Here's a sort of FAQ about my Cosmetics store. It's a mix of basic information and a few fun facts!
What's happening now at the Garden Of Shadows MMU store?
Reformulation of old products will happen in the next few months; store is currently being overhauled but will be filled back up soon. Currently a new shade (below) will be released soon, it's colour changing!
News links:
New shade coming soon: Blue colour changing eyeshadow!
Digitalis Multiuse Blush
Pressed Palette
Lotus Multiuse Blush
How do you formulate?
I usually go with a theme and have colours in mind that I want to make. Then I work on the details of the colour at different levels and the ingredients to make it. I have a general idea of what goes into it but I experiment and see what works until I finalise what the end product it's going to be. Testing out the performance comes last!
I'm open to reformulation and new techniques. I know that I'll continue to learn and I want my eyeshadows to grow with me and not stay static in a time capsule. If something can be done better I will try and do it; so the eyeshadows I make today may change with time. I regularly reassess the formulation of products!
As I hand make all colours batches may differ slightly.
Why are you offering preorder?
As a person starting out with limited resources, funds, and as a partial hobby, offering preorder allows for me to buy ingredients in bulk and keep my prices lower. I usually offer some sort of discount because of this in part to compensate for the waiting time. Preorder doesn't necessarily mean you will have to wait the full preorder time (at best straight away) if I have supplies or products in stock.
Why are you offering made to order?
To ensure that stock doesn't sit for a long time products will be made to order as a transition between preorder and in stock. This means that I have the ingredients at hand but I haven't created the finished products yet. Additional waiting time will be added to create these products.
How much are in each product?
I pack full sized products by weight and not by volume to reduce variation. I generally pack more than stated for each product. Here is a list of weights:
Full sized eyeshadow jars - 1.7 grams of product in a 5 gram jar w/ sifter
Mini jars - 0.75 grams of product in a 5 gram jar
Sample bags - 1/8 tsp in a small plastic ziplock bag
Pressed blushes - 7-8 grams (varies due to hand pressing) pressed in a pan in a compact
Do you have mini jars?
A separate listing of 5 mini jars are now available to sample products. The difficulty lies in the high shipping price associated with buying mini jars so you will have to pay same price as full sized shipping. The future question is whether I will have mini jars vs. sample bags.
Why are you using sample baggies?
In Australia shipping costs a TONNE especially to overseas. Shipping by letter greatly reduces the costs which is wiser for a small amount of product. Therefore sample baggies are the best fitting way to send in letters.
How do you suggest I wear your eyeshadows?
All eyeshadows benefit with the use of an eyeshadow primer for full payout and longevity. For shimmery or sparkly eyeshadows applying them wet and on a sticky base helps to reduce flyaway. Using a clean brush is best!
Are these eyeshadows here to stay or are they limited edition?
Popular shades often stay. They are not limited edition per say but there is always a chance shades will be discontinued or reformulated differently.
What plans do you have?
In the short term I'm adding blushes and pressed products to my list! My long term goals include perfecting what I already have, and creating lip gloss, lipstick and cream eyeshadows.
Is your store always open?
I'll try to keep it running all the time but obviously making cosmetics isn't my full time job. If my work conflicts with the store then I'll change the status or at worst close it temporarily. For current orders they will be filled as normal. For orders ordered during 'vacation mode' there may be a delay for new orders which will be noted at the store front. If the store closes current orders will be filled but new orders can't be made, though if I can't process current orders in a reasonable time frame I'll cancel the order. I want to be as fair as possible.
How often do you ship?
I ship on weekdays as Australia Post only ship weekdays. I don't ship on public holidays or during a hiatus.
Do you take commissions?
Mostly not at the moment but email me first if you have a clear idea in mind that's different to what I already have!
Do you support any causes or charities?
I'm currently thinking of doing an eyeshadow which some of the profits will go to a charity but I'm trying to find the right organisation. If I can't find it then I'll consider storing the funds until the cause can be fulfilled and may even take an active role in its use.
How did you get into cosmetic making?
It was a bit of a natural move. I love makeup and I love being creative. When I was a kid I used to mess around with saws and hammers, cut bits of wood and nailed them together. I made a very primitive painted wooden doll with yarn hair and a sort of shed to house horses! Around the same time I started my clothing store I thought about making makeup. I decided now was a better time than any to start something I love!
Are you strictly mineral makeup?
No. I will use synthetic pigments used if I can't otherwise achieve the vibrancy or type of effect of an eyeshadow. I stay away from latex and kaolin, avoid talcs, bismuth oxychloride and parabens for reasons such as allergies. I avoid synthetic glitter in eyeshadow generally since it can be irritating to the eye! If I use glitter it would be carefully decided rather than just added on whim.
Where are you from?
'Stralia, Mate! If you didn't pick that up I meant I'm from Australia, Sydney. I live in a suburban area. Sydney isn't much of a city. No one really lives in the 'city' of skyscrapers (and the nightlife is rather bleak). Some would consider where I live almost rural (I swear there are snakes around here!) but it's the type of area where most Australians live! I'm proud to be Australian =P!
And you're a goth?
I am very much a goth at heart/closet goth or what have you. In my mind all of the gothic aesthetics appeal to me. For practicality's sake I dress down day to day (soft goth?) but for some special occasions I do wear my gothic clothing. I'm pretty romanticist with what I like and think. I also listen to mainly metal music: symphonic, power, folk, viking, black, death, progressive; a bit of EBM/electro and a bit of industrial. Hopefully I will be able to do a few collections based on this aesthetic.
Makeup tastes?
Hmm... pale skin; sparkly, bright, dark and colourful eyeshadow but not neutrals! Overdramatic, like evening looks amped up 300%. Makeup, for me, is about fun and creativity and not about completing a daily chore. I do it when I have time and as something uplifting.
Wait, you write a blog?
Yes, and I don't plan to stop reviewing makeup =D! That kind of means I'll be buying more too...(uh oh.) I do have a second blog about my garden that I update when I feel like it. It's more for myself but it does contain an array of cute creatures in it! If you are an animal or plant lover I'm sure you'll love this blog too!
Is this a one woman army?
Yep, just me!
Thanks for reading.
Love, Porcelaine.
Firstly a few links on where to find me:
This blog of course!
My email address: gardenofshadowsstore at gmail dot com
Twitter: @Garden_Shadows
Tumblr for gothy inspiration and short news
What's happening now at the Garden Of Shadows MMU store?
Reformulation of old products will happen in the next few months; store is currently being overhauled but will be filled back up soon. Currently a new shade (below) will be released soon, it's colour changing!
New shade coming soon: Blue colour changing eyeshadow!
Digitalis Multiuse Blush
Pressed Palette
Lotus Multiuse Blush
How do you formulate?
I usually go with a theme and have colours in mind that I want to make. Then I work on the details of the colour at different levels and the ingredients to make it. I have a general idea of what goes into it but I experiment and see what works until I finalise what the end product it's going to be. Testing out the performance comes last!
I'm open to reformulation and new techniques. I know that I'll continue to learn and I want my eyeshadows to grow with me and not stay static in a time capsule. If something can be done better I will try and do it; so the eyeshadows I make today may change with time. I regularly reassess the formulation of products!
As I hand make all colours batches may differ slightly.
Why are you offering preorder?
As a person starting out with limited resources, funds, and as a partial hobby, offering preorder allows for me to buy ingredients in bulk and keep my prices lower. I usually offer some sort of discount because of this in part to compensate for the waiting time. Preorder doesn't necessarily mean you will have to wait the full preorder time (at best straight away) if I have supplies or products in stock.
Why are you offering made to order?
To ensure that stock doesn't sit for a long time products will be made to order as a transition between preorder and in stock. This means that I have the ingredients at hand but I haven't created the finished products yet. Additional waiting time will be added to create these products.
How much are in each product?
I pack full sized products by weight and not by volume to reduce variation. I generally pack more than stated for each product. Here is a list of weights:
Full sized eyeshadow jars - 1.7 grams of product in a 5 gram jar w/ sifter
Mini jars - 0.75 grams of product in a 5 gram jar
Sample bags - 1/8 tsp in a small plastic ziplock bag
Pressed blushes - 7-8 grams (varies due to hand pressing) pressed in a pan in a compact
Do you have mini jars?
A separate listing of 5 mini jars are now available to sample products. The difficulty lies in the high shipping price associated with buying mini jars so you will have to pay same price as full sized shipping. The future question is whether I will have mini jars vs. sample bags.
Why are you using sample baggies?
In Australia shipping costs a TONNE especially to overseas. Shipping by letter greatly reduces the costs which is wiser for a small amount of product. Therefore sample baggies are the best fitting way to send in letters.
How do you suggest I wear your eyeshadows?
All eyeshadows benefit with the use of an eyeshadow primer for full payout and longevity. For shimmery or sparkly eyeshadows applying them wet and on a sticky base helps to reduce flyaway. Using a clean brush is best!
Are these eyeshadows here to stay or are they limited edition?
Popular shades often stay. They are not limited edition per say but there is always a chance shades will be discontinued or reformulated differently.
What plans do you have?
In the short term I'm adding blushes and pressed products to my list! My long term goals include perfecting what I already have, and creating lip gloss, lipstick and cream eyeshadows.
Is your store always open?
I'll try to keep it running all the time but obviously making cosmetics isn't my full time job. If my work conflicts with the store then I'll change the status or at worst close it temporarily. For current orders they will be filled as normal. For orders ordered during 'vacation mode' there may be a delay for new orders which will be noted at the store front. If the store closes current orders will be filled but new orders can't be made, though if I can't process current orders in a reasonable time frame I'll cancel the order. I want to be as fair as possible.
How often do you ship?
I ship on weekdays as Australia Post only ship weekdays. I don't ship on public holidays or during a hiatus.
Do you take commissions?
Mostly not at the moment but email me first if you have a clear idea in mind that's different to what I already have!
Do you support any causes or charities?
I'm currently thinking of doing an eyeshadow which some of the profits will go to a charity but I'm trying to find the right organisation. If I can't find it then I'll consider storing the funds until the cause can be fulfilled and may even take an active role in its use.
How did you get into cosmetic making?
It was a bit of a natural move. I love makeup and I love being creative. When I was a kid I used to mess around with saws and hammers, cut bits of wood and nailed them together. I made a very primitive painted wooden doll with yarn hair and a sort of shed to house horses! Around the same time I started my clothing store I thought about making makeup. I decided now was a better time than any to start something I love!
Are you strictly mineral makeup?
No. I will use synthetic pigments used if I can't otherwise achieve the vibrancy or type of effect of an eyeshadow. I stay away from latex and kaolin, avoid talcs, bismuth oxychloride and parabens for reasons such as allergies. I avoid synthetic glitter in eyeshadow generally since it can be irritating to the eye! If I use glitter it would be carefully decided rather than just added on whim.
Where are you from?
'Stralia, Mate! If you didn't pick that up I meant I'm from Australia, Sydney. I live in a suburban area. Sydney isn't much of a city. No one really lives in the 'city' of skyscrapers (and the nightlife is rather bleak). Some would consider where I live almost rural (I swear there are snakes around here!) but it's the type of area where most Australians live! I'm proud to be Australian =P!
And you're a goth?
I am very much a goth at heart/closet goth or what have you. In my mind all of the gothic aesthetics appeal to me. For practicality's sake I dress down day to day (soft goth?) but for some special occasions I do wear my gothic clothing. I'm pretty romanticist with what I like and think. I also listen to mainly metal music: symphonic, power, folk, viking, black, death, progressive; a bit of EBM/electro and a bit of industrial. Hopefully I will be able to do a few collections based on this aesthetic.
Makeup tastes?
Hmm... pale skin; sparkly, bright, dark and colourful eyeshadow but not neutrals! Overdramatic, like evening looks amped up 300%. Makeup, for me, is about fun and creativity and not about completing a daily chore. I do it when I have time and as something uplifting.
Wait, you write a blog?
Yes, and I don't plan to stop reviewing makeup =D! That kind of means I'll be buying more too...(uh oh.) I do have a second blog about my garden that I update when I feel like it. It's more for myself but it does contain an array of cute creatures in it! If you are an animal or plant lover I'm sure you'll love this blog too!
Is this a one woman army?
Yep, just me!
Thanks for reading.
Love, Porcelaine.
