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IPSY Original Review May 2026: Seriously Good Skincare

IPSY Original

Naomi Pandolfi
ByNaomi PandolfiJun 14, 2026 | 0 comments
Full Contents for Ipsy Original May 2026

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

Open Envelope for Ipsy Original May 2026

Each month, Ipsy subscribers get a makeup bag in addition to their items. This month’s theme is ‘The Art of the Everyday,’ and while I appreciate the convenience of the wrist strap, I have to admit the bag itself threw me a little. I’m not totally sure how the Dorothy-from-Oz gingham pattern connects to the theme, and the texture gave me a very specific flashback to the easily wipeable tablecloth my mom used to have with this exact same pattern. So, oddly nostalgic? Yes. Fully aligned with the theme? Not really.

Front of Card for Ipsy Original May 2026

Included is a product card that features a list of the products and beauty tips.

Now, on to the items!

e.l.f. SKIN Holy Hydration! Clean Freak Daily Cleanser, 162 ml - Retail Value $11.00

Front of ELF Daily Cleanser for Ipsy Original May 2026

The E.L.F. SKIN Holy Hydration! Clean Freak Daily Cleanser was the kind of practical surprise I will never complain about receiving in my monthly bag, especially when it ends up being this good. The thick gel formula is not watery at all, so a little goes a long way, and I love that it feels substantial without being heavy or harsh. It’s formulated with a 1% Hyaluronic Acid Complex designed to lock in moisture even after rinsing, and for me, it absolutely delivers on that promise. It cleanses my skin fully without leaving it irritated, tight, or stripped, which is always the big test for my sensitive skin. I also really appreciate the minimal scent, because the last thing I want in a daily cleanser is something overly fragranced. Overall, this was easily one of the most useful products in the bag for me.

EARTH HARBOR NATURALS Aqua Aura Peptide Awaken Eye Cream, 17 ml - Retail Value $26.00

Front of Earth Harbor Eye Cream for Ipsy Original May 2026

Earth Harbor has been winning me over with its skincare lately, and the Aqua Aura Peptide Awaken Eye Cream definitely has a lot going for it. The formula features marine peptides, coffee caffeine, snow mushroom, and natural blue tansy, which gives it a clever color-tinting effect meant to help blur the look of dark circles. It absorbs nicely into my under-eye area without feeling greasy, and while I don’t necessarily see a dramatic visual difference yet, I can absolutely feel a difference in how much softer and more awake my under-eyes feel. Must be the caffeine, because they feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed even when the rest of me is very much not. My only real issue is the scent, which felt surprisingly strong for something going directly under the eyes. It had that essential oil vibe and made my eyes water a little, but I am also extremely sensitive in that area, so this may be less of an issue for someone else.

TYNT BEAUTY Glaze + Glow Glossy Lip Oil in Clear, 1.5 ml - Retail Value $24.00

Front of TYNT Beauty Glossy Lip Oil for Ipsy Original May 2026

Any hydrating lip product already has my attention, but the Tynt Beauty Glaze + Glow Glossy Lip Oil in Clear really does feel like a tiny little luxury. It’s packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba and shea butter, and thankfully, it is not sticky at all, which is my biggest complaint with a lot of lip oils. It gives my lips that pretty, glassy look without needing any color underneath, and I like that it adds a little life to my face even on minimal-makeup days, which is more the norm for me lately. The clear shade makes it easy to wear with basically anything, and the sweet scent is nice without being sickly sweet. It’s a small product, but it’s definitely one I’ll enjoy keeping in my bag.

LES BEAUTY Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Lower East Side, 1.8 g - Retail Value $20.00

Front of Les Beauty Liquid Eyeliner in Lower East Side for Ipsy Original May 2026

I may not be reaching for liquid eyeliner much at the moment, but after swatching the Les Beauty Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Lower East Side, I’m definitely holding onto it for a rainy day. The marker-style felt tip is incredibly sharp and precise, and it glides across the skin without that pulling feeling you can get from a traditional pencil liner, which I absolutely hate. I do think it might take a little practice to control perfectly, but the pointy tip makes it easy to create a clean, neat line, and I was impressed by how little it bled compared to some other liquid liners I’ve tried. Once it dried down after a few minutes, it was fully waterproof and did not smudge at all. In fact, I had to scrub pretty hard just to get the test swatch off, so I’d say the staying power is definitely there.

Swatch of Les Beauty Liquid Eyeliner in Lower East Side for Ipsy Original May 2026

Here is the swatch for Les Beauty Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Lower East Side.

DEW OF THE GODS H-DEW-O Blue Spirulina Daily Gel Moisturizer, 15 ml - Estimated Retail Value $12.60

Front of Dew of the Gods Gel Moisturizer for Ipsy Original May 2026

The Dew of the Gods H-DEW-O Blue Spirulina Daily Gel Moisturizer immediately got my attention because the packaging is basically my absolute favorite shade of blue, but thankfully, the formula inside impressed me just as much. Infused with blue spirulina and hyaluronic acid, this gel moisturizer feels super lightweight and refreshing on the skin. It absorbed quickly, didn’t leave behind any sticky residue, and never made my skin feel greasy or weighed down. It has that perfect barely-there finish that I love in a daily moisturizer, especially when I want hydration without feeling like I’ve added another heavy layer to my face. Honestly, this might be my favorite new skincare item I’ve tried lately.

The Verdict

This was an incredibly solid, skincare-heavy month for IPSY Original! The clear standout for me was the full-size e.l.f.. cleanser, which gave me a gentle, non-stripping cleanse that worked beautifully with my sensitive skin. The Dew of the Gods moisturizer was right behind it with its gorgeous blue packaging and lightweight, barely-there texture that may have made it my favorite new skincare find. I also really enjoyed the Tynt Beauty lip oil for its glossy, non-sticky finish and easy clear shade. The Les Beauty eyeliner impressed me with its precise felt tip and serious waterproof staying power, even if I won’t be using it right away. The Earth Harbor eye cream had a lot of lovely qualities too, especially the caffeine boost and blue tansy tint, though the strong essential-oil-like scent was a bit much for my ultra-sensitive eyes. Overall, this bag delivered a very usable mix of products that kept my skin happy, hydrated, and pleasantly surprised.

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Value – Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $15

Value Breakdown:

  • Cleanser: $11.00
  • Eye Cream: $26.00
  • Lip Oil: $24.00
  • Eyeliner: $20.00
  • Moisturizer: $12.60

The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $93.60, which is an impressive 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 June 2026 bag while stocks last.

What do you think of the May 2026 IPSY Original

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IPSY Original is one of the most popular and affordable subscriptions around, and our readers have selected it as one of the top beauty boxes for the last 5 years running! IPSY Original connects members with five makeup, skincare, hair care, and other beauty sample... read more.

Naomi Pandolfi
Naomi Pandolfi

Naomi Pandolfi is a skincare obsessed subscription box junkie who is always on the hunt for the best curl defining cream. She is a producer and contributing writer at several online publications, including MSA, The Knockturnal, and Hey Beauti Magazine. Naomi is also the Head of Development at Starfury Productions and is dedicated to helping Black, minority, and underrepresented creators develop and sell projects.


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