Julep: August 2013 (Spoilers)

[gypsiemagic]

i don't really understand the obsession with the bondi subscription. people are always freaking out over any issues with julep but at least they're a VERY transparent company: you know who founded it, who runs it, who invested, the names of the women in CS (short list even though i certainly can't rattle them off), that you can see colors/swatches beforehand/you can skip, rules on returns, rules on jules, etc. there's very little info on the bondi website and almost nothing about the subscription itself. i agree that julep does a little bit of mundane things by having too many cremes or whatever, but i absolutely love who they are as a company, their transparency and what they do. plus, you are supporting women, and that really is remarkable. i get that the foot stick is ridiculous when we go to julep for pampering/luxurious products and that's why i'm skipping, but i'll bet you that the stick ROCKS just like the hand scrub/cream that i found boring a few months ago when they came out and i'm now obsessed with them. they got investing to try out new products and my speculation is they don't know exactly which types of products their market is interested in. lots of skips this month will help show that, in comparison to may and july when there were varieties in texture and shade.

You should read the June Glossybox thread. It will all make sense why mut is all about bondi!

 

[lexxies22]

You should read the June Glossybox thread. It will all make sense why mut is all about bondi!

^THIS^ read the June Glossybox thread.

 

[angismith]

Originally Posted by casualconcern /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Yep, definitely. I wish they would do more textures and finishes besides cremes. If they wanted to please the masses, they wouldn't have to do, say, an entire month of holos or textures but at least something unique. I love their duochromes like Blakely and Julia so I hope they continue with more of those!

I think the It Girl should DEFINITELY be more adventuresome than the other styles ... more textures, edgier colors, leading the way and setting the trends. I have worn orange and fuschia as a combination for the past 22 years! I have to admit though, that I have never worn a chocolate brown! I look forward to buying it later if they don't come out with something more "Septemberish" next month. Like the chocolate box .... all variations of chocolate, from pale brown to deep chocolate and a couple of shades in between! A girl has to have her chocolate!!!!

 

[angismith]

Miss Trix: Why are Kyla and Monica in a jelly base? What is the reasoning behind that? Sorry to pick on you, but you seem to have a lot of knowledge! And was there anything in Julep's marketing of these glitters that said they were in a jelly base? Did I jump first and ask questions later? I noticed as soon as I used them that they were thick and different. It actually made it easier for me to apply. Although I did have trouble around the C-curve.

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by angismith /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Miss Trix: Why are Kyla and Monica in a jelly base? What is the reasoning behind that? Sorry to pick on you, but you seem to have a lot of knowledge! And was there anything in Julep's marketing of these glitters that said they were in a jelly base? Did I jump first and ask questions later? I noticed as soon as I used them that they were thick and different. It actually made it easier for me to apply. Although I did have trouble around the C-curve.

Julep just promoted them as two new glitters being released in the mystery boxes.  They didn't say anything specific to their finish/formula. 

 

[puffyeyes]

I skipped again!!  I just didn't like the colors (one was okay) and couldn't financially justify it at all.
 
Granted, so many of my polishes are lovely shades of greige, lol.

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by angismith /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I think the It Girl should DEFINITELY be more adventuresome than the other styles ... more textures, edgier colors, leading the way and setting the trends. I have worn orange and fuschia as a combination for the past 22 years! I have to admit though, that I have never worn a chocolate brown! I look forward to buying it later if they don't come out with something more "Septemberish" next month. Like the chocolate box .... all variations of chocolate, from pale brown to deep chocolate and a couple of shades in between! A girl has to have her chocolate!!!!

They actually have several colors that fit that theme of chocolate, and could throw a set together right now.  It would be nice to have more variations though, in colors and finishes.  Some micro glitters, some sea salts, holos, shimmers, heck even some of the old cream colors too to round it off.  This would so be an awesome fall box..Man, a girl can wish, right?! LOL

 

[angismith]

Originally Posted by DragonChick /img/forum/go_quote.gif

This in a nutshell. I've been with Julep over a year now and have hit saturation point with the colors. I'm appreciative of their themes, but many of their colors they're releasing now are very similar to existing shades, which is a shame this month since I really like the Champagne Trio thats only an add on.

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone with the discussion of being an older Maven versus a new Maven. Perhaps, as someone else suggested (sorry, I don't remember who), Julep is just trying to release way too many colors each and every month. This is sort of what I had in mind when I responded to the talk about Julep and perfume, when I said they needed to PERFECT what they are good at first. And as seasoned veterans, you older Mavens are verifying that they are indeed, NOT, perfecting their polishes before coming out with new beauty products. They are the oldest nail polish subscription program now (am I right or wrong?) so they should be setting the bar high for others that come after them. And thanks for the link to Bondi group, MissTrix! Now I have double the stuff to read, because all this talk about Bondi made me check them out (Thanks, Lexxie!) and I have already found a way to spend the $20 I saved when I cancelled my Ipsy and Birchbox subscriptions this month - with a Bondi subscription!

 

[JC327]

I am on the fence about skipping this month because I wonder what the gift this month will be since its their anniversary. I don't know what to think since Glossybox and Starlooks had disappointing anniversary boxes. I was expecting better colors for this collection maybe something like what we got in May.

 

[r4chel77]

i get that julep isn't doing perfectly with diversifying the types of shades/textures. however, imo, shades like helen and alice couldn't be any more different: gray muave-y neutral vs. lavender metallic. ally and lacey might be the same finish but ally is much lighter and brighter whereas lacey will be dark- nearly black on the fingers, much like demi and lucy are very different reds. 

i get that people think shades are similar but i'm the same way i am about eyeshadows as i am about polishes: i see subtle differences as a way to try a shade i love just a little bit different and what most people see as subtle i find huge.

i really do want to reiterate that it's fine for people to not like julep or to think certain things are silly (okay there truly have been several of the same creme finish greens and lots of sad not even neon oranges). and the foot stick is a big flop on their part, even though i'm sure they did it ten times better than band aid. i get why people are bored every few months. i can't help but wonder why people stick around if they haven't been satisfied for several months and never loved the formula. it's kind of like abercrombie and fitch for me: never changes, never like it, offer my opinion when asked, but definitely don't check it out save for a devout friend or the occasional perfume.if overpriced tees and beachy clothes are your thing, you'll be satisfied with the same-old and delighted with the occasional new item. just like julep, i don't think every collection is wildly thrilling and some things don't make any sense (again the foot stick/sample packet of masks) but they change it up enough for me to be happy and come out with products that are wonderful and often above my holy grails (i.e. their hand scrub/cream are so much better than bath and body works', which i've been using forever).

i also agree with the many valid statements about how they're spreading too thin doing a monthly collection and maybe they should do it bimonthly or even every three months, but if they went to the same deal (cremes, shimmers, pixi dusts) like zoya, i'd be bored out of my mind. not that i'm not absolutely in love with a shade or two every so often from zoya, but there's no excitement in waiting for the big release every 20th like we do with julep... i don't really like a lot of indie companies that throw tons of random shades and glitters together for the sheer purpose of being unique. sometimes an ugly mustard shade or baby food duochrome is to die for but that's few and far between whereas gorgeous reds are always awesome.

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by r4chel77 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

i get that julep isn't doing perfectly with diversifying the types of shades/textures. however, imo, shades like helen and alice couldn't be any more different: gray muave-y neutral vs. lavender metallic. ally and lacey might be the same finish but ally is much lighter and brighter whereas lacey will be dark- nearly black on the fingers, much like demi and lucy are very different reds. 

i get that people think shades are similar but i'm the same way i am about eyeshadows as i am about polishes: i see subtle differences as a way to try a shade i love just a little bit different and what most people see as subtle i find huge.

i really do want to reiterate that it's fine for people to not like julep or to think certain things are silly (okay there truly have been several of the same creme finish greens and lots of sad not even neon oranges). and the foot stick is a big flop on their part, even though i'm sure they did it ten times better than band aid. i get why people are bored every few months. i can't help but wonder why people stick around if they haven't been satisfied for several months and never loved the formula. it's kind of like abercrombie and fitch for me: never changes, never like it, offer my opinion when asked, but definitely don't check it out save for a devout friend or the occasional perfume.if overpriced tees and beachy clothes are your thing, you'll be satisfied with the same-old and delighted with the occasional new item. just like julep, i don't think every collection is wildly thrilling and some things don't make any sense (again the foot stick/sample packet of masks) but they change it up enough for me to be happy and come out with products that are wonderful and often above my holy grails (i.e. their hand scrub/cream are so much better than bath and body works', which i've been using forever).

i also agree with the many valid statements about how they're spreading too thin doing a monthly collection and maybe they should do it bimonthly or even every three months, but if they went to the same deal (cremes, shimmers, pixi dusts) like zoya, i'd be bored out of my mind. not that i'm not absolutely in love with a shade or two every so often from zoya, but there's no excitement in waiting for the big release every 20th like we do with julep... i don't really like a lot of indie companies that throw tons of random shades and glitters together for the sheer purpose of being unique. sometimes an ugly mustard shade or baby food duochrome is to die for but that's few and far between whereas gorgeous reds are always awesome.

I mostly agree with you.  I think the examples of those colors you mentioned up top aren't the best example of renamed dupes though (I know somebody else said them, not you).  But the green- same as Courtney in color and finish. Yellow-same color/finish as Blake, pink-same as Audrey but subtle frost instead of shimmer (so a different finish at least), etc. 

I think they did good with the blister stick, but probably shouldn't have put the pepper stuff in it, because it is a known irritant to the skin, and excludes a lot of people from trying it.  They could have put citrus extracts in it, which they claim circulate the blood in the moisture mask set..instead of the pepper. 

I think they should start a waiting list like other subs to cut down on the spreading so thin thing (running out of boxes during selections, running out of add ons, over extended service agents), and they should also mix up the finishes of the colors each month.  So there isn't all creams, or mostly creams.  They could easily make more micro shimmers, duo chromes, micro shimmer duo chromes (like Julia), sea salts (which is sounds like they're considering, yay!).  They are just getting lazy/un inspired, because they are focusing more on expanding products v. polish, which probably has a lot to do with the huge investment they received.  Julep isn't the only party making decisions, prices, rules now. 

" i can't help but wonder why people stick around if they haven't been satisfied for several months and never loved the formula."--couldn't agree with you more!  It also drives me bonkers to read people complaining all the time about this same thing, but then turn around and say things like they can't seem to quit Julep because they are addicted to the cute little bottles, etc etc.  I just don't get it!  You hate the company politics, you hate the colors offered, you hate the formula, but you can't bring yourself to quit the sub because you think the bottles are cute?? *head explodie*  Legit complaints or occasionally being unsatisfied with your choice/what is offered is understandable.. but these people with the same complaints months in a row?  I can't help but wonder what the hell would satisfy that person? 

This is my 15th month with Julep as a maven, and I no longer love them.  I like them well enough, but the love for them has left the room.  I'm venturing out to Bondi, but I wont leave Julep because of that.  We can always keep skipping if we're not impressed with the month, and we should be skipping once in a while anyways, we're all nut job polish addicts! LOL  There is only so much polish a person can use, skipping a month or two isn't going to hurt anything but the excitement of knowing a box is on the way each month. 

At least with Julep, we can see what is offered each month, and decide before we buy!  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Companies like Square Hue you don't get that option (which is why that sub isn't for me).

 

[angismith]

I think moderation in our purchases with Julep may be the key to longer-term satisfaction so that we don't get saturated with new colors to try all the time. I have a hard time wearing just the colors I have bought since May's Intro Box. But who can resist the Champagne Trio this month??? I am thinking that Julep may keep those colors exclusive.

 

[Lolo22]

Originally Posted by normajean2008 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I mostly agree with you.  I think the examples of those colors you mentioned up top aren't the best example of renamed dupes though (I know somebody else said them, not you).  But the green- same as Courtney in color and finish. Yellow-same color/finish as Blake, pink-same as Audrey but subtle frost instead of shimmer (so a different finish at least), etc. 

I think they did good with the blister stick, but probably shouldn't have put the pepper stuff in it, because it is a known irritant to the skin, and excludes a lot of people from trying it.  They could have put citrus extracts in it, which they claim circulate the blood in the moisture mask set..instead of the pepper. 

I think they should start a waiting list like other subs to cut down on the spreading so thin thing (running out of boxes during selections, running out of add ons, over extended service agents), and they should also mix up the finishes of the colors each month.  So there isn't all creams, or mostly creams.  They could easily make more micro shimmers, duo chromes, micro shimmer duo chromes (like Julia), sea salts (which is sounds like they're considering, yay!).  They are just getting lazy/un inspired, because they are focusing more on expanding products v. polish, which probably has a lot to do with the huge investment they received.  Julep isn't the only party making decisions, prices, rules now. 

" i can't help but wonder why people stick around if they haven't been satisfied for several months and never loved the formula."--couldn't agree with you more!  It also drives me bonkers to read people complaining all the time about this same thing, but then turn around and say things like they can't seem to quit Julep because they are addicted to the cute little bottles, etc etc.  I just don't get it!  You hate the company politics, you hate the colors offered, you hate the formula, but you can't bring yourself to quit the sub because you think the bottles are cute?? *head explodie*  Legit complaints or occasionally being unsatisfied with your choice/what is offered is understandable.. but these people with the same complaints months in a row?  I can't help but wonder what the hell would satisfy that person? 

This is my 15th month with Julep as a maven, and I no longer love them.  I like them well enough, but the love for them has left the room.  I'm venturing out to Bondi, but I wont leave Julep because of that.  We can always keep skipping if we're not impressed with the month, and we should be skipping once in a while anyways, we're all nut job polish addicts! LOL  There is only so much polish a person can use, skipping a month or two isn't going to hurt anything but the excitement of knowing a box is on the way each month. 

At least with Julep, we can see what is offered each month, and decide before we buy!  /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Companies like Square Hue you don't get that option (which is why that sub isn't for me).

Just because people dont like the pre-selected color combos in the maven boxes doesnt mean they dont purchase or trade for some of the products and colors for the month.  Personally, I dont think I should have to pay $19.99 to get 1 color/product I like and then have to pay for add-ons to get the rest of what I wanted.  I think a huge annoyance that is the cause of many people complaining month after month is that they see colors/products they like, but they are not in a box together.

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by Lolo22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Just because people dont like the pre-selected color combos in the maven boxes doesnt mean they dont purchase or trade for some of the products and colors for the month.  Personally, I dont think I should have to pay $19.99 to get 1 color/product I like and then have to pay for add-ons to get the rest of what I wanted.  I think a huge annoyance that is the cause of many people complaining month after month is that they see colors/products they like, but they are not in a box together.

Is what you say a response to what you highlighted of my posting?  Because I think your response is not really about that portion of my post.  I don't mean that snarky, I just don't understand the connection (if there was one?).

I never said people should or would always be happy with the selections for the month.  That is hardly possible.  There is a HUGE difference in the people I mentioned complaining they hate everything for 5-6+ months or longer, in a row, and people occasionally being unhappy or annoyed by the selections.

However, you not thinking you should pay sub price to get 1 product you like and having to pay more for add ons to get all you want in your box.. I mean, that's your opinion, and we all got them, but that isn't how Julep works.  That isn't how any sub company works.  There is always going to be a good chance you'll be paying for something you don't want in the box, and wanting something more you aren't scheduled to get.  At least with Julep they offer the option of adding those extras at a good discount.  It is how they stop box envy, something most other subs have when their are variations on boxes. I hate how they are making "good" colors they know will be very popular into add ons only lately.  They should be mixing them around the boxes like they used to do.

If somebody is never happy with the box choices, or spends most of the year unhappy with them, then that isn't Julep's fault.  That just means the sub company is not really for them. Just like Square Hue and Color Me Monthly aren't for me. They cannot cater to everybody's individual choice selections, on every box, every month.  They would never get all the boxes packed correctly, never get them shipped on time, and they'd cost a lot more than 20/month, because it'd take WAY more man hours to individually do all that for mavens. 

I could see them maybe offering a poll of sorts each month, or every few months, to see what mavens in general would want paired together (like when they did maven's choice a few times).  But the same people always complaining now, will also do the same if they did this.. They couldn't participate, they were out of town, the website wasn't loading right, that isn't what they picked, they still don't like anything they're getting to vote on.. Those are the kind of people I say "what would make them happy?"...the damned if you do, damned if you don't type people. 

 

[puffyeyes]

Originally Posted by Lolo22 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Just because people dont like the pre-selected color combos in the maven boxes doesnt mean they dont purchase or trade for some of the products and colors for the month.  Personally, I dont think I should have to pay $19.99 to get 1 color/product I like and then have to pay for add-ons to get the rest of what I wanted.  I think a huge annoyance that is the cause of many people complaining month after month is that they see colors/products they like, but they are not in a box together.

After a few skips they started sending me suggested boxes of different combos from that months theme.  Still not exactly what I want.  I do like the formula on the cremes though.

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by angismith /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I think moderation in our purchases with Julep may be the key to longer-term satisfaction so that we don't get saturated with new colors to try all the time. I have a hard time wearing just the colors I have bought since May's Intro Box. But who can resist the Champagne Trio this month??? I am thinking that Julep may keep those colors exclusive.

That's like the current nail polish Russian roulette for the month, lol.  

I can see them selling them after the boxes go out, as a trio for like 25$.  I think they know how much Mavens are going to want these colors, and I don't think they will forego extra profit, especially after receiving so many skipped boxes.  Either people will not risk the chance to miss the trio, and buy the box to add the trio... or they will skip and cross their fingers for a chance at them later, and Julep knows that.  As an add on they will only get 15$ for the sale, but you have to add the box.  By raising the price to their usual trio collection pricing after the fact they'll still get a lot of sales.  And then you have the people like me, who like 1 of the 3, and end up playing the game to see if they not only sell the trio on its own, but individually as well!

As a side note, I think they should do the December and January boxes with the sparkle metallic tops too, it is so festive looking!

 

[swimsalot]

After a few skips they started sending me suggested boxes of different combos from that months theme.  Still not exactly what I want.  I do like the formula on the cremes though.

It's awesome that they offered different color combos after you skipped. I I guess that they just want to keep their customers. If they do it would be a better idea to offer us color choice in the Maven boxes. . But I'm glad you did get some. All in all I like julep. I look up nail art on YouTube to see ways of using colors that I otherwise might not use.

 

[AshY]

It has been very interesting to read these posts once the collection was viewable.  First, let me say I am going to skip this month and I will be trying Bondi (waiting for that email!). I have skipped Julep this month because I feel that while some of the colors are pretty, the ones I like best are the easiest to dupe.  For instance I could use Blake, Audrey, Ally, Olivia, Reagan, Kaylen, and possibly Charlotte could be used.  As for the Champagne Trio, I can wait and see if Clio is offered on its own.  I don't want the other two shades that much.  for starters I don't know if the "white gold" will flatter my skin tone.  And I have similar colors to the other shade.  I do like Clio.  The set seems like it could be a New Years set.  Also, I can wait to get the foot stick in a sale or as an add on for a later box if offered. 

About the foot stick, it should have been offered earlier in the summer before sandal season set in.  I live in the Midwest where the warm days will be quickly followed by snow.  I would have had more interest in receiving the product in April or May, so I would get more uses out of it.  The packet and the foot stick together are not work $20 to me.  Still, to try these items I may yet sign up for modern beauty.

I agree with many of you that this months collection is out of season and could have been offered for the spring.  Mays collection is more fall/winter to me.  Especially the colors Coco and Gabrielle.  they should have put Aprils box in May, Mays box in August or September and this box in April or some other month.

I have a lot of Juleps, my first box was the April box.  I became a maven in March with the intro box and the spring mystery box.  Between the Warehouse sale, secret store sales and the mystery boxes (spring, Miami, sea salt, and another) I have probably 60 julep colors and the Oprah Box (I know..... please don't laugh at me!!).  My point is that some people may be experiencing Julep burnout.  My polish shopping craze has resulted in my having similar colors.  I am skipping this month because I have substitutes for the colors, perhaps not dupes  .I still like Julep and what it represents.  But I would like to transition my polish collection to fall colors, so I'll wait for another month.

As for Bondi, I would like to see what they have to offer.  I have never tried the polish, but I have heard good things.  I can't say I'll give up Julep though.

 

[DragonChick]

Originally Posted by angismith /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'm sorry if I have offended anyone with the discussion of being an older Maven versus a new Maven. Perhaps, as someone else suggested (sorry, I don't remember who), Julep is just trying to release way too many colors each and every month. This is sort of what I had in mind when I responded to the talk about Julep and perfume, when I said they needed to PERFECT what they are good at first. And as seasoned veterans, you older Mavens are verifying that they are indeed, NOT, perfecting their polishes before coming out with new beauty products. They are the oldest nail polish subscription program now (am I right or wrong?) so they should be setting the bar high for others that come after them. And thanks for the link to Bondi group, MissTrix! Now I have double the stuff to read, because all this talk about Bondi made me check them out (Thanks, Lexxie!) and I have already found a way to spend the $20 I saved when I cancelled my Ipsy and Birchbox subscriptions this month - with a Bondi subscription!

You didn't offend me in the slightest, after all, different opinions makes for interesting and engaging discussions /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[normajean2008]

Originally Posted by JC327 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I am on the fence about skipping this month because I wonder what the gift this month will be since its their anniversary. I don't know what to think since Glossybox and Starlooks had disappointing anniversary boxes. I was expecting better colors for this collection maybe something like what we got in May.

I don't know if you saw last years 1 year anniversary box from Julep, but in case you haven't--it was that tiny plastic tote bag they've been giving out in mystery boxes several months in a row, and sell for cheap online all the time.