Insightful Athlete: FabFitFun

My Summer FabFitFun Subscription Box is here! I always feel like it is Christmas/Birthday/Special Day when I get these gift wrapped subscriptions boxes in the mail. Seriously...it makes my day to have a pretty little box to unwrap...even if I cheated and peaked at the spoilers!

The FabFitFun VIP subscription box is a quarterly box that promises over $100 of hand-picked, full size products. I love this brand because I know I will always get a great deal despite using every product in the box. I also like that they show 2-3 spoilers that help me decide if I want to purchase the box or not.

I love the handouts in this subscription box. They are always printed on nice quality paper and give a detailed description of each product and value.

(These are shown in the order I pulled them out)

Thursday Friday Away Mini Clutch/Makeup Bag - Retail: $35

I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with this bag. I was not excited at all when I saw the spoiler of this bag. I think there were like 6 designs and only one of them (a feather) was not a designer purse photo on a bag. I personally think this is tacky and not my style at all. Unfortunately, 95% of their products are designer bags on canvas bags.

What's sad is the bag is actually well made. The materials are high quality. The zipper is heavy weight, and there is a nice liner on the inside. Sad. I can't get over the whole bag on a bag. It's about as cheesy to me as an airbrushed bikini body on a t-shirt.

POPchips - Retail: $1.29

I love chips, but they are terrible for you! When I do indulge, I try to get ones that have all natural ingredients. I like that these run about 100 calories a bag. These will be eaten very soon....

(Sponsored Products)

Skintimate Shave Gel - Retail: $1.99

Always Xtra Protection Long Daily Liners - Retail: $1.50

Slimfast Have Your Cake Meal Bar - Retail: $1

There were a lot of complaints about these "sponsored" products from subscription box lovers. Honestly, a free product is a free product. I don't mind them, but I like the idea of bagging these separately to not throw off the whole "curation" of a subscription box. I'll use the shave gel and probably toss the pads and Slimfast bar.

KISSTIXX Lip Balm - Retail: $5.99

I'm a HUGE (HUGE, HUGE, HUGE) Shark Tank fan so I always get excited to see real Shark Tank products in person; however, this KISSTIXX lip balm is a little too juvenile for me. I feel like this would be more appropriate for a tween box.

Pur~Lisse Pur~Protect SPF 30 - Retail: $55

I've had some skincare products from this brand before so I'm happy to receive this bottle in SPF 30. I just got back from the golf course and it was 95 degrees today. This was MUCH needed! I buy high quality moisturizer to prevent wrinkles so I don't mind the price tag if I end up loving it.

Zoya Nail Polish - Retail: $9

I heard there were some variations of this polish, but I got the Zoya Nail Polish in "Maya." I happen to love this color. If my toes weren't recently painted red for 4th of July, I would have instantly painted them tonight. It is a very pretty "summer" color. I don't have a huge nail polish collection so I love this one.

Sonya Dakar Flash Facial - Retail: $95

I love a good peel, and don't mind splurging on a great one. With that being said, I probably will not contribute any additional funds to the dragon lady, "Sonya Dakar." On her Beverly Hills Yelp page, Sonya Dakar has been reviewed as a complete dreadful person. I'm happy to use a good peel at a discount, but I'm not so sure this is a company I would want to support in the future. If you want a good bedtime read, I highly recommend reading her Yelp page.....very dramatic.

FabFitFun Water Infuser BPA-Free Water Bottle - Retail: $15

While I am really happy to finally have a fruit infuser (seriously...I have been wanting to try this for a long time!), I'm not as excited about the phrase at the bottom, "Grab Life by the Exercise Balls." I think the saying is a little juvenile and cheesy. I'm kind of glad it wraps around the bottom....it makes it hard to read so I'll still use it! :)

Balanced Guru No Frizz Oil - Retail: $25

My hair is naturally a freakin' lion's main so any hair oil for frizz is welcome. I haven't cracked this open yet to give it a try, but it's a win for me. I'll use this all year long.

In order for me to determine the true "value" of the box, I decided to do something a little different by sorting my "winners" from my "losers."

These were my losers. Unfortunately, the bag is not my style and I wouldn't even use it for makeup. The KISSTIXX is a little too juvenile for me, and I'll probably toss the pads and Slimfast bar.

$35 + $5.99 + $1.50 + $1 = $43.49 worth of product not for me.

It did help me see how much product I'll actually end up using. I'll definitely use the peel, hair oil, SPF moisturizer, and nail polish. I'm not thrilled about the quote, but I'll still use the water bottle. I'll also use the shave gel and eat the POPchips.

$95 + $25 + $55 + $9 + $15 + $1.99 + $1.29 = $202.28 of products I'll actually use.

(I did google all of the products and they are sold for the price they were listed as "retail.")

I received $245.77 dollars of product for $49.99. I'm going to use $202.28 of these products so the box is a win for me!

While I think I received a good value of products, I was a little underwhelmed with the curation of this box. I didn't think it was as thoughtful as the Spring FabFitFun Box or June PopSugar Must Have Box. There was no theme, and I have much higher expectations for a quarterly box vice monthly.

I think FabFitFun and PopSugar are some of the best subscription boxes out there, but I also think you need to order with caution. Everyone has different tastes and opinions, and each company has delivered "duds" in my eyes. For example, I absolutely loved my June PopSugar Box and Spring FabFitFun Box. I was a little underwhelmed with this one, and I ended up not liking the July PopSugar Box (which had a lot of great products...just not for me). I think both of these subscription box companies are excellent, and I HIGHLY recommend both of them....with that being said, I also recommend that you check out the spoilers for each box to see if that month or quarterly box is for you.

Despite the lack of creativity/curation, thiis box had a lot of great goodies at a great price. If you would like to get this box for $15 off ($35 box!), use the coupon code 4568999 on the FabFitFun website. The code only works for 3 people so the first three to use it can get the discount while the box is available!

Want to see my past subscription boxes? Check out my June PopSugar Must Have Box and my Spring FabFitFun Box!

So I am a bit of a sample-addict and have been eyeing a few subscription boxes. They seem relatively inexpensive, but can quickly add up if you order a few. I like to hand pick my samples, so I didn't want to get too carried away with subscription boxes....I have been watching a few boxes and decided that I wanted to try the FabFitFun VIP quarterly subscription.

The FabFitFun VIP box comes four times a year, but you can pay each box at a time or the whole year at once. I liked this model because it gave me flexibility and I didn't have to worry about canceling or skipping my subscription. The boxes are $50 each and you can save $20 on an annual subscription. Giuliana Rancic and the FabFitFun team handpick over $100 of samples and full size items for your box that represents a FabFitFun lifestyle.

I liked this box because it consistently carried products I liked and used. The box has a decent amount of full size products, vice small samples of some boxes. I also liked the fact that they show 2-3 spoilers...which helps me decide if I want to order the box.

I was very impressed with the packaging. Instead of just throwing everything in the box, it was all neatly arranged and wrapped up in tissue. They also provide a nice card that explains each item and provides the retail value. Some of the items even have coupon codes for future purchases!

The Kai Perfume Oil was the first spoiler they released. We received a full size and it was valued at $48! The perfume was already slightly more than the value of the box! I read a quite a few reviews about this perfume, and it seemed to receive great reviews. I ended up loving it, so the box was already worth the price!

The next item I received was the Cult Gaia Turband with a retail value of $48. This was the second spoiler of the box, and there were a few variations. I saw a pretty floral one, some polka dot ones, and a cherry print. I was kind hoping for a floral or a polka dot variation, but I actually really like my cherry one now that I have it. I already have a few CRBs and tops I want to wear it with. The white part is actually a cream...that is probably my only "complaint." I would have rather had a white background.....BUT.....it is super cute. There is wire in the headband, so you can wear it many ways. A second win!

There was also a full size Primer included in my box. I received the Cover FX SPF 30 Protected Primer, retail value $38. I usually like my Hourglass Mineral Primer, but I was happy to get another version with a higher SPF. I will probably get lot of use out of this during golf season. Dark hands and face....farmers tan. I have more of use of facial sunscreen than body sunscreen!

I was really happy to received full size bottle of Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo, retail $25. There have been a few reader comments asking what kind of dry shampoo I use. This has been one of my favorites and I actually have been needing some lately. Another win for me! So far this box has been great.

There was also a Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt, retail $19.99. I don't think I would have paid $19.99 for an exfoliating mitt, but I definitely need one. I have had a lot of dry patches on my skin that need attention.

The mini stability ball was probably my least exciting item. I received a Merrithew Mini Stability Ball and ZENGA DVD workout, retail $28.94. I prefer the gym or fitness classes, vice workout DVDs. I bought some yoga DVDs and never used them. I think the only workout videos I ever used consistently was Insanity. If I never get around to using this, it will make a nice gift to my sister or friend.

Also received Level Naturals Shower Bombs, retail $7.99. My husband and I love bath bombs and shower bombs, so there were no complaints here. I'm looking forward to giving these a try!

The last item was The Better Chip Spinach and Kale with Sea Salt, retail $1.99. I'm not a big Kale chip person, but I'm sure my husband will happily take these off my hands. I'm not that disappointed with this one since it was a very low valued item.

Overall, I am extremely impressed! I ended up liking almost all of my products with the exception of the mini stability ball and the Kale chips. I received $217.91 worth of products for $49.99....definitely a great deal! I was also impressed that all of my items were full size.

I will keep an eye out for the summer box, and order the next one if I like the spoilers!