March Favorites

So many goodies, so little time. But despite my constant urge to switch things up and try the next latest thing, I kept reaching for these amazing products over and over this month. They are....

Suave Visible Glow Self-Tanning Body Lotion - My one and only gripe with this lotion is that I'm pretty sure Suave didn't even TRY to disguise the horrible self-tanner scent that I loathe (and I know I'm not alone on that hatred!). Aside from the awful fragrance, this stuff gives great color payoff and it builds easily and naturally. It actually looks like a real glow, not orange or streaky. My wrists are a little tell-tale, but that's because I wash my hands too soon after applying it. I use it at night so I don't have to smell it, and shower it off in the morning and voila! I don't look as ghostly as I normally do! Added bonus: this stuff is under $10!

L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara in Blackest Black - I've used this mascara in the past, and found it on clearance at Target so I snagged it up yet again. I forgot how much I love this stuff. It packs a serious punch in the volume department and makes my lashes look darn near like falsies! I don't know why people splurge on high-end mascara... the drugstore is FULL of great options! Once I go through my slew of mascaras, I'm going to put this on my repurchase list forever and ever. 

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I rotate between primers, but lately this pore refiner has been my go-to. It smooths easily over the skin and is slightly tinted. Once it's applied my skin looks completely poreless, like glass. This is just a mini sample size, but it could be worth a full-size purchase in the future! 

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear nail polish in Babe Blue - Cream nail polishes are my favorite, and this nearly neon blue is a stunner. I got so many compliments on this polish and I couldn't pull my own eyes away from my hands! Rarely do I use the same nail polish twice in the same year (don't judge me on my humongous collection...) but you can bet I'll be grabbing for this again soon!

Physician's Formula Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil Blush in Natural - I admit, when I saw the packaging and design of these blushes I judged them by their cover and had to have one. I really love Physician's Formula blushes though, so I wasn't let down in the least. This color is a really pretty pink and blends easily and naturally on my cheeks. If you've heard people go on and on about how heavily scented these are like I have, I can honestly say I hardly even notice the smell. I mean, it's lame they fragranced these blushes, but don't let that deter you from trying one out! 

L'Oreal Color Lift Blush in Rose Gold Lift - This is a beautiful cream blush that is a gorgeous shade of pink with gold shimmer. I used this so much this month because it looks natural and makes my face dewy so there's no highlighter required once you use this. But my favorite thing about this blush is that it LASTS. 8+ hours of wear ain't no thang for this cream blush! (Seriously, just look above at this beauty up close...ugh... gorgeous)


What have you been loving this month? Let me know!

Ipsy Glam Bag | March 2015

March's Ipsy Glam bag is a good one! For $10/month, this is a heck of a value! To get your own glam bag, click here to sign up.  Here's what came in this month's bag...

• Pur~lisse pūr~delicate gentle soymilk cleanser & makeup remover - This brand has been in my Ipsy bags many times, but never a cleanser. This cleanser is sulfate free and formulated with soy milk, whole oat and white tea. It's meant to wipe away makeup as well as cleanse the skin. 

• Dr. Brandt pores no more anti-aging mattifying lotion - This product helps to delay signs of aging. Retinol improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while apple stem cells work to maintain the longevity and activity of the skin's own stem cells. 

• NYX Lip Butter in Hunk - These lipsticks are awesome. They're moisturizing and mega-pigmented. Hunk is a gorgeous vampy purple pink. 

• Boo-Boo Cover Up in Medium - This concealer contains natural ingredients known to promote healing, so you can cover your blemishes while getting rid of them at the same time. This is probably a bit too dark for me, which is a bummer ipsy didn't use my profile quiz that specifically says I have fair skin. (Why ask if you don't bother using it?!)

• VINTAGE by Jessica Liebeskind Illuminating Face Highlighter in Crystal Pink - This product is meant to be swept across the apples of your cheeks and cheekbones to give skin a dewy glow. This has a really buttery formula and leans slightly towards discoball shiny, but it is a gorgeous highlight. It could easily be used as an eyeshadow if you prefer. '

Are you an Ipsy subscriber? What came in your bag this month? 

Ipsy Glam Bag - August 2014

Dare I say it....? I think this is the lamest Ipsy bag I've received to date. I'm not even disappointed though because I've been continually blown away each month until this very bag (and I've been an Ipsy subscriber for a year!) And because Ipsy has been so awesome every month, I'm letting this one slide because even for an OK bag, it's still pretty good. Here's what I got....

• Absolute Lip Balm in Green Apple - This is full-sized, which is pretty cool. It has a rather odd apple scent (I'm getting something more like watermelon each time I take a whiff) but it feels nice on the lips. These pots last me FOREVER so this has a great value for me.

• Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil - Rarely do I use pencil eyeliner so this product is a bit of a bust for me. But for those of you who do enjoy pencil liner, this feels fairly soft and has nice pigmentation. 

• Coastal Scents Forever Blush Sample Duo - The size/packaging on this is irritating to me, but the product inside is awesome. These blushes are gorgeous and super pigmented, and they're just 2 of the 18 available in this line.

• Urban Decay Perversion Mascara - This is a brand new product, and not the first Urban Decay has let Ipsters try out. I'm really excited to give this a try since it's not a cheap mascara by any means.

• dr. brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I received this way back in an old Birchbox but haven't really used it. I will probably give this to someone because I definitely don't need two. 

To receive beauty samples each month in your mailbox for just $10(!!!)-- click here. I'm telling you now... you won't regret it! 

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

February Ipsy vs. Birchbox!

You know the drill. Ipsy & Birchbox are both subscription beauty services that send you a sampling of beauty products once a month for just $10. Click any of the hyperlinked "Ipsy" or "Birchbox" links in the post to sign up today. Let's get right to it...

BIRCHBOX

• Juicy Couture Couture La La Malibu - I swear to god, I have received a million and a half Juicy Couture samples (different variations, of course) from Birchbox. I am so freakin' sick of receiving Juicy Couture fragrance samples. All I can say is at least this one didn't come broken. 

• Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner - I always like to try a new pore refiner, so I'll happily try this one out. 

• Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Kitten Heels - Oddly enough, there's nailpolish all over the cap of this sample, as if someone opened it up and used it. I think the mood-changing thing is a gimmick, but I'll try this out nonetheless. 

• Beauty Protector Protect & Oil - I love this brand! Their detangler is one of my favorites, so I'm super excited to try their newest product out as it's exclusive to Birchbox!

• 32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals with IsoVoxy - This is the weirdest thing I think I've ever received in a Birchbox. Breath freshening crystals. Odd, but I'm intrigued. 

IPSY

• Zoya Nail Polish in Odette - Full-size alert!! I very nearly bought this color for myself not too long ago, so I couldn't be happier to receive this (full-size no less!) in my Ipsy bag! If you've been reading Glazed Over for awhile, you're already aware Zoya is my favorite nail polish brand.

• Benefit High Beam - I redeemed some of my Ipsy points to get this in my bag this month, and I'm really glad I did. This is such a natural highlight for the cheekbones. Great product, great brand - love!

• J.Cat Beauty Eyelashes in EL15 - Full-size alert!! I have never tried eyelashes by J.Cat Beauty before. These look really dramatic and fun. Can't wait to try them!

• POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal - This is a gorgeous everyday color. I've enjoyed all I've tried so far from POP Beauty, and I expect I'll enjoy this, too. 
• Mally Beauty Evercolor Waterproof Eyeliner in Starlight - I don't have much need for a silver eyeliner, but I will more than likely try this out as I've been curious about Mally. Seems very creamy... I so wish it was black or brown!

• City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon - Full-size alert!! Look at the size of this thing! I've already tested this blush (from a brand that's completely new to me!) and it is so finely milled and extremely pigmented. Loving this so far!

It's pretty clear Ipsy is the obvious winner this month. Birchbox was doing so well for the last couple months that I thought they were making a real turn around. Unfortunately, I get so much value in my Ipsy bag that I am THIS close to cashing out my Birchbox points and ending my subscription. 

What do you think - which do you prefer? Ipsy or Birchbox?