Time has gotten away from me. I never got a chance to talk about my October ipsy bag, and now here’s November. So I’d like to show them both to you at once.
Alter Ego October 2015
I liked how the bag that’s gold on one side and black patent on the other fit the Alter Ego theme. Plus it’s a nice big bag.
Here’s what I received in October:
- theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Liquid Lipstick in Committed (though it comes in a lot of other shades): a pinky nude shade: deluxe sample size 0.04 fl. oz. It’s difficult to estimate the value because the full size, priced at $17, doesn’t give the amount contained but I’d guess the sample is valued at about $5. I love the shade, and though I’m not a fan of matte lipsticks or anything with mint in it, I do like this lipstick. I wouldn’t buy it because I don’t buy matte lipsticks, but I’m glad I got it.
- Ayres Hand Cream Pampas Sunrise: a silky soft, very fast absorbing, non-greasy hand cream in an unusual scent with lemongrass and patchouli that I like but some might not. It comes in 2 other scents. Size: deluxe sample 0.7 oz. $6.25
- Aurora Gel Effect Nail Lacquer in Inky Dinky, a ink dark purple-blue, full size 0.42 fl. oz. $12
- Go Away Gloomy Day by LeeAnni Eco: a facial skincare serum that is Anti-aging,
Moisturizing,and Soothing to irritated skin, deluxe sample 0.5 fl. oz., value $1.50
- Coastal Scents Xpress (yet another black) Line Cosmetic Pencil: I don’t need this. Please stop, ipsy, with the black eyeliners. Full size, 1.2 oz. $2.99 sale price, reg. $4.99
This month, I received two full size products and 3 deluxe samples. The contents of the October bag for me is $30.
So far, my favorite products are theBalm liquid lipstick and the Ayres Hand Cream. I haven’t tried the nail lacquer yet because I am so bad at applying super dark shades, but I will try it. It’s sounds great. Gel effects with no UV lamp. Haven’t tried the serum yet because I have so many serums. The serum and the Coastal Scents eyeliner will most likely go in my giveaway stash.
Here’s a look at theBalm Meet Matt(e) Hughes in Committed:
Impression: A decent month.
Beauty Blast November 2015
I love the Beauty Blast bag. It’s a fabric bag with an outer space design in raspberry, teal, purple, and very deep blue. It’s very attractive.
Here are the contents of the bag:
- tresTique Mini Matte Lip Crayon in Chile Red: the shade is perfect for me. The lipstick itself is so lightweight I hardly know it’s on. Although it’s matte (I wish the matte lip trend would end!), I can wear this shade too. I like it! Deluxe sample 0.02 oz. The full size product is double ended, a matte lipstick on one end and a lip balm on the other. I would really love that! The duos are priced at $28 and the website doesn’t give the size so it’s hard to estimate the value of the deluxe sample. A guess might be $7?
- ModelCo Highlighting Trio in Champagne, Peach Bellini and Bronze: cream bronzer, illuminator and blush in 3 very wearable shades for me, the colors are on the sheer side and easy to blend, size 3 x 0.04 oz. Unfortunately, the ModelCo website doesn’t give the size of the Trio that’s priced at $22 and I honestly can’t say if this is full size or a deluxe sample. I’m guessing deluxe sample, and I’m guessing $11 value.
- Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black: travel size 0.14 fl oz. I’ve been eager to try Smashbox mascara but haven’t had a chance to use it yet. It’s a lengthening fiber mascara that also volumizes. This version is not waterproof (good for me), but they also make a waterproof version. The full size is priced at $20, and the travel size I received is $9.
- Avancé Flawless Effects Skincare Mattifying Emulsion MT+ Sheer by Figs & Rouge: primer, pore refiner. Deluxe sample 15 ml/0.5 fl. oz., value about $19. I do not have enlarged pores plus I already have two great pore refiners from Shiseido and StriVectin so this goes in the giveaway pile.
- Luxie No. 290 (aubergine/eggplant matte) Powder Eyeshadow: full size (I think) 0.053 oz. I was going to add this cruelty-free, Vitamins C & E infused, shadow to the giveaway stash because I thought it was a deep brown shade, but seeing this in powder form online, the shade reads much more deep purple and I think I’ll try it. Full size (I think), $6.00
Impression: A Good Month! I’m excited about 4 of the 5 products. My value estimate is about $52.
Every time I think about canceling ipsy, I get an opportunity to try something I’ve wanted to try or I get a brand that I never heard of and end up loving. So I’m going to stay the course! If you want to subscribe for $10/month with free delivery in the US, I’d be grateful if you’d use my ipsy referral code! I’m trying to get enough points for the ColourPop shadow set so I need two more subscribers to get over the hump 😥
I have received several of the balm matte liquid lipstick and I like them. I am not a fan of the matte formula, but these don’t feel as try as some of the others that I have tried. I am super excited because I got the Smashbox mascara as well. Looks like you got some nice products.
Tee recently posted…Charlotte Tilbury – The Experience
Thanks, Tee, yes! I was definitely surprised that I can wear the theBalm matte liquid lipstick since I don’t really wear any of the others. I haven’t tried the Smashbox mascara yet, but I’m psyched too!
This looked like a good month! I like theBALM that you got last month, too! I ended up cancelling ipsy. Their customer service is abysmal!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Top 10 Foundations for Oily Skin
I was pleased enough with both bags. I have had good experiences with ipsy customer service on the rare occasions that I needed it so I’m sorry they weren’t helpful to you. I could you a change of pace, but I don’t want to spend more than $10 and Birchbox seems to have the same stuff just at different times so I’m hanging in with ipsy for a while longer. I still get introduced to brands I might not ordinarily try.
What a great month, indeed! I love that theBALM lipstick on you!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Michael Todd Soniclear Petite Antimicrobial Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush | Review
I do too, Helen. Thank you! I almost always hate the way matte liquids accentuate my dry, lined lips but this isn’t bad. And I love the shade 🙂
I think my ipsy bag comments are always the same so here I go again: I’m jealous !!!!!
We need ipsy bag in UK !!! LOL x
Dorota recently posted…MAKEUP THAT LASTS. BATTLE OF SETTING SPRAYS, PRICEY VS BUDGET FEAT. URBAN DECAY & AVON
I’m surprised that ipsy hasn’t launched worldwide, especially when L’Oreal was the owner, but who know, maybe Michelle will get a backer who wants to expand?
I got a very similar bag this month. I’m like you evey time I start to cancel the next bag is pretty good and so I stay hehe.
Leigh recently posted…Sephora Favorites Perfect Ten Beauty Sampler Review
Every time I think about canceling, Leigh, I realize there’s no way I could spent $10 and get as many goodies even if I limited myself to the drugstore. So I guess that means I’m hooked!
We got almost similar bags in October but I’m still awaiting my November bag. I hope I don’t get the lip crayon; I’m having an overdose of red lip products from boxes and advent calendars right now.
Renu recently posted…Eyeshadow Blending Brush Haul From Beautylish
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you don’t get the red lipstick then. It’s a very pretty color, but it’s not your shade!
I really like the actual bags for these two months. One reason I stopped my ipsy subscription was because I thought the bags each month were a waste, but these two are so cute!
Tess Galen recently posted…Evening Event Prep
I love the bags. I use them all the time for a million different things as well as for blog giveaways.
Man… the November bag itself is really nice and that Balm lippy is a great color on you.
Honeygirlk recently posted…Tips to Ensure a Happy and Healthy Furry Pal With Milk-Bone
I agree! The outer space pattern on that MU bag is soooo cute. And I was shocked at how much I like theBalm lipstick, a perfect shade.
Both of these bags look like they had some really nice products. I’d say they were definitely both winners. They’ve really improved their bags since the beginning of the subscription program.
Stacie recently posted…Friday Favorites
You are absolutely right, Stacie. Over the past year, they have improved markedly.
The Inky Dinky nail polish looks promising!
Phyrra recently posted…Top Ten Cruelty Free Foundations for Pale Skin
I really want to try it but I’m so bad at applying dark polish. Gotta psych myself up for it, and get the clean up brush and polish remover out
Ipsy can bite my big, white ass. They are putting out good bags, now, Yes, I am still bitter. lol
Erika recently posted…Get Your Skin Holiday Ready with Exuviance
Erika, I haven’t been feel well lately, but your comment made me laugh out loud sitting at home all by myself. Thank you!
Both bags are super cute! I got theBalm lip product too. This month I also got the highlighting trio and mascara. I was surprised but I really like the highlighters. So cool that they’re a cream formula. I got an eye shadow too in a pretty gold color and a eye blending brush. I’m always more excited for make-up products than skincare or hair care. Last month I also got a coconut scented moisturizer (love!), a Dr. Brandt cleanser, a horrible tweezer, and a different nail polish in a dark blue. So, 3 out of 5 were things I liked. Did you see the ColourPop shadow set in the points section? It’s 1500 points. It takes me forever to even get 500 points but you may have more through referrals. 🙂
I always love to hear what you got too, Natalie. The highlighter trio sure was a good surprise! I feel the same way as you: makeup rocks, not too much skincare and no haircare, lol. Your coconut moisturizer sounds like one I’d have liked to try. I got the horrible tweezers several months ago. Crown should be ashamed that they made it. I am dying for the ColourPop shadow set but I only have about 1100 points. I haven’t had so many people signing up and using my code lately. cry
I was on the fence with cancelling ipsy for a long time, and I finally did a few months back with no regrets. There is usually at least one really good thing in each bag (thebalm lipstick and Smashbox mascara in these two bags, for me!) but that wasn’t enough to justify it for me anymore.
Chelsea recently posted…Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette | Review & Swatches
The reason I keep it, Chelsea, though I would love to cut the cord, is that I couldn’t get nearly this much stuff for $10 even shopping at the drugstore. And it does introduce me to a lot of stuff I’d probably never get to try. I wish there was more variability in it, however, but for $10, it’s still a deal.
I love the shade of that theBalm lippie! It’s such a great nude, without being too light. I love Sample Society and Birchbox, because I rarely (if ever) get a black liner, they are SO over done in boxes! BB actually sent an eggplant purple one last month (I think it was last month lol) and I love it!
Julie recently posted…Makeup and Beauty Empties (November 2015)
Oh, you’re making me jealous, Julie! I did get a brown one and a navy blue one in the past but mostly just black
I received almost the same November bag as you but happily my lip crayon is nude which is more my style. For $10 I’m happy with Ipsy since I either use it or put the items into a giveaway as extras. I get my moneys worth each month and get to try something like the ModelCo trio and theBalm matte lip that I wouldn’t otherwise.
MarciaF recently posted…My favorite foundations for winter – Top 10 Tuesday
I feel exactly the same way, Marcia. I know I couldn’t get this much stuff at the drugstore or among prestige deluxe samples for $10. It’s still a deal.
ooh i think id like to try the balm lippy the most. I do love a good matte! xxx
whatlauraloves recently posted…NAIL SAVIOUR | Kiss Cuticle Care Daily Maintenance System
I think you’d like theBalm Meet Matte Hughes in Committed. It’s a great nude.
Thebalm liquid lippy looks nice. I agree, Nov’s bag is pretty catchy
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…BESAME COSMETICS CLASSIC COLOR LIPSTICK |1933 Merlot
The November bag definitely is a fun print. Very eye-catching.
Oh I love that theBalm shade on you!
Miranda Mendoza recently posted…Break Up Hair Buildup with the Goody Clean Radiance Brush
Thank you!
So many goodies in one post 🙂
Yes, lotsa fun stuff!
I used to be a member, but I needed to cancel because I was getting so overwhelmed with samples everywhere. However, I always get tempted when I see posts like this!!!
Christine recently posted…What I’m currently trying…
I hear ya, Christine. I put a lot of the products I can’t use into my giveaway stash, and fortunately I still find that I get turned onto something I wouldn’t ordinarily have tried so I keep hanging on.
I love the bags, but the contents aren’t too bad either! I definitely want to try the Balm’s liquid lipsticks. That shade is great.
Bailey recently posted…New & Noteworthy from Avon
I think that theBalm Meet Matte Hughes in Committed would look great with your fair complexion, Bailey. And yes, the bags are so cute. The outer space theme is super cute
Very pretty lipstick indeed!
Thank you!
Nice bags, both of them.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Amopé™ For a Pedi-Perfect Holiday!
I love the glaxy bag that Ipsy came out and enjoyed your reviews on both!!
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
Surprised to see Smashbox in ipsy. I agree the October bag was pretty decent but the makeup bags themselves are the real stand outs for me!
Kara recently posted…The Ultimate Relaxer Stretch Setback | Don’t Drink + Style #BlameItOnTheGoose
I was happy with both my bags with Ipsy for these 2 months!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Love Your Skin This Winter by Stocking Up On Skin Care Products at CVS
The Beaty Blast bag is amazing – I love stars and space so it would be a perfect purchase 🙂 I might have to get it!
– Ambar
I don’t think they sell ipsy outside of the US and Canada at this point, Ambar. But it is a cute one
You got some good stuff!