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Ipsy September 2020 Review: Pacifica, P/Y/T, Hempz, and more!

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Oct 1, 2020 | 12 comments

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.

This is one of our top recommendations if you are looking for a subscription box - the value and sample sizes are great. (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 September 2020 Review

 

Included is a card with a few notes on some ingredients.

 

Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month features a berry and mustard corduroy bag.

 

HEMPZ Ultra Moisturizing Herbal Lip Balm, 14 g  - Full Size! Retail Value $8.99 

Starting off a bag with a full size lip balm is always a great way to grab my attention. While I tend to dislike the lotion scents from this brand, I actually found myself pretty fond of the fragrance in this balm. When something is going to hang out that close to your nose, a good smell is a must! This smells a little citrusy, a little sweet, and a little herbal, with a very soft cannabis note. I don't mind it! It feels thinner on my lips than some other balms but this consistency doesn't mean it is any less moisturizing. This is going to be a real treat when those cold lip-chapping winds kick up.

 

 

EVIO BEAUTY Rejuvenating Mask, 15 mL - Estimated Value $8.25 (Buy a full size 40 mL for $22.00)

I enjoyed this pale blue mask. It is one of those that is going to be pretty great for dry skin. Side note: you don't technically have to remove this mask after 15 minutes. You could easily leave it on as a moisturizing sheet mask! Inside is a blend of hemp seed oil, glycerine, niacinamide, aloe, and hyaluronic acid. It has a nice clean spa sort of scent that isn't too strong. I chose to use this as a sleep mask for a few nights and found that my skin was very hydrated and soft in the mornings with added firmness. I will take it!

 

 

Pacifica Beauty Desert Sunset Matte Blush & Bronze Duo

I have gotten a few of these custom Pacifica Beauty palettes and I always tend to like them. Sure, the bronzer is basically wasted on me, but I actually loved it as a soft eyeshadow in my crease. Its one of those shades that adds a little dimension, even when used on the lid solo. The blush is a very pretty peachy shade that compliments my face nicely and adds a very delicate flush to my cheeks. I like that both of these formulas are matte too, since I always seem to collect shimmering powders more often. This was a nice change of pace!

Yes and yes.

 

P/Y/T Beauty Day to Night Cool Eyeshadow Palette - Buy the full palette here for $32.00

This was my choice item!

This palette was so tiny I don't know how they managed to fit 4 shades inside! I hadn't tried anything from this brand which let me to pick this as my choice item. I like that these are cooler than so many other palettes I have, though I would personally still consider these shades pretty neutral. As much as I loved the colors, there could have been more pigment here. The mattes applied much better with fingertips, while the shimmers worked about the same with a dense brush or finger. The mattes need a little extra work to really shine.

Top to bottom: Coffee Run, Daytrip, Happy Hr, and 2:02AM

 

Maëelle Beauty Clearly Brilliant Tinted Lips in 'Nude', 1.6 g - Estimated Value $4.90 (Buy a full-size 2.94 g for $9.00)

My last little item is a very pretty pink lip balm crayon. This shade is called nude but it is much more cute and pink that suggested by its name. This is a sheer balm that adds a natural flush to my lips. It took a little work to really pick up on the pretty shade, but once the crayon was warmed up it was smooth and very softening. No real scent here. It's a great shade for a natural and effortless look.

Verdict: I quite liked my September Ipsy Glam Bag. Two of the items were custom for this bag, but the remaining 3 add up to a value of around $22.14, so you know there was value in this bag, especially since the two items I couldn't price were multi-shade palettes. I liked everything inside this time, though that cute eyeshadow palette needed more pigment to make it something I would reach for often. I especially loved the HEMPZ balm and the Pacifica palette! This month felt like a great value for an affordable $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, each item 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 September Ipsy Glam Bag? What items did you get in your bag?

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Megan K.
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.

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12 comments

JRose

I also got the quad and the hempz lip balm. I really like the hempz my lips are soft and hydrated. I don’t have to use as much as other balms. P Y T quad was my pick,take with me when I travel.

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Lori W.

I received the lip balm, tinted balm, and Pacifica duo as well. Both the lip products are wonderful! I had been wanting to try the Hempz lipbalm for awhile. This is my 4th Pacifica duo and I’ve loved them all! I was so happy there was finally a matte version. I love shimmers but they dont always look the best on me due to large cheek pores. And I agree..very fluffy brush needed for the blush. Then I buff it out with my IT Cosmetics flat head foundation brush. I then go from clown to the perfect flush🥰

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Charlotte

I got the same Pacifica set. I’ve never tried anything from that brand before, and wow, both the blush and bronzer WAY more pigmented that I was expecting! I looked like a resident of Clown City the first time I tried them on. The blush I can make work for me if I use a light hand, but like you, the bronzer is too dark for me. I’ll have to try using it as an eyeshadow.

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Megan K.

Haha I totally get this comment! I like to use their blushes with a larger and very fluffy brush. Gives a nice wash of color without being too much. 🤡

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Mel

I LOVE the Maelle lip crayons – the “Nude” has been sold out on their site, but I am snatching it up as soon as it is back in stock!

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Tara W

My Maelle in Nectar broke on me the first time that I used it. Ipsy did send a replacement of the same item but I’ve just lost any desire to try that brand now.

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Megan K.

Hope you can snag it soon! It’s a lovely color.

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Carol

Oooh, I got that mask and haven’t opened it yet. I didn’t think of using it as a sleep mask!

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Megan K.

I am just too lazy to rinse off anything I don’t absolutely have to! 😂

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Laura

An oops: “Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month features a silver holographic bag.”

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Megan K.

eep, thank you! I always get excited to get to the products 😅

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Amanda

I got the same exact items as you. I chose pyt as I’ve tried their lip gloss/lip stick combo before and I liked it a lot. They’re a more natural brand which I like. But man you’re not wrong the palette was so small.
I don’t know why I never think to use bronzer as an eyeshadow. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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