Ipsy Review – October 2019

ByMegan K.Oct 17, 2019 | 45 comments

Ipsy October 2019 beauty subscription box

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!)

Ipsy October 2019 beauty subscription box review

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. Save with an annual subscription.

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 October 2019 Review

Included is a card detailing your included items.

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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month was the Betty Boop bag. The back has a scattering of black sequins.

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Hempz Triple Moisture Herbal Whipped Body Cream, 2.25 fl oz - Retail Value $7.50

This brand always tends to remind me of a tanning salon for some reason. I don't generally love the tropical scents and this was no exception. It smells like an overpowered and slightly artificial blend of grapefruit and peach. To be fair, I really dislike food scents unless they have some sort of woody or spicy base. Formula wise, I did like this cream. It moisturized without being greasy and felt super light, which was shocking for the amount of hydration it gave my skin. I think this formula might come in a green tea scent if I remember correctly, which would be much more my sort of smell.

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First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, 10 pads - Estimated Value $5.33 (Buy 60 pads for $32.00)

I never miss a chance to add an AHA acid to my skincare routine, and these pads are coated in a blend of lactic and glycolic acids. These work together to exfoliate your skin over time and improve radiance and texture. I think this mini pack of 10 is adorable and I appreciate the resealable sticker on top. This is a perfect little pack for travel.

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Basic Beauty Jelly Blush in 'It's October 3rd', 3 g - Full Size! Retail Value $18.00

Ok, I love the shade of this blush. It is such a pretty pink! Not too peachy, not too baby pink. The texture is also quite interesting, as it is some sort of powder/jelly hybrid. You can apply it with either a brush or your fingertips and it gives such a natural flush. Because of the hybrid consistency, it feels really buildable and blends just beautifully.

A perfect pink.

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Betty Boop x Ipsy Blink and Wink Mascara

I have conflicting feelings on this mascara because while it was a little clumpy, it did give my lashes loads of length. The clumps did comb out if I made a few passes, but I wasn't wowed by the formula. If they could have made this clump-free with that sort of lengthening power, I would have been obsessed!

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IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ in 'Light', 4 ml - Estimated Value $4.88 (Buy a full-size 32 ml for $39.00)

Every time I start to think my complexion might be on the warmer side (I love warm shadows and lip colors) I get a sample that totally resets that opinion. Although this shade was called "light" it was WAY too yellow for me. There are two lighter shades in this formula, the lightest being "fair" and I think that would probably be the shade I needed for my overall neutral skin tone. I did really like the coverage of this formula and the fact that it has such a high SPF rating is awesome. I will likely make a trip to Sephora sometime this week to check it out in the right shade.

A little yellow for me, but I loved the formula itself.

Verdict: This Ipsy Glam Bag was ok this month. I really loved about half the bag, but the rest was not my cup of tea this time around. The overall value is at least around $35.71, though I couldn't figure out what the retail was on the Betty Boop mascara. All in all, this isn't the worst value for a $10 bag, but I hope next month has samples I might enjoy more.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Possibly! As of publication, there was no Ipsy waitlist. Check here to see what month you’ll get first.

Good to Know: Ipsy sends out variations. You may get a completely different bag than me.

Value Breakdown: At $12 for this box, each of the 5 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!

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

What do you think of my October Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?

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1813 Ratings | 300 Reviews

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

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. >

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45 comments

What we pick definitely narrows down what bag we get because these bags are made up in advance… The cards have to be sent to the printers so the choices are “preset” as for what will be in the bags together. I do think there’s still an algorithm but I don’t think it really works well at all because they keep sending me brown and gold shadows 😔 My Ultimate has 2 different primers in it and a Huda Warm Brown palette as well as a Champagne shadow single. Really disappointed that I got double item types but I guess there’s only so item types it’s going to happen. I just wish they were colors I would or could use. Hoping someone will trade me the Huda for the MUG Highlighter in Lit.

Cindy S

Makes sense…explains why I got the stuff I cannot use in my bag…I may just drop out soon…I chose the primer and I though I liked it at first when I tried it but it all peeled and balled up before I put makeup on! Then I got Murad Acne face wash! I could have used something like that 15 years ago but not now. I liked my add ons but if nothing in my bag works for me to even try then it’s not logical to continue on. See this is what stops me from going to the next glam bag in price level.

Alice

That is correct. If people believe that Ipsy tailors each bag to them, they would be wrong. These cards/versions are prepared well in advance and now are determined by what you select as your one item. If you don’t select, you’ll just be given a random variation that may or may not, coincidentally, get close to your profile. It’s a crap shoot, nothing more or less. We either want to play the game or not.

Monica

I know so many people complained about the bag but once I saw it in person I thought it was very cute. I also got the BB mascara but I haven’t tried it yet. I may be in the minority but I like the new packaging. I like the peachy/pink shade.

Ana

I love the new packaging, it’s very pretty.

pinkhoo

I didn’t think I was going to like the new colors on the packaging (I think I might have called them grandma colors, oops) but when I saw it in person it was fresher than the pink they’ve been using since 2014 or whatever.

Rosemary

I agree with you, Monica. It’s a cute bag. I like it much more than the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus bag. I’m swapping mine because I don’t need it, but it’s not because it’s not cute.

Dawn

I liked my bag this month…Belif cream, Betty Boop Mascara, Context Lip, Jelly blush and Private Doctor serum (my pick)… The blush is very tiny for full size. I am already seeing the bottom of the compact. Sad because I like it more than I though I would. The serum hurts my face. Hopefully my skin will adapt. And I actually love the mascara. I have not had problems with clumping. I tend to clean the excess off at the top of the tube before applying. I find this to be essential with odd shaped brushes. I am older and have tried dozens of mascaras over the years. All time faves: Lancome Definicils, Bobby Brown Smokey Eye and Wander Beauty Mile High Club… I do like this one too… probably the cute tube.

Jessica

This month’s bag wasn’t a great fit for me overall. I wonder if the new ‘pick a product’ option is throwing off the algorithm. I love the lipstick I picked, though (Context brand in shade ‘sweet emotion’). Great formula and color!

fetchingmommy

The pick a product most definitely throws the algorithm off. I noticed that people that selected the same product as me got identical or almost identical bags each time. Clearly once you pick an item it drastically narrows down the bags you can be matched with making it far less likely that you will get a bag most suited to your profile. I no longer pick a product for this reason.

Tanya

Not even kind of true. I picked the FA pads like Megan and my bag was totally different. In fact I haven’t seen a single bag twin yet from people who picked the face pads.

Megan K.

I feel like the algorithm is forever a mystery. Glad to hear the Context lippy was a win <3

Devonna Snyder

I NEVER EVEN RECIEVED MY BAG!!🤨

Charlotte

Excellent review and I feel the same as you! It was not one of my favorite from ipsy! Oh well, maybe next month🙏🙂

Kristin

I love the new envelope style.

Kaara

I received the Betty Book brush- and it is honestly the most awful brush ever! I generally don’t really care either way when I get brushes(and I do get many of them), but this one the bristles actually Felt hard and gross, not to mention it had something on it!! The upside is it did make me realize the quality of the other brushes I’ve received, they are excellent! And now I’m hoping for one of the Gigi Gorgeous brushes in November just because they’re so pretty!

Jenn

I love your positive spin on the really awful brush!

Alice

I loved my version this month and will use everything. Loved my add ons, too.

Jody

That’s really less than the promised value now of $50 in each bag according to Ipsy!

Tanya

Instead of crying fraud and being fussy why not just quietly cancel and move on?

Megan K.

Since there was no listed value on the mascara, I can’t actually be sure. That $15 or so extra could easily be taken up by the mascara.

Amanda

I would say the average is about $50 sometimes you get more or sometimes you get less, I don’t care about the value I care about getting items I’ll use that I can’t get at the drugstore, I also care about trying new items. So this is perfect for me, I also don’t wear makeup everyday so the deluxe sample sizes usually last me a ridiculous amount of time. So honestly I usually get my money’s worth on these bags, and items I can’t or don’t use my friends definitely can so win win all around.
I am really tired of all the negative comments about value when it’s what it’s worth to you that should matter I wouldn’t give a damn if one of the $12 dollar bags was worth over $200 if I couldn’t use any of the items it wouldn’t mean anything to me.

I will say it again and again… idk why people are so worried about the monetary value of their boxes. Personal value should be what we all go by. Is it useful to you, and you’re excited to have it, but the “RV” is less than promised, or is it something that is high “RV” but is pretty much useless for you?

Unless you buy boxes to make money off of in resale….🙄 it’s 12 bucks folks

Cindy S

This time it was 12 dollars for nothing I could use, I did not even like the bag. I like the samples I chose and paid for but they ended up cost wise considering the bag and contents were nothing…..The samples I chose were five 3 dollar ones so it didn’t happen in value department for me this time came to 5.40 per sample being the bag was void. All but one sample I like and even that was not bad. Maybe next…it’s kinda like rolling dice just never know. I like the style of next months bag with the fabric.

Stopbeing ShadyIpsy

Because if they promise a retail value of “atleast 50 dollars “ or whatever it is then they are violating consumer protection laws and engaging deceptive marketing practices. Which whether it’s “just twelve dollars to you” you should care about. Also 12 dollars is nothing to sneeze at

Marion

You don’t have to wonder why! I will tell you! As the commenter you replied to originally stated, Ipsy promises a value of $50. That’s it. That’s the reason.

It is not okay for ANY company to say, “We will send you X!” only to turn around & send you Y.

Tanya

Ac I agree. I’m so tired of the constant fussiness and obsessing about values arguing if it’s even a penny off.

Anne

Um, if I wanted $12 of product for $12 of product, I’d go to the store and buy that. We are asked to sample products and give reviews for the products in exchange for our $12. We always get 1-2 items we can’t/don’t use, and there is no way for Ipsy to do otherwise. So yeah, we do expect to get more than $12 worth of product.

Also, and most importantly, don’t lie to customers and expect them to be anything less than pissed off. It’s not rocket surgery.

Fiery Phoenix

Thank you for the great review, my favorite spot for subscription reviews that are always honest. I too have received the It CC cream sample and found even though the color is odd, it’s great for eye primer, just a thought.

I wish I got that Betty Boop bag with my GBP instead of the black one I did receive. There was no hint that only the GB was getting the Betty Boop face bag, and I paused my GB for October thinking I would get it with my GBP. So anyone want to switch hit me up, I would love to and I would add a little thank you gift too.

Cassie

Yeah the black bag from the ipsy glam bag plus looks like a truckers mud flap with a cheap women’s silhouette. The eye design bag is a little kooky, but cute.

blondie1021

HAHA OMG I had to laugh, hadn’t thought about it but yeah, does kinda look like a trucker tire flap! thanks for the laugh!

Flora Samuelson

I have an extra one, how do I go about this? Never sent anyone stuff on this site before.

Sherri

Fiery Phoenix – I have the BB face bag from GB and would be more than happy to send it to you. TBH, I don’t personally like it so I’m happy to pass it along to someone who would like to have it. Let me know how to get in touch with you to coordinate.

Dani G.

You might want to check Ipsy’s app or site next month for an October mystery bag. I loved one of the monthly bags several months ago so I bought a mystery bag to get a 2nd one. They’re usually a month behind so if they have extras, and they seem to always have them every month, they’ll be available for purchase at some point in November I expect. Hope this helps and that one way or another you get the bag. It’s really cute.

That whole bag situation was quite confusing. The story kept changing. I normally get one regular and one Plus but ordered a second regular to get a second Betty bag for my sister. Then I heard regular and Plus were getting the same bag which annoyed me because that was extra $ spent needlessly.
I guess it was a good thing I ordered two regular bags after all since it was Plus and Ultimate that had the same design.

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We are glad to hear you enjoyed the review, Fiery Phoenix!

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Ipsy Review – October 2019

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