How to cancel Ipsy in australia and stop unwanted charges
Why australians cancel Ipsy subscriptions
Ipsy is a US-based beauty subscription service that ships curated makeup and skincare products monthly or quarterly to subscribers worldwide. Although Ipsy does not officially service Australia, many Australian consumers sign up through US addresses, app stores or forwarding services and find themselves locked into recurring charges in AUD. This guide from Yafee explains your consumer rights and walks you through each cancellation method step-by-step.
What Ipsy is and how it operates
Ipsy offers three subscription tiers: the Original (Glam Bag) with 5 sample products, the Extra (Glam Bag Plus) with full-size or mixed items, and the Ultimate quarterly premium box. Members receive monthly or quarterly shipments, access to an exclusive shop and discounts on add-on purchases. The service appeals to beauty enthusiasts seeking discovery and value compared to buying full-size products individually.
For Australian subscribers, however, several friction points create frustration quickly. Ipsy charges exclusively in USD, so your AUD conversion fluctuates weekly depending on your bank's exchange margin. Shipping to Australia takes 4-6 weeks, increasing the risk of damaged or undesired arrivals. Most critically, Ipsy's customer support does not recognise Australian phone numbers or addresses, leaving you to navigate US-based systems without local consumer protection backup.
The most common reasons australians request cancellation
Consumer forums and review sites reveal a consistent cancellation pattern: repeated shipments of unwanted products, surprise charges due to time-zone confusion around billing dates, difficulty obtaining refunds for damaged items, and unsustainable exchange rate markups. Yafee has analysed these complaints and built this guide to ensure you exit cleanly without ongoing phantom charges or disputes.
Ipsy pricing in AUD and what you are actually paying
Ipsy's official pricing tiers and approximate AUD conversions help you understand your current financial commitment and plan your exit strategy.
| Plan name |
Billing cycle |
USD price |
Approximate AUD |
Contents |
| Original (Glam Bag) |
Monthly |
$14 USD |
A$21-23 |
5 sample-size products |
| Extra (Glam Bag Plus) |
Monthly |
$32 USD |
A$48-51 |
5 full-size or mixed items |
| Ultimate (Premium) |
Every 3 months |
$65 USD |
A$97-104 |
Premium full-size quarterly box |
Hidden exchange rate and app store fees
Ipsy bills exclusively in USD regardless of your location. When you pay from an Australian bank account or credit card, your financial institution applies its own exchange margin, typically 2-3% above the mid-market rate. This means a A$21 monthly charge may settle as A$22-23 after conversion fees. Over twelve months, this compounds to an extra A$12-36 in invisible charges that never appear in Ipsy's advertising.
If you purchased your subscription through Apple App Store or Google Play, that platform applies a separate 15-30% markup to the USD price before billing you in AUD. This is a critical trap that Yafee clients discover only after their first charge posts to their account.
Your consumer rights under australian law
Although Ipsy operates overseas, you retain comprehensive protections under the Australian Consumer Law and relevant state legislation regardless of the company's location or billing currency.
What the australian consumer law guarantees
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) states that services must be provided with due care and skill, within a reasonable timeframe and matching their description. If Ipsy ships you damaged products, fails to deliver within 30 days, or charges you without clear consent, you have grounds to dispute the charge and request a full refund. The ACL applies to all services purchased by Australian consumers, including overseas subscriptions.
Furthermore, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) enforces these rights. If Ipsy refuses your cancellation request or continues charging you after you have cancelled, you can lodge a formal complaint with the ACCC, which has powers to investigate and compel refunds.
Your legal position on subscription cancellation
You have the right to cancel any subscription at any time without penalty or ongoing charges. The ACL does not require you to provide a reason or wait for a cooling-off period to elapse (though a 14-day cooling-off period may apply if you ordered by phone). Once you submit a valid cancellation request, Ipsy must cease all future charges within one billing cycle. If they fail to do so, that constitutes an unlawful recurring charge and you can dispute it directly with your bank or credit card provider.
How to cancel Ipsy: step-by-step for each method
You can cancel Ipsy through multiple channels; the fastest route depends on your account setup and access to your account.
Cancellation via the Ipsy website or app
- Log into your Ipsy account at ipsy.com using your email and password.
- If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot password" on the login screen and follow the email reset link.
- If your account is linked to Apple ID or Google Play, log in using that method instead.
- Navigate to your account settings or subscription management section.
- On the website, this is usually under "Account" or "My Subscriptions" in the top-right menu.
- On the mobile app, tap the profile icon and select "Subscription Settings" or "Manage Subscription".
- Locate your active subscription and select the option to pause or cancel.
- Ipsy may offer a pause option (typically 1-3 months) before full cancellation; skip this and select "Cancel Subscription" directly.
- Do not close the page until you see a confirmation message or receive a confirmation email.
- Review the cancellation summary and confirm your request by clicking the final confirmation button.
- Ipsy will send a confirmation email to your registered address within 24 hours.
- Screenshot this email as proof of cancellation for your records.
- Check your account after 48 hours to confirm the subscription status now shows "Cancelled".
- If it still shows "Active", contact Ipsy support immediately (see contact methods below).
Cancellation via email contact
- Send an email to Ipsy customer support at [email protected] with the subject line: "Subscription Cancellation Request".
- Include your full name, email address and Ipsy subscriber ID (found on your subscription page or billing emails).
- Write a clear statement: "I hereby request immediate cancellation of my Ipsy subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation in writing and cease all future charges."
- Include the date you sent the email.
- Keep a copy of your email and the timestamp for your records.
- This creates a documented trail if a dispute arises later.
- Expect a response within 5-7 business days confirming cancellation.
- If you do not receive confirmation within 10 business days, send a follow-up email or use an alternative contact method.
Cancellation via telephone or live chat
- Visit ipsy.com and locate the "Contact Us" or "Help" section in the footer menu.
- Look for a live chat option or phone number for customer support.
- Note that Ipsy support may direct Australian callers to email due to time-zone differences.
- If a live chat is available, explain your request clearly: "I am an Australian subscriber and I want to cancel my subscription immediately. Please confirm this in writing."
- Request that the support agent email you a cancellation confirmation after your chat ends.
- Screenshot the entire chat transcript before closing the window.
- For phone support, have your account details ready (email, subscriber ID, billing information).
- Ask the agent to repeat back your cancellation request and confirm the effective date.
- Request a confirmation number and follow-up email.
Cancellation via postal mail
- Prepare a formal cancellation letter that includes:
- Your full name and Australian address
- Your Ipsy account email and subscriber ID
- A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my Ipsy subscription, effective from the date of this letter. Please confirm cancellation and cease all future charges."
- The date you are sending the letter
- Your signature
- Mail your letter via Australia Post tracked delivery (Registered Mail or Express Post Signature) to Ipsy's corporate office:
- Ipsy Inc., Customer Service Department, Los Angeles, California 90015, USA
- Tracked delivery provides proof of dispatch and ensures Ipsy cannot claim non-receipt.
- Allow 10-15 business days for your letter to arrive at Ipsy's US office and an additional 7-10 business days for processing.
- In total, expect 3-4 weeks for postal cancellation.
- Keep your tracking number and a photocopy of your letter for your records.
- If Ipsy does not acknowledge receipt within 30 days, escalate to your bank or the ACCC.
What happens after you cancel Ipsy
Understanding the post-cancellation timeline protects you from unexpected charges and ensures a clean break.
The cancellation processing period
Once Ipsy receives your cancellation request, allow 3-5 business days for processing. During this period, your subscription status may still show "Active" on your account; this is normal. You should receive a confirmation email within 5-7 business days stating the cancellation is effective. The most critical moment is your next scheduled billing date: if a charge posts to your account after you have cancelled, that constitutes an unlawful recurring charge under the ACL.
Monitoring your account and stopping phantom charges
Log into your Ipsy account every few days following cancellation to confirm the subscription status changes to "Cancelled" or "Inactive". Check your bank or credit card statements for 30-60 days after cancellation to ensure no further charges appear. Consequently, if Ipsy charges you after your cancellation date, you have strong legal grounds to dispute the charge.
If an unwanted charge appears, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback or reversal, citing your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your bank can reverse the charge within 30-60 days of the transaction date. In parallel, send Ipsy a formal dispute letter referencing your cancellation date and the erroneous charge, requesting an immediate refund.
Refund eligibility and timelines
Refunds for charges posted after your cancellation date must be issued within 14-30 days of your dispute. If you cancelled mid-cycle and Ipsy has already charged you for the next month, request a prorated refund for the unused portion of that billing period. Yafee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmations, bank statements and dispute letters in one folder for at least 12 months.
Common mistakes when cancelling Ipsy
Cancelling a subscription can feel frustrating, but avoiding these pitfalls ensures your cancellation sticks and you recover any funds owed.
Assuming your subscription has stopped without confirmation
Many subscribers assume clicking "cancel" in the app completes cancellation immediately. In reality, Ipsy may keep your account in a suspended state for 24-48 hours before marking it fully cancelled. Consequently, charges can still post if you do not wait for official written confirmation. Always obtain a cancellation confirmation email or letter before considering your subscription ended.
Failing to stop app store recurring billing
If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, cancelling through Ipsy's website does not automatically stop app store billing. You must separately cancel the recurring subscription directly through your app store account settings. For Apple, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Ipsy and tap Cancel Subscription. For Google Play, open the Google Play app, tap your profile > Payments and Subscriptions > Subscriptions > Ipsy and tap Cancel Subscription. Yafee advises verifying both channels are cancelled to prevent double charges.
Ignoring the first charge after cancellation
If a charge appears 2-3 days after your cancellation date, do not assume it is an error that will resolve itself. Dispute it immediately with your bank. Each day you delay weakens your position if Ipsy contests the refund. Your bank's fraud department can reverse charges quickly, but only if you report them within 30-60 days of the transaction date.
Refunds and disputing unwanted charges
If Ipsy continues charging you after cancellation or you received defective products, you have the right to a refund under Australian Consumer Law.
Requesting a refund directly from Ipsy
- Send a formal written request to Ipsy support at [email protected] with the subject line: "Refund Request for Unauthorized Charge [Your Subscriber ID]".
- State the exact charge amount, the date it posted to your account and the reason (e.g., "charge posted after cancellation confirmation" or "items received damaged").
- Attach your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.
- Request a refund within 14 days and provide your preferred refund method (original payment method or bank details for direct transfer).
- Allow 10-14 business days for Ipsy to respond.
- If Ipsy does not respond or refuses the refund without valid reason, proceed to step 3.
- If Ipsy refuses, escalate by sending a final demand letter via email with the subject "Final Refund Demand Before ACCC Complaint [Your Subscriber ID]".
- State that you will lodge a complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission if the refund is not issued within 14 days.
- Keep a copy of this email.
Disputing the charge with your bank or credit card provider
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer by phone, email or online banking and request a chargeback or transaction reversal.
- Explain that you cancelled your subscription and provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.
- Your bank will open a dispute with Ipsy and give them 10-14 business days to respond.
- Provide your bank with all supporting documents:
- Cancellation confirmation email from Ipsy
- Screenshots of your subscription status change
- Copies of your dispute correspondence with Ipsy
- Bank statement showing the disputed charge
- Your bank will issue a provisional credit (temporary reversal) within 3-5 business days, then continue investigating.
- If Ipsy cannot prove you authorised the charge after cancellation, the provisional credit becomes permanent and you keep the refund.
Lodging a complaint with the ACCC
If Ipsy refuses to refund an unauthorised charge and your bank's chargeback process has not resolved the dispute, lodge a formal complaint with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission via their website at accc.gov.au. Provide all evidence of your cancellation and the subsequent unauthorised charge. The ACCC can compel Ipsy to issue a refund and issue warnings or enforceable undertakings if the company breaches the ACL repeatedly.
Tracking your cancellation and building proof
Documentation is your strongest defence if a dispute arises later, so Yafee recommends maintaining a clear record from the moment you initiate cancellation.
What to save and how to organise it
| Document type |
Where to find it |
Why you need it |
| Cancellation confirmation email |
Your email inbox (Ipsy sender) |
Proof of cancellation date and terms |
| Screenshots of subscription status ("Cancelled") |
Your Ipsy account after cancellation processes |
Visual proof cancellation was completed in system |
| Chat transcripts or call notes |
Downloaded from Ipsy support or recorded by you |
Evidence of your cancellation request if email is disputed |
| Bank statements (60 days post-cancellation) |
Your bank's online portal or mailed statements |
Proof of any unauthorised charges after cancellation |
| Refund dispute correspondence |
Email copies from Ipsy and your bank |
Record of all escalation attempts for ACCC complaint if needed |
| Postal tracking receipt (if applicable) |
Australia Post receipt or tracking confirmation |
Proof your cancellation letter was delivered to Ipsy |
Creating a cancellation checklist
- Submit cancellation request via your preferred method (app, email, postal mail or phone).
- Screenshot the confirmation message or email immediately.
- Wait 48 hours, then log into your account and screenshot the new subscription status.
- Check your email for Ipsy's confirmation within 5-7 business days; save this email in a dedicated folder.
- Check your bank statement 10-15 days after cancellation to confirm no new charge posts.
- Repeat step 5 for 60 days post-cancellation.
- If any unauthorised charge appears, initiate a chargeback with your bank within 30 days of the transaction.
- File an ACCC complaint if the charge is not reversed within 30 days of the chargeback request.
Next steps and getting support
Cancelling Ipsy should take no more than 10 minutes online, but resolving post-cancellation disputes can stretch over weeks if you do not act decisively. Yafee has helped thousands of Australian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, dispute unauthorised charges and recover refunds by maintaining clear documentation and escalating promptly to their bank or the ACCC when Ipsy refuses to cooperate.
If you face resistance from Ipsy, contact your bank immediately and lodge an ACCC complaint. Do not assume the charge will reverse without action; the moment you submit your cancellation, start monitoring your account closely. The law is on your side: the ACL protects you, and the ACCC enforces it.
Yafee's legal framework guides you through every step, from the moment you click cancel to recovery of any unauthorised charges. Whether you cancel online, by email or by post, follow the steps above, keep your evidence, and escalate to your bank or the ACCC if Ipsy continues to charge you. Yafee remains your trusted resource for subscription cancellation across Australia, with current, legally-grounded guidance tailored to your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Ipsy contact details for cancellation
Email: [email protected]
Postal address: Ipsy Inc., Customer Service Department, Los Angeles, California 90015, USA
Website: ipsy.com
Australian Consumer Regulator: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) at accc.gov.au