October 2013: Ipsy Bag and (vs.) Birchbox

October 16: Ipsy Bag arrived (Tracking email received October 14)
October 11: Birchbox arrived (Tracking email received October 7)

Winner: Birchbox again but by a narrow margin.

So this month's featured "award winners" that the stylist at Birchbox can't stop talking about.  I believe that for most products except the Chapstick.  Definitely felt like a mass marketing campaign.  Ignoring that, we have a full size powder which matches my skin tone!  Plus two other products, so quantity wise there are 2 products fewer.  Quality... its Good!

Ipsy on the other hand is repetitive of old products, but with different colors/designs.  The ipsy bag itself is similar to April's bag, except with words.  I have gotten Buxom before, in a lighter color (July 2012).  But I love the brand so am not complaining about the repeat.  Since I retook the personalization test (only changed 1 answer), the products I am getting is a little more diverse.  I am excited about the Zoya nail polish and the volumizing gel.

Comparison of similar products: Nothing similar between the two products

Now the products in the box & bag...
Birchbox (Quality over Quantity)
Dermablend Smooth Indulgence Mineral Finishing Powder (Amber): Impressed that the powder color actually matches pretty well!  For powder, I usually use Bare Escentuals and this seems to serve as the foundation and mineral veil in one, but no SPF. (Around $24)
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Pure Muslin Cloth: Listed as two separate products, but since it is a kit I'm putting it together as one.  Have not tried it yet, but I definitely like enough cleaning product to actually test it fully. (About $24.50)
theBalm Stainiac in Beauty Queen: Already have one similar Birchbox so didn't really need another stain. (About $17)
Chapstick Hydration Lock (Vanilla Creme): Supposed to last for 8 hours, the initial opinion - its oily and thick enough to last that long.  Let's see if it actually does.  Definitely prefer Burt's Bees over this! (About $3)
Total is $68.5 for $10.  Great value!!

Ipsy Bag (Repetive but Diverse)
Zoya Nail Polish (Mason): A sparkly purple color that is gorgeous (see picture)! But kind of watery and required muliple coats (Around $8)
Buxom Full-On Lip Polish (Dolly): still as tingly and slightly shiny as my Buxom from July 2012. (About $19)
Ole Henriksen truth serum collagen booster: It's never too early ensure skin elasticity, so I'm happy to try out this product.  But it is not one I would have actively looked for. (About $48/oz - this was 0.25 oz so $12)
Sexy Hair Blow Dry Volumizing Gel: As one of my focus for hair (volumizing), this product is good.  But then again the Sexy Hair spray from January 2013 was just okay.  It didn't last as long as I'd have liked. ($15/8.7oz, so about $3)
Nourish Organic Deeply Nourishing Coconut & Argan Body Lotion: Exclusively available at Target!  Surprisingly non-greasy, absorbs quickly and kind of watery texture.  I am not a fan of the smell, but the texture is great. ($10/8oz, so about $1.25)
Total is $43.26 for $10.  Good value.