The Summer Collection Ipsy Ultimate box is all about "Out of Office – Vacation Optional." The Ipsy team hand-picked their must-haves for the season: glow-giving skincare and effortless makeup that make getting ready a breeze. And may I just say? THEY NAILED IT. This is truly an iconic box, and I genuinely think every single item was purposely selected. Kudos to whoever curated this. Honestly, a near-perfect box, except for one misstep I'll get into later.
This quarter, I'm going all in with the IPSY Ultimate Box ($65/quarter), which replaces my IPSY Extra every February, May, August, and November. It comes with 8 full-size, celeb-curated products worth up to $400, plus a Beauty Boost add-on for an extra $15.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
What’s Inside
YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick – Retail Value $43
Shade: Watermelon High
Watermelon sugar high, baby! This is AN AMAZING PICK. From the luxe packaging to the shade itself, this gloss screams IT-girl the moment you pull it out of your bag. The formula is ultra glossy with a gorgeous warm rose tone that's beautifully buildable—sheer with one swipe, deeper with a few more. It keeps lips soft and conditioned for hours without any stickiness or that slippery oil-slick feeling some glosses leave behind. The stick format also makes application foolproof, even without a mirror. I'm almost mad at IPSY for introducing me to this because now I know I'll find an excuse to drop $43 on another one when this runs out.
Would I repurchase? In a heartbeat.
Ciele The Blush Brush – Retail Value $32
I'm a huge fan of Ciele products, but I'd never tried their brushes until now. This double-ended, double-angled brush is a genuinely great addition to any makeup bag. The bristles are incredibly soft and densely packed, with a tapered side for cream blushes (my personal favorite) and a fluffier side for powder formulas or setting cream products. They blend beautifully and help smooth out color for a natural, skin-like finish. My only gripe? IPSY didn't include a blush in this box, which feels like such a wasted opportunity. A brush without the product to use it with is a weird choice.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Korres Apothecary Wild Rose Brightening Sleeping Facial – Retail Value $55
I have an issue with this product's name. Calling it a "sleeping facial" makes it sound like an overnight mask, when in reality it's an intense night moisturizer with vitamin C to help brighten while you sleep. Semantics aside, if you're okay with scent (it's naturally derived), this is a lovely nighttime treat. It smells like rose water with citrus undertones, and the whipped texture feels luxurious to apply. The wild rose oil and vitamin C work to improve radiance over time, though I wouldn't expect dramatic results. Even if you don't use it on your face, it's a gorgeous option for your neck, décolleté, or hands.
Would I repurchase? Not for me.
Dermalactives Resurfacing Honey and Charcoal Mask* – Retail Value $159
WOWZA with that price tag. I have serious reservations about a charcoal-honey mask priced this high. Don't get me wrong, this isn't a basic clay mask. The formula is genuinely lovely, with shea butter and jojoba oil to nourish while charcoal draws out buildup and impurities. The texture feels more like a thick balm than a traditional clay mask, so it's comfortable to wear and doesn't dry out your skin. It's effective and luxurious, but I cannot justify $159 for this. There are comparable detoxifying masks at a fraction of the price.
Would I repurchase? Not really.
*This was the Beauty Boost pick
Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Cozy Lip Creme – Retail Value $26
Shade: Almost Bare
Please don't hate me for this, but I'm not a fan of Makeup by Mario lip products. This one is another example of why. While it's supposed to give you that soft-matte, blurred suede finish, the formula is chalky and doesn't glide smoothly—the flexible brush tip makes application even trickier since you have to press and maneuver to deposit enough product. It also dries down fast and feels parching, leaving my lips uncomfortably dry and emphasizing every lip line. Instead of a soft, diffused finish, it looks flat and dehydrated. I wanted to love this, but it just doesn't deliver on the promise.
Would I repurchase? No.
Murad Superactive Brightening Moisturizer SPF 50 with Vitamin C – Retail Value $55
Why are US-based sunscreens so expensive? That's my one complaint, because this formula is genuinely beautiful. It's a hybrid serum-sunscreen with stabilized vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) to help brighten over time, and it offers SPF 50 with broad-spectrum protection. The texture is lightweight and blends seamlessly without a white cast—a rarity for mineral-hybrid formulas at this SPF level. It layers beautifully under makeup and doesn't pill or feel heavy, even in Florida humidity. This is one of those sunscreens that makes daily SPF effortless, which is exactly what you need for consistent use.
Would I repurchase? 100%.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment – Retail Value $85
I'd forgotten about this serum, but it's such a classic for a reason. The lactic acid formula (at around 5%) works beautifully for smoothing texture and boosting radiance without the irritation that can come with glycolic acid. It's not a miracle worker overnight, but with consistent use, it genuinely delivers that glowy, refined-skin effect. Lactic acid is also one of the gentler AHAs, so it's a solid option if your skin doesn't love more aggressive exfoliants. That said, your skin will either love or hate this, some people find it too strong, others see it as a holy grail. Definitely patch test before going all in.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil – Retail Value $46
I wasn't thrilled to see this initially. I got another Gisou product in the Ipsy Extra April box… and absolutely hated it, so I was skeptical despite this one being so viral. Surprisingly, it's much better than I expected. The oil has a beautiful floral-botanical scent with subtle honey notes, and the formula is shockingly lightweight; you genuinely only need one drop. The shine it gives is gorgeous without any greasiness, and it didn't weigh down my baby-fine hair, which is a major win. The bottle size is generous too; even with medium-to-long hair, this would last months. It's a solid finishing oil for adding polish and taming flyaways without buildup.
Would I repurchase? Yes.
Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $65 + $15 Beauty Boost = $80
Total Retail Value: $501
Excuse me? How could it not be worth it?! This box deserves a standing ovation because, for once, IPSY delivered on its promise to bring coveted, high-value, exciting products in a single box. Beyond the fact that the math is absolutely mathing here, these are all products I can see myself using on repeat this summer (and beyond, since Florida enjoys year-round summer). I'm obsessed with the YSL lip gloss and the Murad sunscreen—those two alone made this box worth it for me. The Korres and Sunday Riley skincare picks are solid, iconic products that deliver results. The Gisou hair oil was a nice trendy addition that made the box feel current and relevant. Overall, this was a really well-thought-out box with stellar products.
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 Ultimate Box? Which variants are you getting?
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