No7 A/W11 voucher haul!

Hey loverrrrs!

Last week I visited the newly opened Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, London with the bf. We were of course expecting it to be busy as it was half term and it's obviously brand spanking new but MY GOD it was PACKED! It was so busy you could hardly move, the shops were so messy with stuff ALL over the floor, the sales assistants were overworked and thus, rude when approached, and overall we were relieved to leave the place! I almost bought some items in H&M but the queues were so long it put me off completely. It made me realise I am 100% an online shopper at heart! It suits me ALL the way! Luckily we had a lovely evening afterwards - a meal at Wahaca followed by a Snow Patrol gig, omg amaze.

Anyway the point I'm getting at is that I didn't buy anything in Westfield so I have nothing to show you guys, BUT I did buy some new bits from No7 in Boots recently so I'ma show you those instead :)

Here's what I picked up with my vouchers...

Quick Thinking 4 in 1 wipes (£2 with voucher, £7 without)

I've used these wipes before as an all-round cleanser, but now I only use them when I'm too lazy to properly cleanse my face! They are really handy when you've come in from a night out, but they don't replace a proper hot cleanse cleanser/cleansing lotion. It's miles better than leaving your make-up on overnight eh, & only takes a few minutes to do :)

Speed Dry & Stay Perfect Nail Colour (25p each!)

(from L-R: Violetta, Mink, Totally Teal, Temptress)

Now I can't believe this & I am eternally grateful to the lad at the Boots counter who let me get away with it... The nail polishes above were reduced to £3 in the clearance. They were also on a 3 for 2 offer so that's £6 for 3. Then he let me use my No7 voucher on top (which he wasn't supposed to!) so I got £5 off which made it £1 for 3 nail varnishes! I had another No7 voucher, so I got the last one free - so I got the nail varnishes for 25p each! :D

I picked up 2 Speed Dry and 2 Stay Perfect, but I can't tell much difference between them, because they're all quick drying, take 2 coats for full opacity and are all lovely, on-trend, vibrant shades. I've been wearing Teal and Mink the most!

Limited Edition Eye Colour in Pewter (£4 with voucher, £9 without)

I just HAD to pick up something from the LE A/W range! I had my heart set on the Stay Perfect Face Primer but it was completely sold out everywhere... So I settled for this liquid eye shadow instead.

It's a lovely, creamy pewter shade that glistens in the light and is perfect for a smokey eye. I probably wouldn't fork out £9 for it though...

Cheek Tint in 15 Rose Silk (£4 with voucher, £9 without)

I've had my eye on this product for AGES and I finally picked it up in this haul after swatching it possibly a million times!

The other colours in the range are Maple Silk and Peach Silk but I felt the Rose Silk was the most wearable, natural shade.

It's just perfect for adding a really natural flush of colour to the cheeks, ideal for when you're in a rush (which is basically all the time for me!) I just take a tiny swipe and rub it onto the apples of my cheeks with my fingers... Simples.

Exceptional Definition Mascara in Brown/Black (£7.50 with voucher, £12.50 without)

Aah, my holy grail mascara!!! I wear this mascara every day without fail as it creates natural, long, volumized lashes. I've used it for years and no other mascara has ever competed for a daytime mascara. I will always re-purchase this!

So overall I'm pretty pleased with my purchases, and I spent less than £20 on it overall! Some of them are re-purchases that I will always make with my vouchers, and others I have tried for the first time. I definitely trust the No7 brand and I can't wait to pick up my next lot of goodies!

What are your No7 favourites?

Let me know and I'll get them with my voucher next time!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Recent FOTN & OOTN: Hallowe'en...

Hey peoples!

I hope you're all having a suitably spooky Hallowes eve! I'm staying in waiting for the trick or treaters... So far we've had... none! Lol.

Over the weekend I went out with some pals - it wasn't fancy dress but I fancied going a little 'gothic' to set the tone! I decided on this all-black ensemble, what do you guys think?

Pussy bow blouse - Next

Black patent belt - Next (see blog post)

Black leather shorts - Next

Leopard print clutch - Dorothy Perkins

Black shoe boots - Missguided (see blog post)

I was planning to wear black tights but I felt that made the look a little 'too' black, ugetme?

I was in a mad rush to do my make-up as my friends were waiting (quelle surprise!) so it was a quick 5-10 minute job. Usually I would spend a good half an hour on my make-up for a night out. Lol... slap it on.

Face: (same as usual really!) Benefit That Gal primer, Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous Foundation Faker (Original), YSL Touche Eclat, Benefit Boi-ing concealer, Benefit Dallas bronzer, Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator in 02 Peach.

Eyes: Urban Decay e/s primer potion, Urban Decay Naked e/s all over lid, Urban Decay Smog & Hustle e/s on outer corners, Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid eye-liner in Black on top lid, Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick in Black in lower waterline, Cover Girl LashBlast Volume mascara in Black (2 coats).

Lips: Avon Pout lipstick topped with Avon Plump Pout Honey Shades lipgloss in Pink Nectar.

Hair: Curled it using GHD's and set it using my new Bedhead Masterpiece hairspray... review to follow. It's truly rather average...

Are you guys going out for Hallowe'en? Leave me a comment & let me know! I'd love to know what you're wearing as well...

Love,

Sophia

xo

Bargain of the Week: Superdrug £2 manicure set!

Hey peoples!

Sorry for the lack of blogging of late, I have been working like a maniac! I swear all I do is sleep, eat, work... sleep, eat work... and shop, of course! You know the feeling?!

Aaanyway I have to let you guys know my bargain of the week (well last week's!)

It's this super cute mini manicure set from Superdrug that I bought for a bargainlicious £2!

It contains...

• 1 x slanted tweezer
• 1 x nail file
• 1 x nail scissors
• 1 x nail pusher and
• 1 x nail clipper

...in a handy travel sized case. Now it's not the most glamorous thing in the world but in my books it's an absolute necessity. Once a week I sit down and pamper my nails - I massage in cuticle oil before pushing my cuticles back with a nail pusher, then lather my hands in Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream before applying OPI Original Nail Envy as a base coat. I then choose a suitable polish (at the mo it's all about American Apparel nail lacquer in Berry, uh-maz-ing!) and then applying a top coat (usually Sally Hansen Diamond Shine).

If my don't keep my nails painted I tend to bite them, although saying that I can't keep a colour on my nails for more than one day without chewing all the colour off so maybe I'm meant to have stumpy nails! lol.

What's your nailcare regimen?

Let me knowwww :)

Love,

Sophia

xo

Recent beauty buys that I'm loving...

Hey peeps!

I hope you're enjoying this pleasant Wednesday! Luckily for me Wednesdays are my day off so it gives me a welcome break :) I started the day off with a Body Pump class and I've just been chilling out since listening to BBCR1... Greg James precisely :)

I've been using some new beauty products recently that I just have to let you guys know about. I love nothing more than finding a new beauty product, eek! I have tried enough in my time to know a good product when I see one.

Without further ado...

Vo5 Miracle Mist & Miracle Concentrate (RRP £4.28 and £4.97)

I picked up these items in Tesco after seeing them reviewed on A Model Recommends. I can't live without a leave-in conditioning spray/detangler so I've been using the Miracle Mist the most! After I've had a shower and towel dried my hair, I spray it all over and it just leaves my hair feeling soft & nourished and, of course, detangled! I use the Miracle Concentrate when I feel my hair needs some repairing - I squeeze out a couple of tiny drops from the pipette that comes with it and apply it to the lengths and ends of my hair. It doesn't leave my hair feeling oily at all, instead just the opposite - lovely and glossy :D

nb. Vo5 is currently on a 3 for 2 offer at Tesco! :)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Original (RRP £14.50 but worth every penny)

Ahh I've used this product for about a year now (ever since I received it in my Urban Decay Naked Palette for Christmas last year). Now I have used the e/s primer potion religiously since I got it; seriously I don't know how I lived without it! However I was nearing the end of my potion and it was time to re-purchase a new one, so I did, thanks to HQhair.com! I believe this is where it's the cheapest online :) It's an absolute ESSENTIAL on a night out when I'm wearing tons of make-up and I try to remember to wear it during the day as well, I'm usually in a rush in the morning though and tend to forget, nevertheless it's still a must-have product and the best on the market!!! (phew...)

L'Oréal Elvive Nourish & Shimmer Highlights Masque (RRP £5.10)

I absolutely SWEAR by L'Oréal's conditioning masques; they're only a few quid but they are an essential item for me now - your standard shampoo + conditioner duo just isn't enough for me anymore! I apply it right at the end of my shower, comb it through, leave it on for a few minutes and rinse it out. It leaves my hair feeling SO soft and smooth. I LOVE this Highlights one especially as it really brightens my blonde highlights and smells like Royal Jelly, but when I'm a brunette I use the Nutri-gloss one as it is actually amazing and makes my hair so glossy it's ridiculous! Stock up girls!

Soft & Gentle Wild Rose & Vanilla Anti-Perspiration Deodorant (RRP £2.54)

Not the most glamorous purchase in the world but hey, girl's gotta buy deo, right? I have used this product for years now, sometimes I digress and use the Dove one but this really is the best! I always buy it when it's offer and my favourite one is the purple one which always reminds me of winter for some reason!

nb. these deodorants are currently Buy 1 get 1 free in Tesco :)

Well that's it for now ladies but I have just purchased a few more beauty essentials which I shall be updating you all with shortly :)

What beauty items are you loving at the moment?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Bargain of the Week: £1 Primark purse!

Hey ladies & gents!

I hope you're all well and enjoying a lazy Sunday like me! I had my first lie-in of the week and went and grabbed a coffee in town with the boy. I also collected some new glasses, eek! I'm not sure about them - I really liked them when I first tried them on but now I'm not so sure, maybe I'll show you guys a pic & you can let me know what you think!

Aaaaaanyway...

Recently I visited Primark in Guildford where I picked up a few goodies. I was actually quite disappointed; I tried on like 20 things but none of them tickled my fancy, there was always something wrong with them, eg I tried on a really nice cardigan but it had cropped sleeves. WHY would you make a cardigan with cropped sleeves? The point of a cardigan is to keep you warm!

However on the way to the till point I discovered this little beauty in the Clearance section. It's the purse I already own but I bought it last year so it's looking a little dishevelled - I bought a brand new one for £1! ONE POUND, can you believe it!

It's perfect for me; the black quilted patent outer is chic and timeless, and inside it fits all my cards, loyalty cards and change perfectly. Thank you Primark!

What's your bargain of the week? I bet you can't beat mine! Lol.

Love,

Sophia

xo

NOTD: American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Port

Hey guys and gals!

How are y'all? Today's my day off so as per usual it's been super manic as I try to cram in everything I haven't had the chance to do all week lol. Now I'm knackered and watching Justin Bieber's DVD in bed, ahh I love him!

Last week I went to visit the boy in London town where we did a spot of shopping in Covent Garden and Westfield (the old one - we didn't want to tackle the queues in the new one!)

Other than a bobble bottle (OMG amazing) the only other thing I picked up was a new nail varnish from American Apparel. I can't believe how extortionate their prices are, seriously I would never spend that much on clothes! The nail varnish was £7 which left me agasp, luckily it's the only thing I bought and it is very good quality.

(American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Port)

I bought it in the shade Port but I was also eyeing up Berry and Passport Blue. They stocked some really striking, on-trend shades that I've not seen elsewhere on the high street. Alas I'm sending the boy back to get the Berry shade - as much as I love Port it's just a tad darker than I was expecting whereas Berry is more of a creamy burgundy. I used my OPI Nail Envy base coat (holy grail), 2 coats of the nail varnish and skipped a top coat this time as the finish was just so glossy I didn't want to ruin it!

Hey look, it matches my jeans! Haha this wasn't intentional but I've obviously got a 'thing' for this colour at the mo...

Have you tried the American Apparel nail lacquer? What are you rocking on your nails at the mo?

Love,

Sophia

xo

ps. OMG Justin's singing Down to Earth, possibly my fave track everrr!