year in review: ipsy glambags 2014

 

hi guys! here's my year in review of my ipsy bags*! ~Lin-chan ^.~

january

1. mica beauty tinted lip balm in natural -- this lip balm was very meh and i didn't want to keep it. while a pretty color, it was not emollient whatsoever.
• product was given away
2. yaby liquid foundation in buff -- looks like a perfect color match for me, gives sheer to medium coverage. i'll definitely use this up but i think it's easier to buy foundations locally than reordering this one.
• product was finished
3. epice purifying exfoliant -- i really like this scrub. i'm really sad that it costs so much. >.<
• product was finished
4. proactiv+ mark fading pads -- these were ok, i feel like that continuous use would actually be more beneficial. they have a bit of a chemically scent to them.
• product was finished
5. briogeo don't despair, repair -- this was an ok conditioner; it felt more like a regular conditioner than a "repair"-ing conditioner. my hair didn't really feel all that different when i used it.
• product was finished

february

1. pop beauty plump pout lip gloss in fuschia freesia -- this shade's bright for me, but this gloss is fairly comfortable and not sticky whatsoever. it does need a somewhat frequent reapplication.
• product was given away
2. zoya nail polish in dot -- this polish is ok. i didn't particularly like the formula and how sheer and patchy this particular shade was
3. eyetini cordial cream shadow & base in violette -- despite how gorgeous this product is--when applied, the packaging is really cheap and it smells really weird, kinda plastic-y. i guess at the very least, it's going on your eyes, so you shouldn't be able to smell it after application. this shade kind of reminds me of clinique's cream shadow in rock violet.
• product was given away
4. skyn iceland fresh start mask with ice age mud -- this is a really interesting mask. there are two packettes: the blue clay mask and an activator gel. the blue clay mask looks and smells like toothpaste. seriously. texturally, it has small granules in it that you can feel while applying the mask. the gel looks and feels like a clear hair gel, and you apply this over the mask, massaging it in. it emulsifies, but not by a whole lot. and then you wash it off after 10 minutes. and i thought i was an ok mask, but it was too much work and the price isn't something i'm interested in.
• product was finished
5. jcat beauty eyelashes in EL13 -- i'm not huge into lashes..more like the couple times i attempted wearing any, i wasn't digging it and it felt weird. so these are getting passed off.
• product was given away

march

1. bare minerals marvelous moxie lipstick in get ready -- this is a really pretty color but it's not something i'd wear because of how pigmented my lips are and it's not within my comfort zone
• product was given away
2. be a bombshell shadow quad in bora bora -- i really like this quad! it's so pretty! and you can get very wearable looks or fun ones just from these four shades.
3. nicole by opi roughles polish in on what grounds? -- this polish was ok. it was kinda weird. like it looked like blue sandpaper. and it chipped like two days later. so it was a meh for me.
4. pacifica body butter in indian coconut nectar -- i didn't actually try this before giving it away; but i could smell it even with the seal on.. didn't want to take any chances and get a migraine from lotion. >.>
• product was given away

april

1. urban decay 24/7 glide-on pencil in black velvet -- this pencil is actually better than i expected. it stayed put for the most part throughout work-days and it was very richly pigmented and it stayed that way for hours.
2. dr. brandt mircrodermabrasion skin exfoliant -- this feels soooo nice. i love harsh exfoliants but sadface that this is sooooo freaking expensive!
3. elizabeth mott pop goes the shadow in champagne -- this shadow is only decently pigmented. it does take a bit to actually get it going onto the eye. definitely use a primer with this one. i loved pairing this shadow with the crease shade of wet n wild's walking on eggshells trio.
4. sexy hair root pump volumizing spray -- i decided to give this away; i don't really use volumizing products anyway. it smelled like hairspray and was kinda sticky-icky.
• product was given away
5. mary kay jelly lip gloss in teddy bare -- this gloss looks so weird on me. i really didn't like it. it wasn't bad in texture and it wasn't terribly sticky but the color was awful.
• product was given away

may

1. eva nyc therapy session hair mask -- this was a pretty good hair mask. the scent was nice and my hair felt really good afterward. i think the price is a little high for this, but if you can catch it on sale at ulta it'd probably be the best time to buy it.
• product was finished
2. pacifica mineral eyeshadow duo #2 in moonbeam & unicorn -- this shadow duo was only ok. it wasn't very pigmented and it was very patchy.
• product was given away
3. calvin klein endless euporea -- i'd much rather pick out perfume on my own than receive them. this was pretty nice, but not for me.
• product was given away
4. avène thermal spring water -- i really never used this. it's literally water in a can... i know it's far away, but i think i'll give it to my mom for her to use at jazz fest or something.
• product was given away
5. jersey shore sun sans tan anti-aging sunscreen -- it says "pure white" on the tube. and i didn't think that it meant, it will literally stay white and not blend into your skin. i'm relatively fair/light and i felt like it made me pale, i was sooo sooo many shades lighter than normal with this on my face.
• product was given away

june

1. be a bombshell lash out mascara in black -- i really didn't like the wand on this thing. it's similar to maybelline great lash. the formula was only ok too. and it smelled weird/old when i first opened it.....
• product was given away
2. marc anthony dream waves beach spray -- this product works fairly well in wet hair. i usually spray it on after towel-drying and scrunch up my hair every so often while it air dries. i likes it. used on dry hair, it didn't really do all that much.
3. nicka k new york shimmer eyeliner in blue -- this is a  really pretty eyeliner but between the unintentional bend in the silicone tip in combination with the formula, it just irritated my eyes. i couldn't use it. sadface.
• product was given away
4. nyx butter gloss in apple strudel -- i really liked this color on me. i don't really know what else to say about it aside from it's what you'd expect if you've tried any of their other butter glosses.
5. laneige bb cushion sampler packette -- this wasn't my favorite. the price point is extremely high to repurchase, and while the concept behind it is neat, the application sucks. and it only comes in three shades, which light was ok but not perfect on me.

july

1. bare minerals 5-in-1 bb advanced performance cream eyeshadow in divine wine -- this was pretty interesting. it comes out matte and dries shimmery. yes, counter intuitive, i know. it held up pretty well like a primer, but this shade was really dark for me if i used it alone. it's more of a crease color for me..
2. be-fine daily moisturizer with spf 15 -- the scent was way off putting for me, i hate the scent of sunscreen...coppertone kids..?....no thanks.
• product was given away
3. hang ten dark tanning oil -- as previously stated, i'm not into tanning period... but i still have it, i haven't done anything with this yet..
4. pixi tinted brilliance balm in unique pink -- this is actually really nice. i've been iffy about their products but i really like this one. it has a minty scent and feels very emollient and nice. this is supposed to be one of those pH custom color shades and compared to others i've tried this one is is more muted, versus a stark pink; it looks like a sheer peachy shade on me. 
5. wHet nail polish in facetious -- i actually really like this color. it didn't last super long on me though which was a bummer..maybe 2 days.....

august

1. urban decay perversion mascara -- see my review here. 
• product was given away for a friend to try; purchased full size
2. nicka k absolute lip balm in grape -- this lip balm is only ok. it doesn't last long, it's very thin and has lots of slip. glitter particles kinda transfer, but not really.
• product was given away
3. dr. brandt pores no more primer -- while an effective primer, i'm not keen on the medicinal-ish type scent it has..and definitely not the cost. way too expensive.
• product was finished
4. coastal scents forever blush duo in fresh & elegant -- i wound up buying the full size of elegant while it was on sale for $4 because i liked the sample so much; in addition to a few others >.<
• purchased full size of elegant and a few others
5. lord & berry silk kajal kohl eye pencil in black -- while it's a decent liner, i feel like rimmel scandalEyes in black is still better. it's blacker, darker, and stays put in the waterline much better than this pencil.
• product was given away

september

1. pacifica natural waterproof eye pencil in gunmetal/fringe
2. nourish organic moisturizing cream face cleanser -- i heard people didn't like how this smelled..except, i don't smell anything from the tube. it's an ok cleanser.
• product was finished
3. alterna hair care caviar cc cream -- this smells sooo freaking good. the only issue is that alterna products are generally expensive..boooo.
• product was finished
4. crown brush infinity shadow/crease brush (x2) -- i definitely wasn't a huge fan of the pointed "crease" side. like it definitely was super stiff like a pencil brush. the shadow side was nice but not my favorite tool for application.
5. hikari cosmetics lipstick in cabernet -- this is such a pretty color. it's a fairly dry lipstick that skips a little when applying. not very emollient.
6. extra: nyx bronze smokey look kit -- i didn't really devote any time to playing around with this set, but from my swatches it was hit or miss. if you're interested, get it on sale, not at full price.

october

1. ecru new york acacia protein bb cream for hair -- this has a non-descript scent and it's a fairly runny product, not cream-y at all. this product was all right, like i didn't really notice much of a difference while using it.
• product was finished
2. figs & rouge hand cream in rose berry -- while i really liked this hand cream, i'm not sure that i'd repurchase this because i would have to order it... 
• product was finished
3. jesse's girl mineralized baked shadow powder in kiwi shine -- i'm not a huge mineral eyeshadow fan, mostly because payoff always varies and i'm not one for wetting my brush and dabbing it in there. it's a pretty color though, but i didn't think i'd use it.
• product was given away
4. skyn iceland mini glacial cleansing cloths -- these are ok. i don't like the scent and they were overly saturated and foamy...eh.
• product was finished
5. starlooks lipgloss in guilty pleasure -- even though this is a pretty shade, i wasn't all for this product. i'm not a sticky gloss fan.
• product was given away

november

1. be a bombshell cosmetics eye base in submissive -- i didn't really get to try this out on my lids. it's similar in concept to a paint pot or color tattoo cream shadow. this one's very pretty and has a nice consistency.
2. elizabeth mott you're so fine liquid liner in glitterati -- i didn't even try the product. the brush tip is thicker/fatter and splayed more than i'd like.
• product was given away
3. jcat beauty wonder lip paint in red potion -- i didn't have much time to play with this product. it swatched beautifully and it looked great...until i started snacking and it came off all weird. it didn't really stain my lips or anything, it just kinda sat on them and faded into a weird ombre from me eating.
4. marc anthony oil of morocco argan oil volume shine hair spray -- i haven't used this yet, since i don't really use hairspray that much
5. temptu s/b highlighter in pink pearl -- i didn't get to play with this much....whenever i get around to it, i'll try mixing it in with my foundation and see how it looks.

december

1. tarte lights camera lashes mascara -- while i do like this mascara, it doesn't do that much for my lashes. it's a very natural separating mascara, but that's about it. i like my volume and length.
2. nyx butter lip balm in parfait  -- the color was just too pink for my taste. i do like my other butter lip balm in brownie though.
• product was given away
3. nourish organic renewing eye cream -- while i think this eye cream smells a bit strange, it is very hydrating in the under-eye area. will i buy this again? probably not because i still love tarte's maracuja eye cream.
4. cailyn cosmetics just mineral eye polish in orchid -- i actually really like this as an inner corner brightener and it pretty much goes with any eye look i do.
5. bumble and bumble repair blow dry -- i didn't try this out, i just passed it off to my mom. it had a chemically salon type scent to it
•  product was given away

* Affiliate link.

december 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys! it's december IPSY BAG* time!! (theme: thinking of you) ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. tarte lights camera lashes mascara (.1oz--mini, ret. $20 for .24oz [$8.34]) -- i'm excited to try this out. i've gotten several samples in the past and just never had the chance to use them, so i gave them away.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
2. nyx butter lip balm in parfait (.14oz--full size, ret. $4) -- has a fruity type of scent and is fairly pigmented. i already have one in brownie, and this shade is a little pinker than i'd like.
• likelihood to repurchase: not this shade
3. nourish organic renewing eye cream (14ml--near full size, ret. $19.99 for 15ml) -- i'm not sure how i feel about this. maybe it's the avocado oil mixed with the argan oil, but it smells kinda weird. it's super thin too, like water.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
4. cailyn cosmetics just mineral eye polish in orchid (.09oz--full size, ret. $15) -- this is interesting. it's a powder pigment with a sponge applicator. the shade is really pretty, more of a pinky champagne than an "orchid"/purple.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
5. bumble and bumble repair blow dry (.5oz--mini, ret. $30 for 5oz [$3]) -- i don't really ever blow dry my hair. i usually air dry it. so i think i'll pass this to my mom. has a salon shampoo type of scent.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
6. black ipsy bag with heart keychain -- love it! i love the black satin. this is more of a pencil case bag, and the heart keychain is so cute!
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. tarte.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsydec (exp. 1/8/15)
2. nyxcosmetics.com: 25% off nyx glam collection, code: nyxglitz (exp. 1/31/15)
3. nourishorganic.com: 30% off, code: loveipsy30 (exp. 1/31/15)
4. cailyncosmetics.com: 20% off and free gift, code: ipsycailyn (exp. 1/31/15)
5. beautywithoutcruelty.com: 15% off, code: cgwxuyet (exp. 1/31/15)
6. coolwayhair.com: 20% off, code: ipsy12 (exp. 1/31/15)
7. crownbrush.com: 30% off $25+, code: ipsy30 (exp. 1/31/15)
8. pixibeauty.com: 20% off, code: pixidust (exp. 1/31/15)
9. sexyhair.com: 20% off, code: ipsy (exp. 1/31/15) or text: ipsy to 33233 for "an even better code"

approximate product value: ~$50.33

orchid (swatched dry), parfait

*Affiliate Link.

november 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys! it's IPSY BAG* time!! (theme: girl meets glitter) i actually got the bag on thursday, but hadn't had a chance to take photos, since i use sunlight and i haven't been home while the sun's out.... boooo. anyway, without further delay! here's the post. ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. be a bombshell cosmetics eye base in submissive (.09oz--full size, ret. $14) -- this is such a pretty color. in the pot, it's very reminiscent of maybelline's color tattoo in bad to the bronze, but the texture is much thinner and it's not as pigmented.
• likelihood to repurchase: no, because i'd have to order, and maybelline color tattoos are more easily obtainable.
2. elizabeth mott you're so fine liquid liner in glitterati (.1oz--full size, ret. $17.99) -- my biggest complaint is that the bristles are too thick and don't come to a nice point like most bristle brushes in liquid eyeliners. it applies on a little patchy, but idk...
• likelihood to repurchase: no
3. jcat beauty wonder lip paint in red potion (.33oz--full size, ret. $4.99) -- this color is definitely out of my comfort zone, but i still like it. it's a lot different applied than in the tube. i don't have any occ lip tars to compare, but like the lip tars, you only need the tiniest amount and you need a lip brush. i believe lip tars are sticky, this is more like a thicker liquid stain and slightly balmy.
• update: this doesn't actually stain the lips and when i was eating/drinking it wore off into a kinda weird ombre..like the edges of my lips still had some, but the insides were worn off.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
4. marc anthony oil of morocco argan oil volume shine hair spray (1.5oz--mini, ret. $8.29 for 9 oz [$1.63]) -- i'm not huge into using hairsprays..so i'll hang onto this but idk when i'll get around to using it... has a light chemically, hairspray-y scent.
• likelihood to repurchase: no, i don't really use hair spray...
5. temptu s/b highlighter in pink pearl (.1oz--mini, ret. $27.50 for 1oz [$2.75]) -- this is absolutely gorgeous. i'm pretty sad that i don't have an airbrush machine to use this in, but i'm sure it won't be a problem to mix in with foundations/bb creams.
• likelihood to repurchase: undecided, mostly because it's expensive...
6. silver glittery ipsy bag by forever 21 -- this is such a cute and awesome bag. it's actually not literally covered in loose glitter; it actually has plastic coating on it if it is just glitter underneath...? anyway, i luff it.
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. elizabethmott.com: 50% off entire purchase, code: ipsyfine (exp. 1/10/15)
2. jcatbeauty.com: 25% off any purchase, code: 25jcat (exp. 12/31/14)
3. temptu.com: 25% off any purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
4. searxbeauty.com: free shipping after $50, code: searxipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
5. ulta.com: $5 off $30 ck one color cosmetics purchase, code: 202882 (exp. 12/31/14)
6. clarisea.com: 25% off any purchase, code: glow (exp. 12/31/14)
7. demeterfragrance.com: 20% off any purchase, code; ipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
8. elizabetharden.com: 15% off + untold sample with any $50 purchase + free shipping, code: ipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
9. glamglowmud.com: 30% off any purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 12/31/14?)
10. itcosmetics.com: 20% off $25+, code: ipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
11. hottopic.com: 25% off la colors, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
12. rougeunderground.com: $10 off $50, code: ruipsy (exp. 2/10/15)
13. starlooks.com: 20% off order, code: ipsy (exp. 12/31/14)
14. tarte.com: 20% off, code: ipsynov (11/11/14 - 12/10/14)

approximate product value: ~$41.36

right: elizabeth mott vs. wet n wild

submissive, glitterati, pink pearl, red potion

red potion

*Affiliate Link.

october 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys, we finally gots the october IPSY BAG*! (theme: beauty candy)

it's only been in LA for 3 days now... for some reason dhl decided to ship it to this town called rayne?????? and there was an, oh, this is a totally different zip code than us! then my postman was too lazy to put it into my mailbox yesterday when he found out the apartment office was closed.. then, today, it was in my mailbox. wtf usps man, wtf. ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. ecru new york acacia protein bb cream for hair (1oz--mini, ret. $12 for 4.2oz [$3.10]) -- this has a fairly non-descript scent to it. it's white with a lotion-like consistency. i'll have to get back to you guys on this one. this gets off pretty much everything but eye makeup. but they're not bad.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
2. figs & rouge hand cream in rose berry (.67oz--full size, ret. $6.56) -- you guys know that i hate on rose scented things..but the berry is more prominent and i think that's why i like it. it's kinda weird, almost a l'occitane hand cream in consistency but as you rub it in, it feels like water...whaaaat.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
3. jesse's girl mineralized baked shadow powder in kiwi shine (.07oz--full size, ret. $3.99) -- i'm not a huge mineral eyeshadow fan, mostly because payoff always varies and i'm not one for wetting my brush and dabbing it in there. this is a pretty color though, but i'm not sure that i'll use it. so i might give it away.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
4. skyn iceland mini glacial cleansing cloths (10 cloths--mini, ret. $15 for 30 cloths [$5]) -- these have a clean, soapy type scent to them. annnnd they're super saturated. i was thinking this would be more like a makeup wipe, but it's so foamy it's almost as if you should use this to wash your face with water...like a pre-moistened version of olay's daily facial cloths. the cloths themselves are pretty soft though.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
5. starlooks lipgloss in guilty pleasure (.03oz--mini, ret. $12 for 0.14oz [$2.57]) -- this is a pretty shade, but i don't like sticky glosses. this isn't super ridiculously sticky, but enough that my hair will stick to my lips....... and as shown in the swatch, it gets patchy if you purse your lips.
• likelihood to repurchase: meh
6. teal ipsy bag -- this is such a fun color! but if you haven't noticed, i like blue stuff.
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. ecrunewyork.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
2. feelunique.com: 15% off any figs & rouge purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
3. skyniceland.com: 50% off one item + 20% off additional items, code: ipsygcc (exp. 11/30/14)
4. starlooks.com: 20% off any cosmetics purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
5. albertiniinternational.com: purchase warm love exfoliating mask & receive free travel size rough love body scrub + free shipping, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
6. ayresbeauty.com: 25% off + free shipping over $40, code: ayresipsy (exp. 10/31/14)
7. cirquecolors.com: 10% off purchase, code: ipsy10 (exp. 11/30/14)
8. citycolorcosmetics.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20ml (exp. 12/15/14)
9. doll10.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30%off (exp. 11/30/14)
10. epiceinternational.com: 50% off purchase, code: ipsy5014 (exp. 1/1/15)
11. indielee.com: 20% off indie lee's brightening cleanser, code: ipsybc20 (exp.11/30/14)
12. beautyonlinesupply.com: 25% off any purchase of ienvybykiss or kiss lashes, code: ipsy2 (exp. 11/15/14)
13. micabeauty.com: 30% off purchase, code: my30ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
14. modelcocosmetics.com: 15% off volumeyes, code: mc15 (exp. 11/30/14)
15. nourishorganic.com: 30% off any nourish organic facial product, code: ipsy30 (exp. 11/30/14)
16. noyah.com: 15% off + free lip balm, code: fallinlove (exp. 11/30/14)
17. skonecosmetics.com: 10% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 11/30/14)
18. smashbox.com: free smashbox eye essentials trio with $40 purchase, code: ipsysbx (exp. 11/15/14)

approximate product value: ~$21.22

kiwi shine (swatched dry), guilty pleasure

guilty pleasure gloss (right: after pursing lips..clumpy/patchiness...)

*Affiliate Link.

september 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys, lookie what came in yesterday! my september IPSY BAG*! (theme: street style) i also redeemed 1000 ipsy points for a nyx bronze smokey look kit. did y'all know that ipsy points expire?! seriously, you gotta use 'em or lose 'em! because i lost some without knowing they expire and I wasn't very happy... ~Lin-chan ^.~

also, somehow i was sent a second crown brush instead of a pacifica eyeliner -- which i'm totally cool with. if that eyeliner is anything like that eyeshadow duo they sent us a couple months ago, they can keep it!

here's my impressions:

1. pacifica natural waterproof eye pencil in gunmetal/fringe (.026oz--mini, ret. $11 for .1oz [$2.86])
2. nourish organic moisturizing cream face cleanser (1oz--mini, ret. $13.99 6oz [$2.33]) -- i heard people didn't like how this smelled..except, i don't smell anything from the tube. i'll have to update later on how i think of it.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
3. alterna hair care caviar cc cream (.85oz--mini, ret. $25 for 2.5oz [$8.50]) -- i'm interested in the bb and the cc everythings, but cc for your hair? that's totally unnecessary.. >.<  i do like the scent, but of the other alterna products i've tried, i definitely love their scents. i'll have to update later on how i feel about it when i use it.
• likelihood to repurchase: nah
4. crown brush infinity shadow/crease brush (ret. $6.99 ea) -- the pencil/crease side is pretty stiff, and i think it'll work out with how i'll use it. the shadow side is a little more flexible than i like, and it's a bit large for my eyes.
• likelihood to repurchase: nah
5. hikari cosmetics lipstick in cabernet (3.8g--full size?, ret. $13) -- this is such a pretty color. it's not my style, but i think it's something that does compliment my skintone. texturally, it's a slightly drier than i'd like but it works. this is a shade that definitely needs a lip liner or an invisible one.
• likelihood to repurchase: nah
6. gray ipsy bag with studs -- i love this bag. it makes me want to go buy studs to put onto all the things.
7. extra: nyx bronze smokey look kit (ret. $12) -- these shadows are kinda hit or miss. the matte ones aren't as pigmented, but the shimmers are nice. the glosses were unexpectedly pigmented, i was impressed. 
8. card with company info/discount codes
1. pacificabeauty.com: 20% off purchase, code: fallbeauty (exp. 10/31/14)
2. nourishorganic.com: 30% off any nourish organic facial product, code: ipsy30 (exp. 10/31/14)
3. alternahaircare.com: 20% off purchase & free shipping, code: ipsy20 (exp. 10/31/14)
4. crownbrush.us: 30% off $25 purchase, code: crownipsy30 (exp. 12/31/14)
5. hikaricosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: hikari30 (exp. 10/31/14)
6. nyxcosmetics.com: 35% off proof it shadow primer, code: fallproof (exp. 10/31/14)
7. avon.com: 20% off $50 purchase, code: daring (exp. 10/31/14)
8. beabombshellcosmetics.com: 30% off purchase & free coco delight lip gloss, code: ipsy30 (exp. 10/31/14)
9. beautywithoutcruelty.com: 15% off purchase, code: cudwdfaa (exp. 10/31/14)
10. briogeohair.com: free shipping, code: ipsysep14 (exp. 10/15/14)
11. cailyncosmetics.com: 20% off purchase + 2 free deluxe samples of pure lust lip tint, code: ipsygift (exp. 10/31/14)
12. harvebenardbeauty.com: 50% off purchase, code: hpbipsy (exp. 10/31/14)
13. harveyprince.com: 30% off purchase, code: harveylovesipsy (exp. 10/31/14)
14. leeanni.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsy9 (exp. 10/31/14)
15. mitchellandpeach.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy22 (exp. 10/15/14)

approximate product value: ~$33.68 37.81 + 12

nyx bronze smokey look kit, shadows swatched over milani eye primer

cabernet lipstick

*Affiliate Link.

august 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys, lookie what came in yesterday! my august IPSY BAG*! (theme: beauty schooled) ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. urban decay perversion mascara (.1oz--mini, ret. $22 for .4oz [$5.50]) -- i already like this mascara and have already repurchased it. see my review here. 
• likelihood to repurchase: yes
2. nicka k absolute lip balm in grape (12g--full size, ret. $5.99 for set of 2 [$3]) 
• initial thoughts: yay another lip balm.... >.< hoard all the lip balms! i'm not complaining about ipsy sending me a few. more like in general, i buy lip balms all the time and never get around to using them. and if i ever finish one, it's because it's some crazy miracle amazing product. *cough..lypsyl*
• first impression: it's very thin and doesn't last very long. has a grape jolly rancher type scent to it. there's also blue glitter in there, but it's not much and it doesn't seem to translate onto the lips. otherwise, it's a thin glossy looking balm.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
3. dr. brandt pores no more primer (.25oz--mini, ret. $45 for 1oz [$11.25]) -- this is a silicone-y primer. i think i've tried this a long time ago. it's similar to my beloved too faced primed & poreless, but something about it's scent is slightly off-putting. it's not a bad or strong scent, i just don't care for it.
• likelihood to repurchase: no. this is crazy expensive.
4. coastal scents forever blush duo in fresh & elegant (2.5g total--minis, ret. $7.95 for 10g each [$1.99]) -- these are soooo teeny tiny! but boy do they pack a punch. i only swatched them once, like one layer. crazyyyy pigmentation. fresh is a peachy-bronzer type shade, and elegant is a medium pink with some sparkle.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe elegant
5. lord & berry silk kajal kohl eye pencil in black (.02oz--mini, ret. $16 for .1oz [~$3.20])
• first impression: this liner is ok. it goes on nice and black, but it can smudge pretty easily. i think i'll primarily use this on my waterline.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
6. white ipsy bag with orange polka dots -- the pattern is cute, but i don't particularly like this vinyl material..
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. nickak.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 9/11/14)
2. drbrandtskincare.com: 20% off purchase & free samples & free shipping, code: ipsy20 (exp. 10/31/14)
3. coastalscents.com: 25% off purchase, code: blush25off (exp. 10/6/14)
4. pixibeauty.com: 30% off any purchase, code: flawlesspixi (exp. 8/31/14)
5. lordandberry.com: 25% off purchase, code: lab@14091 (exp. 10/15/14)
6. glamglowmud.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 9/30/14)
7. beeallnatural.com: 10% off purchase, code: ipsy10 (exp. 9/30/14)
8. calicosmetics.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy25 (exp. 9/30/14)
9. freeyourmane.com: 30% off any full priced item, code: ipsyfriends4ever (exp. 9/30/14)
10. jcatbeauty.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy25 (exp. 9/30/14)
11. jerseyshoresun.com: 50% off all lip conditioners, code: ipsy50 (exp. 9/30/14)
12. dermstore.com: 15% off klorane purchase, code: ipsyaug (exp. 9/30/14)
13. mannakadarcosmetics.com: 20% off purchase + free sample of liplocked, code: ipsy20 (exp. 9/30/14)
14. paulaschoice.com: 20% off purchase, code: pripsy20 (exp. 9/30/14)
15. strivectin.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipster20 (exp. 9/15/14)

approximate product value: ~$24.94

elegant, fresh, liner, primer

*Affiliate Link.

july 2014 ipsy bag

hi guys, so july's IPSY BAG* (theme: sensationally sunkissed) has arrived! ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. bare minerals 5-in-1 bb advanced performance cream eyeshadow in divine wine (.03oz--mini, ret. $18 for .1oz [$5.40]) -- yay bb eyeshadow! now we need bb body wash! anyway. this color looks like brown to me... but compared to their other shades (as it was shown on the card it was attached to), it's kinda purple toned...not really... would i call this shade "wine"? most certainly not. anyway more about how it actually performs, first impression, it dries matte--if that's your thing, but it sets really fast, so i don't feel like it'll be good enough to use as a base. used alone, it'd probably be ok, but this is too dark for my taste to use alone.
• likelihood to repurchase: undecided/maybe?
• update: on my skintone, if applied to the lids and blend it out, it actually looks kinda nice. it sheers out a bit and just looks like an effortless darkish brown one-shadow look. i'm not sure if i picked up some additional shimmer from my face somehow or if it actually has shimmer in it.. on my swatches yesterday, the first looked shimmery and the second was matte...but on my eyes, it's shimmery. i'm really baffled by this. i'll have to keep using it and update yall later.
2. be-fine daily moisturizer with spf 15 (1.5oz--deluxe, ret. $24 for 1.7oz [$21.18]) -- this is a white, light-textured moisturizer (similar consistency to clinique's ddm gel), but it reeks of coppertone sunblock to me. i'm sorry but that is not goin on mah face. i'm cool with most sunscreen scents, i actually rather that they don't smell like sunscreen, but if it straight up smells like coppertone kids--in the pink bottle--i ain't usin it.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
• will give this away
3. hang ten dark tanning oil (1oz--mini, ret. $11.99 for 8oz [$1.50]) -- i'm getting pretty annoyed with this beauty quiz thing. like what the eff. i do not want tanning stuff. period. why is there a quiz if they don't take our responses into account? and for the people who would like to know a *little* more about it, the scent is hard to describe. like it's not your usual coconutty beachy scent but idk... >.<
• likelihood to repurchase: NO!
• will give this away
4. pixi tinted brilliance balm in unique pink (1.8g--mini, ret. $14 for 2.83g [$8.90]) -- this is actually really nice. i've been iffy about their products but i really like this one. it has a minty scent and feels very emollient and nice. this is supposed to be one of those pH custom color shades and compared to others i've tried this one is is more muted, versus a stark pink; it looks like a sheer peachy shade on me. 
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
5. wHet nail polish in facetious (10mL--full size, ret. $15) -- this is so pretty! surprisingly, i don't already have this shade of blue. it's a kind of sheer polish, it took 3 coats for my swatch. this is what i imagine barry m jelly polishes to be, since i haven't tried them yet.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe for other colors
6. pink ipsy bag -- so cute! i love the rounded edges, it kinda reminds me of ravioli or something, lol!
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. ulta.com: free shipping with bare minerals purchase, code: ipsybarefs (exp. 8/10/14)
2. befine.com: 20% off, code: ipsy (exp. 8/31/14)
3. hangtensunscreen.com: 25% off dark tanning oil purchase, code: ipsytan (exp. 8/31/14)
4. pixibeauty.com: 30% off any purchase, code: flawlesspixi (exp. 8/31/14)
5. wHetnails.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 8/31/14)
6. benefitcosmetics.com: free say hello gorgeous trio with order, code: julyglam (exp. 8/15/14)
7. clearcliniclabs.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 8/15/14)
8. dermae.com: 30% off, code: ipsy0714 (exp. 9/30/14)
9. elizabethmott.com: buy one get one free of the same item, code: ipsytint (exp. 9/1/14)
10. faitharomatherapy.com: 50% off any product, code: ipsy (exp. 9/10/14)
11. lavilin.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 8/31/14)
12. lordandberry.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsysilk14 (exp. 10/15/14)
13. popbeauty.co.uk: 25% off purchase, code: popipsy (exp. 8/31/14)
14. purlisse.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsysummer30 (exp. 8/15/14)
15. marrakeshhaircare.com: free pro-size marrakesh endz with any purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 8/31/14)
16. purminerals.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 8/15/14)
17. sexyhair.com: 25% off when you text ipster to 33233 and provide your email address (exp. 8/15/14)
18. tinibeauty.com: free cocktail napkin nail polish remover squares with $20+ purchase, code: ipsysun (exp. 8/31/14)

approximate product value: ~$52

(3 coats)

*Affiliate Link.