American Beauty Swap Haul.

A while back I put some feelers out to see if anyone wanted to do a Beauty Swap with me from the USA or Canada. The lovely Caitlin replied and so we began emailing each other and decided to go ahead and do a swap. When I received a huge box from Mr Postman last week, I couldn't wait to get it open and see what's inside! She's bought me everything from Maybelline Baby Lips to Pocetbacs to Wet 'n' Wild eyeshadow trios- the list goes one! Of course, it will take me a good while to work through all this lot for reviewing but I honestly can't wait! I'm hoping that Caitlin and myself stay in touch and I just wanted to say thank you to her because I've enjoyed the whole process of this swap! Thanks for stopping by x

Beauty Swap.

Like most bloggers (and just people in general), I always want what I can't have, especially when it comes to makeup and beauty products from other countries. I even did a post recently on some American products that I'd love to try, if I could only get my hands on them (although I have since got my hands on the Benefit palettes). I've heard American/Canadian ladies on Youtube wanting to try Soap & Glory products and other British high-street makeup brands, so I guess the feeling is mutual.

So I just thought I'd put it out there that I'm really interested in doing a North American swap with one of you ladies out there. I'm not sure if any of you would be interested but if you are, please leave a comment below with your email and we can sort something out. Thanks ladies xx

Maybelline Color Whispers.

Maybelline Color Whisper in Pin Up Peach and Lust For Blush ($7.49 in USA, purchased from ebay).

OK, so it's a tad mean of me to review a product that isn't even available in UK but I purchased them myself off ebay UK from this wonderful seller. So these are Maybelline's answer to the much loved Revlon Lip Butters and L'oreal Rouge Caresses, of which I love the latter and dislike the former. The packaging is very similar to the Lip Butters, but I love the semi-opaque coloured lids with the silver sleek writing on the outside. Maybelline claim that their Color Whispers are 'pure colour pigments suspended in a weightless gel'- so effectively they're coloured balms like their competitors. I went for shades Lust For Blush and Pin Up Peach based on some US bloggers' swatches. I went for these two as I thought they'd be suer wearable shades, and I was right. 

Pin Up Peach looks like a really bright coral in the bullet but on the lips it is a stunning deep peach. Lust For Blush is a beautiful blue-toned light pink which reminds me of Topshop Lipstick in Innocent. The formula of the Color Whisper is unreal- it is so soft and smooth and moisturising, I'd most liken it to the L'oreal Rouge Caresses but I personally think these are softer and smoother. These lipstick balms are really pigmented and have a great colour pay-off. The wear time isn't stupendous but I wouldn't expect a balm-type product to wear much longer than 2-3 hours. Besides, the product has a really nice scent which reminds me of chocolate orange so why wouldn't you want to reapply them all the time?! I've swatched them below so you can check out the colours. Of the two, I love Lust For Blush the most but I must say I love both shades! I want to get hold of some more of these bad boys, I fancy trying Berry Ready and A Plum Prospect next! They end up working out at just over £5, plus P&P, from this seller which is cheaper than they'll ever be if they come over to the UK. 

In a nutshell: I love these lip products- great formula, colour pay-off and shade range. Unfortunately, they're only currently available in the US. But I am officially inlove. 

Pin Up Peach:

Lust For Blush:

American Woman.

[images from Google]

So I had a couple of days off in the week last week (not sick, I work shifts so Saturday/Sunday weekends don't exist for me) and I spent most of it trawling the internet, lusting after products from across the pond. It really annoys me how brands sold in both UK and USA sell completely different products, or when products come out 6months earlier in US than in UK and then we don't get all the shades in the end anyway (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balmstains I'm looking at you). So here's my mini wishlist from the land of the brave. 

1. Revlon Colorstay Seude Lipstick- I've not seen anything about these on the blogosphere and I do follow a fair few American bloggers. But I like the look of these- they're meant to be balm-infused lipsticks for strong colour pay-off with lip care built in. I'd like to think of them as grown-up lip butters as I find them a bit shimmery and wishy-washy for my tastes. From the swatches I've seen, these Colorstay Suede Lipsticks look like they're super wearable with great colour pay-off. These retail for $8.49 in Target. 

2. Kat Von D Everlasting Blush- Kat Von D makeup in general is the main thing I wish was sold in UK. I do own two of the eyeshadow palettes and some of the lipsticks but I want it all man! I've just seen that she's launched some blushers and me-oh-my the shades look stunning. I love the packaging of all of Kat's makeup but this blusher looks particularly amazing. If anyone fancies buying me the shade Por Vida, then you go right ahead. This blush costs $25 from Sephora.

3. e.l.f Long Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow- This is another case in point of a brand sold in the UK but with different products available in the US. This looks like it could be a dupe for the amazing Chanel Illusion D'ombre eyeshadows. I'm loving the look of shades Gala and Soiree in particular. Hopefully these will be available in UK soon! These are a bargainous $3 from e.l.f. 

4. Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick- These are Maybelline's answer to the Revlon Lip Butters and L'oreal Rouge Caresses. I've actually just ordered two of these off ebay (UK from an American seller). From reviews I've seen online, these look amazing and they seem to have the best colour pay-off of the lot! If and when these hit the UK, I can assure you I will be buying most, if not all, of the shades. I love that they're not shimmery or glittery like the Lip Butters seem to be. They retail at $5.49 in Target.

5. Maybelline Baby Lips- Every UK blogger I know wants to get a load of these bad boys. I've searched on UK ebay and I've found Thai sellers and American sellers but the shade/flavour range seems to be different but very similar (the Thai sellers are cheaper for anyone interested). Essentially, these are flavoured lip balms with a hint of colour and SPF20. I'd love to try Peach Kiss (love the lilac packaging) and Grape Vine. They retail for $2.97 in Walmart.

6. Benefit World Famous Neutrals Palettes- I've already posted about these because I'm super mesmerised by them already! I sincerely hope these come out in UK because I can't wait to get my hands on them. I'm actually bidding for one of them on ebay atm so fingers crossed! I'm most excited about the Easiest Nudes Ever and Sexiest Nudes Ever palettes (I could take or leave the Most Glamorous Nudes palette). I love the packaging, the combo of cream and powder shadows and the shade range. Perfect. These cost $30 from Sephora.

What are your American beauty lust-haves?