Ipsy Review – January 2020

ByMegan K.Jan 25, 2020 | 23 comments

Ipsy January 2020 makeup subscription box review

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

This is one of Liz’s top recommendations if you are looking for a subscription box - the value and sample sizes are amazing. (Check out our list of the best beauty boxes for 2020 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!)

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

About Ipsy Glam Bag

The Subscription Box: Ipsy

The Cost: $12 a month + free US shipping. Save with an annual subscription.

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

Ships to: The US for free and Canada for $2.95

Delivered via: DHL or FedEx + USPS

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

My Ipsy Glam Bag January 2020 Review

Included is a card detailing each of the items.

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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month featured a white and grey marble with a pink interior.

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Aromatic Tea Tree Balancing Foaming Cleanser, 20 g - Estimated Value $2.89 (Buy the full-size 180 g for $26.00)

The first thing I noticed about this cleanser was the amazing scent! It has a lot of tea tree, but it is balanced out with other softer and essential oil-like scents. It is a heavier cream and really clings to your face, pulling all of the dirt and makeup of the day off your skin with ease. I did think this left me feeling just a little tight, but nothing some moisturizer didn't fix immediately.

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JJ YOUNG Pore Glow Mask, 0.53 oz - Estimated Value $4.05 (Buy a full-size 1.7 oz for $12.99)

This cooling mask has a very slight peppermint scent and tingles just a little on my skin. It is clay-based, so I reserved it for just my T-zone, as my dry skin can react negatively to loads of clay. It did a great job of banishing the oil I had on my nose and chin. It is a heavier mask, so it did take a little extra work to wash it off, but it was worth it.

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Ciaté London Glow-To Illuminating Blush in 'Date Night', 2.5 g - Estimated Value $16.25 (Buy a full-size 4 g for $26.00)

All of you know I love a blush! I also appreciate one that doubles as a little extra highlight, which this one does due to the shimmer inside. This shade is soft as a whisper, and is a beautiful peachy-pink. Much more on the natural side than some blushes, this would likely be really lovely in most any natural makeup look.

Little pink, little shimmer!

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Jules Smith Beauty Moonbeam Dream Lip Gloss, 0.08 fl oz - Estimated Value $5.88 (Buy a full-size 0.245 fl oz for $18.00)

I am a lip gloss enthusiast, so I was excited to see this little tube inside my bag. Jules Smith makes a great gloss, and this one was no exception. It is a sheer pearly base with a slight lavender shimmer. It enhanced the look of bare lips and would also look very cute over your favorite lip color.

Super shiny!

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PÜR Cosmetics 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation in 'Light', 4.3 g - Estimated Value $15.86 (Buy a full-size 8 g for $29.50)

Finally, our last item was one that really shocked me! It is a powder foundation in a color that actually works on my skin! Wow! I also happen to love the powdery matte finish and the SPF 15 inside. I generally reach for liquid foundation, so I was surprised I liked this powder formula so much. It has great coverage and really went the extra mile to even out my skin tone.

Perfect!

Verdict: This Ipsy Glam Bag was really pretty stellar! I basically have a full-face makeup look aside from mascara in here, and each of the products worked well with my skin. I also really enjoyed the aromatic cleanser and though I am not a huge clay mask user, this one was really great for my T-zone or as a spot treatment. The overall estimated value this month was $44.96, which is great for a $12 bag.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Possibly! As of publication, there was no Ipsy waitlist. Check here to see what month you’ll get first.

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

Value Breakdown: At $12 for this box, here is what you are paying (approximately) per item:

Aromatica Cleanser $0.77
JJ YOUNG Mask $1.08
Ciaté London Blush $4.35
Julies Smith Beauty Gloss $1.57
PÜR Makeup $4.23

Alternatively, each of the 5 items (not including the makeup bag) has an average cost of $2.40.

Check out all of our Ipsy reviews and the best beauty subscription boxes of 2020, as recommended by our readers!

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

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What do you think of my January Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?

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Ipsy

4 overall rating

1811 Ratings | 298 Reviews

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.

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

Megan K.

I love natural/vegan beauty products, Korean skincare, unique jewelry, and weird candies from far away places. When I am not waiting for my next exciting box you can find me painting or taking photographs of interesting people. I never leave home without pug hair somewhere on my shirt and a bold lipstick on my smile.

Read More By Megan K. >

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23 comments

Edgar Guerrero

Family has no issues with your products but we have been trying to cancel with you guys since one of my family members does not need that much products. Every month that I tried to cancel for the past 4 months I get charged for it ? I am very fed up with the situation. It’s ridiculous how you guys don’t have a number for customer service . Unbelievable. And when I thought I canceled for good Around March I WAS CHARGED AGAIN!!!! Do not spend your money with them ! We don’t need much product in the house it’s nice and all but I am not going to throw away my money !

Paula ogdo6

I’m having the same problem. So now I had to cancel my Debit card so they wont take it out. So that want you have to do.

Michelle Whitehead

That blush is amazing!! I have used it every single day since I received my bag weeks ago. It is the perfect flush and glow. I need it in every color available.

cheryl s zaccone

This is a great bag! I have stopped all subs but for $12 I just signed up again with Ipsy. They said first month will be February.

dia

Seems like this is a popular iteration. I got almost the same bag, except I got the Cela body scrub instead of the JJ pore mask.

Patricia

I was very happy with my Jan Ipsy. I got the Pur powder foundation in Light as well and a Ciate blush in Matchmaker which I seriously love. In fact, I purchased an additional blush in the same shade. I’m planning to keep just the original Ipsy bag. I like the sample sizes and have loved trying so many different skin care items.

Kathy

i think ipsy’s sample sizes are generally pretty good. I sub to the plus now but I remember it always took me forever to finish using up their samples

Lori

Between my regular bag and add ons I received all of these products. I am in love with each and every one of them! One of my best bags yet🤗

Marion

I got the Pur powder foundation in Fair. I was curious to test it out, so I applied it with a flat-topped buffing brush on top of the day’s half worn-off makeup. I did like the mattifying effect! Anyone have tips on how to apply powder foundation for a full face? I feel like my regular “powder” brushes wouldn’t pick up enough product from the pressed powder compact.

I got the Ciate Blush in Pinch Me, & unfortunately it is way too pink for me to be able to use as a highlighter. It’s a lovely product, very shimmery & not glittery, but my cheeks are already so pink on their own that I avoid pink blush altogether. I’ll have to figure out what I can do with this product.

Megan K.

I think my fave way to apply was with a kabuki style brush. I somehow (against all odds?) had pretty great coverage. I did have to kind of press the brush into the pan with some pressure and swirl it around.

Lisa G

I got the PUR foundation, which I love, too! I used a beauty blender to apply it. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it covered. It feels like wearing no makeup at all. I found the blender did a good job applying. I have a lot of brushes, so I may try the IT foundation brush next time.

Bee

I had the same product and issue. It works well for an eyeshadow for me though.

Lori

I used the IT Cosmetics heavenly flat top foundation buffing brush. Works perfect with that foundation! Try using the blush as an eyeshadow. I did that with the shade Date Night and it looked really pretty.

Marion

Sounds similar to the brush I used! I’ll try it out to see how it goes with a full face.

I am up to my eyes with shadows, I love them so. I’m not sure I have a place in my collection for a shadow as sheer as this shimmer. It’s good advice, though! I’ll try it! Thanks!

Pink5

I’m kind of a brush junkie, so I have a bunch of Bare Minerals brushes.
But if you have any of the buki style brushes, those work too.
As for technique, I basically use a circular motion.

Marion

Ooh, I’ll check my collection to see if I have a kabuki brush tucked away somewhere. Thanks for the advice!

Lisa

I used my marble face brush that came in this months Ipsy and it worked just fine . But I have been using a flat firm brush to apply my other powder foundation and that works to. My choice for Feb was the Beauty Crop brush and it said it is for powder foundation.

Marion

It sounds like the buffer brush I tested might work out! Thanks for the advice!

Naydene

I am so glad I downgraded back to my regular small bag. I had the other two for a while and they were trash! The small bag seems to have gotten better which is weird. I think it’s more bang for your buck.

PudgeKat

I agree!

Dawna

I got the same cleanser, mask and Ciate blush/highlighter. I got the same shade and I’m much darker. It’s more of a yellow highlighter on me. Yuck. I’m giving the skincare away. I normally love skincare, but these are for acne prone skin, not aging skin. The only items I kept are the bag and a F.A.R.A.H. Blush brush.

Jody

Bag twins. I was sad that I didn’t get a full size item second month in a row. I would have never guessed the value was that high. I was impressed as well with the Pur. It did not settle into my oily t-zone and provided decent coverage. I always use liquid too. Sadly the blush was too dark for me.
I haven’t tried the mask yet because I feel like this would be better for summertime.

Megan K.

As someone who doesn’t normally get too excited for PUR, i was also very impressed!

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Ipsy Review – January 2020

About Ipsy Glam Bag

My Ipsy Glam Bag January 2020 Review

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