You can keep your hat on...

So lord knows it has been ridiculously cold in the UK lately and there is almost nothing good about how dry it makes your skin, or how hot you are when you get inside and are wearing several hundred layers, or that no matter how many pairs of socks you try to fit into your shoes, your feet almost get frostbite! However, there are a couple of good things, one of which is the huge selection of outerwear we can now get our hands on. It gets so boring wearing the same thing outside constantly, and as a poor fashion student, when it gets freezing out there I have only one coat warm enough to keep the pneumonia at bay, and my goodness isn't that dull? My saving grace? Scarves, gloves and HATS BABY! Here are a few of my faves for saving your head from the bitter winter air...

The Beanie

Skater Rib Beanie-Topshop-£10

The oversized beanie is super versatile and waaaaarm! Be careful how you style it because you don't want to end up looking like you just threw it on because you were cold (despite the fact, that's almost completely true!). They work great with the 90's trend or with a girly dress or with a grungy look. Just be careful with the black beanie if you're going grunge-it could be a bit Disney's Anastasia before the make over!

The Animal

Black Animal Face Faux Fur Hat-River Island-£18

Yes, this hat is ridiculous! Wait though! It is fun and slightly ironic, and did I mention fun??? Plus, it's so warm and cosy that I promise you will never want to take it off. Wear it with... Well lets face it, wear it with whatever the heck you want-you've put an animal face on your head, who cares?!

The Cossack

Pieces Berta Hat-Asos-£22

If you fancy following in the faux fur theme, but along a more serious vein, the cossack is the one for you. This one is quite deep which is nice because it still covers your ears! Style with a prim and proper upper east side New York vibe à la Gossip Girl with a wool cape and leather gloves, or go Russian all the way, with a military coat. Burgundy and grey work really well together too so work those colour combinations!


The Fedora

Burgundy Fedora Hat-Miss Selfridge-£25

Not so warm but oh, so stylish you could wear nothing else... Although I obviously wouldn't advise that seeing as you'd get arrested. Get your giant sunnies back out (that low winter sun can be just dazzling!) and work your inner diva; this one's a show-stopper. The fedora obviously has the mob connotations, so go with it! Put on your tie-waist mac and some mannish tailoring and you're good to go... Or if you're not feeling that daring, pair with a faux fur stole and spin some 1950's dame charm.

The Pork Pie Hat

Leopard Pork Pie Hat-Topshop-£26

My last one, I swear. Again, this one will not keep your ears nice and toasty, but how can you resist. This one's a personal favourite of mine-I already have it in plain black but this is calling me! It combines not one, but two trends, before you even address the shape... The oxblood colour is everywhere this season, you can't escape it, and who would want to? I haven't met a person yet that doesn't suit it. Also, I'm always a bit scared of leopard print, there's a fine line between being Rihanna and being Kat Slater, you know? BUT, take the yellow away and boom! You're Rihanna all the way! So, put on your leather jacket, your jeans, and your studded boots and away you go-so simple. It doesn't really matter what else you have on because these hats complete almost any outfit. They're your instant cool factor... And aren't they pretty????

So, dressed up or dressed down. there's a hat out there for you. And if you think hats don't suit you, I promise, there IS a hat for everyone, so go play dress up in the shops, I think you'll be surprised!

Diamonds Are Forever...

After seeing the advert for Kate Moss' new matte lipstick range for Rimmel London, I fell in love with the shade she's wearing (107) and as I've never been a huge fan of 'glossy' lipsticks, the matte finish made it even more enticing. Boasting "magnetic colour" and colour enhanced by "black diamonds", I had to give it a try. So I headed down to Superdrug where, the lipstick was at £5.49 and included in an offer whereby if I spent over £7.00 (I think, don't quote me!) I got my favourite liquid eyeliner (Rimmel Glam Eyes in Black Glamour) for free, I'm a sucker for a bargain and I was soon off to try it myself!

I'd advise you to make sure you haven't got dry lips before you start applying because it just shows up, making it darker in some places than others. This however is the case with many a bold coloured lipstick and should not put you off. I'd definitely recommend a lipliner because the colour is so dark that if it bleeds, you do look like you've got vampire mouth, so to speak! It's got quite a hard consistency but I find that seems to help it stay put for longer. It lasts for a good few hours before you need to reapply, it's a surprisingly versatile shade and I get complimented on it all the time. It's a great way to finish off an otherwise quite simple make up look without putting in too much effort, and lets face it, if we can get away with less time getting ready then it's worth it.

I'm definitely not saying I wouldn't prefer black diamonds in my jewellery but seeing as that's probably a little out of my price range, my new Kate Moss will do me just fine until then!