December 2013 Ipsy Bag

Hey Everyone!

Wow! It is already that time of the month again where I review my Ipsy bag, which is a monthly beauty service for $10 that delivers 4-5 sample/full-size products!

If you are interested in this service, then please use my referral link: IPSY

This month was themed "CELEBRATION".  They had products featuring brands like English Laundry, Ardell, Andrea, Salon Perfect, Be A Bombshell, Demeter, J.Cat, Mirabella, Jesse's Girl, POP Beauty, Nicka K New York, NYX, and Starrily.

For this month, I received the following products. I got the POP Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eyeshadow Palette in Smokin' Hot, Be A Bombshell The One Stick in Girl Crush, English Laundry Signature Fragrances in Pour Homme and Pour Femme, Andrea Strip Lash in #33 and the J.Cat Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha.

Ipsy hosts a lot of giveaway contests and opportunities each month from the different brands featured that month in the bag. Recently, they have started to encourage Ipsy members to post a picture of their bag on Instagram. Here is my submission:

I used the app called "PhotoGrid". I swatched the eyeshadow trio, the one stick and lip pencil in the left picture. Now, it is time for the review of each products!

Product 1: POP Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eyeshadow Palette in Smokin' Hot

Ipsy members who received this product either received Naturally Bare or Smokin' Hot. I received Smokin' Hot, and was not thoroughly impressed. The ingredient list featured talc, mineral oil and two different types of parabens. Why is this bad news? Well, I will probably do a separate post in the future going into detail, but just know that some of these ingredients can be harmful. There are plenty of resources on the internet that can explain why, whether it be the fact that they are cancer-causers or some other negative reason. In my swatch, you can tell that the pigmentation is minimal and sheer. However, it could make blending easier for a soft gradient smokey eye and there was not an exceptional amount of fall-out. Also, I do not know if it is a defect, but it is very difficult to open the packaging. Still , the palette was far from converting me to a POP Beauty fan and I don't plan on purchasing this or any other eyeshadow products from this brand. I still enjoyed trying this brand, though! Through Ipsy, you can receive 25% off your POP Beauty purchase. I did enjoy their lip crayon from a previous bag.

Overall: 5.5/10
Pigmentation: 5/10
Texture:7/10
Longevity:5/10
Packaging: 5/10
Link To POP Beauty Cosmetics

Product 2: Be A Bombshell The One Stick in Girl Crush

Ipsy members who received this product either received it in Girl Crush, Flustered or Sunset. I received Girl Crush, which is a shimmer-packed pink with a hint of lilac undertones. The concept of the product is nice. The intent of a multiple-use product that can serve as a cream eyeshadow, cream blush or lip product. After applying and blending onto the skin, it is a sheer pink and mostly shimmer. I will probably use this as a highlight. Once again, mineral oil and parabens are in the ingredients list. In this time and day, I like to do all I can to protect my body and health from things that can be harmful when used. Yes, I may not die from one use, but over-time it can have some effect. Also, the product has a strange scent almost like plastic. The packaging is nice and sleek. If it did not contain parabens, then I would definately purchase this in other shades. Through Ipsy, you can receive 40% off your purchase and a free full-sized Raspberry Tart blush.

Overall: 6.75/10
Pigmentation: 6/10
Texture:6/10
Longevity:6/10
Packaging: 9/10
Link To Be A Bombshell Cosmetics

Product 3: English Laundry Signature Fragrances in Pour Homme and Pour Femme

Unfortunately, I received this product not in perfect condition. One of the perfume samples had leaked completely, the scent enveloped me the moment I opened my bag. However, I emailed Ipsycare and I hope to receive a replacement. At first, I was not very excited to receive perfume samples as I rarely wear perfume and have my favorites. I did not have an allergic reaction to either scent, and they both smelled divine. The sample set consists of a him and her scent, but I feel both are on the ambiguous side. I would wear both. It would have been nicer to have received a rollerball, but I am happy it is one that has a spray. I am very tempted to purchase one of the two scents, and encourage you to give it a try. Through Ipsy, you can receive free shipping and a free gift bag with a $75 purchase.

Overall: 8/10
Scent:9/10
Longevity:7/10
Packaging/Design: 8/10
Link To English Laundry Fragrances

Product 4: Andrea Strip Lash in #33

I have not tried Andrea Lashes before, and am quite excited. In general, I rarely wear fake eyelashes except for very special event. I can not say much about this product quite, yet. However, they appear to be well-crafted and look like they will give you that dramatic and glamourous look. Unfortunately, it does not appear that Ipsy is providing any sort of discount.

Overall: 7.66/10
Design:9/10
Quality:7/10
Packaging: 7/10

Link To Purchase Andrea Strip Lashes

Product 5: J.Cat Big Lip Pencil in Caramel Mocha

Ipsy members who received this product either received the shade Red Rose or Caramel Mocha. I received Caramel Mocha, and I thought it would be a nude with brown undertones. However, maybe it is because I have naturally very pink lips, but it showed up on my lips as a dusty rose as you can see in the picture below. The packaging is decent, and it contains no parabens. The lip pencil has a slight perfume scent, but nothing obnoxious. It does not apply matte, but has a shine. I would recommend this to a friend. Through Ipsy, you can receive 30% off your purchase. I probably will not purchase this, and that is because I have other similar products that are matte and apply more smoothly. When you wear this, it can almost emphasize the lines on your lips over time. However, I do have a better impression of J Cat Beauty after trying this lip pencil compared to some of their other products from past Ipsy bags.

Overall: 8/10Pigmentation: 9/10
Texture:7/10
Longevity:8/10
Packaging: 8/10
Link To JCat Beauty

Well, I hope you enjoyed my review on this month's Ipsy bag! Overall, I enjoyed this month's products. My favorite being the J Cat Beauty Big Lip Pencil. However, I hope to see more high-end products thrown into the mix. I can't complain, because I think for $10 including shipping that the bag is worth it. GAWWHHH, did I mention the bag!? I think this is my favorite bag design so far! I love the sleekness of it and how textured the design is making this black bag anything far from dull! I highly encourage you to join Ipsy, because it is a great way to be exposed to different kinds of products and brands!

I hope you are having an enjoyable December! Are you subscribed to Ipsy? What did you think of this month's bag? What was your favorite product?

Thanks for reading! 

<3,
MISAKAT
Artist, Beauty Addict, Major Otaku
Email: kawaiimisakat[at]hotmail[dot]com

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