Julep Maven Box February 2015

         I have been skipping my Julep boxes just because I have so much nail polish already and it is more money than I want to spend on something I wont use. Each box is 19.99 USD and shipping is free. There also upgrades to your box for different prices. The box I got was The Maven's Choice which was an additional $5 on top of the regular price so it ended up being $24.99 USD. There have been a lot of changes since I signed up in 2013 and I haven't really kept up on all of them. I know that I can skip as many boxes as I want so I just keep skipping every month unless something catches my eye. I am not sure if this option is still available, I know for a while it was not available for new Mavens. There are different tiers for subscriptions now as well. I will link the website in case you want to check it out. 

         

           I decided to get this box because I already have the Almond Nude lip colour in the Plush Pout Crayon and I wanted to try the pink. Also the Night Mask sounded interesting so I figured I would actually get this box. 

         The Night Shift Mask is $34 or $27.50 if you are a Maven, already the cost of the box right here. According to the website it reaches deep to stimulate cell turnover and renewal, has a clinically proven peptide blend that works to retexturize your skin and  sodium hyaluronate works with botanical extracts (including the Power Cell Complex that sounds like Julep just totally made up) to deliver maximum moisture. I have only used it once but I will continue to use it even if it only gets me to remove my makeup before bed. I did notice my skin was soft and fresh in the morning and even though I only used it the once I think with repeated use it could really be beneficial. 

         This is the Orbital Eyeshadow in Earthshine which is $14.40 and it does not seem to have a Maven price. Originally I was not excited for this item simply because I have so many eyeshadows already but I tried it out and it makes for the perfect crease shade. It is described as "tree bark with chrome pearlescence" so points for that fucked up description Julep. I certainly would not pay even close to $14.40 for this but I will use it often, it works quite well with a lot of the shadows in my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. 

           Next is the Plush Pout Crayon in Aurora Pink. $16 Maven or Not. This is described as a "Full coverage lip crayon with a moisturizing treatment core in the middle" I don't know if I would call this full coverage but I do like it. I wear it a little more sheer than the photos on the website just because I feel like it I put it on too thick it settles into the lines on my lips. It feels like a lip balm to put on and apparently also has the "Power Cell Complex" in it with age defying, skin boosting, ultra hydrating ingredients. "Rosehip seed oil delivers essential nutrients to sooth and repair. Malvaceae Lipid Extract improves barrier function so skin retains moisture. Green coffee bean oil invigorates skin and promotes cell turnover." Well ok then Julep. It's pretty, it's pink and I don't need a mirror to put it on. Done. I wouldn't buy it at $16 but the boxes it comes in I always consider. 

        Included in every box was this Hartleigh nail polish, a holographic glitter top coat. Priced at $14.00 or $11.29 if you are a Maven. There was also a little note from Jane Park the founder of Julep saying thank you for being a Maven. I don't usually like these kind of top coats because I find it hard to get the glitter and little hearts even but this is a cute touch for Valentine's Day. Again wouldn't pay that price for it. Not even close. 

        So the value of this box comes out to $78.40 or $69.10 if you are a Maven. Julep products are certainly a little pricey but I have found some great products in the past. I love the pencil eyeliner, the Ta Da quick dry drops, the Mint Condition pedicure cream, the Gylcolic hand scrub and the Rock Star hand cream. Julep is certainly not for someone on a budget.  

Check it out for yourself: www.julep.com 

Want to sign up? Feel free to use my link ;)  https://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/307362/

Thanks for reading!

A.

Ipsy - January 2015

           Mechanical Eye Pencil by Hikari cosmetics

           In Storm (slate gray) $13

           

           Originally I was quite excited to receive this item, I do not have any gray eyeliner and you can never have too many eyeliners. You just can not. The formula is not the best, it takes a pretty heavy hand to really build any color. I would not recommend this, especially not to anyone with sensitive eyes. I will continue to use it because once I finally got some color from the eyeliner it was a nice gray color without being a sparkly silver.

         Be Good. Good Day, Day Moisturizer by LA Fresh Eco-Beauty.

         Full size 1.7oz $40, received 0.5oz $11.60

         Not a super exciting product but I love getting lotions and moisturizers. This one came in a little packet but had the lovely feature of still having a twist off cap. I have used it a couple times and it has not rocked my world but it is a good moisturizer, it absorbs quickly and does not feel heavy on my face. 

       Mojito Lip Balm by Malin+Goetz

       7g $12

       This was the product I was most excited about. It was featured in a previous bag but I did not receive it. Seeing as it is $12 I was not willing to purchase. This lip balm is a savior for dry and cracked winter lips. It absorbed quickly and moisturized for hours. I am a fan but I can't see myself paying $12 for a rather small tube.

       Sheer Glo by Manna Kadar Cosmetics 

       Full size 1oz $29, received 0.27oz $7.83

       This is not a product I will use. At all. I have oily skin so the dewy look is just a no go for me. I do not like to add any shimmer as it just looks horrible by the end of the day. Not a bad product for some and a decent sample size, I just have no use for it.

       Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow by Pacifica in Treasure

       Sold only in larger palettes $14, single shadow approx. $4.67

       I had gotten an eyeshadow from Pacifica before and the color payoff was not that great but this swatches out exactly as it looks in the compact. It also blends out smoothly to a beautiful bronzed shimmer. I see myself using this often and combining it both with the Be a Bombshell Base from a previous bag and my Urban Decay Naked3 palette.

BONUS ITEM

benefit Posie Balm 250 points

      I hate this product, I am especially disappointed because after I redeemed my points the Ayers lotion I LOVED was available for the same amount of points. To be honest I did not even put it on, it reeks of roses and the smells turned me off so completely that I put it back in the bag immediately. It had such promise. A cute little mini pink, tinted lip balm? Perfect for my purse, I just can not deal with the scent.

       Overall not the best bag for me, especially compared to my last few. Hopefully this is not a sign of what is to come in 2015. The total value of my bag was close to $50 so it was not that it had bad products, just a couple disappointing ones. For me the eyeshadow and lip balm make it worth it.

Like, comment and share!

A.

Too Faced Mystery Tin

          This is the one thing I bought on Cyber Monday. For whatever foolish reason they don't ship to Canada so Mrs. G's PO box saved the day again. The Mystery Tin was $35 and included $150 worth of product. I was happy with what I got and would purchase it again next year.

          The makeup came in an actual tin which is pretty cute. I've used it to put my makeup in while traveling and it's helping organize my desk at the moment. Ok, let's get right to the contents. 

          A set of the Teddy Bear brushes and this are beautiful. Very soft and each of them have made it into my frequently used brush jar. 

          Just look at that color, it goes on exactly that color and is so creamy. The staying power isn't the best but it is so moisturizing and smooth that I do not mind reapplying. It is in the color Believe. 

          This is the Chocolate Soleil bronzer in Milk Chocolate. I am one very pasty Canadian so it is too dark for my winter lack of pigment but is great for contouring and I've used it as blush a few times. It is likely going to work in the summer if I actually get a tan. It stays put all day and I am excited to be able to use it to its full potential. Why bronzer needs to smell like chocolate I don't know but it really does smell good enough to eat. 

          All of the yes. This is a deluxe sample of their Better Than Sex mascara and I've used it nearly everyday. The volume and length I get from this magic in a tube amazes me every time. So much so that I am considering paying for the full sized version. 

          I was so excited to receive an eye-shadow palette. It wouldn't have mattered which one because they are all beautiful. I was already looking at different palettes, I wouldn't have bought this one as I thought it would be too dark but it is perfect for a night time smokey eye or a more subdued daytime look. The shadows are pigmented and smooth with no creasing all day. If you look at the Up in Smoke pan in the top right you can see that there is a chunk out of it. It came like that and was such a mess to clean up. There was no damage to the box during shipping, I emailed The company so hopefully they make it right as almost half of the shadow is gone.   

UPDATE: After several emails I heard absolutely nothing from Too Faced.

          

          This Beauty Balm was one of the two samples I chose, not a huge fan. It is too dark for me and does not really seem to do anything for me.

          This eyeliner was the second sample and I am in love. It is called Perfect Eyes for a reason, it does on smoother than any of the hundreds of eyeliners I have tried. I was actually shocked when I put it on the first time. It is waterproof and stays on all day. I've even cried with this on and it barely budged. 

           Overall I am happy I took the risk because for $35 I got to try products I couldn't justify spending the money on and found new favorites. If you see this offer in the future snatch it up because they go fast and it is certainly worth it. The eye-shadow alone makes it worth it as it is $36 just by itself. 

          Thanks for reading! Like, comment and share.  

A.