IPSY Review – March 2017

Have you heard of Ipsy?! It is a monthly beauty subscription service that allows you to try unique brands, use different products, and collect items items that you may not pick up on your own. For only $10 a month I’d say it’s quite the deal! You can join by clicking here if you’re interested.

Here is what I got in my most recent March bag…

Ofra Cosmetics – Peach Blush Talk about a dupe for Nars’ Orgasm!!! This blush has some serious gold reflection to it that is very flattering on the skin. On my skin tone specifcally I had some difficulty with the peach shade showing up, but I do think this will flatter lighter skin tones.

Air Repair Skincare – Complexion Boosting Moisturizer I am pretty picky with skincare and this passed the test. It is packed full of antioxidants and left my skin feeling perfectly moisturized. Can’t ask for much more than that!

Beau Gachis – Tapered Blending Brush This is my favorite item of the bag! Ipsy seriously reads my mind when it comes to brushes, because I’ve been on the lookout for a new blending brush. This baby is going to seriously come in handy. I love the curved tip and fluffy bristles… it makes blending a dream.

Tarte – Tartiest Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint While I love this brand, I’m not a huge liquid lipstick lover. However I did try this out and it was less drying than others I have tried in the past, with more of a velvet matte finish. The applicator is very precise and I think it will be a good shade to save for autumn.

ModelCo – Eye Define Crayon Liner This liner claims to glide on without tugging or dragging, which is the exact opposite experience I had with it. The product is very stiff and difficult to blend. I do like trying new black liners because, let’s face it, they are a staple in any makeup collection but this one just did not do it for me.

Ipsy Review – February 2017

If you are unfamiliar with Ipsy, it is a ten dollar a month beauty subscription service. You can sign up here to get five deluxe or full size samples sent to you in a unique beauty bag every month. I have been a member for well over a year now and can say that it is so fun to play around with a set of new and customized products. It’s a perfect way to build your makeup, haircare, and skincare collection.

Here is what I got this month!!!

NYX “Butter Lipstick” – Lippies are my favorite!!! I got the shade Lifeguard, which is not a full on red but more of a deep magenta. The satin finish on this is amazing. It is super moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. I will definitely be on the look out for more of these babies in different shades.

Luxie “Rose Gold Blush Brush #514” – When I started getting back into makeup a couple of years ago, I bought myself a (cheap) brush set off of amazon. Since then, I have been upgrading brush by brush so I was super excited to get this! I love Luxie because it is a cruelty-free brand and is great quality. This brush has synthetic bristles and is in a small dome shape. It is meant for blush, which for me works perfectly.

BeFine “Gentle Face Cleanser” – This cleanser, while a good product, wasn’t my favorite. I do like that it is vegan with all natural ingredients and has a nice minty scent. However, my preference is to use a face wash that has scrubby beads in order to really feel like my skin is getting cleansed. This is more of a smooth texture so I likely won’t be using it regularly, but do love the brand. (Here is a tip: Keep products you won’t use in a small basket in your bathroom to put out for when you have guests over!)

Elizabeth Mott “Whatup Beaches Bronzer” – I LOVE this bronzer!!! It is so soft and silky with the perfect matte formula and the shade is on point. My only complaint is the tiny little pan it came in, but I am debating getting this in a full size because I love it that much.

 Winky Lux “Diamond Complexion Powder” – And last but not least a… diamond powder?! Apparently this powder has finely crushed diamonds in it and while I am skeptical at that, I do like this a lot. I have been using it to set my under eye concealer and that’s been working out great. It gives a little extra coverage than my normal loose translucent powder.

October Favorites

FabFitFun – My newest subscription addiction!!! I decided to treat myself to this subscription just in time for the fall box and seriously love what I got. Yes, it’s a pricier box but I honestly love almost every single item that was included and think it is more than worth the money.

White Pumpkin Candle – It’s a pumpkin candle… I mean, need I say more?! #Swoon

Rampage Glasses – I had an eye exam this month, upped my prescription, and got these babies. I love the cat eye shape and gold metallic finish. They go great with any outfit and are super comfortable to wear.

Village Naturals Therapy Aches and Pains Foaming Bath Salts – As the weather gets colder and colder I find myself taking more and more baths. This has been my favorite add-in when I want to relax in the tub lately. Smells great and you can’t beat the price! My husband  bought this for me last year around this time and I’m just now about to finish it up.

Mirabella Velvet Lip Pencil – Red lips have seriously been on repeat for me this month and this lippie has been my go-to. The pigmentation is incredible and it wears so nicely and comfortably.

 

Ipsy Review – October 2016

Ummmm Ipsy were you literally reading my mind this month?! I’m so excited for this bag of goodies!!! I have seriously been wanting to some of these products forever and a day. And this super appropriately themed Halloween bag?!?! STOP!!!

If I had to pick, I think I would say I’m most excited for theBalm Cosmetics blush in Cabana Boy. I am in love with Frat Boy and can’t wait to try this one because of the warm tone and shimmer quality. I’m almost equally as excited for the MeMeMe Blush Brush because the bristles look like they will give a really natural appearance for the blush application. The blush brush I currently use has very tightly packed bristles, which I think gives a harsher look, and these look looser. Next up I’m super stoked for Sally’s Box Aqua Moist Gel Cream. I’ve heard that gel moisturizers help control acne more than others, so really look forward to seeing if that will hold true for me. While I am excited for the Ciate London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner, I do have several black eyeliners that need to be used up so I’m not as excited for this product but will get use out of it. Can a girl really have too many black liners?! And lastly is the Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha, which looks like a shade I may pass along to my (trendier than me) niece.

Overall I’m super excited for the bag this month!!! I do find that Ipsy bags tend to wax and wane for me… some months are kind of meh and others are amazing like this one. I hope you enjoyed  this pre-unbagging and as always you can click here to sign up to get Ipsy for yourself, XOXO!

September Favorites

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder

I have been to Ulta twice this month to get color matched on new foundations and each time I have been recommended a shade that is too light. Needless to say I needed a little extra bronzing this month and this one was a life saver. Pretty much nothing beats a coconut fragranced face powder, am I right?!

Smashbox Photofinsh Pore Minimizing Primer

Don’t underestimate the power of a high end primer! This was my first and I love what it does for my skin… fills in pores and evens out the texture. I don’t use it on my whole face, just the parts that need a little extra love like my t-zone and areas that I have scarring from acne.

Essence Sheer & Shine Lipstick

I tend to have a heavy hand with makeup. I also tend to LOVE vampy lip shades for fall. Enter this product!!! There is literally no way you can overdo it with this lipstick and you will always get a nice, deep shade. It gives off a your-lips-but-better vibe with a sheer wash of color that is easy to build up and super comfortable to wear.

The Gifts of Imperfection

I featured this on my Fall Reading List post a few weeks back as a book I wanted to read up this season. Well, it was not at all difficult to get through! I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for inspiration in their own well-being. Brene Brown has a way of explaining her fascinating work on living a Wholehearted life in easy to relate to ways.

Old  Navy Striped Boat-Neck Tee

Picture this long sleeve tee with cozy black leggings, knee high boots, a warm wooly scarf, and Starbucks in hand. I mean, could it be anymore seasonly appropriate?! I got it in red, too :).

Lipstick Challenge: Days 25-30

It’s (finally) time to wrap up my 30 days of  lipstick! If you are unfamiliar, I accepted this challenge as a way to use up lipsticks that have been hanging out in my collection. If you are like me, you know the first-world struggle of wearing the same products over and over again, even when you have a wide variety to choose from. So, each day for 30 days I wore a new lip product on its own for the entire day. I didn’t mix and match and I didn’t rewear throughout the month.

Here is my final round of lip products…

25. Be A Bombshell “Lipstick Crayon” in Versailles
26. LOC “Ultra Gloss Lip Pencil” in Cupid’s Bow
27. Mirabella “Velvet Lip Pencil” in Red
28. Wet n Wild “Matte Lipstick” in Smokin’ Hot Pink
29. Rimmel “Stay Glossy Lip Gloss” in Treasure Hunt
30. Bare Minerals “Gen Nude Radiant Lipstick” in Love

I would totally recommend this challenge to anyone who loves lip products! It was the perfect way to decide for myself which were my favorites and which didn’t work well for me. At the end of this challenge I was able to declutter over 10 lip products that I didn’t reach for throughout the month. Let me know if you take on this challenge for yourself because I would love to keep up with your journey, XOXO!

Check out my previous posts from this challenge here…  Days 1-6, 7-12, 13-18, and 19-24.

My Year With Ipsy

It’s official… I have officially been with Ipsy for a year now! What better time to look back through my  collection of samples and reflect on some of my favorites. In no particular order, here are the stand out products (including the super cute bags) that have been a tried and true for me from Ipsy within the past year.

In my opinion, Ipsy is the best beauty subscription service out there within the $10 a month price range. I have subscribed to Lip Monthly and Birchbox in the past, but those only lasted a few months each for me… Ipsy is surly here to stay.

What do I love so much about Ipsy? I’m glad you asked 🙂 . What has kept me subscribed for a full year first and foremost is the strong focus on makeup rather than skincare and haircare. Yes, Ipsy does include a wide variety of products, however my bags typically have more makeup than anything else, which I love. Ipsy also has a great customer service department and I know this firsthand. Two months I inputted my first complaint to Ipsy, which was based on a missing item. I emailed them, got a quick response, and with ease was sent my product. And I can’t forget to mention that Ipsy sends so many amazing brands that are unique, well-known, and trendy. Plus HELLO have you seen the cute bags they send you?! Another plus.

If you’re interested in signing up for Ipsy you can click here to see for yourself just how amazing it really is, XOXO!!!

Lipstick Challenge: Days 19-24

Here is my next round of lippies for my Lipstick challenge! Be sure to check out my past posts… Days 1-6, 7-12, and 13-18 to find out more about the challenge as well as to see all my past products I have been using, XOXO.

19. Lord & Berry “Matte Crayon Lipstick” in Prelude
20. Hikari “Lip Gloss” in Merlot
21. Beauty For Real “Light Up Lip Gloss” in Kiss Me
22. Ofra “Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick” in Laguna Beach
23. Mirabella “Velvet Lip Pencil” in Pop Velvet
24. Milani “Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss” in Sweet Grapefruit

Lipstick Challenge: Days 13-18

Who’s ready for more lipstick?! Dumb question… I have my third round of lip products to share with you today. It’s been a fun journey so far and I’m still going strong! Check out my first and second posts to learn more about this fun challenge and consider tackling it yourself, XOXO.

13. Wet n Wild “Mega Last Lip Color” in Don’t Blink Pink
14. Be A Bombshell “Lip Crayon” in Shameless
15. Essence “Long Lasting Lipstick” in Love Me
16. City Color “City Chic Lipstick” in One Night Stand
17. Wet n Wild “Mega Last Lip Color” in In The Flesh
18. Hikari “Lip Crayon” in Mandarin

Birchbox Review – July 2016

Today I bring to you my very last Birchbox review, at least for now. Wondering why this will be the last? Keep reading for more details on why I chose to cancel my Birchbox subscription this month. But first a rundown of the products I received  for the month of July…

I’m always happy to try out a new mascara and the Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara looks really great. Like I mentioned in my Ipsy Review this month, however, I won’t be actually trying any new mascaras until I can use up the billion (at least) that I have open right now. So this little guy will just have to get in line. My favorite product by far that I received in this box is the LOC Ultra-Gloss Lip Pencil. I got the color “Cupid’s Bow”, which is cool-toned hot pink that is oh-so perfect for summer. The formula is very creamy and long lasting and I just love it! I also got the Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches with Soothing Cornflower, which will be great for a relaxing night in. I’m going to save these for a day that I’m looking for some rejuvination, since these combat dehydrated undereyes. I did get a chance to try the Davines This Is a Sea Salt Spray and while it smells amazing, it also gives your hair that lovely crunchy texture circa 1992 so I don’t know that I will continue to use it. Lastly I got the Avene Thermal Spring Water and really love the hydration it gives my face that I didn’t actually know my skin has been longing for in the summer months.

So why no more Birchbox? Well, for a few reasons…

For about a year now I have been getting at least 2-3 beauty boxes per month. As a result my sample collection is a little out of control for my liking! I have been stashing up tons of products and in general don’t like items laying around my  house that don’t often get used. (I have more beauty bags, hair serums, and single eye shadows hanging out than I care to count.) So I knew something had to go. Birchbox has a stronger focus on haircare and skincare, which I do enjoy… by I like getting makeup better. Birchbox also recently got rid of their pretty amazing rewards system, which solidified my decision to cancel. So there you have it. I have enjoyed my subscription while it lasted but also know the importance of using up what I have, XOXO.

What samples did you love this month? Anyone else throwing their Birchbox subscription to the curb?