Five Things Friday: Luxury Christmas Wishlist

I've found myself trawling the pages of The Urban Retreat Boutique - a site dedicated to all things luxurious in the world of beauty, and I thought why not put together my ultimate luxury Christmas wish list as part of this weeks Five Things Friday, so here are five things I'd love to find nestled underneath my Christmas tree...

1) Laura Mercier steal my heart when it comes to makeup, I live by their tinted moisturiser but have never tried anything from their bath and body range. This Creme Brûlée Quartet looks and smells heavenly, with a candle to boot as you sit back and relax in the tub.

2) Morrocan Oil is something I've tried, tested and loved. I really need a new bottle to bring life back to my hair. STAT. 

3) I'm forever lusting over NARS palettes and the Guy Bourdin Crime of Passion is no exception - I think it makes the perfect night out travel kit - what do you think?

4) How gorgeous are these Diptyque Christmas Candles! I would still want this for the packaging alone, but this smells incredible. Chai Orange with hints of Indian spices - this is a real festive warmer.

5) During the winter my skin is lacking in hydration and in general needs a good spruce up, step in Omorovicza. This set looks fantastic for some luxurious pamper time with festive Myrrh and Frankincense oils. 

What's on your luxury Christmas wish list?

*collaboration with Urban Retreat


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Bourjois Colour Edition 24 Hour Cream to Powder Eyeshadows

As part of their Christmas Collection, Bourjois released a fresh take on this seasons smokey eye with their Colour Edition 24 Hour cream to powder eyeshadows. There are six shades to choose from, but I've found myself reaching most for the three used above: The Silver shade - Merveille d'Argent*, The Plum Purple (and my personal favourite) Prune Nocturne*, and finally Pétale de Glace* - a dusky rose with mauve undertones. For £6.99, these are a steal.

I love the luminous finish these cream shadows give off, and the fact that they dry to powder gives is a major plus in the longevity stakes (perhaps not for 24 hours) -  although I do suggest using a eyeshadow primer. I found these a bit rough to begin with and recommend warming up the product with your fingertips and smooth over your lids. You can build up the colour using a fluffy eyeshadow brush - I use my MAC 217. 

Above I have used Pétale de Glace all over the lid and then softly blended Prune Nocturne into the crease, with Merveille d'Argent as a highlight by my tear duct. For a more intense night time look, I'd suggest building Prune Nocturne up some more, or using these as a base before applying powder eyeshadow on top. Prune Nocturne is the stand out shade for me with flawless pigmentation, and also works well for a warmer smokey eye using the golden shade from the range, Or Désir. 

What are your thoughts on cream eyeshadows? Will you be picking these up?

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Neom Christmas Candle in Harmonise

Christmas is well and truly on it's way, it's pitch black by half three, the Christmas ads are out in full force and I have a yankering for pigs in blanket. I'm getting more and more excited about setting up our Christmas tree and starting up the festivities but whilst it's still a bit too early to whack out the tinsel, I've turned to candles to put me in the festive spirit.

Neom tick all the boxes when it comes to candles so I didn't expect anything less when it came to their Christmas range. Their Christmas candle in Harmonise*, is by far my favourite. I've been burning this every evening since it arrived on my doorstep, and it smells divine. 

Think crisp walks in the woods - with hits of hibiscus and deeper woody undertones. It's a really refreshing scent, whilst also warming up your room. My mum walks in just to have a sniff, it really does create a homely and wintery atmosphere with the subtle scents of pine, cedar wood, and eucalyptus lingering throughout the day. 

What are you go to Christmas candles?

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