PopSugar Summer 2020 Unboxing

This was the last ever box for Popsugar, which is a bummer for me as I tend to really enjoy this subscription. Alas. 

PopSugar the website is less of a destination for me. I honestly remember it being far more useful when I first started going (when it was different pages for money [Savvy Sugar], fitness, celebrity and fashion). Going through my bookmarks (it's a process) I've found a bunch of things from them I've saved that are all fluff. For example, one thing I had saved was about block scheduling. At no point did this article ever mention how to block schedule, what it was, or show any examples. Nope. All fluff and filler words and a waste of my time. 

The box was nice though. 

​The box always came with a booklet that explains the items with pictures. It always begins with a letter from Lisa, the creator of PopSugar. 

I'm not sure when I signed up (it's been a few years) but the box has been going since 2012. 

The first item is from Roxanne Assoulin. It's a set of ten colorful beaded bracelets. MSRP is around $60. I can't say I'm on the trend with jewelry because I like older stuff and over the top gaudy rings. My taste is suspect I think. These weren't my jam at first but I've come around because they're a nice little touch of color for the ever present maxis I wear in the summer. I don't find them noisy and they don't hurt (there's stretch). 

The next item is a bag from Mar y Sol. It's the perfect beach bag (like, boardwalk beach bag...not chilling at the beach bag) but sweet baby Jesus...there had to be tassels. I'm not a tassel person. I don't like tassels. None of my pillows or curtain cords have tassels. I keep a tassel less house but PopSugar tries me. I suppose in theory these can come off. The MSRP is around $60. My tassel aversion is my own trial of course. I haven't decided if I'm going to keep this or not. I might see if one of my friends would like this, but since the 'rona started I've been chilling at home and haven't seen anyone. 

​The candle was from Antica Farmacista. If left to my own devices, I'll get my candles from Homegoods because I'm cheap. I love getting expensive candles though. It makes up for the tassels. The notes are tropical gardenia, banana leaf, and palms. I smelled more gardenia than anything else (but to be fair, my nose is not great). The MSRP is $46. 

​The next item was quite exciting to me. I like Farmacy skin care so I was thrilled to get this. It's the Very Cherry Bright C Serum with Acerola Cherry. The MSRP is $62.


According to the box, there are four types of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Annoyingly, every time I see hyaluronic  acid now, I just think of the Eva Longoria commercial where she says it like "Hi-yuh-luh-ron-IC acid. Calm down Eva. 

It's a great acid though. It's wonderful for hydrating and plumping your skin. 

I love the honey moisturizer that Farmacy has and I have another moisturizer from them that isn't my holy grail item but it really nice. My HG moisturizer is Nature's Republic Aqua Max Combination Cream. It's a Korean brand but Nature's Republic has moved in the American market for awhile now. I used to have to get it from NYC when I hit up Koreatown but they have an online store. 

I like the watery gel moisturizers but since starting the CGRP injections, my skin has been dry as the desert and I've been using creams. I miss my watery gels. 

The next item I was excited about but hesitant as I loved the pattern, liked the material but it's not something I normally use. I grew up on the beach and I never dressed all fancy as there isn't a reason. Ratty t-shirt and shorts work just fine. 

The few times I went to a resort for the beach (I just don't think about going to a beach resort because the beach is right there!) I didn't make a huge effort. Perhaps I should have! The MSRP is $68. 

Anyways, this is a pareo from Subtle Luxury and can be worn as a sarong, dress wrap, or scarf. The pattern is called Birds of Prey and the fabric is polyester (but a soft version). There are tassels. I'm ignoring their existence at the moment. It's very colorful and lovely. At the least I can rock it as a spring dress scarf. Maybe I'll work on taking an effort at the beach but eh. 


The next item is from C'est Moi. It's makeup remover wipes. I have a skincare regime and prefer oils to take off my makeup (Boscia's are my HG) but when I get hit with a really bad migraine and need to take off the makeup but can't handle a full session, I'll use wipes. Luckily, since the CGRP is working I don't use wipes that much. These are welcome for my medical needs but I haven't used them yet. That being said, these are MSRP $10, which is a decent deal for the amount. 

I received two food items in the main box, one was from R.E.D.D. and is the Oatmeal plant-based energy bar. I actually only eat energy bars if I need to eat food for a pain pill (re:migraine) so this box is accidentally a migraine-aid box. I haven't given it a go yet. I'm not too sure on energy bar companies. I've tried some that were okay, one that had dates that I really struggle with, and nothing where I've over wowed. Granted, my fat ass isn't the market. I don't mind oatmeal as a flavor but they also have chocolate and peanut butter which are more my jams. Eventually I'll give it a go. MSRP is $3

The next item will unfortunately get the same treatment...it's the perfect size for "I just have to eat something to take a pill but I don't want to eat junk." It sounds like a bummer but I'm excited about these two items. Especially since I've been working my way through the date box. Yuck. These are from Daily Crunch Snacks and I received the Cherry Berry Nut Medley. MSRP is $3.50

The next items are the added bonus items. There were three large samples included. 

One was four packets of Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Water. I used to get Bioderma when I went to Paris...which sounds so snobby. Sorry about that, but before they came to the U.S. market, when I was in Europe I'd get a bottle. I struggled with it because I felt it left a film on my face but since everyone raved about it...I kept trying and trying. The MSRP for a full size is about $15. I did find it to be gentle and it did remove my makeup and I didn't break out from it. I just felt there was a film and I didn't like that. Maybe that's in my head. All micellar water does that to me though. No shade for Bioderma here. I'll see if my friends want it or I'll add it to my bag of (unopened) skin care and makeup for the shelter. 

The next item is from Natural Vitality and is their CALM magnesium supplement. I've seen people talk about using this for migraines on an online forum but I haven't given it a go (see! accidental migraine box!). There are different flavors but I received the strawberry-lemon flavor. The full size is about MSRP $24. I'll give this a go eventually and see if it does anything. I take magnesium pills at the moment but I can't tell much of a difference. 

The third item is from Batiste and is their Waterless Cleaning Foam. There are different scents available and I received the almond oil. It's like a dry shampoo...but a "wet" foam that dries in under a minute. I think this is interesting but I'm so lazy with my hair. I've got a style now that works with my hair (mostly wavy) but looks very sleek when I make an effort to blow dry and flat iron. Luckily my hair stylist is brilliant because otherwise I'd be a mess. I'm going to keep this and try and make more of an effort. I mean, it's the perfect time to work on my hair more since I'm going no where.