♥ January Ipsy Unboxing + December Review ♥

January Ipsy Unboxing + December 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 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. 

Here is my referral link

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

The brush didn't fit in the bag to it was left loose in the pink mailer.

This is one of my least favorite bags. It isn't UGLY or anything. Just not in my favorites. I like the "All Eyes On You" card as well... especially since I got FOUR out of five products that are meant for eyes.... makes sense. lol. I DON'T think they GO together though and that bothers me. It is golds/real/neutral and the bag is FLASHY Andy Warhol-esque.

1. Pur~lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum - Sample Size -0.24oz for $3.25 (Full Size is $65 for 0.5oz)

 Ipsy coupon "Ipsyadore30" for 30% off

Super excited to get this sample because as you can see... I already own the full size. I LOVE this. I use it morning and night. I can already tell you that I love this stuff. It is scentless. I can't tell if it's doing anything, I just love putting it on. Haha. I did NOT buy the full size. I got it in Nov2015 boxycharm box which I'll link here) This stuff is EXPENSIVE so I'm glad to get sample. 

Website claims: "Active ingredients like soy protein and French marine plants bring 4X the power against aging in this intensive eye serum. Our breakthrough Peptide Eye Complex and exclusive peptide complex, Lotus Lupine 5, have been clinically proven to work together against wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness, while hydrating and lifting the delicate eye area"

2. Mitchell and Peach English Leaf Body Cream - Sample Size - 1oz for $8.50 (Full Size is $51 for 6oz)

 Ipsy coupon "Ipsy24" for 20% off

BLECH! lol. I hate this stuff. I'm not excited to see lotion ever but.. I could SMELL this as soon as I opened the pink mailer. I could smell it through the makeup bag. I could smell it through the plastic zip bag it was in. The scent is "English Leaf" which smells like smushed green plant + floral. Lol. I had a friend over who said she liked it. So... she can have it. I hope it doesn't smell like that when it is WORN! I can smell it right now. Ugh. I am sensitive to scents (burny throat) but this DOESN'T make me feel sick. I just hate the scent. lol 

Website Claims: "This indulgent body cream, containing honey, organic cocoa and Vitamin B5, rubs in easily, without stickiness.

Delicately scented with the lush, aromatic English Leaf fragrance - a classical ‘green floral’ with an English twist."

(Delicately SCENTED? HAHAHAHHAHA)

3. Coastal Scents Pearl Shadow Angle Large Brush - Full Size - (Price is complicated - See below)

 Ipsy coupon "Pearl25Off" for 25% off

A brush! Dual toned synthetic bristles so if you don't like that..run. Lol. I like them just fine and I'm glad to get another white brush because it doesn't clash with the brushes I already have.

PRICE EXPLANATION

So.. price. This brush is a pearl brush from Coastal scents and is not sold separately from the set. The 16 pearl brush set is normally $69.95. Coastal scents ALWAYS has sales though... so this might be on sale for the rest of time (like their palettes) its sale price is $39.95 (42% off) So... here we go.

Full price 69.95 / 16 brushes = $4.37 each brush

Sale price 39.95/ 16 brushes = $2.49 each brush

I will be using the sale price right NOW in my calculations because it is on sale while I write this.

4. theBalm Cosmetics Mr. Write (Now) in "Jac B. Bronze" - Full Size - $17

 Ipsy coupon "Ipsy20" for 20% off

This is a GREAT eyeliner! It is retractable, has a sharpener in the end, and I love the color. Plus when I tried to wash the swatch off with makeup remover. Nothing. lol. I had to SCRUB and SCRAPE to get this off. Which is fantastic. 

Website Claims: "These pencils deliver the long-lasting color you've been looking for, and have built-in sharpeners so they are always ready when you are. With high payoff, eight wearable shades, and a satin smooth texture,"

5. City Color Cosmetics Eyeshadow Trio in "Falling Leaves" (Price is complicated - see below)

 Ipsy coupon "Ipsy50" for 50% off (not working - see below)

Love these colors. I'm really into oranges/bronze right now. They are SUPER pigmented. I ran my finger in it once but back and forth on my hand. Not chalky at all.

PRICE EXPLANATION

The site is under construction. So I've linked to ipsy's page for this item.  Sad because Ipsy attached a 50% coupon to this item (IPSY50) but.. it's useless. I think that is kind of a trick? cheat? Like.. "Oh look we're so generous, here is a useless coupon that you can't use." I found it very off putting. Anyway CCC isn't a high end brand and trios like this were $5-$7. So I'm putting that it is $5.99.

PACKAGING DETAILS

The lotion was in a baggie
Eye shadow in plastic wrap and bubble wrap
Brush in package
Eyeliner in plastic shrink wrap
Eye serum (no seal/packaging)

 Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $20.24

Total saved: $10.24

Not a great...deal this month. Twice the price.. but I really would have spent money on are the brush and eye serum.. Not unhappy with this bag though. I like the eyeliner and eye shadow.. so the only fail is the lotion. Not bad! One bag out of OVER a year of bags that isn't great? Still good.

DECEMBER REVIEW

Link to unboxing + swatches

 Pacifica Power of Love Natural Lipstick in "Nudie Red" - Full Size -$9.99

Love this! It is a natural-ish color for my lips. It is a satin texture. Love getting lip products! 

  Lather Honey Moisture Mask with Propolis Extract - Deluxe Size - 0.5oz for $2.75 (Full size is 4oz for $22)

This. Stuff. Is. Amazing. Lotion always breaks out my face... always. I've tried a TON.Ton.ton.tn....they all break me out. Ones that are oil free, for night, sensitive, for oily skin, "light...... all break me out. This one doesn't. I used it EVERY night. My skin has never been better. It has a honey smell in the pot but smells like weird plant when I put it on. My husband hates it. Ha ha. I will REPURCHASE THIS! I will. $22 for full size. No problem. I won't need to for YEARS though. This might go bad before I finish it. I don't pack it on like the directions suggest (rub it all over face and let soak in and then rub in the rest...no.) I put it all over but just ENOUGH to soak in immediately. I use it on my neck and chest as well. In the MONTH since I received this I have ONLY used the stuff that was on the lid when I opened it. YEAH. I use this twice a day and I've used a half dollar sized amount.

 JerseyShore Cosmetics Vanilla Bean Anti-aging lip & Hand Polish - Full Size - 1ozfor $25

This smells like sugar cookies. I want to eat it. Great product.

 Tarte Cosmetics Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder - Deluxe Size -0.07oz for $10 (Full Size is 0.35oz for $35)

I've only used one powder to set my makeup before this one. I can't tell the difference between them. It works great though. :D

 Julie G Nail Color in "Pin Up Girl" Full Size - $3.99

Love JulieG (I watch her channels on Youtube) Love her polishes (and lashes) . This is a beautiful color and is only one coat. Perfect. 

Thank you so much for following along. 

☼☼ September Boxycharm Unboxing + August Review☼☼

           September Boxycharm Unboxing 
                                    + 
                         August Review

Boxycharm is a monthly beauty subscription box that sends 4-5 full-size beauty/makeup products.

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

Cost: $21 per month (FREE SHIPPING!)

My referral link

https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/38747/

They only ship to 48 U.S. states. (They don't ship to Hawaii or Alaska yet.)

1. Previse Skincare HydroMilk Hydrating Lotion - Full Size -$48

Sweet! I've gotten a different step out of the step from this line in Boxycharm in the past. I hope they send me the other 4 parts soon! It doesn't have any sort of scent. It is a lotion for your face... so not sure how much I'll use this right now unless I get some really harsh cleanser the next time I go shopping. Otherwise.. it would cause breakouts!

(This did not have any kind of safety seal on it) 

2. Vasanti Professional Foundation Brush - Full Size - $32

LOVE brushes. I've already opened this and used it and it is one of my new favorites. (I washed this and dried it for this blog picture ha ha I used it almost immediately.) 

3. SkinnysmolderEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof liner - Full Size - $19

Beautiful burgandy colored eye liner. I used this the day I got it as well. I'm not in love with the blending brush sponge part that is one one end but I just won't use it. I tried it and it wasn't very successful. 

4. Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel - Full Size - $18

Perfect timing! I just ran out of this stuff. I like this formula too. It doesn't make my eyebrows crunchy and it doesn't smell. Not too much else to say about eyebrow gel! Um... it isn't very liquidous.. I'm used to the E.L.F. one which you can SEE the gel-ish formula but this didn't look like that. It held well though. It was clear as well.

(This came with safety seal wrapper on it)

5. SCRATCH Nail Wraps - Full Size - $12

These look......horrible. Ha ha. I've seen them on nails though and they are BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to put them on. I'm inserting a photo from the website to show. I'm not putting these on tonight. Sorry. Ha ha. Plus these hands are more beautiful. I like nail wraps so I was happy to see these in my box. Especially white/negative space/ gold ones! My favorite.

These are sealed and it comes with a warning to use them within a month of opening them. WHAT does that mean?! These nail wraps lose their freshness? Ha ha. Interesting.

There was also this coupon (won't show lol) cute that they customized it for Boxycharm!

6.  Kardashian Beauty Black Seed Dry Oil - Travel Size - $2.75 0.5oz (FullSize 3oz $16.50) BONUS ITEM

This is another hair treatment oil. We seem to get these on a constant basis in Boxycharm boxes.  This one is a "seed oil" and it says that is "black seed" whatever seed that means... It smooths hair, nourishes, and makes it stronger and shinier. I love the smell of hair oils. This has an oily sweet smell that is subtle. I like it. 

(There was a safety seal on this - under the lid) 

Total spent for the bag: $21

Total bag is worth: $129

Total saved: $108

With Bonus:$131.75

Total saved: $110.75

Boxycharm is my FAVORITE box hands down I think. I'm always really happy with their boxes. Totally worth the $21 obviously and I really love the products.

AUGUST REVIEW

   1. NOIS Shield Leave-in Conditioner - Full Size - $26

This is too heavy to be massaged into my scalp. The smell is GREAT (sweet/not overpowering to my sensitive lungs) and it doesn't weigh my hair down when used like a normal leave-in. I like knowing I have extra protection on my hair.

2. Mica Beauty Gel Eyeliner

I like using this eyeliner a lot! This is my first gel liner and it is a lot easier to use than I thought it would be. It dries quickly and isn't too runny or too goopy.

3. Seta Eyeliner Brush - Full Size - $16

Good brush. Love getting them, always will. Works great with the liner

4. So Susan Statement Skin Highlighter - Full Size - $20

I like this and have used it every day I wore makeup this past month! I like that it can be used subtly as well as built up.

5. Revealed 3 palette

LOOOOOOOOOVE! I used this today on a purple/pink look which is something I haven't tried yet.

Thank you so much for following along.

♥ April Ipsy Unboxing + March Review ♥

♥ April Ipsy Unboxing + March 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

First... isn't this bag adorable?! I'm in love with it. I had to add this second picture in. I can't stop looking at it and touching it. Every month I think Ipsy out does itself with these adorable bags. Personally I think are worth the $10 themselves! It has a silky light grey lining in it and the signature ipsy zipper pull. I think I might use this in my purse! I use most of my ipsy bags for storage and travel. I just took THREE away with me on a mini vacation. This one might be an everyday bag though. This bag is a wicker-ish matieral but is VERY flexible.

I also added this picture to note that the blush came in a box that had the color labeled "tango" on it but the blush inside is clearly "charmed" (see below) but also that this Lather lotion came in a ziplock bag to protect against spills which I appreciate! It was sealed and did not spill thank fully.

1.Lather Ultra Light Face Lotion Deluxe 1oz $10.50 (Full size is 2oz $21)

I haven't tried this yet and I'm wary to. I have extremely oily skin and moisturizing never seems to work out. I have a nice regime going right now that has been consistent. So, I'll introduce it and see what happens. I like the smell as well. It has a nice fresh green smell to it that I can't pin point! On my hand it did remain kind of tacky so I'm not sure about this just yet! I'll let you know next month. For now though I'm happy to have this in my bag.

2. TheBalm Cosmetics Nude Dude Mini Eyeshadow in "Flirty" $3 (sample based on how many are in the palette)

I'm pretty sure all subscribers got this item but I'm not sure about the shade. I love the color I got but I'm curious if there were any other shades sent out. From what I've seen it is all "flirty" and nothing else. It isn't in your face with the shimmer as you can see in the photos above. When the light hits it though this color sings! I adore that mauvey color with a golden shimmer. Just lovely. 

3. MICA Beauty Cosmetics Eye Primer deluxe size 4g $22.47 (full size is 8g for $44.95)

I haven't tested this items durability out yet but I will let you know next month how it faired. I just got rid of an eye primer so this has its own spot in my collection now. Hopefully it preforms well! It does blend out nicely. There is only one shade because it does blend into my skin flawlessly. I've used some in the past with colors that I don't care for.

4. Hikari Cosmetics Blush in "Charmed" FULL SIZE $15 (My container SAYS "Tango" but I clearly recieved the color "Charmed" See below.

Wow! This blush is huge. I feel like.. I will own this for the rest of time. It is a SUPER bright pink color which I can't see myself using. I'll give it a few tries and if it doesn't work for me I'll pass it along. No need to waste this beautiful blush! NOTE: After looking at the 7 shades available on their website I feel as though I've gotten the color "charmed" and not what mine says which is "tango". What I got is a BRIGHT pink and the website has a much more (my style) muted pink mauve color. What do you think? I'll add the picture of mine in between these two.

This top color is "Charmed"

 This bottom color is "Tango"

5. Mullein & Sparrow Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm FULL SIZE $22 ? (no size is listed but it looks like the website product and is filled to the top)

This is such a weird product! It is organic, all natural, handmade, and vegan! Which is all very good. It doesn't have much of a tint at all as you can see from my before and after above. It has a very oily texture I'm assuming is from the ingredients (sunflower oil, extra virgin olive oil, shea butter, candelilla wax, cocoa butter, alkanet root, carnauba wax, and patchouli and orange essential oils) Only having 9 understandable ingredients is a plus as well. 

I don't smell any of the patchouli (thank goodness.. not a good lip smell me thinks) but I do smell the orange and cocoa butter! This smells like Christmas for me because I love eating chocolate oranges around Christmas. 

Some cons are that the tin is extremely difficult to open. Ugh. Ha ha. I've had to open this several times already and I never want to open it again. It comes off on everything and my lips didn't feel that soft or anything after wearing it. I have mixed feelings about this. I wish I knew the expiration (I'm assuming it isn't going to save until xmas when I'll REALLY enjoy it i.e. chapped lips and chocolate/orange cravings because it is all natural and they don't typically last without preservatives.)

Total spent for the bag: $10

Total bag is worth: $72.97

Total saved: $62.97

Wow! This is.... the highest valued bag I've received from Ipsy to date. I do question the prices a little bit but still (I usually do for most bags lol I'm not someone who has the kind of money to spend on high end). I know this tinted lip balm (which I would NEVER use on your cheeks regardless of claims. All that OIL!) for $22?? I feel like this looks like someone I could mix and put in a tin myself. Print the label out and sell. The eye primer as well doesn't look as professional for the expensive price as the other items do. I wouldn't doubt for a second that I have $15 worth of blush in that Hikari container! It looks legit. The primer and this balm both look a little less. That eyeshadow is for SURE my favorite item in this bag and also happens to be the least expensive at $3 whole dollars. Ha ha. 

MARCH IPSY BAG REVIEW

Link to unboxing

Coolway glow finishing oil treatment sample size

I'm in love with this stuff. It makes my hair feel soft, doesn't make it oily faster, and has a great smell. I've almost used up my whole sample. However I have a backup of hair oils that I haven't used and this is expensive full size at a $30 for 3oz. So I won't be repurchasing unless I run out and don't find a better cheaper version.

Purlisse gentle makeup remover sample size

I didn't end up liking this product much. Regardless of the claim that it is gentle and soy... it burned my eyes (didn't use it to remove mascara!) just being near them. It was a little too thick, didn't do that great of job, and my face didn't feel cleaner after using it. 

Marsk Mineral Eyeshadow in "fifty shades"

This is one of my only loose eyeshadows and I'm not a fan! This is a beautiful color but I hate reaching for it. I will keep it because I don't have a color like this in my eyeshadows yet but it is so messy, I hate it.

 Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil

Surprise! I actually LOVE this product. It is the highlight I reach for first. It is easy to apply and I just use my finger to blend it out. It isn't too pink for my skin tone and adds the perfect amount of shine without looking like a Twilight vampire. That will teach me to complain about getting highlighters!

NYX Butter lipstick in "Pops"

My favorite item in this bag by far. I love lipsticks as you know and you almost can't LOSE by sending one to me. I love the formula of the butter lipsticks. They feel like a longer lasting VERY pigmented tinted lip balm almost. Very hydrating. I reached for this constantly as something quick to put on and not clash with a outfit! 

Thank you so much for following along.