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:

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!

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

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:

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:

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:

2 coats there, can you see the holo cuteness?

More detailed holo effect shown here:

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:

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.

January Glossybox+reviews and swatches

  After a lot of wait, my really anticipated GlossyboxEs got here today. I was so excited about the contents of this box, that I had to order two. I used the code "LIPS"(now expired) with one of them and I was supposed to get a lipstick, but didn't. I already contacted Glossybox and they are supposed to get back to me in 24hrs, or so they said, we'll see what happens with that.

Anyways, my gorgeous boxes:

Love the way this month's box looks!

All my awesome goodies!

Vincent Longo – Lip Stain Lipstick SPF 15 in Americana: Full size, $23. I really wanted the Tarte lipsticks and not the lip tint, so I will upload pictures when I get my Tarte(trading for it). However, I've heard this is really amazing and you can build up the color. I just wanted the Tarte, doesn't mean that the Vincent Longo is bad.

 

Tarte – Achiote Cheek Tint: Full size $24(estimate). This is a pre-release for March, so I can't link it anywhere since it's not for sale just yet. With my combo oily skin, I don't think I can pull off a cheek tint like this and I want both Tarte Glamazon lipsticks, so this will be traded for them. Either way, a lot of people are excited to try this out and I would, but I want the lipsticks more!

Narciso Rodriguez for her Eau de Toilette Spray(1ml/0.03fl oz):$1.04, full size is 100ml/0.03 fl oz and goes for $104. I did not like the smell of this, it's way too sweet and strong for my taste. It's not a bad scent, but it would probably give me a headache, because I'm really sensitive to scents.

Living Proof – Prime Style Extender(30ml/1 fl oz): $4.05, full size is 148ml/5.0 fl oz for $20. I haven't tried this out yet, but I've heard it's great!

Sebastian – Potion9(50ml/1.7fl oz): $6.32, full size is 150ml/5.1fl oz and goes for $18.95. Same as with the other hair product, haven't tried it out, but it has amazing reviews.

Fresh – Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum(5ml/0.17oz): $5.83, full size is 30ml/1 fl oz and goes for $35. I tried it before and loved the smell, but it didn't do much for me, I might give it a second chance though. The size is pretty decent, considering I got about a little more than week of use out of a foil sample of this.

OPI – Liquid Sand in Can’t Let Go: Full size, $9(estimate). I got super excited to get this, because I've been wanting to try these Liquid Sand polishes since they came out. Two coats did it for me and it looks gorgeous! However, if you wear it just by itself, it might chip quick, I had to touch mine up before taking pictures of it.

Swatches:

 

I love the texture of this. You can wear it just like that, or you can apply a thick top coat like Seche Vite.

Estée Lauder – Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara(2.8ml/.01oz): $9.4, full size is 8ml/.27 oz and goes for $25. I liked this mascara, it's OK, but it didn't wow me. It won't be my new HG(which is Mally), but it's not too bad. It did add a bit of volume and length. It stayed put throughout the day, didn't flake or give me raccoon eyes  and it held the curl. It's a good mascara, but it's not Mally Volumizing Mascara and it doesn't even come close. I will wear it, but it won't replace my Mally(sorry I just love it so much XD ).

Me wearing Sumptuous Extreme Lash Multiplying Volume Mascara and forgot to put mascara on my lower lashes, lol!

Le Métier de Beauté – Replenishing Daily Solution(3ml/0.10oz): $13.5, full size is 50ml/1.7 oz and goes for $225. This applies amazing to my skin. It gets absorbed super quickly and it just makes my skin feel super moisturized and amazing! I'm afraid to fall in love with this, because the full size is SO expensive. Either way, the size of the sample is pretty decent and it'll probably last me about two weeks. I emptied both of my samples into a little container so they don't dry out from sitting in an open foil sample.

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in Fierce: I got this from trading the Vincent Longo lipstain. I love it, it's super pigmented, it doesn't move an inch during the day and it lasts forever! Isn't the packaging super cute too?

Swatches on lips:

Sorry about how messy this looks, I was doing it in a hurry.

 

Value and review: 

  The value of the box with the Vincent Logo and Living Proof is: $65.82 and I paid $21 for it.

  The value of the box with the Tarte and Sebastian is: $69.09 and I paid $15, because I bought it as a gift.

Total Spent: $36

Total Value: $134.91

Pretty good value, huh? I think so!

  I'm really happy with the contents of my boxes. I love being able to try out new products that I haven't tried before and would probably never be able to try again(like Le Métier). I think the contents of these boxes are definitely a hit. I'm glad I got 2 different boxes and both had hair products in them, since I wanted to try both out. 

  Now, not everything is flowers and rainbows in Glossybox land. The shipping was delayed by a lot and a lot of people have had bad issues with their customer service. If you want to join Glossybox, do it at your own risk, because even if I did manage to get through to customer service and I've never had any major problem, some people have and customer service hasn't been of much help.

  I'm really pleased with my boxes and can't wait to get both of my Tarte lippies from trades. I can't wait to try out the hair products  and I will definitely keep on using my
Le Métier sample. The OPI polish is gorgeous, so it definitely is a keeper.  

  

  All in all I think this box was pretty amazing and the products are great. Definitely an improvement from December's box.

  If you want to join to Glossybox, you can click here. Or copy+paste this link in your navigation bar: http://www.glossybox.com/referal?CI=MzI3MDg=

 

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

NOTD: February 1st

 I was so excited to try this out as soon as I got it! Specially because purple is my favorite color! I got it from this month's Glossybox.

Isn't the texture gorgeous?! I love it!! <3

  You probably already know what this is, but it's OPI Liquid Sand in Can't Let Go, 2 coats with no top coat. I love love love this. But it doesn't wear all that great, I painted my nails the night before taking these pictures and by the time I took them I had to do a few touch ups. This nail polish would not be the right one for you if you want it to last for weeks, unless you top it off with a thick top coat, that way it won't have this texture and should last longer.

  Isn't this gorgeous? I want all of the Liquid Sand polishes, but we'll see.

 Disclaimer: I purchased this with my own money, and this is my own personal opinion :)