For as much as I love beauty products, one would have thought that I’d have jumped on the FabFitFun bandwagon when it first hit the market.
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However, I was overwhelmed with all the other less expensive box subscription services, and FFF was just a little bit more expensive.
After many years of wanton regret, I’ve finally did it! The CC info was typed in, I pressed the enter key, and the order was complete. My first FFF box was being processed!
I then waited patiently, with bated breath, for the box to arrive. Of course LP was kinda jelly, so I signed her up for a $5 starter box.
Part of what I like about the FFF box platform is that there are some items that you can choose from, and customize certain products. For the Spring 2019 box I selected a cute backpack tote, a moisturizer, and a travel summer plastic plate set.
Finally the day was here! The FFF box arrived via FedEx and I was super excited to check it all out, because I wasn’t sure what else was being selected for me and sent my way. It’s kinda like CHRISTMAS! LOL
So here’s what I received inside my first box… I paid $49.99 for it. Not too shabby!
The Deux Lux Demi Backpack is really cute, however the sides tend to pop open. Also the top flap is really wide, and I prefer something that clasps or zips shut. It will be modified, and I’ll add strip of velcro and all will be good. Their suggested retail price is $75, and honestly I would have paid about $20 for it. ($25 if the top closed a bit more securely.)
The Sunnylife Lovers Picnic set, was my only option at the time when I ordered the box. The suggested retail is $30, but this feels like a dollar store or 5 below find for $5. It will go in the car for that just incase we need a plate or something. I like being prepared!
The Lavido Aromatic Body Lotion in Mandarin, Orange and Bergamot – is nice. I like the fresh citrusy scent and it’s not overpowering. Suggested retail is $19, and I feel it’s comparable to B&BW at about $15.
The Ciaté London Extraordinary Translucent Setting Powder… this was a surprise for sure. I thought I was going to get a water bottle… for me the powder was a waaaay better item. I love it. $22 suggested retail and, yes, I’d pay that!
The Daily Concepts Daily Detox Brush, I would have liked something else, as I already have something similar. Retail is $18, I think I paid $15 for something similar. That being said, I like the shape and the bristles are strong. So it will get some use.
A super indulgent item in my FFF box was the Manna Kadar Champagne Charcoal Body Scrub. It has a lovely scent that I can’t quite place, not sure if it actually smells like “champagne” but it’s nice. I’ve used the scrub on my hands for our at home manicures, and like the way it makes them feel. $34.95 ticket price, which is a bit steep for me. For something similar, I’d shell out $20-ish. The tub size is adequate!
Surprise hit from this box was the OUAI Leave in Conditioner. This salon care hair product smells like a spa day on vacation. I love the scent, love the way it makes my hair feel and want to go to this salon! $26 retail, and I’d buy it again. This item LP was really hoping to snag out of my bathroom, she loves it too. So of course I’m sharing it with her.
Last, there’s the Dr. Brandt skincare needles no more® NO MORE BAGGAGE™ eye de-puffing gel. This is NOT an eye cream, but an after product that helps combat my eyes and under eye dark circles. It works ok. I always have dark-fish circles, and don’t do my makeup every day. I do like the consistency and the feel of the product. So I might give it a whirl on my next vacation and recommend on the product then. Suggested retail $24, and for me, it’s about a $20-$25 product, if it does what it’s supposed to.
Now for the math… and the math never lies.
All in, the FFF suggested retail for this box was just shy of $250… My opinion of the actual value to ME for these products rang in at about $ 146. So with my $50 first box purchase, I feel like I came out ahead… Of course there are 2 items that I just wouldn’t have selected, but yeah… this was a success! 🙂
Of course, my over-all take on the FabFitFun box is that I got some great products. Sure, some of the “suggested retail prices” for the items seemed a bit steep… but I’ll definitely get next season’s box and do a second review!