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Ipsy Review #2 – May 2017

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanMay 21, 2017 | 28 comments

Ipsy
4 overall rating
1813 Ratings | 300 Reviews

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 2016 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 a transparent plastic with ice cream and popsicles!

It feels a little cheap, but it's great for any time you need a waterproof bag that's see through.

Now, onto the items!

 

Pixi by Petra Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Noir - .8 g Value $9

The "silky" part of the name of this eyeliner is accurate - it just glides on. The pigment is stunning, too. You're not going to get super accurate precision, though. (Even sharpening the pencil provided a pretty thick line.)

Also, excellent staying power! No smudges after I let it set for a few seconds.

If if you're looking for a bold statement eyeliner - I recommend it. (Not good for barely-there looks!)

City Color Bold Brow - FULL SIZE? Value $4

(The packaging is slightly different from the Bold Brow I linked to, but the grams are about the same.)

The powders in this kit (Shade: Medium) work well for my brows and skin tone - that's a win! Good pigment, too. This should last me months.

I'm not a fan of that the little brow brush, though. It's better than using your fingers, but otherwise, doesn't compare to a full-size spoolie/brow brush!

(Brow colors swatched in lower photo.)

Urban Decay – Afterglow in Sin, 2.4 g – Value $9 

This highlighter seems to be in a lot of Ipsy bags this month! I love Urban Decay's formulas, so I was looking forward to sampling this.

This champagne highlighter is so pretty! It's a light gold color with tons of shimmer.

(The pan is about the same size of a typical eyeshadow pan.)

Here it is swatched beneath the eyeliner and brow powders:

Luxie 660 Precision Foundation Brush - Value $23

Yay for more luxie brushes! (I have a lot of these thanks to subscription boxes, and I'm very happy with the quality.) This brush is densely packed with soft, tapered bristles. I typically go with a stippling brush to apply liquid foundation, but this is a great addition to get more precise areas like under my eyes.

South Mane Macadamia Oil Treatment - 10 ml Value $1.70

This hair oil has a sweet, fruity scent, and a thick consistency. (It passed the upside-down DQ blizzard test on my palm.) It added softness and shine to my hair, but I wish the ingredients were a little better. (One of my beauty product pet peeves is when companies add artificial colors to products that don't need color!)

Verdict: This box has a value of about $47. That's great in general for a $10 beauty subscription box. (And that's not counting the value of the bag.) I found a few new impressive formulas, too. The highlighter and eyeliner are amazing, and a Luxie Brush is always a win!

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

(Check out Jira's Ipsy review to see what she received in her May Glam Bag, too!)

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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.

Liz Cadman
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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28 comments

Kat

I cancelled my ipsy subscription this month. I still have not received my May bag or free item for reviewing products. After contacting customer service, they gave me a generic response saying they have no idea what shipping does with our bags after they send them out/they’re not responsible. They only offered to replace my missing bag after I gave their customer service response a terrible review for not reading that DHL won’t even update my tracking anymore, saying my bag is in Stow,OH since May 11th.

So disappointed and so glad I cancelled my subscription. No company should say “UH I DON’T KNOW” when they are taking your money…

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Christina Vilela

oh my! I have the exactterrible experience! It is already May 31 and I have not received my bag and their customer service said that they are not responsible for the delay in shipping once they sent it out to the carrier. I am very very disappointed and thinks that ipsy is such a bogus!

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Kaitlynn Marie

That’s so weird because when I didn’t get my bag a couple times they immediately sent me a new one. I’ve even gotten doubles a couple times because the first one ended up coming in. I’ve never had an issue with their customer service.

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Marion Rivas

My bag has not come also. Customer service said it was because I cancelled so I am skipping a month. their reply:
I completely understand your frustration, and apologize for the oversight! I’m committed to help resolve this for you immediately.

Once you resubscribed, you’ll automatically bypass the Waitlist and your subscription begins either the current month or the following month, depending on when it was activated. I see you are set to begin or receive your Glam Bag in June.

The payment that went through was for your June Glam Bag. As mentioned, your next billing date will be on July 1, 2017.

I paid for my June bag on May 2nd! I got April and should have gotten May. I am very frustrated with them, cancelled before and will probably cancel again.

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Akaleistar

I’m still waiting on my May bag. Tracking shows it hasn’t moved since 5/12, but Ipsy customer service won’t do anything about the missing bag until the end of the month…

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Kat

Mine as well. Still sitting in Stow, Ohio apparently. And when I notified ipsy that I never got my bag, they told me to keep waiting it out. They were only truly helpful/took responsibility after I gave their customer service survey a terrible review.

I just cancelled my subscription as well. They let so many people down this month and would not take responsibility for it.

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Lisa

My bag shipped the 9th and I got it today. It has been 13 business days. Ipsy had told me to email the 26th if I did not get my bag and they would send me a replacement bag. I didnt complain or threaten them that is what they are doing for everyone who does not get their bag after 14 business days.

Tricia

I like the clear bag- and it’s LONG- good for brushes!

I got the following in mine:

Rosarco Milk by Briogeo Leave in Conditioning Spray

IT COSMETICS Mascara

Purlisse BB

Urban Decay Highlighter ( Tiny but ok)

And the black Pixi Eye Pencil.

I tried the Pixi pencil on my waterline and it came right off. Bummer. I’ll give it another shot before I toss it, but I’m still glad I was able to try it.

A good bag this month. Love Ipsy!

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LaToya

I love my Ipsy bag every month. This month was the best for me it’s my Birthday month. Got my Ipsy bag a day before my Birthday. Totally love the products. And the make up bag is excellent. It being clear is a plus!
And yes you have to review the products so the bag the next month is better.
Well, I enjoyed the products for May! Can’t wait to see what June brings😘

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Caryann

I got some completely different items in my may Ipsy bag, I received a dual highlighter and bronzer by Mannakadar, island life eye shadow pallette by pacifica, cream blush from peek, lipstick from Mellow and the eyeliner pencil from Pixie. Totally loved all my items this month and the bag is awesome too. Love my Ipsy bag.

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wackyjgal

Awe I love all of these items but I cancelled my Ipsy a few months back and have no regrets whatsoever! I was subscribed for over two years, at first, my bags were great. But as time went by and the more popular they got, it seemed as if they were giving all of there good items to the newcomers, bloggers, and you-tubers, and I was getting the left overs. I’m not trying to bash Ipsy at all I’m just being honest with my experience. What made me cancel was going on this site every month and seeing all of these awesome items that you guys were getting… I would have high hopes of getting at least a couple of goodies! But then my bag would arrive and BAM in my face crap! However, I see that they have made some changes to their site, and a few more options, I think I’m gonna give Ipsy another chance and see how it goes! Hopefully I’ll get stuff I acually would wear this time!

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Gina

Good Luck! I subscribed months ago and can’t seem to bypass this “waitlist” issue? Is there a trick? I’m about to cancel and go back to 1 or 2 of other brands. Rather frustrating to TRY to pay someone for something (a company no-less) and can not get an answer of when my subscription will begin?

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Nicole

Did you review your products every month? Make sure you do that and be honest about how you feel about the brand and formula and stuff—they really do try to listen to your feedback. If that doesn’t work, contact IpsyCare directly and let them know! I’ve had great luck with just letting them know what I want more of, and I have seen others who have let them know what they didn’t want and have been pleased with the results of that.

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Pamela

I loved everything about my May ipsy bag! I got the Pacifica, Ipsy exclusive… Island Life eye shadow pallette, the Urban Decay highlighter powder, purlisse BB cream, the Pure Brazillian hair oil, which smells wonderful. And I receceived the luxie foundation brush, which was my requested product for the month. I love Pacifica right down to the packaging, so thrilled with anything Purlisse…one of my faves and use their products regularly, after my initial Ipsy sampling of the lip conditioner. This month’s bag was an excellent value!

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Sarah

Unzipped once and the zipper broke :(. I wasn’t surprised, however, the plastic bag seemed really cheap. I don’t subscribe the Ipsy for the bags, anyway..lol!

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Mel

I love the bag this month! It is perfect for just throwing into a pool bag.

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jennifer

Mine was fantastic love IPSY, and for $10 a month it’s a great value.

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rhonda

Loved it

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Pamela

I actually really love the bag. It is not luxe but absolutely perfect for a pool bag – I love that it’s see-through but still has a cute pattern. A huge part of the Ipsy experience for me is the bag and the pink bubble envelope which I absolutely love to reuse. It’s so bright, happy and fun to receive.

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Michelle

The only things I liked this month were the bag and my lovely brush.

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Sharon in SE TX

I love that there are multiple ipsy reviews now! It’s a lot of fun seeing what different reviewers get.

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Carolann

Agreed!

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Diannr

Can’t wait to see next month’s bag design.

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Ashley

LOVED the highlighter and that the bag was a larger size than the last few months.

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Lin

I also love the bag! Didnt think it looked cheap at all with the big strong zipper, and i love that the plastic is flexible and not the crunchy type that cracks, this one will last me a good couple of years.
I actually unsubbed for june and probably july too bc they cant top this summer bag (and yeah, the bag is my favorite part 😀….i love the makeup and company in general, but always look forward to the bag bc the designes are so random so its always a great surprise)

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Dea

The waterproof property of the bag is a moot point when the cheapo zipper gets stuck, alas.

A Luxie Beauty brush is always good news for me!

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Anna

I was disappointed with the ingredients list on the south mane oil treatment as well 🙁

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nikki

I’ m obsessed with this bag!!! Great to see your products when traveling and also will be great for the beach. It’s so cute too.

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