SS16

 It's that time of year again! 

My birthday month of June has officially arrived, and we've even been graced by a few hot & sunny days here in Scotland. (*Still not reached 20 degrees, but this is hot for us Scot's).

And because of the lack of exotic weather in the UK, I really don't invest into Spring Summer as much as I would actually love to. "Will I ever get to wear this?" is the question that halts the majority of my summer buying decisions. Particularly when I don't have an abroad summer holiday planned out, as is the case this year.

But despite my usual hesitation, I've decided to throw caution to the wind & pick up some which I can't wait to wear on these summery weekends.  Grab yourself a cuppa, and let's take a look shall we?

1. Topshop 2. Topshop 3.Topshop

 The off-shoulder trend has been huuuuuuuge this season, and with it's bohemian, relaxed vibes - why on earth not?! At first, I wasn't convinced this was a trend for me due to my own physique and shape.  Clearly having a moment of fashion bravery, I went ahead and bought the above three styles from Topshop anyway!

The verdict? I LOVE these. Sure they're a tad inconvenient & annoying to wear, but for evening drinks I'm hardly struggling to reach for any top shelves. My current challenge? Mastering the art of how to elegantly put on and take off my leather jacket while wearing these.  For the record, I'm determined to eventually succeed. 

1. Zara 2. Topshop 3. Zara 

Unless you know me from my awkward teenage years, or see me laze around the house, you're highly likely to have never seen me wear a zip up anything. I couldn't even bear going to the Zoo last week wearing my zipper hoody. (Sorry, not sorry for that pun!)

But embracing a slightly more casual fashion side, I've fallen completely for Bomber jackets. Somewhere inside, there's something no true 90's girl can resist. My neon Le Coq Sportif days may be well behind me, but I've embraced these Topshop & Zara lovelies instead.

From this selection, I've purchased jackets no.1 and no.2 and I'm really really happy that I did. Sure they both have pink tones, but I was keen to purchase one that was a plain colour & one which made more of a statement. The Zara jacket especially, I have barely taken off since I bought this! Often worn with a loose t-shirt, black jeans and my sparkly flats - this is a simplistic and easy outfit, which still looks thoughtfully put together. 

1. Topshop 2. Topshop 3. Topshop 

I often find dress shopping particularly difficult. From spending most of my days at work in jeans and a jumper, I'm perhaps un-used to embracing my more feminine fashion side. My body shape too, makes dress shopping a bit of a nightmare, leaving me giving up shopping attempts and resulting with a lack of options in my wardrobe. While shopping in Topshop on Princes St last weekend,  I promised myself that I would leave with a dress! Pushing aside my usual complaints of "but I never have anything to wear it for," I was a very happy Rachel when I spied these three dresses in-store!

Dress 1 - The only dress from the three that I didn't have the time to try on. I actually only spotted this when leaving, but I do wish I'd gone back to try this - it's gorgeous! The metallic, blush hue strikes me as very 1920's inspired, and a great occasion dress. I keep admiring this online, so I'm pretty sure I will place an order for this, just so I can at least try it...

Dress 2 was actually spotted by Paul, and I must admit he can uncover a good fashion find. The bold orange hue, the flattering wrap at the front - such a good staple dress for my wardrobe. But at the time, I wasn't 100% so didn't pick it up. After looking back at my changing room photos in this, if the Aberdeen stores have this in stock I'm pretty certain it may be another Topshop purchase for me!

I don't usually go for a wrap style dresses, but Dress 3 was flattering on my shape - while the floral and spot contrast looks really striking! It's so different from anything else in my wardrobe, so it's about time I added something fresh and different. This dress is small sized though, as I had to go all the way up to a size 14. Maybe it's more personal preference, but with my shape I still felt too busty in the 12.

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If you've made it this far, Congratulations! I hope you enjoyed this post, and a chance to see some of the SS16 pieces I've already purchased - and those I'd still like to! I've never been so into Topshop, and right now they seem to be pretty on point. 

Let me know if you've purchased the same or similar, and comment below with anything else I should check out. 

THE MAC CAPTIVE

I love the change that Spring indicates. Along with the change of season, the change of attitude in the fashion and beauty world too. The mood feels lighter, brighter and in a way - much more natural. 

Let’s not get me wrong here, I’m the biggest advocate for a wintery, deep berry lip & makeup look. In fact, I can’t keep myself away from them all year round. But in a recent perusal around the Aberdeen MAC store, I was glad to find some bright, spring-like colours  which caught my attention well and truly.

Firstly, as always there’s a lipstick. I cannot keep myself away! I love lipstick. Glosses and long hair often result in a gooey mess, so they’re all liquid, wet lip product a no go. (There’s always an exception, hello Illamasqua’s liquid lipsticks...)

The shade that caught my attention was Captive, how ironic... and it’s a very ‘me’ style nude. Because of my pale skin tone, I really cannot pull off too light a nude lip, so always tend to learn towards berry, slightly purple tones.

Although this is a satin formula, I wouldn’t say it’s like my other satin’s (like Hot Tahiti), and I actually find it leans more matte as once it’s on, this is on. When it eventually fades, after 8hrs or so, it does leave such a lovely stain. The MAC assistant recommended pairing it with ‘Currant’ liner, which in my honest opinion could be far too dark if applied too harshly. But with a light skilled hand and then blended out with a lip brush - you have the perfect base for this colour. It compliments the lipstick’s purpley tones well, and feathering the edges slightly gives a modern, slightly lived in feel rather than a harsh edged line. Anything that makes a lip colour more wearable during the day is a complete win in my book.

 If  the colour of Currant (pictured below) is too bold for you, you can’t go wrong with a little bit of Soar instead. I'm so glad I got a hold of this months before it became the it MAC Liner to own. If you can get your pretty paws on this liner, I fully recommend! I do love the quality and finish of the MAC liners, and Soar is a fabulous 'my lips, but way better' shade for day or evening.

And finally,  MAC Beauty Powder in Peach Sunrise, a product which I have never purchased before.  I am familiar with MAC MSF's, but I had always previously passed on the beauty powder formulations. MAC suggest their beauty powder's can be used as soft blushes, finishing powders, or as highlight. 

I spotted this as part of their recent Faeries Whispers collection, and it was originally the much lighter 'Sparkling Rose' BP which I intended to purchase. But then, I fell in love with Peach Sunrise instead, as it's like nothing else in my blush/highlighter collection. 

I have been using this as a highlighter product, and with the lovely peachy golden hue it gives a natural glow of warmth to the skin. I would also use this light handedly as shimmer blush, particularly in the spring summer months, as this is stunning when caught in natural light. 

I don't know anyone who would pass up on a "lit from within glow," so I'll get so much use from this, as it does precisely that. The peach base translates onto the skin very well, so also a great product to lightly give colour which enhances, rather than distracts, from the rest of my look.  I would keep light handed with this to achieve that light glow, especially when worn with my HG blush, Maxfactor's creme puff blush in Nude Mauve. 

What's your thoughts on these products? And please do comment below with your favourite products for a natural beauty, Spring inspired look!