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My Alter Ego – October Glam Bag

happy halloween feet_edited-1Muahahahahaha!

Oh, sorry…I mean, Happy Halloween!

My October Glam Bag was ghoulishly delightful and I’m pretty excited to see what kind of character I can turn into with the help of all my new goodies.

The first treat came from theBalm Cosmetics – Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade: Committed (a pinky nude). Love the color. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I am not a lipstick person. But, this month is “Alter Ego” so maybe it’s time I try something bold. After all, it is October – Halloween month – let’s get spooky!

thebalm.com sells their 0.25 oz. bottle at $17 (0.25 oz.) so this smaller size (0.04 oz.) rang in at a nice $2.72.

I fell in love with Aromachology a few months ago so I was pretty stoked to see another bottle arrive. Their Exotic & Spicy Eau de Parfum boasts hints of nutmeg, honeysuckle and blossoming peonies.

This is one of the most sophisticated perfumes I’ve had the pleasure of sniffing. I put some on my wrists and neck this morning and was ready to take on the world!

On myaromachology.com, it came in at $70 (1.7 oz.). This smaller size was a sweet deal at $4.94(0.12 oz.).

I’m all a-buzz for the Hey Honey collection, so their Come Clean: Propolis & Minerals Facial Scrub was a treat to find in my bag.  I loved the Hey Honey Serum – I’m guessing the facial scrub won’t disappoint me either. The website, heyhoney.com sells the 2.2 oz. for $23 (2.2 oz.), making this 0.5 oz. only $5.22.October glam bag

Perfect timing – my old mascara has run its course. IT Cosmetics – Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara (0.16 oz.) is paraben-free, fragrance-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free. It almost feels like I’m getting it for free with all the great deals I’ve received so far in my bag this month. Ulta.com sells the bigger size for$24 (0.33 fl. oz.). At almost half the size it was less than half the price = $11.63. I can’t wait to see how this lives up to its 5-in-1 promise.

My last treat was the Touch in Sol – Mini Browza Super Proof Gel Brow Pencil (0.02 oz.) in the shade: Mink Wink (a medium to dark brown).

I’m not one for brow pencils. Heck, I barely pluck the stray hairs in that area, but once again, it’s Alter Ego month. Time to continue branching out of my comfort zone. Bring on fuller, darker brows!

On Sephora.com this size (0.017 oz.) is $19.

Total would have been $43.51 at full price and size. Thanks again, Glam Bag! I’m still getting a boo-tiful deal at $10.

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Fashion Face by Ipsy

edited new sept ipsyHello September Glam Bag! What treats you had in store for me.

With its cute little bow on the front clasp the NYX Cosmetics – Ipsy Eye Shadow Trio (0.03 oz.) had me instantly. Plus it didn’t hurt that the colors are perfect for Fall. Little sparkly gold and bronze and, of course a deep black for that perfect smoky eye. On nyxcosmetics.com, this baby sold regularly for $6, but was on sale for $3 most recently – either way, I’m getting a good deal. I love these colors.

The tre’Sti Que Mini Matte Lip Crayon (0.02 oz.) was a product I was truly looking forward to in this month’s bag. I’m usually more of a lip balm or lip gloss person but this Matte color intrigues me. I’m going to give it a whirl. On trestique.com, you can get a mini trio for $32 so one of these sweeties would be roughly $10.67.

Once again, this glam gal was excited for another product to help me fall into Fall. The Formula X Nail Color in Ignite (0.13 oz.) was on my nails almost before I had the bag unzipped. Ignite is almost a deep merlot color which makes it even more perfect for me, a wine lover! On Sephora.com, one 0.4 fl.oz. bottle is $10.50 so this smaller size would be about $3.41.

Finding a good cosmetic brush can be hard. So many times, I’ve bought one only to be disappointed with the roughness or the bristles falling out. So far, the Crown Brush – Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet Brush (Wt.: 1 oz.) has been amazing. I hope it continues to live up to what I’ve come to expect in these last few weeks. Retail on crownbrush.us is$17.50 but their current sale price is $6.99, saving potential buyers 60%.

This last product – Eau Thermale Avène – Soothing Moisture Mask (0.16 fl. oz.) – is something I’m very much looking forward to trying out. These past few weeks have been particularly busy for me so I am hoping to get that soothing sensation this weekend.  I’ve always had dry skin and am hoping this moisture mask will help out the desert that is my face. On lovelyskin.com, the 1.7 fl. oz. tube retailed for $26. So this smaller size would be about $2.44.

This month has been one of the lower priced Glam Bags if you take into consideration only the five products I received in this adorably lux bag. They totaled $26.51. But I also received the Formula X hand crème after cashing in some of my Ipsy points. This rich crème with Kpangnan Butter retails at $16 on Sephora.com for the 3.4 fl. oz. bottle so my $10 bag is now worth around $42.51. Go Ipsy!

Can’t wait to see what you have in store for me next month!

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My Back to School Glam Bag – Prep School

Well, it’s back to school season, which means soon it will be my favorite time of the year – FALL! I can’t wait for bonfires, S’mores, hoodies and football! I love it!

My August Glam Bag is just about perfect for fall too – starting with the Hikari Lip Gloss in Merlot. First of all, I love merlot…and not just during the fall. No surprise there. I initially I wasn’t sure if I was going to like such a deep red but I’ve tried it out the last couple of days and it’s really lovely. I think I’m just not used to myself wearing anything other than clear or pink lip gloss. Time to step outside the box. I received the full-size lip gloss (0.1 fl. oz.), which retails at $13 on www.hikaricostmetics.com. Already I’ve come out on top with my Ipsy bag. Woot woot!

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Then came the Doll 10 Beauty HydraGel Blush (“Flirt). I have never used blush like this before. It has been interesting trying to figure out the best way to apply it but so far I do like it. The 0.11 ounce container ($12.57) I got was not much smaller than the regular size of 0.14 oz. ($16) I found on their site – doll10.com.

I’m in love with night cream and the La Fresh Group’s Good Night. Night Cream (0.5 oz.) seems to be no different so far. Creamy and dreamy. The regular size (1.7 oz.) runs at $40 on lafreshgroup.com. But this one is a steal at $11.76.

Currently, I have a black eyeliner I am using so it may be a while before I get to use my Doucce Ultra Precision Eye Liner. If it’s as good as the reviews, I’m looking forward to it. This $22 0.03 fl. oz. eyeliner is ready and waiting for me.

And if I haven’t told you already, I’m a sucker for anything that is animal cruelty free (or just plan ol’ free for that matter) and 100% vegan! The Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) Leave-In Conditioner is just that…practically free dollar-wise when you think about it. The 2 fl. oz. bottle I received runs right around $2.34 compared to the full-size 8.5 fl. oz. for $9.95 on beautywithoutcruelty.com. But when you really break it down, I only paid $10 for $61.67 worth of product. So I’ll just say the BWC is a bonus! Woo!

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Swim into Beauty – June Glam Bag

This month’s Glam Bag is sure to please…me! I actually was quite excited when I saw what was in store for me in my little black bag.

First I grabbed Dr. Brandt Skincare – Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner (0.2 oz.). Anything that claims to make my pores smaller, I’m game for. Bring it on Dr. Brandt! This size will run around $9 compared to the full-size, 1-ounce on Sephora.com sitting at $45.

20150614_121228-1Just like last month’s Balanced Guru – Style Me Hair Oil, I’m pretty freaking excited to see Pure Brazilian – Miracle Leave-In Conditioner (1 oz.) in my Glam Bag. As stated previously, I have naturally wavy hair and anything that can help tame it or make it at least a little more manageable is my friend. Pure Brazilian, I hope you’re my friend. Either way…you smell amazing!

This 1-ounce bottle is sold for $6 on the product’s very own website – purebrazilian.com. Or, if you become enamored, you can grab the 6.78-ounce bottle for $26.

The first product I tried out was the Absolute New York – Nail Lacquer in “Turquoise” (0.57 oz.). Unfortunately, I was unable to get absolutenyproducts.com to work for me on my phone, laptop or tablet but I would imagine this stuff runs anywhere from $6 to $8. (I will try to update as soon as the site gets to working for me). But either way…loved this stuff. The color – awesome. The anti-chip promise – sweet. Ability to match my favorite sweater – accomplished.

This nail polish will chip eventually but compared to regular nail polishes, it seemed to hold up pretty well. Even after I hand-sanded 13 pieces of trim and realized I had sanded off part of the color on my thumb. That’s still the only spot on that finger that is missing color. Now it can’t be perfect, after three days a few others have started to chip but I also did the dishes, cleaned two bathrooms, did the aforementioned sanding, did a couple loads of laundry and showered. For this not being a professional manicure, I’d say the polish stood up well to the elements I exposed it to.

Smashbox Cosmetics – Photo Finish Foundation Primer (0.25 fl. oz.)

I already use a foundation primer from a different company and I love it so I’m hoping I love the Smashbox Cosmetics – Photo Finish Foundation Primer (0.25 fl. oz.) version just as much, especially since I’ve heard such good things about this company. I love the way the primer feels – almost like a gel that feels sort of powdery on your face. Sounds weird, feels fantastic! A 1-fluid ounce bottle goes for $36 on smashbox.com. This smaller version would have cost me $9.

Tre’StiQue – Mini Shadow Crayon “Aspen Green” (0.02 oz.)…love, love, love this color! Enough said. ☺ If you were to grab the three mini trio set on trestique.com, you would spend $32 so for just one mini it costs $10.67.

As usual, Ipsy proved I’m getting more bang for my buck with them. I would have spent anywhere from $40.67 to $42.67 rather than $10. I’m sitting pretty.

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Jet Setter – May Glam Bag

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Jet Setter – May 2015 Ipsy Glam Bag

So, I’m a little behind this month in posting about my May Glam Bag from Ipsy: Jet Setter since I got it back on the 15th but now I have my garden in, my house is getting spring cleaned and I even have pecans roasting in the oven as I type.

The bag my Jet Setter items came in sort of had that ’90s flair. I love it.

I pulled out the Urban Decay – 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil (0.8g) first. Mostly because it was stuck in the bag a bit and was the only way to get the rest of my items out. I was super excited to see the bonus lip gloss on the card as well.

I’m excited to try out the lip pencil as that is one thing I have a hard time with – getting my lipstick to stay on when I actually do wear it. Now I’m definitely more of a lip balm and lip gloss kind of gal but I live on the wild edge once in a while. The sample lip gloss colors are a little crazier than my regular “blush” or “tan” colors but I’m looking forward to it – you only live once.

The 0.04oz-size lip pencil retails on both Sephora and Urban Decay for $20. But the Revolution High-Color Lip Glosses retail full-size (0.17oz) for $22. So I got these babies on for a steal at $16.

The Balanced Guru – Style Me Hair Oil *organic* (0.5oz) was the one item I was so excited to see in my Glam bag this month. My hair has a natural wave to it and by natural I mean it’s a big pain in the “you-know-what”. I will try just about anything to keep it from frizzing out or being unruly. I am definitely looking forward to seeing what regular use of this does for my hair. After using it just once, it already showed that it can manage my waves. The 1 fl. oz. retails on balancedguru.com for $18.99, so this half-ounce bottle was $9.50.

I’m not really one for coloring in my eyebrows so the next item may not get used by me. But I have a sister who might be interested. I received the full-size (0.09g) Chella – Eyebrow Color Pencil (0.09g), which retails on Chella.com for $18.

I’m a huge fan of going au natural whether that’s for cleaning my house or myself. The NUXE – Rêve de Miel Facial Cleansing & Make-Up Removing Gel boasts 94% of its ingredients are from natural origin. I love it when a product that is marketed to clean something as important as a part of my body, like ma face, is almost completely natural. Woo hoo! The 6.7 fl. oz tube retails on nuxe.com for $19, so this 0.5 fl. oz. (15mL) one goes for around $1.42.

I absolutely adore eye shadow in a dust form. It makes it so easy to apply (as long as you don’t sneeze in it). The Jesse’s Girl – Pure Pigment Eye Dust “Brown Sugar” is wonderfully versatile. How can you go wrong with a neutral?! On jessesgirlcosmetics.com the 2.5g retails at $4.99. This 1.8g would be around $3.59.

Once again, Ipsy wins out. I would have spent around $48.51 on this lovely little $10 beauty bag and it’s amazing contents.