Ipsy Box Vs. Birchbox: Which One Is Better?

There was a time when checking the mail was the highlight of my month, simply because I knew a little package of beauty samples was waiting for me. If you are standing at the crossroads of the subscription box world, you are likely staring down the two giants that started it all: Ipsy and Birchbox.

I have spent years subscribed to both, watching them evolve from simple sample services into massive beauty ecosystems. The choice used to be about “makeup vs. skincare,” but in 2025, it is a much more complicated battle of value, customization, and company stability. In this breakdown, I will walk you through exactly what you get for your money and help you decide which subscription actually deserves a spot on your vanity.

A Brief Comparison Table

My Experience With Ipsy

I still remember the first time I saw that metallic pink mailer in my mailbox; it felt like receiving a present from a friend who knows exactly what I like.

Ipsy has always positioned itself as the “fun” cool girl of the subscription world.

Over the last few years, I have seen them acquire BoxyCharm and really tighten up their operations, which has made the experience feel much more robust than it used to be.

When I log into the app on the first of the month, it is genuinely a rush to see what products have been curated for me.

The “Glam Bag” tier is what I usually stick with. It’s their entry-level option, sending five deluxe samples (and sometimes full-sized items) in a new themed makeup bag every month. What I love is the agency I have. On “Choice Day,” I get to log in and pick one specific product out of a lineup to guarantee it is in my bag. This simple feature changed the game for me. It meant that even if the algorithm missed the mark on a few samples, I still got that one thing I really wanted, like a Tatcha moisturizer sample or a full-size eyeliner.

However, it hasn’t always been perfect. There are months when the “beauty quiz” feels like a suggestion rather than a rule. I have marked “rarely” for bronzers about a dozen times, yet I still end up with a drawer full of bronzer samples that are three shades too dark for me. But overall, the excitement of the “Add-Ons” sale—where you can buy extra samples for $3.50 or full-size luxury items for $12 to $18—keeps me hooked. It feels like I am hacking the system, getting $50 creams for the price of a sandwich.

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Pros Of Ipsy

• Incredible Value for the Price: Even with the price creeping up over the years, the return on investment with Ipsy is undeniable. For roughly $14 to $16 a month, you receive five products that often total a value of over $50.¹ I have received high-end brands like Tatcha, Sunday Riley, and Anastasia Beverly Hills in my base bag. While you do get “filler” brands occasionally, the hero items usually justify the cost of the entire bag. If you use the bag itself to organize your purse or travel gear, the value proposition gets even better.
• The “Choice” Feature: This is the strongest selling point for me. Being able to pick one item for your bag every month guarantees you won’t be completely disappointed. Ipsy opens a window (usually around the 20th-25th of the previous month) where you can select a product. This empowers you to build a bag that actually suits your current needs. If you are running low on mascara, you can snag one. If you want to try a new buzzy skincare ingredient, you can grab that serum. It removes a significant layer of the “gambling” anxiety that comes with mystery boxes.
• Access to the Add-On Shop: The “Add-On” store is arguably better than the subscription itself. On the 1st of every month, subscribers get exclusive access to a flash sale with free shipping (since it ships with your bag). You can find $3.50 deluxe samples and $12 full-size products from premium brands. I have stocked up on my holy-grail cleansers and moisturizers through this shop for a fraction of the retail price at Sephora or Ulta. It turns the subscription into a monthly shopping event that saves you serious cash on staples.
• The Reusable Makeup Bags: Unlike Birchbox, which sends a cardboard box, Ipsy sends a zippered cosmetic pouch every month. Over time, you will accumulate a lot of these. While some designs are questionable (I’m looking at you, neon leopard print), many are genuinely cute and useful. I use them to organize cables, hold feminine hygiene products, store receipts, or pack jewelry for trips. They are durable, and the fact that you get a physical accessory along with your products adds a nice tangible layer of value.
• Heavy Makeup Focus: If you love color cosmetics, Ipsy is the clear winner. While they do send skincare, their DNA is rooted in makeup. You are much more likely to receive eyeshadow quads, lip glosses, liquid liners, and blushes compared to other subscriptions. For someone who loves experimenting with new looks but doesn’t want to buy a full $30 eyeshadow palette, getting a mini quad or a single pan in a subscription box is the perfect low-risk way to try new colors.

Cons Of Ipsy

• Sample Sizes Can Be Tiny: While they promise “deluxe” samples, sometimes “deluxe” is a stretch. I have received tubes of primer that were barely larger than my pinky finger, containing maybe two uses max. It can be frustrating to see a high-end brand listed in your bag reveal, only to open the package and find a microscopic tube that feels empty after one squeeze. There is a significant inconsistency in sizing; one month you get a full-size brush, and the next you get a thimble of moisturizer.
• Product Overload and Clutter: The accumulation of “stuff” is real. If you don’t aggressively use your samples, they pile up fast. Because Ipsy leans heavily into makeup, you might find yourself with five black eyeliners and three red lipsticks within six months. Unlike skincare which you use up, a red lipstick takes forever to finish. If you aren’t careful, your bathroom drawers will become a graveyard of unused Ipsy samples. The bags themselves also become clutter if you don’t find a way to donate or repurpose them.
• Algorithm Inconsistencies: The beauty profile quiz is detailed, but the matching algorithm isn’t foolproof. As I mentioned earlier, I often receive product categories I have opted out of. Ipsy also tends to push their “house brands” or lesser-known “filler” brands to round out the bag values. You might get one amazing item from a brand you know, and four items from brands that seem to only exist within the subscription box universe. These products are often hit-or-miss in quality compared to established retail brands.
• Shipping Can Be Slow: Logistics have always been a pain point for Ipsy. While they have improved, it is not uncommon for the bag to arrive late in the month. The tracking often sits at “label created” or “en route to distribution center” for days on end. If you order Add-Ons, it can sometimes delay your bag further. The anticipation can turn into annoyance when you are seeing spoilers for the next month’s bag before you have even received the current one.
• Customer Service Hurdles: Trying to get help when something goes wrong can be a test of patience. Ipsy relies heavily on automated “Glambot” chats and email tickets. There is no phone number to call. If a bag goes missing or arrives with a broken item (which happens occasionally with pressed powders), the resolution process is usually slow. They will often send a replacement, but if the item is out of stock, they send a “comparable” item that might not be what you wanted at all.

Maintenance Tips For Ipsy

• Update Your Beauty Quiz Monthly: The secret to getting a good Ipsy bag is to treat the beauty quiz like a living document. I tweak my profile constantly. If I just bought a full-size mascara at the store, I log into Ipsy and uncheck mascara on my profile so I don’t get a sample of it. If I’m suddenly into facial oils for winter, I go in and mark facial oils as “Frequently.” The algorithm weighs your recent activity, so keeping the quiz fresh helps guide the system toward what you actually need right now.
• Review Every Single Product: Ipsy gives you points for reviewing the products you receive, which you can redeem for free stuff, but the real value of reviewing is teaching the algorithm. Be honest. If you hated a shade, say so. If you loved a brand, rate it five stars. The system uses this data to refine future picks. I have found that after consistently reviewing products for a few months, my bags started becoming much more accurate to my taste.
• Master the “Skip” Button: You are not locked into a blood oath with Ipsy. If you see the spoilers for the upcoming month and nothing excites you, or if you are just drowning in samples, skip the month! You can pause your membership easily in the account settings. I usually check the spoilers around the 20th of the month. If the “hero” items look boring, I hit pause. This saves me $15 and prevents product overload. It is a financial maintenance tip that keeps the subscription enjoyable rather than burdensome.
• Set an Alarm for Choice Day: The best items in the “Choice” selection go fast. I set a recurring calendar reminder for Choice Day (usually around the 20th-24th, depending on your tier). Logging in as soon as the window opens ensures you get the premium product you want before it sells out. If you wait until the evening, you might be stuck picking between a no-name hand cream and a brown eyeliner.

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Comparison with other brands

• Ipsy vs. Allure Beauty Box: The Allure Beauty Box is often seen as the “editor’s choice” alternative. It typically costs a bit more (around $25) but guarantees a higher number of full-size products, usually three or more per box. In my experience, Allure focuses much more on high-performance skincare and established luxury brands like YSL, Elemis, and Sunday Riley. Ipsy feels more “fun” and experimental with makeup, whereas Allure feels more like a serious skincare routine upgrade. If you want quality over quantity and don’t care about a cute bag, Allure is a strong contender.
• Ipsy vs. BoxyCharm (Legacy): This is a bit of a trick comparison now because Ipsy owns BoxyCharm. The “BoxyCharm by Ipsy” subscription is essentially the upgraded tier of Ipsy. It costs more (around $30) but gives you five full-size products. If you find the samples in the standard Glam Bag to be too small or wasteful, graduating to the BoxyCharm tier is the logical move. The products are the same style—trendy, makeup-heavy—but the value is significantly higher.
• Ipsy vs. FabFitFun: FabFitFun is a quarterly lifestyle box, not a monthly beauty bag. It costs roughly $60 per season and includes home goods, fashion accessories, and full-size beauty products. Ipsy is strictly beauty (makeup, skincare, tools). If you want a fun surprise that includes a blanket or a water bottle along with your face cream, FabFitFun is the way to go. But for a steady stream of cosmetics to keep your makeup bag fresh, Ipsy is the more focused option.

My Experience With Birchbox

My relationship with Birchbox is a bit more complicated, bordering on nostalgic heartbreak.

Birchbox was the “OG”—the one that started the craze. Years ago, I loved the clean aesthetic and the focus on discovering niche brands.

It felt like a curated boutique in a box. The cardboard drawer-style boxes were chic and eco-friendly, and I actually used them to organize my desk drawers.

However, in recent years, the experience has shifted dramatically. Following multiple ownership changes—from independent to FemTec Health, and now to Retention Brands—the service has suffered. My recent boxes felt less like a curated discovery and more like a clearance sale of leftover inventory. The shipping became sporadic, and the “wow” factor vanished.

When it works, Birchbox still offers a distinct vibe. It leans heavily into “clean beauty,” haircare, and body care. I rarely got bright blue eyeshadows from Birchbox; it was more likely to be a high-end shampoo sample, a nice texture spray, or a subtle lip tint. It felt more “grown-up” and practical than Ipsy. But lately, the reliability issues make it hard to recommend with the same enthusiasm I once had. It feels like a service trying to find its footing again after a massive stumble.

Pros Of Birchbox

• Strong Focus on Hair and Body Care: If you are someone who doesn’t wear a full face of makeup every day, Birchbox’s curation is likely more up your alley. I found that Ipsy would overload me with highlighters, but Birchbox kept me stocked on dry shampoo, hair masks, and body lotions. It is a more “holistic” beauty box. I discovered some of my favorite hair brands, like Amika and Oribe, through Birchbox samples. For a practical user who wants to smell good and have soft hair, this mix is superior to receiving endless eyeliner pencils.
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: The Birchbox packaging is simple, recyclable cardboard. Often, the boxes are designed with beautiful prints and can be reused as gift boxes or drawer organizers. I appreciate that I can toss the entire vessel into the recycling bin when I’m done, unlike the Ipsy bags which are made of mixed materials and zippers that are harder to dispose of responsibly. If you are conscious about waste and don’t want a pile of polyester pouches, the Birchbox approach is refreshing.
• Discovery of Niche, Clean Brands: Birchbox has always excelled at finding “hidden gems.” They introduced me to brands like Arrow (their in-house active beauty line) and various clean European skincare brands that I hadn’t seen at Sephora. The curation feels less about “what is trendy on TikTok” and more about “what actually works for a busy professional.” If you prefer a “less is more” aesthetic, the brands featured in Birchbox generally align with that vibe.
• Grooming Options for Men: It is worth noting that Birchbox Man (often rebranded or adjusted) was a significant player in the market. While the focus here is the standard beauty box, the fact that the brand DNA understands the grooming market means they are often better at curating unisex or utilitarian products. I have received hand creams and lip balms that were effective and simple, without the glitter and heavy scents often found in other subscriptions.
• Occasional “Curated Box” Option: Similar to Ipsy, Birchbox often allows you to swap your customized box for a “Curated Box” where you can see all the contents beforehand, or swap for a single full-size item. When this feature works, it is fantastic. It allows you to opt out of the mystery entirely if you see a lineup you love. I once swapped my entire box for a full-size Sunday Riley treatment, which was an incredible value.

Cons Of Birchbox

• ** severe Reliability and Shipping Issues**: This is the elephant in the room. Since the ownership changes in 2023 and 2024, the service has been plagued with complaints about boxes not shipping, tracking numbers never updating, and customer service being non-existent. There were periods where I didn’t receive a box for two months with zero communication. In the subscription world, consistency is trust, and Birchbox has broken that trust for many long-time subscribers.
• Value is Often Lower: When you do get the box, the total retail value is often lower than what you get with Ipsy. You might get five samples that are truly samples—small foils or tiny vials. Full-size items are rare unless you specifically swap for one. When I compare a month of Ipsy (often $50+ value) to a month of Birchbox (often $30-$40 value), the math is hard to justify, especially since the subscription prices are similar.
• Limited Customization: While they offer swaps, the core personalization algorithm feels dated. I often felt that everyone was getting roughly the same “star” product and the rest were just random leftovers. The “Pick One” option exists, but the choices are often less exciting than Ipsy’s. You might get to choose between two shades of a brow gel, whereas Ipsy lets you choose between a brow gel, a palette, or a serum.
• Website and Inventory Glitches: The user interface and the shop have suffered from technical debt. I have encountered broken links, “out of stock” errors during choice windows, and difficulty redeeming loyalty points. It feels like the backend of the website hasn’t been maintained with the same rigor as its competitors. This adds friction to the experience that shouldn’t exist in 2025.
• Repeat Products: Towards the end of my active subscription, I started seeing repeats. I received the same mascara sample three times in one year. This signals a lack of new inventory and brand partnerships. A discovery box fails if you are just rediscovering the same sample you threw away four months ago.

Maintenance Tips For Birchbox

• Monitor Your Subscription Status Closely: Because of the company’s volatility, you need to be a hawk about your billing. Check your bank statement to ensure you are only charged when a box actually ships. If you notice a charge but no tracking number for weeks, you need to reach out immediately (if you can find a contact). I wouldn’t recommend purchasing an annual subscription right now; stick to month-to-month so you can bail if they stop delivering.
• Use Points Immediately: If you earn points for referrals or shopping, spend them as soon as you can. With the uncertainty surrounding the brand’s future, “banking” points for a big purchase is risky. If the shop goes down or policies change, those points could become worthless overnight. Treat them like a hot potato—use them to get a discount on a product you want right now.
• Check the “Swap” Window Early: Like Ipsy, Birchbox has a window where you can choose your customization. This usually opens around the 27th-29th of the month for Aces (VIPs) and slightly later for everyone else. Because inventory is lower now, the good options (like the full-size swap) disappear in minutes. If you miss this window, you are stuck with the default mystery box, which is often underwhelming.
• Be Ready to Cancel: Managing a Birchbox subscription today requires an exit strategy. Know where the cancel button is (often buried in account settings -> subscription details). Don’t let auto-renew catch you off guard. If you have a 3-month or 6-month commitment, set a calendar reminder for the day it ends so you can evaluate if you want to continue.

Comparison with other brands

• Birchbox vs. Macy’s Beauty Box: For those who want high-end samples without the “indie” filler, the Macy’s box is a strong alternative. It costs around $15 and includes five deluxe samples plus a coupon for $5 or $10 off a beauty purchase at Macy’s. I have found the Macy’s box to be much more reliable with shipping, and the brands are solid department store staples like Dior, Clinique, and Lancôme. It feels like what Birchbox used to be—classy and reliable.
• Birchbox vs. Dermstore BeautyFIX: If your main draw to Birchbox is the skincare focus, BeautyFIX by Dermstore is the superior (albeit more expensive) graduate step. It costs around $25/month but focuses entirely on professional-grade skincare (SkinCeuticals, EltaMD, etc.). The value is immense, and the products are effective. Birchbox feels like “skincare for beginners,” while BeautyFIX is for the serious enthusiast.
• Birchbox vs. Walmart Beauty Box: Surprisingly, the Walmart Beauty Box is a decent competitor for the budget-conscious. It is seasonal (quarterly) and only costs about $7 for shipping. The samples are drugstore brands (Neutrogena, Cetaphil, NYX), but since Birchbox often includes similar tiers of products now, the Walmart box offers a similar “practical” discovery experience for a fraction of the price and zero commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

The battle between Ipsy and Birchbox has changed from a rivalry of equals to a clear victory for one side.

I recommend Ipsy if you want a fun, reliable, and high-value experience. Even if you are not obsessed with makeup, the ability to choose one product each month and the access to the incredible Add-On store make it the smartest financial choice. It feels like a thriving community with constant updates and new products. The “Glam Bag” is a little monthly treat that rarely disappoints because you have a hand in curating it.

I would only recommend Birchbox if you are specifically looking for a very passive, grooming-focused subscription and you strongly dislike makeup bags and “glam” aesthetics. However, given the recent reliability issues and ownership changes, proceed with caution. Stick to a month-to-month plan and don’t expect the same “deluxe” experience that the brand offered a decade ago. In 2025, Ipsy has simply adapted better to what beauty lovers want: choice, value, and reliability.