August 2013 ipsy bag & first impressions

 

hi guys! my August IPSY BAG* has finally arrived!!! (theme: glamour academy). gripes: dhl tracker was broken so i couldn't track my package at first. then ipsy's facebook announces that a lot of them were sent to the wrong dhl hub, and blehhhhhhhh! so it finally came in yesterday. well, onto my impressions! ~Lin-chan ^.~

ranking the past five months, from today's standpoint:

1. april
2. august
3. june
4. may
5. july

1. noya lip balm in cherry (.15oz--full size, ret. $3.99) -- scent is very similar to chapstic brand; the actual product comes off transparent, and has no tint. while it feels nice, i actually prefer a more thick and/or plush type of balm if you guys kinda know what i mean... (faves: eos spheres, fresh sugar (brown tube))
• likelihood to repurchase: no,  i'm a lip balm junkie, but i think that ordering lip balm is just crazy (unless i need it to get to free shipping).
• update: it's ok, but i'm not really reaching for it much. the times that i do use it, my lips feel more chapped later on, so i'm probably going to give it away.
2. michael todd jojoba charcoal gentle exfoliating facial scrub (1oz--mini, ret. $18 for 3.4oz [$5.29]) -- i am super excited to try this, i've been wanting to try their products for a long time now. the scrub itself is a scary looking muddy-black charcoal color, and it smells like that herbally-aromatherapy kind of smell. like it reminds me of trips to aveda institute. i love scrubs, so i can't wait to try this! >w<
• likelihood to repurchase: probably, definitely want to explore the brand
• update: loveeee it! so glad this wasn't what broke me out! (see more below #5)
3. pixi beauty lash booster mascara in blackest black (.105oz--mini, ret. $17 for .25oz [$7.14]) -- oh yay another mascara to add to the ~20 i already have lying in wait. >.> i'll definitely try it out, but i'll have to comment more on a day that i don't already have mascara on..
• likelihood to repurchase: no, i'm not a huge waterproof wearer and it's only ok
• update: it's ok, as many reviewers have already said: because it's waterproof, it is harder to remove using normal means.
4. chella dazzling dark brown eyebrow color pencil (.09g--full size, ret. $18) -- my brows aren't super "full", but they aren't sparse either. also, for now, they're still very dark, so i don't really have a need for brow pencils or powders (unless i overpluck or something). meh. also, it's lighter than my hair color...so if i actually wanted to use this, i'd have to apply more pressure than making "short strokes".
• likelihood to repurchase: no
• update: passing it off to T.
5. pacifica alight multi-mineral bb cream (.34oz--mini, ret. $16 for 1oz [$5.44]) -- despite how my swatch looks (i dispensed too much and didn't blend it well), it actually blends in nicely and becomes semi transparent. i don't like how it smells like sunscreen--like it isn't strong..or maybe they used something to help mask the scent, i'm not sure.
• likelihood to repurchase: no, i'll probably still stick to urban decay's bb cream.
• update: product has been tossed. ALLERGIC SKIN REACTION. suckyyyyy. after trying this out along with a few other new-to-me items, i didn't know what broke me out (hives) really bad. after trying it again, as the only "new" thing, this was the problem.
6. purple ipsy bag -- very cute! i was afraid that the bag would be that plastic kind like last time, but it's actually soft, with the ipsy glamour academy "coat of arms" printed onto both sides.
7. invitation to apply for a benefit lash party: if you're interested: lashbash.ipsy.com
8. card with company info/discount codes
1. noyabeauty.com: 20% off any purchase, code: IPSTER (exp. 9/15/13)
2. michaeltoddtrueorganics.com: 30% off any purchase, code: AUGIPSY (exp. 9/30/13)
3. pixibeauty.com: 20% off any purchase, code: PIXI+IPSY (exp. 9/1/13)
4. chella.com: 20% off any purchase, code: BROWPENCIL (exp. 9/15/13)
5. pacificaperfume.com: 20% off any purchase, code: IPSY20 (exp. 9/15/13)
6. citycolor.com: 20% off any purchase, code: IPSY0813 (exp. 9/15/13)
7. smashbox.com: full size full exposure mascara with any full size photo finish primer purchase, code: IPSY (exp. 9/25/13)
8. tinibeauty.com: 30% off  plus $5 shipping on any purchase, code: HOT4IPSY (exp. 9/15/13)
9. urbandecay.com: free shipping with lipstick purchase, code: IPSY (exp. 9/15/13)
10. nyxcosmetics.com: 40% off tango with bronzing powder, code: IPSYCHEEKS (exp. 9/13/13)
11. micabeauty.com: 25% off any purchase, code: IPSY25 (exp. 8/31/13)

approximate product value: $39.86

mascara, bb cream (not blended in), brow pencil, scrub

*Affiliate Link.