I was all set to pull the plug, and Ipsy sent me two things in particular that have made me reconsider for now. (I know, I’m like the boy who cried wolf when it comes to pulling the plug on my $10 subbie boxes!)
The theme for February is Ipsy Unzipped, and the concept of the bag is based on lingerie.
I adore the peachy-taupe (what we used to call “flesh-tone”) faux suede makeup bag with black lace decoration at the top. So soft and pretty. One of the nail bloggers I follow, Kerry from Painted Fingertips, just did a stamped mani with almost the exact lingerie theme. What a coincidence. I love it!
Inside the bag, the first thing that got my attention was the double-ended crease and blending eyeshadow brush #249 from Luxie. I adore Luxie brushes, and through Ipsy, I have 8 of them. That’s what’s making it so difficult for me to pull the plug. (full size, worth about $24)
Next in gorgeousness is the beautiful nail polish shade from vegan, cruelty-free Trust Fund Beauty, Wine O’Clock. I love burgundy polishes. I wore it Saturday night when Jeff and I went out for our real Valentine’s dinner at a really nice restaurant in Gloucester. The polish is super shiny, and very pretty. It took two coats to cover. It looks like a crelly formula to me. An odd thing, however, on the Ipsy website, they’re showing a pink shade as the shade in this month’s Ipsy bag. And looking for Wine O’Clock on line, it seems to be sold out most places. Oh well, I still like it! (full size, $15)
I’ve become a big fan of all the travel size sticks from tresTique. This time I got a mini eye pencil in Swiss Chocolate that I will definitely use. How wonderful that it’s not black! Perfectly sized for my makeup bag! (mini pencil, $10)
Nice to see that the brand, PUR, has joined the Ipsy family. I got a travel size of PUR Fully Charged Mascara. I reviewed this mascara when it first came out a couple of years ago, and it’s a good one. Not sure if I’ll gift this to someone since I have so many mascaras waiting in the wings, or replace the travel size Tarteist that’s in my makeup bag now. Ah, decisions! (travel size, $15)
Last is a very generous travel size tube (50 ml/1.7 oz.) of Marc Anthony Strengthening Grow Long Leave-In Conditioner. Since my hair grows like weeds because of the biotin that I take, and I don’t like leave-in conditioner, I’ll give this away somewhat reluctantly because I like Marc Anthony haircare.
As you can tell, I liked this month’s Ipsy bag. It was worth more than $64 plus the cost of the Marc Anthony travel size conditioner that I couldn’t find except in full size ($9.99). When I went on the Ipsy site to see if I could find the price of the double-ended Luxie makeup brush and Marc Anthony (I couldn’t!), I ended up redeeming 600 points for a foundation brush from F.A.R.A.H.
Ipsy seems to be changing up the benefits that they give subscribers. In addition to getting points that you can redeem for products, they now seem to have a “cash back” program with some of the brands. For instance, there’s 15% cash back on Luxie, 20% cash back on Trust Fund Beauty and tresTique, and 30% cash back on PUR purchases made through Ipsy. Also Ipsy offers $5 back after you make your first purchase through their website. It will be interesting to see if this model is a success. As always, if you are one of the few makeup lovers who hasn’t tried Ipsy and want to, please use my referral code. 🙂
This is a pretty good bag indeed and yes, they have changed they point redemption programme. I believe the cash back and ability to purchase products with a discount is limited to US only so us in Canada are left in the dust. 🙁
IMO, the new cashback & purchase through Ipsy program is a scam. Canada’s better off without it. I liked the way it was before when you got a percentage off and purchased directly through the manufacturer. This way, you have to wait to get your little rebate from Ipsy. It sucks.
I think this seems to be a really good bag and that polish is very nice!
I live for chocolate brown eyeliners. Love that item!
I can see why you are having second thoughts about canceling after this selection. This looks quite good, and I love that Trust Fund polish!
Although the Trust Fund Wine O’clock polish only lasted two days, the vampy crelly shade was perfect for our night out!
I hope you enjoyed your Valentine dinner! This bag is a total win, I love the bag too. I am considering Ipsy again, I love the idea of surprises each month.
Thank you, Judy! We had a lovely dinner. I’ve been subscribing to Ipsy for more than 3 years, and I just can’t seem to pull the plug. The cute bags, the makeup brushes and the good surprises like Trust Fund Beauty and others keep me hanging on 😉
I hope you had a great V day. I thought that was lingerie, lol. I think it’s a good mix of items overall
That’s a great selection and the makeup bag is adorable!
I’m always debating pulling the plug too. Your bag is again better than mine but I’m not leaving yet. That Pur mascara is one of my favorites so that would have been great for me. I don’t need polish but I love Trust Fund’s polishes since they wear so well on me. I’m glad that you will enjoy your bag this month.
Thanks, Marcia! I wish you had been more pleased with your bag this month. Somewhat surprisingly, I only got two days from the Wine O’clock polish from Trust Fund Beauty, but the gorgeous crelly shade was perfect for our night out that I’m not complaining.
This is a fun bag! I’ve not tried that polish brand but it looks nice!
Trust Fund Beauty is a 7-free, CF polish. I really like their shades.
This is a very good bag, and I love that there’s a full-sized brush and a nail polish! This always happens to me when I decide to cancel as well LOL. It’s almost as though the brands know we’re going to cancel, and then they up their game!
I think you’re right!
Aww thank you for the link! You’re right, the bag & nail art look identical!
It seemed like such a coincidence, Kerry, that I had to include a link!
Haha! I know exactly what you mean by wanting to pull the plug on subscription boxes and then they lure us back in with a good box. This is a great one. The polish is gorgeous and I’d like everything else in it too!!
Both my Ipsy and Play bags were terrific this month. They must have known I was going to pull the plug. Now they’ve got me for another month 😉