This month’s BoxyCharm by Ipsy felt like a gentle reminder that blooming takes time—and honestly, I needed to hear that. Spring always gives main character energy, but it also brings this weird pressure to be on it in every aspect of life. So the idea of finding beauty in the slow, imperfect growth? Love that for me.
This review is for the BoxyCharm by Ipsy + beauty boost – a $32 monthly beauty subscription box with five items (usually four full-size) spanning skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance. The retail value always beats the cost, but how did this month stack up? Let’s get into it.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
Shoutout to Ipsy’s newer delivery system—my box arrived safely and didn’t look like it had been kicked across the country. Always a good start.
What’s Inside
Huda Beauty Faux Filler Extra Shine Lip Gloss – Retail Value $21
Shade: Glassy
Okay, I love a clear gloss. It’s that low-effort, high-payoff beauty move. This one has a buttery glide and a subtle vanilla scent that instantly took me back to my middle school caboodle (anyone else?). The real winner here is the applicator—the pyramid tip is perfect for clean lining, while the wide side makes it easy to fill in one swipe.
Is it life-changing? No. Is it $21 good? Debatable. But I’ll definitely keep it in my bag.
Repurchase Power: Not at full price, but I’d grab it on sale.
Mally Beauty Shimmer, Shape & Glow Plus Face Defining Stick – Retail Value $22
Shade: On the Mauve
“Face defining” is a strong phrase, but as a multi-stick? It slaps. It glides on like butter—no drag, no patchiness. The color is soft and wearable, though a bit muted on my skin tone unless I build it up. But honestly? This is exactly the type of thing I throw in my travel bag when I want to pack light but still fake a glow-up.
Repurchase Power: Yes.
Rodial Pink Diamond Lifting Oil – Retail Value $95
Ooof. I really wanted to like this. The formula feels luxe in texture, but my skin and face oils are not friends, so I was already side-eyeing this. My biggest issue? The scent. It smells more like chemical sunscreen than diamond anything. For a product priced at nearly $100, I expect sensorial everything, and this just didn’t deliver.
Repurchase Power: No. Not worth the sniff test.
Formula Z I’m So Pretty Shadow Stick Duo – Retail Value $24
Shade: Shine On
This one’s tough. The shade itself? So pretty—shimmery, dimensional, easy to wear. The packaging? I wish I had nicer things to say. It feels like play makeup, down to the flimsy plastic and thin applicator. Mine was also a little broken when it arrived, which made the whole experience feel less “beauty box discovery” and more “oops, found this in the clearance bin.”
Repurchase Power: No. Pretty color, but the delivery was a miss.
Blinc Amplified Tubing Mascara – Retail Value $26
Shade: Black
Tubing mascaras are having a bit of a renaissance, and I’m here for it—in theory. They’re designed to coat each lash in a tube-like film, making removal easier (just warm water, no smudges). But this one? Not smudge-proof. Not easy to remove. I used micellar water and a cleansing oil and still had to wrestle it off. I can't risk sacrificing what few lashes I have left to a stubborn mascara.
Repurchase Power: No. My lashes deserve better.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $32
Retail Value: $188
Let’s call it what it is—this was a mixed bag. I loved the gloss and the Mally stick. Everything else? Either a mismatch or a letdown. I didn’t choose any of these items (they were Ipsy’s picks), and it shows. The face oil was especially frustrating, considering I’ve repeatedly marked oils as a "no" in my profile.
So while the value is technically there, the curation felt off. And I know I’m not alone—how many of us are still getting products we’ve said we don’t want?
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up? Nope—your first box will be from the next curation.
What did you think of the May BoxyCharm by Ipsy? Let me know what your hits and misses were!
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