Comments on Lipsticks & Lightsabers: Lime Crime: Beneath The Glitter.

Just wanted to say, after stumbling across this po...

2011-09-02T11:20:03.179+01:00

Just wanted to say, after stumbling across this post while going through your archives (so nerdy, but you are a fantastic writer!) I remembered where I had seen this brand. They are sold on a Australian website called Crush Cosmetics that is one of the only Australian stockists of Nyx, Milani, Wetnwild, Eyeko, Sleek and Elf. For some of these brands it is in fact the only Australian stockist. I will definitely be forwarding this excellent post to them. I don't expect a reply but if they have not heard of the dodgy practices of this brand it should be brought to light (although I'm not naive, they may be aware and just not care). Now, the prices of these brands have all been hugely inflated by Crush Cosmetics, usually by well over 200% but this is particularly humiliating with the dodgy Lime Crime products.

Side rant: You probably don't know this but online shopping is a very topical issue in Australia right now- the retail sector is doing the worst it has in decades and it has been frequently covered in the media with many high-profile companies and business owners blaming online shopping for this and calling for all online purchases from overseas to be taxed (which they are not unless the purchase is over $1000). Australian consumers are constantly told that our prices are inflated because base wages are higher and workers get more benefits eg sick leave, weekend pay etc and we are encouraged to buy locally to support the workers and whatnot. It's one thing for a department store but what excuse does a small online company have for doubling and tripling prices? It was reported recently that Aus/NZ have the highest markup on cosmetics IN THE WORLD. Companies like Mac double their prices here yet are absolutely renowned in Aus for their poor service. No wonder Australians have become dependent on online shopping.

I had been looking at a few products by Lime Crime...

2011-07-28T15:15:59.924+01:00

I had been looking at a few products by Lime Crime recently. I am so thankful to come across your blog. I will not be spending my money on this company. Thanks for helping to educate consumers. It is very appreciated!

i had always heard that lime crime was scamming pp...

2011-05-26T23:55:39.534+01:00

i had always heard that lime crime was scamming ppl but i nver knew the full story so thanks for this. i have bought a few of her lipsticks n the only ones i like r the purple ish n hot pink one. the light orange one is just awful. n another thing. was that legal email they sent that blogger even legit? like could they sue someone for that? n you dnt thnk theyl see this post n try n go after u? thats so messed up. her pigments arent even bright! n some of shrinkles colors look like make up forevers. it makes me so mad shes bankin it now n ppl are overpayin for colors she didnt even make. what if i buy frm tkb n mix my own colors n sell to friends? would that be bad? i hope not. well i kno this post was old but plzz reply back. natazianatazia@yahoo.com

I just heard about this issue, and I'm saddene...

2011-05-25T14:50:04.983+01:00

I just heard about this issue, and I'm saddened to hear that the blogger took her post down. Doe was talking out of her ass. There is absolutely no legal grounds on which she could sue. I'm a journalist, and the same laws that protect me protect bloggers everywhere. A company is a public figure and actual malice has to be proved to win a libel lawsuit. The company has to prove the blogger intentionally lied about the company or product. It hardly ever happens. Magazines like Star and OK are difficult to prosecute because a person must prove the magazine knew the story was false and published it anyway. Actual malice has been the legal precedent in the U.S. since 1964 in NYT vs. Sullivan (Supreme Court case). I hate to hear of companies trying to intimidate bloggers. I hope bloggers educate themselves on their rights.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lime-Crime-Make-Up/3...

2011-01-09T06:46:14.561Z

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lime-Crime-Make-Up/324085320111?v=wall#!/limecrime?v=wall

January 3, a girl named Dara links to you on here. I had just (stupidly) purchased an eyeshadow from LC because I remembered reading a good review of them a while ago and wanted a red. My fault for not looking further into this brand that was new to me. I was a little disappointed in the shade in person but especially when I went to the FB fan page for the first time ever and saw that link on top.
Anyway, everyone yells at her for posting that link, except one other girl. LC calls what you say "untrue."
Oh jeez.. I wish I'd seen your blog sooner. I love it and subscribe now. Keep up the good work!
Cheers!

@Annabanana - Oh, that wasn't clear. Generally...

2010-12-31T03:44:46.149Z

@Annabanana - Oh, that wasn't clear. Generally when someone comments I assume it's about the post or the blog rather than someone else's website. I would've thought you would have posted that objection over there...? Well, anyway, that makes more sense.

Obviously, I don't control what people post, only what I post, but I will point out that whilst YOU may not feel wronged by Lime Crime, some of the people who've posted about it have wasted HUNDREDS of dollars buying repackaged mica from them that they could have gotten for under $10 in a larger quantity directly from the wholeseller. What do they get when they complain? Lies, and people who post negative reviews threatened with litigation.

That's enough to piss anyone off, in my opinion, so while you may feel that the name calling is uncalled for, to be fair you don't know what situation the namecallers are in. Being ripped off makes people angry, and rightly so. And it's not like Xenia and her rabid legions haven't done any name-calling of their own. One lovely blogger posted a very honest, not at all angry negative post about Lime Crime because she wasted her money on them, and was harassed by Lime Crime fangirls cursing at her, calling her fat, and spamming her blog with negative comments as a result.

So, yeah. Glass houses, throwing stones, walk a mile in someone else's shoes, etc etc.

Thank you for the compliment, btw.

i totally respect that and just so you know i was ...

2010-12-31T02:12:23.208Z

i totally respect that and just so you know i was talking about another lady who called her website and i quote "unicorn sparkles on crack" and although that is her opinion and she has a right to it i thought it was kinda meanish i mean although i don't agree with it if she like seriously is repackaging i kinda of like the unicorns and yeah everybody has i right to think what they think and by the way i love the premise of your blog fasionable nerds hell yes! :D

giggle giggle :)

2010-12-31T00:16:25.582Z

giggle giggle :)

I didn't call her a crack head, I called her a...

2010-12-31T00:12:33.560Z

I didn't call her a crack head, I called her a lying scam artist. I stand by it.

ummm not trying to be mean or negative or ANYTHING...

2010-12-30T23:34:43.628Z

ummm not trying to be mean or negative or ANYTHING like that but if you don't like don't buy it. theres pretty much no reason to call this lady a crack head either im just saying

Wow! I had no idea about this until someone who re...

2010-12-15T10:37:23.749Z

Wow! I had no idea about this until someone who read a post about my limecrime purchase directed me here! I bought a whole bunch of limecrime lipsticks and so far the two that I tried were decent! Now, I'm afraid to use the other lipsticks! This has opened my sparkly glittered blinded eyes! Thanks so much! I'm definitely going to re-edit my post!

WOW those "threatening" emails are absol...

2010-11-30T00:21:16.048Z

WOW those "threatening" emails are absolutely ridiculous. I visited the LimeCrime site for the first time and almost fell out of my chair laughing! The whole unicorn-sparkles-on-crack gimmick is just retarded. It looks like my 4 yr old cousin designed her site! Not to mention the insane price for the products! The "magic dusts" are OBVIOUSLY just mica powders or very low quality loose pigment powders you can get for a fraction of the cost from Coastal Scents or another site. And they are more expensive then MAC!! the lipsticks only come in about 6 shades and have that extra ridiculous pink unicorn packaging that looks like it came from toys-r-us and again its more expensive then MAC! And this "Doe" character looks like a wanna be lady gaga, but more resembles a mental institution escapee! I guess shes just taking advantage of some women/girls subconscious desire to forever remain little girls decked out in sparkles..I say leave it to Hello Kitty! LOL I will never buy from her retarded/psycho ***!

Thanks for posting that article. I had no idea. Wo...

2010-11-27T00:11:40.026Z

Thanks for posting that article. I had no idea. Wow. What a bitch. If I were the original blogger, I wouldn't have taken my review down. Yes, those threats from Lime Crime seem scary, but they are just a facade, and all lies. They have no right to sue someone over their own opinion. It wouldn't hold up in court because of the FIRST AMENDMENT. The blogger did nothing wrong.

Thanks for posting that article. I had no idea. Wo...

2010-11-27T00:10:41.699Z

Thanks for posting that article. I had no idea. Wow. What a bitch. If I were the original blogger that the girl who wrote this article was talking about, I wouldn't have taken my review down. Yes, those threats from Lime Crime seem scary, but they are just a facade, and all lies. They have no right to sue someone over their own opinion. It wouldn't hold up in court because of the FIRST AMENDMENT. The blogger did nothing wrong.

Hi, I'm so glad you wrote this, I too have m...

2010-11-01T19:46:10.906Z

Hi,

I'm so glad you wrote this, I too have mentioned the same issue in many make-up forums. I make a line of loose shadows buying in bulk micas, ect needed to create my "own" colors. I mix different ones together along with whatever oxides/ingredients so the outcome is really my own finished product.

First, I am thankful that there are company's out there that sell in bulk since the real manufacturer sells in pounds, not ounces.

The thing that drives me CRAZY is all these different company's re-name standard unfinished micas instead of using the real name. I'll buy a ounce here and there thinking I'm purchasing 2 different colors and end up with multiple of the same. All because they are all using different mica names.

Yes, some people make their "own" colors along with selling bulk micas and there own colors should be named whatever they want. The micas on the other hand should all be listed as the product name the manufacture gave. I see unfinished one's being sold for 4.50 up to 15.00 and some like you said calling them "there own".

I've been making my line for many years and don't advertise much for my own personal reasons. I have a great reputation and buyer base. I've had atleast 5-10 colors of mine copied by others, it's not hard to do. Also many times we will get buyers requests to make this or that which will end up looking like another's color. I've gotten many request to make one's like MACS and around the holidays the special request's really gets busy.

I wanted to thank you for writing what you did and I hope it reach's all the company's. It would be nice to see everyone use the real product name for unfinished mica's.
Like I stated earlier I'm thankful to have places to buy in ounces and have dealt with some great people but this topic is a biggie that needs to be resolved. For those who sell a mica as a finsihed product I dont see how they sleep at night. Personally to me thats almost as bad as all the fake MAC Pigment sellers.

Hi there! I'm an MUAer who stumbled across thi...

2010-10-03T16:30:41.559+01:00

Hi there! I'm an MUAer who stumbled across this post looking for swatches. I saw the word drama (like I said, muaer) and decided to have a quick skim but got completely pulled in.
Anyways, I had to comment because I am so impressed by your writing. It is well structured, scientifically written and over all very helpful. You seem to answer every question one could have without waffling on too much. Really enjoyed reading it and will now check out some of your other posts :)

I would just like to say, I am not a professional ...

2010-08-10T18:14:41.223+01:00

I would just like to say, I am not a professional makeup artist or anything like that, and I have nothing compared to the experience or general cred of anyone else on this page, I'm sure. I started my research on lime crime and other unusual eyeshadows because I decided I liked the really bright stuff enough to pay, at some point, an arm and a leg for it. What I look for are certain very particular shades, kickass pigmentation, and a company that doesn't use animal testing and isn't generally evil.

That said, I went on their website thinking, I have a few bucks to kick around, maybe I'll do some shopping. I selected several eyeshadows that were the only ones left in stock and discounted to around $7. Cool, I thought, and then I got suspicious. Oh man, am I glad I did my Googlework! This shit is crazy! On ethical grounds, in the most basic way a business should behave. I think repackaging without telling the consumer is deplorable, just absolutely wrong. Plagiarism, copywrite infringement. Where the hell else can you get away with this? If I make a product I want feedback from my customers, and if it's bad you communicate and try to fix the problem. Right? But threatening legal action? It's not slander if it's true!

Anyway, I wanted to thank you and the other people (you folks in the comments really seem to know your shit) for taking the time to spread information so I don't have to have that double-stuf buyers remorse of getting something repackaged by a scam artist that got way too much of my cash for it.

Though in all of this I did find both Sugarpill and TKB and by golly, I will be buying from one or both of them. Thanks again.

Hey have you had a look at the containers on TKB t...

2010-08-09T14:38:55.257+01:00

Hey have you had a look at the containers on TKB trading?

http://www.tkbtrading.com/category.php?category_id=14&page=9
You can find her ones on the last page LMAO. Oh she must be so sad that they "stole" her packaging too, I mean the SAME SITE that "copied" her shadows- even made it the cheapest on the site!

I haven't heard of this LGB thing but all I kn...

2010-06-28T13:07:07.002+01:00

I haven't heard of this LGB thing but all I know is she sold me $70 for 7 tiny jars of glitter that were repackaged. I stupidly bought them not knowing I could get the same thing for much less, and get much more.
The glitter is gone (still sold online from another vendor for ridiculous price) but the "magic dusts" are still not unique and ripping off people.
If the product worked for you, good for you, but not all the people who don't like Lime Crime are on this 5yr conspiracy theory you think is going on.

Sorry.. I also forgot to say in my opinion of how ...

2010-06-28T05:02:06.393+01:00

Sorry.. I also forgot to say in my opinion of how this all started, that when the original LC makeup launched back 2005 and from what users say back then had many problems, like staining lips, little balls of it coming off, drying out lips, not going on at all, difficult to apply etc etc.....
Common Sense and basic human nature proves out and out that when the attacks began, which were people who were good friends including xenia for a long period of time before the massive fallout between them, it was easy for these people who were angry with her for personal reasons over the breakup of LGB (as they say themselves on their own blogs) to then attack her flawed products. So the comments regarding legal letters being too personal... well they were personal because these people were having a massive personal ongoing fight! Like i said, i don't know any of these people. I didn't know about the LC saga until 2 days ago. I've found out all this info by reading all the blogs, watching videos, taking note of details and separating emotions from facts. This saga, now five years old, from my opinion hasn't progressed at all in terms of so called evidence, nor have the accusations ever been taking further by involving chemists, testing, and many other options. Personally I don't judge other people's behavior, I leave that to themselves and whatever higher power they believe in. I'm not in anybody else's head, so i can't state why people do things, only myself. I will say that the entire debate appears to be very heavily loaded on one side as far as personal attacks go. There is another point of view on why LC have not allowed comments on videos, or simply not responded at times... perhaps they felt it a better strategy not to get down and dirty at that point, just to make the statement and leave it at that. it's an option, not a fact. I think that somewhere in the last five years, xenia changed direction from being just a hobby/project trying to be a small business and making several large mistakes, to a direction of learning from the product errors and changing thinking to succesful business strategies which included completely moving on from the 5 year long saga. Any move she makes is scrutinized and criticized to the degree of almost looking for imperfections in anything she does and then presenting them to justify opinions that began from broken friendships five years ago. It appears to me its just gotten out of hand and completely out of context, and through my 2 days of reading 5 years of it, comments against LC haven't progressed any further in terms of emotive. I still prefer to make decisions on facts on products rather than personality clashes with the person. That's best left to those personalities and not confused with business. Otherwise every business owner will have to live in a bubble to avoid any personal conflicts lest be sent bankrupt due to the ongoing onslaught, and the amount of readers who SO easily are influenced without researching further. I'm glad these blogs are there, as it should start people thinking, BUT i'm still searching for any thing factual or anything that has progressed beyond the original fallout of the LGB group. So far, I haven't found anything substantial to make me think I should avoid LC.

I'm new to this whole controversy, i bought 4 ...

2010-06-28T04:37:39.267+01:00

I'm new to this whole controversy, i bought 4 limecrime lipsticks roughly a year ago and was looking to buy some more when i came across this issue and have been reading for 2 days lol.
From what i understand, this started in 2005 and basically is a bitch fight which started due to a falling out of a group of women who were running the group LGB which xenia started. My guess is that she changd to Doe Deer and relaunched 2008 with new products to separate from the bitch fight and bad product, move on to separate emotive crap from her business. were there problems with the lippy as i've read a few years ago? users say there were. Me and my 7 yr old have to say we don't have those problems. but blogs from the actual people involved in the start of this in 2005 state how this all started and had nothing to do with makeup at all. in fact they were sewing at the time. IMO it looks to me like originally when she started the products were crap. Since then they have been dumped and redone, repackaged, and she has reshaped her company. Also, i am in Australia, we have dramatically less choice than UK and US and prices here are much higher. From this person's opinion, I still haven't seen any actual facts to swing my vote either way. Especially since my experience with the lippy has been great. kryolan here is so much more expensive, so IMO LC is fantastic for us, providing an alternative that before it arrived, we didn't have.

I make mineral eyeshadow also. i remember her buyi...

2010-06-21T23:30:09.115+01:00

I make mineral eyeshadow also. i remember her buying eyeshadow from me. and then later that month a girl said she brought my shadows from lime crime. seeing this post makes me angry haha

I came across this blog post in a effort to resear...

2010-06-20T18:59:31.308+01:00

I came across this blog post in a effort to research Lime Crime. Imagine my surprise when I found that almost every review was negative. As I delved further into the scandal, I saw the same story over and over again. My suggestion to you and every other blogger effected by Lime Crimes policy is to tell your story to the website The Consumerist.

The Consumerist is a website dedicated to calling out companies on their bad business practices. By filing a complaint, they will investigate your claim and publish a report on the findings. The website is relentless in it's practices and never backs down due to legal threats. It is the best way for you to ensure that no other girl is duped by Lime Crime.

Best of luck to you and the girls affected by Lime Crimes actions. No blogger should feel intimidated by a company for expressing honest opinions.

Thank you for this, really, saved me money I would...

2010-06-15T00:06:09.634+01:00

Thank you for this, really, saved me money I would've spent on LC!

I think you should just leave Lime Crime alone. Al...

2010-04-08T03:55:02.940+01:00

I think you should just leave Lime Crime alone. Although it might not be as good as BFTE or MAC, or Coastal Scents, or any other highly pigmented make up, it's still a usable brand and some people actually like it. I've never tried it, but some of my friends love it. And the girl who owns LC obviously loves make up.