My Ipsy Bag For September

 

I recently signed up for Ipsy. A lot of my friends and fellow bloggers raved about various makeup/sample sites offered so I decided to try one for myself. Ipsy seemed the best deal-cost versus what you receive.

The site itself is easy to navigated. Simply sign up, fill out your profile, and of course, give your credit card number. You get six items plus a cute little makeup bag for $10 a month. Your credit card is charged the beginning of month and your items arrive around the 3rd week of the month.

The items are a mixture of samples and full size. I have found I normally receive a wide variety of items ranging from perfume to make up, to facial products.

This month I received a gift bag filled with:

- 2 Single use packets of Skyn Iceland Hydo Cool Firming Eye Gels.
- Nyx Eyeshadow in purple (full size)
- Elizabeth Mott It’s So Big Volumizing Mascara (sample size)
- J Cats Beauty Fabulous Lipstick in Honey Crisp (full size)
- Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian (full size)

 

My thoughts:

 

The Skyn Iceland Hydo Cool Firming Eye Gels were very easy to apply and seemed to work. My eyes weren't puffy when I tried them. The cooling gel felt nice and and they didn’t pull when I removed them. I also liked the almost nonexistent smell.

The Nyx Eye Shadow is a beautiful shade of purple. Silky smooth feeling and goes on easily. Rich color though you have to layer if you want a deep dark color on your lids. First application goes on light.

Elizabeth Mott It’s So Big Volumizing Mascara. A sample size-0.14oz. Black though the tube doesn’t list an actual color name. Thick and creamy. The applicator holds a lot of product. When I used, it clumped a little and let black spots where it hit my brow when I blinked. Second application, I wiped some off the applicator and it went on much better.

J Cats Beauty Fabulous Lipstick in Honey Crisp. A full size applicator. Pretty nude shade with a hint of shimmer. When I opened the lipstick had broke off towards the bottom. *sad face*  Looks thick and creamy. Feels creamy and application is easy. While I love nude shades, nude shades do not look good on me. I put it on and it literally made my lips look thinner and disappeared into my face. It also flaked and looked crusty after about 30 minutes of wearing.

Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil in Obsidian. A full size pencil. Smooth no fuss application. A luscious black. Smears and smudges well. Easy removal.

 

All in all I like my Ipsy bag and goodies. I think you get a well rounded selection for $10.00 and month. I do wish though that you could change your profile-color and makeup selections. If there is a way, I haven't found it yet.

NARS Andy Warhol limited collection is ready and waiting for you

Nars Andy Warhol Silver Factory. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s Silver Factory studio, this dynamic set captures the essence of the superstar-saturated scene of glamorous rebels and downtown divas.
$200

Nars Andy Warhol Edie Set. Exploding on the scene like a comet, Edie Sedgwick was the quintessential sixties ‘It Girl’ and Andy Warhol’s most memorable muse. Presented in an authentic 16mm film canister, NARS celebrates Sedgwick’s iconic style with superstar essentials. Your world is your screen test. $75

 

Nars Andy Warhol Photo Booth. Andy Warhol believed a trademark look was essential to achieve superstar status. Certain to make its mark as a cult classic, NARS’ exclusive polish set smolders in camera-ready shades—from tomato soup red to scintillating silver. $35

Also available is individual nail polishes, eye shadows, and lip glosses. Price ranges from $18-$35.

This collection will only be available for a limited time to hurry to NARS to school your very own “Andy Warhol” before their gone.

ZOMG! MAC Ruffin Red is back…

After a 3 year hiatus, MACs uber popular, must have lip color, Ruffian Red is BACK. And sources confirm it brought 2 friends with it. Ruffian Gold–a bold metallic 24 carat and Ruffian Naked-a creamy beige.

This delectable shade is the brainchild of Ruffian designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais, who teamed up with MAC back in 2009 to create the perfect limited-edition lippie for their fall fashion show. Due to overwhelming popularity the shade sold out almost instantaneously.

MAC is also offering MAC is offering delicious set of ready-to-wear half-moon nails in three chic color combinations: Spectator, Demoiselle, and Demilune. These multi-use nails will change the way we look at press-on nails. They feature an adhesive on the back of the nail, so you simply press it down on the nail to stick, then peel it off from the sides when you are through. Since they're temporary, the adhesive won't damage your nails, but it's still strong enough to offer a few hours of glamorous wearing.

Refinery29 has a video showing the full collection and the “good girl gone bad” inspiration behind the collaboration.

MAC Ruffian Collection, $14.50-$25, available at MAC.

*picture courtesy of refinery29.com

Vogue Goes Gaga

Laldy Gaga’s first cover for Vogue was such a hit at the newsstands, it became Vogue’s second best seller issue ever. Vogue has decided the second time’s a charm and has hit up Gaga again, this time for it’s all-important September cover. According to sources, Gaga is using the cover to help mark the debut of her first fragrance from Coty Beauty, which is set to come out in the fall. The scent may be named Monster, according to reports. When she signed the license in September 2010, Gaga said it would smell of “blood and semen.”

0_o

*courtesy of WWD

What do OPI and Disney have in Common?

A love for Minnie Mouse.

OPI is issuing a special 4 polish collection to celebrate their love for Minnie Mouse.

Each bottle will cost $8.50 and the collection will be available in June.

MAC and Estee Lauder go Retro

The hit show Mad Men finally returns next month, and to say sorry for the delay they're offering us one heck of a gift: a makeup collab. Estée Lauder will launch a mini range of show-inspired products on their website on March 18, with ads featuring Constance Jablonski doing her best Betty Draper impression.

 

 

Not to be out done, MAC has announced a retro line of makeup inspired by Marilyn Monroe. The collection, set to launch in October, will include lipstick, eyeshadow, nail polish, and more.  Think bold reds and hot pinks. Now the only question is who will appear in the ads: will it be Michelle Williams or one of the girls from that show Smash?

How to look gorgeous when your lazy

I am a lazy person.

I don’t mean I do nothing all day, in fact, I am so freaking busy every day that I find certain aspects in my life are neglected. Haircuts? I tend to grab a pair of scissors and trim up my ‘cousin it’ do when I start running in to things.  Eyebrows? Lets just say that I call the right one Bert and the left one Ernie. I have never curled my eyelashes and the only hot oil treatment I ever get is if I accidently spill some on me from dinner.

The beauty editor at Refinery29 put together some products that even a slacker like me can use and come out looking like a diva.

Early beauty trends from NY 2011 Fashion Week

Plump juicy lips are the IN trend seen so far at Fashion Week. Tangy tangerine and berry-licious mauve coated model’s lips as they glided down the runway.

DVF                                           Milly by Michele Smith

 

Decorative barrettes and flowers are abundantly used to pin hair in a chic side sweep style.

Mischka                                     Rodate

 

Bright eyes gleaned from the runway as Oscar de la Renta and Peter Som highlighted their models with bold sweeping jewel colors across the eyes.

 
De la Renta                                Peter Som

 

The messy updo is making a come back for 2011. The haphazard look is softened but curling wisps that frame the face and neck.

Schouler                                    Donna Karen

Well Since You Asked….Yes, I Do Love Bacon

Do I love bacon?

Does a bear crap in the woods?

I am a bacon fanatic. Anything bacon has a place in my home and heart. In trolling the net I have found even more bacon delights to feed my addiction:

1. Bacon Maple Lattes: Available at San Francisco's Pirate Cat Radio Cafe, this delectable carnivore delight  is a double espresso latte spiked with organic maple syrup and Prather Ranch bacon, sprinkled with Bac-Os.

2. Bacon-Flavored Water: "Bacon Delight" gives you the benefits of hydration along with a meaty after-taste. When it comes to drinking bacon, I prefer the Bacon Vodka myself.

3. Bacon Jam: When I think of jam,  strawberry, grape and if I’m feeling frisky , boysenberry comes to mind. But the idea of bacon jam never entered my mind… until now. How do you make it? Fry up some bacon, add a bunch of spices and pulse the combo in a food processor until it becomes spreadable.

4. Maple Bacon Morning Coffee: As a coffee fanatic, I can’t think of anything that would go better with my Bacon Jam on toast then some Maple Bacon Coffee.

5. Bacon Maple Lollipops: Sure to satisfy that sweet salty craving we all get at 3am. Whatever-don’t lie. Your know you get it too. Made by Absinthe Lollipops, you have a choice of $10 for 4, $24 for 12, and $52 for 36.

6. Bacon Gumballs: Yes, this may be going overboard with the “bacon” thing, but who can blame me? Bacon is a powerful force and I am but a disciple doing my part to spread the gospel.

7. Bacon Lip Balm: This is for “true” connoisseurs only.  Now you too can have soft luscious pork smelling lips. I recommend staying away from dogs and cats though. You may get more “sugar” then you bargained for.

8. Bacon Wallet: Put some hip into your hip pocket with a whimsical Bacon Wallet! Great for bringing home the bacon. :)

9. Bacon Bandages: Forget Superman or Hello Kitty-treat your minor cuts, scrapes and scratches with the incredible healing power of bacon And if a fancy bandage isn't enough to dry up your tears, you get a FREE PRIZE in the tin container they are packaged in. SQUEEE!!!

 

Last but not least….

 

10. Bacon Floss: Recommended by 9 out of 10 Dentists, Now you can improve your dental hygiene while enjoying the amazing flavor of crispy fried bacon. Is there anything bacon can’t improve? I think not!

Mad For Plaid?

Are you mad for plaid? If your like me and worship at the alter of Burberry then you'll be thrilled to hear that Burberry is now doing make up.
Starting this month, Burberry is introducing a 96 piece make up line based on their timeless trench coats.

"Burberry Beauty is completely integrated with everything else we do with the brand and with the company," saidChristopher Bailey, Burberry's chief creative officer. 

"It started because I felt that, at shows and the shoots, the whole Burberry attitude is epitomized through the shoes, the bags, the clothes, the accessories, but then the face was the one thing I really struggled with. When we were doing makeup, I felt like we weren't able to get the right attitude. It was either caked-on makeup or then just the wrong colors, the wrong tones, the wrong spirit for makeup. I wanted it to be this kind of effortless elegance."

The line echos the signature trench, with beige cartons and the Burberry check pattern etched into the cosmetic packaging. The line will include everything from lip liner to foundation to makeup brushes and will sell for about $24 to $60. 


You will be able to purchase from Nordstroms and Burberry website starting this month.