August shopping haul

I fancied a little shop to treat myself as I have been really good lately and there were a few things I needed.

My last post was My Beauty Shopping List which you can read here

There were a few things I wanted to try from the beauty vlogs I've been watching on YouTube and as I was running low on moisturiser, blotting powder etc I took the first option to go and try some new products! 

I visited Home Bargains, Boots and Superdrug for my beauty and make-up purchases.  If I was shopping for high end beauty I would be picking them up from John Lewis.  They have a great beauty department in the Liverpool store and now sell Mac and Urban Decay products online.  Debenhams and Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar are also popular destinations for make-up and skincare in the city.  I like the set up in Debenhams and they sell Bare Minerals.  The HN Beauty Bazaar is a little cramped but they have Nars and Mac counters.  In the Met Quarter, another shopping centre in Liverpool, they have a Mac and an Illamasqua. 

I enjoyed my day shopping, I don't do it often so I pottered round and picked up a few things I fancied including clothes and accessories which I will cover first.

Forever 21

The age 21 is a mere memory now.  When I visited Forever 21 in NYC in 2010 I thought it was great and I was so excited when I heard it was to open a huge store in Liverpool in 2013.  I think I remember the NYC store more fondly due to it being such a fantastic trip.  I did pick up a leatherette mini skirt with a lace trim there which I bring out each winter, which I love.  I haven't found anything similar in the Liverpool branch.  I don't think it's my style.  It's a cross between Primark quality and prices with a Topshop style customer if that makes sense.  I don't usually go in as I've converted to quality over quantity now but every now and again I'll take a stroll through.  This particular day I spotted these cute little pouches to pop in my bag which I can keep things in that I want to find quickly and keep clean like my iPhone headphones, work swipe card, hair ties and clips.  I liked the pink and black equally and for only £3.50 each I bought both.  I might keep both or give one as a gift.  They make great stocking fillers for friends too.  They're cute aren't they? (Sorry for the early Christmas reference.  I don't shop early but if I spot something like that then I do pick them up.  Usually I start doing that Sept/October time. I walked into Card Factory this week and did a double take at the Christmas card display - it's August!  Clearly when August finishes and back to school is over the Christmas countdown begins).

Marks and Spencer

I know I will always find something I like in M&S.  The quality is great, most clothing items I've bought from there are machine washable and some are pretty stylish.  Obviously M&S are a go to for the basics.  I needed a pair of black skinny jeans for the autumn winter season.  I love my dark blue M&S skinnies and I have worn my lighter wash, ripped denim from their Limited Collection this summer quite a bit too.  These jeans fit well and claim to retain their dark colour.  From working in fashion retail for so long I know all too well not to use fabric softener when washing denim, not to tumble dry or hang over a radiator.  M&S denim CAN be tumble dried!  I love the smell of my clothes freshly washed and warm from the dryer.  I personally don't like the smell after drying on the line even though it costs nothing. 

I picked up a cream silky camisole from M&S too.  I need one to wear underneath my gold sequinned jacket and also for under my kimonos.  I know I'll use it this a lot.  If they have a black one I will probably nip back and get that one too.  If the sun doesn't return a black version will be of even more use especially with the black denim I've bought.

 

 

 

 

John Lewis

I've been waiting for these cat's eyes sunglasses to get reduced in the summer sale but I've waited over 2 months and finally bought them at full price.  They are from John Lewis and are their own brand.  They have a tortoiseshell frame with black arms so will go with a lot.  They are pretty big but they make my face seem smaller and slimmer, I hope.  I know the sun will now disappear because I've bought them but I will need them on my next holiday and on the odd autumn sunny day. 

I haven't got a holiday booked but I know when I do I'll want a beautiful beach cover-up like this Seafolly neon kaftan.  I love the blue tassel trim.  It was reduced slightly but it's a pretty good price for something I'll hopefully use each holiday for years to come.  I think I will get my money's worth.  It is longer in length at the back so I could walk too and from the beach comfortably.  I think I'll be in France next May on a girls break so I'll be taking this with me.

 

 

 

 

Now for the beauty purchases..

Boots

On an Essie Button recommendation, I wanted to try the Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot super-translucent mattifying powder.  The #essiebuttoneffect strikes again!  I like a pressed powder for on the go, especially one that includes a compact mirror.  I've used this each day since and have not had to reapply once.  Just what I was looking for, perfect.

My eyebrows have a mind of their own and are definitely not even.  I've never bothered with them before but I am trying to grow the front bits to similar size and length and then will get them shaped.  I just brush them and try and even them out with a pencil now but they still don't look right.  I picked up a clear brow gel to try and tame them somewhat.

I had ran out of a base coat for my nail varnish so I stuck to my trusty favourite, Barry M.  I use this for both base and top coats.  It's a tried and tested, fool proof product.

 

Superdrug

I went to Manchester to visit a friend a couple of weekends ago and after lunch we headed to the shops.  I had been keen to find a Superdrug that stocked the Tanya Burr range of lipglosses and the one in the Arndale centre did have a few left.  I chose the Picnic in the Park shade as I had heard a few bloggers talking about it.  I wore it this Saturday night when I went for drinks with friends and loved it especially when the comments rolled in.  It's not sticky and as the gloss fades the colour stays. 

 

Home Bargains

My usual moisturiser is a heavy one.  It smells gorgeous and feels so soft, I love it but for a day moisturiser under make-up it is too heavy.  It takes my make-up off and I have to top up foundation and/or powder.  I think I have tried a Simple light moisturiser before a few years back but I don't know if it was this one.  Anyway, I know I liked it and it did the job so I've purchased this one and have been using the last of my old moisturiser at night or as a hand or foot cream only.  I think the combination of this new light moisturiser and the new blotting powder is working a treat, my make-up is staying in place all day.

 

I thought I would try these Simple eye makeup remover pads too.

 

 

I'll let you know what I think of the items I've bought when I've tried and tested them.

Kitty x