My Spring Julep Mystery box

This is a little late, but I figured I'd go ahead and post it since I had the picture uploaded.

My Spring Julep Mystery box in all it's glory.

I can NOT resist these things. You pay $19.99 and get at least $60 worth of goodies. The only downfall with these boxes is you're at risk for receiving dupes. *If you're a Julep Maven*

I have received a few dupes. I'm starting to think I should skip my monthly boxes and just go for the Mystery boxes. ;) 

I got Alicia (dupe), Heather, and Melissa.

I got another topcoat and another cuticle oil.

So, I really only got two new polishes. Meh.

But I do love Alicia and go through the topcoat quite fast.

I really am considering just skipping my monthly boxes though....I keep telling myself that. Ha.

Next month, I will next month. ;-P

Julep Eva Swatch

Hey, Everyone!

Today I have a swatch for Julep's Eva.

Eva is described as "Juicy raspberry creme. The right balance of sophisticated and whimsy."

I think Eva is a nice alternative to a stark red polish. 

Eva has a pinkish tone to it depending on what light you're in.

My pictures are making it seem kind of tomato red, but it's more of a true raspberry pinkish-red. 

Since this is a creme finish, you could get away with just one coat.

It also has a nice shine without a topcoat.

I really like this shade. I think it's one of my favorites. :)

Julep nail polishes are $14 

and are now sold at Sephora stores or you can just purchase them straight from Julep's website.

What do you think? Do you like Julep nail polish? What brands and colors do you recommend?

NOTD-Julep's Renee and Essie's Set in Stones

I love this combo. I am a sucker for Lilac and glitter.

Julep's Renee is described as a Spring lilac creme

and Essie's Set in Stones is a chunky silver glitter topcoat. It also has smaller pieces of silver glitter for extra dimension. 

Renee is a creme finish and Julep's creme polishes tend to be pretty opaque with just one coat. 

I really love that Set in Stones has varying sized glitter. It's in a clear base, so this could worn over any shade. 

Look! It matches my Hello Kitty band-aide! lol.

What are your favorite polish looks for Spring?

Recycle your old candles!

Today I have a tutorial for a DIY brush holder or decor.

I don't know about you, but I love candles. 

I have a TON of them.

I'm using a Bath and Body Works candle for today's tutorial.

Once your candle has hit bottom, get a pair of pliers and pull the metal wick holder out.

Do this while the wax is melted.

I like to take the left over wax and pour it into a container to make tarts for my warmer.

What ever you do, DON'T pour the wax down the drain.

I put my wax in the freezer for a few minutes so it doesn't melt the plastic holder.

Clean up as much wax as you can.

Use alcohol to remove the glue from the wicks. 

Use any filler of your choice and VIOLA! A brush holder.

Fill it up with sand and add seashells from the beach for a nice decor item. 

The possibilities are endless...

:0)

Julep St. Patrick's Day Mystery box

I just noticed that I didn't post what was in my Julep Mystery box for St. Patrick's Day. 

So you get a double post today. ;)

I love how they always include little extras, which are normally some form of chocolate. 

I didn't get the "big" box this time, but it still had alot of goodies.

I got travel size Glycolic Hand Scrub (Love this) and Age Defying Hand Brightener.

Four chocolate coins, which my two year old snatched up real quick. haha.

A glass nail file.

Three polishes in Sophia, Oscar, and Jodie. I'm pretty sure Sophia glows in the dark...

And a base coat.

 Sophia, Oscar, Jodie, and the base coat.

Sophia, Oscar, Jodie, and the base coat. 

My Spring Mystery box just shipped so I'm excited to get that. I love being surprised and you can never have too many polishes, right? ;)

And just incase you're wondering, these boxes are $19.99 each and contain at least $60 worth of product. Julep has Mystery boxes up for grabs periodically. 

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint Swatch/review- Joy

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint is a natural gel lip tint that is engineered to quickly absorb moisture into the skin. It's infused with peppermint oil to give lips a plumped up appearance without the irritation or stinging.

It has jojoba seed oil, peppermint oil, vitamin c, and vitamin e.

It doe not have mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and is cruelty free.  

I received the shade Joy in my March Birchbox.

Joy is described as a peach shade.

It looks straight up orange in the tube.

*sorry I didn't take a pic*

But it sheers out on the skin.

As a reference, I'm NC20-25 in Mac.

I was hesitant to try this out since it's considered a lip plumper. I've had some bad experiences with them, I think I'm allergic. 

This has peppermint oil in it and I know I'm not allergic to that and I didn't have a bad reaction. Whew. 

This does plump up your lips and makes them flush, but it does not sting or burn like described.

It did make my lips feel moisturized and left a nice stain, but you can definitely tell it pinks up your lips behind the stain. 

*sorry, I didn't take lip swatch pics*

Overall I really like this Lip tint.

It's $24 and can be purchased at stores like Sephora.

Have you tried Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tints before? What shades do you like?

Julep swatches- Alicia & Portia

Hey, Everyone.

I'm finally able to upload pictures to my new computer. Yay.

I have a ton of posts to catch up on.

Today I have swatches for Julep's Alicia and Portia.

Alicia- "A sunny salmon, perfect for beach pedicures and fresh, modern manicures."

-Finish: Creme

$14

Portia- "Sheer tropical blue with glittery sparkles that will remind you of a day on the beach."

-Finish: Sparkle topcoat

$14

I love Alicia! I was immediately drawn to this salmony pink color. It reminds me of summer. 

I will say, this was the thickest polish I've ever received from Julep. Creme finishes are typically thick, but this was really thick. It was pretty much opaque with one coat and really shiny without a topcoat. 

Portia is a tropical blue sparkle topcoat. You can use this topcoat on any base color since the blue is very sheer. 

I used this as an accent nail and you can't really see the details, but it's really gorgeous in person. 

One coat. No topcoat.

*If you're a Julep Maven you can get these for 20% off at the Maven Boutique.*

Julep

*Link is not an affiliate link-it's there only for your convenience*

Julep Spring Mystery Box

Hey Everyone!

Julep just posted a code for their Spring Mystery box! 

I LOVE these boxes.

You get anywhere from $60-$200 worth of products. 

Quantities are limited and they go pretty fast.

Use code: SPRING at checkout.