Glitz, Glam, and good Customer Service

This month ipsy's glamming it up and, for the most part, I like it.

For those of you who don't know, ipsy is a neat little subscription service that provides makeup, etc. (mostly deluxe-sample or full-size), with a bonus cosmetics bag, for $10/month. Each month's bag has a different theme; and as you can see, this month's ipsy theme is Glam It Up.

In addition to a host of products to get you make up ready for the holidays, ipsy also included the code ipsy30 for use at checkout to get 30% off at emcosmetics.com/ipsy. I probably won't use the code, but I'm happy that they included a product from Michelle Phan's em cosmetics line in this month's bag so I can get to try out one of her highly anticipated items. 

I'm not too keen on this month's cosmetics bag. It looks pretty enough - a glitzy gold - but definitely has a cheap feel. The products, however, I really like.

Everyone received 6 items, instead of 5, this month due to the included full-size em product. There were a few different em products that could have been received, ranging from lip gloss and color to mascara. I kind of wish I had received a lip color, but I'm good with the mascara I got. I received the em Lash Gallery Clean Volume Mascara in black. I'm becoming overly saturated with mascaras, so this one will remain in reserve for now. It's nice to have choices though.

I also received a Starlooks Gem Pencil in Amethyst, a Nailtini nail polish in the color Champagne, a small sample of GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment, a Pixi Beauty Bronzer in the shade Summertime, and a Lip Crayon from Be a Bombshell (in Shameless).

As you'd expect, the amethyst eye pencil is a nice, sparkly silvery purple. I love it, but as I don't wear eyeliner that much, I'll probably gift it to my sisters. It's perfect for festive holiday party looks, so I know they'll love it. The Nailtini polish is nice. I'm glad that I received Champagne (a more neutral color) instead of the gunmetal grey option. Both are pretty, but I can work with the rosey copper color I received a bit more. This is my first Nailtini polish, and I really like it. The wider, flatter, brush allowed for easy application and, while I needed to apply two coats to achieve a nicer look, the end result was smooth (no streaks). Nailtini seems to be one of ipsy's go to companies, so I hope to get more polishes from this company in future bags.

The ipsy site describes the GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment as a "10-minute professional 'facial in a jar'". I've never heard of this brand, and the word Tinglexfoliate has me a bit uneasy :). Still, I might try this out one day. The Pixi bronzer will likely be used as eyeshadow instead of bronzer, but I'm happy to receive it.

My instant favorite this month is the lip crayon. This is my first lip crayon, and I'm liking it :). I love the color, a mauve with a hint of sparkle; and the crayon shape allowed for quick, easy, and precise application. Nice.

So, what's up with the customer service title? My first bag this month arrived open, and I mean every single product was open and looked used. It was a makeup horror show in that pink mailer. I emailed ipsy, and they replied saying that a new bag would be sent immediately. They were able to send me all the same items (except the Gem Pencil - originally, I had received the Topaz (bluish-silver) color, instead of Amethyst) which is awesome. I already have a silver Gem Pencil from a past Starlooks box, so I'm happy that I ended up with a purple one. Customer service at its finest.

What do you other ipsters out there think of your bags; and what do you think December's theme will be?

Later gators,
M

I got my 1st ipsy bag, and it's a good one :)

"Glamour Academy" is the theme of the August ipsy bag; and that leads to a lovely, Harry Potter/Hogwarts-esque, purple cosmetics bag holding this month's goodies. 

The view inside that distinct pink ipsy mailer.

Unlike some other monthly subscription companies, the included card did not provide detailed descriptions of the products. Rather, the back of the card lists product discount info.

The bag.

I love this bag. Purple is my favorite color, and the pattern is fun and stylish at the same time. I'm glad I got off the waitlist in time to get this one.

I received the Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in the color Anarchy. It's a very small sample, but it is incredibly pigmented and has a wonderful texture. It's far too pink for my everyday wear, but I'll find some occasion for it.

Next up, are the Michael Todd True Organics Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub and the Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream. The facial scrub I've been using just finished, so I was excited to see that I received this one (in a generous 1 fl. oz sample size, I might add) instead of the pumpkin face mask option others received. I've never tried a BB Cream; but I've heard positive things about Pacifica products, and I'm sure I'll try this somewhere down the line.

Lastly, I received a sample of the Lash Booster Mascara from Pixi, in No. 2 Blackest Black, and a full-size NYX Mosaic Powder in the color Dare. I've never used any products from Pixi, so we'll see how this mascara works out. I like the color of the mosaic powder that I received, and have been consistently impressed NYX products so I was happy to see this in my bag.

Overall, I am very impressed with this bag! The cosmetics bag itself is gorgeous, and contained a nice mix of products that are more than worth the $10. I'm excited to see what next month's pink mailer brings :)

If you're interested in trying ipsy out for yourself, I'd appreciate it if you used my referral link. Click here :)

Later gators,
M