December Ipsy

Merry Ipsy, ya'll! December's Glam Bag has some goodies that I am really excited to receive! For those of you new to the concept of Ipsy - it's a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers beauty samples to your door for just $10/month! Click here for more info or to subscribe.

Here's what I received this month.

• Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream - I really like this brand, and I've never tried this. Oddly, I can't find this product on their website, so I don't know if it's new or discontinued, but either way, I'm looking forward to using this.

• Bumble and Bumble Bb Straight Blow Dry - This product helps tame frizzy hair and keep it straight and styled for up to 3 days. Rarely do I go through blow dry products, so I'm happy to get a little tester - it'll last me forever!

• Cailyn Cosmetics Just Mineral Eye Polish in Orchid - This mineral eye shadow is made from 100% raw mineral powder. It is the most gorgeous pinky-nude shade and I can't wait to wear it!

• NYX Cosmetics Butter Lip Balm in Red Velvet - I love these butter balms. They provide a soft wash of color and they also hydrate. I prefer these over the Maybelline Baby Lips a million times over.

• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes mascara - I LOVE Tarte mascaras, and how convenient to have a little travel size! This mascara really does make your lashes look great. Love it!

What did you get in this month's Ipsy bag? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

May 2014 Wantable Makeup Box

Back in October I had the opportunity to try out a Wantable Makeup box, and come May I was offered the chance to try another! I really enjoyed the one I received a few months ago, so I was really excited to see what this box would bring.

For those of you who don't know much about Wantable, it's a subscription service that costs $36/month. You take a very detailed survey about your likes and dislikes and they send you a variety of beauty samples and full size products that fit your tastes. Below you'll see a snapshot of what my survey said I liked and disliked. To sign up for Wantable, just click here.

Here's what I received in my May Makeup Box.

• Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in Coral (value: $19) - I received one of these in a past Ipsy bag, although it was in a different shade. These aren't my favorite, as they're not very hydrating, but they do add a nice pop of color to the lips.

• Mirabella Lip Colour in Berry (value: $22) - Kind of an odd shade for a May box, this deep berry color screams fall in my mind. I really like it, but it seems more appropriate for a September box.

• Ofra Universal Eyebrow Eyeliner (value: $10) - This is far too dark to fill in my eyebrows, so unfortunately this is a dud for me. It feels like a nice quality pencil so I'm disappointed I won't get to use it.

• Vincent Longo Liquid Concealer in Fair (value: $28) - Oddly enough, my information sheet says I was supposed to get a Vincent Longo Dew Drop Blush, and I so wish that was right. Instead I got concealer which I don't use on a regular basis as I feel it brings out my fine lines. This is a nice high quality concealer though, and it isn't a cheap product so I'm happy regardless!

Overall, I think this was an OK box. I liked the one I received back in October better, but I do think this has some cool brands and products that I will have fun trying. I think the value you receive in a Wantable box is definitely worth the spendy price tag of $36, especially considering this box had a value over $70!

What do you think of Wantable? Let me know if you're a subscriber or plan to be!

Ipsy | April 2014

This month there's no Battle of the Subscription boxes now that I officially said goodbye to my Birchbox subscription. I've held on to Ipsy, a subscription service that is totally worth the $10 a month. You get so many awesome, and often full-sized products to try each month. If you're interested in susbcribing, click any hyperlinked "Ipsys" in this post.

First and foremost, how cute is the bag this month? It looks like a record player and the inside says "Beauty Rocks". I like the square shape of it, too. Here's what's inside...

• St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face - This moisturizer not only provides anti-aging benefits, but it adds a subtle glow to the skin. I actually have a full size version of this that I haven't pulled out to try just yet. This will be perfect for use on the go!

• Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink - This balm has a cool packaging feature - the top part houses a lip brush for application. It's FAR more pigmented than I expected it to be, providing a nice wash of color on the lips.

• dr. brandt microdermabrasion - This product is marketed as an at-home alternative to expensive dermatology office treatments. I'm a skin care junkie, so I'm looking forward to trying this. 

• Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet - I am super excited to receive a travel size of Urban Decay's awesome 24/7 eyeliner! This is a velvety smooth waterproof eyeliner, known for being absolutely amazing. 

• Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow eyeshadow in Champagne - This eyeshadow is super smooth, and a gorgeous shimmery champagne nude color. It smooths on like butter and would be a gorgeous shade for any skin color. Here's what the shade looks like (on the inner 1/3 of my eyelid).

Have you tried any of these products? Did you get anything different in your Ipsy bag? Let me know! 


p.s. Here's a bonus picture of Winnie from Easter! She had so much fun running around with family. Also, she has her own Instagram account now! Find her at: WinnietheGoldenRetriever