Obviously this bag isn't such a surprise, since Ipsy allowed people to see their Glam Room's early this month and I had no strength to resist looking at what I was going to get... and then posting spoilers here. However, there was the surprise of the bag arriving before I even got a tracking number for it. It seems like Ipsy is really on their early game this month and I, for one, am not complaining. 

I'm really hoping that the pace of this month continues into next month. I liked being able to see my Glam Room early just by participating in social media and I love that it arrived so promptly. Big snaps to Ipsy this month, because not only was the pace really good but I'm pretty happy with my bag as well. Pretty happy, but not ecstatic. There's one pretty big fail item in there, as far as I'm concerned, but otherwise I give the nod. The nod. THE NOD. Ahem.

This month's theme is "Beauty Schooled", which is obviously since August is the month of Back To School madness. Have you seen the craziness in local stores yet? I sure have. However, I kinda love pens and pencils and notebooks and art supplies and this is definitely the time of year to stock up on my own collection. 24 Crayola Pencil Crayons for $.94? Yes please.

I'm getting off track here. Last August the Ipsy theme was "Glamour Academy" and I was actually pretty disappointed, aside from a Michael Todd True Organics face scrub that I absolutely loved. This year is definitely a vast improvement and I feel like Ipsy has really been upping their game as far as getting higher end deluxe samples for every subscriber. Overall, I think this is going to improve people's satisfaction with their bags.

1. Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refining Primer - Value: $13.75

I'll be honest, the last time we got a product from Dr. Brandt, I was really excited... and then I used it and I hated every second. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing really wrong with the product, but I definitely learned that Microdermabrasion sucks. A lot. Anyway, I was excited that there was another product from the company to try out this month and I think this one will go a lot smoother... I mean, even if it isn't effective, it doesn't involve scraping my skin off, right? Definitely looking forward to trying this and will probably bust it out tomorrow.

2. Coastal Scents Forever Blush Sample Duo - Value: $1.90

I think a lot of people will probably be disappointed with this sample. It's very small and it definitely isn't a high value. I, however, actually really wanted to try these after seeing a review on Youtube shortly after they launched. In this duo there is a warm, neutral matte shade and a mid-toned mauve-y pink shade with fairly subtle shimmer. I admit, I'm not crazy about the shades and I feel like it's going to be impossible to actually use these without pulling the pans out of the packaging, but I'm still willing to try. Who knows, maybe my mind is about to be blown. I'm not mad at this item, not mad at all.

3. Absolute New York You're The Balm Lip Balm in Grape - Value: $2.98

So. This is definitely the dud of this bag for me... And I'll tell you why. 1. It smells exactly like a grape Jolly Rancher. I mean, exactly. And I can't get behind that. I understand that a lot of people like fruity smelling lip balms, I can get behind it, but this smells so strongly of cloyingly sweet candy that I just. Can't. 2. It has glitter in it. I'm not talking about a little bit of pretty shimmer. I'm talking about straight up holographic glittery sprinkled throughout the lip balm. I dipped my finger in there pretty hard to make sure I got some of the glitter on it and not only do I look like I'm trying to be a fairy unicorn, but it scratches. I think this is definitely more suited to the elementary school crowd than anyone over the age of 13.

4. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara Sample - Value: $6.50

Admittedly, when I look at the size of this mascara and consider the fact that I can get a whole big ass tube of drugstore mascara that is solidly good for cheaper, it kinda makes me wonder why anyone ever buys high end mascara. And then I remember my holy grail Tarte Gifted mascara and I move on with my day. I'm very happy to get this in my bag and looking forward to trying it more than any of the other mascaras I've ever received from Ipsy (none of which have really impressed me, to be honest.) I can't help but wonder if this is going to appease the people who are still up in arms about Stinkymascaragate. Who knows! Anyway. Who can complain about getting Urban Decay in their Ipsy bag? Someone, I'm sure, but not this girl.

5. Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Liner - Value: $7.49

Considering that this sample is FREAKIN' TINY, I was pretty much amazed when I did the math to find out the value. Pretty crazy, if you ask me. Anyway, this is basically your standard black kohl liner as far as I can tell, but I'm not complaining. It's smooth and pigmented and I feel like it will be a pretty good all 'round liner for use on the lid. This is definitely not a waterproof or budgeproof liner, so it's probably not so good for the tightline or the waterline, but there are definitely other things that it will be good for. I believe this product has been in Ipsy bags before and it actually has been on my wishlist because I wanted to try it, so I'm glad that I got it this month. Can't wait to play with it.

Total Value: $32.62

Definitely not my highest value Ipsy bag, but I try not to worry too much about the monetary value and instead focus on getting products that I want to try out and play with. For me, that makes this bag mostly a win. I'm a little bit salty about the absolute fail of the lip balm, but considering the other 4 products in the bag are ones that I'm fairly happy with I'm definitely not about to get up in arms. Also, this is the opposite of last August when there was only 1 product in the bag that I actually liked. Improvements, I'm telling you. Improvements.

Ipsy is a month subscription beauty bag service that provides a unique cosmetic travel bag with a selection of beauty products every month for $10 (Plus $5 shipping for Canadian residents, free shipping if you live in the US). CLICK HERE to sign up and join in the fun every month. Trust me, it's worth it.