Swap Haul (Too Faced, MAC, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, and More!)

Happy weekend! Over the past couple of months I've participated in a few makeup swaps and in the process have accrued a hefty lot of beauty goodies! Thought I'd give them all a proper feature here before I started to incorporate them into my routine.

I've done quite a few makeup swaps via MakeupAlley, which I found has been a great, affordable way to try new products and purge my stash of items that just weren't working for me. Some of the products are new, others used. I've come to learn what my threshold is for acquiring used products (e.g., no used mascara, ever!) and how to sanitize products like lipsticks and brushes so that they're good as new. I know some people would take issue with swapping for used makeup, but I've had no real problems! And again, everyone has their own rules and limits.

So back to my haul! Here is a view of everything I received in the swaps. It's a mix of the main swap items I selected and some generous and exciting extras that the swappers included. Such a fun mix of brands and products!

     
Here are some closer-up views of the goodies:

(Left to right, top to bottom): The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Blotting Tissues, Wet N' Wild Mega-Last Lipstick in Don't Blink Pink, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Grandma, Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow, NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose, Avon Glimmersticks Waterproof Eyeliner in Copper

(Left to right, Top to bottom): MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together, Darling Girl Mineral Eye Shadow in Jack's Lantern, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Concealer in Y1, Pixi Fairy Light Solo Eye Shadow in Nude Nouveaux, Urban Decay Primer Potion mini in Original, Ulta Eye Shadow in Mystique, MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red, Wet N' Wild Idol Eyes Creme Eye Shadow Pencil in Pixie

(Left to right, Top to bottom): Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara mini in Black, Fresh Supernova Mascara mini in Black, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy fragrance sample, Darling Girl Mineral Eye Shadow in Jack's Lantern, MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together, Pixi Fairy Light Solo Eye Shadow in Nude Nouveaux, OCC Concealer in Y1

(Left to right, Top to bottom): Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss in Maggie May, Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara mini in Black, Real Techniques Shader Brush, Fresh Supernova Mascara mini in Black, The Body Shop Nature's Minerals Blotting Tissues, Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow, MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together

Here are all of the products that I actually swapped for (not including extras)- those that had been on my wishlist or just struck my fancy!

OCC Lip Tar in Grandma, Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow, MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together, MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red, Urban Decay Primer Potion Mini Original, OCC Concealer in Y1, NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in Mexican Rose, Real Techniques Shader Brush

Here are closeups of each of the main products I swapped for and brief descriptions of each:

OCC Lip Tar in Grandma

MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red

NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Grandma is a gorgeous vibrant coral shade that I expect to be wearing quite often this summer. Like all Lip Tars, the formula is incredibly pigmented and super long-wearing. And the shade name really appeals to me- has a fun, retro feel!

MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red is one of the most famous shades of MAC lipstick ever. A classic matte, rich, slightly blue-toned red. An instant bombshell shade that I can't wait to wear!

NARS Velvet Gloss Pencil in Mexican Rose is a lovely glossy cherry popsicle shade with subtle shimmer. It was released as part of NARS' Spring 2012 collection and has since been made permanent. Also expecting this to be in heavy rotation during the summertime!

OCC Concealer in Y1

Urban Decay Primer Potion Mini in Original formula

MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Concealer in Y1 is a heavily pigmented concealer in the brand's second lightest yellow-toned shade, which I think will be perfect for my skin tone. The packaging is beaten up, but there is a ton of product remaining. Have been really curious about this one and can't wait to give it a go!

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original has been my holy grail eye shadow primer for years; so much so that I'm not even tempted to try another. Mini sizes are always super handy to have in my gym bag or at the boyfriend's house.

MAC Mineralize Blush Duo in Happy Together is a gorgeous pair of mineral blush shades. One is a warm peachy bronze, the other is an ultra-shimmery champagne. This wasn't on my wishlist, but I fell for it nonetheless. This will be my new go-to when I want a shimmery bronzer this summer.

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow

Real Techniques Shader Brush

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in Vanilla Glow is a BB Cream that had been on my wishlist for some time. I'm generally skeptical of North American "BB Creams", but I'd heard such great things about this one. I tried it once and the formula truly was beautiful. But the shade was decidedly dark. Hoping to buy a tube of the lighter shade, Snow Glow, and mix the two together!

Real Techniques Shader Brush is another new addition to my Real Techniques family. Sam, the brand's creator, says this brush is ideal for either detail work in the crease or for packing pigmented colour onto the lids. Like all brushes from the line, the bristles are hand-cut and super soft. Excited to have this in my collection; I have nothing else like it!


And here are all of the amazing extras that were included in the swaps:

(Top to bottom, Left to right): Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara mini in Black, Wet N' Wild Mega-Last Lipstick in Don't Blink Pink, Fresh Supernova Mascara in Black, Avon Glimmersticks Waterproof Eyeliner in Copper, Pixi Fairy Light Solo Eye Shadow in Nude Nouveaux, Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Perfume Sample, Ulta Eye Shadow in Mystique, The Body Shop  Nature's Minerals Blotting Tissues, Wet N' Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow Pencil in Pixie, Anastasia Hydrafull Gloss in Maggie May, Darling Girl Mineral Eye Shadow in Jack's Lantern

I won't provide details of each of the extras I received (this post has gotten quite long already!), but please let me know if you'd like details about any of them! But quickly, I can say that I've been using and loving the Fresh Supernova Mascara and can't wait to rock the uber-bright pink Wet N' Wild Don't Blink Pink Lipstick.

So that's it! Overall, I'm super happy with all of the diverse, colourful, handy products that I received in these swaps. Now that I've photographed and featured them here, I'll be delving into these products full-force!

Any of the items here favourites of yours? Any piquing your interest? Have you ever done a makeup swap?

Thanks for reading! :)