Ipsy Review – December 2014

ByLiz CadmanDec 14, 2014 | 38 comments

Ipsy Review - December 2014 Bag

Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get full size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag. I think it’s one of the best value beauty subscriptions and a great way to build out your makeup collection on the cheap!

(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).

Ipsy Review - December 2014 Items

The Subscription Box: Ipsy

The Cost: $10 a month (free shipping)

The Products: Full size and samples of makeup and beauty products. (Plus a makeup bag!)

Ships to: US and Canada

Delivered via: USPS

Check out all of my Ipsy reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Visit the Ipsy Swap Page to swap for any of the items you see in this review!

Ipsy Review - December 2014 NYX

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - .1 oz Value $8

NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait - FULL SIZE! Value $4

This mascara is one of my all time favorites, and I'm always happy to get new minis - they never dry out before I've used them up!

This lip balm goes on very smooth, and provides a sheer wash of color. It has a fruity flavor, and overall I'm a fan.

Ipsy Review - December 2014 Eye Cream

Nourish Organic Renewing Eye Cream - .5 oz Value $8?

Bumble and bumble Bb. Repair Blow Dry - .5 oz Value $3

The Nourish Organic eye cream isn't available until January, so I'm estimating on value since I can't find what the retail price of the full size will be. I love the brand, so I was pretty excited to try out this early-access eye cream. It's a very lightweight lotion and absorbs quickly. I have very dry and sensitive skin in the winter, so this product is perfect for me - I hope this tube lasts until January - I have a feeling I will be buying more.

This Bb Repair Blow Dry hair cream is meant to be applied before you blow dry your hair to protect and repair it. I didn't get a chance yet to try it out on damp hair, but I tried it on dry hair and I could tell a difference in softness immediately.

Ipsy Review - December 2014 Eye Shadow

Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish in Orchid - FULL SIZE! Value $15

I can't believe I didn't know this kind of mineral loose powder eye shadow design existed. My biggest pet peeve with loose shadow is that I inevitably manage to spill some, and this Cailyn eye shadow container eliminates that issue. The sponge tip gets the perfect amount of powder to apply, and then you blend it directly onto you lids with no spilled powder! After getting over my initial amazement of this product, I actually tried out the eyeshadow and I'm happy with the formula too. It's well-pigmented, and this Orchid shade is a lovely champagne color with a little hint of pink.

Verdict: This is probably one of my favorite Ipsy bags to date - I will use every single item! The value is good too - $38 worth of items. What did you get from Ipsy this month? And was anyone else super impressed with the Cailyn eyeshadow design, or am I just really out of the makeup packaging design loop?

Posted in Beauty Subscription Boxes, Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

Liz Cadman

Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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38 comments

Michelle

This is the first month my Ipsy has been exactly the same as yours, Liz! Usually it’s much different, as many as three or four items different! And, this is the first month I was pretty underwhelmed. I’ll swap or give away most of it. Time to cancel Ipsy and move on to other fun boxes I believe. But, Ipsy, it’s been a good run!

Sara

I got the exact same bag as Liz this month and wasn’t a fan of anything but the eyeshadow. I swapped everything else. I’ve been trying to change my beauty profile and see if it gets any better and this was my first bag since then and it sucked. But none of the samples this month from Ipsy looked particularly amazing. Still debating on canceling, but if you decide to resub can you skip the wait list? Or do you have to wait again?

Kialei

I got this exact same bag and loved it…. however I’d already decided to cancel my Ipsy sub after this one since I like picking my own makeup products and I like higher-end stuff. I’ll stick to Birchbox and PopSugar. 🙂

Chantel

My bag was exactly the same as Liz’s. I am really happy with my bag this month. All products I am excited to try out. It has been awhile for me since my entire glam bag was a win! YIPPEE!!!

Jennifer

I got the mascara & nude lip balm (both thumbs up), eye shadow brush (which I LOVE), that same mineral loose powder (least excited for), and the coolway 4 minute conditioner treatment (excited to have). The bag is kinda cheesy though with the pink accents, no clue why it isn’t holiday themed.

**This month is extra special for me because I got 5 of the redeemed point products! The Milani mascara and liner duo (love!!), the Wet n Wild balm stain in Lady and the Vamp (super stoked!!), and both of the full sized Bare Minerals bb cream eyeshadows (which I have to say, are my favorite things ipsy has introduced me to. I can’t believe I have 2 full sizes of them now!!)

I received the same bag and am really happy with it! The bag is adorable this month. It is a nice mix of products and I love getting natural, organic items. I love the tarte mascara and had just purchased a full sized, so this is going in my purse. The eyeshadow applicator puts the exact, correct amount of powder on every time. UD sold a product like this years ago, but it had a lip gloss type wand and always had too much stuff on it. This is one of my favorite months so far!

Melissa

I Love Love my Ipsy glam bag this month!!!

Lisa

I am so excited about this December Ipsy bag! The mascara is so fabulous; I’m sure to be purchasing it soon! I love the eyeshadow as well, and will be buying it soon in the same shade as well as other shades! I love every item in this cute little bag this month!

Melissa H.

My bag was pretty much the same. It wasn’t a hit for me as the only item I kept was the Nourish Eye Cream. Everything else went up for swap. That said, I really don’t mind if a bag isn’t a total hit with me because I can use the items I don’t want to swap for something I do.

brandy

I actually thought when I saw the drawing of the ipsy bag that it was made of fur. I know , too expensive for ipsy but this bag does not look like much effort was put but I should not complain, nonetheless it is fine. I am excited to finally try the mascara. I love Tarte! 🙂

Erin

It’s actually a very cute bag, better than many others. Not sure where you got fur from the pics on the site.

This is identical to my bag too. I was actually pretty happy with this month. I have so much stuff I want to trade but can never find anyone to trade with…..I’ll use four of the five products this month so I’m thrilled with that as its better than the last couple bags for me…

Kim

I got the exact same bag as you and LOVE all the products

Aria

I love ipsy. I think it’s a really fun sub, and even when I don’t use everything, I usually feel is worth $10. I just renewed for another year. I haven’t received mine yet, and I’m trying not to peek at the glamroom so I will be surprised.

Cindy

I was going to get the shadow brush (again) but then they changed my glam room to get the eyelash curler. Would have preferred another shadow brush as I will never use an eyelash curler. At least it’s a change that makes sense to me. Getting the Pixie dust which I have already arranged to trade for the cleanser. There were so few options this month. This is only my fourth month with Ipsy but it seems like the other months. This subscription hasn’t wowed me at all. I was going to cancel before this month, but then I liked the actual bag. (I have soooo many bags from make up GWP offers that I am not sure why I was excited about another bag, but it is what it is I guess. Strongly considering cancelling.

Amber

My ipsy was exactly the same as yours. I’m pretty happy with everything! I’m most excited about the tarte mascara, and I’m not disappointed with anything except the bag. Well done, ipsy!

Caitlin

im getting the exact same bag, it’s one of the best Ipsy bags I’ve ever gotten, I can’t wait!

Lauren

I got my December Eco Emi makeup box yesterday – the same Cailyn eyeshadow (same color, too) was in there. I love that they found a way to make the application so clean!

Subie

Love that eyeshdow design. I’ve seen it before from Avon and it works so well. In a sneak peek of my bag i believe i got the same one. Looks great!

brandy

I wanted the eye cream and the bwc face cleanser or the pixi. There was a ton of hair stying this month and a low choice of items to receive so both my ipsy bags were almost identical. 2 crown brushes that I already received but they are replacing one with the purple eye lash curler. 2 Cailyn eye shadows one for each account. 2 nyx butter glosses, 2 Tarte mascara’s. I am also receiving Coolway hair and b&b for hair different from this b&b product.

They sent many people the same brush but changed the glam room last minute. This is the latest I have not received tracking.

I am most excited about the mascara and nyx. Intead of 2 cailyn shadows I would have preffered the eye cream or pixi or bwc cleanser.

I have one quiz marked specifically for skin care only but received no skin care so as I understood the quiz does not work and I also review the items and made clear in the quiz I am not interested in trying other items.

Sara

I changed my beauty quiz last month hoping for a better bag this month and my glam room shows I’ll be getting the exact same bag as Liz. I’ll probably only keep the eye shadow and swap the rest. I tried changing my quiz again this month and just hope it gets better. I also get crap I don’t want from Ipsy, eyeliners, mascaras, eye creams, hair products. I never seem to get eye shadows, blushes, lip glosses or lip sticks. I want more actual makeup and I rarely get them. Been thinking about canceling Ipsy for a while, but if you resubscribe down the down do you have to go on the waitlist again? Or can you skip it since you were already subscribed once?

Shanna

Ugh. So ipsy for you is like Birchbox for me. Do they send you stuff you marked you *don’t* want? Birchbox has sent me six perfumes over the last eight months, for instance, when my profile says I don’t want perfume. I also get heavily perfumed body lotion in every single box.

Raechel

If you select you don’t like perfume, then birchbox has it set so you don’t get more than 6 a year. So good news? You shouldn’t be getting any more perfume samples for a while. Bad news is that you will get 6 a year 🙁

Shanna

My bag has a couple of differences: Beauty Without Cruelty facial cleanser, and Sexy Hair blow out defense dry spray.

Ipsy has been knocking it out of the park for me almost every month! I always look to see what the other choices were for each month, and ipsy has been choosing the right options for me just about every time. Amazing. I didn’t like that there were four different hair spray options this month because I have curly hair and don’t blow dry ever. Seems kinda shortsighted on their part. Other than that, though, I’m thrilled with my bag!

Darinda

I am also getting this same bag which I’m excited about because I will use everything !! I have 2 subscriptions to birchbox I was wondering is there anyone out there with 2 ipsy subscriptions? I was thinking of getting a second one.

jodi

I get 3 Ipsy bags a month!!! LOL Each of my quizzes is filled out differently. The only month in which I got more than 1 duplicate per bag was this month (since everyone was getting the tarte and the NYX.. idc though because Tarte omg! and each of my color NYX were different). As long as you choose completely opposite things on your quiz and chose different stylists you are bound to get a nice mix of all the products!

brandy

I chose different stylists too. I have both accounts. Polar opposites. I usually get 2-3 repeats (sometimes only 1 and the first month no repeats.) My average is 2-3. But I know they rotate frequently so I am starting to get items I received on my first account months back. They rotate and bring back there items so months down the road, you will start seeing tons of repeats. Beats the purpose of two accounts.

Beeju

I have 2 ipsy subs! My profiles are vastly different on both so I always get different items with few overlap. My first bag was identical to Liz’s and my second has the Pixi, the curler and the the sexy hair.

Shanna

Maybe it’s me, but I don’t understand the two-bag thing. Since there are a limited number of items possible each month, then if you’re matched well according to your profile, you *should* already be getting the things you want.

Then again, Birchbox almost never gives me the right choices, no matter how I tinker with the profile or the new beta profile. They also never respond to emails to customer service, so I would never buy two from them, unless it were to hopefully get a product that suited me! 😉

Mia

When you think of it, BB is half the price of ipsy! you get 5$ each month when you review your items! so that kinda makes it up for some of the miss samples!

I’ve tried 2 boxes of BB few months back, unsubbed. Not because I hated it, I used everything! But I resubbed for December (with 10$ back coupon) and got the best box EVER! 7 samples (some unlucky people got 5) of VERY HIGH END products. comparing this to my older boxes, they’ve stepped it up.

Plus, the sent me duplicates of a pricey product and didn’t let me pay for the 2nd! Not mentioning the 20$ credit I got from CS for shipping delay & duplicate samples.

I seriously cannot believe their customer service, points system and coupons!

brandy

I have two ipsy bags and generally get a couple 2 sometimes 3 of the same items.

My quiz is vastly different from each other. Both marked not interested in trying new items. One is skin care specific and the other makeup nail polish. Everything is different completely, even to my skincare profile saying I hardly ever use makeup.

This month I received the most repeat items ever. No btw cleanser or eye cream on my skin care profile period.

There were less items offered this month and more hair care items then I’ve ever seen with ipsy.

Even after rating I hate hair care and reviewed the hair spray last month as not wanting hair care.

The quiz is basically for show but the first month I made my second account for ipsy was perfect. Totally opposites. Since then I get 2 repeats, 3 repeats or more. (2-3 average)

I do review my items each month and I understand the concept that we are never guaranteed anything we don’t want. I accept it.

I just now find for me personally having two accounts don’t help. Especially since they rotate items and what you miss on one account, will come back around. For instance I now have another crown brush, more starlooks liogloss the same one, and others. If you don’t mind the rotation and knowing you may receive many items down the line you received before. I didn’t realize how quickly they rotate.

I am still learning and I will always keep my ipsy. I love ipsy, I think having two accounts is not much of a point. I pretty much didn’t know they rotate frequently and bring back the same items in rotation.

I think I’ll keep my one ipsy and have the extra going towards another sub like sample society I subbed to last month. Not sure. If there quiz was completely accurate and did not randomly pick (it does) besides your first bag, and it did not rotate so fast, then I would keep my second account. I still love ipsy!

DaisyK

I know what you mean about the Cailyn applicator! When I first swatched it I was surprised I didn’t end up with any loose powder anywhere – there’s something really cool about how it picks up enough to apply without any excess mess. There was almost something a little old school about the jar and applicator – reminded me of something I owned in junior high like 10 years ago.

Aside from that I also got a NYX balm but mine is a nude shade called Marshmellow. I think I would’ve preferred the pink shade, but it’s unlike anything I own so still a win.

I also received the mascara as well as the Big Sexy hair product and the AHA cleanser (neither of which I’ve tried yet). The hair product gets great reviews so I’m hopeful but I’ve also never liked any of the past products I’ve received from them. I don’t really need the cleanser and I’m trying to be more responsible about not changing my skincare routine (I have sensitive skin, and sampling lots of products often results with a crazy breakout or super painful dry skin) so I may attempt to swap.

Overall, this was the most well rounded bag I’ve received from ipsy in months, and a huge step up from last month’s disappointment.

I received the same exact ipsy bag. I feel like everyone does the Tarte mascara and I have two other favorites, so this goes to waste. I still have one from the Allure Beauty box last year that’s full size-unopened. How does the eye cream smell? The Nourish Organics Cucumber + Watercress face wash 2/3 months ago had an awful smell that made me throw after one wash.

Liz Cadman

I can’t really detect a scent with the Eye Cream – which is fine with me 🙂 Hopefully that works for you too!

That is perfectly fine for me! Thanks.

Jillian D

I’m getting the same bag! I cannot WAIT for it to get here.

Emily

I’m excited to try the mascara I love tarte products , my lip butter flaked a bit but not to bad I also received the coolway hair serum, double ended crown shadow brush, and pixi by Petra shimmery shadow which is very similar to the cailyn in both color and packaging. I was also pretty impressed with the packaging

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Ipsy Review – December 2014

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