Shopping My Stash / #3

It has been so unusually warm in recent weeks so I decided to give my liquid foundation a break and I used Neve Cosmetics Flat Perfection smoothing powder foundation in light neutral as my base. As a primer I used Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Primer which never impress me, if I'm honest, but seemed the perfect match to use with this pressed powder.

On the eyes, I primed with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and then used different combinations from the Ysl Ombres 5 Lumieres Eyeshadows no.11; when I wore the deeper purple shades, I use the new acquisition Kiko Glow Touch Lips & Cheeks in pleasant pink azalea both as blush and lip stain.

When I used the green eyeshadows instead, I wore Mac Blush Ombre in azalea blossom on the cheeks and Deborah Milano Shine Creator Lipstick in 16 pearly plum on the lips

Gosh! That's a pretty palette...

As an highlighter I chose St. Tropez Skin Illuminator in violet - what else??! - and Dior DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Enhancing Powder in 02 sunlight - to add a touch of warmth to the skin.

Revlon GrowLuscious was the mascara of choice - mainly because I need to finish it up since I don't really like it; finally, I protected my lips with Softlips which does seem to leave a white cast so I've been using it as a base.

*****
Summer Giveaway Winner is... Sian @ http://www.quitefranklyshesaid.com/
Congrats honey - your prize will be with you soon! :) xxx

USA Swap

Last year, I did a swap with Betzy  from California (posts 1 & 2); it went really well so we decided to organize a new one. A couple of weeks ago, I received her parcel with these lovely items and loads of extras:

Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Trio in Silent Treatment 

I love WnW trios; quality is great, the powders blend easily and they always get the perfect color combinations. Been wanting Silent Treatment for a while - that eyelid colour is gorgeous!

Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor in 515 Coral Crush

Every Spring I get all obsessed around corals; this shade is perfect for day and night and very moisturizing on the lip.

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in 400 Temptress

Never tried anything from CoverGirl before; packaging is cure and the colour has a beatiful sheen to it. For what I understand this brand is very affordable and I'm liking the quality so far.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Cream in Mudslide

This is amazing, I want every colour! It's not really a lipgloss but a lip cream so the colour payoff is very good. The tingle is totally different from your ordinary plumping product; it's actually refreshing, like rubbing an ice cube on your lips, nearly numbing in that sense but not uncomfortable. It's really hard to describe but it's definitely due to the peppermint in it. If you have tried the Burt's Bees lip balm, you know what I mean.

l-r: coral crush, temptress, mudslide

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Exposed

This colour is perfection! It would never normally go for a brownish blush but this one has got the right amount of pink to it and looks beautiful on the skin. I really don't understand why Tarte is not available in Uk, it'd do brilliantly and I'm looking forward to try more of their products.

I'm also looking forward to try the Maybelline Baby Lips and the Softlips - they are basically SPF for  your lips and I read great things about them! :)

I love overseas swaps - have you done one before?