Is IPSY Worth It? Full Guide to Prices, Tiers, and Value Explained
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IPSY is one of the most popular beauty subscription services for makeup and skincare lovers. It offers a curated selection of beauty products delivered monthly or quarterly at a fraction of retail prices. Depending on the plan, subscribers receive sample-size, mini, travel-size, or full-size products from both luxury and indie beauty brands.
If you’re interested in joining Ipsy, feel free to use my link. Signing up for Ipsy with my link gives me points.
For beauty enthusiasts who enjoy discovering new products without spending hundreds of dollars, IPSY can be a cost-effective way to build a diverse makeup and skincare collection.
How Does IPSY Work?
IPSY is a personalized beauty subscription box service that sends curated products directly to your door.
When signing up, users complete a detailed beauty quiz that helps tailor product selections based on:
Skin tone and undertones
Makeup preferences
Hair type
Skincare concerns
Based on this profile, IPSY curates a mix of beauty products each month. Depending on your tier, you may also be able to choose some items yourself during a limited selection window.
Each box typically includes a mix of well-known brands, trending beauty products, and emerging indie labels.
IPSY Subscription Tiers Explained
IPSY Original – $15 Per Month
The IPSY Original bag is the entry-level subscription and most affordable option.
Subscribers typically receive:
Sample-size makeup products
Deluxe beauty samples
Mini skincare items
Occasionally full-size products
This tier is ideal for beginners or anyone who wants to test products before committing to full-size purchases.
Subscribers usually get the opportunity to choose one product during the selection window, while the remaining items are curated based on their beauty profile.
IPSY Extra – $32 Per Month
The IPSY Extra subscription offers more products and a higher likelihood of receiving full-size items.
This tier typically includes:
Full-size makeup products
Premium skincare items
Haircare products
Greater customization options
Well-known brands may include Haus Labs, Natasha Denona, Makeup by Mario, YSL Beauty, Dieux Skin, Sunday Riley, First Aid Beauty, and Murad.
Subscribers typically select up to three products from a curated list each month during a short selection window (1st-3rd). Because items are limited, popular products often sell out quickly.
Many users consider this tier the best overall value due to the inclusion of full-size and higher-end beauty products.
IPSY Ultimate – $65 Every Quarter
The IPSY Ultimate box is a premium quarterly subscription designed for beauty enthusiasts who want more luxury and variety.
Subscribers may receive:
High-end makeup and skincare products
Full-size luxury items
Exclusive beauty collections
Seasonal and trend-based products
Brands may include Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, Natasha Denona, Makeup by Mario, and YSL Beauty.
Subscribers usually select a few items (often around 3 out of 8 options) during a short selection period (1st-3rd). Missing the selection window can mean losing access to preferred products, so timing is important.
Does IPSY Send Expired Makeup?
A common concern with beauty subscription boxes is product freshness.
IPSY does not intentionally send expired products. However, items may come from:
Overstock inventory
Discontinued product lines
Older packaging runs
Seasonal or excess stock
While most users do not report receiving expired makeup, some products may have shorter remaining shelf life due to inventory sourcing practices.
IPSY Store, Refund Policy, and Cancellation
IPSY also operates an online shop where members can purchase discounted beauty products.
Important policy notes:
Most purchases are final sale
Refunds are rarely issued
Customer service may offer replacements or credits in certain cases
On the positive side, cancellation is simple:
Users can cancel anytime through their account settings
Re-subscribing later is quick and easy
Does IPSY Ship Internationally?
Currently, IPSY primarily ships within the United States and Canada. International shipping is not officially supported.
For users outside these regions, additional shipping fees, taxes, and customs duties would make the subscription significantly more expensive and less practical.
Pros and Cons of IPSY
Pros
Affordable access to luxury beauty products
Great for discovering new brands
Includes full-size products in higher tiers
Personalized product selections
Convenient monthly delivery
Cons
Limited control over every product
Shade mismatches may occur
Popular items sell out quickly
Not available internationally
IPSY May Ultimate Box Review
IPSY continues to be one of my favorite beauty subscription boxes, and I recently got my May Ultimate box. This is my full unboxing and honest first impression of what I received—and how it compares to previous months.
Overall, I’m genuinely impressed. Compared to my February box, this month is a major upgrade in both product quality and personalization.
What I Got in My IPSY May Ultimate Box
Here’s everything included in my box this month:
KORRES Apothecary Wild Rose Night Brightening Sleeping Facial
A rich overnight treatment designed to brighten and hydrate the skin while you sleep, this product feels luxurious and is especially ideal for dull skin days. I’m excited to use it as a replacement for my Shiseido Benefiance Overnight Cream, which is almost finished. However, I’ve heard that this particular treatment has a strong scent. Despite that, many users rave about its quality, noting how soft and smooth it leaves the skin, almost as if it has had a full eight hours of rest and no stress.
NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer (Shade: Cannelle L2.75)
One of the most well-known concealers in the beauty industry, it offers excellent coverage with a natural finish and blends seamlessly under the eyes. I’ve already tried this concealer, and I think it’s amazing. It effectively covers what it needs to without creasing or feeling cakey throughout the day.
YSL Beauty Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick
This is an expensive lip gloss that I might splurge on occasionally, but I would never own multiple shades because of the price. I already own YSL Beauty lipsticks and love them, so I know I’m going to enjoy wearing this gloss for an everyday, natural look.
BISHA Essential Setting Powder (Tokyo Translucent)
A lightweight setting powder designed to blur pores and reduce shine, it helps set makeup without looking cakey. This brand is relatively unknown, and some people claim it may be created specifically for subscription boxes, with pricing potentially adjusted for that market. However, I previously received the primer in a past box and have been loving it so far. Because of that experience, I have high hopes for this setting powder as well.
CIELE The Blush Brush
A soft, fluffy brush designed for smooth blush application. It feels high-quality and blends product evenly.
GISOU Honey Infused Hair Oil (Pick)
A nourishing hair oil designed to add shine and help control frizz, this was one of my personal picks in the box—and I’m glad I chose it. I’ve been wanting to try it for a while, and if it hadn’t appeared in the box, I probably would have purchased it myself. Living in a different country without access to stores like Sephora makes it harder to get certain beauty products, so subscriptions like this make discovery much easier. I’m excited to see how well it performs after a month or so.
NARS Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation (Deauville L4) (Pick)
A skin-like foundation with a natural radiant finish, it feels lightweight while still offering solid coverage. I already love this brand, especially their blushes, but I’ve never tried their foundation before. I’m excited to see how it performs since I’ve had such a positive experience with their other products.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment (Pick)
A cult-favorite exfoliating treatment designed to brighten the skin, smooth texture, and improve overall glow, this product is known for delivering visible results. In my experience, it helps brighten and soften the face like few other treatments can.
However, it does require some care when incorporating it into a skincare routine. Because it contains active ingredients like acids, it’s important to research how it interacts with other products and to avoid over-exfoliating. Using treatments like this safely is key to getting the best results without irritating the skin or damaging your skin barrier.
Affiliate Disclosure
If you didn’t receive this month’s subscription box but are interested in any of the products mentioned, you can purchase them using the affiliate links provided throughout this post.
When you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue sharing honest reviews and beauty box content.
I only recommend products I personally use, enjoy, or believe are worth trying.
Final Verdict
This May Ultimate box is one of the stronger months I’ve received from IPSY.
It feels well-balanced between skincare, makeup, and haircare—and more importantly, the quality of brands included is high-end and relevant.
If future boxes continue at this level, I’d say IPSY Ultimate is absolutely worth it for beauty lovers who enjoy discovering premium products without paying full retail prices.
