The December 2015 ipsy bag is called “For You With Love From ipsy”. The theme card gets across that this is a thank you from ipsy to their subscribers. Nice thought. What really would have been nice is if they threw in an example sample or product!
The red quilted plastic makeup bag is bright and festive for December. But it has a cheap look and feel about it. I’m usually a fan of the makeup bags, but this one isn’t the nicest.
In spite of my griping, I actually like the contents of my bag! Here’s what I got:
- Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer: deluxe sample 5g worth $10, full size 10 g $20. I liked all the Elizabeth Mott products I’ve tried through ipsy, so I’m looking forward to trying the eye shadow primer. During the last few years, I’ve stuck with Urban Decay and Milani eye primers so it’ll be fun to try something new.
- Pacifica Power of Love Natural Lipstick in Nudie Red, full size 0.07 oz $10. I was so psyched when I saw this in the box. The shade is perfect for me. But it has a not so pleasant chemically smell in spite of the fact that it’s natural and vegan. Also, it is difficult to apply because it’s dry. Although the shade is a hit, the formula is a miss.
- Befine Exfoliating Cleanser with Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond & Oats, deluxe sample 1.0 oz. worth $6.67, trial size tube 1.5 oz. $10. I’ve used this well made, natural brand before and I like it. Sounds like a nice exfoliating cleanser though I have a million, lol.
- Formula X Nail Color in Revved Up, a pale rose gold metallic mini worth $2.63, full size $10.50. This is the winner for me in this month’s ipsy bag. I adore the shade. Frankly, one coat would have been enough, but I put on a second to be safe. A perfect holiday season shade.
- Ricky’s NYC Classic 3D Blending Sponge, full size, $10. I haven’t tried out anything from Ricky’s NYC. I wish that store had been around when I lived in the city. Happy to try out their blending sponge and see how it stacks up against my favorite Beauty Blender! I’ll let you know.
Here’s a closer up photo of the Pacifica lipstick and Formula X nail polish so you can see the shades better. I’ll probably cover these two in separate posts in the future with swatches.
So how did the For You With Love From ipsy bag stack up? Well, I am happy to get to try out all 5 of the products even though the Pacifica lipstick formula fell short. The bag is worth almost $40 and I paid $10, so no complaints.
I’m still sticking with ipsy. And if you’d like to give it a go, I’d be grateful if you’d sign up via my referral link. Thank you <3
Pur Cameo Contour Giveaway Winner Announcement!!!
On a different subject, congratulations to the four winners of the Pur Cameo Contour Stick giveaway! Woo hoo! Here are the results:
DeAnna: Medium; Shipra: Tan; LaTanya: Dark; Stephanie M: Deep
I’ve sent emails to the winners and they have till Tuesday morning to get back to me with their addresses. If I don’t hear back, new winners will be chosen…but hopefully, I will get a quick reply from each of them.
Thank you all for participating! I really appreciate it. If you didn’t win this time, I’ve got more giveaways coming up shortly. So stay tuned 🙂
That polish is GORGEOUS!!!! The bag is cute, too bad it’s not better quality. I love red patent. 😀
Erika recently posted…StriVectin for a Firmer More Youthful Looking Neck
So far, Erika, the Formula X polish wears like iron. I am mega impressed with it. I love red patent too, and from far away, the bag looks wonderful. I use all my ipsy bags for various things and I’m sure I’ll use this bag too. What do I want for 10 bucks delivered, right?
What a bummer that the cute red makeup bag isn’t better quality. Cheap looking and feeling makeup bags just aren’t worth using. I really love the contents of the bag, though!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Luxury Lust List & Gift Guide
Although it’s not the greatest quality (hey, what do I want for 10 bucks delivered, right?), it’s kind of growing on me. I use the makeup bags for all kinds of things so I’m sure I’ll find something to do with this one. And yes, the contents of the bag were great this month. The Formula X polish along was a wonderful discovery!
I would want this just for the adorable makeup bag!
The Beauty of Life recently posted…Throwback Thursday: My Lifelong Obsession with Hats
Really? As I wrote, the bag is a thin, cheap plastic, but I do love the red and the quilting. Too bad it wasn’t fabric instead.
Awww I was so excited about that lipstick, and Nudie Red sounded like my kind of colour. Too bad about the formula.
I’m wondering if I got a bad one, Renu. I’m going to wait and see what Kristina says about the one she received in her ipsy bag once she tries it out.
It’s too bad the Pacifica lipstick formula wasn’t great. I haven’t been impressed with their stuff to be honest. The nail polish shade is sooo pretty! Such a nice rose gold colour.
Megan Joy recently posted…Last Minute Stocking Stuffers from Lush
Yes, the Pacifica lipstick was so promising, but so disappointing! I have an eyeshadow trio from Pacifica that I got in a Target beauty box. It’s a little bit light but I like it as an everyday shadow palette. But in general, I agree with your Pacifica assessment. The Formula X polish was a revelation!!
They did such a great job this month, right when I was considering cancelling them heheh. I love the red bag too, I might keep it instead of giving it away hehe
Heather recently posted…Holiday Gift Guide for Beauty Lovers
Isn’t that the way, Heather? Every time we get fed up, they do something right. My Pacifica lipstick smelled bad and was hard to apply. Did you get it, and if so, what did you think?
Another great Ipsy bag. I’m interested to see your thoughts in the Ricky’s sponge. I use to love shopping there.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Osmosis Longwear Lipstick Are Must Haves,For The Lips
I haven’t tried the Ricky’s sponge yet. But today I tried the sponge that came with the Pur Minerals Cameo Contour. I’m crazy about using it for contouring, but it did a great job applying my foundation. I’ll let you know about the Ricky’s sponge!
I think the bag design is really cute, but it is kind of cheap. I’ll store something in it, but won’t carry it in my bag.
I got the same Pacifica lipstick as you. I totally agree with your assessment of the formula. I found it really dry, and it smells and tastes awful. I found the taste really lingers, too. Blech. I received the nail polish, but I haven’t tried it yet. It sure looks pretty. I also received the eye primer. I think it’s pretty good, but not as good as Too Faced Shadow Insurance or UD Primer Potion. My lids are really oily, though.
I also got Klorane Floral Water Makeup Remover with Soothing Cornflower. It said you could use it to take off eye makeup, but it made my sensitive eyes sting like crazy. It worked fine on my face, but I didn’t think it was anything special. My last item was the Acure Cell Stimulating Face Mask, which I keep forgetting to use.
Thank you, Rachel, for letting me know about your ipsy bag. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who thought the Pacifica lipstick has serious issues! I was going to write to ipsy and ask if I got a bad one! I love the shade so I’m sad that I’ll end up tossing it. I tried the Eliz Mott eye primer yesterday, and I liked it. It worked well for me, but my eyelids are the opposite of yours: mine are dry as a bone. Too bad that the Klorane micellar water stung your eyes. That was going to be my first question about it! Why can’t companies make a MW that doesn’t sting? I can only use Simple MW on my face, and I’ve heard other women say they can’t even use BioDerma MW on their eyes. From the name of the Klorane, it sounded like it would be so gentle. We’ll just have to keep looking
I’m glad to hear the eye primer worked better for you. I had a feeling it would be better on normal or dry lids. It lasted 6-8 hours on me, depending on what I did, which isn’t awful.
The Klorane was the first MW I’ve ever tried. Now I’m not really eager to try more. lol
I’m wearing the eye primer again today. So far, so good 🙂
I agree, the bag looks pretty cheap. However, what a great assortment of products this month. The cleanser sounds good enough to eat. LOL!!
Stacie recently posted…Cherish Family Time
I used the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser last night, and it isn’t kidding around. It has serious exfoliating stuff in there. It feels like diamond dust. Almost too harsh, but it did a great job, and my sensitive skin didn’t have any issues in the aftermath. Definitely worth trying. A good surprise!
I got the same lippie. I LOVE it. Super jealous you got a blender. Thanks for sharing.
Ashlyn recently posted…Sexy New Years Eve Makeup
Ashlyn, have you tried your Pacifica Nudie Red lipstick yet? As I wrote, my smelled bad, like chemicals, and the formula was very dry and hard to apply. I’m wondering if i got a bad one, or is that how they all are? What did you think?
this bag is just meh for me that’s what I quit.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…New! Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush Wardrobe!
I understand especially since we have so much makeup already. For me, there’s always something that makes it worth $10 especially since the deluxe samples at Sephora or even Macy’s cost more than $10 each. This month so far, it’s the fabulous Formula X nail polish that I’ve never tried and the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser that totally blew me away. So I stick with it. 😉
So much fun trying out new products! That nail polish is speaking to me ??
The Formula X nail polish is phenomenal, both the color and the wear time. So happy I got to try it out
I love the actual bag, too cute. Allure Beauty Box is really great for adding in extra samples (sometimes even two). It’s $5 more, but I’ve never had a bad box!
Julie recently posted…Pur Cosmetics Cameo Contour Sticks
In person, the MU bag is kinda cheap this month after many month of great MU bags, but I like the contents so I’m happy with it 🙂 I definitely think if ipsy was doing a “thank you” since Michelle Phan got her brand back, she should have given out an extra perk
How cute is the little Formula X bottle!? I’ve used the Befine scrub in the past and really enjoyed it.
Bailey recently posted…Ceramic Glaze Fall/Holiday Collection 2015
I love the Formula X bottle and the polish itself is phenomenal! I used the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser last night, and I was amazed at how great it was. It felt like one of those micro diamond dust exfoliators, and it did an amazing job. Good bag this month!
My bag is identical except that I got an EM eyeshadow palette which totally surprised me. I thought the same thing as you about the cosmetic bag but how many cosmetic bags can we use anyway.
MarciaF recently posted…Some holiday Pop Fizz and Clink with December’s Boxycharm
Wow, how big was the EM palette, Marcia? That’s pretty amazing. Was it an extra gift?
It’s a full size palette. I was wondering if everyone got it. Since the line is going out of business I think we’ll start seeing more EM in the bags.
MarciaF recently posted…Some holiday Pop Fizz and Clink with December’s Boxycharm
No, I didn’t get one. I own one of them as well as the Life Palette. I have one that I bought to giveaway so I better do that! Too bad the line is going out of business. It wasn’t well managed unfortunately. I still love the double-ended contour stick – perfect shade, formula and size. And the life palette was a cool concept. Sad.
Well…one good thing about that makeup bag is that it looks waterproof 😉
I was looking forward to hearing about that lipstick…too bad about the chemical smell…that’s so strange!
Elaine recently posted…Gifts Ideas for the Hostess / Host
I was just carping about the bag, but I’ve got so many good ones from ipsy that this cheaper looking one doesn’t matter. Thankfully, I like what was inside 🙂
I know what you mean w/ the bag, it definitely looks cheapo 🙂 But the products are quite nice
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…CONTOURING MADE EASY | Pur Cameo Contour : Review, How-to and Swatches of Every Shade
Yes, the products were very nice. For me, the Formula X polish and Befine Exfoliating Cleanser were the standouts
Everyone seems to be loving this month’s Ipsy bag- I’ve been seeing it everywhere! That Formula X polish looks stunning though 🙂
Megan T. recently posted…Happy Holidays: Lookbook 2015
The Formula X polish – Revved Up – is all that!
I’m always so excited to see what you received from Ipsy! I also got the lipstick (pretty shade but totally agree) and nail polish (LOVE!). The other items in my bag were the Klorane make-up remover (thumbs up), Peter Lamas hand cream (nice), and Be A Bombshell black eye liner (boo!!). Really, another black liner?! Once again, it’s a mix of loves and dislikes but I’m still happy. 🙂
Shame about the Pacifica lipstick formula, boo! I heard from another reader that the Klorane micellar water burned her eyes, but glad to hear you’re having good luck with it. I got a bottle of the Peter Lamas hand cream from the company in August and I love it. I’m almost finished with the huge tube of it. I would definitely buy it, but I have two more hand creams to finish up first. I love the consistency of the PL hand cream – hydrating but not heavy and greasy. I’m with you on the BAB black liner! Start sending some colors!!
I’d have been REALLY excited for the Pacifica Lipstick! It’s so pretty!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…OPI Starlight Nail Polish Collection Swatches + Review
Unfortunately, you would have been really disappointed. The Pacifica lipstick smells like chemicals and the formula is dry and awful
That little nail polish is adorable! I have a similar shade that is for sure a favorite. So wearable.
Tess Galen recently posted…Reviva Labs Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester and DMAE Cream
The formula of Formula X is incredible. I’m hooked!
I finally bit the bullet and unsubscribed. Too many samples I never use, so even though it’s just $10, that’s still 10 too many down the drain. The bag itself is super cute this month though!
I get it! There’s still always something or two worth the $10 for me. But the bag this month, though it looks cute, is really cheap plastic. However, the Formula X polish, the Eliz Mott eye primer, and the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser are immediate winners for me plus I’m eager to try the Ricky’s blending sponge. Only the Pacifica lipstick was a disappointment but at least I know not to buy it!
ooohlala, you got a ton of goodies in your bag. I haven’t opened mine yet and I’m very excited to open my bag. I’m also sticking with Ipsy xo
Brigette Ramos recently posted…Beauty Blast by Ipsy | November 2015
Yay! Eager to find out what you got. And if you got an EM Cosmetics palette. I didn’t. But I’m still in for ipsy 😉
Love that Formula X shade!! Perfect for the holidays.
Chelsea recently posted…Sephora Collection Gift Ideas | Rose Gold
I’m wondering how Revved Up differs from the rose gold you featured in your rose gold post?
I’m posting about my bag in a couple days but I hated it! I have a couple different products and of course another eyeliner but I’m really not impressed this month 🙁
Color Me So Crazy recently posted…Michael Todd Intensive Lip Treatment for Your Winter Lips
Oh no, Brigitte! How unfair! Most of the reviews I’ve seen so far were positive. I’m sorry you got a bad one. I’ll look forward to seeing what you got and seeing what the issues were. I’m wondering if you got the Pacifica lipstick with the bad formula too!
Ack! You just reminded me that my bag came in and I haven’t opened it yet!
Go for it, girl! And if you get the Pacifica lipstick, let me know if yours is OK, please
Bummer regarding Pacifica ~ perhaps you got a bad one? I haven’t tried these lips sticks (have a few of their glosses which I like).
Monica
Monica P recently posted…Casually Festive
I thought maybe I just got a bad one, but so far I’ve heard from 3 other women who had the same experience. I wouldn’t buy the Pacifica lipstick after this. I’m sad because the shade is great.
That gold polish is perfect for the holiday season! I’m wearing a similar one from Revlon right now 🙂
Kristin Bassett recently posted…Hitting the (Pri)mark
I also love the formula of this Formula X polish. No chipping after 4 days. For me that’s a miracle!
It’s too bad the Pacifica lipstick formula wasn’t great. I’ve tried their eyeshadow and love it. The nail polish looks cute for the holiday season. I’m wearing one from Essie 🙂 I picked up recently.
sharonbeautyprime recently posted…Elf Subtle To Sultry Eyes Review, Photos and Swatches
I’m on the fence about Pacifica. I have one shadow trio that I like for everyday, but in general I find their shadows a little bit wan. And I had high hopes for the lipstick but it seems like something is definitely off about it, and I’m not the only one who had this experience, boo hoo. I love essie shadows! I just bought the gel topcoat.
Interesting review of your December Ipsy but except for the BeKind which I tried in the early years with Birchbox (great on body/feet not on face grit needs to be finer!). I can tell in the picture that its those “cheap” quilted design 🙁
Merry Christmas!
Ursula
I actually love the Befine Exfoliating Cleanser. It’s great! So interesting that we all have different tastes and preferences. Hope you had a Merry Christmas, Ursula!
The cleanser sound right up my street, I love Almonds and nutty scents I bet this smells incredible. I love the cute little make up bag to 🙂 xx
The Befine Exfoliating Cleanser is amazing wonderful and it really does the job!
I received the lipstick as well and I agree, the color is great but the formula is such a miss!!!! I also receive the eye primer and I love it. I got really decent products in this month’s bag.
Tee recently posted…Christmas Faves
That Formula X polish is really pretty — and the size of the bottle is SO cute! 😀
Katie Garvin recently posted…10 Stocking Stuffer Gift Sets Under $20 (A Holiday Gift Guide)
Those minis get me every time!