Crystal Cattle FarmHer Beauty Swap

Are you a make-up junkie? Have a draw full of beauty products? Love getting product suggestions from friends? Well you are in the right place. On Friday, November 25 I am going to making my debut on the FarmHer TV series on RFD-TV. Not only will you get to see our cows, but I share a few of my favorite beauty products as well. If you want to watch be sure to tune in at 8:30 PM CST to RFD-TV. To celebrate the show Marji, the creator of the FarmHer movement and I are co-hosting one of my Crystal Cattle Beauty Swaps.

So how does a Beauty Swap work? Once you have signed up (link) we’ll pair you with another beauty loving blogger (or someone that enjoys Twitter or Instagram). You’ll have a little bit of time to get to know your new social media friend, and then you’ll send each other a gift of beauty products. Sign up for the Beauty Swap will take place Nov. 24-Dec. 2 and is limited to the first 80 people.

By Dec. 4 you’ll receive the name of your partner. Get to know your partner and then be sure to get your package in the mail by December 12. It is really important to follow these deadlines as we have had a few Beauty Swappers send their packages off and get nothing in return :(

Once you have received your box start testing out your new beauty product. We'll host a link up on December 28. Feel free to link up and read all about everyone else's find. Here are link ups from Beauty Swap I, Beauty Swap II, Beauty Swap III, Beauty Swap IV! You don't have to have a blog to participate, but we do ask that you have a social media way to communicate and join in on the fun. Use the hashtag #ccbeautyswap on Twitter or Instagram. Below is a list of a few rules and guidelines. We ask that you try and stick to the rules as closely as possible.

1. Follow the Crystal Cattle and Farmher blogs and Facebook pages.

2. Email your partner within 72 hours of receiving your match. If you haven’t heard from your match after three days are up, let Crystal know and we’ll try and pair you with someone else.

3. Be sure to ask your partner questions about their likes and disklikes, skin tone, preferred colors, etc. or maybe they want to be surprised!

4. Each box should contain a min. of $20 worth of product. Please include one full size item. You may also include samples of products with your one full size item.

5. Items must be new, unless you’ve discussed this with your partner. (Perhaps she loves purple nail polish and you have bottle you know you won’t use anymore.)

6. Packages must be shipped by December 12. If possible it is a good idea to get a tracking number incase something gets lost.

7. Once you receive your package create a post revealing what you received and link up with us on December 28. If you don't have a blog, sign up for the FarmHer Online Community and get your own profile, including a mini blog that filters into the main FarmHer page. 

8. If you do not follow the rules you may forfeit you right to participate in future Beauty Swaps. Crystal Cattle has the right to refuse participation for any reason.

9. Only open to U.S. and Canadian residents. 

Sign up here. 

5 Beauty Products That Should Be on Your Christmas Wish List

If your family is like mine they are already hounding you for a Christmas Wish List. At least I know I made the nice list! I feel like we just got done with harvest and now we are trying to catch up on cattle stuff. Cattle stuff on the farm means fencing, hauling hay and straw, and if you follow me on Snap Chat (crystalcattle) you have been a lot of cow beauty parlor snaps and videos. Yes, we wash our cows. Be there is nothing wrong with being fabulous on the farm or the city for that matter. So add these five beauty items to your wish list and thank me later.

Klorane Dry Shampoo: This is still my favorite dry shampoo. After spending a morning in the barn with your hair under a hat or a toque (that is what Canadians call a stocking hat) your hair can be kind of a sweaty mess. This stuff brings your hair back to life and give it is great volume. I’ll even use this some on clean hair to get a little extra volume.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara: I usually don't get too excited about mascara. They never seem to deliver on all their promises. However, this mascara I got as a sample from Sephora and I LOVE it. In a couple swipes I can get super black eyelashes with volume. If you really work a few coats in your lashes are like BAM! You know for those fancy nights out on the town or when I really want to impress the heifers.

Kat Von D Ink Liner: I have not mastered the winged eyeliner look, but I still love this liquid eyeliner for that good ole follow the shape of you eyelid eyeliner look. It is super black, easy to apply and stays put.

Burberry Lip Velvet Lipstick: I was lucky enough to go to a conference in New York City in October and that meant I had to stop at the Sephora on Times Square. It was HUGE and amazing. I love this Burberry Lipstick that I picked up there. The saying power is incredible, but it also one of the creamiest lipsticks I have. The color I am wearing is Deep Burgundy, the darkest color they make, but I want to try some lighter shades.

The Beauty Blender: I have been using the Beauty Blender for about a year now and it is awesome. I’ve used it successfully with two different foundation formulas NARS Sheer Glow Foundation (very liquidy) and NARS Velvet Matt Skin Tint Broad Spectrum (still a liquid but creamier). I also like to dip it into my setting powder and using it for cream blushes. The key is to get is really wet and then squeeze the excess water out. You can buy the Beauty Blender bar soap to clean it, but honestly that bar soap you get in hotels works awesome. So "real" beauty blogger is probably rolling over in her grave. 

p.s. For those that have been waiting for a Beauty Swap. Stay tuned. I'll have all the details later this week to celebrate me making a TV debut on the FarmHer television show on RFD-TV. Yes you can see all of our cows and get more beauty tips on the show airing at 8:30 PM CST.