Ipsy Bag May 2014. Swatches and Review of items I received in my ipsy bag.

My referral link - http://www.ipsy.com/r/81cl  Using this link will give me 250 points :)

May 2014 Ipsy bag's theme was Fresh Picks, this brings me back to one of the earlier bags with the "all natural" theme. This bag is very thick fabric, fabric like those large tote bags they sell at Holister, AREO, and A.E.O. Green zipper and the back is plain without the leaves designs on it. 

May 2014 Ipsy Bag. Total of 5 items.

First thing I receive was this Eva.Nyc Therapy Session Hair Mask, claims to recondition and strengthen weak and dry hair. I used this like a after shampoo conditioner, it works decent. It made my hair feel a bit softer, nothing a regular condition cannot do so this is something I really don't need. This size is handy for the people that goes to the gym and dislike using shampoo and conditioner from the gym or pool. This smells very sweet tho, the smell washes right off after rinsing it. When I first knew I was going to receive a hair product, I was quite disappointed. But it doesn't matter, this is something I don't need but I can still use it. The tube contains 60mL of product, enough for like 7-8 uses. 

This retails for $12

 

The second thing I got was this HangTen Classic Sport Natural Sunscreen. This is SPF 50, with that huge 50 on the packaging. I like how this is a physical sunscreen because it doesn't contain Oxybenzone. That chemical is used in chemical sunscreen that absorb the rays instead of reflecting it, so it avoids the white cast physical sunscreen gives. But there is a chance that chemical gets absorbs into the skin and causes other problems. 

 

The consistency is very liquidy, feels very light weight. It does have a slight citrus mix glue smell when I applied it on my face, so I'm not going to be using this on my face.

Because this gives a slight dewy but not greasy finish, I used this on my legs to give my legs that nice summer glow. Tried it today, gives my dry skin that very moisturized look.

This retails for $13

Next thing I received was this Pacifica Mineral Eye shadow Duo in Natural Beauty. The pigmentation is alright, I prefer using a brush to apply these because the moisture from your fingers will transfer into the pan, as that moisture drys, your shadow hardens. Staying power, this needs a primer, or else it will just wear off because its so light. These make great highlighters.

Left side is a light pearlescent pink

Right side is a shimmering light bronze

I couldn't find this duo for sale on their website but I another mineral eye shadow set with 4 colors for $14

So I assume this would be worth like $4 because there are 2 half shadows in this pan.

Two-Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. I was so happy I got this in my bag because I would never pay $30 for a bronzer, there are so many alternatives out there. But this was nice, it smells so nice and sweet, not exactly like chocolate tho. I thought this was going to be too dark, but not really, it seems just right. I just have to be careful not to load too much on my brush. The plastic packaging closes very tight to keep you mess free, but because it is plastic, you can always depot it from the packaging. 

Here is a swatch, entirely matte, not so dark. I realize when I use flash to take a picture, it does show a little amount of flexes in the bronzer, not visible when applied.

The original is 10g and costs $30, cute packaging included, so I assume 

this would be worth $6

This is the final item I got in my bag, Avene Thermal Spring Water. This is literally a bottle of spring water in a spray bottle. This first time I read the instructions, they claim this can be used for lots of different situation. After hair removal, diaper irritation, drying skin, in the summer, THIS IS LIKE HOLY WATER. I doubt spraying water on a rash will make it heal faster but probably ease it a bit. This feels very nice and refreshing, I don't mind having this in my bag in the summer. Too hot outside? Mist yourself with a fancy can of water. So classy. LOL I heard others using this as a setting spray, I'm not so sure about that, it is still water. Non-waterproof makeup beware.

This retails for $9

There are larger and better value sizes for sale also.

Overall this bag was pretty good. I got to try out a lot of things that I never heard of before. The sunscreen and hair mask is not so essential but still a good value. The eye shadows is great for someone like me to build my collection. Impressed of the spray bottle and feel happy I get to try out one of the Two-Faced bronzers. This bag was worth around $45 bucks this month. Not much make up products compared to last months.

Check out last months review here - April 2014 Ipsy Bag

Here is my link to sign up for Ipsy -  http://www.ipsy.com/r/81c

Matte, Blendable, Not-Sticky Bouncy Mousse Blushes. E.L.F. Studio Cream Blushes, Review and Swatches

E.L.F. Studio Cream Blushes

These retail for $6 a piece in their store in Manhattan, I rarely see these in Target or Walgreens and for some reason they stopped selling these on the website. I really love these because they blend so nicely, of course they aren't as pigmented as the HD Blushes but these look so natural and easy to blend on the skin. Absolute no tackiness, they feel like the Dream Bouncy Blush without the stickiness and shimmers, TOTAL MATTE. When you press into these, they leave a imprint and color will transfer off to your fingers, I prefer using a brush. Stipple my brush into the blush, then dab on cheeks, repeat 1 or 2x. All shades are not created equally, some are more softer and more color payoff, some a bit more dry than others.

Flirt - Blue tone Baby Pink

This was the one that was a bit dry and felt more moussey than the others. Probably it was just a bad batch or just this color. This shade is great for spring and summer because of its a very cute light baby pink that matches those seasons. I also wear this in the winter, it makes me look like I have fleshed cheeks from the cold outside.

Seductress - Rosy Coral Pink

This had a texture between the dry Flirt and the soft creamy Tease shade. I feel like this shade is great all year long. Everyone looks nice in a natural coral pink flesh. 

Tease - Salmon Pink

I love this shade and this texture, this is the creamiest one and I don't have to even move my finger in the product to pick up color, I just dab and saturated color transfers to my fingers. I love this shade all year round because it looks so natural, not over dramatic, but just fleshed. Very neutral color.

Temptress - Warm light Brown

I was hoping this would be a bit more neutral, but this end up so warm. I barely use this because its so warm, was hoping to contour with this lightweight matte brown but too bad. Not bad texture, just dislike the color on my skin.

  

High End Lipstick for Less!!! Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo!!!! Review and Swatches

Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick Duo

Neutral(top)

Vivid(bottom)

I heard Emily Noel from Youtube raved about these lipsticks on her award videos. I walked in Sephora and saw these near the cashier. These are $12 each and contains two .05oz small lipstick bullets. The price for the full size of these are $24 for a .13oz lipstick. For these duo ended travel sizes you .03 oz less but with half the price, and you get 2 different colors. Sad thing is you only get 4 colors, if there was more, I'll buy them all to test all the colors. These are so creamy and comfortable on the lips, doesn't accentuate the lines on your lips and very study and sleek packaging.

Musk, Lychee, Palomino, Violet

Neutral Color 2 - Musk

Pink with some Brown 

This is a my lips but better shade

Neutral Color 1 - Lychee

Light Pink with some Peach

Light and creamy but doesn't wash you out.

Vivid Color 1 - Palomino

Vibrant bright fuchsia pink that has a blue hue to it

Vivid Color 2 - Violet

Vibrant Orchid Purple mix with some Pink

Great for this years pantone color of the year.

NEW Wet n Wild Color Icon 5 pan Eyeshadow Palette Review and Swatches

I saw Rite Aid's paper and found out that Wet n Wild was having a 40% off and when you buy 10$, you get a 4$ coupon back, so I had to try out some new things. These eye shadow palettes retail for $3.99 ea, so I got them for about $2.40 a piece because of the discount. Overall I'm just I really enjoy these because of the different textures they provide in each palette, the monochromatic ones contain at least a matte, shimmer, and glittery shade. But the color pay off of these are no match for the 3 and 8 pan palettes. They transfer from the pan to my fingers nice and full color, but when I swiped them on my hand, it was so light.

392A Tunnel Vision

Monochromatic colors from white to a deep black. This palette was the stronger one compared to the Brown one, these shadows actually looks deep and dark but still not a full color eye shadow palette. 

Shades

Base - Creamy matte white

Browbone - Shimmery silver

Eyelid - Satin gunmetal grey

Crease - Silver glitter in a matte black

Definer - Satin black

395A The Naked Truth

5 Neutrals that run from a light beige to a deep brown. This palette seems a bit weak because its neutrals and it has a hard time showing up on the skin.

Shades

Base - Matte beige 

 Browbone - Shimmery sand

Eyelid - Satin brownish taupe

Crease - Shimmering brown with copper glitter

Definer - Matte deep brown

391A Art in the Streets

I had high hopes for this one and this was the only one that didn't disappoint me because the color does transfer from my fingers to my skin very nicely with a lot of color. These eye shadows are not labeled like the other palettes, I assume because these were meant for you to wear one or two for a pop of color. I'll probably look like a clown if I wore all of these colors on my eyes at the same time. All of these are matte and applied very creamy, especially the orange and the green. These stained my hands a bit when I was swatching them, if you don't want to spurge on the Urban Decay electric palette, give this a try.

Adorable Bubbi Brushes Review

 Front Packaging

Back Packaging

I got this brush set off of Bubbi's website www.shopbubbi.com for around $93 and shipping added up to like $100. You get 12 brushes, 2 dual ended so 14 and a fake leather brush roll that is made specifically for these brushes. But this brush roll can fit other brushes too. If you divide it up, it comes down to about $7 a brush and a free roll, I like how this roll can store the dual ended brushes without messing them up. 

Buffer Brush- This is a flat top kabuki brush with an extended handle. These bristles are very sturdy, large amount of surface area, and feel quite soft. I use this to buff my bronzer and blush and this does a great job. This isn't the softest brush, the tip of the bristles may be a little perky at times. But for buffing, you don't fell the tip or the bristles poking you.

Powder Brush- Full and fluffy paddle brush that is rounded off at the top. This brush is fluffy but still sturdy to control where to apply your powder. This feels so nice on the skin, dust on powder quickly and gently with the large surface area. I use this for setting powder, blush and sweeping away eye shadow fall outs. 

Sculpting Brush- Densely packed angle brush with the same type of bristles as the buffer brush. This is the most dense brush out of the whole collection, the angled shape allows for the brush to fit in many crevices on the face. I use this for blending out foundation and concealer and applying blush and bonzers (cream or powder). This is comparable to the Sigma Angled Kabuki.

Dome Brush- Fluffy, long bristle brush that tapers at the tip and comes to a point. This is the SOFTEST brush out of the whole collection, the bristles literally feels like my friends cat. The pointed tip makes it very easy to fit underneath the eyes so I use this to set my under eye concealer. The light fluffiness makes it great for light application of setting powder and powder blush. This brush does shed a bit tho if you use rough hands to wash it because these are natural fibers.

HD Flawless Brush- Angle flat top brush with a small surface area for precise application of foundation and concealer. The angle shape makes this easy to contour with also. I don't find myself reaching for this brush often because it is so small, takes forever to blend out foundation. The bristles are also very short and packed together making it really difficult to clean.

Eye Contour Brush-  Elongated angle flat top eye shadow brush, this brush is made out of natural fibers (same as the Dome brush). After washing this brush a few times, I realize this brush is very fragile, it sheds quite a bit. The bristles flare out a bit and never stay together, I can use the flat side for applying eye shadow on my entire lid and the tip for my crease, but I would prefer this a bit shorter for my smaller lids.

Blending Brush- Elongated fluffy round brush, this looks like natural fibers but actually is synthetic fibers. I like using this for blending out very thin concealers and setting powder under the eye, it fits perfectly and gives an airbrushed look. I guess you can use this for your crease, but its way too big for my eyelid. The bristles aren't as dense and sturdy as I wanted.

Shader Brush- Small flat shading brush that fits right onto my eyelid, made out of natural fibers. I really enjoy the softness of this brush and how it packs on the right amount of shadow. I was afraid that darker eye shadows may stain the bristles, but it washes off very nicely with dish washing soap.

Smudger Brush - Short flat shading brush with sturdy bristles. This has bristles a bit longer than the e.l.f. smudge brush but the e.l.f. has natural hair that are softer. I use this to pack eye shadow on my eyelid, brow bone, and smudging out eyeliner on top and bottom lashline.

Detail Brush - Small flat round top brush, sturdy and soft synthetic bristles. I use this to put shimmering eye shadow in my inner tear ducts and smudge my eyeliner. Simple cute brush, black bristles wouldn't get stained. 

Dual Cover Brush - Dual ended face brush, one larger paddle brush for foundation and one filbert brush for concealer. I rarely use this brush because I just don't use paddle brushes for foundation, I end up using both sides for concealer and highlighting. The concealer side can also be used for eye shadow. Soft synthetic bristles, sturdy and easy to clean bristles. But clean this brush may be annoying because of the dual end, I can only clean one side at a time because I dry my brushes facing down.

Dual Eyes Brush - One tapered stiff pencil brush for precise application of eye shadow and one fluffy large shading brush for dusting and blending eye shadow. White natural fibers that didn't stain so far from dark eye shadows. Even tho these are natural fibers, I feel like its not as soft as the shader brush. I don't reach for this brush either because its just a hassle to clean.