IPSY VS IPSY December and January

Welcome to another installment of the wonderfully educational IPSY VS IPSY!!!!

December's Bag

This bag was alright. I still have yet to have a bag that I am 100% disappointed in. 

This swatch with flash makes it look gold. However, it is more of a mauve-peach tone (ie orchid)

*Cailyn Cosmetics 'Just Mineral Eye Polish' in Orchid..... I really do like this. I have been using it over the eye primer from the month before. Full size, $15

*NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait....I don't plan on opening this. I looked up swatches before I got my bag and it is too pink for me. $5.99

* Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry Cream.....hmmmmm. This is ok. However, I noticed my hair was drying out later on-on the days I was using it. Well, that is probably due to having alcohol in the ingredients list. The full size is 5 oz and $30 at Sephora, making this .5 oz sample worth $3

*Nourish Organic Eye Cream with Avocado and Argan... I haven't opened this yet. It is sealed and I am working my way through skin care samples. I will say that this line has great reviews online. I couldn't find this specific product anywhere. The face lotion is 16.99 at target and is 1.7 oz, so I am guessing this .5oz sample is worth about $6

*Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes.... Like with face products, I am also working my way through mascaras. Also, like with the eye cream- this product has great reviews.The full size is $20, but at Sephora you can order a mini for $10. The sample from ipsy is .10 0z and doesn't have the fancy packaging. I am estimating this one at $8

All in all, this wasn't an exciting or amazing bag- but I will get use out of basically everything.

TOTAL VALUE OF DECEMBER'S BAG---approx $38

L-R.... Lipgloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner

January 2015's Bag

I really liked this bag. I will use basically everything-- but I LOVE getting brushes!

*Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush--- This is so soft for as dense as the bristles are. I prefer using it as a blending brush for smokey eyes. This is valued at $9.99 per the official website. 

*Velvet Rose Lipgloss in Noisette--- ummmm, love. It is a perfect nude rose and it smells like roses. This full size lipgloss is valued at $19 via their website. 

*(Malin+Goestz) Mojito Lip Balm-- I have been seeing this being offered in subscription boxes for over a year now and I am so glad I finally got it. It makes my lips just feel moisturized and not like I put something on them. It is slightly minty (like a mojito). The only negative thing I can find about it is that the taste reminds me of a dentist's office. Valued at $12

*Hikari Eyeliner in Storm---- This is worth $5. I don't have much to say. It is a graphite colored mechanical eye pencil. Nothing special.

Pacifica Shadow in Ethereal-- This is basically invisible on my pasty whiteness. But because I have pink undertones, and it is slightly pink- it is an amazing highlighter on my skin. I couldn't find a price, but I would value it at about $5.

TOTAL OF JANUARY'S BAG---- approx $51

7 minute empties video

yes, a vidya. i thought that doing a video would be the way to go with my trash, so enjoy. i will be doing these once a week until i get through my empties box.

Rando-s

BUNCHES OF RANDOMNESS! Haha....

I won these, I don't know where from as they didn't say. Basically these are body wipes to freshen up when you don't have time. They are great for after active or hot days.

I am excited to try these. Basically the bottom two are to go mix ins to flavor water. The other three are to add in to your drink when you don't have the actual citrus juice. They are literally packets of crystalized _____(insert fruit here).

Top and bottom whitening strips, $5 Klout McDonald's card, and two Emergen-C packets.

Ricola, with a fizzy center...whhhaaaaaaa

IPSY vs IPSY---October and November 2014

Yay!! I finally got November's Ipsy so that I can review two month's bags side-by-side!! There are some hit and shits, so stay tuned......

 Let's start with November..... the theme is 'Girl Meets Glitter' and yes, they fulfilled the glitter-ness that is hinted at.  The bag was done in conjunction with Forever21 Cosmetics, though I didn't get anything from their line- many did. Without further ado, here is what was inside:

* Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray, Infused with Keratin-- I was up in the air about this product when I received my sneak peek. My honest opinion? The smell is gross. It smells like cough syrup, no joke. However, I can get past that scent with the fact that it works well. It dries quickly, ads shine from the oils, and keeps my hair in place. It didn't make my hair crunchy or greasy. This size is considered the travel size, and is available at ULTA for $8.99.

*clariSEA Instant Glow Powder Exfoliant-- I haven't tried this yet, but I am excited. It is basically salt and oils, and can be mixed with any cleanser. My hope are high! The full size is 4oz and is $18. That makes this 1oz deluxe sample worth $4.50.

*Nicole By OPI in Guys and Galaxies-- In the bottle, this looks grand. It is a silver glitter with square larger glitter pieces (that are iridescent in color changes) in a clear base. However, once on it is plain. I will use it as a top coat, but there is nothing special about it. Ipsy lovers have already listed this on sale sites for $2, though it probably would retail for $5-7.

*Be a Bombshell Cosmetics Eye Base in Submissive- I dig this, a lot. It is a great taupe/gold color. At first, I was worried that it was too dark for an eye base- but it took shadow very well and reminds me of MAC paintpots. This retails for $14.

*Temptu S/B Highlighter in Pink Pearl-- Hmmmmmm. Seriously, I was excited- but now I don't know. I had planned on using this for looks that would be photographed- but it DOESNT SHOW IN PHOTOS (flash and no flash alike). IRL, this was gorgous....on film there is nothing to judge. I plan on trying to mix it into a foundation and also try it with an airbrush. A 1oz is $27.50, which makes this .1oz sample worth $2.75.

The total of this box is $35.24

I kept trying to show swatches of the eyebase, polish, and highlighter....but the camera wasn't picking them up to well. The brown is the base, the pink above it is the highlighter, and that speckled thumb is the polish...lol

 Next up, October..... The theme was Beauty Candy....

This box was a miss for me. But the one item I love, I have used the hell out of.

*ECRU Acacia Protein BB Cream for Hair-- This made my thick/coarse hair stringy/greasy/dry...
yuck. I was so so so excited for this product, and it disappointed me sooooo much. There isn't much of a smell. Here is the deal- this sucks, hard....Hair products should not make alcohol a top ingredient, especially when it is supposed to moisturize.  A 4.2oz on their website is $30, making this 1oz worth $7.14.

*Figs and Rouge Mango-Mandarin Hand Cream with Shea Butter-- This is another YUCK. The smell is like fake orange candy. The formula is watery, but manages to make my hands soft without being greasy. I wanted to love this, but no. The smell is just so fake that I can't get over it. (Wow, I smell like a scent snob, but we all have those smells that trigger bad memories and this is one for me). This sale is available online for $8.40.

*Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths-- I dig these, but they dry out quickly. Personally, I like wipes that say moist the whole time I wipe off my face. They work, nothing special. A lot of people complained that their eyes and skin burned- but I had no issues.  A 30 pack is $15 at ULTA, making this 10 pack worth $5.

*Jesse's Girl Mineralized Baked Powder Eyeshadow in Graphite Frost-- This is the one item I fucking love. The name says it all. I can't rave enough about this. The color is perfect for a smokey eye, or for themed makeup...it even worked with a simple daytime look. These are $3.99 and look at these colors!!!

*Noyah Lipstick in Deeply in Mauve-- I thought I was going to love it, but again-no. The color just doesn't mesh well with my natural lip color, which happens often to me. The formula and pigmentation is primo. A 4.5g tube is $18, making this 1.4g sample worth about $4.50

Shadow, sans primer---and lipstick.

The total for October was $29.03.

Random Freebies

Here is the mismash from freebie heaven...... ready? It will be quick....

First, are these random 12 scent thingys (lol) from Colonial Candle. Basically, these are 'scent testers'. I will be using them in closets, drawers, and the bathroom. Anywhere that needs freshening up.

Next, another three pack from the Suave Natural Infusion line. I have already tried these, and hate them. They left my thick/dry hair dull and greasy.

Finally, I made bracelets with Shapeways via Google. The Made with Code site lets you make a bracelet with code for free. I made two. They are child size, but luckily I have small wrists. I can't wait to wear one at work as a conversation piece.

IPSY September 2014 Street Style

Yay, another great Ipsy bag. The physical bag is one of my favorite when it comes to quality. The studs aren't cheaply added, the bag is soft yet sturdy, and it doesn't have the plastic smell that most of their bags do.

Contents:
-Briogeo Don't Despare, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask.... This smells absolutely amazing and I can't wait to give it a go.  A full size is 5.25 oz and is $26- making this 1 oz sample worth $4.95.
- NYX Hot Single Eyeshadow in Dressed to Kill.... I am in love with this shadow. It is a Grey/Silver with Purple/Red shimmer. I believe it is from the Fashion Victim line, and I will be looking into the other colors. According to Ulta.com, these run $4.49.
-Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss.... So, I was super excited because the color is almost identical to my favorite gloss. BUT (and that is a big but, like Kardashian), it stinks like old makeup and rubber. I think I received a bad one :( This is a $19 product.
- Crown Brush Dual Ended Crease and Shadow Brush.... Errrmahgerd, I was stoked for this. I needed this as my brushes are getting close to retirement (lol). This is currently on sale for $10.61.
- Pacifica eyeliner Mini in Fringe.... I am not opening this, so I cannot comment on the quality/pigmentation. I don't do brown eyeliner often, and already have a couple open that I use if I do. A full size is $10.99 for 0.1oz, making this .026oz worth about $2.75

This bag was, approx, worth $41.80....well worth the $10 that I spent.

If you would like to join, here is my link! Click- you know you want to! This is like a big red button in a spaceship!

Pinch me! For him!

Pinch me has recognized that the majority of samplers and reviewers are women; so what have they done? They have decided to take aim at the male market. I received an email about this, and signed my boyfriend up. The samples weren't much different, but seemed easier to get than normal.

Included:

- 1 Lifestyles condom

- 1 packet of American Crew Power Cleanser Style Remover

- 2 packets of Gevalia ground coffee.....one is Signature Blend, and the other is Select Varietal Colombia

Looking at all of this together, it seems like their audience aim is more at the college crowd than the general male public....lol