As the end of the month comes, so does another Julep Maven Box.
This month I left my trusty It Girl and went for Boho Glam's box.
Personally, I wasn't as interested as everyone else was in the polish remover (I only use acetone these days so I don't know when I will even get around to reviewing the remover) - I just didn't like the color choices this month for It Girl so I switched to Boho Glam which offered a White and Minty Teal Metallic.
Let's start this off with my unboxing photos and I'll review as we go!
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| This month the box came in Pink! It was also significantly bigger than usual. |
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| Julep branding on the side, long and narrow this time! |
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| Happy Birthday Julep! If I'd have known, I'd have sent you a present! |
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| The usual literature that accompanies the monthly subscription, a review of your items on one side and then some ideas on the other, and then an inspirational quote on another paper. |
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| This months "wrapping" of the products was done with a re-usable branded Julep bag. |
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| Cute black bag, I like it. It's got pink accents and the quote is nice as well. |
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| It's about the size of a lunch bag, thin plastic. I love the pink sides! |
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| Goodies wrapped in tissue inside the bag. |
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| This months Boho Glam option - 2 polishes and a pump style bottle of "conditioning" acetone free remover. |
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| Everything unwrapped. |
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| The polishes! Isla and Piper. NOW on to the polish reviews.... |
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| Julep Isla. 3 coats and nothing more. What a nightmare those brushstrokes look like, right? |
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| This shows the polish after I have added a top coat. Did NOT smooth out the brushstrokes at all. |
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| So I sponged on another 2 layers of Isla to blend the strokes out. |
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| Another coat of Top Coat and now we're in business. THIS I can get on board with. |
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| Gorgeous frosty white metallic with a champagne undertone. |
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| Yes, sponging on more layers is MORE work, but sometimes you have to work with what you're given. While I like it way better after the additional steps, I think it may be vastly similar to Orly's Au Champagne, which applies with ease to get this same look. Comparison will come soon. |
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| Julep Piper. I can see we are having some Deja Vu here...3 coats, nothing else. Brushstroke hell. |
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| Added a top coat, no help. |
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| Sponged on 2 more layers. |
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| 3 coats, top coat, 2 sponged layers and another of top coat for this final look. WAY better. |
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| Look at how soft and gorgeous this is now! |
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| The sponging didn't totally knock off all of the strokes but it's a huge difference. |
So...my overall thoughts on this box are 50/50.
The white grew on me, but like I said, if it's close to Au Champagne I do not need this at all because why have a polish that takes so much effort to look good when I already have one far more superior that takes 1/4 of the time to get right?
As for Piper...after the sponging it's pretty good. It's got a soft metallic look going on that I do not have in any other polish I own, so it's a keeper. But when do I not keep a teal/mint shade?
If you are interested in joining the Julep Maven monthly subscription service, you can get your Introductory Box for only a PENNY by clicking HERE to take their Style Quiz and get started. Use code COLOR2012 at checkout to apply the discount.
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Ends 9.01.2012 and is open Internationally!
3 comments
Yikes those are frosty nightmares. I can't believe how much better they look after you sponged over the brush strokes, but daaaamn you shouldn't have to work that hard to get a plain mani to look good! Pretty colors, though. Maybe you can water marble with them or something. :)
ReplyDeleteSponging a layer to even out the brushstrokes is Genius!! I hate satin finish type polishes because the damn brushstrokes drive me Nuts!! I'll definitely remember that trick and try it next time. <3
ReplyDeleteWow, is this a well-known trick? Because I've never heard it, and I would never have thought to sponge on another coat to fix a brushstroke-y polish! You are brilliant - thanks for this tip, I'll keep it in mind when my Julep metallic/chromes arrive!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your comments, please feel free to leave one! I can't always respond due to time constraints or pure forgetfulness, but if you have a specific question about something, ask here or email me!