NYX Cosmetics – ipsy Eye Shadow Trio
nyxcosmetics.com

Full Size Retail Cost: $4.50 for single eye shadows

NYX ipsy Eye Shadow Trio

This palette was exclusively designed for ipsters by NYX so it cannot be purchased through the NYX website. As usual ipsy (and NYX) hit it out of the park with the color sections for the September glam bag whose theme was all about leaving the past behind for autumn elegance. Let’s face it nudes are in and they probably always will be. So there was no chance of failure (except for those whose palettes arrived broken) when making this collaboration part of the September glam bag.

My review is pretty simple. The shades are your typical nudes with one smoky option which is more black than brown which was unexpected. The consistency of the shadow is chalky but to be fair I am used to Too Faced and Smashbox shadows. You can build up each shade to get the pigmentation you want which makes the palette even more versatile. It came with the standard 90’s applicator which has gone straight to the trash. Why anyone continues to produce those things is beyond me.

Final Verdict: It’s NYX you get what you pay for.

Left to Right: NYX, Temptu and J. Cat Swatches

TEMPTU – S/B Highlighter in Champagne Shimmer
temptu.com

Full Size Retail Cost: $27.50 1oz

TEMPTU – S/B Highlighter in Champagne Shimmer

TEMPTU is typically used by pro artists because they have revolutionized the flawless finish and airbrush makeup application. Which basically means I had never heard of this company until it showed up in my ipsy bag. Now TEMPTU is reaching out to the everyday makeup wearer by creating easy to use airbrush systems and “Airpod” makeup. Still all beyond my realm of makeup application. Who really has time to fire up their airbrush machine and paint a flawless face before their 9-5? I don’t.

The item TEMPTU chose to share with us ipsters was their silicon based highlighter in Champagne Pop (it also comes in three other shades). It’s designed to highlight eyes, cheeks and “other features” though I am unsure of what that means. To be blunt I do not like liquid highlighters, blush or really anything liquid besides eye liner and vodka. The shade is lovely and reminds me of pink champagne. It’s fast drying and extremely pigmented, which means I will overuse and end up blinding my co-workers.

Final Verdict: Pricey for a working girl. Very pretty though.

J. Cat Beauty – #MOTD Waterproof Slide on Pencil for Eyes in Bronze
jcatbeauty.com

Full Size Retail Cost: $3.99

J. Cat Beauty – #MOTD Waterproof Slide on Pencil for Eyes in Bronze

I am pretty sure I have received other items from J. Cat courtesy of my ipsy bags but I cannot remember which means they probably weren’t all that memorable. Hold on let me check… Yes, I have one of their Liptitude hydrating lip stains which I received from a friends ipsy bag as the color was too pink for them. Quick review: super pigmented lip stain, not very fast drying and definitely not 24/7 wear. Cannot compete with my favorite Aqua Rouge lip from Make Up For Ever, the apocalypse won’t take that stuff off.

The #MOTD slide on pencil for eyes as it is so named (not sure why) has a medium creamy application and glides on fairly effortlessly (but not as effortlessly as the Urban Decay 24/7 glide on pencils). The shade is lovely with just the right amount of sparkle and pigmentation. This product can be purchased in 11 other shades on the J. Cat website and boasts that it is waterproof and smudge proof. I will give it smudge proof but anything that can be removed with soap and water effortlessly (like washing your hands after using the restroom) is not considered water proof in my opinion. I live in Florida I need waterproof that can outlast a monsoon and hurricane in one day.

Final Verdict: Not waterproof, but worth a try for the price.

Trust Fund Beauty – Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted
trustfundbeauty.com

Full Size Retail Cost: $15.00

Trust Fund Beauty – Nail Polish in Elegantly Wasted

Wow calm down $15 for a bottle of nail polish? I do not think so. Now that that is out of my system lets talk facts. Trust Fund Beauty boasts a “Made in the USA” product so if you are going to spend your trust fund on nail polish you might as well go American made. It also boasts that it is cruelty free, non-toxic, vegan, and 7-free.

Yay for all the small animals that were spared for this to happen but the minute I opened the bottle I thought I was being tested on. The smell is overwhelming and I regularly use products from OPI and Creative and have never had such a strong smell come from those polishes. Smell aside the color is great and dries a bit darker than the bottle color would suggest. The product is also a bit watery for my taste which I also think makes application harder for those whose nail polish skills are mediocre.

Final Verdict: You need a trust fund to save animals.

Garnier Fructis – Brazilian Smooth Flatiron Express
garnierusa.com

Full Size Retail Cost: $5.99 via Garnier website

Garnier Fructis – Brazilian Smooth Flatiron Express

Garnier Fructis is a household name and sold all over the globe so it is pretty exciting when ipsy partners with such a well known brand. But when it comes to receiving hair products in my ipsy bag I am the opposite of excited. Mostly because I was raised by a hair dresser and have an unrealistic expectation of only using “salon quality” products for the rest of my life. Yes, this makes me a hair snob. No, I really don’t care. #FREEhaircuts4life

Long story short this product does what it says. It helps smooth “difficult to straighten” hair. With that said this product is NOT for everyone. My hair for instance is not difficult to straighten so all this product did was make my hair a little more smooth, and greasy way quicker than normal. I have medium wavy hair, that isn’t fine but it isn’t coarse either. I imagine this would work great on those women with the heavy beautiful curls who just want straight hair for the day. But again I haven’t tested my theory.

Final Verdict: Great product for “difficult to straighten” hair, worth a buy.