Aromaleigh Cosmetics Ephemera - March 2015

I got my Aromaleigh Cosmetics Ephemera box earlier this month, but I am just now getting around to writing this up. Work has been crazy and I had to do some traveling/training before the weather got warmer. (I do mosquito research and warmer weather = hectic field season full of mosquito trapping).

I was INCREDIBLY excited last month when we got the sneak peak for Ragnarok, because I knew the theme would be Norse mythology. I fell in love with Norse mythology and Scandinavia in general in high school. Part of  this is due to a mythology class I took, the other part is due to the fact that I listen to a lot of  Scandinavian metal...it really is an obsession.

Like previous months, my package arrived the first week of the month and in a beautiful little box.

And when I opened the box I was happy to see Swedish Fish! :) It is not the highlight of the box, but I had NO IDEA they made them that large and individually packaged! Mind BLOWN! Once again, I am amazed at the packaging and detail. Color scheme is spot on for this theme.
 

Each box comes with a very detailed paper explaining the theme, colors, and recommendations on how to wear the items in the box. This is what REALLY sets this box apart from other subscriptions. I find the subject matter interesting and I also really love this incredibly thoughtful aspect of it.

This month three eyeshadows and a rouge were included.

Note the awesome labels

February's theme was incredibly colorful and may have been a little more difficult to wear in one look. As you can see below, the colors this month are more subdued.

Valkyrie is the only product eye, lip, and cheek safe. All products are vegan. Foiled swatches are indicated with a "*" in the caption.

From left to right: Valkyrie, Ragnarok, Yggdrasil, and Valhalla

Descriptions

• Valkyrie: soft warn rose shade.
• Ragnarok: a deep, warm reddish brown with gold/green interference sparkle.
• Yggdrasil: a midtone, heathered green with copper interference shimmer.
• Valhalla: a soft pale weathered gold with strong blue interference sparkle.

From left to right: Valkyrie*, Ragnarok*, Yggdrasil*, and Valhalla*

My Take

• Valkyrie: as described; a little bit of sheen and a great lip color as well
• Ragnarok: as described; to me there is more gold sparkle than green
• Yddrasil: as decribed; the copper is very strong and beautiful
• Valhalla: as described (couldn't have described it any perfectly)

This entire collection works well with one another and I still cannot get over how beautiful Valhalla is!  I swatched Valkyrie both dry and foiled because it is also lip safe. I have a photo below of me wearing this shade on my lips and HIGHLY recommend trying it out if you got his box.

There were three samples total including, one of them from Kiss My Sass Cosmetics.

 

Lets get Carina out of the way because it is AMAZINGLY beautiful. Also, this post is going up pretty late so the collection is already available. (Will plan on purchasing and reviewing).  This color is a beautiful violet with a teal duochrome! The sneak peek for next month is a beautiful pink with a gold sheen and violet sparkle. The theme is based of "a Roman festival celebrated in April." I am incredibly excited for this. This color is beautiful! 

From left to righ: Carina*, Sneak Peek*, Daydreams

The lipgloss sample included was Daydreams. Its a beautiful sheer gloss with a pink sheen with peppermint oil. Very minty and smells refreshing. The website also states that this gloss is vegan AND dye free. 

Products in Action 

Lid: Valhalla

Crease: Yggdrasil

Lower Lashline: Ragnarok

Cheeks: Valkyrie

Lid: Ragnarok

Inner Corner: Valhalla

Lower Lashline and Crease:Yggdrasil

Cheeks: Valkyrie

Lid: Yggdrasil

Inner Corner and Lower Lashline: Valhalla

Liner: Ragnarok

Cheeks: Valkyrie

Lid: Sneak Peek Color

Crease: Carina

Valkyrie mixed with OCC clear gloss!

I thoroughly enjoyed this box and look forward what April brings. If I had to chose one thing as my favorite it would have to be Valhalla! Its just a beautiful color that can be worn boldly or sheer. No matter how you wear it its unique enough to catch anybody's attention! 

Currently the Ephemera subscription has a waitlist so be sure to check out their Facebook page for updates. The monthly cost is $15 plus shipping.

Are you subbed? I would love to know what you thought about this theme! I can never get enough of Norse mythology! 

First Look! Brija Cosmetics

I always have a running list of Indie brands that I want to try. Brija Cosmetics released a Harry Potter inspired collection recently and I decidedI had to knock another one of these brands off my list. When I saw the labels and swatches for the Harry Potter inspired collection I KNEW I needed them in my hands and on my eyeballs.The collection is breathtaking as you will see in the pictures below!

About:
Brija Cosmetics is proud to be "100% vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, dye free, and uses organic oils."

I have been stalking Brija for a LONG time now. Brianna is the founder and owner of the brand and she is also a beauty vlogger on Youtube. I actually heard about Brija through her channel because I have been subbed for a few years now.

Brija has the options to buy shadows in full sizes ($5.50) mini sizes ($2.75) and samples ($1.45). In addition to shadows, there are bronzers, blushes, lip products, and even a few cream products. I recommend browsing the site! **Warning: You will want to buy a lot.**

Package and Shipping:
My order came quickly, considering all the snow we have here on the northern east coast, and was packaged in an adorable little bag.

 I chose to try out eyeshadows this round. I really wanted to order a few lips products, however, I recently had an allergic reaction to something I used on my lips. I think I was feeling defeated when I placed my order and opted out of it because of it. Next time...next time..

I decided to order the mini jars and add the collection labels to most of what I purchased, there is a .15 charge for each label. My order also came with a GwP, I believe for orders over $15, and two samples.

On to swatches and closeups!

Labels and Product Jars:

Top to Bottom: Saved By a Sock, Scared, Potter?

Top to Bottom: Shouldn't Have Said That, Page 394

Top to Bottom: Consulting Detective, Copper Rain (GwP)

Top to Bottom: Nothing Sexy, Strive

 See what I mean? The labels are adorable :)

Swatches:

I swatched all shadows on my arm, sans primer, and then foiled.

Full Swatch (Dry) Photo: Copper Rain, Saved By a Sock, Scared, Potter, Shouldn't Have Said That, Page 394, Nothing Sexy, Strive, Consulting Detective

Full Swatch (Wet) Photo: Copper Rain, Saved By a Sock, Scared, Potter, Shouldn't Have Said That, Page 394, Nothing Sexy, Strive, Consulting Detective

In swatch photos, * indicates foiled pigments.

 

Site Description

Copper Rain: N/A

Saved By A Sock: Pale pink with green duochrome and sparkles

My Take

Copper Rain: Bronze-orange with sparkles

Saved By A Sock: Pale pink with  green/pink sparkles

 

Site Description

Scared, Potter?: chartreuse yellow with a green duochrome

Shouldn't Have Said That: damp green and black duochrome with red and green sparkles

Page 394: charcoal gray with blue tinge and pink duochrome

 

My Take

Scared, Potter?: chartreuse yellow with a light green duochrome

Shouldn't Have Said That: mossy green with red and green sparkles

Page 394: charcoal gray with a purple tinge and silver/pink duochrome

 

Site Description

Nothing Sexy: light purple, almost taupe, with icy blue duochrome

Strive: medium magenta purple with orange duochrome and copper spark

Consulting Detective: light plum purple with a pink sheen with blue shimmer

My Take

Nothing Sexy: as described (can pull more purple if worn over a purple base)

Strive: as described

Consulting Detective: as described 

Site Description

LeviOsa: burgundy copper

Endure: light golden brown with orange duochrome

Cranberry Fizz: light pink base with turquoise glitter

My Take:

LeviOsa: as described (when blended edges are a beautiful orange)

Endure: as described (I see more of a dirty silver duochrome)

Cranberry Fizz:  as described (with a gorgeous turquoise shift)

Thoughts:

My overall thoughts are these shadows are incredibly beautiful! I found them to be very easy to blend and can be worn more sheerly OR built up for a more intense eyelook. I would recommend Brija to anyone who wants to try some color but are hesitant to. The bright shadows are incredibly wearable and have the versatility to be sheered out, without blending the color away. The more neutral shades I picked up are also unique and different enough to have some fun with, if color just isn't your thing. I did not have any  issues when I wore them and got an all day wear without creasing. *I do wear a primer and base under my pigmets to help avoide creasing.*

My favorite colors from my order are Strive, Scared, Potter?, and Nothing Sexy. However, I have enjoyed playing with everything I received. 

Products In Action:

I did a few looks using a majority of my order and had a lot of fun doing so. 

 Lid: Scared, Potter?

Outer V and Crease: Shouldn't Have Said That

Lower Lashline: Endure

 Inner and Outer Lid: Consulting Detective

Center Lid: Strive

Patted in Center Lid: Copper Rain GwP

Lid: Nothing Sexy

Crease: Page 394

I hope you enjoyed reading this and will check out Brija for yourself. I know I will be ordering a face highlight and a few lip products in my next order. Do you have any favorite Brija products that you think I should try? How do you incorporate color into your makeup? I can't stay away from bright shadows!

-H

Link Love: 

Harry Potter Demo Video