FabFitFun Summer 2020 Box | Reviewed

With no end in sight to lockdown conditions, I don't know about you, but I'm definitely scrabbling around for any little ray of sunshine to balance out the daily grind. 

So the latest FabFitFun box direct from the US was the boost I needed to lift a week that would otherwise have been just a little...well...meh. 

The box is a twist on the usual suspect subscription services I've worked my way though in the past. It only comes out four times a year, and it features a mix of beauty, homeware and fashion items. 

The brands featured are great quality, and each box is a mix of items you select and surprises. Because it's an American box, the featured products tend to be new to me, and it's given me the chance to try out a few things that are hard to get hold of on these shores. 

So what was in the summer edition of the box?

Michael Kors Bedford Jet Set Passport Wallet

So, most of the items in this box are geared around holidays. But with travel abroad in doubt due to the global lockdown, it felt like a bit of tease to have that as the theme of the box! 

Hopefully this will get some use at some point, because it's a very stylish sleek little travel wallet. 

In the signature neutral brown hues of the brand, there are enough slots to keep all your cards, boarding passes and passport neatly stashed away so you can jet off in style. 

I'm a big fan of a passport cover, so I really liked this and I'll be hoping to christen it as soon as I'm allowed. 

Spongelle Coconut Verbena Hand Cream

This eye catching little tube of lovely made me smile as soon as I got it out of the box. 

Hand cream is something I definitely need to apply more often, as my hands do get very dry. I used to be quite good in the office as I always kept some on my desk, but now I'm working from home I forget - so this is just the reminder I need. 

This smells amazing and I adore the glamorous, Art Deco style tube. The formula combines hyaluronic acid with shea butter, argan and macadamia but oil, so it's packed with hydration heavyweights. 

And because it's both vegan friendly and free from animal cruelty - not to mention that it smells amazing - it's the perfect little pick me up. 

MakeupDrop Hybrid Silicone Pad + Blending Sponge 

I think we can all agree that the arrival of blending sponges such as the BeautyBlender completely changed the game when it came to makeup. 

I recall being skeptical about them until I actually tried one, and then - wow. It made even iffy foundations blend like a dream, and quickly became an essential for me. 

These days I prefer to apply foundation with a brush, but still blend it out afterward using a sponge, and also use it to make my other makeup a bit more seamless. 

When the silicone pad style blenders appeared, I was much quicker to try them - and definitely wasn't impressed. They didn't seem to do anything, just created a sticky, unblended mess. 

So this Hybrid product is intriguing - and good timing, because it arrived just when I was needing to replace my sponge. 

Billed as the perfect two in one applicator for liquid and cream formulations, the point of difference is meant to be that it keeps the product on the surface rather than sinking into the sponge. 

This gives a more effortless finish and also avoids wasting product - and I think we all know that feeling where your sponge annoying the hell out of you and just drinking up your bougie Chanel base that costs a tonne. 

I haven't tried this yet, but I'm really intrigued to see if it can bring the best of both worlds. 

The Lyfestyle Co. Beach Mist Botanical After Sun Spray

Although there is no beach anywhere near me - I live in literally the most landlocked location in the whole of this island - the sun has definitely not been in short supply lately. 

So this after sun mist is actually a handy thing to have received. It smells stunning - a combination of mint, aloe vera and lavender - and is perfect for sun parched skin to give a refreshing boost and add some moisture back in. 

I love the spray format, which makes it ultra easy to apply, for me and for the kids, who tend to squeal and run away whenever I try to smear them with something. 

This chic refresher is also great to pop on your skin as a quick toner when you're hot and sweaty. 

Silked Satin Pillow Sleeve 

I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while, so it was such a brilliant thing to receive in the box. 

The perfect booster to your beauty sleep, a satin pillow can get rid of tangled bed hair and dried out, creased morning skin. That's simply because it doesn't cause any friction as you move around in the night, so you aren't constantly rubbing your skin and hair. 

This slip can be put over any pillow, so you can take it with you when you are staying away from home as well. The back is finished in a jersey material so that it doesn't slip off the pillow during the night either. 

The best thing about this pillow case is that it's anti-ageing, which is something I have to think about now I'm officially mid-thirties. 

I love the idea of this and I'm so thrilled one came in the box! 

Toms 'Sydney' Sunglasses 

Would you take a look at these very awesome shades? These beautiful glasses feature an oversized cats eye shape with a tapered matte black frames. 

I really love the design, which is defintiely my style, and they look great on and are really well made. 

Who doesn't love a brand new pair of shades when the sun is shining? These showed up just in time for the little heatwave we've had so they've been adding a touch of style to my daily walks to the park with the kids. 

Draper James Raffia Tote Bag

This is the one item in the box that was a bit of a misfire for me, even though it was one of the things I actually selected to come in the box - epic fail! 

I thought - summer, beach bag, idea but it just isn't my style. The bag is well made - the straw is heavy and the bag is lined nicely, plus the navy silk boy with floral pattern is a nice touch. 

But it just isn't really my style. It's very neat and prim, which isn't my vibe, so I've decided to gift it. 

Winky Lux Universal Brow Pencil  

It was almost like FabFitFun read my mind with this box. I needed a new blending sponge - it delivered. I also needed a new brow pencil - and there it was. 

This pencil comes with a tapered edge and a spoolie at one end for grooming. It works in a similar way to the It Cosmetics Brow Power pencil that I've repurchased several times - a universally flattering browny taupe shade. 

The pencil is highly pigmented, so you simply press down a little less firmly or harder to go lighter or darker in shade. This works really well, especially if you like to graduate your Brows so they are a bit lighter at the inner edges.

I love the glamorous gold packaging as well. It's really easy to use and gives a great long lasting result, as well as being super quick to apply when you're in a rush. 

So the summer FabFitFun box is a total winner for me. I loved the selection of products and it also supplied a couple of things I genuinely needed. This box always surprises me and gives me something new to try and I'm often really delighted with the high value items that appear in it. Definitely one that's worth a try if you're looking for a little lift.