BoxyCharm (IPSY Extra)

BoxyCharm delivers 5 full-size beauty products monthly, allowing you to choose 3 of your items. Now rebranded as IPSY Extra, this $32/month subscription offers up to $200 in retail value featuring makeup, skincare, and beauty tools from popular and emerging brands.

BoxyCharm has been one of the most popular full-size beauty subscriptions since launching in 2013, known for delivering genuine value with 5 full-size products worth up to $200 for just $32/month. In 2020, IPSY acquired BoxyCharm, and the service was eventually rebranded as IPSY Extra while maintaining the same value proposition that made BoxyCharm famous.

The subscription’s core appeal is simple: full-size products, not samples. While competitors like IPSY Glam Bag or Birchbox focus on discovery through samples, BoxyCharm delivers products you can actually use for months. The ability to choose 3 of your 5 items adds personalization that purely curated boxes lack.

Trust Indicator Warning: Despite strong product value, BoxyCharm/IPSY has a 2.6/5 Trustpilot rating across 6,000+ reviews. The A+ BBB rating masks 435 complaints filed in the past 3 years (118 in the past 12 months alone). Common issues include cancellation difficulties, billing after cancellation, and slow customer service. If you subscribe, document everything and monitor billing carefully.

Pricing Plans

BoxyCharm (IPSY Extra) offers straightforward monthly pricing:

Plan	Price	Shipping	Value	Products
Monthly	$32/month	$1.99 US	Up to $200	5 full-size
Annual	$324/year	$14.99/year	Up to $2,400	5 full-size monthly

Shipping Costs:

• US: $1.99 per monthly shipment (or $12.99-14.99/year for annual)
• Canada: $9.95 per shipment

Other IPSY Tiers:

• IPSY Glam Bag: $14/month (5 deluxe samples)
• IPSY Icon Box (Ultimate): $65/quarter (8+ items, up to $400 value)

What’s Included

Each BoxyCharm delivery contains:

5 Full-Size Products: Unlike sample boxes, everything is full retail size, complete palettes, full bottles, full-size brushes. The “up to $200 value” claim is calculated using actual retail prices.

Product Categories:

• Makeup (palettes, lipsticks, mascara, foundation)
• Skincare (serums, moisturizers, masks, cleansers)
• Beauty tools (brushes, applicators, devices)
• Haircare (treatments, styling products)

Personalization: Choose 3 of your 5 products each month from curated options. The remaining 2 are selected based on your beauty profile.

Brand Mix: Expect established brands (Tarte, Too Faced, Elemis) alongside trending and indie brands seeking exposure.

How It Works

1. Subscribe: Choose monthly or annual plan at boxycharm.ipsy.com
2. Complete Beauty Profile: Answer questions about skin tone, preferences, and interests
3. Choose Products: During selection windows, pick 3 of your 5 items from available options
4. Receive Monthly Box: Products ship in the first week of each month
5. Manage Subscription: Skip, pause, or cancel through your account (note: cancellation complaints are common)

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Full-Size Seekers: Those frustrated by sample-size boxes wanting real usable products
• Value Hunters: $200 value for $32 is genuine savings if products align with your needs
• Makeup Enthusiasts: Strong focus on color cosmetics and beauty tools
• Customization Fans: Ability to choose 3 products provides meaningful control
• Brand Explorers: Discover new brands alongside familiar favorites

Not Ideal For:

• Customer Service Priority: 2.6/5 Trustpilot reflects significant service complaints
• Easy Cancellation Needs: Many report difficulty canceling and billing issues
• Sample Preference: If you prefer trying before committing, IPSY Glam Bag suits better
• Clean Beauty Focus: BoxyCharm doesn’t specialize in clean/natural products
• Minimalists: 5 full-size products monthly creates significant accumulation

BoxyCharm vs. Competitors

Feature	BoxyCharm	IPSY Glam Bag	Allure Beauty Box
Price	$32/month	$14/month	$29.99/month
Products	5 full-size	5 samples	6+ (3+ full-size)
Value	Up to $200	~$50	$100+
Choose Products	3 of 5	1 of 5	1 of 6
Trustpilot	2.6/5	2.6/5	2.4/5

BoxyCharm offers the most full-size products at the best value ratio, but all three services have customer service challenges reflected in similar Trustpilot ratings.

The product value is real, 5 full-size items worth $200 for $32 represents genuine savings for those who will use the products. The challenge is the customer experience surrounding billing and cancellation. Subscribe with eyes open: document your subscription details, use a credit card that allows easy dispute if needed, and set calendar reminders before any renewal dates.

Understanding Full-Size vs. Sample Box Value

The fundamental difference between BoxyCharm and sample-focused boxes like Birchbox or IPSY Glam Bag comes down to usability and commitment:

Full-Size Benefits:

• Actual Use: A full-size palette lasts months or years; a single-use eyeshadow sachet tells you nothing about a product’s long-term wearability.
• Real Value: When BoxyCharm claims “$200 value,” they’re citing actual retail prices for complete products you’d pay full price for at Sephora or Ulta.
• Gift-Ready: Full-size products you don’t want make excellent gifts; samples are harder to regift meaningfully.

Full-Size Trade-offs:

• Accumulation: 5 full-size products monthly (60/year) creates significant product buildup if you don’t use everything.
• Commitment Risk: If a full-size product doesn’t work for your skin or style, you’re stuck with more unused product than a small sample would leave.
• Storage: Full palettes and bottles require more space than sample pouches.

Who Benefits Most: BoxyCharm works best for makeup enthusiasts who genuinely use diverse products, enjoy trying new brands at full commitment, and have the storage and lifestyle to absorb 5 new products monthly. If you’re minimalist, specific about brands, or prefer cautious testing, sample boxes may serve you better despite lower per-product value.

The choice between full-size and sample subscriptions isn’t about which is “better”, it’s about matching your makeup consumption patterns and discovery preferences.