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Ipsy Review #2 – December 2017

Ipsy December 2017 - Package

Ipsy
4 overall rating
1811 Ratings | 298 Reviews

Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get full-size or deluxe-sized products, plus a cute makeup bag.

Ipsy December 2017 - Package Contents

This is one of Liz's top recommendations if you are looking for a beauty box - the value and sample sizes are amazing. (Check out her list of the Top Beauty Boxes for 2017 and our reviews of Cheap Subscription Boxes for more recommendations!)

(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!)

Ipsy December 2017 - Contents

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Ipsy December 2017 - Contents 2

About Ipsy

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

 

Ipsy December 2017 Review

This month’s bag features 4 makeup products and a hair product. Let’s see what I got!

Ipsy December 2017 - Info Front

Ipsy December 2017 - Info back

An info card explains the theme for this month, “Snow Globe”.

metallic silver cosmetic bag from Ipsy

closeup of inside of metallic silver cosmetic bag from Ipsy

closeup of zipper on metallic silver cosmetic bag from Ipsy

Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their 5 items.

This bag is so pretty! It’s icy blue with silver sparkles at the top and the inside lining is mint.

Smashbox Always On Gel Liner in Fishnet

Smashbox Always On Gel Liner in Fishnet open

Smashbox Always On Gel Liner in Fishnet, .03 oz - Estimated Value $13.50 (buy a .04 oz stick for $18.00)

I’ve heard that black eyeliners show up often in Ipsy bags, but I can always use them, so I’m not disappointed. This one is a nice smooth gel liner that is great for filling in the lash line. I love how rich and dark the black is and the staying power is impressive.

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash wand

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash, 1g - Estimated Value $1.77 (buy a full-size tube for $23.00)

This tiny tube of mascara has one of the biggest wands ever. The formula seems a little dry and difficult to get onto my lashes and takes a few coats to achieve the length and volume I prefer.

Lisa Frank x Glamour Dolls Heartthrob Matte Eyeshadow packaging

Lisa Frank x Glamour Dolls Heartthrob Matte Eyeshadow open

Lisa Frank x Glamour Dolls Heartthrob Matte Eyeshadow up close

Lisa Frank x Glamour Dolls Heartthrob Matte Eyeshadow - Retail Value $6.99

I had flashbacks of my vibrantly tacky folders and pencils from grade school when I pulled this out of my bag. How fun! All packaging bias aside, this is a highly pigmented eyeshadow with good blendability. I wouldn’t have picked this matte red-brown shade for myself but it isn’t too bad.

Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha

Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha open

Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha, 5.5ml - Estimated Value $15.27 (buy a full-size tube for $24.99)

This lip color is like a hybrid between lipstick and gloss. It has great pigment and staying power and is non-sticky and very moisturizing. This shade is a pinky-brown nude and is very similar to the eyeshadow.

Ouai Hair Oil

Ouai Hair Oil pump

Ouai Hair Oil, 10ml - Estimated Value $6.22 (buy a full-size bottle for $28.00)

This is a great sample of hair oil. I like the ease of the pump. This oil is lightweight and absorbs quickly so it doesn’t make my hair oily. The gardenia scent is pleasant and unique.

swatches on arm

Swatches of the lipstick, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. The lipstick and eyeshadow are almost the same color!

makeup applied to face

Here is a look with the included makeup products. I kind of like how the lipstick and eyeshadow create a monochromatic look.

Verdict: This box has a value of $43.75. I think Ipsy is a great way to try new products without much risk. My favorite item is the lipstick because it is so comfortable to wear. I wasn't crazy about the mascara but now I know not to buy it in the future. I love the bag this month too!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, if you sign up in this month, you’ll get next month’s box as your first box. (Check out our Ipsy Spoilers to see what’s coming up next)

Good to know: Ipsy sends out variations. You may get a completely different bag than me.

Value Breakdown: At $10 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Eyeliner - $3.09
  • Mascara - $0.40
  • Eyeshadow - $1.60
  • Lipstick - $3.49
  • Hair Oil - $1.42
  • Bag – Not counted toward value

Good to know: Ipsy sends out variations. You may get a completely different bag than me.

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

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

What do you think of the December Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?

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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 sample... read more.

Tiffany Waldorf
Tiffany Waldorf
Tiffany found out about subscription boxes from a friend who followed MSA. The curiosity started with mystery beauty boxes and grew into an addiction from there. Beauty, clothes, home...she loves the sight of a subscription box in the mail.

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19 comments

Anita

I got the Smashbox eyeliner too & as much as I complain on my reviews about the number of black eyeliners I’ve received over the last year, I have to say this has become my new fave eyeliner. Smooth, gentle application & long staying power. One night I forgot to take my eyeliner off & the next morning this stuff was almost completely still on my waterline. I couldn’t believe it. Guess Ipsy kept sending me black eyeliner from different brands til they sent me a true winner.

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Tonya

You look so pretty, I think this was a good ispy bag. I unsubbed 3 years ago.

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Christine

I’m sure it was an accident on their part, but you got all the items you needed for a matching and full look. I also liked the bag itself this month.

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Natalie

That eyeshadow is one of the last colors I’d think of when I think of Lisa Frank makeup.

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Corrina

Agreed!

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Cristina

There is a whole long debate on the Lisa Frank Kickstarter where this eyeshadow came from (I am part of it) about whether the makeup should be “normal” colors with Lisa Frank packaging or Lisa Frank colored makeup. They are making eyeshadow trapper keepers that look great.

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Katy

I got the Smashbox eyeliner too and I love it. It is far more impressive than the Urban Decay liner I received in October.

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Karla

Me too. Love the smashbox liner….

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Joss

Maybe you got an old sample of that mascara. I’ve recieved two sample tubes of that same mascara (one in Birchbox and one in a Macys mascara sample pack) and it was great! Stays on well without flaking or running, good length and lash seperation too. Not a very volumizing formula though, but my lashes are thick so it works well for me. My tubes were not dry at all!

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JennWin1980

I was going to say the same thing! I received a sample a while back and ended up buying it. I have puny, fine lashes, and really liked the length and volume I got. Maybe Tiffany could reach out to Ipsy and get a replacement mascara? Definitely should not be dry when you first open it!!!

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Rosemary

My bag was a pile of s%*t. I am done with Ipsy…how can you get a 100% failure rate five months running?

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ColleenT.

Nice review. And the makeuo looks good on you.

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katie

The lipstick and eyeshadow look great on you!

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MzBev

I received that mascara in another box. It dried quickly, but a couple of eye drops in there helped a lot! (like Visine) It is tiny and doesn’t last long, but I did like it!

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Siren

That’s a new one for me, I never heard of putting eye drops into a mascara! Interesting!

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Carla

I actually loved the mascara and I’m considering buying the full-size!

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Jen

Those colors look great on you! I think the eyeshadow might be usable as a bronzer if the pan is big enough for a bronzer brush.

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RoguesEn3D

Thanks for the review! I wanted to try that mascara but after reading your description of it I’m going to skip. Btw, those colors look very nice on you.

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Linda

Glad I skipped this month and next month.

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