April MyGlam Bag

I decided to keep my subscription to Ipsy but chose to only sign up per month. That way I am not committed to keep it if I find that I don't want it. So far though, I think I am going to continue loving it!

It's like christmas morning every month when I get the bag in the mail. 

here's what I received this month:

 The bag itself was adorable and even had the cutest stripe on the inside.

Only thing I have to say is that I wish instead of sending a new bag each month (they really add up, I have 5 now!) they used that money towards adding another product. There are only so many travel bags a girl needs!

I guess the theme this month was "pink"

Here is what actually came inside the bag:

 I was really excited about all the products. It looked like a great selection!

First was the only hair product this month:

Sexy Hair Powder Play

What they say: Get ‘POW’ volume in an instant with Sexy Hair's Powder Play! Powder Play adds instant volume to any type of hair style or texture. Weightless, odorless, and colorless! Instantly liquifies when applied and adds volume and texture in seconds. Just sprinkle on dry hair at the root for lift and volume. Apply throughout the hair for extreme volume and texture. 

What I say: I am really happy I got this. I had been wanting to purchase a similar product, but never got around to it. I haven't tried it yet, but I am planning on watching a few tutorials on how to use it. I'll let you know if it's some sort of miracle product. 

Next:

 Station Nail Laquer in "Love at First Byte"

What they say: Sation Nail Lacquer is a contemporary beauty company, infusing a creative direction in nail care through a blend of lifestyle aesthetics. The collection features 120 colors from its seasonal & limited collections. 

What I say: I'm not overly fond of the color, it's kinda a mauve-y pink and just sorta blah. It will be great for times when I need a more 'professional' color. {ha, like that will ever happen :) }

 Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks

 What they say:A highly pigmented pressed powder blush that highlights the complexion and provides long lasting color. Can be used both as a blush or a bronzer.

 What I say: I LOVE this blush! At first it appears really bright, but on my cheeks sheered out a bit, it's perfect! I love love love the shade. It's the perfect pink, but the shimmer also acts as a highlight! 

did I say I love this? 

Oh, and the pigmentation is great on these. It can be worn very bright on the cheeks, and can be blended out very easily for a lighter look.

 and finally:

Mineral Eye Shadow by Mica Cosmetics in shade "earth"

What they say: MicaBeauty Mineral Eyeshadows are extremely gentle, free of preservatives, chemicals, dyes, talc, oils, and other fillers. With this unique formula, the eyeshadows will look ultra smooth and stay put for hours without creasing or pulling the delicate eye area. Can be mixed with clear lip-gloss, clear mascara, and clear nail polish to add pigment to lips, eyelashes and nails! 

What I say: I have to admit, I've never tried any mineral products before. I like this shaddow. The color is great, but I just wish it was pressed instead of loose. I don't like the fact that it can spill everywhere anytime you use it. After reading above, I like it more because I am trying to buy more 'green' products. I also like that it's so versatile: lip gloss, nail polish, mascara? I'm game. 

and that's all! Only four products this time (there are usually 5), but I feel like this was one of the best bags yet. I love all the products (i'd just prefer a different color polish) and I will honestly use each product!

sign up for Ipsy here!

March Monthly My Glam Bag

It's that time again!

I can't believe that I am already at the end of my subscription!

I got a three month trial, and I am still debating if I want to continue on. 

I loved January's and February's bag, but March's kinda disappointed me.

By no means was it bad, I did receive a few things I liked, but also a few I didn't.

I guess that's the breaks of the game, right?

So here is what I got:

The bag was adorable! I loved the nautical print and the stripes!

First were these wipes:

La Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes

 What They Say:

La Fresh® Travel Lite® portable towlette wipes are perfect for jetsetters, go-getters, outdoor enthusiasts and multi-taskers everywhere. Towlette packets are small in size, designed for practicality and are easy to apply discreetly. Each item is carry-on friendly and slim enough to slip into a pocket, purse or wallet. Perfectly portable, La Fresh® makes beauty a breeze when you’re on-the-go. For a refreshing getaway, grab any Travel Lite® and Live. Life. La Fresh.™ 

Travel Lite™ personal amenities are made in sunny Southern California with clean renewable solar energy! These makeup remover wipes feature biodegradable and compostable materials.

What I say:

While my go-to makeup removers are the olay wipes that you have to get wet, I do use the pre-moistened wipes to supplement sometimes. I will definitely use these and I plan on saving them for traveling. I also love that they are eco-friendly!

Next:

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist

 What They Say:

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist tones, hydrates, and refreshes your face and hair while on the go, anytime of the day. Hydrate with the refreshing blends of organic juices for a fresh, radiant complexion. 

What I Say:

I hated the smell of this. Honestly, I really couldn't get past it, and after reading several other reviews, I know I'm not the only one. It could be a great product, but I am really sensitive to smells because I get headaches easily.

I will say, though, that I gave this to my mom who has dry skin, and she loves it! I asked her if she liked the way it smelled, and she said it didn't bother her.

To each it's own I guess!

Next:

 Glam RX Mini Freestyle Palette

What They Say:

The GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette was made exclusively for ipsy Glam Bag subscribers. The magnetic base is the perfect spot to store pan-only eyeshadows (2 of which are included in this Glam Bag!), blushes & bronzers, or whatever you need for perfect for quick touch ups on the go! Whether you are headed off to spring break or just need a cute & clever way to store products in your bag, you can create the perfect makeup look and take it with you with your exclusive GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette.

 What I Say:

I have to say, I've been wanting to buy a Z Palette (which is basically the same thing)for a while now, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this! I love the concept of saving room in your makeup collection, because I have far too many singles to count. If this is cheaper than the Z Palette, then I might buy it!

and to go into the palette:

 Yaby Eye Shadows

What They Say:

Whether you want to make a dramatic statement or just add a veil of color to your eyes, the yaby eyeshadow refills are extremely easy to work with. Can be used wet or dry and the smooth texture allows blending with ease. All shadows are vegan friendly and the pans are reusable for mixing. Glam Bag subscribers receive two of 80 fabulous shades. 

What I Say:

I am more of a neutral eye person over using wild colors, so I was a bit thrown off by the blue color.

(Blue on top, beige on bottom)

The blue was a really great shadow. It was velvet-y and very pigmented.

The beige was extremely chalky. Can you see the difference on my fingers?

And it barely showed up when I swatched it on my hand.

I liked how they were the perfect size for my glamRX palette!

 and that's it! I have to say 2 out of 4 aint bad, and I will definitely use all of what I got (I am one of those 'Waste not want not' believers).

So do you think I should continue my subscription? It's only ten dollars a month,

which doesn't seem that bad, but when I think of it being $120 a year, it seems crazy! I really like the concept and I've received a lot of products I loved. I think I might just go month-by-month...

what would you do?

Happy Monday!

February's Ipsy-Myglam Bag

It's that time again!

I recently got my February Myglam bag in the mail,

so I'm sharing with you what I received!

I got thisSubscription to Ipsy as a gift, but it's only $10 a month if you're interested!

This month's theme was "Red Carpet Ready"

The bag was really cool this month:

It was a black faux black patent leather on the outside

and a bright red on the inside.

It reminded me of my favorite shoes: Christian Louboutin. 

Here is what was in the bag :)

First was this mascara:

Pop Beauty Smokey Lash Kapow Mascara

What They Say:

This lash-POP-ing mascara makes lashes plump, long and lusciously flirty! Smudge proof formula adds volume while curling lashes up and out for a look that truly POPs your peepers! 

What I say: Although I liked how big the actual brush was on this mascara, I was really disappointed this the durability of it.

After wearing this mascara for about 8 hours on both the upper and lower lash line, I literally looked like a raccoon at the end of the day. 

I had never experienced smudging so badly.

I was super disappointed because I was so excited to try this mascara, but it definitely didn't live up to it's claims. 

I'll save this for traveling because it's the perfect size for that.

Next was an eyeshadow sample:

Costal Scents Shadow Palette

What They Say:

Coastal Scents Shadow Palette Samples are an ideal way to try these highly pigmented, stunning shadows. These miniature-sized samples contain four hand-selected shades by ipsy, making it easy to create a variety of looks. Wear these pressed powders dry or wet for a more intense, dramatic look. Each palette's colors are labeled with the corresponding Hot Pot name, making it easy to repurchase your favorite shades individually, or in a palette collection like the 252 Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette.

What I Say:

I was really excited to try these! I had heard so many great things about costal scents, and I, overall, was pleased with these shadows.

The prices compare to any drugstores, and the quality was equivalent.

Not the best pigmentation, but with a good primer, they are great.

Here is a swatch of the shadows:

Excuse my dry hands :)

Next was a face primer:

Pixi Flawless & Poreless

What They Say:

The Pixi Flawless & Poreless primer creates a beautiful no-shine finish for flawless, long-lasting makeup application. This shine controlling, oil-free primer smooths out fine lines and hydrates while making pores instantly disappear. It is the perfect skin primer for all complexions and all skin types.

Beneficial Ingredients and what they do:
• Willow Bark gives natural shine control
• Salicylic Acid clears and unblocks pores
• Shea Butter to nourish the skin
• Titanium Dioxide protects the skin's surface
• Enantia Chlorantha bark is medicinal & anti-viral 

What I Say:

I loved this! It was really moisturizing, and my foundation applied so evenly after using it.

I will repurchase this!

It does have a tint to it, though it dries clear.

Then, I got a really interesting product:

The Lash Card by Lash Card

What They Say:

Apply your mascara perfectly with the Lash Card! Say goodbye to smudging, clumping, and messy mascara application. The Lash Card has two curves on each side that fit a variety of eye shapes, making it easy to get those hard-to-reach lashes. Each Lash Card is individually wrapped for on-the-go application. 

What I Say:

I loved the concept of this! There is nothing more annoying that finishing off an eye look and ruining it by smudging mascara on top. However, instead of buying these, I am going to make my own out of index cards. 

and finally:

Gel Eyeliner by MicaBeauty

What They Say:

Define eyes and apply eyeliner like a pro with the MicaBeauty Gel Eyeliner! This smooth, highly pigmented gel eyeliner glides over the lid evenly and dries quickly for a long-wearing, smudge-proof finish. Comes in 5 other highly pigmented shades. 

What I Say:

I have to say, I am intimidated by get eyeliner. I've never really tried it before, so I was happy to be able to.

It was really easy to apply and went on smooth. I also liked how it was a true matte black.

The only negative I have to say about this is that it's staying power is terrible.

After I put it on my hand and let it dry for a good 10 minutes, I rubbed it to see how it stood up.

It smeared.

So, I tried it on my eyes.

I wore it all day, and rubbed my eyes often.

Each time, more eyeliner came off.

This also contributed to the raccoon eyes I said earlier.

I am going to keep using it to see if anything changes.

Overall, I was so pleased with this months bag.

It truly left me "red carpet ready"

I had everything I needed to created a flawless look.

In fact, here is the look I came up with:

(it is really hard/awkward to try and capture your eye look, by the way.)

The mascara took a little work and the primer was awesome.

I loved the shadows and the liner.I just wished it still looked like this at the end of my day.

If you get Ipsy Bags, tell me what you got by leaving me a comment below!

January MyGlam Bag Reveal

I'm so excited to start this new "series" here on my blog!

For Christmas, my mom gave me a monthly subscription to Ipsy's My Glam Bag.

If you have never heard of it, here is a brief run down:

"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"

I was so thankful to receive this gift because it is perfect for me! I love all things beauty and makeup related, so the idea that I could try new products each month is simply amazing!

Thanks Mom!

So each month I will show you what I received in my bag and give you a brief review of my opinion on the products. 

Oh, you know this wouldn't be complete with a thumbnail

This is my very fist bag to receive, and I loved it!

The first thing I fell in love with was the package itself!

My bag was shipped in this metallic pink padded envelope!

How cute!

The actual bag is huge! It's navy on the outside....

and blue with white stars on the inside.

I love how edgy it is

I guess the theme of this month is "Stars will shine"

This card just explains everything that is in the bag.

and drumroll please...

too dramatic? okay.... fine. 

Here is everything!

The first item was too big to fit in the bag, so it was just on the inside of the envelope. 

Concealer Brush by SoHo

They say:

 SOHO “Get a Grip” Concealer Brush

Cover up little flaws and dark circles using the Get a Grip Concealer Brush. Start with the inner eye area, working down around the eye, dabbing lightly until completely blended.· Silky Nylon Bristles – Hide & Defy· Tri-Grip Handle – Fits Perfectly in Hand

I say: I love this brush! It is really tightly packed, perfect for getting in those hard to reach areas (like around your nose). The bristles are really soft. I will definitely be using this.

Next is the nail polish:

Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer by Nailtini

They say:  You can’t go wrong with a classic, all the way to your fingertips. These two are the all-time best selling Nailtini nail lacquers. Whether the glossy true-red of bloody mary or the hint-of-pink of frappe, your tips and toes are classic perfection anytime. 

No makeup cabinet is complete without an all-star nail lacquer and Nailtini stocks top-shelf, 3-free nail lacquer in dozens of shades, textures and finishes. Wear them alone or layered to create custom looks and effects, each one a cocktail unto itself. Cheers to beauty, and as always, apply responsibly! 

I say: I liked the color. It is a pale peachy color that is the perfect transition shade into spring. I liked how the brush was wide and flat, compared to the traditional nail polish brush.

Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil

They say:

This 100% Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. With its multitasking benefits, Argan Oil can be used for many areas including hydrating and nourishing skin as a daily moisturizer, skin treatment, treating spilt ends, and softening cuticles. It's gentle enough to use on all skin types and is known to help with skin conditions including acne, eczema and rosacea. Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow, and has astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe. 

I say: I have to say that I was most excited to try this. I had heard about the wonderful effects of Argan oil to your skin and hair, but it has been out my my budget to try it. I've used it in my hair for split ends and it's great. I'm excited to try it as a moisturizer. Also, I love that it's organic!

Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play Volumizing Hairspray

They say:

Your everyday spray for BIG volume! Spray & Play is a humidity resistant, flexible hold hairspray that provides fullness, lift and incredible shine! Perfect for all hair types. 

I say: I was out of hair spray, so the timing of this was perfect.

So far, I like it!

and finally, 

Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter from Pacifica

They say:

 Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter is not only a highly effective antioxidant rich moisturizer that nourishes the driest of skin and helps fight off the signs of aging; it nourishes your other senses as well. The infusion of sparkling, juicy blood oranges that are highlighted with notes of red raspberry and spicy sweet Italian Mandarins take you to the beaches of the Mediterranean. Made with nature’s best moisturizers - Shea butter, almond oil and safflower oil - Pacifica’s vegan, paraben and gluten free Body Butter is a skin must have. 

I say: I have to admit, I was initially turned off by this. I normally hate citrus smells, and especially blood orange. However, I was pleasantly surprised. It doesn't have a strong scent at all! It actually smells more sweet than anything (not at all Citrus-y).  It's thick and really moisturizes. 

That's all! I have to say, I really liked this month's bag.

I was worried that I would receive a bunch of stuff I'd never use.

But man! I was wrong!

I loved and will use everything.

Another cool aspect of ipsy's my glam bags is that they give you a coupon or discount for every product! It's nice because if you end up liking the product enough to buy it full sized, you can save a few bucks! (you know I love savings!!!!)

So, if this is something you think you'd like, sign up and take their beauty quiz (they send you colors and products based on what you like!) 

 There are several different packages you can choose from (month to month, 3 months, 6 months, and even a full year!)

And, in my opinion, it's similar to a magazine subscription, but you actually get something out of it!

****Disclaimer****

I am NOT affiliated with Ipsy or My glam 

They have no idea who I am.

I just thought it would be fun to share with you by bag!