Birchbox March 2014

Birchbox

Price: $10.00 (includes shipping)

Ships out: Every month

Extras: Point system that based on the reviews of the products you review and the referrals that can be used in the Birchbox Shop. I have found that some items are exclusively sold in the Birchbox Shop so the points can add up to a nice discount.

First Look!

 This month's theme is "Spring Forward"

 1 fl.oz. Michael Todd True Organics Pumpkin Mask. 

I received this same sample in my Little Black Bag August 2013. I can always use a back up. 

0.34 oz. Go Be Lovely hand cream in Cactus Verde

 FULL SIZE! POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in 'Flowering Fuchsia' 

This lip gloss has an interesting applicator. Firstly, this type of shape tube suggests a squeeze application. When you open the tube, you see that it is actually a stick applicator. The second surprising thing about this product is that instead of a brush or a doe foot applicator- they use a paddle. The paddle is supposed to be for easy, more precise application. I tried this out and have to disagree. I think that the application was actually harder using the paddle. The tip of the paddle if flexible to apply to the lips, but I found that the paddle was a little too flexible. It just kind of slid across my lips, I would have to use a mirror and a steady hand for flawless application. As far as the gloss, it was a very sheer pink color.  The gloss was very shiny and sticky. I didn't think that this product lasted long on my lips either. 

 Ghiradelli Intense Dark chocolate square in "Cherry Tango" 

This tasted very good. I normally do not like cherry flavored products, but I didn't mind it in this chocolate square. There were also chopped up walnut pieces through the square. Some of the pieces were a little big, I think I would have liked smaller walnut pieces. 

 0.135 oz. Havvn Night Cream. 

When I first pulled this product out of my box, I was expecting a lip balm or a spray product - not a moisturizer with a pump. I have never heard of this brand before, so I'm excited to try it out. Apparently it's part of a three step skin care system. If I end up liking this night cream, I'm not confident that I will be able to justify shelling out $80.00 for the kit. Either way at least I have another night cream to use. 

Benefit Big Easy CC Cream in 'Light'

IPSY February 2014

IPSY

I received my IPSY bag in the mail. Keep reading to see what I got!

Price: $10.00 (free shipping)

Ships out: Every month.

Extras: Each month the products featured in the bag have special subscriber discounts. Points system that is accrued for each review you post on the IPSY site from the products that you received in each month's bag. These points as well as referral points can be redeemed for extra products in future month's bags. I received my IPSY bag in the mail. Keep reading to see what I got!

First Look!

This month's theme is "The Look of Love"

 Everything I received in this month's bag.

0.14oz.  POP Beauty lip lacquer mini in 'Fuchsia Freesia'  I liked the color of this lip lacquer  I didn't last very long at all. 

FULL SIZE Jesse's Girl eye color collection in "Brown Eyed Girl"

 The palette included 9 different shades in a neutral collection. I'm assuming that this was given out according to the survey you fill out when you initially sign up for a subscription.  

 FULL SIZE Zoya nail lacquer in "Odette" There were two different colors that you could have received in this month's bag.  Odette or a pale pink color. I'm happy that I received this color. 

FULL SIZE J. Cat Beauty 100% human hair eyelashes and glue in  style EL 747XS According to the J.Cat Beauty website. this style comes in different lengths, from the short ones I received to long. 

Dr. Lin Skincare Acne Spot Corrector 

This month was a better month for me than last month. This month make is clearly apparent that IPSY looks at the beauty survey and catered each bag accordingly.  I don't normally wear eyelashes, so I think that will be least used product in this bag. Despite that, I still liked receiving them in the bag. 

If you would like to sign up for your own subscription, please use my referral link.

IPSY December 2013

My IPSY bag arrived!

Price: $10.00 (free shipping)

Ships out: Every month.

Extras: Each month the products featured in the bag have special subscriber discounts. Points system that is accrued for each review you post on the IPSY site from the products that you received in each month's bag. These points as well as referral points can be redeemed for extra products in future month's bags. 

First Look!

This month's theme is "Celebration"

This month's bag was a patent, black geometric pattern. I think this is the first bag that I have actually liked and plan on keeping. I have already put all my old IPSY bags in a bag to be donated to Goodwill.  

FULL SIZED MIrabella Eye blender brush This brush had a lot of weight to it and looks really well made and fancy.  This is my go to blending brush now. I really like the brush and would consider purchasing other brushes from this brand. 

FULL SIZE Nicka K nail polish in Classic Taupe. This nail polish is looks and feels really luxurious, but it's only $4.99 on the website! One annoying thing about this brand is that they didn't list the name of the color on the bottle. They only had the number and I had to look on the website to see what the actual color name was. This probably isn't an issue if you are not blogging about the polish and want to list the actual name, but it was an inconvenience to me. It's probably a bad marketing idea in terms of word of mouth for the brand. I know that if I saw a friend wearing a nice nail polish color and I asked her of the name of it, I would immediately forget the name if they said  "NY112" as opposed to "Classic Taupe". ahhhh first world problems…

FULL SIZE NYX lipstick in "Ceto" 

FULL SIZE POP Beauty eyeshadow trio in "Naturally Bare" I ended up really liking this palette. I think that the other option for this palette in the bag was a purple color. I think I would have been happy with either one. 

FULL SIZE Be a Bombshell "The One Stick" in flustered This color was very bright and I know that I would have never picked this color out myself if I were given the option. This stick is marketed as a lipstick/blush/eyeshadow. I mostly use it as a blush. I don't know who would use this color on their eyes outside of Halloween. Because this color is so bright I end up using this color under power to help tone down the color and make it more wearable. 

Aside from the Nicka K and maybe the Mirabella brand I have received products from each of these brands that I received in the bag this month. All of the products were full sized, so IPSY is good for trying out different types of products or colors from a few brands that they are partnered with. Most of which can be easily found in a drugstore or are affordable through their website. 

If you would like to sign up for your own subscription, please use my referral link here.

IPSY July 2013

This month's theme for is 'Beach Beauty'

First Look!

1.7 oz. Sexy Hair "Soy Renewal Beach Spray"

 FULL SIZED (part of a set of five) POP Beauty  "Pouty Pop Crayon" in 'Coral Crush' I really don't like this color when applied. It's too cool for my skin tone. I end up applying this on my lips and blotting it to a matt color. I feel that the color that ends up after the blotting is much better for my skin tone. I wouldn't say that this product has any amazing qualities or lasting power behind it and I probably will not be purchasing the full set. 

BH Cosmetics eyeshadow sampler

'Hollywood', 'SanFrancisco' and 'Malibu'

Coola Mineral Sunscreen tinted moisturizer.  I really liked that this was a tinted moisturizer. 

Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub

If you would like to sign up for this sample bag, please consider using my Referral Link!

What did you get in your Glam Bag this month?