shopping - April Ipsy 2014

Ipsy has definitely lost it's appeal with me. Maybe I'm too picky, but I think the general idea of subscription boxes has worn off. It's fun to get things in the mail every month, but I'd rather have more control over where my money is going, instead of paying for the unknown. Ipsy has resulted in some great deals over the year and a half I've had it (I've had it since it was available in Canada), but I do have to admit that I cancelled after receiving this bag.

I think the bag is super cute, it's a little silly but it'll look good in a weekender bag. My first impression upon opening this bag was "meh". Nothing stuck me as super exciting. BUT before you hear my final opinion and explanation, let's look into the bag.

marykayatplay Jelly Lip Gloss in Berry Me - $10 - Full Size

I've recently discovered that I'm not a lip gloss person. Lip gloss makes me crazy. It sticks to my face, sticks to my hair, boys don't want to go near my lips with lip gloss (actually, that might just be me...). This might be one of the stickiest lip glosses I've come to own, and the sheer tint isn't worth the work it takes just to wear this baby. I can appreciate the good brand, but I'm not going to use this worth the money. 

Rainbow Honey Cosmetics Midnight Garden Nail Polish in Midnight Fountain -$10 -Full Size

Such a pretty colour! I love how it's just a mix of silver and blue glitters, so it'll look really nice over a blue without any colour clash. I can't wait to try this out, and I'm super happy with it. 

Demeter Roll-on Perfume Oil in Jasmine - $10 - Full Size

For some reason, I didn't expect this at all, but I like it. It's very floral, but a little sweet and lingers on my skin longer because it's an oil. I don't think I'd choose this scent myself, but it was a nice introduction to Demeter fragrances, and allowed me to test the quality.

Dr. Brant Microdermabrasion Skin Exoliant - $9.75 - Sample Size

Ipsy, say it with me, I don't have skin problems. I don't need anything for my skin. Skincare makes me crazy. I cleanse, tone, and moisturize but I honestly need nothing more. I feel like they overlooked my personal surveys in sending me this, because I don't use scrubs for my face, because I don't need to. It's a good brand, but a product I'll never use. 

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet - $18 - Travel Size

I thought it was super cool of Ipsy to send their subscribers such a new product. I hadn't even heard about this new formula until I received it in my bag. Their website says that this formula has "more powder" in it, leaving a velvety, matte finish on the eyes. I should be overjoyed, a good brand, a new product, but I just can't be. I don't use black pencils. This might be the 4th black pencil I've gotten in an Ipsy bag and it'll get added to the back of my drawer with the others. I know I've specified on my survey that I wouldn't like black pencils, but from what I understand, everyone got this product, no matter what. 

Value of this months Ipsy - $57.75

I know this was such a ranty, whiny post, but I wan't to explain why I cancelled. Ipsy is a lovely subscription service, I've never had a problem with their customer service, shipping, or products, but I constantly see these items go unused. With the dollar exchange rate, I'm currently paying about $17 a bag, and that doesn't seem worth it for the few products I truly enjoy each month. I know they can't please everyone, but they claim to put together well-personalized bags, and that's not what I'm getting from them. I think I'll just take the $17 and put it into a savings account where I have complete control of what products I buy. Even the high value of the bags doesn't sway me, because it doesn't matter if I don't get good use of the products.

It's been real, Ipsy. 

Sydney :)