ipsy - December 2013

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December's ipsy bag was a mix of good and bad. I've loved ipsy this year, but wish they had ended 2013 on a better note! 

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ipsy - November 2013

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ipsy - October 2013

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ipsy - September 2013

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September's ipsy bag featured items for the classic beauty. When I think of "classic beauty," I think winged liner, thick lashes, and luscious red lips. 

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ipsy - August 2013

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ipsy - July 2013

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This month's ipsy bag was all about beauty at the beach. It couldn't have come at a better time, what with Chicago being hit with heat wave after heat wave. I honestly haven't felt up to wearing makeup lately, but this heat still can't tame my excitement over this month's ipsy bag arrival!

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ipsy - June 2013

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This month's theme is "On the Wild Side." I thought the theme was a bit odd, until I took a look at what came in the bag. Most, if not all, are items or techniques that I have shied away from. Though I expected something totally different from the theme, these items do fit the theme. Take a look at June's ipsy bag!

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ipsy - May 2013

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This month's ipsy bag was all about "Spring Fling." For a girl with dark olive skin, the color choices in this month's bag were a miss. I don't expect ipsy to color match its thousands of subscribers, but there should be a bit more consideration put into the colors of the samples.

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ipsy - April 2013

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April's ipsy bag is all about pretty in pink. Getting this bag full of its pinky cuteness really cheered me up after having been sick for an entire week! Read on ahead for my review of this month's bag.

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ipsy - March 2013

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ipsy - February 2013

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ipsy - January 2013

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ipsy - Dec 2012

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ipsy (formerly MyGlam) - Oct 2012

{What was in this month's bag}:
theBalm What's Your Type? "the body builder" Mascara
Mirenesse Lip Bomb Glossy Lacquer Lip Stain
be a bombshell Eye Liner
Coastal Scents Eyeshadow mini quad
Pequi Oil Treatment

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theBalm What's Your Type? "the body builder" Mascara

Another of theBalm's mascaras recently became one of my favorites, so I was super excited to see this mascara in this month's bag. 

Mirenesse Lip Bomb Glossy Lacquer Lip Stain

I was sent the lip bomb in color 4. It's a bold mauve-y pink that I'm surprised really works on me, haha. Pink is often a tough color for me to pull off, because my skin has yellow/warm/olive undertones. The lip gloss (?) is not too heavy or sticky, which I prefer when it comes to glosses. 

be a bombshell Eye Liner

I'm not sure how I feel about this one just yet. While it is a very pigmented liner, the application tip is very thick which I think may make it more difficult for me to apply. It seems like it would be very long lasting (without primer!), because it was pretty hard to remove it after having just swatched it on my hand. This one is still up in the air for me.

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow mini quad

I never expected to receive a full mini quad from MyGlam. I'm really happy they chose to send a variety of colors from Coastal Scents instead of just one. I received Set 1, which has the colors Cloud White, Paris Green, Reef Blue, and Thunderous. I'm glad I received a set of blue-green colors that I wouldn't normally purchase. 

Pequi Oil Treatment

This oil treatment has a soft almost honey-like scent, which is very relaxing. The sample bottle contains a stopper, which I think is great! This is a sample I can take with me on the go, without fear that it'll spill inside my purse. 

I loved this month's bag. I can see myself using each of the items that were included and the bag...the BAG! I'm in love with the bag itself.

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What did you think of this month's ipsy bag?

-Claudia

ipsy (formerly MyGlam) - Sept 2012

Hello again! Being a full time student and working *almost* full time has been kicking my butt lately, which should explain the gap in posts lately. I spent the weekend taking pictures and should have a few things up within the next few days, if not scheduled for later on next month.

MyGlam is now ipsy! I'm not too sure why they decided to change their name (I prefer glammies to ipsters), but I like "ipsy." I think it's a cute and fun name.

Anywho, here's what was in September's ipsy (formerly MyGlam) bag.

{What was in this month's bag}:
London SOHO Smudge Brush
Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer
Mirabella Eyeshadow
Circus by Andrea's Choice nail polish in Tightrope

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London SOHO Smudge Brush

I was super excited to receive this brush in the September ipsy bag. I know I've mentioned it before, but I am not a stickler about which brushes I use. While there is a noticeable difference in quality between brush brands, I will find a use for any brush you toss at me. I've never heard rave reviews of this brand, so I was expecting the brush to be lower quality. I was wrong! This brush is pretty dense and perfect for smudging or blending eyeshadow. The only downside to this brush is the length: it's a very long brush. Other than that, I'm very interested to see what else London SOHO has to offer within their brush line.

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer

My hair has been varying degrees of dry since the start of the beginning of Fall. Products I've used in the past haven't been cutting it, so I'm glad the ipsy girls included this split end conditioner. In the tube it smells like generic lotion, but on my hair it smells a bit more like a soft, sweet perfume. I really like that it doesn't have an overpowering sent, which oftentimes can be a turn off for me. The conditioner seems to work, which I can say is a bigger plus than the awesome sent, haha. I had never tried Carol's Daughter products, but I had heard of the brand. Possible new favorite hair brand?

Mirabella Eyeshadow in Semiformal

A few people were complaining that the shadow doesn't come with its own compact case. Personally, I don't mind because I have empty Elf and Z-Palette...palettes that I can use to store this shadow. I wish ipsy had given out a wider variety of Mirabella's shadows, because I'm not sure this is one that will work on all skintones, particularly darker ones. It does seem to be one of those chameleon shades that change based on skin tone. On my dark olive skin tone, it reminds me of a subdued, pink version of MAC's Amber Lights. I think it's a beautiful shade.

Circus by Andrea's Choice nail polish in Tightrope

By now I own nearly all of Andrea's Circus collection. I actually think it's really cool that Andrea included her newly launched nail polish line in ipsy's lineup. I've just started getting into nail polish and the colors I've received throughout the past few months are not colors I would have ever picked up myself. This last nail polish, Tightrope, is hard to describe! It's a deep yet neon fuchsia, purple toned color that I think you can only appreciate in person. My camera did not do this color justice. I absolutely love it, but have yet to paint anything other than my nail wheel because I'm afraid it will stain my nails. Haha. I'm appreciating it from afar right now. I'll update this post in a few weeks--once my Space Nails mani wears out--and let you guys know if it stained or not.

Overall, another great bag. I wish they'd picked a cuter design for their bag, but the black is classy anywho. I'm not sure I should keep writing these roundups at the end, because for the past few months ipsy/myglam has been phenomenal. 

You can purchase an ipsy subscription {here}.

What do you think of ipsy's bags lately? Do you think they're improving?

-Claudia

ipsy (formerly MyGlam) - August 2012

{What was in this month's bag}:
S.A.L.T.Y. Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Glama-ZOID!
Eclos Cellular Activator Facial Serum
Eclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream
Circus by Andrea's Choice
Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil
MyGlam Glam Gloss

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S.A.L.T.Y. Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Glama-ZOID!

The first item is a white shimmery pigment eyeshadow with subtle pink-violet undertones. This is such a gorgeous shade. I use a tiny amount in the inner corner of my eyes to make them pop. If you have lighter skin, this could potentially be used as a highlighter as well. :) 

You can use the promo code MYGLAM2012 for 20% off!

Eclos Cellular Activator Facial Serum & Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream

Both of these Eclos products contain plant stem cells, which claim to slow the aging process and aid in your skin's own regeneration. I'm very interested in seeing how this duo serum and cream will work on my dry skin. I don't know that I'll see that much of a difference, seeing as how I don't have any noticeable anti-aging issues.

Circus by Andrea's Choice nail polish in Spectacle

I was excited to receive yet another bottle of Andrea's nail polish. I know a few girls were turned off by this, but I don't have too much nail polish, so I welcome any new shades. And this shade is crazy! It is absolutely neon orange, which was perfect for this summer's trends. I can't wait to wear this for a fun night out with the girls.

Demeter Roll on Perfume Oil in Clean Skin

As a non-perfume aficionada, I know nothing about perfume oils. According to Michelle Phan, perfume oils are better for us girls with sensitive skin, because they contain no alcohol--which can sometimes irritate the skin. Demeter's Clean Skin is not as punchy as some perfumes can be, which I LIKE. It smells like...clean skin! No, but really, it reminds me of a fresh shower or fresh laundry. It's a very nice scent. I'm intrigued by these perfume oils!

MyGlam Glam Gloss

This lipgloss was a secret surprise that was included this month. It is a bright, baby pink and very pigmented. Not sheer at all! The gloss also has a watermelon-y taste to it.

(photo courtesy of the Myglam facebook page)

Michelle Phan, one of the creators of MyGlam, actually drew the beautiful design on the information card for this month's bag.


I love how MyGlam is working hard to, not only bring subscribers great samples, but also developing their own brushes and now this lipgloss. Every month, there is a new surprise from MyGlam. What a great turnaround from the start of the year. I think I say this every month, but I can't wait to see what is coming next!

You can purchase an ipsy subscription {here}.

What did you think of this month's ipsy bag?

-Claudia

ipsy (formerly MyGlam) - July 2012

{What was in this month's bag}:
NUME Hydropunch hydrating conditioner
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-free Lotion
Yes to Cucumbers On-the-Go Facial Towlettes
Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain
Circus by Andrea's Choice nail polish

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NuMe HydroPunch hydrating conditioner

I have yet to try this conditioner, but look forward to trying it out. It doesn't have the most pleasant smell--it smells a little too similar to hair dye--but it may end up working out.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-free Lotion

My skin is pretty dry, so I stay away from products that are meant for oilier skin types. I have heard good things about this brand, so I was a bit disappointed to receive an item I couldn't use. I ended up giving this away to one of my friends.

Yes to Cucumbers On-the-Go Facial Towlettes

I LOVE towelettes. I use these guys for everything. I'd never used the Yes to Cucumbers towelettes and I ended up loving them. 

Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip and Cheek Stain

This stain applies smoothly and lasts for hours. I use this at work when I want to wear a bit more color, but nothing too dramatic, and have it last throughout the work day. 

Circus by Andrea's Choice nail polish

This polish was developed by one of the ipsy 'gurus,' Andrea from Andrea's Choice. I got the shade Somersault, which is a beautiful yellow unlike anything I own. 

I'm excited to see what next month's bag will hold. It seems like ipsy just keeps getting better and better. I also enjoy how the subscribers receive the same items and hope that doesn't change in the future! Also, this month's bag was super cute! I loved the rainbow stripes! Keep it up, ipsy!

You can purchase an ipsy subscription {here}.

What did you think of July's ipsy bag?

-Claudia