After seeing spoilers for the January Ipsy Glam Bag, I had my fingers crossed for two things… and I got them! The theme this month is “Fresh Start”, which is a bit more vague than usual, because Ipsy girls are pretty good at sticking to the monthly topic.
HOW IT WORKS
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Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush – I haven’t liked any Elizabeth Mott products yet, but this brush is surprisingly good. It’s thick and bushy, and makes blending eye shadows super easy with its soft yet firm tip. I’m impressed!
Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in “Ethereal” is a neutral champagne color with satiny sheen. I wasn’t a fan of the previous eye shadow by Pacifica, and not a huge fan of this one either, but at least it works well as a highlighter in the inner corner and under the brow bone. The texture is very chalky and poorly pigmented.
Hikari Cosmetics Mechanical Eye Liner – Hikari Cosmetics is related to Be A Bombshell, and they both use the same private label manufacturer, so I have no interest in their products. They look the same because they are the same. I know some people really like Hikari and BaB though, so I’ll put it in my giveaway box so one of you can win it later this year.
(MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm – I am pretty excited to finally try this lip balm, because a lot of my friends and fellow bloggers rave about it. I love the refreshing minty-limey smell of mojitos, but the actual fragrance was a bit more subtle that I’d hoped. The formula is very sticky and makes lips look very juicy and plump without adding any color. I think it’ll work great as a clear lip gloss over a lipstick or lip tint.
Probelle Nail Lacquer in “Into The Blue” – Probelle is a line of semi-professional and salon nail polishes that offer nourishing and strengthening benefits to nails. This color is probably more suitable for Summer, but I like it anyway, and I don’t have a blue like this one in my collection. I haven’t tested it for wear time, but as far as the consistency goes, it’s a bit on the sheer side, and turns opaque after three coats.
[EXTRA] Benefit Posie Balm & Fake Up in 01 Light – I got these with Ipsy points last month and they arrived in my January bag. Fake Up concealer was a good match for my skin, and provided medium coverage. It worked well for under-eye circles, but fell short on other areas of my face. Posie Balm formula felt comfortable and hydrating on the lips, but the color completely washed me out. I imagine that it won’t even show up in someone with normally pigmented lips. Glad I could try them, because I know I won’t be re-purchasing either one in full size.
And here are some swatches for you.
THE VERDICT
I did like the bag itself more than I thought I would: the mix of white front and blue back actually works pretty well. I was very happy to try the Mojito lip balm, because I kept hearing amazing things about it, and while I think it’s pretty good, I probably won’t be purchasing another one. The quality of Pacifica eye shadow wasn’t great, but it can be used as a highlighter.
| Product | Retail value |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow Brush | $9.99 |
| Hikari Cosmetics Mechanical Eye Liner | $13.00 |
| (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm | $12.00 |
| Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow | $2.99 |
| Probelle Nail Lacquer | $6.00 |
| [EXTRA] Benefit Posie Balm | $1.80 |
| [EXTRA] Benefit Fake Up Concealer | $2.00 |
| Box Retail Value | $43.98 [$47.78 with extras] |
That nail polish is very pretty and will be handy for gradient and ombre nail art. The only Benefit balm that shows up on me is BeneBalm. The rest look like clear gloss. Not a fan.
Yikes, so they’re all like that, except one? I had to use up a big chunk of my sample to get that swatch to show, and I’m pretty darn pale, so that says a lot about the pigmentation. Cool idea about the gradient nail effect, I’ll try that!
We got a few of the same items 🙂 I agree on the shadow. Not the best quality.
Bummer, right? Pacifica is such a great company, I hope they can figure it out and reformulate these eye shadows, because the colors are spot on and I’d totally wear them if the quality was better.
I was happy to get the eyeshadow brush, and the polish is pretty, but I’m not usually about polishes that take three coats! I wouldn’t mind trying the lip balm. Seems I can’t get enough of the stuff this winter.
I can totally see how a three-coater would not be everyone’s cup of tea. My nails are thin and bendy so I almost always do three coats for added thickness, so I’m kind of used to it, but it can take forever to dry sometimes, even with Seche Vite.
So disappointing about the Pacifica eyeshadow
I actually like the shadow…it is a very pretty color!
Agreed, the color is lovely! I’m a huge fan of Pacifica, but this eye shadow formula is a letdown.
Nice bag! I have Fake Up too and I think it’s only ok. Works well for under eye but I agree, not on the rest of the face!
Yep, my thoughts exactly Justina!
looks like you got a nice bag… I didn’t even use my stuff yet… it’s still sititng in the bag. lol
Haha, oh the woes of a beauty junkie! Girl, trust me, sometimes I do just that 🙂 Open bag >> take pics >> swatch >> put back in the bag >> forget the bag even existed
I really liked the brush!!
Wasn’t it nice? I expected it to be sort of mediocre-ish, but the quality was surprisingly good. Even the bristles were cut evenly!
I need this bag in my life.
It was one of their better bags for sure, but sometimes they can be pretty disappointing.
The pouch is cute!
Right? It’s two-sided, and both colors look kinda cute together. The contrasting zipper adds some character, too.