Julep Maven - September 2012

Can I just say THANK YOU to Julep?

Thank you for taking me WAY out of my comfort zone & for making me fall in love with colors I'd NEVER think I'd ever wear in a million years.

In fact, I almost skipped this month.  The colors just weren't "me," but when I saw the mascara, I knew I couldn't skip.  I have the shortest, sparsest, blondest eyelashes on the planet.  I couldn't say no to a mascara that claims to lengthen & volumize my stubby lashes.

I ordered my usual box:

Classic With A Twist

& added on Hoche because it's a color I knew I'd love if I tried it.

Everything about this box was beautiful.

Here's what I got:

An adorable magnet that matches my nail colors

Sophie: a chic truffle mushroom creme

Brandt: opaque off-black creme

Julep American Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Jet Black

and then an add-on of 

Hoche: a mod emerald green creme

Brandt is what sold me on the Classic with a Twist box.  I've been wanting a good black creme 

for a while now so I was thrilled when I saw it.  I love black around Halloween time especially, but it's also great for details in nail art.  This one is going to get used CONSTANTLY.

I'm in a love/hate relationship with Sophie.  I guess I'll figure how much I like her when I actually put her on.  Browns are not my favorite color for nails, but looking at how well the brown & black look together, I might just venture out & try some fun nail art with the combination of the two.

For an add-on this month (add on polishes each month are $4.99 instead of $14.00) I got Hoche from the American Beauty Box.  Hoche is a fun green & though I wouldn't purchase it normally, I knew that I'd love it like I always do.  Julep has a way of making me love anything!

Sure enough, I love it.  It's the perfect shade of green & almost has a bluish tint to it.  The picture doesn't do it justice.  It's beautiful.

The main reason I bought this box was for the mascara.  I know a LOT of Julep Mavens are disappointed in getting cosmetic items in their "nail subscription service," but I'm fine with it as long as we get a nail product every other month which Julep has done just fine.  I'm willing to try new things & haven't found a single thing I haven't liked from Julep.  They have amazing products no matter what they are. 

Needless to say, it's pretty amazing stuff.  I'm not surprised.  Julep is just amazing in everything they do.   Like I mentioned before, I have non-existant eyelashes.  They are short, stubby, & completely see-through because of their blondness.  I usually use eyelash primer & two coats of mascara just to make it look like I have eyelashes period.  I put on the Julep mascara this morning with NO primer & look what it did to my lashes!!!!

Seriously, look at the left side of the picture below.  You can see where my natural eyelashes are & how blond & sparse they are.  (I didn't realize I missed half my top lashes until I looked at this pic & then went upstairs to fix them.)  I'm amazed at how long they look with this mascara.

Oh, I'm giddy.  I have pretty eyes now!!!  

Great job this month Julep.  I'm in love!

This month Julep also offered an upgrade to your box where you could pay $30 more (so $50 total) for the entire collection for the month.  I hope they continue to do this because some months I stress over which box to pick because I want them ALL.  

For all of you who are trying to decide whether to sign up to be a Julep Maven or not, they have a REALLY GREAT DEAL going on right now. You can get your first box for only$0.01. Try it out, see if you like it, & if you don't just cancel. . . but I'm almost positive you won't.

Every month you will receive a Maven box filled with $40 of AWESOME manicure/pedicure products as well as some FABULOUS polishes for only $19.99. You have the option to SKIP as many months as you want if funds are low or if you just don't like your box. This is the only subscription service I know of that allows you to see your box before it's shipped & then allows you to decide if you like that box or if you want to trade it for one of 4 others. There's ALWAYS one you'll love.

And then the PERKS. Each month, Julep sends 100 lucky maven's a GOLDEN BOX that has $100+ worth of products just because! And then there are contests & sweepstakes you can enter all the time not to mention all the fun coupons they send out. And then there are MYSTERY BOXES! Those are the BEST. They offer mystery boxes every few months & they are worth anywhere from $60-$200 in product. It's just a fun company & their customer service is the best I've ever seen.

So if you want to get in on this great deal, just go to the Julep website here & take the style quiz. Put in the special code COLOR2012 to get your box for just ONE CENT. I know you're going to LOVE IT.

Mario Badescu Strawberry Scrub

I just needed to do a shout out to Mario Badescu.  A friend told me about their awesome strawberry scrub the other day & I wanted to try it.  I emailed the company asking if they sold it in a travel size container so I could try it before I paid for a full bottle.  I have very sensitive skin, so trying products out before I commit to the full size is important to me.

They replied to me saying that they don't make a travel size, but that they wanted to send me a FREE SAMPLE of it to try out.  I offered to pay for shipping for the sample, but they insisted on it being entirely free.  (That alone makes me want to buy from them.)

I was pleasantly surprised by the sample they sent.  It was 5 times as big as the samples I've been receiving from Birchbox. . . & it was FREE.  

They sent me a nice letter along with a catalog of their products & 2 large sample containers of their strawberry scrub.  One container was a generous amount, but TWO?  Incredible.

I really liked this scrub.  It smells amazing (like fresh strawberries & cream) & has little strawberry seeds inside to help exfoliate the skin.  It's a VERY GENTLE scrub for people with sensitive skin.  I loved the whipped texture & the way it made my face feel & smell.  I will be purchasing the full size in the near future. . . as soon as I run out of my samples.

Thank you Mario Badescu for the nice surprise.  You guys just earned yourselves a new customer for life.

Birchbox - August 2012

I always get excited towards the middle of the month because that's when my Birchbox & MyGlam bag arrive.  Most months I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for my Birchbox, but this month was kind of a dud month for me.  I wasn't thrilled with everything in my box, but I'm not too upset over it since I haven't had a dud box in several months.  I signed up for Birchbox knowing that some months would be better than others.  I'm just happy to get samples to play with.

Here's what I got in August:

Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss

Beauty Fixation Cuticle Conditioner

Viva la Juicy Fleur Perfume

DDF Brightening Cleanser

Schick Hydro Razor

 I'm never very excited to get a perfume vial in my Birchbox.  I don't wear much perfume & you can get most perfume samples for free from Sephora or Ulta so they are of no value to me.  HOWEVER, once in a blue moon, I find one that I really like & this month happened to be that month.  I really love the Viva La Juicy Fleur perfume.  It was a pleasant surprise for sure.

Full Size: 2.5 oz. - $80.00

Sample Size: 0.05 oz.

Sample Worth: $1.60

I have mixed feelings about the Beauty Fixation Cuticle Conditioner.  I'm SO pleased that it was a full sized sample.  There were 24 of these little guys to try which is really great.  The problem is that I'm a total nail snob & I have a favorite cuticle oil that I use & nothing will ever compare to it.  These literally felt like water going onto my cuticles.  When you put oil on your cuticles it should feel like oil, not like plain old water.  You should be able to feel the difference.  I also have a gripe about paying $5.00 for 24 q-tips.  I guess the premise is convenience, but again, I like my roll-on cuticle oil from Julep & nothing will ever compare to that. 

Full Size: 24 count - $5.00

Sample Size: 24 count (FULL SIZE)

Sample Worth: $5.00

I liked the DDF Cleanser okay I guess.  It was a 2oz bottle which is a deluxe size.  It was kind of weird that some Birchboxes got a 4.5 oz bottle & others got the 2 oz, but I was happy with that size.  It was enough to tell whether I liked it or not.  It will actually last me a while.  I'm not a super fan of this one.  It smells an awful lot like cough syrup to me & I haven't noticed any improvement to my skin tone or dark spots.  Other people mention seeing results instantly.  I guess my dark spots are too dark & too permanent.  That's what 7 pregnancies will do to you I guess.  ha ha ha.  I will use every last drop of it though.  Cleansers are expensive so it's nice having a travel size to take with me on my overnight trips.

Full Size: 250 ml - $38.00

Sample Size: 60 ml 

Sample Worth: $9.12

The lifestyle extra this month was a Schick Hydro Razor.  A LOT of birchbox girls complained about getting a razor in our boxes.  Granted. . . razors aren't really high end beauty products, but they added value to the box & I really needed a new razor.  I didn't realize how badly I needed a new razor until I opened this puppy up.  Man, my old razor was dull.  This thing works like a dream.  I went almost 2 whole days without any stubble on my legs even.  This is definitely a keeper & I'll be buying many more in the future.  Thank you Birchbox for a FABULOUS lifestyle extra this month.

Full Size: 2.5 oz. - $9.00

And the smallest sample I got this month was the Jouer Moisturizing Lip Gloss.  I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed in this sample only because I know if you contact Jouer personally, they send you this exact same size sample (sometimes more than one) for FREE.  So even though it was SOMETHING, deep down I knew I was PAYING for a FREE sample which stinks.  It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't gotten a perfume sample that I also could have gotten for FREE in the same box.  But getting both in one box felt like a total rip off for me this time.  But I still love Birchbox & will continue to get & love their samples each month.

As for the lip gloss itself, I liked it.  And it really is a super cute itty bitty thing.  I do wish there was more color pigment in it.  It's quite sheer on which a lot of people like, but I like COLOR.  And with that bright pink in the bottle I thought it would be bright & colorful.  It was a pretty shade of pink on me, just not bright like it looks.  I love the formula though.  My lips stayed moisturized for HOURS with this stuff.  I'm going to have to look through their colors & see if I can find one I really like because I really like the way this feels on my lips.

I just wanted to show you how SMALL this was.  You all know how teeny those perfume vials are that you get for free at Sephora?  Look how big that perfume looks next to the lip gloss.  This literally is the size of my thumbnail.

Not to "compare" or anything, but look at the Jouer sample next to the "sample" MyGlam sent me of their gloss this month.  MyGlam has upped their game & is giving Birchbox some MAJOR COMPETITION.

I really did love the way the Jouer felt on my lips though.  And I don't totally hate the color.  It's a light, fresh pink.  But I'm dying for the same formula in that crazy bright color I see in the bottle.

Full Size: .21 oz. - $20.00

Sample Size: 0.04 oz.

Sample Worth: $4.00

So . . . in the end, not the best month for me with Birchbox, but I still enjoyed almost everything in my box.

Paid for my August Birchbox: $10.00 

August Birchbox Worth: 28.72

If you are interested in being a birchbox subscriber go here to be part of the funnest beauty subscription out there.  It's only $10 a month for a pink box of fun beauty samples delivered to your door every month.  Review your products to earn points.  Use your points to buy beauty products.  It's a win/win.

Until, next month. . . 

MyGlam - August 2012

I have to say, I'm TOTALLY impressed with MyGlam at the moment.  They have really upped their game & have done great bags the last few months.  It makes me happy that they've become SO popular & SO successful.  They are a great company.

This months bag was AMAZING!

Here's what I got:

Circus by Andreas Choice Nail Polish - Ringmaster

MyGlam Lip Gloss

Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil - Dragon Fruit

Eclos Cellular Activator Facial Serum

Eclos Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream

S.A.L.T.Y Cosmetics Eyeshadow - Glama-ZOID

The bag itself was really fun.  I love the mesh bags they sent in the July bags, & I loved this guy as well.  He is a beautiful orange mesh (thick too) with a bright pink zipper.  He seems a lot stronger than last month's bag.  I'll definitely put him to good use.  These mesh bags are FABULOUS at the pool because you can take your shampoos WITH YOU into the SHOWERS.  The mesh allows them to get wet & dry quickly.  I LOVE THEM.

I have to admit, the Circus Nail Polishes are growing on me.  The yellow guy last month was a little streaky, but still a pretty color.  This NEON PINK is just gorgeous.  If you're into neon, this polish is a MUST HAVE.

FULL SIZE SAMPLE

I'm not sure the price on these yet because they haven't even been released to the public yet, but it's a nice sized bottle of polish.

The MyGlam Lip Gloss was our MYSTERY SURPRISE in this month's Glam Bag.  I wasn't expecting it & it was a GREAT surprise.  Not only is it a LARGE full size gloss, but it looks, smells, & tastes awesome.  I love it.

FULL SIZE SAMPLE

These aren't up on their website yet, so I don't know the price tag, but I WILL be buying more of these as they become available.

I have mixed feelings about the Eclos products.  First we'll talk about the 

Eclos Cellular Activator Facial Serum.  

I do like this product & it's a fantastic sample size.  Other beauty subscription services could learn some things from MyGlam.  Their samples really are DELUXE.  They are the perfect size for REALLY trying products out & seeing of you'll like them enough to purchase them.

The serum is nice.  I can feel it tighten my face when I apply it & I haven't had any adverse reactions to it & I've used it for almost a week now.  The only thing I don't like about it is the smell.  I'm all about smells & tastes so if something doesn't smell good, I most likely won't purchase it regardless of how good it is. . .  It's definitely not the best way of judging products, but that's just how I am.

Full Size: 1.7 oz (50 ml) - $24.99

Sample Size: 0.5 oz. (15 ml)

Sample Worth: $7.35

The Eclos Anti-Aging Regenerative Cream wasn't a big hit for me.  I didn't like the smell at all & it was just too hydrating.  My skin was much oilier than it already is & it broke me out in the T-Zone areas.  This stuff would be PERFECT for anyone with really dry skin.  I'm actually giving it to my mom whose skin is SO dry, it literally soaks up lotions like I drink water.  This will be perfect for her.

The sample here was only half way full, but even filled half way it was WAY MORE than what I got from Birchbox this month.  ha ha ha.  It was more than enough to try & figure out whether I really liked it or not.

Full Size: 2 oz - $24.99

Sample Size: 0.25 oz (7 ml)

Sample Worth: $3.12

The S.A.L.T.Y Cosmetics Glama-ZOID eyeshadow powder is pretty amazing.  It looks white in the jar, but when you put it on it's almost a lavender or pink color.  It's great as an eyeshadow base or even as a little highlight color on your inner eye.  It's beautiful.

Full Size: $14.97

Sample Size: (not sure what size this is, but I'm guessing it's the "sample size" on the website)

Sample Worth: $3.97

The Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil was fun to try.  I've never had a perfume oil in a roll on container before.  I was thrilled to get the Dragon Fruit scent.  It's fruity & delicious.  The only thing I didn't like about it was that the smell disappeared after about an hour.  If it had the same staying power as some of the higher end perfumes out there I'd definitely consider buying more, but for something that only lasts an hour, it just isn't worth it to me.

Full Size: 1 oz - $20.00

Sample Size: 0.5 oz. (15 ml)

Sample Worth: $10.00

It really was a great bag this month.  I'm looking forward to what MyGlam has in store for us in September!

Price of August MyGlam Bag: $10.00

Total Worth of August Glam Bag: $24.44 + price of the nail polish & lip gloss

INCREDIBLE VALUE.

Julep Maven - August 2012

It's JULEP TIME.  You all know how I'm completely OBSESSED with the Julep Maven program.  I'm a polish & nail care ADDICT & I look forward to the 1st of every month when I get my little black box from Julep.

August is Julep's BIRTHDAY.  They celebrated the 1 year anniversary of the beginning of the Julep Maven program.  They had some great metallics & chromes to share with us mavens as well as a request I've put in to them a while back:

NAIL POLISH REMOVER.

Normally I'm a Classic with a Twist, but this month I opted for Bombshell to switch things up a bit.

Here is what I got:

A Cute Julep Tote

Nail Polish Remover (4 oz.) - $14.00

Kim Nail Vernis - $14.00

Harley Nail Vernis - $14.00

Worth: $42.00

I paid: $19.99

The tote is adorable.  I've been using it to keep a few diapers & wipes in my car. . . I know, totally UN-glamourous, but it's the perfect size for that.

The reason I switched to the Bombshell box this month was for Harley.  Not only does my sister have an adorable dog named Harley, but this color was the color I've been looking for for a while now.  It's the perfect silver chrome.

I put her on right away.  I think all metallics & chromes apply a little streaky (I've never found one that didn't), but the streaks on this one were minimal.  I was impressed.  She was a beautiful as I imagined she would be.

Kim also came in the bombshell box as well.  I haven't had the chance to try her out, but I plan to soon. She's a beautiful metallic gunmetal/black/gray color.  I think she's going to be FABULOUS at Halloween time especially.

My favorite product by far was the Julep Nail Polish Remover.  I've been waiting for them to come out with a polish remover for months now & was THRILLED when I saw it in my box.  It has a pump lid to control how much remover you're using. . . less mess.  It's WONDERFUL.  The remover takes off polish like magic (& without acetone) & it smells almost like lavender.  I love it.  I got another one as my add-on for the month & I plan to buy many more.  I'll never go back to my cheap nail polish remover again.

And that's it for August.  I can't wait to see what they have in store for September.  Rumor has it there's going to be some SUEDE POLISHES & MATTE TOP COAT.  I'm not a huge fan of matte polishes, but Julep has a track record of making me love things & would never try out on my own.

For all of you who are trying to decide whether to sign up to be a Julep Maven or not, they have a REALLY GREAT DEAL going on right now. You can get your first box for only$0.01. Try it out, see if you like it, & if you don't just cancel. . . but I'm almost positive you won't.

Every month you will receive a Maven box filled with $40 of AWESOME manicure/pedicure products as well as some FABULOUS polishes for only $19.99. You have the option to SKIP as many months as you want if funds are low or if you just don't like your box. This is the only subscription service I know of that allows you to see your box before it's shipped & then allows you to decide if you like that box or if you want to trade it for one of 4 others. There's ALWAYS one you'll love.

And then the PERKS. Each month, Julep sends 100 lucky maven's a GOLDEN BOX that has $100+ worth of products just because! And then there are contests & sweepstakes you can enter all the time not to mention all the fun coupons they send out. And then there are MYSTERY BOXES! Those are the BEST. They offer mystery boxes every few months & they are worth anywhere from $60-$200 in product. It's just a fun company & their customer service is the best I've ever seen.

So if you want to get in on this great deal, just go to the Julep website here & take the style quiz. Put in the special code COLOR2012 to get your box for just ONE CENT. I know you're going to LOVE IT.

Birchbox July 2012 - Glamour

For July, Birchbox teamed up with Glamour Magazine to bring us some fun surprises.

The theme for July was: The 5 Senses - Sight, Sound, Taste, Touch, & Smell

I thought I got a great box this month.  I wasn't able to use everything, but all in all it was a good box.

My "SMELL" item was the Harvey Prince Hello perfume.  I'm not a big perfume user so I have to be madly in love with it for me to keep it, but I have several friends who LOVE it.  They always get excited when I get a new perfume in my birchbox because 9 times out of 10 it means they get it.  This scent was not bad, but it wasn't me either.

Full Size: 50 ml - $55.00

Sample Size: Sample Vial (no size on vial)

Sample Worth: Not Much 

(I get samples like this for free all the time so to me they are not worth much)

My "TASTE" item was a Larabar Uber Roasted Nut Roll.  Believe it or not, I actually really liked this one.  I don't like Larabars normally, but this thing was just FULL of nuts.  It was great.  I would definitely buy more of these if they weren't SO EXPENSIVE.

Full Size: 5 count for $12.69

Sample Size: 1

Sample Worth: $2.53

The "SOUND" item in my Birchbox was the Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds.  Although I think these are as cute as cute can be, they were very cheap & the ear pieces broke off the first time I tried putting them in my ears.  But I do have to give them kudos for such cute colors.  Just make them better quality next time.

Full Size Sample: 1 set - $10.00

(Not worth it. . . they felt like they came from the dollar store)

My "TOUCH" item was the Klorane Shampoo with Camomile.  I actually liked this a LOT.  I like the gentle Camomile scent & I love how BRIGHT it makes my blond highlights look.  This shampoo is definitely for BLONDS.  But my hair feels great afterward.  I didn't think I was going to like this one, but it was one of my favorite items this month.

Full Size: 13.4 oz. - $18.00

Sample Size: 0.8 oz.

Sample Worth: $1.07

My very favorite item this month fell into the "SEE" category.  I loved the Blinc Mascara.  I'm a mascara addict so I was SUPER THRILLED to get this in my birchbox this month.  It was a LARGE sample size too.  I love this mascara.  It makes my lashes longer & fuller with the tube technology.  I will definitely be purchasing this in the future.

Full Size: 0.21 oz. - $26.00

Sample Size: 0.141 oz.

Sample Worth: $17.45

I felt extra lucky this month because I got a bonus "SEE" product.  I got the Ada Cosmetics Bronzer in the Peach color.  I'm not much of a bronzer user because I'm so fair, but with just a little bit of this, it made my face look AWESOME.  This was a FULL SIZE SAMPLE too.  Thank you Birchbox for introducing me to something I would have never tried on my own.

Full Size Sample: 3 grams - $12.45

I paid $10.00 for July's Birchbox & it was worth $43.50.

That's incredible.  Thank you Birchbox for a great month.

If you are interested in being a birchbox subscriber go here to be part of the funnest beauty subscription out there.  It's only $10 a month for a pink box of fun beauty samples delivered to your door every month.  Review your products to earn points.  Use your points to buy beauty products.  It's a win/win.

Until, next month. . . 

MyGlam July 2012

I'm SO happy with MyGlam this month.  Their bags have progressively gotten better & better over the last couple of months.  I just wanted to give a shout out to the MyGlam team & say THANK YOU for listening to your customers & providing us with awesome products!

Without much further ado. . . here's what I got:

July's Theme was "A Day at the Beach"

The bag was ADORABLE.  I love that it's mesh so it can get wet.  PERFECT for showers at the pool. I put my travel shampoos & conditioners inside every time I go swimming now & just keep the whole bag in the shower with me.  It dries off quickly because it's mesh & it's GREAT.  Plus it's cute too.

I like Yes to Cucumbers.  The ravel towelettes are great for traveling when you don't want to bring your entire skin care regimen.  They clean pretty well (although I wish they'd do a little better taking waterproof eyeliner & mascara off) & they make your skin feel & smell fresh.

Full Size: 30 towelettes - $5.99

Sample Size: 10 towelettes 

Sample Worth: $2.00

I'm in LOVE with the CIRCUS nail polish.  The color is bright & fun & I'll definitely be buying some more of them when Andrea's Choice releases them this fall.  I'm dying for the pink one.

Price: Unknown

The Juice Beauty SPF 15 Moisturizer smells AMAZING.  Unfortunately it broke me out terribly so I had to put it aside so I can give it to my mom who has very dry skin.  I loved the smell though.  (It's pretty expensive too so this is a GREAT value sample if you liked it.)

Full Size: 1.7 oz. - $38.00

Sample Size: 0.5 oz.

Sample Worth: $11.18

I am completely & totally IN LOVE with the Josie Maran Magic Mark Lip & Cheek Stain.  I got the color Jitterbug & it's the bright neon pink I've been looking for.  The sample was a full size too.  I would have been happy with my MyGlam bag if this was the only thing in it.  These stains stay on for 12+ hours for me which is unheard of.  Lipsticks & stains usually only last 2-3 hours on me.  I LOVE THIS STUFF.

Full Size Sample: $19.00

I'm on the fence about the Nume Hydropunch Hydrating Conditioner.  It works well enough, I just don't like the smell.  I was just telling my sister-in-law the other day (while she was cutting my hair) that I really don't care what the hair product does to my hair so long as it smells good.  I know that's awful, but if it doesn't smell like I would want to eat it, I won't use it.

Full Size: 8.45 oz. - $24.99

Sample Size: 0.67 oz.

Sample Worth: $4.41

So overall, this was a GREAT bag.  The total value equaled well over the $10 I paid for it, but it was stuff that I liked & that I'll actually use which is WAY more worth it to me than really expensive things I'll never use.  My mom will love the moisturizer.  I'm using the conditioner for my travels, & I love everything else in the bag.  Great work MyGlam Team.

July MyGlam Bag Value: $36.59 + unknown value of the nail polish