• Oops... // beauty haul •

So I know I said in my last haul that I was on a spending ban until February...

This happened.

I specifically ventured into Boots last weekend to get my hands on a few of the infamous Revlon Matte Balms, but I have to say that after endless swatching and half an hour of browsing, I really wasn't overly impressed. Instead, I ended up filling a basket with other goodies.

Casey Holmes' video on the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge sold it to me. I'd been eyeing up this product for months, since I love the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, so when I saw it in Boots, staring up at me from the shelf, I had to nab it. More influenced purchases were the Bourjois Happy Light Concealer and the Seventeen phwoarr Paint (thanks to Kate at gh0stparties). That woman could talk to me about drying paint and I would still look at her in awe, open mouthed, believing anything that she says. I've very nearly run out of both my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and my Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - why is it that when things run out, they take a partner with them?! - so I had to buy two more (there's my justification...) I got them both in the lightest shade so I could use them for under my eyes, but the phwoarr Paint looks as though it could also be used on my face, which is rather lovely. And finally, the Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash...drooooool. This literally smells heavenly. Like actual heaven. A mixture of lime and sugar, this will knock your socks off in the morning with its zesty scent. It's amazing!

I'd really been enjoying the Soap and Glory The Ultimelt Hot Cloth Cleanser so I knew I'd be repurchasing this one. I have a few cleansers on the go at the moment (blog post coming soon...) but I always find myself coming back to this one. It's really creamy, gentle and smells fresh - it's the perfect morning cleanser. A shopping trip isn't complete with a trip to LUSH, so I had to repurchase my LUSH Tea Tree Toner Water as I was so close to running out. I always make sure I have another one to hand - I'm not sure how my skin would react if I didn't! This really is a lovely toner, so gentle on the skin and all natural. I use it on a cotton pad after my cleanser, and I sometimes just spray my face with it as a little "pick-me-up". My cotton pads of choice are the Boots Baby Large Cotton Wool Pads. I like to use them when removing my make up with coconut oil (blog post here) as they are so big and cover a large surface area, cutting down make-up removing time significantly. (Does anyone else hate removing their make up or is it just me...?)

I was so excited when I saw the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate as my local Boots doesn't usually have it in stock, and I'd been lusting over it for weeks! I haven't even swatched it yet as it's too beautiful-a-colour to just swatch and rub off, so I think tomorrow morning may be the morning that I try this beauty on my eyes. Another gorgeous purchase was the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe, another shade that I'd been struggling to get my hands on - I was starting to think that this shade was just a myth, and didn't actually exist. I feel like I've searched high and low to find this, I will guard it with my life! The Maybelline Coloursense Nude Lipstick in Tantalizing Taupe really caught my eye as it's unlike any other nude that I own. I swatched it in the shop and found it to be more of a peachy brown, which is nice, because I only own pinky nudes. This is a glossy formula which is also unlike any other nudes I own, so I'm really looking forward to trying this one out.

There have been mixed reviews about the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser so I thought I'd pick it up and throw in my two cents. I didn't even get a chance to swatch it in the shop as this one was the only one left (and when this happens, it only makes me want the product more...) It's been compared to the Benefit Porefessional quite a bit, but I think that I'm going to go into it with an open mind - I'm not going to compare it to other primers, and I'll just take it for what it is. A review will be up on that soon, I'm sure. The Bourjois Java Rice Powder is also another hyped product and has been likened to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. I can't say I'll be able to compare the two, as I've not tried the Hourglass Powder, but from what I've heard about this Bourjois one, it's meant to be a pretty good dupe. The idea is that the powder sets your make up but doesn't leave a matte finish, and gives a glowy look to the skin (particularly when light reflects on your face). I'm looking forward to trying this one as I've never tried anything like it! Lastly, I got the Bourjois Liner Feutre for free as I'd spent a certain amount of money on Bourjois products. I'm not usually one for felt liners as I find them to be messy and unforgiving, but since it was a freebie, I'll give it a go - who knows, I may be pleasantly surprised.

And they're all the products that I bought...argh, I was SO close to February (7 days to be exact) but I just couldn't manage it. It's not easy having a Boots nearby, OK. And if you're wondering about the random pairs of shoes in the first photo, my friend is having a baby so one of the presents I bought her were these cute little shoes from Boots (they were in the sale so I can't find the link, sorry!) The other pair are from John Lewis and were £40 reduced to £19.50 - again, in the sale, so no link I'm afraid. I've been wearing them everyday for work and they're sooo comfy, and I'm really into brogues at the moment! That's it now though - no more buying til birthday month (which is March for me) so I really need to restrain myself - these little goodies should keep me going up until then!

Have you treated yourself to anything lately?

Daniela