Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. For $13 per 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 "Back To," and the bag is serving serious fall vibes, featuring a fun 90s inspired plaid print.
Now, on to the items!
GOLDFADEN MD NEEDLE-LESS Line Smoothing Concentrate, 10 ml - Estimate Retail Value $38.33
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Now, this is my kind of serum. It's super lightweight and thin; I would say almost watery. I have a very oily T-zone, and I would call the rest of my face fairly oily. So, I tend to prefer very light, water-based skin care products as opposed to the richer creams. After applying this product to my "concentration wrinkles" in my forehead, I felt a slight tightening sensation that reminded me of a less intense version of hitting your funny bone (which, by the way, is never funny). I'm one of those people who like to feel a sensation from skincare products because it's a tangible way for me to determine if they are working. That is not a scientifically sound process but just works for me. It's a decent-sized sample, so I think I can get a couple uses out of it, and I'm interested to see if there's any noticeable difference on my forehead. I really hope so because I have an irrational fear of needles, so that would eliminate Botox. Finding a needle-less solution would be a big win for me.
BRTC Vitamin B5 Velvet Mask & Vitamin A Velvet Mask Duo, 2 CT, Full Size - Retail Value $4 per mask
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K-beauty sheet masks and glowing skin... These are a few of my favorite things. I have to say, I may be a little biased when it comes to sheet masks. I just absolutely adore them. I have a pretty hectic schedule, and a lot of times outside of my morning skincare routine, I can forget to do anything else for my skin. But sheet masks are a quick, easy solution for me because I can slap one on, right out of the shower, as I make my coffee and after a couple sips, I'm ready to peel it off and face the day with a healthier glowing face. The Vitamin A mask had a very nice, light scent and left my skin feeling firm and buoyant but also smooth and soft. I did notice my face looked a little flushed and hot afterward but not irritated.
IBY BEAUTY Carry On Eyeshadow Duo in Glamping and First Class, 3 g - Estimate Retail Value $8
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I'm a big fan of earthy eyeshadow shades. I really like that this duo has a matte neutral and a more shimmery gold. It's a compact, easy way to create a little bit of pizzaz in my eye look. I'm going to be honest... A very tiny sample like this is not a shadow I will reach for at home but this is something I like to throw in my go bag or suitcase if I'm just heading out for a quick overnighter and want to avoid the bulk of carrying a palette. These shadows blended easily for me, with very little fallout, and were definitely buildable and long-lasting, even with me skipping eye primer.
Here are swatches of the IBY BEAUTY Carry On Eyeshadow Duo in Glamping and First Class.
ARACELI BEAUTY Ojos Perfectos Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Navy / Marino, 1.2 g, Full Size - Retail Value $16
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Gel eyeliners are the greatest thing since sliced bread (sorry, not sorry). I remember back in high school when I had to use a hard pencil liner that aggressively stabbed into my sensitive waterline... Honestly a truly horrific feeling. The smooth, soft, easy application of this liner is incredible. It swipes right on and feels comfortable on your eye. I love that it's not a black liner. The little pop of navy gives a different, unique but still professional look to my work eyes, and then if you slap on a little glitter on your lid, you could head straight out to party right after. I found the product to be smudge-proof, and it held up great with the high temperatures in California and lasted all day. I actually had to pull out the big guns, cleansing balm, and micellar water, to get this bad boy off.
Check out the ARACELI BEAUTY Ojos Perfectos Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Navy / Marino.
SUGAR COSMETICS Plush Crush Crème Crayon in Bourbon Bree, 1.8 g, Full Size - Estimate Retail Value $15.99
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I love Sugar Cosmetics' lip crayons. They slide on so silky and smooth and are perfect for a long-lasting, comfortable wear. The shade is brown with a touch of peach in it. It's not my favorite color in the world, but I'm definitely happy it's not full-on poop brown. I had no idea that the product's formula was infused with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, but that would explain why my lips still felt soft and hydrated even after several hours. The product is very creamy and comes in a convenient retractable crayon that makes precise application a breeze. I definitely have a lot more control applying the crayon as opposed to a lipstick but that could just be me.
Here is a swatch of the SUGAR COSMETICS Plush Crush Crème Crayon in Bourbon Bree.
Verdict
This was a really great Ipsy Glam Bag for me. I like the balance between skincare and makeup products. Of course, I loved the K-beauty sheet masks. They are quick and simple to use and really give my skin a boost. The Goldfaden MD serum works great on my oily skin. A lot of times I have trouble finding age-defying products that aren't too heavy on my skin. I'm already a fan of the Sugar Cosmetics lip crayons, so it was great to receive a product whose formula I know I already like but in a shade new to me. The IBY Beauty eyeshadow duo is a perfect color duo to take along for a convenient, easy eye look on the go. I really liked how the shadow opens like a small compact. It makes it much easier to use a single shadow than a screw-off lid. Araceli's gel eyeliner offers supreme comfort, brings a bit of color, and makes applying eyeliner a magical experience as opposed to a form of medieval torture. Overall, I'm happy with the contents of this month's bag, and what I like most is that I can definitely see the value.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Serum $38.33
- Face Mask Duo $8
- Eyeshadow Duo $8
- Eyeliner $16
- Crème Crayon $15.99
The total value of my box was $86.32, which is a great value for a $13 box, especially since each of these products, I will get a use out of, making the entire retail value applicable to me as the subscriber.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up now to get the October bag!
What do you think of the September 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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