Behind it is Smashbox's Full Exposure Mascara in Black, a popular product from this professional quality line that has always specialized in makeup that photographs particularly well. This mascara formulation is appreciated by many for being a solid all-around performer in both lengthening and thickening categories, with minimal flaking or smudging. The large size of the brush applicator means it takes only few quick flicks to achieve long-wearing, dramatic lashes.
The shimmery taupe single eyeshadow you see is by INSPR Beauty, a newer line out of L.A. with a luxurious feel and gorgeous colour payoff. Darker women often struggle with shimmer eyeshadows showing up a different shade than expected, sometimes with messy fallout on areas of the face that can highlight all the wrong things, or can just look childishly glittery and cheap. I've found that the key is how finely milled your glitter particles are, and this goes for shimmer lip and face products as well. I'm happy to report that this velvety eyeshadow in this cool neutral shade named Carnival smooths a metallic sheen onto the lid with the first sweep, no primer needed. The shadow stayed in place all day, and brings an eye-brightening but still subtle bit of sheen to any makeup look, especially as a final overlay in the very centre of the lower lid, just before liner and mascara are applied.
Back to the world's ongoing love affair with Korean beauty, my Glam Bag included a sweet little tester of Jelly Pong Pong's Liquid Gossamer luminizing lotion. I've had mixed success with liquid highlighters, but this watery, ultra-fine, almost pearl-like sheen is easy to apply without disturbing makeup underneath and gives the subtle, non-sparkly highlight glow that I was hoping for when I tried the Hourglass powder on my face. As with other ipsy samples, I'm thrilled to have a diminutive liquid highlighter for my travel makeup kit, something I was at a loss to find anywhere else.
Last of the November set is this terrific deep moisturizing conditioner by top Brazilian hair line Novex, the Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Treatment. Used after shampooing, it is applied to damp hair and can be left in for a few minutes for daily conditioning or for up to 15 or more for seriously deep rehydration. This thick cream conditioner is full of vitamin E, keratin and natural oils, and although I wasn't sure about using conditioner from a jar instead of a bottle, it's really not an issue - in fact, I felt like I even had more control than usual over how much product I was applying. The smell is not my favourite thing in the world, but it thankfully doesn't linger, leaving hair super-shiny and soft. Products like this are why I love ipsy, since I doubt I would ever have heard of or tried it if it hadn't arrived on my doorstep. Thanks again ipsy!
