Transitional autumn lipsticks

In the last week or so I've definitely noticed the excitement of other bloggers for the Autumn months, myself included. The dark nights are already rolling in now and I can't wait to snuggle up in the evenings enjoying my favourite tv shows, wear about 6 layers of clothing and drink copious amounts of hot chocolate. Sounds ideal right? It's not only the dark nights and change in weather we notice but beauty wise we see ourselves switching out a few things in our makeup bags for new exciting things as well. I'm one of those people that loves wearing lipstick (usually matte) to complete a makeup look - otherwise it just doesn't seem finished, with that being said transitional lipsticks are a must. You don't want to go all out with the darkest of dark shades but you feel yourself reaching for a berry shade over a coral and therefore I thought I'd share a few of my favourites.

From looking at the photos, you may think they're all berry shades but this is where I promise they are all very different!  The most well known MAC lipstick for this time of year has to be Rebel, which is a satin finish and a lot less scarier on the lips than in the bullet. This is always in my handbag, its so smooth upon application and stays on for the most part of the day. Although we all know mattes are my one true love mainly because I know they'll stay put throughout the day but surprisingly so does this (and it doesn't bleed). I think that's what makes me love it more, it'll always be a staple for my A/W beauty bag!

I always like to keep my posts and favourites, a mix of drugstore and slightly higher end just because there's always an option for everyone and I don't think anything could be more affordable than the Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in shade 107. Its a beautiful matte berry shade which is probably one of the darkest in this post, I always like to apply a few layers to create a bolder look but with its formula, it only really needs one swipe. Its super affordable and I feel like its one of those berry shades that would suit every skin tone, I'm super pale and it doesn't wash me out too much and on darker skin it looks just as fab!

As for the next lipstick, its probably the darkest of the lot and when it first arrived through the post I was like maybe I've gone a shade too dark but upon swatching realised its not half as scary as it looks. It is the darkest shade still but not too dark. Disturbed is a fairly new purchase from Urban Decay's latest release - its a comfort matte which is supposed to be less drying on the lips and as the name states easier to wear without the feeling of a matte lipstick but with the safety. It's really smooth on application and produces a gorgeous wine colour on the lips and can we just appreciate how gorgeous the new packaging is? I think this will definitely become a firm favourite of mine.

This next pick might cheating because the title says lipsticks and this is more of a liquid lipstick but still its probably my most recent purchase and my new favourite! My local Boots, in fact all Boots I've been to have had barely any NYX products left whenever I'm visiting (because it's so bloody brilliant) and so when I went to the Trafford Centre a few weeks ago, I wasn't as excited about the massive food court or indoor bowling or Victoria's Secret but the giant NYX counter. I was short on time so I was only able to pick up a few things including the  very affordable NYX Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Embellishment. It's a gorgeous purple-dusky shade which isn't a shade I'd usually go for but I'm oh so glad I did. It wears all day on the lips and I was able to eat and drink without it budging!

Another matte, there's almost a theme going on here. The next is MAC's DIVA, I won't say too much about it because one of my recent posts is a review (link here) if you want to read that instead but the lipstick is amazing! Lastly Illamsqua's Magnetism - this is one I've owned for a while and probably the most drying of the lot in true matte form, the application isn't just as smooth as the others but I can't get over how cute the square packaging is and how it doesn't roll away when you're trying to snap a few photos #bloggerproblems! However it's still a beaut shade although not my favourite and great for that transitioning makeup bag.

I hope this wasn't too length-y for you all but let me know what are your go to Autumn lipsticks?

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo  

Holiday Edit: Majorca

I'm not sure if I briefly mentioned it on the blog but as a family we try and book an annual Summer holiday for us all, last year amidst the chaos of moving house we couldn't so this year we were determined to have a break. I think that's why going to Hong Hong mid-May (link here) for a little break was a bit of a no brainer - I was having some serious with-drawls and so when August rolled around I was super excited to be jetting off again. This time to the beautiful island of Majorca, somewhere we can't seem to stay away from with its amazing scenery, weather and most importantly the local food.

We stayed in the Ca'n Picafort region and honestly couldn't have asked for a better spot. Our hotel was on the beach front, I mean climb over the wall and your on the beach - how ideal is that? It had plenty of cute little bars and restaurants filled with character, an amazing pool, a nature reserve if being active is up on your holiday to do list rather than chilling round the pool and of course the people were friendly as could be. I'd definitely recommend!

We were able go on several day trips through our holiday rep - always be sure to check out the millions of leaflets in reception to see what you can do in the local area. We travelled into the capital of Palma a few times (mainly for the shopping) and I was stunned by the beaut architecture around every corner - it makes you want to up sticks and live somewhere that's so pretty all year round. We'd been to Palma before when we were younger and admired the La Seu Cthedral from outside - its absolutely stunning but we never had the chance to go inside for whatever reason until this year. The architecture is spectacular inside and when the sunlight comes streaming through the stained glass windows, wow. I don't think the pictures do it justice - its so pretty (photo above).

I'm not usually into the guided tours that you can book on to but honestly it was so informative and they packed so much into a matter of hours. I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the tourist attractions and definitely looking like one with the little headsets on. We were also given plenty of time to explore, honestly I think that's one of my favourite parts, just exploring a new city and finding new places and things and of course beautiful photo opportunities! 

Insta Snap: La Seu Cathedral

Apart from the lounging around the pool, reading good books and sipping endless drinks in the sunshine - I'd have to say there were 2 major highlights of the trip. It just so happens that they were 2 day trips we went on, the first is to the Alcudia Old Town. It's retained most of its character, with quaint cafes, bars and boutiques, a maze of streets and has so much history - its like stepping back in time. I'm guilty of taking a lot of photos here, if you ever think traditional Spanish village, this is it in a nutshell. I love learning about new places and just seeing what would have been a bustling village years ago - we were able to walk along the 14th Century wall and follow it around the village - definitely working that different angle and giving you more of a feel for the place. All in all, it was beautiful!

The second highlight would have to be the Western Encounter trip. At first I wasn't sold, it was something that my Mum had wanted to do for ages though so we all agreed it was on the to do list! It was another guided tour and let me tell you, our guide was brilliant - he was so funny and kept giving us all these quirky facts about the island as well as the important stuff. We started off the day (after all the hotel pickups, that part I slept through) travelling through the Tramuntana mountain range and as a Geography graduate, this was right up my street. I was in awe! The views from the top were just break-taking, it was a little cloudy so in photographs it maybe doesn't look as great as it could have but it was still amazing and the roads look absolutely tiny!

Afterwards we travelled by boat to Port de Soller and it was only then that the sun started to make an appearance. It was probably the cloudiest day of the entire holiday and didn't even last half a day but I was grateful for it - being stuck on a coach and roasting alive doesn't seem all that great. We were able to stop off for some refreshments in the coastal town and then we were off again, this time via the tram (the only way to get to it, luckily they don't have any bad weather) to the town of Soller which was just as unique and picturesque. We then boarded the wooden train and up into the mountains we went - giving us the time to appreciate the stunning views. Just incredible!

This holiday I definitely blanked out on the social media front, I mean on holidays who really wants to constantly look at their phone? I know I don't, I'd rather spend time with family and chill. I didn't tweet much or post on snapchat and I didn't want to spam this post with photos either so if you want to see more pretty travel photos, I've put them all on my Instagram (link here) ...

All in all, it was an incredible holiday and just time to relax after such a hectic year. It's a stunning location with plenty to do for the whole family - we've sort of outgrown the water parks and parks but there was one about 15 minutes down the road so really it has everything! I'd definitely recommend the place and I can't wait to go back to the island in the future.

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo

P.s What places are on your travel bucket lists?

MAC Diva Review

I hadn't bought a lipstick in what felt like forever so when I was passing through duty free in the airport and spied the makeup counter's, I knew I needed to treat myself! Sometimes you just can't help it! This time I purchased MAC's Diva - a shade I haven't actually heard too many people speaking about!

I'm terrible at swatching but I still wanted to show you guys the colour accurately!

As I said, Diva definitely isn't one I've heard about all that much but after swatching the lipstick I knew I had to have it! It's so under-rated. Its a beautiful red/burgundy shade (perfect for A/W hint hint) with a matte finish. If there's anything matte in a lip product I will most likely fall in love with it. I know there's quite a lot of people that don't get along with mattes but I think even this lipstick would convert them! The lipstick isn't drying in the slightest, was smooth on first application and barely fades throughout the day.

When I'm wearing makeup or lipstick in general its usually for a long period of time, after applying early in the morning I rarely top up the colour until later in the afternoon. Its comfortable and even after eating (all lipsticks fade after eating, I'm still hunting for that one that doesn't) it hasn't faded that much either and with that hasn't left a horrible stain either!

I know that coming into the Autumn months, this lipstick won't be out of my makeup bag - its the perfect transitional colour and I'd highly recommend adding this to the lipstick collection. Over the past year or so, this is one of the lipstick shades that I keep gravitating towards and its brilliant because they're so universal, they genuinely suit all skin tones! Also considering I haven't heard much of a buzz about Diva, I'd definitely class it as one of MAC's unsung heroes and can't wait to use it now the darker nights are rolling in.

Thanks for reading, Jenny xo

P.s whats your favourite MAC lipstick?