Julep Galaxy Mystery Box

I am such a gigantic sucker for Juleps wonderful marketing strategy that I had to cancel my Maven account to get rid of all that beautiful temptation.  Shortly thereafter, I received an email from them about a new galaxy themed mystery box.  @#*%$ Julep, I thought I was free!

Anyway, I love space.  There was no way I could resist, and holy wow am I glad I didn't.  I ordered the middle sized, cosmic mystery box with a value of at least $70 for $25, and added on the $9.99 'mystery item'.  I had to pay through the nose for shipping now that I am no longer a member, however the box they sent me has a value close to $120, so I can't exactly complain.

How did this even happen?  It's amazing.  Far more than the standard mystery boxes.  The 'mystery item' was just random stuff, the hand and cuticle stick and a polish in the color Carrie.  The colors I received in the actual mystery box are: 

Lexie (yellow)

Charlotte (purple)

Francis (green)

Blakely (molten)

Reiko (copper?)

Estelle (black with multi color holo glitter) 

The tiny travel size kit has the Rock Star hand creme and the Glycolic hand scrub, both of which I have been wanting to try out.  It also has another Oxygen Nail Treatment.  I am not sure how well that works as it can't be used as a base coat.  If I can see my nails, I destroy them.

I got a bit adventurous and decided to try my first nail art.  Julep posted a galaxy nail tutorial on their facebook.  My 'celestial bodies' are too big and just look like polka dots, but I do like how the coloring turned out.

I love and recommend Julep to anyone with self control, as they have a constant flood of irresistible deals.  I joined almost a year ago, and the condition of my nails have improved immensely.  Having such an interesting and good quality polish selection helps me keep them painted, which stops me from picking at them.  The polishes are small, and if you are not a member they are overpriced.  They do have a subscription service that gets you a discount and free shipping as well as your choice of a selection of monthly boxes at $19.99/mo.  You can always skip the boxes, but if you do you miss out on the Secret Store sale.  After that's over they start sending out the mystery box teasers...  Seriously, Julep is a non stop polish sale extravaganza.  If you want to check them out, their site is www.julep.com.

Wantable Intimates Box, September 2013

Wantable has launched a new line of subscriptions box for intimate apparel.  They already have a make up and a jewelry line that seem to be growing in popularity.  They all work the same way - you take a very detailed preference quiz and they offer a very customized box at either a $36 monthly subscription fee or a flat $40 one time fee.  This is a wonderfully versatile system.  When I found out they were offering a new intimates box I decided to try a one time purchase.  I could use some new undies and socks, which is what I assumed would be the primary items.

Let me start by saying that I love this box.  Even more now, a week later, than the day I unboxed it. I wear the socks at every possible moment, and when they finally fall prey to wear or to a hungry dryer they will be mourned.

The Pink Poodle Socks from Sock It to Me have a value of $11.00.  They actually have a ton of cool patterns.  The socks are very soft, but stretchy.  I wear a size 11, so I normally tear through regular socks quickly.  These feel like they will hold up for quite a while.

The Coobie Essential Thin Strap Cami in Seafoam has a value of $20 and is my least favorite item.  It will work for layering, but it is a "one size" item and of course fits weirdly.  It is a tight but slick material that I am worried will ride up if not tucked in tightly.  Useful but not particularly enjoyable.

The Izabella Herringbone Tights in Dark Grey are valued at $19 and the fit is impressive.  I am 6' tall and didn't expected them to send me tights due to the sizing limitations caused by my legs.  Unbelievably, these fit great and are extremely cozy.  It almost makes me happy for the impending doom of fall weather.

And then there is the crown jewel of the box, the Essence Tank in Red from Pheel (size large), worth $48.  The fit is amazing.  And it isn't lounge wear, as I was expecting.  It's active wear, baby!

I have already tried it out at the gym and I am trying to determine how many times I can wear it in a row before other members start to wonder if it's ever clean (it is I swear!).

So yeah, hugely impressed with this box.  It is out of my price range to buy on the regular, but I would very much like to purchase this again as an occasional treat.  Total value is $98, and the cost of the box was only $40.  If you got one of these, let me know what you think!

 

For more info:

 www.wantable.com

Unboxing video if you would like a closer look: