Julep Maven Box #18: January 2013 Boho Glam (Neons & Nudes)

Julep Maven January 2013 Boho Glam Contents

For January, Julep had followed the fashion brands and released their own “cruise collection” with the theme Escape & Unwind featuring neons and nudes.

I usually opt for the nail polish-only It Girl box, which it included three colors in the same family this month (champagne nude, yellow, and orange), so instead, I thought, “why not?” and opted for one that had the oddest combination of shades: the Boho Glam box.

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Dior Vernis Gris Trianon 306 (Trianon Grey Spring 2013 Chérie Bow Collection)

Dior Gris Trianon 306 Vernis Bottle

In a collection full of pink, pink, and more pink, Dior Gris Trianon is the black (well, grey) sheep that everyone had their eyes on in the Spring 2013 Chérie Bow collection. Despite light grey being one of Dior’s iconic colors, the brand had been parsimonious in releasing nail polishes in this shade…until now. :)

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Dior In Bloom Vernis (Spring 2013 Shinjuku Isetan Japan Exclusive) ディオール イン ブルーム ヴェルニ (新宿伊勢丹限定色)

Dior in Bloom Rosalba 258 Frou Frou 398 Vernis Spring 2013

Dior in Bloom Spring 2013 Shinjuku Isetan Japan exclusive nail polishes (collection info here):

Rosalba ロザルバ 258
Frou Frou フルフル 398

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Dior Chérie Bow Collection Vernis (Spring 2013)

Dior Cherie Bow Rosy Bow Tutu Gris Trianon

Dior Spring 2013 Cherie Bow Collection nail polishes (from L to R. Click for swatches):

Rosy Bow 355
Tutu 155

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Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector Bottle

As we were transitioning from fall to winter last year, I was looking for a serum to address hyperpigmentation. The marks left over from blemishes during “that time of the month” seemed glaringly visible as I’d become paler, and I wanted to fade them as fast as possible.

There are many “whitening” products on the market, especially here in Japan, but I’d been very selective with ingredients. Looking for a serum that didn’t include common irritants like alcohol, fragrance, and oil (for my skin), I landed on the Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector.

As with any skin care, though, some saw vast improvements while others saw none. So did I see my marks fading?

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Dior In Bloom Spring 2013 Isetan Shinjuku Exclusive Color Collection (ディオール イン ブルーム 新宿伊勢丹限定カラーコレクション)

Dior In Bloom Collection Isetan Shinjyuku Spring 2013

Dior In Bloom is a limited edition Spring 2013 collection made exclusively for the Isetan Shinjuku department store in Tokyo.

Inspired by blossoming spring flowers, the collection showcases soft pink, green, and lilac colors for the eyes, lips, and nails. The collection is available only at the Dior beauty boutique in Shinjuku Isetan. It launched on January 9th, just 2 days prior to Japan’s release of Dior’s main Spring 2013 Chérie Bow Collection.

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Leaders InSolution Aquaringer Skin Clinic Mask & Common Mistake in Using Sheet Masks

LEADERS Aquaringer Skin Clinic Mask

A lovely friend gave me Leaders InSolution Aquaringer Skin Clinic Masks that she got on her trip to Singapore. I hadn’t heard of this brand before and was intrigued by the large, odd-shaped packaging that looks clinical indeed; apparently, Leaders InSolution is a Korean dermatologist-tested skin care company with products sold at Watsons, a chain of drugstores in parts of Asia. (Watsons bring me back memories of when I lived in Hong Kong!)

The brand has a variety of sheet masks for different skin concerns and Aquaringer addresses hydration. I’ve been very careful to avoid common irritants in skin care, and was happy to find out that this line of sheet masks is great for those with sensitive skin.

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