♥October Ipsy Unboxing + September Review♥

♥October Ipsy Unboxing + September Review♥

ALTER EGO THEME

 This is actually a VERY small bag in comparison to any others I've gotten from Ipsy in the past year I've been subscribed. In this picture below, I placed two other Ipsy bags on top of this one. You can see on the right bottom that it falls short about an inch! Not a big deal... I actually like this! I wish all the bags were in a variety of sizes.

Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $10 per month

They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This effects what is in your bag each month. Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to effect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 

Normally I'd put a picture of the card right here but I didn't GET one. HA HA. They never have any information about the products though, so no real loss.

1. Hey Honey Come Clean Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub 0.5oz/15ml - $5.47 (FullSize is 2.2oz $23)

I've gotten Hey Honey brand face mask before. It was January of this year. I remember being disappointed that it didn't smell like honey. This one doesn't either. Ha ha. It wasn't my favorite peel off mask because it didn't PEEL. This is an exfoliating mask which solves that problem! 

2. Aromachology Exotic & Spicy Perfume 1ml $1.40 (Full Size 50ml $70)

In the grey is what the company says about this fragrance. I don't detect the spicier notes.. it smells floral sweet to me. I love the color too! There wasn't ANY identifying marks on the cardboard box or bottle except "exotic & spicy" I had to get the company name from the Ipsy website.

Truly exotic, this seductive oriental fragrance is alluring, with a mix of nutmeg, black pepper and
honeysuckle, to give your day a kick of spice.

– 20% higher oil load

– designed for layering

Notes: 

Top: Honeysuckle, rose and pink jasmine

Mid: Peony, gardenia, orange blossom and ginger

Bottom: Musk, sandalwood, moss, cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper

3. Touch In Sol Browza Super Proof Gel Brow Pencil in "Mink Wink" $??16.15 (Full size $19)

Loved this! Even though it is the darkest color they offer it can be LIGHT! I've read that a lot of people are upset because this product is super soft. After once use it was either find a way to twist the product up or sharpen it. I don't like sharpening packaging that isn't wood. Some have had success doing that. AN EASIER way though.. is to remove the spoolie cap. Then grab hold of the spoolie and pull that green part off. Under is a hole where the product is sticking out. It has a piece of plastic on it so you aren't going to dig into the product. I just pushed a toothpick up there and it pushes the product right out the top! Easy peasy.

Now about the price discrepancy. My product says it is 0.20oz but it is clearly shorter than the full size which says is 0.017oz. How can my sample size be heavier than full size? I believe the sizes have just been mixed up? I believe that 0.02 would be $19 and 0.017oz would be $16.15. Since I got the smaller of those two. I'm going to say this was worth $16.15.

4. it cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara 0.16fl oz $11.52 (Full Size is 0.33fl oz $24)

This mascara has a lot of claims on it. 430% lash volume, 114% lash length, defining lashes, hold the curl, never flakes or fades, and conditioning.  I'm not sure it does any of those things at all or well! This mascara started flaking almost immediately and all night. The curl didn't hold. I think this is my least favorite mascara! I will be using it more over the next month of course. So, check next months review to see if it gets better with age!

5. The Balm Cosmetics Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in "charming" 0.04fl oz $3.10 (full size 0.219fl oz $17)

 Before

 After - Wet

After - Dry

This pinky nude is perfect! Liquid to matte are my favorites right now and this one "matted" within the minute and didn't feel heavy. It wore well after dinner as well (disappeared evenly).

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $37.64

Total saved: $27.64

The balm liquid lipstick is my favorite! I adore it. The only so-so item is the mascara. I have a lot of respect for It Cosmetics and I can't believe it is this bad!

SEPTEMBER REVIEW

NYX Cosmetics Ipsy Eye Shadow Trio 

Love this little trio! I've used the lightest shade most the last month. Most of October though I've used the middle golden shade more and more!

Eau Thermale Avene Soothing Moisture Mask

This is a great mask! I didn't have any reaction to it. I loooove getting masks in boxes.

TheBalm Put a Lid on it Eyelid Primer 

I liked this product! It didn't change my life or anything but I believe it worked better than just my regular face primer.

City Color Cosmetics Be Bold 3x Extreme Volume Mascara 

I just got two more mascaras (in octobers ipsy and boxycharm) and they PALE in comparison to this one. I adore this mascara. I've used it every day since I got it (until I opened these two new boxes) I hate to put it aside to try these others! I'd love to try the blue volume&curl and the yellow bottle volume&length.

Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in "Elegantly Wasted"

Best nail polish I've ever tried. I don't expect any polishes to NOT chip (so keep that in mind) I use bottom and top coats with all polishes. I have a LOW expectation for 5-free and 7-free polishes. This one just so happens to be a 7-free polish and it blew me away! Non-toxic. Vegan. Cruelty-free. This polish is a ONE COAT polish. Which is especially impressive considering it is a lighter color. As you've already guessed I'm enamored of this polish. I plan on buying MANY MORE colors! That might just take more time than I'd like... because they are $15 a POP!

Personally I'd like "Boy Tears" a multi-glitter overlay holographic, "Classic cash" which has to be SEEN to believe. It is an olive green with gold flecks! There are 3-packs for $35 making each bottle $11.37 each.

Thank you so much for following along.

♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April Review ♥

      ♥ May Ipsy Unboxing + April Review ♥

Ipsy is a monthly subscription box for makeup products.

I was not given this box. All opinions are my own. Based off my preferences! :D

Cost: $10 per month

They ship to the U.S., and Canada

There is a wide variety of options for Ipsy bags. You take a quiz when you first sign up (this can be retaken as many times as you like). This affects what is in your bag each month. Each time you get a bag you have the option of reviewing the items you received. I've found that this is the best way to affect what you get in your bag each month. The more reviews you complete the more likely you are to like your bags. 

1. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in "Ozone" 0.8g + two samples of the Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in the shades "Failbait" and "Bittersweet" $17 (this price is just for the lip pencil which I've read is 3/4 the size of the full size which is $20)

These are the items I was most excited to see in my bag this month. I haven't tried anything out yet. I'm sorry I didn't add swatches but I didn't want to open these samples before I was ready to use them because I'm unable to close them. I'm excited for this anti-feathering pencil and these lip glosses. I will update this with swatches, before and after photos, and you'll see a review of these in next months post!

Here is a link to the Subscription Addiction review of her bag. The only item we have in common is this one. She has swatch pictures of these two colors.

UPDATE: I tried the "Bittersweet" shade and it was just like every other lip gloss I've tried. I'm not a fan of the texture. I did apply the ozone lip pencil under this one. If you like lip gloss these are probably the least sticky lip gloss I've tried but it still has a little bit of STICK when I open my mouth. It didn't come off on my drink as MUCH as lip gloss usually does (it was on the rim but didn't rid my lips of the color) These stain! I'm passing along the "failbait" color so I won't be testing it. Oh and I didn't even put a DENT in this sample when I used it. There is still a TON inside I would say at least four applications. Which is impressive.

This is in the shade

 This is in the sunlight

2. Briogeo Rosarco Milk reparative leave-in conditioning spray 1oz. $4 (full size is 5.1oz for $20)

The bottle says this product for nourishing, repairing, and renewing your hair. I sprayed it onto the back of my hand and it was an unusual experience. Imagine spraying watering lotion! It contains rosehip, argon oil, and coconut oil which give it a nice feel and smell. The smell is sweet but not in a sickly way. This says it should be added to DAMP hair and doesn't mention dry. I'm looking forward to adding this to my daily routine.

This is free of Parabens, Phthalates, and Silicone. The website says "This cruelty-free, 95 percent naturally-derived formula is vegan-friendly and formulated without silicone or synthetic fragrances and dyes."

3. it cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC anti-aging spf cream in "Medium" 0.135floz $4.75 (Full size is 8x larger 1.08fl oz $38)

 This is the product rubbed into the back of my hand. Blended perfectly.

 When I first pulled this out I thought immediately that it would be too dark for my skin tone. I typically use a foundation that is in-between light and medium. Medium being WAY too dark for my skin. I used this on my face and it doesn't seem that full coverage when I used it under my eyes. I'll have to use this a few more times though (maybe with a brush or beauty blender next time) to get a better idea of what I'm dealing with. 

4. Skone cosmetics Pretty Eyes Automatic Eyeliner in "Navy" FULL SIZE $15 (this color isn't available on their website unless the blue option is the same as Navy)

 I attached this photo to show the differences that can be achieved with this automatic pencil. You can make thin and thick lines as well as build the color up to a much darker blue.

The consistency is extremely BUTTERY. The color is outstanding. I wasn't that excited for a navy eyeliner but I think this color is gorgeous. I can't wait to use this soon!

5. Laboratoires Klorane Smoothing and relaxing eye patches with soothing cornflower two sets of 2 patches is $6. Full size is seven sets of 2 for $21.

I received two sets of two for a total of two treatments. These were NOT wet inside like the usual face masks. I LOVE face products especially things for my eyes that feel SPA LIKE! These were very soft and comfortable. They were cooling and my eye area feels tingly still after a few hours. The packaging was a little off putting though because most of the language is in French (as far as I can tell.) English is the second language added. The directions said to apply these and leave them for 20 minutes! I'm not sure why but I found it very relaxing. I can't wait to get more products like this as I also enjoyed the VERY LIGHT floral/sweet smell these had.

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $46.75

Total saved: $36.75

I love the canvas bag sent with the red washable interior. So far I love and will use all five of these products! I think this is the first PERFECT bag I've gotten from Ipsy. :D

EXTRAS

After you get each Ipsy bag you have the opportunity to review each item on the website. As stated above this will let Ipsy know which items you like getting, what brands you like and don't like, and you receive points for each review you complete. 

Each item reviewed gets you 5 points. You can receive points for other actions on the website. Below I'll include any items I've received as extras I've used points to redeem (if ANY). You must redeem them before the first of the month for it to be added into that bag.

You get 100 points for subscribing to Ipsy. 10 for sharing your glam bag sneak peek (sent out before you receive the bag) 5 points are awarded for sharing which item in your bag is your favorite. Things like this are monthly!

You get 250 points for each person who signs up for their own Ipsy subscriptions if they sign up with your UNIQUE link.

https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=1wq8x

This is mine if you wish to use it. 

These two items are the first I've redeemed points for. I'm EXTREMELY excited to receive them.

Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser 250 points

The first time I received this item from Ipsy was in October 2014. It was in this exact sample size. I used it to wash my face and I fell in LOVE with it. This is a 0.5oz sample size worth $6 as the full size 4oz bottle retails for $32 dollars. I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $32 on a face wash... but I've been tempted! It smells like CRUSHED real strawberries. Heavenly.

Measurable Difference Lash Attitude Faux Lashes + adhesive tube 100 points

Who doesn't like free lashes?! These are $2.99 on the website. Which shows me at least that the points system is accurate! 100 for a 2.99 product and 250 for a $6 product is close enough for me. False eyelashes are some of my favorite things!

 APRIL Month Long REVIEW

Here is a link to this unboxing which will have prices and links to product websites

This Hikari blush in "Charmed" is a lovely color and LASTS! I didn't think I could enjoy such a BRIGHT bold pink because I like a light hand with blush. I don't typically wear foundation and I have a lot of red in my face so it isn't necessary. However, on the days I do wear some coverage this is a beautiful option.

This Mullein & Sparrow Tinted Lip Balm was very sheer and smelled like seeds. I couldn't get passed that smell and this also made me never reach for it once for over a week. Rather than keeping it I passed it on to someone who would use it.

This MICA beauty cosmetics eye primer is fantastic! I've only ever used tube primers and I've never been a huge fan of them. They work but not exceptionally so and I always forget to put it on. This however BLEW me away! My eye-shadow was crease free for the entire day. I'm in love with this product. Soooooo glad I received it.

 I wasn't initially excited to get this color from The Balm Cosmetics Nude Dude in the color "Flirty" but once I swatched it I was surprised and delighted. This is a LOVELY color with gold undertones. I've used it multiple times since getting it and while there was some fallout.. I haven't tried an eye-shadow that hasn't. I suspect I just have a heavy hand when it comes to them!

This Lather ultra light face lotion was a bit of a disappointment. I really wanted it to work out for me but after using it up I'm sure it was breaking me out. I have very oily skin and it is difficult to combat. I just can't see a way where I could get away with hydrating my skin at all without suffering breakouts! This soaked in well and I really liked the subtle fresh smell it had.

Thank you so much for following along.