14 Days of Giveaways- Day 11

Today's giveaway is a two-piece collection of Julep products, including one of my favorite liners, the Gel Eye Glider in Olive ($16) and their new It's Whipped Matte Lip Mousse in XOXO ($20). Sorry about the quality of these photos, but I'm doing this post with my phone and they came out smaller than usual. Good luck to all! 

Here's what the XOXO shade looks like on different skin tones...

And here's what the olive eyeliner shade looks like...so pretty!

Julep Two-Piece Giveaway

14 Days of Giveaways- Day 2

Today's giveaway is an exciting four-piece collection from Julep. I used to think they just had nail polish, but after subscribing to their monthly Maven box (see my post here for all the details), I realized that their makeup is amazing! I always love everything I get from them, so I thought I would share a few of my favorites. This prize is worth $78 and includes It's Balm Full Coverage Lip Crayon in Nectar Pink Creme ($20), Pore Minimizing Blush in Clover Pink ($24), Waterproof Gel Eye Glider in Smoky Taupe Shimmer ($16) and Eyeshadow 101 Creme to Powder Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe Shimmer ($18). Good Luck! :) 

Julep Four-Piece Giveaway Landing Page (Automatic)

Julep Maven August 2015 Box Review + Free Box Offers

Julep Maven is the only subscription box I still receive, and for good reason! It's always been my favorite because you always get full sized products and it's so customizable, you can always make sure you get what you want. Plus, Julep isn't all about nail polish (although their 5-free formulas and color selection is amazing)...they also have beauty products that are so great, they've never let me down in the year-and-a-half that I've been a Maven! 

When you join, you take a quiz that will recommend a certain box for you, whether it's an all nail polish box, a nail polish/beauty product combo box, or all beauty products, but you don't have to stick to that...you can go with whatever box you'd like. I usually make my decision every month on the 20th when you're allowed to peek inside your box. If I'm not happy with what I'm getting, I switch! 

That being said, I almost always stick with the Beauty box and use the points I accumulate each month (just for having the subscription) to add on a nail polish for free. This month, instead of adding on a nail polish, I added on something a little different...so keep reading to see what was in this month's box! 

Julep Giveaway!

**This contest has ended...congratulations to Miranda O.- look for an email from me!**

I know I have a huge skincare giveaway going on right now, but I thought I'd keep the ball rolling and start another one! This one isn't as big, but it features 3 amazing Julep beauty products worth $64. Many people think of nail polish when they think of Julep, but I've been getting their Maven subscription box for over a year now and let me tell you, their beauty products are awesome! 

This set includes one of my new favorite brow products that I haven't reviewed yet, but am planning to very shortly.  It also includes a duo eyeshadow and Plush Pout lip crayon.  Let's take a closer look at each item: 

Julep Maven May 2015 Sneak Peek (and why I cancelled my other Subscription boxes).

The Julep Maven window is open today, so I was able to log in and see what I'm getting next month and make any adjustments.  I'm really excited about the upcoming box!  I have to say, Julep is the only subscription box I still receive every month.  I used to get quite a few, and have slowly been giving them up...in fact, I just cancelled the last two I was hanging on to...Birchbox and Ipsy, because they're just not exciting to me anymore.  I feel like they keep sending repeat or similar products and a lot of them aren't really a great fit for me. They've just gotten...well, boring!

It's funny because when I first signed up for Julep, I planned on a 2 or 3 month trial run and figured I would probably cancel it soon after because how interesting could a nail polish subscription box be? At the time, Ipsy was wowing me every month with exciting new products and plenty of full sizes, so I assumed I was going to be with them for the long haul. 

Well here I am a year and a half later, still going strong with Julep...and I haven't been disappointed in a box yet!
I originally signed up for the Julep Modern Beauty Box (there are 5 boxes to choose from). Modern Beauty isn't a nail polish box...instead you get 2 full-sized Julep beauty products. They can be anything from skincare to makeup, or a combination of the two. There have been one or two months where I decided to go with one of the other boxes if the beauty products didn't interest me, or if one of the nail polish boxes was so amazing, I just had to have it.  Some boxes come with 1 beauty product and 2 nail polishes, so those are a great combination of the two.

For May, the Modern Beauty Box contains a duo eyeshadow palette called Feels Like Velvet and a full-coverage lip crayon with a moisturizing treatment core in the middle called It's Balm.

Here are the shades they chose for me...plus I decided to add on a nail polish I liked from one of the other boxes (it's free using my Jules, or points). Each month, you get 300 Jules to spend and 1 nail polish costs 600 Jules.  That means every other month I can add on a nail polish for free!

One of the best parts about Julep is that they let you choose your colors. I wasn't crazy about the eyeshadow shades they picked for me because I don't think I'd wear that peachy shade, so I chose a different one...

Julep Maven February 2015 Review and Unboxing Modern Beauty

I got my Julep Maven box yesterday. I always look forward to it because it's so customizable, I can always make sure that I'm going to like what's in it.  

About Julep/How it Works: 

If you're new to Julep, it's a subscription box that's $19.99 a month. When you sign up, you take a quiz to find out what your style profile is (you can switch it if you don't like the results of your quiz). With most of the profiles, you'll get 2 nail polishes from the new collections each month and one full-sized beauty product. I chose Modern Beauty this month, which is 2 full sized beauty products...here's a look at each profile and what you can get with each.  

Each month on the 20th, you can log in and look at what's inside your box.  You can swap profiles and get a different box, plus add on extra products (and sometimes change shades like I did with my eyeshadow last month). You only have a day or two to make your changes and then it's locked in.  

This month, I decided to stick with my Modern Beauty profile, because I wanted to try the beauty products that were offered, plus I had some points (Jules) saved up from my last few boxes so I added on two nail polishes for free using my points. (You earn points automatically with each month's box and they add up so fast! Every few months I can add on nail polishes for free). 

This Month's Box:

Julep Maven December 2014 Unboxing Bombshell

I just got my Julep Maven box this week and this month I decided to switch things up!  I've been getting their Modern Beauty Box for the past 6 months or so which contains 2 full-sized beauty products each month (no nail polishes).   On Nov, 20th when I logged in to see what I was getting, I saw that the modern beauty box contained an eyeshadow and an eyeshadow primer.  I have so many eyeshadow primers and some of the nail polish boxes looked so pretty, I decided to switch to the Bombshell box which still had the eyeshadow, but also contained 2 nail polishes (plus I added one more on...couldn't resist!).

Julep Maven December 2014 Bombshell Box

Here's what the Bombshell box had inside:

Julep Maven November 2014 Modern Beauty Box

My Julep Maven box came this week and I was really excited because even though I had chosen the Modern Beauty Box this month (2 Full-Size Makeup Items), I also added on a few nail polishes from other boxes that I really liked using my Jules (points).  That's one of the things I love about Julep...you take the quiz to figure out what box you should get, but you don't have to stick with that box! The first time I took the quiz, I was paired with the Boho Glam box, which contains two nail polishes and one full-sized beauty product.  But then I tried the Modern Beauty box the following month and loved that even more.  I just add on nail polishes with points from time to time (you get points with every purchase and your monthly boxes count!).

This month's Modern Beauty Box came with a mascara (either Length Matters Lengthening Mascara or Go Big Volumizing), and a Gel Eye Glider in one of the new fall shades.

I got the Length Matters Mascara and not one, but 2 Gel Eye Gliders!  I wasn't charged extra, so maybe it was an error?  Not complaining!

Julep Maven October 2014 Unboxing

What it Is: A monthly beauty and nail subscription box service.
What it Does: Offers 5 different box choices and allows you to peek at them each month and switch!
What it Costs: $19.99/month, no commitment, cancel anytime.
Coupon Codes: Click the offers below for free boxes:

This offer is if you purchase three months up front- you get the first box free and 20% off each monthly box.
 

This has no purchase minimum, so you can sign up for one month at a time and get the first box free using the code FREEFALL (comes with fall nail shades).


This offer also has no minimum box purchase, sign up for one month at a time and get the first box free using the code FREETREATS.  It comes with three Halloween nail shades and an eyeliner.


Quick Rating: Another great box!

Julep Maven September 2014 Modern Beauty Box Review

I totally forgot that it was September until I looked in the mailbox and saw my Julep Maven box sitting there.  I swear, ever since I quit work to stay home with the little bub I forget what day of the week it is most days, let alone what month we're in.  

I had also forgotten that this month I used my Jules (points) to get 2 add-ons. You earn 300 Jules with each box you get and I had never spent mine before, so I had thousands to spend.  I was able to get these two nail shades that I liked from other boxes totally free! 

This month's Modern Beauty Box (2 Full Size Beauty Products) contained two lip products...a primer and a Lip Crayon.

The Primer is called Blank Canvas ($22).

What it is:

A multitasking primer that preps lips for flawless, all-day color.

What it does:

Benzyl Nicotinate instantly plumps.

Sepilift DPHP smoothes fine lines, firms, and moisturizes

Julep's exclusive Power Cell Complex™ blends the benefits of three age-defying, skin-boosting, ultra-hydrating ingredients:

Rosehip seed oil delivers essential nutrients to soothe and repair.

Malvaceae Lipid Extract™ improves barrier function so skin retains moisture.

Green coffee bean oil invigorates skin & promotes cell turnover.

This primer comes in a click pen with a doe-foot applicator that has a hole in it where the product comes out. 

The primer itself is a thick, gloss-type product that has a slight peachy tint to it.  In all honesty, it didn't feel that great on my lips- it was way too sticky.  But I guess that's how it holds lip products on, and with a lip product layered over it, the stickiness goes away and you don't feel it anymore. It also had a bit of a tingly effect, so that must be due to the plumping ingredients.

The next product is called Plush Pout ($16) and it's a lip crayon with a moisturizing core.

What it is: 
A full-coverage lip crayon with a moisturizing treatment core in the middle.

What it does:

Rich, creamy formula glides on and delivers long-lasting color with a semigloss finish

Antioxidant-rich oils, sunflower wax, and vitamin E keep lips hydrated and happy.

They sent me the shade Aurora Pink, which was a little bright for my taste (I like more neutral lip shades).  This crayon has a satiny finish that's not glossy or matte, but somewhere in between.  In a different color, I probably would have really liked it!

The two nail colors I got for free with my Jules were part of two different September boxes.  Erin was in the Boho Glam box and is a slate gray that's perfect for fall!

Eliana was in this month's Bombshell box and is a midnight blue.  I'm so excited to wear this during the fall and winter.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite Modern Beauty box, so I'm so glad I chose a few add-ons because I'm really excited about the nail shades! 

For those of you who might be new to Julep, it's a monthly subscription box that's $19.99/month and there are 5 different boxes you can choose from, with beauty products, beauty and nail products, or only nail products.  Each month, you're able to see what's inside each one and choose which box you'd like, so if you really want to see what you're getting for the money, this is a great box because you don't have to be surprised and have total control over it.

Right now, if you join, you get a free 4-piece gift by using the code in the link below at checkout! 

Do you subscribe to Julep, and if so, what did you think of this month's box?

Julep Maven August 2014 Modern Beauty Box Review

My first subscription box of August has arrived and as usual, it's Julep Maven. I actually remembered to login to my account last month on the 20th to preview the boxes and decided to stick with the modern beauty box since the nail polishes in the other boxes were similar to ones I already have.

This month's Modern Beauty box features a 5 color eyeshadow palette and a waterproof eyeliner. Take a look!

Julep Maven Modern Beauty July 2014 Box Review

!It's that time of the month again when all my beauty boxes start to arrive! Julep is always the first one I get and this morning I don't know why, I just had a feeling it would show up today!
I'm still getting the Modern Beauty box (2 full size beauty products) rather than one of the other ones that come with nail polishes. I've thought about switching it but I have so many nail polishes, this is usually more fun.

The first product I got was Mint Condition Pedi Creme, $20. My feet have been in pretty rough shape after wearing sandals constantly for the past month, so this was a welcome sight!

Here's the description- it contains a ton of good for the skin ingredients like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and exfoliating Glycolic Acid to smooth rough skin.

It comes in a pretty blue tube with one of those caps you don't have to unscrew- just turn it one click and squeeze the product out.

Here's the full ingredients panel- you can click on the photo to see an enlarged version.

This pedi cream is amazing! I put some on my feet and knees which also have thick rough patches and they instantly looked better. I can't wait to see how this works overnight. The scent is described as cucumber-mint and I'd say that's accurate. Its a really pretty scent with not too much mint, like some foot products. Its very subtle, fresh and spa-like.

Next, I got a tube of Bare Body Milk $24. This is an ultra lightweight lotion that's supposed to be very hydrating. Here's what Julep's website says:

• Milk thistle locks in moisture and helps protect against environmental factors.
• Olive oil delivers essential fatty acids to hydrate and repair.
• Grapefruit oil promotes cell turnover.
• Orange peel oil brightens dry, dull skin.

Here's the ingredient panel.

This lotion rocks! It absorbs almost instantly yet made my dry skin feel so soft and smooth. I don't think this will be enough moisture on my winter skin, but this time of year its the perfect light lotion! Also the scent is amazing! Its supposed to have the same scent as Julep's Beach Tonic, which I've never smelled before, but is supposed to smell like citrus and florals. I'm not sure that's even what I would call this...to me it smells like a fresh, clean beachy scent. It reminds me of the beach but not in a coconutty, suntan lotion kinda way. Its more subtle and fresh- so hard to describe!
Overall, I got $44 worth of product in this box for $19.99. I'll definitely be using these up for sure!
Here's a 30% off coupon code in case you'd like to purchase anything from Julep:

To get your first Julep box free (cancel anytime), click on the link below and use the code FREEBOX at checkout. It's a $19.99 value!
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Julep Maven Modern Beauty Box June 2014 Reveal

I got my Julep Maven box on Saturday and was surprised as it seemed like it was early this month. But then again, its always the first one to arrive each month so who knows?

Well, I did it again! I forgot to switch my style profile so instead of 3 nail colors or 2nail colors plus a beauty product, I got the Modern Beauty box with 2 beauty products. I could have sworn they said when I signed up that they would email a reminder when it was time to switch boxes if you wanted something different, but I just went to the site and it said to just login between the 20th and 24th of each month. Huh...so I guess I've been waiting for an email reminder that wasn't coming! Time to put it on my phone calendar...
As a reminder, here are the Style Profiles you can choose from each month-

So here's what I got for June. Technically these are nail products, but since they aren't color, I guess Julep is considering them to be "beauty products". They also included some square nail files and Pixi Stix (which I haven't had since I was like 14...yum!).

Julep Maven Modern Beauty Box May 2014

Hey guys, I'm so sorry for the brief hiatus! My 10 month old has been going through a very clingy phase and its been difficult to get much done, plus my husband's company is going through a big change and he's been traveling non-stop the past few weeks, leaving me with everything else. But he's back now and things are back to normal, so I wanted to jump right back in and share my latest Julep Maven box!

I'm still getting the Modern Beauty box which is 2 full sized beauty products (no nail polishes). I keep forgetting to look during the time where we can switch to see if I might want a different box. Most have 2 nail polishes and 1 beauty product, and the It Girl box has 3 nail polishes each month. So there's a lot to choose from but you have to switch before the boxes ship and I've been a scatterbrain these days. 

Anyway, I'm so happy I stayed with Modern Beauty because I love this month's box- its perfect for someone with dry old-lady hands like me! It includes a full size Rock Star Hand Cream and Brilliance Glycolic Hand Scrub!

 The Brilliance Glycolic Hand Scrub (formerly Glycolic Hand Scrub) retails for $23, which is already more than the cost of the box ($19.99). It features a 1-2 punch of crushed apricot seeds and Glycolic acid which gets rid of flakes and dry patches.

 Rock Star Hand Cream $20, has Shea Butter, Glycerin, Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. Both products are available at Julep's website and also at Sephora.

The hand scrub is absolutely amazing. I've tried hand scrubs in the past, but this one works the best. The combination of the grainy texture from the apricot seeds and Glycolic acid exfoliate so well. My hands looked so smooth and much younger after using this and I hadn't even put on hand cream yet! The fragrance is delicious as well...fresh, clean and green. The squeeze tube is also easy to use, just twist the cap and squeeze- you don't have to remove the cap, which is nice.

Rock Star Hand Cream is also one of the best hand products I've used. Its rich, yet sinks right in with no residue, leaving my hands so smooth. It has the same wonderful scent as the scrub and it also lasts through several hand washings, which is a huge plus for me since I wash mine often and that's the main reason they look so bad most of the time. 

So here are my before and after shots...you can see that my hands look old and dry and wrinkled before, and oh so much better after!

Have you tried Julep's hand products, either through them or at Sephora? 

Want a FREE Julep Maven box? Click below to take the quiz and choose your box. Use code FREEBOX at checkout.