Julep Maven- The Intro Box

Hey ya’ll. I actually have had my Intro box for a few weeks now and thought why not share anyways? Julep Maven is a monthly nail polish subscription company. It costs $19.99/month however I have only ever paid that once! See, as long as you log into your account within your selection period, you can choose to skip a month if the colors don’t suit you. I simply cannot justify spending twenty bucks a month on nail polish! 

The way Julep works is you sign up, take a quiz and then the results of your quiz tell you which kind of Maven you are. Some of the styles include Boho Glam, Classy with a Twist & It Girl. A special box is created each month for each style. Once you are a Maven you can log into your account and choose to change your style. Say you are an It Girl but just aren’t liking the colors- no prob! Simply click on the “Try a new style” tab in your account and choose which style you like! I am Classy with a Twist (according to my quiz results) however I find that I am drawn to the It Girl boxes more often than not so it’s nice to be able to choose that instead.

I forgot to mention that I got my first box for just $0.01 using promo code “COLOR2012” (for new members only) so if you decide you would like to give it a go, remember to enter the code before checking out! Also, I would love it if you would use my referral link 🙂

http://julep.com/?r=20316264

QVC’s New Beauty Test Tube Spring/ Summer 2012

Hey guys! So, my first QVC Test tube came on Friday. If you aren’t familiar with the test tube it is a quarterly subscription service that costs $29.95 + 6.95 S&H. QVC gives you the option to have it auto-delivered and if you select this option, you may also choose to skip a month if you aren’t really liking the contents of the tube.

OK so here are the products along with the value:

New Beauty Magazine $10

.5oz Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Regenerator $34

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick (in Twilight) $25

2oz Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel $4.25

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster (in Adored) $24

6oz WEN by Chaz Dean Cleansing Conditioner  (in Lavender) $10.85

2.5oz Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body $11.19

2oz Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash $6.57

.5oz Strivectin-SD Intensive Concentrate $19.75

A total value of $145.61!

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster (in Adored)

I have to say that the color (Adored) isn’t very pigmented at all. It actually goes on quite sheer which is nice, if you are looking for a light, natural shimmery lip. It has a nice minty taste & smell to it and glides on smoothly. Overall, I am happy with the product however I probably wouldn’t re-purchase in this color.

 

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick (in Twilight)

What it claims: Glides on smoothly and allows up to 30 seconds to blend color before it stays put and will last until you want it off. What it does: Exactly that! The first time I had swatched this (for the un-revealing video I did on YouTube) I blended it out and it was very easy to work with. The second time, I only wanted to show what the color was like on it’s own so I didn’t touch it after. When I attempted to remove the swatch from my hand, it wouldn’t budge. I had to use a bit of makeup remover on a Q-tip in order to remove it. Should more colors become available, I might purchase another one of these.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel

I just can’t get enough of this scent. I don’t think it smells like any one thing in particular it’s just a nice, airy, clean scent. I have totally shunned my other body washes since getting this one, I just love how amazingly fresh my skin feels after using it.

And that is all I’ve used as of yet. I do plan on testing out the StriVectin on my belly to see if it truely helps in removing stretch marks, so if any one is interested I can do a follow up for that. If you have any questions, please comment below! Thanks for reading 🙂

How To Get Bikini Ready This Summer

Spring has sprung and now summer is on its way! Which for us girls out there, not only means packing away the boots & scarves and replacing them with tanks and sandals but it also means that it’s crunch time! Literally It’s national Get Bikini Ready season! Here are just a few ways I’ve been preparing for bathing suit season:

• Drink up! I try to drink 1/2 my weight in oz each day to ensure that I stay properly hydrated. I know a lot of us think that if you drink too much water, you will retain it and have extra water weight but that just isn’t true! In fact, in order to keep from retaining water you have to drink more of it. As long as your body has plenty of water, it will not retain it.
• Break out the SPF! This isn’t really a product I even have to purchase, since I get so many with my monthly beauty subscriptions but if you don’t have any lying around, be sure to add it to your shopping list so you can protect yourself from sun burn this summer.
• Excercise! Whether it’s biking, hiking, swimming or the gym that you’re into it’s time to work it. And if you’re having trouble getting motivated, just remember that in two months from now you will have wished that you started today!
• Show your feet some love! Now’s the time to pamper your feet. When you get out of the shower (after you’ve dried of course) slather your favorite lotion all over your feet, leaving a little extra lotion and then throw your socks on. This will keep your feet soft and smooth and guarantee you sandal ready feet this summer!
• Eat Right! Not only will this help you to look better but you will feel better too. I recently purchased 12 pint-sized mason jars which I use to store salad in. Take an empty jar and coat the bottom of the jar with whatever dressing you want and then add in your veggies. Top w/spinach or lettuce and refrigerate that bad boy! Quick and easy for when you just don’t have time to make something. I like to make about 6 at a time, using different dressing and different veggies/toppings. I find that if it’s there and ready, I will eat it!
• Keep Kiss-able Lips! Keep your lips hydrated they too can get sun-burned so remember to keep a moisturizing lip balm or chap stick with you at all times!
• Drink up! That’s right, I said it again. It’s so important to keep yourself hydrated and it has many benefits too. It helps you to maintain a healthy weight and clears up acne so do me a solid and try to carry a water bottle with you when you’re out and stay with  a full cup of water next to you when at home.

That’s it my lovelies I really hope that you enjoyed reading this. I am by no means an expert in weight loss or nutrition, just sharing with you what I hope are some useful things to help you get Bikini ready this summer.