Hey friends!

It’s officially that time of the season! Spring is beginning (finally), and that means warmer weather, fresh flowers — and the start of each new season means a new FabFitFun box!

If you’ve been following me for a while now, you already know how much I love FabFitFun — they’ve introduced me to SO many of my favourite products and brands (many of which I wouldn’t have even heard of in the first place otherwise). This season’s box has been no exception — I receiving all kinds of products that I’m already loving, or can’t wait to be able to try. I could go on and on about how great it is, but I think it would be better to just break it down for you guys!

Tech Candy Clean Slate™ UV Sanitizing Bed

Since COVID began, I’ve become increasingly paranoid about germs on my phone — so when I saw this device being offered in this season’s box, I knew I had to have it. Thus far, I’ve been really cautious about germs, hand washing, mask wearing, and social distancing since lockdowns began last year, but it’s kind of impossible to leave the house and not end up touching your phone once, and I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m contaminating everything I own and undoing all my hard work whoever I use my phone after I leave the house. (Maybe that’s just me being paranoid, but still). Either way, I’m looking forward to being able to simply pop my phone in this little device every time I come home from now on and being able to rest easy knowing that my phone is 100% clean and safe. (Crazy to think that a year ago, a product like this would have seemed like a silly little luxury, but now it’s something so incredibly useful!).

Alice + Olivia Reversible Bucket Hat

This bucket hat is SO cute and absolutely perfect for spring. I’m always on the hunt for new accessories — especially ones that are low-maintenance and work with a variety of outfits — since it really is the easiest and best way to elevate an outfit. Since this hat is reversible (the inside is plain white) I’m sure I’ll be able to get use out of it in a whole variety of ways. But, to be honest, I don’t even think I’ll need to reverse it — the black daisies are just so cute, and bucket hats are the perfect casual vibe for spring.

PUR Cosmetics Iconic Glow Illuminating Face & Body Dry Oil

Okay, I won’t lie, the packaging on this product had me MAJORLY confused at first. This oil comes in a glass dropper, as many oils do — but it has a metal pump on top to fill up the dropper, unlike the normal rubber tops. So, yes, as you’re probably already imagining — I did, in fact, sit around for 5+ minutes trying to pump it and figure out where the oil was supposed to come out of. Packaging aside, I’m sort of just lukewarm about this product. It’s VERY glittery, and definitely takes a while to absorb — although it does leave my skin feeling soft once it does. Maybe it’s just that I’m not crazy about body oils, but I’m just so-so on this one. I don’t hate it, I’ll totally use it — but I’m not in love with it.

SfGlow Sun’s Out, Pouts Out Lip Mask

These little lip masks are SO fun, you guys. Lip masks aren’t something I use often, and the ones I have used in the past have all been just alright — but these masks may have just sold me on the concept. I really didn’t expect much before trying them out, but they really left my (and the time) sort of dehydrated lips feeling good as new. I was a little hesitant at first, because the mask comes coated in a somewhat heavy product that has a bit of a weird consistency, but once it’s on it doesn’t feel that weird at all. You do have to have the time to sit around for 10-15 minutes with the mask on (and you obviously can’t eat, drink or sleep when you’re using it) but its the perfect time to slap on some eye masks as well and really pamper yourself before whatever you’re planning on doing that day.

M·A·C COSMETICS Powder Kiss Lipstick Duo

Receiving this product in my spring box immediately made me remember how much I miss MAC. Growing up, MAC was like, the holy grail of makeup stores for me — Sephora too, but something about MAC just felt so cool. As Sephora started getting bigger, though, MAC kind of fell behind, since obviously as Sephora carries multiple brands, they have a much wider variety of products. There’s a MAC store in downtown Vancouver that I still visit on occasion (or did, rather, pre-COVID — in fact, I actually went to MAC of the last day before lockdowns began) but overall, I don’t own as many products from their brand as I once did. These lipsticks have really reminded me of how great of a brand they are, though — they’re really amazing. They’re matte, but not TOO matte — I personally am not a huge fan of the ultra-matte liquid-lip sort of look (and if you are, this lipstick probably isn’t what you’re looking for). This lipstick, however, is matte (but more in a non-shiny way than a pure, ultra-matte way) but at the same time, is super hydrating. I’ve only tried out the pink shade so far, but it’s SO cute and honestly looks pretty natural, which I’m digging. For me, this matte lipstick is kind of the perfect matte for me — it’s super cute, and reminded me of why I loved MAC so much.

Grown Alchemist Body Cream – Mandarin, Rosemary Leaf

Something I’ve learned about FabFitFun is that the body moisturizers they gift will absolutely never do you wrong — and this moisturizer is no exception. I was already pretty excited about receiving this item, since my current moisturizer is running low and I was hoping to switch stuff up. Basically, I would have used this moisturizer even if it wasn’t totally amazing — but it absolutely is. It’s super hydrating, but it manages to avoid being to heavy, slow-absorbing or sticky — my absolute biggest pet peeves with body lotion. As well, this stuff smells FANTASTIC — mandarin and rosemary is one of my favourite fragrances, so perhaps I’m biased — but I’m obsessed with how this lotion smells. Overall, a 10/10 lotion, and FabFitFun has impressed me again.

Earth Harbor Marina Biome Brightening Ampoule

I won’t lie, I was a little nervous when I saw this product in my box — skincare is really important to me, and while I enjoy testing out new products sometimes, I don’t really like to mess around with my routine too much. However, when I tested this product out I immediately realized there was really nothing to worry about. First of all, this product has some similar ingredients to Herbivore’s Lapis Balancing Facial Oil, which I already use and love. However, this product is more directed at brightening and evening out the skin, versus Herbivore’s oil which is aimed at combatting redness and excess oil. I tried applying it in the mornings, and it’s a light enough oil that it seems it would totally work to wear under makeup, PLUS it had an immediate smoothing effect that made applying the rest of my skincare feel better than usual. On top of all of that, Earth Harbour seems like a really great brand, and one that I’d absolutely consider supporting and purchasing from in the future. All of their products are, as stated on their website, “purely natural + nontoxic + certified cruelty-free + vegan + ethical trade & sustainable ingredients (all certified organic, non-GMO and/or wildcrafted), ocean nutrients, food-grade plant-based therapeutic-grade oils, scientifically-proven botanicals, zero-waste + plastic-negative packaging with upcycled ocean waste, artisan small batches, love and island vibes”. Furthermore, they donate a portion of their profits to helping care for our oceans. I’m already kind of loving this product, so depending how it works out in the long run I may just end up purchasing other products from this brand in the future.

Saie Beauty Makeup Rounds 3 Pack

Somewhat ironically, I was about to repurchase my usual makeup cloths they other day as mine were getting a bit old, but something stopped me. Was it fate? Forgetfulness? Who knows, but either way it worked out really well. While these rounds are a little different from the types of reusable cotton rounds and makeup remover clothes I normally buy, they seem pretty neat and I’m excited to give them a try. The website states that these rounds can be used as “a light exfoliator with cleanser, as a toner pad, or as a makeup and face mask remover,” which is a lot more than my old makeup remover cloths did. I haven’t had the chance to try them out yet, however, whether it be as makeup remover rounds, toner pads or as a means of washing away face masks, I know I’ll get good use out of these.

ADD ON: Anastasia Beverly Hills Moonchild Glow Kit

This highlighter palette was honestly something I had always wanted back when it came out, but never got around to buying. After all, it was SO beautiful, but the colours didn’t really seem like anything I’d get the chance to wear that often. I knew they’d be high quality and all, since at the time Anastasia Beverly Hills was my fave go-to for highlighter — but the colours were a little “out there” so I was worried I would just buy it and never end up using it. However, seeing it being offered at a discount during the Add-On sale, paired with the fact that I’ve really been trying to branch out and get creative with my makeup lately, basically made it seem like the perfect time to finally add it to my collection. I’m so happy I did — I just love all of the colours included in this palette. They’re so dreamy and unique, and I know I’ll be able to get good use out of them both as a classic highlighter as well as an eyeshadow.

ADD ON: Stila Little White Lies Liquid Eye Shadow

These little liquid shadows are SO PRETTY! For those of you who haven’t tried out Stila’s Liquid eyeshadows before, I’d totally recommend it. Since I’ve already tried this product before and know that I love it, I felt safe grabbing this shadow in two colours knowing that I’ll get good use out of them. Stila liquid eyeshadows are always stunning and super pigmented, and unlike many other liquid shadows I’ve tried in the past — they don’t flake off and actually last. I’m absolutely obsessed with the colour of these shadows, as well — they both look like a similar white-silver shade, until the light hits them — and then they turn blue and pink, respectively. These shadow colours are right up my alley, so I knew I had to grab them when I saw them offered as add-ons.

ADD ON: Knesko Nanogold Repair Face Mask 

I was really on the fence about adding these face masks to my box — I’ve never heard of the brand before, but honestly, my curiosity got the better of me. After all, these masks are originally four for $150 — although they were only $49 with the Add-On sale. Maybe it was a silly reason to get them, but I’ve never purchased sheet masks that were this expensive and I was excited to see what made them worth that price (or, rather, if they were even worth the price). The most expensive single use masks I’d ever used prior to now were Dr. Jart’s Cryo Rubber Masks (which are, to be fair, a favourite of mine) but even then, purchasing four would end up costing about as much as these four did DISCOUNTED. (To put it all in perspective, without the sale price, these face masks would end up costing nearly $50CAD EACH!!!). At the end of the day, though, they did sound like great masks that I’d get some good use out of, so I decided to give them a try. I’ve used one so far, and I am pretty impressed — the mask really did leave my skin feeling soft and VISIBLY lifted immediately after. I’m excited to give the rest of them a try to see how I feel about them a little better than simply a first impression, but they definitely seem to have a visible effect on your skin’s firmness. As for whether I’d cough up $50 to buy these masks regularly, though…well, perhaps not. It’s hard to say after one use, but while these masks are pretty spectacular, $50 is a LOT. I think they’re probably worth the money, however, as they do work so well. If you’re looking for a nice firming mask that actually gets the job done and have $50 to spend on a single use mask — then by all means, go for it!

So, I guess it’s official — happy spring, everyone! To be honest, I’m actually looking forward to spring a little more than normal this year. I’m kind of hoping that eliminating seasonal depression from the list of things making my life difficult right now will help get me back on top of my life (at least, compared to how February had me feeling). As well, with any luck, between the end of flu season, warmer weather and more people being vaccinated, things may finally start to return to normal. I’m kind of worried that after all this time, going back to normal is going to be a challenge, but I guess we have to start somewhere! (Plus, I’m sure I’m far from the only person feeling this way ……right? Maybe? Let me know if you’ve also got mixed feelings about returning to normal life in the comments, please! Help me feel a little less alone here!).

If you’re looking a way to celebrate the start of spring for yourself, or if the products in this post really spoke to you, be sure to check out FabFitFun for yourself — it’s not to late to grab a spring box of your very own! Personally, I couldn’t recommend it more — the value you get for your money is insane, the products are always amazing, and I’ve managed to get use out of everything I’ve received thus far. It really is the perfect little way to branch out and try new brands, get all of your lifestyle item needs at a discount, or just treat yourself!

Stay tuned for next week, when I’ll be sharing my personal 3-step plan to mastering any skill (yes, you heard that right!). I’ve been planning on writing this post out for a looooong time now, so it feels really exciting to finally share it with you all! I hope you all love it and find ways to apply it to any and all skills you’ve been hoping to perfect (especially those you’ve been inspired to try over the last year!).

Much love,

Meredith