Hello everyone!

This took some time to do, just ’cause I had to wait for the shoes I wanted, and I had to try them out for a while. But here it is at last: ShoeMint! <3

So quick background for those who don’t know yet: ShoeMint is another branch of the BeachMint company. This subscription e-store has made huge online success with ShoeMint and other branches like StyleMint, BeautyMint, JewelMint, and most recently HomeMint. Other than ShoeMint, the other branch I subscribed to is JewelMint, which I reviewed last month. Read it here.

Months after it launched, ShoeMint finally opened its network to Canada– hoorraaayy! The shoes in ShoeMint are manufactured by the Steve Madden shoe company. That being said, the quality of the shoes are comparable to the quality of Steve Madden shoes. Make of that what you will: If you like Steve Madden shoes (like me!), then ShoeMint would appeal to you. In general, Steve Madden shoes are quite good, not the best (occasionally there are some issues), but one of the most well-known shoe brands.

The listed USA price is $79.99, with free shipping. But that’s only in USA. For Canadians,  a shipping price of 19.99 CAD is added to the listed price for a total of 99.99 CAD (or 100 CAD per pair of shoes). Yikes! What a leap!

So the big issue is the price and quality. Is $80, or 100 CAD (and maybe even more for international buyers in the future) worth it? Is the quality worth the price? My honest answer is: ‘depends how much you like the shoes.

Spending $80-100 is a huge investment, but that is also the average price of a good pair of heels. And by “good”, I mean the ones that last at least a year’s worth of wear, and comfy after breaking in, etc. If you are already a shoe addict, you’re probably used to spending on a similar price range, if not slightly higher, on a good pair. My bias is that I’m a shoe addict and a Madden fan, so I think 100 CAD for a nice pair of Madden pumps (my fave type of shoes) is a good deal! Other girls who are not so partial to shoes will probably say that $80-100 for a pair of shoes, and as a subscription charge is not worth it.

While I love ShoeMint for its tie-up with Steve Madden, that collaboration is also another issue. ShoeMint seems to be an extension of the Madden line, so there is almost always a dupe or replica pair between the two brands. For example, ShoeMint’s best-selling Edith pumps is the exact replica of Madden’s Viktoree (I have this in purple! <3). Or that  ShoeMint’s Veronique is a dupe for Madden’s Intrude, and many many more comparisons. So if you already have good access to a Madden store, you’re not missing out much by skipping ShoeMint. But on the other hand, between ShoeMint and Steve Madden, ShoeMint almost always has the cheapest price for the similar pair. ShoeMints are always going to be $80 or 100 CAD, while Madden’s are usually $100+. That works for me…

Rosemary in Black Patent –> classic black heels. <3 perfect for any occasion, whether formal, casual or business. Be careful breaking into these though… ouchies the first time!