Table of Contents
- Ipsy Overview
- What It’s Like to Subscribe to Ipsy
- Ipsy Pros and Cons
- What Else You Should Know About Ipsy
- Is Ipsy Worth It?
- How Ipsy Compares to Other Top Beauty Subscriptions
- Past Ipsy Reviews
- Ipsy News
- Ipsy Spoilers
- Ipsy FAQs
- Ipsy User Reviews
- Ipsy Is Featured In
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Ipsy Overview
About the Brand
IPSY Glam Bag is one of the most popular and affordable subscriptions around, and our readers have selected it as one of the top beauty boxes for the last 5 years running! IPSY Glam Bag connects members with five makeup, skincare, hair care, and other beauty samples each month, plus a cute makeup bag. IPSY is personalised to your individual profile when you take their onboarding quiz.
Ipsy Plans Pricing and Comparison
You subscribe to either the standard Glam Bag or upgrade to BoxyCharm by IPSY(formerly Glam Blag Plus and Boxycharm base).
You also have the option to subscribe to the Icon Box (the former Glam Bag X),which is a quarterly replacement for either of the other plans. For Icon Box, Ipsy collaborates with a celeb to curate additional full-size products for you to pick from and boosts your bag.
Note: Icon Box quarterly replacement months are February, May, August, and November.
What It’s Like to Subscribe to Ipsy
Read reviews further down the page, too, for more personal experiences.
How Ipsy Works
Subscribing to Ipsy is easy - the sign up process starts with a quiz which helps them match you with products they think you’ll love.
You pay for your first bag upfront, but then each month you’ll be charged at the end of the month before your next month’s bag ships. (See plans and pricing below)
But it’s not all sitting and waiting - each month, you also get to choose 1 or more products depending on your plan. These choices are also customized to you and are only available while supplies last, so make your choices as early as possible!
Your delivery will come in Ipsy packaging, and all your products come in a usable new makeup makeup bag, too.
Once you’ve had a chance to try out your products, you can go in and rate what Ipsy sent you to help give feedback that they then use to improve your future bags - the more feedback you give, the better Ipsy gets at giving you products you’ll be delighted with.
If you’re not satisfied or you just don’t need any makeup for a while, you can skip or cancel your subscription via your profile and aren’t committed long term.
Ipsy Plans Pricing and Comparison
You subscribe to either the standard Glam Bag or upgrade to the Boxycharm by IPSY (formerlyGlam Bag Plus.)
You also have the option to subscribe to the Icon Box, which is a quarterly replacement for either of the other plans. For the Icon box, Ipsy collaborates with a celeb to curate additional full-size products for you to pick from and boosts your bag.
| Your Plan | Ipsy Glam Bag | Ipsy Glam Bag Plus | Ipsy Glam Bag X |
| Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Quarterly Replacement |
| Price per Delivery | $13 | $28 | $55 |
| Products | 5 Samples | 5 Full-Size | 8 full-size |
| Products You Pick | One | Three | Three |
Note: Glam Bag X quarterly replacement months are February, May, August, and November.
See full Glam Bag Plus reviews here.
See full Glam Bag X reviews here.
Ipsy Pros and Cons
Pros
- Premium products with great brand selection variety
- Personalized
- Affordable
- Complete makeup kit with makeup bag every month
Cons
- Could be frustrating if product personalization misses the mark
- If you miss choice time you could miss out on a product you might have wanted
What Else You Should Know About Ipsy
Get the most out of your Ipsy Subscription: Two factors play a big role in what products are sent to you each month: (1) the quiz you take when signing up, and (2) the feedback you give about the products you receive each month. The more information you share the better your products will be!
Update the quiz on your profile whenever your preferences change or if your products aren’t quite right, in addition to rating your products every month so Ipsy can deliver better products for you next month.
You can choose one product each month - Don’t forget! You do get the ability to customize your bag by making a choice each month, but supplies are limited. If you want to get your first choice, be sure to log in and choose as early as possible. We announce choice time each month so be sure to log in and follow ipsy on this page to get an alert! You can also see the deadline ahead of time by checking upcoming events on Ipsy’s site.
You can earn points to redeem for products. Referring friends to Ipsy can earn you points towards add-ons.
Is Ipsy Worth It?
After over 100 full box reviews and 1000 user ratings, we think Ipsy definitely ranks as one of the “must try” subscriptions if you’re looking to explore beauty subscriptions and try the latest trends. It’s hard to go wrong starting with the basic Glam Bag at only $13. If you like it and find yourself needing your products to last longer, then upgrading to BoxyCharm can bring full sizes. Or, if you only want to go big once a quarter, the Icon Box can get you more products in full sizes, plus stay on top of the latest trends with celeb curations.
How Ipsy Compares to Other Top Beauty Subscriptions
Ipsy VS Boxycharm: Boxycharm is comparable to Ipsy Glam Bag Plus as they both send five full-size products each month. Glam Bag Plus is $28 whereas Boxycharm is $25. Ipsy is customized to you and comes in a makeup bag, whereas Boxycharm is more standardized to everyone with less variation and comes boxed. Ipsy actually acquired Boxycharm in 2020, so they’re now the same company--so today, the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus and BoxyCharm are now the same subscription. You'll personalize your bag by taking the beauty quiz and choosing 3 products for your bag each month.
Ipsy VS Allure Beauty Box: Allure Beauty Box is most comparable to the Glam Bag Plus as well, priced at $23 compared to Glam Bag Plus at $25. You can get Allure down under $21 per bag if you commit to a whole year subscription. With Allure you receive five or more products each month, but only three are guaranteed full-size compared to Plus’ five full-size products. With Allure your products are curated by editors of the magazine, but they are less personalized than with Ipsy.
Ipsy VS Birchbox: Birchbox costs $15 and is most comparable to the basic Ipsy Glam Bag at $13. Both boxes send you five sample-sized products. Birchbox tends to deliver more well-known brands and also leans a little more into skincare and wellness products rather than strictly makeup and beauty. Birchbox was recently re-acquired and is trending more towards health and how your nutrition can affect your skin, so expect to see more of those types of products appear as optional add-ons or one-time boxes, if not in your regular Birchbox delivery.
There are many more beauty subscription brands, see the list of best beauty subscriptions for more details.
Ipsy Reviews
Ipsy News
Ipsy Spoilers
Ipsy FAQ
Does IPSY Glam Bag send full-size beauty products?
IPSY Glam Bag typically sends 1-2 full-size products per box, curated alongside 3-4 deluxe sample sizes. However, the BoxyCharm by IPSY ($28/month) sends 5 full-size beauty products per month, and IPSY Icon Box ($58/quarter) delivers 8 full-size products.
What types of beauty products does IPSY send?
A wide variety! You can expect to see cosmetics like lip gloss, eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, bronzer, and highlighter, as well as skincare items such as moisturizer, cleanser, oils, and serums. You might also find hair products or other goodies nail polish in there!
Does IPSY let me choose what comes in my box?
IPSY Glam Bag members get to choose 1 item per box. This is called Choice. You’ll be offered 10 products to choose from, and after you’ve made your selection, IPSY will fill out the rest of your box with surprise items to complement your choice, based on the answers to your beauty quiz. BoxyCharm by IPSY ($28/month) members get to choose 3 out of their 5 items in a similar system. Icon Box ($58/quarter) members will get to choose 3 products as well but from a variety of exclusive items.
How do IPSY add-ons work?
PSY allows Glam Bag, BoxyCharm, and Icon Box subscribers to include up to 10 add-ons in their regular shipment. Every month on the 2nd of the month, beginning at 6 AM PST, IPSY will activate their add-ons page for 24 hours. During that time frame, you can shop deluxe samples for $3.50 each and full-size items for $12 or $18 each. Anything you choose will be included in your next IPSY subscription shipment, which means they’ll ship for free.
Is shipping free for my IPSY subscription?
Shipping is free for US customers and costs a flat rate of $2.95 to Canadian customers.
Where did Glam Bag Plus and Glam Bag X go?
The former IPSY Glam Bag Plus ($28/month) subscription tier is now “BoxyCharm by IPSY” for the same price, and all the same benefits. The former Glam Bag X ($55/month) is now Icon Box, for the same price, and not guaranteed 8 full-size products in each shipment.
Does IPSY offer gift subscriptions?
IPSY does not have a specific gifting program, but you can sign a friend up for this subscription by completing their beauty profile for them and using their email address to register. During the process of subscribing for a friend, they’ll have an inactive membership, which IPSY will move to active ASAP.
How do I cancel my IPSY membership?
Start the cancellation process from your IPSY account. After following the steps, you will receive an email to finalize your cancellation. Be sure to click the link in the email or your cancellation request will not be processed.
You must confirm your cancellation via email by 12pm PT on the last day of the month if you don’t want the upcoming month’s Glam Bag. If you confirm your cancellation after 12pm PT, your membership will not end until the following month.
For annual subscribers, you’ll still receive the rest of your Glam Bags for the year, but your membership will not renew.
User Reviews
Subscriber Ratings
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Subscriber Photos
Subscriber Reviews
Michelle
1st Time Poster!
"Love IPSY! Highly recommend giving them a try!!"
Jul 29, 2024
Love getting my bag every month. It's affordable and gives me an opportunity to try new products, looks and colors. Each month when I get to choose 1 item I absolutely want in my bag, from the products that are offered for that month or I can choose to let it be a surprise. After my bag is prepared and shipped I am able to see what will be arriving. They give you tips on how to use the products you receive. They have lots of articles related to beauty on the website or app as well. I do wish there was a better variety each month. Lately I have been getting the same type of products which is a little frustrating. Customer service is wonderful though. Last month I received my bag and had some damaged products. I contacted Customer service and they replaced the items quickly all I had to do was send a picture of the damaged items with the shipping lable from my package included in the photo and I was all set. I would highly recommend IPSY and I have!
Kelly
1st Time Poster!
"Happy Customer of Ipsy and enjoy getting to use different Makeup and Skincare Products! "
Jan 21, 2024
I have been a Ipsy Customer for about 15 months now and I really enjoy this Subscription because I get to try out new products and Old ones too. I am a former Merle Norman Makeup Artist and Customer, and I didn't use many other brands for years and now I am Older and retired from Merle Norman I wanted to try something different and grow my Collection of Makeup Products and Skincare Products and with Ipsy, You Get the Best of Both Worlds
Anonymous
3
reviews
"Fun subscription box"
Dec 4, 2023
So fun to try new products. Really good subscription and makes a great gift too.
Megan Williams
1st Time Poster!
"Ipsy's Glam Bag is Beauty Box (...or should I say bag) Perfection! "
Sep 26, 2023
I've been subscribing to beauty boxes on and off now for roughly 15yrs or so. And, I've tried almost every brand and type of beauty based box offered. But, I have to say the Ipsy Glam Bag is in my Top 3 list of favorites. It's extremely affordable at the low cost of roughly $15 after tax. You can pick 1 out of the 5 products you get every month, that always get sent in a different newly designed makeup bag every time. You also take a pretty extensive questionnaire upon opening your account which helps Ipsy send you the type of products and brands that you'll love. The products are always a decent size and from high end brands. So overall, they're the perfect choice if your looking for a cute and affordable beauty subscription that gives you something to look forward to every month. And, you won't be disappointed, because they're always chosen as the best beauty subscription every month on reviews and sites for a reason.
Rachel
2
reviews
"Am a fan"
Sep 11, 2023
I might be different from others, but I really like getting the sample sizes. It really allows me to try new products.
Kimberly Cochran
4
reviews
"Hands down, Ipsy glam bag is #1"
Jul 22, 2023
Ipsy glam bag is by far my favorite beauty subscription. I personally have tried several different beauty subscriptions over the last few years, even canceling ipsy at one time. The problem was that I missed my Ipsy glam bag because overall none of the others could replace it or beat it in any way. I love the price, the quality of the brands and the variety of products and on the rare occasion that I receive a product that isn't for me or that I'm not crazy about, I just pass it along to a friend or family member. Keep up the great work, Ipsy.
MissBlair0220
2
reviews
"Ipsy Glam bag For Life"
Feb 25, 2022
I love Ipsy! I can only speak for the regular glam bag tier as I've been a member for years now. For any subscription or level within, I actually prefer my cute little sample sizes, although I've noticed many dislike their significantly smaller size and limited contents but I find them almost "collectible" in a sense, typically because of their rarity and unique nature. Ipsy maintains such a wide array of products every month which is incredibly appreciated! I even enjoy looking at the products I DONT get. Many brands I recognize, many I don't, which keeps things spicy. Always up to par on having recent launches for various popular brands. I can't imagine not getting an Ipsy Glam bag every month, it's become a normality for my life.
Brenda Smith
1st Time Poster!
"Ipsy is great for trying new products and different brands."
May 6, 2021
I really love getting Ipsy bags each month. This is one thing I get for myself. I love trying new makeup and discovering new brands. Ipsy also includes a card with a description of how to use the product and if you follow them on Instagram they have tutorials of the products. I've been subscribing to Ipsy over 5 years and I still get excited when I see the pink package in the mail. If they happen to send something you wouldn't use you can usually gift it to someone who will love it.
Katia
1st Time Poster!
"Ipsy brings up joy"
Apr 29, 2021
I cannot really say this is the best bag, but I made it more cheerful with a couple of add-ons. The nail polish is too neon-y for my taste and the eyeshadow quad's colors are not something I would wear. The mascara did not work for me since my lashes are long but not very dense, I prefer volumizing mascaras over the lengthening ones. The brush was my pick this month and it works wonders on the under-eye area. Lip balms are always welcome. Kopari, the temp tattoos and the Tatcha cream were my add-ons. Love them all! Despite the negative reviews regarding the Kopari body glow scent, I personally like it a lot. Overall, Ipsy is my favorite sub box at the moment.
Anonymous
1st Time Poster!
"Love this to try different products!!"
Apr 28, 2021
I really enjoy Ipsy. YES, there are times I get products that don't "fit" my profile, but, what I LOVE about this is that I get to try so many different products for a relatively inexpensive price. I always find something that is new to me and I really like and they always are worth the price I pay for this. The products I don't particularly like, or aren't my colors, I pass on. I love that I get to try so much new!
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