Ipsy Review #2 – July 2017

ByLiz CadmanJul 14, 2017 | 48 comments

Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get full-size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag. I think it’s one of the best value beauty subscriptions and a great way to build out your makeup collection on the cheap!

This is one of my top recommendations if you are looking for a beauty box - the value and sample sizes are amazing. (Check out my list of the Top Beauty Boxes for 2017 and our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for more recommendations!)

(FYI – Just like Birchbox, Ipsy sends out many different variations of their bag each month – so my review is just one of the bag variations you might receive!)

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

The Subscription Box: Ipsy

The Cost: $10 a month (free shipping)

The Products: Full size and samples of makeup and beauty products. (Plus a makeup bag!)

Ships to: US and Canada

Delivered via: USPS

Check out all of my Ipsy reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box List!

Visit the Ipsy Swap Page to swap for any of the items you see in this review!

Each month, ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their 5 items. This month's design is all about the Sanrio character Gudetama!

If you aren't familiar, Gudetama is a lazy egg! Even his zipper pull is phoning it in:

"Meh..." And the lining of the bag is a matching yellow:

The bag has a pearlescent finish with a subtle texture. (If you aren't feeling this bag, I'm guessing it will be popular on swaps and eBay with Gudetama fans.)

And the bag came with a note explaining the #ipsyovereasy theme:

Now, on to the items!

TonyMoly I'm Real Lotus Mask Sheet - Value $3

Props to Ipsy for counting two sheet masks as one item!

TonyMoly I'm Real Green Tea Mask Sheet - Value $3

Confession - besides the scent, I couldn't really tell a difference between the Luminating and Skin Purifying masks! Both left my skin feeling super hydrated and soft - but no real differentiators!

Chella Eyebrow Cream in Tantalizing Taupe - .046 oz Value $19.90

(Update: I originally thought this was full-sized, but it's about 3/4 sized.)

This eyebrow cream has an angled brush on one end and the eyebrow cream on the other end:

Now, if only they had somehow found a place to hide a spoolie - this would be the perfect eyebrow tool! The pigment of the eyebrow cream is great - almost too great! (I'm used to eyebrow powders that I have to build up, but this eyebrow color is pretty intense!)

Ofra Cosmetics Victory Eyeshadow - Value $10

This is a single pan eyeshadow - perfect for adding to a z-palette.

The color is a taupe-brown with a metallic finish. The pigment is excellent, and it's a very wearable shimmer for me!

(Swatched in lower photo.)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer - 3 g Value $10.30

Tarte is one of my all-time favorite makeup brands. They are ingredient conscious, and their formulas work SO well! And this bronzer is incredible. I usually opt for a matte bronzer so I can avoid an overly shimmery look, but this bronzer has just the right touch of subtle shimmer to give you a beautiful, natural glow.

Here it is swatched beneath the eyebrow cream and the eye shadow:

Avene Mattifying Toner - 25 ml Value $2.75

This toner is designed to cleanse your skin, tighten your pores, and mattify your complexion. I found it to be gentle, but it left my skin feeling super clean. And I *think* I noticed some subtle mattifying benefits. Nothing too impressive there, though!

Verdict: This box has a value of about $49. That's good for a $10 beauty subscription box. And for me, it is one of the best Ipsy glam bags I've received in a while! Great brands! Full-size products! And an adorable little glam bag!

What do you think of the July Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?

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IPSY Glam Bag is one of the most popular and affordable subscriptions around, and our readers have selected it as one of the top beauty boxes for the last 5 years running! IPSY Glam Bag connects members with five makeup, skincare, hair care, and other beauty sample... read more.

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Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Cheap Subscription Boxes, Makeup Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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48 comments

Jaycee

I just got my Ipsy bag for JULY today, August 11th. And it had only one thing shown in the reviews..

Amy

I know, I got freaking shower gel and lotion.

Granny

I can’t say enough about Ipsy. The products that I get are always worth over $10 and I love the monthly bags. The Ipsy offers are great deals as well. My bags have been more make-up than skin care and I love getting a new brush now and then to try. Great gift subscription to give to your daughters or nieces. I sub to several boxes for me and some grooming boxes for my husband. We have a bag of our unwanted products we give those out to family/friends that want them.

Katie

Let me start by saying, I LOVE Ipsy. I think they give the best bang for your buck and they have only improved since I joined.

However, I find it extremely frustrating that I have been a subscriber for exactly 3 years (I cancelled a few times for a month or two but always regretted it and re subscribed), yet I have not been chosen for the monthly item choice that they have been trying out and now I found out they are doing an Ipsy Shopper app that I always didn’t get chosen for while other subscribers have had ipsy for 2 months and got chosen. My mom has been subscribing for 6 months and got picked to do the monthly item choice. Where’s the customer loyalty?

I know you can email ipsy and request one of their monthly picks to be in your bag but it’s the principle that they didn’t reach out to me when I’ve been a loyal customer and subscriber.

Kelligadlage

What Is this monthly picks your talking about?

Nichole Roy

Honestly the ipsy shopper thing is odd. Basically, from what I understand, you buy let’s say eye shadow for 30 bucks. With the ‘cash back’ price of 10 bucks. It’s kinda like buying product not on sale and getting reimbursed later. I personally don’t see the upside. I suppose you should ‘make money’ by buying just right. But keep in mind, you’re paying the full price up front and just getting your money back at the end.

Lisa

The list they send is the same though its not like you are missing anything. Ipsy did send me a list to choose from last month but its probably because for last 3 months I had emailed them requests. Including last month so not really sure why they emailed me . They don”t even do it til end of month but its still that first list. Have you emailed them to opt out of 2 items? Because when I did this month they emailed me a list to choose from.

Tammy

I’m obsessed with my Gudetama bag! but may be passing it on to my niece who loves anything Japanese and has an upcoming birthday.

Not particularly thrilled to have received an IBY Beauty crease brush or Ciate liner. I prefer liquid eyeliners and the brushes ipsy sends me are never great.

Very excited to try my Tarte bronzer. I’m used to lighter, matte shades so will have to experiment a bit with this shimmery one. The Nomad highlighter in Midnight Sun seems promising.

Wish I had received an Avene Mattifying Toner — it would be perfect for my crater-like pores and oily skin! 😀

Cara V.

This is my first glam bag. I’m not super thrilled with what I got but I’m hoping things will improve as I rate my items?

BRTC Jasmine sleeping mask
Trifle Cosmetics blush trio (super tiny and I’m not big on blush)
So Susan blending brush
Ciate London gel kohl eyeliner
Tarte Cleansing gel (super tiny)

The bag is cute and my 10 year old wants it.

Merry

Another GREAT way to improve your bag is to email customer support. You can choose two types of products you don’t want, and they will keep those from your bag (bronzers, mascara, moisturizers, nail polish, etc.).

That combined with emailing them for the monthly selection (choices always posted here) has gone a long way toward me getting great bags instead of disappointing ones.

Butterdaisy

Another great bag this month for me! I received an eyeshadow brush, an Ofra eyeshadow, Seraphine rose gold blush (it’s beautiful and smells great), Tarte deep cleansing gel, and Caudalie moisturizing sorbet. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for next month.

Lisa

I am getting the rose lip treatment, eyeko liquid black eyeliner, Nomad highlighter I requested, an illuminating brush, and better than sex mascara . I was suppose to get it today but tracking still has it in Stow,Oh and has not updated since Thursday.

Tammy

Hi Lisa, how do you request an item? I didn’t know you could that.

Lisa

You just email them go to help page scroll all the way down until you see still need help? Email Ipsycare. Then I choose ipsymatch option tell them I saw some spoilers and would like to request … Its best to stick to first list and Ipsy only emails people that first list but I have heard of people getting lucky with list 2 or 3. You can also opt out of 2 items and When I did that they emailed me a list to choose from.

Jessica

Stow, OH is like the Bermuda Triangle of shipping. Mine is stuck there, too. Hope we get them soon!

Lisa

Last month my bag only took 5 days to get to me but month before that it was 2 weeks late. It was stuck in Stow and never updated until it reached me. I am not super excited about this bag though so its easier to wait. Lol.

Anie

Bermuda triangle of shipping, LoL! 😂
Hope you girls get your bags soon 😘

Chris

Did anyone get the modicum serum? Does it smell really strong? And is it a dark yellow? I want to make sure mine is ok….

Sherri

Yes mine is the same way.

Missy

So glad u did a second ipsy review! I love ipsy so much I have 2 accounts! I’m hoping to get one of the gold shipping envelopes since I’ve been a subscriber since the beginning. Can’t wait to get my 2 bags!!!

Samantha

It sounds like some of you are talking about the ipsy shopper app. Its an app in your phones app store not on the ipsy website. Its only for some subscribers right now. Its basically ebates for some select brands ipsy features. Some special deals and what not too. Looks like the average percent of cash back from shopping these brands though the app is about 20% which is great. You then earn the cash back (ipsy cash or whatever) once you get at least $25 “ipsy cash” saved up you can then get a check of the amount sent to you or use it in an ipsy boutique on items. But the boutique isnt up yet.

KimberlyB

I like Gudetama, and I have a friend who LOVES him. She especially relates to him because she has Clinical Depression. So I’m trying to collect several bags to give her, and some I’ll put little goodies inside. My Gramma always said that when you give someone a purse or a wallet, put a little money in it, and that will keep money coming in as long as they have it. So maybe that’ll work for makeup bags too!

The first thing going in is the Winky Lux lippie. I even tried it (with a clean disposable doe foot) just to see if maybe I do like a nude lip on myself after all. Nope, it just looked like how a zombie would look if it had been wearing the same bright coral in the grave for several years. Kind of a gray-orange.

Beth

I had the same thought about the Winky Lux! I was considering using it for like a psychedelic zombie makeup or something, haha. I love its staying powder, but for normal wear I can only see it working for my skin tone if I tried some sort of gradiant with red liner or something–it’s SUCH a unique shade!

Rookala

I have to ask ….. would your friend who suffers from clinical depression enjoy sporting the “gray-orange Zombie” lip look you are bestowing upon her with the Winkie Lux Lippie? That sounds like it would depress her even more…… just sayin’.

Beth

That’s not really how depression works, so it wouldn’t be a concern! 🙂 It’s always a good consideration to make sure that your friends like their gifts, but it sounds like the OP is definitely doing that. I have depression too, and I think it’s a super sweet gift!

annalily5

Her friend probably has different coloring and this might be able to pull off the color. I’m sure OP’s friend greatly appreciates what OP is doing for her. Putting thought in matters, there’s no need to be rude.

Ashley

Hey Liz are yout sure the chella eyebrow cream in taupe is full size because I think it’s 3/4 the size of the full sized one. I have it up for swaps. But I don’t want to be miss leading and say it’s full size if it really isn’t. Maybe you could check it out and get back to me? Thanks in advance if you do!! Luv u Liz! And loooovvveee MSA!!!

Liz Cadman

You are right! I’m so sorry! Totally guilty of eyeballing it and assuming it was full sized. (I’ll update the post now.) Thank you!

Julie

I’m very happy with my loot – Tony Moly masks, Eyeko eyeliner, Hanalei lip treatment, Cougar lipstick, and Ofra eyeshadow. So far I’ve tried everything but the eyeliner. The Hanalei is rad, I would buy a full size. Tastes and smells amazing and my lips feel soooooooo soft. I love the Ofra (in Gold Rush) as an eyeliner. I feel like I applied too much of the Cougar and will give it another shot. It came out really dark, but looks like the color I want on the cotton when I take it off. I had never used a sheet mask before and I used the Lotus – really nice! Smelled good and made my skin so soft! Also, I am Team Gudetama! LOVE this month’s theme and looking forward to more! But, psst – anyone else’s bag come in a gold envelope – with a booklet about cashback for purchases?? I tried following the directions in the book and I’m not finding the correct place in the ipsy website.

vanessa

Liz, I got the masks too & fell asleep the other nite with the purifying one on. I had it on my face for about 2-3 hrs.

My skin has been clear this week! I’m thinking if the other one is as good & I leave it on longer too, I should be sparkling like a vampire 😉

Monica

My daughters ipsy came in a gold not pink mailing env. And it came with a little ipsy mag called Lavish Life introducing Ipsy cash!

KimberlyB

I got that too! The little booklet (and dang, I love Gabriel Zamora, the creator featured with all the pink poodles!) made it sound like maybe it was for folks who have been ipsters for awhile. I joined in May 2016.

dmm2075

can’t be, I got a gold one with cash back pamphlet also and this is my second glambag ever, just found out about ipsy 3 month back, wait listed 1 month. so maybe it was random?

Monica

Yes! Love the the models! Beautiful pictures of Gabriel Zamora & 🐩

Crystal

I was pleasantly surprised by the eyebrow product too!!! While the matter of applying the product to the brush isn’t as convienent as I was imagining it would be (the cream is so deep in there, that I get nervous that I’m sticking the brush in too deep), the color and formula is AMAZING! Also, I thought it looked full sized, but wasn’t sure. It was my favorite product this month!!

Jessicups

I knew I was gonna love this bag, I love Gudetama, but I gotta give props for the quality for what is essentially a free throw in item! Absolutely love, it’s going in my purse. I got the two sheet masks, the 111 skin bright eye lift gel, the banana setting powder, tarte bronzer and the ciate wonderland eye pencil. The only thing I wont use is the bronzer (I’m FAIR, so……), very happy with this month, Ipsy is killing it for $10 imo. If I’m not terrible at math, my bag this month has a value of $105???? that’s INSANE for what I paid, and doesn’t include the bag I love…. <3 <3 <3 <3

Lola

I’m fair complexion also and don’t use bronzers as a person with darker skin than I would use it. But I do use most bronzers I get as a contour if in a formula I like. If not on to my nieces does it go.

Samantha

I also got the sheet masks and toner, I wont be using them since they arent cruelty free, my other 3 items are though, I also got the tarte bronzer, (which I love) the pacifica island life eyeshadow palette and bellapierre banana setting powder.

Jann

Not using the products because they aren’t cruelty free doesn’t matter because you are supporting the companies already. You are purchasing Ipsy who is purchasing those products you received. If you want to support the cruelty free movement subscribe to a cruelty free box!

Christine

Ipsy actually gets its products for free from their brand partners. Ipsy collaborators have disclosed this. All the $10 beauty subs get their products for free.

It would be nice though if Ipsy went cruelty-free.

Renee

My bag is the same except I have the Trestique lip instead of the Tarte. I’m excited for most of it! And such a great value.

I was pretty jealous of your bag until I realized my bag, while different, was perfect for me and I loved everything in it.

Liz Cadman

🙂 What did you get this month?

I received:
tarte rainforest of the sea cleansing gel (which I chose) and it’s teeny (0.25 oz.)
jersey shore cosmetics lip conditioner (it’s incredible – I love it!)
seraphine botanicals lychee + gold blush
londontown lakure nail polish in a lovely shade of pink (already on my nails)
ofra eyeshadow in victory. I think I will try this out as a liner on my upper lids.

I would have paid $10 for the bag alone. I love it so much I swapped for a second one.

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Ipsy Review #2 – July 2017

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