High End Beauty Haul (NARS, MAC, Jo Malone)

I love high end makeup because the packaging and quality of the products is significantly better (in many cases IMO) than drug store makeup although some drug store products are super amazing!. My birthday was in the first week of January so I got a few treats that had been sitting on my wish list. I got some of them just before my birthday during the sales as a lovely pre-birthday treat and others on my birthday. I would be reviewing a few of them this week but I wanted to share a sneak peek and first impressions before a full review.

NARS Haul

This is my first time trying NARS makeup and I have no idea why it took me so long #latetotheparty. I have always admired them from afar and I knew they were a little pricey so I was not very tempted. I eventually gave in after reading countless reviews especially in the past year. I love their sleek matte black lid and glass bottle packaging which looks so simple yet elegant and classy. I picked up the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Cadiz. I was a little hesitant in purchasing it because it said "Sheer" and "Glow"; two words I don't like to associate my foundations with. On purchasing and trying it out, I quickly realised that the word Sheer simply refers to the glow it gives the skin and not particularly its coverage. Indeed, it gives my skin a very sheer glow; a unique glow which looks like it's coming from the inside. That's pretty damn amazing if you ask me. The NARS Sheer Glow Foundation is truly a makeup lover’s dream and I can see it being amazing on any skin type as it gives a medium coverage which can be built up and a glow without the shine or dewy feeling.


I also picked up the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer which has been raved about by every blogger and I can understand why after trying it out myself. I got the shade Amande although I should have picked up Caramel but I like my concealers for my blemishes rather than under my eyes. It feels creamy and easy to apply and gives good coverage which can also be built up. Lastly, I picked up the NARS Foundation Pump (hurray!!) which I was shocked to find as it is constantly sold out everywhere. Sadly, NARS foundations don't come with a pump which is very annoying seeing that they are not the cheapest foundations out there. I am so pleased I finally got this as I have an aversion for foundations without pumps. I found mine in Bentalls Centre Kingston in case you are wondering. I was told it is sold out (again) but it will be back by next week so fingers crossed if you want it and no, they don't do online orders. It's best to call them to reserve one or just pop down if you live close.

MAC Haul

I didn’t really go crazy with MAC because I was not after anything in particular other than my usual favourites. I picked up the MAC Brow Pencil in Stud which still remains one of my favourite pencils. The Anastasia Brow Wiz and Soap and Glory versions have a firm place in my heart mainly because you can roll them up and down which is impossible with MAC brow pencils but I still love the MAC offering. I was also on the haunt for MAC’s Velvet Teddy Lipstick which was previously available here in the UK until the whole Kylie Jenner trend and it disappeared off the counters. I was lucky that my friend travelled to the States and kindly picked this up for me. Phew!! You can still order it online on the MAC website, pay extortionate fees on Ebay (not recommended) or ask someone travelling to the States to get you one (which was my preferred option). I absolutely love the colour and it was well worth the wait. A review will be up soon.

Selfridges and Fragrance Lab Perfumes

Well, this is not really a high end perfume per say; in fact I don’t even know how to classify this. Apparently, Selfridges and Fragrance Lab teamed up sometime in 2014 to create personalised fragrances for people who came into their Lab. It involves various steps and tests before you are presented with a fragrance which is allegedly “your personal scent” based on your personality. I didn’t go for the consultation or anything of the sort but I snagged this in the sales for £20 which was knocked down from £50 (its original price). I like the fragrances even though I may not have chosen them if they were full price. A full review of these babies will be up soon.

Jo Malone Tuberose Angelica Cologne Intense
I was lucky to receive this as a birthday present from the bf and I was so thrilled because I wanted another Jo Malone cologne after enjoying the Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir. I think Jo Malone perfumes are one of the most unique fragrances I have ever tried and there is something so sensual and demure about them. They are very pricey for what they are but I am obsessed with them. The Tuberose Angelica Cologne Intense is a rich blend of Tuberose, Angelica and Amber wood just as the name implies and it smells so amazing, sensual and decadent. I think it will definitely be one of my favourite scents this year although Lancome La Vie est Belle still holds a super special place in my heart!! That's it folks! I was absolutely spoilt Pre- Birthday and even more on my actual birthday. As mentioned, reviews of these products will be popping up on the blog sometime this week so keep your eyes peeled. Have you tried any of these products? See you in my next post...xx