The concept had me genuinely curious: the art of everyday beauty staples you actually reach for, over and over, with no occasion required. IPSY describes it as finding what works for you and wearing it with confidence. I love that brief. Foundations, blushes, maybe a reliable lip product. The things that make getting ready feel effortless.
Here's the thing, though: I forgot to build my box this month (moving chaos will do that to you), so this is 100% IPSY's call based on my saved preferences. And I have thoughts. Scroll on.
What is IPSY Extra? IPSY Extra is a $32 monthly beauty and makeup subscription box that sends 5 beauty items — at least 4 full-sized — covering skincare, makeup, nails, haircare, fragrance, and more. If you're a beauty addict, this one's worth a look.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
What’s Inside
Soroci's Morning Drizzle Calming Cream – Retail Value $30
This is a genuinely lovely moisturizer. It's rich but absorbs quickly, no sticky film, no sitting on top of the skin. The formula is actually packed with good stuff: hyaluronic acid and glycerin for hydration, shea butter and jojoba oil for that soft, plump feeling, plus antioxidant-rich berry extracts. On paper, it's a nice one. The problem for me is the lavender scent, which is intense enough that I wouldn't risk it on my face long-term: fragrance and oily, acne-prone skin are not friends. So this one's getting reassigned as a body cream, where it'll honestly thrive.
Would I repurchase? No.
Dr. Brandt Skincare's Reset Cleanser – Retail Value $50
Okay, this one I'm genuinely happy about. I've been a fan of Dr. Brandt for a while, and this cleanser is exactly what a gel cleanser should be: salicylic acid and tea tree work together to clear out dead skin cells and give you that satisfying clean feeling without leaving your skin tight or stripped afterward. It sounds like a splurge for a cleanser, but the texture and experience actually back up the price, and this bottle lasts forever.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Shades by Shan's The Brow Gel – Retail Value $20
Shade: Clear
A clear brow gel is genuinely an everyday essential, so this one at least makes sense thematically. The matte finish is a plus; most brow gels I've tried add a shine I'm not into, so this felt like a thoughtful detail. It's waterproof and holds every hair in place all day. My only note is that "in place" really means in place — once it dries, your brows look intentionally set, not naturally full. It's more of an "I want to look polished" brow gel than a low-effort everyday one, which is a small but meaningful distinction.
Would I repurchase? Not for me.
Tarte's Glamazon Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette – Retail Value $47
IPSY... where exactly do you think I'm going every day? This palette is gorgeous to look at with emerald green, gold, peacock blue — but I'm not sure what "everyday" box those shades are checking. Beyond the theme miss, I've always had a complicated relationship with Tarte's Amazonian Clay line. The foundations, concealers, and eyeshadows from this collection all lean powdery and cakey on me, and these shadows were no exception. Fallout was manageable, but the overall finish reads talcy rather than blended, which takes the whole look down a notch.
Would I repurchase? No.
Dermelect's Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum – Retail Value $49
I hadn't heard of Dermelect before this, so that part was a nice surprise. The formula is genuinely impressive on paper: glycolic acid (an AHA that exfoliates and supports collagen production), salicylic acid (great for clearing pores and calming inflammation), and L-ascorbic acid for brightening and tone-evening. That trio covers a lot of ground in one product. The serum absorbs quickly despite its thickness, which I appreciated. What I didn't love was the scent; it's strongly medicinal, almost like rubbing alcohol on your face, and it doesn't fully fade even under moisturizer. The packaging also felt underwhelming for the price point. The ingredients are doing the work; the experience just doesn't match.
Would I repurchase? No.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $32
Total Value: $196
Takeaways
Technically the value math works out, but I'm still looking for the "everyday" in this box. It skewed heavily skincare, which fine, but none of it felt curated with intention. The Dr. Brandt cleanser is the only clear winner here, and everything else lands somewhere between mismatched and forgettable. This felt more like a random assortment than a thoughtful edit around a theme, which is frustrating when the concept had so much potential. May was an everyday fail.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, your first box will be from the next curation.
What do you think of this month’s IPSY Extra Box? Which variants are you getting?
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