The Autumn Lip Line Up

Whether you still classify November as Autumn or not, here's my rundown of the lipsticks that have made it into my line up for the next few months...

A mixture of subtle nudes, deep reds, and berry hues are welcomed with open arms this time of year. There's even the odd occasion a full on purple (meet MAC's Up the Amp here) will make an appearance. If you're not a fan of the bold and bright, I've got a few muted options that still pack a punch for a wintery lip.

Nudes: Enter: MAC Hue and Shy Girl - not pictured above, but either one of these two is bound to hit all the nude lip check points. For a deeper wash of colour try Bobbi Brown Baby Pink* - my go to milky rose lip. Or, my much raved about Liz Earle lipstick in Heather*, a gorgeous plummy brown toned nude - looks quite grown up and somewhat 'grannyish' in tube, but applies gorgeously. 

On a budget? Elf lip pencils in Natural and Tea Rose are flawless for a matte finish, and for more of a sheen pick up L'Oreal Collection Privée (swatches here).

Reds: The festive season always calls upon a strong red lip so here's my skimmed down selection for you: MAC Ruby Woo = ultimate fail safe for a deep blue toned red, great for making your teeth look white. Chantecaille's Tiger Lily* is also stunning for making a statement - for more deets click here. Hourglass Liquid Lipstick in the shade Icon is high on my list for Christmas party lip, but more on that coming soon. For a more toned down wash of colour try the Bourjois Color Boost lip crayon in the shade Red Island*.

Plums & Berries: Possibly my favourite category, and great for this time of year day or night. During the day I love to wear Kate Moss 05 or MAC Craving, which is a gorgeous plummy rose shade that truly deserves a post of it's own alongside MAC Plumful - my most worn autumnal lipstick that's slightly more purple than Craving. Budget Berries include: Topshop Beguiled - a deep blue toned plum, great for a night out; and L'Oreal Color Riche 290 in the shade Plum Passion, which has a gorgeous creamy formula and stunning pigmentation- I'm wearing it here.

Let me know what makes your autumn/winter lip line up!

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Top Autumnal Blush? NARS Douceur

NARS nevel fail when it comes to the blush department. Pigmentation? Check. Longevity? Check. Beautiful shades. Double check. You get the jist..

NARS Douceur is a stunning soft pink brown shade, which makes it great for adding depth to your cheekbones whilst also giving you a healthy flush of colour. It's like a 'no makeup' blush of colour that is extremely flattering on fair to medium skin tones, however would probably disappear on darker complexions. I use this to help contour my moon face and add a touch of warmth for a barely there look that I go for during the week. 

Soft and blendable, you can't go OTT with this blush so even heavy handed makeup application on the tube to work is in safe hands with this stuff.  This blush is highly similar to Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed, which you can read more about here - Exposed in slightly more on the pink side but still a gorgeous subtle shade that's great for this time of year.

Have I won you over?

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The Sunday Post: Autumn Evenings & Panic Buying

Dark Grey Boyfriend Coat - New Look

Aubergine Silk Top - Zara

Skater Skirt - Topshop

Buckled Boots - Boohoo

I have been a right old busy bee this week dashing around London in my new heel boots to upcoming a/w launches and drinks with work pals, I barely had a moment to myself. That being said Jon and I took it upon ourselves to go for an evening stroll in some local gardens to get a good dose of fresh air and test out my new coat. It was so nice to just get out from all the hustle and bustle, really catch up - I've been plunking onto our bed as soon as I'm home and falling asleep - with the only noise being the faint moo of a cow in the distance.

I did treat myself to a spot of retail therapy for a second week on the trot. I'm essentially panic buying for the Cosmo Awards at the minute. I want to look glam but not OTT, I'm really not feeling dresses at the minute so I've picked out some alternative options in case I really go off what I picked out last weekend. I'll be posting my final choice next week and you can check out all the goings on on my instagram (@ohlittlered), as I'm sure to be documenting the evening like crazy! I'm getting super excited about it now, not only will I get to meet lot's of lovely bloggers that I've spoken to online but never had the chance to meet face to face, but it's also Suzie's birthday! So, I really cannot wait to celebrate her birthday with her in style.

Question time! What sort of posts do you want to see more from me? I have been particularly proud of how my posts and photography have been turning out this week and loved all your positive comments so I want to keep up the anty. Let me know!

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Autumn Edit: Lips

From l-r: soft options in rush (old), mac plum dandy, mac deeply adored, elf mineral moisturising lip tint in berry, topshop beguiled, L'Oreal Color Riche in Plum Passion
Other products shown: Bubblegum Lip Scrub, Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate, Gold by Giles Lip Gloss (couldn't find product names but in swatch in a dark true red and a sheer magenta)

I've been wanting to do a post like this for some time, reason being that not only am I an avid hoarder of lipsticks in all shades and hues, but, autumn lipsticks are by far my favourite to wear. Braving a deep plum or a daring red does something to me, I feel much more glam, and I find that berry toned lip products do justice to my colouring. And, for the girl on the go, a quick slick of a darker lipstick is enough, with no need to faff around with eyeshadows as much.

However, there is always the downside to everything, sorry to be add my dose of pessimism here, and plums and red do tend to bleed or smudge much more noticeably than a Kim Kardashian lip. Of course there is always something that you can do! A good lip liner will keep any straying colour at bay and prolong the longevity of wear and I have a review of the new Mac Marilyn Monroe Lip Liners in Beet and Cherry coming up shortly.

Another downside of the harsher climates of the autumn/winter season is that chapped/dry lips become a bit of burden and so I live by two products to banish the not so attractive flaky lips look... the first being my Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub which is Ah-mazing! Seriously, get your hands on any of the Lush Lip Scrub range, they work wonders and also taste incredible too, beware you must resist the temptation to eat the whole pot! It buffs away any dead/dry skin and leaves my lips feeling renewed and plump, perfect. The second saviour on my list is the Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate, I love, love, love this. Not only does it add a sultry hint of berry plum to my lips but its moisturising qualities are undeniable. Adding a touch of this over any of the products above adds a little extra shine and is a very welcome addition, especially when wearing a matte lipstick.

What are your go to lip products this season? Do let me know!

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so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye

It seems like the budding spring/summer months flew past at an incredible rate, the beginning of summer were scattered with plans for plenty of afternoon's basking in the sun, mincing around in tearooms and country parks seemed to slip away, instead facing many a gloomy summers day watching The Hairy Bikers and munching on domino's, instead of a sumptuous victoria sponge cake, yum.

As if almost overnight it has gone from taking outfit photographs in my summer frocks and denim shorts, lazing in a deck chair in the garden sipping on Kopparberg and the Olympic fever high on the agenda, to whacking up the heating and swapping crop tops for knitted jumpers, and suncream for a much needed umbrella. So, this is a final goodbye to blooming florals, wasps buzzing around a fruit cider and BBQ platter, and although very much shortlived,  goodbye to the summer sunshine. But it is also a very welcome hello to mugs of hot chocolate, winter boots, plum shades and crunchy autumnal leaves, bring it on.

What is your favourite thing about the autumnal season?

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New Look @ London Fashion Week - #HPMLFW

Once again may I firstly apologise for the lack of quality with these images, it was another instagram job as I'm without my camera whilst I'm home from university but on to what I'm really here to talk to you about, New Look's latest a/w clothing and cosmetics collection. I was fortunately invited to the Handpicked Media Suite at the very swanky One Aldwych Hotel in London, as this was one of the first events I've had the honour of attending I was slightly apprehensive about being a bit of an awkward turtle due to not knowing anyone. However, the lovely Jess invited me to meet up with herself, Laura & Liz beforehand, all of which made me feel very welcome so thank you ladies, it was truly lovely to meet you all!

Upon entering my eyes were immediately drawn to the various rails housing the newest looks which an array of different prints, textures and styles to suit every individual whether you wish to brave a standout pink and yellow knitted number or a simple but stylish studded blouse and matching boots. Studs really do seem to be a hot trend for this season and I had my topshop studded boots on, fitting the occasion. One piece I think many of us bloggers were amazed by was a fitted leather jacket for the bargainous sum of £40 so keep your eyes peeled girls! The atmosphere was really lovely and chatter was the soundtrack of the evening with  canapés treating our taste buds with a selection of mini beef in yorkshire puds and a bitesized fish & chips, which were my personal favourite.

The suite was absolutely stunning with a fantastic view overlooking the city as well as a luxurious bedroom which on the night was home to Kelly Brooks new line of underwear which was spread across the bed. The en-suite bathroom was filled with clear bowls brimming with some of her knickers which we could very gratefully help ourselves too as well as an assortment of Gold by Giles cosmetics which I am yet to try out for myself. There was also a nail bar set out ready for our fingertips to be treated to a bit of pampering, I opted out of this as my nails are ashamedly back to their bitten to the bud state, boo!

I really enjoyed getting to be part of London Fashion Week and all the lovely ladies and gents I met that evening made my first lonesome event not so lonesome after all and I really enjoyed getting to mingle with some of my favourite bloggers as well as bagging some great New Look goodies!

Are you attending any LFW shows or a fan of New Look?

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midweek wishlist: a/w

001. Aubergine Cross Stitch Bobble Hat - Topshop - 002.  Illamasqua Generation Q Eye Palette - asos - 003. Cambridge Satchel Company Classic Medium - Harvey Nichols - 004. Contrast Military Khaki with faux leather sleeves - ebay - 005. Smokey Oversize Jumper with Collar - The Vintage Set - 006. Autumn Leaves Lipstick - nars

My wishlist seems to be ever growing whilst my bank balance is ever dwindling, not a great combination I must admit. At the moment I'm saving for a last minute trip to Zurich to stay with my housemate whose there on a term abroad so my money is being set aside for the flight and wine money. Cannot wait.

Out of all the items on this list the Cambridge Company Satchel is what I'm eager to lay my hands on the most, I'm not often one for expensive bags. I don't really own that many sticking by my trusty Zara messenger bag and a small folk inspired handbag that I thrifted but I would finally love to be able to call something like this beautiful bag my own, that or a Mulberry but one can only dream! I've also stumbled upon The Vintage Set, a beautiful online store brimming with gorgeous one off items and for a very reasonable price too I may add. No unnecessary price tag just for the 'vintage' label here. Autumn is my favourite time of year and so I'm eagerly awaiting dusting off my old jumpers and beaten leather boots once more, fashion wise this is where I'm in my element!

What key autumn items are part of your winter wardrobe?

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