What is Etsy all about?

Have you ever wonder what Etsy is? You have heard about it but not sure what it really is. Etsy is a mall like website. There are many shops all in one place. What do all the shops have in common? They only sell handmade or vintage items.

Jewelry, lotion, soap, makeup, toys, quilts, beading, art, frames, home decor, candles, fragrance oils, essential oils, clothing, hats, scrap-booking materials, paper items, wedding items, laundry soap

I first heard of Etsy.com on makeupalley.com on the wedding board. They were discussing their headpieces, wedding jewelry and hair clips. I had looked at some links to various etsy.com shops to give opinions for the posters. Being married myself, I didn't really need to browse for myself. I didn't spend much time on the site thinking they only sold items for weddings.

A few months back I started to develop severely sensitive skin and was directed to Etsy on MUA for homemade bath products, soap and shampoo. I searched a bunch of different stores and found that most of them had cute soaps and packaging and fairly decent shipping to Canada. Some places have $15 for the first item and $5 for each additional item which is very high. I would not be willing to pay that amount as there is many many other shops with more reasonable shipping rates. I know that it's more work to ship internationally.

The good thing about Etsy when it comes to bath and body products is that SLSs aren't used and everything is gentle on your skin. Ingredients are either listed or you can ask for them. My skin problems have gone away for the most part since using homemade products.

The jewelry is beautiful and you can see the time and care put into the pieces when you receive them. Many items are one-of-a-kinds or there are very few out there. You know you will have unique pieces.

You are able to contact the seller and do special orders with most sellers. The TAT may be a bit longer if they are having to make it for you specially but you get what you want.

I love to browse and purchase on Etsy.com. There is so much variety and the customer service is fantastic. Take a look yourself. Have fun!

How long is your makeup good for?

Although you may think that your mascara is good as long as it comes out of the tube, it probably isn't. When it comes out clumpy and flakes off its time to kick it to the curb.

It is best to toss out old makeup before it gives you an eye infection or makes you break out when it didn't a month ago. Below is a guideline for how long each item of makeup lasts.

• Mascara should be kept no longer than 3-6 months. I replace mine every 1-3 months depending on which brand I am currently using. If it starts to flake, change odour, texture or colour it is time to toss.
• Oil-Free and Cream Foundations should be kept no longer than 12 months. When they start to thicken, change colour or odour they have gone bad.
• Concealer is good for 12 to 18 months. It is time to toss them when they change colour or thicken.
• Powder should not be kept for longer than 18 months. When the texture changes when it is applied or the colour changes it should go in the trash.
• Blush & Bronzer are good for 18 months. They are powders that is not applied to your eyes. Toss once they change texture when applied, the dry out or the colour is off.
• Cream Blush is good for 12 months. When the texture, colour and odour change it is time to toss.
• Eye shadow is good for 18 months. Toss once it becomes dry, application is harder and the colour changes.
• Eyeliner is good for 12 months. It has gone bad then the texture, colour or odour has changed. Be sure to sharpen before every usage to cut down on bacteria picked up from application.
• Liquid Eyeliner should be tossed after 6 months. The liquid is a hotbed for bacteria as it is exposed to the air and your eye.
• Lipstick/Lip Gloss is good for 18 months. Time for the trash when the taste, odour or stickiness changes.
• Lipliner is good for 12 months. Sharped after each use. It should go in the bin once it changes colour, texture or odour.
• Nail Polish should be tossed after 12 months. It starts to change colour and separation is harder to mix back up.
• Perfume is usually good for 2 to 3 years if stores in a cool dry place, such as a dry basement. Time to toss them when the scent changes and goes off.
• Sunscreen is usually good until the expiration date on the bottle. The expiration date is for the SPF, when it expires the SPF is not guaranteed to work.

You don't want to be applying to your face something that has bacteria growing in it or is rancid. The last thing you want is to give yourself a terrible infection over a $22 eyeliner or mascara.