I debated writing this post. Then I debated posting it all week. In an effort to be transparent, I'm confessing I succumbed to marketing and in a big way. This is in no way an endorsement, but a disclosure. I'm sharing my dive into the world of ordering a Fab, Fit, Fun subscription box of goodies for me and my girls. Close the post now frugalistas if you must. I received the editors box, for $39.99, by using a promo code from one of the YouTube vloggers. Normally, what happens is a seasonal box come out four times per year, but because I ordered between seasons, they do an editors box, which is a compilation of items apparently from previous seasons. Each season's box is $49.99, but claims to guarantee over $200 worth of full size products to try out. Ordering this is going completely against my character.
Why would someone with no fashion sense, little knowledge of hair, skin, and makeup, and claiming to be watching her pennies get sucked into this? Well, first off, I really enjoy spending time with my daughters, and doing an "unboxing" together, then trying out the products, seemed like a fun way to hang out together. Secondly, I know as my skin, hair, and body is aging, my minimalist approach to health and beauty could use a little infusion of updates. This seemed like a good way to sample some products that I would never purchase at retail without knowing how they worked over a period of time. With three of us, at different ages, some products will work better for one of us more than others, and we can spread the sampling three ways. We also have a large extended family of women, and could be fun to have a larger girls night (social connectedness life list item). Last, I've been drawn into to the fun of looking forward to a little gift to myself, a surprise as it were. I blame that on the dread I feel with the long winter ahead, and creating things to look forward to. I used some gift money to off set the cost of the first box. Really though, I was sucker punched by the cuteness of it all; feel free to judge in the comments.
My box, said to be valued in total at $257.98, included a blanket scarf (the item that landed the real punch), travel mug, adult coloring book and pencils, lip stain, hair oil, face peel, gold plated charm necklace (happy), body cream, and nail polish. I laugh at the insanity of some of the prices-as cute as the coffee mug is, no one is going to spend $19 on a plastic tumbler (though the lid for drinking is much nicer than the other travel mugs I own, and who doesn't want some positive affirmation at 6:00 a.m.). I love the Mod cloth black and white scarf. I wore it on Christmas day with a black turtleneck and pants, and was cozy all day long. The O.R.G. "peel face" (we three got a laugh from the word reversal on the product label), is by far the best product I've ever used on my face, and now I am on the hunt to see if I can find lower cost option than the $44 price tag. I've been using three times a week since it arrived on 12/23, so not sure yet how long a bottle lasts. I'm guessing about 6-8 weeks, so pretty spending per use, but damn, it is that good! DD2 will give the hair oil a try after the show choir competitions, as the heat from the irons can be harsh. The lip stain and nail polish have been worked into my minimal make up bag. We haven't really tried the body butter yet, but I think I may send with DD1 when she comes home in a few weeks to try and give her verdict. Unless one of the girls wants the necklace or coloring book, we'll probably gift those to a friend of one of the girls, saving a few dollars at that time.
Because I'm not endorsing this at all, I'm posting no links. If you have any interest whatsoever, just google or do a search on YouTube for it. You'll see loads of "unboxing" videos. Note, there was a lot of grumbling on one of the sites that girls were expecting an eye shadow pallet and sorely disappointed. To enjoy, I think a person must truly be open to accepting whatever is in the box-sort of an expensive, adult, grab bag. My review though is that based on my editors box, it was worth the price for me. I've committed to one year, for $179.99, so $20 less than ordering seasonally. I'll share my opinion on the spring box in a couple months.
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| My box items. |
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| Cute box. I will reuse for closet storage. |
No judgment here! Since this is something you are doing with your girls, it's valuable bonding time. Also, from what I have read here, you don't spend very much entertainment wise so I definitely don't think you should be badly. Oh, and one more thing....Have you SEEN the prices at places like Sephora? Trying out all that stuff for a minimal price is a frugal WIN anyway!!!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking along the lines of Sephora, Lancome, all the pricier items, that is a bit of a guess whether I will like it or not, and the tiny freebie samples aren't enough to tell. I am glad I come across as frugal-I'm trying to be!
DeleteOh you are singing to the choir here. I bought a 6 month Try the World subscription box. Like you said you have to be open to whatever comes. I don't think I am
ReplyDeleteThree years ago, I also tried out the Graze snack boxes. It came to $1.50 for each little wholesome snack, that even my healthy eater said were bland. I cancelled after 2 months paid.
DeleteEnjoy it Sam. Everyone's version of thrift is different...your life your rules or no rules if you prefer. I personally prefer the word thrift over frugal anyway because it comes from thriven meaning to thrive! Arilx
ReplyDeleteI plan to have fun with the boxed gifts-loosely defined of course. I've been using the coffee mug and the scarf a lot with the cold weather we have.
DeleteThis makes me think waaaaay back when I was a kid our drug store would have a $1.00 grab bag once a year. My 4 siblings and I would go buy it then bring it home to open with our mom on her bed. It was so exciting even though it was only stuff they hadn't been able to sell through the previous year. There's something magical about not knowing what's inside - I don't remember anyone ever complaining or feeling gipped!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I thought of too! All beit, these are a bit more prciey than a quarter.
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