Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. For $14 per month, you get five full-sized 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 this review is for 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
One of my favorite features of the Ipsy glam bag is the excitement of the bag design. I have been a subscriber for years, and the fun designs (and of course awesome products) leave me coming back for more. This month's bag is absolutely gorgeous in the most non-conventional Christmassy way. With a silky pink outside and red bow, the only thing remotely Christmassy is the red and white striped inside. I am absolutely obsessed with the design of this bag, and even considered going out on New Years Eve just to carry my cell phone in it! What a fun December treat!
Also included is a product card that features the "Unwrap Joy" theme, information about the contents of this month's bag, and gift ideas to give for the upcoming holidays!
Now, on to the items!
SATURDAY SKIN Rub-a-Dub Refining Peel Gel - Deluxe Sample - Estimated Value $3.73
At 36 I have quite a bit of makeup stocked up, so skincare is sort of where it's at for me these days. The first item I received in this month's Ipsy, was a small tube of rub-a-dub refining peel gel. This gel has a slightly fruity fragrance and is interesting to use. Instead of applying a layer to your skin and letting it dry, you rub it into your skin in circular motions for a minute. During this time, little balls of gel form and you wash those off your face. It did work well to lift and remove dirt and debris, and created a smoother, brighter look after one use. It is suggested to use once or twice a week, and I have found after each use my skin is softer and fresh. Using Papaya, Pineapple, and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Polysccharides, this formula is meant to take away dullness with natural fruit enzymes all while being gently cleansing. I found this to be true, and really liked how well it worked. Because you only need a small amount, I have plenty left for a few more weeks which is definitely a win.
FENTY BEAUTY Hella Thick Volumizing Mascara in Fearless - Deluxe Sample - Estimated Value $6.65
So I just mentioned I would rather get skincare, but I was actually really excited to try out this mascara. If you have read my reviews you will know that black mascara is one of my biggest beauty staples, and anything that will make my lashes longer and more voluptuous, I want. This FENTY beauty version had the thick soft-bristled wand I desire, and the results were great! While this mascara gave my eyelashes a huge makeover, I did notice the formula does cause a little smudging after a few hours of use, but for short term wear, it works amazing. If FENTY could make this a little more waterproof than it is, I think I would be a convert! At $19 a tube, it is at least $10 less than a lot of prestigious brands, with the same results, minus the wear time.
This mascara gives great results. With just two swipes, my lashes were touching my upper eye lid skin, which can make a mess if I'm not careful! While I could have gone heavier, I was looking for a daily wear look, and was happy with the results.
NIP + FAB Fit C Fix Eye Cream 10% - Deluxe Sample - Estimated Value $5.32
The next item I received was a small tube of Eye Cream. This cream is packed with vitamin C, and three stable forms of the antioxidant to brighten the under-eye area. Also including ferric acid, peptides, caffeine, and niacin amide, my after-Christmas exhaustion has been smoothed away! With a natural scent, I could barely pick up a note of citrus and felt this formula was perfect in texture and consistency. Though the tube wasn't packed full of product, I did get about a week's worth of use from it, and found the results to be impressive. This is definitely something I need to add to my skin regimen, and I'm happy to have given this a try.
ALL MORINGA Moisturizing Face Cream - Deluxe Same - Estimated Value $26.00
The item I chose this month was the ALL MORINGA face cream. This cream has pretty darn good reviews, and the price point is pretty dang high, so I thought I'd see if it was worth it. After checking out their website, I was excited to give this a try. There was literally an entire page dedicated to the benefits of this moisturizer, and the before and after results looked amazing. Utilizing ingredients such as Oleic, Palmitic, Stearic, and Linoleic acids, this promises to improve elasticity and strength the skin's natural barrier. Also including Vitamin C and antioxidants like Quercetin, Chlorogenic acid, and Kaempferol, this cream fights free radicals, reduces signs of aging, and enhances skin brightness. If that isn't enough, minerals such as Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, and Zinc are added, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin cells and promoting a clear complexion. Personally, I enjoyed applying this cream and found the consistency to be perfect for morning and night. It wasn't heavy or greasy, and my makeup applied over it nicely. With just a couple of uses, my skin felt so much softer and supple, and that's even in the dead of winter! And if you go onto their website, they offer a 30% off discount on this moisturizer from Ipsy! Winning!
PURLISSE BEAUTY Sheer Glow Strawberry Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer in Deep - Deluxe Sample - Estimated Value $12.00
The last item I received was definitely not a match to my beauty profile, and Ipsy owned up to that even before I received my bag. About 2 days before my shipment arrived, I had an email stating they had made a mistake and offered me 1,200 points to choose something from the Ipsy shop in replacement of this tinted moisturizer. Purlisse is a brand I have used in the past and enjoy, so I was a little bummed this wasn't even close to my shade, but understand that mistakes happen. The consistency was light causing the formula to rub in easily, but I didn't try it out on my face, as I knew it wasn't going to work out.
Here you can see me all made up and ready to go! Utilizing all the products I received this month (except for the tinted moisturizer of course), I loved everything and feel like I've had my skin completely re-hauled in the absolute best way! Also, I just can't get over how cute the bag this month was - I really need to match an outfit to it!
Verdict
I love Ipsy Glam Bag and am always excited to try out new beauty products. While I have brands that I adore, I am an equal opportunity makeup/skincare user, and love seeing if my current faves can be outdone. This month I absolutely loved four of the five items, and am excited to receive the Keys Soulcare Peptide Serum I redeemed the points for. While it's always an inconvenience to have a mix-up, I was impressed with how fast Ipsy righted it, and am a happy customer. For $14, I was able to try some pretty prestige skincare brands, and have been treated to an ultimate skin makeover! What do you think will be in store for the January curation? I can't wait to see!
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $14
Value Breakdown:
- Peel Gel: $3.73
- Mascara: $6.65
- Eye Cream: $5.32
- Face Cream: $26.00
- Tinted Moisturizer: $12.00
The total retail value of these five items adds up to over $53.70, which is a great value for a $14 box, even if one of the products was unusable.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up to receive the January 2025 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the December 2024 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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