About Julep
Julep is a trailblazing beauty brand that has made Korean skincare and makeup more accessible to beauty lovers everywhere. Founded by Jane Park in 2007, Julep started as a boutique nail salon in Seattle that focused on providing non-toxic, fume-free nail services in a clean and modern environment. Park‘s mission was to empower women by helping them look and feel their best.
As Julep‘s popularity grew, Park saw an opportunity to expand into skincare and makeup inspired by the multi-step Korean beauty philosophy. K-Beauty focuses on gentle but highly effective ingredients and innovative formulations to help achieve healthy, glowing "glass skin." Julep‘s transition to e-commerce has allowed the brand to reach a wider audience of over 120K Instagram followers and earn features in major publications like Allure, Forbes, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Vanity Fair.
Today, Julep offers an extensive range of skincare essentials and makeup must-haves that deliver visible results while being free of harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates. Every product is infused with skin-loving, antioxidant-rich natural extracts like Korean camellia, rosehip, and grapefruit peel. With affordable prices and a passionate beauty community, Julep continues to make its mark as a leader in clean, cruelty-free K-Beauty.
Julep Skincare Bestsellers
Julep Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil
Cleansing oils are a cornerstone of the Korean skincare routine for their ability to gently but thoroughly remove makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping moisture from the skin. Julep‘s version features a lightweight blend of nourishing rosehip seed, grapefruit peel, green coffee bean, grape seed, and olive oils to cleanse while softening skin and diminishing the appearance of lines and blemishes. 96% of users said it effectively removed their makeup. 3.5 fl oz for $22.
Julep Super Hydrating Mist Essence
Essences are hero products in K-Beauty for their power to hydrate and help the skin better absorb serums and moisturizers applied afterward. Julep‘s Super Hydrating Mist Essence delivers an instant surge of moisture with a cocktail of hypotonic water, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, royal jelly, and lavender extract. It can be used after cleansing, throughout the day, or to refresh makeup. 94% noticed a hydrating effect. 3.3 fl oz for $25.
Julep Boost Your Radiance Reparative Rosehip Seed Facial Oil
Facial oils are a K-Beauty secret for their ability to replenish moisture, nourish, and create a smooth canvas for makeup. Julep‘s reparative oil features organic rosehip seed oil, jojoba oil, and squalane to intensely hydrate while helping to reduce redness, dark spots, and signs of aging. In a study, 90% of users reported healthier, more radiant looking skin after 4 weeks. Fragrance-free and non-greasy. 1 fl oz for $29.
Julep Makeup Bestsellers
Julep Cushion Complexion 5-in-1 Foundation with Skincare Benefits
Cushion compacts are a K-Beauty innovation that combine the coverage of a foundation with the convenience of a compact and the skincare benefits of a serum. Julep‘s version offers buildable medium-to-full coverage with a natural demi-matte finish and a unique cushion tip applicator for seamless blending. Camellia seed oil and turmeric extract help to brighten and protect skin. Available in 18 flexible shades. 0.5 oz for $30.
Julep It‘s Balm Full-Coverage Lip Crayon
These ultra-moisturizing lip crayons deliver the shine of a gloss, the pigment of a lipstick, and the hydration of a balm with a special sunflower butter core. Mango seed, olive, and grape seed butters soften lips while vitamin E protects against moisture loss. The crayon design makes application a breeze. Available in 20 shades from nudes to berries to brights. 0.09 oz for $12.
Julep When Pencil Met Gel Long-Lasting Eyeliner
This bestselling eyeliner combines the precision of a pencil with the smooth glide and vibrant color of a gel. Infused with vitamin E and rosehip seed oil to condition skin while you line, it sets to a waterproof, smudge-proof finish that lasts for over 10 hours. The built-in sharpener ensures you always have a fresh point to work with. Comes in 16 rich matte and metallic shades. 0.042 oz for $12.
Julep Reviews: What Customers Think
Across Julep.com, Amazon, Influenster, and Sephora, the vast majority of Julep skincare and makeup reviews are positive, with customers praising the effective, gentle formulas, beautiful colors, and great value.
The Cleansing Oil has an average 4.66/5 star rating from nearly 3,000 reviewers on Julep.com. Customers rave that it "melts away makeup" and leaves skin "soft, clean but not dried out." On Amazon, the Konjac Sponge boasts 4.5/5 stars from over 600 reviewers who say it "completely transformed" their skin and "gently exfoliates for a glow."
The Cushion Complexion has earned 4.4/5 stars on Julep.com, with 92% saying it blurred imperfections. One reviewer called it her "forever foundation." Meanwhile, 80% of Boost Your Radiance Oil users on Influenster would recommend it for delivering "brighter, smoother, more supple" skin.
While a handful of reviewers didn‘t see results from certain Julep skincare products, individual skin chemistry is likely a factor. And though some longtime fans were disappointed when Julep discontinued its nail polish line to focus on clean beauty, most praised the brand for its continued innovation and quality.
Is Julep Clean Beauty?
Yes, Julep is committed to creating clean, cruelty-free formulas that are free of over 1,300 harmful toxins, including:
- Parabens
- Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
- Phthalates
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Formaldehyde & formaldehyde-releasing agents
- Triclosan
- Coal tar
- Oxybenzone
- Triclocarban
- Hydroquinone
- Mercury
- Lead
- Aluminum salts
- Microbeads
Instead, Julep products feature proven-effective, skin-friendly ingredients like:
- Camellia japonica seed oil – Antioxidant-rich botanical that replenishes moisture
- Rosehip seed oil – Helps brighten, even skin tone, and smooth fine lines
- Grapefruit peel oil – Gently exfoliates and promotes clearer skin
- Turmeric extract – Anti-inflammatory that calms skin and diminishes dark spots
- Hyaluronic acid – Humectant that locks in moisture for supple skin
- Hydrolyzed collagen – Protein that helps strengthen skin and improve elasticity
Julep Rewards & Perks
Julep offers a generous loyalty program called My Maven Rewards. Members earn 1 point per $1 spent and receive a $5 Julep credit for every 100 points. Other perks include:
- Free shipping on orders $25+
- A free full-size product on your birthday
- Early access to sales & new launches
- Exclusive $$$ off discounts
Julep also has a Refer a Friend program where you can give your BFF $10 off their first $25 order and get $10 off your next order over $25 when they make a purchase.
Why Did Julep Discontinue Its Nail Polish?
As Julep evolved from a nail parlor to a full-line beauty brand, the company made the tough decision to phase out its nail color collections and focus on clean, K-Beauty inspired skincare and cosmetics. While many fans were sad to see the nail polish go, Park felt this would allow Julep to better deliver on its mission of helping women look and feel their best.
FAQ
Does Julep test on animals?
No, Julep is cruelty-free and does not test on animals at any point in the production process.
Is Julep vegan?
Most Julep products are vegan, with the exception of those containing beeswax, carmine, or lanolin. Vegan products are labeled as such on the Julep website.
What is Julep‘s return policy?
Julep accepts returns of new and gently used products within 30 days of purchase for a full refund, minus shipping charges. Sale items are final sale.
Does Julep offer international shipping?
Julep ships to over 230 countries worldwide, with the exception of asia. Taxes and duties may apply.
How can I contact Julep?
For questions or concerns, email Julep at hello@julep.com, call 1-877-651-3292, or live chat on Julep.com M-F from 9am-5pm PST.
The Final Word on Julep
After an in-depth look at Julep‘s brand history, bestsellers, customer reviews, clean beauty standards, and loyalty perks, we confidently recommend Julep for anyone seeking an affordable, effective, and gentle approach to skincare and makeup.
With its origins in non-toxic nail care and evolution into a clean cosmetics leader, Julep has stayed true to its mission of empowering women to look and feel their best. The company‘s transparent, toxin-free formulas and commitment to cruelty-free practices are refreshing in an industry that often values profits over people and the planet.
Julep‘s skincare and makeup consistently receive rave reviews for their high performance, lovely textures, and visible results. Loyal customers appreciate that Julep products are safe and suitable for even the most sensitive skin, thanks to soothing natural ingredients like Korean camellia and rosehip oils. They also love the sleek, portable packaging and affordable prices that make a multi-step K-Beauty routine accessible.
While Julep‘s nail polish will be missed, we applaud the brand‘s decision to double down on clean beauty innovations inspired by the best in Korean skincare and cosmetic technology. For anyone curious about the K-Beauty philosophy of gentle but highly effective products that work synergistically to reveal your healthiest complexion, Julep is the perfect place to start. Especially with frequent sales, auto-ship discounts, and rewards points, it‘s a low-risk investment in a brighter, more radiant future for your skin.
