Julep Maven March 2013 The Playful Collection

What is more playful and fun than pastels! This month Julep pulled out all the stops to bring us not only one theme, but two, along with some great products.

As you know this year March is the month of the Cristian/Catholic holiday of Easter and the Irish celebration of Saint Patrick's day. Not religious, christian/catholic, or Irish? That's alright! Spring is the time of the fashion season where pastels start popping out anyway. So regardless of what you are you can have a pop of fun, yet soft, color on your nails. So put away the dark shades and transition into something a little brighter.

Julep got their color theme this month from the colors of chalk. Ever see kids playing outside and drawing hopscotch in bright yellow, orange, or even lilac? What a better time to let the kid in you come out, in a more adult and fashionable way of course! Time to meet the shades!

(Disclaimer: I have upgraded to the full collection box, see details after review)

Just a few notes on the formula's this month! Unlike the thick and goopy Neons from January (Nudes and Neons) these shades apply a lot nicer. They still apply opaque in about one coat, i always do two for good measure. They were not streaky, dried fast, and the bit of shimmer in these shades was just noticeable in natural light. Which is nice if your looking for something girly and soft but not overly childish. Don't worry! These do not cross that fine line.

1- Teri (It Girl)- Tropical coral pink creme
2- Adrianna (Bombshell) - Smokey Chartreuse creme
3- Joy (Boho Glam)- Smokey mauve creme
4- Leila (Boho Glam) - Lemon Yellow opalescent shimmer.

5- Minnie (Bombshell) - Warm pastel pink with opalescent shimmer
6- Debra (Classic with a Twist)- smokey taupe creme
7- Shenae (It Girl)- Pastel mint green with opalescent shimmer
8- Simone (Classic with a Twist)- Soft pastel lilac with opalescent shimmer

This month Julep offered Lucky an opaque kelly green glitter with flecks of gold glitter as well. This allowed mavens to be able to have colors themed for spring, Easter, and Saint Patrick's day. Each add on is $4.99 (up 1$ from previous months)

As a bonus all Mavens this month received this delightfully scented lip balm in Strawberry-mint. This minty, fresh, and fruity lip balm is the perfect thing to keep lips good and moisturized through the sometimes cold, breezy, months of spring. Appears clear on the lips, non heavy, and does not have a weird taste.

 Since the full upgrade includes items from every style profile this month i got both items from the newly created style profile Modern Beauty which is for product lovers (kind of like how It Girl is for polish lovers). The two items included were Rock Star Hand Creme and Glycolic Hand Scrub. I love that these products got a great make over in terms of their packaging. Both the hip boxes they come in to the new color scheme on the bottles themselves i really like it. My only complaint is the Rock Star hand creme opening. It is a twist cap and the product comes out through a hole. I did not read this and almost ripped the tip off. Once i figured it out i used the hand cream, which smells amazingly soft and feminine. I did not like that the tip stays dirty unless whipped clean so unless you hold the bottle vertically and let it drip into your hand you will be left with a dirty tip. That is my only complaint. 

Overall i thought this month was great in terms of color, product, application, quality, and theme. I like that it is on par with other brands such as Zoya (like the Zoya lovely collection). The range of colors from cremes to shimmers was a nice touch and the addition of a product profile is also a plus for mavens who just don't need/want polish that month but want to receive a box from Juelp that month.

If you are new to Julep or just want a little more information here is what you need to know. Julep is a nail polish company that offers a monthly subscription box that delivers nail polish, manicure/pedicure products, and/or beauty products every month for $20. There are lots of options that allow you to have the best experience. First you start by filling out a survey to determine what is your style profile so you can receive products that match your personality. Every month on the 19th/20th your maven profile will open for selection. You can choose to change your box to a different style profile, upgrade to a full collection box  (for $30 more), or skip altogether. Plus you can earn Jules from referring friends or even just buying your monthly box! They add up pretty quick! You can sign up here! Use promo code PENNY and your first box is only a penny!

And with that i leave you with a fun quote..

Julep August Mystery Box BOHO GLAM Review and Swatches

Ah, the illusive mystery box! I don't have the power to resist you. This month Julep released not one but FIVE different categories of mystery boxes. Each category is based on the different style profiles such as It Girl, Bombshell, Boho Glam, American Beauty, and Classic With A Twist. Each category will only have polishes from that style and there will be no cross overs. Julep Mystery boxes cost $19.95 and contain items worth $60-$200 dollars! Considering the polish alone at Sephora is close to $15 dollars each, these are a steal.

I decided to buy one of each! The final one to arrive was Boho Glam.This box was a happy medium of everything i expect in a mystery box. Product, tools, and polish. Who's ready for a fall pedicure? I am! The toe separators hare both colorful and work perfectly! The giant file is perfect for imperfect feet. It is also much easier to hold on to than the ped-egg (such a fail). The Best Pedi Prep Ever makes my feet feel so soft and combined with the foot file my feet actually look like they did pre-mommy hood.

This right here is the power couple. Want soft, callous free feet, here are your tools! Pick them up as a bundle here!

Time for fall ready colors?

What i received in my Boho Glam mystery box.

Julep Blake, Michelle, and Alyson.

For some reason many of the polishes i have been getting have had the lable on the side. I hate this.

Michelle-
A deep, opaque, navy. This is the perfect nail shade for a nautical themed outfit (in my opinion). This picture is shown with only one swipe. Yes these colors are that pigmented. One other note, if you have seen/heard about Ciate's velvet you can use this color as a dupe for their navy and just use matching flocking powder to create your own Julep Velvet nails. Find flocking here! (apply one coat of polish, let dry, apply a thick coat to one nail at a time, sprinkle flocking powder over the tops of the nails while wet and press gently let dry, do not use a top coat)

Blake-
A creamy, pastel, yellow. This yellow is so soft it will look great on any skin tone. It is a little less pigmented than other shades i've tried. Two coats gets this shade mostly even. I got a little messy with it so excuse my pictures. This looks like a great shade for spring, Easter, accent nail, or stamped on a darker color. It is also just soft enough to still give a pop of color to fall.

Alyson-
A nice and neutral taupe. This brownish nude is great for days when you decide to wear a smoky eye and nude lip. (Am i the only one who matches makeup with other parts of my outfit?) I was able to achieve full color with only one swipe.

I have noticed some blogger's complaining about chipping. The solution is to swipe a top coat on the tips of your nails everyday and touch up with a full top coat every 2-3 days depending on how much you use your hands for cleaning etc. Of course always use a base coat.

In case you don't know what Julep is, it is a nail polish subscription service where every month, delivered free to your door, is a box filled with polish, products, and other goodies. Each box is worth at least 40$. Why pay almost 20$ each at Sephora for these when you can have a beautiful box filled with multiple polishes and products for 20$? Plus being a Maven (what you are once you sign up) you are given a discount on all polishes through the Maven boutique or add on polishes for only $4 dollars! Best of all you can get your first box for only a PENNY use promo code PENNY! Sign up here!

September Julep Maven Boxes

Maven's are you ready for this months box! This month Julep Mavens will be receiving colors designed by Trina Turk. They have a bit of a 60s feel to them and while i am not in love with every color i have found a few favorites within this collection and have chosen American Beauty with a few add on's. I, of course, can't wait to try the mascara! Also this month Mavens had the opportunity to purchase the entire collection for $30. Naturally it sold out quite quickly.

Would you like to get an awesome box of nail polish delivered to your door every month for only $20 dollars? Then sign up for Julep! It is only a PENNY for your first box. Use promo code PENNY! Click here!


Julep Maven September Boxes-

 

 If you are a Julep Maven which box did you choose? How do you feel about these colors? Excited about the mascara?