Secret Revealed: US beauty swap

Uncategorized

Finally! This is the big news I have been waiting to tell you all!

So a few months ago, I joined up to Pretty Little Beauty Swap run by the gorgeous blogger Chelsee from southernbeautyguide

I have always wanted to do a beauty swap, particularly with someone from the U.S. as I just love the variety and choice of American beauty brands! I had heard so much about beauty swaps and thought it would be great to give it a try!

So once I had signed up to the swap, I was assigned my swap partner Lori!! Now as you know, I live in the UK and was absolutely thrilled when I heard that I would be swapping with someone from Pensylvania

I got to know Lori after emailing each other for just over a month, getting to know her likes and dislikes, styles and colours and favourite beauty products! She is such a sweetheart and it has been a privilage talking to her! 

I created my own beauty package for her, along with a couple of gifts for the home etc and sent them off on their long journey to the U.S.

And today, I recieved my gorgeous package from Lori! I can honestly say I was so shocked by the amount of time and effort put in to the gorgeous gift and I am in love with all of the gifts she has sent! Everything was packaged so beautifully and I received a lovely little card as well!



So I bet your all dying to know what is in it…..

Benefit Stay Flawless Primer

I have always wanted to try this primer, Benefit is one of my favourite brands and I cannot wait to see the difference with using such a high end primer!



Bath and body works shower gel and lotion

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  Bath and body works is a brand that I have always wanted to try! I’m always amazed at the range of scents they create and I can’t believe I now have my own! This scent is unbelievable. It’s so delicate and sweet and ( I wish I could just eat it). I really wish we had Bath and Bodyworks in the UK but this is honestly one of the best brands EVER!

The orignal Beautyblender



Oh my gosh! I have always wanted this product! I have always bought knock off versions of the beauty blender but none of them even come close to this!! It come with a cleansing soap aswell that smells beautiful and I cannot wait to perfect my foundation routine with this!



White Barn Mint Mocha Bark candle 

Imagine mint choc chip ice cream. That is what this candle smells like. It is heavenly! The scent is so realistic, I can just imagine myself sat at the beach eating an ice cream!



Sephora eyeshadow palette

When finding out more details about Lori, she asked me how I felt about lightly used products.. And I said, ofcourse I will give it a go! This palette is so pigmented and bold! I was so surprised at the colour range and bright shades included. I can’t wait to try these out!



Eos lip balm – summer fruit

Not only is the product packaging so unique. The scent of this is so yummy! As soon as I saw it, I just had to put some on! It’s so hydrating and gives the most soft lips!



Wet n Wild palette – spoilt brat

I have heard so much about Wet n wild products and this palette is so cute! Again, I am amazed by the pigmentation of the product and I am in love with r hot pink shade! Perfect for summer! 



Forever 21 earrings 

Aren’t these just the cutest things. I am in love!!!! They will look so pretty in spring and so beautiful in summer! I love bows and cannot wait to pair these with a gorgeous spring dress.



City color palette – Barley Exposed

This palette reminds me so much of the Naked Palette colours. I will definitely be using this for everyday use. It has such magical deep black colour with flecks of glitter in it, I am so in the mood to create a magical starry night eyed look!



Love&beauty sheet mask

Beautiful skin, here I come! I have very dry skin and this sheet mask looks amazing! I will be using this very soon and look forewarn to feeling refreshed!



Samples galore!

Lori kindly included some little damp,es for me to try! The coastal scents sample palette comes with some amazing little colours for me to try and the hair mask looks amazing! I suffer with dry hair too so this will be perfect for me!



Revlon Bold Laquer

How did she know I needed a new mascara?? This mascara looks so interesting! I havnt seen this in the UK yet and cant wait to try it out! The packaging is beautiful and feels great!





Urban Decay 24/7 velvet eyeliner

I did a swatch of this as soon as I saw it! Urban decay is another one of my top brands and I cannot believe she got me this piece! This eyeliner is phenomenal. It will not, I said NOT, budge at all from your eyes! It doesn’t smudge and creates the blackest line I have ever seen! Very true to its name! 24/7!





Wet n Wild mega volume mascara

Eeeeek another mascara! I’m stocked up for a while! I love mascara with volume and this mascara looks like it will do the trick! Stay tuned for a blog post about volume sing mascara soon!



Wet n Wild mega slicks

Who doesn’t love lip gloss! Another super scented product that I had to try on as soon as I saw it! Super glossy, super soft! 



Sephora instant moisturiser

Handy for handbags, this cute little bottle of moisturiser will be great for on the way to work or if I need a quick bit of hydration for my skin!



Too faced anti crease primer

I don’t know about you, but my eye shadows crease quite a bit. This product I can imagine will be a life saver. No more creases. But perfectly polished and primed eyelids!

If you guys want to sign up to the Pretty Little Beauty Swap, then take a look on Chelsee’s blog southernbeautyguide!

I really hope you have enjoyed his post. Have you guys done a swap before? Let me know!!

Speak to you soon! 

Love C

x

The gorgeous DOMINAla Designs…

Beauty, Fashion, jewellery, Makeup, Uncategorized

Well hello gorgeous people,

Ok, so I’ve a gone a little bit ETSY mad…..

It is the best place for finding new and upcoming artists/ designers/ bloggers! I never knew how many amazing little shops they have on there!

I came across a lovely little shop called DOMINAla Designs by Designer Krysta Langham.

Her work is primarily prints of various witty and clever images that would definitely brighten up anyone’s day! I love her prints and as an artist myself, I find her work so modern and unique!

Here are a few of my favourites…
Who doesn’t love Beyonce? And who doesn’t love Hollywood?

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After having a great discussion with Krysta, I wanted to do an interview with her so I could share her passion and unbelievable creativity with you guys…

Hi krysta! Tell me a bit about yourself?
I’m a 26 year old professional living and working in LaLa land. My real job is in Sales and Development for a healthcare technology company. In my free time, you can find me at the gym, playing soccer, cooking or trying a new restaurant somewhere in the city. I’m sort of a DIY-er of all things. Give me a YouTube video or a DIY blog post and I’m doing everything from building my own headboard to cutting my own hair. Domina Designs slowly came to me over time. At first, I had ideas of art that I thought would be cool if someone made them. Then a few more ideas came to mind and eventually I said, well I would like to have the ideas made and hanging up in my apartment, so why can’t I make them?
Hours and hours of YouTube Photoshop and Illustrator tutorial videos later and now I have some finished pieces. I started making art for myself based on my taste and style. I’ve recently decided to open an Etsy shop to share my prints with young women who have the same sense of edgy and urban style.

Why do you do what you do?
Well, I work to pay the bills – but that’s boring. Domina Designs is my hobby, creating prints is something fun for me. The thought behind using the word “domina” is that I want to embody what it means to be a strong, powerful and sexy woman. I think it’d be cool to develop a network of like-minded young women who have the same sense of style as me. If I happen to make some money while doing it, then I’d say that’s a win.

How is your work created?
I start with an idea, or I see something that inspires me and then I take time to formulate and imagine it in my head. Then off to Photoshop/Illustrator to try and create my mental image. Sometimes it’s exactly what I wanted and other times it’s a longer process of working and reworking and I end up with a finished piece that’s better than my original thought.
How has your practice changed/ changing over time?
Being self-taught, I’ve always been a bit hesitant or shy about my work – gone along thinking that because I’m not a professional that my work isn’t good enough. Over time, I’ve gained more and more confidence with the tools I use and am realizing that art (in any medium) does not have rules. It’s liberating to create whatever you want and if you like it, that’s all that matters.

What art/ creativity do you most identify with?
I think that I make art that directly reflects my personality and lifestyle. I’m one of those girls that has a closet full of black clothes, appreciates a perfectly arched eyebrow, lives in heels, but still loves to walk around in gym clothes, a ponytail and no-makeup. I’d say my biggest influence would have to be pop-culture inclusive of all the trends that happen on social media.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
Hmm my childhood… one memory sticks out to me back when I was probably about 4 or 5 years old and my entire family was able to do this thing called the “taco tongue.” You basically roll your tongue up like a taco and I was the only one who couldn’t do it. Every morning I would wake up and look in the mirror and practice my taco tongue until FINALLY I got it.

What themes do you pursue?
Themes – not sure if this is a technical term I’m missing but I tend to focus on women, fashion, beauty, and pop-culture.

What’s your scariest experience?
Scariest would have to be a car accident I got into with my family. Thankfully, everyone was okay.

What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I’ve kept my work private until recently. I haven’t even shown them to family or friends. In a weird way art is personal, especially if you’ve created it. It’s easy to share with strangers. I will say that it is great to hear the positive feedback from social media platforms that I’ve posted my work to.

What do you dislike about your work?
I dislike that my work isn’t polished – and by that I mean technically sound. Part of me has no clue what I’m doing and I’m learning and growing every day but that’s the fun part.

What do you like about your work?
Nothing is more satisfying for me than creating something. I love making something and ending up with a finished product that came entirely from me. I like how my work reflects my personality and is unique in that way.

Name something you love, and why.
Besides my family (the obvious answer), I live for a handbag. I don’t call them purses – I’m talking about a grown woman’s luxury handbag. I take my time and save up my money and when I deserve it I reward myself.

What is your dream project?
Hmmm I’d love to expand and get my designs on clothing. I think that would be amaze-balls to have a bunch of chicks walking around with my prints on their shirts.

Favourite or most inspirational place?
I love LA. Living out here I get to experience so many amazing places to go out, small little restaurants, museums and of course the coast and trails to hike. Again I guess my art really reflects my lifestyle.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
To surround yourself with people you look up to. Elevate yourself by the company you keep.

Professionally, what’s your goal?
I’d love to one day leave my real job and run my own business, but for now I’m totally happy starting small.

Check out her work for yourself my beauties!
You can find Krysta’ work at her Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DOMINAla

I cannot wait to keep updated with her work as it progresses and grows even more!

Speak to you all later,

Love C
X