Review: Ipsy 2014-05
May. 24th, 2014 10:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mikoThis month Ipsy was definitely more skin-care heavy than usual... not my thing, so unsurprisingly this bag wasn't really a hit for me. That said, within the scope of what could have been picked for me, the choices weren't awful. I'm just not really all that interested in "add this to your routine!" type products, because I'm never going to do that.
Here's what I got this month:
The best thing about this month is the bag: It's a great little canvas bag with a sew-wide base (T said this was squaring corners? I don't know terms, I feel like home ec wasn't that effective for me). It's already in use as my new camera accessories bag. The Ipsy + leaf print is on the front and the back is blank.
Pacifica - Eyeshadow in "Duo #1 (Celestial & Opal)" (2.0 g, $4)
Everyone received either this palette or Duo #2, which was purple & light. The colours I got were frankly invisible on me, so that's why there are no pictures... but unlike the last time, where the shadow was pigmented but just the same as my skin colour, this time it was just a bad eyeshadow. I don't know what else to say. The lighter coloured one that looks peach in pan actually has a neat purple sheen when caught just right, but it was extremely subtle - and honestly, amused me in the "hey, oil slick eyes" sense rather than looking good.
The shiny brown colour was simple invisible. I thought the shine might shine up, but nope.
The ingredients on this lean towards foofy "natural" things (ginseng, kelp, what?), which I presume is how they manage to sell it to anyone at all.
Jersey Shore - Sans Tan Pure White Mineral Sunscreen (0.5 oz, $10)
This is a tiiiiiny sample for sunscreen... which is probably for the best, because if I'd mistakenly put this all over myself I'd have been horrified. As a physical blocker, I bet it works okay, but damn does it turn you white. Like, chalky-undead-white. I put it on the back of my left hand as a tester and it was the creepiest thing.
Again, reading the site on this one, the only thing I can think is that it's marketed for people who live in deep fear of chemicals. If I use this up, it will probably be on my feet and it probably won't be the effective anyway because SPF 35 is pretty low.
Everyone got a sun screen this month, so shrugs on that. The other one was probably better, but I assume that was pretty well luck of the draw (unless they gave the higher SPF one to whiter people? That's the only way I could see to pick).
Alternate:
Hang Ten Classic Body SPF 50 sunscreen.
Hey Honey - Take it Off exfoliating honey peel off mask (10 mL, $7)
I'm not going to lie - I was sort of pleased to get this one. Despite not finding exfoliators useful, I kinda wanted to try a mask and a honey-based one sounded alright. In the end, not so much, but I don't begrudge Ipsy the choice (also, I don't think I reviewed the last exfoliator soon enough for them to know I wasn't for them).
The product is a clear liquid that smells a bit of honey & flowers. I didn't mind the smell, even with it sitting on my face for 15 minutes. It was gloopy to apply, as you would expect, and did tighten a little as it dried (but not uncomfortably). I suspect I didn't apply it thickly enough, though, because it was darn difficult to remove. Some sections peeled off (like removing school glue from yourself... disgusting, in my opinion, but that's what these masks can be), but most I sort of rubbed at and then eventually gave up and just washed it off.
Because of the peel-fail, I don't think it worked particularly well as an exfoliator other than the parts where I rubbed my skin off trying to remove it. I didn't notice any effects, ill or otherwise, although I did have a small breakout on my jaw that *could* have been related - just bumps that disappeared before the next day, but I was touching my face more wondering if it felt different, so I'm unsure.
I'll probably use it up in a way thicker coat, then never think on it again.
Of the alternate choices, only the Revlon lip crayon would have been of particular use to me. Nail polish as a second option. But again, I was amused by the mask up front, so good on 'em.
Alternates:
Nailtini - Straight up Color Nail Laquer in "Frappe" "Champagne" "Bloody Mary" "Caviar Cocktail" or "Adios"
Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
Olive Natural Beauty - The Olive Lip Balm
Calvin Klein - Endless Euphoria
Boo Boo - Cover-Up
Revlon - Colorburst - Matte Balm in "Elusive"
Lulu Blossom - Dreamsicle Body Balm
Eva NYC - Therapy Session Hair Mask (60 mL, $12)
Pretty much all the options here were hair products, and this one was the most likely for me, so... eh. It's a nice big sample, which is pleasant, and it works fine. I've used it both as conditioner and as a 5 minute mask. Not notable as a conditioner (it worked, but the smell is a bit strong).
As a mask, it did successfully make it look like I hadn't just used my most hard-core oil-stripping shampoo. I came out of that bath with hair that looked the same as after a normal shower (using my less-extreme shampoo and conditioner), which is unusual. I intend to use it for this purpose exclusively, but since I don't do baths much in the summer, I expect this sample will be around for quite a while.
Alternates:
Eva NYC - Mane Tamer Leave In Cream
Eva NYC - Rock-A-Wave Curl Cream
pūr~lisse - pur~moist or pur~protect spf 30
Balanced Guru - No Frizz
Derma E - Microdermabrasion Scrub (28 g, $15)
This was the only choice that I thought was disappointing. I got another microdermabrasion product last month, and this one is nearly identical... I like last month's somewhat more because it required less product to be effective, and isn't in a tub that I have to stick my fingers in.
This one also smells lemony, but has slightly larger granules (not as big as a sugar scrub, but not nearly as fine as the dr. brandt one from last month). I continue to see no value in exfoliating, so this is a slow-use or discard product for me. I'd have much preferred to get one of the makeup brush options from the alternatives, since I could actually use those. But not the spray bottle of spring water (seriously), because what.
Alternates:
Bare Foot Spa Professional - Exfoliating Polish
Avène - Thermal Spring Water
Coastal Scents - Classic Blender Crease Natural
Crown Brush - Chisel Shader
Crown Brush - Pro Blending Fluff Brush
LA Fresh - Travel Lite® Facial Cleansing Wipes
SWISSCO - Electroplated Lash Curler
Mee Beauty - Bee Nourished Night Cream
Overall, not a great bag. I hope to see some actually pigmented makeup in the next bag, and no more exfoliators. But thumbs up on the bag itself, super cute and useful.
Date received: 2014-05-12
Cost: $14.95 + conversion
Value: $48
Here's what I got this month:
The best thing about this month is the bag: It's a great little canvas bag with a sew-wide base (T said this was squaring corners? I don't know terms, I feel like home ec wasn't that effective for me). It's already in use as my new camera accessories bag. The Ipsy + leaf print is on the front and the back is blank.
Pacifica - Eyeshadow in "Duo #1 (Celestial & Opal)" (2.0 g, $4)
Everyone received either this palette or Duo #2, which was purple & light. The colours I got were frankly invisible on me, so that's why there are no pictures... but unlike the last time, where the shadow was pigmented but just the same as my skin colour, this time it was just a bad eyeshadow. I don't know what else to say. The lighter coloured one that looks peach in pan actually has a neat purple sheen when caught just right, but it was extremely subtle - and honestly, amused me in the "hey, oil slick eyes" sense rather than looking good.
The shiny brown colour was simple invisible. I thought the shine might shine up, but nope.
The ingredients on this lean towards foofy "natural" things (ginseng, kelp, what?), which I presume is how they manage to sell it to anyone at all.
Jersey Shore - Sans Tan Pure White Mineral Sunscreen (0.5 oz, $10)
This is a tiiiiiny sample for sunscreen... which is probably for the best, because if I'd mistakenly put this all over myself I'd have been horrified. As a physical blocker, I bet it works okay, but damn does it turn you white. Like, chalky-undead-white. I put it on the back of my left hand as a tester and it was the creepiest thing.
Again, reading the site on this one, the only thing I can think is that it's marketed for people who live in deep fear of chemicals. If I use this up, it will probably be on my feet and it probably won't be the effective anyway because SPF 35 is pretty low.
Everyone got a sun screen this month, so shrugs on that. The other one was probably better, but I assume that was pretty well luck of the draw (unless they gave the higher SPF one to whiter people? That's the only way I could see to pick).
Alternate:
Hang Ten Classic Body SPF 50 sunscreen.
Hey Honey - Take it Off exfoliating honey peel off mask (10 mL, $7)
I'm not going to lie - I was sort of pleased to get this one. Despite not finding exfoliators useful, I kinda wanted to try a mask and a honey-based one sounded alright. In the end, not so much, but I don't begrudge Ipsy the choice (also, I don't think I reviewed the last exfoliator soon enough for them to know I wasn't for them).
The product is a clear liquid that smells a bit of honey & flowers. I didn't mind the smell, even with it sitting on my face for 15 minutes. It was gloopy to apply, as you would expect, and did tighten a little as it dried (but not uncomfortably). I suspect I didn't apply it thickly enough, though, because it was darn difficult to remove. Some sections peeled off (like removing school glue from yourself... disgusting, in my opinion, but that's what these masks can be), but most I sort of rubbed at and then eventually gave up and just washed it off.
Because of the peel-fail, I don't think it worked particularly well as an exfoliator other than the parts where I rubbed my skin off trying to remove it. I didn't notice any effects, ill or otherwise, although I did have a small breakout on my jaw that *could* have been related - just bumps that disappeared before the next day, but I was touching my face more wondering if it felt different, so I'm unsure.
I'll probably use it up in a way thicker coat, then never think on it again.
Of the alternate choices, only the Revlon lip crayon would have been of particular use to me. Nail polish as a second option. But again, I was amused by the mask up front, so good on 'em.
Alternates:
Nailtini - Straight up Color Nail Laquer in "Frappe" "Champagne" "Bloody Mary" "Caviar Cocktail" or "Adios"
Too Faced - Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
Olive Natural Beauty - The Olive Lip Balm
Calvin Klein - Endless Euphoria
Boo Boo - Cover-Up
Revlon - Colorburst - Matte Balm in "Elusive"
Lulu Blossom - Dreamsicle Body Balm
Eva NYC - Therapy Session Hair Mask (60 mL, $12)
Pretty much all the options here were hair products, and this one was the most likely for me, so... eh. It's a nice big sample, which is pleasant, and it works fine. I've used it both as conditioner and as a 5 minute mask. Not notable as a conditioner (it worked, but the smell is a bit strong).
As a mask, it did successfully make it look like I hadn't just used my most hard-core oil-stripping shampoo. I came out of that bath with hair that looked the same as after a normal shower (using my less-extreme shampoo and conditioner), which is unusual. I intend to use it for this purpose exclusively, but since I don't do baths much in the summer, I expect this sample will be around for quite a while.
Alternates:
Eva NYC - Mane Tamer Leave In Cream
Eva NYC - Rock-A-Wave Curl Cream
pūr~lisse - pur~moist or pur~protect spf 30
Balanced Guru - No Frizz
Derma E - Microdermabrasion Scrub (28 g, $15)
This was the only choice that I thought was disappointing. I got another microdermabrasion product last month, and this one is nearly identical... I like last month's somewhat more because it required less product to be effective, and isn't in a tub that I have to stick my fingers in.
This one also smells lemony, but has slightly larger granules (not as big as a sugar scrub, but not nearly as fine as the dr. brandt one from last month). I continue to see no value in exfoliating, so this is a slow-use or discard product for me. I'd have much preferred to get one of the makeup brush options from the alternatives, since I could actually use those. But not the spray bottle of spring water (seriously), because what.
Alternates:
Bare Foot Spa Professional - Exfoliating Polish
Avène - Thermal Spring Water
Coastal Scents - Classic Blender Crease Natural
Crown Brush - Chisel Shader
Crown Brush - Pro Blending Fluff Brush
LA Fresh - Travel Lite® Facial Cleansing Wipes
SWISSCO - Electroplated Lash Curler
Mee Beauty - Bee Nourished Night Cream
Overall, not a great bag. I hope to see some actually pigmented makeup in the next bag, and no more exfoliators. But thumbs up on the bag itself, super cute and useful.
Date received: 2014-05-12
Cost: $14.95 + conversion
Value: $48