My October 2014 Ipsy Bag

For three months now I've been looking forward to getting a pink bubble wrap package from Ipsy.  So how did they do this month?



Here's the basics about Ipsy.  This company was started by YouTube beauty vlogger Michelle Phan.  It's a beauty box subscription.  For $10 each month, I get 5 items and a makeup bag.  These goodies can be full sized or samples(no dreaded foil packets yet).  The things you receive are supposedly based on a quiz that basically just figures out your style and what type of beauty items you'd like to get.  You have the option to retake the quiz as often as you'd like, and I've done so each month.  There is a "wait list." It's easy to get off of it if you allow them to share on your Facebook page.  Otherwise the wait can be a couple months.  I chose to let them share on Facebook.  I don't regret it yet since they only share when I allow them to. And now that I'm off the wait list I can turn that off at any point.  But back to the treats.  Each month has a theme.  This months was Beauty Candy.

Each Ipsy member gets the same makeup bag each month, while the items inside can greatly vary.  The teal bag I got this month is cute, but like the past couple of months, it'll most likely get given away because I have so many. The zipper is on the side, not the top, which cuts down the usable storage space. It's decent though and would be easy to clean.

Somehow all this fit into my bag.  Since you can look online at what you'll be getting around the 5th of the month, I wasn't surprised with what I got.  I've only tried Kiss brand before. Interesting selection I was given.

Here's the Kiss Human Hair Eyelashes in Au Naturale 02.  These do look very thick and full, but I wouldn't say natural.  Eyelash glue is included and these are reusable.  I already wear individual eyelashes everyday, so I won't be using these, but I can't wait to try them on someone else.

I also got a 1 oz sample of Ayres Body Butter in the scent Patagonia.  I've never tried this brand before but I love body butters.  This one is no different.  The scent is floral and clean.  The texture is thick as it should be. I may just have to grab a full sized container of this one to stave off dry winter skin.

Along with the eyelashes, the other full sized item in my bag was Mica Beauty Cosmetics Shimmer powder in Harliquin. It's a loose teal shadow(shown here with no primer)in a shaker type container.  I love love love this color. I do shy away from loose eyeshadows because I don't like the mess, but I plan on using this one a lot.  

I am all about exfoliating, so I was excited to try the Epice Purifying Exfoliant.  It's a new brand to me and was the first item I tried out of my Ipsy bag.  This has a nice gritty texture and would not be a good daily exfoliator.  It really does a nice job if you want a good deep cleaning.  I'd compare it to my other fave exfoliant Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash.  Since Epice is pricier($32 for 3.3oz), I'll enjoy the sample but stick to what I have.

Lastly, I got Starlooks Lip Gloss in Guilty Pleasure.  It's got a sweet smell to it that seems familiar, maybe like E.L.F glosses? The color is a mauve pink. The texture and color payoff is nice, but nothing spectacular.  I did however check out Starlooks.com and found a few items I'd like to try in the future, so they win.

I'm more happy with my Ipsy bag this month than I have been in before, but I'm not obsessed just yet.  It's totally worth the $10 a month.  It's given me a chance to try brands that aren't even on my radar.  The items I don't like get given away which I'm sure my mom and friends are not upset about.  I'm not sure I'd recommend this for someone new to makeup, though. Fake eyelashes and loose eyeshadow aren't for newbies.  Both require a steady hand and patience. 

I like that they offer a points program so you can earn extra items. Also there are coupon codes for the items they send in bags each month, so if you love something you get you can get it for less.  For instance I could get the Epice Exfoliant for half off.  Hmm, maybe I should pick one up.  

If you do want to sign up for Ipsy, here's my link. I get points to use towards items!

http://www.ipsy.com/r/cr6p?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general

How was your Ipsy bag this month?