Weekend OOTN: Fit and flare dress with a pop of coral FOTN and Shellac NOTN

Hi beauts!

I hope you're well and enjoying the sunny weather today. I'm currently on a countryside retreat staying in the most beautiful lodge and the weather is just stunning here. Needless to say it's been a long-awaited relaxing break!

Last weekend I went on what you could say was my first night out of spring 2014. I jumped at the chance to get my legs out and wear some colour as I gravitate towards black in the winter (I think it's the Italian in me..!)

Here's what I wore...

OOTN:

Dress - Primark

Heels - Next

Belt - ASOS

Earrings - New Look

I picked this dress up in Primark recently because I was instantly drawn to the fit of the dress. I tend to go for straight bodycon styles as I find they're the most flattering but I found this shape to be fitting but still really comfortable. I was also really attracted to the teal/turquoise shade as it brightened up my all-black wardrobe considerably! I styled the dress with nude accessories although looking back I could have paid more attention to my undergarments...

FOTN:

FACE: Benefit That Gal Primer, Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, L'Oreal True Match Foundation (both applied with Real Techniques Expert Face Brush), YSL Touche Eclat, Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (applied with an Avon Face Brush), MAC Harmony to contour (applied with a MAC 129), Benefit Coralista blush, Benefit High Beam, Urban Decay De-Slick spray.

EYES: Urban Decay Primer Potion, Urban Decay NAKED Palette (Naked and Buck), L'Oreal Perfect Slim Liner, Benefit They're Real Mascara, Eylure 101 lashes.

EYEBROWS: MAC Omega and Charcoal Brown e/s applied with a MAC 208 Brush.

LIPS: LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Protectant, No7 Nude Lip Liner, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef.

I decided to go for a pop of colour on my lips to complement the brightly-coloured dress and this one from Revlon is one of my all-time faves. I had to apply two layers of foundation because my skin has been playing up a lot lately but it's much better now. Eyes wise, I went quite low-key with no kohl in the waterline but I did add fake lashes because mine are naturally very short and the 101s are my go-to lashes from Eylure.

NOTN:

Shellac nails - not sure of the shade but it's a coral / salmon pink colour.

I recently had Shellac nails applied for the first time (I've had Gellux but not Shellac) and I've been really impressed with them so far. Firstly, they only take about 45 mins to apply and dry instantly. I love how neat and glossy they look but I do find it frustrating that you have to get them professionally removed really or you end up with damaged nails. I am quite indecisive and like to change my nail colour up a lot so I'm not 100% sure if I would have them done again but I was impressed with my first foray into Shellac.

Have you been wearing brighter clothes this spring? Have you tried Shellac before?

Let me know in the comments or on Twitter - @smoir :)

Love,

Sophia

xo

February 2014 Favourites: Caudalie, Lancôme, La Roche-Posay, Liz Earle, MAC

Hey loves,

I hope you're all well!

Here are my favourite products from February...

Skincare:

Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water*

I absolutely fell in love with this product. It was so soft and gentle - yet still super effective at removing every last trace of make-up. I especially liked the scent too. I'd rate it ahead of the Bioderma for sure.

Lancôme Bi-Facial Non Oily Instant Cleanser For Sensitive Eyes

I picked this up at the airport in duty free and I'm so glad I did because I've long been on the hunt for the perfect eye make-up remover. This completely removes eye make-up but it does it so effortlessly - without pulling at delicate skin around my eyes.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+*

I've heard loads of good stuff about this from bloggers and friends so I reached for it straight away when I had a breakout. It definitely helped clear my skin up but it's too harsh for everyday use so I'll just be using it every time I see a spot forming.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

It's not often I have good skin days - most of the time I wake up to a nasty breakout and I use the heaviest concealer I can find to cover it up. But when I do have good skin, I use this. It gives my skin a lovely, natural glow that just looks really fresh faced and healthy. LOVE.

Make-up:

Liz Earle Radiant Glow Bronzer* + Avon Powder Brush

I've turned my back on heavy contouring - recently I've been really favouring a natural looking bronzed look instead. I swirl the big, fluffy brush around this bronzer and apply it all over my face, focusing on the temples and cheeks. It makes me look awake, healthy and ready for the day.

No7 Clear Brow Gel

Going with the more natural look, I've been ditching the eyebrow pencils and powders for this clear gel instead. It makes me feel polished without looking too overdone.

MAC Mineralize Charged Water Skin Hydrating Mist

Normally, my Urban Decay B6 Spray is my fixing spray of choice, but I ran out of that so I've been using this instead. I love the fresh feeling it gives me as I spray it onto my face first thing (before I apply make-up) but I also feel like it keeps everything in place after I've applied it all.

Haircare:

Dove Hair Therapy Leave-In Conditioning & Care Spray

I didn't have massive expectations for this because it was only a few quid from Boots - but my expectations were MASSIVELY surpassed after I used it. I spray it all over towel-dried locks and comb it through - it leaves my hair feeling so soft and silky. I'd repurchase it in a heartbeat.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Shampoo and Conditioner*

I'm a massive chocoholic so I jumped at the chance to try this cocoa-scented shampoo and conditioner. I'm not a massive fan of mint but this smells like chocolate mint and it's just delicious! I would eat it if I could.

Schwarzkopf got2be 2 Sexy Big Volume Push Up Volumizing Hairspray

I'm a BIG fan of L'Oreal Elnett but this might have just tested my loyalty. I used it when I was a bridesmaid at my friend's wedding and it kept my curly locks in place all day. It also smells amazing and comes in a MASSIVE bottle.

What did you use up this month?

Thanks,

Sophia

xo

 

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February 2014 Empties: Clarins, Elemis, Urban Decay, Kerastase

Hi loves!

How's everyone doing? I hope everyone's as excited for spring - we're finally starting to see some sun, WOOP.

Here are the products I used up in Feb 2014...

Pretty much all of my empties were drugstore except the Kerastase oil which I've had for ages and the Clarins make-up remover which was a gift.

I'm completely skint since moving to London so you won't find as much high-end stuff on my blog these days!

Skincare:

Elemis Skin Glow Exfoliating Face Wash*

I seem to associate Elemis with pampering ever since I had an Elemis facial a couple of months back (bliss!). I think this was the first time I tried an Elemis product at home and I was really impressed with it, but the face wash in itself had tiny beads in it which I found were too harsh for daily use.

Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray

This is possibly one of my favourite beauty products of 2013! I was recommended this by a make-up artist backstage at Wireless festival who used it to refresh make-up on stars including Little Mix during the day. I bought it immediately and used it as the first and last step of my make-up routine. I've never looked back and am GUTTED it ran out!

Superdrug Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

I picked this up on a whim because I ran out of my normal Simple one but I was actually really impressed with it considering it was only a few quid. It didn't sting my eyes at all - I'd definitely pick it up again.

Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover

I received this as a gift so I can't say I invested in it myself, but I still would have bought it anyway! This is really AMAZING - it removes every trace of make-up and doesn't hurt my eyes at all. If you see this on offer or anything, I'd definitely invest it it.

Avene Cleanance Gel

I've reviewed this before and I am still a huge fan of it. My skin is oily/blemish-prone so the whole Avene Cleanance range is just perfect for me. I used this face wash twice a day and it didn't dry my skin out or make it oily - it was just perfect for giving it a good cleanse.

Haircare:

Schwarzkopf Gliss Liquid Silk Conditioner

I remember picking this up very last minute at the till in Superdrug and I didn't have super high hopes for it - it was just on offer at the time. It surpassed my expectations totally - my hair was always silky smooth after using it and I would definitely buy it again.

Garnier Fructis Colour Care Conditioner

I bought this in Poundland because I was out of conditioner at the time but I was really disappointed and wouldn't buy it again. It did absolutely nothing to my hair and it wasn't even worth the £1 I spent on it.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

I know this is absolutely loved in the bloggersphere but I personally just didn't see the hype. Yes it left my hair feeling soft and silky but no more so than my V05 oil or Moroccanoil. I'd say save your pennies!

Other:

Vaseline Hand Cream and Anti-Bac 2 in 1

This was really handy for throwing in my handbag as it saved bringing multiple products! The only qualm I have with it is that I wish it was scented like a hand cream - a Vaseline Cocoa Butter 2 in 1 would be AMAZE.

What did you use up this month?

Love,

Sophia

xo