Happy Easter! Before I head out to spend the afternoon with my family and eat half my body weight in chocolate rabbits and Cadbury cream eggs, I wanted to write about April’s Ipsy bag, themed “Beauty Rocks!” (just in time for festival season.) Included in the samples and products I received this month was the Coastal Scents Medium Eye Shadow Brush. Since I already have enough makeup brushes to last me a lifetime (and then some,) I opted to give the brush to a friend instead of only using it once- solely to write about it- and passing it on. Hence, there won’t be a review for it in this post.

Makeup brushes are pretty easy to review, anyway- so even though this post will be short by one of the usual five products I typically receive with the Ipsy subscription service- the other four products I did keep for myself were still a lot of fun to try!

What I Received:

dr. brandt microdermabrasion

Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” (*FULL SIZE!*)

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet”

Not Pictured:

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush (*FULL SIZE!*)

Product # 1: dr. brandt microdermabrasion ($78)

Every night, after I remove my makeup and before I go about my usual skin care regimen, I use a gentle cream-based exfoliating scrub to clear out my pores of any dirt or makeup my facial towelettes may have missed. When I first opened this small tube of microdermabrasion cream, with a subtle lemon scent and a texture similar to my daily facial scrub- I anticipated achieving the same results.

After massaging this cream into my cleansed (and slightly damp) skin for a few minutes, as directed on the tube, I rinsed my face and was pleasantly surprised with how much more soft and smooth my skin felt- and how my pores seemed to have shrank in no time at all! While I do still love my scrub, this is a great product to use every few days/nights for extra exfoliation without drying or stripping my skin the way masks or harsher scrubs tend to do.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! While the $78 price tag is a little staggering, I really liked the results I had with this product, and I wouldn’t be opposed to buying a full-sized tube for weekly use. I love the crisp, clean fragrance of the cream, the easy application- and most of all- how great my skin feels and looks after each time I use it.

Product # 2: Elizabeth Mott pop! goes the shadow in “Champagne” ($12.99)

Even though I have some truly beautiful eye shadow palettes in my collection that include lighter, brightening shades- I can never have enough highlighter shadows- especially for the days where I don’t want to wear a lot of eye makeup but don’t want my eyes to look dark and dreary, either.

Enter this shimmery, nude, single powder shadow from Elizabeth Mott. “Champagne” applied easily- with no flaking or creasing- and stayed put all day and well into the night with a primer. I’ve been wearing it all over my lids and up to my brow for the past few days at work and while running errands- and it definitely brightens up my eyes without making me look too glittery. It’s just a nice, natural shade that I plan on incorporating with my palettes.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! The “POP!’ collection features two other, darker colors as well- both of which look nice for achieving a dramatic eye- but I think “Champagne” will be one of my go-to’s when I ultimately decide to re-stock on eye shadows and highlighters in the future. It’s just a beautiful, complimentary shade on me.

Product # 3: Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in “Naked” ($14)

When it comes to lip liner, I rarely (if ever) use it. I’m very much a lipstick-n’-leave, gloss-n’-go kind of girl, and lip liners are reserved for special occasions or formal affairs where I know I won’t have time for mirror checks or touch-up breaks. I decided to give this creamy liner from Starlooks a go, however- and while I was pretty impressed with the overall pigmentation (the color was WAY more pink than nude, though,) it didn’t seem to last long before it eventually pooled towards the outer edges of my lips- creating a ring of sorts around my mouth- and then faded completely.

The photo above was taken shortly after I lined my lips with “Naked,” filled them in with the color, and then applied a light layer of neutral gloss to try and tone down the garish baby doll pink. It didn’t work too well, and ultimately this liner washed me out.

Would I Purchase?: No. Between the unflattering color itself, and it’s inability to stay in place or last longer than an hour at the most- I’ll pass on this liner and just keep on with my usual way of wearing lip colors. This product was, unfortunately, a dud for me.

Product # 4: Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Black Velvet” ($20)

When it comes to eye liners, one of my favorite brands to turn to is Urban Decay. Their pencil liners are soft, pigmented, and they last a really, really long time- much longer than competitors brands. I’d heard of the “Black Velvet” liner, but had yet to try it, so I was pretty excited when I received a travel-sized pencil in April’s Ipsy bag.

Much to my surprise- the pencil was hard, almost rough, against my eyelid, resulting in the color not applying evenly at all. Not only that, but within a couple of hours, the liner had flaked down so badly from my lids onto my cheeks that when I unconsciously brushed  the back of my hand along my face to push some hair away from my eyes, the flaked eyeliner smeared all over my cheekbones- giving me weird black flecks and streaks on my skin.

Not even before the end of the day, the liner had run down the outer corner of my eye, flaked something awful, and was pretty much everywhere on my face except for where I had initially applied it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

Would I Purchase?: No. Absolutely not- which is a shame considering how much I like and swear by Urban Decay’s products. This liner was just terrible. I’d advise staying far, far away from the “Velvet” stuff and just use a black pencil from one of their regular “Glide-On” liner collections, instead. You’ll get better application, pigmentation, and longevity from those.

So April’s bag featured two great products, two not-so-great ones, and a nice gift for a friend. Overall, I wasn’t blown away with this month’s assortment of products, although I may be a bit spoiled since the past couple of Ipsy bags I’ve received this year have been beyond great. I’m just hoping May’s bag picks up the slack from April’s.

And my April Loot Crate and GlossyBox should be on their way shortly!

P.S.- Have you entered my Spring Giveaway yet?

For the first time since joining Ipsy, the products included with my March bag actually sort of went along with the month’s theme, “Destination Beauty,” which had a Spring Break/tropical vibe to it. The bag itself, a collaboration with artist Klari Reis, is by far my favorite out of the ones I’ve received so far. I loved the colors and the pattern, and will be using it as a little clutch for my phone and lip gloss come Summer.

February’s Ipsy bag was one of the best, in my opinion- so I was more than ready to see how March’s compared to it.

What I Received:

Be a Bombshell “Bora Bora” Eyeshadow Quad (*Full Size!*)

Nicole by OPI Roughles Nail Lacquer in “On What Grounds?” (*Full Size!*)

Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in “Get Ready”

Product # 1: Be a Bombshell “Bora Bora” Eyeshadow Quad ($16)

Even though there’s still snow on the ground, I couldn’t help but feel like I was going on a vacation in some faraway tropical paradise when I used this beachy eye shadow quad for the first time. With rich golden and brown tones, and a beautiful deep aqua shade- this shadow applied easily, evenly, and didn’t budge or flake for hours. The photo above is just one of the looks I created with the quad (using the aqua as a subtle liner and predominantly featuring the golden/reddish hue on my lid,) but there’s so many gorgeous combinations you can make with this product. I’m very, very impressed.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I think I’m going to save the “Bora Bora” quad for the Summer when the colors are a bit more appropriate, but I would absolutely purchase this again in the future if and when I run out. This quad was decent quality and it’s inexpensive to boot- which is always a plus for someone like me who doesn’t like wasting money on overpriced cosmetics that are poor quality or give shoddy results. This was a pleasant surprise.

Product # 2: Nicole by OPI Roughles Nail Lacquer in “On What Grounds?” ($7.99)

Some people hate textured nail lacquers. Personally, I love them. I think they’re usually fun and unique- so I was all about trying this sky blue “pebbled” polish A.S.A.P. Much like the “Bora Bora” quad, this lacquer from OPI reminded me of afternoons by the ocean in San Diego. It applied easily, giving great coverage in just two coats (and despite the bottle stating that a top coat wasn’t necessary, I applied one anyway to add some longevity to the polish since I do a lot of typing.) I adore the color, and the rough-looking finish. I’ve read reviews by some people who have also received this product in their March Ipsy bag that say that the texture “snags” on clothing, etc. but I have yet to experience that problem.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is a beautiful Spring/Summertime polish with a cool twist. I love the blue, and I would gladly purchase the other available shades in this formula, too.

Product # 3: Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches ($18)

In February’s GlossyBox, I had really enjoyed the Anatomicals under-eye patches I’d received. When I saw these individually packaged patches in this month’s Ipsy bag, I had hoped I’d like them just as much. Unfortunately, these patches weren’t nearly as cooling and refreshing as the Anatomicals ones. On the contrary, they made my under-eye area feel a little dry, and kind of itchy. Fortunately, the feeling went away shortly after I peeled them off, and naturally- I didn’t notice any smoothing or de-puffing results. These patches were a bust.

Would I Purchase?: No. I think I’m going to stick with my Anatomicals patches. I had better results with those. This product might be better suited for others, but they caused minor and temporary irritation to my eye area. Definitely not worth purchasing.

Product # 4: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in “Get Ready” ($18)

It wouldn’t be Spring without the obligatory pink-hued lipstick/lip gloss sample in monthly subscription boxes. I’m not complaining- I just expected it. I’ve never tried bareMinerals makeup before, as I’ve heard mixed reviews over the years. Some friends love it, others, not so much- so I was pretty neutral when I first applied this little tube of rose-colored lipstick.

First things first, this color applies amazingly smooth and the finish is like a combination of a lipstick and a lip gloss, which was nice. It wasn’t too shiny and yet it wasn’t matte, either. The lipstick is also very pigmented, so a little goes a long way and the color is pretty noticeable after only a couple of swipes across the lips. Also- this formula lasts a LONG time. After my morning coffee, after lunch, and well into the afternoon- there was still color on my lips.

Now, the downside. I don’t know exactly what it was in this particular formula- but this lipstick dried my lips out. It wasn’t so severe it was excruciatingly painful or anything, but it was a minor discomfort throughout the day- which was kind of a surprise considering how creamy the texture of it is. I attempted to re-apply this product with a balm under it, and then again with a balm over it, which helped a little- but my lips still felt uncomfortable.

Would I Purchase?: No. As flattering as the color was and as nice as this lipstick applied- the unusual drying result isn’t worth a purchase of a full-size in any of the available colors. A shame, really- since the pigmentation is really good and the longevity was stellar.

So, to summarize: we have a really cute bag, two products I loved, and two products that missed their mark. While March’s Ipsy bag wasn’t as much of a success as February’s- it still wasn’t bad. I wasn’t in love with everything I received, but overall- I was still pleased.

It helps that the two products I liked were the full-sized ones, of course.

How much did I love February’s Ipsy bag? Let me count the ways. This pink and pastel products filled pouch, with a Valentine’s Day-inspired theme, arrived just in the nick of time to lift my spirits in the midst of some serious snowy-slushy-frigid temperatures blues. The colors of each of the makeup and nail care items was like a little (and much needed) hint of Springtime, and with more than one full-sized product included- I definitely got my money’s worth.

What I Received:

Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Body Butter

POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini in ‘Peony Petal’

Eyetini Cordial Shadow + Base in ‘Ambrosia’ (*Full Size!*)

City Color Be Matte Blush in ‘Fresh Melon’ (*Full Size!*)

ZOYA Nail Lacquer in ‘Odette’ (*Full Size!*)

Product # 1: Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Body Butter ($15)

This body butter couldn’t have arrived at a better time. I’d recently run out of the little tube of hand lotion I kept in my purse for work/social events/etc., and quickly substituted this to soothe my dry, sore, winter-worn skin. Not only did this rich, non-greasy butter give my hands (and elbows!) immediate, long-lasting relief, thanks in part to the shea butter and almond oil it’s loaded with- but it smelled like Skittles/Smarties/insert-tangy-candy-here. I know that may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I really enjoyed it. It was a very distinct, sweet fragrance.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! While I loved the scent of this particular body butter, I especially loved how soft and hydrated it made my skin feel. It absorbed quickly into my skin without leaving any kind of film or residue on the surface, and it lasted all day.

Product # 2: POP Beauty Plump Pout Mini in ‘Peony Petal’ ($16)

When I first opened my February Ipsy bag, my eyes were immediately drawn to the cute little tube of brightly colored lip gloss that is POP Beauty’s ‘Peony Petal’ Plump Pout. The gloss, a bright pink/coral, was highly pigmented, and the formula didn’t feel thick or sticky on my lips the way some other “pout-enhancing” glosses can. The only downside to such a nicely textured and colored gloss was the longevity. This is NOT an all-day wear product. I had to re-apply more than once, particularly after eating or drinking anything- but the finish was so nice that I didn’t really mind all that much.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! Although I would have liked this gloss to last a little longer, the overall quality of this product is really nice. I think it’d be perfect to wear for a quick, temporary pop of color- be it for a meeting, or a class, or just to have something on your lips for a couple of hours.

Product # 3: Eyetini Cordial Shadow + Base in ‘Ambrosia’ ($18)

Two things can happen when I use cream eye shadows. 1, the formula applies smoothly and evenly, is easy to blend, and lasts all day, or 2, the formula is thick, near impossible to blend, and creases or cracks in less than an hour. Luckily for me, this shadow fit into the first category. I applied this beautiful light purple (with a hint of pink and gold sheen) shadow all over my lids using the sponge wand applicator, and blended upwards into my crease using my fingertips. The color stayed put without fading or creasing all day and well into the evening, and it didn’t feel thick or heavy on my lids. It was lightweight and comfortable.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I’m confident enough in this cream shadow to say it’s something I would swear by. The color is beautiful (and a peek at the other available shades on the Eyetini website is tempting my inner shop-a-holic right now,) and the hassle-free application and staying power makes this a must-have product.

Product # 4: City Color Be Matte Blush in ‘Fresh Melon’ ($2.99)

At first glance, I was a little worried that this blush would make my pale cheeks look like they had more of a “radioactive flush” as opposed to a “natural flush.” The color doesn’t stray from it’s name. This is a pure watermelon pink with no shimmer or sparkle. I held my breath, swiped my blush brush over the compact, applied- and was pleasantly surprised with how easy this bright hue was to blend. By the time I was finishing contouring, my cheeks had a subtle, “just pinched” look to them- and the blush stayed in place all day. When I checked City Color’s website to see what other shades in this formula were available, I couldn’t believe the price point. $2.99 for the amount of product in the compact and the quality of the finish it gives is an absolute steal.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! I don’t know if I would purchase ‘Fresh Melon’ again, because although I did like it, it’s not a color I typically go to for a year-round look. I think I’d probably gravitate more towards  the ‘Papaya’ or ‘Guava’ tones I saw listed on City Color’s website since they appear to be a little more on the rosy/neutral side, which is more flattering for me. I loved the matte finish, however. It’s perfect for this time of year when I wear more makeup than I do in the Spring and Summer.

Product # 5: ZOYA Nail Lacquer in ‘Odette’ ($9)

I do declare that 2014 is the year of natural nails. It took what felt like forever for me to grow out my acrylic-damaged tips, but now that I have, the upkeep with my significantly shorter, rounded digits has been much easier and refreshingly pain-free. I actually look forward to painting my fingernails now, as opposed to before when it just seemed like such a chore- so when I saw this pretty purple polish (say that ten times fast,) in my Ipsy bag- I was really excited to apply it. ZOYA is quickly becoming one of my favorite nail polish brands, not only because of their incredible color selection and durability- but because their formulas of free of harmful chemicals.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! ‘Odette’ applied like a dream and dried quickly with a creamy finish. It’s such a lovely shade for Spring that I would gladly wear again and again.

I think the February 2014 Ipsy bag has been one of my favorites since I started subscribing to the service. I loved every product and would definitely purchase full-size/refills of them in the future. The makeup colors were bright, cheerful, and fun to play with- and the body butter and nail polish were great products to add for a little diversity instead of sticking with all makeup or all skincare samples, etc.

Well done, Ipsy!

A new year and another 12 months of beauty box subscriptions! My bright blue Ipsy bag arrived in my mailbox recently, and although I knew in advance what I was going to be receiving thanks in part to my updated “Glam Room” on Ipsy’s official website, I was still pleasantly surprised by the size of the samples after I’d opened the bag and peered inside. This month’s theme is “19 Reasons,” for the 19 reasons to make 2014 an amazing new year. I’m not exactly sure why it’s 19 reasons instead of just 5, since each bag comes with only 5 samples- but I won’t nitpick.

What I Received:

Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner

(MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm (*Full Size!*)

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in “Penny”

skiin Soothing and Smoothing Eye Cream

Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads

Product # 1: Sexy Hair Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In Conditioner ($17.95)

I’m a big fan of the Sexy Hair line. From their shampoos and conditioners to their styling products and hairsprays. I consistently get good results that don’t damage my hair, fade my color, or make my scalp feel greasy (or dry.) I’ve seen this leave-in conditioner on display at my salon and had always been tempted to try it, but never actually got around to it- so I was pretty excited to be getting a decent sized sample of it in this month’s bag.

This spray is safe for color treated hair (awesome,) and is lightly scented- NOT overpowering (also awesome.) I apply it after my shower and let my curls air dry. My hair feels softer and healthier, but this leave-in doesn’t really do a lot for frizz control. I recommend using another styling product hand in hand with this so you get all the benefits this conditioner has to offer, as well as a little help in taming frizz and fly-aways.

Would I Purchase?: Yes! This is a really nice leave-in conditioner that’s loaded with good ingredients (soy and cocoa being the big ones,) that nourish the hair without weighing it down. I would absolutely purchase a full size of this to keep my hair healthy, shiny, and strong. Well done, Sexy Hair.

Product # 2: (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm ($12)

My lips take a beating in the winter. The frigid temperatures leave them dry, cracked, and sore- and God forbid I get sick. The common cold seems to amplify the horrible condition of my lips in the colder months. Chapsticks rarely work and many lip balms don’t last long at all- so I typically resort to slathering on the Carmex by the hour and hoping for the best. I didn’t expect much from this thick, clear balm (which does really smell like a mojito, by the way,) but I was pleasantly surprised at how non-sticky the texture was, how moisturizing it felt on my lips, and how long it lasted. Even after sipping my morning coffee and taking a few bites of a bagel- the balm didn’t budge at all.

Would I Purchase?: Maybe. $12 is a little steep for such a small tube, but this stuff does work well, and if used sparingly, could last a while. Also, the only other downside to this product was the lack of applicator. My Carmex balm has a rounded tip that glides easily over my lips for a smooth distribution of balm, whereas this tube has a flat tip which requires applying the balm with my fingertip. It’s not the end of the world, of course- but it is a minor inconvenience.

Product # 3: Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in “Penny” ($14.99)

This may have been one of the most confusing samples I’ve ever received in a beauty subscription service. This teeny-tiny pencil is a fraction of the full-sized self-sharpening version, but this sample didn’t twist up- making it useful for only two, maybe three applications at the most. I can’t speak for the other shades this is available in, but “Penny” didn’t really show up at all on my lids. It was a very, very faint copper tone that may have been better suited as a highlighter instead of a shadow or an eyeliner. I was underwhelmed with this.

Would I Purchase?: No. Here’s the thing, if I had been given a little bit more of this sample, I could probably write a better evaluation (i.e.- how it works as a highlighter, as I just mentioned,) but I wasn’t impressed with the small amount I did receive. Although this product does glide on smoothly- the pigmentation isn’t all that great and it had creased and flaked off by mid-afternoon. I’ll pass.

Product # 4: skiin Soothing and Smoothing Eye Cream ($29.95)

I consider myself fortunate that fine lines and wrinkles are not a concern for me yet,  but I still make a point to keep my delicate eye area as moisturized as possible. This lightweight, non-greasy cream is not just for fine lines and wrinkles, but is also supposed to decrease puffiness and dark circles, too. I used this every night before bed for a week, and while the cream absorbs quickly and left no residue or caused any kind of reaction- which is always a plus- apart from overall softness, I didn’t notice any distinct results.

Would I Purchase?: No. This cream wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary, either. It did a well enough job at moisturizing my eye area, but I don’t think it’s something that I particularly need considering I get nearly the exact same results with the eye cream I’m currently using. This may be better suited for someone who has concerns with fine lines and/or dark circles as they may get more noticeable results than I did.

Product # 5: Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads (Price unknown)

Back when I was in high school, and my skin was at the mercy of stress and teenage hormones, I went on Proactiv in a desperate attempt to clear up some stubborn, painful breakouts along my t-zone. No sooner had I started using Proactiv when I had to stop. The 3-step system actually inflamed my skin, which caused even more breakouts. I haven’t touched the stuff since. Thankfully, my skin has calmed down considerably over time, so the prospect of trying this product wasn’t completely terrifying to me. I have a couple of very faint scars on my cheek from a past allergic reaction that are easily covered with makeup, but I wanted to see if these pads could lighten them even more than time and patience already had.

I received four pads, and by the time I used the last one- the scars hadn’t faded much. My skin felt pretty nice, though- and very clean- after each use. These pads didn’t dry my skin out or cause any kind of irritation, and I think they’d make a pretty decent makeup remover for those with oily skin.

Would I Purchase? Yes! I wouldn’t be opposed to taking a box of these when I travel for easy makeup removal or just as a quick and convenient way to deeply cleanse my skin after a flight/late night/etc. I’m not sure if Proactiv sells these pads separately, or if you’d have to purchase an entire kit to get them (their website doesn’t make shopping easy,) but if I ever see any in one of those kiosks or vending machines at the mall/shopping centers- I’ll more than likely pick some up.

Overall I was very pleased with my January Ipsy bag. I may not have fallen head over heels in love with every product I received, but I did enjoy most of them and I found a couple of good ones I’d definitely purchase in the future. This bag was such an upgrade from the December one- and I’m hoping February’s is just as good.