Hello and welcome back everyone!
Wow, where has the time gone?! I swear it was just last week that I made this blog...
Well this marks the end of the first month of Dana VS! Stay tuned to the end of the post for more celebrating!
I got my October ipsy bag in the mail recently and could not wait to share it with you all! The theme for this month was 'Alter-Ego'. I must be completely honest and say that this bag compared to last month's blew me away. I don't think many people liked last month's bag, and I have to admit, I am one of those who didn't. But nonetheless, I was thrilled to see what came in this bag.
Pretty gold on one side, shiny plastic black on the other of this makeup bag
So let's jump right in and check out the first two products I tested this morning.
Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask
I never tried a hair mask before in my life. Never even heard of them until I worked at TJ Maxx and helped stock some. That being said, I had to google how to use the mask, as in what type of hair is it best suited for using on: oily and dirty, or fresh-out-the-shower. I used it in the shower instead of my usual conditioner and left it in while I cleaned the rest of myself. By my best guess I had it on for around 3-4 minutes, right in the middle of the prescribed 2-5 minutes the bottle says.
I never tried a hair mask before in my life. Never even heard of them until I worked at TJ Maxx and helped stock some. That being said, I had to google how to use the mask, as in what type of hair is it best suited for using on: oily and dirty, or fresh-out-the-shower. I used it in the shower instead of my usual conditioner and left it in while I cleaned the rest of myself. By my best guess I had it on for around 3-4 minutes, right in the middle of the prescribed 2-5 minutes the bottle says.
Pre-test hair: oily, tangled, frizzy
Post-test hair: incredibly soft, silky smooth, no frizz (!!)
Post-test hair: incredibly soft, silky smooth, no frizz (!!)
The texture of the mask somewhat startled me, as it's quite thick (think facial mask thickness). The thickness of the mask made it a little hard for me to apply, seeing as I attempted to use it like my conditioner which has a thinner consistency. But it spread out easily and pretty evenly. I was very disappointed to find that the entire bottle (20ml/0.7oz) was used at once. That is my only con however. Many reviews raved about the smell which was supposed to smell like candy and they were entirely right! It smells AMAZING, sweet like candy but not too sickeningly sweet. I agree with those saying they'd wear the scent as a perfume. My hair is now softer than it ever has been before and is commercial-grade silky. I am so impressed, I know I'll probably end up buying more!
5/5
(I almost rated it a 4.5/5 because I wished the tester had more than one use, but that's not a rating of the product. The actual product is rated a 5/5)
5/5
(I almost rated it a 4.5/5 because I wished the tester had more than one use, but that's not a rating of the product. The actual product is rated a 5/5)
Peter Lamas Exfoliating Pumpkin Facial Scrub
I love facial scrubs. I love pumpkin. I need to exfoliate more. Can you see where I'm going with this? I loved this product. It smells amazing (pumpkin pie!) and it wasn't too harsh on my sensitive skin. I used about half of the 30ml/1oz bottle and found that I could have used less if I wanted to. So by that estimation, I'll probably get around 3-4 uses out of this sample, which is super exciting to me.
I love facial scrubs. I love pumpkin. I need to exfoliate more. Can you see where I'm going with this? I loved this product. It smells amazing (pumpkin pie!) and it wasn't too harsh on my sensitive skin. I used about half of the 30ml/1oz bottle and found that I could have used less if I wanted to. So by that estimation, I'll probably get around 3-4 uses out of this sample, which is super exciting to me.
Pre-test skin: oily and dry in different places, patchy red spots
Post-test skin: super soft, moisturized, less oily, slightly evened skin tone
I can easily see this becoming a daily part of my skin care routine, especially since I want to try and even my skin tone. Smells and works amazing!
5/5
Emite Make Up Tweezers
Post-test skin: super soft, moisturized, less oily, slightly evened skin tone
I can easily see this becoming a daily part of my skin care routine, especially since I want to try and even my skin tone. Smells and works amazing!
5/5
No offence, but what ipsy subscriber doesn't already have tweezers? As far as tweezers go, they work perfectly fine. But I have a pair that I like far more since the sides are slightly grippy and make holding it easier, as opposed to these which are just colored metal. And the color on the pair I received is already sort of starting to chip. I do like the color, anything a purple-fuchsia I tend to like, but that is not reason to really like a tweezer or not.
To be fair, this was the only item out of the entire bag I didn't like... and I didn't even not like it. It's just... I already have one.
3/5
The Balm Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick in shade COMMITTED
Also being entirely honest, at first I was thrilled to receive this, but when I pulled it out of my bag, I was so very disappointed. The tube is just about the size of my pinky finger, only thinner. I did not expect it to be so tiny. I was so disappointed, I almost didn't want to bother testing it. I couldn't imagine how many uses I'd get out of this itty bitty tube.
However, I tried it. And I LOVE it. First, it smells like mint chocolate chip. Best smelling lipstick ever. Second, it went on amazingly easy and completely matte and opaque. Only con is that once it dries it is a bit sticky feeling if you press your lips together. But I can tell this color isn't going anywhere. It's also the perfect pinky nude for me. I love it!
5/5
(UPDATE: It was very difficult to remove with my makeup wipes so I'd suggest a lip color remover to help take it off!)
All in all, I'd rate my October bag a whopping 5 out of 5 stars! I am so happy and impressed with the products I received, but I do wish they started to give at least one full size product. But hey, it's $10 for these amazing brands so I won't turn my nose up at them!
And that marks the FIRST MONTH OF DANA VS! -cue confetti cannons-
I am so grateful to everyone who reads my posts, even if it's only family and friends. And because I am so grateful I'd like to do a little giveaway! I will be giving away some of my all-time favorite makeup products!
Update: Giveaway is over! Thanks so much for entering!
WINNER WILL RECIEVE:
e.l.f. Cosmetics Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara
NYC Liquid Eyeliner in Black
e.l.f. Cosmetics Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder
e.l.f. Cosmetics Moisturizing Lipstick
RULES:
1. You MUST be a subscriber on Youtube, I will check!
2. Leave a comment either on this blog post OR the October Ipsy Unboxing video on my channel saying you're entering or whatever else you'd like.
3. You MUST be comfortable with giving me your address!
Giveaway ends a week from today and the winner will be contacted on October 23rd!
Again, thank you ALL for supporting me! Good luck!
Much love,
Dana
To be fair, this was the only item out of the entire bag I didn't like... and I didn't even not like it. It's just... I already have one.
3/5
Also being entirely honest, at first I was thrilled to receive this, but when I pulled it out of my bag, I was so very disappointed. The tube is just about the size of my pinky finger, only thinner. I did not expect it to be so tiny. I was so disappointed, I almost didn't want to bother testing it. I couldn't imagine how many uses I'd get out of this itty bitty tube.
However, I tried it. And I LOVE it. First, it smells like mint chocolate chip. Best smelling lipstick ever. Second, it went on amazingly easy and completely matte and opaque. Only con is that once it dries it is a bit sticky feeling if you press your lips together. But I can tell this color isn't going anywhere. It's also the perfect pinky nude for me. I love it!
5/5
(UPDATE: It was very difficult to remove with my makeup wipes so I'd suggest a lip color remover to help take it off!)
IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Clinically Proven 5-in-1 Mascara
I was excited to try IT Cosmetics for the first time! I'd heard very good things about them from time to time so I looked forward to trying them for myself. To be honest, this formula was very clumpy at first. It's 5-in-1 powers are to lengthen, volumize, separate, curl, and condition your lashes. It certainly lengthened and volumized for me, but I don't really think it curled or separated my lashes until I really worked the wand. As for the conditioning, there are peptides, collagen, proteins, and jojoba in the formula.
It looks pretty good, but I had to work the wand in there to break up the initial clumps that formed. If you take the time to work with the product, it actually is quite nice. The 'chaotic mascara' look is in right now, so this is a great current formula.
4.5/5
All in all, I'd rate my October bag a whopping 5 out of 5 stars! I am so happy and impressed with the products I received, but I do wish they started to give at least one full size product. But hey, it's $10 for these amazing brands so I won't turn my nose up at them!
And that marks the FIRST MONTH OF DANA VS! -cue confetti cannons-
I am so grateful to everyone who reads my posts, even if it's only family and friends. And because I am so grateful I'd like to do a little giveaway! I will be giving away some of my all-time favorite makeup products!
Update: Giveaway is over! Thanks so much for entering!
Much love,
Dana
