August 2013 Ipsy Bag

I am very delayed in posting this, but my bag also took like what seemed forever to get to me.  I am happy with this month's bag!  The theme is 'Glamour Academy' which is ironically very close to Birchbox's that was 'Finishing School'. 

I have decided I like Birchbox's cards better.  They tell you specifically what products you are getting, what they are, how to use them, and their prices.  Plus, they give a nice description and explanation to their theme.  Ipsy just gives you brands and their sales, but you don't receive the coupon codes until later in the month anyways.  Some of these brands, you don't even get in your bag.

They have teamed up with benefit to have Ipsy members host a Lash Bash party.  I entered a while ago, and that would be neat to win and invite friends over.

I am most excited about this product.  It is Michael Todd's Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  I have heard amazing things about Michael Todd products.  The other product you could have gotten was a pumpkin one and I LOOOOVE pumpkin, but I've always wanted to try a charcoal product too because they pull all that nasty stuff out of your skin.

 Next is shimmer powder in Bronze by Mica.  I have never heard of this brand before.  I don't really use loose powders, so I'll probably give this away.  I swatched it and it is pretty, but I have others that are similar that aren't loose.

 I haven't tried much of anything from this brand, but I know they sell it at Target.  This is the Lash Booster Mascara from Pixi in Blackest Black.  I always love to try new mascara's so we'll see how this one holds up.  I don't think it is waterproof, which makes me very sad.

This is a Multi-Mineral BB Cream from Pacifica.  Again, a brand I've never heard of before.  I wonder if this is one of the wannabe BB creams, or whether it is the real stuff.

Last is the Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy by Urban Decay.  I want to be really excited for this product, but I'm not.  I think when makeup is sent out, that it needs to be in colors that are more 'user friendly'/ neutral.  This is a super bright fuchsia color and after getting so many of these colors from Birchbox and never wearing them because they are too bold, I was sad to see yet another color I probably won't wear.  The little lipstick is so cute though!

This month's bag is not very cute.  I will not be using this. 

Overall, this month with Ipsy was good.  Aside from the ugly bag, the super long delivery wait, and the crazy lipstick color, I liked it.  What did you all think of your bags? 

-polish. impress. repeat.

My First Ipsy Bag! June 2013

I gave in and signed up for Ipsy.  I know when this company first started, they were getting a lot of negative reviews with things being broken, poor quality, cheap products, expired products, and bad selection.  They revamped their company from what I've seen in the last several months and I thought I'd give it a go.  There have been some really great products I've seen others getting in the last few months.  I first signed up for Birchbox years ago wanting to get make-up products.  I've discovered that I actually enjoy the skin care products more and have learned to appreciate what moisturizers, cleansers, scrubs, and serums can do for skin.  Ipsy is more focused on make-up than Birchbox is.  I am interested to see if I enjoy getting more make-up products. 

Ipsy is also a $10 a month subscription.  If you are interested in joining, here's the link to their website:  http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hgydekfset1iypv.  

Ipsy is sent in a hot pink bubble wrap bag.  The theme for this bag was 'Into the Wild' and the little bag matches it perfectly!  You also get a card with all the brands that were sent out and discounts that you can get off Ipsy's website.  Not all of these brands are sent to every person.  You get 4-5 items.

First up is a full size cream blush from NYX in Bronze Goddess.  It blends nicely and I'm happy I got a bronzer instead of a typical blush color.  I don't have many bronzers and this will be fun to try out this summer.  The formula felt fine and I like that it has the tiniest bit of shimmer.

Next up is a full size lip liner pencil from Starlooks in the color Bare.  This is a taupe color and while it is pretty, I don't know that I'll be using this.  I don't have any taupe lip colors and I don't think this is a good color for me.

I also recieved a full size highlighting pencil from Chella.  I am so excited to use this!  I have only used eye shadows as highlighters and it will be nice to use an actual pencil product! 

I'm pretty sure this is full size.  This is a glitter cream eyeshadow palette  from J Cat.  I have never heard of this brand or product, but I'm not sure I'll be using this either.  The colors are pretty, but I'm not a fan of chunky glitter for my face... not since junior high anyways. 

This product is the most interesting of the bunch.  It is a fully size gel eyeliner from Caylin in the color iron.  The brush is connected the the top of the lid.  I don't really use gel eyeliner, but I'll have to give this a go and see what I think of it.

Overall, I am impressed that these were all full size products (from what I could tell).  The little bag was adorable, but I know after I get one each month, I'm going to need to find something to do with all of them.  I haven't heard of most of these brands, but that doesn't mean they won't be great products.  I'll keep my subscription going and see what else comes from Ipsy.

What are your experiences with Ipsy/Glam Bag?

-polish. impress. repeat.