Popsugar: August 2016 + A New Box & October Spoilers!

It’s Popsugar time and I’ve got lots of Popsugar news and boxes to catch up on.

First let’s start with some spoilers for October:
October 2016 Popsugar Must Have 2016 Spoilers
Henri Bendel Packable Umbrella

Power Your Happy by Lisa Sugar

Henri Bendel is a very chic, sophisticated brand and the umbrella is a practical option, but I’m not quite feeling the book.  It feels a little..self serving, maybe? Or like subscribers are being used to prop up her writing career?  I know she’s the founder of Popsugar, but I’m hoping this is an “extra” and not a significant part of the box value.

Next Popsugar has a new MYSTERY BOX for only $24.95.

Description: “Now’s your chance to get some of our most-loved surprises from past boxes, featuring over 7 different products with a retail value of $125+. This is a limited-time offer, so don’t wait!  *Products in box may vary.  *Orders will ship by Oct. 17 via FedEx SmartPost.”
If you aren’t a regular subscriber, you might want to try this out.  You probably won’t have most of the items and there are bound to be some goodies in there.

Now let’s get to the box:
August Must Have Box

Cargo Cosmetics “The Big Easy” Powder Blush
(Suggested Retail: $26)
Description: “Keep you Summer glow going strong into the Fall with this silky-smooth blush.  Because of it’s sheer quality, you don’t need to worry about overly bright cheeks – you can simply build to create your perfect shade!”
Verdict: Meh
I’m a bit ambivalent about the Cargo brand (although I know a lot of bloggers love them).  I find that nearly every Cargo product leans a bit warm for my complexion.  This blush seems fine, but as a makeup item it’s pretty boring.  We’ve had a lot of summer boxes full of cheek products – blushes, bronzers—highlighters.  I really wish we’d gotten something a little more exciting. I didn’t swatch this since I’ve got a ton of other products to go through before I start using it.  Every season I go through my makeup to add new products and get rid of old ones so I’ll probably add this in during my Fall update.  However, I don’t dislike it even if I would have preferred something else.

Cookie Pop Popcorn Cookies & Cream
(Suggested Retail: $3.99)
Description: ”Our Food editors and readers are obsessed with anything cookies and cream, so when we tasted this fun, sweet-and-salty snack, we knew this bag wouldn’t last more than a few minutes in our offices and households.”
Verdict: Delicious, but with an aftertaste of disappointment
These were very yummy and really did taste just like cookies and cream.  The problem?  The bag was literally only a quarter full.  They really need to stop trying to scam us with under filling bags.  Do they think we don’t notice?  I’ve already grown to expect it to be half full, but this one was absurd.

Unplugged Dusti Screen Cleaner
(Suggested Retail: $5.99)
Description: ”These playful screen cleaners stick to your phone (or phone case) for easy use, and can be washed and reused – peace out, annoying smudges! Now your biggest problem will be picking which one to use first.”
Verdict: Hit!
I commute for hours, via multiple forms of transportation, so my phone is the lifeline that keeps you from hearing news stories about a woman in midtown attacking tourists with her overly heavy purse.  These adorable little cleaners will come in handy for keeping my phone looking good while I use it to forget that I commute through one of the most crowded places on earth.

Baggu Duck Bag
(Suggested Retail: $26.00)
Description: “The recycled fabric of this versatile tote is durable enough to carry with you everywhere so it’ll quickly become a closet staple. The bag’s adjustable strap length means it works for any outfit or scenario, soy you can show off its matte silver hardware and functional shape no matter where life takes you.”
Verdict: But I wanted the cool one!
Black is basic and important and all, but why couldn’t I get the fun print they showed on the card instead?  It’s like everyone else got Beyoncé and I got Michelle Williams.  I love Baggu bags and I actually own a duck bag with a nautical stripe so I already dig this style. I’m just super disappointed in this boring black.  I feel like the fun of canvas tote bags is being able to have funky or unusual prints.  You may not want to spring for a speckled or bright colored leather purse, but anything goes in canvas.  I don’t know yet if I’ll end up using this and maybe jazzing it up with some embroidery, or if I’ll just give it as a gift instead.


Triple C PowerGloss in Silver
(Suggested Retail: $30.00)
Description: “We’ve all panicked about a low phone battery, but you can kiss that particular anxiety goodbye thanks to this chic portable charger.  Hook the cosmetic-inspired gadget up to your phone or tablet for stress-free charging anywhere life takes you!”
Verdict: Love!
Every Fall I like to give my commuter bag an overhaul and I was in the market to add a portable charger, so this came at the exact perfect time.

Christian Lacroix Paris Paseo Sticky Note Folio
(Suggested Retail: $13.00)
Description: “While this gold-stamped folio is reserved on the outside, the playful ombré sticky-note options inside reveal plenty of personality!  Slip it into your toe to easily jot down reminders, even during your busiest days.”
Verdict: Hit!
During my lunch hour at my day job, I work on my blogging and writing so I like to keep a little “mobile office” in my purse.  This is perfect for writing notes and marking pages.  It’s classy and compact.

OVERALL:

Verdict: Like
If I’d gotten a Baggu bag in a better print/color, this would be a love.  This box had almost a commuter vibe to it that I actually found really helpful since I’m always looking for new products to help me have a smoother and better work week.  This box cost me $42.75 and the estimated retail value came out to $104.95.  That’s actually a bit low for Popsugar, but I do think all the items are excellent quality and quite practical.  This is definitely a step up from July’s confusing and immature curation.

I’ve got lots more Popsugar reviews coming—including their Fall Limited Edition box, so be sure to check back.

What did you think of the black Baggu Tote?
A solid basic or basically boring?

THE BACKSTORY
Popsugar is a women’s lifestyle subscription that delivers a monthly box of fun, full-size products hand-selected by Popsugar editors.

In addition to Popsugar’s monthly must have boxes, they have some seasonal special edition boxes that contain uber luxe items.  The price tag on these boxes is higher, but the products you receive are high end.

Popsugar Mini Pricing:
(Features 2 Full Size Items)
Monthly – $18.95

Popsugar Must Have Pricing:
Monthly – $39.95
3 Months – $109.85
6 Months – $214.70
12 Months – $404.40

Coupon Codes:  REFER5 = $5 off site wide
POPSUGAR10 = $10 off a 3 month subscription to Must Have

Author: Writer Preziosi

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Lisa attended Syracuse University where she studied singing in a giant castle surrounded by ice and snow. After she earned her music degree, she headed to the island of Manhattan, down to the West Village, to a place called the New School. There, she earned another degree in the great art of writing stories for children. She currently works on that same island trying to help real people, while making up stories about imaginary ones. Her first book, “The Ice Maiden’s Tale,” a fairy tale adventure, was released on May 30, 2017 and is up for sale on Amazon. View all posts by Writer Preziosi