Julep Maven

In researching beauty sample subscriptions I came across Julep! WHY have I not known about this? It is a monthly nail polish subscription (name written all over it)! Willingly I submitted my information to join and have now received my second box. My first month's subscription as a Julep Maven was only a penny, yes, I typed PENNY! If you enjoy nail art or nail polishes in the least definitely try it for one month like I did and you can always cancel if you're not satisfied. If you're not good for remembering to cancel subscriptions...add a reminder into your smartphone! Penny promo code is COLORS4ONE. Also, it is one of the more expensive subscriptions out there at $19.99, but everyone (including myself) who reviews this company is more than happy with the product and customer service provided. Also, you get a sneak peek at what you will be receiving in your next month's box. If you aren't interested you can pick from different nail sets offered that month, skip the month or ship it to a friend for their birthday...just some ideas! Below are some pictures of my May Julep Maven Box ($40 value).

From Left to Right: 

Jessica is a baby blue creme polish.

Mandy is a deep poppy red.

Brooke is a fun shimmery purple that looks nice as a top coat or simple and sweet on its own.

Both Jessica and Mandy are highly pigmented and opaque, which I'm finding most of Julep's colors to be so. This is a great feature in a polish, because it helps with getting more use out of your product along with providing a perfectly, finished or POLISHED look...no pun :) I've tried all three and love them! 

This is my Color Club Foil polish I received in May's Birchbox coupled with Mandy from Julep! On a side note-Color Club has some really interesting colors, but they are chippers! Plan on daily touch ups when using their product. Julep lasts up to a week...and that's with working in retail!

Something fun and silly :) I had paired Jessica and Brooke together for a few days at work, but with feeling thematic in attending the Dave Matthews concert I decided to play around a bit!

Just received my second box in the mail today and I'm already testing out the new colors and anxious to share!

Cheers,
Em

April Birch Box

So I've been slackin' BUT I have valid reason. We've been going all over the place lately! First, the Dave Matthews concert in Houston, then a quick trip to visit my Granny and this coming holiday weekend we will be joining in on some fun at a friend's lake house! I can't complain...I love keeping busy and road trippin' with my love, but it's time to get back to reality, so to speak! OH and blogging :)

I'm doing something a little different from most Birchbox reviews. Alot of subscribers focus on the unboxing upon receiving their Birchbox, but I like to try out the different products and then let readers know how it goes and if it's worth the subscription. While I love sneak peeking on YouTube to see what's going to be in my upcoming Birchbox, I also want people to know how the products carry out.
With that said, I will usually blog about my box at or near the end of each month. I'm a little late for April, but here it is...

April's Birchbox theme was Natural Wonders, being eco-driven by bringing the outside in as use of beauty products. Below is the product information card that comes in each box.

I feel like starting with my favorite sample from this box, the Amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask. This product works wonders on my lady locks :)  I should tell you I am a sucker for almost any hair product that revitalizes because I only get my hair cut about every 4-6 months, guilty! However, I only have to wash my hair every other day, whereas most people wash their's everyday, causing quicker wear-n-tear...it evens out, I guess. It makes my hair silky and instantly does exactly what it says, "helps repair split ends!" With the sample size I was able to get 4 uses, using it on every other wash. Since my hair is on the thinner side it takes to product easily and holds it for awhile. I will definitely be purchasing this as a full size product. Worth the $ in my opinion.
The other sample I most enjoyed was Dirt's Luxe Salt Scrub in Lemon Leaf. I've tried my hand at homemaking salt body scrub and it turned out alright, but was lacking something. That something is Dirt's simple secret, shea butter and raspberry seeds. The seeds are such a different texture that lingers on the skin for a more efficient scrub where the shea butter finishes off the scrubs exfoliation perfectly, leaving your skin moisturized long after. Don't think I will be purchasing it at full size, but found a few new ingredients to add to my next batch!
The concept of the BeFine brand is pretty interesting. This company makes all of their skincare naturally from food products. They sent out 5 packets of the combo gentle cleanser and moisturizer, which I found to be a hefty sample! The cleanser was nice, cool and refreshing for an after face wash regimen. However, the moisturizer they sent out was expired. Birchbox, being the wonderful company they seem to be, stood behind their mistake and provided all subscribers $10 (or 100 points) to shop in their store online. Yes, I know it's a way to get clients to purchase, but there are numerous items under $10 to choose from. I bought two things, a Stila eyeliner and a polish...happy girl :) I thought it was a great gesture!
Vapour's Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick is nice, just not my preferred color palette. Like the info card states, if you're looking for a subtle statement, swipe once. This seems to work best for me and I do blend with gloss since it's a matte finish.
I have not yet tried the Le Palais des Thes Tea, but did unwrap one and it's very floral with a hint of spice, so sure to be tasty!
It wasn't a bad box, but not the greatest. I'm always happy with what I get because I love trying out new product. May's box is proving to be the best yet! Stila and Color Club polish made an appearance and I will be blogging on it sooner than later!

Cheers,
Em

eShakti, I shall!

It's no lie that a woman feels extra special in a customized garment. The fit, the color, the style...all of it tailored to suit her needs. One of our associates, Jewel, shared an interesting site with me today. Some of you may have heard of it, but I had not and instantly wanted to blog about it upon creating my very own dress! While dresses are (clearly) their forte, eShakti dabbles in tops, skirts and minimal accessories as well. Most of the dress silhouettes are 1950's inspired, which is smart seeing as a number of those styles compliment all body types, this creates a broad market allowing them to customize from sizes 0-26. Below is a picture recap of the step by step process they take you through when ordering. They set you up with the basis of the dress and then offer sleeve, length, color and sometimes neckline options. You can also opt for full custom fitting by submitting your exact measurements. I can't say much about quality because I don't own one...yet! However, they look to be legitimate AND at a decent price, median around $69 (including customization).

A quick snap of some dress options...

One last wonderful thing about this company is that they do accept returns if you are not satisfied with your order. Send it back, unworn, within 30 days of it's arrival to you and they will refund you in full OR request to have the return processed on a merchandise/gift card and they will refund you PLUS 20% of your original purchasing price...obviously you will be spending with them, but that's some (clever) "white glove service," if you ask me.

Check it out now to receive this special offer...

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Cheers,

Em