SHOP MY STASH - CLOTHES EDITION

As I recently had a wardrobe clear out, I found a few gems that had been at the bottom of various piles and forgotten. But since re-finding them I seem to have a load more clothing options! 

New Look print dress

I picked this up last year in aim to expand my dress collection and wore it a fair bit. Now I have fallen in love with it all over again!  I have been wearing this pretty number as much as possible.

Jack Wills jeans

These jeans hold a lot of memories and although I rarely wander into JW these days it used to be my favourite shop!  Although I'm not a massive fan of the brand now, these jeans have made the perfect summer piece, thin enough for hot days and a lovely light colour, rolled up at the bottom.  The perfect summer trouser.

Denim shirt

Such a classic and versatile piece. I have no idea how I forgot about it? Maybe it's the issue of 'what to wear it with?' To avoid 'denim on denim' which I really can't pull off!  I have been loving layering it under jumpers on slightly chilly days.

David and Goliath tee

I don't know about anyone else, but when I am having a pj day I like to wear t-shirts and I lost this adorable D&G one in my wardrobe for months!  Although people on the outside world are unlikely to see me wearing this one out and about, the occasional delivery man might get the pleasure!  (It might even make him chuckle!)

After clearing out my wardrobe and finding these gems I also had a lot of items that no longer fit me or I just don't like any more so I met up with a few friends to sell/trade our unwanted clothes.  It's really fun, you might make some money, get some new clothes at a bargain price and make some space in your wardrobe.  What's not to love?

The left over stuff can either be taken to a charity shop or to H&M who are currently accepting bags of unwanted clothes and textiles in exchange for vouchers, you can see more on this great campaign here (UK ONLY).

What are your hidden wardrobe gems?

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: ST TROPEZ BRONZING MOUSSE

For years now I have used gradual tanners and recently been getting into wash off tanners and once or twice had the occasional spray tan.  But proper self tan at home?  The idea has always made my knees shake!  The risk of being tangoed seems so much higher but today I thought I would bite the bullet and go for it! Eeek!

Last week I picked up a miniature of the St Tropez Bronzing Mousse 50ml for £10 *insert shocked emoji face* as I wanted to reduce the risk of being tangoed as much as possible and I have heard great things about this line.  I also bought a the cheapest tanning mitt I could find for application.

I watched this video about how to apply the tan, then exfoliated with Rub Rub Rub by Lush and moisturised with the Vaseline Cocoa radiant moisturiser (save £1.51 at Superdrug) concentrating on the dryer areas of skin such as elbows, knees, hands and feet.

As instructed, I started by using 2 pumps per arm, then 4 pumps per leg using the mitt to blend everything in and use any excess on my hands and feet.  I focused the colour on places that my skin would naturally tan, such as the tops of my arms and legs to create a natural looking tan.  I also applied 4 pumps to the rest of my body, although I wouldn't usually do this step, I know that I am going to be in a bikini next week on holiday and therefore want an all-over colour.
The tan didn't feel uncomfortable on my skin whilst I waited for the colour to develop and the 'biscuit' tan smell was almost undetectable! (it actually smells quite nice)
I then waited 4 hours and took a shower.  The result?

I was left with lovely bronzed skin that looked like I had just spent a few days in the sun.  As I am already a little bit tan from that heatwave the other week I just wanted a top up before I go away again but would be intrigued to see how this works on paler skin and leaving it to develop for a bit longer.

Overall, the process of using this was very easy, stink free and it gave a lovely, even colour.  I look forward to using this more and promise to report back!

St Tropez Bronzing Mousse 120ml (currently on offer at Superdrug) - £18.49

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VISIBLY CLEAR PINK GRAPEFRUIT WASH

So, a little while back I ran out of my Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth cleanser and in a panic I picked this up from the supermarket.  In all honesty I wasn't sure what to expect, although I remembered trying a sample of this yonks ago!

The Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit cleanser by Nutrogena is a gel cleanser, a formula I have got along with in the past but have recently been loving creamier formulas, it smells (not surprisingly) of pink grapefruit which makes it very refreshing and a great pick-me-up in the morning.
It claims to 'eliminate spots and blackheads with a fresh clean feel'.  Eliminates spots? I don't think so! Although this cleanser reduces them I am yet to find any cleanser that eliminates them!  However, you are left with a lovely fresh feel as promised.

So, after trying and testing this for over a month, I have actually noticed a slight improvement in my skin.  I honestly think that this is because it is so quick, completing a morning cleanse is no biggie and my skin has loved the change!
The only downside, my skin no longer feels as smooth or deeply cleansed on a regular basis as it did when I was using the Liz Earle cleanser.  It has meant that I have started to introduce a regular exfoliant into my routine.

Overall, I love that this cleanser makes cleansing so easy and quick which really encourages me to cleanse every morning (as well as night).  And I haven't even mentioned the best thing ... its under a fiver!
Perfect for those on a budget!

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit wash - £4.94


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THE SUMMER ESSIE POLISH

If you have been around these parts for a while, you may have noticed that I tend to opt for blue nail polish pretty much all year round. Shockingly, aside from the essie polish I am about to talk about, I only have one other pink polish in my collection!

I think pink nails can come with a bit of a 'barbie' stereotype which I am not all that keen on but this bright coral has stolen my heart. 

Peach daiquiri is a boarder line neon coral/pink (it's a lot brighter in full daylight). It reminds me of the models own summer collection which was released earlier this year which were all aimed to enhance tans and was surrounded by a lot of buzz! 

As always, essie polishes are pretty long lasting (I can go a week at a push with none/very few chips), and pigmentation is lovely (this shade needs two coats).  Well worth the slightly higher price tag!

This has been my go to shade for weeks now as it is easy to apply thanks to the wide brush and great formula and looks great on both fingers and toes!

essie - peach daiquiri - £7.99

p.s. a big hello to my new followers!

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THE WET BRUSH

When I first heard about this brush I was a bit sceptical to be honest. I mean, what can one brush have over hundreds of others? 

But I have to say I have been proved wrong by this release. The wet brush, despite the name, can be used on both wet and dry hair and works well on both but is defiantly more impressive on wet hair.
The brush features very flexible and soft bristle tips which make brushing easy and are 'guaranteed' not to fall off.  It also helps to prevent hair loss (luckily not a problem for me) and split ends.  Together, this creates noticeably smooth brushing with no tugging whatsoever!
This wonder brush also claims to keep hair healthier and younger, which I can certainly see happening as it has lived up to every other claim!

Admittedly, it's not the cheapest brush on the market, however it does such a good job I would happily pay more!  Also, it's not the easiest to get hold of.  I can't find any main stores that stock it, I bought mine from TKMaxx for £7.99 (reduced from £12.95) so I would recommend looking in your local TKMaxx but my hairdresser also sells them so next time you go for your trim, there is no harm in asking!

One of the best things about this, is that there is no need to bring a wide-tooth comb and hairbrush on holiday.  It's all in one beautifully smoothing and tug-free brush!

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THE SHEER LIP EDIT

Come Autumn and Winter I will be well and truly back to my all time favourite long lasting matte formulas, but when the sun shows it's face, the glossier and brighter, the better.

Revlon Lip Butter - Tutti Frutti - Sorbet

Anyone remember last year when I first bought these and wrote this post?  Yep, it's fair to say I was head over heels about these baby's.  The lip butters have buildable colour in a lovely glossy and sheer formula that moisturises.  Although the shine wears off after an hour or two, the pigment stains your lips leaving a subtle colour.  Orange lips are coming back again this summer so Tutti Frutti is going to become a handbag staple for me.

Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayon - Peach on the Beach

This is a recent purchase but I already love it, as the name would suggest, it is a lovely peach/coral colour that just screams summer!  It's glossy, balmy, sheer and colour all packed into a crayon.  However, I do find that the formula tends to cling to dry patches on my lips so I often need to use a separate lip balm before application.
(P.S. these are currently on offer at Supedrug)

The Body Shop Born Lippy - Satsuma Shimmer

Who remembers these?  Loved but not forgotten, these are probably the most sheer and least pigmented of the bunch.  But they smell the best, by a long way.  I can't even explain how great this smells, it's like the smell of the whole Body Shop mixed into an orange pot with a bit of shimmer.  If a pot is your sort of thing and your not too worried about pigmentation or shine, opt for this one!

What are your favourite lip colours for summer?

Today, I am off on holiday for a fortnight so although I will try my very hardest to upload a new post while I am away, the chances are slim *insert crying emoji*

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TRAVEL BRUSH KIT

So, its that time again when the luckiest of us jet off to some exotic location.  Unfortunately that wont be me, but I am going away for a fortnight and am currently going through the process of choosing the very best makeup/brushes to take with me.

So, here are my brushes of choice.

You may notice that the majority are real techniques brushes and that is because they are just so darn good!

First up, all of the orange brushes are part of the real techniques core collection, included are the buffing brush, which applies foundation like a dream.  I can't say I plan to wear much foundation while I am away but if the occasion ever arises, I wouldn't be without this baby!

The core collection also features the foundation brush and detail brush which both I use for applying concealer, the foundation brush works best for larger areas and the detail brush for pesky spots.  A winning combo.

Then, last in the core collection, the contour brush which I have been loving when I want a great contour, it packs on product and fits perfectly under cheekbones.

The other real techniques brush in question is the blush brush which I don't actually use for blush (I'm a blush-o-phobe) but I love this for applying powder and bronzer, I couldn't be without this one.
Other brushes that have captured my heart are the No.7 blend and contour eyeshadow brush which I use when I want a bit of eye definition (its a rare occasion currently) and the Ruby and Millie lip brush which I have had for yonks but haven't found another lip brush to rival it, it applies lipstick precisely and smoothly, what more could a girl want?

And finally, a little spoolie.  I think I picked this up from an eyebrow stand at 'the clothes show' years ago and have taken this on my travels ever since, its so handy and keeps those brows tamed.

The little case thing is part of the core collection too, very handy indeed!

What brushes are your travelling favourites?

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