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POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanDec 9, 2014 | 56 comments

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Box

The POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box for Her is a once-a-year limited edition box that POPSUGAR releases. The box I'm reviewing is the Women's box, and I'll have a review of the Men's box up soon!

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Enjoy

This box was sent to us for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review First Look

The box is packaged perfectly to gift - each item is wrapped individually with tissue paper.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Items

The Box: POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box for Her

The Cost: $100 (One time purchase)

The Products: Items selected by POPSUGAR Editors that are perfect for gifting.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Info

The box comes with a fold out card detailing each item included.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Info Sheet

At the top of the card is a note from Lisa Sugar:

During the holidays, we want you looking and feeling your very best. Delicious treats, cozy home goods, and beauty brighteners - we've got everything you'll need to celebrate in style and indulge yourself to finish an amazing 2014.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Blanket Throw

Turkish-T Diamond Throw - Value $65

This throw was designed exclusively by POPSUGAR and available only through the box. It measures 50 X 70 inches, and it is a lightweight weave.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Blanket

I love both the colors and the fabric weight of this blanket - it will work equally well for winter and summer!

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Lining

Loeffler Randall Envelope Clutch  – Value $70

This python-embossed leather clutch is so gorgeous and SO well-made. Considering it is made out of leather, I'm actually surprised it doesn't retail for more. (It measures 5.5 X 8.5 inches).

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Clutch Lining

It has a dotted fabric lining, and comes with tags, so if you're planning on gifting it - you're good to go!

(Normally I would gift a clutch since I'm not a clutch person, but I love this one so much I'm going to keep it!)

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Candle

Illume Gilded Amberleaf Metallic Knob Tin Candle – Value $23.50

This candle is bigger than I expected it would be (4.5 inch diameter). The scent is described as "cedarwood and golden amber infused with mandarin, vetiver, vanilla and tobacco." I can't decide exactly what the scent reminds me of, but I like it.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Illume Box

It also came packaged in this box.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Polish

Habit Cosmetics Nail Polish in 21 Nefertiti  – Value $18

I don't get excited about nail polish easily thanks to all the polish I get in subscription boxes, but I love this color. It's a grey brown creme with gold micro-glitter. (Plus I love the bottle design).

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Kate

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (.5 oz) Value $22

This is one of those exfoliating products that gets rave reviews, and I think it's a great addition to the box. I've tried it before and loved it, so I'm happy to have more.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty Living Luminizer and Brightening Brush – Value $50 total

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review RMS

Another cult-classic beauty item! I feel like the RMS Beauty Luminzer is one of the most popular organic makeup items ever. I use mine almost everyday, and I'm happy to have a spare.

If you are new to this product, it gives a really pearlescent finish, and a little goes a long way.

POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box Review Chocolate

Droga Chocolates Money on Honey – Value $7.95

My husband was very happy to help me with reviews today by tasting chocolate - these apparently are amazing!

Verdict: This box has a value of a little over $250. I think the value is great, but more importantly, I really feel like every single item was so well-curated for this box. Nothing feels random or filler - and I will use everything. This may be my favorite Special Edition box from POPSUGAR yet, in part because all the beauty items are perfect for me. Also I just love that they had a creamy white and metallic color palette for this box - it makes it feel so much more cohesive.

Now that I have it in my hands, I think I will take advantage of the JOY coupon offer, and get another box for my mom as her Christmas gift. What do you think of the POPSUGAR Must Have Special Edition Holiday Box for Her?

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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56 comments

Rechelle

hope this year’s box is as good as this! I’m in love…wish i could get my hands on it now lol

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Cindi

Hi. Does anyone know if it’s possible to obtain the full Holiday 2014 PopSugar box at this time? (besides doing swaps…) Thx!

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Angela

Maybe you can help me. I have written so many emails to Popsugar customer service with no reply. I purchased the Special Holiday for woman box on 12/12. I used the discount code Joy to get a free Dec box. The regular Dec box arrived but not the Special Holiday Box. It said on the website that I will get my boxes by Christmas which is important since it was bought as a gift. However, I have yet to receive it and it is 12/24. When I try to track it on fed-ex, the last entry was on 12/19 in California. What good is it if it arrives after Christmas? I’m fed up with their service and thinking that when it finally arrives, I want to send the boxes back for a refund.

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Vic

Yeah, I know this is a year old, but how exactly is is PopSugar’s fault that the tracking didn’t update it the shipping service didn’t move it from Ca for five days? Seriously. It isn’t like they hand deliver.

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Cristina

This box is amazing! I just opened it and I’m obsessed with it all. I will use everything in this box and I’m so happy I decided to get it! My favorite thing is the candle, it’s so beautiful and smells lovely. The nail polish is beautiful, the throw is gorgeous, and the clutch is perfect. I’m excited to try the exfolikate and luminizer. Really amazing box that was worth every penny.

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gs

just an FYI, i buy those turkish towels when i go to istanbul and the grey herringbone design is a classic turkish design so they did not design it “exclusively for pop sugar”. i hate that BS. on a positive note, they make amazing bath towels and get better the more you wash them.

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Ariana

I think this is the best PSMH box yet! The clutch is so cute – I will get a lot of use out of it. The throw is a really nice, light fabric – something that I appreciate living in sunny Florida. I have a lot of highlighters, but I’m sure I’ll get use out of it. And I like that it comes with a brush so I don’t have to use my fingers. I’m not in love with the scent of the candle, but the container is really nice and substantial. I can’t wait to burn it! The nail polish is something I’ll be able to wear year round -it’s a great neutral shade. And the chocolates were delish! The only product I won’t use is the exfoliant because it contains oils that are known irritants to the skin. Guess I’ll have to use it as a foot scrub! Overall, LOVED the box!!!

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AmyM

Finally received the box today and I love, love, LOVE it all! By far my favorite PS box to date. I already ate two of the caramels and am wrapped up in the throw as I type this. The clutch is *beautiful* – can’t wait to use it. Between this and the Dec box I’m almost ready to forgive PS for the Nieman Marcus botch. Almost…

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WK

This box must not be selling. They extended the code SPECIAL15 until 12/20 – gives you $15 off with expedited shipping.

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Sara

I just now got my box and I’m definitely not WOW-ed by it. I hate the clutch even more in person, I’m just not a clutch person and it seems really cheap to me. But it’s the highest valued item in the box, if you take that away you barely get a high value box vs what you paid. Like the breast cancer awareness Goodebox was so awesome and high valued compared to what it cost. The Little Lace Box too last month was near $200 when I paid around $30. I do really like the candle it smells amazing and the nail polish I actually like. The throw is nice, it is very light, perfect for summer, but it smells really odd.

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PercylynRN

Hi there’s a coupon code “SPECIAL15” to save $15 off The Special Edition Must Have Holiday For Her and/or Him. The coupon code is valid until December 16, 2014. I just picked up one!

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Mom of College student

Hi, I am looking at getting my 18 year old daughter a subscription to PopSugar. Are the items included good for that age? Would you recommend another monthly subscription company? Makeup, purses, etc are all good.

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Cristina

This box would suit the taste of your daughter. I’m 22 and I’m subscribed to PopSugar and Boxycharm. Popsugar has purses, scarves, food, makeup, jewelry, etc. Boxycharm offers 4-5 products of makeup but it’s higher end makeup. It’s cheaper than PopSugar as well.

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Blessedmommi

If anyone’s interested j. Swapping their throw, I’m extremely interested, would also love the clutch and the candle. Message me on the swap board. And let me know I theirs items you’re looking for as I just might have it and will happily list it.

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HeidiLynn73

My friend has this candle and the smell reminded me of my Grandpa’s pipe. I miss him so much especially during this time of the year. I already know this will be my favorite part of this box when I get it 🙂

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Wendy

I caved. The JOY was too good to pass up!

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Rachel

How did you add the December box to use the code? I can’t seem to find it without creating an account to subscribe..

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Wendy

If you ad the monthly sub and mark it as a gift it will not auto renew. I’m not sure about making an
account though, I already had one from a few months ago.

Erin

Has anyone not received shipping? I got my men’s box but no shipping on the women’s and I ordered on 11/11…… I’m feeling nervous and I can’t get a response on fb or email 🙁

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Leisha

I love this box!!!!!

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Keyonnia

I know this is a long shot but by any chance does anybody not want their Turkish T Diamond Throw? It would go perfect with my home décor but I can’t justify buying the box for just the throw… I will swap generously for it

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marta

I am in SWAPS – take a look

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carol

I look at it this way, you are paying 100.00 for two boxes, correct? you get the holiday special and the dec box for free. Am I justifying that right? LOL
I’m waiting to pull the plug I really like this now.

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Linda

That’s exactly how I am justifying it to myself. 😉

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Rachel

Liz (or anyone),
How do you add just the December box to your cart in order to apply the promo code JOY? I don’t see an option to just add that box?
Thanks!

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Chau

I added the monthly subscription box and it worked

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Robin

Would be really tempted to buy this if I weren’t still waiting for a refund for my duplicate October box that I was promised a month ago. Worst customer service that I have ever experienced. Have emailed 5 or 6 times since with no response.

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Marissa

I so want that candle! but it’s the only item I really need/want in the box so I can’t justify paying the price 🙁 if anyone wants to swap I’m all over the swap site looking for it!!!!

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Helen

I can’t stand the scent of the candle so it will be going up on the swap site!

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Marissa

GIRL I WILL SWAP YOU AN ARM AND A LEG lol

Mia

NOW, since I’ve seen the products and am receiving the GWP, I made the purchase. Love everything except the Sommerville item. I’ve tried this already and it burned my skin. So, I’ll have to share that item or maybe, I should try the swap shop. Clutching my pearls…

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Nicole

This is what I was looking for in the Nina Garcia box. I would use every item in this box. It looks fabulous!

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Shelley

Was it the dairy that killed the chocolates for you , Liz? I’ve got Celiac so I find your reviews so helpful on that!

I caved and bought this one now that the spoilers are out! And I’m glad to get a second December box that I can gift out (not that I got the one I actually ordered yet!).

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Liz Cadman

Yes – I should have mentioned that. The chocolate has allergen warnings for milk and soy but no gluten so you should be good! 🙂

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Shelley

Woohoo! Thanks =)

Although actually I should probably be sad that I can eat it, since my carb-consumption as of late has been off the wall.

Also, is there a way for me to report privately on a huge problem I’ve been having trying to cancel a sub I found out about here? I’d really like people to know more about what’s going on (apparently I’m not the only one completely unable to get them to act). Thanks!

Samantha

I’m so sad I didn’t get any of the special boxes this year! I love all the vanity boxes and candles in all of them so much!

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