'Ip, 'Ip, 'Ooray! August Ipsy Unbagging

I can't believe it's already time for the August ipsy unbagging! This Summer has flown by. Before too long, it'll be time for pumpkins and ghosts. Heck, the Hobby Lobby near me already has Christmas decorations out. Maybe next month I should go pick out my Valentines...

Anyhoo, here's what I got in my "Glamour Academy" bag:

You know, I saw spoilers before I received the bag, and I thought I was going to HATE the "cheesy" gold crests. I even had a DIY project all planned out to fix it up. Surprisingly, I kind of love this bag in person. The eggplant and gold look beautiful together, and the whole design gives off a Harry Potter-like vibe. I'm digging it; not going to lie.

Inside the bag I found Pacifica BB Cream, Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub, City Color Cheek Stain in Pink, Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla, and Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black. I received my bag on Friday, right before I left to go out of town for the weekend, and took them all with me. I've used these items for a few days now, so I think I can give you some real, honest-to-God reviews on them. We'll go in order of favorite to least.

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Scrub: Wowzers! This is one that I might actually buy. It left my skin feeling clean, soft, smooth, and refreshed. Thomas used it too, and really enjoyed it. It's a black scrub that you can really feel working, but doesn't hurt. It also wiped away with no residue, which is always a plus. My skin had been ravaged by a weekend of road-tripping and pop culture convention-ing, so this scrub was really put to the test, and passed with flying colors.

Noya Lip Balm in Vanilla: It's a lip balm. I wish I could say that it was life-changing, but I can't. It smells good (like cupcakes) and moisturizes my lips, but I don't think it's any better than my Fresh Sugar Treatment, Burt's Bees, or Blistex. It is all-natural, though, so that might be a deal maker for some folks.

City Color Cheek Stain in Pink: This is a pretty decent cream blush stick. I don't know about staining, per se, but I didn't notice any fading. The color appears downright scary in the stick, but sheers out to a lovely pink flush. I can't see myself reaching for it all the time, personally (I'm more of a peachy-pink or dusty rose kind of girl), but it would be great for travel.

Pacifica BB Cream: This...kind of sucks. I really hate that, too, because I love Pacifica and was excited to try this product. It provides zero coverage, and doesn't do that great of a job evening out my skin tone. On top of that, it's super shimmery. Yes, the shine does lessen with powder. Yes, it does look more even after concealer. No, I will not be buying this. It's fine in a pinch, but that's about it. The color "adjusts" to your skin tone, supposedly. It looks too dark to me, but ended up blending in well, so maybe it does adjust. I don't know. It would probably work well on legs, if nothing else. Save yourself some money and get the Garnier BB Cream if you're in the market for a good drugstore find with a radiant finish.

Pixie Lash Booster Mascara in Blackest Black: No. Just...no. It did nothing for my lashes. After two coats, they were slightly tinted. Also, the mascara went everywhere during application. The brush is okay, but the formula is terrible. I'm a Buxom fan, and this did nothing to sway me. If you want a more natural look, give Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes a try. It's less in-your-face than the Buxom, but a much better formula than the Pixie.

This was not a great month for ipsy--for me, anyway. I definitely got more than my ten bucks' worth, but I'm really only going to use two, maybe three of the items on a regular basis. That said, this was my first "dud" month out of five, so that's not too shabby. I'm already excited to see what September brings!

P.S. If you're interested in ipsy, here's my referral code. Yes, there are rewards for referring people, but they're not great enough for me to blindly shill for them. I genuinely like the program. :)   http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hckwnapypcnq7c4

Only Skin Deep: Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

Photo Credit: Pacifica

I'm ridiculously lazy when it comes to skincare. Were it not for face wipes, I don't think I'd ever wash my face before I went to bed--certainly not every night!

That's not good, folks.

Lately, I've become a big fan of the Say Yes to Grapefruit Brightening Facial Wipes. They're not expensive, smell amazing, remove makeup well, and--yes--do actually brighten up dull skin over time. I've repurchased them several times, and have always been very happy with them. The thing is...sometimes familiarity breeds contempt, and somewhere mid-way through the latest pack, I started to get antsy. I needed something different. I needed something exciting. I needed the new Pacifica Facial Wipes!

So, I bought them. When I ran out of those now apparantly loathesome Grapefruit wipes, I bypassed them on the Target shelf, and picked up the beautifully packaged, slightly less expensive (due to a sale--they're normally $6), fancy-schmancy Pacifica wipes. I'm in love with their Indian Coconut Nectar lotion, so these coconut water-infused wipes should be heavenly!

Now, when I say "beautifully packaged", I really mean it. These are, by far, the prettiest facial wipes to look at. Sure, they're housed in the standard snap-top-type packaging that the Say Yes and E.L.F. Studio wipes come in, but it's a highly decorative, fashion forward snap-top-type package. The color scheme is a tranquil blue with fluid yellow lines, swirling into geometric floral patterns, and it's--it's just gorgeous. Even the snap-top looks high-end, with it's frosted, heavy-duty plastic. Then, as if that weren't enough, the entire package is slid into a cardboard stand, making it look like something you'd find in an extraordinarily expensive hotel room, and not sharing counter space with your toothpaste.

On that lovely packaging, it clearly states:

"Easily cleanse, remove makeup, and tone skin without using a drop of water."

Well, that's exactly what I needed them for. I hate dealing with water and washcloths and soap and...yeah, I'm lazy. I don't like washing my face when I'm tired and would rather be in bed, but I can't rationalize skipping it when all I have to do is pull out a wipe. Then, as long as I'm in the bathroom and vertical, I might as well slap on some moisturizer and eye cream. Yes, I have a skincare routine, but the wipe is the catalyst that gets me motivated enough to start the process.

So, the first night I went to use a wipe, I was actually super-excited to wash my face. I opened the package, smelled the dreamy coconut scent, wiped down my face with the soft cloth, and...nothing happened. The BB cream I had on came off, for the most part, but my eye makeup was still intact. So, I wiped a little harder. Then, I scrubbed. Eventually, I said, "To heck with it!" and went to bed. This continued in much the same way for a couple of days, so I sat down to write a negative review for the blog.

Well, when I pulled up the Pacifica website to grab a link for you guys, I noticed this on the site. If it was on the physical packaging anywhere, I couldn't find it:

"These wipes can remove most make-up, but due to the fact that we do not use chemical solvants, they will not remove the most water-proof make-up.  They are a great follow-up to using a make-up remover as they will remove the residue from your skin leaving it refreshed."

Say what?!?!

Just to clarify, the makeup removing wipes should really be used following a makeup remover. Please bear in mind, the eye makeup I had tried to remove was not entirely waterproof. Sure, my mascara and eyeliner were, but last I checked, the powder eyeshadows weren't. Also, I don't own any waterproof blushes--cream or powder. That stuff should have been removed, even without extra help.

Well, in the spirit of fairness, I decided to finish out the pack in conjunction with some Josie Maran Cleansing Oil. Happily, they worked together like a charm. I was able to remove all of my makeup, and my skin felt soft and refreshed afterward. However, that would have still been the case if I'd only used the oil and a damp washcloth. The washcloth wouldn't have smelled like coconut, but would have achieved the same goal.

I am gutted to have to write a less-than-glowing review for this product, given how much I generally like Pacifica, and how beautiful this looked on my counter. Let's just break down the pros and cons:

Pros: Gorgeous packaging, tight snap-top, amazing scent, soft feel, affordable price point, paraben-free, Gluten-free, cruelty-free, and 100% vegan.

Cons: They don't really work.

I re-purchased my Say Yes to Grapefruit wipes. They're not quite as pretty (though the pink packaging is still very cute), but they smell nice and they do what they're supposed to do. I guess it's like I have to remind myself when I have to pick out a new cellphone; it doesn't matter how pretty it is, or how many fancy bells and whistles it has, if it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Final Verdict: 5 out of 10. They're beautiful, but since you have to use a secondary remover, you're basically paying for a scented, disposable washcloth.

Gah!

Blogger is refusing to let me post right now! I can't even compose on the computer right now. This is coming to you via smartphone, which is no way to write a lengthy review like the one I have...had...for you today (on the new Pacifica face wipes, no less). I'm going to keep trying, but didn't want you to think I'd run off on you. Keep your fingers crossed!

They Say It's Your Birthday (Na Na Na Na): June Favorites

Y'all seemed to enjoy last month's favorites post, so I thought I'd try it again for June (the month of my birth, in case you were wondering about the title). Instead of picking a high-end and drugstore product for each category, I decided to go with exactly what I've gravitated toward recently, which still resulted in a pretty decent mix of price points, I think. Let's take a look!

Eyes

Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner in Sippin' n' Dippin'
(Please, God, tell me that the name refers to sassparillas and swimmin' in the ol' creek, and not to moonshine and chewing tobacco. Please?) I love cream shadows for Summer because they just melt into the skin and look so natural and dewy. The last thing I want is a lot of heavy, caked-on makeup when it's 300-degrees outside. This shade is a gorgeous soft, golden peach with an iridescent sheen. It's stunning. Absolutely stunning.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Freelove
This is also a golden peach, but one that's much more vibrant. On the rare occasion that I do want a powder shadow, this is a beautiful one. It's so pigmented that you don't need much. I like to use it as the lid color for a smoky eye. It adds an unexpected pop of color that keeps the look interesting and seasonal.

Lips

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balm in Copacabana
This, and the next product, stays in my purse these days. The color is that perfect "my lips, only better" nude, and there's just a hint of holographic sparkle to create the appearance of added fullness. It's lovely, and the packaging couldn't be cuter or more purse friendly. There's even a mirror in the lid!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose
It's too hot for lipstick, but sometimes I need a little color. This adds a beautiful rose tint without being heavy or sticky. It's also unbelievably moisturizing, and I adore the packaging. The lid screws on, so there's no worry of ending up with a purse full of rose tinted ickiness.

Face

E.L.F. Tinted Moisturizer
It's light, pretty, covers decently, smells nice, contains SPF, and costs three bucks. Seriously, why would I use anything else?

Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder
This bronzer warms up my skin without adding shimmer. It's been around forever, so I'm sure I have nothing to say that hasn't been said. I keep it on my counter, and have another in my film makeup kit.

This picture sucks. I apologize. New phone, new camera, new pixel rate to deal with. Anyhoo, I'm wearing ALL of the favorites in this picture, with the exception of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. I wish you could see the eyeshadow better, but at least you can see that bright peach isn't as scary as it sounds. Also, my eyebrows actually look decent, for once. So, at least, there's that.

Nails

Sephora by O.P.I. in It's Bouquet With Me
I know I must have mentioned this one before, because it's one of my all-time favorites. The polish has a lilac base with a mixture of holographic chunky glitter and silver micro-glitter. Wear it alone; wear it as a top coat; it's just really, really pretty.

China Glaze Hunger Games in Foie Gras
Yes, I'm still on my Hunger Games polish kick. No, I have not seen the movie or read any of the books, yet. Sue me. This polish is a super-cool, almost lavendar-toned brown. I know, brown's not the first color that comes to mind for Summer, but it really works! I layered It's Bouquet With Me over the top of one nail, as an accent, and I'm really loving the way it looks. It went perfectly with a flowy lavendar sundress I wore to a formal Summer wedding.

This is Foie Gras with It's Bouquet With Me layered over the accent nail. Sure, there are a couple of chips here and there, but I've been wearing it since Saturday, and it's now Tuesday. That's not bad, folks. Not bad, at all.

Body

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter
I got this last year, and it's earned a prominent spot on my counter. When you first apply this, the cream feels very dry, and I know I wondered how on Earth it was going to moisturize anything. As it sinks in, though, you notice a definite difference in the texture of your skin. You feel more supple and smooth, and any sign of ashy or scaly skin is gone. On top of that, the scent is a slightly spicy vanilla-coconut that just screams, "beach party".

Bath and Body Works Select-A-Shimmer in Be Enchanted
I fell in love with this scent at Thanksgiving, when I received a bottle of the bath gel in the Bath and Body Works Black Friday bag. Since then, it's pretty much the only bath gel I use, so I was thrilled to add this body lotion into the mix. Half of the tube is lotion, and the other half is shimmer gel. A little dial at the top lets you adjust how much shimmer you want mixed into your lotion. I keep mine set at 50/50, which gives just enough sparkle to diffuse the light and make my skin appear more toned, but isn't so much as to blind folks when I'm in direct sunlight. The fragrance is a sweet, but not sickly, pomegranate. Gorgeous.

Summer Lovin': Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter

Photo Credit: Sephora

Um...I think I may possibly have found the quintessential Summer scent.

You're welcome.

The last time I placed a Sephora order, a little impulse buy popped up on the checkout screen. For five bucks, I could try a 2.5 oz tube of Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter. Now, lately I've been a Jergen's girl with Victoria's Secret dabblings. However, it's practically Summer (heck, we're already hitting 90s down here. It is Summer), and nothing screams beach-chic like coconut. Considering how much I was already spending, I figured, why not?

I have not been disappointed.

Here's what Sephora has to say about it:

Pacifica's Indian Coconut Nectar is full of good-for-you organic ingredients and natural essential oils. Inspired by travels to faraway destinations, this warm fragrance is at once sensuous and fresh. It blends coconut, delicate vanilla, and creamy vetiver with exotic floral accords of ambrosia to leave skin beautifully scented.

*Fun fact: Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar products are 100% vegan.

Now, for my take:

Let's start with the packaging, first. The tube is really pretty. It's decorated in gold, turquoise, and an orangey-red, in a style that, while I'm sure they were going for Indian-inspired, really just makes me think of "It's a Small World" at Disney World. Not that that's a bad thing. I happen to like the ride. The design is very sweet, and adds a little bit of exotic spice to my dresser. I'm still not a big fan of tube dispensers for lotion, but if I'm stuck with one, at least it's cute.

The lightweight lotion goes on very dry, but a little bit covers a lot of real estate. You don't need a handful of lotion to cover a thigh. Really, the equivalent of about two fingertips takes care of mine. Also, don't let the dryness of the lotion fool you into thinking it isn't moisturizing. It is. Trust me. My arms and legs feel like satin, and I didn't have to wait forever before getting dressed. I also haven't worried about it sweating or sliding off in the crazy heat and humidity. In this case, the dryness is a plus.

I adore this lotion's scent. It's really more of a spicy vanilla than coconut, but there's enough coconut to give off a sexy, tropical vibe. Thomas said he really liked it, and that I smelled like cookies. I'm guessing coconut macaroons. The scent is not overpowering, but it is noticeable, and lasts for hours. I'd suggest tossing it in a beach bag for after your post-swim shower. That way, after the suntan lotion is gone, you can have a similar, slightly more sophisticated scent for the rest of the day.

Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar also comes in solid, roll-on, and spray perfume forms, as well as an 8 oz. tube of body butter. $5-$22, Sephora.

Ah, the magic bag o' samples! How I thought I missed you. Turns out, not so much. You see, while most samples are either lovely or simply ineffective, a few have turned out to be truly awful. Today, I experienced such a...treat...

I pulled Fresh Soy Face Serum out of the magic bag. I now hate the magic bag. Here's what Sephora has to say about the serum:

This fast-absorbing formula is packed with amino-acid-rich soy proteins, which retain moisture, stimulate collagen synthesis, and encourage cell turnover to encourage smoother, firmer, more radiant skin. It is further enriched with hibiscus peptides to soften expression lines, anise fruit extract to smooth the skin, and cucumber extract to calm and soothe. Soy Face Serum is clinically proven to immediately reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and provide long-term firming, hydrating, smoothing, and brightening effects.

Here's what I have to say:

I have no idea if this stuff works. It could be the freaking Fountain of Youth, and I'd never know because it smells too bad to use regularly. I opened the little foil packet, fully intending to only use a small amount so I could experiment over the course of a few days. As soon as I tore open the package, I was hit with the smell. I can't properly describe this smell with words. It wasn't chemical. This was a rotting, rancid, completely organic smell. Think of an old salad that's been in the trash can too long. I smeared some on my face, started to put the rest of the serum away, and just said, "to heck with it," and threw it out. It was too disgusting to keep. I will say that the serum absorbed quickly, as I was able to immediately coat my face down with moisturizer in an attempt to mask the odor. Maybe it works; maybe it doesn't. I'm not spending my money on rotten salad juice to find out. $45, Sephora.