Ipsy Glam Bag September 2014

Each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month. 

When you sign up, you take a "beauty quiz" to let them know what you like. I guess Ipsy is kind of a social network-type beauty website, but I don't do all of that. There's also some sort of points system that I haven't quite figured out. You get 10 points for each review, but you usually need 1000 points to get some kind of bonus product, of which they only have 3 to choose from at a time. There are points for referrals too, but I don't badger my friends into signing up. If you would like to sign up, please consider using my referral link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4q7r

This month's theme: Street Style

I love the bag this month. I've already used it as a clutch when going out to a stand-up show at a bar. It's more square like the April? bag... the blue/purple one with the record on it.

Hikari Lipstick in Cabernet: I have to admit that I haven't worn this yet. I just don't have a lot of opportunities to wear a red color like this. It seems slightly sheer, which is actually a plus for me and I guess the swatch went on smooth. I like that it's more of a purply-red. I'll report back after I wear it some day/night.

Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duel Brush: This is a really soft brush, though I don't really do any sort of separate crease eyeshadow. It will be great to have when I start experimenting with stuff like that though!

Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil in Gun Metal: The shade is a dark steel silver color, which is nice if you don't want a bold eye. It's a nice sized pencil too, not full size but good enough for a color I won't wear everyday. I wish it was a little bit smoother, but it's not too bad. I haven't tested the "water-proof"-ness of this eyeliner but it's nice to know that it's supposed to be.

NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow: I will have to look again at the color name... but of all the colors they sent out this month, this would be one of my last choices. I couldn't swatch it on my arm because you couldn't see it! You can kind of see it on my finger because my hands are more pink. I haven't tried this on my eyes yet because I just don't want to waste the time with something that probably won't show up. I know it's supposed to be a nice blending color or whatever, but I just don't spend that kind of time on my eyes. I use one color - maaayyybe two - but I guess it's nice to have in the collection.

Alterna Haircare Caviar CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction: I took a close up picture of all the 10 things this CC Cream is supposed to do. I've tried it a couple times and I have something else that I like to use a lot more. It doesn't seem to have the same effect as a hair oil or leave in conditioner but I may use it more for the UV Protection if I dye my hair again. *shrug* It's ok.

May 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag

Each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month. 

When you sign up, you take a "beauty quiz" to let them know what you like. I guess Ipsy is kind of a social network-type beauty website, but I don't do all of that. There's also some sort of points system that I haven't quite figured out. You get 10 points for each review, but you usually need 1000 points to get some kind of bonus product, of which they only have 3 to choose from at a time. There are points for referrals too, but I don't badger my friends into signing up. If you would like to sign up, please consider using my referral link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4q7r

This month's theme: Fresh Picks

Here's the bag this month. It feels more like the recycled fabric texture, which is different than the more plastic/vinyl fabric of the bags we've been getting. It's a great size too. The bottom expands a little so it's a great size. 

Here's what I got this month:

Pur~lisse Pur~Moist Hydra Balance Moisturizer: I was just thinking I needed a new night moisturizer for my face. It's sort of like a gel/cream formula. There is a slight smell but barely noticeable and just clean smelling. Feels nice. Don't know if it's any better than what I have, but it's nice to try.

Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF 50: Just in time for our 100 degree days here in LA! I just noticed that the back has tiny print that says "provided by COOLA" (or powered, or presented, not quite sure because it's too tiny) which makes me excited because I love the Coola sunscreen I got from Birchbox in March, so much so that I bought the full size, then bought the same thing for my mom. It's very creamy and spreads really well. A little goes a long way, and has that sort of classic sunscreen smell - which I was always ok with. It's a great travel size and I just read that it is water resistant up to 80 minutes. I actually don't use an SPF this high usually, but I'm sure I'll get some use out of it.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo in Moonbeam & Unicorn: Apparently this mineral eyeshadow is coconut infused. The description also says "gorgeous color pay-off", but it took a few layers to get to the levels on that swatch. The white is pretty nice, but I'm hoping the purple will be more intense with some primer.

Crown Brush Pro Blending Fluff Brush: I was just thinking I needed a good eyeshadow brush. This isn't as soft as the name suggests though. Didn't seem to work too well with the Pacifica eyeshadow - not sure if it was the shadow or the brush.

Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Champagne: The color is very neutral, but shiny. I put it next to my bare nails to show how light it is. I love it. I don't have any color like it. The formula is very smooth and creamy and the color is actually very opaque with one coat. Since I'm back to having longer nails again, I decided to just paint the tips with this color and it just adds a nice shine. 

I'm actually pretty happy with my bag this month. There is less actual makeup than usual, but a nice selection otherwise. So many people complain about everything in their bags - it seems pointless to pay for a service when you know it will be a mystery, just to complain about everything. Don't get the bag then. My makeup and skin care selection has grown so much from trying all these products. I don't always like everything, some I've used once and never again, but I'm so glad I get to try them!