Hey guys! I don't watch any other advent unboxing before I do mine but after I filmed this I watched some other unboxings to see what other people thought! I watched an unboxing by Lauren Mae Beauty and she found the Skin Inc face massage bar on the Ipsy shop on sale for only $8.00!! It appears they have removed it from the shop but if you are able and willing to sell a $125 item for $8 then was it really worth $125 in the first place?? Artificial value inflation is something we see a lot in subscripton boxes and I in my opinion we might be being that here as well! But let me know what you guys think! Love ya💖
Hey alex i have some advent suggestions sorry for your wallet 😅😅 but i saw some other creators unbox a Sephora uk i think it was bright orange colour and i was shocked to see the value and products you actually get and the plouis advent calendar seems amazing as well love you and your videos stay happy and healthy love you sooo much ❤❤
Yeah, ipsy and boxy charm both so I'm not surprised. The Josie Maran serum is great, if I could afford to change my 15 step skincare routine to be only Josie Maran products, I totally would!! I'm super picky about skincare.
Oh also this months icon box was created by Miss Pat McGrath herself and the choices and box as a whole is really good. I got a cold processed stem cell scalp serum for hair growth, my hair has thinned drastically so I'm hoping this will help me and if it does, I'll let you know. The only problem is, it's like $95 I think lol so idk if I'd be able to buy it again when it runs out, but if it actually works, I might have to make some sacrifices to get it again lol
😂 I'm surprised that Ipsy hasn't put your name on a DO NOT SHIP TO list for their advent calendars. Like "WARNING: CUSTOMER IS BANNED FROM BUYING OUR EMBARRASSING ADVENT CALENDARS. DO NOT SHIP"
I agree with you. However, she has said that Alexandria Ryan isn't her actual name. And also I believe she has at least one go to her parents house. So they might not know who to not ship to.
Bag balm was originally used for cow utters. You can get a huge tin for less than $10. It is amazing on rough feet and hands. It smells medicinal but it works so good!
@@robinkohl9827 it is so good. I discovered it while working at a quilting store. They use it on their hands because sewing isn't always great for the skin. I love to put it on my feet with socks and it keeps my feet soft
I am honestly annoyed with advent calendars being so ridiculously high priced to just give samples for said price....especially considering that most of the time they try to say there is value in having those sad little samples. There is no value when I get 1, maybe 2 uses out of it. It's frustrating and I hope you call more of them out for it.
I agree! Some of the advent calendars are great, but some are just rip offs. Epsie is definitely a rip off the best advent calendar. I’ve seen this year is a Barbie one. It is so cute for kids.❤
I wonder if that was a mistake when packaging? It'd be interesting to see if other people are also receiving that same product twice because that is absolutely unacceptable
Disappointed in them but not surprised, lol. Companies are so greedy. I’m sure that it was an undersold item for the brand and so they sold it for super cheap to Ipsy, and because it was so cheap they probably put two in there to save money while also bumping up the value price of the box. Notice how it’s a shade that can’t suit everyone too.
The fact that you did the math on this and still gave them the benefit of pricing these at full value is wild! Definitely a scammy feeling calendar for sure!!!
It was their rejoin for a 100$ gift. I clicked to see what it was about and they renewed my subscription. My credit card is now dealing with them. Smh. I need to send them to spam
You should get bins - one for eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, skincare, etc for these so you can see how many repeats you get in each one. *day 14: that is my favorite mascara!
Yep me too. 3 years sober off Ipsy and boxy. Do I miss it sometimes? Yep! But am I using my huge stash of great makeup and spending my $ smarter on things I actually want like amazing indie brands a few times a year instead of random item every month and loving it? Hell yea! So much better!
@@LindaKayHolevas Me too, I have been really leaning towards subbing to P.Louise because that makeup and skincare is so stinking adorable and the makeup is actually usable colors (I love earth tones and there seems to be a lot of options) But I'm not giving my money to IPSY/boxy charm or any of the others that keeps raising prices without compensating with more products.
@@staceymccann8340 lol I'm like 5 years off IPSY/boxy charm. I am interested in the P.Louise subscription box though, it seems to be more usable products and you actually get value for your money! And it's SO CUTE!!!
They were great for the first like 2 years and then product repeats really started... Also - I think the subscription is only good for a short term cycle of subscribing. Just my two cents lol
You know what? I get it. Companies need to get rid of old stock, and people want a bargain. I have absolutely no problem with companies getting rid of slow sellers in an advent calendar as long as it's priced accordingly. Or at least mixed in with a few exclusive items or "Christmassy" items. But I am so sick of seing samples, sheet masks etc in these advent calendars, if they really believe there's value in the samples then I wouldn't be surprised if they break down the cost of each cardboard box for the days and the cardboard advent calendar itself and include that in the "value"🙄😂 Alexandria I'm absolutely LIVING for you putting these calendars to shame and bringing up their cost, or recreating boxes. I look forward to your calculations so much :')
I agree the bag balm was it for me. I’m so glad I canceled right before the bought boxycharm. I canceled both boxes. And watching all the unboxing I watch I’m so glad I canceled
this is probably gonna be a pretty freaky comment but, I’m from Kentucky and every woman in my family acts exactly like you do. like, we’re all like that all the time, constantly. even if we’re not related I love watching your videos ‘cause it feels like I’m supporting a cousin - I hope that you keep making them and you find only success ✨
You should get disposable make-up wands and sponges to test out the make-up you don’t think you’ll like/keep. I would’ve loved to see the Anastasia highlight and Tresluce lip gloss and just swiping the top with a disposable sponge or other type of applicator and testing it out on your skin that way would at least give us some idea of what it looks like. Disposable applicators would be especially good for lip products like glosses and stuff. But I feel like ANY product, whether it be an eye shadow, blush, lipstick, etc. (in ANY formulary- powder, liquid, or cream) you could theoretically swatch with a disposable make-up applicator or sponge of some kind so that we can at least see what it looks like. Just an idea! Love your videos!
Yes!! Hold Ispy accountable for their lies! They lost me as a customer last year, and after stunts like inflating the value of the advent calendar, they’ll never get me back!
I really think someone should be talking to a lawyer about these companies. They inflate prices and partner with drop shipping companies to pass off these Alibaba products as worth as much as prestige brands. It feels an awful lot like fraud
😂 the bag balm! It’s actually great for dry/chapped skin, however it makes me laugh because I was first introduced to it for horses at summer camp. Lol it was great for covering horses bug bites/scratches minor injuries to help them heal quickly and keep flys off. (The horses at my summer camp were in a herd, not stalls. So sometimes they would get bit by another horse or kicked or a scratch from a branch in the field…. Anyone who knows horses knows they are THE MOST accident prone. Lol)
5:17 "if it's heavy it's good." You are not alone on that concept. It is a very common subconscious assumption and thus is actually used as a marketing ploy. Many companies, especially luxury, use more expensive packaging (such as a bigger bottle or heavier material such as glass) in order to make consumers subconsciously believe that it is better than cheaper products, which tend to use cheaper and lighter packaging. So even if a luxury brand and a "Cheaper" brand sell the same product from even the same supplier, that heavier packaging helps market the idea that the luxury product is "better."
For those hair bobbles that I don't use either for my hair, I use them as key chain wristlet when I was also given them as a gift. I just stuck a key chain ring on it and it works great as a wristlet and I don't lose my keys that often.
You want to know something funny? That's all those invisibobbles are, key chain wristlets. The first gym I joined when I was 17 (back in 1979) gave your locker key to you on one of those.😂😂
I’m here for u calling out companies that are lyin to their customers 👏🏽. It’s refreshing to see someone so honest, it feels like the makeup/ skincare influencers seem so fake now a days & so bought off by big brands. U legit are like the only trustworthy influencer. & I absolutely love the fact ur not afraid to call out a brand or company when they are in the wrong 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
your deep-dive into the price/cost/value here sings to my SOUL. thank you for doing that math and getting this out there that it is absolutely not worth what you're paying by ANY means. and that stick w/o even the BATTERIES, I can't. I was right there in it with you!!
Hope y'all are having fun celebrating your first ANNIVERSARY 🥳🎉❤️ I love you bunches and bunches annnnnd BUNCHES lol don't worry bout us☺️ we're fine with whatever you upload, just as long as y'all are having fun!!!
Happy Anniversary 🎊. I recently saw a Sephora advent calendar from England and they should be ashamed. Some of the days had two or three items and the majority of the items were FULL SIZED!!!!
Okay....so i stumbled across you like 4 or 5 years ago and stuck around (live the thumbnail btw) and live for your honest reviews...we are a group of catty gays and have a shot everytime you go " ooooo why.....why...." or any variation of dissapointment....fun times.....i digress we live for your sephora calendar....for above said reason.....stumbled across the UK sephora calendar opening and WOW....UMMM you in the US are getting the shaft....the UK box is amazing...something to think about for 2024 ahhahaha love it keep up the awesomeness :)
I was side-eyeing this calender the whole video, but when you pulled out BAG BALM (and an itty bitty little sample size at that) I LOST IT 😂🤣 Bag Balm is literally made for cows! I realize it has found a new purpose as a human moisturizer much like Mane & Tail products for horses did, but it's still bag balm 😂 Ipsy has lost their minds
YT suddenly recommended one of your advent calendar vids from last year. I have been binge watching advent calendar unboxing for the last few hours. I like your style/personality the most of the ones I have watched. I am enjoying watching your 2023 unboxings. (I have never watched advent calendar unboxings before--it's kinda fun!)
Hello Alexandria, have a good Sunday. With what they charge for Advent calendars I feel they should be full-size products. What about a pallet in the whole advent calendar?
I did a double take when you pulled that Bag Balm out of the box. Anyone who grew up around horses or cows knows that there was always a giant tin of it on the shelf in the barn. Sometimes right next to the Mane N Tail shampoo, which I was half expecting to see up next in the box. 😂 On the plus side, if you end up loving it, you can go get yourself a giant tub at your local feed store for a fraction of whatever Ipsy is claiming for a value on that tiny tin. lol
Okay I LOVE the pacifica sheet mask but also I'm pretty sure they discontinued the rose and peptide one!!!!! So ipsy is sending DISCONTINUED sheet masks?!
I absolutely love bag balm! I have very dry skin and lips, and I’m still a lover of liquid lipsticks so my lips are dying at the end of the day. It’s a little bit thinner than Vaseline, smells a little bit medicinal, and VERY moisturizing. Fair warning, it’s very greasy and doesn’t dry down quickly, but I’ve got very dry skin so it works wonderfully for me!
Loved that you looked up the actual prices of the items. I know its probably too much work, but i would love it if you did it with all calendars. Looking forward to the next "good" one.
And this is why this year I did not purchase this Calendar, last year felt like a betray.... Thank you for calling them out!!! Ohh and Happy Anniversary!! #Cheers
I only buy food related advent calendars at this point. These companies are so stingy and scammy with their calendars. LOVE your videos though haha, you spend the money so we don't have to
Pretty sure Day 10 was an error on Ipsy's part because for the other two unboxing of this calendar I've seen, people received a little sample of the Aveda styling cream.
Cherry Wallis opened up the Sephora favorites calendar that you had shipped from Europe this year and it looked great. I can’t wait to see the shock when you end up seeing what a good Sephora calendar is.
She already did Sephora, in fact she did two one being the one from Europe. They were both disappointing!! They were the first advent calendars she opened to start off advent season.
@@geeky12ful Go to the video she did about the roundup of calendars she had so far for the season, $10,000 worth of Advent Calendars (or a similar title) and hit minute 2:55 in the video. That’s the one I’m talking about, and it’s a good one, especially for those who like fancy skincare.
All i want for Christmas is to see Alexandria's filming room/table that talks about. Idk why, but i feel like it would make me feel better about my life 🥰
Ipsy, as usual, is a rip-off! Love that you still get excited over the good items and then rant on the bad ones! It makes for a fun ride!! Thank you!!😊
The bag balm was originally used for cow udders when they got sore...hence the name "bag" balm..it is great for dry/chapped skin and general boo boos...it is quite expensive especially the larger containers....take this warning it is still has the raw edges they can cut the poo out of you...
I was wondering if you were gonna do the Ipsy one. Did you get the glow recipe one? I wanted that one but it sold out fast 😩 hope you and your husband had a great anniversary can’t believe it’s been a year
As much as I love seeing you unbox those advent calenders, I've never seen one (yet) that made me want to buy one. I rather spend the budget for one of those on items I realy want/am curious about rather than just having a big box of products I didn't chose lying around my house, unused. Great video, love that you called Ipsy out on their fake value.
I don’t understand what’s happening with advent calendars lately. All of them have gone up in price tremendously, without adding much value back into the products at all. I used to get the Look Fantastic advent calendar every year, but the price is ridiculous for the amount of product you get. I cannot get behind any beauty advent calendars anymore. I’m sticking to chocolate this year 😂
Bag balm is getting popular as a lotion. It started as a cream to treat dry udders on cows (hence the bag part of bag balm). It's like how Main and Tail shampoo was originally for horses but now you can buy it in the beauty aisle.
I’ve been receiving Ipsy since it was only 10 bucks a bag, I was new to makeup and still learning about colors and skincare so getting those bags once a month for 10 dollars was great! I’m ending my subscription in December after the holidays, they’ve gotten ridiculous and now it’s all about profit and not the people
Bag balm is absolutely amazing! I moved in with my BF and he has tile floors. Well they destroyed my heels. I used this with fluffy socks, at night, for only a week and the difference was night and day. I still use it daily on my psoriasis because it helps with the itchiness. Instead of dropping $20 on one of those fancy foot masks, just reach for this! Plus the full size is sooooo inexpensive.
I think they sent you a massager without batteries, as lithium batteries could classify as hazardous material or something like that. Doesn't excuse the item though!
I'm one that usually don't like most skin shades because they are always to light or too dark, but you can use that abh stick as a blush or bronzer to make it wearble
DUDE! You get bag balm from your grocery store! WHAT THE HELL??? Why would they put that in your calendar???? and that is the EXACT same kind, you can get it walmart, you can get it safeway, you can get it at fred meyer! what a RIP OFF! And you can get BIGGER tins of it. That is like, purse, baby size.
Bag balm was originally used on chapped and bleeding cow teats/udders. Women figured out that it helped their chapped hands from the winter weather so they started using it. So they literally gave you bleeding cow udder cream.
From my understanding, women first figured out it could help their own chapped, bleeding nipples from breastfeeding and then started applying it everywhere else. it’s still a really popular to use amongst breastfeeding mothers and works great lol
To the child (now adult) that said the rude remark to Alexandria all those years ago about purple not being her color, please apologize so Alexandria can be free to wear purple. So you both can be free. Please!
Bag Balm used to be used on cow udders to keep them from getting dry, irritated, and cracking during milking in cold weather. We use it in nursing homes to keep butts and feet from getting cracked and irritated.
I like rose scented but I don't want it in a Christmas advent calendar, I want festive colors and scents, is that so hard 😂 I feel like this was worth 75.00 at the most
Bag Balm❤ we have been using it forever. It was made for cows teets after milking so they don’t get chapped. My family has always used it as a body balm for cracked skin.
I just watched Cherry Wallis unbox the UK Sephora advent calendar. The comments was full of Americans going what the heck! because its full of fancy brand, full size items and more than one in some days. 36 items in a 25 day calendar and only one beauty blender.
There is a huge competition in the UK when it comes to advent calendars from other retailers such as cult beauty and SpaceNK (and a million others in all price ranges). They also (as someone else mentioned) took over from FeelUnique, so there was an established customer base. If they offered the US version, their launch in the UK would have flopped immediately
I agree everything value wise is inflated. I have always been told an item is only worth what people are willing to pay for them. If it costs 10 cents to make an item, and 20 cents to ship it when it gets to where it goes, they can add what they want to the price. Here is where it gets inflated. Omg let’s collaborate with Rihana and raise the price to $200.00 and we can all make tons of money. It’s the truth of everything we buy out there today. Even when it’s on sale they still are making money. Even when it goes extreme clearance they make money.
Ipsy is just ripping people off left and right lol I got an email saying the Boxycharm box is going up to $30 starting December, so they can give us more quality products... Yeah let's see if that ACTUALLY happens
Bag balm is something that farmers use to use on cows utters so that they wouldn’t get chafed from milking. Apparently you can use it on your hands and feet and what have you and it’s really good
Question right at the start: How can an advent calendar for THIS year already have 57 4 star ratings? Are they from RUclipsrs opening them early or what. Because 57 seems like a lot.
A lot of people have bought the calendars & opened them on youtube or tik tok. I’m more surprised at the 4/5 rating🤯 A lot of the products have been received during this year.
A couple decades ago, JC Penny got a new CEO who switched their sales model (inflated prices, contant sales) to just be the lower price by default. Sales actually fell because customers thought they were getting a worse deal. I feel like Ipsy is doing something similar with their shop prices. The items aren't actually worth full price, but by "discounting" them, people get more excited to buy them. (Plus that way they can also have artificial scarcity with "sale ending soon" banners, etc.)
So glad I grew up with my mom's homemade package calendars (low income, but she always made them amazing!). Nowadays I just buy premade chocolate calendars for myself and my fiancé, these really show me that I wouldn't care for a premade "item" calendar at all. Like especially not makeup (remind me why I'm hooked on these videos??). I wouldn't do a skincare one either because I can't do anything with fragrance and generally don't care for throwing a bunch of different products at my skin... But yeah, obviously these are just a way to maximise profit margins.
Wow I guess we’ve all known Ipsy is a RACKET for some time, but I feel like we haven’t seen them be quite so brazen and shameless about it before! Tis the season to get scammed 🎶🎄 That said - awesome video as ever 🧡
Hey Girl! been loving these advent calender unboxings! its too bad Ipsy put a double in this one ... im glad im cancelled my subscription LOL ..Love from Canada ❤
Everything in there is always from the various boxes. I got the keys soul care in an icon box a long time ago. Same with all the ABH stuff. It's definitely overly priced and valued every year. I can't use those little telephone cord hair ties either. Love your video, you were publicly telling ipsy what all of us without a platform think.
I’ve never been so early for a video before. I hope you had a good anniversary. I was waiting for this video and I’m so appreciative of you wanting to take time for your anniversary
This isn't about this calendar... I'm so irritated with Sephora. In the UK they have a box that's amazing and we can't get it in the States. Why do we get the horrible Sephora calendars here? OK, rant over.
Sephora UK took over from FeelUnique, an online retailer with an established customer base. They also have a large number of competitors in and around that price range (especially Cult beauty and SpaceNK) so they had to deliver since they are pretty new to the UK
@barbaraschmitt85 I've got other advent calendars from over there they had perfumes in them. I want to say I've also got aresoles like dry shampoos. The aresole in that calendar is from the US. It got over there, it can get back OR Sephora here can step it up and do the same calendars as the Sephora there.
My hair is super fine as well and the only way I can use those curly wurly hair ties is to use it around the outside of my hair when I do a bun. Works a treat because my hair is so soft it just feathers out of any other hair tie unless I braid it underneath. 🥰
Persinally i just piek wtaching these video but because of how you give feedback. I was encouraged to buy an advent calendar last year and DID NOT regret it. The glossy Box 2022 calender aas great for me abd had an amazing value esp considering im paying way more due to currency conversion. And it was all worth it. Im glad i discovered your reviews, allows me to take smart risks for advent calenders i wanna buy and tey out.
Hey guys! I don't watch any other advent unboxing before I do mine but after I filmed this I watched some other unboxings to see what other people thought! I watched an unboxing by Lauren Mae Beauty and she found the Skin Inc face massage bar on the Ipsy shop on sale for only $8.00!! It appears they have removed it from the shop but if you are able and willing to sell a $125 item for $8 then was it really worth $125 in the first place?? Artificial value inflation is something we see a lot in subscripton boxes and I in my opinion we might be being that here as well! But let me know what you guys think! Love ya💖
I really feel like you should put out an advent calendar or a subscription box, you certainly have enough knowledge on good stuff to put in them!
I saw it also and she broke it down really well but you are still the queen of advent calendars
Hey alex i have some advent suggestions sorry for your wallet 😅😅 but i saw some other creators unbox a Sephora uk i think it was bright orange colour and i was shocked to see the value and products you actually get and the plouis advent calendar seems amazing as well love you and your videos stay happy and healthy love you sooo much ❤❤
I didn't read this before commenting but it was her video I watched and got my info from.
Ipsy is shady and that’s why I canceled my subscription a long time ago.
I am here for you calling brands out for fake value, especially when these are supposed to be fun ways to try new things and get value back.
Yeah, ipsy and boxy charm both so I'm not surprised. The Josie Maran serum is great, if I could afford to change my 15 step skincare routine to be only Josie Maran products, I totally would!! I'm super picky about skincare.
Oh also this months icon box was created by Miss Pat McGrath herself and the choices and box as a whole is really good. I got a cold processed stem cell scalp serum for hair growth, my hair has thinned drastically so I'm hoping this will help me and if it does, I'll let you know. The only problem is, it's like $95 I think lol so idk if I'd be able to buy it again when it runs out, but if it actually works, I might have to make some sacrifices to get it again lol
Wow that face thing is such a rip off !!
😂 I'm surprised that Ipsy hasn't put your name on a DO NOT SHIP TO list for their advent calendars. Like "WARNING: CUSTOMER IS BANNED FROM BUYING OUR EMBARRASSING ADVENT CALENDARS. DO NOT SHIP"
Lol😂
She buys them allllll. She may get a few shipped to her but she does buy most. It’s fun huh. Lol
I know, I was joking but honestly meant like " WARNING: THIS CUSTOMER IS BANNED FROM BUYING OUR EMBARRASSING CALENDARS "
I agree with you. However, she has said that Alexandria Ryan isn't her actual name. And also I believe she has at least one go to her parents house. So they might not know who to not ship to.
😂
If ipsy actually thought the face massager was worth $125, it would have been day 25.
Exactly!
KFC
I am absolutely floored that they put two of the exact same thing in that calendar. That is wild.
I'm in awe
Bag balm was originally used for cow utters. You can get a huge tin for less than $10. It is amazing on rough feet and hands. It smells medicinal but it works so good!
It is a staple for me! I love the stuff!
@@robinkohl9827 it is so good. I discovered it while working at a quilting store. They use it on their hands because sewing isn't always great for the skin. I love to put it on my feet with socks and it keeps my feet soft
It helps the eczema on my hands in the winter!!
@@Skorea77 I bet! It's such good stuff. If you don't have a tin get one soon.
Works great for cold soars too. We get it at the local ranch store. I have seen that tiny thing it's literally $2
I am honestly annoyed with advent calendars being so ridiculously high priced to just give samples for said price....especially considering that most of the time they try to say there is value in having those sad little samples. There is no value when I get 1, maybe 2 uses out of it. It's frustrating and I hope you call more of them out for it.
I agree! Some of the advent calendars are great, but some are just rip offs. Epsie is definitely a rip off the best advent calendar. I’ve seen this year is a Barbie one. It is so cute for kids.❤
Especially that Dior one, $800 for literal samples
I agree, I want to get a beauty calendar but I want it to be worth it and am having a hard time finding one
I’m still mad about 2 days with the exact same product. I’d be contacting them about that. That is absolutely ridiculous.
I wonder if that was a mistake when packaging? It'd be interesting to see if other people are also receiving that same product twice because that is absolutely unacceptable
Disappointed in them but not surprised, lol. Companies are so greedy. I’m sure that it was an undersold item for the brand and so they sold it for super cheap to Ipsy, and because it was so cheap they probably put two in there to save money while also bumping up the value price of the box. Notice how it’s a shade that can’t suit everyone too.
“Ipsy what the heck?!” is a great summary of this whole channel 😂
I feel like we need stickers😅
Perfection 😂
@@Nicolesid1ALL THE MERCH! I especially need this on a t-shirt.
The fact that you did the math on this and still gave them the benefit of pricing these at full value is wild! Definitely a scammy feeling calendar for sure!!!
The way you found that face massager for $1.50 - that had me laughing so much but I woulda been PISSED if I spent money on it my GOD!
It was their rejoin for a 100$ gift. I clicked to see what it was about and they renewed my subscription. My credit card is now dealing with them. Smh. I need to send them to spam
You should get bins - one for eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, skincare, etc for these so you can see how many repeats you get in each one.
*day 14: that is my favorite mascara!
And one bin for cows?🐄🤭
@@WillSing4TPand goats!
@@mima_8484😂😂 🐐
Then have a year end video showing your repeats!
This is exactly why I stopped getting IPSY three years ago when they raised their prices and didn't add any value or extra products to the bags
Same!
Same! I refuse to give them my money. I personally love skin care & the Allure subscription box is my absolute favorite!
Yep me too. 3 years sober off Ipsy and boxy. Do I miss it sometimes? Yep! But am I using my huge stash of great makeup and spending my $ smarter on things I actually want like amazing indie brands a few times a year instead of random item every month and loving it? Hell yea! So much better!
@@LindaKayHolevas Me too, I have been really leaning towards subbing to P.Louise because that makeup and skincare is so stinking adorable and the makeup is actually usable colors (I love earth tones and there seems to be a lot of options)
But I'm not giving my money to IPSY/boxy charm or any of the others that keeps raising prices without compensating with more products.
@@staceymccann8340 lol I'm like 5 years off IPSY/boxy charm.
I am interested in the P.Louise subscription box though, it seems to be more usable products and you actually get value for your money! And it's SO CUTE!!!
Almost every day my husband asks me if you have a new video and after this said he’s “here for the Ipsy tea” 😂😂 We love advent calendar season. ❤
Mine asks me about "advent calendar" girl every year. It's the only one of my RUclips videos he likes.
We love a supportive hubby ❤
The fact Ipsy is still in business completely blows my mind.
Happy Anniversary!! ❤
They were great for the first like 2 years and then product repeats really started... Also - I think the subscription is only good for a short term cycle of subscribing. Just my two cents lol
You know what? I get it. Companies need to get rid of old stock, and people want a bargain. I have absolutely no problem with companies getting rid of slow sellers in an advent calendar as long as it's priced accordingly. Or at least mixed in with a few exclusive items or "Christmassy" items. But I am so sick of seing samples, sheet masks etc in these advent calendars, if they really believe there's value in the samples then I wouldn't be surprised if they break down the cost of each cardboard box for the days and the cardboard advent calendar itself and include that in the "value"🙄😂
Alexandria I'm absolutely LIVING for you putting these calendars to shame and bringing up their cost, or recreating boxes. I look forward to your calculations so much :')
I can't believe they put Bag Balm in there 😂😂😂 My mom used to put it on my extremely awful eczema. It's cheap and not fancy lol
"there's a cow on the tin, I like that." xD loved that moment
It really works in dry feet.
My grandpa used this for his dry skin 😂
I'm pretty sure that size can be had in the checkout at the store for about $2
I agree the bag balm was it for me. I’m so glad I canceled right before the bought boxycharm. I canceled both boxes. And watching all the unboxing I watch I’m so glad I canceled
this is probably gonna be a pretty freaky comment but, I’m from Kentucky and every woman in my family acts exactly like you do. like, we’re all like that all the time, constantly. even if we’re not related I love watching your videos ‘cause it feels like I’m supporting a cousin - I hope that you keep making them and you find only success ✨
Like your pic ❤ Snorlax
I'm also from KY, although living in Ohio.
Kentucky fried chicken
Kentucky Ryan USA 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
The United States 🇺🇲
You should get disposable make-up wands and sponges to test out the make-up you don’t think you’ll like/keep. I would’ve loved to see the Anastasia highlight and Tresluce lip gloss and just swiping the top with a disposable sponge or other type of applicator and testing it out on your skin that way would at least give us some idea of what it looks like. Disposable applicators would be especially good for lip products like glosses and stuff. But I feel like ANY product, whether it be an eye shadow, blush, lipstick, etc. (in ANY formulary- powder, liquid, or cream) you could theoretically swatch with a disposable make-up applicator or sponge of some kind so that we can at least see what it looks like. Just an idea! Love your videos!
Yes!! Hold Ispy accountable for their lies!
They lost me as a customer last year, and after stunts like inflating the value of the advent calendar, they’ll never get me back!
I really think someone should be talking to a lawyer about these companies. They inflate prices and partner with drop shipping companies to pass off these Alibaba products as worth as much as prestige brands. It feels an awful lot like fraud
When they also ship these items, they declare the value is super low (probably the actual cost) to circumvent import taxes. It can't be both.
I agree a big ripoff!!
There are to many companies to do a class action lawsuit against for having ridiculous pricing in their advent calendars.
Bag balm is a staple at every country store I’ve ever been in, never expected to see it in a beauty advent calendar 🤣
😂 the bag balm! It’s actually great for dry/chapped skin, however it makes me laugh because I was first introduced to it for horses at summer camp. Lol it was great for covering horses bug bites/scratches minor injuries to help them heal quickly and keep flys off. (The horses at my summer camp were in a herd, not stalls. So sometimes they would get bit by another horse or kicked or a scratch from a branch in the field…. Anyone who knows horses knows they are THE MOST accident prone. Lol)
5:17 "if it's heavy it's good." You are not alone on that concept. It is a very common subconscious assumption and thus is actually used as a marketing ploy. Many companies, especially luxury, use more expensive packaging (such as a bigger bottle or heavier material such as glass) in order to make consumers subconsciously believe that it is better than cheaper products, which tend to use cheaper and lighter packaging. So even if a luxury brand and a "Cheaper" brand sell the same product from even the same supplier, that heavier packaging helps market the idea that the luxury product is "better."
For those hair bobbles that I don't use either for my hair, I use them as key chain wristlet when I was also given them as a gift. I just stuck a key chain ring on it and it works great as a wristlet and I don't lose my keys that often.
You want to know something funny? That's all those invisibobbles are, key chain wristlets. The first gym I joined when I was 17 (back in 1979) gave your locker key to you on one of those.😂😂
@@WillSing4TPyepppp! 😂
@@blaah9999😂😂
I’m here for u calling out companies that are lyin to their customers 👏🏽. It’s refreshing to see someone so honest, it feels like the makeup/ skincare influencers seem so fake now a days & so bought off by big brands. U legit are like the only trustworthy influencer. & I absolutely love the fact ur not afraid to call out a brand or company when they are in the wrong 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
your deep-dive into the price/cost/value here sings to my SOUL. thank you for doing that math and getting this out there that it is absolutely not worth what you're paying by ANY means. and that stick w/o even the BATTERIES, I can't. I was right there in it with you!!
Just so you know, Bag Balm is what they use on the teats of dairy cows to keep them from getting sore😄. It is human grade too though. Fun video!
Hope y'all are having fun celebrating your first ANNIVERSARY 🥳🎉❤️
I love you bunches and bunches annnnnd BUNCHES lol don't worry bout us☺️ we're fine with whatever you upload, just as long as y'all are having fun!!!
Happy Anniversary 🎊. I recently saw a Sephora advent calendar from England and they should be ashamed. Some of the days had two or three items and the majority of the items were FULL SIZED!!!!
I think it would be so fun if you made your own advent calendar at the end of the season with all of your favorites from this year's boxes!
I feel like Ipsy is the closest thing Alexandria has to a nemesis
Don’t forget Sephora. Alexandria vs Sephora advent calendars is iconic!
Okay....so i stumbled across you like 4 or 5 years ago and stuck around (live the thumbnail btw) and live for your honest reviews...we are a group of catty gays and have a shot everytime you go " ooooo why.....why...." or any variation of dissapointment....fun times.....i digress we live for your sephora calendar....for above said reason.....stumbled across the UK sephora calendar opening and WOW....UMMM you in the US are getting the shaft....the UK box is amazing...something to think about for 2024 ahhahaha love it keep up the awesomeness :)
I was side-eyeing this calender the whole video, but when you pulled out BAG BALM (and an itty bitty little sample size at that) I LOST IT 😂🤣 Bag Balm is literally made for cows! I realize it has found a new purpose as a human moisturizer much like Mane & Tail products for horses did, but it's still bag balm 😂 Ipsy has lost their minds
YT suddenly recommended one of your advent calendar vids from last year. I have been binge watching advent calendar unboxing for the last few hours. I like your style/personality the most of the ones I have watched. I am enjoying watching your 2023 unboxings. (I have never watched advent calendar unboxings before--it's kinda fun!)
Hello Alexandria, have a good Sunday. With what they charge for Advent calendars I feel they should be full-size products. What about a pallet in the whole advent calendar?
I canceled ipsy like over 3 yrs ago thanks to you❤ they really play in ya face with the value. Love your honesty!!
I did a double take when you pulled that Bag Balm out of the box. Anyone who grew up around horses or cows knows that there was always a giant tin of it on the shelf in the barn. Sometimes right next to the Mane N Tail shampoo, which I was half expecting to see up next in the box. 😂 On the plus side, if you end up loving it, you can go get yourself a giant tub at your local feed store for a fraction of whatever Ipsy is claiming for a value on that tiny tin. lol
It's interesting to see what IPSY thinks we'll buy with our holiday money....your reviews are spot on as usual
Good Sunday everyone!
To you as well!
@@Alexandria-Ryan😊!
Okay I LOVE the pacifica sheet mask but also I'm pretty sure they discontinued the rose and peptide one!!!!! So ipsy is sending DISCONTINUED sheet masks?!
I absolutely love bag balm! I have very dry skin and lips, and I’m still a lover of liquid lipsticks so my lips are dying at the end of the day. It’s a little bit thinner than Vaseline, smells a little bit medicinal, and VERY moisturizing. Fair warning, it’s very greasy and doesn’t dry down quickly, but I’ve got very dry skin so it works wonderfully for me!
Loved that you looked up the actual prices of the items. I know its probably too much work, but i would love it if you did it with all calendars. Looking forward to the next "good" one.
And this is why this year I did not purchase this Calendar, last year felt like a betray.... Thank you for calling them out!!! Ohh and Happy Anniversary!! #Cheers
I only buy food related advent calendars at this point. These companies are so stingy and scammy with their calendars. LOVE your videos though haha, you spend the money so we don't have to
You are perfection! You call them out in the sweetest way, they have no defense. Thank you 💜💖💜
Pretty sure Day 10 was an error on Ipsy's part because for the other two unboxing of this calendar I've seen, people received a little sample of the Aveda styling cream.
4:30 As someone who used to work at a macys, yep this is so true 😭
every macys smells like the same strong blend of perfumes it’s Insane
Cherry Wallis opened up the Sephora favorites calendar that you had shipped from Europe this year and it looked great. I can’t wait to see the shock when you end up seeing what a good Sephora calendar is.
She already did Sephora, in fact she did two one being the one from Europe. They were both disappointing!! They were the first advent calendars she opened to start off advent season.
@@geeky12ful Go to the video she did about the roundup of calendars she had so far for the season, $10,000 worth of Advent Calendars (or a similar title) and hit minute 2:55 in the video. That’s the one I’m talking about, and it’s a good one, especially for those who like fancy skincare.
All i want for Christmas is to see Alexandria's filming room/table that talks about. Idk why, but i feel like it would make me feel better about my life 🥰
I love it when you deep dive into the prices! Hope your having a lovely anniversary x
Ipsy, as usual, is a rip-off!
Love that you still get excited over the good items and then rant on the bad ones! It makes for a fun ride!! Thank you!!😊
Hope you had a great wedding anniversary!
Thank you! We are on our anniversary trip right now and having a nice time!
For a long time i was searching for a channel to make my english better, and i saw you! You are like a comfort person and i'm glad that i found you😘😘
The bag balm was originally used for cow udders when they got sore...hence the name "bag" balm..it is great for dry/chapped skin and general boo boos...it is quite expensive especially the larger containers....take this warning it is still has the raw edges they can cut the poo out of you...
I find it not expensive at all.
@@robinkohl9827 I think she meant INexpensive and there was an auto-correct.
Its so refreshing to find an influencer who keeps it real !!
$125 FOR THAT DROPSHIPPED VIBRATING STICK??! AND TWO OF THE SAME HIGHLIGHTER?! NOOOOOO SIR.
As you're reaching for day 25 I giggled to myself what if its a sponge. I screamed
I was wondering if you were gonna do the Ipsy one. Did you get the glow recipe one? I wanted that one but it sold out fast 😩 hope you and your husband had a great anniversary can’t believe it’s been a year
I did get the glow recipe calendar! Thank you so much! I honestly can't either!
I do like the Keys skincare line. Bag balm is very good for dry hands. The final day should have a large eyeshadow palette.
You're amazing. I love your videos. I hope you had a good anniversary trip!❤
Aw thank you so much! We are still on the trip haha its going well though! ❤️
As much as I love seeing you unbox those advent calenders, I've never seen one (yet) that made me want to buy one. I rather spend the budget for one of those on items I realy want/am curious about rather than just having a big box of products I didn't chose lying around my house, unused. Great video, love that you called Ipsy out on their fake value.
I don’t understand what’s happening with advent calendars lately. All of them have gone up in price tremendously, without adding much value back into the products at all. I used to get the Look Fantastic advent calendar every year, but the price is ridiculous for the amount of product you get. I cannot get behind any beauty advent calendars anymore.
I’m sticking to chocolate this year 😂
Bag balm is getting popular as a lotion.
It started as a cream to treat dry udders on cows (hence the bag part of bag balm).
It's like how Main and Tail shampoo was originally for horses but now you can buy it in the beauty aisle.
Same with Hard as Hoof nail stuff. LOL
I’ve been receiving Ipsy since it was only 10 bucks a bag, I was new to makeup and still learning about colors and skincare so getting those bags once a month for 10 dollars was great! I’m ending my subscription in December after the holidays, they’ve gotten ridiculous and now it’s all about profit and not the people
Can't wait to see you possibly do the P. Louise advent calendar.
I ordered it! I hope it comes soon!
Bag balm is absolutely amazing! I moved in with my BF and he has tile floors. Well they destroyed my heels. I used this with fluffy socks, at night, for only a week and the difference was night and day. I still use it daily on my psoriasis because it helps with the itchiness. Instead of dropping $20 on one of those fancy foot masks, just reach for this! Plus the full size is sooooo inexpensive.
I think they sent you a massager without batteries, as lithium batteries could classify as hazardous material or something like that. Doesn't excuse the item though!
It takes regular batteries, not lithium, so they can't even use that as an excuse.
Mine (from the box, not calendar) was made wrong & couldn't function if I didn't hold the battery closure at a weird angle lol ..
I'm one that usually don't like most skin shades because they are always to light or too dark, but you can use that abh stick as a blush or bronzer to make it wearble
DUDE! You get bag balm from your grocery store! WHAT THE HELL??? Why would they put that in your calendar???? and that is the EXACT same kind, you can get it walmart, you can get it safeway, you can get it at fred meyer! what a RIP OFF!
And you can get BIGGER tins of it. That is like, purse, baby size.
Do the MAC one! I’ve seen openings of it and it is good good! I don’t think you will be disappointed like this one😂
I can't believe the duplicate highlighter!
Yay! Love me an advent video to play while i clean
Bag balm was originally used on chapped and bleeding cow teats/udders. Women figured out that it helped their chapped hands from the winter weather so they started using it. So they literally gave you bleeding cow udder cream.
From my understanding, women first figured out it could help their own chapped, bleeding nipples from breastfeeding and then started applying it everywhere else.
it’s still a really popular to use amongst breastfeeding mothers and works great lol
A cow’s udder is sometimes called their “bag.” Hence, Bag Balm
IPSY! ELAINE! Synonymous.
I use the coil hair ties to tame cords. When they get stretched out, clean and dry to shrink.
To the child (now adult) that said the rude remark to Alexandria all those years ago about purple not being her color, please apologize so Alexandria can be free to wear purple. So you both can be free. Please!
Bag Balm used to be used on cow udders to keep them from getting dry, irritated, and cracking during milking in cold weather.
We use it in nursing homes to keep butts and feet from getting cracked and irritated.
I like rose scented but I don't want it in a Christmas advent calendar, I want festive colors and scents, is that so hard 😂 I feel like this was worth 75.00 at the most
Bag Balm❤ we have been using it forever. It was made for cows teets after milking so they don’t get chapped. My family has always used it as a body balm for cracked skin.
I just watched Cherry Wallis unbox the UK Sephora advent calendar. The comments was full of Americans going what the heck! because its full of fancy brand, full size items and more than one in some days. 36 items in a 25 day calendar and only one beauty blender.
Sephora took over a British company, who were known for their great advent calendars basically they're the same company but it's called Sephora
I watched that and was shocked at the differences, the other one seemed nice
YT must really be pushing Cherry on us. I’ve been enjoying her unboxings too. It’s wild how different they are. I’m jealous.
There is a huge competition in the UK when it comes to advent calendars from other retailers such as cult beauty and SpaceNK (and a million others in all price ranges). They also (as someone else mentioned) took over from FeelUnique, so there was an established customer base. If they offered the US version, their launch in the UK would have flopped immediately
I agree everything value wise is inflated. I have always been told an item is only worth what people are willing to pay for them. If it costs 10 cents to make an item, and 20 cents to ship it when it gets to where it goes, they can add what they want to the price. Here is where it gets inflated. Omg let’s collaborate with Rihana and raise the price to $200.00 and we can all make tons of money. It’s the truth of everything we buy out there today. Even when it’s on sale they still are making money. Even when it goes extreme clearance they make money.
They must make 90% profit in these calendars...after shipping😂
I love investigative journalist Alexandria
Ipsy is just ripping people off left and right lol I got an email saying the Boxycharm box is going up to $30 starting December, so they can give us more quality products... Yeah let's see if that ACTUALLY happens
Bag balm is something that farmers use to use on cows utters so that they wouldn’t get chafed from milking. Apparently you can use it on your hands and feet and what have you and it’s really good
Question right at the start: How can an advent calendar for THIS year already have 57 4 star ratings? Are they from RUclipsrs opening them early or what. Because 57 seems like a lot.
A lot of people have bought the calendars & opened them on youtube or tik tok. I’m more surprised at the 4/5 rating🤯
A lot of the products have been received during this year.
Of course. Americans don’t open them the proper way, even if their not RUclipsrs their gonna buy it and open it all at once.
@@Abigail_Wyattreally? Just Americans? No one anywhere else? Ever? Weird.
A couple decades ago, JC Penny got a new CEO who switched their sales model (inflated prices, contant sales) to just be the lower price by default. Sales actually fell because customers thought they were getting a worse deal. I feel like Ipsy is doing something similar with their shop prices. The items aren't actually worth full price, but by "discounting" them, people get more excited to buy them. (Plus that way they can also have artificial scarcity with "sale ending soon" banners, etc.)
I think Ipsy has some good sales on their app, I find half priced items. Not everything is a good deal though but I do find some
The face massager was on sales for 8$ in ipsy 😂😂😂
So glad I grew up with my mom's homemade package calendars (low income, but she always made them amazing!). Nowadays I just buy premade chocolate calendars for myself and my fiancé, these really show me that I wouldn't care for a premade "item" calendar at all. Like especially not makeup (remind me why I'm hooked on these videos??). I wouldn't do a skincare one either because I can't do anything with fragrance and generally don't care for throwing a bunch of different products at my skin... But yeah, obviously these are just a way to maximise profit margins.
Wow I guess we’ve all known Ipsy is a RACKET for some time, but I feel like we haven’t seen them be quite so brazen and shameless about it before!
Tis the season to get scammed 🎶🎄
That said - awesome video as ever 🧡
Bag balm is amazing! It helps with dry cracked skin. I swear by it every winter for my hands.
Hey Girl! been loving these advent calender unboxings! its too bad Ipsy put a double in this one ... im glad im cancelled my subscription LOL ..Love from Canada ❤
Everything in there is always from the various boxes. I got the keys soul care in an icon box a long time ago. Same with all the ABH stuff. It's definitely overly priced and valued every year. I can't use those little telephone cord hair ties either. Love your video, you were publicly telling ipsy what all of us without a platform think.
I really appreciate the fact that you are so honest.
i love the bad advent colanders because i just like how indignant she gets
I’ve never been so early for a video before. I hope you had a good anniversary. I was waiting for this video and I’m so appreciative of you wanting to take time for your anniversary
This isn't about this calendar...
I'm so irritated with Sephora. In the UK they have a box that's amazing and we can't get it in the States. Why do we get the horrible Sephora calendars here? OK, rant over.
Sephora UK took over from FeelUnique, an online retailer with an established customer base. They also have a large number of competitors in and around that price range (especially Cult beauty and SpaceNK) so they had to deliver since they are pretty new to the UK
@@barbaraschmitt85 oh ok. But they need to deliver everywhere.
@@PurpleReign1401they probably would if it didn't contain 3 perfumes and an aerosol can
@barbaraschmitt85 I've got other advent calendars from over there they had perfumes in them. I want to say I've also got aresoles like dry shampoos.
The aresole in that calendar is from the US. It got over there, it can get back OR Sephora here can step it up and do the same calendars as the Sephora there.
My hair is super fine as well and the only way I can use those curly wurly hair ties is to use it around the outside of my hair when I do a bun. Works a treat because my hair is so soft it just feathers out of any other hair tie unless I braid it underneath. 🥰
11:31 - 12:12 Excellent point here!
Persinally i just piek wtaching these video but because of how you give feedback. I was encouraged to buy an advent calendar last year and DID NOT regret it. The glossy Box 2022 calender aas great for me abd had an amazing value esp considering im paying way more due to currency conversion. And it was all worth it. Im glad i discovered your reviews, allows me to take smart risks for advent calenders i wanna buy and tey out.