When it comes to my lips I can be incredibly fussy. I hate the feeling of buying a new lip product and ending up unsatisfied. I also hate when I wear a new lipstick out for the first time and come home to the wreckage that is my lips. Okay, i'm being a little dramatic, but it does bug me when the outside out of my lips hold the colour while the inside fades..I end up looking like I only had enough time to apply lip liner. Definitely not tres chic. Anyway these five are my favourite lip products that I used over and over, thought i'd share!

Left to right: Clinique - Woppin Watermelon chubby stick, Nyx - Matte lip cream in 'Istanbul', Mac - Brave, Mac - Russian Red, Mac - Cherry lip liner

1. Clinique Chubby Stick - Woppin Watermelon
If you need a quick lip colour on the go that is no effort then look no further - you need this in your life. I can't count the times i've been in my car before work or uni quickly applying this. It's quite sheer and leaves a subtle colour. It's also very moisturizing which is why I love it when I have cracked lips. I just love it because it's so easy to use and is a nice subtle colour. Most of the time my hand bag will always have one of these cause I grab it on the go.

2. NYX Lip Matte Cream - Instanbul
This is quite a new edition but already makes it into my top 5 due to its incredible staying power. If I want a long lasting lip colour I reach for this. Even when it fades a little (after eating a burger, drinking back coffees etc) it still leaves behind a pink stain which is great. It's odd because it goes on creamy and then within 10 minutes dries to a matte texture. To be honest I forget i'm wearing it sometimes because it feels like i'm wearing nothing at all. Definite staple. Will go back to NYX asap to stock up on more.

3. MAC - Brave
This is no surprise. I've mentioned this quite a bit. I love this lipstick because it's such a "my lips but better" shade (I hate that phrase haha). I use my MAC whirl liner with this bad boy, and it's really great for making my thin lips look a little plumper. This will be a lipstick i'll constantly repurchase because I just love it. Got to admit the staying power isn't amazing but it's no fuss to re-apply it as it's more of a neutral colour.

4. MAC - Russian Red
This may or may not be the first MAC lipstick i've ever owned. Sure, i'd stolen my mums in the past but this was the first one that was my own. I went to MAC one day and asked the make-up artist to find me a classic red lipstick that would suit me. She grabbed this shade! And I forever have been in love. The colour is a great classic red and every time I wear it I feel so confident. I just feel badass in this lipstick. So, yeah, if you need a shade where you feel like a badass then this is the shade for you.

5. MAC - Cherry Lipliner
I couldn't mention my Russian Red lipstick without mentioning my Cherry lipliner. These two go hand in hand. I struggle with red lipstick, I can never manage to make both sides of my lips look even and it ends up looking like a mess. And red lips is something you can't afford to mess up because it's so damn noticable if it isn't perfect. Does everyone feel everyones eyes are instantly drawn to your lips when you wear red lipstick? Well, if you know that, then there is that pressure to make sure they look damn fine in case someone notices any imperfections. That's why lipliner has been my life saver. My technique is simple. I lightly line around the shape of my lips. If i'm satisfied with how it looks i'll re-draw it harder so it's darker. Once i've done that i've created the perfect shape to fill in with my lipstick. And voila! Red lips made easy! Honestly it sounds like a colouring in drawing my technique but it's foolproof (or so I think). Also what I do most of the time is i'll do the lipline, and then i'll fill in with my lips with the lipliner and then i'll add lipstick. I find doing this makes it last SO much longer because even if the lipstick fades a little..it still has the red under.

So they are my top five lip products! And of course i'm going to recommend all of these because I believe they will become staples in your make-up bag too. Sorry for majority being mac, but mac is my favourite when it comes to lipsticks.

What are your favourite lipsticks? Any ones I should give a try?

Holly xx

Whenever people talk about the Kardashians they go on and on about how trashy it is, how the sex tape is the only reason Kim is famous and blah blah blah. I used to be quiet and never reveal that I actually liked the show because I would get odd looks and the "how could you like it?!" questions. Now I couldn't care less. I like the Kardashians. After a hectic day doing assignments there is nothing more I like to do than sit down with a hot drink and watch the Kardashians. It's the kind of show you can watch and you don't have to think. Plus it's hilarious.

There has been one family member that has come into her own in the last year and that is none other than Kylie Jenner. Her make-up has been on point lately and has inspired me to attempt some new looks.






I've just been liking the way she has been accentuating her lips and doing big lashes. Of course I would never do these as an 'everyday' look but they are fun to try for a night out. I know her make-up tutorials have been doing the rounds lately and many people are sick of them..but I still like seeing em. Her lips have suddenly become quite voluptuous lately and despite her saying she simply overdraws them..you can't deny the before and after photos. Make-up can do wonders but there is only so much it can do.

Who are your current make-up inspirations?

Holly Xx

1. Benefit: Roller Lash
The blogging world seems to be in a frenzy over this new mascara! Every review I have seen has been super positive. After the iconic "they're real" disappointed me I am really interested to see how this new mascara will be in comparison. Fingers crossed it ends up being as good as everyone says it is. If not then I doubt i'll ever try another benefit mascara. Review to come when I purchase it.

2. Nars: Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer Duo
There is also so much hype around these two! I hear so many great things about both the blush and bronzer so I am really intrigued to give both a go. I want the duo because I think it would be such an easy thing to chuck in your bag (okay, maybe not chuck) when you are about to endure a long day and want something to spruce you up.

3. M.A.C: Cinderella Stoke of Midnight Eyeshadow Palette
Cinderella one of my top three favorite Disney movies (along with the Little Mermaid and Beauty & the Beast) and when I heard about the M.A.C Cinderella range I got so excited. The packaging of this range is super cute. I just really want to eyeshadow palette because it has some great basic 'everyday' shades but also has that purple shade which could look nice in the crease if i'm feeling a little daring.

4. Maybelline: Bad to the Bronze 
This is another product that gets lots of great reviews so I ought to try this asap! It's apparently long lasting which (if it is) will be great for those long days at uni. I think it's only like $13 or something so i'm almost obligated to give it a go.

5. Tom Ford: Brow Sculptor 
Back in 2012 the first time I ever went to Harrods I was greeted by the staff at Tom Ford and they offered to do my make-up for free. The one product that stuck in my mind was the Brow Sculptor. It's basically a brown wax and..well it just was great and applied so well. I liked the finish of it a lot but i've just never gotten around to purchasing it. Hopefully I can find somewhere near me who sells it!

6. Cavoodle Puppy (photo from thecavoodle.com)
I want this puppy sooo badly. My dog passed away 2 years ago and we had him for 15 years. My family all loved him so much and until now we haven't been ready to get another dog. I did a lot of research on dog breeds and couldn't find any I loved. One night I was out and this lady was walking her dogs and I went up to her and asked her what breed the puppy was. Apparently it wasn't a puppy and was fully grown - but it keeps it's puppy face forever! Instantly I knew I wanted it. It's quite trouble to find breeders cause it's a rarer breed (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle) so i'm hoping I find it soon. Just want a puppy so bad!

So those are the things on my wishlist at the moment! What's currently on your wishlist that I should add to mine? OH and do you know of any great breeds of dogs?

Holly Xx

Helllllo everyone! About a week ago the lovely Aleeha messaged me about the prospect of doing guest posts. I was super excited because it's the first time i've done one of these. What I really love about the blogging world is that there are so many people with similar interests and it's so fun being part of a community where people are all so passionate. I find blogging is an excellent way of channeling my creative energy into something - and it also makes me feel as if i'm being productive when in reality i'm procrastinating on a uni assignment. Anyway it was super fun to get into contact with Hale and both write up our most used products. Sooooo enjoy! And make sure to check her blog out and read about my most used products on her blog.

It is supposedly Autumn at the moment and you think it would have started to cool down - but no! It is still reaching 30 degree days. All this has made me sentimental of winter and I got excited about all the things i'll be able to do in Winter..so I thought i'd share with you on what my favorite things about winter are.

top left: Rubi shoes, bottom left: topshop, middle: country road, top right: tony bianco, bottom right: country road

1. BOOTS

I think I have a pretty decent collection of boots. I've got another pair of knee high flat boots which I forgot to photo, but they are great as well. I just love the ease of boots. They are easy to put with a pair of jeans, tights or even a dress. All my boots are comfortable enough and I..well I just love them. When winter hits i'll always reach for boots because I know they look great with everything. Side note - the bottom right ones make me feel like Ariana Grande when I wear them with dresses haha.


2. Darker lipstick shades

In summer I feel ridiculous whenever I go for a really bold dark shade because it never goes with the summery look i've got going on. In winter though..you can go as dark as you like! I'm aware the shade in the photo (Rimmel 107) isn't exactly the darkest/boldest colour but i've never been able to wear this bad boy in summer because it's looked too dark Particularly because I have dark eyebrows any darker shade is amplified in contract with my eyebrows - I don't know why. Anywhoooo I just like being able to pop on a dark shade and own it without feeling like i'm breaking some girl code of not being able to wear a dark lipstick in summer.

5. Hot Chocolate

Okay I could not NOT include hot chocolate in this post. Every winter I drink my body weight in hot chocolate. Something about it is so soothing and it's so perfect for those freezing winter mornings where you're trying to pump out an assignment and you need something to perk you up. I haven't met anyone who doesn't like hot chocolate. If I do..I..I just wouldn't be able to ever get to the next level of friendship because it would be a massive barrier. Are people who don't drink hot chocolate choosing to not be happy? 

Anyway those are the things i'm super pumped for when Winter finally arrives! Where I live winter doesn't last too long because it's a warmer climate..so I really enjoy those winter months. I got a bit too excited writing this post.

Let me know if you love winter as well! And what your favourite things about it are :)

Holly Xx

1. When you do an awesome job at your make-up but no photos are doing it justice

2. Applying make-up in bad lighting and realizing you look like a mess in natural light
(usually you'll most likely find this out when you're in public)

3. Those kind of pimples that can't be hidden by any amount of concealer 
I mean come on you think three types of concealer would cover them but nooooo.

4. Trying to perfect cat flicks in a limited time. And yes the chances of them ending up even are slim to none.

5. The fear of eating with a vibrant lipstick
Praying furiously it wont go everywhere.
                   
6. The age old debate of "girls shouldn't wear make-up for guys"
No no no no no NO, we do not wear make-up for guys. It is fun to apply and makes us feel confident.

7. When you finally splurge on an expensive item that is all the rage and it ends up being average
Yes, i'm looking at you "they're real" mascara.

8. How M.A.C is almost always busy
The lipstick section is basically a war field to get into. I need a chai latte to recover from the stress of not being able to find a lipstick because of people in the way (yes..i'm aware of how 'basic' that sounds haha).

9. Attempting to do a dramatic look but ending up looking like a clown gone goth
Smoky eyes become panda eyes. My bold lipstick looks like a botched job of lip fillers. 

10. And lastly..being out and about when it starts to rain
Why didn't I check the forcast so I could wear waterproof mascara?!