Product Review - Julep "Glitter Pot"

I have pot to share with you all today. LoL.

Specifically, I have this little pot to share with you, the Glitter Pot that came in my December 2011 Julep Maven "Bombshell" box. Isn't it cute? And sparkly? I tried this out with Demi as an accent nail earlier this week. It looked super festive and pretty.

The way that I found works best for a cute little glitter pot like this is to take it in your fingers and sprinkle it on the wet polish of whatever nail you want. Then, you should wait (as I did not) for the polish to completely dry, then add topcoat. I was impatient, and ended up with Demi-covered glitter.

The nails with the glitter did tend to peel more than those that did not have glitter, but I again used the mysterious Julep fast-dry topcoat that may be responsible for peeling...

Please, Julep, put these on sale! I would pay a lot for them. They're a really nice little product, and I want to try the others!

Polish Review - Julep "Demi"

I have a polish that I have worn a few times this month. This one, Demi, came in my December Julep Maven "Bombshell" box. :)

Here, with a flash, you can see it (11) with a little bit of shimmer. :)

 

As you can see, it is a fairly bright burgundy, though a lovely color. Everyone knows I can never keep my hands off anything in the dark crimsons + burgundy family, so this was a welcome addition and my favorite choice out of all the Maven selections for the month -- and I already am a Bombshell! :)

Now, Demi does seem to have a mystery around her.

... where is Demi?

She's not under reds, pinks, purples, or anything else on Julep's website. Is she an unreleased color? Out of stock? Discontinued? Where is Demi? LoL.

Demi lasted pretty well. It tends to peel, though, and it peeled in some spots pretty quickly. I did apply it this time over my Color Club basecoat, though I think the first time I wore it, I put it over the Nail Therapy one. Both times I used the Julep fast-dry topcoat that also came in my Maven box. Now my topcoat is slightly tinted Demi. Haha. I am kind of tempted to try it over a tried and true polish and see if it makes that one peel as well. Short story: I love Demi, but I'm not sure about this topcoat buddy she brought along. But that's a review for another time...

Overall, I am really glad I picked this color out of my Maven choices. :)

GoGoGirlfriend - December 2011 Sample Box

Hey, guys!

Who else is incredibly glad that 2011 is almost over? This year was... ugh. Summer was pretty fun, but I wish all the rest could get a do-over. There isn't much worse than feeling like ten months was wasted!

Soooo, today I have a new subscription box for you all to see. I have the December (?) sample box from GoGoGirlfriend. Some of you know that I have had some frustrations with this company, mostly based on the shipping schedule compared to when I started paying for the box. I subscribed in early November, did not get a box shipped until December 06, and now I am still waiting on another box, since I signed up for the "a box every month" option. I'm not horribly pleased at this point, though I have not contacted them regarding my concerns yet. I am going to wait another month and make sure that they do not bill me again before I have received two boxes.

On to the box itself, though...

It's a cute little box, and I would say it's worth the half-of-$12.99-every-other-month that I paid for it.

What all is here?

1. Camille Beckman - "Mango Beach" Gift Set - $9.95
2. OluvFresh - Face and Body Scrub - $5.50
3. Blossoms Cosmetics-  Eyeshadow - Dreamy Girl - $5.95
4. Elf - Eye Shadow Crease Brush - $1.00
5. Issey Miyake - "A Scent" Eau de Parfum - $1.00
6. Crystal Essence - Pomegranate Mineral Deoderant Towelette - $0.50

Approximate value - $22.00.

Not too bad, as you can see, though I am not sure I would have spent $22.00 on these products. I am looking forward a lot to trying the eyeshadow and Oluv scrub, and you should get reviews on all of the other products (except for the towelette, which is getting stuck in my purse for an emergency!) soon. :)

Product Review - Julep "Everyday SPF Hand Cream - SPF 30"

 I have another product from Julep to share with you guys today. I have the "Everyday SPF Hand Cream - SPF 30," which I think came in my October Maven box. I was a horrible blogger all those months ago (lol) so I didn't do a complete post on the whole box at once.

This is a really nice hand cream. I had received a few packets of it in my first couple of Maven boxes, and had been trying it after using the "Facial for Hands" glycolic scrub, which I dearly adore. I like using it in the morning before I head out, though during winter I try really hard to minimize sun exposure altogether via gloves + pockets. I like to use the Glow On Age Defying Hand Brightener in the evening, and this in the morning.

The smell is not too bad, though the SPF adds a little bit of the "sunscreen" scent, though I cannot complain given what it is doing for my skin. It has a nice texture, again with a little bit of sunblock quality, but hey, it is a great product. I have not seen any drying of my hands from using it.

I will more than likely buy another of these when mine runs out. I am liking it for fall+winter -- I might need my Neutrogena SPF 90+ for spring+summer because I am transparent and vampiric -- but for now, it's in my "using daily" stash. :)

Giveaway Alert!

For those of you Julep fans out there, Beauty Tidbits has a giveaway up for a box! Go ahead and take a look!

http://beautytidbits.com/2011/12/julep-maven-sneak-peek-box-giveaway/

Julep Maven - December 2011 "Bombshell"

A few weeks ago, I received a Christmas present in the mail!

... I mean, my Julep Maven box. :D

I stuck with Bombshell for this month, tempted though I was by the appliqués of some of the other boxes. But most of you know that I cannot get enough of rich burgundies and crimsons, and since Demi was one the polish of the month, I was lost in its creamy burgundy-ness. Also, and maybe someone can prove me wrong, but I imagine appliqués do not work so well in little, not-grown-out nails? I want to try them... but when I have some visible nail line. ;)

Soooo... I got...
 

OMG, the prettiness. I just love how it all color-coordinates... both with the items themselves and their wrapping and, magically, my couch!

So I received the polish, Demi, their fast-dry topcoat, a pomegranate body crème, and a special little glitter pot. I am not too lotion-happy, but this smells divine, and I was fortunate enough not to have mine leak at all!

So that's my December box. As always, it was just lovely. :)

Conscious Box Giveaway Winner!

I drew today for the Conscious Box winner!

Yay!!! Congrats to Federica!

I am so excited to have hosted this giveaway for you guys and I hope that you had fun too. :) Thank you all for participating! I hope to have something else coming up soon!

I will contact Federica and if I do not receive a reply, I will re-draw on Friday. :)