Ipsy GlamBag October 2014 Review, Pictures: Beauty Candy

Not going to lie, this review is way overdue, but that’s what happens when I don’t like the products: I just don’t want to write about them. In October, Ipsy Glam Bag theme was Beauty Candy, and the insert card was arranged in cute pastel colors, which I thought was an odd choice for the season. Everyone received five products, and as always, some of them were even full-sized. As for me, I didn’t care for any of the samples selected by Ipsy’s matchmaking system, but maybe you would like them better than I did. Take a look at what I got…

HOW IT WORKS

Épicé International Purifying Exfoliant – I probably would have liked it a lot more if I didn’t already try micro-exfoliants that were much better. It wasn’t too harsh, so it can definitely work for sensitive skin if used correctly, but in my opinion, exfoliating powders are twice as effective and cause almost no irritation.

Figs & Rouge Hand Cream – Ipsy subscribers received either Mango Mandarin or Rose Berry scents, and I got the latter. The consistency is much runnier than what you’d expect of a hand cream, and would maybe work for Summer when it’s hot out, but right now the daily temperatures are already in the negatives here so this lightweight formula just won’t fly. And to be honest, I didn’t care for the fragrance either. I thought it’s hard to mess up rose and berries, but I’m simply not loving this one.

Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer – Ipsy subscribers received either Feeling Very Cherry or On a Gilt Trip, and I got the cherry one, unfortunately. Don’t get me wrong, I actually like NOPI polishes, but there are already five or six deep cherry lacquers in my stash that look exactly the same, but I don’t have a gold glitter like the other variation.

ModelCo VOLUMEYES Extreme Black Mascara – This mascara sample was pure fail for me: it didn’t add any volume to my lashes, seemed to lack pigmentation, and completely dried out after three uses [I think they took their “quick dry formula” promise a bit too literally]. There was not a single thing I liked about it.

Starlooks Lip Gloss Guilty Pleasure – This is probably the only product I’m excited about in this bag [sort of]. I’ve always liked Starlooks lip gloss formula, and this one didn’t disappoint: creamy, buttery, non-sticky, and smells good.

THE VERDICT
As you can see, four out of five products weren’t exactly something I would pick for myself, but that’s the thing with mystery boxes. However, I’ve rarely been disappointed with my Ipsy bags to this extent, so I may be a little extra emotional over this. I’m glad that I at least have Starlooks lip gloss to play with, but honestly, I wouldn’t have paid $10 just for that tiny sample alone.