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 is ‘Passport to Play,’ and while the bag itself isn’t exactly groundbreaking, I have to admit it’s one of the better IPSY bags I’ve seen in recent times. The lightweight fabric has a linen-like feel, with thick yellow-and-white stripes that give it a bright, summery look. The real highlight, though, is the zipper hardware, which is shaped like a sleek little pair of white sunglasses and adds a pop of personality. It definitely isn’t as sturdy or heavy-duty as some of the IPSY bags in the past, but overall, I’m pleasantly surprised by this one.
Included is a product card that features a list of the products and beauty tips.
Now, on to the items!
TATCHA The Melting Lip Balm in Pinku, 6 g - Estimated Value $14.50
Seeing a Tatcha product in my subscription is always an immediate win for me, so I was thrilled to find The Melting Lip Balm in Pinku – and pleased by the size of the tube also. This definitely isn’t one for the bold girlies looking to make a dramatic statement, but for anyone who wants a simple lip product they can swipe on and get moving, it fits the bill beautifully. The balm-to-oil formula glides on smoothly, leaving behind a sheer hint of pink and a naturally glossy finish that suits my everyday preferences. More importantly, it feels moisturizing rather than becoming dry or disappearing from my lips in minutes, thanks in part to nourishing ingredients like Japanese tamanu oil and Vitamin F. The gentle shine it gives sticks around for a while, yet it never develops that thick, sticky feeling I’ve experienced with other lip balms and glosses in the past. Overall, this balm offers an easy, polished option for a soft, natural look, which is much more my speed these days anyway.
SERAPHINE BOTANICALS Power Curl Mascara in Jet Black, 8 g - Retail Value $29.00
Seraphine Botanicals is another brand I’m always happy to find in my subscription, particularly because its products tend to incorporate more botanical ingredients while remaining vegan and cruelty-free – two qualities that are especially important to me. The Power Curl Mascara in Jet Black ended up being a hit even though mascara usually isn’t one of my favorite makeup products and certainly isn’t something I’ll wear every day. Its curved precision brush fits nicely along the last line and does a great job of lifting, coating, and defining the lashes to create a noticeably solid curl without making application feel complicated. The rich jet-black shade also adds enough definition to really make the eyes pop, while the waterproof, smudge-resistant formula helps everything stay in place. Botanical elements including extracts of basil, melilot, and fenugreek give the formula that touch of natural essence I’ve come to expect from the brand. While I may only reach for it when I’m putting a little more effort into makeup, this mascara is quite good, and I’m glad I had the chance to test it out.
DR. LILI FAN Probiotic Balance Cleanser, 30 ml - Estimated Value $9.50
Okay, now this is exciting. I am a little obsessed with cleansers lately and will happily try just about every brand and formula out there, although lightweight, gel-like cleansers are most often my favorite – so, this Dr. Lili Fan Probiotic Balance Cleanser was already off to a strong start. The texture feels lovely on the skin and creates just enough of a mild foam to feel satisfying without becoming overly sudsy or difficult to rinse away. Its sugar-based formula includes probiotic ingredients and soothing beta-glucan, which makes sense considering how clean, calm, and refreshed my skin felt afterward without any tightness or irritation. It really does a solid job of clearing away the oil and debris sitting in my pores after a long day, but what surprised me most was using it in the morning and finding that my normally slightly oily face stayed close to oil-free for the rest of the day. That is a pretty major win for me. My only complaint is that the sample came in one of those containers that will probably make getting every last drop out unnecessarily difficult, but considering how well the cleanser itself performs, I can live with that.
REALHER Every Shade Is You Eyeshadow Palette, 6.4 g - Retail Value $45.00
Eyeshadow may not be something I reach for very often, but the Every Shade Is You Eyeshadow Palette from REALHER still gave me plenty to appreciate. The seven-shade selection includes a versatile mix of mattes and shimmers, with neutral tones that make it easy to create anything from a simple daytime look to something a little more defined. The shimmer shades were the real standout for me, thanks to their smooth, creamy texture, while the matte shades felt more buildable than immediately pigmented in my experience. I was also pretty surprised by how easily the shadows washed away with just water, so anyone hoping to lock them in for a long party or event may want to use an eye primer underneath for a little extra staying power. The palette itself is very nicely constructed and compact enough to toss into a bag, and the built-in mirror is a thoughtful touch for quick application or touch-ups on the go. While I may not use it constantly, the approachable color story and easy-to-blend formula make this a practical little palette to have around.
Here are the swatches for REALHER Every Shade Is You Eyeshadow Palette.
NICOLE MILLER Nectar De Peche, 10 ml - Estimated Value $9.00
I know I say again and again that fragrances aren’t really my thing – and it’s true, they usually aren’t – but this Nectar De Pêche managed to draw me in ever so slightly. Its fruity blend of peace nectar, honeysuckle, and coconut water feels much lighter than the heavy, overly perfumey scents I typically associate with traditional fragrances. The peach is definitely the highlight for me, giving it more of a nostalgic body-spray quality that immediately brought me back to the early 2000s, when fruity sprays were absolutely everywhere. It’s still a fragrance, of course, so I probably wouldn’t reach for it all the time, but it truly did not strike me as too harsh or overwhelmingly floral. For someone like me who is sensitive to scents and usually tries to steer clear of them, this was a surprisingly pleasant option.
The Verdict
This month's IPSY Original was a mixed bag for me since it was heavier on the makeup than the skincare, but there were still a couple of clear wins. The Dr. Lili Fan cleanser was easily my favorite, thanks to its lightweight gel texture, gentle foaming action, and ability to leave my skin feeling clean, calm, and surprisingly oil-free throughout the day. The Tatcha lip balm in Pinku was another easy win, delivering the smooth, glossy hydration I love without any stickiness, and it’s definitely something I’ll keep on hand. From Seraphine Botanicals, the mascara impressed me with its curved brush, rich jet-black color, and ability to give lashes a noticeable lift. As for the eyeshadow palette from REALHER, it was nicely designed and offered a wearable mix of neutral shades, though the lighter pigmentation and easy wash-off is important to note. Lastly, the perfume from Nicole Miller was a pleasant surprise as far as fragrances go, with its nostalgic peachy body-spray vibe. Overall, the cleanser and lip balm are the only products that’ll become my go-tos, but then again, you can’t win every month.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $15
Value Breakdown:
- Lip Balm: $14.50
- Mascara: $29.00
- Cleanser: $9.50
- Palette: $45.00
- Fragrance: $9.00
The total retail value of these five items adds up to about $107.00, which is an amazing 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 August 2026 bag while stocks last.
What do you think of the July 2026 IPSY Original?
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