Recently I noticed that Ipsy has stepped up their game giving subscribers more high end brands, so I decided to subscribe again after a four year break. I looked it up and I was shocked it had been that long, but as I age I've noticed that time goes by so much faster. After signing up, I changed my profile in hopes of not receiving items that I don't want. I really like to receive eye shadow, blush and lipstick. I prefer not to receive hair care products or nail polish because I'm particularly picky and I'm very loyal to my favorite brands, Wen, Julep & OPI. I definitely do not want bronzers or self tanners since they don't look natural on my fair skin. My profile changes seemed to help since I managed to receive blush, eye shadow and lip gloss, so I'm happy. What I'm not happy about is that the teaser email they sent me to lure me into resubscribing showed five products I would enjoy receiving yet I only received one of them, the Tarte blush. Only two of the five products I received are brands that I like and recognize. Ipsy has a habit of sending products from new brands that can only be purchased online. As shown above, included in my November bag were the following products:
- Tarte - Deluxe Amazonian Clay Twelve Hour Blush in Quirky, made in China, .05 oz., $7.25 retail value
- Naked Cosmetics - Mother Nature #06, .05 oz., $14.99 retail value
- The White Company - White Lavender Body Lotion, 1.7 oz, $4.00 retail value
- Manna Kadar - Lip Locked Gloss Stain in the color All of Me, .052 fl. oz., $7.34 retail value
- It Cosmetics - Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream in Fair, made in Korea, .135 oz, $4.75 retail value
The approximate retail value of all five samples is $38.33 not including the cosmetic bag. Since I only paid $10 including shipping it's a pretty good value, but not as high as I've seen other customers receive lately. They send out several different bags of samples based on customers' profiles, so values vary each month.
I've purchased Tarte blush before and while they offer pretty colors, I find I have to be careful to dab very lightly with my brush or I'll have way too much blush on my brush. It's a bit unforgiving since it goes on heavy, so I find it's too fussy for me. I prefer to add more color rather than take away or be so light in my application. While I like it, I tend to grab a different brand from my drawer when I'm in a rush. The eye shadow from Naked Cosmetics is a loose powder. It has a brownish red appearance with fine green glitter. It looks like a duo chrome since it's changing color as you move. When I blend it out it has more of a reddish brown color with some green glitter. I like it better unblended, so I'm going to try applying it wet for a more bold look. Compared to Bare Essentials loose powder eyeshadows, it's more chunky and not as finely milled. That's why I'm more comfortable applying it wet to reduce fall out. The White Company body lotion smells really good. It has scents of lavender, neroli, lemon, basil and vetiver. I smell lemon first followed by the lavender and then basil. I've never heard of this brand before yet it's pricey. It's based in the United Kingdom with only one store in the US which is located in New Jersey. I've also never heard of the brand Manna Kadar. Their lip stain in the color All of Me is a lovely opaque pink color. It feels quite moisturizing on the lips. It wasn't much of a stain on my lips since it came off when I ate. I've purchased It Cosmetics' foundation in a QVC Today's Special Value previously. While I like it and it gives pretty good coverage, it's not my favorite. For me it takes longer to blend in evenly than other brands. Also, it doesn't feel as natural on my skin as other brands. My current favorite is Josie Maran's latest foundation offered on QVC in a recent TSV.
While my November bag has some pretty good offerings, I'm guessing I won't remain a subscriber very long. I'll know better after I receive my December bag. Wish me luck! My biggest issue is the brands I don't recognize which aren't available for purchase in stores. If you received a bag from Ipsy this month, how many samples were you happy with? If you haven't subscribed, what's keeping you from giving it a try?
Bargain Alert:
Manna Kadar - 20% off, code "IPSY2017"
Mr. Rebates - cash back for online purchases
Naked Cosmetics - 30% off, code "IPSY30"
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2 comments
I have subscribed to IPSY for the last year and was almost ready to cancel but like you said they have kind of stepped up their game a bit with the product brands they're sending. This month I got the body lotion like you but am not fond of lavender scents so gave it to my granddaughter, I also received the Naked Cosmetics eye color and the IT CC Cream which is too heavy on my skin for my tastes, this is the 3rd month in a row they have included an IT product. I was surprised to find Benefit's they're real mascara in my bag, haven't tried it yet, I know that I don't like the liner but have never tried the mascara. I also received an IPSY highlighter brush, I love getting makeup brushes so was happy with it!
Wow, I thought everyone liked the smell of lavender! I love IT products, hope I get another one next month. Yes, that foundation is heavy coverage. The mascara is nice, just not my fav. Those blue brushes are really pretty wish I had received one of those. Anxiously waiting to see what will show up in my December bag!
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