Ipsy Glam Bag: February 2015, #ipsylove + December 2014 & January 2015 Ipsy Bags

*Purchased by Me
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My Ipsy Glam Bag arrived on Valentine's Day so this month's theme #ipsylove theme seems very appropriate.  I didn't get around to sharing my December or January bag, so I'll briefly give you an overview of those two months and then with a full look at February this should give a good overall look at what a subscription to Ipsy is like.

December was a good month.  I liked the design and appearance of the actual bag.  It holds more than the envelope like bag that we got in January and February.  The Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry was really good and and worked great as to be expected.  That tied with the tarte lights, camera, lashes as my favorite products for the month.  That's already my favorite mascara, so I was excited to get a travel size.

I liked the Crown brush well enough, it's handy that it's two sided and I can always use a new brush.  I also liked getting the NYX Butter Lip Balm because I had been interested in trying that product out anyway.  I got it in Parfait, which is a little too bright pinky for me.  It went on sheer but like I said, it was too bright for my personal taste.  That being said, I liked the product and am considering trying it in either panna cotta or brownie, colors I think I'd be more comfortable in.  I'll still use, I just layer it under a darker gloss to tone it down a bit.`

The only product I wasn't that enthusiastic about was the Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish.  I just wasn't feeling it.  The color or the loose power or the applicator.  It's too shimmery for everyday wear and for special occasions I prefer the Lorac shadows my friend gave me for Christmas.  Those are just so much better, easier to work with, prettier, and longer lasting.

Overall, December was a very good bag, a great value for the $10 and I was really happy 4/5 is really good.  It was a great selection of products to end the year with!

January's theme was Fresh Start and overall, while the value is still more than there, it was a bit of a dud coming between two much better bags.  It made a bad first impression, as the bag itself was pretty ugly in my opinion.  The reverse side of the blue is white.  While I don't subscribe for the bags, they are a nice perk to the subscription and this was the first one I really didn't like.

Inside wasn't much better.  Liquid eyeliner - pass.  The Hey Honey mask was just okay,  I didn't think it did that much for my skin and it was a pain to peel off after.  It's supposed to exfoliate, but I find scrubs to more effective and easier to use.   I still really like this one.

I've gotten a Pacifica eye shadow duo before so I wasn't super enthused to find another shadow in my bag.  I thought the previous one was chalky and ended up destashing it pretty quickly.  This is a pretty color but I much prefer their fragrance and lip products over their eye shadow.

The Velvet 59 lip gloss is my favorite product from this month, it's a pretty color and neutral so it's good for everyday use.  I don't use lip gloss that much, and I just got two gorgeous Lorac colors for Christmas (thanks Margaret!) so with those plus this one so I should be set for a long time.  The "sample" is full sized and valued at $19 so I was glad I got this.

The only product I haven't tried yet is the La Fresh Eco Beauty Be Good.  Good Day, Day Moisturizer and whoa they actually sell the exact same sample I got in my bag for $13.99!!!  Now that's expensive and more than the subscription price...for a sample.  I like their individual travel packets, so I will be really scrutinizing the performance of their moisturizer to see if I think it's worth the hefty price tag.

Now, we're finally onto the current Ipsy bag!  I got five products and like four out of five so it's another good month!  The bag is the same style as the last month, this thin style doesn't hold much but they are still pretty handy.  I like this color scheme a lot better, mainly because my daughter likes it since she'll probably be the one using it.  These are the perfect size for throwing in backpacks with kleenex and PocketBac, like these or for making travel art/homework kits with pencils etc. for her.

I'm like my daughter, a big fan of pink, and that combined with the rose pink metal means that I'm all about this brush.  So pretty!  I always like getting makeup brushes and this one sells $15 so already more than the bag.

My favorite item this month is this China Glaze polish.  You can see it on my nails in my last Mani Monday post.  The glitters are really different from what I usually pick out and I love the colors, but it is best as a top coat.  This is one of the newest brands of polish that I've begun using in the past year.  If you haven't tried them out yet, these range in price from $7.50-$6.99 in stores but I only buy them when they go on sale.  I scored some on clearance at Sally's for a great price.

This is City Color Creamy Lip Stain in Flirtini isonly miss product of the month.  It's a pretty color but I don't like the formula at all.  Plus even with lip liner it didn't stay put.

GlamGlow is so expensive that I've never tried anything by them so even though I never use eye cream, I was excited to see these in my bag.  I've tried them and they make the skin around my eyes feel like a newborn's.  It pretty awesome and I only used half per use so I've used it three times and now only got one left :(

I don't wear blush that much and I have a similar color from Julep so I haven't opened this ModelCo Peach Bellini but I liked their bronzer so I'm assuming this will be pretty nice too.  I'm planning to pass it along to a friend since I already have a nearly full blush and another unopened one waiting for me.

That brings me to my thought on continuing my Ipsy Glam Bag subscription.  I'm considering cancelling even thought they consistently provide a great value for the $10 monthly subscription price.  Over the past year, I've been able to really build up my previously non-existent make up collection.  Now I have an overflow of products to try and I feel like it will take me awhile to work through all the ones I want to try.

I might need to take an Ipsy break, because while they send me more full sized products and larger samples it's usually Birchbox that sends me products I actually end up buying after sampling.  I'm still undecided because I really do like getting my fun packages of goodies each month.  With everyone using electronic means to keep in touch, it's so nice to get some thing real and physical in the mail.