IPSY Store Review: Is It Worth Shopping for Discounted Beauty Products?
If you've ever wondered whether the IPSY Shop is actually worth shopping, you're not alone. I recently ordered several beauty products at heavily discounted prices, including makeup and skincare, and here's my honest experience. In this IPSY Shop review, I'll cover prices, shipping, product quality, and whether the discounts are actually worth it.
I've been shopping through both the IPSY Shop and the Add-Ons feature for several months, purchasing luxury makeup and skincare products from brands like MAKE UP FOR EVER, Fenty Beauty, Laura Mercier, Glow Recipe, Rare Beauty, and more. Many of these products were available at prices well below their regular retail value.
In this review, I'll explain how IPSY Add-Ons and the IPSY Shop work, share examples of the discounts I've personally received, and help you decide whether they're worth shopping.
If you're thinking about subscribing, be sure to read my full IPSY review here.
What are IPSY Add-Ons?
IPSY Add-Ons allow subscribers to purchase additional beauty products during their monthly customization window. These products are shipped together with your monthly subscription box, making it easy to try extra makeup, skincare, haircare, beauty tools, and fragrances without placing a separate order.
The Add-On selection changes every month and often includes luxury, prestige, and indie beauty brands at heavily discounted prices. Because quantities are limited, many of the most popular products sell out quickly.
During my subscription, IPSY Add-Ons have typically been available in three price tiers: $3.50 for deluxe sample-size products, $12 for full-size products, and $25 for premium full-size products. The products offered in each tier change every month, giving subscribers the opportunity to try both well-known and emerging beauty brands at significant discounts.
Below are a few examples of the savings I've personally received through IPSY Add-Ons. To provide an accurate comparison, I used the regular retail prices listed on each brand's official website rather than the discounted prices shown in the IPSY Shop. This gives a better idea of how much you can save when purchasing Add-Ons instead of paying full retail price.
| Product | IPSY Price | Retail Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer | $12.00 | $25.00 | $13.00 (52% off) |
| Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick | $12.00 | $28.00 | $16.00 (57% off) |
| Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Blush | $12.00 | $24.00 | $12.00 (50% off) |
What Is the IPSY Shop?
The IPSY Shop is IPSY's online beauty store where members can purchase makeup, skincare, haircare, beauty tools, and beauty bundles outside of their monthly subscription box. Unlike Add-Ons, you don't have to wait for your monthly shipment to shop, and you can purchase products whenever new deals become available.
The shop frequently offers discounts on luxury, prestige, and indie beauty brands, making it a great place to discover new products or stock up on old favorites at lower prices than retail.
Depending on your order, products from the IPSY Shop may ship with your monthly subscription box or in a separate package. Orders of $10 or more qualify for free shipping within the United States.
My Experience Shopping at the IPSY Shop
Since I currently live outside the United States, I don't always have easy access to IPSY. Recently, some of my family members visited from the United States, so I had my May Ultimate Box shipped to their address and they brought it with them when they came to visit.
Because of the shipping challenges, I decided to skip the August Ultimate Box. It's also one of the reasons I don't review every monthly box.
One thing I like about the IPSY Shop is that it gives me the flexibility to buy only the products that genuinely interest me. Rather than hoping a product appears in my subscription box, I can purchase it directly if it's available at a good price.
Along with my May Ultimate Box, I also placed an IPSY Shop order and picked up several products that had been on my wishlist, including lipsticks, foundation, and skincare. Many of these items were heavily discounted compared to their regular retail prices, allowing me to try luxury beauty brands without paying full price.
Below are some of the deals I personally purchased through the IPSY Shop. To calculate the savings, I compared what I paid with the regular retail prices listed on each brand's official website rather than the prices shown in the IPSY Shop.
| Product | IPSY Price | Qty | Retail Value | You Saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR. BRANDT Hydraglass Prep Serum Gel (Free Gift) | FREE | 1 | $48.00 | $48.00 |
| Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick Duo | $22.00 | 2 lipsticks | $58.00 | $36.00 |
| Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Oil-Free Refillable Moisturizer Duo | $30.00 | 2 moisturizers | $80.00 | $50.00 |
| MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation | $10.00 | 1 | $49.00 | $39.00 |
| MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Hydra Glow Foundation | $14.00 each | 2 | $98.00 | $70.00 |
| MAKEUP BY MARIO Ultra Suede Lipstick (I Need a Rose) | $10.00 | 1 | $28.00 | $18.00 |
| Laura Mercier Caviar Smoothing Matte Refillable Lipstick | $10.00 each | 2 | $68.00 | $48.00 |
| Total | $116.00 | — | $429.00 | $313.00 |
As you can see, I saved hundreds of dollars by shopping through the IPSY Shop instead of paying full retail price. I was able to purchase luxury makeup and skincare for just a fraction of what I would have paid at Sephora or directly from the brands.
I've been genuinely impressed with the quality of the products. The lipsticks are beautiful, highly pigmented, and the shades have quickly become some of my favorites. After seeing how much I can save through the IPSY Shop, it's hard to justify paying full price for luxury makeup anymore.
While not every deal will be this heavily discounted, the IPSY Shop has become one of my favorite places to stock up on high-end beauty products without breaking the bank.
Shipping
In my experience, IPSY has packaged my orders well, and I haven't had any products arrive damaged. Depending on what you purchase, your order may ship together with your monthly subscription box or separately from the IPSY Shop.
Shipping times can vary, especially during major sales or promotional events.
Since I currently live outside the United States, I've tried two different ways of receiving my IPSY orders: using a package forwarding service and having family members bring them when they visit.
Unfortunately, I found package forwarding services to be very expensive once shipping fees, taxes, and import duties were added. In many cases, the shipping costs were so high that they outweighed the savings I received on the beauty products.
I've also had family members bring my IPSY orders in their luggage when they visited. While this option is usually much more affordable, I sometimes feel guilty asking them to use part of their luggage space for my purchases.
If I had to choose between the two options, I would still ask a family member or friend to bring the products when they're already planning to visit. For me, it makes more financial sense than paying the high shipping costs associated with forwarding services, especially when the shipping fees can approach—or even exceed—the value of the products themselves.
If you experience a missing item, shipping issue, or a package that doesn't arrive, you can contact IPSY's virtual assistant through the Help Center. Although it's a chatbot, I found it surprisingly helpful. When one of my packages was delivered to the wrong address, I contacted customer support through the chatbot, and after reviewing the issue, IPSY agreed to send me a replacement. That positive experience gave me confidence in their customer service.
Refunds and Returns
Most purchases made through the IPSY Shop are considered final sale, so returns and refunds are generally not available. However, if your order arrives damaged, contains the wrong item, or is missing products, you can contact IPSY Customer Care for assistance. In my experience, their customer support has been helpful when I encountered shipping issues.
One thing that surprised me when I first subscribed was how the IPSY Ultimate Box worked.
If you don't already have an IPSY Original or IPSY Extra subscription, you can't subscribe to the Ultimate Box by itself. Instead, you must first subscribe to either the Original or Extra plan and then upgrade to the Ultimate Box.
That means, during your first month, you'll be charged for both subscriptions. Depending on which plan you choose, you can expect to pay approximately:
IPSY Original + Ultimate: around $80
IPSY Extra + Ultimate: around $100
So, if you're planning to try the Ultimate Box for the first time, it's worth budgeting for the additional cost during your initial month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-members shop at the IPSY Shop?
Some IPSY Shop promotions are available only to active subscribers, while others may be available to non-members. Member pricing and product availability can vary depending on the promotion.
Can You Cancel IPSY Anytime?
Yes. You can generally cancel your IPSY subscription at any time through your account settings, and I found the cancellation process to be quick and straightforward.
However, it's important to cancel before your next billing date. At the time I subscribed, IPSY required cancellations to be completed before the 25th of the month to avoid being charged for the following month's box. If you miss the cancellation deadline and your payment has already been processed, IPSY generally does not issue a refund for that month's subscription.
To avoid unexpected charges, I recommend canceling a few days before the deadline if you're planning to skip or end your subscription.
Are IPSY Add-Ons worth it?
In my opinion, yes. I've been able to purchase luxury beauty products from brands like MAKE UP FOR EVER, Laura Mercier, Fenty Beauty, and Rare Beauty for much less than their regular retail prices.
What's the difference between IPSY Add-Ons and the IPSY Shop?
Add-Ons are extra products you purchase during your monthly subscription customization and are shipped with your subscription box. The IPSY Shop is an online store where you can purchase beauty products outside of your monthly subscription.
Are IPSY Shop products authentic?
Based on my experience, the products I've received appear authentic and match the quality I would expect from purchasing directly from the brands.
Can IPSY Add-Ons sell out?
Yes. Many popular products are available in limited quantities and often sell out quickly during the monthly Add-On window.
Is the IPSY Shop cheaper than Sephora?
Often, yes. While prices vary, I've personally purchased several luxury beauty products at significant discounts compared to their regular retail prices.
Final Verdict
Overall, I've had a great experience shopping through both IPSY Add-Ons and the IPSY Shop. One of my favorite things about IPSY is the opportunity to try luxury beauty brands without paying full retail price. Over the past several months, I've saved hundreds of dollars on products from MAKE UP FOR EVER, Fenty Beauty, Laura Mercier, Glow Recipe, Rare Beauty, and other high-end brands.
Of course, not every deal will be the best available, and popular products can sell out quickly. However, if you already have an IPSY subscription, I think the Add-Ons feature is one of the best perks. Combined with the IPSY Shop, it's an affordable way to build your makeup and skincare collection while discovering products you might not have tried otherwise.
If you enjoy trying premium beauty brands without paying full retail prices, I think the IPSY Shop is worth checking out. I've found some excellent deals, especially on brands like Rare Beauty, Fenty Beauty, Laura Mercier, and Makeup Forever. The selection changes frequently, so if you see something you love, it's usually best to grab it before it sells out.
