Category: Face
June 2022 Ipsy Bag – Show Your Colors
This month’s ipsy bag is a bit…meh. Except for that lemon zipper pull – I am OBSESSED.
I have been pampering my skin this year, so my product choice was Tatcha Indigo Night Cream. It’s THICK, but it’s not making me break out, so I like it. I think it would be better ion the winter than the summer, but since I opened it, I might as well use it.
Also in this month’s bag: Able Skincare Hyaluronic + Retinol Radical Youth Activator Serum (with a crisp cucumber scent, I LOVE this serum); Dr. Paw Paw Overnight Lip Mask (honestly, I haven’t tried it yet); Tarte Maneater Voluptuous Mascara (again, I have plenty of mascara, so I haven’t tried it yet); and Brow Atelier Groom & Sculpt Tinted Brow Gel in Chestnut (I don’t even have enough brows to groom or sculpt).
I am a bit disappointed with this month’s bag, but I’m CERTAIN that next month’s bag will be better.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and 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.
Wild Green Arctic Fox
You know me, I’m a SUCKER for a 50% off sale…
Arctic Fox Hair Color for 50% off – that’s just $9.24! I loaded up…I got 5 shades: “Purple AF”, “Virgin Pink”, “Wrath”, “Aquamarine”, and “Ritual”. I am not sure what Lily and I will be doing with all these colors…you’ll just have to wait and see. I also grabbed a Punky Color Lightning Fast Bleach Kit for her, which came with a free brush and gloves.
I also purchased the Urban Decay Cosmetics Wild Greens Eyeshadow Palette ($22, down from $44). Green eyeshadow is hit or miss with my green eyes, but I figure it’s worth a shot at 50% off. I’ve used it a few times and I am liking the neutral peaches more than the greens.
This purchase was made back at the end of May – during Ulta’s Gorgeous Hair Event. I would’ve posted earlier, but there was a bizarre screw-up on my order…instead of my Wild Greens palette, I received a jar of It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream. Sure, the face cream is regularly $50, much more than the $22 I spent on the palette…but it’s the principle! I called Ulta Customer Care and they were quick to ship me out a palette AND a return label for the cream. I was kind of hoping they’d tell me to keep it, but I was a good girl and sent it right back…in a Sephora box.
Just $546 to Diamond in 2023!
May 2022 Glam Bag X – Madelaine Petsch
I must be tragically uncool…I don’t know who this quarter’s ipsy curator is either! Google told me that Madelaine Petsch is in Riverdale, a show I have no interest in watching, based on the world’s worst comic book. But maybe she has good taste in beauty products…
I admit, I only picked the SONÄGE SKINCARE Baby Frioz Mini Ice Globes in “Lilac” because they look like tiny crack pipes. They are NOT crack pipes – you are supposed to put them in the fridge and then rub them on your face. I have not done this.
My other item choices were Keys Soulcare Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum and One/Size Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder in ” Translucent”. These items go GREAT together. Topping the serum with the setting powder is the perfect summer “no makeup” makeup look. This combo will be my go-to this summer.
Madelaine’s picks for me were Dew of the Gods Claydate Healing Face Mask (the packaging says that the clay was blessed by Buddhist monks – what kind of whack shit is that?); KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in “Trooper Black” (I’ll save this for the next time one of my children asks for an eyeliner); Saint Jane Beauty Luxury Body Serum (this is basically cooking oil – what do I do with this?); Saturday Skin Rise + Shine Gentle Cleanser (this cleanser makes my skin squeak like Irish Spring – I like it); and TYS Beauty Lip Treat (another lip plumper, ugh).
I like the products I chose MUCH more than Madelaine’s picks…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and 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.
Perfect Smooth Haul
It wasn’t on sale, but I was almost out of shampoo! I cannot risk a single day with dirty hair, so instead of waiting for a sale, I just ordered refills of my favorite (right now) – NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($23 each). My hair is also feeling sad and dry, so I added a SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment (30% off, so only $2.44).
Nail stuff was also 30% off, so I got some new Flowery buffers and a new Ulta toenail clipper. OPI Nail Lacquer Thinner ($10.40) was FINALLY back in stock, so I bought a bottle to try to revive some of my old crusty polishes.
My order was pretty boring, but even with the $3.50 off $15 coupon, it qualified me for a free 10 piece gift with my $60 order. The star of the gift is another tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL in “Turn-On”. THIS is the color I’ve been looking for! It goes on a boring brown, but as it dries, it becomes a near dupe for KVD “Lolita” – I love this shade! Also in the gift: Formula 10.0.6 Draw It All Out Skin-Detoxifying Mask; Covergirl Clean Fresh Brow Gel; Kristin Ess Reconstructive Moisture Mask (yassss, my hair needs help); Kneipp Mineral Bath Salt in “Eucalyptus” (offering to my son); Urban Skin RX Retinol Rapid Repair & Dark Spot Treatment; L’Oreal Infallible Matte-Lock Primer; Peach Slices Snail Rescue; Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream; and CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser.
$622 to Diamond in 2023.
TikTok Hair
I did a thing.
I saw an Instagram ad for this hair thingie that has supposedly gone viral on TikTok and I thought, why not? Even though I just bought a $550 hair vacuum, I went ahead and spent $16 on a Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set. I tried it fresh out of the shower and left it in for about 5 hours while I puttered around the house…but my hair is too long and thick and had not fully dried. It was still fairly wavy though. I need to try it overnight, on dry hair. I’m concerned I might strangle myself though, since I sleep on my side and flip 20 or 30 times a night…more to come. I don’t feel as bad about buying the stupid tghing since I had a $3 off $15 coupon.
I usually don’t get too excited about Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Event, most of the products aren’t my cup of tea…but…on one of the final days…I saw Kate Somerville EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser for half off ($22 instead of $44), I snagged two tubes – one for me and one for my son. He said it smells like a rosy fart – it’s the sulfur!
I also picked up a tube of NYX Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Bust Ed” ($9.50). It was very soft on my lips and VERY dark and vibrant. It is more purple than I was expecting, but it looks good on me.
$698 to Platinum in 2023.
March 2022 Ipsy Bag – Power Moves
“Power Moves”. Hmmm…that makes me think of a character’s special combo in Soul Caliber or Mortal Kombat. Makes me want to blind someone with razor sharp mascara…
Anyway…My product choice this month was Eleman Beauty Matte Liquid Lipstick in “Madrid”. I cannot sugarcoat it – the color looks like baby poop. Not newborn baby poop (greenish black) or breastfeed baby poop (stone ground mustard)…no, this is a baby already starting soft foods. Yeah, one of those NASTY poops. I really liked it and it had great staying power!
Also in this month’s bag: Araceli Beauty Tequila Highlighter in “Reposado” (are highlighters over yet? I’m SICK of them); First Aid Beauty Hydrating Eye Cream with Hyaluronic Acid (I haven’t tried it yet, but soon); Shaina B Miami B. Sultry Pressed Pigment Duo in “Vino & Bae Harbor” (this is my favorite item in the bag – not just because of the flamingos embossed in the pigment…the shimmery “Bae Harbor” is a perfect taupe gold shimmer); and Firma Beauty 202 Angled Blender Brush (I admit, I took this out of the package and used it with the pigment right away).
This month’s makeup bag is a little lame. It will probably end up full of Barbie shoes or something.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and 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.
Black Honey
I’ve fallen in love with Clinique Almost Lipstick in “Black Honey” ($20) over the past year…but I couldn’t buy a full-size tube because the rest of the world is in love with it, too!
It finally came back into stock online, so I snatched it right up. Who even am I, spending $20 on a barely tinted lipstick?
I also picked up two new Freeman Beauty Exotic Blends Masks at BOGO 40% off – Detoxifying Japanese Matcha Cream (VERY similar in texture to the Canadian Hemp Seed mask) and Exfoliating Indonesian Coconut (VERY similar in texture to the Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask). I added a HASK Color Care Color Protection Deep Conditioner packette ($2.99) – why should my face have all the fun?
My Zoya Remove+ is now $12 – fuck inflation! Good thing I had that $3.50 off $15 coupon…
$765 to Diamond in 2023…
February Glam Bag X – Addison Rae
I’m sorry to be so late posting about my February Glam Bag X, but ipsy did not include one of my items in the original shipment (the black croc bag, which was one of my selections). I contacted ipsy Care and they were very helpful in getting the bag out to me – it took about a week. It is a lot smaller than I expected, but isn’t that ALWAYS how it is?
This quarter’s curator is Addison Rae. Her name sounds vaguely familiar to me, but I admit – I had to google her. She’s this super famous TikTok-er? Is that the correct term – TikTok-er? I get on TikTok occasionally to watch videos my kids send me – I’ve even made a few videos – but I’ve never been subjected to Addison Rae content. My kids are teenagers and they say she is “cringe”.
My other product choices (besides the black crock makeup bag that I obviously don’t need because I have over 5+ years worth of ipsy bags) were Quay Australia High Key Mini Sunglasses in “Black/Smoke” and Keys Soulcare Harmony Mask. I plan on trying the mask on Sunday.
Also in my Glam Bag X: Tula Skincare 24/7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream (I just finished a sample that I received recently – I am excited to get a full size jar); Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (I will literally NEVER use this); Aceology Multi-Vitamin Brightening Biodegradable Masks; Pat McGrath Labs Lust: Gloss in “Love Potion” and First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum.
I find it interesting that someone so young (21) is pushing skin products for us older ladies…but I’m not complaining! I’d much rather have high end skincare than fake tanner or false eyelashes or whatever else these young whippersnappers are into.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month and 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.
December 2021 Ipsy Bag – Time to Shine
After last month’s Glam Bag X, the regular ipsy bag is almost a let down. Almost…
My product selection this month is Skyn Iceland Glacial Face Wash in White Willow Bark. This is a nice, creamy face wash – I like it.
Also in this month’s bag: Codage Paris Moisturizing Mask; Complex Culture Get Set Nail Polish in “Hustle” (a nice orange leaning red); Tarte Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara; and a Hipdot Contour Brush (I am about to fucking rage on all these makeup brushes – how do I make it stop?)
The rose gold bag is really nice. I want to put it in my big “mom purse”, but I feel like the glitter would flake off and end up in the bottom of my purse.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $12/month and Glam Bag X for an extra $43/quarterly. Oh wait, I just saw on the site that the price went up to $13 in October – I’d better check my credit card statement! If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
Cyber Diamond
Here we go, here’s the haul that made me Ulta Diamond for 2022.
I’m sure it’s not shocking that finally bought the Urban Decay Cosmetics Naked Cyber Eyeshadow Palette ($49), but it might be shocking that I paid full price. (I am still saving my Ulta points for a Dyson Airwrap – I’m up to $312!) It’s a very versatile palette, although I am concerned about the quality. The shadows are not as buttery as the first several Naked palettes – a few of the shimmers are downright CHALKY. Ugh. Use a primer and you’ll be fine, but it’s an annoying extra step. Also, watch out for fallout – the glitters get everywhere. I do wish there was at least one more dark, saturated shade besides the burnt orange, but I can mix and match with another palette.
I recently got new bleached streaks in my hair (another Ulta trip) and decided to dye them turquoise when I get sick of blond. I decided to try Arctic Fox in “Aquamarine” ($17) – my kids SWEAR by it. I feel like I’m cheating on Overtone, but their turquoise didn’t take well on my hair. Holding out hope for Arctic Fox.
I had seen the Kitsch Leopard Print Towel Scrunchies ($10.50, on sale from $14) at full price in the store, but was thrilled to find them for 25% online. I also splurged on Kitsch Moisturizing Spa Socks ($12, on sale from $16). I feel like the open toe design will be more comfortable to sleep in – it’s hard for me sleep in regular socks. I also threw in some Ulta Exfoliating Cotton Pads ($2.09), because why not?
I DID use the $20 off $100 coupon code that was out before the holiday sales, and I still qualified for the Hello Holidays 23 piece More Glow Beauty Bag. Inside the bag: Clarins Re-Boost Refreshing Hydrating Cream; Megababe Antibacterial Wipes in “Squeaky Clean” (note to self: do NOT confuse with makeup remover wipes); Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer; Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense; Ellis Brooklyn Sweet; Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris Eau de Parfum Intense (What are all these “intense” perfumes?); Lancome La Vie est Belle (2 samples of this one); Not Your Mother’s Naturals Activated Bamboo Charcoal & Purple Moonstone Shampoo and Conditioner (I’ve been wanting to try this one; Joico Defy Damage Protective Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque & Shield (4 packettes!); MAC Lipstick Samples in “Ruby Woo”, “M-A-C Red” and “Cockney”; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream; The Body Shop Body Butter in “British Rose” (I think this sample is why I chose this particular bag); Living proof. Restore Repair Mask; Jack Black Performance Remedy Turbo Wash (will go to the husband or the son); Kate Somerville +Retinol Vita C Power Serum; tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer; Dear, Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream (I’m scared that the package says “For Nighttime Only” – will I burst into flames if I use it in the daytime?); Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream; Biosilk Silk Therapy Leave-In Treatment; Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer in “Light Cool”; and NYX The Marshmallow Primer (made with marshmallow root – weird). The bag is super cushy, made out of ski-suit material.
(There were also a few gifts (not shown) from this haul – shhhhh…)