Primark Haul April 2016

I ventured into Primark with the sole intention of buying some cheapy flip flops for garden errands... I came out with a little bit more (whoops). However I'm pleased as punch with what I did pick up, especially so from the beauty section.

First up, the obligatory Primark nails. I've seen these on every YouTuber's Primark Haul recently. I usually use Elegant Touch which cost me around £6 so these are a bargainous alternative at only a £1 per pack.

Feeling the summer vibes, with the glorious sunshine we've had this weekend, I picked up a plain matte white stiletto set and a white set with gold stripes. I also spied the mauve stiletto nails that jumped into my basket.

Not the most glamorous item but I picked up these little floss harps. 80p for 32, you can't really go wrong.

I'm rather excited about the facial cleansing pad. I usually use my hands with my face wash but this may help achieve a deeper clean.

Onto accessories and I'm so glad Primark has finally jumped on the rose gold trend - it seems like it's taken ages! I found this multipack of midi rings that will be a perfect addition for Spring/Summer outfits.

Along with that, these hair charms will be perfect for festival season. I'm not a massive jewellery wearer but these will add a touch of boho glamour to the double dutch braids I've been obsessed with recently!

I only picked up a couple of clothing items. I was a bit disappointed because it seemed half the store was slogan tee's and that's just not my thing.

I did pick up some basics; a long sleeve black scoop neck top and black leggings. Both are great for casual workwear.

I feel like midi has been in for so long I'd disregarded anything above knee length as an option, but this A line black denim mini is so flattering. I almost had a heart attack when I got home and realised I'd picked up an 8 rather than a 10 (Primark, sort your hangers out grrrr...) but luckily it did actually fit and I love it.

Perhaps my favourite purchase was this chiffon midi skirt in a dusty pink colour. I don't usually wear this colour but I felt like a bit of a princess in it so I couldn't resist. I think I could also style this with a structured crop for Goodwood ladies day.

I seem to never buy flip flops or 'poolside' shoes. I always opt for the million buckle gladiator sandal that I always regret on holiday. 

Determined to avoid the ten minute struggle this year, I've got in early and purchased some sliders. This pair are plain black with a matte croc skin effect band on top.

And last but not least, the flip flops I actually went for. Classic black. 90p. 'Nough said.

March Favourites

April's arrival is synonymous with the start of spring and the coming of summer, which seems to be reflected in the weather! For the most part, March has been a bit of a damp squib but I have a few favourites that have brightened up my month...

Garnier's Micellar water range can do no in my eyes, so I was super excited to see a 'Pure Active' version. True to form, it didn't disappoint and I've been reaching for this everyday!

I discovered Model Co More Brows courtesy of the March Birchbox - this fibrous brow gel is perfect plumper for sparse browed ladies like myself.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's makeup range is plastered across every social media platform and yet my local M&S seems to have missed the memo. I did however end up take her fragrance home instead. I couldn't believe how amazing it was!

Missguided have been rocking my world recently. I've been lusting over their Pamela Anderson range and swimwear. I just need to win the lottery now to buy it all!!

Scrolling through swimwear has also jolted the health kick. I swear I've become obsessed with mixing smoothie concoctions that actually taste reasonable. Keep your eyes peeled for recipes coming soon... 

L'Oreal Extraordinary Dry Shampoo

L'Oreal Extraordinary Clay Dry Shampoo

|| £3.99 ||

The latest offering from L'Oreal is the Extraordinary Clay range. Alongside this dry shampoo there are two varieties of shampoo (normal & anti-dandruff) and a conditioner.

Batiste has set the bar high when it comes to the world of dry shampoo. Others struggle to come close and often fall far from the net. How does L'Oreal's Extraordinary Clay compare?

Packaging wise, this is very aesthetically pleasing. The turquoise makes it feel clean. It's a rather small bottle, especially so for the price, which shocks me as L'Oreal are usually very cost effective. 

The spray is strong and disperses the product evenly. The smell is lovely, very 'just washed' and I was surprised there was no white, powdery residue as seems to be trademark for dry shampoo's.

The promise of instant purity and freshness  was somewhat lacking. I don't think it took away any greasiness or oil. However, it did give me amazing texture. 

Concentrating it on the lengths gives you a very grungy, textured bed head feel. This would also give a great hold as a base for backcombing. 

All in all, as a dry shampoo I wouldn't repurchase but as a texturiser spray, I definitely would.

Everyday Essentials

As someone who's ever in pursuit of product perfection, I'm forever jumping on the latest beauty bandwagon. I confess, most of the profucts I buy are relegated to the "just in case I need it" box under the bed, never to see the light of day again. Some products make it to the "empties" stage, but are never to be repurchased again.

It takes alot for me to go back to a product but when I'm impressed I'm forever loyal forsaking all others!

Revlon Makeup 

Colorstay has literally been with me since I started wearing makeup. It's the only foundation that has the longevity and coverage I need for my oily, acne prone skin. Wearing this gives me a confidence no other foundations give. For me, this beats all other foundations hands down, be it drugstore or high end.

Revlon as a whole is my favourite make up brand. I think other brands compromise on quality in order to keep up with trends whereas I've never found that from them! For example, their liquid matte lips offering. Pure perfection. I'm literally addicted - HD Seduction is the everyday nude.

Fragrance

Celebrity fragrances are not typically my thing. Although they are a lot more budget friendly, I feel like you never get the same quality. That is, until I stumbled across this perfect pair. 

Intimately Beckham is a lovely sweet but clean perfume. Rosie for Autograph is a slightly muskier, sultry scent. Two completely different smells with so much in common.

They're both wear really well - you can still smell them on yourself hours later. I always find people ask what I'm wearing when I wear these. Great everyday perfumes that are easy on the purse strings.

For a slightly more luxurious scent I love Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb as well as any of the Agent Provocateur range.

Skin 

Garnier's Micellar water is a firm favourite of mine. I adore it. They have several variations which are all on par with one another. 

Mainly I use it for make up removal but it's also great for a skin refresher on no make up days! 

Deodorant 

Probably a bit of a strange one for a blog post but no one wants to be a BO Joe, right?!

This roll on deodorant from Mitchum takes away ever body paranoia you could ever have. It smells clean, keeps you dry and lasts ALL day, what more could you want?

Rosie for Autograph Eau De Parfum

You know those products where you're so in love with them that you want to scream their praises from the rooftop? This is one of them...

Not only has it got rose gold hardware, it is the most gorgeous scent. Very musky but floral, something a bit more mature and sultry. I like that you only have to spritz a couple of times. The scent is very strong and long lasting - a great everyday perfume that's also appropriate for evening! 

30ml costs just £14. Go. Buy it now! 

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Colour

Ultra HD Matte Lipcolour in HD Seduction

Matte lip colours are gracing the face of nearly everyone at the moment. This is Revlon's matte lip offering and my gosh,  is it a smasher! 

Typically of Revlon, the packaging has a very high end feel. I'm particularly fond of the applicator - a tapered doe foot wand that is angled to fit the natural curve of the lip. 

The product itself smells amazing! It reminds me of Calpol - is it just me or was that the best tastjng medicine ever?!

Liquid lipsticks are notoriously drying but not this one. It gives a matte finish on the lips but it doesn't fully dry meaning it feels moisturising as opposed to drying. 

This colour is perfect for Spring but if nudes aren't your thing there's several other beautifully pigmented colours to suit every skin tone.

My brow routine

Brows are a massive thing for me - they're the one thing I cant leave the house without!

I do my brows before any of my other makeup. I feel like you get a more natural result by applying straight on to the skin.

Starting with a spoolie I give everything a good brush. Then using an angled brush I apply Anastasia Beverley Hills Dipbrow (Ash Brown). I start on the bottom, drawing a light line from tail to tip. On the top of the brow I draw a line 3/4 of the way in from the tail.

Fill in between the lines with a little more intensity than you want from the finished brow. When you get to the front quarter, using just what's on the brush, flick up from the baseline so the colour isn't so bold.

 Brush through with a spoolie. This will remove any extra colour and take away any harsh lines. Clean up with a liquid concealer. Brush the Model Co More Brows through to create a fuller texture.