Hey all!
It’s Ipsy time! It always makes my day a little better when I see that hot pink bubble mailer in the mailbox. 
And If you don’t know…
Ipsy is a $10/month subscription bag that generally includes 4-5 deluxe sample or full size products. When joining their website you fill out a beauty quiz and that is how they personalize the products to you. Now, some months are hit and miss — there maybe a product or two that I am not crazy about. If I’ll never use it, I give it away. But, sometimes it’s a great product to try and a wonderful way jump out of my comfort zone. You never know. It is also important to be as honest as possible during the quiz to help ensure bags you would like. Seriously, it’s $10 a month. Can’t beat that. The only downfall is the wait list. But every other month they usually have a skip the waitlist feature. I only waited a month. And I always post about the skip link, so keep your eyes peeled. You can sign up here.
…now you know.
This is my bag with some extra goodies.
Each month has a theme and comes with a cute little insert. This month’s was “Fresh Start” 
There’s always something about the “fresh start” or new year theme that is appealing. The bag.
This is the first bag that I am not loving. I personally HATE color blocking. The half blue, half white, coral/orange zipper combo just isn’t making this any better for me. I love the bag itself. It is made well, the zipper is on the top, and I really like whatever material it is made of. But I am certainly not complaining. I have enough Ipsy bags. Okay time to dig in. 
(MALIN+GOETZ) – Mojito Lip Balm
Recieved – Sample size 0.20 oz. – *Estimated value – $6.86
Retail – Full size 0.35 oz – $12.00
(MALIN+GOETZ) 
Mojito Lip Balm is as soothing to the lips as it is to the senses. Flavored with (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito, this lip balm is scientifically blended to restore and replenish. This hydrating lip gel easily integrates for daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry, irritated lips. Color and paraben free.
This little guy came at a perfect time. Can anyone say cold, dry, chapped lips? Well, I can’t really BUT I can appreciate that others definitely need this. The balm has a nice light scent to it, certainly not overpowering. It is a clear gel formula meant to soothe lips. So far it has lasted on my lips for three hours and I still have a nice coating on there. I thought this was a full size product until I saw the website. The sample size is as big as my other lip products. I can’t see buying it for $12, but that’s just me. 
Elizabeth Mott – All Over Shadow Brush
Recieved – Full size
Retail – $9.99
Don’t miss a spot with this ridiculously soft shadow brush. This brush with its 100% synthetic bristles is the perfect multitasker. Use it to highlight your brow bone and place the right amount of color for perfect and even application! Your lids will thank you later!
One can never have enough brushes. Plus, IT’S PINK. The brush is nice and firm so it will be perfect for packing on shadow. Only time will tell how the brush holds up to washing and use but I don’t think I will have an issue. Ipsy feel free to send me a new brush every month, I’d love a few blending fluff eye brushes. 
Hey Honey – Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask
Recieved – Sample size 10ml. – *Estimated value – $7
Retail – Full size 50ml – $35.00
This fifteen-minute beauty mask brightens and smooths skin with the exfoliating power of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, while moisturizing with luxurious honey extract. It instantly renews skin, leaving it refreshed and clean after only a few minutes. This gel mask helps promote a smooth and clear complexion for a post facial feeling. Take It Off! is quick and easy to use, so you can feel beautifully refreshed, radiant and ready to go in just a few minutes.
This is a clear, sticky-gel mask that applies as a thin film and after it dries you can peel it off. I love the easiness of peel off masks over scrub off masks. It feels sticky but cooling as you apply it and as it dries. After removed my skin felt clean, smooth, and slightly tight. I can probably get two or three uses out of this sample.
Coastal Scents – Liquid Eyeliner
Recieved – Full size 0.20 fl oz.
Retail – $2.95
Add impact to any look with our Liquid Eyeliner in Jet. This sleek onyx hue liner is ideal for creating impressively dazzling eyes instantly. The tiny felt tip brush allows you to precisely line eyes effortlessly. The formula dries quickly and lasts all day without smudging, smearing, or fading away.
I am not a big eyeliner user. I mean mostly my eyeliner is smudged out eyeshadow. This one is pretty impressive though. The applicator is nice and firm and thin, so it will not move during application. The liner itself is very black and dries within a few seconds. I swatched it on my hand last night and I had to really scrub it off with soap and water, which leads me to believe its staying power on eyes will be great. I would definitely recommend an eye-makeup remover with this product.
Pacifica– Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow in Ethereal
Recieved – Full size? 0.08 oz.
Retail – *Estimated value $4.67???
An incredibly innovative formula that pushes natural makeup and mineral color to new bounds. Rich, lasting, creaseless eye shadows are infused with coconut water for a velvety, cream-like finish. Formulated without: Phthalates, parabens, carmine, beeswax, lanolin, mineral oils, propylene glycol, petroleum and FD& C colors (along with other nasties you do not want on your skin). No animal testing. Gluten-free, 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Oh Pacifica. I love this company and their products. I have never been disappointed. This shadow is smooth and creamy with great color pay off. The shade is light and will make a great brow bone, highlight, or inner eye color. The only downside of this product is that I cannot find it anywhere. Pacifica does not normally sell individual eyeshadows. They sell palettes that range from $14-$32. This product is definitely the same size, if not larger, than a typical individual eyeshadow. So in some ways it is a sample (because it isn’t a Pacifica trio or palette) but it is also a large sized eyeshadow. I also could not find this color anywhere. I looked all over their site and this color is in none of their eyeshadow palettes.
I loved this bag this month. The fact that all the items were from companies who are cruelty free was such a plus. I went into this year knowing that I would probably have to give away some of my Ipsy stuff because of my new commitment. This bag gave me hope that I might not have to get rid of that many items. Thanks Ipsy!
You can join here.
Below are some extras that I got for trading in points.
So now to address those extras I had in the bag. I cashed in some Ipsy Points. I will have some Ipsy Point info at the end of this post if you are curious.
Tarte – deluxe lights, camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara
Recieved – Sample size – 0.10 oz.
I loved this mascara so much that when I saw the extras up for Ipsy points I had to get one. This is the only mascara I have found that does not run throughout the day. Once I run out of there I will for sure be buying the full size.
**The next two products I redeems points for are NOT cruelty free** Of course due to my new years resolutions I will be trading/giving them away. Unfortunately, I decided to trade my points in for them before I realized that Benefit Cosmetics tests on animals.
Benefit Costemtics – Fakeup
Received – Sample 0.01oz
Cover-up goes incognito! This hydrating crease-control concealer – with Vitamin E & apple seed extract – hides dark circles & diffuses fine lines for a silky smooth, ultra-natural look. Available in three shades, it’s proven to keep skin hydrated for 6 hours!
Benefit Cosmetics – Posiebalm
Received – Sample size 0.01 oz.
A perfect pucker! Posiebalm conditions & hydrates with mango butter and sodium hyaluronate. This poppy-pink tinted kiss of sheer, buildable color gives you the softest, prettiest lips.
Ipsy Link >> http://www.ipsy.com/r/880j?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general
Ipsy Points…
Okay, so, how do you earn points? There are many different ways to earn points and some earn more than others.
Member bonus: Earn 100 ipsyPoints just for joining!
Referrals: Earn 250 ipsyPoints for each friend referred through your unique referral link. Learn more about referrals. Product reviews: Earn 10 ipsyPoints for each product reviewed in your Glam Room.
Glam Bag review: Earn 10 ipsyPoints for reviewing your complete Glam Bag. To see the popup for this, log in to your ipsy account toward the end of the month. This popup will only appear once.
Sharing your Glam Bag: Earn 5 points for sharing your Glam Bag’s arrival on Facebook. To see the popup for this, log in to your ipsy account after Glam Bags have shipped. This popup will only appear once.
Question of the month: Earn 5 points for answering the question of the month and sharing on Facebook. To see a popup for this, log in to your ipsy account after Glam Bags have shipped. This popup will only appear once.
The point system is still working out some kinks and Ipsy team members seem to be taking Ipster feedback into consideration. Many people suggested more choices – so they gave us more choices. Many people suggested adding items that are worth different point amounts – and they did. The items range from 250-1500 points and some sell out fairly quickly. The points also expire one year after you earn them, which is a downfall, but I have never held onto points for that long.
*All estimated prices based on full size retail comparison.
Scrubs & Flip-Flops 