PopSugar MustHave is a monthly lifestyle box aimed at women that contains 5 or 6 items. It retails for $39.95 inc taxes and shipping but as with other sub boxes you can usually find a discount coupon of some sort online. I used one that gave me $5.00 off (so I paid $34.95).
Although I'm not that much of a subscription box shopper I seem to have a had a run on them recently. IMO Pop Sugar is one of the more interesting boxes as it's not just beauty or fashion orientated and they often include things such as books and edibles - in fact the only other non beauty box that I have purchased was a PopSugar box two years ago.
The theme for the April 2016 box was 'Floral, green, natural, sustainable,fresh, renewal'. I'm not sure how much of the contents fulfilled that theme but I thought that it was a jolly good box and the range of products that it contained made it very suitable for a Mother's day gift.
The Contents:
1. Cravings (a cook book by Chrissy Teigen). Retail value $29.99.
Although I'm not generally a fan of celebrity cookbooks this is lovely book to browse. Of course, it contains lots of photos of Chrissy but each recipe also has a photo that accompanies it and they are great food shots! I like her breezy style of writing and the recipes are what I would call jazzed up versions of classics - mostly American, but there is also a short chapter of Thai food. It's not a cheffy book but it has lots of recipes for cheesy, spicy foods that look delicious (no dessert or baked goods recipes though). I most likely wouldn't have picked this book out for myself but I like it and it will be a welcome addition to my collection of cookery books.
Verdict: Two thumbs up.
2. Royal Apothic Hand Cream. Retail Value $24.00.
Royal Apothic Hand Creams are one of my very favourite hand creams. This one is fragranced with 'Field Poppy Conservatories' which is a floral figgy scent. As with their other hand creams the fragrance is subtle and the cream effectively moisturises without being at all greasy. This came in a very nice box and I liked that it contained a key enabling you to get the most product possible out of the metal tube.
Verdict: Two thumbs up.
3. Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm. Retail value $48.00.
This night cream is beautifully packaged - from it's fold out box to it's wooden topped jar. This is unlike any other face cream I have tried in that it is a gel to oil formula. Made with botanicals this 'natural' product contains echinacea which is a powerful antioxidant. It has a soothing herbaceous scent that I am sure I will find restful at night. I have only used this once so far but it left my skin feeling soft and hydrated the next day.
Verdict: Two thumbs up.
3. Flour Sack Tea Towel by Noon Designs (with a print of 'Lemons'). Retail value $18.00.
Now I know that it is difficult to get excited about tea towels but I am always pleased to get them as gifts. TBH nice tea towels aren't something that I am going to go out and willingly spend money on especially when they are in the $20.00 price range, so if I can get my hands on them without putting my hand in my pocket they make a very welcome addition to my kitchen! The simple graphic design of this is one that would go with any kitchen. It would also work effectively as a picnic wrapper for baked goods (cakes, muffins etc) or a basket liner.
Verdict: Two thumbs up.
4. Canvas Home Salt and Pepper Shakers. Retail value $12.00.
These are cute - they look like old school enamel ware but are actually ceramic. The typewriter style labelling on these is fun as well. We use grinders rather than shakers for our salt and pepper so these are something that I can't see myself using at the table but maybe I can use them in the kitchen for spices?
Verdict: Thumbs up as I like them but they are superfluous to my needs so will most likely be re purposed or gifted.
5. Next by Nature Dark Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans. Retail value $4.00.
I like chocolate covered coffee beans as they aren't too sweet. These had melted during transit so they don't look great but they are still edible and yummy.
Verdict: Thumbs up.
6. Bloom That $20.00 gift card. I won't use this card as from what I have read on line it basically covers the cost of shipping an order.
Verdict: Thumbs down.
Overall:
I thought this was a very well curated box. I loved the face and hand creams and the book. The only dud in the box for me was the gift card and that was an extra item anyway.
I paid less than $35.00 for $136.00 worth of items (I'm excluding the gift card) and I will use everything except, perhaps, the salt and pepper set.
I am definitely impressed with this box and will be keeping an eye on PopSugar mailings with a view to picking up more boxes if they interest me in the future.
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