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Julep Maven Review & Free Box Coupon Code – April 2016

Chris Acree
ByChris AcreeApr 13, 2016 | 21 comments

julep_box_april

Julep Maven
3.8 overall rating
176 Ratings | 76 Reviews

Julep Maven is a monthly nail polish and beauty subscription box. They make all their own products, so subscribers get a good value each month – over $40 retail worth of product for $24.99 a month.

And, if you sign up for 3-months up front, you get the $19.99 rate.

Each month Julep releases a new collection on the 20th, and you can decide which box you want, you can upgrade to the entire collection, or you can skip that month.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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The Subscription Box: Julep Maven

The Cost: $24.99 a month ($19.99 a month with a 3-month subscription)

COUPON: Use this link to get a free box when you sign up for a 3-month subscription!

Limited Time Deal: Get one of these two free box offers!

The Products: Nail polish plus beauty items.

Ships to: US and Canada

Check out all of our Julep Maven reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your Wish List or Subscription List!

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Brights! Definitely spring-like.

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I like this quote.

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Looks good to me!

Lately I have noticed a fair amount of questions and comments about Julep’s customization options which are awesome and one of the best parts of this subscription box in my opinion. Next month, I will show a lot of the options in my review so you can see what these look like if you are not a current subscriber.

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Here are the options I went with to get the box in this review. Julep somewhat regularly throws in a free polish or topcoat. Sometimes you have to sign up for this, sometimes you don’t. My Subscription Addiction always posts about these so make sure you sign up for the newsletter if you don’t already receive it. In this particular case, you did not have to sign up to receive the free bonus white polish, it came along with any box that included one of the bright polishes.

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First, let’s talk about the beauty products.

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Love Your Bare Face Detoxifying Cleansing Balm Stick – Retail Value $28

Julep describes this as “a blend of natural oils and fruit enzymes that remove dirt, oil, and impurities while gently exfoliating for a deep-down clean. Rice bran oil dives deep to purge impurities. Grapefuit peel oil evens skin tone. Camellia seed oil hydrates and clarifies skin. Pomegranate fruit enzyme exfoliates gently.”

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I think that is an accurate description. I have used this product almost exclusively for the last week on my face and I agree with this. My skin does look smooth and feels soft. Julep recommends applying this product to your face with your wet, bare hands or with a konjac cleansing sponge. I do think it works best if you use a separate makeup remover first, though, if you are wearing a lot of makeup especially around your eyes since it does sting a little if it gets in them. I also think this cleansing balm works best applied with a konjac sponge like the one in this subscription box, or with a damp washcloth. I have never used a cleanser in a stick form before, but found it easy to use. It produces a small amount of lather. I also liked this item more as the week progressed so I think it takes a little time for the effects to appear.

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Kaolin Clay Konjac Sponge – Retail Value $12

Julep describes this as “a gentle exfoliator made from the fibrous root of the Konjac plant and enriched with detoxifying kaolin clay that draws impurities from deep within skin. Gentle enough for everyday use. Recommended for all skin types.”

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Again, I think that is an accurate description. This is the first time I have ever tried a konjac sponge so I can’t tell you whether it is different than the Charcoal Konjac Sponge or the Green Tea Konjac Sponge Julep also carries. But I can tell you it works well with the Cleansing Balm Stick so I am a happy camper. The sponge is wet inside the package and comes with a small suction cup hook which is convenient.

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Here is the polish color I chose this month and the white polish Julep threw in for free.

Julep Nail Color in Kimball – Retail Value $14 (high-voltage watermelon vivid sheer)

Julep Nail Color in Brigitte – Retail Value $14 (bright white crème)

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From left to right in outside light, here is Brigitte by itself, then Kimball layered over Brigitte, then Kimball by itself. (Please forgive the less-then-perfect application technique. I am working on it!)

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I don’t see a huge amount of contrast here. Julep showed this a little better in their swatch:

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On my daughters:

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Kimball only.

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Kimball layered over Brigitte.

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Kimball (left). Kimball layered over Brigitte (right).

Finally, swatched on the nail polish bottles themselves:

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The white swatch is practically invisible on the white label.

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This box also came with bonus candy and a promo code for a 30% off your next purchase from Julep. (Expires May 31, 2016.)

Value: This subscription box costs $24.99 and, based on my selected options, includes $68 worth of beauty items and polish at retail value (or $54.40 if you are a Julep Maven and can enjoy the pricing discount) + the candy. Either way, I think this is a great value! 

Verdict: I’m happy with my selections this month. What do you think of the April 2016 Julep Maven box? Which items did you pick?

Starting at $24.99
Active Deal
Get a 12-piece Polish Gift ($160+ Value) with your first box!
Use Coupon Code POLISHGIFT
Subscribe Now
Julep Maven is a nail polish and beauty subscription service. Each month you can choose one of five boxes, skip that month, or upgrade to the entire collection of beauty and nail polish products for an additional $30.
Chris Acree
Chris Acree
Chris is a moderator on the MSA forum. Her current favorite subscription boxes are Box of Style, RawSpiceBar, Julep, and My Pretend Place although the list changes frequently. She cannot resist a spoiler.

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21 comments

Tiffany

Did anyone else get an email about the new Tote-ally fun mystery box? I haven’t seen it here and when I search for it, it didn’t come up but I got an email for it yesterday and bought it. It’s a tote bag, and 2 colors Posey and Andie plus mystery items. The strange thing is the email only went to my non sub account email ( I forgot I had started to join once and registered with a 2nd email when I finally subbed). My sub email never got the offer. Did I accidentally get the offer early or is this just an old one they sent me a late email for yesterday?

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Lesly

I think this was the January(?) bag… I regretted not getting it because I loved Andie! I also tried to look for it on its own but it wasn’t available :(. But I just googled it again and one of the links is for the mystery box and lets me add it. So excited!

http://www.julep.com/tote-ally-amazing-mystery-box.html

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Carolina

I got Ari (wore this alone and I love it!) and was able to switch out the Konjac sponge for another Detoxifying stick (I figured they were worth more). Then I added all three Konjac sponges as add-ons, at 5.99 I believe, and got the free nail polish for the 3+ add-ons. I’m quite proud of myself this month! 🙂

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mimi

I got all the polishes, because I’m a polish addict and Julep is my pusher. I am incapable of saying no to nail polish, which is why I have close to 500 colors (and no, I’m not going to say which side of 500 I’m on). Thank you for showing the color both with and without the white — it really doubles the way you can use the one bottle 🙂

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chris

You are welcome! Which is your favorite color this month?

Wow, your collection sounds amazing!!

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Jinytte

Are we able to begin customizing from the first box? I was going to wait to subscribe but am really tempted by the 8 piece gift they are currently offering. However, I really don’t want any polish at this time and would prefer all makeup and skincare.

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chris

In this case, you would be able to begin customizing from the first box if you subscribe now using the Julep Free 8-Piece Beauty Gift offer here: https://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/2016/04/julep-maven-free-gift-review.html, because the gift comes along as a separate item with a subscription.

(I am not sure if this is always the case with their offers since I subscribed a long time ago and I would have to look closer at other individual offers to be sure whether this is always true.)

If you are interested in beauty items, this is a great way to sample the collection!

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Jinytte

Thank you Liz & Chris for the quick replies! When we customize, can we replace/switch with anything or is it ‘choose from among these items’?

Oh, do we become a ‘maven’ as soon as we subscribe or is it after we get our first box? Just wondering since I might want to make another purchase with the maven discount to take advantage of the free travel kit.

chris

Ha, sorry for the duplicate answer! I wrote that earlier, but forgot to post it. I see Liz answered your question in the mean time. 🙂

Liz Cadman

If you do the welcome 8-piece gift offer, you’ll be able to start customizing with your first box. You’ll be charged for it immediately, then on the 20th you’ll be able to select your items for your first box. Hope that helps! 🙂

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Jen

So if I signed up on March 28th, will I get the April box? I haven’t gotten shipping info or anything.

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chris

The open window for selections for the next month’s box is from the 20th-24th of the month before.

So selections for the April box were made between March 20-24. It sounds like you will be able to make your first selections beginning on April 20th. 🙂

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Ragan

I got the all polish upgrade. I am wearing Delaney over the white and I like it. They sent me one of the new subscriber 50% off your next order coupons, too.

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chris

Which is your favorite of the group? I received a 50% off code in the Confetti Delights Mystery Box last night–review coming soon!

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Mandy

Awwww! Those cute little fingers!!

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chris

Aww, thanks!

My girls love polish, too, and memorize the names of their favorite colors. I feel good about letting them wear Julep since it is five-free. (No, I don’t work for Julep I just love this subscription box.)

🙂

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Katherine

I got the exact same box plus some add ons (I can’t seem to say no to those like…ever) and a free gift from having 3 add ons. They accidentally left out my “Love Your Bare Face” (I had a lot of stuff in there so I can understand the mixup) and I contacted them and had it shipped the next day. Love their customer service! Can’t wait to use my sponge too. This is all new to me as well!

And don’t worry, my nail applying skills are also not on par. My subscription blog also shows that ? Haha.

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chris

Thanks! Hope you love the box too! 🙂

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Nicole

I received the same
Items Except I picked Marissa BoHo glam, which Is a beautiful deep wine like color . I love the polishes and the face balm stick is so wonderful! I also think it works great with the sponge . I had just opened the charcoal sponge so I used it with that one and it made my face feel so smooth after just a couple uses ! This is quickly becoming one of my
Fav sub boxes ! Love the “breathable polishes” , and so far have loved every single item I have received in box or as an add on !