Ipsy January 2020 Subscription Box Review

Ipsy Bag

Cost: $12 monthly, $132 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. You can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

You can now customize your bag and pick out one sample per month that will get to be in your bag which is a pretty nice change even though it came with a price increase.


I love the bag this month the marble is so freaking cute. I can’t wait to use it for something. I don’t know what but something.

Benefit Gimme Brow in 4.5

Full Size: 3 g

Full Size Cost: $24

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $8

This annoys me this is the third time Ipsy has sent me Gimme Brow over the years despite me negatively reviewing it every time. I don’t like brow gels especially the fibery kind.

Luxie 560 Medium Fan

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $18

I love Luxie Brushes they are so soft and really nice quality. This one is not different I don’t use fan brushes as much but they are always nice to have around. I have a few highlighters that only look good when applied with a fan brush.

H20+ Oasis Ultra Hydrating Cream

Full Size: 50 ml

Full Size Cost: $29.40

Sample Size: 10 ml

Value: $5.88

I usually find H20+ products pretty meh especially considering the higher price point of them. I will probably just use this up when I travel some where warmer or chuck it in my car to use on long summer days.

Banilla Co. Clean it Zero Cleansing Balm Original

Full Size: 100 ml

Full Size Cost: $19

Sample Size: 7 ml

Value: $1.33

This was the item I picked I have wanted to try this for awhile but have always had so much back stock of cleansing balms and oils I could not justify it. I am almost done with my Farmacy one and will be trying this one next. Even little pots of these last ages.

Ofra Cosmetics Ofra x NikkiTutorials Highlighter in Glow Goals

Full Size: 10 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 10 g

Value: $29

I love Ofra highlighters when I am looking for that really wet over the top metallic look. This highlighter is a bit dark for me so on my it was sorta appearing as a dark shimmer rather then a highlight. I will have to revisit this in the summer and see if it works better for me then or mixed with a highlighter that is two light for me.


Alot of times I find January boxes lackluster rather then starting with a bang like I would want a new year to start off with. This was actually a nicely presented bag. I really liked getting a full size highlighting brush and highlighter all with the same white and gold aesthetic it feels well thought out and fun.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $62.21

Skincare: 2

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 0

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 2

Deluxe Sample: 0

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy December 2019 Subscription Box Review

Ipsy Bag

Cost: $12 monthly, $132 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. You can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

You can now customize your bag and pick out one sample per month that will get to be in your bag which is a pretty nice change even though it came with a price increase.


Last Ipsy of the year I can’t believe it. I am not a huge fan of this bag I think the dark green with the silver is supposed to be festive but I think it looks like tin foil.

Cake Beauty Milk Made Indulgent Body Milk Cream

Full Size: 60 ml

Full Size Cost: $5.99

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $3.00

Maybe I have been reviewing this brand too highly since I got cake hand lotion 2 months in a row lol. That said I really like their lotions and happy to have and use this one. I have never tried anything from the Milk Made line and it doesn’t smell as good as the Delectable line but this feels so nice on my hands like it is so balmy feeling with out being greasy.

Complex Culure All Over Highlight + Powder Brush

Full Size: Yes

Full Size Cost: $20

So this is now in like the top 5 of single most expensive brushes I own (like not from sets). And it really feels well made and looks well made. The grey handle is that soft touch matte it has a nice long ferule the bristles are soft and cut well and it is just so aesthetically pleasing. It is a multipurpose brush that could be used for so many things I see my self traveling with this one for sure. I wish it wasn’t so expensive because I would like more and a few of their eye brushes but I will content myself to loving on this one. They only sell a few brushes but hopefully this brand can expand and there can be other brushes from this brand I can lust over. This is the item I picked by the way very happy with my choice.

Aromatica Rose Absolute First Serum

Full Size: 130 ml

Full Size Cost: $19.56

Sample Size: 20 ml

Value: $3.01

This is supposed to be a toner and serum combines for hydration and illumination. I will never know because I am allergic to roses.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Kisses

Full Size: 5.6 g

Full Size Cost: $29

Sample Size: 1 g

Value: $5.18

So I can’t find this color any where but Tarte often makes sample sizes of colors they don’t sell for like kits and boxes and gift with purchases and what not so that isn’t weird. Tarte blushes are super smooth and long wearing but I don’t really ever wear blush and really wouldn’t wear such a baby pink color so I am leaving it unswatched so someone else can have it.

Coloured Raine Focal Point Glow Lighters in Selfie

Full Size: 8 g

Full Size Cost: $19.99

Sample Size: 3.5 g

Value: $8.75

I thought this was going to be too dark but it is actually really sheer and subtle. It is a very pretty subtle type of highlight and that is good for some days. I have wanted to try this brand but it is a bit pricey and harder to access so I have never gotten the chance. So pretty Excited to try something from them it is really smooth as well.

You can see how it is just a nice subtle glow.


So 3 of the 5 are items I’m keeping and I redeemed points to get a Luxie brush added to next months bag which is nice. The brush in this bag pretty much makes it even if the rest was less then impressive to me.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $39.94

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 2

Tools: 1

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 2

Sample: 2

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup

Ipsy November 2019 Subscription Box Review

Ipsy Bag

Cost: $12 monthly, $132 annual

Cycle: Every Month

What is it: Every month Ipsy sends out a cute makeup bag of samples and full size items. You can review your bag for points that you can trade in for reward items. The rewards change often and the range between 300 points and 1000 points. You can get around 95 points every month.

If you want to subscribe you can subscribe HERE and skip the waitlist. That is my referral link so I do get points to spend but I’m not an affiliate I don’t make any money or anything it’s just one beauty junkie to another.

You can now customize your bag and pick out one sample per month that will get to be in your bag which is a pretty nice change even though it came with a price increase.


I am so not into the leopard print this month at all. But on to the products which I am also not that into this month. You win some you lose some.

Delectable By Cake Beauty Butter Balm Hand Cream in Triple Citrus Blend

Full Size: 236 ml

Full Size Cost: $12

Sample Size: 30 ml

Value: $1.53

Best thing in the box for me I like Delectable creams they are super rich and moisturizing. This one has a light citrus scent and I will use this up quickly I think I have set it beside my computer.

Lock Color Lock It Good Boundation in 5 Medium Buff

Full Size: 30 g

Full Size Cost: $14

Sample Size: 10 g

Value: $4.67

This is much too dark for me and quite heavy feeling for a BB cream style foundation. I think I might try mixing this with some much too light foundations I have and seeing how that turns out for me.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Oat & Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil

Full Size: 30 ml

Full Size Cost: $30

Sample Size: 4.3 ml

Value: $4.30

I love the tiny little bottle I just wish they have given 5 ml instead of a weird 4.3 ml so odd. Cannabis and CBD in skincare is like the big new hot trend so I really wanted to try this since I have tried so few products. This is a very oily oil it was a bit much for my skin it did feel soothing on but it cause a bit of congestion in certain parts of my skin. I am going to have to be really careful using this just on irritated spots and not on my whole face. Or I may use it on my hands when I get little allergy patches I see being quite good for that and this is reasonably priced enough that it can be used for that purpose.

Dome Beauty Powder Blush in English Rose

Full Size: ?

Full Size Cost: $28

Sample Size: 2.5 g

Value: $?

I don’t know the full size amount of this but I pretty sure this is not full size. This is a very creamy feeling blush but very light in color and I am not a blush person. Swatched Below.

GiGi Gorgeous The Sick Sculpt Bronzer in Extra

Full Size: 3.1 g

Full Size Cost: $19.80

Sample Size: 3.1 g

Value: $19.80

This can only be bought through Ipsy. This has a good ton ad builds well which is good because this is a bit light for me as a bronzer. The tone of this has that bit of a grey cool tone that makes it good for contouring with which I like. Swatched Below.


I wasn’t happy last month and again not that happy this month. I hope Ipsy refinds their footing after this change soon. Because this low value is not really what I signed up for.

Quick Summary:

Total Value: $30.30?

Skincare: 1

Makeup: 3

Tools: 0

Hair Care: 0

Perfume: 0

Other: 1

And as far as sizes:

Full Size: 1

Deluxe Sample: 1

Sample: 3

<3 Nightmare Before Makeup