Let's start with my favorite makeup bag so far, June 2014's bag, designed by Rebecca Minkoff for Ipsy. It's black with the same pineapple print which she has in her normal collection. I love Rebecca Minkoff, I love pineapples, I love black and red, so this was basically perfect for me. I've carried it ever since as the makeup bag in my purse.

I've received several eye liners over the past year, 3 of them black, but my favorite has got to be the Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet. Once you apply this matte black pencil, it's not going anywhere, no matter if it's in your waterline or on your lids. It's the kind of pencil you can rely on and I'm happy it was included in my April 2014 bag.

I've received several blushes in the last 12 months, in various formulas and finishes, but one of my favorites is the City Color Be Matte Blush in Fresh Melon which I received in my February 2014 bag. It's incredibly smooth and pigmented and the bright, peachy-pink color instantly perks my cheeks.

Ipsy has sent me many eye-shadows over the past months, some singles, a duo, a couple of trios and even a liquid one. I absolutely loved the Elizabeth Mott's Pop! Goes The Shadow in Champagne. It gives an incredibly pigmented and shimmery wash of Champagne to the lids that's suitable for day-wear and works with basically any look. I like to wear it when I'm using liquid liner because it creates a nice contrast while still looking low-key. Champagne shadow is pretty much a dime a dozen and can be a bit boring but this one is definitely the best one I've ever tried.

Ipsy also sent me one of my favorite shadows to use in my crease, the NYX Single Eye Shadow in Nutmeg, which I got in my very first bag in September 2013. It looks fantastic when paired with brown or bronze shadows on the lid. Unfortunately, I think NYX might have discontinued this as I just had a very hard time finding it online.

My most recent shadow acquisition is the bareMinerals 5-in-1 BB Cream Eyeshadow in Divine Wine which I received in my July 2014 bag. I didn't receive a full size bottle, but a tiny bit goes a long way with this product. It's creamy and smooth and the lightest dab on each lid gives you a full coverage finish that lasts all day. The color is an odd blend of grey and taupe with the faintest hint of purple. The overall effect is a smokey neutral look but that tiny hint of wine really makes my brown eyes pop. 

Ipsy seems to love to send me exfoliating scrubs. Over the last few months, I think I've received 4 or so. My favorite sample of the bunch was the Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub which I received in my May 2014 bag. I spoke about this in my August beauty favorites post. It smells like lemons and has tiny, face polishing particles that leave your skin feeling smooth and deeply clean. 

I discovered one of my favorite nail polish brands thanks to Ipsy. If you haven't tried Zoya polishes, they are some of the smoothest, most opaque, easiest to apply enamels I've ever tried. They last on your nails for ages without chipping and their color selection is fantastic. I've received Neve (a metallic purple-swirled blue) in my October 2013 bag and Odette (a muted purple) in my February 2014 bag.

There's even a favorite which is not pictured because sadly I used the whole thing up. In my November 2013 bag I received a deluxe sample of the Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched. It worked perfectly on my pale skin, even in the dead of winter. It was so natural looking and just gave my skin a little extra oomph. I used this every day for months to contour and the only reason I still haven't repurchased it is that I have a cache of bronzers I'm trying to use up before buying new ones. If you're fair skinned and want something subtle to just breathe a little life into your skin, this is definitely worth trying. 

It's important to note that I would have never tried most of these brands if it weren't for Ipsy. I had never even heard of some of these brands before but they have now become some of my absolute favorites. If you're looking to get into makeup but don't really know what you like or where to start, Ipsy is a great way to try some new things and play around a bit. Plus with a community of makeup artists and beauty gurus behind it, you can always get the advice and tips you need on their site. 

When I first subscribed I thought I would try it for a few months and cancel if I didn't like it. Although there are definitely highs and lows, some month better than others, I'm still intrigued and curious to see what I'll be getting next month and I always feel like I'm getting my money's worth.