So last month’s original Fancy box was so awesome that it made up for all the screw-ups and let downs I had with Fancy last year. I crossed my fingers that Fancy had turned a corner and now their boxes would be more better and more consistent.
This month we got a new sized Fancy box. Instead of our usual square, this mysterious rectangle appeared.
Something to keep in mind is that the original Fancy let’s you choose the categories you want to receive items from. I have “Women’s”, “Gadgets”, and “Home” selected with “Men” and “Media” unselected.
Style Book II – Pattern & Print (Amazon Retail: $20.91)
Verdict: Miss
So this is one of coffee table books that focuses on Fashion and in particular patterns and prints. To be honest, I don’t own many coffee table books because I have a small apartment and I prefer to fill up the space with things that are more useful. I love fashion but I utilize Pinterest to keep photos of my favorite looks. I also purposely have the “media” category unchecked and since their fashion magazines fall under that category, I believe this item would as well.
Twistband Hair Tie Sets (Fancy Retail: $7.00)
Verdict: Like
Every subscription box that is remotely related to women will at some point send you twistbands. I have a few and I like them so I have no problem picking up a few more colors. Not exciting, but at least useful.
Gipsy Contrast Heart Tights (Fancy Retail: $16.00)
Verdict: On the Fence
And these tights contained the biggest lie ever perpetrated in fashion: “one size fits all”. The design is cute, but I am *extremely* skeptical that these will fit me right or anyone else for that matter. I could see this item in one of the celebrity curated boxes, but I just don’t quite feel it for the original Fancy subscription.
EVA NYC Galaxy Ceramic Styling Iron (Fancy Retail:$80.00; Amazon Retail: $55.00 )
Verdict: Miss
So is there a woman out there that can afford a $46+ subscription box, wants a styling iron and doesn’t already have one? Anyone? As far as I can tell this iron isn’t some special brand and the only unique thing about it is the fun galaxy design. If this iron had some type of super cool feature that would make it an upgrade from a run of the mill version I would have been excited, but it doesn’t. You can pick up styling irons like this one at TJ Maxx and Marshalls for a steal and I can’t see anyone buying it on Fancy for $80. Maybe this brand is more special than my google-fu shows? I’m just not feeling it. This will most likely be gifted, sold or swapped.
Overall:
Super Disappointed
Oh Fancy, how you like to break my heart so much.
First of all, this box was clearly a women’s box and I would have been much more understanding if this was the Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cocha Rocha or Kelly Rowland boxes, but it’s not. I expect items from the various categories and I don’t think an overpriced, mediocre styling iron counts as a “gadget” or a picture book of fashion photos counts as “home”.
With the lower Amazon price of the iron, the estimated retail “value” of this box was $98.91. Somehow I ended up paying nothing for it. I know some of it came from referral credits (thanks folks!) but I had a Fancy gift card and refunds so I’m really not sure of the breakdown because Fancy’s credit and billing system is as confusing as John Travolta’s introductions. I guess I lucked out with this free box since the only item I liked was the twistbands.
So do you guys like the styling iron? Are you familiar with this brand and is it really worth $80?
Do you subscribe to the original Fancy? If so what categories did you choose and what items did you get?
THE BACKSTORY
Fancy Box is a monthly subscription service that curates items that are popular on the Fancy website. There are a few different subscription options. They all cost $39 plus shipping (an additional $7.95).
#1 –Fancy box (Original)
This box features a collection of some of the most fancy’d items, curated by the fancy community. Each box includes $80.00+ of products in the categories of your choice.
The categories you can choose from include: Men’s, Women’s, Kid’s, Home, Gadgets & Media. It also lets you customize your Tshirt size and your cell phone type.
#2 Fancy Food Box
Each Fancy Food Box includes five or more food products – anything from cookies and chocolates to teas and sauces – along with a selection of tasty recipes and pairing suggestions.
#3 Celebrity Curated Fancy Box
There are seven celebrity curated boxes to choose from. Each box includes $80.00+ of products. Most boxes are geared toward men or women though they do include unisex items.
They include:
- Verbal Fancy Box (This box is more geared towards Men)
- Cocha Rocha Fancy Box (This box is more geared towards Women)
- Tyler Florence Box (This box focuses on home, kitchen & cooking items)
- Pink Fancy Box (I believe this box is discontinued, but I haven’t seen an official notice from Fancy)
- Jennifer Love Hewitt Box:(This box is more geared towards Women)
- Ashton Kusher Fancy Box: (This box is more geared towards Men)
- Kelly Rowland Fancy Box: Brand New! (This box is more geared towards Women)
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Tags: Fancy Box, subscription box, Fancy, subscription, beauty subscription, home subscription, media subscription, gadgets subscription,January 2014 Fancy Box, February 2014 Fancy Subscription,Original Fancy Box, Original Fancy Box January, Fancy Box February 2014,Style Book II, Gipsy Tights,Twistband Hair Tie,Eva NYC Styling Iron
Lisa Preziosi 
Well that box was mind of ‘meh’
It’s true what you said about the curling iron. What girl, who can afford subscription boxes and clearly loves beauty, doesn’t already have a curling iron?! Although, maybe this one works amazingly well and will blow your socks off? Let’s hope so. And really, what’s with the tights? I totally agree with you on that point too. $10 bucks says they won’t fit my Cuban size 12 hips 
The only silverlining I see is free regifting 🙂
♥, Vanessa
That Moxie Chick
This one is actually a flat iron. I kept trying to see if it had any special features or if the brand is super awesome but it just looks like a regular flat iron with a fancy print on it.
I haven’t tried the tight yet, because I want to put off the inevitable disappointment when they don’t fit.
Lol I hear ya about the disapointment. When ever that happens to me I close my eyes, cringe, and wait to hear a rip. Good luck with them though! I really do hope they look nice! 🙂
Good review, and I agree with your sentiments except if I had received that box I would be thrilled with the styling iron as it looks like the really good kind that you can straighten, wave, or curl your hair with (i found them online here, it gives you alot more info…http://shop.eva-nyc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EV30.10268) It’s always good to have more than one pair for home and then gym bag, office, boyfriends house etc… I currentlly have three pairs on the go!! The rest of the stuff it is a bit meh, but irons are rrp $110.. it’s deinately a womans box though!
Sounds like you are really into styling your hair! I just don’t heat style enough to warrant more than one hair iron.
Do you ever check out TJ Maxx and Marshalls for styling tools? I see great brands there for like half off of the retail price. (That’s where I got the hair iron I already have).
Ha ha, yes maybe I’m a bit extreme with the hair, my hair is naturally just flat so it just looks gross without some juzzing up!! I’m in the UK, so we have TK Maxx but not Marshalls. I actually have never noticed hair tools in there but I will definately look the next time. Thanks!