Ipsy Unbagging & Review | November 2015

Hey everyone! It's Ipsy bag time again. I got my bag a week ago and got super busy at work so I didn't get a chance to film the unbagging before I started playing around with everything in my bag (I just couldn't wait, you guys get it, right?). So instead of filming just a regular old unbagging, I'm coming at you with a review of my November Ipsy bag. 

I've been using the products for a week, so I feel like I can at least give you a little overview of how I felt about each item I received. This way you get more than just a peek at what's inside. What do you guys think of this format instead? Do you want to hear how the products perform? Or, nah, you just want to see what's inside? Comment below and let me know. 

For all of you out there on the interwebs who are new to the ipsy thing -- here's the low down:

• You can join Ipsy for $10 (+ tax) per month. Every month you get five (5) personalized beauty samples. They typically include at least one full-size product and the rest of the items are deluxe samples (usually travel sized). In other words, you get a lot more than $10 worth of products. 
• You can get additional discounts using Ipsy discount codes if you decide to buy full-sized versions of the products you received. 
• You can earn points by reviewing the products you receive or through referrals and you can use those points to add additional items to your glam bag (as you'll see in this month's video) 
• Also -- just as an aside -- I pay for my subscription out of pocket, so these posts are not sponsored nor are the items press samples. 

Now you can consider yourself fully informed. Onward with the video!

Like this post? There are more Ipsy unbaggings to be seen! Don't forget to subscribe (new videos every week).

Review: Smashbox Camera-Ready CC Cream

Ever since the BB cream craze, I've been on the hunt for one of these double-letter products that will actually work. As you've probably seen from many reviews, I went through quite a few different BB's, always complaining about two major drawbacks: they either didn't provide enough coverage or they made my skin oily (or both). I'd finally found one I liked, when Garnier released a BB cream for oily and combination skin. Hooray that it was a drugstore one too! The only thing I didn't like about it was that its consistency is watery (nothing major).

Of course, BB's have been out for far too long. So now they're being followed by CC creams (and in some cases DD creams), which are intended to provide more coverage and address uneven skin tome. If you have any hyperpigmentation you want to disguise, you probably noticed that a lot of BB's didn't offer you the coverage needed. Rest assured, CC's are here to treat and help.

The first of the CC's I've decided to try out was from Smashbox. I purchased the shade Medium-Light as I wanted something with just a hint more color for the spring and summer months. I've gotta say, I'm pretty sold on its efficacy. What really sold me was that it's supposed to moisturize, treat, and cover all while giving you a matte finish. Unlike most BB's that are meant to give you a little dewiness (which for me translates to grease fest), CC's are meant to give a natural-skin-like finish while still providing coverage. In other words: This isn't only good for those with perfect, youthful, problem-free skin, and you while your skin will look flawless, it won't look like you're wearing makeup. Sign. Me. Up.

Alright, so here's what Smashbox has to say about it's CC cream:

It's an advanced light-weight formula that neutralizes and brightens skin for a more even complexion. It's also proven to fade dark spots, sun spots, and post-acne marks instantly and over time. 

• Primes, protects (with broad spectrum SPF 30), moisturizes, and controls oil.
• Immediately evens skin with a tinted formula and prevents discoloration in the future.
• Wear alone or under foundation for full coverage
• Available in five shades
• Contains 1.0 fl. oz. of product
• Cost $42

Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream comes in a squeeze tube, which is great for travel, more hygienic, improves control over how much product you squeeze out, and lets you get to more of the product in the tube.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well this worked. I don't think I've ever found a product I liked so much on the first try. Here are some of the things I noticed after using this for a month:

• It has a really nice creamy consistency but doesn't feel heavy on the skin
• The finish is beautiful. It looks like natural skin while providing great coverage and correction. In other words, I look like I'm not wearing makeup and my skin is awesome. Cha-ching!
• Blends easily
• Didn't make me look shiny or oily throughout the entire day
• Provides medium-light coverage. I sometimes spot build more coverage in certain areas that need a little more coverage. For example, I'll go back and add I little extra to hide under eye shadows or mask a blemish. Note: If you have really dark under eye circles, you may still need a little concealer. But apply the CC first, then see how much concealing you actually need to do.
• Has impressive lasting power. I've worn it all day running errands and it stuck around. 
• Works as an excellent primer. When I'm aiming for full coverage, I wear this under my foundation and have to use much less foundation because it does so much to even out my skin. It also helps my foundation last all day, which I recently put to the test during my visit to NYC. I would wear the same makeup all day long (we're talking 10+ hours easily with lots and lots of walking)
• With daily use, I've noticed my skin looks healthier and more even. 
• I didn't experience any breakouts. 

Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream swatch to give you a better idea of the product's color and consistency

Admittedly, this isn't an inexpensive product. But, in my opinion, it's worth the money. First of all, you don't need to use a lot, so it will last you a good amount of time. Also, it's definitely a great all-in-one product. I only reach for my foundation now when I'm going for a more dramatic night-time look or heading to an event. And my daily moisturizer is probably feeling a little neglected. I still use a serum, but mostly because I like how serums work and they're so lightweight  anyway that they don't add much bulk to my routine (not because this product doesn't moisturize).  Considering this could replace your primer, sunscreen, daytime moisturizer, and foundation (for those who don't wear full coverage on the daily), $42 doesn't seem that steep anymore.

Check out my video demonstration to see how this looks when I apply it:

Have you been curious about CC creams? Would you give Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream a try? 

Holiday Giveaway Madness!

Giveaway Rules:

1. You must be subscribed to my channel

2. Participants must be at least 18 years old or have parental permission to participate. 

3. One winner will receive both items.

4. Leave a comment (only 1) telling me about your favorite holiday gift ever. For an additional entry (one per person) - Follow me on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/girlythingsby_e ) and tweet the following: I entered @girlythingsby_e Holiday Giveaway Madness http://youtu.be/1ZafYXSPPHk to win Tarte & Smashbox products. (If you enter via Twitter, please include your Twitter handle in your comment so I can make sure to match up your two entries!!)

5. This contest is only open in the U.S. 

6. Contest ends 12/12/2012 at 12 pm EST. 

7. Winner will be notified by me via YouTube email and must respond within 48 hours with contact information or another winner will be selected.

Prize cannot be redeemed for cash. The makers and manufacturers of the items being given away are in no way affiliated with this contest. While I take every precaution to ensure packages are delivered to contest winners, I do not take any responsibility for items lost or stolen during the shipping process once I have confirmed shipment from my end.

FTC disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video

Video editing software: iMovie

Music by Dan-O at danosongs.com

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Gifts Under $150

We've talked about some of my favorite picks for holiday beauty gifts under $50. Now it's time to talk about some of my favorite beauty gifts that will require a little more of your budget. But, I'm assuming, if you're looking at this list, you have the budget allotted for these items and you're probably shopping for someone on your list with whom you have a closer relationship. That's usually how the bigger budget gifts work, right?

But don't worry, I didn't go all crazy. Most of these gifts are still quite reasonably priced.

1. Best of Hourglass set ($59) - I think this is a great gift for the sophisticated beauty gal in your life. Hourglass cosmetics aren't as readily available as other brands. You can't just walk into any department store and get them. But don't fret, you can find them at Sephora (or Barney's if you choose). Giving these as a gift is sure to impress. They're a little more obscure, but rank up there with is competing high-end brands. This set features two of the brands best-selling primers -- mineral primer and No. 28 primer (which has 28 hydrating ingredients) -- along with the Film Noir mascara and a pretty lip gloss (all best sellers). 
2. Clarisonic Mia 2 ($149) - No list would be complete if it didn't include a Clarisonic. These cleansing brushes are magical. They deep clean while gently exfoliating leaving you with softer, healthier looking skin. And, let's be frank, good skin is what we're all looking for. The better our skin, the less makeup we need to pile on. I have the regular Clarisonic Mia and I love it. But they've since released the Mia 2, which offers two speed settings for extra cleanliness. I love this peacock colored one, but you can choose from a variety of colors and patterns these days. Available at Sephora, ULTA, and Nordstrom. 
3. Burberry "Lip Cover" Soft Satin Lipstick Set ($72) - You're giving a little bit of luxury when you gift this set. From the box they're packaged in (the cardboard feels like fancy stationary), to the velvety smooth quality of these lipsticks, to the sophisticated packaging (with it's iconic print also embossed on the lipsticks themselves), these just ooze luxe. Plus the three colors are absolutely gorgeous and totally wearable. Available at Nordstrom. 

1. Urban Decay Naked 2 ($50) - You can't compile a gift list without at least one of the Urban Decay Naked palettes. Well, I guess you could, but honestly, this is a fail safe beauty gift. Lots of neutral shades that are wearable for any occasion. Wear it soft and subtle to the office or dark and dramatic for a night out. The collection of neutral shades are good for just about anyone. Of the two palettes, the Naked 2 is my favorite. It comes with 12 shadows, a dual ended Good Karma shadow brush, and a mini lip gloss. I love that I have a matte black and I just gravitate to the colors in this palette more than I do to the original palette (which I also love, by the way). I just wish it had a better balance of matte and shimmer shades. However, Urban Decay heard everyone's pleas for more matte neutral shades and released the Naked Basics palette this holiday season (retails for $27). It's a smaller palette, containing only six shadows, but they are all matte. The Naked 2 palette is available at Sephora and ULTA. Naked Basics is currently available on Urban Decay's website. 
2. Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in Burnished Amber ($75) - Beauty aficionados went crazy over Tom Ford's  eye color quads this fall. Twitter and the blogosphere was abuzz, and with good reason. These palettes are absolutely beautiful. The shadows feel soft and smooth, the color payoff is fantastic, and they blend nicely. I'm personally drawn to the Burnished Amber quad. The colors are warm, rich, and versatile. Plus, amber is an incredibly flattering eye shadow on pretty much all skin tones. Give this and you'll be a hero. Available at Neiman Marcus, selected Saks Fifth Avenue stores, and Bergdorf Goodman. 

I love that holiday season means you can get your hands on some great fragrance deals. I know selecting a perfume for someone is a very personal matter. What smells great to some, can be offensive to others. But, since we're talking a little bit of a higher price point, I'm going to assume the person you're shopping for is someone you know pretty well. So, you should be better equipped to discern their scent preferences and decide if they are in line with mine.

1. LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit Eau de Parfum ($58) - Of course the first fragrance I list isn't available in a gift set. But, I chose it for two reasons. First, I adore this scent. It's fresh and uplifting thanks to the citrus scent of grapefruit, and still warm and sweet thanks to the vanilla.  You almost smell like an amazing dessert. This is more of a fun perfume than a sultry, romantic scent. I love this for spring and summer, but I'll wear it year round. Second, it has quite a following and is the best selling of all the LaVanila scents. If this many people like it, can you really go wrong? Available at Sephora.
2. Elie Saab Eau de Parfum set  ($120) - Oh my goodness. I adore this perfume. Adore it. I first spritzed it on a ribbon at Nordstrom and tied that ribbon to my purse. I could smell the perfume for weeks and I was hooked. I wouldn't stop talking about it until my husband kindly gifted it to me. He was superman that day. This perfume is sophisticated, refined, and feminine. I personally feel you can wear it day or night. It's a bit strong, but not overpowering. The fragrance notes include: orange blossom, jasmine, patchouli, rose, and cedar wood. I get a lot of compliments when I wear this scent. The set includes a 3 oz bottle of eau de parfum, a mini spray bottle (0.33 oz), and a body cream (1 oz). The 3 oz bottle alone costs $120, so you're essentially getting the travel sized mini perfume and body cream for free. Available at Nordstrom.
3. Laura Mercier  Le Petit Patisserie Almond Coconut Milk Quartet ($50) - If you want to be transported to a tropical island escape without having to travel to far off places, give this gift set a whirl. The warm and succulent scent of almond, coconut, milk, and vanilla are rich and seductive. It simply smells divine. The set includes a body wash, soufle body creme, and deluxe travel-sized hand cream and fragrance mist. Available at Nordstrom.
4. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Rollerball Set ($58) - Flowerbomb is just that, a floral explosion with a bit of sweetness. But it's not candy or sugar sweet. It's more of a sultry sweet floral scent. I love this scent so much, I gifted it to myself last year. It's great because you get three rollerball vials (0.34 oz each) for a fair price. It's more affordable than the full bottle of the perfume, which retails for $105 (for the 1.7 oz; $160 for the 3.4 oz). And those little vials will last you. If you're like me, and you prefer your perfumes in a spray, spend an extra $5 for a small atomizer. I pour the perfume in the atomizer instead of using the rollerball, and carry it in my purse. Scent notes include: bergamot, tea, jasmine, orange blossom (I sense a recurring citrus theme in my fragrance choices), orchid, rose, and patchouli. The trio set is available exclusively at Nordstrom.

Haul: Sephora, Bath & Body Works, and Urban Decay (via Haute Look)

Sephora:
St. Tropez Tan Bronzing Mousse
Urban Decay:
Santa Tanita Bronzing Mousse

Matte Eyeshadows:
Revolver and Shakedown
Afterglow Powder Blush in Score

You can join Haute Look here

ULTA:
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil - Rehab

Bath & Body Works:
Apricot Vanilla
Dark Kiss
Midnight Pomegranate
Forever Sunshine
Japanese Cherry Blossom

Bath & Body Works coupon
Free Signature Collection Item (up to $12 value) with any $10 purchase
Online Codes
Code: S113649 (Expires 5/8/11)
Code: S113650 (Valid May 9-22)

In-store code:
Authorization number: 3649 (Valid through May 8)
Authorization number: 3650 (Valid May 9-22)