Monday, January 20, 2014

Policy Changes and the February Julep Maven Box!

Hi everyone!

Sorry it's been such a long time since my last post! My husband lost his job, and my father-in-law's health deteriorated really quickly (he passed away on January 4th), so it's been a really rough few months for us! 

Since Mr. Mama lost his job, I've had a really hard time being able to afford a lot of new things from Julep, so I haven't taken too many boxes! However, I have made a couple of orders and swaps, so I will have reviews of those products coming up in the next few days! 

Julep has very recently changed up some of the policies for the Maven program. For all those Mavens who signed up after December 18, 2013, skipping will only be allowed twice per year, and in order to skip, you have to "earn" the option. I'm not sure what to think of this, to be honest. From a business standpoint, I think it's a smart idea because they were probably getting a lot of Mavens who signed up just for the free box, and then just continued to skip every single month. I feel for the Mavens, however, who signed up under the terms of flexibility in taking the monthly boxes. Many of the Mavens (veterans and newbies alike) I have spoken to said that they would not have signed up if this "earn a skip" policy was in place when they originally signed up. On the other hand, many Mavens really enjoy the products no matter what, and would be perfectly fine with the obligation to buy their box every month. That all being said, I am definitely glad that I was "grandmothered" in to the Maven program because my current budget does not allow me to get the box every single month (currently, I only buy the boxes that I can't stop obsessing over!) 

Another change at Julep is much more positive: the introduction of "Core Classic" boxes that allow Mavens to stock up on favorites. The February Core Classic box, for instance, includes Bare Face Cleansing Oil, the Kajal Eye Glider and Sharpener, the Konjac Sponge, and the complimentary "Love" polish that Julep is including in ALL February boxes. 

And now, on to the boxes! As you may or may not know, there are several different options you can choose from (whether you want to go with the results of your Maven Quiz or not). As you also may or may not know, each month, Julep introduces a new product to go with the polish in the boxes. This month, it was Eye Sheen cream eyeshadow. There are four different shades: 

From left to right: Dusty Taupe Shimmer, Pale Nude Shimmer, Warm Fig Shimmer, Deep Bronze Shimmer

Swatches of the shadows

The Modern Beauty box for February includes:
  • Eye Sheen Liquid Eyeshadow (your choice)
  • Ink Gel Eyeliner: Long-wear, smudge-proof formula with a jet-black finish
  • Angled Liner Brush: Firm, angled bristles for precise application
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia microglitter
The Boho Glam box for February includes:
  • Eye Sheen Liquid Eyeshadow (your choice)
  • Rooney – Boho Glam: Walnut bark crème
  • Cameron – Boho Glam: Silver lilac stardust
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia microglitter
The Bombshell February box includes:
  • Eye Sheen Liquid Eyeshadow (your choice)
  • Kristen – Bombshell: Deep jungle green with silver microshimmer
  • Judi – Bombshell: English violet crème
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia microglitter
The Classic with a Twist February box has:
  • Eye Sheen Liquid Eyeshadow (your choice)
  • Octavia – Classic with a Twist: Smoky indigo crème
  • Greta – Classic with a Twist: Loganberry multidimensional microglitter
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia micro glitter
The It Girl box for February includes:
  • Annemarie – It Girl: Warm cocoa crème
  • Hope – It Girl: Stark white satin
  • Farrah – It Girl: Lilac silk
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia micro glitter
The Core Classics box for February includes:
  • Kajal Eye Glider & Sharpener: Ideal for tightlining and waterlines, this double-ended liner features two intensely pigmented, blendable colors—carbon black & brown shimmer.
  • Bare Face Cleansing Oil: This lightweight, antioxidant-rich cleanser dissolves makeup, dirt, and excess oil with over-drying skin, then rinses clean with no oily residue.
  • Konjac Sponge: Gently enough for everyday use, this super-soft, all-natural exfoliant is enriched with skin-clarifying charcoal.
  • Love: Full-coverage gold, pearl & fuchsia micro glitter
If you can't decide on a single box, you can always add on! Julep offers three different add-on boxes for the indecisive beauty addict!

The Polish Lover Upgrade Box gets you all nine of the nail colors from all of the February boxes


The Regular Upgrade Box gets you all the nail polishes and the two beauty products (one eye sheen and the ink-gel eyeliner)


The Ultimate Upgrade Box will get you everything...all nine polishes, all four Eye Sheens, the ink-gel eyeliner, the angled eye brush, and the shader brush! 

What Maven box would you be most interested in? Do the policy changes make you feel differently about the Maven program? If you haven't signed up for the Maven program, but would like to get these awesome products sent to you every month, click here, take the Maven quiz, and enter the code FREEBOX to get your very first box for free (does not include the very reasonable shipping cost!) 

Look for my reviews of the Bare Face Cleansing Oil and Mint Condition Pedi Creme later this week!