Tag: Indie Makeup

Ipsy March 2020 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4
Ipsy Bag

Cost: $12 monthly, $132 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. You can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

You can now customize your bag and pick out one sample per month that will get to be in your bag which is a pretty nice change even though it came with a price increase.

This was a big “celebration” month in honor of the 100th Ipsy bag. So everyone got 6 items as well as a deal on Add-Ons. Add-ons usually start at $3 dollars but we got a 42 off discount on add-ons so for the first time ever I did get an add-on for an additional $1.07 which I’ll talk about later in this post. Other then that which pretty much saved the month for me it was a pretty meh bag.

Caolion Blackhead O2 Bubble Pore Pack

Full Size: 50 g

Full Size Cost: $14.49

Sample Size: 15 g

Value: $4.35

I don’t love these bubbling masks I feel like they are alot of gimmick, but they are super fun so I will use it.

Girlactik Precise Eyeliner Marker

Full Size: 1.2 ml

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 1.2 ml

Value: $20

I have gotten this before I can’t remember if it was from Ipsy or from Macy’s it is a fine liner nothing that amazing nothing that terrible. I have alot of open liners so I am not opening this just to swatch it we all know what a black liquid liner looks like.

Honey Jarret Clean Whip Cleanser

Full Size: 100 g

Full Size Cost: $18

Sample Size: 30 g

Value: $5.40

I have never heard of this brand but it seems pretty affordable. This is supposed to be really cleansing and get all the dirt and makeup out of your pores so I am wondering if it is going to also be really stripping.

Grace & Stella Lavender Lotion

Full Size: 473 ml

Full Size Cost: $15

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $0.95

I don’t love this it isn’t the sweet lavender scent that I prefer. It is also really greasy I am not the biggest fan.

Wander Beauty Wandress Eyeshadow in Blossom

Full Size: 6 shades x 1.6 g Each

Full Size Cost: $25

Sample Size: 1.4 g

Value: $3.65

This to me looks like and feels like a highlighter it is a pretty pink shifting gold shade very shimmery but not a ton of base color. The whole palette it comes in also sorta looks like a highlighter palette to me and that is how I plan to use this up. It is really pretty and smooth though I don’t hate it.

Complex Culture All Over Shadow Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $18

I love these brushes they are so high quality so soft they blend beautifully. I just love them this is the third I think I have gotten from Ipsy. One was also part of the add-ons so I got the precision eyelid as an add-on for a dollar and am super happy to have these two brushes. They are so so nice. I love them.

Not my favorite month but the two brushes have me super super happy.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $52.35

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 4

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Boxycharm February 2020 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4

Boxycharm

Cost: $25

Cycle: Every Month

What is it:

Boxycharm sends out 4 to 5 full size items every month which makes it really unique among the  boxes I subscribe to. It is a nice change to get all full size products especially for $25 which is usually less then the cost of one item in the box. Boxycharm also joined the customization train and you can choose between 2 items to have one in your box for the month. I really like that because Boxycharm was getting to the point where I was only liking one thing in my box and even though the value was there the fun wasn’t anymore.

If you would like to subscribe you can use my referral link HERE. I don’t get anything other then points but would really appreciate it but do as you feel comfortable you are also welcome to use the link in the header that leads to the regular homepage.

You can also review your products and get “charms” which are their versions of points that you can use as money off in their shop.

Winter came back with a vengeance and I am so cold that even the short while I need to be out from under the blanket to write this is physically painful.

Ciate London Everyday Vacay Coconut Setting Powder

Full Size: 15 g

Full Size Cost: $22

So this is the stiffest powder I have ever felt. Like I didn’t know a powder could feel so stiff and dry it is weird. It also says it is coconut scented but it isn’t. Pretty packaging though and this is a brand new just launched product so that makes it a bit cooler to see in here.

Alamar Cosmetics Complexion Brush Trio

Full Size: 3 brushes

Full Size Cost: $36

This is a very interesting set of brushes. First I don’t like that they are all labeled with what they are “supposed” to be used for because it seems misleading. The littlest brush is labeled a brightening brush which is just an odd thing to call a brush it is either a highlighting brush or an under eye setting brush but it is a bit dense for either of those uses. Then the brush that is labeled bronzer is more of a foundation brush. It has all the bumps on it that make it uneven so it would make bronzer super patchy. It is super weird.

Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $98

This was the item I chose and I am definitely getting my moneys worth with these picks. This was pretty sticky on but I am hoping it will help make my skin appear smoother and refreshed like it claims. Kate Somerville products have a good reputation but I have never had the chance to try any of their more expensive more interesting products.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Full Size: 28 pads

Full Size Cost: $17

These I have tried before and they are pretty unimpressive they are like grown up Oxypads. I find them to be pretty drying so I will hold off using these till the summer. I have never used them longer then a week or two but I can’t say I saw any brightening other then just removing dirt and oil from my face.

Evioskin x Aurora Refreshing Cleansing Hemp Wipes

Full Size: 30 Wipes

Full Size Cost: $14

Travel Size: 15 Wipes

Cost: $10

These are currently totally sold out but we don’t get wipes in boxes often so even though these are the travel size I am pretty thrilled to get some new ones to try. Everything has hemp or cbd in it these days since it is the hot new trend but still a win.

Another month of a very skincare heavy box but I am not going to complain about that. Though I am hoping for some fun makeup next month. I love getting brushes because who wants to pay for them.

Total: $183

Total Value to Me: $161

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy February 2020 Subscription Box Review

nightmareb4
Ipsy Bag

Cost: $12 monthly, $132 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. You can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

You can now customize your bag and pick out one sample per month that will get to be in your bag which is a pretty nice change even though it came with a price increase.

This bag is so so soft and touchable. That dusty pink quilted look is not my thing it really reminds me of a pillow my grandma had on her couch (that was also wrapped in plastic, anyone else’s grandmother do that? Raise your hands) but i just want to pet it.

Coloured Raine Matte Liquid Lipstick in 24 Seven

Full Size: 3.5 g

Full Size Cost: $17

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $17

This looks so different on than it does in the tube. Which for me is a good thing I hate the color in the tube but on it is quite pretty. I really liked this it is comfortable it stayed on really well. It was a little messy to apply but nothing too terrible. I picked this and I am super happy with my choice. Swatched below.

The Balm Petal to the Metal Shift into Overdrive Va Va Vroom Cream Eyeshadow in Turbo

Full Size: 8 shades

Full Size Cost: $29.50

Sample Size: 1.2 g

Value: $3.69

I have a complicated relationship with The Balm I love the aesthetic and the packaging but the actual products are either 100% great or please get that item away from me I never want to see it again. This is a bad one this is a cream shadow which I already don’t like and it comes off on the eye as all glitter sparkle and no base color. For a shade name Turbo it should have a whole lot more going on. The fact that this comes in a palette of cream shades makes this look and feel like kids make up. Swatched Below.

Tarte Sex Kitten Liquid Eyeliner

Full Size: 0.047 oz

Full Size Cost: $20

Sample Size: 0.035 oz

Value: $14.89

So I don’t like the pencil version of this liner and I don’t like this liquid one much either. It is really smudgey and it bleeds alot it is hard to draw a nice line with too. The packaging is really cute ant it is really black so I’ll probably leave it at my Gf’s house for emergency eyeliner needs. Swatched below.

You can see the eyeliner bleeding and the difference in the lip color’s color here. You can’t really see the hot mess of the cream eye shadow since it swatched fine but trust me it isn’t great.

Pure Brazilian Deep Conditioning Masque

Full Size: 236 ml

Full Size Cost: $32

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $4.07

I love a good hair mask and I love not having to pay for them. This has argan oil and keratin in it so I expect good things. Happy to see it in my bag.

The Beauty Crop F203 Fineapple Powder Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $13

Well this is the cutest brush ever with the pink and blue ombre and the pineapple on it. The quality is not there for a $13 brush though. the bristles are cheap feeling and not that soft and the brush itself is super light.

A real mix of hits and misses here this month that seems to be the case with Ipsy alot despite the fact that you review your products and it is supposed to get better the longer you have it and I have had this for years. Supposedly next month we will be getting 6 items, I am excited for that.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $52.65

Skincare: 0

Makeup: 3

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 1

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 1

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup