Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: product

Ipsy: June 2017
Happy Tuesday y’all! I got my June Ipsy bag last week and I like about half of what I got!

Here’s the deal, I’m share with you what I got in my pouch this month and what I did or didn’t like about each item in my bag:

For starters, the theme of this month’s bag was VOLUME UP. The bag was cute with just lips on the front. I liked this bag more than some of the others because of its simplicity.

The Products:
1. NYX Whipped Lip & Cheek Soufflé in Cocoa Bean Value for 8ml= $6
This is a FULL size product. In my opinion, this is a pretty small item that NYX is considering to be full size. This product can be used for BOTH lips and cheek! The whipped formula is supper light so that it feels like you’re not even wearing anything. The Cocoa Bean color is a super versatile nude brown that also works great for contouring. I’m personally not a fan of this color and wish I had gotten one of the other colors offered. With that being said, it is super lightweight, but it isn’t a product that I’ll be buying on my own.
1. Skyn ICELAND Glacial Face Wash with White Willow Bark Value for 20ml = $4
The full 150ml tube retails for $30. This super foamy cleanser leaves your face feeling fresh and hydrated! It helps soothe, revitalize, and detoxify. The formula is also very mild so it’s perfect for any skin type! I always love trying new face washes, so this product was a win in my book. I like how it left my face feeling after washing it. Would I buy this product again? I’m not so sure; even though I liked it, I can’t imagine paying $30 for face wash!
1. City Color Cosmetics Bold Brow Eyebrow Powder in Medium Value for 0.8oz = $4
I think that this might be a FULL size product or pretty close to it because it retails for $4 online. This duo of matte powders creates soft, subtle definition without looking super harsh. With two colors, you can create the perfect blend to match your existing brows! I personally don’t use powder for my eyebrows and prefer Benefit’s Goof Proof Brow Pencil.
1. Doucce Maxlash Volumizer Mascara Value for 6ml =$10 (Super rough estimate as sample sizes are usually half of the full size)
The full size of this mascara retails at $22. This lash-fattening formula makes our fringe look insanely lush, fluttery, and fab. The chubby wand coats every last lash so none of them are left behind! I love trying out new mascaras and love getting them in my bag! I honestly haven’t bought mascara in about a year! I liked this mascara, and with it retailing at $22 (fairly normal for full mascara) I may purchase this in the future.
1. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Eye Pencil in M-10 Matte Black Value for 0.02oz = $10.50
The full 0.04oz eyeliner retails for $21 at Sephora. The cutting-edge formula is insanely creamy, so it glides on like butter with no tugging or dragging. This waterproof formula literally stays put until you decide it’s time for it to come off. I love pencil eyeliner so much more than liquid, so this was a pleasant surprise when I found it in my bag. I like the way it glides on and I’m also a fan of the brand! I would definitely buy this product again.

While I can’t pinpoint an exact price of the products in the whole bag, I’ve figured that the May bag is worth at least $34.50 (just a super rough estimate, not sure if the eyebrow powder was full size or not and couldn’t get an exact price on the mascara)! I think that it is fairly accurate, so the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal compared to buying each item separately!

The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, the low price is a pretty good bargain. The bag is great if you’re looking to try out different products that you may not currently use.

To subscribe to Ipsy use my referral link to discover new brands/products that you might come to love that you wouldn’t otherwise try!

XOXO

p.s Let me know if you got anything different that you absolutely loved!
June 13, 2017
Ipsy: May 2017
I’m just going to start by saying that I really didn’t like anything in my May Ipsy Bag and was a little disappointed 😦

I review what comes in my bag every month and I never seem to get the brands that I’ve chosen in my preferences, but this month was especially bad!

With that being said, I’ll share with you what I got in my pouch this month:

For starters, the theme of this month’s bag was SUMMER FRIDAY. The bag was cute; it was clear with Popsicles and ice cream cones all over it. The bag is water resistant which is perfect for summer time and being by the pool.

The Products:
1. pur~lisse BB Tinted Moist Cream SPF 30 Value for 0.34oz= $8.50
The full size (1.4oz) bottle retails for $35. Primer. Tinted Moisturizer. Foundation. Sunscreen. This is seriously a go-to in the morning and helps you skip as many steps as possible if you’re a “do my makeup in five min.” type of girl like me. When I put this on my face, is soothes the skin, and creates an even looking, natural glow. I don’t feel like my face is clogged after putting it on and I still feel light and fresh. I will def be buying this product!
1. South Mane Macadamia Oil Treatment Value for 10ml = $1.70
The full 100ml bottle retails for $16.99. This oil is made from macadamia nuts and hydrates ALL hair types, tames frizz, and strengthens your hair follicles. I’m not a fan of hair oils as they tend to make my hair greasy looking. I did not like getting this product in my bag this month and won’t be purchasing on my own.
1. Urban Decay Afterglow Highlighter in Sin Value for 2.4g = $9.18
The full size of this highlighter (6.8g) retails for $26. If you’re looking for an IRL version of that amazing Snapchat filter glow, this champagne-hued highlighter is IT. Very lightweight powder and long lasting. Personally, I’m not a highlight wearer, and I don’t think that I will be anytime soon. I’ve done my reviews with Ipsy and have said every time that I don’t like getting this product.
1. Luxie Beauty Luxie Dreamcatcher Precision Foundation Brush 660 Value =$23
This is a full size product. You can use this brush for all your liquid, cream, or powder foundations, concealers, highlighters, AND bronzers. The periwinkle color on the handle makes the brush super unique. The brush is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I love getting brushes because they’re always worth more than the bag and I love getting to try new brushes out!
1. Caked Makeup Lip Fondant in Low Key Value = $16
This is a full size product! This is a lightweight, moisturizing, super saturated liquid lippie. It’s a berry-hued color that just screams summer! Honestly, I’ve never heard of the brand before but it has cool packaging. The color is a little more intense than what I usually wear so idk if this will stay in my staple of go-to lip colors.

If I’ve done all my math correctly, I’ve figured that the bag is worth $58.38 With 2 full size products, the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal! Like I mentioned above, I wasn’t a fan of my bag this month, so I really didn’t have much to say about it.

The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, the low price is a pretty good bargain. The bag is great if you’re looking to try out different products that you may not currently use.

To subscribe to Ipsy use my referral link to discover new brands/products that you might come to love that you wouldn’t otherwise try!

XOXO

p.s Let me know if you got anything different that you absolutely loved!
May 30, 2017
His: Target December Box

So the December box was kind of neat because they offer a box for both him and her! This review is strictly for the box for HIM! I gave the items to my younger brother to try them out and here is a little of what he had to say.

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase monthly box that includes deluxe and full-sized beauty products that you can find at Target and of course other retailers.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the goodies in the December box:

1. Gold Bond Ultimate Refresh 360 Body Powder – Value = $0.70 for 1 oz

This body powder retails for $6.99 for the full 10 oz size. I don’t actually know much about this product since it is currently still wrapped up like it is below and sitting on our bathroom counter.

2. Old Spice Dirt Destroyer Puresport Body Wash– Value = $0.95 for 3 oz bottle

The full 16 oz bottle retails for $4.99. This is currently the body wash in the shower in the bathroom we share. That right there was a good sign that he was going to like the product. He likes the way it smells and leaves you smelling good even after you get out of the shower. I’m not going to lie, I’ve used it a few times and even I like the way it smells!

3. Colgate Optic White Platinum Toothpaste– Value = $1.62 for 1.45 oz

For a full size 3 oz tube this retails for $3.34! I have been using this toothpaste since I opened the box. I like the way my mouth feels after I’m done brushing my teeth. I feel like it is a good product and would definitely buy the full size tube. I have also noticed that my teeth appear to look whiter after a week of using the tooth paste twice a day.

4. Gillette Fusion Hydra Shave Gel– Value = $2.12 for 2.5 oz

The full 7 oz size retails for $2.74. Again, this is another product that is a staple for not only both of my brothers but for my Mr. as well. It leaves their faces smooth and fresh looking. They like the way it foams up as they rub it onto their faces. Since this is something they already use, it is definitely something that they will continue to buy in the future.

5. Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner – Value = $1.20 for 2 oz

The full size bottle (13.5oz) is $7.99. This was a product that none of the males in my life had heard of or used before. My one brother said he likes the way this smelled when he was washing his hair and liked that it didn’t smell girly in any way. Since it is a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, it left my brother’s hair feeling soft and not like a brillo pad like it normally does.

6. Old Spice Swagger 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner – Value = $0.56 for 1.7 oz

A full 25.3oz bottle retails for $6.99. Again, this is another staple in our house as my youngest brother uses this. He normally changes it up with Head & Shoulders, but he likes the way this one smells when he uses it and it leaves his hair smelling good too. This size bottle is perfect for throwing into his gym bag to use after weight-lifting before school.

7. Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Body Wash– Value = $0.55 for 1.8 oz

The full 18 oz bottle retails for $4.69. This is another product that is an absolute staple in our house. Mr. Fiance uses this daily when he showers and my mom buys it for my dad as well. I like this because it leaves Mr.’s skin feeling soft and smooth even if he doesn’t put lotion on! This is great for travel and will definitely be used!

8. Nautica Voyage Sport Cologne – Value = $0.70

A full size (1.7oz) bottle retails for $34.99. This was nice that it came in a mini spray bottle rather than the wand. My brother is currently wearing this and I have to say it smells kind of like the Old Spice Pure Sport. It smells good on him and he likes it, so I guess that’s all that matters! He’s not really a big cologne guy but he does wear it for special occasions.

THE VALUE

The value of this December Beauty Box for Him is about $8.40. Since this box was only $7.00 plus shipping (mine was free + 5% off since I have a Target Debit Card) this is a great deal! For this particular box, it had no full size items, but worked out since almost all of the products were things that someone in my family uses all the time! This was such a great box

I think this box is a great deal and I can’t wait to see what January will look like! I can definitely say that I will be purchasing this box again in the future as long as it is not sold out!

XOXO

December 29, 2016