Julep Maven: July 2012 (American Beauty)

I tried and tried to resist Julep last month, but the allure of a free 4th of July themed glitter polish made it impossible to resist. Don't forget to use code MAVENINTRO or PENNY at checkout to get your first Julep Maven box for a PENNY!

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.

July 2012, American Beauty
It looks like Im really an American Beauty. It is the only profile that I have chosen twice. My original profile was It Girl, but generally Im not attracted to the polishes that come up in that collection. Plus, I love the extras and It Girl gets 3 polishes and no extras, so bummer. This month Julep introduced a new lip gloss! I was so excited to try it and the lip gloss color made picking my box harder. And they matched the lip gloss to a polish since it is very popular to be matching. I actually paid for this box so I had very high expectations. I almost didnt buy it, but I felt like I deserved to treat myself since I had just graduated, moved houses, and was getting ready to move across the country. You know how we always find a way to justify our subscriptions ;)

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Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Lynn

Nude blush pearl.

Julep took the words out of my mouth. This is a pearlescent nude. I love that it is a bit more pink/flesh toned than most nudes that I own. It would be great for any occasion and looks professional. It is a bit streaky, but nothing that a good base wouldn't fix. My major issue with this polish was that it started chipping within a few days. But Ill give it a second whirl since I'm currently out of both base and top coat. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Yumi

Pink opalescent multi-dimensional glitter.
Jeesh Sarah, getting lazy with the photos? I really didnt want to put glitter polish full on just to take it right off. I think you get the idea with just having the single digit painted. I absolutely adore Yumi. There is light pink small pieces of glitter that almost look purple in some light.This stuff lasted for days and it applied so smoothly and evenly! Yumi can be painted on thin (like the above photo) or just a few coats will get you a thick, gorgeous sparkle like the photo below.

Julep Nail Vernis in America the Beautiful

A shiny red with royal blue glitter and sterling silver stars, it's like nail art in a bottle!

The extra that sold me! I couldn't get enough of this polish. Although the 4th comes once a year, now Im prepared! Whenever I want to feel festive, I can pull out this beaut. The only problem I found was that it is very goopy! Like the rim of the bottle already is covered in thick goop just from painting my nails a few times. It would start to dry before Id even finish swiping it onto my finger. Id end up with mounds of polish trying to get an even layer with a few stars laid out. And it would chip off in massive chunks. I think all it needs is some Seche Restore and it will be better than ever. It was festive, just a little work.

Julep Lip Vernis in Peony

This ultra-creamy, long-wearing gloss has a mirror like finish and is the perfect color complement to your nails. 

Who doesn't have a massive lip gloss collection? I think I have more glosses than lipsticks. I don't really have too many nudes though. I did get a similar color in the promotional Glossybox, but I hated that formula. This stuff here is just fantastic! It isn't sticky and it lasts! It adds just a subtle sheen of color to the lips and a gorgeous shine. The lip vernis' retail for $18 each. Quite steep, but they are pretty fab. 

My American Beauty box had a value of  $60!! Another fantabulous month of value with Julep. But again still mediocre quality polishes. I still love the presentation they've recently unveiled and appreciate the added effort. I've saved all the little quote cards from the box and all the extras have been amazing. But I'm buying Julep for the polish, so I have to say I don't think I'll be getting another for a long while. Hopefully a little Seche Restore will better these polishes.

Don't forget that you can try out Julep Maven for just a penny! Plus, after the first month you can skip as often as you like! Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: PENNY or MAVENINTRO to get your first month for $0.01!

What do you think of July's American Beauty style profile? Did you like the lip vernis? Let me know in the comments below! 

Julep Maven: June 2012 (American Beauty)

Julep Maven has one awesome referral program. If you get 2 friends to sign up (and not cancel before the penny month is up) your next month is on them! Thanks to you lovely friends I got June's box for free!

I believe the penny deal is still working, where you can get your first box for literally only a penny. Use code SHAREONMAY or COLOR2012 at checkout!

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.

June 2012, American Beauty
I was sold on American Beauty when I saw the green nail polish. For some reason, green polishes are my absolute favorite lately! It may be the fact that my skin is so pink, that the yellow-base helps to tone that down a bit. Julep makes it super easy to switch up your profile and so far I've not gotten the same style twice. Last month was a bit disappointing with billing errors and brush issues, but they really turned things around this month. I was giggly when I saw how cute the presentation was this month. A cute little quote from Katharine Hepburn and tied up with Pixie Sticks! What girl doesn't love pure sugar? I also loved how there was an extra that we didn't know about. I'm so glad I was able to get this box because it turned me back onto Julep!

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Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Lily

Hot sizzling fuschia creme.

Lily is not has bright pink as Julep makes it out to be. Even the photo on the website doesn't look true to color to me. The fuschia is a more toned down raspberry color. I actually like the color even more since it is  more age-appropriate. It is a creme nail polish, but dries very ashy and chalky looking. In other words, it would look terrible without a glossy top coat. I found the formula a bit thin. I only did two coats and I noticed after I took the photo that my application wasn't even or opaque. But it dried very quickly. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Courteney

Key-lime green creme.

What a way to spell Courteney... This polish was the sole reason I got this box and it did not disappoint!! Julep calls it key-lime green, I call it honeydew. It is bright, soft, and creamy. The picture on the website does do it justice! The formula is thicker, but perfect to get a perfectly even and opaque finish with just 1-2 coats. I used two coats in the photo below. I was so impressed! It was a bit slower to dry, but not problematic for this klutz. I think this is my favorite Julep color yet! It is perfect for summer!

Julep Daylight Defense SPF 30

The one-stop solution for beautiful hands, nails, and skin. Vitamin E hydrates skin and strengthens nails, while built-in SPF helps guard against fine lines and sun spots.

This hand and face sunscreen is a perfect extra for the summer! Plus, it is a very decent size (3 oz). It doesn't say what spectrum it protects against, but it has active ingredients: octinoxate, oxybenzone, zinc oxide, and ensuilzole which are in other products that are full spectrum (UVA/UVB) protection. The formula is free of parabens and sulfates and has a bunny logo showing that it is cruelty-free! What is really special is that it has orange oil in it making it very moisturizing. Plus, it smells amazing! The formula is quick absorbing and isn't really greasy. I'm very happy with this addition. And I had no idea it retailed for $28.00! I never thought about having daily sunscreen on my hands, but they say our hands age the fastest! I put on hand lotion every morning, so why not protect them against the sun too?

Julep Daylight Defense SPF 15 Lip Balm in Vanilla Mint

Nourish hydrate and protect your lips with this vanilla mint flavored lip balm. 

I had no idea we would be getting a lip balm! As a kid I collected Lip Smackers since I was so totally cool. I still seem to hoard lip balms so I'm happy to take another one. This is formulated with organic palm oil, beeswax, and olive oil to be ultra smooth and moisturizing. Plus, it has Vitamin E, rosemary extract, and peppermint extract. It smells sweet but has that awesome tingly mint feeling. It lasts forever and made my lips feel awesome! Definitely on my top 5 list. 

Julep Extra Brushes

Last month many of the polishes had bad brushes. I already received my replacement brush since I contacted them, but they sent us extras! Very kind of them to make things right for everyone.

My American Beauty box had a value of over $62!! And like last month, I got it all for free! This is my favorite month yet!

And don't forget that you can try out Julep Maven for just a penny! Plus, after the first month you can skip as often as you like! Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: SHAREONMAY or Color2012 to get your first month for $0.01!

What do you think of June's American Beauty style profile? What has been your favorite Julep nail polish to date? Let me know in the comments below! 

Julep Maven: May 2012 (Bombshell)

After my first month of Julep Maven back in March, I did skip until now. I about died when I saw the colors this month! I had the hardest time picking what profile I wanted! But they offered a $4.99 add-on option that let me have it all! Julep still has a penny deal, where your first box is literally only a penny! Use code SHAREONMAY at checkout!

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.

May 2012, Bombshell
This month I decided to switch things up and change my profile from It Girl to Bombshell. But I still loved so many of the colors in the It Girl box so I decided to add on my favorite, Nessa, for $4.99. I felt guilty buying this month since I barely worked due to my school commitments, but I deserved it! A few hours later I noticed I had 50 new emails from Julep Maven, and that is not an exaggeration. I got 17 emails notifying me that I changed my profile and another 15 or so saying they received my add-on request. A few days later I noticed I was charged twice for my May polishes. I had received an email saying there was a technical issue and that anyone that was charged would be credited back immediately. But, it took over a week and half for my credit to post so after inquiring with their CS they offered me my May box for free!!

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Products:

Julep Nail Vernis in Fina

Sky blue metallic with a mod chrome finish.

Fina turned out to be a bit more grey than I had expected. I thought it would be more sky blue from the color they have on the website, but that's okay because it is a very nice color. It is a very metallic color with a fine shimmer. It is a very thick, opaque formula and I only really needed one coat! It is a bit streaky, but that is common with metallic polishes. I haven't worn it out yet, but I'm assuming like the other Julep polishes I've worn they will chip sooner than my other polishes. 

Julep Nail Vernis in Sarah

Sheer pink coral with iridescent and glitter.

Sarah is what sold me on getting the Bombshell profile. I don't care how popular my name is, it's still cool when something is named after you! And yes, this nail polish was obviously named after ME. The color reminds me of the strawberry jam I ate every morning in India; massive amounts of food coloring, bright pink, and super jelly. This is a jelly like formula with a good amount of silver glitter. I know they describe it as a coral, but I see more of a pink than orange undertone. I was surprised by how thick this formula this was, I thought it'd take 20 layers to get it even semi-opaque, but I was happy with the 3 you see in the photo. I loved how it looked on my nails, so fun! But, like with the other Julep polishes I've tried after just a day it was chipping...

Julep The Best Pedi Prep Ever!

Super exfoliating AHA's combine with chamomile extract to soften and prepare calluses for foot filing.

I leaned toward the Bombshell box since it came with this extra. My feet are always super dry and callused. I know I'll never be a foot model, but I'd rather not have unsightly feet all summer long. It was super easy to roll on the pedi prep. I let it sit for 5 minutes then used the foot file and went to town. I was so pleasantly surprised with the results! My skin was soft and smooth and has kept pretty well 4 days later. I plan on using this stuff every week and I bet in a month my feet will look ravishing. The only thing I didn't like was the smell. It was chocolate/coffee scented and it just smelled off to me. But I can live with a bad scent if it works.

Julep Foot File

Julep's professional pedicure tool smooths away calluses and softens rough skin.

This is one sturdy foot file!! It has 4 different surfaces: two coarse sandpaper-ish and two plastic beads. I'm not really sure what the difference between the surfaces, but it did work well to make my sad, winter feet look softer and smoother. I normally use a foot razor, but those are so unsafe, and I have cut myself badly with it in the past. If using the pedi prep and the foot file will get me the same results in just a few extra weeks. This was a great addition and I'm really happy I have a foot file now!

Add-on: (not part of Bombshell Collection)

Julep Nail Vernis in Nessa

Bright lemon sorbet shimmer.

Nessa is similar in formula to Fina, a shimmery frost-like finish. I absolutely adore the color, it is bright, shimmery, without being over the top. I have such pink-toned skin that yellows don't look terrible in moderation. Plus, this was opaque in just two coats! I only painted one nail because the brush that came with Nessa was fraaaayed. I know Julep says they have a special micro-frayed brush, but this is obviously a mistake. This month there were multiple brushes that had theses awful brushes. They are working hard to send out new brushes to everyone affected. Unfortunately they've yet to reply to my emails. It was so hard to even paint this one nail, so I won't be able to use it until I get the replacement. 

Technically my Bombshell box had a value of $54 ($68 if you include my add-on)!!! And I got all of this for free. booyah! It pays to inquire! I love all the extras that I received and the colors are too great!

And don't forget that you can try out Julep Maven for just a penny! Plus, after the first month you can skip as often as you like! Click here to sign up. And don't forget to use promo code: SHAREONMAY to get your first month for $0.01!

What are your thoughts on this month's Julep Maven polishes? What are your favorite summer nail colors? Let me know in the comments below! 

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.

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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!