UK / Canada swap!

~ stashy

Let me get back into beauty blogging with a bang – I got new makeup!  Huh?  But aren’t I on a No-Buy? Allow me explain.  Nicola of Beauty As I Know It contacted me to ask if I’d be interested in doing a swap – she’s in the UK, and I’m in Canada.  I contemplated this: was this a violation of my No-Buy?

Let’s weigh the facts:
• I’m not buying makeup for myself, but rather, buying makeup for someone else, like a gift
• I’m receiving makeup in return – but I didn’t pay for them!

My friends are 80/20 split in their opinion that I’m an horrible dirty cheater vs I might have found a loophole in my No-Buy. 😛

Regardless, I went ahead with the swap because, hell, what’s the fun of having a blog if I can’t connect with amazing people from all over the world?  Nicola and I set out some parameters for the swap:
• focus on makeup / skincare from drugstore
• target total of £30 / $55 CAD

I also sent out a little questionnaire to help each other narrow down our preference, here are my answers to the questions:

1) Are there any brands that may not be available in your country that you’re interested in?
Natural Collection (Boots), Sleek, Makeup Revolution, Soap & Glory (we have the skincare but not the makeup), MUA, Barry M

2) Skin type / skin tone / eye colour / hair colour / allergies?
Combination / NC25 I’m usually in the shade range light/medium or “Buff” shade / brown / brown / no allergies

3) What are your top 3 favourite makeup / skincare categories?
eye shadows, blush, concealer (I’m particularly interested in the Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer [I would be in Warm Medium] hint hint!)

4) Do you like sweet or savoury snacks? Any candies / chocolate that’s not available in your country that you would like to try?
I love sweets! I know there are loads of UK sweets – most of them are available in Canada as well in specialty British shops.

Here’s the parcel I received!
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She included a lovely handwritten card and put little star stickers on the items to indicate her personal favourites!

And here’s what was inside!
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♦  Original Source Coconut Shower Gel*
♦  Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser + muslin cloth*
♦  Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in Hot Spice
♦  Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Palette
♦  Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara*
♦  MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balm in French Violet*
♦  MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balm in Peach Dream*
♦  MUA Sweet Sheen Lip Balm in Coral Reef*
♦  Lasting Perfection Concealer in Warm Medium 3
(the items with asterisk are the ones that had stars indicating they’re Nicola’s favourites)

Happy dance, happy dance! I LOVE everything I received! I can’t believe Nicola sent me that Original Source Coconut shower gel!  I was coveting it over at her blog and lo, she had sent me a bottle!  And I’m über excited to try the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. 😀
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Here are some glamour shots of the makeup items:
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Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in Hot Spice and Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Palette

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Super duper excited to finally try out the highly raved Lasting Perfection Concealer!  And you all know that I love me some tinted lip balms!

Thank you SO much Nicola for suggesting this swap and for putting so much thought into what you got for me!  I hope you enjoy your items too! 🙂

Have you done a makeup swap before? And what say you – did I cheat on my No-Buy?

64 thoughts on “UK / Canada swap!”

    1. I’m excited to try everything – I literally received this parcel the day before I went on vacation so I haven’t had a chance to try anything yet! 🙂 Yay for loopholes lol.

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  3. Loophole, fo’ sho’ 😀

    Great swap! I love that UK stuff we can’t get over here, esp Barry M – but I haven’t tried any of the stuff you got in your swap. Those lip sheers look gorgeous.

    I myself have not swapped in many years (probably since 2008 or so?). It was fun while it lasted, though.

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    1. I did swaps on MUA but only with Americans and yeah I probably stopped around 2008 since we started getting more brands here with Sephora opening.
      I’ll definitely do a first impressions / review on these!

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  4. I think you found a loophole! 🙂

    This is such a great idea!!! I have honestly never thought of it and it was so fun to read! 🙂 great job, girl! This was so much fun!
    You should find some more loopholes 😉

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    1. Hi Sandie! Thanks for dropping by – love your blog’s name by the way!
      Thanks for confirming my assertion that the swap is totally within the confines of my no-buy – I knew I could count on my fellow bloggers for support! 😛

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      1. Just posted one because it’s National Day but I never tried anything Belgian (tiny country, tiny brands). I would love to do a swap but I’ll have to think a lot to find things you don’t have in Canada 😁

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  8. Aren’t swaps the best? I think you totally DID NOT violate your no buy, lol. (This is another beauty junkie over here). I’d be most excited about the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish I think but you got lots of great goodies there. xo

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  10. I don’t think you cheated at all! I had so much fun when I did my UK/US beauty swap! I’m thinking about doing another one!!

    I also want to try the Collection Concealer (damn, YouTube!) so please let me know how much you love it!!

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    1. Aw, I’d like to do one with you but since I just did one with a UKer, it may be too soon! You should post a call out on your blog to ask if anyone would like to do a swap – I bet you’d get takers! 🙂

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  12. You got a great haul! I was hoping to see some UK treats. I think it’s so neat to try food from other countries. Do you guys have all the same sweets we have in the US? I mean you’re RIGHT THERE and all, haha.

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    1. I think Nicola knows that me being a sugar junkie, I probably have tried every single UK candy available already LOL. My favourite UK sweets is Flake chocolate:

      Unfortunately, NO! We don’t have the same things as you guys have. From what I understand, even within the US, there are a lot of regional differences with candy. We don’t have Heath bars but I heard that our Skor bar is similar. The main things I want to try from the US are the fast food restaurants you have like, White Castle, Sonic, In-and-Out burgers… Oh and I really wish Trader Joe’s would open here!

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    1. Yes, swaps are so fun. I wonder if one day you would be interested in one? I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading about your local brands – very interesting indeed! We don’t have to do one right now, but maybe in the future? Shipping can be so expensive when it’s half way around the globe!

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      1. Oh my! Really?! 🙂 I would love to!!
        Shipping just might be a hindrance, but I will push it. Ahmm, geez i’m just so excited about the thought that I can’t compose myself. It’s like a dream come true, to showcase our local brands.
        Here’s looking forward and thank you. 🙂

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  15. That is so cool! A swap would be so much fun! Everything looks amazing! You will love the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish. One of my faves! 🙂

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  16. It’s TOTALLY a loophole! Lucie and I are planning something much like this later on in the year and we’re super excited to do it, we’ve already been talking about it lots but that questionnaire is a great idea!

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