Popsugar Must Have October 2013 Box Review Updated again bc stitch fix are mean but PS is not.

Update 11/08:

I sent an irate email to stitch fix and I got a polite response. That's all good but still grrrrr. The good part is that Popsugar are awesome. After I emailed them and asked why the fuck they'd do this (this being alienating all the big girls), they sent me a very pretty necklace to make up for the bs as well as a replacement Gorjana bracelet that was a bit bigger than the little itty bitty one I got first. Thanks, popsugar!! You guys have great CS and that's what keeps me coming back and happy. Plus, I love getting little surprises in the mail so I was mighty happy to see that box waiting for me (especially since fed-ex doesn't forward mail and I would've lost the box completely if it had been delivered a few days later).  So, to reiterate, popsugar is the greatest and while I'm still pissed about the stitch fix sitch, I feel a little better by getting a pretty necklace (yes, I'm a bit shallow)!!!




Update 10/26:

I retract anything nice I might've said about stitch fix. Their size-ist bullshit is incredibly intelligent business-wise. Why would they carry xl or over (or even) size 14? It's not like the average American woman is that big. Oh wait, they are?? Oops, better deny them a chance to give us money because omg ewww fat ppl, amirite?!?! After the bs they pull and reading and hearing horror stories about them, I can safely say I'll never do business with those assholes. EVER. I'm disappointed with this box even giving this company the chance to get into more women's consciousness because there's no better way to spend the weekend than thinking about how you were denied from a 'styling service' because of your size.




Hi everyone!! 

I'm gonna be posting my box reviews pretty close together since I've had the pleasure (aka the terrible luck) of being stuck without internet at my place since last week. Soooo, I have to go to starbucks to post and yes, it blows :) 

Now, back to the good stuff:

the October Popsugar Must Have  box!!! Last month was beyond awesome and this month does NOT disappoint. I'm very very glad to be a part of the popsugar must have subscription base because it really has become my #1 box out of the many I sub to. This month we got another book (a cookbook?! yes!) and some very cool stuff although one item was kind of a disappointment but we'll get to that. Let's get down to the review: 

The Can't Cook Book: Recipes for the Absolutely Terrified! 

A cookbook! I typically love, LOVE LOVE for books to be included in the popsugar box but I'm not a cookbook fan at all since I don't cook AT ALL. As in the few times I tried to cook were terrible so I gave it up and left that special skill up to others which incredible since as a female I just HAVE to know how to cook. Gag me with a spoon. This particular cookbook is for the non-cookers amongst us and Jerry Seinfeld's wife is here to teach us how to make some simple meals. The idea is cute enough and the book is well made but I just don't know. I wish I could get inspired to cook like I like to craft but the idea of touching raw meat and raw chicken makes me want to puke as soon as I even think about it! Hopefully, one day I'll be struck with the need to cook and I'll have this handy book to help me through the perils of cooking. For now, I'll just look at the pretty pictures of food. 9/10 

NYX Cosmetics Liquid Liner and Smokey Shadow Palette 

I've slowly been getting to know NYX since I tend to get stuff from them through ipsy as well and this month we got a pretty nice shadow palette (dark smoky neutrals) and a dark brown liquid eyeliner. Unfortunately I can't give you guys any specifics on the texture or color payoff because this is yet another pair of items that was 'given' (by way of force) to my mom. Apparently I already have too much makeup or whatever so yeah…. I'm not happy about it but the sizing (full size) and colors look good so anyone that got the pair and gets to keep them (imagine that), tell me if they're worth buying! 8/10 

Gorjana Charity Bali Bead Bracelet 

This is the aforementioned disappointment item in this month's box. Gorjana is kind of a staple brand in popsugar must have  boxes so I've come to expect that the jewelry they send is going to be on the small side but this time, they broke the freaking record. My homies at makeuptalk were pretty angry about the sizing as well. The issue is that the bracelet looks like it's made for a child. What do I mean? It's teeny tiny! I literally couldn't close it without pinching my wrist! Mine measured about 6" which isn't the smallest ever but a lot smaller than the average 7" that a lot of bracelets are. It is a charity bracelet and not anything quite formal (hot pink string and gold beads) so the loss is minimal but I don't like to lose at all so I'll find a way to make it fit (with an extension or something not like a wrist diet! Are there wrist diets? Knowing how the world works, I'd say yes). 6/10

Julep  for Popsugar  Duo

Julep  and popsugar  together?? It is an early christmas miracle! Lol. Actually, it is pretty awesome considering I really like both subscription boxes and I love what I got. What did I get? The julep Freedom Polymer Topcoat (which I ran out of about 6 weeks ago and have been using an essie topcoat since) and Julep nail lacquer in Char (a navy blue) which I think I already have though I'm not sure and as soon as I mentioned this doubt, Char was commandeered by my mother. As you'll see in the other item reviews, dear reader of this blog, this won't be the only time that'll happen. Either way, an awesome addition to a great box and seeing as the topcoat retails for around ~ $20 but itself, I'm a happy camper. 11/10 

Note: It also comes with a code for a free month of Julep: 

Enter JULEPMUSTHAVE at Julep and you'll get your first month free. Be warned that this sub is addictive! ;) 

Jane Tran Bobby Pins 

I'd already seen these around thanks to beautybar's sample society. However, I think they're a welcome addition to the box. I always need (and want!!) more stuff for my hair and especially updos. This was a full set not like a sample of 3-4 and I was very excited to have it until my mom basically harangued me out of them (as well as many of the better items of this month's boxes and I am NOT happy because would a freaking thank you or at least any acknowledgement hurt her? huh?) Anywayyyy (backing away from mother/daughter issues….) I liked them but unfortunately was unable to try them out because I'd be a terrible daughter if I didn't give them away (and I still get shit anyway!!! Grrrrrr…). Ok, I must take a chill break because I'm getting sort of pissy re: the bobby pins. Suffice it to say that they're cute and great for an updo. 9/10 

The Wet Brush 

The wet brush has to be one of my favorite items in this month's must have box. I have been in dire need of a new regular brush since I lost my pretty boar bristle one and I've been dealing with my hair with a paddle brush (not the best brush when you want volume). Thankfully, popsugar  included this little piece of magic that is perfect for brushing wet hair. The bristles bend so as to not break your hair but they're sturdy enough that you can detangle it well. I'm in love with this brush and I'm using it way more than I expected. Four for you, popsugar! You go, popsugar ! 11/10 

The Crisper Halloween Crispycake

I ate this little piece of perfection the same day I got it. It had the two most important factors: 1. Tasty as faaaaack, 2. Halloween-y sprinkles!! Plus, it was large enough to share and to still have some left over for later. I'm definitely keeping my eye on the crispery and planning to order some tasty treats from them in the next few weeks! 10/10

Stitch Fix $20 gift card 

Stitch Fix is a monthly service where you pay $20 as a stylist's fee to be sent a box of clothing and then you get to try on said items (they're chosen by a stylist) and you get to purchase (including a $20 credit from the stylist's fee towards your purchase) whatever you'd like to keep and return the rest. It's an interesting idea and the gift card included can get you started on your first month but I'm not 100% sure that I want to. It is quite intriguing but I'm worried that I'd get stuff that was tried on so many times that it would be practically used. I don't know… but I'm very interested so I might just jump in and try this first month thanks to popsugar. The clothing sent ranges from sizes 0-14 so larger ladies aren't catered for (which is utter bs in my opinion and a big loss of revenue considering how many big girls like fashionable clothing) and that is a big minus for the company. However, I'm trying to keep an open mind and maybe try them for a month. Who knows? I hadn't heard of them before this so they just might be worth it but for now, I'm on the fence. 7/10 

Overall, a great box. It is on par with september's box of complete awesome and while september's box book was loads better than October's (crafts vs. cooking? no contest for me), I really did enjoy the variety of items included. It seems that popsugar is getting better and better at what they do and I'm quite happy about that. Unfortunately, I heard that the price for the box will be going up to $40.00 (from $35.00 + tax) but, so far, it's worth those extra $5 bucks. Also, the Neiman Marcus/Popsugar collaboration box is selling for $250 so that's a bit steeper (and I would omg completely buy it if I could afford it, for I am a shopaholic) but, if you can afford it, so much fun! 

Box:

Popsugar Must Have

Frequency:

Monthly

Price:

$35.00 (+ tax in CA) $30.00 for first box with REFER5 code, see code section) + price goes up to $40.00 + tax in CA (not all states) in November

Perks: 

You can earn free months with referrals.
CODES:

REFER5 (enter in the promo code box) for $5.00 off your first box.

Recommend? 

Yes! Yes! Yes! This month was also the fucking bomb and I 100% recommend this box.  I love and look forward to getting a box full of surprises every month. If you're really interested, give it a month or two and go from there. We're coming up on the holiday season and y'all know that's when the good stuff comes out!!!!

As always, don't spend your money on anything you don't love!