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.

Ipsy Review September 2013

Ipsy September 2013

Woo! Ipsy time!

This month's theme is "Classic Beauty" and the bags included products to help you create your favorite classic looks.

Ipsy September 2013

This month everyone received a shade of NYX powder eyeshadow single.  I got ES29: Deep Charcoal.

NYX Eyeshadow in Deep Charcoal

This is a shimmery darker gray color, but is very buildable.  I was able to get a sheer layer, but also a true-to-pan swatch with another swipe of color.  I used my finger and no primer in the pictures below.

Cailyn and NYX Swatches

Full size, value $4.50

The next item that everyone got was another mascara.  We just got one last month, but at least this is sealed and I can keep it until needed.  

It's So Big Mascara from Elizabeth Mott

It's So Big Volumizing Mascara from Elizabeth Mott.  Claims to lengthen and curl your lashes, and last all day.

The full size is 10 mL and sells for $20.  Sample size 4mL, worth $8.

We also each got three other items, chosen based on our Ipsy profiles by Ipsy Match. Uh.. ok.  I would have liked the mini Butter London polish WAY BETTER than anything I got.  Oh well, win some, lose some.  Could have been worse!

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple

This is packaged just like the Cailyn gel eyeliner I got in a previous bag.  The cap unscrews from the pot and there is a built-in brush.  I used my finger to apply this and now my finger is stained... I probably should have used the brush!

Cailyn Balm and included brush

Everyone got the same color, a bright blue-toned red that should be flattering on most skin tones.  I don't know what I'm going to do with all these red lip products I'm getting! I suppose I'm going to have to learn to rock the red lip.  This balm is more like a stain- it is on the dry side, but not drying, if you know what I mean.  It didn't rub off on my boyfriends cheek (he HATES when things don't pass that test! ;) and still feels pretty smooth on my lips without being sticky or slimy or anything.

This was the tiniest amount of product I could manage to apply- and it's STILL super red.

This was full-sized (3g) and sells for $19.

Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian

Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner in Obsidian

Snore.  Another black eyeliner that is not my beloved UD24/7.  It's going in the giveaway drawer.  I'm sure it's great, but I have at least 3 UD liners in Zero and one in Perversion.  Not to mention my various black gel eyeliners that I have gotten in sub boxes.  I don't think I'll use them up any time soon anyway, as I mostly wear bright colors and not black.

Again, I think it's interesting that a makeup company with its own subscription box would partner with Ipsy.  It's probably a good move on their part, and at least a black eyeliner is generally going to be flattering on everyone- not like the lip liners they sent out that were odd colors.

This is full sized (2.4g) and sells for $12.

The final product(s) I got in my bag were three of the Freeman Beauty Paper Masks.

Freeman Beauty Paper Trio

I got one each in Starfruit (purifying), Rose (brightening), and Blue Agave (hydrating).  You smooth the mask on your face, wait 5-10 minutes, and then peel off.  I've never used a paper mask before and am interested to try it out!

These sell for about $1.99 each.  $5.97 for the three.

The other either/or items were: Butter London mini polish, Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil, J.Cat Beauty Fantabulous Lipstick, Jesse's Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo, John Frieda Full Repair Conditioner, Pop Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon, Skyn Iceland Firming Eye Gels, or Victoria Jackson Taupe Brow Pencil.  

This month there was also a promotional insert for em by Michelle Phan (the new makeup line by Ipsy's founder).  It showed an actual size picture of the Life Palette (Career Life) and included some samples pressed onto the cardboard.  These always weird me out.  Anyway, they included a blush and 3 eyeshadows from the "look 4: natural talent" quadrant of this particular palette.  It says that the sample "is for evaluation of texture and aesthetic properties only"... whatever that is supposed to mean.  So, not enough for an actual application of the product, just enough to see the colors and feel what it feels like stamped on paper?  Thanks...  The colors give are ok, but nothing special.  A bunch of neutrals.

em by Michelle Phan sample

Total Value $49.47

This bag was decent.  I like the actual bag's print more than I thought I would after seeing it online.  Black eyeliner, mascara, and red lips are definitely classic looks, and the grey shadow would make for a nice smokey eye.  I'll probably use the face masks for a girls' night, since Ipsy was nice enough to include 3!  BB would have only given us one, I'm sure...  All in all, it's an acceptable bag.  I'm not absolutely in love with anything, but there aren't any duds.

If you want to sign up for Ipsy, you can use my link here.  I'll get 250 points for referring you.  It costs $10 per month, including shipping, and you get deluxe and full sized products.  It is a mostly makeup subscription with a few other beauty things thrown in every now and then.

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 June 2013

Ipsy April 2013: Month 10; On the Wild Side

Ipsy bag June 2013
Photo from Ipsy

This month's bag was leopard print with a neon green zipper! Unlike the other bags, this one has a zipper across the front instead of across the top of the bag.  I'm not sure I care either way, it's just something new to note.

Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner with Brush Built-In in 06 Purple
Photo from Ipsy

This is a very pretty-looking liner.  The brush pops out of the top of the case and can be flipped around and re-inserted so you have a longer handle.  However, this does make it unwieldy to carry around because it's an awkward size and shape.  I wish they had a separate flat top for the liner pot and I could just carry my own eyeliner brush separately.

The color is a rich, dark purple without any of the brightness that can sometimes make purple liners look unprofessional.  This is totally wearable for most occasions.  It goes on smoothly and stays put, which are two very important eyeliner qualities.  I have a few purple liners (both gel and my beloved UD 24/7s) but no color quite this deep.  Due to its uniqueness and quality, I'm keeping it, even if I don't wear gels too often.

Full size $21 for 4g plus brush.

NYX Powder Blush in Spice (Matte Mauve)
Photo from Ipsy

Honestly, I haven't opened this yet.  It's not particularly "summery" and I have so many blushes that I may never even get around to using it.  I'm just not a blush girl.  I wear it every day, and I have two or three I rotate throughout the year, but I don't care enough about it to have a spectrum of blush colors from bubblegum pink to deep red to peach and tangerine and all the colors in between.  I do have a powder blush from NYX that I use to contour and I like it.  It blends well, so I am assuming another shade of the same product will perform similarly.  It's not super-duper pigmented, which makes it very useable.  I hate blushes that are so bright that you can't even touch the bristles of your brush to them without picking up too much.

Full size $5 for 5.2g.

Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare
Photo from Ipsy

Starlooks is a makeup company that also has their own branded makeup subscription box.  I find it interesting that they would pair with another beauty subscription box... maybe in the hopes of gaining some more subscribers?  If that is the case, they would have done better to provide a different product.  They sent out three colors of these lip liners and from what I can tell, they were the wrong three colors for pretty much everyone.  I haven't even opened the plastic seal around this one yet, because it looks dark and greyish and will almost certainly be the wrong color for me.  I've seen people say the quality is great, but that won't persuade me to try this.  I have 3 or 4 open lip liners already and they cover the colors I need.

Full size $12 (2.4g).

J.cat Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta
Photo from Ipsy

This is in my 5 least favorite Ipsy products post.  I don't feel like talking about it again.

Full size $4.49 for 0.1 oz of product.

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil
Photo from Ipsy

This is in my Ipsy Top 5.  I've used this almost exclusively as my go-to highlighter since I got it, and I've only sharpened it once! Sorry to my Benefit High Brow that is sitting neglected at the bottom of my makeup bag.  This is the perfect color for me and the texture is awesome.  It blends so easily, and even can cover up some stray hairs that you have yet to pluck from under your brows ;).  This is the final polishing step to my minimal makeup.  Chella also sells other colors of this product.  It's a little pricey, but seems like it will last long enough to get your money's worth.

Full size $18 (1.4g).

There were some variations in the bags this month.  Everyone got a blush from NYX, but it could have been powder, cream, or mosaic.  The other two potential products were J.cat eyelashes with eyelash glue and Psssst! Dry shampoo.  This would be instead of the highlighter pencil or cailyn eyeliner, I believe.

Total Value $60.49

Wow! That is a great deal for only $10! Every item was full-sized, which is amazing. Even with the dud glitter palette, this was a great bag, and I'm totally happy with it.  Way to go, 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.