Unpaid [2026] Ipsy Bag Review + Read before you order

Today I’m sharing my unpaid IPSY review and we’re talking all about the IPSY beauty subscription, the different subscription options, and whether it’s really worth it. Spoiler alert: Yes, yes it is. This post is NOT sponsored and may contain affiliate links. Try IPSY HERE.

A few years ago I got an Instagram ad for a beauty subscription box called IPSY. It boasted higher-end beauty products at a very low price.

Usually, I click right through the Instagram ads but I’d been eyeing some designer beauty products so I swiped up and ordered a box for myself for Mother’s Day.

Years later I’m on my millionth box and sharing all the details.

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Unpaid IPSY Review: Initial Thoughts

I was really impressed with my first two bags.

In my first bag, I loved three out of the five products, liked one, and didn’t care for the fifth. It came to about $100 worth of products I’d use and one lipstick in a deep shade I’ll gift to a friend or save for an occasional party.

In my second bag, I was excited about the timely Tula sunscreen. The rest of the products are things I’ll use (no more dramatic deep red lipstick). I also got my first taste of shopping IPSY add-ons with my second bag — the flash sale for bonus products. I snagged a Kate Somerville serum for $16 (retails for $98), a summer lip color, a brow pencil I’d been needing, and a highlighter all for an additional $33.

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What is IPSY?

IPSY is a monthly beauty subscription that sends you a personalized set of beauty products each month, ranging from deluxe samples to full-size items depending on which subscription you choose. Born out of the YouTube beauty movement (spearheaded by makeup artist Michelle Phan), IPSY is one of the most popular beauty subscription services with millions of active members.

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How Does IPSY Work?

When you join IPSY, you take a quick beauty quiz to personalize your first shipment. The quiz covers your beauty preferences, skin tone, hair color, eye color, favorite makeup brands, and which product categories you want more of. IPSY uses your answers to curate what goes in your bag each month.

For example, I shared that I’d prefer skincare products over makeup or hair products, that I like neutrals, and that I have normal combination skin. So far I’ve received a mix of skincare and makeup but no hair products.

At the start of each month, IPSY lets you choose at least one product to include in your shipment. After that, your credit card is charged and IPSY fills the rest of your bag based on your quiz answers and past product reviews. Before your bag ships, you also have the chance to add on bonus products through their members-only add-on sale — more on that below.

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How Much Does IPSY Cost in 2026?

IPSY currently offers three subscription tiers. Here’s how they break down:

Subscription	Price	What You Get
IPSY Original	$15/month	5 deluxe samples worth up to $70
IPSY Extra	$32/month	5 full-size products worth up to $200
IPSY Ultimate	$65/quarter	8 full-size products worth up to $400

Pricing is plus tax and a $1.99 shipping fee.

A few things worth knowing before you pick a tier. The Original at $15/month is the lowest-risk way to try the service — you get to choose one of your five products each month and the value-to-price ratio is solid. The Extra at $32/month steps up to full-size products and lets you pick three of your five items, which makes the personalization noticeably better. The Ultimate is a quarterly add-on (not a standalone monthly subscription) that ships in February, May, August, and November — it’s designed for someone who wants premium drops on top of their regular subscription.

You can also subscribe to more than one tier at the same time, and annual plans are available at a slight discount if you know you’re committed.

Add-ons start at $3.50 and are always sold at a deep discount.

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Is IPSY Worth It?

For most beauty lovers, yes.

If you’re interested in trying new beauty products, experimenting with higher-end brands, or just replacing key products in your makeup bag without paying full price, IPSY is a great deal. Each month there are at least two or three products I love and actually use — mascara, eyeliner, primer, moisturizer, BB cream, sunscreen — that are combined worth far more than I paid for the bag.

That said, you likely can’t use all the products up as fast as you get new ones. Unless you want a lot of product lying around, consider skipping a month here and there rather than letting things pile up. I also love having a stash of full sized products that I use for gifts for friends (perfect for a pick-me-up, a birthday gift, or when celebrating literally anything).

IPSY is also worth it just for access to the add-on sales and the members-only IPSY Shop. You get access to these no matter which subscription level you choose. I bought a Kate Somerville serum I’d been eyeing for $18 that retails for $98. There are almost always basics like eyeliner, mascara, primer, and moisturizer available, along with rotating options for haircare, serums, and makeup.

Who it’s best for: Someone who loves beauty, is open to trying new brands and products, and doesn’t need to be loyal to one specific mascara or moisturizer. IPSY works really well if you’re curious and flexible.

Who might want to skip it: If you have a very specific routine of products you refuse to deviate from, or if you’re already fully stocked and don’t have anyone to gift extras to, the product accumulation can feel like too much.

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What Are the Different IPSY Subscription Options?

IPSY Original — $15/month

The IPSY Original is the subscription that started it all. You get five personalized, deluxe-size beauty samples (worth up to $70) each month, including a collectible makeup bag. Based on your beauty quiz, you’ll receive a mix of makeup, skincare, haircare, and nail products. You get to choose one product each month from a curated selection.

IPSY Extra — $32/month

IPSY Extra is the full-size upgrade. You get five full-size products (worth up to $200) personalized from your beauty quiz, and you get to choose three of your five products each month. This is the tier I’d recommend if you want to actually replace products in your routine rather than just sample things.

IPSY Ultimate — $65/quarter

The IPSY Ultimate is a quarterly add-on subscription for the seriously beauty-obsessed. It ships four times a year (February, May, August, and November) and includes eight full-size products worth up to $400. You pick three of your products each shipment. During Ultimate months, it replaces your usual monthly bag.

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What Are IPSY Add-Ons?

From the 1st through the 3rd of each month, IPSY opens up their add-on shop where you can grab bonus products starting at $3.50. Some of these deals go lightning fast, so keep an eye on your email and shop as soon as possible. This is where you’ll find deep discounts on well-known, higher-end beauty brands. Add-ons ship free with your IPSY Extra subscription.

Beyond add-ons, all members get access to the IPSY Shop (members-only deals up to 70% off, fresh drops every week) and a quarterly Mega Drop Shop with full-size beauty discounts of 30–80% off retail.

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How to Cancel IPSY

Your IPSY membership will automatically renew, but you can cancel any time with no hidden fees. I actually like that the add-on sale opens up at the end of the month, right before your membership renews. It gives you a chance to see if anything tempts you, but also serves as a natural reminder if you want to skip or cancel.

To cancel your membership:

1. Log into your IPSY account and go to Account Settings, then Membership.
2. Click “Manage Membership,” then “Help me stop my membership.”
3. A pop-up will ask if you want to skip a month instead. If you don’t want to skip, click “Continue cancellation.” IPSY will email you a link to confirm.
4. Make sure you’re logged in, then click the link in the email to finalize your cancellation.

If you don’t click the link in the email, your cancellation will not be processed. You must confirm by 12pm PT on the last day of the month if you don’t want the upcoming month’s bag. If you cancel your annual membership, you’ll still receive the remaining bags for the year — your subscription just won’t renew.

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What kind of products can you expect in an ISPY bag?: 

All of IPSY’s subscription options include a mix of well-known brands and up-and-coming indie brands. Depending on your beauty quiz answers, you can steer your bags toward more skincare, more makeup, or more haircare. The personalization has gotten noticeably better over the years.

Here’s what I got in my last few IPSY Extra Bags: 

May IPSY Extra Bag:  

• Auteur Creme Lip Color in Smoking On Screen ($20)
• Itsse Eyeshadow Palette ($60)
• Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer ($40)
• Tarte double take eyeliner ($24)
• Beauty for Real Mascara ($19)

June IPSY Extra Bag:

• Laura Geller Central Park Face Palette ($14)
• Dr. Brandt Luminizer Primer ($38)
• Ciate London Triple Shot Mascara ($22)
• Araceli Liquid Eyeliner in Coffee ($17)
• Tula Probiotic Sunscreen ($36)

July IPSY Extra Bag:

• Ciate London Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer ($28)
• Ofra Cosmetics “Glazed Donut” Highlighter ($45)
• Purlisse Beauty Antioxidant Priming Moisturizer ($35)
• Awake Glow Pill Super Serum  ($39)
• Tarte volumizing mascara  ($23)

August IPSY Extra Bag:

• Murad Perfecting Day Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($58)
• WANDER BEAUTY Frame Your Face Precise Brow Gel in Clear ($20) 
• EYEKO Black Magic Mascara ($25)
• DERMEDICINE ADVANCED SKINCARE Weightless Face Moisturizer SPF 25 ($30)
• COMPLEX CULTURE Plush Powder Brush ($35) 

notes: I chose to have two different SPF moisturizers included in this August bag. I LOVE the Dermedicine moisturizer and have really liked the clear brow gel (a new to me product). I also really like the new update to IPSY bags, which allows you to pick 3 of the 5 products! 

September IPSY Extra Bag:

• Fancy Face Oil Cleanser ($34) 
• Trestique Color + Contour Bronzer Stick ($28) sold out right now 
• Laura Geller Spackle Mist ($32) 
• Item Beauty Brow Chow Brow Pencil ($13) 
• Murad Essencial-C Day Moisturizer ($65) 
• $3 Add on: Shaina B’Miami Contour Brush ($23) 

October IPSY Extra Bag:

• Dr. Brandt Skincare PoreDermabrasion ($58)
• Seraphine Botanicals Vegan Eyeshadow & Blush Palette ($42)
• Yensa Tone Up Essential Glow Primer ($46)
• Laboratoires Filorga Oxygen-Glow  ($29)
• Araceli Beauty Gel Pencil Eyeliner Duo in Chocolate ($37)
• add on: Lottie London Slay All Day Liquid Lipstick in So Good (paid extra $3 and SO GOOD) 
• add on: La Chatelaine Hand Cream in Cinnamon Orange (paid extra $3) 
• add on: Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil (paid extra $3 add on for 7.5 ml, retails $55 for 35ml) 

My highest value box yet! 

April 2026 IPSY Extra Bag:

• Tarte Amazonian Clay Palette ($49)
• Beauty For Real Sun Sculpt Weightless Bronzer Duo ($32)
• BYOD Liquid Blush ($22)
• Saie Hydrabeam Undereye Concealer ($24)
• SOROCI Morning Drizzle Calming Cream ($30)

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Final Thoughts

I love getting to try high-end beauty products at such a deep discount. IPSY works really well for me because I’m not incredibly picky. I don’t have a list of designer makeup products I swear by and need to repeat month after month. I’m looking for a great black mascara and I’m happy trying a new one each time. I want to use a primer but I don’t want to pay full price for a high-end one I might end up hating.

After a few months I did start getting more product than I could use. I ended up switching to every other month and keeping a stash of unopened IPSY products under my sink. Whenever a girlfriend has a birthday or needs a pick-me-up, I dig through it and find something to gift. It’s become one of my favorite low-effort gifting strategies.

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Frequently Asked Questions About IPSY

 

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