Down the Indie Rabbit Hole

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crazycatlady82 said:
Actually, the blogger from brightest bulb in the box did a price comparison with indie shadows and depending on the brand, they may not be cheaper.

( hopefully it's ok to post the name of the blog...I'm not the blogger! Just very interesting scientific research that made me think !)
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You're probably right.  It just seems like their cheaper in my mind & then I buy three times as much.  ha ha ha.  But I LOVE THEM.

 
crazycatlady82 said:
Actually, the blogger from brightest bulb in the box did a price comparison with indie shadows and depending on the brand, they may not be cheaper.

( hopefully it's ok to post the name of the blog...I'm not the blogger! Just very interesting scientific research that made me think !)
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They might not be cheaper by the ounce, but indies do offer the flexibility of buying samples and minis, which can still save you money if you'll never use up a full size of a color. On the other hand, when you buy a mainstream palette, you get a fixed number of colors in fixed sizes, I personally don't use all the colors in my palettes, nor have I ever come close to using up a color. Price per ounce comparisons only really make sense if you're planning on using up the entire product.

 
kyxli said:
They might not be cheaper by the ounce, but indies do offer the flexibility of buying samples and minis, which can still save you money if you'll never use up a full size of a color. On the other hand, when you buy a mainstream palette, you get a fixed number of colors in fixed sizes, I personally don't use all the colors in my palettes, nor have I ever come close to using up a color. Price per ounce comparisons only really make sense if you're planning on using up the entire product.
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So much this. I have yet to use up even a sample. And indie colors are just more creative than the majors, and they aren't restricted by marketing, focus groups, release schedules, dealing with retailers, etc., which leads to more flexibility.

 
kyxli said:
They might not be cheaper by the ounce, but indies do offer the flexibility of buying samples and minis, which can still save you money if you'll never use up a full size of a color. On the other hand, when you buy a mainstream palette, you get a fixed number of colors in fixed sizes, I personally don't use all the colors in my palettes, nor have I ever come close to using up a color. Price per ounce comparisons only really make sense if you're planning on using up the entire product.
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crazycatlady82 said:
Actually, the blogger from brightest bulb in the box did a price comparison with indie shadows and depending on the brand, they may not be cheaper.

( hopefully it's ok to post the name of the blog...I'm not the blogger! Just very interesting scientific research that made me think !)
Click to expand...
You also have to consider she was mostly pricing Indie singles vs. name brand palettes.  If you compare singles to singles you are going to come up with different figures.  A single Urban Decay shadow is $18 (.05 oz).  A single NARS in the regular line is $25 (.07 oz).  A single Makeup Forever shadow , which she shows as the cheapest per oz in a palette is $21 (.7oz).  A .07 oz GDE single is only $6.  You will also come up with different figures if you compare Indie sets (which are usually sold at a discount) to name brand palettes.  And sales are easier to find on Indies, which also lowers the price.

 
My like for indies isn't necessarily because I think they're cheaper. (Although $1 sample baggies are mega nice and last forever!) My thing is colors. I have a love for mainstream eyeshadows, but only for more neutral or typical colors. I love blues/purples/ and dark grey eyeshadows which I find a harder time finding the perfect one in mainstream palettes and when I do find it, I don't want to pay an arm and a leg for it just to use one shade. (I love my Urban Decay electric palette though). I'm more likely to find the more "exotic" colors shopping indie plus they're more glittery and sparkly. *swoon*

Also: When I am in a fandom, I am really in a fandom. So I will more likely want to purchase a blue called "High Fubctioning Sociopath" than "Gonzo" because I'm a sherlock fan and that appeals to me more than a boring name

 
meaganola said:
I disagree that "Gonzo" is a boring name, but that's mainly because I'm a huge Hunter S. Thompson fan. But coming at the shade name from that perspective, it's a *really* boring and disappointing color.
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Whereas it could be the start of an awesome Muppet collection, which if anyone comes out with a Miss Piggy shade I will be on it like beauty and elegance on Miss Piggy, a role model for our times.

 
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I don't even buy indies because they are cheaper, I buy them because the colors are so much more unique.  I think that's the point that price comparison articles miss.  The utility of indie shadows is greater to me than that of mass-produced.  

 
I've begun to really appreciate the idea being able to purchase inexpensive samples. I hadn't worn eye shadow in YEARS, starting again this past Spring after having only used liner since the late 90's. I cannot get shadow samples from Macy's unless I sign away the rights to my firstborn and take out a second mortgage on my soul. Those delightful little baggies and jars give me a remarkable amount to play with (no single-use peelies here!) and they are SO FLIPPING CHEAP! Even if a color looks wretched on me I probably spent less on it than I spend on an average cup of coffee at Timmy Ho's.

 
My birthday is Sunday and I just got paid for an event so I placed a few orders. Other than the polish, I am trying to make the switch to almost exclusively natural makeup.

---The Hungry Asian---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHungryAsian

Mini nail polishes in Lavender Cream & Mint Condition

---Erzulie Cosmetics---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErzulieCosmetics

Lip gloss in Megastar, the Erase Cream (which I am hoping to use as my new eyelid primer), and two more of their Juicee tube lip glosses which I love because they give a natural gloss that isn't sticky or drying.

---My Beauty Addiction---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction
I finally found lipsticks that are natural (no icky chemicals & they wear well for me). I already had samples of Burlesque, Cranberry, and Heliotrope, and this time I got LoveSpell, Violetta, and Sinful samples. Thank goodness I found a place that has my purples, offers samples, and has decent (to me) prices. I like a lot of lip colors so I just can't afford to go with the more expensive ones.

---Scaredy Cat Cosmetics---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScaredyCatCosmetics

I've been wanting to try this company for a while because I really like cat themed makeup. And their trial vials just look so adorable! So I ordered 5 of the trial vials in Flounce, Cirrina, Phoenix Tears, Chakra, and Rose Gold.

---Tater Rounds Beauty---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaterRoundsBeauty

I wasn't sure about this company, but I contacted the owner and she let me know her lip products (and everything she has) are natural, so I ordered: Black Rose lip gloss (dark red/black/purple), You Little Devil lip gloss (red), Rodeo lip gloss (plum red), Sweetheart nail polish, and Sailor nail polish. But then I got a message from her saying I was some certain number of customer and I won 4 free eyeshadow samples. I can't remember the exact colors I picked, but that was pretty cool ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Anyway, I should be getting a couple of the packages today, so I'm pretty excited! ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Plus, I just gave away/sold a bunch of my drugstore lip products (as I've become allergic to something in them, likely the fragrance, because I kept getting headaches when using them), so I need my replacements before my birthday ^_~

 
MissJessicaMary said:
My birthday is Sunday and I just got paid for an event so I placed a few orders. Other than the polish, I am trying to make the switch to almost exclusively natural makeup.

---The Hungry Asian---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHungryAsian

Mini nail polishes in Lavender Cream & Mint Condition

---Erzulie Cosmetics---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ErzulieCosmetics

Lip gloss in Megastar, the Erase Cream (which I am hoping to use as my new eyelid primer), and two more of their Juicee tube lip glosses which I love because they give a natural gloss that isn't sticky or drying.

---My Beauty Addiction---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyBeautyAddiction

I finally found lipsticks that are natural (no icky chemicals & they wear well for me). I already had samples of Burlesque, Cranberry, and Heliotrope, and this time I got LoveSpell, Violetta, and Sinful samples. Thank goodness I found a place that has my purples, offers samples, and has decent (to me) prices. I like a lot of lip colors so I just can't afford to go with the more expensive ones.

---Scaredy Cat Cosmetics---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScaredyCatCosmetics

I've been wanting to try this company for a while because I really like cat themed makeup. And their trial vials just look so adorable! So I ordered 5 of the trial vials in Flounce, Cirrina, Phoenix Tears, Chakra, and Rose Gold.

---Tater Rounds Beauty---

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaterRoundsBeauty

I wasn't sure about this company, but I contacted the owner and she let me know her lip products (and everything she has) are natural, so I ordered: Black Rose lip gloss (dark red/black/purple), You Little Devil lip gloss (red), Rodeo lip gloss (plum red), Sweetheart nail polish, and Sailor nail polish. But then I got a message from her saying I was some certain number of customer and I won 4 free eyeshadow samples. I can't remember the exact colors I picked, but that was pretty cool ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Anyway, I should be getting a couple of the packages today, so I'm pretty excited! ^_^ /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> Plus, I just gave away/sold a bunch of my drugstore lip products (as I've become allergic to something in them, likely the fragrance, because I kept getting headaches when using them), so I need my replacements before my birthday ^_~
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I love Erzulie and Tater Rounds! Erzulie has this pink lotion for the face that is amazeballs--it's not like a glittery highlighter, but it gives this overall dewy sheen with just enough shimmer to make life interesting, and just perks the face right up. I've used it instead of full face makeup on busy mornings and it makes me look wide awake even if I was up all night playing Candy Crush. (We are not exciting people...) And Tater Rounds just has great fun products.

 
I ordered the GDE Deadly Hollywood collection yesterday afternoon and had a shipping notice first thing this morning! Can't wait to see these in person!

 
@ I definitely need to start collecting the Shiro Hunger Games collection as well. I think the colors are really pretty. I also like the stuff for The Hobbit. Those seem like good fall colors. 

@ Thanks for all the information! It definitely helps. I hadn't heard of a couple of the companies you mentioned, so I will be checking those out today. :) /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
MY TRACKING FOR VC HAS UPDATED!!!!

And I forgot that NM is (relatively) close to me in WV, so my scheduled delivery day is Saturday! 2 days from now!  *insert geeking out here*

Now I know how all you Pac NW ppl feel when a Shiro or Haus of Gloi order gets picked up!

WHEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!   :wub:

 
I'm loving all of your reasoning why indies are wonderful.  You all took the words right out of my mouth.  They have great colors, they have minis & samples to try first, there's SO MANY, & I think a big one for me is that I feel good buying from them.  I love the idea that I'm helping someone in the good old US of A.  These women are women just like me.  They are living out their dreams by creating their own business model that they love.  It makes me want to cheer them on & put money in their pocket.  :)  I just love it.

Hey, for those of you who have bought the small jars from Shiro. . . do the pretty stickers (artistic ones) come on those?  Or does she only put the pretty artwork on the full size?  I know it sounds stupid, but even though I'd much rather have a sample size, if it means I don't get the pretty sticker, I'll probably continue to buy the full size because I'm a weirdo that loves her artwork & also because I'm a total nerd & WANT THE PRETTY STICKERS that show my favorite geeky fandoms.

 
trekkersangel said:
Hey, for those of you who have bought the small jars from Shiro. . . do the pretty stickers (artistic ones) come on those?  Or does she only put the pretty artwork on the full size?  I know it sounds stupid, but even though I'd much rather have a sample size, if it means I don't get the pretty sticker, I'll probably continue to buy the full size because I'm a weirdo that loves her artwork & also because I'm a total nerd & WANT THE PRETTY STICKERS that show my favorite geeky fandoms.
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I just got my first Shiro order today.  No artwork on the small size jars.  Clear tops that allow you to see the colors, sticker with name on bottom.

ETA:  And I have been licking Nic Cage off my lips all afternoon.  He smells better than he tastes...lol

 
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Bflopolska said:
I love Erzulie and Tater Rounds! Erzulie has this pink lotion for the face that is amazeballs--it's not like a glittery highlighter, but it gives this overall dewy sheen with just enough shimmer to make life interesting, and just perks the face right up. I've used it instead of full face makeup on busy mornings and it makes me look wide awake even if I was up all night playing Candy Crush. (We are not exciting people...) And Tater Rounds just has great fun products.
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When you get a chance can you look up which one it is/what it is called? I think I need it now :p /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 
MissJessicaMary said:
When you get a chance can you look up which one it is/what it is called? I think I need it now :p /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />
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https://www.etsy.com/listing/117623849/natural-and-organic-vegan-liquid-mineral?ref=shop_home_active_4

il_570xN.243458245.jpg


 

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