August 2014 Ipsy Bag & Look

If you have never heard of Ipsy, check out their website to learn more!

This is my second Glam Bag! I like the products, but they are super small sample sizes this month. I know it's a sample subscription, but boy are these tiny! lol

Take a look at everything I got in my bag this month, with swatches and more info. I also created a look with all the products from the bag!

The bag this month is round and white with orange polka dots and zipper. The theme is "beauty schooled" and it reminds me a little of a pencil case. :) 

The Products

1. URBAN DECAY - Perversion Mascara

2. LORD & BERRY - Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil

3. COASTAL SCENTS - Shadow Palette Sample - Set 28

4. ABSOLUTE - You're the Balm - Green Apple

5. DR. BRANDT - Pores No More - Pore Refiner

Color Swatches & Info

1. URBAN DECAY - Perversion Mascara

"Get bigger, blacker, badder lashes with our ultra-creamy, lengthening and volumizing mascara. So intense you might need a safe word, Perversion glides on and gets you sexy in one stroke. (Yet it won’t quit until you say when.) It’s insane how black it is…the purest, deepest, most intense black color imaginable.  Perversion has a creamy, full-bodied texture that’s not too dry, not too wet. This allows just the right amount of “pull” so it glides through lashes. The result: incredible control for insane lashes. Go ahead and pile on coat after coat. Want to apply more before you go out at night? No problem. Even if it’s been all day since you applied, more Perversion always means more beautiful lashes. Our formula NEVER gets brittle or clumpy." 

I actually do like this mascara... but I don't think I want to pay $20 for it! It does seem very creamy though. It glides on super smooth. I didn't notice clumping either. The results below are after only one coat of Perversion.

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2. LORD & BERRY - Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil

"A kohl eye pencil that lines, defines and shades the eyes with rich colour and a silky-smooth finish.
Ophthalmologist tested and gentle enough to be used on the inner eye."

Tiny little pencil. The full size is $15. I would have to agree with the description above, but I wouldn't want to use this anywhere it might come into contact with wetness. From my experience with kohl pencils, they smudge pretty easily, yeah?

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3. COASTAL SCENTS - Shadow Palette Sample - Set 28

"Coastal Scents Shadow Palette Samples are an ideal way to try these highly pigmented, stunning shadows. Each miniature-sized palette offers four specially selected, complementary shades to create a variety of looks."

I got the more tame colors this round. Very pretty though! They are super soft and the pigmentation is great! I could use these colors in quite a few different combinations too. The colors in this palette are: Cocoa Diamond, Reef Coral, Rainstorm and Bronze Peach.

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4. ABSOLUTE - You're the Balm - Green Apple

"Treat your lips with the ultra-moisturizing Duo Lip Balms from Absolute New York. Our lightly tinted, creamy, conditioning formula softens, smoothens, and protects lips for a seriously kissable pout. Discover this must-have duo for sensationally soft and luscious lips!"

 I recieved green apple, but it reminds me more of watermelon. In my opinion it smells pretty yummy and goes on thinly and smoothly. Popping this nomnom in my purse. It has a very light pink tint. Also the only full sized product in this months bag.

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5. DR. BRANDT - Pores No More - Pore Refiner

"A cult favorite, Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer is Dr. Brandt’s quick fix for flawless, photo-ready skin. It is the miracle base to create the perfect skin canvas for long-lasting makeup and well-preserved skin. This velvety formula absorbs excess oil, minimizes pores, blurs fine lines and is resistant to sweat and humidity. Prime, touch-up and treat while perfecting your makeup."

Well, I was impressed. I hate my big pores and I saw a noticeable difference very quickly when I put this just on one area of my cheek. I'll only use it on special occasions because this baby is $45 for an ounce! It is a light flesh tone in color and smells a bit like an acne cream medicine. I can see why it's one of their best sellers.

The August 2014 Glam Bag Look

Here ya go! I used the Coastal Scents eyeshadows, Lord  & Berry eyeliner and the Urban Decay mascara. :) Quite a nice "natural" kind of look. Simple for back to school too. Can't go wrong with some nice neutral eyeshadow. Brown shades are always my go to colors.

 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

I recently received a package from Influenster/Rimmel London for being a runner up for a Rimmel badge from one of my Vox Boxes. Inside I got the new Retro Glam Mascara! I love trying out mascaras because I find my lashes so hopeless and boring. I'm always looking for something to make them more fancy and dramatic without using falsies (which I hate to use)! So thank you dearest Influenster and also Rimmel London for providing the products for them. :)

So, let's read up on this baby!

It’s Retro Mania! Bold, Wide-eyed false lash look!
Bold, wide-eyed false lash look.
Hour-glass brush shaped to the lash line to plump lashes, fanning them up and out for bold, wide-eyed volume.
Coats lashes individually for a big, false lash look in one simple stroke. No clumps!

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This mascara seems to have very good ratings on their website... let's get a closer look.

Here is that hour glass shaped brush. I will admit that it can take a little practice with such a large brush. I got it on my eyelid a bit. lol The large end really helps coat and separate your lashes in one swipe. I noticed no clumping and I didn't have any of that panda eye action going on later in the day either. I can't even imagine what this could do for people who already have the long, beautiful lashes that I dream of.

Here is a comparison. You can see my lashes with nothing on them, and then with two quick coats of the mascara. I am quite satisfied with the results! My lashes look much longer and a bit fuller. They certainly do seem to flare up a bit too. I don't tend to apply thick layers of mascara, so this might even be improved with a 3rd coat, the way I apply it. lol

Retro Glam retails for around $6, so it's pretty affordable. I have been loving more and more Rimmel products lately. This one hasn't disappointed me! lol I think Maybelline and Rimmel are my favorite drugstore brands out there... and we can't leave out Wet n Wild... they make some killer eyeshadow. ;P

November 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag & Look

If you have never heard of Ipsy, check out their website to learn more!

This is my first ever Glam Bag and I quite like it. I wish I could continue with my subscription, but money is tight. I just wanted to try it once, at least! lol Take a look at everything I got in my bag this month, with swatches and more info. I also created a look with all the products from the bag. :)

The Products

The bag this month is metallic gold snakeskin with a pink zipper and little wrist strap!

1. PIXI BEAUTY- Bronzer - Subtly Suntouched

2. EM MICHELLE PHAN - Lash Gallery Mascara - Dramatic Volume

3. BH COSMETICS - Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow Sample - Neptune

4. NAILTINI - Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer - Champagne

5. BE A BOMBSHELL - Lip Crayon - Shameless

6. STARLOOKS - Gem Eye Pencil - Topaz

Color Swatches & Information

1. PIXI BEAUTY- Bronzer - Subtly Suntouched

"This bronzing powder gives your complexion the warmth and luminosity of naturally sunkissed skin. Hydrating, silky-smooth & long-wearing, it also protects against free radicals. Contains Vitamin E to protect the skin and mica, which provides dense natural pigment."

I didn't get a picture of this since it matched my skin and you could barely see it. It has some very subtle shimmer and I think it is best used on the days where you are going for the look of minimal makeup. lol It could be used as a highlighter on someone with skin darker than my own though. Unless you have porcelain white skin, I don't think it would be much of a "bronzer". I suppose it could even be used as an eyeshadow too.

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2. EM MICHELLE PHAN - Lash Gallery Mascara - Dramatic Volume

 "Inspired by the girl who wants to rock out with her lashes. Amp it up and create instant lash drama with a single coat. Uniquely-designed spoon brush 'cup' and quickly builds lashes with rich color and volume."

The formula is very wet, as I assume all or most volumizing mascaras are. It smells like flowers... not like a lotion or perfume flower smell, but like walking through a flower garden. lol I have pretty average looking lashes to begin with... nothing fancy about them. So in my opinion, this was a decent mascara. I think my lashes definitely look more voluminous and dramatic. It's hard to get used to such a wet mascara! I haven't used many like this, so I can't compare it to others, sadly. 

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 3. BH COSMETICS - Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow Sample - Neptune

"This Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow Sample will take you from Plain Jane to an infinite trendsetter. Inspired by the moons and planets of the universe, eyeshadow shades range from hot sun-orange to cool earth-blue and colors of the Milky Way. Be as chic as a sparkling star!"

Neptune is a bright shimmery blue color. This is a baked eyeshadow. Some people get put off by colors like this, but if you use it right, you can make beautiful eye looks. The shadow is very pigmented, blendable and buildable. The actual Galaxy Chic palette has some very neat colors in it, if you want to check it out. I was hoping to get the color Asteroid, but this is a nice color too.

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 4. NAILTINI - Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer - Champagne

"Just one of Nailtini's top-shelf, 3-free nail lacquer, available in dozens of shades, textures and finishes. Wear them alone or layered to create custom looks and effects, each one a cocktail unto itself. Cheers to beauty, and as always, apply responsibly!"

This is such an interesting shade. I really like it too. When looking at the bottle a few things come to mind... copper, pink, gold. They seem to be all swirled into one. It does resemble champagne as well, in my opinion. lol I just recently painted my nails, so I put it on top of the very dark plum color that was already a few days old. It covered it very nicely. I only used two coats. Didn't have to try hard at all. :)

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 5. BE A BOMBSHELL - Lip Crayon - Shameless

"A glossy lip crayon with a smooth texture that is perfect for travel and touch-ups on the go. Apply to top and bottom lips for full coverage. For sheer coverage, apply to lower lip only and blot lips together. For more color, apply several coats until you receive desired results."

The swatch is on the same hand as the eyeliner, so it will be down a little further! Anyway, I really like this color! It's a pretty berry color... I'm going to go with "raspberry". I like this a lot and I think it's a great color to wear for fall too. It goes on really smooth and pigmented. It's also shimmery, which I love in a lip product. lol The description on the site says, 'a burgundy with shimmer' as the color description.

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6. STARLOOKS - Gem Eye Pencil - Topaz

"The Starlooks Gem Eye Pencils provide a magnificent metallic finish and are so versatile, soft, and creamy that they can be used as a liner or eyeshadow base! Each highly-pigmented, unique pencil has a gorgeous, micro-glitter finish."

This metallic silver eyeliner is so pretty.I think it's great to line the lower lash line. It will definitely make your eyes pop and shine through. lol I never thought I would go for such a metallic and shiny liner, but it really is pretty to look at! I'll have to find more ways to use it. :) After reading the description, I do have to wonder about using it as an eyeshadow base too now. I'll be testing this more, for sure. It glided pretty well on my hand and then on my eyes. I'd say it is pretty soft and creamy like they state. The only part I hate is that I'll have to sharpen it! lol

The image below shows the eyeliner as well as the lip crayon.

The November 2013 Glam Bag Look

 I used all the products that came in my bag, plus my LA Colors palette in Cafe Au Lait and my Revlon Luxurious Color Smoky Crayon eyeliner. :) Thanks for sticking around! Check out Ipsy and all the brands from this month's bag!