September sparkle

Beginning of fall brought some fond memories of beautiful foliage and long walks in the park. Unfortunately, before I was able to reenact them I fell sick and it took me almost two weeks to recuperate.Therefore I was really happy to have Ipsy bag as a small pick me up. I checked the content online and was not 100% excited, but that is mainly because I was set to receive another nail polish. I think I receive a nail polish every second bag or so. Here is my bag :

I have redeemed my points for a bonus em product- it has been my policy since I lost some points to redeem them every quarter or so. The full size sparkling shadow top coat in celestial sparkle is quite pretty and I am sure I will use it as a highlighter and accent product.  

 

The effect can be subtle or bold. I am mostly going to use it as a highlighter, and I really like the way it looks once applied.

Let's get to the bag review. I am rather fond of Trestique. Their products are just the right size for my purse and they work for me. Without further ado I give you:

1. Mini Trestique Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent

Size: 0.04g

Value: about $11 ? - the original size goes for $34; if you want to get a set of 5 mini products you are expected to pay $55 so that's how I arrived at the price

It is both subtle and noticeable. I still believe that the Chella highlighter pencil in Lace is my best secret correcting/highlighting product ever, but I am going to give this one a try. I just prefer a matte product. I am really happy with this product as it is easy to apply and blend and seems to be of a universal shade- this is a win in this Ipsy bag

2.Nuxe Moisturizing Mask Crème Fraîche de Beauté

Size : 15 ml

Value : $ 7.35

I would have been thrilled if it wasn't for the fact that I have already tested this masque and find it just ok. I wish I knew someone who would want to try it. The ingredients are good, and the mask does hydrate.

3. Be a bombshell Nail polish in holy fuchsia

Size:13.5 ml / full size

Value : $6

I'm just feeling a little bit of nail polish overload - since June (and counting September ) I have received nail polish in three out of four bags. I clearly have to adjust my settings on Ipsy. Plus all of my nail polishes are red based. Really I feel a bit exasperated. Having said that, I must admit that the nail polish formula is good- you can even get away with using just one coat- it covers well and stays on one's nail. If they were selling it in my local shop like Rite Aid or CVS I could see myself buying more.

4. Eva.nyc Forget Me Knot (spray conditioner for  dry hair)

Size : 0.75 oz. 

Value : $2.05  (though all the travel size items of 1 oz are valued at $7)

This is a new product for me as I tend to use leave in conditioners on wet hair. This product smells great. According to their website :"The Forget Me Knot Conditioner is a weightless spray that detangles without water, softens the cuticle and eliminates static and frizz." I tried it only once, and it made my frizzy hair shiny and smooth. I like it. It didn't weigh my hair down. I'm glad we get a discount on the products.

5. Too faced Lip Injection Extreme

Size: 1.5 g/ 0.05 oz

Value : $10

I don't usually go for lip plumper so it was a new product for me (except I did receive some Buxom lipgloss that had similar properties I think). This clear gel, once applied, starts with a slight tingling sensation and plumps the lips. It can be worn alone as a gloss or under lipstick. I was ok with the result, though I don't think it lasted for long. I will not be re-buying it as I am not that much into this type of product.

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If we add the conservative prices for the items I have received my bag would be valued at about $36, if we assume that the hair conditioner could cost $7 insead of $2 then the value raises up to $41. Overall I am happy with my bag though I would have preferred not to have received another bottle of nail polish.

In a galaxy far far away aka November Ipsy

Or was it just my imagination? We have received a beauty blast from the present?  I think I should quit with the not so funny puns and proceed to the short description of the things I received this past November. The full picture is below.

Galactic beauty bag and its content:

Double the crowd, let loose with your inner side.

October Ipsy's theme was "alter ego" , considering that this is the month of Halloween, it should not be surprising. In order to " transform into whoever you want to be" I got a pretty double sided bag ( gold vs black) and those items:

Well, well, well. I must say as far as transformations come this bag did not have a lot of potential. I did, however, liked the content.

So let's start with the most advertised item:

#1 theBalm

Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick MINI

Full size: 0.22 fl. oz - $17

Sample size: 0.04 oz ~$3.10

I got it in a shade of Committed (a pink nude) even though it does not look like it on the picture. I like the Balm products as I did not have any allergic reaction to their line, and I love the packaging. I am glad I received this tester.

#2 Nourish Organics Pure Hydrating Argan Face Serum

Full size: 0.7 fl oz - $23.99

Sample size: 0.5 fl. oz - $17.14

The website says it is a highly concentrated treatment designed to deeply hydrate and reveal smoother skin. It is fragrance and gluten free , as well as vegan. In my experience the formula seems to be a bit too greasy and does not absorb as fast as I would like it. It was a good size sample but I did not like it that much.

#3 Emite Make Up Professional Tweezers

Full size - $25

I love receiving different tools to try out in Ipsy. This one came in a tube and I was happy with another pair of tweezers. Having tried them, I have to say that they would not be worth $25. I have a pair of Revlon tweezers that work better- grab the hair more consistently and don't feel as fragile as these. I put those tweezers in my makeup bag as they will do when I'm in need of plucking a hair or two, but on my makeup cabinet I kept my old pair of Tweezerman's

#4 Aurora Gel Effect Nail Polish in Inky Dinky

Full size - $12 right now $8.99

Just now I realized that I received 2 full size products this month. The nail polish has a perfect dark blue color for the fall. It goes on smoothly and creates a gel effect after two coats. Unfortunately, on my nails, it seems to last maximum of 2 days. I am probably doing something wrong when applying it -maybe I use too much? I want to love it because it looks great on my nails but the wear-ability is an issue. I hate to do my nails every day. I'm still glad I have received it.

#5 Ayres Pampas Sunrise Hand Cream

Full size: 1.4 oz - $12.50

Sample size: 0.7 oz ~ $6.25

This company is one of my favorites that I have tried from Ipsy. I had their body butter sample and it was amazing. This cream is wonderful. It is rich and fast absorbing, it does not leave a greasy film on one's hands and smells  great. I'm bringing it with me everywhere.
This was my favorite Ipsy product this month. 

Ipsy September 2015

September this year was really warm. I felt like it is still summer, and the bag Ipsy sent us was a beautiful example of the glam golden days at the end of the summer.

What did I get? Quite a nice stash.Here is the picture.

Prep yourself up, buttercup.

In anticipation of the comeback of scholarly duties , August Ipsy bag was in a great houndstooth  print. I really like this bag and it's content, so without further ado let's take a look at my goodies.

details

In which I'm wondering where did the time go

Wow, it seems like just yesterday I said to myself:"I'll post it tomorrow." In fact it has been almost a year since my last post. 

That's just lazy. 

I was posting pictures of my bags on Instagram but it seems like I will have to do a short review of the things I got in them, and the things I kept. 

I must confess that there was a moment when I felt a little overwhelmed with all the samples I was getting- I mean how many lipsticks can I use ( hint I'm a lipgloss kind of gal) but I really started working on my spending habit and on using the things I got.  I started to reward myself with posting a monthly picture of all the things I used in a given month and I am feeling a little better about buying Ipsy. 

Despite all the ravings about points, I am not inclined to go back to Birchbox because two sample boxes were too much for me and Birchbox samples were just disappointing ( especially when I would see other boxes that had better products or had more products to review). 

There is one more box I would like to try, but with all the expenses I can't justify it to myself yet. It's petit vour  which is a monthly cruelty free vegan box that Liz from www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com  really recommended. It is $15 for four products. I promised myself that I will sign up for it if I get bored with Ipsy. well that's enough of my ramblings, I better start writing a post on September Ipsy and then work backwards through the other boxes.

October is not all about candy

October is not all about candy but that was the theme for it in the Ipsy world.  I was really curious as to what we would get- I hoped for maybe a candy or a chocolate piece thrown in, but it was not to be so. Instead here's what I got.

All candy is mine. I bought it. ;)

Let's get back to the candy, I have noticed many people being disappointed in Ipsy this year. I was upset with one or two items I got this year but not to the point of ditching it. Yes, it does have more skincare, and I don't know about those exfoliants but it is still better than Birchbox. At least in my opinion.

Let's take a detailed look at what I got.