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IPSY Glam Bag Plus is a monthly subscription of makeup, skincare, and hair care products. Unlike the IPSY Glam Bag, this second-tier IPSY subscription offers 5 full-sized products. It also includes a cute makeup bag every month! Read on for my IPSY Glam Bag Plus review!
IPSY offers three subscription bags:
- Glam Bag ($12/month): 5 products, usually travel- or sample-sizes
- Glam Bag Plus ($25/month): 5 products, full-sized products
- Glam Bag Ultimate ($50/month): 8 full-sized products and 4 deluxe-sized products
Each bag is personalized according to each person’s beauty profile, so you may have received different items than the ones I got. Check out all the products offered in this month’s bag!
This box is for… getting full-size makeup and skincare products for a great price!
Cost: $25 per month. Subscribe here!
Subcriptionado paid for this box.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Not gonna lie, I got this month’s Glam Bag Plus for two things: the gorgeous green bag as pictured in the spoilers and the Sunday Riley toner. I fell in love with the light green color of the makeup bag in the spoiler photos, but when I received it, I was very disappointed. It’s a much duller shade in person – not as vibrant and cheerful as it photographs. And the construction of this bag isn’t as good as what I’ve come to expect from IPSY. The inside lining keeps snagging on the zipper.
ON TO THE ITEMS!
CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara in Black XXL
Size: 0.27 fl oz
RV: $22
Not only are my eyelashes short, but they also angle downward. This means I have to be very picky with my mascaras. Otherwise, I stand the risk of walking around all day with black dots and smears under my eyes!
This mascara came with a slim brush, which made it easier for me to apply. The formula itself is OK. It has decent coverage after one application, which is a good thing – when I went for a second coat, it was too clumpy for my fine lashes.
GIRLACTIK Jello Gloss Balm
Size: 0.14 oz
RV: $18.00
OK…I’m the type to balk at seemingly overinflated prices, especially when it comes to beauty products, so when I saw that this lip balm had a retail price of $18(!!!), I was SMH. I mean, come on…it’s lip balm!
But this is one of the reasons why I subscribe to beauty boxes – now I got to try a product I would have otherwise passed on “in the wild”. And you know what? I quite like this lip balm! Its softer texture applies better than my current on-the-go balm. The fruity scent is lovely without making me feel like a 12-year-old. It leaves my lips feeling moisturized and taken care of.
Now that I’ve tried this product, would I buy it? For the same price, I could buy an extra IPSY bag and add on a few products on top of that, so it’s highly unlikely.
SUNDAY RILEY Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner
Size: 50 mL
RV: $25
This was the other thing I was most looking forward to this month, and I’m sad to report that it’s just as disappointing as the bag. I usually love Sunday Riley products, but this one has one fatal flaw: its unappealing scent.
I understand that when something is marketed as “Martian”, it’s bound to be different than the average beauty product. And I have to admit, I actually like how the green goo squirts out of the pump and then becomes a water toner as it rubs into the skin. It’s certainly unique!
But the smell! It smells a bit like marshland in the worst way possible. And, boy, does the smell linger long after it’s been applied.
Is this an effective toner? Yes, very much yes. I love how this formula makes my skin soft and prepped for heavier creams. I want to use this toner all day, every day because it just works so well. But if someone stands anywhere near me, they can smell it, as attested by my partner who refused to cuddle with me the first evening I put it on! All I can say is, it’s quite fortunate that I’m able to stay at home because I can at least use this toner during the day when no one else is around!
LAVIDO 2-in-1 Purifying Facial Mask and Exfoliator
Size: 50 mL
RV: $36
A couple months ago, I got the PMD facial brush in a BoxyLuxe. Ever since I started using it, I’ve rarely used exfoliators or peels because it does a good job of keeping my skin bright and even on its own. Nevertheless, I was excited when I found out I was getting this mask because I really like Lavido. I’ve received other products from this brand, and I’m always impressed with how they work. It comes in lovely packaging, too! Although I won’t personally use this exfoliator, I feel confident that this would make a great gift for someone.
TARTE tarteist™ Double Take Eyeliner in Black
Size: pencil – 0.1 g/ liquid – 0.5 mL
RV: $24
I love tarte, and I’m always happy to get it in a subscription box. This product comes with a pencil and a liquid liner, so I feel doubly lucky to have received it. I prefer the pencil end. It’s easy to apply and blends well with a brush for a smoky effect.
FINAL IMPRESSION
Oh boy. I’m a fan of IPSY, and I usually get a few things that I absolutely love. Unfortunately, this month was a huge miss for me. I love my Sunday Riley, but, alas, it will be a secret affair since I refuse to wear it out in public.
Favorite Item: SUNDAY RILEY Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner
Highest Value Item: LAVIDO 2-in-1 Purifying Facial Mask and Exfoliator
THE BREAKDOWN
- CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara in Black XXL: $22
- GIRLACTIK Jello Gloss Balm: $18
- SUNDAY RILEY Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner: $25
- LAVIDO 2-in-1 Purifying Facial Mask and Exfoliator: $36
- TARTE tarteist™ Double Take Eyeliner in Black: $24
Total Value: $125! That’s 5x the cost of the box!
At $25 per box, it’s like I paid $5 per item. That’s like getting these products at these discounts off their retail prices:
- CIATÉ LONDON Triple Shot XXL Mascara in Black XXL: 77% OFF
- GIRLACTIK Jello Gloss Balm: 72% OFF
- SUNDAY RILEY Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner: 80% OFF
- LAVIDO 2-in-1 Purifying Facial Mask and Exfoliator: 86% OFF
- TARTE tarteist™ Double Take Eyeliner in Black: 79% OFF
Is this box still available? No, but if you sign up today, you’ll get the May Glam Bag. Check out the spoilers!
Want more? Here are my other IPSY reviews!
And if you liked this IPSY Glam Bag Plus review, take a peek at what other beauty boxes I review!