Hi there,
I know my previous post was my first ever Beauty Swap and I may or may not have introduced myself properly. My name is Emma, I'm a 26 year old, Australian with a massive passion for all things beauty. To make things a little easier, I shall take a few moments of your time (and mine) to give you a chance to get to know the girl behind the computer screen. So here we go...
Vital Stats:
Name: Emma (to state the obvious ;D)
Nicknames: Em, Emmerz (hence the blog username).
Birthday: Born on November 27th, 1986.
Place of Birth: Melbourne, Victoria
Star Sign: Sagittarius!
Appearance:
Hair colour: Dark brown.
Hair length: Just below my shoulders.
Hair type: Curly/wavy.
Eye colour: Blue, with a hint of green!
Best feature: Eyes.
Braces: No.
Piercings: Just my ears.
Tattoos: None! But I hope to get one someday.
Righty of Lefty: Righty. ;)
Firsts:
Best friend: Her name was Skye but I don't think she ever felt the same way. :/
Award: Student of the Week in Primary School.
Sport: Netball or Volleyball.
Real Holiday: Queensland back in 2011!
Concert: Never been to any concerts before.
Favourites
Film: Too many to list but a few off the top of my head: Titanic, 10 Things I Hate About You, Matilda, Aladdin, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th. There are plenty more which I can't think of right now!
TV Show: Pretty Little Liars (currently).
Colour: Purple, Blue, Green & Black.
Song: Heaps.
Restaurant: Don't have one!
Store: Priceline.
Book: The Lying Game series or anything Cathy Glass related.
Magazine: None.
Shoes: Runners.
Currently...
Feeling: Tired... I really should sleep!
Single or Taken: Taken by the most amazing guy ever.
Eating: Nothing.
Listening to: The clicking of the keyboard as I'm typing this.
Thinking about: Sleep.
Watching: The laptop screen.
Wearing: Pajamas!
Future:
Want Children: YES!
Want to be married: Of course!
Careers in mind: Childcare.
Where do you want to live: Anywhere around family.
Do you believe in:
God: Yes.
Miracles: Yes.
Love at first sight: No.
Ghosts: Somewhat.
Aliens: Not really.
Soul Mates: Yes. Found mine.
Heaven: Yes.
Hell: Yes.
Kissing on the first date: Depends on the circumstance.
Yourself: Not really.
Until next time,
Emma
xoxo
Hey everyone,
This will be my first entry into hopefully one of the funnest (is that even a word?!) journey's life can take you. To make this a little less awkward, my name is Emma and I'm a shopaholic (too cheesy? Oh well). Now we've gotten that out of the way, now onto the fun stuff!
Today I want to bring to you something exciting - something I've never experienced before (or even have an opportunity to experience before) in my passion for all make up & beauty. My first ever International Beauty Swap!
What is a "Beauty Swap" you ask?
Well to explain it up as simple as possible it's when two people get together and decide to send each other beauty products, hair products, nail polish etc to each other. First of all, they both decide and agree to a budget. In this case it was $50 in Australian Dollars (AUD) which was approximately £32 (GBP). Then comes the fun part: shopping! So once each person gathers their goodies together they package them up (did I mention the shipping isn't included as a part of the swap?) and then both parties send them out to each other. Tracking is always optional too - but something worth considering! I chose tracking to be safe as it was my first swap.
Annnyway, to begin I shall give you some back story. Marina & I met on Facebook. She's 21 years old and lives in the United Kingdom. I don't really recall how we got onto the subject of doing a swap, but we got along really well. With our passion of Jeremy Kyle & feral bogan/trashy girls & guys (it doesn't sound as bad as you might think it does! We laugh at all the silly people in this world... but that's another story for another time!). We instantly clicked. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful Marina is, our age differences is only 5 years & although a few years younger we just click. It seemed like a match made in heaven almost.
I had been watching Swap videos for a few days before but it was the infamous MissJenFabulous & Shaaanxo swap that really got us talking about swapping products. Marina who had previously had experience swapping with a US beauty guru, and ADORED it suggested (from memory... or was it me who suggested it? Okay, who cares LOL!) we could do one. So although I'm broke most of the time (haha) we both agreed to the challenge & budget.
My main priority with this swap essentially was to make 100% sure that Marina trusted me, that I wouldn't just receive the products and not send her a single thing in return or used products. I'm a 26 year old girl, I ain't got time for scamming people! But with the horror stories I had seen and heard, it was something I was extremely worried about. And I explained this to Marina, and she had said that she trusted me... So I went forward and purchased her products.
... And on the 2nd of August, 2013 after 2-3 months of planning this (and spending more than I'd care to admit that I did - what can I say, this experience has really made me realise that it's all about the giving & not just the receiving!) my package had finally arrived. And here it is in all its glory (minus my address, of course):
We had both agreed to both put FRAGILE on our packages however, last minute the guy at the post office didn't have a permanent marker to write on it... but it was packed with loads and loads of bubble wrap though... So many times I had to stop myself from popping it. I'm a total sucker for bubble wrap, I swear. Okay, enough rambling... onto the first most awaited package.
First up we have a beautiful, four toned blush from the brand "Collection" (I believe, please correct me if I'm wrong!). It has a light pink shade on the top left, with a slightly darker pink on the right, with a neutral pinky shade on the bottom left and bottom right is a peach pink shade. Filled with glitter, its the perfect blush to wear out to the beach or going out somewhere special. I don't wear too much glitter or shimmer but I'm so excited to step out of my comfort zone and try something a little different... a little daring, perhaps.
Next up, we have this little package. I love the whole mystery behind the 'ooooh' and I was super excited about opening this baby up.
This palette, while it has been used a few times (I knew about this, don't worry!) is just a glitter mess. As soon as I opened it up, glitter was all over my fingers. I swear I have never seen so much glitter in my life, haha. While the shades are gorgeous (and I believe fairly pigmented by the looks of the glitter) the brand NYC should really start using less glitter in their palettes. Sorry Marina, unless I'm using gloves I don't think I'd get much use out of it at all. Thank you so much for thinking of me though, I really, really appreciate it lovely. More than you'd know!! :)
Oh MUA, how I adore you! Your products (especially eyeshadows) are just fabulously pigmented. So yes, I've actually tried this brand before... while I have previously, I do not own a blush from them. I own a 4 toned bronzer, yes, but not a blush. Like the "Shimmer Shades" previously mentioned, this is also a 4 toned blush. Dark pink (top left), light pink (top right), a creamy white (bottom left) and a peachy pink shade (bottom right). Adorned with more glitter, I really cannot wait to try this. Matched with the bronzer I own from MUA, I think they'd be a match made in heaven!
For the next package was something to break up the whole strict 'make up' swap buying thing. I swear my mouth watered as I held these goodies in my hand. I had to resist not eating them all at once! I had mentioned to Marina about my love for sweets and chocolate! I'm very picky with my sweets though and only like Cadbury chocolate and thankfully they manufacture it over in the UK... so I was stoked. In return, I agreed I would send her Tim Tams so she could do the Tim Tam Slam! Which she better do... I'm looking at you, Marina! :P (I need to do a Freddo Frog comparison as we get those here... but not Caramel ones! Wow! They really do belong in my tummy... Yum! Love caramel filled anything!)
First of all, you're so gorgeous Marina & second of all: you buy the best gifts ever! Seeing the ColourSensational in Hot Plum made me swoon! I love purples. Although I haven't had an opportunity to really open this lipstick, I know that you guys will be able to find swatches on the internet some place. I can't wait for my man to see my lips after this! :P
Next up came this "Collection" colour intense trio in number 3: Golden Nugget. Golds go perfectly with blue eyes, I think I've mentioned that in one of our past coversations? If I did, I'm so glad you remembered. :)
Accompanying the previous trio comes this quad by Milani. I have heard quite a few things about this brand, while I've never personally tried anything I really look forward to doing so. This quad is in 04 Earthly Delights, by the way!
Stay beautiful!
This will be my first entry into hopefully one of the funnest (is that even a word?!) journey's life can take you. To make this a little less awkward, my name is Emma and I'm a shopaholic (too cheesy? Oh well). Now we've gotten that out of the way, now onto the fun stuff!
Today I want to bring to you something exciting - something I've never experienced before (or even have an opportunity to experience before) in my passion for all make up & beauty. My first ever International Beauty Swap!
What is a "Beauty Swap" you ask?
Well to explain it up as simple as possible it's when two people get together and decide to send each other beauty products, hair products, nail polish etc to each other. First of all, they both decide and agree to a budget. In this case it was $50 in Australian Dollars (AUD) which was approximately £32 (GBP). Then comes the fun part: shopping! So once each person gathers their goodies together they package them up (did I mention the shipping isn't included as a part of the swap?) and then both parties send them out to each other. Tracking is always optional too - but something worth considering! I chose tracking to be safe as it was my first swap.
Annnyway, to begin I shall give you some back story. Marina & I met on Facebook. She's 21 years old and lives in the United Kingdom. I don't really recall how we got onto the subject of doing a swap, but we got along really well. With our passion of Jeremy Kyle & feral bogan/trashy girls & guys (it doesn't sound as bad as you might think it does! We laugh at all the silly people in this world... but that's another story for another time!). We instantly clicked. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful Marina is, our age differences is only 5 years & although a few years younger we just click. It seemed like a match made in heaven almost.
I had been watching Swap videos for a few days before but it was the infamous MissJenFabulous & Shaaanxo swap that really got us talking about swapping products. Marina who had previously had experience swapping with a US beauty guru, and ADORED it suggested (from memory... or was it me who suggested it? Okay, who cares LOL!) we could do one. So although I'm broke most of the time (haha) we both agreed to the challenge & budget.
My main priority with this swap essentially was to make 100% sure that Marina trusted me, that I wouldn't just receive the products and not send her a single thing in return or used products. I'm a 26 year old girl, I ain't got time for scamming people! But with the horror stories I had seen and heard, it was something I was extremely worried about. And I explained this to Marina, and she had said that she trusted me... So I went forward and purchased her products.
... And on the 2nd of August, 2013 after 2-3 months of planning this (and spending more than I'd care to admit that I did - what can I say, this experience has really made me realise that it's all about the giving & not just the receiving!) my package had finally arrived. And here it is in all its glory (minus my address, of course):
We had both agreed to both put FRAGILE on our packages however, last minute the guy at the post office didn't have a permanent marker to write on it... but it was packed with loads and loads of bubble wrap though... So many times I had to stop myself from popping it. I'm a total sucker for bubble wrap, I swear. Okay, enough rambling... onto the first most awaited package.
First up we have a beautiful, four toned blush from the brand "Collection" (I believe, please correct me if I'm wrong!). It has a light pink shade on the top left, with a slightly darker pink on the right, with a neutral pinky shade on the bottom left and bottom right is a peach pink shade. Filled with glitter, its the perfect blush to wear out to the beach or going out somewhere special. I don't wear too much glitter or shimmer but I'm so excited to step out of my comfort zone and try something a little different... a little daring, perhaps.
Next up, we have this little package. I love the whole mystery behind the 'ooooh' and I was super excited about opening this baby up.
This palette, while it has been used a few times (I knew about this, don't worry!) is just a glitter mess. As soon as I opened it up, glitter was all over my fingers. I swear I have never seen so much glitter in my life, haha. While the shades are gorgeous (and I believe fairly pigmented by the looks of the glitter) the brand NYC should really start using less glitter in their palettes. Sorry Marina, unless I'm using gloves I don't think I'd get much use out of it at all. Thank you so much for thinking of me though, I really, really appreciate it lovely. More than you'd know!! :)
Oh MUA, how I adore you! Your products (especially eyeshadows) are just fabulously pigmented. So yes, I've actually tried this brand before... while I have previously, I do not own a blush from them. I own a 4 toned bronzer, yes, but not a blush. Like the "Shimmer Shades" previously mentioned, this is also a 4 toned blush. Dark pink (top left), light pink (top right), a creamy white (bottom left) and a peachy pink shade (bottom right). Adorned with more glitter, I really cannot wait to try this. Matched with the bronzer I own from MUA, I think they'd be a match made in heaven!
For the next package was something to break up the whole strict 'make up' swap buying thing. I swear my mouth watered as I held these goodies in my hand. I had to resist not eating them all at once! I had mentioned to Marina about my love for sweets and chocolate! I'm very picky with my sweets though and only like Cadbury chocolate and thankfully they manufacture it over in the UK... so I was stoked. In return, I agreed I would send her Tim Tams so she could do the Tim Tam Slam! Which she better do... I'm looking at you, Marina! :P (I need to do a Freddo Frog comparison as we get those here... but not Caramel ones! Wow! They really do belong in my tummy... Yum! Love caramel filled anything!)
"I know you wanted to try this, it's amazing! Enjoy!"
I swear with this gift, I wasn't sure on what she was saying. I couldn't remember what I said I wanted to try. But then I opened up the bright yellow wrapping paper and I almost hyperventilated (okay that could maybe be an overreaction!). But seriously, I was like "OMG! You didn't! Tell me she didn't!" Luckily I was home alone otherwise my fiance would have came out from his room and wondered what was going on! Why I was obsessing over just one of the BEST SMELLING PRODUCTS EVER! Ahhh I'm in heaven. I was too excited to even notice the other product which was being a Clean Start Moisturiser in SPF 15. I've wanted to try a moisturiser with sunscreen for ages! Thank you beautiful, so, so much! You have no idea how happy this has made me!!! Ahhh, be right back... dying.
Okay, I'm back! Not that I really went anywhere but anyway! Okay, so next up comes this cute little package. Funny little story though, when I had received my package I actually was freaking out as customs had actually OPENED my package so I had essentially thought that they had taken away the nail polish (yes, I had asked specifically for that but nothing else) and I got onto Marina and told her I think they took the polish away! But nope, it was in with these goodies. I am beyond relieved and again, back to feeling excited! Haha.
Nail polish is Essie's Mint Candy Apple (all the beauty guru's speak about it and I've personally never tried Essie before so am excited about getting into painting my nails once more! I looooove nail polish! Especially OPI!). Following the nail polish comes a super bright lipstick by the brand Collection (thanks for the correction Marina! You're a gem!) in the shade Number 5: Passionfruit which I swear is the brightest shade I have ever seen. First I thought it was red (the photo from my iPad and the lighting shows its a red shade) but apparently it's like Shocking Coral by Maybelline but a cheaper version. Very much out of my comfort zone - but as I grow more confident I'll be testing this bad boy out. Can't wait! Last but not least for this package is a simple Nivea lipbalm in Soft Rose. A girl can never have too many lipbalms... or can she? ;)
Alas, this little package had lost its yellow packaging so I was left with just some bubble wrap to unwrap it with. I didn't mind too much, except the fact customs may or may not have confiscated something from there... or thought Marina was trying to send me something illegal. Who knows?! Anywho, this beautiful baby is a Rimmel London quad in the shade 740: Fever. I had told Marina my favourite colours and what we'd wear and wouldn't wear before we both began shopping. So to see something purple in here is just awesome! The pearlecent shade at the bottom triangle really just completes the look. I'm in love!
As soon as I saw "pamper time" on the yellow tissue paper it was hard not to get even more excited. Once I'd opened it, I see 4 sachets of Chocomania Body Scrub (I love the stuff heaps! Smells like lamingtons... mmm... lamingtons!), a Tea Tree Blackhead Exfoliating Wash, a small Dermalogica Clean Start "Bedtime for Breakouts" and 3 heavenly face masks in Tropical Cocktail (peel off mask), Apricot Exfoliating Mask and a Sugar and Spice Self Heating Mask! I've honestly never heard of a self warming face mask before, have any of you? Its such an interesting concept and I'm probably a little more excited than I should be to try these face masks. :D
First of all, you're so gorgeous Marina & second of all: you buy the best gifts ever! Seeing the ColourSensational in Hot Plum made me swoon! I love purples. Although I haven't had an opportunity to really open this lipstick, I know that you guys will be able to find swatches on the internet some place. I can't wait for my man to see my lips after this! :P
Next up came this "Collection" colour intense trio in number 3: Golden Nugget. Golds go perfectly with blue eyes, I think I've mentioned that in one of our past coversations? If I did, I'm so glad you remembered. :)
Accompanying the previous trio comes this quad by Milani. I have heard quite a few things about this brand, while I've never personally tried anything I really look forward to doing so. This quad is in 04 Earthly Delights, by the way!
Well, we've come to the end of this swap... and what better way than to end it on a high note with MUA's famous and highly acclaimed/raved about Undress Me Too! A known dupe for the Naked 2 palette, this palette comes with several shimmery shades along with some matte shades. Perfect for a day look and some night time ones as well. I cannot wait to try these out. They're going to look so amazing paired with my blue eyes!
Being as this swap has now ended makes me feel a little sad but yet, a little optimistic as well. Optimistic that there are STILL good, honest, hardworking, understanding people out there. That maybe sometimes the world isn't as bad as you might think. Its people like Marina that give me back my faith in humanity. Its hard to believe that a few months ago before I ever met Marina that I would open up my life (and as cheesy as it sounds - my heart) to someone who lives on the other side of the globe. Someday though, I hope to visit the UK - to visit my beautiful, good friend Marina and we'll hug and we'll go see Jeremy Kyle. Cause he's the one who we've bonded over the most...
This won't be the last time we do a swap & I honestly cannot wait to do it again sometime soon. :)
Check out Marina here (and go subscribe, she is freakin' amazing!): YouTube, Facebook (YouTube Fanpage), Twitter, Tumblr & Instagram
Stay beautiful!
Emma
xoxo
PS: Thank you x100,000,000 to Marina for also being so kind & understanding when I've been dealing with a few things. :) Mwah!!! xoxo
Edit: Want to see what Marina received from me? Check it out here!
Edit: Want to see what Marina received from me? Check it out here!
posted by Emma at 09:28
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