November 23, 2018

FabFitFun Box Review

My official FabFitFun Box Review has arrived!

In typical blogger/influencer fashion, I usually test out all the new, hot products. Yet somehow I’ve never tried FabFitFun! …Until now.

Better late than never right?

I’ve been curious about the FabFitFun boxes since they started popping up on every Bachelorette/Bachelor contestants’ Instagram feeds, but I never opted to subscribe. Mostly because everything that sounds like a good deal, is actually about twice the price once you factor in the Canadian exchange rate and shipping. However when my Aunty who swears by FabFitFun sent me an offer for a “Starter Box”, I figured there was no better time to try it!

What is FabFitFun?

FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription box that contains fashion, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle products! Claimed to have a value of over $200, the idea is that each season, you will receive a selection of full-size, hot new products to enjoy!

In addition, you gain access to the FabFitFun community and FabFitFunTV, which in a whole bunch of at-home workout videos, which is pretty cool!

What is a FABFITFUN Starter Box?

A FabFitFun Starter Box is a mini version of the box, which you can only purchase if you’ve been referred by a current FabFitFun subscriber. I’m not sure if every FabFitFun subscriber has the ability to send these Starter Box referrals, but I know that my Aunty could only send 3 referrals, and I was lucky enough to be one of her 3!

Basically, it’s a sample of the box that they hope will pull you in to become a real subscriber. You pay just $5 USD to cover shipping, and receive a teaser of products that would be in a typical box. Being Canadian, I had to pay $8 USD (see what I mean about everything being more expensive?), which converted to about $10 CAD. Still very reasonable for what I received!!

WHAT’S INSIDE THE STARTER BOX?

If you were to subscribe for a full-size FabFitFun box, you would receive 8-10 full-size products. But since mine is a Starter box, I received the following 4:

1. AHAVA DEADSEA WATER MINERAL HAND CREAM – $33

I actually discovered this brand while I was in Israel, as it’s ingredients come right from the Dead Sea! The Dead Sea is the saltiest water in the world, and its sand is known for being extremely exfoliating. Infused with properties from the Dead Sea, I love the formula of this hand lotion, especially for the dry winter season coming up. It has a nice, light perfume scent — not overwhelming, but still noticeable. And the bottle is huge! Definitely will last me all winter long.

2. FREE PEOPLE SLEEPING MASK – $40

I don’t use sleeping masks on the regular, but I love them for travel! (Check out my post on carry-on essentials here to see what else I always pack for flights). This mask is extremely high quality, with a faux leather front, soft underside, and adjustable elastic strap. I always find my straps stretch out, so I love this aspect of it! What’s different about this mask though, is that it has cooling-bead insert inside for a cooling effect! I popped it into the fridge, and then put it over my eyes for a soothing eye treatment!

3. SPONGELLE BODY WASH INFUSED BUFFER – $16

Ok this product is actually super cool! Although it’s not something I would buy myself, I absolutely love using it in the shower as an exfoliator with built-in body wash! It’s also pretty big, so you’ll definitely get more than a few uses out of it!

4. SUMMER AND ROSE TOTE BAG – $54

Although the fabric of this bag is definitely more suited to the summer, this tote will be perfect for a beach bag… next year! I’m obsessed with all things nautical, and the twisted handles and leather detailing are super cute! I’ve definitely seen some better bags in past FabFitFun boxes, and while this one is cute, it’s not my favourite. I’m also not sure if this is really worth the value of $54… but regardless, I’m ALWAYS into a new bag!

WHAT DOES IT COST?

If you can get your hands on someone’s referral for a Starter Box, DO IT! It is absolutely worth the $5 USD or $10 CAD! I received 4 great, full-size products for that price! And it was such a fun surprise to see what would be inside.

With 4 boxes released a year, you can pay $49.99 USD for one season, or $179.99 USD for the annual subscription, meaning all 4 boxes. For us Canadian girls, we have to pay an additional shipping cost $8 USD per box. This means that 1 season’s box would put you back $57.99 USD (approx. $80 CAD), or $211.99 (approx. $280 CAD) for the annual subscription of 4 boxes.

OK, it’s definitely not cheap, but for the number of full-size products you receive, it’s a pretty sweet deal! FabFitFun claims each box has a value of over $200, and there are always some great established as well as up & coming fashion and beauty brands included.

MY VERDICT

OK SO HERE’S THE DEAL. There is no doubt that you receive more than $50 USD/$80 CAD worth of products in the box. That’s the whole point of most subscription boxes… you always get more value than you pay or else who would buy them? From what I’ve seen, most of the products in the boxes are actually really nice, good quality, and stuff I would use.

Although I have not yet tried out the full-sized FabFitFun box, if you can afford it — I think it would be totally worth the price! But $80 is not nothing, so for that reason and only that reason, I won’t be subscribing right now. If I lived in the U.S., and only had to pay $50 per box, I would 100% purchase the annual subscription.

Don’t get me wrong. I am in no way saying it’s not worth the $80 — it definitely is! But with my somewhat limited income as a student, I want to be a little more purposeful in selecting what what I spend that $80 on. Once I begin working full-time, I’ll definitely invest in this subscription because I think it’s such a great way to treat yourself!

If it’s a little out of your budget as well, I think an annual subscription to FabFitFun would be an amazing Christmas gift to ask for, or to give! …Someone tell Santa I’ve been good all year, please!!