Gde otm - January

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It's the January Glamour Doll Eyes Of the Month!

Theme: Aladdin (a favorite in our house right now, watched about once a week, requested several times).

Cost: $18 USD to make it to the great white north.

What is it really? Each month an exclusive shadow and other goodies such as a guest indie sample ro candy may be included. 125 subscriptions are available (you can join the waitlist in the facebook group), and 15 will be listed on the website at noon, PST, on the 10th of the month. 

Here is the full January kit (minus a candy).

I've been collecting these as long as I've been signed up for the OTM. Be sure to read them to gain insight on what's happening at Glamour Doll Eyes. 

The goods! A mine sample, a full size and two sample baggies plus a full size lipstick! 

These two shadows are cult favorites in the GDE group, so I'm surprised/not surprised to seem them made into remix. One image blurry for sparkle. Tattooed on the left, Undercover on the right.

And the start of the month: Not a Prize and Desert Prince. Oh, my kingdom for a Dessert Prince!

Gosh, so as usual I'll finish with the internal dilemna of the cost increase due to shipping increases and my own personal cost increase due to exchange rates of if I should keep this subscription or not. I have almost the entire collection of GDE, so I don't need eyeshadow... but... it's the OTM. OTM is life, right? 

Hello Waffle Visage Subscription January

Hello Waffle is a Canadian company that offers a monthly subscription package called the Visage. It included a full face look, and is a great way to get familar with Hello Waffle products. The subscription is currently offered by waitlist, and for myself, I'm charge $30 USD. Price varies by location as shipping from Eastern Canada (as Western or Atlantic Canada) is costly. But worth it! It's again one of those odd things that sometimes shipping into the United States can be less expensive than shipping a couple provinces over. 

I believe it was the person credited with creating Cinderella's birthday in January. Hence the princess theme. I'm always okay with princess themes. 

I love the story that is included and I try to make my kidlets listen. The lack of illustrations does test their patience. 

As usual communication from Christine, the owner, creator and head Girl Boss at Hello Waffle was awesome. Her facebook group had a head's up boxes were going to be delayed and to make up for it she included a random product (I think they were all lip products?) from the newest releases in January.  

I got SOUTH. It looks so lovely. The visage this month included the beautiful rose lip shade. I'm suffering a cold so I wait until I feel better to try these out.  

All the goodies together.

Every month is great! This month was the five eye products, a mini-blush, the sample of the upcoming glitter adhesive and the two lip products. Glass slippers is by far my favorite.

Swatches! 

Here is the uponaworld cosmetics guest indie over UDPP and the new Hello Waffle excitation.

I'm really indecisive if I should terminate, end, stop, sadly ask to cancel my subscription. I'm currently being charged $30 USD which will go up to $35.50 USD at some point. This is over $43 Canadian, or over $500 a year. I don't know. I am having the same fight with my Glamour Doll Eyes subscription as price has increased as well. I know I can't have both. I also am learning it takes me awhile to go through a mini blush/contour/lip product and goodness knows I have enough eye shadow to last until my grandchildren graduate high school. I feel like I would be able to purchase more new releases if I dropped out of visage. But, I also recall waking up early and fighting for 3 spots only to time out when completing payment.

What would you do? Are you in love with your Visage too? 

Kiss My Sass August Lip Lovers Addicts

Ah-mazing indie brand owners

I've been lucky enough to interact with some wonderful owner brand owners over the past 18 months. This is a quick list of individuals who have gone above and beyond. In no particular order:

1. Caitlin from Shiro Cosmestics.

2. Sophie from Femme Fatale Cosmetics

3. Vee from Glamour Doll Eyes

4. Andrea from My Pretty Zombie

5. Christine from Hello Waffle Cosmetics

6. Maleah from Blackbird Cosmetics

7. Noel from Corvus Cosmetics

8. Susan from Darling Girl Cosmetics

9. Niamh from Tilt / Shift Cosmetics

10. Carrie and Laura from Notoriously Morbid Cosmetics

Honorable mention as I haven't actually had a completed order yet - Dena from AFK Cosmetics

**update with details when able. 

Mad Lab Cosmetics - First Impressions

This post will be helped by Horse. Her shadow will be in many of the photos. On the bright side, I actually took some images in the sun. 

Horse taking guard.

My first Mad Lab Cosmetics order (you can find them here on Etsy) came well wrapped (in a bubble mailer I believe) with a very fast TAT, great communication from the owner, and much quicker than I expected.

Gosh, I don't know where everyone finds such cute wasabi tape. 

I ordered a blogger pack to review, and samples of the Semi-Precious collection. In particular I had seen swatches of Labodorite, and I needed to witness it. My order also included two freebies. I'm so amazed when blogger orders, or even my small samples only orders include samples. It's very generous of the owners, and I appreciate being able to try something new.

I choose Pink Opal (October Babies Unite!) for my full size. It was shipped in its own teeny tiny little bag. Fantastic if the lid somehow slipped despite being sticker-ed shut and leaked. No glitter bomb potential here.

Do you want me tot go through and list each shade?

Blue Zircon, White Opal and Labradorite. Just a note for those who may not have used sample bags before. The volume in these appears to be less than what is actually there. The air is all squeezed about and all of these bags offer several applications for me to play with.

Scumbag and Black Opal.

Pyrite and Aventurine.

Pyrite and Aventurine.

And just like in Hamlet, Aventurine and Pyrite.

Here is my adorable helper and her horse.

Aw, that's a nice smile. She can look like she helps and not just grabs bags of colours at will. She _is_ great at arranging them by colour.

Labradorite and Sandstone.

Pearl and Cinnabot.

As you can see, the full size is packed to the brim. You'll be getting your money's worth. Samples and Full sizes are competitively priced, and I'm very excited to see how these look outside the bags.
Here are the lovelies all laid out. be sure to come back and see my swatches! 
Have you tried Mad Lab Cosmetics? Do you shop from indie beauty companies on Esty? 

Five Favorite Collections

I've been pondering what collections would I suggest to someone wanted to expand to something new. These are some of my favorites.

1. Darling Girl Cosmetics: Who Ya Gonna Call?

I love the purples and I was surprised how much I loved the light shades and even the "out of my comfort norm" There is No Dana. It's a great mix of highlight, crease, lid, nuetral and bright. I bought the sample size and wish I would have opted for full. Worth the wait.

2. Glamour Doll Eyes: That's Awkward 

Maybe it's because I still get to be a teenage watching the show, and I can pretend it's clever as it's written by and stares members of MENSA, but I love to get my Awkward on. Some of these are already on the best sellers list. My favorite is of course, New Girl with an honorable mention to Outie 5000.

3. Shiro Cosmetics: Seven Kingdoms
Again, fan girl may have bought the collection (the lid art is divine!) but the girl who wants to be good at makeup loves the colours. Mother of Dragons is an internet favorite, but I'm partial to Salt and Stone, No Men Like Me, Master of Whispers and Maiden Queen. It's a great collection of neutrals with just a touch of brights. This is a collection I would highly recommend even if you choose samples/minis and don't get the artwork.

4. Brija Cosmetics Glamour To Go. This is a super cute, easy to wear "welcome to make-up!" set. I would recommend this to someone who just wants to try wearing something new. The colours are simple, but classic. 

5. Innocent and Twisted Endless Rain. This was the first set that I bought in completion so it hold a spot close to my heart. I love how light these shades are and how well they all fit together. My favorites are 1000 Cherry Trees, and Needs More Lace. The lid art on this set is also beautiful. I want to go back and try several of these again using some of the nicer sticky bases I have.

Honorary Mentions:

Honorable Mentions:

Femme Fatale Cosmetics Spell Weaver. My love for WoW goes to as much depth as these colours. I only have select shades from these (medal for self-control please :P). Any of the five World of Warcraft collections are welcomed gifts. *hint hint*

Hello Waffle Catssic Literature Collection. Just look at that lid art! I have a couple shades from this collection, and I giggle a tiny bit every time I use Call Me Ish-meow. Also check out the seductive Hisster Pryne.

TL;DR I like neutrals, purples, greens and sparkles. Add some cute artwork and you'll hear me squee! In all honestly, I think a great starting set includes a range of complemntary colours, something special and lots of love.

What are your favorite sets? Do you like to amass collections? 

Solstice Scents - my first samples

I decided to take my first plunge into independent perfume with Solstice Scents. I actually decided shortly after my mom's birthday I wanted to get her a present and I had decided to wait until christmas. But.. when I thought about Mother's Day being right around the corner, I added the scent for her to my bag, a scent for gift (or maybe me) and a sample for me. Shipping was reasonable and fast. Don't ask me more details, I have a wee little baby ;)

I must say that Solstice makes incredibly beautiful labels, packaging and art. My order included a free bookmark (not pictured) and some lovely cards. I had one that included descriptions of the scent sieries I had ordered as a gift, and I'm glad I was able to include it. I think that helped make my gift a little classier and not like I was just handing stuff I had laying around. I don't mind when I order for myself, but I have had some persons react ... unfavorable to indie-like products. 

The scents for me! A free sample was included and I request one with great reviews online. Read on to hear what I think about White Fox, Violet Truffle, and Gardenia Enfieurage 2013.

In multiple places I read that this scent is a must have. Used Daily. Loved. 

...

This scent drives us insane! It's from the woodland collection and is composed of: Vanilla Musk, White Fur, Wood Blend, Snow Laced With Veins of Frozen Dirt 

When I get close, I can smell something nice. However, and this is probably a regional difference from someone who does not live somewhere damp, all I can smell from this sample is mold. Or rot. Or something awful. And I am no where near as bothered as my partner. Seriously, I know where this sample is (sealed) from about three feet away. I've tested by moving it around the house. My nose always finds it. I've also taken to playing games to see how much it annoys my boyfriend. It's a lot. It's so off putting for us that clothes I wore when I first tested the scent days before were left on the couch (a sweater) and the two of us frantically cleaned and cleaned. Until I thought it might be White Fox scent lingering. Even the smell that remains on my skin hours later leaves one or both of us to think we have mold. 

TD;DR Uber glad I got a sample, this does not work for us. 

A full size roll-on of Violet Truffle. I was impressed this not only came in a beautiful box, it was also sealed with plastic wrap. Nicely done, Solstice! However, I really wanted to smell it so it became a present for me rather than a gift. 

Violet Truffle - Dark Chocolate, Violet, Violet Leaf & Vanilla Absolute

On me: I smell the chocolate a first, and then the scent has a soft violet. The boy does not care for this, although it is a less knee-jerk push-away than White Fox. I think it's nice, but I'm not wowed. I'm also worried this might have the same moldy smell lingering. I've been trying it a few times to see. The chocolate/violet smell lasts about three hours on my skin. 

TL;DR It's an odd slightly musky Chocolate and Floral. I think I might like Violet Mallow more.

The sample for me was a totally splurge! It's $9 for 0.25 mL. You read that right, it's $36 per mL. But for a good reason, Gardenia Enfieurage requires thousands upon thousands of gardenia petals to be infused in fat (vegetable source). Each tray takes multiple infusions and the petals must be replaced frequently. It is a very laborious process and this first step mandates a minimum of 6 weeks of dedication during the gardenia blooming season, which occurs mid-April to the beginning of June. The flowers are hand-harvested each morning for maximum potency.  This premium essence is crafted from our 2013 batch of flowers.


I'm really digging this scent (although worried about a musk that us in a desert-like climate are not familiar with, and instinctively dislike). I put about 10 uL into my hair oil, and I'm hoping it's able to stay pretty without reacting with those oils. Honestly, I'm not too sure how to use it, which may be my deciding factor against a fully size bottle. I might try placing in onto of cream to assist the length of the scent, or placing on my clothes where a stain (from the fats) would not be notice (or already exists thank you kidlets). If I do find I can use it everyday, I might order the full size for my Birthday with the intention of panning the bottle,

TL;DR Try this one! Let me know how you use it. 

I'm pleased with my order, and I've learned a very valuable lesson. Always order the samples! I think once I know the style of Solstice Scents I'll be better able to predict what I like. I dodged a bullet by selected the sample of White Fox. Prices seems reasonable ranging from $12-20 for most scents. I did not price compare, but I'm sure the exclusive, labor intensive scents are also reasonable. I have to decide what to do with White Fox - I want to toss it, but I think I'll check in for a couple months to see if the scent mellows or otherwise ages well. 

I would suggest ordering the sample packs, or checking out the newly announced summer line. If the rest of the scent line is as detailed as the art, you will be able to find something amazing for your tastes. 

Seriously, I am not a fan of White Fox.