FabFitFun Summer 2016 Subscription Box Review + $10 Coupon

ByLiz CadmanJun 10, 2016 | 113 comments

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The FabFitFun Box is a quarterly subscription from FabFitFun.com. Each season they send you a box of $100+ worth items in categories like beauty, fashion, and fitness. FYI – if you are interested in this box – it is still available for purchase!

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

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The Box: FabFitFun Box

The Cost: $49.99 a box sent every quarter

The Products: The hottest seasonal items (worth at least $100) selected by the FabFitFun team

Ships to: US and Canada

Check out all of my FabFitFun VIP Box reviews and the Women’s Subscription Box Directory!

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FabFitFun sends out a mini mag in each box. It details the items included and also provides background on some of the featured makers and designers.

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Now, time for the items!

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Trina Turk Tote – Value $55

This was the first spoiler item in the summer box! It's a design that's exclusive for FabFitFun subscribers, and there are three options subscribers may receive:

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It's a really roomy bag (22 inches across), and the canvas is a thick material - it should hold up well to summer wear-and-tear!

And if you are thinking of gifting or swapping this - it comes with a Trina Turk tag on it! (Just Trina Turk too - no FabFitFun mention.)

And here it is "in action" with the next item in the box:

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Summer & Rose Yoga Towel – Value $36

This is a FabFitFun exclusive item, and it is another quality piece!

It's a microfiber fabric, 80% poly, 20% nylon, machine wash cold, and tumble dry low.

This was the other item that had variation. (If you are an annual FabFitFun Select member, you get to pick your variations each quarter.) Here are the options for this box:

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This is a big towel - it measures 24 X 68 inches. And if you're having a hard time visualizing those measurements, don't worry! I have a puppy to show scale!

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We're going to practice good vibes and less barking!

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OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream – Value $48

I've been sampling a lot of OSEA thanks to subscription boxes lately - but I am NOT complaining - I love this brand!

This moisture cream is super lightweight, absorbs easily, and I just love the barely-there scent. Plus it is made with all natural and organic ingredients, and the frosted glass bottle just makes it that much better!

(FYI - the first two pumps out of the bottle were almost a clear liquid, so I recommend shaking this before using.)

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Stemulation Daily Micro Derm Scrub – Value $34

This is a big tube! (8 oz!) I think this might end up being my favorite discovery in the box. You can use it as a face or body scrub, but since it is a cleanser too, I felt it made more sense for my face only!

The scrub is a super-fine exfoliant, and it foams as you rub it into your skin. And it has a fantastic (natural) citrus scent! It left my skin super smooth, but not oily/moisturized like some body scrubs would, so you'll want to apply moisturizer after using.

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FabFitFun Every Day Beach Waves Spray – Value $18

This sea salt spray is on the lighter end of the spectrum in terms of sea salt/beach waves sprays I've tried. (And I've tried a lot thanks to subscription boxes!) By the lighter side, I mean no crunchy/stiffness in my hair after applying. The wave action is more subtle too, but my favorite part of this spray is actually the scent! It's described as a light sea scent, and I this it is perfect for summer.

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Passport to Beauty Gypsetter Luminous Lips in Flower Child– Value $18

This lipgloss is HIGH shine, medium shimmer, and it has practically no stickiness. Here it is swatched:

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The pigment isn't that apparent when I put it on, so really this is a product this is all about moisturizing your lips and making them super shiny!

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Betches Ice Pop Molds – Value $19

This is another exclusive collaboration item between FabFitFun and Betches. This ice pop mold is BPA-Free and handwash only. Here is the mold out of the box:

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I have to admit, when I first saw these out of the box, I couldn't figure out what the shape of the popsicle was supposed to be - I just knew it looked weird!

Fortunately, the booklet had all the info - these ice pops are designed to look like champagne bottles!

2nd attempt at photographing them now that I know better:

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Much better!

And there are a few Betchsicles Recipes in the info booklet, too. I was wondering how to make these popsicles boozy and still getting them to freeze, and, of course, they've solved for that with... Boozy Gummy Bear Ice Pops!

To make that recipe, you soak gummy bears in vodka (any liquor should work) for 12 hours, then add them to the pops and pour in the rest of your preferred liquid mix!

I've been curious about Drunken Gummy Bears for a while now, maybe this is a sign to try them!

And this box came with bonus sample items as well:

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Burt's Bees BB Cream Samples

I've sampled this BB Cream before and I really like it. The formula smells great, has medium coverage (I like my BB Creams to provide medium-complete coverage), and it stayed in place all day! And the sample had surprisingly more than enough BB Cream for a full-use!

Compeed Blister Cushion Sample

Not a super exciting sample, but probably useful for summer sandal season!

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This box also included a $35 coupon code for Hello Fresh. (If you are interested in this meal kit subscription, check out our Hello Fresh reviews, and save $40 off your first box with coupon code CFAHSK.)

Verdict: I am always so impressed with FabFitFun! This box has a retail value of about $228. I think this is a great value for a $50 box. This box definitely has that summer vibe I was expecting and hoping for, too.

I was surprised to see no gift cards in this box, though! (That's usually a standard item in FabFitFun boxes, so hopefully they return in the fall!)

What do you think of the FabFitFun Summer 2016 Box? What are you going to buy with your gift cards?

Starting at $54.99

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FabFitFun

3.7 overall rating

1036 Ratings | 177 Reviews

"FabFitFun is a seasonal lifestyle subscription that sends subscribers 6-8 items every season, worth up to $300 in value. Boxes include amazing products that are trend-savvy ranging from full-size skincare and beauty products, to wellness products, to accessories, to decor and more every season. ... read more.

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Posted in Subscription Box Reviews, Subscription Boxes for Women

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!

Read More By Liz Cadman >

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113 comments

Christine Gavin

I see some negative and positive comments here. I really like my first box which was the summer one. I gave it to my husband to give to me at my birthday party and I hadn’t opened it. It really was the hit of the party. I had all the ladies attention! I have had a lot of nicec omments about my blue “Seas The Day” beach bag. I really love it! My plan is to order a winter one for my husband to give to me for Christmas since I was so happy with the summer box. I’d like to get the fall one but I haven’t found justification for it yet. Give me time lol!

Rachel

I am sooooo sick of these boxes- they just seem to get worse and worse each time. I have so much useless crap that I don’t know what to do with! I can’t wait to cancel when it is the end of my subscription at the end of the year.

Laura

I do want to mention how awesome FFF CS is to deal with, I’ve had a great experience with them.

Jennifer

I do have to say, my first interaction with them, when my box was late, was less than ideal. They were very rude, and totally turned me off. Then I got my box and my 2 add-ons were damaged. I emailed them about the issue and the response was quick, polite, and awesome. my replacements are on their way, so I’m happy with FFF again.

Jennifer

I remain completely disgusted with FabFitFun right now. My box shipped outside of the priority shipping window. When I reached out to customer service they were very rude and unhelpful. My box arrived today and both of my candles were broken and my box was full of glass shards. The one candle wasn’t packaged or wrapped up at all.

Christine Gavin

Anyone from Canada receive their box yet? I have not.

Kimberli

I just got my box. I got two of the add on throws and they are really big, great size for laying out on the beach or grass. That said, HOLY COW THEY STINK!!!! I mean a strong horrid odor. I’m going to try throwing them in the dryer with no heat and a few fabric sheets. It is really bad.

LMBO!! Kimberi that made my day. Sorry the towels smelled horrible but that comment was too funny:)

Kimberli

My adult daughter was here visiting when it got here and I told her that I haven’t had something so pretty smell so badly since she was a baby.

laura cramutola

Does anyone know if the towel can be used to dry off after swimming? I don’t do yoga, but the towel is cute.

Laura

Only a so so box for me. The beachy hair gave it a weird texture although I’m trying to like the osea moisturizer. Hopefully the fall box will be better

Nichelle

I got Burts Bees cleansing oil packet but I didn’t receive the Hello Fresh coupon. Was that in every box? I went spoiler free so excited I did, opening my box today was a treat. I love the summer FFF box! Great review as usual?

Nikita

I have a code you can use if you really want it, I get them in a different subscription box.

mtjeer

I’m with everyone else about getting too many sea salt sprays but, this one is the only one that has ever worked for me! I have super thin, straight, and long hair. This spray is light and actually doesn’t make my hair sticky or greasy. I’m also so happy with that scrub. I almost subbed it because I have enough scrubs too. The face lotion smells great and feels so light. I was disappointed when I first saw the spoilers but the box really surprised me when I gave the items a chance.

ChereK

I’m so glad you did! I would have turned and put it on the swap site!
Thanks, I will try this one!!! (My hair is REALLY long, too!)

Jennifer

I’m pretty sure I won’t be resubscribing once my current subscription ends. The delivery schedule posted on their site lists 6/8-6/14 as their priority shipping dates. Granted the email they sent out differs and says 6/16, which would be today. I contacted customer support yesterday to express concern that I hadn’t gotten a shipping notification yet and that my account also shows that it didn’t ship. I purchased many add-ons and I’m an annual subscriber. So it should have been shipped by 6/14. They were flat out rude in their reply staring they they had until the end of the week to get it out and that they had shipped it out they day before. They then sent me a tracking number that isn’t valid. I’m not impressed.

Sarah

Question: does the hellofresh coupon restrict to new customers? If so, and you used one prior, it is a worthless item in the box

Sitchey

Yep, that’s why it is an over used and worthless coupon. I was so surprised how many people were “so excited” about a coupon that most of us subber’s have received a trillion times. FFF did such a lousy throw together box this time. They totally stopped the snacks, now the gift cards. I got 2 BB cream samples and no oil one. Not that I am even stoked about getting 3 itty bitty samples in a $50 sub box. ? I guess they figured out a way to raise their profit margin.

Kristen

Anyone know how much the monthly, or annual comes to in Canadian dollars? I’m interested to but and it shows the 8$ shipping to Canada, but I can’t see if the $49.99 is Canadian or American

With the exchange rate it was over $80. I added on two items so it came up to $109. You still get more for your money and you can always gift stuff you won’t use yourself 🙂

It’s American. But to me it was worth it. The annual subscription saves a bit, and between that and swaps it’s a great deal.
I usually swap what I don’t need for popsugar stuff. It’s my favorite sub by far.

Ashley

How do you swap?

??????

Yay for the FFF Co-Star this month: Buckles!!! I will probably say this every time you post a picture of him.. SOOOOOO CUTE!!!! I need a Buckles in my life. But, BOO for more Sea Salt Spray, odd serum/moisturizer, body scrub, oversized tote & Hello Fresh coupon code. I’m about to open up a store and call it, “Sea Salt, Serum & Scrub (SSS) and put the items in a tote, as their shopping bag…. UGH!!!! That said, I’ll use it all!?? xo

Melissa

Just to let people know, the moisturizer unfortunately contains lavender, which is known to be cytotoxic, aka skin cell death-causing, which is obviously not a good thing, & is something that is occurring at a microscopic level even if it “feels fine” when applied. Super disappointing:(

That’s not true. Lavender is not cytotoxic. That misrepresentation comes from a flawed study and it’s unfortunate that it is repeated so much. Lavender is an ingredient that has been used in skincare remedies and to soothe irritated skin for thousands of years. Essentials oils are incredibly therapeutic and safe when used properly!
There’s a scientific refutation of that claim on roberttisserand.com.
“Either the cytotoxicity described above will manifest as irritation, or it will be so negligible as to have no importance. The most telling evidence is the fact that lavender oil has been successfully used in wound healing at 4%, with no adverse effects. Dermatological testing also reveals a lack of irritation. In a 48 hour occlusive patch test on 50 Italian volunteers, undiluted lavender oil produced no adverse reactions. Similarly tested at 1%, it produced no reactions in 273 eczema patients (Meneghini et al 1971). Undiluted lavender oil was slightly irritating to rabbit skin, but was not irritating to mouse or pig skin; tested at 10% on 25 healthy volunteers it was neither irritating nor sensitizing (Opdyke 1976 p451). So if there is any cytotoxicity, it’s not significant.”

ChereK

As an RN for 18 yrs, I have never heard neg things about lavender. I use the certified organic essential oil lavender oils myself.

Lauren

Afaik it was one study that showed cytotoxic reactions in vitro which isn’t terribly conclusive. Also applying undiluted essential oil isn’t recommended by most reputable EO brands and I’m guessing this is probably 1-2 drops in an entire bottle.

Jodie

It’s ok… I’m getting it but.. It’s not the best box ever. Another beach waves spray, another hello fresh discount card.. Lip gloss, I’ve literally gotten those in nearly every box! I do like most of the other items though.

Debbie

WARNING: I haven’t received my Fff box for summer yet but I’d like to give you all a warning. I’m a VIP member. You can purchase add ons. I placed one in my cart but wasn’t sure if I wanted to purchase the item. After I read reviews I decided it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t aware that if you don’t take it out of your cart you get charged and sent it anyway. They won’t refund your money and charge your card. Something I’ve never experienced. I place many things in carts and never check out. Just thought it was deceiving.

Lisa

I had a different, yet similar problem. They wouldn’t let me see the addons without reactivating. When I reactivated I didn’t see anything I wanted so I deactivated/cancelled again…. I was charged for the box and it arrived today! It was a shock to get it, but at least the box was decent. Won’t make that mistake again!

Erica

It says, right on the top of the page, that you will be charged 6/4 for any add-ons in your cart

Caitlyn

I don’t think you can finalize the purchase of any add ons until 6/4 because it’s treated as a final charge, so anything in the cart is processed then. If that makes sense. So in order to prevent the items from being charged they can’t be in the cart…. Depending on what items you have they might do well on ebay?

That’s not even legal. You didn’t complete the transaction and cannot legitimately be charged for something you never affirmatively purchased. I recommend contacting your credit card company directly. What they’re trying to do is akin to the business supply scams where companies send unsolicited products to businesses and then demand payment. FFF has pretty bad customer service in my 3+ years of experience dealing with them (getting unsubbed was about as easy as leaving the mob) so I wouldn’t accept that ludicrous answer from whoever happened to respond to you. Sorry but when I see comments like this I can’t scroll past without commenting; it’s the lawyer in me (I do lots of pro bono consumer protection work and this kind of shady dealing gets me fired up, lol).

Angela

I just signed up for my first box. Now I don’t even want it after reading all these comments, thank God for this community! As a matter of fact after I ordered my first box I got an email saying I am on the list for the summer box so does anyone know if that means I’m on the waitlist and it’s for the summer box because after reading all the comments it seems like that box kind of sucks I’m new I’m just wondering if anybody knows and I’m still trying to figure it out how to navigate everything

Debbie

Thank you EC. Im still battling this out with them. You are right their customer service is terrible. My bank does refund for unauthorized purchases so that is my last resort. They are telling me that there is an agreement that if I put it in my cart and don’t remove it that I agreed to purchase. Very upsetting.

??????

I need a friend like you!! I bet if that were the case I’d have a lot more money in the bank. I tend to give up when things like this happen. It’s just too much work & not worth the headache. But, if you know the legal jargon, I think that’s 90% of the work. When companies get a letter talking the talk & get a litigious vibe, they cave. I think as a MSA community, we should nominate & crown you, “Our Lawyer⚖”. ??lol!! I hope Debbie gets her money back. So shady!!!! xo

Kristin

Hi Debbie! I’ve been with FFF since the Beginning. With that being said it does say on the Top of the page when you click the Add on you will be billed with the Box. They even have a date & time as to how long you can add-on or take off. No it’s not FFF fault by any means, we as buyers also need to be responsible & read & it’s not fine print it’s right there in black & white on the top of the page. I’m no way affiliated with FFF except being a loyal Customer who thinks its not fair to blame a Company for our Mistakes when they explain everything BEFORE you start doing Add On’s. I hope you didn’t take this the wrong way I’m just saying how I feel. Good Luck!

Christina

Kristin, My first box after my welcome box I added on and completely read that and seen very clearly the top of the page. It also has everything you added broken down by price and the total add on so you may fix any error. It’s not deceiving at all, that’s why there is no checkout. Having said that, it is a possibility that her device or computer did not show that for one reason or another. It happens a lot with different devices. That’s why it helps to read the FAQS pages to have all bases covered. ( even that is not always correct with some boxes…didn’t help me when I had that for point of reference with a diff. Company). This add on is not to be confused with the shopping deals they send which are a completely separate order that is shipped to you.

Debbie, there is nothing wrong with posting a warning as I’m pretty sure there are many people who did not or will not notice things. I also think it’s great to share experiences with others. I do think you should be able to check out add ons especially if you already paid in advance for the year. It’s not easy trying to keep up with all the different companies and the way they do things.

Danelle

Pleasantly surprised. I’m sick of gift cards so nice to not have them for a while. New things to try. I have girls in the house so we will see what they claim as their own. Towels are always great! Will never use hello fresh. I get those in every sub box lately.

Kimberli

About ten years ago every new TV or DVD player you bought came with a 30 day trial to Netflix and after you bought your new thing Netflix would send you another offer in the mail once a month until you gave in and tried it. Just absolute bombardment of trial offers. Hello fresh reminds me of that. And that guy in high school who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Krista

Like an AOL CD 😉 (that ages me a little haha)

Jeannette Cassar

I am very disappointed in this box. The only things I like are the scrub. I think the retail values are over-inflated. The popsicle molds are made in China, I wouldn’t want to use them.

Sitchey

I am too. In my opinion, this is the absolute worst box to date. If the next Boris this bad, I am canceling.

cindycb

I like this box. My only complaint is that I wish I had gotten a different lip color. I received Bohemian Glow which doesn’t float my boat (keeping with the beachy theme here). I have never used any beach waves spray and am looking forward to trying that. As an annual subscriber I chose the yellow tote with “sunshine and saltwater” on it and the “more happy less worry” towel. Both are beautiful quality items. Sadly no beach vacations for us this year and living in AZ with no beach close by the tote will just be a sad reminder for me. FabFitFun has become my favorite subscription, they rarely leave me disappointed.

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I can’t help it: all I see in the ice pops are big pink cow udders.

Kristin

LOL… ????

dmg

LOL !!!!…….thank you!! long day at work, and this was just perfect…. Still laughing!!!

Virginia

This is one of the best sub boxes I have seen since I discovered sub boxes. The only problem is my age and health prevents me from going to the beach which I miss very much. I hope many of you go to the beach and enjoy your items.

What was one subscriber talking about a Pur-lisse code?

Ash

For Memorial Day they had a code that included a free put-lisse moisturizer with new subscription.

ChereK

Love it!! I went over board on the add ons!!!
😛
Only thing that I will be swapping will be the Osea and the Beach hair stuff…
(My hair is almost 30inches long, I don’t like what the beach does to it! I have to keep enough oils on it to keep it from drying out….)

Love that Buckles is in the pictures too!!

Holly

Awesome! My daughter just asked me this morning to get a popsicle tray (ours broke years ago, and I’ve been too lazy to get another one) so at this very moment, that’s the item I’m most excited about! THis is definitely my favorite box of the summer.

Dana

This looks like another great box from FabFitFun. This will technically be my “third box” but my first one was the welcome box so this will be my second “season” box. I am hoping for the yellow “vitamin sea” bag and either “dream big” or “more happy less worry” yoga towel. I am really excited to try the lipgloss! It looks gorgeous. Also, loved the “We’re going to practice good vibes and less barking!” comment. I literally laughed out loud 🙂 cute pup!

Liz Cadman

Yay for laughing out loud! 🙂 And so glad to hear you like the box too. Fingers crossed you get the variations you are hoping for!

Emily G

Is the OSEA cream a sunscreen or a lotion?

Liz Cadman

It is a lotion/moisture cream – no SPF

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FabFitFun Summer 2016 Subscription Box Review + $10 Coupon

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