First up is Danielle. Julep describes Danielle as "a cerulean blue duochrome." The first thing I have to say about this polish is that it smelled terrible - just like a skunk. For that fact alone, I will not use this polish again. I did do a swatch of it but this is the only time I will use it. Also, the "duochrome" shows up in the bottle (it shifts from blue to pink) but doesn't show up on the nail at all. Such a disappointment. This is two coats with top coat.
This month the It Girl box came with a base coat which bothered me. Usually the It Girl box is three colored polishes and the nail treatments, base and top coats and other makeup are in the other boxes. I get the it girl expecting polish, not basecoat. That said, I did use it and it was okay. However, it retails for $18.00 ($14.40 if you're a current Maven) for 0.27 oz of product. That is the size of an average sized mini polish. There is no way I would pay that kind of money for a basecoat.
The next polish from the box is Randi, which Julep describes as "a pink plumeria creme." I chose to pair it up with the polish I added on, which is Angie - a silver holographic polish. I did two coats of each. I don't know if it is because of this basecoat or if it is the polish themselves, but they both dried to a fairly matte finish. I did photograph them both with and without topcoat. The set of pictures above do not have topcoat, while the ones below do have topcoat. I thought both of these polishes were okay, but nothing unique.
I have to say that this is one of the most disappointing Maven boxes I've ever received. The one highlight of the box is Angie, the polish I added on. It is a nice holo polish, which I think I could get a lot of use out of as an accent color. I'm sorry to post so many negative things (I try to be pretty positive when I post), but I wanted to be honest about what I thought. I would love to hear what you think of these polishes. Also, if you got a Maven box this month, which one did you get and what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments below!
I gave up being a Maven girl last year because I didn't think the polish was that special for what it cost...the bottles are so tiny and I didn't notice it wearing exceptionally well or anything. I wanted to love them and gave them about 4 months but then quit. I buy primarily Zoya polishes and LOVE them.
ReplyDeleteI am a HUGE Zoya fan. They are definitely my favorite mainstream brand. I probably have a couple hundred Zoyas. :0)
DeleteSometimes I debate whether to keep subscribing or not. Normally I like the polishes more than this which makes it more worth it.
ReplyDeleteI love Angie and Randi together.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They do make a pretty pair. :0)
DeleteGreat review! Julep used to be one of my favorites but they really need to up their game. I usually skip my boxes these days :/
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm just not as impressed with their boxes as I used to be. I hope they come up with some new stuff soon! :0)
DeleteI skip subscription boxes too, and to be honest I skip Julep since I don't like the way they relate to bloggers. Besides that none of these polishes exited me. Sorry for being negative, I wanted to be honest too!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind! I like the honesty. :0) I don't think any of these polishes are really unique to my collection.
DeleteI have the custom maven box but I've skipped the last two months since none of the polishes compelled me. I do love some of their make up though. Even if you are disappointed your swatches are lovely!
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite thing from Julep are the Vanish cuticle remover (I use it for staining) and the Party's Over glitter remover system. I haven't actually tried any of the make up. Maybe I'll have to give it a try!
DeleteI like these colors. I enjoyed my box this month, for once I got 2 beautiful polishes. My dog ate my gobstoppers though, I was pissed
ReplyDeleteI'm happy that I still have my Gobstoppers. :0) It is nice that they send little extras in the box.
DeleteI've never tried julep before, but they look really pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe colors are nice and normally I don't have problems with formula or scent. :0)
DeleteI don't own any julep polishes. The bottle is a real turn off for me. Sorry you had a disappointing box!
ReplyDeleteThe bottle is awkward to polish with. I have quite a few Julep polishes and most of them have great formulas. I'm hoping for a better box next month.
DeleteUgh. Stinky blue polishes are the pits. They are all pretty through. That is REALLY expensive for a mini base coat O.o
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine spending that much for a base coat! I didn't notice anything special about it when I wore it. The colors are pretty. :0)
DeleteI've never been compelled to get a subscription box, and haven't heard too many great things about it from fellow bloggers :-/ Have you contacted Julep about the smell? Maybe there was a bad batch or something?
ReplyDeleteI did contact them but haven't heard back yet. Any time I've ever had problems in the past they always take care of it, so hopefully this will be taken care of. :0)
DeleteIt Girl is my Maven box, too, but I've been skipping it every month lately.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping they come up with something new soon!
DeleteI think I've skipped my box the last six months...Not so much their fault because I have tons of polish, lol. But I'm hoping for something wow-a-licious soon! :)
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'm really hoping they come up with a unique collection soon!
DeleteI canceled my Maven subscription months ago. The smelly polishes, luck-of-the-draw formulas, and exorbitant prices for what are essentially minis completely turned me off.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty close to cancelling. The only thing that keeps me is that I can skip as many months as I want. If it weren't for that feature I would've cancelled long ago.
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