Are Ipsy and BoxyCharm Together Now? The Truth About Subscription Box Ownership
Nov, 3 2025
Beauty Box Value Calculator
Compare the value of Ipsy versus BoxyCharm beauty subscription boxes over time. Enter the number of months you plan to subscribe to see which box offers better value based on your preferences.
Ipsy
Based on average value of Glam Bag ($13/month)
Includes 5-7 samples with some full-size options
BoxyCharm
Based on average value of Classic Box ($15/month)
Includes 5 full-size items
Many people wonder if Ipsy and BoxyCharm are the same company now. After all, both send monthly beauty boxes filled with samples and full-size products. They’ve been competing for years, and rumors swirl every time one launches a new feature or changes its pricing. But here’s the simple truth: Ipsy and BoxyCharm are not together. They’re still completely separate businesses, with different teams, different product strategies, and different customer bases.
How Ipsy Works Today
Ipsy started in 2011 as a personalized beauty sampling service. You fill out a quick quiz about your skin type, favorite brands, and makeup preferences, and they send you a bag called a Glam Bag-usually five to seven samples each month. The twist? You can also buy full-size versions of anything you like through their app, often at a discount.
By 2025, Ipsy has over 7 million members. Their Glam Bag Plus costs $25 a month and includes five full-size items, while the original Glam Bag is $13 and sticks to samples. They’ve added features like virtual try-ons, influencer reviews, and even a rewards program where you earn points for reviews and referrals.
Ipsy partners with over 500 brands, including indie beauty startups and big names like Fenty Beauty, Rare Beauty, and Drunk Elephant. Their strength? Personalization. You’re not getting random samples-you’re getting stuff chosen for your profile.
What BoxyCharm Offers
BoxyCharm launched in 2013 with a different idea: focus on full-size makeup and nail polish, no samples. Their original box, priced at $21, always included five full-size items. That made it popular with people who didn’t want to waste time testing tiny products.
By 2025, BoxyCharm has three tiers: BoxyCharm ($21), BoxyCharm Premium ($35), and BoxyCharm Classic ($15). Premium adds luxury skincare and haircare, while Classic swaps makeup for skincare. They still don’t do samples. Everything you get is full-size.
They work with bigger brands too-MAC, NARS, Too Faced, and L’Oréal-but they lean heavily into exclusive collaborations. In 2024, they partnered with Pat McGrath Labs for a limited-edition box that sold out in 12 minutes. Their appeal? You’re getting real, usable products you can wear right away, not just testers.
Why People Think They’re Connected
The confusion comes from surface-level similarities. Both send boxes monthly. Both use subscription models. Both have apps and loyalty programs. And yes, both have been around for over a decade, so they’ve become household names in the beauty subscription world.
But here’s what’s different: Ipsy is owned by Ipsy Inc., headquartered in San Francisco. BoxyCharm is owned by BoxyCharm Inc., based in Los Angeles. They have different CEOs, different investors, and different financial backers. Ipsy raised over $120 million in funding from firms like TPG and General Atlantic. BoxyCharm’s last major funding round in 2021 was led by L Catterton, a private equity firm focused on consumer brands.
There’s no merger, no acquisition, no shared ownership. Even their customer service teams are in different states. If you call Ipsy, you’ll talk to someone in California. If you call BoxyCharm, you’ll get someone in Texas.
What Happened When Ipsy Bought GlamSquad?
Some people mix up Ipsy’s 2020 acquisition of GlamSquad-a makeup application service-with BoxyCharm. GlamSquad let users book at-home makeup artists. Ipsy bought it to expand into services, not to merge with another box company. BoxyCharm never bought or partnered with GlamSquad. That deal had nothing to do with them.
Similarly, when BoxyCharm launched BoxyCharm Premium in 2022, some thought they were copying Ipsy’s higher-tier offerings. But BoxyCharm had been testing premium boxes since 2017. They just refined them later. Ipsy didn’t influence that decision.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you love testing new products before buying full-size versions, Ipsy is your best bet. You’ll get more variety, more indie brands, and the chance to build your own stash without spending much upfront.
If you want real, usable makeup and skincare you can wear the day it arrives, BoxyCharm wins. You’re not paying for samples-you’re paying for value. Their boxes often feel like a $100+ haul for $21.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Ipsy | BoxyCharm |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Primarily samples | Full-size only |
| Starting Price | $13/month | $15/month |
| Monthly Items | 5-7 (mix of samples and full-size) | 5 full-size items |
| Personalization | High-based on quiz and past picks | Low-curated by team, not individual profile |
| Brands Featured | 500+ including indie brands | 30-40 major and luxury brands |
| Best For | Beauty explorers who like to test | Beauty lovers who want ready-to-use products |
Can You Get Both?
Yes. Many subscribers have both. One box is for discovery. The other is for staples. You can use Ipsy to try new foundations, then use BoxyCharm to stock up on your favorite lipsticks and eyeshadows.
Some people even alternate months-BoxyCharm in January, Ipsy in February-to stretch their beauty budget. There’s no rule saying you have to pick one.
What About the Future?
Will they ever merge? Unlikely. They serve different needs. Ipsy thrives on data and personalization. BoxyCharm thrives on surprise and value. One isn’t replacing the other-they’re both growing.
Ipsy is expanding into haircare and wellness products. BoxyCharm is testing bi-monthly boxes and international shipping. Neither company has announced any partnership, joint venture, or acquisition talks.
Bottom line: They’re competitors, not partners. And that’s actually good for you. More choices mean better boxes, better deals, and more innovation.
Are Ipsy and BoxyCharm owned by the same company?
No. Ipsy is owned by Ipsy Inc., based in San Francisco. BoxyCharm is owned by BoxyCharm Inc., based in Los Angeles. They have separate leadership, funding, and operations.
Can I cancel one subscription without affecting the other?
Yes. Each service operates independently. You can cancel Ipsy through their app and keep BoxyCharm active, or vice versa. There’s no shared account system.
Which box gives better value for money?
It depends. Ipsy’s Glam Bag Plus ($25) often includes five full-size items worth $100-$150. BoxyCharm’s $21 box usually contains five full-size items worth $120-$200. BoxyCharm tends to have higher-value products, but Ipsy gives you more brand variety.
Do both companies ship internationally?
Ipsy ships to over 100 countries, including Canada, the UK, and Australia. BoxyCharm currently ships only to the U.S. and Puerto Rico. If you’re outside the U.S., Ipsy is your only option.
Do Ipsy and BoxyCharm offer cruelty-free products?
Both include cruelty-free brands regularly. Ipsy features over 200 certified cruelty-free brands per year. BoxyCharm has partnered with PETA and features brands like Kat Von D Beauty and Milk Makeup. Neither guarantees 100% cruelty-free boxes, but you can filter options in your profile.
Final Thoughts
If you’re wondering whether Ipsy and BoxyCharm are together now, the answer is no-and that’s a good thing. They push each other to improve. Ipsy keeps innovating with personalization. BoxyCharm keeps delivering high-value full-size products. You don’t have to choose between them. You can have both.
Try one for a month. Then try the other. See which one fits your routine. You might find that one box gives you your new favorite lipstick, and the other gives you your go-to moisturizer. Two boxes. One beauty routine.