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.

Disclaimer
Affiliate program terms can change frequently. The figures below are based on general information and may vary based on specific campaigns or affiliate tiers.

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.

CategoryDetail
IndustryBeauty / Cosmetics / E-commerce / Subscription Box
Product TypeMonthly Beauty Subscription Boxes, Skincare, Makeup, Beauty Tools, Full-size Products, E-commerce Shop Items
Affiliate Program TypeCost 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 DetailInformation
Promotional MaterialsUnique affiliate links, high-quality product photos and videos, banners, real-time analytics dashboard, dedicated affiliate manager support.
Affiliate Cookie DurationTypically 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 SourceSocial media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube), Blogs, Websites, Email Marketing. (Must comply with brand guidelines and FTC disclosure).
Accepted CountriesPrimarily US & Canada (check the specific affiliate network for exact geographic requirements).
Explicit ContentNot accepted; content must align with brand values (beauty, lifestyle).
Religious or political contentNot 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 DetailInformation
MLM (Multi-Level Marketing)Not an MLM. It is a standard affiliate/influencer program.
Commission RateTypically a fixed rate per new subscriber (e.g., $8 per paid subscription). Some influencer tiers may offer a 10-15% commission on sales.
Commission StructureSingle-tier, CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) for new paid subscriptions. No recurring commissions.
Payout FrequencyVaries by affiliate network, commonly Monthly or Weekly.
Payout MethodsVaries by affiliate network (e.g., PayPal, ACH/Direct Deposit, Wire Transfer, Check).
Minimum PayoutVaries 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 TypeSuitability for IPSY Affiliate
BloggersHigh. Excellent for detailed product reviews, unboxings, and beauty tutorials with deep links.
TikTokersHigh. 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) / InfluencersVery High. The program is essentially designed for beauty influencers/ambassadors on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
YouTubersVery High. Ideal for in-depth monthly Glam Bag unboxings, reviews, and tutorials, which is a core part of the beauty subscription content sphere.
Video editorsLow. While they are a vital support role, they are not typically the public-facing affiliate promoting the links.
LivestreamersHigh. 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 FlexOffersPerformcb, 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 FactorIPSY (Subscription)Sephora (Retail)e.l.f. Cosmetics (Affordable Retail)
Average BillLow 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 ThresholdVaries by network (e.g., $25 – $50)Varies by network (e.g., $50 – $100)Varies by network (e.g., $50)
Payment FrequencyMonthly/Weekly (Varies by network)Monthly (Varies by network)Monthly (Varies by network)
CommissionFixed 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%)
ConversionHigh 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 MaterialsCurated banners, subscription-specific creatives, product samples (for high-tier ambassadors).Large inventory of individual product links, generic banners.Banners, product feeds, discount codes.