September Ipsy bag

Howdy all,

I received my ipsy bag late last week and have spent the weekend playing with my goodies so that I could write first impression reviews. Spoiler alert: This is one of my favorite bags so far.

The goods: 

Sally Hansen Miracle gel nail polish in Redgy and the top coat

Cailyn Art Touch tinted Lip gloss in 09 Basic Instinct 

Be a Bombshell smooth criminal powder

Pacifica eyeliner in fringe 

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! deep conditioning mask 

The reviews 

I've been eyeing the Sally Hansen gel polishes fro a while and now I don't have to buy them to try them :) The color I got is perfect for my taste and I think it works as a good color as we transition into Fall. 

The Be a Bombshell powder works great as a setting/finishing powder and has actually done a great job of controlling my oils. It has been better than the powder I have been using. I am so impressed and while I won't need a new powder for a while, this is my go to right now. I want to add that I live in Southern California, where it is really hot and humid and this powder still held up. 

The Pacifica eyeliner takes some time to build up to the intensity that I like but it stays on all day without melting. This is extremely important to me and the fact that it is cruelty free, is a huge plus. 

The Briogeo hair mask is great! I actually bought the full size a couple of weeks ago and I am super happy to have a nice one to travel with :) 

The Cailyn lip gloss is the one product giving me the most trouble. The first time I tried it, I hated it. I just didn't like the consistency of it or the way it feathered. However the second time was not so bad and I just tried it yet again and it's not so horrible but still not something I think that I will be reaching for. 

Overall, I am very pleased with my bag!

Parting thoughts:

- What did you all get in your ipsy bags? How do you like them? 

- I hope everyone is having a great start to the week! 

- If you are going through a rough patch, remember that you are not alone and don't be afraid to lean on friends and family. 

xoxo Cynthia 

August ipsy bag and first impressions

Howdy all!

I've been working and totally exhausted lately but getting my ipsy bag this month has completely rekindled my makeup addiction.

My Bag: 

The goods: 

Urban Decay Perversion mascara 

Absolute New York You're the Balm in grape

Dr. Brandt Pores No More primer

Lord & Berry black eyeliner 

Coastal Scents blush sampler 

I did't get a good shot of the bad but I think that it's super cute! I love the orange polka dots. 

The look:

First Impressions: 

I used everything in this month's bag except for the Perversion mascara because I want to review that one individually :) 

-The Dr Brandt primer worked really well with my Kat Von D Lock it liquid foundation and I think it's making me like the foundation (not my favorite but needs to be used). 

-The Coastal Scents blushes are very pigmented so pigmented that I actually went overboard with them and had to go back in with my beauty blender to tone them down. I did use the Makeup Forever dream HD blush (not from ipsy) as a base and it was so not needed. The cream blush also does not need anything on top of it and is beautiful on its own. 

-The Lord & Berry eyeliner was the one disappointment, it doesn't stay on my waterline and faded throughout the day. Net time I will try toping it with a black shadow but that's a bit too high maintenance for me right now. 

-The Absolute New York balm on the other had was the big stand out for me. My lips are super dry all the time and the balm actually made a big difference, it also really spells like grape. I loved the smell and I like to say that my nose doesn't work (allergies usually stuff it up) so I was happy to get a huge whiff of grape :) 

-As you can see from the picture I also used the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and a Maybelline color tattoo 

Parting Thoughts: 

-What did you all get in your bags this month? 

-I hope everyone had a great weekend :) 

July ipsy bag

Howdy all,

So I received my ipsy bag yesterday! I have been getting my bags quickly, I think that's because I am in Southern California and it looks like they ship out of Compton, CA. I am pretty happy with my bag, there was just one product I have no clue what to do with. The items with mini reviews and a look of the day are below!

My bag: 

1. Pop Beauty sunkissed bronzer in secret sunshine: On my face it looks a lot like the Balm's Bahama Mama but that one is matte and this one has some shimmer though it does not show up on my skin. 

2. Sexy Hair healthy sexy hair soy renewal beach spray: I did use it after a shower yesterday and I did not notice huge results. I do have curly hair so I am not going to get instant "beach hair." I do love all the ingredients though and will continue to use it. 

3. Hang Ten dark tanning oil: I loved the Hang Ten sunscreen we got in a previous bag and I really like the company for being natural and cruelty free but I don't know what this brown woman is supposed to do with a bronzer. I would try it out on my legs except I live in So Cal and they are already tanned... 

4. Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB advanced performance cream shadow in the shade divine wine: Haven't used it yet because it is a dark brown and I have to figure out a look to use it in. I think I will use it as a base. I did swatch it and then tried to take it off and it does not budge by just rubbing it. I will use it in a look and report back either here or on instagram. 

5. Pixi tinted brilliance balm in Pretty Pink: It's a balm but still has nice pigmentation and looks really nice on my lips and with my tan complexion. Seriously brown/Olive/tanned ladies don't be afraid of colors like this :) 

Look of the day: 

Using the Pop Beauty bronzer the Pixi balm and the Sexy Hair beach spray. 

I really like the look of the bronzer and adore the Pixi lip balm. 

Here you can see my hair better. It's still wet but so far looks the same it always does.

Here's a swatch of the cream shadow.

Parting thoughts: 

-I have a lot of work today, help! ;) 

- I am working on a post debunking myths about what makeup works of olive complexions/women of color. I've been noticing a lot of women hesitate to buy/use certain things because they think it's not for them. Yes products will look different on us than they do on pale skin tones but that does not mean that we cannot rock those products. Nudes on drown/dark skin are totally different than they are on light/medium skin tones and I have lots of thoughts on all of this, so check back for more :) 

My June ipsy bag!

Hi everyone,

I've been paying attention to the hints about what would be in the June bag and got really excited about the possibilities.

In my bag: 

1. RealTree eau de parfum for her: it has a nice sweet scent so I will use it

2. Ofra universal eyebrow pencil: I immediately tried to use this and I can say that on first impression the pencil is a good match for my eyebrows and it is very buttery, I'm just not sure that it is better than anything I currently have but I'll give it a shot. 

3. Nickak New York Shimmer Eyeliner in blue: from swatching it the applicator is quite stiff but the color is pretty. 

4. NYX butter gloss in Éclair: I only have one of these butter glosses but they are great products and I am glad to add this one to my collection 

5. Carol's Daughter sacred tiare anti-breaking & anti-frizz styling cream: I love hair products and I've never tried any Carol's Daughter so I am very excited! 

What did you all get in your June bag? I was hoping that I would get the Jeesse's girl eyeliner but no luck, oh well. How are you enjoying the goodies? 

Parting thoughts: 

-The summer is about to start, anyone have fun summer plans? 

-I am desperately trying to finish my dissertation so that's what I will be working all all summer :/

May ipsy bag!!

My bag only had one makeup item but I am still pretty exited to try all the skincare and the one hair item. The best part of the bag is that all but one item are cruelty free!!

Let's get to it, this was my bag this month: 

1. Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil: This is perfect for me. I have curly/wavy hair and I am actually in the process of switching to the curly girl method and I can add this oil to my routine guilt free.

2. Hang Ten Classic Sport Natural Sunscreen SPF 50: This guy is going straight into my purse :) I have been using two other natural sunscreens that I like but if this guys is as good or better it is so getting purchased.   

3. Hey honey take it off Exfoliating Honey Mask: It is small but I am starting to get into masks so I will try it out within the week and will report back. 

4. Pacifica Duo 2: So exited to try pacifica makeup! This brand has been on my radar because its a cruelty free, natural brand. It's just a bit pricy though quite widely available so I know if the duo is good I will for sure be trying out more of the brand 

5. And lastly, Pur-lisse pur moist hydra-balance moisturizer. This is the one thing that does not labeled cruelty free and something I had never heard of before. I looked it up and Pur-lisse is a natural Asian brand! The full size of this guy is $55 Pur-lisse description 

Correction: The entire bag is cruelty free!! After checking the pur-lisse website they say that they are vegan and cruelty-free. Yay!!!

Let's use our ipsy bag items!

There is no point in having beautiful things if we're not going to use them so I set out to use as many of my ipsy items as possible. Actually I could have used all of them but today was a stay at home day and I did not want to use the lashes quite yet. I also thought a purple lip would look better so the Cailyn balm will wait. (Plus it's quite drying on me)

Here is the look I came up with!

                

Products used: 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion 

City Color Mousse eyeshadow in White Gold as a base 

Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette (limited edition): 

I used mint all over the lid, almond and fawn in the crease. Chocolate in the outer corner, maize in the inner corner and into the inner lower lashline and tourquoise on the rest of the lower lashline. 

Urban Decay 24/7 velvet glide -on pencil in black velvet (just a thin line)

Benefit lollitint in the cheeks 

MAC's Heroine on my lips 

It Cosmetic's Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil 

The Wondervision Mega palette is great but you can just as easily find browns in other palettes (ex. the Naked palette), the mint color is a lime green that not everyone might have in their collection, so here are some alternatives: 

L'Oréal Infallible  Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald, Golden Sage or Endless Sea 

Nyx Primal Colors Pressed Pigments in Hot Green

Nyx Baked Eyeshadow in Rebel  

Bonus picture:  

How cool is my t-shirt! Just saying...

Parting thoughts: 

- Let me know what y'all have been doing with your ipsy goodies! 

- There will always be stress in out lives, so let's not forget to take care of ourselves and enjoy our friends and loves ones. 

April ipsy Bag: First Impressions

Girl Meets ipsy! This is just my second ipsy bag and so far I am a VERy happy Glam Bag subscriber. 

In my April bag: 

Kiss Looks so Natural Shy lashes 

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in 14 Acid Pink 

City Color Mouse Eyeshadow in White Gold 

Benefit lollitint 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Black Velvet 

The review: 

I"ve been hearing great reviews of the lollitint and I can't wait to try it! It is a candy-orchid lip and cheek stain. So it's in the color of the year and very on trend. I only have one of the Urban Decay liners in white so I'm exited to play with my new black one. The lip balm is a matte lip tint, not balmy at all but the color is gorgeous (basically a barbie pink). The lashes look really nice, not too dramatic so right up my alley (I'm an eyelash newbie). The white gold mousse eyeshadow could be really fun. The swatch came off very pigmented and I had a hard time washing it off so I expect a long wear time. 

What did you all get in your bags? Excited about any of it? 

Parting thoughts: 

-Some people really don't understand how their words and actions affect others and dealing with them is difficult. Let's not let them have any effect on our happiness and wellbeing! 

First ipsy bag

Greetings all!

This week I received my very first ipsy bag and I am so exited to try it out.

Products:
Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream in NO.31 (golden Beige)
BareMinerals marvelous Moxie lipstick in Get Ready

Be a bombshell eyeshadow quad in bora bora
Pacifica Indian Coconut Boby Nectar

I am not sure if the BB cream will be a good match but most of the bag is cruelty free #musictomyHeart

I am exited for the great looks that the quad is promising!

This body butter will feel divine on my sensitive legs (I have eczema)

Parting thoughts:
- Good job ipsy!
- Love is a very powerful feeling.
- Sometimes the right decision is the hardest. To everyone out there making the right decisions: you are wonderful powerful people!