This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
If you don't subscribe to ipsy, then you don't know the feeling of excitement that comes from opening your mailbox and seeing their iconic pink mailer. Although a lot of people are familiar with that other beauty subscription service (cough cough Birchbox), ipsy is actually the biggest beauty subscription service in the United States. Each month, subscribers receive a Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. The best part? It's only $10 a month. We spoke to an ipsy insider, who let us in on a few fun facts we never knew about the company.[Image: @ipsy]
The company was founded by one of the original OGs of YouTube, Michelle Phan. Michelle wanted to create an easy way for people to discover new beauty products. That's why ipsy isn't just a subscription service; it's an interactive community where girls can learn and share about makeup and beauty.
[Image: @ipsy]
Ipsy is best known for their Glam Bag program. Each month, subscribers (called ipsters) receive a makeup bag filled with 5 deluxe samples or full-sized beauty products. Ipsy will never give you tiny sample packets or perfume samples, so you can count on getting a good amount of product.
[Image: @ipsy]
You don’t just get makeup when you sign up for ipsy. Each month, you receive a new, reusable cosmetics bag. Depending on your preferences, you might also receive beauty tools such as makeup sponges, tweezers, and full-sized brushes!
[Image: @ipsy]
What separates ipsy from other beauty subscription services is the online community. Ipsy has a community of stylists that use the products featured in each month’s Glam Bag. Members can watch tutorials and play along with the stylists. These stylists include mega-famous YouTube stars like @chrisspy and @desiperkins.
[Image: @ipsy]
Glam Bags aren’t the only thing ipsy has to offer. The company has flash sales featuring amazing deals from major beauty brands, like Urban Decay and Colourpop. These are often full sized products being sold at a huge discount. Offers also include curated Glam Bags filled with best-rated product.
[Image: @ipsy]
Each product that goes into the Glam Bag goes through a rigorous testing process. The ipsy team tries every single product to make sure it’s a product they would use in their own beauty routines.
[Image: @ipsy]
When you sign up for monthly Glam Bags, you take a detailed quiz about your beauty preferences. Ipsy strives to personalize each Glam Bag so that ipsters receive the types of products they want. You can sign up and take the quiz here.
[Image: @ipsy]
Generation Beauty is a weekend-long beauty festival hosted by ipsy. It brings together leading online beauty creators along with their fans and top beauty brands. Attendees not only get to interact with stylists and brands, but they also receive an amazing goodie bag filled with makeup, skincare, and hair products. Right now it takes place yearly in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto. You can buy tickets for the upcoming shows here.
[Image: @ipsy]
You can review the products in your Glam Bag to receive points. You can then redeem this points to get even more makeup goodies in the ipsy points store. The store has a constantly revolving selection of products, some of which are even full-sized. You can also get points by referring your friends.
[Image: @ipsy]
Impatient? You can preview your Glam Bag online before you get it. Oh, and they also provide tracking information so you know exactly when your Glam Bag will be arriving.
Curious about what other people got? You can check out all of that month's products (and past Glam Bags) here.
[Image: @ipsy]
Real people run the ipsyCare team. If you ever have a problem, a member of the ipsyCare team will get back to you as soon as possible. So there’s no need to worry if your Glam Bag ever goes missing in the mail.
[Image: @ipsy]
