Ipsy January Glam Bag 2014 Review

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what is in the first bag of 2014!

Here's first looks: 

And the breakdown:

Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner,  $3.60 - I love leave in protective hair products and I insist that my girls use them, too. This one is reviewed really well online and sounds unique. It repairs with cocoa and moisturizes with soy and wheat.

Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm, $12 - This brand was new to me until we received a travel set in the PopSugar Limited Edition Holiday Men's Box. I've liked the products I've tried so far and am thrilled that I got this one! Obsessive about lip balm all year round!! 

Proactiv Mark Fading Pads, $8 - This is a total guess on the price, I am only seeing these sold separately on Amazon, it looks like they are one of the 5 items in the $40/month Proactiv service. I've never used Proactiv but have always felt convinced by their advertising! haha! These are supposed to do several things, including fading fine lines and diminishing pores, so I'll give them a try!

Skiin Soothing and Smoothing Eye Cream,  $15 - I'm kind of concerned that all of the products on the Skiin website are on "clearance." This is a new brand to me, is anyone familiar with it?? I'm super serious about eye creams and will give this one a shot when I finish my current Lancome. I hope it does all of the wonderful things it promises!

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow, $6 - This is such a pretty, rich copper color and I love the texture. It reminds me of the creamy Pixi eyeliner pencils that I love so much!!  

This month's bag had a value of about $45, just craziness for only $10. I'm excited about this bag, these are all products I am excited to have and try! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what next month brings! :D

Ipsy Glam Bag December 2013 Celebration Review

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what is in the December Celebration bag!

First looks:

Always excited to see that fuchsia envelope!

And the breakdown:

Ardell Eyelashes, $3 - Hmmm.. I keep getting faux lashes. I think this is a sign that, in addition to embracing a bolder lip, I need to work on embracing the fake lash in 2014!

Pop Beauty Eye Shadow Palette, $7 - Pretty, basic colors. The last thing I need right now, though! So passing these along.

Bombshell The One Stick, $16 - I like this brand a lot and am a fan of anything that streamlines routine - this can be used as lip gloss, eyeshadow and cheek tint!

J. Cat Big Lip Pencil, $4 - Never been much of a lip pencil fan. I just can't seem to get it right? I'm sure it's one of those things like eyeliner that just takes practice!

Starrily Nail Polish Bzzz Bzzz, $4 - Looks just like a glittery bumble bee! Cute!

This month's bag had a value of $34. Probably not my favorite bag ever but I'm excited about the glitter polish and the Bombshell stick! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what January brings! :D

Ipsy Glam Bag November 2013 "Glam It Up" Review

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what is in the November Glam It Up bag!

Here's first looks:

And the breakdown:

My girls love getting new makeup bags! They use them for all kinds of things - this one was instantly filled with a gel pen collection! Haha!

A coupon for emcosmetics.com/ipsy - 30% off with code ipsy30

Nailtini Nail Lacquer in Caviar Cocktail,  $13 - I received a similar color in my Birchbox this month and decided to keep this one of the two! It looks just a little bit more shiny/metallic.

Glam Glow Youth Mud Treatment, $19 - I was surprised to see .5 oz containers of this for sale on Sephora. This definitely looked like a little tube to me but that means it's full sized! My skin has been freaking out lately and doesn't have much chance of calming down headed towards the holidays. Any and all miracle masks welcome!!

Em Mascara, $20 - WOW... the reviews for the four mascaras in this line are all almost perfect 5 of 5 stars! Excited!!

Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil in Amethyst, $12 - Eyeliner... I have a drawer full... This one might be the fabbest of all but I'll be passing it on.

Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon in Hot Damn,  $14 - Ummm... hot damn, that's a bright red crayon! LOL!

Pixi Beauty Bronzer,  $10 ($18 online with brush included, so price is a guess) - Any and all bronzers welcome around here, too! Can we just PRETEND it's summer??? 

This month's bag had a value of $88! HOLY CRAP! $88?? Insanity. If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what December brings! I'm hoping for even MORE glam and sparkle!! :D

Ipsy Glam Bag October 2013 The Art of Beauty Review

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what is in the October The Art of Beauty bag!

Here's first looks:

And the breakdown:

* Zoya Nail Polish in Mason, $8 - Why didn't I get the green??? :( Zoya is my favorite polish and I was so excited to get a bottle. Unfortunately, this color is almost identical to the Selena Gomez polish that I've been obsessed with for the last few months. I received the SG polish as a bonus gift from Ipsy and I wish they hadn't included this color since it's basically identical! :(

* Style Sexy Hair Spray Clay,  $5 -  This product sounds really interesting! It's supposed to provide an allover textured look with a matte finish. I have to put my little dancer's hair in a strict bun for her competitions and I'll be trying this out this weekend in place of the gel we normally use!

* H2O Hydrating Treatment, $7 - The reviews of this product are fantastic!! Some of them even remind me of my beloved La Mer and how I put it aside in the summer because it's too rich and heavy. Super pumped about this! Hope I love it for dry winter skin!! 

* Nourish Organic Coconut & Argan Lotion, $2 - I love that this lotion is organic! The smell is a little fruity/tropical for what I'm wanting right now, but I'm a lotion-aholic, so it will get put to use!

* OFRA Lipgloss Plumper , $13 - This tube is small and I was surprised to find that it's full size! It supposed to contain just a "touch" of plumper. Who is opposed to full plumping?? haha! Always excited to try a new gloss! 

This month's bag had a value of $35 and is once again a great value for $10! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what November brings! 

Ipsy Classic Beauty September Glam Bag Review

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what is in the September Classic Beauty bag!

Here's first looks of Classic Beauty:

Love this happy pink envelope! :)

And the breakdown:

NYX Single Eye Shadow in Lanikai, $4.50 - This is a really pretty darker blue. Will make a great smoky eye for fall and winter!  

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm, $19 - Well, I personally wouldn't consider this a "balm." The color is BRIGHT and it doesn't necessarily feel very moisturizing.... It will be a red lip alternative for me! 

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels, $7 - Omg. Between EARLY school mornings and ALLERGIES, my eyes are looking pretty sad. I popped one of these right open! LOL! They are nice sized and soaked with soothing and healing ingredients. I definitely felt like my eye area was refreshed after using these! I'll be packing my second set for post-travel repair in LA next weekend! :D

Makeup bag, $3 

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara, $8 - I'm pretty serious about mascara and I'm excited to try this one. It's supposed to give BIG volume that won't smudge when worn all day - even to the gym!

Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil, $12 - Love me some eyeliner! I've currently been into the awesome blue one from my August Blush Mystery Beauty Box but I'm always happy to have a basic black backup! 

This month's bag had a value of $53. The goodies this month were definitely a little more on the practical side and are all things that I will absolutely use! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! Thank you! Ipsy's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! We are a wee bit obsessed with Halloween around here and I can't wait to see what October's bag brings! :)

Nails of the Week! Still Lovin' Selena!!

It's time for nails of the week and I still can't get over this polish from my July Ipsy bag! It's been on my toes the last couple of weeks and I was planning on nail art-ing on it this week but, once I got it on, it was just too pretty to mess with!! 

Natural light

Artificial light

China Glaze Strong Adhesion Base Coat

Selena Gomez Nicole by OPI in Pretty in Plum

Such a great fall color! The formula is so thick and smooth... Here's the entire Selena Gomez for Nicole OPI collection: 

I'm thinking I might need a couple more but I love so many of them! Which are your faves??

Ipsy Glam Bag August Review: Glamour Academy

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways again.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what was in the August bag!

Here's first looks of the Glamour Academy bag!

And the breakdown! 

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara, $5

MICA Beauty Eye Shadow in Bronze,  $15 - this stuff is sooooo sparkly and pretty!! Too bad I'm not going as a Greek goddess or something for Halloween, this would be perfect!! ;)

Pacifica BB Cream, $5 - I have soooo many BB creams to work through. I'll get to this one eventually!

Michael Todd Charcoal Facial Scrub, $5 - This is the 3rd exfoliator I've gotten in the last couple of weeks! Obviously we all have lots of sunscreen to scrub out of our pores post-summer! LOL! 

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy, $7 - this little mini lipstick is ADORBS. The color is SUPER pigmented and bright, which is fun for a change! I layered a little frosted gloss over it to tone it down for day but the full on fuchsia is going to be awesome for night! 

This month's bag had a value of $37 and I really like everything included! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what September brings! 

Ipsy Glam Bag July Review - LOVES IT!

Ah, Ipsy.... How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.... Only $10 a month? Check. Products that are often FULL-size? Check. Tons of value for my money? Check. Super fun products? Check. On and on and on.... If you are thinking of trying a subscription service but you don't know where to start, start HERE!! Enough of the love letters, let's get to what was in the July bag!

Here's first looks:

And the breakdown! 

Theme is "beach beauty"
As always, back of card is discount codes for included products!

Nicole by OPI polish (bonus item), $7 - this is currently on my hot mess nails! LOL!
COOLA mineral sunscreen, $5 - LOVE tinted sunscreen!
Big Sexy Hair weather proof hairspray, $5

BH Collection eyeshadow, $2 - little scared of that purple but it's gorgeous!
Benetint, $6 - not full-size like advertised, but still excited about it
Pop Beauty Lip Crayon, $4 - lip crayons are all the rage, excited to try it!

This month's bag had a value of $29 (with bonus product). Not as high as previous months, but I like everything included! If you would like to try Ipsy (and really, it's $10! Who wouldn't??), please use my referral link and GO FOR IT! It's a little present to myself that I look SO forward to each month! Can't wait to see what August brings! 

Nails of the Week - HOT MESS! Hahahahaha

OMG. This week has been nuts, with getting back from Mexico, horse camp every day, on and on and on. I am definitely over-tired and not thinking straight. I finally did my nails at about 10:30 last night and, OMG, when I looked at them/the pics this morning, they are a MESS. Seriously. It has cracked me up this morning so I thought I'd share them anyways! LOL!

Sally Hansen Xtreme wear
Julep Natasha
Nicole by OPI Pretty in Plum
Out the Door

I got this new Nicole by OPI polish in my Ipsy bag this week. It's from the Selena Gomez collection and it's so funny because hubs was JUST making fun of me for reading a magazine article with this full-page ad on the opposite page. Imagine a grown man in a sarcastic/sultry voice saying "The shades of Selena Gomez...." Hahahaha. It's actually pretty super gorgeous. I've got it on my toes right now and as accent on fingers (dots applied with the rounded end of a bobby pin). It's a little dark/Fall-ish for middle of July, I think. But still so pretty! 

Seriously? There are whole chunks of nail with NO polish and one
nail with 4 dots? I couldn't even count to 3? hahaha

OMG, I HATE feet, but thought it was funny
what a mess this was. The color is pretty, though! ;)

So, better luck next week! More sleep next week will help, I'm sure!! LOL! Are you doing anything special with your nails for the weekend??

Ipsy June Glam Bag Review, "On the Wild Side"

I've seen mixed reviews on this month's Ipsy bag but, I gotta say, I love it again! And I LOVE Ipsy in general. If you are looking for a way to dip a toe into the world of subscription boxes, I suggest you start here! It's only $10/month and always delivers great value for your money!! 

This month's theme is "On the Wild Side" and I love, love, love the animal print/neon bag. I've seen it compared to Snooki and... um... not even gonna try to act like I haven't rocked a Snooki-sized bump more than once (as in yesterday)! Hahaha!! 

Here's first looks!

And the breakdown:

Cailyn eyeliner ($21): With this the value is already twice the price of the bag! Nice! I received the brown one of these in my Blush Mystery Beauty Box last month, so I'm glad to have a different color! I had a hard time last weekend with the traditional liquid eyeliner I've been trying to use up, so it's time to give these a GO!! We used this for face art for nerd night at the cheer gym and, as for lasting power, I can confirm that it lasted flawlessly in mustache form through a 2 hour intense and sweaty cheerleading practice! LOL!

J.Cat Sparkling cream palette ($5): It recommends not using this chunky glitter on eyes, which I would also recommend. Have you ever used chunky glitter on your eyes?? It can quickly turn into NOT FUN! This can be used anywhere else on body, etc., and my girls are ALL about it! I've already seen it on lips multiple times! Haha!

NYX cream blush ($7): Um... something in my profile must make Ipsy think I'm super tan (I'm not)? This blush is much darker brown than it looks in my picture. But, you know, maybe they know something I don't know! I'm thinking it's for more of a bronzer effect and I'm going to give it a shot! 

Chella ivory lace Face Highlighter ($18): I'm so excited about this one!! The fact that it is sold on blissworld.com, one of my favorite higher end cosmetic/body product sites, gets me even more excited! It's supposed to brighten, open and lift eyes when used under brows or can be used lightly to fade dark circles, blemishes, etc. This is totally something I would have bought on my own! 

Starlooks Lip Pencil ($12): Eh, don't use lip liner. This will be going into a future giveaway!

Bauble Bar bracelet ($12): Bonus item for referrals last month! Thanks ladies!! :)

There's always coupon codes included to buy more of these great products online and all of the fun info on the Ipsy website to learn about the products. And how fun is it that these items are all FULL-SIZED??? My bag (without the bonus item) was worth a total of $63 for only $10! I love it!! It was worth $10 for the fun the girls had with the glitter and eyeliner alone!! Haha!

If you'd like to try Ipsy - and really, who wouldn't?? - please please use my referral link! It's good karma! Haha! Thank you!