The Eye Make Up Remover of all Eye Make Up Removers!

Hey lovelies!

I stocked up on my fave eye make up remover today! I've had a difficult history with eye make-up removers, believe me I have been through so many bottles! (all high street of course!) From the Body Shop to No7, from Simple to Garnier and L'Oreal, I really have tried them all.

I bought them in bulk in Boots as they were doing a 3 for 2 offer and so it was only £6 for 3 bottles overall which equated to £2 each, bargain :)

If you've read my August Favourites guest blog post on Lauren Loves Blog then you will know of course that I am talking about the Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover. It's soft, gentle, effective and only takes a few swipes on a cotton wool pad to remove every last trace. As a contact lens wearer I have to ensure every last bit of eye make-up is removed before I go to bed as it can irritate my eyes the next morning when I try to put my lenses in if not! It's a half oil, half water based formula that you shake to blend for the ideal consistency. It really is fab, and you know the best bit? The price tag. It's one of the cheapest on the market, but worth every penny!

I also received a free No7 voucher with my purchase :) you can't get much better than that. So get 'em while you can, ladies!

Botanics is sold exclusively at Boots and can be bought here.

Which eye make-up remover do you use?

Let me know if you can!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Guest Blog Post for Lauren Loves Blog!

Hey everyone!

Check out my guest blog post for Lauren Loves Blog where I've revealed my Top 10 August Favourites! It includes Bourjois, Botanics, Avon, OPI and much more :)

Here's a sneak peek...

Check it out here or click on the picture :)

Thanks guys!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Look Who's Talking...

Dear LOOK/fellow bloggers (don't want to be alienating anyone now do we!),

You may notice that I'm writing this blog post an hour before the deadline. Well there's no point denying it, is there? There's a time at the end of the post and I'm not going to backdate it to make myself look better!

In all honesty, the reason I have left this so late is because I know, deep down, that there is a very slim chance of me getting it. In my eyes, all of the girls (or guys) who have bothered to take the time to write a cover letter to LOOK essentially asking for their place on that coveted front row of the LOOK show, deserves a seat on that coveted front row of the LOOK show. We're all rooting for each other deep down. We're all a community.

I love not just writing blogs, but reading them too, I love nothing more than to sit down of an evening and read through my blog roll with a cup of herbal tea. Lavvely. I've learnt that blogging is not just one way - it is not simply enough to just write and write and expect to get anything in return - it is essential to be a part of the blogging community as well if you want your blog to grow. Not only that, but at least then you feel like you belong somewhere. More often than not, we have struggled all our lives with that feeling of belonging and now we feel like we finally belong, to a culture... of blogging enthusiasts.

The thing I hate about blogging is this need to categorise blogs into certain genres. I respect bloggers who aren't afraid to take risks. Who aren't afraid to not conform to what other bloggers expect them to be. Yes, Muhsine's blog Bubblegarm might be one of the top beauty blogs in the UK, but who's to stop her writing about her pregnancy? Who's stopping her?! The same for Holly and the Yummy Mummy Beauty Blog. It's in the name. She's famed for her beauty blog. But why not write about an enriching weekend, or a last minute trip to Paris. It's these kind of bloggers that surprise me and leave me not knowing what to expect. I'd like to think I'm one of those blogs. I wouldn't categorise myself as a fashion, beauty, health or lifestyle blogger - I'm simply a blogger. We all are.

However, one thing I am passionate about (and I'm not afraid to admit it) is high street fashion. I haven't grown up with loads of money but I've learnt the importance of taking care of yourself and feeling good about yourself from the inside out. I take pride in my appearance, but love finding a bargain in somewhere random like Poundland or a car boot sale and passing that onto my readers. Nobody can assume everyone has loads of money to buy the latest MAC foundation or YSL purse. That's why my blog has always focused on looking good on a budget. I have never and will never feature a high end fashion item on my blog. My blog is purely high street and you're more likely to see Primark or H&M than Prada or Hermes. After all, why waste your money on something when you can get it at a fraction of the price? Beats me.

Having a background in fashion retail (I've worked for Next for 3 years) has allowed me to keep on top of the latest trends and feed my insatiable appetite for fashion. We have our summer sale in July and right after that it's time to buy our Autumn/Winter uniform. It's easy to predict trends when you're surrounded by them months beforehand. I mean, who else has got a pair of black gloss Hunter wellies on their A/W wishlist? Hands up, ladies!

I would also add that I'm a good role model for other girls and other bloggers, I'm not one of the biggest, nor the best, but I feel like I know what I'm doing and I can give advice to others easily if they need it. Being an unemployed Journalism graduate is rather depressing - I haven't worked my butt off for 3 years and swapped the tequilas for text books for nothing. Blogging has helped me get through this difficult time and give me something to focus on, to achieve, to enjoy. Blogging for LOOK would be an absolute honour and I'm so grateful that you have read this far. THANK YOU!

Vote for me as Cosmo's Student Blogger 2011 in 2 easy steps!

1. click on this link

2. fill in your email address, my blog url (sophias-style.blogspot.com), select Student Blogger and then No and click Submit!

You're done! Think of it as your good deed for the day :) I promise you will get good karma if you do it...*

*subject to individual, terms and conditions apply... :)

TA!

ps. if you do vote for me and you want me to vote for you just leave a comment or tweet me and I will do ASAP!

21st birthday fashion & beauty!

Hey peoples!

Following on from my 21st birthday presents round-up post, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek into my bday looks! Obvs many different events required many different outfits :)

LOOK 1: Birthday day

Dress - Apricot at New Look (link!)

Tan sandals - ALDO at ASOS (link!)

Watch - River Island (last year)

A pretty, casual look perfect for opening prezzies, having a wander around town and going out for lunch with the boy (below)

NAILS: Bourjois So Laque Nail Lacquer in 25 Rouge Casino

I didn't wear much make-up in the day :) You might notice my hair is a little shorter and blonder, I got it cut just before my birthday! What do you think?

LOOK 2: Birthday drinks

Military playsuit - F&F at Tesco (link!)

Tan strappy heels - ALDO (last year)

Red snakeskin clutch - Primark (old!)

Gold hoops (just seen) - Primark (old!)

[I used St Tropez Wash Off Self Tan - amazing stuff!]

Slightly more glam but not OTT! I went for a smart/casual look and this playsuit from Tesco fitted the bill perfectly. It was suitably chic for 21st celebrations, but I spiced it up with a tomato red clutch, lips and nails (below)

FACE: Benefit That Gal primer, Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous Foundation Faker (original), Benefit Boi-ing concealer (02 Medium), Benefit Hoola bronzer & Clinique Up-Lighting liquid illuminator (02 Peach)

EYES: Urban Decay e/s primer potion (original), Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck all over lid & Smog in outer corners, Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid eye-liner in Black along top lid, Avon Color Trend double-ended kajal stick in Black along lower waterline, CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara in Black (2 coats)

LIPS: MAC LE Surf Baby lipstick in Hibiscus

I LOVE this lipstick from MAC! The boy picked it up for me in the States and it's so creamy and pigmented, it also matched my clutch and nails perfectly, woop!

Free champagne! *yay*

LOOK 3: Birthday night out

Cut-out dress - ASOS (link!)

Orange clutch - Primark (see purchase)

Tan heels - Primark (last year)

Obviously uber-glam was required for such an event (liquid aii!) I went for colour blocking as it's a trend I'm loving at the mo and I chose this bodycon dress from ASOS due to its intricate cut-out detail around the neck and also the striking blue colour really stands out! The tan heels elongated my short lil legs as well :)

NAILS: I accentuated the pink on the bag with pink nails and added a little gold accent to match the gold clasp on the bag :) I used Nails Inc in Shoreditch w/ GOSH Gold :)

MAKE-UP: Same as before, except I used Avon LE Plump Pout Honey Shades lipgloss in Pink Nectar on my lips :)

What do you guys think? Do you change up your look around your birthday?

Love,

Sophia

xo

PS. PLEAAAASE vote for me for Cosmo's Student Blogger of the Year award! http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/blogs/cosmopolitan-blog-awards-2011/cosmo-blog-awards-2011 I would be SO grateful - my blogger url is sophias-style.blogspot.com - cheeers!

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21st birthday presents round-up!

Hey ladies! (and lads, you never know)

Happy birthday to me!!!

For those of you that follow me on Twitter/are friends with me on Facebook you'll know that I turned the ripe old age of 21 last Thursday. I have to say I've dragged the celebrations out for almost a week lol, who wouldn't? It's your 21st!

I also shared my birthday with the one and only Barack Obama! Sadly my birthday wasn't a trending topic like his was, nor did Michelle Obama send out an email asking people to sign my birthday card, but luckily I didn't feel too overlooked on the day! lol

I will run through my outfits etc in another post but for now here's a run-down of the lovely presents I received, I was seriously spoilt by my friends and family! (don't worry - full reviews to follow!)

Well firstly my Nan got me this special 21st pillow that I can use as a keepsake, I might hang it on my door to remind me of my special day :)

Fashion

Clockwise from left - ALDO Taneja wedges in Camel (bought with my birthday money - link!), H&M paisley scarf (gift from my friend Emily), Primark colour block clutch (bought with my birthday money), beaded necklace and Patrick Cox purse (both presents from my friends).

Primark colour block clutch

I picked this up on a whim in Primark Oxford Street for six quid last week. I was looking for an orange clutch to colour clash with a blue dress I was wearing but opted for this one with a pink strip detail on it instead. I matched my nails to the pink on the bag :)

Aldo Taneja wedges in Camel

Some of you may notice these wedges from my online birthday list. I wasn't lucky enough to receive them on my actual birthday but luckily they were in stock in Aldo on Oxford Street so I picked them up in the sale. They were still £45 (even in the sale!) but I figured they would go with ANYTHING! I love the cork heel as well, very summery :)

Victoria's Secret PINK PJ's

My other half picked these up for me when he was in the States! I've basically lived in them since I got them they're SO comfy! I feel like I'm one of the Saturdays when I'm wearing them!

Beauty

As well as some lovely presents I received from my friends and family, I also went on a little haul of my own to a certain Oxford Street! Gotta love birthday money!

Topshop make-up: My lovely friend Flo bought me the LE Crayon in Equinox and I picked up the LE E/S mousse in Glint, LE Gloss stick in Ablaze and a cream blush in Pinch! Full reviews to follow :)

MAC: I received a full sized Fix+ and Paint Pot in Painterly from Flo (I know, lucky girl) and I picked up a travel sized Fix+, brush cleaner and lipstick in Cosmo for myself! Full reviews to follow of course :)

Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in 02 Peach: This is my ULTIMATE go-to highlighter! You'll see it in most of my FOTN photos! It leaves a lovely iridescent bronze glow, very J-Lo!

Love & Beauty nail polish in Gold: My friend Claire (Claire's Curvy Couture) treated me to this from her trip to the States, it's right up my street and perfect for A/W11!

Perfume!

From L-R: Kim Kardashian, Jo Malone (candle) and Miss Dior Cherie

Jo Malone candle

This was a gift from my friend Lizzie, it smells absolutely DIVINE! It's such a lovely 21st birthday present, I can't wait to use it for special occasions :)

Kim Kardashian EDT

Another gift from my friend Claire, she knows me too well! I am OBSESSED with the Kardashians, especially Kim! Now I get to smell like her! ha :) It reminds me a little of my Jo Malone Orange Blossom perfume, not sure if they've got the same ingredients but it's definitely one of my new favourite scents!

Miss Dior Cherie EDP

Aah, such a classic :) This was my signature scent, until everyone and their aunt stated wearing it! Seriously! My friend Becky says this always reminds her of me so I was so happy when I received it last week - I looove it! I'm going to save it for special occasions so that I don't run out again!

The Body Shop skincare

My mum treated me to some skincare stuff from the Body Shop as my skin has been absolutely abysmal recently. I was using the Body Shop seaweed cleanser but it was just too mild for my skin, I needed something that would tackle oily, spot-prone skin... Hello the Body Shop Tea Tree range! I was treated to a Body Shop foaming cleanser, exfoliation wash and blemish prone night gel! I also received a Seaweed clay mask (clay masks suit my skin down to a t) and the Seaweed moisturiser as it contained SPF15 :) Full review to follow once I've had a chance to try it all!

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

This light-weight serum is just perfect for adding to damp ends, it leaves hair feeling lovely and glossy! You only need a tiny bit so a little goes a long way! Big thanks to the BF for this!

FOOD!

Possibly the best present of all!!! Ha. I was sent this massive sweet hamper from my relatives and I've been scoffing it ever since! I used to love going to old traditional sweet shops when I was a kid, it's like walking down memory lane! I also received some Milka from my friend Charlotte, YUM :)

How amazing do these cupcakes look?!

My friend Flo baked these for me from scratch, they taste delicious!!! I swear she should open a cupcake shop!

Top row L-R: Lemon meringue cupcake, caramel, strawberry cheesecake and bottom row L-R: Mocha, chocolate fondant and vanilla (I think!) My fave was definitely strawberry cheesecake, it had little bits of cheesecake in it, it was one of the nicest things I've EVER tasted!!!

Stationary

What do you expect, it is my 21st! All grown up! One of my best friends Cordelia bought me the cute pink Filofax notepad! It's perfect for me because I'm an organisational freak, literally I write lists for EVERYTHING!

I also received one of my dream presents... A Filofax!!! (geek!) My friends always take the mick out of me saying I put everything in my diary lol but it keeps me sane, I have to write everything down!

I was lucky enough to receive the Cuban Personal Filofax in Chestnut which is a gorgeous, timeless tan colour with a tab closure :)

It's just perfect, it has a week to view diary as well as a load of other compartments at the end like addresses, receipts section etc. The only problem is I don't want to use it yet because I don't want to ruin it! I'm hoping it will last many a year :)

You can buy the Cuban Filofax here.

Claire also picked up these American magazines for me during her trip Stateside - what can I say, I'm Kardashian obsessed! lol.

FYI: She did NOT cheat!

However I think the best present of all has to be my FREEDOM!!!

I can now jump into this bad boy and go wherever the hell I want! I've always been jealous of car-owners, they don't realise how lucky they are to have to the independence to drive anywhere! I've had my licence for 4 years now but I've never been able to afford a car :( My Dad picked up this Y reg KA second hand and at first it wasn't what I was expecting (I wanted a Polo!) but now I love it :D

I will do an birthday outfits and make-up regime post soon!

What do you ask for for your birthday? Do you write a massive list like me or just wait and see what people get you?!

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

PS. PLEAAAASE vote for me for Cosmo's Student Blogger of the Year award! You can vote here. I would be SO grateful - my blogger url is sophias-style.blogspot.com - cheeers!