Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get five full-size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag.
This is one of our 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 2021 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).
First Impressions
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Included is a product card that lists the products in your Glam Bag and their retail value.
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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme is "Wanderlust," and the bag is a whimsical gold faux snakeskin clutch.
Now, on to the items!
CIATÉ LONDON Wonderwand Mascara in Black Magic, 3.5 ml - Estimate Retail Value $8.11
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I’m a huge fan of big, bold lashes. I just love how a good mascara can make you look so much more awake and turn a natural day look into a more dressy evening look. What I really like about this mascara is the "wonderwand" itself. It has a super puffy hourglass applicator brush that makes it easy to coat all the lashes, even on the first stroke. After a little bit of BB cream and a battle with an eyebrow pencil, I applied the mascara and found that it took my basic lazy girl makeup look to a whole new level, creating the illusion that I spent more time putting my face together than I actually did. That is the number one thing that I look for with products. I tend to always be on the go and incredibly busy, so anything that can give me a more polished look with half the time and effort is immensely valuable. The mascara definitely gave my short, stubby lashes a more voluminous look. It lasted pretty much all day with no smudging. I’m definitely ready to bat an eye like Betty Boop.
FEEL BEAUTY Daily Hemp Oil Facial Cleanser, 0.5 oz - Estimate Retail Value $4.25
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Most of my favorite skincare products feature cannabis as an active ingredient. I find that my skin responds well to hemp-based formulas. So, right off the bat, I loved this cleanser. I found the cleanser to have a nice, almost earthy scent that definitely lends credence to the brand’s all-natural formulas. The texture is thin and light and leaves my skin feeling cleansed, soft, and smooth but not dry or tight. With my sensitive and oily skin, this lightweight, almost gel-like cleanser is perfect for the summer months to remove any impurities and sweat buildup from the day without being too heavily hydrating and clogging my pores.
LOTTIE LONDON Sunkissed Coconut Scented Bronzer in Suncatcher, 2.5 g - Estimate Retail Value $2.05
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I’m not really a bronzer girl. My skin is kind of bronze all on its own naturally, and I just don’t want to be bothered with any additional steps in my routine. On an average day, I usually just apply my skincare routine and sunscreen, with a little touch of highlighter and lip gloss. I might fill in my eyebrows and add mascara if I’m feeling adventurous, but on average days that I’m not filming, I keep it light and clean. But I found this powder worked really well to even out my skin tone and bring a touch of sun-kissed shimmer to my face. It was easy to apply with a brush. Just a little bit under the cheekbones and near the jawline for a natural, more even look. I don’t know if I would have purchased this product myself, but I like discovering new products that I would have never thought to use. Added bonus: the coconut scent is absolutely delightful.
Check out the LOTTIE LONDON Sunkissed Coconut Scented Bronzer in Suncatcher.
MOROCCAN MAGIC Watermelon Lip Balm, 4 g, FULL SIZE - Retail Value $4
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I have the driest, most chapped lips in the entire universe. Why? I don’t know. I have lip masks, lip oil, lip balm, chapsticks, etc., that I apply almost neurotically. But my lips just seem to suck up any moisture super quickly and go right on back to being dry and crusty. I found this particular lip balm to be much more long-lasting. It’s incredibly hydrating and feels almost like the entire tube is cold-pressed argan oil. Even though it provided intense hydration, leaving my lips feeling very soft and refreshed, it’s still lightweight and not overly waxy or pasty. Plus, the watermelon scent evokes an amazing summertime fun vibe.
RODIAL Dragon's Blood Sculpting Gel, 15 ml - Estimate Retail Value $32.40
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At first, I was more drawn to this product simply because of the name, ‘Dragon’s Blood.’ It’s like the medieval times of beauty products. But I found this skin treatment to be fricken’ amazing. I would describe the scent as “this stinks a little,” but the benefits truly make up for it. I applied it to my face before the rest of my skincare and it left my skin feeling firm yet smooth and hydrated, with a slight tightening sensation that you get when a product is really putting the work in. I like that the texture is not sticky at all; it just glides over my skin and soaks in nicely.
Verdict
I enjoyed this Ipsy Glam Bag mainly because almost all the products fit into my everyday life and are things I will use. Like, who doesn’t use or always eventually need more mascara? And I love the hemp oil face cleanser since it is a product that includes ingredients that I already know work for my skin. The bronzer was a little out of left field for me, but I ended up discovering that a light dusting can go a long way into creating beautiful sun-kissed skin without the sun damage. I absolutely love that I have another lip balm to add to my hoard since I like to try and keep one within arm’s reach at all times. The dragon’s blood skin treatment was an intriguing product that I could feel working in real-time. With a retail value of $50.81, this month’s Ipsy Glam Bag was definitely worth the $13 for me.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Mascara $8.11
- Cleanser $4.25
- Bronzer $2.05
- Lip Balm $4.00
- Sculpting Gel $32.40
The total value of my box was $50.81, which is a great value for a $13 box.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up now to get the September bag!
What do you think of the August 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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