My Favourite A/W 2012 Hair Trend!

This is probably quite a surprise to a lot of you but recently I decided to try something different one morning. As usual the inspiration came from Vogue and a lot of the catwalks. Sleek hair, side partings and a tight ponytail - I am loving it!

Teaming this with just about anything adds an instant chic to an outfit. I've worn this with a range of outfits and it doesn't look out of place. I also love the range of make up you can get way with with this hair style - from a dark smokey eye to a vampy lip to a neutral look.

This look is also super easy to do, all you need is a hair tie, hairspray and maybe a bobby pin or two. I found the most successful way to achieve a tidy look that really stays is to brush it into shape, hairspray your hair, brush again and then secure. And then naturally another blast of hairspray for good look!

The start of Autumn haul.

Today, I did a little shopping and started on my Autumn make up.

Left to right we have;

MAC Lipstick in Cyber. I was talking to my MAC girl about this lipstick today, it was between this and Rebel but she suggested this as Rebel is actually quite bright and not as dark as it appears. Cyber is the same, it looks almost black but in fact is a gorgeous deep purple. I've played around with it today and dabbed on the lips it deepens the lip colour with a purple hint, for a more everyday look and when fully applied it's a solid, gothic colour. It's not as scary as it looks - I looked on the website and the swatch does not look like the same lipstick in the tube! I think it's going to be one of my go-to lipsticks for the Autumn.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid and pump. Not much to say about this, I think most people have tried it. It's my go-to foundation and have it in a few shades depending on my tan. This is in NW15 - yes, I'm pale! But this is for the no tan, winter days. Though, surprisingly, doesn't wash me out at all and actually compliments my skin really well.

Essie nail polish in Sole Mate. This follows on from my Vogue, October post when I said I wanted a new polish. This is a great colour, a really deep reddy purple but doesn't look too brown. As with all Essie polishes it takes two coats but then you have a rich, deep colour and lasts, on me, 3 days without chipping. And for me, that's really good! I did find it looked a little strange on longer nails so I did file mine down and I think it looks a lot better. I highly recommend this polish for an Autumn colour! Essie is definitely becoming my favourite nail polish brand. Looking for a dark, forest green next...

I also bought a few standard beauty items. Nirvana Spa's mint shower gel - which I love. Simple face wipes. Original Source mint shower gel. Original Source mint and walnut scrub - are you seeing a pattern yet?

Vogue Overview, October 2012.

Yes, it's my time of the month.

The time of the month I sit back and read Vogue, cover to cover and feel at rest with the fashion world for the next month. I look forward to the October issue the most with the fall colours and the annual return of the gothic trend. This issue did not disappoint. From cover to cover we are given black, lace and leather - take note of the super cute Halloween 'Vogue Chart' on the back cover. It has also confirmed it's now time to darken the nails and make up, rock the beanie and go on the hunt for a new winter coat - and bag, shoes, boots...

The thing I love doing is looking at the high fashion promotions and thinking, I can do this on only half the budget. £300 on a blouse? Give me the money, a pair of Jeffrey Campbell's and I will give you a fabulous outfit. There are a few pieces in the months issue that I am seriously looking at purchasing so this week it's time to hit the shops and see what I can find. I'm really looking forward to try out the make up look from the Jitrois ad on page 146 and buying the perfect shade of deep red lipstick. I'm also going on the hunt for the Autumn nail polish and obviously, I will let you all know when I find it.

All in all, loving the knitwear and ditch the oriental.