The January Look

Topshop Cape | Miss Selfridge Clutch | Topshop Joni Jeans | Forever 21 Tee | Forever 21 Necklace | Topshop Billy Boots | H&M Rings | Mac Vino Lip Pencil

So apparently I'm in a bit of a Topshop phase at the moment...

Khaki green seems to be the colour of the season, especially in my wardrobe - I can't stop buying everything I see! It's such a gorgeous shade that adds a bit of colour to an outfit without looking out of place in winter, and is really flattering on all skin tones. Similarly, I'm also loving a green based smoky eye using Mac Club to bring out the green in my eyes.

I think capes are great for this time of year as well, perfect for layering up over a leather jacket when it gets really cold and for using as a blanket in lectures when times get desperate! This one will definitely be getting a lot of wear in the next few months, especially paired with my all time favourite Joni jeans. I was never really a jeans person until I bought these, but they're so comfortable and flattering - and actually skinny on my twiggy little ankles!

I spotted these boots in the sale at a total bargain of £20, and the only pair left was my size so it must have been fate! I think they make a perfect addition to an outfit like this - and a great addition to my ever-growing collection of black boots! I normally love to inject some pattern into my wardrobe, but recently I've been loving more simple, muted pieces, with little added touches like the raised lettering on this bag and a dark lip. I've found that this outfit works for so many different occasions, from shopping trips to drinks with friends, and I have a feeling I'm going to be living in it for most of the month!

N x

Read My Lips: My Top 10 Lip Products of 2014

It's only fair that my first 'real' post on here is about lipstick isn't it?

Weirdly, until this year I was never really a big lipstick person, especially not bold lips, but that's all changed in the last 12 months. So, to celebrate, here are my top 10 favourite items from my ever-growing lip product collection...

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in 08 This is potentially my number one favourite of the year (but I'm notoriously terrible at choosing favourites so don't hold me to that!) It's the perfect every day colour that's slightly more interesting than a nude but still works with every look, and the formula of these lipsticks is amazing - creamy and non-drying but long lasting, and I really don't think they get enough recognition.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick 30 Yep, I'm still banging on about these lipsticks. 30 is such a gorgeous vampy shade that gives a dramatic look but doesn't make me look like I'm 2 months late with my halloween costume. I love this alone for quite a matte finish or with the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Eclipse over the top to darken it even further and give a more glossy look. Obsessed.

Mac Lip Pencil in Subculture This was my first venture into Mac lip products (shock horror, I tried so hard to stay away...) and it's just as amazing as I was hoping it would be. I tend to find a lot of nude lip products just totally wash me out but this doesn't at all, and the formula is perfect for daytime or a night out.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Frambourjoise I hear a lot of people talking about the shades Hot Pepper and Pink Pong in this range, but hardly ever my favourite of them all, Frambourjoise. This was my first foray into the red lipstick arena, though I stuck very much to the pink end of the spectrum. This colour is a great 'suits all' shade and the formula really is the perfect triple threat: long lasting, non drying and lightweight. I also picked up the shade Happy Nude Year the other day after seeing how great it looked on Anna, so I'll be sure to update you with my thoughts on that too!

Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in East End Snob Ah yes, the infamous dupe for Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk. I've never actually swatched Pillow Talk for myself as Miss Tilbury's collection is unfortunately very much out of my price range, but I'm perfectly happy with my Rimmel alternative for now. This colour is really great for everything from evening out the lip line, as a base for a bold lip or to fill in the whole lip on its own. 

(I've already changed my mind on my favourite product about 12 times while writing this; I wasn't lying about my make up commitment phobia!)

Maybelline Colour Elixir in Nude Illusion I'm not normally into glossy lips, mainly because there are so many ways I'd rather spend my day than unsticking my hair from my lips (that sounds disgusting written down, but you know the feeling girls!) but the formula of these lacquers is actually really great and not sticky at all. I also love the colour Caramel Infused, but Nude Illusion has been a constant staple in my uni bag for a few months now. It's great to just slick on in 5 seconds before an early lecture and for easy touch ups throughout the day, and is also the perfect accompaniment to a smoky eye for an evening look.

YSL Volupté Sheer Candy in 04 Succulent Pomegranate Over the past few years, I've started a tradition of treating myself to a high end make up item in duty free when I go on my summer holiday. Last year's Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer is still a firm favourite, and this year I decided to step it up a notch and let myself be pulled in by the gorgeous YSL packaging. I haven't worn this so much in the last few months as I think it's definitely a more summery lipstick, but it really is the perfect product for the summer months. The shade is a stunning bright-but-not-too-bright pink that can work for day or night, and the formula is glossy and hydrating but not at all sticky. Another bonus is the slightly cranberry-esque scent that makes you feel like you're on a beach in the sun rather than dreary old England.

Mac Lipstick in Syrup If it wasn't obvious by now, my two go-to lip looks are dark and vampy, or nudey your lips but better, and this is ideal for the latter. The shade isn't all that different to my natural lip colour, but it really makes a huge difference and just pulls a look together. I really like the lustre finish of this lippy for an easy, natural look, or for a longer lasting option I like to layer it over Subculture or East End Snob.

Maybelline Colour Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss in Glorious Grapefruit Another good old favourite from back in the summer, this looks amazing with a tan and a golden/bronze make up look. I love the wand on this for distributing an even layer of gloss without going overboard, and I can't wait for the sun to come back so I can start wearing it again!

Mac Lip Pencil in Vino I actually only bought this a few weeks ago but it's already up there in my top 10. I've been obsessed with dark lips this season (if you hadn't already guessed from my emotional ode to Rimmel's offerings) and this is just the ultimate in my opinion. While this does work amazingly under a berry or purple toned lipstick, I actually prefer it on it's own as an all over colour. I think the shade is just about light enough to be acceptable for daytime wear (not that I wouldn't wear it in the day anyway), and it manages not to stick to dry patches or come off throughout the day. I'm actually planning on giving it the ultimate test in staying power tonight by wearing it to dinner at the local Indian - wish me luck!

So, there you have it. My top 10 lip products and simultaneously my first ever blog post with actual content! Apologies for the lack of images as I've somehow managed to lose my camera within my own bedroom, but I'm hoping it'll appear soon! This year I'm determined to finally give blogging a good go, and I can feel myself getting excited already! Let me know if there's anything you particularly want to see, whether it's beauty, fashion or just life itself. And I leave you with the obvious question: what's been your favourite lip product from the last 12 months?

N x