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!

Information Card:

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! 

Favorite Music Friday: Katy B

Oops, life caught up with me and this a good 12 hours late!

This week I want to feature a song that has been stuck in my head. Anytime it comes on at work I start singing even if I'm working with customers. I'm not the best singer, so for me to subject others to my voice means I'm hooked.

Katy B is a British singer-songwriter that has a very unique sound. Katy is from South London and a graduate of a famous british performing arts school that churned out Amy Winehouse, Adele, Imogen Heap, Leona Lewis, and many, many more. Katy's style is a mixture of funk, r&n, dubstep, pop, and more. Every track on her album has a little different flare. But in some way it all fits together into one sound. She's said that she really never had a vision for the album, she just loves singing and it just came together with the producers. And to top it off she has a very soft sweet voice that softens the rough edges of the beats.

The funny thing is I originally didn't like this singer at all. She confused me. In her video for her second single 'Lights On' she's wearing clunky gold earrings, a baggy sweater (a wife beater in another scene), and awkwardly dancing. She seemed to be trying too hard to be urban and hip. I never wanted to admit that I liked the song since the video turned me off so badly!

It was this week's Favorite Music Friday pick that got me excited about her. The song 'Broken Record' is a cute little love song that shows that Katy can put together club music and her soft, light voice. My absolute favorite part is the interlude (2:14). There is a slow build up to that point in the song that fades out with the repetition of the line like a broken record. Other songs on the album that I am digging are 'Movement' and 'Easy Please Me.'

Just shows it doesn't hurt to give an artist a second chance. I hope you enjoy Katy B! And I apologize for the late posting! Happy weekend!

Influenster: Spring Beauty VoxBox May 2012

I was picked a few months ago to receive a free Influenster VoxBox. It was my first opportunity for a VoxBox since I joined Infleunster so I was super excited that it was a beauty box. 

What is Influenster? Influenster is a free community of 'trendsetters' that have the opportunity to test out products that are relevant to them. Each member unlocks badges that help the people behind Infleunster get to know you and your lifestyle. Unlocking badges allows you to be part of many different markets (beauty, moms, health-nuts, etc). As a member you may have the opportunity to try out new products,  receive free VoxBoxes (packages of products to test), and bonus rewards and deals after you give feedback. Influenster is not a one sided relationship, you have to share your opinions/reviews with others on social media and their website. The more you share, the more opportunities you have to receive free products! Anyone can sign up!

Click here to join Influenster.

Influenster: Spring Beauty VoxBox May 2012

I had no idea what Influenster was until I saw some other girls posting blog posts about it. I thought it was a paid membership subscription box or at least a paid community. Nope! In one day I unlocked all the badges that relate to me. And there were a ton! I have a technie badge, beauty badge, health-nut, green badge, a cosmo badge, and many many more. I was so pleased that I was picked to receive the Spring Beauty Box! I knew before I got it that there would be a few products that I wouldn't be able to try out, but that is what happens when you live a vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle. Sadly, the majority of the products I couldn't use.

Information Card:

Products:

ChapStick: Lip Shield 365

This new product offers all season protection & moisturization for year-round exposure to the sun, wind, & cold. With SPF 50+ it helps to protect from the sun's damaging UVA/UVB rays.

Full Size: 0.15 oz ($1.89)

Size Received: Full-size 0.15 oz ($1.89)

Although I am all about sun protection and moisturizing my lips, this product is not cruelty-free. ChapStick is owned by Pfizer and all products are tested on animals. No thanks. There are so many cruelty-free options with lip care, I'll be choosing one of those.

Sheer Cover: Duo Concealer in Light/Medium

Ideal for hiding blemishes, age spots, redness, scars, and other imperfections without heavy, cakey coverage. Duo shades can be blended to perfectly match your skin tone. 

Full Size: 0.1 oz ($29.00)

Size Received: 0.05 oz ($14.50)

I received the full-size of this product in my very first MyGlam bag. To this day it is still my favorite product I received from MyGlam. It is a very moist, creamy mineral concealer that does a great job of masking away my under eye circles and hiding imperfections. I use this product every single day. I use the light side to dab onto my under eye circles and I use the darker shade to cover up blemishes and redness around my nose. You can see this in action in the photo I reposted from the MyGlam post. My left eye is free of aby makeup whereas my right has the concealer on. It does a great job! I don't think it lasts all day but I have yet to find a concealer I like better. I would never rebuy it since you can't really buy it alone, you have to get a full-set of products within a monthly kit. Well I shouldn't say you can't buy it alone, you can, but waaay marked up.

Aveeno: Daily Moisturizing Body Wash

This body wash cleanses and moisturizes for visibly healthier skin every time you shower. It's light fragrances, soap free, dye-free, & hypoallergenic so it's gentle enough for sensitive skin. 

Full Size: 12.0 oz ($6.99)

Size Received: 2.0 oz ($1.17)

Aveeno may look to be a purely green and sweet company, but they are owned by animal testing powerhouse Johnson & Johnson. I'm not sure if they were ever a smaller company that at one time had ethical practices that was bought out by J&J or a creation of some marketing executives that knew 'green' would sell. Sometimes with buy outs the brands stay true to their routes and refuse to test on animals (St Ives, OPI) but either way Aveeno is not cruelty-free and they do test their products on animals. The formula itself is actually vegan by chance, too bad...

Sally Hansen: Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

Real Nail Polish Strips? This product wears like nail polish because it IS nail polish (with no drying time). Apply and you're ready to go.

Full Size: 1 pack of 16 strips ($9.99)

Size Received: Full-size! 1 pack of 16 strips ($9.99)

Aside from the fact that Sally Hansen is not cruelty-free I got sent some hideous nail strips. The strips are called 'Animal Instinct,' but would be more aptly named 'Lyk Oh em Gee I'm a Gurl!' These bright pink and black zebra print strips complete with glitter may have pleased my 12-year old self but not this old gal. I was horrified and couldn't even imagine wearing this. I think my friends would make fun of me or think I was having some sort of crisis. I love the idea of nail polish strips, but I won't be trying these out.

Bath & Body Works: Fine Fragrance Mist in Sweet Pea

Discover a better, more delicate fragrance experience with the NEW Fragrance Mist Collection. with over 20 Signature fragrances to choose from, it's love at first mist!

Full Size: 8 oz ($14.00)

Size Received: Full-size! 8 oz ($14.00)

My favorite product in the box!! I grew up in the 90s, meaning every birthday I would be bombarded with 20 different sets of Bath & Body Works kits. I never used the lotions, but always used up the fragrances and the body washes. I just finally finished my last bottle of Bath & Body Works body spray from my childhood a few months ago. Strangely enough it was Sweet Pea. I recognized the scent immediately, even though the bottle has been upgraded. I'm definitely happy with what I received, although I think I would have been happy with any of the scents from their new collection (Paris Amour, Malibu Heat, Wild Apple Daffodil, yum!). This feels like an adult version of what I used to have. A finer mister means a more complex scent. Sweet Pea is a fruity floral laced with raspberry, rhubarb, of course sweet pea, pear, freesia, and musk. I've been using it when I am just going around town and don't want to waste any of my expensive perfumes. It smells lovely and fresh! I'm in love all over again!

Soyjoy: Fruit Bar in Strawberry

Enjoy SOYJOY with all-natural real ingredients like real fruit and whole soy! Simply baked in their Souther California bakery into SOYJOY bars for REAL energy-sustaining deliciousness.

Full Size: 1 bar ($1.29)

Size Received: Full-size! 8 oz ($1.29)

I sure love my granola/fruit bars, well I should rephrase that...I eat Clif bars like candy. I was excited to try a SoyJoy bar until I flipped over and took a look at the ingredients. This bar had butter, egg, and dehydrated milk powder. Yuck. The company has so much marketing toward the fact that they are all-natural and geared to so many different diets and lifestyles. Apparently, they forgot us vegans. We may be a small community, but we are LOUD. You make us happy, we will promote and share with everybody we know. Veganism aside, I would never consider butter or cheese healthy options for an energy bar. It may be low caloric, but that means nothing. I want pure, raw energy!

Dr. Scholl's: Ball of Foot Cushions

Full Size: 1 pair ($6.99)

Size Received: Full-size! 1 pair ($6.99)

This was not listed on the product information card. I heard it was added at the last minute. These ball of foot cushions are meant to prevent high heel pain. It uses their gel technology to comfort your feet, prevent your feet from sliding forward, and massage your foot with every step. When I'm wearing high heels most of the pain I have is in the ball of my foot. I'll feel it after a few hours and be miserable! I got my VoxBox the day before graduation, so I used these in my pumps for the ceremony. I wore the same shoes for my undergraduate ceremony so I knew they were comfy, but these made them even better. I never once felt uncomfortable or any pain while wearing this. But I will say that once I finally took my shoes off and landed on flat ground I still got that massive wave of my feet screaming. These aren't the solution, but they sure make heels a bit more comfy.

Total value of my May 2012 Beauty VoxBox:$49.83

It's too bad that more than half the products were unusable to me. The ones I did get to use I knew I loved (Sheer Cover Concealer) or I fell back in love with (Bath & Body Works Fragrance Mist). The process after getting the VoxBox is very time consuming. Each product has separate badges to unlock and those badges include tweeting using specific hash tags, reviewing the products on their site, uploading photos, writing separate blog/video entries about specific products, and more. There are opportunities to win more prizes by completing them so there is some incentive. I'm only going to try and unlock the badges for the two products that I loved.

What did you think of the Influenster Spring Beauty VoxBox? Did you get a box too? What is your favorite product? Let me know in the comments below! If you aren't a member of Influenster, click here to join!

Sircle Samples: Raw Color Trio Mineral Brush Set

Sircle Samples may be in beta mode and very glitchy, but every so often really amazing samples pop up! Including this three piece brush set.

Don't know what Sircle Samples is? Sircle Sample is a free beauty advertising club that lets you get free samples and full-size products. You buy whichever samples you are interested in trying with Sircle Coins. To get Sircle coins you can complete surveys, refer a friend, complete your beauty survey, or write reviews on past samples you've tried. You don't have access to every sample on the website, but randomly will find new offerings every time you log on. They are currently in beta and only accepting so many members. Plus, the website is a bit glitchy. But, for free samples? Sign me up!
Click here to sign up.

Raw Color Trio Mineral Brush Set (3pc)
I've been a member of Sircle Samples for a few months now, but never saw any samples I liked. I have over 1300 Sircle Coins, but why waste them on something I don't want to try. I saw someone saying they finally got the full-size brushes and I leaped over to the website and I too had them!! The brushes are from Raw Color which is a sub-brand of Raw Natural Beauty. Raw Natural Beauty as you can imagine makes natural, mineral makeup that are cruelty-free and free of harsh chemicals and dyes. And their brushes are all synthetic! I was so excited to try this brush set.

This set includes their:
Multi-Tasking Retractable Brush, $15
This brush, similar to a retractable kabuki brush, can be used for many different parts of the face. If you have it completely open, it can be used for blush or powder; or retract it in so the bristles are short for a more precise edge. I've thrown this into my purse to use with my fixing powder. It is the perfect size for on the go and it has a cap so I don't get powder everywhere.

Maximum Coverage Foundation Brush, $35
This is a high density, super soft brush that helps you achieve a flawless application. The head is completely flat so that it picks up and distributes pigment evenly. I highly appreciate that since I constantly feel like my makeup is uneven. I just assume that it is to be used like a stippling brush since it looks like one. It is meant for mineral foundation but I have been using it for liquid tinted moisturizer without a problem. And holy crap! Stippling on my foundation has allowed me to get the BEST coverage and most even application ever. I'm free of cakey patches and uneven application. I am so impressed! And the bristles are so soft! I'm so in love!

Concealer Brush, $20
This is the only brush I haven't used yet. The last concealer brush I used didn't work well for me. I find that I have the best coverage when I just pat concealer on with my fingers. This brush is just as soft as the other brushes and is designed to hold more pigments so you can cover up any imperfection easily. I may try it out one of these days.

The 3pc set can be bought on DermStore for $49.00 (although currently 20% off) but I got it for free!! I used to always use my fingers to apply my makeup, but I find that finding the perfect brush or sponge has allowed me to get the exact coverage and application I want, whereas with my fingers I always go a little too heavy. Hopefully I'll get to try out more great products from Sircle Samples!

Have you signed up for Sircle Samples? Did you get the brushes? What has been your favorite free sample? Let me know in the comments below!

Look of the Day: Graduation

Last Saturday I officially graduated with my Master's degree! All the stress, struggles, and sleepless nights finally paid off. My entire family came from Chicago to DC to be there for the celebration. My biggest concern for my big day was finding the perfect dress.
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It took me three tries to find the perfect dress. I had my heart set on wearing a white, lace dress but they all were too short for my taste or out of my budget. I gave up and bought a navy blue sweetheart dress at work that I decided was too casual for wearing to my own graduation, a second navy lace dress at Shabby Apple that was too long and too big and just not what I was looking for. Finally I pressured my mom to stop into H&M for a few seconds and I found the perfect dress (at just $30!) within 5 minutes. I love the peplum detail and how it makes the dress a little more playful than just a plain shift dress. I think the length is perfect and I felt comfortable wearing it all day. The marshmallow color is a bit warmer than a stark white and makes me look tan! I love how subtle the lace detailing is. It is a sweet and pretty dress. Plus, I think I could easily re-wear it for other special occasions.

I loved the bracelet I found at H&M because of the pastel turquoise and pink. We then headed to Forever 21 to see if they had a necklace that worked with it. This was the first necklace I laid eyes on and I love that it brings out the gold in the bracelet and adds a little roughness to the very sweet dress. I didn't have money or time to buy a new pair of shoes so I wore my trusty brown pumps from H&M they worked well since it again played up the golds in my accessories.

I spent a lot of time on my makeup and tried really hard to perfect the cat eye, which I've never done before. I used eyeshadows from the Kat Von D True Romance Palette. For an all over base I used the peachy Sister and for the lime green cat eye, I used multiple layers of Snake Eyes wet. And on my lips I'm wearing Tarte Lipsurgence in Amused, which I got in my Teen Vogue Birchbox. I was very happy with how my makeup came out, it was subtle, timeless, but had a little edge to it.

 dress: H&M

shoes: H&M

bracelet: H&M

necklace: Forever 21

earrings: Lydell NYC

Now on to the next journey...