme: INEFFECTIVE), and I am hopefully through most of this product line.  I don't want any more samples from them.  (Hint, hint, Birchbox.)

Miss Jessie's Pillow Soft Curls

The reviews say this smells like fabric softener, and based upon the other MJ products I've tried, I assume it will be absolutely overpowering and will not fade all day.

Full size is $22 for 8.5 fl.oz.  This 1 oz sample is worth $2.59.


The "Birchbox Find" this month is a ChapStick Hydration Lock in Vanilla Creme.  Birchbox Finds are items that you can pick up for cheap somewhere like CVS or Target.  I don't really have a problem getting them in BB, especially since they are things I'd normally drop a couple bucks on.  This just saves me a trip!

ChapStick Hydration Lock

I'm not going to open this right away, since I have 4 kajillion open lip balms, but I'll use it when I run out of my Noya balm from my August Ipsy bag.  That one really ended up growing on me and I keep it next to my bed for night-time and first-thing-in-the-morning.  Hopefully I like this Chapstick just as much, because they don't have to be ordered online.

This is full-sized and sells for about $2.99 at drugstores.  I'm sure you can find sales or coupons, though.


I then went to open the little cardboard package that contained the rest of my items, and pulled out my lip gloss... and a hand full of eyeshadow.

Oh look, my lip gloss has a brown shimmery disease

Yeah.  I wiped off the outside of the gloss and soldiered on, all in the name of blog reviews.  You're welcome!

Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia. 

Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia

This gloss looks brighter in the tube than it does on my lips, but it is decent.  

Me wearing Flowering Fuchsia Aqua Lacquer
It's not really this bright, that's the lighting

It's not sticky at all, and the mint gives a little bit of tingle.  The applicator, though, is weird.  The company describes it as "spatuala-like" and I think that is appropriate.  It is like the doe-foot applicator, just without the fuzzy part, just the plastic underneath.  It makes for a strange application of the gloss.  Also, the flowers on the tube and the packaging in general make it seem like it's mostly marketed towards 15 year old girls.  It seems a little young, is all.

Weird Applicator

This is full-sized, 10 mL, and sells for $14 on Birchbox.


Last, but not least, is the offending eyeshadow quad from Coastal Scents.  

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Sample Quad in set #34
Clockwise, from top left: Boca Mocha, Golden Sienna, Pinehurst, Burnished Brunette.

Upon extracting it from the powder in the bottom of the cardboard package, I found that two out of the four colors were smashed into powder.  Of course, they were the two colors I'd actually use in this sample, that's just my luck.  I emailed BB about this, asking them if they could at least send me a new one, but I don't expect to hear back until after the holiday weekend. 

:( Poor eyeshadow!

Left to right: Golden Sienna, Pinehurst, Burnished Brunette, Boca Mocha
One swipe with my finger, no primer

There is 2g worth of eyeshadow in here, and on the Coastal Scents site they sell 1.5g individual shadows for $1.95, giving this quad a value of $2.60.

Total Value: $31.93

All together, I'm not very excited about this box.  The microdermabrasion scrub will definitely get used after I run out of my Michael Todd Jojoba and Charcoal scrub (again, from the August Ipsy!), and I'll get around to using the chapstick at some point.  I am not sure if I am willing to try out the curl lotion- I've hated every Miss Jessie's product I've tried and I don't want to inflict another bad hair day upon myself.  The smashed eyeshadows and teenage girl lip gloss didn't help matters.  At least I got 50 points ($5) for reviews!


Birchbox costs $10 per month and they send you between 4 and 6 sample (and rarely, full-sized) items.  You can review each item for 10 points, and every 100 points gives you $10 credit to use in their online store.  If you want to sign up, you can use my link here.  This will give me 50 points and endless joy.

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.

Retrospective: Ipsy October 2012

At this point, Ipsy was in their 11th month.  Ipsy Match hadn't started, so everyone got the same thing in their bag, with some color variations.

Ipsy October 2012: Month 3; Hello, Bombshell.

October 2012 Bag
Photo from Ipsy

This month's bag was black and white chevron print with a red zipper.  I still use it for first aid stuff in my work bag, but the white is a little dirty now.

Be a Bombshell Eyeliner in Onyx
Photo from Ipsy

This was full-sized and sells on Be a Bombshell's website for $14.  The marker tip is nice, you can get a thick or thin line depending on how you hold it.  I have used this quite a bit for cat-eyes and like it a lot.

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Quads, Set 4 (Upper Right)
Photo from Ipsy

I mentioned these in my Ipsy favorites post.  I've used every color except the hot pink from this quad and they are all nicely pigmented and work well together.

Net weight 2g.  Coastal Scents sells individual pans for $1.95 and they are 1.5g.  This makes the overall value of the 4 mini shadows $2.60.

Mirenesse Lip Bomb #9 Color
Photo from Ipsy

Lip Bomb
Photo from Ipsy

This was full-sized (3.1g) and sells for about $35.10.  Too bad I don't like it.

Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment
Photo from Ipsy

This hair oil is part natural oil and part dimethicone, but I still like it.  It make my hair glossy and it smells amazing.  I can't describe it, you will have to take my word for it.

This was a 15 mL travel size, which sells for $12 on their website.

theBalm What's Your Type Mascara in The Bodybuilder
Photo from Ipsy

I used this mascara up! I loved it.  I'd gladly accept another sample! I can't justify buying any more mascara since I have quite the stockpile, but I like this a lot.  It didn't make my lashes clumpy, yet added volume.

Full size is 12 mL for $19. The sample is 3.5 mL for a value of $5.54

Total Value $69.24

The high value this month is mostly due to the failure that is the Lip Bomb.  Bomb, indeed.  Maybe I just need to learn to apply it... but then what do I do with pepto-colored lips?  Everything else was a total hit for me, and this remains one of my favorite bags they have sent.



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.

Ipsy Top 5

My top five favorite items received from Ipsy

Photo from Ipsy

#5 Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Palette (February 2013, October 2012)
The colors chosen work perfectly for my every-day look (Set 4, different colors than shown).  Magenta hasn't gotten much use, but the sparkly Gunmetal is great as an eyeliner, Light Pink as a highlighter, and Elven Silver as a lid color.  They apply nicely with no fallout.  I've received two sets with different colors and the quality is great on all of shadows.

Photo from Ipsy

#4 Chella's Ivory Lace Highligher Pencil (June 2013)
I usually use Benefit's High Brow as a highlighter, but if I don't want all the shimmer, this is a really nice option. Sometimes in the middle of summer, you just don't want any more shine on your face! It is nice and creamy, but doesn't go on too thickly and blends well without any issues. This is a good enough match to my skin that I can use it as a concealer if I have a dark circle or two.

Photo from Ipsy

#3: Soho's Smudge Brush (September 2012)
This is something that I use every day. It is perfect for applying just the right amount of shadow; not too much, and not too little. If I want a darker, more vibrant application, I use a different brush. Same thing if I want a pale wash of color. However, for everyday use, where I just sweep a shade of tan or beige or cream across my lid, this is excellent. It is soft and the bristles don't fall out all over my face (I'm looking at you, Bare Minerals!). My only complaint is that it is too big to fit in my travel makeup bag. Such a hard life I lead...

Photo from Ipsy

#2: Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (December 2012)
I'm a junkie. I have so many of these pencils in a rainbow of colors. Do I have five backups of "Zero", the color that Ipsy sent? Yes. Do I care? No. These are the best eyeliners I've ever used and they are worth every penny. You can smudge them right after application and then they stay the F in place! If I could only use one beauty product a day, this would be my choice. They eyes are the window to the soul, dress them up!

Photo from Ipsy

#1 Mirabella Perfecting Powder (May 2013)
I've used finishing powders in the past, but nothing has come close to being as awesome as this perfecting powder. It keeps my skin looking fresh and glowy all day. This stuff lasted through a two hour softball practice in 90 degree heat! My hair was frizzed out of control, but my face was fresh as a daisy. For being essentially highly reflective sand, this product is great. If it makes my skin look good and doesn't cause weird reactions to my face, I'm happy. Good job, Ipsy.


Want to subscribe to Ipsy?  It is $10 per month and my referral link is here.

This post contains products I purchased through Ipsy.  All opinions are my own.  This post also contains a referral link to my Ipsy account.  If two people sign up using my link I get a bonus item.