Subscribe to IPSY for $10/month.
What I received:
1. derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub - 1 oz (sample size), $16.25
2. Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray - 1.4 oz (sample size), $7.80
3. COOLA Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer - .23 fl oz (sample size), $4.87
4. POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in 'Coral Crush' - .1 oz (full size), $4.17
5. bh cosmetics California Collection Sample (price unsure, but full-size palette cost $11)
6. BONUS: Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez Nail Lacquer in 'Pretty in Plum' - .5 fl oz (full size) $7
Total cost of bag: $40+

Closeups & swatches

Big Sexy Hair, Nicole by OPI, derma e, bh cosmetics, Pop Beauty, & COOLA
All the goodies + bonus gift, and a pink transparent vinyl bag !


Shall I mention how much I love receiving the little makeup bags with my goodies? I know some people think they're pointless, but I just love collecting things.. anything.. I'm weird like that.
(I have started using the bag as a pencil pouch, lol)


Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub
Ahhh! Giant hole! I always feel duped when this happens.
This thing smells SOOOOOOO good. I can't wait to smear it on my face!


Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof Humidity Resistant Spray
Claims to repel humidity, combat frizz, and maintain styled hair. Interesting...


COOLA Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer
Quite a small sample compared to the usual samples we get from Ipsy. It's the size of my finger!
I got the unscented one, which I'm happy about but is unfortunately not tinted. The other variety is the Rose Essence Tinted Moisturizer. I would've preferred that one, but I'm happy to try out my first mineral sunscreen.


POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in 'Coral Crush'
I was really hoping for Fuchsia Flirt (hot pink) or Rose Romance (nude pink)
since I already got a coral lip liner last month. But I can't deny that this coral is pretty too.


POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon in 'Coral Crush'
It goes on smooth; so creamy and moisturizing.


Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez Nail Lacquer in 'Pretty in Plum'
This is my 2nd referral gift, for referring 2 more friends. Kinda caught me by surprise 'cause I didn't get any e-mails after my first initial 2 referrals. Ipsy, this is an amazing reward program! ;)

Bonus:

It's always appropriate to end a post with my pekingese sniffing some items for approval.

Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with Sunscreen, Fair to Light
$10.97 at Walmart | $11.69 at Target | $13.99 at CVS | $14.99 at Walgreens/Ulta


Claims and ingredients

Size: 2.5 fl oz
SPF: 15
Purpose: Refreshes, brightens, evens, hydrates, smoothes, & protects skin
Available shades: 2; Fair to Light, Light to Medium
Coverage: Ultra sheer
Works best as: Tinted moisturizer/sunscreen
Smell: Strong sunscreen scent
Availability: Most drugstores

This has a strong scent of sunscreen, but more on the pleasant side (at least to me). Once applied though, you wil no longer notice the scent. It doesn't linger. So the scent shouldn't be a problem to most of you... unless you really hate strong scents because you're allergic or for whatever reason... then I guess this wouldn't be for you. I suggest you sniff one at a store to see if you can handle it.

The claims said that this was a moisturizer with a sheer tint of color. If you're hoping for a medium to full coverage BB cream, you will be very disappointed as this gives you VERY little coverage, if any coverage at all. BUT if you want a tinted moisturizer (with SPF) with benefits of a BB cream (without the coverage), then this product is WINNING!

I have the shade in Fair to Light, which would usually be way too light for my medium-tan skintone, but the shade surprisingly worked for me because the color was so sheer. If anything, it brightened up my complexion rather than give me that 'white cast' like most sunscreens do. I've really been loving this under my powder foundation, or just as a sunscreen/moisturizer in general. I find that it is more moisturizing than most of my day creams.

I have been a real minimalist lately because my face has been clearing up a lot, so I haven't been using foundation as much. For this reason, The Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream has been working for me, because it gives me that light and natural feel, with just the right coverage to keep my face looking fresh, awake, moisturized, and bright. I just use a concealer on my problem areas, some light powder, and I'm good to go! Using this as a primer underneath my powder foundation makes my face look SO natural.. perfect for those "no makeup" looks. Did I mention it also adds "dewyness" to your skin? This could be a problem for oily skins, but a little blotting and powdering could help tone down that shiny/greasy look -- it's what I do throughout the day.


Like I said, this BB cream offers no coverage, so if you're looking for that in the after picture, you won't find it. What it did, however, was brightened and added "life" back to my face. Notice how my skin looked flat and dull in the before picture.
So, to summarize:
* DOES NOT WORK as a foundation, offers little to no coverage.
* WORKS BEST as moisturizer/light sunscreen with sheer tint of color.
* GREAT PRIMER underneath powder foundations, for that au natural look.
* STRONG SCENT of sunscreen, but it goes away when applied.