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 our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
First Impressions
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Included is a product card that either has a list of the products included or beauty tips.
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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month's theme was 'Happy Vibes.' This month’s bag has a sort of tie-dye design to it that reminds me of a backpack I used to have when I was young. It also has a similar look to some abstract art. The hardware is yellow and has a cute little smiley face on one side.
Now, on to the items!
SHADES BY SHAN Lip Gloss in Erika, 1.8 ml - Estimated Retail Value $7.20
I love this Shades by Shan lip gloss. It has a very nice neutral peach tone. Although it doesn’t offer too much color, it does give a nice pop of shine that I really enjoy. This is the perfect lip gloss for those more casual makeup (or no makeup) days. It brings a bit more life to my face even if I skipped on the mascara that morning. The quality of this lip gloss is impressive. When I applied it to my lips, the gloss itself wasn’t at all sticky like some tend to be. That’s a major win for me. I hate sticky lips, lol. The feel of the doe-foot applicator is really nice as well. I’m happy to add this gloss to my stash.
Here is a swatch of the Shades by Shan Lip Gloss in Erika.
TARTE Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer in 29N Light-Medium, 0.5 ml - Estimated Retail Value $1.45
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Okay, this is by far one of the smallest samples I have ever seen. But besides that, I’m happy a product from TARTE came in this month’s bag! The only thing is it’s not exactly the right shade for me. No worries, though; I know one of my fairer-skinned friends will be happy for me to pass it along. This TARTE Shape Tape provides full coverage with a matte finish that’s simultaneously moisturizing so that your skin doesn’t dry out during wear. I’ve used the ultra-creamy version of Shape Tape in my own shade, and it always leaves my skin crease-proof. It does such a great job of covering up those unsightly bags that appear under my eyes whenever I don’t get enough sleep (every day, lol). It never cakes up on my face even after a long day of wear. This product is definitely one of my top picks for a good concealer, especially for those under-eye bags, and I highly recommend it.
Here is a swatch of the TARTE Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer in 29N Light-Medium.
GOLDFADEN MD Light Treatment Dark Spot Corrector, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $26.67
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I’m a sucker for anything that claims to minimize or improve the appearance of dark spots, and that’s exactly what this Dark Spot Corrector from Goldfaden MD is for. I’ve used this brand quite a lot in the past, and I’ve never seen instant results; but then again, most changes aren’t overnight, and I tend to be slightly impatient. This product delivers your skin an intense dose of multi-corrective pigment control. I really like how this product contains something called alpha arbutin. Never heard of it? Me neither, but it’s an ingredient derived from an evergreen bush that has a natural skin-lightening agent, rather than just a chemical concentrate made in a lab. After cleansing my face, I apply this dark spot corrector along with my serums and moisturizer, and it has yet to clog my pores. I’m really enjoying this product, and I’m excited to see the end results over time.
ESSENHERB Black Tea Peeling Gel, 20 ml
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This Black Tea Peeling Gel from essenHERB is a product new to me, and so far, I’m really enjoying it. This product comes out in the form of a cooling gel that you massage into your face for thirty seconds. When I gave this peeling gel a try, I was pleasantly surprised by the texture and how nicely it buffed away dead skin. After applying to my face and rubbing it in, I rinsed with warm water, revealing the glowing, baby-smooth skin underneath. I was impressed at how gentle this product was to my skin and so far it hasn’t led to any breakouts, despite my sensitive skin. The thing I like best about this peeling gel is the way that it balls up as soon as you begin massaging it in. The balling up process seems to be what so efficiently grabs all of the dead skin cells and other junk from out of my pores; and believe it or not, there is no abrasive element like some exfoliators. This is truly the most gentle exfoliator I’ve ever had the pleasure of using.
THE SAEM Bio Solution Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Mask + Bio Solution Radiance Multi Vitamin Mask Duo
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I’m a huge fan of sheet masks, so of course, I was happy to get my hands on this mask duo from THE SAEM. I love K-beauty. I find that so many K-beauty products work especially well for my skin and never leave any irritation. These masks did not disappoint. Both of these masks are very hydrating, which I appreciate, and the Multi Vitamin Essence mask gives my skin a little boost of the fresh-faced, glowy look everyone wants to have. The Hyaluronic Acid mask would feel especially good on my skin after a long flight. Pro tip: stick these in the fridge for a bit and enjoy the extra cooling sensations. This helps a ton especially when it comes to depuffing your skin after flying. While I was trying out these masks, I let them sit on my face for around 20 minutes. With each mask, my skin was left feeling buoyant, hydrated, and healthy, and not at all irritated.
Verdict
I really liked this month’s Ipsy Glam Bag. It offered a nice balance between skincare and makeup products. The peeling gel from essenHERB really impressed me, and I love the unique texture that’s utilized to unclog pores and exfoliate skin with the most gentle touch. Goldfaden MD’s dark spot corrector was another great product for me this month. I’m excited to see the results after using this over time. Sheet masks are one of my favorite things, so I was happy to have an excuse to indulge in a little extra self-care time with the mask duo by THE SAEM. The TARTE concealer will be going to a friend of mine, but I’m very happy that this brand was included in this month’s array of products, and I can definitely vouch for the quality of the product. Lastly, the lip gloss from Shades by Shan. I love it because it gives just enough of a glow to brighten up my face on even the dullest of days. Overall, I thought this month’s bag was great. I really enjoyed the inclusion of each one of the products, and the value was certainly there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Lip Gloss $7.20
- Concealer $1.45
- Dark Spot Corrector $26.67
- Peeling Gel $?
- Sheet Masks $?
I couldn't verify the prices for the peeling gel and sheet masks but the value of the other three items adds up to $35.32, which is pretty good value for a $13 box.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up to receive the February 2022 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the January 2022 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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