Does IPSY Charge You the First Month? Full Breakdown of Billing and Trial Rules

When you sign up for IPSY, the first thing most people wonder is: Does IPSY charge you the first month? The short answer? No-not if you sign up for the standard Glam Bag. But there are important details you need to know to avoid surprises later.

How IPSY’s First Month Works

IPSY’s most popular offering is the Glam Bag, a monthly subscription that sends you 5 personalized beauty samples based on your profile. When you first join, you’re asked to fill out a quick beauty quiz-your skin type, favorite brands, preferred products, and even your budget. Based on that, IPSY picks items they think you’ll love.

Here’s the key part: if you sign up for the Glam Bag ($12/month), you get your first box for free. That’s not a trick. IPSY doesn’t charge your card until after you’ve received and reviewed your first box. You’ll get an email confirmation once your box ships, and then you have 7 days to decide if you want to keep the subscription. If you don’t cancel during that window, your card gets charged $12 on the 7th day after delivery.

This means your first box arrives without any money taken out upfront. You’re not locked in. You can try five full-size or deluxe samples of products like serums, lipsticks, mascaras, and moisturizers from brands like Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Drunk Elephant-no cost.

What Happens If You Don’t Cancel?

If you like your first box, you don’t need to do anything. The subscription rolls over automatically. You’ll be charged $12 on the same day of the month you received your first box. For example, if your box arrived on February 5, you’ll be billed every 5th of the month going forward.

Some people assume they’re being charged right away because they see a pending authorization on their bank statement. That’s not a charge-it’s just a temporary hold IPSY places to verify your payment method. It usually disappears within 3-5 business days. Don’t panic if you see it. It’s normal.

Other IPSY Plans and Their Billing Rules

The Glam Bag isn’t the only option. IPSY offers three other plans, and each has different billing rules:

• Glam Bag Plus ($25/month): Includes 5-7 full-size products. Like the Glam Bag, you get your first box free. You’re not charged until after delivery, and you have 7 days to cancel.
• Glam Bag Ultimate ($35/month): Comes with 8-10 full-size items, often including high-end skincare and makeup. Same free-first-month rule applies.
• IPSY Plus ($10/month): This is the budget option with 3-4 samples. It also starts with a free first box.

So no matter which plan you pick, IPSY lets you test-drive it before you pay. That’s different from some other beauty boxes that charge immediately upon signup.

Why IPSY Does This (And Why It Matters)

IPSY isn’t just trying to be nice-they’re trying to reduce churn. Beauty is personal. What works for one person might irritate another. By letting you try before you pay, IPSY increases the chance you’ll stick around because you’ve actually experienced the value.

Studies show that subscription services with free trial periods have 30-40% higher retention rates than those that charge upfront. IPSY knows this. Their entire model is built on trust: you give them your preferences, they deliver something tailored, and you decide if it’s worth continuing.

It also means you can use the free box to test products you’d never buy full-size. Maybe you’ve been curious about a new brand but didn’t want to spend $30 on a random foundation. Now you’ve tried it, liked it, and can buy it later through IPSY’s store.

How to Cancel (If You Want To)

You’re not stuck. Canceling is easy. Log into your IPSY account, go to your subscription settings, and click “Cancel.” You can do this anytime before your next billing cycle. If you cancel after your box ships, you still get to keep it-no return needed.

Don’t wait until the last minute. If you cancel after the 7-day review window but before your card is charged, you won’t be billed. But if you wait until after the charge hits, you’ll need to wait for the next cycle to end before your subscription stops.

Some people think they need to call customer service to cancel. You don’t. Everything’s online. And if you’re worried about forgetting, set a reminder on your phone for the day your box arrives. That way, you have plenty of time to decide.

What If You Get Charged Anyway?

It’s rare, but sometimes things go wrong. Maybe you missed the 7-day window. Maybe there was a system glitch. If you see a charge you didn’t expect, check your email for a billing notice from IPSY. They always send a confirmation before charging.

If you’re sure you canceled in time and still got charged, contact IPSY support. They have a reputation for being responsive. Most cases are resolved within 24-48 hours with a full refund. Keep your cancellation confirmation email handy-it’s your proof.

Real User Experience: What People Actually Say

One user, Sarah from Chicago, signed up in December 2025 and got her first Glam Bag on January 3. She loved the tinted moisturizer and the eyeliner but didn’t care for the highlighter. She didn’t cancel and ended up buying the moisturizer through IPSY’s store a week later. “I saved $28 just trying one product I wouldn’t have bought blind,” she said.

Another user, Marcus from Atlanta, got charged $12 even though he thought he canceled. He reached out to support, sent his cancellation screenshot, and got a refund within two days. “I thought I’d lost the money,” he admitted. “Turns out, IPSY’s customer service actually works.”

Bottom Line: You’re Not Paying Until You Say Yes

IPSY doesn’t charge you the first month. Not for the Glam Bag. Not for Plus, Ultimate, or Plus. You get to test-drive your beauty box, see what fits your routine, and decide if it’s worth the monthly fee. There’s no hidden fee. No surprise charge. No contract.

That’s why IPSY has over 10 million subscribers in the U.S. alone. It’s not about the price-it’s about control. You’re in charge of whether you stay or go. And that’s rare in the subscription world.

So if you’ve been on the fence-go ahead and sign up. Your first box is free. No credit card risk. No pressure. Just five samples waiting to surprise you.

What to Do Next

If you’re ready to try it:

1. Visit ipsy.com and click “Get Started.”
2. Complete the beauty quiz-it takes under 3 minutes.
3. Choose your plan (Glam Bag is the most popular).
4. Enter your payment info (it won’t be charged yet).
5. Wait for your box to arrive in 7-10 days.
6. Decide if you want to keep it after 7 days.

Even if you cancel, you keep your first box. That’s the best part.