Winter 2022 FabFitFun Review and Coupon

I am always excited when selection time comes around for FabFitFun, and since I'm an annual member I get to choose my products before other seasonal members. The annual subscription has been well worth it for me, since you get to pick something for every category. Keep reading to see what I got in my Winter box!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love! Post contains referral links.

FabFitFun is a lifestyle subscription where members can choose which items they want to receive from six different categories each quarter. Seasonal subscribers can choose from four of the categories and annual subscribes get to choose from all six. 

I subscribe annually, which costs $219.99 per year. Seasonal (or quarterly) subscriptions are $59.99 every three months. You can upgrade to an annual subscription from seasonal at any time.

I decided to get an annual subscription because I liked being able to choose for every category and being able to choose my items before seasonal members. I found that sometimes items would sell out before the seasonal selection even began (annual members get to select first). In my opinion, the subscription isn't really "worth it" at the seasonal level, unless you're okay with surprises and/or items you may not end up using.

The selection for the Winter 2022 box was pretty good. I've seen some subscribers express annoyance with the lack of quality or variety of items, but so far I've really liked my past three boxes. I think FabFitFun does a good job of featuring different types of products and brands.

All subscribes have access to Add-On, Box Boost, and reFill sales prior to receiving their box. I shopped the Add-On and reFills this quarter, so these items are ones for which I paid extra.

• Mytagalongs Keep It Cool Armband (retail: $24) - This was part of the Add-On sale for $9. I've been needing a new phone holder for when I go jogging and I liked that this one had extra pockets for keys, a lip balm, etc. I thought I had chosen the gray pattern but I received this black and pink snake pattern instead. It's fine, nothing that I dislike so much that I would try to return or exchange.
• IGK Hair Legendary Shampoo and Conditioner ($62) - I was very excited to see this shampoo and conditioner duo available in the reFills shop, as it's my favorite and was available at a huge discount of $21.60 for both! They normally retail for $31 each. reFills work exactly how they sound, which is that I will be charged each quarter and receive the same item (until I choose to unsubscribe from that reFill).

Now on to the items that were included for the Winter 2022 selection:

• Aceology Lifting Treatment Mask ($69) - This mask is way more expensive than anything I would purchase on my own, so I'm interested to try it. It has peptides, adenosine, bitter orange, and green purslane to lift and brighten the complexion. Adenosine is an interesting ingredient, as it's part of RNA and usually used to treat irregular heartbeat. I'm not quite sure how it works as far as skincare goes.
• Vike Beauty Makeup Melt and Aria Beauty Reusable Makeup Swabs Bundle ($24) - These two items were part of a set, so you had to choose both or none. I double cleanse and always need a good makeup melt for my first cleanse, and the Vike Beauty one is unique because it comes in spray form (usually I use creams). I also like the Reusable Makeup Swabs and will use them for lip treatments and more concentrated products, like undereye cream. 

• Laneige Lip Treatment Balm ($25) - I already have a jar of this but it's my favorite lip balm so I was happy to get another. To be honest, the other items in the category were not great, so I was thankful there was at least one item I wanted. While pricey, this balm is well worth it. It's the only one I've used that has thoroughly soothed my lips and kept them moisturized for hours.
• Herbivore Aquarius Pore Purifying Clarity Cream ($44) - I have the Herbivore blue tansy mask and oil so adding the Aquarius cream to the rotation seemed like a good idea. This also features their blue tansy oil and white willow bark to help soothe congested, oily skin (which I have).

• FILA Flexible Back Stretcher ($50) - This might be one of the less-popular selections but I really like it. I've had back pain issues since childhood when I fractured my tailbone and this stretcher provides a good stretch and massage with the acupressure points. It's less intense than a yoga wheel but I could still hear my back giving a little crack when I used it. It has three levels of elevation and also can be attached to your chair.

• Unhide Pillow in Silver Fox ($55) - This was the item I was most excited for that ended up being the first thing I've gotten from FabFitFun that was a disappointment. I've heard a ton about the popular Unhide Lil' Marshmallow blanket and I love soft, fluffy things, so I immediately picked this pillow. I knew it was small (think decorative throw size, 10" x 18"), but in the photos on the FabFitFun and Unhide websites it looked fluffy. Unfortunately it ended up being rather flat and, although it's soft, nothing special. I'm glad I didn't pay full retail for it.

The total retail value for my Winter 2022 FabFitFun box is $267, which is more than the cost of the entire annual subscription. While it could be argued that I could find similar items for cheaper prices, I'm happy with the box and always like fun of picking out my items each quarter.

• Visit FabFitFun to subscribe
• Use my referral link (not affiliate) for $15 off your first box

Bottom Line: FabFitFun is my favorite lifestyle subscription and I look forward to what will be offered each quarter. Even though the Unhide pillow ended up being a bit disappointing, the rest of the items will be put to good use.

Alter Planning Co. CMPLXN Skincare Journal Review

Skincare is one of my favorite indulgences, and I know many people turn to journaling as a source of self-care, too. The new CMPLXN Skincare Journal from Alter Planning Co. allows me to enjoy both in one place!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Alter Planning Co. is a new Black-woman founded planner company. Each product is designed by the founder, Scottie, a 20-something from Louisiana who aims to provide people with holistic lifestyle management and support.

Alter Planning Co. has annual and daily planners, as well as journals that inspire people to interact with their own routines in new ways.

Their newest product is the CMPLXN skincare journal, which provides weekly skin journaling and space for daily notes. It's a great way to track how your skin improves (or doesn't) week to week, and it also includes brief guides to help troubleshoot skincare issues.

The CMPLXN journal came beautifully packaged with a note from Alter Planning Co.'s founder, Scottie.

The journal is a sturdy canvas hardcover with enough space for approximately six months of journaling. It includes information on understanding your skin, nutrition, skin care components (cleansers, toners, serums, etc.), skin types and concerns, and more. You'll be able to write down the products you use and your day and night routines, with space to note any analysis.

I'm impressed by how comprehensive the CMPLXN journal is! Above are some of the pages for logging the products you use and how they work with your skin.

I've never done much journaling, but this skincare journal is the perfect one for me to start. I have a backlog of products I've purchased but have yet to use, and this will allow me to track whether or not they work for me.

• Visit Alter Planning Co. to browse their full line and purchase

Bottom Line: Whether you're new to skincare or an old pro, I think you'll really enjoy the CMPLXN skincare journal from Alter Planning Co.! It contains so much information and can help you narrow down the perfect routine for your skin.

BE KIND By Ellen Fall 2022 Box Review

The BE KIND By Ellen box is a great lifestyle subscription for people looking to support socially-conscious companies while treating themselves to high quality products. Their Fall 2022 box had a great assortment of items!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.

BE KIND By Ellen is a quarterly subscription with two payment options; you can pay $54.99 per quarter (every three months) or $49.49 per quarter for an annual subscription, billed once for a total of $197.96 annually. Shipping is free for both options for U.S. residents.

The box contains full-sized items hand-picked by Ellen DeGeneres from companies that are cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, and ethically made. The products range from skincare and beauty to home goods, and more.

The Fall 2022 box contained seven items, all of which I was excited to try!

• M.C. Squares Reusable Set: These are such a great idea! The set is made up of reusable sticky notes, mini planner, and Tackie markers. These work like a white board that you can mark up and then erase. What I like is that they have "sticky" backings that you can affix to different surfaces. I put one of the sticky notes on my work desk and have the weekly planner on my fridge. They're also great because they save a lot of paper waste, and M.C. Squares partners with Trees For the Future to help plant thousands of trees, too!

• Savvy & Sorted Spice Labels: These simple but stylish labels are from an Australian-based company and have the names of every spice you could ever need. Savvy & Sorted donates some of their profits to protect the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to help rebuild coral reefs.

• Color Street Nail Polish Strips: These came in the shades "Sahara Jewel" (top) and "Munich Mulberry" (bottom). They are 100 percent real nail polish packaged as strips that you easily affix onto the nail, file off the edges, and go! The colors are really pretty and match the fall mood. The Color Street Foundation has pledged $1 million as the National Signature Partner for March for Babies 2022.
• COSRX Vitamin C 23 Serum: COSRX is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands and this serum is one I haven't used before. Vitamin C is great for battling hyperpigmentation and is good for overall anti-aging.
• Grande Cosmetics GRANDEmascara: I was really excited to try this mascara since I've heard great things about the Grande Cosmetics brand, but unfortunately it wasn't a hit for me. The formula is too thin (takes many coats to show up to the point that I like) and it was very smudgy on my oily skin. The benefits include peptides that help condition lashes.

• Geometry Kitchen Tea Towel: I love this towel; it's made from two recycled plastic bottles and has a sturdy texture that absorbs messes quickly. Geometry works to conserve water and reduce waste both through their products and manufacturing practices.
• Urban Hydration Bright & Balanced Fruit-Based Miceller Water: Subscribers received one of these micellar waters in Peach & Papaya, Kiwi & Pomegranate, Lemon & Berries, or Apple & Banana. Urban Hydration partners with WATERisLIFE and donates one gallon of water for every product sold and have raised enough funds to build three clean drinking water wells in communities in Kenya.

The box also contained a coupon for $40 off of a $100 purchase in the Ellen Shop.

• Visit BE KIND By Ellen to Subscribe

Bottom Line: This is one of the best lifestyle boxes I've gotten yet and definitely my favorite from BE KIND By Ellen so far. Every product fit my needs and I appreciate that the companies they feature are socially-conscious and give back to the community.

New! Naked Nutrition Clear Naked Whey Review and Coupon

I've been using the Naked Nutrition Whey since I reviewed it back in July (read that review here) and I love it. Now Naked Nutrition has a new supplement, the Clear Naked Whey and it's just as great!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love, in exchange for an honest review.

Naked Nutrition sells products with only the purest ingredients to help you meet your nutrition and fitness goals. Their supplements have no artificial sweeteners, no additives, and no artificial colors. They also have vegan protein powders.

Their newest product is the Clear Naked Whey, which is available in three flavors: Grape, Lemonade, and Fruit Punch. I received the Lemonade to try.

The Clear Naked Whey is made with 100 percent whey isolate powder and lightly flavored to create a refreshing beverage to help support muscle building and repair. Again, it has no artificial sweeteners or flavoring. Two scoops contain 80 calories, zero fat, four grams of carbohydrates, and 15 grams of protein.

I like having a fruity-flavored protein powder and a creamier flavor, like chocolate, so having this Lemonade fits perfectly with my Naked Nutrition Chocolate Whey. 

I added this to my fruit smoothie and it added a tangy, delicious flavor -- there's no strange after taste or texture like some whey powders have. Given that it's whey, it also made my smoothie slightly more creamy than usual, which I like. It's almost the same texture as when I add yogurt with the frozen fruit.

• Visit Naked Nutrition to purchase
• Use coupon code CLEARWHEY20 through 9/29 for 20 percent off

Bottom Line: I'm very happy with the Naked Nutrition Clear Naked Whey! The Lemonade flavor tastes great in a smoothie and on its own (mixed with water). I especially like that it's low-carb and high protein!

Bespoke Post: Wax Review and $20 Coupon

I hadn't purchased a Bespoke Post box in a while because, while they always have great offerings, nothing caught my eye as a "must have." That is, until the September selections came out and I saw the "Wax" box!

*Disclaimer: This box was purchased by See, Shop, Love! Post contains referral links.

Bespoke Post is a monthly lifestyle subscription that has boxes for all types of interests. Check out my feature on My Subscription Addiction here for more information on how the subscription works and why I love it!

I don't usually purchase a box every month but I do grab whatever ones pique my interest. The Wax box was perfect for me and I couldn't wait to receive it! It features the new Fill Mill system, which includes a ReFillable Candle Vessel, two candle inserts, and a wick trimmer.

Everyone who chose this box received the "Last Drink By the Bonfire" insert and could choose one more out of either "Behind the Unmarked Door," "Sunday Dinner at the Grove," or "On the Open Desert Road." Here are the scent profiles for each, taken from the Bespoke Post website:

• Last Drink By the Bonfire: Like the last pour from the bottle before the night wanes and the fire blows out. Spiked with notes of ginger, clove, and the best of old friends.
• Behind the Unmarked Door: Like a hidden speakeasy, marked only by the mellow scents of fresh tobacco and patchouli musk from behind the door. Carefree banter echoes inside.
• Sunday Dinner at the Grove: Like a golden-hour meal in a lemon grove, with charred citrus in the air. The old California woods around us cast jagged shadows across the placemats.
• On the Open Desert Road: Captures the aura of a lone desert pine along a stretch of arid earth through breezy notes of herbs and cypress.

I love the ones I received! I like warm, spicy scents and both of them fit that scent profile. 

The ReFillable Candle Insert is beautiful and was available in dark gray or off-white/cream. I obviously chose the dark gray. 

The vessel is made from concrete and has a textured brass knob that works with strike-anywhere matches and the lid will safely extinguish the flame once you're done burning. The inserts fit perfectly into the vessel and snap with a magnetic locking system.

It's really easy to lift the inserts out of the vessel and I like that the scents are interchangeable. I want to get the other two candles to complete the set (they sell for $15 each or for $45 as a trio).

Also included in the box is a wick trimmer, which is an obvious accessory but something I needed. Even though I have dozens of candles, I've never bought a real wick trimmer and definitely needed one. They're essential for keeping your candles in the best burning shape.

• Visit Bespoke Post to subscribe
• Use this link for $20 off your first box

Bottom Line: I'm obsessed with candles, so the Bespoke Post "Wax" box was a no-brainer purchase for me. I love both of the scents I received and the vessel is beautiful even when a candle isn't burning inside.