Benefit Goodies: A Review & The Style Haul UK Event

last week I attended a youtube party for Style Haul partners. There I met Tanya (Pixi2woo), Jim (Jim Chapman), Rhiannon (FashionRocksMySocks), Zoe (Zoella), Marcus (Marcus Butler), Claire, Caspar Lee, Ruth (A Model Recommends) and Alfie (Pointless Blog) to name a few, and drank probably more than was necessary! It was lovely to meet the girls behind Style Haul, the Gleam team and my fellow youtubers, but today I'm talking about the products the girls were given to take home by the lovely Benefit girls who were there. I was incredibly taken aback by their generosity- so thank you, you amazing people!

I received the brand, spanking new Benefit's The Fine One One, The POREfessional and They're Real Mascara. The POREfessional is the UKs top selling primer, just as They're Real is the UKs top selling Mascara. Its safe to say Benefit know what they are talking about!

The POREfessional- £23.50

I'd tried a sample size of this (thanks Glamour Mag!) before receiving the full size, so I already new this product was a winner. It immediately proves itself by visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores (shown above, blended on the back of my hand). I found it to sink in quickly, and although its silky feeling worried me it my be greasy, the formulation is actually oil-free! Fantastic. I trialed the products power of keeping my foundation put, last night and I can confirm- it works! When it came to makeup removing time, way more foundation had stayed put on my skin all day than sans The POREfessional. The proof was on the cotton pad!

The POREfessional- £23.50

I'd tried a sample size of this (thanks Glamour Mag!) before receiving the full size, so I already new this product was a winner. It immediately proves itself by visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores (shown above, blended on the back of my hand). I found it to sink in quickly, and although its silky feeling worried me it my be greasy, the formulation is actually oil-free! Fantastic. I trialed the products power of keeping my foundation put, last night and I can confirm- it works! When it came to makeup removing time, way more foundation had stayed put on my skin all day than sans The POREfessional. The proof was on the cotton pad!

The Fine One-One: £23.50

The Fine One-One is Benefits latest offering. A coral and pink blush stick with a highlighter in a champagne pink colour, all in one convenient stick. I was impressed by the size of this product, its compact and lightweight- the perfect handbag companion. Application is quick (although I used a stippling brush to blend, rather than my finger, as benefit recommended- I found that too messy) and it dramatically reduced the time it took me to get ready this morning (I was running very, very late!)

 

 

eBay, H&M, Topshop and Primark

So, I know you've seen this skirt before, but the first time I showed it here I went all out. I wanted to prove it to be wearable and cute for the day time, too. In this case, a shopping trip in Brighton for Mother's Day gifts with my friend Rosie. (She is the babe who has been taking my past three outfit photos for me!) It was a successful day, as both Rosie and I found the perfect gifts for our Mums. I won't mention what I got my Mum, in case she reads this post before the day! But, I promise to show you all when she opens it. In my opinion, Brighton's Laines are the best place to find unique and gorgeous gifts for anyone. No matter how fussy!

Skirt: eBay
Tights: H&M
Boots: Topshop
Jumper: Primark
Necklace: Gift
Jacket: Primark
Broach (seen on jacket lapel): Vintage
Bag: Accessorize

Shirt, Jumper, Jeans and Boots

Its not often I'll post an outfit post where I am wearing... wait for it.... jeans.... I just resigned them some time ago to my 'lazy fashion' area of my wardrobe. Hangover days, sad days, sick days and exam days and boom, out come the jeans. But they CAN be cool and fashionable. I'm trying to remind myself that you can still look put together and classy in a pair of jeans. Well at least I hope that is what I've achieved here!

Shirt: Brighton Boutique
Jumper: Topshop
Collar Necklace: H&M
Jeans: Dorothy Perkins
Boots: Topshop

Don't break my heart Mickey!

I've been wanting to try a pair of, kick ass, concealed wedge kicks for absolutely ages. But I didn't want them to be uncomfortable (I felt this defeated the object) and I didn't want the wedge to be glaringly obvious. Step forward these babies from Jeffrey Campbell, comfortable, interesting and a steal at £40. I'm loving wearing them all day, everyday and then dancing the night away in them too. They look great with just about anything and I love how they look with my Minnie Mouse 'tattoo tights' from eBay!

Jumper: TKMaxx
Skirt: M&S
Jacket: Mary Jane Fashion*
Tights: EBay
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell Via Office

I can't stop wearing these tights, either! They add a little something to any old outfit and loads of people have complimented me on them! However, they don't seem to be everyone's cup of tea. A couple of people asked if I'd actually got Minnie Mouse tattooed on my legs (nope, no I haven't!) and some people have asked if they are worth paying for seeing as they are thin. I think they are, I'm just being ultra careful not to ladder them!

Valentines day

For Valentine's day, my best friend sent me this gorgeous accessorize necklace. Its dinky, floral and a little camera. Kind of sums my tastes up perfectly, don't you think? I can't wait to wear it and jazz up some outfits. I'm thinking, tight black skirt or shorts, cream knitted jumper and this cutie pie to contrast with the plain outfit! I love a chunky knit teamed with a dainty piece of jewellery.

The tell tale signs you have left all over me

I'm in a really simple outfit today and, shock horror, I'm wearing jeans! Its got really cold an I had a busy day today, so I just slung this on. So comfortable and I love my owl jumper/tee thing from Zara. Look at his lil face! I hope you all remember to enter my giveaway of a YSL lipstick- thats something you don't want to miss out on.

Tee: Zara
Jeans:  Dorothy Perkins
Cardigan: TU
Boots: Gift

Sail

I bought this skirt in Zara's sale after I dip dyed my hair turquoise. It made me feel like a mermaid and I have no shame in admitting it. Today I'm playing it down by adding this graphic tee of different scenes in London to make it suitable for a day of lectures and errand running. 

 

T shirt: TU for Sainsburys
Skirt: Zara
Jacket: Primark
Boots: Topshop
Nail Polish: OPI Big Hair Big Nails

 

I hate to sound pretentious but the material on this skirt, is simply.... divine! I can't wait to wear it without tights in Summer and at just £12, it was a complete bargain.