Ipsy (MyGlam) June 2013 Review

Hi, everyone!  I know, it seems like you all have been waiting a lifetime for this month's Ipsy review, and I am SO SO sorry!  My church's VBS is this year (Vacation Bible School for those of you who aren't in the know), and as the VBS Director, I've been really really busy getting everything ready!  As it's now the night before VBS, I have a few spare moments, and wanted to get my sadly neglected blog up to speed with my June Ipsy review!

For anyone who doesn't know, Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 a month (plus shipping in Canada, and tax in a few states), and sends out 4-5 full size or deluxe samples of beauty products each month.  I've had fairly good luck with Ipsy, and I really think that anyone who tries it would like it.  It's kind of like gambling $10 each month- but you are guaranteed to get something (even if you don't like it).  If you would like to give Ipsy a try, please use my referral link here- two referrals and I receive a special gift from Ipsy in my bag.


Ok, on to the good stuff.

The pink mailer of awesomeness.

I always love seeing these pink mailers in my mailbox- even when I see spoilers, I always squee like a little girl!

First look

Here's a little teaser shot of the inside of my envelope- is that leopard print I see?

On the Wild Side

June's theme is On the Wild Side.  I think I approve, but am really curious what products I will get in this bag!

The offers

I love how Ipsy's insert cards always list what companies they are working with each month, and what the discount is.  Looks like a big crop of coupon codes this month!

The bag.

I've never been a HUGE fan of animal prints, BUT- this bag is SUPER cute!  This is my new coin purse in my pocketbook.  

I'm loving me some lime green right now! (and rocking some awesome giraffe print nails, by the way!)

I'm going to start with the items that everyone received, to try to make it simple.  The first thing I pulled out of my bag is...

J.Cat Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta, full size (3g), retail value $4.49.  Available HERE; coupon code LOVEIPSY will earn you 25% off any order, until 7/15/13

A sparkle palette!  I love sparkles, and these colors would make great eye shadows.  Wait, wait wait- what's that you say?  These AREN'T eye shadows? 

That's funny- looks like eye shadow to me!

Then why the little foam applicators that I hate?  What on earth could this be used for?  Ok- all kidding aside- do NOT use this on your eyes- their website says to use caution around the eye area, and there have been people posting on Ipsy's facebook page about getting the glitter under their contacts.  Translation: bad news for the eyes.  

Swatches of the Volta palette: the top swatches are the glitter on top of the cream, the bottom swatches is where I dug under the glitter and mixed it with the cream.

I honestly don't have a LOT of practical ideas for this palette, but then again, who says that makeup has to be practical?  I am going to use this for face paint at our VBS carnival this coming Sunday, and I'm happy to have found a use for it.  I did have another idea for it though, if I ever decide to go clubbing any time soon (yeah, right- two kids and no sitter.  Clubbing is just a pipe dream):

tattoo enhancement

Ok, yes, I have a tattoo.  Yes, I love it, and I helped design it.  If you look closely, you can see my oldest's daughters' name in the veins on the wings (Kathryn).  I asked her to use the glitter to enhance the design, and I think it turned out really great, and not a bad idea for a night out!

GRADE: 2/5 highly impractical and could mess up my eyesight.  Not good.

Starlooks lip liner pencil in Tipsy, full size (2.4g).  Available HERE, retail value $12.  Coupon code IPSY will get you 35% off any order, until 7/15/13.

The next item that everyone was to receive is a lip liner from Starlooks.  I have NEVER bought a lip liner in my life, so I was excited to give this a try.  Sadly, the color was a little off for my skin tone:

Swatch of Tipsy

I might try to use this for an ombre lip at some point, and it is a super creamy  texture and feels nice on my lips.  Ipsy gets points for quality, just not for color in my case.  On another note, Starlooks has their own subscription box- maybe I'll give that a try!

GRADE: 4/5

Nyx pressed powder blush in Spice, full size (.18 oz).  Available HERE; coupon code IPSY15 will earn you 15% off any purchase, or code IPSYCHEEKS will earn you 40% off Tango with blushing powder, until 7/10/13.  Retail value $5.00.

The final item that everyone was to receive is a blush from Nyx.  I've heard greats things about Nyx products, but don't really own many, so I was excited to receive this.  The blush I received is in the shade Spice, a pretty matte mauve.  This shade looks great on my cheeks, and I really, really love it!

Swatch of Spice by Nyx

There were a couple different types of blush sent out, and I'm really glad I received the pressed powder- I don't do well with creams, but I would have loved to try our the mosaic blush- I'm really really happy with this!

GRADE: 5/5

The following items are the ones *I* received, but there were a couple different options that other had in their bags that I did not get.  I'll list those at the end, as best as I can.

Chella Ivory Lace highlighter pencil, full size (1.4g); available HERE.  Coupon code GLAMBAG will get you 20% off your order, until 7/15/13.  Retail value $18.00.

I received the Chella highlighter pencil, and I'm so glad I did!  This pencil is super creamy, and has amazing staying power.  I use it on my waterline, as it's too close to my natural skin color to be an effective highlighter (at least, until I get my deep summer tan going on!)

Swatch of Ivory Lace highlighter pencil from Chella

I've never used any products from Chella before, but I will definitely be checking out their website now to see if they have anything else that's worth a try!

GRADE: 4/5 (can't use as intended, but still works great!)

J.Cat Eyelashes + Eyelash Glue, no. UN13, full size; available HERE.  Coupon code LOVEIPSY will get you 25% off your order until 7/15/13. Retail value $3.99.

I absolutely LOVE lashes, seriously.  I have tiny, stubby lashes, and falsies make me look a little more human.  I usually cut lashes down into demi size, and just apply to the corner of my eyes, but occasionally wear full size lashes.  I gave the J.Cat lashes a try, and really loved them!  They looked very natural on, applied very easily.  I'm not sure I'm crazy about the lash glue, though- maybe I just didn't put enough on the inner corners, but they came unattached rather quickly.  I did like that that glue is black, though- it blended with the lashes well, but I would need to use clear glue if I wanted to wear my usual colored eyeliner.

Lashes on!

GRADE: 4/5

I received a BONUS item in my Ipsy bag, as a thank you for having TWO referrals during the month of May.  I receive a bracelet from BaubleBar.

BaubleBar bracelet, gold and white.  Approximate retail value $20.

My best friend "Shelby" loved it, I gave it to her for an early birthday present.    The bracelet came with a coupon code for $15 off a purchase of $40 or more.  I checked out BaubleBar's website and couldn't find this bracelet anywhere, so it's possible an Ipsy exclusive.  I don't quite understand the "o" ring design- is this a fashion trend that I'm not very familiar with?  At any rate, it's gold-tone jewelry, and I only wear silver, so I'm happy that I was able to make Shelby smile.  That earns a 5/5 grade any day.

GRADE: 5/5

OTHER ITEMS I DID NOT RECEIVE
Other Ipsy subscribers received different items, based on their beauty profiles.  I would have LOVED to try out these products, but I'm pleased with what I did receive, so no hard feelings!  If you don't care to read about the items I did NOT receive, keep scrolling until you get to the pictures of my bag :)

Cailyn Line Fix gel eyeliner with brush, in Iron or Purple, full size.  Available HERE; coupon code ipsy30 will earn you 30% off any order until 7/10/13.  Retail value $21.00
Ok, I am on a no buy for a couple more weeks (yes!), but I seriosuly wanted to try out this liner.  I LOVE gel liner, and really want a good purple one!  Congrats to girls who received this, and if you did and DON'T like it, send it to me for some GOOD KARMA!!!  


Psssst! The True original dry shampoo by Freeman Beauty, deluxe sample size (1.76 oz), available HERE.  Coupon code IPSY33 will get you the Super Hero Hair Duo set with bonus for $13.98 until 8/31/13 (US residents only). Full size () retails for $6.99 for 5.3 oz; this deluxe sample has a value of $2.32

My June 2013 Glam Bag

It's time for my monthly recap of my Ipsy bag, where I show you the retail value of each item, and total my bag.  I'll list all of the items from Ipsy, and then just total my bag- hopefully this will make it easier for everyone to see the true retail value of their own bags, even if they are different from mine.  I WILL say, the ACTUAL value of each bag is different- if you receive items you already know you don't like, or won't ever use, definitely don't have a value to count!  I try to use everything, or at least test it- knowing that I DON'T like something can be as valuable as knowing that I DO!  Ok, enough rambling...here's the breakdown:

J.Cat Palette: $4.49
Starlooks lip liner: $12.00
Nyx blush: $5
Chella highlighting pencil: $18.00
J.Cat eyelashes + eyelash glue: $3.99
Baublebar Bracelet: $20(my best estimate)
Cailyn eyeliner and brush: $21.00
Psssst! Dry shampoo: $2.32

Total retail value of my bag: $63.48 ($43.48 if you don't count the bracelet)
Total out of pocket: $10
Whoo hoo!  I received a great bag (but not the highest retail value one, but it's totally ok!)!  I'm really happy with what I received, and can't wait to receive my July bag!

So, tell me, what did YOU receive from Ipsy this month?  Did you like what you received, or is it off to the trading boards you go?  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thanks for sticking with me this month, y'all, and again, I'm so sorry it took me SO long to get this post up!  Hopefully things will slow down really soon, plus I have A BIG surprise in the works for you all- stay tuned, and stay average :)

 

Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion, on a product I paid for with my own money my husband's money.  I have not been compensated for this opinion in any way, and it is my honest thoughts on the products listed above.  The referral link in this post is one where I would receive credit for a referral, and be compensated with free product for referring 2 people. Here is a link that just goes to Ipsy, without my referral code. Links to vendor's sites are not referral or compensated links.  I strive for honesty :)