What I'm Adding to my Summer Wardrobe This Year

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What I'll Be Wearing This Summer

After yesterday's post on my current ASOS wishlist I thought I'd update you on what else I've been adding to my wardrobe this season. Instead of buying everything in sight, I've been shopping around at my favourite high street stores, trying to be more mindful with my spending and only purchasing the things I really, really love and can see lasting into next year. I've ended up with a small but perfectly formed Summer capsule edit that should see me through the warmer weather!

Autumn Style Picks

My favourite season is upon us and I couldn't wait to get stuck into curating this year's Autumn wardrobe! Most of my new additions this month have come from the highstreet, with Zara, Topshop and Whistles all seriously upping their cold-weather wear to the point where it was a struggle not to walk away with the entire store - although I did make it out of Zara with not one but two Winter coats!

What I Picked Up From The US

So this one has been a long time coming! Back in July (has it really been that long!?) I spent a week in California and took full advantage of the U.S. beauty shopping situation. From practically living in Sephora to the brands that we just can't get on this side of the pond I certainly did my bit for the economy! Considering I bought an almost obscene amount I thought I'd wait a while to show you what I picked up so I had a proper chance to test everything out and give you my thoughts, little did I know that we'd end up with a twenty-six minute beauty haul though.. oops!

Make Up Haul & First Impressions

I think we all know the drill by now - I got spendy in the make up aisles and have a pile of goodies to show for it! Instead of a usual chatty haul however, I decided to try out the products I picked up and give you my first impressions of them as we go! Basically, the title of this video should have been 'watch me play with make up' and I have to say, I was pretty impressed with how well everything lived up to my expectations..

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I Went to Sephora and Only Bought One Thing

This weekend I found myself in the the beauty lover's heaven that is Sephora, and on the Champs-Élysées in Paris no less - cue angels singing. I've always been incredibly jealous of those lucky enough to have a store in your own backyard - all the best brands in one black and white stripy space, and lets not forget the adorable minis on offer. Believe it or not though despite spending over an hour in there (much to Darren's disapproval) I only picked up one thing for myself!

Boots Beaty Haul & First Impressions

It's pretty much a guarantee that I'll be making a big splurge in Boots around this time of year. The Sun comes out, blossoms are on the trees and drugstore brands start dropping their Spring releases which never fail to catch my eye. Cue a haul! This one comes with a bit of twist as I throw just about everything I bought straight onto my face and share my first impressions with you, including a new foundation love, a mascara that I was less than impressed with and a few interesting dupes for some higher end favourites!

High End Beauty Haul & Review

Like most hauls, this one started off with a single innocent purchase that spiralled into a full fledged raid of Space NK - once again confirming the fact that I should not be allowed into that store unsupervised. The newest drop from NARS in the form of their All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (which F.Y.I I'm loving at the moment) may have been the only thing I planned on purchasing last month, but like a moth to a flame I was drawn in by the likes of By Terry, Laura Mercier and Hourglass as well. Oh how easily I can be swayed by shiny gold packaging...

Topshop, Asos & Missguided Haul

Over the last few weeks I've been giving my wardrobe a bit of an overhaul and after accumulating quite a few new items - from basics to one rather large investment piece, a haul was definitely in order! February is always an awkward month for style. The weather is still bitterly cold making layers and thick knits a necessity but with Spring just around the corner it's hard not to find yourself yearning for bright colours, sheer materials and lighter coats. Today's haul is the best of both with Winter staples contributing to the bulk of my picks but a few warm weather appropriate pieces making an appearance too!

New In: Three from the Drugstore

Another day, another Boots haul! Checking the 'New In' section of beauty sites is a bit of a weekly ritual for me and when I spied an interesting looking green edition of my all time favourite mascara, I let out what was definitely a small squeal and mentally booked in a trip to the L'Oreal stand.

The Miss Manga Punky Mascara boasts the same amazing formula but with a new plastic wand and some seriously fluorescent packaging. It actually physically pains me to say I was disappointed with this. The bristles are short and spiky as opposed to the long fibres of the original and left my lashes looking clumpy, uneven and actually wonky in places instead of the thick, full and separated look I've come to expect from Miss Manga. I've tried to love it, but really can't. Stick to the original ladies!

I was also running low on another drugstore favourite - the Archery Pencil from Soap & Glory and (partly swayed by Suzie and this video) I decided to go for the lighter of the two colours, Blondshell. When swatched on my hand this is definitely too blonde for me and a lot warmer than my usual shade, but surprisingly fills in my brows really naturally. I find I can be much more heavy handed with this than the darker Hot Chocolate, which I've now been reserving for shaping the arch of my brows and filling in any super sparse areas.

Of course, it's always hard to escape a good deal in Boots and I ended up picking up a second product from Soap & Glory in the form of their Solar Powder. I really don't need another bronzer in my life, but I'm determined to find the perfect drugstore formula. On first use this actually reminded me the Clarins Bronzing Duo - a firm favourite in the bronzer rankings, and I have to say I'm impressed. This has none of the chalkiness I've come to expect of budget bronzers and is well pigmented with the perfect not too orange, not too muddy shade.

Two loves, one unexpected leave from the latest trip around the aisles. Have you tried any of these three? P.S - If you're into drugstore products, tomorrows video will be very much up your street!

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Autumn Beauty Haul

The last month has been a good one for beauty buys - from a trip to the Burberry store in Covent Garden to browsing the aisles of boots (can't beat a 3 for 2!) and today I'm showing you what's made it into my shopping basket. I've gone a little mad on the lip pencil front, found a concealer that might just replace my beloved Origins Plantscription and stocked up on bath goodies for some cosy Autumn soaks!

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New In: Three From Space NK

If there's anything my rather eye watering bank statements have taught me, it's not to go shopping during any sort of emotional crisis and more importantly to avoid Space NK during such a time at all costs. However, after a particularly frustrating day last week I was drawn like a moth to a flame into the warm embrace of beauty junkie heaven and decided to treat myself to a few bits that had been on my mind for a while. Cosmetics are my therapy.

A browse of the NARS counter was first priority and despite the recent launch of their new Audacious Lipsticks I found myself taken by the sheer peachy tones of Barbarella, a lipstick that's truly been around forever and one I'm sure all firm NARS lovers have owned at least once. One of the main reasons I'm often seen sporting a bold lip is the never ending search to find the right 'your lips but better' colour. Favourites may come and go but I've never settled on one perfect combination of shade, formula and texture that I'm happy to wear on an everyday basis, however that may all be about to change as Barbarella is possibly the most flattering nude I've found yet.

I've been struggling with a mild case of dehydrated skin since the colder weather hit (although reaching for a bottle of water instead of that second coffee in the afternoon would probably do the trick) and needed a new morning cleanser after running out of my favourite from Radical Skincare. As hydrating as it is I wanted something with a richer texture and picked up the Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel as it's replacement. Misleading name aside this is actually more of an oily balm with a host of skin loving vitamins, fruit enzymes and cooling agents to hydrate, sooth and perk up tired skin. After only a weeks use it's become a stand out favourite in my skincare routine - so much so I've even been using it in the evenings too. Who'd have though I'd become a one cleanser kind of girl?

Deciding to cover all bases I also headed over to the look at the Oribe goodies (is there a more beautiful packaged hair care brand out there?) where the Après Beach Spray caught my eye after learning that it can be used on both wet and dry hair. Is it a salt spray, a texturiser? I'm still not sure, but this really is the answer to volume after a blow dry without having to use a thick, sticky mousse. It's weightless and invisible but adds so much workability and texture there's really no need to use any other products after a few sprays through the lengths and roots. I fear my little can won't be lasting too long..

Have you been naughty in Space NK recently?

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Topshop, H&M; + Missguided Haul

It's been a while since a fashion haul graced these parts, if I remember rightly there were definitely flowery dresses and shorts involved so I'm talking over a year ago.. Autumn really has hit this month, not only with the weather change that's had me dusting off the central heating controls for the first time since last October but the Autumn themed fashion in the shops right now that I just can't get enough of. Stripes and chunky knits seem to be a theme throughout but I've been adding a few pops of colour here and there with some item's from Missguided and H&M - who at the moment can do no wrong in my eyes. Plus, for those who manage to stick around until the end, I've got one big boyfriend jeans related dilemma that I'm calling on you for help with!