The Duty-Free Wish List

DIORSKIN Nude BB Cream  //  YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick  //  Nars Creamy Concealer  //  Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation  //  Jo Malone Wild Fig and Cassis Cologne  //  Chloe for Women Eau de Parfum  //  Illamasqua Hydra Veil  //  Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow  //  Nars Sheer Glow Foundation  //  Marc Jacobs Oh Lola! Eau de Parfum

With my move home now just around the corner, I've inevitably got a lot on my mind. There's a new house to consider, a new job....and then of course, there's the Duty Free! 

The closer we get, the less I am able to stop myself dreaming about all those beautiful high-end products, and while there is more chance of me winning the lottery than actually buying all of this stuff, a girl can dream. So, I thought that in order to get it all out of my system, I'd pop together a 'little' wishlist of the bits and bobs that have been filling my mental un-shopping list over the past few weeks, and looking at it, it probably isn't even the half of it. Fingers crossed, I might be lucky enough to pick up a couple of bits in Paris, so I'm going to have to get narrowing things down to the bare essentials. 

Nope, not fooling anyone, am I - no essentials here. But they are just so pretty....

I know I said I'd had it with BB Creams, but a little voice has been nudging me in the direction of the Diorskin Nude BB for some time now, in spite of myself. For a start, it's Dior, and I can't imagine anything with that name on it being sub-standard. Today though, it's place on my wish list was cemented when I watched this Vivianna Does Makeup video and saw with my own eyes just how beautiful it is. It seems to give such a gorgeous, natural glow as well as evening things out quite impressively, so it's now become a summer must for me.

I'm also in need of a new foundation, and have had my eye on both the Laura Mercier Silk Creme and Nars Sheer Glow foundations since last year, so I'm hoping to finally pick one of those up. The Nars Creamy Concealer also looks promising for under-eye circles, so I've thrown that one in for good measure.

I really fancy finally treating myself to one of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks, another long-coveted product for which I just haven't been able to justify the price. They have to be the most beautifully packaged lipsticks of all time though, and one day a coral or peachy shade shall be mine.

Aside from that, I'm itching to give the Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow a go, as it looks like the perfect partner when it comes to contouring. The Hydra Veil has also been calling my name. It's a gel-powder base which is applied before your foundation for a flawless look, and to say I'm intrigued would be an understatement.

Last but not least, I need to stock up on perfumes, which is something I always tend to do when going through duty-free - I don't buy them for myself unless I'm travelling, and I'm running really low at the moment.

And that is it. I say this, but you know there are tons more things popping into my head as I write. Fingers crossed I won't have any currency in the airport, and then I won't be able to do any damage!

Ha. I jest. 

(Sort of).

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Faux Fur Coat  -  This Works Gold Shimmer Balm  -  Teddy Robe  -  Leather Studded Gloves  -  Origins No Puffery Cooling Eye Mask  -  Shoes  -  Satchel  -  Purse  -  Diorskin Nude Foundation  -  Belt  -  Origins 'Quick Hide' Concealer  -  Leopard Jumper

With the chilly weather having descended on us, this week it's all about the winter warmers. Whilst I like the sunshine, there's something really luxurious and self-indulgent about snuggling up in cosies on the sofa and reading, blogging, eating chocolate and drinking tea. I won't be making too much of a habit of the chocolate, but I will definitely be cooking up some deliciously warming dinners over the coming weeks, so either way I will be enjoying snuggling up at home. I also think that this time of year is when we really relax, rather than rushing around and trying to squeeze 101 things into the day and make the most of what few sunny spells we are blessed with oover the summer months.

I am in love with the studded leopard print purse above, and since I am in dire need of a new one I will be popping this beauty on my Christmas wishlist. I've also discovered a long-wearing concealer by Origins, which intrigues me no end, having never tried any of the cosmetics from their range. This one claims not to cake or crease, as well as hiding dark circles and blemishes, and the fact that Origins like to pack their products with natural ingredients makes this one a must.

I am looking for a beautiful new foundation for winter, and one that will provide me with a stunning, flawless finish for festive nights out, so Diorskin Nude Foundation is top of my list for that.

And I can't forget to mention the Origins No Puffery Eye Mask. Many of you will be aware that I've been having problems with puffy eyes and dark circles of late, so I'm hoping this could be the answer....watch this space.

We were supposed to be going on a mini road trip today, but sadly it hasn't happened, so that means staying home. I'm just about to head off for a run and then I'm thinking of doing some baking this afternoon, before snuggling up to watch a film with the hubby before he trots off to work.

What are you up to this weekend?

xx

SPLURGE #1: Dior Golden Jungle Collection (A/W 2012)

With the Autumn months fast approaching, it's time to take a look at some of the most impressive new cosmetic collections hitting stores. This is the first in a new series of posts in which I will show you the best Spend and Splurge options out there, from high-end designer brands for those of you looking to invest, to high-street alternatives for those keeping a tighter hold on those purse strings (since when did purses actually have strings!?)

Hope you enjoy the first instalment!

Leopard print first featured in Christian Dior's debut collection in 1947, and the jungle motif has been going strong ever since, reinterpreted by Dior Couture with each passing decade and runway show. This year, in the A/W 2012 Golden Jungle Collection,  it has been given a touch of luxury, with shimmering gold and earthy tones, featuring khakis, bronzes, nudes and rich chocolate shades which are wearable but glamorous.

The collection will be available in the UK exclusively from Selfridges from 30th July.

Golden Jungle Palette, £52 (also available in browns)

5 Couleurs Designer - Khaki Design

Golden Savannah Palette

I have just found out that this one is not going to be available in the UK, which I must admit I'm rather disappointed about as it's my favourite item from the entire collection! It's so frustrating when things like this happen. But let's be honest, at over £50, I probably wouldn't have ended up buying it anyway. It would have been a nice one for the Christmas list though.

Golden Jungle Nail Art Duo - Le Vernis Crocodile Leather Effect Nails

How amazing does this nail combo look? It consists of a golden base coat, with a khaki top coat which dries to create this stunning crocodile skin effect.

Dior Vernis in Amazonia

Dior Addict in Darling and Wild

While it's a huge shame that the beautifully luxurious Golden Savannah Palette won't be available over here, I am still hugely intrigued by the Golden Jungle palettes. I used to be a huge fan of using green shades on my eyes, but it has been literally years since I last did so, so I am looking forward to rediscovering them now that they have had a bit of new life breathed into them. Greens look amazing with hazel of brown eyes (mine are hazel). One other thing that disappointed me just a tiny bit though, is that the section on the right of the palettes is not, in fact, a blush, but a lip gloss. It's a shame, as I think the peachy shade would have looked perfect on the cheeks, but I'm sure I can find something similar separately. I'm not a huge fan of having lipglosses in palettes, as they tend to attract fall-out particles from the eyeshadows, and no one wants green specks on their lips!

The second thing that I am absolutely desperate to get my hands on, and the one thing that I am actually likely to treat myself to, is the Golden Jungle nail art Duo in Crocodile Leather Effect. I have already raved about this above, so I won't bore you by doing so again, but I think the image speaks for itself - ah-mazing. However, at £24, I suppose you could say that style comes at a price!

I really like the idea of trying out khaki shades in general on my nails, as this is something completely new to me, and I have been running out of new colours to try of late.

As with almost every new makeup collection, I can't say I'm hugely excited by any of the lip colours. It's not that I don't enjoy a good lipstick - quite the opposite - but they do tend to stay within a certain colour range, so it is rare to see anything particularly ground-breaking within a new launch. I would be just as likely to buy something from the main range. It's the lip and cheek products which usually draw me in, and I would have liked to have perhaps seen more in the way of blushes, bronzers and highlighters here,.But I think it's clear that the main focus of the collection is on dramatic, earthy eye makeup, reminiscent of the urban jungle and 40s glamour, all rolled into one.

Here's a full list of what you can expect from the collection:

5 Couleurs Designer Eyeshadow Palette – Limited Edition

Khaki Palette – khaki, gold, brown, beige, champagne

Golden Jungle Palette – Limited Edition

Golden Brown

• Golden Khaki

Dior Three Shadows Palette – Limited Edition

• Ivory Glow
• Nude Glow

Dior Le Vernis – Limited Edition

• Gold
• Khaki
• Brown

Dior Blush – Limited Edition

• Sugar & Spice
• Sunkissed Cinnamon

Dior Addict Lipstick – Limited Edition

• Wild
• Instinct
• Fatale
• Daring
• 
  

So what do you think of the Golden Jungle collection? Will you be splashing out on any of these pieces, or will you be trying out similar shades from more purse-friendly brands?
Do keep an eye out for the alternative 'Save' collection later in the week, where I will be sharing with you some of the best new products for achieving the urban jungle look for a fraction of the price!

Hope you're having a lovely weekend :)

xx