IPSY Extra February 2026: My Thoughts

I wasn't expecting IPSY to send the Extra box this month, which somewhat saddened me as I really liked the selections. Imagine my surprise when it showed up before any other February subscription. I'm glad because it's giving me some time to explore everything before the other ones get here. So let's look at what I received. As usual, we have some criteria.

DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS?

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS?

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE?

DO I FEEL CHEATED?

ICONIC LONDONHandbag Glam Face Brush Set
I had no idea this was even in offering but wow do I love it. The brushes are soft and gather product very well. They're lightweight, which I enjoy in a brush, and have a good handfeel. As this is Iconic London, they have a good deal of quality to them. And the little case they came in is very nice as well. I'm quite pleased.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I will always use brushes. I'm very much a brush person when it comes to cosmetics and I know these will be utilized a good deal.

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I wasn't expecting brushes but yes, I'm very excited to have them and excited to explore what Iconic London can offer.

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE?
Yes. I used them to apply the face palette and they worked quite well. They even tickle a little. They hold a lot of product.

DO I FEEL CHEATED?
Not at all. I'm quite happy with the brushes.

LUCKY CHICK Mystic Halo FacePalette
This palette has pressed powders and has one highlighter in Aura, blushes in Rise and Soul, and a bronzer in Fate. The pans are a good size, which is important. I hate it when blushes are small because they're so hard to get out with the brushes.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I do. I use a lot of face color stuff and I certainly think I will use these.

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I really am. I'm still very much exploring the potential of blushes, highlighters, and bronzers so any that I have to experiment with are welcome.

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE? Very positive. I love the color story in this palette.

DO I FEEL CHEATED? I do not. This is a decent product size for Extra.

HAUS LABS Color Fuse Glassy Blush BalmStick

As I mentioned in a previous post, this is Lady Gaga's brand and I've been curious to see what she does with her cosmetics. When I opened it, I was very charmed by the packaging. I'm pleased with the size of this and while I wasn't sure about how the color would work on me at first, it's swatched out well.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I do. Even if I don't use it as a blush, I'll probably use it on my lips.

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? Am I excited to own something from Haus Labs? I most certainly am.

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE? My first impression is even better than I thought it would be. I really find this color to be beautiful.

DO I FEEL CHEATED? Absolutely not.

ELEMIS Balancing Lavender Toner

I love Elemis as a brand but I wasn't sure how I would feel about this because of the lavender. I was still glad to receive it though because I needed a toner. One of the things I liked right away is that it has a spray top. That pleased me because it means I'm not trying to flip this down and try not to spill it everywhere.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I will use this until it's gone. I've already used it several times.

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am excited both to explore what a toner can do for me and also to see how well Elemis can produce one.

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE? I am shocked at how well this is working for me. Clearly, I needed a toner because my pores are getting cleared of things I didn't even know were still on my face. Instead of being overwhelmed by the scent, I find it relaxing and refreshing.

DO I FEEL CHEATED? No this is a good-sized product and it will last for quite a while. I'm very happy with this.

DOMINIQUE COSMETICS Moisture Grip SerumPrimer

I'm still on the hunt for a primer that really works for me. So far they've just not done what I needed them to do, despite the fact that I leave them alone for decent amount of minutes. This one intrigues me because it's not just a primer, it's also a serum. The fact that this is supposed to help keep your face hydrated and plumped while you wear it would be quite a bonus for me.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I will. And if it does what it says it will do, I will use all of it.

AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am very hopeful for this. I hope it works.

ARE MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS POSITIVE? It's thick and it feels good on my skin. It pumps out well and gives me good coverage.

DO I FEEL CHEATED? No this is a good product that does double duty so I'm very happy to have it.

I find myself very pleased with this month's Extra box. It's actually my favorite-sized box of everything IPSY offers and I have a feeling it will tend to be the one I enjoy the most. Even though it has only one outright skincare item, the primer functions as a serum too. I also love that I received the brushes. This feels like a very balanced box.

Ipsy Feb 2026 Original Bag Reveals: My Thoughts

Yesterday was also reveal day for Ipsy Original. This is how my bag is going to look. These are the things picked for me. Thought I would do an assessment of each. This is my criteria. 

DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS?
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS?
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS?
DO I FEEL CHEATED?

BEAUTY CREATIONS COSMETICS Plump & Pout Lip Plumping Booster Gloss in Pink Lemonade
Okay. We're starting out well. I always enjoy lip products and I needed a new lip plumper. I'm wondering if the shade comes off as pink or if it's pink lemonade flavored.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? Yeah I'll use it. I'll probably use it completely.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I'm certainly not mad about it.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? No, probably not. But again, not upset.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? I do not.

ERBORIAN CC Red Correct

At first I was a little concerned about this because I have a problem with green color correctors (Quote my roommate: Why are you green?), however, this one starts out green but fades to beige so possibly this won't be a problem. It's also supposed to be calming on the skin and we all know how angry my skin tends to be.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? It's going to depend on how well it actually beiges out.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I'm curious about it, to be sure. If this works, it will be wonderful.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? Possibly so. Once I knew it was color-changing, I might have picked it to see how well that works for me.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Nope.

PRADOS Start with the Slay Primer

Even though I'm getting another primer this month, I'm still okay with getting this mini because I'm still in the process of trying to find out what primers work best for me.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? Yes. I plan to use all of this.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect primer.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? I would have, yes.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? I certainly do not.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Size Up VolumizingMascara

. . .okay, Ipsy knew everyone was getting a mascara in their other box. Why would they put one (and a generic Sephora one) in the glam bag? That doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I honestly don't. I'll probably find someone else to give this to.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I'm not excited for a cheap mini mascara, no.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? Not at all.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Yes, I actually do. This is the only one this month and the first time with Ipsy, but I'm really not happy about this at all.

This is the product I picked.

DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS?
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS?
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE?
DO I FEEL CHEATED?

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Black Cherry CleansingBalm
I've written a lot about this already (and Elemis in general) but I still stand by the opinion that this was the best choice I could have made for myself this month.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I will use all of this.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am very excited about getting this.
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE? It was.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? No. I think this is a good-sized mini and it will not be wasted.  

Aside from the mascara, I'm pretty happy with the Original Bag for this month. The product of my choosing is one I really want to try out and if the CC color-correcting cream works for me that is such a bonus. Same with the primer. The lip product is just a mini so I'm sure I will use it completely and if it tastes like pink lemonade, all the better. I'll tell you more when I have the bag in my possession. 

Ipsy Feb 2026 Ultimate Choice Day Reveals: My Selections and Thoughts

It's choice day for Ipsy Ultimate! This is how my box is going to look.

These are the things picked for me. Thought I would do an assessment of each.


DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS?
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS?
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS?
DO I FEEL CHEATED?

KEVYN AUCOIN Indecent Mascara
I knew already I was getting this so I've already processed the fact that I'm getting another mascara. I love the name of it and as I said before, I'm willing to give this a try because it's supposed to curl the lashes.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I plan on it but we'll see how much I find that I like it.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? Marginally. I have one I love already.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? No because I have one already that I love and several more besides.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? No it's still a good product.

RODIAL Collagen Booster Drops

YAY!!!!! I love Rodial and I can't wait to get this product. My skin needs all the help it can get and this will be a great way to help make things better.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I will use this until I'm squeezing the last drops out of it.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am very excited for this. I'm elated in fact.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? Yes. I trust this brand and would have always picked this.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Certainly not.

BISHA Essential Rice Water MakeupPrimer
While I wasn't happy with the Bisha products I got last time, that's probably more of a me problem than a them problem. It's just the way my eyes react to things. I'm looking forward to this and I really want to see what the rice water will do for me.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I do. I'm curious about it, certainly, and finding good primers is always needed.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? Yeah. Not elated like some of these, but still excited to get it.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? It would have depended on what the other choices were. Maybe?
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Not at all. This is a solid brand and a good size.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beauty WandDuo

YAY!!!!!!!!!!! I was worried these would be put in the choice groupings and they would get selected before I could get to them. But they came with my standard box so I'm really excited. Now I've not had the greatest luck with want-with-built-in-sponges in the past, but CT's are supposed to be very good. Hopefully, these will work for me.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I do, yes. The only issue may be the applicator. But overall, I do think I'll use these a lot.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I'm so very stoked that I'm getting these! Two CT wands!!! In full size!!!! Yeah, you could say I'm excited.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? I would have picked this in a heartbeat. It was a very high choice for me.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Absolutely not.

DR.JART+ Ceramidin™ Skin BarrierMoisturizing Eye Cream

I'm okay with this but I have an eye cream that I adore already. So right now it's not at the top of my list. I'll certainly use it when I run out of the eye cream that I adore.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I do. I have plans to use it.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? Excited? Nah. I'm not upset but I'm not just over the moon about it.
WOULD I HAVE PICKED THIS? No. I have an eye cream that I love already.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? No. It's still a very good product.


These are the products I picked.

DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS?
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS?
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE?
DO I FEEL CHEATED?


SAINT JANE BEAUTY RichRescue Phyto Mucin Cream
It was between this, a palette, and a eye concealer. I considered the eye concealer but I think I'm getting one from another box this month and the palette just wasn't to my taste. Plus, I've heard really good things about Saint Jane Beauty and I certainly support plant based products.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? Oh yes. I will certainly use this.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am. I'm still trying to sort out the best creams for my face and I know this will get used up.
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE? It was. While I would have considered one of the others, I think in the end I would have always selected this.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Not at all.

NARS COSMETICS Explicit Lipstick in 821 Liaison 
Okay there were three reasons for this choice. The first was the fact that I loved the color and thought it would look really good on me. The second was that I'm curious about how this feels on my lips because it's been nice to discover how glorious certain lipsticks can feel. Plus, I just really liked the idea of wearing Explicit lipstick with my Indecent mascara and my Pinkgasm blush.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? I'm not sure. When it comes to lipsticks, you don't know until you know.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am. I love the color and do anticipate it will work on me.
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE? Yes. There really wasn't anything else in this list that appealed to me.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? I do not.

GROWNALCHEMIST Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser
It was, by far, the easiest choice for me. I'm always going to choose a cleanser over the other options because I know it will get used and I go through cleansers quickly. And, okay, also I just really loved the packaging. It's a bottle I'll probably keep and refill.
DO I THINK I WILL USE THIS? Oh yes. It was selected because I knew I would use it.
AM I EXCITED FOR THIS? I am. My nightly skin ritual is one of my favorite parts of the day and I know I will enjoy having this be part of it.
WAS IT MY FIRST CHOICE? Yes.
DO I FEEL CHEATED? Clearly I do not.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this box. I think I'll get a lot of use and wear out of everything. It feels like it's a good variety of products for me to try as well. When the box comes, of course, I'll tell you my reactions. Until then, it certainly gives me something to look forward to.

Small Changes

In 2025, I changed my glasses frames. The ones I had before were similar, but not quite as large and not quite as cateyed. For the most part, no one said anything about them. I mean, I wasn't craving compliments so that was fine, but still. However, when I got these new ones, suddenly I had a lot of people talking about them. Pretty much everyone I encountered talked about how they liked the new frames. It felt good to know I picked out something that worked so well with my features.

The problem being, well, the glasses are rather large. I didn't want them damaged but it was difficult to find something to keep them safe because of their size. While they fit in a conventional glasses case, it was a snug fit. 

My solution? Well, Ipsy gives out these bags every month and one of them was perfect for holding my glasses. It was sleek and black with a little fake jewel on it. The inner lining was bright pink and very soft. I felt like it was appropriately fancy for my fancy glasses. 

Remember when we were all about sparking joy? This little setup of mine certainly sparks joy in me. Sometimes the little changes make all the difference. 


 

Ipsy Extra Choice February 2026 Spoilers: My Thoughts

I'm not getting the Ipsy Extra box this month, but I thought I'd go over the choices for those who do.

GLO GIRL Love Bomb Eyeshadow Palette
This seems like a pretty decent product. It's supposed to be highly pigmented and long-wearing. The shades are beautiful. They're very warm and range from neutrals to very sultry colors that suit its Valentine's Day theme. If you love romance and enjoy dramatic looks, this might be a great choice for you. I have a lot of palettes right now so this wouldn't be my first choice, but I certainly wouldn't mind if it ended up in my box.

HAUS LABS ColorFuse Glassy Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Hibiscus
This is Lady Gaga's makeup line and people really love it. This is supposed to leave a great glow to the skin, as it is formulated to both hydrate and plump. It's also reported to calm the skin and help deal with redness. Even though it's called a blush, it's usable for lips as well. The shade is rich, rosy mauve that would work on most skin types. It should last up to 8 hours and is buildable. Again, a selection I would be happy receiving.

BRIOGEO HAIR CARESuperfoods Passionfruit + Açaí Hydrating Mask
This would have been a tempting choice for me. I love hair masks and this one is supposed to be especially good for thin, fine hair. This is because it claims to be very lightweight and non-greasy. Now the scent seems to be somewhat polarizing. Described as something like fruity bubble gum, people either love this or hate it. It's something to really keep in mind about a product like this as you'll have it for quite a while and if you hate the scent, that could be a problem.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Smooth & Blur Undetectable Under Eye Concealer
I'm on the lookout for a good liquid concealer. I love my stick one, but liquids are better for the V method of foundation. This might be a selection I would give heavy consideration because it's supposed to defuse imperfections while not highlighting pores and creases like many concealers do. It's supposed to last a full 24 hours which would also make me seriously consider it.

ELEMIS Balancing LavenderToner
I love Elemis and I'm need of a good toner. It contains no alcohol or other harsh ingredients. It's supposed to refresh, soften, and purify the skin, all the while calming it. I know very well that Elemis products are quite good at calming the skin and as I've mentioned before, if there is one thing my skin needs, it's to be calm. The only thing that gives me pause here is the lavender scent. Lavender can be very overwhelming to me and the idea of swabbing it on my face every night doesn't exactly appeal.

I'm actually somewhat happy I'm not getting this box next month because I would probably put way too much time into figuring out which of these I would select. There is a lot of really good product here and that is a positive thing. There seems to be something for every need. I mean, even if you don't want anything else, you can always choose the Haus Labs product just for Lady Gaga vibes.

What will you choose?  

 

End of the Month Reviews: Ipsy Winter 2025 Icon

I received this box earlier this month but it is still technically an edit from last year, 2025. At the beginning of the month, it's always easy to get enchanted by all the pretty new things in the pretty boxes. Over time, this changes. As we're coming to the end of the month, I thought I would go back and see how well the products I received from the subscription boxes did. This is my criteria.

1. Did I use this?
2. Was it a good amount?

3. Did I enjoy it?
4. Did it live up to my expectations?
5. Would I repurchase?

Natasha Denona I Need a Nude lipstick 36NP Amorosa

1. Did I use this? Yes, although I find that I'm saving it for special occasions. I shouldn't do that. I should use it as often as I want because I deserve luscious lipsticks and I do own this.
2. Was it a good amount? It is a very standard bullet of lipstick, so yes.

3. Did I enjoy it? Ahhh, so much. I have never had a lipstick that felt better on my lips.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yes and my expectations were pretty high too.
5. Would I repurchase? I would. I have never had a lipstick that felt so velvety on my mouth.

8 Faces Brilliance Serum
1. Did I use this? I use this morning and night. It's really helped to soften my skin.
2. Was it a good amount? It has a decent amount of product and given that you only need drops of it at a time, it will last for quite a while.

3. Did I enjoy it? I love this serum. I love the way it feels on my skin. I love the scent of it. I love the beautiful bottle. It very much pleases me. In fact, the bottle is so beautiful I plan to display it when I'm finished with the serum.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? I really had no expectations for this before I started using it but as you can tell, I love it a lot.
5. Would I repurchase? I certainly would.

Rodial Glass Powder
1. Did I use this? I use this a lot. It's become my go to setting powder.
2. Was it a good amount? It's a standard amount of loose powder. I will say that the holes in the sifter insert are a bit too wide and allow more powder to escape at a time than I would like. I've wasted some of the product because I couldn't control the sifter well.

3. Did I enjoy it? I'm not the biggest fan of loose powder. I find pressed powders to be easier to control. Despite that, I'm using this as my regular powder because it's so good at blurring my skin.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? I have very high expectations for Rodial. It's a company that I hold to a lofty standard and aside from the sifter issue, it's certainly lived up to what I expected.
5. Would I repurchase? No but I would purchase the pressed version of this. I know I could control it better.

Natasha Denona Retro Palette 15 Eyeshadow Palette
1. Did I use this? Some? Not a lot. Nothing wrong with the palette itself but a majority of the shades just don't appeal to me.
2. Was it a good amount? Yes, this is a large palette and really, maybe that's part of the problem for me. I tend to like palettes with fewer than nine pans because I think they tell a better color story and make more sense in my head.

3. Did I enjoy it? I would say I enjoy it more in theory than I do in application. I'm just not using this very much. Maybe that will change over time, but I find this just isn't quite working with my coloring.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? The quality of the product is certainly there. It's beautiful and heavy and very well made.
5. Would I repurchase? Not at this size and not these shades. Maybe one of her more neutral warmer palettes.

Dr. Brandt Skincare Glycolic SkinRenewal Mask
1. Did I use this? My skin gets irritated so quickly with masks that I have to use them sparingly. I did decide this would be my go-to mask for when I used one though.
2. Was it a good amount? Yeah, it's a very decent amount of product. It's going to last quite a while.

3. Did I enjoy it? Yes. It dries down quickly and comes off easily. It leaves my skin so very soft and what else could you really want in a mask?
4. Did it live up to my expectations? It did. I feel like it does what is required.
5. Would I repurchase? I think so. It's certainly been easy on my skin, and that isn't something I can say about a lot of skin mask-type products.

Persona Cosmetics Volumizing Tubing Mascara
1. Did I use this? I used it once to see if I liked it better than my other one. I didn't. I haven't used it since.
2. Was it a good amount? Yeah this is actually a pretty large tube of mascara.

3. Did I enjoy it? I was unmoved one way or the other.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? It's okay. It's just not as good as my other one.
5. Would I repurchase? No. Not a bad product, but just not thrilling for me.

Lithe Beauty Soft Fill Lip Pencils
1. Did I use this? I used these more than I thought I would. Unlike a lot of lip pencils (that can be too dry and hard), these glide over the lips well and fill in your lips very smoothly. The soft aspect of them has been quite beneficial for me.
2. Was it a good amount? I think so. You don't need much of the product so it will last for quite a while.

3. Did I enjoy it? Again, I find that I enjoyed them quite a lot. They're really good about blending with other colors and blurring the edges of my lip line to help it look fuller, more even, and softer.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? It exceeded them by a long shot.
5. Would I repurchase? I would. This product has really upped my lip shaping technique.

Bisha Essential Eye Designer Duo Set in Downtown Black and Uptown Brown
1. Did I use this? I tried for quite a while to make these work for me but they just never did. Eventually, I gave up and went back to other things.
2. Was it a good amount? It's a standard size.

3. Did I enjoy it? I found them frustrating. That probably has more to do with the way I react to liquid liners than it does with any fault of the product. If liquid liners work for you, these are probably great.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Given that I expected to not have any more luck with these than I ever have with this kind of pencil, I guess so.
5. Would I repurchase? No. Again, nothing against the product. It just doesn't work for me.  

End of the Month Reviews: Ipsy Original for January 2026

At the beginning of the month, it's always easy to get enchanted by all the pretty new things in the pretty boxes. Over time, this changes. As we're coming to the end of the month, I thought I would go back and see how well the products I received from the subscription boxes did. This is my criteria.

1. Did I use this?
2. Was it a good amount?

3. Did I enjoy it?
4. Did it live up to my expectations?
5. Would I repurchase?

ELEMIS Peptide4 Plumping PillowFacial

1. Did I use this? Oh certainly yes! I used this until I could no longer squeeze product out of it.
2. Was it a good amount? It was only a small sample, but there was a good amount of product in it.

3. Did I enjoy it? I enjoyed this so much. This was probably one of my favorite things I got all month.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? My expectations for Elemis are very high but this still lived up to them. I miss this already.
5. Would I repurchase? I would if I had the funds, yes. The way this calmed down my skin and relaxed me was so very nice.

LUNA MAGIC Strawberry Mojito lip pencil

1. Did I use this? This has been my go to lip pencil all month. A lot of the ones I have are too dark but this one is so complimentary to my coloring.
2. Was it a good amount? It was a full lip pencil so yes.

3. Did I enjoy it? I do enjoy it, yes. I think it works so well with my lips.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? It did, yes.
5. Would I repurchase? Oh certainly yes.

MOONSLICE BEAUTY Cream Blush in Cutie Pie

1. Did I use this? Yes. I used it a lot.
2. Was it a good amount? Even though it's not the biggest container, it's still a lot of blush and because it's a cream, it isn't flaking off like a powder one would.

3. Did I enjoy it? I did. I'm really enjoying more orange blushes.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yeah. I wasn't sure where I stood with cream blushes but I am certainly a fan of them now.
5. Would I repurchase? I would.

SUGARSILK Ethereal Eyes Palette

1. Did I use this? I did. I used it more than I thought I would.
2. Was it a good amount? It's not a very big palette but it'll still last me a long time.

3. Did I enjoy it? Yes. I actually use some of the shades for color correction and others just for lighter eye looks.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yeah. I actually found it to be far more useful than I anticipated.
5. Would I repurchase? I would.

byrosiejane's Remi Perfume

1. Did I use this? Yes. I used it sparingly because there isn't much of it.
2. Was it a good amount? No it was just a small sample.

3. Did I enjoy it? I did. It isn't my favorite perfume, but I did like it.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yeah. It was a very nice scent.
5. Would I repurchase? Probably not because while I enjoyed it, it isn't exactly my scent profile.

The Monthly Bag
1. Did I use this? Yes. I decided to make it my purse bag.
2. Was it a good size? Yes. It holds a lot.

3. Did I enjoy it? I do enjoy it because of the side zip and the blue accent on it. Oh and the little zipper coin. Yeah, I really do like this bag. However, I have noticed my bag was different than a lot of other people's for this month.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yes.
5. Would I repurchase? I normally just get black bags so no I probably wouldn't get a white one again, but that doesn't change the fact that I adore this.

End of the Month Reviews: Ipsy Extra Box January 2026

At the first of the month, it's always easy to get enchanted by all the pretty new things in the pretty boxes. Over time, this changes. As we're coming to the end of the month, I thought I would go back and see how well the products I received from the subscription boxes did. This is my criteria.

1. Did I use this?
2. Was it a good amount?

3. Did I enjoy it?
4. Did it live up to my expectations?
5. Would I repurchase?

Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Smudge Proof Volumizing Tubing Mascara in Black
1. Did I use this? I did! I used this a lot. In fact, it's been the mascara I've been reaching for almost every time I do my eyes. My little sparse, short lashes respond really well to this mascara and I'm so very pleased with it.
2. Was it a good amount? Oh yes. You're not having to use much to really get a good amount on your lashes and this will last me quite a while.

3. Did I enjoy it? Deeply! I usually find mascaras frustrating and annoying because they get everywhere and smudge. Because this one is working for me, it's just so much fun to put on.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yes. It exceeded them, really. It gave me hope that mascara can work for me.
5. Would I repurchase? I certainly will.

BYROE Sugar Plum Shimmer Lip Oil
1. Did I use this? I did. I figured out how to make it work for me. I really needed lip liner on first but once I did, everything worked well.
2. Was it a good amount? Yes. This will last for quite a while and I don't really need much of it.

3. Did I enjoy it? It's not really my style, but I'm pleased when I put it on.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Yes because they weren't very high. Glittery lip oil? I did not have that high up on my priority list. However, I find that I do like it quite a lot.
5. Would I repurchase? I think I would by another Byroe lip oil but I don't think I would get one with a shimmer.

WANDER BEAUTY On-the-Glow Blush & Illuminator in Dusk
1. Did I use this? Yes, I used this a lot. Both sides.
2. Was it a good amount? It is. It's a very decent size.

3. Did I enjoy it? I like both for different reasons. The blush side actually is dark enough to use for contouring and the shimmer side is a good blending shade to make concealer blend better.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? I think so. It doesn't exactly do what I planned for it to do, but I've found it to be very useful.
5. Would I repurchase? I think so.

EVEREDEN'S Hair and Body Fragrance Mist in Darling
1. Did I use this? I use this daily. It blends wonderfully with my hair.
2. Was it a good amount? Yes. Lots of product in the bottle and you don't need much.

3. Did I enjoy it? I love this scent. I usually don't go for strawberry-scented things but I love the freshness and lightness.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? I didn't realize how much I would really use this. I thought it would be just an occasional thing but it's become part of my daily scent profile.
5. Would I repurchase? Yes.

CHICA BEAUTY Mirame Liquid Liner
1. Did I use this? No. I have other eyeliners and this one doesn't work very well.
2. Was it a good amount? Yeah it was a fine amount. I just wish it worked better.

3. Did I enjoy it? No. It was basically useless to me.
4. Did it live up to my expectations? Given that I just found it to be useless for me, then no.
5. Would I repurchase? No.

Ipsy Ultimate Spring 2026 Sneak Peek III and IV: My Thoughts

This is groups III and IV of the Ipsy Ultimate Spring collection. Of the four, I was most pleased with these.

• NARS COSMETICS Explicit Lipstick
  I am never upset by a new lipstick. I'm not sure what shade we'll be getting because two different pictures were shown. If this is a product we get to make a choice about, perhaps we can pick the color, but if not, hopefully they'll pay attention to my profile and give me a shade that actually works with my coloring. I also love the name. Very inspiring.

• SAINT JANE BEAUTY Rich Rescue Phyto Mucin Cream
  I've never had any Saint Jane Beauty products, but I am very excited about this one. Snail mucin has been all the rage for a while, but people are starting to move away from that and go to mucin found in plants. This is supposed to make your skin more youthful, plump, and glassy within three weeks. I'm always down for a product that does that.

• MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Hydra Glow Hydrating Foundation
  This foundation is supposed to give you a natural, hydrating finish that has a slight glowy cast to it. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but honestly,  that's based on my past history of being younger and having oily skin. Now that I'm older and matte finishes don't look good on me, this might be something I really need. It's also supposed to be good for uneven texture which is certainly something I have to deal with these days.

• GROWN ALCHEMIST Gentle Gel Facial Cleanser
  I am happy for a cleanser. This one is supposed to do a gentle exfoliating but at the same time not strip the skin of its moisture. I always love something that claims to really cleanse pores. My pores need all the help they can get. Am I a sucker for good packaging? Oh yes I am. And this bottle is beautiful.

• FABLE & MANE Sahascalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub
  When spoilers first came out, besides the Rodial and the Charlotte Tilberry, this was the thing that caught my eye. One of the main reasons I started this exploration of beauty was to figure out if there was some way to make my hair less . . . like my hair. Getting a good product for it always makes me happy. You can only use this once a week to replace your shampoo, which means it will last a good long time. It's supposed to remove any build-up, improve scalp health, and deal with any flakes you may have. A lot of people love the scent of this and many people with oily and fine hair (like mine) said that it actually added volume, which is such a win in my book.

• LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray
  Even though I get a lot of hair products, I usually don't get hair sprays. This one is good because it's formulated to protect your hair from styling tools. Would that I had had something like that back in the day when I was using curling irons and hot rollers all the time! This is something I will certainly use and I really hope it's in my box. The scent is supposed to be wonderful as well.

• LITHE BEAUTY Gel Eyeliner Set
  Instead of the usual black, it looks like these are purple (Galaxy) and blue (Blueprint). I'm happy about that as I've gotten so many black liners recently. I also like the fact that these are cream as creams tend to work on my eyes at least a little bit better than the liquid ones do. I also like the fact that you get two of them instead of just one.

• KEVYN AUCOIN Indecent Mascara
  This is a product that everyone is getting. I'm sure it's a very good mascara but right now, I have three new mascaras so I can't say I'm that thrilled about this. Though I am intrigued by the claim that it curls the lashes. If it does that, I'll reverse my opinion so fast because that is an amazing idea. If my lashes need anything, it's certainly curling.
  
  Normally this is when I rank things, but honestly aside from the mascara, which is ironically the product that I KNOW I'm getting, I'm really excited about all of these. I'll be happy with any of them that shows up in my life. And even the mascara is pretty great so overall, very nice selections. 

Ipsy Ultimate Spring Sneak Peek I-II: My Thoughts

This is the IPSY part one and two sneak peek for the Ultimate Box for Spring. This is just the first two lists. I'll add the rest of them tomorrow.

• NARS COSMETICS Quad Eyeshadow in Kuala Lumpur
  I know NARS is considered a great brand but I'm not really that into this quad. The shades are more rosy/pinkish than I usually wear on my eyes. The quads from NARS are usually highly regarded, though, so I'm sure a lot of people will like this.

• CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beauty Wand Duo
  This is a hero product and one of the more expensive offerings for the season. I believe the colors are the classic Pinkgasm and Pillow Talk. Now this might not be a big deal for a lot of people because a lot of people already have these shades, but this is major for me and I hope this is an option given to me.

• TATCHA The Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm
  Okay, okay. It's TATCHA. And that means this is also a hero product for the box. However, it's also a lip balm and I have enough lip balms at the moment. I'm sure it's amazing and if I get it, I won't be mad at it, but given the finite number of products we'll be getting and knowing what two of them already are, I have to say if I'm given an option between this and certain other things, I'll choose those, brand name or no brand name.

• COMMODITY FRAGRANCES Ice(d) Fragrance
  Nope. I love getting fragrances, but this one is not for me. Not at all. It has spearmint and I'm basically allergic to that, mango, which I do not enjoy the smell of at all, and eucalyptus. This is kind of the thing I want the least out of everything on offering this season.

• BISHA Essential Rice Makeup Primer
  Can you really have too many primers? Probably not. I'm intrigued by the concept of it being a rice primer and given that my usual level of primers is e.l.f., I think this might be a nice change.

• RODIAL Collagen Booster Drops
  There is a little black notation on this that states everyone gets this. That is really awesome. This product is worth so much more than the price of the box and plus, it's RODIAL so what's not to be excited about? I really love body oils and the fact that I know I'm getting this fills me with joy.
  
  

• MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt® Transforming Skin Perfector

  This pressed powder works as a bronzer, a highlighter, and a way to set your makeup. It's supposed to be nice and lightweight, adding a subtle airbrushed effect to your skin and great for 'no makeup makeup' days. I wouldn't be upset about getting this. I just hope IPSY matches my skintone properly because I'm fairly pale and need quite a light product when it comes to these things.
  
  My list from most excited to least.
  1. RODIAL Collagen Booster Drops
  So excited for this.
  2. CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beauty Wand Duo
  Probably equally excited for this but not getting my hopes up that I'll get it.
  3. MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt® Transforming Skin Perfector
  Intrigued by the idea of this and hopeful they get my shade right.
  4. BISHA Essential Rice Makeup Primer
  Like with the one before, I just hope they get my shade right.
  5. TATCHA The Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm
  I mean, I could be proven wrong because it is TATCHA, but I'm just not really in need of another lip balm right now. 
  6. NARS COSMETICS Quad Eyeshadow in KualaLumpur
  The shades don't really work for me. 
  7.COMMODITY FRAGRANCES Ice(d) Fragrance
  Full of scents I do not enjoy. Could I be proven wrong? Perhaps, but I don't think so.

Ipsy Original Choices for February 2026

Ipsy's Original Choice is happening on 1/26. It looks like these are the items to choose from.

• Milani Conceal + Perfect Liquid Contour
This is a full-sized product, but it's drugstore level and doesn't retail for much. It looks like a decent contour and the various colors to choose from seem nice. However, I recently got basically the same thing from Allure's January box, but from a more lux brand, tarte.

• Benefit The POREfessionalFoundation

This looks interesting. This foundation is very beloved and Benefit is a respected name. It's only a deluxe mini though and for a foundation, that doesn't give you many times to see if you will actually like it.

• ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN BLACK CHERRYCLEANSING Balm

I have two products from Elemis that I really adore, both of which are due to run out very soon. One of them is a cleanser and it will be dearly missed. The only thing I'm not sure about with this is the scent. I'm not sure how strong it will be and if it will clash with the other scents I use. This is also a deluxe mini.

• Kookie Professional Maxed OutMascara

This is a full-sized product, also at the drugstore level. I'm sure it's nice enough and does what it's supposed to do, but I already have enough mascara.

• Dr. Jart+ Cicapair IntensiveSoothing Repair Cream

This deluxe mini caught my attention because it is supposed to be really good at calming sensitive skin and helping to reduce redness. It's also supposed to hydrate the skin, which everyone needs this time of year, and absorb well.

My choices from what I want most to least.

1. ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGENBLACK CHERRY CLEANSING Balm: I need another cleanser and I love this brand.
2. Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Intensive Soothing Repair Cream: I don't know this brand, and one of the reasons I started subscription boxes was to educate myself about what is out there. I could certainly use something like this, though perhaps not as much as I could use a new cleanser.
3. Milani Liquid Contour: I think the fact that this is full-sized ranked it slightly higher than the foundation. Milani is a fairly respected drugstore brand and while I do have something a lot like this, the tubes run out quickly.
4. Benefit The POREfessional Foundation: A lot of people probably would have put this higher, but I just don't think I would get a lot of use/knowledge out of something that I would run through so quickly.

5. Kookie Professional Maxed Out Mascara: Nothing against the product, I just do not need another mascara. 

Which one would you choose?

Ipsy Icon Winter Box

 Ipsy Icon Winter Box

I didn't get to choose anything in this box, so everything was a big surprise. In some ways, that's actually more fun because nothing is expected. However, I think getting to choose a few of the products would have been better. I really didn't need another mascara or lip pencil or face mask. If I had options, I would have skipped those items. This somewhat puts them at a lower ranking just because I really didn't need them. Anyway, this is what I got.

I only got two skincare items. The first of these is the Dr. Brandt Skincare Glycolic SkinRenewal Mask. It's supposed to help with signs of aging and uneven skin textures. The cream is very thick and lux feeling. It smells vaguely of mint. You are supposed to put this on clean, dry skin and leave for 5-10 minutes to let it do its thing, then wash off with lukewarm water. My skin is pretty sensitive so this stung. It stung a lot. I didn't enjoy the sensation of having it on at all. After about the first five minutes, either the stinging settled down or I got used to it or my face was numb. My skin did feel nice and smooth afterward. It's a fine mask. We'll see if it helps with anti-aging over time.

My next skincare item was new to me as well. It was 8 Faces Brilliance Serum. I was completely drawn to this from the beginning. For one thing, the packaging is beautiful. The bottle is glass and so beautifully decorated. It also has a glass pipette with a rounded tip. It has rosehip and pomegranate oils, with lotus plant cells, Vitamin C, cica exosomes, and collagen peptides. It smells richly and warmly of citrus. I am discovering that I really love beauty oils. This one glides on gently and absorbs into the skin really well. I've been using it as part of my skin routine, and even after I use the bottle up, I'm keeping it because it's just so lovely.

My first makeup item was the Rodial Glass Powder in translucent. I love Rodial. I use some of their eye creams and they seem to be doing a good job. Even though it's translucent, it has some soft peach undertones that are supposed to help make your skin look poreless and flawless. I was pretty pleased with the results. The first time I used this, I'd made the mistake of using an older, thicker, matte foundation. My skin looked patchy and messy, but the powder made it work. I applied it with a large brush and it went on like a dream. The only issue I had with this powder at all was that the protective plastic cover over the holes inside was very difficult to remove.

Next, I received the Persona CosmeticsVolumizing Tubing Mascara in black. This is a pretty standard mascara. The wand is really nice. It has short bristles and a curve to it. Everything applies well. Is it the best mascara I own? No, but for day-to-day use, it's fine.

The next box actually had two items in it. Bisha Essential Eye Designer Duo Set in Downtown Black and UptownBrown. I was pretty excited about this to begin with because yay two items. I also really loved the packaging. Both were in sleek gold tubes. The black was very black and the brown was a darker chocolate brown. I find that they don't have much lasting power on my skin though. Not too long after application, both had faded and started to migrate. I'm still looking for eyeliner that won't do this to me.

I also received a double set with the Lithe Beauty Soft FillLip Pencils in Scarlet and Dusk. I have some questions. First of all, neither of these seem to be lip pencils. They're really thick. They're more like lip crayons. Second of all, neither color really seems to represent what they say it is. Maybe Dusk does, but the Scarlet one is really not scarlet colored. They glide on well though. I enjoy them.

The last two items were from the featured beauty icon for the season, Natasha Denona. First we got the RetroPalette 15 Eyeshadow Palette. The palette itself is a solid metal and a good size. It has a beautiful mirror. It contains one duo-chrome shade, one with a multi-color sparks topper, 4 metallic shades, and the rest are mattes. Five are cream powders. The colors are in the burgundy and mauve ranges, and are very passionate. Now, admittedly, these are not usually shades I wear. I tend to lean toward nudes or warm autumnal shades. However, I am giving this a chance. Everything is very pigmented and glides on well. I wore them for several hours and they seemed to hold up on my eyes very well.

The other Natasha Denona item that I received was the I Need a Nude lipstick in the shade 36NP Amorosa. It contains Gotu Kola and Orchid extracts that are supposed to heal and nourish your lips. It's described as one of those 'your lips but better' shades and I would say that's true. It looks really good on me. It's also supposed to be universally flattering and work with all skin types. Besides the shade (which I do love) there are two other things I adore about this lipstick. First of all is the packaging. As you can see from the pic above, it's a decadent, bright red metal container. It also has a magnet in it that snaps it back into place when you're done with it, which makes it feel so lux. The other thing I like about it is the feel on the lips. So often lipstick feels waxy and thick. This one feels so light and easy. It's something you could wear all day and not feel like you have something on your lips.

ORDER OF FAVORITES FROM MOST TO LEAST

1. Natasha Denona I Need a Nudelipstick 36NP Amorosa

2. 8 Faces Brilliance Serum

3. Rodial Glass Powder
4. NatashaDenona Retro Palette 15 Eyeshadow Palette
5. Dr. Brandt Skincare Glycolic SkinRenewal Mask
6. Persona Cosmetics Volumizing Tubing Mascara
7. Lithe Beauty Soft Fill Lip Pencils
8. Bisha Essential Eye Designer Duo Set in Downtown Black and Uptown Brown

Ipsy Bag for January 2026

The Ipsy bag for this month is beautiful. It's a silvery white with a geometric pattern. The zipper is on one side at the upper top section and has a copper zipper and charm on a blue background. The charm says Ipsy on one side and has a mock coin design on the other.

One of the products I was most anticipating was the ELEMIS Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial. I didn't really have an overnight cream and I wanted to see how that would work for me. I had some questions about the concept. I wasn't sure how well this would work. I didn't know if there would be transfer to my pillows. However, a lot of my concerns were handled when I used this. The product itself is very hydrating, but still maintains a decent consistency. It glides on and then melts into the skin, meaning there would be no transfer to the pillows or sheets. It feels wonderful and the smell is very subtle and calming. It has night scented stock, Indian jasmine, ylang ylang, and orange. It's certainly something to look forward to before bedtime.

I also received the MOONSLICE BEAUTY Cream Blush in the shade Cutie Pie, which is a pinkish coral. When I saw that I would have this product in my bag, I wasn't sure how I felt about the color. Recently, I've started getting more accepting of orangey shades, but I didn't know how that would mix with the pinkness of it. When I opened it, I adored the packaging. It's heart-shaped and a good good-quality plastic. No mirror, though. It's very creamy and glides on well. It looked good on my skin and settled in a way that felt very natural.

One of the things I was pretty interested in was byrosiejane's Remi Perfume. As I've mentioned before, I'm very fascinated by scents lately. The top notes on this are bergamot and cardamom. The middle notes are petitgrain, verbena leaf, white gardenia, Indian jasmine, and green hemp. The base notes are milk musk, white amber, and cedar. I found the scent to be clean, fairly unisex, and inviting. The only problem I had with this was the sample size. I mean, I realize you get sample sizes with Ipsy bags, but this is so very small. Still, I enjoyed the scent a good deal.

Now, an item I wasn't too sure about was LUNA MAGIC's lip pencil. For one thing, I got a lip pencil last month. For another, the color, Strawberry Mojito, was described as a pinky-red. But when I opened it, I didn't actually find it to be pinky-red at all. It's more of a rich neutral color and it looked amazing on my lips. This pencil also glides very easily and I found it an effortless application. I a lot of the time I find I have difficulty controlling lip pencils because my lips are crooked, but this one handled quite well. Lip pencils have a tendency to feel really dry as well, but this one actually didn't. It felt smooth, and once on the lips, it felt like nothing. 

The item that I chose for myself was the SUGARSILK Ethereal Eyes Palette. Why did I choose this? Well, to be honest, it was my first time getting to choose an item from Ipsy and as the window for selection is narrow, I kind of panicked and just went with what seemed like the best thing for me. This was before I received two other palettes from some Allure boxes and before I realized my coloring was altering to the point that I'm looking better in warm than in cool tones. I did find these tones to work with me, though. The pans have a lot of pigment and the colors are quite nice. I think it has a lot of potential.

MY LIST FROM FAVORITE TO LEAST

1.ELEMIS Peptide4 Plumping PillowFacial

2.LUNA MAGIC Strawberry Mojito lippencil
3.MOONSLICE BEAUTY Cream Blush in Cutie Pie
4.SUGARSILKEthereal Eyes Palette
5.byrosiejane's Remi Perfume, but really only because it's such a small sample.

Ispy Box Jan 2026

Today I got my Ipsy box for January. It arrived rather quickly.

The first item I received was Kulfi Beauty Badi Lash Smudge Proof Volumizing Tubing Mascara in Black. I really loved this! I don't have very long or thick lashes, but this mascara really gave me some good volume on them. Because it's tubing, it stayed on until I decided to remove it. The wand was thin and long and the formula was really great.

Then I got the BYROE Sugar Plum Shimmer Lip Oil. The formula was good and I liked the way the oil felt on my lips. I even though the glitter aspect of it wasn't uncomfortable on my lips. HOWEVER, it did transfer a lot to my chin. This might not be a problem if I had on lip liner, but I didn't so it became an issue. 

Next up was WANDER BEAUTY On-the-Glow Blush & Illuminator in Dusk. This was a good size and had a liquid blush on one end and the illuminator on the other. Both colors worked well with my complexion. I think the illuminator works better on my eyelids than on my cheeks. I didn't try it on my forehead but it might work well there too. I found the blush to be very easy to blend and it was buildable enough.  It looked good on my lips, cheeks, and eyelids. 

Item four was EVEREDEN'S Hair and Body Fragrance Mist in Darling. It works with sensitive skin and has notes of rose, strawberries, and vanilla. I wasn't sure how I would feel about this because the brand skews young and I'd never used a hair mist before. However, I find that I really love the scent and enjoy the way it blends with my hair. 

Lastly, I received CHICA BEAUTY Mirame Liquid Liner. I'd gotten a palette from them before and liked it a lot so I had some high hopes for the liner. However, I found it to be pretty streaky and it didn't stay on my eyes very well. Within an hour or so it was already smudging and running. Of everything here, I liked this the least. It didn't help that they'd sent it in black. Since I've gotten older, I tend to wear brown or gray liners for my eyes. It's frustrating because Ipsy actually asks you what colors you want and I'd told them browns and grays. 

MY LIST FROM FAVORITE TO LEAST.

1. The Kulfi mascara-- beautiful on the lashes, very nice for the price.
2. Evereden hair mist--great scent, good for sensitive skin, blends well with my chemistry. 
3. The Wander stick-- good colors on me but a bit too pricy for what you get.
4. Byroe shimmer lip oil-- feels good on the lips but glitter transfers to the face.
5. Chica Beauty eyeliner--streaky and not the right color for me.