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
Everything comes packaged snugly in the signature pink Ipsy bubble mailer.
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Included is a product card that features a list of the products and any beauty tips.
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Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month’s theme is ‘Hotel Paradise.’ How exciting! The little makeup bag included is giving me some real tropical vibes. The leafy pattern reminds me of a shirt that someone’s dad would wear on a family vacation to Hawaii! I also really enjoy the leaf-shaped zipper hardware. I’m really interested to see the product curation that’s been included in this bag.
Now, on to the items!
GOLDFADEN MD Detox Hydrating Gel Moisturizer, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $13.60
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I’m a huge fan of gel-based moisturizers, and I’m also quite familiar with the Goldfaden MD brand, so this product is pretty much a win-win for me. I love how lightweight yet hydrating this moisturizer is, and even though it’s a ‘detox’ moisturizer with the intent of preventing future breakouts and clearing skin, it’s very gentle. As someone who does have sensitive skin that tends to be aggravated by certain products, especially skin detoxing types of products, this moisturizer is very nice. I apply this as the last step to my nighttime skincare routine, and it goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly into my skin. I appreciate that it doesn’t leave my skin sticky or greasy; in fact, I can easily forget that I even applied it to begin with due to its lovely airy texture. With a Detox Complex blend of ingredients, along with mallow extract and salicylic acid (two ingredients that target current and future skin irritants), this moisturizer seems to do a nice job of improving skin appearance, leaving it smooth and supple to the touch.
THE BEAUTY CROP Avocado Superfood Serum, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $7.50 (get this set for $18)
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I love the packaging on this product! I’m no stranger to the brand, The Beauty Crop, and one of the things I always associate with them is adorable packaging. This is a nice serum that has a (brace yourself) ‘milky’ texture to it. Perhaps not the most attractive way of describing this product, but definitely an accurate depiction. The serum has a slightly creamy texture to it, and it’s a little heavier than most of the serums I tend to use in my everyday skincare routine. I likely wouldn’t use this type of serum during the heat of summer due to my fear of stirring up a breakout. With that being said, because of its moisturizing properties, this is a wonderful product to slather on at the beginning of fall, just when the air is starting to get a little crisp and the delicate skin on your face is beginning to chap. As a handler of exotic parrots, to which avocado is poisonous, this fabulous serum is something I will be passing along to a non-parrot-handling friend of mine, and I’m sure they will love it.
E.L.F. Luminous Putty Primer, 21 g - Retail Value $10.00
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I was a little surprised to see an E.L.F. product included in this subscription, but I have to say, the brand has indeed come a long way from its drug store days. In fact, E.L.F. was the first brand I tried as a young teen, putting on my first sprig of makeup, and for a while, I thought it was the end-all, be-all. That was before I discovered subscription boxes, of course. This Luminous Putty Primer is a really unique product. I’ve actually never tried a primer in this form before, so I was definitely intrigued. It has a really nice shimmer to it, which I appreciate. It almost makes it look like you put on some highlighter even if you only had time to top off your face with a BB cream for the day.
I was pretty impressed with this primer, I have to say. At first I was expecting it to be greasy but to my surprise, it’s not greasy at all. You can even wear this alone if you’re going for an ultra-natural look (my personal favorite) but with a touch of shimmer. It blends into the skin beautifully, has a velvety texture to the touch, and if you are using under foundation, it works really nicely to grip the makeup you apply over top. Also, perhaps what got me the most excited about this product is that it contains vegan collagen. I am a huge advocate for cruelty-free products in every industry, so that is a huge selling point for me. If you prefer more of a matte finish for your primers, this may not be the one for you, but I’m definitely a fan of this product, and kudos to E.L.F. for staying strong all these years!
JAZMINE BEAUTY Luxe Lash Volumizing Mascara, 5 ml - Retail Value $24.00
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Thanks to the glorious subscription boxes I’ve had the chance to experience over the years, I’m always both simultaneously intrigued and suspicious of brands that are new to me. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of Jazmine Beauty, or if I have, I don’t recall, but I’m sure to remember it now… This Luxe Lash Volumizing Mascara is a fantastic product, with a formula that truly works as it should. The mascara doesn’t clump and very nicely separates each individual lash, curling them beautifully without smudging or flaking even the slightest. I love the natural look it gives my eyelashes plus the added volume that stays all day. I also appreciate how lightweight it feels on my lashes with such a smooth formula; definitely one of my new go-to mascaras.
ARACELI BEAUTY Azteca Eyeshadow Duo in Copper and Chocolate, 2 g - Retail Value $12.00
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I really love this Azteca Eyeshadow Duo. The two shades (Copper and Chocolate) are absolutely perfect for my skin tone, and I especially adore the shimmer shade. This color combo is great for creating a neutral look or a dramatic look, so bonus points for its versatility. I really enjoy the eyeshadow’s agave-enriched formula, which gives it a really creamy texture that has wonderful staying power to last all day long. I’m also loving how compact this product is: it's super lightweight and easy to toss into an overnight bag for a last-minute business trip or weekend getaway.
Checkout these swatches of the Azteca Eyeshadow Duo in Copper and Chocolate.
Verdict
This was an impressive month for Ipsy Glam Bag! I’m a pretty basic kind of gal, so believe it or not, the highlight for me was actually E.L.F.’s putty primer. I love the shimmer it gives whether wearing underneath foundation or alone, and it really does a wonderful job of gripping the makeup and keeping everything in place. Goldfaden MD’s gel moisturizer is a wonderful addition to my skincare routine. It seems to help clear skin over the long-term and keep it clear, which I appreciate. I couldn’t be happier with Araceli Beauty’s eyeshadow duo. The shades are beautiful and perfect for my skin tone. Super quick and easy to elevate a neutral everyday look. I was so impressed with the formula of Jazmine Beauty’s mascara; it works effortlessly to coat each and every lash with volumizing power that’s long-lasting for all-day wear. Lastly, The Beauty Crop’s luxurious avocado serum… Although I won’t be able to make use out of this product, it has a wonderfully creamy texture that does a beautiful job of hydrating dry skin. While I wouldn’t recommend it for use during the summertime heat, this will be perfect once fall hits. Overall, I thought this was truly a great box. The product curation was varied but also skincare-heavy, which nicely matches my profile, and the value is there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- Moisturizer: $13.60
- Serum: $7.50
- Primer: $10.00
- Mascara: $24.00
- Eyeshadow Duo: $12.00
The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $67.10, which is a nice 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 September 2022 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the August 2022 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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