Inside my Ipsy bag: March 2019

Welcome back!

Well it's march and time for another bag!

This bag is very pretty - I love the colour and the blue accents are really cute.

Onto what's inside:

This bag includes:

• Lip Gloss by Ciate London
• Mascara by Tarte
• Cleanser by Farmacy
• Primer by Illamasqua
• Leave in Conditioner by Foxybae

Let's take a closer look:

What: Lip Luster by Ciate London
Shade: Call Me
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: £15.00

My Thoughts: I love me a good lip gloss and this one delivers!  The colour is just slightly off of my natural lips with a hint of glitter.  I have been wearing this by itself but it also looks great over a lip colour.  The gloss is nice and shiny but the formula is not sticky.  I'd like to get this in some of their other colours.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Maneater Mascara by Tarte
Shade: Black
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 30 CND

My Thoughts: I've tried a number of Tarte mascaras through Ipsy and this one is good but probably my least favourite of the ones I've tried (Lights, camera, lashes, lash paint and lifted).  I do like it but the brush is a touch on the large side for me.
My Rating: 4/5

What: Cleansing balm by Farmacy
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 34 USD

My Thoughts: This is a really nice product.  It smells excellent (like key lime) and actually does take the makeup off quite nicely.  My skin felt great after using it too.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Hyrda Veil Primer by Illamasqua
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: £34.00

My Thoughts: This primer is okay.  It's not greasy and it is moisturizing but I just don't find that any of my foundations sit very well on it.  A pore refining primer is a better option for me.
My Rating: 3/5

What: Leave in conditioner by Foxybae
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 17 USD

My Thoughts: Why haven't I been using leave in conditioners all my life?  This is an excellent product. It smells amazing and works exceptionally well.  My hair is always a bit frizzy and this completely tamed it.  I am very impressed with this one.
My Rating: 5/5

I also bought extra products (I have a problem).

What: Highlighter by OFRA
Shade: Star Island
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 35 USD
My Thoughts: How did I only pay $3 for this?  This is a full sized OFRA highlight - I'm speechless.  This is an excellent highlighter, a very beautiful colour that gives off a great glow.  I'm so happy to have this in my collection.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Mud Mask by Ahava
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 35 USD
My Thoughts: I love this mask - in fact, it's my favourite that I've ever used. I actually got this in an Ipsy bag a while ago and had to snag another one when I saw it available as an add on.  The mask dries quite quickly so it's great if you know you don't have 20 minutes to devote to using a mask but still want the benefits.  And my skin feels wonderful after using it.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Brazilian Bum Bum cream by Sol De Janeiro
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 45 USD
My Thoughts: I really like this cream.  I can't speak to it tightening skin (since I haven't used it long enough) but I really like the scent, it isn't greasy and is pleasant to use.  If you have problems with scents, the scent is very good but very strong.
My Rating: 5/5

Final Thoughts:  This bag was excellent!  I really enjoyed trying all of the products and even though they were all sample sizes, they are products I'm happy to have tried.  I really enjoyed my extra products as well (though I did pick them out). I'm quite addicted at this point to buying the 3 extra products but it's a nice way to try out some new things or to buy a product that I know I love.

Until next month!

Inside my Ipsy bag: February 2019

Welcome back!

I can't believe how fast February has gone, time for another bag!

This bag is a little too cutesy for me but I'm sure I'll find some use for it.

Onto what's inside:

This bag includes:

• Powder Foundation by M.A.C.
• Eyeshadow by Meech and Mia
• Moisturizer by Glamglow
• Eyeliner by Doucce
• Brush by Aisling Organics

Let's take a closer look:

What: Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation by M.A.C.
Shade: NC20
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 35 CND

My Thoughts: I'm always excited to try M.A.C. products but this was such a letdown. The coverage is sheer at best, unless you want to look like a desert.  It was hard to actually get product from this sample since the applicator is terrible but even when I got the product on, it was not flattering. The colour was a great match but the formula emphasized my pores more than any other foundation product I've used.  I could see this working for someone who has great skin that is just a little oily or potentially as more of a setting powder.
My Rating: 1/5

What: Eyeshadow by Meech and Mia
Shade: Caramel
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 11.50 USD

My Thoughts: I'm not sure why anyone needs a full pan of this colour.  It's not nearly as ugly as in the picture but I just don't see the versatility of this particular shade.  The company has a really strange assortment of eyeshadow colours - I personally would pass and just buy pretty much anything else.
My Rating: 2/5

What: Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer by Glamglow
Shade: Nude Glow
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 49 USD

My Thoughts: This is a really nice product.  It smells quite good, is moisturizing without being greasy and gives a subtle glow to wherever it's applied.  This looks really nice under a sheer/light coverage foundation or by itself (if you have good skin).  I might get addicted to this one. It's pricey though so hopefully not, at least for my wallet's sake.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Fierce and Fine Graphic Pen by Doucce
Shade: Black
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 21 USD

My Thoughts: This is a super nice, fine tip, pigmented eyeliner.  I'm pretty terrible at lining my upper lash line but this gives the user a good amount of control without being super stiff.  It is very inky so you will get a dramatic look when you use it.  It's also very durable & long wearing.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Eyeshadow Brush by Aisling Organics
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 18 USD

My Thoughts: Why Ipsy? Why brushes?  This brush would be 'fine' except for the fact that it's dual ended which is annoying for storage. 
My Rating: 2/5

I also bought extra products (imagine that!).  Mostly because I was disappointed with the products that had been picked for me in this bag :(

What: Illuminating Concealer by Kokie Cosmetics
Shade: Light
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 8 USD
My Thoughts: I'm super impressed with this product.  The coverage is really good, it's blendable and it wears really well.  It works well for undereyes and also for blemishes/dark spots.  I'm even more impressed that I got this full sized product as a $3 extra.  Even the regular price of $8 is great. I actually think I might permanently switch to this concealer.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Silky Body Butter by purlisse
Scent: Coconut Oil & Coffee
Size: Travel
Full Sized Price: 36 USD?
My Thoughts: This product is great.  It smells so good and makes my skin silky smooth.  I currently don't see it on their website but they do have the scrub version of this product line so hopefully this one will become available.  I have several purlisse products and they have yet to let me down.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Pre-biotic Facial Wash by Elemis
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 25 USD
My Thoughts: This is one of the best face washes I've ever used.  As weird as it sounds, I think this is the cleanest my face has ever been after washing it!  There is no residue at all and my skin was left absolutely wonderful feeling.  It felt like I'd used an exfoliant and a face mask but there was no dryness, only soft, clean skin. The only downside to this wash is that I don't like the smell - it's very potent and sort of a mix between something very organic and very chemical.  Even though it's fairly aggressive, the results are so good, I don't really care.  I'm hesitant to try something like a mask from this line though because I'm not sure if I could stand smelling this for 10-15 minutes while it dries.  The price isn't too bad for the size of the product and how well it works though so I will probably buy this once I've used all of this sample.
My Rating: 5/5

This next product was not an extra, I redeemed 600 points for this one (well worth it).

What: Propolis & Honey Soothing Moisturizer by Hey Honey
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 42USD
My Thoughts: I've already given this one a rave review (December 2018 bag) and love it even more after having used it for the last 2 months.  This product has improved my acne prone areas by at least 90%.  I'm literally shook.  I'm dreading the full sized price tag (Hey Honey, feel free to send me some! haha) but it's well worth the money.  I probably will try to find another sample size before I run out of this new one but if not, I'll bite the bullet and buy the full sized version. I highly recommend this product. 
My Rating: 5/5

Final Thoughts:  I am super disappointed with this bag - my beauty quiz is up to date, I review everything and did the new 'frequency' quiz so I'm not sure why I got a brush and a neutral eyeshadow when I say that I don't want them?!  The last few bags were so good that I think this one is just extra disappointing.  I really enjoyed my extra products (though I did pick them out) but hopefully Ipsy does better with my bag next month.

Inside my Ipsy bag: January 2019

Welcome back for another review!

The end of 2018 was pretty good for my Ipsy bags - what does 2019 have in store for me?

Spoiler alert! This is a pretty great bag.

I'm not a super fan of the look of this bag - it's pretty retro looking so if you're into that, you'll enjoy this.  The shape is good though so it will at least be useful.

Let's see what's in it:

This bag includes:

• Pigmented Particles from Seraphine Botanicals
• Nail Polish from Nailmedic
• Lip Gloss from Fluide
• Hand Cream from Ahava
• Eyeliner from Illamasqua

I'm so excited, let's take a closer look:

What: Crystal + Chrome Pigmented Crystalline Particles by Seraphine Botanicals
Shade: Smokey Quartz
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 18 USD

My Thoughts: I don't really use loose powders/pigments but this one is really nice.  I love the colour and over an eyeshadow primer, the colour comes out really well.  I did try this on my face just to see what it looked like and it was really pretty.  It's way more colour than I would normally wear but the longer I had it on, the more I liked it.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Nail Polish from Nailmedic
Shade: Rose and Chill
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 8 USD

My Thoughts: This colour is so beautiful, it's pretty much right in between pink and gold and looks different depending on the lighting.  It goes on nicely and also wears well.  I'm surprised at the low price to be honest, it's more than worth it.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Lip Gloss by Fluide
Shade: Elsewhere
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 12 USD

My Thoughts: I love lip gloss so I'm always down to check out a new one.  This one is pretty good, it's thick and moisturizing but it isn't sticky which is really nice.  It is pretty small for a full sized product though - I think I'd probably just spend the $12 on a different brand that offers a normal sized product.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Hand Cream by Ahava
Scent: Sea-Kissed
Size: Sample Size
Full Sized Price: 24 USD

My Thoughts: I have such a big collection of hand creams but I absolutely love them so I love discovering new ones.  This one is SO good!  I have a face mask by Ahava as well and it's my absolute favourite so I'm glad to see that their other products are great as well.  This hand cream is very thick and moisturizing but is not greasy at all which I love to see. And the smell...the smell is wonderful.  It stopped my in my tracks when I smelled it, it's so fresh and brings about happy feelings.  It's a bit pricy as the full size is only 100ml (compare to Hempz which is about the same price for 500ml).  But I think I will buy this after my sample is done anyway since it's so great.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Eyeliner by Illamasqua
Shade: Honour
Size: Full Size
Full Sized Price: 10 USD

My Thoughts: I'm not really into pencil liners and I rarely wear anything other than black.  That being said, this is pretty good.  I wouldn't repurchase it for myself but it's absolutely a serviceable product and I'll have no trouble using up this one.  Ipsy suggests that you can use it on the lid as well so I did try it out but it didn't really blend very well. It could also be more my lack of skills though.
My Rating: 5/5

I also purchased three extra items, 1 full sized and two samples.

What: The POREfessional Primer by Benefit
Size: Sample Size
Full Sized Price: 32 USD
My Thoughts: So I actually got this in my Ipsy bag last month and was blown away by how well it works.  It's not something I would wear everyday but if I wanted my makeup to look flawless, I would use this.  This sample size is very small but for the amount of times I will use it, I figured the two samples I have will last me for a while.
My Rating: 5/5


What: Skin Balancing Mask by Goldfaden MD
Size: Sample
Full Sized Price: 75 USD
My Thoughts: So...for the price, I feel like this should have done a lot more to my skin than it did.  It was okay, but just okay.  It's a really strange consistency for a mask (very thin), it smells pretty good (citrus) and it works not too bad - my skin felt pretty decent but not as good as most of my clay masks feel.  And I didn't really notice any difference in my skin tone.  I will continue to use this sample though and will post if the results get better with repeated use.
My Rating: 4/5


What: HG palette by Violet Voss
Size: Fun Sized!
Full Sized Price: 18 USD (fun sized), 45 USD (full sized)
My Thoughts: I am really impressed with this palette.  I heard of the Holy Grail palette and planned on purchasing it in the future so when I saw this available through Ipsy (for $12), I knew I had to get it.  The shadows are quite nice and even though it doesn't have as many colours as the full sized version, there are more than enough colours to make several different looks.  The shadow quality is really nice and I love that there is a mirror in the palette as well. I will be getting a lot of use out of this.
My Rating: 5/5

Final Thoughts: This was a great bag - I gave everything a 5/5 rating!  I was surprised to get 4 full sized products and a deluxe sample but in general, the products weren't overly large or expensive so I'm glad that they went will the full sized versions.  I think out of all of them I would only repurchase the hand cream but everything is a welcome addition to my ever growing collection.

I'm getting a little addicted to buying the extra items!  I do think that it's a great opportunity to try a few more products or to purchase products that I already like.  The shipping is free since the items come with the Ipsy bag so some things end up being a pretty good deal.  Also, it's super easy to order since you just have to select your items and they charge your card on file.

I'm somewhat torn about upgrading to the glam bag plus though.  I want the glam bag plus but I really want to keep my Ipsy bags.  I also don't want to pay for both.  I would love an option to get a glam bag plus every so many months but from what I know, that is not an available option.  If you've upgraded to the glam bag plus, let me know your thoughts.

Until next time!

-Morgan

Inside my Ipsy bag: December

Well I hope that everyone had a happy holidays! 

Let's take a look at the final bag of 2018.

This bag is so glam, I love it!  I feel like you could for sure get away with this as a clutch for a holiday party.  The back is black btw.

Let's take a look inside:

 I***I'm loving the look of these products together with the bag!***

 This bag includes:

• Primer from Benefit
• Nail Polish from Tinct
• Soothing Cream from Hey Honey
• Lipstick from Beauty Crop
• Hand Cream from Cake Beauty
• Brush from F.A.R.A.H. (bonus item)

Let's take a closer look:

What: POREfessional Face Primer from Benefit
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 32 USD

My Thoughts: I've tried several different primers and I've never felt that any of them really do much to help my makeup/skin.  This primer is completely different than anything I've ever tried. It makes my skin so soft and gives a really smooth surface for the foundation to adhere to.  I absolutely love how my skin looks when I use this.  The price tag is a bit hefty (42 CND for a full size) but after only using this product a few times, I think I'm going to buy it after my sample is done anyway because it's just that good.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Nail Polish from Tinct
Shade: Aarhus
Size: Full Size
Full Size Price: 10.50 USD

My Thoughts: I was really happy to see a nice, different shade of nail polish in my Ipsy bag - this one does not disappoint.  The purple is opaque in 2 coats and seems to wear well.  The brush is nice so it's also easy to apply.  A really nice nail polish.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Propolis and Honey Soothing Cream from Hey Honey
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 42 USD

My Thoughts: I'm always on the hunt for a good, non-greasy facial moisturizer and this one is a big winner.  I have a breakout on my chin and this says it's good for red and upset skin so I've been trying this for the last few days and it's working wonders on my skin.  I will say that the smell is a bit weird, not bad, just weird. I think I'm hooked though, even with the price tag of the full sized item, it's worth it for how well this product works.  I will be buying the full size of this one.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Lipstick from Beauty Crop
Shade: Rhubarb Custard
Size: Full Size
Full Size Price: 13 USD

My Thoughts: This is a really nice lip product.  It very much is a weird hybrid of lipstick and lip gloss as it's very pigmented but also very shiny and has staying power.  I personally am not a super fan of this colour for me but they do have some others that I would be interested in and since the price is reasonable, I feel like I will probably try more of them out in the future.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Hand Cream from Cake Beauty
Scent: Iced Gingerbread
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 10 USD

My Thoughts: I love Cake Beauty - the first thing I ever purchased the full size of after having gotten a sample in my Ipsy bag was Cake Beauty's Lemon Body Lotion.  That stuff smells absolutely amazing and the formula is a step above all else.  It's moisturizing but not at all greasy - my favourite hand cream I've ever used.  They have 4 main scents which are all great and they also put out seasonal scents at Christmas - this one included.  I must say that I'm not a fan of this scent, nor the rest of the holiday line.  But the formula is the exact same so if you do like this cream but not the scent, I encourage you to go out and buy one of their staple scents (Lemon, Strawberry, Coconut & Vanilla).  And you really can't go wrong with any of their products, I also have their dry shampoo and a body mist which are both great.  And if you need extra, extra moisture on your hands, use their Heavy Cream Body Balm - it's fantastic.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Brush from F.A.R.A.H.
Size: Full Size
Full Size Price: 10 USD

My Thoughts: This is a decent brush - in general, I'm not that fussy about brushes but this one is fine.  It is a bit flimsy, you can bend it quite easily but that doesn't really affect the performance that much. I personally would not pay $10 for this brush but thanks Ipsy for the Christmas gift :)
My Rating: 4/5

I also paid for 3 extra items:

What: Highlighter from Nomad Cosmetics
Shade: Ko Pha Ngan Moonlight
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 12 USD

My Thoughts: This is beautiful - like seriously. This is a pale purple at first look but has this beautiful blue sheen to it when the light hits it.  It does make for a bit statement though so this maybe isn't your everyday highlighter - or maybe it is, depending on what look you are going for.  Subtle this is not.  This is also beautiful as an eye shadow.
My Rating: 5/5

What: Radiance Pads from First Aid Beauty
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 30 USD

My Thoughts: I have a few things from Frist Aid Beauty that I love and I was actually thinking of buying these (in a set with other products) so I was happy to see this as an extra sample that I could get.  I like these - I'm not exactly sure what they do but they do make my face feel nice and they smell good.  I would definitely purchase these in a set but I'm not sure if I would buy them separately because I just don't really know if they deliver on their purpose.
My Rating: 4/5

What: Mud Mask by Grace & Stella
Size: Sample
Full Size Price: 19 USD

My Thoughts: I really like masks.  Like a lot.  I have a ton of them but I still seem to buy more, I have an obsession. I love clay masks and dead sea masks and this one is really good.  My skin is very soft after I use it and not red and aggravated like some masks.  If I ever run out of masks, this one will be high on my list for repurchasing.
My Rating: 5/5

Final Thoughts: THIS. This is what I wanted Ipsy. Take note.  I would say this is the best bag I've every gotten.  I've always reviewed items but didn't regularly update my preferences quiz or use the tuning/rating function.  But I started to use these in the last few months and this is the culmination of that.  Here's hoping that this trend continues for 2019!

Have a fun and safe rest of the year - see you in 2019!

-Morgan