Weekend Wishlist #13

1) Petite Plain Midi Bodycon Dress - Topshop - £28
2) Mickey Crop Top - Topshop - £16
3) Print Trousers - H&M - £29.99
4) Print Trousers - H&M - £14.99
5) Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - Space NK - £33

I can't believe I've neglected blogging for such a ridiculous amount of time. I've had such a lovely Christmas despite not really having a substantial break and commuting between home and Manchester a lot for work. Now I'm back in Manchester, getting back into my uni routine whilst being bombarded with crazy amounts of work (which I should be doing right now). 

1) The first item on my wishlist this week is actually a bit of a lie. I have already purchased this dress from Topshop and returned it. I really really wanted to like it but the material is just horrendous. That and the fact it shows every flaw ever despite it being black and long sleeved. I am definitely still on the hunt for a midi dress suitable for my short self but perhaps something a little less clingy! 

2) I tried this on the other day and fell in love. It is tacky (which I believe is never a bad thing) and just fabulous. 

3) and 4) I guess I currently have a thing for patterned trousers, something I don't think I have ever considered in the past. I tried on the first pair in H&M yesterday and was a bit disappointed at the fit. I will definitely be making a purchase when I find the perfect pair!

5) I've heard such great things about this foundation but I've always been put off purchasing once realising the crazy price tag. Have any of you tried this, what are your thoughts and is it worth the money? Let me know!

Weekend wishlist #10

1) Silence + Noise Drop Armhole Button Blouse - Urban Outfitters - £42
2) Flora by Gucci Gracious Tuberous EDT - Debenhams - £49-£72
3) Cold as Fuck Gloves - Urban Outfitters - £18
4) Black PU Heeled Ankle Boots - Glamorous - £29.99 
5) Heart Ring by Jordan Askill - Topshop - £25

1) I've got a thing for blouses like this at the moment, I'm loving open shoulders and of course an oversized fit. This could possibly be an investment waiting to happen, has anyone seen a cheaper alternative though?

2) Oh my christ this perfume is an absolute dream! I sprayed this on the off chance at work and ever since I've been visiting the perfume counter on every shift to use it. It's such a gorgeous floral mix and is so fresh and uplifting. I'm useless at describing scents but I highly recommend testing this out. It's something I never would have thought to try but it's 100% going on my Christmas list this year! 

3) Witty gloves are great. I don't think I can expand any further on that really!

4) I feel like I've been wanting to invest in a lovely pair of heeled Chelsea boots this winter but I just don't think I'd get enough wear out of them. For a start I despise wearing heels of any kind and I'm much more of a comfort footwear kinda girl! However when I stumbled across these from Glamorous I thought they'd be really good for me, inexpensive so I don't feel the need to wear them constantly but absolutely lovely at the same time!

5) Lastly is this super cute heart ring in rose gold. It's so simple and one of those rings that I'd wear every day, I love it! 

Weekend wishlist #9

1) Crop Pleat Back Shirt - Topshop - £35 
2) Black Zip Back Textured Long Sleeve - New Look - £24.99
3) Premium Tubular Necklace - Topshop - £35
4) Clinique High Impact Mascara - Selfridges - £16
5) Models Own Nail Polish in Utopia - Selfridges - £5

I am finally going to be bringing back the weekend wishlists! What with moving back to Manchester, not having Internet for over a month and, to be honest, my complete lack of motivation I haven't created a wishlist in quite some time. They are something I really enjoy doing, and of course I hope you guys enjoy them too! So here we go!

1) How cute is this shirt? Really though? I am currently struggling to find a reason for me not to purchase this shirt. It is the sweetest pastel shade with unusual back detailing. One negative, however, is the fact that this is a cropped cut- not the biggest fan. Worn with Disco Pants though this would make a lovely outfit. I need to go try this on asap!

2) This winter I'm on the lookout for an oversized wooly knit tee/jumper to save me from the cold! I stumbled across this one from New Look the other day and although it's pretty basic, it's a perfect winter staple.

3) Tubular necklaces are still going strong and this Topshop piece is fantastic! £35 is pretty steep but it's a definite statement item. I am also currently loving the silver/gold clash I've been seeing around, never thought I would say that!

4) I've been using the mini size of this mascara that I received at Bonus Time, post here. Looking back I think I gave this product a bit of an unfair dismissal. I tried it a couple of times and just kind of chucked it in my make up bag and forgot about it. When I ran out of my usual mascara however I began to reach for it more, and recently I don't think I want to try anything else! It's actually great; lengthens, curls, thickens, everything you could ask for in a mascara really. Once I've finished the mini size I'm almost certain I will be purchasing the full size version!

5) This is a product I have been wanting forever but for some reason haven't purchased yet. To be honest, I don't do that much online shopping and there aren't really many places that stock Models Own near me (that I'm aware of!) The places that do stock the brand have a very limited collection. It's a divine light lilac/grey shade and a perfect everyday go to colour. I will get my hands on this one day!

Weekend wishlist #6

1) Open Shoulder Asymmetric Tunic - Topshop - £16 2) Blot Powder Pressed - Mac - £20 
3) Bronzer in Desert Sun - Topshop - £12.50 4) Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser - Origins - £17
5) Zero Oil Instant Matte Finish for Shiny Places - Origins - £12 6) Essie Polish in Bikini So Teeny - Superdrug - £7.99
7) Moto Supersoft Skinny Leigh Jeans - Topshop - £38

1) I first saw this top on one of my absolute favourite bloggers, Lily, here. When I found the image on the Topshop website I thought it would've definitely been an item I scrolled right past because it honestly doesn't look that appealing to me. I'm so glad I've seen it on somebody though because it looks so much better! I will always have a thing for oversized, baggy tees that are perfect for throwing on for uni. It's really simple and would look great with jeans or leggings to create a casual look, as well as with statement jewellery, disco pants and chunky wedges for a night on the town! 

2) So I've been searching high and low for the 'perfect' powder to combat my skin type. I have an oily t-zone mixed with dry patches and it's pretty much just a nightmare to find products that work for both these problems. After researching and testing out a ridiculous amount of products over the years I thought I had found my true love in Mac's Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation and sure enough I've been using it for a long time and been through so many compacts. Recently though I find it leaves my face looking too 'made up' and if I touch up during the day it can leave my skin looking cakey and patchy. I've read endless reviews on Mac's Blot Powder and it just seems too good to be true, perfect for removing shine, setting foundation without noticeable texture as well as touching up throughout the day. I need to try this out asap!

3) I noticed this bronzer, as well as another shade, on Topshop's website this week and they just look adorable! It claims to be a bronzer, although without having swatched this yet, it looks to me more like a blush/highlighter duo. I will definitely be taking a closer look at this item and testing it out in store.

4) I haven't tried out Origins products before, mainly due to the price tag and because I've been using Clinique's skincare products since before I can remember and, until now, have been happy sticking to them. As mentioned above, I have an oily t-zone; this can develop during the day and I find myself touching up my powder multiple times. In the past I thought just changing my make up would help this but I'm now coming to terms with the fact that I may need to change my skincare routine and look for something to combat oil! Another one of my favourite bloggers, Aimee, recently posted about her Origins haul, here, and this cleanser was featured with a positive review. I feel like I absolutely definitely want to try this out, if I can splash out £17 for it...

5) Another Zero Oil Origins product. This 'Instant Matte Finish for Shiny Places' product claims to instantly blot up any oil to leave skin looking matte without over drying. I feel this would be perfect for applying before make up, although Origins say it can be used over make up as well. 

6) I purchased my first ever Essie nail polish this week; Tart Deco, review coming soon. I absolutely love it and I can now see myself spiralling into an Essie addiction. For £8 it's definitely at the top end in terms of how much I would be happy paying for a nail polish. This shade, Bikini so Teeny (coolest polish name ever?) is a lovely shimmering sky blue from the Summer collection now available in selected Boots and Superdrugs.

7) Last on my wishlist is a pretty boring item, but as it happens I don't actually own a pair of jeans. Not even one. It seems the Leigh jean style in Topshop is the most popular these days and perhaps the most flattering. Every time I've bought jeans in the past I've just had the most horrific experience; they'll fit my legs but that zip has no chance of going up, or they'll fit my waist but be way too baggy around my legs. I always hear positive reviews on the fit of these jeans, the only downside being they can fade really quite bad after just a couple of washes. Do you guys have any recommendations for jeans? Where's your favourite place to get them from?

Weekend wishlist #5

1) Rocco Print Midi Dress - Asos - £22 2) Plaited Shopper Bag - Missguided - £26

3) Sussi Dress - Monki - 35 EUR 4) Aztec Racer Back Maxi Dress - Topshop - £34

5) Black Block Heel Ankle Boots - Dorothy Perkins - £35 6) Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers - Selfridges - £20 

7) Foundation Pump - Mac - £3.50

1) Basically I need this dress in my life. I rarely buy from Asos because I've yet to have a great shopping experience with them; I have always sent the majority of items back, clothes are quite often different colours when I've received them or the material is too thin etc. For £22 though this dress is a bargain in my opinion and I've wanted a midi dress for so long! Matched with black suede wedges and statement jewellery, this would make a perfect outfit! Why is payday so far away!

2) This reminds me of the Zara shopper bag I mentioned here but for a lot less money. Cheaper versions are popping up everywhere and I think this is the best I've seen. I don't know, however, if I'd rather spend a bit more to get the Zara one; I tend to go on the website and look at it every day, add it to my shopping bag but never actually purchase it due to the price tag. Decisions decisions.

3) Stumbled across the Monki website and fell in love with quite a few of their classic dresses and shirts. This dress caught my eye; it's so simple and elegant. I'd like to dress it up with lots of gold jewellery, it's so cute!

4) I never ever ever wear maxi dresses. Ever. However I fell in love with this dress in Topshop earlier this week when I tried it on and it's the first maxi dress I've tried that actually fit perfectly everywhere. I'm pretty short, so they normally tend to be way too long even with heels. This just about grazed the floor as well as being flattering around the waist and hips. I know I won't end up purchasing this item but it's made me realise I need to start trying things on I normally wouldn't!

5) I also found these earlier on this week in Dorothy Perkins. They're simple and classic style boots but with a metallic, edgy twist, with a pretty good price tag too! I must admit they don't look too appealing online, they look a lot better when worn. The only problem I found was that they had absolutely zero grip and they'd get dirty easily due to the material. I'd love this pair of boots for autumn, these are definitely something to think about!

6) Honestly, I haven't curled my eyelashes since I was about 14 and I acquired some horrendous curlers from Bodycare or somewhere similar. Recently though, I've started thinking I need to invest in a pair to get a little more curve out of them. Shu Uemura, from what I've seen, have the best reputation in eyelash curlers, but £20? Are they really worth that much money? After reading reviews it seems Mac's full body curlers are identical in design and give, pretty much, identical results for a bit less money. Does anybody have any recommendations?

7) Nothing too exciting here, I generally just need to invest in a pump for my Studio Fix foundation as I hate tipping/dipping into my bottle! 

Generally a very black and white wishlist this week, I just can't help myself! Hope you all have wonderful weekends!

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam

Highlighter in Sunbeam - Topshop - £9

So my search for the perfect highlighter for my skin has been a long and somewhat expensive journey. I've tried products from the high street and higher end brands, creams, liquids and powders but nothing has ever worked for me. Now I'm not saying that Topshop's highlighter is absolutely perfect, but it's certainly ten times better than anything I've tried before, and for the price you definitely can't go wrong.

When I first tried Topshop's make up products we definitely did not get along. Their liquid eyeliner was absolutely terrible and the texture of the cream to powder blush is just not for me. Therefore I was hesitant when I saw this in the Manchester Arndale store. After swatching it on the back of my hand I fell in love with the gold shimmer and decided I had to buy it, for £9 it's literally a bargain! I originally set out to purchase Nars highlighting blush in Miss Liberty but I decided to hold off and see what I made of this one first. 

The compact is simple but cute in their signature white packaging with dark grey patterns, this product has tiny little stars on the lid which I thought was sweet! The only downside is the fact that it's only been in my make up bag for under a week and it's already filthy from other products/the general horrendous state my make up bag is in. I know this is my fault and I should really clean it out but due to how lazy I am it'd be nice if Topshop brought out a range with dark packaging!

I was so eager to try it I applied it as soon as I got home, over my make up that I had on all day after numerous powder touch ups. Therefore I was disappointed when I got a cakey effect and really not much product appeared on my skin. The next day I was still disheartened but applied it over a fresh face of make up and what a difference it made! You only need a very minimal amount, and with the whole 6.5g of product you get this is definitely a product that will last forever. I applied it over Estée Lauder blush in Alluring Rose and got the effect shown in the bottom photo. The product isn't too shimmery and the sunlight picks out just enough shimmer to give glowing cheekbones. It holds wonderful golden tones perfect for the face and body. I find that I sometimes require a quick touch up on an evening but apart from that I can't really fault this product.

Has anybody tried Topshop's highlighter or any other Topshop product that you'd recommend? After this I'm eager to try more!

Weekend wishlist #3

1) Plaited Shopper Bag - Zara - £79.99 2) Frédéric Fekkai Summer Hair Marine Beach Waves - Amazon - £22.93 
3) Real Techniques Core Collection 1403 - Boots - £21.99 4) Lion's Head Door Knocker Bracelet - River Island - £10
5) Studded Pony Skin Slippers - Zara - £49.99 6) Chasing Wolves Necklace - Topshop - £18.50

1) 'The' Zara bag everyone is after at the moment. I can't help but fall in love with it in both the black and tan colourways. It's such a simple, classic design and shape made from 100% buffalo leather. I've seen a few eBay duplicates for example here and here but they just aren't the same! They seem too boxy, without the rounded edges so I probably won't waste my money. I just wish I could afford the £79.99 price tag as I would love for this to replace my every day oversized bag. It is payday tomorrow though...

2) Next on the wishlist is this 'beach waves' product by Frédéric Fekkai. Everywhere I've seen online is sold out, so this product was found on Amazon. This product claims to create 'surf-sexy texture' and can be used on both damp and dry hair to achieve that holiday, beach hair look on a daily basis. Now I have been searching for a 'salt spray' or 'beach waves' product for some time and have actually just purchased the Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray (what a mouthful!) which I will probably review in the near future. This spray however is quite a bit more expensive and has countless amazing reviews online, so I may have to make a purchase if the Umberto Giannini doesn't impress me. 

3) Real Techniques brushes have been around for ages but I've surprisingly never bought any of them. This is mainly because I have plenty of make up brushes already and felt it unnecessary to change them. However after months of use, washing and wearing away they seem to be lacking the quality they used to have. I know so many people who swear by Real Techniques so I'm planning on converting sometime soon. I'm especially excited to try out the buffing brush and I will 100% purchase a separate stippling brush.

4) I'm normally not the biggest fan of River Island in general. It's just not really for me. They do however surprise me sometimes, especially for jewellery. Look how cute this bracelet is with it's miniature lion head door knockers. 

5) Ever since Topshop brought out the studded, black 'Vectra' slippers/loafers I have spent so much money on replacing them. Three pairs from Topshop as well as a couple of cheaper versions which broke within weeks. I've now given up on them and on the lookout for more substancial flat, black 'every day' kind of shoes. Whilst shopping in Manchester I came across these beauts from Zara. How nice are they?!

6) Topshop jewellery is always great, expensive but there's always more than a handful of things I want to buy whenever I go into a shop. This is the latest thing that caught my eye. I probably won't end up purchasing it because I own too many gold necklaces that I don't wear but it doesn't hurt to look!