Beauty Swap with Diary of a Beauty Padawan!

If you've read my blog for a while now, you'll know that Sarah is one of my dearest internet friends. We initially met after I did my first Johanna Mason look almost a year ago, when she messaged me on Tumblr about how much she loved the look! Not too long after, Sarah started her own beauty blog, Diary of a Beauty Padawan, and since then she has become the Obi-Wan to my Qui Gon Jinn. Although I definitely think she's earned the title of Jedi Knight by now ;)

She and I always rave about various products, often which we can't usually get in our own country (considering she's from Australia). Not too long ago, she and I decided to send each other some products that the other couldn't get! If you want to see what I sent her, head on over to her post.

She sent me some things from three different brands: Australis, Face of Australia, and Kit Cosmetics. Most of them were lip products, because Sarah knows I'm definitely a lipstick junkie, but she also sent me an eyeshadow trio and a brow tint/gel!

For me, the most exciting part of this swap were the lipsticks! As you can see, Sarah definitely knows the colors I lean toward. From Kit Cosmetics, she sent me two incredibly gorgeous lipsticks. The first was "Go Deeper," which is a really pretty plum color that isn't quite like anything I have in my collection. The second, "Night Walker," was my absolute favorite of the bunch. It is a deep, almost brownish plum color. It's incredibly similar to "Black Cherry" from Revlon. The last lipstick is from Face of Australia, and is called "Ruby Delight." This lipstick has an SPF of 30, which is fantastic, and it's incredibly light on the lips. Of course, as the name implies, it is a true ruby color, and is almost like a glossier version of MAC "Russian Red." All of these lipsticks have beautiful pigmentation, and feel light as air on the lips! I think of the three, however, "Go Deeper" has the best texture and pigmentation.

This Pout Paste by Australis is very unique. It's not quite a gloss but not quite a liquid lipstick. The only product I can think to compare it to would be the Maybelline Color Elixirs. However, I almost have to say I find this to be even more pigmented than the Color Elixirs! I'm not entirely sure what color Sarah sent me, but based on the website I would say it's probably "Make Me Blush," and it's a super flattering muted magenta color. The next product is the Lip Paint from Face of Australia. This is one scary product, to be honest. When I first applied, it I expected it to be super sheer, like the Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick. It's nothing like that at all. For one, if you decide to purchase this product, don't try to apply it straight out of the tube. I learned that the hard way. The best way to apply it is in small amounts, with a lip brush. It's tedious, I'll admit. However, if you're patient, and wait a minute or two between each layer, you end up with this gorgeous, glossy, cabernet type color. 

Finally, the eye products! The Tint My Brow Brow Gel is a game changer. It reminds me a lot of the Benefit Gimme Brow Brow Gel, without the fibers. For me, most days, if I'm wearing no makeup but still trying to make my brows look good, Gimme Brow is a bit much, since it does add a bit more oomph to the brows. However, the Tint My Brow deposits just enough color to fill in your brows without making them look filled in! The color I have is "Dark Brown." Finally, the IntensifEYE Shadow Trio (which it seems like they no longer sell), in "Fancy Pants." According to the packaging, these shadows can be used wet or dry, and I would definitely recommend using them wet. When used dry, they are incredibly chalky and blend away in a single swipe, however, when used wet, they are creamy and pigmented and absolutely stunning! 

Huge thanks to Sarah for sending me all these wonderful products! If you are interested in seeing what I sent over to Australia from the United States, definitely go check out her blog post. In fact, go check it out anyway, because she is so fun and absolutely hilarious!

- D.