IPSY Original

IPSY Original (formerly Glam Bag) delivers 5 deluxe sample-sized beauty products monthly in a collectible Glam Bag. Choose 1 product yourself while IPSY curates the other 4 based on your Beauty Quiz. With up to $70 in value for just $14/month, it's one of the most affordable beauty discovery subscriptions available.

IPSY Original (formerly Glam Bag) launched in 2011 as one of the first personalized beauty subscription boxes, founded by beauty YouTuber Michelle Phan with millions of YouTube subscribers who trusted her beauty expertise. The concept was revolutionary at the time: an affordable monthly subscription delivering personalized deluxe beauty samples based on your unique profile. At $14/month (plus $1.99 handling), it remains one of the most budget-friendly entry points for beauty discovery, though the 2.6/5 Trustpilot rating (6,083 reviews) and A+ BBB rating (though with 435 complaints in 3 years) reveal significant operational challenges - particularly around customer service and cancellation difficulties.

The fundamental appeal lies in accessibility and value. For $15.99 total, you receive 5 deluxe-size products worth up to $70 retail, with the ability to choose 1 product yourself each month. This hybrid model combines personalization (via Beauty Quiz) with control (monthly choice), plus access to members-only shopping with steep discounts. However, reports of difficult cancellation processes, continued charges after cancellation attempts, and email-only support (no phone line) create substantial friction that affects the overall experience.

Pricing

IPSY offers three membership tiers, with Original being the entry-level option:

Membership	Price	Handling Fee	Total	Products	Choice	Value
IPSY Original	$14/month	$1.99	$15.99	5 deluxe samples	Choose 1	Up to $70
IPSY Extra	$32/month	Included	$32.00	5 full-size	Choose 3	$120+
IPSY Ultimate	$60/month	Included	$60.00	8+ products	Choose 4	$200+

IPSY Original Included Benefits:

• Choose 1 product monthly from curated options
• Add-Ons shopping during selection window ($3.50+ per item)
• Members-only shop access with up to 70% discounts
• Quarterly Mega Drop sales (February, May, August, November)
• Loyalty points program for referrals
• Option to upgrade to Extra or Ultimate anytime
• Free shipping with subscription

The $1.99 handling fee is somewhat controversial - it’s an additional charge on top of the $14 subscription price, bringing actual cost to $15.99/month. This fee covers processing and shipping, though many subscribers wish it were simply included in advertised pricing.

What’s Included Each Month

Every IPSY Original delivery contains carefully selected beauty products tailored to your Beauty Quiz profile:

5 Deluxe-Size Products: Unlike sample-size sachets, deluxe samples provide multiple uses (typically 5-15 applications depending on product type). The mix includes:

• Makeup: Lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, eyeliners, eyeshadow palettes, blush, highlighter, setting spray, primers
• Skincare: Serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, face masks (sheet and cream), eye creams, exfoliants, acne treatments
• Hair Care: Styling products (mousse, gel, spray), hair masks, leave-in treatments, dry shampoo, texture sprays
• Beauty Tools: Makeup brushes, sponges, eyelash curlers, tweezers, applicators, facial rollers
• Fragrance: Perfume and cologne samples from designer and niche brands

Collectible IPSY Glam Bag: Each month’s products arrive in a themed makeup pouch designed to be reusable. These cosmetic bags feature fun prints and patterns, and many subscribers collect them or repurpose for travel toiletries, organizing drawers, or gifting. The bags themselves have become a signature part of the IPSY experience.

Product Information Cards: Cards explain what each product does, how to use it, and why IPSY selected it for your profile. This educational component helps beginners understand skincare/makeup application.

Digital Access: Your IPSY account shows full product details, ingredients lists, usage tips, and links to purchase full-size versions if you discover favorites.

How It Works

IPSY’s monthly subscription cycle balances personalization with member control:

1. Sign Up and Complete Beauty Quiz: Create your IPSY account and take the comprehensive Beauty Quiz covering:

• Skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive)
• Skin tone and undertone
• Hair type and color
• Age range
• Beauty concerns (acne, anti-aging, hydration, etc.)
• Product preferences (bold vs. neutral makeup, fragrance preferences, willingness to try new categories)
• Brands you love or want to avoid

The quiz takes 5-10 minutes and creates your baseline personalization algorithm. You can update quiz answers anytime as preferences change.

2. Monthly Choice Window Opens (1st-3rd of Each Month): Around the 1st of each month, IPSY opens your choice window. During this 3-day period:

• See your “IPSY Picks” - the 4 products IPSY selected for you based on your quiz
• Choose 1 product from a curated selection (typically 3-5 options in your choice category)
• Browse and purchase Add-Ons products at member pricing ($3.50-25, varying by product)
• View upcoming bag design

If you miss the choice window, IPSY auto-selects your choice item based on your preferences.

3. Billing (Last Day of Previous Month): IPSY charges your payment method on the last day of the month prior to your bag shipping. For example, your February bag is billed around January 31st. The charge is $15.99 total ($14 subscription + $1.99 handling).

4. Bag Assembly and Fulfillment: After billing, IPSY assembles your customized bag with your chosen product and your 4 IPSY Picks. Bags typically ship within 7-10 days after billing.

5. Shipping and Tracking: Expect your bag to arrive 10-20 days after billing (early-to-mid month). IPSY provides tracking information via email. Shipping times vary by location and demand, with some subscribers reporting delays exceeding this window - a common complaint.

6. Unboxing and Use: When your Glam Bag arrives, try each product over the coming weeks. Deluxe samples typically provide enough product to determine if you like the formula, scent, and results before committing to full-size purchases.

7. Rate Your Products: Log into your IPSY account and rate each product 1-5 stars with optional written reviews. Rating products helps IPSY’s algorithm refine future selections - if you hate coconut scents or love matte lipsticks, the algorithm learns and adjusts.

8. Shop Members-Only Perks: Between bags, access:

• IPSY Shop: Weekly product drops with member-exclusive pricing (20-70% off retail)
• Flash Sales: Limited-time offers on popular products
• Mega Drop Sales: Quarterly blowout sales (February, May, August, November) with 30-80% discounts

9. Manage Subscription: Through your account dashboard, you can:

• Update Beauty Quiz preferences
• View upcoming bag spoilers
• Pause subscription (skip a month)
• Change payment method
• Upgrade to Extra or Ultimate
• Cancel subscription (though this process has reported difficulties - see FAQs)

10. Referral Program: Earn points by referring friends. Points convert to discounts on shop purchases or free Add-Ons.

Members-Only Shopping Perks

IPSY’s shopping benefits extend well beyond the monthly bag, creating ongoing value:

Add-Ons Shopping (1st-3rd of Each Month): During your choice window, shop Add-Ons - additional beauty products at heavily discounted member pricing. Items range from $3.50-25 (typically 40-70% off retail). Add-Ons ship with your monthly bag at no additional shipping cost. Many subscribers strategically use Add-Ons to stock up on staples (makeup remover wipes, setting spray, favorite serums) or try full-size versions of products they loved in previous bags.

IPSY Shop (Year-Round): The IPSY Shop offers full-size beauty products at member-exclusive pricing. Weekly drops feature new products, often from brands included in bags. Discounts typically range 20-50% off retail. Shop orders ship separately from bags and may incur shipping fees for orders under certain thresholds.

Quarterly Mega Drop Sales: Four times yearly (February, May, August, November), IPSY hosts massive sales events featuring hundreds of products at 30-80% discounts. Mega Drops include both past bag items and exclusive shop-only products. These sales create significant value for members who actively shop beyond their monthly subscription.

Points Program: Earn points through referrals and reviews. Points redeem for shop credit, allowing you to purchase products or Add-Ons at discounted or free pricing.

Who It’s For

Best For:

• Budget-Conscious Beauty Lovers: At $15.99/month, it’s one of the most affordable beauty subscriptions available, making it accessible for students, those on tight budgets, or anyone wanting to try new products without significant financial commitment
• Beauty Discovery Seekers: Those who enjoy trying new brands, formulas, and product types they wouldn’t typically purchase full-size without testing first
• Sample Preference: People who prefer deluxe samples over full-size products - samples let you test products for weeks without the commitment and cost of full bottles
• Bargain Hunters Who Shop Sales: Strategic members who leverage Add-Ons and Mega Drop sales can extract significant additional value beyond the base subscription
• Beginners Building Collections: New to skincare or makeup and wanting to experiment with different products, techniques, and brands before investing in full-size collections
• Gift Subscriptions: Popular gift for beauty-interested friends, teens starting their skincare journey, or college students wanting monthly surprises
• Travel-Size Enthusiasts: Deluxe samples work perfectly for travel toiletries, gym bags, or keeping products in purse/desk for touchups

Not Ideal For:

• Premium Product Seekers: If you only use prestige/luxury brands, IPSY includes many drugstore and emerging brands alongside premium options - not exclusively high-end
• Control and Choice Priority: You only choose 1 of 5 products; the other 4 are algorithm-selected. If you need full control over every item, this hybrid curation won’t satisfy
• Customer Service Expectations: No phone support - only email. Response times can be slow. If you value responsive customer service, the 2.7 customer experience rating reflects frequent frustration
• Cancellation Concerns: Multiple reports of difficult cancellation processes, charges continuing after cancellation requests, and confusion about cancellation policies. If you’re risk-averse about subscriptions, this is a significant red flag
• Full-Size Products Only: If samples frustrate you and you only want full-size items, consider IPSY Extra ($32/month with 5 full-size products) instead
• Specific Product Needs: Those who know exactly which brands and products they want should buy directly - subscription curation means receiving products you didn’t specifically request
• Impatient Shipping Expectations: Shipping delays beyond advertised windows are commonly reported. If you need products to arrive on specific dates, delays will frustrate
• Sensitive Skin with Strict Ingredient Restrictions: While you can note sensitive skin in your quiz, IPSY can’t guarantee all products will meet strict ingredient avoidance requirements

The 2.6/5 Trustpilot rating (6,083 reviews) and A+ BBB rating (though with 435 complaints in 3 years) warrant serious consideration. While many subscribers enjoy the value and discovery aspects, customer service difficulties, cancellation challenges, and inconsistent personalization create friction that affects overall satisfaction. IPSY Original works best for budget-conscious beauty enthusiasts comfortable with email-only support who value discovery over premium service quality.