Ipsy bag March 2014 - pics, review, and value breakdown!

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my March 2014 Ipsy bag! Check out below to see what I received, a little about each product and my thoughts, as well as a break-down of the value of this month's bag! Again, I only have the pic I posted on Instagram, but I promise at some point in the future these posts will include high-res pics and more pics than just the overall bag with contents!

Ipsy is just $10 a month! Each month you'll receive 4 to 6 deluxe or even full-sized products. If you want to sign-up for your own Ipsy bag, CLICK HERE (it's my referral link - you don't have to use my referral link; it only gives me points that I can save up to redeem for prizes in the future).

March 2014 Ipsy Bag

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Ipsy Bag: $54.63 (value is approximate & does not include value of actual bag)
• Total # of Items Received: 4
• # of FULL SIZED items: 2
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail items: 0
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of skin care items: 0
• # of body care items: 1
• # of fragrance items: 0

Now I'll talk about each product...

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick
Shade: Get Ready

• MY THOUGHTS: Even though this isn't a full sized lipstick, this may be my favorite item out of the entire bag! It's a really cute size and the color is gorgeous. Great pigmentation and feels comfortable/moisturizing on the lips. Makes me want to try more shades from this line.
• FULL SIZE: 0.12 oz @ $18.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.05 oz/1.5 g
• VALUE: $7.50

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Eyeshadow Quad
Shade: Bora Bora, Starlet, Rock Bottom, Risky Business

• MY THOUGHTS: I love Be A Bombshell Cosmetics, and while people are tired of getting something in almost every Ipsy bag from them, I actually enjoy it because it's a full sized product every time, the quality is nice, and I almost always end up using it. This time it is one of their shadow quads. I already own several of their shadow singles (I think I have 7 or 8 shades now), and I have two or three shades from this quad so I'm not going to keep this one for myself, since I already have them in singles - but if I didn't, this would be used for sure because they are nicely pigmented and the colors are perfect for summer too!
• FULL SIZE: 0.17 oz/4.8 g oz @ $16.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: this is a full sized product
• VALUE: $16.00

Chella Eyeliner Pen
Shade: Indigo Blue

• MY THOUGHTS: I love liquid liners, so I was excited to get one in my bag - although I didn't open this one up because it is blue and I already have two liquid liners in blue shades opened.... and I hardly use them. While I love using blue as a liner - especially because it really pops against my brown eyes - I don't think I'll open this up yet or I may end up blog selling it.
• FULL SIZE: 0.034 fl oz @ $24.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: this is a full sized product
• VALUE: $24.00

Vita Liberata Luxury Tan - pHenomenal 2-3 Week Tan Lotion
Shade: Medium

• MY THOUGHTS: I had never heard of this brand, so when I looked it up and found it sold at Sephora, I got a bit more intrigued... especially because the full size retails for $54! It's always nice to be able to try something out in a smaller size before committing to that kind of price tag. Honestly, I'm not a huge self tan person, but when I do use self tanner it's normally before a special event and I almost always only use it on my legs because they are the whitest part of my body. I like that this is supposed to last 2 to 3 weeks - that's intriguing in itself. Although I haven't tried it yet, I'm looking forward to giving it a try!
• FULL SIZE: 5.07 oz @ $54.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.67 fl oz/20 ml
• VALUE: $7.13

The actual bag everything comes in...
my thoughts:

• I actually don't like the bag this comes in. The pattern is really blurry on my bag and maybe if it was sharper I'd enjoy it more, as I think it sort of looks like nail polish swatch blobs in an artistic way. Everyone's bag had the same pattern, but different placement on their bag. I've actually seen better placement in other photos. It's okay, just not my cup of tea this time around.

My Thoughts On Entire Bag...

• FULL SIZE/DELUXE SIZE: This bag contained two full sized products and two deluxe sized products.
• VALUE: The value was approximately $54.63
• USAGE: I have already used the Bare Mineral lipstick several times - it's GORGEOUS! Love the shade and will continue to use. I don't need the Be A Bombshell quad, as I already have 2 or 3 of the 4 shades in singles. The eyeliner, while I would typically LOVE a product like that, I don't plan to open just yet as I already have two blue liquid liners open and I don't want to open another. It may go in a blog sale. And the self tanner will get used, but I'm not sure when I'll give it a try.
• FINAL THOUGHTS: This bag contained only 4 items and usually I get 5 to 6. However, it's still an amazing value for a bag. 

Let me know what you think...

What are your thoughts on this month's Ipsy bag? Did you receive an Ipsy bag this month? If so, what did you get in your bag? Discuss in the comments below.

Beauty Army - January 2012 (the very 1st shipment ever!) -- pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Even though I'm still couch-bound recovering from surgery, I had to photograph and post about my very first Beauty Army kit (which arrived Saturday afternoon). Sorry if some of the photos aren't the best they could be, but my camera felt like it weighed 200 pounds so I had to be super quick photographing everything.

So far, I'm really impressed with Beauty Army! The very first kit has a value of $60.85, at least it does for me with the items I selected. It will be different for everyone, unless you selected the same samples as I did. I really hope this is how it will be every month; getting a great value while trying out products and brands I may never had tried otherwise.

In case you don't know, Beauty Army is one of the newest monthly subscription sampling programs. For just $12 a month (includes free shipping) you can choose up to 6 samples each month. That's right; YOU choose the samples! Not a bad deal, especially when you're in control of what you receive. For those that have complained about other monthly subscription services sending them products they don't like, I highly suggest you check out Beauty Army -- which may be the perfect subscription service for you! Currently, I believe Beauty Army only ships to those in the United States, but I could be wrong. To read more about Beauty Army, or to sign up for your own subscription, click here or visit www.beautyarmy.com.

Although no product info is listed on the included info card, you can log into your Beauty Army account to see details on the products, including the size of each sample you received, and even purchase the full sized versions.

Check out what my Beauty Army kit included....

Beauty Army - January 2012








Here's what the Beauty Army packaging looks like...


It arrived in my mail box in a white box with "Beauty Army" printed around the box.





The actual Beauty Army kit box is pretty; black and the top has lots of beauty related words on it.







When you open the box you'll notice the pink camo print, which lines the entire box. Navy blue tissue paper holds everything in the box nicely, with the info card on top.



When you open the blue tissue paper you'll see everything wrapped very nicely in pink tissue paper.





Included Info Card:





Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's shipment: $60.85 (value is approximate)
• Total # of items I received: 6
• # of makeup items: 2
• # of nail items: 0
• # of skincare items: 4
• # of body care items: 0
• # of hair care items: 0
• # of fragrance items: 0
• # of other items: 0

Now I'll break it down, product-by-product...

CHELLA Anti-Fatigue Eye Mask Kit

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: The collagen in this eye mask lifts, firms, and smooths skin, hiding your tired eyes, fighting puffiness, and reducing dark circles. Wear this mask to make your skin glow like it would after a full night's sleep!
• MY THOUGHTS: I haven't tried this out yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing how well this may work.
• FULL SIZED: Enough for 4 eye masks @ $45.00 (plus the full sized also includes a Chella Eye Cream Sample)
• SIZE I RECEIVED: Enough for 1 eye mask
• SAMPLE VALUE: $11.25

 

STRIVECTIN-EV Get Even Brightening Serum

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: Be among the first to try this brand new brightening. Made for all skin types, this will even out skin tone and texture and bring out your natural glow.
• MY THOUGHTS: I'm actually very excited to incorporate this product into my current skincare routine.
• FULL SIZED: 1.7 fl oz @ $89.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.25 fl oz
• SAMPLE VALUE: $13.09

  

 

 BOO BOO COVER-UP Cover-Up in Medium

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: Keep looking your best, even while you're healing with this unique formula that doubles as a concealer and a healing treatment. Containing natural ingredients known to accelerate healing, this concealer will ensure no one will ever know about your "boo boo".
• MY THOUGHTS: I was intrigued about this concealer-like product, so I knew I wanted to receive it in my January Beauty Army kit. The jar is small enough on its own, but the amount of product you receive is even smaller. You don't need to use a lot to get results, so that's a plus. The shade, Medium, is a good match for my skintone. It did a good job at covering my "boo boo", which for me right now are IV marks on my hands (both hands actually, since they missed the first time and had to try again on my other hand). In the before/after photo the cover up over my boo boo is still rather noticeable, but from normal viewing distance you can't tell I have any makeup on. Do I think this is so uniquely special that I would purchase a full sized? Eh, I don't know. I'm on the fence. I like that it contains ingredients to help with healing, but I don't really see a difference between a regular concealer and this one. I may give it a test drive on some acne overnight to see if it will help at all, or maybe test it out on one hand and leave the other hand without it to see which one heals faster. If there is no difference then I'll know this product isn't much of a healer.
• FULL SIZED: 0.5 oz @ $20.85
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.1 oz
• SAMPLE VALUE: $4.17

 

 

CELLCUTICALS NeoCell

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: This micro-resurfacing skin treatment has natural enzymes and volcanic micro-minerals that will exfoliate skin without irritation, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion.
• MY THOUGHTS: I'm looking forward to trying this out. I've always wanted to try this product out, so I was excited to receive it in my January Beauty Army kit.
• FULL SIZED: 2 fl oz @ $47.50
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.33 fl oz (although on the description they list is as 0.34 oz, but on the actual product it says 0.33 oz, which is what I'm going by)
• SAMPLE VALUE: $7.84

 







MYFACE COSMETICS Blingtone Eyeshadow in Morococo

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: Create a wicket wash of colour and dramatic, wet-looking shine. Blingtone eyeshadows glide on smoothly and won't drop or flake.
• MY THOUGHTS: This looked a lot darker online than it actually is. In person, this is more of a lighter brown and swatches even lighter -- which may be a bit disappointing to some. Considering the description says "create a wicket wash of colour and dramatic, wet-looking shine", I was expecting intense color pay-off and even though the color is pretty on its own, others may be disappointed with the pigmentation. I hadn't ever heard of this brand before, so it's nice to try a new cosmetics line.
• FULL SIZED: I don't know how many ounces the full sized is (nothing is listed on the packaging or Beauty Army website), but I do know the full sized version is $20.00.
• SIZE I RECEIVED: I received a full sized eyeshadow
• SAMPLE VALUE: $20.00

SHEA TERRA ORGANICS Rose Hips Black Soap Deep Pore Facial Cleanser

• DESCRIPTION ON MY ONLINE SAMPLES PAGE: Sourced from the Youruba tribe in Nigeria, this black facial wash and mask has a true cult following. Working like microdermabrasion to get rid of dead skin, this face wash is said to make you look younger in minutes.
• MY THOUGHTS: The fact that "deep pore facial cleanser" was in the title made me add this to my January Beauty Army kit. It will work like microdermabrasion to get rid of dead skin, even your skin tone, firm your skin and even fight acne. The fact that it can help fight acne is great for me and my skin type. There is a weird scent to this, but I can't really describe it (for some reason it kind of reminds me of a treat or bone my dogs would eat). The color reminded me of molasses and it's a little thick, but still runny enough to use with a Clarisonic if you prefer. I haven't used this yet, but once I'm fully recovered from surgery I plan to to give this a try (for now though, I have to use my Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleansing Cloths since bending over or using the Clarisonic just is too much work on my body right now).
• FULL SIZED: 4 oz @ $18.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 1 oz
• SAMPLE VALUE: $4.50

 

Let me know what you think...

Did you receive a Beauty Army kit this month? If so, what are your thoughts on your kit? Discuss in the comments below.