♥ 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. 

☼☼January 2015 - BOXYCHARM unboxing ☼☼

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!)

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

20% code for Tarte.com is Boxyjan (Good through 02/03 - 02/12 2015)

I'm adding short videos of each product after the pictures!

1. Pur-lisse Skin Sparkle Flash Tattoos - 1 sheet $12

Are peoples' wrist this small? I'll try all of these as rings most likely. This is the only item in the that I didn't love. I don't hate it through and I'm glad that I finally have some since they are so popular right now.

Here is a short video of these flash tattoos.

2. Mirabella Face Primer - Full Size! $29

This is a clear primer that is silicone based but extremely velvety once it is rubbed in. I used it right away and it held my highlight perfectly. I remember hearing someone has some issues with it, because it seemed that her makeup came on quicker with it on. I can't wait to use this more and see how it does! Especially since this item alone pays for the box. -paraben-free, dye-free, FD&C/D&C free. It also goes a long way!

3. Tarte Maracuja Brozing Serum - Full Size - $47!

This is a part oil and part tanner! You use a couple of drops a day which you rub between your hands then on your face, neck, and decolletage. It is gradual so you won't notice a difference at first. It does smell like self tanner which I don't mind but some might. I'm glad to have this because it is also really moisturizing! I'll use it every morning probably. An item that pays DOUBLE the box it comes in!

Their website says:

"Powered by: maracuga: rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin C known to replenish and rebuild for firmer, brighter, smoother skin and maximum hydration. Allantoin: Helps heal and soothe skin. Larch extract: nourishes and helps prevent moisture loss. And of course the Self-tanning complex: allows for natural-looking bronze color with anti-inflammatory effects."

Also, I'm really impressed that there is no shipping added for Boxycharm as this is a VERY sturdy heavy glass bottle and the dropper is glass as well as you will be able to see in the video added below. It feels very much like a luxury item!

4. Beauty For Real - The Perfect Lip Pencil in "Nude" - Full Size - $14

This lip liner is a pencil (must sharpen yourself) and isn't the easiest to apply to my lips but I'm not that great with lip liners anyway. They never feel creamy enough! This color is DARK on my lips as you can see from the before and after pictures below. On their website this is the only color they sell. In the examples on the website they make it look more orange-y/natural on the before and after model. You can see though it is a dark-ish plum color though.

Here is a swatch (on the LEFT) of the lip pencil in comparison to the next item in the bag. They are meant to match but too me they don't match at all. I like how they compliment each other though which you'll see down below as well! On the website it says that this is the only lip pencil you'll ever need but I can imagine using this for all my colors. It is just way to dark! It's supposed to enhance your "true lip tone." They also suggest that you use this to even our your lip tone and just use clear gloss on top of it. That is clearly not my case and I'm by no means an extreme in fair or dark.. I'd say I have medium skin tone/lips!

5. Beauty For Real - Lip Cream in "Always There" - Full Size - $22

Comes with a mirror on the back and a light with a button on top to turn it on and off. I like this because those with lights usually stay on and no one wants a light shining on their face every time they touch up their lip gloss in full sunlight!

I really like this lip cream! When I saw what everyone got in their bags I assumed this was a lip gloss (which I hate!) but it isn't. This is just a lip cream that glides on and feels like a lipstick. I love it and the color.

Their website suggests about this product as well that it "enhances and defines  your own lip color for a natural look" I think this is more true of the product than the lip liner! I do like them together though as you can see below in the before and after shots that once this color is put on over that lip liner it makes it a much more "kylie jenner-ish" darker pink nude! I like both.

Before:

 Just the lip cream in "always there":

The lip liner and the lip cream together:

Here is a swatch on my hand as well so you can see them without my lip color muddling them. On the far right is the lip cream by itself, in the middle is the lip liner alone, and on the far left are the two together!

Total spent for the bag: $21

Total bag is worth: $124

Total saved: $103

That is a win! I think Boxycharm is my new favorite subscription! This is the first bag/box where I have liked everything and that is the LARGEST WIN EVER! I got this one late (in February) because I signed up super late in January so I'll be getting the February box soon! I'm really excited. I cancelled Lip Monthly and Love with Food for this box and it was clearly the BEST change ever.

Thank you so much for following along.