It can be so overwhelming choosing the universities you're applying for, especially as there are such an amazing array of both universities and courses that you can really feel spoilt for choice. Since I have just sent of my uni application, being an early applicant, I'm often asked how I did it, so thought I would compile some tips and tricks that helped me narrow down my choices massively.

CHOOSE BY COURSE

I would seriously recommend knowing what course you want to do before even looking at the different universities available. Now, I'm not saying know exactly what course you want to do to the letter, but have a general idea - don't be choosing between doing natural sciences or English at this point! Have a general idea of where your interests lie, then start looking at some university courses for this subject. It's also a good idea to know what you want to get out of your course too, in terms of the way it's taught and the sort of modules, perhaps. You don't want to get attatched to a university, and then realise the course isn't for you! Feeling enthusiastic about the course you want to study is also so important. If you're not truly into the course, you just won't find any university appealing!


CONSIDER COURSES WITH DIFFERENT ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Since you'll eventually need a firm and an insurance choice, you really need a couple of tiers of universities to choose from - one's that could become your firm, and one's that could become your insurance. Your insurance choices need to be at least a little lower than your firm (for example, an AAA for a firm and an AAB for insurance), otherwise it wouldn't be worth having an insurance choice - it's basically the backup if you don't get the grades! But I would seriously suggest you put as much interest into your insurance choices and make sure you like them, which would soften the blow if you did need them, and make use of all your five choices.

OPEN DAYS

Definintely don't underestimate the usefullness of open days! If you are looking at universities all over the country it can feel like a total trek, but they are so useful to get a feel of where you could be studying, and what is on offer there. While at open days, I would definitely suggest thinking about things such as;

CITY OR CAMPUS?

I really wasn't sure about the difference of the two before I visited some unis. Many universities are campus based, like a mini village almost, with ammenities such as pubs, shops, and your accomodation all on site, whereas some are more 'city' based, spread out around a city. I would really suggest looking at them both and perhaps even applying to both sorts of universities, unless you really dislike one of the options. I really thought I was going to prefer a campus and feel too overwhelmed in a city, however I like the idea of a city being close by and being able to nip to the shops if I fancy, possibly because my current college is in a city (albeit a small one).


GO TO TALKS

Another reason why it's a good idea to know which subject you want to do is so you don't spend the day at the university going in several talks about subjects, it will be so easier to just go to one or two subject talks at each university, and then compare your experience at each of the talks. At one of my favourite universities, I was actually a bit dubious about their course, until I went to the talk and was absolutely blown away and sold.

LOOK AT ACCOMODATION

At most of the universities I looked at, the accomodation was much of a muchness, but it is definitely a good idea to go and have a look to get a real feel of where you could be living. I'd also advise you to consider living conditions for your second and third year - yes, it may seem like a long time off, but it is definitely worth considering. Some universities have some accomodation they offer for second and third years, but some won't - having a talk to some students about the areas they live in could be really useful.

TALK TO STUDENTS

At open days there always so many students about who are experiencing the life you could be! My best suggestion is go and talk to students who study the subject you want to study as you'll get a feeling for what it's like to study there too. I remember when I was doing college tours at Oxford, a few of the students were history students, who seriously sold me because they gave the tour from a 'historical' kind of perspective which was so useful.

Mentioning that, a campus tour can be a really good idea if one is on offer, it could give you a real feel for the place - the first 'campus' style university I went to was Warwick, so it felt totally discombobulating until I went on a tour, when I began to be able to navigate myself around the place a bit!


SO YOU'VE BEEN TO SEE THEM - NOW WHAT?

Now comes the serious part: the decision! Some universities you may just have a feeling for. The biggest decision I had was choosing between Oxford and Cambridge, as you can only choose one. I simply had a real feeling about one, whereas although I loved visiting the other one, I just couldn't really see myself there. It could be an idea to make some sort of pros and cons list if you are really stuck - perhaps the course is a bit better at one uni, but at another uni the location suits you better, and so you can weigh up which factor is most important for you.

Once you've got your five, the hard part is definitely over! If you do manage to get offers from all five, and really can't choose which one to pick for your firm and insurance, the unis usually host 'offer holder open days' where you can go again and really work out which one is best for you - it can definitely be easier sometimes with a fresh set of eyes.


WHERE HAVE I APPLIED FOR?

The big question! I'm asked so often where I've applied so here we go; I am applying to do a History degree at Oxford, UCL (University College London), Warwick, York and Nottingham. So far I have received a couple of decisions, from York and Nottingham, which is super exciting - I can now go to university, so long as I get the grades! A surreal feeling for sure...


I would love to hear about your experiences too! Whether you have been through uni or are there right now, I would love to hear your tips for starting uni and settling in - a crazy thought that I will be going through all that this time next year! If you have any other questions about applications make sure to leave me some too, I would love to help!

One of the best things about autumn has to be the colour scheme, right? I love all the deep browns and burgundys that appear everywhere this season, including and especially, on the lips. Here are a few of my favourite lipsticks this season that I know will be my autumnal staples.

B E R R Y S

Kat Von D - Lolita

Beginning with a liquid lipstick, Lolita is definitely an autumnal staple. It's possibly one of my darkest lipsticks - liquid lipsticks always seem to appear lighter until you put them on your lips, so I really want to get the worth out of it during the autumnal months. It's a gorgeous deep berry shade that literally screams autumn - even the packaging, fitting in with the Kat Von D brand, feels autumnal and Halloween-like.


MAC - Retro

This has to be the boldest MAC lipstick of my collection, with real red undertones. It was a little bit of an accident that I bought a lipstick so dark - it swatches a lot lighter, strangely enough! But it is the perfect autumnal shade so I'm really glad to own it. The satin finish is also great too, meaning there's a great colour pay off while feeling gloriously moisturising on the lips.

D A R K  B R O W N S

Colourpop - Times Square

The thing I have found with most liquid lipsticks is they're usually darker than they look, so when I was buying my first Colourpop lipstick in New York I went for the lightest shade of Ulta's collection, Times Square. Still ended up pretty dark! But I'm really glad, it's a really nice, cooler toned brown with an unbeatable formula, incredibly long-lasting and the fastest drying liquid lipstick I own.


Anastasia Beverly Hills - Hudson

Okay, I don't know what it is about this lipstick but I have recently realised it is so flattering and therefore have totally fallen in love. It's a really beautiful chocolate brown shade that perfectly compliments an autumnal red eye look. I'm so obsessed with it right now - I love how I have a mini size as it came in a set as it is the perfect handbag size!



RevolutionXSoph - Fudge

Since this one is only £4, it's a definite essential for everyone. I love that it is affordable and also has a cream finish which makes a huge change than all the mattes on the list. Fudge is a warm brown, really aptly named as it reminds me of fudge actually! It's so perfect for autumn, pairing it with some warm brown and burnt orange eyeshadows.

P U R P L E  T O N E S

Urban Decay - Backtalk

I totally didn't know what section to pop this one in so it ended up in a league of its own. I can't decide why this lipstick is so autumnal for me - perhaps because I bought it in the autumn two years ago, when I constantly wore it, so it always ends up reminding me of this time of year. It's also a really gorgeous purple toned nude that looks so fab with any burgundy-esque look, without opting for a super dark shade, making a lovely change yet still super autumnal.

---

---

I have been obsessed with corduroy since about this time a year ago, when I purchased by burgundy fluffy-lined corduroy coat from Stradivarius. I wore it and wore it, and have continued to do so this time - it felt like a hug the first time I wore it this season, now it has started getting a bit chillier, I had seemed to have forgotten how cosy it is.

However, following on from my love of my coat last year, this year corduroy has appeared in shops everywhere in a big way, and I am certainly not complaining, so I thought I would round up some corduroy pieces you NEED for your wardrobe this season.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

The button up A-line skirts have made a return this year, much to my excitement! I purchased a blue denim one from Miss Selfridge three years ago now and feel totally on trend with it this year. It seems to have had a bit of a corduroy renewal this season too, and I love this red skirt from Miss Selfridge. I've gone a bit red crazy this season (to the extent I purchased a pair of red trousers), so I am really loving this. However, if red isn't your thing, I love the navy option from Topshop.

My whole love of corduroy began when, a while ago, I saw some corduroy mom jeans in Urban Outfitters. They were utterly beautiful, but I just couldn't justify £55 for jeans, so Stradivarius have definitely answered my prayers! I knew I had to check them out since my own corduroy coat is from them, and I love their more affordable mom jeans - again they offer them in the totally on trend colours of rust and a blush pink.

Sticking with jeans, I've kind of fallen out with my skinny jeans right now, but I love the twist New Look have given them with these corduroy skinny jeans. Again, the colour range is insane - I love the more subtle and trustworthy black but they will definitely have something to suit you.

My final pick is a pair of trousers I have had my eye on for a while - to the point I wandered round my local New Look store on a mad hunt to find them, but unfortunately failed. The burgundy cropped corduroy trousers are so gorgeous and since burgundy is my absolute favourite autumnal colour, they are totally perfect for this time of year.


I was totally overwhelmed when searching for pieces for this post because there are simply SO MANY corduroy items around right now! There's definitely something to suit you out there, so I'd love to hear how you style it.

Did I really go and spend £24 on a lipstick because it is reportedly Meghan Markle's go to? Perhaps my obsessions with both Suits and The Royals at the moment would suggest it was at least a little bit of a factor. Although, I think I was really swayed by its gorgeous rose gold packaging...

I have dreamed of owning a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick for a couple of years now - who wouldn't? I had always manage to talk myself of it due to it being more expensive than any other lipstick I own... until in London I walked past the Charlotte Tilbury store in Covent Garden and simply couldn't resist.


Charlotte Tilbury's line offers different formulas of their classic lipsticks - the matte revolution (which as the name suggests, is matte), the K.I.S.S.I.N.G lipsticks which are much creamier, and the Hollywood lips, a liquid lipstick. As a matte lipstick lover who already owns far too many liquid lipsticks, I of course hopped over to the matte revolution stand to do some swatching.

After a swatch of several shades, including the iconic Pillow Talk, which although a lovely shade was a bit too on the pink side for my liking, I settled for the shade Very Victoria. A true light brown nude, I felt like it was the most different of my favourite of Charlotte's shades to the rest of my collection, so settled upon it. I was also very excited to carry the stunning burgundy and rose gold bag around London with me the rest of the day!


For days I couldn't help myself but stare at my new purchase in absolute awe, too pretty for me to use straight away. I don't think I will ever be able to stop raving about how beautiful her packaging is - I really believe any other lipstick will ever come as close.


When I finally plucked up the courage to use it, I certainly wasn't dissappointed. I love the flat topped design of the bullet which makes it really precise to apply. The shade itself is definitely a 'your lips but better' sort of option, adding a bit of life and colour to my lips without going to dramatic. I always love lipsticks like this because I too often go overboard with eyeshadow and a subtle lip is the perfect balance.


The formula also has to be one of my favourite mattes I have ever worn, it is lovely and long-lasting while feeling amazing too. I would definitely recommend it if you ever feel mattes can be a bit drying - Charlotte Tilbury actually advertise the formula as a 'modern-matte finish', which totally understands the matte lipsticks we all want today - the gorgeous long-lasting finish that isn't drying. She manages to get the two neccesities spot on and I couldn't be happier with it.


It may be a luxurious lipstick but it is certainly one I will cherish and get a LOT of use out of! Plus, if it's good enough for Meghan Markle, it's definitely good enough for me - I can now see exactly why she loves it so much! Have you tried any lipsticks from the Charlotte Tilbury range before?