ipsy March 2015

***SPOILER ALERT: THIS IS MY LAST ipsy BAG***

The bag is really cute. It's a decent size and I'll probably hang on to it.



pur~lisse beauty pur~delicate gentle soymilk cleanser & makeup remover
Appreciate your skin, don’t irritate it. Cleanse the day away in one simple step with this sulfate-free blend of Soy Milk, Whole Oat and White Tea. This gentle cleanser leaves your face silky soft, without a trace of impurity. The 4-in-1 sulfate free & non-drying formula gently washes away dirt and makeup (even mascara!), while soothing and toning skin.
Will I use it?: I'll get around to using it eventually, I'm way behind on using cleansers, but I've added it to my stash. 





VINTAGE by Jessica Liebeskind in Crystal Pink

Add a beautiful wash of color and subtle, sexy shimmer with the ILLUMINATING FACE HIGHLIGHTER. Created to be worn on top of fresh, dewy skin or as a delicate highlight over pretty blush – the reflective pearls add radiance on contact delivering a diamond-like finish to the skin.
Will I Use It?: I've used it a couple of times, and it's a very pretty color. It does pretty much exactly what it said it would.

Boo-Boo Cover-Up: Medium Shade
Have a Boo-Boo? Skip the bandage and the shiny ointment. Look your best even while you heal with Boo-Boo Cover-Up for face and body. Our innovative formula offers great coverage for skin imperfections while containing ingredients known in nature to promote healing.
Will I Use It?: I've used this a couple of times. Even though it says Medium, it is definitely more on the fair side. It does a good job covering things up, but it's not a "must-have" in my makeup box.




NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Hunk
Pamper your lips with a hydrating kiss of smooth Butter Lipstick in 22 luxurious shades. The delicate texture of satin fused with the high color saturation creates an even finish on lips that’s long-wearing and beautiful.
Will I Use It?: No, I will never, ever wear this. As of writing this post, I've already passed it on to a friend. I don't have anything in my profile that would indicate I would like a product like this, and I've specifically asked for no lip products multiple times. I was really disappointed to see this in my box. At least I made a friend happy!




dr. brandt skincare pores no more anti-aging mattifying lotion
“An apple a day keeps the lines away.” This oil-free, lightweight lotion is formulated with apple stem cells to help delay the natural signs of aging by maintaining the longevity and activity of stem cells in the skin. Simultaneously, retinol stimulates new cell turnover and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Brandt’s multi-tasking formula provides the best of both worlds, delivering anti-aging and pore minimizing/mattifying benefits.
Will I Use It?: I haven't tried it yet, but it's also put away in my stash to try.


I think the NYX lipstick is what finally killed ipsy for me. They clearly are paying no attention to my profile, or my reviews. And there are other boxes I'd rather try, so this is the last month you'll see an ipsy box from me.



FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from ipsy.

ipsy September 2014

Ahhh I love everything in this bag!



- The Bag: I can't actually tell if I'll like this or not. I like the colors, but I'll reserve judgement until I hold it in my hands.
- Alterna Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction: I have wanted to try this for awhile, so I'm really happy to see it in my bag. I just hope that it's a decent enough sample to at least get 3 or 4 uses.
- Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush: I'm always excited for new brushes, and I've heard good things about Crown Brushes.
- NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow: I wonder if I'll be receiving this purple shade, because according to the ipsy website, there are 10 different shades I might receive. I'm already a fan of NYX, so unless they send me a color I don't like, I know that I'll like it.
- Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil: I never really get excited about standard pencil liners- I'm more of a fan of the kind that twist up. So this is one product that I'm just meh about, and I kind of wish I had received the nail polish instead. There are two color choices (Gunmetal or Fringe), and I don't really care which one I get.
- CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss: The two choices are Basic Instinct (which is the one shown above), and Love Affair, which is a deeper red color. I kind of am hoping I get Basic Instinct. According to the spoilers, this will be a full sized item. (And the lipgloss is worth $19.00, so this will basically pay for the whole bag.)



I really like the bag this time- it's kind of got an 80s vibe, and I like that it's just a little bigger than the last couple of months' bags have been. 



Alterna Haircare CAVIAR CC Cream 10-in-1 Complete Correction
A miracle leave-in product that delivers 10 benefits in 1 easy step, leaving hair perfectly polished. Can be used alone or as a foundation for the layering of other styling products.
How To Use: Apply evenly to clean, towel-dried hair & style as desired. Can also be used as a finisher on dry hair for added perfection.
How It Works: Caviar CC Cream perfects hair in 10 different ways for complete: Moisture, Shine, Smoothness, Softness, Anti-Breakage, Heat Protection, Light Hold, UV Protection, Manageability and Strength
Will I Use It?: I've already tried it once, but results weren't that exciting. I'll keep using it and do a more complete review. 




Crown Brush Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush
This dual-ended brush offers the best of both worlds.
How To Use: The shadow brush is perfect for applying eye shadow or contouring the eye, while the crease brush is designed to be used dry for defining the eye, or wet for precision concealing.  
Will I Use It?: I've used this brush a handful of times since receiving it, and I understand why Crown Brushes are so hyped. This is one of the best quality brushes I own, and can definitely see investing in some others in the near future.






NYX Hot Singles Eye Shadow in Bling
Whether your look is edgy or natural, NYX’s unique formulation is easy to blend and build on. 88 amazing shades inspired by the latest fashion runway trends.
How It Works: Hot Singles are intense! Powerfully loaded with pigments, this versatile formula lets you make a statement for any occasion
Will I Use It?: I added it to my makeup bag, but haven't used it yet. I will, though!






Pacifica Natural Water-Proof Eye Pencil in Fringe
These rich water-proof, buttery smooth eye pencils glide on smooth and deliver big color pay off with every stroke. 
How It Works: Long-lasting natural formula, provides hours of wear and contains beneficial ingredients great for the sensitive eye area.
Will I Use It?: I used it on a day when I knew I'd need a waterproof mascara, and this definitely came through- it didn't budge at all. It's a nice, dark brown color, and I really like it!






CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss in Basic Instinct
CAILYN Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss delivers the stunning color impact of a lip stain and high shine of a lip gloss. 
How It Works: This silky smooth gloss glides on your lips like butter, leaving you with a lacquer like finish.
Will I Use It?: I really like the color, but I haven't used it yet. 


I really enjoyed everything in this bag, but I have decided to switch up my profile a bit- I've unmarked lip products completely. Hopefully I won't receive any for awhile, because I'm not even a big lip product junkie, so none of them are really getting used. 
This isn't reflected at all of the color or quality of the lip products received, I just won't use them and would rather see what else I get if that option isn't available for now.


If any of you are interested in signing up for ipsy, please click there and use my affiliate link! I receive points which I will exchange for products that I can review on this blog.


FTC: This box was purchased by me with my own money. All opinions are my own. All product descriptions were taken directly from ipsy, amazon.com, or the product page on the brand's website.
This post contains Amazon.com affiliate links and an ipsyaffiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
The individual product links to the ipsy product page are not affiliate links.

Top 10 Makeup Products I Can't Live Without

About a month ago, I posted a "Top 10 Makeup Products I Can't Live Without", but it was a guest post by my sister-in-law, Jenna. I have never actually done my own.
After about a month of thinking about it, I have finally decided on my own Top 10.


1. The Lorac Pro Palette



As of this post, this is my absolute, cannot live without it, don't know how I never had it before, palette. It has every single shade I need to do all of my eye looks. It's the one I pack when I go places. And to be honest, when I don't have it in my makeup bag, I miss it. A lot. It has both matte and shimmer shades, and it's just the perfect palette, in general.


2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance



I never do my makeup without an eye primer, and this is my go to. As you can see above, I even have a backup. This is what I use when I do my makeup for any type of occasion where I know I need my eye makeup to stay put. I wore it on my wedding day. I wore it to my high school reunion. I wear it in the hot, 100+ degrees days of summer. My eye makeup NEVER creases when I wear this under it, and I never have to worry that it will do so. It really is a product I cannot, under any circumstances, live without.


3. Ulta Waterproof Automatic Eye Liner (specifically in black)



I know everyone goes on and on about the Urban Decay 24/7 liners, but this is really my holy grail liner. It is so black, and it never goes anywhere other than where I put it. It glides on super easy on the water line, and really stays put there. And it's cheap- at the most, it costs me around $8.00, but Ulta almost always has some type of bogo deal on all of their branded products. If you're still looking for that great, very black eyeliner, I recommend at least trying this one.


4. BareMinerals Original SPF 15 Foundation in Fairly Light



I did live without this product for a few months, and now I'm not sure how. Yes, my L'Oreal powder foundation is good. But there is just something special about the way this goes on, and the way it matches my skin so flawlessly. And the way it never seems to cake up on my skin, even if I do go a little overboard. I can never see myself being without this product again.


5. NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder



I didn't really start filling in my brows until about a year ago, but it really does make a big difference. Even if all I do it put on a little mascara and fill in my brows a bit, it makes me look so much more put together. And this kit really matches my eye brows well- I tend to go dark blonde when I dye my hair, and for the first couple weeks, I can use the darker shade, and for the last couple of weeks, I mix the two.


6. Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara



When I was thinking about my list, this is one of the first products I thought of. It's not a mascara I use all the time, but it is a mascara I will always repurchase, and always want to have on hand. It really thickens and lengthens, and never flakes on me. And it never clumps. It's pretty much the only mascara I own that I don't need to have a spooly to run through my lashes to de-clump them a bit. It is pricey, but completely worth it.


7. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette



I thought long and hard about this, but this is a must-have for me. It's surprisingly versatile, and has the best matte black (and yes, it is better than the one in the Lorac Pro Palette) I have ever used. All the shades are super creamy, and go on like butter. If all my other palettes just disappeared, I would replace the Lorac Pro first, and this second. And it would be enough for me.


8. Urban Decay eyeshadow in Sin



I choose the Lorac Pro over my Naked palette, but this shade is one I cannot see myself never having. It is the perfect shade for my skin tone- it matches beautifully. It goes on smooth. It's my go-to color when I'm having trouble deciding what else to wear. And right now, it's the only palette color I've loved enough to go out and buy a full size of.


9. Physician's Formula Mineral Wear blush in Pink Glow



Ahh, this blush. I get so happy every time I see it in my makeup kit, because it is my absolute favorite. It gives my skin the perfect flush, and still looks natural. And a little goes a long way. If all my blushes disappeared, this would be the first one I would replace, because it looks good with every single eye look I have worn with it.


10. Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray



I went out and bought this the night of my high school reunion because I was out. That is how much I cannot live without this product. Do I use it every day? Of course not! But on those days/nights where I really need to make sure my makeup stays put, this is all I use. It really does work.



I feel like this would be something fun to do maybe once a year or so, to see how much things change- because I feel like every time I try a new product, it becomes something that could be a product I can't live without. At one time, I did not own anything above, and now I would grab all of these things first. And, funny enough, I could do my makeup with all of these products and get a complete look (other than lips- I'm not really a lip product junkie so I don't have one I can't live without).

What are some products that you can't live without??


FTC: All of the above products were either purchased by me or a gift. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain Amazon affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.