Julep DD Creme and DD Concealer

Julep released its new DD Creme and DD Concealer with this months maven box.  The brush came separately as an "add-on" or additional purchase.


Luckily, because I always buy the upgrade box I have tons of "Jules" or points toward free add-ons so I got the brush for free.

The DD in DD creme stands for Dynamic Do-all makeup and the DD in DD Concealer stand for Disguise and Diminish.  DD is the next step in the alphabetical labeling system after CC creams.

DD Creme description from the Julep website: 

"A dynamic do-all makeup that goes beyond BB creme to moisturize, prime, perfect, and protect - both instantly and over time."

"Features & Benefits:

• SPF 25 provides daily defense from the sun
• Two patented anti-aging ingredients decrease the appearance of pores and fine lines
• Hibiscus and olive extracts keep skin hydrated
• Lightweight, buildable coverage with an ultra-smoothing finish
• Comes in four shades - light, medium, medium-dark, dark"

From Package:

Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 2.5%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.7% - All sunscreens

Inactive Ingredients: Castor (Ricinus Communis) Oil/ Huile de Recine, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Ethyl Macadamiate, Ethylhexyglycerine, Glycerin, Glycerin Behenate, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Hexyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Huide de Recine Hydrogenee, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrine, Isododecane, Magnesium Sulfate, Microcrystalline Wax, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Phenoxyethanol, Phenylethyl Resorcinol, Phytosphigosine Extract, Polyglyceryl-4, Isostearate, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Glycol Dicaprate Esters,  Silica, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tribehenin, Water (Eau), May contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) Iron Oxide (CI 77491/CI 77492/CI 77499)

DD Concealer description from the Julep website: 

"A multifunctional concealer that disguises and diminishes the appearance of dark circles, discoloration, redness, blemishes, and other skin flaws."

"Features & Benefits:

• Brightens and evens skin tone
• Erases minor and major imperfections
• Age-defying antioxidants protect delicate and damage-prone areas
• Light-diffusing powders minimize wrinkles and pores
• Highly concentrated formula
• Comes in three shades - light, medium, dark"

From the package:

Ingredients: Water (Eau), Cyclopentasiloxane, Isononyl Isononandate, Timethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Glycerin, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Propanediol, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Microcrystalline Wax, Polyethylene, Hexylresorcinol, Magnesium Sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Ethylhexyglycerin, Tribehenin, Propylene Carbonite, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Triethoxycaprylysilane, May contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

Double Duty Makeup Brush description from the Julep website:

"This unique 2-in-1 tool contains two stackable brushes - a large tapered brush for streak-free foundation application and a flat concealer brush that offers precision coverage and control."

Brushes have synthetic bristles and are stackable for compact storage.

I do like this brush because it is stackable and the brushes are nice and soft, but I would not pay $28 for it.

This is a swatch of the DD Cream & Concealer without flash. On top is the DD Cream brushed on thickly with the foundation side of the duo brush to show the color. The bottom three swatches are of the concealer; First is a thick swatch to show the color, second is dotted on using my finger to try and blend it into the skin, and third is using the concealer end of the duo brush.

This is with the flash on.

So now on to the issues concerning these products.  

Many customers were concerned with choosing the right color as there are not that many choices.  Julep tried to help by showing pictures of their staff members with varying skin tones wearing the products.  Based on these pictures I chose the Light color for both products.  In the swatch photos I used thicker coats of product to show the color which looks a bit orange for my skin tone.  After swatching I used the brushes to try and blend the product into my skin more.  The DD Creme looks like it will be okay on my face since I am a bit darker right now due to the warmer weather.  It goes on thin and is buildable as Julep claims.  The concealer concerns me because it is "highly concentrated;" I did not read this before swatching so I could have used less product.  The concealer does not match my skin at all in the swatches but some makeup artists claim that using a salmon colored concealer is best for under-eye circles so it may work on my face or it may not.  I will have to update this post after actually wearing these products on my face.

Now that many mavens have received these products and tested them we will see more reviews and complaints.  Today on the Julep Facebook page many mavens were complaining about not enough product being in the actual container.  I did not even think about this last night when I swatched these so I took a look at them today and sure enough both containers feel like they are only half full or less.  One maven posted a picture on Facebook after she had cut the top of the DD Creme container off to see how much product was actually in it and it was only about a quarter full.  This is very disconcerting since both products retail for over $30 each!

I decided to show a comparison photo of the amount of product normally found in a BB cream/tinted moisturizer sized product to see how fair the pricing is on this product.  These are in order by container size and product amount.

Maybelline BB Cream 1 oz. $8.99, Julep DD Creme 1 oz. $36, Murad Sheer Tint 1.7 oz. $26, Jouer Matte Moisture Tint 1.7 oz. $38, Boscia BB Cream 1.75 oz. $38

Broken down by price per ounce for the ones over 1 oz.: murad $15.29 per ounce, Jouer $22.35 per ounce, Boscia $21.71 per ounce

So if I am actually getting, I'll be generous and say 0.5 oz. of product with the Julep DD Creme, it costs a whopping $72 per ounce! Ouch that hurts my wallet.

I don't really know what to compare the concealer with but I'm sure it's overpriced as well.

The last thing people were concerned with was the fact that these are not hermetically sealed for hygiene.  This is a bit disturbing for those concerned with bacteria and germs.

Usually I like the products that Julep releases but these have been mostly a miss for me.  Honestly, I was not expecting much from these anyway because of the limited color selection.  I hope that in the future Julep will at least hermetically seal these types of products before selling them.

You can purchase these products at Julep.com