Julep Maven: November 2014 – The Friendsgiving Collection – It Girl Box

For November, Julep introduced the Friendsgiving Collection with the new featured beauty products being two different types of mascaras, (Length Matters Wow-Impact Mascara and Go Big Volumizing Mascara). This collection had some eye catching shades but a lot of them felt similar to other Julep colors I already own.

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m still one of the old school folks with a non-customizable box so I have to choose between the preset options. Thanks to my sub box addiction, I have quite a supply of black mascara so I opted to do the It Girl box that featured only polishes and gift a couple of the shades.

THE IT GIRL BOX

Kiki: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Hit!
Description: Oceanic silver shimmer
I’m a sucker for oceany shades so this was a must have for me. It has a lovely shimmer to it and is interesting while still being a touch understated. This is my favorite shade in the collection.

I didn’t swatch the other two shades since I’ll be using them as gifts:

Marzia: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Gift
Description: Pewter chrome
This seems like a pretty color, but is way too similar to other Julep shades I have. I do think it would be nice for accent nails and Holiday parties.

Ilsa: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Gift
Description: Ink blue crème
Am I the only one who feels like Julep puts this shade in every single collection? It’s like every single one has a dark blue in a very similar hue to this one. I like the color but I have at least 5 other polishes that are similar to this, so it goes into the Christmas Stash.

ADD-ONS:

I really liked a couple shades so I splurged and got two add-ons.

Devon: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: On the Fence
Description: Slate grey with fuchsia microshimmer
I love greys that have colorful shimmer so I snagged this right away. While it’s a pretty color, the shimmer isn’t as obvious as I expected it to be. It’s not bad, but it’s not quite what I was hoping for.

Fazia: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Like
Description: Liquid garnet shimmer
Dark reds are one of my makeup obsessions so I am almost always compelled to grab the one featured in each collection. This isn’t new or daring, but it’s got a lovely look to it and I think it will look really intriguing with a matte topcoat.

FREEBIE:

Plie Wand Cap & Candy
Freebies are always good and since I have a plié wand set I can use this, but it seems like a waste for the folks that don’t have a wand. Still, free things are always nice!

OVERALL:

Verdict: On the Fence
I really liked Kiki, but I found a lot of the other shades to be a bit too similar to others from recent collections. I’d love to see Julep experiment with different finishes and color combinations. This box had a retail value of $70.00 (and a maven value of $55.60) and I paid $36.35 so I definitely got a value from it, although I think the only “must have” color out of the bunch was Kiki.

Did you pick up any colors from the Friendsgiving Collection? If so, I’d love to hear your opinions!

JULEP NEWS!
Limited Edition Jingle Bells Welcome Box Valued at $58 FREE for New Maven Subscribers (Pay $2.99 Shipping)

THE BACKSTORY

COUPON CODE: If you love Julep’s products, you can try out a box for free just use the code: FREECOLOR
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.

Monthly Maven Options:
Maven Subscription: $19.99 – Monthly Maven box where you choose from the boxed sets in each category.

My Maven Subscription: $24.99 per month – Allows you to customize your box
3 Month Prepaid: $19.99/month

Maven Luxe: $39.99 per month – Gives you access to add on more expensive items
3 Month Prepaid: $34.99/month

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.

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 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 Julep’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 and on your birthday. You can use jules to pay for monthly boxes and some other items chosen by Julep.