I went overboard this month … I say that every month, what a surprise. But I really did, I even surprised myself, I got some Tatcha for the first time in a long time, some more Byroe, some Drunk Elephant… it’s bad. It’s great but it’s bad.
Little life update, I’m going broke living alone and I’m feeling all the feelings…. I have zero things going on in the romance department for the first time in twelve years! What an interesting experience. I’m paying all my own bills and mixing myself some drinks after work. It’s a little life! This little life of mine.
Let’s start with IPSY’s choices for me this month! As we all know, IPSY has wisdom that far surpasses us mortals, so they take the liberty of making the first two choices for us:
Eleman Beauty
I’m not familiar with this brand, and as far as I can tell it’s not a heavy hitter. I feel like if IPSY is going to choose the first few products, they should be hugely standout products, that really catch your eye. It’s always a surprise when they pick something understated for the first item.
This is their Lip Scrub. I’m all about simplifying names, but it isn’t giving me much to go on. It contains vitamin E, jojoba and shea, pretty standard.
I tried this out while wearing a clay mask that had already dried a bit, and I looked down and saw all sorts of bits coming off my face and I thought it was the scrub and turns out it was just the mask starting to peel and drop off lol. My lips actually did feel much smoother after this scrub! I first applied it and rubbed it between my lips without my fingers, like after you put lipstick on. But then I realized it wasn’t getting much friction on the corners of my mouth, so I went back with my finger and scrubbed more around there. It felt really nice, and my lips are actually smoother, and it’s been a few days but I do like it. I typically don’t use this type of product but maybe I will?
It retails for $18 though, which seems like a lot for a nothing special, standard formula. No big claims, nothing saying it’s a miracle product, and it’s 10g of product. Just, no thanks.
Wingme Cosmetics
Another strange new brand, but I’m interested in the product at least. This is their Ethereal Eye and Face Palette in the shade Light. It’s marketed as a face palette with bronzer, blush, and setting powder, but it can also be used as eyeshadows. Most blushes and bronzers you can’t really adapt this way, so it’s trying to come off as versatile.
I think of all the surprises in my IPSY history, this surprise takes the cake. And what’s awful is I can’t tell if I ended up loving this palette because I happen to know more about how to use it, or if it’s just one of the best products I’ve ever tried.
Shades and Usability
The lightest shade is obviously for brightening, as it’s a very light and yellow-ish tone. Can I say that I am never going to use a concealer again? This is so brightening and lightening under my eyes, I literally look five years younger. I look awake, excited, full of vigor. And it’s not just my undereyes, I have been using it on the bridge of my nose too, it’s like if a cream concealer could be truly precise, which it can’t.
Then there are the other shades. One in particular, on the top left, is a very cool contour shade. it is so difficult to find a cool enough contour, the market is flooded with “contour” shades that are just bronzers. The coolest I have been able to find is from ABH, the contour stick in Fawn, but that’s still not very gray or cool.
So I don’t even really like powder contours or bronzers, but I don’t even mind for this one. It goes on with a light but buildable pigment level, and I tap it in with the beauty blender after. It’s very cool toned, it’s such a relief to have found.
There is also a warmer bronze shade, and two different blush shades. But what I love about the blushes, they aren’t bright pink, standout shades. They’re just like lowkey, slightly rosey tones. Honestly? It feels like makeup for mature skin, or for the no-makeup makeup look. I’m obsessed and plan to use it continuously.
It retails for $38, which is a lot for a face palette. I would recommend it though, like it is actually this good.
5 Sens
I’m getting to try so many new perfumes! This is In Too Deep, and it’s the travel size, which I really wish it wasn’t. But I’m starting to get into perfume and notice it more on myself and other people. I remember it more before I leave the house – partly, I think, because I’m dating again and getting all my steps done.
This is the sweetest, juiciest, fruitiest perfume I’ve ever tried. It’s strong and powerful and sweet like sugared grapes. It lasts for such a long time, and on the plus side, the travel size is definitely easier and feels safer to take with me.
Grab this perfume if you want something deep, powerful, and that smells like a fruit salad with sugar.
Bliss
A new brand to me, I chose their Pore Patrol Blemish Patches. My acne isn’t actually the kind you can put a patch on, but once in a while I get a hormonal breakout that would be helped by something like this. I had something similar from another brand a few years ago and did actually like it very much, just not a lot of chances to use it. The acne I get that’s helped by these is typically on my jawline.
I had the unique opportunity to use this not only on a blemish or two, but also on a pretty bad razor burn! I was shaving my face yesterday morning – luckily on a day off! – and the razor slipped, I got four perfect slices into my jawline and they bled like they’d been waiting for this to happen. Yes, before you ask, I have ordered myself an actual face razor for the future.
So I don’t get blemishes like the ones that you’d normally think of applying these on, like the ones that come to a white head. But I do from time to time get irritated skin, or when I do try to extract a milia and it goes sideways, these patches can be good to prevent infection and help dry out any fluid that builds up. So I did try to extract a milia by my temple and it was not time. It got very red and swollen, so I applied one or two of these to the area overnight and it did help, the swelling and fluid got absorbed and in the morning it wasn’t healed, but it was flattened.
Unorthodox Use
On the razor burn, I did have to wait a few hours until it had bled and scabbed and then I hopped in a shower to get any extra blood off, and after the shower I applied these over the area. Kind of like a band-aid, actually. I wore them to bed and when I woke up they had absorbed something, probably just some moisture. The cuts are healing pretty well and I’m very fortunate that they were on the lower side of my jaw, so not something you can see looking right at me. No surprise that the patches helped, they have tea tree oil which is so good to help dry out and keep clean any irritations.
I like these and will continue to use them, even if it’s not exactly how they were intended.
Origins
Origins, I’m familiar with. I think I still have an SPF from them. I chose their Ginzing Brightening Eye Cream for this box because I’m running out of my Olehenriksen and cannot go without an eye cream. I’m using the Byroe Truffle Eye serum in the daytime but I need an eye cream for the evening.
It claims to have Vitamin C, of course, as well as Niacinamide. The surprise is, it has a shade name? I looked on their website and they have a warm and a cool option, which is neat. I guess it must be so brightening that it actually shows up and you might need to pick the one that will look natural on you.
The jar is absolutely packed with product, not like other moisturizers were there’s some room. It’s like they filled up the cap and then put it on an already full jar. The first few times I used it, I was just taking product out of the cap.
After I tried it, I understood why it had that shade name. It actually is a brightening cream, like it added a lightness under my eyes, not just moisture. I really enjoy it and will certainly choose it in the future. It retails for $37, which is a lot for 15ml of product. But honestly, I like the eye cream, I might recommend it even at full price.
Commodity Fragrances
Yes, I know, I talk about them in every single post, so no surprise they’re here. But I love their fragrances, and I’ve collected a lot of them. This one is Book. In order, I now have Gold, Juice, Milk, and Book. They’re all so pretty and satisfying to have.
Ah, unfortunately, this perfume smells nasty to me. Almost bitter. Did not like it, took off the shirt after I sprayed it. It smelled like – well, not like a library or a new book or paper or even wood. Smelled like … alcohol? Smells like how alcohol tastes. Peugh.
Don’t get Book if you want something sweet or floral. Definitely get it if you’d like something more bitter.
Tatcha
Ohhh boy it’s been a minute since Tatcha! I cannot afford Tatcha. This product has been in my mind since I heard of it, and what a surprise, I see it on IPSY add-ons!
My history with makeup removers is a little nuanced. I never liked makeup removing wipes, or micellar waters, but I was in love with the Chamomile Cleansing Balm from The Body shop. I don’t know if they still have it, but it was amazing. I’m sure I’ve sung it’s praises, but it was a huge surprise that you could rub it right in your waterline, no stinging, no nothing. Then a few years ago I gave in to an IG ad for the Juno Cleansing Balm. It was so much cheaper than the one I was using, and they were offering a free cleansing cookie with the deal, and I was like you know what, screw it.
I was completely shocked at how well it worked, how soft the cleansing cookie was, and how cheap the products were. So now I stock up every other month or so on Amazon.
This cleansing balm from Tatcha certainly comes off more elevated, with upscale packaging and on-brand ingredients and pricing. So I’m going to test them against each other and see how they perform!
How do they Compare?
So: first of all, the packaging, Tatcha, is absolutely stunning. Of course it is. You feel like you’re taking the lid off a powder in 14th century China, getting ready to go greet the Empress. It comes with this little round scoop, with this cute little design on it, and then you pop out the plastic protector and there’s the product!
It’s an indigo color, like mid-wash denim. It melts as soon as I touch it, but it keeps its texture as I apply it. I tried to use it sparingly the first few times, so I took the tiniest bit and tried to stretch it as far as I could. It definitely broke down my foundation, although needed to add some more to get my mascara. Rinsing off it’s funny because it washes off this dark blue and I always wonder if my face was that dirty lol.
This did an excellent job removing my makeup, and my skin felt soft and conditioned after. It feels luxurious to use – and honestly, it feels a little out of place on my sink counter in my studio. I will obviously use every single drop of this product, no hesitation. It costs a little more than twice what the Juno one does, and contains about 30% less product (85–>54). So it’s about three times more expensive per gram.
If you have that kind of money to blow, this is a really great choice and Tatcha will surprise you with how elevated their craft is. But I’m a single woman living in a studio she can barely afford, so I’m going to stick with Juno.
Pat McGrath Labs
LOL I almost titled this chapter “Oat McGrath Labs.” So everyone knows Pat McGrath. No surprise that it’s one of the most iconic brands in the makeup industry. The quality is there, and you pay for it. This is their FetishEYES Longwear Liquid Eyeshadow in the shade Luna Rose. I have become pretty interested in liquid eyeshadows, since I got those Danessa Myricks liquid pigments. I recently ran out of my favorite liquid topper from One/Size, so I’m hoping this is a comparable product. I’m super happy with the shade I picked, since (as you know by now) I do not mess around with dark glitters. At this point in my life there is no need. None whatsoever.
So the packaging, no surprise, is exquisite. Clear bottom, with the iconic eye, black top. The formula is thicker than I expected though, I sort of thought it would be a little more glide-y but it’s very thick, like the About Face ones. I tried to apply with the wand directly, but it was a little awkward and the product didn’t spread around much. This is all fine and well enough for the ones from About Face, because they’re mostly matte and for blending out, but with this one I wanted something that I could apply and be very precise with.
I am planning to try with some brushes next and see, because it is a very pretty glitter. Nowhere near the beauty of the ones from One/Size, but pretty in a very Pat McGrath way. Editorial.
Byroe
Byroe… it would never work between us, love …
This is Byroe’s Oat Yogurt Moisture Barrier Cream. This is the first time I have ever added two of something to add-ons that I have never tried. If it’s a surprise to you, kindly re-read all my posts about Byroe. Two of these babies are in my box this month!
This moisturizer comes in their iconic glazed ceramic vibe packaging tub packaging, with a golden cap. Byroe has done something I don’t think I’ve ever seen another brand do; every single item has completely unique packaging, in color, shape, size, etc. But they are all perfectly cohesive in every way as well. You cannot miss a Byroe product. The packaging also tends to be the color of the product, so everything is even more cohesive.
Let’s get something out of the way. This moisturizer retails for $106. This is Byroe at it’s Byroest. Is it a surprise? No. Is it hard to swallow? Yes. Would I recommend spending $106 on this moisturizer? Maybe. Did I pay $106 for it? No. I paid $12 a bottle.
The texture was surprising, I figured this would be much more lightweight but it’s very thick. I guess a little like yogurt lol. I have been primarily using this in the evenings, as I still have so many amazing day creams that I’m going through.
The company makes claims that the product’s ingredients, such as upcycled oat and oat lipids, as well as a vegan soy yogurt complex, will nourish the skin and repair its moisture barrier, helping lock in moisture and soothe redness. I can see why these ingredients would encourage these things, at least in my skin.
Drunk Elephant
Finally, the elephant. It has been a hot minute since IPSY has had any Drunk Elephant options for me that looked good! The serum I had a few years ago stung, but I loved the packaging, and I know it’s a very popular brand with my generation, the iGen, and Millennials.
This is their O-Bloos Rosi Drops. I saw people on the reddit getting incredibly excited for this product, even though I thought this brand was predominantly skincare.
From the description on IPSY’s website (which contains a typo, big surprise) it seems like a no-makeup makeup product that is very skincare heavy. They say it’s for the days when your normal rosey flush isn’t cutting it and you need something to bring it back. It’s formulated with fatty acids to give glow. So I don’t get the sense that it’s for over foundation, that it might be the kind of thing you’d throw on before heading to the beach or running errands.
The packaging is adorable, no surprise there, Drunk Elephant has some of the most unique packaging. It’s a little rectangular squeeze bottle with a twist cap, and the opening is tiny so you don’t use too much. The product is immediately more shimmery than I expected, which sort of confirms my theory that it’s supposed to just be a “throw it on and go” type of thing.
What I’m Doing
I have only tried it one way, which is the way I typically use liquid blushes, by taking some product on the palm of my hand and using my index finger to spread it around, and then tapping my beauty blender into it to tap onto my face. I liked this method, but the product was actually a little thick, so I added some of my Byroe Tea Oil to it. It’s been delightful, I have really been enjoying it, and I’d love to try it out in other shades – except there aren’t any? It looks like this is only the one shade. I mean it’s a pretty shade, but I can’t think of the last blush I tried that only came in one shade. I was very surprised.
It retails for $39, which is a lot for a liquid blush but I think they put their money where their mouth is with the ingredients.
Morphe
Another Morphe product, did they just join the ranks or something? It’s honestly a surprise to see them again. I had never tried their products and now they’re in two boxes in a row. I was actually really excited to see this product as an add-on-option; it’s their Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation in the shade 2N. I’m always on the lookout for a foundation that doesn’t accentuate my texture, which is still getting better and better.
The packaging is very Natasha Denona Foundation X – actually I think it must be the same lab and packaging as theirs, it’s uncanny. I miss foundation X….
Shade
So first thing, this is not Neutral. This is an incredibly warm, yellow-toned foundation. The picture online didn’t communicate properly how yellow this is. It’s called 2N, although when you look at the description it says “neutral yellow” which is absolute BS. That being said, I’m able to mix it with a little of my Purlisse skin tint, which actually is neutral, to get a shade that is marginally doable. The formula is very nice, seems like medium coverage, but the pump doesn’t allow very good precision in how much product comes out. Because I’m mixing with another product, I don’t really need a full pump, but it sort of only allows you to pump in whole numbers…
If this were actually shade 2N, I’d probably love it. But what a surprise, it’s classified wrong….
It retails for $20, much better than the $45 for Foundation X. Although, they’re on sale right now on ND’s website … If you have a chance to shade match, I say this is a good foundation option!
Thank you for checking in and reading! April choice comes up in a few days and I’m really excited! I will be posting a life update here in the next week or so I think, so much has happened.
Talk soon!
~Dani