A New Source of Awesome, AKA Indie Makeup Is My New Favorite Thing

A few months ago, a friend of mine linked this article about Indie/Geeky makeup companies.  With that new found information, I catapulted down the rabbit hole of indie cosmetics, perfume, and bath products.

I can actually say that I am a little bit obsessed. It's literally a whole new world of makeup that has opened up and it's awesome and so cool and I admit also very overwhelming.

However, it has also led me to look at makeup in a different way.  So much of what I was lusting after in the cosmetics world was ending up getting rather pricey.  I was in Ulta the other week looking for something to pick out for Christmas, and found nothing, because every time I would see the price of something, I couldn't help but think....I bet I could find a less expensive, as good if not better, indie version of this...and for that price, I could get three of them!

Additionally, what drew me in even more was that most of the companies create collections based on things that my little nerdy heart adores.  There are Harry Potter themed shadows and perfumes, Supernatural nail polish and lip balms, and gigantic collections of eye shadow based on awesome, bad-ass women from history. Some of said items even come with really cool artwork on the packaging! This is a fantastic way for my work-day, closeted super-nerd to come out in a super secret way that only I know, unless I choose to gush to someone about how cool the themes behind my cosmetics actually are.  Oh, you like my eyeshadow? The colors are based on Egyptian gods and goddesses.  You think my perfume smells good? Yeah, it was created with the Greek goddess of the UNDERWORLD in mind.  No biggie.  Hey, I'm here to see the last Hobbit movie and why, yes, my eyes are covered in Middle Earth-inspired shadows!

In my research, I also discovered reddit, and more specifically, the sub-reddit Indie Makeup and More. It's full of helpful, awesome, funny enablers people who, without even knowing it, have already helped my narrow down my scope and take this fabulous indie-inspired journey one step at a time.  It's also become my new internet hang-out, although I've still been more of a lurker than a hard-core poster yet. (I just need to improve the quality of my swatches and photography skills).

Here are some of the companies I've tried out so far, as well as some of the ones I've made recent orders from (that haven't come in yet.)

Aromaleigh Cosmetics (AWESOME fandom/nerdy/cool shadow collections!)
Shiro Cosmetics (FANTASTIC nerdy shadows, as well as themed face products too)
Notoriously Morbid Cosmetics (All fandoms, all the time. Adorable nerdy themed monthly subscription!)
Blackbird Cosmetics (The best loose mattes I've ever used)
Smelly Yeti (perfumes--Buffy perfumes, so cool!)

Hello Waffle (One of the most raved about. Haven't tried anything yet, but THEY ARE COMING.)
Black Violet (perfumes/bath/body...I just blind bought a few things from them and I can't wait to smell the lovely smells!)
TenThree Labs (cosmetics, bath/body, perfumes...I ordered some of the raved about Salve Sticks and I'm super psyched to try them out!)

SO EXCITED.

2015 Knitting Resolutions!

It's officially a new year, and I have decided that there are some things I HAVE to get done. Like, before I add anything else to my list. I've had a handful of WIPs for MONTHS, YEARS, and they need to be finished. My early 2015 knitting goal is to finish ALL OF THE WIPS, before I start anything else. Hopefully making myself update via blog will encourage me to keep at it!

What I Need To Finish:

• Pine Bough Cowl--This was supposed to be a gift for my cousin....last December. Now over a year has passed and it needs to get done and to her before winter is over! Pine Bough Ravelry Link

• Paraphernalia Socks--I was excited to work with this yarn...it seems like everyone loses their shit over Noro yarns and I was looking forward to seeing if the hype was real. I wasn't really impressed. The colors are awesome, but the yarn isn't, imo.  I finished everything but the toe of the first sock, then got a bad case of SSS. Paraphernalia Rav Link

• Mora Lopapeysa--Another one I hope to finish before the cold weather is done.  It won't take me long--it's literally just knitting the collar part, sewing up the armpits, and blocking.  It's taken me waaay longer for this to be done than I intended, and I can't wait to wear it! Mora Rav Link

• Freyja Shawl--Ok, this is the big one. I started this shawl for my mom in 2010. 2010. It was my last year of undergrad and my mom and I decided that we were going to knit each other shawls while I was away.  I worked a bit on it, then decided that college was too distracting for all of the lace knitting going on, and hibernated the project.  I took it out again like two years ago and did a few more rows, but I NEED TO GET THIS DONE. I'll do this one last, I think, so I can concentrate fully on it.  Then I can knit myself a new pair of celebratory socks! :) Freya Rav link

So...let's see if I can do this! I CAN DO THIS.