10.16.2015

ipsy vs. Birchbox, September '15

Happy beauty day (and Friday for that matter), ladies and gents!

*This series originally started as I was trying to pick between the two subscription services. Right now, as long as I'm using up what I get, I don't plan to cancel either. And in the process, I'm trying out loads of new products, that I normally wouldn't!*

Check out the whole series right here: 
August // July // June // May // April // March // February // January // December // November

Let's take a look at what I received in my ipsy and Birchbox for the month of September.
ipsy (left to right)
Acure brightening facial scrub- This is a legit, gritty scrub that feels like it's doing its' job. My boss Christine mentioned she loves and notices a brightening scrub, I don't really, but I like using it!
NYX eyeshadow trio- I've been using this regularly since I received it. The lightest shade is just shimmer-y and pink-y enough, and perfect for every day! I haven't gotten as much use out of the other two shades, but the darker brown is nice too. 
Bayberry Naturals moisturizer- meh. I took this on my trip home, and as far as I'm concerned, a moisturizer is a moisturizer. 
*Formula X nail color in Ignite*- This is the most perfect nail polish for Fall. It is very hard for me to resist buying new nail polish, so I was so happy to receive this and promptly used it. Love!
Liptini lipstick in Starlet Cocktail- And this would be the most perfect lipstick for Fall. Who doesn't need a new dark red lippy this time of year? This smells amazing and is super creamy. I've enjoyed breaking it out! I wore it in this outfit post.

*Favorite of the month!* The most perfect Fall polish gave me the most perfect Fall mani. This sample is pretty small, but I think it's because this is great (--> expensive) polish. My beauty friend Hillary (yeah, another one!) confirmed this. I can see myself using this sample up real quick!

This bag is not great. The color is weird and it's duct-tape-y, again! I'm using it to hold my allergy meds. I actually ended up with two of them, because a co-worker handed me hers, filled with ipsy products that "weren't her color!"Anyone want one?
IMG_5338
IMG_5346
Birchbox (clockwise)
Parlor by Jeff Chastain shampoo- I've used this twice and don't have much to say about it. Meh.
Parlor by Jeff Chastain conditioner- Also meh. You always need shamps + condish, I didn't notice a real benefit to using these.
*Klorane tinted dry shampoo*- FINALLY, a dry shampoo sample! Like I say every month, I don't use hair products, but I don't live without dry shampoo. This is tinted, which felt especially fancy. My firstie Katie & I both used this during Jacqui's wedding weekend and loved it!
Pop Beauty eyeshadow palette- Between the two palettes I received this month, this one gets second place. Yes, purple is my favorite color, but not for eyeshadow! It's just not as practical, unfortunately. Edit: I did try the middle purple WITH the ^ neutral NYX ^ and loved it! 
ModelCo lipstick in Kitty- I was pumped about this, but mine arrived smashed into the tube :/ I sent a note to BB, they gave me 50 points AND I've been using it anyway, it's just a bit messy. The perfect neutral color for when you don't want to look like you're wearing lipstick, but you still want to wear it.
Wilma Schumann eye pads- I wouldn't go out of my way to buy or use these. When I opened them, they made a huge mess because they were dripping! Eye pads are a nice way to pamper yourself, but I'm just not into it. 

*Favorite of the month!* Dry shampoo is the beauty product I use most regularly (and really, the only hair product I ever use.) I was overjoyed to finally get a sample! Do you hear me, Birchbox? Give me more!

It's not that I don't love the message of this box; it's just compared to the last few, it's not as much my favorite. The gold foil lettering is awesome, though!

I have to give ipsy the win this month, with several solid products, against Birchbox's lackluster bunch. This makes the score ipsy- 6, Birchbox- 6, after almost a year of doing this series on the blog! No seriously, it's a tie! 


And in today's segment of "Where Are They Now?" a few products that have tickled my fancy lately:
- This Cailyn tinted lipgloss (not featured on the blog) in Basic Instinct is the perfect shade & my go-to bridesmaid lippy!
- I was happy to have this Amika mask laying around for my desperate end-of-Summer hair. Loved using it!
- I've been using this pur-lisse brightening serum every night before bed. I still can't tell a difference.
- This ModelCo blush is gone, baby, gone! It became my daily blush, the shade was perfect.
- My Number 4 Clarifying shampoo is currently in my shower, saving me from actually buying shampoo a little longer!


Anyone receive similar products, or something you absolutely loved this month? Please share!!

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy OR Birchbox (or both ;) for $10/month, you can find my referral links here: ipsy // Birchbox. View this entire series here
SHARE:

1 comment

Lauren @ Exploring My Style said...

You got some great products this month! That dark shade in your NYX palette could be used as an eyeliner. I use a black eyeshadow for that on days when I don't feel like messing with a pencil. Dry shampoo is the ONLY beauty product I feel like a need, besides makeup basics. Love that stuff although I'm partial to Batiste. That nail polish color is my favorite for fall. That's the color I painted mine when I got them done for my birthday, with gold french tips. Pretty good bags this month!

Blogger Template by pipdig