Ipsy July 2014 Review
Next up in ridiculously belated reviews… SHIT I GOT (from Ipsy).
This is what it looks like in a pile:
Moisturizer! You could wear it! Marginally more exciting that body lotion! SPF 15! That's technically better than not wearing sunscreen at all!
This moisturizer advertises "rosemary, pomegranate, and rice" on its label. If you want to know what it smells like, rice is definitely the closest.
Hang Ten Dark Tanning Oil (1 fl oz), approximate retail value $1.50
This was probably the biggest cause of tipsy-related "sad trombone" noises last month. It was sent to a wide variety of people ranging from very dark skinned to very light skinned, many of whom responded with an "Um, no thanks."
I'm actually not as offended by this product as I have been by other tanning products that subscription boxes have hoisted on me, simply because there's nothing deceptive about it. I won't use it, but I don't use all sorts of random shit I get sent in low-cost boxes like this one.
BareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Divine Wine (0.03 fl oz), approximate retail value $5.40
A new product from a known brand isn't an Ipsy sample to shake a stick at.
Although the fact that BareMinerals is trying to capitalize on the whole "BB" trend is pretty eye-roll-worthy, the product is decent.
It's a very creamy formula with a consistency that is reminiscent of Cool Whip. You can apply it with the included doe foot applicator and blend it with your finger (or a brush for people who don't mind immediately having to wash your brushes). It blends relatively well and, once dry, stays put. It's also quite opaque.
Divine Wine is mysteriously a taupe color, rather than the burgundy shade the name implies.
Elizabeth Mott Tints and Sass Lip and Cheek Stain (full size at 0.35 oz), retail value $22.99
On lips and cheeks.
Pür Minerals Big Look Waterproof Mascara (0.12 oz), approximate retail value $14.12
I found this mascara to be consistent with drugstore mascaras in quality… but the packaging is pretty excellent. The glittery water droplets on the handle are cute as hell.
Otherwise, it's a thick-brushed, medium-wet formula that gives both length and volume, but is spectacular in neither characteristic, and that has a tendency to cause your lashes to stick together.
If you want glamorous packaging, though...
Total Box Value: $66.07
Overall, this box was fine. Obviously, the dollar value is pretty good, given the $10 a month price tag on the subscription service, but there was no standout product that I'm excited about. Most of these things I will probably never use again. The tanning oil, for example, only made it out of its plastic wrap so that I could take a photo.
If you like getting random makeup in the mail and you don't especially care whether or not it sucks, Ipsy will get the job done. Still, I definitely wish that a greater percentage of these products were something new, interesting, or high quality.
If you are feeling the urge to join Ipsy, you are always welcome to use my referral link by clicking here.
