It seems that getting your monthly dose of every girly essential is becoming a big thing. I’ve come across monthly jewelry, lingerie, shoes, candy, and even a couple websites offering to deliver a monthly box of clothes suited to your style. I’ve never been curious enough to try any of them until now. Maybe it was the cheap price or maybe it was my craving for new makeup, either way my finger clicked subscribed for a monthly dose of Ipsy.
Now what exactly is Ipsy? Ipsy, is a makeup bag delivered right to your door step every month filled with beauty products tailored to your skin tone, eye and hair colour. They customize your bag from the results of a beauty quiz taken during the start of the whole process. Ipsy was created by Michelle Phan, a beauty guru who has given pointers to countless women through her Youtube videos. She got the idea to start Ipsy after receiving the same question over and over again: “What are the right products for me?”
For only 10$, ipsy users receive 4-5 products, some full-sized items and a couple samples. Based in California, the company kindly also ships to their Northern neighbour for a small shipping fee of 4.95$. Overall, the total ends up being around 19$ Canadian when taking into consideration the conversion rate. This realisation was a bit disappointing and a bit far off from the initial 10$ I thought I was signing up for.
Disappointment number two: When you sign up, you are automatically put on a waiting list. A very long waiting list unless you agree to spam at least ten of your friends with Ipsy advertisement. But wait, there’s a catch! I am almost positive that you will not get off that list for a good while unless you give in to their scheme.
Once off the waiting list, you are billed on the first of the month and receive your bag a short time later.
Now comes the fun part!
For the month of April, the theme was Beautiful Bohemian. Let’s see what I’ve received!
1. Nailpolish by Julie G in the shade Damsel.
Pro: Super fun shade and great for the summer.
Con: None.
Happy: Yes!
Value: 3.99$ US
2. Goat’s milk day cream by Ziaja.
Pro: Great moisturizer! Feels great on the skin and it is very light.
Con: none.
Happy: Yes!
Value: 2.67$ US
3. Nude Dude Eyeshadow by The Balm Cosmetics in the shade Flirty; a shimmering golden violet.
Pro: this colour was great with my skin tone. Plus, the packaging is super adorable.
Con: A bit too shimmery for everyday wear. But would be great for going out.
Happy: Yes!
Value: approx. 3.00$ US (ea. colour sample)
4. A perfume by Jo’rel Parker named Femina, a nice vanilla and fruity scent.
Pro: Light refreshing smell
Con: I’m very picky when it comes to perfume. I might wear this once or twice but it would probably not be something I buy on my own.
Happy: Meh.
Value: 32.35$ US
5. A satin finish lip gloss by Starlooks in the shade Cuddle, a pink coppery colour.
Pro: Makes your lips shinny with a light neutral color.
Con: Not a fan of lip gloss at all. This one in particular, like many others, sticks. Big no no!
Happy: No…
Value: approx. 4.00$ US
Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my first ever Ipsy bag. I may keep going for another month or two simply out of curiosity for what awaits next month. But to be completely honest, the jump from 10 to 20$ still bothers me and the bag simply does not seem as worth it as it used to. I may have gotten for more than my money’s worth, but at this price might as well go to the store to pick out what you actually need. I still love the concept and would love to try another company, possibly Canadian based!
Images obtained from:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pI-C7jpcPBo/VGZgFlAFb3I/AAAAAAAABeQ/yUxrh5vDd-…(1).png
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAJgDW4Oe1Y/UcUVXz8HGUI/AAAAAAAAIc8/SypUCtAUHH…
http://mypeaceofheaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/zziaja8.jpg
http://www.vampyvarnish.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/theBalm-Nude-Dude…