{Out of the Box}: June 2014 Ipsy subscription

Out of the Box is a feature I do to showcase and give a brief review of products in the subscription boxes that I receive.

Today's review is of my Ipsy makeup bag for April.  Ipsy is a service where "each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month. "  If you are interested, please click to use my referral code and help me earn free bags.

 

This month's Ipsy theme was "Pretty in Paradise", and I liked about half of the things in my bag.  I really like the bag itself, though.

I don't feel like opening up the photo editor today and numbering each item, so from left to right (clicking the product name will take you to the site):

1.  OFRA Universal Eyebrow Pencil ($13)--I do NOT need an eyebrow pencil.  My eyebrows are thick and dark (actually darker than the pencil they sent--basically, they are jet black, except for that one random gray one).  Now, that doesn't mean I won't look on the website and see what  other products OFRA offers, but as for an eyebrow pencil, not needed.  

2.  Be A....Bombshell Lash Out Mascara ($15)--this was a full sized product, which was really nice (and apparently something Ipsy does a lot).  This mascara is ok, but not the best I've ever used (that is my Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara).  Be a Bombshell lengthens, but doesn't really volumize (and my Mary Kay does both).  I'm using it right now over the summer to conserve my MK, and because I'm not really going anywhere.

3.  Mark Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray ($6.65)--this smells SO  GOOD.  I don't have curls, but it gives my thin, fine hair a nice texture and some volume. 

4.  Realtree for Her Perfume ($24)--We got the sample size, but the price noted here is for the full size.  I did not like this product.  It does NOT smell good at all.  It gives me a headache.

5.  NYX ButterGloss in Creme Brulee ($5)---Creme Brulee is a nude/sheer color, but it doesn't make me look like death (as most nudes do).  I kind of wish Ipsy had sent me a darker color, or something a little rosier, but this is great for summer.  And it smells SO GOOD!

So all in all, another great bag.
 

{Out of the box}: June 2014 Popsugar Must Have Box

Out of the Box is a feature I do to showcase and give a brief review of products in the subscription boxes that I receive.

Today's review is of my Popsugar Must Have box for May...."With POPSUGAR Must Have, you'll get an exciting monthly box full of fun, full-size products that are hand-selected by our editors."  You can subscribe monthly ($39.99), for 3 months ($109.85), for 6 months ($214.70) or for the year ($429.40).  Yes, you save money by signing up for the longer subscriptions, but it's my understanding that that amount comes out of your account all at once, rather than monthly.  If you'd like to try it out, please use my referral code as it helps me earn free boxes.

So here's a look at my box for the month:

I just don't feel like editing the picture today to number each item, so starting at the top and going clockwise, we have:

1.  Emily Giffin's THE ONE AND ONLY.  Now Popsugar has this listed as $28 retail, but I don't know where they're shopping because Amazon has it listed brand new for $16.52.  But anyway, I'm pretty excited to read this.  I've heard good things about it, lots of subscribers were excited to find this in their box, so we'll see.  It's been a while since I've read a strictly "grown-up" book---usually, it's those with cross-over appeal, such as Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead.

2.  Sachajuan Shiny Citrus Body Lotion ($23.50 on Amazon).  This is a full sized bottle of delicious smelling lotion.  It also lasts a pretty long time and doesn't make me feel like a greased up pig.  So a win all around.

3.  Lollies Basic Hair Ties ($8 for a 3 pack).  These cute little hair ties are made out of bathing suit material, I guess it doesn't crimp your hair like a regular elastic.  It's too bad my hair is too short to use these bad boys.

4.  You Smell Lemon Wet Wipes ($5 for a box of 12).  I haven't used these yet, but I'm probably going to pop a few in my gym bag for use after spin class.  

5.  Turkish T Basic Breeze Sorbet in Turquoise ($32).  They say you can use this as a towel, blanket, wrap or scarf.  It's so pretty (not as soft as I thought it would be, but very pretty), I'm going to use it as a wrap or scarf.  

6.  One Potato Two Potato Hawaiian Barbeque chips I couldn't find the price online, and at the moment, I can't find the booklet that Popsugar sends listing prices, but I remember seeing this brand at TJ Maxx for like $1.99.  I packed these in my carry-on bag for California, they were pretty good.  Sweet with a little bit of spice.  

All in all a good box.  Nothing really to write home about, but it always opens my eyes to new brands and I get things that I normally wouldn't buy for myself.