Ipsy April 2013

This is my first IPSY bag. If you don't know what IPSY is, check out their website

Price: $10.00 (free shipping)

Ships out: Every month.

Extras: Each month the products featured in the bag have special subscriber discounts.

This month's theme was Pretty in Pink.

First look

The goods

.07 oz Big Sexy Hair 'Powder Play Volumizing and Texturizing Powder' I attempted to use this. Wasn't impressed. Might have to make a good attempt at this power and see if it was me or the powder that wasn't working.
          Estimated value: $2.00

FULL SIZE 0.035 oz Two Cosmetics duo eyeshadow in 'Heartache' This wasn't very pigmented. When I applied it it made me look like I was sick. Most pink eyeshadows will do that though.
          Estimated value: $6.99

FULL SIZE .50 oz Sation Nail Lacquer in 'Of Corset I'll Call You' Sheer pink color.
          Estimated value: $5.00

FULL SIZE 17 oz Be a Bombshell Cosmetics blush in 'Sweet Cheeks' Nice color, very pigmented. I had to use a light haNd to apply this blush.  I like a more natural blush look, so if you like a bolder cheek the color payoff might be great for you.
          Estimated value: $16.00

White Cosmetic bag with a pink zipper. What is the point of a white cosmetics bag anyways? Makeup is a messy task, makeup is messy. This will be a kaleidoscope of colors soon.

Total Estimated Value: $29.99

Not too bad for my first IPSY bag. I think I will be continuing to subscribe to this sample "box" hopefully it will continue to be a good monthly treat.

Birchbox April 2013

Birchbox

Price: $10.00  (includes shipping)

Ships out: Every month.

Extras: Point system that adds up and converts into discounts on products in the Birchbox Shop. Earn points by reviewing products and referring friends.

This month's box was curated by Women's Health

First Look!

All the products I received.

(2) 0.23 fl. oz. foil packs of Oribe 'Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color'
          Estimated value: $11.14

0.15 oz Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in 'Starlet' - I checked out the website for this brand and couldn't find how big the full size of this product was. Based on the pictures that are shown of this product for sale, this is not full sized. While I was checking out this lipstick I took a closer look at the sample. The sample is in the shape of a skinny Clinique Chubby stick and it looks like you should be able to twist the bottom for more product, but IT'S A LIEEEEEEE!!!!! The only useable product is the tip of the stick. Nothing to twist; can't sharpen plastic. The tips all you get. This kinda pisses me off. #1 because of the false advertizing, even more so because of the extent of lying they were knowingly putting out there. They did that whole stick to pretend that the sample was bigger. #2 because this sample is an egregious waste of material and the green part of me hates that.
          Estimated value: $ ? The stick that I received states that it's 4g. Online the product states that the full sized Glossy Kiss is 3g. How is the sample larger in weight than the full sized product?! There is so much about this company that is shady! You can also get "free" samples of their products on the website, but they charge exorbitant amounts for shipping. I will be staying away from this company.

2 packs of Kusmi Tea in 'Euphoria' and 'Sweet Love'.  Euphoria is described as "roasted Mate chocolate and orange" and Sweet Love is "exquisite spicy blend"  Both of the teas smell really good, the names and descriptions of the teas don't make me excited to try them though.
          Estimated value: $1.55

Free year of Women's Health Magazine
          Estimated value: $9.99

2 fl oz Skin&Co 'Sicilian Body Gel'
          Estimated value: $ ? Something else that has questionable sizing/prices.

2 ml Supergoop 'Advanced Anti-Aging Eye Cream' I couldn't find this on the Supergoop site, but the Birchbox Shop sells it there.
          Estimated value: $ ? Don't know the conversion of ml and fl oz. Math is hard...

Total estimated value: $22.68+++

Don't forget to sign up for Birchbox with my referral link.

New Beauty Test Tube Spring "Box"

New Beauty Test Tube

Price: $29.99 + shipping

Ships out: According to the website it says six times a year, when I signed up it was quarterly (4 times a year) Don't know if they changed the program. I have not received any information about this change. If it did really change, I would think that they would notify their current subscribers to inform them of this change and that they will be charged two extra times this year for the tube. If I don't receive notification of this I will probably unsubscribe. Customer service is an important part of the subscription service that I expect. That's why I unsubed from GlossyBox (great box - horrendous customer service).

The Claim: $150.00 value in each tube

Extras: Ships out with the current issue of New Beauty magazine. Honestly I do not read this magazine. The mag is filled with plastic surgery information.  If you are looking for plastic surgery info this magazine might be great for you. I"m not interested in plastic surgery, so it's not for me.

What I received in this test tube.

.02 oz. Paula Dorf 'Baby Eyes Enhancer' Instructions on how to use this product from the booklet says that you can use this pencil on the inner rims of your eyes to fake the illusion of bigger eyes. I tried lining my waterline, but because the pencil isn't very creamy I was not able to get any of the product on my waterline. 

          Estimated value: $10.00

1 fl. oz. John Frieda 'Fine to Full Blow-Out Spray'

          Estimated value: $1.50

(2)1.7 fl. oz. Clear Scalp and Hair Therapy 'Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Daily Shampoo' I was initially excited to try this, but it's not color safe, so I will be giving this to my sister.

     Estimated value: $0.52 - $0.92

1.77 fl. oz. Phyto 'Phytomist' Leave in Conditioner for Color Treated Hair

          Estimated value: $11.20

1.6 fl. oz. June Jacobs 'Purifying Enzyme Masque' The mask is  clear so it's hard to apply on your face because you can't see where it was applied and not. After I rinsed it off I did not feel or see any difference in my face.

          Estimated value: $31.00

(2) FULL SIZE Forever Young 'Face Wraps' I didn't really see or feel a difference on my face with this mask. 

          Estimated value: $10.00 (for two)

1 fl. oz. Suki 'Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser'

          Estimated value: $8.24

Spa Look coupons These are included in every Test Tube. 

Total Estimated Value: $72.66 Definitely not the $150.00 retail value that they claimed to be in every tube. So far this is the third New Beauty Test Tube that I have received. The first two were great, season's tube is a disappointment for me. There was only one full sized product and the tube had two different masks. I hope this was just a miss month and the next one will be better. If not I might have to unsubscribe.  With the tubes coming out six times a year, it won't be financially feasible for me to keep purchasing disappointing tubes.

There is a QVC version of New Beauty Test Tube. If I keep getting bad tubes, I might have to try that version out. 

What did you think about your tube?

Little Black Bag March 2013

Little Black Bag


Price: Varies according to 1st pick purchase you choose

Ships out: You have until the 5th of the month to skip that month. Once you pick your 1st pick you have seven days to trade with other Little Black Bag members. This is where it gets addictive. If you bundle you receive your 1st pick, plus two "stylist picks" You have the seven days to offer or accept trades from others to receive what you want. I originally picked one bag and received two necklaces, a pair of earrings and a hairspray as my stylist picks. They were having a deal so I received the two extra stylist picks.  I was able to trade away everything but the original bag I picked and received another bag.

Extras: Little Black Bag usually has a deal going on at all times, if they don't currently have one, they probably will soon. Just wait to get that deal.

This was my original first pick. The Nila Anthony Lace Structured Satchel. Retail value: $76.00. When I received this in the mail, I was slightly disappointed with the bag.  It wasn't really what I had expected. The lace is glued on the bag so that it looks like it was etched into the leather. I wish the lace was thicker so that it actually looked like the lace was overlaid on the bag. I thought about returning this item, but ended up deciding to keep it. There are so many pockets on/in this bag. I'm an organization freak so I like having all the different pockets for different things. 

 This is the item that I traded for, the Olivia and Joy Knick Knack Satchel. I really needed a new purse, because my go to purses are falling apart on me. I was not going to have my box ship out without at least two purses. I put out a trade offer on this bag, not expecting anyone to actually accept it, but someone did! The retail value of this bag was $92.00.  After I accepted this bag I started looking at it and was scared that the bag was smaller than what I wanted, so I went on a mission of attempting to trade this bag away for something larger. I trolled the chat rooms seeing if anyone would trade with me and thought that I might have some offers because the bag has a high retail value, but I didn't have any takers. After actually getting this bag I'm so glad that no one wanted to trade with me! I actually like this bag better than the 1st pick bag. This bag has a lot of pockets also. I'm currently using this bag as my everyday bag. 
I have gotten so many compliments on this bag! At least once a week someone will tell me they like it!

I skipped the month of April because I'm trying to save my money for a trip that I'm planning on taking.  I will probably be purchasing from this site again.  The trading to so addicting and fun.  I love that you can skip a month. If you don't skip by the 5th of the month you will receive credits for future use.

Do a girl a favor and use my referral link.