January 2013 Glam Bag

The January 2013 Glam Bag was my third bag since signing back up with Ipsy (formerly MyGlam).  The past three months, I have been nothing but happy with the products I've received!  Ipsy has consistently sent out generous samples that are varied and interesting.  Each bag typically consists of mainly well-known high end products, with one or two more obscure high-end brands and/or drugstore products.  If you're looking for a subscription service to try, for a reasonable $10/month, Ipsy would be my top recommendation at the moment.

My January 2013 Glam Bag included the following samples:

Pacifica - Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter ($7.00/2.5 oz)
Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter is not only a highly effective antioxidant rich moisturizer that nourishes the driest of skin and helps fight off the signs of aging; it nourishes your other senses as well. The infusion of sparkling, juicy blood oranges that are highlighted with notes of red raspberry and spicy sweet Italian Mandarins take you to the beaches of the Mediterranean.

Samples size: 2.5 oz
Sample value: $7.00

Big Sexy Hair - Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray ($17.50/10.6 oz)
Your everyday spray for BIG volume!  Spray & Play is a humidity resistant, flexible hold hairspray that provides fullness, lift and incredible shine!

Sample size: 1.5 oz
Sample value: $2.48

Nailtini - Straight Up Color Nail Lacquer in Frappe or Bloody Mary ($13.00/0.5 oz)
You can't go wrong with a classic, all the way to your fingertips.  These two are the all-time best selling Nailtini nail lacquers.  Whether the glossy true-red of bloody mary or the hint-of-pink of frappe, your tips and toes are classic perfection anytime.

Sample size: 0.5 oz
Sample value: $13.00

Josie Maran - 100% Pure Argan Oil ($48/1.7 oz)
This 100% Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco.  With its multitasking benefits, Argan Oil can be used for many areas including hydrating and nourishing skin as a daily moisturizer, skin treatment, treating slit ends, and softening cuticles.

Sample size: 0.17 oz
Sample value: $4.80

SOHO - Concealer, Eyeliner, or Crease Brush ($7.99/each)
Brushes featuring a tri-grip handle that fits perfectly in the hand.

Sample size: 1 brush
Sample value: $7.99

Total bag value: $35.27

A little detail of the lining of this month's Glam Bag.  I'm thrilled about the Pacifica body butter (this stuff smells amazing!), Big Sexy Hair hairspray, and the Josie Maran Argan Oil.  The concealer brush seems nice as well.  The only slight disappointment for me this month was that I received the Frappe shade of Nailtini lacquer.  It's a completely sheer pink, along the lines of what is used for a French manicure.  I don't really care for sheer polishes, but it might come in handy for days I need a natural but polished look.  The Bloody Mary shade some subscribers received looks lovely!  Overall, another fantastic month!

January 2013 Birchbox

My January 2013 Birchbox was another so-so box for me which, as of late, is honestly the best I can hope for from Birchbox.  Most of my samples this month were miniscule, but at least the products themselves weren't terrible.  I'm thrilled to try theBalm Put a Lid On It Eyelid Primer, so the box has something going for it.  The nail polish is a nice inclusion as well.  I'm not thrilled about the color, but I don't hate it and I certainly don't have any polishes in my massive collection like it, so that's a plus.  I was really excited to try the Harvey Prince perfume after reading the note description.  I immediately sprayed some on my wrist and within the hour developed a terrible headache.  I can be very sensitive to perfumes, but in the past I've only noticed perfumes with musk notes to give me headaches.  Apparently Skinny Chic, despite not having any musk notes, doesn't agree with me.  It's a shame because I really do think the scent is lovely.  I've actually tried the Ojon serum in the past.  I didn't notice it did anything spectacular for my hair and I had to be very careful with the amount I used if I wanted to avoid greasy-looking hair.  The Fresh face cream samples don't excite me, honestly, but they'll be nice to keep around for traveling or trying if I run out of moisturizer.

My January Birchbox included the following samples:

Alessandro - Nail Polish in Blue Lagoon ($12.00/0.34 oz)
Launching exclusively for the Birchbox Shop, this extra opaque polish has a satiny formula and wide brush for easy application.

Sample size: 0.17 oz
Sample value: $6.00

Harvey Prince - Skinny Chic perfume ($55.00/50 ml)
Get a glass-half-full disposition with this optimistic blend of juicy Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and pink plumeria.

Sample size: unknown (about 2 ml)
Sample value: unknown (about $2.20)

Ojon - Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum ($25/1.7 oz)
Repair stressed strands with this aromatic hair treatment-exotic ojon and macadamia oils work together to smooth and hydrate hair.

Sample size: 0.07 oz
Sample value: $1.03

theBalm Cosmetics - Put a Lid On It Eyelid Primer ($18/0.4 oz)
Keep that pretty eye shadow crease-free with this stay-put primer, which also prevents smudges and smears.

Sample size: 0.125 oz
Sample value: $5.63

Fresh - Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream ($42/50 ml)
With antioxidant-rich lotus flower extracts, this lush moisturizer protects skin from free radicals and hydrates for a full 24 hours.

Sample size: 4 ml
Sample value: $3.36

Total box value: $18.22

Overall, I really wish the sample sizes were larger.  I'm really happy to have received theBalm eyelid primer and look forward to giving it a try (up until now I've only tried a couple variations of the Urban Decay Primer Potion, so I'm excited to have another product to compare).  January certainly wasn't a terrible month, but I do feel like Birchbox leaves something to be desired lately.

What did you receive in your January Birchbox?