Julep July 2014: The Poolside Collection

I have to admit, I wasn't terribly excited for this set to arrive.  However the promise of the Body Milk smelling fantastic was enough to make me order it.  Its not that I regret making my order, however I think my Julep collection (and by extension my nail polish collection) has reached its saturation point.  I will be limiting my orders to no add ons if not skipping all together in the coming months unless I actually love a set that is coming my way.

The Poolside Collection is a set of generally bright-ish cremes and two sort of ugly Stardusts.

My two polishes that I ordered this month are Lorenzana (Boho Glam) and Lissa (Bombshell).  Lorenzana is a pretty greige neutral described as a "shittake crème".  Lissa is a "tumbled turquoise crème".   In addition the Body Milk was included as the product of the month.

My add-ons were the Clean Slate set and the Awestruck lipgloss (a pretty nude sparkle).

For taking 3 add-ons I was sent Soraphine and Octavia as a bonus gift, which is great, except I already have both.

To maximize this benefit I actually selected the "Modern Beauty" box and then switched something out for the lipgloss.  I then added on the Clean Slate set, Lissa, and Lorenzana.

I really like their polish remover pads.  They are great for when I am on the run and notice a manicure that needs to go after a rough day.  I can't wait to had a need for the polish remover pen.

Discount codes!

Lorenzana, Lissa, Soraphine, Octavia.  But seriously, my name will never happen.

"My box" without add-ons.

Bare Body Milk

This is more of a milk than a cream.  It is not thin and runny, but it is not as thick as a traditional body cream.  I like that it is lighter to apply in the summer.  I found it smelled quite lovely.  I can see myself using this frequently!

Lorenzana

I love the colour.  This is a fantastic neutral.  However the formula is just painful.  It was very difficult to get an even application.  I found it not entirely thick or thin, but that it was clumpy when applied.  I don't know if I love it enough to use the whole bottle.

Lissa

This colour is more teal the turquoise.  The formula is much better than Lorenzana-- much more muser friendly.

This box isn't my favourite.  But its not the worst.  I was more excited about the polish remover pen and the lipgloss than I was anything else.

What did you get in your July box?

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.