IPSY November 2013 bag (Review)

I don't know how to apologize for this review for being so late. Been in a stressful rush lately to apply to get my Esthetician license with some hiccups and possibly missing the due date. I am glad to say I am back home in Hawaii and ready to work (preferably not in retail.) Then again to be honest with my readers the few that there are, I never planned to be 26 still living with my parents. They are amazing people don't get me wrong but sometimes when you fail at getting a job or anything career wise it can become disheartening. The last thing I want to be is a disappointment to them, I want to live on my own, and know what it's like to file my own taxes without help. Yet I am part of the percentage of Americans that don't get a job in their field right after they graduate College because it's competitive and they like this thing called experience (And they don't want to be the ones to give it to you.) All personal matters aside I love my interest in the cosmetic world and the fan base it creates. And I hope I can share my gathered knowledge and get paid for it one day. Yet for now I will just leave what I learned here or what I've found that I think would interest others as well. 

Thank you for being curious enough to see what I have to say about things that make us happy. Because options are like assholes, everyone's got one and this blog is mine. ;)

Ok now to the good stuff!

List of products:
1. [Full sized] Kiss, ever ez lashes - 03 (Came with glue and applicator)
2. [Full sized] Pixi beauty, bronzer - Subtly Suntouched
3. [Full sized] Nailtini - Caviar Cocktail
4. [Full sized] Be a Bombshell, lip crayon - Shameless
5. [Full sized] EM cosmetics, waterliner - Emerald
6. [Full sized] Starlooks, Gem eye pencil - Amethyst


Wow 6 full sized products for November that's redonkulous. Ipsy's reputation for being one of the best beauty subscriptions is undisputed. I used to compare them with Birchbox and let me tell you Ipsy always makes room for improvement while Birch just believes in their diehard fans. Which is ok, nothing wrong with it. I just need a better deal for my buck is all, cause well I am jobless for the moment. :/

Bag & Product photos:

My Ipsy November 2013 bag.

I am soooo happy they went with snake print this time, can't tell you how much I am a reptile print gal. The color is actually gold out of photo but I've notice that it changes with format or with different lighting. Needless to say I was blessed with an over abundance.


Product photos and reviews:

Kiss, ever ez lashes - 03

These were amazing lashes, they are light weight and on a clear band. The length is just enough to pass for a natural look. This was just crazy to receive because it's 2 pairs of false lashes with an applicator and glue. The glue was good, it did not irritate my eyes and did a decent job of staying on. Although it was clear glue that has a duo chrome hue which I thought was rather unusual for lash glue. But it dried clear and looked just fine after I lined it. If this doesn't get you to want to subscribe just wait.

Pixi beauty, bronzer - Subtly Suntouched

Now Pixi has some great stuff and for this bronzer I just loved the velvet finish of the case. Yet Ipsy kinda hit a miss with me on the color. When this could work for fair skin this just look like there was nothing on my face. The slight shimmer probably could be seen just the color was meh worthy. I do like a good bronzer, I just prefer to be able to see it and then blend it.

Nailtini - Caviar Cocktail

Now this wasn't the original color I was expecting to get, there was a copper-ish one. Yet I actually liked and worked with this shade better. The metallic dark gray color just popped in lights and complimented my skin tone rather well. The perfect transition color from fall to winter, in fact most metallic shades are best suited for this time. That won't stop me though from wearing this shade in the other seasons as well. This is the 3rd nailtini polish I've gotten over the year and this one I will keep for myself. (Not that I need anymore nail polish. Seriously I have a decent massive collection.)

Be a Bombshell, lip crayon - Shameless

Meh, is the word I've choose to describe this color. It's pretty sheer fuchsia color, can build up but the shimmer in it just turns me off. The formula is decent and might even be better then the Revlon lip crayons with out the minty smell. Shameless just didn't work for me at this moment, maybe later in a year I'll change my thoughts about it and heck this could work for you if you just love the color of the swatches. It just didn't get my goat.

EM cosmetics, waterliner - Emerald

Color predictable, but boy did this liner live up to the hype! Totally giggly that Michelle Phan decided to share her line with us this month and even more to come. I already have two of the lipsticks and just love love love them. The color always seems predictable since they know it's my favorite color. The formula is really exquisite, highly pigmented, easy to work with, and really is meant for that water line. I mean its semi-permanent once it drys, which means you need to be a little fast and precise. Has a built in sharpener and smudge tip as well.

Starlooks, Gem eye pencil - Amethyst

Did not expect to get two eyeliners in one bag, that is a first. They are different colors and brands which feels like a cop-out but a cop-out in my favor. I really wanted to try this shade to get me out of my purple shy. Shimmery enough to pass for a silver but purple undertone to give it a shy pop of color. This wasn't so water proof though, when I did try this with a primer it still creased. Though I think that was the primers fault. Pigmentation is fantastic and easy to work with.

So that is all she wrote, for last month's Ipsy bag, if you want me to review October let me know in the comments. Though personally I wasn't really that into what I got after I came home to see it. I will however show you my Halloween photo since it is a rather good Kabuki fox makeup look that Rose shock inspired me to do. The mouth is the same but I felt after the fact that I should have added more teeth. Contacts were from Pinkyparadise in Venus Bright red.

So whether your late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it satisfies you.

-Val

Ipsy V.S Birchbox August2013 round four *FIGHT!*

Helloo my grand masters of the passion. Today is the last, yes the last V.S blog post. I will be moving to Portland for a while just a month in a half to network and visiting animation studios. Plus I discontinued my Birchbox subscription after this month. I felt by many reasons that I was losing more money then I was getting and we all have seen in past posts why this is. Of course I will still blog about Ipsy subscriptions as well as try new beauty subscriptions out there. But for now lets just end the massacre that is this final battle of the beauty subscriptions.

Our final fight is now here lets begin:
 

Here is our champion Ippsssy<3!!!

Ipsy just blows Birchbox's 10 buck sample box out of the water and even with the extra deals added I can't see how Birchbox just doesn't care to step it up. Ipsy just has the most protective subscribers too, I mean ladies, gee's calm yo tits. Just cause one person didn't agree with something in there bag is NO reason to attack them and tell them to get off to let someone else who shares the SAME opinions you do to step in. If you don't agree just say so and stop being such a bitch. That might be the only reason I find Ipsy lacking on their online site. Protecting their subscribers from their subscribers. I hardly see that on Birchbox, if someone doesn't like it I don't see some crazy lady going off at them.


List of Products:
1.) Deluxe sample sized - Pacifica, Alight multi-mineral BB cream.
2.) Travel sample sized - Michael Todd, Jojoba charcoal facial scrub.
3.) Sample sized - Pixi, Lash booster mascara.
4.) Full sized - MICA, eyeshadow in Bronze.
5.) Sample sized - Urban Decay, Revolution lipstick in Anarchy.

Pacifica, Alight multi-mineral BB cream.

This was a nice sample to try and the fact I get more then one use lets you learn more about it and how this product works. It is a sheer illuminizer with sun protection but again is sheer and even though helps keep your tone even doesn't cover the already there sun spots, acne scares, etc. It is lightly scented and it's alright. It's probably best to use a BB powder on top to make it look more like a natural glow. Best to use concealer as well. (Ipsy 1)

Michael Todd, Jojoba charcoal facial scrub.

 

The Michael Todd true organic line has always been in the back of my mind. Especially for the pumpkin mask which has been raved over and over about. I was hoping to get the mask in my bag and when I got this instead yeah, I admit I was disappointed. But the reviews on the Jojoba charcoal scrub were good on the Ipsy site so I went with it. I used this twice and finally just gave in to love, it is a nice light non abrasive cleansing scrub. The Ipsy site gave all the subscribers a 30% off code for the Michael Todd site, so if I want to just buy the pumpkin mask I can get it at a more affordable price. Because the full price item is just what keeps me at bay. (Ipsy 2)

Pixi, Lash booster mascara.

I keep having a love hate with the mascaras that come in the Ipsy bags. This was another miss in more ways then one. When I read about it, it seems like a dream. A waterproof lash boosting mascara that keeps curl and makes them look full. Um no, the wand stopper pops out and the applicator it's self isn't the type that I like to work with. Because it's really messy I got mascara on the lashes and skin even when I tried to lightly use it. (Ipsy 0)

MICA, eyeshadow in Bronze.

 










MICA's bronze eyeshadow was much to be desired for those who don't have 2 just like it in their beauty collections. This color just pops in the sun and is great for that summer to fall change. For me it came off to shimmery and for someone who always sticks to shimmer. This doesn't get me out of my comfort zone which I was looking for. After I swatched it, just wasn't impressed as I thought I'd be. Highly pigmented as most loose shadows are. Has a great multi-versatile use as a illuminating bronzer (When used with a serious light touch.) So for those who got this and loved it that's great, but for me not so much. (Ipsy 0)

Urban Decay, Revolution lipstick in Anarchy.

I wasn't but was expecting this to be in my bag this month, even though I was looking forward to the 69 color I am happy with Anarchy. I know some of you are saying "OH you're so lucky." Not really but thanks, everybody will eventually get this product in the up and coming bags. It's probably because I've been a subscriber for a while. I actually passed on these when they came out, and told myself I'll get to it when I am fully interested in them. But now that Ipsy has beat me to it, I applaud you Ipsy for the knock out. The bullet of this fuchsia lipstick is beautiful because it has this warm metallic shine to it. But when you look at it on your lips the shine doesn't come out. This was a cute bright color that just pops in light. Not only that it has really good lasting power. There was still a good amount left at the end of the day, after drinking and eating. The formula is so divine and doesn't dry out my lips like most 12 hour lipsticks do. (Ipsy 3)








The challenger the B-brawler of the box! Birchbox~!!!

Oh Birchbox, it was nice while it lasted for 5 months but enough was enough. After that melted lipstick and tiny samples it just didn't seem like this would last. I did like to try all the great products but when you realize you CAN'T afford most of it. Nope...just no. The website is probably the best part because of the exclusive products and limited edition things. The also give great storage space for little nicknacks afterwards. So I just decided to save my 10 dollars for things I do need. But I hope these posts helped other Beauty explorers get a little more info about the differences between the two. So lets end this.

List of products:
1.) Sample size - Dr.Jart+, premium BB cream spf 45.
2.) Deluxe sample size - MIYU beauty, de-stress mi beauty essence & tea.
3.) 2 sample sized - OC8, professional mattifying gel.
4.) Travel sample sized - Whish, exfoliating body wash.
5.) Sample sized - Whish, hair inhibiting deodorant swipes. 

Dr.Jart+, premium BB cream spf 45.

The Dr.Jart+ BB cream was a tiny cute squeeze bottle. Like all the other BB creams Birchbox gives me it never matches my skin tone. I did let it oxidize and it match a little bit better, yet it's not something I wanted to try or ever buy. It's got great coverage, and doesn't feel too heavy on. It did give me a 'looks like your wearing sunscreen face.' Maybe though it's something you'd like to try. (Birchbox 0)

MIYU beauty, de-stress mi beauty essence & tea.

I really liked this, even though it wasn't getting the best reviews on the site. The de-stress mi beauty mist is really light and refreshing. I didn't think so at first since the licorice and peppermint ingredients sound rather harsh. Yet it is so delicate and comforting a great item to have. The tea I haven't tried yet but it has sugar pearls and chamomile. The full price bottles are out of my price range for this though. This was quite enjoyable, my mom liked this too so I might just give it to her for the office. (Birchbox 1)

OC8, professional mattifying gel.

I was pretty happy there were two of these and not just one. Still yet I get more samples then this for free at Sephora. This mattifying gel though from OC8 is great, it's light weight and soaks up quick. I still get oily depending on the foundation or BB cream I use but not as crazy as before. It doesn't really last up to 8 hours on a hot day in Hawaii, but it does it's job. (Birchbox 2)

Whish, exfoliating body wash.

I haven't tried this yet, but I can't wait to. I've had a bamboo body scrub before and it was nice. I guess so nice that the guys used it up. Guys = (Boyfriend's house and roommates.) This is a great sized product too, and in a great budget range. With sugar cane and bamboo powder, it's a nice body scrub to buff off dead skin for a healthy glow. (Birchbox 3)

Whish, hair inhibiting deodorant swipes.

Umm, what you try'na say Brichbox? Hahahaa, but no really I always wanted to try these because there have been times I ran out the door without deodorant. Luckily I work in a perfume heavy half naked store. Did you guess yet? Yeah but I work in the back so the cologne doesn't hide me. As for the hair inhibitor at first I had to ask myself what does that mean? The description says it's a deodorant wipe that slows hair growth. That's like a two for one, multi purpose, and take it with you amazballs. I would probably shell the 16 bucks for this on the website. But I will hold on to this when I really NEED it. (Birchbox 4)




And with a surprise turn around the winner is Birchbox!!!

Go figure right? The month I stop on is the box that actually beats Ipsy. Birchbox snuck(sneak) by with 4 points where Ipsy just got 3. I have to admit I was thinking I may regret this. In all honesty the overall products I was getting from Birchbox with the amount I was giving just left me with a ripped of sense. This box does add up to me, since the MIYU and the Whish body scrub were good sized products to try. That Dr.Jart+ though was a WTF moment. Over all I am glad Birch got to with this one, they actually won the first month that I didn't blog about. But 2 out of 3 just seems like a red flag for my money spending. So congrats Birchbox, own it, cause you did put up a great fight.


Birchbox                                                                                        Ipsy





So whether you're late in the game or ahead of the trend do it because it makes you happy.
-Val