Review of summer 2019 FabFitFun

     I want to take a few minutes to go into a fairly detailed review of the FabFitFun subscription box to help you determine if it's really worth the money. I've also included abbreviated thoughts below if you're just looking for a quick scan just look at the pictures though, the products are great.

• Costs $49.99 quarterly, or $179.99 yearly. My recent box $339.95 worth of full sized products. 
• Wide variety of products received, not just make-up and beauty based. 
• There is a customizable option for several of the products to make the box match your personality and current needs.  
• The magazine offers promotions for the featured products and brands that last up to a year, so that if you love a product you can purchase from that company at a significant discount.
• Includes extras like FabFitFun TV which features a variety of cooking videos, exercise videos, entertaining, and DIY videos.
• Absolutely worth it if you enjoy splurging on yourself without huge price tags.

     A common saying "you can’t pour from an empty glass" really hits me as a mother. I’ve been run down, and when you combine run down with a naturally clumsy person the results typically aren't great (what, you haven’t broken your ankle skipping of a side walk…twice?). Let’s also address the fact that kids in school/daycare are ALWAYS sick, and while they may be fine with that little runny nose if you haven’t practiced self-care you’ll be dying in the background with the plague. Honestly, even if you do adamantly follow a self-care regime you may still be in the background with the plague but that’s beside the point. 

     I love Sephora, and before I had children Sephora loved me too. I really enjoy trying new products, but after I had children I needed to dial that back. I found subscription boxes while I was first trying to save money without giving up something I loved and I originally subscribed to Glambag and Birchbox to get my product fix. Glambag starts as a $10/month subscription and sends some pretty nice make-up supplies. It was not unusual to receive a full size mascara or lipstick, and everything always came in a cute little make-up bag. Birchbox is about $15 dollars a month, or $156 for a prepaid year, but they sent more sample/trial sized items. At the time I stopped birchbox first because I felt like glambag was the better deal. However, after several months I ended up with more make-up then I could wear, a ton of perfume samples, and several small make-up bags I had no purpose for so I eventually cancelled glambag as well.

     FabFitFun is the only box I continue to subscribe to, and I'm consistently happy with my products. It’s not a monthly subscription, but a seasonal subscription that costs $49.99 if you go box by box or $179.99 if you purchase for the year. So compared to the $110 for a year of glambag, and $156 for a year of Birchbox the price mark isn't that different. The products are all full sized and they provide a mixed variety of personal care items, fitness related items, and fun quirky items. I liked that it was a subscription that I could continue to subscribe to without stockpiling a bunch of similar items I didn't actually need. The best part of the boxes for me is that they are also customizable to a degree. Every season you get several choices to customize your box to things that you actually prefer. For example, for the summer box they had a fun felt letter board which sounds great except I have cats and dogs and I have no interest in seeing how much hair it would acquire. Instead, I opted for some really cute blue tie-dye bowls. If I had wanted both the letter board and the bowls I could have added the additional item for a small extra fee. 

    These are all of the items from my box this month that I had a choice about. I also added the Doctor Rogers Restore Healing balm for $7 during the customization process since I wanted two items from that particular choice. Typically you have the ability to select a product from a range of 3-4 diverse items. For example, the first category this season was between a travel blow dryer, a lotus beach/picnic towel, Brazilian bum bum cream and shower moisturizing cream, or a kimono. A second choice was exercise resistance bands, a double star necklace, or a pair of silicone wine glasses. This particular box offered 5 choices to the annual members, and 3 choices for the seasonal subscribers. Seasonal subscribers still received the same number of products, the last two choices were just made for the based on their personal profile of interests. The summer box also included 4 additional items that were sent to everyone. These are the items that are not released before hand, so you get a little surprise when you unbox.

     Here's the complete picture of my summer 2019 box, along with my breakdown of items and cost. I did verify the prices listed and they seem legitimate for the specific products. My box included 5 customized items, 1 add on, and 4 additional products sent to everyone. Total value of the box added up to about $340 dollars, and out of pocket cost was $52 since I subscribe yearly but added the $7 healing balm.

Product	Price
Sutra Professional Mini Blow Dryer soft touch marble	$ 60
West Elm Indigo Tie-Die Bowls	$ 39
Burn 60 Resistance Bands	$ 34
Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream	$ 28
Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm	$ 30
Coola Organic SPF 30 Make-up setting spray	$ 36
Invisibobble Original Duo Pack (hair ties)	$ 16
Generation Clay Ultraviolet Brightening Purple Clay Mask	$39
Grace and Stella Rose Facial Spray	$25.95
Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask	$ 32
Cost of Box	$339.95
Actual Cost of Box:	$ 52 including shipping

     I've actually been subscribing to FabFitFun for years. I've received a variety of full sized make-up, brushes, moisturizers, exercise equipment, bluetooth speakers, a teapot with strainer, blankets, winter wear, stationary with wax stamps, candles, fruit in-fusible water bottles, vitamins, and journals. 

    

    In addition to the products of each box you're also entitled to some fun extras. Each box comes with the FabFitFun magazine which includes additional specials from the companies supplying the materials for the box as well. Most of the coupon codes are fairly substantial and are good for several months to a year. The shipping boxes are also really cute storage boxes for small items like craft supplies or small children’s toys. I currently store my sons Lego’s, my daughters play doh, and several of my craft supplies in previous FabFitFun boxes.They also launched access to FabFitFunTv where you can endlessly stream a variety of cooking, entertaining, DIY, and exercising videos. 

     If you have a little extra money to splurge on yourself, I would strongly encourage you to try the subscription. If you’re interested in trying it out you have a couple of options. You can subscribe yourself for full price here, or I currently have 5 invitations for a free introduction version of a box (3-4 full size products) that all you have to do is pay the shipping. This code gives you a 21 day trial period for the shop and FabFitFun TV as well. However, after 21 days you'll be automatically renewed for the seasonal membership, so if you're not a fan- remember to cancel. Send me your email address, and I’d be happy to send that information along while supplies last. I receive no benefit for these invitations, so I’m not just trying to sell you something to benefit myself. I genuinely just like the product. If you’re interested in receiving a full size summer box you can use my referral code to subscribe for $10 dollars off your first box. Since this would count as a referral, that would result in me getting a small bonus, but again I really just like the product. If you already get FabFitFun boxes I’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments to help get multiple perspectives the product!