FOTD ft. Sleek Pout Polish in Bare Minimum

Hey guys! Me again!

I just thought I'd show you one of the more recent additions to my make-up bag. It's Sleek's Pout Polish from their Nude Collection in the shade Bare Minimum :)

As you know, I am a HUGE fan of Sleek's Pout Polishes. I've reviewed Pink Cadillac, Sugar May & Scandal in the past and I just find them so quick & easy for a swipe of colour and instant moisture.

Now I'm going to start by saying I know I didn't NEED this! Not a good start to a review lol BUT I thought it would come in handy when I'm in a rush in the mornings and I just need to put something on my lips! I know from experience they last a couple of hours as well so I thought I'd give this shade a go!

Sleek describe Bare Minimum as a "glossy nude with Jojoba, avocado and sweet Almond oils, ensuring that chapped lips are a thing of the past."

I have to say this Pout Polish is just fab! Yes, it's essentially colourless, but sometimes that's all I fancy when I don't want to draw attention to my face lol.

I bought mine for £4.30 from Superdrug.

Now here's a FOTD featuring the above product...

Maybelline Pure Mineral Concealer in Natural

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in True Ivory

NARS Laguna Bronzer

NARS Orgasm Blusher

Urban Decay baked e/s in Smog in outer corners

Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck all over lid

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

Sleek Pout Polish in Bare Minimum

See... Natural, huh?

IMO Sleek's Pout Polishes are absolutely second to none and I would buy all of the shades if my budget would allow!! Bare Minimum is now a make-up bag staple of mine and I'm so glad I bought the product I know I didn't need but really really wanted!

Have you tried Sleek's Pout Polishes? What did you think?

Love,

Sophia

xo

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser review...

Hey lovelies!

HAPPY SUNDAY! I hope you're all suitably relaxed & ready for this super long blog post :)

I've been using Liz Earle's infamous hot cloth cleanser twice a day for over a month now and I think it's reached the time where I can review the product honestly & truthfully.

I bought the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Starter Kit from John Lewis for £13.75 (link!). I also bought OPI's Nail Envy (Original) at the same time so that I was eligible for the free delivery when you spend £30 :)It came with 2 muslin cloths, which are an essential element of the Cleanse & Polish routine. The product itself contains natural ingredients including rosemary, chamomile, cocoa butter and eucalyptus oil to cleanse and gently exfoliate skin, and is a fave of celebrities including Lily Allen.

Liz Earle describe it as a "rich, concentrated cream that gently removes daily grime and make-up, even stubborn mascara, to leave skin clear, smooth and exceptionally clean. Used with the pure muslin cloth it lifts away dead skin cells, revealing fresh, radiant skin"

After a couple of times of bringing the instructions to the sink with me, I learnt how to do it properly. You soak the cleanser in hot water, gently massage the cream cleanser around your face (doing your eyes last so you don't spread eye make-up all over your face!) before removing the cream (and your make-up) with the hot cloth... hence the term... "hot cloth cleanser" ;)

FYI at the time of starting to use this cleanser, my skin was at breaking point. I'd been using the Body Shop's Tea Tree foaming cleanser for a while and it was just doing nothing for my skin. It was cracked and sore and prone to break-outs. I was tempted to not show you guys the picture below because it clearly is so disgusting, but I thought I had to to so you could see the results of the Cleanse & Polish.

Before:

After:

Like I said, my skin really was at its worst. The Cleanse & Polish was a MIRACLE at clearing up my skin. After about a week's use, all my spots had pretty much disappeared and it was just looking so much healthier.

However...

After using the product for about a month now, my skin is slowly going back to how it used to be. I think the effects of the Cleanse & Polish have started to fade and it's time to change up my routine again :(

Positives

• The smell - it's a lovely, fresh scent that just smells delightfully natural. It's not overpowering but is enough to wake you up in the morning.
• The pump - It does pump out the exact amount you need which is very money-saving.
• Ease of use - It really does take just 2 minutes to effectively cleanse your face, including removing all eye make-up. Being short of time in the mornings, this product really does come in handy.

Negatives

• The bottle - You can't see how much product you have left, so you don't know when it's about to run out and you need to get some more cleanser! Annoying...
• The price - Like I say, I don't know how much product I have left but forking out 14 odd quid for a cleanser is slightly out of my price range.
• Availability - I don't live in London so I can't just nip into Liz Earle to get my next fix. The cheapest I could find it was on John Lewis but I had to buy something else to get the free delivery.
• Practicality of the muslin cloths - I don't do 2 wash loads a week so mine are starting to get dirty. I need more!

To round it all up...

I think my skin will always be problematic for me. The Cleanse & Polish was a godsend in terms of clearing up my skin, but using it over time, it has certainly lost its effectiveness. I think I will continue to use a hot cloth cleanser at the end of the day to remove all my make-up as it's just so quick and easy, at a time when I'm usually so tired. I want to try the Sanctuary Polishing hot cloth cleanser and the No7 Radiance Boosting hot cloth cleanser next and I'll see how they compare to Liz Earle's.

But, I'm going to use a different cleanser in the mornings I think - something that really works to clear up my skin on a daily basis. I've got my eye on Neal's Yard Power Berry facial wash or I might try Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit face wash. I'll let you know how I get on...

Do you have troublesome skin too? What do you use?

Love,

Sophia

xo

NOTD: Nails Inc in Tate (free with December GLAMOUR magazine!)

Hey guys!

How are we all?? Hope you're all well! Can you believe it's less than a month until Christmas!!! I swear it comes by so quickly... & before you know it, it's New Year's Eve again! Wahhhh! Slow down!

Anyways, this week I've been rocking a very festive colour on my nails...

(Nails Inc London in Tate)

This Nails Inc colour was, of course, free with this month's GLAMOUR magazine. What can I say, I'm a cheapskate!

There are 4 shades to collect but the WHSmith's in Victoria only had Tate available so I picked that one up. I'm so pleased I did because it's a wonderfully festive, slightly seductive opulent red... Ooh la la! As you can expect from Nails Inc, you only need 1 coat but I prefer to do 2 anyway. I used my obligatory OPI Nail Envy as a base coat & Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat to finish (I'm trying to use it up!) If you come across a copy of GLAMOUR in your local newsagent I would definitely recommend snapping up this bargain, whatever the shade! They usually retail for £11e, people!

I have to say I'm really enjoying reading GLAMOUR magazine on my lunchbreaks. I used to subscribe to it at uni (or, more accurately, my boyfriend did for me) but haven't really bought it since my subscription ended. I know it's only 2 quid but I can never really afford anything in it. Well now it's still only 2 quid and I still can't really afford anything in it but I use it as inspiration more than anything else! If I see something I like, I'll go online and see if I can find it cheaper on Boohoo or ASOS or somewhere like that :) I'm also loving the I/V and photoshoot with Kristen Stewart, what a babe!

Have you picked up any free Nails Inc lately, or a copy of GLAMOUR magazine? What did you think?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

FOTD ft. Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipstick in Shade #8

Hey lovelies!

I know, I'm on a roll!!! Haha. Today, I went to the cinema (Breaking Dawn, baby! How gross was the birth scene?? erlack!) with my other half and I sported a fairly natural look. I mean, who really cares what you look like in the dark?! I rocked a lippie that's fairly recent to my collection; one of the new(ish) ones that Kate Moss designed for Rimmel. I thought I'd give you a guys a little review of it, leading up to the FOTD... :)

Soooo... After much deliberation (I almost bought #3 but thought it was too 'nude' for me) I decided on shade #8!

All of Kate's lipsticks are emblazoned with her signature on the side, but the packaging is standard Lasting Finish format, except for the all black exterior.

Shade #8 has been described on the blogosphere as a mauvey, rosey nude with a slight shimmer. I would definitely agree with that!

Here's a shot of the lippie without flash...

& with flash...

It looks very 'tea rose' in these pics but it's definitely darker & a little more mauvey IRL.

Here's a quick swatch... (and when I say quick, I mean quick... LOL)

It's not as shimmery on the lips.

Here's the obligatory before & after lip shots. It's gotta be done!

Before...

& after...

excuse the blemished skin... eurgh!

Of course, the best way to see how it really looks is with a full-face shot...

I was also wearing...

MAC Fix+ as primer

MAC Pro Longwear Foundation (NC15) using MAC 190 Foundation Brush

Benefit Boi-ing Concealer (02)

YSL Touche Eclat

NARS Laguna bronzer & Orgasm blusher

Urban Decay e/s primer potion (Original)

Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck all over lid

Urban Decay baked e/s in Smog in outer corners

Rimmel Exaggerate liquid eye-liner (Brown) on top lid

Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick (Brown) in lower waterline & on eyebrows

No7 Exceptional Definition mascara (Brown)

LUSH Bubblegum lip scrub to prep

No7 lip liner in Nude applied with a lip brush

Rimmel London Kate Moss lipstick in #8

Soo... What do I think of the lipstick?

PRO's:

Decent price - a fiver is great value!

Colour - it's a lovely, natural rose shade. Quite dark but perfect for the winter months.

Taste - Really random but it tastes like sherbet to me! Yummy...

Brand association - The fact that Kate Moss designed it is a real plus, it makes you feel like you're wearing a piece of her every time you apply it!

CON's:

Longevity - It definitely doesn't last all day. You have to re-apply every couple of hours. Not so bad but the fact it's marketed as a lasting finish lipstick is a bit of a con!

Overall, I'd give it a solid 4 STARS :)

Have you tried any of Kate's lipsticks for Rimmel?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Recent hair and beauty buys ft. OPI, Seche Vite, TIGI, Aussie & Neutrogena!

Heeeeey guys!

I hope you're all having a fabulous-o weekend! I don't know about you lot, but this has been my first weekend off EVER and I'm LOVING it! At uni I would continue to work through the weekends, and when I started my new job I always used to work Saturdays. I have to say I'm quite enjoying my new Monday-Friday regime :) It actually feels like I have a WEEKEND off now rather than a day off that just seems to go super fast!! I hope you all enjoyed my NOTD post featuring American Apparel nail lacquer from earlier in the week, as expected I have already nibbled off my polish and my nails are simply coated in OPI Nail Envy (below!)

Here are some recent beauty buys of mine. Some are re-purchases while others are products I've not tried before. Some were amazing while others were SERIOUSLY disappointing! Have a read... :)

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Oil-Free Moisturiser - £4.25 from Boots

Neutrogena say... "It helps keep skin looking clear and healthy. The creamy lotion with extracts of Aloe and Camomile soothe and moisturise skin, protecting against dryness. Its formula contains a gentle medicated ingredient, and works throughout the day without blocking pores to help prevent blemishes"

Sophia says... Don't worry, I don't expect you to read all that! Lol. This was a re-purchase after the Body Shop moisturiser I was using was making my skin WAY oily. I've loved using this product in the past, but the bargain hunter in me thought it would be a good idea to try something new...nonono! Always stick with what works for you. This moisturiser is PERFECT for my skin, it's lightweight and hydrates my skin all day and it's also a great base for make-up. I don't think I will ever deviate from this product again!

(****)

OPI Nail Envy (Original) - £18.55 from johnlewis.com

OPI say... "Transform and protect even the most damaged nails with this strengthener from OPI. The super strong formula, enriched with calcium and hydrolyzed protein makes sure nails avoid splitting and peeling, while helping speed up the natural growing process"

Sophia says... I know this product is supposed to be a strengthener that you use when your nails are in a bad condition, but I use it as a regular base coat and it works really well! I've used it for years - I apply one or two coats of it, it dries in literally about 30 secs and makes applying nail varnish on top of it a dream. I often use it on its own as well, like now for example, as it makes my nails look really natural and glossy. I feel naked without it... and it's worth the hefty price tag, trust me. Deffo one to add to your Crimbo list!

(*****)

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat - £7.60 from feelunique.com

Seche Vite say... "This is widely acknowledged as the world's finest top coat. Its patented formula penetrates through the nail lacquer to the base coat forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish, guaranteed not to yellow and leaves nails silky, stronger and resistant to chipping and peeling"

Sophia says... Wahhhh! What a disappointment. This is undoubtedly the holy grail top coat among bloggers (like Anna from Vivianna Does Makeup - see her post here!) but I have to be honest and say it really is not worth the hype... or the price. For me, anyway. The positives are that it is fast-drying and leaves a super glossy finish - but the main negative is that my nail varnish chipped after LESS THAN A DAY'S wear! Come on, that's rubbish. I will definitely be returning to my beloved Sally Hansen Diamond Shine - it's around the same price and leaves my nails chip free for up to a week. But first I've got to use up my Seche Vite...ugh.

(***)

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment & Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner (Buy one get one free from Superdrug - £3.99e)

Deep Treatment (left):

Aussie say... "This intensive deep conditioning treatment is especially designed for long hair and richly moisturises ends without weighing down roots"

Sophia says... Possibly one of the best leave-in conditioners on the market, alongside my favourite L'Oreal Elvive range. I love the fact you can squirt it out the bottom of the bottle so you only use as much as you need, and it's so thick and creamy it feels luxurious applying it in the shower. It leaves my hair so soft and silky. I've used it a couple of times and will DEFINITELY be re-purchasing!

(****)

Leave-In Conditioner (right):

Aussie say... "This makes weak hair big and strong. It's a leave-in little miracle that conditions and nourishes hair so it's tangle-free and protected from everyday wear and tear"

Sophia says... I think this was one of my first hair products EVER. I just spray it all over my towel-dried hair and it leaves it smelling so lovely, and feeling so soft and nourished! Not only that, but it detangles my knotty hair a treat. I will be buying this product forever :)

(*****)

ps. I've previously reviewed these two products here if you want a more in-depth review!

TIGI Bed Head MASTERPIECE Massive Shine Hairspray - £10.30 from feelunique.com

TIGI say... "Turn your hair into a work of art that lasts all day. It guards against dryness, is humidity resistant and adds body"

Sophia says... Meh, another disappointment! In all honesty I only bought it as Snooki from Jersey Shore uses it. I should've known better. I had really high expectations, it being a celeb fave and setting me back TEN POUNDS a bottle! However, when I first used it, it left my hair really knotty and greasy looking. Not only that but it hardly kept my curls in, nor did it make it look any more glossy. It smells nice though, like watermelons! However I will be reverting to my beloved L'Oreal Elvive Very Volume Supreme Hold hairspray as soon as I use up this bottle! You can see me sporting the L'Oreal hairspray here.

(**)

In other news...

I dyed my hair! Nothing crazy, just dark brown. I used...

Clairol Nice'n Easy Natural Dark Chestnut Brown 120c - £4.99 from Wilko's

I had my hair highlighted in August and it had just faded into this horrible dirty blonde colour. It was time for me to sort it out. I've used Clairol's Nice'n Easy range for years, literally since I was about twelve. It's the only brand that entirely covers the blonde in my hair. Here I am sporting the treatment...Glamorous, eh?

and after...

A lovely dark, glossy brown with chestnut undertones. I am thinking of going for the chop, and a little redder. What do you guys think?

Well I apologise for the huge length of this post, but you know me, I love to chat!

Have you tried any of these products before? What are your recent hair and beauty buys?

Let me know! :)

Love,

Sophia

xo

NOTD: American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Berry

Hey laydeeez!

How are you all? Who's watching I'm A Celeb? OMG I'm addicted already! I feel SO sorry for the celebs, the sky-dive looked terrifying and some of the food Mark & Freddie had to eat... UGH!!!

Anyways, back to beauty...

I've been sporting the same colour on my nails pretty much every day really for the past 2 weeks. I paint it, bite it off, re-apply it and then bite it all off again...

(American Apparel Nail Lacquer in Berry)

The colour in question is Berry from American Apparel's nail lacquer range. You may recall my recent NOTD featuring Port by American Apparel but I much prefer this colour as Port looked almost black with 2 coats, whereas I was looking for a nice creamy burgundy!

To be honest you could probably get away with just one coat of this, but I use 2 just for complete opacity. I use OPI Nail Envy as a base coat. I've also been using my new Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat... but don't all rush out and buy it at once, it's not all it's cracked up to be!

You can buy this nail varnish from American Apparel stores for £7. It's worth every penny and you get LOADS in a bottle!

What are you wearing on your nails today?

I'd love to hear!!!

Love,

Sophia

xo