130/ BEAUTY & THE BREAKDOWN

I have been thinking a lot about beauty lately. I put this post on the back burner for a bit because beauty isn't something that I'm well versed in. I know the bare bone basics and I think I get by just fine, but I'm sure there's a ton of makeup fanatics who will gag while reading this post. Oh well, to each their own!

I have a bit of a confession to make: most of my makeup comes from either the drug or grocery store. #sorrynotsorry

I know that comes as a bit of a surprise as I'm always ranting and raving about how much I love lipsticks. I do have a select amount of designer, or higher end, products in my collection, but they are few and far between. If you know me, you know that I love two things: the first being a challenge and the second being a deal. I'm always on the hunt for the next great drugstore find, but the products that I'll be talking about today are my holy-grail, staple pieces that I will buy time and time again.

There are a few holes in this list, though. For example I haven't found a bronzer or a powder that I can't live without. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! I also added two high end makeup products to this list, but I'd be a liar if I left them out. And to give you a little breakdown about what I'm working with skin-wise: my complexion is fair, and I have horrible, oily and acne prone skin.

Okay, now onto the products!

FIFTY-TWO/ fall wishlist

I'm sitting here writing this in the heat waiting impatiently for fall to come. I absolutely love autumn; there's just something about that crisp chilly air and the brightly coloured leaves. Not to mention the fashions. Fall fashions are by far my favourite. I love layering, dark neutral colours and boots. I'm so happy to see burgundy back on the shelves in full force as it is one of my favourite colours to wear. I have been stalking my favourite online stores ever since they started to debut their fall collections and I can't wait to go on a shopping spree. Here are some key pieces I've been lusting after. A few of these items are a bit of a splurge, but hey this is a ~wish~ list, right?

1. Acid washed skinny jeans from ASOS Curve 2. H&M+ blouse  3. New Look bodycon skirt 4. See by Chloe black booties* 5. MAC lipstick in Dubonnet 6. Forever 21 necklace 7. American Apparel shawl cardigan in "truffle" 8. Marc by Marc Jacobs silver watch* 9. Zara black leather city bag 10. Lulu Guinness red lips bag via ASOS*

* - splurge items

- All thoughts are my own. Images are linked back to the appropriate sources. This post is in no way endorsed by any of the mentioned brands.

FORTY-SEVEN/ riri woo and nikes too

I think it's safe to say that I'm addicted to wearing a strict uniform of black and white with a pop of colour on my lips. I have been wearing red lipstick almost daily as of lately and I'm alternating between Raspberry by Joe Fresh (more of a purpely red) and RiRi Woo by MAC (pictured below). Both colours have an extremely matte finish and they're both absolutely phenomenal. It's weird for me to wear red lipstick this often, seeing as pink is my usual, but ever since receiving my RiRi Woo lipstick I've felt the need to wear this shade more often. Sometimes change can be good.

But with all that being said, my shoes are actually my favourite part of this outfit. I found them by chance at Winners and I freaked out in the middle of the store. I used to have the biggest collection of sneakers, especially high top ones, back in high school and I've been dying to get my current collection back to its former glory. It's becoming increasingly more difficult to find a unique looking pair of sneakers, that aren't wedges, so I knew I couldn't let these get away from me. Also, they're black and white... how could I say no?

DRESS/ Forever 21 SUNGLASSES/ Ray-Ban LEGGINGS/ New Look SHOES/ Nike ACCESSORIES/ Various VEST/ American Apparel (DIY from jacket)

* All photos were taken by Laura Kidd.