My December Ipsy (Formerly MyGlam) Bag!

This has been a long time coming! Sorry for my blog neglect - I've been miserably sick :( :(

I received my December bag on the 10th (I almost can't believe how quick the shipping was this month!) and although I was surprised to see it so quickly.. I kinda already knew what we'd be getting (but only because I'm terribly impatient and love to stalk the Facebook page/guess the hints..) ;)

&Here it is:

Pictured:

be a...bombshell cosmetics - lip gloss in 'Hot Mess'

Urban Decay  - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero'

Mirabella - 'Prime' for face and eyes

Mai Couture - highlighter papier in 'St. Barts'

NYX Cosmetics - Ultra Pearl Mania eyeshadow in 'Black Pearl'

I don't think there's a single item in my bag (this month) that I wasn't looking forward to trying. I already know and love the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils so it was a nice bonus to receive (at least for me). &I've been wanting to try the NYX Cosmetics eyeshadows for quite a while now (I always see them at Ulta but end up passing them by).

The bag is pretty cute this month and a little bit different than the bags we're use to seeing:

It's a shiny grey/silver color (love), &a little bit shorter and wider than the other bags we've received. 

They also lined the inside with their name.

Here's a closer look at the items in my bag this month:

be a...bombshell cosmetics lip gloss in 'Hot Mess'

This lipgloss is full size (3g/.11oz). It retails for $14 on their website, and can be purchased here. It is said to be a "true" red and goes on sheer but can be layered for more opaque coverage.

Here is a quick swatch I did on the back of my hand:

This gloss is super pigmented and has some major staying power. 

It left behind a bit of a 'stain' when I went to remove it so if you're not a fan of wearing sticky lipglosses I would recommend blotting your lips a bit after applying this - it should leave you with a nice wash of color. :)

Mirabella 'prime' for face and eyes

Also a full size product (12.85g/0.45oz). This primer retails for $29 on their website, and can be purchased here. Unlike other eye primers I've used, this one is clear (which is more common with face primers, or at least the majority that I use/have tried). This actually seems more like a face primer (to me) and I probably won't end up using it on my eyes - but I think it's really handy that it doubles for a face and an eye primer!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero'

Received a travel size (0.8g/0.03oz) which is not currently sold individually. I would estimate the value to be about $6.33 as 'Zero' is currently sold in a set of three (Triple Threat Travel Pencil Set) for $19, or a set of six (Smoked 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set) for $38. A full size (1.2g/0.04oz) retails for $19.

The Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners are by far my favorite eyeliners to use as they come in a range of vibrant colors, as well as the blackest black 'Perversion' - the waterproof formula wears so well for me, I actually have to work a bit harder than usual to remove it! They are also very creamy and rather easy to apply - no scratchy feeling or pulling on my lid. Here is a swatch I did comparing my new Zero eyeliner from my Ipsy bag to Perversion:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero' on the left, 

and in 'Perversion' on the right.

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier in 'St. Barts'

Received a deluxe sample size containing 25 sheets - I'm estimating the value to be $14, the full size contains 50 sheets and retails for $28 on their website and you can purchase it here.

This is the only shade they currently offer but I'm hoping they might come out with more shades in the future. Judging by the pictures on their website I would have thought this would be much lighter, but it actually has a peachy tint to it and is much more shimmery than I anticipated..

The Mai Couture Highlighter Papier opens up like a little booklet, and you can easily tear out a sheet to use them. It looks like a really pretty peachy color, but on my skin it shows up kind of orangey :( 

(swatch on the right, swiped a quarter of the sheet on the back of my hand).

NYX Cosmetics Ultra Pearl Mania in 'Black Pearl'

Last but not least, another full size item! (0.06 fl oz/5ml). These eyeshadows retail on their website for $3 and come in a wide variety of colors that can be purchased here.

I'm not a huge fan of black eyeshadow and prefer darker browns to black, but this color is actually really pretty (click the picture to enlarge). Swatch was done over NYX JEP in Milk.

Ipsy decided to implement a 'trusted influencer' program this month. In short, they had a limited supply of a new and unreleased product and rather than pass on the opportunity to sample it out - they wanted to find a way that they could still include them. They chose to send these products to customers who they felt were more interactive on the website.

Although I think that they could have gone about this better, I do understand where they are coming from. Long story short, I sent in my opinions/feedback and Ipsy was absolutely wonderful in listening to my suggestions and went WAY above and beyond by sending me a little 'care package' - this is just one of the many reasons I love Ipsy and continue to highly recommend them/support them. They are *always* listening to our feedback and trying to implement our ideas/suggestions. I've seen so much improvement over the last year and it makes me even more excited for whatever is to come. :)

Because Ipsy was so generous in sending me a little 'care package' - I wanted to add on the swatches of the other three Ultra Pearl Mania eyeshadows I received (and who doesn't love swatches? ;)). I also feel like it's worth mentioning that these eyeshadows have blown me away. As I stated above, black really isn't my choice of eyeshadow color so although 'Black Pearl' is unique and quite pretty - it didn't leave me feeling like I needed to 'run out and buy them' - you know what I mean? When I saw these three, I was excited but still skeptical.. until I swatched them. Holy amazing pigmentation! They are all so smooth and vibrant and just a little really goes a long way with these - out of habit, I pat them over NYX JEP in Milk for swatching but they really didn't need it (though I would still recommend a good primer for wear to eliminate any yucky creasing). For the price point ($3.00/ea.) these are super impressive and I'm thinking I may need to go pick up a few more.. pretty soon.. ;) The only complaint I have with these is the packaging. The way they're 'bottled' and the long neck where the lid screws on (you can see the above photo of it for reference) is inconvenient and messy to use and especially a pain to maneuver a brush into to pick up product (but not entirely impossible).

This is Baby Pink Pearl, Mocha Pearl, and Yellow Gold Pearl.

Absolutely. Freakin'. Gorgeous.

Baby Pink Pearl is like an icy pink but almost looks lilac in some lighting,

Mocha Pearl is like a pretty taupey shade with a bit of a golden overlay,

&Yellow Gold Pearl is a super pretty yellowed gold, 

but if you look really closely it has an orange hue to it (which makes me think of sunsets). <3

All in all, I think this months bag was a huge hit. I originally thought my favorite product would've been the Mai Couture Highlighter Papier, but I have to say I am actually more excited about the lip gloss and NYX eyeshadows. Just goes to show, you never really know until you try it. :) The bag contents are a combined estimated 'value' of $66.33.. but I use this term loosely, because in the end what matters is whether or not the type of products that are sent out are products you will actually use/want to try. If you're interested in finding out more about Ipsy or signing up, you can visit their website here.

FTC: This subscription is paid for by myself/by my boyfriend. I am not being compensated to write this post, these are my honest opinions on the products and company. All photos of products and swatches were taken by me in natural lighting, and are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging!