After my original post on my FabFitFun subscription, one of the most frequent questions I received was “is it worth it?” After the first box, my answer was “yes” but I promised I would give an update with future boxes. Well, I received my Summer 2019 FabFitFun box recently, and here we go.
To recap, I paid for an annual subscription of 4 boxes (it was not gifted, and these posts are not sponsored) which set me back about $330CAD including shipping. This works out to about $80CAD, give or take, per box. That represents my frame of reference when deciding if the boxes are worth it or not. As an annual subscriber, I have the option of selecting a good chunk of the products in each box, which I appreciate and consider (for myself) a good trade-off for the upfront financial commitment to 4 boxes.
Here’s what I received this time:
As always, I do appreciate the presentation.
I believe this was a “mystery item” which was one of the
customization options. My experience with the Dr. Brandt under-eye cream thing
I got in my last box was meh. Having tried this luminizer primer, I have to say
I am much happier. I don’t typically use primer, but I like how this one goes
on and how it works with my Jane Iredale powder foundation; it does seem to
make my skin look smoother. Retail value: $24+ (all prices given in USD).
I was super excited to try this Coola make-up setting spray with SPF. I like sneaking in SPF whenever I can. I’ve heard some people complain about the smell of this product (and question its efficacy) but I like it. On days when I know I’m not going to be outside very long, I use this in place of my Biore sunscreen. Retail value: $36.
I just cut my hair (long pixie for the win!) so these Invisibobble bands aren’t much use to me. I will probably see if they work on my daughter, who has waist-length hair. Retail value: $16.
This shower cream/body cream duo from Sol de Janeiro was my
top pick for the box. I adore the Acai cream I received in a mystery box last
month, so I was pumped to try to famous Bum Bum cream. Since I’m still using
the other jar, I haven’t opened the Bum Bum, but I have tried the shower cream
and it’s a-mah-zing!! Love the scent, love how soft it makes my skin. I would
be happy with a SdJ product in every box, to be honest. Retail value: $45.
This was a product that everyone received, and it’s meh for me. My feet need help, but a foot mask is simply not something I can get excited about. I’ve tried this one once, and had no adverse reactions, but also experienced no extraordinary results. I’m not sure I’ll get much use out of it. Retail value: $32.
Another meh (also came standard in all boxes). I love my Mario Badescu facial sprays, and this product probably won’t replace them. But I will probably get some use out of it – I took this to the office to have on hand during the work day. Retail value: $26.
I don’t use mud masks, but I am intrigued to try this. My biggest concern is a possible allergic reaction. I don’t think I need brightening products but maybe this will just be a nice moisturizing mask. Note that this was another product included in all boxes. Retail: $36
This was a customizable option, and I chose it because I didn’t like any of the alternatives more. That being said, it looked more appealing to me in the stock photos than IRL. It’s much daintier than I was expecting, which is not really my jam. The quality is lower end costume jewelry – along the lines of what you’d find at, say, Target or H&M. Retail: $52 (inflated, IMO).
This was the final customizable option, and I am very pleased with it. I love the aesthetics of these bowls (white and blue colour scheme, Japanese-inspired prints) and I find them handy to have around the house; you can use them for display, for storing trinkets, and for dinner parties, etc. To be honest, I wouldn’t spend the retail cost to buy them new, but they are a nice addition to the box. Retail: $39.
Overall, between the SdJ stuff, the primer, the setting spray, and the bowls alone, I feel like I got my money’s worth from the box. Quality-wise, everything seemed quite good with the possible exception of the necklace. It seems to be a trend that there is an item that disappoints in every box; I will definitely be more cautious with jewelry options in the future (same as with bags, based on my last box).