TGIP

The P Stands for Payday.

Sometimes I don't think I'll ever get used to being paid monthly. Back when I lived in Canada, bi-monthly was the norm. However, when I helped out at my mom's workplace while I was in high school, I was paid at the end of the working day. Which, quite frankly, rocked hard. Then when I moved here and started temping, we got paid weekly. Which was again, awesome.

Now, I get paid at the end of each month, and to be brutally honest, sometimes I totally suck at budgeting. Even though I'm making a lot more money now than I did when I was temping, at the end of the month it feels like I've got nothing at all. I find it impossible to break my monthly pay down into 4 or 5 "weeks". Instead, the day I get paid I already know what money has to go where and budget accordingly. A amount for my Direct Debits and Travel money. B amount for my rent. C amount for food and incidentals. D amount for MAC. And, this month there's also E to pay off last month's credit card bill, and F to pay the deposit for my trip to Cancun. Next month I get to pay off my flights to Canada - all I can say is THANK GOD for the overtime I'll be getting at the end of May because seriously. It was a good hundred pounds more than the last time I went to Canada. Stupid inflation.

Anyway, I'm digressing. The whole point of this post was not really to rant about my finances (I mean, I'm always saying how I'm broke, but I'm paying off two vacations by September, so that's probably why=P)

The point of this post is to rant about MAC instead.

When I get paid, the first thing that springs to mind is the urge to go on MAC's website and compile a shopping list to take to my local MAC Counter (Meadowhall). The problem is, I'm also trying to save so I've got extra spending money when I go to Canada, so I've got a specific amount of money each month that is free to spend on makeup. So, however much I'm lemming the 109 and the 134 brushes, I can't. Because unfortunately, my entire MAC fund this month needs to be set aside for Rose Romance.

And there's also the fact that I'm on a strict No-buy until my Pro card comes. Why should I pay full price for things when I can use my card to get the discount? Exactly. The Pro card also means no more trips to my MAC counter, since they only take it at freestanding stores. So it's looking like all my MAC purchasing for the forseeable future will be mail-order on the Pro phone line. I'm just hoping the card gets here in time for Rose Romance (I've got the number already but not the card)

Rose Romance is released in the UK next Thursday (the 7th of May) and my shopping list, while I have cut it down, is still somewhat... expansive.

So far I've managed to get it down to:
Et Tu, Bouquet? Eyeshadow
Of Summer Eyeshadow
Blush of Youth Beauty Powder
Summer Rose Beauty Powder
Just a Pinch Gel Blush
Circa Plum Pigment
Mutiny Pigment
Secret Crush See-Thru Lip Colour
Loving Touch See-Thru Lip Colour
Tender Tryst See-Thru Lip Colour
Love and Friendship nail laquer (and I might pick up a second one of these for a contest prize later)

Sigh. Originally I also wanted two lipglasses, two lipsticks and another eyeshadow, so I've cut it down a BIT.

Finally, my first NYX lot sale haul came in the mail yesterday =] (the second should be here from America in a couple weeks) I'll post my haulage if and when my phone/computer will allow me to transfer pictures. I'm starting to get annoyed by this. Grr.

Anyway, what are you guys getting from this collection? I'm still on the fence about the eyshadows but I haven't decided yet. I need to go on the hunt for dupes.

MAC Collection: Euristocrats II

And another one for you. Enjoy! I can't wait for the product and promo photos, they help me compile my mental shopping list. Once again, I'll update once I've got that info.

MAC Euristocrats II Collection
U.S. Launch Date: July 2nd, 2009
UK Launch Date: Unknown

Lipstick (Limited Edition)
Costa Chic Light coral (Frost)
Naked Paris Mid-tone brown with multi deminsional pearlized pigments Lustre)
Patisserie Creamy neutral pink (Lustre)
Milan Mode Deep pink with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Lustre)
London Life Deep berry with multi-pearl pigments (Lustre)
Saint Germain Pastel pink (Amplified)
Cockney Yellow red with multi-diminsional pearl pigments (Lustre)

Dazzleglass
Date Night Deep plum with blue and gold pearl (Permanent)
Euro Beat Peach coral with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Internationalist Yellow pink with blue pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Local Colour Neutral yellow pink with gold pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Roman Holiday Med brown coral with pink pearl (Permanent at MAC Stores Only)
Rue de Rouge Light red with pink pearl (Limited Edition)
Vie Veneto Light violet with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Lip Pencil
Magenta Vivid pinkish-purple
Cherry Vivid bright bluish-red
Subculture Underground pink
Whirl Dirty rose

Source: Specktra.net

MAC Collection: Colour Craft

So, thanks to the lovelies over at Specktra, I've got some information on a new colour collection for you all. No product or promo photos yet, but I'll update once we've found some more information. Enjoy!

I'm looking forward to this one, since I missed the Mineralize craze last time around - and I really want me some Porcelain Pink!

Also, this collection marks the repromote of the 226 Tapered Blending Brush, so those of you who couldn't get it, here's your chance! I'll probably pick up a backup - the brush is just THAT amazing.

MAC Colour Craft Collection
U.S. Launch Date: July 9th, 2009
UK Launch Date: Unknown

Lipstick
Madly Creative Pink neutral with white pearl (Frost)
Ever Embellish Plum brown with red pearl (Lustre)
Made with Love Bright coral pink (Lustre)
Colour Crafted Milky pink (Frost)
Trimming Talk Bright fuschia (Frost)
Most Popular Purple with yellow undertone (Lustre)

Lipglass
Pretty Pattern Warm mid-tone beige
Crazy Haute Blue pink
Nice Mix Up Burnt ginger
Funky Fusion Pink coral
Eclectic Edge Cool violet
Miss Marble Muted pink

Mineralize Skinfinish
Three of these are the normal style, the other three are similar to the BBR style, but with three colours.
Sunny by Nature Rich bronze with pink pearl pig
Cheeky Bronze Soft golden coral wth bronze pearl
Porcelain Pink Soft pinky coral wth gold veining
Triple Fusion Left: Soft champagne gold, Center: Soft golden peach, Right: Rose pink with gold nuances
Smooth Merge Left: Soft champange pink, Center: Deep rose, Right: Pale cool pink
Warm Blend Left: Antique gold, Center: Mahogany Bronze, Right: Copper

Mineralize Eyeshadows
These are in a pinwheel style assembly, with four colours in each one
Assemblage White with silver pearl / Deep grey / Black with silver glitter / Warm yellow gold
Odd Bits Mid-tone silver grey / Dusty rose with gold pearl / Dark burgundy/ Peachy bronze
Fashion Patch Ice blue / Off white / Black with silver glitter / Light white pink
Eccentricity Rich gold / Light violet / Deep plum/ Rich bronze
Natural Flare Copper / Yellow orange / Mid-tone brown / Rich gold
Girlish Romp Mid-tone violet / Yellow white with gold pearl / Light pastel coral / Mid-tone pink

Mineralize Blush
Hand-Finish Light pink with deep gold veining
Fab-dabulous Mid-tone burnt coral with yellow gold veining
Daft Pink Deep blue pink with light white gold veining
Improvise Mid-tone neutral coral with light white yellow gold veining
Cheek & Cheerful Mid-tone bronzy brown with yellow gold veining
Style Demon Mid-tone brick red with copper veining

Brush
226 Small Tapered Blending Brush Small tapered blending brush (Limited Edition)
109 Small Contour Brush Use on the face to apply, blend or contour powder products. Softly rounded dome tip delivers just enough colour; smoothly blends colour into the face. Of natural fibres. (Permanent)
130 Brush Flat Tapered Face Brush with short natural hairs and long synthetic fibres (Limited Edition)

Source: Specktra.net

Sugarsweet and Colour Ready are Live!

Just a quick note to let all my lovelies know that the Sugarsweet and Colour Ready collections are up on MAC's UK site as of right now!

I've already placed my order but I'll post about that once I've got everything and will do a haul post/video.

Good news is that it looks like the Transparent Finishing Powder and the Prep + Prime Line Filler from the CR collection are permanent - there are only a couple of items in the collection that have the Triangle Of Death. Which makes me happy, since I've been psyched about the Finishing Powder and if it's as good as I've heard it could fast become a staple.

The Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone, however, IS Limited, and sounds like a great product - makes large pores disappear? I'm sold - so if you want it make sure to snatch it up while you can. Aside from that, the only other Limited Edition item in the whole collection is Bitter eyeshadow, a bright lemon-lime colour. I could've sworn it was permanent before, but I can't be sure...

Also according to MAC's website, the only lipstick from the Sugarsweet collection that is Limited Edition is Sweet Thing, the bright pink one. The other four have no Triangle of Death. Interesting. Could it be that Lollipop Loving has earned its right to be permanent? And Saint Germain, the perfect matte bubblegum muted baby pink could really be available for always?

MAC, you spoil me.

But seriously, you NEED to make the 226 permanent too. The makeup universe begs it of you!

Don't quote me on this because it's entirely possible that I'm wrong and the LE symbols are simply missing from the website. But how hard would it rock if I was right?

I was also relieved to discover that Stars N' Rockets isn't going Limited after all. It's a colour that I'm after, but hasn't reached the top of my list just yet, so I figured I could hold off on that one. But the other day, I could not find it on the website. Even a vague search for "rocket" was giving me zilch, so I was beginning to think they'd made it Limited and were taking it out of the Permanent line completely. BUT that doesn't look to be the case, which makes me a happy bunny.

Happy April Fool's Day!

If MAC send me an email telling me this was all an elaborate joke for April Fool's Day, and the order wasn't really processed and I still have to wait until next week before I can buy anything, I am going to be SO PISSED.

XOXO, Vix =]

Sugarsweet Wishlist

I had a hard time narrowing down this list. MAC appealed to my domestic, cupcake-loving side when they announced the Sugarsweet collection. In the beginning I was convinced I needed everything! Then, I cut out the permanent items. And now, finally, I've had to reason with myself and force myself to cut out things I don't need.

For example, I don't need any dark lipsticks - dark doesn't work for me. I don't need more sheer lipglosses right this minute, just because they're tri-coloured. And I know I'd go insane once the colours mixed. I'd rather spend that money on some dazzleglass, or lipglass colours I love.

So my final list is below:

Lipstick: Bubbles
Lipstick: Lollipop Loving
Lipstick: Saint Germaine
Shadestick: Cakeshop
Shadestick: Butternutty
Shadestick: Lemon Chiffon
Shadestick: Red Velvet
Shadestick: Penny
MSF: Perfect Topping

All in all, I'm figuring the cost to be just over £100, which is reasonable to me. Considering what I spent in the month of March. My impulse buy with Hello Kitty definitely taught me a lesson - be more discerning. I need to ask myself questions like "Do you really need a bright tangerine-orange lipgloss?" or "You have three hot-pink lipsticks that you NEVER WEAR. Do you honestly need a fourth?"

Still, it did jumpstart my collection. I may sell-swap the things I decide I don't love (I'm struggling even to have a grudging respect for Nice to be Nice lipglass right now) but for now, eh, the damage is done, I'll get over it.

Sorry there haven't been any videos either. I've been busyyy. And exhausted. I could fall asleep right now. I didn't even get a chance to sleep in this weekend, it sucked out loud. But, I digress.

More soon! I'm just thanking the Flying Spaghetti Monster that it's payday on Friday.

I need to get my hands on some more MAC. It really is an addiction. Ehehe. But I'm holding out for Sugarsweet for now. I've made a plan to buy 1-2 brushes per pay period (ie: month) but not sure it'll happen this month. Which is okay I guess since I technically bought 4+3 last month (4 brushes plus the HK set) so I'm ahead of the game.

ANYway I realize I'm rambling now so I'll leave off here.

Muchlove, chickadees!

Xoxo Vix

MAC Collection Info: Sugarsweet

I have to admit: as a part time cupcakestress, the Sugarsweet collection is my most-anticipated of the moment. Maybe even more than Hello Kitty. But because I went overboard with the HK collection I'm going to have to make sure I'm only buying the MUST HAVES from the Sugarsweet collection. Parting is such sweet sorrow. It's okay, there are only a few things I NEED to have from this collection: The nail laquers, the eyeshadows, the shadesticks and a couple of lipglasses. Anything else would just be a bonus, so it's all good. Anyway, here it is, the information on the Sugarsweet collection. Enjoy!

MAC Cosmetics Sugarsweet Collection
Launch Date: March 19th, 2009 (North America), April 2009 (International)

Who cares if the candy man can… it’s the cupcake ingenue who’s caught the sweet spot this season. Temptation is everywhere - luscious, whipped-cream decadent, deliciously decorative frosting colours and sugared almond combinations. Like peering through the window of a Parisian patisserie, you’ll want to become one of each! Have fun with a new Red Velvet recipe Shadestick. Tricolour Lipglass is like a mille feuille of layered lip gloss colours, each gives way to the next in a triple-layered pearl-swirl of prettiness; add extra yum to Eye Shadow; Perfect Topping Mineralize Skinfinish is the ultimate cake walk. We could eat you up.

Lipstick ($14.00)
Sweet Thing Mid-tone magenta with multi dimensional pearl (Lustre)
Bubbles Sheer frosty white beige (Glaze) (Repromote)
Touch Peachy cinnamon (Lustre) (Permanent)
Lollipop Loving Mid-tone coral with subtle green and gold iridescence (Glaze) (Repromote)
Saint Germain Pastel pink (Amplified Creme) (Repromote, Perm international)

Tricolour Lipglass ($17.50)
Tasty Top Sheer blue pink with reflects, Middle Mid-tone blue pink with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Dark creamy red pink
Just Dessert Top Sheer yellow pink with reflects, Middle Mid-tone yellow pink with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Mid-tone creamy yellow pink
Simpy Delicious Top Sheer peach with reflects, Middle Pale coral with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Creamy mid-tone coral
Triple-Yum Top Sheer gold with gold reflects, Middle True gold with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Mid-tone bronze
Consume Me Top Sheer white with reflects, Middle Pale mint with duochrome pearlized pigments, Bottom Creamy light peach with pearlized pigments

Eyeshadow ($14.50)
Sugarshot Pale frosty beige (Lustre)
Dear Cupcake Mid-tone pink coral with gold pearlized pigments (Satin)
Aquavert Soft mint with white pearlized pigments (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote)
Stars n Rockets Lavender with red/pink reflects (Veluxe Pearl) (Permanent)
Club Muted reddish brown duochrome with green opalescent shimmer (Satin) (Permanent)

Shadestick ($16.50)
Cakeshop Frosted light neutral beige
Butternutty Frosted pale white gold
Lemon Chiffon Frosted pewter
Red Velvet Frosted mid-tone pink
Penny Light pinky copper (Repromote)

Mineralize Skinfinish ($27.00)
Perfect Topping Pink/peach/lavender melange
Refined Tan/peach/coral melange

Mascara ($12.00)
Zoomlash>

Nail Lacquer ($11.00)
Peppermint Patti Creamy mint green (Cream)
Seasonal Peach Creamy pale peachy pink (Cream)

Lash ($12.00)
34 Lash

MAC Collection Info: Naked Honey

MAC Cosmetics Naked Honey Collection

US Relese Date: June 20th 2009

UK Release Date: July 2nd 2009

Bees do it… now M•A•C does it! Honey that is! As ancient and exotic as Kohl, great beauties have long revered the natural restorative powers of the Golden Elixir.
Following the example of their fabled Queen, Cleopatra, Egyptians bathed in honey and milk. Queen Anne of England used it to silken her hair; from the Ancient Greeks to the Roman Empire, honey has never lost its regal, ever-amber lustre. We love the luxury of its sensual essence…but we also know that it’s a highly efficient and wholesome humectant and healer. Introducing our limited edition Naked Honey collection – three aspects of golden warmth and sun-made sweetness for the body, layered with two decidedly different honeycomb-derived fragrances – celebrating the secret lives of Queen Bees. Complementary shade of High-Light Powder, Eye Shadow and Lipglass are all the buzz for summer.

Lipglass ($14.00 US/$16.50 CDN)
She’s a Star Light neutral gold
Queen Bee Mid-tone apricot with multi-dimensional pearl
Buzz Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

Eyeshadow ($14.50 US/$17.00 CDN)
Crème de Miel Frosty light yellow gold
Pollinator Mid-tone warm reddened peach with pearl
Buckwheat Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

High-Light Powder ($24.50 US/$29.50 CDN)

A high-light powder specially created for the Naked Honey Collection . Features an embossed honeycomb pattern. Super fine, impeccably pearlized, it creates so ft high lights. On cheek, brow, shoulders – anywhere on the body.
Honey Light A light peachy gold with shimmer
Golden Nectar Muted golden tan with gold shimmer

Naked Honey Skin Salve ($18.50 US/$22.50 CDN)

Formulated from honey, organic beeswax, sun flower oil and other natural ingredients, this rich honey–scented and flavoured salve instantly moisturizes and helps recondition dry skin. Multi-purpose. Use everywhere.

Naked Honey Hand And Body Cream ($22.50 US/$27.00 CDN)

A sensuous cream made fro m bio-converted honey, shea butter , and vitamins c and e derivatives. Absorbs quickly for skin-softening moisture. Conditions, nourishes, protects. Use on all areas where ultra-moisture is called for.

Naked Honey Body Wash ($19.50 US/$23.50 CDN)

Formulated from bio-converted honey, this body wash cleanses the skin while providing the soothing and moisturizing benefits of lavender, narcissus, jasmine flower and blue agave extracts. Pro vides a sensual, calming, cleansing experience.

Creations: Naked Honey ($22.50 US/$28.50 CDN)

An aromatic journey that traces honey ’s fragrant heart back to summer ’s sweetest blooms. Energy starts to buzz, spirits soar, light floral and woodsy notes float toward an electric finale. Sweet and sexy all the way.

Creations: Africanimal ($22.50 US/$28.50 CDN)

A scent that starts with a honey-ness that’s seductive and given its dash of pepper, not without spice. Add a dark kiss of bergamot and wood, and an aromatic orgy breaks out to create a scent that’s all-honey, but far from sweet .

I have to admit, I'm loving the complimentary eyeshadow shades - but mostly I'm looking forward to the skin products. How about you?

Credits: temptalia.com, pursebuzz.com, specktra.net

MAC Collection Info: Double Dazzle

MAC Cosmetics Double Dazzle
US Release Date: April 30th 2009

UK Release Date: May 7th 2009

All you need is Love… Lips and Lashes! Summer simplified for the modern makeup minimalist. Double Dazzle will daze the closest competition with colour-changing, light-reflecting pearl-shine lips; paired with a new formula for the ultimate in voluptuous lashes, et voilà! Lips lead: seven new Dazzleglass shades bring the scintillating selection up to 18! The flotilla-of-lights formula imparts the pearl combination with mega-glisten shine, creamy comfort and the subtle sensation of vanilla. Lashes follow: multiplied, volumized, utterly glorified by our newest eye innovation…This sly new small-and-mighty brush has been developed to capture and emphasize each and every lash. Lips, Lashes, Lovers…Look out!

Dazzleglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)
Sugarrimmed Milky pale pink with red, teal and white pearl
Goldyrocks Sheer soft yellow with pink and gold pearl
Moth to Flame Sheer neutral beige with violet pearl
Smile Light coral with pink and gold pearl
Steppin’ Out Clean yellow pink with red pearl
Utterly Posh Mid-tone orange with pink and gold pearl
Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl
Date Night Deep plum with blue and gold pearl
Funtablulous Purple with violet pearl
Extra Amps Sheer bright blue pink with blue and pink pearl
Like Venus Clean light bubble gum pink with red pearl
Stop! Look! Sheer violet mauve with blue and pink pearl
Money Honey Mid-tone rosy mauve with red pearl
Rags to Riches Plumm y pink with teal and red pearl
Baby Sparks Pale pink with violet pearl
Bare Necessity Caramel apricot with red and gold pearl
Girl’s Delight Sheer mid-tone tan with gold pearl
Get Rich Quick Warm yellow brown

Dazzle Lash ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)
Star Brunette Brown
Black Dazzle Black

The pictures do the talking, but wow. Dazzleglass. Enough said, really.

Once again, information from temptalia.com <3

MAC Collection Info: Style Warriors

While I'm sitting around with a massive headache and lots to do but no motivation to do anything really productive with my time, I will instead introduce you to the upcoming Style Warriors collection =] All information from the wonderful temptalia.com =]

MAC Cosmetics Style Warriors
US Release Date: May 28th 2009
UK Release Date: June 4th 2009

Emerging from every corner of the glamorous globe, a new Style Warrior. Made to celebrate the cross-cultural sophistication of the modern Amazon Princess, African Queen, Crouching Tigress… Never before have we seen the “Wild Things” of the world come together in quite so many bold new combinations. Introducing a dramatically different and deliberately diverse colour story, an eclectic and expressive way to exalt and admire the strength and solidarity of beauty with no barriers. A selection of all-over summer bronzing shades for Lips, Cheeks, Eyes, Nails, featuring the innovation of Impassioned, Bronzescape and Scatterrays Solar Bits – sunbursts to unleash the animal in every woman. All exotically packaged in stylized zebra and leopard prints to keep it wild and free – the way it always ought to be.

Lipstick ($14.00)
Sunsational Sheer frosted beige gold
Brave New Bronze Creamy mid-tone pink nude
Purple Rite Mid-tone frosty orchid
Tribalist Creamy blackened berry

Lipglass ($14.00)
Liberated Sheer yellow gold with pearl
Gold Rebel Sheer copper bronze with pearl
Fierce & Fabulous Bright magenta purple with pearl
Style Warrior Blackened bronze brown with pearl

Eyeshadow ($14.50)
Soft Force Frosty pale white gold
Bright Future Frosty bright yellow gold
Tempting Sinfully rich coco
Vibrant Grape Bright magenta purple
Night Maneuvers Deep charcoal brown with pearl

Eye Kohl ($14.50)
Smolder Intense black

Pro Lash Mascara ($12.00)
Coal Black Honest-to-goodness black

Beauty Powder Blush ($18.00)
Eversun Neutral peach bronze with gold pearl
On A Mission Pearly mid-tone plum

Solar Bits ($19.50)
Scatterrays Soft metallic peach with gold pearl
Bronzescape Clean yellow brown with gold pearl
Impassioned Frosty cool taupe

Nail Lacquer ($11.00)
Peaceable Pearly pale golden beige
Violet Fire Bright creamy magenta purple
Mercenary Frosted blackened bronze

Brush ($23.00)
242 Firm fibre Brush with rounded edge for smooth, even application of powder, emollient and concealer products

Seriously. When I first heard about this collection and saw some promo photos for it, I really wasn't that interested. But now that I've seen some photos of the products, there are several things out of this collection that I want. What's on your wish list? I don't even know mine yet.

That animal-print on the packaging is TO DIE FOR <3>

Shipping Confirmation!

So after the whole fiasco last week, and my much-longer-than-I-expected-it-to-be post yesterday, MAC Online have finally sent out my two missing orders. So I should be able to pick everything up from my granny's house this weekend. Yay!

It was getting to the point last night where I was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to send things out, and was going to speak to customer services (again) tonight if I hadn't heard anything yet. But I checked my email while I was getting ready for work this morning, and I received two shipping confirmations at around 1:30 this morning. <3

Can't wait to post my haulage!

All Hope Is Not Lost!

First things first, here's the text-version I promised you guys, for the YouTube video embedded in the previous post.

I had been waiting with bated breath for the release of the Hello Kitty collection. Even though I knew it wasn't due for release until Thursday March 5th, I found myself checking the website during my lunch hour, checking it after work just before I left, checking it again multiple times at night - I really, really did not want to miss it.

Last Wednesday, the day before the official UK release date, Hello Kitty went live on MAC's website. I was just about to leave work, had my coat on and ready to head out, but while I waited for my friend to finish getting ready to go, I checked the website. And there it was. And the feeling that overcame me was something between childish glee - and abject panic. I was about to leave work and didn't think I would have time to place an order, so I very nearly left it until I got home. But my friend was taking her time, so I decided to order.

And ladies (and James), let me tell you, it was a big order. I was so excited and as I went home it was all I could think about. I'd ordered my Hello Kitty items! Huzzah!

Of course, it turned out to be a good (and bad) thing that I had ordered online before heading home. My bus was majorly delayed due to an "incident" in one of the neighbourhoods it has to pass through, and had to go through this INSANELY PACKED police detour. (The incident involved, by the way... all of us on the bus heard/thought someone had been shot and when we saw a bundle of white up the street we all thought it was the body. No, turns out, someone was stabbed in the arm and the bundle of white was just a duvet, haha). All the while my aunts were texting me - we were supposed to meet some friends at a restaurant for dinner at six. In the end, they picked me up across the street from my home bus stop and we headed straight out - I didn't get home until after 8ish and by that time things on the website had started selling out.

It was at this time that I decided to order the rest of the items - the glitter eyeliners and a couple of other things that I was after, such as Eye Kohl in Fascinating, and a Bare Study paint pot. After this, I also ordered the two makeup bags that hadn't been in my first two orders. I was excited beyond belief - I was getting one of everything from the HK collection, bar three accessories that I wasn't interested in anyway. Score!

BUT then came Thursday.

I had a missed call on my mobile phone and a voicemail. Because I was at work I couldn't answer the phone, but at noon I checked my voicemail - it was a lady named Sandy at MAC Online, asking that I call her back about my order, and that "the other would not be released" until she had spoken to me. Immediately I started to panic kind of... Thinking she was calling to tell me I couldn't get some of the items. Which then turned from panic to slight annoyance - nothing was sold out when I'd ordered it so if they were telling me now that it was, I would not be a happy bunny.

I tried calling her back. No dice - I kept getting through to voicemail. I left one message, but I kept calling back and there was no answer. Eventually I called MAC Online's main customer service number, and explained to them what was going on. She got through to the first person's team and asked one of them to call me back. About an hour and a half later, I finally got a callback.

Basically, because it was a big order (and was in three sections, haha), and because the delivery address is different from my billing address, they wanted to do some extra security checks. We went through all of that - which was kind of funny, because she asked me why it was three orders (I couldn't make up my mind what I wanted and didn't want), why it was being sent to an alternate address (nobody where I live is home during the day, so I send packages to my grandparents' house since they're retired and at home to accept them for me), and then asked "Why did you order so much? Is it for personal or business use?" It made me laugh and I explained that it was just one of everything from the HK collection (which she'd see if she looked at the actual order...)

Anyway that was done and when I got home that night I checked their website and the order status had been changed from Processing to In Warehouse, to be packed. So I was very happy.

Until the next day, when I received an email in late afternoon telling me that "Due to the extreme demand of our Hello Kitty collection, the following items were sold out by the time the order was sent to our warehouse."

NOT. Happy.

I placed my order within the first hour or so that the collection was on their website, it was delayed by THEM and not me, and because of that delay I couldn't get 13 items on my order. I Called to complain but was put through to somebody to just tell me which items weren't being sent. Sigh. Eventually I managed to get an address for some manager lady to send a complaint to. I've written a letter of complaint and am sending it this week. I just really do not think it's cool that the delay was on their end and nobody bothered to reserve the items for me pending the security checks - had they not done them in the first place there would have been no issues with my order.

The GOOD news and happy ending to this story, is that when I got home that night I called my local MAC counter (at Meadowhall in Sheffield, those chicks rock out loud!) and explained my situation, and the girl I spoke to went through my "missing items" list and put away everything that wasn't being sent. The only thing I couldn't get was the mirrored key clip, but I can live without that.

So, I've got my first HK haul! I've put a video on youtube, which I will put on here when I get a chance, and will upload haul details with photos and swatches later.

Hopefully more to come soon! The two makeup bags have been dispatched already and should come soon, but the two makeup orders are still showing as In Warehouse - and this makes me a little nervous. So fingers crossed that there are no more issues, and I'll post them when they get here.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! =]

What the...?

Cross-posted from my main "personal" blog. When I started this second blog, it was specifically for health and beauty and makeup, but I'll probably have some personal updates going on too. The only problem is, if I combine the two themes into one blog, then I only really need one. So, we'll see. I'll probably keep the random, big news, or funny stuff here and keep the mundane day-to-day "so at work I did this and this" kind of stuff to my other blog. I'm rambling already and this is just a copy-paste entry. I have skill.

Anyway, onto the topic of this post...

I dream the most ridiculous crap sometimes.

First of all, about an hour after falling asleep last night, I started dreaming that someone was pounding loudly but slowly and persistently on my front door, demanding to be let in. I went to hide somewhere in the house so whoever it was - who clearly didn't want anything nicey-nice - wouldn't know I was home. The pounding actually woke me up and for a while I was convinced that my subconscious had incorporated a real sound into my dream. I pulled out my left earplug and listened for a while, but there was nothing other than the sound of my own pulse pounding in my ears.

So, I put it back in and went back to sleep. And then started to dream that I was having problems with my eyes. My doctor gave me some special contact lenses to wear and then told me to listen to a particular Britney Spears CD to stop the swelling.

Yes. Read that again. That's right.

I have no idea, it makes no sense to me either, but in the dream I was trawling a store trying to find this record, and then picked up two awesome hardcover books that were some kind of dark fiction, and the cover art was like Tim Burton's brand of stop-motion animation (think The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, and Coraline. I *know* Tim Burton wasn't involved in Coraline BUT it's the same "feel" since it was the producer of TNBC so shut up).

Yeah, I was a bit weirded out.

So now I'm just waiting for a confirmation email telling me my MAC Online UK order has been dispatched. Whoo.

OH, yeah. I had other biggish news.

The night before last my aunt had a phone call from my granny. I have a second cousin (my grandmother's sister's son) who has Down's Syndrome, and he lives in a care unit and spends weekends at "home" with his mom and dad, my great-aunt and -uncle. Well apparently there was some kind of fire in their main building, and the place is not habitable at all right now. They don't know yet whether any of the things in his living area are salvageable, but hopefully they'll find out soon. LUCKILY, nobody was hurt and everyone got out. My cousin is staying with my grandmother for the next few days until his parents come back home - they're away in Iman until Tuesday. So yeah, thank god everyone is okay.

It's still bad because... well lots of damage. And they can't move back in, and my cousin, he was really settled there, and now he's going to have to start all over again in a new place, and it'll take him a while to adjust. And he can't just stay at home, because my great-aunt and -uncle are in their seventies: not happening. Anyway I'll keep you all posted, and will do another makeup update when I get home. If I get time I'll upload a video review for my Blemish Balm. AND upload all the friggin' pictures I still need to add to all my previous entries.

So far, as a beauty blogger, I totally suck.

Apparently I'm a very suspicious young lady

So, MAC appears to think I'm a fraudster using stolen bank details haha.

They finally just called me back thank goodness.


It was what I figured it was... they thought I was a fraudster because I placed three orders that totalled A LOT and had it delivered to a different address from my billing address.


So she asked me what the billing address was and I told her, then she asked me to name some roads around the road my address is on. I floundered a bit, I only know two roads near my house.. one around the corner and the main road. So I told her that and said I don't know the area well because I've lived there less than a year. So she asked how long I've lived there and I told her, but I explained that I live with family and we take the car everywhere so I don't need to know road names etc. Sigh.

So then she asked me why I'm delivering it to another address, which is simple. Everyone in my household works full time and nobody is home during the day to accept deliveries - so I get things shipped to my grandmother's house because my grandparents are retired and it's easier for me just to send it to their house. Sigh. THEN she asked for the landline number for my home address, even though she already has my work number and mobile number.

Then she asked "Why have you ordered such large quantities? Is it for personal or business use?" So I had to explain that I wanted the entire HK Collection - which she would know if she'd actually looked at my orders and seen it for herself, it's kind of obvious I'd think. Then she asked why it was in more than one order. Simple - I placed the first order at work in a hurry. Got home late, decided to go ahead and order the rest. Besides they have a maximum order amount and everything I ordered was over that =P

ANYway she's passed it back to their financial department to authorise it, and said they'd get back to me again in case they need any more information.

Got me stressin' because it sounded like she didn't believe me lol. When I said I didn't know the area she sounded like she was all "and why is that!" I'm not from this country, I don't even know road names around the house I grew up in for fourteen years in Canada lol.

Anyway, at least they didn't tell me some of the stuff was unavailable. HOPEfully they'll authorise it and it'll get shipped tomorrow for me. <3 Back to the waiting game.

Phone Tag and The Waiting Game

So, I happened to refresh MAC's UK website yesterday just as the Hello Kitty collection went live. I immediately made a huge order, got my confirmation email at the same time as my notification email telling that it had gone on the website haha.



Then last night I placed another order for a couple other things I wasn't sure whether to buy or not (like the glitter liners and big vanity case). So exciting. My order consists of one of EVERYTHING except the charm bracelet, the plushie, and the tote bag - and two of the Pink Fish lip conditioner.



Well today at lunchtime I checked my mobile phone and I had a missed call from an unknown number at 10:30 this morning, and a voicemail. Called voicemail and it was someone from MAC Online's customer support team saying she needed to talk to me about my order and that it wouldn't be released until I'd spoken to her. Immediately I started thinking, oh god she's going to tell me something's sold out - even though I know I was one of the first to place and order and things weren't flagged as sold out on the site until a half hour after I'd placed my order.



So I called back, left a voicemail on her machine, thinking she was at lunch. I'm obsessed and manic and called back every 5 minutes for two hours, but no answer (no, I'm not a psycho stalker I only left the one voicemail haha).



Around 2 I got fed up and called the main customer services line (rather than just calling her direct extension) and the lady I got through to spoke to someone else in the first lady's team and took my order numbers and said the other person would look into it and call me back. I gave them my work number so I won't miss the call again.



WELL it's been an hour and they haven't called me back yet. I know it's *only* an hour but I'm going to stress until I get everything sorted out. I'm going to give it until 4 and then call back and see if I can tell them to call my mobile number instead, because I'm leaving the office at 4:30 and it would be just my luck that customer services call my desk number at 5:30 when I'm already at home.



So frustrating, I hate playing phone tag. And I'm hoping hoping praying they're just confirming addresses (I get things shipped to a relative in the same city because nobody at my billing address is home to accept deliveries) or just another authorisation because it's such a huge order amount.



Fingers crossed. I'll let you know if/when I hear back!

Have you ordered yours yet?

Yep, that's right ladies. The MAC Hello Kitty collection just went live on the UK website. Place your orders before the most sought after items are sold out! I don't think that Too Dolly pallette or the brush set are going to last very long!

I managed to get my order in, and got one of almost everything from the Mild/Wild collection.. I also got a few from the accessories - the brush set, the medium makeup bag, the purse-mirror and the keychain mirror doodad.

So excited. I'll post a blow by blow when I get home from work, and I can't wait for it all to come!

It's a good thing my ex-manager gave me a raise today because I am damn well going to need it to fill the brand-spanking new hole in my savings account.

Update:

So, I did more damage. As I was doing it, I knew I shouldn't but I really needed to. That vanity case was amazing looking and I do need more storage. I have one of everything aside from three accessory items (the plushie, the charm bracelet and the tote bag) coming to me in the mail. Plus a couple other miscellaneous things. Photos to be updated here and once everything comes I'll post a haul with photos and swatches. I know you don't believe me, since I'm crapariffic at adding photos so far, but I promise they are coming! <3

So excited, I can't wait for my haulage to come.