SmallBizGenius Analysis

Ipsy is a subscription-based beauty box service that receives mixed reviews, with many customers praising the value and product discovery while others report significant issues with shipping, customer service, and billing. While some long-term subscribers remain loyal, recent experiences appear to be declining for many.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 280 recent reviews

Shipping & Delivery Issues

3.0/10

Many reviewers report problems with Ipsy's shipping, including delayed deliveries, missing items, packages being sent to the wrong address (even after updating), and packages marked as delivered but never received. One reviewer stated, "Absolutely awful ipsy used be great , I finally tried it again and just not okay .. I order original and ultimate back in October, still never received my items."

30 reviews mention this

Customer Service Problems

2.5/10

A significant number of reviewers express frustration with Ipsy's customer service, citing difficulty contacting a real person, reliance on unhelpful AI chatbots, slow response times, and unresolved issues. One reviewer said, "Waiting on a package after 3 weeks reached out multiple times requesting a refund and still no assistance terrible customer service would give them negative stars if I could trash!!!!"

28 reviews mention this

Billing & Account Issues

2.0/10

Several reviewers report being charged incorrectly, including unauthorized charges after canceling subscriptions, duplicate charges, and difficulty canceling subscriptions. One reviewer stated, "I’m so unhappy that I have attempted to cancel now for three months and I still continue to get charged."

15 reviews mention this

Product Quality & Selection

6.0/10

Opinions on product quality and selection are mixed, with some reviewers praising the value and variety of products, while others complain about receiving expired products, mismatched colors, and repetitive items. One reviewer noted, "I really enjoy the products I get most times (sometimes it's expired!)"

20 reviews mention this

Value for Money

7.0/10

Many reviewers appreciate the value offered by Ipsy, finding the cost of the subscription to be reasonable for the amount and type of products received. One reviewer stated, "I love IPSY! Great quality, selection and it's fun!! It's great to get a fun cute bag monthly with great makeup!"

18 reviews mention this

Address Update Issues

2.0/10

Several reviewers reported issues with updating their address, with packages being sent to old addresses despite updates on the website. One reviewer stated, "I’m very disappointed with Ipsy. I re-subscribed recently and had an issue with the last two shipments going to my old address even though I updated my address online."

10 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Good value for the price Mentioned 18x
"I love IPSY! Great quality, selection and it's fun!! It's great to get a fun cute bag monthly with great makeup!"
Opportunity to discover new products and brands Mentioned 12x
"Started New subscription and have had it for a couple months and I have been enjoying the new treats I get each month. Also giving the customer the ability to pick and choose items and then its all about you."
Customer service is helpful in resolving issues (when you can reach them) Mentioned 8x
"Ipsy customer service is amazing. They stand behind their service and take steps to make sure deliveries are right."
Long-time subscribers generally satisfied Mentioned 7x
"I have been an ipsy subscriber for over 5 years now. I love this service. I have used a bunch of different beauty box service subscriptions, and ipsy is the only one that has lasted this long!"
Convenient way to try new cosmetics Mentioned 5x
"Absolutely love ipsy! I think it’s super convenient and in times of trouble/need customer service is right there with a great turn around time."

Common Complaints

Frequent shipping delays and missing items Mentioned 30x
"Absolutely awful ipsy used be great , I finally tried it again and just not okay .. I order original and ultimate back in October, still never received my items , customer care said yes its getting r..."
Difficulty contacting customer service and resolving issues Mentioned 28x
"Waiting on a package after 3 weeks reached out multiple times requesting a refund and still no assistance terrible customer service would give them negative stars if I could trash!!!!"
Incorrect or unauthorized billing practices Mentioned 15x
"These people are garbage. I canceled my membership- they charged my card anyhow. And to add to their trashy business practices, I NEVER GOT THE ORDER."
Packages sent to old addresses despite updates Mentioned 10x
"I’m very disappointed with Ipsy. I re-subscribed recently and had an issue with the last two shipments going to my old address even though I updated my address online."
Decline in product quality and service after Boxycharm merger Mentioned 5x
"I used to love Ipsy but since combining with boxy charm, it went downhill."

Common Questions About Ipsy

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Ipsy legit and trustworthy?

Ipsy has a significant number of complaints about shipping issues, unauthorized charges, and poor customer service, which raises concerns about its trustworthiness. While some customers have positive experiences, a substantial portion report problems with receiving their orders, getting charged after cancellation, and difficulty resolving issues with customer support. The prevalence of these issues suggests that Ipsy may not be a consistently reliable service. Potential subscribers should carefully weigh the risks before committing to a subscription.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Ipsy have good customer service?

Based on the reviews, Ipsy's customer service is a major pain point for many customers. A large number of reviewers report difficulty contacting a real person, with many interactions limited to AI chatbots that provide generic responses. Even when customers do manage to get in touch with a representative, issues often remain unresolved, requiring multiple follow-ups and leading to frustration. This lack of effective and accessible customer service significantly detracts from the overall customer experience.

Based on 35 reviews

Is Ipsy worth it for small business owners?

For small business owners, Ipsy is likely not a reliable source for beauty products. The frequent issues with shipping delays, missing items, and inconsistent product quality make it difficult to depend on Ipsy for consistent supply. The customer service issues also add to the risk, as resolving problems can be time-consuming and frustrating. Small businesses are better off sourcing products from more reliable suppliers with better customer support.

Based on 15 reviews

What is Ipsy's return policy like?

The reviews do not provide specific details about Ipsy's formal return policy. However, they do indicate that obtaining refunds or replacements for missing or damaged items can be challenging, often requiring multiple attempts to contact customer service. Many reviewers report difficulty getting their issues resolved, suggesting that the actual experience of returns and refunds may not be straightforward or customer-friendly.

Based on 10 reviews

Why are customers having issues with Ipsy sending packages to the wrong address?

Several customers report that Ipsy sends packages to old addresses despite the customers updating their address information on the website. This suggests a potential issue with Ipsy's address update system or a delay in processing address changes. This problem leads to missed deliveries, frustration, and the need to contact customer service to resolve the issue.

Based on 10 reviews