Another Lovely Makeup Swap!

As you can tell from the title (and the big box above), I've taken part in another makeup swap, my first of 2012. This is the third swap I've done with Chie (MakeupLand2011), she's such an incredibly nice person, if you haven't checked out her Youtube beauty channel, you should you'll love it. I requested some of the products as they aren't available in Ireland, while Chie sent me a couple of extras too! I got a bit delayed sending her swap box, some of the stuff I bought broke in transit (I blame the postman!). I hope you get your goodies soon Chie, thanks for all the lovely goodies you got me:)

Lots of Revlon goodies, I haven't gotten around to trying them much yet, as I've been working non stop. I'm using the Revlon Photo Ready Sculpting Blush Palette quite a bit, I love how it's the perfect size for my makeup bag. I've heard so much good reviews on both of these mascaras, I haven't opened them yet but I'll let you know my thoughts when I do.

I've never tried Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Colors. I love both of these polishes. Wet Cement (polish on the right) is a great everyday shade for work. While I Need a Refresh-Mint is perfect for Spring, I'm wearing it on my nails at the moment and I love it! The brush on these polishes are identical to the Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure one. Now on to the much talked about Maybelline Dreamy Bouncy Blushes, these weren't what I was expecting at all. They feel very funny altogether, I don't know what to think of them. There different to any blush I own, I don't think I've found the perfect way to apply them yet.

Having heard so much about Maybelline's Color Tatoo 24hr Eyeshadows, I had such high expectations and they certainly delivered. Chie sent me the shades, Bad to the Bronze and Audacious Asphalt. I've been using Bad to the Bronze everyday, it's such a beautiful shade. I'm going to use Audacious Asphalt the next time I go on a night out, I think it will look really nice. I don't know about their claim to last 24 hours though, I doubt anyone would wear them that long! I know I wouldn't anyway.

I was so excited to get this. I love Taylor Swift, I've seen her in concert twice (Dublin & Manchester) and she's such an amazing singer. When I saw she released a perfume I knew I had to have it, but then I heard it wasn't being launched in Ireland. I'm so happy Chie could get her hands on this for me, it was definitely worth the wait, it smells gorgeous.

Here are the rest of the goodies Chie sent me. Diane von Furstenberg's fragrance smells beautiful and is quite different to any perfume I have in my collection. I couldn't leave out the Disneyland postcard, isn't it so cute?

I can't wait to start using these products a bit more. I'm going to have some reviews up soon. If there is any product in particular you'd like to see a review on let me know!

Laura<3

The Handmade Soap Co. Choco-Mint Lip Balm

The Handmade Soap Co. was an Irish brand I knew very little about, until I bought their grapefruit body butter (smells amazing) back in December. After using it for the past 3 months now, I can tell you that I love it, it's so moisturising. Even though I've had it for a while, I still have so much product left, so it's certainly worth the money (€22.95). I was contacted recently and asked if I wanted to try one of their lip balms. I didn't know The Handmade Soap Company did lip products too, so I looked forward to trying it.

There are three lip balms to choose from, I was sent the Choco-Mint lip balm. It smells so nice, like mint chocolate chip ice cream, definitely more on the minty side though. I tend to get lip balms that have fancy packaging so this of course is very different. Don't let the metal tin put you off though as the product itself is great. As you can see from the picture, it is a solid balm so you do have to warm it up a little. Once on the lips, it's very cooling and moisturising, great if you have dry lips like me. I've been using Choco-Mint lip balm for the past while and I still have a lot of product to go, for €4.50 this is great value for money. I really liked this lip balm, when I run out I'm definitely going to try and get my hands on the other two.

Have you heard of The Handmade Soap Company? What products have you tried?

Laura<3

February Favourites

Not many products really wowed me this month, I've resorted back to using some products I haven't been giving much love to lately. One of them is included in this months favourites. In total, I have five products to show you all so I'm going to keep this post short and sweet like February.

I have three Inglot palettes, this is my favourite one.The eyeshadows are so pigmented and for the price (€20 for the entire palette) they were a bargain. I've had this for a couple of months now, my favourite shadow is the dark brown shade which you can see I already hit pan on. I've been using this in the crease with No7's Wheatsheaf eyeshadow all over the lid, regularly for work and it looks really nice. Don't let the glitter put you off, once blended it's more like a light shimmer. I've been more inclined to use these over my MAC eyeshadows lately. If you would like to see a post with swatches and shade numbers let me know in the comments.

The Body Shop's Chocomania Body Lotion

On my birthday I got lots of lovely Chocomania goodies as a present. Out of the products I've tried so far (not many), this is my favourite. As you can see the bottle, I've used it up quite a bit already. This body lotion leaves my skin feeling nice and soft. The whole Chocomania range smells great, I wasn't expecting it to be when I first heard of it's launch. I also like how the lotion seeps into my skin quickly without leaving it greasy.

Loreal Falsh Lash Telescopic Mascara

I always switch between a million different mascaras, but I've stuck with Loreal's latest offering for the last few weeks. I'm a big fan of the original Telescopic mascara so False Lash Telescopic had alot to live up to. Before applying this, my lashes were long to begin with but False Lash gives them that extra something. I'm always left with gorgeous fluttery lashes.

Benefit Sugarbomb Blush

As you can tell from the picture, I've had this blush for a long time. I've only tried two of Benefit's box blushes, Dandelion and this. I've been using Sugarbomb everyday since I rediscovered it in my room. Ir gives a really nice pop of colour to the cheeks, it's something different. I'm tempted to try Hervana next.

Loreal Paris Superliner Carbon Gloss

In my January favourites, I mentioned Loreal's Super Liner, it has squeezed in again this month. I can't believe it took me so long to try it. Before I started using this, I used gel liners all the time. Loreal Super Liner has now taken there place. If you haven't tried this already, I'd recommend it.

What has made it into your February favourites??

Laura<3