I'm so excited about my Glambag this month! The shipping was a bit delayed, but it was well worth the wait. I got five awesome products, all of which were the ones I was most hoping for from the either/or categories.
If you aren't already on the Ipsy bandwagon, they offer a beauty subscription service where, for $10 a month, you get an adorable makeup bag with (typically) 5 beauty products that are either deluxe samples or full-sized. Your glambag also comes with coupon codes that you can use with each of the brand partners featured that month to get other products from them at a discount.
If you're interested in becoming an Ipsy subscriber, you can check out their website. If you use this link it will let Ipsy know that I referred you, which you don't have to do, but I really appreciate it when you do!
So, onto my bag! This month's theme was Glamour Academy, and a ton of fun back-to-school products were sampled. Even though I'm well beyond my school days at this point, I really loved the variety of products that they chose to sample and think they would be great for just about anyone. Here's what I got!
Pixi Lash Booster Mascara
Deluxe Sample ($7.14 value), $17.00 Full-Size
So, I decided that I might as well get my least favorite product of the month out of the way. To be honest I wasn't all that excited about getting a mascara, because I have enough unused mascara hanging out in my beauty stash to last me for the next three years. Still, I'm willing to give just about anything a shot, and decided to try this one out. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't particularly amazing either. I felt like this just did nothing for my lashes. It added a little definition and length, but not much else. I like mascara that gives me super lush, almost false looking lashes, but that is ultimately my personal preference. If you like a natural look perhaps this would be more up your alley. I've also heard many complaints about this mascara flaking and smudging. I haven't had this problem yet myself, but I also haven't used this more than a few times. Perhaps time will tell!
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy
Deluxe Sample ($7.33 Value), $22 Full-Size
I was SO thrilled to get this lipstick. Ever since Urban Decay released these beauties I've been dying to try out the formula. The color I received, (Anarchy) is a bit bold for everyday wear, but still beautiful nevertheless. Ipsters only received a deluxe sample of this lipstick (which is actually incredibly adorable in its mini size) but I suppose it'll last me that much longer since I'll probably only wear it on certain occasions. I have to say, this formula is amazing. It is creamy, INSANELY pigmented, and super long lasting. I didn't even use a pencil under this and my lips were still pink the next day! To make things even better, it is not overly drying, which a lot of lipsticks with this amount of staying power are. And if the lipstick alone isn't good enough for you, Urban Decay has created a matching 24/7 Lip liner to coordinate with every Revolution Lipstick shade.
Michael Todd True Organics, Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub
Deluxe Sample ($5.29 value), $18 Full-Size
I love a good exfoliator, but I do get leery about them sometimes with my acne prone skin. A lot of exfoliants are too harsh and can actually make acne worse, and the last thing I need on my plate is to make my skin break out more than usual. I was really happy with this scrub though. It uses a combination of charcoal to draw impurities out of your pores, and gentle jojoba beads to buff them away. It feels really nice on your skin, and isn't overly drying (which I've found to be true of some other charcoal based products). The thing I love most about this product, though, is the list of ingredients. It's chock full of so many amazing things that it's really not surprising that my face has started to clear up a lot since I've used this. The first two on the list, for an example are Aloe and Coconut Oil, which are both wonderful and moisturizing the skin and calming inflammation. The price is also pretty spot on for skincare, so I think I might just have to buy the full size!
Chella Dazzling Dark Brown Eyebrow Color
Full-Size ($18.00 value)
I am totally in love with my Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil from my June Glambag, so I was very happy to see another Chella product this month. This time around I got a pencil aimed at dark haired brunettes such as myself to fill in sparse brows. It's pretty decent as far as brow pencils go, and I can't complain in any way about getting a full-sized product. It offers buildable color, which is nice, because it's so easy to go overboard with brows and make them look drawn on. It also is a bit smudgable, which on one hand can make it much easier to achieve a natural look, but on the other hand, also means that it is very easy to unintentionally rub off. I think I got a bit spoiled by my IT Cosmetics Brow Power, because it has a waxy texture that also keeps brows in place and also helps it to last longer. However, for the purpose of adding definition and making your brows look fuller I think this product works well. It also looks pretty natural with my haircolor, which is a bonus.
MICA Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow
Full-Size ($14.95 value)
The only mineral shadows I've ever used are Bare Minerals, and I've always had a love hate relationship with them. I love the product, but the packaging is both awesome and terrible. Being a loose powder I can theoretically tap a little into the cap and easily blend colors, or add water to make them creamy or even liquid liner like in texture. But loose powder also has a tendency to get EVERYWHERE, which means that it is super unpractical to travel with or use on-the-go. I suppose my woes will be the same with this Mica Beauty Eyeshadow, but the color is just so beautiful I'm willing to look past the impending mess. The color bronze is a beautiful shimmering golden brown with rich pigmentation. I got inspired to try it out and created this eye look. I mainly used the Bronze shadow in my crease with Urban Decay's Half Baked shadow on my lid.
I haven't worn this shadow to work yet, so I can't say how quickly or easily it fades, but from what I've seen so far I think it's promising.
So there you have it! The total value of my bag this month rings in at $45.57. I think that's pretty amazing for a $10 subscription fee! I don't know if I'll ever be able to top the amazingness that was my first-ever glambag, but I think this is a close second.
Are you also a Glambag subscriber? I'd love to hear about what you got this month and what you thought about those products. Or even if you aren't an Ipster, but have tried one of these products before elsewhere, I'd be happy to hear your thoughts too!
Semi-Ipsy-related side note, if you are following my page on Facebook or following me on Instagram you may have noticed that I've entered a contest being held by Ipsy and Benefit Cosmetics to become a Benefit "Glambassador" and play hostess to a special Lashbash party. Basically, Benefit is sending party packs to 1000 Ipsters with makeup and goodies they can share with 9 friends at their Lashbash. All the parties will be held on September 21st, and Glambassadors will be able to submit photos from their party to have a chance at winning an even bigger prize. I know there are thousands of people who entered to win, but I'm still going to keep my fingers crossed that I will end up being one of the lucky 1000. I will definitely keep you all posted when the winners get announced next week!
Stay gorgeous all!
Lauren
