Manage Ipsy

How to cancel your ipsy subscription and avoid hidden charges

What is ipsy and why you might want to cancel

Ipsy is a beauty subscription service that delivers personalized makeup, skincare, and personal-care products to your door each month. The company curates a selection based on your preferences and ships items in a branded pouch, positioning itself as a discovery platform for cosmetics and wellness brands you might not otherwise try. Understanding what Ipsy is helps clarify why cancellation disputes happen: the service operates on automatic recurring billing, which means charges continue until you explicitly stop them. If you've decided Ipsy no longer fits your budget or beauty routine, you need a clear, documented exit strategy. Stopee specializes in helping consumers navigate exactly these situations.

Subscription tiers and current pricing

Ipsy offers three main subscription levels, each with different product counts and price points. Your choice of tier affects not only what you receive each month but also your cancellation timeline and any refund eligibility. Here's what you need to know about each option:

Why ipsy cancellations often go wrong

The most common complaint Stopee hears from consumers is that they believed they cancelled but were charged again. This happens for three main reasons: they didn't cancel before the billing cutoff date, they received no confirmation of cancellation, or the cancellation didn't process in their account. Ipsy's billing cycle closes at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th of each month. If you submit a cancellation request after that deadline, you'll be charged for the next box regardless. Additionally, some users report that the online cancellation form failed to save or that they were never sent proof. These gaps create friction and financial frustration that you can prevent with the right approach.

Your consumer rights when cancelling ipsy

You have legal protections under U.S. federal law when you cancel a subscription service, and understanding them gives you leverage if Ipsy resists.

Federal trade commission act and negative option rules

The FTC's Negative Option Rule (16 CFR Part 429) requires that subscription companies like Ipsy must obtain your clear, affirmative consent before charging you. It also mandates that they provide a simple, easy mechanism to cancel. If Ipsy makes cancellation deliberately difficult or charges you after you've requested to stop, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You also have the right to dispute charges through your credit card issuer or bank within a specific window (typically 60 days). Keep this lever in your pocket. Many subscription companies respond quickly when they see escalation documentation.

State-level consumer protections

Depending on your state, you may have additional protections. California, New York, and several other states have strengthened negative option protections. For example, California's Automatic Renewal Law requires companies to obtain prior informed consent, provide clear terms, and honor cancellation requests promptly. If Ipsy continues charging you after you cancel, you can report the company to your state's attorney general office. Stopee recommends documenting everything so you have evidence if you need to escalate.

How to cancel your ipsy subscription

The fastest way to cancel Ipsy is online through your account dashboard, but you have multiple options depending on your comfort level and the situation you're in.

Cancelling online through your ipsy account

Online cancellation is the official method Ipsy promotes, and when it works, it's the quickest path. Here's the exact process:

1. Log into your Ipsy account at ipsy.com using your email and password
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link and reset it before proceeding
2. Navigate to your Account settings, typically found in the top-right menu or profile icon
3. Select "Your Membership" or "Subscription" from the account menu
4. Click "Cancel Membership" or the cancellation option displayed on that page
5. You will see a confirmation screen; read all text carefully to ensure you're cancelling, not pausing
   • Warning: Do not confuse "Pause Membership" with "Cancel Membership." Pausing will resume charges automatically after the pause period ends
6. Follow all prompts to complete the cancellation before 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th of the current month
   • Check the exact date cutoff on your account dashboard before submitting
7. Take a screenshot of the final confirmation page showing your cancellation request was submitted
8. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message within 24 hours
   • Pro tip: If you don't receive confirmation email within 24 hours, contact Ipsy support immediately with your screenshot as proof

Cancelling via email or contact form

If you can't access your account online or the cancellation button doesn't work, email is your second option. Send a message directly to Ipsy's customer service stating your intent to cancel. Include your account email address, the subscription tier you're cancelling, and the date you want cancellation to take effect. Request a confirmation email in response. This creates a documented record, though email is slower than online cancellation (allow 3-5 business days). Pro tip: Stopee recommends using registered mail if email responses don't arrive within one week.

Cancelling via registered mail for maximum protection

If online methods fail or you've already had billing disputes, registered mail is your nuclear option. It creates a time-stamped, legally recognized proof of your cancellation request.

1. Draft a letter stating your name, account email, subscription tier, and explicit request to cancel effective immediately
   • Example: "I request immediate cancellation of my Ipsy Glam Bag Plus subscription, effective [date]. Please confirm receipt of this cancellation request within 5 business days."
2. Include your signature and the date you're sending the letter
3. Mail the letter via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt to the company's official address:
   • Personalized Beauty Discovery, Inc. dba Ipsy Industries
   • 201 Baldwin Ave., 2nd Fl.
   • San Mateo, California 94401
   • United States
4. Pay for the return receipt option so you receive proof of delivery
   • Cost is typically $1-2 additional; this is worth every penny for protection
5. Keep the tracking number and the return receipt card once it arrives
6. Monitor your next billing date to confirm no charge appears
   • If a charge does appear after registered mail proof of delivery, you have undeniable evidence for a dispute claim

Cancelling via phone if you need human support

Ipsy also offers phone support, though wait times vary. Call their customer service line and speak with a representative. Request that they add a cancellation note to your account, ask for the representative's name and the date/time of the call, and request that they email confirmation. Document everything. While phone calls don't create the same legal paper trail as registered mail, they do create a documented record in Ipsy's system, which is better than nothing.

Critical timing and billing cutoffs

Timing is everything with Ipsy cancellation, and missing the cutoff by even one hour means you're locked in for another month of charges.

When ipsy processes your cancellation

Ipsy closes its monthly billing cycle at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th of each month. If you submit your cancellation request before that deadline, you will not be charged for the following month. If you request cancellation on the 26th or later, your cancellation takes effect after the current billing cycle, and you will be charged for the next box. This is non-negotiable, so you must know your current date and the date of the 25th in your planning.

How to check your billing date

Log into your Ipsy account and look at your subscription details. Ipsy displays your next billing date clearly. If that date is before the 25th, you have time to cancel this month. If it's on or after the 25th and you've already been charged, you've entered the next billing cycle. Count backward 30 days from your next billing date to understand when the previous cutoff passed. Stopee strongly recommends setting a phone alarm for 11:30 PM PT on the 24th of each month if you're planning to cancel, just to avoid any last-minute stress.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation submission is not the same as cancellation completion, and understanding what happens next protects you from surprise charges.

Confirmation and what to expect

Within 24 hours of successfully cancelling online, you should receive a confirmation email from Ipsy. That email will state your subscription has been cancelled and will not renew. Keep this email. If you don't receive it within 24 hours, log back into your account and check whether the subscription still appears as active. If it does, repeat the cancellation process or escalate to support immediately. Do not assume silence means cancellation. Ipsy's system sometimes fails to send confirmations, but the cancellation may still be in their records if you have a screenshot from the final confirmation page.

Monitoring for post-cancellation charges

Watch your bank account or credit card statement for the next 30-60 days after your cancellation cutoff. Your credit card company typically processes Ipsy's charges on or near your next scheduled billing date. If a charge appears after you cancelled, do not panic. Stopee has guided consumers through this many times. Here's what to do immediately:

1. Log into your Ipsy account and confirm your subscription status shows as cancelled
2. Gather all proof: screenshots, confirmation email, registered mail receipt if applicable
3. Email Ipsy support immediately with the subject line "Unauthorized charge after cancellation" and attach your proof documents
4. If Ipsy doesn't respond within 5 business days, contact your credit card issuer or bank
   • Request a chargeback dispute and provide your documentation
   • The card issuer will open a dispute claim and typically removes the charge while investigating

Paused subscriptions and auto-resume

Warning: If you chose "Pause Membership" instead of "Cancel Membership," your subscription will automatically resume after the pause period ends, and you will be charged again. Check your account confirmation carefully. If you paused by accident, return to your account immediately and select true cancellation instead.

Refunds and what you're entitled to

Ipsy's refund policy depends on the status of your cancellation and whether you've already received a box.

Current billing cycle and partial refunds

If you cancel before the 25th of the month, you are not charged for the next month, so there's nothing to refund. If you've already been charged but cancel after the 25th, Ipsy typically does not refund that month's charge because they process shipping shortly after the billing cutoff. However, your cancellation takes effect immediately, and you won't be charged again in future months. If you cancel but the box hasn't shipped yet and you want a refund, contact support and request an exception. Mention that you cancelled before the box was dispatched. Some customer service representatives will honor refund requests in this scenario, though it's not guaranteed.

Non-receipt and damaged boxes

If you cancelled but never received your box, or if it arrived damaged, submit a claim through Ipsy's customer service. Provide your order confirmation and tracking information. Ipsy will typically refund or reship. This is separate from cancellation and is covered under their standard customer service policy.

Disputing charges with your bank

If Ipsy continues charging you after you cancelled and they refuse to refund, you have the right to dispute the charge through your credit card company. Contact your bank or credit card issuer and file a dispute claim within 60 days of the unauthorized charge. Provide all documentation: screenshots of cancellation, confirmation emails, and registered mail receipts if applicable. Your bank will reverse the charge while they investigate. This is a consumer protection that Ipsy cannot override.

Common mistakes that delay or prevent cancellation

Cancellation is straightforward, but small errors compound into frustration. Here are the traps that catch most consumers:

Missing the billing cutoff by one day

The single most common mistake is not cancelling until the 26th, believing the cutoff is at midnight on the 26th. It's not. Ipsy's cutoff is 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the 25th. If you live on the East Coast, that's 2:59 AM Eastern Time on the 26th. If you live on the West Coast, that's 11:59 PM local time on the 25th. Mark your calendar now. Stopee recommends cancelling by the 24th to give yourself a full day buffer and eliminate any timezone confusion.

Confusing "Pause" with "Cancel"

Ipsy's platform displays both "Pause Membership" and "Cancel Membership." Pausing temporarily stops charges for a few months, but your subscription automatically resumes and billing restarts. If you want to end your subscription permanently, you must click "Cancel," not "Pause." Check your confirmation screen twice before submitting. The page will clearly state whether you're cancelling or pausing.

Not taking a screenshot or saving confirmation

The online system sometimes fails to send confirmation emails. If you don't screenshot the final confirmation page immediately, you have no proof the cancellation was submitted if a dispute arises later. This is not theoretical. Stopee has helped hundreds of consumers who were charged after "cancelling" but had no documentation because they didn't capture the confirmation. Take a screenshot. Save it. Back it up.

Ignoring the confirmation email deadline

Expect a confirmation email within 24 hours. If 24 hours pass and you haven't received it, don't wait another week. Contact Ipsy immediately. A delayed or missing confirmation email often signals the cancellation didn't process. Acting within hours is much faster than waiting weeks and then discovering you were charged again.

Cancelling without checking next billing date

Always verify your next scheduled billing date before you cancel. If your next charge is set for the 10th of next month and you cancel on the 20th of this month, you're too late. The charge will process before your cancellation takes effect. Check the date first. Cancel early. Stopee's approach is to cancel no later than the 20th of any month to ensure your request processes in time.

Your step-by-step cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you're doing everything right and to create your own documentation record:

1. Check today's date and confirm you have at least one day before the 25th of the month
2. Log into your Ipsy account and note your next billing date
3. Navigate to Account > Your Membership
4. Click "Cancel Membership" (not "Pause")
5. Read the final confirmation screen in full
6. Take a screenshot of the final confirmation page before closing the browser
7. Wait 24 hours and check your email for a cancellation confirmation
8. If no email arrives, contact Ipsy support with your screenshot attached
9. Mark your calendar for your next would-be billing date
10. Monitor your bank account on that date to confirm no charge appears
11. If a charge does appear, file a chargeback dispute with your card issuer immediately

Comparing cancellation methods side by side

Not all cancellation methods are equal. Here's how they stack up in terms of speed, proof, and protection:

When to escalate and file complaints

Most cancellations process cleanly, but if Ipsy continues charging you after you've made a documented cancellation request, you have regulatory options.

Escalation path if ipsy refuses to refund

First, give Ipsy 5 business days to respond to an email cancellation request or support ticket. If they don't respond or deny your refund claim without explanation, escalate to your credit card issuer or bank and file a chargeback dispute. Provide all documentation. Your card issuer has stronger leverage with Ipsy than you do individually.

Filing a complaint with the federal trade commission

If Ipsy has charged you repeatedly after cancellation requests and refuses to refund, file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC enforces the Negative Option Rule and takes subscription billing complaints seriously. Include your cancellation requests, confirmation screenshots, and proof of all charges. The FTC's complaint database influences regulatory action and settlement agreements. Stopee recommends filing only after you've attempted direct resolution with Ipsy and your bank.

Reporting to your state attorney general

Your state's attorney general office handles consumer protection complaints. If you're in California, New York, Illinois, or another state with strong negative option laws, your state AG is particularly responsive to subscription billing abuses. File a complaint online through your state AG's website. Provide the same documentation you'd give to the FTC. Your report becomes part of the state's consumer complaint database and can trigger investigation if multiple consumers report the same issue.

Ipsy's official mailing address for written cancellation

If you're using registered mail or need to send formal correspondence, address all documents to this address exactly as written:

Personalized Beauty Discovery, Inc. dba Ipsy Industries
201 Baldwin Ave., 2nd Fl.
San Mateo, California 94401
United States

Use USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt. Keep your tracking number and delivery receipt permanently. This address is where Ipsy officially accepts legal correspondence and cancellation requests.

Final thoughts on cancelling ipsy safely

Ipsy cancellations work smoothly when you follow the timeline and use documented methods. The key is timing-cancel by the 24th of the month to avoid the billing cutoff, screenshot your confirmation, and monitor for post-cancellation charges. If Ipsy continues billing after a documented cancellation request, you have legal leverage through your credit card company and the FTC. Don't ignore unexpected charges or assume they'll reverse themselves. Act within 60 days.

You deserve a subscription service that respects your decision to leave and processes your request without friction. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel beauty subscriptions, streaming services, and memberships by arming them with clear steps, timing knowledge, and proof documentation. Your cancellation request is legitimate, and you have every right to verify it was accepted. Follow this guide, keep your records, and don't let automatic billing trap you in a service you no longer want. Stopee is here whenever you need clarity on any cancellation process.