Fashion and Beauty Lessons: 2015

On the 31^st December each year, we reflect on the past 364 days and whether we crammed as much in the year as we hoped and try to remember the New Year’s resolutions we made and broke in week one. 2015 was definitely a roller coaster to say the least and has opened my eyes, with numerous lessons being learnt about life and myself. I went from planning my entire life, to having no plan at all in three months. I have been brave, I have been heartbroken and I have been lost. However I have been so proud, so happy and so loved.

One thing I want to reflect on, is what I have learnt in 2015 based on fashion and beauty. To say the least, I have made many fashion mistakes in my time and I probably still make them today. I seem to get drawn to ugly items of clothing, well unique is good right? Gone are the days where I wore spotty tights, clashing with a heart printed over size cardigan matched with ankle socks and grey pumps. Thank you lord.

Below are some lessons I learnt this year- accompanied by previous blogging pictures:

1: Red lips are literally suitable for all occasions, come rain or shine. Paired with a floral print in the summer or an entirely black outfit in the winter, it gives a different feel but works every time. L’Oreal Blake is my all-time favourite red shade! 

 2: Be bold and take risks, whether it be with your clothing, your hair or makeup. People tend to take note when you make a more drastic change and come on let’s face it, we all love a compliment. This year I embraced a new hair colour, whilst returning to my ‘I don’t care what you think about my outfit’ attitude.

3: Buy staple, sensible items that will fit into your wardrobe. I throw out so many clothes and it has taken me to the age of 19 to realise that really it is down to my bad shopping habits. Instead of buying those bright pink shoes I could wear to one occasion, why not buy the black ones that can be worn all the time. All hail the leather skirt that I wear all year round. This is my second version of the same skirt!

4: A strong, sturdy, reasonable sized handbag is worth so much more than that little bag that can only fit your purse and phone in. No girl should ever have to choose between her lipstick and inhaler. 

5:Winged eye-liner is not a talent that can be learnt. You’re either born with the skill or you’re not. I am unfortunately not blessed with this talent and have to battle daily in a hope to leave the house on time with an okay, semi presentable flick. If there are tips out there, please share?

6:All black everything with the exception of white for my favourite trend of monochrome. It is effortless and so easy to wear. In my young teenage years I could never understand why my mum wore full black outfits outside of a funeral, now I am on the all black everything/monochrome bandwagon and I refuse to get off, until it reaches above 30 degrees! 

7:Simple jewellery still says a lot. I used to be one for big statement necklaces, dangly earrings and junk jewellery rings but in the year of 2015 I gained the lazy attitude and decided that I couldn’t be bothered wasting my time picking out the items to match my outfit. Instead I opted for a more simplistic look, of my every day Pandora rings and my Lucky Little Acorn Necklace which complement each outfit perfectly.

This year I shall make no new years resolutions because I know I won't stick to them. Whilst eating healthily and exercising more will be extremely beneficial, I refuse to count calories and say no to a brownie. For the first time ever I have no plan for the year ahead. Nothing is set in stone, instead I am on a free journey, waiting to see what life brings me. So here is to 2016, a year of no plans, just an undecided journey. 

Thanks for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx 

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 

"too glam to give a damn"

The best thing about reading, is the escape. When the book you're reading is so wonderfully written that you are involved. When you imagine the characters and get attached and they each have their own personal voice as you read. There is something that extra bit special about a book that is a little worn with turned corners and a bent back spine. It is such a wonderful pass time.

***

Throwing on a pair of boots and sunglasses in the same outfit, just didn't seem right. However with our unpredictable weather it turned out to be the correct choice. With the sun tearing its way through the clouds, my jacket seemed a little unnecessary. Putting on my sunglasses, I finally felt detached from winter. For once the sun shared some warmth. However the mud coated, puddled ground suggested that boots were the best option.

I must say, t-shirt weather is definitely the best. This slogan tee caught my eye due to it's sassy caption. I mean, "too glam to give a damn" gets straight to the point. The black velvet 3D lettering, stands out on the simplistic grey and white striped background, causing a simple yet bold casual tee. This is one of the only slogan tee's in my wardrobe but it has definitely made me fall back in love with them. With River Island managing to apply a quote to almost all their tops lately, I will be keeping my eyes peeled for another statement that 'says it all'.

If you haven't got a leather skirt in your clothing collection then I advise you add one as soon as possible. With the endless different outfit combinations you can create, I promise you it will be a piece you can wear all year round. There is something so effortlessly wonderful about an A-line shaped skirt and something even more intriguing when it is a 'leather look'. This is an item that has stayed on trend for the past couple of years and will definitely continue to stay strong in the fashion world. I mean, it may just be me but I love leather. When worn correctly it can be such a sleek look.

It was the finishing touches that completed this look in my opinion. From the navy blue boyfriend jacket to the yellow camera printed cup, they all added that extra little bit of detail. I absolutely love the fit of my boyfriend jacket, loose yet structured and the deep blue colour causes it to stand out against my pretty dull colour pallet. Accompanied by a square handbag, which is extremely practical. Perfect for those girls that like to carry everything from makeup wipes to hand gel, reading glasses to sweets (I literally fit as much in, just in case something happens). The wonderful camera print cup is more of a novelty really but I thought it worked really well due to the quirky slogan tee. To finish, my tortoise shell sunglasses and a copy of "Paper Towns" by John Green to escape into.

Wrapping my hair around the straighteners, the curls start to form, flicking here there and everywhere. Fastened in place with a couple of spritz of hairspray. For once I have made an effort with my hair, compared to the usual 7 day a week straight look. Of course I apply my everyday eye set up-pencil underneath, gel on top with a flick (attempted approx 10 times on my right eye to match my left) and mascara. Finishing the look by colouring my lips in, with a gorgeous deep shade. As I exit the house, I am excited because finally one month later I have found the time and had the weather to go out and get some images!

"Too glam to give a damn" Slogan Tee- River Island WAS £18.00 NOW £7.00

A-line Black Leather Skirt-River Island £25.00

Navy Boyfriend Jacket- LAST YEAR RIVER ISLAND £60.00

Chunky Black Boots- LAST SEASON NEW LOOK £24.99

Black Square Handbag- Primark £8.00

Tortoise Shell Sunglasses- Primark £2.00

Yellow Camera Print Cup- Primark WAS £2.50 NOW £1.00

Paper Towns by John Green- Waterstones £7.99

Well finally, I have got round to doing another blogpost! I have been so busy, the weather hasn't been great and I have had a bad case of "writers block". Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading!

Mollie Isabella 

xxx