FabFitFun Summer Box 2017

Hello (end of) Summer!

I love subscription boxes. There I said it! I’ve always been weary of the idea of subscribing to these boxes, but I am obsessed with the idea. I love surprises and these fun boxes give you just that! Whether it be monthly or seasonally, each box is different and filled with surprises. I recently had a short term subscription to a male-oriented box for Blake and we would get so excited whenever we saw the little brown boxes come in the mail. The FabFitFun Subscription box is probably the most well known subscription box. Many well known personalities/celebrities are partnered with FabFitFun and receive the boxes each season. I had heard about it and seen it all over my social media. So, earlier this year, I decided to treat myself to a 1 year subscription to FabFitFun.

The annual subscription is $179.99 US dollars, which approximately exchanges to $230.00 Canadian dollars. You could pay for each box individually and pay 50$USD, but I decided to spoil myself and get the annual subscription. You can go on the website www.fabfitfun.com and purchase the subscriptions; as well as take the online evaluations so that they can better specify the box to you. I’ve already received the Spring 2017 and Summer 2017 boxes, but this review is going to be on the Summer 2017 Box.

I wanted to start by discussing the box’s design. Each month the box includes a pamphlet that describes everything in the box and includes a description of the box’s artist. So this box was designed by Libby Vanderploeg of Greenpoint, Brooklyn; and I think it’s really fun and summery.

First Look!

So, without further ado, here are the items that I received this Summer. All the products I received had a total value of $272-$288 (so it’s totally worth it).

So let’s take a closer look at each of the items. Starting with this super cute “On the Road Again Travel Set”.

Now, according to the “What’s Inside” article that the box came with, if I had actually gone online and taken the summer evaluation then I would have gotten 3 options to choose from. This season I could have chosen from (1) Traveler (2) Artist or (3) Chef. The Artist option would have given me an art kit including a canvas, brushes, paint, and stencils worth $22. On the other hand, the Chef option would have given me a salt grater, wood stand, and a block of Himalayan Pink Salt worth $26. Although those were both great options, I’m ecstatic that I got the Traveler option worth $28. This gorgeous passport cover and luggage tag are exactly what I need to encourage me towards taking another vacation. The icing on top of the cake is that this duo is made out of vegan leather. So excited to get “on the road again”. Can’t wait for my next adventure where I get to use this set!

Moving on: unfortunately, I haven’t updated my camera, so this picture isn’t the greatest to show you the great quality of the skin and body products that I got this season. Starting left to right: (1) Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk - $20 (2) Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ - $24 (3) Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate - $29 (4) Cargo Cosmetics Cargo_HD Picture Perfect Highlighter in Bronze - $30.

The dry shampoo was the second choice that I had the possibility to make. The other product option was a Way of Will 03 Soothe and Cool Massage Oil worth $29.50. I love a massage more than the next guy, especially with the repetitive strain I experience with my daily work, but I’m so happy with what I got. Last season, I got a dry conditioner in my FabFitFun box, so I’m glad that this month I got the shampoo to accompany it. I mean, I wash my hair as often as a normal person, but sometimes you are just too busy (lazy), so it’s nice to have a refreshing option for those busy (lazy) days.

I haven’t gotten the chance to use the Sunscreen lotion, but I’m looking forward to using it. I am an advent face moisturizer user and a sunscreen user, so any product that gives my skin extra protection is great in my books. I try my best to take very good care of my skin, so this lightweight and soothing product should do the trick!

Next is the Smoothing Eye Concentrate. When I first saw this item, I thought “I’m too young for this”, but it’s really never too early to take care of the skin around your eyes. The eyes are the window to the soul, so making sure you have nice covers will just make for a better, more beautiful view through the window. I like to use this product in the mornings before work to reduce any dark circles around my eyes. Especially with Blake gone and being on call frequently with work, I find that I haven’t been sleeping very well lately; so reducing those dark circles are key to my morning beauty routine.

Lastly, the Bronze Highlighter by Cargo Cosmetics. I have my favourite makeup products that I use every day. It's hard to deter from them when I am gifted with a new product. I’m not used to using foundation, bronzer, eyebrow pencils, blush, etc. I’m strictly an eye and lip gal. I’m not opposed to using other products, I honestly just don’t know how to use them; I never learned and never bothered. It will be nice to be able to add a little extra bronze to my skin during the summer months or even during the winter months when I'm unable to obtain the natural bronze in my skin.

Next up: Health Care! I got Vital Proteins Marine Collagen which was a sponsored product in this season’s box. Apparently, it is natural drinkable collagen powder. I had no idea drinkable collagen even existed, but collagen it is key ingredient towards healthier skin, hair and nails - who doesn’t want that? As well, collagen supports overall bone and joint health, promotes healthy body systems, helps aid in a restful night’s sleep, and decreases anxiety. All things that I need help with! I’ve recently started incorporating smoothies into my morning routine so this will be an interesting add-in to my smoothies.

Another new habit I’ve begun is drinking water. Like a lot of water! I have started drinking about 1 ½ litres of H20 a day. This BKR Little - 500mL glass water bottle worth $35 will be the perfect new accessory to my water habit. It is so important to drink water. It is something that most of us don’t do enough of, but I encourage you to start because it has truly refreshed my body.

Finally, the last products are the accessories that I got in this summer box.

1. Michael Stars Ruana in Black and White - $54 (2) Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace - Peach Moonstone - $58

(Excuse the no makeup/hairbrush Tuesday) I love this Ruana. It is an amazing accessory to your beach day or even a regular day of errands. Due to work, I wear medical scrubs all day everyday and then come home and change directly into pajamas. Whenever I have to go out to do errands or meet up with friends I never know what to wear because I’m not used to dressing like a normal person. So I love accessories to dress up my everyday looks. This ruana can be used as a drape, a scarf, or a sarong over a bathing suit at the beach. Also, Michael Stars is a company that works towards empowering women, so that’s awesome too.

The second accessory I got is the Peach Moonstone Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace which I am totally obsessed with! Each gemstone necklace is completely handmade. The stones are shaped, cut, polished, and drilled by hand so you know that each necklace is unique. There were three gemstone options, each with it’s own attributes.

1. Turquoise - promotes balance, discovery, and confidence.

2. Howlite - enhances intuition and promotes calmness

3. Peach Moonstone - provides strength, inner peace, and growth.

When I received this box, I had just gone through a really difficult experience so the Peach Moonstone necklace brought me so much strength. Wearing it and recognizing the properties that it promoted really helped me overcome my experience. I’m so in love with this. I wear it regularly to remind myself that each day may present a new obstacle, but that I am strong enough to overcome all of them.

So that’s it! That was my FabFitFun Summer 2017 subscription box. I hope you enjoyed reading about the wonderful products that I received this season and look forward to seeing what I get this Fall! I know I am!