FAVOURITE DARK LIPSTICKS

Fall and winter are all about dark smouldering lips! Wearing a bold lip is my favourite way to add some depth to my otherwise simple everyday look. They are a staple in my makeup kit and I thought I would share a few that I have been loving to wear.

STANCE- URBAN DECAY REVOLUTION LIPSTICK

When I first put this on, I did not want to take it off! It is a gorgeous deep berry colour. I was particularly impressed with the buttery formulation of this lipstick. It glides on well, my lips feel hydrated the whole day, and it lasts for a surprisingly long time. I will definitely be purchasing more from this line of lipsticks.

DIVA- MAC COSMETICS LIPSTICK

This was the very first dark lipstick I have purchased and it has been a favourite of mine ever since. It is a classic burgundy colour that will give you that touch of elegance. It has a great consistency as well as a great colour pay off. One coat is all you need to get this vampy lip.

HEATHERS- ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS LIQUID LIPSTICK

This is an earth toned lip colour that I’m happy to add to my collection. It is brown with red undertones, almost like a “brick” colour. It’s a liquid lipstick that applies wet and dries matte. The formulation definitely lasts a long time, however I did feel that it was a bit drying on my lips when I wore it for a prolonged period of time. I would definitely make sure to hydrate beforehand.

COGNAC- BITE BEAUTY MATTE CRÈME LIP CRAYON

This is a dark brown lipstick that I have been reaching for quite a bit. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would look against my skin tone but as soon as I applied it I fell in love. It’s definitely a unique colour and I find that it compliments my skin quite nice. It applies easily and has a hydrating formula. It is marketed as a matte lipstick, though I would say it has more of a satin finish.

WITCHES- KAT VON D EVER LASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK

Now this colour is probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love it! It is a pitch-black matte colour, and I must say, I feel like a complete badass rocking it! It has a nice formula that lasts long, and is not too drying considering it is matte. I think everyone should at least give it a go, because it is completely empowering!

TIPS: Always pair a dark lip with lip liner. This will ensure a clean and crisp edge, without the colour bleeding through. It will also act as a base, helping the lipstick last longer. I usually use Mac’s lip liners in Burgundy or Nightmoth for these dark lipsticks. Also, make sure to exfoliate your lips before hand, especially when it comes to the matte lipsticks. The product will apply a lot smoother and look more polished.

Hopefully this helps you guys branch out and try some new dark lip colours. I definitely think these are universal colours that will look great on any skin tone!

FALL LOOKBOOK

Here are some looks to inspire your wardrobe this fall. It’s time to showcase that inner fashionista!

CASUAL

1. This is a super cute and easy look! A knitted dress is a must have for fall and it can be worn many different ways. I chose to go with a minimalist style and pair it with some white sneakers. This look may be a little cheeky for some of you out there but do not fret; this will look just as good paired with knee-highs or knitted stockings.

Knitted dress – Forever 21

Sneakers – Keds

2. This look is neutral with a deep, warm toned colour. The top is a beautiful colour perfect for fall, and has a classic cut that anyone can pull off. I paired this with black jeans and black chunky booties to keep it simple. You can never go wrong with using black to ground an outfit.

Top – Forever 21

Jeggings – Garage

Booties – Call it Spring

CHIC

3. Suede is definitely in trend this season and I am not one to complain. I chose to pair this mini skirt, with a black high neck top and black strappy heels to keep the focus on the skirt. Again, if the skirt is too short for your liking, pair it with some knitted stockings or knee-highs. I opted for a leather jacket to bring the look together and give it a little spunk.

Jacket – Zara

Top – Forever 21

Skirt – Zara

Heels – Asos

COMFY AND COZY

4. I love to pull out my flannel shirts for fall! I particularly like my shirts to be a bit over sized for that cozy feel. I chose to pair it with some combat boots, which are a must have for this season. They are practical and go with almost any look.

Shirt – Garage

Leggings – Dynamite

Boots – Steve Madden

5. Who doesn’t love a nice chunky sweater? These will be your saviours all the way into winter. I paired a neutral knitted sweater with light washed jeans and brown boots to give it that warm and cozy feel. To give this look some colour and dimension I threw on a multi-coloured checkered scarf.

Sweater – H&M

Jeans – Garage

Boots – Call it Spring

Scarf – Garage

Hopefully that gave you some inspiration for your outfits this fall. Let me know what your favourite fall pieces are and how you like to style them. Everyone has his or her own unique style so make sure to strut your stuff this season!

DIY: FALL FLOWER MONOGRAM

I don’t know about you, but I love to add decorative pieces to my house to transition into the different seasons. Adding some seasonal colours, textures, scents, etc. can really transform your home without having to break the bank. This vibrant flower monogram is the perfect DIY project to add a touch of fall to your home.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

– Cardboard

– Various flowers

– Twine

– Glue gun

– Scissors

STEPS:

1. Cut your cardboard out into the desired letter or shape. I went with the letter A for Anitha! I also decided to make it a block letter so I will have a lot of surface area to fill with flowers.

2. Take your twine and cut it to the length you want to it to be hung from. Poke two holes at the top and string through to make a loop.

3. Remove the flowers from the steams. Cut the ends to be flat so it will be easy to glue onto the cardboard.

4. Arrange the flowers onto your cutout. There really is no specific way to do this. Just play around with it until you get the look you want and glue them into place!

This is a super easy art project that will liven up your place for fall. You can hang it in your room, use it as a wreath for the front door, etc. Either way, it is a great piece of décor to add to your home!

DIY: FALL WREATH

A wreath is a great decorative item to add to the front of your house for the different seasons. I love the rustic yet vibrant feel of fall and I wanted to create something that would embody that. Here is a quick DIY project for you to get creative this fall!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

– Wooden wreath

– Various flowers / sprigs

– Burlap Ribbon

– Glue gun

– Wire cutter

– Scissors

STEPS:

1. Take the burlap ribbon and wrap it around the wreath leaving wide gaps so the wreath still shows through. You can use any ribbon of your liking but I chose to go with burlap because I like the rustic look it gives.

2. Take the flowers off of the stems or cut them into pieces so you can stick them onto the wreath.

3. Arrange the flowers to your liking. You can get really creative with this part. I chose to put majority of the flowers towards the bottom of the wreath and then tucked in the sprigs around the rest. You can stick the flowers right into the wreath and glue them down if needed.

This wreath took me about 20 minutes to make and it cost under $20! It is a fast and inexpensive DIY project that will definitely get all your guests asking where you got it! What’s great about this DIY project is that you can always reuse the original wooden wreath and decorate it for the changing seasons. Get creative and let me know how your wreath turns out!

FALL ESSENTIALS

Lets switch gears and get into the fall mood! Here are a few things that pop into my head when I think of fall.

CANDLES
You can’t start off fall without a lovely fall candle! I’ll be honest, I like to light candles all year round, but it isn’t until the fall where I really get that itch to fill my entire house with the aroma and ambiance of candles. It gives your space such a warm and cozy feel. My absolute favourite fall candle is Sweater Weather from Bath and Body Works. It’s a light fresh scent; every time I light this candle I just think about crunchy leaves and cozy sweaters!

BOLD BERRY LIPS
This has to be my favourite thing about transitioning into the fall. You go from bright and summery colours, to deep and bold colours. Adding a deep lip colour immediately changes your look to sexy and sophisticated. It’s an easy way to add a little flare to your look. It is also such a universal look that anyone can pull off. Whether your skin is light or dark, everyone can rock a bold berry lip.

OVERSIZED KNITS
It’s time to get comfy and cozy with oversized sweaters! I love to cuddle up in my sweater on those chilly fall nights. It is a must have piece that looks adorable on everyone. You can just throw one on and head out the door; no effort needed and you always manage to look great! Plus, they do a great job of hiding those huge comfort meals we start eating this time of year. Who doesn’t like that?

BOOTS
Keeping up a pedicure all summer long can be a daunting task. Not worry, because fall calls for boots! Time to switch out those open toed shoes to comfy boots. Knee-highs, booties, wedges, etc. you name it, I love my boots! There is a style out there to suit each and every one. Not to mention, an oversized sweater just isn’t complete without a pair of boots to match.

SCARVES
This is a great accessory to add to your fall look. Whatever way you style them they always add that touch of warmth to an outfit. Blanket scarves are specifically great because you can use them as blankets! Think about those chilly days in the office where you can just take your chic accessory and use it to keep warm. It’s a win-win!

Those are my top 5 must-haves to transition into fall. What are your fall essentials?