STRONG self(ie) BLOOM Review + Coupon – Winter 2017
STRONG self(ie) is a quarterly subscription box for teen girls aimed to empower and inspire.
Each box contains all sort of fun, positive products for teens, plus helpful information for parents, too. Choose from the BLOOM box, for 8-12 year olds, or the BURST box for 13-17 year olds. Both boxes cost $59.95 per quarter.
This is a review of the BLOOM box, which is $59.95 per quarter.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About the STRONG self(ie) BLOOM Subscription Box for Teen Girls
The Subscription Box: STRONG self(ie)
The Cost: $59.95 per quarter + free US shipping
COUPON: Use code MSA20 to save 20% off your first box!
The Products: Aspirational, positive products for tween girls (8-12), focused on health, beauty, fun, and more. Each box comes with info for parents, too!
Ships to: US for free. International shipping varies.
STRONG selfi(ie) Winter 2017 Review
Note that I’m reviewing this as an adult, not a tween! If you have, know, or are a tween-ager, take a peek and leave a comment about what you think:
Inside the box, there’s a little pocket of information for the tween recipient…
…And there’s a pocket for parents, too!
There are also little encouragement cards that parents can use to pep up their kiddos…
…And there are cards for tweens to share with friends, family, or anyone who needs some encouragement!
Squad Goals Notebook – Retail Value $3.99
I love the colors of this quirky notebook. The metallic letters looks so cool against the teal, doodle-decorated cover! “Squad goals” are all about who you want to surround yourself with, but I could see using this notebook to jot down 2018 goals of any kind—what do you want to do this year, where do you want to go, what new things do you want to explore?
Blissberry Bath Bomb – Estimated Value $6.00
I couldn’t find this exact scent of bath bomb on the site, so I linked to something similar from the same brand. I liked the powdery peaches-and-cream scent of this bath bomb, which was subtler and softer than other types I’ve tried. Inside, there’s a secret message! (Keep an eye out to make sure it doesn’t get lost in the bath water!)
Inside the tiny corked vial, there’s a message that says, “Leave a little sparkle wherever you go.” Cute!
Sequin Pillow by Mermaid Pillow Company – Retail Value $47.99
I’ve heard SO much about these trendy sequin pillows, but I’ve never seen one up close! Basically, these sequins have a different color on either side. Swipe your hand across them to reveal a brand new color! You can make designs (like the heart above) or random patterns, or just enjoy the satisfying feeling of sweeping your palm back and forth over this cool textural element. The quote on the front of the pillow is just as delightful, and I love the sturdy, linen/cotton blend construction.
Snowman Socks – Estimated Value $5.00?
These snuggly socks are so sweet! They aren’t super thick once you actually pull them up over your feet, but they are incredibly soft and really charming, of course. Unfortunately, my boyfriend’s cat, Nigella, also really liked these socks, so one of my snowmen is now missing his pom-pom, hehe! But they’re still a lot of fun to pad around the house in. I couldn’t find these specific socks online, but I’m betting they’re around $5.00 or so, based on quality and other similar pairs I’m seeing.
Kitsch Wishing Bracelet – Retail Value $6.00
How cute is this bracelet?! I love the tiny gem at the center. The idea of this bracelet is to make a wish when you tie it on (tightly!), and that when it wears through and falls off, the wish will come true!
Two Pack of Scrunchies – Estimated Value $4.00
Eeee! It’s been too long since I’ve laid eyes on a scrunchie. These velvet ones are really soft and gentle on my hair (which JUST became long enough to put into a ponytail again!). I know the ’90s are back, so stylish tweens (or their parents) will probably love this throwback accessory!
The Verdict: While I can’t speak from the perspective of a tween, I can say that, as an adult, I was impressed by the quality of the items in this box. Nothing felt cheap or haphazard—even the scrunchies were a nicer quality (soft, chenille-like velvet, rather than the stiff, unpleasant stuff that I’ve seen on lower-end items) than I expected. I also really appreciate how the box delivered on its promise. Everything seemed age appropriate and most items had a positive message about it. I’d feel super comfortable giving any of these items to my tween niece as a holiday gift—she might even think they were cool!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes! Though only a few of these boxes are left, according to their site. Hurry!
Value Breakdown: This quarterly box cost $59.95 with free US shipping. Based on my estimates, I got about $72.98 worth of products inside. Proportionally, I paid about the following for each item I got:
- Notebook – $3.28
- Bath bomb – $4.93
- Pillow – $39.42
- Socks – $4.11
- Bracelet – $4.93
- Scrunchies – $3.29
Check out more boxes for teens and tweens and our Kids Subscription Box List!
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Do you think tweens would like the STRONG self(ie) BLOOM box?
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Written by Anna Reilly
Their website states at least $120 value per box. This reviewed box is worth a lot less than that. My tween would love the items but they either need to lower the price or increase the value of the box.
The 80s invented those scrunchies. The 90s just borrowed them. 😉
Five Below has those pillows on sale for $5.
I have a nine year old who would love this. But I consider it too overpriced to purchase for her. The pillow is really spendy when so many places have those now for much cheaper. I think most tweens also shower versus baths so the bath bomb may not be a great choice for that age group. But I do love those note cards though! That would be really fun and get both her (and me!) thinking of other people! And little girls always love notebooks, fun socks, and jewlery! As someone mentioned, make it a $20-30 box and it would be a win!
Ooo the shower vs. bath observation is really interesting, Pamela – thanks for sharing! And I appreciate your take on the note cards for kids and their adults, too. I think it’s sweet that they include a way for tweens to reach out to others (especially in an old-fashioned, non-digital kind of way). It seems like a neat way to encourage kindness AND communication all at once <3
Thank you so much for sharing your perspective!
My 11 year old would like this box. But wish it had more reading material. Happy it doesn’t have a sugary snack. Also I feel old if scrunched are back in style lol.
Ooh magic sequined pillows are sooo pretty!
Cute box but probably wouldn’t buy for my niece. Maybe if they had added another item and a healthy snack? maybe? It’s a little expensive for what they provided.
Cute box. Why didn’t we have anything like this when I was a teen?
LMFAO! I thought that little glass jar had a tampon in there. That was too funny. 🙂
Me too!!
I thought so too!!
Haha! Oh gosh, no. I should’ve mentioned that the vial is about an inch long – it would’ve been a VEEEEEEEERY teensy tampon! 🙂
The pillow is super cute! But it’s not $48 cute! It’s a nice box, but seems more like a $30 box.
Agreed! The items are nice, but the price point seems very high for the box.