IPSY vs BoxyCharm: Which Beauty Box Is Safer?

The Bottom Line

IPSY Original wins this comparison, but not because it’s a great service. Both IPSY and BoxyCharm (now IPSY Extra) share the same parent company and the same customer service problems: 2.6/5 Trustpilot rating, 435 BBB complaints, and widespread reports of cancellation difficulties. IPSY wins simply because you risk less money ($16 vs $34) for a subscription with known operational issues.

Critical Warning

Both services operate under the IPSY parent company and share identical trust indicators:

• 2.6/5 Trustpilot rating (6,083 reviews)
• 435 BBB complaints in 3 years (118 in past 12 months)
• A+ BBB rating that masks customer service problems
• Widespread cancellation difficulties reported by customers

The A+ BBB rating is misleading. It means the company responds to complaints, not that customers are satisfied. Proceed with caution for either subscription.

Quick Comparison

Why IPSY Original Wins

Lower Financial Risk

With IPSY Original at $15.99/month, you’re risking half the money compared to BoxyCharm at $33.99/month. Given both services have:

• Reports of continued charges after cancellation
• Difficulty reaching customer service
• Delayed or missing shipments

The lower price point means less money at risk if you experience these common issues.

Better Entry Point for Testing

If you’ve never tried either service, IPSY Original lets you test the IPSY family experience for less. If you encounter the cancellation difficulties that many customers report, you’ll lose less money resolving the issue.

Adequate for Beauty Discovery

For trying new products, deluxe samples provide enough product (5-15 uses) to evaluate whether you like a formula. You don’t need a full-size product you might not use if the color or formula doesn’t work for you.

What’s In Each Box?

IPSY Original ($15.99/month)

• 5 deluxe-size beauty products
• 1 product you choose from curated options
• Collectible Glam Bag
• Mix of makeup, skincare, and hair products
• Members-only shop access with 70% off deals

BoxyCharm ($33.99/month)

• 5 full-size beauty products
• 3 products you choose from curated options
• Up to $200 retail value
• Mix of makeup, skincare, and beauty tools
• Access to same IPSY members-only shopping

The Customer Service Problem

Both services share the same documented issues:

Cancellation Difficulties

• Multiple customers report cancellation requests being ignored
• Charges continue after cancellation attempts
• No phone support available (email only)
• Some customers resorted to credit card disputes

Shipping Issues

• Delayed shipments with no refunds offered
• Missing packages with slow resolution
• Inconsistent delivery timing

Account Problems

• Difficulty accessing accounts to cancel
• Billing issues reported frequently
• Personalization not matching preferences

If you subscribe to either, document everything and monitor your credit card statements carefully.

Value Analysis

IPSY Original Value

BoxyCharm Value

BoxyCharm offers better raw value, but the higher price means more money at risk with a service known for customer service problems.

Who Should Choose IPSY Original?

Choose IPSY Original if you:

• Want to test beauty subscriptions with minimal risk
• Prefer trying samples before committing to full-size
• Have a limited beauty budget ($16/month is accessible)
• Want cute collectible bags for travel or organization
• Are comfortable with email-only customer support

Who Should Choose BoxyCharm?

Choose BoxyCharm if you:

• Definitely want full-size products, not samples
• Use makeup/skincare frequently enough to finish products
• Have space to store 5 new products monthly
• Are willing to accept higher financial risk
• Already know you like products from brands they feature

Who Should Choose Neither?

Consider avoiding both if you:

• Prioritize responsive customer service
• Need easy cancellation options
• Have had issues with subscription boxes before
• Are not prepared to dispute charges if needed
• Want guaranteed delivery timing

Alternatives to consider:

• Allure Beauty Box: Different parent company
• Birchbox: Prestige brand focus
• Direct brand subscriptions: Often better service

Risk Mitigation Tips

If you do subscribe to either service:

1. Use a credit card with strong purchase protection
2. Screenshot your subscription details and cancellation attempts
3. Set a calendar reminder before renewal dates
4. Document all communications with customer service
5. Check statements monthly for unexpected charges
6. Cancel early if you want to stop (don’t wait until renewal day)

Final Verdict

Winner: IPSY Original

This isn’t a recommendation so much as harm reduction. Both IPSY services have significant customer service issues documented across Trustpilot, BBB, and Reddit. IPSY Original wins because:

1. Half the price ($16 vs $34) means half the risk
2. Deluxe samples are adequate for discovery
3. Same parent company issues affect both equally
4. Lower commitment if problems arise

If the value proposition of full-size products appeals to you and you understand the risks, BoxyCharm remains an option. Just proceed with eyes open about the potential for customer service frustrations.

Best approach: Start with a single month of IPSY Original (never prepay). If the experience is positive, consider BoxyCharm later. If you encounter issues, you’ve only risked $16 learning that lesson.