Ipsy (My Glam) Review- April 2014

I know I am very late to the April Ipsy party, and I am SO SO sorry, y'all.  All I can say is that my non-internet life is very, very busy right now, and we have been working on a "family project" for the last four weeks or so, and although the end isn't quite in sight yet, we are working very hard to get there.  No, I'm not pregnant, my husband is still employed, and all of us are generally healthy.  Please don't worry about us, but know that I have been spending ALL of my "offline" time working on something that will be really awesome when it is done, and that it means a pretty large change for my family :)

Ok, enough with the apologies.  On to the good stuff!

Not familiar with Ipsy?  Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service, and for $10 a month (plus tax is a couple states, $14.95 in Canada) they send out 4-5 full sized items or deluxe samples in a cute makeup bag.  If you would like to subscribe, and want to send some love my way, here is my referral link- thank you!

 

The Pink Envelope

Seriously, this is the best mail that I receive on a regular basis- seeing this pink envelope in my post box always makes me smile- I love knowing that something special is inside, just for me!

First Peek

Here is a quick look inside the pink envelope of goodness- I spy a purple bag!

Insert Card

Ipsy always includes lovely insert cards in our bags each month.  As always, the theme of the bag is announced on them- April's theme is "Beauty Rocks".  Yes, Ipsy, I think that beauty rocks, too!

Reverse

The back of the card announces a contest on Instagram, and lists all of the brands that will be featured in the bags this month.  I spy some great brands, and I hope I get to try out the brands that I'm lusting over!

The Bag

This month's them is Beauty Rocks, and the bag was designed to compliment that theme.  While I love the purple and the record player design, and the size; I'm still not crazy about this bag.  I think it's just okay.

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse, travel size (1.6 oz/47 g), retails for $6.00; full size is 10.6 oz/300 g, and retails for $17.95, available HERE (full size) or HERE (travel size).  Receive a 25% off code when you text the keyword IPSTER to 33233 and provide an email to use on purchases, at sexyhair.com, until 5/31/14, not valid at retail locations, or other websites, limit one per customer, not valid on prior purchases, only one promo code per purchase, valid only in US.

The first item in my bag this month is Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse.  I just love the Big Sexy brand, and tend to really love their products.  This spray mousse is no exception- it definitely did a nice job or giving my hair more volume.  I love me some Big Sexy Hair!

Grade: 4/5

 

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Pencil in Black Velvet, deluxe sample size (0.8 g/0.03 oz), retail value $13.33; full size is 1.2 g/0.04 oz. and retails for $20.00; available HERE.  Discount code UDIPSY will get you a free gift on any purchase of $35 or more, until 4/18/14, while supplies last, free gift is a deluxe sample of B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Prep Spray, cannot be combined with other offers, not valid on past purchases, one time use only.

It's no secret that Urban Decay is my favorite makeup brand.  Seriously, I use at least one UD product, every day, and my makeup kit is chock full of their awesomely logo'd products.  I was very excited to try out their new Black Velvet eyeliners, and was thrilled to hear that everyone would receive one in their April bags!

Swatch of Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Pencil in Black Velvet

I gave this pencil a try, and found it to be a nice, quality black eyeliner. It applied very smoothly, was smudgeable for a short time, and was very long lasting.  I don't really see a difference between this and the quality of my other 24/7 eye pencils, but it's definitely a keeper, even if I do already own a mountain of black eye pencils.

Grade: 4.5/5

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm, in Apple Pink, full size (according to Ipsy’s page, no info on packaging) (0.14 oz/4.0 g), retails for $19.00; available HERE.  Discount code IPSYGIFT will get you 20% off any purchase, and a free gift, until 5/31/14, valid only in the US and Canada, can’t be combined with other offers.

Ipsy has sent out Cailyn items several times, but has never thought that I would like to try them.  Oh, how wrong Ipsy has been, and I can't tell you how happy I am to FINALLY receive a Cailyn item in my April bag!  I love the design of this lip balm!

Cailyn Lip balm packaging

Each balm comes packed with its own little brush, tucked inside the handle of the lid.  

Swatch of Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink

Ipsy sent this balm out in two shades this month: Apple Pink and Acid Pink.  Apple Pink is definitely the more "wearable" shade, and looks lovely on my lips.  I love the shade, but I found the formula to be a bit drying.  I wouldn't call this a lip balm as much as I would call it a lip tint, personally.  I do love the shade and it was very long lasting, and am SO happy to FINALLY add something from Cailyn to my collection!
Grade: 3/5

dr. brandt Microdermabrasion, deluxe sample size (7.5 g), retail value $9.75; full size is 2 oz/60 g and retails for $78.00; available HERE.  Discount code MICRO20 will get you 20% off the full size microdermabrasion and a free gift on the first 10,000 purchases, until 9/31/14, free gift is a travel size pores no more refiner and is automatically added to the cart with code while supplies last, one per customer, not valid with any other offer.

Microdermabrasion is a treatment that I do very rarely- I have very sensitive skin, and prefer to use a scrub wash, as apposed to microdermabrasion.  Microdermabrasion uses miniscule granules in a base to remove a fine layer of skin from your face, giving your skin a soft and fresh appearance.  For you, my readers, I gave dr. brandt a try, and found it to be about the same as every other microderm product that I have ever used.  I will say, that my tube, while sealed, didn't seem to be all the way filled.  I think I will get about three uses out of my little tube.

Grade: 3/5 

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne, full size (0.07 oz/2 g), retails for $12.99, available HERE.  Discount code IPSYPOP will get you 50% off any purchase, until 6/1/14, free shipping on US orders over $30, valid in US only.

Elizabeth Mott has recently launched this eye shadow line, and I am excited to give it a try!  Pop! Goes the Shadow are packaged in clear plastic, with a pan inside.  My pan sits a bit crooked in the packaging, but still works just the same as if it were in its packaging perfectly straight.

Swatch of Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne, by Elizabeth Mott

Champagne is a very lovely highlighting shade.  I really love this shadow, as I have been looking for a new go-to highlighter.  I'll be adding this shade to my regular rotation.

Grade: 4/5

That's all of the items that *I* received this month; here's a list of other items that Ipsy sent out,  that you may have received, even though I didn't get them:

 KISS Looks So Natural Lashes in Flirty, full size (lashes plus adhesive), retails for $3.99, available HERE.  Discount code IPSY1 will get you 25% off KISS or iEnvy lashes until 5/15/14, not valid on stock prices or clearance items, cannot be combined with other offers, valid in the US only.

Benefit Lollitint, deluxe sample size/travel size (2.5 ml/0.08 Fl oz), retails for $8.00, full size is 12.5 ml/ 0.42 fl oz and retails for $30.0; available HERE (full size) or HERE.  Discount code APRILGLAM will get you a free sample of High Beam with a minimum $30 order, until 5/15/14 or while supplies last, cannot combine with other offers except for standard shipping, not valid on purchase of Nice Package custom kits, not valid at boutiques, brow bars, counters or other websites.

 Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment, 15 ml/0.5 oz, retail value $19.00; full size is 30 ml/1.0 fl oz and retails for $38.00, available HERE.  Discount code IPSY20 will get you 20% off any purchase of $50 or more, until 6/30/14, valid only in the continental US, free shipping plus two free samples with every $50 order.

Rainbow Honey nail polish in Midnight Fountain, 5 ml (deluxe sample size), retail value $3.13; full size is 16 ml and retails for $10.00, available HERE.  Discount code IPSY25 will get you 25% off your order until 5/31/14, cannot be combined with other offers, valid only in the US and Canada. 

City Color White Gold Shadow & Highlighting Mousse, 0.092 oz/2.6 g (full size), retails for $3.99, available HERE.  Discount code14IPSY20WG will get you 20% off any purchase, until 6/15/14, one time use only, can't be combined with other offers, valid only in the US and Canada. 

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow brush, full size, retails for $2.49, available HERE.  Discount code BRUSH25OFF will get you 25% off your purchase, until 5/31/14, can't be applied to past or future orders, or combined with other offers.

Demeter Jasmine Roll-On Perfume Oil, full size (0.29 fl oz/8.8 ml) retails for $10.00, available HERE.  Discount code 20ipsydfl will get you 20% off any purchase, until 5/31/14, one time use only, only valid in continental US and Canada.

 Mary Kay at Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare or Berry Me, full size (0.32 fl oz/9.5 ml) retails for $10.00, available HERE. No discount code this time, maybe next time!      

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face, deluxe sample size (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) retail value $10.50; full size is 50 ml/1.6 fl oz and retails for $35.00 at Sephora (couldn’t find this exact product at St. Tropez’s site- possibly it’s sold out?), available HERE.   Discount code GLOW25 will get you 25% off any purchase, until 7/5/14, valid only in the US.

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in Naked, full size (0.2 oz), retails for $14.00 , available HERE.  Discount code IPSY20 will get you 20% off any purchase until 5/31/14, unlimited uses, valid worldwide.

Just a Tease So Seductive Lashes, full size, retails for $3.99; available HERE.  Discount code IPSY20 will get you 20% off any purchase until 5/25/14, $2.50 flat rate shipping on all orders or free shipping on orders $25 or over, shipping available worldwide.

Here is everything that I received in my April Ipsy Bag:

Ipsy Glam Bag, April 2014

And here is my unbagging video from April, featuring my beautiful daughter :)

Here's the part of my post where I break down this month's Ipsy bag, financially speaking.  I'll recap all of the items with their estimated retail value, to make it a little easier for you to figure out what the value of your bag is:

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Pencil in Black Velvet, deluxe sample size, $13.33

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm, in Apple Pink or Acid Pink, full size, $19.00

Mary Kay at Play Jelly Lip Gloss in Teddy Bare or Berry Me, full size, $10.00

Starlooks Luscious Longwear Lip Pencil in Naked, full size, $14.00

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne, full size, $12.99

City Color White Gold Shadow and Highlight Mousse, full size, $3.99

Rainbow Honey Nail Polish in Midnight Fountain, deluxe sample size, $3.13

dr, brandt Microdermabrasion, deluxe sample size, $9.75

Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment, deluxe sample size, $19.00

Benefit Lollitint, deluxe sample size/travel size, $8.00 (value calculated from full size version is $6.00)

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Plus Anti-Aging Multi-Action Face, deluxe sample size, $10.50

Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse, travel size, $6.00

Coastal Scents Classic Medium Shadow Natural Brush, full size, $2.49

Demeter Jasmine Roll-On Perfume Oil, full size, $10.00

KISS Looks So Natural Lashes in either Shy, Pretty, Flirty, Sultry or Vamp, full size (lashes plus adhesive), $3.99

Just a Tease So Seductive Lashes, full size, retails for $3.99

Total retail value of MY bag: $61.07- this is definitely a higher valued bag, and I'm so happy with pretty much everything that I received this month.  To me, value isn't so much about dollars, as it is about whether or not I like an item, or already own it.  I'm very happy with this month's Ipsy bag, and can't wait to see what next month brings!

Tell me- what did YOU receive in your April Ipsy bag?

Until next time, my lovelies- stay Average!

Disclaimer: I purchased these items with my own money my husband's money.  I was neither requested nor required to review these items, and all links in this post are NOT referral links, except the Ipsy link.  I totally want the referral points.  I strive for honesty.