Beauty Wishlist

Over the majority of 2013, I realised that my beauty spending habits changed quite a lot, moving from makeup to mainly skincare. I currently have a some vouchers burning a bit of a hole in my purse and I feel like a makeup splurge is in order, so I decided to collate some beauty bits and bobs that I'm lusting after.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is hailed as an almighty foundation by many in the beauty blogging community. Apparently it has good coverage, good longevity, photographs well and comes in many shades. As a bit of a sheep and on a constant hunt to find the perfect base, Luminous Silk has made its way onto my 'to try' list. Amelia Liana recently posted about how L'Oreal True Match Foundation is a good dupe of the almighty, so maybe buying that will save me some pennies but give me a similar effect...

Another thing that has caught my attention is the Topshop Glow Highlighter in Polished. This is a cream highlighter, which has received a 4.4 out of 5 rating on the Topshop website and is many getting rave reviews about the beautiful highlighting qualities of this product. Coming in at less than £10, you can't really go wrong.

Tying in with trying to find the perfect base, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect concealer too. As a low maintenance makeup gal, I want a concealer that can cover dark circles, redness and blemishes. Enter the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, an all around concealer which can cover everything that you want hiding. Coming in 8 shades, you're bound to find the perfect shade for you.

I saw a picture of Essie Marshmallow on Pinterest and was instantly drawn to the shade. It is a sheer white shade, which can be your perfect French manicure base or can be built up to a jelly-like white. I like that it's not as full on as a pure white and can be used a base for glitters and nail art.

I've wanted the Naked Basics palette for a while as the matte shades in my Naked I palette are nearing pan and I was on the hunt for new matte eyeshadows. After being overwhelmed on the MAC website (anyone have any recommendations?), I thought this palette was a safe bet.

The Charles Worthington Texturising Spray isn't necessarily a makeup item, but it's something else I want to try. Currently being claimed as the cheaper alternative to Oribe's Dry Texturising Spray, the volumising and texturising properties of this spray sound like something my occasionally flat-looking hair can benefit from.

What's on your beauty wishlist at the moment?

Joy xx

September Wishlist

Clockwise from left: Yankee Candle Car Jar in Christmas Cookie, The Great British Bake Off Everyday Book, Charlotte's Magic Cream, Snake Upper Arm Cuff, Topshop Marnie Shoes, Soap and Glory Smooch Operator

With payday just gone and me being a busy bee, I haven't had a chance to mooch around my local shopping centre to spend some of my hard earned money. So I turned to the wonderful world wide web and have compiled a wishlist of things I want to spend my money on...

I passed my driving test in July and bought a car a few weeks back. I've been looking around online for a car air freshener, which looks nice and smells lovely. Yankee Candle Christmas Cookie is one of my favourite Christmas candles and I was surprised to see a few places still had these in stock. So I'm definitely considering buying one for my car, even though it's not Christmas season yet (Although I've seen some Christmas chocolates and mince pies start to appear in the supermarket...!)

With #GBBO on the tellybox again, I've been in the baking spirit. My baking skills are average at best, so I figure you can't go wrong with a bit of Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood showing you the way into the world of baking.

Charlotte Tilbury released her range of makeup, skincare and brushes earlier this month and I have been swooning at some of the range after seeing swatches online. However the thing I have been seriously lusting after is Charlotte's Magic Cream. It's definitely pricier than I would usually spend on a moisturiser, retailing at £70 but if I recall correctly, Charlotte refers to it as 'a pushup bra in a jar' - Now who wouldn't want that for their face? As the Autumn/Winter months approach, I know my skin will be in need of something to give it a boost and I think this might be it.

I really like the look of upper arm cuffs on nights out, especially if you're wearing something sleeveless. I think it's a great alternative to your typical wrist wear, but I haven't seen many to buy in store recently. I spotted this on eBay for less than £2 and managed to purchase this in less than 2 minutes.

These Topshop shoes look lovely for the upcoming Autumn months. I love the subtle nod to monochrome and animal print with the dalmation dots on the heels. I can picture these transitioning well into Autumn with a pair of skinny jeans or cigarette pants.

I am a complete lip balm junkie. I currently have about 4 in my handbag and am lusting after this Soap and Glory one. I haven't heard many people talk about this one, so who know if it's any good... But I gave it a sniff in Boots and it smelt bloody amazing!

What are you lusting after at the moment?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

(Images from Topshop.com, eBay.co.uk, Google.co.uk, Boots.com)

Handbag Wishlist

After payday, I decided that I want to save for a new handbag and I instantly set off researching which bag, because apart from actually getting the bag, that's the (only) fun part about saving, right?

The first bag I decided to look into was the Mulberry Lily. I have loved the Mulberry Lily for a long time, as all the bags I own are a lot bigger than this and I think it would be nice to have a smaller luxury handbag for days where you don't want to carry a lot. I like how it has similarities to the Chanel Classic Flap, but without the price tag. I think the oak colour would be perfect, as I love a tan accessory.

Then I had a look at the Phillip Lim Pashli. This bag seems like a perfect size bag for work, as I tend to carry a lot on a daily basis. I like how the zips can be pulled down to completely change the shape and feel of the bag. It comes in some beautiful colours, such as jewel toned greens, blues and ruby red like the one that Reese Witherspoon is carrying in the picture below.

The last bag I decided to research, before I started feeling depressed that I suck at saving, was the Prada Saffiano Lux tote. This tote seems to be one of the it-bags of the moment and I can see why. I love the feel of Saffiano leather and it seems to be one of the more versatile, hard wearing types of leather. I really like the structured and classic shape of this bag. It has a formal air to it, which would be perfect for work and can be worn dressed down by using the shoulder strap. There are so many colours to pick from, but I'm loving the lighter shades as I think they would be gorgeous for summer.

What bags do you lusting after?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

(Image credit: Google, Just Jared, Style Scrapbook)

Christmas Wishlist

As Christmas is drawing close now, I thought I'd share the things that I have on my Christmas wishlist. There is a mix of things that I have wanted for ages but never got round to buying and things that I've heard good things about and would like to try.

I have heard countless good things about Diptyque candles, but couldn't bear to part with that much money for a candle. This set of mini candles seems like a nice way to be introduced into the world of Diptyque and has three of their most popular scents.

I have wanted a MAC 266 brush for absolutely ages. I tend to use pencil to fill in my eyebrows, but like the natural finish that using eyeshadow can give. This brush seems like the one that everybody on Youtube uses to fill in their brows, so I don't think you can really go wrong there.

My hair has never been voluminous or particularly thick, but recently it's been feeling like it's thinning a little. I've heard lots of good reviews about the Nioxin system and when I had my haircut a few weeks ago, the hairdresser also mentioned it, so I thought this Nioxin set would be good to try.

MAC makeup is always on my wishlist. Recently I have been wanting to try their Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle, as it looks like such a pretty highlight which would be lovely for dull skin days during the winter and their lipstick in Rebel, which my friend was wearing when I had dinner with a few friends recently and it looked like a lovely pinky-purple currant colour, perfect for these wintery months.

After Corrie did a review and a 'How I style my hair' video on Youtube with these Enrapture Extremity Heated Rollers, I thought that they would be perfect for my fine and flat hair. I'm not brilliant at doing my hair, but they seem so easy to use and give a fantastic result.

Every time I go into House of Fraser or Selfridges, I always stop by the Laura Mercier counter and take a sniff at their bath products. I'm not fussy about my body moisturisers and tend to buy anything that's on offer, but I absolutely love the Creme de pistache scent and would love to try this luxurious Creme de pistache souffle body creme.

Lastly, I have been wanting to buy this Skin79 BB Cream, which I have wanted since I reviewed it here. It's a perfect, easy day-to-day base product and is really affordable.

What are you wishing for this Christmas?

Thanks for reading. xoxo, Joy

(Image credit: Google, Diptyque, MAC Cosmetics and House of Fraser)

August Wishlist

I changed my header today... It's quite a bit smaller and less of a statement than my previous one, but I quite like the simplicity. What do you guys think?

I have recently received a few deposits back and feel like I'm in the money (I'm not). I know the sensible thing would be to save it, but I've been lusting after a few things lately.

Images: Paula's Choice, Mulberry, Boots, Google, Enrapture, House of Fraser

Paula's Choice Targeted Blemish Relief Toner - My skin seems to go in circles. Sometimes it's clear, sometimes it breaks out like a b--. I have recently been looking into products with salicylic acid to try and clear my skin from within the pores and this Paula's Choice caught my eye.

Mulberry Lily - I tend to only use big bags, but that means I end up carrying lots of useless junk around. I have been lusting after this Mulberry Lily for ages, as I think it would be the perfect size bag for toting around during the day when I want to carry less and would transition well for night as well. I love the little horse shoe charm!

Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Perfume - I had a quick sniff of this in Boots last weekend and thought it was lovely. It's not the most grown up scent, but I thought it would be a nice transition from summer to autumn perfume. Plus, the packaging is absolutely gorgeous!

Mint Nike Freerun 3 - I am after a new pair of trainers as mine are getting old now. As soon as I saw these, I fell in love with the colour.

Enrapture Totem Styler - I have seen a million and one rave reviews about this hair curler and it has made me want it! I have the Babyliss conical wand, but don't really use it as I find the curls are always too uniform. I really like the versatility of the totem styler and the different styles you can create.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser - I want to try something with light coverage for when my skin is clear. I've seen a few reviews about this and it sounds like my cup of tea. It also has spf 20, which is very useful.

What are you lusting after at the moment?

Thank you for reading. xoxo, Joy

March Wishlist

I have recently been trying to be better with my money (Although it doesn't seem to be working too well as you can see from my collective haul!). However, that doesn't stop me from lusting over things that I (don't) need!

Images: Forever 21, Google, Topshop, Mulberry, Jo Malone

Forever 21 nude blazer - In my eyes, every girl needs a nude blazer! It's a fabulous neutral colour which goes with everything and is a nice alternative to wearing black, especially in spring/summer. I love the black lapel contrast of this blazer which, in my eyes, finishes it off perfectly.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua - I have lately been finding that none of the foundations I own last long enough on my skin. I went to the Chanel counter in Debenhams and got colour matched to B20 in the Vitalumiere Aqua. The lovely SA gave me sample to take away and I have fallen in love with this foundation. It lasts nicely on my skin and the finish is just lovely.

Topshop Polka Dot Bikini - This is so cute and I am adding it my holiday wishlist (even though I have no holiday booked for this year at the moment!). This one looks like it has a nice amount of coverage and stability, as I find triangle bikinis too flimsy, and how can anyone fault a navy/white polka dot print?!

Topshop Lipstick in Clueless - I saw this on the site while I was browsing the bikinis and it really caught my eye. I like the idea of using a lipstick pencil, as I imagine it would be easier and neater to apply. And this colour looks like a pretty, bright pink which will be lovely in the summer.

Mulberry Tamara Scarf - I totally blame Sarah for making me want this! She recently blogged about buying the pale pink version of this scarf and when I was browsing the Mulberry website, this lovely blue/grey one caught my eye. It looks super soft and luxurious and would be a lovely adjunct to any outfit the whole year round!

Sigma F25 - I have lately been contouring my face every day and although my ELF blush brush does a nice job, I can't help wanting something else. I've seen a few people rave about this brush for contour and the tapered point looks like it would fit perfectly into the hollows of the cheeks, without splaying and spreading the contour all over the place.

Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Cologne - I was recently at the Jo Malone counter in Selfridges trying to find a perfect scent for my mum as a mother's day gift. However instead of finding one for her, I found one for myself. This has a nice fruity smell, which wasn't too heavy or sweet and after a while, the freesia scent comes through. I also like the idea that you can mix Jo Malone's scents and wear them together.

What have you been wishing for recently?

Thank you reading. xoxo, Joy

Christmas Wishlist

As Christmas is looming closer and closer (14 more sleeps!), I thought I'd share my ultimate Christmas wishlist. A few things are things I need, e.g. new glasses as the plastic on my Chanel ones are falling apart a little after having them for 4 years and new replacement heads for my Clarisonic, while some things are a little out there e.g. the Black Milk leggings or a little extortionate e.g. the iPhone and Mulberry Alexa. But like I said this is my ultimate wishlist, which is irrespective of how realistic life is.

Clockwise from left:

Purple Galaxy Leggings (BlackMilkClothing.com)

iPhone (Apple.com)

Clarisonic Brush Heads (Clarisonic.co.uk)

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish (LizEarle.com)

OPI Rainbow Connection (OPI.com)

Mulberry Alexa (Mulberry.com)

Ray-Ban Glasses (Rayban.com)

What have you asked for for Christmas? What would be on your ultimate wishlist?

xoxo, Joy

August Wishlist

With Autumn fast approaching (I can't believe summer is almost over already!), I've started browsing around online, adding things to my virtual shopping basket and attempting to spend money I don't have! My clothes colour palette barely changes from the cold to warm weather, as my wardrobe mainly centres around neutral colours like black and grey. A colourful patterned, stripy or floral top is as far as my wardrobe stretches with regards to colour. This mini wishlist for Autumn follows suit in the neutral theme.

Clockwise from left:
Trenchcoat (Warehouse.co.uk)
Babyliss Big Hair (Babyliss.co.uk)
La Roche Posay Effaclar M (Boots.com)
H&M Jersey Dress (HM.com)
Fossil Rose Gold Stella Watch (Fossil.co.uk)
Aldo Cyphert Bag (AldoShoes.com)
Maybelline lipstick in Coral Crush (Boots.com)

Are you thinking about your Autumnal wardrobes yet? What are you planning to buy in Autumn?

xoxo, Joy

If I Was A Rich Girl...

"Think what that money could bring,

I'd buy everything,
Clean out Vivienne Westwood
In my Galliano gown,
No, wouldn't just have one hood,
A Hollywood mansion if I could
Please book me first-class to my fancy house in London town"

I love Gwen Stefani! :)

Earlier this week, I went for afternoon tea at Laduree in Harrods (Nomnomnom) and a spot of shopping with one of my friends from school. While we were shopping, she treated herself to a pair of Christian Louboutins. I am so ridiculously jealous! Anyway, it got me thinking: If I had endless amounts of money and could buy anything, what would I buy? I used to waste so much time poring over Net-A-Porter, knowing full well that I can't afford anything on there, but just looking for the sake of it. Did/Does anyone else do that?

Clockwise from left:
Christian Louboutin Swarovski Crystal Peep-Toe Pumps (Net-A-Porter.com)
Burberry Cotton-Twill Trench Coat (Net-A-Porter.com)
Hermes H Enamel Bracelet (Hermes.com)

Alexander McQueen Skull Print Scarf (Net-A-Porter.com)
Ray Ban Aviators (Ray-Ban.com)
Clarisonic Classic (Clarisonic.com)
Cartier Love Bracelet (Cartier.co.uk)
Chanel Classic Flap Bag (Chanel.com)

Ahh, well a girl can dream! What would you buy if you had endless amounts of money?



xoxo, Joy

October Wishlist

Hello everyone! :)

I'm back from Canada and back blogging again. Despite the gloomy weather (It rained every day apart from Wednesday), I had a lovely time with my family. Due to the rainy days, we didn't manage to do as much sight-seeing as we had wanted :( Unlike America, Canada isn't much cheaper than over here in the UK, so I didn't buy much while I was out there. In Vancouver airport, the duty free MAC cosmetics were the same as in the MAC shops here!

Due to not buying much while I was out in Canada, I decided to compile a wishlist of things that I've been wanting recently:

Clockwise from left:
Nude patent shoes (Next.co.uk)
Tracksuit Bottoms (JackWills.com)
MAC Face and Body Foundation (MACCosmetics.co.uk)
Coach Wristlet (Coach.com)
All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray (UrbanDecay.com)
Purple Skull Ring (TallulahTu.co.uk)

What are you all wishing for at the moment?

Oh and before I go, Happy Halloween! What are you all dressing up as?

xoxo, Joy

May Wishlist

These are just a few things that I'm lusting after at the moment!

Clockwise from left:
Ray Ban Wayfarers (Ray-Ban.com)
Mulberry Alexa (Mulberry.com)
Tiffany Key (Tiffany.com)
Anya Hindmarch Purse (AnyaHindmarch.com)
Wildfox Tee (WildfoxCouture.com)
MAC Viva Glam Cyndi (MACCosmetics.co.uk)
Apple iPhone (Apple.com)

What are you all wishing for at the moment?

xoxo, Joy