Tag: Subscription Box
March 2024 Ipsy Bag – Rewrite the Rules
March’s bag itself is adorable – I love the painted agate design and it’s fully lines and everything. The contents though…
I have no complaints with my product choice this month – Goldfaden MD Plant Profusion Night Cream. It’s creamy and smooth, with a luxe scent. It’s almost empty, actually.
The rest of the products are unlikely to be touched: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Wax in “Shade 3” (you have to HAVE eyebrows to put wax in them); Jazmine Beauty Coastal Chic Shine Control Primer (ugh, another primer); Gloss Moderne Clean Luxury Radiant Polish for Hand + Body; and WingMe Cosmetics Mega Blending Brush 15 (ugh, another makeup brush). Ipsy needs to step it up!
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.
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.
January 2024 Ipsy Bag – Come Clean
It’s already February…and I’m tired. So tired.
My product choice for January was Yensa Beauty Pink Lotus Peptide Renewal Face Cream. It’s a heavy, HEAVY cream – but it smells nice and luxurious. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue on my pillowcase, so I like it.
My other products this month were Floss Rise Above Lengthening Mascara in “Black” (suspiciously similar packaging to MILK Makeup’s Lengthening Mascara); Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (oh yeah); Les Beauty Lip Liner in “City Lights” (haven’t touched it); and Ren Clean Skincare Radiance Glow and Protect Serum (I HATE the scent – it smells like rotten yogurt).
I like the sequined bag, but I am afraid to use it – the sequins might fall off. I think it will end up being a Barbie bag.
I just got February’s Icon Box – I need to catch up!
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.
December 2023 Ipsy Bag – The Glammest Show on Earth
Is “glammest” even a word?
Doesn’t matter, this bag IS the glammest…and check out the zipper pull! I love a big heavy ball, don’t you?
My product choice this month was Veriphy Skincare Self Absorbed Moisturizer. I’ve been using it as a daily moisturizer and it’s the perfect weight. My skin feels well moisturized and it isn’t too heavy.
Also in this month’s glammest bag: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in “Medium Brown” (I’m usually a “Dark Brown” girl, but I’ll still use it for “no-makeup” makeup days); Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator (slightly peppermint scented, seems very similar to his POREdermabrasion product); SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica First Ampoule (the texture is very serum-like); and Tresluce Beauty Ilusión Volumizing & Lengthening Mini Mascara in “Jet Black”.
A pretty good bag – I’ll use 4/5 products.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
June 2023 Ipsy Bag – Ready, Set, Play!
I am so behind…more time in the office, less time in the house, ugh…
I haven’t touched a single thing in this month’s ipsy bag – not a thing! My product choice this month was Frank Body Rosehip Body Scrub & Cleanser – it looks like it would be a good pouch for travel, so I think I’ll wait until my next trip (Reno in July) to try it out.
I also got: Adesse New York Nail Polish in “Bellini” (very, VERY pale pink); BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Natural Matte Tinted Moisturizer in “Vanilla” (I have been wanting to try this – going into the office more might be a good excuse); Dito ICE CREAM Liquid Lipstick in “Lucky”; and WingMe Cosmetics 03 Small Shading Brush (that’s right – another FUCKING eye brush).
This month’s brands seem a bit off, but there is a good mix of products…plus a super soft and squishy bag.
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.