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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Denison chapter.

    After receiving several monthly beauty bags from my Ipsy subscription, I decided to construct a formal review of the five mini products that I was sent this month… I typically pass on the unwanted products to my friends and family, but this month, I wanted to give each product a fair try and record my thoughts throughout the course of around a week. A fully successful Ipsy bag is usually touch-and-go for me, which is normal. However, I felt that I haven’t given each bag as much attention as I could, since I do pride myself on being well-versed in the sphere of makeup and skincare. Also, each month’s products are sent in an adorable, themed bag that can be reused. The lavender color of the bag with the abstract flowers was very pretty, and I can’t wait to use it in a school backpack or travel bag in the future. Here’s the contents of my most recent bag and my complete, honest reviews on the products inside: 

 

  1. Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich face cream – This moisturizer quickly became one of my favorite items… I’m not exaggerating. I never understood the recent “hype” around Glossier products, but this product intrigued me. This face cream comes in a round tub, has a thick texture, and smells strongly of rose and lavender. The first time I used the product, I was blown away by the smooth, silky texture. Although it feels thick and intense, this moisturizer applies extremely well. It soaked into my skin and I felt both refreshed and comforted. The makeup application that followed applied very well… my skin felt much more hydrated and balanced. I have continued to use this product every night and every morning; I can’t get enough! I love this aspect of Ipsy… the surprise of finding a new beauty staple in a small sample size is so exciting to me, and I plan on purchasing the full size from the Glossier website. 

  2. Kaleido Cosmetics blush (in the shade primadonna) – This blush was a nice surprise! While I love blush and wear it daily, I am very picky about the texture of blush products. Since I do not wear a full face of makeup everyday, I prefer to use blushes that have a softer texture and a buildable application; I don’t want to overdo the color on my cheeks. This blush has a very soft texture that I enjoy, and the pigmentation of the pink shade is noticeable but not overbearing for me. I tried the product for about a week, but after giving it a fair try, I noticed myself reaching for other blushes that I know and trust out of habit… I do enjoy the small compact though; it seems perfect for travel!

  3. Estate Beauty “Dew Me” baked highlight powder (in the shade lit) – This small, round compact appealed to me immediately… the gold dome of a baked highlight just seemed to pull me in. I received another highlighter from this brand in a previous Ipsy, and it has become my favorite cheek and inner corner highlight. However, this shade was a bit too deep for me to use on my cheeks because of my fair skin tone. Instead of passing it on or tossing it in the reject bin, I decided to use this product as an eyeshadow! The soft gold shade and the smooth texture gave my eyelids a nice shine and glow. I am looking forward to using this more often during the summer months. 

    Messy Makeup Table Flatlay
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary / Her Campus

  4. Balance Me wonder eye cream – This eye cream, while smoothing and refreshing, did not stand out to me. I love applying a thin layer of eye cream before makeup application each morning; it gives my under eye area a smooth base for concealer. This specific eye cream did not do anything noticeable to my eye area. I will continue to use it, since the product size is small, but I would rather use a product that works to reduce dark circles. Yes, I should give it a few more weeks to see any improvement because it does say “award winning cooling gel” on their website… but I was not overly impressed thus far. 

  5. Bellápierre Cosmetics matte lipstick (in the shade incognito) – Unfortunately, this lipstick was the worst product of my bag this month. While the formula was not bad, the very pale nude shade did not work well for my skin tone. I typically reach for lip glosses, so a matte lipstick is not my ideal choice for a lip product. I attempted to give this product a try, but I could not bring myself to keep it on for an extended period of time. 

 

Overall, this month’s Ipsy bag was by far my favorite! I found it very beneficial to give each product a try throughout the course of a week, and recording my thoughts has helped me keep track of which products I would want to repurchase in the future. I highly recommend trying this subscription bag if you’re curious about a variety of beauty brands and the different products they have to offer; it really does pay off sometimes!

Annabelle is a senior at Denison University, majoring in Educational Studies. She enjoys journaling, finding cute coffee shops, and crafting in her free time. On campus, she serves as a board member and social media head for Denison's chapter of Her Campus, so check out our instagram @hcdenison!
Claire Maurer

Denison '22

Claire is a Cleveland native in her fourth & final year at Denison University and is excited to continue her role as the Co-President for the Denison chapter! While she studies Spanish and Political Science, she loves to write in her spare time. She wants to emphasize topics that she is passionate about, spread positivity and optimism in the world, and connect with people through her writing. When she isn't writing or studying, you can find Claire spending time with her family and friends, staying active, enjoying the outdoors, or listening to music.