Beauty Swap with Mel! (PART 1)

A Brief Intro..

Awhile back, over a month now, I posted a tweet on my Twitter page HERE, looking for anyone interested in doing a beauty swap. I live in Ireland and a lot of beauty products that are UK based, cannot be got here. There were some brands in particular I had been wanting to try out for some time and I thought, why not do a swap with someone and let them try some of our Irish goodies also!

So I got a response from a girl called Melanie, whom I did not previously know. I was so thrilled to get a response. We talked over and back on twitter for some time and arranged to go ahead with the swap.

Melanie lives in Scotland and has a YouTube channel and has just recently qualified as a makeup artist. (Congratulations Mel!) She is very good at what she does and brings her personality into all her videos, which I love! You should definitely check out her channel!

(On a side note I am going to do this swap in 2 parts, as the lovely Mel sent me quite a few things, and in my opinion is too much for 1 Blog Post!) 

You guys should definitely check out Melanie- 

YouTube- HERE

Facebook page- HERE

Twitter page- HERE         

Instagram- @melwrightmua                  

On with the Swap..

Here is the little bag full of goodies and a card also!

All the products I was sent.

1. MUA- Heaven and Earth Eyeshadow Palette

I was excited to use this as it is a dupe for the Naked Palette, which I already have. MUA is a really affordable makeup brand which is stocked in Superdrug in the UK and in Northern Ireland. I have tried some of the single MUA eyeshadows in the past and find them really pigmented but I have never got to try this. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- There are no matte shades and the darker shades are more pigmented than the lighter shades, but I do really like the palette and am looking forward to testing it against my Naked Palette!

       2. Glam Republic- Illusion Eyes¦ Eyeliner Appliqués

I have never heard of these before or seen anything like them, but am super excited to try them out. I love the idea as it means no smudged eyeliner! I believe you can get them in Superdrug, but again, not possible for me to get hold of them, so a good choice by Melanie!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- Looking forward to trying these out, on my next night out.

      3. Look Beauty- Loud Lips¦ Tangerine Cream (Shade 2)

This lipstick is exactly how I imagined it to be. I had read about on some blogs and I have been looking for a  peachy-coral-tangerine colour to wear on a fresh summery day and I'm really excited to use this. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- I will team this with a nice light brown smokey eye, on a fresh summers day! (If we ever get one!)

     4. NYX- Lipliner¦ Fuschsia

Another lip product, and one which I was looking forward to teaming with my pink lipsticks. I specifically requested a few things off Mel, that I have been longing to try out. This, I just think is the closest fuchsia colour lip liner I have found that matches my brighter pink lipstick. 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS- I hope to use this with my NYC lipstick in Blue Rose, which featured in my July Favourites here. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is all I am featuring in PART 1, but keep an eye out for PART 2, which will be up shortly!

I hope you enjoyed looking through what I got, as much as I did receiving them, so thanks again Mel. 

'Till PART 2,

Sarah X

July Favourites!

These are the products I have been loving using during the month of July...

If you are not aware of what monthly favourites are, basically at the end of each month, you discuss what products you have been loving using during the month. Some of them may be new finds, others old faves!

This month I have been enjoying a variety of products, from beauty to fitness and lifestyle.

Estée Lauder- Perfectly Clean Foaming Cleanser

• I think I have found a cleanser that really works for my skin. This particular one was a sample from a gift bag I bought and is for Normal/Combination Skin. I just wet my face slightly, apply this cleanser, let it foam up, work it into my face and leave it for a few minutes. Then I remove it with a damp muslin cloth and it literally slides off my face. I also feel that if you 'work' it into your face, it thoroughly cleans out your pores, and they are makeup free, leaving your skin to 'breath'. Result!

The Body Shop- Shea Beautifying Oil*

• This is one of the beautifying oils from The Body Shop. It is a lightweight dry oil that can be used on the face, body and hair. So far I have only used this on the ends of my hair really, to just give the ends a bit of nourishment, and it really works wonders. I find that after using it my hair is soft and silky and really thanks me for it! I also put a light layer of it on my body after a bath/shower. The smell from this one is beautiful!

The Body Shop- Body Massager and Spa Fit Toning Massage Oil

• I have been loving use this combination together after my bath. Using a body scrub of choice I massage the scrub in using the handheld massager. I apply the toning massage oil  and rub it into my skin in circular motions. The smell is the beautiful and fresh, and also smells of yummy citrus fruits, bonus! I have been really into using these products for the perfect toned summer skin.

NYC- 'Blue Rose' Lipstick

• This lipstick, which I only recently bought and was featured in my previous haul, has been a staple for me this summer. I love the deep fuchsia colour and really glams up your look, on a night out! The blue undertones in this lipstick make your teeth appear whiter. BONUS! :)

AVON- Sleeptherapy Pillow Mist

• This is a pillow mist which you are meant to spray on your pillow! (Would you have guessed?!!) I use this on my pillow and on my bed linen. I'm unsure as to whether I get a better nights sleep when I use this, but I sorely use it for the smell. It is AMAZING! I could literally spray all over me, every day! It is approx. €6, but Avon do have special offers on this range quite often, and I think I got mine for €3! Another bonus is that the smell lasts for numerous nights, with only a few sprays. I have this bottle over 6months now and am probably only half way through!

That's it guys for my July Favourites! 

Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you think!

Sarah X

My Travel Makeup Bag

Here is what is inside my Travel Makeup Bag:

I am heading away this weekend for work, and have decided to show you what I am bringing with me. It is only for a few days so I am trying to only bring what I know I will use, basically the makeup pieces I know work for me!

Makeup Bag- Next

The Body Shop- Sample of Vitamin E Moisturiser

 (Moisturise/Primer)

Boots Face SPF 50 

Rimmel Lasting Finish 16HR Foundation

Lily Lolo Foundation sample

 (I mix both shade Blondie and In the Buff)

YSL Touche Éclat

Avon Limited Edition Eyeshadow Palette- Little Red Dress ¦Hollywood 

(Eyebrows-Matte Brown)

(Eyeshadow)

Collection Brow Gel

Lily Lolo Mineral Eye Colour ¦Sand Dune

E.L.F Gel Eyeliner

Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

17 Eye Dazzle ¦Star Crossed

(inner eye/tear duct)

Rimmel Bronzer ¦Medium Matte

(Contour)

17 Blush&Glow ¦Peaches and Cream

(Blush/highlight)

MAC Iridescent Pressed Powder ¦Belightful

(eyebrow/face highlight)

I have only featured one small eyeshadow brush here as it's the only one that will fit in my makeup bag. But I am also bringing my brush roll which contains a mixture of face and eye brushes. 

Some of you may have noticed I have no lip products, but I am going to bring my Korres Lip Butter in Guava.

Hope you enjoyed looking inside My Travel Makeup Bag, and if you would like to look inside my Skincare Bag, or what brushes I am bringing, do let me know!

Sarah X