August Ipsy Bag

Before I get into my review/product list for this month's glam bag, I have to say I wasn't pleased with two things.  I'm not pissed, but I am annoyed.  First, this month's bag took longer to arrive (and DHL tracking numbers did not work at all this month), and that may have to do with the second thing. Second, this month's bag arrived damaged.  You can check out the pics below for greater detail, but this month's bag had a slash in it, and when I inspected the packaging, someone on the delivery end must have cut through my package and taped it back up, not realizing (or not caring more likely) that they actually cut thru to my bag. BOOOOOOOOO.  

Moving on, this month I received 5 items in my Ipsy bag.  I received: a sample size of Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy (gorgeous, gorgeous shade of pink!), a NYX Mosaic Powder in #12 Dare (full size), a Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream sample, a Pixi Lash Booster Mascara sample in #2 Blackest Black, and a 1 oz sample of Michael Todd true organics Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  

Remember, Ipsy is a monthly subscription for beauty products.  For $10 a month and free shipping you get a bag containing samples (and usually one full sized item) of beauty products across a board of brands.  Many of the brands may be up and coming brands, and some are staple favorites.  This is only my second month of receiving the bag, and outside of the technical difficulties, I think it's good.  

Not a lot of product in this sample. Maybe about the length of your fingertip.

Ipsy July Bag 2013

So I signed up for Ipsy last month, and I got my first bag this month.  The July 2013 bag was a cute vinyl hot pink plastic bag. This is my first bag, so I wasn't sure what to expect or whether or not I should be super stoked or super let down by this month's contents.  Either way, for $10, you really can't beat that.  Especially since each month your products come in a cute travel bag of some sort.  There were many options for this month's bag.  My goodies were: Coola Unscented Sunscreen (sample size), Big S**y Hair Weatherproof Hair Spray (sample size), BH Cosmetics California Collection eye palette (sample), POP Culture lip color pencil in Coral Crush, Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub (full size). 

For $10, it isn't a bad deal at all.  I've posted swatches below.  I love the lip color and the eye shadow colors.  I'm going to try the other products and review them in the near future! 

It comes mailed in this cute hot pink package.

Lip pencil in Coral Crush on top, followed by the BH eyeshadow palette.
Hollywood, San Francisco, Malibu

New MAC Goodies + Feel My Pulse v Heroine

I got my Ripe for Love blush and Feel My Pulse lipstick in the mail yesterday (from Nordstrom).  These are the final two items I picked out from the Temperature Rising collection. This blush was insanely popular and now I can totally see why.  It is absolutely gorgeous!!!! Gorgeous!   Pics will not do it justice. It's a gorgeous coral peach like color. So pretty and great for summer!  I can't wait to play with it on vacation. 

Also, peep those free samples Nordstrom set.  I've never seen anyone bag the samples separately but it's a great idea especially for super strong fragrances that can overcome the rest of your package.  Again, I'm super excited for these free samples!!! I rarely purchase perfume nowadays because I don't wear it too often, and I'm usually able to find a sample of a scent that I know I like.

This pic is with no flash.

Swatches of the blush and lipstick.

I also compared feel my pulse lipstick to heroine to compare. Honestly in my opinion nothing compares to heroine! It's a gorgeous deep matte purple, true purple. Feel my pulse is a cremesheen finish, so it's got a nice shine to it. It's a pretty color, sort of like a pinky purple. 

When it comes to makeup....ALWAYS ask the sales associate for help!

I decided to write this post after having a conversation with a good friend of mine.  I used to feel the same way too actually, so I decided to share.  If you are "new" to makeup and have questions or want to try new products, go to a department store/Sephora/Ulta and ask for help!! I know getting into makeup can be daunting, but at the end of the day these people are PAID to help you! Accordingly, you're more than welcome to stop in, ask questions, get product recommendations and SAMPLES of foundations to work with.  

Some stores are better than others, and of course you get better service on certain days/certain times when the sales person/makeup artist has more time to spend with you.  So I'd recommend avoiding weekends at least.  Also, Nordstrom and Saks are very helpful, but don't feel compelled to purchase because your sales person may be pushy.  Ask questions, get samples, go home and try them out for a few days.  You may get a sample and get home only to realize that in the light the color is too light or too dark, or that you just don't like the "type" of foundation (too streaky, too cakey, not enough coverage, too much coverage, etc).  No one expects you to waste hundreds of dollars on foundation and not be pleased.  Sephora, Nordstom, and Saks all offer samples, so do not hesitate to ask for one.  

If you're not initially comfortable with "bothering" a sales person, then I'd recommend doing some online research and having in mind certain types of foundations you would like to try.  Then, you could just go into the store and strictly ask for a sample of that product in a shade that looks to you to be best for your skin.  Either way, feel comfortable and explore different brands and colors, until you find your fit.  

I know that for me personally, matching my foundation has become the world's hardest task.  Kinda like calculus.  For years MAC's NC 42 was perfect for me.  All of a sudden over the past year its too light and too yellow.  So then I began the task of foundation hunting.  I currently use Lancome, which works best for me, but I'm still not going to call it my "go to perfect best foundation ever".  So in the meantime I've got a bunch of samples that I'm trying out over time, to see if I find one that performs well and lives up to my expectations.  You should do the same!

I know it gets expensive and depressing buying a foundation (especially a high end one) that matched in the store, or that you were 'pressured' into buying...and then to get home and have it not work or not match your skin tone is super annoying.  That's why I recommend never purchasing a foundation on the day you go to look at it or get matched up.  Just try the sample and if you get home and like it, then consider going back to purchase. 

Matter of fact, I went to Sephora today and got two samples of Tarte's BB cream, because I hear good things about it.  Unfortunately, I'm probably going to have to mix shades since neither really worked for my skin.  Sigh.  

If you're looking for a person who is super informed about makeup I'd recommend going to a department store.  In my experience, personally, I've found they have done better jobs of color match ups for me than the employees at Sephora, and tend to spend more time with you.  But again, to each his own.  And i'm not sure if Ulta does samples or not, but either way, I haven't found their staff to be uber helpful.  Just my opinion.

I'm going to attach  a pic to this post in a few minutes so you guys can see the "sample" stash I've acquired over the past few months.  FYI out of all these samples, there are two that I'm still 'considering'. The rest were not close at all. 

I also view getting samples as being less wasteful as well. Sephora and Nordstrom both have great return policies. Even if you use the item, if you're not satisfied you can still return it. Personally, I'd much rather get a sample than waste a whole jar even if they refund my money. 

I love love love free samples!! ❤❤

Seriously love!! I like ordering products I could pick up in the store online (via Sephora) because they always have free samples and some good ones. Lots of times I will also need a product but wait sometimes for 'free gift w/purchase' time.   It's a great way to get samples of products you wouldn't normally buy in the store. And lots of times samples are hit or miss, so you'll wind up liking some and tossing others. 

The samples I have below are:

Tarte's Amazonian Clay double detox face back, bareMinerals purely moisturizing cream, Dior's lash Maximizer, Stila's convertible color in Peony, and TimeBalm's Apricot Skin Renewal Cream.

HITS:

•  Tarte's clay mask was great! It was not drying and didn't get so hard that I thought my face would crack.  I noticed afterwards my skin wasn't 'dried out' like some masks tend to do, and my pores looked smaller.  Overall, my skin looked refreshed, I'd def buy this again.
• Dior's lash maximer: BOMB! This was great for me, it really did lengthen and separate my lashes, which made application of my mascara much easier! Not sure the price, but I would repurchase for sure.

MISS:

• TimeBalm's Apricot Skin Renewal Cream--for me, this cream was very, very heavy and thick.  It applied like "goop" compared to most moisturizers, and it wasn't for me.  I also didn't notice any significant moisturizing feeling...it only seemed to clog my pores.  Not for me. 
• bareMinerals moisturizing cream: for me, this cream felt like any other cream, which doesn't make me want to purchase it.  I feel like it got the job done, but I didn't notice any difference from a drug store cream (some of which are actually better in my opinion) and still had dry patches peeking through.  This just wasn't working for my skin.

Lastly, as for Stila's convertible color in Peony, I'm on the fence.  I think the color is soft, pretty, and buildable.  It can def work for day to night makeup, and it has the perk of being a cheek or lip cream.  Not sure if I would repurchase this only because I'm not a super fan of cream cheek color.  I prefer powder because for me, a novice, it is easier to work with and if you make a mistake during application, its easier to fix without ruining your makeup.  But again, the color is super pretty.