How to cancel your Ipsy subscription without penalty
Why you might cancel Ipsy and what you need to know first
Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers curated makeup, skincare, and personal-care products to your door in a branded pouch. The service personalizes selections based on your preferences and promises discovery of brands you might not otherwise encounter. However, Ipsy operates on automatic recurring billing, which means charges continue every month until you explicitly terminate your membership. If your budget has shifted, your beauty routine has changed, or you simply no longer want the service, you need a documented cancellation strategy. At Yafee, we help consumers understand their rights and execute clean exits from subscription commitments.
Subscription tiers and pricing structure
Ipsy offers three main membership levels, each with different product counts, price points, and cancellation implications. Understanding your current tier is essential because it affects your billing cycle and refund eligibility.
| Plan name |
Monthly price (USD) |
Products included |
Best for |
| Glam Bag |
$14 |
5 deluxe or sample-sized items in personalized pouch |
Budget-conscious shoppers |
| Glam Bag Plus |
$25 |
5 full-size products with larger branded pouch |
Regular users seeking full sizes |
| Glam Bag X/Ultimate |
$50 |
8-12 premium products; quarterly rotation |
Premium beauty enthusiasts |
Why Ipsy cancellations commonly fail
The most frequent complaint Yafee encounters from consumers is that they believed they cancelled Ipsy but were charged again the following month. This pattern emerges from three consistent failure points: the cancellation request arrived after the billing cutoff date, no confirmation email was received or saved, or the cancellation failed to process in the account system.
Ipsy's billing cycle closes at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th of each month. Any cancellation request submitted after that deadline will not prevent the next box from shipping and charging to your payment method. Additionally, some users report that the online cancellation form did not save, that no confirmation arrived, or that they were never informed about the 25th deadline. These gaps create financial frustration that you can prevent entirely with the right approach and timing.
Your consumer rights and what the law protects
U.S. federal law provides you with explicit protections when cancelling subscription services, and understanding them strengthens your position if Ipsy resists or charges you improperly.
The federal trade commission's negative option rule
The FTC's Negative Option Rule (16 CFR Part 429) governs how companies like Ipsy can operate recurring billing. Under this rule, Ipsy must obtain your clear, affirmative consent before charging you for the first time and before each subsequent charge. Critically, the rule also requires that Ipsy provide a simple, easy mechanism to cancel-one that is just as easy to use as the method you used to sign up. If Ipsy makes cancellation deliberately cumbersome or unclear, or if they charge you after you have submitted a valid cancellation request, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You also have the right to dispute any unauthorized charges through your credit card issuer or bank, typically within 60 days of the charge.
Your legal position: You have a federal right to cancel Ipsy at any time, and Ipsy has a legal obligation to honor that cancellation promptly and stop all charges. If they do not, the FTC has authority to enforce compliance and impose penalties.
State-level consumer protections and enforcement
Several states have enacted stronger protections beyond federal law. California's Automatic Renewal Law (California Civil Code Section 1688) requires companies to obtain prior informed consent, display cancellation terms clearly at the point of purchase, and honor cancellation requests within a specified timeframe. New York, Illinois, and other jurisdictions have similar or more stringent requirements. If Ipsy continues to charge you after you have cancelled, you can report the company to your state's attorney general office. At Yafee, we recommend documenting all communications so you have evidence if escalation becomes necessary.
How to cancel your Ipsy membership online
The fastest and most reliable cancellation method is through your Ipsy online account.
Step 1: access your Ipsy account
- Open your web browser and navigate to Ipsy.com
- Click the "Log In" button in the top right corner
- Enter your email address and password
- Click "Log In" to access your account dashboard
Step 2: navigate to your membership settings
- Once logged in, look for your account menu (typically a profile icon or "Account" link in the upper right)
- Click "Account" or "My Account"
- Select "Your Membership" or "Subscription"
- Review your current plan and billing date at the top of the page
Step 3: initiate cancellation
- Locate the "Cancel Membership" button or link on the Your Membership page
- Click "Cancel Membership"
- Ipsy will present a cancellation survey asking your reason for leaving
- Complete the survey (this step helps Ipsy but does not delay cancellation)
- Review the cancellation confirmation message on screen
Step 4: confirm and document cancellation
- Ipsy will display a confirmation screen indicating your membership has been cancelled
- Photograph or screenshot this confirmation page for your records
- Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for a cancellation confirmation email within 2 hours
- Save this confirmation email permanently in case you need to dispute a future charge
Critical timing note: You must complete these steps before 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th of the current month. Any cancellation submitted after this deadline will not stop your next shipment or charge. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline remains firm.
If you cannot access your account
If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the Ipsy login page to reset it via email. If you cannot locate your account or login credentials, contact Ipsy's customer support at help.ipsy.com before the 25th deadline. Provide your full name, email address, and the phone number associated with your account. Response times vary, so do not wait until the final day of the month.
What happens after you cancel Ipsy
Cancellation takes effect immediately, but understanding what occurs next prevents confusion and false charges.
Your subscription status and final shipment
Once you submit your cancellation request before the 25th deadline, Ipsy stops all future charges. If you cancelled mid-month, your current box (already paid for in the previous billing cycle) will still ship as scheduled. You will receive no additional charges after your cancellation date. Ipsy will not refund the cost of a box that has already shipped or is in the process of being packed unless the box has not yet left the warehouse and you contact customer support immediately.
Your branded pouch and any points balance
You keep any Ipsy-branded pouches from previous boxes. Regarding loyalty or reward points: if your Ipsy account included a points balance or promotional credits, those balances are typically forfeited upon cancellation. Review your account balance before cancelling if this matters to you, and consider using remaining credits on a one-time purchase if that option is available.
Reactivation and future membership
You can reactivate your Ipsy subscription at any time by logging back into your account and selecting a plan. Ipsy will not restrict you from rejoining. However, you will not receive any reactivation bonus or discount unless Ipsy explicitly offers one. At Yafee, we advise that reactivation starts a new billing cycle on the day you rejoin, so plan accordingly if you decide to return.
Refunds, charges, and billing disputes
Understanding your refund rights and how to dispute incorrect charges protects your money if a problem occurs.
Refund eligibility and timelines
Ipsy does not issue refunds for completed monthly boxes. Once a box has shipped, the charge is final. However, if you cancel before the 25th of the month and Ipsy charges you for the next box anyway, you have grounds to dispute that charge. Additionally, if a box arrives damaged or with missing items, contact Ipsy's customer support within 30 days of receipt to request a replacement or partial refund. Yafee recommends photographing any damage or defects before opening the box, as this strengthens your claim.
Disputing unauthorized charges
If you cancelled Ipsy but were charged again, do not panic. You have two remedies: contact Ipsy directly to request a refund, or dispute the charge through your credit card issuer or bank. To dispute through your card issuer, contact them within 60 days of the unauthorized charge and reference your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your card issuer will initiate a chargeback investigation, and Ipsy will be asked to provide proof of your authorization. Your cancellation confirmation will demonstrate that no authorization existed for the charge, and you should receive a refund within 7 to 10 business days once the dispute is resolved in your favor.
Preventing billing errors
The most reliable defense against surprise charges is to monitor your credit card or bank statement each month. Set a calendar reminder for the 20th of each month to review upcoming charges. If you see an Ipsy charge after your cancellation, contact your bank immediately rather than waiting. Early escalation shortens dispute resolution time.
Common mistakes when cancelling Ipsy
Most cancellation failures are preventable. Recognizing these pitfalls means you will avoid them entirely.
Mistake 1: cancelling too late in the month
The single most common error is submitting a cancellation request after 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th. If you procrastinate until the 26th or later, you will be charged for another month of service. Calendar a reminder for the 20th to complete your cancellation early and avoid this problem.
Mistake 2: not saving confirmation documentation
Some users click "Cancel Membership," see a confirmation screen, and assume the process is complete-then discover weeks later that no email confirmation was sent. Screenshot the on-screen confirmation immediately and save the confirmation email to a dedicated folder. This documentation is your proof if a dispute arises.
Mistake 3: assuming cancellation happened without verifying
Do not assume your cancellation worked. Log back into your account 24 hours after cancelling and verify that your membership status shows "Cancelled" and no future billing date is listed. If the page still shows an active subscription, your cancellation did not process. Contact Ipsy support immediately if this occurs.
Mistake 4: contacting customer service but not following up
If you submit a support ticket requesting cancellation, follow up within 48 hours to confirm it was processed. Email responses from support can go to spam or be delayed. Do not rely solely on a support request; use the online method instead and document it.
Mistake 5: cancelling via chat or phone without written confirmation
If a customer service representative tells you over the phone that your subscription has been cancelled, insist on a follow-up email confirmation. Verbal cancellation requests create no paper trail and are difficult to prove if a charge appears. Get everything in writing.
Reviewing your options before final cancellation
Before you cancel permanently, consider whether a pause, downgrade, or one-time skip might better serve your needs.
| Option |
How it works |
When to choose |
Impact on billing |
| Cancel membership |
Permanently stop all shipments and charges |
You no longer want Ipsy at all |
No charges after cancellation date |
| Skip one month |
Pause the next shipment without cancelling |
Temporary budget crunch or product surplus |
Billing resumes the following month |
| Downgrade plan |
Move from Glam Bag Plus or X to Glam Bag |
You like Ipsy but want to spend less |
Lower charge starts next billing cycle |
| Contact support for hold |
Request a temporary suspension of 1-3 months |
You are unsure about long-term commitment |
No charge during hold period |
If you choose to skip a month or pause your subscription instead of cancelling, follow the same process: log into your account, navigate to Your Membership, and select "Skip Month" or "Pause Subscription" before the 25th deadline. This preserves your account and preferences while giving you breathing room.
If Ipsy refuses to honour your cancellation
In rare cases, a company may ignore a valid cancellation request and continue charging. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers escalate these disputes and recover unauthorized charges.
Step 1: send a written cancellation demand
If Ipsy charges you after you cancelled, send an email to their customer support address (found on help.ipsy.com) with the subject line "Cancellation Demand and Request for Refund." Include the following:
- Your Ipsy account email address and account number
- The date you submitted your cancellation request
- Your cancellation confirmation email (attach a screenshot if you have it)
- The date of the unauthorized charge you are disputing
- A clear statement: "I hereby request a full refund of $[amount] for the charge dated [date], as my subscription was cancelled before the billing deadline."
- A deadline: "Please respond with confirmation of refund within 7 business days."
Send this email from the same email address associated with your Ipsy account, and save a copy for your records.
Step 2: file a chargeback with your bank or card issuer
If Ipsy does not respond or refuses the refund within 7 days, contact your credit card issuer or bank. Explain that you cancelled a subscription service and were charged without authorization after cancellation. Provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Your card issuer will investigate and, in most cases, reverse the charge within 7 to 10 business days. You will not lose money during this process; the issuer bears the investigation cost.
Step 3: file a complaint with the federal trade commission
If the charge is still not reversed after you dispute it, file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include all documentation: your cancellation confirmation, screenshots of your account showing the cancellation, your bank dispute paperwork, and copies of your email exchanges with Ipsy. The FTC tracks patterns of complaint and can take enforcement action against companies that systematically violate the Negative Option Rule.
Step 4: report to your state attorney general
Your state's attorney general office enforces consumer protection laws. Contact your state AG office (search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint") and file a formal complaint. Provide the same documentation you sent to the FTC. If the AG receives multiple complaints about the same company, they may launch an investigation.
If you need to reach Ipsy, use these official channels. Avoid third-party customer service websites that may not represent Ipsy directly.
Ipsy customer support
- Help center: help.ipsy.com (includes cancellation articles and FAQs)
- Email support: Submit a ticket through your account at help.ipsy.com/hc/en-us
- Response time: 24-48 hours typical
Federal trade commission (unauthorized charges or refusal to cancel)
- Complaint form: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Phone: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
- No filing fee; all reports are confidential
Your state attorney general office
- Search: "[your state name] attorney general consumer complaint"
- Most states accept online complaints through their official website
- Include all documentation and reference the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. § 1693)
At Yafee, we believe clear communication and documented evidence are your strongest tools when dealing with subscription cancellations. Whether you need to cancel Ipsy today or want to understand your rights before a problem occurs, the guidance above applies. Our mission is to empower consumers to take control of their subscriptions and defend themselves against unauthorized charges. If you follow the steps outlined here, you will cancel Ipsy cleanly, avoid surprise billing, and protect your money. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges. Visit yafee.com to learn more about your rights and get support navigating any subscription dispute.