Rimmel VIP goodies...

Hey bloggers :)

Some of you may know, I'm a Rimmel VIP, which means I get sent products from the company to review. I've been a huge Rimmel fan all my life, so it's an honour to be treated to these products! I've got 3 products to review this time, but you might want to read my other Rimmel product reviews here and here :)

Up first, we have...

Match Perfection Compact Powder in True Ivory

I'm a big fan of compact foundations and I'm using Avon's cream-to-powder compact foundation at the moment. I just find the little pad that comes with it so easy to use when I'm in a rush doing my make-up!

Rimmel's version also comes with a pad and mirror, perfect for touching up on-the-go!

Here's what Rimmel say...

"A super-blendable lightweight formula with smart tone TM technology that cleverly adapts to your skin's natural colour and texture, while blue sapphire pigments enhance your natural colour and tone. Lasts as long as you do!"

and here's what I have to say...

I have to admit, my first impressions of this product weren't good. The product says 'ultra-creamy' but it wasn't creamy at all. It's very dry, and its coverage is very light. I could still see my blemishes afterwards. Maybe I'm too hung up on Avon's version, which is ultra creamy, but I will keep on trying this to see if my experiences improve...

Next up, we have...

Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in True Ivory

Now, this foundation is MUCH better! Maybe I'm just a fan of heavier coverage foundation, but this one really does the job. As you can see from the picture below, it's a lovely, creamy texture and the shade True Ivory is perfect for me.

Rimmel say...

"Giving a smooth lightweight coverage, Lasting Finish 25 hour foundation leaves skin feeling hydrated all day. The transfer proof and fade-proof formula means your foundation now lasts up to 25 hours, for a day that never stops."

I say...

Firstly, I wouldn't describe the coverage as 'lightweight' but that's a good thing, in my eyes! Although, it might be too heavy for summer days. Also, it definitely has that 'Rimmel' smell. It's very fresh, similar to the smell of the Recover foundation if any of you have tried that. Great coverage, great shade, lasts all day - It's a thumbs up from me!

and finally...

Volume Flash The Max Bold Curves Mascara in Black

I've always been a loyal Rimmel mascara fan, since before I can remember. They always do exactly what they say on the tin! For around 4 quid as well, you can't really go wrong. My current faves are the Lash Accelerator, Volume Flash The Max and the classic Extra Super Lash.

Here's what Rimmel say...

"Introducing our biggest curved brush ever, with extreme volume and lift. The Max Bold Curves mascara delivers up to 14x more volume so lashes look fuller and longer."

So here's my lashes before...

and here's my lashes afterwards...

As you can see, not a drastic improvement, but a slight curl. This was with 2 coats. I might use this mascara on top of another one for a final curl, but I wouldn't use it on its own.

So that's it for this time! I was also given a Eyeshadow Quad to try, but it included colours I wouldn't wear (turquoise, purple, etc) so I can't review it honestly as I'd never wear it sadly.

What are your favourite Rimmel products?

Love,

Sophia

xo

USA make-up treats!

Hey ladies :)

When my boyfriend's family visited the States recently, I asked them to pick up a couple of goodies for me. Reading beauty blogs all over the world, I knew exactly what I wanted. Here's what they picked up...

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

This cult mascara was top of my list! I'd seen it reviewed by Amy on makeupandbeauty.ie when she went to Chicago and it just looked amazing.

Here's what the product says...

"The biggest brush EVER from COVERGIRL, for a blast of lush, volumized lashes lashblast's volume-boosting formula and brush are designed to max out each and every lash leaving you with the ultimate big lash look."

So here's my lashes before...

(excuse the no make-up, I thought it would make for a better transformation!)

and here's my lashes afterwards...

As you can see, it's completely worth its cult status! Look how much it's volumized and lengthened them! Considering my lashes were pretty non-existent before, I think this mascara has done a fantastic job. I used 2 coats to reach this effect.

If you're looking for a U.K. dupe...

... I'd recommend Avon's SuperShock mascara (left in the picture). The brush head is just as fat, if not fatter! Buy it online here.

I also got...

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy

I'd seen this on Anna Saccone's blog and it just seemed like a really natural, rosy shade that I could wear everyday.

Here it is... :)

Here's what Rimmel say about the product...

"Lasting Finish Lipstick now delivers up to 8 hours staying power. The improved formula incorporating Colour Protect technology gives up to 25% more colour impact. Intensity, smoothness, shines and up to 8 hours wear - Lasting Finish Lipstick truly has it all!"

So here's my lips before...

(I used Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant here as a base for the lipstick - see review here)

and here's my lips afterwards...

OK, it's not that different, but that what was I was expecting. A really natural pink. I love it, but it might be too sheer for you. I have to say, I don't think this U.S. lipstick comes under the umbrella of Rimmel's Lasting Finish lipstick with an "improved formula" because it lasted about 30 mins before fading...

What products from the USA would you recommend?

Thank you for reading, let me know what you think of this post...

Love,

Sophia

xo

FOTD & OOTD: The sun comes out to play...

Hi lovelies :)

Living in Bournemouth town does have it perks, it has a moderate climate all year round really and never really sees extreme weather! This week it's been beautifully sunny & yesterday I chillaxed with some mates on campus with some free Waga's... result :)

Make-up wise, I wore...

FACE: Avon cream-to-powder foundation in Shell. Benefit Boi-ing concealer in 02 Medium. Nars bronzer in Laguna and Nars blusher in Orgasm (see post here).

EYES: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer potion, baked e/s in Buck all over lid & Smog in outer corner (all part of Naked palette). Rimmel Exaggerate liquid eyeliner in Brown on top lid. Avon Color Trend double-ended kajal stick in Brown on lower waterline. No7 Exceptional Definition mascara in Brown (see review here).

LIPS: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant (read review here) followed by Sleek Pout Polish in Pink Cadillac (review!).

Oh, btw, I didn't straighten my hair... It's naturally like that :)

Outfit wise, I wore...

Similar to Friday's post really, except this time I wore my new leather gilet from Primark. It was the perfect weather for it; I probably would have got way too hot in my blazer! Just a reminder, I'm wearing...

• Trousers from ASOS
• Pumps from eBay
• Tank from Dorothy Perkins and
• Snood from New Look (one day I'll switch to a more summery pashmina!)

Oh, and did I mention I met Dave Berry today?

Here he is in all his gorgeousness... My claim to fame is that he asked me for a fag. Sadly I declined. Damn my healthy lifestyle...!

That's it for this time! Let me know what you think :)

Love always,

Sophia

xo

OOTD & NOTD: Just another uni day...

Hey all!

I know the sun's been shining, but my days consist of being in uni so I haven't had a chance to sunbathe/hang out on the beach as of yet. I'm looking forward to going home for Easter though so that I can bring all my summer clothes back...YAY! I'm running quite short on summery clothes!

Here's what I wore yesterday...

• Khaki jeans - ASOS
• Black tank - Dorothy Perkins
• Camel blazer - ASOS (see blog post here)
• Black snood - New Look
• Black bag - George at Asda (see blog post here)
• Black patent moccasins - eBay (see blog post here)

and here's what I wore on my nails...

(Rimmel Lycra Pro in Beige Style)

My nails were bare for quite a few days and I just fancied wearing a natural, nude shade that goes with everything :) It actually appears a kind of muted rose pink when it's on the nails. I'm a huge fan of Rimmel Lycra Pro nail polishes - I love the fat brush that comes with it!

What do you wear on a day-to-day basis?

Love,

Sophia

xo

Mini Dorothy Perkins Haul

Hey ladies! :)

I picked up a few bits from Dorothy Perkins recently - they were offering 20% off online and in-store and I couldn't miss stocking up on essentials!

Vests - 2 for £9

I bought this camel vest as it goes well with black (which is essentially all my wardrobe contains!) and I also bought it in coral (below) to go with pretty skirts in the summer.

Round-neck vest - £5

I also bought this vest because I love the colour! It's a muted mint-green that would go perfect with a pair of mid-wash skinny jeans. I love the fit of these vests - they seem to compliment girls with a bigger bust.

Tan leather moccasins - £32

I bought these to wear with skinny jeans in the spring. Everyone seems to be wearing tan brogues at the moment but they just don't do it for me (they do nothing for my calves) so these seemed like a better option. They're super comfy, with padding in the sole :) Perfect for a full day at uni... (they do them in black, as well).

Suede shorts - £18 - Glamorous at Dorothy Perkins

I've wanted a pair of shorts like these for ages, ever since I saw a picture of Sienna Miller sporting a Topshop pair at the end of last year! Trouble is, Topshop were charging £60+ for a pair and I just couldn't justify spending that. This pair were down from £45 and I got 20% off so they were only about £15 in the end which is nothing! They fit perfectly and I plan to wear them with a button-down black shirt at night or a checked shirt during the day.

Have you picked up anything from Dorothy Perkins recently?

Love,

Sophia

xo

My Daily Diet

Hi ladies,

My health is really important to me and I thought I'd share with you the kind of things I eat on a daily basis to try and stay healthy. I exercise at least 3 times a week (running/the gym/boxercise, etc) which allows me to eat more of the kinds of food I want.

I don't really believe in diets - I love food and I've been brought up to enjoy it. I'm half-Italian so I grew up eating quite a traditional, Mediterranean diet (lots of pasta, homemade pizza, tomatoes, olive oil, cheeses, bread, that kind of thing). You may immediately think that those are the kinds of foods that will make you put on weight, but they're actually incredibly good for you. Brits are 3 x more likely to be obese than Italians, who have the 2nd lowest obesity rates in the whole of Europe! If I really want to shift some weight for a holiday or whatever, I'll just up my exercise regime! I'd rather do that and be able to eat more of what I want.

I prefer to make small changes to my diet that I can implement on a daily basis. For example, I eat...

• Low-fat margarine instead of butter
• Skimmed milk instead of semi-skimmed/full-fat milk
• Wholemeal bread/pasta/rice instead of white bread/pasta/rice
• Half-fat cheese instead of full-fat cheese
• Sweetener instead of sugar

These are things that I don't even have to think about now which makes it really easy to stay healthy.

Here's a sample of what I eat daily...

Breakfast:

• Scrambled eggs with one slice of wholemeal bread (using 2 eggs)
• Omelette (same as above)
• Porridge with bananas & honey/apple & cinnamon/raisins
• Granola with natural yoghurt
• Muller light yoghurt + a banana

Porridge with bananas and honey...YUM!

For those of you who skip breakfast... DON'T DO IT!!! It's the most important meal of the day!

Lunch:

• Wholemeal pitta bread with ham & salad/tuna & sweetcorn/houmous & veg
• Wholemeal bagel with ham & low-fat cream cheese
• Healthy soup (New Covent Garden/Sainsbury's Be Good to Yourself) with a wholemeal roll

Wholemeal pitta bread with ham salad, Muller Light and Robinson's No Added Sugar Squash

Dinner:

• Breaded haddock with brown rice & veg
• Breaded cod with homemade potato wedges & veg
• Quiche with homemade potato wedges & sweetcorn
• Thai green curry with brown rice (chicken or prawns)
• Stir-fry with noodles & veg (chicken or prawns)
• Jacket potato with tuna & cheese/ ham salad / homemade chilli con carne
• Spaghetti bolognaise (using 250g mince, Dolmio low-fat bolognaise sauce + wholemeal spaghetti)
  
  
  Homemade chilli using chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, chilli flakes, onion & garlic...

I try not to snack but I do get peckish mid-morning, mid-afternoon and after dinner.

Snacks:

• Fruit (apple/banana)
• Muller Light yoghurt
• Muller Rice pot
• Ambrosia low-fat custard pot
• Raisins
• Cereal bar (Frusli/Go Ahead)

Drinks:

• Water
• Robinsons No Added Sugar Squash

I've cut caffeine!

I've also given up caffeine for Lent, which means no chocolate, coffee, tea, fizzy drinks or energy drinks for 40 days. I haven't found it that hard actually. I've found that where I thought I craved chocolate, I was actually just craving something sweet, and a pot of custard or Muller Rice usually does the trick. I used to drink a cup of coffee every morning and one mid-afternoon. I don't miss the morning coffee but sometimes, when I'm nearing that mid-afternoon slump, a cup of coffee would go down nicely! Remember, if you drink a lot of tea and coffee, try and use skimmed milk instead of semi-skimmed, and swap the sugar for sweetener or try and cut it out altogether! I've found that by cutting out caffeine I've been drinking a lot more water - you should aim for 2 litres a day! :)

I hope you've found this post helpful - I know a lot of people struggle with their weight, but what I've learnt recently is that I love food, but I also love exercise, and so hopefully by eating healthily and exercising regularly I can maintain my weight. By sticking to a healthy diet regularly, it also means I can afford to pig out when I want to and not have to beat myself up about it. Believe me, I love a tub of Haagen Daaz just as much as the next person...!

What do you think? Do you eat healthily or do you think improvements could be made to your diet?

Love,

Sophia

xo

OOTD & FOTD: Out for Dinner...

Hey girls :)

Over the weekend I went for a yummy meal at La Tasca in Gunwharf Quays for my friend Sarah's 21st. There wasn't a dress code but my housemate Becky and I went quite smart :)

I wore...

• Black shirt - Boohoo (see my blog post here)
• Black cropped jacket - F&F at Tesco (see blog post here)
• Wet look leggings - Envy
• Black bag - George at Asda (see blog post here) and
• Nude patent platforms - Barratts (see blog post here)

Make-up wise, I wore...

FACE:

• Benefit That Gal Primer
• Benefit Some Kind-A Gorgeous Foundation (Original)
• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer (02 Medium)
• Benefit Dallas to contour & bronze
• Benefit Coralisata on apples of cheeks
• Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in 02 Peach to highlight

EYES:

• Benefit Lemon Aid as eyelid primer
• Urban Decay Virgin e/s in inner corner, Urban Decay Gunmetal e/s in middle & outer corners and Urban Decay Creep e/s in outer corner to smoulder (all Naked palette)
• Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner in Black along top lid
• Avon Double-Ended Kajal Stick in Black along lower waterline
• Maxfactor Masterpiece Max Mascara in Black (1st coat)
• Benefit That Gal Mascara in Black (2nd coat)

LIPS:

• Bourjois 3D Effect Lipgloss in Rose or Epic

For my hair, I just straightened it using GHD's and sprayed some L'Oréal Elnett Very Volume Supreme Hold Hairspray for oomph! :)

We ate...

How could I forget the food?! Becky and I shared tapas - they were delicious! From L-R: Chicken croquettes w/garlic mayo; Patatas w/tomato & melted cheese; Paella w/seafood & chicken and of course, a traditional Spanish omelette :) YUM!

What do you think of my outfit? What do you wear for girlie meals?

Don't be afraid to leave your comments :)

Love,

Sophia

xo

New Shoes!

Hey all :)

This is more of an accumulative post - not all these shoes are new in the sense that they're recent purchases, but they're basically all the shoes I've bought since the beginning of the year! So, in chronological order...

I'll start with these pumps. I picked them up from eBay for about 8 quid - they are rather thin (I can feel the ground when I'm walking!) but they go with everything in my wardrobe so they're a keeper! :)

Next, I bought these shoe boots from Missguided.co.uk. They're called the Christina and were £28.99. It's a shame I haven't worn them more but I kind of bought them at the end of winter, rather than at the beginning! (silly me)

I also bought these heels from Boohoo. I've wanted them for ages, to wear with smart dresses, and they were a steal at £25! Very comfy and really elongate my legs! They do them in Grey as well (look here).

Then, I picked up these nude patent platform court shoes from Barratts. They cost £25 as well but as you can imagine they go with everything! I plan to wear them more in the summer with bare legs... oo-er!

Finally I bought these black platform heels for £12! They were from Priceless Shoes and they do them in Nude as well. They're a little bit big but they're the right size and I'm sure I'll squeeze into them. Again, I'm sure they'll go with everything so I'm not too worried :)

I think I've picked up some really timeless shoes that can go with anything in my wardrobe! :)

What do you think? Have you picked up any heels recently?

Love,

Sophia

xo

What's in my weekend make-up bag?

Hey guys,

I was inspired to write this blog by Muhsine, who wrote about what she brought in her travel make-up bag and, as I've been home quite a lot recently, I thought it would be a timely post! :) I always have to pack light when I go home - I only have one small holdall to bring on the train and I have to squeeze all my clothes, toiletries and make-up in there. I use an old Soap & Glory wash bag for all my toiletries (face wash, moisturiser, contact lens solution, etc) and I use a make-up bag I picked up at a car boot last year (read the post here) for all my make-up!

Here's what made the cut...

• Avon Ideal Shade Cream-To-Powder Foundation in Shell
• Benefit Boi-ing Concealer in 02 Medium
• Nars Bronzing/Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna (read the full review here)
• Avon Angled Brush
• Bronzing Brush
• Urban Decay Naked Palette (read my thoughts here)
• No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara in Brown/Black (read my review here)
• No7 Eyeshadow Brush
• Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant (take a look here) and
• Sleek Pout Polish in Pink Cadillac (read my review here)

I didn't go on any nights out whilst I was home, otherwise I would have had to pack a lot more! This was more just for the daytime. I think sets like the Nars and Urban Decay ones are fantastic for travel because they just save so much space! The Naked Palette also includes a double-ended Zero eyeliner in Zero (black) and Whiskey (brown) so it saved me bringing an extra 2 eyeliners as well!

What do you pack when you travel? What do you think of my choices?

Let me know what you think :)

Love,

Sophia

xo

Little Primark Haul & a few bargains...

Hey ladies!

Now, you know me, I love nothing more than scouring out a good bargain. Being a student, it's inherent that I try to spend the least amount on clothes, while still looking stylish!

Primark's a bit hit and miss with me. I remember I used to spend loads in there in the past, but the stuff I bought would always end up in my car boot pile! I think it's good when you want a dress for a night out that you know you'll only wear a couple of times. I went there with my Mum this weekend and picked up a few items...

Cream leather gilet - £15

This was one of those things that you just happen to pick up on a whim, but I was surprised to see that it actually fitted me really well. I've been looking for a cream leather jacket for ages, but I just reckon I'd get really hot and sticky in one, so this gilet is a compromise :) I tend not to have my arms on show very often so it's a bit out of my comfort zone, but I felt really confident wearing it and I plan to wear it with a plain white vest and khaki jeans in the springtime.

Tan leather sandals - £10

Love, love, love! I also picked up these Jesus-style sandals - They're real leather as well, can you believe it?! They were so comfy when I tried them on and I plan on wearing them with turquoise toenails (perhaps Rimmel 60 Seconds in Sky High - see here) when the weather heats up a bit.

Tan belt - £2.50

Finally, I picked up this cute belt, perfect for cinching my waist in little summer dresses :) It was a little on the big side but because of the way it's designed, you can fit the belt bit into any of the little holes in the flowers...

So a successful trip to Primark overall, I didn't go wild but I did pick up some lovely goodies :)

I also picked up a few other bargains this week...

Black leather bag - £10 - George at Asda

Now you may remember this from a certain 'Steal Her Style - Kim Kardashian' recently (read it here) and I for one just couldn't resist this beauty! In the style of the famed Balenciaga bags that all the celebs wear, this is a gorgeous bit of arm candy but without the hefty price tag.

I plan on wearing it like this, below:

I also picked up a cute shirt as well this week...

Toni shirt - £15 - Boohoo

I've seen everyone wearing these peach chiffony blouses recently, but I just can't bear the whole you can see your bra thing, and besides, nobody would want to see mine, anyway! haha. I believe I picked this up when Boohoo were offering 30% off and/or free delivery, so it only came to around £10 in the end. It fits perfectly and I plan on wearing it with high waisted shorts or wet-look leggings and sky-high heels.

I love finding things that look expensive, but for a fraction of the price. :)

Have you picked up any bargains recently?

Lots of love,

Style by Sophia

xo

OOTD: Daytime Riding Style

Hey guys,

Only a short one this time, I just thought I'd let you in to what I've been wearing over the weekend. I say 'riding style' because my Mum says I look like a horse-rider (I've never ridden a horse in my life!)

I wore...

• White vest - Dorothy Perkins
• Black blazer - ASOS (see my thoughts here)
• Black snood - New Look
• Khaki jeans - ASOS
• Black riding boots - New Look
• Black bag - Warehouse (read my initial thoughts here)

I tend to wear this kind of outfit daily, varying the vest/trousers but generally keeping the boots the same. Recently I've been sporting pumps a lot more as the weather's been warming up - my feet get REALLY cold though so I have to be careful :)

What have you been wearing in this transitional period between winter and spring?

Love,

Sophia

xo

Car Boot Bargains - Take 2!

Hey everyone!

I popped home recently and noticed there was a car boot happening at a local school. Some people may turn their noses up at car boots, but I've picked up some amazing bargains in the past (see my Car Boot Bargains post from last year here) and I've made some good money selling my old clothes as well!

Here's what I picked up this time...

No7 Make-up Bag - 50p

It was love at first sight! I already have a wide array of make-up/beauty bags but this one from No7 seemed right up my street (it even matches my purse - yay!)

It's quite small but it fits in all my handbag essentials (hand sanitizer, tissues, hand cream and eye drops - glamorous!)

Paperchase Notepad - 50p

How cute? This was brand new from Paperchase, and I know how expensive Paperchase stuff is! It features little plastic pockets inside it as well, so I plan to use it for recipes as my current recipe book is currently bursting at the seams!

Wuthering Heights - 20p

OK, so the only reason I bought this is because Bella references it in Twilight! Who's with me?! I've been wanting it for ages as I've heard it's one of the most tragic love stories - I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into it!

Laptop case - 50p

Literally couldn't have come across this at a better time! I'd come home with my laptop but misplaced my old laptop case just before I left, so I was travelling with it in the bottom of my suitcase, hoping it didn't get smashed up! Luckily it didn't, but this laptop case is 10x better than my old one!
First of all, it's got handles! My old one didn't, and it's got little pouches as well for all the cables that go with your laptop. As you can see, with my Dell laptop in it (above) - it's perfect!

The moral of this blog post is to not turn up your noses at car boots - all the stuff I bought came to only £1.70 and I couldn't be happier with it all! It's like shopping, but without the guilt of spending! Think of it as eBay without the shipping costs... haha!

What do you think of car boots? Have you picked up any bargains recently?

Let me know in the comments section below :)

Love,

Style by Sophia

xo