Julep Maven: March 2012 (It Girl)

I decided to try out Julep Maven because the first month was a penny! I used the promo code COLOR2012 and it looks like it is still active. Why not get nail polish that is practically free?

Don't know what Julep Maven is?
Julep Maven is a nail polish subscription service that delivers Julep nail polishes and nail products to your doorstep. Each month you will receive 2-3 nail polishes in the hottest colors and an extra. The extra may be a hand lotion, cuticle oil, glycolic hand scrub, etc. The nail polishes are all made by Julep a boutique nail salon company in the Seattle area and the colors are never before released or cult favorites. Each month you will have the choice of 5 different kits that are made to reflect a specific fashion style (It Girl, Boho Glam, Classic with a Twist, etc). You will take a fashion quiz once you sign up to set your main fashion style, but you have the option to order whichever of the 5 boxes you like best. Julep Maven is $19.99 a month, but you are able to skip a month whenever you like!
Click here to join Julep Maven.

March 2012, It Girl
I took the style quiz and was given the profile It Girl. It states that the It Girl is: edgy and bold, your statement making look exemplifies the modern rock 'n' roll chic. You love bright, bold, fun, and innovative cuts and hues. Inspired by colors and accessories that exclaim anything but the ordinary, you're not afraid to stand out and be noticed. 


I'm not quite sure this is me. I think I am more a Classic with a Twist/Boho type of girl. I like flowy tops and prints, but whenever I wear bright colors they are a classic garment like a trench or my shoes, nothing crazy. But either way I decided to go ahead and pick the It Girl kit because it had 3 nail polishes, whereas all the other styles had 2. Although, the other styles did have a bottle of argan oil.

Information Card:

Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Melissa

Sheer opalescent shimmer adds a soft glow when used alone and a high-fashion holographic effect when used over another color.

Melissa is exactly as Julep describes it, a pretty white sheer, shimmer. The shimmer is very green in color which gives it the opalascent/holographic effect. When it is worn alone it does look like a gorgeous opal. With just two coats you are set to go. It does look pretty cool as a top-coat, but it is more opaque than I like for a top coat. In the swatch below I layered Melissa over Charlotte and you almost completely lost the purple color. The formula was more runny than I am used to, but it dried pretty quickly. I really liked the color when I put it on, but I am so disappointed in how quickly it chipped off. Less than 24 hours after I painted my nails I have massive chipping on every single nail. It looks like I wore it for a week! The nail that I used it as a base coat is much better and has just the top sliver chipped off.

Julep Nail Vernis in Charlotte

Demure lavender creme. Sophisticated with a twist.

I already have a very similar color that I got from Gap, but I really love purple nail polish, so I was happy to try this shade. It is a very sweet purple, creamy grape. It is a very thick, goopy formula. It took FOREVER and ever to dry. I messed up a few nails the first time around since I didn't really think it would still be not be dry after 10 minutes.But it really only takes one layer for it to be fully opaque (below I have two). I really love the color, but I had the same problem with chipping as I did with Melissa. I already have two very noticeable chips and even my pinkie has some chips in it. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Jodie

Deep rose with a golden shimmer.

This reminds me of a phoenix rising. I think the color description is off, it really is more of a copper red with gold shimmer. It is a pretty color though, I love the added shimmer and how when it catches the light it lights up. The formula of this one was standard, wasn't too runny or too thick. I think it is weird how this color is in this set. It seemed like most of the other kit's complimented one another, but Jodie sticks out like a sore thumb with the opal shimmer and the cream purple. I haven't had a chance to wear it out, but I dont have too high expectations for it being chip proof. 

All in all, Im not sure if I will keep this subscription. The nail polish formula is not long lasting on my nails even with a top coat. I had such a range of types of polishes that I can't just blame their cream style or their shimmers. But it cost me only a penny! So I'm not complaining. I can see using Charlotte as part of a nail art design or wearing Jodie on a Friday night. And Melissa had okay wear as a top coat. The nail polishes retail for $14, but since it is their brand name only, who knows how far marked up these are. So the value of this box was $42, but do I think it is worth $19.99 a month? Not really. I find Sally Hansen better quality than these.

The program does include a lot of perks though: skip the month if you like, send your box to a friend as a gift, refer a friend (ever 2 friends is a free box for you), 20% all julep purchases, and every month they send out randomly to 100 members who are receiving their box free from referrals a Golden Box with all the colors from all the current month's boxes! Pretty sweet. Since I can skip, it doesn't hurt to keep the account open so I can see the new colors each month.

If you are interested in trying Julep Maven out for yourself, don't forget you also can get your first box for a PENNY! Even though Im not too excited about the wear, I'd recommend trying them out on your own nails, I tend to have chips no matter how expensive or good quality the polish. Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: COLOR2012 to get your first month for $0.01!

What are your thoughts on Julep Maven? Do you think the program is worth $19.99? What kind of wear have you gotten with their nail polishes? Let me know in the comments below!