Updated date:

Mar 1, 2021

Ipsy: A Comprehensive Ipsy Review

Author:

Amber has written about fashion and design, beauty, and skin care for several years.

Ipsy is one of the most popular subscription boxes you are going to find if you’re a makeup lover. Depending on which service you choose, you get brand new full size or sample size makeup every month, delivered right to your door. You get a nice mix of skincare, lip care, eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip products, and everything else makeup you can think of. Occasionally, you’ll get nail polish. It gives you the opportunity to play with new makeup and learn new makeup routines that you would have never thought of before!

How Does Ipsy Work?

When you first sign up for Ipsy you’ll take a beauty quiz. This quiz will tell them whether you have any problems you are trying to take care of, like dry, frizzy hair or acne. It also tells them where you’re at in your makeup journey. Are you a beginner or experienced and ready to try new things, for example? Then, when they select products from that month’s selection, they’ll curate your bag so that you get products you’ll actually need and use.

Ipsy Subscription Box Services

Ipsy has several different tiers that you can choose from. Each one offers different things and comes at a different cost. Most people start out at the lowest option to see if they like it, but some start with the highest to get full-size products instead of sample sizes. You can cancel anytime, so it doesn’t really matter which one you choose. You’re not pre-committing to anything on a long term basis.

Ipsy Glam Bag

The Ipsy Glam Bag is what got Ipsy its name. It was their claim to fame years ago and is still one of the most popular options. This is because it’s affordable, and some people just like getting a little something each month for themselves.

Cost

The cost of an Ipsy Glam Bag is only going to cost you $12 per month. The recurring payment is automatically deducted from your PayPal or debit card unless you cancel. So, if you get five products, you’re only spending a little over $2 per product, which is cheaper than buying any of the makeup products at the store.

What You Get

I personally do not get this bag anymore, but I am an Ipsy member so I can log in and see what the selection for last month, and previous months, was. Usually, you get sample sizes, but there is the occasional full-size product. Sometimes members will receive full-size makeup brushes, eyeshadow palettes, or lip products, for example. When I received this one monthly, I never received a full-size skincare product. Here are some of the products that they chose previously when creating the Ipsy Glam Bag:

Briogeo Hair Care sample size Farewell Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
Jonteblu sample size eyeliner in black (it’s waterproof, sweatproof, and has amazing reviews)
Kokie Cosmetics Soft Glow highlighter
111Skin Daycream
Illuminati Cosmetics quad eyeshadow palette in Enlightened
Smashbox Cosmetics Oil and Shine Control Primer

There were also hair masks, lip moisturizers, hand creams, Tarte concealer, mascara, blushes, foundations, under-eye anti-aging creams, brushes, and more! The selection they have to choose from when it comes to what they put in your bag each month is pretty diverse, so you can trust that you’ll mainly get products you either want or need based on your answers to the questions in the quiz.

Personal Opinion

I used to love my Ipsy Glam Bag. The main problem that I had with this was that I wound up with so many tiny samples. However, I started using them as stocking stuffers and that solved a lot of that. It’s really fun if you like to play with makeup.

Glam Bag Plus

The Glam Bag Plus is next on the subscription tier. Instead of five random samples, you get five full-size products. Ipsy has begun to let members choose three of their products every month, guaranteeing that you get things you love.

Cost

When you select the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, the cost is a little bit higher than it is with the Glam Bag. You’re going to be charged $25 per month. However, that means you’re getting full-sized, brand-name beauty products for five bucks a month. You can’t find a deal better than that anywhere.

What You Get

Those full-size products won’t do you a single bit of good if you don’t use them. Here are some examples of things included previously in the Glam Bag Plus:

Billion Dollar Brows Best Brow Tool Kit Ever
First Aid Beauty Gentle Foaming Face Cleanser
Naked Cosmetics 4 Piece Pigment Set
About Face Eye Paint
Dr. Brandt Skincare Sleep Mask
IT Cosmetics Foundation Brush
Complex Culture Lip Gloss
Purlisse Beauty Moisturizer

Popular brands in Ipsy bags vary on a monthly basis. Sometimes you get Smashbox or Morphe, and sometimes you don’t. I used to research brands I’ve never heard of it, and you can trust that most of them are high quality brands.

Personal Opinion

I get the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, and I love it. They let you customize three of the products, so I wind up with stuff that I need or want. I love face masks, so I always pick those and wind up with plenty, even on the months when they aren’t offered in my Glam Bag Plus. I think it’s more than worth it.

Glam Bag X (Previously Known As Glam Bag Ultimate)

The Glam Bag Ultimate is the highest tier in Glam Bag Subscriptions. However, you don’t receive it monthly like you do the other ones. (You’d wind up with a stockpile of products!) Instead, it only ships quarterly (four times per year.)

This is an add-on subscription. Once you subscribe to a Glam Bag or Glam Bag Plus, you can then subscribe to the Glam Bag X. When this bag ships, it will replace your regular subscription. However, you have to receive your bag every month in order to qualify for an upgrade, and there is a waiting list most of the time.

Ipsy Refreshments

Ipsy Refreshments is the latest addition to the line up of Ipsy Subscriptions. Instead of make-up, this subscription focuses on personal care. Everything you get is a part of the Ipsy Refreshments line. The great thing about this subscription is that you get to personalize every single thing you get. You can pick up face wipes one month, decide you no longer need them and cancel them, etc. You can also unsubscribe at any time.

Cost

There is not necessarily a set cost for this subscription. Instead, you can pick and choose what you want. You pay for what you get. (All subscriptions have to be changed by the end of the month, and new items are automatically added to your next box.) The cost per item tends to fall between $5-10 so far.

What You Get

You get whatever you would like in your Ipsy Refreshments subscription. You can order one of everything, or only pick up the things you’re interested in. For example, I love Bath and Body Works and Victoria’s Secret body washes and lotions. Because of that, I don’t add any of those products to my monthly box. However, I do get facial wipes and will be receiving their razor in the next one. Here is the current line-up of products available, and what they will cost you:

Five Blade Razor Kit $5
Five Blade Razor Kit Refills (2 Refill Razor Cartridges) $5
Cleansing Face Wipes $6
Velvety Body Cream $9
Luscious Hand Cream $5
Pillowy Shave Cream $6
Pearly Body Wash $9

Personal Opinion

I think it’s great, but only to an extent. I don’t use some of the products or don’t want them. However, I do hate buying razors so you can’t beat the convenience factor of having them shipped with your Glam Bag every month. I also use facial cleansing wipes, so I’m happy with that.

Being able to personalize this subscription is one of the main things I appreciate about it. I don’t wind up paying for anything that I’m not going to use. I pay less than retail price for things like razors, and I trust that they’re good quality because Ipsy doesn’t usually let me down.

Other Perks You Get As An Ipsy Subscriber

Cheap brand name makeup has got to be the biggest perk you’re going to have as an Ipsy subscriber. Convenience is another. I live in a small town, and the closest Sephora is an hour away. There are a couple of other perks you can enjoy, though.

Ipsy Points

Every time that you post a review, and share it, you get Ipsy points. You’ll get 15 Ipsy points per product. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but those points add up. Then, they can be redeemed for free products.

Coupon Codes For Awesome Brands

Every month, Ipsy has different products from different brands. You’ll be able to shop those brands and receive a discount on products. This is awesome if you love a particular brand that you see in Ipsy!

Ipsy FAQ

Is Ipsy worth it?

Definitely. For sample products, you’re paying a little over two dollars per product from hot brand names, like Smashbox. Full-size products sent in the Glam Bag Plus and Glam Bag X will only cost you around five bucks each.

Does Ipsy ship to the UK?

No, but you can use a package forwarding company that handles international shipping for you.

Is Boxycharm or Ipsy better?

Ipsy offers more subscription options. They also let you temporarily pause the subscription if you find you’re getting too many products. The addition of Ipsy Refreshments makes it stand out even more. Ipsy also lets you personalize your bag, so you pick the products you want.

What products come in Ipsy bags?

Ipsy includes a wide variety of products. You get lip products, eye products, brow kits, facial cleansers, face masks, and more. Subscribers can receive tools, like facial massagers, jade rollers, makeup brushes, etc.

Can you buy products from Ipsy?

Yes, but only if you are a member. Each month, members can select additional products, referred to as add-ons. These are sold at a discount price. You can also click on an Ipsy Shopper tab to discover awesome deals at the same discount prices. These are typically products that were included in their boxes for the month.

In Conclusion

Ipsy Glam Bags are more than worth it if you love makeup and beauty products. They even offer tutorials to help you learn fun new ways to play with makeup. However, if you’re not a fan of having a lot of make-up, and prefer to stick with the basics, Ipsy might not be for you.

This content reflects the personal opinions of the author. It is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and should not be substituted for impartial fact or advice in legal, political, or personal matters.

Comments

Amber Lynn (author) on February 08, 2021:

That's why I love them! I like that I get to pick what I get too.

Sp Greaney from Ireland on February 04, 2021:

This is a really good overview of the company. I don't subscribe to any services like this or subscription boxes . But I do like the idea behind them. They are a great way for trying out unknown brands or getting discounts on others.

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on February 03, 2021:

Interesting and useful information.