My Swap with the WONDERFUL Melissa from Australia

I walked into the post office today and was so excited to see a parcel waiting for me! I have been organizing this swap with Melissa for what seems like an eternity and today it came!!! So I will start right away and dive into the swap! Cutest package ever :)

And here it is in all its fabulousness!!!! I loved everything you sent, thank you soo much for doing this swap :)

Some super cute fairy dust/glitter

A very appropriate bag! I love it!!

Some bling :)

Some trials of Clinique and Eau thermale Avene :)

Beautiful Smashbox lipstick in Magnificent, this is the perfect spring lipstick! Swatch below

My frist Barry M lipstick in 53, it is a beautiful peachy/coral , swatch below.

My first Ulta3 lipstick in matte hot pink kisses, this is a very pretty rose/pink that is highly pigmented and GORG!

Baby blue polish in "Once upon a time in Blue"

Never tried the clear mascara before but it looks interesting :)

The chocolates :)

Disney perfume that smells fruity and delicious, I layered it with my white musk today and it was AMAZING! Thanks hun!

A rosy pink blush that has just a hint of shimmer.

I <3 lush and this is onne of my FAV scents! Thank you so much!

Another beautiful soap, the scent is AMAZING!

A bloom eyeliner in black, I can't wait to try the slanted tip!

Gorgeous nail polish collection, the green and peach are very vibrant and will look amazing for summer

I love this black  with the rainbow glitter. 

One of the famous lip butters I have seen Melissa talk about, it looks amazing. It is an beautiful pink.

A sample bubble bath to try out :)

I have always wanted this and it looks like it will go wonderfully with my skin tone.

A perfect face palette, this will be perfect for travelling L)

A cute little palette to try out

I love the neutrals in this shadow, they will be perfect for work.

A beautiful blush, bronzer and highlight all in one :)

Thank you so much for this wonderful swap Melissa! It has been such a positive wonderful experience to swap with you, I hope that we can swap again in the future!!!!

First TopBox ever!!! Nov 2012 :)

So here is my first ever topbox!!! I waited 7 months on their list to get this bad boy. For those who don't know topbox is a beauty box subscription service that sends 4-5 sample-full size products. It costs $12 a month including shipping and so far I am very impressed!!! Topbox doesn't send out the same box to everyone the box I received was box #8

 The super cute tube it came in :)

All the contents of the box :) It comes with an information card that lets you know all about the products and where you can purchase them in Canada. Here is the list of what I got:

Benefit, They're real Mascara(travel size). I like this mascara a lot better then the bad girl lashes. I have tried this mascara before and actually have a travel sized one I am using currently, so I will be keeping this for a special someone!

Robert Cavalli Eau de parfum(deluxe size): Smelled this perfume and it is SOOOOO not my scent. It is a very mature scent and smells like sandalwood and musky vanilla. I will probably be slipping this one off to someone who would appreciate it more than me lol!

Cuccio Naturale Hand Butter in Pomegranate & Fig (sample): This hand butter is AMAZING and the smell is light  and the formula is very moisturizing! I just don't know if I would purchase a huge bottle of it. However despite the small size of the tube a little bit goes a long way!!

China Glaze in I Herd That(full size): Lastly is this GORGEOUS nail polish!!!!!!! When I heard that topbox was giving out nail polishes from the Safari collection by China laze I secretly wished I would get this polish! It is a very glittery tan glitter polish with red, green and gold glitter. It takes 2-3 coats for it to be opaque and it dries very fast.The picture below doesn't give it justice it is just breathtaking!! I think it is my fav holiday right now.

Tally :

China Glaze in I Herd That(full size): $12.00

Benefit, They're real Mascara(travel size):$9

Robert Cavalli Eau de parfum(deluxe size):$8.00

Cuccio Naturale Hand Butter in Pomegranate & Fig (sample): $.80

Total value:

$29.80

Minus $12 for the box I got 17.80 worth of free product!! Not too shaby!!! If you are interested in signing up leave me a message and I will send you an invite!!! 

CIAO BELLAS!!!

Swapover Everyday Look. Featuring: Melissa, Adriana, Emy, Rebecca and Jasmine.

Here I am with another Swapover! This one is for a more everyday look. I used all different things including the brushes. It was very challenging! For this look I used mostly things I received in swaps with my ladies on "Be a Beauty Correspondent". I hope you like it :)

The total picture lol :)

All the makeup I used for this look, not as much as last time!

Eyes and Lip Makeup ( Starting left-right)

Tokidoki Pittura Brush Set *REBECCA: I have been wanting this set (eyeliner, eyeshadow & crease) for a while and been eyeing it up on other swaps. Rebecca knew I loved it so she picked me up one! The brushes are fantastic! It was my first time using them they picked up eyeshadow like a dream and didn't have all the fallout on the brush like my ecotools do! Think I found a new fav!

Jasmine La Belle purple eye crayon *MELISSA: I have never heard of these cosmetics before but the eyeliner was fab. It came out as a sheer and silky line. I was very impressed.

NYC Big Bold Mascara in Black: Picked this up in a hurry a few months ago and it has been a great mascara in a pinch. I have it in my emergency makeup kit in my purse and am always impressed at its staying power. Best part got it on sale for $3.00!

ELF palette in Cool *MELISSA: I am addicted to eyeshadow palettes and love ELF products!! For this look I used mainly all the colours on the bottom row and then used the top right colour as an eyeliner. As usual I found the eyeshadows to be highly pigmented and very beautiful! I will have to try the more colourful shadows for another look :)

Coastal Scents Bright Eyed eye brightener in Ivory* REBECCA: I can not get enough under eye brighteners for my raccoon eyes lol! This one is fabulous, I like the formula not too thin and not gloopy! Thanks hun I love it!

Gosh Soft n Shine Lip Balm in #40 Irony: This is more of a lipstick then a lip balm, but it has a super creamy and moisturizing formula. Although it is  more sheer so you have to be prepared to build up the colour a little.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Sweety Beige (Japenese editon) *ADRIANA: I have to admit that I did a girly dance when I got this in my swap! I LOVE Baby Lips! This one does not disappoint and I like the minty flavour! This has earned a spot next to the cherry baby lips in my purse!

Face Makeup :)

Pupa Milano Smoothing Foundation Primer Corrective Action for Redness *JASMINE: All I want to say is thank you! This primer is fantastic. I have dubbed it the luxury primer and only pull out this guy for a treat or a special occasion. It mattes my skin and helps with the redness, I just love it.

Skinfood Good Afternoon Rose Lemon tea BB Cream in SPF20 PA++ *ADRIANA:  Ok so I love this BB cream as much as the Apple Cinnamon one for this line. This BB cream is even more moisturizing than the other one which will be perfect for the winter! Seriously I think everyone should have one of these BB creams from their line!

Paris PB Cosmetics  Bronzer in Soliel Dore *EMY: Hands down one of my fav bronzers. Being so fair it is hard to get a bronzer that isn't too dark or makes me look like a fake and bake pumpkin. This one is perfect it has a more peachy tone which helps define better on me.

Paris PB Cosmetics in Blush Rose *EMY: Got this in my 2nd ever swap and it is now my go to blush. It is a perfect rose colour that shows up well on my cheekies! It is very silky and blends in well.

E.L.F. Tone Correcting Powder in Cool: This powder does a pretty decent job but it takes a lot of swirling to get any powder on the brush. It still is no where near the Stila set and correct powder but for the price it isn't too shabby!

Thanks for reading my reviews!!! PLease don't forget to subscribe and feel free to comment below!!

Ciao, Shanelle

 

Holiday Swapover Featuring: Melissa,Adriana, Sabrina and Rebecca

      So as probably most of you know I am on a makeup/cosmetic mania as of late! Since I hurt my back it has become the light in my tunnel and really helped take my mind off of things. One of the best things that has happened to me is to become part of a facebook group called "Be a Beauty Correspondent". When I first joined the group (in August) there were only about 30 girls and now it has grown to almost 200!  No matter the size, this group has been an amazing experience for me. Living where I do it can get kind of lonely and these women have become dear friends. We all share a passion for makeup(of course) but I have never met such an amazing group of people, we talk every day, laugh,cry and support each other. in fact I was encouraged by these ladies to start this blog, something I would have never had the courage to do on my own!
    All that said I wanted to do a makeover featuring cosmetics I have received from swaps from 4 lovely ladies :) Beside the product I will put their names in Bold! I am going to do this slightly in reverse! lol! So I will start with the finished look and then show you everything I used :) I hope you enjoy!!!

The Holiday Look :) 

The Products including everything I used to achieve this look :) 

For my Face(starting top row left):

Stila Set&Correct Baked Powder Trio (The Correctors): probably one of my FAV Setting powder, it tones down my red cheeks and is super easy to control the amount of powder to use( its a grinding one!)

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer: My everyday face primer, I love how smooth this primer makes my skin! May not be everybodys cup of tea but for everyday use you can't beat the quality and value.

Skinfood Good Afternoon Apple Cinnamon Tea BB Cream SPF36 PA++: I bought this after hearing rave reviews on Korean skin care BB creams. I was not disappointed! It is super light and gives me the coverage I need without feeling like my pores are clogged( and it smells good too!) I use this all the time!

Garnier Skin Renew Awakening Face Massager: I love to use this just before primer, I have very dry skin(thanks Northern Wind!) and it helps to moisturize, I also like the rollerball, its probably a gimic but it looks cool lol!

SmashBox Masquerade Baked Fusion Soft Lights Palette in Illusion *REBECCA: I love this highlighter!!! First of all its my first Smashbox anything and second its gorgeous!!! I lightly dusted on the t-zone and cheeks for some extra highlights! 

Essence of Beauty Precision Blender Sponge *REBECCA: Thank you so much for this I have been wondering what all the hype has been about and now I know!! I love this little guy, it works like a dream!

Real Techniques Face Set by Samantha Chapman: Back in August I visited an Ulta for the first time(thats right the first time!) A wonderful employee showed me these brushes and said that they were a must have for a starting collection. I was slightly skeptical, but I can now say that these brushes are amazing! They are easy to clean, super soft and they don't fall apart!

Eye/Lip/Cheekies (starting top left)

Sephora Cinderella Limited Edition Lipstick in Lady Tremaine * MELISSA: Okay so a while back my friend Melissa (from the group) posted a pic of the Sephora Cinderella Lipstick Collection, I saw this lippy and thought I think I can pull it off and commented how gorgeous it was. Well about a month later when we did our swap she sent it to me, I was so excited and thankful (what a sweetie!). It is not for the faint hearted, but I love it!!!

Rimmel Hide the Blemmish Concealer in 001 Ivory: I use this little guy for just about everything I need to conceal from the evil pimple to the raccoon eyes. I always keep it on hand just in case and it is a super good buy(under $5).

Benefit Tint trio: I got this from my parents for my birthday, and I love it!! I used the poisetint on my cheek for some colour and the high beam highlighter on my cheekbones and t-zone!

Shiseido True Eye Shadow Maquillage in GR 761 *ADRIANA: Adrianna is from Japan and she sent me one of the best boxes I have ever received! She totally spoiled me and got lots of beautiful high end products to try. This eyeshadow(my first Shiseido :) ) is beautiful and compliments my green eyes. It also came with detailed instructions in a picture format  (thank goodness because I can't read Japenese!) The eyeshadows are silky and highly pigmented!

Ecotools Eye Brush set: I bought this brush set after hearing great reviews on youtube, however; I find these brushes to be underwhelming. The brushes don't hold shadow well and they seem to think and fluffy :(  I think I will have to get the core eye set by Real Techniques next time I cross the border.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Dark Brown * MELISSA: Fantastic eye pencil went on smooth was the right colour. Love at first site....need I say more

Essence Get Big Lashes Volume Curl Mascara *SABRINA : I am a bit torn on this mascara. I found the formula was a little wet for my liking but then the curl was fantastic. I think this will be a special occasions mascara for when I want some diva lashes!!! Thanks sweetie!!

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer: Hands down best eyeshadow primer I have used! I love the formula, it stops fallout, oh and did I mention its $1....seriously $1! Well done ELF!

 So here is the finished look again and a close up of that fab lippy! Thank you for reading my blog, please subscribe and comment below :)

-Shanelle <3

Review of LUSH's "Witches Ball Bubble Bar"

Okay so here is my review on the new bubble bar put out by LUSH for the Halloween 2012 collection. First of all I just want to say this bubble bar smelled amazing!!!! There are two different types of the bubble bar. The bar on the left is the one I received, it is It is studded with star anise seedpods, cloves, black currants, cranberries and has rosemary, sage, peppermint, frankincense, myrrh and benzion oils. Sprinkled on top is parsley (Which according to wiccan beliefs is good luck!). The other bubble bar has a purple colour and not as many goodies on it :( So luckily I got the one with all the stuff!

Sorry about the fuzzy pic :P I always portion out all my lush stuff into manageable pieces( since LUSH is a tad expensive!) it also helps to keep the products fresh and easy to use :) The bar was fairly large so I decided to cut it into thirds.

In this pic I am crumbling the bar into my tub! It was fairly new so it crumbled in very easy. 

After the bar was crumbled, unfortunately all the goodies sank to the bottom:( The smell was fantastic and it was very moisturizing. But not too many bubbles even after I gave it the good old hand mixing!

What I loved:

 -The smell!

-All of the goodies.

-The size of the bar.

What I didn't love:

-The clean-up:( There was tons of cranberries and parsley bits to clean up after.

-The colour, it wasn't there at all.

-Not too many bubbles.

To buy or not to buy:

As this is a Halloween limited edition bubble bar, I will for sure pick it up next years. However I think that the 2 varieties of the bubble bar should be combined. I would love to have a bubble bar that looks and smells amazing. I guess it is the kid in me but I love to have a bath with colourful water, it puts a smile on my face :)