Julep Spring Mystery Box

Julep released Spring Mystery Boxes back in March.  Being a big fan of spring colors I decided to get one.  Here is what I got and what I think about it.

My review on the chocolate eggs: delicious.

I know these little hair tie thingies are all the rage, but frankly I couldn't get them to not slide out of my hair.  So I use them when I just need to pull my hair up temporarily.

I got a tube of SPF 30 Daylight Defense for Hands & Face.  This is a product I can get good use of, since I wear sunscreen pretty much every day unless I know I won't be leaving the house.  It seems to do a great job of protecting me from the sun, and I appreciate that it doesn't have any parabens.  It does, however, smell slightly strange.  Like almost rotten flowers or fruit or something?  But it's not bad or strong enough to make me not use it, and the smell goes away quickly.  At least it's a change from normal sunscreen smell I guess.

The nail file that was included was a nice touch.  Not better than any other nail file, but when you do your nails often you always need one of these around.

I am excited to try their One-Step Polish Remover Pad.  I'm saving it for when I'm on a trip and need to bring polish remover with me.

Ashley is a shimmery orange color.  I am not super into orange, but I ended up with another color that matches it but is a creme, so they could make a nice pair.

I tend to avoid glitter polishes when possible because they are so ridiculously hard to remove.  But this glitter, Camille, is perfect and I love it!  It is just simply irridescent sparkles, which really looks lovely with pretty much anything.  I did a cute Easter mani/pedi with mint on my fingers and baby pink on my toes with this color on top, and it was adorable!  This is definitely my favorite glitter ever.

Lauren is a nice bright pink.  It's a little more sheer than I would like, but it goes on great and is a cute color.

I think the theme was very fun and it was exciting getting this.  I will probably not be getting any more mystery boxes in the future though.  Maybe if they were cheaper.  They have had another mystery box since this one, and seeing what people got I know I would not have been nearly as happy with that one as I was with this one. 

Julep March Secret Store

If you decide to buy your Julep Maven box, you are given access to that month's Secret Store.  Inside they have great deals on lots of amazing products.  This month I bought two things, the Spring Fling nail polish collection and the Julep Argan Oil.

I bought this because my Josie Maran Argan Oil from January's Ipsy Bag is running low.  It is a great product and I am happy to have a bunch more of it.

Jennifer is a nice nude/pale pink color.  It is quite sheer, which is not really something I'm into, but it's great for when I want my nails to be less loud.

The color Robin is really why I bought the set, since it is sold out on their regular page.  It is a gorgeous Robin's Egg Blue color.  I am in love.  It looks great with two coats and lasts several days before it starts chipping. 

Gloria is a tangerine/coral creme.  It's not a usual color for me but it looks nice. 

Julep Maven Classic With a Twist April Box

The theme for April's Julep Maven Box was 'Turn on the Brights.'  I decided to pick the Classic with a Twist box this time.  I was very excited to try the new Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum and get some bright colors.  I also added on the Freedom Polymer Top Coat.

 

I love the Mighty Nail & Cuticle Serum!  It really does a good job of helping out dry cuticles.

Jackie is a bright true red.  It goes on good with only one coat and has a very classic look.

 

I really love Avery!  It is the perfect 'Barbie pink' and even dries with a texture that reminds me of the plastic stuff Barbies are made out of.  Looks great with two coats.

The Freedom Polymer Top Coat dries super fast!  On the box it says it dries in 5 minutes in natural light and in 2 minutes under a regular 60w bulb.  It also makes your nails super shiny.  As with any top coat, the key is to let the nail color dry at least 10-15 minutes before you put the top coat on.  If you don't do that, the polish underneath will still be wet and so it will be very susceptible to dents.

I really liked the products I got in April.  We got to choose May's box just a few days ago, and I am so excited for that to come next!

Diamond Head Beach

The parking for Diamond Head Beach is at 3451 Diamond Head Road.  From where you park your car, you walk down a somewhat steep path to the beach down below.  This seems to be a good surfing spot (although I have never surfed, so I am just guessing by how many people I saw surfing here,) which also makes it a fun beach to stay on the shore at because you can watch the surfers.  It's not the best beach because you have to walk down the path to get there, but this beach is a good one to go to if you want something near Waikiki without all the people.  It also has lovely views.

If you want to sunbathe in the nude, this beach is not for you.

 

NewBeauty TestTube Winter 2013

NewBeauty TestTube is another subscription service, but this one focuses more on skincare.  I loved what I got in my Winter 2013 tube.  You can find out all the info about the TestTube here: http://www.testtube.newbeauty.com/

The first item was a sample size of Vichy Liftactiv Serum10 and Liftactive Eyes.  I'm not really old enough yet to get much use out of these products, but I tried it on my skin and it didn't irritate my skin or anything, so that's good.

I also received a full size Dr. Brandt Pores No More Cleanser ($35 value!).  I have been using it nightly and think it does a great job of cleansing and removing my face makeup.  I can't say if it's done anything for my pores though.  But I will definitely use all of this.

There were some items that everyone got and then some random ones that everyone got some of.  This was one of those random items.  It is the colorescience Sunforgettable SPF 30 Sun Protection.  I looked it up online and it is a full size product worth $50!  It is a powder sunscreen which is something I had never used before.  It's nice that it doesn't leave icky greasiness behind like normal sunscreen, and it seems to work well.  Living in Hawaii I will have plenty of opportunity to use this.

Another item was a sample of Stila Skincare Face the Day moisturizer.  This item seems to do it's job quite well, but it sure smells strong.  Not in a perfume way, in like a chemical way.  It's kinda weird.  But it seems like a nice, non-greasy moisturizer and I will use it.

This full size Mally Eyeliner was another of the random items.  I feel like I really lucked out with my random items because some people didn't sound as happy with theirs.  Or maybe I am easy to please.  This eyeliner is pretty good.  I am not a black eyeliner kinda gal, but this one is a bit softer than normal blacks so I can pull it off.  It also seems to stay better than most pencil eyeliners I've used.

A full size item that everyone got was a Tarte Amazonian Clay blush (worth $25.)  I'm afraid I am not quite skilled with blush as I tend to avoid it since my skin can be reddish at times.  But I have tried this out a few times and it seems pretty nice.  It is a very bright almost purply pink color so I have to go very light on it and blend it in well. 

 

The last item which isn't really exciting but is very useful is a packet of Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.  I tried one out and it doesn't bother my skin and seems to take off makeup just as well as the rest of them.  I will be saving most of these for when I travel, as they are very convenient for that.

So there it is, my NewBeauty TestTube.  Overall I was very happy with what I got and have found a use for everything.

Pillbox Hike

The Pillbox Hike is in Lanikai near 269 Kaelepulu Drive.  You walk up what looks like either a street or a driveway at that address and you will see the sign for the Pillbox Hike.  This is a great hike.  It is not very difficult (I managed just fine in slippers, which is what Hawaiians call flip flops.)  But the view from the top is extraordinary, overlooking the amazingly beautiful Lanikai beach.  The 'pillboxes' are small old military outposts that you can climb in and explore.  This is a very fun hike and I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something that isn't too hard but very rewarding.