The Check-Out Line: IcyBag

Welcome to The Check-Out Line, where I review products (and services) that are designed to make your life easier. I give you my opinion and my opinion only. You decide for yourself. You can see past product reviews here. This week, I'm reviewing the IcyBag.

Purpose: To keep your medications and cosmetics from becoming a melty hot mess...

Suggested retail: $14.99 to $19.99

How many times have you taken cosmetics out of the house in your purse, then you leave your purse in the car and end up with melted makeup? Ugh. And if you're using expensive makeup, that's a costly lesson. I use Mac undereye concealer and that itsy-bitsy tube that's only as big as my thumb is $14 to replace. And that's just ONE item. Not to mention mascara, eyeliner liquid or pencil, creme or liquid foundation, or any of the creme eyeshadows or lip products you might use. One good day of accidentally baking your makeup can cost you a hundred bucks (or more!) in new makeup.

Enter the IcyBag. The IcyBag is a squishy, insulated zipper cosmetic pouch with an interior nylon sleeve that holds a small frozen gel pack. This gel pack  sleeve is attached to the inside seam of the bag with an elastic cord, (remember how your mittens used to be tethered to your jacket with strings?) It's like that, so there are no worries about losing it. The concept of the IcyBag is phenomenal. You keep the gel pack in the freezer, and once it's frozen, you put it inside the attached sleeve and stuff the sleeve inside the IcyBag along with your cosmetics and medications. It keeps them nice and cool for HOURS, so you can use it at the beach, on the golf course, leave it in the car when you're out shopping all day, or take it with you when you travel.

Pros: I've been using the IcyBag for a few months now and this little baby is great! It's plenty big for all my cosmetics PLUS my brushes, and it really does stay cool inside. I have been taking it on the road with me when I travel, and the great thing is that you don't even have to use the gel pack all the time. I use it both with and without the gel pack, because sometimes I just don't need the extra cool environment. Either way, it's great. For those times when I think I might need to leave my bag in the car or I'm going to a hot climate, I just throw the gel pack in there and my stuff stays cool as a cucumber. Without the gel pack, it's just a good all-around cosmetic bag.

By the way, it's also great if you or your kids are on medications or insulin, which needs to stay cool. You can get an IcyBag just for meds, and just order an extra gel pack. This way, you alternate the gel packs so one is always frozen, and you can take your meds with you in the car or to work every day without fear of them getting hot.

Cons: One teeny one for me. I notice that the frozen gel pack makes  its own little interior sleeve a smidge damp from condensation. It doesn't affect anything really, but it 's about the only imperfection in the design that I can see.   

Value: You might think $15 is steep for a cosmetic pouch, but compared to replacing all your melted, ruined makeup, it's a dang steal! I have the pink and tan one, but it's now available in turquoise and black (my favorite combo) and solid black.

Where to buy: You can buy direct from their web site at www.IcyBag.com and if you order NOW through December 31st, use the coupon code MONICA and you'll get 20% off your total order and free shipping. Woohoo!

 
Overall Score Out of Five Stars:

Comments

[Jeri Dansky]

Hmm. I don't wear make-up, but I could see using this for the energy bars I always carry with me. They become a real mess in a warm car, too.

[Terry Lessig]

Icy Bag? You're killing me! I knew an icy bag, once. She was shaped like that, but not quite as pink.

[Monica Ricci]

Jeri, good idea! I hadn't thought of that use for it. Terry, you are crackin' me up as usual.
~Monica