Ipsy Glam Bag December 2014 Review

Well...another month...another Ipsy review starting with a rant. Sigh.  I've been a subscriber for 1.5 years and EVERY time I get a nude lip product I rate it "not for me" and EVERY time I get a bold or bright lip product I rate it "love it".  Yet out of the 4 shades of NYX Butter Balms, which do I get? Take a guess....the nude.   I am so pissed.  My mom who doesn't even like bright lip colors got the hot pink. Customization, yeah freaking right Ipsy. I'm pretty disappointed this month. Nevertheless...here we go....

As you can see I switched out my gross Marshmallow nude balm for Parfait with my mom.

The bag this month is super adorable. It a black pouch with a pink zipper and heart keychain. I will definitely be reusing!

1. Beauty Without Cruelty Facial Cleanser

"Beauty Without Cruelty 3% A.H.A. Facial Cleanser is a lightly-foaming, soap-free cleanser that removes dead surface skin cells, daily impurities, and excess oil without over-cleaning your skin. Nature's own alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) gently and deeply clean and actively clarify your skin without disturbing it's natural balance. Pure premium Oshadhi aroma-therapeutic essential oils tone, condition, and calm, leaving your skin clean, clear, and refreshed."

3/5

First the good:  It cleanses? So that's a plus I suppose. The smell is also ok, not wonderful, just ok.  It smells like some sort of herbal thing, I can't really tell.

The bad: The big one is that its for normal to oily skin and my skin is insanely dry.  Both times I used this even my moisturizer couldn't fend off the nasty dry flakes.  Maybe I'll store this away until summer and try again then, it just isn't good for winter time.  Its also pretty runny, as you can see from my swatch it wouldn't stay put long enough for a picture.

Where to buy: Amazon, Drugstores, Vitamin Shops

Price:  $12 ($2.82)

2. Cailyn Cosmetics Just Mineral Eye Polish in Orchid

"Made with 100% raw mineral powder, this highly pigmented satiny powder not only colors your eyes with shimmery, gorgeous hues, but is also safe to wear long hours. "

4/5

I love everything about this product except the color.  I wish Ipsy would have a nude and a bright option for every eye shadow and lipstick color.  Anyway this is a similar color to the Be a Bombshell eye base thing from last month but the formula and application is miles better.  It applies very easily and opaque with the little applicator and has a foiled finish.  You just dip the brush in and give it a shake to replenish the  color.  This stayed on all day.  I would definitely buy this in a different color if it wasn't so expensive.

Where to buy: cailyncosmetics.com

Price: $15

3. NYX Butter Balm in Parfait (switched for Marshmallow)

"Dip your lips in a sheer wash of color with NYX Butter Lip Balm. One swipe leaves dry lips feeling supple and hydrated."

4/5

This probably would have gotten a 2/5 if I wouldn't have been able to switch with my mom but because I really like the new color I'm rating it high.  Besides it being a very nice shade, it is also very moisturizing, comfortable on the lips, and long lasting for a balm.  The only con would be the chubby stick makes precision application difficult.

Where to buy: NYXcosmetics.com, Ulta, Drugstores

Price: $4

4. StyleSexyHair 450 Blow Out Spray

"Protect those tresses! Sexy Hair’s 450° Blow Out Heat Defense Blow Dry Spray protects hair from heat damage up to 450°F. In addition to outstanding thermal protection, it also conditions for smooth, sleek styles, detangles for improved manageability and strengthens hair. Helps to decrease blow dry time and adds weightless shine."

I can't rate this because I can't use it.....

I don't blow dry my hair and I haven't straightened it since getting my pixie 2 years ago. I don't even own a hair dryer.  I tried spraying it in my hair before styling normally but it did nothing.  Guess this one is going to my mom or a friend who uses a blow drier.....:/

Where to buy: Sexyhair.com, Ulta

Price: $19 ($7.69)

5. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

"Like a pushup bra for your lashes, tarte’s best-selling mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes and conditions to deliver a 330% increase in lash volume instantly. The high-performance formula is also infused with naturally-derived olive esters to help nourish and protect lashes. "

4/5

I don't really have any complaints here...it isn't too wet, it isn't too dry.  It lengthens and adds volume.  It loses a point because for me Urban Decay's Perversion is my 5/5 mascara and it isn't quite as good. Otherwise its a pretty solid mascara!

Where to buy: Sephora, Ulta, tartecosmetics.com

Price: $20 ($8.33)

Total price of this month's bag comes to $37.84, a bit lower than usual but still over 3x what you pay.  Kinda sucks that I can't use one of the products though. I hate when that happens but I guess its just the luck of the draw.  

Ipsy September Glam Bag 2014

I know...I know, it isn't September anymore...but unfortunately I didn't get my bag until this past weekend.  Anyway this month and from now on may be a little deceiving.  Both my mom and I subscribe to Ipsy so we may be trading some of our items in order to get the things we each like the most. For this month's bag I will be reviewing two items that I did not originally receive, just as a little heads up.  I don't want anyone getting all panicked because I got a lip gloss and a lipstick. :P

Here is the bag in all its glory.  I LOVE this bag design.  The color, the studs, yes! Actually my original bag had a broken zipper but luckily my friend gave me hers, because I definitely plan on using this in public!

1. Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush

"This dual-ended brush offers the best of both worlds. The shadow brush is perfect for applying eye shadow or contouring the eye, while the crease brush is designed to be used dry for defining the eye, or wet for precision concealing."

I wasn't too excited to get an eye shadow brush since I already own 10 from various palettes and other Ipsy bags.  However one end of this brush I believe I will be using quite often so this product wasn't a total dud. It gets a 4/5 for quality and 1/2 usefulness.

4/5

Here it is, one side is a base shadow brush and the other a crease brush.

For the life of me I could not get the tiny little brush to work in my crease, it was just so small, difficult, and awkward to use.  Also the shadow brush was a bit bigger than I'm used to so I didn't feel comfortable using that end either.

However it redeemed itself in the crease brushes ability to be used as a really nice precision blender.  Yay! 

Where to buy: crownbrush.us
Price: $6.99

2. Hikari Lipstick in Cabernet

" Amp up the color with Hikari’s richly colored lip stick. The high pigmented formula glides on smoothly with a matte finish. Layer this formula to build color for a perfectly enchanted pout."

I was so excited to get this because lately the lip products I've been receiving have been booooooring.  Well this one is definitely not boring! In addition to loving the color I also love the formula,  it is a bit drying but it stays on for quite some time which for me is of the utmost importance.

5/5

It is an absolutely gorgeous and very flattering dark pink.  This color is so fun and it works really well with my skin tone.  I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of this.

Where to buy: hikaricosmetics.com
Price: $13

3.  Be A Bombshell Smooth Criminal Powder

"This lightweight, ultra-fine, silky formula softens the appearance of imperfections, fine lines, and pores while leaving you with a beautiful glow. This finishing powder can be worn alone or to set your foundation. The translucent formula works for all skin tones. It is made from 100% silica and leaves your skin with a matte finish without drying it out."

I did not previous own a finishing powder so I was super bummed when my mom got this and I did not.  However since my mom owns a few products like this already I traded her the Pacifica brown eyeliner that I got and would never use for this awesome powder!

5/5

I actually don't own a super fluffy brush with which to apply this so I've been using my blush brush.  I will have to pick up an inexpensive one next time I'm out.

Unfortunately on camera I feel the full effects of this powder were lost.  I personally thought it made me face look brighter and photograph better in natural light.  However something that is definitely noticeable from this picture is the lack of shine! On the left I definitely have some shininess on my cheek...ew...and on the right, with the powder, ITS GONE. <3

Where to buy: beabombshellcosmetics.com
Price: $12

4. CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss in Basic Instinct

"CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss delivers the stunning color impact of a lip stain and high shine of a lip gloss. This silky smooth gloss glides on your lips like butter, leaving you with a lacquer like finish."

This is another one that got traded between my mom and I.  I originally received the Briogeo hair mask, but since my mom despises lip glosses she asked to trade.  I happily obliged since I love lip anything and already have two hair masks.  The color isn't really for me but the formula is pretty ok.  The pigmentation especially is pretty impressive for a lip gloss. It loses two points for non impressive color and a formula with a bit to be desired.

3/5

It's a pretty nice nude, but it isn't really a perfect match for my skin tone. It's too peachy and not pink enough for me.  Anyway as far as pigmentation this gloss rocks. As you can see from the hand swatch which was done with one swipe.  However, after wearing this for a few hours it starts to settle into the lines in your lips and looks a bit weird.  So either make sure to reapply or only wear if you'll be out for an hour or two. For its price I would expect better.

Where to buy: Cailyncosmetics.com

Price: $19

5. LeeAnni Eco 3-in-1 Revolution Light

" LIGHTER version of 3 in 1 Revolution. Great for normal to oily skin and during warmer weather. Toner, Serum, and Moisturizer in One. This Revolutionary Lotion will save you time during busy morning rush and moisturize your face all day long! Help tighten skin, reduce breakouts, relieve dark circles under eyes, moisturize, fight aging, treat sun damages, and calm irritated skin."

I'm pretty blah about this just like I am with any skin care product.  It's nice but it isn't amazing. One plus is that I do not currently use a toner so perhaps I'll substitute this every now and then to get some toner benefits. Loses two points because it's for oily skin and mine is super dry and it has no spf.

3/5

This has no smell as far as I can tell (however I do currently have a stuffy nose) which is a plus.  I'd rather no smell at all than an obnoxious one. It is a white most viscous formula that goes on the skin quite nicely.  I used it once and didn't break out so I will be sure to use it more in the future.

Where to buy: leeanni.com

Price: $17.48 ($4.37)

Alright! Awesome! Without trading I might have been pretty bummed about this bag, but thanks to my mommy I am so happy.  Because of trading this number isn't normal for an Ipsy bag but all together these items were worth about $55. 

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