a few beauty purchases

Left to right: Sleek blush in Pixie Pink, Topshop eye palette in Golden Aura, Maybelline blush in Rosewood

I'm really into beauty and make up at the moment. I never really used to be, but since following lots of bloggers and YouTubers I've become quite obsessed with having loads of make up to choose from, and doing my face in the morning feels like such a treat. These are just a few recent (or not so recent) purchases. I wanted to include my Urban Decay Naked 2 palette but since there are so many reviews, and the Naked 3 is the newer version I thought I'd just stick to these more drugstore/high street brands.

Sleek Blush: Pixie Pink
I love really strong Barbie-esque pinks for my face. I'm not sure if they totally suit me, but I'm a big fan of these uber girly colours. I've heard such brilliant things about Sleek make-up I thought I had to buy some blush, its the first Sleek product I've tried and it seems lovely. Really pigmented and such a bargain at only £4.49.

Topshop Palette: Golden Aura
After loving my Topshop lip bullet I thought I'd give some more Topshop make up a go. I bought this palette a while back, hence the dirt and general mess! Its four quite shimmery neutrals for a natural smokey eye effect. They're lovely colours for a very basic palette but they aren't hugely pigmented. After getting my hands on the Naked 2 palette I've been using this less and less. The colour pay off just isn't as good. For travelling this palette is great though, as it's very versatile, creating super easy looks for day or night.

Maybelline Blush: Rosewood
This is a sort of coral-y, orange-y, red-y blush. I bought it as a sort of crossover between a blush and a bronzer as it gives a very bronzed, golden effect. It comes with a brush, which is super handy for travelling but I tend to just use a normal blush brush as it's easier to blend. As weird as it is to say, this blush smells so good. Not the usual chemical make up smell. Its a really good blush for just popping some colour on, I wouldn't want to use it at the same time as a bronzer as I think it may look a little overdone, or just too bronzed.

roman holiday

Whole outfit: Topshop

I'm headed to Rome in June with my mum and I recently picked up this skirt for my trip. I'm never usually one for long skirts, but in some cases certain churches, and the Vatican, don't let you in if you aren't wearing 'appropriate' clothing. I absolutely love it though, so perhaps in the future I'll be a bit more adventurous and wear this skirt outside of my holiday! The sandals are another holiday purchase, they're Topshop's 'Heartbreakers'. I love them, though I do think everyone under the sun will be wearing them this summer. I think this outfit is cute, but needs a bit of colour or jewelry. Perhaps next time I'll brighten it up with some lipstick. And I definitely need to paint my toenails! 

Bag: Primark

I've been looking for a new handbag for so long. My old Urban Outfitters one fell apart a good few months ago and I've been surviving on tote bags for far too long. I always go for brown leather (well, fake leather) for my bags, I don't know why to be honest, they just always seem to go with everything. I finally picked up this Primark one for £8 the other day. I'm really surprised, I usually avoid Primark, but this bag is pretty great - although I don't see it lasting for very long, but for £8 you can't really complain.

out tonight + topshop lip bullet

Top: Topshop, Skort: Topshop, Shoes: Topshop

Skort: Topshop

I'm off out tonight, and I think this is the outfit I'm going to wear. I've only just realised how Topshop heavy it is! The crop top is very old, but they do still sell it. I washed it in a dubious looking washing machine at a hostel and it's not been the same since - but it works well here. The gingham skort (I think that's the name we'll go for!) is a new purchase from the flagship store in London. I've never liked skorts much, but since putting one on my wishlist, I've been hankering after a pair.

I'm also wearing Topshops Lip Bullet in 'Bewitched', which is another new purchase. I'm not a huge beauty expert, and I very rarely wear lipstick, but this matte pink is really great. It's a very melty and creamy formula, so be careful where you store it.

Lip Bullet in 'Bewitched'

Yes, this is a selfie. 

Wishlist #2

Left to right: Dress: Miss Selfridge, Top: Topshop, Skort: New Look, Shoes: Topshop, Backpack: Topshop

This is a rather Topshop heavy wishlist. I've been in my local store loads recently and  not seen anything I like, but everything on the website is so great! I love the black ugly shoes. Styled with some frilly socks they would be perfect for a party. I tried the Miss Selfridge dress on a few days ago. I love it because it's super summery and very Taylor Swift-esque (I love Taylor Swift). It didn't look quite right, but I still love it.

I used to absolutely hate this skort trend. When everyone started wearing the plain Zara ones I thought I would never ever like them. Until I came across these adorable gingham ones in New Look. This summery trend for gingham is my favourite thing about this season so far. Everything just looks so much cuter in gingham. The cropped top above would look great, and give the skorts and edge for a night out. 

Pattern Shorts

Jumper: Ark, T-shirt: Topshop, Shorts: River Island

Those of you who know me know my obsession with patterned shorts. I have about a thousand pairs and wear them to death. This pair is relatively new and I love them. I would usually wear them in the evening but I have so little clothes at the moment I'm trying to dress things like this down. 

I wore this outfit to uni the other day - I much prefer the look with the jumper (it has super cute elbow patches which you can't see in the photo) but it was too hot. I really struggled with what top to wear - a plain black one seemed too dressy. Looking back I'm not a huge fan of the outfit but that's comes with experimenting. 

I'm aware you can't see my shoes in the pictures - I wore my now very battered and holey converse. I want to nab a new pair soon but they've changed the label to a really gross one so I'm a bit unsure about what to do! I love the old 'All Star' logo. I'm tempted to buy a pair of black vans with a white stripe but I hate the trainer look. I'm in a right shoe pickle at the moment! 

Wishlist

Left: Top: Topshop, Skirt: Miss Selfridge, Dress: Topshop, Skirt: New Look, Necklace: Miss Selfridge

I saw the dress (centre) when I was shopping in Bristol, but they only had it in petite, sadly. I'm not sure if its trying too hard to be pretty, but I think it's really cute. It's a bit more dressy than my usual outfits, I couldn't exactly wear converse with it! But it would be nice to own something a bit more smart for going out in. Usually I sport shorts and converse on nights out, I'm going to try and class it up a bit more come September, maybe even bring out my long forgotten heels.

I like shiny things; hence the embellished crop top and skirt. I'm always hankering after sequin skirts, this one is gorgeous. I really want a plain black crop top, but I like this more dressy alternative. I really don't need another tartan skirt, but its basically autumn now and tartan is a staple! This necklace is just so adorable, very different from my usual jewelry (either very long necklaces, or nothing) and it would add a touch of spring loveliness come winter. 

Tartan Skirt

Shirt: Topshop, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Tights: Marks and Spencer's, Boots: Topshop

I bought this skirt ages ago and hardly wear it. Since my shorts phase began I've been shunning my old uniform of skirts and dresses, but I'm trying to get more versatility into my wardrobe so out came the old tartan number. I never got to wear cute skirts like this for my school uniform and I really wanted to, so I sort of indulge my younger self's desire by owning 3 tartan skirts; I rarely wear them but perhaps with my new resolution to wear more skirts they might make a come back.

The shirt is from Topshop, of course. It's a really great staple on those days where I've got zero inspiration. It's gone a bit funny and bobbly as I've had it for a while now, I might invest in a slightly more expensive one when I have a bit of spare cash; investing in wardrobe staples is always a good idea. I wore my black boots (see my last post) and nude tights. I thought black tights might be a bit dressy, but as soon as I left the house it started to rain - so much for dressing optimistically!

Excuse my awful flat hair. I haven't had a proper cut in about three years. They cut it so short last time I vowed to never go back. I'm thinking I might have to though as it's in such bad condition. Expect my holiday snaps from France in the next few days.

Denim Shorts

Sunglasses: Topshop, £16, Necklace: Miss Selfridge, £7, Crop top: Topshop, £10, Shorts: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Converse

I felt sort of 80's throwback in this outfit, with the denim shorts and converse. I really liked it thought and felt great in it. I used to never, ever wear shorts, but about a year ago I bought my first pair of up cycled Levi's from Urban Outfitters and have never looked back. These were the second pair I bought as the first pair stretched and are far too big for me but I'm starting to think these will end up with the same fate. They fit me perfectly after a wash, but once I've worn them for a day they're really lose around my waist. It's such a shame as I'm completely besotted with them and hardly wear anything else!

The crop top is another summer purchase. Super cheap from Topshop and will go with everything. The fabric is a bit thicker than I anticipated (that's what you get for online shopping) but it hangs really well and I love it. I need to get a new pair of Converse, these have been to hell and back (they probably won't last another trip to my Student Union) so I'll probably buy another pair before I go back to university in September. 

Red Dress

                                         

Dress: Topshop, £38. Shoes: Topshop

This is one of my new Topshop dresses . As it's a bit longer than my usual style I felt a bit silly and over dressed, but its so light and lovely to wear I soon got used to it. 

I  rarely go out bare-legged (ok, never) but it's just so hot at the moment wearing tights would be so silly. I'm also mentally preparing myself for my holiday (on Monday!) so I'm trying to rock bare legs as much as possible. Hopefully by Monday my legs won't be so pasty white - although I have to admit I'm cheating by using Garnier's Summer Body moisturiser. I absolutely love it. It's really gradual and it has just enough fake tan in it to give a touch of colour, without looking like you've got a spray tan. And it doesn't smell- hoorah!

Yes, I'm wearing those Topshop sandals again. I think they're going to become my staple summer shoe. So comfortable and easy to style. I'm packing other shoes for my holiday but I think I'll just be rocking these everyday, dodgy feet tan lines and all. 

Short Shorts

Camisole: Zara, £13. Shorts: Miss Selfridge, £22. Shoes: Topshop

I had to run a few errands today and as the temperature is hovering around the high 20's where I am I thought it was the perfect excuse to try one of my summer holiday looks. I saw the shorts months ago out shopping with friends, but they didn't have my size. I'm never really one for online shopping but I couldn't forget about them so I bit the bullet and they're perfect so I'm really pleased. I bought the adorable little camisole in the Zara sale yesterday, £25 reduced to £13, its a little too big but for the summer months loose fitting clothes are ideal. The peplum feature is usually something I completely avoid, but as it's very subtle I didn't really mind.

Excuse the terrible photo, it's the first time I've attempted taking full-body shots of myself. Turns out it's a lot harder than I anticipated. Hopefully with a little more practice they'll turn out better...!

Summer Dresses

I've always been a huge lover of the cute summer dress. Although in recent months I've been drawn towards shorts, my love affair with the floaty dress is always a constant. I've just bought two, very different, summer dress from Topshop; they'd both look cute walking around little french towns, or with a glass of wine in hand. The perfect way to spend a summer.

Dress: Topshop, £34

I absolutely adore this dress. It fits perfectly and is just the right length. It's one of those Topshop staples that they make in countless patterns - I have it in a purple and black print too, but it's more for evening. This style looks denim, but the fabric is light and airy, with a slight stretch that ensures its comfy and summer suitable. 

Dress: Topshop, £38 

This is the other recent Topshop purchase. The fabric is slightly rougher and a bit see-through in certain lights, but, for me, this only adds to the summer appeal. It's a bit longer than my usual style, but as it's slightly see-through, the longer the better. I'm just hoping the floral cut-out detail won't leave me with dodgy tan lines! 

Dress: Urban Outfitters

This dress I've had for years - an Urban Outfitters number that's, again, slighty longer than my usual. I love 'grandma's curtain' patterns and it has hidden pockets in the side that are uber cute. I used to wear it all the time, often with jumpers and heavy boots in the winter, but I'm thinking this year it can make it's grand return as the summer dress it is.