A decade ago, I began blending the first Aromaleigh eyeshadows. Wow, have we come a long way since then! For a while, I could only afford to purchase pigments in small amounts from third party sellers and color availability was limited.

When I was able to purchase pigments directly from the manufacturer, in larger quantities, that’s when things really started smokin’ at Aromaleigh, and as a creative way to offset the high costs of the pigments, I started offering the “Pure Hues” for customer purchase, for those customers who wanted to get a little more creative with their makeup… and mix their own colors, or use the pigments in nailpolish, lipbalm, etc…

Ironically, I had never planned for the Pure Hues to be a permanent part of the Aromaleigh product line. Basically, because they are just that- Pure Hues. Unblended pigments. I much prefer to offer creatively blended mixtures of pigments that are optimized for color payoff, texture and wear. And in the last decade, I’ve produced over 400 totally original Aromaleigh shades.

Here’s the other variable. For those of you who have been with Aromaleigh for the entire wild ride, you know that ten years ago you could count the number of small mineral makeup companies on ONE hand. That number has grown exponentially, especially in the last 4 years. How? Why?

Well, the main reason is that mineral makeup can be purchased pre-formulated by many private label sources, many mineral makeup companies offer private label programs, and the biggest reason- many mineral makeup companies don’t sell their own proprietary, unique eyeshadow formulas at all. They purchase straight pigments and repackage them… and that’s it. That’s the crux of their business. No creativity there. Many of these companies don’t even change the color names of the shades from the names that the wholesaler or private labeler is offering the shades as!

And there are so many companies that are solely repackaging straight pigment that it has truly marred the artisanal aspect of mineral makeup being provided by small, creatively-driven companies. I’m sure that many of you have had the experience of buying a pretty color from a company only to find that it exactly matches a color you bought from a different company… or three or four different companies. It’s unfortunate, but it’s a fact. Small mineral makeup companies aren’t what they used to be… there’s a greater percentage of companies reselling than companies that are actually producing original, unique proprietary products.

I am not at liberty to divulge companies that are repackaging… but I can offer you some advice. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. You find a lot of this on Ebay and Etsy. I’m not saying that there are no companies producing unique product on Etsy and Ebay… but I am saying that repackaging runs rampant on these sites. If you see shades that have the same exact name and look the same? Good bet it’s repackaged. If the pictures are the same from site to site? Good bet that it’s repackaged. A lot of times a poorly designed or “template” website is a give-away as well.. but not a guarantee. Sure, there’s companies who are producing unique products but have- well, poor websites. There’s also companies that repackage who have stellar websites and amazing marketing, as well as really cool packaging. So there’s no definites at any point… other than your swatching the product on your hands and knowing you’ve got a duplicate.

Also you can use Google (possible search terms: “mineral makeup” AND repackaging) to find cosmetic forums where makeup lovers are discussing the pros and (mostly) cons of repackaging. And here’s a helpful post and discussion comments from Fresco Phyrra’s Blog, where she identifies mineral makeup companies that are definitely producing ORIGINAL formulas and not repackaging.

So what does this have to do with Aromaleigh? Well, those Pure Hues that are just that… Pure Hues. I've never stated they were anything other than straight pigments... BUT, I personally would much rather use the inventory space currently being taken up by the Pure Hues to offer you totally unique colors, blended with my special brand of TLC… and totally distance Aromaleigh from the repackaging riff-raff, drama and conundrum that is currently a really controversial topic across the net right now.

Right now there are 66 Pure Hues being offered. To represent the best of Aromaleigh’s 2009 Limited Edition shadows, we were going to offer a “Best of 2009” collection that would represent the top 20-30 shadows of 2009’s collections.

Frankly, I’d rather see the 60+ spaces currently occupied by Pure Hues be replaced with an even larger number of this year’s inspiring Limited Edition collections…

So… I am going to be offering the entire Pure Hue collection at 50% off for the next 30 days, so that everyone has a chance to stock up on Pure Hues that are must-haves for their collections, at a great price. As we near the 30 day mark, some colors will sell out, so please purchase early for best variety. I will maintain inventory levels as accurately as possible from day to day until the Pure Hues we have in stock sell out.

I realize that this decision might not set well with everyone, but it is the best path for Aromaleigh to move forward as a company known for their totally unique, proprietary products. We don’t believe you should settle for “good” when you can achieve excellence… and distancing ourselves as far away as possible from the homogenized masses of mineral makeup companies selling only repackaged products is not only a smart move to make at this point in our company’s growth, but it’s a win-win for all of our customers.

You can’t get unique, extraordinary colors from that many companies anymore. The companies who are creating their own formulations? Thanks for keeping the flames of creativity stoked. As for the hundreds of companies who are repackaging? These businesses are a dime a dozen and only you can decide what’s best for you, as a consumer... but I thank you for standing by Aromaleigh and for your appreciation of the micro-formulated, unique nature of our quality products.

xoxo
Miss K

Well, I will be sad to see the Pure Hues go, especially the white irredescent shades since they seem so unique to me. I will stock up on my favorite colors.

I'm sure you've thought of this though, and I understand you've got to make the decisions that you think will be best for your business. I am glad you're giving us a chance to stock up before they're discontinued though!

Artists must be true to their nature. You've grown as a person, you want to be creative and not give us the same old same old, and certainly stand out as a company that formulates all their shades, not simply repackages. It's a big step, and I think one to be applauded.

We've lived through other favorites being discontinued for one reason or another, and while we've mourned their loss, I think it's safe to say we're all wildly happy with all the LE's you've been treating us to.

The old saying "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" springs to mind. I have a feeling that with all these fantastic shades that we know are streaming through your head, we'll fall more completely in love than ever before.

Change is good, as you so often remind us!!

I've posted this in several places (blog, facebook, and I also thought here- ) but, the white iridescents are all easily replaced by Satin Petals pale shades. And wizard gold, you will find a match in glow.

Those are the only shades I've received any "Resistance" about.

So far, everyone else seems thrilled that we are filling these 60 slots with gorgeous, unique LE colors made permanent and the colors that can be gotten anywhere from some repackaging mineral company? I'd rather not carry those shades. They don't represent Aromaleigh's artistic vision or mission, and were never meant to be permanent when they were brought on over a decade ago.

The companies that are doing nothing creative and repackaging will be exposed, and we'll be totally free of the scandal. Even though we have over 400 totally unique colors, I still read smack about the Pure Hues, and the traditional cosmetic products that I have always made clear were third party. I won't stop carrying those, but the Pure Hues should have left years ago.

Any of you who have been with me for the long haul know that if anyone can cause issues for AL on the net, they do. Ditching the Pure Hues in light of what is happening to companies like Lime Crime, in particular- could not be a more intelligent, timely and just plain smart business decision for Aromaleigh's future.

xo
K

I do feel like this is a good thing for Aromaleigh to do. Getting rid of the repackaged stuff just makes sense because of all the countless scandals. Lime Crime, Orglamix, Face Front, Taylor Made, I could go on and on about companies that repackage and rip off people, claiming that their colors are original. It should be illegal to lie the way they do!

While Aromaleigh has never ever lied about the pure hues, I just think getting rid of them will quiet that issue, once and for all.

Yup, I think it is a good idea. Although it will be harder to decide what will and won't work with the gloss base you sell. The pure hues worked so well with that. I know some of the rocks shades work well with gloss, though.

Oh, and thanks for answering my question a/b Sunshine. I think you were refering to Livewire as a replacement? I did get a full-size of Sunshine, and like another commenter said, the full sizes do last forever!

I am totally with you there about the replacements for the pale, irridescent shades. Gilt was exactly what I was thinking about as a replacement for Wizard Gold. (i.e. the Frosts having many similar colors to the Pure Hues). And I didn't even think about the Satin Petals for the other irridescents!

Thanks ladies, I concur! If someone can tie Aromaleigh to any scandal- believe me, they will! Even if it's total garbage and lies- people tend to believe anything they read on makeup forums, even when presented with proof to the contrary. "No, that is NOT a purple elephant in the room!" LOL.

Tally, the gloss base is only available until we run out- it's what's left of our lipgloss-making ingredients... and it's almost gone, actually... I had considered getting more of it when we ran out, but we sell so little of it that I can't justify it, as I have to buy a giant drum...

I would recommend Glow as a replacement for Wizard Gold, Gilt for 14k. Baby for Moire, Cielo for Heaven. Raisin for Russet... Sage for Lichen. There's many that are similar, but unlike Pure Hues, they are blended eyeshadows, created with other ingredients so that they wear better.

HTH!

xo
K

Thanks for the clarification! I guess I haven't been checking the blog often enough because I had not heard about the Pure Hues being discontinued before this post. I also haven't been buying many products from other brands lately so I hadn't heard about what was going on with Lime Crime, etc.

Thanks again Kristen for the shade comparisons!

I would also have to recommend Fiona, Daphne, and Odette for pretty highlighter shades.

Gilt, Glow, Snow, Luster and Lilac are nice too. You can always mix Snow with any of those to lighten them up too.

I also really like Bluebell and Marigold and Petunia for pretty highlighters.

I agree now is a good time to distance yourself from the growing scandal. I've used the Pure Hues and had good results, but I don't think they make Aromaleigh any more (for lack of a better word) Aromaleigh!

And that's what I come here for. I love the distinct personality of Aromaleigh.

Keep up the good work!

Also good to use for highlighters..

Pure Opal, Pure Moonlight, and Pure Gilt powders

Twilight powders

Several of the lighter Perle powders

and of course the new Gothic Lolita shimmer powders

oh and don't forget WhiteWedding and WhiteRiot Rocks!

I tend to use anything that is light or sheer enough on my skin as a highlighter.

Michelle

also adding... for Miss K..

I was one of the ones that mentioned those interference colors.. and yeah I will miss them but I'm not at all upset about the Pure Hues being discontinued, and I hope it didn't seem like I was.

I would much rather see that space used to hold more permanent LE colors or new lines.. or whatever else you come up with that is sure to be awesome.

Michelle

Michelle, oh, no- I was not upset or anything. I've posted it in several places, so was just reiterating what I'd said elsewhere... for some reason the white interference colors seem to be the ones customers think they will be forced elsewhere to find, but that's not the case- there's plenty of shades that are highlight interference but better, in the regular line. Satin Petals is a gorgeous collection, that I think is a real sleeper. It doesn't get it's due! Maybe now it will...

xo
K

What substitutes are there for my faves Tarnish and Cocoabean? What are other colors are good for mixing with the gloss? I'm still wondering if the gloss lasts longer in the fridge or not. I have three and they are huge.

I've got some subs for cocoa bean! I'm about to do some swatches for you. Hope they turn out with it being dark an all.

Despite what the picture shows (cruddy incandescent lighting), I think Mocha is the closest. Mocha isn't as light as it appears in the picture. (it is more saturated). You could add the tiniest bit of Hazelnut to Mocha.

Left to Right:

Cocoa Bean
Mocha Frost
Brownstone
Hazelnut Frost



HTH!

Again, I think this a great idea on your part. I much prefer your handblended shadows to the pure hues. I agree with PaintedMoogle...they don't make Aromaleigh any more "Aromaleigh".

quote:

Originally posted by jani187:
What substitutes are there for my faves Tarnish and Cocoabean?

Pure Drama Liners in Pure Cocoa and Pure Copper would probably make good replacements for these two shades.. or if you want even more sparkle go for the Drama Queen liners in the Cocoa or Copper.

Michelle

Great thing to do, Kristen! Unique colors (like bete noires) are the reason why we all love this company .