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POPSUGAR Must Have x Neiman Marcus Box 2016 Review

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanMay 2, 2017 | 112 comments

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POPSUGAR Must Have
3.9 overall rating
530 Ratings | 71 Reviews

Every holiday season, POPSUGAR and Neiman Marcus do a collaboration box that's designed to be perfect for gifting. This is the review of the 2016 POPSUGAR Must Have x Neiman Marcus Box!

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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 itself is beautiful. It has a magnetic flap closure, and it's definitely a box you'll want to keep for storage or regifting.

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And I love the inner wrapping paper - such a beautiful contrast to the white box!

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The Box: POPSUGAR Must Have x Neiman Marcus Box

The Cost: $250

The Products:“We’ve created the ultimate box just in time for the holidays. Co-curated by Lisa Sugar and Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing, they’ve chosen the perfect mix of luxe surprises ready to gift to loved ones or to yourself — you deserve it!”

UPDATE: This box is valued at over $740!

(Check out my review of the 20152014, and the 2013 Neiman Marcus Box to see what you can expect).

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Alice + Olivia Stace Face Zip Wallet - Retail Value $198

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I think this design is fun, mod, and has a Kate Spade vibe!

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It's well-crafted, made from leather and patent leather, and the sunglasses and lips add a fun dimension to the wallet as well:

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FYI - This wallet is modeled after the Alice + Olivia's CEO, Stacey Bendet Eisner, and her chic signature sunglass look.

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Inside, there are two pockets for cash, 8 spaces for cards, and a zipper wallet in the middle.

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Personally, I love that this wallet zips completely closed. (If you've ever found all your credit cards/gift cards/reward cards in a pile at the bottom of your purse, I'm sure you understand!)

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Alexis Bittar Gold Crystal Studded Spur Lace Cuff - Retail Value $195

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This bracelet comes in a textured gift box with an embossed logo.

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And a lovely little cloth bag, too.

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From POPSUGAR:

Take your holiday party look a notch higher with this Swarovski-crystal-studded cuff, which features both gold and silver tones in order to match any outfit. Lightweight and eye-catching, this elegant Alexis Bittar creation will solve your accessorizing woes for any special gathering.

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This cuff manages to both be delicate and a statement piece at the same time - it's perfect for me!

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This cuff measures approximately 5.5 inches and it's adjustable so you can customize the fit.

Here it is on:

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I really love the lace filigree detail, and it has just the right amount of holiday sparkle for me!

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I rarely say this in a review, but this next item should be a hit with EVERYONE:

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Neiman Marcus Gift Card - Value $50

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This gift card and the decorative sleeve have an embossed silver crocodile pattern.

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And there is no mention of the POPSUGAR X Neiman Marcus box on the card - if you end up gifting this, it will be just like you bought the gift card in the store.

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Nima Oberoi Lunares Wishbone Bookends - Value $129

(Another item boxed and ready to gift!)

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These bookends are stunning! (And so unique!) I love this inclusion in the box!

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The mixed metal design should work with most decor, too.

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These have a silver and gold plate finish, and the Nima Oberoi Lunares logo is faintly present on the ends:

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These are solid enough to hold books up, but not overly heavy thanks to the design:

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These bookends are about 10 inches tall. Here they are with books to give you a better sense of scale:

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And this set also comes with a card providing care instruction:

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And more info on the meaning of the wishbone design:

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They describe the wishbone as a symbol of hope, and it seems like a perfect fit for gift giving this time of the year.

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Ready for another home item?

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Antica Farmacista Prosecco Scented Candle - Value $44

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This scent is described as:

Prosecco, tart satsuma citrus, and subtle floral notes of muguet balance notes of sugared black currant. A crisp scent celebrating the sparkling effervescence of prosecco and champagne.

To me, the scent reads as fresh and citrusy, and it should work all year round, too!

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This candle has a burn time of approximately 60 hours.

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I always like inclusions of candles in subscription boxes, so I was thrilled to see this in the box. Plus the design is classic and simple!

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Le Metier de Beaute Lip Kaleidoscope in Lip L'Amour - Value $95

POPSUGAR included an eyeshadow Kaleidoscope in the original Neiman Marcus box (2013), so this is a bit of a throwback!

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The packaging on these Kaleidoscopes is lovely. Here are all the shades opened:

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And a closer look at each shade:

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Moisture Matte Lip Creme in Taboo

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Moisture Matte Lip Creme in Affinity

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Lip Creme in Posh

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Lip Creme in Breathe

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This also comes with a card detailing the shades and application tips.

Here are all the shades swatched:

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From the top: Breathe, Posh, Affinity, Taboo.

All shades have a lot of pigment and the matte Lip Cremes have good staying power, too. The two non-matte lip cremes, have more of a gloss consistency, so keep that in mind when you first go to apply - my lip brush hit the pan since I was expecting the same consistency of the matte lip cremes!

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Studmuffin Desserts Bleeker Street Brittle - Value $30

This packaging is so cute!

It comes with a washer that you use to open the container:

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This little bucket of brittle was a hit with everyone who tried it!

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I couldn't eat it because I avoid dairy, but it was described to me as, "buttery and salty like you expect a good brittle to be. Plus it is crunchy but not hard so it was easy to eat."

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And the brittle is all-natural and gluten-free!

Verdict: This box has a value of $741! I think that's a great value for a $250 box, and when you factor in the $50 gift card, it's really like paying $200 for 6 items. (That's about $33 an item!)

I'm really impressed with this box! First, everything is good to gift on its own. And I like the product category balance, too. Two home items, two fashion items, one beauty item, one home item, and a gift card to get anything else you want! (Can you tell I'm still shocked and delighted that they included a gift card in this box?)

What do you think of the POPSUGAR Must Have x Neiman Marcus Box

FYI - this box is currently still available for sale if you are interested!

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POPSUGAR Must Have is a quartely lifestyle subscription box curated by the editors at POPSUGAR. Each box features their "must have" products for beauty, fashion, home, food, fitness and more. Every box has a value of $250 +!
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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112 comments

Vanessa

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of all, I am a Neiman Marcus enthusiast. So being able to get high end items at a discount is my dream come true. My husband and I absolutely love the book ends. How adorable! And they match the candle sticks I got from a previous box!
The lip palette is so beautiful and I love it even more than the original NM collar eyeshadow kaleidoscope. This is a typical item that I would love to try but would never spend that full price amount for. The candle is so ME…so luxe. And the brittle. YUM!

The Alexis Bittar bracelet is a stunner! I only wish that it came in silver? Has anyone tried exchanging it at Neiman’s? The wallet is adorable. However, it is very taste specific…has anyone tried exchanging it? I don’t see it online at NM and if I gifted it, I’d be afraid that the person would not be able to exchange it.

The gift card just pushed me over the edge into heaven!

This is the BEST BOX out there. I’ve gotten it 3 years in a row and I am willing to get another box if it goes on sale for gifting!

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Vanessa

The bracelet can only be exchanged at Alexis Bittar Boutiques. NM does not carry the bracelet. The wallet is not carried by NM NOR Alice and Olivia.
I am a little disappointed that the items are not real NM items…I think it puts you in a tough spot with gifting when you can not exchange the items. I am going to keep this in mind when ordering a box next year. Also, NM return policy is iron clad for anything over $50

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Nancy

I am still debating on whether or not to order this, Does anyone know if it will ever go on sale ?

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Maria

Hi Liz, Can I use the Neiman marcus gift card online?????

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Anna

Has anyone had any problem using the gift card? I tried using it online and it won’t work.

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Charlie

LOVE LOVE LOVE Alice and Olivia. Nice addition Popsugar!

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Jenna

Is anybody planning on selling their cuff? I think it’s the only item I really love…

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Jaclyn

I like most of these items but will wait until it goes on Gilt..don’t think it will sell out!

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Jenny

Thanks for the awesome review Liz! Do you know the weight of the wishbone bookends by any chance?

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Misty

When are they giving spoilers for the regular box for December 2016?

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Michelle

I think they bookends would have been much more stunning if they were turned out so you could actually see the wishbone.

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Charell

I am torn about purchasing this box.

Likes: brittle, bracelet, book ends, gift card, candle
Would sell: wallet, lipstick

Unfortunately, I’m not sure it really makes sense to buy if I’d need to sell two of the higher priced items. I wish the wallet was a more neutral design, I would buy in a heartbeat if so.

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Amy S

First of all, thank you Liz for the great description of the box! I am very happy with it! My husband loves peanut brittle so he will be happy with that. I simply adore the wallet and bracelet. The gift card was the icing on the cake!

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Lauren

My wallet will be up for sale if anyone is interested…

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Nancy

I would be interested in the wallet, let me know how much!!

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MintySunshine

Are there going to be any black friday discounts? I like the box but not for the price.

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Ashley

Not impressed at all. Not my type of stuff. 🙁 Thank god I did not buy it.

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Liz

Makes me sad the could make a box from items on their website gift guide especially since they Neimans does a holiday book and everything. When you go to the website then click gifts then gifts for her literally non of these items are there. That just seems like a big disconnect to me.

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meg

I was thinking the exact same thing!! I always thought this box should include items from the NM gift guide. I find it so strange that some of the items are not even available at NM. But I guess I’m happy that I have zero FOMO for this box so that saves me some money.

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Dez

I love everything in this box!! Unfortunately it’s out of my price tange..:(

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Jill

First off, I love your reviews and spoilers. You, in my opinion, give fair critiques the majority of the time. Some are overly gracious but most are accurate. I’ve been coming to this site since I became obsessed with sub boxes in 2013. I especially love all the special edition luxury boxes from PSMH with the Neiman box being my favorite one since the inaugural box. However, I’m done with reading comments on anymore of your posts. People write the meanest, nastiest comments I’ve ever read. They drag your blog down and blow the joy for some of us who love what we get/are getting. They continue this behavior unchecked and I’m sick of it. If I were a sub box sending you all this nice, free merch to advertise I would seriously be re-thinking this strategy due to all the unnecessary, negative, and sometimes downright cruel things people say. Usually the worst things are said by people who don’t even buy the boxes in the first place! It’s your blog so do what you want but I’m not reading the comments anymore. It ruins my fun and excitement. No one should be censored but many need to re-think the reason why they’re on this site to begin with when most of their time is spent bashing the boxes, the companies, their curation departments, and finally the subscribers. 90% of sub boxes are mysteries until they are spoiled or you receive them. If you are chronically unhappy with the items included maybe sub boxes (especially the expensive ones) are not for you. Take your $250 and try to buy $700+ worth of luxury items on your own. True maybe some of the RVs are inflated or maybe you’d never spend $40+ on a candle but the purpose of these boxes are to bring high-end items to your door that you’d normally never pick out or be able to afford if you bought them as a single item at NM, etc. End rant.

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Anna

Jill, I am with you 100%. I love reading the reviews but not some of the mean spirited comments. When you buy a subscription box you are taking a chance on what is inside it. They can’t read your mind and they don’t know exactly what you’re going to like. They have to go with what they think the majority of people would want. I like almost everything in the box. The bracelet is lovely. And I was excited about the bookends. I am in my late 50s and the wallet is a little too young for me but it’s perfect for my 20-year-old niece who loves Alice + Olivia. I have lots of nieces and sisters and a lot of the things end up being gifts for them. It’s a nice way to give a gift that’s expensive that you normally may not have been able to afford. All of the items inside were of a nice quality. Part of the subscription box is the surprise of what you see inside. And yes the companies need the feedback but there are constructive ways to do it. I personally get an email every time I get a box and I tell them what I like and what I didn’t. I love reading the reviews and I will continue to do that but I won’t read the comments any longer. There are too many negative comments. It’s kind of like gambling, if you don’t want to take the chance, don’t do it! And as Jill said, “end rant”

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Amy

I think it is preferable to permit open comments because in many cases, boxes improve due to feedback, both positive and negative. You judging our judging is the same is it not? Your judging us who comment both positively and negatively is the same as our judging contents in a box. I enjoy the comments. Liz works hard to give descriptions and photos and I for one appreciate her hard work. She keeps her forums open to comments both good and bad. Most people dislike the wallet from the Neiman Marcus 2016 box. I disagree because I love it. However we all have the right to free speech.
I for one can’t stand the beanie in the Rachel Zoe box. But others feel differently and that is fine by me. We need to keep freedom of speech here. My advice to you is to not read comments.
End Response to Rant

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CherèeK

My thoughts on the previous rant exactly!
Well stated!
Famously, no one like a particular spoiler “hero item” of a lux box. Tons of comments on how much we had strong dislike of the item!! The box changet it our for one that everyone fought over on the swap site and you still can’t get one!
They are here for the positive and negative feedback! Just a captive, basically, control audience in which they do not have to fund!!

CherèeK

I only comment on the ones I am receiving. But, there are sub boxes who have changed for the better because they read dislike of the subscribers who have disliked the spoiler or contents of their box. It is not always a bad thing.

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Helen

I absolutely loooove those bookends. They’re the kind of thing I buy myself. I haven’t bought this box yet – even though the candle and gift card are pretty desirable too.
It’s that face wallet – it looks like a fly face. Or some kind of insect. lol

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MyMilkShake

I saw the reveal this morning and thought it was a great box. I still do. But I am so surprised at the comments here. I understand people are concerned about values being high. But it’s not like anyone pays the high value. If the 7 items are divided into the $270 (box with taxes), it comes to about $39/item (the $50 gift card and edibles balance each other out there). I’m not sure what people are expecting.

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carey

I totally agree! When broken down like that I want to get it even more. lol Too bad I splurged on half a dozen other boxes and addons for FFF.

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Vanessa

Anyone know if they will do a black Friday special or coupon for this box?

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Jeanette

First off, I am a total newbie to the subscription box world. But my comment is that I think there are some good items, but the box doesn’t flow. The November Box for example had a consistent flow about it. This just seems a little all over the map. But, I do like it when they put store gift cards in the box.

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lz

I was totally liking the book end until I saw the comments about ob-gyn, that spoiled it for me 🙁 so sad 🙁

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Amy S

The bookends are beautiful! I just ignore silly comments. When they are stood up with books they are gorgeous! I can’t wait to get my box! 🙂

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Lisa

Would you be interested in swapping the bookends? Feel free to message me and maybe we can work out a trade. Thanks!
http://forum.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/profile/wldflowur13

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Amber

Omg! I am so happy I didn’t get this box. What a joke. Much rather get the his and her LE box and keep the extra 50 bucks.?

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Theresa

UGH…..I am SO upset that I spent $250 on this. >:o :’o( I like the candle and gift card (it would have been MUCH better if the giftcard was $100 instead). Never again will I purchase the Neiman Marcus Box or any other Limited Edition box without FULL spoilers.

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Lisa

Would you be interested in swapping the bookends? Feel free to message me on the forum and maybe we can work out a trade. Thanks!
http://forum.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/profile/wldflowur13

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Brandi Cash

I would love to buy the wallet if you’re not using it.

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Monika

I will be selling my wallet as well for $50
M717young at gmail dot com

Lauren

Happy I passed on this box. I wouldn’t even trade for any of these items except the candle and the gift card. The bookends tempted me but do not go with my decor. But that’s literally it.

I made the mistake of using the last Metier de Beaute quad I received in an LE box and the colors were just not good despite looking pretty in the compact.

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