September Ipsy Glam Bag 2013

This is my favorite Ipsy glam bag design yet!  A beautiful blue with a black scattered lacy overlay.  Ipsy is engraved in the oval zipper tab.  I'm a sucker for lace.  I am literally lace poor.  I purchase everything I come across that has it.  I have more lace dresses hanging in my closet than is healthy.  Someone sign me up for lace addicts anonymous stat.  

As Ipsy is branching out and diversifying their brands included each month, Ipsyers (do I call us Ipsyers?  Ipsters?  Ipsyions? Glam Baggers?) are getting all kinds of different combos.  I was super psyched when I heard that some bags would be getting Butter London minis.  I thought I would be a shoe in since my Ipsy quiz is totally tailored to nail polish and I always post my nails on the Ipsy social site.  To say I was sad when I found out I wasn't receiving one would be an understatement.  At the same time I understand that every month some people will be getting the coveted items while others won't be.  Last month I was very pleased to get the UD Revolution Lipstick sample when they first released them and not everyone received that lovely perk.  

This month I received the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit (redeemed as an extra with my Ipsy points), Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara,  NYX Single Eye Shadow in Sparkle White, John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner and Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil.  

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner: $4.00 for the set, travel size (1.5 fl oz each)

I am a huge John Frieda fan.  When I have some extra dough I splurge on some nice John Frieda shampoo and conditioner, usually the frizz tamer type.  I don't color my hair and rarely use heat on it...and this is specifically for repairing damage to hair from heat and color.  While it's not my specific type anyway I tried it out.  Like every John Frieda I've tried the scent is heavenly.  After I was out of the shower it dried glossy and nice!  While I probably wouldn't purchase this specific type of John Frieda, if you are worried about damage done to your hair and want to do a little repair this is definitely a fantastic choice!

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara: $4.00 mini size (4ml)

I haven't tried Elizabeth Mott before and hadn't actually heard of it.  I heard a lot of people enjoyed this mascara but I just wasn't feeling it.  When I tried to swatch it by brushing it over my hand I barely got any product.  I didn't include the swatch picture because it was almost too difficult to see.  On my lashes I saw some slight length and definition but definitely not any volumizing.  I think the problem may be that I didn't get much product in the bottle itself?  Flukes happen sometimes and with so many positive reviews on Ipsys site it doesn't make sense for me to be having such a difficult time.  Maybe next time Elizabeth!

Starlooks Khol Eye Pencil in Obsidian: $12.00 full size (2.4g)

Starlooks products have been included in Ipsy bags before so I was excited to try this eyeliner.  However, I've gotten soooo many black pencil eyeliners from Ipsy.  I'm still working through my Urban Decay 24/7 black eyeliner from last December!  I applied it in the afternoon and by nightfall I didn't have the thick black line I had at first.  It was more wispy and watered down.  I'll be sticking to some of my other Ipsy sent eyeliners and maybe I'll use this one in a pinch or when I run out of other products. 

Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner went on smoothly and was easily buildable.  I wish it lasted a little longer on the eye!

NYX Single Eye Shadow in Sparkle White: $4.50 full size (2.4g)

 NYX is one of my favorite affordable makeup brands.  I have used their eyeshadows before but this is my first eyeshadow single.

Sparkle White is pretty much all white shimmer as you'd guess from the name!  This shade seems like it would make for a really beautiful highlighter on high cheek bones and brow bones for pale freckly girls like me.  

Applied normally higher up on the hand you will get a super sheer shimmer.  It catches the light gently and is really beautiful!  When wet the pigment of the shimmer really comes through giving a pearlescent white as seen lower on the swatch.  For $4.50 this is a great item! I really feel like this is a versatile color and it really stuck around for awhile.  A+

NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit: $12 full size

This is an Ipsy extra!  Ipsy started a fun new rewards program this month.  Every friend you get to join Ipsy gets you 250 points.  Each time you get a monthly bag you will gain 100 points.  Each month you can check to see what items you want to redeem for.  This months options were Nicole by OPI Pretty in Plum or the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit, each were 1000 points.  Since I already had Pretty in Plum I got the Smokey Kit.  I like the fun of picking your own product each month but the old system was two friends = extra item as if they counted for 500 points each.  This new system requires you to get more people to join for the same amount of points.  However, I believe as times goes on more rewards will be added and their point prices may be more affordable or more expensive depending on the item.  Even if you don't have friends to join and rack you up some points you get 100 each month just for taking a bag so you will be able to save up for an extra product regardless of how unpopular you are. ;)

The NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit has been around for awhile.  I tried out a bronze gradient eye and the shadows were lovely to work with.  There are neutral colors in matte, shimmery and glittery.  This is also an adorable size, very easy to bring with or throw in a clutch for touch ups.  The top flips up revealing a mirror under the lid.  Under the shadows a little drawer pulls out with a pink shimmer gloss, bronze shimmer gloss, a double sided eyeshadow applicator and a double sided brush.  I prefer using my fingers for the gloss and an actual eyeshadow brush so I could do without the brush drawer.  The glosses themselves were pretty terrible.  They reminded me of lipgloss I would beg my mom to buy me in the checkout line at Party City $3 for 20 when I was 12.  The lipgloss was very sticky, very glittery and didn't last long at all.  Regardless I love the shadows and it was a freebie so I'm not going to complain too much!

Overall my September bag was ehh.  The full value was $24.50, $36.50 if you included my extra this month.  I loved the NYX Eye Shadow in Sparkle White and the John Frieda Full Repair even though it wasn't really for my hair type.  I loved the shadows in the NYX Bronze Smokey Look Kit but hated the lipglosses.  The Starlooks Kohl Eyeliner was alright and I didn't like the Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara at all.  Maybe I'm still bitter about missing out on that Butter London.  What can I say, sometimes I'm vapid!

To get your own Ipsy Glam Bag subscription click here and hit 'become a member' to take the Ipsy beauty quiz.  They'll match you up with your own bag of goodies each month for only $10. You will always get a bigger value that you paid for in each bag!  I've had bags that have been more than $60 before!

There are a ton of discounts this month that I'll let you in on.  You can use these even if you aren't an Ipsy member.  Just click the brand name to take you to the site where the savings are.  All of the items that are on this list were included in different Ipsy bags:

Butter London: 30% off any purchase using the code IPSYbl

Cailyn Cosmetics: 30% off any purchase using the code IPSY30

Chella: 20% off any order using the code CHELLA 

Freeman Beauty: 44% off Feeling Beautiful Sweet 16 Sachet Set and free gift using the code IPSYFB

John Frieda: buy one get one 50% off from the Full Repair line using the code IPSY

Elizabeth Mott: 50% off any purchase when you use the code IPSYBIG

J. Cat Beauty: 25% off any purchase when you use the code fabipsy

Jesse's Girl: 20% off any purchase when you use the code IPSYSEPT2013

NYX: 30% off eyeshadow bases and high definition eyeshadow bases using the code IPSYPRIME

Pop Beauty: 20% off any purchase when you use the code POPpout

Skyn Iceland: 20% off any purchase when you use the code IPSY

Starlooks: 20% off orders of $35 or more using the code IPSY

Victoria Jackson: 20% off any purchase or a free Foundation Duo using the code IPSY13 or VJFREE