Icon Box by Ipsy “Spilling The Beau-Tea” Review – May 2025

This season’s Icon Box was curated by Erin & Sarah Foster — the effortlessly cool sister duo who somehow manage to be funny, stylish, and wildly successful all at once. The theme? “Spilling the beau-tea” on their go-to products that’ll make you look like you’ve got your life together… even if you’re running on dry shampoo and vibes.

Let’s see what made the cut — and if this box actually delivers on its $350+ promise.

The Ipsy Icon Box is a $65 quarterly upgrade for Ipsy members (Feb, May, Aug, Nov). You get 8 full-size products worth up to $350 — if the value’s actually there, this could be a steal.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)

First Impressions

No notes. Box arrived safely, no damage, no drama. That’s all we ask.

What’s Inside

Beautystat Universal Triple Action Daily Peel – Retail Value $29

I really like daily peel pads, and these remind me of the gentler version of the Dr. Dennis Gross ones. They’re super easy to use, make my skin feel really clean, and I find them helpful before a big makeup day. The only thing I don’t love is the smell — it’s kind of strong and chemically. Not a dealbreaker, but something to note.

Repurchase power? Yes.

Elemis Peptide4 Eye Recovery Cream – Retail Value $50

I’ve used Elemis before, and while I know they make great products, this one didn’t really stand out for me. It felt nice, but I didn’t see any noticeable difference around my eyes. That said, I’ve been using it on my neck instead — just to not waste it.

Repurchase power? Not really.

Natasha Denona Bronze Eyeshadow Palette – Retail Value $69

This palette was packaged very securely, which I appreciated. The shades are really wearable — lots of warm bronze tones that work for most skin tones. I like that the pigment is buildable, and there wasn’t much fallout when I used it. A good everyday palette with a little glam potential.

Repurchase power? Yes.

Pear Nova Eye Duo Stick Shadow + Liner – Retail Value $44.50

Color: Azurite + Unakite

I’ve been using more cream shadow sticks lately, so I was looking forward to this. The texture is smooth and applies easily, which I liked. I’m just not totally sold on the color combo — the blue is fun, but I’m not sure the green really works on me. I wish I could have chosen different shades.

Repurchase power? Maybe, in another color.

Rodial Plumping Collagen Lip Oil – Retail Value $38

Color: Original

Okay, we seriously need to stop throwing "plumping" into every lip product title like it’s a magic word. This lip oil feels nice — it’s hydrating, not sticky, and has a subtle tint. I’ve been keeping it on my desk and using it during the day. It doesn’t really plump, though, and for the price, I think there are other lip oils that do the same thing.

Repurchase power? Probably not.

Makeup by Mario MoistureGlow Plumping Lip Serum – Retail Value $24

Color: Petal Glow (pinky mauve)

I picked this because I’d seen it all over social media. The color is really pretty and it gives your lips a nice glow, but the formula is so soft that it melts super easily. I had to use a lip brush because it was too messy to apply straight from the tube.

Repurchase power? No.

111Skin Anti Blemish Booster – Retail Value $135

Wait… $135?! For 20ml? I gasped. That said, I was curious enough to pick it. It plays nicely with my routine — no irritation, no dryness, no strong scent. I like how it feels, but I’d never personally spend this much on it. 

Repurchase power? Not at this price.

The Rootist BioBrew Fermented Leave-in Hair Serum – Retail Value $48

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. My hair leans oily, so I’m usually careful with leave-ins, but this didn’t weigh it down or make it look greasy. It left my hair soft, shiny, and super touchable. I also lowkey love that it’s a dual-phase product you have to shake before using — something about that step just makes it feel a little more special (and kinda fun). I’m still testing it for long-term frizz control, but so far, it’s been a nice addition to my routine.

Repurchase power? Yes.

Murad Deep Relied Acne Treatment – Retail Value $45

This is one of the few products that actually helps when I get those painful, under-the-skin breakouts. I used it years ago and forgot about it, so I was glad to see it available in the Beauty Boost section. It works fast and doesn’t dry out the surrounding skin.

Repurchase power? Yes.

Value – Was This Box Worth It?

Cost: $65

Retail Value: $437.50 + $45 Beauty Boost

Total Value: $482.50

Do I feel like I won the beauty jackpot? Not quite. But this box was solid. Between the Murad, the peel pads, and the eyeshadow palette, it hit the “look polished and put-together” theme. Plus, it featured a few under-the-radar gems like Pear Nova and BeautyStat — so I appreciate the mix of buzzy and indie.

If you're the kind of person who wants to look like you’ve got your life together (without, you know, actually doing too much), this box has your back. It wasn’t love at first sight, but there were a few slow-burn faves in here.

Other Things You Should Know

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Nope — you’ll start with the next curation.

Which products did you get in your May Icon Box? Spill below — I need to know what I missed 👀