FabFitFun

FabFitFun is a quarterly subscription box that delivers full-size beauty, fashion, and lifestyle accessories to your home.

Subscription box services like FabFitFun have grown in popularity over the past few years. These boxes arrive at your home usually on a monthly, seasonally, or bi-annual basis.

The company often chooses what goes in the box, which is a good way to try new products you wouldn't otherwise purchase.

In this review, we’ll explore how FabFitFun differs from other subscription companies, share, what you might receive in your box, and assess customer reviews to help you determine whether this service makes sense.

What Makes FabFitFun Different from Other Subscription Brands?

FabFitFun offers subscribers an eclectic mix of beauty, fashion, and fitness products. Boxes are sent out every three months. That’s different than many of the brand’s competitors, as others usually ship their boxes monthly or bi-monthly.

Here’s what the company claims make their subscription box service stand out:

• FabFitFun items are always full-size. Unlike other subscription box services that send boxes of trial-size items, FabFitFun sends you regular-sized products, from makeup palettes to shampoo and conditioner sets, and more.

• Boxes claim to be worth at least $200. FabFitFun states that the total value of every box is at least $200 worth of products and items — which means they’re worth four times what they cost members. Plus, they claim that all the brands picked to be included are top-rated by consumers.

• Boxes may be curated for the season. For example, past fall boxes have included a plaid scarf.

• Instructions are included. Each FabFitFun delivery comes with a mini-magazine that explains the contents in detail, from application tips to different ways to wear your new scarf.

What Will You Get in a FabFitFun Box?

FabFitFun will select items in your box and allow you to choose one item from five “customization” groups.

Here is an example of the items FabFitFun chose for a fall box along with customizations:

• Harper + Ari Exfoliating Sugar Cubes ($16 value)
• Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair ($36 value)
• Human+ Kind Body Souffle ($15 value)

Customization 1: Choose one item from the following products (or keep it a surprise and let FabFitFun choose for you):

• Plush Ultra Soft Plaid Scarf ($75 value)
• Amika Strand Perfect Ceramic Styler ($80 value)
• Anthropologie Travel Yoga Mat ($50 value)

Customization 2: Choose one item from the following products:

• The Kut from The Kloth Slim Striped Wallet ($60 value)
• Twine Cheese Board and Plate ($29 value)
• Kate Spade New York Lunch Tote ($30 value)
• Nassif MD Detox Pads ($38 value)

Customization 3: Choose one item from the following products:

• BaubleBar Ear Crawlers ($13 value)
• The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Lava Magik ($28 value)
• Cosmedix Pure C Vitamin C Mixing Crystals ($32 value)

Customization 4: Choose one item. (Choice only available for annual subscribers. FabFitFun will choose for all other members.)

• Epare Dual Salt and Pepper Mill ($16 value)
• Afterspa Hair Towel Wrap ($8 value)
• treStiQue Mini Eye Essentials ($15 value)
• Skinvolve Body Boost Gel ($24 value)

Customization 5: Choose one item. (Choice only available for annual subscribers. FabFitFin will choose for all other members.)

• Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Roller Ball ($31 value)
• Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Mask (six-pack) ($32 value)
• Skin&CO Roma Truffle Therapy Face Toner ($27 value)

In this example, you’ll receive eight items, and your box’s value will range from $194 to $295, far exceeding the price you paid (more on that in a moment).

Ordering Deadlines, Pricing, and Shipping

FabFitFun’s subscription billing dates are as follows:

FabFitFun offers two ways to order: $49.99 per box or $179.99 for the year. Paying $179.99 up-front for the year means you save $4.99 per box over the $49.99 per-box price.

Purchasing this annual membership will automatically make you a Select Member, which means you qualify for early shipping, early access to customization and extra customization options, seasonal add-ons, and exclusive sales.

Note that, even when purchasing a single box, FabFitFun members agree to ongoing, seasonal billing. This means that you will be charged an additional $49.99 every three months before another box is sent out.

If you want to cancel your membership, you will need to email FabFitFun at vip@fabfitfun.com and then follow the instructions they send you in response. You can also cancel through your online member account or by calling the customer concierge at (855) 313-6297.

You will need to cancel before the next scheduled billing date to avoid receiving the upcoming season’s box.

FabFitFun also offers “Add-ons.” These are individual products that are either editor’s favorites or new items in stock that you can add to your shipment individually.

They’re available at a discount from normal store prices and can be added on at any time before your box has shipped.

Shipping of FabFitFun subscriptions is always free for members in the continental US. Those in Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii should expect to pay $8 a box.

Return Policy

FabFitFun purchases are final and nonrefundable. The company does not accept returns of boxes, individual items within boxes, add-ons, or additional box purchases.

Any returns that are sent back will not be eligible for a refund unless the company chooses to make exceptions at their sole discretion.

If your FabFitFun delivery is damaged, missing an item, or is lost, you should notify customer service within two weeks of the delivery date specified on your confirmation email.

You also have the option of returning individual items in the box, per FabFitFun’s terms and conditions.

Analysis of Customer Reviews and Complaints

FabFitFun has tons of glowing online reviews on Instagram and personal blogs. However, most of these reviews seem to be from affiliate sponsors, meaning posters may have received their box for free or been paid for their opinions.

HighYa reviewers offer a less positive perspective, as FabFitFun averages 1.7 stars after 25 reviews.

Some of the most common complaints concerned customer service. Reviewers wrote that FabFitFun seemed uncaring about their problems and were slow to fix issues, especially regarding boxes getting delivered to the wrong addresses.

Others wrote that they struggled to cancel their subscription and were still billed for it several months after.

A few people had better experiences. Some reviewers wrote they found the subscriptions to be a great deal for trending products. They appreciated the exposure to brands that wouldn’t otherwise be on their radar.

TrustPilot reviews of FabFitFun are similar, as the brand earns 2.5 stars after more than 150 reviews.

Many people cited the same concerns about customer service and difficulties canceling their subscription, and others wrote that they thought the available products had gone downhill over the past few years they had been members.

How Does FabFitFun Compare to Other Lifestyle Subscription Companies?

If you’re looking to sign up for a regular subscription service to receive unique products you might not think to buy otherwise, two FabFitFun alternatives are CauseBox and Breo Box.

Cause Box’s focus is to give you a seasonal supply of exclusive, ethically made products. Each box sells for $54.99 ($200 for an annual membership delivered four times a year), and the company states its value is more than $200.

Many of the brands featured in the box donate a portion of their profits to charities or employ artisans to create jobs in struggling communities.

The Fall 2019 Cause Box included the following products: recovery treatment oil, makeup brush collection, candle, travel wallet or felt leather board, duffle bag, drop necklace (total value: $324). Annual members can customize the color of their duffle bag and necklace.

Similar to FabFitFun, Breo Box is a seasonal subscription box that promises to give you five to eight luxury lifestyle goods. Most Breo Box goods are cutting edge, and they will purportedly have a total value of more than $225. You’ll pay $159 per box, or $579 for an annual subscription (four boxes).

For example, a past winter Breo Box box contained a popcorn popper, fitness band, mortar and pestle, nutcracker and bowl, roll-up backgammon set, and heated ceramic mug, for a total retail value of $237.

Unlike FabFitFun, Breo Box doesn’t let you exchange products. The box’s products also tend to be more unisex than FabFitFun or Cause Box.

» Related: The Best Beauty Box Subscription Services

The Bottom Line: Should You Subscribe for FabFitFun?

When considering any subscription box service, it’s important to remember that, even if the actual value of what’s inside is more than you paid, there’s a risk that they won’t be valuable to you.

Subscription boxes like FabFitFun tend to be best for consumers who enjoy a little mystery and can afford it. If this describes you, you’ll benefit from deep discounts on trending products, many of which are from up-and-coming brands.

Here are our thoughts on who would probably get the least value out of FabFitFun:

• If you have your heart set on a few specific items for an upcoming season.
• If you have product allergies or strong preferences, such as avoiding fragrance or parabens.
• If you’re on a budget.
• If you have particular tastes or products and cosmetics regimens and don’t like to explore other options.

While the box we shared was valued at around $250 on average, it only cost subscribers $50. But, would you have spent $50 to procure the items you received? If not, it’s better to buy what catches your eye separate from subscribing to FabFitFun.