No Gloss, No Glory

Spring Fling - Ipsy (May 2013)

Can you believe it's that time again? It seems like I just posted a review on Ipsy's April bag.  The sneak peeks of this month's Ipsy bag have been causing quite a stir amongst the beauty community.  I have been doing my best to avoid any spoilers that way I could fully enjoy the awesomeness of this month's Spring Fling by Ipsy.

Mirabella Colour Sheers Lipstick (Daydream):  Mirabella Beauty mineral-based brand that claims to compliment all skin tones.  I have received Mirabella products in the past, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to try one of their lip products.  In the tube, this color is gorgeous and it swatches true to color.

This applies sheer but still very pigmented. I may have to experiment more with this brand in the future. Full size (3.0g/.11 US oz) $22.00

St Tropez One Night Only Instant Glow Body Lotion:  I have never tried this brand before, but I've heard of it.  St Tropez usually receives pretty good reviews on it's products.  The Instant Glow Body Lotion claims to provide an instant bronzed glow for those special ocassions, so it washes completely off.  It seems like a legit alternative for those that are weary about streaking from self-tanning.  1.69 fl oz - $6./5.0 fl oz - $18 (Sephora)

Zoya Spring 2013 Lovely Collection Polish (Neely): Amazingly, I only have one other bottle of Zoya nail polish in my collection.  Thank you Ipsy for including a bottle from their latest collection in this month's bag.  Neely is an interesting color that is described as "earliest spring green" and reminds me of a muted pistachio color.  I don't have anything like it so...winning! Full size (.5 fl oz) - $8

Pacifica Perfume Roll On (Tahitian Gardenia):  I first heard of the brand, Pacifica, when they received a lot of positive reviews from it's Tuscan Blood Orange Body Lotion a few months ago.  I was pleased to find one of their products in this month's bag.  Tahitian Gardenia is a sweet scent with a hint of citrues.  It is a refreshing fragrance that is far from overbearing, making it the perfect scent during the day. Full size .33oz - $18

Yaby Concealer (Honey):  I believe we received eye shadow samples from Yaby in a previous Ipsy bag.  It's always "hit and miss" when receiving concealers in a monthly subscription box.  I'm fortunate that I received a yellow toned concealer in this month's bag.

This concealer is pretty light weight and applies like butter.  I'm really impressed with this concealer and I wouldn't mind getting my hands on Yabby's concealer pre-set palette in the future.  Concealer refill $4.85

In addition to the great products I received in this month's bag, Ipsy also included a coupon code from NuMe for $110 off Hair Styling Tools and Hair Extensions + Free Thermal Pouch with purchase. Sadly, my hair is pretty short and straight so I have no need for NuMe products at the moment.  The offer is good until November 2013, who knows...maybe I'll have grown out my hair by then.

Total value for this month's "Spring Fling" by Ipsy = $58.85.  That's excluding the  adorable chevron print cosmetic bag and the $110 offer from NuMe...and it only cost me $10.  Not bad if you ask me.  What did you receive in this months bag?

Not an Ipsy subscriber? Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here

Wet n Wild Spring Forward Palettes (Limited Edition)

After two weeks of trying to find Wet n Wild's new Spring Forward Limited Edition palettes at my local drugstores, I finally did a little research and managed to find both palettes online for a somewhat reasonable price.  I received both palettes today and I'm happy to be adding both to my palette collection.

Wet n Wild (Nude Awakening):  This palette has been getting rave reviews across the beauty blogger/vlogger community and is being hailed as a dupe for the Urban Decay's Naked palette.  Check out Nouveau Cheap's in depth comparison between Nude Awakening and Naked here.

Left Side

Right Side

Naked was the first high end palette that I bought and even though the colors are extremely gorgeous, I rarely use it because of the fallout.  Wet n Wild's Nude Awakening is a greaty alternative for those that love the color selection in Naked but despise the fallout, and it retails at $4.99 in stores...if you can find it.

Wet n Wild (Going in the Wild):  Going in the Wild hasn't been receiving as much hype as Nude Awakening, which is a shame because the palette really is quite gorgeous.  Typically I stay away from the colors in this palette when they're on their own, but it's kind of hard to say no when they're packaged together so nicely and screaming SPRING.

Left Side

Right Side

For Wet n Wild palette afficianados, these are a must for your collection.  If you haven't had any luck trying to track these bad boys down, today is your lucky day.  I ordered both palettes from Nonpareil on Monday and received them today.  You can purchase both palettes for $15; after taxes/shipping it cost $20.95.

Work That Beauty - Glossybox (April 2013)

  

GlossyBox is probably the most anticipated box out of my three current monthly subscriptions.  I received this box last week and have been dragging my feet getting this post up...because frankly...I've been lazy. lol.  Anyways, I figured it was time I give GlossyBox a proper review on my blog.  Their monthly boxes are beautifully packaged, well curated, and they definitely entice me to try new brands and different products.  April's theme was "Work that Beauty"...

Glow Blush by TIGI (Lovely):  I've seen TIGI's salon products and had no idea they had a cosmetic line as well.  I was pleased to find one of their full size blushes in this month's GlossyBox.  In the package this color may scare some people off; however, I'm very impressed with the color payoff when I swatched it.  $22

Tea Bag for Bath by BVLGARI: GlossyBox provided a bar soap from BLVGARI in one of their previous boxes that smells AMAZING!  I refuse to use it just so I get a whiff of it whenever I see fit.  This tea bag intrigues me. I think I need to clean out the whirlpool tub just so I can enjoy a long soak in tea. $9.50

Organic Lip Balm by The Honest Company (Purely Simple):  One can never have too many lip balms....scratch that, somehow I do.  I've passed this one on to my oldest daughter.  She's a runner and her lips are always getting chapped.  The Honest Company is Jessica Alba's baby.  They offer natural and eco-friendly products so they get two thumbs up!!  $3.65

Bamboo Style Boho Waves Tousled Texture Mist by Alterna:  This product has been receiving rave reviews by many beauty bloggers/vloggers.  I have straight chin-length hair so this won't do anything for me.  I handed it off on my daughter, who has long naturally wavy hair.  $4.45

Coffeemint Invigorating Bodywash by Wash With Joe:  I'll be honest and state now that I've never heard of this brand before.  It's an interesting brown concoction of mint and coffee.  The consistency kind of reminds me of a terriyaki marinade that you can pick up in your local grocery store.  The scent is definitely unique but not displeasing...in my humble opinion.  $1.75

Replenishing Daily Solution by Le Metier De Beaute: This sample was offered in GlossyBox' The Manrepeller Box not too long ago.  This is probably one of the most expensive beauty products I have ever seen with the full size producte trailing over $200.  GlossyBox also included a coupon for $75 torwards my purchase from the company.  I'll give the sample a go, but I highly doubt I'll be purchasing the full size product.  $13.23

The total retail value of last month's GlossyBox $54.58.  Considering GlossyBox' subscription fee is $21/month, that's awesome.  If you would like to give GlossyBox a try, feel free to use my referral link. May marks their 1 year anniversary and subscribers anxiously awaiting this month's box to ship.