April iPsy Bag: Beauty Rocks Update

Helllllo everyone! Happy Wednesday! This is an update post on the products I received in my April iPsy bag. I received it about three weeks ago and was able to use all of the products, so this post is my input and thoughts regarding them. Alrighty now....

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple PinkI was absolutely ecstatic to try out these tinted lip balms. Like I mentioned before, I've heard of Cailyn but never actually tried any of their products. I'm glad it was a lip product I got to try first; to me, eye shadows and lip products' first impressions determine the fate of the brand, like if I like their eye and/or lip products, the chances of me purchasing more products from the brand is greatly higher than if I had a bad experience or didn't like the products. I think that makes sense.

Fortunately, I liked this lip balm. I don't know about you, but when I hear "tinted lip balm" I don't expect lip stick-like pigmentation. I actually think of sheerness yet buildable like Maybelline Baby Lips. I was....shocked...because this tinted lip balm was crazily pigmented, like a sheer lipstick. The color pay off is pretty on par, what you see (from the pot) is what you get (on your lips). My shade is Apple Pink, while I've heard others describe it was a rosy pink, I see it as a corally-pink with lots of orange undertone. Not a shade I usually wear, but it's definitely wearable. I also enjoy the texture and formula of the balm. The balm feels light and comfortable throughout the duration of it being on my lips. My lips didn't stick together either was it tacky or sticky ever, qualities in lip products I enjoy. For the 8+ hours I wore this alone, the balm feeling was gone maybe half way through, leaving my lips stained and somewhat dried.  It's not completely drying, leaving my lips cracked and chapped, it just no longer has a balm feel to it. So yes, it is long-wearing, color wise, function of a balm  is a negative.

What I said last time, regarding the bulky packaging still stands today. Don't get me wrong, the packaging is super cute. I can see where they're going with it, with the built in brush and everything. I think it's very handy to travel with if I throw it in my make up bag, saves bringing a lip brush; but for everyday uses, it is very impractical. I don't use lip brushes, like 300 days out of 365. I'm more of a low maintenance girl, you know, a lip balm in a tube, small enough I can throw into any bag, and ones I do not need a mirror to apply with. Grab it from my bag, take the cap off, twist, apply, twist, cap on, throw in bag; BAM, like what, 20 seconds? This lip balm is something I'll put on at home and will not take it with me on the go. Which isn't ideal because if I'll be out all day, considering the formula, I'll definitely need to retouch.

I like this, but not enough for me to purchase another shade. I do not think $19 is worth it, there are plenty of tinted lip balms out there half the price and formulated better.

The bottom line is, this lip balm is opaque as a lip stick, stains and long-wearing like a lip stain and moisturizes some what of a lip balm.

They're doing a giveaway of the whole collection, so if you're interested, sign up here.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil
"A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD’s creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black." - Urban Decay

Let's see, must have, check; ultra-plush, check; blendable, check, creates rich precise line, check; blacker-than black, semi-check.

I'm not sure if anything can be blacker-than-black, but yes, this is a pretty rich black shade. It's not a charcoal black, gray black, brownish black, no, it is straight up black, with more black and black undertones. It's pretty much the blackest liner you can get. I don't think I own anything like this or similar to it other than my other Urban Decay 24/7 liners.

This Velvet liner has about 95% similarities in formula as their sisters the 24/7 Glide-On liners. The only differences is that this liner glides on even smoother, creamier and therefore easier to blend. But once it sets, it will not budge. I never use the 24/7 Glide-On liners on my upper lash line because they're kinda dry and when I do, it doesn't smoothly glide across but rather dragging it so it skips and it's awful. With this Velvet liner though, I can apply it on my upper lash line with no dragging problem. Upper lash line, tightlining, lower lash line, lower waterline, this liner will not budge or smudge anywhere.

I will definitely repurchase once I run out. But it's not like I have to run out immediately and grab one once I run out, if it's convenient or there's  a good deal going on, I'll grab 'em.

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in ChampagneLooooooooove. Beautiful shade, perfect formula, creamy texture, easy to apply, long wearing...it's just a great shadow. Elizabeth Mott has got it going on. Her mascara It's So Big I received in my bag a couple months ago was uhh-mazing. Had really high hopes for this shadow and relieved that it delivered. This shade is so versatile, which is exactly how I like my shadows, especially singles. It can be worn by its self, as a highlight, together with other shadows. My brushes are able to easily pick up the shadows, applies effortlessly, and blends like a dream. I don't know what more I can say to convince you I really like this shadow. Haha. :P

There is one down side to it, the price. It is $12.99 on the site. Although I am aware that $12.99 is still affordable, I personally think it is for a single eyeshadow. For $19.99 I can get a whole palette from Sonia Kashuk; for $3.99 I can get a single eyeshadow from NYX, both of which are very similar in formula and texture to Pop! Goes the Shadow.

dr. brandt Microdermabrasion
I enjoyed this so much I placed an order to purchase the full size...it was $78 but with iPsy's code, it came out to $62, still pretty expensive but more manageable. I think it is worth every single penny though. This scrub is so amazing I don't even know how or where to start.

I received this in a 7.5 oz sample, but man, a little sure does go a long way. Not only did I use it, I also asked my brother and mom to try it with me. Between the three of us using this one to two times a week for the last two weeks, there are still some products left in the sample. It is suggested that this be used one to two times per week leaving three days between application and only leave it on the skin for one to two minutes.

I've read reviews that some felt a burning sensation or it was stinging badly. Neither my mom, brother nor I have felt anything like that. All I can really say is test this out on a small area on the arm or hand first before applying it to the face for those with sensitive skin. Also, don't use too much of the cream, a lot does not always mean better; a pea size amount is more than enough. Don't use too much pressure while scrubbing, that can also cause the burning and stinging sensation.

I have extreme oily skin, my brother has oily/combo while my mom has dry skin that's oily on her T-zone. This works on all three of our skin types fairly well. For me, I noticed that my face doesn't get as oily as it used to, even though the temp is on the rise. Like there's still excess oil, but it's not to the point where I can deep fry with it. My skin has also been glowing after the uses. Like it actually got rid of so much dull, dead skin that my actual baby skin is able to peak through now. My brother went through a rough puberty stage, his face was full of acne. Fortunately it cleared up but there's still the acne scar left behind. After using this for two weeks, those acne scars seemingly lightened up a lot and he told me this skin has become noticeably smoother. As for my mom, her skin is so dried that it is flaky. After using this for two weeks, those pesky flaky skin seemed to have flaked off. In addition to dry, flaky skin, my mom also has a lot of dark spots and a few liver spots sprouting. She's used soooo many skin care products, high end to drug store, none of which seemed to help. This Microdermabrasion scrub, in just two weeks, magically lightened up those spots. It's not completely gone, but it is fading. She was astonished, I was astonished. After how much this scrub did for us, $62 does not seem too much. Honestly, when we finish up the full size purchased one, I'll probably repurchase it for the full $78 as well.

It has a light citrus-y scent to it, it's not bothersome to me at all. Although I've read otherwise from the reviews. As for the texture, the "grains" are so fine, nothing like other exfoliating products like St. Ives where it has a grainy-sand texture. Even though the "beads" are so fine, it still does a superb job of getting rid of those dead skin .

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. If anyone is interested, I have a code that can give you 20% off for just this specific product. Just enter MICRO20 at checkout and you're good to go.

Demeter Perfume Oil Roll On in JasmineI have nothing but good things to say about this product. I've used and own products from Demeter before, I know what to expect and they delivered again and again. I really love the scent of jasmine and gardenia, so this perfume is perfect. For those who dislike the floral scent, this might come off as a little strong, maybe even headache-inducing, but it's fine to me. A sparing roll on the wrist, rub and dab behind the ears lasted me all day, up until I showered. It's pretty amazing. You should really check out Demeter if you haven't already, they have a huge selection range with a billion scents to choose from.

Thank you for visiting and thanks for reading guys. :)

P.S. For any Criminal Minds' fan out there, today's episode is NEW!

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SONG OF THE DAY

One Day - 2AM + 2PM = One Day