Ipsy Bag August 2013

Ipsy Glam bag is a monthly beauty subscription service.  A one year plan costs $110 (about $9.20 per month).  So it ends up being an amazing deal if you're sent a bag filled with good products.

Aside from not getting the Urban Decay lipstick, I'm really happy with my August 2013 Ipsy Glambag!  There are 5 products in each bag.  The August bag is a bright purple with gold lettering and inside I received the following products:

Noya Vanilla Chapstick 

NYX Cream Blush in Golden

Pixi Mascara

Pacifica BB Cream 

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

I was going to re-purchase the Michael Todd scrub anyway, so now I can hold off on that purchase for just a little bit longer!

Have you tried the NYX Cream Blushes?

Project 10 Pan (Day #8: Michael Todd)

Number seven on my Project 10 Pan list is my Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub.  This stuff REALLY works! I'm so impressed at how well it controls my oil and prevents breakouts.  The product is a really thick, dark gray color that is surprisingly soft when applied to your skin.  I love it!

Toners from Michael Todd have been a hit and a miss for me.

The Hit:   Michael Todd Organic Lemon Toner

This was part of my Sample Stash #2 and I absolutely love how clean and fresh my face feels after using it! It is made for oily skin and I swear this toner reduces the oil on my face without making it feel dry.  It smells great, works even better, & I absolutely love this stuff!  

The Miss:   Michael Todd Organic Blue Green Algae Toner

Here is the description from the Michael Todd website:

 Rich in vital nutrients, trace elements and amino acids, blue green algae and organic kelp in a base of soothing aloe vera juice penetrate deeply into the skin to speed the elimination of toxins, promote cellular renewal, naturally nourish and remineralize the skin. 

The reason this is a miss for me is the smell.  It isn't a strong smell and the smell doesn't last very long, but it just isn't a scent I really want to put all over my face in the morning.  It sort of smells like rotten lavender.  The Blue Green Algae toner does a great job at controlling oil, but so does the Lemon toner and the lemon scent is a thousand times better!

Do you own any smelly products?

Sample Stash #2

This week, I am working my way through some of my samples!  I literally have a mountain of samples to work through!!  I do like trying a variety of products because every so often I do find a holy grail product that I cannot live without. <3

This batch has TWO amazing must haves.  

1. Michael Todd Organic Lemon Toner ($18 for full size) 

2. Ren Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask ($55 for full size)

I would say these are two of the best products I have tried in awhile!!  The Michael Todd toner is gentle on the skin and it made my skin feel significantly softer and healthier.  I put a few drops on a cotton pad and wiped it all over my face for an instantly fresh face <3 LOVE this product and will definitely be purchasing the full size.  I'm also really into masks lately and this Ren mask is hands down the best one I have tried so far!  It smells strongly of citrus and there is a very slight tingling sensation a few seconds after you apply it.  It is supposed to sit on your face for a few minutes before rinsing it off.  I'm pretty sure my recently clear complexion is largely due to the combined use of these two products.

All the other products did not "wow" me to be honest.  

The Gel Haute Polish remover is meant to remove gel polish (sorry, I just finished using this product up so it should actually be in an empties post).  The liquid in this bottle evaporated really quickly :-( it definitely didn't last as long as I wish it would have, so I don't think I'll repurchase it even though it is only $5 at Neiman Marcus.  It did do the trick to remove my stubborn gel polish, but so does my much cheaper, regular remover.  Pevonia balm is supposed to help with fine lines, but it was greasy and took a long time to dry ($79 for full size).  This is another product made for men, but I figured I would try it anyway.  I will not be buying this one.  The other two (Ulta and Bare Minerals) are facial moisturizers that don't smell bad and do work to soften and hydrate the skin, but they don't stand out as anything special.  Ulta moisturizer is $15 & Bare Minerals is $30.  

Hope this was helpful!

Have you tried anything from Michael Todd?

Philosophy Full Of Promise Dual-Action AM/PM Treatment

I finished a sample from Sample Stash #1!  The Philosophy Full of Promise Dual-Action AM/PM Treatment is a whopping $75 from Ulta for 0.5 oz of day serum and 0.5 oz of night serum!  The product is a clear gel that is meant for use in the morning and before bed.  It is supposed to make the skin look healthy and firm.

I used it a couple of times, but for obvious reasons, didn't notice any difference.  It's hard to judge a product that requires long-term use by a sample size.  I will say that there was no strong odor or fragrance, it did not break me out, and it absorbed into my skin quickly.  I can't stand when a product just leaves you feeling greasy because it won't sink in!

In general, I do love Philosophy products but I don't think I'll be purchasing the full size of the Full of Promise Treatment because I don't feel it is worth $75 for 1 oz of product.  Also, I have about 10 other serums I need to finish up first before I go out and buy any more!

Do you have a favorite Philosophy product?