Ipsy Review March 2015

Ipsy (www.ipsy.com) is a subscription that costs $10 a month and sends out four or five deluxe sample size beauty items. Because of the price point it invites comparisons with Birchbox. Ipsy is more make up based, and has a “waitlist.” You can skip this wait if you pimp out your social media. I just emailed and asked to be put on the list and it was done very quickly.

I will be honest and say I found it off putting to have to trick my social media for perks even before I had the actual product in my paws. It is a shrewd way to do business but comes off crass.

Floral Fantasy Bag
Floral Fantasy Bag

 

Ipsy Stylists
Ipsy Stylists

Floral Fantasy Bag: I like that they send a bag. I feel this bag is cheery and not really a “Floral Fantasy.” But then what is? I seriously want to know who puts together these themes. It all seems ripped off from some Bath and Body Works Spray from the early 90s. Once again, I find myself wishing I could be in charge of naming themes for bags.

When you sign up for Ipsy you take a quiz that has you pick which stylist you like. I don’t know anything about these women. If I did I would probably not have one eyebrow that seems to be longer than the other. I remember my mouse just sort of floating above the choices. I tried to pick the woman with the least amount of make up because the others really pile it on. I secretly think Ipsy is trolling us and all of the stylists are actually the same person just with different disguises.

 

NYX Butter Lipstick - Little Susie
NYX Butter Lipstick – Little Susie

NYX Butter Lipstick – Little Susie: Whoever Little Susie is, she likes to keep her lips startlingly pink. I doubt I could ever go outside wearing this shade unless I had a few drinks first. Which isn’t a problem for me usually so perhaps I will get some use out of this product. I was shocked and dismayed that out of the many ingredients not one was actual butter.

My Value: It makes me look like I was making out with a cupcake!

 

3 in 1 Revolution Light Toner, Serum, and Moisturizer
3 in 1 Revolution Light Toner, Serum, and Moisturizer

 

3 in 1 Revolution Light Toner, Serum, and Moisturizer: I find it weird that they use all caps for “LIGHT” and “One” on the label. They seem to think that capital letters can be used willynilly. This is one of those never tested on animals, natural, vegan, and… wait for it… gluten free products.

While I get there is a form of topical celiac disease, it is pretty rare. As a whole it is estimated that 1 in 133 people have the genetic disorder, and much less have the topical form. It is tough to respect something that is playing on this trend. Though I could just be all bitters because once I was forced to drink gluten free beer and it tasted like a dump smells. True. Story.

I also take issue with the directions. You “apply a generous amount after washing face and TAP GENTLY.” Wait, what? Tap what gently? My foot with impatience? My face so that the residual gluten from my soap know it doesn’t have to go home but it can’t stay here?

My Value: I now hold in my possession the most smug product on earth and am charging only .10 a look! 

 

Pur~lisse - Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and Make Up Remover
Pur~lisse – Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and Make Up Remover

Pur~lisse – Gentle Soy Milk Cleanser and Make Up Remover: I have talked about how I hate to wash my face and prefer face wipes. This “4-in-1” cleanser works pretty well but did not remove all of my mascara. It did get rid of the BBQ sauce that lingered from my meal.

What is up with every product wanting to do a zillion things these days? I see this “soothes and tones skin.” I honestly felt it worked just like a gentle face wash and didn’t irritate my eyes. It would not replace more than one product for me.

My Value: I can now act incredulous when I see friends use another brand and ask why they did not opt to buy something that has “lotus lupine 5.” When they ask me what I am talking about I will just shake my head at them and “tsk tsk.”

 

Crown - Shadow/Crease Duet Brush
Crown – Shadow/Crease Duet Brush

Crown – Shadow/Crease Duet Brush: Yay a brush! I like that this is double sided but can foresee forgetting to turn it to the right side and messing up my make up. Yeah, that’s the ticket, my eye shadow looks bad because of the brush!

Seriously this is something I was really happy to get because goodness knows a girl can never have too many pickles or brushes. This is just fact.

My Value: This will also be useful as a baton for when I pretend to conduct an orchestra!

 

Pixi - Apricot Glow
Pixi – Apricot Glow

Pixi – Apricot Glow: Nothing about these colors say “Apricot” to me. Maybe the pit? I do like that these colors are wearable and work together. A nice duo for when you want your make up to be understated.

I find it hilarious that this is a “Mesmerizing Mineral Duo.” Ohhhhh! This duo is like MAGIC. In fact just by looking at a picture of it on this blog you might be under my spell…

My Value: I will be sure to wear this when I ask for a raise!

 

Whole Bag
Whole Bag

Verdict: Ipsy does provide a pretty good value for it’s cost. I am not sold on the theme as none of these products struck me as a “Floral Fantasy” save for maybe the pink lipstick. It could be that they just have a theme for the actual cosmetic bag.

In all I am happy with this month’s picks!

  15 comments for “Ipsy Review March 2015

  1. nana
    March 13, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    love it!

    • Subscriptionista
      March 13, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks Nana!

  2. March 13, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Another good review, very funny. Never knew tipsy had you pick a stylist off a picture – now that could be very unclear to state what you like. The tap gently is a funny direction though.

    • March 13, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      gotta love spell check IPSY

    • Subscriptionista
      March 13, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      Thanks! It was totally weird directions and use of caps. It works OK but I don’t understand toners so…

  3. PA Anna
    March 15, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    How is the move going? I enjoyed reading your review.

    I never tried Ispy because I thought it was silly to tell my friends to join Ispy only to find out they will be waitlisted. Also I am not on social media. I never knew about the stylists. I’ve read comments about Ispy sending them products they don’t like, not that the stylists are sending them products they don’t like. I also think you are brave for trying them. They had a few makeup issues with the newest issue being the eyelash curler which was in Jan’s or Feb’s box. One time there was a bad eye product. I am paranoid about eye products because I have a chronic eye disease. People were using the eye product even though it smelled bad and others experienced a reaction. Don’t use bad, smelling eye products!!!

    What can I say about Pur-Lisse? I love their sunscreen and did not have to buy any last year because almost every sub company carried it in the box at least once either full-size or deluxe size. I can’t believe it is back with a different product. Most commenters and bloggers were Pur-Lisse weary by the end of the summer.

    I’m glad that you like your bag. Be sure to wear your eyeshadow when asking for a raise 🙂

    • Subscriptionista
      March 15, 2015 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks as always! Move is going slow and time consuming. I have way too much crap. Plus it’s so energy sucking.

      For ipsy just email them and they will take you off. But yeah, I don’t like that they want you to rep them just so you can get their stuff. The stylist thing is so weird. As if everyone knows who these ladies are. I mean I honestly know nothing about them.

      I think they stylist you pick is just an inspiration for what you want. I feel like ipsy pays more attention to what you like and don’t then other boxes. I did get the eyelash curler of doom, but mine was alright. I put that I like brushes and tools and I keep getting them so I like that. The rewards program sorta blows IMO

      Lol to Pur-Lisse! I’m so glad you come on my page because you give me the best info!

      I just got my popsugar and hope to get my review up ASAP.

      I wanted to show pics of my new fabuletics but I look pretty frumpy. Also I came across a site that while really funny has made me rethink ever putting a picture of myself up here hahaha.

      • PA Anna
        March 15, 2015 at 11:17 pm

        You got me curious about the website. Sometimes people hang clothes on a door or a window using a hanger.

        My sister is gluten-free. She’s been feeling much better and less depressed and anxious. It’s hidden everywhere including cosmetics. I’m always trying her gluten-free foods. Some taste good and some taste horrible.

        • Subscriptionista
          March 15, 2015 at 11:29 pm

          Awww now I’m feeling guilty bout my gluten free comments… Sigh

          I will probable just do hangers. I just wanted to show how demoralizing jumpsuits can be haha

          GF food is not my fav. I’m a veggie so if I cut out gluten I’d only become more annoying to eat with. I’m at a good annoying level already so…

          • PA Anna
            March 16, 2015 at 2:19 am

            Don’t feel bad. I received it in the spirit it was written 🙂 Your comments were informative and made me laugh. Who knows? Maybe they are taking advantage of the trend.

          • Subscriptionista
            March 16, 2015 at 3:40 am

            They even tell you to recycle the bottle. It was a super bossy label. Still I do feel bad about yim yamming about stuff I don’t know a ton about. I will leave it up as a lesson to myself. Oh and the website that I came accross is “get off my internets.” I came across it by googling to find a review by Suburban Mom and they had this thread about her 🙁 The ladies are super funny. I just know I am WAY too flawed to feel comfortable putting myself out there for that.

          • March 17, 2015 at 3:54 pm

            Gluten free is a HUGE trend right now, and many companies are jumping on the bandwagon. It does help many people, but it can be a distraction for those who don’t understand basic nutrition. Rather like those who think low fat is better, only to end up eating a pile more sugar to avoid the fat. I had my daughter on a GFCF diet for awhile, it did help her – but I think it was because she was on a more basic non processed food diet overall. That was back before it became easier to find processed GFCF food.

            I would love to see a jumpsuit review from you. I really don’t understand how that can be a staple outfit that can be sent out willy nilly to people. Was so pleased when I ordered my first Golden Tote and was able to get in my profile no jumpsuits.

            Good luck with the move, it seems those never end – you feel like you made a good dent and then realize that it was just the top layer that is moved…..

            Anna, how is your sister doing? Praying for you both.

          • Subscriptionista
            March 18, 2015 at 2:00 am

            This move is making me insane. I can’t wait to be done and just relax and review lol

          • PA Anna
            March 18, 2015 at 2:38 am

            Thank you for the prayers and for asking. She had a breakthrough today in counseling which sounds good, but it stirred up a lot of emotion making her into a less than desirable house guest. She also has physical issues that she is ignoring for the most part which need to be treated. She is seeing a doctor for one physical ailment, but doesn’t want to deal with anything else. I need the prayers. Hopefully this breakthrough will help and enable her to accept/go to the doctors that she needs to see to feel better emotionally and physically.

            Going gluten-free helped my sister a lot. It improved her health dramatically because she is eating better than before.. I agree with Shana that a part of it is nutrition. I feel that she is going backwards a little as she eats more gf process foods. Drives me crazy because we work hard to product good organic food.

            Subscriptionista – Seriously, do not worry about the gf comment. I work in the food industry where people either love or hate me. People are passionate about food and their eating beliefs. My business is certified organic and people complain about my prices, am I trying to rip them off by being “organic”, am I being organic enough, sustainable enough,why do I do things this way etc. It will take a lot more than that to upset us when it comes to food.

  4. PA Anna
    March 16, 2015 at 3:54 am

    I’ve seen that thread before. They can be harsh at times. I wouldn’t want gomi to see me in a jumper either.

    Don’t worry about the gf comment. My sister read it and thought it was funny. I don’t think I can read an Ispy review unless itis snarky or funny.

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