Mommy's Favorite Things: Honeybee Gardens Review



Monday, March 8, 2010

Honeybee Gardens Review



I've said it before and will DEFINITELY say it again. I LOVE makeup and I love playing around with makeup. Especially eye shadow! I had the opportunity to review for Honeybee Gardens and I like the products they were kind enough to send me!

They sent off the Eye Liner in Belgian Chocolate and the Eye Shadows in Moondust and Martini
I don't LOVE these products, but I do like them!
The Eye Shadows are loose (no protector in there) so when you stick your brush in there it goes EVERYWHERE! It goes on smoothly, but falls to your cheeks, so you get some extra sparkle But it does stay on nicely, and doesn't crease!
The eye liner is very smooth and I really like it. I opted for something besides black for a change and it really makes a difference. It's nice and subtle and isn't like WOW here I am! Black is better for night outings and dates. Brown is perfect for every day use!

True origins of Honeybee Gardens
I started my business, Honeybee Gardens - manufacturer of all natural herbal bath and body care products, in August of 1995. I was 27 years old, and working for an architectural firm. I was also back in college working on an MBA. And I wasn't happy. It had finally sunken-in that I was not born wealthy, I would have to be working for at least the next 35 years of my life, so I'd better do something that gives me some joy.

As with many businesses, my company was created out of a simple need. I married my husband, Randy, not long after graduating from college in 1990. As newlyweds, you begin to learn things about the other person because you now live with them. I soon discovered something about Randy - he hated shaving. His face would become red and irritated with the first swipe of a razor. I used to buy him expensive aftershaves and shaving potions, but nothing seemed to work (some even aggravated the problem). I had been growing and studying herbs for years, and decided to test some of that knowledge in order to save my husband's face. It took time. Randy, acting as guinea pig, sampled formulas on almost a daily basis. One was too gentle. One wasn't as soothing. With each trial, the results were documented. More research ensued. Finally, one day, he proclaimed, "This is it!", and our Herbal Aftershave was born.

But starting a business was not my intention. For years my husband coaxed me to share this wonderful formula with the public. By now, I was making moisturizers, powders and other preparations in addition to the aftershave. I just didn't think this little hobby of mine could take the place of my good paycheck, benefits, etc. But corporate life left much to be desired. After working eight hours a day in sterile, sickly, artificially-lit environments, I routinely retreated to my herb gardens for solace. Nightly, I retired to my library to learn more about these glorious useful plants. It was so soothing to view the lovely pictures of heavenly gardens, while feeding my desire for knowledge. Having an herbal business would be the perfect marriage of my acquired business skills, desire for independence, and love of gardening. Financially though, it just didn't seem like a possibility.

And then it happened. After a particularly exhausting day, my husband looked at me and said, "You're spending all this time working to build and maintain other people's businesses, when you could be building your own." He was right. The next day I called my lawyer and had him start the paperwork. Honeybee Gardens was born.

The first mail order catalog was designed on my home computer, printed on an ink jet printer, and contained only six products. I placed word ads in herb magazines. And requests for my catalogs started coming. After only one year in business, Honeybee Gardens began to receive attention and recognition from well-known authors and herbalists. (Let me note, that at this point, I still had my part time job with the architectural firm). The Summer '96 catalog introduced over 25 new products, and HBG was featured in the local newspaper (ya know, the one I used to work for!). By 1997, things were starting to get serious. I knew that in order to take the next step, I had to make an investment. My husband gave me money from his retirement fund (with the words, "Why invest in some big company, when I can invest in yours"). I hired graphic artists to create the Honeybee Gardens logo and implemented professional labeling of my products. A professional catalog, letterhead and business cards were introduced, and credit card acceptance began. I knew my time at the other firm was limited. 1998 brought a web site, national distribution by two major natural product distributors, a design award for my logo, articles in trade publications and an herbal cookbook, expansion of contract manufacturing, private label services and finally full-time employment for me by my own company. By 1999 things were starting to go pretty well. We participated in our first international trade show and landed a huge private label contract with a well-known company. We were also picked up by another national distributor and began distribution in Canada. By the year 2000, we signed on a group of sales reps for the New England area who did a spectacular job, highlighted by getting us more distribution and getting our products into natural grocery chains such as Whole Foods Markets. Also, we picked up more private label work. Perhaps most exciting was a contract at the end of the year with American Airlines to do their in-flight amenities! And on July 1, 2001, Honeybee Gardens  became a corporation. We are gaining market share in the natural body care business, and have a thriving private label practice called Distinctive Identities, Inc., doing large projects for well-known corporate clients. Our work has given the Honeybee Gardens brand world wide exposure.

It wasn't easy...and it's still not easy. I work, literally, from morning 'til night. I can't tell you how many times my husband wakes up at 2:00 a.m., walks into my home office, and peels my face off the keyboard. I miss the twice yearly vacations my husband and I used to take - I just can't be away from HBG that long. That daily jog I used to do with my friends after work - gone. Since my work days are no longer "8 to 5", I find it difficult to just stop working and drive out to meet them. So I bought a treadmill. My husband accuses me of being a workaholic, and I've resolved to address that issue. I plan to exercise regularly, pry myself away from my telephone and computer at least twice a day, delegate responsibility to my employees, and endeavor to have at least one conversation a day that is NOT business related. But there are rewards too. My animals love that I can take them to work with me when they're in the mood. Nobody cares what I'm wearing to work, or if I have make-up on because it's my company and I want everyone to be comfortable. And I'm creating my OWN destiny. It feels so good to finally have my products - which were originally formulated in my KITCHEN - right up there next to those well-known brands....to have people write letters to me thanking me for creating products which are 100% natural and don't cause skin irritation or pollute the environment....to have the possibility of having enough money to make a difference in my community in some way (to give back). When I sit down and think about it, it's really a dream come true.


 
*Disclaimer* I received these products directly from the Company for Review. I was not paid to try out these products!*


161 comments:


Unknown said...

I would choose the eyeliner in jet black, eyeshadow in Passage to India, and lipgloss in the Innocence!!!
I'd love to win
missblissfulbee@gmail.com


Unknown said...

I follow your blog now
missblissfulbee@gmail.com
1


Unknown said...

I follow your blog now
missblissfulbee@gmail.com
2


Unknown said...

I follow your blog now
missblissfulbee@gmail.com
3


Unknown said...

I follow you on twitter
missblissfulbee@Gmail.com


Annie1 said...

Smokin Gun (eyeliner)
Passage to India (eye shadow)
Hollywood (lip gloss)

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Annie1 said...

Follow via GFC #1

Annie1

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Annie1 said...

Follow via GFC #2

Annie1

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Annie1 said...

Follow via GFC #3

Annie1

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Annie1 said...

Follow you on Twitter

greeeneyedwhwom

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Annie1 said...

Tweet

http://twitter.com/greeeneyedwhwom/status/10209830289

ty

nancyrobster at gmail dot com
(in Canada)


Amber said...

I would choose eyeliner in smoking gun, eyeshadow in gypsy and lip gloss in innocence!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Amber said...

I follow you with google friend connect #1
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Amber said...

follow #2
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Amber said...

follow #3
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Amber said...

I voted for you #1
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Amber said...

voted #3
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com


Bethany said...

Liner = charcoal

shadow = Gypsy

gloss = Glam I am


logan 4301 @ yahoo . com


Bethany said...

follower 1


logan 4301 @ yahoo . com


Bethany said...

follower 2


logan 4301 @ yahoo . com


Courtney B said...

i would get fliratious and angelic in eyeshaow.. oh wait and passage to india eyeliner black- gloss hollywood


Courtney B said...

blog follower 2


Courtney B said...

blog follower 3


Courtney B said...

button 1

http://meandbella.blogspot.com


Courtney B said...

button 2


Unknown said...

great job on your business and the hard work !!! thanks for the opp :) eyeliner black, eyeshadow in gypsy, Hollywood (lip gloss) :)
kendraco22@yahoo.com


Unknown said...

follow twitter kendra22007


Unknown said...

follow blog kendra22 #1


Unknown said...

follow #2


Unknown said...

follow #3


one frugal lady said...

eyeliner- belgian chocolate
eyeshadow-satin sheets
lipgloss-hollywood!
onecheaplady@yahoo.com


one frugal lady said...

I follow you on blogger! #3
onecheaplady@yahoo.com


Anonymous said...

I like the shades,
1) Gypsy.
2) Castaway.
3) Satin Sheets.

jak1116@yahoo.com
-Jefri


redfuzzycow said...

i would get the eyeliner in smoking gun, lip gloss in hollywood and eyeshadow in wicked


redfuzzycow said...

i follow your blog (redfuzzycow) #1


redfuzzycow said...

i follow you on twitter (redfuzzycow)


redfuzzycow said...

i added your button to my sidebar www.redfuzzycow.blogspot.com #1


redfuzzycow said...

i added your button to my sidebar www.redfuzzycow.blogspot.com #2


redfuzzycow said...

i voted for you as the best giveaway blog #1


redfuzzycow said...

i voted for you as the best giveaway blog #2


redfuzzycow said...

i voted for you as the best giveaway blog #3


redfuzzycow said...

i voted for you as the best giveaway blog #4


redfuzzycow said...

i voted for you as the best giveaway blog #5


♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

Eyeliner jet black, lip gloss eternity, and shadow martini. :)
itzacin@aol.com


♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I follow #1
itzacin@aol.com


♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I follow #2
itzacin@aol.com


♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I follow #3
itzacin@aol.com


jemscout425 said...

Eye liner-brown sugar
eye shadow- princess
lip gloss- glam i am
pksanddancer(at)yahoo(dot)com


jemscout425 said...

follow on twitter jemscout425


jemscout425 said...

follow on google
pksanddancer(at)yahoo(dot)com


jemscout425 said...

follow on google
pksanddancer(at)yahoo(dot)com


mverno said...

1.jet set-black
2.smoking gun- charcoal
3.blue jeans-deep navy blue
mverno@roadrunner.com


Mamushi Love said...

Jet Black eye liner
Wicked eye shadow
Viper lip gloss


Kia89 said...

Eye Liner in Jet Black.
Eyeshadow in Castaway.
Lip Gloss in Viper.
austma7@aol.com


Bakersdozen said...

Eye shadow: Gypsy, Eyeliner: Belgium Chocolate, Lip Gloss: Hollywood vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com


Crown the Queen said...

i would pick the Satin Sheets - the palest of sparkly peaches with gold highlights for the eyeshaddow; the Jet Set - black eyeliner; and the Viper - soft ruby red, raspberry flavor lip gloss


Crown the Queen said...

i follow your blog


Crown the Queen said...

2nd post about following your blog


Crown the Queen said...

3rd post about following your blog


Crown the Queen said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/crownthequeen/status/10248446786


Brit said...

I would get the eyeliner in jet black, eyeshadow in Gypsty, and lip gloss in the Innocence

brit@esbechic.com


Brit said...

I now follow you on twitter


Jen lleras said...

Jet set eyeliner
satin sheets shadow
eternity lip gloss

jennifer.lleras@gmail.com


Nicole C. said...

I like the Belgian Chocolate eye liner, the Castaway eye shadow, and the Glam I Am lip gloss.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com


Unknown said...

My choices: Shadow in Gypsy, Eyeliner in Jet Black and the lip gloss in Innocence

thanks

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com


409cope said...

I like the Princess shadow,Blue Jeans liner and the Glam I Am gloss the most. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com


409cope said...

I follow through google friend. entry #1 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com


409cope said...

I follow through google friend. entry #2 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com


julis55 said...

I would choose eyeliner in smoking gun, eyeshadow in gypsy and lip gloss in innocence


elaine said...

I like the Eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate,Eyeshadow in Chai,and Lipgloss in Innocence.

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca


Karen P said...

Liner - Belgian Chocolate
eye shadow - temptress
lipgloss - viper


Karen P said...

gfc 1


Karen P said...

gfc 2


Karen P said...

gfc 3


Karen P said...

voted 1


Karen P said...

voted 2


Karen P said...

voted 3


Karen P said...

voted 4


Karen P said...

voted 5


cherriblossom25 said...

I'd choose the Jet Set - black eye liner, Wicked eye shadow, and the Innocence lip gloss.
cherriblossom25[at]gmail[dot]com


Anonymous said...

Awesome blog and thanx for the giveaway!
I would love love LOVE to win this!
=]


mogrill said...

I'd like the Eyeshadow in Gypsy. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net


Deborah Wellenstein said...

Eyeliner-Smokin Gun
Eyeshadow-Wicked
Lip gloss Viper


Huguette En said...

My choices would be liner in Belgian chocoate, eye shadow in satin sheet and gloss in glad I am.
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


Susan Margaret said...

I would get the
eyeliner Belgian Chocolate
eye shadow Chai
lip gloss Innocence

charmtime @ gmail dot com


Susan Margaret said...

I follow you through GFC (charmtime @ gmail dot com) ENTRY1


Susan Margaret said...

I follow you through GFC (charmtime @ gmail dot com) ENTRY2


Susan Margaret said...

I follow you through GFC (charmtime @ gmail dot com) ENTRY3


Susan Margaret said...

I follow you on Twitter (littlecomper) charmtime @ gmail dot com


Huguette En said...

Following blog (1)
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


Huguette En said...

Following blog (2)
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


Huguette En said...

Following blog (3)
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


Unknown said...

I love playing around with makeup


Molly C. said...

I am a follower 1


Molly C. said...

I am a follower 2
mcapel4444 at aol.com


Molly C. said...

I'm a follower 3
mcapel4444 at aol.com


Molly C. said...

If I win, I would love to have the light brown eyeliner, Sunset Strip eyeshadow & Glam I am lipgloss
mcapel4444 at aol.com


Huguette En said...

Following on twitter - henglish
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


Gina said...

Belgian Chocolate eyeliner, Temptress or Sedona eyeshadow & Viper lipgloss.
yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com


Gina said...

I follow via GFC #1.
yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com


Gina said...

I follow via GFC #2.
yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com


Gina said...

I follow via GFC #3.
yummyfaerie at hotmail dot com


Belinda M said...

I would get belgian chocolate eye liner, temptress eye shadow and innocence lip gloss


bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com


Belinda M said...

I follow your blog

bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com

1


Belinda M said...

I follow your blog

bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com

2


Belinda M said...

I follow your blog

bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com

3


Belinda M said...

I follow on twitter as Prairiebelle

bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com


renee said...

I would pick
liner- jet set black
shadow- spellbound plum lavender
gloss- glad i am
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


renee said...

I follow blog
entry1
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


renee said...

I follow blog entry2
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


renee said...

I follow blog entry3
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


renee said...

tweeted http://twitter.com/nicjosemm/status/10666698621
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


renee said...

I follow on twitter as nicjosemm
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca


Belinda M said...

tweeted

http://twitter.com/Prairiebelle/status/10666370506

bluebelle0367 @ hotmail dot com


Huguette En said...

http://twitter.com/henglish/status/10679894797
henglish(at)nb(dot)sympatico(dot)ca


C said...

I'd get the eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate, the eye shadow in Wicked and the lip gloss in Viper.

kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com


Lala77 said...

I'd get the Eyeliner in Smoking Gun, The Eye Shadow in Moon Dust and The Lip Gloss in Glam I Am.

bookloon@gmail.com


Lala77 said...

I follow on Google (1)
bookloon@gmail.com


Lala77 said...

I follow on Google (2)
bookloon@gmail.com


Lala77 said...

I follow on Google (3)
bookloon@gmail.com


S Carter said...

I would get:
Smoking Gun eyeliner
Wicked Shadow and
Viper gloss

scarter305 at aol dot com


Valeen said...

I would get the eye shadow in Sunset Strip
the eyeliner in brown sugar, and
the lip gloss in Glam I Am.

Thanks!

sweepyhead@gmail.com


Janette said...

I'd get the eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate, the eye shadow in Sunset Strip, and the lip gloss in Innocence.
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Janette said...

Blog follower
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Janette said...

Blog follower 2
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Janette said...

Blog follower 3
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Janette said...

Following you on Twitter - @jsoldham
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Janette said...

Added your button 1
http://thefearlessfoodie.blogspot.com
decadent87 at gmail dot com


Happi Shopr said...

I would choose:
eyeliner - Smoking Gun
eyeshadow - Gypsy
lipgloss - Hollywood
trinitygsd at yahoo dot com


Happi Shopr said...

#3 Follow via GFC. trinitygsd at yahoo dot com


susan1215 said...

I'd get the eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate, the eye shadow in Sunset Strip and the lip gloss in Glam I am


susan1215 said...

follow via google 1


susan1215 said...

follow via google 2


susan1215 said...

follow via google 3


Tylerpants said...

I'd love the Jet Black JobaColors Eye Liner, Wicked PowderColors and Glam I Am Luscious Lip Gloss! Thanks! tylerpants(at)gmail.com


Tylerpants said...

I'm a follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com #1


Tylerpants said...

I'm a follower. tylerpants(at)gmail.com #2


trixx said...

I'd pick the jet black eyeliner, wicked eyeshadow and the viper lipgloss. Much thanks! peanut @ nyc dot rr dot com


trixx said...

1 I follow your blog!


trixx said...

2 I follow your blog!


trixx said...

3 I follow your blog!


Kathy P said...

id get the Jet Set - black eyeliner,the Chai - matte pale very creamy coffee eye shadow and the Glam I Am - gorgeous neutral plum shade, mango flavor

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


Kathy P said...

1 following your blog as klp1965

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


Kathy P said...

2 following your blog as klp1965

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


Kathy P said...

3 following your blog as klp1965

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


Kathy P said...

following on twitter klp1965

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


Kathy P said...

http://twitter.com/klp1965/status/10798850771

klp1965 @ myfairpoint dot net


fancyfeet48 said...

I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway fancyfeet45@earthlink.net


Unknown said...

I would get eye liner-Belgian Chocolate eye shadow-Tiger's Eye Lip Gloss Viper garrettsambo@aol.com


Anonymous said...

Eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate, Shadow Spellbound Plum Lavendar & Lip Gloss in Viper! :)
Thank you!
Amanda Barnes
amandakbarnes90 @ gmail dot com


Cal said...

My choices:
Lip Gloss in innocence
Liner in jet set
Shadow in Angelic


Sand said...

I'd choose Sedona & Passage to India. And the eyeliner in Belgian Chocolate.


cman said...

Smoking Gun - charcoal
Sunset Strip - light to medium sparkly peach with pink highlights
Innocence - pale neutral pink, slightly peach, watermelon flavor
cmanventuresinc(at)gmail(dot)com


lilyk said...

I love the Eye Liner in Jet Set, the Eye Shadow in Angelic, and the Lip Gloss in Innocence!

lilyk @ mail2world dot com


Anonymous said...

Eyeliner: jet set
Eye shadow: kitten toes
Lip gloss: innocence
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com


Anonymous said...

I'm a follower #1
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com


Anonymous said...

I'm a follower #2
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com


Anonymous said...

I'm a follower #3
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com


honeybee gardens nail said...

It is great to read some of the information and feedback, here. I hope to read more ideas in the future!!!


Honeybee Gardens Review said...

Glad to hear some good feedback about honeybee gardens.


honeybee gardens lipstick said...

It is great to read some of the information and feedback, here. I hope to read more ideas in the future!!!