THE STRIPE TSHIRT DRESS // autumn ootd

H&M DRESS / H&M COAT / FOREVER 21 BAG / H&M NECKLACE / PRIMARK TIGHTS / MAC ALL FIRED UP LIPSTICK

I have a new-found-love for dresses. Never previously liking them for day-wear, afraid of looking too formal, I've been converted. The best place for casual dresses I've found is H&M, where I've purchased 3 and I love them. This striped basic t-shirt dress is the newest edition and I am in love with how effortless it looks. They are SO easy and comfortable to wear, and I have a feeling this dress will get so much wear all year round. It's the first t-shirt dress I've ever owned and I love how it looks with black tights and an oversized blazer, keeping it neutral. My style has definitely changed from more patterned, colourful pieces, to more simple, plain pieces -  which are probably more boring, but are so easy to wear.Yet wearing neutrals, I can't be without a bold lip, and I've opted for Mac's matte lipstick in All Fired Up, which probably isn't the most autumnal shade, but love how it looks with this outfit anyway.

What are you wearing this autumn?

THE MOM JEANS // autumn ootd

the floor was obviously extremely interesting...

I cannot remember how long it's been since I posted an outfit of the day, but today I bring an autumn one, featuring some new additions to my wardrobe.

My jacket is a blazer from H&M and I love the simple, smart style of it. Great for autumn weather, as it isn't too warm, and goes with everything.  I bought this a few sizes up as I love the oversized look in coats.

I made the decision to purchase my first ever pair of Topshop jeans, and initially had my eye on some Jamie ones. Though, looking around the denim section (so much choice) I came across these Mom Jeans, which I'd never have thought of trying on, but was curious to see what they'd look like...and I fell in love. They're super comfy, and a high-waisted style which I find really flattering.

I feel like this is the start of a beautiful, yet expensive relationship with Topshop denim.

Any Topshop jean fans?

MAC REBEL DUPE // topshop the damned

- This was posted as a guest post on Bethan's blog A Messy Little Raindrop but I thought I'd share it on my blog too! -

I'm a huge lover of dark lipstick, and I love the Autumn/Winter months as dark lips are a key trend every year. I picked up Mac's satin lipstick in Rebel quite a few months ago for £15 and I love it! It's a dark plum/pink with a semi-matte finish and insane staying power.

After wanting to try Topshop Lipsticks for the longest time, I featuring 'The Damned' in my recent haul and later discovered the shade is so similar to Rebel, just slightly lighter. I actually prefer the formula of the Topshop one, as it's alot smoother and so moisturising it feels like a lip-balm! Although, Rebel has a longer staying-power, which fades evenly.

Side-by-side both shades look practically identical, and even when putting the above photo together, I had difficulty telling them apart! Topshop lipsticks are available for £8, so just over half the price of the Mac ones. If you're after Mac's Rebel, definitely go for Topshop's offering first if you're not wanting to invest in the £15 price tag!

Found any Mac dupes? 

august favourites

The month of August has come to an end, and as it pains me to say, summer is officially over in the UK, I'm really looking forward to September. I begin my A Level courses at my sixth form of choice, and autumn is my favourite season for makeup. Here's the small selection of things I've been loving this past month:

1. Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser // Remember the best day of the month year? National Lipstick Day brought online offers any beauty addict couldn't resist. Debenhams had £5 all lipsticks, so I ordered a Mac one, perfect for autumn (Party-Line...google it it's a beauty). With it I received a makeup bag-full of Elemis samples which I was sooo excited to try out! From all of the samples, this cream cleanser has been my favourite and I've used it everyday. It removes makeup really easily and deeply, and leaves my skin smooth and refreshed.

2. Barry M Gelly Polish in Blueberry // This polish has featured in my Nails Of The Day post a few weeks back and it's all I've had on my nails this month. It's a gorgeous blue/purple shade and the formula is really nice and long-lasting.

3. Mac Cremesheen Lipstick in Shy Gir l// I bought this quite a few months ago and after not using it for ages, I rediscovered it this month and why I love it so much. It's a peachy nude and I find it looks best with one thin layer and patted in for a subtle nude shade.

4. Scrunchies // I am obsessed with the whole 'half-up-half-down-messy hairstyle' at the moment and have basically had my hair like it everyday. Scrunchies make the style a whole lot more volumnious and fun and they're alot more comfortable in the hair than a normal hairband.

5. e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit // My brows are currently in desperate need of a reshape, as I've been trying to grow them abit thicker this month. Luckily the e.l.f. Eyebrow Kit has come to my rescue in the transition to make my brows look less messy.

What have you been loving this month?

mac haulin'

Mac Cosmetic brands is one of those brands which I've always lusted over and since buying my first lipstick last Christmas, I've become a bit of a collector for them. This month I've beaten a record and bought two in one month...I did have my reasons...who can say no to discounted makeup?!

The first was on my way to my summer holiday in Turkey in mid-july, and who can say no to duty-free makeup? I knew I wanted a pink and had had a look online at ones I was looking out for which included Impassioned and Girl About Town. However, I was disapointed to see there was a lack of lipstick shades at the Mac store but I did manage to grab the last one of 'All Fired Up' which is a gorgeous bright pink shade. It's a matte shade and I absolutely love it, especially as the formula isn't very drying. I definitely would've bought a second at the same time but none of the other shades on offer really caught my eye. I wanted to pick up a pigment too, but there also weren't any there at the dutyfree store. Nevertheless I walked away very happy with a beautiful lippie to add to my collection!

The excuse story for my second and final purchase was National Lipstick Day (best day of the year...ever.) and Debenham's rude-to-refuse offer of £5 off lipsticks. It was online and for one day only and decided to have a snoop. After being lured at dutyfree by YSL lipsticks, I decided to look there first, but still at £20 each, I couldn't justify it...one day I will own one! Instead I (of course) opted for Mac. When looking on there, the shade I wanted (Pattiserie - a beautiful natural pink) was out of stock so I spent about half-an-hour (no exaggeration...there's so much choice!) googling swatches of available shades that caught my eye. I settled on the cremesheen lipstick in Party Line. One I've never heard of, but I'm a sucker for deep red

autumn shades so I knew I'd love it.

all fired up // party line

I think it's pretty safe to say I won't be buying another lipstick for a while - yet Patisserie is next on my list!

Have you bought any Mac products lately? What's your favourite Mac shade?

july favourites

I know this is late, but forgive me, life has been busy and my laptop has decided to give up on me (sad face). But today I bring you the products I've been loving throughout the month of July!

e.l.f. eyelid primer | I think it's pretty safe to say I really love everything from my e.l.f. haul, but the eyelid primer I've been using everyday. Either as a base for shadow or just pressed powder alone to tame my oily eyelids in the humid summer weather. This works a treat and is only £1.95 or something ridiculously inexpensive...definite recommend! read my e.l.f. haul here if you haven't already!

mac all fired up | I bought this mid-july at dutyfree on my way to Turkey and I think it's love. The colour is so beautiful and bright and perfect for summer! Haul post coming this week!

scandaleyes micro precision liner | You'll always see me wearing black liner on my upper-lashline and I've been loving this one this month as it's waterproof. Compared to others, this stays put in the hot weather and the small nib makes application easy!

tinted moisturiser/light bases | sensing a theme here? Makeup to bear the humid weather, and tinted moisturisers have been a must for me lately. Especially as I've got quite a tan on my face light bases let my natural glow shine through while giving me abit of coverage. I've recently been using the Lancome Renergie Eclat Tinted Makeup which I really like!

benefit high beam | High Beam is the perfect cream highlight and I find it perfect for the summer months when you want a glow that will stay put and look natural. This is a sample size, and I'll be buying the full size when this runs out!

So those are the products I've been loving in July! 

What are your favourites this month?

making it work | an unloved lipstick

Quite a while ago, I picked up this Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in the shade 180 Vintage Pink. I'd wanted to try this range for so long, and was so excited to buy this. Only when I got home and tried it on I realised the shade did not suit me. Gutted. I gave it a few more goes but it just wasn't working and so it lived in a Muji drawer for a few months un-touched.

After discovering the world of combining lip-colours to make your own (post here on Hooked On Beauty! shameless plug) I brought out Vintage Pink and decided to experiment.

individual swatches// vintage pink above, rebel below

I chose to mix it with a dark purply/pink shade which I adore on it's own anyway, Mac's satin lipstick in Rebel. The end product is a flower-orchid, glossy purple which I never thought would suit me, but I actually really love it and think it's a shade which can be worn all year round!

What do you think? Any lip combos you've discovered?