The wonderful Phyrra is hosting a Lost in Makeupland giveaway on her site. We're celebrating the new year like that and we're also working together on a super seeeecret thing you'll know about soon ;)
Want to know the details? Then click here and enter the giveaway, it's going to be fun and you get a lot of chances to win!!
<3
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Testing... something not to overlook - Part One
Hi everyone! Today I'm going to talk about something I find quite interesting and that people often doesn't know how it's or if it's done at all. Every MMU creator has their own way to do it, I'm just telling you the way I test my products. If any of you has other ideas or a better way to test them I'll be more than glad to hear that!
I find that testing a product is a very important step on its creation. You can't just throw in some micas, a base, mix them and voilá, ready to sell. There is a process, where you first have to mix a color, know which kind of finish you want (I want to do a very extensive post someday explaining the way bases or the lack of them and which kind of bases and quantities affect in a certain way the finish, look and quality of an eyeshadow), put it all together and then you have to actually try that finished product to see if you made it right or if it does work at all the way it should.
Depending on the product I'm testing, I do it differently. I'll write a two part post breaking down in detail how I test each product. In Part One I'll cover eyeshadows and in Part Two I'll talk about blushes and face powders.
Let's start!
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadows are really fun to make. They have so many possibilities it's ridiculous! You can also test them in many different ways.
The first thing I do is swatch the eyeshadow on my forearm with no primer, then I apply a bit of TFSI next to it, let it set for a few seconds then apply it on top of the primer. I'm going to use Purrrple as a sample here. The swatch on the left is on bare skin and the one on the right on top of TFSI.
The next step is rubbing the surface where I applied the eyeshadow gently to see how it holds up to touching and blending.
I also like to test how the eyeshadow behaves when it's wet, so I dip the tip of an angled eyeliner brush on a drop of water, take of the excess of water with a tissue and then I pick a bit of eyeshadow and apply a thin line next to the swatches.
Once I'm happy with that, I go on and apply the eyeshadow on my eyelids. I use a little bit of primer before then I apply it and see how it wears during the day. I also like lining my lower line with that eyeshadow wet. If I'm going out, I also do my liner and apply a bit of mascara.
One thing I find very important and it's primary for me is to check if my eyes get irritated using an eyeshadow. My eyes are sensitive and get irritated easily so I would never sell anything if it irritated them.
Cleaning up is also important, does the eyeshadow stain? Is it hard to remove from my eyes? These things are also taken into consideration.
The next day I'm ready to see how it blends with other eyeshadows so it's time to create a look using the one I've been testing. At this step, I ALWAYS use eyeshadows from Lost in Makeupland that have been already tested or other eyeshadows I have at home, be it loose or pressed it doesn't matter, but I have to be sure that if anything goes wrong, it's because of the one I'm currently testing and I can know exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.
It is the last and most critical step. If the eyeshadow doesn't blend well, if it falls out of your eyes, if it's impossible to build up opacity... then that batch is wrong and the formula will need some more adjusting and to start the test again.
If everything goes fine and I'm happy with the result, the eyeshadow will be ready to be released!! I take pictures of it, write the Etsy listing, and time to move on to another one! :)
Do you find this kind of posts useful? Do you want me to keep on posting things like this? Is there anything you'd like me to cover? As always, I'll be glad to listen.
Stay tuned for Part Two!! ^___^
I find that testing a product is a very important step on its creation. You can't just throw in some micas, a base, mix them and voilá, ready to sell. There is a process, where you first have to mix a color, know which kind of finish you want (I want to do a very extensive post someday explaining the way bases or the lack of them and which kind of bases and quantities affect in a certain way the finish, look and quality of an eyeshadow), put it all together and then you have to actually try that finished product to see if you made it right or if it does work at all the way it should.
Depending on the product I'm testing, I do it differently. I'll write a two part post breaking down in detail how I test each product. In Part One I'll cover eyeshadows and in Part Two I'll talk about blushes and face powders.
Let's start!
Eyeshadow
Eyeshadows are really fun to make. They have so many possibilities it's ridiculous! You can also test them in many different ways.
The first thing I do is swatch the eyeshadow on my forearm with no primer, then I apply a bit of TFSI next to it, let it set for a few seconds then apply it on top of the primer. I'm going to use Purrrple as a sample here. The swatch on the left is on bare skin and the one on the right on top of TFSI.
The next step is rubbing the surface where I applied the eyeshadow gently to see how it holds up to touching and blending.
I also like to test how the eyeshadow behaves when it's wet, so I dip the tip of an angled eyeliner brush on a drop of water, take of the excess of water with a tissue and then I pick a bit of eyeshadow and apply a thin line next to the swatches.
Once I'm happy with that, I go on and apply the eyeshadow on my eyelids. I use a little bit of primer before then I apply it and see how it wears during the day. I also like lining my lower line with that eyeshadow wet. If I'm going out, I also do my liner and apply a bit of mascara.
One thing I find very important and it's primary for me is to check if my eyes get irritated using an eyeshadow. My eyes are sensitive and get irritated easily so I would never sell anything if it irritated them.
Cleaning up is also important, does the eyeshadow stain? Is it hard to remove from my eyes? These things are also taken into consideration.
The next day I'm ready to see how it blends with other eyeshadows so it's time to create a look using the one I've been testing. At this step, I ALWAYS use eyeshadows from Lost in Makeupland that have been already tested or other eyeshadows I have at home, be it loose or pressed it doesn't matter, but I have to be sure that if anything goes wrong, it's because of the one I'm currently testing and I can know exactly what's wrong and how to fix it.
It is the last and most critical step. If the eyeshadow doesn't blend well, if it falls out of your eyes, if it's impossible to build up opacity... then that batch is wrong and the formula will need some more adjusting and to start the test again.
If everything goes fine and I'm happy with the result, the eyeshadow will be ready to be released!! I take pictures of it, write the Etsy listing, and time to move on to another one! :)
Do you find this kind of posts useful? Do you want me to keep on posting things like this? Is there anything you'd like me to cover? As always, I'll be glad to listen.
Stay tuned for Part Two!! ^___^
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christmas Day Look
Here in Algeciras, the 24th is a bit different than anywhere else in Spain. Young people reunite in the morning (since 12:00 or so) and drink, have fun with friends, drink some more and spend the afternoon inside a huge crowd until the sun goes down.
I didn't feel like drinking, so I just took a beer there and went for a couple of hours in the afternoon to meet friends. Since it was going to be really crowded I went with some comfortable clothes and pretty basic makeup. I didn't apply a base or concealer at all to let my skin rest for the night. I just applied a bit of a Deliplus powder base and MUFE HD powder to my skin. No blush at all since my hair was freshly dyed and dye would end on my cheeks anyway later. I kept my eyes simple too.
I used my Sleek Acid palette for the look, using the matte purple and a bit of neon pink in my inner corner blended very well with the purple and a bit of the white from that palette under my crease blending down the purple and pink and on my inner corner. As a highlight I applied a bit of Faerie to the rest of my lid up to my eyebrows.
At 20:00 I went back home to take a quick shower and change my clothes and also changed my makeup. I did a look inspired on this GORGEOUS look by Phyrra. I was in a real hurry and couldn't take pictures of it though, but will redo it and take pictures then since I loved the result.
PRODUCTS USED:
EYES:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Sleek Acid palette's matte Purple
Sleek Acid palette's neon Pink
Sleek Acid palette's matte white
Lost in Makeupland Faerie highlighter
Deliplus black eyeliner pen
Coastal Scents (same generic one sell anywhere) gel liner in Deep Plum (waterline and lower line)
Too Faced Lash Injection mascara
FACE:
Deliplus compact powder foundation
Make Up Forever HD powder
LIPS:
Vaseline
Nyx Round Lipstick in B52
What did you do for Christmas? Did you do any different looks than usual? Did you get any presents?
I didn't feel like drinking, so I just took a beer there and went for a couple of hours in the afternoon to meet friends. Since it was going to be really crowded I went with some comfortable clothes and pretty basic makeup. I didn't apply a base or concealer at all to let my skin rest for the night. I just applied a bit of a Deliplus powder base and MUFE HD powder to my skin. No blush at all since my hair was freshly dyed and dye would end on my cheeks anyway later. I kept my eyes simple too.
I used my Sleek Acid palette for the look, using the matte purple and a bit of neon pink in my inner corner blended very well with the purple and a bit of the white from that palette under my crease blending down the purple and pink and on my inner corner. As a highlight I applied a bit of Faerie to the rest of my lid up to my eyebrows.
At 20:00 I went back home to take a quick shower and change my clothes and also changed my makeup. I did a look inspired on this GORGEOUS look by Phyrra. I was in a real hurry and couldn't take pictures of it though, but will redo it and take pictures then since I loved the result.
PRODUCTS USED:
EYES:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Sleek Acid palette's matte Purple
Sleek Acid palette's neon Pink
Sleek Acid palette's matte white
Lost in Makeupland Faerie highlighter
Deliplus black eyeliner pen
Coastal Scents (same generic one sell anywhere) gel liner in Deep Plum (waterline and lower line)
Too Faced Lash Injection mascara
FACE:
Deliplus compact powder foundation
Make Up Forever HD powder
LIPS:
Vaseline
Nyx Round Lipstick in B52
What did you do for Christmas? Did you do any different looks than usual? Did you get any presents?
Merry Christmas!!
A bit late, I know, but anyway, I just want to wish you again a Happy Holidays. Mine are being much nicer than I could've ever imagine and hope yours are too.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!!
<3
Belén
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Ana made me happy today :)
This morning I woke up to a lovely review by Anastasia of Lipsticks and Lightsabers. I'm glad she liked my products and love the fact that she highlighted the good stuff and also pointed out what needs improvement. That's what reviews are for and it's, along with customers feedback, the best way to improve, check out what you do right and wrong and of course, a way to reach people who wouldn't know of your business otherwise. I will ran tabout reviews, review requests and that another day, I'm just taking a break from orders, it's been quite busy today.
You can read Anastasia's review and see her GOOOORGEOUS swatches HERE.
Lost in Makeupland has also been reviewed by the wonderful Phyrra (can you keep a secret? She's my blogging hero!), you can check her introduction and great, accurate swatches HERE.
Kimberly from Kimmie Karma Love also tried and swatched some of my products and posted a review on her blog, you can find them HERE.
And Nea, from Fashioned in Finland also swatched, reviewed and did a few beautiful looks using Lost in Makeupland eyeshadows, go take a look at them HERE!
If you have reviewed my company or find any reviews online, please let me know, I will post them here whether they liked my products or not!
You can read Anastasia's review and see her GOOOORGEOUS swatches HERE.
Lost in Makeupland has also been reviewed by the wonderful Phyrra (can you keep a secret? She's my blogging hero!), you can check her introduction and great, accurate swatches HERE.
Kimberly from Kimmie Karma Love also tried and swatched some of my products and posted a review on her blog, you can find them HERE.
And Nea, from Fashioned in Finland also swatched, reviewed and did a few beautiful looks using Lost in Makeupland eyeshadows, go take a look at them HERE!
If you have reviewed my company or find any reviews online, please let me know, I will post them here whether they liked my products or not!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
New week...
As you may (or may not if you are new to Lost in Makeupland), every week starts with a Lifestyle collection release and a new weekly offer.
Supply problems seem to have vanished already and I'm going back to being fully productive! Today was quite productive actually since I released 3 blush shades.
Monday will be the release of Mustard, a greenish gold, almost metallic and quite flattering. Here is a little swatch of it.
On to the weekly sale... there's one going until December 25th that you'll already know about if you follow me on Twitter ;) AND there's another one that starts this week. If your order is over $15 (shipping not included), you can choose 5 eyeshadow, highlighter or blush samples for free. Not bad, isn't it?
This week I want to get more swatching done, show you upcoming eyeshadows I'm working on, do a few EOTDs (any look you'd like to see? Is there any eyeshadow combo you want me to try? I'm open to suggestions!).
I also want to share with you some of the products I use frequently and highlight others I'm dying to try but haven't bought yet.
Dealing with making the Facebook page is driving me crazy, I've spent the whole day trying to make something nice for it and it was a total failure. I hope I figure out during this week a way to make it work. Trying to find a template to add offers, highlight new products and more stuff there has been fruitless.
I also have a few emails to send, some research to do, to do home stuff, bleach and dye my hair, setting up the reviews page, get ready to party HARD on the 24th, keep going to the gym every day of the week and so many things that I feel dizzy just by thinking about them.
Blogging regularly is quite an effort to me, but I think I'm getting used to it slowly :)
How was last week for you? Is this incoming week going to be stressful for you too?
Supply problems seem to have vanished already and I'm going back to being fully productive! Today was quite productive actually since I released 3 blush shades.
Monday will be the release of Mustard, a greenish gold, almost metallic and quite flattering. Here is a little swatch of it.
On to the weekly sale... there's one going until December 25th that you'll already know about if you follow me on Twitter ;) AND there's another one that starts this week. If your order is over $15 (shipping not included), you can choose 5 eyeshadow, highlighter or blush samples for free. Not bad, isn't it?
This week I want to get more swatching done, show you upcoming eyeshadows I'm working on, do a few EOTDs (any look you'd like to see? Is there any eyeshadow combo you want me to try? I'm open to suggestions!).
I also want to share with you some of the products I use frequently and highlight others I'm dying to try but haven't bought yet.
Dealing with making the Facebook page is driving me crazy, I've spent the whole day trying to make something nice for it and it was a total failure. I hope I figure out during this week a way to make it work. Trying to find a template to add offers, highlight new products and more stuff there has been fruitless.
I also have a few emails to send, some research to do, to do home stuff, bleach and dye my hair, setting up the reviews page, get ready to party HARD on the 24th, keep going to the gym every day of the week and so many things that I feel dizzy just by thinking about them.
Blogging regularly is quite an effort to me, but I think I'm getting used to it slowly :)
How was last week for you? Is this incoming week going to be stressful for you too?
Blushes!!
Finally, I've started selling blushes! So far, I'm selling three shades: Shy, Enough and Sunburnt. Right now only samples and 10gr full size jars are available at $1.50 samples and $7 the full sizes. I'll list MiniSizes in the upcoming days.
Blushes really are a pain to swatch, combined with the fact that it's been really dark and cloudy lately, it's been impossible to get good swatches of them :(
Anyway, let's take a look at these babies!
Shy is a shimmery baby pink, it will give your skin a beautiful glow!
Enough is my favourite, it's a medium pink with buildable opacity, flattering and natural. It has a satiny texture to it so it doesn't get too shimmery.
Sunburnt is perfect for medium to dark skin tones, but used carefully is gorgeous on lighter skin tones as well. It is a pinkish coral, it's very pigmented so I recommend you add little by little until you get the desired result!
All these blushes can be used on your eyes and cheeks :)
Do you like them? Which kind of texture do you prefer on blushes? My favourite would be mat, what about you?
Blushes really are a pain to swatch, combined with the fact that it's been really dark and cloudy lately, it's been impossible to get good swatches of them :(
Anyway, let's take a look at these babies!
Shy is a shimmery baby pink, it will give your skin a beautiful glow!
Enough is my favourite, it's a medium pink with buildable opacity, flattering and natural. It has a satiny texture to it so it doesn't get too shimmery.
Sunburnt is perfect for medium to dark skin tones, but used carefully is gorgeous on lighter skin tones as well. It is a pinkish coral, it's very pigmented so I recommend you add little by little until you get the desired result!
All these blushes can be used on your eyes and cheeks :)
Do you like them? Which kind of texture do you prefer on blushes? My favourite would be mat, what about you?
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