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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Your Ipsy Glam bag will come in their standard pale pink bubble wrap mailer. When you open it up, you can always expect to find a makeup bag storing your new beauty products and an info sheet with additional details.
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Here was the bag every subscriber received this month! I like how the zipper pull is a lipstick.
The Breakdown – What’s Inside My October 2021 Ipsy Bag
Dermelect Smooth & Supple Lip Mask Melt, 0.16 oz - Estimated Value $8.32 (buy the 0.5 oz version for $26)
I love lip masks, so even though I have a few I already love I’m always happy to try out new ones. This is a thick mask with a texture that reminds me of Vaseline, and it melts into your lips leaving them soft and protected. It has some fancy ingredients like extracts from evening primrose, Abyssinian and radish seed, and it also has jojoba oil and castor seed oil. This did a good job of keeping my lips hydrated, and I can’t ask for much more than that.
Love + Craft + Beauty #1 Blending Brush - Retail Value $16
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I genuinely and truly love receiving makeup brushes in subscription boxes- the limit does not exist when it comes to the number of brushes I’ll add to my stash. This brush is vegan and cruelty-free, and the bristles are soft. This is a more densely packed blending brush that picked up product with ease, so I probably wouldn’t use it as a blush brush because I use a very light hand for blush. Highlighter, on the other hand? This brush will absolutely have me glowing like a disco ball, and sometimes that’s just the way I like it.
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, 10 mL - Retail Value $20
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This was my choice item of the month- it is honestly just hard for me to resist choosing a Tatcha sample when it’s an option. They have some truly beautiful product packaging, and this small lavender jar promises a luxurious moisturizer that will leave skin glowing. Formula-wise this is made with ceramides, purple rice extract (that’s a new one for me!) and algae extract, and the texture isn’t too heavy while still giving my skin a big boost of moisture. I enjoyed massaging this is into my skin, and it left my face feeling hydrated all day.
Theorie Charcoal Bamboo Detoxifying Body Scrub, 45 mL - Estimated Value $3.23 (buy the 237 mL version for $17)
This body scrub features charcoal and pumice, and while it’s definitely scrubby the grit is small and not too abrasive. This is one of the most gentle body scrubs I’ve tried, but it still left my skin feeling soft. Sometimes body scrubs with pumice are hard to rinse away on my skin, but I didn’t have that issue here. According to the brand this scrub is supposed to have a cooling sensation when applied, but that’s not something I experienced. This was still a good scrub though, especially if you prefer something that’s mild and not too intense.
Uoma By Sharon C Badder Boom Au Naturel Volumizing Mascara, 6 mL - Estimated Value $5.84 (buy the 0.27 oz version for $7.99)
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I’ve tried a mascara from Uoma Beauty before, and I loved it- I’m really happy this mascara by their sister company, Uoma by Sharon C, came in my bag. This mascara is 100% vegan and made with 84% plant-based ingredients, and features nourishing ingredients like argan and castor seed oil. This mascara was easy to use and gave my lashes length and volume with a little bit of curl. I didn’t have issues with smudging or clumping, and I really love how the full-size version is only $8- I would totally buy it.
Here I am wearing the mascara in a normal selfie.
And here is an awkward photo I took to talk about something on Instagram, and later went back and realized just how long this mascara made my lashes look!
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Dermelect: $8.32→ $2.02
- Love + Craft + Beauty: $16→ $3.89
- Tatcha: $20 → $4.87
- Theorie: $3.23 → $0.77
- Uoma by Sharon C : $5.84 → $1.41
This month everything in my Glam Bag added up to $53.39, which is pretty great for a $13 subscription box!
Key Takeaways
I really enjoyed my Ipsy bag this month! It definitely felt a little more “me” now that I was able to give feedback via their review system, and I was happy that, in addition to the Tatcha moisturizer I picked as my choice item, I also got mascara from a brand I like and a makeup brush. The body scrub and lip mask weren’t bad, either- there truly weren’t any misses for me this month, and I’m looking forward to what November will bring.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up now to get the November bag!
Am I able to customize my bag? Yes, towards the end of each month you are given the ability to choose one product to be included in next month's Glam Bag!
What do you think of the October 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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