RECENT PURCHASES

Not THAT MUCH again really, especially in the way of clothes. However I have just seen an awesome vintage denim playsuit that I might have to add to this here wee pile, but only after I've been to the bank on Wednesday and had a look at my finances... I've a feeling they won't be too perky. WOOPSIE!

Anyways, here's what I've been buying these past few weeks:

Pegasus t-shirt from Studio at Topshop.

I bought this the same day I was running around trying to find loads of last minute stuff for the IWD Fundraiser and I can only assume  my brain was totally fried cos I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I mean, it's quite cool and I DO like the print, but... I don't know, I'm not really loving it. I've just bought like 15 other spring-type t-shirts so this was hugely unnecessary, but whatever. 

Motel lace shorts

THESE however, were not unnecessary. Since I don't wear jeans, I find myself constantly living in skirts and dresses which can get mega boring. I have a few pairs of shorts too - leather, suede and denim - but I still kind of feel they draw attention to my ass, which I don't love (read loathe). But I tried these on in the toppers in Argyle Street and totally fell in love! They are perfect to dress up or dress down and will go with my entire wardrobe. Plus they're stretchy so they fit over my ample arse but still hug my waist too. HI, PERKS OF BEING A PEAR. Someone needs to write a book about THAT, man.

H&M cropped striped sweater

So, OBVIOUSLY this is not me. DURR. But yeah, I couldn't find a pic from the website so I just stole this from Chictopia. Bad internet etiquette aside, this wee light knit is cropped to the ideal length (no accidental midriff, yay!) and is perfectly slouchy and casual  for pairing with the lacey shorts. Possibly slightly unnecessary but it was only £7.99!! Freakin' bargain or what.

Deena & Ozzy at Urban Outfitters leather western shoe

Weird confession time... I own four pairs of virtually identical western shoes (one brown pair, two black pairs and one black snake-skin pair) from Urban and I love them all. LIKE BEYOND BELIEF. They are so comfortable, go with everything and are just generally my favourite shoes ever. My brown pair are getting so battered and bruised that I've been panicking for a while that I'll have to throw them out. Lo and behold I spied these badboys on the Urban website reduced from £95 to £60 and absolutely had to have them. I just had to. You know how some guys collect trainers? Yeah, it's like that.

YSL Glossy Lip Stain

I went in to Frasers last Thursday for a wee browse of the YSL counter with a view to MAYBE picking up one of their Rouge Volupte Sheer Candies but when I swatched them they were SO sheer I figured I'd be better with a cheaper lip balm. But the woman did try out their new Glossy Stain in number 7 (coral) on me and I've been in love with it ever since! So much so that I went home and ordered number 18 (baby pink) from the website. They shine like a gloss, feel like a lipstick and have the staying power of a stain. PERFECT!

Soap and Glory Great Kisser lip balm - peach

Still kind of bummed that I never got the Sheer Candy, I picked this up as a substitute. The smell is out of this world delicious and the sticky staying power of this balm is really much more like a gloss. Which is nice because I have loads of other balms purely for repairing and moisturising, but if I had been looking for this to do those things I think I'd be a bit disappointed. Definitely a gloss in a pot.

MAC Face & Body foundation in C1 and MAC Strobe Cream

For ages now I've been wanting to try out a sheer, light foundation. Not because I have perfect skin (LOLing at the thought), but because I tend to think that thick, mattifying, powdery foundations make my skin look and feel worse than it is. I've been trying really hard with my skincare routine recently and I still have a long way to go but generally I've seen an improvement and I'm not into that full coverage, cakey look as much. BUT, having said that I really don't know if Face & Body is for me.

The consistency is so watery that the only way to apply it is with your fingers which I don't really like. It is so incredibly sheer that I can still see everything through it, almost like I've not put anything on at all. I have to layer it and layer it, which eventually does start making it look cakey. And despite being the lightest cool-toned shade, C1 is still too dark for me. On the other hand I really like the satin finish it gives and it does tend to stay on my combination/oily skin for quite a while, although I do have to powder it. All in all not amazing but I'll persevere. Maybe. I really REALLY want to try out that new Estee Lauder invisible fluid makeup next... Anyone tried it?

I am, however, totally sold on the Strobe Cream. I apply is as a moisturiser in the morning under my Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation if I feel I need more coverage that day or if I'm going out at night (not the serum one, the regular one) and it gives a beautiful finish. I also sometimes use it a little on my chest and collarbones and the subtle shimmer is gorgeous. It smells WAY WEIRD though. Don't think I'll ever get used to that.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Extreme Fluid SPF 30

Hands up who watched the Lisa Eldridge favourite French pharmacie products video?! I absolutely adore her and am consequently desperate to try out every product she ever mentions! Her latest video reminded me that I really should sort out some SPF for my face for when I go away to Portugal in May. I can't bear slapping on normal, body SPF cream all over my face since it's always gloopy, greasy, thick and MINGIN. I had heard Lisa mention La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Extreme Fluid SPF 30 before and how it's brilliant for oily skin... A quick peruse of the Boots website (one of the few places you can buy LRP in the UK) revealed that the brand is part of a 3 for 2 skincare promo that's on just now. SOLD. DONE. SORTED.

La Roche-Posay A.I Intensive Spot Treatment

The part 2 in my 3 for 2 - something to kill breakouts. I've been dabbing undiluted tea tree oil onto any random spots for a while now but it makes NO DIFFERENCE. Seriously. I will never trust what anyone says about tee tree oil ever again, nor will I ever buy any skincare products with it in it again either. Pointless. I also have an old tube of Clearasil something-or-other but that makes my skin flake and peel (mmmm nice) so I've been looking for a localised spot treatment that falls somewhere in the middle. Hello Effaclar A.I, I have high hopes for you :)

Aveeno Positively Radiant Triple Boost Serum

The part 3 of the 3 for 2 and a bit of a wildcard. I actually really wanted the Dr Weil for Origins Mega Bright Serum but it's like £40 so sack that. This Aveeno number is a total random addition but I'm very into serums just now - in fact I'm pretty sure it's my Advanced Night Repair that's made such a difference to my skin recently, and I'm hoping to double-team using that at night with this during the day. We'll see what happens. If it's guff I'll let you know.

So that's what I've been spending my HARD-EARNED cash on these last few weeks. If you've tried any of the skincare products or anything else and have an opinon on them please let me know innit.

Peace.