My MAC Powders Collection

I've got to say out of all of my MAC items, my powders are by far the most collectable. I don't really use them all that often and I buy them sometimes just for the packaging. Someday I intend to use them all up, but it will take some time. I do however use my mineralize skinfinishes as highlighters frequently.  I've never had any issues with MSFs and color payoff. I would also just like to rant a little bit about these products. MAC puts out tons of these LE powders knowing that people (like me) will buy them no matter what. However, a lot of them turn out to be duds. The beauty powders and the high light powders can be really not very good. The oversprays kill me because they get your hopes up and then they're immediately ruined after a few uses. But any ways... Here is my collection.

Awesome Lippie Deals/Haul!

Well my favorite time to buy makeup is swiftly approaching... the holidays. You know what that means, palettes and value sets galore! Not all value sets are really that good of a deal. That's why I always check on the prices & sizes of the items included to make sure. Most recently I picked up two sets from Sephora. I got the Too Faced La Creme de La Creme Long Lasting Lip Collection and the Sephora Favorites Give Me More Lip set for 2013.

*MAC Blush Collection*

I thought I'd share my MAC blush collection just to give an idea of what I reach for. All of the MAC blushes that I own are actually limited edition. You probably won't be able to find all of these, but with CCO's, ebay, and makeup swaps... you never know! The main reason I've gotten the LE ones is because I know that the permanent ones will always be around if I decide to buy them. The LE ones are unique and sometimes have awesome packaging so they suck me right in!

MAC Newbies! (Baking Beauties & Haley Williams)

Initially I was extremely taken by the pictures from the Baking Beauties collection. They were so freaking cute! But once I started looking at the products I really wasn't that impressed. The only things that caught my eye were the lipsticks. I knew that I had to have Raspberry Swirl. After looking at swatches of the old formula for Lavender Whip, I wasn't that set on getting it. It was a little too cool toned for me. When I finally saw the collection online, I immediately put Raspberry Swirl in my cart. Then I decided to get 2 Lavender Whips. I would keep one for myself if I liked it and I planned on selling the other. I also decided to pick up the Lightscapade MSF that was rereleased with the Haley Williams collection. My thoughts and swatches are below!

MAC Archie's Girls & Viva Glam Nicki II

I'm FINALLY able to make this post now! So far this collection for me has been a HUGE ordeal. As soon as I saw the pictures for the collection I got so excited because I liked so many of the products. The colors were right up my alley and the packaging was super cute. So January 30th comes around when the collection is supposed to be released online. I actually set my alarm to get up at midnight! As many of us found out, the collection was not released at midnight. I went back to sleep and decided to wait til morning. When I got up I checked again and nothing. So I go to work/school as usual and realized I forgot my laptop so I'd have to keep checking and eventually purchase on my phone. The collection didn't go online until about 4PM, but when it did, I was able to order all of my must haves from my phone. After this I couldn't wait to get my items. I found out later at night that Viva Glam Nicki II had launched as well so I ordered that separately, also from my phone.

I received my tracking number and opened my package as soon as it arrived the following Tuesday. Once I opened it, I realized... This is not my package! The box said my name, but the invoice didn't and there were several more items than I ordered, plus it was missing one that I did order. I ordered the Prom Princess blush, Veronica's Blush Pearlmatte powder, Daddy's Little Girl lipstick, Betty Bright lipstick, Girl Next Door lipstick, and the Kiss & Don't Tell lipglass. In my box there were those things minus the lipglass, plus the Cream Soda blush, Flatter Me Pearlmatte powder, an extra Betty Bright lipstick, and two Ronnie Red lipsticks.

I immediately emailed MAC to let them know about the mistake because I had received someone else's personal information and I can only assume someone received mine. Also I was missing that lipglass. They got back to me the next day in the afternoon. They told me they were sorry about the mix up and they would send my products 2nd day for free and that I should send back the package. I told them that I had opened some of them because they were the same as products that I ordered and asked if I should send all of them back, would I get a tracking number and was there a way to know if my personal information (name, address, phone number) had been compromised. I didn't hear from them for another two days and did not receive the package. So I filled out their customer survey telling them of my negative experience and emailed them asking what was going on and to let them know that I did not get my package. They got back to me the next day and apologized for the confusion. They told me to keep all of the items and that they were still sending me my package and provided the tracking number.

These are the products that I originally received. I'll add the lipglass when it comes.

Sigma Brushes + I Met MakeupByTiffanyD!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to a meet & greet for YouTube beauty guru MakeupByTiffanyD. She was at the grand opening of the Sigma Store at the Mall of America. When I first heard about Sigma, I had no idea that they were a Minnesota company. It's so awesome to have them in state. The store was so pretty! They had so many products that I had never even heard about. The event was small but very nice. There were some desserts including macarons, waters, and free giftbags. Tiffany took pictures with everyone, but there were giant lights on both sides of her. Needless to say, the cell phone pictures didn't turn out well. Luckily the Sigma photographer also took a picture of me and my sister. Tiffany's blog also has four pictures of the back of my head too. lol

Amazing Nail Polish Shelf + Nail Polish Savings

I recently watched xSparkage's makeup room tour (which is amazing by the way) and she had the most amazing nail polish shelves with unique features. These shelves had a step up on each shelf to hold twice as much polish. They were also very well put together and solid, unlike the acrylic shelves that many people have. These particular shelves were $150 a pop. I was not convinced that I needed to pay that much, so I had my dad build custom shelves. My design has seven shelves instead of six and a cute little railing suspended on each level.

Sephora also had some great deals on nail polish recently. They had a promo of 20% off of all sale items. So I bought three different nail polish value sets.

Recent Purchases (MAC & Urban Decay)

I've got a few new beauties to show you guys. I accumulated a few items over Christmas and from using gift cards and Christmas money. MAC came out with like a billion collections, but I only got a lipstick and mineralized skin finnish. I also picked up a couple of other lipsticks and with a gift card I got an Urban Decay fillable palette. Lip swatches are coming soon.