My first Ipsy Bag!

Last year, I had a Birchbox subscription. I loved getting new goodies every month...but I ended up cancelling it because the boxes quickly became underwhelming. Fast forward a few months, and I found myself missing that monthly infusion of tiny things I didn't need. So last month, I decided to sign up for Ipsy. I got my first box last week, and I think I love it!

The Contents!

Sation Nail Laquer in Love at First Byte

Be a Bombshell blush in Sweet Cheeks

Big Sexy Hair Powder Play

Mica Beauty eyeshadow in Earth

A White (why?) cosmetics bag

it all came in a shiny fuschia mailer. Did I mention I love this color?

 I am not much of a blush-wearer. My face, as you saw yesterday, is pretty rosy on its own. I tested this on my wrist first...Holy Pigment, Batman. You have to use a light touch with this stuff, otherwise you may end up being a clown. The eyeshadow is all shimmer and no real payoff, colorwise. But shimmery/sparkly things are always useful. 

 For Science, I put the blush on my face. It really is a strong blush. I had to buff it into submission with my foundation brush. But I kinda don't hate it. The shimmer is not half as obnoxious as I thought it'd be.

I hate those marks from my glasses.

The shimmer looks less stripper-chic than I thought.

 I also tried the blush on my lips with a bit of balm. It's ok, but a little seventh-grade-frosty-pink for me I think.

 And now, for the part I've been dreading and you have all been waiting for: the polish.

I hate it. 

Ok, lemme clarify here. I actually love/adore the formula. It goes on smooth, with no streaking. There is no obnoxious scent to it and it dries pretty quickly. The brush spreads evenly and easily across the nail with very little effort. I didn't have to do much in the way of cleanup at all. If I come across a different color, I will snatch it up like my life depended on it.

I hated this color. Pictured here is something like 5 coats...and I can still see through it. If my nails weren't so yellow, this might have been a really nice sheer polish for daily wear. I can see one or two coats being really nice for a corporate setting. Very professional. I also think this color would be very flattering on women of color. But not for a pasty girl with deeply stained nails.

 With nothing to lose, since I was taking this stuff off anyway, I decided to add glitter. Isn't everything better with glitter?

Nope. 

Well, it wasn't a total loss. I didn't hate this as much as I thought I would. I bet it would have looked better if I had done polish+glitter+polish+glitter+polish. Still...my first Sation is going in a swap*.

I used Essie's Set in Stones

*If you are interested in this polish, lemme know in the comments or on twitter. I will gladly swap this for an equivalent polish.