Down the Indie Rabbit Hole

[Shalott]

I seriously cannot like the both of your posts enough. It's really, really helpful and although I haven't saved up anything purposefully for Secret Santa, I have TONS of unopened goodies that I hadn't even thought about being a potential "stocking stuffer" as it were! Thank you!

@@Shalott I have been stashing things away all year that are pretty universally loved items. I realize there's always a chance that my person might HATE everything that I have stashed away, but then I just throw it on my trade list or wait until the next circular swap. 

As far as buying things, if I'm buying things before assignments go out, I just make sure that I buy things I would like. That way if I find out my person doesn't like it, I can just keep it for myself /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> (or gift it to my mom or sister)

@@Shalott I do have to say that there are some product types I would have had NO CLUE existed if I hadn't dipped into the indie waters, and a lot of people don't even know the waters exist!  Like bubbling scrubs.  They're basically a glorious cross between cream soap and sugar scrub, so they foam up like shower cream and scrub like, well, sugar.  I don't know of one single mainstream company that makes this sort of thing.  And whipped soaps!  I am always looking for new forms of soap that are not bars, and there's no way I would have encountered whipped soaps if it wasn't for indies. 

And if you end up with someone fannish, there are few things that will endear you to them more than something related to their fandom.  A Supernatural fan?  Get over to Notoriously Morbid for the Winchester Gospels and Coffin Kissers (not all of them are SPN-themed, but there are quite a few that are).  An X-Men fan?  Espionage Cosmetics has nail wraps.  Fairy tales?  Alchima Apothecary has a Grimm (as in the brothers, not the show) collection. 

 

[KatieS131]

I do have to say that there are some product types I would have had NO CLUE existed if I hadn't dipped into the indie waters, and a lot of people don't even know the waters exist!  Like bubbling scrubs.  They're basically a glorious cross between cream soap and sugar scrub, so they foam up like shower cream and scrub like, well, sugar.  I don't know of one single mainstream company that makes this sort of thing.  And whipped soaps!  I am always looking for new forms of soap that are not bars, and there's no way I would have encountered whipped soaps if it wasn't for indies. 

You are so right about how fun it is to try new products that indie companies have created!  I ordered bubbling scrub in my last (first) Haus of Gloi order and had to make sure to order more because I love it! It's such a unique texture and I am excited to get some in wintry scents! Also, I had never heard of whipped soap but ordered some today and am so excited to try it! 

 

[MIKAGlam]

If anyone finds a scent that has notes of sandalwood, vanilla cream, and Lemon verbana while searching could you please let me know? I bought a fabreeze Autumn Harvest air freshener at Walmart and I absolutely love it! I would like a lotion that smells like it.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

Aromaleigh's Sol Invictus collection is up for pre-order. Releasing 11/15:

http://www.aromaleighcosmetics.com/product/pre-order-sol-invictus-holiday-2014-eyeshadow-collection-sample-setfull-size-set/?attribute_choose-size=sample-set

ETA: Dang, I wish she offered minis! $78 is pretty steep, but I hate baggies. 

 

[tacehtpuekam]

Note: All this time I thought it was aMoRaleigh and I've been saying it that way in my head. 

 

[Shalott]

Aromaleigh's Sol Invictus collection is up for pre-order. Releasing 11/15:

http://www.aromaleighcosmetics.com/product/pre-order-sol-invictus-holiday-2014-eyeshadow-collection-sample-setfull-size-set/?attribute_choose-size=sample-set

ETA: Dang, I wish she offered minis! $78 is pretty steep, but I hate baggies. 

So, so pretty but I agree - I don't like baggies, and I am at my limit, so $78 is beyond what I can do no matter how much I want them! I will just have to take my chances and pick and choose, but I really hope I can get my hands on Lord of Misrule, Saturnalia!, Luxuriae Maniae and Sigillaria. :unsure2:

Edit: That was a lie, forget everything I just said. I started reading the color descriptions and... yeah. This is why my hubby can't buy gifts for me, I always just buy whatever I want anyways.

Edit2: Lied again. Gah, I reallyreallyreally want those shadows but I will be in serious hot water if I make a purchase that large, that isn't involving a Christmas present of some kind!

 

[tacehtpuekam]

So, so pretty but I agree - I don't like baggies, and I am at my limit, so $78 is beyond what I can do no matter how much I want them! I will just have to take my chances and pick and choose, but I really hope I can get my hands on Lord of Misrule, Saturnalia!, Luxuriae Maniae and Sigillaria. :unsure2:

Edit: That was a lie, forget everything I just said. I started reading the color descriptions and... yeah. This is why my hubby can't buy gifts for me, I always just buy whatever I want anyways.

Hahahaha. 

I kind of lied too. Baggies aren't my favorite, but I just remembered that I bought a bunch of empty jars so I can just transfer them into those. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> 

 

[Kelly Silva]

I find Aromaleigh sample bags to be about as generous as the Shiro bags, which is to say a lot of product. I always go for those and then can get anything I love in a full size jar later.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

For $1 per sample, you can't really go wrong. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I'll probably grab the set on/closer to the release date. Spent waaaaay too much at the HoG release today & I need to behave myself for the rest of the week!

 

[Allison H]

I agree with Kelly, the sample baggies are very generous.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

I agree with Kelly, the sample baggies are very generous.

That's good to know! For some reason all of the sample baggies I have don't seem to have much in them. I always worry that I'd lose half the shadow trying to get it into a little jar!

 

[Allison H]

For $1 per sample, you can't really go wrong. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I'll probably grab the set on/closer to the release date. Spent waaaaay too much at the HoG release today & I need to behave myself for the rest of the week!

Haha, you and me both! Once the hubs sees my recent HoG haul he'll sigh and ask how much I spent. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Shalott]

Ha ha, I was pretty convinced, then I was FULLY convinced, so I got the sample set and quite a few of the Diavoli colors because that couldn't be passed up, either. I will say though, one good thing about the baggies is that I am often surprised by what colors I like/don't like. Swatches aren't certain, so having a chance to try them is nice! :smilehappyyes:

 

[lovepink]

@lovepink  Heh.  I actually did quite a few consultations for Midsummer and Summerswap!  As far as Haus of Gloi goes, what sorts of scents do you like?  Herbal, foodie, resiny, hippie, floral, etc.?  Are there certain notes you know you like?

Hmm I know what I don't like!  Musks and patchouli.  I seem to gravitate more towards florals or sweet smelling things (not necessarily foodie though like Pink Sugar).  I also like fresh or clean scents.  Will have to go browse their site and just try some things I think sound interesting to get me started!  If I smell something I am not in love with it can go to Secret Santa, swap list or the circular swap.

 

[kawaiiwoofs]

Note: All this time I thought it was aMoRaleigh and I've been saying it that way in my head.

HOLY SNAPPLE OMG ME TOO UNTIL YOU WROTE THIS.

 

[meaganola]

Hmm I know what I don't like!  Musks and patchouli.  I seem to gravitate more towards florals or sweet smelling things (not necessarily foodie though like Pink Sugar).  I also like fresh or clean scents.  Will have to go browse their site and just try some things I think sound interesting to get me started!  If I smell something I am not in love with it can go to Secret Santa, swap list or the circular swap.

I would start with Rose City!  Roses and patchouli.  I can't do fresh/clean scents because they usually have Notes of Pain for me, so I'm of no assistance there.

 

[tacehtpuekam]

HOLY SNAPPLE OMG ME TOO UNTIL YOU WROTE THIS.

So glad I'm not alone! Blew my mind a little. 

 

[Kelly Silva]

In case you missed it, it sounds like the theme for the first Hello Waffle Visage box is

Spoiler

Beauty and the Beast!

 

[ohsailor]

Y'all missing out on HoG's Sweet Potato Treat. I NEVER would have gotten it had I not gotten a sample in my last order, but OMG so delish. It actually fits in more with the Autumn scents though, it smalls a lot like Marshmallow Pumpkins 

 

[ohsailor]

In case you missed it, it sounds like the theme for the first Hello Waffle Visage box is

Spoiler

Beauty and the Beast!

SQUEE