Julep Maven: March 2014 – The Riveria Collection

So for March Julep tapped into our longing to escape this brutal winter and head off on a fabulous vacation.  Cue the March Riviera Collection.

If you’re familiar with Julep, you know they have a bunch of style options to choose from each month.  For March I really wanted a lip gloss and I couldn’t resist a new jelly polish so I opted for the “Classic with a Twist” option.  Now let’s get into the box!
 

THE CLASSIC WITH A TWIST BOX:

Julep Lip Gloss in Awestruck:  (Retail $16.00/Maven Price: $16.00)
Verdict:  Love!
Description: Sheer golden blush shimmer, with Power Cell Complex
I have a few Julep glosses that I love and when I saw this golden pinkish one I just had to have it.   Once I tried it I was even happier with it than I thought I’d be.  It has this really pretty golden shimmer mixed into a sweet blush pink.  It’s the perfect complement to a more dramatic eye and I know it’s going to end up being my go to shade for spring.

Soraphine: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict:  Love!
Description: Classic sheer white crème
I don’t know why they are calling this a crème.  It’s a really sheer jelly and it’s perfect for all kinds of nail art (like jelly sandwiches).  Jelly finishes are my favorite and I’ve been searching for a white and this one is perfect.  On its own it gives a really subtle chic vibe, but it’s perfect paired with glitter topcoats.  Jelly finishes are buildable so you just layer polish until it’s as opaque as you want.

Myriam: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict:  Love!
Description: Casino red crème
So I really chose this box based on wanting the other two items and this was sort of a “gift with purchase”.  I love reds and I have quite a few so I didn’t think I needed another.  I was wrong.  This is just a vibrant cherry red that went on so smoothly.  I think it’s going to look great in summer paired with my yellow and navy dresses.

This month I couldn’t resist an add-on.  (But really who can resist “mermaid teal” glitter polish?  Not me, that’s for sure.)

ADD-ONS:

Tania: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict:  Love!
Description: Multdimensional mermaid teal glitter
So first I’m a sucker for anything with the word “mermaid” in it.  Second, seagreens and teals are my favorite shades next to dark red.  Of course I was going to pick this up.  The consistency is a little thick but I adore the color.  The swatch has this layered over Soraphine.  I saw some amazing pics on the Julep page that featured Soraphine with Tania just at the tips.  It was so gorgeous and ethereal.  I can’t wait to try it out.

FREEBIE:

Candy!
Verdict:  Miss, but free so still a Hit!
Normally I love candy, but this one wasn’t quite so tasty.  But it’s free so I’m not going to complain.  I do like it when Julep sends samples as freebies since it gives us a chance to try out some of the pricier products before committing to a full size.  I hope they add some in soon.

Overall
The retail value of my items was $58.00 and the Maven value was $49.60.  I’ve been hoarding jules for a while from referrals (thanks!) and taking boxes every month so I was able to pick this up for free. I loved everything in it and would gladly have paid the regular Maven price for this box.  The colors were fun and interesting and I know I’ll get a lot of use out of them.  They also had a few coupon codes included for discounts on the various lip products.

What do you think of jelly polishes?  Do you love them?  Hate them?  Don’t understand them?

 

NEW AT JULEP

Julep just introduced a new polish called Malala in honor of “the bravest girl in the world”.  Malala Yousafzai was a schoolgirl who wanted an education for herself and all girls in Pakistan.  At fifteen years old, she survived a brutal attack by extremists and went on to become an activist for women’s rights and education.   100% of the proceeds of this polish will go to the Malala Fund which empowers girls around the world through education.

The polish is a Dusty pink mauve crème that was created to complement one of the shawls Malala wore during a speech to the United Nations, and which had previously belonged to slain Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

So now you can use polish to not only make your nails beautiful, but the world as well. 

 

THE BACKSTORY

If you love Julep’s products, you can try out a box for free just use the code FREEBOX
Just remember this signs you up for a monthly subscription.  If you don’t wish to receive boxes you will need to call Julep to cancel .

Julep specializes in toxin-free nail color but also features beauty products.  They are a small company based in Seattle and have been featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things List.

They have a monthly maven box that costs $19.99.  You simply take their beauty quiz and it will match you up with a specific style.

The options:

Modern Beauty – (For those who prefer beauty items over nail color) – “You’re a savvy tastemaker obsessed with the art and science of beauty.” Get two full-size beauty products in every box.

Boho Glam – “You’re a dynamic free spirit with a creative eye.” Get two limited-edition nail colors and one full-size beauty product in every box.

Bombshell – “You’re a confident frill-seeker with magnetic appeal.” Get two limited-edition nail colors and one full-size beauty product in every box.

Classic With a Twist – “You’re an iconic beauty with a timeless aesthetic.” Get two limited-edition nail colors and one full-size beauty product in every box.

It Girl – (For those who want polish only) “You’re a colorful trendsetter who’s not afraid to be bold.” Get three limited-edition nail colors in every box.

The real beauty of a maven box is that you to choose what you want.  You can change profiles each month and choose whichever box tickles your fancy.  Julep will email you with the contents of your regular box selection, and at that time you can opt to keep it as is or change it.  Every time you purchase a box you get the option of add-ons at a huge discount along with access to Julep’s “Secret Store” that lets you get other products at great prices.   Another perk is that when you’re a maven you get 20% off anything you purchase from Julelp’s website along with free Shipping.  Julep polishes retail at $14.00 each, so a Maven box of two to three brand new polishes for under $20.00 is a great steal.

Julep also has a rewards program that gives you “jules” for taking your monthly boxes, referring customers and on your birthday.  You can use jules to pay for monthly boxes and some other items chosen by Julep.

Coupon: To try out a box for free, use the code FREEBOX
(you’ll just have to pay for shipping this time).  Just remember this is a subscription service so your free box will sign you up to get a box every month.