January Ipsy Bag First Impressions- Fresh Start

I have been subscribed to the Ipsy bag for about a year now. I do really enjoy the service and for those of you who are not sure what it is, it is a beauty subscription that sends 4-5 products a month for a fee (in Canada) of $15/ month. They are generally deluxe sample sizes, sometimes one or two full size products and every so ofter you will receive foil samples. So far I have liked most of the products I have received but I have been thinking about cancelling the subscription because I haven’t LOVED anything I have gotten.

The plan is to start writing reviews on the products and if I can nail down if it is worth it, I will either keep it or cancel it.

Item #1 Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush

Ipsy Product Desciption: Don’t miss a spot with this ridiculously soft shadow brush. This brush with its 100% synthetic bristles is the perfect multitasker. Use it to highlight your brow bone and place the right amount of color for perfect and even application! Your lids will thank you later!

First Impression: This is a travel sized shadow brush with fairly dense hairs. The bristles are synthetic but are very soft. With the density of the bristles it packs on colour very well. I don’t think I agree with it being used to highlight a brown bone, I personally need something that is more precise than this brush. This, to me, is for packing pigments.

Item # 2 Pacfica Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow

Ipsy Product Description: An incredibly innovative formula that pushes natural makeup and mineral color to new bounds. Rich, lasting, creaseless eye shadows are infused with coconut water for a velvety, cream-like finish. Formulated without: Phthalates, parabens, carmine, beeswax, lanolin, mineral oils, propylene glycol, petroleum and FD& C colors (along with other nasties you do not want on your skin). No animal testing. Gluten-free, 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Weight: 0.08 oz

First Impression: I received the shade “Ethereal” It is a pinkish champagne sheer shimmer, and the pigmentation doesn’t blow me away. It would be a nice soft wash of shimmer on a no make up make up kind of day. That’s not really my style so I don’t think I will be using this too much, if at all. Lots of other things I could use that would be better. Packing is plasticky and cheap feeling. There is no coconut smell or any smell at all really.

Item #3 Velvet 59 Rose Lipgloss

Ipsy Product Description: Don’t just stop and smell the roses – Wear their beauty on your lips. You will fall in love with the Velvet Rose Lipgloss. It’s radiance and lustrous consistency makes your lips not just look but smell as fabulous as the classic rose. The lipgloss is made with Sacha Inchi, so it’s naturally high in antioxidants, omega 3, vitamins A and E.

First Impression: HOLY GLOOPY. I am so disappointed in the consistency in this lip gloss. It is like goop. When I apply it, you can see the streaks from the brush and if I talk it sticks so bad it leaves stings between my top and bottom lips. (Maybe thats just something weird with me) . I am sad because I love the colour and the smell. It really does smell fresh and rosy. Packaging looks similar to the Gerard Cosmetics lip glosses, without the light. It is simple and pretty and I would have used this a lot if it wasn’t for the epic sticky gloopiness.

Item #4 Hikari Mechanical Eyeliner

Ipsy Product Description: What it is: Mechanical eyeliner with a smooth formula for easy application. What it does: The perfect mechanical eyeliner that you can smudge for a smoky look or use to define your eyes. Weight: 0.2 g

First Impression: I received the colour slate. It is a shimmery silver grey. It would be nice as a lower lash line pop of shimmer for me. I am a black eyeliner on the top kind of girl. I really like the packaging as it is flat on all four sides so it doesn’t roll when you put it back on your counter, or desk etc. It took about three swipes of the product for the optimal colour pay off.

Item #5 La Fresh Eco-Beauty Be Good Good Day Moisturizer

Ipsy Description: This highly natural day moisturizer provides ample hydration and helps bring back a fresher & happier looking skin appearance. Made with collagen-producing peptides, super-hydrating hyaluronic acid, natural cucumber, aloe, antioxidant panthenol (Vitamin B), Vitamin C & E and a natural anti-aging botanical complex of maqui berry, licorice root, ginko leaf, grape seed and hickory bark. Weight: 0.5 oz
Key Benefits:
• Anti-aging
• Moisturizing
• Ideal for sensitive, dry, and combination skin
• Free from questionable ingredients!
First Impression: I’m not a huge fan of foil samples, especially for skincare. You can’t get a really good gauge on if a skincare product will truly work for you unless you are able to use it for 30 days or more. I do like the way they did this sample though, there is actually a larger amount of product than a regular foil packet, probably 3-4 uses instead of the typical 1-2. There is also a screw cap on it so you can close the packet after use. There is a slight smell, reminds me of a vegetable garden in the spring time. It is very lightweight and smoothing.

For more information and subscription information check out http://www.ipsy.com