I'm a bit of a makeup junkie... at least when it comes to eyeshadows. There are tons and tons of makeup companies out there, and I certainly haven't tried them all. Many people will tell you MAC is the be-all-end-all when it comes to makeup- especially brightly pigmented eyeshadows. I can tell you that is a load of crock. EXPENSIVE crock! There are numerous "indie" makeup companies that make products which are just as good, if not better, for much less. Especially now that MAC has made their pigment jars smaller and kept the price the same (hello 40% price increase).BUT... There is always a but. Not all indie companies make fabulous products. It's important to check a company out before buying from them.
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Repackaging
What the heck is "repackaging" and what does it have to do with eyeshadow?
Repackaging is taking products sold by wholesalers and just sticking them in a new package. A popular MMU wholesaler is TKB Trading (note- Gaia tends to block this link due to the word "trading" wink ; take a look around and you'll see they offer tons of colored micas and other products to make your own mineral makeup.
Repackaging becomes a problem when companies are dishonest about this. Many will claim they only sell unique shades that you can't get anywhere else. These repackaged products will cost much more than what they paid for them, and even if they bothered to mix a base into the colored mica it doesn't justify the price increase. Some companies do not even bother to add a base! Just plain ol' mica an eyeshadow it does not make... sure it will be super duper vibrant but it won't stick to your lids very well or blend nicely.
Personally I don't care if you repackage as long as you are honest about it and don't charge an insane amount. There's nothing wrong with that because many people want these colors but don't have the know-how or tools to make the mica into shadow.
Repackaging has become quite the issue in the MMU community because it has given the whole indie makeup industry a bad name. Not all indie companies are out to dupe you, there are plenty that make gorgeous and unique colors and products.
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The Lime is a Crime
You can't mention repackaging with out mentioning Lime Crime!
Oooh boy... where to start? The Lime Crime scandal is long and complicated. I think the first stop should be the Lime Crime site itself. You will see vibrantly colored lipsticks and eyeshadows for sale.
Doe Deere
Now double the volume!
More punch than regular pressed eyeshadow, these highly-pigmented loose dusts will not streak or cake, are easy to blend and very long-lasting. Use a little to create a subtle wash of color, or layer for bold, dramatic effect!
Each Magic Dust comes in a 10g sifter jar and contains 0.14 oz net weight of product.
More punch than regular pressed eyeshadow, these highly-pigmented loose dusts will not streak or cake, are easy to blend and very long-lasting. Use a little to create a subtle wash of color, or layer for bold, dramatic effect!
Each Magic Dust comes in a 10g sifter jar and contains 0.14 oz net weight of product.
This announcement is proudly displayed at the top of the eyeshadow page. Do you think it's intentional that she mixes up volume and weight? Either way, you still aren't getting much shadow for the $12.00 price tag. That's right, you're getting less than an ounce for $12.00.
The best part? As you probably guessed, all the colors are just repackaged. For the list of confirmed wholesale colors that are a match to LC's go here.
But what's the big deal? So what, she just repackages and is selling it as a lifestyle brand. If only... The owner of the company claims to be original and make colors that are unique and have never been seen before. Worse yet, she attacks people who make negative reviews of her products. She has even gone so far as to upload a video to "prove" that she is legit. However, this video only makes it even more clear to me that Lime Crime is a company to avoid. Notice how she doesn't use a formula, she claims the lab will figure it out based off her sample. Worst of all, notice how she doesn't wear a mask or gloves. Do you potentially want someone else's germs in a product your putting on your eyes? If you made it to the TKB site mentioned before take a peek around and you'll find a suspiciously similar video on making shadows for personal use. TKB's was uploaded first. To see how a reputable company makes eyeshadow in a hygienic manner click here.
Links of Interest
Lime Crime: So Ordinary It Should Be Illegal
Lime Crime accuses wholesalers of copying
Lime Crime Lipstick Review
Lime Crime's reaction to the review
Lime Crime: A History
The Match of the Century: Retail-vs-Wholesale Pigments
Lime Crime: Beneath the Glitter
Lime Crime Lipstick Review
Now, no need to remind me that Lime Crime isn't the only company repackaging and isn't the only one charging bull-s**t amounts for it. I know there are many, but this company has been the epicenter of the "repackaging scandal" that erupted during the last months of 2009. I have not personally tried LC cosmetics because of the price. I was considering waiting for a sale because I had admired Doe Deere's makeup tutorials from years ago... but then the Mutiny started and I began researching.
Lime Crime has destroyed their own reputation by attacking reviewers and former customers. It's not the "haters", Doe. If the company had been honest about it from the get go we wouldn't be at this point. Yet, Lime Crime STILL refuses to admit it! Doe Deere carries on about how she had to create all these amazing unique sparkley unicorn farts colors all by herself because they didn't exist... but she can't explain why numerous other companies have the exact same colors and/ or brighter and better colors. Her products are not even finished shadow, merely an ingredient. I find her claims about not being able to find bright enough eyeshadow to be laughable because years ago she made her claim to fame posting makeup tutorials using beautiful BRIGHT colors. Lime Crime just claims that all these other companies are followers and copy cats because only the self proclaimed "unicorn queen" is able to be original. Doe also claims constantly that Lime Crime is a superior product... how can it be superior when it is just an ingredient and NOT A FINISHED EYESHADOW??? The LC ingredients are exactly the same as the TKB trading micas.
If you want to waste your money on eyeshadow ingredients marketed as a "lifestyle brand" for "unicorn girls" go right ahead, but please don't believe Doe Deere's bull-s**t about making her own products. Just look at the packaging yourself, it says "distributed by Lime Crime" not "manufactured by". But if you're fine pretending your over priced micas are a superior product made by a magical unicorn queen that's no skin off my nose.
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The Mutiny Movement
So where should I buy and how do I know if I'm being ripped off?
The Mineral Makeup Mutiny is a direct response to repackaging and how it has tainted the industry. The site includes resources for how not to get repackaged products and links to companies that are "Mutiny approved"- meaning they make their own unique colors and products.
For more info on how not to get duped check out this guide to being an informed cosmetics buyer. Repacking isn't the only issue. Some companies use harmful ingredients and/or do not properly list ingredients.
To find helpful reviews visit the following sites:
Gothique
Lipsticks and Lightsabers
Fresco Phyrra
the next two sites require registration which is free:
Makeup Alley
Mineral Makeup Forums
And, last but not least, my personal recommendations!
Fyrinnae
Makeup Enigma* closed
Aromaleigh* closed
Hi-Fi Cosmetics
Paint FX Cosmetics
I can not recommend Fyrinnae enough, the shadows are truly amazing and unique. The swatches shown on the website and color descriptions are accurate. Fyrinnae is also a well run company and provides excellent customer service.
Makeup Enigma has sample prices that can't be beat, if you're not sure what to order this company is an economical place to start. The shade "barney cracked" should be in everyone's makeup kit!
purple: Medusa's Makeup- purple rain
green: Fyrinnae- OMG WTF
pink: Makeup Enigma- starburst
Fyrinnae- parental advisory with Makeup Enigma- barney cracked on top
purple: Medusa's Makeup- purple rain
pink: Makeup Enigma- starburst + Barry M- cherry red
silver: Makeup Enigma- bullet
black: Fyrinnae- harlequin
green: Fyrinnae- OMGWTF + Aromaleigh bigneonglitter
teal: Fyrinnae- bali mynah
purple: Medusa's- purple rain
pink: Fryrinnae- kitten in heels
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A Small Update
Since I have written this the Mutiny has come to an end. You can still find plenty of information on wonderful indie companies at the review sites I posted. With or with out the mutiny there will still be companies taking the easy and uncreative route but on the flip side there will still be many awesome companies popping up! Either way, I hope you leave this page more informed.
READ ADVENTURES IN MAKEUP LAND PART 2 ->
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