Primark Haul - March 2016 Edition - Clothes, Beauty, Jewellery And Home

Greetings from LouLouLand, or should I say cough and sniffle land! After managing to keep it at bay for what seems like weeks, on Wednesday I eventually succumbed to the horrible cold virus that seems to be floating around at the moment. Despite feeling beyond yuck, I feel way better than I did yesterday and on Thursday so I thought I'd try and get a little post and a video up just so you don't forget who I am :)

On Monday I managed another Primark trip - hurrah I love a good Primark trip, almost as much as I love a Costa Mango Creamy Cooler :) and on Monday I managed to combine the two :)

Normally I just go to Primark to have a look round and see what's new, but this time I went for something specific from their home wear section.

Yes, it's the daisy cushion, to match the duvet set that I featured in last months Primark haul (you can read it here if you haven't already). I'm obsessed with daisies and I'm obsessed with cushions so it was only natural that I went back for this one. It comes in two sizes but this one is the larger of the two which was £6.

The cushion comes with a zip fastening, removable cover, and like the bed set it's double sided. One side features the huge yellow and white daisy on a blue background, and the other features a daisy chain pattern, on a coral pink background.

I haven't managed to put the duvet set on the bed yet but I'll definitely post some pictures on my Instagram page when I do. In the meantime though I'm using this cushion with the gingham, check side of the IKEA Rosali bedding and strangely enough, the pattern clash seems to work. That's why I love interiors so much, it's like fashion sometimes things that shouldn't work, just do.

Next up beauty and I eventually managed to find out where the beauty stands had moved to. If you're looking for them in Primark Metro Centre you'll currently find them right on the back wall next to the nightwear and underwear, but take a tip from me, if you're looking for make up don't bother!

I know the staff can't supervise the stands all the time but you'd think they'd try and keep a bit of an eye on them? The majority of the make up items had been opened, and there was bronzing powder over everything! It was a total mess - I loved the look of the Velvet Lip Pencil in Nude but every single one had been opened and tested or broken :(

I was really disappointed but I cheered up a little bit when I saw some of their new make up brushes - swoon so pretty with matte black handles and rose gold ferrules, when I looked at the price, I had to pick a few up to try.

The first brush I got was duo fibre stippling brush, ideal for use with foundation or cream blush products. I use this type of brush an awful lot but especially in the summer when I use them with cream blushes and my Chanel cream bronzer.

For me this brush is probably a bit small to use with foundation but it's something that I'll definitely get plenty of use out of. The fibres feel nice and soft on the skin, and at just £1.50 the PS Stippling Brush is definitely worth a try.

The next brush that I got was a double ended eyeshadow and concealer brush, again in the matte black and rose gold this brush double ended brush can either be used for powder, liquid and cream concealer or for eye shadow.

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The brush features two different sized heads, both of which are made of super soft, duo fibres. Whilst the fibres are soft and silky though the brushes heads themselves have just the right degree of density and firmness, to make blending and precise application a breeze,

This brush believe it or not was just £1 - if this had different branding on it I'm sure that it would sell for a lot more else where. I'm definitely going to have another look at the brushes next time I'm in store, and I definitely think I'll pick up another one of these.

My final beauty purchase was surprise, surprise, another two packets of the PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Wipes. I've been doing a lot of swatching lately and I went through nearly a packet in a week so I thought I'd stock up - these are a bargain at just £1 for 2 packets of 25 wipes.

Clothing wise I only picked up a few essentials - the summer things are nearly all in store now but I just can't get excited about summer just yet. I don't have any holiday plans and I'm not happy with my weight so I think I'm just going to hold fire at the moment and not go out and spend money on things I don't really need, hence I just picked up a few bargaintastic basics.

I guess you could argue that these jeggings are really a summer purchase. The very, very pale blue colour is probably more appropriate for the dry days of spring and summer but the price was too good to turn down. I own a few pairs of these jeggings in different colours now and they normally retail at £7 a pair but they were on offer for just £5.50. My only advice would be that you probably need to size down in these as they are quite stretchy but they're cheap and they're comfy.

Speaking of comfort I don't think that there is a piece of clothing that it more comfortable than a pair of leggings. Find the right pair and they feel like a second skin, but finding the right pair isn't easy. I've bought so many pairs of leggings it's untrue some cut your circulation off, some bag at the knees and some are just well, perfect, unfortunately they never seem to last that long, and about 3 weeks ago now, two pairs breathed their last and ended up in my mam's rag bag.

So I needed to replenish my stock and to be honest I think Primark's leggings are as good as any. I tend to go for their viscose mix and they feel really soft against the skin. The sizing is generous and the price is even better, they are normally £3 a pair, but on Monday they were on offer at just £2.80 so I took advantage and got two pairs.

That was it for clothing but I did mange to pick up a couple of jewellery pieces including this super cute bracelet from their new Disney collection

Despite the fact that it says bracelet I actually bought this as a necklace never mind it's really sweet just a very fine gold tone chain, with a gold tone Mickey Mouse head charm attached, It's really sweet and really delicate and it was a bargain at just £2.50. They also had a few other pieces including a crystal embossed Mickey head necklace and a Love necklace, where the O is shaped like a Mickey head. I'm not the worlds craziest Disney fan, but I do love cute jewellery pieces so I'll definitely be back for more.

The final jewellery piece that I picked up is the complete opposite, where as the Disney bracelet is small and delicate, this silver tone bracelet is a real statement piece.

This elasticated bracelet is on a small, irregular bead band, and features a large, silver tone, filigree charm, with a long silver tassel dangling from it. I don't know what it is about this but I had to have it the minute I saw it. I like layering my bracelets and I think that this would work equally well on it's own, as it would alongside some of my more delicate pieces. It was just £2.00

As I say just a small haul but I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful anyways. Before the sore throat hit I managed to record a quick video to accompany this haul so don't forget to watch it via this link or below x



Thanks for reading and watching and if you've been to Primark recently I'd love to know what you bought so link me up or let me know below x

The Balm Nude Dude Eyeshadow Palette Winner Revealed

I hope you're all on the edge of your seats and hanging on to every word that you're reading, because it's the moment that you've all been waiting for! It time to announce the winner of my 9th Blog Birthday giveaway!

It wasn't the most popular giveaway than I've ever held :( but I still received over 1500 entries. Thanks to every single one of you that entered. I've really enjoyed reading through your comments, and I'll definitely be taking a lot of your post suggestions on board, finances permitting ;) Unfortunately there can only be one winner and that winner, who was drawn randomly via Rafflecopter is....

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bryanna S 

Congratulations Bryanna x I'll be sending you an email shortly asking for your details x Thanks again to all of you that entered and I'm only sorry I couldn't give you all a prize. I have plenty more giveaways planned though including some nail polish giveaways and I since I hit 1000 Bloglovin followers during the course of this giveaway, I might hold a giveaway to celebrate that too :) So stay following, and reading for more chances to win.

Changing Your Nail Polish - OPI Golden Rainbow

As much as I loved the glossy black, sophistication of OPI's Never Have Too Mani Friends that you saw in my previous post, after a few days I fancied a change.

Black nail polish is amazing on it's own but when you use it as a base for a glitter it takes it to another level. Instead of taking off all of my polish and starting from scratch I revived my tired manicure with a layer of sparkle.

OPI Golden Rainbow is a clear base which is crammed full of gold glitter and sparkle, and larger pieces of holographic glitter. You can either paint on as you would a normal polish or you can use your brush to pick out and place the larger pieces of glitter.

I just painted it on and the effect is magical, it works particularly well on darker colours, but you're left with a twinkly, sparkly top coat that would liven up even the most boring of nails colours, and not only that but it's also great for hiding the odd chip, or imperfection in your manicure.

I love this look and I'm definitely going to start experimenting with different top coats, and glitters, and layering my polishes. What do you think of this look? Let me know x

Nails Of The Day - OPI Never Have Too Mani Friends

Isn't it always the way? the minute your nails start to grow, one snaps, so you need to file them all down and start again. That's what happened to me last week, so annoying but I thought I'd take advantage of my little short nails and paint them in gorgeous dark colour.

I don't know why but I love the look of dark polishes like this one on short nails. Obviously from the OPI Hello Kitty collection, Never Have Too Mani Friends, is a deep glossy black, if you want a goth, metal look then this is perfect, but for me a black, glossy nail can be quite sophisticated.

Like most OPI polishes, this one applies perfectly, the wide brush covers the nails in just one or two stripes, and this particular shade was pretty much perfect after one coat, but as per usual I've gone with two.

What impressed me most about this colour, was the glossy finish. It has super, shiny almost wet look finish, without the use of a top coat. Black nails aren't for everyone but I love the look and it also makes a perfect base for nail art or general nail play ;) x Are you a fan of black nail polishes? I'd love to hear your thoughts x

Benecos Nail Care Pen - A Review For My Pure*

I don't know about where you are today but it definitely doesn't feel like spring. Although the snow we've had didn't lie, it's damp, grey and freezing outside. I know I seem to be talking about the weather a lot lately - typical Brit I know, but the weather has such a huge influence, on our skin, our hair and our mood.

For as long as I can remember I've suffered from dry hands and nails. I use hand cream as though it's going out of fashion, and ever since I started wearing nail polish, I've used either a cuticle oil or a cuticle cream. If your cuticles are dry and ragged, and if you have hangnails then there isn't really a lot of point in wearing a pretty nail polish, after all there is no point in hanging an expensive painting in a rubbish frame.

Hand creams help, but if you want healthy cuticles and nails then you need to use an oil or a product specifically for the skin around your nails. I've tried a lot of cuticle oils, balms and creams over the years and at last I've found something that I love but like a lot of cuticle oils it comes in a glass bottle. Glass bottles are fine for home use but when you're on the go they really aren't that practical, and like hand creams, cuticle products should really be applied every time you wash your hands. Thankfully though there are few products on the market now that come in more travel friendly packaging, including a new product that I picked up from My Pure.

German brand Benecos is one of the newest brands in the My Pure stable and it's by far one of the most affordable. They produce a huge range of products ranging from skin, body and haircare items, to natural make up products and nail polish. They are certified by BDIH which is a German certification awarded to companies whose products contain natural ingredients and no nasties. Bencecos' philosophy is to produce affordable natural products, that aren't tested on animals, with beneficial ingredient that are organically grown wherever possible.

There are so many products that I want to try from the brand but given the state of my cuticles at the moment I decided to try out the Benecos Natural Nail Care Pen. The ingredients list reads like a who's, who of natural moisturisers and includes jojoba, coconut and sweet almond oils, shea butter, beeswax, and candelilla wax, and it also contains soothing chamomile extract.

Packaged in a pen style applicator, all you do is remove the cap and your great with a brush tip, simply twist the top of the pen a few times to prime it and then slowly the product will start to dispense.

Perfect for when you're on the go, this isn't a runny oil by any means and if anything it actually comes it looking more like a yellow toned, waxy balm.

Give it a couple of seconds though and it melts down to a fine oil, which you just massage into your nails and cuticles to give them both a moisture boost and to help stimulate nail grown.

It sounds strange to say it but this isn't the oiliest of oils, it isn't too thick or too heavy, and after a small amount of massage, it sinks in leaving the cuticles and nails looking healthier in a matter of moments. Oh and I've also used it on my toes too, my toe nails are dry and vile, and a bit of this oil really has made a difference to their appearance, even if it's just in the short term.

Despite all the rich oils and butters this product doesn't have too much of a scent but it doesn't really matter, it does exactly what it's supposed to, and it's both handbag and holiday friendly. It isn't the most exciting of products but it works and that's the main thing, and unlike some high street alternatives it's sensibly priced. The Benecos Natural Nail Care Pen 2ml retails at £6.95 from My Pure. Are you a cuticle oil fan? Let me know x

*Sample

Trimming My Stash - February 2016 Edition - Empties And Mini Reviews

Hey everyone x Welcome to the first day of spring and guess what a weather warning is in place for the North East for ice and snow! Well lets hope the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb is true and that warmer weather is on it's way.

Even with the extra day thanks to leap year February is still the shortest month and it's another one that I'm pleased to see the back of. From today though I'm going to try and think more positively and try to look forwards and focus on the good things in my life rather than the bad bits. Before I do that the I'm going to take a quick look back at February's beauty empties.

Evolve Tropical Blossom Body Polish - 30ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes
The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - 200ml
The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml
The Body Shop Glazed Apple Body Butter - 50ml
Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml
Cien Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 200ml
Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes
Total - 8 Items 

It's only the 1st March and we've already got a positive, I managed to finish 8 items in February which is one more than I did in January. I didn't manage to finish any make up items but I managed to finish quite a few body care and skincare items, including a few things that had been lingering on, so all is good.

1. Evolve Tropical Blossom Body Polish - 30ml

When I was choosing products for my My Pure reviews why oh why didn't I chose the larger size of this scrub, I love it and I'm really sad that I've used it up. I love sugar scrubs at the best of times but the scent of this one took it up to the next level. A lovely combination of natural oils, and sugar with the most beautiful tropical floral scent. If you love monoi oil or  the fragrance of  the Elemis Tahitian Tiare line, or if you fancy been mentally transported to a tropical island, then you need this product in your life. You can read a full review here x

2, Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes

You're probably sick of seeing these in my empties posts but I seem to go through packets and packets of these. Last month I mainly used them for quick and easy swatch clean up, and the fact that I used two packets should perhaps show you how many make up posts I have coming up so if you love make up reviews you're in the right place!

3. The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser - 200ml

This was something that I received in a goodie bag when I attended an event at The Body Shop way back in 2014. You can read more about this product and the event here but this product is a real classic. This creamy textured cleanser has a lovely rose scent, it removes make up and dirt with ease and it leaves the skin feeling silky soft. I've really enjoyed using it and whilst I wouldn't repurchase at the moment, it's something that I would consider using again.

4.The Body Shop Glazed Apple Shower Gel - 60ml

5.. The Body Shop Glazed Apple Body Butter - 50ml

It's 3 in a row from The Body Shop, and their Glazed Apple fragrance is something that I've fell in love with over the last few months. Whilst not traditionally apple scented, this a sweet, sugary, mouthwatering, fruity scent that I've really grown to love, so much so in fact that I may have even licked my own arm! Don't try this at home folks eating body butter isn't good and unfortunately it didn't taste as nice as it smelled. These were just mini sizes, and thankfully I have a few full sizes to use up. If anyone from The Body Shop is listening please bring this back next Christmas - pretty please!


6. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - 400ml

I've talked quite a bit on the blog about micellar water's and of the ones that I've tried so far, this was is by far my favourite. It removes make up with absolutely no effort and it's really economical - you get a lot of product and it isn't expensive. Would I buy it again? I already have x -

7. Cien Nail Polish Remover Acetone Free - 200ml

This acetone free nail polish remover is from Lidl's own brand Cien. I love the dispenser and it works without drying the nail but I just can't stand the marzipan, almond scent it leaves on the nails, so unfortunately I won't repurchase. I will however reuse the pump action bottle with my favourite Superdrug remover.

8. Primark PS Love Your Skin Oil Balancing Facial Cleansing Wipes For Combination Skin - 25 Wipes

Blah, blah' blah - what else can I say about these - they're  cheap and they have tea tree in them.

So they were my February empties, here's hoping I can keep up the good work and finish even more beauty products in March and maybe even a make up item or two x Thanks for reading and if you have any questions please leave me a comment xx

Benefit Do The Hoola Beyond Bronze Kit For Complexion, Lips And Eyes

Although a date doesn't really mean anything, tomorrow marks the official start of Spring, and I for one can't wait. I know it hasn't been the coldest of winters, but it's been damp, dreary and windy and I'm seriously craving a bit of sunshine. If you're a Brit though, for most us the warmth and sunshine is still long way off but there is a way to make yourself look a bit more sun kissed even if you don't necessarily feel it.

Like most pale and pasty peeps out there, in winter time my skin alternates been bright pink, grey, white and blue! At this time of year more than any other people always seem to think that I look ill, and do you know what I probably do, so I do what most of us do and I reach for my make up bag. Many moons ago I was terrified of bronzer - yes it gives you that instant glow but on most of us ghost like people, it just looks wrong, it's either too brown, too orange or just too dark. I found a few that I vaguely got  on with but then I discovered Benefit Hoola and I finally realised just what a difference bronzer could make.

As well as having the full sized boxed powder version of Hoola, I also own a couple of minis that I've got in various Benefit kits. I think I may have mentioned it once or twice ;) but I'm a huge fan of Benefit's mini kits and one of their newest releases is Do The Hoola.

Benefit Do The Hoola Beyond Bronze Kit For Complexion, Lips And Eyes, is another one of their kits that's boxed to look just like a little book.

Open the box and inside you have a small, cardboard book shaped box with a magnetic clasp, that contains everything you'd want to give yourself that healthy bronze glow.

Containing a full size fixed mirror, and  a fold out leaflet with full instructions and application tricks, this kit contains removable, mini sizes of some of Benefits best selling products, and something new, and just a little bit exciting.

The kit contains 2 lip products, 1.4g size of Benebalm, and a 6.5ml size of Hoola Ultra Plush Lip Gloss. It also contains a 3g size of the Hoola Bronzing Powder, and a mini powder brush, as well as a 3g size of They're Real Mascara in Black and a 7ml size of the brand new, and yet to be released in the UK, Dew The Hoola Liquid Bronzer.

Hoola Bronzing Powder - 3g And Mini Powder Brush

I've already talked about Hoola in a previous post ( read it here) but for me it's obvious why it's one of the most popular bronzers in the UK. When you look at what's wrong with bronzers, two of  the things that people normally say is that they are either too orange looking, or they don't look natural. Hoola is a matte bronzing powder that contains no orange, so you get a natural looking colour, with out looking orange or sparkly or as though you're actually wearing a bronzer.

I normally just sweep it over my face in the 3 and E motion to give me face a little bit of shape but in the summer, I play it up a bit more and sweep it over my nose, my forehead and anywhere where the sun would naturally hit my skin. This powder though is perfect for tanning those bits that you may have missed so you can also use it to create a fake tan look, as I've done below or you can also use it to fill in strap marks :)

This is a pretty pigmented powder , so you need a light hand particularly if you're pale like me, apply a small amount, blend well and reapply as needed, to build up the colour that you want.

Dew The Hoola Matte Liquid Bronzer - 7ml

I don't think powder bronzer will ever go out of fashion, but times change and lately there has been a surge of both cream and liquid bronzers, and this kit contains Benefit's version Dew The Hoola. Not launched in the UK in the full size, until the end of this month, this was the product that really sold this kit to me.

I love my powder Hoola but sometimes you just want the moisture and glow, that a liquid or a powder brings. Although Dew The Hoola is a matte liquid bronzer, it seems to give the skin, a healthy glow, and a freshness that it's powder cousin doesn't.

I must admit it looks terrifying when you first pump it out, and whilst it does seem to have a touch of a orange, yellow tone to it, please give it a chance. It has quite a creamy feel, and a heady floral scent, but it blends into the skin like a dream. I really like Soliel Tan De Chanel Bronzing Make Up Base but sometimes on me it just needs more blending then I have the energy for, whilst Dew The Hoola does need to be blended into the skin to avoid any harsh, demarcation lines, it takes no effort and boy does it put the colour where it isn't.

I've blended out quite a lot of it here, but a little goes a long way, apply a little bit with your fingers and blend it out into the cheeks, or on the forehead and nose, and your left with a healthy glow, with no glitter or shimmer. In the pictures towards the end of this post I've used it over a tinted moisturiser and a touch of powder but you can use this product equally well on bare skin, especially I would imagine if you have a darker skin tone.

 Ultra Plush Lip Gloss - Hoola - 6.5ml

This is something else that I've already talked about on the blog, in my review of the Benefit The Bronze Of Champions Total Bronze Kit but I like so I'm more than happy to talk about it again.

Although it looks quite dark and bronze toned in the swatch below, this is a proper nude lipgloss, that's non sticky, and tastes lovely and fruity. I've fallen out of love with lipglosses over the years, but I'm a huge fan of this formulation and taste.

Benebalm Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm 

I only own one of these tinted balms from Benefit and while it was nice it wasn't amazing but after trying this one I think I just went for the wrong colour.

Benebalm is the coordinating lip balm to one of Benefit's first ever products Benetint. It has the same rose scent and taste and it gives the lips a hint of the rose colour that you see on the left in the picture above. The pigmentation is a little bit better on this one so as well as giving your lips some moisture and a bit of gloss, you're also giving them that my lips but better colour.

They're Real Mascara - Black - 3g

The final item in the kit is a mini size of the UK's best selling mascara, They're Real. I'm not going to say too much about it here as I've got a full review coming soon but this kit gives you a chance to either try it out or to get a mini one for your on the go make up bag.

I don't think you can really judge a make up item till you try it out on your face so I've done different looks with this kit to give you an idea of what you can achieve. They aren't the best photographs I've ever taken by any means, my facial palsy was playing up, and believe it or not it was just way too sunny and my face looks washed out ! As bloggers we spend half the year complaining about bad light and the other half complaining that it's too sunny and it's creating too many shadows - you really can't win lol

For this first look I've gone all out and created a tanned face, courtesy of the Hoola Powder Bronzer. I've used it over the top of my base of foundation, and powder to give a matte tanned look, I've even used on the eyes and I've also going with a heavier more defined brow, lots of They're Real and Hoola gloss on the lips. You can see another look I've created with Hoola Bronzing Powder and several other Benefit products in different lighting here x

Here I've gone for a fresher glowy look, I've used Dew The Hoola over a tinted moisturiser and just a touch of powder, no shadow, a lighter brow, one coat of They're Real, and Benebalm for a rosy tint to my lips.

Not perfect I know but hopefully these pics give you a bit more of an idea. Yes this kit will be ideal for holidays and for the summer months, but with careful application there is no reason why you can't wear it at this time of year to warm up your face and make you look a bit healthier.

These kits are idea for trying out new looks and new products and now that you can remove the individual items they're great for your travel or holiday make up bag, or even for when your on the go and you need a quick touch up. I've had a little look round and this kit doesn't seem to be that easy to get hold of but you can currently buy the Benefit Do The Hoola Beyond Bronze Kit For Complexion, Lips And Eyes online from both Boots and John Lewis, and the Benefit website for £28.50.

If it's just Dew The Hoola that you're interested in, then you haven't got too long to wait, the full 30ml size officially goes on sale in the UK on the 26th March but I think it's available on Benefit Cosmetics UK from the 12th March. As well as Dew The Hoola though there are also lots of other goodies coming out from Benefit next month including the full size of Dandelion Shy Beam. Dandelion Dew Liquid Blush and a Hoola Body Bronzer, so if you're a Benefit junkie like me you better start saving x Are you a fan of Benefit Cosmetics? Let me know your favourite product x