April Ipsy

This month's Ipsy theme was pink, which I at first had some concerns about. I like pink but it can go a little too kiddie or Barbie. Or it can just make me look washed out and sickly. I was pleasantly surprised when I received my bag, these products are wearable and pretty. The bag itself is of nicer quality then the last couple had been, but I've already got it looking dingy...white bags, clothes, etc and Heather do not go together.

 

 

 

Be A Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks - $16.00 - I had never heard of Be A Bombshell Cosmetics before I received this blush. Sweet Cheeks is a gorgeous shimmery pink blush that is very pigmented. It doesn't take much on my fair skin to provide a gorgeous glow. It can be amped up a bit for a brighter cheek. To sweeten the deal, it's full size! This is my favorite product this month and will be put into rotation with my other blush and cheek stains. I tried to get a more accurate depiction of the color in the picture below. I need to find my (multiple) digital cameras and stop using my phone for my photos.



Be A Bombshell - Sweet Cheeks

Sation Nail Lacquer in Love at First Byte - $5.00 - I've read a few reviews about this lacquer and the main complaint I can find is that it takes too long to dry. Which I will have to agree with. I painted my nails and then ruined them (as I usually do) by trying to do laundry when they weren't as dry as I assumed. I don't know if this is necessarily the lacquers fault or mine. I do like the color, at first I thought it was going to be too orange for my skin tone, but its a perfect mixture of pink, nude, and pale orange. Very springy!

Mica Beauty Mineral Eye Shadow in Earth - $14.95 - I love the gel eyeliner from this brand that I received from Ipsy a couple of months back and I was happy to see another product from Mica Beauty. I don't normally like mineral eye shadows or any sort of loose eye shadow but the color on this is perfect for highlighting all over the face. Perfect for a nice summer glow. This is another full size product this month.

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment - $21.95 - I actually received the Big Sexy Hair Powder Play Volumizing Powder but traded it with Clara for the oil treatment because I really don't use hair powders too often. This oil smells lovely and does well to tame my frizz. I think I like the Macadamia Oil Treatment better that I have, but this is much cheaper. The packaging on this is a little iffy, the bottle leaked on the bag (see...I should never have anything made of material that is white) and therefore it would not be great to throw in my purse, as I had originally intended.

All in all, I was impressed with this month's bag. I have not yet received my Birchbox (what's up with that BB?) so as of right now, Ipsy is the April beauty box winner. Once I receive my Birchbox I'll get something posted and we can see if Ipsy reigns supreme.

 

 

March Birchbox & Ipsy

I have had these two posts as drafts for awhile now and I've finally gotten around to finishing them. I know, it's the middle of April and I've already recieved my April Ipsy box and I'm behind, behind, behind. Better late than never, as they say.

 

 

Birchbox attempts to make each box themed and it seems each month I don't quite grasp the theme they are trying to convey. This month is no exception. I always read the little card and think "HUH." Probably more of a reflection on me, but I suppose I don't really need a theme, I just want to try the products.

 

 

Sage + Fasten Common Sense Eau De Parfum - $50.00 for 50ml - This scent is amazing and I feel it encompasses spring. Out of the bottle it smells quiet citrusy with a smear of peach. On it takes on a soft, floral scent with a hint of peach. My husband didn't like it much from the bottle but he approved of it on. The perfume didn't cause any unslightly rashes or give me a headache, which is a win!

 

 Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment - $39.95 - This oil smells incredible! I have to be careful to not use to much of this treatment because my hair is already oily, but a little on the ends makes my hair soft and gorgeous smelling.

 

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque - $36.00 - I haven't actually tried this yet, my hair is in pretty good shape and I want to save it for the next time I do something harsh to my hair.

 

Make Dual-Phase Eye Makeup Remover - $18.00 - I didn't particularly like this makeup remover. It did a fine job of getting my eye makeup off but it left my skin feeling oddly dry but kind of oily. I'm not a huge fan of oil and water makeup remover.

 

Make Lipstick in Marachina Cherry - $18.00 - I usually shy away from bright red lipstick but recently I've been trying to expand my horizon when it comes to lip wear. This lipstick is highly pigmented and a thin swipe over my lips was more than enough to show the gorgeous color. I didn't feel overly done up with it on and it lasted for quite awhile. It dries to a slightly matte finish, which I find much easier to wear then big, bright, shiny red lips.

 

Madewell for Birchbox Emory Board - $5.00 - I really can't exclaim over an emory board, they are pretty straight forward and nothing to write home about. I will use it as I do my nails often and the print is very cute. This was a nice little extra in this month's box.

 

 



March Ipsy

 

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist - $22.00 - I've only used this a couple times and I've decided to save it for this summer. It smells nice and is cooling and will be great for hot days and sunburned skin.

Glam RX Compact - $16.50 - This little compact is very cute, a great size, and since I love containers, I was happy to see it in my box. Upon looking up the brand I was a little amazed to see that the one that they are selling is so expensive! It does come with a couple of little products, but it is still a paper/cardboard like compact that will probably be worn out in a couple of months. Needless to say, I would not purchase this but I will use my sample.

LA Fresh Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes - $1.99 - I have used this brand of face wipes before and I can always use more face wipes. I haven't actually cracked these open yet, since they are nicely contained I'm going to save them to take on my next trip (or whenever I run out of the others that I am currently using.)

Yaby Eyeshadow Pan in Azalea Petal and Seashell - $3.15 each - I had never heard of the Yaby brand before receiving these samples (which aren't actually 'samples', but more on that later.) I pulled up there website and it seems to be another run of the mill cosmetics company that deals with replacement pans for magnetic compacts. The two colors I received are pretty and seem to have pretty good pigmentation. I was surprised at how much seashell showed up on my skin, usually light colors don't show up on my light skin. From what I can gather on the website, the two pans sent are the size of the pans that you would be able to order, which is much better than getting a smear of eyeshadow as a sample.

Azalea Petal & Seashell

 

 

Hopefully the next reviews for April don't take nearly as long as these did. I'll try my best!