My February Ipsy Bag - "Red Carpet Ready"

The February Ipsy Bag, themed "Red Carpet Ready," is a shiny, vinyl black zipper bag with a red lining loaded with a face primer, eyeshadow, gel eyeliner, mascara, lash cards and coupon codes from participating vendors.

Here's a review of the items I received and descriptions as reflected on the brand websites:

Pixi - Flawless & Poreless - Pore Minimizing Face Primer - 0.5 fl. oz./15 ml deluxe sample; Full size 1.01 fl. oz./30 ml/$29 - The Pixi Flawless & Poreless primer creates a beautiful no-shine finish for flawless, long-lasting makeup application. This shine controlling, oil-free primer smooths out fine lines and hydrates while making pores instantly disappear. It is the perfect skin primer for all complexions and all skin types. There is an offer for 20% off a future order on ipsy.com.

Coastal Scents - Eyeshadow Sample - In The Spotlight - Dark Goldenrod, Sunbeam, Golden Globe, Dark Golden Olive - Sample size .07 oz/2 g; Full size .04 oz/1.3 g/$1.99 each shade - This mini quad contains 4 complementary colors to create a quick eye look.  The sample is easy to travel with.  The shades included are:  Dark Goldenrod (a deep, gleaming golden hue with a satiny finish), Sunbeam (an alluring pastel yellow with a matte finish), Golden Globe (a glistening golden hue with a satin finish) and Dark Golden Olive (a shimmering, deep green hue with iridescent golden sparkles).  Each can be purchased on coastalscents.com.  There is a coupon code for 25% off a future purchase via ipsy.com.

Mica Beauty - Gel Eyeliner  - Appears to be Full size .18 oz/5 g/$30 - Micabeauty Ultra Smooth Gel Eyeliners make it easy for anyone to apply eyeliner without dealing with smudges, uneven lines, or fading. These Gel Eyeliners include 5 highly pigmented colors perfect for any occasion and are sure to last longer than regular eyeliners.  I couldn't help but notice that what is on the website comes with a brush, while what was shipped was just in a pot.  It is possible that they have changed their packaging.  The jar I received was not labeled for size but I believe it is full-sized.  There is an offer for 30% on ipsy.com.

Pop Beauty - Smoky Lash Kapow Mascara  - Smoky Black - Full size .17 oz/4.8 g/$14 - This mascara fattens each lash to give a maximum volumizing end result.  It delivers an ultra black, extra glossy finish that is tear (from laughing of course!), swim (go on, just jump in!), rub (well you never know?) and sweat proof (dancing is SUCH good exercise).  Fiber-free so suitable for contact lens & sensitive eyes.  Ophthalmologist-tested. Fragrance-Free.  There is an offer for 20% off on ipsy.com.

Lash Card - Mascara Shields - Sample package of 2 shields; Full size 10 cards/$6.99 - Ideal for protecting your shadow application from mascara smudges or if you're layering mascara, these shields protect your base from unwanted smudges and stray marks.  I love using these when applying mascara to my bottom lashes.  Shields are individually wrapped so they are hygienic. A Buy 2, Get 1 free is offered on ipsy.com.

Overall rating:  Booyah!  for value of the product contents and introducing me to new products brands that I now love.  I just love it when I can try a new product and locating a full-sized purchase is easy.  The coupon codes are listed on the ipsy.com site so if you lose your insert card, you're not out of luck.

Beauty Army - January 2013 Shipment

January marked the start of a new year as well as Beauty Army's first anniversary.  This month's shipment was comprised of samples based on my selections from offerings based on my profile (www.beautyarmy.com; $12).  Unlike the Holiday box, this selection was packaged in the pink box with pink camouflage lining and it included an extra surprise as it was Beauty Army's birthday.

In my January shipment, I received the following items:

Not Your Mother's - She's A Tease Volumizing Hairspray - Apple Blossom & Bamboo - Travel Size - 2 oz/56 g/$3 - So you want big & beautiful hair and you’re tired of Mr. Humidity getting in the way, right? Then stop dreaming and make it happen already! SHE’S A TEASE™ will have the whole crowd gossiping about your huge head errr... I mean hair. Infused with natural apple blossom & bamboo, this salon formula will have you walking tall.

PRODUCT FACTS
- Firm Hold
- Creates volume and lift
- Humidity Resistant Formula
- Bamboo added for strengthening and volumizing benefits

 

Yes to Cucumbers - Facial Towelette - Sample: 1 towelette; Travel size: 30 towelettes/$5.99 - Yes To Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes gently remove dirt, sweat and makeup (eye makeup too!) without the need to rinse. Whether you're out and about, going for a run, or having a late night, these towelettes make it a snap to refresh on-the-go. Packed with green superfoods these all-natural, biodegradable towelettes naturally exfoliate, detoxify, and rejuvenate all-in-one. Stay gorgeous, and go from zero to clean in seconds! 

• 98% Natural
• Biodegradable & FSC Certified
• Dermatologically & Opthalmologically Tested 

• Oil-free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic

Macadamia Natural Oil - Deep Repair Masque - Sample size 0.5 fl. oz/15 ml; Full size 8.5 fl. oz./250 ml/$32 - Macadamia Natural Oil™

Tea Tree and chamomile oils along with aloe and algae extracts combine with our Macadamia and 

Argan oils to produce miracle-like hair rejuvenation.

Nelson Beverly Hills - Argan Oil 7-in-1 Non-Foaming Shampoo - Natural Citrus Mint - Sample: 1 oz/30 ml; Full size: $20 - Nelson j Argan Oil Non-Foaming Shampoo is a revolutionary product in hair care. A 7-in-1 formula, this one product replaces your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, shine spray, smoothing serum, color protector, pre-styling lotion. It is the first non-foaming shampoo that cleanses hair thoroughly but without all the harsh ingredients that may be found in ordinary shampoos - it is designed so it won't strip hair and scalp of their natural oils. Your hair is left with shine, moisture, manageability and better color retention.

Enspri - Ultra Collagen 5-Minute Anti-Aging Facial Treatment - 2-part sample; Full Size: $99.50 - Enspri Ultra Collagen is a 100% ultra-fine marine collagen powder, free of unwanted chemicals and preservatives.

Naturally extracted at an extremely low molecular weight for greater absorption, giving your skin the full benefits of collagen.

Applied with our Vital Hydrator - a beneficial blend of essential vitamins and antioxidants with soothing and healing properties.
• Improves skin texture and elasticity.
• Noticeably tightens and tones skin.
• Shrinks and strengthens pores.

• Good for all skin types, including the most sensitive skin.

Lash Card - Mascara Shields - Sample pack of 2; Full size - $13.98 for 20 - Apply your mascara perfectly! Lash Card has two curves, fitting a variety of eye shapes. These contoured curves ensure nose bridge clearance and the ability to get into those hard-to-reach bottom lashes. Don't let smudging or clumping ruin your look; let the Lash Card prevent your mascara mishaps!

Bonus: mark - Scanda-lash Mascara - Black Lash - Full size: $6.50 plus a free hook-up connector - This super-rich mascara perfectly lengthens, thickens and defines lashes without clumping. 

About This Shade: A deep, dark black mascara. 

Overall rating: Booyah!  This was a great shipment.  It was nice of the Beauty Army Troops to include a bonus in celebration of their birthday.  Some of the items were tried and trues I didn't mind having again especially as they were accompanied by some new items.

Have you tried any of these products?  What are your thoughts?

I hope you found this blog post useful and that you'll subscribe.  I welcome your comments and feedback and thank you for stopping by.

Beauty Box 5 - October 2012 Shipment

Beauty Box 5 is a new beauty sampling program that costs $12 a month, $30 per quarter or $100 per year (www.beautybox5.com).

  

Here is a list of my October 2012 shipment contents and descriptions as reflected in the insert card:

Margania - Pure Argan Oil - Sample size/Full size 2 fl oz/$32 - With naturally high levels of Vitamin E and skin-supporting fatty acids, this "miracle" oil is perfect for healing skin ailments and protecting against premature aging.  Use alone or mix with your moisturizer. A promotion code for 25% off is provided.

City Lips - Lip Plumper - Los AngeLIPS - 1.5 ml Sample; Full size 5ml/$32 - These luscious lip plumpers are packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients!  Apply alone or over lipstick for fuller, plumper lips in an instant! A promotion code for 20% off is provided.

Goat Haus Dairy - Lip Balm - Sugar Kisses - Appears to be full size though the balm portion is about 2/3rds the length of the tube; $2.50 - Your lips will lust after this light-weight soft and silky goats-milk lip balm!

ShowStoppers - Fashion Tape - Sample of 2 Black strips; Full size 24 strips/$9.99 - Lost a button on your shirt? Does your bra keep showing? Keep your "fashion fashioned" with these ingenious, purse-sized packets of double stick designer fashion tape.  A promotion code for BOGO free is provided.

Furlesse - Elevens - 3 day sampler; Full size 30 patches/$19.99 - Relax frown lines in a gentle, natural (no needles!) way.  Simply apply the clear patch, go to sleep and a few hours later you'll see fewer lines.  It's that easy.  A promotion code for 20% off is provided.

Lash Card - Lash Cards - Sample pack of 2 cards; Full size 10 pack/$6.99 - Great for maximizing curl, separating lashes and avoiding those bottom lash mishaps, these discrete little cards are your lashes new best friend!

Overall rating: Booyah! for the variety of items this box included, not to mention the value.  I put these babies to immediate use.  Don't you just love when you get a shipment of items you can use?

Have you tried Beauty Box 5?  What are your thoughts?