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. (FYI – Ipsy sends out many different variations of their bag each month – so my review is just one of the bag variations you might receive!)
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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.
This month's bag was a furry purple with green trim- it's giving Monster's Inc. vibes.
The Breakdown – What’s Inside My January 2023 Ipsy Glam Bag
IT Cosmetics Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Serum-in-Cream, 5 mL - Estimated Value $6.90 (buy the 50 mL version for $69)
I haven’t tried a crazy amount of skincare products from IT Cosmetics, but I have liked what I’ve tried. This is my first time trying their Hello Results line; typically I sample their Confidence line. This features encapsulated retinol in addition to regular retinol in the formula, and it also has niacinamide and vitamin b5. Some retinol products can be drying, but this is formulated well to keep your skin balanced while the retinol goes to work. I liked this, and would use it again.
Vintage By Jessica Liebeskind Cashmere Lip Pencil in Mocha, 0.04 oz - Retail Value $21
Most makeup products from this brand I usually end up liking. I don't think I've ever seen them anywhere other than a subscription box, but products are well-formulated. This nude lip pencil reminds me a lot of the iconic pillow talk shade from Charlotte Tilbury with just a touch more brown in the formula. It's blended with pink so this remains a good neutral color that should work for a variety of lip tones, and I liked the creamy formula that didn't tug.
Polaar Gentle Scrub IcePure with Arctic Cotton, 20 mL
I couldn't find this scrub available for sale online from a reputable seller, so I couldn't calculate a value. This face scrub is made from a mix of silica beads and volcanic lava for a gentle exfoliation, and it also has soothing arctic cotton. I personally don't like scrubs made with silica beads, but this did leave my skin feeling softer after I used it.
Pink Wonder Jojoba Serum Sheet Mask, 2 ct - Retail Value $6 ($3 each)
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I love sheet masks, so I didn't have to think hard before deciding to make these my choice item for the month. I've never heard of the Pink Wonder brand before, but these masks were nice. They were a very wet sheet mask; the kind that will have the essence dripping down your neck while you wear it. That doesn't bother me personally, but I know for some people that can make or break a sheet mask. The sheet mask is infused with jojoba and marigold flower extract, and it also had hyaluronic acid and cica. My skin enjoyed these!
Trifle Cosmetics Eye Candy High Pigmented Eye Shadow in Baklava, 3.2 - Retail Value $14
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I am a sucker for a shimmery eyeshadow so this was destined for success- it's a full-size due that features two shimmery shades; a pink and a color I would call a khaki-camouflage. I don't necessarily know that I would pair them together, but separately they are both quite pretty as one and done eyeshadow shades on my lids. The more green shade really brings out the yellow in my eyes and makes my blue eyes pop, and the pink pairs really well with the lip liner we also reiceved this month. The formulas were buttery soft, and I didn't have any issues with blending (though my preferred method of applying was with my fingers)
Here are the shadows swatched below the lip liner.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $13
Value Breakdown:
- It Cosmetics: $6.90 → $1.87
- Vintage: $21 → $5.70
- Pink. Wonder: $6 → $1.63
- Trifle Cosmetics: $14 → $3.80
- Polaar: N/A
Value Breakdown:This month everything in my Glam Bag except the Polaar scrub added up to $47.90. Alternatively, it breaks down to paying $2.60 per item, not including the actual bag.
Key Takeaways
My January Ipsy bag started the year off strong. I really like that the lip liner and eyeshadow were complimentary to each other (and both full size!), and I am always happy to get more sheet masks. While this bag may technically be on the low end of values of what I have seen from Ipsy, it didn't feel that way because two of the items we reiceved were full-size and none were super tiny. The value was $2.10 shy of the promised $50 value Ipsy says will be in each bag every month, but I am confident the value of the Polaar scrub would meet or exceed that- so to me Ipsy is still meeting their claim. At $13, this is a tough subscription to beat- especially when every month you get to choose one of the items they send.
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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 February 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 January 2023 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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