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. 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 our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impressions
This month’s theme is titled, ‘Find Your Groove.’ I’m loving the 80s vibe of the bag design, and I’m interested to see what variation of products have been included. Everything comes packaged snugly in the signature pink Ipsy bubble mailer.
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Included is a product card that features a list of the products and any beauty tips.
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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month’s theme is ‘Return to the Wild.’ The style of the bag is actually kind of cute; it reminds me of an old lady’s rug with tassels on the ends. I like the summery color combination. There is a tassel in place of a zipper handle, which gives me the feeling I should be extra delicate when opening or closing this bag if I want it to last.
Now, on to the items!
WISHFUL Yo Glow AHA and BHA Facial Enzyme Scrub, 20 ml - Estimated Value $7.80
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Wow, I feel like these samples are getting smaller and smaller with each month. Luckily, that doesn’t speak to the quality of the included products; merely an observation. Wishful is a well-known favorite from Huda Beauty. I’ve had the pleasure of giving this Yo Glow AHA and BHA Facial Enzyme Scrub a try once before, and I have been missing it in my skincare routine ever since. The exfoliator is so incredibly fine (and natural), and it feels great on the skin. It has a creamy, lotion-like texture that doesn’t dry out or strip your skin but rather buffs away the dead cells to reveal the fresh skin underneath. After, I’m left with squeaky clean yet buoyant and hydrated-looking skin. The product itself has very little scent, which I appreciate, and the AHA and BHA-focused formula does an excellent job on my skin without any irritation whatsoever.
KOPARI Niacinamide and Caffeine Eye Bright Cream, 5 g - Estimated Value $12.00
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I’m loving this Niacinamide and Caffeine Eye Bright Cream from Kopari. Finding the right eye cream can be a struggle since those with thicker formulas tend to cause mini breakouts on my under eyes. This eye cream, however, is completely on point for me. With a powerful ingredient list that includes caffeine and java berry extract, cucumber and celery extracts, and ultra-filling spheres, this stuff works wonders when it comes to beating the early morning rush. I love how well the caffeine works to depuff and rehydrate those bags under my eyes, giving me the look of being wide awake, alert, and enthusiastic, no matter how tired I feel on the inside. Definitely a win for me.
KOKIE COSMETICS Gel Ink Dual-Ended Liner in Amethyst and Matte Black, 0.45 (ink pen), 0.26 (gel liner) - Retail Value $9.00
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I’ve always enjoyed the brand Kokie Cosmetics, but I have to say, with this Gel Ink Dual-Ended Liner, it was love at first line. There are two ends: pencil and ink. The pencil tip has a wonderfully smooth formula that glides along like a dream while the ink side has a perfectly precise brush-like tip. The precision is real with that ink tip, I must say. But there’s a catch… Unfortunately, the packaging leaves a slight bit to be desired as the cap on the liquid end refuses to stay on, causing the ink tip to dry out. Now, if Kokie were to work some cap magic, this liner could very well be my holy grail. As someone who usually avoids pencil eyeliner, this product may have changed my mind, and seriously, the ink tip’s precision and long-staying power are some kind of magic.
Here is a swatch of the KOKIE COSMETICS Gel Ink Dual-Ended Liner in Amethyst and Matte Black.
SHAINA B. MIAMI Lip Gloss in Heatwave, 2.8 ml - Retail Value $18.00
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Shaina B. Miami is two of my favorite things: vegan and cruelty-free. This Lip Gloss in the shade Heatwave is a most refreshing tint of sparkle and shine. I initially expected the shade to have a bit more pigment, but I actually prefer this rather natural gloss. It leaves behind a light sheen, which is my preference when it comes to an everyday lip look. This is exactly the kind of product I enjoy having on hand for daily use. The formula is hydrating to my lips and doesn’t leave behind any feelings of stiffness, and I hugely appreciate that. If you’re looking to achieve a more ‘glam’ look, this lip gloss is perfect to apply over the top of a lip color, immediately giving that extra pop of shine.
Here is a swatch of the SHAINA B. MIAMI Lip Gloss in Heatwave.
NUMBER FOUR HAIR Super Comb Prep and Protect, 30 ml - Estimated Value $4.80
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Oooh, a haircare product; how fun. This Number Four Hair Super Comb Prep and Protect is kind of a game-changer. It’s the perfect go-to and a lightweight shield that protects your gorgeous mane against the hair apocalypse. Sun? Bring it on. Heat styling? No problem. This spray creates a sort of forcefield that helps detangle my curls without weighing them down, and I’m here for it. This is an excellent product to have in travel-size, and if my hair could talk, it would be singing praises to this superhero spray.
The Verdict
This was an awesome month for Ipsy Glam Bag! The highlight for me was definitely Wishful’s enzyme scrub. The product works effortlessly to clear away dead skin to reveal the youthful, glowing skin underneath. The gel ink eyeliner from Kokie is a new favorite of mine, minus the packaging hiccup on the liquid end. Flawless performance and precision. I am happy to have the natural-looking gloss from Shaina B. Miami; a great addition to my everyday routine. I can always use help when it comes to the bags under my eyes, and the Kopari eye cream is a real game-changer, using caffeine to reenergize my under eyes and keep the puffiness at bay.
Lastly, the prep and protect spray from Number Four Hair… I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this product as much as I did, but it’s an excellent solution to help detangle my curls and give them life without weighing them down. Overall, I thought this was a great bag. The variety of products was nice, ranging from skincare to makeup to haircare, and that’s not something you see every month. I love that each product is something I will be able to use, and the value is there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Scrub: $7.80
- Eye Cream: $12
- Eyeliner: $9
- Lip Gloss: $18
- Super Comb: $4.80
The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $51.60, which is a nice 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 to receive the October 2023 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the September 2023 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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