Popsugar Limited Edition Spoilers

Popsugar: June 2017 Must Have + September Spoiler & Fall Limited Edition Spoilers!

So I’m still recovering from Labor Day, which was aptly named since it was my day of manual labor. It was like an episode of “This Old House” where I paint all the dirty white things, bright new white. Not the most riveting of renovations, which is probably why I don’t have my own HGTV show yet. But eventually, (as God is my witness), I will have some cool renovation posts for you. In the meantime, it’s time for some fun with boxes. Today I’ve got my June Popsugar review and a hell of a lot of spoilers for their September Must Have box and their Fall Limited Edition.

Let’s jump right in.

FALL LIMITED EDITION SPOILERS
Fashion:
Skincare:
Jewelry:
Limited Edition Fall
Description: “Ready to change up and revitalize your routine? This box is filled of over $450 worth of luxurious items that will have you feeling stylish and cozy all Fall long. Prepare to channel your inner street style star with cutting-edge products for every part of your life.”
Cost: $100.00
Quantities are limited, so don’t delay! Boxes will be shipped by Sept. 21.

This box is still available so if you’re loving all the spoilers, you can still nab one for yourself. Unfortunately I’m on a tight budget so I’m just sticking to my monthly must have subscription.

SEPTEMBER MUST HAVE SPOILERS
Theme
Makeup
SEPTEMBER BOX
Based on the theme I’m thinking we’re going to see some cool weather accessories. I’m super super psyched for the lipstick queen cheek stain. I’m a huge fan of their products and it seems like something fun to try out. I’m also happy to try out a new primer since it’s a fairly recent edition to my makeup bag and I’m still experimenting with different brands and types.

Now onto the main attraction…

JUNE MUST HAVE BOX

Billabong Aloha Forever Trucker Hat
(Suggested Retail: $17.95)
Description: “Keep your face out of the harmful rays while trying out the easy-to-wear trucker hat trend. This sporty cap will have you saying “Aloha” to even more oceanside activities.”
Verdict: Gift
I love hats, but I’m not a baseball hat type of girl. I passed this along to a friend who I thought would enjoy it.

Captain Blankenship Mermaid Sea Salt Hair Spray
(Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Description: ” Effortlessly style your hair with a sea salt spray that will add waves so gorgeous even a mermaid would be jealous. The organic ingredients like aloe vera and sea kelp extract will nourish your locks naturally without feeling crunchy.”
Verdict: LOVE!
I’ve received a small bottle of this in a long ago Birchbox and I adored it. It’s my favorite sea salt spray and one of my favorite hair products ever. Definitely the highlight of my box.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid
(Suggested Retail: $15.04)
Description: ”’ There’s nothing better than a juicy beach read. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest novel is full of intrigue, emotional twists, and Hollywood glamour, making it easy to get lost in while soaking up the rays.”
Verdict: Like
Sorry, for some reason I’m missing my pic of this one. This book is going to fit one of my 2017 Popsugar Book Challenge categories (the “A book that takes place over a character’s life span slot”, for those interested), so I’m happy with the inclusion.

ALOHA Collection Mid-Size Ocean Coco Palms Pouch
(Suggested Retail: $36.00)
Description: ” Pack your waterside essentials in this splash-proof zip pouch. The print will encourage you to get on island time and will protect your snacks, sea salt spray, and hat. You can also use it to store your wetsuit, dirty gym clothes, or other essentials as you run around town.”
Verdict: Gift
I think this is a great addition for a summer box, but I just don’t go to the beach or the pool regularly so this will be wasted on me. I have a friend going on a lovely Caribbean trip, so I’ll pass this along to her.

NCLA So Rich — Mermaid Tears
(Suggested Retail: $18.00)
Description: “Keep your nails from getting dried out on sandy and chlorine-filled days with this azure-hued cuticle oil that smells like honeysuckle. The vitamin E extract blended with sunflower seed oil will bring tears of joy to your tips.”
Verdict: Love!
First let’s give some props to the NCLA marketing team, because who doesn’t want a treatment called “mermaid tears”. Putting that aside, you know that I’m a polish hoarder, er collector, so this is right up my alley. NCLA is a great brand and a bit spendy for me at the moment, so I’m very happy to have this in my box. It’s also nice that even subscribers who aren’t nail polish aficionados can use this cuticle oil treatment.

Belgian Boys ® Mini Cookie Stash
(Suggested Retail: .99)
Description: “While sporting your new trucker hat, channel your inner class clown by taking selfies with these adorable (and extremely delicious) mustache cookies. They’re a fun-filled and portable snack to take with you on your sunny-day adventures.”
Verdict: Okay
These cookies were tasty enough. No super awesome taste sensations or anything, but perfectly satisfactory.

Meri Meri Blue and White Party Straws
(Suggested Retail: 3.95)
Description: “Sip your Frappuccino® and other summery concoctions through festive straws that add the perfect final touch to any outdoor festivity. Cheers!”
Verdict: Hit!
I love getting party supplies. When I finally finish painting my bar, I can use them for some cute drinks.

SPECIAL EXTRA

Starbucks® Frappuccino® Chilled Coffee Drink
(Suggested Retail: $7.99)
Description: Cool off and indulge in the sweet taste of a Frappuccino® chilled coffee drink, made with the quality Starbucks® coffee you already love. The delectable drink will be the perfect pairing with your day of fun in the sun. Also available in 13.7 oz. Flavor may vary.”
Verdict: Hit!
I’m not a Starbucks addict, but I really like the bottled Starbucks drinks as an occasionally treat. I actually tend to like them better than the real deal from the store. (I know, I know, I’m just crazy that way.)

OVERALL:
Verdict: Hit!
Even though I ended up giving away a couple items in this box, I still think it was well put together. It had a nice beachy summer feel, cohesive selections and items that should appeal to most subscribers. I paid $42.70 for this box, and got a retail value of approximately $120.12. (The retail value is based on the current price of the hardcover novel.) I pretty much got my money back with just the hair and nail products so I’ll call this one a win. I’m excited to see what starts popping up as we move toward the Fall.

I’ve got lots more box reviews coming up plus a huge KBeauty Haul.

If you want sneak previews of the box contents, be sure to follow me on Instagram!

What were your fave items from your summer boxes?

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 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

Popsugar: May Must Have Mini & LE Summer Presale!

Popsugar recently launched a downsized version of their subscription box called The Must Have Mini. The box costs $18.95 and features two full sized items with no overlap for their regular sub, so you can opt to receive both if you want some extra Popsugar in your life.

Last month’s introductory mini box left me pretty underwhelmed. I opted to give this sub one more chance to wow me, or at least give me the idea that they would attempt to send something interesting.

So let’s dive into the second Must Have Mini Box:

Zing Anything Bottle
(Suggested Retail: $12.99)
Description: “This 22 ounce citrus-infuser bottle is the perfect size for bringing to a steamy yoga session or on the go.”
Verdict: Does anyone not have a fancy water bottle by now? Anyone? Hands?
I guess when I crossed my fingers that Popsugar wouldn’t send a water bottle in their subscription, I clearly should have been more specific. While it didn’t show up in the regular Must Have box, it made its appearance in the mini. You know, because when you only have two slots in a box, you should totes choose something incredibly generic that shows up in nearly every women’s lifestyle sub. Also as far as water bottles go, this one isn’t even attractive. ZingAnything has cuter ones (which I own and not surprisingly got from a sub box) so it’s not even a great choice in that regard.

H20+ Oasis Hydrating Treatment
(Retail: $38.00)
Description: ”This bestselling product from H20+ for a quarter of a century, this treatment will hydrate your skin for a softer smoother look..”
Verdict: Okay
A moisturizer. You know cause, those are so rare in sub boxes. This seems like a nice enough product and I like that it’s a gel, but it’s just not that interesting. We get plenty of moisturizers from pretty high end brands in the regular Popsugar so I’m just not feeling that this is all that special. I tried this out and while it feels immediately hydrating, it doesn’t seem like it keeps my skin soft (if that makes sense). The included card suggested using this under make in the morning so I think I’ll try it out that way.

OVERALL:

Verdict: Canceled
We’ll start with the positives. With tax I ended up paying $20.28 for this box and the retail value came out to $50.99, so that was a nice improvement over the first box. It seems the mini boxes are continuing the regular subscriptions theme so this is clearly a “hydration” box but the choices made were so lackluster. If I were curating this box I’d try something like a cool pitcher and maybe a hydrating scalp treatment. Things that fit the theme, but don’t show up in every other box.

After two months of these boxes, I’ve figured out that this sub is basically for people who don’t have a bunch of other subscriptions. If you’ve never subscribed to a sub box, you *might* enjoy this, but if you’re a subscription junkie, there is absolutely no point for you to get this subscription. You get the same items that make the rounds in all the other boxes – including the main Popsugar box. The four items they’ve sent out so far: A Candle, a lip balm, a water bottle, and a moisturizer. That doesn’t scream out “must have” – it screams out “we already have”. This could be a really interesting sub, featuring more unique finds but instead it’s a snoozefest. Really disappointing.

I’ve canceled for now, but if the box curation changes I might give it a try again.

What did you think of the Popsugar Mini Box?
Am I being too hard on the little guy, or do you find the items as boring as I do?

POPSUGAR NEWS!
Summer LE Box Presale! The Limited Edition Summer box will be on sale May 19 at 10am PDT

Description: “As the weather heats up, prepare yourself with stylish essentials made to keep you cool in every way. Spending time outdoors never looked so good.”
Cost: $100.00
This box is typically pretty popular and I think if you want to gamble on an LE box, the summer box is probably most likely to have some really fun stuff. If I see some fabulous spoilers I might treat myself to this, but unless something compelling comes out, I’m sticking with my LE No Buy.

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

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

Popsugar: April Must Have Mini & LE CFDA Box Spoiler!

Despite my ongoing issues with Popsugar customer service, I usually love the items I actually get so I decided to give this one a chance for a month or two (and of course it’s super exciting to review the inaugural box of any sub).

So let’s see what our very first Must Have Mini box has inside:

Greenmarket Purveying Co. White Melon Pantry Candle
(Retail 7 oz: $16.00)
Description: “Hand-poured in small batches by a US artisan chandler, this soy-blend candle has notes of fresh melon, sweet peach, zest citrus, and comforting vanilla.”
Verdict: Like
To start this candle smells amazing, like the best watermelon candy except not cloying at all. The only thing is, it’s well, a candle. I love candles don’t get me wrong but if you’re a sub box subscriber, you get tons of them. It just seems like a bit of a boring choice for one of two slots in the very first box of the subscription. It also came with a coupon for a discount on Greenmarket Purveying Co.’s site, which was a nice bonus.

FARMACY Lip Bloom in Lavender Mint
(Retail: $16.50)
Description: ”Farmacy’s unique variant of Echinacea works with natural seed oils to form a protective barrier that leads to softer, fuller lips – combine these natural benefits with the refreshing scent of your favorite herbs, and you’ve got the perfect lip balm.”
Verdict: Lovely but boring
Think of the very next thing that overflows from sub boxes right after candles? If you guessed lip balms, ding, ding, you are a winner! This has lovely packaging, and the scent seems nice, but it’s just a fancy lip balm. Not really much to write home about.

OVERALL:

Verdict: Phoned In
We’ll start with the positives. With tax I ended up paying $20.28 for this box and the retail value came out to $32.50, so it definitely delivered in that regard. This box had a spring feel and was seasonably appropriate. Each item was high quality and well suited for gift giving (particularly Mother’s Day). Unfortunately, the items were painfully dull. The only thing missing from making this the “crap you always get in sub boxes” was the inclusion of a mascara. And it’s probably only absent because Popsugar was limited to two full size pieces. With a box of only two items, at least one needs to be a rockstar and both of these were painfully ordinary sub-box fodder. They would be fine in a box filled with other things, but as a set they just don’t scream out “must have”. Also consider that this is the very first box of this subscription and it seems even less inspired. Popsugar really phoned this one in. I’m going to hold on to the sub for another month or two, just to see if it improves, but if I end up with a stack of mascara and lip gloss I’m bailing.

What do you think of Popsugar’s new lower cost offering? Would you have enjoyed this box for the price or found it as lackluster as I did?

POPSUGAR NEWS!
CFDA Box Launch & Spoiler!

Description: “For the second year in a row, we’re proud to launch our limited-edition Must Have box with the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This fashion collaboration has little luxuries perfect for a relaxing day by the pool or a weekend filled with sun and music. Fifty percent of POPSUGAR’s profits from each box will be donated to the CFDA, in support of the CFDA mission to strengthen American fashion in the global economy.”
Cost: $225.00
Spoiler: every box includes a classic split cover up from lemlem by supermodel Liya Kebede
Last year’s CFDA box was probably Popsugar’s most controversial box ever. There was all kinds of drama from changing prices to misrepresented items, so Popsugar actually broke down and offered returns. Head over to my 2015 review for all the dirty details. This year they’ve opted to release a spoiler and it certainly looks intriguing. Last year’s box was painfully devoid of actual fashion items, so it seems Popsugar learned their lesson. After last year, I’m not willing to risk so much money on a Popsugar LE box, but if you love the spoiler it may be worth the gamble to you.

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

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

Popsugar Limited Edition Summer Box 2014

While it’s always fun to unbox surprises, opening up the Popsugar Limited Edition Boxes is always extra awesome.

My Summer 2014 Popsugar Box arrived in this unassuming (yet substantially heavy) cardboard box.

Once opened it reveals the lovely Popsugar box that is a great size and shape for storing all kinds of odds and ends in your house. I hoard these boxes (along with the Birchbox ones). They are uber useful.

Okay now that my toddler-like interest in the actual box is past, let’s dive into the items. They are all individually wrapped up and packed so nicely that they really do make you feel like someone sent you a present.

And what’s inside the box? Another box (very meta) – and it’s pretty heavy….

Sisters of Los Angeles City Rocks Glasses (Suggested Retail: $45.00)
Description: “…Sisters of Los Angeles City Rocks Glasses made just for Popsugar. In honor of four of our office locations, we featured SF, LA, NY and London..”
Verdict: Love!/Gift
These glasses are really high quality and so fun. I love the colorful designs and the weight of them is quite hefty. Unfortunately I have a lot of classes in this size, but I know a ton of folks who would love these for a gift. (Although I may break down and find some room in my cabinet for them since they are so cute). This company makes products emblazoned with cool graphics of various cities, so check them out if you want a fun gift for that chic urbanite in your life. Since this set was put together exclusively for Popsugar it’s unavailable on their website so I used a similar set for pricing.

Samudra Blue Tropics Pouch (Retail: $60.00)
Description:“Keep all your essentials in your statement bag for an easy transition from beach day to evening soiree.”
Verdict: Love!
I’m not sure if you know this about me but I’m slightly obsessed with organization and this giant pouch is perfect for travel. It’s even big enough to hold a tablet. The tropical prints really give that summer vibe and I love that there are different ones on either side. I’ll be using it asap for my upcoming work trip to Baltimore. After that I think it will be making daily appearances in my work bag to corral notebooks, my kindle, pens and other odds and ends.

Sachajuan Ocean Mist (Retail: $28.00)
Description. “Cult favorite Sachajuan’s Oceamn Mist will give you perfect waves without your ever stepping foor in the water. Spray on dry or damp hair for an effortless yet voluminous Summer look.”
Verdict: Love!
This is my year of experimenting with hair products and I love all the ocean and sea salt sprays where you can just spray on damp hair and boom, your styling is done. My hair is naturally wavy and I think this product will work perfectly with its texture and my propensity for being lazy with hair styling.

Soixante Nefu Jewels by Joie Jager Horn Necklace (Suggested Retail: $155.00)
Description: “…This vintage-inspired accessory is sure to be a Summer staple in your collection..”
Verdict: On the fence
I really like the idea of this necklace, the long length and the combination of colors. It’s pretty pricey and according to the description its 14K gold plated, but somehow it just feels a little cheap to me and I can’t imagine paying $155 for it. Apparently lots of celebrities wear this design so maybe it’s just overpriced. I don’t love it, but it’s not terrible either. It may look cool layered with some other chains I have, I’ll just have to see how it works out. At the moment, I’m not sold.

The Ingredient Finder Eliunt Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Suggested Retail: $16.65)
Description: “…The Ingredient Finder handpicked the best olive oils to transport you and your food around the world. Each Eliunt Extra Virgin Olive Oil comes with its own custom taste and cultural background to make your dish unique.”
Verdict: Hit!
Being that I am Italian, it is a requirement that I always have an ample supply of olive oil in my pantry. My bottle came from Australia and I don’t think I’ve ever tried an Australian olive oil so this will be something new. It’s a pretty small bottle so I’m going to save this for dipping with bread or drizzling over something special. I couldn’t find individually priced bottles (it looks like the smallest is in a set of 3, so I’m going to estimate the value based on that). I wasn’t familiar with the Ingredient Finder website before but it seems like a really fun foodie site for finding high end international cooking ingredients. It even lets you search by cuisine. If you like cooking you should check it out.

Tarte Cheek Stain (Suggested Retail: $30.00)
Description: “…Let your skin glow this Summer with Tarte’s restorative Cheek Stain…”
Verdict: Love!
I love Tarte’s products and I already own one of their cheek stains in a different shade. I love the natural flush and the easy application. I can’t wait to try out this new color.

Tarte Lipsurgence Power Pigment (Suggested Retail: $24.00)
Description: “….This peppermint-infused tint will nourish your lips for a naturally fuller and healthier pout!…”
Verdict: Love!
As I mentioned before I really love Tarte’s products, so I’m very excited to try out this lip tint. The shade seems like a lovely neutral for summer and should work well with my albino skin tone.

OVERALL:
Love!

This was an amazing box that totally made up for the lackluster Limited Edition Resort Box and the disappointing May Must Have. I love nearly everything in this box and all the choices feel theme appropriate and cohesive as a collection.

I paid $107.00 for this box and received $358.65 worth of products. Even discounting the overpriced necklace that is an amazing value. After this box, Popsugar has set the bar really high for their limited editions. I can’t wait to see what the next one brings.

So what did you think of the Popsugar Limited Edition Summer Box? Did you like it more or less than the Resort one?

LIMITED TIME COUPON! Use code XL25K3Z to save $15 off your first POPSUGAR Must Have box

THE BACKSTORY

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

Popsugar 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

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