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Ipsy, $10 a month, beauty samples
I paid $11, including tax
Box value: $36, My value: $33*
Ipsy is the main competitor to Birchbox, offering five beauty samples a month, also for $10. While they both cost the same in theory, Ipsy lacks Birchbox’ generous point system, so it’s ultimately a worse deal. It’s supposed to be more makeup-oriented, however. I got this Ipsy subscription for my 13-yo daughter who is looking to experiment more with makeup. While she loved the first bag, she wasn’t that happy with this one.
Ipsy samples come in a mini-makeup bag which changes every month.
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The bag included a full size eyeliner, and sample size body butter, nail polish, eye shadow crayon and primer. The full value of the bag was around $35.
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OFRA Cosmetics Eyeliner in Turquoise, full size, $13
While this eyeliner was pretty hard and difficult to apply, my daughter loved the color: it matches her hair!
Here is how it looks on:
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Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation PrimerImage may be NSFW.
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, .25 oz, $8 value
We tried it today under BB cream. It did a marvelous job of keeping the BB cream on my face despite profuse sweating. Made in the USA
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Formula X Nail Color in Relentless, 4 ml, $3 value
My oldest didn’t like the color but my youngest did. It’s actually a great color for summer. It’s very easy to apply without smudging and looks great after just one coat. Unfortunately both my children agreed that I’m too old for this bubblegum pink. Made in the USA.
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tre’StiQue Mini Shadow Crayon in kona koffee, .02 oz, $10 value
My daughter doesn’t like shadow crayons, so we’ll probably swap this. Made in the USA.
Update: I decided to keep it for myself, and I really like it. It’s a great color for my eye crease, it goes on very smoothly
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Lavanila The Healthy Body ButterImage may be NSFW.
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, .85 oz, $1 value
This body butter came almost empty, which is too bad because I like it. It has a very intense sweet vanilla/caramel scent, it’s a little on the heavy side but it spreads and absorbs well enough. It’s made in the USA.
Update: Ipsy sent us a replacement, my daughter is happy.
* The box value is the value of all the products included in the box. My value is the value of the products that my family and I will actually use. I’m happy if my value is at least as high as what I paid for the box.
