The Man with the Pink Lips

So if you have been watching my YouTube videos (after I learned how to use Movie Maker on my laptop), you will see this picture pop up at the end of the video!!!

As you would guess this would be the hunny I have randomly referred to in other postings. Yes, this man is the owner to my heart and supplier to my ever going addiction to Make Up!!!

As funny as this picture is, originally it started off as a joke. Joe had just arrived home from a day at work and I had just finished working on my first tutorial (well at least the picture taking).

He, being the good husband that he is, complimented me on my make up and it made me happy. I mean I do like to get nice or "pretty" for myself, or whenever I'm feeling crappy. Because it's hard to feel crappy when you have make up on.

But he is my favorite person to get feedback from! Thus for his reward for making me smile was a kiss.

However, he isn't a fan of having lipstick or lipgloss on his lips ( I think it's cause he has nice natural bright lips, so anything else draws attention to them. But then again I could be imagining it). And since I was rocking NYX Fig lipstick, which is a bright pink. I planted a nice firm kiss on his cheek.

Looking at it, you can see my lips perfect on his 5 o'clock shadowed cheek. It was only natural for me to reach into my purse and pull out my camera. It's actually a fairly decent picture of him, the pink lips with his bright blue eyes, and the green blandness of his military uniform. PRICELESS all over!!!

After I looking at the picture, I knew how I could use it. I thought it would be a perfect ending to my videos. I mean I like/love make up and I love my hunny. Have the best of both worlds on the Internet for everyone else to see.

Though really, as cute as this picture is, it's technically out of "Regs" for military standards. If any of his supervisor's knew that his picture while in uniform was being posted constantly online, I do believe it would cause a problem for him. But since they don't know, it shall remain!!!

Update & Rant about 1st winter in Germany

I am so behind on blogging, for some odd reason when it comes to sitting down to write. I always seem to find an excuse to do something else (which has mostly been cruising Youtube , but that is besides the point).

At the current moment I have 12 videos on my YouTube Channel, and as of February 3^rd 28 subscribers (woot, another 22 and I will do another contest), and 7 friends. And this will sound pretty lame, but these numbers make me really happy J Considering I just started doing videos on January 8^th, so thank you!!! I only hope to be as talented as so many other make up junkies !!!

Now why would me, a pretty outgoing, spontaneous person want to do a YouTube channel? Pretty much it's a creative outlet for me while we (my hunny and me) are stationed here in Europe.

And yes I know, the next question you would ask, but Lo you are in Europe, what are you doing home making videos and blogging? Well mis bonitas this 1st winter here has been extremely rough, and the groundhog saw his shadow on the 2nd, so it means another 6 weeks of this stuff!

Like no joke, this past week to weekend, we overall received 15 inches of snow! Now, Germans are more prepared for this, but this Southern California girl didn't know what to do with herself! For reals, I never had to deal with driving around in snow. The only thing I ever had to worry about was if I had sunblock packed somewhere in a bag. Or figuring out a safe spot to hide any munchies away from evil seagulls. Who would've thought that I would have to deal with this?

Yes, it's beautiful. And yes, it's pretty sweet to go sledding down the hill behind our backyard. Or to make snowangels and snowmen.

What drives me batty, is that Germany is having a SALT shortage?! Did I say salt? Yes I said SALT!!! It has gotten to the point where the smaller towns/villages (which our town is included in this one) do not salt the roads through the town. They plow, so dodging piles of snow is always fun! NOT! They will salt one side of the Autobahn (which is the freeway here) and yes, it's true. There is no speed limit!

I know I know, it comes off like I'm complaining and being super pessimistic. I do like being here in Germany, I mean who doesn't love Europe. This is an opportunity I will not let pass me by, I just wish it was spring already. With constantly having to call base (to verify what color road condition we are in) or check the weather on the internet it overall makes it very difficult to travel. Like yesterday I had the day off from work and I wanted to go to the gym, I figured I should call and make sure that it was open. Good thing I did, they had gotten the call from the Commander to close down for the day. Oh I bet y'all are wondering what some of the military stuff I will more than likely rant about. So I will make sure to inform you as I blog. Wouldn't want you to roll your eyes and go "Lo is talking crazy. She really needs to get out more often!"

Explanation of Road Condition Status for Civilians (Non-Military Personals)

Doesn't that seem like a bunch of Gibberish?? I mean, seriously I have been a military dependent for 23 years! My pops was a Marine, and the hunny is Air Force, but I still for the life of me don't get their talk. I'm like "Babe, speak English!" I love him, but really sometimes...

Anywho that's that for my 1st rant about my 1st winter in Germany. I promise next blog will be something much more interesting, perhaps a review on the Coastal Scents brushes I got last week.

Besos

Fake Mac Pigments on eBay

So recently I had/still having the lovely pleasure of having to deal with getting my refund back for purchasing some FAKE MAC Pigments from a seller on eBay.

I got a 5 MAC Pigment lot for a total of $36.00 (including ship & handle)! I thought I got a FREAKING AMAZING deal! Normally pigments cost $19.50 a jar at any MAC counter, store or website.

Thus 5 jars x $19.50 a pop = $97.50

I thought sweet I'm SAVING $61.50!!!

Trying to save a few bucks is SO SO not worth the hassle and headache!!!

eBay seller ICEGDS18 is now on my sh#t list!!!

This seller not only claimed the product they sold was authentic, but was extremely rude and DEMANDED I list the reasons why/how their MAC was a FAKE!! Seriously, they DEMANDED twice for this list! And me, being as I am sent them 3 messages (cause eBay has a word limit) telling this person everything they wanted to know!

Let me tell you, it's been a pain my a$$. And I do realize now, that I did bring it upon myself. I didn't educate myself on the ways to recognize fake product from authentic based on pictures alone. But needless to say this will never happen again :)

Below is my Youtube video explanation of how the eBay pigments I received differed from a pigment I had gotten a month before from a MAC Store!!!

Tips so you won't be a Victim of FAKE MAC

• Items listed on eBay at an AMAZING price are TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! Do the math if you are saving over 50 % with purchasing from that seller, verses getting them at a counter, store or website. There has to be a CATCH!!! Think about it, would you be willing to sell any of your REAL name brand items for a fraction of what you paid for them? Yes, those who are lucky enough to have the MAC Pro Card or work for the company (or sister company) get sweet discounts,deals and gratis.

• Most Important Rule ALWAYS ask for multiple pictures of the product. Top of the box, bottom of the box, front of the back, back of the box. With it being pigments you also want, bottom of the jar, inside of the jar, and back of the jar (especially if you get a lot of them). IF THE SELLER HAS AN ISSUE WITH YOUR REQUESTS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! MORE THAN LIKELY WHAT THEY ARE SELLING ISN'T GENUINE!!!

• Check out the sellers overall feedback percentage, make note of any Neutral or NEGATIVE. Check out what was sold and the comments from the buyer who left Neutral or NEGATIVE feedback. If it's similar to an item you are interested it, it gives you forewarning of what COULD happen to you.

• IF THE SELLER HAS FAKE PRODUCT (AND IS STATING ITS GENINUE) OR YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM, MAKE SURE TO NOTIFY EBAY OF THE SITUATION. Ebay will try (to the best of their ability) to rectify any problem that you might have. Make sure to file an Open case and give them all your information. Keep all messages sent between you and the seller, the more you have. The easier it is for eBay to (hopefully) get your money back and deal with the EVIL FAKE Sellers!!!

Pictures of FAKE MAC vs REAL MAC

This is suppose to be VANILLA Pigment. Notice how it says "Vanila". MAC would never release a product with a misprint/misspelling, even to whole sellers. If you are looking into purchasing product and it's misspelled, more than likely its a FAKE!!!MAC products will always have an Alpha Numeric label besides the name of the product. This is part of their production code, letting customers know when their product was manufactured. This code will be on the top of the exterior box, as well as on the bottom of the container. If it's in any other colored sticker other than silver (and at one point MAC used Clear labeling, but that's really old packaging) it's more than likely a FAKE! Left FAKE Vanila compared to Right REAL Violet.
To better understand and find out when your product was produced refer to link below http://allysoncheng.multiply.com/journal/item/16
Finally lifting the lid of the pigment container will also be helpful if determining if a pigment is real or FAKE. This is the old packaging of pigments (as of Jan 2010, the containers will be more travel friendly), however notice the flat clear topper of the Violet. If you take this off (and sorry didn't show up well or I would've posted a pic) the topper itself on the bottom will have raised up Alpha Numerics as well. Meanwhile the Vanila has a shifter style topper, MAC would never use this type of packaging. If you see this, then it's FAKE!!!

Hope this is helpful and remember when it doubt, just buy from a counter, store or online.
Consider getting on MAC's email list, you will receive emails with a FREE shipping code. I am signed up and seriously get emails at least twice a week and it UBBER sucks!! Because it makes me want to shop all the time! Every time I have an email from them, even if I was just on the site the day before, I have to look. I know, I have a shopping problem! But for reals, what female out there doesn't?
Until later mis Bonitas :)
Besos

New to the World of Blogging

A Little About Me:

My name is Lorena, but most people call me Lo

I'm 27, married to an amazing man. With two pets.

I'm originally from Sunny San Diego, but currently living in Speicher, Germany cause my hunny is doing his duty and serving our country in the USAF.

I do have my Bachelor's Degree in English, I'm hoping (needing) to get my Credential and Masters in Education, cause I would like to be a teacher.

I'm an avid collector depending on what phase I'm into, it was shoes, then purses and now its MAKE UP!!!

I'm a self proclaimed MAC whore, though I am learning very quickly the ways of Urban Decay, NYX, etc.

What I like to do for fun:

I like to go and knock down some pins at the bowling alley on base, it kills some time (especially on Sundays when Germany is pretty much shut down). I'm getting fairly decent at it, everytime I go my average gets a little bit better

If there isn't anything to watch or my hunny wants to play his game (WoW, yes I married one of those people!!! ) I will read a book that I picked up from the library. I read pretty much anything, though I love to read novels (that a movie is based off of). You would be surprised to know how much Hollywood changes a writers hard work, just so it can appease the auidence.

I constantly am cruising the internet, browsing for something to buy (eBay, Maccosmetics, FredericksofHollywood, CherryCulture). Watching and learning new things from videos off of YouTube, my favorites are tutorials of makeup. I will also have open MakeupAlley.com to read reviews on any product mentioned in a video, to find out it its really worth the hubby's hard-earned dollar! ha ha! Or I could be fiddling around on Facebook or Myspace, it sucks living in another time zone. If I make any phone calls back to the states, I normally get voicemails or I'm waking someone up!!!

Why I'm starting this website:

As I stated before I pursue whatever phase/fad I am into at the time full heartedly. Since it is makeup, I do plan on using this site to give opinions/review of various product. as well as suggestions of different looks. All comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated of what I do. Hope that you enjoy this site, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me :)

Besos

Lorena the So-Cal Grl In Germany