Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. Each month you get 5 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
My Ipsy Glam Bag August 2020 Review
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Included is a card that usually details each of the items but now outlines beauty tips and tricks.
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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme is "The Future is Yours." The bag is a shiny holographic silver that gives me strong flashbacks to my Zenon and Phil of the Future days.
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MURAD Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser, 1.5 oz - Estimated Value $7.11 (Buy a full-size 6.75 fl oz for $32.00)
I'm a huge fan of Murad and I'm always excited to receive one of their products in a subscription box. This Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser is wonderful. I love its gel formula. The texture is so refreshing after a long hot day and the product has a minty cooling feel that gives your face a peppy little tingle, adding to the experience. Thankfully, I don't have a ton of blemishes, so I use this product only occasionally. Formulated with acne-fighting encapsulated salicylic acid, I feel like it would dry my skin out a bit if I used it every day, but damn, does it feel nice after a sweaty workout. If you are fighting off blackheads or whiteheads, and even clogged pores, you are really going to love this product. I wish my teenage self could have experienced it.
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TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, 5 mL - Estimated Value $6.00 (Buy a full-size 40 mL for $48.00)
A Tatcha product! What a great way to make the Ipsy Glam Bag feel high-end. This Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is a fan favorite among lovers of the brand, and I'm no exception. I love all face mists and anything that can be applied with an ultra-fine mister. I love keeping this product in my skincare fridge and spritzing it on my face chilled. The spritzer delivers a refreshing ultra-fine micro mist that rests lightly on your face, giving your skin a more soft, plump, and dewy look. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, botanical oils, and superfoods, this is more than a setting spray. If my face is feeling dry and dull, a few spritzes of this and my thirsty skin feels happy and hydrated once again. The only downside is if you love it, this sample will go quickly and you'll have to shell out to enjoy it at full size.
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BALANCE ME Congested Skin Serum, 7 mL - Estimated Value $8.87 (Buy a full-size 15 mL for $19.00)
This Balance Me Congested Skin Serum is an incredibly lightweight product, perfect for spot targeting blackheads and other acne blemishes. I always find that I get one or two stubborn blemishes on my forehead near my hairline after I oil my scalp. This product was perfect to treat that one area, clearing the congested pores and eliminating the redness and inflammation. Formulated with kanuka oil and moringa oil, and infused with calming eucalyptus, this handy little powerhouse blasts away acne-causing bacteria, while fortifying your skin's protective barrier and relieving irritation. It has a fairly strong, natural, herbaceous scent that gives me a medicinal vibe but doesn't irritate my skin. I'm happy to have this product tucked away in case of an acne emergency.
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BELIF The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, 10 mL - Estimated Value $8.80 (Buy a full-size 25 mL for $22.00)
I love belif products. I'm a huge fan of their True Cream Aqua Bomb, and I'm happy to have received this The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. Even though this moisturizer is incredibly lightweight, it was a little bit too heavy for summertime use with my oily skin, but I will definitely be saving this sample for the fall. From what I can tell, this product will be amazingly hydrating for that dry skin I get when the seasons change. Chock-full of good clean herbal ingredients, including comfrey leaf, this product moisturizes as well as detoxes your skin, leaving you with a brighter and clearer complexion.
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LOVECRAFT BEAUTY Highlighter in Borealis, 5 g - Retail Value $14.50 (Buy a two-pan palette for $29.00)
If you want a gorgeous, glittery, summertime glow, this Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis is perfect. I think this shimmery golden color is absolutely beautiful; it works perfectly with my medium skin tone. A little goes a long way with this highlighter. Just a touch on the high points of my face and I had a beautiful shine that lasted all day. But beware, when I say this product is glittery, I mean, GLITTERY. The sparkle is real. This powdered highlighter is infused with soft, light-reflecting pigments that create a warm, natural, glowy look on your skin. In my opinion, the golden color is flattering for most skin tones, making this product incredibly diverse and inclusive.
Here is a swatch of the Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis.
Verdict: This month's Ipsy Glam Bag had products from some amazing brands. I'm thrilled we received a product from Tatcha, the Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. Face mists are a favorite skincare product of mine and I will definitely finish the bottle in no time. The Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser is a unique gel cleanser, and I love the cooling, tingling sensation. The Balance Me Congested Skin Serum works great to target sudden breakouts and specific blemishes, and I love that the brand is all-natural. The belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb is a wonderful lightweight moisturizer, and I can't wait to use it in the fall and winter when my skin gets a little drier and I sweat less. Lastly, I received the Lovecraft Beauty Highlighter in Borealis. I love the shimmery golden color and how well it complements a variety of skin tones. These are all great products that I'm glad I got to sample. This month had a nice value estimated at $45.28. That is great for a $12 subscription!
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, I calculated a value of $45.28. Here's how that breaks down per item:
- Cleanser: $1.88
- Face Mist: $1.60
- Serum: $2.35
- Moisturizer: $2.33
- Highlighter: $3.84
Alternatively, each of the 5 items 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!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of my August Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?
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