Ipsy December 2013 Review

I have to say that normally I get pretty darn excited when I see the monthly sneak peeks-not this time. Of course I had fun identifying the products in the pictures, but I didn't see anything I just had to have. I think what I was really the most excited about was the bag. That's not to say that I was by any means disappointed  when I opened my glam room. This month I was getting things that seemed a little more back to basics, which is actually pretty great because I can get so caught up in the crazy world of ridiculous products and bright colors that I forget that it can be refreshing to get basic neutrals and just a plain old lipstick.

This month's theme was celebrate, for all the different things that were sent out I think this was a pretty appropriate theme. I love December with all of it's holiday and new years parties it can be a pretty fun month of enjoying family and friends.I do have to say that I have used the products in this bag more than I expected to.

The Bag: When ipsy posted the sneak peek on facebook I thought that it was cute but it looked navy blue. I was actually really excited that it was black instead because I think that it makes this bag really appropriate for a more formal party where you may not want to be pulling out a crazy bag (like last month's gold one). I actually used it recently when I went on a date to a nice restaurant.

Pop Beauty Bright up your life eye shadow trio: I was really happy to get the brown shades in my bag and just in general that they gave out neutral colors. I think both mini pallets are so versatile. however I am sure that most people on ipsy already had something similar to this. For me this product was a total hit because I got to try a new brand. So this is actually a deluxe sample
size of the bright up your life pallet which has 24 shadows in it, the full size is $24 so this trio works out to be worth $7.20.

Be a Bombshell the one stick: So I really loved the lip crayon from last month but I was a little surprised they were doing this brand two months in a row. I love the idea of an all in one product. The formula of the particular one is really nice and the color I got is called girl crush. It's totally gorgeous but I feel like it has just way too much sparkle to use as a lip product. This is a full size product that retails for $16.

Nicka K New York nail color: I was actually the least excited about this one just because neither of the colors appealed to me but both the colors being sent out were both kind of basic so I think I was just being stupid and not appreciating that I was getting a basic color I might actually wear. These retail for $4.99 and are full size. I got the shade Classic Taupe and the other one was a dark red. I think that for what it is it's a nice color to have. I tried it on by itself and it lasted a day and a half so I think it has some potential with a top coat. I used two coats to achieve this:

Nyx Extra Creamy Round Lipstick: I cannot say enough good things about this lipstick. The formula feels amazing and it is so true to color and pigmented. I also have to say that I am so happy I didn't get a red this month. That being said ipsy's general color selection for this product had me very nervous that I would get something ugly. I was fortunate enough to get a color called Muse. It's a super pretty pinky-mauve color that just looks beautiful on the lips. This is another full size product valued at $3.99.

Andrea strip lashes: I stink big time with false lashes. End of story. But really I can't tell you how these work because they will probably sit in my drawer for 6 months until I go out all fancy looking and have my friend apply them for me. This same friend actually told me she really likes this brand of lashes so I suppose I can't be too disappointed. I got the style number 33 and they are black. These retail for $3.29.

My bag value for this month: $35.48

 I'm thinking that this month is my favorite so far just because everything has seemed so useful and practical. I definitely got my $10 worth in this bag and I am so happy about that. For anyone who is interested in ipsy it is a $10 a month beauty subscription with free shipping in the US and for Canadian citizens it's a $5 a month shipping fee. Feel free to use my referral link here to sign up. I hope everyone is having wonderful holidays!

xoxo
Courtney

The Redhead's Guide To- Casual Plum Eyeliner

With fall fashions popping up all over the place I was so excited to start playing with all of the fun colors. Plum has always been my favorite fall color. Urban decay was having a sale on their 24/7 vintage eyeliners. I bought crash when the price went down even more. I think that plum is a great color for us redheads. Unlike navy it has more brown tones in it which make more wearable. This can definitely be modified for anyone else but I did do this on myself first with my special mascara (Just For Redheads Voyage Mascara in Ginger Red) so lets get started:

Step 1: prime your eyelids. I used Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lids. I am still on the lookout for a drugstore primer that works this well but so far no luck.

Step 2: Apply Benefit Creasless Cream Shadow in "No pressure" on the lid.

Step 3: use Lo'real infallible 24hour eyeshadow in "endless pearl" on your brow bone for a highlight.

Step 4: Use a grayish taupe eyeshadow on your crease and blend. I used this matte one called "dove" by gabriel colors

Step 5: Apply Plum eyeliner to upper and lower lash-lines and smudge.

Step 6: Curl your eyelashes. I use a heated eyelash curler from salon perfect to keep my lashes curled all day. After its curled apply mascara and you are done.

I hope this tutorial was helpful. I really enjoyed making this look and it is definitely becoming a go to look for me.

EDIT: So the pictures that were on here previously were taken with my phone and I just really didn't like them. I found out not to long ago that after I had tried to delete this post from my tablet it hadn't worked and it was still up. I will try to get some nice pictures up soon but no promises because I am super crazy busy.
Xoxo
Courtney