Ipsy November 2013 Review

Ipsy November 2013

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 per month, including shipping.  You will get 5-6 full and deluxe sized beauty products, mostly focusing on makeup.  Each month includes a makeup bag!  This is one of the best deals out there, if you are interested mostly makeup products.

Ipsy November 2013

Ipsy this month sent out 6 items to everyone, including a full-sized item from em by Michelle Phan, the founder of Ipsy.

This month's theme was 'Glam It Up' and the bag is a shiny gold faux-snakeskin wristlet with a hot pink zipper and interior.  It feels a little flimsy, but for the price, I can't complain!  I appreciate the wrist strap, I wish they would send out more like this!

Ipsy November 2013

First up is a Pixi bronzer.  Everyone got one this month, and Ipsy's site had a *ton* of people complaining about it.   "I TOLD IPSY I DON'T WANT BRONZERS WHINE WHINE WHINE."  Get over it.  For $10, you get a bag, 5-6 full and deluxe-sized samples, and free shipping.  EVERYONE got a bronzer this month.  Chill. 

... ok, rant over.

I got sent a shade called Subtly Suntouched, which Pixi calls a medium honey tan, and is surprisingly not too dark for my pale, pale face.  The package doesn't seem to like me, though, and it is really tricky to unscrew and screw the lid back on!  I am hoping I got a fluke and that all of Pixi's containers don't suck this badly.

Pixi Bronzer in Subtly Sunkissed

Sample size is 3.2g, and the full size (which comes with a brush) is 10.21 grams and sells for $18.  Assuming the brush is a bonus and not included in the price, my sample is worth $5.64.


Next up is my variable item: A two-pack of Kiss Ever EZ Lashes in style 03 (glam).  The set comes with an applicator and a mini bottle of lash glue. 

Kiss Ever EZ Lashes in 03

I really like wearing false eyelashes for fancy events.  It is something that pulls your look together, but that people can't pinpoint.  I have a number of sets that range from natural-looking to outrageous.  If you are careful, you can reuse false lashes a number of times.  They can be tricky to apply, but with practice, it can take under a minute per eye!  I appreciate the fact that Ipsy sent a double-pack- it gives people new to falsies a chance to practice without ruining their only set.

These seem to be made from human hair, but it is not specified on the box I was sent.  It just refers to them as "natural", whereas online they are advertised as "100% human hair."

These sell for about $4.99 for the double-pack, depending on where you buy.


The next item that everyone received as a lip crayon from Be A Bombshell.  The color I got was Shameless, a shimmery burgundy.  The other option sent was Hot Damn, a bright red.  I'm glad I was sent Shameless, I have enough bright red lip products to last a lifetime!  This shade is perfect for the holiday season.  It's shimmery and buildable, so I can control the shade that I end up wearing. 

Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in Shameless

The lip crayon goes on more like a thin lipstick.  It isn't sticky or glossy or drying.  It's just in the middle of everything, texture-wise.  I like it.

Shameless Lip Crayon on me

This is $14 for 2.5g on the company's website.  We were sent the full size!


Everyone also received a gem liner from Starlooks.  The options were Topaz and Amethyst.  I received amethyst- a shimmery silvery-purple. 

Starlooks Amethyst Gem Liner

I have gotten some liners (lip and eye) from Starlooks in other Ipsy bags, so I was afraid of the texture on this one.  The other liners have been hard and unblendable.  This was absolutely a surprise- it's probably my favorite item in the bag!  It goes on smoothly, doesn't tug, blends like a dream, and has a super-creamy formula.  In terms of texture, it reminds me of my HG 24/7 liners from Urban Decay.  Unfortunately, unlike UD, this isn't very long-lasting.  It came off with some rubbing, but it's not the end of the world.  This liner is so pretty that I don't have an issue re-applying as needed.

Starlooks Amethyst Gem Liner Swatch (bottom)

These are $14 for 2.4g on Starlooks' website.  We were sent the full size!



The last item that everyone received was a Nailtini Straight-Up Color Nail Lacquer.  Mine was in Caviar Cocktail, a silver, but the other option was Champagne, which is a gold.

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Caviar Cocktail

I like Nailtini polishes, they always seem to last a long time on my nails without chipping or showing wear.  I wish I had gotten the gold color, because I have so many silver polishes!  Also, this shows brush marks no matter how careful you are.  I think because of this, it would look nice with a glittery top coat, or in a sponged-on gradient.  I may or may not keep this, I haven't decided.

Stroke marks :(
Nailtini

This is full-sized, 0.5 fl.oz. for $13.


The last item is the em product.  The options for this item were varied, as were the colors within each item!  I got a Waterliner Intense Color Eyeliner.

em by Michelle Phan Waterliner in Amazing Grey

I was glad to see I was sent an eyeliner; in my Ipsy survey, eyeliner was my desert island beauty product.  It seems, to me at least, that Ipsy actually matched the correct product to me based on my profile! 

Smudgey end of the Waterliner

With all of the pretty and unique colors offered as a waterliner, I was sent Amazing Grey, a shimmery silver.  Oh well.  This was a little hard for my liking, but it has decent staying power.  I like the fact that it is a twist-up liner and comes with a little smudge sponge on the other end.  I do not like the fact that every time I try to take the cap off of my smudger, the entire thing pulls out of the plastic case of the liner!

Waterliner Swatch, bottom right

I'm glad that Ipsy sent out a full-sized em product to each subscriber, this is the best advertising they can get, right to their target demographic.  Good move. 

My three swatches after vigorous rubbing. The Waterliner survived pretty well.

The waterliners sell for $20 and are 280 mg of product.


Total Value: $71.63

This was a really nice bag!  The bronzer matches my skin, the lip crayon isn't too dark or too red, nail polish and eyeliners are always appreciated, and I will absolutely use the false lashes.  I'm glad I got to try an em product; I don't think I will ever buy one on my own, I think they are overpriced.  At least for the eyeliner, I would rather spend $19 on Urban Decay than $20 on em.  This is especially true now that I've gotten to try it out!  For less than $2 per item in this month's bag, I am very happy.  The Starlooks liner alone makes this bag worth it!


Here is my link if you would like to sign up for Ipsy.  I will get 250 referral points for every person who signs up using my link; 1000 points will get me a bonus item.

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.

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.

Ipsy August 2013 Review

It's Ipsy time! This month's theme was Beauty Academy, and came in an ugly purple bag with gold Ipsy Beauty Academy crests on it.  I don't even want to gift it to someone, it's that bad.  Once again, I didn't get the "good" item (July's Benetint didn't bother me that I didn't get it, but I did want to try the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick.  I LOVE UD.  I'M MAD AT YOU, IPSY.)

Here is what I did get...

Michael Todd Jojoba Charoal Facial Scrub

This is sealed under the cap, and will stay that way until I finish up my current face scrub sample.  I don't like to exfoliate my face very often, even though a lot of scrubs say you can use them every day.  I try to stick to once per week, so my scrub samples last a long time.

Full size $18 for 100 mL.  Sample size is 30 mL, worth $5.40

Noya Natural Lip Balm in Vanilla

This is a really great balm.  It smells like vanilla frosting and has nice, all-natural ingredients (coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil, natural fragrance, stevia).  It's also kosher, if that is something you look for in lip balm.  I do really like it, I'm just sad I didn't get to try the UD lipstick.  My friend said it is pretty awesome (and the tiny size is so cute).

Full size, 0.15 oz, $3.99

Chella Dazzling Dark Brown Eyebrow Color

I have that I have red hair in my Ipsy profile (it is on the redder side of blonde, but I don't like blonde-specific shampoos and stuff), so I don't know why they sent a dark brown eyebrow color.  Light brown or auburn would have been better (based on my profile), but the dark brown will work well enough for me, luckily.  It is a harder pencil than an eyeliner, and is mechanical, so no sharpening needed.

I'm assuming this is full sized? 0.09 oz for $18.

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

This is yet another mascara sample that will stay sealed until I run out of my current mascara (Julep American Beauty from a mystery box).   Pixi is hit or miss for me, so we will see if I like the mascara.

Full size 0.25 oz for $17.  Sample size 0.105 oz, value $7.14.

Mica Beauty Shimmer Powder in Bronze

I have a decent gel liner from Mica Beauty that came in a previous Ipsy bag, so I was excited to see one of their shimmer powders included this month.  The bronze color is really pretty and there is a nice color payoff.  This will last a long time, and I'm glad it is a versatile color that I can make casual or fancy.

This is a full-sized sample (2.5g) and retails for $14.95.

Chella Brow Pencil (top, with varying degrees of pressing down)
Mica Beauty Shimmer Powder (bottom)

In the light

Total Value $49.48

I will use everything in this month's bag (eventually) and am overall pretty happy with it.  I really like that Ipsy sends out mostly makeup products, with at least one full size every month.  Getting a full brown pencil and eyeshadow definitely make up for the disappointment of missing out on the UD lipstick.  The balm is much more practical for me, anyway.  I don't wear bright lip colors to work (or very often, ever) but wear balm every day.

The other items people received (besides the UD Revolution lipstick) were Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Face Mask, City Color Cheek Stain, Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream, NYX Blush, or Nailtini in Mai Tai.

Ipsy costs $10 per month including shipping.  They send 4-6 deluxe sample and full sized products every month, and are working on personalizing the bags more and more.  If you would like to sign up, here is my referral link.  I get a gift if two people sign up though that link.  I think there is a waiting list, but it seems to move pretty quickly.

This post contains items I purchased through a subscription service with my own money.  No compensation was received and all opinions are my own.  This post also contains a referral link, see above paragraph for details.

Retrospective: Birchbox August 2012

See my first Retrospective for the answers to the quiz that I used.

August 2012: Month 6

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy La Fleur
Photo from Birchbox

Ho hum, another perfume sample.  I think through BB I have every variation of perfume that Juicy Couture makes.  They all smell the same to me.  Young, light, fresh, and not for me. Too floral.  Meh.  I'll give this another try if I ever pull it out of my jar-of-perfume-samples.

Full size $70 for 2.5 oz.  Sample value (1.5 mL estimate) $1.42.

Miss Jessie's Original Stretch Silkening Creme
Photo from Birchbox

Yes, I have very curly hair.  No, this did not work for me.  I don't like the texture, I don't like the smell, and I don't like the way it made my hair look.  It just wasn't for me.  I tried another Miss Jessie's product recently and liked that one even less!  

Full size $22 for 8 oz.  Sample size was 2 ounces wasted on me for a value of $5.50.

Pixi Beauty Lip & Line in Orchid Rose
Photo from Blush.com since BB doesn't offer this color

See that color? That color is unwearable by someone as pale as me.  That color is especially unwearable in AUGUST when dark, vampy lips are not in style.  I love the idea, and it went on so nicely, I just wish I had gotten a different color!  Maybe I can work it this winter.  Probably not.

This is full-sized, and valued at $18.  Unfortunately, it is just sitting in my give-away pile unless I get courageous.

Schick Hydro Silk Razor
Photo from Birchbox

Birchbox started something called "Birchbox Finds" where they send you drug-store products and tell you how great they are.  You don't have to tell me how great this razor is, I had been using it already!  Thanks for the spare, though, these things can get expensive (that's what coupons are for!).  Some people were a little miffed at this, but a razor is a razor and I have some legs to shave!

Full-size, value approximately $9.99

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
Photo from Birchbox

The final product was a sample of this cream, which smells heavily of camphor.  It's not everyone's cup of tea, but there is something about a medicinal scent that makes me think the product is working that much harder.  It was a nice sample and I wish I hadn't lost it.  It was good for little patches of dry winter skin.  I tried it on my lips a couple times, but didn't like its texture on my lips, or the camphor smell so close to my nose.

Full size $16 for 1.25 oz.  Sample size was 0.1 oz, value $1.28

Total Value $36.19, but half is a full-size lip product that is totally wrong for me.

Besides the awful hair cream, I was so disappointed in the lipliner/lipstick combo from Pixi.  I had really hoped that I could make the color work, but there is no way that is happening.  Any other color would have been great, but they sent the darkest one they possibly could have.





Birchbox costs $10/month, including shipping and sends you a box of 4-6 samples and sometimes full-sized products.  You can review the products you receive for 10 Birchbox points each.  For every $1 you spend in the BB shop, you also receive 1 BB point.  For every 100 BB points you accumulate, you get $10 to spend in their shop.  If you would like to sign up, my link is here and I will earn 50 BB points at the end of your first month.

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.