Ipsy "Thinking of You" December 2014 Glam Bag Review

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Thinking o You". Their Glam Room for this month says "Our happy thoughts are wille with YOU this month. Thank you for a 2014 full of beauty wisdom, and inspiration. You've given us so many reasons to smile and look forward to another amazing year ahead. Who are you thinking of and thankful for this month?"

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 13 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies:

Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry (~$3.00 for .5 oz sample) - with it being winter (well kind of, it was 72 earlier today but in the 40's this weekend, so who knows what it'll be each day) I don't like to leave with wet hair which obviously means I have to blow dry it. Will be interested to see how this product helps my hair withstand the heat from the dryer.

Cailyn Cosmetics Just Minerals Eye Polish in Orchid ($15.00 for FULL SIZE .09 oz) - I really like this color and the applicator! This item in itself made the bag more than worth it this month!

Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream - This product isn't yet available for sale (not until January) so I wasn't able to really estimate the cost of it but I'll say it was probably around a $6 value  for the .5 oz sample based on the cost of the face cream. I've used the Nourish Organic face cleanser before and liked it so I'm sure I'll like this as well!

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Balm in Parfait ($4.00 for FULL SIZE .14 oz) - Not really my color, but it's sheer enough that it'll still work for me. Can always use lip balms!

tarte deluxe lights, camera, lashes 4-in-1 Mascara (~$8.33 for .10 oz sample) - I swear I've been getting a ton of mascara's between Birchbox and ipsy lately, but I suppose it never hurts to have more! I'll surely never have to buy it again!

Total Estimated Value: $36.33 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression: Pretty happy with this bag. After the last two months that just weren't for me, this one was much better!

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link  (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

Ipsy "Girl Meets Glitter" November 2014 Glam Bag Review

I received my ipsy glam bag the other day and look at me, posting on it quickly! 

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Girl Meets Glitter". Their Glam Room for this month says "Why wait for festive fetes and fancy galas to take things up a sparkle or two? Just add glitter, or a generous pinch of shimmer and shine, to elevate your everyday routine and keep you looking and feeling brilliant. That's why we packed this month's Glam Bag with everything you need to leave a little sparkle wherever YOU go. Get ready for your daily grind to "glitterly" dazzle and daze this November!" 

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 25 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies:

Sea Rx Birchsap Moisturizing Lotion (~$2.40 for .3 oz sample) - I really wish they would have sent me the microdermabrasion face and body scrub instead, I have sooo many lotion samples and I'm just not a lotion person. (Although, I am getting better about it). This seems to be a face moisturizer as well though, which I do use those, so it'll get used.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (in medium light (~$9.43 for .11 oz sample) - I'm in desperate need of this type of product with all the broken sleep I've been getting...please baby AB let's start sleeping through the night, your sister did at 9 weeks, please do the same! Hopefully this will cover my tiredness up for when I go back to work next week!

J. Cat Beauty Wonder Lip Paint (in Mad Splatter ) ($4.99 for full size .33 oz sample) - 100% SO NOT ME! Will be passing along to a friend. Lip stains are just not my thing.

Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray (~$1.38 for 1.5 oz sample) - can always use hairspray and one that shields against frizz and humidity is always good in Florida!

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil (in Ultra Olive) ($17.00 for full size .1 oz sample) - I'm pretty sure this is a full size samples, otherwise I have no idea how much bigger it could get. It's a pretty expensive item to be included in the bag but unfortunately, green eyeliner isn't something I would ever use.


Total Estimated Value: $35.20 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression: Honestly, this bag just wasn't for me and I said the same thing last month. I did go in and update my profile, but maybe I didn't do it early enough in the month to register. Overall though, had I liked all the items, it would have been an awesome value, like usual.

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link  (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

Ipsy "Beauty Candy" October 2014 Review

I received my ipsy glam bag almost two weeks ago but am just now finding time to go through it - Mom of a Newborn Excuse

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Beauty Candy". Their Glam Room for this month says "This month, we're whipping up the most delicious beauty confections for you in your October "Beauty Candy" Glam Bag. You'll find both beauty tricks and beauty treats all month long, with colorful and eye-catching eye-candy that you can see and sample!" 

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 25 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies:

City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Cappuccino ($5.00 for  FULL SIZE .105 oz sample) - I don't wear lipstick so not overly excited about this.

ECRU New York Acacia Protein BB Cream Beauty Balm for Hair (~$7.14 for 1 oz sample) - I have never heard of BB cream for hair but if it's going to help keep my hair healthy, I'll be glad to give it a shot!

Figs & Rogue Hand Cream in Rose Berry ($6.56 for FULL SIZE 20 mL / .67 oz sample) - I'll be passing this along, just don't use a lot of hand creams.

Jesse's Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eye Shadow in Esmeralda ($3.99 for FULL SIZE 2g / .07 oz sample) - I so wish I would have gotten one of the other colors offered of this. This color is pretty though, just would have preferred something less brown/bronze as I have a ton of that lately. 

Skyn Iceland Mini Glacial Cleansing Cloths (~$5.00 for 10 single use cloths) - I really like Skyn Iceland products, they always make you feel so refreshed. These would be perfect for travel, especially since they don't require water, they'd be good for a road trip!

Total Estimated Value: $27.69 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression: Honestly, this bag just wasn't for me. I'm really only excited about the cleansing cloths. After receiving this bag, I went in an updated my "beauty match quiz" to helpfully get some more "me" items in my future bags. The bad had some great items  (and three full sized ones too!) in it though, just not ones I will really use. 

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link  (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

ipsy "Street Style" September 2014 Glam Bag Review

I received my ipsy glam bag today and look at me, already got my post up about it! 

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Street Style". Their Glam Room for this month isn't updated yet but the Glam Bag itself is probably my favorite bag ever.

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found in your "Glam Room" on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 18 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies..

Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush - This seems like a really high quality brush so I was surprised to see it was pretty inexpensive and it serves as two! (~$6.99 for one brush)

Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil (in Fringe) - I don't ever wear anything besides black, so I'll be passing this on to a friend. The website doesn't say what size a full size pencil is but it does cost $11 so I'm estimating this sample is about 1/2 of that - although ipsy does send full size items sometimes, so it very well could be full size (~$5.50 for .026 oz sample)

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask - I always like to try out new deep conditioners on my hair. Since I color it, it does tend to need a little extra love sometimes. (~$4.95 for 1 fl oz sample)

Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss (in Love Affair) - This color seems a little more than "tinted" and totally not me! I'll be passing this on to a friend. (~$19.00 for .14 oz FULL SIZE sample)

Nourish Organic Moisturizing Cream Face Cleanser - I'm always excited to try new face cleansers since I tend to use the same one and feel like sometimes my face needs a good shock of something else (luckily, I don't have that sensitive of skin that I've ever had a bad reaction to trying new kinds) This one happens to be fragrence-free, alcohol-free, gluten-free and vegan. (~$2.33 for 1 fl oz sample)


Total Estimated Value: ~$38.77 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression: Even though two items will be passed along (one being the most valuable item), I really did like this bag! Especially the bag itself! 

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link  (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

Ipsy "Beauty Schooled" August 2014 Glam Bag

Before my trip last week, I received several of my subscriptions, including ipsy!

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Beauty Schooled". Their Glam Room for this month says "Learn the rules, so that you can break them. This month, you'll discover that you'll never stop learning - especially, when it comes to the world of beauty. With everything from styling skills, application techniques, to channeling your inner confidence and uniqueness... With the help of ipsy and your August Glam Bag, you're about to get "schooled.”

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 17 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies

Absoulte Lip Balm (Grape) - I LOVE this stuff! It reminds me of stuff I used to use when I was a young kid. It's really hydrating and smells yummy! It looks like the sample given was full size but they sell them in duos. (~$2.98 for one 12 g tin)

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Refiner - I received this in my February 2014 Birchbox and it quickly became one of my favorite items. I'm too cheap to buy it on my own though so I'm so glad to get another sample! It definitely helps reduce visible pores! (~$11.25 for .25 oz sample)

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I get some of my favorite mascara's from ipsy and Birchbox so I'm always happy to receive samples of mascara and Urban Decay is an awesome brand so hopefully this one will be good too! and because I get so many samples I never have to buy my own :)  (~$5.50 for 3 mL sample)

Coastal Scents Forever Blush Duo (Fresh and Elegant) - I don't wear blush, but I'll probably wear these as eyeshadows. (~$2.39 for 2.4g sample)

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil (Black Silk) - My pencil kind of melted, but I'm sure will be fine after i sharpen it. The website doesn't say what size a full size pencil is but it does cost $18 so I'm estimating this sample is about 1/4 of that since it seems pretty small. (~$4.50 for .02 oz sample)

Total Estimated Value: $26.62 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression:This is not a very "valuable" bag in regards to the value I'm used to with ipsy (nornmally it's around $40 value) but overall love the items in it so I'm not complaining!

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link  (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

ipsy "Sensationally Sunkissed" July 2014 Glam Bag Review

Well I know it’s August, but I just realized I never posted about July’s ipsy Glam Bag and August’s would probably be here soon, so better late than never, right? 

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at any time!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items.

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Sensationally Sunkissed". Their Glam Room for this month says "Here comes the sun and a Glam Bag full of beauty products so good that even the sun would worship it. There isn’t a gray cloud in sight this summer as we give you an amazing selection of brands and products fit to help keep you looking your best during summer’s brightest days and warm long nights.”

ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 16 items this month (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 5 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies!

BareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (Divine Wine) – I’ve always been a fan of BareMinerals face make up so I’m sure I’ll love their eye shadow too. Just hope this color isn’t too dark! (~$5.40 for .03 oz sample)

Befine Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 – I love getting moisturizers in my bags, I never have to buy any because by the time my samples run out, I’m always getting another one!  (~$21.18 for 1.5 oz sample)

Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 8 – I don’t do tanning oils anymore, I’m a  sunscreen with least SPF 30+ type of girl. No skin cancer for this white girl, thank you! I gave this to my mom as she uses tanning oils still (even though I advise her not too!). (~$1.50 for 1 oz sample)

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm (Unique Pink) – I actually really love this color, it’s not “too pink” for me and is still a balm rather than a lipstick! (~$8.40 for 1.8 g sample)

wHet Nail Polish (Facetious) – this is SO not my color and will be given to a friend but this chip resistant, high shine, vegan polish is "three free" and void of harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and dpd (dibutyle phthalate). I wouldn’t however pay $15 for a bottle of any nail polish, so I guess it doesn’t matter. (~$9.00 for 10ml sample)

Total Estimated Value: $45.48 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression:The moisturizer pays for the overall cost more than twice so I’m happy with just that fact. I won’t use the nail polish or the tanning oil, but the other 3 items are wins!

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!