Ipsy vs Birchbox: Monthly Beauty Box Subscriptions

If you haven't heard of Ipsy or Birchbox, you're missing out.

About 6 months a friend of mine told me about Birchbox.  Here's the scoop: $10 for a sampling of high end beauty products that are supposed to be tailored to your preferences.  How great?! 

I signed up for Birchbox almost immediately, and was thrilled with my first monthly subscription.  Getting makeup in the mail sounded like a sweet deal! (Since I'd never go buy a designer/high end product without sampling it first)

Within the next month, someone challenged this with a competing service called Ipsy, so I figured why not subscribe to both?, and then choose which was best.  

First off, the packaging: 

I don't know about you...but I'm thrilled every month when a hot pink bubble mailer arrives with makeup inside!

When you subscribe, you fill out a profile online as to your preferences.  Birchbox is a one time 'form' that can be edited on your profile.  Ipsy allows you to review the products you received individually each month and rate each one.  

For me, Ipsy provided more primarily makeup and nail polish and skincare products (not to mention that you get a cute little makeup bag each month), and Birchbox provided mostly skincare, fragrance, and haircare products.

Seriously, I don't want to try a different shampoo every month.... And a 1 oz sample of lotion just doesn't cut it.

It started out great, getting all these beauty surprises in the mail, but after a while, there was one that shone brighter.  (The last 3 months I have gotten shampoo in my Birchbox, and I'm not much of a fan of washing my hair anyway... and so, Birchbox got the boot.)

Not to mention many of these ipsy products I have received have actually been full-sized!

My Winner is IPSY! 

Why not give it a try? Indulge yourself.

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Fancy Fingers

We're going to a black tie event this weekend, and with all the necessary purchases (dress, shoes, etc) I decided id save a little money on the hair and nails and do them myself.

I'm testing out the ring finger thing- What do you think? 

I thought the pewtery glitter would be great with my new shoes: 

Audrey Brooke Hawkins Bootie in Pewter from DSW.com.

For the nails, I did a basic nude polish from OPI called "Don't Pretzel My Buttons"  and for the ring finger I used actual pewter glitter from Hobby Lobby I had originally purchased for another craft project that I sprinkled over a wet top coat.  And then coated with a finishing top coat.

(The hardest part for me about doing my nails is sitting still and. Not touching anything when they're wet!) 

Hair photos to come after the event! 

And my apologies for the poor photo quality! This post was en route to the event location via train.  

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