• ipsy

ipsy

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Overview

ipsy has a rating of 1.6 stars from 799 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about ipsy most frequently mention customer service, glam bag, and credit card problems. ipsy ranks 113th among Subscription Shopping sites.

  • Service
    218
  • Value
    217
  • Shipping
    216
  • Returns
    156
  • Quality
    203

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 5%
Positive
1
Neutral
1
Negative
18
138
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How would you rate ipsy?
Top Positive Review

“Customer Service is STOP ON!”

Kaila H.
11/6/23

I came in here to shout out the IPSY customer service. I have been a loyal IPSY user for 6+ years. The basic glam bag is plenty for me since I like to try items before I buy full size. Throughout the years I have had some problems with items (wrong shade, lost packages, late delivery, etc) and they have compensated those issues promptly and with understanding. Just recently was looking through the app and realized I never got my September package. They quickly replied to my issue and promptly sent me a new package with the same (or similar) items. 10/10 on the customer service!

Top Critical Review

“IPSY went from hero to ZERO”

patti K.
10/14/24

I joined back up for Ipsy Glam Bag. The price is now a total of $7 more per month and the items were pathetic! I wound up canceling after 2 bags. What a shame that something that I was once so good has gotten disgraceful. A big waste of money!

Reviews (799)

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credit card (68) customer service (182) glam bag (155) glam bags (155)
Thumbnail of user hoped6
1 review
2 helpful votes
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March 16th, 2016

Pleased with ipsy subscription, love the products I receive and theirs well over 30 dollars worth inside. Always arrives same time every month.

Thumbnail of user heatherr247
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 30th, 2022
• Updated review

So the box finally showed up 2 months later. I ultimately stayed with IPSY and continue to receive my monthly subscription on time.

Tip for consumers:
Make sure to do the initial profile set up so they get your color scheme right.

Products used:
Eye Shadows, Lip Sticks, Face Lotion

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Where is my box?
November 4th, 2019
• Previous review

Ipsy has shown up every month except October 2019. Was a message saying it could be due to Cali wild fires? I live in Dallas Texas? I cancelled until I get it... if I ever get it.

Thumbnail of user mmounta12
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

I purchased Ipsy because I wanted to expand my makeup knowledge and experience, so I figured receiving new products monthly would be a fun way to get into it. After having it for a few months, I can confidently say do NOT waste your money on this for yourself. I would not recommend this for anyone, except maybe as a gift to someone. First of all, the products are not personalized, AT ALL! You fill out a survey at first to let them know what products you would like to receive and which you do not want, and it's almost as if they completely ignored it because I keep getting so many items I specifically responded that I do not want at all. Not to mention, they are questionable shades that the majority of the makeup-using population would never choose. Also, you select which skin shade you are, and they will still send you a shade completely different than what you selected. The products they send are supposedly of high value, but I did some research and they are generally the lowest-sold, most unwanted items and brands that are often discounted in stores, so the value ends up not being worth it. The customer service--HORRIBLE. They do not have a phone number or email you can contact...only a FAQ page and an AI "Glam Bot" you can ask questions to... which ultimately just refers you back to the useless FAQ page.

Now the serious bone I have to pick with IPSY and why I hate them and other customer service.
My wallet was stolen so I had to cancel the credit card I was using for IPSY. When I went to update my information to my new card, they charged me for a full year of subscription! I did not confirm this transaction, and when I attempted to cancel it, they would not refund me and only canceled the renewal for next year. I tried so hard to speak with a HUMAN customer service rep, but I had no way of getting in touch with one, so I was forced to request a chargeback through my credit card company.

So bottom line...do not give them your money.

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Thumbnail of user ck43
2 reviews
19 helpful votes
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March 10th, 2016

I signed up for this bag because I'm somewhat new to the makeup scene. I only wear a little mascara and eyeliner for work and I always apply it the same way, for the last 4-5 years. It's just too expensive to try out products at full price so I thought a $10 bag would be nice to sample products with. That only works if you can use the products you get and if they're something you were already interested in trying. I got a sneak peek at what's coming and it's blow dry cream (what even is that? I air dry my hair), hydrating primer (nice but the bag didn't come with any foundation so that's useless this month), blush (again useless without any foundation as I'm very fair skinned and the blush is very dark), and the most confounding to me is "eyebrow gel mascara." I don't know of any youtube beauty gurus who even use that, and I certainly don't need it with my black eyebrows. The only thing I might consider using is the loose powder foundation brush. I don't think I'll continue though because this month, all the possible items i could have gotten, I LOVED. And 4 of the items i got were the ones I was praying I wouldn't get because I have no use for them. And of course I got them. The quiz you take before ordering is a joke because they clearly don't follow it. They also add you to a "waiting list" the first time you sign up and want you to spam your friends on social media before taking you off early. I said screw that noise and emailed them demanding them to take me off the list and cancel my order. Instead, they took me off the waiting list and charged me for my order early. In one ear and out the other I guess. Well after this disappointment I definitely won't be continuing my next order.

Thumbnail of user karenc1943
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 29th, 2021

I've given this. Company the benefit of the slubt as I was.probably.one of their first subscription buyers. I enjoyed the concept of receiving my little bag of goodies. NOW things have changed with this company, they have evolved and should be expanding and doimg better but they are getting arose. Packages are never on time and I mean NEVER we are charged a month in advance for these bags there is absutly no reason for these bags to be late. Now I'm about to be charged a third month and haven't even received one how are you going to charge for 3 months before even sending a package we laid for nearly 3 months ago. They don't compensate they don't do anything to fix their issues or.to satisfy their displeased customers. Unprofessional basically your paying 2 to 3 months before even receiving one. Month package. So your paying triple the price before you receive one no.the of. Packages not to mention no. Matter how many times you update your quiz they send the same products over and. Over again an eyeliner and. Mascara that are very. Petite portions of product and same color of eye-shadow over and over I'm talking for 2 years straight I've received aascara and an eyeline as 2.of my. Products out of 5 and a cheap makeup brush. Kthing is. Exciting. Avw your money and go the store and pick q product you truly want you'll be disappointed with the crap they keep sending k stead.of getting better after receiving thousand made millions of customers and made. More. Money their. Products have got worse instead of better. This company n3eds new management entirely

Tip for consumers:
STAYAWAY THEY ARE MAKING YOU LREPAY FOR 3 MONTHS BEFORE YKU EVEN RECEOVE ONE MONTH

Products used:
it's the same products every month their low class

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Thumbnail of user xxxx30
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 2nd, 2021

I ordered a glam bag then canceled the next month. They kept my money and canceled everything. I do not receive the glam bag I paid for! Joke

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Thumbnail of user lydias21
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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February 13th, 2017

I think Ipsy is a great monthly makeup and beauty bag. Ipsy sends you a bag every month filled with new makeup and beauty samples. The purpose of Ipsy is to try out new makeup every month to discover a different product that you might like. You get a cute bag with 5 different makeup items for just $10 a month. Considering how expensive makeup can be that is a very good and affordable price. If you are someone that loves makeup and enjoys trying out different makeup Ipsy is the perfect fit.

Ipsy contains 5 different types and brands of makeup in every bag each month. The brands that they put in are like the samples that you could find at sephora. The samples are usually about 1/3rd of the size of the actual bottle or packaging. Every time I have received my Ipsy or as they like to call it Glam Bag I have always received very nice brands, with good quality. Ipsy is a great way for you to discover new products that you love and that work well for you. Also to make sure they know your skin tone and what brands you enjoy, there is a survey when you first subscribe, about what makeup you would like best to make sure you get products that will most likely work for you. There are other monthly makeup bags like Ipsy, but I would personally recommend Ipsy over the rest to anyone.

The downsides of Ipsy are that sometimes the bags come late, mine comes late often and my friends that are subscribed often get late ones as well. Also it takes a few months to get your first one after you sign up because there is a waiting list. However, I have received Ipsy for about a year now, and the bag has only come late about 3 or 4 times, and was late by about a week or two. The biggest downside about Ipsy is that there has been many problems with cancelling. Many complain that they have poor customer service, and people are usually unable to cancel or continue to get billed after they have cancelled. If you would like to get Ipsy for just a short amount of time I would look into something else because you may have troubles cancelling. Many people have said Ipsy is just a big scam, if you dont like the idea of getting a bunch of samples then I would recommend you look into something else.

Thumbnail of user gs74
1 review
15 helpful votes
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August 16th, 2016

I was initially very excited with my Ipsy bag(s). Had ordered one but it too so long to come I thought my order hadn't been processed so did another. Again, initially didn't mind. Then started to notice I was getting almost the exact same things over and over. Multiple brushes I never use, all of these too dark bronzers, Lord knows how many black eyeliners and the same color blushes. All things I don't care about and are piling up. The most disappointing part is they rep all of these name brand items... maybe in the past year I've received two of those. The rest are straight leveled "Made in China" or in "PRC"... which is uh... also China. If I wanted Chinese products I could get Multiple full sized at the local Asian mart for much less than $10. Don't sink your business. You had a good model and concept. Don't get cheap now. I'm checking out Birchbox and Meme next. Will cancel these subscriptions if the next bag sucks too.

AND, I forgot but read what someone else said and that part is correct too. For the first 6 months or so, my order was in my mailbox by the 10th... then it started arriving on the 12th or 13th, now it's maybe the 14th to the 15th... yet they still take my money out on the 1st? Why? Was that to impress up front but then after you are no longer a brand new customer, you are moved down the priority list after they realize they've got you? Not sure but they seem to be slipping.

Thumbnail of user angelg290
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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July 3rd, 2022

So the products are small and great if you are looking for smaller items to pack in a carry on or if you're going on a trip and need to pack lightly. It also gives you the chance to try before you buy. The problem I have is not with the products, although I have had some questionably empty items like dry mascara or tubes with only a few drops in them. The issue is trying to cancel. Due to inflation and rising gas costs, I have to cut back on spending, and ipsy was first on my list. For an unknown and uncommunicated reason, they charged me an extra $3 this month without any add-ons. Luckily my card alerted me to this and I was able to remember to cancel them. I attempted to cancel from my phone but there were only 3 options, either 1. Upgrade, 2. Change frequency, 3. Skip a month. I continued to click around looking for a way to cancel but nope. Nothing came up. I even read their help page which directed me to another membership page that still had absolutely no link to cancel. I tried a different browser, went through the same loops to cancel, and still no link! I finally dusted off my computer and logged into my account and the same 3 options appeared. Finally... after almost calling my bank to block them, I see in very small 8 pt font at the bottom of the membership page that says "help me cancel my membership". I swear that this was not there before, and definitely was not there when I tried from my phone. It's like they repeatedly tried to get me to give up on canceling. And if that wasn't enough, the "nevermind" button is a huge bright pink link that resembles a "submit" option, so you might think you're canceling but you're really hitting nevermind, so be careful. You have to read the small light font letters underneath that say "continue to cancel." These people are crooks and their tiny little 0.25 ounce tubes of makeup aren't worth it.

Thumbnail of user alexad73
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 8th, 2023

Ipsy USED to have amazing deals, since it was bought out by boxycharm… the deals SUCK. Hardly any money off the original price.

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Thumbnail of user biancar21
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 22nd, 2018

Never really had problems with Ipsy before other than the fact you travel size samples that don't always fit your beauty profile and by the way I don't know why they have it on there if they don't care to substitute it with your monthly bags. You can get something from Ipsy and doesn't match your skin tone at all, but as nice concern person I would save your money and don't spend it on monthly beauty boxes like Ipsy, boxycharm etc. they're money hungry and don't care about their customers sad to say. I was looking forward to my November bag this month from Ipsy, the estimate delivery time was longer than usual. So I thought it was because of the hurricane but their facility is no where close to the hurricane. After it left it went to Kentucky postal service sat there for about about 5 days I have no clue why, finally it got to Melrose, Illinois and now it's been sitting there going on 5 days. The estimate delivery time said from 17-19 the 19th the latest. Today is the 22nd and had yet to leave the postal service. I emailed Ipsy and they were no help they said they can't do anything about it and they don't do refunds either they said they would send me another bag AFTER 45 days when it was suppose to be shipped. Yes 45 days you have to wait and that's even if the bag makes to my house the second time. I emailed the postal service and they yet to contact me, in the first email I sent to Ipsy they asked me to respond if I wanted a new tracking number so I can track it through there and if I want to cancel my subscription I replied and said yes I want to cancel and yes I want my new tracking number, and guess what they have yet to reply. I sent them another email requesting them to cancel my subscription. I'm not letting them take more money out my card, I find it stupid and unbussines like that you have to email them and request them to cancel your subscription and the fact they get back to you late by then they'll taken money out your card. I beg you all don't waste your money on these beauty monthly bags. Spend the extra money for beauty products at least you're guaranteed to get them whereas you're not when you're trying these monthly subscriptions. Your 10 dollars can go towards something better trust me.

Thumbnail of user yvonnes12
1 review
15 helpful votes
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March 3rd, 2015

That eye lash curler sucks!
Cut my eye lashes and now trying to cancel is a pain in the $#*!!

Thumbnail of user kandyser
1 review
5 helpful votes
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September 7th, 2017

I skipped my September glam bag because I was short on money, I got the email confirming I had cancelled it, but I still got billed. Complete BS.

Thumbnail of user nicoleh83
1 review
6 helpful votes
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February 16th, 2017

I subscribed to ipsy for 6-7 months, and I purchased two ipsy offers. My bag frequently came after the 15th of the month, as they ship FedEx Smartpost. Their website states:

"Products that are not deemed potentially hazardous for air transportation will be shipped via FedEx expedited Air Service. Average Transit time for FedEx expedited shipping is 2 to 5 business days.

Products that are only approved for ground transportation will be shipped via FedEx Ground average Transit time for FedEx ground shipping is 3 to 8 business days."

The ipsy offer I purchased contained no hazardous materials, and took over 10 days to get to me because they shipped via FedEx Smartpost, which is about 3 -4 days slower than ground. When I e-mailed customer service to question this, I was told:

"I do understand your frustration, and it is always our intention to get your order out to you as quickly as possible. When your package gets handed over to our shipping partners, we trust that they will determine the best and safest way to deliver it to you. Since we're not involved in this part of the process, we don't know exactly how long it may take for your package to reach you. I wish I was able to speed up the transit time for you, but at this time, it is out of my control. Rest assured that we stand by the quality of our service, and we will always offer replacements for undelivered products at no cost to you."

So according it ipsy, they only determine which company they use to ship their products to you, but that company decides if it will ship FedEx Expedited, or FedEx Ground, or FedEx Smartpost. I am pretty sure the ipsy is responsible for telling FedEx if they want to ship it Air, Ground or Smartpost. I did not receive a response after I questioned that, so I have canceled my service.

Thumbnail of user madeliner4
1 review
13 helpful votes
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January 18th, 2016

I was going to try this but thanks for your guys honest info I'm not going threw.

Thumbnail of user kth14
1 review
1 helpful vote
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February 1st, 2023
Verified purchase

I'm seeing alot of reviews on here saying their site isn't updated and they dont have a customer service email only a bot and they dont do refunds or send missing products and they dont let you take your credit card info off...their site is updated it will tell you the date it has been updated on google play, they have a customer service email AND phone number, just like any other subscription they do offer refunds only if the product you purchased is missing from your bag and sold out, and they indeed do and will send you your missing products if it is missing from your bag. You can remove your credit card information as well. There has only been 1 or 2 times I talked to customer service and the person wasn't any help, probably because they didnt know and sent it to ipsy team, every other time the issues have been resolved in a timely manner, I've either recieved a refund or they sent my missing item, or an item just as good, I will admit that I've had an item missing from almost every order, but all I had to do was email *******@ipsy and they resolved it in no time. Does take anywhere from a week to a couple weeks to recieve missing items, and glam bag/ glam bag plus but it's only because it depends on where it is shipping from, they ship out items and have processing places all across the united states, they have a big bin that they drop all deliveries in, and their not going to ship that huge bin until it is FULL so if your order is taking longer then you want then that is more than likely why, be patient your order will come, I'm sure theres been a few incidents where ipsy support sucked, it happens at alot of places, but in my opinion they do a good job, their just doing their jobs they are not the ones that pack your order, they realize mess ups happen that is why they offer to send missing products and 45 days to email them when you recieve your product if it isnt up to your standard, they do well.

Tip for consumers:
If you're not getting products that you like then you haven't taken the quiz and or updated your preferences you have to take the quiz when you receive your items you need to review those items, they will ask if you dislike, like, or love the brand, the product, etc. They then curate your bag with items you will enjoy. To keep getting products you enjoy you have to update your preferences monthly by reviewing products you get it definitely helps

Products used:
Everything I have gotten, if you're not getting products that you like it's probably because you haven't taken the beauty quiz and or updated your preferences

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Thumbnail of user brio8
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 31st, 2022

I have the most expensive box subscription and for the past 3 months haven't received all the products I'm paying for. DO NOT SUBSCRIBE to Ipsy.

Tip for consumers:
Just don’t waste your money on ipsy

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Thumbnail of user kellyu57
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 7th, 2021

Be commited for a lifetime... cause impossible to cancel! Call the pbone number... it conveniently isnt workin

Thumbnail of user amyb66
1 review
1 helpful vote
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August 15th, 2015

This month was the first month I got it and for $10 I enjoyed it, if I won't use something I will just give it to someone no biggy

Thumbnail of user kristak88
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 23rd, 2021

I purchased all three Ipsy Glam bags recently, The Glam Bag, Glam Bag Plus and Glam Bag X. First, I will tell you about my Glam Bag ($13), In my beauty Quiz I noted that I preferred to receive makeup over any other items, I will receive (if it ever ships) 3 skin care products a mini eyeshadow palette (yay) and a liquid highlighter (on my list of things I would like to receive rarely if ever). Second is my Glam Bag Plus ($28) I will receive 3 skincare products and two makeup products, the two makeup products are a eyeliner and a mascara (about as cheap as you can go as far as makeup is concerned) 2 of the 3 skincare items are items I would expect to find at the dollar store. 3rd is My Glam Bag X ($55) This one takes the cake, I will receive 1 single makeup product and it is a lipstick, (I do not wear lip products and made it very clear in my beauty quiz) I will receive 1 tool and 6 skincare products with 4 of 6 being items I would expect to find at the dollar store. I am beyond disappointed. To top it off I have had nothing but problems with customer service, every time I tried to shop their "Flash Sale" I would get a message saying I didn't have payment info on file. I know that I did because they were charging me for my bags, none of which I have received yet and it's been many weeks. Each time I would enter my payment info again and would get the same message. Upon first attempting to contact customer service I received a response that was quite clearly from a bot and did not answer my question. I replied and got a person who told me that I couldn't shop the flash sales because they can't ship to foreign countries yet due to customs regulations (I live in Alaska, a part of the US and there are no customs regulations to ship here from where they are.) I had many, many more problems with customer service but this is already beginning to be a pages long review. Long story long, DO NOT JOIN IPSY, it's total crap.

Tip for consumers:
Just don't do it.

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Thumbnail of user abbyt83
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 1st, 2023

Ipsy SUCKS. The products are not from recognizable brands, the sizes are -super- small and they send you a bunch of the same cheap crap. A monthly beauty subscription is always going to be a bit repetitive but it's literally all just bargain bin CRAP.

But that's not even what prompted me to write a review. The reason I'm even doing this is because of the absolutely SCUMMY and exploitative way they make it intentionally difficult to cancel your membership. They try very hard to just get you to pause it so that you can be charged again in 3 months after you've forgotten about it. Okay, fine. A lot of companies do that. Whatever.

BUT...
I had this membership on a temporary card so it was declined when they tried to charge again. Perfect. That's why I do that.
When I tried to log in and cancel the membership I literally_could not_ get past the page demanding I update my payment method. I knew if I did that they would immediately charge me so I definitely wasn't going to.
I tried to log in on my laptop instead and I still had the same problem. I then had to re-route my browser through two different google searches in order to even get to an Ipsy screen where I was given the option to manage my membership.
THEN... I had to navigate through FOUR SEPARATE SCREENS with a huge button that says either 'Cancel' (meaning here: "exit the screen" NOT "cancel subscription") or 'pause membership'. The 'confirm membership cancel' was a very small and faded button on the very bottom.
After all of these screens, I STILL HAD TO VERIFY THROUGH AN EMAIL. This email was also intentionally designed to confuse and mislead consumers into pausing the membership instead.

I mean. Seriously?!

I never write reviews because I'm just lazy in that regard, but the extent to which IPSY went to make canceling this service SO DIFFICULT honestly enraged me and grossed me out.

TL;DR - Scumbags hocking cheap crap. Save your money and your time.

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Thumbnail of user concepcionl
2 reviews
15 helpful votes
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March 16th, 2016

Tip for safe: Test the Makeup products for LEAD content, I get many products that have LEAD in my ipsy bags

Thumbnail of user crystalb31
1 review
2 helpful votes
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October 21st, 2015

I really liked my first bag, I will use all the products I got. I can't wait till next month.

Thumbnail of user karan42
1 review
1 helpful vote
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November 13th, 2015

I love all the things in my glam bag, i cant wait to try them all, keep them coming

Thumbnail of user jennyr34
2 reviews
11 helpful votes
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July 16th, 2016

I get items not meant for me based on profile, very disappointed.

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From the business

ipsy co-founder Michelle Phan has captivated countless viewers around the world through her beauty video tutorials on YouTube. She envisioned a vibrant community where women could be inspired to express their unique beauty, and ipsy is that community!

“ipsy” comes from the Latin word ipse, meaning “sense of self.” By celebrating beauty of all forms in the world, ipsy provides a platform for anyone to express both their inner and outer radiance. With videos from ipsy's well-loved YouTube stylists, including co-founder Michelle Phan, as well as from a devoted and engaged user community, ipsy is changing the way women learn about and experience beauty looks.

When you become a member, you can learn new beauty tricks, participate along with your favorite ipsy stylists in monthly looks, and connect with other ipsters who inspire you.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user mikhailu
Kaila B.
Manager
Typically does not respond to reviews

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