Julep Drenched Collection | July 2015

Every month I look forward to both selecting my box and to the arrival of my box.  I know this review is a little bit late, but bare with me.  See, when I opened my box I was so excited to find my polishes, and my body wash...and a konjac face sponge.  I didn't want to provide a review without one of the items I was so excited to review, so I had to contact Julep and wait for my body sponge to arrive.  And let me tell you, it was worth the wait!  So, I ended up writing a post that includes both my box and my Secret Store order.

Set Sail | Julep May 2015

Julep's May collection was called "Set Sail" celebrating adventure, travel, and all things nautical. Add to that a new eyeshadow release (Feels Like Velvet) and some new Plush Pouts (renamed "Its Balm") and it is by all accounts a miracle that I only ordered two things.

Julep | January 2015 "The Chrysalis Collection"

I was so excited for this Julep box to arrive for two reasons!  One, the Orbital eyeshadow.  And two, the Metamorphic topcoat.  I was really excited about this box, and it did not disappoint!

Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment (Ivory), Hand Scrub, Nail decals, Luxe Lip (Sheer Plum), Orbital Eyeshadow (Borealis),  Shelly, Phyllis, Luna, Chatoya (Last month), Margit, Bjork

Friendsgiving | Julep November 2014 Review

November was the "Friendsgiving" Collection from Julep!  The colours were a mix of delicate neutrals and deep shimmers.  I found this whole colour palette beautiful, and wanted pretty much all of it.  The products this month were a lengthening mascara, Length Matters, and a volume mascara, Go Big. I ordered both, but the Go Big shipped seperate.

A Merry Julep Christmas: Sugar Plum and Stroke of Midnight

This Christmas Julep used my love of new colours and pretty packaging against me!  I hate it when they do that.  So, I opened up my wallet and waited a long while and then these little pretties arrived at my door curtsy of the nice people at Canada Post.  Poor guys-- with the amount of things I have ordered over the last two weeks they will be visiting my home a lot... 

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  With a full time job, and being a full time student, I haven't had much time for the fun things in life lately.  Now, don't you worry.  I've made lots of purchases, I just haven't had the time to sit down and photograph them.  I know I have said this before, but I am going to try to produce one post, every day from now until Christmas.  Some posts will be long, some will be short, and some will be mostly photos.

Recently I purchased some soap making supplies, so I am even going to give that a try over my Christmas break, which officially starts on Wednesday!  I'm thinking of sharing tips on how to wrap beautiful gifts, in addition of course to the (far too many) gifts I have bought my self.  But actually this Christmas will be great.  My mom asked me to do baaaaaasically all of her shopping so not only did I get to walk around the mall with more bags than I ever have in my life, but I also got to pick up gifts for me, from her/Santa as I went.  Hello Caudalie, Ole Henriksen and Smashbox Christmas gift sets.  

But on to the task at hand!  Julep has put together a ton of beautiful Christmas sets.  Typically they include a mix of new and old colours.  Which means that to get the new colour you want you have to help them get rid of extra stock.  Sugar Plum and Stroke of Midnight were both priced at $28 originally.  No thank you!  

This post will focus on Sugar Plum, because it is all together special and unique, where as Stroke of Midnight is basically a navy polish and a silver glitter topper.  Pretty, but far from unique.  But a pretty gift and I am such a sucker for navy.

I used the code 10off when these went on sale for $20, and ordered one form my account and one from my mom's meaning I got each set for $10.

Look at how pretty the Sugar Plum box issssss <3

The Friendsgiving Collection | Julep October 2014

Click here to see Julep's post on this collection.

All photos are from that post.

This collection had me totally on the fence.  On one hand... mmm neutrals.  And mascara... On the other hand...I have all of the neutrals ever, and more mascara than I will ever use.

Of course the logical thing was then to order both neutrals and mascara, but I digress.

So pretttttttttttttty with golden glitter and sparkles and perfection.

Julep you know me so well.

Top: Shari, Sawyer, Marzia

Middle: Kiki, Joanne, Jessie

Bottom: Isla, Fazia, Devon

Julep, why so many pretty navy blues?

Julep encouraged mixing these two mascaras. I am looking forward to giving it a try!

I finally settled on Marzia, Kiki, Isla, Shari, Devon, Bonnie (champange shimmer add-on) and the two mascaras.  I am the most curious about trying Devon.  99% of me said not to order Isla, since I have a whole whack of navys, but I love navy...so.  Thankfully I had a bunch of Jules to apply to this order!

These colours remind me of a pretty fall walk, with a Starbucks in hand and a shimmery circle scarf.  Maybe walking around campus with friends?  Either way I can not WAIT to wear these next month!

What did you end up ordering?

xoxo

Pretty in Pink | A Julep Order Just Because

This week was midterms, which were pretty brutal.  I was pretty happy to find that an order I made "just because I had a coupon" arrived probably on the day I needed it most.  Sometimes life is sweet like that.

I ordered Julie (the sparkly pink October Birthstone) and Ava, a frosted pink with a hint of shimmer.

How stunning is Julie?

I found doing 1 mani took about 1/5th of the bottle which is disappointing.  I used Jules as a base and then did two or three coats of Julie depending on the nail.  she gives a beautiful almost foil dipped effect with all the differently sized and shaped glitters.  For everyday wear I found her pretty annoying as she snagged on things.  A top coat really helped on day two.  I think Julie (named after the ever so graceful Julie Andrews, aka Mary Poppins aka Queen Clarice Renaldi of Genova ... <3 aka the Queen in Shrek...) is the prefect special occasion shade!  

I finally found a use for the Julep cat stickers I ordered!  I found the cat to look pretty sweet as an accent nail on Ava.  Ava is more baby pink than frosted, with a subtle shimmer.  This was a back up bottle for me-- one of my all time favourite Julep shades!

What was your latest "just because" gift?

The Black Magic Collection | Julep October 2014

I was pretty nervous to open the massive box that my order came in.  What if they totally screwed it up?  What if the box is empty?  Julep has had some awful shipping issues lately and I was getting rather concerned.  Thankfully every single item I ordered arrived in my box in perfect condition.  Sure-- it took a while to arrive, but it arrived whole and in good shape.  I was pretty excited to get my hands on DeAnn and the Night Shift mask.

 

Tia, DeAnn, Ledi, Night Shift Mask, Splendid Lip Gloss, Dana, Karmen, Catrina.  I also ordered the cat and chevron stickers.

Karmen and Catrina were the two fee polishes for ordering 3 or more add ons.  Karmen is delightfully shimmery (similar to the Wanderlust collection) and Catrina is a stunning taxi-cab yellow.  I was excited to get these two because I would have never ordered them for myself, but I think they are so pretty in person.

"There is no beauty without some strangeness" - Edgar Allan Poe

My whole entire order.  Complete with nothing missing!

Tia -  Tia is a beautiful black jelly loaded with gold and copper glitter.  I think she would look beautiful onto of a black polish as a topper, or even on her own.  This colour is a bit outside my comfort zone!

DeAnn - A flawless creme (what Julep does best!).  I would describe her as a deeper version of Lupita from last month.  She is a perfect holiday cranberry shade that I can't wait to wear in the fall and winter.  She matches the Cherry Coke Zero can of pop that I am drinking as I write this!

Ledi - I normally shy away from black polish, but I thought the pearl version would make it a bit softer.  When I put this colour on I felt like a bit of a bad ass.  I love how the pearl in it makes her more of a deep grey than a true black.

Dana - Juelp says this colour is black light reflective.  Unfortunately I don't have a black light on hand...this penalized white has a bit of a blue sheen to it.  This was my first time wearing a white polish and I loved how crisp it was.

Wearing Dana!

Splendid Lip Gloss

Despite packaging issues (some girls complain that the bottles shatter), Julep makes some amazing lip glosses.  I miiiiight have five of them.  This colour is deeper and warmer than most of their other glosses.  A perfect shade for apple picking and pumpkin carving.  It is in the "My lips but better" family, and is pretty light on the sparkle.

Night Shift Sleeping Mask

This mask is designed to be used after you wash your face and applied before bed.  It is a thicker than average white cream.  I found that when I put it on that a little went a long way.  At first it felt like any other cream, however when I woke up in the middle of the night for a glass of water my skin felt tight.  I found that by rubbing it in to my skin a bit more that the problem was fixed.  When I woke up it had absorbed pretty well.  I used a wet cotton pad to remove most of it before my shower.  It left my skin bright and soft.  Not a miracle product, but I enjoyed using it and would use it again!

Karmen and Catrina were the free gifts for ordering 3 or more add ons.  Karmen reminds me of shimmery falling leaves and Catrina looks like a taxi cab.  I don't know if I would wear these on their own, but I think they would be great for nail art!

My boyfriend thought I was crazy for ordering two sheets of cat stickers.  But how cute will these look on Dana for Halloween?  I mainly wanted them because they were cats...tehehe.  The chevron stripes are good too.  I'll eventually use them :)

Over all the winner of this month was DeAnn!  Flawless 2 coat coverage and a deep cranberry shade <3

What was your favourite item from the October box?

Julep | October 2014 Black Magic Collection

Today Julep released their October 2014 Maven collection.  At first I was a bit underwhelmed-- it reminds me a lot of the September collection, but with more sparkle.  After taking some time to look through it and think about it I decided not to skip.  To see the full collection, click here.

The main product this month is "Night Shift" which is a night time moisture mask.  I thought about it, but I am really happy with my skincare routine right now and just received the GlamGlow Thirstymud Mask so I decided to swap it out for an additional Plush Pout in Almond Nude.  I love that lip product-- super flattering.  Review to follow.

I ordered 4 polishes:

Tia

Ledi

DeAnn

Dana

I also added on two sets of white chevron nail decals and two sets of black cat nail decals.  Not sure if I really need two of the cat sets, but at $2.99 I am not complaining.

Really excited to give Ledi and Dana a shot.  

What are you ordering this month?

Julep September 2014 | Art Walk Collection

If you would like to see Julep's official post, click here!
All photos are from Julep.com

The 20th of every month is sort of like Christmas for me because the Julep Maven window opens.  Armed with 2000 jules and a pre-paid box I went a litttttttle crazy this month.  But I am only paying about $25 out of pocket so oh well!

I am actually in love with this collection.  I even love the polishes I didn't order.  Erin is lovely, I just don't wear greys, and Mahima is pretty too but I have more than enough gold Juleps to last a lifetime.  I love the neutral tones for fall, and don't even get me started on the lip products.  I love lip products.

Yesterday I posted the Julep spoilers.  Not featured was Ana, a white jagged glitter topcoat:

Its a neat polish, so I added it to my box.  It was an add-on only polish. Other than that, the items were the exact same as seen in yesterday's spoilers.

As usual if you select 3 or more add ons you get a special gift.  What was interesting this month is that there was space for six total add ons.

I ordered a Modern Beauty box with the Aurora Pink and Cardinal Red Plush Pouts and then added on the Bombshell Box, Quinn, Lupita, and Ana and Mary Lee (which aren't pictured because I have a tiny computer and it wouldn't pick up in the screen shot!)

Best part?  Since my box is pre-paid, and I am using 2000 jules on the Bombshell add-on, I am only paying out of pocket for the 4 polishes.  My mom is ordering Ryan, Fifi and the Almond Nude lip product, so when these arrive I will also have the pleasure of reviewing those.  And maybe if she doesn't love them...

I have never come this close to ordering the entire collection.  I really love the colours, and the lip products.  Last month's shipping was a disaster, so let's hope that this month goes better.

If you are interested in joining Julep, I would appreciate it if you would consider using my referral link found in the tab on your right.

UPDATE

I seem to lack will power, so I added on Erin.  Love the name, and maybe I will become a grey person? 

What did you order this month?

Julep | September 2014 Spoilers

Can you believe that the Maven window opens tomorrow?  This month has gone by pretty quick and I can't even believe I am saying that school is actually just around the corner.

As I am sure you have heard last month was pretty insane for Julep mis-haps.  From ladies getting empty boxes, to obscene numbers of random add ons just added to their boxes, to ladies only getting 1 thing they ordered.  The Canada boxes (apparently) shipped first, however it took 12 days from them taking our money to them giving us our shipping info.  My box still has yet to arrive.  I have even heard that despite sending the wrong items and replacing items people chose with odd replacements the they have been refusing refunds.  All I an say is if my box is wrong they will be hearing from me.

On the bright side I got 1900 free Jules for my troubles (as did many others) which means that with what I already have my box this month will be free.

I have found these spoilers floating around the internet:

The September collection is called "The Art Walk Collection" and I don't know about you, but the "poster" looks circa 1995 to me.  (But not in a bad way)

I suspect that regardless of which box you select that you can pick which lip product you get.  That seems to be their trend lately.

It Girl

Mahima - Amber gold creme (Julep sure loves their golds...Sienna...Margot...)

Ryan - Overcast team satin

Fifi - Tea time pink creme

Classic With a Twist

Quinn - Charcoal purple satin

Lupita - Ripe rhubarb creme 

Bombshell

Kirby - Silver jagged glitter top coat

Eliana - Soft denim creme

Boho Glam

Mary Lee - Oxblood satin

Erin - Oyster grey creme

Wow Julep.  This might be the first time that I can actually see myself wearing every colour, and every lip product.  I love lip crayons, so I know picking my box this month will be a challenge!  I might might opt for the entire upgrade. 

So far there are the products I think I am interested in:

Fifi

Quinn

Kirby

Lupita

Mary Lee

Erin 

Plush Pout - Almond Nude

Plush Pout - Aurora Pink

If I don't go for the full upgrade, I could:

Modern Beauty - Almond Nude and Aurora Pink

Add Ons: Fifi, Quinn or Mary Lee, Lupita

Decisions...decisions.  I will let you know when I make up my mind!  In the mean time, what do you think you will order this month?

Secret Store VIP: A Peak Inside Julep's Secret Store

I just got an email from Julep that the Secret Store is open for VIPs (those who ordered their box this month).  They are currently running a promo that if you order $50+ in the secret Store that your next Maven box is free.  There is a lack of clarity over their wording as to if this means you get 2000 jules, or if you have say 1500 jules that they give you 500 so then your total is 2000.  Personally, I don't see much of interest in the Secret Store so I won't be spending $50+, but I am sure that people will have issues with the promo.

As promised, Queen Anne was in the secret store for $6.99.  Kessie is (unfortunately) already sold out.

Here is whats in the store this month:

Wizard of Oz $19.99

Surprises 1, 2, 3 $14.99

Shades of Grey $14.99

Queen Anne $6.99

Claudia - Peridot for August $11.20

Keep It Colorful T-Shirt $19.99

(I don't know why you would trust Julep's sizing to order a T-Shirt from them, but if you are so inclined...)

Top Row Gift Sets $24.99

In Good Hands $19.99

Mini Collections $9.99

Golden Girl $19.99

Beat the Heat $8.99

Girl from Ipanema $19.99

Freshen Up $34.99

Long Haul $34.99

Polish Collector Pen $9.99

Mint Condition 2 Pack $19.99  (Its actually cheaper to get two Foot Doctor sets.  And you get more).

02 Duo $19.99

Bare Face 2 Pack $27.99

Gylcoilc Hand Scrub To Go $17.99

All Polish Duos $9.99 

All Polish Duos $9.99 

Pretty Metal $14.99

The Champange Trio $19.99

Kessie $6.99 SOLD OUT

Martina, Priscilla, Kathy $11.20 

(So, Martina, Priscilla and Kathy aren't deals.  They are always $11.20. Nice try Julep.)

Resort Collection $13.99

Party;s Over + Refill Set $22.99

Rock Star To Go $16.99

Core Classics $19.99

Chic Cheek Countour Kit Tan-tastic $24.99

Hand Model $14.99

Night Night Overnight Repair for Hands $19.99

Time Machine $19.99

Mind Your Mail $29.99

In a Pinch $19.99

Little Lights $9.99

Moisture Mask Trio $7.99

The Bright Side $29.99

The New Neutrals $29.99

Two By Two $29.99

Foot Doctors $9.99

Tools of the Trade $49.99

Eye Candy $39.00

All single polishes $4.99

What I Ordered:

I wanted to order Kessie, but she is sold out.  I ended up ordering 2 Queen Anne polishes.  One for me, and one for my Grandma, Anne.  I was drawn to the First Class Gift Set.  However I am trying to save my money so I can splurge at the Sephora 4x the points event for VIB Rouge. Also...there is a watch I want.

What are you ordering in the Secret Store?

Deal Alert: Julep Gift With Purchase

Add a duo and bracelet to your cart, and then add $35 worth of product.  Use code "FESTIVAL" and get a Chloe and Isabel bracelet and matching polish duo for free!

Julep has some great little sets price at $10, $15, $20, $25, and $35 making spending $35 on the nose pretty easy.

If I get this deal I will go for the blue bracelet with the blue an silver polish.  To reach $35 I would get  Hand Model ($15) and Glowing Skin Set ($20) or the Bare Body Polish ($20.80).

Are you going to opt in on this deal?

Julep: Laree and Maren

Looking back, I probably should have done the full upgrade on May's Fresh Twist collection.  I love every single colour that I have from it...and I have all but one or two.  When I first saw Laree I was underwhelmed.  It seemed like just another pink.  But when the beauty blog world started to show real life swatches...I was in love.  I ordered two and patiently waited.

As for Maren, she is from the April collection.  I actually skipped April because there was no one box that I loved that also got me the blush I wanted.  I am thankful for the new customization options that let me get almost exactly what I want.  

Laree and Maren had been out of stock for quite a while, so when they came back in stock I snapped them up pretty quickly.  

Laree

Laree is described as a "Golden pink taffeta shimmer".  I would describe it as a warm sorbet with golden shimmer.  Either way she is stunning.  Absolutely stunning.  She has a great staying power.  My mani lasted about 5 days with no chipping (with the use of the Freedom Top Coat).  Two coats made it opaque.

With flash you can really see the golden shimmer.

With out flash the shimmer is there, just more subtle.

Maren

I would normally look at Julep's website and use their description, however searches for "Maren" on their website brought up nothing.  It seems the colour is just gone, which is a shame.  Maren reminds me of bubble hum and cotton candy with a blue sheen to it.  She is super transparent.  Even three coats doesn't quite do it.

Wear time is not exceptional.  After 6 hours the entire polish "popped" off one nail.  The next morning, at 18 hours, another had popped off in an entire sheet.  Given that nothing has changed in how I apply my polish I am blaming this on the formula.

No flash, the blue shimmer is hard to see.

With flash!

A little closer.

Over all I love the two colours.  Laree is a better formula than Maren.  But Maren is such a pretty colour!

Does anybody know if Kayla is a similar formula to Maren?  I am waiting for her to arrive in the mail.

Flowers were a surprise from the boyfriend.

Julep Maven July: The Poolside Collection

Yesterday Julep's Poolside Collection was revealed.  Mavens will get to select their boxes over the next few days.  This month is exciting for me because it is my first month with "My Maven" which means I get to customize to get the exact box I want.  Unless I want to swap in the Body Polish.  I can't do that.  

This month is a bit crazy-- in addition to the usual collection they have released a "Body Milk", "Body Polish" (both of which smell like the Beach Tonic) and some extra polishes.  Plus all the products you can swap!

With the obvious exception of the Stardust polish, every regular colour in this collection is a crème. Some people love this, some people don't.  Last month had a lot of unique finishes. P.S.  That box has not arrived yet. 

I am not particularly excited about the body milk.  I mean they could have made anything in the beauty world...and they made another cream. The smell should be yummy.  But...really?

I find most of the colours in this collection to be a bit...boring? There seems to be quite a few dupes.  However these three caught my eye:

Lissa, a tumbled turquoise crème

Bombshell

Lorenzana, a Shiitake crème

Boho Glam

Tamara, a bright "lipstick" red (but, you know, lipstick can be any colour...)

Boho Glam

Bare Body Milk and Mint Condition Pedi Crème

Modren Beauty Box

But no, you can not swap the Pedi Crème for the Body Polish.

Unless you get the Maven Luxe box, you can not swap this scrub in.  Or, you can pay $17.99 and get it as an ad on.  Lol.  Like everything Julep sells, this will be available at a discount in the next few months.  No need to rush.

Clean Slate Polish Corrector Pen

$7.99 ad on ($5.99 with out the 10 pads).

This caught my eye.  I like the idea of a pen to remove polish on the go.  I'm thinking about situations that I have been in where your polish is chipping off and you don't have the time to clean it up at home.  I'm not sure how good this will be, but let's find out!

This month I like that I can swap in previous products that I have had my eye on.

This month I dislike that ad on prices of polish are still at $6.99, and that I can't swap in the body polish.

So, while I am not totally in one with the selection options, I decided to go with the Modern Beauty box, swapping out the Mint Pedi Crème for their lipgloss in "Awestruck" (a shimmering blush nude).  I added on Lorenzana, Lissa, and the Clean Slate Polish Corrector Pen with the 10 added pads.  While Tamara is a beautiful colour, my collection is saturated on the bright red front.  For taking three add ons this month I will get a bonus gift from Julep.

If I was unable to customize my box I would have gone with "Boho Glam" with a few add ons.

Now, if only last month's box would show up!

What do you think about this collection?  What are you opting for?  

If you do decide to sign up, feel free to use my referral code!  Use code "FREEBOX" and get your first box free!

To read all about this collection, checkout Julep's blog here!

All photos are from their post.