First things first. Congratulations to Ashley P, the winner of the Derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask giveaway! Woohoo! I just emailed her and hope to hear back from her soon. Thank you to everyone who participated. I’ve got a new giveaway with a makeup product this time coming up shortly. I just have to write it up, so stay tuned!
ipsy “Pretty in #IpsyPink” Bag for February
I’m liking the cute makeup bag from ipsy’s February 2016 “Pretty in #IpsyPink” offering. The pink’s on the back. Of course I love it because there’s a heart on the front.
Here’s a better look at what I got:
- Luxie Small Tapered Blending Eye Brush 231: My one pink item in my “Pretty in #IpsyPink” bag. Although I do love the pretty pink handle and the gold ferule, I love the brush itself. Very soft, full, synthetic bristles coated with an antibacterial solution, it’s a wonderful addition to my brush collection. Full size, $12
- Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil: I was very curious about this primer. So I tried it, and it was a little difficult to work with because it didn’t come with a pump so a lot more came out than I needed and I ended up having to wipe some of it off. My advice is use it sparingly. I think it’s an interesting alternative for those with dry skin. But I think I’m at the stage where I need a silicone primer that’s more of a filler, but I was happy to have a chance to try this new form out. Deluxe sample, 4 ml/0.13 fl. oz., about $5
- It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product: I didn’t want any more hair products, please, from either Ipsy or Birchbox! So I wasn’t very excited when I got this hair product in my ipsy bag. Oddly, the Miracle Product didn’t say what the miracle is. I looked it up, and it does a lot of things besides condition like protect color-treated hair from fading, controls frizz, protects against flat ironing. I tried it, and I was blown away at how perfect my hair came out! I’ll be trying this again next shampoo to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. So far, it’s a keeper!! This 59 ml/2 fl. oz.size is their smallest size, a travel size, $9
- Jor’el Parker Eau de Parfum, Eau So Divine: A good size deluxe sample in a rollerball glass bottle with the following notes: Sandalwood, golden amber, sensual incense, Egyptian myrrh, pink grapefruit, blackcurrant buds, lily of the valley, star jasmine, rose petals, ylang-ylang, cardamom, Madagascar vanilla
Style: Elevating. Luxurious. Serene. On first whiff, it didn’t seem like my type of scent, but the notes contain ones that I look for. I’m going to give it another try. 8.8 ml, Rollerball, $23
- treStiQue Bora Bora Coral Blush Stick: A bright peachy coral crayon that’s perfect for me for spring and summer. Love it! At 0.04 oz., it is most likely a deluxe sample. The full size priced at $28 comes with a built-in brush. This is just the right size for me. I’m estimating a $14 value.
My Thoughts on This Month’s Bag
A decent month. Cute bag, three products I love (Luxie Brush, treStiQue Blush Stick and the surprise It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In Product) and one that I was eager to try (Smashbox Primer Oil). The perfume is lovely and a substantial size, but it may not be my type of scent though I’ll either give it a shot or add it to the giveaway pile.
My bag is worth about $63, definitely worth the $10 I paid for it. If you’re not a subscriber and want to take the plunge, I’d be grateful if you’d use my referral code. One of the key benefits besides the bag and goodies is the substantial discount – usually 15-30% off on most of the brands that ipsy works with. That is a deal!
What did you get in your ipsy bag?? Did you get the cute nail polish from either Ciate or Trust Fund? I wanted that!
Super cute makeup bag this month!
It is, Laura! I should have photographed the hot pink back side to it. And I was generally happy with my goodies too. Great to hear from you xoxo
I’ve had 4 months of great bags from ipsy and it happened after I narrowed down my preferences in their quiz. I have the Photofinish Primer Oil and I’m on the fence about it. I have dry skin and I apply it after my moisturizer (a drop), wait for about 5 minutes and then apply my foundation as usual. It does give my face a dewy look but I must use a matte foundation on it but other than that, I don’t see anything special. 🙁 I really like the treStiQue blusher too, it gives my face the most natural flush.
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…Treat Your Skin with Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep
I feel the same way about the Smashbox primer: on the fence! I found it to be messy to use because of the little bottle with the big opening. And I was annoyed about having to wait to apply my foundation. Basically, it seems like they are hopping on the “oil bandwagon”. I may use it up, but I know I won’t be buying it. I’m glad the blush suits you too, Shireen. Thank you for stopping by and commenting xoxo
You got a lovely bag! I received that Luxe brush in a bag a few months ago and it’s amazing!
I got another slant contour brush from Luxie in a bag a couple of months ago, and it’s fabulous. I was so excited to get the eye shadow brush this time, and it doesn’t disappoint! Did you get a good bag this month? I hope so. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment xoxo
I love comparing what I got to what others got. I wasn’t blown away this month when I first opened mine but I like it now. The bag is adorable and I like the Luxie brush. I wanted to try the Smashbox but it’s not for me either. I’m glad it was in there though. I also got the Chella lip crayon though the color isn’t for me. My one disappointment is a tiny Paula Dorf cream color eye pencil – the top won’t stay on and it’s so small that once I sharpen it I doubt anything will be left.
MarciaF recently posted…Beauty tips, beauty hacks, beauty helpers
I feel exactly the same way, Marcia! I haven’t had good luck with any of the Paula Dorf makeup I’ve tried. Too bad!
This looks like a good bag, and the value is certainly fantastic!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…BITE Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Pastille
I got some good surprises this month. It was definitely worth it
That is a great little bag!! I love the heart too! That was a pretty decent assortment of products for this month. You got your money’s worth. I want to try that primer too.
Stacie recently posted…My Current Beauty Wish List
I was happy to get to try out the primer even though I’ve decided the oil doesn’t suit me. I like some dimethicone filler in my primer, and I don’t have the patience to wait for this to dry 😉 BTW, I managed to figure out why I couldn’t get on the Sephora beauty box list, so all is right with the world!
I LOVE the bag itself, it’s so pretty! I unsubscribed from Ipsy and so far don’t miss it much, but I enjoyed getting a surprise in the mail every month 🙂
The bag is quite cute. I’m still enjoying it coz I still seem to discover new products I wouldn’t ordinarily know about like It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In hair conditioner – I certainly don’t need more hair products, but this is so amazing, I’m glad I didn’t put it in the giveaway pile!
I just started using that spray on my daughter’s hair and it’s a life saver. No more tears and screaming every day.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Dr. Brandt Needles No More 3D Fiiller Mask Review
Aleya, I almost put it in my giveaway pile, but I’m so glad I didn’t. It’s amazing stuff!!
We got a couple of similar items. I was pretty pleased with this month’s bag!
Kat Dinges recently posted…Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick By Kate [Partial Collection]
I look forward to seeing your review, Kat!
I love this month’s bag!
Phyrra recently posted…10 Life Changing Beauty Hacks You Need to Know
It is a cute little bag. Of course, I love it because of the heart and pink
I would have actually really liked this bag. lol
Erika recently posted…For Firmer and Fresher Peepers Try Oz Naturals Ultra Ageless Eye Cream
Lately, they seemed to have upped their game! I’m so glad I discovered the It’s A 10 Miracle Leave-In – great product!
Love that bag and the contents!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Top 10 Beauty Hacks!
It was a surprisingly fun bag this month!
The bag is most adorable and thanks for the review on the primer oil (I am on the fence myself because of it being an oil).
NORAH recently posted…Make Up Forever Pro Sculpting Lips Plus New Kit Goodies
Skip the primer oil, Norah. Perhaps the full size comes in an easier to use pump bottle, but the open mouth mini bottle is messy to use and hard to control the amount that comes out. Plus I dislike waiting for the oil to dry down on my face. It is hydrating, but I prefer gels. Nevertheless, I’m glad I got to try it
Minus the lip color, I love your theme Ipsy bag esp having that sample of Smashbox Primer Oil, which would be perfect for Fall/Winter/Spring with dry heat or cool temp robbing the moisturizer/natural oils in the skin, esp dry to extra dry skin! 🙂
Ursula
It’s a blush, Ursula, not a lip color. The primer oil is actually not worth the trouble. It’s messy and takes too long to dry down even with my super dry skin.
I love the bag it’s so pretty !
betzy cuellar recently posted…The Stories Of Romance Ralph Lauren
It’s another cute makeup bag this month!
I agree the bag is super cute! I like the coral blush stick you got. Lovely color! I haven’t even gotten a chance to use any of my items yet. (My son has been really ill the last week and a half. I haven’t worn makeup in four days. GASP!) I got the primer oil, which I’m not sure about with my oily skin, but I’m curious to try it. I got the same brand of brush, but it’s a flat definer brush. I also got Paula Dorf Baby Eyes Enhancer, Chella Lipstick Pencil in a pretty, bright orange, and the obligatory unwanted hair product. It’s the Not Your Mother’s Haircare In a Heartbeat Blow Dry Accelerator. I almost never blow dry my hair, so I’ll probably add it to my box of stuff to donate to women’s shelters.
I saw on FB that your son is very sick. I’m so sorry, Rachel. I hope he’ll recover soon. I’m not in love with the primer oil, truth be told. In the sample bottle, it’s so messy to use. And I hate waiting for it to dry down. Other than oils being trendy, I’m not sure why this is a good idea. The Chella pencil sounds fabulous! Hope to see you wearing it on Facebook when things get back to normal in your household.
Thank you, Allison. My son is slowly improving. His color looks a lot better today, though his cough is still pretty nasty. He’s on the mend for sure, though. Today is his 21st birthday, and I feel so awful for him for being so sick.
I’ll get a pic up on FB when I get a chance to wear the lippie.
Hope you’re all able to have birthday cake together tonight to celebrate! Then I hope he’ll be able to celebrate with his friends once he recovers. All the best…
I really only like looking at Ipsy unbaggings because they’re always different for everyone! Some of the other subscriptions are all the same so once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it all. That Jorel Parker perfume sounds divine! I’ve never heard of it, but the fruity and warm notes sound like they’re right up my alley!
Megan T. recently posted…Empties: Winter Edition 2016
That’s really true, Megan! I feel the same way. Jor’el Parker is part of Harvey Prince, an English brand, I think. I hadn’t heard of it either before I got another perfume from them that I couldn’t wear in an ipsy bag this summer 😉
This was another great Ipsy month for me, too. I also got a perfume rollerball – I can’t remember the name, but it was a more powdery scent. It dried down to something I really liked, though, and lasted way longer on me than most perfumes do. I love that It’s a 10 product – it makes my hair so soft and manageable! I have a half-dozen trial-sized bottles scattered around!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…To Thine Own Self
The It’s A 10 Hair product was a complete surprise. I was going to give it away, but it is a keeper!! I think I would like your perfume better than the one I got, but isn’t that always the way!
I was so pleased with my bag this month!! I actually got the It Bye Bye Under eye which I have been dying to try! Also Argon oil hair serum (which is perfect timing because I just had my hair colored & now is not the healthiest.), treStique baby blush stick in Bora Bora Coral, Model co. Lip Lacquer in Morocco, and last but least ciate mini polish in my go to red. All in all a great bag-in fact they could have just sent the Bye Bye Under Eye & I would have been tickled pink-that is soooo expensive that even though I have heard amazing things about it I was extremely leery-you know how that goes you run out, search all over for it and bring it home only to find that it was just all hype and the products actually sucks! LOL!
Paula, it sounds like you got a great bag this month! I wanted one of the Ciate mini polishes but I was satisfied with my bag. The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye really is a high quality product. I have it myself, and I like it a lot. If you do fall in love with it, IT Cosmetics often has sales on their website, Ulta has their 20% off prestige cosmetics coupon event twice a year for members of the frequent shopper program so there are ways to get it somewhat more affordably. Enjoy your goodies and thank you soooo much for subscribing and for taking the time to comment xoxoxo Did you enter the giveaway on my blog for $150 Sephora gift card posted on Saturday?
Yes! I sure did- Great opportunity!
Oh good, Paula! Fingers crossed 🙂
Hmmm… some of the products I would enjoy – like Its a 10 – it’s one of my favorite hair products and that bag is oober cute. But it seems like Ipsy is still up and down for me… ya know.
I almost put It’s A 10 in my giveaway stash, and I’m so glad I didn’t. My hair came out absolutely perfectly after using it! I’m a convert!
That’s awesome that you got one of my favourite Luxie brushes, they make so many amazing brushes but the 312 is such a staple!
courtney recently posted…Helping Hands | The Must Have Beauty Tools That You Need
Yes, I love it. I got an angled contour brush a couple of months ago, and I use that one all the time too. I think they’re lovely brushes!
The makeup bag is absolutely cute!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…Soft and Supple Skin with Stemology Cell Revive Collagen Complete
It has a heart on it, so of course I love it
I really like the It’s a 10 Miracle Leave In. I like it for de-tangling my damp hair, but I can’t say that it’s 10 products in one. Honestly, it’s probably watered down conditioner … lol … but I still like the product 🙂
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted…Accessorizing a casual outfit by layering necklaces
For me, the results were miraculous, but I used it in addition to my regular conditioner. My hair was so perfectly smooth and shiny for days. I’ve only used it the one time, but I look forward to trying it again when I wash my hair tomorrow.
What a cute bag! Thanks for the review of the smashbox oil – I’ve been curious about it too but I’m thinking it might be too heavy for my oily skin. 🙂
Elaine recently posted…Redken Triple Take 32 vs L’Oreal Infinium Hairsprays
Supposedly oils balanced out oily skin. But I don’t love this primer, Elaine. It’s messy in the tiny bottle we received (tho’ the full size probably has a pump). And I dislike having to wait for it to dry before I can apply my foundation. I prefer a gel.
The bag is so cute this month! I loved it!
Lisa Heath recently posted…A Box, Indied March 2016 Spring Theory
Yes, I agree, and I hope you got good stuff in it!
oooh, you got a great bag this month. I cannot wait to dig into mine to see what I got.
Brigette Ramos recently posted…Ev’rythang Done by Beauty Box 5 | January 2016
Hope you get things that you like!
I keep seeing that Smashbox oil primer…I must try it!
Lisa recently posted…Birchbox: January 2016 & a new Limited Edition Box!
After using the Smashbox Oil Primer a few times, I’m not that crazy about it. In the sample size bottle with the wide mouth, it’s difficult to pour. I imagine the full size would have a pump so you can control it better. Also, waiting for the oil to sink in before applying my foundation is a bit of a pain. Frankly, I’m sticking with my gel primers 😉 But I’m glad I got a sample to try!
Dying to try that It’s a 10 product!
Kristin Bassett recently posted…Put a Ring on It with Sterling Forever
Kristin, I used It’s A 10 again today, and my hair comes out perfect. I was going to give this stuff away. Soooooo happy I kept it and used it. It is a miracle worker!
Can I just have the bag? It’s just precious !! x x
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Dorota Gornicka recently posted…HOODED EYE DAYTIME CUT CREASE FEAT. ZOEVA, MAKEUP GEEK, URBAN DECAY, MAC & MORE
I would send it to you if you were closer!