Ipsy Glam Bag Plus “Take a Break” for July 2020

This month, Ipsy Plus is all about the vacation with an emphasis on staycation. Makes sense. I haven’t even gone to the beach once yet this summer 🙁

I noticed that this month there was no product card in the box. You know, the card or flyer that describes each product and what it’s worth. I actually miss it. I think it’s worth sending an email to Ipsy to find out if they got rid of it to save them money. I guess they probably had to put together several different versions depending on what was in the box, since not all the items are the same.

Enough complaining from me. Here’s what came in my July “Take a Break” Ipsy Plus box:

First, the makeup bag. It’s a cute lavender smooth plastic bag with an aqua zipper and an adorable airplane zipper pull. The Wanderlust tropical island must be a nod to summers past, or idealized summers. Anyway, it’s a cute bag. The airplane zipper pull was the best part.

• Tarte Sea Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara: I never used to be one for volumizing mascaras because I often ended up with clumpy lashes. But I was happy to get a chance to try this mascara from Tarte because I do like some of their formulas. The tube is a pretty shade of pale seafoam green, so that was a step in the right direction. The wand is made of tapered bristles. The formula is thick, somewhat dry, and I think it has fibers in it. Nevertheless, it’s fairly easy to apply. I often apply mascara with the tip of the wand to individual lashes in order to avoid clumps especially with a volumizing mascara, and after sweeping the mascara through my lashes once, I used the tip of the wand on individual lashes afterwards to straighten everything out. The name of the mascara is Surfer Curl, and so far it definitely helps lashes curl and maintain the curl. I had no flaking and no smudging. So far, I really like this mascara, and that was a surprise. However, I will be eager to see how the formula will be as time goes on. I have a little concern that it could get clumpier, but hopefully not. $23

• Ciate Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer: I haven’t had a chance to really take this Hydrating Primer from Ciate for a test drive yet. I wear foundation so seldom, but I really do want to try this. It’s a cool product. It comes in a translucent plastic tube with a pump dispenser. It’s called Watermelon Burst, and it does smell like watermelon – though the scent fades on contact. I am really curious about the “hydrating” part. I’ll let you know, but it looks promising. $28

• Awake Glow Pill Super Serum: I have never heard of the brand, Awake, but the packaging of this product really piqued my interest. It comes in a very modern and fun clear plastic pump bottle with rounded contours. With the orange box, the pink bottle top, and clear rounded form, it looks retro-modern, like it came from the 1960s. I haven’t really had a chance to use it other than putting a little on my face. It is fragrance-free, gel-like but totally lightweight. I don’t know about the Glow yet, but it feels like a serum that is great for summer. Again, I’ll keep you posted. $39

• OFRA Highlighter, shade Glazed Donut: OFRA makes the very best highlighters, IMHO. This one looks like spun sugar. I have another OFRA highlighter, a gold one called Rodeo Drive. I am trying to decide whether to keep this one or give it away just because I so seldom wear highlighter. I’ve gotta think about it. $30

• Il Makiage Color Boss Multi-Dimensional Eye Color, shade Shopaholic: The stunning heavy chrome case is reason alone to love this eyeshadow single. To me, Shopaholic is a lovely metallic peachy-pink shade. Not sure why it’s described as a “semi-matte champagne”. Regardless, it’s beautiful. I love it, and I wore it when I went out to lunch yesterday. $29

Add-On

• Luxie 209 Large Shader Brush: I ordered this brush as an “add-on” for either $3 or $5 (I can’t remember which), even though I already have another one. It’s such a handy shape. $15

Mystery Extras

• In a separate package about a week ago, I received a Luxie 205 Tapered Blending Brush as well as an Oryza Beauty travel eyeshadow palette in neutral shades in shimmers and mattes. I already own another 205 Tapered Blending Brush.  Although the bristle formation is the same, the ferrule is longer and smooth rather than crimped and the handle is lightweight, tapered and there’s an indentation for my thumb that makes it easier to hold.  However, I was confused when I got this duo because I don’t remember ordering it. I do remember ordering the 209 Large Shader Brush as an add-on, but not this All Eyes On You Duo. They charged me $5.31 for it. I’m not sure if they charged me for the 209 Large Shader Brush. I was going to try contacting Ipsy about it, but nah, it’s not worth it.

My “Take A Break” Ipsy Plus bag is valued at $149 without the two Luxie brushes and travel shadow palette. Even though just about all of the products I received in the bag are new to me, I am happy to have them all. The Il Makiage eyeshadow single in the gorgeous compact may be the highlight so far, but the OFRA Highlighter is also a highlight (LOL) because it’s such a high quality product. I am really excited about the Tarte Sea mascara, the Ciate Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer and the Awake Glow Pill Serum. I think it was another excellent month!

If you decide to subscribe or resubscribe, hope you’ll use my referral code. xoxo

If you subscribe to Ipsy, what did you get this month and what did you think about it?

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

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