IPSY GLAM BAG: November 2012

first up, a little rant about Google.
apparently i have maxed out my Picasa storage for my account - i had no idea that i was using Picasa this entire time nor was i aware that i had limits but okay. so the only way i can fix the problem was to a) get more storage by paying each month or 2) upload photos that are within size limits. these limits depend on if you are a Google + user; if you are, you can upload photos up to 2048 x 2048 pixels. if not, the max is 800 x 800. and so, obviously signing up for Google+ seems like the better choice. but now i run into some issues with their "Names Policy". apparently my name, Helen To, does not sound legit. so i had to submit online proof (you can also do offline like scanning an id) and i had to wait a day since my account was pending review.
this was ridiculously frustrating!!! have you other ladies encountered this storage problem before? what did you do?

- - -

sooo the wait is over!! ipsy has arrived in Canada and i just received their first bag on Monday! i was definitely one of those people who scrambled to sign up the second i heard that they have expanded into Canada.
i have been pretty excited about this since i have seen previous ipsy (myglam) bags before and the amount of makeup they include appeals to me. this particular bag, entitled "Party Perfect!", was a hit in this regard since the majority of items i got was in fact makeup.

i was driving with my parents after i picked up my mail and i was singing "i'm so excited" the entire way home and they just gave me the crazy look.
so let's dive into this flashy pink bubble mailer!

first up, i see a welcome message for Canadians and two cards: one with the list of products (no other info besides offers) and $20 off JustFab (which is like a shoe 'subscription' company).
i've browsed JustFab plenty of times but one of the major turn-offs is the shipping charge to Canada. i checked today and i think they have lowered it since i last checked - $6.95. not too bad...

okay, let's keep diving into the chocolate brown bag (which is very plain but has the ipsy logo inside).

November's contents (since it doesn't come with a detailed product card, i'll be copying what the info on the site says here; prices are also in US dollars):

1) theBalm Meet Matt(e) eyeshadow in "Matt Batali"
"Matt Batali is just one of the nine shadows found in theBalm’s Meet Matte(e) compact palette (named after their favorite Matthews next door) which can be combined to create a multitude of soft and wearable looks. Matt Batali leaves a dark, matte finish, perfect for creating a smokey eye."

hi Matt! what a cute sample size you are! i love the little 'book' with magnetic closure. if you look closely, you can see that my eyeshadow was nicked a bit - it's obviously not a fingerprint but i guess mine got into a little accident.

i'd describe the color as a taupe-y aubergine since it looks brown, gray and purple at the same time. the eyeshadow is pigmented and lasts all day. it was a tad chalky when i first applied it though.

promotion: get the Meet Matt(e) eyeshadow palette for 50% off - the catch? shipping to Canada is $40. how is that right?? shipping to the US is $2.15 and somehow ours cost 18x more... ridonkulous. but you have to agree that it's so clever that all nine eyeshadows are different Matts.
size: 0.9 g
retail value: N/A but the palette with a brush (9.5 g) is $34.50, currently on sale for $17.25

natural light; artificial light

2) Starlet Intense Eyeliner in "Black"
"These creamy eyeliner pencils glide on to deliver a lasting vibrant color in chocolate or black. Blend or line your lids to create your favorite glam look, whether a smoky eye or straight line wing tip."

i am so glad i got "Black"! this specific eye pencil doesn't seem to be listed on the website since it looks different from the "black eyeliner". perhaps this is the more intense version.

to me, it still looks like a soft black though (see above for swatch). i used it yesterday on both my upper and lower lash line and man, was that a mistake. within an hour, i was having mad raccoon eyes. i had to keep cleaning up under my eyes since it continued to smudge all through the day. and as for my upper lash line, after 4 hours, i had huge creases on the inner corner. and to think i even wore an eye primer!
to sum it up, it was just a huge mess. no likey.

promotion: 20% off. shipping one eyeliner to Canada costs $17.84! eep.

size: 1.5 g (full size!)

retail value: N/A but the less intense version is $11

3) Nailtini Nail Lacquer in "Millionaire"

"Introducing Millionaire nail lacquer from the new Nailtini “Speakeasy” Collection chosen specifically for the ipsy community. Millionaire spikes a base of rose gold micro-glitter with iridescent gold and teal tinsels for statement-making nails, whether worn alone or as a dazzling special-effect topcoat. The only line of lacquer developed to maximize the creativity of the user by "cocktailing" different shades, Nailtini serves up endless color possibilities with amazing performance, hip sensibility and tongue-in-cheek attitude. Always 3-free, made in the USA and never tested on animals."

i've seen Nailtini before at Winners and have been tempted to pick one up. "Millionaire" also looks exactly like Nicole by OPI's "A Gold Winter's Night" and tokidoki's SANDy which i considered picking up after seeing both on sale at Shoppers and Sephora, respectively. however, i was feeling conflicted about the bar glitter - is it pretty or is it hairy?

i love the clever description!

on the website it is described as a "golden glitter infusion; teal & gold tinsels awash in rose-gold microglitter" (i like the word awash). the teal bars may appear purple when you play with the light. "Millionaire" is part of the Speakeasy collection. i don't think it's a polish i'd wear on all of my nails - i personally just used it as an accent. i also prefer it as a two-coater. 

promotion: 25% off. shipping to Canada is $11.95.

size: 15 mL (full size!)

retail value: $13

4) bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss eclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream 

"This medium-weight moisturizer with restorative benefits helps smooth and brighten for a youthful finish. Hydration replenishes dry, dulling skin suffering from the signs of aging. Powerful extracts and antioxidants boost collagen levels for noticeable tightening and firming. Exclusively formulated with rejuvenating Apple Stem Cells, clinically proven to significantly reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture in two weeks. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, mineral oil or petroleum."

instead of the lipgloss, Canadians got an eclos anti-aging product instead. apparently, there were issues with shipping lipglosses here. this eclos product was included previously in the August 2012 bag.

eclos is part of the Freeman brand (you know, the bare foot products?). eclos is focused on using Plant Stem Cells from a rare Swiss apple that are clinically proven to help skin look younger. sounds promising.

it definitely has a herbal scent to it but nowhere as strong as CyberDERM's PM Anti-Age.

promotion: i actually found this on the eclos site listed specifically for myglam customers - use MYGLAM10 to save $10 and get a free sample. shipping to Canada seems to be about $15.57.

size: 7 mL

retail value: $24.99 (60 g)

5) Benefit They're Real! Beyond Mascara 

"they're real! beyond mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. The jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!"

i already have one of these mascaras from September's Topbox. i've heard both praise and criticism about the mascara but i am still excited to try it (once i get through my current round of mascaras!).

promotion: free Sugarbomb deluxe mini face powder with $35 purchase. international shipping is $18.95 and decreases if you spend over $75.

size: 3 g

retail value: $23 (8.5 g)

6) *bonus* myglam Glam Gloss in "01" - whaaa? i thought they couldn't ship lipglosses but here's one! i cannot find any information on this except that it was also thrown in as a bonus for the August 2012 bag. the box was a little bunged up but the gloss is fine. the holographic box lists an expiration date for this gloss as well as the production date. it was back in May which is why it was still called "myglam" instead of ipsy (changed in September). 

it looks like a really cute pink but i will have to get around to this later! (again, too many products on my hands - this is not a complaint)

size: 7 mL (full size! or so i assume)

retail value: N/A

so did you count it? that's 5/6 makeup-related items! *applause applause* i have been getting too many lotions and shampoos so this is a nice change. i am also glad to be able to try out new brands - 5/6 of the items are from brands i have not received in beauty boxes before.

one gripe i have with ipsy though, is that i get emails about products that are in the bag. ever since they sent me an email that my bag was shipped and up until i actually got it, i've received 3 emails. they need to understand that us Canadians get this box later than the Americans so stop spoiling the surprise!!
how do you like your ipsy this month?