Oh, the drama. No more POP

It's no secret by now and we all know it. The TKB Pop micas, also know as THE HOLY GRAIL INGREDIENTS for repackagers (I bet all of you have seen the "unique rainbow sets" lots of sellers offer), are a really basic mica that those of us makeup formulators find versatile, handy and really useful when it comes to creating, tweaking and give a color that extra "something" I like. They're easy to use and blend and overall GREAT.

I personally don't use them as my main ingredients on my colors, but as a part of my blend. It makes a big difference not using them though.

Currently I'm only out of one of the Pop Micas, Strawberry Pop, which can be duped mixing Tangerine and Raspberry. But from this month on I'll be starting to replace them since I'm almost out of the rest of Pops.

Some of you have noticed that some of my shades look different now and it's because of this. Even though Strawberry can be duped, it's not exact and the shades containing the duped Strawberry look different now. My listings will be updated with the new ingredient lists as I do that and I'll put here on the blog a list of the reformulated shades so you know what's going on.

TKB Trading discontinued the Pops some time ago. This is the message you can find at their site.

Ok, so they have some replacements, but there is something to keep in mind, and it is the ingredients of them and the fact that they aren't exact dupes, so, the finished product you'll get when you replace the Pop mica from your recipe with one of them won't be the same AND your ingredient list won't be the same.

The Pop mica's ingredient list is the following:

 

Image taken from the TKB Trading site. 

-Mica, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, tin oxide.

Replacements TKB suggests:

 Images taken from the TKB Trading site.

-TRUE BLUE: Mica, titanium dioxide,  Blue #1 Al Lake dye, hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitic acid, preservatives.
-TRUE CORAL: Mica, titanium dioxide, Red #40 Al Lake dye, hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitic acid, preservatives.
-TRUE YELLOW: Mica, titanium dioxide, Yellow #5 Al Lake, hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitic acid, preservatives.
-TRUE GREEN: Mica, titanium dioxide, Blue #1 Al Lake dye, Yellow #5 Al Lake dye, hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitic acid, preservatives.
-TRUE RED/ORANGE: Mica, titanium dioxide, Red #7 Ca Lake dye, hydrogenated polyisobutene, palmitic acid, preservatives. THIS SHADE IS NOT SAFE FOR EYE USE.
-AMETHYST: Mica, titanium dioxide, tin oxide.
-PATAGONIAN PURPLE: Mica, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, ferric ferrocyanide. THIS SHADE IS NOT SAFE FOR LIP USE.
-PASSION ORANGE: Mica, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide.

As you can see, most of these colors contain dyes, preservatives and one of them isn't approved for eye use.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the use of dyes, BUT, it's obvious that if your products contain them you must state it clearly to avoid possible allergic reactions AND you have to state where they can and can not be used. And obviously it's not clever to put a non eye safe product in an eyeshadow, same as it isn't to add a no lip safe mica on a lip product.

We sellers must make it clear for our customers and you, as a customer, please make sure you know what's in the product you buy. This should apply for everything else, but, if you can't find an ingredient list on a shop, ask the seller first. If you still have doubts, research the ingredients. If a seller refuses to tell you what's in their product, skip them. Don't put your health at risk.

I think we all know by now what can happen if you use a product that's not safe for the eye area. I'm not going to go into dramas here, but there is a lot of info out there and a lot of blogs addressing these issues.

I don't want anyone to panic now and think mineral makeup is dangerous, it's not my intention at all. I just want you to understand that you have to know what you put on your skin, and people like me, who develops the products you're going to use, need to be open about this and the ingredients we use and have to be transparent and provide the information you need to make sure you feel safe and confident using our products.

If you have any questions or doubts, don't hesitate to ask me, I will try to make everything clear and solve any doubts you may have. You can contact me via commenting on my blog, via Twitter @lostmakeupland or email me directly at lostinmakeupland@gmail.com.

Now I'd like to ask you, how do you feel about the situation? Are you going to look up more closely what you're buying now? Do you trust sellers on this topic? Do you think my approach on this is adequate?

I think we all have our word on this, and I'd love to hear yours.

I love shopping indie

I'm going to write a post about a woooonderful package I received yesterday, that's an order from another indie company.

Before I do that, I think there are a couple of things I have to state clear since this is the blog from another indie company.

FIRST OF ALL: This is not a regular beauty blog so I won't be doing proper reviews, there are wonderful blogs on the right bar here where you can check indepht reviews on any company. I will just show you what I bought, swatches and will briefly tell you what I think of it.

BUT!!!! This is important, and it's a big difference from a regular beauty blog, I WILL NEVER TALK SHIT ABOUT ANOTHER COMPANY's PRODUCTS. I think it's unfair, disgusting and kind of nasty. One thing is that I'm sick of the activities from a few nasty companies and give my opinions on that and a very different one is that I buy a product from a honest company and don't like it. If I don't like it, I won't talk about it and that's it because I respect everyone's work and would never try to affect their business negatively. This doesn't mean I'm lying to anyone, just that I won't come here and say "I hated ZZZ product from AAA indie company." The only case when I will talk clearly about a company to warn you to stay away from it would be cases like Calypso, I was ripped off by that company and paypal never refunded my money or continued with my dispute. Still, now I'd never buy from anyone if I haven't seen they're honest (that's one of the reasons I love beauty blogs, but you have to know where to look).

I just want to share things I love with my customers and other people interested in my company, and that's the whole point on me swatching, talking and linking you to other company's shop. My intention isn't to review anything, is to say "hey! I got this wonderful customer service and gorgeous products, me happy yay!!!"

I don't believe in competition because every single one of us makes different stuff, and each one is unique on its own. The fact that I make eyeshadows doesn't mean that I can not buy eyeshadows from another company (indie or mainstream). I love shopping from indie makeup and bath companies and will keep on doing that.

I would like to know what you guys think of this.

Do you find appropiate that I talk about other companies here? I'm completely aware of the fact that it isn't a personal blog even though I like to throw in bits from time to time because I find it nice to interact with you and is a fun way for you to know what and who is behind the company.

I promise I'm back! Some thinking and love for all of you :)

Hi everyone!

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not updating my blog for so long. I've been neglecting it in order of getting other things done and due to life in general.

Christmas has been very busy, Lost in Makeupland is a baby that's trying to stand up on it's own and starting to walk step by little step. I really, REALLY, want to thank you all for keeping up with me, trusting my company and products and giving them a try.

I also want to apologize to all the people who ordered from me by the end of December because I had a long gap where it took me far too long to proccess or ship their orders. I fell sick at the start of January with a horrible cold, which resulted in me not going out of home to ship anything and absolutely and for OBVIOUS hygiene reasons not  going anywhere near products until I got well. No way for me getting near micas and bases while I was constantly coughing, sneezing and wiping my nose every momment. I hope everybody understands it and that it's not a big hassle for you.

A very important thing I want to do is thank all the people who's asked me questions, to those who've bought from me, especially for those of you who have come back after your first purchases. To all the people who's reviewed me (both on blogs and people who convo me telling me what they like about my products and how was their experience with them). Also thanks for those of you who follow my blog, Twitter and Facebook page.

I especially want to thank all the people who's ordered from me during Christmas and are still waiting for their orders to arrive. Thanks for your patience. Apparently, this Christmas have been very problematic for sellers outside the US. I'm going to write a full post about it, because doing some research, I've found out that I'm not the only one who's sent packages that are not arriving. I think it's a very serious matter and believe it deserves a post of it's own. If you ordered between Dec 11 and 27, don't panic just yet!

I'm so happy with the way things are going for my company, that I can't complain. Lost in Makeupland has been open for two months and a half and I've made more than 50 sales already, which I think it's great.

It's quite a bit overwhelming in the way that I'm changing my work schedule to adapt myself to the growing of the shop. I'm still deep into that, so I'm working slower at the momment and hope things go faster starting this new week. My current turnaround time is 2-5 days.

I'll be catching up with you guys in blog stuff during this next week, but I'll leave a little list of some of the topics I'm going to cover soon here:

-I've made a couple of giveaways.
-Upcoming products (a deep look into my Face powders, Alice's Chains collection which is being reformulated)
-I'm using transparent jars for eyeshadows instead of shiny black lids.
-Looks by you.
-Part 2 of the How I test my products post.
-The wonders of Pixie Epoxy (thanks Sakura for sending me some!)
-I've bought stuff from some lovely indie companies and will tell you what I think of everything.
-Looks by me.

My "almost" EOTD!

Don't you hate it when you rush to get your things done, have dinner while in a momment to be able to get ready, you get dressed and start to put on your make up to go out, and just when you're about to finish (I was going to put my mascara on) you are told you aren't going anywhere.

Ehh... yes, I'm angry, but the look really was gorgeous. I'm only posting pictures of my eyes and lips because lightening was awful and I wasn't in the mood for full face pictures.

I felt in a gold mood so I put this look together. I find these shades are very flattering on my brown/green eyes, they bring out the green in them and add some warmth to my face and expression. About the choice of lipstick, I find these two products together work with any look for me, so I stick to that combo whenever I don't want to think about what to wear.

PRODUCTS USED

EYES:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Lost in Makeupland Them Bones (the lightest color of the upcoming Alice's Chains collection) on the lid

Lost in Makeupland Expensive on the outer corners and wet as a liner on the lower lid

Bobbi Brown Espresso (dark brown blended with Expensive for more depth) on the outer corners

Lost in Makeupland Faerie on entire lid to highlight a bit

Lost in Makeupland Snow in the inner corners and the browbone to highlight even more 

Deliplus black eyeliner pen

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrac on the waterline and over Deliplus black liner to set and darken it

FACE:

Clinique Superbalanced Foundation in Petal

Clinique Airbrush concealer (it's actually a pen), I believe this is the only shade

MAC Gentle Mineralize blush

Cargo Catalina blush

Lost in Makeupland Faerie to highlight my temples, the bridge of my nose and just the tiniest touch on my cheeks

MUFE HD Powder (I learned too late about silica T_T)

LIPS:

NYX Round Lipstick B52

Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Pillow Talk

 Have you seen the gorgeous gold shimmer in Them Bones? <3

Hope you like the look!!

What do you think of it? Would you have chosen another lip/cheek combo?

Holy Grail items I can't live without

Today I want to tell you about a few things I can't live without. Those are my HG in makeup, bath and hair products. Some have been discovered recently but most of them have been a favourite of me for a long time.

Let's start!!

1. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I strongly believe everybody who is into make up, no matter if it is mainstream or indie, should use some sort of eye primer. It makes the color of the eyeshadows pop, improves adhesion, makes them last, helps prevent them from creasing... etc.

I've tried a few, and this is by far my favourite. I can't live without it!! I've been using it over a year and my tube still has a lot of product inside (you need the tiniest bit!!), even using it for swatching the eyeshadows I sell both when I'm going to photograph them and when I'm testing them both on my arms and eyes.

2. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

My life changed when I started using cream eyeliner!! You get a lot of precision, it's easier to use than liquid ones for me and works as a gorgeous black base to add up whatever you want! I'm not a fan of MAC, but I live and swear by this product.

3. Too Faced Lash Injection mascara

I discovered this over a year ago, and the momment I tried it it beat my (until that day) HG mascara combo. It gives my lashes lenght, makes them thicker and also does a great work on "multiplying" them. It's also very black, doesn't have any fallout on me and has never clumped or made my lashes look bad.

4. NYX lipstick in B52

This is my everyday choice of lipstick. It works wonderfully with my skin tone at summer when I'm tanner and with a pinkish or creamy gloss on top the rest of the year when I'm quite pale. I love it's formula, really creamy and easy to use, and the fact you can use it in any kind of look.

5. Lost in Makeupland highlighter in Faerie

Ok, so you can't know about this product because it isn't available yet, but I've been testing and using this over a month and has quickly become a HG for me. It's the perfect highlighter for my skin tone, it doesn't add a lot of shimmer, just lightens up a bit my skin. I use it on a everyday basis on my face and am in love with the results. I've also used it on a photoshoot on 4 different models, each one with a different skin tone, and it looked gorgeous. I wouldn't use as a finishing powder all over the face, just on those places which need a bit of extra life, but if you like that effect it works well.

6. Deliplus Kohl blending brush

They sell it as a blending brush for kohl and pencils, but I've been using for over 2 years as an eyeliner brush. This is my favourite brush ever, cheap (€3.70), does its job perfectly and has lasted me this much using it on a daily basis, so it's definitely a HG.

7. Benefit blush in Coralista

This shade looks great on me the whole year. It gives me a nice flushed look, similar to how my skin looks after going to the beach, not sunburnt, just warmed up a bit. It's got a great formula and really nice pigmentation that you can build up.

8. Kerastase Ciment Thermique serum

This is GREAT!! I've had a tube of this for over two years and it still has product inside for some more time. Ths serum is heat activated, it also helps protecting your hair when you blowdry or straighten it, leaving it looking better and helping it recover from all the shit hair goes through everyday. It's expensive, as everything from this brand, but it lasts so long (you only have to use the TINIEST bit everytime.

I'm using two more Kerastase products on my everyday hair care, I've been using them for a month with great results, but it's too son to claim them as HG yet.

10. Haus of Gloi sugar scrub in Vice

I love Haus of Gloi!! That said, I bought a lot of samples from them a long time ago, and was absolutely enchanted by the sugar scrubs, my favourite being Vice. It smells delicious, feels great on my skin, and the scent lingers on my body the whole day. I always used it after my shower, and just before going out applied a bit of vanilla perfume. Usually people where amazed by how I smelled, and I literally wanted to eat myself LOL. I ran out of it a few months ago, and during that time I've been using the rest of scrub samples I got from them. I like them all, but Vice is my absolute fave.

11. Deliplus Monogotas Vainilla shower gel

I bought this shower gel last month, and it has become a favourite of me, even more than Sephora's Vanilla Brulee shower gel. The reason is very simple, you get 500ml of this gel for €1,80 (a bit over $2), it feels really good on the skin, smells AMAZING, a bit on the vanilla ice cream side, it's really sweet, and it lingers on the skin for a few hours.

12. Sephora perfumes

I use those on a daily basis. I alternate between Vanilla Brulee and Pomegranate Lychee. I love both and can't live without them!! They smell gorgeous and linger on my skin for a long time. They aren't cheap, but they last me nearly two months each tube so I'm happy with that.

13. Garnier Body Tonic

This is a firming lotion for your body. I've been using it on an off in the last 3 years and love it. I like to apply it everyday after going to the gym, just after I step out of the shower. It does make my skin softer, and definitely has helped me with cellulite, BUT, it won't make it disappear, the best thing you can do to firm your skin and make your body look good is excercise, so don't expect a lotion to do the work for you! It will only make your skin look better and have a better feel to it, but only if you eat properly and excercise yourself.

14. Garnier Pure 3 in 1 cleanser

I've got normal to combination skin, I usually don't get too oily, just 'these' days, the rest of time my skin does behave quite well if I use the right products. This exfoliator is the perfect cleanser for my skin. It is a bit harsh so I used it only once per day, but that way I get matte skin, clean pores and no break outs. I've been using it for a couple of years with great results. Sadly I haven't been able to find it anywhere lately even though the website says it's still in their skin care line, so for the last two months I had to switch to their Pure deep exfoliating gel with ok results but not perfect. It irritates my skin slightly and I get a bit oily through the day, I get ocassional breakouts too. Now I've run out of it, so I'll try to find my HG again to make my skin go back to normal.

15. GHD styler

I don't have much to say about it, just that it's the best thing I've ever bought and can't live without it. My hair is straight but it's got a LOT of volume, so this straightener helps me keep it the way it has to, in a few minutes (it takes me 5 minutes to do my whole head). It's absolutely worth its cost.

Wow that was long!! Those are my HG products, I've left a few out but these are the most important ones.

Which products do you feel you can't live without?