Beauty subscription boxes were not quite a niche concept before. However, over the years, it gained major popularity, and now it is essential for many. Sephora and IPSY are two such successful retailers exceed in this particular business.
They are not only affordable but are a great choice for beauty lovers. It lets us discover various new launches and let us decide what’s best for our skin. Both of them are very popular and two of the most branded companies.
Let’s dive in to discover some more interesting features.
Key Takeaways
- Sephora Play Box features samples from high-end beauty brands in Sephora stores, while Ipsy offers a mix of popular and emerging beauty brands.
- Sephora Play Box subscribers receive five deluxe samples and a bonus beauty item, while Ipsy subscribers get five personalized beauty products in a stylish makeup bag.
- Ipsy focuses on personalization through a beauty quiz and user feedback, while Sephora Play Box emphasizes brand recognition and curation by Sephora experts.
Sephora Play Box vs IPSY
Sephora playbox is a beauty subscription box that contains 6 products in a sample size at an affordable rate of $10 per month. It ships all over the US. Ipsy is a beauty subscription box that contains 5 makeup products at a rate of $12 per month. It ships all over Canada and the USA.
Sephora Play Box was launched in the year 2015 and ships widely throughout the US. The item varies from month to month; hence customers remain curious and excited.
It hardly disappoints people since the products are selected according to the user’s preferences. The box is received every month with new or shuffled products which are of guaranteed high quality.
It ships products throughout the United States, gaining trust and popularity every day.
IPSY is yet another beauty subscription box, and the brand was co-founded by Michelle Phan and Marcelo Camberos. They were well-known beauty bloggers on youtube. It is yet another beauty subscription box that comes in $12 per month.
It is more of a glam bag than a box. The subscription is available widely in Canada and the US. Every month it makes sure to deliver the product to the doorstep without any inconvenience.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Sephora Play Box | IPSY |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | The Sephora Play subscription box costs $10 per month | The IPSY subscription box costs $12 per month |
| Type of products | The box contains high-quality and very well-known beauty products. | The box contains a variety of products from various brands in different months. |
| Choice | Box, the sample sizes are quite small as compared to IPSY. | IPSY box contains a full-sized version of the products. |
| Launching year | Sephora Play box was first launched in the year 2015. | IPSY box was first launched in the year 2011. |
| Products | The monthly subscription box contains five products, that are selected according to the preferences. | The monthly subscription box contains six products that are selected according to the preferences. Also, customers get an opportunity to choose one of the products every month. |
What is Sephora Play Box?
Sephora launched the play box for the first time in the year 2015. it is priced at $10. The box comprises an attractive range of samples containing skincare and other essentials.
It lets us try a variety of beauty products every month. The box subscription makes it affordable otherwise, it is costly to get individual products. In this way, we get to explore a great range.
A great thing about the subscription is that it sends personalised products to match our preferences. It contains six samples in total, ranging from skincare, haircare, fragrances, cosmetics, and other beauty products.
Sephora stocks high-end brands. Besides its private label, it contains products from hundreds of other brands. Although the monthly subscription is pretty affordable, they always prioritize quality.
It makes sure to serve us with top-quality products. Most of the brands are well-known and easily available in the market if we further buy them.
Despite so many upcoming subscription boxes, only a few can compete with Sephora. This is mainly because of the affordable price range in which it comes. It thus makes the monthly subscription box handy and friendly too.
What is IPSY?
IPSY launched the beauty box for the first time in the year 2011. It has a great way to start interacting with their customers with the help of a quiz.
This, in turn, helps to get familiar with their preferences, including skin type, hair colour, beauty preferences, and multiple other details.
It comes in a handy, cute bag every month, containing four to five beauty products. It includes makeup, skincare, perfume, skincare, and a few other categories. The products for each bag are selected according to the customer’s preference.
One of the great advantages of this box is that every month the customer is allowed to select one product of their choice. This is such a treat for beauty lovers.
Also, each month a perfume is fixed. However, they shuffle the brand or fragrance every month, thus making the customers yet more excited.
Other than that, it helps you keep up with the newest launches. It not only restricts itself to popular brands but also opens the door for new products for you to discover as well as explore. This must be another great advantage of it.
Main Differences Between Sephora Play Box and IPSY
- The most visible difference between Sephora Play Box and IPSY is the price. Sephora Play comes at $10 per month, which is believed to be pretty much affordable. In contrast, IPSY comes at $12 per month, which is comparatively higher.
- The Sephora Play Box was first launched in 2015. The IPSY play box was first launched in 2011.
- Sephora Play Box contains five products according to the preference of the user. IPSY contains six products in its glam bag, out of which one can be chosen by the user every month. Also, one of the fixed products in IPSY is perfume, with different brands each month. They come in small samples.
- The PlayBox by Sephora is widely shipped in the US, whereas ISSY is available throughout Canada as well as the US.
- Sephora Play Box focuses on the quality of the products. They pick product samples from the most popular brands which are famous worldwide. They never compromise on quality, which is one reason why it is such a trusted brand. However, the IPSY box serves as a great way to explore new launches. It fills the box with exciting new brands which beauty lovers would love to discover.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007681321000264
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969698917305155
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
Sephora Play Box and IPSY both seem like a great way to discover new beauty products every month, and at such affordable prices too!
I agree with you! I love being able to try new products without breaking the bank.
Sephora Play Box and IPSY both offer enticing options for beauty lovers. It’s impressive that they cater to a wide range of preferences and needs.
I agree, the variety of products and the personalization make these boxes stand out in the beauty industry.
The history behind the launch of Sephora Play Box and IPSY is quite intriguing. It’s amazing how these subscription boxes have evolved over the years to meet customer demands.
Absolutely, the journey of these boxes from their inception to the present day is a testament to their success and adaptability in the beauty market.
It’s impressive to see how these brands have thrived since their launch, and it speaks to the value they bring to customers in the beauty industry.
It’s interesting how Sephora Play Box and IPSY approach personalization differently. It’s all about catering to the customer’s preferences.
I think that personalization is key in the beauty industry, and these boxes are successful in meeting the individual needs of their customers.
Absolutely, the personalized aspect of these subscription boxes is what sets them apart from just buying products off the shelves.
The comparison table is very informative and makes it easy to see the differences between Sephora Play Box and IPSY. It’s a great way to make an informed decision.
I appreciate the in-depth comparison between Sephora Play Box and IPSY. It’s helpful to weigh the differences before making a decision.
I’m not convinced that these beauty subscription boxes are worth it. It seems like a gamble when it comes to the products you receive.
I understand your point, but for beauty enthusiasts who enjoy trying new things, these boxes are a great way to do so.
I see where you’re coming from, but the element of surprise and the variety of products make these boxes exciting for many people.
The details about the products and the subscription process for Sephora Play Box and IPSY are fascinating. It’s clear how much thought goes into curating these boxes.
I couldn’t agree more. The attention to detail and the effort to match products with customer preferences is commendable.