Going away last month threw me off. I have 5 unreviewed subscription boxes. Oy! I’ll try to get caught up if I can. I’ll start with ipsy because they stood out more to me.
Ipsy Dreamers: April 2016
I like the summery looking colors and pattern of the makeup bag.
And the goodies inside were fine too.
- Crown Duo Fiber Brush: It’s a decent brush, though not as packed and full of bristles as the one I love from Beauty Junkees at a similar or even lower price point. But I can always use a second one. I like duo fibers for applying blush.
- Pur-Lisse Moisturizing Masks (2): Blue Lotus & White Tea and Blue Lotus & Seaweed: I can always use a couple more moisturizing sheet masks
- City Color Highlight Trio: Nice, portable highlighting purse-size palette. Goes into the giveaway pile.
- Starlooks Eyeliner Pencil in “Jet”: Please no more black eyeliner pencils for at least a year. Goes into the giveaway pile.
- Tarte LipSurgence Lip Creme in “Wonder”: I was going to toss this deluxe sample size Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Creme into the giveaway pile, too, because I had trouble wearing Tarte LipSurgence in the past. It definitely smells like it has peppermint oil in it. I went to the website and looked at the ingredients and didn’t see it listed. Do you? “Ingredients: ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, cetyl ethylhexanoate, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, hydrogenated polyisobutene, polyethylene, triisostearin, polybutene, octyldodecanol, candelilla cera/euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax/cire de candelilla, paraffin, aroma/flavor, tocopheryl acetate, phenoxyethanol, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, triethoxycaprylylsilane, passiflora edulis seed oil, titanium dioxide (ci 77891), yellow 5 lake (ci 19140), red 7 lake (ci 15850), iron oxides (ci 77499), red 6 (ci 15850)” At any rate, I decided to give this pretty poppy pink/red shade a try. It definitely has the peppermint scent but it doesn’t dry out my lips so I guess I’m good. Love the color. It has a creamy almost matte look to it. Yes!
For me, the star of the April bag was definitely the Tarte Lipsurgence Crayon. And I’m always happy to get another makeup brush. I don’t feel like calculating the value of the bag, but it’s well over $10. The full size 3g Tarte Crayon costs $24, and the deluxe sample size is 1.6 g so it’s worth $12 on its own. Yay!
Ipsy Destination Chic: May 2016
Love love love the envelope-style makeup bag with the travel print! Couldn’t be happier with it! I also love that ipsy is giving out bags in different colors to different subscribers. That’s fun too.
I also like the retro, early ’60s looking postcard that came with this month’s bag. Very chic.
So what did I get this month?
- Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio: Purse size, in 3 neutral shimmer shadows. Lovely but I have lots so it goes into the giveaway pile.
- Hikari Shimmer Bronzer Quad in “Radiate”: A gorgeous portable quad with blush, bronzers, highlighters in stunning shades. I’ll give this away because I have so many blushes and I’m not a big bronzer user. But you could also use these golds as eye shadows. Very pretty!
- Smashbox X-Rated Mascara Volumateur: Travel size mascara. Haven’t tried it yet, but I usually like Smashbox mascara.
- Eva-NYC Hungry Hail Oil: Giveaway pile ‘coz I’ve got sooooooo much hair oil. Enough already!
- Hanalei Lip Treatment: Deluxe sample of a very nice lip treatment. I like it almost as much as my dear Miracle Balm.
Another good month even though I’m giving 3 out of 5 products away. I know I have just too much makeup and cosmetics. The cute MU bag alone would’ve been worth it for me! I think the ipsy makeup bags have been getting cuter and cuter over the past year or so. And the samples are definitely decent. I always wish for more full size products, but for $10 a month delivered, I know that’s an unrealistic wish. Still a great way to get to try new products and brands. If you want to subscribe, I’d be grateful if you’d use my referral code. One of these days, I hope they’ll have something I want to redeem my points for 😈
So what did you get in your April and May bags? Do share!
I swear ipsy upped their game because play! by Sephora is given them a good run for their money! I received the exact same bag as you for April but for May I got 3 sheet masks, a blending brush, a lipstick, a mascara and the Clark’s Smoothing Cream which costs $115 for full size. I wanted the Hikari bronzer but didn’t get it. 🙁
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…REVIEW: b·līv CC Pores Away
I’ll send you the bronzer/blush palette, Shireen. It’s beautiful and a handy size, but I don’t wear bronzer so I’d be happy to send it to you. Email me your address! Frankly, I haven’t been impressed with the 2 Play! boxes I’ve gotten so far. Fingers crossed that I’ll like the one that’s on its way to me now 😉
I just sent you an email, OMG you have no idea how happy you made me, Allison! Thank you!
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…REVIEW: b·līv CC Pores Away
got it!
Wow – looks like some good stuff in those bags! I may have to sign up!
Jen Mathews recently posted…Chella Brow and Lash Products That Will Change Your Life!
LOL, but yes, there are so goodies in there!
I agree that it seems they’ve upped their game!
Destany recently posted…Different Dimension Heavenly Waters | 31 Days of Blue for Huntington’s Awareness
I’ve been liking my ipsy bags better than both Birchbox and Sephora Play. Even when I give the products away, they’re usually good ones
I love that makeup bag!
The Beauty of Life recently posted…Throwback Thursday: Making Interesting Outfit Choices
The May “Destination Chic” envelope-style bag really is the cutest!
Two fantastic months!!! If I could combine items from each it would make the perfect bag. Sometimes I miss my ipsy and other times I know that, like you, I just have too much =(
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…PAT McGRATH LABS Golden & Nude Skinfetish 003 Swatches + Review
I just have too much, Brooke! But I love the bags, and every now and then I get introduced to something that I end up loving. Frankly, I’ve been having better luck with ipsy than with Birchbox and Sephora Play. The Birchbox sub was a gift, but I think I’m going to pull the plug on the Sephora one unless this month is a winner
I like the Hikari quad. The first ipsy bag I didn’t really care for aside from the duo brush and tarte lip surgence.
Kim recently posted…Organic Spa Magazine’s 4th Annual Experience Wellness & Travel Media Event
I loved both makeup bags and especially the May bag. If I get 2 or 3 products that I can use, I’m good with it. Compared to the Sephora Play and Birchboxes I’ve gotten this year, ipsy’s looking better and better to me 😉
These both look like great boxes!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…PUR Cosmetics Au Naturel Glowing Days and Smoldering Nights!
They were definitely decent goodies and I loved the bags. Compared to Sephora Play and Birchbox, ipsy looks better and better to me 😉
You definitely got a nice assortment of products– even though so many are destined for your giveaway pile! That gorgeous Tarte lippie is definitely a highlight!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Colbert MD 20% Off Site-Wide Summer Sale May 26-30
Clearly, I have way too many makeup, skincare and haircare products to have 3 different monthly subscription boxes! But the Tarte lippie was a great surprise, also the lip treatment, and I just love the May makeup bag.
Those are 2 great bags in a row. I’m really impressed by the products included.
Stacie recently posted…Sephora Does it Again
I’m quite pleased with them, Stacie. And I just received my Sephora Play box and I’m definitely happy with that one too, yay!
I was so excited about the Tarte lippie!
Babi recently posted…CELESTIAL COSMETICS Valyrio collection : Swatches and Review
I didn’t think I’d be able to wear it, but I don’t see peppermint oil in the ingredient list so I figured I should try it. Although it isn’t hydrating, it isn’t too drying and I just love that color!
My May Ipsy just showed up and I LOVED it!
Lisa Heath recently posted…KBShimmer Summer 2016 Collection
I’m so glad you got a good one!
I adore the May bag, though I like the contents of the April bag better. The May bag makes me regret dropping Ipsy. I could use it for storing brushes or skincare sachets while travelling.
Renu recently posted…Cargo Cosmetics Land Down Under Eye Palette Review, Swatches
The May makeup bag was one of the cutest bags I’ve received. I love the envelope style as well as the print. But the April bag wins because of the Tarte lippie!
I just saw a makeup tutorial from Promise Phan using that Hikari highlighter!
Miranda Mendoza recently posted…Ireland Favorites
Oh, I’ll have to take a look! Thanks
Both of those Ipsy bags are super cute! I seriously have no clue where the peppermint in the Tarte might come from. I guess it’s just the vague “aroma/flavor” ingredient they have listed. It’s a pretty color, though. Glad you decided to give it a go!
Sammi the Beauty Buff recently posted…The FOREO LUNA Cleansing Tool: It’s For Your Face
Me too. When I didn’t see peppermint oil listed, I hoped I’d be safe. It’s such a great shade!
Okay, Ipsy has been behaving so well that I’m half tempted to give them another chance. I need to think about it some more, tho.
I am on the waiting list for Sephora Play. Will probs be there for another five years but if a spot ever opens up, it could be fun to see if it’s any better.
Erika recently posted…Cyto-luxe by Glo Therapeutics Face Cream | My Notes
Right now I’ve got 3 subscriptions and it is waaaaaay too much. Birchbox was a gift so it’ll end in December. I have received 2 Sephora Play boxes so far and I’ve been underwhelmed. I’m giving it another couple of months and if it doesn’t improve, I’ll cancel. All three have more or less the same products, but ipsy wins for me because it has the cute makeup bags.
Ok so I LOVE that ipsy bag, it’s so cute. I miss my ipsy sub. I need to sign up again!
Judy recently posted…Eve Pearl Liquid Lipstick in Plum Naked
The makeup bags have been quite consistently adorable this past year! And I’ve gotten some goodies that I really love
I loved my April bag! It was my favorite by far. We are almost twinnies for May, except I got a lip liner and a brush instead of Hanalei and Hikari. I love the bags, too!
I’m glad you got a great April bag too, and the lipliner and brush for this month sound wonderful. I’m giving the Hikari to someone who was dying for it, and the Hanalei was a great discovery for me with my dry lips!
I hope ipsy bags get even better now that they have Sephora Play! to compete with 🙂
I haven’t been very impressed with Sephora Play so far. I don’t think the two boxes I’ve gotten are any better than ipsy, in fact not as good and without the cute makeup bag. I’m hoping my next Sephora Play box that’s on its way will be an improvement
The selection in both is pretty impressive, but I agree, who needs that much black liner? I used to get a ton of hair oils in boxes, and it’s like “okay, enough please”
Bailey recently posted…Smashbox L.A Lights Blush & Highlight Palette | Malibu Berry
Yes, I wish there was a way to say no more black liners and hair oils for a year!
You got good stuff. I wish I’d gotten the highlighting palette and the Hikari blush quad.
April, I received: L.A.B.2 eyeshadow blending brush (good, not great), the Pur-lisse masks (loved), Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in Centerfold (loved), NUDESTIX Lip + Cheek Pencil in Mystic (very light, and no staying power on the cheeks; it was pretty on the lips; wouldn’t buy), and REN Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream (good, but nothing special).
May, I received the coral version of the bag. I agree it’s very cute! Inside I got: INSPR Beauty Eye Fluff Blush (love using this for my crease), Mellow Cosmetics Creamy Matte Lipstick in Electro (Love!! Feels high-end and is a great bright orange color), IT Cosmetics No-Tug Mini Gel Eyeliner (A big thumbs up from me: It’s comparable to my HG UD Perversion), The Organic Pharmacy Antioxidant Lip Balm (OK, but not worth the full price IMHO), and Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask (hoping to try it out this weekend).
Although I loved the IT eyeliner, in general I’m also sick of black eyeliners and hair products in my bags. I was shocked to get the bright lipstick shade instead of the nude, as usually they give me the nudes. So I’ll count my blessing for this month. 🙂
You did VERY well, Rachel, for both months. If I get two or more good products that I can use or that someone else would like if I gave it away, I consider it a good month. I would have loved the Mellow Cosmetics lippie since it’s orange! It’ll look great on you! I’m sorry I didn’t get the NUDESTIX because I have wanted to try that brand, and light shades are OK with me and most cream blushes do well in the lasting department on my dry skin. Even tho’ it was black eyeliner, I also would have liked the IT Cosmetics gel liner because it’s gel and it’s from IT. But I’m not complaining about what I got, I just hope next month is as good!
I don’t know whether I got lucky the last two months or if Ipsy is stepping up its game, but I think I had a record amount of likes. I’m not too thrilled with NUDESTIX so far. I’ve gotten eye, cheek and lip pencils by them from Ipsy, and I’m just not feeling it. I feel like none of it has any staying power, but that might be my oily skin.
I hope you’re right, Rachel! I want ipsy to do better or continue with good bags. Hmmm, I wonder why you get all the NUDESTIX and I never get any? 😉
If you liked that lippie you should try their Lingerie Lip Tints. I just picked one up yesterday and it felt a lot smoother and didn’t dry me out at all.
Justina recently posted…What’s your favorite matte eyeshadow?
Thanks for the suggestion, Justina. I’ll take a look next trip to Ulta or Sephora. I’ve had such a hard time with Tarte lippies. This one is definitely better than the other LipSurgence and even their Butter lipstick but there’s something in it that doesn’t suit my lips – don’t know what it is!
I loved the past few months of my Ipsy bag! They are stepping up their game
Yay! I’m still enjoying my ipsy subscription 🙂
You got several great items in your Ipsy bags esp Tarte, Pacifica, Smashbox, hair oil, and that beautiful makeup brush! Ipsy has truly upped their game recently! Love your blog/website design too! 🙂
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
Yes, I think that ipsy has taken a big step up!
I hear you on the overload of black eyeliner and neutral shadows. Those go right into my giveaway/gift pile. I really want to see more risk taking in some of the sub boxes. Most ladies have the “safe” everyday makeup.
Lisa recently posted…Marley Spoon: Leek & Cabbage Tart & Lamb & Spicy Sweet Potatoes Plus $30 Coupon Code
That’s a really good point, Lisa. I just reviewed my Sephora Play box today and it was a good one this month.