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.

Least 5 Favorite Ipsy Items

My 5 Least Favorite Ipsy/My Glam Samples

Photo from Ipsy

Photo from Ipsy

#5: Yaby Eyeshadow Refills (May 2013)
I received teal (left) and sand dune (right) and they are awful. Seriously, these are bad eyeshadows. They look like they are pigmented, but then it falls all over your face and you end up with nothing. Sand dune is a mustardy yellow that is the exact color of an almost-faded bruise. This means it accentuates my slight under-eye circles. Gross. The teal is an ok color, I have used it as an eyeliner in a pinch, but it takes forever to wash out of my brushes. I just don't like these.

Photo from Ipsy

#4: Starlet Intense Eyeliner in Chocolate (November 2012)
Granted, this goes on a lot more easily when it is 90 degrees outside instead of 30, but I still don't like it. This liner pulls at my lids and, despite the name, is not very intense. I'll stick to my UD 24/7 liners. They have much more color payoff and stay put all day. This disappears as soon as I apply eyeshadow over it.

Photo from Ipsy

Lip Bomb.  Gross.  Sorry guys, but you need to feel my pain!

#3: Mirenesse Lip Bomb (October 2012)
This is a bomb, for sure. It is super thick and it is way too easy to apply too much. I received a very light, chalky pink color that looks just like I smeared Pepto Bismol all over my lips. It settles into every line, real or not, and doesn't have the promised minty taste. I don't think it plumps as advertised, and I hate it so much that I haven't tested its longevity claims. The only way this is wearable is if I wipe 99% of the product off of my lips. Even then, it is not the right shade for me.

Photo from Ipsy

Glitter disease!

#2: J. Cat Sparkling Cream Palette (June 2013)
I'm 26 and have absolutely no place that it would be appropriate for me to wear sparkles on my skin. I would have worn this to homecoming when I was 14. I might be able to wear it on halloween. That's about it! It's tough to apply and gets everywhere, not to mention that the glitter is not technically eye-safe. It's not eye-unsafe, but still. This is a dud.

Photo from Ipsy

#1: Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist (March 2013)
When Juice Beauty has a bad-smelling product, they REALLY have a bad-smelling product. I was on an IV antibiotic called cefepime a few times and it smelled just like cat pee. This has that same terrible smell. Why I would spray cat pee (or something that smells like cat pee) on my face is beyond me. This isn't South Park, and cheesing isn't cool. Gross. I would feel bad giving this away, so it is sitting in my closet until the next time I have a head cold and can dump it down the drain without gagging.


Still want to try Ipsy? It is $10 a month and my referral link is here.

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