It’s time to kick off my 2016 Julep subscription with their New Year, Fresh Look Collection. Julep also currently has a great coupon code that’s valid through 2/28/16 –You can save 20% on your julep.com purchase with coupon code LETSGET20.
Since there were so many great holiday polishes, I opted to keep my Maven luxe box for another month. Prepare yourself for lots of swatches!
Let’s get to it!
MAVEN LUXE BOX
It’s Balm – Dusty Orchid Shimmer (Retail $20.00/Maven Price: $16.00)
Verdict: Okay
Description: “A full-coverage lip crayon with a moisturizing treatment core in the middle..”
I’ve been hunting for the perfect pinkish shade for every day and I thought this might be a great match. Unfortunately, the shade isn’t quite what I expected. It turns a slightly odd shade of pink. (I’ve swatched it in two kinds of light). This does look nice layered with other colors and the formula on the “It’s balm” (I HATE that name) is excellent. This is moisturizing for your lips which is great during these cold winter months.
Rethink Your Shower – Hydrating Body Cleansing Oil (Retail $38.00/Maven Price: $30.40)
Verdict: Love!
Description: “Our ultra-hydrating, lightweight body cleansing oil that reaches deep to dissolve impurities and prep skin for exfoliation, then rinses away to reveal silky, nourished skin.”
This item was a restock for me. This shower gel has a light citrus scent and doesn’t leave my skin feeling super dry like some cleansers can. It’s quite pricey (even with the maven discount) so I love being able to add it to my Maven box.
Janie: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Like
Description: Whisper pink sheer crème
I am sort of obsessed with pink and nude sheers. I like to use them for jelly sandwich and negative space manicures.
Mariah: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Plum eclipse microshimmer
This polish reminded me of my very favorite Julep shade Ciara, so I had to snap it up. I love polishes with contrasting microshimmers and this one is lovely. I’d like to see Julep make more like this but with higher contrast. (Like I’d love to see a dark red, with a dusty seafoam shimmer).
Tali: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Glacier breeze linear liquid holographic
The holo on this is lovely and I think the light shade is a nice transition from Winter to Spring.
Shay: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Celadon iridescent chrome
As soon as I saw this one I knew I had to have it. I love these seafoamy greenish shades and this one has wonderful sparkle.
Jamie: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Iridescent mylar jagged-cut glitter top coat
I really like the iridescence of mylar and I think this topcoat will be great paired with some jelly polishes.
ADD ONS!
Celeste: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Hit!
Description: Cosmic gray iridescent glitter
Cosmic gray iridescent glitter? Who could say no to that? This was only available as an add-on, and I just loved the mix of colors so I had to add it to my collection.
Jennifer: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Hit!
Description: Sheer soft pink crème
This is an older Julep color and I’ve had it on my wish list for a long time. Another pink sheer, but this one is a bit warmer and more opaque. I think this one will be great for interviews.
Melinda: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Hit!
Description: Fuchsia berry liquid holographic
Another Julep holo! I loved the saturated dark raspberry color of this one. I think this will be another great transition shade as we move toward Spring.
JANUARY FREEBIES!
Yah for Free Candy!
ADD-ON FREEBIE!
Janae: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love/Gift!
Description: Cool charcoal crème
I love charcoal shades of polish. They are a great way to look edgy and polished without the harshness of black. I have a lot of shades similar to this so I’m on the fence about keeping this one for myself or giving it as a gift. Decisions, Decisions.
OVERALL:
Verdict: Love!
The retail value on this box was a whopping $184.00 and the maven value was $147.20. I paid $60.95, to get 9 polishes, a lip product and a container of shower gel. I think that’s a great deal. For February, I’m heading back to my curated boxes, but it’s hard to resist the pull of Maven luxe with its many discounts, so we’ll see if I don’t opt to upgrade again.
JULEP SPOILER
Julep should be revealing it’s products and shades for March soon and I’ve heard that a new featured product will be…drumroll….a Detoxifying Cleansing Stick! I have no idea what that is but I want it!
What products do you want to see Julep come out with? Different polish finishes? Haircare? More skin items? Dish!
COUPON CODES & LINKS:
Save 20% on your julep.com purchase with coupon code LETSGET20. (Expires 2/28/16)
50% of the Valentine’s Welcome Box when you join Julep Beauty
Get a FREE GIFT ($42 value) when you join Julep by 2/14
Get Your First Beauty Box Free With A 3-Month Subscription to Julep
THE BACKSTORY
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:
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 (Take the quiz here):
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.”
Bombshell – “You’re a confident frill-seeker with magnetic appeal.”
Classic With a Twist – “You’re an iconic beauty with a timeless aesthetic.”
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, change it, or skip. 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 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.
Lisa Preziosi 
What a great box of goodies esp Junior Mints thrown in there cause chocolate and beauty go great together!
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
I love the It’s Balm. Whenever they release 4 new shades, I do the Ulitmate Upgrade. I have not tried any of the new shades on yet, so I am unsure what I think that pink will look like on me.
I’d love to hear what you think of the pink. It’s not bad or anything, but just not quite what I expected.