Tag: Ipsy
October 2026 Ipsy Bag – Decadence After Dark
Did I manage to miss product choice for October, too? I’m honestly not surprised…my head has been in the clouds lately.
First off, the bag is creepy, kooky and a little bit spooky – I love it.
Two very similar eyeshadow palettes in this month’s bag – Toyfactory Niashadow Eyeshadow Palette and Wingme Cosmetics Mini Muse Eyeshadow Palette. I’ve only used the Wingme one so far, but it was nice. I like that they are both tiny, perfect for travel.
I’ll never turn down a good moisturizer or a good face wash, so I was happy to get both in this month’s bag. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration will be great for winter. I’m not familiar with Mi-el Skincare Purifying Cleanser, but I’ve gotten the brand before.
I’ll be giving away the Shades by Shan Brow Gel – I don’t have enough to gel.
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.
September 2026 Ipsy Bag – Rebel in Color
Somehow, I think I missed the product choice window for September…I feel like I spent the last half of August traumatized, so that tracks…
The products are so random and I haven’t tried any of them. I’ll be giving the Bliss Pore Patrol Flower Blemish Patches to my daughter – I just can’t with Gen Z walking around with stickers on their face instead of being seen with a pimple.
Also in this month’s rando bag: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Primer; Da Lish Cosmetics Highlighter (do people still use highlighters in the year of our lord 2026?); e.l.f. Skin Thirst Burst Lip Treatment in “Sheer Blue Hibiscus” (probably the only product I’ll use); and Maeve Ellis Serafine Hand Cream.
Honestly, the best thing about this month’s bag is the bag itself – it’s mesh and I think I’m going to use it to put my magnetic hooks in for my cruise in a few days!
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.
August 2026 Ipsy Ultimate – Fall Collection
I’m still playing catch-up after my vacation in early August, plus moving my youngest off to college…not to mention a bunch of other fuckery…
I was skeptical of the skincare heavy Fall Collection…but my skin says otherwise. I have a whole new skincare regimen!
The skincare products were two of my choices for the box: Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash ($59) and Ilia Beauty The Base Face Milk ($58). I don’t know that my face is exactly “resurfaced” but it’s definitely glowy. The Face Milk took some getting used to, but it’s the perfect amount of hydration for a hot, humid Southeast Texas summer. I also chose NARS Cosmetics Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick in “High Gear” ($36), but I haven’t tried it yet.
Speaking of skincare, I’ve also used the Beauty Bio Swipe & Glow Peel Pads ($45). Nothing has peeled? I’ve also been using the Merit Shade Slick Gelée Tinted Lip Oil in “Jeté” ($24). I liked it at first, but I feel like it gums up on my lips and I have to wipe the gunk off and reapply?
I haven’t had a chance to sample the rest of my Fall Collection: Makeup by Mario Master Mascara ($28); Mutha Up All Night Eye Cream ($90 – really?); and Sachajuan Hair Repair Treatment Mask ($39).
$379 worth of products…not bad! I’m thinking I’ll actually try the rest of the products eventually, barring further fuckery.
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.
July 2026 Ipsy Bag – Passport to Play
July’s bag is kind of a dud…not the makeup bag itself, but the contents…
I mean, I guess my product choice was fine – Tatcha The Melting Balm in “Pinku” – but I have enough lip gloss to lubricate an oil rig.
Also in this month’s bag: Ace Beaute Ready In Five Hydrating Creamy Concealer in “F2” (I am too old for concealer – it makes me look like one of those crusty-eyed white dogs); BLAQ Beyond Hope Rejuvenating Serum; Grace & Stella Eye Mask Heroes; and Seraphine Botanicals Power Curl Mascara. Meh.
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.
June 2026 Ipsy Bag – Blend the Rules
I’m not gonna lie…the first thought in my head when I saw this month’s ipsy bag was…those look like luscious lips. Juicy, wet, FLAPPY lips.
I’m not gonna lie…this month’s bag is mostly a dud. While I love my product choice – Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream – the rest are very underwhelming. Also inside the flappy lips: Beauty for Certain Lip + Cheek Stick in “Sangria” (will be giving away); Bodyography Lip Pencil in “Timber” (meh); Skin&Co Roma Truffle Therapy Amino-Peptide Complex Face Serum (I got this in my very first Birchbox – I have been using it at night); and BISHA Essential Baby Eyeshadow Duo. The stuff isn’t horrible – it’s just not exciting.
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.
May 2026 Ipsy Ultimate – Summer Collection
Ipsy is really pushing the Natasha Denona these days…I’m not even mad.
Two of my products choices were Natasha: Natasha Denona My Dream Eyeshadow Palette ($72) and Natasha Denona My Dream Cheek Trio ($48). Be careful with the eye palette – she is SUPER pigmented. I didn’t realize that the cheek trio was a single blush shade and two highlighters – with a cream texture, no less. Even so – I LOVE the blush shade. it applies wonderfully with my usual brush and it reminds me of NARS Orgasm. Definitely a keeper.
I haven’t had a chance to try my other product choice yet – Rare Beauty Find Comfort Bouncy Body Cream – Awaken Confidence ($36).
Most of the other products were really nice: YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($43 – although I would never spend $43 on lip gloss, I can see why it’s so much – it’s great); BISHA Essential Setting Powder in “Tokyo Translucent” ($40 – perfect for when you don’t want full foundation, but don’t want to be shiny); Ciele The Blush Brush ($32 – haven’t tried it yet); and Dermalactives Resurfacing Honey and Charcoal Mask ($159 – fucking expensive, but it makes my skin butter smooth, so I get it).
The final product is an abomination of god: Makeup by Mario Ultra Suede Cozy Lip Creme in “Nude Suede” ($26). It was like putting concealer on my lips – totally unusable. This one is going in la basura.
Except for the abominable lip creme, this is a really nice box. The box value is $456, one of the higher combinations I’ve gotten.
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.
April 2026 Ipsy Bag – Dare to Daydream
Dare to daydream? I spend more time daydreaming than doing my actual job…shhhh…
My product choice this month was Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer and it was so good that I’ve already used it all up. The only thing that threw me was the bluish purpley shade – it reminded me of Ube or maybe even Bantha Milk?
The BelláPierre Cosmetics Purifying Milky Cleanser doesn’t seem to clean my face very well – I get makeup residue when I tone my face after using it. I gave the Memoire Archives “First Class” to my son’s girlfriend – it didn’t smell bad, it just did not smell like me. The Ruby Rose Cosmetics Lip Oil in “Watermelon” is quite nice. I haven’t tried the YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara yet.
The bag itself is fine, I guess…nothing too exciting about it, except the pearl zipper pull..
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.
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.