August 2012 Julep Maven

PREFACE:  I come to you all with mixed feelings about this months Julep Maven box.  Let me say first off that I love the formulation and wear-time of Julep polishes, and I think the Maven subscription service is great, but I don't want to pay $20 each month for the service.  I haven't been IN LOVE with any of the combos over the last several months and so I have skipped them.  I make sure to keep an eye out for the emails so I don't get charged and sent a box I don't want.  This month, I got no email about what box I was getting or that it was my last chance to change boxes.  On the other hand, I did get an email that my box was being shipped out to me.   Uhhhhh wait.  I didn't even get the chance to skip it or let alone change to a different box.
I emailed their customer service and they gave me instructions on how I could return it (they didn't say anything in the email about a restocking fee, but their website said I would be charged another couple dollars).  The email also told me what day the email was sent out and what it was titled.  I looked through my old mail and I had NOTHING of the sort.  Well, the box came, and I decided to keep it.  I already have quite a few polishes in similar colors, but I give in too easily.  So, without further ado, here is the box I didn't want, but I ended up keeping:

On a positive note, Julep Maven boxes are always so cute and girly.  I really do appreciate that.  I guess this month had a theme of Trina Turk. I don't know who that is, but I think I got a magnet with a cartoon version of her on it.

 

I think this is a magnet.  I haven't tried it yet.  I don't think I will use it...

 Here are the things I received in my box.

  It's been a year since I signed up with Julep Maven, so they sent me these cute bangles.  This was a sweet surprise!

 Most Maven's got mascara in their box this month.  Boho glam was the only box that got brown, and I have the boho glam box.  I wish I would have gotten the black.... not a huge fan of brown mascara.  I like the brush though!

 Like I said earlier, they always have such cute packaging.  I mean, come on, how cute and classy is this!?!

 Here are my two colors.  I have Julep's Miranda which is a little lighter than the green I got here.  I wish I had a little more variety.

The blue is Gunta.  Kind of a weird name.  It is a classic royal blue color.  I have been loving blue colors lately, so I'm excited to try this one out.

This is Popova.  Another interesting name.  They both sound European.  I could be completely wrong though.  Nothing too exciting about this color.  I have other greens I like more than this, but after I try it out, I might like it just as much.

So there we are...I'm sorry if I seemed like a complainer this whole post.  I really do like the Maven program and Julep polishes, but I just wasn't happy with how this month's box was shipped with no prior information.  I know that is not typical for them and I encourage you if you like to try out new polishes to join the Maven program.  Here's a link to sign up.  I think new members can join for their first month for only a PENNY!  Enter the code penny at the checkout.

-polish. impress. repeat

August 2012 Birchbox!

I welcomed this little box of treasures in the mail today.   Since it's that time of year for students to start back up at school, Birchbox played off of that idea and did a 'Beauty School' theme.  As a future teacher myself, I adore this theme and I REALLY like the organization they teamed up with this month (more on that below).

Before I jump in to what I got this month, I wanted to recognize Birchbox a little.  I've seen a lot of people complaining about this months box saying they didn't get many products or they don't feel like it was worth it.  I want to say that every box is worth more than the $10 you pay, so you are definitely getting your money's worth each time.  While you might not be impressed with the items in each months box, that is what the subscription service is for!  To find items you like and ones you might not like without having to spend full price on an item.  If you do end up loving them (hopefully you do!), then you can go out and buy it.  If you didn't like it, then you didn't pay an arm and a leg and left with a hole in your pocket.  No worries.  :)
Birchbox is always thinking outside the box (no pun intended).  They have great customer service, the themes are wonderful, their website is user-friendly, they have YouTube videos to go along with the themes and products each month, and they always think of the small things.  As a detail oriented person, I love that about the company.  For example, this month, the little 'cozy' that was placed around the Schick razor...  innovative!
Needless to say:  I am overly impressed with this company.  End of rambling.  :)

Let's dig in!

Instead of the normal card that explains the theme and lists the items in your box, Birchbox made a fun-fold out filled with tips, fixes, your items in your box, and some advice on how to get ready in record timing.

 With the theme playing off of 'school', Birchbox has teamed up with an organization called Pencils of Promise.  Random fact for all you JUSTIN BIEBER fans:  The founder of this organization is Scooter Braun's adorable brother, Adam Braun.  The organization helps to build schools around the world.  Birchbox is donating 15% of all full-size orders this month to help build a school in Central America.  Even better, Birchbox is giving a MINIMUM of $25,000.  Another reason I love Birchbox, they have fully committed to this and are promising AT LEAST that much.  Right on!  Please check out PoP's website.  The organizations story is incredible and they are making a lasting change in children's lives day in and day out.

I usually do the 'life style extra' at the end of my post, but I'm doing it at the beginning this time.  They are calling this one a 'Birchbox find' instead of a 'life style extra', but they are essentially the same thing.  I actually use the Men's Schick Hydro because it was a free sample and I LOVE it, so I'll probably like the women's better!

I recieved two of these little foil packets of Oil- Free Lash Conditioning Cleanser by Talika.  I'm excited to try these! 

Next up is Essence Absolue Nourishing Protective Oil by Shu Uemura.  I've heard amazing things about this brand and I'm interested to see how I like it.  I have recieved some hair oils from Birchbox before and they have ended up being some of my favorite products from Birchbox.  Hopefully this will be another.  It smells nice.

I am thrilled for this sample!  I actually found the regular Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture through a Birchbox sample and purchased the BIG full-sized bottle through Birchbox.  It smells delicious!  I saw they came out with a 'La Fleur' version and I hadn't seen it in any stores to smell it yet.  Now I have my own sample!  I love the spray bottle too.  I hate when perfume samples have those little tops....  ugh.

Another product I am excited for is this one!  I like products from Stila and I've never tried this mascara before.  My lashes are not naturally curly, so I'm wanting to see how much of a difference this will make.  The brush is unlike any other I've used before.  The bristles are very short. FYI:  This sample is exactly half of the full sized product.  Now that's what I call a deluxe sized sample! 

What did you get in your box?

If you are not subscribed to Birchbox, it is only $10 a month.  You get deluxe sized beauty samples from well recognized companies.  If you are interested in becoming a member, feel free to use my referral link:  https://www.birchbox.com?raf=gafkf 

-polish. impress. repeat.

French Manicure with OPI's So Many Clowns... So Little Time

So here is my first attempt in a french manicure in YEARS.  I still have a lot of improving to do (though one of my students today asked if I got my nails done yesterday because they looked so 'good'.  Sweet right?).  I used OPI's Alpine Snow for the tips and then for the 2 coats on top, I used OPI's So Many Clowns...  So Little Time.  Kind of a weird name, and I don't really get it, but oh well.

I found that this is the perfect sheer pink nude color to do a french manicure with.  It is sheer, but it is also rather cloudy.  It covers nicely and leaves for a great finish.  You can see that I messed up slightly on my pointer finger on the tip and my middle finger has some bubbles in the tip.  Practice makes perfect.

Should I try doing some fun colors with a french manicure?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Liebster Blog Award!

I am honored to say the least!  Philippa Claire MacDuff from Glitter & Jelly was incredibly sweet and nominated my blog!  My blog is pretty new and aside from a few close friends, I wonder if anyone else out there really reads my blog.  I am thrilled to know that other people are enjoying my blog!

This is an award for newbie bloggers who (I think) have less than 200 followers.

The rules of the Liebster award are:

• Each person tagged must post 11 things about themselves.
• They must answer the 11 questions the 'tagger' has set for them.
• They must create 11 more questions to ask bloggers they have decided to tag.
• They must then choose 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers and tag them in their post.
• These lucky bloggers must then be told.
• There are no tag backs.  

11 things about myself:  

1. I have been a nail polish junkie since I was about 7.  I can remember getting my allowance and going to the BX (military store) and buying Wet N Wild nail polishes. 
2. I have had carbon monoxide poisoning.  My mom and I were staying at family's and we woke up to our cousin telling us to hurry outside and that the fire department was on the way.  The heater was broken.
3. I LOVE music.  Most any kind.  I have the most random collection of music.
4. After years of not having a favorite season:  Fall.  I moved to Southern California and there is NO Fall season.  I miss the weather and the color changes of the MidWest, but at least I can still have pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING!
5. I used to be on a jump rope team for the American Heart Association.  We went around to schools all over the area and promoted Jump Rope for Heart events.
6. My favorite movie is How To Train Your Dragon.  I'm still a kid at heart.
7. Speaking of being a kid at heart.  Disneyland addict.  Enough said.
8. I cannot wait to have a full time teaching job.  Not for the money, but just to be in a classroom and impact the students' lives!
9. I have to be cold when I go to sleep.  If I am at all warm, I can't fall asleep.
10. I'm proud to be a military brat and I enjoyed the military lifestyle.
11. I'm not competitive with other people, but I'm competitive with myself.  

Questions from Philippa:

1. Who is the one person in your life that you couldn’t live without?  I'm going to cheat in this one and pick more than one person.  My family.  My dad has been an incredible provider, my mom an incredible helper, and my brother an incredible example.
2.  What is your earliest childhood memory?  Playing Hot Wheels with my brother while watching Nickelodeon early Saturday mornings.
3. Do you have any distinguishing marks, scars, or tattoos?  I have a scar on each knee.
4. How did you meet your best friend?  Junior High in Language Arts class.  Passing notes like good little students.
5. What has changed in your life since you first started blogging?  I started interviewing for full time teaching positions.
6. From whom do you draw inspiration?  Anyone who lives their life to glorify and honor God.
7. Which year of your life would you like to re-live and why?  None.  Each year, even through the difficult ones, it has molded me to become strong and happy with my life.  Though I did love college.  I loved my school, my roommates, my friends, my job, and the experiences I had.
8. If you were hosting a dinner party, what would be on the menu?  Probably some kind of pasta, a fun salad, and some amazing baked desserts made by yours truely.
9. What is your favourite book? Tell us a little about the plot and why it means so much to you.  I really have enjoyed the Hunger Games series.  It is a series based upon 12 districts (essentially like states) that have to send two tributes (a boy child and a girl child) to fight for their death in the Hunger Games.  It is just so fascinating to me.  I don't think it is a 'good' situation to be in, but I was drawn in to the story line.  Team Gale!
10. Which websites do you visit daily?  Facebook.  YouTube.  Blogspot.  My email. 
11. If you had to throw away the rest of your makeup collection and keep only 5 items, what you keep?  Lorac AquaPrime, Revlon Colorstay Foundation, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, Urban Decay Naked Pallete, and CoverGirl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara.

 

 My Questions for those I have nominated:

1.  What is the best appropriate joke you know?
2.  What are your top 5 makeup brands?
3.  What is your favorite season and why? 
4.  Where would your dream vacation be?
5.  Do you have any pets?  If so, what are they?
6.  What is your favorite board/card game?
7.  What is the best prank/practical joke you've done?
8.  If you could only shop at one store for clothes for the rest of your life regardless of price, what store would it be? 
9.  What is your favorite restaurant and your favorite dish to get there?
10.  Are you subscribed to any monthly beauty subscriptions?  If so, which ones?
11.  If your closest friends were to describe you in three words, what would they be?

My Nominations (go check them out!)   :

Ali's Nail News

Amoki's Corner

BeautyByT

Cat's Adventures in Lacquer Land

Fhauling4You 

Greeneyespinknails

Mascara Is My Vice

Nail-Anon

Nail'd In The South 

Stuff I (S)watched

Tropical Mind

Congrats girls and I hope you have as much fun doing this as I have!

-polish. impress. repeat.

 

Zoya - Shay

This is Shay.  She's a delicate shimmery nude pink.  It reminds me of the color my ballet shoes used to be when I was in dance classes.  I have had a few interviews this week and wanted to wear something a little more subtle.  I got this in one of my Birchboxes a while back, but I really like it and have worn it quite a few times.  It isn't fully nude, it is more on the pink side, but it is more of a 'peachy pink'.  It has some shimmer in it too, so it isn't so boring.

The formula is great and it had incredible wear time (as do all Zoya polishes).

 

The next two pictures are taken in the shade with natural lighting.

What is your 'go to' natural color?

-polish. impress. repeat.

China Glaze - Pink Plumeria

GOOOORRRRGEOUS!  This color is stunning.  Pink Plumeria is another gem from the Summer Neons collection from China Glaze.  So many of them are wonderful!  I would describe this color as the perfect pink highlighter color.  Literally, if you pick up a pink highlighter, this is most likely the color you will see.  This is two coats of Pink Plumeria over two coats of OPI's Alpine Snow.  The trick of putting neon polishes over white polish to get the color to pop holds true!  I also put a top coat over it since this is a neon polish and it has that semi-matte finish.

Seriously, look how it sparkles in the sunlight!  *drools*

What is your favorite neon color?

-polish. impress. repeat.

Comparison of Ulta 'Island Hopper' and Julep 'Miranda'

First off, apologies for my dry cuticles.  I didn't even think about it before snapping these pictures.  Since I've started this blog, I've tried to get in a variety of colors from week to week.  I was about to paint my nails and was picking through my collection when I came across Ulta Professional's 'Island Hopper'.  I thought it would be a great color and then Julep's 'Miranda' which I had already done a post on.  They look nearly identical in the bottle, so I decided to compare them to see if they are dupes or not.  ****Note:  in the pictures of my nails, from left to right it is 'Miranda', 'Island Hopper', 'Miranda', 'Island Hopper'.

 Miranda, Island Hopper, Miranda, Island Hopper

 Miranda, Island Hopper, Miranda, Island Hopper

left:  Miranda          right:  Island Hopper

Conclusion, it the direct sunlight, they look almost identical.  In natural lighting, the slight differences are a little more apparent.  'Miranda' is more jelly-like while 'Island Hopper' is more creamy and opaque.  They are both a light teal/turquoise color, but Island hopper is a little more blue-ish.

Dupes?  Not quite.

-polish. impress. repeat.