POPSUGAR Must Have February 2014 (SPOILERS!)

[sparklesgirlxox]

Quote: Originally Posted by lilpapsgirl /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I have very mixed feelings about Popsugar right now. I don't know what I was hoping for honestly. As another poster said it is a box of surprises and I think I just need to be more open minded to this and stop expecting so much. I am not saying this is a bad box for me, I just think Popsugar is going in a different direction from say 4-5 months ago. From January to about November of last year I loved every single box and wish I would have been subscribed, but only subscribed in January of this year. I didn't think that was a bad box either just not what I was expecting from the previous boxes I saw and loved so much. But I'm still excited to get it and try everything.
It was valentines month and they did push the box as a gift. Its a good box its just not very valentines day themed.  Chocolates  jewelry would have made it more so. Some of the other boxes I got from them in the past would have worked more for valentines day in my oppinion

 

[MissJexie]

Quote: Originally Posted by jenniferrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Does anyone else notice that we have the same discussions month after month upon spoiler reveal? /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
That's usually how it works! LOL. "Here's my wishlist!" "I'm so excited show me spoilers!" "Omg spoilers are here yay!" "Wait, I hate this box." "Omg, this is the best box ever how dare you say you hate it" "Everyone stop telling everyone what to think!" "yay march is almost here!"

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Call me crazy, but I think this looks pretty good.

The Dial is not terribly exciting, no, but it is an extra! I think the idea that it "cheapens" the box sounds kind of silly...it's a box of cool things, plus a mass market extra...no problem for me. It is just like Birchbox's "Birchbox Finds"...sure, it might be a larger size, but who cares? Even if I got this as a gift, the card denoting it as a special extra would be enough to let me know that the person didn't pick that out to call me smelly.

I don't usually buy Dial, but I'm happy to try it, shoot, I've used much cheaper...

The other items all look like things I will happily use.

As much fun as it is, I think the "What do you want in your box this month?" game we like to play kind of sets us up for disappointment, if we get our hopes up too high.

 

[MissJexie]

Quote: Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Call me crazy, but I think this looks pretty good.

The Dial is not terribly exciting, no, but it is an extra! I think the idea that it "cheapens" the box sounds kind of silly...it's a box of cool things, plus a mass market extra...no problem for me. It is just like Birchbox's "Birchbox Finds"...sure, it might be a larger size, but who cares? Even if I got this as a gift, the card denoting it as a special extra would be enough to let me know that the person didn't pick that out to call me smelly.

I don't usually buy Dial, but I'm happy to try it, shoot, I've used much cheaper...

The other items all look like things I will happily use.

As much fun as it is, I think the "What do you want in your box this month?" game we like to play kind of sets us up for disappointment, if we get our hopes up too high.

You're totally not crazy. I can see this box working really well for certain people, and not so much for others. I own like 4 pieces of jewelry and I can't afford to 'travel' anywhere so a jewelry roll is just a "what do I do with this contraption" type of item for me. I am down with the makeup stuff but I always hope for more lifestyle-like items from PS because I already get BB and Ipsy. The Dial I'm totally fine with. It does cheapen the box overall and it looks weird in the box when it's given as a gift, but I totally get that it's an extra and I'm fine with getting it. The other stuff in the box just isn't working for me. I think the only thing that will get use is the serum and maybe the polish, although I have a zillion dark reds.

Like I said, I think this would be a great box for some, and not for others. I was really hoping it would be more "valentiney." Like a nice piece of jewelry, a box of fancy chocolates or an indie brand of chocolate in a pretty box etc. I totally got my hopes up that it would be more of a "single ladies valentines day" kind of box since they encouraged us to gift it. More spa/chocolate/jewelry/romance novel kind of box.

But hey...I'm glad for no thongs this time! LOL

 

[BratzFan]

I re-subbed for $20 and am pretty happy with the box. I needed a jewelry roll, will have fun with the lipgloss/nail polish, and honestly i expect crazy stuff like the candy from popsugar. I had never heard of that website before. The rest of the stuff is meh. Popsugar is a good deal at $20, a fun splurge at $30, and a gamble at $40. I"m not a gambler

 

[ashleygo]

Quote: Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif

As much fun as it is, I think the "What do you want in your box this month?" game we like to play kind of sets us up for disappointment, if we get our hopes up too high.
Yes, probably this exactly, the reality is that Popsugar can't afford to send all the items on our wish lists at the beginning of the month and we get all excited and are like wait what?

I do think that sometimes the "must have" themes isn't quite there for me. Last month the Pipcorn for me has now become a "must have" and same with other items, but some items like the candy this month or december's box that is not a "must have" IMO. 

Overall though, I get the box one to feel special because I got something in the mail, two for the excitement, and three for the chance to try things as @MissJexie says that aren't in my budget or that I wouldn't think to try. Based on those I have been happy to purchase the boxes and look forward to every month.

I'm thinking of using the jewelry holder to hold makeup or something else since it doesn't seem to be tailored to just jewels, cause otherwise it won't get much use. 

 

[Baublesntreats]

My box hasn't arrived yet, but I got home from work craving cinnamon candy, LOL.  I have some Wilton cinnamon drops "sprinkles" (basically Red Hots), and I just dug them out of the cupboard and am now eating them straight out the little jar as I type this!  This is what reading these threads does to me!  

But for any bakers/cake decorators out there who don't necessarily like cinnamon candy, wouldn't they be a great decoration for some Valentine's Day cookies or cupcakes?

 

[EevieK]

Whew. I had to get up and walk away from my computer for a few minutes, I was getting too anxious, haha. I find it unfortunate that some ladies on here are having the value of their boxes taken down a notch in their eyes because of the opinions of others. As others have said, some will like this box, some won't. It's been like that for every subscription thread I have ever read through. That being said, if you like a product, you like it. Someone else doesn't? Who cares. Let them sell it, trade it, or run it over with their car. Don't let someone elses opinion on something change yours. That's the fun part of being an individual, you have a unique view on things. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Some people on MUT have actually made me value my items MORE. They've thought of uses I wasn't clever enough to come up with or have made me appreciate the usefullness the item already has. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I, too, make room in my budget for my subs. I don't have a very big budget (thanks, college!) so I have to choose carefully when it comes to what I spend my money on. Yes, I totally could go out and buy whatever I actually want with my sub money. Part of the reason I stay subbed is because, as silly as it sounds, it's kind of a little treat for me. I'm in class all day, work all night, study in between, and BAM. Once a month I have a "present". It reminds me to take a minute and enjoy the little things. Spoil myself a little. This is how I choose to spend my hard earned (and small amount) of cash. I was annoyed this month because I saved up and bought my younger sister a box at full price. She's been very envious of my past PS boxes (and constantly steals the wrap from Nov) , and I thought this would be a nice treat for her. Initially I was disappointed because I personally wasn't seeing anything in the box that justified the price increase. I went to class, thought about it, and think She'll probably find a use for almost everything in the box. If not, maybe one of her friends will. I'm not going to go write a rant to PS through an email or on their FB. I'm not going to light my box on fire and cry over it. I'm going to find a use for all of the items, perhaps gift a few, and move on.

 

[sorsha]

To be fair, I did not say or mean to imply that someone on a fixed budget doesn't deserve a treat. I would never say something like that and I apologize if you feel I was saying that and were offended. I don't post often and I'm obviously not suited for customer service or bedside manner of any kind. Good thing I'm just a computer programmer who enjoys Swell bottles, smokey eyes and lux bubble baths.

My point, which perhaps could have been better stated for some of our more sensitive readers, which I am sure will still ruffle feathers was that:

IF you have the money to splurge on a LUXURY GOOD (surprise mystery box like Popsugar)

BUT you are clearly hoping for a specific, affordable, reasonable item like a paperback book or a water infuser or a thong (see first 5 pages of comments) 
AND THEN EVERY MONTH YOU post about your disappointment, annoyance or outright anger because you got unwanted stuff instead,

WOULDN'T YOU BE HAPPIER IF you just cut to the chase and bought what you wanted instead?

There is a pattern to each and every one of these spoiler feeds and I've been reading them since Popsugar started. It feels like it degenerates from a deeper discussion we could be having here, and muddies the waters for how we might actually be able to steer Popsugar back on course (because most readers, at least the ones who post, do seem to see a decline in quality/value). This pattern being:

1. Wish lists and speculation

2. Tracking items and ship notices

3. Early spoilers

4. Moans and groans, haters and unsubscribers, and some cheerful people who see the bright side, snap judgements before most people have it in their hands

5. Full spoilers and usually more interesting discussion, discussions on cost/value ratio.

6. Revised expectations when boxes arrive and people try stuff out

None of these things on their own are bad. Just seems to me like a lot of the real, common, constantly repeated negativity here could easily be fixed if women just up and got those things they really wished for instead of hoping they would appear and being disappointed repeatedly when they don't from a mystery box. These disappointed posts don't seem like good natured "aw man, next time!". Most seem pretty pissed off or downright offended over certain items. 

1. If I were a Popsugar employee, I wouldn't get a clear message on how this month's box went over by reading this feed.

2. If I were a brand featured in a Popsugar box, I wouldn't get any really useful reviews or feedback on my product.

3. As a potential subscriber (which we should all want to keep Popsugar in business), I would be reading a lot more negatives than positives. 

4. If I were an existing subscriber, I would be made to feel crappy or defensive if I liked or favored something others did not, etc. Ok, to be truthful, I wouldn't feel crappy, but I really hate it when my mother-in-law says she didn't care for her Christmas gift and returns it to me, and it makes me feel a bit like that.

No one is saying you have to like or dislike something. Or you have to agree with anything anyone else posts. I am not being a bully here. But I do care, to some extent, if you liked or disliked a product or the service as a whole, because we're supposed to be talking trends here, and whether they are worth adopting in your lifestyle or just a passing phase worth skipping. Popsugar is clearly flawed, but unfortunately, I haven't found a better lifestyle box yet and it's a hard business to work in (many early sub services went under fast).

ANYWAY... If you're one of those people who follow the pattern of wishing and having those wishes unfulfilled and posting about it, my hope was that I was providing constructive suggestions to improve your future happiness (and yes, I get that it sounds condescending but it was meant as a helpful suggestion, since you're stuck with that Kiwi body wash, like it or not). You can take that advice or ignore it, as anyone may. Absolutely none of what I said was personal, and I certainly won't be offended.

And I think it's completely reasonable to have this kind of somewhat uncomfortable discussion about the quality and value of something we are all paying for and TRYING to enjoy but sometimes STRUGGLING to.
 

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Quote: Originally Posted by MissJexie /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Quote: Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Call me crazy, but I think this looks pretty good.

The Dial is not terribly exciting, no, but it is an extra! I think the idea that it "cheapens" the box sounds kind of silly...it's a box of cool things, plus a mass market extra...no problem for me. It is just like Birchbox's "Birchbox Finds"...sure, it might be a larger size, but who cares? Even if I got this as a gift, the card denoting it as a special extra would be enough to let me know that the person didn't pick that out to call me smelly.

I don't usually buy Dial, but I'm happy to try it, shoot, I've used much cheaper...

The other items all look like things I will happily use.

As much fun as it is, I think the "What do you want in your box this month?" game we like to play kind of sets us up for disappointment, if we get our hopes up too high.

You're totally not crazy. I can see this box working really well for certain people, and not so much for others. I own like 4 pieces of jewelry and I can't afford to 'travel' anywhere so a jewelry roll is just a "what do I do with this contraption" type of item for me. I am down with the makeup stuff but I always hope for more lifestyle-like items from PS because I already get BB and Ipsy. The Dial I'm totally fine with. It does cheapen the box overall and it looks weird in the box when it's given as a gift, but I totally get that it's an extra and I'm fine with getting it. The other stuff in the box just isn't working for me. I think the only thing that will get use is the serum and maybe the polish, although I have a zillion dark reds.

Like I said, I think this would be a great box for some, and not for others. I was really hoping it would be more "valentiney." Like a nice piece of jewelry, a box of fancy chocolates or an indie brand of chocolate in a pretty box etc. I totally got my hopes up that it would be more of a "single ladies valentines day" kind of box since they encouraged us to gift it. More spa/chocolate/jewelry/romance novel kind of box.

But hey...I'm glad for no thongs this time! LOL


I definitely agree that I want more lifestyle from PS...because I DO get so many beauty subs, and I love them but the whole appeal is something different. I don't mind some beauty, just as long as it isn't every month!

As for the jewelry, I've seen plenty of people mad that there isn't jewelry...but man, PS has sent out jewelry several times, and every time people pitch a fit, and say "THIS IS NOT MY STYLE, I ONLY WEAR SILVER, THIS IS TOO LONG/SHORT/SMALL/BIG, THEY JUST SHOULDN"T SEND JEWELRY"...so they can't really win, there.

I am a necklace fiend (I have so many), so I would have loved one (and maybe a bracelet...)...but I do get why they might have shied away from sending one. I can't afford to travel much, either...but I guess I figure, in case I do, I will have the jewelry roll, and in the meantime it can serve as extra storage for the necklaces that won't fit on my stand. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Oh, but I do wish there had been chocolate!

BUT, I can just melt some of my hearts in my hot chocolate, or even some hot cider. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[jzim291]

Oh Em Gee. My bloggy is going to write itself. This box is so very wonky. All the products are usable...but well...that's that. Lucky for me...I didn't use a promo code...so this gem of a box cost me a good $43. My oh my. 

 

[barbyechick]

I actually feel like that whole experience people say they hate is why they stick by 

 i lusted for this box for a long time and got it for two months, was disappointed both times and promptly cancelled. i didn't scream and shout, I put out what I thought and said it's not for me but enjoy everyone else. The promo sucked me back in, but I don't think it's changed my mind. Ah, well glad I tried. That's how a lot of people I think experience ps. I keep rooting for ps to get back to the amazing boxes I lusted over so I always come back and check in and I ALWAYS hear people talk about how they were disappointed but they don't cancel because maybe next month...

I actually think that's funny, if not a little weird b/c then it happens again and again but hey in the long run there are much worse ways to gamble this seems so small if you don't mind the price.

But at the same time, me, and a couple of others have actually gotten our boxes and expressed ourselves or there have been very moderate discussions and those always get ignored every month too lol. It's always the extremes fighting about each other and then saying it's ruining the experience...but the others get ignored a bit.

 i find it all entertaining

 

[yousoldtheworld]

Quote: Originally Posted by barbyechick /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  I actually feel like that whole experience people say they hate is why they stick by 

 i lusted for this box for a long time and got it for two months, was disappointed both times and promptly cancelled. i didn't scream and shout, I put out what I thought and said it's not for me but enjoy everyone else. The promo sucked me back in, but I don't think it's changed my mind. Ah, well glad I tried. That's how a lot of people I think experience ps. I keep rooting for ps to get back to the amazing boxes I lusted over so I always come back and check in and I ALWAYS hear people talk about how they were disappointed but they don't cancel because maybe next month...

I actually think that's funny, if not a little weird b/c then it happens again and again but hey in the long run there are much worse ways to gamble this seems so small if you don't mind the price.

But at the same time, me, and a couple of others have actually gotten our boxes and expressed ourselves or there have been very moderate discussions and those always get ignored every month too lol. It's always the extremes fighting about each other and then saying it's ruining the experience...but the others get ignored a bit.

 i find it all entertaining
I totally get the whole "maybe next month" thing...while I haven't had it yet with PS, I have with Ipsy, Birchbox, Glossybox, and Sample Society...and have cancelled and then resubbed to all of these at least once, most more than once! 

But, I'm kind of at the point that I've decided to cancel anything that doesn't make me happy for 2 or more months in a row. So far, ti's serving me well!

I don't think anyone's opinions, positive or negative, ruin the experience for me. I DO think that strong positive or negative vibes in a thread honestly can color your own perception, not because any particular person doesn't think for themselves, but because it's just human nature, and some posts might bring up points you hadn't thought of, or teach you something, etc. 

I try to be mindful of this and of the fact that my own overall enjoyment of these subs hangs on how I let myself think about them...so I try to pretty balanced. (Sometimes I fail!)

 

[nectarbean]

I was hoping for a more romantic themed box as well. A girly movie or book, something spa related, more of a pick me up and pamper me box. My boyfriend will use the dial soap, my mom can have the jewelry roll, and the candle will end up in a box to use eventually. I just cant be thrilled about this one when it wont end up being for me ya know? I also am the kind of person who sees something they like or want and just buys it. So if I wanted something in this box and didn't get it, I'll just buy it anyway. I was subbing on the hopes that I would be introduced to new brands, like I have been with other subs. I buy the allure boxes for drug store items and sub boxes for more luxurious stuff. PS has just missed the mark for me.

 

[amidea]

Quote: Originally Posted by Baublesntreats /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  My box hasn't arrived yet, but I got home from work craving cinnamon candy, LOL.  I have some Wilton cinnamon drops "sprinkles" (basically Red Hots), and I just dug them out of the cupboard and am now eating them straight out the little jar as I type this!  This is what reading these threads does to me!  

But for any bakers/cake decorators out there who don't necessarily like cinnamon candy, wouldn't they be a great decoration for some Valentine's Day cookies or cupcakes?
good idea! i was planning on baking some blondies for the guy i'm seeing.  i'm not sure how well it would go with the flavor... but it would be cute /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Quote: Originally Posted by yousoldtheworld /img/forum/go_quote.gif
  Oh, but I do wish there had been chocolate!

BUT, I can just melt some of my hearts in my hot chocolate, or even some hot cider. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
i'm totally trying this!

 

[hellorigby]

Quote: Originally Posted by barbyechick /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 i find it all entertaining
Me too. I won't lie, half of the build up is what makes PSMH and other similar subscriptions addicting/exciting/fun. I like the surprise, even if not all of the items are my favorites. I've also been pleasantly surprised by some of the more "meh" items in the past, so I'm still excited to get the box!

 

[Krissy14]

I agree! I want to try some other subscriptions that I might be happier with since it is a "surprise" ! I'm thinking. Dottie box! Has anyone used it? I'm also glad I only paid 20 for it! I also think popsugar has to know what is going to be a hit or a miss with the general public who subs... I mean if I was in marketing and quality I would be reading posts!

 

[Rory]

I joined this month with the $10 off promo code because I thought for sure there would be good chocolate in this box. Overall, I like this box but I am not overly excited about this box. I would like to try Fab Fit Fun because the items in their last box looked amazing to me.

 

[jbd90]

Overall I like this box. I think I would have liked it more if I didn't already have a jewelry wallet from Gorjana. But then again, I have a lot of jewelry and the wallet I bought has specific clips for necklaces, that this jewelry roll doesn't, so I will probably end up using both!

I liked January's box a lot more, but everything will get used in this box except maybe the nail polish as I have WAY too many in that particular shade. Either way I'm looking forward to this box and the face serum! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />