Category: Face
November 2023 Ipsy Icon Box – Pat McGrath
This quarter’s curator is Pat McGrath, of Pat McGrath Labs. I don’t have a lot of Pat McGrath products…in fact, her stuff is so pricey that the only stuff I’ve tried out is lippies either from other ipsy drops or Sephora Favorites Sets. Her eyeshadow is supposed to be FANTASTIC, so I was excited that her Divine Rose Luxe Quad in “Eternal Eden” ($62) was in this quarter’s icon box. It was every bit as soft and blendable as they say – I am in love with the palette. The color story is very similar to one of my other faves – KVD Lolita Por Vida, just on a smaller scale. The box also included Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in “Elson” ($39). It is a great-for-everyone red…but it’s lipstick and when I wore it, it got all OVERYTHING. My poor Smashburger was covered in lipstick.
My first product choice this month was Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Shampoo + Conditioner Duo ($65). Imagine, spending $65 for a TINY set of shampoo and conditioner. It did smell nice, but I have so much hair that I will probably only get 4 uses out of the conditioner. NOTE TO SELF: do not use again until I get a haircut.
My second product choice was Act + Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum ($86). I haven’t tried it yet…but my hair is thinning and I figured, why not? NOTE TO SELF: Don’t complain about having too much hair in one paragraph and then describe a product to grow MORE hair in the next paragraph.
My final product choice was the Baublebar Cosmic Couple Earring Set ($44). I just needed more gold earrings.
I also received: Dew of the Gods The THEORY Retinol Moisturizer ($42) – which has been a nice light moisturizer for every day; Tatcha The Rice Wash Soft Cream Cleanser ($40) – I like that it has a bit of texture to it; and Danessa Myricks Beauty Dew Wet Balm in Rose Water ($22) – very unlikely to use this one.
Ipsy says this month’s box was worth $400…even at the new price of $60/quarter, that’s a steal.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
CeraVe Ulta Haul
I know buying face wash is not very exciting, but 40% off CeraVe was a deal I couldn’t pass up…I got CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid ($10.79, down from $17.99) for me and CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment ($11.39, down from $18.99) for Lily.
Essence and Milani was also on sale, so I got Essence Electric Glow Color Changing Lipstick ($3.49, down from $4.99) – almost as good as Frog Prince, but not quite – and Milani Precision Brow Pencil in “Dark Brown” ($7.69, down from $10.99). It’s a decent pencil – as good as Ulta’s!
Oh, there was definitely more stuff in this order…but Xmas is coming and Nailtopia was also 40% off.
$148 to Diamond in 2024.
October 2023 Ipsy Bag – Glam-O-Ween
Glam-O-Ween sounds like a competition on RuPaul’s Drag Race…and I’m here for it!
This month’s product choice was Saturday Skin Rise + Shine Gentle Cleanser. I got a full size in a Glam Bag X last year and used it all, so I got it again. It makes my skin so clean it squeaks.
Also is this month’s glamtastic velour spider bag: ACE BEAUTÉ Effortless Radiance Loose Setting Powder; Avant Skincare Collagen Intense Radiance Activator Serum (I’ve been using before bed and it smells SO luxurious); ciate London Extraordinary BB Cream (I’ve also tried this one out – not bad and absorbs well); and Clinique Acne Solutions™ Clinical Clearing Gel (I’ll probably let me daughter have it).
A nice skincare centered bag this month…not a product will be wasted.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Metal Mania Ulta Haul
Urban Decay keeps making Naked Palettes and I keep buying them. Sigh.
I know, I know…I barely even wear eyeshadow anymore. But Naked Palettes – I just can’t quit you. So I added the new Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Metal Mania Metallic Eyeshadow Palette ($59). Weren’t these $54 before? Hmmm…the colors are very nice, but I feel like they aren’t blending as well as the older palettes. I cannot tell if this is a change to my eye skin or the shadows themselves…I’ll continue working with them to figure it out.
I also got a free gift – my choice of Urban Decay x Smiley Naked Mini Eyeshadow Palette (regularly $33). I chose the “Mucho Happy” one, but I haven’t tried it out yet.
I also restocked on basics – Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner in “Rose” ($10.95) and Got 2b Glued Spiking Glue ($7.99) for Lily’s Band Hair. I also add a Sweet & Shimmer Sheer Lilac Lip Oil ($2.99), but was disappointed that lilac is just the color – not the flavor or scent.
Oh, the reason I ordered when I did…to get the National Brow Day (October 2nd) Sampler with my $50 purchase. I got a Morphe Supreme Brow Dual-Ended Brush; Winky Lux Uni-Brow Mini Precision Brow Pencil; NYX Micro Brow Pencil in “Cool Ash Brown”; Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax (no…just no); Benefit Gimme Brow Brow-Volumizing Fiber Gel (Another no); Anastasia Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown” (YES!); and Ulta Beauty Dual-Ended Brow Highlight in “Light to Medium”. Are we still saying “brows on fleek”? No?
I got to use a $15 off $50 coupon…just $202 to Diamond in 2024.
A Citrusy Ulta Haul
Have you ever smelled a scent that was so amazing that you had to stop what you were doing RIGHT THAT SECOND and order every product that you could find in that scent? That’s what happened to me when I smelled Hempz Citrus Blossom Herbal Body Moisturizer With Vitamin C. I got a tiny 2.25oz sample from Ulta and I immediately ordered a big 17oz bottle ($27.99). Of course, I am kicking myself this week – Hempz is 40% and that same bottle is $16.79. Run, don’t walk to buy it.
I rounded out my order with a few more citrusy products: Megababe Sunny Pits Daily Deodorant ($14), which smells EXACTLY like the Love’s Baby Soft Lemon that was one of my mom’s favorites and a clearance Ulta Scented Foaming Hand Wash in “Pink Grapefruit” ($3.50), another scent that reminds me of my mom. Now I can think of my mom when I smell my armpits and when I wash my hands.
Lily was out of zit stickers, so I ordered Peach Slices Acne Spot Dots ($4.99) for her. She said they didn’t work as well as Zit Stickas, so I don’t think I’ll be getting these again.
I got a free 5 piece Beauty Break from e.l.f. Cosmetics with my $50 purchase: e.l.f. Power Grip Primer; Whoa Glow Sun Protection + Makeup Primer; Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm; Luminous Putty Bronzer; and Hydrating Core Lip Shine in “Happy”. Oh, and I used my $3.50 off $15 coupon, OF COURSE.
$268 til Diamond in 2024.
September 2023 Ipsy Bag – Find Your Groove
I LOVE a fancy zipper pull and this month’s ipsy bag has a wild tasseled zipper pull. Groovy.
This month’s theme is “Find Your Groove”, so consider it found. My product choice was First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream – winter is coming, and so is my dry skin. I’m still trying to use up the Kate Somerville Cream from May’s box, so I haven’t busted it open yet.
Also in this month’s groovy bag: Hey Honey Show Your Glow – Colloidal Gold & Honey Beauty Mask (a nice soothing mask that doesn’t dry or peel – you just rinse); Lavido Thera Intensive Oil Control Clarifying Gel Wash (going in my travel bag for this weekend); Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara in “Supernova” (a nice mascara – very basic); and Shaina B Miami Lip Gloss in “Heat Wave” (haven’t tested it yet).
A nice bag with products I’ll actually use!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Rosy Ulta Haul
I was running low on my absolute FAVORITE underarm deodorant – Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant ($14) – so I ordered one. I literally used the last smidge in the roller the day this box arrived.
We’re all adults here…I hope…so I’m just going to put it out there…after a hysterectomy and menopause, a lady might need a little help in the moisture department. I ordered Unbound Jelly ($18) and it does what it is supposed to do. No weird scents or flavors, it just gets the job done. Ulta is now carrying a wide variety of lubes and toys, so be forewarned. Good thing my teenagers actively ignore anything I write or put on social media!
Eyebrows are the most important element of my look these days, so I stocked up on a few more Ulta Ultra Slim Brow Pencils ($10 each) – one in “Medium Brown” for casual looks and one in “Dark Brown” for when I want to go full “Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford in Mommy Dearest.” I got a free 9 piece gift with my purchase that includes an eye and face palette; ULTAmate Lashes Mascara in “Jet Black”; Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick in a mystery shade; Lip Stain in a mystery shade; Poreless Face Primer; Matte Eye Primer; an eye shadow brush and a makeup sponge, all in a metallic pink makeup bag.
Not only did I use a $10 off $40 coupon and got the free Ulta gift with purchase…I also got a free 10 piece body care gift with my $60 purchase…which wasn’t really $60 because of the coupon. The gift included Hempz Citrus Blossom Herbal Body Moisturizer; Daily Concepts Your Facial Mini Scrubber (looks like the Dobie pad in my kitchen); Kniepp Mineral Bath Salt in “Under the Weather” (eucalyptus!); Whim by Ulta Beauty Peppermint Moisturizing Foot Mask; La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+; L’Occitane Amande Shower Oil; Completely Bare Don’t Grow There Body Moisturizer & Hair Inhibitor (you KNOW I’ll be trying this); Megababe Space Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar; Dionis Goat Milk Shave Butter; and Fresh Milk Body Cleanser. I feel like I would use ALL of those!
Just $329 to Diamond in 2024.
August 2023 Ipsy Icon Box – Vanessa Hudgens
This quarter’s Icon Box is fronted by Miss High School Musical herself, Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens is a REAL star, not just an influencer or brand owner. How on earth does she have time to curate a beauty box in between movies and albums? Is it because of the actors’ strike?
The item I was most excited to try out was Il Makiage Color Boss Master Eyeshadow Palette in “Hundo P”. The brand is nearly ubiquitous for their magical color matching foundation…which I haven’t tried. I was somewhat disappointed by the eye shadow. It’s got a weird creamy texture that I haven’t mastered quite yet. That being said, it blends amazingly well. Once I get the hang of it, I suspect my disappointment will turn to joy.
The three products I chose were Keys Soulcare Golden Cleanser (you know I love washing my face…I keeping picking Keys Soulcare items, eventually I’ll have the whole line); Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Clarify + Clear Mask (you know I love a good clay mask – I just used the last of the Dew of Gods Mask); and Earth Harbor Naturals Azure Regenerative Neck Creme (I don’t remember what the choices were, but I guess this was the best one – have not tried it yet).
A few of the products I will NEVER use: Iconic London Lip and Cheek Cream Trio (ugh, remember creme rouge in the 80s?) and Wander Beauty Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner Duo in “Jet Black” and “Tan Lines” (ugh, no more eye liner, please).
The last two products will get some use. I’ve been using the Volition Beauty Neroli Complete Crème before bed. It’s not as good as their Yaupon Moisturizer, but not bad. I haven’t tried the Joanna Vargas Skin Care Magic Serum – I’ll try it after I finish off the JLO Glow.
This month’s box was worth $418…not bad!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Barbie Ulta Haul
Even though I know the quality is gonna be bargain basement, I went ahead and ordered the NYX Limited Edition Barbie The Movie Collection Vault PR Kit ($90). The set includes BARBIE Mini Palette in “It’s a BARBIE PARTY!”; BARBIE Mini Palette in “Turn Up the KEN-ERGY!”; BARBIE Jumbo Eye Pencil Kit; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Dreamhouse Pink”; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Perfect Day Pink”; BARBIE Mini Cheek Palette; BARBIE Butter Lip Gloss; BARBIE Jumbo Lash; and a BARBIE Flip Phone Mirror.
As I suspected the quality is mid…but it’s Barbie, so I don’t care. The eyeshadows and blush are fine, but the lipsticks are shit and smear all over everything. Lily wants the little flip phone mirror, so I’ll probabaly just let her have it, as well as the lashes. This set is a far cry from Colourpop’s Malibu Barbie Set, but it’s not total trash. I’m glad I ordered this when I did – it’s out of stock and I doubt it’s coming back.
There was a lot of other Barbie stuff for sale – hair ties, OPI Nail Polish, CHI dryers and straighteners…but the only other thing I got was Barbie x Moon Bubble Mint Whitening Toothpaste ($12.99). It’s kind of disappointing for a $13 toothpaste. It tastes like the Barbie and Spongebob toothpaste I used to buy for my kids when they were toddlers.
Oh, I also bought some stuff I had been saving in my cart. I got a Milani Green Goddess Transforming Lip Balm ($9.99) because I was hoping for a dupe of my beloved Frog Prince Lipstick…it’s not exact, but it’s decently close! The Tony Moly Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick ($12.50) works really well. I don’t know HOW is scrubs out my nose pores, but it does.
I also got a free sample pack with my purchase that included Mugler Alien (I fucking hate this scent and give it away the first chance I get); Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune; Prada Ocean Luna Rossa; La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum (my daughter showed me THAT TikTok and now I cannot help but think of roach pussy every time I see this brand); Tanologist Face + Body Drops (will be given to a child); KylieSkin Hydrating Face Mask (low key scared to try it); and Avene Solaire UV Sunscreen Fluid. This is one of the shittiest sample packs I’ve gotten in ages – like they are trying to get rid of nasty shit. At least I got to use a $5 off $25 coupon…
$366 to Diamond in 2024. (I got my hair did a few weeks ago – even though I used $175 in Ulta Points, I still spent $90 or so.)
July 2023 Ipsy Bag – The Great Escape
This month’s ipsy bag was a bit odd…
Not only were the items odd, but the bag was odd. The violet and yellow satin pouch is from ipsy’s sister brand Refreshments, which appears to be a monthly razor and/or deodorant subscription. I’d check it out if the the family wasn’t already set up on Dollar Shave Club (which is somehow no longer a dollar, but more like three or four per razor). It’s fine, I can always use more pouches.
This month’s product choice was Dew of the Gods Cutie Fruities Blemish Stickers. I haven’t been able to test them out yet, somehow my skin has been fairly clear this summer.
Also in this month’s ipsy bag: First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA (I’ve been using this on my chest and bikini line – it makes everything so smooth!); Mudmasky Vitamin-A Booster French Clay Mask (I used this last week – it was like powerwashing my pores); Mo Beauty Divinely Defined – Precision Brow Pencil & Brush in “Light Brown” (it was empty and unusable, but I am too lazy to complain to ipsy about it); and Seraphine Botanicals Amla Nude – Silky Nude Eyeshadow Palette in “Dawn Light” (I actually gave this to my stepmother-in-law to wear to a wedding, so she could feel sparkly and fancy). A good – but odd – mix of products.
I’m glad next month is an Icon Box (curated by Vanessa Hudgens!), so I can get some full size products.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.