Julep Maven: April Secret Store

A big ol' box of nail mail arrived today! My order from the April secret store! I placed my order on March 31, and received it four days later. Fantastic shipping time.

Look at all those lovely bottles! Confession time: this photo also contains one polish I ordered from eBay. It also arrived today and I added it to the box for the picture. More on that, but first the secret store items!

Coretta - Diamond for April

"Diamond birthstone. Full-coverage holographic microglitter with real diamond dust for extra sparkle. The amazing April jewel in our gold-capped Birthstone Collection.

Coretta - Diamond for April is a tribute to the luminous life and legacy of civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, born April 27."

$14/$11.20 Maven

Coretta is the first of the Birthstone Collection polishes I picked up. She is really, really pretty in person. The photos do not do her justice. Even the box she arrived in was fancy.

I have one other gold cap polish - Love, the free gift in the February box. I'm excited for May's birthstone (emerald). I am a June baby, and we have multiple birthstones. I'm really looking forward to seeing which one Julep chooses. I am hoping they go with the Alexandrite. That gem looks different colors in various lights, so I think Julep could come up with something really unique and fun.

The Coat Closet

"Get all three crucial coats to add to your collection.

Julep Nail Therapy: Hydrates and protects dry, brittle, peeling nails. Nourishes nails with Vitamin E. Dramatic results in just three days.

Freedom Polymer Top Coat: A high-gloss top coat that dries smudge-free in five minutes.

Matte Top Coat: Create an ultimate matte suede finish."

$48 ($19.99 on sale)

The Coat Collection was appealing for two reasons: the matte top coat was finally back in stock and the nail therapy base. I have been wanting to try both of those products for months, and this was a great deal. Plus, extra top coat is always useful.

Shine All Year

"The Shine All Year collection includes:

Kessie - Color of the Year 2014: a radiant orchard duochrome.

Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum: a peptide-fueled treatment that transforms dry, damaged cuticles and encourages strong, healthy nail growth.

Freedom Polymer Top Coat: A high-gloss top coat that dries smudge-free in five minutes."

Since my purchase was over $30, it qualified to receive the Shine All Year set for free (using the code SHINE). This set has a $60 value, so that was a great deal. Kessie is gorgeous in person.

Rae was also labeled as the "color of the year" so I was surprised that Kessie shared that title. Leaves me wondering how many radiant orchard polishes will be making their debut this year. 

I haven't tried the Mighty Nail stick, I have a roller-ball style cuticle oil from Julep that came in a birchbox last year. I'm looking forward to giving the Mighty Nail a whirl. 

I thought that wrapped up my items, but Julep got me at checkout with the add-ons. Two of the polishes at the top of my wishlist were available. I had to get them.

Octavia - Classic with a Twist

"Smoky indigo crème"

$14/$11.20 Maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

Octavia is one I've been eying since she was released. My co-worker, B, has her and I really liked how Octavia looks on the nail. I've been unsuccessful in my attempts to swap for her, so I was really happy to snap her up as an add-on.

Greta - Classic with a Twist

"Loganberry multidemensional microglitter"

$14/$11.20 Maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

Greta was paired with Octavia, and I have been longing for this duo. Greta is so shimmery in person - and more silver to it than is visible in pictures. Loganberries remind me of Ikea and Sweden, and coming from a Swedish family I had to have her. And again, can not pass up the add-on price. 

Summary: That wraps up my secret store haul. All together I paid $45.08 ($3.91 was tax) and received $101.17 worth of products. Amazing deal!

And now for the eBay bonus item...

Shannon - It Girl

"Pale minty silk"

Not for individual sale

Shannon was released as part of Julep's St. Patrick's Day mystery boxes. There were three boxes and each one had an exclusive polish. I was immediately drawn to Shannon, but didn't want to risk the $24.99 on mystery items. When I came across her on eBay I had to bid. I ended up paying $8.51 - of which $2.50 was shipping. Much better deal for me.