Julep Maven Box: September 2012

For September, Julep collaborated with fashion designer Trina Turk on ten new nail polish shades inspired by her Modernist Maverick collection. Collectively, the ten shades are called the Trina Turk Fall Nail Wardrobe, and they are featured in this month's Julep Maven boxes. I kept my "It Girl" option, which included three shades (Alma, Delaunay, and Otte), and added on another three shades (Gunta, Hoch, and Popova) for $4.99 each.

Top to bottom: Alma, Delaunay, and Otte

Alma, Delaunay, and Otte

Alma is a light-medium dijon yellow in a Crème finish. It has a fluid consistency without being too thick or too runny. It goes on smoothly and evenly, without any pulling, bubbling, or streaking. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in two medium coats. It is "dirtier" and more subdued than Butter London's Cheeky Chops, and darker and less green-toned than OPI's Don't Talk Bach to Me.

Delaunay is a medium-dark chili pepper red in a Crème finish. It has a fluid consistency without being too thick or too runny. It goes on smoothly and evenly, without any pulling, bubbling, or streaking. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in one medium coat. It is similar to many red shades out there like Butter London's Come to Bed Red, OPI's Monsooner or Later, Chanel's Coromandel, and Essie's Lacquered Up.

Otte is a light-medium warm camel in a Crème finish. It is on the thicker side, so it can be prone to pulling and is a little harder to control. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in one medium coat, but a second coat is recommended to even everything out. It is darker and more yellow-toned than OPI's Did You 'ear About Van Gogh?, and much warmer than MAC's Quiet Time.

Top to bottom: Gunta, Hoch, and Popova

Gunta, Hoch, and Popova

Gunta is a dark royal blue in a Crème finish. It has a fluid consistency without being too thick or too runny. It goes on smoothly and evenly, without any pulling, bubbling, or streaking. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in one medium coat. It is more navy than Butter London's Blagger, less purple than Illamasqua's Force, and lighter and more blue than Nails Inc. London's Belgrave Place.

Hoch is a medium-dark emerald green with a hint of teal in a Crème finish. It has a fluid consistency without being too thick or too runny. It goes on smoothly and evenly, without any pulling, bubbling, or streaking. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in one medium coat. It is brighter and more teal than Julep's Emilie, lighter and brighter than Butter London's British Racing Green, and more green and less metallic than Butter London's Thames.

Popova is a medium kelly green in a Crème finish. It has a fluid consistency without being too thick or too runny. It goes on smoothly and evenly, without any pulling, bubbling, or streaking. It has high pigmentation and will reach opacity in one medium coat. It is much cooler than Illamasqua's Elope, and lighter and less teal than Julep's Hoch.

Overall, I'm super-pleased with this month's Julep Maven box! I love all the colours I received, and with the exception of Otte (which runs a little too thick), all of them had fantastic formulas — smooth, even application with high pigmentation (four of the six shades are one-coaters!). I love the rich, jewel-toned shades for fall, too. They are all vibrant, but not obnoxiously so. And in cream finishes! Such a refreshing change from all the metallic and chrome shades we've been seeing lately. Huge, huge fan of the Trina Turk and Julep collaboration.