Ipsy take on January.

After a small snafu with birchbox I was really curious about Ipsy, I figured , even if I were to get fake eyelashes I would still like it better than Bb. January 15 I received a notification about shipment ( the glam room was updated before that and I was really relieved not to be receiving the Proactive face wipes,so I was waiting for my bag).

January 18 my bag arrived. Having read a lot of negatives about the smell and the content I opened my bubble mail carefully. And I saw another cute bag. Yes, it does smell a bit ( the smell seems to originate from the decal on the bag and not the bag itself), but only when I actually smell it. 

Here's what the mailman brought me :

Let's go straight to Number One 

Haste makes waste or how January 2014 Birchbox disappointed

I mentioned today how fast my box shipped and how it's content seemed to have been changed overnight ( no Eyeko boo!!!!). I could have lived with the changed content but it seems like someone forgot to include a fourth item in my sample box. I've already emailed Birchbox customer service and now I have to wait for their reply.

I am a little bit miffed. This box did not seem to be a great one from the beginning but now it has almost reached the level of dreadful.

What was supposed to be in my box? Here, take a look:

At first glance it seems like an ok box. 

But then you discover that your body lotion sample is 3 tiny foil samples... Like the one you can get in a newspaper. WTH!!!

almost here

My tracking number for birchbox says that it is out for delivery today - one day earlier than predicted ---so happy :)

Whoo! Birchbox clicky truck

Is in my email. As the box/shipment has not updated yet, I have no idea what's in my box. I wish I could get the pure mascara or dry shampoo. Anything but the coconut body balm. I hate coconut scent.

ok apparently I'm going to get box #50 - Eyeko liner yay!
#50 yeah

I was so happy that I might get box #50 but for a day my box disappeared from my birchbox page and now it has returned but apparently I'm getting box #1

No eyeko eyliner for me :( and I was so hyped up about it. Still getting Ahmad Tea (meh- I tried it on my own and it's ok tea) I'm getting another hair produck- but it's not the dry shampoo :/ I have to change my profile a bit apparently. I am running out of space for all those detangler/texturising/leave in treatments

and please, please let my pure body cream be anything BUT coconut

eh, here's to wishes

and belated Ipsy post

I actually received my Ipsy right after the December Birchbox, so I had two bags on the same weekend. I must say Ipsy won- hands down.

First of all - the bag is gorgeous. It's sturdy and classic, even if something spills inside it looks like there will be no leaks on the outside.

Let's go to the products.














1. I received Nicka K nail polish in Ripe Apple
The nail polish lasts on my nails for about 3 days (just like Opi or Essie). It is presented in a great bottle and the top is just the right length. However, my only gripe about it, would be its awful, awful brush. It is hard to apply it because the brush is too big. I love the color though. Here's my New Year's mani using the nail polish and some glitter :) You can see that I went out of the nail bed with this brush.

2. Mirabella Blender brush - I like it. It's handle is a bit sturdier than I am used to, but the brush itself is soft and does not shed while in use. I was very happy to find it in my Ipsy bag :)

3. Pop -Bright Up Your Life Eyeshadow Trio in Naturally Bare (shimmery neutrals)

It has nude/gold color theme, and I commented to my friend that now I could not justify lusting after Urban Decay the Naked palette because I have all the nude colors I can wish for.The colors are very subtle and I guess I will be using them mostly as a base. - ok tested the eyeshadows-pręty but without a base/primer they last about 6-8 hours. I went to bathroom at work to discover that I had no eyeshadow, but nobody noticed. We are all bracing for the storm.

4. J.Cat Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha
I like lip pencils, stains, lip-glosses so I was happy to receive it. It complements my eyeshadows- it gives my lips enough coverage to look made up. I also have confidence that I will be able to apply it in the bus if I want to.

5. At last - the only "dud" in the bag
I received BeABombshell One Stck in Sunset
I was so hyped up to be receiving something so pretty. I was soooo happy. Alas! My One Stick smelled like play dough. I tried it on my hand, and I really liked the color but the smell put me off it completely. I was afraid to try it out on my sensitive skin. I brought it to my friend and she said that hers did not smell like mine- so I guess I got one that was old. And I was not able to try it out :(

So as you can see Ipsy delivered a better products than Birchbox. I really hope that January Birchbox will be more interesting. Right now I kind of regret getting a yearly Birchbox subscription and wish I had thought to order a yearly Ipsy subscription.

And the spoilers for both boxes are out!

Etc. December birch box continued

TThe So, we have established that Dr. Lipp's balm works but is hard to squeeze out of the tup.well then, on to the next adventure.

The sea spray by Toni&Guy

Size 75ml/2.5 US fl.oz

6.8oz for $15

This is a texturizing spray that smells great, fresh and a bit powdery. Tbh I don't see much difference while using it, but that's mainly because my hair already has enough texture, and frizz, on its own.So it has mainly been used as a fancy spray after everything else.

Graded for personal use : A

Acceptable but not neccesary 

#2

The Lashfusion XL mascara 0.28 oz/ 8 g

Supposedly an instant lash voluminizer

The brush might be ok, but mascara overall is nothing to write home about.

I used it three times- I came to the conclusion that it was not for my spare lashes- it covers well but I did not feel like my eyelashes were suddenly voluminized. 

Not buying.

#3

Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. skin perfecting polisher

Sample size? Unknown but small

To buy: 30ml for $38

Ok one sample that redeems all- it was a surprisingly gentle skin polisher that worked for everyone in volved

Skin feels so smooth :)