Ipsy- Party Perfect product reviews- Nailtini, Chella, Bare Minerals, theBalm, Starlet

this is a look back at a previous Ipsy bag and what I thought of the products inside. Ipsy is an amazing deal, this bag was valued at almost $50, not including the Just Fab $20 gift card. At only $10 a month, you can barely buy even buy a single drugstore item for that price, let alone a cosmetics bag with 4-5 items, mostly full sized!
If you'd like to join, I'd LOVE for you to use my LINK. Thanks!

I absolutely ADORE this Nailtini polish in Millionaire. Stunning and reminds me of the Nail Inc Feather Effect  polish that I'm wearing today but they had the look first! Long wearing, applies like a dream and is truly a showstopper. I've got a number of Nailtini polishes, and they always become a favorite in my mani arsenal. This is one of those polishes that makes people examine my nails up close and go "ooooh!" Simply put, gorgeous.                         

Chella Eyebrow Defining Gel
Is fantastic. I have very fair brows, but they also rival Ernest Borgnine's in sheer voluminousness.  While thicker, natural brows are in,Wilford Brimley with caterpillars glued onto his forehead is not. This stuff tames them, makes them look groomed and glam, keeps them in place and in general gives a more polished look. It's also excellent for using with brow powders to keep it from giving you fallout. Now a staple in my beauty bag of tricks.

Bare Escentuals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss - # Dare Devil 4.5ml/0.15oz Contains natural ingredients exotic oils botanical extracts & antioxidants With a refreshing formula that nourishes lips for exceptional comfort Provides sheer vibrant color Creates a full satiny shimmering & mirror-like pout that lasts for hours This is not only a gorgeous color, but it feels fantastic on your lips. It has a lovely minty tingle that has the added bonus of sweetening your breath while also giving a slight plumping to the lips. They really DO look fuller! Not Angelina or anything, but they definitely make a difference without causing agonizing pain like some lip plumpers. Extremely shiny and smooth with a nice slick, non sticky feel that lasts and lasts.

theBalm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette by theBalm Cosmetics 1 Eyeshadow Palette theBalm Meet Matt(e) Eyeshadow Palette by theBalm Cosmetics 1 Eyeshadow Palette

This is a regular use color for me; I keep it on my makeup table and am constantly grabbing it. I'm amazed that I haven't panned it out yet. A rich sable brown that goes on silky smooth with no fallout. It plays well with others and also makes a great basic day to day fast application 'out the door' shade that you can slap on and look like you tried. It has awesome staying power and will still be just as rich at the end of the day as when you started. And the retro packaging? Adorable.


There was also an eyeliner by Starlet Cosmetics, but they appear to have gone the way of the dodo..... Guess that sums up the general public opinion fairly well, eh? I thought it was fine. Nothing to write home about (and with my mom being who she is, we actually DO that, she just mailed me an article on the influence that the right shoes can have in the workplace) but a decent, inexpensive liner that didn't smudge too bad with a primer. Trust me, it definitely didn't smear as much as my hated bane-of-my-existence Elizabeth Arden eye pencil.

Jet Set Birchbox with product reviews

Birchbox was the first and remains up there with the best. There's variety, consistency, and quality- all for a low $10 a month! This particular box was jam packed with absolutely wonderful stuff. One of my fave parts about Birchbox is that you get points every time you review a product. Review 10 products, get $10 in Birchbox store credit! Sweet!




 This is a cool deal I found on Amazon, they're selling not only the Cynthia Rowley Band Aids, but also the Cynthia Rowley designed makeup bag that came with the last Beauty.com sampler!  Not only pretty, but also real actual Band Aid brand Band Aids! I am a total klutz and am constantly injuring myself so I like to buy cute adhesive bandages. Sadly, a lot of them are adorable but completely useless. These are good old fashioned, hard working, long lasting Band Aids, so you get the best of both worlds. I have been hoarding these like a squirrel, I've got something like 10 boxes in my medicine cabinet.



Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner Black 0.07 oz

When I first got this, Birchbox had an exclusive on the British Eyeko brand, but now you can pick one up at Sephora for $16. This eyeliner has my undying love. I received a similar pen from Marbella in an Ipsy shipment, and this is what they wish they were but stumbled. I just saw that they have a purple and an olive one! OOOOHHHH! You can make super skinny lines or big old fat cat eyes with ease. This stuff doesn't smudge or flake and is ridiculously easy to apply. The nub is flexible and leaves a beautiful even clean line. Love love love. If you're an eyeliner kinda gal, you owe it to yourself to try this one out.

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• JOHN VARVATOS STAR USA by John Varvatos EDT SPRAY 3.4 OZ for MEN

  I found a great deal on this! Fragrance.net has the 3.4 oz for less than most places sell the 1 oz! This was included to promote the then new Birchbox men. In the tube I thought it smelled too much like Polo (high school flashbacks to my gay boyfriend) but after the hubband put some on and it warmed into his skin, I found myself really digging it! It's woodsy but with a really sexy amberish drydown. Fragrance.net also gives you 20% off your first purchase on top of the discounted price. 

   Oh mama.... this stuff is absolutely DIVINE. Extracted by distillation of organic rosa damascena petals and naturally rich in active principles, rose water is often recommended for delicate skin. Astringent, it helps regulate sebum secretion and tends to prevent the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Natural and Organic Cosmetics certified by ECOCERT FRANCE according to ECOCERT's Standards, 100% of the total ingredients from natural origin, 99,91% of the total ingredients from Organic Farming. It makes a refreshing and uplifting toner and if you use it on your skin when you're overheated or tired you perk up like a wilted flower that's been given some water. The smell is to die for- a true rose scent- no fake perfumey roses here. I carried this around in my purse as a midday refresher.
  
  
  

Thebalm Lip Care, 8.5g/0.3oz Stainiac (Cheek & Lip Stain) - # Beauty Queen for Women
I was surprised- I didn't think anyone could match the quality of Benefit's Benetint. I like that this has a sponge applicator for the lips so you don't have to worry about pouring out too much liquid and it's more gel like in it's consistency so it doesn't run everywhere. The consistency makes it easier to apply to the lips than Benetint, but harder to apply to the cheeks since it doesn't blend in as easily. I love how companies are doing these multipurpose products so much lately! Saves tons of time and makes packing for trips much easier.



Yu-Be - Moisturizing Skin Cream (Tube)

This stuff is DA BOMB. I have gone through 3 tubes of this stuff since I first got the sample. They do sell it in a larger jar, but I prefer the tube because I can carry it easily in my purse to use throughout the day. Because I wash my hands so much at work, I can apply layer after layer of regular lotion and my hands still feel dry. When I massage this in, I can practically hear my hands whispering "thank you!" on chapped lips, it feels amazing. It has a really thick consistency, but it actually absorbs into the skin with no trace of a greasy feel at all and leaves behind nothing but baby soft, hydrated, grateful skin. In the summertime when I spend a lot of time outdoors getting bug bites, this stuff is a lifesaver. It's so soothing and makes the itches go away immediately. An all around miracle cream, it's no surprise that it has a cult following. Yes, it has a camphor smell at first, but the scent fades within a minute or two.

The #1 Selling Medicated, Vitamin-Enriched Skin Care Cream in Japan.

Yu-Be has been manufactured in Japan since 1957 making it one of Japan's longest-selling moisturizers

Yu-Be's Glycerin-and-vitamin-based formula was invented by Japanese pharmacist Yoshikiyo Nowatari as a product the entire family could use

A special manufacturing process gives Yu-Be's concentrated, Glycerin-based moisturizer a rich, creamy texture that absorbs into your skin instantly and stays locked in for hours.

Concentrated glycerin moisturizer helps hydrate, soothe and smooth dry skin on the whole family (kids too!)

Glycerin - Natural "Humectant" attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it softer.
Vitamin E - Natural anti-oxidant and skin protector.
Vitamin B2 - Helps to smooth rough or damaged skin - also gives Yu-Be it's natural yellow color.
Camphor - Helps soothe minor skin irritations and improves blood circulation - mild scent dissapears in minutes leaving skin feeling healthy.

Directions:

Use Yu-Be anywhere on the body - even the face and lips.

Helps heal split cuticles and smooth rough, dry skin on hands, elbows, knees and feet.

Helps protect and moisturize skin exposed to cold, wind and water.

Non-greasy formula absorbs instantly and locks in for hours. Good for all day or all night.

Contains no artificial colors or fragrances.