Julep Maven Jan 2013 box

Julep's box this month is called Neon & Nudes. I must admit I am a sucker for packaging. I would probably buy almost anything if it was wrapped up nicely with pretty colors! The packaging with Julep is always gorgeous. This month did not disappoint.

I got the "It" girl box this month (and most months). It includes three nail polish colors, 3 neon hair ties and a sheet of swatch stickers (more on that later). 

The three colors I got are Amelia (listed as a champagne frost), Nikki (neon yellow creme) & Nina (neon orange creme.

I decided on wearing Nina today. I love the look of cremes. It applied well with two coats. It is thick so you have to be careful to apply thinly.

Julep has a new addition with this box. Thanks to a suggestion from an 8 year old Julep fan, now you can swatch on the cap of your polish. The top cover comes off and was already affixed with a 'swatch me' sticker. The sheet will come in handy for all of my other Julep polishes!

Marble swirl mani

I decided to do a marble swirl on my nails today. I think this is the best result I've ever gotten with this process! Of course I didn't skimp on the tape (to protect the skin around my nails from being covered in nail polish). I used two Julep polishes from my last Maven box and a Nicole by OPI polish. My fav design was my thumb. It came out very smooth, no bubbles and not too thick.

Here are the rest

I got a couple of small bubbles on two nails but nothing that bothers me enough to re-do the whole nail ;)

Julep Maven

Monthly boxes of beauty products seem to be all the craze! I have been resisting...until I came across an awesome coupon code that allowed me to get my first Julep Maven box for a penny! SOLD! So I took the quiz and sign up. I got "Classic With A Twist" for my style personality. Umm maybe! But the "It Girl" colors looked fab to me so I switched my box to that! I got an email a day or so later saying my box was on its way. I got it yesterday! Yay! I am the perfect consumer for these boxes. I was so dang excited, it was like Christmas. And honestly as adults we don't get nearly enough 'Christmas like days' in my opinion!

So here's the box when I opened it:

So inside there were toe separators which was a really great thing to see! I have some really pretty rhinestone ones but they are stiff and not very comfortable. Also my three colors for this months "It Girl" box.

From left to right we have Sasha, Charlotte and Lily. Can't wait to try them!!



Here's my referral link if you are thinking about signing up. You can't beat getting your first box for $.01! And if you use my link I'll get referral bonus points for everyone who stays for 30 days. Julep referral link

BzzAgent: Garnier BB cream

Do you know what a BB cream is? I had no idea until I got this campaign. BB apparently stands for Blemish Balm. It is supposed to 'perfect' your skin while providing a sheer coverage. This particular product is by Garnier.

When I got it, it reminded me of a tinted moisturizer. Using it, it has a little bit more coverage compared to tinted moisturizer. I have been using it in place of my foundation and I like a good coverage. However I do have to be sure to use a under-eye concealer when I use this. So it isn't quite the medium coverage that my usual foundation gives but it is a nice change. It does give me a 'glow' almost like a sunkissed skin look while protecting from the sun. I enjoy the look. I also noticed that my skin feels good. However I have very sensitive skin. I was already knee deep in a forehead breakout before I got this product (thanks to trying to use a cheap moisturizer instead of my usual stuff). Usually my skin needs a few days to adjust and I am fine. I did switch right back to my old moisturizer. However I am still fighting the breakout and I'm not sure if that is because of using the BB cream. I'll probably continue using it and see what happens. It is entirely possible that I am just in one of my breakout stages that nothing except some good ole benzoyl peroxide will take care of.

Bottom line: I like it. I'm still not exactly sure what it does for my skin, but just as a moisturizing light coverage, I like it!

I was provided this product free of charge from BzzAgent

Oh George Clooney...

Today there was another clue given by Lainey pointing to George Clooney being "Chocolate" from the blind "Cuba & Chocolate".
You can read about the original blind here  http://laineyblinds.blogspot.com/2008/12/cuba-chocolate.html

Basically it's about a famous male actor who plays for both sides of the team..and has a leaning towards chocolate men :) Well in Lainey's recent blog she said this about a George Clooney and A Rob (Alex Rodriquez of the NY Yankees): What do you think it is...as he stares adoringly at ARod and his ass? I’m sure it’s just an awkwardly timed photo. 
http://laineygossip.com/Articles/Details/22234/George-Clooney-to-ring-in-new-year-with-Stacy-Keibler-and-friends-in-Mexico 

Before reading about these blinds I would have never ever guessed this! 

Zoya color boxes

I got two of these for Christmas and they are so much cuter than I expected. Its a nice velvet like black box inside of a black Zoya cardboard box. Perfect for gifts! The top closes with a hidden magnetic closure. I got it on special where I was able pick what colors are in the box. Usually they have sets of colors available. You can also buy the box separately. Here's one:

Cute huh!? I bought these at http://www.zoya.com/

Magnetic polish!

I've had this beauty sitting under my tree for a bit now. The hubby stole it and wrapped it! Its Nails Inc. magnetic nail polish.  The shade is a gorgeous purple called 'houses of parliament'.

Even without the very unique aspect of the magnet added in this polish is a beautiful shade. OK so basically you do your normal base coat then one regular coat of the magnetic polish. You let that dry and add a second (thick) coat of polish. It's important to do one finger at a time. Right after the second coat you hold the magnet of the nail and hold it for a few seconds. At first I wasn't getting a deep design and figured out it was because I didn't hold the magnet over the nail long enough. After that you put your normal top coat over and its good to go! It is an amazing look!! Very unique.

This is the look I got first off when I wasn't holding the magnet for quite so long.

This is the look with a longer magnet hold. This is in natural light.

This is the look with flash

Outstanding isn't it?? So fun! This is a new fav.


I bought this at Sephora

What I love right now..

I love Soma. Love every single thing I've ever gotten there. I have their vanishing edge panties, dresses, bras, PJs, pants and capris. The panties are amazing. They have silicon on the edges so they don't creep and there are absolutely no panty lines. Every single thing they make is so soft. I live in their dresses in the summer.

My Soma pjs... Oh my...LOVE them. They are a tad pricey at full price, which is why I wait and ask for them for Christmas :) Hubby came through and got me the Retro Lace set. Right now they are having a great sale. However even at full price they are so worth it. They are super soft and the most comfortable things I own. And they are so pretty.

I purchased all my Soma stuff either online at http://www.soma.com/ or at their brick and mortar stores in malls. 

Review: Neutrogena microdermabrasion

I bought this a few weeks ago since I had a $3 off coupon and had read that it was a good system. I finally used it the other night. WOW! First time I saw results. My skin was so soft and smooth. I even enlisted my husband so I could see if it did the same to his skin (it did!). It was super easy. Pop in batteries, put on the puff and go all around your face. Rinse and that's it. I will continue to use it the three times a week like it says and report back. So far I am very impressed.

ACK can't wait for this!!

China Glaze is coming out with a line for the Hunger Games!! Can't wait. They look awesome!

http://www.scrangie.com/2011/12/its-official-china-glaze-hunger-games.html