Ipsy Glam Bag May 2014 Review

It’s Ipsy time!

I have to tell you that this month’s makeup bag (valued at approx. $2) is probably my favorite bag that I’ve received from Ipsy thus far!  It’s made out of soft canvas-like material with the most adorable leafy pattern.  It’s clean, it’s bright, and it’s simple.  I LOVE IT!  Keep sending bags like this, Ipsy!

** Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription that sends you a combination of deluxe-sized samples and full-size products that are personalized for you based on the results of your beauty quiz. Along with the beauty products, you also receive a monthly (super cute) make-up bag! The cost of an Ipsy subscription is $10/month. **

Goodies received:

 

Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask

Full size = $40.00, Sample value = $4.80

I love trying out hair masks and deep conditioners so it was a delight to have this item in my bag.  The length of my hair can get pretty dry, so hair masks are great items to help with that.

If I compare this to the Amika Hair Mask, it has a very similar scent, but a slightly lighter, less dense texture.  But it still made my hair feel nice and soft without being weighed down.

The Ipsy discount code is seriously generous for purchasing from this brand (65%off), so I might consider purchasing a full size.

 

The Olive Lip Balm in Refreshing Rosemary

Full size = $5.95 (received full size)

Okay, I’m going to be completely honest and tell you that this lip balm rocks my socks off!  My lips feel so hydrated and awesome while wearing it. The formula glides along your lips so easily and leaves behind a surprising amount of shine.  But it also truly works into your lips, instead of just sitting on top of them.

But here’s the bad part.  I absolutely hate the smell.  I find I hold my breath while applying it.

I thought rosemary would be an odd smell for a lip balm anyway, but it smells nothing like rosemary.  Honestly, it smells like really, really bad chocolate.  So I looked at the ingredients, and sure enough, cocoa butter is listed.

They have a few other scents available (Lemon & Lavender being the most appealing), but I worry that I won’t ultimately like that scent either.

And there’s one other nit-picky thing – the label that’s wrapped around the tube.  The edge is not adhered very well and flaps open slightly.  It bothers me greatly.

 

Pacifica Mineral Eye Shadow Duo in Duo #2 (Moonbeam and Unicorn)

Full size palette = $14.00, Sample value = $3.92

I based the sample value based on the weight of the full sized palettes since these little duos are not sold individually by Pacifica.

I’m sorry to say that the pigmentation of these eye shadows were incredibly weak.  I had to work pretty hard to get the hand swatches to look the way they do.  And for those who remember my review of this palette, know that I had the same problem then too.

I applied Unicorn (a shimmery cream) all over my mobile lid, and Moonbeam (a muted purple with grey undertones) into my crease for definition.

As a general rule, eye shadow really isn’t my thing.  I don’t think it looks that great on me.  But because this eye shadow wasn’t very pigmented, I thought it looked really nice and natural compared to other shadows I’ve worn in the past.  But if you’re someone who really wants their eye shadow to, you know, show up, I think you’ll find this one to be disappointing.

 

derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub

Full size = $32.50, Sample value = $16.25

I was so excited to get this scrub in my bag.  I love scrubs and it’s a very generous sized sample.  I knew I would get a lot of use out of it.

The scrub was very creamy and had tiny itty-bitty scrubbers in there that buff your skin into tip-top shape.  And it smells lovely and fresh!

Unfortunately, my skin did not react well to this scrub at all.  The scrub was a little rougher than I thought it would be and therefore didn’t feel super pleasant as I was scrubbing.  Then then my face turned BRIGHT RED, mostly in my cheek area (where I have the most redness anyway).  My skin did feel smooth, but then it suddenly felt really dry and my skin began to over-produce oil.  It was the craziest thing.

Even now, three days after using the scrub, my face is still fairly red and splotchy, and I’ve been wearing BB cream to cover it up.

So no more derma e scrub for me.

 

Hang 10 Classic Sport SPF 50

Full size = $12.99, Sample value = $2.17

I think this brand, Hang 10, is somehow affiliated with Coola.  So for those folks who are already Coola fans may want to check out Hang 10 as well.

I don’t have too much to say about this sunscreen.  It is definitely lightweight, and not too greasy feeling, so that’s good.  And it smells similar to any other brand of sunscreen.

I will use this since I have it, but generally my preferred method of applying sunscreen to my body is the sunscreen spray.

 

Overall, this was a pretty decent Ipsy bag.  Unfortunately one of the products I was looking forward to the most won’t work for me, but life goes on!  The bag had a good value as usual – I paid $10, and the total box value was $35.09.

What was your favorite item in your Ipsy bag this month?

If you’re interested in subscribing to Ipsy, please consider using my referral link here.

 

 

Ipsy Glam Bag April 2014 Review

It’s Ipsy time!

I thought this month’s bag (valued at approx. $2.00) was pretty cute!  It’s a dark blue light weight square bag with a record/record player on it.  I think it’s kinda groovy, so I’ll be putting it to use!

** Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription that sends you a combination of delux-sized samples and full-size products that are personalized for you based on the results of your beauty quiz. Along with the beauty products, you also receive a monthly (super cute) make-up bag! The cost of an Ipsy subscription is $10/month. **

Goodies received:

 

Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse

Full size = $17.95, Sample value = $2.87

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw this product.  Sexy Hair products have not been my favorite products of all time, but I’m always willing to try new things.  I don’t use a root lifter in my normal hair routine, although, when I get a haircut, my stylist always insists on using one on me.

I’ve been trying to wear my hair down a little more lately.  I feel like I’ve been extra rough on my hair lately, and pulling it back into a wet bun every day is not good for my hair.  So I’m trying to give it some freedom.

Anyway, I sprayed the mousse onto my roots and massaged it in.  It’s not like a regular mousse that expands like a huge cloud in your hand, it’s much thinner, but does foam up just a little.  Then I flipped my head upside down and diffused my hair.

I think a used just a tiny bit too much product, as my hair felt heavy and slightly crunchy at the roots, and that’s not what you want.  But I think my hair was a little more lifted at the roots than normal, so I guess it ultimately did it’s job.

 

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne

Full size = $12.99 (received full size)

I’m not sure how I feel about this eye shadow.  As a general rule, I don’t think shimmery eye shadow looks good on me.  However, once applied, this shade didn’t really look too shimmery.  It looked more brightening than anything else, which is nice.

I wasn’t terribly impressed with the texture of the shadow.  It seemed a little dry.  On the other hand, had it been more buttery and velvety, it might have looked more shimmery, which probably would have made me like it less.  Apparently, I just can’t be pleased!  😉

I didn’t really have any problems with the shadow creasing, but fading was definitely an issue.  I would use a primer in the future.

All this too say, I don’t hate it.  And I’ll probably continue to wear it, particularly on days when I’m feeling and looking tired and need my eye area brightened up.

  

 

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet

Full size = $20.00, Sample value = $13.33

I love black eye liner.  I love it almost as much as I love mascara (which is A LOT).  I’ve heard a lot of hype about various Urban Decay eye liners, so I was curious to see how this one performed.

First, I loved the texture of the pencil.  Not too soft (so many eye liners are getting ridiculously soft) and not too dry.  Just how I like it.  And really, really dark black.  Check, check!

However, while it claims to be waterproof, I had no problems washing it off with just soap and water.  If a product is water proof, I would expect to have to use makeup remover to get it off.

Also, I had a problem with it flaking.  I noticed lots of black flecks along my under eye area.  And I don’t believe it was my mascara as I was using the same Almay mascara I’ve been using for years.

Flaking aside, I liked this eye liner a lot.

  

 

Mary Kay at Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare

Full size = $10.00 (received full size)

You know, I thought with all the advances we’ve had in makeup technology, I thought we were past the days of super sticky lip gloss.  Even drug store brands like Rimmel, Maybelline, and Revlon have super smooth and balmy textures.

But I have to say that this is probably the STICKIEST lip gloss I have ever used.  I know some people say stickiness in lip gloss is what allows it to last longer, but this is unreasonably bad.

I can’t tell you how long this lip gloss lasted, as I wiped it off shortly after taking my photos.  I expect so much more from a $10.00 lip gloss.

The color that I was sent is another corpse-y nude color.  I thought Ipsy was finally starting to regularly send out lovely rosy lip colors, but I am disappointed once more.

  

 

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion

Full size = $78.00, Sample value = $9.75

Whew – this stuff was intense!  But very awesome.  And it should be.  Did you see the full price?  And that’s just for two ounces, by the way.

When I hear the term “microdermabrasion”, I expect serious results.  And I think I got it with this product.

It was slightly painful to use, by my skin was mighty, might smooth after using it.  Much more so than just using your average facial scrub.  I actually told my boyfriend he needs to use this as well.

I can’t afford to repurchase this product, but if you have the available funds, you might want to check it out!

 

This is me wearing the Elizabeth Mott eye shadow, Urban Decay eye liner, and Mary Kay lip gloss.  I also applied some cream blush to my cheeks because without it, I was completely washed out.  And I am actually wearing the Sexy Hair spray mousse as well, but I, obviously, have my hair pulled back so it’s hard to tell.

 

Overall, this was a good bag, but not a great bag.  And it certainly had a great value.  I paid $10, and the total box value was $50.94!

I think the microdermabrasion was my favorite item in the bag, followed by the Urban Decay eye liner.

Did you receive an Ipsy bag this month?  How was it?

If you’re interested in signing up with Ipsy, please consider using my referral link here.