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.

February 2017 Favorites

Bob Marley “Legend” – If you keep up with my blog then you know I just came back from Jamaica a few weeks ago. This cd was on serious repeat in January and February to get amped up for the trip and to transition back home. No problems, mon… just situations 🙂 . It brings me right back to that beautiful, tropical island.

Nth Degree “Moroccan Argan Oil & Keratin Hair Serum” – To be honest, I ran out of my regular hair serum and wanted to put off buying a replacement because it’s so expensive. I used this, which I got in a past Ipsy bag, as a fill in for the month and it worked out well! Try putting it just on the ends of your hair for a less oily look, that’s what I did.

Too Faced “Hangover Primer” – I typically have very oily skin, though this winter find that I need just a little extra moisture. This primer has been working wonders for me. It is high quality, smells amazing, and gives my skin the love it has been needing. I do pair it with a pore filler primer, which I use just on the areas I need it the most. This baby goes on all the other parts of my face.

Almay “Clear Complexion Concealer” – This is a great, full coverage drugstore concealer. I have been a fan of Almay for years and find that this gives me a really nice, smooth finish all the while brightening up my undereye area.

O.R.G. “Mineral Peel Face” – Probably my absolute favorite exfoliator!!! I like to use this before I shower by spraying a few pumps on to my hands, patting it onto my face, and rubbing the product around for a good 10-15 seconds. The amount of dead skin this product gets off of your face will seriously amaze you. I have been using it at least once a week on my full face and sometimes a second time just on the driest parts of my skin.

 

This month I also (somewhat impulsively) chopped 5 inches of my hair!!! I haven’t had an actual style in close to two years and have just kept it long and layered. My husband got me a gift card to my favorite salon for Christmas and I decided (while waiting for my stylist) that I wanted to put the money to good use and try something new. I’m so happy with the result!!! XOXO

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.

January 2017 Favorites

Rose Gold iPhone 7 – Unfortunately I dropped my phone right after the holidays and, while I thought the thing was indestructible, it ended up not working after it took it’s last hit. That meant I needed an upgrade. Shucks 🙂 . This is literally the best phone I’ve ever had! I love the size, color, and quality. It’s perfect for me.

Clear Mandala Phone Case – So of course I had to get something pretty to keep this one safe. I opted for a clear, mandala-patterned back case so that the pink could shine through. I paired it with a clear screen protector and now I’m all set!

Moleskine 2017 Weekly Planner – This baby has been keeping me organized already. I love the layout of this planner because it includes daily, weekly, and monthly layouts. I set a lot of different types of goals this year and think the process of tracking everything in this planner will help me stick to them.

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss – I’m not sure why, but this lippie in the shade “Birthday Babe” has been on repeat for me in January because I’m more comfortable with a color on my lips, but this has been an easy transition into neutrals for me. It’s a great winter shade and a comfortable wear.

Real Techniques Blush Brush – You need this brush!!! The size, hands down, is my favorite part. I didn’t realize the pain I was putting myself through with smaller blush brushes until I got this baby and having been seriously loving it.

Clean and Clear Shower Mask – I got this in a recent Walmart Beauty Box as a sample and liked it so much that I purchased the full sized version. This works nicely for me in the shower after I do a deep face exfoliation. It’s a nice way to get moisture back into the skin and fully cleanse the surface of your face.

Ipsy Review – January 2017

Pacifica – Blushious Blush – Besides lippies, blushes are my favorite item to find in my bag! I got the color Wildrose and while it isn’t a shade I would normally go for, I do like it, for winter especially. There is a really pretty sheen that makes this blush super unique.

Purlisse – Blue Lotus Mud Mask – Nothing beats a good mud mask. I plan to save this sample for traveling, when my skin typically needs a little bit more love. The size makes it really travel friendly and I have loved this brand in the past so look forward to trying it out.

It Cosmetics – Bye Bye Undereye Concealer – This concealer is supposed to illuminate your under eyes and double as an anti-aging product. I can totally see what they were going for, but for me personally it didn’t quite work out. I found that it actually brought more attention to my under eyes in a non-flattering way. I’ll stick with the regular Bye Bye Undereye concealer because the coverage is still amazing.

Temptu – Matte Primer – I have been enjoying this primer quite a bit! It’s great for everyday priming around the perimeter of my face, though I do go in with a separate pore-filling primer to take care of my stubborn t-zone area. The only thing I don’t really care for with this product is the smell, which is chemically.

theBalm – Matte Bronzer – Talk about an item I was excited to see! This is a cult favorite and I got the shade Bahama Mama. It is on the cooler tone side and pretty dark for my skin currently, but I think it will work well for me in the summer months… ohhhh summer 🙂 .

 

This month was a definite hit for me!!! Recently I have only been excited for one or two items in my bag, but January was good to me. I see myself using all of the items except the concealer, which I plan to pass along to a friend. Click here to sign up for Ipsy, it’s something I look forward to each and every month, XOXO.

Ipsy Review – December 2016

Ipsy 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… AND it’s only $10 a month!!! I’ve been a member for about a year and half and love this service. You can join by clicking here if you’re interested.

Smashbox – InstaMatte Lipstick Transformer: I honestly think I am the only person on the planet that doesn’t love the matte lip trend. That being said, I did give this a quick shot and found it didn’t work too well for me so I did pass it along to someone else in my life who I think it may work better for.

Privai – Aqua Gel Masque: I have been meaning to try a gel moisturizer, as I have acne prone skin and use cream moisturizers, which I hear can enhance pimples. This one has worked nicely for me so far. It smells and feels great on the skin!

Royal & Langnickel – MODA Angle Shader Brush: Ipsy has sent me this brand of brushes before and I really love them! This is high quality and I’m in love with the purple!

City Cosmetics – Be Matte Blushes: This is my favorite item I got this month… I love trying out new blushes and don’t have any of these colors. The shades are called Fresh Melon, Blackberry, and Guava. They are great quality and I’ve found them to last all day long.

NYX – Prismatic Shadow: And my least favorite items I got is this little guy in the shade Fireball. I don’t love red-based shadows on my eyes and keep getting them sent to me, grrrrr.

Ipsy Review – November 2016

Time for my monthly unbagging! If you are unfamiliar with Ipsy, it is a ten dollar a month beauty subscription service. You get five deluxe or full size samples sent to you in a unique beauty bag. (Join by clicking here if you are interested.) Here is what I got this month…

Out of my mix of items I will probably get the most use out of angled eye brush because, let’s face it, no woman can have enough make up brushes! However why in the world any company makes brushes with white bristles is a mystery to me. I’ve already tried the Formula X nail polish and, while I LOVE this brand, the color isn’t much my style. I may use the Ofra Banana Powder but prefer a more full coverage powder. I like this product but would recommend it to my less acne-prone friends out there. For me, it just doesn’t provide the coverage I like. I was excited to try theBalm Mad Lash mascara but the packaging is super strange and after reading reviews I know I’m not the only person who thinks so! Instead of twisting the wand up you have to pull it out and it got pretty messy for me. Lastly I just don’t see myself using the NUXE facial serum and will probably pass it along to someone else.

I hate to be negative, but honestly I’m not overly thrilled with my bag this month. I find that the months tend to wax and wane… some months are just better than others and this month just wasn’t my favorite, XOXO.

Lorac POREfection Foundation

My search for the perfect foundation continues. I have been on the serious lookout for something that is liquid, provides full coverage, and stays matte the majority of the day. I tried a Lancome product first (see my review here) and next up is Lorac’s POREfection Foundation…

Pro’s:
-Full coverage upon first application
-Pump up type packaging
-Unscented

Con’s:
-Blotchy after just a few hours
-Doesn’t stay put even with powder application
-Full coverage fades… acne, scarring, and oil clearly shine through
-$36.00 per bottle

Overall, I didn’t love this foundation and would only recommend it for those with dry skin. I truly did give it about 2 weeks for a fair shot and each morning it looked amazing immediately after application. After a few hours, though, it was pretty bad. The coverage faded and it looked very uneven. With concealer underneath the foundation I was able to provide more coverage, but the staying power just wasn’t there. I’m sure you have had the experience when you look in the mirror mid-afternoon and see some blotching. Well, this was extreme, and when I went to try to save it the patches got bigger and more noticeable. It just doesn’t move around well. Again, I don’t mind paying a higher price for a product that does what it claims, this one just didn’t for me.

On to the next… XOXO.

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 :).