These Hot Summer Nights are eating me up on electric bills, but Ipsy is $10 a month (including shipping) so I kept my sub going.  I know this post is super late, but I’ve been reorganizing my publications with the launch of my Patreon project.  I debated whether or not to post this one, since the new Ipsy month has already started, but my Ipsy gallery would feel incomplete if I didn’t have every month listed.

Enough about that, let’s talk about the bag.  I adore the holographic silver material.  The umbrellas don’t do much for me, but they’re only on one side.  Not super intrusive.  The problem I have with this bag is actually the janky zipper.  It snags in the first half inch trying to zip it up.  That’s not the battle I want to have when I’m trying to put my makeup away.  It will move after a bit of jiggling, and it’s still a cool looking bag, so I’m gonna put this one at 3 of 5.

theBalm Cosmetics Meet Matt(e) Trimony Eyeshadow in Matt Kumar

(full-size 21.6g @ $42; ipsy size 0.5g) $0.97

I’ve been underestimating the amount of product in theBalm’s retail palettes.  Turns out the singles they send in ipsy bags are only the tiniest taste of the real thing.  That said, I’ve been enjoying the eyeshadows that I’ve gotten since I change my eye color to green on the ipsy quiz.  I got Matt Kumar, a lovely matte cranberry that will fit in well with last month’s UD Fireball or my Revealed 3 palette.  It’s really more of an autumn color, but I love getting dolled up in autumn.  5 out of 5.

tre’StiQue Mini Highlight Stick in Maldives Luminescent

(full-size $34; ipsy mini 0.04oz) $6.48

When I saw I was getting a highlight stick, I thought “I don’t need that.  I have an excellent tool for that attached to an eyebrow gel from Hard Candy.”  Seriously, the stick I already own gives a great glow.  Turns out, this one does too.  I’m not going to say I’m totally blown away with it, but it’s a pretty good highlighter.  4 out of 5.

ModelCo POWERLASH Black Mascara

Mini $9

You know the war I have with mascara.  I’ve only found one that can withstand an evening out without crumbling down my face.  I wasn’t excited to get one in my bag, but I gave it a fair try.  I allowed several hours of wear to really test it out.  Folks, it surprised me.  Not only did it do beautiful things for my eyelashes (I wish I had pictures handy as I type this), but it didn’t leave any fallout.  I love it! 5 out of 5.

Luxie Beauty Luxie Rose Gold Small Angle Eye Brush 215

$10

Hold onto your butts, this isn’t going to be pretty.  The brush tip would be great if it looked like the tip on the website, but it’s so poorly cut, I wouldn’t trust it with my eyeliner.  One again, brow kits have been my savior in this department. I have an angled brush that’s perfect for eyeliner that was originally for brow powder. I’ve had other brushes from Luxie that are great, but they screwed up with this one.  The good news is, it’s still a good brush for shadow details.  I’ve still got to give it a 2 out of 5, because if I purchased this needing a brush for gel liner, I’d be very sad at the uneven mess it produced and think I’m horrible at makeup.

Eva NYC Get Glossed! Hair Serum

(full-size: 1.7fl.oz @ $18; ipsy size: 0.4fl.oz) $3.53

 

Yeah, so I get a ton of hair products like this, and you would think that having so much experience with so many different products, I would have more constructive things to say.  I don’t.  Argan oil and similar products all do pretty much the same thing.  I haven’t noticed one being head and shoulders above the rest.  The best hair smoothing product I’ve ever used (and I cut the tube open to salvage every last smear) is Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream.  Eva NYC makes a great dry shampoo, but I’m just not all that impressed with the hair serum.  It doesn’t suck, but it’s pretty average.  3 out of 5.

Total value: $29.98; ipsy price: $10

Overall Score: 3.67

At this point, you’re probably wondering why I didn’t mention the eyeliner pen shown in all the pictures.  I’m not including it in the score for this bag, because I chose it myself as a points reward.  I redeemed 500 ipsy points for that baby, and I’m very happy with it.  Not sure how much longer my current pen has left, I always like to have a backup of my essentials.  This is Mirabella Beauty Magic Marker Eyeliner in Very Black and I’m Very Happy with it.

I know it’s too late now for you to sub to the August bag (Sugar Highness), but you may still get in for the September bag.  If you’re interested, I’d be so grateful if you used my referral link.  Thanks so much!