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 Impressions
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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 loved the fuzzy green velvet bag this month- it was so soft and the combination of the deep green with the red lining gave me festive vibes (especially since my bag always seems to arrive towards the end of every month).
The Breakdown – What’s Inside My November 2021 Ipsy Bag
AMOREPACIFIC Youth Revolution Radiance Concentrate, 3 mL - Estimated Value $25 (buy the 30 mL version for $250)
Amorepacific is a K-beauty brand I truly adore- I couldn’t resist selecting this as my choice item of the month. This vitamin C serum comes in the tiniest, cutest bottle- probably because the one-ounce version of the stuff retails for $250. Can you believe this little sample is worth the retail price of my glam bag plus subscription? Okay, on to the actual product. This serum is formulated with vitamin C, green tea polysaccharides, and white peony, and it has a watery texture that my skin soaked up quickly. I liked how it absorbed fast but it didn’t leave a film behind because it layered well under my antioxidant serum. This is lovely, and I’ll enjoy it until it’s empty.
Cake Beauty Heavy Cream Intensive Body Balm, 1 oz - Retail Value $3
This body lotion has a thick, nourishing texture just like the name implies, and it made me smell like an entire frosted cupcake. I enjoyed it. It was a little sickly sweet for a daily body lotion, but I enjoyed it on a Saturday afternoon where I was just relaxing. This is made with 15% Shea butter, aloe Vera, and green tea, and it’s also vegan and cruelty-free. I didn’t feel like I was especially greasy when I was done massaging it in, either.
Estate Cosmetics Dew Me Baked Highlighter in Pearl, 3.2 g - Retail Value $10
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This is a really pretty highlighter- and it has a gorgeous pink reflective sheen that stubbornly refused to be photographed by my camera. This baked highlighter has a very light texture, but I didn’t have to work hard to get the pigment to apply to my skin. I loved the way this highlighted the high points of my cheekbones and my nose without being too eye-catching, but if I wanted to I could amp up the highlight with another layer and really bring the glam.
Nomad Cosmetics Venice-Simplon Express Intense Eyeshadow in Baby Grand, 0.05 oz (buy the 9 X 0.05 oz palette for $29)
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This cute eyeshadow single is actually a shade in a larger palette by Nomad Cosmetics. This matte brown shade has a velvety soft formula, but I did find it to be slightly powdery and experienced a small bit of fallout. The brown shade is very pretty without being too dark, so I appreciate how wearable it is.
Here is the eyeshadow swatched above the Estate highlighter.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, 5 mL - Estimated Value $8.33 (buy the 12 mL version for $20)
I do not understand why this mist is so expensive. I get that’s it’s both skincare and a makeup setting spray formulated with a proprietary blend of hyaluronic acid and red algae while also being made with three signature Japanese superfoods (green tea, rice, and algae), but the price just feels really high for what it is. That being said I have had a full-size version of this mist before, and the packaging on the full size is absolutely stunning. I never actually used it much a few years ago when I had it, but I enjoyed using it over my makeup when I was trying out the products in this bag. I’ll set this aside for the next time I travel because I always like to have sprays like this with me in my makeup bag, and I do love getting Tatcha in my Ipsy bag even if I wouldn’t pay the retail price for it.
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Here I am wearing the eyeshadow, highlighter, and dewy skin mist.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Amore Pacific: $25→ $7.01
- Cake Beauty: $3→ $0.84
- Tatcha: $8.33 → $2.34
- Estate Cosmetics: $10 → $2.80
- Nomad Cosmetics: n/a
This month everything in my Glam Bag except the Nomad Cosmetics eyeshadow added up to $46.33, which is pretty great for a $13 subscription box and that doesn't even take into account the unknown value of the eyeshadow.
Key Takeaways
November was a lovely Ipsy month for me. I was really happy that along with my choice item of the Amore pacific serum I also got another Tatcha mini. This month's bag felt well balanced with one body care item, one skincare, two makeup, and one item that can work as both makeup and skincare. Ipsy is one of the most affordable subscription boxes out there, and this is a great way to try expensive products you normally wouldn’t be able to try or discover new brands.
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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 December 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 November 2021 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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