Part 1 – Meow Cosmetics
When I first delved into the world of mineral makeup, I was primarily looking for a foundation that was pale enough for my skin. My first several tries yielded poor results. Instead of giving up, I started searching for reviews on mineral makeup foundations, and eventually stumbled upon Meow Cosmetics.
Meow Cosmetics is the first mineral makeup company that quickly became a favorite. In MAC foundations, I’ve been matched as an NW15, NC15 and N1, none of which matched me exactly right, because they were all too dark and you could tell I was wearing foundation. Well, after talking to the wonderful Jen of Camiella Rose on the Meow Forums, she was able to analyze my skin from a picture of me in direct sunlight. She determined that I’m hard to match because of my mix of undertones. I have some peach, some yellow, some beige and some cream, and in addition to that, I have some pink overtones (which have actually mellowed out in the past 6 months). So I’d had makeup assistants at MAC match me to NW and NC because of my mix of undertones. I fully expected that I might not be able to find a perfect match, so imagine my surprise when I found not one, but two! It turns out I can wear Siamese and Sphynx, both at the Inquisitive level.
In addition to trying foundations and being pleased, I decided to test out some of their blushes. Previous to this, I owned exactly 1 blush: Maidenchant from the Lure collection. I was afraid of blush, and not comfortable wearing it. From talking with the ladies on the Meow Forums, I learned of the fiber optic brush, and so I purchased one of these to try and use blush. I was ecstatic when I could apply blush and not look like a clown!
I then branched out and tried some of their eye shadows, which are pretty. I’ve been excited by just about every collection release they’ve done since I learned about them. They also have excellent customer service. When I finally placed an order, I had signed up for their mailing list at the same time, but forgot to apply a discount code. Even after the purchase they were willing to apply the discount code for me.
My favorite products from Meow: Foundation & Blush
Customer Service: Amazing
Shipping: Good
Forums: Yes
Part 2 – Aromaleigh Cosmetics
I started reading more reviews online and stumbled across Aromaleigh Cosmetics. I was amazed at the sheer number of products that they offered, so I tried a little of everything. Again, I got involved in the forums and the women on the forums are all so nice and helpful that I tried a lot of colors I’d never previously worn. My makeup application technique improved from watching youtube tutorials and the women on the forums.
Mostly I was amazed by Aromaleigh’s eye shadows, lip balms and finishing powders. They really stand out to me. Their foundation is nice too, especially the Glissade formula, but I had trouble finding a match. In the eye shadows there are too many to name that are favorites, but I really love the RockS! Sonic eye Shadows, the Gothic Lolitas, the Pure Hues, and the Bete Noires. Recently Kristen of Aromaleigh started releasing LE collections which are awesome!
My favorite products from Aromaleigh: Eye Shadows, Blush, Lip Balm, Ultra Resolution Finishing Powder
Customer Service: Amazing
Shipping: Lightning Fast & Quite Reasonably Priced
Forums: Yes
Bonus: Weekly 25% off sales
Part 3 – Fyrinnae Cosmetics
My friend Saila recommended Fyrinnae Cosmetics to me and I became an instant fan with their complex eye shadow colors. I had to learn a new technique to apply them, but I was just so impressed with the duality of many of the colors. One shade in particular, Wicked, is really how I fell in love with Fyrinnae. It’s a dark purple with turquoise shimmer, and you can see the turquoise in it no matter what. It’s just simply amazing. I also fell in love with their Lip Lustres. It’s the first time that I’ve found a lippy that can exceed MAC in my heart.
I’ve tried many of their eye shadows, lip lustres and foundations. I was happy that I found a match in their mica-free Moonstone foundation. I also have their Quartz foundation, which is perfect for clubbing or if I need to look paler than I am.
My favorite products from Fyrinnae: Eye Shadows, Lip Lustres, Foundation
Customer Service: Amazing
Shipping: Stated clearly on their website, takes a few weeks, free if you order over $20
Forums: No
These 3 companies all have one very important thing in common: excellent customer service. Tammy from Meow, Kristen from Aromaleigh, and the staff at Fyrinnae all put their hearts and souls into their companies and treating their customers the best that they possibly can. They use the best ingredients they can. They go the extra step to ensure that their customers are happy no matter what. So in addition to excellent customer service, they make the best products they can and sell them for quite reasonable prices. If you order from one of these four companies you are guaranteed to receive quality products and be treated like a valued customer.
These three companies have my stamp of approval and my support. That’s why they are my favorite mineral makeup companies.
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Hello Cotton
Great post, P, very informative!
I have yet to try out Purely Cosmetics, (which I had never heard of before your posting about it) as well as Aromaleigh. I’ve been intrigued by the Aromaleigh product range for a long time. What has kept me from ordering is that I get put off by the small amount offered in the sample sizes; 1/16 of a tsp seems so little for the money… But, perhaps the quality of the products makes up for it?
I love Fyrinnae as well; having only tried their eye shadow range, that is.
I like Meow as well, their blushes in particular.
I haven’t been able to get their foundations to work for me; they’re not covering enough for my taste. But, I would guess they’re fabulous for those lucky ladies that don’t have much to cover up
Again; very good post!
Great post, P, very informative!
I have yet to try out Purely Cosmetics, (which I had never heard of before your posting about it) as well as Aromaleigh. I’ve been intrigued by the Aromaleigh product range for a long time. What has kept me from ordering is that I get put off by the small amount offered in the sample sizes; 1/16 of a tsp seems so little for the money… But, perhaps the quality of the products makes up for it?
I love Fyrinnae as well; having only tried their eye shadow range, that is.
I like Meow as well, their blushes in particular.
I haven’t been able to get their foundations to work for me; they’re not covering enough for my taste. But, I would guess they’re fabulous for those lucky ladies that don’t have much to cover up
Again; very good post!
Kudos for this post! I still love Meow, however I’m starting to feel that their eyeshadows aren’t as good and inspiring as Fyrinnae’s. I still go for Meow whenever I need good foundation or a gorgeous blush (lush blushes are THE best). Aromaleigh is great, I really like them but their shipping costs are a pain (so are Meow’s). So I’m sticking with Meow when it comes to foundation and blush and Fyrinnae is my favourite eyeshadow seller.
Vanessa: have you tried Meow with two layers or with a wet brush? I have skin problems but after I started wearing Meow, I’ve almost completely stopped using a concealer. Pampered Puss is my staple, I use two layers.
Kudos for this post! I still love Meow, however I’m starting to feel that their eyeshadows aren’t as good and inspiring as Fyrinnae’s. I still go for Meow whenever I need good foundation or a gorgeous blush (lush blushes are THE best). Aromaleigh is great, I really like them but their shipping costs are a pain (so are Meow’s). So I’m sticking with Meow when it comes to foundation and blush and Fyrinnae is my favourite eyeshadow seller.
Vanessa: have you tried Meow with two layers or with a wet brush? I have skin problems but after I started wearing Meow, I’ve almost completely stopped using a concealer. Pampered Puss is my staple, I use two layers.
Saila;
hi! I might try that; that you for the tip
Saila;
hi! I might try that; that you for the tip
Hi vanessa!
The sample sizes may sound small, but it’s enough for probably 2 weeks worth of applications, so it should give you an idea on whether or not you like the color.
AL’s quality is great.
For the Meow foundation, there are 3 levels. I’ve only used the lightest Purrfect Puss and the medium, Pampered Puss. I prefer Pampered Puss. You can put on one layer, and then another layer if you need more coverage, or you can spritz your brush and apply it wet. Flawless Feline is the most coverage but I’ve not tried it. But what I like about Meow is that it seems to meld pretty well with my skin.
Hi Saila!
Yes, I feel like Fyrinnae’s and Aromaleigh’s and some of Purely Cosmetics eye shadows are better than Meow’s in general. But that’s not to say that Meow’s are bad. Especially Meow’s newer eye shadow collections are really nice. In particular I loved the Fall colors, the Winter Spirits, and the Halloween colors.
Hi vanessa!
The sample sizes may sound small, but it’s enough for probably 2 weeks worth of applications, so it should give you an idea on whether or not you like the color.
AL’s quality is great.
For the Meow foundation, there are 3 levels. I’ve only used the lightest Purrfect Puss and the medium, Pampered Puss. I prefer Pampered Puss. You can put on one layer, and then another layer if you need more coverage, or you can spritz your brush and apply it wet. Flawless Feline is the most coverage but I’ve not tried it. But what I like about Meow is that it seems to meld pretty well with my skin.
Hi Saila!
Yes, I feel like Fyrinnae’s and Aromaleigh’s and some of Purely Cosmetics eye shadows are better than Meow’s in general. But that’s not to say that Meow’s are bad. Especially Meow’s newer eye shadow collections are really nice. In particular I loved the Fall colors, the Winter Spirits, and the Halloween colors.
What a great post! I’m always on the look out for new mineral makeup lines to try out, so thank you for this. You’ve got yourself a new follower!
What a great post! I’m always on the look out for new mineral makeup lines to try out, so thank you for this. You’ve got yourself a new follower!
Hi Makeupper!
Glad this helped! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask
Hi Makeupper!
Glad this helped! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask
By no means is Meow not good, I really like their products. But some of the eyeshadows are on the safe side and Fyrinnae gives me more variety at considerably lower costs. Being an international customer I have to look at shipping costs because sometimes they have been larger than the value of my order
By no means is Meow not good, I really like their products. But some of the eyeshadows are on the safe side and Fyrinnae gives me more variety at considerably lower costs. Being an international customer I have to look at shipping costs because sometimes they have been larger than the value of my order
Unrelated to this post specifically, but I love your new blog style.
Unrelated to this post specifically, but I love your new blog style.
Saila, you’re right, Meow’s eye shadows are more on the safe side. And predictably, the colors I like best are more of the wild ones.
Hi Janet, thank you
Saila, you’re right, Meow’s eye shadows are more on the safe side. And predictably, the colors I like best are more of the wild ones.
Hi Janet, thank you
The new look of the blog is great, and as always, wonderful information in the latest posting!
<3
The new look of the blog is great, and as always, wonderful information in the latest posting!
<3
Hi Kayashta,
Thank you
Hi Kayashta,
Thank you
I just looked at Fyrinnae, but they don’t have samples
I’d love to try their mica free foundation.
Purely cosmetics doesn’t seem to have a foundation color that will work for me. Do they have sample sizes of eye shadows?
I just looked at Fyrinnae, but they don’t have samples
I’d love to try their mica free foundation.
Purely cosmetics doesn’t seem to have a foundation color that will work for me. Do they have sample sizes of eye shadows?
HI Noel!
Fyrinnae doesn’t do samples with their foundations, but I bought the 2 I have from them (Moonstone and Quartz) based on their descriptions. Mo
Purely Cosmetics as a rule doesn’t do eye shadow samples, but if you email Robyn directly you can ask her. She would probably be able to suggest a foundation for you as well, she worked with me to find a shade that would work on me.
HI Noel!
Fyrinnae doesn’t do samples with their foundations, but I bought the 2 I have from them (Moonstone and Quartz) based on their descriptions. Mo
Purely Cosmetics as a rule doesn’t do eye shadow samples, but if you email Robyn directly you can ask her. She would probably be able to suggest a foundation for you as well, she worked with me to find a shade that would work on me.