Julep 100 Degrees of Mystery

Julep Maven is a monthly subscription box for nail polish and beauty items. They offer two monthly boxes: My Maven ($24.99/month worth $40+) or Maven Luxe ($39.99/month worth $60+). You can customize both boxes and can switch between the two when you want. You can also prepay for three months and they would be $19.99 a box.

They also offer mystery boxes a monthly basis. For August they offered a 100 Degrees of Mystery Box which was a $100+ value. I decided I could add some polish to my collection and figured anything I didn't like I could swap. I also did the 100 Degrees of Mystery $9.99 add on which is supposed to be a $49 value. I ended up finding a $10 off promo code and got my whole thing for only $24.99.

 First look.

The add ons were the first thing I saw when I opened the box. 

Sorry for the shadow in the picture.

Konjac Cleansing Sponge (Value - $9.60) *The prices I'm using are the Maven prices. Mavens automatically get 20% off your purchase and free shipping.

   This was probably the most interesting thing I got in this box. It's an all natural sponge made from the fibrous root of the Japanese Konjac plant. It's 100% biodegradable and is enriched with charcoal to clarify your skin. It's supposed to be good for any skin type so I'm interested to see how it works.

Julep Color Fan (Value - $6.40)

   This has 22 nail spoons to swatch all your colors. I don't know if I'll use this. It could be a fun project but would be a bit time consuming. Julep says to paint the top of the opaque spoon to see the true color.

Julep Forget-Me-Not Seeds (Value - $1)

  

These are definitely fall colors to me!

Nadia (Value - $4.99) 

   Nadia is a shimmery, sweet yellow. It's more brighter in person than the picture but not neon. It's a nice balance and a happy color. 

Tatiana (Value - $11.20)

   Tatiana is a coppery orange glitter. It's almost fall here in New England so I'm super excited to have this one in my collection. This is actually a Breathable nail polish. It's made with Oxygen Technology that helps make your nails healthy and more conditioned.

The first look of the mystery box.

Twistband Hair Ties (Value - $4)

   I've always been hesitant about these hair ties because I received one before and it was too small for my hair. The silver one is a little tight so I haven't tried it but I love the purple one. I've been using it daily.

Luxe Care Hand Creme (Value - $16)

   This is an intensive formula that treats dry hands with Julep's exclusive Power Cell Complex. It's a blend of Rosehip seed oil to soothe and repair, green coffee bean oil to promote cell turnover and Malvaceae Lipid Extract for hydration. You can also use it on dry elbows or other dry areas. Winter will be coming so it's good to start stocking up now.

Blank Canvas Plumping Lip Primer (Value - $17.60)

   This is a primer for your lips to help keep your lip color on all day while also plumping and moisturizing. Like the hand creme, it is also enhanced with the Power Cell Complex. Unfortunately I couldn't get any product out of the container (I clicked the button about 20 times and nothing) and looking at the reviews of it online, I'm not the only one with this problem. 

Matte Top Coat (Value - $11.20)

   This will add a matte finish to any polish. It can add a fun effect to all different types of polish whether it's a gloss or creme color. I also read that you can use a matte top coat as a base for lighter colored polishes and the color will be stronger without as many coats. I'm very interested in experimenting with that.

Padma (Value - $11.20)

   Padma is a deep purple creme color. I've gotten this in a previous box but purple's my mom's favorite color so I will probably give this to her.

Shoshanna (Value - $11.20)

   This is a yellow glitter with hints of red, green and blue sparkles. Glitter nail polishes are always a good one to have. You can do all of your nails in glitter or just an accent nail. 

Annika (Value - $11.20) 

   Annika is a silver chrome. I'm actually wearing this polish right now and I love it. I wasn't quite sure when I put it on. I was expecting more of a grey creme than silver but I after I got over that I realized it was awesome. *This is no longer available on the website.

I will say with the Maven pricing the box value was $82.40 without the add on so it didn't hit the $100 value as promised. With the add on the value came out to $115.59. It is a good price for everything I just wished I didn't need the add on to hit the promised value. Without the Maven price it does hit the $100 value but most people purchasing from Julep are Mavens so I don't really agree. I did get some things that I am super excited to have in my collection though so in the end I am happy with my purchase.

~ Katelynn xx

Limited Edition: Mass Appeal – 2014 Birchbox for CEW Review

Box: Limited Edition: Mass Appeal – 2014 Birchbox for CEW

Cost: $15 (If you get both this box and the Prestige Headliners Box Birchbox will automatically take $5 off at checkout.

Coupon Codes: If you purchase using the mobile app like I did you can try "MOBILE20" to take 20% off your order. You can also try "WELCOMEOFFER20" if you're a new customer. If you add any other items to your cart and hit $35 you can add a Mystery Sample Pack for free.

     If you spend over $50 you can add the Anniversary Bonus Box for free with the code "BONUSBOX"

For some reason I tend to enjoy the Mass Appeal boxes the most. They are brands you can find in most drugstores but these are the items I tend to use the most. 

Information card for the box.

Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips (Value - $2.27 - FULL SIZE)

     With fall coming up and winter right around the corner after that I'm happy to start stocking for chapped lips. This is made with triple-purified Vaseline petroleum jelly to keep lips soft and moisturized. It's scented lightly with rose and leaves a sheer pink tint on the lips. Sometimes it's the little things that excite me the most.

TRESemme Keratin Smooth Keratin Infusing Serum (Value - $4.99 - FULL SIZE)

     I always enjoy getting full size products for hair because it gives me a chance to use it enough to see if it makes a difference on my hair or not. This serum is supposed to eliminate frizz for up to 48 hours and locks in shine. I'm interested to see how this works out.

Dove Go Fresh Restore Body Wash (Value - $0.50 - Sample size)

     I already have a ton of travel size body washes but I suppose another one won't hurt. 

L'oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara (Value - 8.99)

     I got this mascara in the Target Beauty Box a couple months ago and thought it was okay. It does a good job at lengthening but I don't really think it adds a lot of volume. You also have to be careful blinking after you apply it. It stays wet for a couple minutes so you have to let it dry. I'll most likely swap it.

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer with SPF 15 (Value - $9.99 - FULL SIZE)

     This moisturizer is enriched with Vitamins B5 and E to help improve skin condition and a blend of allantoin, glycerin and bisabolol to nourish and hydrate it. Best of all, it also doubles as SPF to protect from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It kind of smells like sunscreen but if it works well, I'll be happy.

Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Gloss in Spring Splendor (Value - $8.99 - FULL SIZE)

     This was the thing I mainly got the box for and was the most excited about. Lip gloss is one of my favorite things and I've been meaning to try the Burt's Bees brand for ages. I absolutely love this! It's the perfect shade of pink for me. It enhances my natural lip color, adds just the right amount of shine and is moisturizing but not sticky. I will definitely be picking up more of these in different colors.

All in all I think this box was a great value. I got 5 products that I know I'll use and even found a lip gloss that earned a permanent home in my purse. The value dollar wise ended up being $35.73. 

I did end up adding on my favorite eyeliner that I'd been meaning to pick up (stila stay all day waterproof liquid eyeliner in intense black) which meant I got a free sample pack as well. 

Free samples! Yay!

Free Samples: 

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Eyeliner in Black (Value - $12 - Deluxe Sample)

     The full size of this is 0.4oz and the one I got is 0.3oz which makes it almost full size. Awesome!

Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette Sampler Sunset (Value - $3.99)

     This has four shades from the Revealed 2 eye shadow palette. The colors are great neutrals for everyday use. 

I paid $28 for the two boxes and got a total value of $74.92 without the free samples. These boxes are great buys and I definitely think are worth the purchase. They're still up on the site so you can still grab them. If you want to try the monthly subscription for Birchbox ($10 a month) click here.

~ Katelynn xx

Limited Edition: Prestige Headliners - 2014 Birchbox for CEW Review

Box: Limited Edition: Prestige Headliners - 2014 Birchbox for CEW

Cost: $18 (If you get both this box and the Mass Appeal Box Birchbox will automatically take $5 off at checkout.

Coupon Codes: If you purchase using the mobile app like I did you can try "MOBILE20" to take 20% off your order. You can also try "WELCOMEOFFER20" if you're a new customer. If you add any other items to your cart and hit $35 you can add a Mystery Sample Pack for free.

     If you spend over $50 you can add the Anniversary Bonus Box for free with the code "BONUSBOX"

When Birchbox released the Limited Edition boxes curated with products from the finalists of the Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) Insiders' Choice Beauty Awards, I bought them right away. They just called to me. Birchbox always has awesome limited edition boxes throughout the year and these two are ones I look forward to the most. This review is for the Prestige Headliners and I'll be doing the Mass Appeal Box in a separate post.

Each box comes with an information card detailing the products. This box contains five of the best luxury beauty products of 2014 and two "Lifestyle Extras."

Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Creme (Value - $6.40 - Travel Size)
     I was so excited to get this in the box. It's been very humid in New England lately so this is going to help my hair tremendously. It's a lightweight, leave in styling creme infused with olive oil. I also love the smell so it makes me want to put it in so I can smell it all day.

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light (Value - $4.52 - Deluxe Sample)
     This is 100% pure argan oil sourced from Morocco that is lightweight and moisturizing. You can wear it on its own to hydrate your face and give yourself a little go or even as primer for your makeup. Not only that but you can even use it on your hair for split ends, on your cuticles, and anyplace that needs a little extra hydration. I have a feeling I'm going to fall in love this.

Coola Environmental Repair Plus Radical Recovery After-Sun Lotion (Value - $2.67)
     To be fair I don't normally need after-sun lotion because I'm really good about wearing sunscreen. My mom on the other hand is always in the sun and burns easily so I will be passing this on to her.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Overnight (Value - $13.60)
     This is an age-resetting, anti-wrinkle moisturizer that contains a rare marine algae and vitamin C to help give you healthier and softer skin and deep hydration. I'm a little young for this so I'll probably give this to my mom as well.

100% Pure Creamy Nail Polish in Velveteen (Value - $12 - FULL SIZE)
      This nail polish is nice because it is a vegan formula. It's made without synthetic ingredients, is cruelty free, and gets it color from natural fruit and veggie pigments. I'm not quite sure how I feel about the color yet. We'll see how it looks on but it is a good fall tone so my fingers are crossed.

Lifestyle Extras:
    For those I got a set of toe separators which I don't normally use but you never know and a little mirror.

Total value of the Prestige Box ended up being $39.19 not counting the lifestyle extras. I'm pretty impressed and happy with what I got. It's a great deal if you're interested in trying out some all-star products. If you want to subscribe for the monthly box for $10 a month as well you can sign up here.

~ Katelynn