Tag: Ipsy
March 2026 Ipsy Bag – Do Less Glow More
March’s bag was a bit MEH. The only item I am obsessed with is the Mudmasky French Kiss Lip Butter in “Limoncello & Orange” – it smells SO GOOD.
I take that back – I also have been using my product choice as a night cream – LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer. It smells like luxury and I wake up with smooth SMOOTH skin.
Also in this month’s meh bag: Manna Kadar Cosmetics Pink Mirage Eyeshadow Palette; Mi-el Skincare Strawberry Kiss Sugar Body Scrub; and a Pear Nova Lid Focus Brush.
I subscribe to the original ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and ipsy Ultimate (formerly Icon Box, and before that – Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
February 2026 Ipsy Ultimate – Spring Collection
No curator for this quarter’s Ipsy Ultimate. I’m not even mad though – I usually have to Google who they are these days.
My favorite product choice this month was Fable & Mane SahaScalp Wild Ginger Purifying Scrub ($36). With the psoriasis flare I had a few months ago, my scalp is still recovering. Of course, my first stop was a new dermatologist to get a topical steroid to get it under control…but this scrub has really helped knock the mummy dust off of my scalp. I might actually purchase this when I run out.
My other two product choices were meh – not a lot of good products to choose from this month. I picked Tatcha Camellia Gold Spun Moisturizing Lip Balm ($32), which is like the Goldschlager of lip balms, and NARS Cosmetics Quad Eyeshadow Palette in “Kuala Lumpur” ($55), which is almost too pink for me. I’ve only used it once and I don’t foresee reaching for it often. I was hoping for more of a NARS Orgasm pink.
The products I did not get to pick were pretty good. I got Kevyn Aucoin Indecent Mascara in “Black” ($32 – one of the best mascaras I’ve tried – no clumps!); Rodial Collagen Drops ($95 – I’ve been using this on my face at night and I can definitely tell a difference in some of my deep wrinkles); Il Makiage Shade Addict High Impact Eye Color Palette ($68 and a much better match for my skintone than the NARS palette); Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Wand Duo in “Pillow Talk” + “Pinkgasm” ($84 and gifted to my big sis with a bunch of other Tilbury samples); and Dr. Brandt Skincare Glycolic Skin Renewal Mask ($52 – haven’t tried it yet).
$454 in this quarter’s box – I’m very pleased with my choices.
I subscribe to the original ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and ipsy Ultimate (formerly Icon Box, and before that – Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
January 2026 Ipsy Bag – The Year of Yes
The Year of Yes…I don’t know about that. Seems kind of dangerous to be declaring shit like that in January?
The past month has been a blur. The only product I’ve tried is my product choice – Korres Apothecary Wild Rose Brightening Sleeping Facial. It’s a nice, thick face cream and it smelled really nice.
Also in this month’s MEH bag: Girlactik 2-in-1 Luminous Tint Foundation; IBY Beauty Hilite Powder Brush (are people still wearing highlighter?); Luna Magic Lip Pencil in “Strawberry Mojito”; and Moonslice Beauty Cream Blush in “Cutie Pie” (when did they stop calling it ‘rouge’?).
Even the makeup bag is a bit MEH – it looks like an astronaut maxi pad.
I subscribe to the original ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and ipsy Ultimate (formerly Icon Box, and before that – Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
December 2025 Ipsy Bag – Play Beauty Spread Joy
…December has been so busy that I’ve only tried one of the samples!
My product choice this month was Briogeo Hair Care Superfood Avocado + Kiwi Mega Moisture Hair Mask. I picked it because I have more shampoo than conditioner and can use it with leftover shampoo.
The rest of my products were Eleman Beauty The Gel Lip Pencil in “So Sultry”; Ellis Brooklyn “Dear Sky” (wearing it right now – I love this scent on me, very juicy and fruity); Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm Gloss in “Rose”; and Beauty for Certain Tubing Brow Gel (I shall be gifting this one – I don’t need tubes hanging off my 3 eyebrow hairs).
The bag has bows on it, so I am saving it for my son’s girlfriend – she loves ribbons and bows!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
November 2025 Ipsy Ultimate – Natasha Denona
Ipsy Icon Box (previously Ipsy X) is now called Ipsy Ultimate. Nothing like a rebrand, huh?
At least I’ve heard of Natasha Denona. I prefer the boxes curated by brands (like Natasha Denona) or by actual celebrities. I have wasted too much time googling celebrity makeup artists, or worse…influencers…and I literally do not care.
The biggest surprise of the box was the Natasha Denona Yucca Palette ($69). I was expected to look like a tumbleweed, but all the earthy desert tones really pop on my skin. Who knew that my best eyeshadow color would be mustard yellow? The box also came with Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer ($30), but I haven’t tried it yet. I should…I’ve been eating macadamia nuts all week and my skin is garbage.
My product choice were pretty good this month. I picked Tatcha The Matcha Cleanse ($40 – I would never spend $40 on face wash…but this is a nice fucking face wash); Salt & Stone Black Rose & Oud Body Lotion ($20 – I am in love with this woody rose scent); and Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Eye Cream ($44 – a bad pick, I think I thought it was face cream – boo!)
Also in this month’s box: Lithe Beauty Soft Fill Lip Pencils in “Dusk” & “Scarlet” ($32 – nice, soft lip pencils); Bisha Essential Eye Designer Duo Set in “Downtown Black” & “Uptown Brown” ($58 – haven’t tried yet); and Persona Cosmetics Volumizing Tubing Mascara in “Black” ($24 – haven’t tried yet).
$317 worth of products this quarter!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
October 2025 Ipsy Bag – Work Your Magic
I am in love with this month’s ipsy bag. The bag itself, but the products are nice, too.
I don’t know how my ipsy bags have turned into mostly skincare – I haven’t updated my profile in at least 5 years, if not 10. I have enough weird eyeliners and makeup brushes, I ain’t even mad.
My product choice this month was e.l.f. Skin Stick it To Zits. I picked out pimple patches because my daughter uses them…but then she acted all offended when I tried to give them to her. Like I was saying she has bad skin? Teenagers are THE WORST.
Also in this month’s snaky bag: Dr Lili Fan Probiotic Defense Toner (been using the shit out of it – the tiny bottle is almost empty); Soroci Vita-C Intensive Serum (Nice on my skin before bed); Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser (I’ve been using the shit out of this too); and All Moringa Nourishing Mask (I used this today before my shower – it smells like pickles and I looked like Oscar the Grouch).
A great bag! I’ll use everything, except the zit stickers…maybe my son’s girlfriend would like them?
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
September 2025 Ipsy Bag – More is More
Another pink glam bag…perfect for storing Barbie clothes!
My product choice this month was Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial. It’s a botanical scented night cream and it is very hydrating. I’s like to say that it smells like…dragonfruit…but the description says banana fruit flower.
Also in this month’s bag: a FULL SIZE Eva NYC Stay Hydrated Leave-In Conditioner (no complaints here, I use Leave-In Conditioner to slick back my hair when I clip it up every day); Hey Honey Wrinkle Smoothing Multi Peptide Serum (great for WFH days); Pinklipps Cosmetics Everlasting Lip Liner in “Rose Brown” (I LOVE the sharpener in the cap – and it looks great with my skin tone); and SONÄGE SKINCARE Gommage Exfoliating Gel (this is the only piece I haven’t tried yet – soon I will).
This is a better bag than recent months – I’ve been needing new skincare!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
August 2025 Ipsy Icon Box – Ash K. Holm
I was so disappointed that I did not get one of my product choices this month. I chose Dr. Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution Glow Face Mask with Hyaluronic Acid ($37), but they swapped it out with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($43). Normally, I wouldn’t be pressed about receiving an equivalent value product, but I have SO MUCH of this setting powder. Ugh.
I really like the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick in “Goji Gang” ($26) – it’s like Clinique Black Honey, but glossier and sexier. The jury is still out on Kopari Beauty Kaanapali Coast Hair & Body Mist ($29) – it is overwhelmingly coconutty. I’ll have to be careful with it.
Also in this month’s Icon Box: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm ($40 – I don’t like cleansing balms, so I’ll be giving this away); Haus Beauty B Structural Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara in “Black Onyx” ($29 – I’ve used it once, it’s plain black mascara); Kulfi Beauty Underlined Kajal Eyeliner Duo ($40 – who is out here paying this much for two eyeliners?); ODACITÉ C-Glow Hydra-Firm Body Oil ($40 – puzzled by what to do with this); and Patrick Ta Major Dimension II Rose Eyeshadow Palette ($70). Honestly, I absolutely get why this eye shadow is $70 – it’s smooth, creamy and blendable – and it even comes with two cream bases to lock in your look. I haven’t been brave enough to try them…yet.
I had to google Ash K. Holm to find out that she is the Kardashians’ makeup artist. Alrighty then.
This month’s box comes in at $317 value…not bad, except for all the weird bummer products. Is it time to say goodbye to the Icon Box?
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
July 2025 Ipsy Bag – Hot Glow Summer
This month’s ipsy bag itself is very cute…but the contents are a bit of a dud.
The only product I’ve used so far is my product choice – TONYMOLY The Chok Chok Green Tea Foam Cleanser. It leaves my skin feeling almost squeaky clean and smells nice, too. But what is a Chok Chok???
The other items in this months bag are a bit weird: Toyfactory Niabrow Serum Brow Gel Mini (ugh, who uses all this brow gel?); Bisha Essential Lip Designer in “Beverly Hills” (grrrrrrr…); Avatara Juicy Lip Jelly in “Watermellow Clear” (maybe I can use with the lip liner?); and Morphe Mini Bake & Set Soft Focus Setting Powder in “Translucent” (are people still doing their makeup like this?). I feel like the products are for a face I don’t have…
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
June 2025 Ipsy Bag – Make Bold Moves
I love the pattern on this month’s ipsy bag, but the flimsy material is disappointing. I love a mod motif moment, but a stiffer material would have made it bound for my purse…but alas, it’s not tough enough.
I haven’t used my product choice this month – INH Hair Mini Quick Slick Flyaway Hair Finishing Stick. It’s a good idea and I can see throwing it in my purse if I’m going out…wait, when do I ever “go out”?
Also in this month’s bag: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Body Lotion (this stuff is great – going in my travel bag); Goldfaden MD Radiance Whip Brightening Treatment Mask (I used this last week – it felt nice, but I couldn’t tell if I was brighter); Luna Magic Always Demure Concealer Brush (will never use this); and YC Collection Oh, My Eyebrows! in “Medium Brown” (this one is really good – I like the texture, although it did crumble a bit while using it).
A decent bag this month!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.