Spectrum Cosmetics - Review & GIVEAWAY

Erica, of Spectrum Cosmetics, was nice enough not only to let me do the interview - but a review of her products! ...AND A GIVEAWAY!

I don't wear eye shadow as much as I used to, and when I do I typically gravitate towards vibrant colors. Usually, with bright eye color (or really any eye color) you get it and it's really bright and pretty in the package, but then when you put it on it's really light, you have to wet it and put it on thicker than you should have to. Then, it just ends up cakey, and lasts an hour...Ugh. No fun at all. If you're looking for pretty shadows and pigments on a budget, you can find yourself hard-pressed to find a good product.

Erica let me choose 5 colors that I would like to try (was difficult choosing, with so many pretty colors), and was very sweet through all of our convos. The 5 colors I chose were: Peacock, Poe, Lenore, Green Man, and Under The Sea.

-THE REVIEW-

Peacock


I REALLY liked this one, it just might be my favorite. The name is very fitting for the color, a very pretty, shimmery blue-green. It's not dark, it's really vibrant and beautiful. I applied it dry, and with only one coat, and got great results! I highly recommend this product. Definitely worth buying...and at $4 you can't go wrong! It would cost the same price (or more) in a drugstore for a lower quality product.

Lenore

I absolutely loved this shade of purple. It went on exactly the same color as shown in the pot above. It's a slightly shimmery purple pigment, a really nice shade of purple. After Peacock and Under The Sea, this is one is my third favorite. I thought it looked nice. If you're looking for some pretty purple pigment - look no further.

Poe

Personally, this wasn't a favorite of mine. I preferred Lenore in terms of a purple color. But, that all depends on what colors you like and what looks good on you. This is a matte purple, a very true shade.

Green Man

This one was my least favorite of the five products I tried. Again, it all depends on what you like and what colors you feel comfortable wearing. This is a matte spearmint green shade. I just didn't feel it looked that great on me, but it could definitely work on some people.

Under The Sea

Loved it. Loved this color. I couldn't decide if this one was my favorite or Peacock, but I would definitely recommend this shade to anyone. It may look similar to Green Man in these pictures, but this one is so much prettier in my opinion. It's shimmery, and not in a weird silvery way that shimmery makeup can sometimes have. I was really impressed with this color. I think it would work on just about anyone. (Side note: Of all the five shades, my boyfriend thought this one was the prettiest by far. Said it was his favorite, no question.)


THE GIVEAWAY!
Erika has offered to giveaway 3 sample pigments of the winners choice!
She has 59 fabulous colors to choose from, so you have a nice selection to choose from. (And might I add, the sample bags are fairly generous you could get at least 2-3 uses out of them.)



TO ENTER:
Leave a comment with your favorite Spectrum Cosmetics color. Leave your email address so that you can be contacted if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES (LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY):

- Follow this blog

- Purchase an item from Spectrum Cosmetics. Then come back here and leave a comment with your Etsy username, and that you made a purchase.

- Subscribe to the Spectrum Cosmetics YouTube channel

- Heart the Spectrum Cosmetics shop.

This contest ends February 12, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.

The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. This prize is not redeemable for cash or a shop credit. None of these pictures were touched up. All of the opinions I have given are my own, and I was not paid to give them.

Spectrum Cosmetics - The Interview

I'd like to introduce you to Spectrum Cosmetics. Erica, owner of Spectrum Cosmetics, specializes in making pure mineral makeup. You can view her shop HERE.



Name? Age? Location?
Erica, 25, Pennsylvania.

What is the purpose, principle business aims, target market, policies and values of Spectrum Cosmetics?
My purpose is to provide natural cosmetics at a more affordable price. My target market is any one that loves makeup, and doesn't want to have chemicals slathered all over their face! My main policy is to be as helpful and fair as I can be. I want to keep my prices low, so everyone can enjoy them.

How long have you been selling cosmetics?
Though I have been making my own cosmetics for years, I just recently discovered Etsy in August of '09 and began selling my own cosmetics around October of that year when I realized that there was a lack of it available.

What inspired you to make your own cosmetics?
I was tired of not knowing what it was that was in my cosmetics, and I'm entirely AGAINST animal testing. Favorite colors were always being discontinued, and the prices of things just kept raising, so I began doing research, and testing colors out on anyone that would let me near them with a brush. :)

Are your products Vegan-friendly?
99 percent of my products are vegan friendly - However, there are 1 or 2 that do contain carmine. All ingredients are listed for each individual color though, so there are no surprises.

Have your products been tested? On?
All ingredients that I use have been FDA approved. And, I test thoroughly on myself and anyone around me.

What do you use to make your products?
All pigments are natural substances such as mica, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, iron oxide and similar substances.

What do you do when your not selling or making your products?
When I'm not selling or making more product I'm busy with my boys. I'm a mom of a very active 6 year old, and a curious little 5 month old baby.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
None, I've done factory work, I've made windows, and Zippo components, fuel cells, medical supplies, plastic injection moldings, I worked retail FAR too long. I was a cook at a golf course, I bar tended, and even worked at a pizza shop, and I have to say that working at home and being with my kids is the most gratifying.

Finally, what is your most cherished handmade possession?
Anything that my son makes.

And The Winners Are....

It is time to announce the winners of both the Ella Etc. Resin Sprinkle Earring giveaway, and the CinCin's Crafts Handmade Earring giveaway!

The winner of the Ella Etc. Resin Sprinkle Earrings is...

Twistwear!

And the winner of the CinCin's Crafts Glass Earrings giveaway is...

Emily!

Emily, CinCin will soon be contacting you via email.

Congrats to the winners, and thank you to everyone who entered!

Valentine's Day is on it's way...

It's almost Valentine's Day. Some think it is the most romantic day of the year, while others think it is a totally overrated day to celebrate commercialism.
For those of you who are celebrating this year, I've made a list of some of my favorite handmade Valentine cards! And well, those of you who aren't celebrating will at least get a chuckle out of some of them. I've found the sweet and the sleazy, and everything in between! Hope you find something you like!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I'm fairly new to this whole blogging thing and I'm trying to keep up with it fairly regularly. So, I decided what better idea for a post than my favorite handmade items that I got this past year!

Indian Blue Feather Headband, from Stix And Jones-


I wasn't sure how well I would pull this headband off, but I thought it looked gorgeous, reminded me of something a flapper might wear in the 1920's. Although it's a very bold accessory, it's classy- not flashy. It is a very beautiful hair piece, and I have gotten many compliments on it.


Divine Cha-Cha Heels Magnet, from Picard Creative-


The day I found Picard Creative on Etsy, I fell in love immediately. Seriously! Her shop is honestly one of my absolute favorites, I just adore everything she makes. I love the mixed-media style of her work - the glamorous pinups, old Hollywood stars, and humorous photos, paired with witty phrases. And, her magnet are made of recycled tin can lids! How cool is that?! Magnets isn't the only thing she makes. She also has bookmarks, checkbook covers, and lots of other items in her shop. Oh, and she does custom items!



End Mass Production Womens T-Shirt, from DeadWorry-

My boyfriend got this one for me for Christmas. I found it on Etsy one day and ended up wanting to get it for months. I have always loved creating things and been very much a Do-It-Yourself kinda gal, and then I started selling on Etsy in November. So finding (and owning) this shirt just made perfect sense!


"She Couldn't Be Good" Glass Pendant Necklace, from Laughing Vixen Lounge-

I love pinups, so I thought this pendant was fabulous the second I saw it. Laughing Vixen sells glass pendants, charm bracelets, bubble bracelets, and charmed pendants. She has quite a bit of retro style pinup and pulp stuff. But that's not all she sells - check her out!



Coco Lavender 4 oz. Massage Candle, from YumYumCandles-


I am usually weary of scented items over the internet because you can never know exactly how the product smells. Also, I had never tried massage candles before. In theory, it sounded great- I like lavender, candles, and massages...And when I got it and tried it out, it was totally great! Their Coco Lavender scent is so good. It isn't super potent, it's a really comforting smell. They describe it on their site as "A mix of lavender & vanilla with hints of coconut & musk." Let me just say that the term "musk" usually scares me off, because any time I have ever smelled anything with a musk tone it usually has a VERY strong smell. The notes in this scent are very subtle, and it all comes together wonderfully to form a very nice, cozy scent. Also, if you like the smell of drier sheets or warm laundry, I suggest you try their Clean Massage Candle.

Handmade Earring GIVEAWAY!

I got my sister so interested in Etsy that she just recently opened a shop of her own! And my giveaway gave her an idea...She is giving away THIS pair of earrings:

TO ENTER:
Visit Cin Cin's Crafts and leave a comment on this post telling with your favorite item in the shop. Don't forget to leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES (LEAVE A SEPERATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY):

- Become a follower on twitter - (1 Entry)

- Add Cin Cin's Crafts to your favorites on Etsy - (1 Additional Entry)

- Purchase an item from Cin Cin's Crafts - (4 Additional Entries per item. *Entries valid upon payment* Leave a comment on this post with your Etsy username, or put 'giveaway' in the message to seller box at checkout.)


This contest ends January 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM EST. The winner will be chosen by traditional drawing (number of entries) and will be announced the following day. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random from the tied entries. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. This prize is not redeemable for cash or a shop credit.