15 September 2023 , 04:00
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As the workweek winds down, there’s a certain buzz in the air in knowing that Friday marks not only the start of a weekend of re-charging - but also the opportunity to indulge in a little retail therapy. Naturally, the thought of battling the bustling aisles and navigating the snaking Saturday queues of shoppers is not our idea of a relaxing weekend. But that doesn’t mean you can’t snap up the latest viral midi dress or skincare dupe.
Enter Friday Favourites - a carefully curated edit of The Mirror Fashion and Beauty Team’s top picks from the high street this week. At the end of every week, we’ll be seeking out the viral sensations, soon to be sell outs, and uncovering the gems that deserve a spot in your shopping bag (and ours), from the likes of M&S, Very, PrettyLittleThing and Revolution.
Online shopping can often feel overwhelming when time is precious and choices are endless. As such we understand the need to make every *add to basket* moment count. Amidst the chaos of TikTok beauty trends and ever-turning wheel of fast fashion, we're bringing you pieces that aren't just fleeting fads, curating a finely tuned selection of fashion, beauty and home must-haves that you’ll love for seasons to come.
Whether you're seeking a wardrobe refresh, eye-catching accessories, or simply a touch of inspiration, we've got you covered. And in a nod to the evolving conversation around sustainable choices and overconsumption, we won’t be recommending any old rubbish - these are pieces and products we either genuinely rate, have bought ourselves, or simply have a hunch you will love as much as we do.
If you’re a seasoned trendsetter, beauty buff or simply need a helping hand when it comes to finding what’s hot and worth your hard earned cash, consider Friday Favourites your guide to navigating the high street’s never ending scroll of shopping picks.
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Here's what we're loving this week:
Michelle Keegan's New Mesh Ruched Midi Dress
The Printed Mesh Ruched Midi Dress from Michelle Keegan's new collection with Very (Very)The actress's new collaboration with Very has just dropped and we are already SO obsessed with its pieces, including this gorgeous Printed Mesh Ruched Midi Dress. The colours are so autumnal and dreamy and look like a darkened sunset and the bodycon fit is just gorgeous. Thanks to the ruched seams, this dress has been designed to flatter and celebrate your curves and will be an absolute staple this party season - mark our words.
Available in sizes 6-18, the £45 dress is breathable (which is a necessity in this humid slightly cooler weather) as it's made from lightweight, semi-sheer mesh. If you want to bag this lush dress, be quick because it's going pretty fast on Very.com.
Revolution's Flawless Filter dupe
Revolution's new Bright Light Face Glow has been likened to Charlotte TIlbury's Flawless Filter (Revolution)If you're a fan of the make up queen herself, Charlotte Tilbury, you'll have most likely been obsessing over her glow-inducing Flawless Filter since it dropped in 2018 - along with the rest of the internet. So you can believe our excitement when we heard Revolution had launched its very own dupe for the product that costs only £10 (£29 off the Flawless Filter price).
Its new Bright Light Face Glow is a multi-use glow-boosting skin tint that instantly illuminates, evens out your complexion and infused with glycerin helps smooth and moisturise your skin. Just like its inspiration, Revolution's Bright Light Face Glow has a wand applicator which can be applied as a sheer base on its own, to correct and perfect before foundation, mixed into foundation (for a dewy finish) or as a highlighter.
And you know that with a dupe like this beauty fans have gone wild - one said on social media: “This looks unbelievable, just look at that gorgeous glow” another wrote: "I need this in my life".
PrettyLittleThing Viral Faux Leather Biker Jacket
Vicky Pattison urged her fans to bag this jacket before it sells out (PrettyLittleThing)Vicky Pattison almost broke the internet when she discovered a bargain dupe for Molly Mae's viral oversized Zara biker jacket from PrettyLittleThing earlier this week and urged her following to run, not walk, to PLT. The £50 oversized jacket which comes in a gorgeous chocolatey shade and has an edgy 'distressed' faux leather style (which the £79 Zara number was famed for), features a belted design and relaxed fit. It can upgrade a daytime or nighttime outside and is just gorge for autumn. We love it.
Holly Willoughby's L'Oréal Paris Intense Lengthening Mascara
This mascara makes your lashes full, long and voluminous (Amazon)Just like us, it seems Holly Willoughby shops on the high street and her mascara which always gives her serious lashes costs only £7.43 on Amazon - down from £10.99! The L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara, as revealed by the This Morning star's MUA Patsy O'Neil, is a staple in Holly's makeup routine.
Writing on Holly’s lifestyle blog Wylde Moon, Patsy said: "A classic mascara that most people love is the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara. It has a high-precision, flexible, multi comb that’s made of supple bristles, which really helps elongate the lashes up and out. I have to say, loads of my friends rave about this mascara – especially the price!" And it's not just Patsy who loves it - the product went viral on social media earlier this year with shoppers praising its "fabulous lash coverage" and "excellent value for money".
Marks & Spencer's 'Blister Proof' Biker Boots
These biker boots gives Dr Marten's a run for their money when it comes to price and comfort (Marks & Spencer)'Blister proof' biker boots sound too good to be true but M&S seem to have cracked the code when it comes to comfy black chunky shoes (we should have never doubted the trusty brand) that give Dr Martens a run for their money. How can they be so comfy, you ask? They're made with fancy foot-supporting Insolia Flex technology, which makes them a dream to walk on. Perfect for long strolls in the autumnal sun, I'd say.
Coming in both stone and black, the boots are available in sizes 3-8 and feature a side zip as well as laces, which makes rushing out the house a whole lot quicker. They've also got a lush mid-block heel and with anti-bacterial padding, you won't get that minging worn-in boot smell we all know and love.
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Matalan's Leopard Print Crossbody Bag
An All Saints dupe for only £11? Yes please! (Matalan)If you're a fan of the sell-out viral Uniqlo crossbody bags, you'll love this leopard print Matalan Nylon Moon alternative - which is now back in stock. One of our writers has this very item and was complimented on it some weeks ago when someone thought it was the AllSaints Half Moon Anita Leopard Print Nylon Bag. With neutral tones very 'in' this season, it's a bag that'll make any outfit pop plus it's deceptively spacious, which is always a winner. And as opposed to All Saints' £89, Matalan's is a bit more tolerable at £11.
H&M's Must-Have LBD
H&M's satin fringe dress looks way more expensive than it is (H&M)With only a few sizes left, it's safe to say this Little Black Dress that has GORGEOUS diagonal fringing is a hit with shoppers, just in time for party season. Brought to our attention by TikTok influencer My Capsule Wardrobe, this saucy dress comes in sizes 4-22 and features one sleeve that creates a stunning silhouette thanks to its softly draping satin material - which has had many shoppers in awe of its expensive feel - and it only costs £32.
One wrote: "Stunning dress , lovely quality and true to size. Excellent price for such a beautiful dress."
Frankie Bridge's Ivory Waistcoat
Go from day to night easily with this waistcoat from Karen Millen that Frankie Bridge loves (Frankie Bridge Instagram)Waistcoats are having a moment this season - and we are totally here for it. The Saturdays' stars Rochelle Humes and Frankie Bridge have both been spotted in these chic and timeless garments that Kate Moss loved to don in the noughties.
Just a few days ago, Frankie shared her favourite outfits from the week which included two waistcoats - one of which was this v-neck button up vest top from Karen Millen. Declaring her love of waistcoats (a love we share), she said: "Love that it feels a bit smarter and that you can wear it for workwear and casual with denim. It's a really versatile piece for your wardrobe."
She suggested dressing this particular one with trainers, an oversized bag or for a more dressy look, heels and a clutch. Yes, yes and yes!
This Barbie Pink Coat From M&S
We aren't ready to let go of hot pink this autumn - and this coat is just the ticket (Marks & Spencer)We can confirm the Barbie train has not left the station - in fact it is well and truly at a standstill thanks to the digital release of the Barbie movie earlier this week. And with this, comes a second tidal wave of pink, pink and more pink in our wardrobes (which we are not mad about at all). But now we're coming into the chillier months, our wardrobes are going to need some sprucing up with warmer clothes in this hue and this gorgeous checkered pink longline coat from M&S, that's been crafted from bushed fabric that includes wool, ticks all the Barbie-inspired boxes.
Shoppers who have bagged this are in love with the bright colours - so much so that in the last 48 hours it's been sold online almost 100 times. Coming at £99, it ranges from extra small to extra large in size and has a relaxed and roomy fit - which means you can pair it with your favourite jumper all season without feeling like the Michelin man.
Olivia Rodrigo's NARS Light Reflecting Skincare Foundation
NARS Light Reflecting Skincare Foundations has a 70%-skincare formula and a light-reflective finish (NARS)If this product is good enough for Olivia Rodrigo at the VMAs, then honey, it's good for us. The pop sensation performed on Tuesday night smothered in NARS Light Reflecting Foundation in the shade Fiji and looked luminous, as per. Coming in at £39 on LOOKFANTASTIC and Boots, it's been described as a make-up skincare hybrid and completely blurs imperfections and covers up all those pesky blemishes, dark spots and redness all while improving your skin's clarity. It's infused with biomimetic oat, milk thistle and cacao peptides to fight against pollution and blue light. What a combo.
While we love this, if it's a little out of your price range, PrettyLittleThing's serum foundation has shocked people with its likeness to NARS' - and it's only £1.50 at the moment.
Sol de Janiero’s ‘After Hours’ Perfume Mist is avaialble for a limited time only - so bag it while you canHands up if you’re totally obsessed with the Sol de Janiero scents? Because we are too - and the brand's latest edition, the 'After Hours' Perfume Mist, has been hailed ‘a new favourite’ amongst mist addicts thanks to its similarity to YSL's Black Opium. Available on ASOS for £22, the scent stays put for hours and has been described as "perfect for fall or date nights".
Because it's limited edition, people are snapping up this product while they can - it can be found here on Sephora or on ASOS here.