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Ipsy Review – August 2020

Naomi Pandolfi
ByNaomi PandolfiAug 20, 2020 | 47 comments

Envelope for Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020

Ipsy
4 overall rating
1813 Ratings | 300 Reviews

Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get 5 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 2020 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!)

Envelope Open for Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020

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

Full Contents for Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020

About Ipsy Glam Bag

The Subscription Box: Ipsy

The Cost: $12 a month + free US shipping. Save with an annual subscription.

ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! Subscribe Today & Get a FREE Plant Profusion Eye Cream from GOLDFADEN MD valued at $145! No coupon needed - just use this link.

The Products: Full-sizes 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

My Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020 Review

 

Card Inside for Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020

Included is a card that usually details each of the items but now outlines beauty tips and tricks.

 

Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme is "The Future is Yours." The bag is a shiny holographic silver that gives me strong flashbacks to my Zenon and Phil of the Future days.

 

MURAD Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser, 1.5 oz - Estimated Value $7.11 (Buy a full-size 6.75 fl oz for $32.00)

I'm a huge fan of Murad and I'm always excited to receive one of their products in a subscription box. This Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser is wonderful. I love its gel formula. The texture is so refreshing after a long hot day and the product has a minty cooling feel that gives your face a peppy little tingle, adding to the experience. Thankfully, I don't have a ton of blemishes, so I use this product only occasionally. Formulated with acne-fighting encapsulated salicylic acid, I feel like it would dry my skin out a bit if I used it every day, but damn, does it feel nice after a sweaty workout. If you are fighting off blackheads or whiteheads, and even clogged pores, you are really going to love this product. I wish my teenage self could have experienced it.

 

TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, 5 mL  - Estimated Value $6.00 (Buy a full-size 40 mL for $48.00)

A Tatcha product! What a great way to make the Ipsy Glam Bag feel high-end. This Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is a fan favorite among lovers of the brand, and I'm no exception. I love all face mists and anything that can be applied with an ultra-fine mister. I love keeping this product in my skincare fridge and spritzing it on my face chilled. The spritzer delivers a refreshing ultra-fine micro mist that rests lightly on your face, giving your skin a more soft, plump, and dewy look. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, botanical oils, and superfoods, this is more than a setting spray. If my face is feeling dry and dull, a few spritzes of this and my thirsty skin feels happy and hydrated once again. The only downside is if you love it, this sample will go quickly and you'll have to shell out to enjoy it at full size.

 

BALANCE ME Congested Skin Serum, 7 mL - Estimated Value $8.87 (Buy a full-size 15 mL for $19.00)

This Balance Me Congested Skin Serum is an incredibly lightweight product, perfect for spot targeting blackheads and other acne blemishes. I always find that I get one or two stubborn blemishes on my forehead near my hairline after I oil my scalp. This product was perfect to treat that one area, clearing the congested pores and eliminating the redness and inflammation. Formulated with kanuka oil and moringa oil, and infused with calming eucalyptus, this handy little powerhouse blasts away acne-causing bacteria, while fortifying your skin's protective barrier and relieving irritation. It has a fairly strong, natural, herbaceous scent that gives me a medicinal vibe but doesn't irritate my skin. I'm happy to have this product tucked away in case of an acne emergency.

 

BELIF The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, 10 mL - Estimated Value $8.80 (Buy a full-size 25 mL for $22.00)

I love belif products. I'm a huge fan of their True Cream Aqua Bomb, and I'm happy to have received this The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. Even though this moisturizer is incredibly lightweight, it was a little bit too heavy for summertime use with my oily skin, but I will definitely be saving this sample for the fall. From what I can tell, this product will be amazingly hydrating for that dry skin I get when the seasons change. Chock-full of good clean herbal ingredients, including comfrey leaf, this product moisturizes as well as detoxes your skin, leaving you with a brighter and clearer complexion.

 

LOVECRAFT BEAUTY Highlighter in Borealis, 5 g - Retail Value $14.50 (Buy a two-pan palette for $29.00)

If you want a gorgeous, glittery, summertime glow, this Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis is perfect. I think this shimmery golden color is absolutely beautiful; it works perfectly with my medium skin tone. A little goes a long way with this highlighter. Just a touch on the high points of my face and I had a beautiful shine that lasted all day. But beware, when I say this product is glittery, I mean, GLITTERY. The sparkle is real. This powdered highlighter is infused with soft, light-reflecting pigments that create a warm, natural, glowy look on your skin. In my opinion, the golden color is flattering for most skin tones, making this product incredibly diverse and inclusive.

Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter Borealis Swatch for Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020

Here is a swatch of the Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis.

Verdict: This month's Ipsy Glam Bag had products from some amazing brands. I'm thrilled we received a product from Tatcha, the Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. Face mists are a favorite skincare product of mine and I will definitely finish the bottle in no time. The Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser is a unique gel cleanser, and I love the cooling, tingling sensation. The Balance Me Congested Skin Serum works great to target sudden breakouts and specific blemishes, and I love that the brand is all-natural. The belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb is a wonderful lightweight moisturizer, and I can't wait to use it in the fall and winter when my skin gets a little drier and I sweat less. Lastly, I received the Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis. I love the shimmery golden color and how well it complements a variety of skin tones. These are all great products that I'm glad I got to sample. This month had a nice value estimated at $45.28. That is great for a $12 subscription!

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.

ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! Subscribe Today & Get a FREE Plant Profusion Eye Cream from GOLDFADEN MD valued at $145! No coupon needed - just use this link.

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

Value Breakdown: At $12 for this box, I calculated a value of $45.28. Here's how that breaks down per item:

  • Cleanser: $1.88
  • Face Mist: $1.60
  • Serum: $2.35
  • Moisturizer: $2.33
  • Highlighter: $3.84

Alternatively, each of the 5 items has an average cost of $2.40.

Check out all of our Ipsy reviews and the best beauty subscription boxes of 2020, as recommended by our readers!

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

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

Starting at $14.00
Active Deal
Subscribe Today & Get a FREE Plant Profusion Eye Cream from GOLDFADEN MD valued at $145!
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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.

Naomi Pandolfi
Naomi Pandolfi

Naomi Pandolfi is a skincare obsessed subscription box junkie who is always on the hunt for the best curl defining cream. She is a producer and contributing writer at several online publications, including MSA, The Knockturnal, and Hey Beauti Magazine. Naomi is also the Head of Development at Starfury Productions and is dedicated to helping Black, minority, and underrepresented creators develop and sell projects.


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47 comments

Paula

Still haven’t received my August bag. It shipped Aug 15, but for over two weeks tracking is still showing en route to the DHL distribution center. I’M in canada, so it’ll be weeks until i get it, if I get it at all! Horrible!

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Nikkim

Mine is finally showing due delivery today after sitting for 10 days. It seems it’s always at a standstill once it reaches Stow ohio. Maybe they’re understaffed? I’m not sure.

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DianaS

I’m sure they are. I’m having that issue with a couple of the hubs near me. It’s so crazy.

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LJ

Just got my bag today with all items and correct add-ons – woohoo! Yes, it took some time so I sympathize with those who haven’t.

Last month my bag looked rough and smelled like plastic. This month my bag looks extra rough and smells medicinal/chemical. Did this happen to anyone else? I’m not in it for the bag per se but you’d never guess the bag was shipped in a padded mailer.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Awesome! What add-ons did you get? I grabbed that Sunday Riley Tidal Cream even though I didn’t need it lol. The price was just to good!

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Beth

Skincare fridge? Who in the world has a skincare fridge?! 😂😂

LJ

I did add-ons for GB and GBP and they shipped separately. For the standard bag I added the Balance Me serum (which is mostly packaging – the tube size to product is comical); the DewyTree pore minimizing serum; and the H20+ gel moisturizer.

JackieCupcake

Yes! This is totally a Zenon style bag, I love it!

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Naomi Pandolfi

Right! At first after seeing the spoilers I didn’t think it was going to be my style but then I saw it and I wanted to throw on some sliver moon boots and sparkly eye liner and relive my Disney Channel years lol.

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Carol

I also received that setting spray. I figured, meh another spray whatever, but then I tried it!
Oooooh, so dewy! Love it!

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Naomi Pandolfi

I KNOW! It’s so great! I’m totally depressed about the retail price lol I can already see my money flying away when I repurchase this lol

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Errmmm

I know, I’m hoping I dislike it but I know that won’t be the case. It’s just so dang expensive!

Aidan

Wow! This was an awesome bag! I’m jealous of all the skincare you got! Did you choose one of the products, or let Ipsy do that for you?

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Naomi Pandolfi

Hey Aidan, I have the option to choose but I don’t, I like to be surprised when I review the box. I have my Ipsy profile set to “moderate makeup” and all skincare options set to “use often” especially with having to wear a mask all the time I am focusing more on caring for my skin right now.

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Karolina

I feel like Belif is so underrated compared to Tatcha’s skincare and other lines.I go for any box that has Belif, no questions asked lol.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Belif has some amazing products! I LOVE the aqua moisture balm, so refreshing and the gel base is perfect for my oily skin. Do they also have a facial mist comparable to Tatcha’s? I would love to try something like that from the brand!

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Joanna

I didn’t have any of those samples – yet ANOTHER bronze eyeshadow, and the ugliest bag I’ve ever seen, including the ridiculous fried egg one. Can-cel!

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Naomi Pandolfi

Ahhhh that sucks Joanna! What do you prefer? More skincare based? I HOPE that Ipsy someday does a monthly or bi-monthly subscription dedicated to skincare and not just face, full body, I want body scrubs, foot creams, and shower gels! That is something I would want to try in a heartbeat.

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Patsy

You got a very nice bag and very good review! Mine is scheduled to deliver Sat and I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Mine shipped via Pitney Bowes and this is the longest I’ve ever waited to get my glambag since joining Ipsy. I’d bought several add-ons so I’m really anxious to get my August bag.

I purchased from Ipsy Shopper today, the deal that includes the Sigma E25 Blending Brush and also full size Ofra Americano Bronzer for $15. Hella good deal imo! I’ve always wanted that Sigma brush but didn’t want to put out the $18 (approx) for it. Wow, I didn’t even know Ipsy worked with Sigma! Definitely jumped on that deal.

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Naomi Pandolfi

I feel you Patsy, I cannot pass up a good deal lol even if I don’t need something I just have to eyeball a sale! Hope everything works out with your glambag. If not, hit up @ipsycare on twitter, they are usually super responsive there.

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Also Beth

Ahhh thanks for the heads up on that deal! Ofra’s bronzer in Versatile Matte is my holy grail and I’ve been so curious about their other shades. Crossing my fingers that the Sigma brush is as good as you say – to me, that was actually the least exciting product, so hearing it’s great makes me super excited! That bundle also has the banana setting powder, full size and $35 RV. Just realized I’ve bought 4 of them since ipsy started offering them…

…I have a setting powder problem y’all.

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Patsy

Major beauty YT’er, Emily Noel, uses that Sigma E25 blending brush on every single look she does, I think. That’s who turned me on to Sigma brushes and I think they are wonderful brushes.

Alice Al

That Sigma brush is the one I grab most often.

Dianne

I got the Murad ache wash and it said it was for all skin types and helps with redness. I don’t get ache. I have dry muture skin with wrinkles and rosacea . I did try it. Big mistake because it didn’t help me it made my skin very tight and my rosacea flare up really bad and shinny. I took Benedryl and put Benedryl cream on my face. Did clear up by the next day. So I contacted Ipsy and they said they will take a note on the reaction I had to the face wash and keep a eye out for more reactions. So Ipsy is sending another product and am ok. So Ipsy customer service was a great help. It happens so am kinda not into face washes unless they say sensitive skin now.

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Bae

Wait, you had redness & Ipsy actually responded with something helpful? I have an anaphylactic allergy to melons. I have reached out to Ipsy NUMEROUS times about all those watermelon products & basically got a sorry we can’t make note of your LIFE THREATENING allergy & not send those products…sucks for you kind of response. If only Ipsy actually had some consistency. 🙄

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Naomi Pandolfi

OMG Dianne, that is awful! So glad everything worked out and your face cleared up. I hope the replacement product is more useful to you. The Murad brand makes some great products but their ache line is very powerful, in my opinion, I myself only reserve if for breakouts. I guess that’s good for the 2020 teens lol. When I was in high school we had proactive which never really worked for me.

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Karolina

Yes!! Murad is a little more abrasive than other brands for dry skin. You will really have to grease up with other moisturizers to be able to move your face again lol. I felt like the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz with his oil cannister. I have had the same reactions with their Vitamin C and Hydration lines.

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Luna

That’s too funny your Wizard of Oz reference, because I think of that same scene when I sometimes get distracted during my routine after I cleanse my face, but don’t proceed to the next step for around 5 minutes or so. As I apply product to each section of my face I can feel the tightness become looser & looser, and can’t help but think of that scene, lol.

Charlotte

Excellent review. I love all of the skincare products you received….Especially now that putting on makeup is minimal for me.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Thanks Charlotte! Yeah, with all the mask action my face gets I have been going super light on makeup too.

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shan

I wish this had been in my bag, mine was terrible. I keep requesting skincare, and really got nothing useful in this bag.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Ugh that’s annoying! I hope Ipsy does a dedicated skincare box for all us skincare junkies in the future!

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Randie

I’m surprised to hear this because a lot of people got really skincare heavy bags this month. Mine had four skincare products and a lip balm—I was ecstatic when I saw the reveal!

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Milena

Same! If my bags looked like this I wouldn’t be canceling. This month wasn’t too bad but I’ve had maybe 3 bags I liked in the last year. Glad my annual subscription is ending.

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Tiffany Nicole

I got my August GBP like a week and a half ago but my regular GB just shipped today and hasn’t even been handed over to DHL yet. Hoping once they actually give it to DHL it doesnt take too long to get to me. My two last chance add ons orders and my two pop up sale orders shipped the other day too

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Naomi Pandolfi

Wow! I wonder what the delay was. How was the GBP? Did you get to chose three products this round? If so how did you like it?

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tammy g.

i’m canceling one of mine…just not enough great products..i can also buy add-ons with my other box..

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Naomi Pandolfi

What other box do you get? Would you recommend?

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Kigiyuk

Mine has been sitting in Harrisonburg for a week and a half. I think I’m canceling.

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Charlotte

I had the same issue! My bag was with DHL for almost two weeks…and the once they handed it over to USPS, it was in my mailbox in less than 24 hours (despite having to travel across two states). Don’t give up hope!

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Piper

Thanks for the encouragement Charlotte! Maybe they will get here someday, and hopefully even still be useable. It was good to hear from someone who had the same experience and had it work out!

jenn

mine has been sitting in NC with DHL for almost a week. no movement whatsoever. my last bag never arrived at all and i had to contact them to get a replacement, but by then half their inventory was gone and i received completely different products and my add-ons were no longer available.

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Naomi Pandolfi

Nooooooo! That’s awful! Did they give you some bonus points or something at least?!?!

Piper

Both of my bags have. been in transit to DHL for about ten days. No movement. IPSY says everything is fine. This morning there was a big message on the tracking page from DHL admitting packages are massively delayed. I have given up hope that they will ever arrive.

LJ

DHL and I don’t have a functional relationship. I’m still hopeful mine will make it to me in under 2 weeks, but it’s getting questionable – particularly with the transfer to USPS. My GBP showed up in record time 🤷‍♀️

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Naomi Pandolfi

Forgive my ignorance but what is DHL? Is it like Fedx?

Tricia

Really getting ridiculous with these DHL delays. I know there is a lot going on but other companies manage to ship in a timely manner (I had a 50+ lb fire bowl delivered in three days from CA to Northern MI via FedEx Ground.) . At least keep your customers updated, scan the darn packages. I think that is the most annoying thing of all!
DHL = Delayed, Held-up or Lost