Ipsy November-Glam It Up!

As you can tell, this month's theme is Glam It Up and I must say, I am super excited about this month's bag!

We saw a lot of really great sneak peaks as to what we might be getting and also found out that EVERYONE would be getting a full size product from em (Michelle Phan's newly launched line), so yea, there was a lot of excitement leading up to this bag :)

Glam It Up card with the back stating to check out ipsy.com for offers from this months brands. Also, Ipsy is doing something really cool where you can enter for a chance to win a years worth of bags for yourself or a friend by taking a snazzy photo of your November Ipsy bag and share it on Instagram or Facebook with #ipsy. Seriously, get to sharing!!

em card from Michelle Phan with a little note from her on the back and a 30% off code. Her line looks fabulous btw. 

This month's bag is shiny and gold with a texture to it. Kind of has an 80's vibe to it. 

Six products this time!

* Be a Bombshell Cosmetics Lip Crayon in Hot Damn

* Starlooks Eye Pencil in Amythyst

* Nailtini nail lacquer in Caviar Cocktail

* HSI Professional Argan Oil 5ml

* Pixi Beauty Bronzer Subtly Suntouched

* em Lash Gallery Lengthening Mascara in Brown

I was really surprised and happy with  this month's bag- it is definitetly the best bag I've received from Ipsy since July!

Get in on the Ipsy fun by clicking here!

Ipsy October

October's Ipsy theme is the Art of Beauty

I definitely think this bag is WAY better than the last few we've gotten. The other side is blank so that you may put your own artwork on it.

 

However, I'm not excited with these contents at all. This is probably the third pack of the La Fresh wipes I've received between Ipsy and Birchbox.
* LA Fresh Oil Free Face Cleansing Wipes
* ZOYA Neve
* Big Sexy Volumizing Gel
* Wet 'N Wild Eye Palette in Desert Festival
* Coastal Scents Shadow Brush

Here is a pic Ipsy had sent showing all of the products you could have gotten in October. It's small & hard to read (I copied it off of my phone), but you get the idea of the different combinations that are possible.

Remember, the Ipsy the subscription service is only $10 a month to get beauty items such as these to your mailbox. Here's the link to subscribe if you are interested in joining.

Ipsy is also doing a points system for reviews similar to Birchbox. I started to type out Ipsy's reward system, but I actually think I might do a seperate post to compare the two subscription companies reward programs as there are a few differences.

M.I.A.

So, I have definitely been missing in action these past few days from beauty blogging... And I feel horrible about it!
I just found an Ipsy post from September that I had drafted and never published!

Lots have been going on around the home lately, even though I painted almost an entire floor of my house this summer, I am now finishing up on painting a bedroom. And since I haven't been working much at all lately, my youngest has finished her last days at daycare and is now home with me full time, so not much free time to myself!!

But, I have purchased some "new to me" products-- Benefit Gimme Brow, an Eco Tools brush set, Boscia Cleansing Oil, Tarte Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder, and the Tarte Thoughtful Treasures Best Seller Set from Sephora. Thoughts to come soon...

Ipsy September

I am sooooo late on this--- this is the second month in a row I've almost forgotten about posting on the contents of my Ipsy bag.

 

Anywho, September's theme was Classic Beauty and just by looking through my Ipsy Room, it seems like there were 14 different products you could have received in the September bag. There was a cute little card that had the classic beauty woman on one side, and this month's brands with their discounts listed on the other. And the bag this month was a mid-blue with a classic black pattern. Definitely a step up from last month's teeny bopper bag!

Here's what the contents of my bag looked like:

 

*Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil (everyone got this shade)

*Nyx Single Eye Shadow in shade Cryptonite

*Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara

*J.Catt Beauty Fantabulous Lipstick in shade HoneyCrisp (everyone got this shade)

*Freeman Beauty set of 3 Paper Facial Masks

 

I've had the time to try out a few of the products-- I was excited to get a kohl pencil, as I do not own one & thought they were supposed to be used for lining the waterline, but this was from Starlooks was a bust! The pencil does have a nice, dark color, but I can barely get it to transfer to my eyelid without multiple attempts, much less my waterline. The J.Catt lipstick is rather strange too. And, from what I've read, I'm not the only one who thinks so. The Honeycrisp shade that everyone received is supposed to be a nude color- it is, but it's so nude that it almost blends in completely with my skin. The biggest downfall though, is the lack of moisture it provides. Not long after applying this, my lips had just enough cracking in them to draw attention (in a bad way!).

 

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that delivers a variety of products to your door for only $10 per month. Interested in signing up?

Pop Beauty Aqua Laquer

The Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer was one of the goodies I received in this month's BB. I thought it was going to be the typical squeeze tube lip gloss, but was quite surprised when I tested it out! The cap actually unscrews to reveal a plastic wand to apply the lacquer with. How neat!!

 

I received the color Flowering Fuschia

And here is a super minimal look using the Pop Beauty Aqua Lacquer & also the Benefit Fake Up from my October Birchbox.

Birchbox October

It seems like the earlier I get my BB, the worse the samples are, and I think this is the earliest I've ever received my box (10-8).

Let's see if my theory proves right...



Beauty Buzz card

October's theme is Beauty Buzz and Birchbox is focusing on "award winning products, celebrity favorites, and up & coming products". The Beauty Buzz card also says that their October Birchbox Magazine will feature 2013's top products and what experts think the next big thing will be!

Benefit Gimme Brow info card

I'm excited about this Gimme Brow info card as I have seen this product a few times and really thought about purchasing it since I do fill in my brows EVERY DAY. Gimme Brow is available in two shades Light/Medium and Medium/Deep and claims to be long wearing, water resistant, and smudge proof. Price is $22. But, if you purchase from the Birchbox shop, you will earn and extra 50 points and if you use the offer code BADGAL at checkout you can get a free deluxe mini of the Badgal mascara. Now, I don't personally care for that mascara, but with the holidays coming up, that would be a nice addition to add to someones gift bag or stocking.

This is what my box looked like upon unwrapping!
Actually looks amazing!

 

Contents card

One of the best boxes ever!

Here's what the inside of the Liz Earle box looks like

My contents card says to check inside the baggie for your "extra" and didn't specify what it was. My extra was a full size Chapstick Hydration Lock in Vanilla Crème. I'm guessing there were different items offered?? My baggie also included a $1.00 coupon for Chapstick.

POP Beauty and Liz Earle are both British. I've tried several items from POP Beauty before and have always been pleased with them. Liz Earle is new to me, but I'm excited to try it-- the cleanser & clothes in the box counted as two of my items.

And, I have really been wanting to try the Benefit Fakeup Concealer as I've heard great things about it!

So, it seems I was WRONG! I ended up getting my box super early and it was AMAZING!

Get yourself some goodies like these delivered to your mailbox every month for $10 by signing up here! The other great thing about Birchbox is that you get points for reviewing the products they send you in your monthly box- you can then use those points to purchase something out of their shop!

Testing, Testing: ELDW

During my visit to the department store, I saw a friend who works the Estée Lauder counter. We chatted and I told her my skin care problems and she was so kind to recommend their Double Wear formula and give me a decent sized sample. I was matched for the color Sand- again, I thought I would be a lighter shade, but maybe that's where I've been going wrong in drugstore bases.

Now, when I think if Estée Lauder, I don't picture a younger female, such as myself. That brand screams old lady to me. Rich, old, snooty lady. I have no idea why. 

 

Anywho, being as my friends face/makeup looked brilliant and she seemed to be quite educated on the EL products and skincare, I am testing her sample today- today when I am safely at home until a soccer match this evening. 

I've photographed myself immediately after applying the ELDW and then in intervals afterwards. 

I thought I would use my fingertips to apply this foundation as I had read somewhere that it was hard to blend, but after a few initial strokes, I knew I would end up using way too much if I didn't switch to a brush. 

So, here we have initial application. Oh, and look over my nose (and my hair! it is not styled!)-- I'm out of contacts and been having to wear my glasses so now I have those indentions going on... Ugh. 

My face appears to have a
sheen, but I swear it was not oily!

Two hours later

Still not much difference, ELDW
seems to be holding up
well

And finally, 8.5 hours later

Unfortunately, at the end of the
day & sitting out in the semi-hot sun at
a ballgame, my forehead, nose, & part of my cheeks
are quite oily. You can't tell, but somehow my chin held up
rather nicely.

Now, I will say, I was quite pleased with the way the ELDW applied and the way it looked immediately after. However, this is what the description of the product on the Estee Lauder website:
15-hour staying power. Flawless all day.
This worry-free, long-wearing makeup stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity.
Won't change color, smudge or come off on clothes.
Feels lightweight and comfortable.
Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

It DID feel lightweight & comfortable, did not change color or come off on my clothes, although I did notice some on my glasses, but in no way did I keep the morning look all day. Which is quite a bummer...Apparently, the ratings on this product (and I'm just going by their website) have went from 5 stars down to 3 stars since they have "re-formulated".

Have you used any of Estee Lauder foundations or powders? If so, do you have a favorite?

Empties on My Replacement List

Do you ever have a beauty product that you hate or maybe you're even neutral towards it, but you don't want to throw it away because you feel guilty for spending so much money on it so you keep marching on with it until you (finally!) use it all?! I am so guilty of that!!

But today, I found three products in my bag that are empty that I loved so much, that I've put them on my replacement list. 

Can you tell they were loved? Look how much makeup is stuck to them!

1. Smash box Photo Finish Lid Primer- this was a smaller size I received in a try it kit I purchased. I think it worked so well since it is a little pigmented & I have fair skin. 

2. ModelCo Fibre Lash Extend Extreme Black Lengthening Mascara. I didn't really care for it at first since it doesn't make my lashes thicker or THAT long, but I realized this was a great mascara for the "no makeup" days because it made my lashes look natural all while giving it a little something extra. Plus, there is a handy mirror on the side. 

3. Stila Smudge Stick WaterProof Eyeliner in Lionfish. They don't lie- it really does not smudge. I even wore this to the pool & beach multiple times. It was golden! This one glides on like butter making it super easy to apply and I love the Lionfish shade, especially for the warmer months when I'm not wearing a lot of makeup and feel that black liner would be way harsh. 

What are the top items on your replacement list?

Birchbox September

September's BB theme was Heritage and they focused on brand history. September also happens to be Birchbox's anniversary month (3 years!) so they do have an video to share that celebrates customer stories.

 

Also included was a little card with a discount code for 30% off of anything from the Customer Favorites Shop! 

I got a little excited when I saw this cute, red, heart shaped card from Jouer about finding the right red lipstick. I was assuming that I had gotten a lipstick as well, but that was not the case. I guess everyone got one of these in their box??

Here's what the contents look like... 

I had marked the option in my profile that I didn't like fragrances in my box- this is the first fragrance I have received since checking that and let me tell you, it *STANKS*!! The little spray bottle had actually come loose from the card and I could smell it as soon as I started unwrapping. 

Description card of the contents

BCBGMAXAZRIA Bon Genre- Eeew. This will be going to my perfume loving sister.

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face- I almost purchased this over the summer BEFORE I went to the beach, but instead I just took the other two COOLA samples I had received with me (the Rose tinted one and the regular face one in the cucumber scent). So, I was happy I got this, but really bummed on the timing, because I live in the mountains and it's basically already Fall here. The pools have been closed and I've already taken my vacation...

Ojon Restorative Lash Treatment and Mascara Duo- I'm almost certain that this is a full size sample, which is really nice. But, I'm really not sure what a "restorative" treatment is supposed to be about. I tried this out already and it did seem to go on nicely and made my lashes look full. And, now that I think of it, I kind of remember using something from Loreal years ago that was a duo where you applied the white mascara first then followed with the black.

RUFFIAN Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt- this is the orange shade, not something I would typically pick out for myself (I am more of a classics kind of gal), but the orange is nice for Fall. I'm just really happy that I didn't get that AWFUL purple shade!!

VOESH New York Lemon Pedicure Scrub- This little packet looks like it could do both feet and boy, oh boy, do my feet need it! I did find it a little humorous that the package states on the front "for professional use only".

I was headed to a soccer practice so I applied the COOLA instead of a bb cream. I'm also wearing the Ojon mascara here, a lipstick & eye liner from my Sep. Ipsy bag.

Birchbox is $10/month. Interested in signing up? You can earn points on your product reviews and friend referrals that can be used toward the purchase of full size products!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick

I liked the ModelCo lipstick I received in my August BB so much that I went ahead and ordered the neutral set of lipsticks they had. The price was something like $24 for three full size lipsticks, so not bad at all.

 

The set came in a cute little box...

See-through lids

Kitty, Dusk, Get Naked

 

tarte Cosmetics Sale!

If you're a fan of tarte Cosmetics or want to check them out, now is the time because on HauteLook some of their products are as much as 50% off! And they even have a few of the Amazonian clay line!!

I really wanted to get some of the LipSurgence lip shine pencils as I seemed to have misplaced mine, but they currently only have two colors featured for this sale and I'm not sure that I'm crazy about either one of them....

Hurry, because some things have already began to sell out! These offers are valid until Saturday 8am Pacific time or until sold out.

HauteLook is a Nordstrom company that offer new daily sale events for women, men, kids, & home décor. It is free to join. Invite a friend to become a member and when that friend makes their first purchase you will receive a $10 credit to your account! How sweet is that?!

Birchbox August

My August BB finally arrived on Friday late afternoon (I JUST got to open it this morning as Friday was hectic & I worked yesterday!), and I have to say, I am quite pleased with it : )

The August theme is Finishing School (there is the cute little card to tell you about it & your products), which focuses on finishing touches. BB has also collaborated with Ann Taylor for this months box and you can see a list of what they are deeming "fall's best accessory trends"-images included. Also, they have added an Ann Taylor coupon. 

Buffing beads, hair treatment, oil free moisturizer, ModelCo lipstick, and oil free face cleanser wipes.

I'm excited to have received the ModelCo lipstick, but red never seems to work out for me, so I'm a little disappointed that I got this shade... I dunno, I always feel like red lipstick makes my teeth look yellow and I get really paranoid... does anyone else feel that way??

I did try the hair treatment today after my shower in place of the other products that I generally use in my hair and I even though today was only my first day of using it, I must say I was impressed! When I first smelled it through the bottle, it kind of reminded me of a bug deterrant that my grandmother used to use. After squirting some out, it smelled more manly to me. But, my hair was SO SOFT after I blow dried it today....!!

If you're interested in receiving great products such as these in your mailbox every month for only $10, sign up here! Your account will be billed on the 1st of every month and boxes begin to ship around the 10th.

Ipsy August

My August Ipsy bag FINALLY arrived! Apparently there were some shipping issues this month with the DHL service and many of their bags were rerouted. People were upset. I'm talking, pissed off, threatening to unsubscribe, cutting a huge hissy upset over this. Now, I will say, I did check my tracking email several times just to see the whereabouts of my bag and the possible arrival time, but geez, I knew the bag would arrive eventually!

On the 8th it started out in NC then went to IL where it sat for four days! On the 14th it arrived in KY and on the 15th it made it to GA. Finally, on the 16th it arrived in VA where it was delivered to me. Wow.

 

Anywho, this month's theme of the bag is Glamour Academy...

There is a card included telling you about a "Lash Bash" party from Benefit. There are more details on the Ipsy Facebook page.

Above, you can see the card showing all of the different brands that were offered this month and what discounts you can receive with those brands. I must say, I was really really hoping for the UD lipstick to be in my bag!

Here is what the Glamour Academy bag looks like. I am really not a fan of it. It's cute, but I think it is more suited for a younger girl. I really don't think I would carry this.

The contents are
- Michael Todd Organics Pumpkin rich facial mask
-City Color Cheek Stain
-Noya Lip Balm Cherry
-MICA Beauty loose eyeshadow in Bronze
-PIXI Lash Booster Mascara (I have not opened it yet, but this is seriously the smallest tube of mascara I have seen that is not one of those little samples!)

And here you can see what the colors of the eyeshadow and cheek stain look like.

Three of these brands I have never heard of (City Color, NOYA, and Michael Todd Organics) so I'm excited to try those. Although, I am horrible about remembering I have facial masks, I have super oily skin so I'm not sure how well a cheek stick will work for me, and I have a zillion lip balms!