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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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My first little pink envelop – April Glam Bag

I’ve never been big on make-up … well, maybe a little in high school … but overall, I’ve been a minimalist. I’ve also never been huge on buying overly fancy beauty products. For me it has always been this question, “Is it cheap?” And if the answer was “yes”, I bought it.

But I decided it was time to branch out and try something new – or in this case, lots of new things.

Enter Ipsy. For those who don’t know about Ipsy, it is a subscription Glam Bag that for $10 a month you receive five beauty products ranging from lip balm to eye liner to make-up brushes, and much more.

I found out about Ipsy through a friend on Instagram and after receiving my first little pink envelop I think I’m hooked.

IMG_20150418_093842Inside was Beautifully Bohemian – a cute colorful bag filled with all sorts of goodies, which seem to be worth much more than the $10 both in price and quality.

The first item I pulled out was the Hey Honey – Good Morning: Honey Silk Facial Serum (10 mL). At this size, it runs around $11, already surpassing the cost of this month’s Glam Bag. (For a 1.2 ounce container, it runs $41). After using the serum under my moisturizer and make-up the last few days my face already seems softer and I might say, slighter more radiant.

The Hikari in “Tango” was a vibrant shade of blush, which is slightly bolder than what I am used to wearing.  That did not stop me from wearing it today. It will take a little getting used to but I think I will enjoy the change from my usual light pink blush. I received the regular size (0.21 ounce) which runs retail for $15.

The Aromachology perfume, Sophisticated & Sensual, was a lovely variation from the regular perfumes I wear. Very elegant with the flowery scent. The 3.4 ounce bottle runs at $40, so this was a steal around $2 for the 0.17 ounce sample.

The soft and subtle NUDE Dude eye shadow, “Flirty”, by theBalm Cosmetics was a nice addition to my simple make-up regimen today. Normally, the NUDE Dude collection comes with 12 colors for $36, thus making this sample run around $3.

The last item that came in my wonderful little Glam Bag was satin finish lip gloss, “Cuddle” by Starlooks, which at 0.3 ounces runs at $4. This is probably the one item I would not use on a daily basis as I am not much for lip gloss or lipstick. I have a tendency to stick with lip balm but will enjoy it for those occasional nights out.

My total would have been $35 had I bought these items outright rather than through Ipsy.

Needless to say, it has only been one month but I think I’m already in love. I can’t wait to see what shows up in that little pink envelop next month!