Friday 24 May 2013

Spring Beauty Haul!

It's that time of the year again where all of our make up bags get a little summer update, well at last mine does! I have hit boots this week to do exactly that - buy a few spring/summer essentials to brighten up my collection, starting with my make up bag!


I was firstly after a new make up bag to travel with, and specifically after something über pretty! After searching pretty much every shop in Manchester I came across this beauty. I actually looked in Ted Baker before but all the current season make up bags were so expensive! So I was glad to find this last season bag in Boots for a bargain £8.00! 



Next on my list was a new foundation. During the summer months I like to fake tan (blog post coming shortly), however this means I can't use my usual fair foundation I have been using over the winter. I have been looking for the best foundation for my skin, which is oily for a while now and tried so many different brands. It was actually a mistake coming across Estée Lauder, I had a email come through for a 10 day sample and with no intention of purchasing I went and got my freebie! Well, I fell head over heels with this foundation! It is so good for my oily skin, it stays put all day and a fabulous colour for my tanned skin (rose ivory) as its not too tanned therefore I can get away with it even when I am due a top up. 
By the way, I also found out that Estée Lauder always give out free samples so if like me you want to give it ago just go along to a counter (usually found in Boots, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Debenhams). The consultant will just match your skin to the best matched colour and your away... A small bottle of happiness. 



So, I have been wanting to try some of these new Loreal Glossy Stains since they were announced. When I saw the advert with the beautiful Cheryl Cole I knew I had to have one! I initially picked up the coral colour Princess which Cheryl is wearing in the advert but then I couldn't resist Lolita 101. 
Since having them I wear em constantly, they are a great product for me as I don't particularly like matte lipsticks, however I absolutely hate glosses. These beauties are a mix of the two, they look like a gloss therefore very sheer however they dry like a lipstick so stay on for ages, especially if you layer it up! 
The only issue I have with these is the watery consistency which means you have to wait for the first layer to dry before applying a second. 


After receiving a multitude of No7 vouchers over the last few weeks I thought I may as well buy something small and I could get a nail polish for just £3.00. I settled on the colour Me Me Me which is a lovely vibrant pink, perfect for summer! The nail polish itself is good, stays on for a few days, more if I'm not working. I'm not sure if I would ever buy this full price though as there are better polishes on the market for cheaper! 




Now, this was a utter bargain buy. I was in my local Boots which has a clearance stand and although this particular store does not stock Smashbox, this beauty was on the stand for just £5.00! Now, I know for a cream eyeshadow that doesn't seem a great price, but these are usually sold at £15.00 and this one just had a few marks on the box. 
I really like this product as well as the price, this colour is in Stone and looks great on its own with a slick of mascara or under eyeshadow for a stronger look! 


I brought this on a bit of a whim. I have been after Mac Omega for a long time to use through my brows but kept putting it off because it is quite expensive, however after a cocktail or two I didn't really care. 
The product itself has lived up to my expectations, it's the perfect colour for blondes and stays put all day giving a natural finish. I also occasionally use this as a crease colour if I don't fancy my stronger Wedge colour. 
Moral of the story: don't go to Mac when drunk, you will buy something. 


Finally, I indulged in some skincare. It is no secret that I love the La Roche Posay range as I am a mega fan of the Effaclar Duo. However, after coming out in a few huge spots this week a friend suggested I try the Effaclar A.I which is a targeted spot cream. After a few hours of applying it, my spots were less red and inflamed and two days later completely gone, without a scar in sight #win. 




I hope you enjoyed my beauty haul as I have never done one before. Also, I have wrote this blog on my new IPad mini so sorry if the picture quality isn't up to scratch... I may be back to my usual camera just  wanted to try out this app!