Julep #3

Once again, it's Julep time! I am loving each fun little package that comes across my doorstep each month! We all know I have a soft spot in my heart for make up (nail polish is included in that, right??), so of course I would be stoked!

This month, for the first time, I opted for the "Classic with a Twist" Box. I wasn't in love with the colors of polish in my usual Boho Glam, and I love the option to choose a different box. This included Mariska and Caitlin (polishes), as well as the Glow Pore Minimizing Blush in Peach Bellini.

Mariska in the bottle and on the accent nail. Apologies for the crummy lighting.
Lets just all pretend that these colors are super bright and fun.
mmmkay.

Mariska is a bright tangerine orange with a barely noticeable shimmer. It also dries to a nearly-matte finish, which is slightly strange. The shimmer makes it not completely matte, but it's also not shiny or sparkly. Add a top coat and SHABAM... it's shiny. It's a really fun summery color that will look fantastic on my toes. The first coat is a little streaky, but it's opaque in 2 coats.

Caitlin in the bottle and on all the other nails.

Caitlin is a bright fuchsia hot pink (the Julep site calls it "Hibiscus pink") with a golden shimmer. I adore this color. It is fun and happy and easy to wear. I also love how well it pairs with Mariska-- I'm kinda digging the accent nail this time around. It is almost completely opaque in a single coat.

Lastly, the blush was a total surprise. Just like I was thrilled with my lipgloss last month, I am really happy with this blush. Also, like the gloss, this was a completely customizable item, which I appreciated. I opted for Peach Bellini, which is a nice, natural, glowy color on my exceptionally fair skin. I am kicking myself for throwing away my old blush brush when I did some spring cleaning last month. I've used gel blush for yeeeeeeears... and maybe now I'm converted back to powder. So until I get a new blush brush, you'll have to forgive my imperfect application!

If you're ever interested in checking Julep out for yourself, I'd love a little referral love! Check out my referral link here.

Ps. I uploaded this from my phone. Ive never used the blogger app prior to this post... Hopefully it'll all work out! 

Julep #2

Because of the timing with which I initially signed up for Julep, I didn't get a February box, so the March box is my second Julep experience.

After looking through all the color options, I decided to stick with the Boho Glam box, which isn't the box I was initially "matched" with, but it seems to always have the colors/styles I gravitate toward.

This month's box included Elisa (lilac with a barely discernible silver shimmer), and Harriet (a more-orangey-than-pink coral). I also added in one of the "bombshell" colors, Tania (a teal-colored super chunky glitter in a clear base) which was a promo item this month.

I really love all 3 colors. The lilac is a universally flattering color, the coral is summery and fun, and the teal glitter will look great layered or as an "accent nail." The two solid polishes are like 96% opaque in 2 coats.

The other item in this month's box was a lip gloss, which turned out to be quite lovely. After perusing the options (this was a customizable feature of the box, which I thought was really nice!), I ended up sticking with the gloss that was paired with my Boho Glam box. Enchanted is a bright watermelon candy-colored gloss that is moderately sheer. It's got a sweet/candy smell and is also a little on the sticky side. The color is a bit out of my lip-product-comfort-zone, as I tend to choose colors that are more "your lips but better." Unfortunately, the photo below doesn't do the bright pinky tone much justice, but I guess a selfie in the car is all I've got for you guys now.

Lastly, they included a cotton candy flavored peppermint stick candy thing. How's that for a description? It was a cute little addition that I haven't eaten yet. Little extra perks are always a nice touch.

Overall, I've been really pleased with my Julep experience so far! If you're interested in checking it out for yourself, there's a button on my side bar or you can follow my referral link here. Get your first box for free with code FREEBOX

Julep #1

About a week ago, I bit the bullet and signed up for Julep. It's a subscription service, kinda like Birchbox, which sends out beauty products once per month. It's definite claim is nail polish, although there are cosmetics and face/nail treatments as well. I'd found a promo code somewhere (FREEBOX), was highly intrigued, and just so happened to have a fresh manicure.

Unfortunately, regular manicures at a nail salon just aren't in the budget. This is a real bummer, because I LOVE having a fresh manicure. I'll catch myself admiring my freshly done nails throughout the day and then I'll tell myself to paint my nails more often. So the fact that I was already loving my greige-colored manicure definitely played in Julep's favor that afternoon.

I'd heard and read up on Julep and about how fun-slash-great it was and decided to go determine my color profile. Even though I was matched as a "Classic with a Twist" after my style questionnaire, I was really digging the Boho Glam colors so I opted for that instead. The It Girl polishes were also super cute, but after digging through the polishes I already owned, I realized I had both of those colors! No wonder I liked them so much... Anyway, my Boho Glam box came with 2 colors and a cuticle pen. I also added a third color and the freedom polymer top coat.

Colors L to R: Michelle, Blakely, Aisha. The bottom is also Blakely. Not pictured is the cuticle pen or top coat.

Aside from learning that I am pitiful at painting my own nails, I also learned that I really liked the Julep polishes. I went with Aisha first, which is kind of a dark raspberry shade. For some reason, it photographed much more brown (see below), but it's actually a nice berry/purple shade. I was really surprised how much I liked it and got several compliments on it yesterday at work, which is always a great thing. It went on easily, despite my clumsiness, and was perfectly opaque in 2 thin coats. I started out with an OPI base coat and topped it with the Freedom Polymer top coat. Julep says the top coat will create a gel-like finish.

So, I put it to a real test.

A 12 hour shift. Complete with 2 vaginal deliveries. We're talking lots and lots of hand washing-slash-alcohol foam.

Please forgive my painted cuticles. L to R: Before work, after work, this morning.

(Side note: After spending a manicure-centric weekend with a group of high school girls, I learned the absolute importance of the "accent nail." Hence, the extra coat of OPI's Princesses Rule! on each ring finger. Final verdict? I kinda hate having one different nail. It feels like I have two different socks on, or like I'm wearing a brown belt with black shoes. Meh. No thanks.)

After a long work day, my nails looked surprisingly fantastic! A little bit of wear around the tips was all I noticed. Also, the top coat dried totally hard in about 20 minutes and left a shiny, smooth surface (my nails were pretty rough after peeling off the shellac polish that was on them). Unfortunately, I broke a nail this morning trying to get Isaac into the Ergo backpack-style. I guess now I have a good reason to remove the polish and try a new color!

It also just so happens that Kate from Small Things Blog is also talking about Julep today, so apparently we're on the same cosmetic wavelength. I consider that to be pretty good company. I should also tell you this isn't a sponsored post, just something I'd like to share!

Interested? Check out more here (or see the button in my sidebar). And use the FREEBOX or FREECOLOR promo (if it still works) to get your first order for free!