First Impressions: ipsy Glam Bag July 2015

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ipsy is a monthly subscription box company created by Michelle Phan and is $10 a month. You get a mix of makeup, skincare and hair care items, usually 4-5 full- or deluxe sample size products in a makeup bag. When you sign up for ipsy, you take a quiz in order for the bag to be customized to your skin type/tone and your general preferences. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like. You can also review each product in your bag to help ipsy further customize future bags and earn points to purchase products. You also receive points when people sign up for ipsy through your referral link.

This month’s theme is “Summer Lovin’” and I think the products definitely reflect that theme. The bag this month is an abstract colorful chevron pattern, with the usual vinyl lining inside.

Product #1: City Color HD Powder (0.141 oz.)

This is a loose finishing powder and is a little over half of the normal product size. The powder is white but goes on colorless (on me). The powder doesn’t seem super finely milled so that could cause issues with blending/caking. I used this once to try it out and it was okay. I feel like my foundation actually broke down faster where I had the powder, but I will give it a few more tries. City Color is PETA-certified cruelty-free.

Value: $3.50

Product #2: be a…bombshell Lip Balm in French Kiss (0.16 oz.; Full-Size)

This is definitely a lip balm and not a tinted lip balm. The color is a very, very light pink with some shimmer, but nothing that is really noticeable. If you put it on top of a darker lipstick you can notice the color/shimmer. The texture is nice and isn’t drying. The blog Kitty Approved Beauty wrote be a bombshell to ascertain if they are cruelty-free and they are. You can read her post here.

Value: $14

Product #3: Octavio La Playa Sea Salt Spray Infused with Algae Extract (2 oz.)

This product is supposed to create texture in damp or dry hair, I’m assuming to give you a beachy wave look. Ironically, is smells slightly of sunscreen. This is a really good size sample for not being full-size (full-size is 4 oz.). The bottle is labeled “No Animal Testing” and the ipsy website says that this is a 100% cruelty-free product.

Value: $7.75

Product #4: Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator (20 g)

I received this product in my April 2015 Birchbox so I was not excited to see it again. I haven’t tried it yet. It is supposed to exfoliate your skin to smooth and brighten all skin types. This post by blogger Hotashi outlines the response received when Vasanti was emailed about their cruelty-free policy. The Vasanti website also says that they do not test on animals and that they test products on human volunteers.

Value: $5.67

Product #5:. Essie Nail Lacquer in Fashion Playground (Full-Size)

This is the only product in my ipsy that isn’t cruelty-free. I’m bummed because this nail color looks gorgeous! It is a mint green with heavy iridescent glitter throughout. I think this might be a discontinued color because I couldn’t find it online anywhere (the links to this color died).

Value: $8.50

Overall Value: $39.42. I’m excited that 4/5 products are cruelty-free in some form. This isn’t my favorite ipsy because I don’t think I will use these products much. I won’t use the nail polish, and probably won’t use the hair product (I never do). The lip balm and setting powder seem okay. I’m yet to form an opinion on the exfoliator since I haven’t used it.

If you subscribe to ipsy, what did you get in your bag?

If you’re interested in signing up for ipsy, feel free to use my referral link J

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

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Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

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First Impressions: May 2015 Boxycharm

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Boxycharm is a $21/month subscription box. You get around 5 full-size products (sometimes deluxe sample sizes) of higher-end beauty (makeup, skin care, haircare) products. Like ipsy and Birchbox, you get points for reviewing products in your box, and for referrals, that you can use to “buy” products from the Boxycharm website.

Boxycharm comes in a cardboard box (surprise!) and includes a card that details the products inside and the value of each product.

  

Here’s what I received in my May 2015 Boxycharm and my first impression of the products:

Product #1: ModelCo Bronze Shimmer Bronzing Powerder in 01 (Full-Size)

This bronzer is for the face and body. I have a ModelCo blush from my February ipsy bag and I really like it so I’m looking forward to trying out this bronzer. This bronzer is slightly orange-y and has a lot of gold shimmer in it. It’s very pigmented so use a light hand. The product feels soft and smooth so it will probably apply well.

Value: $22

Product #2: The Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain (Full-Size)

The best way to describe this is that it is blue-based purple and is well, purple (as the name implies). But, it is not obnoxious. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous, it reminds me of Tim Burton movies—darkly gorgeous. This lipstick is made from natural, moisturizing ingredients (e.g., shea butter). This is a great spring/summer color—I think it can be intimidating at first but once you let yourself get used to it you might actually like such a bold color! It reminds me of a more pigmented version of Maybelline’s Rebel Bloom lipstick in 730 Orchid Ecstasy (see my review here).

Value: $20

Product #3 Bodyography Essential Brow Trio in 3595 Essential (Full-Size)

This trio includes a dark brown, medium brown and very light tan brow powder so it will work for a variety of subscribers. I like this concept instead of getting one color that doesn’t work for you (Boxycharm doesn’t tailor boxes based on your preferences). I’ve been using a brow pencil for a while so it’ll be nice to try a powder again.

Value: $19

Product #4: Bodyography Brow Brush (Full-Size)

This is a double-ended brush: You use one side to apply the brow powder (angled brush) and the other side to comb your brows out (spoolie). It’s nice to get brushes, but I wish that the brow palette and brush counted as one of the five products instead of two.

Value: $19

Product #5: Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish in Sunset Tower (Full-Size)

It seems like nail polish is a staple in Boxycharm boxes. The is a salmon-nude color and seems fairly pigmented. It is 5 Free (no formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, formaldehyde resin or camphor). It is also cruelty free and vegan. It claims to be fast drying, chip-resistant and long-lasting—we shall see!

Value: $18

Overall Value: $98

While Boxycharm is generally worth it in terms of value (over $100 worth of product for $21), I looked back on past Boxycharms to confirm my suspicion—I’m not using what I receive in Boxycharms. I’m going to cancel Boxycharm (and Birchbox) and go back to receiving the POPSUGAR Must Have Box as I get a lot of use out of things I have received from POPSUGAR. I will point out that Must Have Box consists of “lifestyle” items (e.g., yoga towel, necklace, scarf, etc.) and beauty items so it’s not a full replacement for the beauty boxes I’m cancelling. I would just rather spend the money on a box that I know brings me joy, which is one the principles I talked about when I reviewed The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.

What are your thoughts on Boxycharm? You can read all of my Boxycharm reviews here. If you’d like to sign-up for Boxycharm, feel free to use my referral link. At checkout enter the following code:

M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

POPSUGAR:  http://popsu.gr/uXzQ  Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

First Impressions of April 2015 ispy Glam Bag

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ipsy is a monthly subscription box company created by Michelle Phan and is $10 a month. You get a mix of makeup, skincare and hair care items, usually 4-5 full- or deluxe sample size products in a makeup bag. When you sign up for ipsy, you take a quiz in order for bags to be customized to your skin type/tone, and your general preferences. You can retake the quiz as many times as you like. You can also review each product in your bag to help ipsy further customize your future bags and earn points to purchase products. You also receive points when people sign up for ipsy through your referral link.

Below are the items I received:

Bag: This bag isn’t my favorite, but it is in line with this month’s theme, “Beautifully Bohemian” (Coachella, anyone?). The bag is made of woven jute, with a colorful pattern woven in. The inside is vinyl, which is a plus—if any makeup spills it won’t ruin the outside of the bag.

Product #1: the Balm Nude Dude Volume 2 Mini Nude Eyeshadow in Flirty (0.035 oz.)

I was very excited to receive a the Balm product. I love this brand. I have been eyeing the Nude Dude palettes for a while too. Flirty is a taupey-purple color with a gold duo chrome. It’s really pretty and unique. I’m excited to play around with this color. It is very pigmented and smooth. the Balm always has the most clever packaging too (in the palette the eyeshadow pans cover up the naughty bits of the naked dudes).

Value: $3

 

Product #2: Lather Ultra Light Face Lotion (1 oz.)

The full-size of this moisturizer is 2 oz., so it’s nice to see that ipsy included such a big sample. The moisturizer says it is non-greasy and paraben-free. I used this once; a little goes a long way and it absorbs nicely. It has a nice light scent.

Value: $10.50

Product #3: Starlooks Lip Gloss in LG24 Cuddle

Starlooks has its own subscription box, so I’m glad to see that they still pop up in other subscription boxes. This lip gloss has a slight vanilla smell and isn’t sticky. The color is a very sheer nudey-brown color—good on its own or over a lipstick. There is a very finely-milled shimmer to the gloss too. I don’t typically buy lip glosses so I’m very happy with this.

Value: $3.50 (?)

Product #4: Julie G Nail Color in Damsel (0.35 oz.)

The color I received is Damsel, a fuchsia/mid-tone pink color. It looks like it will be highly pigmented too. This is one of my favorite summer nail colors to wear so I will definitely use this. It also came with a Rite Aid coupon for $1 off any Jesse’s Girl or Julie G product.

Value: $4

Product #5: Aromachology Eau de Parfum in Sosphisticated & Sensual (0.17 oz.)

I don’t typically wear perfume so I do like receiving it in subscription boxes. However, this is an eau de parfum (the expensive kind of fragrance) and a rollerball (much easier to apply than typically open top perfume samples). It smells heavily of grapefruit, but has other floral notes as well as sandalwood. I actually like it. I may wear it occasionally.

Value: $5

Overall Value: $25

I really like this bag and it is definitely worth $10. I love both the eyeshadow and lip gloss, and I believe I will like the moisturizer and nailpolish. The only thing I’m on the fence about is the perfume, just because I don’t normally wear perfume, I prefer something lighter.

If you subscribe to ipsy, what did you get in your bag? I’m curious to see if we received the same items or not!

If you’re interested in signing up for ipsy, feel free to use my referral link J

Disclaimer: This bag was purchased with my own money and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. I do receive points if you sign-up for a subscription using my referral link; however, I am not affiliated with ipsy.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

First Impression of NYC Mattifying Top Coat in 274 Matte Me Crazy

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Matte lips have been very popular lately. So when I saw a top coat that can make your nails matte I figured, why not? I picked up the NYC Mattifying Top Coat in a recent haul. Like the Essence Gel-Look Plumping Top Coat (review here), I was intrigued by the idea behind this top coat. The NYC Mattifying top coat claims to create an instant matte finish to the nails.

It definitely lives up to the claim. Once you put this top coat on your nail polish instantly has a matte finish. It dries really, really fast too, which is a big plus. This top coat gives a cool effect—your nails look like frosted sea glass. Even though the finish is matte, your nails still feel like they have a normal top coat on. The interesting thing is that your nails feel like they only have one layer of polish on instead of multiple (I had four layers on—base coat [Perfect Formula review here], two layers of color and a top coat). This top coat does change the color of the polish (e.g., color is lighter or darker). My nailpolish lasted as long as it normally does without chipping/wearing away (3-4 days).

I definitely want to experiment with this top coat more. I’m hoping I will be able to create patterns like stripes or polka dots. I plan to put a normal top coat on first and then create a design with the matte top coat. I’m excited to see how versatile this top coat can be!

If you want to experiment with creating a matte look with your nails, I would definitely recommend the NYC Mattifying Top Coat.

Disclaimer: This item was purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

How To Change Up Your Makeup for Spring

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In the Fall and Winter, makeup tends to take on deeper and richer shades. Berries, plums and dark browns. Skin care tends to focus on hydration. Thick moisturizers, body butters and hydrating masks. As Spring approaches (in theory, not in practice yet on the East Coast), here are my suggestions for going brighter and lighter with your makeup and skin care.

Nails

Pastels for Spring are typical. Some of my favorites are: Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour in 45 Fever Pitch (bright orange), essie in 568 Cute As A Button (bright coral-pink) and Revlon nail enamel in 211 Charming (pastel light purple). I am also loving the LVX nailpolish in 029 Mynt (pastel green) that I received in my March 2015 Boxycharm. A lot of the time I’ll paint my nails a color that is contrary to the season. So in the middle of Winter you’ll see me with bright orange nails and in the middle of the Summer you’ll see me with a deep purple-gray. I’m not sure why I do this, but that’s how I tend to “style” my nails. It’s pretty hard to mess up nail color, so do what makes you happy.

Lips                                                                      

There are so many lip colors I am excited to break out for Spring! Here are several I will be wearing as we say goodbye to Winter.

1.      Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 04 Mega Melon. The perfect melon-bright peach color. I absolutely love this color. I know I will be getting a lot of use out of this lipstick. The formula is great (shiny, semi-sheer and moisturizing) and it is in crayon form so it’s easy to apply. No lipliner needed.

2.      Maybelline ColorSensational Rebel Bloom Lipsticks in 705 Blushing Bud and 730 Orchid Ecstasy. I have a full review on these here.

3.      NYX High Voltage Lipstick in 19 Tiara. I have a full review on these here.

4.      NYC Ultra Moist Lipwear in 319 Violet Shine. A light violet-pink and only $0.99 at the drugstore! The formula is very nice - one of my favorite drugstore options.

5.      Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Angelic Nude. A great pinky nude.

6.      Revlon Colorbust Lip Butter in 025 Peach Parfait. I have a full review on these here. Peach Parfait is one of my favorite lipsticks ever and is a great transition color from Winter to Spring.

Eyeliner

This is where I like to add a surprising pop of color. Teal or purple eyeliner are two of my favorite colors to change it up from black and brown eyeliner. A little goes a long way though. I will put color eyeliner on either my top lash line, but more commonly on my bottom lash line (never both at the same time). This hint of color just feels “Spring” to me. Two of my favorites are the L’Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in True Teal and the bareMinerals Big & Bright Eyeliner in Plum.

 Moisturizer

I tend to change up my moisturizer a lot. It seems to be one of the only skin products I can change without upsetting my skin so I’ll use a few different moisturizers each season. In the Winter I use very thick moisturizers at night (e.g., Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins and L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Night Cream) to give my skin some added hydration and relief from the forced air that heats my home and workplace. When Spring rolls around, I switch it up to a lighter formulation. At night I’ll be using Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet and during the day I’ll be trying out derma e Evenly Radian Brightening Day Crème SPF 15 (from my March2015 Birchbox) because it contains…..

SPF!

You should always have an SPF on your face (and body) to protect your skin from the sun, no matter your skin tone. Even darker skin tones will be damaged by prolonged exposure to the Sun. In Spring and Summer the Sun is closer to Earth; therefore, the Sun’s rays are stronger and it is especially important to use SPF, though you should really use SPF year round. The derma e moisturizer has an SPF of 15. I also use the Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense Fluid SPF 50. This product also has specific anti-aging ingredients beyond sunscreen (e.g., Alguronic Acid). You can mix sunscreen into your moisturizer as well to add sun protection. Make sure your sunscreen has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection.

Allergies

The one drawback of Spring—allergies. You may want to simplify your eye makeup routine if you suffer from itchy or watery eyes. Makeup can irritate sensitive eyes and you don’t want to rub your makeup all over your face.

Happy Spring!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ibotta: https://ibotta.com/r/bthara

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                      at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

First Impression of Essence Gel-Look Plumping Top Coat

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I hauled the Essence Gel-Look Plumping Top Coat in a recent post. I was intrigued by the claims and figured even if it didn’t provide a “gel-look,” it would be worth the price if it was a decent regular top coat. You can get it for $2.99 at Ulta.

Claims:

• XXXL Volume
• Plumped up, ultra-glossy nails
• Long-lasting manicure

The formula of this top coat does seem thicker than a normal top coat; however, it was not difficult to apply. It applies with the ease of a normal top coat. I topped one of my hands with the Essence Gel-Look Plumping Top Coat and my other hand with a regular top coat to compare the difference. I will admit that I have never had a gel manicure, but I get the general idea of what they look like.

The Essence Gel-Look did not seem to add any extra volume to my nails (maybe a tiny bit, but nothing that was very noticeable). My nails that had the Essence Gel-Look on them did look shinier than my nails with the regular top coat. both sets of nails had a similar wear time before the polish started to chip (3-4 days).

Overall, I would recommend this product if you like your nails to look very shiny. Maybe if you put a bunch of product on then you will get more of a gel look. It’s a decent top coat whether or not there is added volume. I’ve been impressed with the Essence products I’ve used so far, and they are so affordable which is always a plus!

Disclaimer: This item was purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

First Impressions: Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat

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I’ve seen the Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat on QVC a gazillion times and never really gravitated toward it. However, I could use my Sephora points to get a free sample so I figured I would see what all the fuss was about.

It is advertised as a strengthener and brightener. It is paraben, sulfate, etc. free. You can use it alone or as a base coat. It’s supposed to last about a week.

I was not too impressed with it. I put it on by itself and it started to peel off the next day. I didn’t notice any brightening to the look of my nails or anything like that. Maybe this is a product that needs time to start working. It left a slight pink tint to my nails and looked like any other base coat. I think I will use this as a base coat under other polishes and see if that makes a difference since it did not stay on my nails long. I’ll give an update in a few weeks as to whether I think this has helped my nails at all. My first impression does not leave me too hopeful, but we shall see!

Have you ever tried Perfect Formula polishes before? Let me know you opinion of them!

Disclaimer: I receive this item free using my points at Sephora. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

Birchbox: https://www.birchbox.com/invite/dqphm

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/
                    at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=