$10 Subscription Unboxing: Ipsy v. Sephora Play

Of all the mail that gets shoved into your mailbox, nothing compares to your subscription service finally getting in! Push past the bills, the junkmail, the wedding invites, and get right to the goods! Today we unbox two $10 beauty subscription services: Ipsy and Play! by Sephora. 

Ipsy

Ipsy is subscription service created by Michelle Phan, the woman who played a major role in how beauty marketing works today. For $10 a month, subscribers of Ipsy receive 4-5 deluxe size sample products that range from lip balms to body scrubs and everywhere in between. The products featured are from brands you'd find at your local drugstore, higher end products, and even indie lines. The products are all packaged in a cute unique pouch that coordinates with a theme of the month. While you cannot explicitly customize what will be featured in your bag, Ipsy does take into account your preferences from information obtained through a quiz taken when you initially subscribe to their service. 

This Gudetama themed bag included 2 skincare type items. The Tarte Rain Forest of the Sea Deep Dive Cleansing Gel and the Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet. I appreciate that the skincare was so well balanced. Having a cleanser and moisturizer featured in the same bag shows that the curator really thought of the beauty process in terms of skincare. 

The remaining beauty products featured can give any Ipsy subscriber what they may need to be ready and out the door. Concealer, liner, highlight (brush). In the bag there was a Concealer Crayon from TreStique and a Wonderwand Gel-khol Eyeliner by Ciate London. The Illuminator brush is by Beau Gachis Cosmetics which is a full size brush and valued at $9.95. 

Play! by Sephora

Each Play! by Sephora subscriber receives 5 sample products and a fragrance sample.

This box included care items that serve as protective and restorative treatments from all the fun things of summer. Diving in the pool is fun. What it does to your hair and skin is not. There was a hair mask from Madam C.J. Walker. The Beauty Culture Dream Come True Wonderful Pre-Wash Protein Treatment is great to restore life to your hair throughout the summer. TTThe Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Bouncy Hydrating Gel can be helpful for after-sun care. Finally, the Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream which smells like heaven!

The fragranced featured was Mon by Guerlain. It has a warm smell that is perfect for the "Glamp" theme. The Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm is an easy throw-it-on lip product. The It Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara makes your lashes very fluttery. However, I thought it was kind of an out of place item. It just really didn't make sense in this bag. I read up on the product on Sephora's product web page. It describes the mascara "like skin care for your lashes."

Who do you think had a better bag? Ipsy or Play! by Sephora?

All photos are property of meetpepperb.com

Madam C.J Walker Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils Edge Control

Written by Pepper .B 

Edge control has been a constant struggle for me, The texture of my hair is super curly thick and frizzes easily. I don't perm my hair so I rely on good edge controls to keep my hairs tamed! I've probably purchased every edge control that exsist and still deal with this issue. Normally when I apply it My edges look amazing for all of 2 minutes then its back to normal. Most of the time I notice edge controls get super flaky or turn ashy or white in your scalp.  Working in the beauty industry that is like suicide referring products for my clients with a flaky scalp. 

I stumbled across this amazing edge control by Madam C.J Walker Beauty Culture. Honestly at first I wasn't sold on it, I used it and it didn't work for me. Totally didn't pay attention to the fact that my first test on the product was in 96 degree weather in vegas during the summer. I didn't write the product off completely. As the seasons started to shift I tried this product again. I'm sitting here looking at my jar completely empty. Elated, I had to come share this amazing find with you.  I generally use Jamaican black castor oil in my hair to help promote hair growth.

“Jamaican Black Castor & Murumuru Oils collection has products to define curls and coils with intense hydration—each featuring captivating amber and warm glimmers of musk. Jamaican black castor oil is a highly potent restorative oil great for both hair and scalp health. Vitamin-rich murumuru oil leaves a conditioning coating on strands that seals in moisture, extending curl definition and sheen.”

— Madam C.J Walker Beauty Culture

This product holds my edges all day. No flakiness or Stickiness. I love using this product for styles that are out of my face, ponytails and top knots. All though the price point is a little pricy it worth every cent!