The Core Values at IPSY: Discovering a Culture that Employees Love
At IPSY, the culture is driven by strong core values that not only define the organization but also enhance the employee experience. These values foster an environment where creativity, inclusion, and personal growth are at the forefront, making IPSY a place employees love to work. Founded in 2011 and based in Santa Monica, California, IPSY is a leading beauty subscription service known for its flagship product, the Glam Bag, which engages a community of beauty enthusiasts. With over 3 million active subscribers, IPSY has rapidly developed a strong reputation in the beauty industry, achieving profitability within its first six months and reaching over $500 million in annual revenue by 2019. The company continues to champion innovation in personalized beauty.
Core Values that Shape IPSY's Workplace Culture
IPSY believes that a positive workplace culture is elemental to achieving collective success. These core values are woven into hiring, product development, and daily operations, creating a workplace that supports both individual expression and shared goals.
Innovation
Innovation is central to IPSY’s identity. From the inception of the Glam Bag to ongoing personalization technologies, the company encourages employees to think creatively and challenge assumptions. This mindset extends beyond product teams: marketing, operations, data science, and customer experience teams are all empowered to test new ideas, measure results, and iterate quickly. IPSY’s rapid growth and early profitability reflect a culture that rewards experimentation and continuous improvement.
Inclusivity
Diversity and inclusion at IPSY means more than diverse hiring—it means creating an environment where varied perspectives shape products and policies. The company’s customer base spans demographics, skin tones, ages, and beauty preferences, and IPSY strives to reflect that diversity internally. Inclusive design practices, employee resource groups, and DEI-focused learning opportunities are examples of how IPSY builds a workplace where people feel seen and valued.
Community
Community is a through-line in IPSY’s business model and workplace culture. The Glam Bag itself is a community-building product, and internally, IPSY fosters collaboration across teams and levels. Regular cross-functional projects, town halls, and mentorship programs strengthen internal relationships and create a shared sense of purpose. Employees are encouraged to contribute to the broader beauty community through content creation, partnerships, and events that bring fans and creators together.
Empowerment
Empowerment at IPSY means giving employees ownership of their work and the tools to grow. Professional development is prioritized through training, career-path planning, and access to industry resources. Managers are trained to coach and enable teams, and employees are often given autonomy over projects that directly impact subscriber experience. This trust-based approach contributes to higher engagement and faster decision-making.
Customer-Centric Focus
The customer sits at the heart of everything IPSY does. Product development, curation, and personalization efforts are guided by subscriber feedback and data-driven insights. Employees are encouraged to keep the subscriber experience top of mind—whether optimizing the Glam Bag mix, improving website usability, or shaping marketing communications. A strong feedback loop between customers and teams ensures that IPSY remains responsive and relevant.
How These Values Translate into Employee Experience
IPSY’s values are reinforced through tangible programs and everyday practices. New hires receive orientation centered on company values and the history of the Glam Bag. Ongoing initiatives such as cross-team hackathons, DEI training, and wellness benefits help translate values into action. Recognition programs celebrate employees who exemplify IPSY’s principles, while internal communication channels amplify stories of collaboration and innovation.
Leadership at IPSY models these values through transparent decision-making and accessible communication. The result is a workplace that balances high performance with empathy and creativity—qualities that have helped IPSY grow into a leader in personalized beauty.
Why Employees Stay
Employees stay at IPSY because the environment supports growth, rewards initiative, and connects work to a vibrant community of beauty fans. For people who care about innovation, inclusivity, and customer-driven product development, IPSY offers the opportunity to be part of a fast-growing company that has already demonstrated market success and continues to evolve.
By aligning business strategy with people-first values, IPSY creates a sustainable culture where employees are motivated to contribute, learn, and help shape the future of beauty discovery.