AN HOUR WITH BENEFIT

On Tuesday, I headed to Gainsborough to meet one of Benefit's girls, Madison wasted no time in giving me a makeover and making me feel a million dollars..

We chatted about our favourite beauty products, and in under an hour my look was complete. As you can see from the photos, Madison gave me a rather natural look that I could wear on a day to day basis. This is actually the first time in a while where I have not worn eyeshadow, so this was probably the biggest change for me. As well as being really informative about the products and why she was using them, Madison was really love and made me feel more of a friend than a customer. I really wish I could've purchased all of the products that she has used on my face - the That Gal primer is definitely on my hit list for after my holidays. Instead, I controlled myself and settled for the Sugarbomb "Sugar Rush Flush"face powder. There are a mixture of bronze and blush colours that will look lovely for summer, and also really compliment my skin tone. There will be a review to follow - don't worry!

What are your favourite Benefit products?

LIP BALMS ARE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

It has been a few days, I know, I am sorry. I was relaying on the 'schedule' aspect of blogger which obviously I cannot work. ANYHOW lip balms are important for summer..

I know a lot of people think that lip balms are for winter dry cracked lips, and in ways they are. We often forget that the sun can be very drying, too. My favourite high end option is from Benefit. Their new balms are really moisturising. This one is the Cha Cha Balm and is a lovely coral colour. For my American friends, I love the EOS balms. My favourite is the Blueberry one. The pink pot of joy is from Oriflame and is basically a prettier version of Vaseline. I, strangely?, use this for any cracked skin around my nose, too. Last, but by no means least, we have Lush's Lip Service which is amazing for on the go. It tastes and smells of lemons too. 

What do you use for kissable summer lips?

A MAC LIPSTICK FOR EVERY OCCASION

My love with MAC lipsticks started pretty late last year; simply as lipsticks had never been something I had bothered with. I now own a modest few, but these ones are my 'must haves'.

ALL FIRED UP {BACK LEFT}

A lovely, almost red, fuchsia that looks fabulous against any skin tone. This is a perfect one if you're just starting to get into red lipsticks, as it is still a very daring colour. Beware, though, as this matte lipstick can leave lips feeling neglected if not given the correct care - before and after.

CYBER {BACK CENTER}

Behold, my favourite 'winter' lipstick. Again, this is a matte shade, but not as drying as All Fired Up. This gives the perfect vampy lips, and I cannot wait until September hits us so I can start using it again. Warning: not for a night out, believe me.

PEACH BLOSSOM {BACK RIGHT}

This is my go-to everyday nude lip, and I do not know where I would be without this gem. Although the colouring is rather subtle, with it being a cremesheen lipstick, is adds a lovely glow to the lips, leaving them feeling soft and cared for. Certainly one for lipstick beginners. 

LORDE: PURE HEROINE {BOTTOM LEFT}

Being a Cyber fan, it seemed only fitting to opt for a lighter purple lipstick for summer. When Lorde released this one, I knew it was the one for me. It is not matte like Cyber, nor as intense. It is the perfect sister lipstick for summer. 

PEDRO LOURENCO RUBY {BOTTOM RIGHT}

Behold, the creme de la creme. I was like the cat with the cream getting this through the door. I received it along with Lorde's, as both collections are/were out together. This is the prettiest red I have seen in my life - my only regret is not picking up more of the collection.

What MAC lipsticks do you find 'key'?

REVIEW; BENEFIT CHA CHA BALM

"A juicy kiss of mango-tinted colour"

If you follow me on twitter you will be aware that last weekend I had some poor customer service from Benefit. After speaking to the girls, the problem was resolved and they were kind enough to send me some products to try. I received a sample of the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation and this gorgeous Cha Cha Balm*. 

When I first swatched the balm, I was neither amazed, nor disgusted. However, the smell coming from the balm is so absolutely amazing - it is probably one of the best smelling lip products I own. Upon applying the balm, I found it to be so very moisturising and was amazed at how soft my lips felt. The balm lasted a few hours - which is better than most lip balms and glosses. It added a lovely sheer tint of orange and left my lips smelling and feeling amazing. 

Since I received it, the balm has not left my side - literally. I am forever applying it, not because I need to, but because it just feels so amazing and smells even better. It is also perfect for summer - you can just slap it on without looking too 'over done'. I am definitely going to have to purchase the other products in the range, "benebalm, posiebalm, and lollibalm".

SHOP THE POST:

UK|USA BEAUTY SWAP BOX

I feel so lucky to have taken part in a "beauty box swap" with such a lovely girl. Marisol sent me some amazing products from the USA that I just cannot wait to show you {pre-warning photo and text heavy}..

FACE PRODUCTS

EYESHADOWS

LINERS & MASCARAS

LIP PRODUCTS

NON-MAKEUP ITEMS

You can probably tell from these photographs why Marisol is my favourite person on earth right now. If you're reading this - thank you so so very much! I hope she loves the products I have sent her just as much, and that we can remain friends. If you wish to see what I sent Marisol, check out her Instagram here.

Face Products

Marisol sent me the Wet n Wild "Fergie - To Reflect Shimmer Palette", saying it was a good dupe for MAC's "Soft and Gentle" so of course, I was really excited to try this. It has certainly impressed, adding a lovely glow to my cheek bones that is not too shimmery. I can see this being a new favourite.

The Physicians Formula "Happy Booster Blush" {requested} is something I have wanted to try for the longest time. It looks absolutely adorable and is a gorgeous rose colour. Marisol sent me this in the "pink" shade and I could not love it more.

Tarte is a brand that I had mentioned to Marisol I had wanted to try, so she sent me one of their "Natural Cheek Stains". It is a lovely red colour and is super soft. 

The Milani Blush in "Luminoso" {requested} is another product I have been wanting to try. As soon as I unwrapped this I had to stop everything and put it on. It is the most lovely shade ever and is perfect for an everyday look.

Another face product I was sent is the Wet n Wild Limited Edition ColorIcon Blush/Bronzer in "Hold Me Close" it is a really pretty nude brown with pink parts to it. I cannot wait to use this, I just do not want to ruin the pretty pattern!

Eyeshadows

I received this lovely Milani Palette in "Designer Nudes" from Marisol as she believed they would suit my skin tone, and I have to agree. The colours are all ones I love and will use on, probably, a daily basis and are ones I can get away with in the day, or on a night time.

I also received two MAC eyeshadows, one in "Goldmine" and another in "Bamboo". Goldmine reminds me very much of Illamasqua's Liquid Metal Cream in Electrum, so I cannot wait to go out now to use this. Bamboo looks like it will be a perfect transition colour, or an all over the lid colour, or a brown bone colour. Why have I never found this before now?!

Another eyeshadow palette I received was this one from Wet n Wild. I requested one of there palettes, and Marisol sent me "Petal Pusher". It contains some super pretty purples and pinks, that I think are going to be perfect for summer.

Liners & Mascaras

This liner from Physicians Formula is Marisol's favourite - and I now know why. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Soap & Glory Supercat Liner, but this one has kind of maybe won me over. With this, I am able to draw a super fine line that I've never been able to achieve before, and I am able to create the perfect cat eye - it is also super pigmented! 

Another eyeliner I have been sent is by NYX and is the "Jumbo Eye Pencil - 601 Black Bean". I am just about to run out of kohl liner, so this one has come at a perfect time. Again, this is super pigmented and also felt so soft when I swatched it.

Marisol said that this NYC "Sky Rise" mascara makes lashes look a lot longer when applied over another mascara. So of course, I had to try it out straight away and she could not be more right. It has made my eyelashes look ten times longer.

The second mascara I received is the Cover Girl "Lash Blast Length". This, again, is more of a lengthening mascara than a volumizing one, so is perfect for an everyday 'natural' look. The wand is perfect for getting the tiny inner corner lashes and also the lower lashes.

Lip Products

I asked Marisol if she would be kind enough to send me an ESOS lipbalm, and she sent me this "Blueberry" one. It smells amazing and leaves my lips feeling so so soft. This will be in my handbag until the end of time from now on - if not for an application, for a good old sniff.

The rest of the lip products I received were from NYX and Marisol sent me three different products, in three different shades. They all smell like sweeties so of course, I am in love with them all. First up, the "True Red" Matte Lipstick. The only red lipstick I own is the Ruby Pedro Lourenco one, so I am really excited to try this. Upon swatching, it is super pigmented so I cannot wait to wear this. 

She also sent me a Mega Shine Lipgloss in "Sweet Heart" now, I am not a lipgloss girl, but this one is far from sticky and looks so pretty on the lips. I love this so much. 

One of my favourite YouTubers, Aimee, aka Bella Bambina, has always sung praises about the Butter Glosses, so when I unwrapped this one I was so excited to try it. It feels amazing on my lips and is such a pretty fuchsia colour - "Strawberry Parfait".

Non-Makeup Items

As well as receiving all of this makeup, Marisol sent me a hell of a lot of American candy - which all looks amazing, the Birthday Cake M&Ms have already been eaten! 

Marisol sent some Nuance makeup remover and facial cleanser cream. Both of these products smell amazing, so I cannot wait to try them out tonight when I remove my makeup. 

The two polishes that I was sent are so so beautiful, infact I've already put them both on - all for swatch purposes of course. Both are from China Glaze. The blue one is called "Aquadelic" and is absolutely gorgeous for summer. The gold glitter one is called "Blonde Bombshell" and, as Marisol suggested, is perfect for an accent nail.

As I am sure you are aware, hand sanitisers in the UK smell terribly of alcohol - and it is not even a nice alcohol smell. I received two Bath and Bodyworks hand sanitisers in my parcel, one in "Paris" and the other "Dazzling Diamonds". The are both glittery, and both smell amazing.

I really cannot thank Marisol enough for agreeing to do a swap with me - let alone for sending me all of these things. I know I keep saying it, but I really am so so grateful!

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