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Sunday, February 3, 2013

February Julep Box and Swatches

 Since I didn't get Julep's last box, I was waiting and hoping that this one would be amazing and it is! When I saw the colors for this month I wanted almost all of them. I got the whole wardrobe in December, so I had to pick only my favorites. I decided to go with American Beauty + some add ons.

  I finally got my add ons since they arrived separately and I was waiting them to be here in order to be able to write my post.



Love the gold paper for this month! 


Ladies that inspired the colors for the American Beauty box.


That's a really packed box!


I think that's quite a bunch of stuff! I always love the little extras Julep throws in.


We got this little portable(?) eye lash curler, isn't it a cutie? I already gave it a test drive and it was pretty nice I will definitely use it. It curled my lashes and didn't pull on them or my skin.


Aren't those chocolates super cute? Wish they would've added more, because they were tastey!


Now you see it.


Now you don't! Nom, I devoured these babies in no time! 




Oxygen Nail Treatment: Regular Price: $18/Maven Price: $14.40. This is supposed to help weak, thin nails from breaking and peeling by allowing them to breathe. Using the "oxygen technology" and their patented "Hexanal formulation" it will condition and restructure them. Whatever that means, it will just make your nails stronger and prettier.
 I already tried this out and it takes a bit longer to dry than my Nailtiques Formula 2 to dry, which is kinda meh. I don't think I will be able to tell much of a difference, because I already use a nail treatment. You can wear this by itself as a "nail make up" and wearing it by itself you should get better results according to Julep, however I have used it as a base coat and it worked just fine.


Freedom Top Coat: Regular Price: $18/Maven Price: $14.40. This is supposed to give you a gel polish effect, without all the bad things of gel polish(takes ages to apply and it's a pain to remove), it's supposed to make your polish last longer without chipping. I won't be able to tell you that your polish will last ages with this, because my nail polish never stays longer than 3 days. And that's exaggerating, I like to change my nail polish, a lot! However, I can tell you that it does give it a gel like effect and it's super easy to remove with just regular nail polish remover. The thing I don't like about this, is the fact that you have to wait until your nail polish is dry to apply this. I'm too used to my Seche Vite that is better when applied over wet polish. And also this takes 5 minutes in regular light or 2 under a light bulb, Seche takes less. Will this replace my Seche? No, never, I like how easy it is to do your nail with Seche, apply it on wet and it dries super quick. However, if you are into 3-free, this might be better for you than Seche.




Sally: Regular Price: $14/Maven Price: $11.20. This is an antique ivory crème(according to Julep's description). To me it looks like a really light creamy peach. I didn't think I would like this polish much, but I actually loved it a bunch! It's super cute and it's a perfect spring pastel. Love it!

Swatches:

Julep Sally

It had been a while since I wore a Julep nail polish, so for a minute there I forgot how easily they glide on your nails, how pigmented they are, how even if they look streaky when you first apply it, but it all evens out in no time and how fast they dry! I love my Juleps! And that's not kissing ass or anything, I genuinely like this polish! Also, the previous picture, just one coat. M-hm, I told ya, pigmented!

Julep Sally swatch
Julep Sally swatch

You can barely see the white part of my nails here and with one coat only.

Julep Sally swatch

That's two coats under the Freedom Top Coat.

 

 Joan: Regular Price: $14/Maven Price: $11.20. Raspberry plum with rose gold shimmer. That Julep description is right on the money, that is EXACTLY what this it, it's gorgeous isn't it? Two coats cover perfectly.




Can you see that gorgeous gold sparkle? Cute!

Swatch:

Julep Joan Swatch

The add ons:



Rebel: Regular Price: $14/Maven Price: $11.20. Silver holographic. No more to say than that, at first I was hesitant about this, because I couldn't really see the holographic part of it in the swatches, but OMG it's gorge! 

Swatches:

Julep Rebel swatchJulep Rebel swatch

That's 2 coats! So cute! 

 

Ginger: Regular Price: $14/Maven Price: $11.20. Sand holographic. This one has less holographic looking effect than Rebel, but it's still a holo. This is one is more muted. Rebel might be too "young"(I don't think how old you are should have anything to do with your nail polish!), for those that don't like the bright colors. I think this one is cute and perfect for all ages! It looks fancy and elegant with a touch of fun!

Swatches:

Julep Ginger swatch

Julep Ginger swatch

2 coats there, can you see the holo cuteness?

More detailed holo effect shown here:

Julep Ginger swatch Julep Rebel swatch



Marion: Regular Price: $14/Maven Price: $11.20. Smoky blue with grey shimmer. This blue is SO pretty! I would say it's a bit teal with a lot of blue, more than just blue, like a dark teal. The sparkle is super subtle and it just gives it a nice detail.

Swatch:

Julep Marion Swatch

That's two coats and it looks a bit brighter than how it really looks, it really looks smokier in real life.


Value and review:

Paid: $34.96, $19.99 for the American Beauty box and $4.99 x3 for the 3 add ons.

Value for Mavens: $84.8

Value for non subscribers: $106

So around $50 more than what I paid for!


 I'm really really happy with my selection. Julep never disappoints me with their colors and the quality of their polishes. I'm certain some of these will become favorites of mine and some already have (Sally and Rebel at least). Julep is definitely one of my favorite subscriptions and I don't plan on canceling any time soon.

 After seeing the swatches for January I kinda regret not getting it, but I had promised the bf I wouldn't, since I got the whole collection for December. Either way, February made it worth the wait!

 If you are a polish lover(like me), Julep is the subscription for you. Some people think it's too expensive because the bottles don't have as much product as other brands, but let's face it, chances are you won't ever go through a whole bottle of polish, unless it's top coat or base coat. If you are into polish, Julep will be worth it, trust me. I'm not promoting anything, because I get absolutely NOTHING from writing my blog, if I would, trust me you would see a lot more shopping going on. My review is totally honest and I simply love this service. Would I like it if Julep was cheaper? Well, of course I would! But I still love it either way.

  If you want to subscribe to Julep, you can click here or copy and paste this link on your navigation bar: http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/68437/
Which was your favorite for this month's Julep box?

Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :) Link is a referral link.