Did I tell you that I decided to take the plunge and subscribe to the new Ipsy Glam Bag Plus? I think I read about it a few weeks ago on Facebook, and then I got an email asking me if I wanted to join the waitlist to subscribe. I thought about it, and since I had cancelled Sephora Play and I had been considering switching to Boxycharm, I decided to try out the new Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I believe they are giving preference to current and especially long-time subscribers, so that’s how I ended up skipping the waitlist.
Ipsy Glam Bag Plus costs $25/month delivered. Massachusetts has started requiring online retailers to charge tax, so I now have to pay state tax to Ipsy that I didn’t used to have to pay before. Oh well. For $25, subscribers receive 5 full size products. Every 3 months, subscribers get a new larger makeup bag to hold the goodies. Subscribers get a few other benefits as well:
- up to 50% cash back on cosmetics orders placed through Ipsy (like the Luxie brushes I recently bought) (regular Glam Bag subscribers get up to 20% cash back)
- a $5 credit on the first order placed after subscribing.
I received my first Glam Bag Plus on Thursday, and I was very excited to get it.
It came in a cute hot pink cardboard box. And everything was well padded inside.
The makeup bag that Ipsy refers to as a “clutch” is made of peach-colored faux suede with a slot for a credit card and driver’s license. It is OK, but not as cute as most of the regular little Ipsy makeup bags. But it is much bigger.
Unlike the regular Glam Bag, the Plus version came with a product card that also explained the benefits of subscribing.
I actually liked getting the product card because I had no idea what one of the products I got was for, and this made it so much easier than having to look it up myself.
So what did I get in my first bag? I got 6 full size products!
- eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner: I like eyeko eyeliners, but I have several. It may go in the giveaway pile. $22
- Beauty by PopSugar Be Sweet Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15: At first, I was disappointed to see a lip balm because I have so many. But then I noticed that it is a tinted lip balm, and the brick shade looked very pretty, so that was good. Then, I tried it on, and it is very gritty. Not good. $20
- Tarte Maneater Mascara: I’m laughing because when I typed in the name of this product, I typed “Man-hater” instead of “Man-eater”, lol. The news must be getting to me. 😀 I have never tried this mascara before, though I have heard of it. I do like some Tarte mascaras, so I hope it will work for me. I’ll let you know. $23
- Morphe High Impact Highlighter in shade, Extra: Regardless of the drama that was going on with Morphe lately, I was happy to see this because I have never tried anything from the brand. Extra is a beautiful pale peach shimmer. Looks wonderful. $14
- Smashbox Cover Shot Eye Palette in Bold Glitter: This small profile palette with 8 shades really packs a punch. It looks soooooo glittery in the pans. I wish there was even one matte in the mix, but there isn’t. This is all glitter, all the time. Looks like a good holiday palette to be used in conjunction with other matte shades. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’ll review it on its own. $29
- LXMI Pure Nilotica Melt: This product arrived with the top of the box ripped off, but the tube itself has a protective seal which is good. From the name of the product, I had no idea what it was. That’s where the product card came in handy. It’s a multi-use balm: hands, lips, elbows, feet. It’ll come in handy this winter. $24
My assessment of the first Ipsy Glam Bag Plus? From a monetary standpoint, I am more than satisfied. The contents of the bag are valued at $132! And this month, I got an extra product. I think it was a decent but not fabulous start. It had a good assortment of products. Surprisingly so far, I have used the Eyeko black liquid eyeliner the most!
I don’t know if Ipsy will be able to customize the bag like they at least attempt to do with the regular bag, but I hope they can. I will give the new Glam Bag Plus subscription a couple of months before I decide whether to continue or not. Although I could have done without yet another liquid black eyeliner (though I love this one), an all-glitter eye palette is a little much, and the lip balm is awful (I wonder if something is wrong with it), but the rest of the items are promising. I’ll see.
What do you think? Would you have been satisfied with the new Glam Bag Plus this month?
That would be a pass for me. Like you said, who needs another black eyeliner? Plus I wouldn’t use an all glitter palette and a gritty lip balm? no thanks.
You’re going to laugh, the product I’ve been using so far the most is the Eyeko black liquid eyeliner. The all glitter palette reminds me of the all glitter round palette I bought last holiday season from BECCA but in brighter, darker shades and for the life of me, I don’t get why both Smashbox and BECCA didn’t throw in a couple of mattes. I plan to write to PopSugar to complain about the gritty lip balm – it could have been so perfect because the shade is great, but it is one of the grittiest I’ve ever tried. I don’t think this was the greatest box by any means, but since it was the very first one, I will give it a couple of months and see if it’s worth it. I had been considering Boxycharm but I’ve been looking at the last few boxes and except for the Luxie makeup brushes that I already own, there wasn’t anything I truly needed there either – though your new Boxycharm box looks terrific! If Ipsy doesn’t work out, I’ll pull the plug and save my money!
I didn’t know Ipsy had launched a “bigger” version! I knew Sephora Play were doing a luxe version; I live beneath a rock. It’s great that you got all full-sized products! That is a very pretty palette, but bummer that the lip balm was gritty. Not good. LOL I have a bunch of the Eyeko liquid liners as well, but I prefer those to pencils, so I use them all.
Yes, this is the very first month from Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I am not 100% thrilled with this one, but I will give them another couple of months and see if it’s worth it to continue. I didn’t know that Sephora was going to be a luxe version, although now that you mention it, I may have heard something. Is it going to be full size products?
Gritty lip balm and a glitter e/s palette?! What a bummer. This was such a missed opportunity, and it could have been a phenomenal bag!
Because it was the first box from Ipsy’s new program, I will give them another month or two to get their act together. Then I’ll decide whether it’s worth it to continue.
I agree with you, the bag is good, but not great. It was worth what you paid just for the mascara alone. I need to see a few more months to decide if I need to jump on the wagon. Thanks for letting us know about this Plus size option!
I hope that over the next couple of months, Ipsy will get better at this full sized bag. I think I will give it 4 months and then see if it’s worth continuing. I think you’re wise to wait.
Stacie, have you used Tarte Maneater Mascara? I tried it, and I am wondering if I got a bad tube. It added no volume to my lashes at all, and not much length. In fact, it hardly coated my lashes. I had to go over it with my usual mascara. I’m afraid I may end up tossing it. I am hoping that the new Ipsy full size product bag will improve over the next few months. Stay tuned!
I think this is great deal compared to their $10/ month. I’d be interested to see their succeeding boxes, usually the first one is always impressive
I hope that the new Ipsy full size bags improve over time as I feel the smaller bags did. Although this new Glam Bag Plus wasn’t perfect out of the gate, I feel like it has promise!
Allison now I am SO TEMPTED! You are going to love that LXMI balm, Ive been using it daily.
I’m so glad to hear that you’re a fan of the LXMI balm, Norah! I don’t have a lot of experience with the brand, but I value your opinion especially on skincare and makeup (and other things too 😉
I’m glad that IPSY has this new program even if I can’t use everything but at least they are full size. And you know I love to do giveaways on Beauty Info Zone so on the 16th I’ve got a few of the items in the bag in a giveaway! I didn’t get the PopSugar or LXMI. Instead I got a Ciate face spray (and thought of you) and a Purlisse mask.
By glad you didn’t get the PopSugar lip balm. I tried it again tonight, and it is gritty city! I am going to email Beauty by PopSugar because the formula is that bad! Thank you for telling me what you got. Hope you’ll do a post about the new Ipsy Plus, too! I am glad I didn’t get the Ciate face spray – though I am better about spraying myself in the face, it’s still not my favorite thing to do, lol. The PurLisse Mask would be something I would like. I’m hoping Ipsy Glam Bag Plus will improve over time (though hopefully faster than the smaller bags did!). I’m still happy I took the plunge! Eager to see what next month has in store 🙂
oooh, a glam version! Full size is what I am talking about. I will keep a watch on what the next few months to see if I need. 🙂 Great review.
Thanks, Kristi! I think it’s worth it to wait and watch. I’m hoping it will improve over the next couple of months 🙂
Its nice that they offer full size options now, but it would be a pass for me. I’ve subscribed to ipsy on and off over the years and overwhelmingly I tend to give it all away. For me it just makes more sense to buy what I want.
For a beauty blogger, it’s worth it coz it gives me stuff to write about.
The bag is actually sturdy looking and nice. The palette reminds me of UD holiday metallics which is all glitter. Def fun for the holidays but not a stand-alone palette.
Wow! That’s an actually decent BAG– like the bag it came in. Usually they’re so thin and flimsy!
Yes, the bag for the Ipsy Glam Bag Plus is large and substantial
Looks like some nice full size items!
The bag and the palette are both big wins in my book! I ditched Ipsy a long time ago but this actually looks really nice. May have to join back up.