I still can’t make up my mind about the customization of my Ipsy Plus bag. When I have to choose my items, I have been less than excited. But when the bag arrives, I usually like what I got more than I thought I would. Weird.
Regardless, I still strongly believe that the value from Ipsy Plus is in the full size skincare products. Much, though not all, of the makeup that Ipsy gets is indie affordable brands, while the skincare tends to skew towards dermatologist-created, more expensive brands.
I Bought This, Affiliate Links
This month, the theme is “Be Present”. Frankly, now that there is customization, I think they should get rid of the theme since we’re pretty much picking our own items, and they have nothing to do with any sort of theme, IMHO.
The drawstring bag this month is made from a soft fabric, and the peach, brown and black color blocks seem quite November-y. I still preferred the makeup bags, but I guess the larger drawstring bag does make sense because all the products fit inside it, whereas they didn’t fit into the makeup bags.
Here’s what I got in my November Ipsy Plus bag:
- Feel Harmony Rose Petal Facial Mask: I chose this item. I had tried Feel’s Pumpkin Cleanser a couple of years ago, and I loved it, so I decided to try this. This gel mask packed with rose petals, essential oil, and extract is supposed to be hydrating. Plus it’s a 10 minute mask. I haven’t tried it yet, but I am looking forward to it. $55 When I searched on the Feel Harmony Rose Petal Mask, I found that it was first introduced in 2018, and now, I believe it is discontinued. You can find it on eBay and Amazon. It looks like Feel’s entire product range has been repackaged and changed, and many of their products are out of stock. Hmm, I wonder what’s going on?
- Complex Culture 6-in-1 Deal Closer Tinted Lip Cream: I also chose this. The box says it provides sheer, buildable color while providing hydrating benefits. It’s a primer, liner, balm, tint, soother, and antioxidant booster in one. The Mauve Nude shade that I received (there are 2 other shades) is very pretty, and it’s a good everyday lip product. I haven’t tried it yet under another more drying lip product to see if it would make it more comfortable. I’ve been wearing it on its own. It goes on very creamy, and over time it does tend to dry down without being drying. The packaging is gorgeous. I like it! $18
- treStique Good Vibes Mascara: I don’t think I chose this mascara, but it certainly is unique! It comes with a built-in lash curler. It’s a huge, fat tube with an hourglass shaped bristle wand. I haven’t tried it yet, so I can’t speak about the formula or the lash curler. The curler is kind of scary. It looks like a guillotine! And it is not as wide as a typical curler, so I am not sure how it will work without making a mess of my lashes. I’ll let you know. $25
- Complex Culture Full Time Eyeshadow Palette: I have never heard of this brand, but now I get to try two products from them. This was selected by Ipsy. The brand is from the U.S., the colors are manufactured in the U.S., I think, but the palette was assembled in the Dominican Republic. Hmm. It’s a cruelty-free, vegan brand. The palette itself it very well made, sturdy, heavy plastic with a large mirror. The cool-toned, neutral shades are lovely. I haven’t tried the palette yet. But I must say I am very impressed by their elegant, well made packaging. Also, the shadows appear to be talc-free. This palette for light to medium skin tones looks quite promising! $28
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Julep Eyeshadow Creme-to-Powder Stick, shade Champagne Shimmer: I chose this product even though I was getting a palette because I like cream and stick shadows. So easy to use. This eyeshadow contains vitamins E and C for some skincare benefits. Since my lids are so dry, that’s a good thing. The color is Champagne Shimmer, and it’s very pretty as a shadow and as a highlighter. The stick comes with a built-in smudger that I haven’t tried yet. I particularly like this for a little brightness at the inner corner of the eyes and as an under the brows highlighter. Although Champagne Shimmer is sold out on the Julep website, it comes in a zillion other pretty shades with the darker shade in stock. $14
- Vasanti Angled Concealer Detailer Brush 402: I think this was an extra gift from Ipsy because I didn’t buy it, and it’s not part of the products listed in my bag. Though Vasanti brushes are affordable, I usually like them. Their cruelty-free bristles are thick and soft. However, the ferrule on this brush wasn’t crimped enough and the head came off. I used Gorilla Glue and now it’s fine. I’ll use it! $19
Thoughts
The value of my November Ipsy Plus bag is $159 including the extra brush included in my bag. Although my earlier, more skincare focused bags usually were valued at more than $200, the makeup-oriented Ipsy Plus bags are worth considerably less. Nevertheless, I think I will still enjoy playing with these items.
Add-On Product
- Dr. Botanicals Apothecary Cocoa & Coconut Superfood Reviving Hydrating Mask: I tried a balm from Dr. Botanicals a couple of months ago so I decided to try this vegan, cruelty-free, natural hydrating mask. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, so I’ll let you know what I think another time. $12.99 for 30 ml but currently sold out; $16.90 for 50 ml full size
Black Friday One-Time Bags
The card that came with the bag announced that Ipsy is going to be selling 3 bags at different price points with different themes:
- Hair and makeup edit: $29.99
- Skincare edit: $39.99
- Luxe edit: $59.99
on November 27-30 with well known brands up to 85% off. Some of the brands are pricey skincare like 111Skin, Sunday Riley, Kate Somerville, and Murad. Haircare from OUAI, and makeup from MAC and Benefit. I will make a note to check Ipsy.com on 11/27 because there may be some excellent values. At least some of the products are full size, so I am curious about these one-time purchase bags.
Musings on Ipsy
Ipsy has shifted to selling products every day at a discount. They also have their own brand called Refreshments.
You may have heard that Ipsy recently bought BoxyCharm, though they claim they will run the two brands separately. Obviously, they bought they sole real competitor. But in the long run, I can’t believe that they will continue to run the two brands separately. What do you think?
That eyeshadow palette is very pretty! Interesting that Ipsy bought BoxyCharm!
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Yes, I am really curious about what Ipsy will do with BoxyCharm as time goes on
The only thing we got that was the same was the mascara. I got the Violet Voss eyeshadow palette with the neutrals and one bright coral shade. I’ll add it to your package because coral is the one color I can’t wear at all but your coloring seems perfect for it. I also got a “meh” lip oil, an outstanding lip butter, and Murad Retinol Cream.
Oh, are you sure you don’t want the VV palette? Altho I shouldn’t talk you into keeping it because oranges do work for me, lol! Tell me about the lip butter – what brand is it? I don’t remember having that as a choice. I hear you about lip oil. The only one I like is from Clarins. As a matter of fact, I should dig mine out and use it. I hope you enjoy the Murad Retinol Cream. At some point, I will try that.
I am more than happy to send it to you, believe me. I’m glad I was delayed long enough to add it to the other palette. The lip butter is Seraphine Botanicals and it’s really helping my lips overnight.
You are so sweet <3 Did you get the package yesterday? Hoping the post office is back on track! I will take a look at the Seraphine Botanicals lip butter. I can never have enough effective lip products!
I just got the package 10 minutes ago! I love the eyeshadow palette and the blue light spray is a delightful surprise! Thank you!!!!
Oh, I’m glad it arrived. I don’t trust the post office quite like I used to, lol. I am glad you like the palette, and I hope you can use the blue light spray. I have another blue light spray as well as blue light screening gummies, so I knew it would be eons before I got to this bottle. And I love Derma E products. I hope you’ll think about trying it when you have a long day at the computer!
I am very excited about the spray! I too love Derma E and with the amount of time I spend on the computer… Thank you again!!!
I won’t be sending the VV. Read the tiny print on the box and discovered it’s not safe to use the eyeshadows around your eyes. I like you too much to send you toxic waste. I’ll be throwing it away instead. A strongly worded email was just sent to Ipsy about this.
OMG, thank you, Gabrielle! I remember everyone on the Phyrra FB group talking about something similar, with ColourPop “pigments”, a couple of years ago. I can’t believe that Violet Voss does that! I have a VV palette that I got from Ipsy Plus a year ago, and I am going to find it and check the “fine print”. That’s terrible. Ipsy should replace that product with something else for you. Grrrrrr!
Boxycharm sent out a carcinogenic blush palette three months ago too. I think companies are pawning off toxic product on subscription box customers.
Whoa, that is terrible. How did you know the blush palette was carcinogenic – e.g. what was the ingredient(s) that you noticed? This time, did you email the Violet Voss company or Ipsy or both? I agree with your assessment about pawning off “unwanted” product on subscription box customers.
The blush palette had a warning right on it that said that the state of California declared the ingredients to be carcinogenic. That was enough for me. I hope your other VV palette is okay!
I’m still trying to find that VV palette, lol, so at least I’m not in danger of using it 😉
Allison,
Love reading your Ipsy box reviews. That eyeshadow palette is gorgeous too. But, I need to try a eyeshadow pencil/crayon for sure. A few years ago I received a Laura Mercier caviar eye crayon and loved it. I need to look into the Pixie Eye Crayons too. All in all, it looked like you got some great products.
Thank you, Sandy! I am still enjoying Ipsy in spite of my complaining. As far as eyeshadow pencils/crayons go, let me find my stash of Cargos and Mally crayons. I have way more than I can use. I’ll be in touch.
I’m on the fence about this bag. I like the brush and the e/s palette best. I do worry about Boxy and Ipsy coming from the same company. I think Boxy won’t be as good. I’ve tried to cancel Boxycharm and they ignore it. I wonder if their CS will get better.
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This looks like a nice little selection! The palette is especially good looking.
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Loved the bag this month! I tried the lash curler and it’s meant to be used in sections, kinda how you would curl your hair in sections. Works wonders!
Yikes, I will have to psych myself up to use that little lash curler! I hope I don’t end up with a split between the two or three sides of my lashes, lol