Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get full-size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag.
This is one of Liz’s top recommendations if you are looking for a subscription box – the value and sample sizes are amazing. (Check out our list of the best beauty boxes for 2019 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).
About Ipsy Glam Bag
The Subscription Box: Ipsy
The Cost: $12 a month (free US shipping)
The Products: Full size and samples of makeup and beauty products. (Plus a makeup bag!)
Ships to: The US for free and Canada for $2.95
Delivered via: DHL, or FedEx + USPS
Visit the Ipsy Swap Page to swap for any of the items you see in this review!
My Ipsy Glam Bag September 2019 Review
My bag this month features makeup and hair care. Now, let’s see what I got!
A card with information about the month's theme, your included items, and other Ipsy info is provided.
Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's bag has a constellation print on coral canvas with a rose quartz zipper pull and a navy lining.
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Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Strength + Moisture Leave-In Mask, 18.4 ml - Estimated Value $4.37 (Buy a 118 ml full size for $28)
I want to love Briogeo products because they are full of good ingredients and free of a lot of the bad ingredients. But, my hair just does not like anything I've tried, including this leave-in conditioner. It leaves my strands feeling like straw and hard to style, much like other products with too much protein do. If your hair likes protein, you may love this – lots of people do.
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Smashbox Cosmetics Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation in 2.16 Golden, 7 ml - Estimated Value $8.40 (Buy a 30 ml full size for $36)
The description of this foundation is exactly the opposite of what I experience while wearing this foundation. It's oil-free with hyaluronic acid which is supposed to hydrate skin while looking fresh all-day. For me, it clings to any dry areas and begins to flake within an hour. The description also mentions that it won't oxidize, but I notice quite a bit of color change. For oily skin, this may be a great foundation, but it does not work well with my dry skin.
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Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow + Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in 2 Warm Golden Blonde, 1 g - Estimated Value $8 (Buy a 3 g full size for $24)
I currently use this brow gel in the shade 3.5, warm auburn brown, but I think I like this lighter shade better! The tiny brush sweeps through my brow hairs, leaving a light coating of gel which makes them look a tad thicker and more even. I use it in conjunction with a brow pencil and it helps to set my brows in place. It dries quickly and resists smudging. I find that this formula and applicator tend to make less mess than other similar products I've tried.
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Lovecraft Beauty Bronzer in Suniva, 5.2 g - Estimated Value $13 (Buy the palette it comes in for $39)
This bronzer is one of the three shades in the bronzer trio from Lovecraft Beauty and is not sold on its own as far as I can tell. The shade is warm tan and the formula is matte and velvety. It leans a bit too dark and red for me and I couldn't seem to get it blended as well as I'd like.
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Ofra Cosmetics Ofra x Madison Miller Ollie Need is Love Blush, 10 g - FULL SIZE! Retail Value $29
This blush is from a line of products created in a collaboration between Ofra and Madison Miller, a beauty blogger. The shade is a "radiant terracotta peach" and it is pigmented and matte. I think the color is pretty and looks best on warmer skin tones, though it works for my cool skin tone too. I have to be light-handed when applying because it is vibrant. I find that a fluffy brush works best for application and always tap off excess on my hand first.
Swatches (from left to right): bronzer, blush, foundation.
Here's a typical day look for me using all of the products. I started by blending the Smashbox foundation into my skin with my fingers and blending sponge. Using a big fluffy brush, I swept the Lovecraft bronzer onto my cheekbones, onto my temples, and down my neck. I couldn't get it to blend in completely and feel like it makes my face look ruddy. Next, I applied a tiny bit of the Ofra blush to my cheeks – it doesn't take much to give me a flush of color. I typically use a brow pencil to fill in my brows, but here I just brushed the Benefit brow gel on for a natural look.
Verdict: This Ipsy Glam Bag had a good variety of products. The two products I like are the Ofra blush and Benefit brow gel, of which I'm so glad to try a new shade. Unfortunately, the Briogeo hair treatment, bronzer, and foundation don't work for me. The total value of the products in this month's Glam Bag is $62.77. I think it's great to be able to try all of these products for just $12 a month. Even when I don't like some products, the risk is low.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You'll likely start with October as your first month. As of publication, there was no Ipsy waitlist.
Good to Know: Ipsy sends out variations. You may get a completely different assortment of items than me.
Value Breakdown: At $12 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Briogeo Leave-In Mask - $0.84
- Smashbox Foundation - $1.61
- Benefit Brow Gel - $1.53
- Lovecraft Bronzer - $2.49
- Ofra Blush - $5.54
- Makeup bag - n/a
Alternatively, each of the five items (not including the makeup bag) has an average cost of $2.40.
Check out all of our Ipsy reviews and the best beauty subscription boxes of 2019, as recommended by our readers!
Visit the Ipsy Swap Page to swap for any of the items you see in this review!
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What do you think of my September Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?
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