10.19.2012

Nail Polish Monthly Subscriptions

When I was a little girl, I used to really want to be included in a "x of the Month" club where I'd get samples of the product each month mostly because I loved getting mail ^_^.  I never knew it would turn into such a booming business!

With the popularity of monthly subscription beauty services like Birchbox and Glossybox, nail polish lovers were feeling the cold shoulder.  I was talking to a dear friend this summer about how I'd love to launch a nail polish only monthly subscription service and how it would be a great way for people to try new brands without traveling to different stores or shopping blindly online.

Fast forward a few months and I've now heard of three such companies launching this year!


Photo Courtesy of Lacquerous's Facebook Page

Lacquerous will be launching soon and is centered around "Luxury Lacquer ".  Right now, it's under an invite only and I have a referral link here.  They haven't fully explained what the referral links are for, so if you prefer the main sign up website, it's located here.  Judging from Lacquerous's Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Tumblr accounts, brands featured should be on par with butter LONDON, Tom Ford, Chanel, OPI, MAC, Dior, NARS and Dolce & Gabbana.  Price has not been announced nor has international capability.  This company is based out of New York, USA.

Update 11/13/12!
The "How it Works" has been posted. Think "Netflix for Nails".  For $18 a month, you receive 3 new or slightly used nail polishes from your queue that you are allowed to use 3 times/3 manicures.  Then, within 30 days, you mail the polishes back to Lacquerous in a pre-paid package.  They will measure how many polish has been used to keep track.  Some polishes may be purchased by emailing their customer service (but not limited edition).  You only get one package per 30 days, even if you return your package before the 30 days are up.  Only available for 18+, living in the USA.  Please be sure to read the full Terms of Service - a credit check may be obtained in order to subscribe to their service.



Photo Courtesy of Club Nail Polish's Facebook Page
Club Nail Polish is launching in 33 days and is more like a "x of the Month" club.  The image above shows bottle shapes that resemble butter LONDON, deborah lippmann (or is that the new NYX Professional bottles?), LVX/NARS, Ciate, OPI and Pixi, & their Facebook includes pictures of Sephora by OPI, Nicole by OPI, Essie and NYX (drugstore bottles).  Their website is still in the pre-launch stage where you can only sign up for their newsletter with your email address.  They are offering giveaways with your sign up although further details are not available.  Their Facebook also says that you will receive "a surprise color of nail color monthly" and that it is "not costly" to join.  Price has not been announced but their Twitter does say it will be available for USA and Canada residents.  This company is based out of Washington, USA.

Photo Credit: SetinLacquer.com(Kelly Ruiz), No Bottle Left Behind (Danette Fernandez), Creative Nail Fun


While not quite a nail polish only subscription, Nail Art Society is working on its launch as well.  They have a website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.  They are offering nail art tools, accessories and polishes for $9.95 a month.  International capability has not been announced.  I am waiting for their official press release which is currently embargoed.  This company is based out of California, USA.

Update!
Nail Art Society is now available for USA residents!  The sign up page is located here and there are 3 payment plans - monthly ($9.95/mo), quarterly ($29.85/quarter) and yearly ($99.40/year).  Brands included on their website are China Glaze, LVX, Zoya, butter LONDON, OPI, essie and The Creme Shop.  They are in talks to make this service available to Canada and Europe for the near future.

Update 12/7/12! 
Nail Art Society has doubled their current prices. If you're a member who signed up during the $9.95 plan, they kept you at that but going forward the prices are $19.95 monthly, $59.85 quarterly and $219.40 yearly. According to their new description of the service, all Nail Art Society Members have exclusive access to Q&A’s, video tutorials, trend reports, and tips from Celebrity Nail Artists, Bloggers and Beauty Insiders.

For those interested in the Julep Maven, I did want to include them.  They first launched in August 2011 as a Julep brand only subscription box.  You take a "Style Quiz" to match you up with one of 4 programs but they also offer special boxes from time to time.  You may also change your style at any time.  They had multiple issues with their referral program which has been revamped twice now, subscribers getting the wrong box or being charged twice, and issues with canceling the program (which can ONLY be done over their phone number 877.651.3292, citing security reasons).  Thankfully, I haven't had issues of being charged twice or receiving the wrong box, but I did have issues with the original referral program where I didn't receive all my credits.  With the new referral system, you receive points or Jules for different transactions: "1,000 Jules for referring a friend to Julep Maven, 300 Jules for each full priced Maven box you are billed for, 200 Jules on your Birthday, 500 Jules on your Maven anniversary, 750 Jules when you pay for the monthly upgrade box. You even get 100 points just for becoming a Maven!" [Julep's website].  My referral link is located here.  As for the customer service, I haven't had issues but you can find both positive and negative comments by searching Google.  Price is $19.99 + tax and is available for USA and Canada residents.  Julep's social pages are as follows: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and YouTube.  This company is based out of Washington, USA.



Photo Courtesy of Square Hue Facebook Page

Square Hue is another monthly nail polish service featuring colors they have created themselves (much like Julep).  Each month, they send out three pre-selected colors that they feel are in season.  The polishes are 0.5 fl oz (same size as China Glaze or OPI), and are big 4 free (to include Camphor).  They do not say they are vegan, but they do not test on animals and their polish is made in the USA.

Price: If you signed up by 8 December, the price is $14.99.  Next month the price will be $21 (shipping is included).  You may suspend or cancel your subscription at any time.  Additionally, a portion of their proceeds goes to charity - the current focus is on human trafficking.

Square Hue has a Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for you to interact with.  They are located in Miami, Florida.  It appears that they only ship in the USA at this time.



Photo Courtesy of The Nail Collection




Launching in 2013, the Nail Collection is a monthly subscription where you receive 4 luxurious polishes for $30 a month. Brands include a mix of Essie, OPI, China Glaze and ORLY and they plan to add more brands. International shipping is available. Additionally, you will be able to buy individual colors with most orders shipping free.  This service is based out of New York, USA.


The Nail Collection currently has a Facebook and a Twitter.


And there you have it!  As I find out more information about each company, I'll update this posting.  Happy polishing!

23 comments:

  1. I'll be curious to see how these go, the quality of included products and colors, and most importantly the quality of their packing and shipping!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too!!! I figure I'll try at least a month for each one - if nothing else for "research".

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    2. I decided to dive in for the Club Nail Polish one. *fingers crossed*

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    3. Sweet! I'm hoping I can try one of each to check them out!

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    4. Just received this e-mail:

      "Hi Nail Art Society Members,



      Just wanted to give a quick update on shipping. The Nail Art Society bags will be start shipping tomorrow Tuesday November 13th. The day you receive them will depend on what part of the country you are in as we shipping from Los Angeles. You will receive your personalized tracking number in your email as soon as we begin shipping. Going forward you can expect to have your Nail Art Society Bag ship on the 10th of every month.


      Please let us if you have any questions.

      -Your Nail Art Society Team"

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  2. European companies should learn and try this themselves! We're always the last and this kind of service, here in Italy, is quite awful.
    I'm waiting and hoping... :-)

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    Replies
    1. I've heard it's super hard to get certain products overseas... can you get Layla products though? Look for Bubble Effect soon! I can't wait to see that stuff...

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    2. Yes, unfortunately it is!
      BTW Layla is an Italian brand, but it's physically sold only in selected stores (except from their italian online shop, of course) and in my city it's really hard to find (and very expensive, where available).
      I had a look at that Bubble Effect...so weird! I'd like to see it live O.o It reminds me of a sort of OPI Black Spotted, but way more subtle. Intriguing!
      I'm longing for their SoftTouch Effect by now...mhm...too many temptations around here!

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    3. Oh I know - I met the creator's granddaughter this summer! She's so sweet. I have over 40 Laylas (no Bubbly Effect yet) and I love that you don't have to use a base or top coat with them. I'm wearing Softouch on my toes but I can't remember which one! I can't find it on their website right now but I'll blog about it soon!

      Yes - Bubbly Effect IS the same as OPI Spotted but in more colors! Can't wait to see it in person at some point. I didn't realize it was expensive out there too.

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  3. awesome post, thanks for putting this together for us! i am super anxious to see how these turn out. hopefully they've learned a little something from julep and things will go smoothly.

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    Replies
    1. Of course! Glad to put them all together <3

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  4. Replies
    1. RIGHT?! I can't wait to see how they turn out.

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  5. Thanks! This saves newbies like me a ton of searching! I really appreciate it!

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  6. Hey! we love feedback. Thanks for the interest in us at http://clubnailpolish.com We plan on not disappointing. And yes we may ship to other countries besides USA and Canada. Why shouldn't girls in other countries get "Candy For Their Nails" in the mail. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for commenting! We look forward to seeing what the Club has to offer!

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  7. Nail Art Society was first introduced to me because they were using my nail art image without credit or permission. I emailed them and quickly received a response apologizing. I suggested they use reverse image searches such as Google Images and Tineye to track the pictures they find on Tumblr and Pinterest to the original sources. If you see additional images without credit, they want to know so they can properly credit the artists who originally did the nail art. I was pleasantly surprised how responsive and responsible they were once I brought the issue to them. I'll be trying their subscription for at least a little while, and it sounds like they have good things planned!

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad they turned it into a positive experience!

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  8. I love this post! Now we don't have to go searching all over the place for these services. I would like to announce, though, the arrival of a new service: thenailcollection.com
    For $30 a month you get 4 in style nail polishes from Essie, OPI, China Glaze, and Orly and we ship worldwide! We're still in pre-launch but we're launching very soon! I'll keep you updated!

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    Replies
    1. I'd love to add you to the list - please email me at krystal@polishgalore.com with your press release so I can add you in!

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  9. SquareHue isn't $27 a month, it's $21. I really like it a lot!

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