One of the more concerning things about my area being hit with non-stop snowstorms in recent weeks is that it can, and has, caused a delay with some of my mail. Important bills, tax documents, packages, etc. often arrive later than expected due to inclement weather- but when the sky opens up and the roads are (briefly) clear- everything arrives all at once- leaving me with a lot of stuff to open!

February’s Ipsy Bag was just one of those things- showing up in my postbox earlier this week. The month’s theme, “IpsyLOVE,” inspired by Valentine’s Day, included mostly makeup packaged up in a cute pink, white, and silver bag that I’ll be passing along to my niece the next time I see her.

What I Received:

ModelCo BLUSH Cheek Powder in “Peach Bellini”

Rob Scheppy for ‘Tini Beauty Eyeshadow in “Pearl Fizz”

GLAMGLOW BRIGHTMUD Eye Treatment

City Color Cosmetics Creamy Lip Stain in “Flirtini” (*Full Size!*)

Mitchell and Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil

Product # 1: ModelCo BLUSH Cheek Powder in “Peach Bellini” ($22)

It could just be me and the fact that I’m up to my neck in snow (literally. The snowbanks outside my door currently reach my neck,) but it seems a little early and unseasonal to start dipping into the coral and peach shades of makeup- which I usually reserve for the Spring and Summer months. Even still, I was curious about this matte, pressed powder blush, which appeared almost orange in it’s packaging. Despite it’s high pigmentation, the blush didn’t look nearly as tangerine-toned on my cheeks once I applied it. After a couple of sweeps with my brush, the finished color was a natural and neutral soft peach-tone that complimented my fair skin and didn’t give me the appearance of looking overly made-up. I really liked this product, and plan on giving it more use once the weather warms up and my makeup and wardrobe color palettes are integrated with brighter, fresher shades.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Another great thing about this blush is that a little goes a long way- so even though I received a deluxe sample size instead of a full-sized compact- it will still last me a very long time. When I do need to replenish, however- I plan on purchasing a full-sized “Peach Bellini.” It was a lovely shade and I was really impressed with it’s quality.

Product # 2: Rob Scheppy for ‘Tini Beauty Eyeshadow in “Pearl Fizz” ($39.50)

A while back, I had voiced my annoyances with beauty subscription services’ overdoing it with rose-hued lipsticks and glosses and the same boring, bland pink nail polishes. Sadly, I feel that champagne-toned eye shadows are about to join them in the “so sick of receiving these” product pile. Enough already! I understand that universally flattering shades are the go-to when curating collections and boxes, but you have to mix it up- just a little- from time to time. Case in point: “Pearl Fizz,” which is just one of the four shimmery shades included in makeup artist Rob Scheppy’s palette designed for ‘Tini Beauty.

The shadow itself applied easily enough- but despite it’s name- was so close to my natural skin tone that it was barely noticeable, even when I tried using it as a highlighter. Even worse, despite using a primer prior to applying this shadow, was that by the end of the day it looked as though it had faded and creased anyway- leaving me overall disappointed with it.

Would I Purchase?: No. From the unremarkable color to it’s lack of staying power- this shadow was a bust for me. The full-sized palette also includes four matte shades- and I’m curious to know if they had more impressive pigmentation and longevity than what I got from “Pearl Fizz,” so if anyone reading this has tried them- please feel free to weigh in on this in the comments!

Product # 3: GLAMGLOW BRIGHTMUD Eye Treatment ($69)

I’m a big fan of GLAMGLOW, as the masks I’ve owned and the samples I’ve tried over the past couple of years have given my skin really great, noticeable results. I turn to their “SuperMud Clearing Treatment” when my pores are in dire need of a deep cleansing and their “YouthMud TingleExfoliate Treatment” when my skin looks or feels a little dull- but I’ve never actually gotten around to trying their eye treatment- which I’d also heard great things about.

February’s Ipsy Bag came with two samples of “BrightMud Eye Treatment,” both packaged separately like contact lens cases and labeled with “right eye” and “left eye.” The product itself, brownish in color, gel-like in consistency- and cool to the touch- is tapped on under and around the eyes and left on for three minutes before being gently wiped off to brighten, tighten, and reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. It was easy enough to apply without making a mess, and almost immediately I could feel a cool, tingling sensation (that wasn’t uncomfortable or painful,) as I let it set. When it came time to dab the gel off, the area around my eyes DID look brighter and felt softer- which can come in handy after long days at the office where I spend most of my time reading. Not bad for just three minutes!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! GLAMGLOW has done it again. I really liked the lightweight feel, the hassle-free application, and the results I saw from these eye treatments- which only take a few minutes to use. I’ll definitely be picking up a full-sized box of in the future to bring with me to my office or when I travel to keep my eyes looking and feeling great.

Product # 4: City Color Cosmetics Creamy Lip Stain in “Flirtini” ($4.99)

To call this raspberry-toned lip color a “stain” isn’t exactly accurate or doing it justice. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I went to apply it for the first time, but the highly pigmented pop of color, the semi-addictive feeling it left on my lips after it had dried to a matte finish (like velvet!) or the HOURS of smudge and fade-proof wear easily surpassed any and all of my expectations. Even more fantastic is the price point. At just under $5 per tube, this “stain” from City Color Cosmetics might easily be one of the most pleasant surprise finds I’ve discovered in a beauty subscription service.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This was a great product overall. The pigmentation, the long-lasting (and non-drying) formula, and the price tag. It looks like CCC is currently out of stock on most of the other available shades on their website, which isn’t surprising- but I’ll be keeping an eye out to purchase a few more colors when they’re available again.

Product # 5: Mitchell and Peach Fine Radiance Face Oil ($42)

By now, most people have heard/read about, or even tried the benefits of oil-cleansing their skin- myself being one of them. As someone who has typically oily skin, the idea of putting MORE oil on my face was a little unsettling at first- but with the right ingredients, the right literature, and the right application- it can do wonders for your complexion!

This radiance oil from Mitchell and Peach is loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamins, and nutrients (and also contains traces of nuts- so please be mindful if you have allergies!) that absorb quickly into the skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth. I’ve been using a few drops prior to moisturizing in the morning and at night, and I’ve noticed that my skin’s overall texture has improved- which is especially important considering the sub-zero temperatures outside!

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Although the $42 price tag is a little bit steep, a little goes a long way with this oil- so having to frequently re-purchase bottle after bottle wouldn’t necessarily be a concern when used sparingly. I liked the quick-absorption, the natural fragrance, and the results I’ve been seeing since I started using this product- so I think I’d be fine with splurging on a full-sized bottle in the future!

With the exception of the eye-shadow sample I received, February’s Ipsy bag was a huge success. I was introduced to some awesome products that I’m looking forward to using/re-purchasing the full-sized versions. With January’s bag being a good one, as well- and now this month’s- I’m hoping Ipsy can continue their streak of great sample selections into March!