usa makeup swap!

So guess what came in the mail yesterday? Only a package from Katie with the contents of our makeup swap, coming all the way from America - this was my first swap I've ever done and I was delighted when I saw that it had arrived!

We both decided on a budget of £20, but then realised that to make it worthwhile we'd have to raise the bar, so we agreed on £35. I'm pretty sure that we both overspent though, I know I did - I spent around £45 plus £10 postage. I mentioned a few specific products that I'd like to try out as well as some ideas of products that I'd heard good reviews about, but I mainly wanted to leave it up to her to send me a few of her favourite things as all I have to go on is reviews, she knows better than I do!

I'm elated with what she sent me, here are the contents:

• covergirl lashblast 24hr mascara - I'm thrilled at receiving this, with it being probably the most raved about mascara on the planet! Katie picked up the newest formula too, it'll be interesting to see if it lives up to it's 24 hour claims as I'm always on the hunt for a mascara that doesn't smudge under my eyes.

• ulta lip crayons in glamour (darker colour) and oh! (lighter colour), these look stunning and having tried very few lip crayons before I'm eager to give these a go.

• physicians formula shimmer strips eyeshadow palette in brown eye candy, I can never have too many neutral eye palettes and the addition of the purple shade is rather interesting, I can't wait to have a play around with this!

• covergirl natureluxe foundation in the lightest shade, 305 alabaster. She said that it used to be her favourite foundation and I've heard nothing but good things about it from various bloggers, the colour looks a pretty good match for my paler than pale skin.

• wet 'n' wild comfort zone eyeshadow palette - another beautiful eyeshadow palette. This one looks handy for travelling since it has eight colours, and I've seen so many rave reviews of the wet 'n' wild eyeshadows that finally owning one makes me a very happy bunny.

• nyx slide on eye pencil in golden bronze. I've swatched this and oh boy is it pigmented, I have very few brown eyeliners that are any good so I'm really glad to have this as the formula seems comparable to the urban decay 24/7 eyeliners. 

• wet 'n' wild lipstick in just garnet. I love my lippies, there's no doubt about that and this lovely red shade is a more than welcome addition to my collection, Katie chose well!

• china glaze get carried away - which being the sad nail polish addict that I am is probably what I'm most excited about. But just look at it.

ASDFGHJKL IT'S GORGEOUS. *please excuse the unpainted fail nails, the nail polish addict in me was having the day off*

Katie also included a letter with a useful overview of all the products and why she chose them - and how pretty is her signature? I'm jealous.

If you want to do a makeup swap, I'd recommend finding someone who's blog you like and lives in a country that has brands you'd like to try and email them, chances are that they'd be as excited by the idea as you are!
I loved doing this swap and I can't wait to do another one, if you ever get the chance to participate in one grab it with both hands as it's really fun.

Check out Katie's blog to see what I got her, I'm sure she'll blog about it as soon as she receives her package!