This month my Ipsy GlamBag took a nice scenic route around the country on a snail-operated DHL cart before getting to me, but it was well worth the wait. I didn’t get any super-coveted items, but everything will get used. This month’s theme is “Glamour Academy.”
“Get ready for your first day at the “Glamour Academy” at ipsy! This month’s August Glam Bag is perfect for the professional or student. It’s full of beauty essentials that are perfect for stashing in your school bag or when you’re prepping for your next big party!”
About Ipsy:
Each month subscribers will receive a new Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products customized according to your beauty profile. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using, all for only $10 a month.
If you would like to use my referral link click here to join Ipsy. Thank you!
Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub
My skin is a bit irritated right now so it will be at least another week until it calms down until I can finally try this scrub. I was looking forward to the pumpkin mask, but the scrub seems nice, too, considering I have combination skin. It’s made with several natural and organic ingredients, and the reviews I’ve seen so far are all positive.
Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla
Just like everyone else who received this lip balm instead of UD lipstick, I was a bit bummed at first. But honestly, I have so many lipsticks already, and I don’t even use them all that much. But there’s always a room in my bag for another great lip balm, and Noya didn’t disappoint. It smells and even tastes like delicious vanilla frosting, and immediately soothes my chronically dry lips. I have a terrible habit of licking them, so I go through lip balms pretty fast. I like that it’s made of only natural and organic ingredients, so I don’t feel like I’m constantly eating chemicals 🙂
Pacifica Multi-mineral BB Cream
As you can see from the swatches above, this BB cream is too dark for me, and even if it wasn’t, it’s still too orange anyway. I will re-purpose it by mixing it with my primer, I think that shimmer will look nice under the makeup and make my skin look nice and dewy. The ingredient list looks promising, it’s practically packed with various plant extracts and oils, so this BB cream can provide some skin care benefits as well.
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Nailtini Nail Polish in Mai Tai
Last time I tried a Nailtini polish it was super sheer, and I expected this one to be the same. How wrong I was! Mai Tai provides just the right amount of coverage without bubbles and streaks, and reaches perfect opacity in three thin coats (in the swatches above). The formula also works really well with Sally Hansen Insta-dri top coat.
Pixi Lash Booster Mascara
I actually don’t like Pixi products, all the ones that I’ve tried were disappointing, except for their makeup primer which I use as a highlighter. So with that said, I’m going to stuff this sample in my white elephant box, and maybe someone will want it.
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[Bonus] Lime Crime Nail Polish in Crema de Limon
This nail polish was the free monthly referral bonus. I have heard of Lime Crime before but never really cared to try any of their products, especially after I read some gossip about major drama involving the owner of that company. I still don’t intend to buy anything from them, but since I have the polish in my hands I might as well swatch it, right? Crema de Limon is a color from Les Desserts d’Antoinette Collection that features seven pastels with varying finishes – some turn glossy, some don’t. Crema de Limon is described as a pastel yellow creme, and it’s one of the colors that doesn’t turn glossy when it dries, which I was totally fine with because I really like the semi-matte effect. It took a while to dry, but once it did, I had no major chipping problems with it. I wore it for 3 days with zero tip wear and only took it off because I had to swatch something else. All Lime Crime polishes are 3-free, but seems like everything is 3-free these days 🙂
The verdict: I really quite enjoyed my August bag, especially the lip balm, which ironically was the product I was excited about the least. It’s always nice when products exceed expectations, which actually doesn’t happen much to me. I’m also happy to add two more beautiful colors to my ever-growing nail polish collection, and the scrub will certainly get used up. So, overall, this month was a success and I look forward to the upcoming September spoilers 🙂
Are you an Ipsy subscriber? What did you think about this month’s bag?
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub | $5.29 |
| Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla | $3.99 |
| Pacifica Multi-mineral BB Cream | $5.44 |
| Nailtini Nail Polish in Mai Tai | $13.00 |
| Pixi Lash Booster Mascara | $7.14 |
| Lime Crime Nail Polish in Crema de Limon | $8.00 |
| Box Retail Value | $42.86 |
I didn’t care for the Pixi mascara either. It did nothing to boost my lashes at all. http://alwaysblabbing.blogspot.com/
That’s what I keep hearing as well, it worked for some, but most people seem disappointed with the formula.
I was upset that I missed out on Benetint last month, AND the UD lipstick this month. I love trying new lipsticks because I never buy them for myself. Oh well. I got a similar bag (no BB cream though) and it’s good to know it was worth the cost. I got the UD eye shadow as a referral bonus and I LOVE it. So, all in all, not a bad bag.
That’s too bad about the UD and Benetint 🙁 I wanted to try UD too, just because it’s such an iconic brand, but in all honesty I believe I’ll get way more use out of the lip balm. By the way, I’ve been using it since I got my bag and it’s really growing on me. I’m seriously thinking about purchasing more with Ipsy code, because this lip balm works better and lasts longer on the lips than the one I used before (eos).
I recieved the UD lipstick in 69, and I was completely underwhelmed when I opened my package and saw it. In all honestly I laughed because it was extremely tiny (and I knew it was going to be a sample but just didn’t expect it to be so small) and it was such a “coveted” item but many of the ipsters. It’s about the length of my two year old sons middle finger (so about to nickels laying flat), the color was a nice red (which I have tons of) with a slight blue undertone which gave it a darker red look instead of the ugly orangey red I was expecting. I personally found it a little hard to apply and actually split the middle of my lip in the process. But once on it was definitely vibrant and the feel was smooth. I only swatched It so idk how the staying power is but It’s UD so I’m sure it’s fine. I did get the pumpkin mask, and after giggling that I was slathering what seemed to look and smell like baby food onto my face I was actually happy with the outcome. I was hesitant because I have sensitive skin but it wasn’t super sticky like some masks I’ve tried and it begins to dry an tighten a bit quickly, but once I rinsed my face my skin felt instantly smoother and softer. Haven’t tried my other products yet but so far I’m digging the facial scrub not so much the lipstick sample (kinda wanted the cherry lipbalm).
Thanks for the detailed review on the UD lipstick and the mask, Ashley. Now I’m wishing I got that pumpkin mask, you made it sound so delicious 🙂
You got great stuff !
I love naitini polishes 🙂
Thanks Betzy, their formulas have been a hit or miss for me, but this one is a winner 😉
I got the same exact bag, sans bonus item! It was actually exactly what I could have hoped for so I’m happy. AND even better was that they somehow sent me a dupe bag, haha. 🙂
Yay, good for you, Mary! Our bag is pretty awesome, isn’t it? 🙂 I just can’t get enough of that lip balm, it even tastes like a cupcake!
I was disappointed with my August bag. I love Mai Tai–I got it in July. The Lime Crime polish looks great!! Check out my review of ipsy here: RandomAmb.wordpress.com
What a fantastic bag! I just signed up for ipsy and I can’t wait to get my first month! 🙂
Hi Amber! I really hope you enjoy your first Ipsy bag as much as I enjoy mine every month. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on it in your lovely blog 🙂