IS IT WORTH IT? | FabFitFun Fall 2017 Review and Value Analysis (+ GET $10 OFF!)
Today I’m going to be doing the math my FabFitFun Fall 2017 subscription box (they’re still available if you want one). Their claim is that each $49.99 USD box contains goods worth more than $250USD. Of course, it’s a myth that you’re “saving money” because the chances you were planning on buying 3+ of the exact products in the box anyways is small. The subscription box is a fun treat-yo-self indulgence, and I think doing the math on how much you paid for each product gives you a better sense on how good the “deal” is. The products are truly only worth what the consumer is willing to pay, so let’s see how much each of these products is worth! The verdict on value is up to you, but I’ve included my opinion for each of the products below. 😛
I have also done a post similar to these with Sephora Value sets.
Definitions and Method:
Retail value: The $ value according to FabFitFun, which will be confirmed by my research on company websites
Price paid: How much the individual item contributes to the set’s price (calculated as a percentage of the total retail value and translated to a percentage of the price of the box)
All currencies will be in USD.
Price of FabFitFun box: $49.99
Total retail value of my box: $386.45
Accessory: Mer-Sea & Co. Scarf $98
Cozy wrap in grey:
Retail Value: $98
Price paid: $12.68
Verdict: Worth it
I’m only familiar with Mer-Sea & Co.’s bath products through my job at Anthropologie. I’m a huge fan of their cute packaging and always used their Sugar Whip Lotion when my hands were dry at work. This scarf is super soft, very big, and definitely bulky for traveling, which is what the packaging suggest this is designed for. I wouldn’t take this on a plane, but this will be awesome for fall road trips. The thing I don’t really like off the bat is how much the fluff can easily separate from the scarf. Fluff all over your outfit is not cute. The fringe also looks like a very attractive thing for Bloo to grab with her teeth. Update: I just had to retrieve the scarf from her bed. She stole it right off my desk. She hasn’t even seen the fringe yet! If I was to buy this in a store, I would pay up to $40 for it, so this item is a definite Worth It item.
Other things you might want to know:
- 100% polyester
- Hand wash only
- Made in China
- Company is founded by two women
Update: This thing sheds like a mothafluffa. I’m embarrassed to wear this out because it looks like I was attacked by a tornado of cats. 🙁
Accessory: TJD Beanie $50
Cable knit beanie in dusty rose
Retail Value: $50
Price paid: $6.46
Verdict: Not worth it
This was a “choice” option which meant you could pick this or another item. I wasn’t too enticed by either this or the belt on offer. The quality of either item didn’t seem all that good. Overall, I’m the least impressed with this item. The stated retail price is kind of hilarious for what it is, and frankly, I want my $6.46 back. The hat is too big and loose. Slips right over my eyes!
Other things you might want to know:
- 100% acrylic
- Made in China
- Fits large
- This company also has a woman founder
Lifestyle: Imm Living Jewelry Holder $33
Coxet wire heart ceramic jewelry holder:
Retail Value: $33
Price paid: $4.27
Verdict: Worth it
This seems like a quality product. It looks like an awesome gifting item for me. I already have lots of little trays and things, but if I didn’t, I would absolutely love this. The box’s description says you can also use it as a pencil holder? How…? That seems to be really pushing it. I guess it can also be a doorstop. Or paperweight. 1000% not worth the retail $33, but totally worth $5, even $10!
Other things you might want to know:
- Made in China
- Company is based in Toronto
Lifestyle: Private Party Gym Bag $59
Meet Me at the Barre bag:
Retail Value: $59
Price paid: $7.32
Verdict: Worth it
Okay, so I actually love barre workouts. I would be kind of embarrassed to bring this to the studio because that would be too cheesy. Never in a million years would I pay $60 for this, but I was actually excited for this to come in the box and was really hoping to get the one with this phrase (the others were gym and juice, and will workout for cupcakes). It’s a cute bag for $7, and to me it seems like it’s worth about that much. The zippers are cheap, and there’s no real substance to the handles, but it’s cute so whatever. It’s a great bag to keep in the trunk of my car to organize all the stuff I take on the road with the dog (seat cover for muddy dog, bag of food, travel bowls). It’s essentially a baby bag.
Other things you might want to know:
- Made in China
- Dry clean only?!
Lifestyle: MyTagAlongs Hot / Cold Pack $15
Hot or cold gel pack:
Retail Value: $15
Price paid: $1.94
Verdict: Worth it
I don’t understand the phrases that are on the pack. I guess it’s handy to have a gel pack on hand. Don’t really need one, but now I have one! For $2 it’s not bad. I’ll keep it.
Other things you might want to know:
- Designed by another Canadian company
- Made in China
Beauty: Whish Mud Mask $48
Renewing mud mask:
Retail Value: $48
Price paid: $6.21
Verdict: Worth it
I love mud masks!! The fragrance is quite strong, so people with sensitivities watch out. Otherwise, this seems like a genuinely high quality product that I will happily, happily hand over $6.21 for. After using this it hasn’t made my skin feel too dried out, just super duper clean. It also dries really quickly so it’s easy to tack on to your routine. Two thumbs up.
Other things you might want to know:
- Made in USA
- Animal cruelty free
- Contains a retinol alternative called bakuchiol
Beauty: Deco Miami Cuticle Oil $12.50
Lavender cuticle oil:
Retail Value: $12.50
Price paid: $1.62
Verdict: Worth it
I never remember to use cuticle oil, but when I do, I like it to smell nice. The only complaint I have about this product is the bottle, it feels cheap. I know it’s what’s on the inside that counts, but if your packaging mentions the word luxury, you should really be able to deliver a product that totally feels luxurious. The first time I used it the brush was crackly (idk how else to describe it). It was like breaking in a cheap paintbrush. Anyways, I’m not a huge fan of the scent… I prefer my apricot scented cuticle oil from Essie.
Other things you might want to know:
- Made in USA
- Vegan
Beauty: Trèstique Lip Crayon Duo $28
Matte color and shiny balm lip crayon:
Retail Value: $28
Price paid: $3.62
Verdict: Worth it
I don’t need another lip product, but considering this one is $40 CAD at Sephora, this one really is a steal. There’s a twist up lip stick on one side and a really nice lip balm on the other side. I think I’m gonna keep this in the car because this is something I always forget to pack. Also, with the weather cooling off, I don’t have to worry about this melting in the heat. This is a quality product that I’m really enjoying. Especially the lip balm. It has the loveliest scent. You can get a balm replacement for $5, but it’s a lot for like a thimble of lip balm. Nice as an option though.
Other things you might want to know:
- Made in China…(Don’t love it when my beauty products are made in China)
Beauty: Molr Dental Club Whitening Powder $43.95
Organic carbon and coconut teeth whitening powder and toothbrush:
Retail Value: $43.95
Price paid: $5.69
Verdict: Worth it
Seems like a pretty gimmicky product, but for $6, yeah I’ll bite. I also really like brushing my teeth. So much so that I’m under orders from my dentist to cut down on the brushing. I’m going to be very careful with this stuff so I don’t take off any more of my remaining enamel, and you should too! This was the other “choice” item in the box, and the alternative was an apple cider vinegar hair rinse, which I just wasn’t into. I’m surprised at how soft the toothbrush is. I thought it was going to be like one of those really rough, super square bristle ones they used to give in the amenity bag on long haul flights…oh the good ol’ days. The packaging for the powder reminds me of shoe polish…
This product seems like (and probably is) one of those millennial infomercials on Instagrams where “real life millennials” give an on camera testimonial. You know the ones… there was that weird ultra-violet teeth whitening thingy? Or the strapless bra with the strings?
Upon opening, a little puff of black powder comes out. I wet the toothbrush and dipped it in the powder. Then I had to brush really carefully to prevent black dots appearing everywhere. I could see the powder settling into areas of my teeth that were dirty/plaquey. To get all the plaque out, which I could now see because it was black, I had to follow-up with my Sonicare.
Other things you might want to know:
- Ingredients: Charcoal (from raw coconut shell), natural calcium bentonite clay, organic mint extract.
- Company is based in Toronto
- Doesn’t taste like anything
- You get to look like a pirate ‘aarrrr!
- It can get real messy (don’t wear anything where black splotches might appear)
Overall:
I would definitely re-purchase another FabFitFun box in the future. One box per season seems about right otherwise I’d be drowning in stuff. Knowing that this box was coming, I didn’t buy any small purchases because I knew I’d getting a bunch of stuff in the mail. I have recently kon-maried all my belongings so only things that bring joy will stay. Opening this box was like opening a gift I bought for myself. A bunch of little stuff I wouldn’t normally purchase for myself, but awesome to receive. I like that they tell you in the spoiler what the bigger items will be so you know whether or not the box will be worth the money for you. A couple of these items I will gift, but most I’ll keep for myself.
Shipping to Canada took six billion years and the order tracking was abysmal. It delivered on September 20, and my last notification was on September 13… No update for a week. Is it coming? Is it not coming? But I guess that that’s part of the fun of getting mail.
You ready for your first box? Get $10 off here, so your first box is a super worth-it $40. Shipping in Canada is $8, so I think of the savings as free shipping.
x.
kl
MER-SEA & CO. SCARF – withthe shedding, have you washed it to see if it goes away