Ipsy Glam Bag - January 2015 - Full Review

Hi friends,


Here it is! The complete review on all the products I received in my January 2015 Ipsy Glam Bag! 

Let me start by again giving a whole bunch of hoorays for Ipsy for providing a great variety of makeup samples on a monthly basis and never making the bag boring. For $10 per month, you just cannot get wrong!
Follow this link to get your own bag, you earn points for reviews and referrals which allows you to redeem more samples each month!


You can see the open bag video on my YouTube Channel:


 

First the bag: HIDDEOUS! I hate it, by far the worst I have received in almost one year's worth of monthly bags! Whoever thought of pairing cobalt blue with salmon pink and Ivory MUST return to design school. So there, I said it!




So, on with the review:

Ipsy Glam Bag - January 2015

1. Elizabeth Mott - All-Over Shadow Brush - $9.99

I am always very excited to receive new brushes in my subscription boxes. It is not like I need anymore, having tons of brushes already. I simply enjoy comparing brands and this one is nothing short of phenomenal. 
This is a synthetic brush, short in length, making it ideal for travel. It is super dense and super soft. As an all-over shadow, it does a great job at multi tasking. You can blend with it, or apply single shadows and because is it tapered you can use it sideways as well. Very high quality and for the price online of $9.99 I find it to be a bargain to value winner!

A few months back, Ipsy introduced me to the Crown Brush brand and I fell in love. One of the rare times where I went ahead and actually purchased a few items as a result of my subscription to Ipsy. This Elizabeth Mott brush is very similar in quality and feel to Crown Brush. The only con I would share with you is that since it is a travel size, I wish it was sold with a cap or some sort of protection for the brush head itself. They do get tossed a lot inside makeup bags and can get damaged as well. If it were not for the lack of a practical protective cap, this brush would be on my Wall of Fame. I give it an A.







2. Malin + Goetz - Mojito Lip Balm - $12

 Let's start with the obvious: no matter what, I just cannot see myself spending $12 on a lip balm regardless of the brand and or quality, it just seems so over-the-top.
Moving on.
This is a brand I have tried in the past and thought was just okay, a lot of people rave about it, I can see the appeal, it is nondescript and not in your face with regards to packaging, it reminds me of Kiels'.
This lip balm comes in a tube with a slanted plastic applicator. I am not a big fan of those, they collect quite a lot of remaining lipstick and always end up looking gross after a while (Just a personal preference).

Flavored with (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito, our lip balm is scientifically blended to restore and replenish.  Our hydrating lip gel easily integrates for daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry, irritated lips.  Color and paraben free. Quoted from the Malin + Goetz website).

Basically, this is a polymer filled lip product that glides on smoothly and feels like a very fluid Vaseline type formula. It does not have a taste or a scent and though it is a customer favorite, I really was not  wowed by this product. I think the delivery through the slanted plastic mouth piece is my biggest turn off. As for the formula I felt it was just okay. Not thrilled, but I don't hate it either, I would not run to go purchase another one. B-.









3. Hikari - Eye Liner Pencil  in  Storm - $13

 I have never heard of this brand and was pleased to receive a twistable eye liner.I am one of those lazies who never sharpens her pencils and am constantly looking for ones that are either twistable or self sharpening. The color I received is Storm, a silver grey with a bit of shimmer.
Overall, I felt this is an okay eye liner, I did not find it difficult to apply in that the formula glides on and does not tug at my eyelid whether I already applied shadow or not. The color payoff is so-so. It is not a highly pigmented liner, so it may be good for under eye or corners. For complete lid coverage I wish it provided a more vibrant contrast. So in all, this is a subtle liner. If you are not into heavy liner and popping eyes, this might be a good one for you.
It stays on well, not all day, but has good stay on.

 Again, it's just okay for me, I think that for the price of $13 I could find a better liner with more pigment and many drugstore brands will outperform this one. So, "not impressed" is my final review on this one. B-.















4. Pacifica - Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in Ethereal - $14 for palette

A few months back I had received a Pacifica shadow duo which I felt was unbelievably dry and did not use as a result. 
This time around, I really was not crazy about receiving yet another eye shadow from the brand but was very surprised when I first swatched it during my open bag video. 
I am not sure whether these coconut eye shadows are part of the same collection I had originally received but,  this one is creamy with a beautiful shimmer, making it perfect as an all over lid or highlighter.
The color pay off is great and the color I received: Ethereal, is a beautiful soft pink/champagne which reminds me of   
Champagne Truffle from the Too Faced Chocolate Palette. It is smooth and easy to apply, you definitely need to blend it well if used as an all over lid as it tends to crease (probably because of the coconut infused pigment).

Unfortunately, these are not sold individually and must be purchased as part of palettes of 3 or 4 shadows. I have checked the Pacifica Website and simply could not find a palette which would contain this specific color, so I am at a loss here, and feel very frustrated. It seems that Pacifica continues to provide great body creams and scents, but leaves to desire when it comes to makeup. I am giving it a B+ because it is a good shadow, but if I could find it, it would get a higher grade. Not cool Pacifica , not cool at all! 
I think (not sure) that this one belongs to the Radiant Shimmer Coconut Shadow trio palette, which you can find at a lower price on the Amazon Pacifica page!
A for the shadow, C+ for not being able to find it on their website.








5. Velvet 59 - Lip Gloss in Noisette - $19

I am not a huge fan of lip glosses, for some reason I just find them to be too tacky and or gooey. I had also never heard of this brand and for the same reason why I signed up for Ipsy, was very glad to receive it as it is a way for me to try a new products and/or new brand.
The color I received is Noisette (Hazelnut), a good all around nude. The gloss comes with a small brush applicator, not a doe foot, so it

does require a bit more work for application, again these are matters of preference.  
Unfortunately, this color completely blended in with my skin tone and natural lip shade, all you get to see is gloss, no color. So, for the price of $19 per tube, I really do not see any need for me to own this product. Other colors are available and probably more pigmented but again, I think the price is prohibitive when considering I could purchase a MAC Lip gloss for less! C+.


This was my review for the January 2015 Ipsy Glam Bag, it was overall a good bag. I am not sure why they have chosen to send two lip products this month alone, it seems a bit redundant when considering they are practically giving the same result, at least for me they did.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

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Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

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My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 Pompton Avenue
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

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Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!

Eco Emi Box - December 2014 - Full review

Hi friends,

Even though I just went through a drastic declutter of my cosmetics and skin care products (you can watch it here), I am continuing both my Eco Emi and my Ipsy Glam Bag subscriptions. I find both to be providing me enough new items, on a monthly basis, to try and satisfy my need for variety. Eco Emi in particular, is one of my favorite boxes to receive monthly. While the company had a few months in 2014 were the boxes were lame at best, I am truly glad I stuck with the program. The past 6 have been phenomenal and December 2014 truly was a treat.

Eco Emi  - December 2014

Eco Emi, which is normally $15 per month, is now offering different types of boxes which you may check out on their website, they also have one time box purchase option a well as a Deluxe box with full size items only. In other words, the company, which focuses on eco friendly and cruelty free products, is expanding, and THAT is a good thing!

Check out other boxes by Eco Emi

Here is my featured video for the December 2014 box, you may want to check it out prior to reading my full review of all the products I received:




1.  Element - Strawberry and Cream Rice Cake - $32 / 16 packs (2 rice cake per pack)

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"Strawberries'n'Cream-coated rice cakes are made with Italian fresh fruit and vegetable concentrate, natural vanilla and non-GMO Italian rice. Crunch happy knowing that your gluten-free treat is naturally nurturing. No GMOs, no hydrogenated or trans fats, no high fructose corn syrup, no yeast, no preservatives." (Quoted from Element Website).

I love anything strawberry and was pretty psyched about receiving this sample. These rice cakes are covered with a strawberry and cream frosting, leaving the rice cake blah behind. They are actually low in calorie, making them a good snack alternative for those of us struggling with snack attacks. I thought they were pretty good, the frosting giving it enough BAM to make it not feel like a diet food. Elements provides other flavors such as chocolate or vanilla, in case Strawberry is not your thing. I was pleased with this sample. I am usually underwhelmed with food items provided in my Eco Emi box, but this one was good. My only con: the rice cakes are produced in Italy and I would have liked for the company to be supporting American farming. They are also a tad expensive at $1 per rice cake!  B+.

2. Bakery on Main - Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal - $5.99 / 6 packs

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 "Satisfy your craving for a coffee house scone with a savory bowl of our Blueberry Scone Instant Oatmeal. This breakfast treat won't let you down with pieces of real blueberries, chia and flax meal and our favorite ancient grains, Amaranth and Quinoa. " (Quoted from Bakery on Main website).

 Blueberry scones (or any type of scones for that matter) are some of my favorite treats when I visit my local bookstore. Here is another food item I was very excited to try. First, and unlike the Element rice cake mentioned above, these assorted instant oatmeals ( a total of 6 distinctive flavors) are produced and packaged here in the US! This is a Mom & Pop business that has been growing out of awareness of Celiac disease and now producing all gluten free cereals. I found this oatmeal to be easy to prepare with hot water and a few seconds in the microwave. It came out thick and very filling. The flavor I received (Blueberry Scone) was also very good, not overpowering like other flavored oatmeals, it lingered for a while and smelled delicious. This is another good snack alternative for the diet conscious. Really liked this. A.

3. Snack Out Loud - Jalapeno Beans- $15.99 / 8 packs

"Snack Out Loud is a deliciously crunchy snack that is full of flavor, fun to eat, and made with simple, all natural ingredients. Similar in shape and texture to roasted nuts, our crunchy beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber, plus they are also a natural source of vitamins and minerals." (Quoted from Amazon retailer).

This was an interesting thing to try. I am not a big fan of nuts as a snack, I never found them to be particularly filling. These were very dry and brittle unlike peanuts for instance. The flavor I received (Jalapeno) was a bit too spicy for my taste but my husband enjoyed them. They would not be my first choice and so I thought they were just okay. They are also pricey for what they are. B-.

 

4. Kelapo - Virgin Coconut Oil - $7.99 / 10 packets

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"Harvested from exclusive coconut palms in Sri Lanka, this 100% organic, trans fat free oil can be used as an all-natural, flavorful, and energy packed, butter alternative." (Quoted from kelapo website).

 Kelapo is the only brand of coconut oil I use. I am therefore very familiar with this product. Having been using a huge jar for the past year, I was unaware the company was also providing this miracle oil in single packs. It makes it very convenient for travel. I do not use Kelapo Coconut Oil for cooking, instead, I use it as a skin care and in particular face cream. Coconut oil is very moisturizing and does wonders on wrinkles. I always said that if given the choice of using only one product on my face, I would use coconut oil. I find that it not only moisturizes, it also evens out my skin tone and never leaves my face with a greasy residue. This is an outstanding product and one I strongly recommend. A+.

4. Shea Radiance - Moisturizing Hair Milk - $16/ 8 oz

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"Get easy comb-outs,responsive curls and love-to-touch conditioned hair. Our Moisturizing Hair Milk is nothing like you have ever tried before. This light and weightless spritz conditioner softens, detangles and eliminates frizz. It leaves curls soft and smooth, just the way you like it." (Quoted from Shea Radiance website).

 If you have watched my open box video, you know how excited I was about receiving this product. One of my very first Eco Emi box (back in 2013) contained a Shea Radiance Hair milk which I fell in love with and ultimately led me to purchase a full size bottle.  I loved everything about the product, from the smell ( a tad exotic) to the results (a complete control of my otherwise out of control frizzy hair). When I opened this December box, I had expressed concerned that the company may have changed the formula. I certainly did not recognize the bottle. The scent, though at first appeared to be the same, has been changed too. This one is more of a citrus scent as opposed to the deep nut and shea butter scent of the original. While it did provide good control over my frizz, I did not feel this version of Shea Radiance was as good as the original one I had received. In other words, I was disappointed. I am not sure why the company chose to change a perfectly good product and while I gave it an A+ in my original review back in the days, this one is only receiving a B+. I will not re purchase it as it is not the same.


5. Ocean Elements - Sheer Daily Moisture Spf 30 Moisturizer -   $48 / 3 oz

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"Keep your skin hydrated and protected every day with this gentle, effective marine-based moisturizer with SPF 30 that looks and feels great. Formulated for sensitive skin, Ocean Elements reduces damage from daily sun exposure while nourishing your skin with a host of natural moisturizers, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. The smooth, matte finish is perfect alone or under makeup." (Quoted from Ocean Elements Website)

I do not know what it is with me and SPF moisturizers, I simply do not care for them. I really wanted this one to work since it claims to be mattifying. I did not like the formula, I felt that it was not absorbing well for my combination skin and continued to feel the cream on top of my skin throughout the day. Maybe it is psycho somatic, I am not sure, but really did not care for this. That being said, if you like this type of product, I liked the scent, which is very faint as well as the fact it is loaded with marine elements. I am just not sure how much of these actually get absorbed through your skin in time prior to being washed away at the sink. C+.

6. Mineral Hygienics - Mineral Blush in Promenade Pink - $18/ jar

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"A sheer blush that is also a crowd favorite. A light to medium shade. Promenade Pink is a delicate blush for that can provide the perfect look." (Quoted from Mineral Hygienics website).

Here is another example as to why you cannot judge a book by its cover. I first was very put off by the brand's name. When I think "hygienic", I am thinking intimate hygiene and other cleanliness related products. I surely would not associate the name with makeup. However, I received this full sized product and instantly fell in love with it. The formula, a powder mineral blush, comes in a jar that has a sifter (think BareMinerals as it is very similar). The color, Promenade pink is that perfect pink hue to give your cheeks a baby flush that is not only feminine but goes very well with  fair skin tones. I have been reaching out for this blush every day since receiving it! So now, I am intrigued and want to try other products within the brand, including other blush shades and eye shadows (this one in particular). Forgot to mention, these are Made in the USA! A+.

7. BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) AHA Facial Cleanser -  $11.95 / 8.5 oz

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"AHA Facial Cleanser is a lightly-foaming, soap-free cleanser that removes
dead surface skin cells, daily impurities, and excess oil without over-cleaning
your skin. Natures own alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) gently and
deeply clean and actively clarify your skin without disturbing its natural
balance. Pure premium Oshadi aroma-therapeutic essential oils tone, condition,
and calm-leaving your skin clean, clear, and refreshed." (Quoted from BWC website).

 I like BWC as a brand. I remember receiving a shampoo and conditioner combo from Eco Emi a while back, and thought these were good products. Unfortunately for me, they are not readily available in my area, I think that Whole Food Market is the only store that carries that brand where I live and do not go there often enough for me to make a mental note of purchasing an item from them  or looking at the other ranges. That being said, I was very pleased with this product. My first interest was as to whether it would work well with my Mia 2 cleansing brush, and it did. It does not foam so much that your brush is creating suds all over your face. I felt that it removed my makeup well and did not sting my eyes. The deluxe/travel size I received was also good enough to last me an entire week and therefore plenty time to truly experience the product. It is non drying and smells pleasant enough. It is a good product but I cannot say I would rush to purchase this for my daily routine, it is not the holy grail of face cleansers and I only wish it would come as a cream formula rather than a clear gel, it's just a personal preference of mine. B+.

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So there you have it, an excellent box indeed, it is rare that I provide high ratings for so many items received in one box.I really love my Eco Emi subscription and as mentioned at the beginning of this blog, I am very glad that I stuck with the subscription and did not cancel when the boxes were becoming lame this time last year! Thank you Eco Emi team for yet another great box!

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 Pompton Avenue
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

My Advertisers:



Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!

Ipsy Glam Bag - December 2014 - Full Review

Hi friends,

Ipsy never ceases to amaze me with the selection they send my way every month. For $10 (shipping included) you simply cannot beat this sample subscription. I say it all the time, it is like Christmas, each and every month, opening a new bag and discovering new brands and products I did not even know existed and the December bag was no exception.
You can begin your own subscription by clicking the link provided here. Further, when you are an Ipsy subscriber, you will earn points through reviews, which allow you to customize your monthly bag even further in addition to earning points when other new subscribers get their own bag through your links...points = new products you can redeem for free on the Ipsy site. It truly is a great program.

Here is the bag I received for December 2014:

Ipsy Glam Bag - December 2014

It was loaded with a wide selection of hair, face and makeup samples, so let's dive right into the review, which I keep as objective as possible.

You may want to check out the opening box video first:

 


1. Pixi - Fairy Dust by Petra - $10

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"Elevate & transform your eye in a few fairy seconds with this glimmering dust. Loose pigments add a lit-up high shine finish to lids, reminding you what wishes are truly made of!" (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

This is a negative - I am sorry, this stuff sucks. And it seems that, so far, no Pixi product has been able to win me over. 
For start, I absolutely hate the packaging. It comes as a wand in a tube type powder which I find to be incredibly wasteful both with regards to the powder that falls all over the place as well as the powder left in the container which you will never be able to reach with the wand, ever! I am not sure what Pixi is thinking with regards to their packaging but seriously, someone needs to get re-assigned to a different department.
Then there is the color. This is supposed to be an eye brightener and sparkle mac-thingy. First, there is no sparkle, I am not sure how you can call something "Pixie Dust" and have not a hint of glitter in it. Second, this is not brightening at all, in fact, and on my fair skin, it gave me the look of tired, depressed and just plain beat up by life in general look. The color I received is called Bare - Medium Beige. It is a terrible muddy yellow color that dreams to be a beige. It is not. Terrible product. It's making it to the Hall of Shame by my book. F. 


2. NYX Butter - Lip Balm - $4

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"Dip your lips in a sheer wash of color with NYX Butter Lip Balm. One swipe leaves dry lips feeling supple and hydrated." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

 Completely fell in love with this lip balm! The formula is wonderful, not too waxy, glides on nice, it is moisturizing without being gooey, smells great ( a mix of vanilla and honey). The color I received (Parfait) is a beautiful fuchsia with a blue undertone which is sure to correct the look of yellow teeth. It is very similar to the CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies in Selfie . It also has good color pay off for a tinted lip balm and stays on for a while. Maybe three applications per day at best. Love it and super cheap. I am recommending this product if you are in the market for a tinted lip balm. A+.
Here are the other available colors:

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 3. Tarte - Light - Camera - Lashes Masacara - $20

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"Like a pushup bra for your lashes, tarte’s best-selling mascara lengthens, curls, volumizes and conditions to deliver a 330% increase in lash volume instantly. The high-performance formula is also infused with naturally-derived olive esters to help nourish and protect lashes." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

I am still working with this mascara, overall I think I like it. It is a bit too wet for me as far as the formula is concerned so I need to take my time when applying it otherwise the stuff gets all over my eyelids. That being said, I like the brush, it is made of natural bristles, a classic brush ALL companies should stick with (seriously, enough with the plastic gimmicks already!). This one is jet black. You can also purchase a Fiber wand for an additional $19 to give you the look of false lashes. Personally, this one does the job at extending my lashes, though it is a bit thick. So in all fairness, I would say it is  a good mascara but nothing extraordinary. B.

4. Bumble & Bumble - B Straigth - Blow Dry Cream -  $30

"Make short work of smoothing and frizz-fighting rituals with this heat-protective styling balm that keeps blow dries soft and sleek for up to 3 days. To create your perfect style, work evenly through damp hair then blow-dry with your favorite Bb.Brush. Start small (try a dime-sized amount) then build as necessary."(Quoted from Ipsy Website).

So, let's talk about my hair. It's curly, frizzy, totally unreasonable and unmanageable. I can straighten it with a blow dryer, or a flat iron and maybe it will stay straight for 48 hours, and that is in optimal - as in no humidity - conditions. This is a pomade, gel-like formula you add to your hair prior to blow drying. I liked the scent, I thought it did an okay job but if you put too much in one area, and you have thick hair, the stuff makes it hard to comb through. My hair also lost some of its bounce as a result of using this product, perhaps because I used to much. Otherwise, it is okay when in a pinch. Unfortunately for me, I fuss with my hair way too much and could not stand having the stuff in it so I washed my hair again on day 2 - meaning that I cannot vouch for the 2-3 day straight claim. I have used better products in the past. B.


5. Nourish Organic - Avocado Eye Cream -  $30

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"Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream provides rich hydration to the delicate skin around the eyes. This powerful product will leave your eyes looking brighter, smoother and younger looking." (Quoted from Ipsy Website)

I was very excited about receiving this product sample since I am such an eye cream junkie. Unfortunately, this formula did not work out for me. I found it to be too fluid and difficult to work through. The stuff literally stayed on top of my eyes and would not penetrate/absorb unless I went over it again and again with my fingers. To be honest, it ruined the experience for me, you are supposed to protect this area of your skin by gently patting down the cream and avoiding stretching the skin and therefore creating more wrinkles. This did the opposite for me. It is however, a good emollient. So if you are brand new at using eye cream, maybe you want to give it a try, but if you are like me, in your mid 40s and over, know that this cream, while moisturizing and nourishing, is not well formulated for sensitive and delicate skin. I am currently using it as a hand cream in the evening, since it was such a big size sample. C+.

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So, this was my complete review for the latest Ipsy Glam Bag (December 2014)  I received.Was it a good bag? Absolutely!

Regardless of how I feel about the products I receive, I am always interested and most often excited to try new ones. It really was too bad the eye cream did not work for me, but it is still a good cream.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and watching my YouTube videos! Share the love!

Sophia, NJ


Connect with me:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Want to send me a product for review? Have a product request?

Mailing address:

My Great Challenge
PO Box 402
519 POMPTON AVE
CEDAR GROVE, NJ 07009-9998



This blog contains affiliate advertising, this is how I support my blog and YouTube Channel.  I was not solicited to advertise for the products mentioned above, all opinions are my own. 

My Advertisers:



Too Faced - New Chocolate Bar (#2) is here!