ipsy is an online beauty subscription service. Each month, subscribers receive a makeup bag filled with deluxe samples and full-sized products. With July coming to a close and August’s glam bag scheduled to arrive in a few weeks, it’s probably time to review the July glam bag: “Beach Beauty.”
Nailtini Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Mai Tai
full size (0.5 fl oz) – $13 retail
Mai Tai is a “vibrant sunrise coral,” which seems to be the color of the summer this year. As I might have mentioned in previous reviews, I am fairly new to nail polish, and I’m getting used to wearing different colors. Mai Tai is much brighter than I’m used to so far. The polish itself is excellent quality. Two coats provides full opaque coverage, and one coat might actually be enough. It dries quickly, too. There aren’t any local retailers that sell Nailtini products, but I might be tempted to use this month’s ipsy sale code on tinibeauty.com to try some of their more neutral tones. (I think the color is really pretty and fun, but I don’t think it’s for me, so I’m doing a giveaway! Keep reading for info on how to win this polish for free!)
COOLA Face SPF 20 Unscented Mineral Sunscreen
sample size (0.23 fl oz) – $36 retail for full size (1.7 oz)
Even though this is labeled as a “mineral” sunscreen, it is indeed a liquid product. It is truly unscented – no typical sunscreen smell here. It is not greasy like typical sunscreens, either. It leaves a matte finish and moisturizes the skin, too. I think this particular product is best for those with fairer skin tones. I noticed that on my skin, it leaves a gray or bluish cast if you apply too much.
POP Pouty Pop Crayon in Coral Crush
full size (0.1 oz) – $25 retail for kit of six crayons
Here’s that coral again! This is on the more pink end of the coral spectrum, while the Mai Tai polish is on the orange end. This product is like the chunky version of the lip pencil in June’s glam bag. Instead of a wooden pencil, it’s a plastic twist-up crayon, which I like much better. No sharpener needed. Much like the pencil, though, it is smooth and creamy, and it provides full coverage with long-lasting color. This is also a little brighter than what I would normally wear, so I have been toning it down with a neutral gloss.
BH Cosmetics California Collection Eyeshadow Sample
$17.95 retail for full size eyeshadow and blush palette
So this product is a sample palette (with magnetic closure!) of three eyeshadows: Hollywood, San Francisco, and Malibu. Each eyeshadow comes from its own palette of four blushes and 16 eyeshadows from BH’s California Collection. The Hollywood palette has warm, bright and vibrant colors, San Francisco has neutral and earthy tones, and Malibu has cooler colors with a beach vibe. The sample I received has a matte deep purple shadow for Hollywood, a shimmering warm brown for San Francisco, and a shimmering gold for Malibu. All three have great pigmentation for easy application with a blending brush. The San Francisco shadow has become an everyday wear for me, and out of the three full size palette, I would be most likely to buy the San Francisco one.
Not Pictured: Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray
sample size (1.7 fl oz) – $19.95 retail for full size (5.1 fl oz)
According to my Glam Room, I was supposed to receive a sample of the Soy Renewal Beach Spray from Sexy Hair. It didn’t arrive in my original glam bag, but after a quick email to ipsy care, they put one in the mail for me. I was excited to see that this product came with a spray pump for easy application. A few months ago, I received the Big Sexy Hair Texturizing Powder, but I like this spray better, because it is easier to use and adds texture without making my hair feel dirty. It also has a fresh, summery fragrance.
I don’t know the value of this particular bag, because the nail polish was the only full size product. (The lip crayon was full size, but it is only available for purchase as part of a six-piece kit.) However, the nail polish alone was worth $13 retail, so this bag is already worth more than the $10 subscription fee. If you would like to subscribe to ipsy’s glam bag service, let me know, and I’ll set you up with a referral link.
GIVEAWAY INFO! If you want the Nailtini Mai Tai polish (and don’t mind that I’ve used it once), leave a comment below telling me your go-to nail color. On August 1, 2013, I’ll choose one person at random to receive the polish for free! Good luck!
