tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20405315295027272032023-11-15T10:59:19.215-08:00Providence and Grace CosmeticsProvidence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-51667875983777918052011-03-14T08:46:00.000-07:002011-03-14T08:47:19.588-07:00The Homebody's Cleansing OIls ReviewI told you the reviews were coming and here is the first! I was fortunate enough to receive three sample size cleansing oils from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thehomebody">The Homebody</a> on Etsy. I received a sample of her Aloe Cleansing Oil, Whitesky Shea Cleansing Oil, and Emu Facial Cleansing Oil. I have been wanting to try the oil cleansing method for awhile now, but I have to admit that I was a total skeptic. I have pretty severe combination skin (my forehead is greasy and my cheeks are dry and flaky) and although I thought that it would be nice for my cheeks, I was just sure that my forehead was going to have a major breakout.<br />
<br />
So what happened? The first time that I used it I was absolutely amazed at how my skin felt. I didn't experience any greasiness on my face at all! As a matter of fact, my skin felt soft and smooth and had a beautiful radiant glow (not an oily glow, just a youthful aura.) Usually my skin feels very dry and taut after cleansing, sometimes even itchy when I get done cleaning it. I even have prescription cleanser and moisturizer for when my skin gets really bad. You just can't believe how shocked I was when my skin actually felt good! As great as it all may seem, I was still skeptical that after a few days of use I was going to be a real-estate agent for "Break-Out City," which I new was going to form on my forehead.<br />
<br />
A week goes by and guess what? I have fewer blemishes than usual, the constant redness in my cheeks is improving, and my skin has never felt better or looked more radiant! I am a true convert and will never go back to traditional soaps again! Out of the three my personal favorite is the Aloe Cleansing Oil. For one thing it smells absolutely divine, and it really calms down any irritation that I have on my sensitive face. That is my personal experience but trust me, they are all good. I suggest you try out her sampler pack so you can see for yourself which one works best for your skin type. At only $4.00 for 3 0.5 oz bottles it is very affordable and the samples last a surprisingly long amount of time.<br />
<br />
This product is sure to enhance your mineral makeup experience. It quickly and easily removes all makeup with absolutely no irritation. In combination with the healing properties of minerals your skin will look and feel better than it has in years! For maximum benefit try using <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thehomebody?section_id=6640865">The Homebody's</a> cleanising oil in combination with Providence and Grace<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ProvidenceAndGrace?section_id=7175111"> Radiance Powders</a> for maximum healing and rejuvenation of your skin!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-30850534104535374482011-03-09T03:22:00.000-08:002011-03-09T03:22:22.425-08:00Picture contest!Hello everyone! I am now hosting a contest through my Facebook page. Please send in your best pictures of you wearing Providence and Grace makeup. By uploading your pictures you give Providence and Grace all rights to those pictures. In other words, your picture may end up as a product picture! Isn't that cool? The winner will receive a $25 store credit! Go on over to Facebook and upload your pics today!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-3485834278871642722011-02-26T13:39:00.000-08:002011-02-26T13:39:55.666-08:00Reviews coming soon!There is only so much that I can think about to write on here, so I've decided to do something a little different. Of course I will keep posting when new colors are coming out, announcing contests, etc., but I will also be doing reviews of products that will enhance your mineral makeup and beauty experience! We are all always on the lookout for great products to help us out in the beauty department and I think it will be beneficial to you guys to be able to get my viewpoint. Stay tuned, reviews coming soon! By the way, I will be holding a photo contest in March, start playing around with your PG makeup and finding the right look to enter with!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-57379042518499104802011-02-08T06:42:00.000-08:002011-02-08T06:43:23.180-08:00New colors ready and contest!I've made a bunch of new colors that are ready to be put up for sale, but I need your help! Please go to our facebook page (www.facebook.com/providenceandgrace) and check out the photo album of new colors. Leave your suggestions for names in the photo comments. If your suggestion is chosen you will receive a free sample of that color!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-23356859316541693102011-02-05T07:53:00.000-08:002011-02-05T07:53:56.745-08:00New products in the works!Now that everything has settled down from the holiday rush I'm back in my "lab" mixing up some new products for everyone to enjoy. I'm really interested in duochromes right now, so far I've come up with a gorgeous orange with green duochromes. It's one of those colors that you look at and say "OK, cool color - wait a minute! Did I see a flash of green there?" I think you guys will love it! I've also come up with a really neat green with blue duochrome. It reminds me of looking out on the ocean water, one minute it's blue and the next it's green, you can't really decide what color it is! This is definitely another on my "keepers" list. Although it's not a duochrome I also came up with a gorgeous fuschia pink color - nice and bright with complexity and depth, you're gonna love it! <br />
<br />
Also in the works:<br />
<br />
I'm working on a great new eyeshadow base to be used as an alternative to my eyeshadow primer. It gives a nice smooth base to apply your eyeshadows to and adds an amazing punch to your colors. I gave it the ultimate test last night, I slept in it and there wasn't any eyeshadow on my pillowcase, next to no creasing, and the colors were still bright and vibrant when I woke up this morning! If it can do that, it can do anything!<br />
<br />
I have some new pencil colors coming out soon, Bronze, Antiqued Coper, Deep Navy Blue, Enchanted Forest green, Deep Brown, and Charcoal. <br />
<br />
I'm doing a total revamp of my products and shop. It's slow and tedious but trust me, it's coming! Any suggestions (products, page layout, etc...) are always welcome, just leave me a comment. I will be holding a photo contest soon. I would like single color close-ups of my eyeshadows and lipsticks, and "create the look" close ups of your best combinations using Providence and Grace Cosmetics. By entering pictures you agree to allow Providence and Grace to edit the photos and to use the pictures at their discretion. Winners will receive store credit! Be sure and tell your friends so they can get some free products too!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-50256877951265630192010-11-13T11:34:00.000-08:002010-11-13T11:34:03.760-08:00Facebook albumJust thought I'd drop by and let everybody know that I'm working on uploading some photo albums on Facebook. So far I've managed to get my blue eyeshadows put up. I'll keep working on it and hopefully get all my products up soon! <br />
<br />
I recently added a Pumpkin Cheesecake flavor on my website for my lip balms, lip scrubs, and lip glazes. Don't forget that I'm having a big holiday sale at my website and Etsy store, be sure and check it out!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-54934309273054175242010-11-12T12:19:00.000-08:002010-11-13T08:25:43.059-08:00Facebook page up and running!Hello lovelies, I just wanted to post really quick and let everyone know that my facebook page is up and running! Please check it out at:<br />
<br />
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FProvidence-and-Grace-Cosmetics%2F117167195014407%3Fref%3Dmf&width=292&colorscheme=light&connections=10&stream=true&header=true&height=587" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:292px; height:587px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe><br />
<br />
Be sure and get on there and let me know what kinds of new colors/items you are looking for. Contests coming soon!Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2040531529502727203.post-45161567371260840862010-10-20T10:15:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:15:21.525-07:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I have been meaning to start a blog for what seems like forever something has always popped up that needed my time and I just haven't gotten around to it. Recently there have been some concerns creep up about our cosmetics and I feel it is in the best interest of my customers to be able to see both sides of the story so that they can make more informed decisions for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> So, for a first post I would like to clarify some issues and dispel some myths.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The first issue I would like to talk about is repackaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me start off by asking a question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were to receive a large shipment of one high quality eyeshadow that was the exact color that you were looking for would you change it for the sake of saying that it was not repackaged?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few of my eyeshadows are repackaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only reason that I repackage any eyeshadow whatsoever is because it is the exact color and quality that I want to sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to find large quantities of low to mid quality pigments at very low prices, however, utilizing those products would be a disservice to my customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the highest quality pigments are used by my company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have very strict guidelines that I use to decide if a color is worthy of being sold by my company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few of the criteria that I use are pigmentation, blendability, long lasting, and being hypoallergenic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a color does not meet all of my standards it is not sold.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I believe an explanation of what my company is and what I strive to achieve will better help to defend my stance on repackaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an abundant number of cosmetic companies in business today who are out to simply make a large profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the large, well established, companies selling cosmetics today are in it simply to turn a profit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have very low costs and sell at an extreme profit, making their products only accessible to those who are not struggling financially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, the perception that makeup is a luxury, and that “you get what you pay for,” in other words, that you must pay an exorbitant amount of money for a high quality product, is simply a myth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that all women, especially those that may be struggling financially don’t want cosmetics, they need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many women derive a sense of self-worth from feeling good about themselves, and they feel good about themselves when they feel that they look good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Women today are under incredible pressure to be “perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The perception is that a woman should be able to juggle a career, motherhood, friendships, and look good while doing it. This can be very stressful for women and I feel that my purpose is to make life less stressful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cosmetics that I provide are high quality, affordable, and easy to apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that the products I offer allow women to obtain a larger selection of makeup that is high quality and easy to apply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can, in any way, aid women in rebuilding their self image, I believe I should do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I repackage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, occasionally, but only the highest quality cosmetics are repackaged in order to keep prices affordable and allow all women the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of makeup.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The colors that I create myself are blends of several different pigments that create unique or specific shades that either I was personally looking for or my customers have requested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not add filler or bulk to my cosmetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have read many companies claiming that certain ingredients that they add will help with adhesion, glide, and characteristics of that nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have personally tried more than 20 such additives in my cosmetics and have found no benefit whatsoever to the final product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only benefit that I have found is that these filler products are cheaper than the original pigment which in turn creates a larger profit for those who consistently add these additives to their products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After much trial, error, and experimentation I have come to firmly believe that additives in small amounts add no perceivable benefits to the final product and can, in fact, diminish the quality of the original pigment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Repackaging has become an issue among purveyors of indie makeup companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me explain why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many companies do repackage, and several repackage low to mid quality cosmetics. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That practice gives repackaging a bad reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know of any women who need a pound of any one single color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of that, although the price per gram is low, the overall cost is prohibitive to the average consumer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repackaging high quality cosmetics make them affordable for everyone, not just those who consistently use the same color every day, and plan on doing so for the next decade or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the greatest disservice to the indie cosmetics community is the practice of taking bulk cosmetics and adding “filler”, allowing a company to say that they do not repackage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another unethical practice is the addition of ingredients in amounts so low, generally 1% or less) that they add no benefits to the original product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These companies do not repackage, and their labels/listings claim the benefits of certain luxury ingredients, but none of those qualities are actually discernable to the customer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, both repackaging and not repackaging can be issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consumers must make informed decisions based on facts, not on perceptions or uninformed opinions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Recently Providence and Grace has come under scrutiny for the fact that our lipsticks are technically mica infused lip balms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I can understand that sounding like a bad thing it in fact is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All lipsticks, regardless of whether they were bought from a department store, drug store, or an indie makeup company are simply an infusion of colorant into a lipstick base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This does not by any means indicate that I do not personally test each and every lipstick that I make to ensure a high quality, well formulated lip product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is simply no other means of introducing color into a lipstick than to infuse it with the base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Another common misconception is that the term base refers to something “cheap,” of poor quality, and laden with chemicals and preservatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While this can be true, and is true in the case of many companies, it is not necessarily true and certainly is not in the case of Providence and Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bases that I create are my own personal formulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each and every base that I use is hand made by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Months of research, trial, and error have gone into the bases that I create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some people have commented that I either use a lipstick base that they have never heard of before or that they can’t figure out who my supplier is, based up on the ingredients list that I provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me assure you that my ingredients list is 100% correct, I firmly believe in disclosing all ingredients so that consumers can make highly informed decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason why no one can find the supplier for my lipstick/lipbalm base is because I make it myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every ingredient that I use serves a purpose and is of the highest quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am extremely proud of the beeswax that I use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100% of my beeswax comes from my father’s bee farm located in rural Indiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many abhorrent practices among bee farmers, but to make a long story short, my Dad runs a cruelty-free bee farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He truly cares for his bees and will not hesitate to turn a loss if it means that his bees are well taken care of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beeswax is unrefined, unfiltered, and unbleached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The refining, filtering, and bleaching processes that most beeswax undergo removes precious nutrients, minerals, and other naturally occurring compounds that can heal, protect, and nourish our lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most companies use bleached, refined, and filtered beeswax to remove they sweet earthy smell associated with raw beeswax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally do not find this smell in any way offensive, and feel that the benefits of the natural wax far outweigh any honey like smell that is found in my lip products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have heard of people saying that my lip products are drying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never had that problem with any of the lipsticks that I sell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have, however, recently reformulated my lipsticks to make them even more moisturizing than before in an attempt to alleviate any problems that my customers were having with my original formulation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strive for 100% customer satisfaction and find it very sad that anyone would have a problem with any of my cosmetics and not bring it to my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to make things right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand that most companies do not truly care for their customers and have very little concern for any comments or complaints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For anyone with any type of issue concerning any indie makeup company, not just my own, I encourage you to speak to the owner before posting any negative comments or feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be surprised at how honest, genuine, and concerned we are about you and your experience with our products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is also some misinformation floating on the internet about the switch from Allure By Jen to Providence and Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This change was by no means an attempt to move away from Allure By Jen because of negative feedback, lack of sales, or bad PR in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first opened Allure By Jen I wanted to start a company but wasn’t sure what name I should choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time Allure By Jen seemed like a good name, Allure (beauty or attraction) by Jen (made by me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time I realized that the name did not fully encompass what I strive to be as a company and did not have the personal meaning that I had wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My company’s new name, Providence and Grace encompasses all that I strive to be as a company and is a much more fitting name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First and foremost in my life is my faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly view this business as a blessing from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are two definitions in the dictionary for providence that truly encompass who I am, and what my company is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first definition is “the wisdom, care, and guidance believed to be provided by God” {Encarta Dictionary: English (North America).}<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second is “good judgment and foresight in the management of affairs or resources” (Encarta.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that my company is a blessing from God, and that it is my solemn duty to manage is with good judgment and foresight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grace has three different definitions that I feel embody my company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is “gift of God to humankind”, the second is “elegance,” and the third is “generosity of spirit” (Encarta.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stated before this business is a blessing (or gift) from God to my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strive to allow all women to feel elegant and beautiful, and last but not least, I feel that my prices are a generous in the sense that they allow women to indulge themselves in a wide selection of products.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There have also been comments regarding the use of photo editing software with my pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have recently read a comment that I used an African American model and then edited the lips onto the skin of a Caucasian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is not true at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use myself and my family members for all of my models, and we are all Caucasian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never even dream of degrading African Americans by removing their skin tone and replacing it with a Caucasian skin tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact I would love to have models with skin tones other than my own; I love the diversity of skin colors that the world has to offer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now my business is by no means large enough to employ an actual model so I use myself and my family as models.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day I hope to be able to provide multiple pictures of every product that I sell on many different skin tones.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The picture in question is actually a picture of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have blotchy skin around my mouth and have a huge amount of freckles as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I personally don’t mind at all, it is just a part of who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, customers were actually making comments about how I needed a new model with better skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a company it is my job to give my customers what they want so I simply replaced my actual skin with a flesh tone in the pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lips themselves were not changed, only the surrounding skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that it is obvious from my pictures that I am simply trying to highlight the beautiful color of my products, and not attempting to hide the fact that it is a cut-out placed on a flesh-tone background.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With this business I strive to utilize providence (good judgment) in all that I do while use the grace that has been given me to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along the lines of the words grace and generosity I would like to point out that 15% of my gross sales are donated to causes that help people both in my local community and abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not do this as a marketing ploy or a tax deduction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strongly feel that it is my duty to give back to those around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that many people who are “down and out” simply need someone to help them up and give them the resources that they need to be able to stand on their own two feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The last point that I would like to discuss is the fact that not all of my products are vegan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhere along the lines there was a breakdown in communication and the word got out that Providence and Grace was a strictly vegan company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never meant to make anyone think that every product that I sell is 100% vegan friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of my items are labeled as vegan friendly because they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been some confusion though that since some of my products were vegan then they must all be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has recently been brought to my attention and I promise to update my listings for non-vegan friendly items to specifically state that they are not vegan friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a 100% disclosure policy for my ingredients and truly feel bad if anyone thought that they were buying a vegan product, only to find out that it wasn’t after they had purchased it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take me some time to update all of my listings but I give my word that all products will be updated with a vegan or not vegan friendly rating.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once again thank you so much for the opportunity to dispel some myths and clear the air about Providence and Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sum it all up:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we repackage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, but only a few of our products are repackaged and they are of the highest quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allows us to provide extremely affordable cosmetics to all women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With today’s economy it is more important than ever that women be given an opportunity to purchase affordable high quality cosmetics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are our lipsticks mica-infused lip balms?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, as are all other lipsticks that utilize minerals for their colorants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only other option is lip balm infused with FD&C dyes and lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I use a base?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, and it is 100% my own formulation, made by me, using only the finest ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are my lip products drying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never had that experience; however, if anyone has I encourage them to speak to me about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way that we can grow as a company is to understand the needs and experiences of our customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I switching from the name Allure By Jen to Providence and Grace to try and outrun any negative feedback or comments?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most definitely not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new name has a very personal and special meaning to me and is more fitting for me and my company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I photo edit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes I do, but never do I change the color of the cosmetic in question, I only change the surrounding skin to “clean up” the picture and I would never change the skin tone from one ethnicity to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are all of my products vegan friendly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, the products that I carry which are vegan friendly are clearly labeled as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will update all of my listing with a vegan friendly rating so that there is no longer any confusion about this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My company is based upon the principle that I would never sell a product that I would not personally use myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of my ingredients are of the highest quality and I fully disclose all ingredients that I use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that this business is much more than just a job, it is a way for me to give back to others, both financially and as a means to give people the opportunity to afford a wide range and selection of their favorite colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take my business very personally and very seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I view each and every product that I send out, along with my customer service, to be a direct reflection of who I am as a person and what my company stands for.</span></div>Providence and Grace Cosmeticshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968659266243555440noreply@blogger.com0