{what's in my} ipsy may 2016 glam bag!

I have been subscribing to ipsy for about a year now, and while I share the contents of my bags on Instagram @cateyesandskinnyjeans each month, I have never reviewed them here - that. ends. now. Moving forward, I will be sharing my monthly ipsy bags with you right here, because I love them, and think you will too!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with ipsy, it is a beauty subscription service that costs $10 per month {awesome deal IMO}, and consists of a collectible makeup bag {can also double as a clutch} along with 5 beauty samples that are customized to your personal beauty profile {which you can change/update at anytime}. I love getting subscription boxes, but don't have a ton of extra cash to spare, so I find ipsy to be the best value as each month's bags are adorable, the products are of fantastic quality, and their stylists are top-notch {and some of my fave beauty bloggers}. That being said, let's get to the bag!

May's theme was Destination Chic {think glam road trip}. Inside my bag was an INSPR Beauty Eye Fluff Brush {$12.00}, Smashbox X-Rated Mascara, Pacifica Love 3 Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio, Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream, and Soo Ae Collagen Essence Masks in Propolis, Brightening, and Collagen.

Brushes are one of my favorite items to receive in my glam bags, and this one from INSPR Beauty does not disappoint! It retails for $12.00 and is a game-changer when it comes to blending. The name is also insanely accurate - the bristles are super soft!

Last year I received Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara in one of my glam bags and I absolutely hated it {it did nothing for my lashes}, so I was hesitant when Smashbox's X-Rated Mascara popped up in my bag this month. Luckily, this one I LOVE. It lengthens my short lashes, adds deep definition and color, and volumizes - everything I look for in a mascara. I wouldn't put it in HG territory, but I would contemplate repurchasing in the future.

Since eye products are my thang, I was ecstatic to find the Pacifica Love 3 Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio. You guys, this trio is everything for summer {with shade names to match}, and teeny tiny enough to pop in your bag when you're on the go. Crush is a vanilla color {great for under the browbone}, Skinny Dip is a rosy/rust-leaning copper shade {clearly my fave, and ideal for all over the lid!}, and Lovely is a brown hue with mauve undertones {great for contouring the crease}. These are 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. The swatches you see above are without primer. I wore all three shades a few days ago over e.l.f.'s Glitter Primer, and they lasted all day without creasing. Additionally, while they swatch shimmery, the shimmer isn't super evident when on the lid. I, personally, wish they were a bit more pigmented, as you really have to dig into the palette for deep pigmentation; but they apply beautifully and are super soft, so no complaints!

This is probably my least favorite product in my bag this month. Not because it's ineffective, but because I'm not a big moisturizer person. I do, however, like to use products like this on my knees, elbows, and ankles before applying self-tanner, which is how I used the Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream. It's very hydrating without being greasy, and feels light on skin; it also has a day spa fragrance which makes you feel ultra-pampered. The downside is the price of the full-size. At $115.00 a pop, I will definitely not be purchasing in the future - but it was fun to try.

Okay, so I feel like I hit the ipsy jackpot this month because I received 7 products as opposed to the typical 5, because of the inclusion of the Soo Ae Collagen Essence Masks in Propolis, Brightening, and Collagen - yes, 3 masks! This was my first time trying sheet masks, and I feel like I'm still trying to adjust to them {I typically use cream masks}, so this was a great introduction. I personally felt a little alien-ish while wearing them; but I loved the way they left my skin looking and feeling - fresh and bright. I will likely be buying the Brightening one again, as I loved how glowy it left my skin!

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xx