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Ipsy January 2021 Review: Soo’AE, Item Beauty, and More!

Taryn Lowman
ByTaryn LowmanFeb 18, 2021 | 13 comments

Ipsy
4 overall rating
1811 Ratings | 298 Reviews

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 per month + free U.S. 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 January 2021 Review

 

I received a card that featured beauty resolutions for your sign. Love it!

 

Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme is "Dream It." This bag is waterproof and perfect for skincare products when you travel. 

 

Hanbang Mask: Collagen - Retail Value $5.00

Hanbang Mask: Hyaluronic Acid - Retail Value $5.00

Both of these masks are made of a biodegradable sheet and were fantastic! The collagen mask is good for all skin types and works to rejuvenate and firm your skin. It is made with Natto Gum and Adenosine. The Hyaluronic Acid mask is great for dry skin (it me!) for hydrate and moisturize. This mask is made with deep sea water and yes, Hyaluronic Acid. The collagen mask left me feeling plump and tight in a good way, my skin looked absolutely youthful! The Hyaluronic Acid mask was my favorite because my skin is always in need of extra moisture. When I woke up the day after using this my skin was glowing! I felt so hydrated and my makeup went on like a dream. Both of these masks had a light floral scent but weren't overwhelming and they fit my face perfectly! For the price and quality, I would absolutely use these again.

 

Formula 10.0.6 Thirst No More Moisturizer, 1.0 fl oz. - Estimated Value $5.31 (Buy a full-size 1.69 fl oz. for $8.99)

My skin is so dry that I am constantly on the lookout for that it moisturizer that is going to finally help my skin. This blend is made with a natural complex of watermelon, lentil, and apple extract. The moisturizer is light so it is great to use with makeup. It is made with Hyaluronic Acid to deliver a second boost of moisture and white tea to maintain your glow. I am really enjoying this moisturizer in my morning routine as the last step before my makeup since it is so light. I can tell that this is going to be great for my summer skin as well!

 

Jules Smith Beauty Power Slick Gloss in Skinny Dip, 0.08 fl oz. - Estimated Value $5.53 (Buy a full-size 0.26 oz. for $18.00)

I want to start by saying that I don't think I received the Skinny Dip gloss. The bottom of the bottle does in fact say Skinny Dip, but the color does not match the website. It looks like I received Namaste All Day. Maybe? Did anyone else have this issue that received Skinny Dip? This gloss has a high shine shimmer finish and is made with Vitamins A and E to add moisture. It really made my lips feel super hydrated! It was on the more shimmery side from what I typically wear, but I really like the fresh look that it gave me. This would be perfect to wear for a casual day or when I want to do a darker eye and a more neutral lip that still pops. The only thing that I didn't love was the super glossy finish that left my lips feeling sticky. Nothing major, more of a personal preference from someone that is usually in matte lipsticks all day.

 

Item Beauty Air Hug Concealer in Fair Neutral (#100),  2.4 ml - Estimated Value $4.00 (Buy a full-size 10.8 ml for $18.00)

I really liked this concealer, but I do think it was a tad too light for me. I am already really fair, but I think this somehow washed me out even more. I think I could darken it up a bit though if I use a bronzer and some highlight. This has a medium to full coverage which worked great at covering some blemishes and really glided on my skin smoothly without any creases. This formula is made with Carica papaya fruit extract to give your skin a boost of antioxidants. I will absolutely be using this more,e specially to spot treat smaller areas before applying my foundation.

 

SLMISSGLAM Flat Foundation B12 - Estimated Value $19.50

I really love playing with brushes! Sometimes you can be applying your makeup one way, try a new brush, and bam your makeup looks completely different. This vegan and cruelty-free brush was created by YouTuber and beauty guru, Stephanie Lewis. The brush is synthetic and is meant to blend liquid and cream foundations to make a streak-free application. I recently switched to a liquid foundation so I have been testing using a buffer brush, sponge, and now I tested this soft bristle flat brush. I have found that this was great to use around my eyes, and it was even perfect for blending my new concealer over blemishes to really work it into the skin without creasing. Another brush to add to my collection!

Verdict: This was my first time receiving the Ipsy Glam Bag. I must say that I really loved it! I am sort of in this new space of trying new products to try to get my dry skin in order, and I have this newfound love of makeup. Both of these new passions or missions mean that testing products are key! I also love smaller bags like this because the curation always feels so specific and clean. My favorite item this month was the masks because they felt so upscale and really helped my skin. I wish I could get that Hyaluronic Acid mask glow every day. The moisturizer is that perfect layer before applying my makeup, light but still hydrating. I loved receiving a concealer and foundation brush to test them together on blending and application. With a retail value of $44.34 on a $12.00 bag, this bag is perfect for the beauty lover!

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, sign up now to get the February bag!

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

Value Breakdown: At $12.00 for this box, I calculated a value of $44.34. Here's how that breaks down per item:

  • Collagen Mask: $1.35
  • Hyaluronic Acid Mask: $1.35
  • Moisturizer: $1.43
  • Gloss: $1.49
  • Concealer: $0.98
  • Brush: $5.27

Alternatively, each of the 6 items has an average cost of $2.00.

Check out all of our Ipsy reviews and the best beauty subscription boxes of 2021, 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 January 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.

Taryn Lowman
Taryn Lowman
Taryn's passion for subscription boxes started when she was gifted a monthly Birchbox. She is excited to discover more Mom and baby boxes to share with her family!

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13 comments

Tolin

I knew that 10.0.6 name rang a distant bell from my childhood, and then it hit me — Bonne Bell! The Westlake, OH address on the tube confirmed it (they’re a Cleveland company); this is Bonne Bell rebooted for the 21st century 😀 (Maybe that’s not news to anyone but me lol) I’m not saying that’s a bad thing; I just always remember them being marketed to preteens and teens back in the 80s and 90s.

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Tracey

Inquired about a product…”NOT AVAILABLE IN CANADA!!! Come on folks it’s one of the advertising main sentence..”available in US and Canada”. This is not great company statistics.

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Marion

I always fall for Ipsy’s nonsense… they just emailed me saying spots for May’s bag were filling up. Even though they STILL haven’t announced the “curator” or ANY of the products, I signed up. 🙃

They did put some brand spoilers in the email though: rms beauty, Olaplex, Charlotte Tilbury, Herbivore, Anastasia Beverly Hills.

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Marta

If the May Glam Bag X is anything like the Feb bag it will be my last Glam X bag, one of the items in my friend’s bag was empty.

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Marion

How strange! Did she contact Ipsy?

I was originally signed up for the first X bag, but I contacted CS to unsubscribe after some spoilers were released. (Due to a Sephora error, I have the original Huda Rose Gold palette, so I didn’t see the point in getting the remix.) I do think overall the first X was a pretty good value for most people — almost infinitely better than the Ultimate launch!

Marion

Ipsy bags are supposed to have a value of at least $50.

(Usually if people contact them over a low bag value, they say, “oh, the bag itself is worth $XYZ!” Sure, Jan.)

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Angela

Am I the only one who LOVED this month’s bag over all others over the years?! It is my fave bag EVER.

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Taryn Lowman

I love the bag so much!

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Jennifer

I disliked it when it was spoiled because I thought it was white. I’m not a fan of words on bags, usually. However, when it came and I saw it was translucent, I liked it a lot better. It’s not my favorite of all time (my faves would be the mauve canvas with cream constellations, the manga style bags that went out before I ever signed up, and that icy blue and silver bag one winter,) but it’s nice.

I like the mask holder idea!

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Taryn Lowman

Totally agree, the bag is way cute in person!

JoJoB.

Jennifer, same here! I had been reading about IPSY on MSA for awhile and didn’t think I would ever go for it until I saw a spoiler for that mauve bag with the constellations! The little faux gemstone zipper pull just sealed the deal. Of course I was hooked after that and have kept the subscription but even after all this time that is still my favorite bag as well! It is getting to the point where it needs to be washed but I am scared it might fall apart! 🙂

Julie

I loved it too. I’ve only been a subscriber for about 6 months but all of my other bags got stuffed away in a box until I find a use for them. This one went to use right away as a carrying case for my masks.

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Yolanda

Oooooooooooh I like that idea!!!!!!!