Green Comparison Post!

Hello readers! I have another easy comparison post for you! I recently was able to get the gorgeous Essie Mojito Madness from my dear friend Jen at My Polish Obsession. I thought I would compare it to some others to see how close it came to others in my stash!

Julep Leah, Essie Mojito Madness, Illamasqua Noble

2 coats of each

As you can see, Julep Leah is pretty close but has added shimmer. Illamasqua Nomad looked more similar in the bottle but definitely not on the nail. Yay!

Do you have any of these? Thanks for reading!

Lynnderella Snow Angel!

Hello readers! I have a quick post for you today! I had  been trying to figure out what to wear my Lynnderella Snow Angel over that I won from BerryPolished. White on white(I tried it over Essie Marshmallow)  is too boring for me on my nails so I decided to try out this pastel periwinkle. This is over Julep Jessica. I like it much more than over white. It's very delicate and feminine.

I used:

Orly Nail Defense

2 coats of Julep Jessica

1 coat of Lynnderella Snow Angel

Cult Nails Wicked Fast

What do you think? Thanks for reading!

My December Julep Maven Box!

Good morning, everyone! I have this month's Julep Maven box to share with you today! I've heard lots of mixed reactions to the boxes this month but I LOVED mine. One of my favorite boxes so far! Granted, my box wasn't one of the ones with nail appliques, but I probably would have liked that as well. On to the box!

In this box:

Pomegranate Body Creme ($18)

Fast Dry Top Coat ($14)

Helena Nail Polish ($14)

Nail Pearls(free holiday gift)

Total Retail Price: $46. I paid the normal $19.99 Maven subscription price!

Helena is a gorgeous and bright fuchsia pink. It's a little more purple than my pictures are showing, but really pretty anyway! This was 2 coats.

I also used the quick dry top coat in these pictures! I like it, it's thinner so don't expect Poshe or Seche Vite, but it made the polish shiny and I was able to touch my nails once I painted all 10. I've heard it smears designs a bit, so I'll keep this one around for when I have solid colors. That is common with a thinner quick dry top coat anyway. 

I love love love the pomegranate body creme! It smells really yummy, and my hands feel great after using it. I think it is my favorite hand lotion that Julep has sent me! Not the least bit greasy and absorbs very well into the skin within a couple of minutes. A+ from me!

I haven't had a chance to try the little pearls yet because I don't think the color goes well with this polish color so I'll get back to you on that in a later post.

All in all, as I said before, I love this box! What do you think of what I got? Did you get this box or a different one? I'd love to hear what you thought of your box this month!

Don't forget, with Julep Maven:
-You can request a new "shelf pull" if you don't like what colors they've picked for you
-You always get free shipping, as well as 20% off their site
-You can pause, cancel, or send to friend any month by the 25th
-Your box is shipped on the 26th(as well as your card charged for it)
-It's 19.99 a month for at least $40 worth of products
-You get $15 credit for each Maven you refer(keep track of who you refer in case Julep has another glitch)

If you want to sign up now, here is my referral link:
http://www.julep.com/AP.aspx?ID=520&EID=14751479
Again, please let me know if you use my link so my credit doesn't get lost.

Thanks for reading!!

New Nail Mail and Haul Post!

Hello readers!! Since I've been keeping my manis on longer lately, I haven't had as much to post. So yay for enough new nail polish for a haul post!

Here are all of the recent things I've acquired:

First I have my amazing Secret Santa polishes from Lyncia:

L-R: OPI Fresh Frog of Bel Air, OPI Rainbow Connection, OPI Gone Gonzo, China Glaze Twinkle Lights, China Glaze Snow Globe! How awesome are all of these? 

Next up is a polish I got myself during a sale at Ulta while buying for others:

China Glaze Marry A Millionaire from the new Eye Candy collection. Can't wait to try it!

These are from another Ulta trip I took yesterday with some amazing coupons and freebies:

The Ulta Pro Denim Blues Collection Vol 2, and Glitterati sets. 

Denim Blues L-R: Faded Blues, Gray Couture, Denim Glitz, Soho Skinny, and Rhinestone Rocker.

Glitterati L-R: Hide and Go Sequins, Fashionably Late, Black Tie Affair, and Glamoflauge.

Lastly, my Julep Maven December box arrived yesterday!!

A huge 4 oz tub of Pomegranate body creme, Fast Dry Top Coat, Helena, and a little case of pink/coral colored pearls. Awesome! Stay tuned for a Julep box post.

Well, there you have it! My most recent purchases and nail mail. I have to add these to my stash list so I'm not sure how many I am up to now! Eeek! Thanks for reading!

My November Julep Maven Box!

Good morning, readers!! My Julep Maven box showed up when I was out of town so I am just now getting around to writing this post for you. This month, there was an option to get the "polish lovers" box if you weren't interested in the original box of polish, lipgloss, and a makeup bag. I opted for the Polish Lover box.

In this box:

Trina Nail Polish ($14)

Michelle Nail Polish ($14)

Diane Nail Polish ($14)

Total retail price: $42. I paid the normal $19.99! 

On to the swatches:

First, I give you Diane. A dark green that is great for fall! When in the direct sunlight, the green lightens enough to see it. 

Next up is Michelle. I gorgeous dark navy blue! I love it!

And I saved the best for last: Trina. Look at the hidden sparkle when the sun hits your nails! So gorgeous. It makes me want to carry a tiny sun around with me inside so I can see this all the time.

All in all, I really like the Polish Lovers box and I think it was a great option! I can definitely see myself wearing all 3 polishes. 

Don't forget, with Julep Maven:
-You can request a new "shelf pull" if you don't like what colors they've picked for you
-You always get free shipping, as well as 20% off their site
-You can pause, cancel, or send to friend any month by the 25th
-Your box is shipped on the 26th(as well as your card charged for it)
-It's 19.99 a month for at least $40 worth of products
-You get $15 credit for each Maven you refer(keep track of who you refer in case Julep has another glitch)

If you want to sign up now, here is my referral link:
http://www.julep.com/AP.aspx?ID=520&EID=14751479
Again, please let me know if you use my link so my credit doesn't get lost.


Anyone plan on ordering? What do you think of my new colors? Thanks for reading!

My October Julep Maven Box!

Hello readers!! This is one of my most favorite posts I do each month! I received my Julep Maven box and couldn't wait to show you what I got! I am "American Beauty" and here are the goodies:

In The Box:

Dendrie nail polish ($14)

NEW Julep Glow On Hand Brightener ($32)

NEW Julep 2011 Holiday Color Brooklyn ($14)

Total retail price was $60, and I got these for FREE! 

Since I signed up before a certain date when the referral system had a glitch, I recieved this month's box free to make up for any possible lost referrals! You would normally pay $19.99 a month for your Julep  Maven box.

First up, we have Brooklyn. Such a gorgeous red!! This is 2 coats. It was hard to capture with the glitter and I think my pictures make it more bright/cherry than it is. I love it. I think I may wear this to an upcoming wedding because it is so gorgeous!

This is topped with 2 thin coats or Orly Sec n Dry and you can still see some texture from the glitter found in the red base. I'm sure that Gelous before my top coat would have made a huge difference. 

And here we have Dendrie. Described as "a chic, dove grey." This was pretty sheer and needed 3 coats for these pictures. I don't think I love this with my skin tone but it's a pretty grey!  

As for the Glow On skin brightener, I really love it. It smells so nice and doesn't feel too greasy while on my hands. It must have some kind of shimmer in it because my hands really looked like they glowed when I had it on.  I just love the hand treatments we get in our monthly boxes with the polishes!

My verdict for this months box? I like all of it! Even though Dendrie may not be flattering on me, it applied nicely and dried so quickly and shiny! I had no top coat in the above pictures! I look forward to seeing what I get next month in my Julep Maven Box!

Don't forget, with Julep Maven:
-You can request a new "shelf pull" if you don't like what colors they've picked for you
-You always get free shipping, as well as 20% off their site
-You can pause, cancel, or send to friend any month by the 25th
-Your box is shipped on the 26th(as well as your card charged for it)
-It's 19.99 a month for at least $40 worth of products
-You get $15 credit for each Maven you refer(keep track of who you refer in case Julep has another glitch)

If you want to sign up now, here is my referral link:
http://www.julep.com/AP.aspx?ID=520&EID=14751479
Again, please let me know if you use my link so my credit doesn't get lost.


Anyone plan on ordering? What do you think of my new colors? Thanks for reading!

Matte Mani Plus Nail Haul Pics

Hello readers! The rain let up a tiny bit this morning so I was able to take pictures of my previous mani with a matte top coat added! It looks pretty awesome, I just love making glitter matte! I also want to share my recent nail mail and polish hauls with you.

 What do you think of the matte? I used Essie Matte About You and love it! Please excuse the lack of lotion before I took the pic, I was just happy it stopped raining long enough for me to snap some pics!

And on to my recent hauls: 

14 new polishes and 2 new hand lotions.

First up, we have my very first polish swap(and it was international!) with NAIL L00PY! Left to right: All About Nails Purple Rain, GOSH Yellow Bombay, and No7  Blackberry! I am so excited about these UK brands! Thanks Nail Loopy!!

 Next I have NYC West Village sent to me from Jenn at All That Is Gorgeous... She had a giveaway and sent this as a consolation prize when I didn't win. How sweet is she!?! Thanks again, Jenn!

 Onto another giveaway, I won these goodies from Destany at Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom! This was my very first giveaway win and I was so excited!! She sent me Wet n Wild Tulip-git To Quit and this awesome Arome Ambiance Hand Cream! Thanks, Destany!!

I picked these beauties up from Ulta last week. They were having a buy 2, get a free base or top coat sale, plus a $5 off of $10 coupon so I got all 3 of these for $12 and they are $8.50 each normally! Score! Left to right: Natural Nail Base Coat, Bubble Bath, and Do You Think I'm Tex-y?

My October Julep Maven box!!! I got (L to R): Dendrie, Glow On Hand Brightener, and Brooklyn! I will be doing a separate Julep post soon on these.

Lastly, I got the China Glaze Haunting Collection from Sallys over a week ago! L to R: Ghoulish Glow glow in the dark polish(!!), Black Mesh crackle, It's Alive, and Cross Iron 360. This pack was like 12 dollars for all 4!! 

Well, there you have it! Hope you enjoyed my post! Have a wonderful day!

Day 20: Watermarbled

Good morning, readers!! Have you entered my giveaway? It's closing this Friday!!

I have a fun mani to show you today! I just have to say that I love watermarbling! There are a lot of different designs you can do and its not too difficult either. I did a little tutorial for you here a while back(don't laugh at my terrible pictures though LOL).

 I have to add, that it takes up a good amount of polish, though, so make sure you don't use any of your HTFs or more expensive brands. I did this mani from 3 of the new Wet n Wild On The Prowl Collection colors. I was going for something a bit darker since it's officially fall and really like how this turned out!

I used: Base coat of Julep Base Coat
Base Color of Essie Blanc(I always start out with a white canvas. The colors are so thin when watermarbled so they can look too sheer and white makes them pop more)
I watermarbled with Wet n Wild Buy Me A Drink, Ink Well, and Ready to Pounce.
2 coats of Out the Door.

 The pictures don't really capture the shimmer in the colors but I think they still look nice in the pictures regardless. I am happy with how these turned out, what do you think? Thanks for reading!

My September Julep Maven Box!

Yay! I have a lot of fun getting a monthly box from Julep Maven. I just got my September box yesterday, on the 1st of the month, so that worked out well!! It only took 6 days to get here from Seattle this time, so 2 days faster than last month. I wonder if they changed their shipping? Anyway, happy girl over here! Here are the goods:

This month's box:
Everyday SPF Hand Cream($28)
Julep Essential Cuticle Oil($18)
Boris & Nicole nail color($14)
Total retail price $60, I paid $19.99 with the Julep Maven program. :)

 Here is a side view of the Cuticle Oil next to the polish. I have a theory to explain these odd shaped "windows" on the sides of the bottles. I think they are supposed to represent what a stroke of polish would look like, and in this case, a roll of the cuticle oil. Anyone else with me on that? I feel very smart for this theory! hahaha

 This is the lovely Boris & Nicole! Such a gorgeous bronzy color, but check out the shimmer!!

Ready for my thoughts on this box? I was a little disappointed to only get 1 polish this month(because I love polish!) but at least I love the color they chose for me. I also really like the cuticle oil. It is thin and a roll on, so it's super easy to use and smells nice! Kind of a nature-y smell..maybe trees? I can't place it, but I do like it. I am an avid cuticle balm user, and this may change my mind! Or at least, I will leave this in my purse and use it often as well as using my cuticle balm before bed! On to the hand cream, I was happy it was 30SPF, but I don't love it. It smells like sunblock, and feels a bit like it, too. Not as greasy as sunblock, but much thinner than my current hand lotion. I'll definitely keep it and use it if we plan to be outside, but I won't be replacing my thicker hand cream with it.

Don't forget, with Julep Maven:
-You can request a new "shelf pull" if you don't like what colors they've picked for you
-You always get free shipping, as well as 20% off their site
-You can pause, cancel, or send to friend any month by the 25th
-Your box is shipped on the 26th(as well as your card charged for it)
-It's 19.99 a month for at least $40 worth of products
-You get $15 credit for each Maven you refer(keep track of who you refer in case Julep has another glitch)

If you want to sign up now, here is my referral link:
http://www.julep.com/AP.aspx?ID=520&EID=14751479
Again, please let me know if you use my link so my credit doesn't get lost.

ALSO, as far as I know, FBMAVEN is a code you can use for 50% off your first Maven box!
Anyone else plan on joining? Thanks for reading!

My First Julep Maven Box!

Hello there, lovely readers!! I have a very long and exciting post to share with you today!! If you read my other post on Julep Maven, this post is about what came in my first box. If you didn't read my other post, here are some things you should know about the Julep Maven Program.

This is a monthly subscription to receive nail polishes and products for cheaper than you would pay if you ordered them from the Julep website individually. $19.99 a month for over $40 worth of products each month! You will sometimes get never before released items to try before they are available to anyone else!

You take a quick quiz and they will determine your "personality" and base your colors around that. I was American Beauty. There is also: It Girl, Bombshell, Boho Glam, and Classic With a Twist.

You get to see what you are getting in a preview email before it is sent out, so if you don't like what colors they've chosen for you, you can request a "shelf pull" and they will pick alternate colors for your Sneak Peek Box that month.

You can pause your membership, send to a friend, or cancel at anytime! I love that, no real contract.

You are charged on the 26th of every month(the day your box ships out) so if you want to cancel, pause, or send to a friend, you MUST do it by the 25th.

It takes 7-10 days to get to you via USPS, and they will send you an email with tracking number once it has shipped.

As a Maven, you always get free shipping and 20% any Julep.com purchases.

You also can earn $15 for each referral to the Julep Maven Program. Here is my link if you'd like to sign up and give me credit for it. (If you do, please let me know in an email or the comments so I can keep track because they had some issues with the referrals).

Okay, that's basically the gist of it. Now, lets get to my first box!!

 All of this came in the box.
-Alfre nail color($14)--not yet released fall color!
-Cameron nail color($14)
-Julep Base Coat($14)
-Full sized Facial For Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub($32)
-sample of hand scrub and spf hand lotion
Total of $74 worth of product for $4.99(the intro code of smh9oxu took $15 off, now I'm not sure what it takes off, but try it!)

I have tried the hand scrub and really like it! I try to use it once a day and love how it makes my hands feel! Definitely happy they included it in this box! 

 I love the unique bottle shape. A lot of others have mentioned that they kept thinking they were going to tip the bottle over when they were painting, but it wasn't the case for me. I was surprised how heavy the were and seemed sturdy enough for me! I love that they are different!

 This is Cameron. Gorgeous color I wouldn't have ever picked for myself. A little thick, though, and that caused some trouble with application. This is 3 coats just to cover some problem spots. I plan to thin it a little and hope it helps.

 Unique side of the bottle.

 In the sun.

 

 In the shade.

 

This is Alfre. Not yet released for their fall collection. You can see the shimmer in the bottle in this top picture. I ended up loving this color, after expecting to not like it at all. A little frosty so you can see some brush strokes, but it was hard to see them in person compared to these pictures. It was much easier to apply than Cameron.

 

In the sun.

 In the shade.

After having Alfre on, I realized that it went really well with my new OPI Mad As A Hatter and decided to sponge it on the tips and paint it on my entire ring finger nail. Love them together!!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with my first Maven box and look forward to getting my September box next week! Here is my sneak peek of next months box:

I'm a little dissapointed that there is only one nail color in this month's box, and hope there will be more next month or I'm not sure I want to keep getting these boxes. I'm in it for the polish mostly, but it will be nice to have hand cream and cuticle oil to go with my new hand scrub!

So what do you think? Will you be signing up? Thanks for reading!