New York Haul and reviews

As mentioned in my previous post, I went to NYC right after Christmas and got back a couple of days ago. I wrote what I would buy and got a few of them but as I know at the time,I deviated from the list a bit, it was sale season after all! So without further ado, here is what I bought and a little review of each:
Also I really apologize for the shitty photo quality, I took them on my phone and they look so much worse online, then i couldn't be asked to change them. The struggles of being chronically lazy.

1. Birchbox

This was the first Birchbox shop I've ever been to(maybe it's the only one) after hearing so much about them. I know you can have them delivered in the UK but the cool thing about this shop was, not only did it have loads of beauty products but you could build your own box, and wait for it......for only $15! This is such good value, especially as one of the products alone basically costs this. The good thing about choosing it is you can get what you would use which of course you can't guarantee in the box. I was so pleased with this box and all the products in it.

Special mention to:

a) Kopari coconut oil- comes in such a cute glass pipette bottle, and with all the multi-uses of coconut oil, this was a no brainer choice, particularly for travelling.

b)Deva Curl It's that good- I have really dry curly hair and this does exactly what it says on the tin, instead of a nasty frizzy mess, you have gorgeous bouncing curls, so good for natural hair day.

 2. MAC lipstick SIN

After a traumatic experience in MAC with a really rude assistant, I walked out with this, not entirely happy. I knew I wanted a darkish lipstick in a matte formula but I already had Viva Glam 1 and thought this might be a bit similar. Luckily when I got back to the hotel I tested it out and actually fell in love. Fell. In. Love. It's a really gorgeous plum colour that can be subtle when i dab it on with my finger or really bold when put on fully. My favorite is the put a bit on and smear it round, I find it will literally last all day then :)

3. Aerie high neck sports bra

I know they have one of these in Stratford Whitecity but I never really got on that well here, however it the states this shop is so good, oh my days! Particularly the Aerie section, it's their underwear/loungewear/sportswear section that had this really awesome positive vibe, I don't know what it is but I just had a field day, much to my family's dismay. The sale was insane, I'm talking sports leggings (patterned ones, oh yes) for $5. I mean what is that? So I tried on some stuff including this top which is high neck and the top panel is mesh. It's really flattering on and you could also wear it under sheer tops or with jeans around the house. One of my new year's resolutions is to wear a sports bra to the gym and this one has quite a lot of coverage while being super flattering, so it's looking like a contender! If you haven't checked out their site do, just be aware that the American one in 100 times better.

P.S. the only thing I didn't love was that this wasn't on sale ($25) which I'm still not sure if it's worth and so I couldn't justify getting this other one I loved too (similar style in navy lace)

4. MANGO statement earrings

I have actually been wanting a pair like this for at least a year, but thought I'd go for a more glitzy version. They did have these in store but as my parents pointed out they can look a bit cheap; not wanted to head down that path I opted for these instead because they looked artsy and worth a lot more than they were ($13)

5. Bite lipstick duo -Cafe and Pepper

I grabbed this at the checkout at my first visit to the very underwhelming Sephora, which was an absolute steal at $10. I've not really found the perfect nude lippy and figured with 2 ends, at least one would look good. I'm so glad to have bought it because the formula is absolutely gorgeous, so creamy it's making me question my undying loyalty to MAC lipsticks. The shade Cafe (the darker one) is my favorite and I would definitely buy it again full size. It also looked freaking amazing with a stain of Mac sin underneath, unexpected but true!

6. Victoria Secret satin kimono

Again I've wanted one for a while and finally bit the bullet and got one, the shopping experience was awful, it was so busy (sales obvs) people were digging though bargain bins like crazy people, it wasn't pretty and only a few tills were open so it took an unreasonable amount of time to get out, however I did end up with a gorgeous midnight blue robe.

7. Lululemon Black tank top

Another really great buy because I religiously wear low-cut black vest tops to the gym, I'm not a slut promise it just makes me feel more confident and I workout better, you should try it! This is a great one, pretty low cut but not ridiculously so, tight fitting with a cool ladder thing going on at the back. I like. What I like even more was the price $29, for lulu lemon, whaaaat?!

8. Lululemon long sleeve sweater top

This is so warm and comfy, I bought it more for lounging around the house and generally being lazy instead of sportswear. The colour is gorgeous, there were 4 to choose from but this was the most unique, it also looks great with black leggings. I wore it on the sub temperature plane on the way home and it was probably the best thing to wear in that situation.

9. ALDO flat buckle boots

Originally the plan was to get some snow boots, but as there was, (you guessed it) no snow, it wasn't really necessary. I knew I needed some for my morning commute next year so tried on a few in the insane Aldo sale. These babies were reduced from $140 to $70 and I like how they have a moto style, not usually my style but as I won't actually be wearing them at school it seems like the perfect time to try out a new style.

10. MAC Pro longwear nourishing waterproof foundation

In shade NW15. I had previously been to a UK store and got a tester pot of this to try before I committed. For future reference this is a  great thing to do for a special event or travelling, the pot lasted me at least a week and I had heard MAC foundations can make you break out, luckily it didn't do this for me.

11. Gap authentic flare

I'm actually really surprised at myself for managing to get these, normally buying well-fitting jeans is a near impossible task rendering me unacceptably grumpy. These were on sale for $10 and gap does half sizes which is really great for people like me. These are half between UK 10 and 12, normally I'm a 10 but it's actually really nice to have a bit extra room and if I've learnt anything in 2015, it's that jeans are more flattering in a bigger size, weird but true! The flare is from the knee which is perfect, they are a bit long so I can only wear them with heels but I actually quite like that it looks more modern.

12. MAC sheer lipstick 'boyfriend stealer'

This was an airport purchase with my remaining dollars minutes before boarding. I was pretty impressed with myself. Once I got on the plane and tried out the shade on my lips I wasn't too pleased and actually sort of regretted buying it. Since then I have figured out the the best way to apply is one rough coat, then smudging it around with my fingers. This stops it looking like a child's Halloween lippy and actually looks quite subtle and sultry. I like.

13. Tommy Hilfiger lace up boots 

I saved the best till last, and these are probably the best things I've ever owned, period. They were on sale from a whopping $200 to a mere $65 and I feel like a queen. Yes a queen. They have a rubber platform which I have realized is the key to comfort with heeled boots and are impeccably made. Having only been back 4 days, I have basically worn them every day, they are so comfortable and versatile, if I could only have one pair of shoes in the world these are hands down the winner.