Ipsy January 2014

Ipsy January 2014: 19 Things

Ipsy's theme this month was skin care, it seemed.  That's cool.  I need to replenish my skincare sample supply.

Ipsy bag, January 2014

I don't like this bag.  It smells terrible- like plastic and burning and grossness.  The design isn't that great, either.  I like the colors, but the design seems like something you would get with fake makeup for 6-year-old girls.

LeeAnni Eco 3 in 1 Revolotion

This is a little pot of a combination toner, serum, and lotion (get it... revoLOTION) from LeeAnni Eco.  It smells like cooked minute rice.  It doesn't feel heavy or greasy or anything, it just doesn't really have any distinguishing characteristics.  The white rice of face lotions?  Perhaps.

Full size, 4 fl.oz $29.98.  This container is 1/4 fl.oz., making it worth $1.87.

Mica Beauty Tinted Lip Balm in #5 Natural

I didn't expect to like this as much as I do!  I wouldn't call it a balm, though.  That implies something with the texture of ChapStick, to me.  This is more like a light, solid stain.  The website claims the color will last up to 24 hours, but I can't really comment on that as I've only had it for 4 hours.

This color is great, it is a total MLBB (my lips but better) color for me.  It doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my lips, I keep wanting to put more on because it is so light!  It's not sticky, not greasy, not liquidy or powdery.  Nice.

The full size, 4g, is $30 (and comes with a brush like the Cailyn version) and the 2.5g sample from Ipsy is worth $18.75.

Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner

As a curly-haired girl, I can never have enough leave-in conditioners.  This one smells faintly of passion fruit and left my hair nice and soft.  I like it.  Plus, it helped detangle everything.  FINALLY a Sexy Hair product from Ipsy that I actually like and will use!

250 mL at Ulta is $17.95.  50 mL sample worth $3.59.

Nourish Organic Face Lotion

This lotion is not one of my favorites.  It smells like an orange creamsicle and turned really watery when I went to rub it into my skin.  It left my skin smooth, but I'm not a fan of the texture at all.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  This brand is available at Target, among other places.

$21.99 for 1.7 oz.  Sample is 0.5 oz, worth $6.47.

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow Creamy Eye Pencil in penny

I got the other makeup item offered this month: an eye pencil by Elizabeth Mott in a shiny copper color called, of course, penny.  The other option was a white pearl color, called, duh, pearl.  Creative names.

Copper swatched on bare skin

This is a pretty nice pencil.  I wore it out last night on my lids and it was subtle, but with a little kick.  The above swatch is still visible on my hand, but it has dulled.  I've washed my hands a few times since taking the picture yesterday, but I didn't vigorously scrub.  This pencil has serious staying power!

I saw some comments on Ipsy about sharpening this- it is not a twist-up, it is like NYX jumbo eye pencils and can be sharpened.

Sample is 0.7g, the full size is 1.5g and sells for $14.99, making the sample worth $7.

Ipsy January 2014

All together, my bag this month totaled $37.68.  

I wish I hadn't gotten two face lotions, there was enough variety this month that I could have received something totally different.  That's ok, I like the eye pencil and lip balm, and I love the leave-in conditioner.  It's a win overall for me.  

If you want to try out Ipsy for yourself, it is $10 per month and you can use my link here.  You might have to wait on the list, but they often do promotions where you can skip the line if you share a post on Facebook.  I'll get 250 Ipsy points for each referral.  1000 Ipsy points can be redeemed for a bonus item in your next bag.  Each product you get and review earns you 10 Ipsy points.  This is not the best system, but the products alone are worth the money you spend per month.

Also: Many thanks to Michelle for using my link! I hope you like your bags!

This post contains items purchased by me.  No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own.  This post contains a referral link; see above for details.

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.

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.

Retrospective: Ipsy January 2013

Ipsy January 2013: Month 6; Super Stars

Ipsy Bag, January 2013

This is the biggest bag sent, I use it as my everyday makeup bag still.  It is dark blue with a star printed lining.

Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play
Photo from Ipsy

I don't use hair spray.  I don't like hair spray.  This is sitting, lonely, in my bathroom closet, just waiting for the day I decide to use it.  I'm holding onto it because I just might need it some day and it's the only hairspray I have.  Scratch that.  I just went to look for it to get the size and I must have traded it to a friend.  OH WELL.  See how much I care?

Full size 10.6 oz is $17.95 on Ulta.  The sample size is 1.6 oz, worth approximately $2.71.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Photo from Ipsy

I have a ton of argan oil already, so I gave this one to my mom and told her to use it on her face or on the ends of her hair.  I don't know if she has tried it, but that's what I use it for, and I like it.

Full size (large) is 50 mL for $48. Sample size is 5 mL, worth $4.80.

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Bloody Mary
Photo from Ipsy

This is my second polish from Nailtini, and I wish I had gotten the sheer pink as I have a lot of red polishes already.  This is a little deeper than some of the ones I have, and has absolutely no shimmer to it.  It is just a pure, rich red color.  2 coats is enough for full and even coverage.

Full size, $13.

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter
Photo from Ipsy

This is pretty strongly scented, but smells good.  It is a very thick body butter and hydrates very well.  I wouldn't go out of my way to buy more, but that's only because I have so many lotions! I'd gladly accept another sample, though, or a different product in the same scent.

This is their smallest size that they sell, 2.5 oz, and it goes for $7.

SoHo Eyeliner Brush (middle)
Photo from Ipsy

The final item everyone got was one of three brushes from SoHo.  I got the eyeliner brush and hardly ever use it, because I mostly wear eyeliner pencil, and when I don't, I use my MAC eyeliner brush instead.

Value $7.99

Total Value $35.50

I do like when Ipsy sends out things other than makeup, like they did this month, but I mostly get this bag so I can try new makeup brands.  This had only the nailpolish, and even that is pushing it.  I suppose after a few makeup-only bags, we can get some other things, but I wasn't as excited about it.

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 July 2013 Review

My July Ipsy finally showed up! 

What's in the bag?

Not bad!

The contents this month are: 

Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Mai Tai (full size- $13).  This is a warm, dark orange.  I like this brand a lot and this polish is no exception.

Nailtini Mai Tai

Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush (full size- $4.17.. part of a 6-pack for $25) 

Pop Beauty 

Also included: 

BH Cosmetics California Collection, 3-pack eyeshadow sample These are not very pigmented on their own and definitely need a primer to wear. I attempted a swatch but without primer or my brushes, it was futile. I like the little magnetic-closure case, though! Very cute. ($3 at the single-pan price, assuming these are full-sized pans. However, the palettes these are from are on sale for $9.99 right now!) 

Coola Mineral Sunscreen SPF 20 Unscented. (7 mL- $5.04. Full size $36 for 50 mL) I received the cucumber version in a Birchbox and haven't tried either yet! I love that these are sealed shut and am saving them for my upcoming vacation. 

Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray. (50 mL- $7.58. Full size $18.95 for 125 mL) 

Total value $32.79 

I paid $10 for this bag and think I received some great products. The spoiler this month was for Benetint, but I already have a few small bottles of it as well as a full-sized posietint. I'm happy with what I got and I can't wait to try out the weather proof spray! It has been so so humid here on the east coast and my curls just go bonkers. The lip crayon applies really nicely and is a gorgeous color. I love the Revlon Just Bitten stain crayons and this has a similar application and color payoff. Probably my favorite item in the bag. The nail polish is pretty, I don't quite have a color like this. I have a lighter shade of this color and a brighter one, but this is a little more on the subdued side. The eyeshadow is just ok... I'll have to see how I feel about it when I get the chance to put it over primer. Sunscreen is always good when you are as pale as I am. I like that they sent me the unscented one, although the rose would have been nice too. 

There were some variations in the products this month.  Other people may have gotten Demeter Salt Air Perfume Roll-on, Coola Rose Essence SPF 20 Tinted Moisturizer, Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray, Benefit Benetint, or Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub.

If you would like to sign up for Ipsy, here is my referral link. It is $10 a month and you get 4-5 deluxe and full-sized samples in a cute makeup bag every month.  If you sign up using my link, I get a bonus item after a certain number of referrals.  

All products in this post were purchased by me, through Ipsy, and all opinions are my own.