Unwrapping These Beauty Favorites : First Impressions
Some of you may have noticed by now that I enjoy sending out special gift boxes a lot to the point that the words “blogger gift swap” now sound redundant in my blog. Lol! Well guys, I hope you’re not tired of these just yet cause here’s Diana and I with yet another swap. She handpicked all these gifts from my uber long shopping wishlist, so I kind of already knew that it was going to be one of those overly excited (and loud) rave moments.
By the way, if you don’t know her yet, D is one of my blogger BFFs from across the ocean (literally, she lives in Europe and I’m from the Philippines), which what makes gift swaps work for us. She loves Asian beauty brands — and I love foreign brands that are either missing or overpriced here.
my customized
mac palette project
Okay, my new mission in life this year is to try to ditch the premade eyeshadow palettes and put together my own customized MAC palette. And my goodness, I almost broke that oath when I saw Juvy’s post on her new Nordstrom x MAC eyeshadow palette! Check it out if you haven’t cause it’s quite a bargain.
I’ve never owned a MAC eyeshadow before but I knew that they were going to be amazing… they’re also even more long lasting, pigmented, and finely milled than my Urban Decay Naked eyeshadows. Kind of makes me regret not getting MAC over UD in the first place. I partially blame MAC’s hefty price tag for intimidating me from buying one. I got All That Glitters, Sable, and Satin Taupe, which I’d go more into details on a separate review.
crossing things off my
beauty wishlist
Guyz thiz-iz-it! I finally own a bottle of Bioderma Sensibo Cleansing Water! I’m quite cheap when it comes to cleansers and this is really overpriced here. Before Bioderma I was fairly happy with Maybelline’s P120—ish (around 3USD) makeup remover, so I’m probably the last to know that this cleanser feels as light as water after cleansing — no trace of oiliness! And yes it does remove makeup with ease, including the notorious waterproof mascaras we all hate to cleanse before bedtime.
She also got me two beauuutiful rosegold toned blushes. Hmm… okay maybe Chanel Cream Blush Revelation isn’t quite rosegold, but it’s really close to a muted matte version of the most raved about — Benefit Rockateur Blush. So you could say Revelation is as lovable as Rockateur… or if not even more cause the texture of this cream blush is addicting-ly buttery! She also threw in a few Benefit samples, which I haven’t used yet but I wanted to include it here cause D, you’re the sweetest person ever for hunting all these products down for me.
And guys please check out the I things I picked for D from her wishlist, and how I wrapped her presents Harry Potter style here. Let me know what you think!
21 Comments
Ohhh I'm so happy that you loved everything <3 <3
I have to say that I'll probably get the chanel blush and the other two Mac eyeshadows in the future for myself :3
I was delighted to get all the things you wanted :3 And I have to say that I won't mindo doing it again <3
You are one of my dearest friends, and I truly believe that one of the most important things :3
I love everything you got from D, and all the things you got her! This swap is so fun! :)
I also want to try the Chanel Cream blush. That shade you got is pretty! I am not able to test my MAC palette yet. Oh gosh, I don't want to be busy anymore and just play with my makeup all day (if only I can!) :-)
Take Care Shayne! :-*
Great products.
As always, great swap. One of the reason why I don't try any mac products is that they are overpriced here (I bought a lipstick before but I gifted it to my sister and if ever that'll pick a mac product for myself, I'll just probably stare at it in amazement)
I absolutely love Benefit! Everything here looks SO gorgeous!
the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, amazing swap! I'm drooling over everything! The chanel blush is absolutely gorgeous!
Yay to getting your first mac shadows! Let me know how that Bioderma works for ye. Seriously super expensive here :/ compared to the prices abroad. Ughh
CJ | From Manila with Love
Aww they all look so pretty sis!!! I love them all especially the MAC eyeshadows!! Can't wait to see you try them all. I think they are really gorgeous in any skintone <3
Excited din ako sa color ng mga blush hehehe checking Diana's blog too sis! btw, belated Happy Mother's day to your mom! <3 hehee
love lots,
Tin
mypoeticisolation.blogspot.com
Looks like a great product!
I love the micellaire water by Bioderma! A bit on the expensive side but great on your skin. I hope you're doing good.x
Another awesome swap sis! I got so excited when I saw the Chanel makeup, I wanted to see what it was straight away! I'm so in love with the color of the blush.. I badly want to get my hands on Chanel makeup but they're sooo expensive here :( I feel you about the overpriced international products, I experience it here in NZ too.. makes me sad that I can't buy amazing international brands because they're way too expensive here.. especially Bobbi Brown, Benefit Cosmetics and MAC, not to mention the luxury brands like Chanel and YSL.. makes me cry how expensive they are! Sure we can order some of them online but shipping is ridiculously expensive to NZ.. ugggh.. it's like I can never win.. that's why I badly want to visit the US. anyways =D Loving the MAC eyeshadow shades! I'm planning to build a MAC palette too.. their eyeshadows are amazing quality :)
Loved your creativity with the package you sent Diana.. very clever and creative Shayne! If that was me, I wouldn't want to open them because they're too pretty =D
Take care always, love Christine ~ xx
BLOG | BLOGLOVIN' | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
LOVE the loot. (Probably because my wishlist contains these items as well!) I'm getting MAC Brule and/or Soba as soon as I find a place that sells for cheaper. :D
I love how you're able to make so many genuine connections online <3 <3 <3 This loot is amazing, I want to cry. I would probably spaz out while opening the package!
I love everything you got!! Someday, I'd get over my being cheap and actually get some MAC eyeshadows!
PS for a second there, I thought you got her Harry Potter makeup!! Nagpalpitate puso ko hahaha!
Romzs | runbarbierun.com
Wow, love everything D got for you! hurray for international swaps!!! I've been lemming mac all that glitters for a very long time, but I just couldn't justify 900 pesos for one eyeshadow, sigh. That's why I lean towards getting palettes. and yay for finally getting Bioderma!!! I already finished my 500ml bottle some months ago, But I found a great alternative, it's the Bifesta Cleansing Express Bright Up variant. It feels and works like Bioderma IMO and it's only Php 419 pesos…. Now I wonder if you'd be up for a local swap? hehe
Random Beauty by Hollie
What fun items you got Shayne. I've wanted to start my own MAC palette and I want these colors too. I would love to do a swap in the future too I just have to find someone to do it with. I always love reading your comments and they always make my day. I feel like we are such close friends even if we haven't met.
Awesome swap. You got a lot of great products. I love Benefit Rockateur as I love rose gold blushes.
Yehey for a lot of new products! Ang ganda! :) Missing your reviews, hope to read one soon! :D
http://www.jhanzey.net
That's really sweet of you guys! Looks like she went all out for the swap. So amazing how real friendship would start through blogging. Now off to check her blog and see what you got for her. :)
Love the Chanel blush <3
http://www.thestylishbipolar.com
I'm FRICKIN LATE TO THIS PARTY BUT GOOD LORD SHAYNE, YOU'RE A SWAP QUEEN NOW. Chanel's cream blush formula is one of my favourites, mostly because it doesn't oxidize on me and I just love the cream to powder finish. YASSSS you finally got Rockateur! It's really pretty, but I don't get enough wear out of it.
I don't own a MAC eyeshadow, so I can't compare, but how are you finding them in comparison to UD's now that you have both?