July 2015 Favorites

I'm a bit late on my July Favorites, but I had some great products this month that I just had to share! I've been slowing my roll on buying up all the things lately, got to save for some trips and other fun things coming up. And I've just been feeling unmotivated to get blog posts done. :( I'm just trying not to beat myself up too much if I don't get done what I wanted to get done, and just focus on getting done what I can. Sorry if you've been wondering what happened to the almost daily posts, but I just have other things that I need/want to do. You know, life stuff! On to the favorites!

Indies of the Week: June and July 2015 COTMs Review

This post got delayed last month because I was still waiting on some of my COTMs (Color of the Month), so I decided to just push it back until now so I could include July's COTMs as well. And I have a few extra brands to include this month, including some Darling Girl and a perfume from Alchimia Apothecary that was part of the Rusalka Menagerie from Aromaleigh.

Indie Weekends: Aromaleigh Anthousai Collection Review

When I first saw the Aromaleigh Anthousai Collection, I imagined it would be a great collection for me because most of the colors are shades I tend to gravitate towards. Especially lately, I love neutrals, muted pastels, pinks, purples, and of course anything that is the color of a metal. And this collection has a little of everything!

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh June 2015 Ephemera Review

The Aromaleigh Ephemera subscription is one of my most anticipated subs every month, and this month didn't disappoint. The theme was based on Melusine, from European folklore, which is kind of akin to a mermaid! I was pleasantly surprised that there were not just blues and greens this month, which is kind of what you expect when you think of mermaids.

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indies of the Week: May 2015 COTMs Review

I finally received one of the last May Colors of the Month I was waiting on, so I can finally do my, hopefully, monthly Colors of the Month post! Luckily, almost all of these products and shades are still available for purchase, so if you see something you like, you can still buy it!

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh May 2015 Ephemera Review

May's Aromaleigh Ephemera arrived quite a while ago, but I just didn't have time to do my look I normally do. I probably should have gotten to this much earlier, but I have just not felt like doing my makeup much this month. Or really any time I am not leaving the house, or I'm in a rush, or it's early. Do you ever get that? Well anyways, it's finally here, my review for May's Ephemera, sans my usual look.

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Subscription: Innocent+Twisted Alchemy May 2015 Review

This month's Innocent+Twisted Alchemy subscription was inspired by the movie Alien, and had quite a few extras I was excited about! It's also I+TA's 4th anniversary! This month's colors were all pretty neutral, but Linda has promised more colors next month.

About - Innocent+Twisted Alchemy is based in California, owned by Linda, and specializes in eyeshadow and blush. Many of their collections are inspired by anime, but they also have the "Live Or Die" collection which is inspired by the Saw films. IT+A also has a monthly subscription, that comes in sample or full size form.

April 2015 Favorites

I'm finally doing my favorites post in the month it's for! I never got around to doing last month's video, but I'm hoping I can get up a combined March/April video this week. April...ah, one of my favorite months. Not only because it's my birthday month, but also because there's still a bit of rain, it's not too hot, it's not too cold, at least here in California. And my favorites this month felt so appropriate for spring.

Indie Weekends: Aromaleigh Leshy Menagerie Collection Review

Aromaleigh recently introduced a new Color of the Month, which also includes a mini collection to go along with it. For April, it's the Leshy Menagerie Collection and includes one blush, and three eyeshadows. The Menagerie is an off-shoot of the Color of the Month which consists of more daring and experimental shades and finishes. Each will be themed around each mythical creature COTM, and there will be a new mini collection each month!

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh April 2015 Ephemera Review

Eep this post is a bit late! I was having some computer troubles and taking forever to do my look, but it's finally here! There was a small incident where the Aromaleigh Ephemera had to be switched over to a new subscription platform because the original system was giving errors. Everyone had to resubscribe who had been previously, and I was so close to not resubscribing. As much as I loved this subscription, the products were going to be available for purchase two months after they came in the box, and I wasn't sure it was worth it. But I changed my mind and resubscribed and I'm so glad I did! This month was amazing, and I just loved all the colors.

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

March 2015 Favorites

Finally, my late March Favorites post! I've been putting this off too long, and I still haven't done my video, but I'll attach it here when it's done. I've been just picking about 9 of my favorite things each month, usually at least one indie subscription, and I try to pick a variety of kinds of products. What do you guys think about having categories each month? Like favorite bath and body product, favorite eyeshadow, favorite perfume, etc? Let me know in the comments, and maybe I'll add categories for April! I feel like I barely wore makeup in March, but I still managed to have some eye and lip favorites!

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh March 2015 Ephemera Review

It seems mine and everyone else's Aromaleigh Ephemera arrived yesterday! I was looking forward to seeing what was in store this month, it was more subdued than last month. And I actually went almost entirely spoiler free for once in my life, so that was pretty exciting. I was so tempted to look at the spoilers until I realized my mail was being delivered before noon for the first time in a while. I loved the look I came up with! I was like, oh hey I can makeup!

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

February 2015 Favorites

Here are my February Favorites! There's really no method to this madness, I usually just try to pick about 9 products each month that I really loved, or found myself grabbing for more than other products, or something in my collection I rediscovered. Usually I try to go for products in a few different categories, but the favorites don't always land that way. 

Indie Weekends: Aromaleigh Feast of Lupercal Collection Review

The Aromaleigh Feast of Lupercal Collection is the Valentine's Day collection, inspired by the ancient Roman festival, Lupercalia, which took place in February. They offered this collection in the new deluxe sample size jars, so I knew I had to give them a try, and see how they are!

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh February 2015 Ephemera Review

My Aromaleigh Ephemera subscription for this month just arrived yesterday, so I worked quickly to get an unboxing video shot (it's at the bottom of this review), and the look and review done for today! This month's theme is based on the movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind!

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Weekends: Aromaleigh Brilliant Deductions Collection Review

The Aromaleigh Brilliant Deductions collection is inspired by the tv show, Sherlock. I've had this collection sitting here waiting to be swatched and reviewed for too long, so I thought I should get it done! It's frequently on sale, and it seems to have won the vote for the next collection to get the new deluxe sample jars made available for purchase. These should be available during the first half of February.

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Subscription: Aromaleigh January 2015 Ephemera Review

Aromaleigh just introduced their new monthly subscription box called the Ephemera, and January was it's first month! I had to subscribe to see what kinds of products we would be receiving, and I can already tell this is shaping up to be a great indie subscription! There were quite a few unique features about it that I wish some other companies were doing with their indie subs as well.

About - Aromaleigh opened back in 1998, and was one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started. Kristen is the owner, and is based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired. The monthly Ephemera subscription began January 2015.

Indie Weekends: Aromaleigh Sol Invictus Holiday 2014 Collection Review

I have been awaiting the arrival of my Aromaleigh Sol Invictus collection, because I decided to pre-order it to ensure it would arrive quickly to review for you! This collection is inspired by the Saturnalia festival, celebrated by ancient Rome, which was a festival of light before the winter solstice. Supposedly, it was thought centuries ago that December 25th was the date chosen for Christmas because it corresponded with the Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, which translates to "Birthday of the Unconquered Sun", but that has been challenged by some scholars. Hey, history!

Aromaleigh was started back in 1998, is one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started, and they are based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired.

Shipping - This collection officially released on November 14th (a day earlier than it was supposed to release), but I pre-ordered it, so it shipped for me on the 14th, and arrived via USPS 3 days later. I know some people who pre-ordered it the first day received theirs a day or so earlier than I did.

Indie Halloween Week: Aromaleigh Diavoli Collection Review and Swatches

Welcome to another Indie Halloween Week post, today I have swatches of the Aromaleigh Diavoli Collection! This collection has been out for a while, but I thought since it's inspired by the demons in Dante's Inferno, it would be perfect for Halloween week!

I haven't had a post yet exclusively about Aromaleigh, so I'll give you a little background information about them. Aromaleigh was started back in 1998, is one of the first indie cosmetic companies to be started, and they are based in South Carolina. They offer a few fandom related collections, including Hannibal, Sherlock, and the Hunger Games, but most of their collections are historically and mythologically inspired.

Shipping - Aromaleigh is one of those great indie companies who has a fairly quick turnaround time, averaging 2-6 business days. For this order, and most of my orders, the turnaround time has been very quick for me. It shipped 1 day after I ordered, and arrived 3 days after that via USPS, from South Carolina to California.

Indie Weekends: The Great Indie Potluck Package of Pretties Review and Swatches

This is a very special edition of Indie Weekends, as I received a jam-packed package of indie pretties in the mail, and I'm here to review and swatch everything I received! And I even managed to do a few looks with some of the shadows! I revealed it all in an earlier post which you can find here, and it also includes some more information about our indie potluck.

Warning! Extremely picture heavy post!