Review of ipsy: Bait and switch!
Thumbnail of user lindaj364
1 review
17 helpful votes
October 9th, 2019

I started out with glam bag But wanted more so I upgraded to glam bag plus. That was not so badd so I thought the glam bag ultimate would be absolutely wonderful! Boy was I wrong... They said you had a choice of one product So I chose Murad Exfoliating cleanser. Instead I got Farmacy green clean melt away cleansing balm. There is a huge difference between the 2 pricewise and effect. Half of what they sent me for $50 were samples Instead of The larger size. And all of their was cheap crap. They sent me absolutely none of the add ons that I had ordered and spent 66 more dollars on. This is total bait and switch! I am furious! Does anyone know a good lawyer?

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ipsy

Overview

ipsy has a rating of 1.6 stars from 793 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about ipsy most frequently mention customer service, glam bag, and credit card problems. ipsy ranks 113th among Subscription Shopping sites.

  • Service
    212
  • Value
    211
  • Shipping
    210
  • Returns
    152
  • Quality
    197

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 6.3%
Positive
5
Neutral
3
Negative
72

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • I just want to say that ipsy customer service is amazing!
  • I signed up for the tester-sized monthly glam bag($12 dollars a month I think), the experience was okay.

Critical highlights

  • Now i need to get my credit card involved and I am basically pissed.
  • The customer service number is not in service... ISPY GLAM BAGS ARE SCAMS
How would you rate ipsy?
Top Positive Review

“Customer Service is STOP ON!”

Kaila H.
11/6/23

I came in here to shout out the IPSY customer service. I have been a loyal IPSY user for 6+ years. The basic glam bag is plenty for me since I like to try items before I buy full size. Throughout the years I have had some problems with items (wrong shade, lost packages, late delivery, etc) and they have compensated those issues promptly and with understanding. Just recently was looking through the app and realized I never got my September package. They quickly replied to my issue and promptly sent me a new package with the same (or similar) items. 10/10 on the customer service!

Top Critical Review

“$15.99 for sample products? You've gotta be kiddin' me!”

Olivia B.
2/8/24

Woke up to a notification from my bank this morning - it was right there on my phone too. As if Ipsy's $13.99 price hike was bad enough but now they wanna charge MORE for what is seemingly less? Honestly, it isn't worth it. I loved Ipsy when I first subscribed because all of the products were new and I had never heard of any of the brands, and plus, it was makeup. It was like opening a Christmas gift each month but now I'm not even excited. If anything, they send too much. I can't even use some of the products because of my sensitive skin. And what's with all of the tiny mascaras? They all seem cheap and I used to get like two of them in one bag. The product samples used to be better! Now it's so sad because it feels like they just steal your money. At least I'll be receiving my refund in 5-7 business days. Great! I hope my bank doesn't charge me an overdraft fee.

Reviews (793)

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Timeframe

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

credit card (66) customer service (181) glam bag (154) glam bags (154)
Thumbnail of user chubbybiscuitsbum
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 8th, 2024

Woke up to a notification from my bank this morning - it was right there on my phone too. As if Ipsy's $13.99 price hike was bad enough but now they wanna charge MORE for what is seemingly less? Honestly, it isn't worth it. I loved Ipsy when I first subscribed because all of the products were new and I had never heard of any of the brands, and plus, it was makeup. It was like opening a Christmas gift each month but now I'm not even excited. If anything, they send too much. I can't even use some of the products because of my sensitive skin. And what's with all of the tiny mascaras? They all seem cheap and I used to get like two of them in one bag. The product samples used to be better! Now it's so sad because it feels like they just steal your money. At least I'll be receiving my refund in 5-7 business days. Great! I hope my bank doesn't charge me an overdraft fee.

Tip for consumers:
Customer service is a joke. If you want to file a "ticket" to get to somebody you have to chat with the Ipsybot and even then, you're stuck emailing with their customer service. Also, I have sooooo many brushes now. What the heck?

Products used:
Ended up using some of the sample products like the face primers or chapsticks.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user lisah4361
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 15th, 2024

Shop 'sale prices' are an outright lie. I purchased something for $50 which was supposedly reduced from $100. Minutes later found the item for $39 (regular price). So disappointing!

Thumbnail of user barbarap2344
1 review
3 helpful votes
September 1st, 2023

I was about to pull the plug on Ipsy. I felt the products I received did not reflect my profile, and it made me cranky.
When BoxyCharm got involved, the stuff i got was much more to my liking.
I would suggest you read the descriptions of the products very carefully.
For instance, I was ready to reject what i thought was a powder blush set, but once I realized it was a creme I bought it immediately.

Thumbnail of user brandyh301
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 20th, 2024

Got my first box today and my eyeshadow cheek blush was all crushed broken and powder all over place which is ridiculous how they would even pack that.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user gili7419
1 review
4 helpful votes
October 17th, 2023

I would not say too much except that if you subscribe to have a lot of back and forth with customer support over missing items in your order/ getting wrong orders/ damaged products/ bad quality products. If you wish to read more reviews I would recommend reading posts on Reddit. You can read more specific complaints from people there.

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Thumbnail of user laurar1375
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
February 3rd, 2021

I do the annual subscription and have been for about 2 years. I live to get a surprise package every month! I especially enjoy getting the add ons. Every month they offer a few products for $12 or $ 18 that are usually so much more at Sephora or ultra. I have found their customer service helpful and quick to respond when I have an issue with a broken or missing product.

Products used:
Make up, moisturizer

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user tns1609tns
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 6th, 2024

Most of my products came lte like 1month late. Then they triple charged me and sent me late products. Never doing ipsy it should be called whoopsy

Tip for consumers:
Not worth time and money

Products used:
None I gave em all away

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Value
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Thumbnail of user lucindack
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 12th, 2023

You can go to Macy's, Sephora, Dillard's or ultra and get samples for free. Compared to $15 for what you get in this bag, (everything is samples in this bag) it is so not worth it. I used to get this years ago and you got a lot more in your bag and better products. I started back up again and NO! I just canceled my membership as soon as I receive this bag I will not continue to do this. Sorry but not sorry.

Tip for consumers:
That everything is a sample in the $15 bag. Just remember you can go to the department store and get FREE samples!!!

Products used:
I sprayed the perfume it stinks. I like the hand lotion.

Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user dianes2906
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 22nd, 2024

I am so sorry that I started with this company, I have been trying to cancel a subscription for months. I lost access to my original email so now l get the "bot" to answer questions. This is the worst company ever!

Tip for consumers:
horrible customer service !

Products used:
mascara

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Value
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Thumbnail of user rebecag8
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
August 21st, 2023

For me it's super exciting to pick, try, discover new makeup and cosmetics. Although I discovered fabulous products that I would not have discovered on my own, it's been a huge disappointment to have an issue with just about every delivery. Either they arrive very late, not at all, products are missing, and I got a bit fed up have it to email them every month. Prepare to be frustrated if you join.

Products used:
Refund for missing products I paid for, but only if you let them know they were missing

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user margreta1
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 2nd, 2024

I've been a member of Boxycharm since 2016 and wasn't surprised when they partnered or merged with Ipsy. After the Ipsy price hike and less for more shift such as small sized one-off come and go brands I canceled and stuck with the monthly full size Boxycharm. I began to notice things changing about 6 months ago. First, they started letting us choose 3 items (which I love!) but they began sending things I didn't choose. Often. Just weird. I complained about it but nothing happened, nothing changed. So I made a public review of the wrong product they sent hoping someone, anyone, would make the selections we choose be the ones that actually come. Well, I'm guessing someone saw it because this month I did not receive my email to build my box. I logged in to check because it's time to pick the selections and it showed my card payment had declined. No email, no alert, no nothing. So I "updated" my payment method (which hadn't changed) and yet it went through so I'm assuming Ipsy saw my review, got pissed and messed with my account? Because my card hasn't changed, it was as though they just declined the payment. I re-entered the payment and it went through just fine. If that really happened, that's sociopath stuff. I was just trying to get some help to get the products I had selected and my account gets messed with? Really?

Thumbnail of user veronica.kampf
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 28th, 2023

I love receiving my ipsy every month and I have had no problems with billing and if I have any problems they are very responsive.
However, the thing that does bother me about ipsy is that you can only review the products you just received. So if you use something for a little while and find there is something you really don't like about it you can't say anything. It's basically use it once leave a review and that's it. I have been disappointed with many products after a few uses but it had been too late to leave a review.

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Thumbnail of user dariank13
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 2nd, 2024

This business was absolutely horrible, it started out great but my daughter didnt once get a product she wanted but products she said she never wanted, I couldnt handle the monthly cost and i cancelled it, i got money pulled out of my acccount from ipsy after i had cancelled it, so i had my daughter go in and cancell it on her end. I ending up having to cancell again and they are repeatedly taking money from my account and now i have to get a new card, do not get ipsy, it is a scam literally.

Products used:
Normally only 1 or 2 products per month out of 5

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user kailah24
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 6th, 2023

I came in here to shout out the IPSY customer service. I have been a loyal IPSY user for 6+ years. The basic glam bag is plenty for me since I like to try items before I buy full size. Throughout the years I have had some problems with items (wrong shade, lost packages, late delivery, etc) and they have compensated those issues promptly and with understanding. Just recently was looking through the app and realized I never got my September package. They quickly replied to my issue and promptly sent me a new package with the same (or similar) items. 10/10 on the customer service!

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user walkeralea
1 review
3 helpful votes
October 26th, 2023

I spent almost $20 on a glam bag and when I tried to track it, they said there was no package with my information.

Products used:
Nothing bc I got nothing in the mail. You scammed me.

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user irenem747
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 4th, 2024

I have never wanted a ion box but somehow they said I order it but didn't pay for it so now I don't get either box or bag this bag isn't worth the money and it got worse when the put the ipsy and boxy charm together

Products used:
Nail polish and hair stuff and gave away the make up all but the massacre

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Value
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Thumbnail of user jess.rdmarketing
1 review
6 helpful votes
October 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

I would say it's the worst customer service but I can't because there isn't ANY! Why have a phone number if you can speak to anyone?
I have signed up for one ungraded boxy charm box and only been receiving one a month. You have been billing me for 2 since April. And this is on top of the glam box. 1st of the month I have been getting billed for 2 boxy charm and 1 glam box.
This adds up to over $200 USD that you have taken from me.

I have now sent over 6 emails to their supposed "support" team.

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Thumbnail of user rosemarym442
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 29th, 2023

I just joined ipsy and got my first glam bag and look at how it came so will be cancelling tomorrow. Touch money for it to look like that

Tip for consumers:
Better boxes for shipping I don't know if the blush. I had to throw away fell all over the floor when I opened it.

Products used:
Just saying I did not get to use product see image. Pretty color.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user amandas2829
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 11th, 2023

From missing a whole package one month to a bunch of items not being delivered the following month, and now my extra order that I paid for has not arrived. I am out quite a bit of money from ipsy ripping me off. I have canceled subscription which I so far had no problems doing. What a disappointment this experience has been.

Products used:
Cosmetic

Service
Value
Shipping
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Thumbnail of user jaimeh63
1 review
8 helpful votes
March 18th, 2020

I have been a member since July 2019 I paid for two different bags and ultimate glam bag and a glam bag plus I was charged and can prove it through my bank account and my statement I received the glam bag plus after several months and then was told I would receive a refund for the ultimate glam bag which I said I could not because the account was closed and wanted alternative resolutions whether a different bag merchandise credit or a check. They basically told me there was nothing they could do about my ultimate bag and my $53And that I'm not a current member anymore because I have an updated my payment why would I update my payment when I still haven't received the merchandise I purchased in January? After more than several emails this issue still has not been resolved I'm very unsatisfied and disappointed with this company, and they basically said oh well! Really?

Thumbnail of user kitkatkoexxx
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 16th, 2023

This company is horrible. I ordered the Pat mcgrath icon box and my 2-3items came in used/bad. When my replacements came in, one item (Huda cheeky blush) was still twisted to the top and fell out as soon as I opened it (again). My second replacement, same thing. When they said they would send another replacement that was a different brand, I told them not to send me from their cheap line that they owned (complex culture) because it is not a comparable item to the Huda blush.

Well they don't listen for anything bc they sent me the $2 cheap blush instead of the $30 blush I ordered (that they kept sending to me used/bad). This is clearly bait and switch from a higher end brand to a cheap knock off. Complex culture items are pure trash and anytime someone has issues with the higher end items they pay for, Ipsy subs them with this cheap horrible garbage.

Customer service is useless. They don't care about customers or keeping business. I will be disputing the whole charge.

Products used:
Nothing it was garbage.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user robinm1454
1 review
0 helpful votes
November 4th, 2023

I cancelled my Ipsy subscription years ago, because I wasn't happy with the items. I subscribed to Boxycharm and loved them! Until Ipsy bought them out. I've waited months to decide if I liked the products I was receiving since Ipsy took over. And...I do not. Not only are the products pretty much thrown into a box (Boxycharm was always very nicely placed in a box), the box always seems beat up (it can always be the post office?), and the products are just meh. The products do not seem worth it, and I don't care for a lot of the (seemingly cheapie) brands. When you google individual products (as I do before choosing the 3 I want each month), it seems like they give you choices of items that have bad reviews, or aren't selling well. I'm sad that Boxycharm is not a thing anymore!

Products used:
Cosmetics and hair products.

Thumbnail of user hscottsemail
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 1st, 2023

I was an ipsey member and their products were cheap, broke me out, and just werent really worth it. Fav. Was always the little purse. I cancelled and went with Boxy Charm a while later and like them SO MUCH BETTER! It is unfortunate that Ipsy bought them out and shut them down since they could not compete because now mostly my boxes suck again. Not really good name brands --I got MAC and other top brands when Boxy ran the show. It is a shame they did not find a way to retain the products/merchants or at least enough of them so we could continue to enjoy. I will give it a couple more boxes...but...

Tip for consumers:
Yes, Please bring BOXYCHARM BACK! the REAL one!

Products used:
Not really any since Ipsy took over with the few exceptions here and there.

Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user seyc2705
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
September 17th, 2023
Verified purchase

I had the glam bag membership for 3 months each delivery contained a cheap makeup bag as part of the package. The rest of the items were sample sized and less, unsealed garbage! Then upon trying to navigate through their cancel subscription feature, I was still charged even though status was cancelled and inactive. IT IS FRAUD! A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IN EVERY CORNER OF THIS WORTHLESS JUNK MAIL!

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Value
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Thumbnail of user miriamm208
1 review
17 helpful votes
January 1st, 2022
Verified purchase

Ipsy charged me a total of $140.05 for ONE single "Glam Bag", and three "refreshments" of razor blades that I never asked for and had no razor for. I was in contact with the company multiple times, and they simply just didn't care. Months after quitting the membership, they have STILL been charging me every month for products that they never even send. They have never offered to refund me, and I think they are crooks. Go with their competitors, as no other business could possibly be worse than this.

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From the business

ipsy co-founder Michelle Phan has captivated countless viewers around the world through her beauty video tutorials on YouTube. She envisioned a vibrant community where women could be inspired to express their unique beauty, and ipsy is that community!

“ipsy” comes from the Latin word ipse, meaning “sense of self.” By celebrating beauty of all forms in the world, ipsy provides a platform for anyone to express both their inner and outer radiance. With videos from ipsy's well-loved YouTube stylists, including co-founder Michelle Phan, as well as from a devoted and engaged user community, ipsy is changing the way women learn about and experience beauty looks.

When you become a member, you can learn new beauty tricks, participate along with your favorite ipsy stylists in monthly looks, and connect with other ipsters who inspire you.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user mikhailu
Kaila B.
Manager
Typically does not respond to reviews

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1.6
793 reviews
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