Updated date:

Nov 14, 2019

Ipsy Glam Bag Review

Author:

I've used Ipsy for a number of years now, and I think their Glam Bag is a great deal.

What Is Ipsy?

Ipsy glam bags consist of four or five beauty/makeup samples or full-size products that come in a cute makeup bag. These items range from beauty products (facial cleanser, a hair mask) and makeup (eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, etc.) to tools (eyelash curlers and makeup brushes) and nail polish.

If you would like to find out if Ipsy Glam bags are for you, check out how to get started, how it works, and what I got in my Ipsy bags (as well as other products that were available that month.)

Getting Started

To get started receiving your Ipsy bag, you need to subscribe.

Once you have subscribed to Ipsy, you will be asked to enter your billing information. This requires a debit or credit card that will be billed at the beginning of the month. You are free to cancel your subscription at any time.

Another part of getting started involves taking a short beauty quiz. The answers to this quiz will help determine what products you receive in your glam bag. For example, I get extremely dry skin, particularly on my face. Because of that, I have received multiple facial cleansers with additional moisturizers. After you subscribe, you will also always have the option to re-take the beauty quiz if you would like to receive different products. For example, I received a lot of eye shadow in different shades of brown at first. I retook the beauty quiz and stated that I had hazel eyes (I have brown eyes), and then received different shades of eye shadow.

After subscribing and taking the beauty quiz, you will be added to the waiting list. Some people are on the waiting list for a month, while some people are never on the waiting list. I was originally on the waiting list but was then sent an email telling me to share Ipsy on facebook, and then I started getting my Ipsy bag the next month.

How It Works

Glam Rooms

Around the seventh of the month, your glam room will be live. Your glam room will show you everything that will be in your glam bag, as well as other products that are put in the glam bags that month. There is also a special offer on each product, so even if you did not receive something you wanted in your glam bag, you still have the option to purchase the product for significantly less than it would normally cost.

Ipsy Points

Every month you can review the items in your glam bag to receive Ipsy points. These points can later be redeemed for similar products that are in glam bags. You can redeem your Ipsy points for products like free eyeliner, free lipstick, free nail art decals, free bronzer, free makeup brushes, and more.

Special Offers

As an Ipsy subscriber, you will receive special discounts on makeup products. These makeup products are brand names, and you will receive an email letting you know what special discounts are available. You can also view these by simply going to the Ipsy website.

Some of the special offers have included:

Julie G Spring Fling Nail Polish set for $10 (originally $16)
Milani Cosmetics Lids to Lips Kit for $20 (originally $48.92)
NYX
Urban Decay eyeliner and eyeshadow
Crown brush sets (I just purchased a complete set for $28)

So....What Do You Get?

You get a variety of products in your glam bag every month. Also, Ipsy will never send you the same product twice. For example, I was going to receive the same makeup brush twice and then received an email from the Ipsy team apologizing and letting me know what products would be in my glam bag in place of the brush. Keep reading to find out the products I received in my glam bag!

What I've Gotten In My Glam Bags

I have been an Ipsy subscriber for over a year now, so I'm going to mix up the months a bit just to give you an idea. (It would take pages to list the products I received and the other products offered for that many months.)

One month:

J Cat Beauty Hydrating Lip Stain (full size)
BeFine Cucumber Facial Mask (sample size)
Nuxe Exfoliating Gel (sample size)
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (sample size)
Trestique Mini Shadow Crayon (full size, but it's a mini so it's the same size as a sample size)

Other makeup samples that were in the glam bag:

Absolut new York Nail Laquer
OFRA Cosmetics turquoise eyeliner
Swissco Electroplated Eyelash Curler
SheaMoisture Shea Butter Lip Crayon
NYC New York Liquid Eyeliner

Another month:

What If I Hate It?

While I enjoy my Glam Bags, not everyone does. Some people wind up with a plethora of makeup samples they do not want and will never use. With Ipsy, you have the option to unsubscribe at any time. While your subscription automatically renews every month, this does not mean that you cannot cancel it. There is no obligation to remain an Ipsy customer for a year, etc.

Another problem that Ipsy customers have is getting a make sample or two that they will never use. While three of the four products may be wonderful, that one extra product every month can add up. Or maybe there is simply something that was offered that month that you wish you would have gotten.

In situations like this, there are online forums and facebook groups that offer the option to swap items. While I'm sure there are people out there, they claim they will mail you a product and then don't, I have yet to run into any of them.

Recently, I have begun to simply throw the products I will never use into an Ipsy makeup bag I have received, and then when it's full, I put it up for sale on a penny auction site and usually get my money back.

I have kids that love new makeup though, so they're usually happy to take anything from an Ipsy bag.

My Opinion

There are four girls in my house, and my Ipsy bags keep us supplied with makeup and fun things to try. My girls love the Ipsy bags and use them to keep notes or as a keepsake, and I love the makeup samples. I haven't had to buy eyeliner in a couple of years. I get to try new products that I never knew existed before, too.

I've found the best serum to get rid of the dark circles under my eyes, and, to be honest, it's really fun playing dress-up with the new stuff I get. If I don't like it, I pass it on to someone that will. On top of that, I use the Ipsy points and some of the stuff I get towards the end of the year for stocking stuffers for the kids.

I've been getting these for years now, I don't see myself canceling anytime soon.

Is It Right For You?

Like I've said, I enjoy Ipsy glam bags. It's like a nice little something for me every month. Being a mom, I don't always get things for myself, so it's a fun treat.

Take a minute and think about how much you enjoy makeup samples and trying new things, like new facial cleansers. If you do, you'll probably love your glam bag every month. If you cringe at the mere thought of putting a hair mask on your hair because you have never even heard of one of those things before, you might want to put some thought into it. If you're already an Ipsy customer or have been, let everyone know what you think in the comments!

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.