Weekend Wishlist: what our shopping experts are spending their money on this payday

We’ve made it to the end of February, and if you’re looking for something to serve as a little end-of-month treat, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re after some stylish pieces to add to your spring wardrobe or are eyeing up some new makeup, we’ve got you covered with some of the hottest picks money can buy.

As we do every Friday, our shopping experts have scoured the high street for the items you need to add to your basket this weekend. And the best part? It’s also payday for many of us, so what better time to splurge?

Beauty enthusiasts will enjoy the deal we’ve found at LookFantastic, which will save them more than £100 on makeup from brands like Natasha Denona and Bobbi Brown. There’s also everything you need to prepare for spring, including The Organic Pharmacy’s Daily Mineral SPF 30 UV Protection — because SPF is important, but never more so when better weather makes an appearance.

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Shopping for spring outfits? One of our reporters spend two hours trying clothes on in Next and has found the ultimate spring to autumn dress for less than £35. Meanwhile, we’ve also lusting after Uniqlo’s jersey jacket; the ideal transitional piece as we welcome back (slightly) higher temperatures.

Get your bank card details at the ready — here’s what’s on our weekend wishlist:

Beth’s picks:

LookFantastic The Cosmetics Beauty Edit – £50

If you’re looking to refresh your beauty routine this spring, LookFantastic has just dropped a makeup edit that saves more than £100 on the contents. The Cosmetics Beauty Edit, worth over £160, is available now for £50 – and it’s packed with premium beauty must-haves.

This edit is a dream for makeup lovers, featuring cult-favorite brands like Natasha Denona, ICONIC London, KIKO Milano, Bobbi Brown, and more. Whether you’re aiming for a fresh, everyday glow or a bold evening look, this all-in-one collection has got you covered.

One of the products inside, the Natasha Denona Hy-per Natural Face Palette is worth more than the price you pay for the whole box, essentially making the rest of the contents free. With six items in the edit, the usually £54 soft glam palette works out at £8.33.

But the eyeshadow palette isn’t the only impressive inclusion. There’s also the much-loved KIKO Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss, ICONIC London Prep Set Glow, and BareMinerals Original Pore Minimising Primer 30ml, worth £32, KVD Beauty Full Sleeve Mascara 11ml and Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Shadow Stick Mini. Shop the edit here.

Next Khaki Green Woven Jersey Mix Sleeveless Racer Ribbed Midi Dress – £32

As soon as I tried on this Khaki Green Woven Jersey Mix Sleeveless Racer Ribbed Midi Dress, I knew it was coming home with me. The £32 racer-style midi dress is a great transitional piece, and will work really hard in my wardrobe. And if khaki isn’t for you, the dress also comes in black and red.

The ribbed bodice hugs the figure, while the flowy cotton skirt keeps things light and airy. The khaki shade is universally flattering, and the side pockets are a major bonus. On its own, the dress can be styled with chunky trainers for a casual day look, or add heeled mules for a dressier vibe. I also like that you could layer over a jumper or a cardigan to give a top and skirt illusion without it being too bulky, which is something I’ll definitely be doing while it’s still a bit chilly.

Coming in sizes 6-26 in the regular, the dress is also tailored to petite and tall shoppers, with sizes 4-20 available in the petite, but only sizes 10-20 in the tall. I opted for the regular length, however, I did find that the sizing runs slightly generous, so I decided to buy the sizes 8 — one dress size down from my usual — for a better fit around the bust area. You can buy the dress here.

Maybe Junior Wavy Knitted Top and Trouser Set – £20

While many of us look to Frankie Bridge for wardrobe inspiration, there’s another stylish former Saturday’s singer who many fashion fans are looking to for on-trend attire — but not for themselves. Now Radio 1 DJ and mum of two, Mollie King has launched a range of children’s clothing at Boots, and it’s giving the likes of Zara Kids and H&M a run for their money.

The most popular of the Maybe Junior collection (the sister range to Maybe Baby), has been this Wavy Knitted Top and Trouser Set, which comes in at £20. The knitted top and wide leg trouser set pairs comfort with style, featuring a delightful wavy design in shades of pink and mustard, perfect for spring and summer.

Sizes for the set range from 18 months to 5 years, with a selection of outfits for little girls and boys, and will no doubt be a new go to when it comes to buying outfits for my nieces and nephews. There’s also a couple of deals running that can be stacked on the range too. Firstly, it’s buy one get one half price on selected Maybe Baby, then you can use the code BABY15 to save 15% when you spend £40 on selected baby and child. That means you can get £54 worth of clothing and accessories for under £35.

Lauren’s picks:

Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner – £27

Lately, my skin has been angry. Blame it on the cold weather, but I’ve been dealing with red, dry, and irritated skin that no amount of moisturiser seemed to fix. While Curel’s £15 Deep Moisture Spray gave my skin much-needed hydration, I was still searching for a calming toner to soothe and strengthen my barrier.

A fellow beauty-savvy friend recommended Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner, and after two weeks of use, I’m officially hooked. The redness is still slightly present but has visibly calmed; my skin feels softer, and those stubborn dry patches have gone.

The £27 formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients, including allantoin, a powerhouse known for its soothing and skin-conditioning properties that help reduce irritation and support the skin’s natural healing process. It also contains a blend of plant extracts with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, which work to ease redness while protecting the skin from environmental stressors.

What I love most is the texture — it’s light and milky but sinks in quickly, leaving my skin feeling hydrated without any stickiness. It’s become a staple in my winter skincare routine, and if you’re struggling with dryness and sensitivity, it’s well worth trying.

Pour Moi’s Heatwave Bikini Set – £36/£22

The White Lotus is finally back on our screens, and those dreamy shots of Thailand are giving me a severe case of the holiday itch — minus the snotty wealthy tourists that the show is infamous for, of course. Before I start scouting out my next getaway, it’s time to retire my tired, old swimsuit and upgrade to something a little more fabulous.

Enter Pour Moi’s purple and red bikini set, which is currently at the top of my wish list. It’s serving full-on tropical vibes with its bold colour clash and palm leaf print. Looks aside, it’s comfortable as well; the briefs have a comfy mid-rise with a stretchy, elasticated fit—perfect for sipping all the poolside margaritas without worrying about bloat.

The bikini bra is just as versatile, with a clever adjustable design that lets you switch between a halter-neck and bandeau style. Plus, it has light padding to add shape and underwiring for a little extra lift. BRB, booking my flights.

LANEIGE Bouncy and Firm Eye Sleeping Mask – £28

Ok, I’ve already moaned about how much my skin has suffered this winter (see above) — but I’m not done yet. The skin around my eyes has taken a serious hit, too. Dry, tight and making me look more exhausted than I actually feel, my under-eyes have been crying out for some TLC.

Most beauty lovers will know Laneige — the brand’s iconic Lip Sleeping Mask has been raved about from everyone from Kate Moss to Molly-Mae — but until a few weeks ago, I’d never actually tried the products myself (I know, the shame). I decided to give the brand’s Bouncy and Firm range a try, going for the Sleeping Mask and the Sleeping Eye Mask, both of which promised to make my skin feel fresher and more rejuvenated.

The Sleeping Mask ticked all the boxes, but it’s the Eye Mask that has impressed me most. Eye treatments can be tricky for my sensitive skin, but this one? No irritation whatsoever — just a cool, refreshing feel when applied.

It’s incredibly hydrating, a little goes a long way, and I genuinely notice a difference when I wake up. The skin around my eyes feel smoother, plumper and far less tired-looking; I can’t recommend it enough.

The Organic Pharmacy’s Daily Mineral SPF 30 UV Protection – £36 from £45

We all know we should wear SPF every day, but daily UV protection is more important than ever as the sun starts to filter through and spring edges closer. While there are plenty of SPF-infused moisturisers to consider, my Weekend Wishlist pick is The Organic Pharmacy’s Daily Mineral SPF 30 UV Protection.

This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula is suitable for all skin types — great news if you’re prone to breakouts or dryness. It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients, too: hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, witch hazel water to soothe and tone, and carrot root extract (rich in vitamin A) for an extra boost of antioxidant protection against environmental stressors.

If you’d prefer a higher SPF, consider No7’s Future Renew Defence Shield SPF 50. (£25.95). It’s another lightweight option that layers seamlessly under makeup while offering robust protection against the sun’s rays — ideal for those brighter days ahead.

Nisha’s picks:

Uniqlo Jersey Relaxed Jacket – £39.50

I’ve been purchasing jackets like there’s no tomorrow, and my appetite for spring outerwear is still insatiable. I am focusing on investing in timeless designs that will last me a few years and will go with plenty of outfits—mostly jeans, as that’s what I tend to live in the most.

This Uniqlo Jersey Relaxed Jacket is perfect. Priced at a wallet-friendly £39.90, the jacket’s classic utility look comes in seven fabulous shades – think everything from basic black to soft blush pink and earthy olive.

Designed with practicality in mind, it features statement buttons and generously sized pockets, available across an inclusive range of sizes from XXS to XXL. It has been in my online basket all week so I can’t wait to hit ‘purchase’ this weekend.

One thing I am sceptical about is the sizing, as the customer reviews are mixed with some buyers advising you to size up as it runs small, and then some saying it has an oversized fit so stay true to your normal size.

Next’s Hourglass Wide-leg Jeans – £38

I’m after a few pairs of lighter-wash jeans for the spring months, mostly in wide-leg or straight-fit styles. I’d never bought a pair of jeans from Next before until Christmas, and it’s an incredibly underrated retailer for denim.

I picked up a pair of low-rise grey bootcut jeans, and they fit like a glove. Plus, for my height (5ft, for reference), the length is perfect both with boots and trainers.

The Mid Blue Hourglass Wide Leg Jeans caught my eye because I love the style and the colour is perfect for spring. They’ll be easy to pair with mules, trainers, boots and heels for all occasions.

It’s also hard to find mid-rise or low-rise jeans in petite ranges, so I’m looking forward to trying this lovely pair out.

Hourglass Vanish Airbrush concealer – £36

Believe the hype; this is hands down the best full-coverage concealer I have ever used. It’s creamy and non-patchy, blends like a dream, and is incredible at covering dark circles.

After weeks of scraping the sides of my beloved Hourglass concealer, it has finally come to an end, so I need a re-up this weekend. I use this every time I do my make-up, with or without foundation.

I use two shades—topaz as a colour corrector and beech as a brightening shade. The downside is that once you love it, you cannot live without it, and at £36, it’s steep for a concealer.

Source: Mirror