This post contains affiliate links, and all opinions in this review are my own.
Every three months, I look forward to receiving my FabFitFun box. The Summer box, which was beautifully designed and gave me some serious wanderlust, came the weekend before I left town to attend the BlogHer 17 Conference in Orlando. There’s something nice about having all of the season’s essentials delivered to your door without having to lift a finger! If you don’t already get their boxes, you can sign up using the code SUMMERLOVE at FabFitFun to get $10 off your own Summer box!
Before I left for Orlando, I took a quick peek inside my Summer box and was delighted to find some really cool and stylish items, like the Michael Stars Ruana and the BKR water bottle. I also can’t wait to try out the Cargo_HD Highlighter and the Way of Will 03 Soothe and Cool Massage Oil.
As a FabFitFun member, I was given the choice to select several of the items in my Summer box. The first selection I made was between a traveler, artist, or chef {more on these choices later}. I chose traveler and I received the Understated Leather On the Road Again Travel Set, which was a passport cover and a luggage tag. The second selection I made was between fitness or beauty. I chose fitness and I received the Way of Will 03 Soothe and Cool Massage Oil. The beauty choice was Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. I also got to choose between three colors of the Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace and I chose turquoise.
Some items were pre-determined and I am always excited to see what other items are in the box. This Summer box also included the Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate, the Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+, the Cargo_HD Picture Perfect Highlighter in Bronze, and a sample of the Vital Proteins Marine Collagen. In all, my Summer box was valued at $287.50.
So here’s my take on this Summer box.
I really like the colors of the Michael Stars Ruana, and I like that I can wear it many different ways. I can wear it as a scarf, sarong, or like a shawl. And here’s a style tip when wearing the Ruana as a shawl – cinch the waist with a simple belt to amp up your look.
The BKR water bottle is glass and came with a pink rubbery bottle cover. This 500 mL size makes it easy to take on-the-go. Some members received the bottle with a blue rubbery cover. I think the bottle cover will keep my water cool. It may not be entirely insulated {like a Yeti}, but the nifty bottle top makes it a easy to grab-and-go.
I actually used the Understated Leather luggage tag on my checked bag when I flew to Orlando. I love the feel of the passport cover, which I hope to use in a couple of years when my husband and I visit Ireland for our 20th anniversary.
A couple of boxes ago, I received a bar necklace with the word INSPIRE on it and I have worn it every day since I got it. Now I’ve switched over to the delicate Kris Nations Mystic Bar Necklace, although I could layer it with my other bar necklace for a chic look. The tiny stones were hand-cut by craftsmen in India. I chose turquoise, which promotes balance, discovery, and confidence. I loved the packaging of this necklace. It came in a tiny clear bottle with a cork top.
One negative I have about this box is that my Cargo_HD Picture Perfect Highlighter was literally broken up, almost like dust, when I opened it. I guess I’ll have to DIY it back to a compact state. Besides this minor issue, I do look forward to trying this highlighter out. I can use it to accentuate the top of my cheekbones, under my brow bones, and on my cupid’s bow. Guess I’ll be checking out some how-to videos later to give me more makeup tips.
I’ve received Juice Beauty products before and have really liked them. I’m always a little hesitant to use eye creams because for some reason, my eyes {literally the whites of my eyes, a.k.a., my eyeballs} are so sensitive that when I’ve used eye creams in the past, my eyeballs get super dry and itchy. But I may just try the Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate at night, before bed. It has certified organic grape and carrot juices blended with essential fatty acids to hydrate and nourish the eye area, helping to sooth any dark circles and fine lines. One tip: blend this with your concealer to get double the coverage and moisturizing power.
I haven’t always worn makeup, and still to this day, my makeup is so subtle that it may look like I’m not wearing any. I like that, considering I’m near my mid-40s. But there are some days, especially on the weekend, that I don’t want to put on any makeup. That’s why I’m excited to try the Eau Thermale Avene Ultra-Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+. Here’s a tip: mix this with your favorite foundation to get extra coverage. I plan to blend this with either my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer or my Mary Kay CC cream foundation.
My workouts haven’t been as strenuous as they have been in years past, since I have been alternating between at-home Pilates and Yoga, but those workouts can be tough. It’s nice to open up the Way of Will 03 Soothe and Cool Massage Oil and apply it to what aches because it is a cooling massage oil. “A base of sweet almond, apricot kernel, and jojoba oil helps skin retain moisture and improves the protective barrier function of the skin.” And just so you know, jojoba oil is good for your skin because it “increases hydrating, elasticity, and suppleness, while German chamomile cools affected areas.” Tip: Use this after a long day in the sun to soothe your skin.
The sponsored item in my box was a bonus, which was the Vital Proteins Marine Collagen. I haven’t tried it yet, but you could add it to any beverage, hot or cold. It supposedly will help you get a healthier complexion. It is unflavored (bonus!), gluten-free, sugar free, and non-GMO. The Marine Collagen Peptides contains 10 grams of natural collagen protein in each serving. Collagen helps promote and support skin health and rejuvenation, balanced hormones, bone and joint health, and digestion and satiety.
This Summer box was designed by illustrator Libby Vanderploeg. I love the light purples and blues of the box as well as the illustrations of everything I want to be doing this summer! You can follow her on Instagram @libbyvanderploeg.
Each season, FabFitFun partners with a charity or {female-focused} non-profit organization. This summer, they partnered with Joyful Heart Foundation, which was founded by Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay. “Joyful Heart works with sexual assault survivors to help them heal and reclaim a sense of joy in their lives.”
As I mentioned earlier, I was given a couple of choices to make as to whether I a traveler, an artist, or a chef. I chose traveler and I don’t regret my decision, but I would have been just as excited with the artist choice because I would have received Amy Tangerine’s art kit. I met her last year at the BlogHer 16 conference in LA and she is super nice and extremely talented! She is a fashion designer turned scrapbooker/YouTuber. You can check out more of her work at her website. I also like the chef choice because it was the Salted Himalayan Pink Salt Kit. I haven’t been cooking at home lately, but there are some pretty tasty recipes in the FabFitFun magazine {which came in the Summer box} that I may need to try out. I’ll just have to run to the store and pick up some Himalayan pink salt.
I love reading the FabFitFun magazine from cover to cover because it gives me great tips from the pros and the creators/founders behind the products in the box. I also love that it includes recipes, style tips, and health tips. This month they dedicated an entire page to the “50 Benefits of Water.”
As a FabFitFun Member, you’ll get a box of fabulous finds in beauty, wellness, fashion, and fitness, hand-picked by the FabFitFun team, delivered once per season. Four times a year, you will be sent a seasonal box! Each box is limited edition and contains $200+ in retail value. Boxes are shipped in March, June, September, and December. I think being a FabFitFun Affiliate and member, I love getting {and discovering} over $1000+ a year of new products for the cost-saving price of $179.99.
Thank you @fabfitfun for introducing me to some of my all-time favorite products. {#fabfitfunpartner}.
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
{*Disclosure: I am a FabFitFun Affiliate, which means if you order from my blog posts, I receive a small commission. #fffaffiliate #fffpartner}
