Showing posts with label Mai Couture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mai Couture. Show all posts

Friday, August 23, 2013

Retrospective: Ipsy December 2012



Ipsy December 2012: Month 5; Haute Holiday



December 2012 Bag
Photo from Ipsy

This month's bag was a silvery-grey one with hot pink inside.  I still use this when I travel for holding my shower supplies.  It is very spacious!



Be a Bombshell Lip Gloss in Hot Mess
Photo from Ipsy

This is, according to the company, a true red.  I'd agree with that, but you can apply it so that it is more sheer than in-your-face, which I really like.  I thought I lost this and I was pretty bummed out, but I found it again and all is right in the world.  It is a decent (thick) gloss, and I appreciate the fact that I can control the color payoff.

This is full sized, $14 for 3g.



Mai Couture Highlighter Papier
Photo from Ipsy

This is little sheets of thin paper with shimmer powder pressed into them.  It was tricky for me to apply without getting too much of it in too many places (because I'm super pale).  It looked like I was diseased, actually.  I should try it before the end of the summer since I have a tiny bit of color and it might not look as terrible as it did in January when I tried it out for the first time.

Full size (50 sheets) is $28.  The 25 sheets of the sample are worth $14.



Mirabella Prime
Photo from Ipsy

This is a silicone primer similar (at least to me) to Smashbox's Photo Finish.  I hardly ever use it as I don't wear "real" makeup most days.  My BB cream is enough, and I don't need primer with that.

This was full size (12.85g) and retails for $29.




NYX Ultra Pearl Mania in Pearl (light pink)
Photo from Ipsy

I like this pearl shadow.  It is loose and comes in a cute bottle with a small enough opening that you don't dump the entire contents everywhere.  I can usually shake enough out onto the back of my hand for both eyes without much extra.  It's a shimmery light pink and it's nice as a highlighter. I've used it fairly consistently since this December bag.

Full size, 5 mL $3.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner in Zero (black)
Photo from Ipsy

I am obsessed with UD's glide on liners.  I have 20 or so in various colors and they are the only eyeliners I wear.  I wrote about this in my Ipsy top 5 favorites post.  If you have the money to spend, DO IT.  The vintage colors are $6 right now on UD's website and they last all day and have great color payoff.

This wasn't quite full-sized (1.2g, for $19), it was 0.8, which has a value of $12.67.


Total Value $72.67

Amazing value for what I paid! Full sized lip gloss, primer, and eyeshadow, half size highlighter paper, and 3/4 size eyeliner.  You could do an entire look with what was sent, and everything worked well together (with the exception of the paper).  I like that Ipsy sends familiar and well-known brands, as well as things I've never heard of.  It is a good way to try new things!

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.

Friday, July 19, 2013

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.