Sunday, 23 February 2014

BAFTAs 2014 beauty: What I wore on the red carpet at the Royal Opera House in London

Hey loves!

I hope you are all well and having a great day!

On Sunday evening, I was lucky enough to head down to the BAFTAs at the Royal Opera House in London.

I was reporting from the red carpet for Yahoo Lifestyle and needed a beauty look that would last all evening in the freezing cold outside.

So here's my BAFTAs #FOTD...

Face: Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Perfecting Primer*, Dior Nude Nudeskin Foundation* applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, YSL Touché Eclat, Barbara Daly Concealer, Soap and Glory Kick-Ass Powder* applied with an Avon Powder Brush, MAC Harmony Blush applied with MAC 129 Blush Brush, Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Bare Minerals Well Rested Eye and Face Brightener*, Urban Decay Vitamin B6 Spray.

Eyes: Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer, MAC Eyeshadow in Omega and Mystery applied with a Cosmopolitan Eyeshadow Brush, L'Oreal Super Slim Liner in Carbon Black, Benefit They're Real Mascara.

Eyebrows: MAC Eyeshadow in Omega applied with a MAC 189 Brush.

Lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Nude Lustre.

You couldn't really see what I was wearing as I was in a press area with other journalists and it was blimmin' freezing so I was wrapped up in a coat for most of the time! (See below)
In case you were wondering though, I was wearing a black skater dress with a statement necklace and earrings (borrowed from my friend Flo!) along with flat black pumps. No point wearing heels when you're on your feet all evening and no-one can see your shoes :)

The red carpet
I was actually really lucky with my red carpet spot - I was stood right next to the official photo area so I snapped quite a few of the celebs as they were waiting in the queue to be photographed!
Sadly, none of the celebs stopped to speak to me. In fact, Uma Thurman turned around after I called her name, turned her nose up at me and turned back around (!) but Amy Adams was nice enough to pose for a photo for me - what a babe.

Here are some of my photos from the BAFTAs 2014 red carpet...
Lupita Nyong'o
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Bradley Cooper's bum (yes, really)
Prince William
Bradley Cooper and Chiwetel Ejiofor
More Brad and Ange
Leonardo Dicaprio
Sam Claflin and wife Laura Haddock
Amy Adams
Eddie Redmayne and his girlfriend Hannah Bagshawe

Tom Hanks taking a picture of wife Rita Wilson (not pictured)
Christoph Waltz
Christian Bale

I also saw a number of other celebrities including Lily Allen, Samantha Barks, Tom Hardy etc but those pictured were the biggest stars there.

Hopefully I get to go again next year as it was just an unbelievable experience!

Thanks again to Yahoo Lifestyle and BAFTA for the amazing opportunity.

Which was your favourite look on the BAFTAs red carpet?

Love,

Sophia

xo

 

Sunday, 9 February 2014

January 2014 empties: L'Oreal, Sanctuary Spa, Bioderma, Elizabeth Arden, YSL Beauty

Hiiiii everyone :)
I hope you are well and enjoying your day!
Here are the beauty products I used up this month...

Make-up:

YSL Touché Eclat #1

Every time I run out of this I die a little inside as it costs me a fortune to repurchase. I tend to look for offers at places like Debenhams and Feel Unique before buying again - or Buyapowa. Because of its price, I try to limit its use to special occasions so that I don't use it up too quickly. I know some people don't get along with this but I swear by it for evening out my complexion and making me look 'alive'!

L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim

I also included this in my monthly favourites post as it is such an amazing product. I won't go into too much detail because it's only a liquid eyeliner but if you're on the hunt for a decent drugstore felt tip liner, definitely give this one a go! I've used it every day for the past six months without a problem.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant

Originally I got this in a gift set with the Eight Hour skin protectant and hand cream but I've repurchased it on its own a good 2/3 times since. It's a year-round product because it has SPF in it for the summer (mine didn't leave my side on holiday) and the famous Eight Hour formula nourishes lips in the winter. I always use it as a base for any of my lip products as it ensures they're smooth and moisturised prior to application.

Skincare:

The Sanctuary Spa Brightening Facial Radiance Exfoliator

I don't use the Sanctuary Spa products on a daily basis but I do like to treat my skin to the masks and scrubs regularly. I loved using this because the little beads felt like my skin was getting a good exfoliation but also my skin looked really glowing and healthy afterwards. I would definitely recommend.

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Solution

At first I thought this was the normal Bioderma Crealine and not the Sensibio for sensitive skin, but I didn't really notice much difference between them. I switch between using a Micellar water and a hot cloth cleanser but if I am going through a Micellar water phase, I would definitely reach for this first.

Bodycare:

Dove Deeply Nourishing Nourishing Body Wash

I have a soft spot for Dove products as they always make me feel like I'm having a good pamper! This body wash is very rich and indulgent, foaming up nicely in the shower. I could see myself purchasing it again.

Imperial Leather Japanese Spa Nourishing Shower Cream*

If you're looking for something with an oriental/floral scent, I would definitely recommend this. I go through shower gels really quickly so I don't like to spend a fortune. These are normally about £1 in Boots/Superdrug so well worth picking one up if you haven't before.

No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Body Exfoliator

I think the No7 Micro-dermabrasion range for face and body work really well actually for such affordable products. I like to massage the scrub into my skin in circular motions and then soak myself in moisturiser afterwards. My skin always feels so silky-smooth after using!

Hair:

L'Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo and Conditioner

I don't think this range is anything particularly special but it definitely does the job and I have repurchased it a number of times. I don't spend very much on shampoo and conditioner as I've not noticed my hair feeling any different having used more expensive products in the past, so I normally pick up ranges like this.

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Liquid Shine Shampoo*

I really liked the consistency of this because it was was almost like a rich syrup. It felt really luxurious using it on my hair and I noticed my hair looked really thick and glossy afterwards.

Alberto Balsam Intensive Conditioning Treatment

You can get this for £1 in Poundland but it's actually really good! I apply it to the lengths and ends of my hair for about a minute and it leaves it smelling lush and feeling soft.

Clairol Nice 'n' Easy Colour Seal Conditioner

I normally use this after dyeing my hair but I often just use it on its own to give my hair a boost. It's one of the few products to give my locks an instant shine hit and I notice it looking glossy for a couple of days afterwards too.

Herbal Essences Bee Strong Intensive Mask

I've only recently started using this range from Herbal Essences but I have been getting along with the products really well. The scents are just delicious and the consistency is so thick and creamy. I would definitely recommend! The Beautiful Ends one is really good as well.

What have you been using up this month?

Love,

Sophia

xo

*PR samples

 

Thursday, 6 February 2014

January 2014 favourites: Barbara Daly, Dior, Soap and Glory, Vaseline

Hey loves!
I hope you are well and having a great day.
Here are the beauty products I couldn't get enough of this month...

A mixture of high and low-end but mostly drugstore! I'm on a tight old budget... Who isn't?!

Make-up:

Urban Decay Vitamin B6 Spray

I was first introduced to this product at Wireless Festival last year by a make-up artist who was working backstage. My skin felt so light and fresh after she applied it and my make-up stayed in place all day. I have used it ever since and I absolutely love it! It makes my skin feels amazing and keeps everything in place better than MAC Fix+.

Barbara Daly Concealer

I picked this up on a whim in Tesco because I liked the look of it and I had a massive breakout at the time that needed hiding. The last time I used Barbara Daly make-up products was a few years ago when I tried their foundation - and I remember I absolutely loved it back then. This concealer is actually amazing and it's so cheap (less than a fiver!) - I would even put it on a par with MAC Studio Finish concealer. It's perfect for hiding spots and blemishes.

Dior Diorskin Foundation*

I've never used any high-end foundations before expect MAC which are in a league of their own - they all work really wellbut they're all pretty heavy, cakey formulas. I've been using this Dior foundation non-stop for about two months now and I can honestly say I don't know how I lived without it before. It's worth a whole separate blog post but my skin is absolutely awful at the moment (redness, dark circles, sore spots - the lot) but this covers up everything in an instant. It's very lightweight and airy, but the coverage is just so good. Honestly worth trying if you haven't already.

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

I've found this brush to work brilliantly with the Dior foundation above. I squirt some of the foundation onto this brush, dab it around my face and then buff it into my skin starting at the centre of my cheeks. I used to use a flat foundation brush from MAC before this but now I don't think I can ever go back.

L'Oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim in Black

I go through phases of using the same liquid eyeliner for a while - first it was Rimmel London, then it was Soap and Glory and now it's L'Oreal. I find these felt tip style pens are the easiest to use and this one in particular is suitable for even those with a shaky hand. It's perfect for creating cat-eye flicks as well because it's so thin.

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

I know there's loads of blogger hype around these already but I thought I'd add in my two cents if you hadn't heard of them. They're basically tinted lip balms - the one I have is cherry-scented and has a pink sheen. It's ideal for popping in my handbag and applying when my lips are dry but need a bit of colour as well. Definitely worth picking one up in Boots/Superdrug if you haven't already - they're only a few quid.

Skincare:

Avene Cleanance Soapless Gel Cleanser

I am a total convert to the Avene skincare range since I went to the Avene spa in the south of France and saw first hand where the products were made. Aside from its hero water spray, I tend to gravitate towards its Cleanance range for oily/blemished skin. This cleanser is ideal for getting rid of grime in the morning and I would definitely re-purchase.

Clarins Hydra Matte Combination Skin

Aside from the Instant Make-up Remover and the Beauty Flash Balm - both holy grail material for me! - I don't think I've tried anything from the Clarins skincare range. I got this for Christmas and have been loving it ever since. I hardly ever get shine during the day nowadays and my breakouts have reduced. I really want to try the face mask from the same range now because I know I can really trust it and it works!

Bioderma Crealine H20 Solution

Another product that's been hyped about massively but for good reason - it really does work at removing make-up and keeping skin clear. I switch between using a hot cloth cleanser (Liz Earle normally) or a Micellar water, but if I use the latter it would definitely be this.


Bodycare:

Liz Earle Bergamot & Ginger Creamy Shower Nectar*

Liz Earle launched a new range of bodycare products recently and I picked this up along with a body moisturiser. This scent is so fresh and uplifting - I love using it in the shower and a little goes a LONG way. I've been using this bottle for ages and I'm not even half way through.

Vaseline Spray & Go Body Moisturiser

I'd seen this advertised for a while but I kept thinking I didn't need another body moisturiser - which is true to an extent, I have loads! But this is on another level because it just makes my life SO MUCH EASIER. I am one of those people that is always busy/in a rush and this is just so convenient. It takes a minute or so to use, smells amazing and leaves my skin super soft. Winner winner chicken dinner!

Soap and Glory Flake Away Body Scrub

I went through a phase of using Soap and Glory products religiously at uni and I only recently fell back in love with them when I got the big gift set for Christmas. Man, have I fallen back in love hard. Soap and Glory makes me so happy! The scent takes me back to a place where I grew into myself as a person. Just... Love.

Hair:

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum

I've used this product on and off for years but have recently started reaching for it more regularly. I've used Moroccan Oil as well in the past but this comes up trumps in my opinion - you only need the tiniest bit and it leaves locks soft and silky.

Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Conditioning Masque

I use an intense conditioning masque every time I wash my hair (every other day usually) because my hair is so thick, I find that just using shampoo and conditioner doesn't wash it properly. For that reason, I don't spend a lot because I go through so many of them. This one's brilliant as it's lovely and thick, leaving my hair really smooth. It's a bargain at about £4 too!

What did you use up this month?

Love,

Sophia

xo

*PR samples