About IPSY
IPSY is a leading beauty membership (subscription box) service that aims to make beauty personalized and accessible. Founded in 2011 by beauty influencer Michelle Phan, the company curates and delivers a monthly selection of beauty products (makeup, skincare, haircare, and beauty tools) to subscribers’ doorsteps based on a personalized “Beauty Quiz.” IPSY offers different subscription tiers (like IPSY Original, IPSY Extra, and quarterly upgrades like Ultimate/Icon Box) and also provides members-only shopping access to discounted products.
IPSY Affiliate Program Overview
The IPSY Affiliate Program (often referred to as an Influencer/Ambassador program) allows content creators and publishers to earn commissions by promoting IPSY’s beauty subscriptions and products to their audience. Affiliates can join the program through established affiliate networks.
| Category | Detail |
| Industry | Beauty / Cosmetics / E-commerce / Subscription Box |
| Product Type | Monthly Beauty Subscription Boxes, Skincare, Makeup, Beauty Tools, Full-size Products, E-commerce Shop Items |
| Affiliate Program Type | Cost Per Acquisition (CPA) / Revenue Share (Commission per New Subscriber) |
IPSY Affiliate Program Offers
The program provides affiliates with necessary tools and a competitive structure to encourage promotion and conversion.
| Offer Detail | Information |
| Promotional Materials | Unique affiliate links, high-quality product photos and videos, banners, real-time analytics dashboard, dedicated affiliate manager support. |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | Typically 7 days (Some sources mention 30 days for a related “Influencer Program,” but 7 days is commonly cited for the main affiliate link). |
| Accepted Traffic Source | Social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), Blogs, Websites, Email Marketing. (Must comply with brand guidelines and FTC disclosure). |
| Accepted Countries | Primarily US & Canada (check the specific affiliate network for exact geographic requirements). |
| Explicit Content | Not accepted; content must align with brand values (beauty, lifestyle). |
| Religious or political content | Not accepted; content must align with brand values (beauty, lifestyle). |
IPSY Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The commission structure for IPSY is generally a fixed dollar amount per new subscription, especially when managed through affiliate networks.
| Payment Detail | Information |
| MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) | Not an MLM. It is a standard affiliate/influencer program. |
| Commission Rate | Typically a fixed rate per new subscriber (e.g., $8 per paid subscription). Some influencer tiers may offer a 10-15% commission on sales. |
| Commission Structure | Single-tier, CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) for new paid subscriptions. No recurring commissions. |
| Payout Frequency | Varies by affiliate network, commonly Monthly or Weekly. |
| Payout Methods | Varies by affiliate network (e.g., PayPal, ACH/Direct Deposit, Wire Transfer, Check). |
| Minimum Payout | Varies by affiliate network (e.g., $25 or $50 for PayPal/ACH; up to $1,000 for Wire Transfer on some networks). |
Suitable Affiliates for IPSY Affiliate
The IPSY Affiliate Program is highly suited for individuals who have an engaged audience interested in beauty and lifestyle products, and who regularly create content in these niches.
| Affiliate Type | Suitability for IPSY Affiliate |
| Bloggers | High. Excellent for detailed product reviews, unboxings, and beauty tutorials with deep links. |
| TikTokers | High. Great for short, engaging unboxing videos, quick product demos, and trending beauty challenges. |
| KOC (Key Opinion Consumer) | High. Their genuine, trustworthy reviews of products they actually use can drive strong conversions. |
| KOL (Key Opinion Leader) / Influencers | Very High. The program is essentially designed for beauty influencers/ambassadors on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. |
| YouTubers | Very High. Ideal for in-depth monthly Glam Bag unboxings, reviews, and tutorials, which is a core part of the beauty subscription content sphere. |
| Video editors | Low. While they are a vital support role, they are not typically the public-facing affiliate promoting the links. |
| Livestreamers | High. Can conduct live unboxings, Q&A sessions, and product application demos, driving real-time conversions. |
IPSY Affiliate Software
IPSY generally uses third-party affiliate management software/networks rather than strictly in-house management. The brand has been known to partner with established affiliate networks like FlexOffers, Performcb, and Admitad to manage its affiliate program and handle tracking, payments, and creative assets.
3 Alternatives for IPSY Affiliate Program
Here are three popular alternatives in the beauty/subscription box niche for affiliate marketers, along with a comparison table.
- BoxyCharm (Now merged with IPSY under BFA Industries, but often run as a separate offering): Similar to IPSY, BoxyCharm focuses on a monthly beauty subscription, but traditionally highlights full-size products.
- Sephora Affiliate Program: A large-scale beauty retailer offering a massive inventory of high-end and popular makeup, skincare, and fragrance brands, making it a great alternative for affiliates focusing on individual product reviews and hauls.
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Affiliate Program: An alternative for affiliates focusing on affordable, cruelty-free, and vegan makeup and skincare, often appealing to a younger, budget-conscious audience.
Comparison Table
| Comparison Factor | IPSY (Subscription) | Sephora (Retail) | e.l.f. Cosmetics (Affordable Retail) |
| Average Bill | Low to Medium (Monthly fee: e.g., $14 – $32) | High (Individual purchases, high-end brands) | Low (Very affordable products) |
| Entry Fees | $0 (Free to join via affiliate networks) | $0 (Free to join via affiliate networks) | $0 (Free to join via affiliate networks) |
| Withdrawal Threshold | Varies by network (e.g., $25 – $50) | Varies by network (e.g., $50 – $100) | Varies by network (e.g., $50) |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly/Weekly (Varies by network) | Monthly (Varies by network) | Monthly (Varies by network) |
| Commission | Fixed per new subscriber (e.g., $8) or 10-15% | Percentage per sale (e.g., 5% – 10.5%) | Percentage per sale (e.g., up to 10.5%) |
| Conversion | High for brand-aware audience (easy to promote the “discovery” value). | High for specific product searches and high-intent buyers. | High for impulse buys and budget-conscious shoppers. |
| Marketing Materials | Curated banners, subscription-specific creatives, product samples (for high-tier ambassadors). | Large inventory of individual product links, generic banners. | Banners, product feeds, discount codes. |
