Early this month, Julep released another beautiful mystery box, “Express Yourself”! Julep periodically releases awesome mystery boxes featuring exclusive nail polish shades and sends all sorts of products available in the Julep store.
FYI - The Express Yourself Mystery Box is no longer available for purchase.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Julep Express Yourself Mystery Box
The Box: Express Yourself Mystery Box
The Cost: $24.99 + free shipping!
ACTIVE DEAL: Get a 12-piece Polish Gift ($160+ Value) with your first box!
CODE: POLISHGIFT
The Products: Nail polish plus beauty items.
Ships to: US and Canada
Julep Express Yourself Mystery Box February 2018 Review
Julep Fluttering Heart Cosmetic Bag - Estimated Value $7
This bag isn't available for sale, so I based my estimate on what I would pay for this bag if I bought it at a store. It is lined on the inside with a fun print on the outside, and the fabric was a bit thicker than your regular Ipsy bag. It is a little small, however.
Julep Nail Polish in Dora, .27 fl oz (full sized) - Retail Value $14
Julep describes this as an “Exotic Magenta Iridescent Shimmer.” When you initially see this polish, all you see is the magenta. When I was painting this, however, is when the micro iridescent shimmer showed up. The shimmers are small and not easily noticeable, but they are gorgeous and it really makes this polish unique from your regular magenta polish.
Shown here with two coats and no top coat. Julep polishes usually have a great consistency, and this was no exception.
Julep nail polish in Ximena, .27 fl oz (full sized) - Estimated Value $14
Sadly, I can’t find this polish available on the website, which is a bummer because this was my favorite color of the bunch. Julep describes this as a “pink sugar iridescent,” and it makes me think of fairies and unicorns. The light lilac/lavender/pink color with the iridescent sparkle makes this a unique polish to my collection, which is an impressive feat in itself.
I used three coats and no top coat for this swatch. It was opaque after two, but I wanted to try and build the color up more. Formula-wise, this is a great consistency. It was easy to apply and control, so no polish accidentally ending up on my cuticles. This would be an awesome topper over a darker shade, too.
Julep Nail Polish in Channon, .27 fl oz (full sized) - Retail Value $14
Julep calls this a “Water Lily White Matte Shimmer.” Personally, I think that's a lot of words to describe a polish that looks just like fresh snow. This is almost a grey-tinged white— it is not a pure white. I didn't really see any shimmer, but I loved the matte finish on this unique white polish.
Shown here is three coats and no top coat. One thing to be aware of is that since this is a matte, it dries a little differently. I started to apply the second coat before the first coat dried, and that caused the first coat to become a bit uneven in some places. Thin coats and waiting a bit between applications is the recipe for success with this beauty.
Julep Nail Polish in Tess, .27 fl oz (full sized) - Retail Value $14
This “champagne nude metallic” is a gorgeous pale gold polish. It is also really versatile, and it pairs well with the other polishes included in this box. I don't really have much else to say except that I love it!
Shown here is two effortless coats with no topcoat. The formula was perfection, and this is a good staple to any nail polish collection.
Julep Nail Polish in Myrtle, .27 fl oz (full sized) - Retail Value $14
Julep calls this a “Flapper Red Creme.” This is definitely a classic red color with a lot of shine.
Shown here is two coats. Formula and application were effortless. The color itself isn't anything groundbreaking, but the ease of application and the great formula is what makes this red stand out from other classic reds. Red polishes typically stain your cuticles, so it’s extra important to make sure your red polish isn't going to pool around your cuticles when you apply it.
Julep It’s Whipped Matte Lip Mousse in At Midnight, .14 oz (full sized) - Retail Value $20
While I wasn't new to Julep nail polishes, this was my first time trying their lip mousse. I have to say, mousse is a really good word for how smooth and soft the formula of this lipstick is. At Midnight is a “fireball red matte” and fireball it is! Julep states that this lipstick never feels dry, and I would say that is accurate. However, that makes me nervous when I wear it that it is going to smudge easily. This is supposed to be a color that lasts all day, but it transferred a lot for me. When I wear brightly colored lipstick I want it to be glued to my lips, so this product isn't the best fit for me. For people that want comfortable lip color over lasting forever, however, I think this lip mousse is perfect for that.
When I was working on this review it was a no makeup day for me. Here is the lipstick on, where it matches perfectly with the natural red in my skin. Usually, if I am wearing brightly colored lipstick it is with a full face of foundation, but I know MSA readers like to see lip products in action. This one is for you, fellow readers.
Julep When Pencil Met Gel Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Graphite Shimmer, .042 oz - Retail Value $16.00
This is a really creamy waterproof pencil liner. The slate grey shade is a softer version of my typical black, which I think makes it perfect for using it on my lower waterline the way the Clarins Selfie Box recommended. It was comfortable to apply and didn't move once it set. I am a fan!
Here is a swatch of the eyeliner under the lip mousse.
I decided to do two different nail art looks. Here is a little leopard print using Tess and Dora + some black acrylic paint.
And here is an ombre using Channon and Ximena.
Verdict: This was my first Julep mystery box, and I loved it! Julep polishes are always great quality, and I enjoyed trying out the makeup products. Plus, I felt all of the items were cohesive with one another, making it a perfect mystery box for the month of February. Julep promises a $100+ value for a $24.99 box, and they definitely delivered on that! I look forward to the next mystery box Julep produces.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Unfortunately, this box is no longer available for sale.
Coupon - Use coupon code SAIDYES to get a free mani + lip set with a purchase of $30 or more!
Value Breakdown: For $24.99, I received about $113 worth of products! Since this box included 8 items, you're paying about $3.12 an item.
Check out all of our Julep Maven reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!
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What did you think of this Julep Express Yourself Mystery Box? Which items did you pick this month?
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