Independent Spotlight – Melissa & Morgana Minerals Interview

This Independent Spotlight will feature Melissa from Morgana Minerals.


How long have you loved makeup?
Since I was about 7 or 8. Always loved glitter!

How did you come up with the name Morgana Minerals?
Many people think I chose “Morgana” from Arthurian Legend(Morgan le Fay). But, I really get the name from “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark” – one of my all time favorite movies. It’s the name of Elvira’s deceased Great Aunt, Morgana Talbot. It’s mentioned several times throughout the movie. Morgana…just sounds so mysterious to me.

What led you to create your own brand?
I fell in love with mineral foundation. The natural look it gives just amazes me. I will never wear anything but powder foundation for the rest of my life. Finding a foundation that was light enough for me was impossible. I tried everything from drug to department stores. It was all too dark. For years I would buy liquid white and yellow foundations from Manic Panic. Mixing them gave me the ability to match my tone perfectly. I love that I can make my own foundations now. All from scratch. I still think it’s an awesome thing.

For lipsticks or shadows, it was pretty hard for me to find the unusual colors I craved. It was either stock up around Halloween(which usually offered mediocre quality products) or spend more than I wanted to on MP & other lines offering goth type cosmetics. When I did some research and found out that I could make & sell my own cosmetics from home – I knew I had found my dream. Like many mmu biz owners, I was an Aromaleigh customer before I decided that I really wanted to make my own beautiful products.

How many hours a day do you work? How many days a week?
I work 7 days a week. Most days are about 6-8 hours of work. Including my day job as a rep for a flower company. So, that takes up the first part of my day. I usually pack orders and formulate in the evenings. When I get a day off, I use it to catch up on any pending orders or make new products.

What is your favorite product to create?
Eyeshadows. It’s interesting to see what the end result is for every shadow. The number of colors is infinite. I like to make lipsticks too. But there is a lot of work involved and the cleanup just plain sucks.

What is your least favorite product to create?
Foundation shades. That’s why I only have a handful. I’d rather spend my time making pretty things. I do have a few color requests from customer that I am working on. As well as attempting to match some BE shades.

What are your favorite colors to wear?
Plums, browns, & greens.

What is your all time favorite eye shadow color?
Uninvited Presence. I really love it with my hazel eyes. It’s a green with intense gold tones.

This is Blix from Glitter is my Crack wearing Uninvited Presence.

What are your favorite lip colors?
Sheer plums, browns, or black. I tend to wear dark, sheer tones during the day. I will be making some sheer colors for my new vegan gloss line.

Your lipsticks are amazing and I love them! How long have you been working on perfecting them? What inspired you to create them?
I first started with lip balms about 2 years ago. I wanted something a little classier and more professional looking. So, I started making lipsticks about a year ago. I have altered my formula a few times and am always looking for new ways to improve it. The lipsticks have been a huge hit so look for more colors in early 2010. I hope my vegan glosses will be as popular.

Do you have a favorite beauty trend?
I don’t really pay any attention to trends. Hmmm…can’t think of any.

Do you have a trademark look, or trademark colors?
I’ve had the same hairstyle for nearly 20 years. Does that count?

Do you like perfume or have a signature scent?
I rarely wear perfume. But, I do like Avon’s Haiku.

What do you look at for inspiration?
Flowers are definitely my inspiration for color. So many gorgeous colors and color blends.

Your skin and hair look beautiful in your photos. What’s your secret?
Thank you! Well, my skin care routine is pretty boring. I am usually too tired to wash my makeup off. So, I just wipe it off with a toner. Or, sometimes I am really lazy and just sleep in it. I scrub daily & wear a high spf everyday under my foundation(I use Pale Y). Sometimes, I wear foundation primer. I really love the smooth feeling it gives.

What colors have you dyed your hair?
Just about any color of red you can find! Sometimes, I will go violet or plum for a few months. My favorites are vibrant reds.

What’s your favorite accessory to wear?
I have a cross necklace that is pretty damn cool.

Do you have any upcoming collections planned? Can you talk about them?
I am working on a Medieval/Dark Ages collection for February. It will be dark and metallic tones with names like “Axe to Grind”. I don’t think this has been done yet. I try not to do something that already has been. Remember when I asked you before I did my Pirate Collection? I will also have a small Valentine collection available in late January.

What’s your favorite indulgence?
Chocolate. How typical, right? I do love glazed doughnuts…

What do you do to pamper yourself?
Take a hot, bubbly bath. And, I love to buy clothes! My closet is pretty full. I really need to go through it and donate some stuff.

Do you have any pets?
I love my cats and dogs! They were all strays & are my family now.

Do you play any video games?
Not as much as I used to. I love sim games. Was hooked on “The Sims” and theme park games like “Roller Coaster Tycoon.” Also like to play “Halo” or “Splinter Cell” type games with my hubby. My absolute favorite games are the Nancy Drew ones from Her Interactive. I play on the Senior Detective level. 😉

What are your favorite books to read?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy, not alien stuff. Mostly time travel, supernatural, magical other worlds.
The Time Master & Chaos Trilogies from Louise Cooper are my favorite. I’ve read them countless times. She was my favorite author since my early teens. Sadly, she died a few months ago from an aneurysm.

What colors do you have in your office?
My office has blood red walls with black drapes.

I know you love purple, what colors do you decorate with in your home?
Most of it is a dark purple, of course! Our bedroom is a wine color. My lab walls are a dark green. We have black drapes throughout and have all dark wood or black furniture. My house exterior is painted a dark grey.

What do you do to relax?
Watch tv, read, or play board games.

What are your favorite tv shows?
True Blood, Ghost Hunters, Big Love, Bones, Married With Children, Big Bang Theory, The Tudors, The Highlander,  Get Smart(yes, that’s right, the one from the 60’s), Legend of The Seeker – I could add more, but then it might appear that I watch too much tv…lol

Thank you Melissa!