Ipsy Glambag - April 2016

Shame, shame on me for falling behind! Here's the April Ipsy Glambag...

Moroccanoil Treatment - little too heavy on my hair, even after the pool.

Trust Fund Beauty's That Glo Tho Face Highlighter - I'm not a fan of the sticks, whether its blush or concealer but this highlighter is beautiful. And you can make it buildable as well.

REN Skincare's Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream - my face actually felt calmer!

Tarte's LipSurgence™ lip crème in Wonder - not in my usual color palette but Tarte is a winner.

L.A.B.²'s Live and Breathe Beauty

Just Blending In Brush - good affordable brush!

Ipsy's Glam Bag - March 2016

I know I've been lagging lately. I've been so stressed dealing with my own medical issues - that I haven't touched my blog. Well, I'm back to being focused and I have March, April and May to review on the Ipsy bags.

First up....

Marc Anthony's Argan Oil of Moraco 
I didn't have high hopes for this Keratin hair serum. I applied it to my hair after washing, blew it dry and flat ironed it. You can tell when the product is on: its heavy and thick to feel. They claim that it will hold your hair up for 3 days, curly or straight. My hair is naturally curly and a hot mess to boot so I was skeptical it could work. HOT DAMN, it worked wonderfully! My hair while I sleep or workout gets crimps in it without fail. Only with this product it stayed beautifully straight. I'm going to get this product in the regular size. WINNER!
Retails $8.99 at Ulta

Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum
The tag line reads, "Replenish, smooth and soften" - I didn't notice any smoothing but there isn't too much to smooth at the age of 30. However, it did leave my skin feeling extremely soft.
Retails at $36 for 1 oz at Sephora

Model Co Lip Laquer in Socialite 
Always one to welcome new brands into my life, however not a fan of this lip gloss. Not a fan of this deep coral, but I did notice on their website this item is now on clearance.
Full size retails at $24

It Cosmetics' Bye Bye Under Eye
I can never find the perfect dark circle product to minimize my under eye. This product isn't it either. Maybe its because I dont have HUGE dark circles but this item doesn't doing anything my Urban Decay or Makeup Forever doesn't. Pass.
Retails for $24 for 0.28 oz

Ofra Eyeliner in Green Go
Glides pretty smoothly for a standard pencil liner.
Retails for $13

Epic Fail Series: NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Havana & Moscow

I'm bringing this series back from the DEAD! 

I have a few pinks and deep reds in the matte creams and they are nothing short of fantastic. When I passed theses at Ulta I knew they were a MUST.

 Major fail!!!! Both give horrible coverage and require a lip liner, and even then I wasn't happy with outcome. (see photos below). Sorry NYX, I basically love everything you put out but not this time...

Peony Shadow Trio - Swatch and FOTD

Peony's shadow trio is one of the things I got in the monthly bags from Ipsy. Below are my swatches and just a basic wearable for work or cocktails with friends. I call it a winner! Not  much else to say cause I'm about to rush out the door...

NOTD: Morgan Taylor in Best Ball Gown Ever

So, I've had this Cinderella line since last year and I ADORE it.  This color was very difficult to photograph in the light. Tricky, tricky...but I think you can gather just how beautiful the colors are.

Brand: Morgan Taylor 

Name: Best Ball Gown Ever 

Collection: Cinderella

Color: frosted blue with metalic tints

Texture: cream and shimmer

Coats: 3 

Retail $: $8 

Rating: A 

RetroUrbanRainbow says....love Cinderella? you'll need this to pair up!

Ipsy February's Bag 2016 Review

So I've done Ipsy for 6 months now. If your not familiar with Ipsy then your probably not into beauty products or you live in a cave. Ipsy is this fantastic program where you answer a questionnaire on your skin and hair, and get matched small sized products sent to you once a month. For $10 a month you get your own "Glam Bag" matched to you beauty preferences, free shipping and each month has a different bag (which is great to use as a clutch) that has 5 products in it. They aren't full size products, but they aren't trial sized either.  Some products I've gotten are eyeliners, primer, makeup brushes, lipstick, moisturizer and hair care. Very rarely is there an item that I don't like. I have even gotten my friends and family to sign up!

If you interested in signing up, use this link below!

Join Ipsy!

Perfect Formula's Pink Gel Coat

Pros: dries quickly and big brush tip for coverage

Cons: didn't notice any nail strengthening or brightening. also makes nail polish gummy

Smashbox's Studio Finish Primer Oil

Pros: spreads thoroughly, leaves skin soft and luminous

Cons: mini bottle has big opening and can spill fast if your not careful

Jersey Shore Spa's Anti Aging Lip and Hand Polish

Pros: leaves hands and lips soooo soft!

Cons: the vanilla scent is sickly sweet

Carrot and Rose's Hydrating Cream

Pros: Vegan/GMO free, works on face - leaving it soft with my dry skin

Cons: none

Naked Cosmetics' Mica Pigment in Sierra Nevada

Pros: deep in color 

Cons: none, Naked is one of my favorite companies!

Feb 2016 bag 

back of the bag

without gel coat

with gel coat