Jamberry Nails - Going Going Gone - F&W 2015/16

It's that time of year again - Jamberry Nails is getting ready to roll out their new Spring and Summer catalog for 2016.  Check out all the retiring wraps and get yours before they are gone for good - they'll only be available until February 29th, 2016

Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer Review

I have another BzzAgent campaign to blog about - this time the Olay Total Effects 7 in One Anti-Aging Moisturizer.

I received this a couple weeks ago and have been using it for my under eyes.  According to the information I received from BzzAgent, this cream is supposed to fight the seven signs of aging.

With it’s vitamin-rich formula, Olay Total Effects is said to:
- Visibly smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
- Evens skin tone appearance
- Enhances brightness
- Minimizes the look of pores
- Visibly reduces age spots
- Restores firmness
- Replenishes moisture

The new trial size of Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Anti-Aging Moisturizer will be available in stores starting in February.

So far, I am liking this cream very much.  I'll give it a couple more weeks and give you my final verdict then!


If you'd like to try awesome products for free? Well, what are you waiting for? Sign up for BzzAgent and try it for yourself!

Win an October Stylebox from Jamberry Nails

Stylebox by Jamberry is the perfect monthly subscription service! Get exclusive Jamberry products that complement your signature style delivered to your door each month. Only $32 (Minimum 3 month subscription billed up front)

Each Stylebox includes:
• Minimum $34 of Jamberry nail products
• Nail File
• Orange Stick
• Monthly Style Guide

I am giving away, one (1) October Stylebox to a lucky winner.  You can enter below (no purchase necessary - winner must correctly answer a skill testing question)

Enter the contest here!  Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Update - L'dara Anti-Aging Serum

I have been using the L'dara Anti-Aging Serum for over a month now and thought there was no better time to do an update ...

I am still loving the serum and have been appling it to my face and neck twice a day - morning and night.  Looking in the mirror, I really didn't notice a lot of difference in my skin - it just seemed smoother and clearer ... That was until I took my "after" picture.  Before I started on my new L'dara regime, I took my obligatory "before" picture and as I wanted to update you all on my progress, I took my "after" picture this morning.  I will let you be the judge (excuse the bare face but I wanted you to get the true picture).

I think it's working for me, and am excited to see what the next few months bring ... thank you L'dara!!!  Here's to aging gracefully and without wrinkles =)

If you'd like to try L'dara Anti-Aging Serum, both marketing partners and preferred customers pay the same price.... $108 plus provincial taxes here in Canada, and both programs offer a free bottle your next month when you refer 3 people through your personalized web site. 

Thrive DFT Patch - Days 3, 4 & 5

Day 3, 4 and 5 with the Thrive DFT patch are complete ...

The verdict?
No real change from Day 1 or Day 2 although I did notice I really didn't have the 3 o'clock slump where I was looking for something to increase my energy.  I am still sleeping much better and falling asleep faster.

... will update again tomorrow.

Thrive DFT Patch - Day 2

Day 2 with the Thrive DFT patch is complete ...

The verdict?
Not sure if I noticed any increased energy today although I did notice I slept well again last night. Am still looking for snacks in the evening, although not nearly as often. I have also started a conscious effort to drink more water.

... will update again tomorrow.

Thrive DFT Patch - Day 1

Day 1 with the Thrive DFT patch is complete ...

The verdict?
Still skeptical, although I did notice more energy when cleaning the house yesterday.  I seem to have fallen asleep faster last night and when I woke this morning my brain wasn't foggy and I didn't feel like I hadn't slept (which is common for me).

Second patch has been applied ... will update again tomorrow.

First Impression ... Thrive DFT Patch

As most of you know, I've been at a stand still with my weight for some time. I have been trying to lose another 25 lbs, however, am not having much luck.

I have been eating healthier (YAY), I've been drinking my Shakeology every day for the last few years, and I've tried just about every gimmick out there - until last week. A friend who knows I am trying to lose those last few pounds, asked me if I had heard about Thrive. At first I thought she meant Thrive Life the dehydrated food company but soon realized she was talking about Thrive from Le-Vel. oooops LOL

Apparently, the Thrive experience is "an 8 week lifestyle program" which encompasses a vitamin supplement, a shake and, the thing I am most interested in trying, a "derma fusion" patch. This might be a good time to mention I DETEST having to take pills of any sort - and most vitamins, at least to me, are huge and hard to swallow. That's one of the reasons I drink my Shakeology every day - so I don't have to take a vitamin pill. The Thrive DFT patch seems perfect for me.

According to the website, the Thrive DFT Patch is a 24-hour transdermal delivery of vitamins and minerals geared towards boosting your metabolism instead of a drug. The patch is supposed to help with weight control, mental clarity, appetite control and metabolic support.

Let's look at the ingredients:

~ Forslean
Forslean is standardized powdered extract from the roots of the Coleus forskohlii plant and is said to help with weight management and circulation support.

~ Green Coffee Bean Extract
Green coffee beans are coffee beans that have not yet been roasted. These coffee beans contain a higher amount of the chemical chlorogenic acid. This chemical is thought to have health benefits. For high blood pressure it might affect blood vessels so that blood pressure is reduced. For weight loss, chlorogenic acid in green coffee is thought to affect how the body handles blood sugar and metabolism.

~ Garcinia Cambogia
Developing research suggests that garcinia might prevent fat storage and control appetite; however, whether these effects occur in humans is unclear.

~ CoQ10
CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant, which protects cells from damage and plays an important part in the metabolism.

~ White Willow Bark
White willow bark acts a lot like aspirin, so it is used for pain, including headache, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, gout, and a disease of the spine called ankylosing spondylitis.

~ Cosmoperine
According to the manufacturer's website Cosmoperine is obtained from black pepper using a proprietary process. When included in formulations with other biological actives, it enhances their bioavailability and utilization. Our studies with various products like Green Tea, Coleus Forskohlii Extract and Tetrahydro-curcuminoids showed increased topical permeation. So in English, this basically enhances the absorption of the other ingredients in the patch.

OK, since it seems there is nothing really "bad" in the patch, I decided to give it a go. There is no discount for becoming a member, but signing up as a member is free. They also offer the "refer 2 and yours is free" whether you are a customer or promoter. Customers don't seem to get any other rewards though (like commissions off customer purchases) but because I don't know what the product will do for me, I decided to just sign up as a customer for now.

Most of the products come in "packages" which include everything you will need for a month on the Thrive experience, or you can purchase products separately - which is good for people like me who don't want the shake and vitamin pill. Cost for one month of the Thrive DFT patch is $62 - which works out to just a little over $2/day. They do offer an "ultra" version which is 82% larger and apparently has 300% more ingredients for $88, however, I think I'm going to see how my body reacts to the regular one first (I am a fairly petite gal) and feel those may be better for men or larger ladies.

I'll keep you posted ... my first patch went on today just after my Shakeology.

First Impressions - New Anti-Aging Skin Care Serum

After the fiasco with Optimera by Nerium, I was a little hesitant to try another much hyped anti-aging product, however, I am really anxious to get started on a regime that will help my aging skin and have not yet found anything worth buying in the retail market.

I had recently seen L'dara Serum - another anti-aging skin care serum - being advertised all over Facebook, and decided to contact one of the reps to see if I could get a sample prior to purchasing a whole bottle (I learned my lesson and will never buy another face cream/serum without trying a sample first).  The rep I contacted was more than happy to send a sample, and in less than a week, my sample had arrived.

The first night I tried the serum, I was a bit apprehensive but upon opening the sample, I was pleasantly surprised to find it had a nice scent (hardly noticeable, very light floral scent) and is a clear serum with a gel like texture. It goes on velvety and the skin is not sticky or oily.  So far so good.

Upon waking the next morning I was prepared for a reaction, however, am definitely happy to report that there was no itching, no redness, no irritation at all.  WHOO HOO ...

Now, L'dara is recommended for both day and night use, but because I had such a small sample, I only used the product at night before bed.  The sample lasted me about 4 days, and after those 4 days, I did notice my face seemed brighter and my skin smoother, so I decided to bite the bullet an purchase a full bottle.

Upon contacting the rep, she mentioned the product ships from a small distributor in Calgary, express post. Both marketing partners and preferred customers pay the same price.... $108 plus provincial taxes and both programs offer a free bottle your next month when you refer 3 people through your personalized web site.  OK ... off I went to order ...

I will keep you all posted on my progress ...

Product Comparison: Jamberry Nails vs. You Nailed It

Over the past few weeks we've been seeing ads all over Facebook for a new nail wrap business - You Nailed It.  Of course, as an Independent Jamberry Nails consultant my customers are very curious as to how competitor products stack up against Jamberry nail wraps, so decided I would do a comparison. This is strictly a comparison of two similar products.

According to the You Nailed It website, the wraps do not need any heat to apply (Jamberry wraps do require heat for a good bond to the nail) and, like Jamberry nail wraps, they last up to 2 weeks.  The price for the You Nailed It wraps vary anywhere between $10-$15 US depending on the design.  The selection of designs is not as extensive as Jamberry, with a lot of the designs being marketed to the "nerd" crowd.

I purchased a sheet of wraps from the You Nailed It website on August 2nd with my order total being $17.99 USD ($12 for the wraps and $5.99 for shipping).   On August 4th, I received an email that my wraps had been shipped - although no tracking info was provided.

I received the wraps today - August 12th. They were shipped from Florida to Canada - the cost of the actual shipping was $1.15.

Upon opening the envelope, the first thing I noticed was there were no instructions included.  The packaging of the wraps is just a clear cellophane sleeve.  There are 20 wraps of various sizes on a white sheet.

The only thing included in the envelope was the shipping invoice ... no application instructions ... no indication of what company the wraps were from on the packaging ...

Of course I had to compare them to the Jamberry nail wrap sheet, and the first thing I noticed is that each wrap is about 3/4 of the size of a Jamberry wrap

There are more wraps per sheet included on the You Nailed It sheet (20 vs 18), however, seeing that they are smaller than the Jamberry wraps, you aren't getting any more product with You Nailed It.

To properly do a comparison, I decided to do my manicure using both the Jamberry and You Nailed It Wraps.  After applying my Jamberry wraps according to the official Jamberry Nails Instructions, I chose a wrap from the You Nailed It sheet to fit my ring finger on both hands as an accent nail.   The You Nailed It wraps come with a clear sheet covering the top of the wraps, which in my opinion is unnecessary.

As there were no applications instructions included, I ended up going to the You Nailed It website to find the correct way to apply the wraps.

I proceeded to try and find the wrap that best fit my nail, however, this proved to be a bit difficult due to the white backing.  I ended up having to use the Jamberry Nail wrap size I usually use for that finger as a guide to which wrap would be the best fit.

Next problem I encountered was that it was extremely hard to find the edge of the You Nailed It wrap to remove it from the backing.  I ended up having to use an exacto knife to find the edge.

When removing the wrap from the backing, I noticed is that the wraps are very flimsy and thin.

I proceeded to apply the wrap to my nail.  My first attempt at placement was a bit off, so when I lifted the wrap, it detached very easily - almost too easy.  Once the placement was OK, I smoothed the wrap to my nail using my thumb pressing from cuticle to edge.  To make sure all wrinkles and bubbles were out of the wrap, I pulled gently on the edge of the wrap and to my surprise, about 1/2 of the excess came detached - which shows how thin the wraps actually are.

As per the instructions, I took the nail file and filed the remaining excess - which took no time at all and reminded me of how easily the Sally Hansen wraps are to file.

The instructions say that for a longer lasting manicure, to follow with an application of clear polish.  I chose not to do this to truly see how long they last compared to Jamberry (Jamberry nail wraps do not require a top coat to prolong the wear).

This is the finished manicure.  In this picture you can see a thin white line around the outside of the You Nailed It wrap on my ring finger - this is how the wrap came off the backing sheet.

Following is usage of each of the wraps used in this manicure.  With the You Nailed It wraps, you need one wrap for each finger instead of being able to use one wrap for 2 fingers with Jamberry.

The longest I've worn my Jamberry wraps is 16 days with  some tip wear and nail growth at the cuticle. I admit, I am very hard on my nails, so am looking forward to seeing how the You Nailed It wraps hold up against Jamberry.  Will keep you all posted.

Oh I should mention - the You Nailed It wraps are made in China.  Jamberry are made in the US.

TTFN,
Bonny

UPDATE:  Well, just over 6 hours since I applied the wraps and I can already see the You Nailed It wraps are not fairing well.  After doing the dishes and cleaning the bathrooms early this evening, the two nails with the You Nailed it wraps are already chipping and coming off - they are actually wrinkling right on my nails.  I doubt they will still be on by morning

FURTHER UPDATE:   After my shower this morning, sadly, both You Nailed It wraps had completely fallen off my nails

First Impression - Stylebox by Jamberry

When I heard that Jamberry Nails were launching a monthly subscription service starting August 1st, I was extremely excited.  I have subscribed to a number of monthly beauty boxes in one form or another over the past couple years and thoroughly enjoyed receiving them and the surprises they contained. Now, just to clarify, I am not one to get excited over nail polish, as when it comes to polishing my nails I have two left thumbs so to speak and ultimately always make a mess, not to mention being extremely impatient when it comes to the polish drying.

I excitedly signed up for my Stylebox when I was able.  The only thing I didn't like is that you have no other option but to purchase either a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month subscription - they do not offer a month to month subscription up front.  Upon completion of your initial subscription time period, the subscription does revert to a month to month payment of $25 USD/$32 CAD.

I received my notification on August 8th that my first Stylebox had shipped (marketing material indicated the first box would ship August 5th).  Shipping is free with the subscription, so I was anxious to see how quickly the box arrived.   Imagine my surprise when UPS dropped off the Stylebox late that same afternoon.

Upon opening the box, you are greeted by a "style card" and the contents wrapped in tissue paper

The contents of the box are supposed to be a wrap from the current catalog, a wrap exclusive to Stylebox subscribers, a nail file and orange stick.  Value of the contents is a minimum of $34.

Upon opening the tissue, you are greeted by the contents

Ummm ... something is missing ... was there not supposed to be a nail file included in the box?

Now to most people, a nail file isn't a big deal, however, as a Jamberry Consultant, I would expect my customers to receive everything they signed up to receive, so promptly sent off an email to Jamberry Support to let them know.

Overall, I am happy with my Stylebox ... I did know ahead of time what was going to be included in the first box, however with subsequent boxes, I don't believe even consultants will know what they are getting (unless they stalk FB or Youtube unboxings) ...

Hopefully next month I'll get my nail file ....

If you are interested in signing up for Stylebox by Jamberry - head on over to my website http://BetterthanPolish.ca ... there are three subscription options, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month. Hopefully Jamberry will also begin offering month to month subscriptions in the near future.

Optimera by Nerium Update

In my previous post I had reported that I thought I may have had a reaction from the new face cream I was trying - Optimera by Nerium.

I had used the product 2 nights in a row, waking up the each morning with an itchy face (the second morning was worse than the first), so as an experiment, decided not to use the Optimera the third night to see how my face felt the next morning.

I am happy to announce that upon waking, my face was not at all itchy ... YAY ... to check to see if there was indeed something in the Optimera that caused my face to itch, I decided to apply the cream again the 4th night ... and yep, you guessed it, upon waking the next morning, my face was again itchy.

So, I contacted my friend to find out how to return the Optimera and get my money back as there was no way I was throwing away the $92 I paid for a product that I had a reaction to.  She advised that if a customer is dissatisfied with any product for any reason, the product may be returned in its original packaging, within thirty (30) days of the purchase, for a refund of the purchase price.  I would have to contact Nerium though to get a return number and would be required to pay the return shipping on the product.  I did that and sent the product back yesterday.

I will keep you posted on how long it takes to get my $$ back ...

First Impression - Optimera from Nerium International

I have been wanting to find a good anti-aging cream for some time now and recently a friend became a brand partner with Nerium International.  Nerium's Optimera creams just launched in Canada a few months ago, and after hearing the glowing reviews I decided to give the cream a try.

Optimera Night Cream costs $125 and must be purchased directly through a Nerium consultant or online. The company offers customers who subscribe to its replenishment program a discounted price of $92 per month.    Shipping is $11.50

Optimera is one of the most interesting anti aging brands. They have taken a toxic plant (oleander leaf extract) and turned it into an anti aging cream. While there is little in the way of clinical studies or other scientific proof, there certainly is some merit to the Nerium product.

The first thing I noticed is it has a different smell to it - it's not bad, but it's really not all that pleasant. The smell reminds me of compost or wet leaves... I personally hate it. I don't like perfumed smells but I sure as hell don't like smelling like my garden either.

The instructions say to apply 4 to 5 pumps of the night cream on a damp face.  I started with 2 pumps and found that the amount from those 2 pumps was sufficient for my face.  The second thing I noticed is the cream really doesn't absorb into the skin, it seems to set up similar to a mask on top of your skin.

The next morning when I woke, my face seemed a bit itchy.  The instructions say that "Sometimes, using a new product or a new mix of products can cause a temporary reaction. It’s important to remember that your skin must have time to become accustomed to a product in order to determine how it will interact long-term. If you experience minor irritation, we suggest giving yourself time to adjust to the new product. We recommend allowing at least two to three weeks as an adjustment and purging period."   I do know and understand that your skin takes some time to adjust to a new product so didn't give the itching another thought.

After cleansing my face the next evening, I again applied only 2 pumps to my face and went to bed. Upon waking this morning my face was even itchier than the previous morning ... not good.  I began to think that I may be allergic to one of the ingredients and pulled up the instruction sheet and saw on another part of the instruction sheet it says "Should any minor irritation such as redness, itching, or breakouts occur or persist, discontinue using the product and seek medical advice."  Hmmmm

Further the instructions say "Should a reaction occur, such as a breakout, redness, or itching, it is important to determine the cause. It is not always the new product; it could be how the new product is interacting with other products you’re using." ... I don't use any other creams on my face and my cleanser is one I have been using (Purity by Philosophy) so I doubt it's an interaction. I also have trouble with creams containing any sort of sunscreen and when using those types of cream my face also gets itchy, however, it was nothing like the itch I am experiencing from the Optimera. I did end up having to take 2 Benedryl to help combat the itching.

I am not going to use the Optimera tonight and see how my skin feels in the morning.

Does This Thing Really Work? Hair Drying Gloves

I'm not sure why, but I'm always a sucker for gimmicky things ... usually cheap gimmicky things ... and my recent purchase was no exception.  They were such a pretty pink color ... they were so soft .... I just had to have them.

So what are they?  Hair drying gloves ...

... yep hair drying gloves

... that supposedly dry your hair in half the time while not removing any styling products.  Apparently you hair will be softer, fuller, and left with a brilliant shine with less blow-drying.  HMMM

OK, let's give it a whirl ...

After my shower tonight I gave them a shot ... I put them on and while my hands definitely looked like fluffy pink Mickey Mouse hands ("Hey Pal" LOL), I do have to say the gloves were oh so very soft.  I started running my hands through my hair (and actually felt kind of silly doing it) and after a couple of minutes didn't really think they were doing a lot.  I took off one glove and checked my hair ... maybe it did seem a bit drier ... maybe not ... but at least the gloves felt a bit damp. HMMM

They are definitely very silly.  The gloves might be great for a child to try and get them to want to dry their hair after a bath/shower,  However, for the average Jane, or someone wanting to dry their hair quickly, a towel works just as well ... if not probably better.

So, do these things really work?  (or should I say do I really need these?)

At $17 CDN I think a towel would accomplish the same thing so save your money, unless you are like me and are drawn to gimmicky things and need to have them just because ... and they really are such a pretty shade of pink  =)

April 2012 Glossybox

I actually received my box yesterday - May 1st ... I'm not sure why, but Glossybox always takes longer to arrive than the other beauty subscription services.  Not that I'm complaining ...

So what was included in this month's Glossybox:

Aveeno - Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
This amazing moisturizing formula is clinically shown to improve the look of tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness and brown spots.

WOW!! ... I adore this moisturizer and often use it on my body as well as my face, especially after a bath or shower

Full Size - 120 ml for $22.99
Sample Size - Full Size!


Elizabeth Grant - Exotic Apricot Shower Gel

OMG this smells sooooo good.  I haven't tried this yet, but am looking forward to taking it with us on our upcoming trip to Florida.  I usually take my old standby - Philosophy's 3-1, but will leave that home this trip.

Full Size - 240 ml for $20.00
Sample Size - Full Size!


Wella Brilliance - Condition and Treatment
This lightweight brilliance conditioner moisturizes colored hair, leaving even fine hair full of vibrant shine and free flowing movement; the brilliance treatment with triple blend technology blends three lightweight polymers to instantly restore hair's vibrancy.  Both with diamond dust.

We received the Wella shampoo in I believe it was February's box, so will take this on our upcoming trip to try as well.

Conditioner Full Size - 250 ml for $13.99
Sample Size - 30 ml for $1.68
Treatment Full Size - 150 ml for $13.99
Sample Size - 25 ml for $2.33


Marcelle - Xtension Plus Mascara
Give your lashes extra length and curl - define and separate lashes while minimizing clumps and create maximum lengthening potential for lash extension look without adding extensions.

I am excited to try this mascara ...

Full Size - 9 ml for $12.50
Sample Size - Full Size!


Also included was a small sample of the Marcelle BB Cream Beauty Balm (I forgot to take a picture of it - but it's about a 0.1 ml sample size.  Very much looking forward to trying this!!

Total value of this box:  $59.50


My thoughts?
Although I was disappointed in the first box, it seems Glossybox has redeemed themselves and has started to send samples that are in keeping with the boxes they offer in the other countries.  I am very pleased with this month's box and am pleased to give it a 5 out of 5!!  Watch out Glymm, Topbox and Luxe Box ... you definitely have some competition!!!

Looking forward to next months box!! If you're interested in signing up for Glossybox Canada ($15/month), I would appreciate if you signed through my referral link: CLICK HERE to sign up.

TTFN

Julep Maven Spring Mystery Box

I love love love the Julep mystery boxes!!  For those who don't know about the mystery boxes, you pay $19.99 for a box that could contain anywhere from between $60 to $200 worth of products. ... and yes I got sucked in again!! LOL

So what did I receive??

Top to bottom:
♥ nail file (can never have too many)
♥ Base Coat
♥ Helena
♥ Melissa (awesome pearl)
♥ Oscar (I had received one of these in a previous box)
♥ Cuticle Oil (love this - has a roller ball!!)

Overall I am very pleased with my mystery box ... and yes, they will most likely suck me in again on the next one!! LOL

Are you a Julep Maven? If you FOLLOW THIS LINK you can sign up to become a Julep Maven and get your first box for just a penny (free shipping). Use code COLORS4ONE at checkout. You'll be included in any future mystery boxes, too!

If you ordered a Julep Maven mystery box, what did you get???

April 2012 Glymm Box

If you've been following my blog you know that Glymm is one of my favorite beauty box subscriptions.  I was a bit disappointed in last month's box, but was hopeful Glymm would redeem themselves this month.

So, what did I receive??

Lucia - Soap #1
According to the info card this soap is "packed with pure botanical extracts with 100% certified organic Shea Butter".  The scent I received was Goat Milk and Linseed.  Unfortunately to me, it smells kind of "old ladyish".
Full size: 8 soaps for $17.50
Sample: 1 soap = $2.19

Free Your Mane - Sulfate Free Shampoo & Conditioner
According to the info card, they "gently cleanse hair and scalp while natural oils help rebuild your hair's delicate moisture balance".  I've been using sulfate free shampoo for a couple months now, so am interested to see how this stacks up to my current brand.
Full Size: 300 ml for $16
Sample:  7.4 ml = $1

Mai Couture - Social Gloss

According to the info card "not only will this gloss fill in unwanted lines and restore moisture, but it will create full kissable lips".  The formula is a complex mix of plant extracts that naturally enhance lip volume without the allergen.  The color I received was a beige toned pink ... not sure it will suit me.

Full Size:  5 ml for $28

Sample:  Full Size

Atelier Cologne - Orange Sanguine
Atelier is a niche perfume house in Paris and New York.  And after giving it a sniff, I can say it is a nice fragrance if you like citrus smells.  For me, this was just "meh".
Full Size:  30 ml for $60 or 200 ml for $165
Sample:  Approx. 2 ml  = $4

Nu-Me $100 Gift Certificate
At first glance, I thought "wow" ... but then realized that we received a product from Nu-Me in last month's box - feather hair extensions - which I had no intention of trying/wearing.  A quick look at their website confirmed that they have styling tools (which I do not use), hair extensions (again, which I do not use) and some hair care items which I most likely won't be buying.  So if anyone wants the card/code, just message me and it's yours!

Total value of this month's box (not including the Nu-me gift certificate) = $35

Final thoughts:
Overall I’m not super excited about this box. I’ll use the shampoo, conditioner and probably the soap but unfortunately the samples are not that exciting. As for the full-sized lip gloss, I’m not sure if it’s a good colour for me and will most likely give it away.  I give this box a 2.5 out of 5.

Unfortunately that's been 2 months in a row I've been disappointed in my Glymm Box ... which actually surprises me somewhat.  Hopefully next month's box will be better.

If you'd like to subscribe to Glymm, you can use my referral link.  I get 50 points for everyone who signs up - which can be used for free boxes, or products in their shop.

Until next month ...

April Julep Maven - American Beauty

I can't remember how many Julep Maven boxes I've received so far, but I have to say I love love love getting them in the mail!!

If you're new to Julep Maven, or not sure what exactly it is, you can check out my previous blog posting here -http://bonnyl.blogspot.ca/2012/02/julep-maven.html

What I like about Julep Maven is you actually see what you are getting ahead of time and if for some reason you don't like the offerings for your current month, you can select another box from the choices.  This is what I did this month - switching from my usual "It Girl" to "American Beauty". That's one of the things I love about Julep - you can change your selection, send your month to a friend or even skip a month if there is nothing that appeals to you that month. If only other beauty box subscriptions would be like this!!

What did I receive???  (sorry for the poor pictures - these were taken with my cell phone late at night)

Top to Bottom:
♥ Emma - juicy raspberry cream
♥ Renee - spring lilac cream

Normally I gravitate towards more neutral colors, but after seeing Emma, I just had to order this box ... I fell in love with the bright pink polish the moment I saw it.  Renee is a very nice light lilac and I think these two go very well together.

Looking to become a Julep Maven?? Just click on my referral link and then share your own link with your friends. You'll earn 1 credit for each friend who joins, and 2 credits automatically earns you a free month!

Definitely looking forward to next month's box!! And don't forget to use the code NEW5 at checkout to get your intro Maven box for only $5 if you become a Maven like me!

... until next time ...