Ipsy vs. Sephora Play: Brand comparison [2026 updated]

Ipsy provides a highly personalized monthly beauty subscription box featuring five sample or full-sized items from a wide range of indie and well-known brands tailored to your preferences. In contrast, Sephora has shifted away from a subscription model (its "Sephora Play" box was discontinued) to offering curated, one-off "Favorites" kits that focus on high-end, luxury, and cult-favorite brands from its retail lineup.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right beauty discovery service for your needs.

Ipsy: The Personalized Beauty Discovery Box

Ipsy is built around personalization and discovery for a mainstream audience. Its core offering is a monthly "Glam Bag" tailored to each subscriber's profile, which is created through a detailed beauty quiz covering skin type, tone, and brand preferences. This makes it a popular choice for beauty lovers who enjoy trying new things and appreciate a surprise tailored just for them, from emerging indie brands to established names.

• Product mix: A broad variety of skincare, makeup, haircare, and beauty tools from hundreds of brands like Tarte, Smashbox, and many smaller, up-and-coming labels.
• Price point: Very affordable, with monthly subscriptions starting around $13. Higher-tier options and the ability to add full-size "add-on" products at a discount are also available.
• Personalization: Ipsy's greatest strength. The detailed Beauty Quiz ensures the products you receive are genuinely matched to your skin concerns, color preferences, and how adventurous you are with makeup.
• Shopping Experience: It's centered on a fun, community-driven platform where you can review products to improve future bags' curation and shop member-exclusive deals.

Ipsy is ideal for those who value variety and personalization at a low monthly cost, making beauty discovery feel like a tailored monthly gift.

Shop Ipsy: ipsy.com

Sephora beauty boxes: Curated Luxury Kits

While the original "Sephora Play" subscription box no longer exists, Sephora continues its legacy of beauty discovery through its highly popular "Sephora Favorites" kits. These are themed, one-time purchase boxes - not a recurring subscription - that bundle deluxe and full-sized products from top luxury brands. Sephora's model is less about personalized surprise and more about offering access to high-end, trending products in a curated, high-value set.

• Product mix: Exclusively features premium and luxury brands found in Sephora stores, such as Drunk Elephant, Fenty Beauty, and Sol de Janeiro. Kits are often themed, like "Clean Beauty" or "Vacay All Day."
• Price point: Varies significantly by kit, typically ranging from $15 for smaller sample kits to $75+ for more robust collections with full-sized items. They are a one-time purchase, not a monthly fee.
• Value Proposition: The main appeal is getting to try multiple coveted, high-end products for a fraction of their individual retail value. There is no personalization, everyone who buys a specific kit gets the same items.
• Shopping Experience: Fully integrated with the main Sephora retail ecosystem, allowing shoppers to earn Beauty Insider points on purchases and easily buy full-sized versions of products they loved from the kit.

Sephora's kits are perfect for shoppers who want to explore luxury brands or try specific trending products without committing to the full-size price tag.

Shop Sephora: sephora.com

Ipsy vs. Sephora beauty boxes Comparison

Price & Value Comparison

Ipsy is the clear winner on budget-friendliness with its low monthly subscription cost of around $13. It offers the consistent excitement of a monthly delivery for a set, predictable price. It's designed for ongoing discovery without a big financial commitment.

Sephora's Favorites kits require a larger upfront, one-time payment, but they often deliver exceptional value. A lip kit for $35, for example, might contain products with a total retail value over $100. The value here isn't in a low monthly price, but in the steep discount on premium products if the kit's theme and contents align with your interests.

Product Selection & Brands

Ipsy intentionally mixes drugstore favorites, mainstream staples, and new-to-market indie brands. Subscribers receive a diverse assortment that helps them find hidden gems they might not have discovered otherwise, which is a core part of its mission.

Sephora exclusively stocks brands from its own curated retail environment. This means you'll consistently receive products from well-known, high-end, and cult-favorite luxury lines. There's less risk of getting a brand you've never heard of, which appeals to shoppers who want to stick with trusted, premium names.

Personalization vs. Curation

This is the most significant point of difference. Ipsy is built entirely on personalization. Its algorithm uses your Beauty Quiz results and ongoing product reviews to tailor each bag specifically for you, right down to the shade of concealer or type of face mask.

Sephora's approach is about expert curation. Its teams assemble kits based on trends, best-sellers, or specific themes. You choose the kit that interests you, but the contents are fixed. It’s perfect for someone who trusts Sephora’s buyers and is intrigued by a pre-selected theme like "Best-Selling Highlighters."

Shopping Experience & Community

With Ipsy, the experience is largely confined to its website and app. The platform fosters a strong sense of community with reviews, product tutorials, and social sharing. It's a self-contained ecosystem for beauty discovery subscription.

The Sephora experience is integrated with its massive retail empire. You can buy a Favorites kit online or in-store, earn points towards the beloved Beauty Insider program, and easily track down the full-size product during your next store visit. It acts as an entryway into the wider Sephora universe.

Which One Should You Choose?

The best service depends entirely on your beauty goals and shopping habits. Both are excellent at what they do, but they serve two very different needs.

Choose Ipsy if:

• You have a smaller, more consistent budget and want a monthly treat.
• You love the thrill of a personalized surprise and discovering new, lesser-known brands.
• Building a beauty routine tailored to your specific quiz results is your top priority.
• You enjoy the community aspect of reviewing products and sharing looks online.

Choose Sephora's kits if:

• You prefer high-end, luxury beauty and want to sample premium products before you buy.
• You are not looking for a recurring monthly subscription and prefer to buy kits only when a theme interests you.
• You are already part of the Sephora Beauty Insider program and want to earn points on your purchases.
• You want to purchase a curated set of trending items without the risk of getting products you don't like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ipsy or Sephora cheaper?

Ipsy is cheaper for a recurring subscription, with plans starting at around $13 per month. Sephora Favorites kits are a one-time purchase that can cost more upfront ($15-$75+) but often provide a high-value discount on the luxury items included.

Which has better quality products?

This is subjective. Sephora focuses exclusively on high-end and luxury brands known for premium quality, so the brands are generally more prestigious. Ipsy includes a much wider variety, including high-quality indie brands and familiar names, but the perceived quality may vary more from bag to bag.

Can you still subscribe to Sephora Play?

No, Sephora Play was discontinued in 2021. The spiritual successor is their Sephora Favorites program, which offers curated, one-time purchase kits instead of a monthly subscription.

Is Ipsy good for beauty beginners?

Yes, Ipsy is excellent for beginners. The Beauty Quiz helps tailor product shipments to your needs, allowing you to try different categories (eyeliner, serum, etc.) from various brands at a very low cost to figure out what you like.

Do you get full-sized products with Ipsy?

Sometimes. The base-level Glam Bag usually contains sample or "deluxe" sample sizes. Higher-priced tiers, like the BoxyCharm by Ipsy, guarantee several full-sized products each month.

What are Sephora Favorites kits?

Sephora Favorites are limited-edition, themed beauty boxes sold as a one-time purchase. Each kit contains a collection of sample and full-sized products from popular brands sold at Sephora and centered around a theme like "Holiday Lip Sets" or "Summer Essentials."

Which is better for skincare?

If you want to try products tailored to your specific skin concerns (like oily, dry, or acne-prone) and discover new brands, Ipsy's personalization is better. If you want to sample well-known, high-performance skincare from luxury brands like Drunk Elephant or Sunday Riley, a themed skincare kit from Sephora would be a better fit.

How does personalization work with Ipsy?

When you sign up, you take an in-depth "Beauty Quiz" about your skin type, complexion, color preferences, and comfort level with different types of makeup. Ipsy uses an algorithm to select items for your monthly bag that fit your profile. You can also review the products you receive to help the algorithm make even better selections in the future.