March Clothes Haul ft Primark, Oasis and New Look

One of my new years resolutions was to stop buying anything unnecessary and focus on buying just a few key pieces to keep my wardrobe looking current. I don't know about you but I just seem to accumulate stuff! 

I've been really sticking to this and my Primark hauls are definitely a lot smaller than they used to be! However, a girl needs to shop every once in a while so here are a few of the essentials I've picked up in the last few weeks.

Here's a collection of the accessories I've been purchasing. The massive black bag is from Primark and was a steal at £12! I bought this for my holiday in May to use as hand luggage but I've got a sneaky feeling this is going to be too big!

I've been searching a gold triangle/bunting necklace for ages and managed to find 2 in Primark at just £3 each. One is in peach and one is just gold so I may return one of them in keeping with my resolution.

I haven't used the giant hair bun but these are always great on bad hair days.

I am in love with the black heels! They're from Marks and Spencer and a very easy to wear mid-heel in a classic point shape. I've worn them a few times and they've just perfect for work or casual wear; perfection!

New Look has really upped their dress game lately and I can't seem to stop buying them! These are both black tunic style dresses with a twist. The first has a gorgeous maroon coloured top section whilst the second has an unusual drop waist and I'll be wearing this one for work.

Hello leather skirt! I've already got a flippy leather effect skirt from Oasis, but I fell in love with this pencil style as soon as I saw it. Paired with this electric blue blouse and the Marks & Spencer heels, that's an instant outfit right there. 

Every girl needs a leather jacket, and whilst I still haven't found the perfect real leather jacket, this faux version will do just fine. Another Oasis find, this has a real biker feel to it with it's round neck collar and full length zip. It also has an elasticated arm which makes it really comfortable and a great fit.

Last but not least, some stripey PJ's! Another Primark find, these are so cute and they had a few different designs too.

What have you been buying this month?

MUA Make Up Academy Haul - Blusher Bronzer and Pressed Powder

As you'll have guessed by now, I love to try out affordable make up products from lines such as ELF and MUA. The MUA range just keeps getting bigger and with prices starting at £1, it would be rude not to try out more.

I picked up a relatively small haul the other week from Superdrug of 2 blushers, 1 bronzer and 1 pressed powder, all of which cost just £1! I've heard a lot of recommendations on these products and wanted to give them a shot. Here's my verdict...

Make Up Academy Bronzer Shade 3

I was really impressed with this product and it's my favourite from the haul. A matte shade with great pigmentation, this gave an easy to use and even application that worked really well on my light olive skin. For anyone who prefers to stick to a bronzer that's closer to their natural shade, I'd recommend a shade lighter for and other light olive skins out there. However, I really liked this shade and think it'll look even better once I've caught a little bit of sun as Spring arrives.

Make Up Academy Pressed Powder Shade 4 

This is a great product! The perfect shade for my skintone, it's easy to apply with no fallout and gives an even application. Result!

Make Up Academy Blush in Shade 4

In the package, this looks like a brown-red shade, but upon application it comes out much more red toned than I had imagined. More like a dark red terracotta, the product has great pigmentation and is a little uneven in application (although I'd suggest trying this out with a primer). For my skin this was much too dark but this would be great on darker skins.

Make Up Academy Blush in Shade 3

This looks so similar to Shade 4 in the packet that I had to buy both! Although it looks a little peachier in the package and in the second picture, this is actually more of a brownish red colour. Not as dark as Shade 4, it is slightly earthier and I did feel a little patchy. Although this was better on my skin tone that Shade 4, it was still a touch ark for my skin.

Overall

As you can imagine with budget brands, it really is a case of trial and error to find the producys that suit you best. However, at these prices you could buy the entire blush collection for less than the price of a drugstore lipstick and really experiment.

I really like the packaging and on the slightly more expensive products it is even better and it doesn't feel any cheaper to other drugstore brands to me.

I would however like to see them name the products as the numbers are not very memorable!

Best for: Anyone looking to experiment with their colours

Barry M Lip Gloss in 11 Coral

I think I got this on offer in Wilkinsons, the most unglamorous of locations but suprisingly good for Rimmel and Barry M!

As you've probably seen by now I love a good coral and I'm still searching for 'the one'. Let's see how this compares.

Barry M Lip Gloss in Coral available here 

The Hype
Shimmering, sparkling and solid colour lip glosses for the shade that suits you. The formula provides long-lasting wear without being sticky and they are all infused with an irresistible scent. A soft wand applicator ensures they glide on easily to the shape of your lips.

The Verdict

Shade 11 Coral is a very sheer, clear formulation. So sheer in fact that it's difficult to see where that bright pinky coral from the tube has gone once applied. Once on, it leaves you with glossy, very slightly pinky coral coloured lips but its probably best worn over a lipstick.

The tube itself looks pretty big but it's actually only a 2.5ml product, something which you can see if you look into the bottom end of the tube. The packaging feels quite basic and the doe foot applicator is practical, but a little stiff.

Daylight

Studio light

With a nice glossy finish and sweet sugary scent, I can't help but think this one is aimed at the younger end of the market.

At £4.49, it's not the cheapest product around and I do think the packaging leads you to think that there is more product than there actually is. Overall, a basic lipgloss with minimal colour payoff that's probably better for paler skins.

Chantecaille Luminous Lip Gloss in Fig - Product Review and Swatch

My Space NK gift bag is the gift that just keeps giving. I'm slowing working my way through all the fabulous products inside and think I'm going to have to start a series called "Rapid Reviews" just so I can get through them as I wouldn't want you guys missing out on a thing!

Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Fig available here

The Hype
Apparantly, "innovative shiny polymers created a fluid 3-d like glass effect for volume" and "water binding molecules hydrate and smoothe lips". It's also paraben free.

The Verdict
Here we have Chantecaille Luminous Gloss in Fig, a dark berry red shade with brown tones. Offering up to 6 hours wear, it does actually stay put really well and the gloss is thick without being sticky. Looking much darker in the tube, it comes out more of a red. With a flat doe foot applicator which makes application easy peasy, the most impressive thing about this gloss is the shine factor. Creating a 3D glassy shine, this really made me think of jam for some reason! The colour payoff isn't as rich as you'd think but adds to the glaze effect. Also, it smells divine! You know that sweet almost Christmassy/Yankee Candle smell you get with some products? It smells like that!

Daylight Swatch

Studio Swatch

A glossy gloss without the sticky mess. At £27 for the full sized tube, it's not cheap but the difference between this and drugstore brands is clear to see. There are 7 different shades in the collection and they all look gorgeous and very wearable. In particular, I'd love to try Passionfruit, Lychee and Framboise. Christmas is coming...

Balmi Moisturising Lip Balm Raspberry Flavour Review

My fab friends got me this for my birthday last year and I've just got round to opening it. Tut tut!

Balmi Moisturising Lip Balm available here 

The Hype

Everyone's been talking about Eos and whilst these are still difficult to get hold of in the UK, Balmi is available in your nearest Boots.

"Your Lips are constantly on show to the world around you and you want them look good and feel protected against the elements. Fully tested, the Balmi Lip Balm provides SPF 15 and UVA protection making Balmi the essential accessory for your lips; whether you're off to school, out on the piste or just off for a leisurely stroll protect your Lips with Balmi. GO Balmi! The Balmi Lip Balm has the perfect blend of ingredients to give your lips long lasting daily care and protection. Perfect for even sensitive skin.

Our special blend of natural goodness contains antioxidant-rich Vitamin E, soothing Shea Butter and Jojoba Oil to help leave your lips moisturised, soft and super smooth.

If you love WOW flavours on your Lips then you have come to the right brand; go Balmi and enjoy life! Balmi Lip Balm flavours have been designed to be perfect for every occasion and personality:
Available in: Strawberry,Coconut, Mint * with added tingle and Raspberry.

How to Use

Balmi's new cubed balm enables superb ease of application when you are on the move.
Saving you faffing and fiddling to dip in your finger and contaminating you Lip Balm pot or tin."

The Verdict

First off, I adore this shape. Ok, so the actual cube itself might be a little bulky, but at least you'll be able to find it in your handbag.  Secondly, that colour. Again, I'm always searching for things in my handbag and anything like this bright pink makes life a little easier. Also, it's a really soft, tactile surface which I also love.

I think the old packaging was round like the Eos, but hey it's a cube now! It also has a tiny little cord to attach it to your phone etc; cute.

As for the actual product, I don't know if you can see from the pictures but once you unscrew the lid, the actual lip balm is in a pointed, pyramid shape. As weird as it looks it is actually really easy to use without the need for messy fingers.

As soon as you open it up you can smell the raspberry too, which is so strong but lovely.

A clear, shiny product, the amount of moisture this delivers is incredible. As soon as it slides on you feel the hydration and it literally feels like air. 

With vitamin E, shea butter and jojoba oil as well as SPF 15, this is a nourishing product too and a great handbag staple at just £5.

Now onto the hard part, which flavour to get next?

Beauty UK Posh Polish no 3 Sunstone - Gemstone Collection

Beauty UK is a brand that I've seen around a few places and I bought this polish from Superdrug.

Beauty UK Posh Polish in Sandstone available here 

I think it was on 3 for 2 and you'll see that I went for 3 colours from this collection that I'll be sharing with you soon.

A pink metallic shade, I went for 2 coats to achieve this finish but could really have done with 3 for a more opaque effect. It dried out really fast like most metallic polishes and I didn't use a topcoat. Next time though I will be using a topcoat as this chipped by day 2! For £3.49, just a touch cheaper than a Barry M polish, I think I'd still expect it to last a bit longer.

The colour is really pretty though, a light pink silver metallic and I do think it's very wearable and versatile for any outfit.

Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturel Lipstick 06 Rose Tendre - Product Review

This is the first Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturel Lipstick I've purchased and I went for the most natural shade in the hope that I'd find a great everyday lipstick to add some glam to my everyday look.

It wasn't until I got it home that I realised that it's 100% natural origin, although I'm not 100% sure what that means. No chemicals I guess? Anyway, onto the lipstick!

Bourjois Sweet Kiss Naturel Lipstick in Rose Tendre

The Hype

100% NATURAL FORMULA
100% RADIANT SHADES
All the benefits of Nature in one lipstick!

Its formula of 100% natural origin brings radiance and care to lips.

Enriched with magnolia oil and shea butter, its melting formula intensely nourishes lips, leaving them supple and providing them with 8 hours of moisture.

The intense and radiant shades illuminate your lips thanks to the 100% natural pigments selected for their purity and benefits: antioxidant green tea and soothing rose.

8 shades ranging from the most natural to the most sophisticated and from softer to more sensuous hues, for naturally beautiful lips!

The Verdict

The first thing I noticed about this lipstick was how easy it glides on. Rather than dragging or puckering, this literally slides over the lip. The colour on one coat is quite sheer but it builds up really well to give a much more solid finish.

The bullet is a nice shape and the packagine is pretty luxurious for a high street brand. The push up button however has been a little temperamental though before and can get stuck. The square case makes it stand out from other lipsticks though and I like the aluminium bullet. 

The formulation is creamy, rich and buildable and it wears well, drying out to leave a light stain. It's a semi matte finish.

The colour is a natural beige pink, mainly a beige really on me with a slight pink tone or coral tone in artificial light, but it looks really natural and great for everyday wear. 

Overall, a little more expensive than some high street lipsticks but better quality and staying power from this Bourjois lipstick.

Daylight

Studio Light