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IPSY Glam Bag Plus Review – November 2020

Megan K.
ByMegan K.Nov 18, 2020 | 64 comments

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus
4.3 overall rating
242 Ratings | 28 Reviews

IPSY Glam Bag Plus is a $25 a month subscription box from IPSY. Every month you’ll receive 5 full-sized beauty products. The box will have a retail value of at least $120. (This box was voted as a best makeup subscription box and a best beauty subscription box by MSA readers!)

FYI, COVID-19 Update: Keep up-to-date on Ipsy shipping delays right here.

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

About IPSY Glam Bag Plus

The Subscription Box: IPSY Glam Bag Plus

The Cost: $25 a month (free U.S. shipping)

The Products: Full-size makeup and beauty products every month.

Ships to: The U.S. for free

Our IPSY Glam Bag Plus November 2020 Review

 

Here is our info card for the month. No specific item list this time.

 

My drawstring bag arrived with a geometric minimal design in navy, brown, and peach.

Now, on to the items!

 

TRÈSTIQUE Good Vibes Mascara + Lash Curler in Icelandic Black Lacquer, 9 mL - Retail Value $25.00

IPSY chose this item for me!

I have received this item before (this might actually be my third tube) and it just isn't my favorite. It wears like a basic black mascara which is fine, and the built-in curler is handy to keep the number of tools down in your makeup bag. It adds black tint and some volume and length to my lashes but isn't especially outstanding. I just don't find black mascara super exciting at this point and I already have two HG mascaras (I rotate between Benefit BADgal and Clinique Lash Power) that I don't deviate from often. I will likely end up gifting this tube to my mom to see what she thinks.

 

Violet Voss Mini Coral Pop Eyeshadow Palette, 6 shades - Estimated Value $14.00 (buy the full 18 shade palette for $42.00)

IPSY chose this item for me!

FYI: This item came with the following warning on the box:

WARNING: Coral Pop, Pretty Peach, Champagne, Coco Latte may contain a colorant that is not approved for the eye area in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil.

I was instantly unimpressed with the warning on this palette. These are eyeshadows! They should be able to be used around the eye, right? It is also a bummer that three of the four shades with that warning are arguably the best in the color story. Not a huge fan of any of this. They swatched fine, though the mattes were a little patchy. I chose not to demo this because after reading that warning why would I want this near my eyes? I also wish they had mentioned what exactly that ingredient was so I would know to look out for it in the future. I tried to decipher it from the ingredient list but the lists were not separated by shade, making this nearly impossible. Does anyone have any helpful insight on this one?

Top to bottom: Silk, Coral Pop, Pretty Peach, Champagne, Teddy, and Choco Latte.

 

Flesh Touch Flesh Highlighter Balm in 'Pinky', 3.7 g – Retail Value $18.00

This was my choice item!

This is one of those brand names that I find both offputting and also very cool! I have tried a few things from them and I always enjoy their shades and formulations. This highlighting stick is a stunner! It is sheer but extremely buildable, meaning you can go for a natural radiance or blind with companion products, depending on your preference. The shimmer here is mostly pearl, but it does have a soft pink tone to it. It looks really great on my bare face for those no-makeup days (honestly, this is mostly every day right now) but also works well on top of your fave foundation or under a little powder.

I see myself using this often.

 

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream, 1.7 fl oz – Retail Value $82.00

This was my choice item!

I know I have a lot of readers that are Murad fans, so if you got this in your assortment, you are likely very excited! I loved the feel of this thicker cream on my skin at night and I also adore the cool dispenser, but a few of the ingredients give me pause, especially for anyone who has congested skin or easily clogged pores. The ingredients that jumped out for me were isopropyl palmitate (makes your skin feel silky!), oleyl alcohol, and algin (an ingredient that is also used for texture). Since this is kind of an anti-aging sort of deal, it was probably designed for older and less oily skin anyways, meaning this is likely not an issue for many people who would have picked up this product. The goodies inside include delights like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and retinol which are all on my dream list for anyone's skin. If you read my reviews, you are familiar with the following disclaimer: You know your skin better than I do! Proceed with that in mind and try this out for yourself.

 

Sugar Rush Lip Sip Vegan Lip Oil in 'Fresh Pressed', 3 mL – Retail Value $15.00

This was my choice item!

FYI: This item leaked during photography. It was on its side for a picture and the gloss ran out all over the paper! This is why it looks a little empty. Heads up to not lay this tube on its side. 😅

Sugar Rush is like the little sister brand to Tarte, and I think it is beyond adorable. All of their products are so colorful and over-the-top cute. This lip gloss was an easy pick for me since I already adore lip gloss and I am a sucker for cute packaging. While this gloss really didn't add any tint to my lips, I loved the heavier texture, super-shiny gloss, and even the sugary raspberry scent that reminded me of tart candies.

Super glossy!

Verdict: I have been enjoying my IPSY Glam Bag Plus selections in recent months, but something about this one fell a little flat. I am really turned off by the warning on the eyeshadow palette and I found the mascara to be a bland addition to this bag. On the flip side, the Murad product was nice (just be mindful of your skin type!), I loved the Flesh highlighter stick, and the little gloss tube was wonderful (even after half of it spilled out! Sorry Andy!). The value this month was $154 which is fantastic for a $25 subscription. 

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You'll likely start with November as your first month. As of publication, there was no IPSY waitlist!

Value Breakdown: This box costs $25.00, meaning you are paying approximately the following per item:

  • Trestique mascara $4.06
  • Violet Voss Palette $2.27
  • FLESH Highlighter $2.92
  • Murad Night Cream $13.31
  • Sugar Rush Gloss $2.44

Alternatively, each of the 5 items has an average cost of $5.00. 

Check out all of our IPSY Glam Bag Plus reviews and our favorite beauty and makeup subscriptions!

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

What do you think of the November IPSY Glam Bag Plus? Which items did you get?

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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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64 comments

Kathy

That sucks the palette is so sketchy. Those colors are right up my alley, and that pigment!

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ErinL

If you watch RawBeautyKristi’s announcement video for her Pur palette over the summer she gives an EXCELLENT breakdown of the pigment vs eyeshadow situation and how the vegan pigments are not considered eye safe in the US & Canada but are fine in Europe. I found it very enlightening. Also now that you noticed this here you’ll start to see this warning everywhere. Many palettes (especially vegan formulas) have a shade or two that come with this warning.

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Becca

THE COMPLEX CULTURE LIP CREAM IS THE GREATEST LIP PRODUCT I HAVE EVER USED!!! I WANT MORE MORE MORE!

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Carla

Does anyone else find it crazy that we LOVE the CC lip cream? It is so nice. Almost perfect!

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Anna

I was really surprised how much I love the CC lip cream and the Yensa silk bronzing base. I thought having the Trestique bronzer and Yensa contour stick would annoy me but I’ll use both.

I used the VV palette without any staining, I did apply primer first.

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Mandy

Has anyone else not gotten their bag yet? My bag has always shipped on the 7th. Still no tracking number. And ipsy has done nothing but taken my money 🙄

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Chalsey

I have suffered terrible hormonal acne for 11 years. My skin is VERY oily and prone to clogged pores. That being said… the Murad is a miracle worker! I use this at night and SR UFO in the morning. I notice the biggest improvement upon waking up so I believe the Murad is the reason my face is FINALLY CLEAR!!!

This was the first moisturizer I have used where I don’t wake up feeling like I have a film across my face. Soaks into my skin quickly without residue.

I was absolutely mind blown. It did purge my skin the first 3 days of use and since then I haven’t had active breakouts. I’ve been using the night cream every night for 2.5 weeks

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Kathy

This bag was the worst for me! It was so bad I canceled my subscription right after doing the choice selections. Everything offered were items I indicated as rarely. I literally didn’t know what to choose because I didn’t want any of it. Now I get emails from Ipsy daily with all kinds of “special offers” trying to entice me back. Nope!

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Mel

I have been using Marc Jacobs’ Youthquake for a month and a half and LOVE it. My skin looks incredible. My jar is now empty so I decided it would be perfect time to try the Murad. Woke up the next morning with THREE big ole zits. To be fair, shark week started yesterday so I am giving it a little time before offering the rest of the jar to a friend.

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Aidan

I found a set with the Youthquake at Ross for $29.99 this week, and it’s also on sale on the Sephora website for $34 I think.

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Chalsey

I’ve suffered acne for years. This product purged my skin (more breakouts for the first couple days) and now I have a clear face after nightly use.

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Charlotte

Zits take 4-5 days to form, though, so it’s really unlikely that you’d have an immediate reaction like that. (I mean, I’ve totally had product that broke me out after one use, but it still took several days for my pimples to become visible.)

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Dea

It didn’t make me break out at all, but it’s not as hydrating as I like a night cream to be. I’ll use it up.

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Tammy Ikonen

Underwhelmed ..is there a better word ?? Ugh ..yuck ..boring …bag

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Nicole

I was getting ready to cancel Ipsy because of product overload, but the spoilers got me! Especially the murad! So I was pretty bummed when I logged on at the first second for choice and no murad, no flesh, nada. I had multiple shaded of the item eye shadow and the sugar rush gloss in one category, then in the next the sugar rush in another color, a ofra lip product and more of the shadow. The last had the lip mask, a liner and I don’t recall what else. I was so confused! Where was everything?! I got the same email a while later that a lot of people did, stating that there was some sort of a mistake and offering a three dollar credit towards add-ons. This seems like more than a three dollar mistake, LOL. But a lot of the people who got the same email I did, had the murad and several other nice items as choices. Mine was an utter flop, and I know it’s not because things were sold out. I was on as soon as it opened… The things they chose for me were the mascara and the pallet with the warning, just to add insult to injury, lol.

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Nikkim

Same here. I’m sure you guys also received the email for a bogo add on as well? That didnt excite me but I’m hoping since ultimate cancelled, and ipsyx is higher end, that we will have much better choices, fingers crossed lol

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Jo

Same for me! I had only lip gloss and sheet masks as choice options. I found it disappointing.

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JRose

I am happy with my plus bag this month even though I got a repeat it’s okay.
Ipsy picked Trestique Mascara, I have so many opened I put it away for my daughter
Seraphine Botanicals Vegan eyeshadow palette which I received a few months back so both products will be put away as part of my daughter Birthday gifts!
I picked Murad night cream and I really like it. My skin loves Murad products
Happy I picked Tula jel eye masks and I noticed a difference right away
I usually only use lip balm but I decided to pick Yensa super 8 lip oil in sheer pink. Smells good and very hydrating I even like the pink tint. Value of bag was over 200, worth the 25 dollars.

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Aidan

Just FYI, the Coral Crush palette and the mini Coral Crush have different shades in them. I checked before I ordered the Coral Crush in Boxy Popup.

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Rachael Rae

I received the email about the malfunction and was a little confused because i really liked my November box. Ipsy choose the VV palette which i love. Its gorgeous. I have already used it a bunch of times. I love the shade coral pop. It has the warning because we live in the usa. Its kinda like all the products that have on the label for people in california. Glad i live in washington so i dont have to worry about them giving me cancer j/k. Fyi i didn’t get any reaction from it and it didn’t stain my skin. Also like someone said to make colors intense they use to use beattle bugs. But everyone wants vegan and you can’t make bright colors that are vegan using bugs.
They also choose the yensa bronzer for me. I had my doubts bit it surprised me. It feels nice on my skin and it’s very buildable. It is a great color. The brush is awesome.
I choose the murad retinol cream and i love it. I have been using it every night. I’m fifty. Have small pores and rarely get acne. I also choose the CC lip tint in rusty rose and OMG this is my new fave for a natural look. The way it feels on my lips reminds me of sugar rush sugar coat. It feels thick like a balm and really moisturizing. The last thing i choose was the julep cream to powder eyeshadow stick.i live the glow it leaves behind. I added on the sunday riley a+ retinal serum. November box for me was amazing.

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Snow

Thanks for taking one for the team! 👍

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Danette

Great review! Great choices i wanted the tarte lip oil so bad but I decided to go with the eye masks so glad I did I love those! And I love the vilot voss palette its amazing

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Danette

Great review! Great choices i love my glam bag too . I wanted the tarte lip oil but it

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Carla

I’m not thrilled with my GBP this month. I chose the Murad Retinol but am now scared because while I dont have oily skin I have dry skin but do have milia and comedones so my pores clog easily.
I also received that awful Violet Voss eye shadow palette that I only ended up liking one of the colors. I was going to pass it along (holiday gift) BUT now I may just toss it.
Trestique mascara is a repeat for sure. This is my 3rd one so either Ipsy or BC repeated it again cause I have 3 quantity. Two open ones plus one I gave away to my daughter. Its ok but not my ‘reach for’ because I’m spoiled, I have so many mascaras it’s hard to be my go to FAV.

HAPPY WITH:
LOVE the SERAPHINE BOTANICALS Fruit Butter – Lip Mask (my 2nd choice) have this already so chose as a back up.
3rd choice which I am shocked I LOVE is COMPLEX CULTURE Deal Closer Tinted Lip Cream in Rusty Rose. I love the Complex Culture brushes like most of us do. I was afraid I wouldn’t like this make up line BUT this gloss is really nice upon initial try. The color and the formula are NICE!! Great job IPSY. I am now excited to try some of their other make up and skincare items.
Please if anyone else received the LIP GLOSS share what you think of it.
THANK YOU for your excellent review.

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Rachel

I agree – I LOVE the CC tinted lip cream – I did not think I would like it as much, but is a pleasant addition to my bag. It feels so good on and gives just a hint of color. I use it as either a lip primer or alone.

I also love the fruit butter lip mask. I was hesitant selecting two lip products in my bag, but I have been putting it on before I go to sleep and wake up to really soft, well moisturized lips!

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Carla

Rachel, we’re the same both of these lip products WORKED for US!!! Thanks for taking the time to reply.
🙂

Shannon

I think it has to do with red shades and a specific ingredient but I can’t recall which off hand. There are lots of palettes with this same warning that people have but likely never noticed the warning. They are considered pigments instead of eye shadows. I remember UD had a couple, the electric comes to mind first. And a few ABH ones as well, can’t remember which. I think it has to do with some beetle that’s used to make it, but that may not be this palette. Carmine, if I remember correctly but I have premenopause brain lately so I might be wrong. But I’ve used them on my eyes with no issues but that’s me. And they can be used on other parts of the face, it just has to have that warning dor the eyes.

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Megan K.

Thanks for the insight Shannon! I know a lot less about makeup ingredients than skincare, so this was super helpful. I need to do more beetle investigation. 🧐

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Caroline Clarke

Yeah, it’s vegan red pigments. I learned about it via paint tubes, which also have warnings when they use the synthetic pigments. I think they contain trace amounts of ?coal? which causes swelling, irritation, and hives. Very weird, but some natural pigments cannot be ethically harvested (i.e. use child labor) so it’s really one of those situations where there’s no good option. Except maybe avoiding red eyeshadow.

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dia

The ingredients seemed unsafe for the immediate eye area are most likely red no 6 and yellow no 7. It’s not just Violet Boss; Huda, Anastasia, and other high end brands have had to issue the same warning on some of their bright eye shadow palettes.

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dia

Typo: deemed, not seemed.

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Dea

Many of us felt that the choices fell flat this month. At first, I thought that Ipsy was just saving the cool items for add ons to try to make more money, but then they sent out an email and admitted that their matching algorithm malfunctioned and that’s why some of us saw choices that were not a match for us at all. (Sarcastic comment: fortunately, the computer code for displaying add ons did not malfunction at all). The Murad was the only item that was a hit for me. Let’s hope the December selection is good, or I’ll take a break for a while.

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Alice

I haven’t received my plus yet. Ipsy added the palette for me. Wow. They will definitely be hearing from me about eyeshadows that cannot safely be used on eyelids. I’m not happy about this.

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Courtney

I received the palette and contacted customer service almost a week ago. So far, all I’ve gotten is that the issue will be passed on to the rest of the team and they will reach out to brand partners. Personally, I want a resolution before I pay for the December bag.

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Nan

Has anyone had any luck with that eyelash curler? It’s just not working for me. Sounds handy, but so awkward trying to actually use it!

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Bethani

I really like it because I can get to the small lashes on the inner corners of my eyes that I normally cant get with my regular lash curler. Its definitely not big enough to curl all your lashes at once so you have to go across in sections. When I dont have lash extensions on ill use this on the inner conners of my eyes then use my normal curler for the rest. Im not a fan of the actual mascara though so I do wish I could find a mini curler like this not connected to a mascara.

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Megan K.

For my eyes it is a little narrow to get all the lashes at once, so I kind of just curl the outers then move to the others if I feel like they need a little lift!

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Nan

Thanks for the tip. I’ll try that!

Snow

I can’t recall anyone being able to use that eyelash curler 😂

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reeb

The curler did not work for me at all. My lashes are already uncooperative when it comes to curl, and this was just a complete waste of time.

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Jenn

That is interesting about the palette. I got the Full Time neutral one and unless I missed it, I didn’t see that warning.

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Carla

Are we allowed to post pics here? Mine says it on the side panel small white text on the outter packaging. Mine is the same palette color as was reviewed above.

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Jennifer

The eyeshadows are most likely considered “not eye safe” because they use a red pigment that can cause staining. The fda considers that to be unsafe but in Europe it’s fine. They should be okay to use, you just might get pink eyelids temporarily. Using an eyeshadow base or concealer before applying can help reduce the chance of staining.

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Megan K.

I am getting so many great answers about this from readers. I knew asking in the review would be the right choice! I don’t feel like this stained my wrist when I did swatches, but, admittedly, it wasn’t on there long. I might have to see what that neon coral does on my lids!

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Snow

Definitely can cause eyelid staining! I got some serious irritation to my eye area because I would leave it on for 24 hours plus (stupid I know!) After a few weeks I stopped the madness 😂

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Marion

This, exactly. The FDA considers “staining” to be the same thing as “dying,” which… one is permanent & one is not.

I personally have no problem using these types of pigments on my eyelids, but of course that’s a personal choice that won’t be the same for everyone.

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Cynthia

Still waiting for mine. Two weeks to get from Texas to Nevada via California seems a bit ridiculous! Even rather have Smartpost over DHL.

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CB

When I check DHL’s tracking it says my Ipsy Plus it’s been on its way to the distribution center since November 3 and nothing has changed in 15 days. it’s still trying to get there. This has never happened to me before but I’ve read comments on MSA about other girls having this problem and based on their experience I’m making peace with the fact that I might not get my Ipsy Plus this month.

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Stephanie

I’m in the same situation and it’s pissing me off because they can’t answer if its in the warehouse still or what.

Misty

how did you escape the complex culture items? like one of my suggestions for picking was all complex culture i was so mad.

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Megan K.

No clue! I was kind of wanting that palette, because CC products have been pretty decent and I was just wildly curious about the quality.

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Terri Brenton

I did receive the CC palette and I love it! Beautiful colors. I think it will be a real favorite for me. I did not know CC was an Ipsy product, but I don’t have a problem with this.

Charlotte

CC items are really nice, though? I know plenty of GBP subscribers who really wanted that CC palette and were upset they got the Violet Voss palette instead.

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Marion

They’re undesirable items, in my opinion, since they’re the Ipsy house brand.