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. (Check out our list of the best beauty boxes for 2021 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 our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impression
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Your Ipsy Glam bag will come in their standard pale pink bubble wrap mailer. When you open it up, you can always expect to find a makeup bag storing your new beauty products and an info sheet with additional details.
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Here was the bag every subscriber received this month! I like how the pink bag was sparkly without being too over the top (with no glitter fall out) and the gold accents on the zipper).
The Breakdown – What’s Inside My December 2021 Ipsy Bag
Ahava Mineral Hand Cream, 1.3 oz - Estimated Value $9.17 (buy the 3.4 oz version for $24)
I am always happy to receive a good-quality hand cream, and since I am familiar with the ones made by Ahava I know that's exactly what this one is. It's formulated with Dead Sea minerals and allantoin and it has a texture on the thicker end that feels really great when my hands feel chapped. My boyfriend was actually telling me he needed new hand cream (he said "moisturizer" and I had to probe to figure out what he actually wanted), so I am going to pass this along to him since I have plenty of fruity and sweet-smelling hand creams and this one smells more earthy to me.
Tarte Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara, 3 mL - Estimated Value $7.20(buy the 5 mL version for $12)
Tarte knows how to make a good mascara, and Surfer Curl is no exception. This is formulated with marine algae and vitamin E to condition your lashes, and it's designed to give your lashes length, lift, and volume. This definitely gives my eyelashes some lift and length! The volume is there too, though it's not the most dramatic I've achieved. This is an all-around solid performer, and I haven't had issues with this smudging on my face, either.
The Beauty Crop Fineapple Powder Brush F203 - Retail Value $12
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This makeup brush reminds me of cotton candy and while it may not be the most elegant brush out there, it is absolutely a fun one. This vegan and cruelty-free brush is made with synthetic hair, and the bristles are really soft. This brush isn't the densest, so I would use it to apply setting powder to finish off my makeup look. I really like the small details on this brush, like the gold lettering and the pineapple on the handle of the brush.
The Cream Shop Sheet Mask Duo - Retail Value $6
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'Tis The Season To Be Lovely - Retail Value $3
Baby, It's Gold Outside Sheet Mask - Retail Value $3
I love sheet masks. And I've recently gotten my sister hooked on sheet masks, so I need boxes to send me all of the sheet masks to ensure that I can feed both of our habits- that's why these were my choice item of the month! These two masks from The Creme Shop are perfect for that! The gold mask is made with 24k gold and collagen while the other mask is made with collagen and squalane as the start ingredients. Both masks were very hydrating to my skin- they both contain hyaluronic acid, amino acid, mushroom extract, allantoin, centella asiatica, and rose flower water. Once I took the packaging off I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference between the two, but my skin really enjoyed these, and I appreciated the soft, slightly stretchy material the masks are made of.
Tresluce Beauty Intenso Liner in Tranquila, Full-Size! Retail Value $12
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So I really applaud Ipsy for sending us a full-size eyeliner that isn't black, but I don't think this matte cream would have been my first choice (they have green! turquoise! purple! navy! olive!). That being said, this has grown on me. The gel pencil formula is really creamy, and this shade is really close to the natural color of my eyelids- I could use it to try to make my eyes look brighter by lining my lower lash line with it, but I think I'm going to get the most use out of it by applying it all over my eyelid and using it as a base for a glittery eyeshadow topper.
Here it is swatched.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Ahava: $9.17 → $2.57
- Tarte: $7.20 → $2.02
- The Beauty Crop: $12 → $3.36
- The Cream Shop: $6 → $1.68
- Tresluce: $12 → $3.36
This month everything in my Glam Bag except the Nomad Cosmetics eyeshadow added up to $46.37, which is pretty great for a $13 subscription box.
Key Takeaways
December was another great Ipsy month for me. I hope I don't sound like a broken record- I just really have been happy with my Ipsy bags the past few months. Receiving a full-size makeup brush and a full-size eyeliner, two sheet masks, an eyeliner, mascara, and a hand cream makes this month have a little bit of everything for me, and all of the products worked well for me. Even the eyeliner grew on me once I started to think of ways I could use it beyond just lining my lids! Ipsy is one of the most affordable subscription boxes out there, and I love being able to look forward to getting my new bag every month (and being able to select one item in each month's bag, too).
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Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up now to get the January bag!
Am I able to customize my bag? Yes, towards the end of each month you are given the ability to choose one product to be included in next month's Glam Bag!
What do you think of my December 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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