Z Palette, I Salute you!

When you ask a person to describe instances they have had both bad and good customer service they can usually tell you of several of the former but struggle to recall the latter.  This is mostly because, sadly it’s a rarity and also because people retain negative memories- remember when you came out of exams and all you could think about was what you got wrong? 

I however, want to write about an instance I had recently where the customer service was impeccable.  I have been an avid user of Z Palettes for a while now.  I always order them straight from the company in the US as it’s easier and usually cheaper.  The most recent purchase though, involved one of the larger ‘professional’ palettes and when it arrived it looked a bit bruised from the journey.  Once I opened the package I discovered the spine of the palette had been ripped and it no longer closed properly.  I decided I would just live with it but I would send a note to Z Palette to inform them, so perhaps next time they could use the info to add some extra bubble wrap as I was reluctant to send it back due to the time it would take and also the cost I would incur.  I got a reply within 24 hrs stating that if I was willing to sign an affidavit to say it was damaged then they would claim it on their insurance and send me a new one.  So, I did, and as promised I received my new Z palette is less that 2 weeks from my original e-mail. 

Kudos Z Palette, not only are your products great but your customer service could not be faulted!

You can buy these awesome customisable palettes here.

(kind of) My 2nd FOTD

At work today my friend and colleague sent me this...

hmmph, hilarious, so instead of coming home early to make the cupcakes like I said I would... I did my 'Clown couture' makeup (whatabitch)

Any way, I was so pleased with it I took some pictures, the my camera died so I didn't get many, but I'm going to share them, I wasn't really doing anything in particular and I was grabbing stuff randomly, so I can't list what I used, if anyone really wants to know, ask, I could tell you.

Let me set the scene, tonight is Relay for Life in our town and the theme is 'Celebrat10n because its 10 years, so that's why I was going to make cupcakes, instead I did my celebratory-not-too-mad-for-the-oldies makeup.

Taa Daaaa.....

Yes, the photos could have been better, and if the camera hadn't died I would have got lots more, but still....I like it!

Also, the other night I was bored, I understand most people take this as a cue to watch TV, read a book or have an early night, oh, no, not me, I did half a face of makeup, I had a new blush I wanted to try out....I don't need an excuse.... I was going for creepy doll, I think I manged...so here's a picture of that too!!!

Creepy right? Yeah I thought so.... I think its the contacts... should have done the other half of my face, oh well...

Better go make those cupcakes...

Fab feedback

I swear I'm not being paid...but I have to the sing the praises of Makeup Utopia once again, but this time on a more personal note.
I originally wrote a post on Makeup Utopia Forums because I have enjoyed feeling a part of things over there, they're welcoming and caring and helpful and generally lovely.  In response to this, the founder Sara May took a look at my blog and in particular my first ever FOTD post.  If you take a look you can see that she started to write a response but it got a pretty big, so instead she wrote this How to Post a Kick Ass FOTD, how awesome is that, not only that she took the time to read my ramblings but to form an opinion and write an ENTIRE article to help people out in what has so far been the most daunting part of blogging.

I laughed, I probably could have cried, but mostly I was honoured. Kudos to Makeup Utopia....again!

"Oh I read it in a forum..."

Forums, the new friend of a friend? 
As much as I try to convince people away from forums on certain topic (I have many Google medic friends) for some topics this can be the best way to get advice, have a chat and generally be a part of a community.  For people (I was going to say girls, but really anyone) like me, in a rural area, it is an excellent way to discuss new products not available in your area yet, make contact you may otherwise never have, and of course, learn.

As much as I can sing the praises of the theory of forums, I must admit I've never joined in a discussion until now.  I've read them and quietly stayed in the background, having opinions, knowing answers and never sharing any of it.  Why? Fear.  I changed schools twice as a teenager- one time I changed countries/hemisphere's too.  I've had enough of the 'New Kid' crap to last a life time.  Just because I haven't been involved from the beginning doesn't mean I can't add value...yet I still didn't join in.  Until now.

Makeup Utopia- a Perfect World for Makeup- is as new to this game as I am, well sort of.  It's founder, editor and community manager- Sara May as been doing this a while.  She's extremely talented and a long with her band of wise and well worded contributors, she has made a welcoming world of makeup.  Like heaven on the Internet.  As well as the forums, there are FOTD challenges (I'm still not up to that) and all sorts of reviews.  To top this off there is also a weekly round up of all the action so you won't miss a beat.

I fully encourage anyone who has ever had a question about makeup to join and get involved.  I've noticed, not a single post going un-answered to and there have been some great topics brought up.

I love The Makeup Utopia and you will too, get involved now!

(MORE) Essence- Eye liners

I think I should just go ahead and take out shares in Essence, I really like them, they're so cheap and recently Target had a 25% off all makeup sale so they were even cheaper.  I picked up a few eye liner pencils because at a price of about $2 they seemed worth a try.

I got 3 colours, a purple, greeny blue (because I am addicted to those colours) and a white.
I'm a devoted Rimmel user when it comes to eye liner, it has never failed me, my eyes staged a revolt against ALL eye liners when I was about 16 where the slightest hint of a liner would have in in tears- literally, and sting like you would not believe.  Thankfully Rimmel never did this and although I grew out of the phase, I stayed loyal to the brand and product. I'm also a devoted waterline lining kinda gal, yeah I know its supposed to be bad and you're not to do it but I do and I'm ok with it. That being said, its hard to find good liners capable of the job.  Not any more, these are great, they do the job well and come in a selection of great colours.  I'm still devoted to my black Rimmel liner but I have now accepted that not all looks require black and I can choose something else!

Hoo Raaa! for Essence.