Pucker up: 6 essential shades

For someone that loves fashion as much as I do, my little interest in make-up breaks stereotypes. Whilst most people can pick out the right shade of foundation for their skin and know how to use an eyebrow pencil, my experimenting goes as far as "oooo, what third item can I get in this 3 for 2 offer?" Most people would struggle with picking which item out of the seven in their hand to choose as their free thing, I would struggle at finding three items in the first place.

If anyone was to ask me how to apply foundation, the idea behind concealer or how to contour I wouldn't even know where to begin. Realistically this could be a good thing as the amount of money I save is amazing. However I do feel as though I am secluding myself from the whole make-up world.

One thing I love and could not live without is lipstick. The creation that manages to transform an outfit immediately, compliment skin tones, complete a look. Below I have chosen my key lipsticks for this season. With dark purple being my favourite shade all year round, red being the perfect Christmas colour and a beige/pink adding a more subtle feel to a look, these lipsticks are affordable and spot on for the autumn/winter!

#1 Vamp it up -A couple of plums

Rimmel London 128 Starry Eyed
Maybelline Colour Sensational Lip Liner 540 Hollywood Red

Why I love it: I laid my eyes on this lipstick over a year a go and have never looked back. This is my go to lipstick for all occasions, come rain or shine. It is a gorgeous deep, purple shade and to achieve a more intense colour I use Maybelline Colour Sensational Lip Liner, shade 540 Hollywood Red across the whole lip. It is a long lasting, easy to apply, affordable lipstick that I suggest you get for your make up bag. Come on girls the party season is coming, team this with an LBD or glittery number and you're ready. 

What's not so good: Okay, I'm struggling to find a point here. I guess the only thing I could say is that it bleeds slightly but nothing ridiculously noticeable. I'm staying loyal to this lipstick. 

Price: Lipstick: £4.99 Lip liner: £3.99  

Mark out of 5: Got to be a 5/5

Barry M Super Satin Slick Lip Paint 171 

Why I love it: This is a new edition to my lipstick collection and is one of Barry M's new Satin Super Slick Lip Paints. I was super excited to try them out and I am super glad that I did. The glide you get from the lipstick is incredible and it is so soft on the lips. It is a gorgeous pinky-plum shade that I know will see me through all seasons. The main stand out point it the texture, never known a lipstick like it! 

What's not so good: It isn't very long lasting so I think I need to get a lip liner to accompany. But I don't mind reapplying, at least it doesn't stain. 

Price: £4.49

Mark out of 5: I'm going to go with a 3.5/5 for this one! 

#2 Rudolf the red lipped reindeer-My two go to lip smacker reds

Loreal Collection Exclusive by Blake

Why I love it: 'Blake' has created a very bright and striking shade of red. More for going out, teamed excellently with black. I love, love, love Loreal lipsticks-firstly because of the variety, secondly because of the smell and thirdly because of the packaging. This is not a shade if you like subtle but is definitely one to pull out when wearing a dark outfit. I love the texture and the coverage you get and it remains on your lips for a loooooong time! 

What's not so good: It makes your lips slightly dry, I think due to the thick texture. So just make sure to Vaseline once you've removed. 

Price: £6.99*

Mark out of 5: This one has to be 4/5  

Loreal Collection Exclusive by Eva

Why I love it: From the same collection, 'Eva' has created a more subtle and 'dull' shade of red, more suitable if you don't want your lips to be too striking. This is better for an every day look, again smells fantastic and the packaging is lovely. This will be lovely for the Christmas season and provides excellent coverage. 

What's not so good: Same point as above, dries the lips out slightly but it was expected as it's from the same collection! 

Price: £6.99*

Mark out of 5: It has to score 3.5 because I prefer a more striking look! 

#3 Plain Jane- A duet of sickly sweet shades

Loreal Color Riche 302
Loreal Lip Liner Couture, Color Riche, 302 Bois de Rose

Why I love it: Another Loreal lipstick to add to the collection, this time a lot more subtle and an excellent casual shade for when you want to wear lipstick but not be too dressy. The thing I love about this is that you get two colours for the price of one. With the lip liner, Couture by Color Riche, shade 302 Bois de Rose, you get a subtle, sophisticated deep pink shade. Without the liner a more glittery finish. You get a lovely thick coverage from a soft lipstick that glides on perfectly.

What's not so good: Without the lip liner, you need to constantly reapply.

Price: Lipstick: £6.99* Lip liner:£3.99

Mark out of 5: Only due to the reapplying it needs to be 3.5/5

Barry M Super Satin Slick Lip Paint 168

Why I love it: Another shade from the Barry M Satin Super Slick Lip Paint Collection, this time in a gorgeous neutral beige. I couldn't get over how easy it was to apply this lipstick due to the texture. I think this is a shade that you would have to try for yourself due to your skin tone but I was shocked that such a light colour worked with my pale skin. Just like the other one, the texture is what makes this an essential for your makeup bag. Your lips are left feeling healthy as opposed to dry and chapped.

What's not so good: Unfortunately my lipstick literally fell to pieces. I don't know whether it was due to my poor man handling or because the texture was so soft it literally melted. However I shall be re-purchasing because I love it. 

Price: £4.49

Mark out of 5: Has to be 4/5 even though it is destroyed. 

*prices may vary depending on where you purchase the item from. 

Well those are six shades that I definitely recommend, lipsticks are such a lovely finishing touch to an outfit. With Christmas coming up, they're affordable and an excellent stocking filler. 

Thank-you for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx 

Please take me to the 1960's.

There is a huge part of me that wishes we all had to dress like they did in the 60's. That the only thing River Island and New Look stocked were shift dresses and we all asked our hairdressers for the beehive. Effortlessly we could all walk around with our matching dress and boot combination, white eyeliner and big earrings. However, it is 2015. Could you imagine the looks I would get if I turned up to a lecture with a humongous beehive do, some white boots and a cute green and blue checkered dress-I dread to think.

Luckily though, like with most things, the 60's look is coming back but with the added spin of the 21st century. Think mini skirts, knee high boots and bold prints! Now that I go to university, my shopaholic and spending ways have been put on hold. No longer can I go for huge hauls, or just buy something whenever I feel like it. Instead, I have to save up and be strict. It was all going so well until a trip to Forever 21 in the Bullring sent my shopping senses wild. When I saw this dress it was one of those moments where you see something and there is practically a glowing light around it, drawing you in. Never do I end up buying the first thing I see, until the very moment I handed it over at the counter and spent my food shop money on a dress. Walking out, swinging the neon pink bag by my side, I realised that realistically this was a good purchase because there is no other item like this in my wardrobe and it also gives me the excuse to blog, woo!

I must admit though, it was £19.00 well spent, £17.10 after student discount (perks, perks!). In this outfit, it is teamed with a long sleeved top underneath, because all of a sudden the temperature has drastically dropped and just a sleeveless dress will not do. However as it starts to get warmer, it will work perfectly on its own. Paired with knee high socks and ankle boots, in some ways gives off the impression of knee high boots (sigh I'm too poor to own any right this mo, also too short. Can short people wear them too?) but it would also work well with some heels, chunky or thin depending on your 'walking in heels' ability, which for me is almost non existent. I finished the look with my cute Camden Market burgundy and beige satchel.

I have always been prone to rosy cheeks, literally throughout the whole year. One time, I was asked why I wore so much blusher. Blusher? My friend, this is natural. As I started exiting the grounds I could feel a burning freezing sensation on my cheeks. My fingers numb from the cold. This is Autumn. Isn't it crazy how fast this year has gone, how we are in yet another Autumn, soon to be a Christmas soon to be a new year. As I walked along the grass, my feet causing the fallen leaves to crunch, my eyes clocked onto the cute little squirrel scurrying in the distance. I then spotted another five, me and my Dad were suddenly the minority, this did not feel cool. One day I will grow up, one day I shall like animals I am sure and one day I will blog fear free, aha!

The last thing I want to mention is my super cute Lucky Little Acorn necklace. The message and idea behind the item is so wonderful and it was brought for me as a good luck for uni present by my boyfriend. You can get them personalised with names or initials and it is such a wonderful present, the perfect idea for a Christmas present. They are available on both a short and long chain and in a keyring style and I seriously recommend you get one. I wear mine with literally everything. Follow the link shown below to find out more about the product!

Dogtooth Dress- £19.00 Forever 21
Ankle Boots- Primark £10.00
Acorn Necklace- £12.00 Lucky Little Acorns
Knee High Socks available in most high street retailers.
Bag, a bespoke shop at Camden Market.

Thank-you for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx