Julep Zigzag Ultimate Mystery Box

Of course I got another Julep mystery box! Haha, so much for willpower. This time, my attention was drawn by the chevron nail stickers included in each of the boxes. And of course, go big or go home, so I went with the Ultimate (and the mystery add-on for $9.99 with a promised value, I think, of $42). There were 3 options: Mini Zig ($19.99) with a promised value of $50, Zag Max ($24.99) with a promised value of $70 and Zigzag Ultimate ($39.99) with a promised value of $120. This turned out to be a very different box from the last one.

First up, the mystery add-on. I got a full size Sugar Smooch Lip Scrub ($14 retail, $11.20 member), and 2 polishes: Zora, a shimmery pearl pink, and Karen, a shimmery peach (both $14 retail, $11.20 member). I actually didn't have any of these! Technically, I had a very small sample of the lip scrub that we got as a bonus a few months ago, but it's great, so I'm glad to have the full size! I have a couple shades somewhat similar to Zora, but none with the pretty shimmer, so I think Zora is my favorite of that range of shades. Karen's totally unique to my collection. There was also a bag of candy corn thrown in. They must've had a lot left over from the monthly boxes. Anyway, value-wise, this was exactly $42 based on retail prices. Only $33.60 for members, but again, that's more than the $9.99 I paid and it's all new to me.

Julep's Sugar Smooch Lip Scrub - what cute packaging, too!

Julep's Zora and Karen

Onto the mystery box!

Opening the box

Just to note, I got an email from Julep (I think everyone who ordered a mystery box early on probably did) saying that they forgot the chevron nail strips - the fun, defining item of the box! I was a tad disappointed, but it did come about a week after this in a little green envelope. So, I do have pictures of it, but it did come later (and they won't be in my box display picture since they weren't here yet). As far as quality, they seem fine. Basically little individual stickers that go on your nails (you can cut them down to size). I've looked for chevron nail stickers before and these seem to be the same as some of what you'd find on Etsy, but I've also seen full nail stickers on Etsy as well. These seem to be more on par with the less expensive $1.99 sort.

Individual chevron nail stickers

So, now, onto what made this box different from last month's mystery box. Last month, my box did have quite a few beauty products in it, but it also had more polish than I was expecting. This month's box was mostly beauty products. Only 3 polishes!

First peek - that's a lot of boxes!

So, in this box, I got:

• Freedom Polymer Top Coat ($18 retail, $14.40 member) - I'm so torn on this item. On the positive side, nails are dry and totally ready to go crease-free in 5 min flat and it leaves an awesome shiny finish. On the negative, it seems to make my nails chip WAAAAY sooner than if I used a different top coat (like the next day) and halfway through the bottle, it starts to get really thick and goopy. I ordered a nail polish thinner to try on a polish or 2 that I have that are a bit thick and I'll try it on my first bottle. If it totally messes it up, at least I have this backup!

Julep's Freedom Polymer Top Coat

• Doublestep Foot Treatment and Friction Stick ($22 retail, $17.60 member) - We just got this in August's box, and to be honest, I haven't even really had the chance to try it yet. I just don't wear heels much or have to break in new shoes, so blisters haven't been a problem. But, it seems to get great reviews. Seeing as how I have a full one, I'm putting this one in the gift pile (which is why I didn't open this one). 

Julep's Doublestep Foot Treatment and Friction Stick (full picture here)

•  Essential Cuticle Oil ($18 retail, $14.40 member) - Another one I already have, so into the gift pile. I'm not really big on cuticle oils. They just make my fingers feel oily. <shrug> It also gets great reviews, though.

Julep's Essential Cuticle Oil

•  Beach Tonic Dry Oil ($23 retail, $18.40 member) - I JUST recently (like maybe a month earlier?) bought this with a coupon code, so another one I already had. I should've just waited! It seems to be a good bet that if there's a beauty product you want, just wait a few months and it'll be in a mystery box. I'll have to keep that in mind for their Mask Noir, which I'd like to try. Anyway, as far as this product, the scent is fantastic, but I'm not really a fan of the application. It's obviously not as oily as baby oil or something, but it still feels much more oily (in a weird, almost sticky way) than the C. Booth Dry Oil I got in my June Glossybox - that's seriously one of my favorite Glossybox discoveries ever (plus the Honey Almond smells sooo good).

Julep's Beach Tonic Dry Oil

•  Sea Salt Texture Spray ($22 retail, $17.60 member) - Finally, something I didn't have! I do really want to try this, but my hair is of the ugly curl variety - if I air dry, the top is limp and frizzes up and the rest just sort of curls up and frizzes. We'll see how this goes. It would be awesome if it works, but I don't have high hopes, just based on my hair type. 

Julep's Sea Salt Texture Spray

•  3 polishes: Amy, a "smoky turquoise creme, Sienna, a shimmery gold, and Lois, a shimmery dusty rose (all $14 retail, $11.20 member). Literally, 2 days before this arrived, I redeemed a free polish code on Sienna. Bah!! I called and tried to cancel the order since I hadn't gotten shipping notification yet, but it had already shipped (they gave me the tracking number to confirm it). Oh well, at least it's fantastic - a gorgeous metallic gold! Surprisingly enough, the other 2 aren't dupes and are fairly unique to my collection! 

Julep's Amy, Sienna, and Lois

Swatches of all the polishes!

Julep's Zigzag Ultimate Mystery box (minus the chevron nail strips) and mystery add-on

Overall, again, to someone new to Julep, I think this would be an awesome box. And even to me, I got a lot of things I can use as gifts! I can't really expect a whole lot of new stuff at this point. The overall value of this box was between $117.99 (member) and $146.99. Maybe they valued the chevron strips a bit higher - I guess we can call it $120. Certainly, it's over the $39.99 I paid! I'm again thinking of trying to not buy next month's mystery box. But, again, it depends on the special item included (I'm a sucker for sparkly polishes or special finishes! Plus, I think the holiday/New Years mystery box last year came with a clutch!) and I am still hoping to try that mask (which alone costs about as much as the middle level box even for a member, so if it came in a box, I'd get that and some other stuff! If, though.).

Did you get a mystery box last month? Did you get different things?

If you'd like to sign up for Julep's monthly subscription box, I'd love it if you'd sign up with my link! AND! If you use promo code, FREEBOX, you can get your first box free! You just pay shipping! I started my subscription with a similar deal! :) As usual, the link at the top is a non-referral link if you'd prefer (but I'd be soo thankful if you used mine!).

(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.)

November Julep Selection Time!

It's that time of month again! Time for mavens to pick their Julep box! Selection actually started yesterday, the 20th, and it stays open until the 24th. As many Julep polishes I have, I'm still really, really enjoying this subscription.

November's theme is "Right at Home" and has a lot of Thanksgivingy colors. Reds, oranges, browns.

The November Julep collection

Email picture

This month's featured beauty product is actually a series of 5 lip glosses. Retailing at $22 each (or $17.60 member), they look nice, but I wasn't terribly excited when this was revealed as the beauty item of the month. The colors are each assigned to a different box profile, so I was a bit concerned initially that I'd have to choose between a box with nail colors I like or a box with a lip color I'd wear. With my luck, the colors I liked would be paired with that dark purple! But, the first 3 aren't bad, so I hoped I'd like what was paired with them.

Another email picture from Julep

 For the 5 box choices, as usual there are:

• Modern Beauty - this is the beauty product only box. No polish. You get the nude lip gloss (Timeless) along with another new beauty product, their Blank Canvas Plumping Lip Primer ($22 retail, probably $17.60 member). 
  Since I don't like lip stuff, this box clearly isn't for me! Nails, please!

  

  Julep's Timeless gloss and Blank Canvas Lip Primer

• Boho Glam - Mauve gloss (Charming) along with Aisha, a "wildberry purple" aka burgundy, and Alexandra, an ivory creme.
  While I think Aisha is pretty, I just got Joan with a coupon code and I think they'll be similar, with Joan just having the additional shimmer (making it better!). I did actually consider adding on Alexandra after seeing one of the nail art ideas they had using the two of these polishes, but I think I have something that's close enough to just use for dotting. It's a shade darker though, so I keep second guessing (Sally).
  

  

  Julep's Aisha, Alexandra, and Charming

  

  Cute!

•  Bombshell - "Black honey" gloss (Posh) along with Nic, a very dark burgundy/red and Brielle, a dark orange creme.
  This was an easy no for me. My least favorite gloss, Nic seems very similar to Coco, and while Brielle is pretty and technically different enough from what I have, it's a color I'd use very sparingly, mostly around Halloween (this will arrive after Halloween).
  

  

  Julep's Nic, Brielle, and Posh

• Classic with a Twist - Light pink gloss (Glowing), along with Sheila, a bright red creme, and Cynthia, a nude microglitter.
  While I actually like the gloss and Cynthia, I have sooo many reds already. I don't need any more! I did add on Cynthia though!

Julep's Sheila, Cynthia, and Glowing

•  It Girl - No lip glosses, just 3 polishes: Chloe, a shimmery medium brown, Winter, a very light gray creme, and Lola, a navy with a satin/almost matte finish.
  Easy choice! Love Chloe and Lola! No glosses. That's for me!

Julep's Chloe, Winter, and Lola

The add-ons this month are mostly populated by all the polishes and lip products, but there is one featured add-on that I loved - Autumn, an orange and red glitter top coat! Fits it's name!

Julep's Autumn

 A slightly lighter month for me this month with only polish (and only 2 add-ons!). As usual, 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!

(And just a disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post 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.) 

Glamour Doll Eyes Of the Month September and October 2013 Reviews

I'm not sure how I forgot to post this review for last month, but one of my newest subs is Glamour Doll Eyes OTM (of the month). This is an eye shadow of the month subscription. I can't remember what 1 month costs (the info is only up when there are open subscriptions spots on the 8th of each month. I think it's $7.), but I got a 3 month subscription for $21, which includes shipping. For that price, Glamour Doll Eyes sends out a 5g pot of their limited edition color mineral eyeshadow of the month, in my case, for 3 months. Subscriptions DO NOT automatically renew, so if I want to continue (and I will!), I'll need to log back on on Dec. 8th to try to snag a spot for December (Nov is my last month). I'm not sure how fast they sell out. Probably within the day. Anyway, I've now received 2 of my 3 months and, again, since I somehow forgot to review last month, I'll do both here in this post.

September's OTM shipped out on Sept. 13th and arrived pretty quickly by the 16th.

Opening the bag

Info card

The color is called Pixie Dust and as described on the card, it's "light silver with purple and blue sparkle". Like all mineral eye shadow companies, the ingredients and areas of the face it's safe for use on are listed on the info card and pot. This is a lovely color! Definitely silver and sparkly! I like it! There was also a little bonus candy included - Wonka Fun Dip. I'm not sure I've ever tried it.

Glamour Doll Eyes eyeshadow in Pixie Dust (looks a bit lighter in person)

Glamour Doll Eyes September 2013

For October, my package shipped out on the 15th and arrived on the 17th. A bit later than the OTM page said it would ship out, but I didn't even know it was supposed to ship out earlier after your first month, so I don't mind at all. And once it did ship, it arrived quickly again, so that's great!

Opening the bag (what a cute bag!)

Info card

October's color is called Cauldron and is described as "grayish black with subtle orange, green & purple sheen and purple & green sparkle". Again, it's a really pretty color! I wasn't sure I saw the sheen at first, but moving it around, I do. The sparkle is definitely noticeable. Again, I like it a lot! This also came with bonus candy - candy corn...not my favorite.

Glamour Doll Eyes eyeshadow in Cauldron

Glamour Doll Eyes October 2013

Swatches. Top - Pixie Dust, Bottom - Cauldron

I love both of the months' colors I've gotten so far. The 5g pot includes a TON of shadow, so it'll last a while. I'm really thrilled with this subscription and I will absolutely be trying to get another 3 month sub in December!

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own.)

Lip Factory October 2013 Review

Before their "all about lips" month next month, I got one more regular Lip Factory. Lip Factory is a makeup subscription box. For $22 a month, you get 5-6 (I'm guessing based on my past 2 months) full size products. Obviously they're called Lip Factory, so you will get at least 1-2 lip products, but again, based on the reviews I've seen and my experience so far, it looks like they often have other stuff mixed in. And as I mentioned just a second ago, they do have an occasional month of all lip products.

Opening the box

Info card

 This month's box had 5 full size products and 2 single use or sample products. My first sample product was an individually packaged Alcone Make-Off makeup removing cloth (~$0.50). Their site seems to be out of stock of the individually packaged ones, but a little research found that at one time, you could get 12 for $6. They seem to be rated fairly well, so I'll stick this in my travel bag. Although it creates more trash, I kind of like that it's individually packaged. The pop up ones can tend to get a little dried out.

Alcone Make-off wipe

The second small product was a single use packet of Befine Warming Clay Mask ($2.50). This is supposed to soothe and nourish your skin. I've always liked warming masks, so I'll happily try this out. I also like that it's paraben free.

Befine Warming Clay Mask

My first lip product was a 29 Cosmetics Dew Lip Lip Gloss in Hang Time ($24). The grape seed extract in this is also supposed to be nourishing and protecting to make lips look smoother and younger. I usually don't expect to like most lip products, but being that it was a gloss and it looked like a good color, I was hopeful. And it's great! I really like it and will add it to my rotation! It's actually a very nice sheer darker pink (they call it "shimmery sheer berry"), so it's not terribly bold. Which I like. I've heard good things about 29 Cosmetics, particularly about their mascara. I think Lip Factory sent one in a box a few months before I signed up, so I don't think I can expect another one anytime soon, but maybe in Wantable? Or maybe I'll just buy it.

29 Cosmetics Dew Gloss in Hang Time

Another gloss, we also got a Michael Marcus Lip Gloss in Romance ($22). Although this looked lighter in the tube than the 29 Cosmetics one, this was actually darker, which the info sheet mentions - they apparently use more pigment to make it last longer, "like a poured lipstick". I was hopeful again about the color, and it's not bad, but not quite as lovely as the 29 Cosmetics one. It'll go in my backup makeup drawer.

Michael Marcus Lip Gloss in Romance

The final lip product of the month was a J. Cat Roll it Up Lip Pencil in Amaranth Pink/102 ($2.49). Sadly, I'm not a fan of this at all. I don't use lip liner and the color is Barbie pink. Into the lip graveyard box. Oh well. At least it's a cheapie that I don't like.

J. Cat Roll it Up Lip Pencil in Amaranth Pink/102

Swatches of the lip products. L to R: 29 Cosmetics gloss, J. Cat lip liner, and Michael Marcus gloss.

There were 2 non-lip full size products this month. The first was a Palladio Baked Blush in Rosey ($7). It's a little light, but not a bad color. I think it'll work. The info card says it can be used dry or wet, but I'm not sure how one would do a wet blush. That seems like it would end up looking a bit clownish. <shrug>

Palladio Baked Blush in Rosey

Finally, we also got a Michael Marcus Cake Eyeliner in Trashy ($20). I'm not sure exactly what makes this an eyeliner over an eyeshadow. It's dry and applies like an eyeshadow, so I'm assuming you'd need water or that cool liner transform product I got in this month's Wantable to turn this into an eyeliner. Why not also include a liner brush or something? Especially when the info note says "dip the eyeliner brush in water". What eyeliner brush? One they assume we have? The missing included one (it doesn't appear anyone got one)? Heck, Coastal Scents makes one for $1.95! That would've been easy to include. Basically, I see this as a shadow that maybe I'll try as a liner one day. As a shadow, I rather like it! It's kind of a graphite color, silvery dark gray. When I swatched it on my hand, it reminded me a bit of that smudge you get on your hand when drawing with a pencil. But, I like it! This is also another one of those refillable cases, like the one I got in this month's Wantable. I sure am stocking up on the Michael Marcus lately through these boxes.

Michael Marcus Cake Eyeliner in Trashy

Swatches of the non-lip products. L to R: Michael Marcus shadow/liner/thingy and Palladio blush

Lip Factory October 2013

Before I opened this box, I was thinking it would be my final Lip Factory. Next month is the "all about lips" box and I wasn't really planning on resubbing afterwards. Now, I'm not so sure. There was only 1 product I didn't like at all in this box. The rest was pretty nice! And the value was $78.49! I'll have to think about it. I'm not sure I NEED more makeup, but it's so much fun to play with. :)

Did you get Lip Factory this month? How were your colors? If you'd like to sign up, go to their website! If you don't mind using it, my referral number is 385045 - apparently, you can enter it in a special referral spot in your beauty profile after you sign up.

(And just a disclaimer: I bought this box myself and was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own. I have included a referral number, but no referral links.)

Ipsy October 2013 Review

I love it when Ipsy arrives in my mailbox! Ipsy is one of my favorite cheap sub boxes! For only $10 a month, you get 4-5 samples or full size makeup and beauty products plus a cute makeup bag every month! October's theme was The Art of Beauty.

Peeking into the pretty pink mailer!

Front of info card

Back of info card - basically this is just a list of possible brands and the discount available as an Ipsy member

My first item, an item that didn't fit in the bag, was a Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush ($2.49). Knowing the brand, the price didn't surprise me - they have tons of eye shadows for very low prices. I guess I just don't know why this brush is so cheap. It seems fine to me - natural bristles that don't appear to be falling out and the reviews are all good. The site has tons of different types of brushes, so if this one proves to work well, I may stock up! Especially with that 25% off discount (CS25)!

Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush

Better look at the brush

Onto the bag contents!

Not my favorite Ipsy bag design, but it's functional

My first item was a trial size (1 oz vs the regular 8 oz) Nourish Organics Coconut and Argan Body Lotion ($1.25). I hoped this would smell good based on the coconut, but it has kind of an odd scent. And it's not quite as thick as I'd hope. But, maybe the argan oil in it makes it extra nourishing, so I'll keep trying it out.

Nourish Organic Coconut and Argan Body Lotion

Next up was a travel size Sexy Hair Texturizing Spray Clay ($8). I'm going to be honest. I don't know what the heck to do with this. I have very long hair, so I don't really do anything with it that would be piecy like someone with a pixie cut might do. Anyone have any tips?

Sexy Hair Spray Clay

My next product was a full size Zoya polish in the color Neve ($8). Everywhere I look online, it looks purple, but this swatched out absolutely blue. It's a really pretty blue, though! I'm tempted to use the promo code on this brand as well - buy 2 polishes, get one free plus a free Zoya Remove+ (code IPSYZ3) because I'm loving the look of Giovanna, Mason, and Channing. So pretty! I've always loved Zoya's formula too. They pretty much always look fantastic.

Zoya Neve

Swatch

My last product was a large pot of Bella Terra Mineral Eye Shimmer in Emotion ($14.99). Mineral eye shadows are one of my favorite things, so I'm so happy I got this! I also LOVE the color I got. It's so pretty! The 50% off discount isn't too bad either! The shadow prices are a bit high, but if the pot I got is any indication, it seems they're larger products than I'm used to with the indie brands I've been trying. I don't know that I need huge though. I've been pretty happy with small. The only other thing that bothers me about the site is that they don't have color swatches. It's impossible to tell what a pile of powder will look like blended out. Some look super boring in a pile and then amaze you with color and depth when you blend them out. I want to see it! I just can't buy a $14.99 jar (or $7.50 with the discount) if I don't know what I'm buying. I do really love the one I got though!

Bella Terra Mineral Shimmer in Emotion

Swatch - I think my primer was concentrated in the middle, so this may actually show with and without primer. Lovely colors!

Ipsy October 2013

I'm really happy with this month. And LOOK! No lip products!! I couldn't believe it. This felt like the first month they actually followed my profile with their IpsyMatch feature. I hope it continues! This bag was awesome! Especially for only $10! Value of $34.73!

What did you get in your bag this month? If you want to subscribe, please use my link! If you haven't tried it and you like makeup/beauty stuff, you should!

(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.)