Popsugar Must Have Subscription Box Review – January 2018

Subscription: Popsugar Must Have

Cost: $39.95/month, free shipping.

What to Expect: “Enjoy a monthly delivery of full-sized surprises worth over $100, curated by POPSUGAR Founder & President Lisa Sugar.”


[P]: My box was darker? Maybe these are new boxes?

[O]: January arrived about a week after my December box! Which was also after they sent out the January reveal 😒

Pretties!

Gorgeous agate cover!

Themes: renewed, fresh, nourishing, self-care, snug, rejuvenated.

Ban.do Best Year Ever Wall Calendar: $20, on sale for $15 on the Ban.do site

[P]: Seriously! Can someone say obvious cheap move via PopSugar for its subscribers? Could PopSugar have at least the decency of giving a overstocked teenybopper Calendar in December instead of January. Lowering down my pitchfork, I do have little girls that appreciate this but what is up with PopSugar doing this younger than young vibe? I would not know a juvenile girl that would spend $40 on their allowance on a PopSugar box so why?

This particular savings better be worth it and passed on to use, Andy D!!!

[O]: Yeah, this is cute, but I’m 31 and feel way too old for this… Also, the stickers are HUGE compared to the calendar boxes! I do like the calendar, and put it up in our kitchen right away, but sheesh we can barely write on it.

I kinda miss the free utilities department calendar we had ;D

Chocolate Sea Salt RXBAR: $25.99 on Amazon, or cheaper on the RXBAR site

[P]: Thank good for the search feature here on Subscriptionista I was pretty sure I reviewed this particular bar. And I will not review it again. I am going to put this in Marie (AKA And The Color Green AKA Mailbox Junkie)’s box to paradise. The woman crossfits and is crunchier than me. If she doesn’t eat it I am sure she has someone that will.

This bar is too “crunchy” for moi. 

[O]: This sounded kinda interesting, and I know I’ve seen one before. I had it for breakfast one morning and it was super tasty! Almost slightly too sweet and salty, but good. I liked the date chocolate taste.

Just don’t eat one before an important meeting! They’re super sticky and leave all sorts of bits on your teeth.

Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer: $45 for 1.7oz, “A long-lasting, lightweight moisturizer with Echinacea GreenEnvy™ Honey, Triple Hyaluronic Acid Complex, and cupuaçu butter beads to keep skin smooth and soft all day long.”

[P]: I have still to use up the Farmacy sleep mask that I previously received in a PopSugar box so I am am hesitant on using this. The sleep mask just “sat” on ma face. I was pregnant at the time and my tummy sopped the moisture more so it became the sleeping mask for my tummy.

It is also lightweight which translates not suitable for Chicago winters so I will have to break it out later than sooner.

But wait! Spoon attached via magnetized lid.

Magnetized. Must.try.now.

Ok its confirmed that it is too light for Chicago winters but it feels so refreshing putting on it will be nice after a shower on a hot day!

[O]: Okay, the last Farmacy stuff we got from PSMH [in one of the BEST boxes ever] seemed awesome, but made my skin break out. I was in denial and held onto it for a while, but then I tried it again over the summer and my face had a horrendous breakout!

Mega pizza face!!

My brother said he wouldn’t mind trying it, and while I have no idea if he did, I’m glad I don’t have it here tempting me. Anyway, I’m hesitant to use this stuff, but IT SOUNDS SOOO AWESOME!!!

Also, MAGNETIC LID!!! It’s the little things…

Hat Attack Lightweight Ribbed Hat with Faux Fur Pom: $44

[P]: DeJaVu? This was in a prior PSMH was it not as a dark hat? I think I gifted that hat.

And so the hat’s fate will be repeated. 

[O]: I don’t “do” hats.

Giant head with lots of thick, curly hair also means any coat I buy has to have a huuuuge hood!

Keep Cup Original Clear Edition: $19 for large 16 oz tumbler

[P]: Ohhhh! Happy DeJaVu!!!! I remember this from a winter/spring PSMH but it was an 8 ouncer and I still use it! I am totally going to love this bigger size!

[O]: I was eyeing these in a coffee store one time. It’s cool, but I’ve got a Starbucks mermaid tumbler that I adore, and I’ve got a small hoard of cups, mugs, tumblers, etc. that haven’t been used yet.

I’m definitely going to keep it though…

Nuun Hydration Vitamins in Strawberry Melon: $7 for 12 tablets, “nuun vitamins provides what your body needs — the 11 vitamins and minerals most of us don’t get enough of, plus the optimal balance of electrolytes for everyday activity.”

[P]: Being a crunchy wannabe, I wanted to try the less sugary Gatorade route and got a four pack variety of this brand via the Amazon. If you like downing your drinks fast, I recommend this. You do need to drink it faster than Gatorade though. For example, I like downing Gatorade at a regular pace because it tastes good and sometimes I do it a little slow but not too slow because that is disgusting. You need to slam down Nuun like a shot to enjoy it.

Chug Chug Chug!!!

Here I am sampling 1/4 of the tablet for you in a GWP shotglass.

I am really more of an optimist then pessimist. I make exceptions for GWPs.Actually strawberry melon is really good. Or maybe its been awhile since I had Nuun. I did chug it (added 3 more ounces to that 1 ounce shot glass).

I realized that I needed to re-calculate 😉

[O]: I don’t generally like flavored water [aside from my Kroger Cranberry Lime seltzer water], but I put half of a tab into 16oz of water and liked it! It’s like Alka Seltzer but with vitamins and stuff.

I’ve tried your hipster La Croix water and was very unimpressed. I saw some meme about it being comparable to drinking a glass of water while someone whispers an obscure fruit name in another room ;D

 

Pehr Designs Chambray Runner in Mist/Citron: $28.70 as an add-on, originally $44

[O]: Apparently, Pehr is only doing baby stuff now, so the table runners are no longer on their site.

I wasn’t too sure about that electric yellow/green, but I like the gray. Plus, I’d just purchased a new gray and white tablecloth from Bed Bath & Beyond, and when McFiance saw it he said, “I LIKE it!!!” in a totally not sarcastic voice. Then when I took it off to wash them he asked where all the stuff went.

I’m sooo glad he and I have such similar tastes in decor! It makes decorating our house and adding stuff to our wedding registry muy easy! “Do you like this?” “Yep!” “Me too.” and “I hate how shiny this is.” “Ugh, me too!”

 

[O]: More Hello Fresh? How many coupons do I need??? I should just sprinkle these around town. Though I’m considering using the RXBAR discount.

 


Verdict

[P]: DeJaVu anyone? Nothing original in this box but I loved it regardless. PopSugar still has my love provided it comes with any code 😉 This was still under my 2016 credit so for $20ish I am still pleased. Would probably be miffed under 2017 $30ish credit. Would be pissed off paying full price.

So I am easily pleased with discounts 😉

[O]: This is easily one of my favorite boxes in quite a while. The only item I’m not keeping is the hat! One thing I noticed is that they’ve sent stuff from pretty much all of these brands before. Probably good partnerships, but I wouldn’t mind a bit more brand exploration [and 100% less hats].

 

What did you think? Let us know below!

Click here to see other Popsugar reviews!

 

Disclosure: This box was purchased by your Sub-sistahs at a discount. There are referral and affiliate links in this post.

  14 comments for “Popsugar Must Have Subscription Box Review – January 2018

  1. January 25, 2018 at 5:12 pm

    Random Commentary:
    Anyone watch Hulu’s Handmaid’s Tale or know someone who is a fan please email me at pnutatsubscriptionista at gmail dot com!!!
    PS if you have Sprint Unlimited you get Hulu with Ads account at no extra charge (just Google for more info). This can be binged in less than 2 days 😉

    • Heat7918
      January 27, 2018 at 9:03 am

      I love Handmaid’s Tale! I read the book first. 🙂

      Great review as always ladies! I love Farmacy’s green cleansing balm… curious about the moisturizer but probably not enough for my dry skin in an Ohio winter either.

      • January 27, 2018 at 9:28 am

        Heat I am going to send you an email by Monday! Read the book, watched the movie and Hulu several times! XOXO

  2. January 28, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    Okay, I’ve been using the Farmacy lotion all week during the day, and I’ve experienced no breakouts and I feel like my skin has been a bit brighter.

    I also bought some blackhead nose strips at Nordstrom Rack and I was so amazed by the field of debris that was pulled out I need to use it higher up on my nose next time because there’s definitely a noticeable line…

    • January 28, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      Sounds like someone is going back to Nordstrom Rack to buy all the blackhead nose strips! I never really noticed my blackheads (for the most part) until I used Biore strips when they first came out. Once in awhile a nose strip pops up from my squirreling and I slap it on. I wonder how come after all this time they haven’t designed a full nose strip? We could make millions….
      I am glad the Farmacy worked out for you! Isn’t so refreshing! I will re-break mine out in a few months when it gets warm.

    • February 1, 2018 at 8:38 am

      Have you tried the black masks that pull stuff from your face?!? I used one and it was so gross and of course amazing!!! I am always shocked out how getting gunk out of my pores makes me feel so alive!!!

  3. Farmcat
    January 30, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    Popsugar is changing to quarterly and not doing monthly anymore. And the box is going $75 with a supposedly with $250 value. Hopefully that means better stuff in the boxes and not just throwing more stuff in it. It looks like February is the last monthly box. Maybe with it costing $75 a box per quarter they might put a blanket and/or matching winter acessories (hat, scarf, and gloves). They have several months to put together an amazing winter box together. For the the spring or summer I love to see something like a fairy garden in a tea cup. But then again tea cups could be a bit delicate to ship.

    • January 30, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      I am curious too Farmcat. Also wondering about a mystery box(es) and/or sale in the near future.

      • Farmcat
        January 31, 2018 at 7:55 am

        I was wondering about mystery boxes and sales too. I hope with the changes they are doing there will be more useful merchandise. Maybe I’m just not popsugar targeted customer. I haven’t gotten a box in at least a couple years but will get stuff during 70% off a $100 sale. If the quarterly look great I might pick up a fall or winter box.
        I wonder how they are going to handle people’s leftover box credits from all those subscription sales!?!

        • January 31, 2018 at 8:26 am

          I keep coming in late for the 70% sales all the stuff I want is gone by the time I get to it. :/
          PSMH is giving $40 for each credit left.

        • February 1, 2018 at 8:34 am

          I have been away for so long that I did not know about. Any changes to popsugar which I still get! I was going thinking about giving it a break though… I still have so much stuff from the many boxes over the year…

    • January 31, 2018 at 3:06 pm

      Farmcat I will try the first box and then watch the subscription. I was going to cancel after February when my credits ran out, and now I’m curious to see what they do. I’m also surprised they gave so little notice!! I think this will be a better model for them because they seem to like doing those winter and colab boxes for $100+, and their boxes this past year haven’t been that good.

      • January 31, 2018 at 4:13 pm

        Whoohoo! Another future co-post 😀

      • Farmcat
        January 31, 2018 at 5:14 pm

        Hopefully this year their boxes will be better. I’m looking forward to reading the review.
        I found it odd that they give so little warning of changing how they are doing subscription. I wonder why they didn’t give much warning. Hopefully it is a good thing. Maybe they will be more creative in what items they send in their boxes. Example: instead of sending the same type of winter hat maybe send matching winter headband and gloves.

Leave a Reply to Onderria Cancel reply