Ipsy's February 2014 Glam Bag: The Look of Love

Hey Beauties!

It's that time again where the pretty pink bag shows up in my mailbox and I get a lovely surprise of five makeup products. This month's Ipsy bag was centered around Valentine's Day and some colors to transition us into Spring. I can't wait for the warm weather!

Here's what I got in my bag this month:

• City Color Be Matte Blush - Fresh Melon
• J. Cat Beauty Eyelashes - EL66
• Zoya Nail Polish - Odette
• Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini - Peony Petal
• Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner - Starshine

Ipsy's February Glam Bag was a hit with me, but then again, when aren't they? There is a nice touch of color in this bag preparing us for the Spring, but not getting too crazy. The Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal is an awesome shade, scoring Ipsy yet again some awesome points for finding a shade of lip product that I enjoy! As you can probably see, my blush came broken, but it's not a big deal because it's still mostly intact. Overall, I'm very pleased with this bag. 

What's your favorite nail polish brand and color?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

The Idea of Beauty

"Every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama and doll tits." - Tina Fey

Beauty is not a size 0. Beauty is not a size 1, 3, or 5. Beauty is not 16 years old. It isn't set in a finite timeline in your twenties. Beauty is not young and it's not old. Beauty is not a number. Beauty is not thin or thick, it's not small or large, and it's not tall or short.

Beauty is not one adjective. Beauty is also not one feature or genetic trait. Beauty is not a thigh gap, a flat stomach or full breasts. Beauty is not about having smooth skin. Beauty is not about how high your cheek bones are, or how defined your jaw bone is. Beauty is not having full lips and big black eyelashes. Beauty is not some unattainable goal that only some people were blessed with.

Beauty is you. 

You are beautiful no matter who you are, no matter what you look like. Beauty is not an appearance. I don't care about the lies the society is feeding you about how to look better, act better, feel better. You are beautiful without any of that.

You don't need to lose weight with the new diet pill to be beautiful. You don't need to go on these horrifying diets that people are making up to lose weight fast. You don't need to get plastic surgery to have the face and/or body the society is telling you you should have.You don't need to get the most expensive makeup to make yourself up every morning to change your appearance entirely. You don't need this. You are beautiful.

Please, don't stare at pictures of other girls (or guys) longingly wishing you looked like them, or that you could be like them. Be yourself. You are the only you here. You are just as beautiful as anyone else here. If people around you don't like you for how you look, then you need to find better people to surround yourself with. The people you call friends should be the ones that make you feel great. They should make you feel lucky to be you every day.

Beauty is not a weight limit. Beauty is not photogenic features. Beauty is not the color of your skin or the country you come from. Beauty is not perfection.

Beauty is you because you are beautiful.

Ipsy's January 2014 Glam Bag: 19 Reasons

Hey Beauties!

I'm back and feeling better than ever. I got my Ipsy Glam Bag last week and I'm excited to share it with you! This month was a little more geared towards skin health. There weren't as many fun new lip or eye products to try, but that's the point of this whole subscription: trying something new. I ended up loving some of these products more than I originally thought, so try not to judge a book by it's cover!

Here's the list of products in this month's bag:

• Benefit the POREfessional
• (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm
• Balanced Guru Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm
• Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue
• Yaby Liquid Foundation - Buff

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by the January bag. I was concerned that it would be boring and I wouldn't use these products, but boy was I wrong. In the dead of winter, Ipsy saved me with the body and lip balms. My skin has never been so happy in this dry weather. 

What is your favorite body lotion or balm to use when your skin is dry?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Small Hiatus

Hey Beauties!

Happy New Year! I recently injured myself and have been forced to take a hiatus. Obviously, this is why I haven't been posting this month. I hope to be able to pick back up with my January Ipsy Bag review on Wednesday, January 22. Thank you for your understanding and support and sorry for any inconvenience. I hope you come back and continue reading my blog when I start back up.

Brianna

December 2013 Favorites

Hi, Beauties!

The month of December has flown by, is that just me or what? It's crazy that next week will be the start of 2014. In a state of nostalgia, here is the list of my favorites from the past month. 

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre - Amethyst 

I know, I know. This again?! I am in love with these, obviously. I've used this color for more looks this month than anything else. The subtle purple and coppery look it gives is so pretty and brings out my eyes. So yes, I wear it often. I promise these products won't be in my next favorites post.

Studio 83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection - White

This is totally meant for summer because of the bright colors and the shades of the bronzers, but I wear it in the winter and don't care! I love colors and have used this palette often to spice up my everyday looks. It also helps that a few of the eyeshadow colors perfectly match some of my sweaters in my closet. 

Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist - True Escape

I love, love, love this scent so much. The funny thing is I only find myself wearing it in the fall and winter. When I was shopping in Victoria's Secret I was smelling the fragrances and immediately knew this one was a must. I literally have never had such an intense feeling of I want this more than anything. I've broken this fragrance out for the season and am happily in heaven smelling it all day. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

This was an obvious pick for the favorites this month because I absolutely love this mascara and use it everyday. I'm going to be sad when this sample runs out.

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner - Perfect Black

This eyeliner has changed the way I look at other eyeliners. Even the Starlooks one that I have raved about before (although I still love it). It comes off so dark even over eyeshadow. It's creamy and so smooth to apply. Can't get enough.

That's it for the December favorites. Have a happy New Year! I can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

What's your favorite scent from Victoria's Secret?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

7 Beauty Subscriptions to Look into for the New Year

That's right Beauties! 2014 will be a whole new year of beauty and glam. As I've stated before, beauty subscriptions are awesome for trying new things for cheap and helping you find products you would have never known you loved. They extend and expand your beauty knowledge, as well as your collection. Here is a list of 8 beauty subscriptions that I think are worth looking into for the new year.

1. Glossybox

This beauty subscription service offers 5 luxury products for $21 a month which they keep secret until it's delivered. It's also available in certain countries outside of the United States. Try it out here.

2. Julep Maven Boxes

For the nail polish addicts or for the girls who are simply trying to expand their collection. This service offers at least two nail polishes along with some beauty products all for $19.99 a month. The nice part about this service is you can view what you are getting around the middle of the month. If you don't like the colors you can opt for a new style or you can send your box to a friend for no additional charge. Along with that you can add discounted products to your Maven box. By becoming a Julep Maven, you get free shipping and 20% off their website. Try it out here.

3. Birchbox

Birchbox is a subscription that offers 4-5 products in mixed categories for $10 a month. The box usually includes beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. This service offers boxes for both men and women which is different than most beauty subscriptions. For this one you have to request an invite which normally is a two week wait. You can check it out here.

4. Ipsy Glam Bags

Ipsy is the only beauty subscription service that I'm subscribed to right now. As you all know I love it and can never stop raving about it. Ipsy offers 4-5 beauty products for $10 a month. The products come in a different reusable bag every month that are absolutely adorable. You can see my posts about what I have received in the past to get a good idea of what you can expect to get. Here's my referral link or if you prefer to check out the site this is the link.

5. BeautyArmy

BeautyArmy has a cool idea with their service where you choose 6 products from the 9 shown each month for $12. You have the option to pick less than 6 if you really wanted to, but the price stays the same. You have the option to a skip a month with this service. These products are mostly sample sized with very few full sized products, but they offer the full sized products on their website. To check it out click here.

6. Wantable

This subscription service not only offers a box for beauty, but also one for accessories and intimates. Each one is $36 a month or $40 for a one-time box. The beauty and intimates boxes have 4-5 products (all full sized beauty products) and the accessories box has 3-4 products. You have the option to skip the box for the month in this subscription as well. Check this one out here.

7. Beauty Box 5

Beauty Box 5 ships 4-5 beauty products to your door every month for $12. This beauty subscription is one of the only ones on this list that isn't customized to you. Check this service out here.

Are there any beauty subscriptions that you like that I didn't include? Let me know in the comments below and include the details!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a Happy New Year! Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's December 2013 Glam Bag: Celebration

Hey Beautiful!

My Ipsy Bag came in the mail on Monday! Yay! This month's bag is a good one, featuring some products and brands that are new to me. I'm really excited about it! And an added bonus is that the bag is super cute this month and doesn't feel as flimsy as some of the others have.

Here's the list of products in this month's bag:

• Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio - Naturally Bare
• Be a Bombshell The One Stick - Girl Crush
• English Laundry Signature Fragrances - Signature and Signature Pour Femme
• Nicka K New York Nail Color - Classic Taupe
• J. Cat Beauty Big Lip Pencil - Red Rose

This bag sets up a nice winter look for the holiday season, which is something I really like about it. The red lipstick is a little bright for my skin tone but I'm sure I can find a way to make it work. The One Stick by Be a Bombshell is a really cool product because it's a three in one product. It can be a lipstick, eyeshadow, or a cream blush. This shade is too light to be a good lipstick for me, but as a blush it is very flattering. I'm really starting to like the brand Be a Bombshell thanks to Ipsy! Overall this month's bag was a success. 

What did you like or dislike about this month's bag, Ipsters? 

Thanks for reading and see you on Christmas!

Brianna