For January, Julep introduced “The Chrysalis Collection” which was chock full of beauty products I wanted to try so I nabbed the Modern Maven box and maybe (just maybe) went a bit overboard with the add-ons.
So let’s dive into some products and some swatches.
MODERN BEAUTY BOX
Brilliance Glycolic Hand + Body Scrub: (Retail $32.00/Maven Price: $25.0)
Verdict: Love for Product/Miss for Packaging
Description: “This dual-action exfoliating scrub instantly reveals brighter, smoother skin—like a facial for your hands and body! 90% of users noticed softer, younger-looking skin after just one treatment.”
This is the same formula as Julep’s awesome hand scrub but megasized so you can use it for your body. I love this scrub. It’s super gentle and the ability to squeeze it from a tube (as opposed to the many jarred scrubs) is a huge bonus. Unfortunately, as soon as I used mine I got a tiny bit out, then no more would come. I did everything I could (including standing on the tube) and still nada. The hole is super super small and the scrub is pretty dense. I have a call out to Julep about it, but I think I’m going to need to bust out my exacto knife to cut a bigger opening. Others seem to have no issue with it so it may just be my version that is defective. This is also available in the original smaller size and I’ve had no packaging issues with that version.
Luxe Lip Treatment in Fig: (Retail $24.00/Maven Price: $19.20)
Verdict: Hit!
Description: “Enriched with natural ingredients that soothe, hydrate, and plump lips, this silky-smooth treatment delivers major moisture with a hint of tint. The cooling tip soothes lips and boosts microcirculation.”
This product has gotten a lot of mixed reviews and even though I really like it, I can see why other folks might not. Let’s start with the positives. This is a slightly tinted lip treatment that has a thin consistency. It’s not at all sticky and gives just a shimmery hint of color. I found it to be very moisturizing and the oil like consistency and organic taste didn’t bother me as it did with some other reviewers. I also would have loved just a touch more pigment to it. On the negative side, the price listed is way too high. The product is generously sized, but for a lip treatment with so little color payoff, I think $12 would be a more appropriate price point. (Although I have no issue with it in a maven box since that has a huge discount).
ADD-ONS:
Orbital Eyeshadow – Borealis: (Retail $18.00/Maven Price: $14.40)
Verdict: You had me at hello
Description: Charcoal with peacock pearlescence
Once I saw this shadow as an add-on option, I knew it would be mine. Then I got it home and fell instantly and completely in love. This is possibly my favorite eyeshadow ever. It should be labeled “smoky eye for dummies”. You just apply it to your lid and boom you look like you have a smoky eye from a magazine. (No need to blend with other colors or add layers – it does the job all on its own). As a pale ginger, smoky eyes are difficult for me to pull off without looking like a zombie and this shade is damn perfect. It’s got a mix of colors that work so well with my brown eye and red hair. Based on swatches from other folks it also seems to works on a ton of other skin tones. If you’re thinking about grabbing this, go for it, you won’t be sorry.
Gel Eye Glider in Navy Smoke and Olive: (Retail $16.00/Maven Price: $12.80)
Verdict: Love!
Description: “Clinically proven to last for 10+ hours, this easy-to-use eye pencil delivers the creamy formula & intense color payoff of a gel eyeliner. The waterproof formula glides on, sets in 30 seconds, and then stays put. Because eyeliner shouldn’t stand in the way of adventures.”
I’ve become obsessed with Julep’s eye gliders and determined to collect all the shades (All I need is graphite shimmer and my quest will be complete!) They go on so easily and have great staying power. I’d put them up against any high end makeup brand’s gel liners. Both navy and olive are great colors for me so I nabbed them both. The navy looks a bit black with my skin complexion but it pairs perfectly with the Borealis shadow. The olive works compliments my brown eyes. I know I’m going to have a great time playing with these.
Luna: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Light blue duochrome with jagged cut glitter
I have an unhealthy obsession with beauty products named after the moon and this polish really does have a moonlit ethereal feel. I couldn’t resist trying this one out as soon as I got it and it was lovely over Julep’s Shenae.
ADD-ON FREEBIE:
If you take 3 or more add-ons, Julep offers a free mystery gift.
So along with this lovely candy I received…
Glycolic Hand Scrub: (Retail $23.00/Maven Price: $18.40)
Description: “Whisk away dirt and oil and reveal noticeably softer and younger looking hands after just one use. You’ll be surprised that something so effective smells so good! (Insider tip – try this gorgeous scrub all over your body, it’s even gentle enough for your face.)”
This is the original scrub in its smaller packaging. Since I love this product I’m happy to have an extra.
ANOTHER FREEBIE!
Freebie Metamorphic Topcoat
Julep had an email sign up where we could grab a free “metamorphic” topcoat with our box. These are sheer, tinted topcoats that change the polish beneath them. There are three different shades (blue, green, magenta) and you’d randomly get one in your box.
Tilda: (Retail $14.00/Maven Price: $11.20)
Verdict: Love!
Description: Green pearlescent silk top coat
These topcoats have not made an appearance yet on the Julep site, but they are add-ons for the February box. I went ahead and estimated the price based on what Julep typically introduces new polish for.
So that we could see what this topcoat can do I swatched it over Julep’s Jet (Black) and Julep’s Amity (Silver).
Below is a before and after side by side.
Tilda gives light colors a slight sheen, but has a much more noticeable effect on darker shades. I can’t wait to try out the other two.
OVERALL:
Verdict: Love!
I think this is one of my favorite Julep boxes ever. I love and will use everything I ordered. I paid $56.66 for all these items (including all the freebies) and received a retail value of $157.00 and a maven value of $125.60.
I can’t recommend the Borealis shadow or the eye gliders enough and I’ve already had a ton of fun playing around with the Luna and Tilda polishes.
If you want a sneak peek at Julep’s February collection, take a look at my blog post about Julep’s NYC Maven meetup which is chock full of swatches. I’ve ordered the full set of Metamorphic polishes for February so be sure to come back if you want to see how the other two metamorphic shades fare.
Did you pick up any items from the Julep January collection? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
JULEP SIGN UP OFFERS
Join Maven and get 50% off and FREE Shipping on your Winter Escape Welcome Box!
Beauty-Full Welcome Box: Join Julep Maven and get the Beauty-Full Welcome Box FREE! ($42 value) Just pay $3.99 shipping
Birthstone Welcome Box: Join Maven and get 50% off and FREE Shipping on your Birthstone Weclome Box
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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:
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 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 