ipsy Glam Bag july 2014 Overview and Swatches

I Purchased This Referral Link

I was really pleased with last month's Glam Bag but it seems like the pendulum is swinging back towards the dark side because I feel lukewarm about this month's bag. This month's theme is "Sensationally Sunkissed" and emphasizes products that you can use while in the sun and by the pool side. This month's bag is pink with a scalloped edge but I can't help but think that it looks like a ravioli. In this month's bag I received two full size and three mini items.

Inside my bag: Bare Escentuals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow (mini), Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment (mini), Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass in Cherry (full size), Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil (mini), and Nailtini Nail Polish in Mango Rita (full size).

This month, the algorithm for ipsyMatch must have ignored my quiz because I got tanning and acne products in my bag. I'm not into tanning products with such a low SPF and I don't prefer getting such small samples of acne products, especially one in such an unhygienic packaging and with so much alcohol (the first ingredient is actually rubbing alcohol and it smells like rubbing alcohol)

I was hoping to get a full size of the Bare Escentuals Cream Eyeshadow but got a mini in the shade Divine Wine. In the tube, it looks like a deep grey plum and it initially applies like that on the skin. I noticed that as it dried, this shimmer was peeking through and when I rubbed my skin, this beautiful green highlight came out. I don't know if that's supposed to happen but it added a lot of depth to what I thought was a boring eyeshadow.

I didn't bother using the Clear Clinic Spot Treatment because I have no interest in dabbing rubbing alcohol on my skin to clear up my acne or the Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil because SPF 8 is a joke. The Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass is similar to the Benefit Benetint but has better packaging since it's in a spill-proof bottle with a doe foot applicator. 

Here's a FOTD using the Tints & Sass and Bare Escentuals Cream Eyeshadow.

I also wanted to show the Nailtini Nail Polish. I wasn't fond of the Nailtini nail polish. I thought that the long wand combined with a thinner polish meant that no matter how much I wiped off the brush tip, the polish would just flow down from the top of the wand.

July's ipsy Glam Bag Value: 

Bare Escentuals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow (Mini): 1 mL/.03 oz valued at $6.00
Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment (Mini): 2 mL valued at $9.33
Elizabeth Mott Tints & Sass in Cherry (Full Size): 10 grams/ .35 oz valued at $22.99
Hang Ten Tanning Oil (Mini): 1 oz valued at $1.50

Nailtini Nail Polish (Full Size): .5 oz valued at $13.00

Total Bag Value: $52.82

Last month's Bag Value: $37.72.

Compared to last month's bag, this was a much better value (since the Elizabeth Mott Tints & is worth so much) but I felt that the products inside this bag ignored my preferences and included the tanning and acne products I didn't want. I'm still going to subscribe for next month's bag but I hope there are better picks inside.

If you'd like to subscribe to the ipsy Glam Bag, feel free to use my referral link which gives me points to redeem in products on the website. Otherwise, feel free to use a nonreferral link!

L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paint in Blushing: Swatch and Review

While I was at PHAMExpo, I came across these L.A. Girl Glazed Lip Paints at Lady Moss's booth. They've been getting so much love (in part due to their striking similarity to the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks) coupled with the $3.25 price tag at the show, I picked one up. I was waffling on which color to purchase until I also saw Alyson/The Gloss Menagerie and another person swatching Blushing, a bright pink mauve. All three of us had very different skin tones (Alyson being paler and the other person being much tanner than I was) yet the color was so so flattering on each. That cinched it for me so I picked up Blushing. 

Where to Purchase: L.A Girl, ikatehouse, Lady Moss,
Price: $2.99-$4.00 for .40 oz/12mL of product (price varies depending on the vendor)
Do they test on animals?: The company does not.
Packaging: The Glazed Lip Paint comes in a small squeeze tube with a plastic slant tip applicator.

Swatch:

As always, the swatch photos were taken in natural daylight with no flash. I applied one coat of the Glazed Lip Paint using a doefoot applicator.

Formula/Comparison:

The Glazed Lip Paints are a shiny pigmented gloss. These apply best with a doe foot applicator since it can really work the product into your lips. Using a lip brush made it apply a little too unevenly, especially around the edges of my lips. This didn't dry out my lips.

Although these keep getting compared to the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks, the comparison isn't apt. The Too Faced Melted Lipsticks are creamier, more like a liquid creamy lipstick. These have been compared to the OCC Lip Tars too but while they share similarities, the formulas aren't the same either. Despite the similar liquidy texture and peppermint scent, the Lip tars are more pigmented and dry down matte (which gives a longer wear time) whereas the Glazed Lip Paints stay fairly glossy. 

Wear Time:

I can get about 3 hours of good wear and after that it started fading from my inner lip outward.

Conclusion:

I like the colors in the line and how it didn't dry out my lips but I do wish the packaging was different since the slanted applicator applies too much from the tube. I wholeheartedly recommend applying it with a doefoot applicator. The wear time is also typical for a lipgloss/glossy product like this. I really love the shade Blushing because I do believe it's a universal color that anyone can wear. I'd say it's worth trying one out since it's so inexpensive but just don't forget the doe foot applicator. 

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. All opinions are my own and I wasn't compensated for this post.

Question of the Week #7: Natural or Synthetic Hair Makeup Brushes?

This week's Question of the Week is about makeup brushes. Do you prefer using brushes that have synthetic fibers or are you into natural hair brushes?

Synthetic haired brushes are usually recommended for liquids and creams and natural haired brushes are usually recommended for powders though I personally don't stick to that rule. I generally prefer natural haired brushes because of the reduced dry time, general softness, and I tend to work more with powders than I do creams and liquids.

Photos courtesy of Real Techniques and Nordstrom

If you had to pick, which would you choose? Synthetic or Natural Hair Brushes?

5 Must-Haves from Milani Cosmetics

I Purchased This

I've been doing a lot more makeup looks lately (which I'll eventually post on here) and realized that while I've done a lot of reviews, it'd be really handy to write about overall brand recommendations on the blog. One of the best and most consistent drugstore brands is Milani and I'll be talking about my personal 5 must-haves from them. I'll eventually be covering my picks from other drugstore, mid-end, and indie brands!

Milani is available at CVS and also MilaniCosmetics.com

Photos courtesy of Milani Cosmetics

Brow Shaping Clear Wax

When I was still using eyebrow powder for filling in my eyebrows, this brow shaping clear wax was a must-have as a primer. The powder and the wax would sort of mix together and form a light pomade onto my brows. I've switched over to a heavier brow gel so I am not using this as much but if you're searching for a product just to give hold to your brows or as a primer before using eyebrow powder, you'll like this! This is valued at $4.49. 

Easyliner for Lips

Although retractable liners don't come with as much product as liners that you can sharpen, I still tend to prefer them since they can be creamier to use. I happen to like these Easyliners for that purpose, creamy while still being pigmented and I don't have to deal with the mess of a sharpener. These are valued at $4.99

Color Statement Lipsticks 

Although these lipsticks are what I consider must-haves from the line, I will be honest and say that the smell gets to me (it's an artificial watermelon scent). If you can get over the scents, you'd be hard pressed to find any lipsticks in such a wide range of colors and textures in the drugstore. These are creamy and don't drag on the lips. They are valued at $5.49 each. 

Eyeshadow Primer

In my opinion, there's no better drugstore primer out there. The formula is similar to Too Faced Shadow Insurance in performance and feel but there's no separation problem like with the TF Shadow Insurance. It does a great job at preventing creasing on my eyelids and doesn't impair blending of pressed or loose eyeshadows. For only $6.49 it's worth a try (plus the packaging is an excellent squeeze tube that hasn't exploded on me).

Baked Blushes

The baked blushes have a wonderful texture with lots of payoff. Unfortunately my favorite shade by them is discontinued but there are other wonderful shades in the line. I will say that the downside to the line is that the colors are primarily shimmery but there are two mattes available if you're not into shimmer like I am. These are valued at $7.99 each.

Do you have any picks from Milani that I didn't list here? What do you like from the brand?

Disclaimer: I purchased the products mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own. I wasn't compensated for this post.