Ipsy Glam Bag Review: Is It Legit or Just a Scam?
Are you curious about what makes Ipsy Glam Bag such a popular choice among beauty lovers?
This monthly subscription service has captured hearts worldwide with its curated selection of deluxe samples and full-sized products.
Whether you’re new to the beauty world or a seasoned makeup enthusiast, this comprehensive review will help you understand everything about Ipsy’s offerings and show you where to find similar amazing products on Amazon.

Key Takeaways
Here are the essential points you need to know about Ipsy Glam Bag and similar beauty products:
- Excellent Value for Money: At $14 per month, you receive five personalized products plus a cute makeup bag, making it one of the most affordable beauty subscriptions available
- Personalized Selection: Ipsy uses advanced Match technology that considers your beauty quiz responses, product ratings, and reviews to curate items specifically for your preferences
- Mix of Sample and Full Sizes: Each bag contains a combination of deluxe samples and full-sized products from both established and emerging beauty brands
- Monthly Choice Option: Subscribers can choose one product from a curated selection of 10 items, giving you control over at least one item in your bag
- Wide Brand Variety: Features products from popular brands like Tarte, Benefit, IT Cosmetics, NARS, and First Aid Beauty, plus exciting indie discoveries
- Perfect for Product Discovery: Ideal for those who want to try new products without committing to full-sized purchases, helping you discover your next holy grail items
What Makes Ipsy Glam Bag Special
The Ipsy Glam Bag stands out in the crowded beauty subscription market for several reasons. Each month, subscribers receive a carefully curated selection of beauty products housed in an adorable, reusable makeup bag. The service has perfected the art of personalization, using sophisticated algorithms to match products with individual preferences.
The beauty quiz you take when signing up isn’t just a formality. Ipsy genuinely uses this information, along with your ongoing ratings and reviews, to improve future selections. This means your bags become more tailored to your preferences over time. The personalization aspect sets Ipsy apart from other subscription services that offer more generic selections.
What’s particularly impressive is the variety of product categories you’ll encounter. From skincare essentials like serums and moisturizers to makeup must-haves including lipsticks, eyeshadows, and mascaras, each bag offers a diverse beauty experience. The inclusion of tools like brushes and beauty accessories adds extra value to each monthly delivery.
Travel Size Makeup Essentials
One of the most appealing aspects of Ipsy products is their perfect travel-friendly sizes. Most items are deluxe samples or mini versions of full-sized products, making them ideal for on-the-go touch-ups or testing before committing to larger purchases.
These travel sizes are perfect for maintaining your beauty routine while traveling, fitting easily into carry-on bags without taking up precious space. The convenience factor cannot be overstated especially for frequent travelers who want to maintain their beauty standards without the bulk of full-sized products.
Many subscribers find these sizes perfect for trying new products without the financial commitment of purchasing full-sized versions. If you love a product, you can always purchase the full size later. If it doesn’t work for you, you haven’t invested a significant amount of money.
Professional Makeup Brush Collections
Ipsy frequently includes high-quality makeup brushes in their monthly bags, and these tools often become subscriber favorites. The brushes featured are typically from reputable brands and offer professional-level performance at a fraction of the cost you’d pay retail.
The variety of brushes you might receive includes foundation brushes, eyeshadow blenders, contouring brushes, and precision tools for detailed work. Each brush is carefully selected to complement the other products in your bag, creating a cohesive beauty experience.
What makes these brushes particularly valuable is their professional quality at accessible prices. Many subscribers report that brushes received in their Ipsy bags perform better than expensive alternatives they’ve purchased separately.
Top 3 Alternative for Travel Size Makeup Set
Eyeshadow Palettes and Color Collections
Eyeshadow palettes are among the most exciting items to receive in Ipsy bags. These palettes often feature unique color combinations and formulations that you might not have discovered otherwise. From neutral everyday shades to bold, statement colors, Ipsy’s eyeshadow selections cater to every style preference.
The quality of these palettes consistently impresses subscribers. Many feature highly pigmented formulas with excellent blendability and staying power. Whether you prefer matte finishes, shimmery textures, or metallic effects, Ipsy’s palette selections offer something for everyone.
Subscribers particularly appreciate receiving palettes from both established brands and emerging indie companies. This exposure to new brands has led many to discover their new favorite makeup companies through their monthly Ipsy deliveries.
Foundation and Concealer Discoveries
Finding the perfect foundation match can be challenging, and Ipsy’s personalized approach helps solve this common beauty dilemma. The service takes into account your skin tone, type, and coverage preferences when selecting base makeup products for your bag.
The variety of foundation and concealer options includes everything from lightweight tinted moisturizers to full-coverage formulations. This diversity allows subscribers to experiment with different coverage levels and find what works best for their lifestyle and preferences.
Many subscribers report discovering their holy grail base products through Ipsy. The ability to test products in smaller sizes before committing to full-sized purchases makes it easier to find products that truly work for your unique skin needs.
Mascara and Eye Product Selection
Eye products, particularly mascaras, are frequent highlights in Ipsy bags. The service regularly features both classic formulations and innovative new releases that help define, lengthen, and volumize lashes.
The variety extends beyond just mascara to include eyeliners, eyebrow products, and eye creams. This comprehensive approach to eye makeup ensures subscribers receive products that create complete, polished looks.
What makes these selections particularly valuable is the opportunity to try premium formulations at a fraction of their retail cost. Many high-end mascaras that typically cost $25-$40 can be experienced through Ipsy at a much more accessible price point.
Lip Products and Treatments
Lip products are another consistently popular category in Ipsy bags. From classic lipsticks and glosses to innovative lip oils and treatments, the variety keeps subscribers excited about their monthly deliveries.
The quality and variety of lip products often exceed expectations. Subscribers receive everything from subtle everyday shades to bold statement colors, allowing them to experiment with different looks and find new favorites.
Particularly noteworthy are the lip treatments that focus on hydration and care. These products often become subscriber favorites, providing real benefits beyond just color and helping maintain healthy, beautiful lips.
Skincare Integration and Benefits
Ipsy doesn’t focus solely on makeup; skincare integration is a significant part of the experience. Each bag often includes skincare products that complement the makeup selections, creating a comprehensive beauty routine.
The skincare products range from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and treatments. This variety helps subscribers build complete skincare routines or enhance their existing regimens with new, innovative products.
The educational aspect of receiving skincare products through Ipsy is particularly valuable. Many subscribers learn about new ingredients, application techniques, and product categories they might not have explored otherwise.
Beauty Tools and Accessories
Beyond makeup and skincare products, Ipsy bags frequently include beauty tools and accessories that enhance the overall beauty experience. These might include applicators, beauty sponges, tweezers, or other useful tools.
The quality of these tools consistently impresses subscribers, often matching or exceeding the performance of more expensive alternatives. This attention to quality extends to every aspect of the Ipsy experience.
These accessories often become some of the most-used items from Ipsy bags, providing ongoing value long after the initial excitement of unboxing has passed.
Highlighting and Contouring Products
Highlighting and contouring products are regular features in Ipsy bags, helping subscribers achieve professional-level makeup looks at home. These products range from subtle, everyday options to dramatic, Instagram-worthy formulations.
The variety in textures and finishes ensures there’s something for every preference, whether you prefer cream products, powders, or liquid formulations. This diversity helps subscribers experiment with different techniques and find what works best for their face shape and style preferences.
Educational resources often accompany these products, helping subscribers learn proper application techniques and get the most out of their new makeup items.
Seasonal and Limited Edition Collections
Ipsy regularly features seasonal collections and limited edition items that create extra excitement around monthly deliveries. These special selections often align with current trends, holidays, or exclusive brand collaborations.
The exclusivity factor adds significant value to the Ipsy experience. Subscribers often receive products that aren’t available elsewhere or get early access to new launches before they hit retail stores.
These special collections often become the most treasured items in subscribers’ makeup collections, representing unique finds that can’t be replicated through traditional retail shopping.
Value Comparison and Cost Analysis
When evaluating Ipsy’s value proposition, the cost-per-product calculation reveals impressive savings. At $14 monthly for five products plus a bag, subscribers typically receive items worth $50-$80 at retail prices.
The cost savings become even more significant when considering the opportunity to discover new brands and products without the risk of purchasing full-sized items that might not work out. This risk mitigation adds substantial value to the subscription model.
Long-term subscribers often report that their Ipsy experience has actually saved them money by helping them make more informed beauty purchases and avoid costly mistakes.
Customer Experience and Satisfaction
The overall customer satisfaction with Ipsy Glam Bag remains consistently high, with many subscribers maintaining their memberships for years. The combination of personalization, value, and discovery creates a compelling experience that keeps customers engaged.
Customer service receives particular praise from subscribers, with responsive support for any issues or concerns. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond just product selection to the entire subscription experience.
The community aspect of Ipsy, including reviews, ratings, and social media engagement, adds an extra dimension to the experience that many subscribers find valuable and engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ipsy Glam Bag worth the monthly cost?
Yes, for most beauty enthusiasts, Ipsy Glam Bag offers excellent value. At $14 monthly, you receive products typically worth $50-$80 at retail prices. The personalization ensures you receive items suited to your preferences, and the discovery aspect helps you find new favorites without significant financial risk.
How does Ipsy choose products for my bag?
Ipsy uses advanced Match technology that considers your initial beauty quiz responses, ongoing product ratings, and reviews. The system learns from your feedback and becomes more accurate over time. You also get to choose one product monthly from a curated selection of 10 options.
Can I skip months or cancel anytime?
Yes, Ipsy offers flexible subscription management. You can skip months when convenient or cancel your subscription at any time without penalties. This flexibility makes it easy to adjust your subscription based on your needs and budget.
What types of products should I expect in my bag?
Expect a mix of makeup, skincare, and beauty tools. Common items include lipsticks, eyeshadows, mascaras, moisturizers, serums, and brushes. The variety ensures you’ll discover new products across different beauty categories each month.
Are the products full-size or samples?
Ipsy bags typically contain a mix of deluxe samples and full-sized products. While many items are travel or sample sizes, they’re substantial enough to provide multiple uses and a proper product evaluation. Occasionally, you’ll receive full-sized items, which adds extra value to your bag.
