FabFitFun Add-Ons Review: Is It Worth It?

This post contains affiliate links. Subscribe to fabfitfun here. This post was updated February 2020.

If you didn’t know, FabFitFun is a popular seasonal subscription box that includes curated beauty, wellness, fitness, and fashion picks. The box is shipped every season (spring, summer, fall, and winter), costs $49 ($39 on your first box with a promo code) and includes over $200 worth of product. Today I want to go in-depth with a fabfitfun Add-Ons Review.

So what are add-ons exactly? Well, add-ons are an extra perk of being a fabfitfun member! You get access to tons of products similar to what is featured in the box at a huge discount. Plus, you have access to many brands that are not in the box. Just scroll down to see what I mean!

They have a ton of items to choose from. They feature brands like Kate Spade, Living Proof, Briogeo, BKR, Vera Bradley, ban.do, Oribe, Crown, Dr Brandt, Sol de Janeiro, and more.

[lasso ref=”fabfitfun” id=”38104″ link_id=”17791″]

How do add-ons work?

There’s a window of time before the boxes are shipped out when you go into your account (don’t worry, they email you several times about it) and check out the add-on items. Select members get first access and can shop a few days longer than everyone else.

I’ve been a Select Member for two years now and feel like it’s ultimately worth it if you like the boxes. You get access to a ton of perks and discounts plus all the add-ons and you get early access at that. If you’re going to subscribe to the boxes, I would recommend the Select membership over the seasonal one.

As far as add-ons go, you’re not charged until the cart closing date so you can go in and out of the add-ons shop and add and remove things from your cart as much as you want before the last day. There is no obligation to purchase any add-ons–it’s just an extra perk!

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Tips for shopping fabfitfun add-ons:

Check often: People remove and add items from their carts all the time and item availability depends on what is in someone’s cart. If there is a particular item you’re looking at, I’d suggest looking multiple times every day so you can snag it if it comes available. (Disclaimer: I have no idea of how many items of each things are available but I do know that the top tier brands are usually snapped up right away.)
Add what you think you *might* want to your cart: Because you’re not charged right away, there’s really no harm in adding anything to your cart you might consider buying.
Be courteous: Usually a day or two before the cart closing date, I make my final decisions on the items I want. I don’t want to wait until the absolute last minute because then someone else will have a chance to pick up something I put back.
Don’t buy what you don’t need: Since everything is such a good deal, it’s easy to want to load your cart up with goodies, but I would advise against it. Only pick up things you’ve either 1) been wanting to try 2) is something you already use or 3) has a dedicated purpose in your life (like a gift). You’re probably already going to have a few things in your box that won’t suit you perfectly so don’t add to it with too many extras.
Be smart about what you buy: As far as I know, you can’t return or exchange any of these items — they’re final sale.

My total for my add-ons in my fall 2017 box was $78. For me personally, I think this was an excellent deal considering just one of the items I ordered retails for $80. I love that I can pick up things I’ve been wanting to try, things I already love, or even a few gifts at a reduced price!

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fabfitfun Add-Ons Review:

Here’s what I bought in my first add-ons shopping experience in 2017. Since then (now updating this post in 2020), I’ve shopping nearly every add-ons sale and gotten great deals on tons of items.

1. dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Dry Shampoo $11 (Retail price: $23)

This is the one item I ordered that I still haven’t tried yet! I have several open bottles of dry shampoo that I want to get through first. We got the dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse was included in the fall 2017 box and I used it up completely in a few weeks. I’m hoping it’s available again in the next round of add-ons so I can pick up a second bottle.

May 2020 update: I used this up – it was a nice product!

2. Olive & Pique Triple Cuffed Beanie $11 (Retail price: $20)

I choose this because I really needed a new hat for the winter months. It’s nice and thick and great quality. I’m really happy with it!

May 2020 update: I used this beanie for a while – it was very warm! But I have since passed it on.

3. Oribe Balmessence Lip Treatment $14 (Retail price: $35)

I originally put this in my cart because the body créme was out of stock. I wanted to try something from the brand so I figured this would be something worth trying. The body créme did come back in stock. I decided to purchase this too because I needed a lip balm.

This is by far the best lip treatment I’ve ever used. I was using the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask and I thought that was good. But this stuff healed my lips overnight. They’ve been so chapped because of the dry air, yet I’ve had no peeling at all since I started using this. Definitely my favorite add-on selection!

[lasso ref=”fabfitfun” id=”38104″ link_id=”17791″]

4. Oribe Cote d’Azur Restorative Body Crème $19 (Retail price: $65)

I mostly wanted this because I’ve heard beauty bloggers talk about it so I wanted to see what the hype was. It takes me a long time to go through lotion so I knew it would last awhile. Overall, I think it’s just okay. It smells like high end hair care and is decent. You don’t need to use very much product but I don’t find that it’s incredibly moisturizing. Overall, I wouldn’t pay $65 for this, but I’m happy with paying $19.

May 2020 update: The body creme was okay and I used it all but the lip balm was amazing!! Such a great find.

5. Zoe Ayla Silicone Makeup Brush Cleansing Tool $9 (Retail price: $35)

I’ve had my eye on one of these mats for a while and I’m so glad I picked it up! My makeup brushes have never been cleaner.

May 2020 update: I still use this mat to clean my makeup brushes and sponges!! $9 well spent.

6. Luv AJ Open Posie Ring Set $14 (Retail price: $80)

I received a set of Luv AJ earrings in the spring box. Overall I loved how dainty but trendy they were — I really love the style! I saw this set of rings and wanted them immediately.

Only one of the pair is pictured here because I accidentally broke the other one. I twisted one of the rings the wrong way and it broke in half! Needless to say I can’t really recommend this brand but I do like the style of these rings. I’m very glad I didn’t pay $80 for them!

May 2020 Update: This ring set broke within 6 months so I no longer have it. I’m glad I was able to try it at a steep discount.

In Summary: fabfitfun Add-Ons Review:

If I bought these items at their retail prices, I would have paid $258. Instead, I paid a total of $78. That’s $180 in savings! Overall I’m happy with all of my selections from the add-ons and am looking forward to spring’s selections.

FabFitFun offers a discount to new members — you get your first box for $39 and that includes access to add-ons!

Have you gotten any add-ons? What did you pick up?

Past FabFitFun Spoilers:

About the Author

Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.

Website: genthirty.com