Ipsy Vol. 5

It’s been a long month and that mean’s I’ve had more than enough time to try out the products sent to me in the “Fresh Picks” Ipsy bag.  May is the beginning of summer is right around the corner which translates to the Ipsy team as the season of skin care apparently as that was the ultimate theme of this bag.  Funny how the month following a full makeup bag they give us a bag devoted to taking it all off.  To say that I was kind of let down by ipsy this month was a bit of an understatement, in truth my love of this company took an arrow to the knee.  I understand that its sample based but they insist on sending me things that in all reality mean very little to me no matter how many times I retake the survey, at this rate I may switch to birch box next year.  To help you understand let me dissect what I got this month.

First out of the bag was yet another exfoliator scrub.  This month I received the derma e microdermabrasion scrub.   When I first opened the scrub I got all kinds of excited because it had the wonderful scent of lemon but as I pulled it closer the scent turned sour and over powering.  Oh my god, who in their right mind wants to scrub their face with sour lemons?!  As for the scrub itself, for a micro scrub the beads were pretty macro and the texture was so thick on my face that it made me long for the scrub they had sent me previously!  Once it was removed I saw the harsh truth, it had done nothing at all.  Nothing, except make my skin red and patchy… This was a onetime use item… get it away!

After that fiasco I pulled out the “Hey honey” take it off peel mask.  This was a tiny sample with instructions to go online for instructions.  Okay I was already pissed off at that point.  Then I read that it takes like 15 min and I have to moisturize before and after?!  Aint nobody got time for that!  As for the results, getting the damn mask was a pain in the butt, but I did it and to my surprise, after all that waiting the results were far from amazing.  Ugh… Next!

Next out of the bag was the Eva NYC Therapy Session hair mask.  This is probably the only product that I actually liked, even if it was remotely.  It’s no secret that I have been looking for ways to revitalize my hair and condition the ends.  This seemed to at least awaken the dream of moister and for that I’m grateful, but I just can’t see myself using it very often.

Then it was time for a product greasier than the name of the company it was made by, ladies and gents, the Jersey Shore Sun companies “Sans Tan.”  Oh my god, there is not even words to describe the putrid smell that came from the tube.  Fighting the smell is the oily finish that it leaves… Is that why you sent me all the exfoliation garbage?!

There was some makeup though, in the form of an eye shadow duo by Pacifica.  It was a nice neutral color in a soft brown and white combo but, in true Ipsy fashion, they sent the matte girl a shimmer.  Wow Ipsy.  So I did go ahead and try these anyway and they do not stay well at all.  The color was gone within an hour and I was left with a betrayed feeling as it took forever just to get them to make a proper look.  Yeah, my 4 year old niece will love them. 

In short the best part of this bag was the bag itself.  While the insides where crummy the bag was a wonderful canvas which has become a keeper of essentials in my purse.  So I guess, thanks for the tampon bag ipsy…  

Ipsy Vol. 4!

It’s time to get tipsy on Ipsy as we go through, what I feel, is the most amazing and well put together bag that I have received so far this year.  When I signed up for this service I was hoping for makeup lots and lots of makeup… What I have received is lots and lots of skin care and body items.  Not all unsuccessful, still not entirely what I was really looking for.  Then, this bag got mailed into my life, and I fell in love all over again!

First up was the Urban Decay 24/7 Eye liner in black velvet.  I was so excited about this product, so very giddy in fact.  There was a rich blackness to it and it ran on so smooth.  When I tried to wipe off the swatch it had amazing staying power.  In the end though, when I tried it as part of my look I missed my eye liner pen.  It just didn’t roll on as evenly, and on the bottom water line?  It smudged quickly.  All is not lost however as my mother has fallen in love with it.

Next out of the bag was the costal scents shadow brush BR-C-N02.  I’ve tried costal scents before and I have yet to be disappointed.  This brush was no exception.  With it’s soft bristles and firm handle, it was a solidly built brush.  What really made me happy was that with one swipe the brush was filled evenly and deposited the eye shadow cleanly.

Then I pulled out Pop goes the shadow eye shadow in champagne.  It was quite the shimmer, and I cant really say I had any hope for this supper soft shadow.  Still once again Ipsy proved me wrong buy providing a nice highlighter for under the brow and the inside corner of my eye.  You got to have an open mind for this stuff.

After that came the Starlooks luscious long wear lip pencil in Naked.  I loved the delicious color.  A lot of the Ipsters felt it was a bit too light, but when I paired it with my Lip Tar and Kate Moss Lip Stick it was a real boost to a natural lip coloring.  My only note was that it was a little too soft and collapsed easily.

Not all was make up though as the last item out of the bag was Dr. Bandt Microdermabration exfoliate crème.  This item was awesome.  First off let me just say that a little goes a long way, and with this kind of product that means a lot.  The crème itself didn’t feel too gritty until I started to work it into I do give it credit as an awesome exfoliate!  

The bag itself was awesome, a square bag unlike the typical rectangle it had a more roomy look and for once did not wreak of vinyl.  The record on the front was really cute, kind of gave the whole cochella vibe that’s been going around my area.  Over all I am pleased Ipsy!

Tipsy on Ipsy bag #3!

It's that time again, hurray to my present to me... The Ipsy bag!  This is my third bag and I have to say even though it's a tad hit and min the hits are amazing.  Not to mention the Christmas like effects of getting a bag of goodies!  It's actually quiet delicious!

This months bag was bag based on traveling to a sunny spring break beach.  With only 4 samples the expectations were pretty high and with 2 full size and 2 deluxe size samples... I was already way excited!

First out of the bag was the Pacifica Indian coconut nectar body butter.  As soon as I popped the cap I was grazed with a sweet and comforting aroma of coconut.  Most coconut smell come off as fake or sadly generically warm, this is light and sweet, totally want a full size!  The butter itself, is silky and smooth as it drips with hydrating quality.

Next was the Be a Bombshell Bora Bora quad.  Now I do not techniqually wear shimmery eyeshadow, but this quad has more of a bold metallic quality that blends beautifully.  I'm going to work with this for a little with a sponge applicators to take advantage of  the bold colors.  Not the best with brushes...

Then we get to the Nicole OPI nail roughles nail polish in on what grounds.  It's an egg shell blue, think robins egg, which is beautiful.  What isn't is the texture in the polish... Not a fan of sand paper nails... Get a good top coat!

Finally it was the Bare Minnerals Marvolous Moxie in get ready.  I want to love the lippy because color works for my simply natural looks.  However, it fades and disperses to a nun even finish... Boo... Maybe a good under?

Overall another delightful little bag!

Ipsy! Feb Glam is here!

So yesterday, my mailbox was graced by the only thing that I really look forward to receiving every month, that’s right it’s Ipsy day!  Ten dollars, one bag, five beauty samples… What else could make my little heart flutter so brilliantly?

Right off the bat I have to say thank you Ipsy!  The bag didn’t reek of vinyl.  The sad panda moment came in when I opened it and realized that it was way prettier on the inside than the outside.  No Bueno!  Luckily my sister took it off my hands; see the gift that keeps on giving.  I am considering using the one from last month that has the product design as a hair tie and pin holder to try to make it less confusing in the stack of crap.

So now for the contents of the bag:

POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini:  First item out of the bag was this pout plumping mini in peony petal.  I’m totally a fan of all things lip related so of course I was more than eager to bust this sample open.  Unlike other plumpers, this one wasn’t tingly or heavily mentholated.  In fact I call bullshit on the name “plump pout.”  The color was a nice mixture of purple and pink that wasn’t too bright, while still making me wish it had picked a side.  As far as the texture, gloss got issues.  On my hand it was thick, sticky, and tacky.  On my lips it glided very smoothly, but unfortunately it glided off very quickly.  I have to give it 3 out of 5, it was nice and I’ll hold on to the sample as an in the purse back up gloss but it’s definitely not go to.

Zoya Nail Polish:  Next came the product that I instantly thought I wouldn’t like.  The Zoya Nail Polish in Odette was a bottle of darkened, pastel purple which to me screamed Easter not valentine’s day.  As far as a nail lacquer goes, it went on beautifully and the coverage was decent if not better than most of the nail polishes I’ve worked with in the past.  My niece surrendered her paws for this round; on a little girl… it was pretty cute.  As far as dry time I will so that it takes a little while so I recommend the ice water trick unless you are home spa-ing it.

City Color Be Matte Blush:  My third little surprise was the far from little.  It was a full sized blush in Fresh Melon.  At first I was like, really Ipsy? You are seriously sending me an orangey blush?  And yes they are seriously pigmented!  But, I do have to say when applied lightly the warmth it brought my face was amazing in contrast to my contour foundation this morning.  Seriously go out and buy this one, so very worth it as far as blushes goes.

Photo C Velvet Gel:  This product was a bit of a mystery and I had to look it up first, it’s an anti-aging serum.  Fun fact, my mother who knows very little about most of the stuff I get knew exactly what it was and how to use it.  To be honest I tried a bit of it this morning and let me tell ya, I did notice a bit more softness but I get more priming with Porefessional by Benefit.

J.Cat Lashes:  The last trinket was the J.Cat lashes in EL05 which is a mix of alternating long and short lashes.  I haven’t ever tried this design so I’ll save them for Valentine’s Day.  I have however worked with this companies lashes before and I can tell you that all lashes require patience and practice.  Oh and liquid eyeliner doesn’t hurt J.

I have to say, two bags in and I love you Ipsy!