Ipsy Review – July 2015
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).
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!
Jersey Shore Sun Mongongo Organic Lip Balm – Value $10
I love this lip balm, but I’m a little surprised it retails for $10! I love the vanilla coconut flavor, and it adds a good amount of shine too.
Crown Brush Tweezers – Value $10.50
These tweezers are pretty good. They don’t compare to my favorite slanted pair of tweezers, but they’re a good backup pair to put in my travel case. (Tweezers seem to be the one item I always forget to pack when I travel!)
Octavio La Playa Sea Salt Spray – 2 oz Value $7.75
I tried this spray out on dry hair, and I like the beachy scent. The formula also is pretty lightweight. I never have too much luck with sea salt sprays, but I’ll give this one a proper test on damp hair soon.
Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Eyeliner & Shadow in Bronze – FULL SIZE! Value $16
This eyeliner/shadow has a subtle amount of shimmer, and a lot of pigment. It glides on easily too. (Swatched below).
Aurora Gel Effect Nail Lacquer in 4 Alarm Fire – FULL SIZE! Value $8
This nail polish has the gel polish look, but the standard nail polish formula that can be removed with regular nail polish remover. Sounds good to me! The color is pretty bold for me, but that’s what summer is for!
Verdict: I like my Ipsy bag this month. It has a value of about $52.50 – which is amazing for the $10 cost. (And that’s not even including the value of the makeup bag). I’ll use everything in this bag, and the sample sizes are great too. (I think the only thing I’m disappointed in is not getting the Tarte bronzer that was in the first spoiler!)
What did you get from Ipsy this month? (And if you got the Tarte bronzer, is the packaging as fabulous as it looks in the spoiler picture?)
Written by Liz Cadman
Some of the products in the bag are awesome and some not so much but it would be worth a try to get the Ipsy bag at least one month.
I was so happy to get the Tarte Bronzer! I had never used one before, and I love it!!
Hey Liz, I was just wanting to let you know that for 500 ipsy points you can get the tarte bronzer. I just noticed it under the points section.
I got the Tarte bronzer and yes the packaging is adorable and functional. I don’t usually use bronzer (i cant untick bronzer without unticking blush) but decided to try it anyway along with the ORFA highlighter. It worked good for cheeks nice shadowy but warm look, but it was too shimmery for nose or anywhere else and it clogged a pore on my nose. Just one so that’s not bad given the number of pores we have I guess. Luckily I got the gel face wash avede or something like that for oily breakout prone skin and it cleared it up with one wash. My favorite item was be a bombshell lipbalm in red. It’s really creamy and not super red just flush. Oh ORFA was also super super shimmery but I expected that.
I got the Tarte bronzer (which I LOVE), Ofra Eyeshadow in Bliss (LOVE), Be a bombshell Lip Balm on French Kiss which is a pale pink shade, a moisturizer/sunblock I haven’t tried yet and a dry shampoo that smells lovely. It’s my first ipsy bag and I’m so much happier with this than I was with birchbox!
I just received my July ipsy bag. The octavo la Playa (sea salt spray infused with algae extract) leaked inside there’s only half left.
How long did it take you to recieve you bag? I just ordered mine tuesday andbit said my order is on back order.. So just wondering. Please get back to me..
I didn’t like my Ipsy bag too much this month, I got the Octavio spray, Vasanti cleanser, Be a Bombshell lip balm, Essie Nail Polish and City Chic HD powder. I’ve already received the Vasanti cleanser a few times, the nail polish was a pretty color, but too pastel for me. I don’t use texturizing sprays, the lip balm is hideous and the City Chic HD powder will get used. I’ve been subscribed for over a year and have had maybe 3 or 4 great bags.
My bag finally came today, and I love it! I got the perfume, which I think smells really great. I also got the Teez lipstick – it’s not a color I’d usually pick for myself, but hey – I need to try new things!
I also got the Coolway beachy spray and the lip balm, both of which I’m excited to try. The only things I’m swapping are the eyshadow quad and the bag itself.
Got my first Ipsy bag today. I got the Octavio spray and it leaked everywhere. Be a Bombshell, a cracked eyeshadow pan and Pur-lisse. Almost cliche. Guess the nail polish will be the one thing I try out. Gonna give it another month or two, but not a good start.
Mine leaked everywhere, too. Opened the ipsy envelope and there was an odd chemical smell. Turned out the spray had leaked and my bag was soaking wet and only about 1/4 of the spray remained. The Teeez lipstick box was soaked, too, but everything else was ok. I emailed customer service and they said they’d send a replacement in 5-7 business days.
Ditto for me with the leaked spray and soaking wet bag, with nothing else damaged and customer service sending out a replacement soon. I was very pleased with the quick response to my email tonight. Despite the damage, I’m happy with my first Glam Bag.
I also got the city color hd setting powder which I won’t use and my friend received the Eva NYC dry shampoo and the vasanti exfoliater. If anyone want to trade email me at [email protected]
My daughter loved this month! She got the Tarte bronzer, Ofra eyeshadow & highlighter BLISS, bellapierre lip in a really pretty soft pink color, Mongongo lip conditioner, and Coolway salt spray. Probably one of her favorite months!
I got the tarte bronzer and love it! I also got be a bombshell in red, coolway beachy salt spray, nicka k eyeshadow, and purlisse makeup remover. I also love the makeup bag.
Thank you for the great detailed tip on setting powder!!
I also received the Jor’el Parker, Jelly Pong Pong Pong, Agoura nail polish in 4 alarm fire, the purleiss face serum (how much was that little thing worth? Haha) …. And I got the Be A Bombshell lip Balm in French Kiss (the pink shade) I was really hoping for the red in the lip Balm, so if anyone wants to trade key me know! [email protected]
*Aurora nail polish …. darn auto correct! I’m willing to trade for any any lip products this month but just about anything. That Teeze lipstick was super pretty too! If you don’t want the French Kiss/Be A Bombshell I might have something else or I might want something else. [email protected]!
This month was great though! Does anyone know how much the purleiss face serum sample value wad that was sent out this month? Loved that stuff! 🙂
I cancelled once before because I was receiving so many things I couldn’t use while so many products I would love I didn’t receive.
I came back and was getting wonderful products. This month didnt like and won’t use one single thing, like the red nail gel, bombshell, purlese serum.
I got mad and cancelled. I Know it is impossible with so many subscribers to totally match products to everyone’s profile, sometimes I wonder if they do match anything and it is pure luck when we get something that matches our profile.
I’m not complaining, i love that they send the bags and I know its hit or miss and I signed up for this. But right now I am on deluxe sample overload so I am calling it quits and never signing up again. Too many things I can’t use and too hard to swap.
I got the Joel Parker Classico perfume, mongogo lip balm, blue Hawaiian eyeliner, bellapierre lipstick and the tarte bronzer.
Me, too. I’m not sure about this eyeliner. It’s so far out of my comfort zone.
It looks amazing on. Very bright and Summery. It also looks good over black or navy wich tones it down.
I agree, liddybug. It’s prettier than I thought it would be. I also tried the nail polish (Aurora) and found it one of the best formulas to apply I’ve ever used — and I’ve tried ’em ALL. So, this bag is definitely looking up for me after my initial disappointment. 🙂
I received the same bag. I am going to see if I can work with the eyeliner!
I’ve tried the eyeliner once. It’s really bright. Only for special occasions I guess.
I got the lip balm, city cosmetic hd powder, jelly pong 2 in 1 liner, sea salt spray, and tweezers. Not quite sure how to apply the setting powder and how much to apply.
I received that nail polish last month and it goes on very nice!!! Great color!
There are 3 ways to apply loose setting powder. One way is to use a super fluffy brush, swirl it in the cap after tapping a teeny tiny bit of powder into it, and then press or buff it all over your face or in areas you want to set your make up.
2nd is to use a small setting brush, swirl into cap with tiny bit of product, and press onto places you’ve used concealer, like under the eyes or on blemishes.
Lastly is a technique I’ve seen make up artists use. Get a sponge like beauty blender or real techniques and dab into the powder (it will seem like you’re picking up a lot of product). Then press that everywhere all over where you want your make up set, focused on under eye area. At that point you will be like “omgosh it’s snowing on my face”. But after you have pressed the powder into your skin, you take a fluffy brush and dust off the excess. This is suppose to give a more flawless finish. Wayne Goss has a video on YouTube if you’d like to see it in action.
And don’t forget to moisturize & prime your face before foundation if you will be using powder.
I use a little bit of finishing powder over pencil eye liner with a small brush. Keeps the color in place and not on my eye lids.
I got the Jo’Rel Parker rollerball and it smells amazing. I went on the company website and that size rollerball is $21 truly amazing plus I got the tweezers great month for me !!
When you are paying for the ipsy sub do you know if they take PayPal? Thanks for your help!
I love ipsy. I’ve been with them for 3 months now. This month was an ok bag for me. I received the gel polish, salt spray, vasanti exfoliator, bombshell lip balm and the tarte bronzer. This is my first time trying gel polish and I love it, the exfoliator is ok, the salt spray I won’t be using, lip balm is nice with a hint of color but a lot of shine. The best part of the bag is the bronzer. At first I wanted to tried the bronzer for the nickaK eyeshadow, so glad I didn’t. The value of the bronzer surpasses the bag and the eyeshadow by so much. I think I’ll keep ipsy for awhile longer or until I have product overload.
I absolutely loved this month’s choices. I got the same lip balm, which is awesome just as good and efficient as the $20+ sugar treatments and you can actually get it for $5 and free shipping if you use “ipsy50” discount code. I also got the tarte bronzer which has a subtle color, not too harsh. I got a bombshell lipstick in pink, not crazy pink just bold enough. I got the ofra bliss an eyeshadow/highlighter which I love and a salt spray from cool way hair. I’m really happy ipsy finally listened to my preferences and I’ll be using every single product in this bag. Did I mention I loved it?
This is my first Ipsy bag, and I’m very tempted to buy a 1 year subscription. I fell in love with my bag. I got the Ofra Bliss eyeshadow (which I love), the soapless face wash, the Jor’el Parker perfume, the Be A Bombshell lip balm (which I also love), and the tarte bronzer (which I super love). I’m amazed with the bronzer!! I’m African American and I was trying to find the perfect shade of bronzer for my skin. Tarte is it! It gave me a beautiful glow. I’m definitely buying the full-size version.
I also received the Jor’el Parker perfume… While it does smell good, the scent isn’t for me. Is anyone interested in trading??
Got my first ever Ipsy bag. I got the crown tweezers, Coolway beach salt spray, Avene cleansing gel, Ofra eyeshadow in Bliss and Teeez Read my Lips lipstick in Killing me softly. Really pleased with my bag. I didn’t realize until I started reading the reviews how different everyone’s bags are. I can’t wait until next months!
We got the exact same bag!! I love it, but damn I wanted the Tarte bronzer!
I’m really impressed with the sizes these past couple months.
Me too. Ipsy has stepped up its game!
This is my third Ipsy bag, and I am very happy with the sub. I can see how I might get overloaded after awhile, though. Still, it’s lots of fun and I get well more than $10 in value.
I got the lip balm, which I agree is a great scent (taste?); an eyeliner in a bright blue, which I love; the perfume, which I also love; a Belle Pierre lipstick in a pretty shade; and the bronzer, which I gave to my daughter because I’m so pale (think Dracula) that most bronzers just look like dirt on me. So for $10, 4 out of 5 is great! Plus, I absolutely love the bag this month.
I received the Tarte bronzer, Ofra blush, the Be a Bombshell lip balm, the soapless cleanser and the jorel parker perfume. I have very dark skin so the bronzer and blush won’t work for me at all; but I love the other items in the bag; and know I can swap the bronzer with someone who would appreciate it much more than me.
Hi Jasmine – Are you still looking to swap the bronzer? I’m looking to swap the City Color HD setting powder. Any interest? If so, please e-mail me [email protected]. Thanks.
This was my first-ever month getting Ipsy and I loved everything I got. I’m a little worried as I’ve seen many people say they got great first bags to get them hooked and it went downhill after. I think I got a lot of pretty high-value items this time around, so maybe that’s true.
I got the Tarte bronzer, a BellaPierre mineral lipstick in P.I.N.K., the Jorel Parker roll-on perfume, Tini Cosmetics Eyetini swizzle eyeliner (in a very bright blue… a little much, maybe), and the Jersey Shore Mongongo lip conditioner. I am obsessed with the BellaPierre lipstick and really happy with everything I got.
I got the same exact bag as you and I’ve had Ipsy for over a year. I don’t really believe only the first bag is good. I’ve been happy with every Ipsy bag I’ve gotten. That blue eyeliner looks good over black or navy. It gives it judt a hint of bright blue.
I got the same bag as you & loved it also! I have been with ipsy for almost a year. My first bag was ok (I only liked 2 items), and for a while I was not getting great (for me) bags. I scrutinized my survey and redid it many times, but perhaps just reviewing a lot is what helped. In recent months I have loved most or all of what I get in my bags!
The PINK Bellapierre lipstick is listed as HOT PINK on their site, but mine is a very light pink/brown shade.
I am fairly new to Subs and only have a small amount of various products but I have to say something about Ipsy. It may be small but it be mighty! I will use everything: Sea salt spray, City Color HD setting powder, BellaPierre lipstick, Aveve Cleanance gel (really liked this product) and the Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1. The products are ones I use/need plus the colors they provided work well. I have plenty of cosmetic bags but will use such a cute bright little thing for gifting. For the price point, I am pretty impressed.
I’m still waiting on my Ipsy bag. It was originally supposed to arrive this past Wednesday, but it hasn’t moved since before then and now it has no estimated delivery date. 🙁
I’m supposed to get the same lip balm, and also the Teez lipstick, perfume, and Coolway Beachy Spray, all of which I’m excited for. I’ll probably swap my eyeshadow quad and the bag itself.
That happened to me. I was supposed to get it Thursday, and when I didn’t, I checked the tracking info and it hadn’t moved in 3 days! I finally got it today. So frustrating!
I got the bronzer, the soapless cleanser, the sunscreen (so tiny!), the Be a Bombshell lip balm, and the eyeshadow. As a previous poster said, the eyeshadow was very cheaply packaged and I was disappointed in that, but happy it wasn’t broken. It is a good color for me though, so I’m looking forward to trying it out. The lip balm worried me at first, because it was light pink and I don’t wear pink or red (red hair, fair skin) but it doesn’t leave color and I like the way it feels. I will try the other stuff in the next few days, and am looking forward to trying the bronzer since that’s a new one for me. Love the bag itself too!
Yes, the eyeshadow was cheaply packaged, but the payoff is amazing!! The color is gorgeous as well and I think they sent it like that so it would be easy to add to s Z-pack or something like that. I’m in love with the eyeshadow!!
I just wish I got the bronzer!! I was super stoked to get the Teeze lipstick but it runs out its not the best shade…plus I have a million lipsticks/lipglosses but no bronzer bc I ran out and I haven’t replaced yet!
My favorite item was the eyeshadow pencil. I’ve been wearing it everyday since I opened it. It pairs nicely with my too faced semi sweet palette. I was just lamenting the fact that the shades in too faced seemed a bit too light and primers just cause creases. I was glad not to get nail polish because i already own a mint and about 6 reds.
I received the Tarte bronzer; Avene cleanance gel; Ofra eye shadow; Be a bombshell lip balm and Bare republic tinted sunscreen.
I already have the full size Avene from Beauty fix; formally Blush mystery Beauty box so not excited. I would have preferred Vasanti brighten up. I love that stuff. The Ofra eye shadow is a nice size but contained in plastic and I have lots of similar colors. The other items are okay too. Tarte saved my bag; I think.. I’m not sure the value but that alone was worth the price of admission so I’m pleased. I think the tweeze lipstick also looks great; I would have loved to finally try the brand 🙂
Tarte sells the bronzer online for $30, I think, which makes it a pretty good deal in a $10 sub 🙂
Yes the full size is $30, but this is a sample size. I’m not sure of the value, but I love it too!
Because Ipsy has so many variations, it inspires the most envy and disappointment of all the subs. Starting with my very first bag which had a dried up JCat eye liner and a broken liner brush, it seems like I frequently get meh stuff while others get the primo items. I would’ve loved the perfume (and a rollerball yet!), the Nude Stix or the Essie. But I try to have a good attitude about it because it’s only $10, I still enjoy the surprise each month (I avoid spoilers) and the bag itself is cute. 🙂
I really liked my bag this month too. I got the Tarte bronzer, bombshell lip balm. salt spray (my least favorite item) a brightening cleanser and the nail polish. If anyone got the Nude Stix I would trade my Tarte bronzer
I got the nude stick and will never use it if anyone wants to trade for it Iam game
Were you looking for the Tarte Bronzer? I’d love to trade for the Nude Stix. My email is [email protected].
I received the Ofra eyeshadow, Octavia Hair Salt Spray, Be A Bombshell Lip Balm, the Tarte Bronzer and the Vasanti Exfoliating Cleanser.
I was extremely happy to get the bronzer and lip balm. The lip balm I got came in a light pinkish color. I am looking forward to using the hair salt spray and exfoliating cleanser. The Ofra eyeshadow I wasn’t happy with as it came in extremely cheap packaging. That just really turned me off.
Yes! When I saw that eyeshadow…I was like…are you kidding me? I expected it to at least be in some kind of container like you would buy at a store. I like the color, but the packaging was ridiculous. I’m just glad it wasn’t broken.
I got the Tarte bronzer too. i am so excited about using a non shimmery bronzer. The color is perfect for me as well. I love this months bag.
I received the gel soapless cleanser, which I like more than I expected to. OFRA Cosmetics eye shadow in a nice shade, but I already have five of a similar shade from previous boxes. Be a Bombshell lip balm – I’ll use it but it’s nothing special.
The Tarte bronzer I gave to my daughter. I still haven’t figured out how to use bronzer, so my fault at this point if I don’t like it. 🙂
The final product was the sunscreen. I’ll use it but sunscreen is sunscreen, basically.
It was a decent box, not a WOW but most of it will get used. The bag is cool.
I got the lip balm,the Tini eyeliner in turquoise full size,Bella Pierre lipstick in pink full size,Tarte bronzer and perfume. I love the perfume and have already ordered the full size. I rarely ever wear lip products but the lipstick is a nice nude rose and the lip balm feels amazing so they will get used. I love the eyeliner. It’s a soft pencil so it goes on smooth and is a bright turquoise that’s perfect for Summer. The bronzer is ok but it’s a tad dark for my fair pale complexion but it actually makes a great blush. Very happy with my Ipsy bag this month.
Oooh, what perfume? I never get that in my Ipsy bags.
Jorel Parker in roller ball form. It smells amazing like a cross between fresh laundry and flowers. My new favorite! I’m in the minority but I love perfume and I love getting perfume samples in my sub boxes.
It was my first ipsy perfume, and I wasn’t excited since I am picky about perfumes and I have a signature fragrance, but the Jorel Parker classic is very pleasant and light, and scent is so clean and fresh smelling, plus the fact it is in a roller ball bottle makes it perfect for keeping my bag for when I want a scent pick me up to smell nice on a non-perfume day. The scent fades on my much more quickly than my regular perfume; so it is also better for days when perfume might otherwise overwhelm people .. like the dentist or a car full of friends! 🙂
I got your bag too! Love that lipstick! Gave the lip balm to my husband, trying to get him off Chapstick use…… Perfume is rather nice, Jor’el Parker – love that it is a rather large roller ball bottle 0.3 fl oz.
This is the bag I received as well. I’m quite happy with it. I love 3 of the products and will give the other 2 a fair try.
Hey there i received the be a Bombshell in French kiss/baby pink, if you would like to trade, [email protected]
Hi Liz, your bag looks great this month! I loved mine, it’s probably my favorite yet! I received the City Color HD setting powder, a pretty pink Bellapierre lipstick, a Jorel Parker Classico rollerball perfume that smells amazing, a pretty bronze color Jelly Pong Pong 2 in 1 eyeliner and shadow pencil and the Mongongo lip balm. Thanks for the review!!
The lip conditioner might be my favorite discovery of all time. $10 does seem pricey but it’s packed with quality ingredients.
I got almost the exact same bag. But I received the Tarte bronzer instead of the nail polish, which is lovely as i don’t use nail polish. 🙂 But I also don’t use sea salt spray and it’s hard to imagine the lip balm being better than my by Terry stuff or even the Fresh.
The top cover looks awesome! the inside and back look like 90s Barbie-shoe plastic 🙂
Doesn’t matter because ipsy was AWESOME this month!!
I RECIEVED THE TARTE BRONZER AND THE PACKAGING IS A BIT CHEAPER LOOKING IN PERSON THAN IN THE SPOILER PHOTOS. BUT THE PRODUCT IS AMAZING. MONGONGO LIP CONDITIONER IS MY NEW FAVORITE THING EVER! I ALSO RECIEVED THE BELLAPIERRE LIPSTICK INSTEAD OF TWEEZERS AND I LOVE IT! GREAT BAG THIS MONTH:)
Ok so was I the only one mad to get two lip products? I have marked my account no lips so was highly disappointed this month. I also got the bronzer, blue eyeliner and perfume.
I rarely ever wear lip products and I do have that listed as not wanting but I got the lip balm and the lipstick too. No biggie. The lipstick is a pretty nude pink and the lip balm is amazing. I almost never get lip products from Ipsy so when I do it’s fine.
I got two lip products too (lipstick/chapstick). I was not happy. However the Tarte bronzer and the (cheaply packaged) eyeshadow/highlighter made up for it. Sea salt spray brought me down yet again. I am swimming in sea salt spray!
The tarte bronzer does look amazing but since I don’t use bronzer I gave it too a friend. I also got a perfume sample. It was a rollerball so if I had like the scent I would have liked it (I am picky about scents so I purposefully did not choose perfume in my profile). I would have loved the lip balm and tweezers instead. Oh well, outside of that I loved my bombshell lip balm and the eye-shadow/high lighter and cleansers. And my friend will probably love that tarte bronzer.