Giveaway = Free Mineral Makeup = )

Check it out!!  Boutique Stitches is hosting a giveaway for Forget Me Not!!!  Win some of my handcrafted mineral makeup. 

This is the perfect chance for someone who is interested in trying minerals for the first time to score some for FREE!!  That's right ..... FREE!!!  Or it's also a great opprtunity for someone who already loves minerals to try mine.

Don't you just love giveaways??  So go an enter at Boutique Stitches' Blog for your chance to win this fab giveaway .... here is a pic of the prize the winner will receive:  

The prize is 4 full size products.  3 eye shadows as follows:  "Bare", "Pearl", "Cobweb" and a multi-tasker "Frost".  The eye shadows are packaged in 5 gram jars and the mulit-tasker is packaged in a 20 gram jar. 

Any Question - feel free to ask as always!! 

Do your part in the Green Movement

Have you been buying mineral makeup and as a result ended up with bunch of empty little jars?? Do you just throw them away?

Well hang on to those jars Sister - refill baggies are here!!

I've been thinking - Why buy something you already have, when all you need is a to refill it? So here's a thought ..... refill baggies!!! I'm going to be listing refill baggies in my Bonanzle & Winkelf Stores for all my mineral makeup in the next week or so. This includes any and all eye shadows, blush, multi-taskers, and foundations.

This will not only save you money, but also save the environment with one little jar at a time.

Once you run out of product and have an empty jar, simply purchase a refill baggie & pour it into your empty jar - simple as that! What a great concept, don't you think?

As for the pricing, well I havn't quite worked it out .. so I can't give any details on that as of yet.

Now you can add this to the list of things you reuse & recycle.

Why the need for Eye Shadow Base?

What are the benefits of priming your eyes before applying your mineral eye shadow? Why would you need to prime your eyes to begin with?!?

Well ... let me tell you ...........

First off mineral eye shadow are generally loose powder eye shadow, which means they need something more to adhere to than your eye lids.

Second of all , in general if you have a lids that are at all on the oily or dry side, your eye shadows may crease or may not apply smoothly.

What can you use to prime your eyes?? ... you can use your mineral foundation, concealer, or actual eye shadow primers, they all work well. Just experiment and see what works for you.

What are the benefits to priming your eyes before applying (in this case) mineral eye shadow?

1. It will aid in preventing your eye shadow from creasing (making that line in the middle of your eyelid that you can see when you blink by the middle of your day)
2. The primer is meant to create a barrier between your eye lid and the oils on them and your eye shadow. It forms a barrier and the primer absorbs the oilies from your eye lid rather than your eye shadow so it stays fresh longer.
3. A primer creates a smooth surface for you eyeshadow to adhere and apply to. Essentially making it easier to place your eyeshadow/blending them on your lid.
4. Overall a primer creates a more smooth work surface and help the minerals have something to adhere to.

I personally feel it's important to prime before applying your loose mineral eyeshadow, as well as pressed eye shadows. Not only will this step prolong the colour on your lid, but in some cases it helps in bringing out the vibrancy in certain colours amd ,even more so when foiling.

So you see, there really is a need for eye primers, maybe that should be on my list of things to attempt to make naturally ...

How to Apply Mineral Foundation

I often get asked about application tips for mineral foundations from new buyers, so I figured it might be a good idea to dedicate a post to it.

Let's get started thenwith: we know what the appropriate tools are to apply our mineral foundations ... so the obvious next step is the application.

At first it may seem a little overwhelming, but just think back to when you first started out with makeup. You had to practice a bit to make sure your foundation wasn't caked on and your bright blue eyeshadow wasn't all over your face. Well, I know I had to have a few practice sessions, although looking back now, i certainly could have use a few more "practice sessions" lol

To apply your mineral foundation you will need your kabuki brush and the lid to your foundation's jar or a shallow dish.

To start tap a few "crumbs" of your mineral foundation into the lid or your shallow dish.

• remember: with minerals less is more!! Mineral foundation is very concentrated, it's not like your tradition loose powder
• you can always add another layer if you desire, but it's much harder to take off one very thick layer of mineral foundation
• often the reason why some women find that mineral makeup cakes on their face is due to the fact that they are applying one thick layer as opposed to two thin layers to achieve the same coverage, but without the caked on look

The key to flawless mineral foundation application is THIN LAYERS. You may add as many layers as desired to achieve the coverage you want, however generally most find two thin layers to be adequate.

Now that you have your crumbs in your lid or dish, take your kabuki and swirl it in the lid in a clockwise our counter clockwise direction to disperse the minerals into your kabuki's bristles.

• No need to press down hard on your kabuki brush while you swirl, this will only damage the bristles.

Once your kabuki has picked up the minerals from your lid, gently tap the brush on a hard surface like your counter top with the bristles facing up. This ensures the minerals get deep into the kabuki brush, rather than just on the tip of the bristles.

Now your all set to apply your mineral foundation to your face.

Take your foundation filled kabuki and starting at the outer edge of your face - like your jaw bone, in a circular motion gently buff the mineral foundation from the outer edge of your face working inwards towards your nose. Repeat this till you achieve your desired coverage. You don't need to rub your brush harshly into your skin to buff in the minerals, they will disperse just the same if you buff gently. :)

At first you may need to practice once or twice to ensure your not buffing too much mineral foundation on your face to create a cakey look, but it's very simple and not any more time consuming then your usual traditional foundation & powder routine.

As always, practice makes perfect .. :) Now get to practicing !!

Top 5 Reason to try Mineral Makeup

Here is my top 5 reasons why everyone should give mineral makeup a try. There are many more reasons that I could list, I just don't want to keep you here for an hour. :)

Reason #1

• Mineral makeup does not contain any chemicals, it's made with all natural ingredients. This means that should you fall asleep with your makeup on one night, you won't wake up to clogged pores and blemishes.
  

Reason # 2

• Samples, Samples, Samples!! You can try most of my mineral makeup in little samples that won't break the bank. So really what have you got to loose?
  

Reason # 3

• Easily customize your foundation shade, by mixing your own. If one shade is too light but the next is too dark, simple mix whatever ratio of the two to achieve your shade. With every full size foundation jar, I always include a sample of another shade of foundation of your choosing.
  

Reason # 4

• Mineral makeup is great for all skin types - acne prone, dry, oily or even rosacea. Since mineral makeup contains no chemicals it's safe & works with all skin types and some even find it soothing.
  

Reason # 5

• Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are commonly found as top ingredients in mineral makeup. These ingredients provide safe & natural UVA/UVB sun protection.
  

Like I said before, there are many more reasons for everyone to try mineral makeup, but these 5 I think are my top reasons.

Mineral makeup is a much better alternative to traditional cosmetics, especially with everyone leaning towards the natural side of things.

Eye Shadow Brush for Mineral Eye Shadows

Like with anything else, it's important to use the right tool for the job. I mean you wouldn't use a spoon to try to cut your steak .. now would you ?! hehehe

If your not using the right tool to apply your mineral eye shadows, it maybe the reason your not getting the desired effect.

Mineral eye shadows are totally different from regular pressed eye shadows, first for the obvious reason, that it's natural but their also in a loose powder form.

Since these are all loose pigments, you need a brush other than the fluffy one you may use for your pressed eye shadow. Mineral eye shadows require more of a stiff brush made of either natural or synthetic bristles. The main thing is that it has stiff bristles, so you can "pack" the loose powder on your eye lids. Like this chisel fluff eye shadow brush:


This one is great not only for applying mineral eye shadows, but also pressed shadows. Works great for both dry application, and foiling. (applying mineral eye shadows wet) The chisle fluff also is a great crease brush. It's oval shape and firm bristles can easily get those mineral pigments into the eye lid crease.

Since this brush is firm and made of natural bristles it's really able to pack those loose pigments onto your eye lid; as opposed to dusting your lid with a sheer wash of color, as a fluffy brush would.

Give it a try and see what a big difference the right tools can make for applying mineral makeup.

Primers and Finishing Powders

Good News, but small problem .....

I have been working really hard this past month to get all my foundations formulating completed, and I have!! (Good News)

However, I don't have the warm and cool listed since my camera has been acting up and decided not to work any more, so no pics!! (Bad News) I'd rather not list the warm and cool foundations till I can also get pic's up.

On the brighter side though, I did manage to get my Primer & Finishing Powder listed along with the Illuminater. I am very excited about both of those, especially the Illuminater. I like the subtle glow it gives me, without looking like a grease monkey or a glitterati.

The whole idea behind the primer & finishing powder combo was the convenience. I can simply dust it on before I apply makeup, and it offers a great canvas for my mineral foundation to adhere to. After I do my makeup routine I dust my primer/finishing powder all over my face again for totally polished and shine free look. I also use it as a primer for my mineral eye shadows as well. I just sweep it over my lids as I prime my face for my mineral foundation. It works great, as I sometimes have a little oily lids. :S Ya I just admitted that ...lol .. but this keeps my shadows on and help them not crease.

The Illuminater .... I use off and on, not daily, just when I feel like it. I do LOOOVE it though. It's so subtle, but you can see the glow on your cheek bones and forehead, it just gives me this radience!! It reminds me of fall when you go outside in the morning and you see the dew glistening on the leaves.... well I feel like that's the effect this Illuminater gives me.

I'm going to work on formulating a light pink, neutral and maybe a little bit of a yellow toned Illuminater and also Finishing Powders. I am always working on more creation and the wheels just can't stop!!!! However this will all have to wait till after the holdiays, as I am going mad with all that I have to do!!

In the works right now:

Multi - Taskers
Blush
Dry Skin Primer
Oily Skin Primer
and of course more eye shadows!!

New Shimmer Eye Shadows

NEW SHIMMERING EYE SHADOWS!!!!

I just created 6 gorgeous shimmering eye shadows and their up for sale in my Bonanzle and Ecrater stores. Their all vibrant bright colours but more on the sheer side. You can control how sheer you want them by applying one layer or multiple for a deeper and brighter shade. If your really looking for drama, try them foiled (applied wet). WOW, talk about colour!!!

Samples are just $ 1.50 and shipping is always FREE .. can't go wrong with that.

Next, I will be listing cool and warm matte foundations. It took some time to formulate but they are ready to go, I just have to take some photos and they will be up.

I'm also working on some primers and finishing powders ... in the works is a dry girl primer, oily girl primer, a matte finishing powder and a hi-def finishing powder with the magical ingredient silica. As well as am "illuminater" finish powder, which will give you that dewy/glow. I am very excited as I have so many new products in the works.

Mystery Samples

I started something new recently called .... drum roll please .... "Mystery Samples". I have been giving away samples of products that I sell, with every order. I think it's a nice gesture and it does help me promote my items while giving people a chance to try another product for free. Who knows you might really like that sample you received for free and just have to have it.

Besides, Who doesn't like FREE STUFF!?!? I know I sure do!!

While I think giving a sample of a product I sell is a good idea, I also end up with alot of extra little bits of shiny fun shades that I don't end up selling. This is because sometimes I make something by accident - cuz it didn't turn out how it was supposed to .... lol. Then I can't recreate it and therefor can't sell it, then what do I do with it?? I don't want to just throw it away, or the left over from a requested colour?! I have been putting all these bits in little baggies and they have been sitting and waiting for something, I just didn't know what.

They have finally found their purpose. These little tid bits, sometimes not little but rather lots, have been waiting to be called MYSTERY SAMPLES of eye shadows and blushes. These mystery samples will only be available once, when I sent them to you. Well .... maybe if I have lots of one that you really like, you could make a contact me and make a special request for it. The point is that they are "while supplies last" "no rain checks", what you see is what you get, never to be re-created!!!

I am conflicted though, as I think it's important to give away samples of things I sell, because it is promoting my items. Maybe I will just have to hand out 2 samples, one mystery and one regular sample. Decisions .... decisions ..... decisions....their never ending!

I just had toooo!!

Naturally I am not done packing yet hehe .... since I am a bit of a procrastinator, when I don't like what I am doing. And I most certainly don't like packing!!! It's so time consuming and I don' know what all to put together in the boxes so that their all organized and easy to find. Geez!!!

Anyway ... That is not what I am excited about. Today, against my better judgement (surprise, surprise) I unpacked some of my mmu supplies and started to make some matte eye shadows!!! eeeekkkkkk I am so excited, I am going to make a whole line of mattes. I only made six shades today, but I am going to aim for at least 12 and then another 12 shadows in a satin line. I love eye shadows!! I am also going to work on my blush line since right now it is next to non existent. So here is a sneak at 2 of the shadows...

So CLOUDY is a completely matte - no shine, no shimmer blue grey shade. And WHEAT is a completely matte yellow tone. It's not a bright yellow but rather more soft and muted. I also made a great green shade which I called AVOCADO and a beige tone which I have yet to name. I am not the best at finding names for my shadows .... Anyways, I am super excited so I had to post at least a few pics!!

Yahoo 360

Not sure if I am kinda late in jumping on the yahoo 360 bandwagon, but I just got on. Not really sure how I feel about it yet. I'm not really sure if I like it. It almost seems a little boring to me, since it's not very interactive such as like myspace or even facebook.

Anyways I still set up a page, and will give it a try, I'll try anything once.
Check out the page and let me know what you think, and add me:

Forget Me Not on Yahoo 360

So off I go to blog on there and explore that page some more. Like I said before I like to just dive in and not read any sorta instruction, which surprisingly only backfires half the time :)

Mineral Eye Shadow Tips

Mineral eye shadow is a little different than traditional eye shadow, first for the obvious reason, it's made of minerals, and it's a loose powder. The thing about mineral eye shadow is that since it's chemical and toxin free it doesn't contain any binders and waxes to make it stick together. Which also may as a result, help a little more than mineral eye shadow in the adherence factor. It may seem like a benefit, but think about it. Those chemicals and toxins are also seeping into your skin. Now that's not beneficial.

The point I trying to make is that mineral eye shadow, traditional eye shadow alike, need something to adhere to, such as a primer. This primer can be your concealer, foundation, setting powder, oil control powder, or the obvious eye shadow primer. The primer will not only help with the fading factor, but will give you a more vibrant hue. It's almost the effect of wetting down the mineral eye shadow, which in turn creates a more dramatic colour.

Another thing to remember as well, is to gently stipple/push the mineral eye shadow onto your eye lid. This gives you a more true to colour result. The technique makes a huge difference when applying mineral makeup.

If you are using the foiling technique, and if your using your lid to swirl your wet brush with your shadow, allow the lid to completely dry out before putting it back on your container. If your using water to foil you eye shadow, visine also works great, and adds to the staying power of the shadows.

How to apply bronzer

Just a few tips on applying bronzer, to make us all into the bronze goddess, that we are!!

Seeing as we are full swing into summer, and when else is there a better time for bronzing ourselves. I figured I might throw in a few useful tips amongst my endless/useless ramblings.

So here we go:
Bronzers ( if chosen in the right shade) will give your skin a natural sun kissed glow , or even out your tan, or brighten up a pasty/tired complexion. I personally am a HUGE fan of bronzer!!! I use it year round, of course in moderation!

First off ... the most important thing is to apply bronzer with a light hand, and here I speak from experience!! It's easier to go darker then to lighten the bronzer once already applied. I tend to have a heavy hand when applying makeup, so I really watch it with the bronzer.

Choose a bronzer that is a few shades darker than your skin tone, too dark will look unnatural and even make your face look dirty. Now who would want that?? For fair complexion girls, a pinky or peachy toned bronzers are great. If your more of a medium or olive complexion like me, go for the coppers. They will do wonders for you!! :D

Another big thing!! AVOID bronzers with an ORANGE tint to it .. you will end up looking like Jack Lalaine(sp?). hahahaha Anyway the point is you will have an orange tint to your skin and there is nothing bronze goddess like about an orange looking complexion. :S If you are looking for a bronze "glow" look for bronzers with just an hint of shimmer. That will give your complexion a natural looking glow. You don't want it to be too sparkly tho.

Finally ....
When applying bronzer, use either a bronzer buffer, or a big round fluffy powder brush. You can use either brush for mineral bronzer, but I would recommend to use the fluffy brush for traditional bronzers. Always remember whether it's mineral or traditional makeup, to tap your brush to remove any excess product floating on the head of the brush. Now, apply your bronzer dusting the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin, gently but making sure to blend well. ALWAYS, always blend, blend, blend .. don't leave any harsh lines!!!

Myspace

I am a maniac, and I know it. LOL I just started a myspace page for my mineral makeup.

If you want to take a look here is the link ----> Forget Me Not - myspace page . Take a look and leave me a message, comment, any suggestions or just add me as a friend?! At this point it is still a work in progress, who am I kidding!! hahahah It will always be a work in progress, you and I both know it.



I got motivated because I was on the ecrater forum and saw that all these other sellers had their pages set up all nice. I think it's a great idea, but who knows ... in the end it's another page to keep updated, and that might just turn into a chore. But I do like myspace, I keep my personal page pretty updated, so this might not be that hard. I guess well just have to see ....

Squidoo Lens

So this is my lens, and I'm not really sure if this is what it's supposed to be like?? hahahah I didn't really read the instructions .. I'm really bad for that. I seriously need to read instructions, but I get too excited and want to do it now!!!! ok ... back to the point ...I can always use suggestions, and constructive criticism (sp?) so let me know what you think!! Also don't forget to rate it .. much appreciated!!

read more digg story

Google Page

Wow, did I ever log a whole bunch of hours on Google yesterday!! I randomly came across this thing called a Google Page. Maybe I live in the dark ages or something but I never heard of it. Who knows, it could also be new!! hahahah


Anyways, I put in some serious time on my page. It seemed like forever for me to get it to what I wanted it to be. As well getting all the info up, and I am one of those people who like to click all the buttons to see what they all do. LOL Maybe that's why it took me forever to complete.

This page is cool though, I guess you can make a page about anything you want and add pics and links and you don't need to know html. Cuz we know I am challenged in that department. It's fun, it gives you pre-made template to choose from and a few font & colour options for your text. I just figured it would be a great way to advertise my precious minerals. I need to really get my makeup out there, and every little bit helps.

Soooo ... Check it out

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Selling Online

I don't really know where to start - I mean about selling online. I looked into e-bay but their fee's are really outrageously high. How does anyone even make a profit on there?? I don't understand. I looked around there today and it baffled me that there were people selling MMU for $0.99 + shipping of $2.50. My though on that was that they are using really cheap and low quality ingredients and fillers, other wise that might just cover their costs.

There is so much more to consider than just supplies in the price of the mineral makeup. Sure in supplies you may spend 1.50, but your also spending money on gas, driving to get your supplies, shipping costs, time, energy ( for grinding your minerals), physical energy, sanitizing products, driving to drop off orders, that's all I can think of now. In the end though I would at least like to break even. As it stands I will barely make a profit, but if I can sell just a few products, I'm more than sure people will love them. All my products are nothing short of quality, and I work hard to formulate with help from some great people of course, all my formulas are intended for me, and I won't sell myself short!! Naturally....

Anyway.... back to the point....

eBay.

So ya, I would really have to hike my price to sell on eBay but I also have to pay Pay Pal and in the end I will make nothing, unless I charge a boat load. Don't get me wrong, I think my MMU is worth more than $3.00 for a 5 gram jar, but since I'm just starting out, I can't charge what it's worth till I get some feedback and people backing me up. Otherwise no one will take the plunge and purchase. It's a hard spot to be in. Not really sure what to do, but I gotta start some where. Right??

So I researched a bunch of eBay alternatives, there are alot of other auction sites. The only problem is that their all small compared to eBay so their not even close to being well know. If their not well know it's not really a great start to selling online. But some of these alternatives are free to list and only charge a small final value fee, that is when you finally sell your item they take a percent. It's not bad at all compared to eBay!! Then if I don't have to pay an arm an a leg to sell my stuff, then I can totally still keep my prices low enough to entice people. hahahah How brilliant!! Now I just have to figure it all out.

I started listing on ecrater.com and I set up a little store to test it out and see how I like it.

http://forgetmenotmineralmakeup.ecrater.com/

It's simple enough to use, and user friendly, is that the same thing? lol Not sure, but I like ecrater so far. The thing is tho, that I never heard of it, but then again I'm not really an auction hunter either. I would just eBay once in while. Wish me luck though!!

First Batch!!!

I've been busy!!!! All my supplies came and I have my grinder, so I have been hard at work. I am addicted, I can't stop. It's ok tho .. cuz I'm havin so much fun!!!!


First of all, I'd like to point out that it's not at all as easy as I had though it would be. LOL Seriously, I thought that I was going to get it right the first or second try, but alass I finally nailed my eye shadow base. It only friggen took me a week. hahahaha It still didn't stop me from making shadows though. I made a few but they don't stay on as long, only like 4 hours, so those I will have to tweak, which is fine, I'll just have to have them for personal use. :D Oh darn!!






From the pic you would think that I like a lot of browns .. hahahha .... but really I don't. I ended up with a lot of different browns is cuz I made to much brown color and just wanted to use it up and experiment with different shades. I prefer more golds and pink and plum shades. Anyways, I feel great about my first batch of makeup. It's a great start, and now that I mastered (so I think) the eye shadow base, onto more fun colors!!! The only thing right now that is ticking me off it that stupid color wheel. I feel like I get it and then I try to make a colour and it's not the color that it was supposed to be. Grrrr Whatever, I don't need that color wheel ... lol .... I will just experiment some more till I get the color I want!

I have to say tho, that this experience has been unbelievable. I am so excited about my products, and I can't wait till I have a line of eye shadows .. with names .. and jars with my own labels!! Sooo exiting!!

GRRRRR ..... Sunbeam Kitchen Assitant

I have calmed down now, but I was really aggrivated today and yesterday. Two days in a row, and usually I am not an angry person. I'm pretty happy and easy going.

Anyways, what ticked me off was Wal-Mart and the fact that no one seems to know anything!! Also I'm very anti Wal-Mart ... to me it's the devil! But that's another story. hahaha

So I went to Wal-Mart yesterday looking for a blender, the Sunbeam Kitchen Assistant to be exact. There was one on the shelf, but it looked like a return. The box was a little dented and taped back up so that the lid would stay shut, cuz who ever opened the box, didn't put the items back in properly. Whatever ... It took me 5 minutes to just find an employee so I could ask them if they had more. Of course then it took like 10 more minutes for the man to go to the back and look, just to tell me that there is more but he has to get a forklift or something to get to it. He said it would take 20-30 min. Well me being dumb and really wanting this blender I said sure I'll wait. Well half an hour passes by and the man didn't come back ... the another 15 more minutes .. nothing. I just gave up, I really wasn't in a hurry but come on!!! I waited an hour just to get a blender that come to find out today the don't seem to have. That really urked me. So I call today, and spoke with a lady in the department, and she tells me there is two! So of course I got all excited, even though I should have know better. The lady though said that there was no need to put it on hold, as it would not sell in the few hours before I could get there. I really wanted to though, cuz I just wanted to make sure they had two before I went there again!! Anyway she assured me that the two would be there and I stupidly accepted.
To my dismay, when I got there ... again there was only the one returned box!! I was pissed and still am a bit.

If there was some where else I could buy this stupid blender, I would. However, where I live, wal-mart is the only place that sells it. Which also ticks me off. hahahah I am just a ball of anger...geez.

I looked online but then I have to pay extra for shipping, which I don't want to do. Also I have to have this particular blender. I realize I could get the magic bullet, but it's like $20 more and that's not what I want. I have my heart set on this one!!!

Readin over this, it doesn't seem like a big deal, but it's just so darn aggravating!

MMU Supplies

I am super excited!!! I just want to jump out of my skin. I ordered my supplies Sunday afternoon, so they should be here by the end of this week at the LATEST!! So I hope. I am so impatient, and it doesn't help that I am anxious to get started working on formulas!! Can't wait to creating new and beautiful eye colours and blushes. I am going to try my hand at making foundations and veils as well. I think though, since I'm just a beginner ... maybe I should stick to the easier stuff at first. LOL Who am I kidding!! I like to jump in with both feet, I want to try everything and be done yesterday.

Also, since I have been doing nothing but research for months, and absorbing all sort of information. It makes me so much more impatient to start actually doing rather than just reading about it. At least though, I have a basic understanding of all the ingredients and how they work with each other. So I think. hahaha The jury is out on that one till I actually start to make my mineral makeup.

The only thing that I am worried about is the color theory part. I still have to get a good understanding of that stupid color wheel, it's haunting me. I know I have to learn it but I just don't want to cuz every time I try it de-motivates me cuz I just don't get how it works. People tell me it's real easy, so now I feel all silly cuz I just don't see how it all makes sense. Hopefully though, since I am a hand on kinda learner, as long as I keep good notes in theory, I should with time understand what colors make what. So wish me luck on this adventure, and I will post any and successful colors I have created.