Ipsy January 2016

It's Ipsy time again!!

For those who don't know, Ipsy is a subscription service.  For $10 a month you get 5 deluxe samples or full sized makeup and skincare products in a makeup bag.  



This month's theme is All Eyes On You.

I expected all the products to be eye related, and all but one was.   First, the bag.

That bag!!  It's cute, but not my usual style.  But then, that's part of the beauty of these monthly subscriptions--I get to try products that I wouldn't have otherwise, and frequently I find something I never would have considered that is absolutely perfect for me.  The back is a solid royal blue that matches the satin lining.   It's a good quality bag, and even if I don't use it myself it would make a cute gift bag.  


City Color Eyeshadow Trio in Falling Leaves (Full size, $6)

I haven't been impressed with City Color products in the past, but I'm going to give this one a shot.   The colors are great for a neutral or natural look. 

Mitchell and Peach English Grower's Body Cream in English Leaf (1 fl oz/30 mL $12*)

This is a UK company that I've never heard of before.  English Growers is their brand new line.  Their website says English Leaf is "blended with soft citruses, coriander leaves, basil, mint and floral oils from the Mitchell Estate."  I can't pick out the individual notes, but I do really enjoy this scent.   It's very clean with a slight 'powder' smell without being old lady.  The cream is thick without being greasy and settled into my skin very quickly.  I like it a lot so I hope it's more readily available in the US soon.

*I estimated the price based on the price on their website of £17 for 1.7 fl oz and the amazon price for a different scent of Mitchell & Peach Body cream that was $60 for 180 mL. 

UPDATE:  I'm in love.   This scent is so unique!  It smells clean and natural while still being formal.   I love it so much that I've been scouring ebay for more samples!


Peek Brow Powder in Expresso (1.3 grams, $11 )

Ok, I need to get something out of the way:  I did not make a typo.  I know it should be espresso, but the container clearly has an X.  And it drives me nuts, because I'm weird like that.

This is not actually advertised as a brow powder but rather as "Expresso Natural Stain Brow Powder".  Apparently it's formulated with coffee and possibly henna (?) to stain your brows
rather than a traditional brow powder.  I don't know.  It has rosemary and thyme oil to condition your brows and it's gluten free and cruelty free.   It feels smooth and doesn't really smell like anything.   It doesn't seem very pigmented to me, but it did seem to add a little fullness to my brows. 

Mostly I just can't get over 'expresso'. 

The full size brow powder contains two colors and is $22, and is about twice the weight of this one, so it seems like this is one color of the 'full size' they usually sell.


Pur-Lisse Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum (7 mL, $35 !!)

First, I was shocked at how expensive this eye serum was.   The full size is 15 mL and costs $65, so this sample is just under half size.  

I've seen several bloggers complain that they were overwhelmed with Pur-Lisse samples, but this is my first one.   I was excited to see what the fuss was about.   So far, I'm underwhelmed and a little irritated.  I mean actually irritated--the cream burned and irritated my skin.   It was more annoying than painful, though, so I'll give it a couple of days before deciding how I feel about it. 

UPDATE:   It's ok, but just ok.   I have other eye creams (like this one with caffeine or this one that is just awesome) that I like more.  I'll use this sample up, but I won't replace it unless I get some magical effects after more use.


leBalm Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner pencil in Scott B. Bordeaux (deep purple) (Full Size! $17)

I think every subscriber this month received this eyeliner in either the color I received or Jack B. Bronze (rich bronze).   I'm glad I got this color, because bronze or gold only looks good on me if it's a cool shade.   This eyeliner performs well and looks good on me.   So far, I'm not over-the-moon about leBalm cosmetics.  They're ok, but other than the packaging and the creative names, they're nothing special.  

The two brushes in the photo were 'bonus' items I purchased with points.   Ipsy gives points for sharing products and reviewing samples, and you can trade those points for an ever-changing selection of products.   The doefoot blender sells for $6 on their website, the large shadow for $4.


The five samples this month had a value of $81, not including the value of the bag or the bonus brushes.  I don't hate any of the products and the body cream is a new favorite, so I'm happy with this months' bag.  

If you would like to subscribe to Ipsy, then you should use my referral link so that I get points to trade for more brushes :D   It's a great, low-cost way to try high quality products.  

This blog post contains referral links.   I purchased all reviewed products on my own.  All opinions are based on my own use unless specified in the review.