Nail of the Day: Julep Jennifer

Hi, everyone! Today's Nail of the Day features a shade that is a total departure from the speckled, glittery nail colours I have been sporting lately. Julep Nail Colour in Jennifer, is soft, sophisticated, and close to my heart for a couple of reasons: 

1) It was gifted to me by my sweet and thoughtful cousin Carly. She might be an even bigger fan of nail polish than I am, and she so kindly gave me a few products from Julep because she knew my inner makeup fiend would eat them up. Thanks, Carly! xo

2) This polish is named after me! Well, not me specifically, but definitely a shout-out to all us Jennifers out there! Jennifer was the #1 girls name in 1983 (yes, my birth year; yes, I'm old!), so my peer group has always been rich with name-twins. However, I haven't often seen my name featured in the beauty realm, so this was a fun treat :)

This polish also marked my first foray into the Julep range. I'd been eyeing the brand in Sephora for a while (they really have an amazing array of shades!), but this was the first time I gave one a go. Julep describes their nail colour as the "intersection of beauty and fashion" and touts toxin-free ingredient lists, shades named after inspiring women (who, me?!), and quick-drying, highly pigmented formulas. All of that sounds great to me!

Julep Nail Colour in Jennifer

Julep describes Jennifer as a "sheer soft pink creme" that embodies "classic with a twist." I have to say that the description is quite apt! I'd describe the shade as a sheer nude pink with a creamy, buildable formula and slight peachy undertones. I used 2 generous coats to create the finish seen here, but you could easily use 1 coat for a more sheer, understated look or 3 coats for more opacity.

It was last fall that I finally fell (see what I did there?) for nude polishes. My choice then was the beige-toned O.P.I. Don't Pretzel My Buttons, which became a quick favourite. I am very happy to now have Julep Jennifer in my collection as well; it's like the more pinky-toned sister of Pretzel, which gives me some more variety if I want my nails to go nude!

Here's some evidence of my name-sake :)

And the back of the bottle, which features directions and contact information:

Overall, I am thrilled with the formula of this polish. It applied smoothly and evenly (any flaws in the manicure were due to my lazy technique) and the lasting power was great! I didn't see any chipping until Day 4 and it remained in totally wearable condition (minimal chips) until Day 6. Plus, the shade made me feel so polished and feminine. I'd say it's a winner in my books!

Here are a few more shots of it under various lighting:

Julep Jennifer under cooler artificial light

Julep Jennifer under warmer artificial light

Julep Jennifer in direct sunlight

And there you have it! This has instantly become one of my new favourite nail colours for spring. It's so easy to wear and makes me feel a bit more sophisticated than I actually am ;) Plus, its shade name gets to feed my inner narcissist a bit. One more shout-out to all the Jennifers in the house! :)

And another huge thanks to my cousin Carly for giving me this beautiful gift! xo

What are your thoughts on this shade? What are some of your favourite pinky-nude polishes? Do you have any makeup items in your kit that share your name?

Thanks for reading! xo