I really look forward every month to my Ipsy Glam Plus box with 5 full size products. I have made some great discoveries from my boxes since I signed up last fall. Importantly, the value is definitely there with each of the boxes being worth well over $100.
This past month, Ipsy sent an email saying that they had extra items for purchase: full size products are about $12 and deluxe samples are $3. I picked up a couple of extra items.
Let’s take a look at what I got in my Ipsy Plus box and what extras I purchased.
March Ipsy Plus
- Purlisse Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer: I thought I had received a deluxe sample size of this moisturizer with one of my regular Ipsy bags ages ago. I didn’t really remember it, but I thought it was a very lightweight lotion-y moisturizer. Thank goodness, I was wrong. I opened the full size tube that I just received, and it is a medium weight gel-cream consistency that is very hydrating. It has a light feel on my skin, and it is non-greasy. The packaging says it’s for normal to dry skin. It has a mild coconut fragrance. The formula contains anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant blue lotus, skin-soothing anti-bacterial white tea, anti-aging vitamin E, and French marine plants that strengthen the skin barrier. Initially, I wasn’t really excited about this moisturizer, but once I tried it, I changed my mind: I love it. Because it’s in a handy tube, it may become my travel and beach moisturizer, but it is great for anytime use. It also works well under foundation. $45
- F.A.R.A.H. 5 piece Eye Perfection Set: Over the years, I have received a number of makeup brushes from affordable, vegan brand F.A.R.A.H. The ones I own are nice to use and have held up well. The average price is about $10-12 for a single brush, and they sell lots of collections. I was happy to receive this set of 5 soft eyeshadow brushes with pretty silver plastic handles, aluminum ferules and synthetic bristles. I think the makeup brushes sold on the FARAH website have wood handles and brass ferules, but I am glad to have this lightweight brushes anyway. I can always use more shadow brushes since they are the brushes I use most. Unfortunately, I can’t find a price on this set. Let’s say about $20.
- Maelle Above and Beyond Mascara: I am so on the fence about this volumizing and lengthening mascara. It comes in an attractive silver tube. It has a curved brush, and though I usually hate curved brushes, I actually kind of like this one. The curve is perfect for my eye shape. And I don’t even mind the bristles. The formula really has me stumped. It is a thick formula, and at first, I thought it had clumps in it. But it doesn’t. Instead, the formula contains fibers suspended the thick cream. The fibers add both volume and length. However, because of the fibers, it can be a little difficult to use. After applying a couple of coats, I need to either use a lash comb or a clean mascara wand to separate some of my lenses. When I remove it at the end of the day with micellar water, I can see the fibers on the cotton pad. It’s cruelty-free, gluten-free, mineral-oil free, and fragrance-free. Although I like the final look, I don’t think I would purchase this mascara because it is a bit more work to use. $20
- Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Liquid Highlighter: I didn’t know there was such a thing as a matte highlighter, but I’m glad there is. This pretty peachy-pink matte liquid highlighter is perfect for those times when I want a little light on my face but no shimmer. Glad I got this in my Ipsy Plus box coz I probably would never have known about it. $26
- Huda Beauty Mauve Obsessions: I had another of the first edition Obsessions palette that I loved before the black pan broke all over everything. I probably wouldn’t have bought this cool-toned mauve palette because I was concerned that it would be too red for my already pink/red face/eyes, but I was wrong. So far I have used the rose gold and pink gold, the milk chocolate and the deep red, and I love them all. Nice! $27
In addition to the extras that I bought that I’m coming to in a minute, there was a travel size Neogen Dermatology Real Flower Calendula Cleansing Water. I didn’t ask for it. I don’t think I bought it. It just appeared! It’s a very nice, gentle and effective micellar water, but it has a relatively significant floral scent. Although I liked it, I might not buy it because of the floral scent. I still prefer my Koh Gen Do (although it costs way too much) and Bioderma waters that have no real fragrance.
Ipsy Extras
Here are the three extra products that I bought:
- Coola Sport Classic Sunscreen for Face SPF 50: I have used this excellent organic mineral sunscreen in the past, and I liked it a lot. I think I’ve gone through at least three tubes. When I saw it on sale for $12 for a full size tube, I was on it. $32
- Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream (travel size tube 0.81 fl. oz./24 ml): I hope I didn’t pay more than $3 for this tiny tube of Bum Bum Cream. I thought it would be good to toss in my beach bag this summer, but now that I see the size, it won’t last more than one usage occasion on my dry skin! Oh well.
- Space Case Cosmetics Eyeshadow single, shade Messy Lochnessy: I wrote about this lovely loden green shimmer shadow (Space Case describes it as “medium evergreen”) last week after I used it in my St. Patrick’s Day look. This smooth, easy to apply and blend shimmer shadow is quite wonderful. It had no fallout and lasted till I removed it. Love it! More than worth the $3 I paid for it! The regular price is $9.
For me, the March box was another successful box. The value of the items were around $140, and I paid $25. I got a lot of stuff I wouldn’t have probably tried on my own, and most of it, I liked. Plus, I had fun trying them all. I still am wondering how the little extra bottle of Neogen Calendula Cleansing Water got in there?
As usual, if you’re considering subscribing to the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus ($25/month for 5 or more full size products), hope you’ll use my referral code. Thanks!
I am tempted to resubscribe to ipsy, they have been killing it but judging from what I’ve read in the Canadian makeup groups, many didn’t receive their add-ons which is a huge shame. Customer service was not much help either. I think they are great in the US but the service kinda falls short for the Canadian subbies.
What a shame, Shireen. The customer service in the US has been top notch. When I had a couple of problems during the first couple of months of the new Plus service, they credited my account right away and also sent replacement products. However, there haven’t been any problems at all for me since the beginning. I guess you should wait. I think Plus really is worth it when things get straightened out at Ipsy Canada
This looks like an impressive month in the land of Ipsy. That Huda palette is so pretty!
It’s another good month. I wouldn’t have bought this palette with so many reddish shades, but I am quite delighted with it
Looks like a great variety this month! Id be really excited to get that Huda palette!
I was excited to get Huda Mauve Obsessions because I wouldn’t have bought it, and I was nicely surprised to find out it’s a cool-toned palette.
Mauve Obsessions was my favourite from the range back when they came out. That alone makes this box a winner! I’ve never heard of a matte liquid highlighter either, but would love to try one out on my oily face!
It’s amazing how useful a matte highlighter can be! Sometimes you want a little light, but not shimmer. Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Highlighter was a nice surprise!
Is the Huda palette on the warm side? I am always looking for cool toned mauves…
Huda Mauve Obsessions is cool-toned which is why I think it works for me
My favorite from the box is the Huda. I’d never have bought the Mauve but I’m glad I have it. I know I got the Purlisse too but I don’t remember the rest. We are doing remodeling in the house and my bedrooms are topsy-turvy. I had to toss everything from my subscriptions into one big box and I haven’t had time to organize. But the Ipsy Glambag is a great buy.
That’s great that you’re renovating your bedrooms, but it is still a lot of work and confusion for you! I hope you’ll enjoy the end result. Like you, I wouldn’t have bought Mauve Obsessions, but I love it now that I have it. And the Purlisse turned out to be a great surprise – a wonderful, rich cream. Hope the rest of your goodies suit you!
Wow, your Ipsy bag is much better than the ones I used to get! I would love the brushes and the Huda palette.
This is Ipsy’s version of Boxycharm. Each month I receive 5 or 6 full size products for $25 including a shadow palette. I’ve been very happy with it. No more mini Ipsy-makeup bags, but I really am loving the full size products. I’ve been introduced to so many terrific products.
Looks like it’s a hit this month. I used to associate ipsy with deluxe size products that are meh. Those vegan brushes look like I will enjoy them. Glad to see Coola too!
I was happy with the regular Ipsy bags with deluxe samples for $10, but I really love the Ipsy Plus box for $25 – the full size products from great brands have exceeded my expectations
So cool that you could do add ons. I love that space case eyeshadow. Gorgeous color!
Definitely worth the extra $3!!
What a great deal on the Coola sunscreen! I may have to reconsider starting up ipsy again although I am always so torn. I’m trying to lesson my beauty load and I’m afraid it will only add to it!
It’s true, Jen, Ipsy Plus will add to your stash, but it also gives you some great products to use for giveaways!
I love the Huda palette! Had I gotten amazing products like this I would still be a member. Maybe I should give them a try again.
The Huda Beauty shades look lovely!
Wow I haven’t seen COOLA in a long time but glad to see they are still around!
Wow, Huda is now in Ipsy? Very impressive! Also I’m excited that you got to try the Neogen water, I’ve been eyeing it for a while.
The Ipsy Plus box for $25 has so many more brands in their full size product box. Every month we get a shadow palette. The Mauve Obsessions was a nice surprise!