Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review – August 2019

ByMegan K.Aug 21, 2019 | 73 comments

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus August 2019 beauty subscription box review

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus is a $25 a month subscription box from Ipsy. Every month you’ll receive 5 full-sized beauty products. The box will have a retail value of at least $120. (This box was voted as a best makeup subscription box and a best beauty subscription box by MSA readers!)

open boc with yellow tissue paper

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

all items inside

About the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus

The Subscription Box: Ipsy Glam Bag Plus

The Cost: $25 a month (free shipping)

The Products: Full-size makeup and beauty products every month.

Ships to: The US

Delivered via: DHL, or FedEx + USPS

Our Ipsy Glam Bag Plus August 2019 Review

1 of 3

Now, on to the items!

balm eyeshadow and blush palette open with large mirror

1 of 4

theBalm Cosmetics In the Balm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Volume 2, 19.77 g - Retail Value $32.00

Even though I often find some of the names of theBalm items a little *cringe* I always like their formulas and the focus on more natural and incredibly wearable shades. A palette like this is exactly the sort that I would regularly reach for. In fact, the only shade I wouldn't use would be the bronzer! I like that a little highlighter was included too, meaning this is a nice palette for taking on trips if I don't feel like bringing along a bunch of separate items to make sure I have blush, eyeshadow, and shimmer covered.

balm eyeshadow swatches

The eyeshadows top to bottom: Matt Reed, Firm, Alice Cooper, Matt Russon, and the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter.

balm blush swatches

Top to bottom: Bahama Mama bronzer, Downboy, Fratboy, and Houndstooth

set of brushes inside clear and silver zip bag

1 of 9

F.A.R.A.H. Brushes Show Me Magic Brush Set - Retail Value $50.00

The handles on these brushes are lovely and crystal inspired! I do have to say that $50 feels a little spendy for them, but I am quite biased from loving my MorpheMe brushes. These are all synthetic bristles and they are really dense and fluffy!

silver topped nail polish bottle with natural pink polish

1 of 3

Smith & Cult Nail Polish in 'Forever Fades Fast', 14 ml - Retail Value $18.00

I am a Smith & Cult junkie, and whenever I get anything from this brand in a box I am really, really happy! They have such a unique look to them and I find that enjoy the formulas. This nail polish is a beautiful ballet pink that is very girly but also understated and neutral. The coverage is also pretty good too! In the image below I used three coats to cover my dark navy gel polish.

nail polish on hand

Note to self: No more dark gel polish!

1 of 3

AHAVA Hydration Cream Mask, 3.4 fl oz - Retail Value $33.00

This is not my favorite brand in general, but I actually did really like this product. It is a mask you can wash off or choose to leave on, meaning when I fall asleep in it and forget to wash off, my face is still ok the next day! It is specifically meant for dry skin, which suits me perfectly, especially with colder months coming up. Keeping dry patches at bay is always a struggle! It has a very soft clean scent.

blue tube of sunscreen daily moisturizer

1 of 3

Purlisse Blue Lotus Essential Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, 1.7 fl oz - Retail Value $45.00

Finally, our last item is a daily moisturizer with SPF 30. I wear sunscreen every single day and I like formulas like this that are lightweight and don't leave that filmy feeling of sunscreen behind. This cream absorbs easily and leaves your skin with enough moisture to look great while still being a great base for makeup. It has a very light scent that I had a hard time placing.

Verdict: This box has a value of $178.00 which is great for a $25 box. I thought my assortment was really solid, and I can't say anything was a 'miss' this month. The palette was perfectly in line with my makeup shade preferences and I enjoyed the two skincare-focused items. I will never complain about a Smith & Cult product and the brushes were also very pretty and of good quality. This box always delivers on value, and continues to be one of my top choices, especially if you are a sucker for full-size goodies!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? If you want an Ipsy Glam Bag Plus subscription, get on the waitlist here.

Value Breakdown: This box cost $25. Here is approximately what you are paying per product:

theBalm Palette $4.49
F.A.R.A.H. Brush set $7.02
Smith & Cult Polish $2.53
AHAVA Mask $4.63
Purlisse SPF 30 Moisturizer $6.32

Alternatively, each item has an average cost of $5.00.

Check out all of our Ipsy Glam Bag Plus reviews and our favorite beauty and makeup subscriptions!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of the August Ipsy Glam Bag Plus? Which items did you get?

Starting at $28.00

Subscribe Now

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus

4.3 overall rating

242 Ratings | 28 Reviews

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus no longer exsits but has been merged into BoxyCharm!

Spoilers

Deals

Reviews

Read customer reviews >

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

Megan K.

I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

Read More By Megan K. >

Join the Conversation

Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email

73 comments

Lesly

Reveals/add-ons are up!

Nancy

I will never subscribe to Ipsy Glam bag plus again!! I received nothing but repeat products for August 😪 moody pallet and Farrah brushes I got in July. No It foundation ,no tarte pallet or anything they said they were sending me. Never again…

Marie forleo

I turn to a vampire any time i want to. i become a vampire because of how people treat me, this world is a wicked world and not fair to any body. at the snack of my finger things are made happened. am now a powerful man and no one step on me without an apology goes free. i turn to human being also at any time i want to. and am one of the most dreaded man in my country. i become a vampire through the help of my friend who introduce me into a vampire kingdom by given me their email. if you want to become a powerful vampire kindly contact the vampire kingdom on their email [email protected]

Cindy M

🤪

Jen

😳🤯

Nikki

🧐

Pink5

I’ll give Ipsy this – I said nail polish rarely, and I have yet to get one.

Moni

I would have preferred your box. I was a bit disappointed because I recieved a Nyx Blush palette and not that its bad ,But I thought we’d only be getting high end products..

amyr

I think that there is a misunderstanding about GBP. Never once have I read anything about high end products.

Odds of Dior, Chanel, La Mer, La Prarie and YSL will probably never happen.

Regina Tula

Right. Those high end brands are their gotcha products. I was a subscriber, my daughter still is. She got a very decent GlamBag+ with the IT foundation Ahava, Goldfaden, The Balm, Tarte, and nail polish. I was pretty surprised.

Tina

Exactly!

Tina

I have never seen anything where ipsy said. They would be including ” high end products”in our GB or GBP.
I,don’t know why people are assuming this in a $25. Box?
I think ipsy is doing a fantastic job on the things they include..duch as murad..tarte..it..etc
That’s just my opinion though!

Theresa Rathell

Honestly, I cannot remember ever seeing those brands in Glossy,Boxy,FFF,either.

Nikki

Thank you.^^^

Cindy

High end products in a 25.00 box? Why would you think that?

Kimberlee Ryan

I received this same assortment, except i was sent the lighter shade of nail polish. I already received this moisturizer from IPSY a few months back and didn’t care for it then so I don’t know why they sent it. I was not impressed with this box.

Ricki

I got the even lighter pink nail polish, which is so not me, but I like being able to try the formula. I would have preferred the green one.

Debbie Russell

I was disappointed in the sunscreen as it contains a chemical sunscreen. With a name like puralisse you would think it would be a non chemical blocker. Chemical sunscreens can have effect on hormones and as someone in HRT it’s a no go for me. I was excited to try the foundation as it has a non chemical sunscreen but I found it chalky:( so two out of 5 were a complete miss for me but I was glad to try the foundation and may mix it with a sunscreen to help the chalk as I don’t need a full coverage.

Jessica

Exactly, I was so disappointed in the ingredients, with the oxybenzone in it i won’t use it at all. Huge disappointment and says a lot about the brand to me

Nikkk

That ingredient totally burns my skin. Purlisse seems overrated sometimes

xxAxx

We are almost GBP twins! I got Goldfaden MD scrub instead of the S&C nail polish though! Enjoying it!! 😊

Jennifer

I loved the brushes! I have quite the collection of brushes already, but the shape of the mini shading and mini tapered were perfect and they applied really well!

Theresa Rathell

I didn’t get the brushes, I guess because I bought one as an add on. Overall I love my box, It foundation is the right shade but does settle into lines. Love the balm palette,as I like the more natural look. I have used the same old palette forever, even though I receive alot of palettes and shadows,the colors were too much for me. I would like to see perfumes, waterproof mascaras,and some new tools. I think they should have boxes geared for different age groups.

Dani

I totally agree! I would love to see more fragrances, waterproof mascaras and tools as well. I know many people don’t want fragrances in full sizes in case they don’t like them but it I don’t mind the gamble because I love perfume. It might work if they allowed subscribers to absolutely opt out of fragrances if they didn’t want to take a risk. Aa for mascara, they send so many anyway so I would not only love to see some waterproof formulas, I’d love to receive some mascara primers! I have long but sparse, straight, blonde lashes so I have to use primer and a good lash curler. I’m constantly on the hunt for the best eyelash curler, tweezers, etc.

I was disappointed when I didn’t receive the IT foundation until I started reading comments about it settling into fine lines. Now I’m relieved I didn’t get it.

pinkhoo

I love perfume. It seems that younger people are afraid of anything with a scent.

Daisy

Hmmm, I’m 40 and don’t notice it settling into fine lines at all. I LOVE it!!!

Melissa

I got almost the same box too… I just got the Hey Honey mask instead of the Ahava mask, which is great since I already have the other one from FFF. I usually love everything from Hey Honey, but I’m not sure about a peel off mask…

Megan K.

I have mixed feelings about peel off masks too because I have so much peach fuzz on my face.. it always seems to hurt. Maybe I need a dermaplane? haha!

Joy

I have the same issue and had no problems with the Hey Honey mask. I love it!

Elaine

I swear by the little Tinkle razors. You can get them super cheap from Amazon. Removes facial peach fuzz like a dream and there’s no weird regrowth – at least not on anyone I know who has tried it. Each Tinkle can be used 2-3 times, maybe more depending on how much fuzz you have. You can buy a set of 3 for under $5. I use one every week or so and my skin is now so smooth and foundation applies wonderfully. Cheap, fast, and easy.

I found out about them from Kara at Maskara. It’s a game changer.

Bonnie

If it’s a struggle to peel, splash your face with warm water, or use a warm wet washcloth to remove. And dermaplaning is great for peach fuzz! I’m hooked.

Luna

I got the same box! I really, really wanted to keep that face palette because I’ve loved past The Balm blushes I’ve tried, but I’d never use the eyeshadows and I feel too guilty letting those go to waste, so I gifted the palette to someone who I know will use everything. I also gifted the eye brushes, and nail polish to my mom since she luvvvvs Smith & Cult polishes, so I only kept the mask (my sample pick) and the moisturizer. Not my best box, but I love everything I’ve tried by Ahava & Purlisse so overall I’m still happy with it. 🙂

LynnD

I wanted the Smith and cult polish sooo bad, or even IT cosmetics foundation would have been awesome…but noooo, I get the vomit green polish, liquid highlighter and the orange huda palette…ugh.

Bella01

Green polish is this falls color along with some others. I just ordered Sweater Weather. You might like the green. Try it.

Megan K.

I would honestly be happy with a box full of Smith & Cult. Hint hint to the universe!! I figured you (like me) would be mostly into the skincare Luna!

Jen

I got the same box except for the S&C polish. I wish I had received that polish. Instead I got some brand I’ve never heard of in the most horrible green color ever. It literally looks like body decomposition green. I havent been able to give this nail polish away because it’s horrible.

Jacki

I got the same box as you. Maybe someone will want that polish for Halloween 🎃!

Anne

omg right??? my first thought was, ‘are they punishing me for complaining about last month’s bag disappearing?’ Such a hideous shade. Pillow Pie looks lovely. 🙁

Christy

I too am a box twin.

I chuckled at your review of the The Balm palette because it was the exact thing I thought about it – great, neutral, wearable colors, stellar and smooth formulas, straight-up awful color names. “Downboy” and “Fratboy” make me want to die.

I haven’t tried the Smith & Cult yet. I love neutral nail polishes and I engineered my preferences so that I would receive the nail polish this month because I loved the S&C Pillow Pie spoiler. I was disappointed that I received Forever Fades Fast instead, but that which does not kill us makes us stronger, amirite?

Joy

I now regret not getting that palette as an add-on! ☹ It looks lovely and I adore your idea of using it as a travel palette!

Nikkim

Lol my exact thoughts!! I regret it so bad….

Kimberly

Hi Joy! Are you on the swap board? I will be glad to swap something with you or if you have Paypal, I will sell it to you for the add-on price plus shipping. $15 E-mail me if interested. ksifford at gmail.com

Miranda

Do you have a link for the swap board, I’ve always wanted to check it out.

Theresa Rathell

Marie Lacanlale

How do you calculate the cost per item?

Megan K.

Luna explained this beautifully! The calculations are always where I struggle because I am not mathematically inclined!

Luna

The RV of the products are added to get the box’s total RV value, then divide the RV of a given product by that total value to get the % of its value to the total RV value, then multiply that % by the $25 cost of the box to show what you actually paid (out of pocket) for that product.

Taking the palette as an example, its RV is $32, and total value of the box is $178.
$32/$178 = ~18%
Cost of the box is $25.
$25 * ~18% = $4.49 you paid for the product 🙂 What an awesome deal(!) considering that’s 86% off RV 🙂

xxAxx

Wow! I never knew this!lol Thanks Luna for explaining it in a plain and simple way! 😊👍🏻

Jackie

By using the RV of each item, it’s a fun math problem 🙂

amber

I got TheBalm palette too, and when I saw it in my spoilers, at first I was really disappointed. I had even had a swap lined up for this, but her issue was resolved and didn’t need to swap. So I figured, what the heck, give it a try. I LOVE it. I don’t normally use bronzer either, but it’s actually really nice on. Those swatches look very heavy handed, and I don’t think any of those cheek shades show up that dark.

Megan K.

Hey Amber! I am glad you liked it too! I generally try to swatch on the heavier side so you all can see the pigment. I would absolutely not apply the blush QUITE so heavy… though I am a blush addict and probably wear a little too much.. 😄

Tera R

The bronzer actually makes a nice base eye shadow. I was initially disappointed when I saw this in my box as well, but it is really nice. Pleasantly surprised!

Lola

I got the balm palette and nail polish, and also got the murad scrub (probably my favorite scrub I’ve tried), Suva drops, and it foundation (amazing). One of my favorite Ipsy boxes.

Megan K.

I have only heard amazing things about that foundation. It sounds like your box was awesome!

Kim

I got the same box. Those brushes are like a $7.99 set from Clair’s. I don’t mind them, they are usable. But they are not $50 brushes. Overall it is the best Ipsy glam plus for me. Everything was useful. I really like the Ahava mask.

Megan K.

I felt like $50 was too much too. Even though I get loads of brushes, I still can’t quite figure out what makes some so much more expensive than others. I guess I just care if they apply product well. My inexpensive Morphes still are my faves!

Barbara

Box Twins! I happened to love it all sans THE BALM’S Face Palette. I have told IPSY time and time again, PLEASE no EYE or FACE palettes…but they just can’t seem to help themselves.

OK, so besides that issue, I loved the box, all of it and the value was great. I really can’t wait to use the nail polish (Sunday is my ‘betterment night’) and the subtle color will be a shocking change from my current trend of brights.

As I type I have on the AHAVA Face mask but I can’t give any comments on that as yet, and I love anything by PURLISSE. Oh yes and the brushes by FARRAH are OK, not my favorite just because their synthetic bristles are really a bit too firm for my liking…but I can most definitely use them.

All in all a very good box for me!

Amy

Is this box $25 flat or is there tax as well?

Megan K.

I love how you call it your “betterment night”. We should all treat ourselves to one! Also happy to head you enjoyed your box. <3

Christa H

My box were the same exact items and I loved them all! Even the polish! 🤗🙌👍

Megan K.

Smith & Cult has yet to disappoint me!

Debbie Russell

At 18$ per bottle it had better not disappoint! I used to worry about whether my children would be able to afford to buy a house. When I see that price tag I am now worried that they won’t even be able to afford nail polish. 18 bucks?!?

Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review – August 2019

About the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus

Our Ipsy Glam Bag Plus August 2019 Review

Advertise With MSA

Information

Company