Julep Jewel Heist Mystery Box Unboxing & Review

Purchased Myself Affiliate Link

Hello readers,

I finally got my Julep Jewel Heist mystery box in the mail yesterday and I wanted to share what I got with you.  The last few mystery boxes I got had been disappointments but this time I had a $10 off coupon code and figured $14.99 was an amount I was willing to risk.
 

The first item I got was the Neutrals Sweep Eyeshadow palette.  The shadows themselves actually look quite nice but the packaging on this set is a little flimsy.  The cover on mine was rather scuffed up even though it came in a box.  This is something that I can use though so I'm happy to have received it.

The second item in the box is a polish in Tatiana.  This polish is a very shimmery flecked copper colour.  Coppers aren't my favorite polish colour but it is still a very pretty polish that will make a great gift.

The third item is the Blank Canvas Mattifying Eye Primer.  I've heard really good things about this product so I'm looking forward to giving it a try.  If I wear eyeshadow alone it creases pretty much instantly so a primer is something I'll get a lot of use out of.

The fourth item was a set of two hair twistbands.  I hate these things.  They are literally just a loop of elastic knotted at the ends.  Definitely just filler in the box.

The fifth item was a Surprise Color Rush Lip Gloss in Berry.  I've already swatched this and the colour is very pretty and definitely one that I will wear.  The only downside is the gloss is quite sticky but I'll deal with it.

The last item in my box was an eyeshadow brush.  I should note that it did come in cellophane packaging.  I really like that the brush handle is metal and has some good weight to it however I tried it on some pressed shadows and it doesn't seem to pick up a ton of colour unfortunately.

I also ordered the $9.99 mystery add-on.  It ended up being three polishes - Catrina, Shoshanna and Annemarie.  I'm not very happy with these.  Yellow is a colour that few people like and can pull off.  Very yellowey gold glitter doesn't suit me, but at least I can gift it.  Browny-taupe is a colour that is just so boring.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the mystery box itself but am pretty disppointed in the add-on.  You think with a 'jewel heist' theme they would have included some jewel toned polishes.  If you want to find out more about julep or are interested in becoming a julep maven check out their website.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle

Sweet Delight Summer 2014 Divalicious Sample Box Unboxing & Review

Hello readers,
My summer divalicious sample box arrived in the mail today and I wanted to share what I got with you.  In my last box my main dislike was the amount of bar soap.  Going through the list of contributors there didn't seem to be quite as many soap company's this time around so I gave it another shot.  Here's what came in my box.

First up is a full size sugar scrub from Raw Love Body.  It smells quite nice and I always love a good scrub.  I'm really happy with this product.

Nature's Aura Cucumber Melon tea light.  I really don't use candles much but if nothing else I can use it in a pumpkin at Halloween.

This pack from Soaps by Sarah has a Lime and Cilantro solid lotion stick as well as two small soap bar samples.  I'm looking forward to trying the lotion stick and I don't mind small soap samples since I will actually be able to go through them.

Routine natural deodorant which contains no aluminum zirconium, aluminum chlorohydrate, parabens, triclosan or propylene glycol.  I got the beeswax formula to try.  Considering I normally use the clinical strength drugstore antiperspirants I don't think this will do the trick but I will definitely give it a shot.

Nese Cosmetics lipstick.  My only problem with this is that it doesn't say the shade name on the tube.  Based off of their website *I think* it's Mocha Glaze.  The colour is really pretty and I love that it has a moisturizing balm going right down the center.  Really looking forward to giving this one a try.

ROCKin GREEN laundry soap.  Everyone does laundry so this will definitely get used.

Lowen's Line in 'da Coconut lip balm.  I love citrus smells and I love coconut so I'm glad I got this one.  I also love that it's a stick and not a pot.

Waxalene tube.  I'll probably use this on my dry heels.

Koche Coco Lemon lotion.  I can always use more body lotion since I go through it like crazy.  More citrus scents too which I love.

Dana's Cosmetics Nourishing Eye Cream.  I will admit, I only use eye cream when it's free or comes in a box like this.  I'll definitely give it a try though.

The Pampered Pear Watermelon Body Polish.  As I said before, I love scrubs, so I'm definitely looking forward to using this.

Just'a Spray personal odour eliminator.  Everybody goes to the bathroom.  Get over it already.  This seems like the Just A Drop from the last box but in spray form.  I don't think it fits with the theme of these boxes and I'm probably just going to toss it.

The Soap Barista bar soap in Skin-de-Mint Tea.  I'm not a huge bar soap user.  I've been using it lately as shaving lather and that's likely how this one will get used up too.

Lather Life...Naturally Goat's Milk Soap in Fresh.  Like with the soap above, this will end up being used as shaving lather.

Demes Butter Me Up moisture stick in cherry.  This smells delicious.  It reminds of of cherry lipsmackers.  I'm looking forward to trying this product out.  The only thing I'm a little worried about is the cardboard tube packaging.  I don't think it would deal with moisture or humidity well so I'll have to make sure to store this outside the bathroom.

DSO Soaps and Such Tropical Freesia Lotion.  Again, lotion is something I go through a lot of so this will definitely get used.

Conclusion

I'm really happy with this box.  First off... way less soap! I think I got twice as many bars in the last box.  Second, no lavender!  I know these boxes aren't customized and this was just luck of the draw but I'm really happy I didn't get any lavender scented things like I did last time.  For $27 I definitely think I got my money's worth.  If you want to find out more about these boxes check out https://www.sweetdelight.ca.  I will definitely be purchasing again.

Happy polishing,

Michelle

Julep Blank Canvas Plumping Gloss Primer and Zinnia Lip Vernis Swatches & Review

Hello readers,
Today I have two makeup items I received in the Julep Speckled Mystery Box a couple months ago to show you.  First up in the Blank Cancas Plumping Lip Primer.

I don't usually opt for plumping products but since I already had this I figured I would give it a try.  It comes in a pen-like container and you click the button on the bottom to get the product to come out of the applicator.  I really didn't like this design because they was a big lag between when you click the pen and when the primer actually comes out.  As a result I always end up clicking too many times and have left over product.  Also, it took a lot of clicks to get any product on my initial use.  I was originally thinking I may have gotten a defective item until after what must have been like 30 clicks something finally happened.

The primer is a creamy nude pink.  It is rather light which means I can't wear it on its own since I have medium toned skin.  It is also quite thick and a little tricky to apply evenly.

Bare Lips

 Blank Canvas Plumping Gloss Primer applied to right side of lips

As you can see, the colour is quite patchy.  I tried really hard to even it out but just couldn't get it to do so.  I don't think this would look good worn on it's own even though the box claims you can do so.

Twenty minutes after application

 I don't really see any difference in terms of plumping.  I did feel a very slight tingle but it wasn't uncomfortable.

The gloss I used to test the primer part of this product is Julep's Lip Vernis in Zinnia.  It's a really pretty dark shimmery eggplant colour.  Don't let the dark colour scare you though, it is rather sheer when you apply it and doesn't appear nearly as dark on the lips as it does in the bottle.

Julep Zinnia gloss applied to lips

 I rather like the gloss. It adds a little colour and shimmer but is still subtle.  I don't like that I can see the patchyness of the primer though which means this primer doesn't play well with sheer glosses.

One hour after gloss application

 The primer seems to have evened out finally.

Two hours after gloss application

 No differences in gloss between sides with and without primer.

Four hours after gloss application

90% of the gloss has worn off.  There doesn't appear to be any difference in wear between th size with primer and without.  Most of the primer seems to have worn off too.

Conclusion

I really like this gloss but I really don't like the primer.  I don't really feel like it did anything except make my lips look pale and patchy.  I'd definitely consider buying some other colours of the Lip Vernis if they were on sale but I wouldn't recommend the Blank Canvas Plumping Gloss Primer to anyone.

Happy polishing,

Michelle

Sweet Delight Spring 2014 Divalicious Sample Box Unboxing & Review

Hello readers,
Today my Sweet Delight sample box showed up in the mail.  I've heard of this company before but this is the first time I've purchased a box.  These boxes usually sell out super quickly (this time around they sold out in 24 minutes) so I figured I'd give one a shot.  Boxes cost $27CAD for Canadians or $37CAD for Americans including shipping.  The Spring box theme was "Bath. Beauty. Style." and "Each Divalicious Sample Box contains 10-15 samples (or more). Each sample box is a little different and contains a Divalicious mix from various contributors. Always a surprise. Always Delightfully-Divalicious."

The packaging was quite nice.  The first sample you can see on top is Just a Drop. According to the Sweet Delight inside the box sneak peek: Just'a Drop is known as "The Personal Odour Eliminator". It is the fresh-smelling answer for those embarrassing personal bathroom odours. "One drop BEFORE you go eliminates odours every time!".  I'm not a fan of this sample.  I really don't think it fits the theme of the box at all.  What does this have to do with bath, beauty and style or being divalivious? 

Next up is a Scentsy wickless candle sample.  Luckily I do own a candle warmer already (for arts&crafts purposes).  Is it fair to send a sample that requires extra equipment to use?  I don't know.  Candles aren't something I really use but I will use this just for the sake of using it up.  I also can't find any label about what scent it is.

Next up we have a pair of earrings from Pine Branch Designs.  These are really pretty and as a jewelry maker myself I can see the quality of the work that went into these.

Pine Branch Designs also included this cute stamped wood slice.  I plan on turning it into a fridge magnet.

Finally, some beauty products!  This is a good size mineral lip color in Romance from key botanicals.  This colour looks really pretty.  Shimmery pinks are my favorite so I am really happy with this sample.

I also got Emma's Blush from Sappho Organics.  The colour of this blush is really pretty.  What I didn't like is it is just a pan, no case.  This means that it will be very difficult to transport or put in a makeup bag.

ROCKin Green laundry soap was a surprise.  I also don't think this one fits very well with the theme of the box but everyone does laundry, so it will definitely get used.

A cupcake soap from Pure Natural Luxuries along with a teeny sample of Pink Grapefruit soap.  I'm not really a bar soap person but this is really cute.  I will likely end up using it as an alternative to shaving gel.  I'll just have to get over the lavender smell (ugh, lavender).

Tea tree! I love tea tree products.  This is a full size Tea Tree Facial Toner from Tarrah Essentials.  I'm really excited to try this product.  I find tea tree stuff is the only thing that helps with pimples without drying out my skin.

From Rodan+Fields Dermatologists I got single use capsules of their Redefine Night Renewing Serum and their Redefine Lip Renewing Serum.  I think these samples were pretty minimal.  It's really difficult to determine if these kind of products are right for you after only one use.  I'll probably get more use of the little plastic jar they came in :P.

Lemon Cuticle Balm from Meows the Time.  I am really looking forward to trying this.  My cuticles can use all the help they can get to fight the  remnants of winter dryness.  I also love citrus smells so lemon is a great fit for me.

Seven Lip Balm's Exceptional Lip Balm.  I can always use more lip balm so I'm happy with this product.  I just wish it were a stick instead of a pot, but I'll get over it.

Skiin Instant Skin Tightener & Line Filler.  I don't really have a use for this product since I'm at a stage in my life were I'm trying to prevent wrinkles, not fight them.  This will be going on my swap board.

Vegan Lavender Mint Hand Cleanser from Escential.  I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a hand sanitizer or a soap and water style of cleanser.  I'm also not a fan of lavender so this will likely also be going on the swap board.

Vanilla walnut solid lotion bar from Apricot Hills.  I've never tried a solid lotion bar before so I'm looking forward to trying this one.  I also love the smell of vanilla so this is a good fragrance fit for me.

Champagne Shower Gel from Kootenay Bath Products.  This will be good for traveling.

More bar soap.  This is Apple Pie scented from Presque Isle Soap Company.  Honestly, it doesn't smell like much.  This will end up being used as shaving lather.

As a person who doesn't use bar soap... I wasn't that happy to see even more bar soap.  It looks like it's got lots of nice natural ingredients in it so hopefully it will be moisturizing.  I won't have to buy shave gel for a while :P.

A one time use foil packet of skiin Soothing & Smoothing Eye Cream.  I'll use it but I'm unlikely to buy a product like eye cream after only using it one time.

Conclusion

I was expecting 10-15 samples and ended up with 17.  I do wish there were a few more beauty products in there though and less products that had nothing to do with the theme.  Did I get my $27 worth?  I'd say yes.  Was I blown away by what I got? Not really.  Would I buy again? I'm really not sure.  I think it would be highly dependent on the variety of company's who were participating.  If you want to find out more check out https://www.sweetdelight.ca.  The next box is their summer box and will be available sometime in May or June.

Happy polishing,

- Michelle