The Ups & Downs of Owning your own Business

This is definitely going to be a more personal post, just an FYI.

Most days I absolutely LOVE owning my own business. But it definitely can have its drawbacks, some of which rared their ugly heads this week.

I'm not sure what kind of illness hit our family over the last week, but it's been vicious & drawn out. Everyone had completely different symptoms, and other than my oldest (knock on wood), everyone has fallen victim to it.

We've spent the week pretty much quarantined in the house, and now we are all going absolutely frickin stir crazy!

Our youngest should be heading back to school tomorrow. My middle one, I'm not sure yet, cuz he still has a really nasty cough. My oldest is homeschooled, and yeah, with this chaos, he's hardly gotten anything done this week.

And work. Wow. Yeah, I'm behind. Not on orders. But my normal to do list, ages behind. I was able to sneak down there for a little bit a couple days ago, and get the time sensitive orders out the door. I have a couple more that I'm hoping to finish up after the kids have gone to sleep for tonight, so they can ship tomorrow.


So I've been more than a little out of touch for the last week. I think I have gotten caught up on all our emails, convos, messages, etc. But if I've missed you, let me know. While I'm not sick any more, taking care of three other sick people has left me exhausted & scatterbrained. I suspect it will still be fairly chaotic for another few days, then craziness on Monday working to get orders caught up to ship out on time. So be patient with me!

Thanks! Love you guys!!!

Lindsay

BIG International Shipping Changes

I admit it, we have all been spoiled by the fantastic rates that the USPS have been offering, especially for international shipping rates. It's amazing that for just a few dollars, we could send a package around the world.

Alas, it has caught up to them, and the costs are being passed on to all of us. On January 27, 2013, USPS is raising their shipping prices. Domestic (within the US), the rates aren't increasing too much, so we are keeping the Flat Rate Shipping Program active for the US. But the International Rates will be seeing some serious jumps.

Seeing as many of you shop with us on Etsy, we pulled this photo from one of their recent blog posts. It really demonstrates the drastic differences in some of the most commonly shipped international packages. (first column is 2012's prices, the second column is 2013's prices)

We are going to be starting out our smallest & lightest products out at $8.00 for shipping & handling (this includes the postage, shipping materials & insurance), and go up from there based on weights. We aren't too concerned about our website orders. The shopping cart is linked with USPS and uses their calculator to calculate the rates based on the information we plug in for the products. And we've found it to be insanely accurate.

Etsy is where we may have to play with the rates a little until we get them right. We have set our "ship with" rates as low as we think we can, and will adjust them if we find we are underestimating.



Our biggest regret with this latest change is that we unfortunately need to end the Canadian Flat Rate Shipping Program. Our shipping rates to Canada had always been so comparable to US rates. They are now right up there with the rest of the International Rates. So we will be discontinuing that program with this new change.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. Thanks again!

Lindsay

Master the Look Tutorial: Strawberry Lemonade (UPDATED)

I wanted to play up our original version of our Strawberry Lemonade Eye Shadow Look. This is a fun playful eye shadow look that is perfect for summer! Vibrant yellows blend with pink and hint of purple.

Step by Step Photo Tutorial

First I started off with Persephone Eye Shadow. I dampened my eye liner brush a little, then wet the powder to make a paste. Then used that to wet line my eye liner.

Then I applied Daffodil Eye Shadow across the main lid.

Then I applied Eos Eye Shadow in the crease.

Then I added Lady Slipper Eye Shadow in the lower part of the crease line & outer corner as well to add a little depth.

Then I used Buttercream Eye Shadow as a highlighter, lightly dusting it across the brow bone, and around the tear duct.

To wrap it up, blend with a clean brush, and make any touch ups you might need (I touched up the Daffodil just a bit, to keep that bright pop of color). Then finish with your favorite mascara.

I didn't use our Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer at all while creating the tutorial for this look. When doing step by step photos, and having such large gaps of time between the application of the primer before applying the eye shadow, well, it can make application a pain. Using our Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer will help prevent fading & creasing throughout the day (an essential for me and my oily lids!!!), and will also boost your colors a little more. 

I hope you enjoyed this!!!

Master The Look: Smoked Peaches

I don't know about you guys, but it's starting to get hotter and hotter around here (I love spring, and it's definitely starting to feel like summer already!), so I wanted to create a look this week featuring our HEAT WAVE Mineral Eye Shadow. Heat Wave is a gorgeous peach with a metallic shimmery finish. It looks wonderful with warm skin tones, and blends so well with so many colors (I actually did two looks with it this week, so you may be getting another post about this gorgeous color soon!)

Step by Step Photo Tutorial

I didn't use our Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer at all while creating the tutorial for this look. When doing step by step photos, and having such large gaps of time between the application of the primer before applying the eye shadow, well, it can make application a pain. Using our Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer will help prevent fading & creasing throughout the day (an essential for me and my oily lids!!!), and will also boost your colors a little more. 

To start it off, apply CHARCOAL Mineral Eye Shadow lightly along the crease line with our Fluffy Crease Brush. I wanted this to be a very light look, so I applied it very very lightly. If you want a darker bolder look, you can easily take this up a notch by darkening things up with the Charcoal & Hades shadows.

HEAT WAVE Mineral Eye Shadow is then applied across the main lid with our Smudger Brush, as well as along the lower lash line.

We then applied HADES Mineral Eye Shadow along the outer lower lash line & along the upper lash line, and lightly winged it out at the corner. (applied with our Angled Liner Brush)

We finished up the look by dusting CHAMPAGNE Mineral Eye Shadow across the brow bone, and at the inner corner and around the tear duct.

Touch up any areas as needed (we brightened up with a fresh spot of Heat Wave in the center of the lid, along with a little touching up of Heat Wave along the lower lash line (we winged it out underneath the line of Hades)), and blend with a clean brush, then apply your favorite mascara!

Gearing up for the Holidays

It's been a crazy couple of months around here, and well, we honestly don't expect them to slow down much until, oh, maybe March. LOL! But it's been a good crazy. Kids are obviously back in school. Our show up at Sundance Resort went really well. Silly us left the camera in the car, so we have no pictures at all. Which really is a shame, because a lot of the displays were brand new, and we finally had a banner created for us.

Holiday sales have definitely started rolling in, and Etsy is trying to do their best to make things difficult (soooo many changes in such a short time, and they always seem to do this right before the holidays). We really do hope to get back to our regular blogging, especially with new Get the Looks. If there are any shades or looks you'd like to see, let us know in the comments, and we'll see what we can do!

Get the Look: Matte Pink & Brown Eye Shadow Look

I wanted something soft & delicate for today, and something simple. It's all too easy to get wrapped up in the fancy elaborate looks and forget to do stuff on the simple looks that are perfect for quick every day looks.

Two colors, can't get much simpler than that. 

1. Start with SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer across the entire lid.

2. Apply MOCHA Mineral Eye Shadow along the crease and outer corner, and along the outer lower lash line. 

3. Apply BUBBLE GUM PINK Mineral Eye Shadow on the main lid, and gently blend out into the MOCHA. You can also apply it lightly along the brow bone if you wish. 

4. Softly blend, then finish off with your favorite mascara. Simple as that, and utterly gorgeous. The soft matte finish with both eye shadows keeps it nice & subdued without being boring. 

Get the Look: Harvest Goddess - Warm Metallic Smokey Eye Shadow Look

Get the Look: Harvest Goddess

This warm metallic smokey look is perfect for the upcoming fall months. It's warm burnished golds & browns is perfect for autumn celebrations!

To Get this Look:

1. Start with SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer over the entire lid.

2. Using our Fluffy Crease Brush, apply RHEA Mineral Eye Shadow along the crease & outer corner. The use our Angled Eyeliner Brush to apply RHEA along the outer lower lash line.

3. Apply DEMETER Mineral Eye Shadow across the main lid & inner corner, and along the inner lower lash line with our Smudger Brush.

4. Apply CHAMPAGNE Mineral Eye Shadow along the brow bone and lightly around the tear duct.

5. Touch up any areas as needed, gently blend, then finish off with your favorite mascara!

You can buy the colors individually, or purchase them as a set here:

Harvest Goddess Eye Shadow Collection

Get the Look: Witching Hour

Get the Look: Witching Hour

Our WITCHING HOUR Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is a dark mysterious look with a sparkly finish. A gorgeous blend of navy blues, pitch black, and sparkly glitter.


Included in this Collection:

TWILIGHT Mineral Eye Shadow
ASTERIA Mineral Eye Shadow
NYX Mineral Eye Shadow


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

TWILIGHT Eye Shadow was applied across the entire lid with our Smudger Brush. 

NYX Eye Shadow was then applied to the crease & outer corner with our Fluffy Crease Brush. We used our Smudger Brush to darken up the corner just a bit, and smudge along the outer lower lash line. 

We followed up with the lower lash line with TWILIGHT and smudged in some of the blue over the black with our Smudger Brush. 

We finished up with ASTERIA Eye Shadow along the brow bone and around the tear duct with our Fluffy Crease Brush. We also lightly smudged it along the lash line, then dusted it very lightly over the entire eye. 

Then finish up with your favorite mascara!

Get the Look: Retro Beach Babe

Get the Look: Retro Beach Babe

Our RETRO BEACH BABE Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is a warm playful look with a softly shimmery finish.


Included in this Collection:

ANEMONE Mineral Eye Shadow
POOLSIDE HOTTIE Mineral Eye Shadow
HADES Mineral Eye Shadow


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

HADES Eye Shadow was first foiled and applied as an eyeliner with our Angled Eyeliner Brush. Since we wanted a retro look, we applied a thick top lash line, and winged it up slightly at the corners. We added just a tiny tiny amount on the outer portion of the lower lash line. 

ANEMONE was applied across the entire eye lid from lashes to brow with our Fluffy Crease Brush.

POOLSIDE HOTTIE was applied in the outer corner & along the crease with our Smudger Brush. We also smudged along the lower lash line and darkened up the color in the corner.

Get the Look: Night Goddess

Get the Look: Night Goddess

Our NIGHT GODDESS Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is a dark smokey plum look with a delicate sparkly finish. A gorgeous blend of vibrant plums, pitch black, and sparkly glitter.


Included in this Collection:

PERSEPHONE Mineral Eye Shadow
ASTERIA Mineral Eye Shadow
NYX Mineral Eye Shadow


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

PERSEPHONE Eye Shadow was applied across the entire lid with our Smudger Brush, then lightly foiled to draw out it's metallic features.

NYX Eye Shadow was then applied to the crease & outer corner with our Fluffy Crease Brush. We used our Smudger Brush to darken up the corner just a bit, and smudge along the outer lower lash line. 

We finished up with ASTERIA Eye Shadow along the brow bone and around the tear duct with our Fluffy Crease Brush. We also lightly smudged it along the lower lash line. 

Then finish up with your favorite mascara!

Makeup Tutorial: Star Gazing

Today's Mineral Makeup Tutorial is a soft delicate mauve/plum look that can easily be worn either day or night.

STEP 1: Apply SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer over the entire eyelid.

(Step 2)

STEP 2: Using our Fluffy Crease Brush, apply Galaxia Mineral Eye Shadow along the crease and then form a "V" at the outer corner. Don't worry too much about fall out. You can clean that up at the end.

(Step 3)

STEP 3: Apply Dreamy Mineral Eye Shadow across the main lid with our Smudger Brush. And also lightly smudge along the inner lower lash line.

(Step 4)

STEP 4: With a Smudger Brush, gently smudge Galaxia Mineral Eye Shadow along the lower outer lash line. You can also darken up the corner slightly if you want a darker look. 

STEP 5: Blend lightly, touch up any color if needed. Then finish off with your favorite mascara!

(Finished Look)

NEEDED FOR THIS LOOK:

Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer

Galaxia Mineral Eye Shadow

Dreamy Mineral Eye Shadow

Fluffy Crease Eye Shadow Brush

Smudger Eye Shadow Brush

Get the Look: Green Eyed Monster

Get the Look: Green Eyed Monster

Our GREEN EYED MONSTER Eye Shadow Collection is a stunning smokey green look that will make everyone envious!


Included in this Collection:

JADED Mineral Eye Shadow (dark green)
NYX Mineral Eye Shadow (black sparkle)
CHAMPAGNE Mineral Eye Shadow (sheer gold)


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

Apply SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer over the entire lid.

Apply JADED to the inner corner & main lid with Oval Smudger Brush. Then smudge along the inner lower lash line for a soft eye liner. Then carefully applied along the lower waterline.

Apply NYX to the outer corner & lightly along the crease line with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Then smudge underneath for a soft eyeliner look with Angled Liner Brush. 

Then apply CHAMPAGNE along the brow bone as a highlighter with Oval Smudger Brush. (champagne was NOT applied yet for the closed lid photo)

Touch up JADED if needed. Then finish off with your favorite mascara!

Get the Look: Strut (Peacock Inspired)

Get the Look: Strut

Our STRUT Eye Shadow Collection is was inspired by the gorgeous colors found in a peacock's plumage. Stunning teals, blues & greens, and bursts of vibrant gold! 


Included in this Collection:

HERA Mineral Eye Shadow (teal blue shimmer)
THEIA Mineral Eye Shadow (vibrant blue shimmer)
MAIA Mineral Eye Shadow (spring green shimmer)
POT O GOLD Mineral Eye Shadow (metallic gold)



✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

Apply SHADOW BOOST Eye Shadow Primer over the entire lid.

Apply HERA over the entire lid area and carefully along the lower waterline with our Oval Smudger Brush. Then lightly smudge along the lower lash line.

Apply THEIA to the outer corner & lightly along the crease line with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Softly blend out the crease line with a clean brush.

With our Angled Liner Brush, apply MAIA (we foiled for a bolder color) along the upper lash line, and along the outer 3rd of the lower lash line as an eyeliner. Since we were going for a bold look, we added the heavily winged out liner at the outer corner.
Then apply POT O GOLD to the inner corner and around the tear duct, and lightly smudge along the inner lower lash line. We also added a bold streak of gold along the outer corner. To get the bold line, we applied a fresh line of primer with a narrow brush, then dabbed the eye shadow along the line so it would only stick to the line of primer. We used our Oval Smudger Brush.

Then finish off with your favorite mascara.

Get the Look: Pink Blaze

Get the Look: Pink Blaze

Our PINK BLAZE Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is hot playful look with a metallic finish.


Included in this Collection:

EOS Mineral Eye Shadow
BRAZEN Mineral Eye ShadowGILDED Mineral Eye Shadow


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

SHADOW BLAST Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

EOS was applied across the entire eye lid from lashes to crease with our Oval Smudger Brush. Then smudged along the inner lower lash line, then carefully applied along the lower waterline.

BRAZEN was applied in the outer corner & along the crease with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Using our Angled Eyeliner Brush, we also smudged along the outer lower lash line and darkened up the color in the corner. 

GILDED was applied along the upper brow bone, and around the tear duct using our Oval Smudger Brush.

We touched up BRAZEN just a bit along the crease line, then finished off with our favorite mascara!

Makeup Tutorial: Super Easy Smokey Brown Eye Shadow

Makeup Tutorial: Super Easy Smokey Brown Eye Shadow

This is a super easy look to recreate, and the techniques used can be applied with pretty much any color combo you can think of. 

In this look, we used two colors to create a very simple, but still super sexy smokey eye look.

Get the Look: Violetta Collection

Get the Look: Violetta Collection

Our VIOLETTA Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is a soft & delicate look with a matte finish.
Included in this Collection:

ICED VIOLETS Mineral Eye Shadow
VIOLETTA Mineral Eye Shadow
MEDORA PANSY Mineral Eye Shadow


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

Shadow Blast Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

VIOLETTA was applied across the entire eye lid from lashes to crease with our Oval Smudger Brush.

MEDORA PANSY was applied in the outer corner & along the crease with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Then using our Oval Smudger Brush, we also smudged along the lower lash line and darkened up the color in the corner. 

ICED VIOLETS was applied along the upper brow bone with our Oval Smudger Brush, and around the tear duct.

We then finished up with a hint of HADES Mineral Eye Shadow as an eye liner, and applied with our Angled Eye Liner Brush. (Hades Mineral Eye Shadow is NOT included in this Eye Shadow Collection)

Get the Look: Green Pixie

Get the Look: Green Pixie

Our GREEN PIXIE Eye Shadow Trio is a stunning green look that will surely bring out your mischievous side!

Included in this Collection:

JADED Mineral Eye Shadow (dark green)
LUCKY Mineral Eye Shadow (golden green)
GILDED Mineral Eye Shadow (pale gold)


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

Apply our Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer over the entire lid.

Apply JADED to the outer corner & crease with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Then smudge along the outer lower lash line for a soft eye liner with our Oval Smudger Brush.

Apply LUCKY to the main lid & inner corner, and then on the inner lower lash line with our Oval Smudger Brush. Then carefully apply along the lower waterline.

Then apply GILDED along the brow bone as a highlighter with our Oval Smudger Brush.

Touch up JADED in the crease if needed, and softly blend. Be careful not to blend out JADED too much, or the black undertones will muddy up the look. Then finish off with your favorite mascara!

Get the Look: Sunset Fire

Get the Look: Sunset Fire

Our SUNSET FIRE Mineral Eye Shadow Collection is a warm blend of golds and pinks with a metallic finish. You get three full sized mineral eye shadows with this collection.

Included in this Collection:

AZTEC GOLD Mineral Eye Shadow (vibrant gold with chocolate undertones)
EOS Mineral Eye Shadow (metallic golden pink - not vegan)
CHAMPAGNE Mineral Eye Shadow (delicate light golden highlighter)


✥ ✥ ✥ GET THIS LOOK ✥ ✥ ✥ 

Shadow Boost Eye Shadow Primer was first applied over the entire lid.

AZTEC GOLD was applied in the outer corner & along the crease with our Fluffy Crease Brush. Then we smudged along the lower lash line and darkened up the color in the corner with our Oval Smudger Brush.

EOS was applied with our Oval Smudger Brush to the inner corner and over the main lid. Then lightly smudged along the lower lash line along the inner corner, then carefully applied to the lower waterline. 

CHAMPAGNE was applied along the upper brow bone, and around the tear duct with our Oval Smudger Brush.

With a clean Fluffy Crease Brush we made sure the look was well blended. Then we finished off with our favorite mascara.