january 2018 ipsy bag!

hi all! i'm still slowly catching up on posting, but here's my january IPSY BAG*! (theme: game face) ~Lin-chan ^.~

1. theBalm mary-lou manizer -- kinda happy i got this so that i could pass it along! i already have a full size. this is such a pretty highlighter and i don't use it enough! need to put it back into my rotation!
• repurchase: won't need to
2. trust fund beauty lip scrub -- this did not want to stay on my lips while i was scrubbing..or i suck at lip scrubs. the sugar granules seemed larger than most other lip scrubs i've tried in the past.
• repurchase: nah
3. luna cosmetics eyeshadow in juliet -- i really enjoy using the matte shade i was sent months back, and this one has a nice formula as well. not to mention a really pretty color!
• repurchase: i have so many eyeshadows... probably not
4. global beauty care charcoal mask -- i haven't gotten around to using this yet, but i probably should... i'll have to get back to yall on this one.
• repurchase: probably not
5. so susan liquid lipstick in raisin flesh -- i can't 100% remember how i felt about this when i swatched it... i want to say it felt powdery to the touch, but toward the inside of my lips (like in my mouth where it's moist) was sticky whenever i pursed them. it was very strange and kind of annoying.
• repurchase: no
6. points! laneige sleeping lip mask -- emily noel talked about this very close to the time that i saw this online and i had to redeem for it. i haven't fully decided how i feel about this product yet. i was using it during the daytime..what! and it felt nice, lasted quite a while, and absorbed well. my lips felt moisturized after. but maybe a few hours later, i'd feel dry again. so i'm not sure if it's the product working, or it has those ingredients that make you need to keep applying it.
• repurchase? maybe
7. sporty ipsy bag -- it's january. the month of failing exercise and weight-loss resolutions. i see what yall are doing!

raisin flesh, juliet, mary-lou

*Affiliate Link.

august 2017 ipsy bag!

hi all! as mentioned in my sephora play! post, i was slacking last week, but i'm sitting down and going to get these posts done! anyway, here's my august IPSY BAG* (theme: good vibes only). ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. aurora pro cover up concealer in 49 balmy beige -- so it's funny how in my sephora play, i got a foundation that i'm not sure if it's too light or somehow magically the correct shade...this is the opposite. this seems darker than my shade, but also somehow magically correct? i'm not sure. i think i will try using this more and see if i can give you a better opinion.
• repurchase: undecided
2. leaders sheet masks in pore gone for good & what happened last night? -- ugh, i have soo many sheet masks now and i have been lazy about using them! these'll be used eventually, but no guarantees it'll be before my yearly ipsy post.
• repurchase: undecided
3. theBalm balmVoyage vol. 2 eyshadow in kuwakaribisha -- i have been pretty content recently with receiving sample shadows from their various palettes as opposed to buying a full theBalm palette. is that crazy? and the shades i've been sent (by ipsy) are pretty much up my alley. this is a really pretty champagne highlight shade, and i'm not sure how much i see myself reaching for this particular product considering all the eyeshadows i already have, but if i had a smaller collection i can see myself using this regularly in the inner corner and maybe browbone.
• repurchase: the palette -- nah
4. crown brush SS035 medium face contour brush -- this brush does not feel that great. the handle feels very cheap, you can feel the seams on the plastic, and super lightweight, making the brush feel unbalanced and not weighted properly. that aside, the bristles are very soft and dense. size-wise, i don't think this will be a great contour size for me, but i can see myself using this as a liquid foundation brush, if the bristles are up to that challenge.
• repurchase: not likely
5. pacifica coconut blush duo in beaming & tenderheart -- i think i might pass this one along. pacifica makeup has always been pretty hit or miss for me. beaming (i'm assuming is the left one) is an okish color. not really a contour color but not really a blush either. and it's super light, you'd have to build it up. tenderheart (assumingly the right) is a nice light rosy shade, but swatches awfully patchy and i don't think it'll last very long. packaging-wise though, it's pretty interesting. it's your typical inexpensive but durable plastic, but the backside has a mirror on it, with no kind of protection to keep it from breaking. weird, right?
• repurchase: nah
6. points freebie: margaret dabbs crystal nail file -- i redeemed for this with the intention of leaving it in my pen cup on my desk (in it's sleeve of course) so that i have a file easily accessible. testing it out, it's not too bad. i have had a few 'crystal' nail files in the past, and i still have mixed feelings on them, between effectiveness and durability. but if i'm not using it frequently, it should be fine.
7. wild & free purple-pink ombre ipsy bag -- i'm not sure about it having 'wild & free' written on it, but the ombre colors are pretty.

balmy beige, kuwakaribisha, beaming, tenderheart

*Affiliate Link.

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.

july 2016 ipsy bag

hi guys! i've neglected posting about it until now, but on friday i got my july IPSY BAG*! (theme: hot summer nights) ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. elizabeth mott show me your cheeks blush in peach pink (2.5g--mini, ret. $23 for 5g [$11.50]) -- this is a super sheer version of nars orgasm. like almost just a highlighter more than a blush, unless you go super heavy with it to make it show up.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
2. trust fund beauty nail polish in no filter (17ml--full size, ret. $15) -- applying this, i was super impressed with how it was one coat and go, and it quickly self-leveled. this shade however looks like death on my skintone. so this is going to get passed along.
• likelihood to repurchase: not this shade
3. theBalm meet matt(e)trimony eyeshadow in matt kumar (.5g--mini, ret. $42 for palette (21.6g) [$0.98]) -- at first, i wasn't too sure about this one, but it's actually really pretty paired with peachy shades (like makeup geek purely naked).
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not, i have too many palettes
4. befine night cream (1oz--mini?, ret. $20? [$10 for .5oz]) -- the scent of this is super weird. like i can definitely tell that it's a rice type scent, but millet...i'm not totally sure.. granted, when i had birds, i never sniffed their food, lol! the cream itself is relatively light and feels nice, but i'm not sure why this is considered a night cream, but whatever.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
5. model launcher cosmetics felt tip eyeliner in emerald isle (.33oz--full size, ret. $13) -- i'm not sure that this would be opaque enough for my liking, but it seems like it might be a good liner.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
6. points freebie: kiesque liquid palisade (.08oz--full size, ret. $14) -- i got this uncertain about how well it works considering some of the poor reviews on sephora. but hey, it was 'free', so why not? you do need to shake this before applying, and it's fairly thin. applying it was kind of annoying, but peeling it off was super satisfying and clean. so i'm interested in trying similar products to this. if i use this regularly, i'm not sure how long it'd last. also, based on the sephora reviews, people were mentioning that these dried out pretty fast, to make sure you seal it propery.
• likelihood to repurchase? maybe, or other similar products
7. holographic beach umbrella ipsy bag -- so when they first released photos of this bag..i definitely thought of peppermints with shadows...not an umbrella. but either way, it's cute.
8. card with company info/discount codes (some codes are case sensitive)
1. elizabethmott.com: 30% off $35 purchase, code: cheeks35 (exp. 8/31/16)
2. trustfundbeauty.com: 35% off purchase, code: ipsy35 (exp.8/31/16)
3. thebalm.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY20 (exp. 7/31/16)
4. befine.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY (exp. 8/31/16)
5. mlmiami.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY20 (exp. 8/31/16)
6. toofaced.com: 20% off purchase + free shipping, code: IPSYLOVE20 (exp. 8/31/16)
7. eva-nyc.com: 15% off purchase, code: GetGlossedIpsy15 (exp. 8/31/16)
8. sedonalace.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY2016 (exp. 8/31/16)
9. booboocoverup.com: 30% off purchase, code: IPSTER30 (exp. 7/31/16)
10. vasanticosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: VasantiIpsy30 (exp. 8/31/16)
11. shraysskincare.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy25shray (exp. 8/31/16)
12. skyniceland.com: 35% off one product & 20% off any additional items & free shipping on $35+, code: ipsyantidote (exp. 8/31/16)
13. cakebeauty.com: 25% off $50 purchase, code: IPSYLEMON (exp. 8/31/16)
14. purminerals.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 8/31/16)
15. aveneusa.com: 20% off eau thermale avene purchase, code: IPSY20 (exp. 8/31/16)
16. modelcocosmetics.com: 20% off purchase & free shipping at $39, code: IPSY20 (exp. 9/30/16)
17. bellapierre.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy2016banana (exp. 8/31/16)
18. luxiebeauty.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsyangle (exp. 8/31/16)
19. mellowcosmetics.com: 15% off purchase & free shipping at $40, code: Ipsy15 (exp. 8/31/16)
20. ofracosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy30 (exp. 8/31/16)
21. shuuemura-usa.com: 10% off purchase & free shipping on your first order, code: ipsy10 (exp. 8/31/16)
22. embryolisseusa.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY2016 (exp. 8/31/16)
23. thrivecausemetics.com: 25% off your first purchase, code: ipster25 (exp. 8/31/16)
24. bareescentuals.com: 20% off purchase, code: IPSY2016 (exp. 8/30/16)
25. notsoapradio.com: 20% off purchase, code: 20ipsy (exp. 8/31/16)
26. palmettoderma.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy25 (exp. 8/31/16)
27. glamglowmud.com: 30% off most products excluding sets, code: ipsyj30 (exp. 8/31/16)
28. jcatbeauty.com: 25% off purchase & free shipping at $30, code: ipsy716 (exp. 8/31/16)

approximate product value: ~$60 + $14 (points freebie)

matt kumar (swatched dry), emerald isle, peach pink

no filter with liquid palisade partially peeled on my thumb (sorry for the sloppy swatches! but this color, my skintone. blehhh!)

*Affiliate Link.

may hauls & favorites

hi guys!! it's been another one of those busy months, so i'm tacking my favorites onto here instead of making a separate post since there's only a few things...
~Lin-chan ^.~

beautylish: parian spirit, inglot shadows: 399, 402, 452
amazon: lamora beauty flat top kabuki, treat organic lip scrub in a tube in marshmallow cream
belated birthday gift: kenra platinum silkening gloss

399, 402, 452

sephora: anastasia eyeshadows in rose & topaz, urban decay lipstick in 1993; points & code freebies: sephora eyeshadow in curacao punch & mufe aqua xl pencil in matte black (M-10)

1993, topaz, rose, curacao punch, M-10

1993

ulta: 4x body shop tea tree oil, formula 10.0.6 deep down detox mask & down to the pore strips (all bogo half off), urban decay revolution lipstick in sheer rapture, (not pictured) freebie bag for spending $60
skindinavia: oil control setting spray & minis of (original) finishing spray & makeup primer spray

sheer rapture, arm swatch: 1 swipe, 3 swipes

target: they have naturebox snacks now!! w00t!

favorites:

1. theBalm down boy blush -- i think in the past month or two, i mentioned that i was trying to go through my stash (or maybe just the blushes...) because i have been buying stuff, swatching it, and not using it. swatches aren't a true teller of whether you like something or not, you've got to try putting it on your face! so anyway, i can't remember when i bought this and i'm too lazy to look in the blog..but i've been really enjoying using this with a fluffy sigma F40.
2. naturebox snacks -- so excited that i got these at target. they're all super yum and i can't wait to get more!

january 2016 ipsy bag

hi guys! it's a new year and a new IPSY BAG*! (theme: fall eyes on you) today i bring you one of two posts, since i was able to get my two subscriptions in the mail on the same day! yay! anyway, here ya go. ~Lin-chan ^.~

here's my impressions:

1. theBalm mr. write (now) in jac b. bronze (.01oz--full size, ret. $17) -- this is a really nice color! i'm interested in trying it out! as far as a hand swatch, this thing does not budge once it has set. amaaazing! also, there's a sharpener hiding in the bottom of this.
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
2. hikari cosmetics cream metallic pigment shadow in mink (.14oz--full size, ret. $13) -- i'm not sure if this is supposed to be like a loreal infallible eyeshadow, but it certainly doesn't feel like one. and it's not creamy like a cream shadow. it's a stiffer consistency. the packaging is interesting too, it appears to be in a metal pan, inside of the plastic casing..which is kind of weird, but ok i guess. all of that aside, the color is really nice. 
• likelihood to repurchase: nah
3. skone cosmetics smudger brush (ret. $15) -- this is cute. it'll get some use for either upper or lower liner application.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
4. ofra cosmetics universal eyebrow pencil (.04oz--full size, ret. $13) -- this glides on pretty nicely. it's got the right amount of wax to it. i like the shade, but i'm not sure if it's truly universal...
• likelihood to repurchase: maybe
5. lasting smiles lip balm in peppermint creme (.15oz--full size, ret. $4.99) -- try all of the lip balms!!! this one has a nice feel on the lips, like a slick slip, but it absorbs a bit faster than i'd like. i usually prefer balms that i can noticeably feel on my lips after an hour or so. the scent of this is like a slightly mentholated peppermint.
• likelihood to repurchase: probably not
6. glasses lady....printed ipsy bag -- this is kinda cute. like retro-ish. i like it, but i'll probably pass it along.
7. card with company info/discount codes
1. thebalm.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 2/29/16)
2. hikaricosmetics.com: 30% off purchase, code: hikari30 (exp. 2/29/16)
3. skonecosmetics.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsyjan (exp. 2/29/16)
4. ofracosmetics.com: 40% off purchase, code: ipsyofra40 (exp. 2/29/16)
5. pixibeauty.com: 15% off purchase, code: ipsyjan (exp. 2/29/16)
6. jcatbeauty.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy116 (exp. 2/29/16)
7. beaugachis.com: 20% off purchase, code: beautifulipster (exp. 2/29/16)
8. crownbrush.us: 25% off purchase, code: crownipsy25 (exp. 1/31/16)
9. marskcosmetics.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy012016 (exp. 2/29/16)
10. mitchelandpeach.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy24 (exp. 2/29/16)
11. skyniceland.com: 40% off one full-sized product & 20% off additional items, code: ipsyeyegel (exp. 2/29/16)
12. heyhoney.com: 20% off purchase, code: honeyipsy (exp. 2/29/16)
13. shop.purlisse.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsyadore30 (exp. 2/29/16)
14. tuckerashley.com: 30% off purchase, code: ipsy (exp. 2/29/16)
15. hanaleicompany.com: 50% off purchase, code: ipsyscrub (exp. 2/29/16)
16. jellypongpong.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 2/29/16)
17. kloraneusa.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsycornflower20 (exp. 1/31/16)
18. bejour.com: 25% off purchase, code: ipsy25 (exp. 2/29/16)
19. dirty-little-secret.com: 20% off purchase, code: ipsy20 (exp. 2/29/16)
20. peekbeauty.co: 15% off purchase, code: ipsy15 (exp. 2/29/16)
21. trestique.com: 30% off $40+ purchase & free shipping, code: ipsyinsider (exp. 2/29/16)
22. burtsbees.com: 20% off burt's bees cleansing oil, code: ipsy20 (exp. 2/29/16)
23. coastalscents.com: 25% off purchase, code: pearl25off (exp. 3/7/16)
24. citycolorcosmetics.com: 50% off purchase, code: ipsy50 (exp. 2/29/16)

approximate product value: ~$63

*Affiliate Link.

october hauls

hi guys! i apologize in advance for the lateness of my october favorites and empties posts. a lot has been going on between work, halloween, and family, so they kind of got on the back burner. expect to see them within the next several days. anyway, i think you guys will start to see a theme with some of the items i picked up this month... ~Lindsay-chan ^.~

amazon: theBalm balm desert, elf long lasting lustrous eyeshadow in soiree, loreal infallible eyeshadow in glistening garnet

soiree, glistening garnet, balm desert

sephora: bite limited lab release lipstick for october (boisenberry), clinique clarifying lotion 3, bobbi brown eye kit (500 points), dr. jart+ dermaclear (freebie with code); buxom eyeshadows ($40 custom palette) in wild nights, silk sheets, lingerie lover, style icon, star treatment, designer or die.

designer or die, silk sheets, style icon, star treatment, lingerie lover, wild nights

boisenberry, golden pink

boisenberry

elf: they finally re-released their illuminating (ambient) palette! yes! i finally get my hands on one! i also ordered their bronzing and contouring palettes, studio matte magic mist & set, studio kiss it goodbye lip color remover, studio baked eyeshadow in burnt plum, essential smudgepot in wine not, and they were having a promo for a fall harvest kit for $6 (essential brightening eyeliner in coffee, studio pout perfector in glow, beautifully bare blush in peach perfection, studio moisturizing lipstick in berry kiss, need it nude eyeshadow palette)

swatches: burnt plum, wine not, berry kiss

bronzer, contour, and illuminating palettes

need it nude palette

sephora: makeup forever artist shadows in D504, D826, I838

D504, I838, D826