August Julep box and nail art

This months theme was travel and many colors seemed to be inspired by India. I chose the bombshell collection which included Neha- a lovely magenta metallic and Tazeen- a bright full coverage gold glitter. I also added on Joyce- a bright red metallic. Unfortunately they sent two Nehas instead of the Joyce and not it is out of stock. They did give me points to be used for future add-ons but it will be doubtful that I will be able to get Joyce for the 6.99 price for awhile. The retail price is 14.99 and the maven price is 11.99 for colors. You usually get a lower price for adding on to your box but they are mostly new colors from other boxes or close outs. I'm not happy but there is nothing I can do at this point. The box also came with a taupe sheen eyeliner pencil. It seems to be very long lasting and waterproof.

My Birthday mani, I was practicing with no water marbling. The middle finger is Donna, which I recently reordered, The other two are Misty and Leila. 

Spring Nails

I was in the spring flower mood this past week. My daffodils have bloomed and I put in some peony and lilly of the valley roots. When painting my nails this flower theme showed up in cherry blossoms. Alex's were inspired by some I had seen by Robin Moses and mine were more subdued.

For Easter I chose to match my new scrub top. It is a sweet coral pink that I added a lace motif to the ring fingers.

Julep Maven for November

I got my Julep package and was excited to try the fall colors. It had Alexandra- blond cream, and Aisha- burgundy plum creme with Brielle- burnt orange, Autumn- red orange glitter, and another Alexandra for my Alex. They also had lip gloss this month. My boho glam box came with Charming- a mauve color.

 I tried Autumn over my favorite fall nail polish before taking it off to try my new colors.

 I used Brielle for the main color then accented with Aisha and Alexandra with a top coat of Autumn. Not bad for swatching them all.

I couldn't get an Aleandra color and not do Alex's nails. Today I used Brielle with gold swoshes and brown leaves and accented the thumbs and ring fingers with branches and Autumn glitter for fall leaves.

I decided to use my Wet and Wild eye pallette to do a matching fall make up look. I waxed and plucked her brows, something she hates but loves the look. She has amazing features that are fun to play up.

I may as well do a Halloween picture dump here too. 

 I helped Ramon with his make up.

 This was my first time to try false eyelashes. I liked them and may try them again. Something more subtle though.

Halloween Boxes from Julep

I ordered two boxes for Halloween because I wanted both scarves. The brown was my favorite and when Alex said she liked the black one I gave it to her.

The brown scarf and box

It seems the picture wants to be side ways. The items listed in the box were the brown and cream scarf, Fiore- brown cream and Karen- peach pearl nail polish colors. I ordered the mystery add-on for this box. The add-ons were the lip scrub in the gold dish, and Karen and Zora-peachy cream nail colors. The also threw in a few treats, the nail decals and a nail polish ring. Yes, this box has two Karens and if you remember from July this make three of this same color for me. I guess that means there are more to share. I noticed this happened to a couple other people who were less pleased. 

Black scarf box

This box came with the black and cream scarf, Tracy- blue glitter sea salt finish, and Amity- a white, silver metallic. They also included the same treats. Tracy and Amity are also duplicates to my collection. I really wanted the scarves. I gave the extra decals to my nieces and the ring to my sister, so eventually this whole box will be gifted. I love the scarves. I painted my nails to match using Debra and Fiore. I later changed it and used a lighter brown for the scull.

I painted my ring to look like either a cats or a dragon's eye.

Since I finally got my zigzag stickers and my Fiona- ogre green in the mail I thought I would tack it to the end.

Zag Max Mystery Box, Avon Haul, and Challenge Entry

I walked down to the post office to check on my Avon order and found my  Julep mystery box was waiting for me as well. I had to ask if I had any packages as they are not very good at passing out slips. Since I was not receiving emails from Julep I had no idea when it would come. The postal worker was nicer today.

I opened my mystery box first, it was a large box with two smaller boxes inside. When I opened the smallest box I was confused. I first noticed the loose candy corn. This is my fourth box with a pack of candy corn and I've passed the others off to Danny. He won't mind that a few escaped their packet. The color selection of the polish was off some how. I had Charlie- bright yellow cream, Madison- bright pink jelly, Marion- turquoise shimmer, and a silver blue? It seems they sent me Fina instead of Fiona- ogre green. I really wanted that green.

I then opened the larger box and found my mystery items. I had peeked at others boxes so I knew I was going to get the dry shampoo, sea salt spray, beach tonic, and one step. I even know Nellie- fushia and Clara- peach cream, were some of the colors sent out. Nellie was the only duplicate this time and I was thrilled to get the hair products. I did not notice at first, but I was missing the zigzag stickers.

I called Julep and they said they would send out Fiona and I could keep Fina as it was their mistake. I was not on the list for missing stickers, but they would be sending those out as well. She also fixed the email problem and checked on an order that had given me an error message. If they had not sent the wrong polish I would probably not called them.

My Avon order came with my eyebrow kit, a eyebrow pencil, eyeliner in plum, navy and pewter, and finally a cuticle cream. I had bought a cuticle scraper as my polish was looking uneven and I thought the cream would help too. I tested out the eye brow kit and pencil. The colors are good, the application needs work. The brush in the kit is junk. It is too small and stiff. It doesn't smooth out wax neatly and just digs into powder. The pencil needs a careful touch so they don't look drawn on. I used short strokes but used too much pressure for one stroke and had to blend it in. I think these could work well as a team if I use my other angled brush.

I was playing with my frankenpolish. Today is the deadline for crafster.org nail art inspired challenge. I entered this post:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=428440.0#axzz2iOHIl81i

There were only two other entries at the time. One used her snakes shedded skin as a nail applique and the other matched her nail stamps to her henna tattoos. 

Ipsy Bag and Julep Extras

I received my Ipsy bag for October, it is the first one I get to keep for myself. I received the Sexy Hair blow dry gel, La Fresh® Eco-Beauty® Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes, Nourish Organic Deeply Nourishing Coconut & Argan Body Lotion, Starlooks Lip Pencil in Tickle me Pink, and Zoya Nail Polish in Giovanna.

I also received my replacement eyeliner and sharpener from Julep...

...and my polish from the Secret Store. 

The Zoya polish looks like it belongs in the set.

I swatched every color except Debra. Thumb -Julep Angelina, index finger-Angela, middle finger- Ally, ring finger- Kennedy and Adele with nail art, and pinky finger Zoya Giovanna.

 Angela is a teal to purple transition shimmer. It is very dark on. Adele is a microglitter top coat that alters your base color. Ally is a pretty royal blue, but smells of skunk. I like both the emerald greens, Angelina has more teal while Giovanna is a truer green.

October Julep Maven Box

I've been slacking off. My Julep package last week and opened it while running errands. I did manage to take pictures and try out some of the polish this though. I chose the Bombshell box, which included a brown and black dual ended eyeliner, Cleopatra- a matte black, and Valerie- a teal with gold glitter. The extra was the candy corn and the add-ons were Casper- glow in the dark shimmer, Kendra- army green shimmer, and Beatrix- a black and gold glitter. I gave Danny the candy corn and I was more than happy to share.

 Kendra with Beatrix top coat accent. I like these for Fall, I had been wanting an army green nail color.

 Cleopatra and Kaylen were used for the matte black cat mani. I think it is odd that the only matte colors I have are black and orange, I had to use them together. Alex is wearing Morgan with Catrina as an accent.

 I used two coats of Bunny and one of Casper for the base. I am not having as much luck getting pictures of the glow in the dark feature. These nails were done to match a scrub top.

 The right hand is more challenging so I focused on other features in the top that were easier to do left handed.

Dripping blood mani

Since it is October, I thought I would try a Halloween mani. I used Daria for the background and Evie for the drips. I used gray so it would be more of subtle look. You can contrast the red with white or green (zombies) or even use green for dripping slime. I like this look, it is easy and cute.

Two Fall Manicures

Today for the first day of Autumn, I decided to share two Fall looks. The first one is purple and golden tan. I used the same colors as in the giveaway, plus a antique gold frankenpolish under the glitter. This look was for my daughter, it reminds me of harvest fruits and wines.

The second one was a variation of the gradient accent and fox hunt ruffian look. This one is a little cleaner, but incorporates brown glitter and striping polish. I like how it matches my necklace while keeping the rest of my outfit neutral. 

What colors make you think of Autumn?

Julep's Supernova Mystery Box and Retied Colors

Julep is retiring a large selection of colors and has them on sale. Many of them I have received in mystery boxes and special sales. The colors in my collection that are no longer available are: Sheryl, Gloria, Maya, Annette, Vanessa*, Otte*, Kylie*, Glenn*, Stephani*, Kai, Morgan, America*, Catherine*, Drew, Kaylen, and Leila. There were a few from my wish list, sadly I don't have the funds to purchase them right now. I had hoped that one or two would come in my mystery box, but I received some other colors instead.

I received another set of hand, nail, and feet masks and another kit for treating my hands; glycolic hand scrub, rock star hand lotion, and the oxygen nail treatment. I'm thrilled with the second kit, I already use the hand scrub and the O2 treatment. The colors from back row, left side are; Blakely- holographic purple, Lacey*- metallic navy duplicate, Morgan- discontinued metallic purple, Clio*- purple/pink/silver glitter duplicate, Joanna- lavender shimmer, and the exclusive Estelle- black with colored glitter. Front row left are; Veronica*- duplicate rose cream and America*- red/blue/silver glitter.

After pulling out the duplicates I had Estelle, Joanna, Blakely, and Morgan.

This increased my purple colors yet again. Just a few months ago I only had one purple nail color. You might remember that I am not a huge fan of purple. I am trying to keep an open mind. They are all different although Blakely and Reese ( two center) have the same transition from purple to green.

The color I have fewest in now are green, which makes not being able to buy Haylie, Fiona, and Sofia even sadder.

I have not worn Kai yet, but here is Madeline as an accent to China Glaze Diva Bride. I bought both sea salt polishes together. I will have to try Kai as well as my other new polishes soon.

* You will note that several colors have stars. Watch for these in future giveaways.