Ipsy (formerly MyGlam): February 2013

It's that time again! My February Ipsy bag arrived yesterday! :)
The theme this month is 'Red Carpet Ready' which, I think, is a bit of a breath of fresh air - I'm quite happy to see that not everything is centered around Valentine's Day this month.
The only varying product for subscribers this month was the Coastal Scents eye shadow sample set. There were two different sample sets sent out ('In The Spotlight' containing Dark Goldenrod, Sunbeam, Golden Globe, &Dark Golden Olive and 'Glitz & Glamour' containing Candlelight, Gunmetal, Incognito, &Ashen).

Here's a look at my Ipsy bag and the products I received:

Pictured:

Lash Card - The Lash Card

POP Beauty - Smoky Lash Kapow!!! mascara in 'Smoky Black'

Coastal Scents - 'In The Spotlight' eye shadow sample set

MicaBeauty Cosmetics - Gel Eyeliner in black

Pixi - Flawless & Poreless pore minimizing face primer

&now for the close-ups!:

Lash Card - The Lash Card deluxe sample

I received a deluxe sample containing four lash cards (individually wrapped as pictured above - click to enlarge the photo :)). These retail for $6.99 per pack of ten on their website, found here. My deluxe sample is an estimated value of $2.80 (4/10 * $6.99 = $2.796).

Personally, this isn't a product I feel like I would need or use often.. but I will likely still give them a shot eventually. If nothing else, they may come in handy for catching fallout while applying overly glittery eyeshadows. ;)

POP Beauty - Smoky Lash Kapow!!! mascara in 'Smoky Black'

I received a deluxe sized sample (0.17oz/4.8g) and a full size (0.25oz/7g) retails for $18.50 on their website, found here. My deluxe sample is an estimated value of $12.58 (0.17oz/0.25oz * $18.50 = $12.58).

I've seen a lot of bad reviews so far, but I actually quite like this mascara. Bottom line is that it didn't replace my holy grail mascara (Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes) but it worked decently enough that I will finish off the sample. This mascara gave me more length and volume, but it can easily get clumpy during application, wouldn't hold much of a curl, and transferred/smudged underneath my eyes after a few hours of wear.

Coastal Scents - 'In The Spotlight' eye shadow sample set

I received a quad of these little sample sized eyeshadows (2g/0.07oz) with an approximate value of .99cents each. These samples are actually comparable to the size of the eyeshadows found in their 88, 120, & 252 palettes and NOT the size of their Hot Pots eyeshadows (which retail at $1.99 ea.). You can visit their website here. 

We've received this type of sample set in the past, and a size comparison can be found here from my previous post about them. :)

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love and highly recommend Coastal Scents. These eyeshadows are great quality and highly pigmented at a fraction of the cost! I own a few of their palettes myself, and I have a ton of swatches I still need to post from the most recent palettes I've purchased.. but, for now.. here's some quick swatches for the 'In The Spotlight' sample set I received! ;)

Left to right: Dark Goldenrod, Sunbeam, Golden Globe, Dark Golden Olive

*Swatches were done over NYX JEP in 'Milk', 

&photographed in natural sunlight.

MicaBeauty Cosmetics - gel eyeliner in black

I believe these MicaBeauty gel eyeliners we received are full size, though the container doesn't specify. A full size (0.18oz/5g) retails for $35 on their website here, and typically comes with a cap that has a brush inside.

I cannot even put into words how much I love this eyeliner! Super creamy, super pigmented, very easy to use (thankfully I have a few eyeliner brushes already). Also love using this on my waterline.

Pixi - Flawless & Poreless pore minimizing face primer

I received a deluxe sample (15ml/0.5fl oz.) and a full size (30ml/1.01fl oz.) retails for $29 on their website here. My deluxe sample is an estimated value of $14.50 (15ml/30ml * $29 = $14.50).

I'm not super impressed with this primer, unfortunately. :/ The consistency is a bit watery at first but after rubbing it into my skin it feels more like I'm applying lotion. I expected it to feel really hydrating, but instead it feels drying on my skin.. maybe not so good for the 'winter' months. heh 

I'm not ready to give up on this primer just yet!

Last but not least.. I put together a look using the products from my Ipsy bag this month. I also had a hard time capturing this look with my camera.. so, please forgive my silliness. :)

*Products used:

eyeshadows: all colors are from my Coastal Scents sample set aside from the brow highlight which is a random white from my Coastal Scents 88 palette.

Sunbeam (inner corner/duct), Golden Globe (inner portion of lid), Dark Goldenrod (outer portion of lid), Dark Golden Olive (outer corner/crease)

eyeliner: MicaBeauty Cosmetics gel liner in black (upper lash line/wing and waterline)

mascara: POP Beauty Smoky Lash Kapow!!! mascara in Smoky Black (upper and lower lashes)

Hope you all are having a wonderful Valentine's Day, thanks for reading! :)

FTC: This sub was 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 were taken by myself in natural lighting, are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging!