IPSY: November Glam Bag! (Subscription Box)

Hi everyone!

I don't normally update my blog on Wednesday, but I just got my November IPSY glam bag in the mail and couldn't wait to give you a first impression and my thoughts on the items I received! For those of you that don't know, IPSY is a monthly subscription service that costs $10 a month and you receive 4-5 samples in a cute cosmetic bag. When you first sign up for IPSY you fill our a brief survey and that's how they personalize the items that thou receive. I recently resubscribed to IPSY after canceling for a month and this is the first bag I received with my new subscription. I had been a little annoyed with the samples in my previous bags so I decided to cancel, but this month's bag looked really good so I re-subscribed.

The theme of the bag this month is "Girl Meets Glitter: Life is Short Wear Glitter." Thankfully even though that's the theme, not all of the items I received contained glitter. I don't mind some glitter and sparkle, but I definitely don't want it in every item I receive.

This month the samples I received in my bag this month are:
          - SeaRX Skincare: Micro-Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub
          - Be A Bombshell Cosmetics: Eye Base - Shade: Submissive
          - IT Cosmetics: Bye By Under Eye Concealer - Shade: Neutral Medium
          - Marc Anthony: Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray
          - StarLooks: Lip Gloss - Shade: Guilty Pleasure

In addition, the bag this month was a collaboration between IPSY and Forever 21 Cosmetics, and it is a sparkly silver bag with a pink zipper and pull tab closure. It's a very fun bag but unfortunately it feels very cheap and inexpensive. I think I will probably pass this bag along to one of my younger cousins who I think will love it.

SeaRX Skincare: Micro-Dermabrasion Face & Body Scrub
IPSY describes this skincare product as "Exfoliate your whole body with this all-over scrub, which utilizes an advanced crystal blend system. The gentle scrub effectively exfoliates, removes dead cells and reveals softer, healthier skin. Featuring minerals and extracts, the formula improves skin tone and leaves you with smoother, firmer looking skin." This sample size is 0.3 oz which is a great size to try out for a couple of days. I have not yet tried it out, but I love scrubs so I'm really excited to give it a go! A full-size of this product retails for $32 and contains 100 grams, which is about about 3.53 ounces. Therefore, this sample contains about 1/12th of the product of the full-size version and would retail for about $3.

Be A Bombshell Cosmetics: Eye Base - Shade: Submissive
IPSY describes this product as, "This eye base is a highly pigmented, long-lasting product that can be used as a single cream color or used as an eye base to build color." They recommend applying the product lightly with your fingertip to create a natural finish and layer on additional product if you want additional color. You can also create a more intense look by layering with a powder eyeshadow. I really like this shade, I think it would be a great starting item to create a nice copper smokey eye. In terms of texture, this eyeshadow is very pigmented and smooth, although I find that they definitely take a little building up to get the color I desire. I've only swatched this product so I will follow up with a more thorough review and let you know how they apply to the eye and if they crease. A full-size of this product retails for $14, which I believe is what I received.

IT Cosmetics: Bye By Under Eye Concealer - Shade: Neutral Medium
I was so excited to receive this sample as I absolutely LOVE this concealer! IPSY describes this concealer as, "This best-selling, cult-favorite and award-winning concealer delivers highly pigmented, long-lasting coverage that won’t crease or crack. Infused with anti-aging technology, vitamins and high-performance pigments, this multipurpose concealer improves the appearance of wrinkles and effectively conceals the appearance of skin imperfections including dark circles, bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and discoloration. Finally an extreme concealer that makes you look younger!" This is definitely a thick concealer and you really need to warm it up on the back of your hand before applying, like they suggest. If you don't, I find that it's hard to blend out this concealer and that it creases pretty badly. However, when used correctly this product works amazingly well and covers even the darkest of under eye circles. I also find it works wonders for covering blemishes and redness. I will say, unfortunately IPSY was only offering this concealer in the shade Neutral Medium (thankfully my shade!), so that definitely won't work for everyone. If you've never tried this concealer, I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to using this sample size for traveling!

Comparison between travel & full-size concealer

Marc Anthony: Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Volume Shine Hairspray
I always love receiving hair products in subscription services because I often don't go outside my comfort zone and pay to try new products so this is a great way to try new items. IPSY describes this product as, "Get extra volume, shine and hold with this dual purpose hairspray; nourishing and styling in one! This argan oil, keratin and grape seed oil infused hairspray gives you strong and flexible hold plus deep nourishment, strengthening and conditioning as you style. The non-water based, fast drying formula freeze-frames your volume and hold without stickiness or flaking and it’s flexible finish creates workable styles for easy re-styling without crunch or heavy build-up. It creates a luminous finish and shields against humidity for longer lasting styles. Sun Protectors keep the sun and other elements from damaging your full bodied mane." I have already used this hairspray and I absolutely love it! It doesn't get hard or sticky like some hairsprays which is great and it stays put all night! I highly recommend it and I will be buying a full size of it soon!

StarLooks: Lip Gloss - Shade: Guilty Pleasure
I don't often wear lip gloss so it's not one of the types of products I like receiving it subscription boxes. I have so many already that I never use so I hate adding more items to it, when I would have much rather received a lipstick. IPSY describes this product as, "Starlooks Lip Glosses are created with a truly moisturizing, luxury, non-sticky formula. This neutral-rose, yet glamorous shade provides the perfect glisten for any lip look and complements any skin tone! Can be worn alone or in combination with other Starlooks lip products for a truly customizable finish." I have not tried out this  product on my lips yet, but from my hand swatch it seems that this lip gloss is pretty sticky and requires a couple of swatches back and forth to get it as pigmented as you see in the photos below. I do like that IPSY selected this product in a nice neutral yet universally flattering shade.

Okay, so that's everything that was in my IPSY glam bag this month! What did you guys think or receive in your own IPSY glam bags? Are there any other subscription services that you've been loving that I should check out? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!
-Meg

Special IPSY Coupon Codes:
Here are some special IPSY exclusive coupon codes for you guys to enjoy!
SeaRX Beauty: Free Shipping on orders over $50 with code searxipsy at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, not valid for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico)
IT Cosmetics: 20% off orders of $25 or more with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 12/31/14, free shipping in US only)
StarLooks: 20% off all cosmetics purchases with code IPSY at checkout (value thru 12/31/14)
Calvin Klein Beauty (via Ulta): $5 off of $30 CK One Color Cosmetics purchase with code 202882 at checkout
Elizabeth Mott: 50% off your entire oder with code IPSYFINE at checkout
GlamGlow: 30% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 11/31/14, US only)
Temptu: 25% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (valid thru 12/31/14, US only)
Tarte: 20% off at Tarte.com with code IPSYNOV at checkout (valid thru 12/10/14, US/Canada/Puerto Rico only)
Rouge Underground: $10 off any $50 purchase with code RUIPSY at checkout (Valid thru 2/10/15, US/Canada only)
L.A. Colors (via Hot Topic): 25% off order with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 11/30/14, US/Canada only)
JCAT Beauty: 25% off any purchase with code 25JCAT at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, US/Canada only)
Elizabeth Arden: 15% off + UNTOLD sample with any $50 purchase + Free Shipping with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14)
Demeter Fragrance: 20% off any purchase with code IPSY at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14)
ClariSEA: 25% off any purchase with code GLOW at checkout (Valid thru 12/31/14, US only (not Hawaii or Alaska)

IT Cosmetics: Jumbo Powder Brush

Today's review is of the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Jumbo Powder Brush. I have been wanting this brush for so long that when I saw it brand new, still sealed for only $30 on ebay the other day I knew I had to have it. I will say that's the most I've ever paid for a makeup brush and that's only about half of what it actually costs - a whooping $58 full-price. You can purchase this brush full-price from Ulta, QVC, and the It Cosmetics website. Do check on ebay, as you might be able to find this brush brand new for a much lower price. My brush was recently purchased and was still sealed in plastic in it's original tube, exactly the way it would come at Ulta.

This brush is the softest brush I own! I though the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush, which I also just got recently and reviewed, was extremely soft and couldn't be beat, but this one definitely beats it! It has an amazingly high rating on Ulta's website - 4.9 points out of a possible 5 points. Clearly everyone who is willing to shell out big bucks for this brush really ends up enjoying it.

The packaging of this brush is the same material all the IT Cosmetics brushes - the handle is a sort of smooth rubber like material, similar to Nars packaging and the Lorac Pro Palette packaging. I love that this brush has a very long handle and the bristles of this brush are oh so soft, definitely the softest I've ever seen in a makeup brush! Yet even though they're super soft, they are strong enough to distribute powder onto your face nicely for a flawless look.

The bristles are 100% synthetic and vegan, so they are great for people who have sensitive skin and you can use them with wet or dry products, although I have no idea what kind of wet products you would use with this brush. In general, synthetic bristles give a streak free finish and don’t soak up products as much as natural hair bristles.

Comparison with the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush

I find that they brush provides a totally flawless power application. My skin looks so smooth when I use this brush, even when I have blemishes or small bumps on my face that I'm trying to hide. All in all, it's a luxurious brush that's a joy to use on your face and it does a fantastic job at what it's suppose to be doing as well, which is evenly distributing a light layer of powder to set your makeup.

In the end though I guess it all boils down to is this brush worth the money? I honestly think it is - with the caveat that you can find it for less, like I did on ebay or some other website. I don't think I could afford to or justify buying this brush full-price however much I'd like to. I have never experienced a brush this soft before - it feel so smooth on the face and is such a joy to use. I honestly just want to put on powder so I can use this brush - does that give you a clue about how much I love it?!? 

Have you tried any of the IT Cosmetics brushes yet? What's your all-time favorite makeup brush? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

IT Cosmetics: Celebration Foundation & Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush

Hi guys, 

Today's review is one I've been dying to share with you for a while now! I will be reviewing IT Cosmetic's Celebration Foundation and Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush. Both items can be purchased separately from ULTA or the IT Cosmetics website, or can be purchased together in a set from QVC. Individually, the foundation retails for $35 and the brush is $48, but in the QVC set both retail together for $43.50 (plus $5.72 for shipping and handling).

I absolutely love powder foundations for everyday wear - they're easy to apply and take virtually no time at all for a great look! My all time favorite powder foundation has been Clinique's Almost Powder Makeup with SPF 15 (I wear the shade light), I've been using this product constantly since high school, so over 10 year now! (wow, that just made me feel old...) Honestly though, I love that it's a buildable powder foundation that minimizes the appearance of my pores and lasts all day long without reapplication. I also love that it has SPF15 which I think is essential for everyday wear to help protect your skin from sun damage. 

Anyway, back to the product at hand, IT Cosmetic's celebration foundation! I've really wanted to try this for a while now as I've seen soooo many youtube and blog posts raving about it! I finally sucked it up and paid the money for both the foundation and the brush, as I heard this it is the ideal way to apply the product. My first impression of this product was WOW, it's amazing and all the rave reviews were spot on!

Comparison of the IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush & the Jumbo Powder Brush

In terms of packing, this product comes in a very sleek black compact with a push button to open it. The material of the compact is the same as a lot of the Nars packaging and the Lorac Pro Palette, that sort of soft, suede-like rubberized material that shows fingerprints and holds onto product which isn't ideal, but it feels really nice. The handle of the brush is also this same material. The bristles of this brush are soooo soft and not scratchy - it's literally one of the softest brushes I've ever used! The bristles are also the perfect length and density to apply the powder to your face without looking cakey, yet still covering everything that you want covered. I have not tried this brush with other powder foundations, but I would assume it would work well with them too. 

Most times I prefer to use just the makeup sponge that comes with a face powder, but this is SO much better! Like most foundation compacts, this compact has a compartment underneath the actual product that holds a makeup sponge which you can also use to apply the product if that's the method you prefer. I find that this product looks a bit more natural when applied with the brush than with the sponge - you pick up less product, which results in it looking more natural and less cakey (though it's not cakey at all!). I posted a photo towards the bottom where I show the product applied on my face half with the brush and half with the sponge.

The foundation powder is so creamy and easy to apply. With the brush you can very easily and quickly buff the product onto your face for a natural but well covered look. 
I love that this foundation feels weightless on the skin - I forget that I'm wearing any makeup! This is definitely an everyday foundation, but I wouldn't use it for special events where you want a heavier flawless makeup look with absolutely no blemishes showing. I tend to have some small bumps on my skin and some red patches and this product covered the spots and evened out the bumps for an even finish - my skin has honestly never looked smoother, especially without looking like I'm wearing a lot of makeup! 

I will say that this product only comes in 5 shades - Fair, Light Medium, Medium Beige, Tan, and Rich - which may pose a problem for some in terms of finding a correct match with their skin tone. I selected the color Light Medium and it's the perfect shade for me, especially now that summer is over and I'm no longer tan. The color of the Light Medium shade leans to a more yellow than pink undertone in my opinion. 

Also, since this product has anti-aging components I think it will flatter all ages from young beginners just starting out with makeup to ladies who have been using makeup for years and are trying to keep their skin looking fresh and young.

Below are some face swatches of the Celebration Foundation.

All in all, I absolutely adore this foundation and the brush by IT Cosmetics and I will definitely be purchasing the Celebration Foundation Illumination soon so I can compare it with this product.

Have you tried any IT Cosmetics brushes yet? What's your favorite powder foundation? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!