Julep Summertime Big Box (July 2013 Mystery Box) review

Ok, so I'm a sucker for the mystery boxes from Julep. I've gotten one almost every month since I signed up. Which is why my Julep collection is becoming so massive! I just love the surprise. That's why, when Julep sent an email about this month's mystery boxes, of course I got one. There were 3 options this month: a summer days box for about $25, a summer nights box for about $25, and a mixed box for about $40. The smaller boxes were guaranteed to have between $70-200 worth of polish and products, while the bigger box was supposed to have $125-300 worth. Since they mentioned that all 3 boxes would have their 2 new promo polishes in common, I certainly didn't feel the need to try one of each, but I couldn't decide between day and night, so I went with the mixed Summertime Big Box.

Opening the box

I was a tad disappointed when I saw how small the box was in my mailbox since this was supposed to be the Summertime Big Box, but it still had a good amount inside. Mostly polishes, which I'm fine with. For the record, I got box #1 (and I'm so jealous of anyone who got #4, which had a whopping 17 polishes!!). The non-polish products I got were:

• a small foil packet sample of their Glycolic Hand Scrub - eh, nothing special here. I already have the full size from a previous mystery box and I don't really care for foil packet samples. (~$1)
• a set of toe separators - again, I think I have 3 sets of these from previous mystery boxes, so nothing special here either. (~$1)
• a Double Duty Makeup Brush - this one I actually am really excited about! This was available as an add-on in June, I believe, and while I did upgrade to the full polish and DD cream/concealer collection that month, I didn't get this add-on. I figured I was already spending enough on the full collection, so I didn't get any add-ons that month, but I was a little sad not to get one. But now I have one! It's pretty cool - a stackable concealer and foundation brush in one! It's got a surprising amount of weight to it, too! ($28)

Julep Double Duty Makeup Brush, sample of Glycolic Hand Scrub, and toe separators. I should have opened it for the picture, but the brush opens about mid-way to give you the hidden concealer brush.

 In cute little organza bags (also protected with bubble wrap) were all my polishes! I got 7 polishes in this box:

• Kyla - Not available on the site (yet?), this was an orange jelly glitter. Really pretty, but I might struggle to find a way to use this on my own in anything other than a Halloween look. I may have to scour Pinterest for some ideas!
• Monica - Also not available on the site yet, this is a pink jelly glitter. It's soo pretty! I can't wait to use it. 
• Leslie - This is a sparkly black. I love it. I've been hoping for some new darker colors as we get closer to fall and this one is awesome! 
• Charlotte - This is a smokey purple. Sadly, a dupe for me (I think I got it in a previous mystery box), but I really love the color so I might need the backup. Last time I wore it, I paired it with a silver accent nail and it looked awesome! Now that I've got some of my new dotting and striping tools, I can't wait to do more looks with this color. Purple is my favorite color, after all.
• Sally - This is described on the site as "antique ivory". It's ok, but definitely my least favorite of the bunch. I'm afraid it would wash me out. I think I can probably use it as a detail color though, so definitely not a total loss. 
• Martha - Another dupe (I got it in my June upgrade box). This is a pale pink. It's a lovely pink, but probably not one I'll need a backup of. Into the gift pile, it goes. 
• Niecy - A bright pink. Technically not a dupe, but it's pretty close to Avery, which I do have. I love Avery, though, especially paired with gold, so maybe this can be a backup for that. 

Julep polishes. Left to right: Kyla, Monica, Leslie, Charlotte, Sally, Martha, Niecy.

 Overall, my value was about $128 with non-maven (Julep member) prices, which I think is how they value the boxes. Without the member price, it's down a bit to $102.80. Either way, well over the $40 I paid and I really liked my box. I keep holding out hope that someday I'll get that surprise big mystery box with all the colors in the mystery stash for the month - I'm not sure what the odds are, it's not just one person though. A few dupes this time, which is new to me since I've been pretty lucky up to now, but I can always use them as gifts. Or maybe give-aways if I ever have enough readers for that! Or any readers, ha!
Anyway, this month's mystery box is no longer available, but there seems to be a new one every month, so if this looks cool, stick around till next month! And if you want to join Julep's subscription service, please use my link! If you use promo code, FREEBOX, you can get your first box free! You just pay shipping! I actually contacted Julep a few days ago to ask a question and in their response, they noted that August is their anniversary month and is supposed to be "extra special"! I can't wait! Hints are supposed to be coming on Saturday!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. The final link is a referral link, but I also included a non-referral link at the top.)