Ipsy September Glam Bag Review! (Review, Swatches and Value!)

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Oh, hi.

Work and school have literally kicked my ass the past few weeks. I've been such an Eeyore lately and a few nights ago, my beloved husband says, "You know... You haven't blogged lately." and I said "I know. I've just been such a downer. I don't want to drown my blog in my sorrows when I have no solutions to them... especially cause I'm not READY to have solutions to them. I just suck." And he pauses for a moment and says ".....Maybe you need to write again so that you can work through it all."

He knows, as I do, that I'm a better person when I write. Seriously. It's no secret that my mind is clearer and things are revealed when I write. Which is why I hate doing it. It's emotionally exhausting even THINKING about writing for me. I can't handle emotional exhaustion on top of physical and mental exhaustion from work and school. Facing my never-ending issues is just too much.

BUT..... You know what is NOT emotionally exhausting? MAKE-UP.

Oh make-up, how I love thee. I wish I could just play all day long with make-up.

The only problem is that you only have so much face. You get what I'm laying down?

ANYWAYS, today I'm going to go over last months Ipsy Glam Bag!  Because I am nothing if not timely. I took these photos so long ago and I never even looked at them. Hopefully I did an okay job...

Heeey! Not too bad. The September 2014 Glam Bag was themed Street Style. It was a little edgy and grungy and I liked it a lot. For those of you that may not know, Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 a month. A subscriber receives four to five deluxe size samples (with the occasional full size thrown in!) and a cosmetic bag monthly. 

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What: Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss by Cailyn in Basic Instinct

Value: $19

Review: The first item I pulled out of the bag was this Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss by Cailyn. It's a very smooth formula, not sticky at all and is a really pretty color. This is a full size lip gloss and I've used it a bunch the past month! It is extremely opaque. Here is a swatch (excuse the Fitbit): 

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What: Crown Brush Deluxe Infinity Shadow and Crease Brush Duet

Value: $6.99

Review: One of our previous Glam Bags had a Crown Brush Shadow Brush in it and I wasn't wowed. It wasn't very soft and it was so large that I couldn't use it well on my small, hooded eyes. However, I love this brush. I have used it over and over again throughout the past month. It is sooo soft. The shadow side is still really large for me, but this is so soft I can actually use it as a crease blending brush with no problems. I'll lay the color with the crease brush side (the small pencil brush) and then blend it out with the large shadow side. I'll also use this to quickly set my shadow primer with a skin-toned shadow as well. I don't typically like duel end brushes because it's hard to store them (they should be laid flat) but they are amazing for travel. Would definitely recommend this brush! 

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What: NYX Cosmetics Hot Singles Eyeshadow in Addiction

Value: $4.50

Review: Come on now. Another full size product?! Go Ipsy! I love this shadow. It's pigmented and so so pretty. Easy to blend, all that. Want to really amp it up though? Prime your eyelids (I like Behind the Scenes by Lorac), then Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk  AND THEN pack on NYX Addiction. The two together are just absolutely beautiful and it's pretty enough to be a one color shadow look if you're in a hurry. Love!

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What: Alterna Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Leave-In Hair Perfector

Value: $8.75~

Review: This product has the longest name ever. Sheesh. This is a great product. I use it most often after I've curled my hair and brushed it out. This smooths the hair and renews it. The sample size is generous - definitely enough for me to figure out if I like it. I would consider purchasing this as full size even though the price is pretty steep, only because I believe is seriously would last FOREVER. A little goes a long way. 

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What: Pacifica Natural Eyeliner in Gun Metal

Value: $11.00 (Cheaper at Target, usually)

Review: I was so not impressed with the shadows that we received in a previous Glam Bag so I didn't know what to expect. I think the swatch below is pulling blue because of my Fitbit, but it is a really pretty color. The formula is smooth and soft on the eye... however, this is a natural vegan brand and sometimes people with oily skin don't see long lasting results. By mid-day, my oily eyelids basically broke down the formula and it was gone. If you don't have oily eyelids this could be a product for you! If you do have oily eyelids, prime those babies, lay down a trusted black liquid liner and then maybe layer this on top? Haven't tried it yet, but it may work!

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Total Value: $50.24

Overall Thoughts: For me, this months bag was a hit! I really loved the products and I feel like the value of the Ipsy Glam Bag is astounding. I definitely feel like I'm getting my money's worth this month (and pretty much every other month!)

What do you think? Have you signed up for Ipsy yet? Do it! 

April 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag: Beauty Rocks! [Updated]

*This post contains affiliate links. A small percentage, stipend or credit helps to support my blog without any additional charge to you. 

As usual, I was so stoked to receive my $10 Ipsy Glam Bag this month that I just kind of put everything in my makeup bag and now I'm too lazy to get it all out and photograph it. And why should I, when the websites pay people to take good photos of their products for us to gawk at. Ya'll have seen my pictures. I don't claim to be a good photographer, so I'm cheating this month and I'm using the pictures and descriptions from the Ipsy website itself!

This months Glam bag has a Beauty Rocks! theme, and it contained five products, which are not (all) the products in the official Ipsy photo above... 

Urban Decay
24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil Travel Size in Black Velvet (.03 oz) - $16.50 Value

"A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD’s creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black."

Thoughts: One thing I love about purchasing the Glam Bag and writing this blog is that it makes me look at the actual value of a product. For example. The full size is $20 for .04 ounces of product. This "travel size" version of the liner is .03 ounces. Not much of a difference, but you can buy a set of three travel size liners for $19 - and you are getting almost triple the amount of actual product. Just sayin'. I haven't had the opportunity to use this pencil yet but I have Psychedelic Sister and I like it. I'll probably love this! 

[Update below with Pictures (that I actually took!)]

I used the liner this morning and I love it. I did a daytime version of this look from the The Beauty Department. You have to work really quick with it since it's waterproof and it sets fast, but it is just gorgeous. I figured I'd love it and I do! I smudged the Urban Decay liner on my lid, topped with Sidecar from the Urban Decay Naked palette, lined my upper lash line with Sephora liquid eyeliner in black for some more definition. I used Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! on my eyelashes. On the bottom lash line I put sidecar on the outer part of my eye and used gold liner from Kat Von D's tattoo liner line on the bottom inner corner, which I set with Half Baked from the same Urban Decay palette. I love the way it looks! 

I love the way it ended up coming out. Totally appropriate for day time and for work, right?! I dig it. Anyways, back to the beauty products:

Coastal Scents
Medium Shadow Brush - $2.49 Value

"The Coastal Scents Shadow Brush is a medium sized brush made out of natural fibers that is wide in shape and condensed to allow an even distribution of eyeshadow on the lid. This professional cosmetic brush can be used for shading the crease and highlighting the brow bone with complete precision."

Thoughts: I used this to apply the eyeshadow that came with this bag and it definitely did the job and was nice and soft on the sensitive skin. However, it felt a bit... unbalanced in my hand. The end is really light and the brush-side is heavier. Also, this brush does light coats. I would use something a lot firmer to pack eyeshadow onto the eye. I feel like this brush might work really well with loose pigments. Also, due to my hooded eyes, this eyeshadow brush is a bit large for me but I think the same brush in a smaller version would fit perfectly. Overall, it definitely made me want to try out more of Coastal Scents brushes, which is the point, right?

dr. brandt®

microdermabrasion (7.5 g) - $9.75 value

The dr. brandt® microdermabrasion gently sweeps away dead skin cells and softens skin texture, which enables better absorption of skincare products and helps diminish the appearance of fine lines, acne marks, and skin discolorations. A great at home alternative to professional clinical treatments. Safe to use for all skin types. For best results use with dr. brandt® skincare products. 

Thoughts: I haven't used this yet, but I have heard great things about the dr. brandt brand so I'm excited to give it a shot. Typically, I'm really choosy when it comes to what I put on my face because my skin is so sensitive. I'm going to try it on a small area and make sure it doesn't freak out and I just haven't had time to do it! I'll update when I do though! Full size is $78 for 60 grams (2 oz).

Elizabeth Mott

pop! goes the shadow in Champagne (2g/.07oz) - $12.99 

The Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the eyeshadow is the ultimate eyeshadow that's long lasting, easy to apply, and effortlessly blends. Buildable colors will take you from subtle highlights to dramatic smokey eyes. With pop! goes the shadow, eye shadow creasing is a thing of the past. Get ready to try the eye shadow that will change your life! 

Thoughts: This is a really pretty color. When applied with the Coastal scents brush, it went on really sheer, but when I had swatched it with my finger it was nice and pigmented. I'm going to use it again with a different brush to see how it packs on... However, from the initial use, do I think it is work $13? No. It's a gorgeous color. It's smooth. I haven't really put it to the test in regards to how well in blends, but I would say that you kind find a color just like this from any drugstore brand for a lot less. 

Starlooks

Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in Naked - $12.00

Starlooks' Luscious, Longwear, Matte Lip Liner formula contains a Kiss-Off Resistant polymer that, when worn alone or in combination with a matte lipstick, offers an incredible 8 hour wear - with little no need for touch-up or re-application. Comes in one, brilliant shade of nude for all skin tones! 

Thoughts: During this time of year, I tend to stay away from matte lip products because our weather is crazy. During the day it's warm and at night it is super cold. My lips get really dry from the weather whiplash and you should never wear matte when you're lips are chapped. Ever. It's not a good look. That said, I used this as a base for some lipgloss and I found the formula to be nice and soft. The lipliner was easy to apply and the color was nice. It was really peachy for a naked nude, so beware of that. Honestly, I couldn't find it on the website so I couldn't link to it, but there were some other colors that were nice. As for the price... a bit high. I didn't find it to be particularly long-wearing, honestly. You could probably find something really similar in the drugstore for a lot less money. I really like NYX lip liner.

Cost Breakdown: 

Urban Decay Eye Pencil - $16.50

Coastal Scents Eye Shadow Brush - $2.49

Elizabeth Mott Eyeshadow - $12.99

dr. brandt Microdermabrasion - $9.75

Starlooks Lip Pencil - $12.00

Total: $53.73

Overall, I'm happy with my glam bag, as usual. I love getting to try to new brands without investing a ton of money. For anyone considering signing up for a subscription box, Ipsy is the way to go. It is always worth the $10 and hasn't been disappointing yet. 

I am totally jealous that some bags got a sample of Benefit Lollitint and the Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm. I found out this month that there are Ipsters out there that trade their products when they get something in their bag that they don't want/need. Crazy, right? It's a good idea in theory but I'm not super trusting of people on the internet. What if they never send out the product they are trading? I don't know. Be careful if you trade! 

What did you get in your Ipsy Glam Bag and did you like it? 

March 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag (Review, Swatches, Value)

Ya'll know that in February I got my first Ipsy Glam Bag. Every month for $10 + tax I receive a cute make-up bag filled with four or five sample (or full size) make-up products from varying brands! It is so fun to get a little pink package in the mail every month!

Without further ado, here is what I received in the March 2014 Glam Bag! 

Contents, Links and Values: 

be a bombshell Bora Bora Eyeshadow Quad - $16.00 (Shadow names: Starlet, Bora Bora, Rock Bottom, Risky Business)
bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready - $7.50 value (full size is $18.00)
Vita Liberata Luxury 2-3 Week Tan Lotion for Face and Body in Medium - $7.10 (full size is $54.00)
Chella Eyeliner Pen in Indigo Blue - $24.00

Total Value: $54.60

Right off the bat, I can tell you that I'm not planning on using the Vita Liberata Tanning Lotion. Tanning lotion seriously scares the crap out of me. There are a few reasons why. 1. I don't feel that there is enough of a sample to adequately cover my face and body. 2. I don't want to pick one or the other because I don't want my face to be super light or darker than my body. Duh. 3. It doesn't come with a glove or a mitten or anything and this lady ain't walking around with weird hands. MAYBE - only a maybe here, guys - will I attempt it on my legs. I'll have to wait and see other Ipsters results though, for real.

Luckily, that sample is not a big ticket item in the overall value of the bag, so I don't feel super horrible if I don't use it.

Here are the swatches in artificial and natural lighting:

Top to bottom (and left to right below): Marvelous Moxie in Get Ready, Chella Eyeliner in Indigo Blue, be a bombshell eyeshadows in Starlet, Bora Bora, Rock Bottom, Risky Business.

As I type this, I still have all of those on my hand and there are already thoughts swirling in my head. 

The Moxie is a really pretty color but definitely feels sticky on my hand which I'm hoping won't be overly noticeable on the lips. The Indigo Blue eyeliner says its water-resistant, paraben free, smudge proof, no feathering, etc. Yup, I rubbed that sucker and there was only the tiniest bit of transfer. I'm actually kind of stoked about this color. I've been loving a really natural matte eye with a colored eyeliner wing and black eyeliner close to the lash line. Especially on days I don't want to get ready. As for water-resistant, eh. I totally licked my finger and ran it down the length of the swatch with a pretty quick swipe and there was definitely some smudge going on. 

Last, but not least, the eyeshadow. I've never had any Be a Bombshell products and three of the four colors are totally unimpressive to me. I had to rub vigorously and swatch them multiple times to get them to show up properly. 

In my opinion, the only color worth it's salt is the bottom left pan, Rock Bottom. The other three, Starlet, Bora Bora and Risky Business are okay. Maybe wet they would pack on more vibrant. If I had to list them in order of awesome it would be: Rock Bottom (bottom left), Risky Business, (bottom right), Starlet (top left) and Bora Bora (top right). Bora Bora just did not perform well for me at all. 

The print of this make-up bag was selected from the works of San Francisco artist Klari Reis. It is super cute! Overall, I'm still happy with my decision to sign up for Ipsy and think it's a great value. 

Now I'm off to figure out how to apply that self tanner while avoiding an epic disaster! Ciao!

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For the Record: Ipsy doesn't know me. I pay for my bag just like err'body else. If you subscribe using my link, I do get some points! Yay! I'd appreciate it. :)