january 2017 ipsy bag!

hi all! it's january IPSY BAG* (theme: metropolis) time! woot-woot!  ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. manna kadar paradise blush (.105oz--mini, ret. $19 for .18oz [$11.08]) -- omg this lil thing has the worst packaging ever. or it could be greatest?? because it's so difficult to open..... anyway, once you can actually get into it, it's a really pretty nars orgasm-esque shade. swatched, it looks a lot pinker and orgasm more peach, but still pretty!
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not due to my large stash
2. pur-lisse blue lotus seed 5-in-1 mud mask + exfoliant (15ml--mini, ret. $52 for 70ml [$11.14]) -- i'm interested in trying this out. sadly, last year i never got around to using the matching sheet masks from this brand, but i will try to sometime soon! and if i can tolerate this mask long enough for empties, i'll let you know how it goes by then. if not you'll have to wait til next year's ipsy roundup.
• likelihood to repurchase: undecided
3. theBalm bahama mama (0.57g--full size, ret. $20 for 7.08g [$1.61]) -- i never bought the full size of this product kind of in fear that it was super dark and warm toned. as far as using this itty bitty sample as bronzer, lol, probably not. but i am interested in seeing how well it works as a crease color on me.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
4. naked cosmetics mica pigment in desert sunset #02 (1.5g--full size, ret. $14.99) -- ugh this is soooo freakin pretty. just like the last one, i'm planning to press some of this into a pan so i can use it on the go since i'm not huge on loose pigments.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not, but other shades
5. ciate gelology topcoat (13.5ml--full size, ret. $17) -- i'll have to give this guy a go and see. i was interested in buying it in the past, since sephora has the minis 3 for $20, but nah. so now i can try it out! try all the topcoats!
• likelihood to repurchase: undecided
6. (points freebie) luxie beauty rose gold blending brush 227 (full size, ret. $12) -- i can't wait to start using this! the shape reminds me of a sigma E25, which i love!
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe!
7. blue and silver ipsy bag -- i'm super excited about this bag! it's so pretty and my favorite color combo!
8. card with company info/discount codes (some codes are case sensitive)
1. mannakadarcosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 2/28/17)
2. purlisse.com: 30% off purchase, code: mudipsy30 (exp. 2/28/17)
3. theBalm.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 1/31/17)
4. nakedcosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 2/28/17)
5. ciatelondon.com: 30% off purchase, code: IPSY30 (exp. 2/28/17)
6. slmissglam.com: 30% off purchase, code: slipster (exp. 2/28/17)
7. myrealchemistry.com: 20% off purchase, code: realipsy (exp. 2/28/17)
8. notefragrances.com: 30% off purchase, code: IPSY30 (exp. 2/28/17)
9. mintpear.com: 30% off purchase, must subscribe to mintpear, code: ipsy30 (exp. 1/31/17)
10. crownbrush.com: 30% off purchase, code: crownipsy30 (exp. 2/28/17)
11. skinmaskrx.com: 20% off any sally's box purchase, code: ipsy2017 (exp. 2/28/17)
12. briogeohair.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 1/31/17)
13. trustfundbeauty.com: 35% off purchase, code: IPSYGLAM35 (exp. 2/28/17)
14. starcrushedminerals.com: 25% off purchase, code: IPSY25 (exp. 2/28/17)
15. prettywomannyc.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 2/28/17)
16. minus417.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY20MINUS417 (exp. 2/28/17)
17. nvivepro.com: $2 off purchase of 6oz nvive natural healing cream and free shipping, code: ipsynvive (exp. 2/28/17)
18. ulta.com: 20% off pacifica purchase, code: Pacifica2017 (exp. 2/28/17)
19. temptu.com: 20% off purchase excludes sale items, code: ipsyjan (exp. 1/31/17)
20. funlacquer.com: 5% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 2/28/17)
21. clarisea.com: 30% off purchase, code: IPSY30 (exp. 2/28/17)
22. clinique.com: 15% off your first order, code: IPSY30 (exp. 1/31/17)
23. h2oplus.com: 25% off purchase + free sample of waterbright illuminating day serum, code: IPSY25 (exp. 2/28/17)

approximate product value: ~$51

nars orgasm, manna kadar paradise, naked cosmetics desert sunset #2, theBalm bahama mama

*Affiliate Link.

march 2016 ipsy bag

hi guys! guess what i've got?! my march IPSY BAG*! (theme: hello spring) sorry this post is a little late, they delivered it saturday at my apartment and i didn't get it until last night..then i had to go to work today. ugh! haha, just kidding. ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. marc anthony nourishing argan oil of morocco 3 day smooth perfect blow dry cream (1.69oz--mini, ret. $8.99 for 6.76oz [$2.25]) -- i don't typically blow dry my hair, but i am still interested in these kinds of things. this does have an argan oil type scent to it, but it's light.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
2. NoTS 28 remedy balancing toner (.3oz--mini, ret. $59.99 for 3.4oz [$5.29]) -- this is very interesting. it's a clear gel, almost like a slightly more solid version of hand sanitizer that dries pretty quickly. it does have a slight alcohol type scent to it as well.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
3. pixi beauty beauty blush duo in rose gold (.16oz--full size?, ret. $18) -- so, ipsy's sad attempts at protecting this product were all for naught. they even had this little guy wrapped in a thin bubble wrap pouch in addition to it being in a bubble mailer. and it still died. thankfully, ipsycare responded to my email within about 2 hours--on a sunday night no less. and i went ahead and dumped the contents into a dish with some 91% isopryl [rubbing] alcohol and proceeded to re-pot this. after letting it dry for about a day, it came out really nice. it's very light, like a highlighter. i'm not so sure how well this would work as a split pan, half blush, half highlight. because combined, these aren't much of a blush. but it is super pretty!
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
4. nyx cosmetics lip suede in pink lust (.13oz--full size, ret. $7) -- oh yeah~ lookit this color!! LOL. no. color aside, the formula is pretty interesting. it doesn't have a scent to it, and it dries down kind of slowly. it does transfer very easily (it got on my teeth, repeatedly while swatching), and it stains extremely easy. it was the last swatch i applied to my arm, snapped several consecutive photos, and immediately wiped it off... in less than 2 minutes, there was a stain on my arm. yep. i'm not sure if this is an issue with this shade, but it was pretty patchy, and i could see brownish splotches where my natural lip color was showing through.
• likelihood to repurchase: no
5. manna kadar 3 in 1 blush highlighter eyeshadow in fantasy (.1oz--full size?, ret. $19) -- this is such a pretty shadow/highlighter/thingy for yo' face. it's a little stiffer than most highlighters--like more of a standard, non-creamy pressed eyeshadow. the color is super gorgeous!
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
6. redeemed points: befine exfoliating cleanser (1oz--mini, ret. $24 for 4oz [$6]) -- i am all about the scrubs! i can't wait to give this a try! it does have a sweet scent to it, probably from the almond and brown sugar.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
7. green & red floral ipsy bag -- it's cute. not totally my thing.
8. card with company info/discount codes
1. essentiellebeauty.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsypromotion20 (exp. 4/30/16)
2. pixibeauty.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsymarch (exp. 4/30/16)
3. nyxcosmetics.com: 40% off 1 be gone! lip remover, code: nyxbegone (exp. 4/30/16)
4. mannakadarcosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: [no code provided..] (exp. 4/30/16)
5. beaugachis.com: 20% off purchase, code: beautifulipster (exp. 4/30/16)
6. beabombshellcosmetics.com: 25% off purchase & a free lip crayon, code: ipsy25 (exp. 4/30/16)
7. crownbrush.us: 25% off purchase, code: 2016crownipsy25 (exp. 4/30/16)
8. firstaidbeauty.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsy15 (exp. 4/30/16)
9. zjashop.com: 20% off purchase & free shipping, code: ipsy2016 (exp. 4/30/16)
10. temptu.com: 20% off purchase (some exclusions), code: ipsy20 (exp. 4/30/16)
11. mellowcosmetics.com: 15% off purchase & free shipping on $40+, code: ipsy (exp. 4/30/16)
12. luxiebeauty.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsyluxie (exp. 4/30/16)
13. starlooks.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsy0416 (exp. 4/30/16)
14. modelcocosmetics.com: 20% off $39 purchase & free shipping, code: ipsy20 (exp. 6/30/16)
15. livingproof.com: free travel-size prime style extender cream $22+ purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 4/30/16)
16. evologie.net: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 4/30/16)
17. aphroditeusa.com: 30% off purchase , code: ipsy30 (exp. 4/30/16)
18. veramona.com: 25% off purchase & free double ended vera mona brush, code: ipsy2016 (exp. 4/30/16)
19. ofracosmetics.com: 40% off purchase, code: ipsyofra (exp. 4/30/16)
20. skonecosmetics.com: 10% off purchase, code: ipsymarch2016 (exp. 4/30/16)
21. esalon.com: 50% off esalon perfect ending leave-in conditioner, no code needed, ends 4/30/16
22. margaretdabbs.co.uk: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 4/30/16)
23. colourpop.com: $5 off purchase, code: ipsycolourpop (exp. 4/30/16)
1. $5 is awesome! you can either use it toward shipping ($4.99), or spend $35+ to get free shipping!!

approximate product value: ~$51.54? + $6

rose gold blush, fantasy highlight, pink lust

pink lust

*Affiliate Link.