POPSUGAR Must Have Box Review – February 2014
My February 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have box arrived a day early! After seeing the spoilers I couldn’t wait to get this box in my hands and see what I thought about the products.
The Subscription Box: POPSUGAR Must Have
The Cost: 39.95 a month
COUPON: Use code BOX10 to save $10 off your first box!
The Products: “Must Have” items for women selected by POPSUGAR editors. (Fitness, Home, Beauty, Food, and more)
Check out all of my POPSUGAR Must Have reviews and the Women’s Subscription Box Directory!
Make sure to add POPSUGAR Must Have to your subscription box list or wishlist!
Each box comes with a letter from Lisa Sugar, and a fold out card detailing each item included in the box.
Gorjana Brooks Jewelry Roll – Value $45
I never pack jewelry when we travel, but I think I’ll use this for packing other items like hair clips, q-tips, and my other travel essentials I sometimes forget!
(This jewelry roll also came with a Gorjana and Griffin $25 coupon code).
Inside there are three zippered pouches. (FYI – I was able to get my iPhone in one of the zippered pouches, so this could double as a clutch!
K Hall Peony Candle Tin – Value $11
This candle has a very strong floral scent. I can’t decide yet if it’s for me!
(Also, I know small tin candles are referred to as travel candles – but does anyone travel with candles?)
Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum – Value $24
This is definitely one of my favorite items in the box this month. I love the Nourish Organic brand, and the subtle apricot scent of this serum is wonderful. It’s essentially a blend of oils, so it worked great on my cuticles and hands. (I still have to try it on my face once I’m not wearing makeup!)
Dial Vitamin Boost Body Wash – Value $3
When I first saw the spoilers for this box this was the item that seemed so out of place for me. After getting the box I still feel the same way – maybe in part because it’s pretty much the biggest item in the box?
It’s not one of the featured items this month, (it’s a special extra), but I thought it took away from the luxe feel this box usually has. (There are other drugstore brands that I would have loved to see in this box like Burt’s Bees, but for me personally the Dial brand doesn’t seem like a match for POPSUGAR).
(From some google searching, it looks like this body wash is a new product Dial is trying to promote a lot through bloggers and other events. I’m sure agreeing to put items like this in their boxes lets POPSUGAR afford to get higher end brand items they may have to pay for, so I’m going to assume it’s for the best).
NCLA Nail Polish in Rodeo Drive Royalty – Value $16
ModelCo Lip Pops Duo Lip Gloss and Lipstick – Value $25 est.
I’m estimating on the value of this ModelCo Lip Gloss/ Lipstick since I could only find it online if you buy it in a set. I was surprised that it didn’t come in a box or with a plastic seal – I was looking for ingredients and can’t find them anywhere.
Sugarwish Mini Red Cinnamon Hearts – Value $7.50
The packaging on these cinnamon hearts is fantastic, and I would have been surprised to not to see some candy in a February box, so I thought this box was a nice addition. It also includes a coupon to save 20% off a Sugarwish order.
Unfortunately these candies didn’t come with their ingredients listed, so because of food allergies I couldn’t sample them. (I may be the only one who looks for ingredients on every product, but I was pretty surprised to see a food product included in this box without ingredient information).
Verdict: I paid $40 for this box and received about $130 worth of products. This box isn’t my favorite from POPSUGAR, but the value is definitely great this month, and I think I just need to get over my Dial body wash issues! (Oh and now I can swap the items that aren’t for me! I love looking at the POPSUGAR Must Have swap section!)
What do you think of the February 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box? And how do you think it stacks up against the February box from last year?
Written by Liz Cadman
Now that I’ve had the box for a bit I’m really liking the serum. I just used the GG code & the Dial body wash will be used once I’ve used up my current. The red hots were gifted to a friend & she said they were really good.
AFA the complaints about Dial, if agreeing to partner with a drug store brand 3-4 times/year means they can offer more items in the boxes than I don’t see a problem.
I am updating my review and have a question about the lipstick. I stick with my original review that this was a terrible box, however, since then, this lipstick has become my go to on the weekends. I don’t use gloss though and the lipstick itself is kind of soft but love the color. I don’t see the name of the color anywhere on the lipstick itself (it’s a huge container) and if you look online it only comes in a set for $50 with other things I don’t like. I just thought i’d check if anyone knew for sure the color name (It might be nude but not positive) and if can purchase alone. thanks
I’m sure that you can swap with someone for this lipstick since there were several people who didn’t like it.
I too really like this lipstick even though it broke after the first time. I have been using a lips brush to apply. The color is very nude which I never use, but works when for everyday. the gloss part is way to sticky. This lipstick stays on without being drying I too went to the website to find it and the prices are high, so even though I wasn’t thrilled with the February PopSugar box it was worth it for this lipstick, which I may down the line end of purchasing, and isn’t that the whole idea of these sample subscription boxes?
Exactly! I agree and sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn’t….that’s the gamble of these boxes! I was a big crybaby about this box but as it turns out i got a great lipstick color.
I agree that the body wash took away from the feel of the box (admittedly it smelled good though). This was the first month that I have been disappointed since I have subscribed. I am not sure if I’ll be using any of the items.
I had to look back to see what last year’s February Must Have box included and have decided February must be a rough month for them. Last year was worse than this year’s though (remember the “one size fits all” (not) wraps?) Anyway, this month’s box isn’t great but I’ve subscribed for over a year and every now and then there’s a “bummer box”. That’s this month for me. It’s not a total disaster, but not that great either. I’ll use everything even if I’m not as happy as I usually am with PSMH. It’s still one of the more consistently good sub boxes and nearly always worth what I pay.
Received my today and I like this box, much better than last months. It’s at least worth its price. The only complaint the jewelry roll is cheaply made and would never pay full price for it. It’s cute, could be used as a clutch, but its low quality. Also wish we got more than a small baggie of candy. Really like the polish and the serum is nice for winter. The candle is sitting on my desk and will definitely use it soon.
Mine FINALLY arrived yesterday! I was thrilled! I’ll use everything except the Dial (which I’m having trouble giving away). I LOVE the color of the lipstick and the jewelry roll, which I’ll be using as a clutch instead. For half price I was super pleased. I’ll hang around another month. 🙂
I was soooooo disappointed. I hated the nail polish color, and the candle scent smelled like old lady! Just to top it off was a jewelry clutch that has the 1980’s written all over it. The moisturizer is nice, don’t love the scent. Dial body wash…. I don’t have to go to walmart to buy it. Lol! The lipstick is okay. And the red hots, I thought would be some beautiful chocolates…. So all in all very let down. I love getting items I can’t get for less in these boxes, so make up products leave me frustrated bc there never the right color. I did adore January’s and Novembers.
You are not the only one who looks at ingredients at all! As a diabetic, I need that information! As it is, I’ll see about sending this to someone else, I guess…
I think I’ll like this box more than the January one. It is fun though the dial body wash seemed an odd match indeed. Was honestly expecting something-not naughty but tongue-in-cheek saucy for V-Day. Still, the jewelry roll is pretty and the face cream sounds lovely.
I didn’t see the $25 coupon code? Where was it at? Also, the Dial seemed very out of place, but I wound up loving how it made my skin feel. The candies were amazing and I already ordered more!
I’m satisfied with this box. Not my favorite, but surprisingly, this is one month where I will probably use EVERYTHING. I think the Dial body wash smells really good, too! I like the smell of the candle and face serum, and the modelco lip product has a good color for me, too. I think my least favorite item is the jewelry roll, but I’ll probably find another use for it for makeup or something.
I really really loved this box… every single thing in it will be put to good use. I already used the Gorjana and Griffin gift card. I got an adorable midi ring and it was completely free, just paid shipping!! The face serum smells great. The candy is tasty and I used the discount code to send my mom a sugar wish. I am really happy with all of the items in this box 🙂
I am still waiting for mine to arrive, but after looking at this review I’m really excited to get it. I subbed during the Black Fri deal. I was really, really disappointed with the first two I got, but I’m excited about this one. Honestly, I don’t even mind the Dial soap. A little incongruous with the feel of the box, but honestly, I’ll use it in comparison to the big ticket Lulu Frost bracelet I got in my first box. Expensive or not, I won’t wear it, so I’d rather take the cheapie item because the actual use value is higher to me! I think I can use everything in this box, which I haven’t been able to say for the last two. So excited to get it now. 🙂
Anybody have issues using their Gorjana & Griffin gift card? I entered my code and it says “Wrong gift card code”.
I think you have to enter it in the coupon code field. Hope that helps!
Maybe you put in POPSUGAR the code is PSMH I did the same thing initally
I am a little let down by this box. I loved the pipcorn in last month’s box. Have never liked and will never like cinnamon hearts.
I do like the Candle, lip gloss/stick, face serum, will use the dial.
The jewelry travel roll is cheap looking I do not want to gift it because I don’t think it’s nice.
also the Face Serum leaked all over the box onto everything. What does Pop Sugar do if something is damaged?
On the bright side I really liked last months box!
If you contact them about the leaked serum, they’ll probably ask you to email you a photo of the damage, and then they should send you a replacement. Hope that helps!
I contacted Pop Sugar and they quickly sent out a replacement Face Serum. Great customer service!
A few months ago they had a jam in one of their boxes. Mine had leaked (but it was in bubble wrap so it didn’t ruin anything else). I just emailed them about it and they sent me a replacement jam. I would imagine if more things were ruined, however, they probably would want a photo of it.
This was my first month, thanks to the 50% off code, and I’m on the fence about how I feel. For $20 this was awesome, but I don’t know if I would have been as happy had it cost $40. My jewelry roll has glue on the front and on the straps, and feels like something I might have paid $10 for…not $45. The $25 gift code would have been great if it could have been applied to sale items, but no. My moisturizer box was smushed in at the top like it had been opened already. There were black marks on my Sugarwish box. My lipstick was also smushed in on the top. This doesn’t scream quality to me. Is it normal to have so many damaged looking items, and does Popsugar do anything about that?
This was my first box and I’m a little “eh” on it. On the plus side, I’m wearing the nail polish right now; I love the color and the formula is great! The lip product is also a really flattering color for me but I don’t know anything about the company.
Not so great – the jewelry roll is definitely the kind of thing I could use, but it looks and feels cheap to me – the fabric is cheesy and you can tell it’s stiffened with cardboard. The face serum is too intensely scented for me (but I’ll try it on my cuticles — that’s a great idea!), I love candles but this one doesn’t smell great, and the red hots are tasty but c’mon, they’re just red hots. The Dial is definitely not a luxe item, but I understand it’s an extra and yeah, we’ll probably use it all up. It’s not a very “fun” extra, though.
I was really disappointed in this box. The serum is no different from any of the other subscription boxes that inundate us with hair and skin oils. The candle smells awful. The red hots aren’t anything really special. The Dial soap was so out of place and seemed like cheap filler. I do like the ModelCo lip stuff, but there wasn’t ANY info on it. It also seemed like a random addition. The nail polish wasn’t impressive either. March better be really good or I’m quitting – this one is just too expensive to be hit-or-miss like this.
I received last year’s February box and while it was way more exciting and much more product for the value, this year’s box was a lot less exciting, except I still enjoy the products and will find use for every one of them. I needed new body wash and the Dial has a great smell and is very softening.
I got this box as a gift to myself with the discount. I’m so happy I didn’t pay full price for it. I will use the jewelry roll for sure, it’s cute, but I went to their site to see about using the coupon and they are expensive. I don’t use nail polish as I get my nails done so that will be regifted. The candle is OK, too flowery for me though. I agree with the red hots, the presentation is beautiful but red hots? – and again I went to their website to check out what they have for the coupon, very expensive. The lipstick/gloss – I used it once and it is broke already but I like it so I’ll use a lip brush to scoop it out. When I put the gloss over it yesterday my lips were super tight and sticky, not a great product. The dial is nice that is full size, I used it twice already and I don’t like the smell and it’s way to drying.
I liked the variety of items in this box, but don’t think it was worth $39.
After waiting several months before trying Popsugar (and finally pulling the trigger thanks to the 50% off promo) I have to say I am really disappointed with this box. Certainly from a dollars and sense perspective it was a good “deal,” but I was hoping for at least one item that I could LOVE. Sadly, a tiny travel candle turned out to be my favorite item in the box.
Completely agree with you Stephanie! I’d wanted to get a Popsugar Must Have Box for so long but couldn’t justify the $40+tax spend. When I saw the 50% off promo I *had* to go for it! For my very first box, this was an extremely disappointing box as compared to the reviews from every previous box I’d seen on this site & others. Here are my thoughts on it: http://hauteonthespot.blogspot.com/2014/02/popsugar-must-have-box-february-2014.html
For $20 this box was a great value. My favorite item is the serum – looking forward to trying it out. I have a jewelry roll I like better than the one in this box so I will be gifting it. I will use the candle and the body wash. I’m not a fan of Modelco so I will likely sell or gift the lippie. The candy will be enjoyed by the kiddies on Valentine’s day. I already have a couple of red polishes so this one will be gifted also. Tallying it up I have four winners (items myself or my family will use) and three losers (items that I will gift or sell). Not too shabby for a box of surprises.
I actually really liked this box. The lip gloss combo was a perfect color on me. Loved the nail polish. That serum really worked – my skin looks moisturized and healthy. My babes ate the cinnamon hearts, and have already used the Dial product as bubble bath. I have been wanting something to put my jewelry in, and the candle was a scent that I never would have purchased on my own. This was a win, at least for me.
This was my first PopSugar (half off, Thanks!) and I was really disappointed. I won’t use the serum because it would break me out horribly, the candy bag had burst when I received it and was a bit of a mess, the jewelry roll feels a bit cheap to me, I have too many shades of red polish. I certainly think it all adds up to a good value, but I won’t be committing to a random box of stuff I don’t like for $40/month.
I’m so surprised that people are unhappy with this box…the cost/inclusion of the Dial is really neglible. My daughter is 22 and LOVED the whole box. I’m 49 and I LOVED the whole box. Don’t get me wrong Dial isn’t close to Lulah but it will be used at our house. We can’t wait to use the jewelry roll and candle on our next trip. I’ve not tried the Nourish stuff but that’s one thing I like about Popsugar…I like trying new things. My husband gets the candy and he will love it. The value of the box is about $120 beyond what I paid for it. Great deal!
I totally agree… I don’t get what people are complaining about. 🙂
I know I’m in the minority, but I actually enjoyed this box. I tried the Dial wash this morning and it was in fact moisturizing. No, it’s not as fabulous as Lulah (PS August, I think), but it was generously sized.
I look at PS (and frankly most of my subscriptions) as treats to myself. They will never be perfect or tailor-made for me — mainly because I didn’t buy the items individually. But, I still enjoy trying new items and sharing things that may not work for me with others.
Did you realize that the ncla rodeo drive polish was the exact same one that we received in our Nina Garcia Quarterly box?
I didn’t! (I guess I’ll be swapping this one…)
I love the Feb box, but that also might be because I got it for 50% off (thanks to your code!). I’m happy to say that I will use everything, esp the Dial bodywash, Lol. and plan on using the jewelry roll as a clutch too 🙂
Tracy
Oh man! Looking at last years compared to this years I would TOTALLY rather have had last years!! This year just seems like you’re getting really nothing super worthwhile. I dunno, maybe it’s because I probably won’t use the jewelry roll; I have a million-and-a-half candles, nail polishes, and lip products; and I have enough body wash from B&BW to last for about a year (have to stockpile bc I don’t live near one!). The face serum will be nice to try, but that’s about it. 🙁 Last years just looked so fun! I’m big into books, the wrap looked amazing, there were a couple of things of candy, a fun pair of panties, jewelry cleaner, lip stain – even though, again, I have a million lip products, the whole box seems more fun to me! Sad day.
After a seriously stinky room at a hotel in Chicago where we actually went and bought a scented candle … I always travel with one. 🙂
I found this modelco on the glossybox website for $39
Lipstick: Mineral Oil (Paraffimum Liquidum), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated C6-20 Polyolefin, Polyethulene, Ceresin, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Isopropoly Myristate may contain (+/-) Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77991), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77007), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Red 34 (CI 15880), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410)
Lip Gloss: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Flavor (Aroma), Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Butyparaben, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI7791), Iron Oxides (CI77489, 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 7 lake (CI 15850), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140)
Thanks so much!
This box was a complete miss for me. I’ve gotten a few too many red nail polishes in boxes lately. The Gorjana jewelry bag was a huge disappointment considering the other great products from this brand and what’s been in past boxes. I think the only thing I’ll actually use is the Gorjana gift card. Looking forward to swapping these out though 🙂
Dial is no worse than NYX in my opinion, but yeah, both are out of place for PopSugar. Like you, I think some drug store brands (like Nourish Organic, Burt’s Bees, Pacifica, Yes To and the like) are fine, but the lower-end drugstore brands? No thanks. I also look at ingredients on everything. I can tell you that although I don’t know the ingredients of the lip gloss/stick, Model co tends to use mineral oil and fragrance in their lip products. Despite this, Model co makes one of my favorite lip sticks! The candy is super cute, but I would go ahead and assume that the red hots contain a couple of red lakes!
TOTALLY agree … I couldn’t have said it better, “Dial is no worse than Nyx, in my opinion.” Truest statement of the day.
That’s what I’m thinking about the Red Hots. (I’m allergic to Red 40 and try to avoid artificial colors in foods in general anyway). I hope everyone starts coloring things with beet juice soon! 🙂
I keep saying negative things about the Dial…but I also know that it’s likely to be the item I go through first. Haha!
Agree – it’s definitely a practical item that will go to use!
Actually, I do travel with a travel candle. I use it when I travel with my husband to light in the bathroom for….bathroom type reasons….If you catch my drift.
Its also nice because some hotel rooms smell stale and its nice to have a homey smell. 🙂
This is only my second month getting this box. I really did liked this month’s box. I hadn’t seen any spoilers for this month. So I was just a little disappointed when the beautiful little box only had candy hearts in it. lol
Hi, you have a coupon listed for 50% off the first box using code ASK50 but it’s not working. Is this an old code?
Thank you,
Lisa
The 50% off code expired already. It’s from the end of January/first couple of days of February.
Ok thanks, I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. You might want to take it down from the coupon section.
I liked all the items in this box except for that totally random, and “out of place”, Dial body wash … I hope they never do that again. Lol.
Popsugar is one of the most
Controversial boxes there is, some people like it some people don’t!
My fiance and I travel a lot for family events and he Always insists on bringing candles when we room with others as bathroom essential. TMI I know but I guess the name travel candle fits!
Maybe I need to start bringing a candle when I travel 🙂
I am happy to know a cell phone fits in the clutch! I think it would be cute with a little black dress for date night! I am not completely in love with box, but I definitely think it’s worth the price. Excited to receive mine!