I've always been a big fan of the bold lip - if I'm going to bother wearing lippy it's going to be a bright red or deep purple lip to get everyone's attention (and inevitably end up smeared everywhere after a few too many cheeky tipples, the shame!). But this winter everything changed. I started to appreciate a subtle lip, and actually wear lipstick to work everyday.
My lips are pretty dry all year round and winter is a horrendous territory where there are actual ravines in and crags in my lips, so anything matte or vaguely drying is 100% out of the question. So long sweet MAC *sheds tear of beauty blogger pain*.
I started off with Timeless All (08) which is the darkest of the three shades I have so far. This one is fairly similar to my actual lip colour, but with a hint of purple and brown added to the mix. It is the least obvious of the shades and I love putting it on when I want a casual, professional look that isn't too bold.
We move from this to the boldest one: Shade 34. This bright pink concoction is the girliest lippy I've ever owned. I'm not entirely sure about this one - the colour doesn't wear as well on my lips and it's not dark or thick enough to overwrite, so my puny top lip can't be puffed out at all, ugh. BUT, it does make me feel a little like Barbie.
Finally we have the middle ground: Shade 32. This is such a happy bright colour without being too overbearing that I definitely see it being a firm favourite for Spring. It's almost a cross between coral and pink, and I'm sure you'll all be seeing it in some makeup looks soon!
This collection is the first ever lipstick range that I've considered hoarding, and wanted to get a good number of (read: you will see another post as it expands in the future). The wear is fab; they tend to stay in place for about 6 hours including eating, drinking and chattering! For £5.49 they're definitely worth a go. *This post is not sponsored, I honestly just love the range*.
Have you tried any of them out? What's your go-to lipstick at the moment?
1.) Seasonal clothing wishlist
2.) Favourite perfume
3.) Fitness goals
4.) An update on fitness at the end of the goal duration
5.) Current go-to breakfast recipe
6.) 5 key accessories for the season
7.) Post about your blogging equipment
8.) Home interior inspo
9.) Recent sale buys
10.) Current favourite organic/vegan beauty product
11.) LUSH haul
12.) Hair care/ hair dye experiences
13.) Favourite eyeshadow palette
14.) OOTD
15.) 10 ways you help yourself relax
16.) Vegan recipe
17.) Real talk time: post on owning pets
18.) Lipstick dupes
19.) Top 5 moisturisers
20.) Products to help care for your hands
21.) Day out in a city
22.) Restaurant review
23.) Shoes of the season
24.) Date night ideas
25.) How to make a great flat lay
26.) Smoky eye makeup look
27.) How to improve your blog pictures
28.) Favourite read of the month
29.) Monthly beauty favourites
30.) Lounge wear inspo post
31.) Disney wishlist
32.) Tsum Tsum collection
33.) 15 things that make you happy
34.) Dealing with stress at uni/college/school/work
35.) 5 easy, healthy weekday dinners
36.) Favourite smoothie recipe
37.) Underwear that makes you feel sexy
38.) The perfect pair of pajamas
29.) ASOS wishlist
30.) MAC haul
31.) Makeup brush collection
32.) Makeup tutorial
33.) Nude/berry lisptick collection comparisons
34.) Dealing with loss
35.) Holiday #tbt
36.) Current stationary loves
37.) Bucket list
38.) Outerwear for the season
39.) 5 great things to do at home on a Friday/Saturday night
40.) High end makeup purchase review
41.) Boots/Superdrug haul
42.) Netflix obsessions
43.) Hair styling tutorial
44.) Fashion week inspiration
45.) How to eat well on a budget
46.) New makeup release review
47.) Morning skincare regime
48.) Nighttime skincare regime
49.) Holiday plans
50.) How to improve your instagram photos
51.) Shower 'shelfie'
52.) How to take the perfect selfie
53.) Lipstick swatches
54.) Building your own eyeshadow palette
55.) How you've overcome/challenged a fear
56.) Pros/cons of blogging
57.) Creating a capsule wardrobe
58.) Your perfect daytime/nighttime heel
59.) Dealing with blogger envy
60.) Must-have dress
61.) Favourite workout gear
62.) How you practice mindfulness
63.) Being successful with twitter chats
64.) How to improve blog traffic from social media
65.) Trying out a diet for a month (vegan, dairy free etc)
66.) What's in my bag?
67.) 5 must-have apps
68.) Phone accessories wishlist
69.) Best handbag style
70.) High-end piece you're lusting after
71.) Contour kit review
72.) Brow maintenance
73.) Benefit haul
74.) Improving self-confidence
75.) Go-to healthy comfort foods
I hope you found these useful! What would you add to the list?
It's time to remind myself that February wasn't just a cold-ass month from hell, but actually contained some awesome things in it that I'm genuinely extremely grateful for. So, to remind myself that life isn't all that bad (as I sit surrounded by a mountain of tissues, wallowing in the throes of the dreaded Winter Cold), I've made a list of my beauty and lifestyle favourites of the month. Here goes:
MAC lipstick in Sin
This is pretty much every blogger's go-to winter berry lipstick, and after I picked it up earlier this month I fell in love with it and the sass it brought to my face. Here's the post on my mini MAC haul that this was part of.
Rimmel by Kate in Timeless All
This has been a great transitional piece for me as we go in to Spring. It's my every day lipstick that I use when I don't need a bold lip, but want a dash of colour on.
Tommy Girl Fragrance
My sister got me this for Christmas and I've fallen a little in love. The packaging is really pretty and the scent is quite a musky one, so it's great for evenings out.
Pure Colour New Look Hairbrush
This is basically a cheap, brilliant tangle teaser. I've never owned one before and have actually loved it so much I said goodbye to my traditional hairbrush and it said hello to the landfill (it was broken, I hate waste).
LUSH 9 to 5 Cleanser
LUSH rarely fail to impress me, but this one was a real winner. I use it before I go to bed to remove my makeup and moisturise my skin without making it too greasy.
New Look Elderflower and Prosecco Tealights
These smell SO GOOD. I don't remember the last time I bought tealights, so now these have a permanent space around my bath when I want to sink in for a soak. It's been so cold that that's been pretty often this month (who wants to shower when it's frosty outside?!).
New Look Tartan Scarf (similar)
I have a little confession to make ... up until this Winter I haven't owned a scarf in the last four years. So, I was pretty picky when it came down to this one. It's so classy and casual, plus it doubles up as a blanket shawl for when I get really chilly!
That Lame Company Art Prints
If you've come anywhere near my twitter or Instagram recently you'll realise that I am OBSESSED with these and all of the products the guys make. I've dedicated a whole post to them here.
I hope you enjoyed! What have you been loving this month?
