My Subscription Life: Nancy

My Subscription Life is a new series designed to help you get to know the MSA team a little bit better. Each profile introduces a different member of the team, showcases their favorite subscriptions, and explores how subscriptions impact their lives. 

This week on My Subscription Life, we're catching up with Nancy Su. Nancy has been writing for MSA since 2016, and she splits her time between Atlanta and Chapel Hill. Her love of subscriptions started back in 2014, when she discovered Ipsy. Nancy was in college at the time, and loved the idea of exploring affordable new beauty items without having to venture to the mall. Recently, Nancy has been reviewing a lot of mental health care apps for MSA, and on her own she subscribes to See New: Skincare Box, Bespoke Post, Curateur, and Headspace. She also loves the one-off Sephora Favorites Kits.

Let's get to know Nancy and learn a bit more about her subscription life!

My Subscription Life: Nancy

Lindsey: Hi, Nancy, thanks for taking some time to talk about your subscription life! Let's start with a couple of get-to-know-you questions. What do you do when you're not writing for MSA?

Nancy: I'm pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology, but currently I've taken a break from grad school to grow a digital mental health startup. I like to play video games, take nature walks in my free time, and listen to indie, pop, and lofi music. If I had my way, I would read more books (Matthew McConaughey's Greenlights is pretty good!) and listen to more podcasts.

L: You review mental health apps for MSA and you've also released your own. Can you talk a little bit about why this is an area of interest for you? 

N: My biggest belief is that we can harness technology to make mental health care more accessible to all. I've had an interest in mental illness and digital mental health since college, so much so that I published my first app in my junior year and conducted a senior-year research project on the use of the app in a volunteer student sample. At the time, self-help and mental wellness apps were still very uncommon in app stores. I believed I could make something that's helpful, sleek, and based in science, and I did! In graduate school, my research focused on how self-help apps can increase access and circumvent traditional barriers to mental health care. As an app maker, I've taken all the info learned over the years to build mental health products that are of value to people.

L: You also have an interest in fashion and jewelry, right? How would you describe your personal style?

N: My go-to style ranges from casual and minimalist to romantic boho, and I lean toward gold tone jewelry. 

L: People gravitate to subscriptions for different reasons. (For example: saving money, discovering new products, receiving a “present,” etc.) What are your primary reasons for subscribing?

N: I gravitate to subscriptions because I love to (1) try new things (2) at a discounted price that are (3) conveniently delivered to me.

L: Which subscription categories do you enjoy most and why?

N: Beauty and lifestyle. I love beauty subscriptions because I love exploring and experimenting with new products. I’m always on the search for the holy grail product that works perfectly for my skin. Thankfully, I have hardy skin that can handle everything I put on it! I love lifestyle subscriptions because their curations are the most diverse (home goods, beauty, apparel, accessories, jewelry, etc.) so there is a bigger surprise factor.

L: Do you have a favorite subscription? 

N: See New Skincare. I love exploring new brands and products, and the brands they feature are always new and exciting (many of which I've never head of before). Each box has superb value, and the deal-chaser in me loves it. I've discovered some skincare products I would definitely repurchase (and already have)-- it's a big deal when I love something enough to repurchase.

L: I just subscribed to See New! I'm really excited for my first box, actually. If you could only subscribe to one box or service, which would it be? Why?

N: It would be some kind of beauty box. I always get sucked into the allure of new "it" ingredients, new brands, new formulas, new products that claim to make my skin *that* much brighter. I can try to swear off every other type of subscription box, but my love for beauty boxes is unshakeable at this point.

L: Describe your perfect subscription. 

N: A quarterly beauty + jewelry subscription box! Each box would have a theme, whether that’s a style or color palette or event/occasion. The beauty products would be a mix of skincare (like exfoliating face mask, serum, or eye cream) and makeup (like eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow palette, blush, lipstick). The jewelry would somehow match the makeup that you receive, so for example if the theme is Glamorous Night’s Out, then the eyeshadow palette would be more bold and dark, and the jewelry would be more glam. Hair accessories can be included too. And of course, if a particular box theme isn’t a good fit for me, I would be able to skip the box!

L: This sounds like a pretty awesome subscription box. Are you up for a challenge? Could you curate a couple of examples for us? Just for fun? 

N: Sure!

Valentine’s Day Themed Box

• Wander Beauty Mile High Club Mascara: I only wear mascara for special occasions, so a Valentine's date night would be the perfect time to bring it out. I received this from Allure Beauty Box! It gives my lashes volume without weighing them down or irritating my eyes.
• UZU by Flowfushi Eye Opening Liner: As someone with oily, hooded eyelids, I need high-octane waterproof eyeliners. This UZ eyeliner (they rebranded to UZU) is my holy grail liquid liner. It stays put until I decide to take it off.
• NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer: My look is never complete without concealer! My favorite right now is this one from NARS; I use the shade Cannelle. It's perfect for under eyes but I also use it for around the nose and blemish coverage.
• Farmacy Beauty Very Cherry Clean: Speaking of taking makeup off... Farmacy's Green Clean cleansing balm is top tier. It takes me two rounds to remove the Eye Opening Liner, but one round for just about everything else. I'm currently using the cherry version of Green Clean and I plan to try other scents soon!
• Constance L. Luna Necklace: I got this from the April 2018 Emma & Chloe box. It has a sleek boho charm and I can pair it with a lot of tops. Better yet, the gold plating looks just as pristine as when I received it!
• Alexis Bittar Gold Tone Swarovski Crystal Adjustable Ring: I got this from the Winter 2015 Box of Style (now CURATEUR). What a trip down memory lane! It wasn't my style back in 2015 but it sure is now! I wear this when I'm going for a bolder look.

Dayglow AKA Daytime No-Makeup Makeup Themed Box

• Charlotte Tilbury Easy Eye Palette in Charlotte Darling: When I want a soft daytime eye look, I reach for Charlotte Tilbury. The shadows last all day when combined with eye primer. I use 1-2 lighter shades for a subtle look and smoke my outer edges with a darker shade when I desire more drama.
• NARS Afterglow Lip Balm: I gravitate toward hydrating, lightweight, MLBB (my lips but better) lippies. This lip balm in the shade Orgasm is currently in rotation. It gives me several hours of hydration and sheer color before disappearing.
• Forest Rhapsody Green Nectar Marine Hydrator: I got this from the July/August 2021 See New: The Skincare Box. My oily skin loves this so much I've already purchased a second bottle. I apply this after toner and before serums or moisturizers. It absorbs like a dream and leaves my skin super plump.
• Saturday Skin Rub-a-Dub Refining Peel Gel: I got this from the Allure LE J-Beauty + K-Beauty Box! When I'm taking a break from chemical exfoliators, I treat my skin to physical exfoliants and peeling gels like this one. My skin feels smoother to the touch and more hydrated after use.
• Mahe Ring: I got this from the February 2018 Emma & Chloe box. This is my all-time favorite ring from the subscription! I love the filigree cutouts. I'm all about practicality and comfort, and the Mahe Ring lies very flat against my finger so it doesn't catch on my clothes or jab into the other fingers when I squeeze my hands together.

Beachside Vacation Themed Box

• Sunscreen: SPF is always a must! I have two currently in rotation: Peter Thomas Roth Max Matte Shine Control Sunscreen and Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. The Shiseido one has more of a white cast but feels silkier on the skin, whereas the Peter Thomas Roth one has a creamier consistency and takes longer to sink into the skin.
• Summer Fridays Overtime Mask: Traveling to different climates tends to freak out my skin. Therefore, an exfoliating mask like this one helps replenish moisture and brighten dull skin at the same time.
• Meta Pora Super Hyaluronic Serum: I bought this directly from See New but it was featured in their November/December 2020 Skincare Box! This is a clear gel that absorbs quickly into my oily skin and leaves my face hydrated, soothed, and ready for makeup. It plays well with other skincare products too. I can see myself using this year-round.
• Kosas LipFuel Hyaluronic Acid Lip Balm: If you're looking for color without sacrificing hydration, try this in the shade Pulse. It's one of the most pigmented lip balms I've come across. The minty flavor is a bonus. I love bringing this on vacations.
• Hair scrunchies: I joined the scrunchie bandwagon late, but better late than never, you know? I've been eyeing this set from Anthropologie for months. My favorite scrunchies are ones that are big and fluffy!
• Stretch bracelets: It can be risky to wear jewelry, especially metal ones, to the beach, so I opt for stretchy beaded bracelets that are a little easier to care for. This one from Anthropologie matches my style.

Thank you so much to Nancy for taking the time to sit down and talk about her subscription life.

Questions for Nancy? Jump into the comments section below!