Tag: Charlotte Tilbury
February 2024 Ipsy Icon Box – Gwen Stefani
I swear I just finished posting about January’s bag…
Hands down, this month’s Icon Box might be the best one that ipsy has ever sent out. Is it because it’s Gwen Stefani? She’s had brand collabs before – remember her Urban Decay palette – but now she has her own line, GXVE Beauty. I’ve never had strong opinions on Gwen Stefani – I don’t hate her, I don’t love her…she is just kinda…here? But her makeup might change my opinion.
Right off the bat, Gwen’s lipstick blew me away. I received GXVE Beauty Xtra Sauce Longwear Vinyl Liquid Lipstick in “Original Recipe” ($24) and it is what Urban Decay WISHES their Lip Bond product was like. That shit did not BUDGE, yet it didn’t dry out my lips. It did, however, require very powerful makeup removed to get rid of…I haven’t tried the other GVXE Beauty product – GVXE Beauty Line It Up Clean 24-Hr Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in “Bathwater” ($20). I just don’t have much use for blue eyeliner at 48.
Another homerun in this box – the Dominique Cosmetics The Essential Palette ($49). Christen Dominique is an ipsy stylist – I guess she has her own makeup line now? This eye shadow palette is GORGEOUS. The colors are very similar to the Lolita Por Vida palette. This is the only eye shadow I’ve worn since the Icon Box arrived.
The Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation in “2 Neutral” ($49) was underwhelming. The color match was okay, not perfect…but it oxidized on my face almost immediately. I was able to smooth it out with a wet blender, but it was still frustrating to use. The REN Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($58) was fine. I used it yesterday and it did make my face smoother.
My product choices were mediocre this box. I should’ve looked for more details on the Maison Louis Marie No.13 Nouvelle Vague Perfume Oil ($65). The top note is muguet AKA lily of the valley, which is far too geriatric for me. It overpowers the citrus. I was happier with my other two picks: First Aid Beauty Oil-Minimizing Toner with Salicylic Acid ($24) and SONÄGE SKINCARE Saffron Energizing Vitamin Mask ($68).
This might be the first Icon Box where I use EVERY single product…except maybe that perfume. The box is worth $357 – NICE.
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.
Influenster Vox Box – Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath Gloss
Influenster and Charlotte Tilbury graciously sent me a complimentary sample of Collagen Lip Bath in “Refresh Rose” in exchange for my honest review.
Normally, I’m not a big fan of lip plumpers. My sister got me Lip Venom when it first came out – I don’t think they even make it anymore, it was so spicy. I’ve also tried Too Faced Lip Injection, as well as several other brands. I never noticed much of a difference, but then again I have full lips. I am definitely not the target market. The website touts marine collagen as the ingredient that causes plumper lips. The tingling feeling is coming from menthol and peppermint oil, so if you’re sensitive to either of those two ingredients – it’s best to steer clear. I definitely prefer the minty tingle to the capsicum that fuels some other plumpers.
I am also not big on lip glosses right now, preferring a smoother balm that doesn’t get all over everything. I will say that the collagen lip bath doesn’t make a mess and it felt nice on my lips. Since “Refresh Rose” is a clear gloss, I’v e been using it over lip stains and I really like how it feels and lasts all day. I also like the unique heart shaped applicator…that’s a new one to me.
I looked up the price point – $35 – and internally screamed. A bit pricy for a gloss, no matter how nice. If they drop it down to $20, I think they’d sell a lot more…I’m guessing that’s why I’ve never gotten any Charlotte Tilbury products before…it’s pricey AF.