Ipsy is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. For $15 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 my review is 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
Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month’s theme, ‘Dare to Daydream’ feels a bit whimsical right from the start. The makeup bag immediately caught my attention with its dreamy color palette; it reminds me of a cotton candy sky. With its light, airy vibe, it’s definitely giving me some of that dreamy summer energy.
Included is a product card that features a list of the products and beauty tips.
Now, on to the items!
MEMOIRE ARCHIVES First Class, 10 ml - Estimated Retail Value $2.00
For someone with an ultra-sensitive nose and equally sensitive skin, fragrance is usually a category I approach with caution… But Memoire Archives’ First Class fragrance ended up being a pleasant surprise for me. The scent opens with bright, juicy notes of yuzu and pear, which immediately gives it more of a fresh, fruit-forward vibe as opposed to the heavier floral style of most other perfumes I’ve tried in the past. In fact, I appreciate how understated the florals are in this formula, and the musky sandalwood base gives it a warm finish that makes it feel a lot more like a body spray than a perfume. While I wouldn’t reach for this every single day, I can absolutely see myself tossing this travel-friendly size into my gym bag or work tote. Perfect for those moments when you need a quick refresh but don’t have time to stop. Overall, it feels lightweight, quietly luxe, and much softer than the fragrances I’ve experienced. So, for my fragrance lovers out there, this one is worth checking out.
TOTÉMICA BEAUTY Lip and Cheek Keychain, 2 g - Estimated Retail Value $3.43
Running errands without lugging around a huge bag is one of my favorite pastimes, and that’s exactly why this Lip and Cheek Keychain from Totemica Beauty ended up being way more practical than I expected. Clipped onto your keys, it’s one of those products that makes touch-ups so ridiculously convenient; especially for someone like me who always forgets their chapstick at home. I’ve mostly been using this as a lip product rather than a cheek tint, and I really like the way it gently hydrates my lips with just a subtle wash of color. Plus, being able to simply sanitize my hands before and after applying keeps everything clean and germ-free. The formula is infused with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil, so it feels moisturizing without being heavy or greasy. Living in a warmer climate, it’s nice being able to have a lip product with me instead of in my hot car where they would immediately turn into soup, lol. While the packaging definitely leans a bit more child-like than I’d prefer, the keychain itself is functional and truly handy for busy days out and about.
DR. JART+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Face Mask, 22 g - Retail Value $10.00
Few things feel as instantly calming as putting on a good sheet mask and forcing myself just to pause for a few minutes — you know, pretend I’m at the spa and forget the chaos of life for a second. This Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Face Mask has absolutely achieved in giving me that experience. With its hydration-focused formula, it deeply works on supporting the skin barrier, and after removing it, my skin felt noticeably softer, smoother, and more calm. One of my biggest pet peeves with sheet masks is when they constantly slide off your face, but this one adheres beautifully and stays in place the entire time. Huge bonus points there. I also appreciated that there wasn’t any overpowering fragrance, making it feel gentle and comfortable on my sensitive skin. Dr. Jart+ has consistently been one of those brands I trust not to cause irritation to my skin, and this mask was another reminder of that.
TEEEZ COSMETICS Battle Prep Mattifying Face Primer, 15 ml - Estimated Retail Value $18.00
Even though I haven’t been wearing a ton of makeup lately, a good mattifying primer is still one of my go-tos, especially once the warmer weather hits and my naturally oily skin decides to become even more dramatic. The Teeez Cosmetics Battle Prep Mattifying Face Primer ended up being a solid intro to a brand that was completely new to me. I really appreciate that the formula is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free, and it does a nice job helping to blur texture while keeping excess shine under control throughout the day. My makeup definitely stayed in place better with this underneath, although I’d say the grip is a touch softer and less intense compared to some heavier-duty primers I’ve used before. I found this works best when I give it a minute to properly settle and absorb into the skin before applying foundation. Applying it too soon caused some pilling and dryness / uneven coverage around certain areas for me. Still, once applied correctly, it created a smooth, velvety finish that feels lightweight and breathable rather than heavy or silicone-packed. Ultimately, I’m glad I had the chance to try this primer, and with the brand focused on vegan-friendly beauty, I’d absolutely be interested in seeing more from them.
CHEEKBONE BEAUTY Conquer Brow Gel in Clear Cristallin, 3.5 ml - Estimated Retail Value $12.73
Brow gels are one of those daily inclusions that I use almost without thinking at this point, so I feel like I’ve tried enough of them to know pretty quickly whether one is going to work for me or not. The Conquer Brow Gel in Clear Cristallin from Cheekbone Beauty has true potential, especially for taming those stubborn, wiry brows like mine. But I will say there’s a bit of a learning curve involved. The clear formula is versatile and does a solid job keeping brow hairs in place throughout the day, and I really like the lightweight feel once it sets properly. However, I discovered pretty quickly that this is one of those ‘less is more’ products: if I apply too much, I end up with some flaking that gives major Elmer’s glue energy. But when I use a lighter touch, it performs much better with minimal buildup and a clean hold. I also appreciate that the brand is Indigenous-owned and focused on clean, cruelty-free beauty, which adds an extra layer of feel-good value to the product for me. Plus, the packaging is cute and sleek, so it’s an all-around win.
The Verdict
This was a solid month for IPSY Original! Dr. Jart+ is always nice to see, and it delivered exactly what I want from a sheet mask: hydration and comfort. Cheekbone Beauty’s brow gel took a bit of trial and error, but once I found the right balance, it’s become a go-to for keeping my brows neat and tidy. I also really enjoyed the Totemica Beauty keychain, which turned out to be more useful than I initially thought; it’s perfect for tossing onto keys when running errands. Teeez Cosmetics’ face primer did a solid job controlling oil and keeping makeup looking smooth throughout the day as long as I let it absorb fully. Lastly, the fragrance from Memoire Archives was another pleasant surprise for someone like me who’s extremely picky when it comes to scents. More fruity than floral, it felt light and polished without being overpowering. Overall, this bag ended up being a surprisingly fun mix of practical staples that are usual in day-to-day life.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $15
Value Breakdown:
- Fragrance: $2.00
- Lip Keychain: $3.43
- Sheet Mask: $10.00
- Face Primer: $18.00
- Brow Gel: $12.73
The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $46.16, which is a solid value for a $15 bag.
Other Things You Should Know
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but sign up to receive the May 2026 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the April 2026 IPSY Original?
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