IPSY BAG: July 2014

well would you look at this!

reviews for JULY beauty boxes in JULY!! say whaaaaaaaaaaat
i recently got my ipsy bag (July 15) and now i am posting about it. i hope i stay on track!! although it worked out better since i stayed in at lunch at work one day to blog. yaaaaye.

the fluorescent pink bag this month is quite adorable! i love the scallop edges!

July's ipsy bag is all about being "Sensationally Sunkissed" and to achieve this, you will need:

1) bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 2.0 in "The Inspiration"
size: 1 g
retail value: $20.00 (2.7 g)
promotion: free shipping with bareMinerals purchase on ULTA.com with code 'IPSYBAREFS'; US only; expires Aug 10, 2014

bareMinerals READY® Eyeshadow 2.0 provides vivid, pigment-packed color with seamless blendability that lasts up to 12 hours. Powered by the proprietary SeaNutritive Mineral™ Complex, it delivers skin-nourishing benefits including reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness plus boosted moisture levels.

"The Inspiration" includes the shades 'Muse' and 'Passion'. 'Muse' is described as a pink frost and it is a very light shade of pink. 'Passion' is a glimmering plum with golden flecks. both are very smooth to the touch. the pigmentation from these didn't blow me away - especially the pink shade.

2) derma e BB Crème in "Light Tint"
size: 14 g
retail value: $29.50 (60 mL)
promotion: 30% off purchase at dermae.com with code 'IPSY0714'; US only; expires Sept 30, 2014

Instantly erase the look of imperfections and turn back the clock on aging skin.
This multi-functional mineral beauty balm is an advanced skincare formula that also conceals with lightweight, color-correcting coverage. 

i was thinking this was not going to work out well as i blended the derma e BB creme onto my hand. it looked way too pink for my skin tone but surprisingly, it blended extremely easily and gave me some pretty decent coverage! BB creams are normally way too sheer and therefore not as appealing to me and my many sunspots. which makes me love the SPF 25 in it so much more :)
the texture is also different from other BB creams - this is very gel-like so it is super easy to smooth all over your face. the cream/gel combination leaves a dewy feeling on the skin.

3) Pixi Beauty Mini Tined Brilliance Balm in "Unique Pink"

size: 1.8 g
retail value: ~ $20.00 (3 g)
promotion: 25% off purchase at pixibeauty.com with code 'flawlesspixi'; US only; expires Aug 31, 2014

Packed with lip-loving ingredients, this glossy gel balm protects & hydates lips instantly. After the balm wears off, lips are left tinted with a flattering, personalized hue just for you (color & intensity depends on pH level of lips).

what an adorable size! at first look, it looks like a clear balm but the words 'tinted' caught my eye. upon application, i watch my lips turn a soft shade of pink. i find out from the ipsy site that this balm reacts with your pH level, so it's pretty much a mood lipstick - neat!

4) POP Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer in "Secret Sunshine" 

size: 6.95 g (full size!)
retail value: $10.00
promotion: 25% off purchase at popbeauty.co.uk with code 'POPIPSY'; US only; expires Aug 31, 2014

This radiance enhancing bronze glow delivers a soft honey beamed hue, adding warmth and a sun-kissed lift to your complexion. With added vitamin E.


the bronzer looks darker than most of the ones i have but i'm sure that blending, like always, will help. it has some shimmer in it. i'm not going to be able to use this for a while so it's going on the sale board (to be announced in the far future).

5) Pur~lisse Pur~Protect Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen

size: 15 mL
retail value: $55.00 (50 mL)
promotion: 30% off purchase at purlisse.com with code 'IPSYSUMMER30'; US and Canada; expires Aug 15, 2014

Stay protected with pure flower power. Pur~lisse's unique peptide complex, Lotus Lupine 5, and Hydra-Shield Complex, offers superior full-spectrum sun protection in a light weight nourishing moisturizer. Skin is pampered and protected against premature aging caused by the day's rays.

i never complain about receiving moisturizers with SPF! this one is very nice too - feels light, non-greasy and has a soft scent.

tada!
these days, opening beauty boxes does not bring about the same excitement as it used to but ipsy still finds the ability to impress me! it's sometimes even hard to pick a favorite item!
this month, i'd have to say it's either the derma e BB creme or the Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm. what did you think of "Sensationally Sunkissed"?

BEAUTY BOX 5: December 2013

who was i kidding? i was wayyy off with my estimate in my last post - i am more like half way done December's boxes.

next up: BB5's "Naughty and Nice" December box

1) NYX Cosmetics Love in Rio Eyeshadow Palette in "LIR02 Mo Rockin' Beats"
after a rather disappointing experience with a very similar looking palette with POP Beauty in ipsy's bag, i think i'll pass on opening this up... i mean the only difference between the two is that this one has a matte white, a shimmery grey and a matte black while the other palette had all the same shades but shimmery. i am totally up for a swap/sale if you are interested :) the bow where you pop open the lid is super cute!

size: 3 g (full size!)
retail value: $6.00
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

2) Body Drench Daily Moisturizing Lotion - The Original
when it say's 'The Original', it must mean that this was such a hit that it has been imitated right?
the lotion is non-greasy and has a whipped-like texture. it also smells strongly of baby powder which i personally don't mind.

size: 59 mL
retail value: $8.99 (500 mL)

3) OFRA Cosmetics Lipgloss Plumper in "Sultry"
the description refers to this lipgloss as the perfect color for winter. and i finally get to it just when winter is coming to an end... wait, who am i kidding?? i live in Calgary! snow in May is almost a guarantee. you just never know with Calgary weather - sorry to all you optimists that have been walking around in flats and skirts.

the lipgloss is only available in "Sultry" which is a shimmery maroon color. the shimmer is not extreme and the shade is actually not as dark as it appears in the tube. it's a color i would be comfortable enough wearing during the day.
the plumping effect is also not too strong - i feel just a hint of 'stinging' if you want to call it that and it is very brief after the lipgloss is first applied.

size: 10 mL (full size!)
retail value: $12.95
promotion: 25% off online purchase until Feb 28/14 [expired]

4) Clean & Clear Morning Burst Hydrating Gel Moisturizer
mmmmm this reminds me of my childhood... does this remind anyone else of a certain type of prescription medicine you had to keep in the fridge? and it was for tummy aches? or perhaps colds? i can't remember what it was but i thought it was banana flavored. anyways, i just remember it being yummy... just like Dimetapp-C!

this gel moisturizer is very lightweight and is absorbed quickly into the skin. i do not believe the moisture is very long-lasting since it just disappears so quickly. aside from being oil-free, i don't know what other benefits it really has since it doesn't have other important qualities i look for in a moisturizer (i.e. SPF).

size: 14 g
retail value: $6.99 (85 g)

5) Sam Villa Brush Cleaner
you can always count on BB5 for diversity: a brush cleaner! that's a first. and one that doubles as a teasing brush?? i'm all for volume! but teasing does make my arms feel weak rather quickly...

this would be immensely useful in my house since the hair collects on my round brushes until i can no longer see the brush... until finally the boyfriend takes a look at it and asks why you allow such a mass of hair/lint/other to grow so massively to which you don't really have a good answer for. so he proceeds to take it off himself not knowing how tangly and stubborn long thick hair could be. you try to ignore it as he struggles and struggles, only to find a nice fur ball on your pillow the next day.
lovely isn't it?

size: 1 brush cleaner (full size!)
retail value: $4.95
promotion: 20% off online purchase until Dec 31/13 [expired]

so that's a decent December box in my opinion. the only thing i probably will not use is the NYX eyeshadow but only because i have many palettes in the same shades. i love NYX so if it was any other color, i'd probably have cracked it open by now. as mentioned in the previous section, the brush cleaner will be useful!

IPSY BAG: December 2013

thought i'd share what i did last last weekend: Harry Potter The Exhibition in Edmonton!! good thing we bought tickets a couple days beforehand because all shows were sold out when we got there. phew! sunday was the last day so i hope you were able to make it if you had wanted to go! 

of course, pictures weren't allowed so here's a photo of a rook chess piece that was just outside of the exhibition area; also some Chocolate Frogs (i got Voldemort - chocolate was very tiny and for $6!) and some House Pins because magically, the four of us that went were sorted (on Pottermore) to four different houses - what are the chances?? worked out soooo perfectly. anyway, it was a fun day! 

i DEFINITELY want to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando!!

andddd polina says to catch up already so here goes!
:)

reminds me of Glymm's bag in August 2012 - same texture, different design!

ipsy's December bag was all about "Celebration" - which was what i was hoping Topbox would be participating in but nopeeeee. let's check it out and find out for ourselves, shall we?

1) Be a Bombshell The One Stick in "Flustered"

An all-in-one multiple stick with a smooth texture. Apply to eyelids, cheeks or lips for the perfect pop of color anywhere.

"Flustered" is a warm bright pink which would be perfect for those who also enjoy lots and lots of glitter. i personally do not and i'm also not really drawn into the whole multi-purpose idea. i find that a color that may be great for lips tend not to be the same color i'd want for my eyelids.

size: 7.3 g (full size!)
retail value: $16
promotion: 40% off online purchase and free full-sized blush [expired Jan 15, 2014; US only]

2) NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in "LSS548 Apollo"
A classic lipstick for all occasions that has a mineral-based emollient formula, beautiful velvet texture, saturated color, and resists wear and smudging.

i own more than 10 of these Round Lipsticks from a large eBay order where i spent hours deciding which 10 i actually wanted so i definitely recall ruling out "Apollo".

"Apollo" is a very shimmery orange and when it is this shimmery, it looks metallic. my skin tone practically screams NO to metallic lip colors. ipsy members received 1 of 18 colors - too bad i ended up with this one. i think it looks lovely on darker skin tones though.

size: 4 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.00
promotion: 35% off online purchase of Slim Lip Pencil [expired Jan 15, 2014]

3) POP Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio in "Smokin' Hot"
This palette of hues adds definition & intensity to lids, creating a broad range of looks that complements all eye colours. From brightening bare to sultry smoke, these hues blend smoothly onto the lid, adding a veil of silky luster that will outlive the day or night!

i remember those days when Sephora carried POP Beauty and they had these palettes designed for your eye color... i really wanted one of those! so i was a tad excited when i saw this on my ipsy bag. once i tried it however, i realized why Sephora may have stopped carrying it.

the pigmentation is really NOT there. the white is hardly distinguishable. the grey required a few swatches to even get this color and the black is not ... black. all three are shimmery. the quality just reminds me of kids' makeup.
can i also add how hard it was to open this case? you almost have to dig in your nail to pop this open. be careful of your manicures.

size: 4.35 g
retail value: $24 (for a 10 shadow palette)
promotion: 25% off online purchase [expired Jan 15, 2014; US only]

4) English Laundry Signature Pour Homme and Pour Femme Fragrances 
Signature Pour Femme By: English Laundry
Charming, Delicate & Elegant. Signature opens with quince, complimented by white chocolate and jasmine petals at the heart. For a purely peaceful scent, notes of orris roots, powdery musk and sensual woods have been composed at the base. Available in Holiday Gift Sets, Eau De Parfum, Body Lotion, Purse Sprayer and Pure Oil Roll On.

Signature By: English Laundry
Sophisticated, Masculine & Captivating. Signature is a fragrance with aromatic notes of bergamot, lemon, lavender and cedarwood. Nutmeg and coriander are composed in the middle. Signature reveals a base of sandalwood, vetiver, musk and amber. Available in Holiday Gift Set, Eau De Toillete, 3in1 Shampoo + Conditioner +Body Wash, Deodorant Stick and Pocket Sprayer.

i have never heard of this brand before but the packaging was cute and i liked how it came in a set for both him and her. also a spray top - so much more useful! sadly, the "Pour Femme" one leaked so i had like the tiniest bit left but i can for sure tell you what it smells like since it is all over the other products. seems like this leaking problem was quite common too.

"Pour Femme" is very feminine, very floral. it is not a soft-smelling scent. "Pour Homme" smells fresh and musky.

size: N/A but 2 larger than normal perfume spray samples
retail value: $72 (50 mL) for either scent; "Pour Homme": $84 (100 mL), "Pour Femme": $90 (100 mL)
promotion: free shipping and gift bag with online purchase of $75 or more [expired Feb 23, 2014; US only]

5) Nicka K New York in "NY139 Ripe Apple"
The Nicka K New York is specially designed to glide across fingernails with minimal effort for vibrancy that is dazzling and long lasting. Formula is free of DBP, Toublene, and formaldehyde.

ooooh a nail polish brand i've never heard of! the bottle is quite a unique shape. the color is a very deep red - the photos were taken in direct sunlight so they look like a true red here. i think it would look really pretty on the nails.

size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $4.99
promotion: 30% off online purchase [expired Jan 10, 2014; US only]


so ipsy really is great for expanding your makeup collection - plenty of variety in brands as well as type of products. this month's was a tad too shimmery for my liking and it's unfortunate that the perfume leaked.

IPSY BAG: May 2013

hello dearies!

what is up with all the beauty box drama these few months? as someone else said on the Glossybox Facebook page, it looks like we are getting 'glymmed' - i laughed out loud when i read that. 

i had just redeemed my points for my second free box too :/ i hope they don't completely screw us over and take our money and run.

on a happier note, this is what my May ipsy bag looked like - colorful on the outside as well as inside :)

May's Spring Fling:

1) Pacifica Luminizing Body Butter in "Coconut Crushed Pearl" 
Ride the fresh and sensuous look, feel and scents of summer into fall, holiday and beyond with the body-loving brilliance of Pacifica’s Coconut Crushed Pearl Bronzing Body Butter and Coconut Crushed Pearl Luminizing Body Butter. Two indulgent products combine the perfect flush of mineral color, luminescence of crushed pearl, sultry fragrance notes of coconut and vanilla and serious skincare benefits of tropical actives like coconut (the ultimate super food) for a healthy, head-to-toe glisten and glow. So, kick back, soak in the skin-quenching and sun-drenched goodness of these color-meets-treatment stunners and experience tropical bliss and beauty any time of year.

Coconut Crushed Pearl Luminizing Body Butter: Treat, enhance and illuminate. This Body Butter – full of crushed pearls, minerals and ultra-nourishing phytonutrients - leaves skin hydrated, youthful, gorgeous and glowing. Coconut oil, tropical extracts, antioxidants and sea minerals hydrate and nourish.
i have been obsessed with coconut lately so i was really excited about this. usually i don't like shimmer in my lotions but i guess for summer, i can use a little sparkle. 

lemme show you how it sparkles in different lighting:

all taken in natural light but the top one is in the shade, bottom left is in the sun and bottom right is when the sun is setting. hahaha. it is very pretty!

and if you love Pacifica body butters like i do, then you would be happy to know that i found these at two different Winners this week - and for only $4.99! on the far left, there is a "Coconut Crushed Pearl" one but it's a bronzing body butter instead of luminizing. i am very tempted to get the "Tahitian Gardenia" one!

size: 58 mL (full size!)

retail value: $7

promotion: 20% off online purchase until the end of today (May 31) - only for Americans

2) Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment 

Macadamia Hair's light weight Healing Oil Treatment instantly absorbs into the hair to provides intense nourishment. It contains Omega 7 fatty acids, which is an essential component of skin and hair health. The Healing Oil penetrates the hair and scalp to improve strength, eliminates frizz, reduces blow drying time, and extends the life of color treatments. Instant absorption, light-weight and has a non-greasy feel. Natural UV protection.

Apply to clean, damp hair or dry hair. Let air dry or blow-dry. Add 1 pump of Healing Oil Treatment to 1.5 oz of any permanent color line to enhance vibrancy,dimension and lock in color. Avoid applying to root area for extra volume.

i've already received the exact same item in my February Glossybox. i got a trim recently (first one since last September) so i have been neglecting my hair oils. when i used this in February, i felt that it made my hair look healthier so i should definitely resume usage.

those who did not receive this oil treatment received a Nume Finishing Serum instead. 

size: 30 mL ("full size"!)
retail value: $13.50
promotion: 30% off online purchase of a 125 mL bottle in the States until July 31, 2013

3) Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in "Pink" 
This exclusive, pre-launch of the Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss will give your lips brilliant shine while keeping them healthy and nourished. A combination of antioxidant-rich acai and goji berries, natural minerals and sweet agave nectar that will give your lips radiant color! Made with certified organic ingredients.
another gloss! i am drowning in lipgloss.
this one is quite unique looking with the frosted glass. i can tell that the gloss itself is quite shimmery though.

i've also never seen such a long list of organic fruit in a lipgloss - check it out:
organic acai & goji berry, blueberry & cranberry & strawberry & pomegranate & red raspberry & grape seed oil. oh my.

size: 4 mL
retail value: $15 (8 mL) or $48 (4-pack full size of "Champagne", "Pink", "Fig" and "Guava")
promotion: 20% off online purchase of $30 or more until June 15, 2013 for both US and Canada!

4) Zoya Professional Lacquer in "ZP654 Jacqueline" 
Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments puts beauty, fashion and style into every bottle with innovative custom color creations and fashion trend adaptation resulting in a truly luxury cosmetic experience. Created with the finest quality pigments and finishes, each bottle of Zoya is as special and unique as the woman who created it and whose name graces every bottle – Zoya herself! The award-winning, ultra long-wearing Zoya formula is also vegan friendly and Big5Free*.
*Formulation contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or camphor.
i was very excited to see a Zoya polish since they are harder to come by here but a little disappointed by the color.
BUT i just changed my mind again when i saw the online swatch of this color! it's full coverage (intensity is rated a 5, meaning opaque) which makes it very impressive for a cream color like this. "Jacqueline" is described as a magnolia nude cream. it is part of the Lovely Spring 2013 collection. i am totally going to try this color next and if i get bored of it, it's nothing a little glitter can't fix (or a lot of glitter, either or!)

i only know one Jacqueline... she was one of my best friends way back in grade 2. she also lived on the same block as me and i thought she had the prettiest name.
i should also point out that Zoya is not 3-free or 4-free but 5-free. what what!

size: 15 mL (full size!)
retail value: $8
promotion: buy 2 bottles and get 1 free & free Remove+ & $5 shipping - what a sweet deal so of course, it is only available in the states. and only until today.

5) Yaby Concealer Refill in "CC008 Buff" 
yaby concealers have a creamy texture and are extremely easy to apply. They are highly pigmented to correct any imperfection on the face and body, are creamy and gentle for around the eyes and are tear proof! Vegan friendly and contains no animal byproducts.
The heavy duty metal reusable pans are designed to be sturdy and not easily warped - sanitize empty pans with alcohol and keep some for other special beauty mixing needs!
i really like how my little GlamRX palette is filling up! i've also had a thing for concealers lately so i am excited to try this one. this product was another item ipsy personalized to their customers using YouMatch. out of the four color options, i think i got the best match for my skin so good job ipsy! it is just a tad lighter than my skin tone but that's usually fine for concealers.

pigmentation wasn't amazing though. i had a few problem areas on my face - especially a pimple that i accidentally keep scratching when i put on my glasses (grrr) - and i didn't feel that it covered it up that well. please scroll down for swatches!

there was also a random black dot in it...

size: 20 mm / 3.5 g (full size!)
retail value: $4.85 / 5.24 (camerareadycosmetics.com)
promotion: 20% off online purchase until June 10, 2013 - ships to Canada starting at $7.50

6) *bonus* Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in "Stargazer"
Sparkly shadow goes ultra-sophisticated—with intense hues, microfine sparkle and lush, 3-D metallics, with a look out of this world!
Moondust is dazzlingly sparkly but with a super refined, incredibly sophisticated feel (and not a single speck of chunky glitter).
New technology gives Moondust an amazing effect not found in traditional pressed-powder shadows. It feels like a cream but goes on like a powder to create a smooth, brilliantly reflective look. The result? Sexy, twinkling sparkle with a ton of depth and movement. (And a LOT of questions about what you’re wearing!)
Works best when applied with your fingers. For extra intense color payout, try it wet.
what a nice surprise!!! i got a little note with this item, thanking me for being an active member of the ipsy community - yay!  i've always wanted to own a UD shadow and this one is gorgeous. even the packaging is super pretty! love the compact-like case with the little circular window in the middle. this product is also brand new to the market - sweet! there are a total of 7 shades available.

if i compare it to the other Moondust colors available, it may not be one of my favorites but it actually is very pretty, especially today when i experimented with it and applied it over teal and yellow eyeshadow using the Essence Quattro Eyeshadow in "Vamp It Up" from my February Glossybox. "Stargazer" has a somewhat greenish hue to it so it worked well over the yellow and the teal. Urban Decay actually describes the color as a metallic lime-gold w/ gold 3-D sparkle and is marked Vegan, Metallic, Shimmer and Sparkle.

trying to show you the sparkle in this but failing:

the shadow does not show up super pigmented but works wonders when worn over another color. what i do is just dab the eyeshadow on using my finger.

size: 1.5 g (full size!)
retail value: $20

tada! another great ipsy bag! you know, i am not actually sad about Glymm and (reportedly) Glossybox going down... those were the two i was most displeased with but i still had a hard time breaking up with them. ipsy has gives me plenty of goodies each month and they are all fantastic. just look at the variety:

lotion, nail polish, concealer, hair oil, eyeshadow, lipgloss. that's a bagful!
this bag was the first that i've seen where ipsy has personalized the contents to the customer. i think they did pretty well in regards to my own personal experience and i hope they continue to do this! i like seeing the different items other people are getting.
i am definitely happy keeping my subscription to ipsy. my favorite of the bunch this month is the Urban Decay eyeshadow and now i am excited to use my Zoya polish too. what was your fav?

TOPBOX: May 2013 [regular]

once again, i went with the regular box for my May Topbox. other choices included Coolway, Maskeraide, Elizabeth Arden or a February Favorites Topbox. there was also an option to upgrade to a Ferro Cosmetics or a PretendTAN Topbox.
i was slightly interested in the February Favorites Topbox that included a Deborah Lippmann polish, MUFE foundation and a B. Kamins cream but the colors available for the polish and the foundation was limiting.

here's what my regular Topbox looks like:

1) Cuccio Colour Nail Lacquer in "Tel-Aviv About It" - hmmm i think i've seen this brand before but i can't pinpoint where... was it Winners? or a liquidation store?

"Tel-Aviv About It" is a very neutral color - a "light tan" as described on the Cuccio website. neutrals tend to be more on the sheer side but Cuccio boasts a Triple Pigmentation Technology where you only need a max of two coats for opacity. i will put this to the test and update you on these claims at a later date since i am in the mood for some bright fun colors right now (it's too gloomy and rainy these days).

size: 13 mL (full size!)

retail value: $10

2) Lise Watier HAUTE COULEUR High Coverage Lip Lacquer in "Stylista" - doesn't the color look absolutely gorgeous in the tube? such a purdy shade of pink.

way way way back in my December Luxe Box, i also received a Lise Watier gloss but that was a sparkly nude and i don't think i've used it since then. "Stylista" is very pretty though and i've been using it quite often. the scent is actually the strongest fragrance i've encountered with a lipgloss. the color payoff is great but only lasts about an hour. 

size: 1.5 mL

retail value: $23 (6 mL)

3) Yaby Eyeshadow Refill in "ES553 Dragonling" - love the name! and the color is unique too - a matte lilac shadow (the photo is slightly more blue).
pigmentation is good at first but it will fade and become less intense throughout the day. it also applied patchy  (not super smooth as the card says) so a little blending is required.

i wonder if Topbox assumed that most of us were already ipsy subscribers since we all got a GlamRX Palette that is perfect for Yaby eyeshadows a couple of months ago. 

size: 15.5 mm / 3 g (full size!)

retail value: $3.15

4) Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator Nail Buffer - it's a little hard to get excited about a nail buffer but this one has the 4 sides for shaping nails, buffing ridges, smoothing surfaces and adding shine. 

too bad this didn't come with a Deborah Lippmann polish! 

size: 1 nail buffer (full size!)

retail value: $12

so there we have it! looks like everything is a little small when i put them all together. it was an alright month... in fact, all the regular boxes i have gotten (last three months) were just okay, a little boring actually. it's too bad that even though there are more and more Prive box options available, none of them are appealing enough to me. i hope that next month will bring about better choices! 

also i was tempted to get something during Topbox's Spring Sale yesterday - but i forgot to actually get an order in. did you order anything?

IPSY BAG: March 2013

my March ipsy bag arrived on March 13th but to my dismay, i found the whole bag sopping wet. turns out the bottom of the Juice Beauty item had completely broken off - perhaps it was frozen? 

and so i sent a sad email to ipsycare on the 16th (along with a sad photo of the soaked contents) and got a response back on the 18th. ipsy later sent me a tracking number for a replacement bag, which i received on the 27th. thank you for the kind and timely response, ipsy!

my second bag arrived just fine and now i finally have a chance to review it for you.

let's start with the bag - cute, no? (and now i have two, teehee!)

March's bag is themed "The Great Escape" -  can't help but think of "The Sweet Escape" by Gwen Stefani.

1) Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist
"Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist tones, hydrates, and refreshes your face and hair while on the go, anytime of the day. Hydrate with the refreshing blends of organic juices for a fresh, radiant complexion. "

i sprayed this on my face this morning and was trying to think of a way to describe the smell when my boyfriend asks, "does it have rosehip?" and i'm like "whhhhhhhhat - wait...". turns out he is right! he remembered 'rosehip' from buying me the Australis Finishing Spritz - oh, what a smart boyfriend that one is.

anyway, i do not like the scent but you can't blame them since it is made only with organic ingredients. i am not a huge fan of this mist since it makes me feel oilier and i already have enough of that, thank you very much. it also somewhat irritated my skin at first contact but the irritation went away (also do not inhale through your mouth right after - it doesn't taste good either).

promotion: 20% off purchase of $30+ (until April 10, 2013)
size: 30 mL
retail value: $22 (200 mL)

2) La Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes
"La Fresh® Travel Lite® portable towlette wipes are perfect for jetsetters, go-getters, outdoor enthusiasts and multi-taskers everywhere. Towlette packets are small in size, designed for practicality and are easy to apply discreetly. Each item is carry-on friendly and slim enough to slip into a pocket, purse or wallet. Perfectly portable, La Fresh® makes beauty a breeze when you’re on-the-go. For a refreshing getaway, grab any Travel Lite® and Live. Life. La Fresh.™ "
more La Fresh, and more makeup remover wipes. very ho-hum. on a more positive note, we get to try 8 instead of a single-use wipe.

promotion: 30% off (until May 31, 2013 & Canadians are excluded :/ )
size: 8 wipes (full size!)
retail value: $1.99

3) Yaby Eyeshadow Refill in "ES296 So Vein" and "ES442 Sand Dune"
"Whether you want to make a dramatic statement or just add a veil of color to your eyes, the yaby eyeshadow refills are extremely easy to work with. Can be used wet or dry and the smooth texture allows blending with ease. All shadows are vegan friendly and the pans are reusable for mixing. Glam Bag subscribers receive two of 80 fabulous shades. "
the colors i got are both matte and not shades i'd wear often. i think the size of them are cute and portable but it is difficult to get a brush in there since the pans are smaller than a dime.

the color payoff is just okay as well (see below for swatch). "Sand Dune" is less pigmented and clashes with my skin tone. both colors fade almost completely after a work day. not sure if this was affected by the Juice Beauty mist... i will attempt applying these eyeshadows wet at a later date.

promotion: 25% off (until April 15, 2013; Canada shipping starts at $7.50) 

size: 15.5 mm each (full size!)

retail value: $3.35 each

4) GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette

"The GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette was made exclusively for ipsy Glam Bag subscribers. The magnetic base is the perfect spot to store pan-only eyeshadows (2 of which are included in this Glam Bag!), blushes & bronzers, or whatever you need for perfect for quick touch ups on the go! Whether you are headed off to spring break or just need a cute & clever way to store products in your bag, you can create the perfect makeup look and take it with you with your exclusive GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette. "

i like how ipsy paired up the tiny magnetic Yaby eyeshadows with this tiny GlamRx palette. the palette is slightly bigger than a business card so it would be handy if you needed to touch up and you were only carrying a clutch or something. the mirror is also a nice touch!

promotion: 20% off GlamRX Touch Up Palette (until April 15, 2013)

size: 1 mini palette (full size!) 

retail value: N/A (not sold on the website but the Touch Up Palette is $16.50)

oh blargh i forgot to take a group photo again!! <insert photo here later!>

overall, this ipsy bag was contained items that i have not received from a beauty bag before but it is also not my favorite. i am happy with the customer service though. looking forward to April's bag! there has been sneak peeks popping up here and there which i am trying to avoid...

whoohooooo yeehooooo