PopSugar Must Have Lifestyle Box Review, September 2015 + $5 Discount Code!

I'm pretty proud of my skill at avoiding PopSugar Must Have spoilers....after all, they are everywhere in the months leading up to the latest box. The September box actually sat around for about a week before I opened it so the reviews were all over the place.  My self-imposed denial meant that everything was STILL a surprise when the lid finally went up!  (Yes, there probably is something wrong with me.)   

According to the the information card, the words that inspired this month's choices include "travel, refresh, fashion fix, beauty recovery, to-go snacks and XOXO".   Hopefully, you'll see how each of those words apply by the end of this review. PopSugar boxes are $39.95 per month or less if you sign up for a longer term subscription.  I don't always recommend the longer terms but in this case, you're safe in committing to whatever level you can afford.

Although there are some great products in this box, the visual appeal is not what it usually is; there is a lot of black and white.

There is the usual tri-fold information card, two $10 discount cards to give to friends and a discount card for one of this month's vendors (more about that later).

The standout in this box is the new Brow Envy kit from Too Faced.  This shaping and defining kit has every tool one could possibly need for eyebrow maintenance. There is a palette containing both blonde and brunette brow shades (they really aren't that far apart in color), a highlighter and a setting wax. There is also a tiny brush, spoolie and the cutest little pair of gold tweezers I've ever seen!  A helpful how-to guide is tucked into the mirror slot in the lid and it has three brow stencils inside.  The case itself is a substantial metal with a magnetic closure and gold trim.  Retail $39

Along with the brow kit is a discount card with a custom code for 20% off any purchase at Too Faced's website. Sorry, I'm not sharing that one since I plan to use it!

I have zillions of cosmetic cases (thanks Ipsy!) but I don't believe a single one of them is see through.  This TSA-friendly cosmetic bag is clear with black trim making it perfect for airport inspections.  This comes from Hudson + Bleecker.

This travel trio also includes two generously sized drawstring bags with black and white graphic prints.  One has a shoe tag and the other is tagged for intimates but of course, they would be great for packing all sorts of things that you want to keep separate from your clothes.  Retail for trio $42

Nail polishes in sub boxes are common but it's nice to sometimes get other nail care products.  This is a bottle of So Rich Vitamin-E Enriched Cuticle Oil from NCLA.  Apply just a drop to each cuticle for softening and conditioning.  Surprisingly, this actually has a light fruity scent.  Retail $18

This pair of adorable "XO Earrings" from Kris Nations are packaged in the cutest way....inside a corked glass bottle!  These are handmade and the card says they are cut from recycled brass and plated with 14K gold.  These little studs will go with pretty much any outfit.  Retail $35

PopSugar also included a 20% discount code for any purchase at the Kris Nations website.  If you're interested, the code is KNJPOP20.

It wouldn't be a PopSugar box without a nice healthy snack.  This time, we have a package of Almond to Cherries from Nourish Snacks.  This contains roasted almonds and dried tart cherries.  I've actually had these before when I subscribed to Nourish Snacks; they're pretty good!  Retail $2

From Briogeo, we have Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray. This softens and conditions dry hair and is loaded with anti-oxidants.  It is also nutrient-packed, containing argan, rose hip and coconut oils which act as heat barriers. Retail $20

Although this is not my favorite PopSugar box, at $156 total, the retail value is definitely there.  High maintenance brow girls will love this box but for me, the more useful items are the travel bags and the earrings.  Leave-in conditioning products are always welcome for my desperately dry hair!

To get your own PopSugar box, click here and use code MUSTHAVE5 for $5 off.  This code works for new subscribers only.  I have seen $10 codes in the past but right now, this is the only one that seems to be working.

PopSugar really sets the standard for all other subscription boxes in terms of consistency and great curation. Their boxes are always fun to open. Some months are better than others but there is always something to like in a PopSugar box!

Cheryl

Disclosure:  Views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly my own.  Product discussed in this post was purchased by Lone Star Shopper. Post may contain referral or affiliate links.