Birchbox vs ipsy: February 2014

Time again for another birchbox vs ipsy match-up!

What came in my birchbox?

Beauty Protector hair oil, Dr. Brandt pore cream, Juicy Couture perfume, Ruby Wing nail polish, and 32 Oral Care breath crystals.

What did my ipsy bag contain?

POP Beauty lip gloss, Zoya nail polish, Mally Beauty eyeliner, City Color blush, and J.Cats false eyelashes.

The winner: ipsy by a landslide.

I really like two of the full sized samples in my ipsy bag: the Zoya polish and Mally eyeliner. The POP Beauty lip gloss is a mini, but still a good sized sample. The bag did have two samples I really don't like, but only because I do not use blush or falsies. For someone who does, they are good samples.

My birchbox was a total disappointment this month. Another pore cream (my ipsy bad had one last month), a poorly packed hair oil that coated the box in said oil, and a perfume sample which is just worthless. I did think the polish was fun, but it is small and doesn't even change color like it claims. The breath crystals are an extra item and don't count but they were one of the better box items.

Birchbox: 1, ipsy: 1

My referral links are below, should you like to sign up and give me free points:

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

ipsy: http://www.ipsy.com/r/4xwr

Julep Maven: February 2014

On the 20th of each month the Maven selection window opens. At this time the collection of products are revealed, and mavens can choose what style profile they want to receive. There are also various upgrades for those who want everything in the collection. 

February is "The Dramatic Collection."

The selection window closes on the 24th of the month, so I had four days to agonize over this decision. Honestly, I wasn't overly impressed with my first look. I wanted to skip the month, but discovered since I signed up to be a Maven after mid-December of 2013, I do not have the option to skip every month. Instead I get one skip in a six month period, or would have to cancel my subscription. Not cool, Julep. Not cool at all.

The more I looked at the colors and debated whether or not to cancel, I was eventually sucked in. I really like the It Girl profile, not only for the colors but because it is the only profile that has three polishes. The other profiles are either two polishes and a beauty item or no polish and all beauty. I haven't tried any of the Julep beauty products, but they do not call me to like the Siren's song of the polish. To that end, I stuck with the It Girl profile, and added on one of the Boho Glam ones.

It Girl profile this month was curated by:

Jay Z's entertainment company

Diamond Theory

"Full-coverage multidimensional copper glitter"

$14/$11.20 Maven

This is one of the colors that grew on me. I'm excited to use it with another polish to try out a glitter fade.

Roc Solid

"Vintage military crème"

$14/$11.20 Maven

Roc Solid sealed the deal for me this month. I just love it, and it is even better on. One of my favorite colors this month.

Glam Roc

"Midnight purple & gold stardust (matte glitter)"

$14/$11.20 Maven

Glam Roc was on of the two "Stardust Finish" polishes this month. I like this one okay, but I think Cameron (the other matte glitter) was much, much prettier. If I could have swapped them I would have.

This month's box included a free gift from Jane. An extra polish that all mavens received.

Love - Bombshell

"Gold, pearl & fuchsia microglitter"

Not for sale

Thank you Jane! I never turn down a free polish, but Love doesn't do much for me. B, my co-worker, is also a maven and she wore Love over a red polish the other day and I liked it.

Jane also sent a note about love with a buy-one-get-one polish code.

Finally, my add-on:

Rooney - Boho Glam

"Walnut bark crème"

$14/$11.20 Maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

I love Rooney! She was my other favorite color this month. I did a mani with Roc Solid as my main and Rooney as the accent nail. I was going to add Diamond Theory in a glitter fade over Rooney, but I had an important meeting with the big, big boss at work so I went for the more understated look.

Rooney and Cameron were the Boho Glam polishes this month, and I was so tempted to get that style but I didn't want the eye shadow cream. Instead I settled for just adding on Rooney.

Summary: I received five polishes in my maven box, and paid $27.35 ($2.37 of which is tax since I'm local). The value of my box for non-mavens is $70, or $56 for mavens. Still not my favorite collection, but I am very satisfied none the less.

Julep Maven:

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/544404/

My referral link, should you like to start your own obsession and give me free points.

Julep Maven: Welcome Box

Julep Maven is the monthly subscription service offered by Julep. I took advantage of the free welcome box, and signed up. The first step is to take the style quiz on their website. The short quiz is how Julep determines what style profile they feel would best suit you. The nice part is, you are not limited to that result. 

I signed up with the thought that I would probably cancel after receiving the welcome box. $19.99/month for nail polish is hard to justify on a budget. Well, the quality and selection of the polishes blew that plan to hell. 

I received this box last month, so I don't have pictures of how the polishes were packed. Sorry. I do, however, still have the fun printed materials that came inside, such as the welcome booklet.

Inside is a note from Jane Park, the founder and CEO of Julep. Along with an explanation of how the Maven subscription works.

There is also a blurb describing each style profile.

As well as a section highlighting some of their other products.

And the back cover:

The results of my style quiz was It Girl, and that is also what I selected for my welcome box. The color choices were by far my favorite. Julep was spot on.

The back of the card has a neat quote.

There are three nail polishes in the It Girl welcome box, and additional products that can be added to the box for a reduced price. The usual $19.99 cost of the box is free but a $3.99 shipping fee is charged. (As a local subscriber I also have to pay tax.) However, if you add on at least $10 worth of extra products the shipping is free. Hmm, pay $4 for shipping or spend $6 more and receive more product? Easy choice. I added on two more polishes. 

The three polishes in the It Girl profile:

Libby

"A rich teal crème"

$14/$11.20 Maven

Libby looks better on than in the bottle. A pretty color. I did a mani with Libby as the main color and Bunny as my accent nail.

Bunny

"Crisp white linen with fine gold shimmer"

$14/$11.20 Maven

I'm a little disappointed how fine the gold shimmer is. It is barely noticeable on the nail. Still a nice color though, and the start of my co-worker B's Julep obsession.

Elle

"Plum Frost"

$14/$11.20 Maven

Photos do not do Elle justice. She is a deep, shimmery plum. Gorgeous on the nails. I'm currently rocking this shade on my toes.

The add-ons:

Freedom Polymer Top Coat

$18/$14.40 Maven

($6.99 as an add-on)

"The Results are In!

In clinical studies, 100% of women who used Freedom Polymer Top Coat passed the ‘smudge test’ after 5 minutes, compared to 0% who used the leading regular top coat.

Features & Benefits:

• Quick-dry formula cures smudge-free under natural light in just five minutes; no UV light required
• Perfecting polymer force field smoothes brush strokes and imperfections, leaving a high-gloss, gel-like finish
• Gel-like shine without gel removal hassle
• Comes off with any nail polish remover
• ‘4-free’ formula contains no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, or DBP
• For best results, use every other day and seal your free edges with each application."

This is a fabulous top coat. One coat hides my little imperfections and helps to stave off chipping.

Alaina - Classic with a Twist

"Driftwood Taupe Crème"

$14/$11.20 Maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

Funny enough, Alaina was a color that I added-on to make the $10 free shipping threshold, but wasn't loving. She turned out to be my favorite polish in the box. Actually, she is still my favorite Julep polish. I wore her for weeks before I could finally make myself try some of the other colors. In some lights Alaina is a violet in others a grayish color. Just stunningly beautiful. She received a lot of compliments at work.

Julep colors are limited, so I may have to buy more bottles of Alaina. I would be devastated to run out and not be able to buy more.

I also received a code for 50% off my next purchase (excludes maven exclusives, savvy deals, and secret store deals. Also excludes purchases of gift cards, gift boxes, or gift of Maven.) I have until the end of February to use the code.

Summary: I spent $13.12 ($1.14 of which was tax) and received five polishes. For non-mavens, the value would be $74. For mavens, $59.20. Pretty sweet deal.

Julep Maven:

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/544404/

My referral link, should you like to start your own obsession and give me free points.

Julep: The Start of an Obsession

My love for and obsession with Julep nail polishes harkens back to Birchbox. In the summer of 2013 birchbox had a limited edition CEW Beauty Insiders' Choice Awards box. (CEW = Cosmetic Executive Women) 

Unlike a typical birchbox, the items in the limited edition box are fully listed, so anyone purchasing it knows exactly what they will receive. The cost of the box wasn't much more than a regular monthly birchbox. I very happily snatched one up.

As always, the info card has details on the products in the box. Notice two(!) Julep products are listed.

Julep

Essential Cuticle Oil

Full size sample! Sample size: 8.2ml/0.28 fl oz (Full size: $18)

"This blend of essential oils and vitamin E strengthens nails and softens cuticles. After washing your hands, use the roller ball to coat nails and nail beds."

It was only recently, once fully in the midst of obsession, that I actually tried this cuticle oil. I really like the smell, but find it difficult to discribe. Somewhat woodsy, but not too masculine. The applicator is a roller ball, which is really easy to apply.

I haven't used the oil too frequently. I tend to put it on before going to bed. Mainly because I like the smell, more than any real benefit to my nails. 

Julep

Nail Color - Jackie

Full size sample! Sample size: 8ml/0.27 fl oz (Full size: $14)

"Chip-resistant, fast drying, toxin-free lacquer. We love the on-trend hues and slim packaging. Apply two coats for a shiny, opaque finish."

The color I received is called Jackie and is part of the Classic with a Twist style profile. Before receiving these products I had never heard of Julep. Even at time I didn't pay too much attention. I liked the color of my polish. I wore it on my toes once. Maybe it was the $14 price point, but I didn't bother to look up the brand.

Then Christmas rolled around and I wanted a red polish to wear to a party. Jackie jumped out at me, and I hurriedly applied to my nails and dashed out the door. All night I, and others, kept admiring the color of the polish. Just like that, I was smitten.

The next day I was even more impressed. As I spent my afternoon helping out at my friend's shipping business, my nails took a beating. I constantly had packing tape stuck to my nails but Jackie held strong everytime I peeled the tape off. No chips. It was official. I was in love.

As with any new relationship, it was time to get to know each other better. I went to the Julep website and discovered that they had a monthly subscription service called Julep Maven. Of course, I wanted to be a Maven but at $19.99/month I kept telling myself that was too much and I didn't need new polishes every month. 

This, of course, did not stop me from reading past blogs and watching any unboxing video I could find. Somehow in the midst of all this online stalking I managed to miss that Julep is a local Seattle company. S, my manager, casually dropped that knowledge on me as I was prattling on about how cool this polish is. Ah, ha! An even better reason to sign up! I will be supporting local small business! That rationalization, and the free welcome box, pretty much cinched it. I was officially obsessed.

Julep Maven:

http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/544404/

My referral link, should you like to start your own obsession and give me free points.

Birchbox:

https://www.birchbox.com/invite/hv6ks

My referral link should you like to subscribe and give me free points.