Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. For $13 per month, you get five 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 amazing. 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).
First Impressions
Included is a product card that either has a list of the products included or beauty tips.
Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme was 'Time to Shine.' This month’s bag is very pretty to look at. The pink and gold shimmer definitely gives me holiday vibes. The texture, however, feels like very dry skin, almost like my dad’s bearded dragon.
Now, on to the items!
AHAVA Mineral Hand Cream - Sea-Kissed, 40 ml - Estimated Retail Value $9.60
I’m not really a person who overly enjoys scented products, but this hand cream smells wonderful; a refreshing beach-inspired scent that transports you to a vision of a relaxing day, soaking up the sun on the beach. The scent isn’t too strong or overpowering and lingers long enough to be enjoyed. My hands are always pretty dry and rough, in general. I’m always building something, handling exotic birds, or cleaning, so my hands rarely get the royal treatment they deserve. I found this cream delightfully hydrating on my dry skin. I also enjoyed that the product wasn’t sticky or too oily. A small amount definitely goes a long way, and my hands felt soft and less rough after applying.
FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Cannabis & Oat Dry Oil, 4.3 ml - Estimated Retail Value $4.87
I love First Aid Beauty. The brand always works well for my sensitive skin. This facial oil is a product that’s new to me, and I found it to be very hydrating without the greasy or oily feel that some facial oils can have. The product was absorbed very quickly into my skin and left behind no residue. My skin felt soft, smooth, and very moisturized. I was very surprised that this product didn’t clog my pores or cause any kind of breakout. I have somewhat oily skin, so a lot of facial oils lead to blemishes. But this product worked amazingly well to hydrate and didn’t clog my pores at all. I really like that cannabis is an active ingredient in this product. I’ve always had very good results when using cannabis products on my skin, and I’m very happy to have found a facial oil that works so well for my sensitive skin. This is a product I would definitely consider repurchasing. The scent is very strong at first and reminds me of Vicks VapoRub, but it dissipates quickly and hasn’t caused me any irritation.
PIXI BEAUTY Glow-y Powder in Peach Dew, 4.3 g - Estimated Retail Value $7.58
I’m not a person who gets super excited about blush… But I’m super excited about this blush. I’d been looking for a new blush for a while. The one I’m currently using is a little more orange than I’d like. In comes Pixi Beauty with this amazing peachy blush. It gave me a glowy, dewy complexion and worked very well with my skin tone. My skin almost looked pearlized, thanks to the shimmer in this product. The powder was soft, almost like a cream. It applied easily, was buildable, and lasted throughout most of the day. The luminous rosy effect this silky soft blush leaves on my cheekbones has made it my new favorite blush.
Here is a swatch of the PIXI BEAUTY Glow-y Powder Peach Dew.
VINTAGE BY JESSICA LIEBESKIND Cashmere Lip Pencil in Mocha, 1.2 g - Retail Value $21
I really like how soft and velvety smooth this pencil is. A lot of times, lip pencils can be on the harder side and just a tad bit stabby, forcing me to press down on the sensitive skin of my lips. But this product just glides on. The formula makes application a breeze. I also really like the shade. It’s not too pink or too peachy, and I found that it works with quite a number of lipstick shades. I’m normally not one to take the time to outline my lips, but when I did, I noticed that it gave my mouth a more dramatic look. The scent is a bit like crayons, but it’s not too strong or overpowering, and I didn’t find that it interfered with the experience of using the product.
Here is a swatch of the VINTAGE BY JESSICA LIEBESKIND Cashmere Lip Pencil in Mocha.
THE CRÉME SHOP Tis the Season To Be Lovely & Baby It’s Gold Outside Sheet Mask Duo, 2-pack - Retail Value $6.00
K-beauty sheet masks are my absolute favorite. I find them to be very effective, and they usually come with a fun theme or adorable packaging. The holiday theme of this mask duo from the Créme Shop definitely put me in the mood for the holiday season. I popped the mask in the fridge before applying, and it felt absolutely divine. The 24-karat gold and collagen mask left my skin feeling refreshed, moisturized, and buoyant. The collagen squalane mask left my face feeling baby-smooth and fresh. The packaging is so fun for each of these masks. I half-expected them to have a seasonal scent, like gingerbread or pine, but both masks were virtually scentless, which I, as someone sensitive to smells, actually appreciate.
Verdict
I really enjoyed this month’s Ipsy Glam Bag more than I thought I would. That being said, I didn’t get any serious holiday vibes from any of the products besides the super fun mask duo. I really enjoyed how they made my skin feel so refreshed and hydrated. The packaging was just a bonus. Pixi Beauty’s blush blew me out of the water. I really like the shade and how luminous and glowy it makes my skin look. I also really enjoy the velvety texture of the blush. The First Aid Beauty facial oil was also a delightful surprise. I was very impressed with how quickly the product absorbed into my skin, without leaving a greasy film or oily residue. Another surprise was how much I enjoyed the scent of the AHAVA hand cream. The beachy, summery smell was delicate enough to be non-invasive yet strong enough to enjoy. I was very satisfied with the soft formula of the Vintage by Jessica Liebeskind lip pencil. It is easy and comfortable to apply, and the shade is incredibly versatile. Overall, I really enjoyed this month's bag. I do think it could have been a little bit more Christmas-y, but it definitely brought me a step closer to the upcoming holiday.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Hand Cream $9.60
- Facial Oil $4.87
- Blush $7.58
- Lip Pencil $21.00
- Sheet Masks $6.00
The total value of my box was $49.05, which is a great value for a $13 box.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, the December bag is still available while stocks last.
What do you think of the December 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.