Wishlist #4

If you know me or you're familiar with my 'wishlists', you'll know I don't do things by halves. I'm unashamedly greedy (hence the name of my blog) and I am forever hunting for my next spend. I have a list as long as my arm on things I'd like but perhaps don't need. Here's the latest lot to have me pondering how many rations of beans on toast I can suffer to slip in a bit of shopping this month. 

Topshop Glow highlighter in Polished. The RMS Living Luminizer is pretty intriguing I have to admit but £30 for a teeny pot, I'm taking my chances with Topshop's offering to ease me into upping my glow before I commit to the big spend. 

Keeping in the glow theme, Dior Glow Maximzer primer has been swatched several times in Debenhams since it's recent launch. I've tested it on the back of my hand and done the whole 'twisting of the wrist' action to see it glimmer and catch the light, and boy it's pretty. I don't know how it would work under foundation, maybe I'd apply it just to the parts of my face that I want the light to reflect and give me that glow or just slap it on all over and embrace the disco ball look. There's only one way to find out.. 

You know my love for a good strong brow and I'm always up for perfecting my arch so the launch of Anastasia's Dipbrow Pomade is music to my ears. The waterproof formula is what I'm interested in mostly as I am guilty of touching my face too much resulting in smudged and wonky brows, not a good look. This seems like such an obvious requirement for eyebrow colour so well done, Anastasia. Now all I need is an extensive Google 'sesh to find my shade. They all seem a tad warm in tone and though I'm blonde I like a dark and cool tone for my bushy brows. Here's hoping Google has my answer. 

After I ventured into the phenomenon that is Hydraluron with their face mask I've finally caved and have now decided that I need to have the serum. Gah, peer pressure for you eh? 

The Maxfactor False Lash Effect mascara seems to be popping up all over the place at the moment. It's quite a cult mascara that I've used tubes and tubes of myself in the past and it's caught my attention again just recently. My current mascara is CHANEL Le Volume and it is fab-u-lous so when that bites the dust, Maxfactor will be my next stop. Who knows, maybe I'll rekindle my love for it. 

The funny looking contraption is the Sarah Chapman Facialift massager-thingy which I have been having a go of (and the boy, too) everytime I'm in Space NK. We really like it and I really want this. Great for an at-home facial as this supposedly mimics the tapping and knuckling effect of a professional facial that brightens, tightens and reduces puffiness. 

Clarins is my favourite skincare brand, hands down and so when I saw the launch of their new Extra Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream it was a no brainer really. Top of my wishlist it goes. 

I'm almost exclusively wearing heels just recently and while I'm quite thrilled by this as I feel like a 'proper' grown up tottering around, my feet are quite upset with me and at the weekend my heeled ankle boots just aren't cutting it so I'm on the market for some sophisticated flats. Zara is my port of call and after a quick perusal online, I spotted these. The £59.99 price tag is tough to swallow but now I've seen them, the damage can't be undone. *virtually nabs them* Mine! 

Last up is sadly just a wish on the list. Celine sunglasses are my most coveted item but alas, I don't have the spare sterling laying around for such a purchase. Come on Zara, make a copy and stat, this low sun is getting unbearable. 

A very beauty-centric wishlist I'd say. I've not lost the fashion bug, I've just been doing a fair bit of clothes shopping lately so there isn't much else I want (who am I kidding? Of course there is) so I'll have a haul for you soon. Oh and I may have picked up a thing or two from my wishlist already. Just sayin'. 

Rachel xo 

Christmas Wishlist: Beauty

So I've collated a wishlist for Christmas over here on I Want It All and heads up- I use the term 'wishlist' loosely as, as you can see, it's more of a ''I'll take one of everything'' blur. What can I say? I'm curious about lots of beauty products out there a.ka. just plain greedy. 

My bulging virtual basket is so full to the brim I thought I'd better bring some sort of order to it and so we have the categories of it beauty, fashion and things you can file under etc. 

If you haven't guessed already, today I'm talking beauty. 

Clinique Moisture Surge I tried this when I had an impromptu sleepover at my big Sis's over the weekend and sans overnight kit I had to rummage through her stash and I tried this. After my first and only use, I was seriously impressed and I loved it on my skin. I don't know if I can wait for Santa on this one.

Essie Topless & Barefoot Could this be perfect nude? It isn't available in Boots' Essie range so I've never seen it IRL but it looks de-lish. 

MAC Smut I've finally taken the plunge and asked Santa for a MAC quad palette and I picked Antiqued as my first of four shades. I'm now debating on what else to pick and Smut looks pretty promising for a good everyday fuss free smokey eye.

REN Glycolatic Radiance Renew Mask One of those products I've heard so much about but wondered if I need it myself? The gel like texture isn't what I'm used to in a mask and I don't know if I'd enjoy having it but I'm sure I'd reap the rewards post application.

NARS Lip Pencil. In any shade, I'm not fussy though I did spot a fave youtuber of mine, ttsandra with some delightful looking shades on a recent haul video, I'll investigate further and inform Santa.

Bumble and bumble Dryspun Finish Spray. The lady at a Bumble counter in Boots eagerly sprayed lashings of this through my hair and I was less than impressed with it after hearing so much hype. Then when I had a second go myself recently, I really liked how I used it myself, knowing my hair's texture and how I like to style it. I'm tempted by this one... But then I may have found a dupe.. More to come on that.  

Zoeva brushes. Always looking to expand my brush collection but also wanting to be able to afford to eat afterwards, the brand Zoeva has caught my eye after seeing a few bloggers mention them, they look a lot like some of the popular MAC brushes for a fraction of the price. 

Stella McCartney Perfume. A lovely scent which I have oddly never owned my own bottle. I've worked my wya through many a sample of this perfume and it works well for a day and evening scent.

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment. I know I could say this about every beauty product I want in order to justify a purchase but I need an eyecream. I've dabbled with Clinique, Clarins and well worthy one from Asda's own brand but I haven't found the right one for me yet and the sound of this one from Kiehls sounds scrumptious, it has avocado in it, perhaps my favourite food ever, so I think it's right I try it.

Origins Out Of Trouble Mask. Love Origins, love masks and I do suffer the odd blemish so this sounds like a winner to me.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius Love the smell of Soap and Glory products and this offers soft and sweet smelling feet. What is not to love?

GHD  Straighteners. My pair of GHD are on their last legs after my boyfriend gifted me with some over 4 years ago and I'm due am upgrade before mine kick the bucket. 

There are still so many things I could write about that are sat on my disgustingly long Christmas list scrawled into my notebook, I might have to make a Beauty volume 2.

Graduation. What to wear?

In two weeks I'll be graduating from University after 4 years of pain-in-the-arse translations, library all-nighters and writing the word 'acquisition' more times than I care to remember, thanks dissertation! So to mark this very special occasion I've been shopping at a a rate than even scared myself and I know how to shop, in preparation for the most picture perfect outfit I'll ever wear, Wedding Day aside of course. 

To add to my conundrum of 'what to wear' I have the Mister's Graduation 4 days prior to my own at the same venue ( we went to the same University) so I've got to secure two outfits.  Aaron's day will be a good road test for the weather and to spy on what other girls from different courses have come up with for their big day. A few of my friends who did 3 year degrees gave some pearls of wisdom; 

Don't wear a flowy dress. If it's windy you'll be concentrating on keeping your hat on and you don't want to flash your knickers too!

Don't wear something too loose fitting. Too boxy a cut and paired with your cape over, you may well just end up looking like a sack of spuds.

The LBD is your friend- Figure hugging, classic, safe.

For Aaron's day I'm thinking outside of the box and I've picked up a (p)leater pencil skirt from ZARA, which was a steal at £29.99 and I'm thinking of pairing it with my new Topshop fluffy knit. Too risque? 
Or a black dress with a patterned blazer? Or a white crepe Topshop dress with a black oversized blazer? Oh I quite like the sound of this one, I'll remember this one for my next 'drinks' night.

Then we have my day. I initially wanted to wear a white dress and picked up the Crepe Shift Dress, but I fear it may be a little too sheer? Nothing a good set of pants can't fix though surely? 
 
Next to land on my doorstep was a ZARA dress with a mesh instert and sleeves. This is stunning and ticks all the boxes. black. Fitted. Good length. My only problem is, how shall we say...quite a handful, and I don't want too much cleavage on show.. 

I might wear my hot pink dress from Topshop I wore here. 
 

Can you tell I'm really putting  thought into this? I don't want to freeze to death all in the name of fashion (well, maybe one day I will..) but you know, style over substance is my mantra in this case.

Damn you Coventry for having winter ceremonies. At least the hat will keep me warm, right?

Rachel xo

Topshop Boutique

This to you may look like a blur of black and grey but to me it is a little slice of monochrome heaven. Topshop Boutique are serving up some serious material this season and I am desperate to get my hands on some of it. 

Their prices are definitely on the top end of your typical Topshop price tag but you're paying for the quality, with their fabric of choice being silk and the cut of all their pieces being sharp and clean. Me likey, a lot. 

The black silk wrap skirt is particularly beautiful and I do have a soft spot for this- pockets and silk? Sign me up. I've spotted a similar number in Zara too, if that is your retail therapy destination of choice. 

Both the floral patterned jumpsuit and dress are a-ma-zing with such a gorgeous print. I feel like both would be tricky to wear and swamp my 5' 4''frame, but a girl can dream. 

I need some Boutique in my wardrobe. 

Rachel xo