Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. For $14 per month, you get five full-sized 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 this review is for 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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Like I mentioned last month, I am new(ish) to the Ipsy scene as far as reviewing goes, but have been a subscriber myself for years. This was one of my very first subscriptions, and I have to say, it still is one of my favorites! Each month subscribers receive a makeup bag in addition to their items, and this month features the theme of "Glow Your Soul." The bag this month gives off an early 2000s vibe with the velour and sequins, and is really fun. Lavender and pink hues were a little unexpected for a new year theme, but overall I'm okay with it. Now, let's see what else this bag contains!
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Also included is a product card that features tips to get your January glam game on point, a QR code that links you directly to your personalized glam bag, and a QR code for the first Mega Drop Shop of 2024.
Now, on to the items!
SUTRA Heat Guard Leave-In Cream, 30 mL - Estimated Value $3.42
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I have really fine hair, but a lot of it, so I am in desperate need of hair products that help protect against heat damage. I use my flat iron almost daily and struggle to find protecting products that keep my hair from looking greasy after application. This particular leave-in cream not only smells divine, but is cruelty free, sulfate free, paraben free, phthalate free, silicone free, all while protecting hair from heat damage up to 450°F. This cream is also safe for colored and chemically treated hair. I am definitely overdue for a hair cut and color, but the dime size amount I applied before curling, left my hair and highlights looking brighter and protected. Overall, I am impressed with this product and have added the full-sized version to my wish list!
Lash Step Mascara, FULL SIZE - Retail Value $21.00
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I am all about a voluptuous lash look, and my current mascara gives me the exact results I am looking for. That being said, I am always on the lookout for something better. For these reasons, I chose the Lash Step Mascara as my January pick. The hot pink tube grabbed my attention right away, and the reviews were decent in the categories of adding length and volume. How did it work for me? Well, the wand handle is long and bendy, which makes it seem a little less quality. The actual wand is not a fiber brush, but plastic bristles that do work to create individual lashes instead of clumps. While I did like that feature, the mascara formula was quite thin and left a lot of touch ups to my eyeshadow to be done. I was impressed with the staying power, and had no trouble with running or smearing throughout the day, even in -30°F windchill, but think I will stick to my usual as this just didn't knock it out of the park for me.
YC Collection Island Eyeliner in San Juan, FULL SIZE - Retail Value $20.00
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Eyeliner is another item that I wear every single day. Typically I stick with a liquid eyeliner because I like to create a defined cat eye look, but don't mind the gel version now and again. This black eyeliner is extremely smooth and glides on really nicely. The blending brush on the end can help create a lovely smokey eye look, and the formula really has amazing staying power. I have to admit, my smokey eye look stayed on point throughout a 7 hour basketball tournament straight into the evening - even in that crazy windchill! It stays so well that my make-up eraser even needed a boost of make up remover to completely get this off! Impressive!
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, 7.5 mL - Estimated Value $12.25
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Exfoliating is a very big step in my skincare routine and one I partake in about twice a week. If I skip this step, my skin looks very dull and definitely not as smooth. While I have tried other Kate Somerville products, this Exfoliating Treatment was new to me. With a pretty high retail value, I was intrigued by the results it promised. Though small in size, this deluxe sample is pretty full, and contains enough to use for a couple of weeks. The green minty formula isn't quite as gritty as my usual exfoliate, but felt really nice on my skin. I do not have sensitive skin, but this did give off a teeny tiny tingle, and when complete, my skin felt extra soft, smooth, and more even in appearance. Overall, I was really impressed with the results this product produced in only a few uses. Looks like another item added to the wish list!
Ren Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum, 4 mL - Estimated Value $9.20
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The last item I received was this deluxe sample of Ren Clean Skincare Glow and Protect Serum. I am at the age where fine lines are starting to appear, and while I am all about aging gracefully, would like to keep it at bay a little bit anyways. This serum comes in an aluminum tube with a break-off cap. Containing enough serum for a few uses, the break top made it hard to keep from drying out, but storing in a baggie seemed to help. This light-weight serum spread on my skin nicely and made for a good base layer under my makeup. Containing antioxidants, I do feel it helped my skin look more hydrated and plump. I'm interested to see what a few more applications will do!
Off to basketball we go! I started my morning with a warm shower complete with face exfoliation with the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Treatment. I then massaged a small amount of the SUTRA Heat Guard Cream in my hair and set to air dry. Once dry, I curled and started my skincare routine. I used a small amount of the Ren Glow and Protect serum to my face, and followed it with my foundation. Adding my eyeshadow, I then finished up with the YC Collection eyeliner and Lash Step mascara. The windchill had my eyes a bit watery, but overall, I was happy with my look for the day!
The Verdict
I have to admit, upon first glance, I thought this month's Ipsy Glam Bag looked a little bit boring. However, once I opened it and tried the products out, I have to say this curation was spot-on for exactly what my skin and hair need at this time of year! With a great value, I received products that I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise, at a fraction of the cost. While I didn't love the mascara, I found it actually layers nicely with my favorite mascara, increasing the longevity! I loved all of the other items, and a couple of them have become my new go-tos. Overall, I thought this was a fabulous box that contained a great variation of skin, hair, and makeup choices, with a great value.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $14
Value Breakdown:
- Hair Cream: $0.73
- Mascara: $4.46
- Eyeliner: $4.25
- Exfoliator: $2.60
- Serum: $1.95
The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $65.87, which is an incredible value for a $14 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 2024 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the January 2024 Ipsy Glam Bag?
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