Subscription boxes aren't really my thing. Or I didn't think they were my thing even though I had never tried one until recently. I am always aiming to buy intentionally and have less in my house. I am somewhat resistant to spending money. The idea of paying a set amount of money for things I might not need or want seemed a little ridiculous.
But I also like getting mail. I get excited to get packages even when I picked out and paid for them (it is incredibly rare that we get any other kind of package). Most packages I open excitedly and then remember "oh...this is what I ordered for myself." I remember a lot of things but what is arriving in packages seems to completely slip my mind once I hit "place order".
FabFitFun (this is not sponsored, they are welcome to send me free boxes!) is one company I've heard of for awhile. I think they have been a sponsor on the Popcast (back before I started skipping all ads in podcasts, sorry, not sorry as the kids say). People seemed to like the stuff they got from them. So when I saw a deal to get a $50 box for $20 I was tempted enough that I placed an order. Another podcast had also been talking a few days earlier about a magical blanket someone had gotten through their box. Do we need another blanket? Absolutely not. But I was intrigued (spoiler alert: I didn't pick the blanket).
This may have happened a third time? I'm not entirely sure. I wasn't thinking about blogging about the experience when I was doing it.
Then they asked me some questions about products I like and what I might use. Like somewhere I said yes to being interested in jewelry but not earrings since I don't have pierced ears. I said I wasn't interested in many beauty products since I have been battling so many skin problems on my face for 2 years. I had finally found a mascara I really like and then had to stop using it because of my skin allergies. That was a real loss.
I think it was mid-January when I placed my order.
Mid-February my box arrived. I had checked the tracking more times than I care to admit. I was very excited. But not too excited because then I didn't open it for over a week. There were a few nagging tasks I had been putting off for too long that I told myself I had to get done first. Then I wanted to open it when I had some time to myself but Sam's precious naps are getting shorter and there is a lot I try to pack into that time (including too much time on my phone but that's a post for another day).
I finally opened it in late February while finishing The Notebook.
It was really exciting to open a box where I had no idea what was inside but I also didn't have to fake reactions for a gift giver. There were 8 items. The booklet that came with it valued my total at $265.00. I had paid $19.50. That seems like a great deal! But would I have ever paid $265 for these 8 items?
No, I wouldn't have.
Here's what I got for my $20:
1) The Lilly Pulitzer mugs are very pretty although more purple in person than showed in the picture. That is one of the items I picked. Do we need more mugs? No, we do not. But they are pretty even though I don't think I can microwave them (to warm up my water for tea) because of the gold on the handle which adds a step to my tea making.
2) There was a Vera Bradley "compact organizer" which is the other item I picked. I felt a slight obligation since Very Bradley is from here and I certainly have a few (more than a few) of their items. I'm not sure what I will use this for and it's in about my least favorite color. I wish it was more pink because I can't get myself too excited about this purple.
3) There was an eye shadow palette which I hear a lot of people talking about on the internet (not this specific one, just in general) that I will at least try.
4) The one item I have actually used is the hair mask. I've been using that once or twice a week in the shower and it does make my hair feel very smooth in the shower although I can't say I've noticed a difference once I am out.
5) I was excited about the "daily facial dry brush" because I love some good exfoliating but then my dermatologist told me I shouldn't exfoliate because of my psoriasis soooo...I used that once or twice before she told me that and now it's just sitting by my make-up.
6) There is a dry shampoo powder I should try because I do like NOT washing my hair but I haven't yet. I have a homemade version I used more when I straightened my hair but I rarely do that now so I haven't used dry shampoo in a few years.
7) I have NO IDEA what the "croc card case is". I guess to fit in credit or ID cards? But I have a little (Vera Bradley) change purse I use for that when I am using a smaller purse so I don't need another, although I do like the color.
8) And then liquid eyeliner which I will try but haven't yet.
So there you go, 8 products worth $265 that I spent $20 on and so far, almost a month in, have used one.
Was it worth $20?
Yes, I don't regret it for $20 and getting to try something new. Maybe another one of the items will be a hit and then it will be doubly worth it but even if I just keep using the hair mask it was worth $20. I immediately canceled my subscription (before my box even arrived) because I didn't want to pay $50 for a next one. I don't need a box of surprise items sent to my house quarterly. Some of these will probably end up in a donate box within a few months.
But it was a fun experiment. I'll try a few new things and maybe something will stick!
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