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 can with a price increase.
This was the first month we I got to try out customization. I just went on when I got the email and chose the sample I wanted. I really like that because it guarantees you will be at least sorta happy with something in your bag.
This month Ipsy did a Betty Boop Collection. The bag is super cute but the products all seemed pretty meh.
You can only get this if you buy the whole collection this is not great it comes out really smooth and black but it is is so liquidy and bleeds really terribly. I have potential plans to use this to make the dark/shadowy base you use under liquid latex for wounds so that I don’t waste a good eyeliner. But I doubt this will last long in my life if I don’t end up using it for that.
I hate this product it doesn’t work from my skin at all I find it to look really really heavy and sit on top of my skin in a really unflattering way. This is just not a good pick for me. Though I know it is really popular.
This was my customization choice, I’m never going to pass up an expensive serum. I don’t know how this works yes but I should get about a week or two out of it and it is my next serum to try when I finish up my current one (that I hate its a random niacinamide one) tonight. This is supposed to help reduce lines and sagging.
This is supposed to draw out impurities and hydrate. I am leery about putting olive oil on my face but I’ll give it a go when my face feels like it needs a heavy does of nourishment.
This was not a great month for me at all. But you win some you lose some I don’t really love anything in this months bag and the only one that I am interested in trying is the serum I picked out. This month had a shockingly low value as well after the change and the promise of a higher value I am pretty displeased. I don’t feel like I got my moneys worth.
What is it: Every month you will get a bag, a $5 off coupon (sometimes $10), 5 deluxe samples and 1 bonus sample. Why not just say 6? I don’t get it.
All the brands will be brands you can find in Macy’s which is cool since they sell Mac and a lot of other brands that are never to rarely in subscription boxes.
The cool thing about the coupon is that it is good in stores and online also Macy’s does have sales and $5 products so if you are strategic you can score a free product every month. Depending on your state you may still have to pay tax but it is still basically free.
Hurray another month of Macy’s I really do love this box I get really excited for it every month. Lately instead of a bag we have been getting like reusable beauty item like we got a brush roll, a brush, and this month a muslin washcloth. I am into it. I have plenty of bags.
I hate this powder so I am of course not excited to see it. I find it to be weirdly too light and to pink. As well as really kinda gunky/cakey on my skin. This is also so tiny you would go through it really fast. I guess good for travel though since powder containers are so huge.
I have always wanted to try a muslin cloth but never wanted to buy one this is actually a bit rougher and thinner then I thought it would be. I don’t see this holding up long but it is so small and easy to fold I think I might keep this with my travel stuff and use it for a traveling wash cloth.
I love these single use body cleansing cloths for throwing in my car or in a bag if I am gona be out at like a festival or theme park all day to clean up when I feel gross. I know this brand is supposed to be very good for skin and taking care of your personal bits so that’s cool.
It is nice to see something from Origins that is not the charcoal mask which I have gotten over and over in boxes. This claims to reduce signs of aging but doesn’t have alot of claims so eh I don’t have that much faith that this does anything except feel nice.
Despite how tiny this is it is about half the size of the full one which says how misleading the full size package is. This is blurring but it has shimmer in it that I don’t love so this is kinda a miss for me.
I have still yet to try this because it takes me so long to get though cleansers. Gel cleansers aren’t usually my favorite but I have the mask from this line and I kinda want to try them together.
I don’t like unfinished cotton pads I feel like they are messy and fall apart and these kinda do that too. These are very soft I will use them up and probably all this month but I would not buy these for myself ever. These are large enough to cut in half which is always great double the bang for your buck
Most of this months value, almost half, came from just the Origins Serum so this was a bit of a low value month in my opinion. I still am always happy with that they send and how unique some of the things they send out but I feel like the samples were just a bit on the small side this month I would have liked them to send maybe 2 or 3 of the Fur cloths to pump up the value and feel of the box this month.
So I am back after some technically difficulties that caused the site to be down for a few days so sorry about that but it is all sorted out now and we are back up and running.
I have used up so much stuff this month alot of it on vacation so there are some separate pictures of those items.
Skincare (24)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel I thought I was going to love
this since I love the eye cream so much but this had a fragrance I didn’t like
it was a bit floral and just unnecessary. It was a nice light hydrating but
watery moisturizer that I would use again I might see if they have a unscented
version.
Repurchase: Maybe
Origins Clear Improvements this is an ok clearing mask but I don’t
think it is too magical I prefer the tea tree one from The Body Shop. I cut
this open which I don’t do often with face masks because it isn’t always enough
but since I more area treat then full face mask with this it got me a whole
application extra out of it.
Repurchase: No, but I do have more of this so you will see it
again eventually
Clinique Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly I don’t love this
moisturizer it basically turns to water when you touch it and can be really
hard to apply. But it is does feel cooling and nice and basic on and I like it
for that. I get this in samples a lot so I I will use it but It isn’t special
it is also not going to be enough if you have dry skin.
Repurchase: No
Tarte Knockout Tingling Treatment this is a Salicylic and Lactic
acid treatment/toner to clear skin and exfoliate I really really liked it it
did help clear up gunk in my pores and it did do a little chemical exfoliation
but not a ton. I would consider re buying this. This also smells and tastes if
it gets in your mouth exactly like malt vinegar.
Repurchase: Maybe
Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti Aging Serum I don’t know what this
was supposed to do but it felt nice and thick in a good way.
Repurchase: No
Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb I don’t really like the Aqua Bombs
but I had it so I used it. I find them sticky and not that hydrating.
Repurchase: No
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser I hated this its heavily fragranced
and sorta feels like you are washing your face with had soap.
Repurchase: No
Coola Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Matter Tint in SPF 30 (2) I am
on the fence with this one it looks and feels nice and matte and smooth at
first but then it gets pretty greasy though out the day. But it doesn’t break
me out so I don’t know.
Repurchase: Maybe
Coola Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen in Fresh Mango this is really sticky
and white I can’t tell if it was breaking me out or not.
Repurchase: No
Dr. Jart+ DermaClear Micro Makeup Remover (5) These are
really nice and gentle on my eyes but
really really effective for removing eye makeup. They are kinda milky so they
are not for touch ups but I like them.
Repurchase: Yes
Be Fine Single Serve Gentle Cleanser (2) this was like washing my
face with water and it smelt bad.
Repurchase: No
Be Fine Single Serve Exfoliating Cleanser this is really sticky
and chunky.
Repurchase: No
Kiko Milano Pure Clean Eyes & Lips Makeup Remover I got this
in a little travel set with a milk lotion. This was ok at getting makeup off
but not strong enough for very heavy eye makeup or waterproof mascara. So while
it was gentle and didn’t sting my eyes I wouldn’t recommend.
Repurchase: No
Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Face
Masque I don’t feel like this did anything and it was kinda drying. This just
left me really confused this did not invigorate my skin or brighten it.
Repurchase: No
Garnier Skinactive Moisture Bomb The Super Hydrating Mask
Anti-Fatigue this is really nice in the sense that it felt so soothing and nice
and moisturizing on but in terms of doing anything not really. The fit is also
kinda eh on this the eye holes are really small. These are so inexpensive
though that they feel nice enough to be a nice treat. I was able to snag two of
these for free with a Garnier coupon and for free or the very cheap price I
would coupon them for they are fun and nice.
Repurchase: Probably
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye-Gel Cream this felt super nice it was
really bouncy if that makes any sense.
Repurchase: No
Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Eye Cream this was only like 5
days worth of eye cream so I don’t know if it really does anything but it is a
really thick cream that feels nice if that is something you are into.
Repurchase: No
Philosophy Purity Hydra Bounce Eye Gel hydrating but not really much else.
Repurchase: No
Random (9)
Fortune Cookie Soap Company Dim the Lights Mini Headache Oil this
is one of those essential oil headache/muscle relief type roller balls it was
nice it felt soothing and relaxing but it didn’t do much for actual headaches
other than being mentally soothing and relaxing. The fumes on this were pretty
strong though and would bother my eyes sometimes. Anyone ever rub muscle rub in
their eyes by accident? Just like that. I would probably consider trying a
product like this again but not this one.
Repurchase: No
Sweet & Shimmer Face
& Body Wipes Mini Wipes in Vanilla Bean I always pick these up when Ulta
has them for the holiday sales. I love that they smell good and are tiny
because I use them for removing swatches. Love these.
Repurchase: Yes
Ulta Beauty Smarts Mask Removing Cloths so I used these as
disposable wash cloths for travel and loved them of course they stopped selling
these but I think I found potential and much cheaper replacements on Amazon.
Repurchase: Not these
Sweet & Shimmer Brush Cleansing Wipes (3) these have been game
changing for me because I can bring just a few brushes instead of a lot of
brushes with me. These don’t replace washing but they work for like having to
be out and doing makeup.
Repurchase: These or others but glad I know they exist
Dove Men Clean and Comfort Antiperspirant this smelled like baby
powder ew. Hated it.
Repurchase: No
Aquaphor Ointment Travel Size I love Aquaphor for chapped skin and
lips and any little scrap or whatever I need it for.
Repurchase: Yes
Tommy Bahama Conditioner I used this bottle to shave and it was fine I usually do that with hotel conditioners and it is fine.
Repurchase: No
Home Scents (1)
Bath and Body Works Deep Cleaning Hand Soap in Boardwalk Vanilla Cone I loved the scent of this it really did smell like a vanilla ice cream cone with the like chocolate on the top. Such a yummy scent. I don’t love the Deep Cleaning hand soaps I would opt ofr the creamy one or the foaming when (if it comes back around we all know how bath and body works can be) I buy it again.
Repurchase: Yes
Lip (1)
Blistex Complete Moisture I love this chapstick it is so smooth and moisturizing on and it feels so good. It also has this nice light sweet lemon type scent/flavor that I really adore. The only this I don’t like is that if I apply to much which I tend to because of how good it feels it cakes up really white and thick on which is not a good look.
Repurchase: Yes
Makeup (8)
Smashbox Photo Finish Lip
Primer this wasn’t a great primer it didn’t grip eyeshadow well and didn’t
prevent fading at all.
Repurchase: No
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
this was a great primer I really want to try it some more. It wasn’t too sticky
my eyeshadow looked great all night.
Repurchase: Probably
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes I
don’t like this mascara I find it too heavy on my lashes.
Repurchase: No
Bare Minerals Prime Time
Eyelid Primer this was a terrible primer it did nothing I would want a primer
to do. It didn’t prevent creasing didn’t make my shadows last longer or make
them look brighter or grip them either.
Repurchase: No
Cover Fx Mattifying Primer
with Anti-Acne Treatment I don’t think they make this anymore but I really
liked it it was silicone based but felt smooth and nice rather than that slippy
feel.
Repurchase: Maybe
Pur Cosmetics Get a Grip Eye
Shadow Primer this was a good primer but very sticky and hard to blend over I
know some people prefer a sticky base and this might be one to try I just don’t
like sticky bases.
Repurchase: No
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in
Zero this can’t be sharpened anymore so its done for. I love these eyeliners
they are smooth and creamy and long lasting. I I have a strong feeling that the
L.A. irl eyeliners are the same formula though baased on a green one I tried
from them so I will be trying the black one from them before I would go to
repurchase this. If it is the same I would only rebuy these for color I can’t
get in the L.A. Girl Line.
Repurchase: I never thought I
would say this but maybe not
Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter in Rose Gold so technically this isn’t empty but I have hit major pan its getting old and it is way to dark for me like ten months out of the year so I am letting it go and I feel like I have given it enough effort to call it an empty and not a declutter. My empties my rules. It is a nice creamy pretty look but it tends to fade away fast.
Repurchase: No
Lotion (2)
Paul Mitchell Energizing
Lemon & Sage Body Lotion this I picked up at some hotel some where you
can’t buy it I don’t think. It smells so nice but it does leave my skin really
dry. Which is unfortunate I have a few other at home that I will use because it
smells so good though.
Repurchase: No
Nivea Aloe Vera Body Lotion this absorbed well into wet skin but otherwise it was just meh to me I don’t like very basic lotions like this just not my preference but I know this would be great for people who need and like simple lotions.
Repurchase: No
Bodycare (5)
Bio-Oil (2) I had two packets of this so I gave it ago this seems
like an oil you need to use a lot of at a time and it is pricey. So for me no
thank you. It is also unscented which is not my preference but important for
those that need that or like that. This is a pretty thin non greasey oil that
didn’t spread very far.
Repurchase: No
The Fortune Cookie Soap
Company Sea Salt Body Scrub in Sandy Toes and Sunkissed Nose I really liked
this it had that perfect sandy summery beachy scent and was a ice scrubby
scrub. The only thing I don’t like is how fast you use up scrubs that are in
this loose consistency.
Repurchase: Maybe
Bath and Body Works Shower Gel in Poolside Pop this was a fruity
fun summer scent and a good shower gel but I have tons and the scent is long
retired.
Repurchase: No
Spongelle in Quince Blossom I love these sponges for travel but this scent was a bit more floral and powdery then is my taste.
Repurchase: No
Perfume (5)
The Fortune Cookie Soap Company Dreamer Shimmer Perfume Oil I
loved this scent one of those typical fruity candy sweet scents that I adore
this was almost like sweet tarts but less sugary sweet. I am terrible at
describing scents. I wish this hadn’t had all the glitter in it but I would get
this scent again in other forms or if there was no glitter if it comes
available again. The FCS perfume oils last forever on my skin hours later I can
usually smell them no matter what I have been doing that day.
Repurchase: Yes
Moschino Toy 2 Perfume this was kinda a nothing scent really.
Repurchase: No
Juicy Couture Oui I like this one I have it in a full size.
Repurchase: Yes
Coach Floral I don’t normally like floral scent but this one was quite
pretty and very tolerable.
Repurchase: No
Zoella Bake My Day Perfume this smelled so fake and cheap I hated using this up I didn’t like any of the Zoella perfumes that came in the set I bought they all smell cheap and fake and even though they are cheap they are not worth it.
Repurchase: No
Haircare (6)
Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask in Hibiscus this is not really a
color depositing mask it is pretty much just a packet of dye. And it worked it
dyed my hair and pretty evenly too but I would expect that from dye. I can get
better quality dye for cheaper. This also left my hair a bit frizzy which my
normal hair dye would not have. I bought two packets of this but one was almost
enough for all my hair so I didn’t open the second yet I will use it up but
this is not worth it just buy a regular jar or bottle of hair dye you will be
better off.
Repurchase: No
DevaCurl No-Poo Decadence I tried a few samples of this before I
committed to a whole bottle and I had loved the samples but after getting through
a whole bottle I am mostly ambivalent about it. It was fine but not as magical
as the samples. It left my hair drier then I would prefer and a bit more tangle
prone then my hair ever usually would be. My hunt for my perfect no poo shampoo
continues.
Repurchase: No
Bed Head After Party I love this product it is like a smoothing
cream with that standard Bed Head fruity scent (that is clearly the theme of
this empties). It only takes like three or four pea sized pumps to smooth out
my hair and leave it soft and shiny but with out feeling like there is anything
in my hair. I don’t like that sticky heavy feeling of having product in my
hair. I have a smoothing serum I want to try but I have doubts it will hold a
candle to this. Like it looks like suck a gimmicky bottle and concept but it
really does revive your hair and make it look so pretty and styled when I have
actually done nothing but brush it.
Repurchase: Yes
Marajo Cleansing Cream I like this cleansing cream alright this
packet was far to small for my hair so I had to supplement with the next
product and it was not great for my hair.
Repurchase: No
Tommy Bahama Conditioner this was awful as a conditioner my hair
felt so dry. Ugh I hate hotel hair products.
Repurchase: No
Marajo Deep Butter Treatment I really like this hair mask I have a full size of it too. This saved my hair after the conditioner fiasco.
Repurchase: Probably, It is expensive
Declutter (14)
Seraphine Botanicals Liquid Coal Waterproof Liquid Liner this was
really hard to use and I would have to go over it to twice to get a solid black
like and it was hard to get neat precise wings for me so this one is a pass.
Colourpop Brow Boss in
Brunette this is just too light and too brown of a color for me.
Touch in Sol No PoreBlem
Primer I just don’t like this primer it is too slippy leaves my skin feeling
greasy and I don’t find it pore filling.
Kat Von D Everlasting Face
Shaper Bronzer in Shady Business 1 this got shattered I am not really sure how
but I never liked it so it is no loss. It was too orange and way way to shimmer
for my liking.
Medusa’s Makeup Metal AF Lip Gloss in Hells Bells these are not
lip glosses they are metallic liquid lips and the formula on them is fine they aren’t too drying they stay
on ok I just don’t like this Barbie pink color and won’t ever use it.
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel
Liner in Blacquer this I really don’t know what is going on I’ve heard such
rave reviews about this eyeliner but I couldn’t get it to transfer to my waterline
at all. I tried warming it up on my hand, it was impossible to get off so I
imagine if I had gotten it on my eye it would have been good. I don’t know if I
got a dud or what but this was unusable.
The Balm Meet Matt(e) Trimony in Matt Moskowitz I have another
Meet Matt(e) shadow in Matt Kumar and that one is great and blendable. This
purple Moskowitz shade is so patchy and hard to blend it just does not perform
well for me.
Elf Gotta Glow Lip Tint in Perfect Berry this is one of those color
changing balms but it is weird. It barely changed in then there would be random
patches that were a little purple and it just looked odd as hell. I have this
same on in pink and it doesn’t do that but it is in my maybe declutter pile
because it is really pink and I don’t know if I want to keep it, but that is
for a different day lol.
Lipsmacker in Silly Strawberry last summer Target had a Disney
collection for Mickey’s 90th birthday and there was a pack of like 5
Mickey themed Lipsmackers that came our and it was cheap like no more then 5 or
6 dollars so I had to have it even though I don’t always love Lipsmackers. I
know I used on up and I am using one now that I like ok. But this strawberry
one is so artificial and thick and gross I hate it and I am not going to kill
myself to use a lip balm I hate that cost like a dollar or less.
Tresemme Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo this made my hair feel
sticky and look greasy.
Sleek Highlighting Palette in Distorted Dreams as pretty as the
colors in this the formula just was not it didn’t apply well or last at all it
was just a mess.
Kiss Professional Makeup Lip Stain in Lost Cherry this was not a
great lip stain no lasting power even though the color was pretty.
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Minor Sin I don’t like shimmery eyeshadow primers. Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Rosé this is just too light a color for me and too peachy.
So much stuff this month so proud of myself. Alot of declutter because there was alot of things I didn’t like this month that I had put my mind to try which both feels good and a bit anoying because I don’t like getting rid of or wasting stuff.
Total This Month: 75
Total: 440
Approx Value This Month: $266.25
Approx Paid This Month: $134.87
Approx Total Value: $2,270.69
Approx Total Paid: $643.31
I have a really good ratio of paid to value of used products going on here I feel really good about how my empties have been going this year now. I wasn’t feeling stressed about empties this year which was making me feel stressed like I wasn’t doing enough. #anxietyproblems
