Ipsy Bag Review (March)

  A new month means a new bag! Boy Ipsy really brought it this month.  I love the create your own bag this month.  What a fun way for us all to get a little creative.  When your supplied with a canvas and markers you feel compelled to get busy.

Now lets check out what was in my bag this month.

  First up a little bit of lip care!

This balm by Glossier is a tube full of fun and efficiency.  I received the coconut flavor but other flavors include: mint, original and Rose.  The scent is awesome and I love how smooth it makes my lips.

 Surprise there's an eyeliner in my bag.  I need to count all the eyeliners I have gotten since I started this subscription.

This sex kitten eyeliner by Tarte is in the shade of black.  It's a nice little pencil.  Providing the perfect grip for eye lining perfection.  I like to think Ipsy is trying to help me perfect that cat's eye.  Maybe it's not me but, the right eyeliner hasn't been given to me yet. Or maybe practice makes perfect.

 Does your lotion inspire you?

Words speak a thousand words.  Meet solutions for stressed skin.  This is Pure Cloud Cream by Skyn Iceland.    I don't care for the scent but, I like the light weight lotion. It's easy to rub in, absorbs immediately and is not greasy!

After you have taken care of your lips with that balm it's time to make them pop.

Apply some Unspoken lip veneer cream gloss by Kokie Cosmetics to do the trick.  I haven't tried this yet but, one claim is its not sticky! 

  There's always an occasion for gold!

  My last item was this eyeshadow by Hikari.  This cream pigment is a gorgeous color that holds the color solid.  This shade is shine! With all the rain and cold weather I think this is the perfect shade to warm things up!

  Each Ipsy bag comes with 5 products based on the answers to the profile questions.  I appreciate all products I get because it's usually a brand I have never tried. With these samples it's the perfect size to try it a few times and decide on a future purchase.

  This is the best $10 I can spend every month.  A little treat for myself.  Something to pamper myself with.  A product to give me some me time with.  Makeup can be a guilty pleasure right?

Clairol Root Touch-Up Vox Box

  I am a part of the Influenster community.  As part of this community I am chosen periodically for different testing experiences.  Some products I am aware of and others offer a new experience.

  You get random surveys and answer periodic questions and you are selected to try different items and be a part of the promotion, reviews and testing.

  I was selected for the Clairol Root Touch-Up VoxBox campaign.  In this campaign I was mailed a Clairol Temporary Root Touch-Up concealing powder.  In the color black based on my preference and answers I provided.

 The powder comes in a perfect slender compact with a mirror and brush.  The brush is about 4 inches long so that provides enough of a grip for reaching all spots on your head.

  Of course since it is powder this  touch-up is temporary but, it's so easy to use!  Leave it in your purpose to touch up a rogue hair that appeared just before your dinner plans!    The brush makes application super easy.  No dyes, scents or stains on your towels!

I think this is a great alternative to the more permanent solution especially if you have a small area or just a few grey hairs.

                 
                        Before.             After

  I was able to cover up all the grey roots on up that I saw!  It was easy to apply the powder to each hair that I saw.  I was confident that the blend was perfect as well.

  Do you color your hair? Do you treat grey hair?  Would you consider a quick, temporary fix versus a longer lasting product?

  In disclosure I did receive this product complimentary and all opinions are honest and my own.

Color Institute Cosmetics Case review

  I received this case earlier this month as a gift for my birthday compliments of my children. It's not that I wear makeup daily but obviously when I wear it they notice. My daughter is always giving me compliments which is very nice. I'm glad all my hardwork is recognized.

 Well I hadn't broke into it yet and it seemed to bother my kids more then me. So after a lot of begging for a mom makeover I let it happen today. My son wanted to do my makeup and I let it happen.

 His sister has a pretend makeup kit. So he actually knew makeup goes on your cheeks, eyes, lips and eyelashes. He doesn't know the technical names and needed me to guide him in what goes where.

  He started with my lips, then my eyes, then added some blush.  Then he suddenly remembered my eyelashes.  Oh, OK of course you need to do that too.  Enter mascara!

He took his time picking colors.  He applied pink eyeshadow on one side and purple on the other.  He did better then I expected on all areas.  

This is the face of concentration while applying my makeup.

Now about the makeup case!  It is a 73 piece case.  The sides are snapped shot and there is a mirro.  2 drawers that pull out and a top open compartment.

This drawer consisted of 2 lipstick, 2 nail polishes, mascara,  liquid eyeliner, lip gloss and color correcting concealer.

Next drawer consists of 8 Satin lip gloss colors and 28 various colors of eyeshadows ranging in shades from pop, smoky and rosy.

The top tier does not pull out it just sits on top.    Inside this tray is 12 more eyeshadows, 2 contours, 2 highlights, 4 blushes, 4 bronzes and strobe cream.

There are a lot of colors which I like about this case as well as the case itself.  Even if I can't refill the trays I can stash makeup in here when everything is gone or repurpose it for jewelry!  

This would make a great gift for any makeup lover but what a nice fun gift for a girl whose allowed to wear makeup for the first time.

Couldn't end this post without the great reveal! 

Told you it wasn't that bad.  He may have potential.  If he can master the cats eye he will be my go to, lol. I have to let him use the eyeliner first and I wasn't that brave today.

Week 3 Recap

  I hit all my goals this week!  Yeah for being so productive but, that doesn't always happen which is why I'm celebrating.  You have to celebrate the small things.  Even if I only completed one thing I would have said good job and rolled over the other items.

1. I finished and start a new book! I am now onto book number 3.

  So far it's starting out good which always makes reading a book easy, right?!

2. My new recipe of the week was Swedish Meatballs. 

They were ok.  I didn't make the meatballs by hand so I cheated a bit but, I wanted a little more flavor so I will try again.


3. I have a few posts figured out for next week.  That's good enough for me.  Having a direction is better then not.

4. The nails did get painted as well.

A little gold for the week!

5. Lastly my fitness goal was met.  I wanted 15 cardio miles.  With inside lap miles, my job, the elliptical and the spin bike my miles were over 40 miles.  For 2 days of cardio machines I did 15 miles alone. 

I'm going to need to up that numbers!

  Overall my goals weren't that hard but not all goals have to be.  Goals just have to be something you work on accomplishing.  The meal was a benefit for my family.  The book, nails, fitness and blog were for me! 

  Maybe I will work on adding goals for specific reasons or people.  A new week is coming and there's nothing else to do but get ready for it.

Week 3 Goals

  Let's just start with goals today and follow it up with motivation tomorrow. 

  This week:

        I want to be on book number 3!

                     Try a new recipe!

                      15 miles of cardio. 

 Prep and plan future blog posts

                          Paint my nails!

  I specifically picked 5 because maybe one per day will not be overwhelming.  I can choose to end my week with a little pampering and get my nails done.

  Don't forget when you plan your week to do something for yourself too! Working hard deserves a reward.

December Ipsy bag review

Let's dig into the December  Ipsy bag before my January one gets here.  It's theme was snowglobe!  

First product was The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream by TonyMoly.  I could smell the green tea?  I also thought I felt a tingling sensation on my face for a couple of seconds.  It was refreshing.  It wasn't thick or sticky and the cream was easy to apply and absorbed quickly.  I would buy this.

The next product received was a gel eye liner. Shade was fishnet and it was by Smashbox.  I didn't test the 24 hour lasting power or the waterproof claim.  I also will be testing the blend capabilities.

Next up was a 3D black lash mascara from MAC.  I love this small tube!! This little fun size tube is all brush! 

Eyeshadow by Linda Frank was also in my bag.  This little 3.5g of makeup came in a cute purple cas and is the shade heartthrob!  It 's more of a soft brown color.  The bags had this color or the stargazing shade.

Lastly, is this Mysterious Mocha liquid lipstick by Cosmoholic!  It has a beautiful glossy sheen to it with a chocolate shade.

Sometimes barely visible makeup is a nice thing! 

That's all folks!  As always I'm pleased with this months bag.  These bags give me a chance to try out new shades, check out different brands and the bag is always a win!

  Do you get a monthly subscription?  Whether it's makeup, books or other items I would love to hear about it.

August Ipsy Bag Review

My August Ipsy beauty bag was all about the wild and free.  Again each bag comes with 5 items based on your beauty profile and reviews from previous bags.  The monthly subscription is $10 and includes shipping.  Each month the products received can range from skin, health, or nail care as well as makeup.

Shimmer Bronzer in Flush by Hikari

I have not used this product yet but am excited to play around.  It can be used from highlighting to contour.  One color or a combination of all.  It can even be used as an eyeshadow.

Excessive Lash mascara by Make Up For Ever

This mascara comes in black.  I also have not opened this product yet but, I read that it has both hard and soft bristles which allows for a batter application.

Liquid Waterproof Liner in Coal by Seraphine Botanicals

I like liquid eyeliner and am still practicing those fancy lines!  Liquid liner always seems brighter to me.  Waterproof is always a win for me as well.

Romantic Rose Blending Brush by Glamour Dolls

This brush will go perfectly with my 1st product the bronzer.  Small tip for better around the eye coverage.  I like the rose gold color and it's got a nice comfortable grip.

Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay by First Aid Beauty

This cleanser works nicely.  My face felt cleaner after I used it. Not dried out was a plus.  It is red in color.  The cleanser has a gel look but a smooth texture not sticky.  It does have a chemical smell but, it didn't bother my face.  

That's a look at my August Ipsy bag.  Now to get reviewing my September bag!  When you review you receive points toward future purchases and the reviews also play a part in consideration of your next bag.

Feel free to use my link to start your own Ipsy subscription.

Do you know how many monthly subscriptions are out there? What's your favorite? Whether it's makeup or other I would like to know.