Beauty swaps (part 7)

Swapping is so fun I even have my co-worker hooked! She created her own swap shop, and I keep hoping she posts something I can try to swap for. It would be the fastest swap ever! In the meantime, here are my most recent swaps.

Twenty-fifth swap

If you read my June review of Beauty Box 5 then you know this is exactly the swap I was hoping to make. I received the Nicka K polish in red, which I already have from a previous swap. The other possible color was this lovely lavender. So happy that the stars aligned and I was able to swap one for the other. This swap was my sixth through My Subscription Addiction.

Twenty-sixth swap

I made this swap because I haven't yet been able to swap for the Cailyn acid pink lip gloss that ipsy sent out awhile back. I figured this NYC lipstick would stave off my longing.

I sent off a Maybelline Color Sensations lipstick in Red Revival and a Harvey Prince Hello perfume sample. The lipstick was part of a lot of items I purchased from a fellow Julep Swap member through Facebook. The perfume came in my first Beauty Box 5 box. Neither were items I was ever going to use, so I was happy to find a home for them.

In exchange I received a NYC Expert Last lipstick in Forever Fuchsia and an Agave Healing Oil sample. The lipstick definitely delivers on the acid pink front, although I don't think it looks as good on me in real life as I was picturing in my imagination. I do think it is a fun color though. However, it did stain my lips, living up to the lasting promise of the product name. The hair oil sample is smaller than I was expecting, but I've heard good things and am looking forward to trying it.

With this swap I received a long, hand-written note from Emily, my swap partner. She said there was some glitch and she received an email that the swap was rejected. She also said she sent me emails to confirm. I didn't receive any of those communications, so not sure what happened there. Luckily we both sent and received our items, so all's well that end's well. I did email her when I got her note, and she replied with screen shots of the three emails. Very strange.

Twenty-seventh swap

I have to say that I wasn't super excited for this swap, but I was really happy to find a new home for this necklace. This "pop of color statement" piece was my bonus item in the June Inevitably Chic box. While it certainly pops, it is so not me. I happily sent it off to my swap partner, Casey.

In exchange I received a full size Simple moisturizer. I've been a bit obsessed with trying different moisturizers lately, and this is a brand that one of friends constantly raves about. I've only tried their face wipes which were okay but nothing to write home about. We will see how the moisturizer works out.

Casey even included a thank you note:

I found out later that I was swapping with the eDivv official herself!

Sadly, I was slammed at work and did send off my usual thank you email with the tracking number. Bummer. At least she liked the necklace!

Twenty-eighth swap

I have been wanting to try out nail wraps for a awhile now, and when I saw this set on eDivv I decided to go for it. I love the pattern, which reminds me of a star sapphire (obviously, not the color though).

I sent off Julep's Madison, which I had two of, for this NCLA nail wraps in Last Call?...I Don't Think So! My swap partner, Amanda, also included a bonus Sephora Age Defy Eye Cream sample.

That's all for now! I should be receiving four boxes in the next week or so, so expect more swaps soon!

My eDivv "shop" is: http://edivv.com/items?shop_id=936. Come swap with me!  :-)

Julep Maven: June Secret Store

So, technically this post should have been posted weeks ago. However, I didn't want to post my secret store items before I even received my June items. Especially since there was a whole host of issues with my June box, which led to delayed secret store access. Which caused me to miss out on some items. Ggrrr.

Thanks to the ladies who post direct links, I was able to at least get my June birthstone polish.

Kathy - Pearl for June

"Named for Academy Award winner Kathy Bates, this pearl birthstone shimmer is the magnificent June gem in our gold-capped Birthstone Collection"

$14/$11.20 Maven

Since June is my birth month, I was really hoping for an amazing birthstone polish. While Kathy is pretty, it wasn't all I was hoping for. I wanted a color changing or shimmery Alexandrite type polish. 

Kathy reminds me of Love, without the red glitter.

Since I was paying full price for Kathy, I decided to use my 2 for 1 polish code.

Cynthia - Classic with a Twist

"Desert sand microglitter"

$14/$11.20 maven

Cynthia has been on my wishlist for awhile, so I happily snapped her up with my coupon code. A bit different than I was expecting in person, but I still like her a lot.

I was going to stop there, but then Julep tempted me with an add-on.

Eyes All Aglow

$24/$19.20 maven

($9.99 an an add-on)

"Five richly pigmented mini eye gliders with a gel-like texture and a vibrant, shimmery finish. These waterproof, fade-resistant colors glide on effortlessly, set in 30 seconds, and stay put all day.

Colors:
• Teal shimmer
• Violet shimmer
• Charcoal shimmer
• Black shimmer
• Bronze shimmer

5 x .02 oz, .5 g"

I love eye products, and at half their normal price I couldn't resist.

Summary: for $23.20 (including tax) I scored two polishes and an eyeliner set. The value is: $52/$41.60 maven. Not too shabby.

Julep Maven:

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

My referral link, should you like to give me some free points.  :-)

Julep Maven: June 2014

This post is late due to some issues on Julep's end. Multiple issues. More on that in a moment. June's theme is: "The Three Wishes Collection."

The monthly quote card:

This month was the first time mavens could opt to change to My Maven; which allows one to customize their products rather than picking a standard style profile. This option is $5 more per month, unless you opt to prepay three months in advance.

The usual style profiles:

• Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat: A breathable, perfecting base coat that creates a matte canvas for long-lasting color
• Natalia (Boho Glam): Refined copper metallic
• Harlow (Boho Glam): Golden dragonfly iridescent chrome

I am not a fan of Harlow, so this was an easy pass.

• Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat: A breathable, perfecting base coat that creates a matte canvas for long-lasting color.
• Colette (Bombshell): Poetic violet shimmer
• Sera (Bombshell): Celestial fog iridescent chrome

I like Sera, but it reminds me a lot of Cameron. Colette is such a deep purple, and I already have similar purples I never wear. So again, pass.

• Phia (It Girl): Alluring orchid iridescent chrome
• Savoy (It Girl): Antique gold chrome
• Jennine (It Girl): Full-coverage borealis blue stardust (matte glitter)

This is my usual profile, but I wasn't loving the colors. And I don't think I would wear any of them very often. Plus, I wanted to try the new base coat.

• Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat: A breathable, perfecting base coat that creates a matte canvas for long-lasting color.
• Oxygen Nail Treatment: A perfecting pink tint that lets nails breathe and encourages strong, healthy growth
• Buffer Blocks - 4 pack: Beautify your manicure with these two-sided buffer blocks. Use the finer grit to file, buff, and shape. Use the coarser grit to smooth deep nail ridges.

I already have the Oxygen Nail Treatment, so pass.

All this I passed up, and opted for:

• Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat: A breathable, perfecting base coat that creates a matte canvas for long-lasting color
• Bergen (Classic with a Twist): Hazy blue-grey shimmer
• Ariana (Classic with a Twist): Enchanted berry iridescent chrome

About those issues I mentioned... The first was a billing one. Julep said my charge was declined. I called my bank and was assured my account was fine and no charge from Julep had been received, let alone declined. This caused my box to ship late and denied me access to the Secret Store. Then my box arrived.

Notice anything? That would be a Modern Beauty box, not a Classic with a Twist box. So frustrating! One of my add-ons was missing too. I emailed Julep three times over an eight day period before I finally received a response. My missing items finally arrived today. One day after the July selection window opened. 

Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat

$18/$14.40 maven

"Lay the foundation for beautiful nails.

What it is:
A perfecting, hydrating base coat powered by breakthrough Oxygen Technology and smoothing silica minerals.

What it does:

• Allows oxygen to permeate the nail bed, encouraging strong, healthy nail growth
• Refines nail texture to hide ridges and imperfections
• Help color last longer and prevents it from staining your nails
• Works with our Color Treat nail polish andOxygen Performance Top Coat to create a long-wear system that lets your nails breathe"

I am excited to try this base coat. I haven't yet found one I love, and I think my nails really would benefit from the use of one.

Bergen

"Hazy blue-grey shimmer"

$14/$11.20 maven

Bergen was my favorite polish this month, and really the reason I chose this style profile. She's more blue than grey, which is a bit disappointing but still really pretty.

Ariana

"Enchanted berry iridescent chrome"

$14/$11.20 maven

I was worried that Ariana was going to be too close to Greta, but in person the shade is much darker than I was expecting. Very pretty.

There was a mystery incentive this month for taking three add-ons. I of course had to get three!

Natalia - Boho Glam

"Refined copper metallic"

$14/$11.20 Maven

($6.99 as an add-on)

I love the color of Natalia. My second favorite color this month. 

Ramona - Classic with a Twist

"Muted lavender rose crème"

$14/$11.20 maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

Ramona was one of my loves from last month, so I couldn't pass her up again.

Saaya - Bombshell

"Golden apricot shimmer"

$14/$11.20 maven

($4.99 as an add-on)

After seeing Saaya in person I couldn't pass her up. Especially at an add-on price.

The mystery bonus for using all add-on spots tired out to be a polish duo.

Marjorie - It Girl

"Citrus orange frost"

$14/$11.20 maven

Holy orange! This girl is bright! I'm thinking I may use this as a summer pedi color, but it's not really a shade I would pick for myself.

Veronica - Classic with a Twist

"Modern mauve crème"

$14/$11.20 maven

I'm not sure how I feel about Veronica yet. She is an unusual shade.

The monthly coupon code is 30% off the new oxygen base and too coats.

The other deal is 30% off with SPRINGPERK.

Summary: I like my add-ons better than my monthly colors, which is a bit sad. At least the maven box was paid for with Jules.

Julep Maven:

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

My referral link, should you like to give me some free points.  :-)

Birchbox vs ipsy: June 2014

Time again for another birchbox vs ipsy match-up!

What came in my birchbox?

Benefit They're Real Mascara, Antica Farmacista shower wash, Lifetherapy lotion, Caudalie anti-wrinkle serum, and Miss Jessie's Original Multicultural Curls.

What did my ipsy bag contain?

Carol's Daughter anti-frizz styling cream, OFRA brow pencil, REALTREE For Her fragrance, Jessie's Girl shimmer eyeliner, and NYX lip butter.

The winner: birchbox.

Birchbox was a winner for a few reasons: new to me brands, non-American brands, and the overall products. The lotion smells devine, as does the shower wash, the mascara seems like a good one, and I love the Caudalie brand - although not necessarily this product.

Ipsy didn't win because there wasn't any sample that I am really excited about. It was just a bit ho hum. Plus, the perfume leaked in the bag.

Birchbox: 2, ipsy: 4

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: Red Marker Sale

Earlier this month Julep announced their Red Marker Sale. They created a Facebook event page and touted early access for those that RSVP'ed.

With all the hoopla I'm thinking this is going to be massive with the majority of their products marked down. And $2 polishes?! Um, yes please! So, I marked myself as attending on Facebook and started counting down until the sale opened. I was even freaking out because I was at a work conference and was worried that I would miss the 9 a.m. open time. Then the day before opening day, the Julep Swap group on fb discovered the sale was already appearing. By the time I learned this most of the good stuff was sold out. And mind you, this was still eight hours before the "VIP" open time. Even more disappointing was the small number of polishes that were actually included in the sale. There were only two that caught my fancy.

Kimberly - Boho Glam

"Black speckled wisteria crème"

$14/$11.20 maven

($2 on sale)

I was hoping that Kimberly would be included! This my mother's name and favorite color. If she wore polish I would have grabbed one for her two. I passed on the mystery box that featured the speckled polishes, so I was excited to not only have her finally offered for sale but to only pay $2 for her.

Lois - Boho Glam

"Dusty rose frost"

$14/$11.20 maven

($2 on sale)

Lois is another one that I had been eying. I missed her when she was in the Savvy Sales section awhile back, so again I was stoked to snag her for $2.

The saga doesn't stop there. After the sale opened officially and the general public raised an outcry over all the sold out items, Julep added a few more items. Needless to say, I placed a second order.

Fiore - It Girl

"Espresso brown crème"

$14/$11.20 maven

($2 on sale)

Since I have Rooney, I really don't need Fiore but for $2 I couldn't resist. Even more than the color itself I wanted this polish because of the name. I am a Seattlelite and love Café Fiore, which this polish is named for. 

Emerson - Classic with a Twist

"Black speckled powder blue crème"

$14/$11.20 maven

($2 on sale)

Seeing Emerson in the sale made my day for two reasons: first, it is my favorite of the speckled polishes, and second, it completed the speckled trio in my collection. And for only $2. Score!

The speckled trio is all their glory:

Summary: while I was disappointed in the number if products included in the sale, and that the site leaked early, I am happy with what I was able to buy. Four polishes for less than $9 (including tax)? That is a Julep win for sure!

Julep Maven:

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

My referral link, should you wish to sign up and give me points...