Review: FabFitFun Summer Box 2020
For the past few years, both my Facebook and Instagram have been peppered with ads for FabFitFun’s seasonal subscription boxes. They always intrigued me, but I didn’t bite the bullet until the Summer 2020 box, which was being offered at $39.99 for first-time subscribers.
Not knowing the quality of what I’d receive and if I would be able to get the items I wanted, I opted for the seasonal subscription ($49.99 per season) versus the flat yearly subscription ($179.99, a $5 savings per box, plus the ability to choose more items ahead of the seasonal subscribers). As a seasonal subscriber, I was the last to customize what I wanted in my box, but there were plenty of options available to me.
My picks, all of which I received:
- Draper James Straw Bag with Floral Scarf ($75) – So fun and summery, with plenty of room for all my summer essentials. I love the straw smell of the bag, and it’s lightweight and fashionable enough to carry to a non-casual event. Two complaints: You can’t get the bag wet, and it’s not washable – doesn’t make much sense to carry with you if you’re out with kids or may get accidentally caught in the rain. (For that last reason, I’m glad I don’t live in Southern Florida.) It also strikes me as a style and quality I can pick up in Kohl’s or TJMaxx for much cheaper.
- Business & Pleasure Co. Cooler Bag ($59) – Spacious enough for a picnic lunch with my family, it’s a cheerful pattern and heavy-duty, made of umbrella canvas that has water, mold, and UV protection. It also has a recycled PVC lining. It feels like it will last for years to come. I would say it’s comparable to an LL Bean-quality bag, at the same price point. (I still have my LL Bean backpack from high school, which is a testament to its strength.)
- Toms Sydney Sunglasses ($58) – Love, love, LOVE these sunglasses. They’re an attractive style for my round face. I have a difficult time finding sunglasses I like, and these are sturdy and well-made. The olive-colored lenses make bright light much more comfortable.
FabFitFun then picked my other items out at random based on a personality quiz I filled out when I joined:
- Zoe Ayla Ice Roller ($30) – Looking forward to trying this on my sleep-deprived, puffy eyes. You store it in the freezer for four hours then roll away. Not sure I would pay $30 for something like this when you can freeze and use the back of a tablespoon, but I like the massaging, rolling action.
- Isaac Mizrahi Loves XO Sienna Vase ($28) – A cute, functional vase. It’s neutral, so would fit in with a lot of different decors. I might adopt it as my desk vase. It feels comporable to something you might pick up at Anthropologie. Definitely higher quality than Target’s Threshold brand, although something you might find on its shelves.
- Spongelle Coconut Verbena Hand Cream ($18) – This smells summery and heavenly. In my opinion, coconut verbena scent can easily overpower or smell fake, but Spongelle nailed it. It made my hands nice and smooth, and the smell pleasantly lingered for a few hours afterwards. Definitely beats the Bath & Body Works version I had years ago.
- MakeupDrop Hybrid Makeup Applicator ($20) – I look forward to trying this and comparing it to my usual Beautyblender sponge. It’s been too hot for makeup the past week, so I haven’t needed it yet.
- WinkyLux Uni-Brow Universal Eyebrow Pencil ($16) – I haven’t tried this yet, either, as I haven’t left the house (hello, quarantine). I look forward to seeing how it compares to my usual Benefit Gimme Brow cream.
I also had the opportunity to buy additional items at steep discounts if I wanted to add on. I chose a Understated Leather Embellished Wooden Brush at $14, regularly $30.
Review
Talk about quality! Everything I received was top notch and well worth the value of the box. (I notice a lot of the items have already made their way onto Poshmark or Mercari, which makes me wonder if people just get FabFitFun boxes to resell.)
I was happy to discover that even though I was one of the last in line to pick my items, there was still quite a selection to be had. I was gunning for the three items I picked and they were still in stock. (Some items, like an Isaac Mizrahi Blue and White Kimono and L*Space Tie Dye Towel were out of stock by the time I took my pick.)
Overall, I felt the box was well worth it and will likely buy again as long as I like the preview. It’s probably not a box for you if you have too much “stuff” and the items are just going to wind up on a shelf or in a draw not to see the light of day. I’m hesitant, though, to buy a yearly subscription in case my financial situation changes. At only an extra $20 savings per year, I think you have enough choices too justify a seasonal subscription and still feel like you’ve saved money. If you’re a really picky person, you’re probably better off with a yearly subscription.
Interested in trying FabFitFun? I have six invitations to try a starter box with three to four full-sized items worth $75. All you have to do is pay for shipping and handling. (Keep in mind that the starter box enrolls you in a seasonal subscription, so you’ll have to cancel within 21 days if it’s not for you.) Email me at amanda@thefrazzled.com if you liked to try one!