FOTD ft No7 and Poppy King 'Celebrate Balmy & Beautiful!'

Hey lovelies!

HAPPY WEEKEND! Hope you've all had pleasant week :-) Sorry for being rather MIA of late; I've been back on the job hunt and, as you can imagine, it's taking up a huge bulk of my time! Shameless plea BUT if anyone knows of any entry-level PAID journo jobs in London/South East, please do give me a shout!

ANYWAY, today I used one of the gift sets I received for Christmas to create my FOTD!

It's the LE No7 and Poppy King 'Celebrate Balmy and Beautiful' Set! I was soo happy when I got my hands on it; I've heard great things about the Poppy King range for No7 and I thought this little gift set would come in handy!

The gift set contains -

• Shimmering Beauty Cheeks
• Shimmering Beauty Lips
• to form the Shimmering Beauty Lip & Cheek Multiple
• Beautiful Blotting Papers

I didn't realise, but the Shimmering Beauty Cheeks and Shimmering Beauty Lips combine to make the Shimmering Beauty Lip + Cheek Multiple! Whoops! You simply take the clear plastic lids off both products and put them in either end of the the gold 'Multiple'... Very handy!

Shimmering Beauty Lips

I don't know why but I was expecting this to be kind of pinky! It's not at all, it's a very GOSH Darling-esque nude...

The formula is matte and VERY drying! I made the mistake of applying it straight to my lips at first without a brush, which was an error on my part as it went EVERYWHERE, but it was MUCH easier with the brush! I also used the Beautiful Blotting Papers which made the lipstick last much longer! I set it using Lipcote, which applies like a gloss but dries matte and also helped maintain the longevity of the lipstick.

Shimmering Beauty Cheeks

I found this product very odd actually, it LOOKS like a lipstick... it feels like a LIPSTICK... but it's a face product, hmm!

It looks very similar to the Lips product above. It applies like a pinky sheen, I simply took some of the product off the top with my fingers and added it to the apples of my cheeks. It wasn't really strong enough to be a blush, so I added a little bronzer to make me look a little less washed out! Perhaps it will work best as a pinky highlighter for my cheek and brow bone, etc.

Shimmering Beauty Lip & Cheek Multiple

You slot the 2 products into each end of the empty gold 'Multiple', so it ends up looking like the product above! The black bits are the bottom end of each product!

Beautiful Blotting Papers

I've never used blotting papers before, I mean I've used tissue to blot my lipstick but never actual blotting 'papers'. I know you get them for reducing shine/oil on your face as well, but I've personally never used those either, I think they're a bit of a fad tbh!

These blotting papers looked really cute; they came in a dinky little cardboard pouch, and it contained about 10-15 blotting papers, about the size of 2 matchboxes laid side by side.

I used these on my lips when I was applying the Shimmering Beauty Lips and I definitely think they worked to make the lipstick last. They're so much more effective than using tissue, as the little bits of tissue odten get stuck on your lips... Classy lol!

Here's a FOTD using all the above mentioned products :-)

FOTD:

FACE: No7 Colour Calming Primer, MAC Fix+ to prime, MAC Studio Finish Concealer (applied with a No7 Concealer Brush), MAC Pro Longwear Foundation (applied with a MAC 190 Foundation Brush; blended in with a ELF Stippling Brush), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural to set (applied with an Avon Powder Brush), No7 Shimmering Beauty Cheeks, Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzer (51 - applied with an old bronzing brush), MAC Fix+ to set.

EYES: Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original), Urban Decay Baked e/s (Buck - all over lid, Smog - in outer corners, Hustle - on edge - all applied with a No7 Eyeshadow Brush), MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack (applied with a MAC 266 Brush); Soap & Glory SUPERCAT Carbon Gloss liner on top lid, Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick (Black) along lower waterline, 2 coats of CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara (Black).

EYEBROWS: Ruby & Millie Brow Enhance (Powder + Wax - applied with a W7 Angled Brush).

LIPS: LUSH Bubblegum lip scrub to prime, No7 Shimmering Beauty Lips (applied with The Body Shop Lip Brush), No7 Beautiful Blotting Papers, Lipcote to set.

I enjoyed playing around with this little gift set, and I think the idea of combining the lip & cheek products into a 'Multiple' is really clever! However I was quite disappointed with both products. The lip product was REALLY drying, and the cheek product was just a bit weird. I'll keep using them and see how I get on, maybe it's just first impressions! :-)

Have you tried any of the No7 and Poppy King products before?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Ps. Today I learnt how much I SUCK at applying MAC Fluidline! Literally I made so many errors I kept having to make the line thicker, does anyone have any tips? Lol I don't even know if I was using the brush the right way up! :S

New hair...

Good evening peeps!

I hope you've all had a lovely day :-) Now those of you who follow me on Twitter will already know that I got my hair cut yesterday, but I thought I'd post about it on here just so you're not like "hmm, your hair looks suspiciously shorter... and darker...!" lol

So I went for the chop!

As you can tell from all my previous posts my hair was medium brown and quite long! I fancied a change (plus my hair was taking a good 20-30 mins to properly blow dry!) so I nipped over to Studio 2 in Horsham for a cut and colour!

CUT: I asked for quite a lot of length cut off, a long bob essentially that was just past my shoulders. On top of the standard length cut, I also asked for cheekbone length layers all around my hair, and shorter layers to the front. I also requested feathering around my face to shape it, and a short fringe (just touching my eye).

COLOUR: I received a semi-permanent colour glossing treatment, as I wanted a quite drastic colour change that would wash out eventually! I basically brought in a picture of Amy Childs lol as I love the colour of her hair, so we went for a kind of dark red shade in the end that complimented my complexion. Looking at it today it's VERY dark and it appears very red beneath the light. I think it looks quite 'fierce'! ;-)

So there it is, my new February hair. If you're local and fancy a new do, pop into Studio 2 where one of their talented staff will sort you out a treat - Frankie did mine and she was fab, especially if you're looking for something that bit 'edgier'! Check out the website here.

Are you rocking a new do this month? Or are you growing your hair out?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

NOTD: No7 Speed Dry in Mink

Hey guys!

Just a quick post this evening as I'm pretty tired! I've been watching Dulce Candy YouTube videos for like over an hour now and I really need to go to bed! Haha. FYI, I have learnt SO much from watching her vids lately, esp her make-up tutorials, I feel really inspired to mix up my routine now!

Anyway here's what I've been wearing on my nails these past few days, I don't know why but I've wanted my nails to blend in - I think it's because I'm trying to grow them, I'd rather not look at them while they're short!

(No7 Speed Dry in Mink)

I picked up this nail colour in Boots for 33p a couple of months ago along with some other really on-trend shades! I love No7's Speed Dry range, not only does it dry super fast but the consistency is always really thick and you only need 2 coats max! I used my OPI Nail Envy (Original) as a base coat and Seche Vite Dry Fast as a top coat :-) I would say it lasted 3 days before chipping... but then I bit it all off! D'oh!

I've also added this shade to my NOTD archive!

What are you wearing on your nails today? Neutrals or brights?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Getting in the mood for spring with Primark florals!

Hey ladies & gents!

Now I know it's hard to envision a season beyond below freezing temperatures, bitterly cold winds and a lack of vitamin D BUT it will warm up eventually, and when it does we'll all forget this mini ice age!

Until then, it's time to prep for SPRING! I nipped into Primarni this morning and whilst there was still a lot of wooly knitwear/scarves etc on display, they were beginning to launch their spring/summer range, and there were floaty dresses, graphic tees and sunglasses aplenty! I was very well behaved though and despite trying on a basketload of stuff, only picked up £5 worth of accs :-)

Floral purse - £4.00

I don't know about you lot, but Primark is my one stop shop for purses! You may remember I picked up my A/W purse there for just £1 last season :) I find that they're just such great value, really hard-wearing and have enough compartments for all my bits and bobs!

This purse is no different, it has loads of credit card slots and a massive coin compartment running through the middle. The baby pink isn't personally to my taste, but luckily my purse is closed most of the time! I love the chic gold and nude leather detailing, it compliments the pastel coloured florals perfectly :)

Floral head garland - £1.00

Funnily enough, this item was actually marked up as £2 but when I got to the till it was only £1, love it when that happens :) I just thought this was such a beautiful item that would look so pretty with a messy up do... Now we just need the sunny weather eh :)

Are you getting in the mood for spring yet? Or are you loving this extended cold spell?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place Makeup and Flawless Wear Concealer review and FOTD!

Helloo people!

Can you believe it's Thursday already?! At least it's nearly the weekend, huh :-)

Now some of you may remember I was lucky enough to receive the Estee Lauder Doublewear Foundation and Concealer for Christmas... Well, I've been wearing it on and off for a couple of weeks now and I'm ready to give you my thoughts!!! So here we go...

Well firstly it comes it luxurious, glossy navy blue packaging. Very opulent, it even features mini 'EL's' in the inner packaging!

Product wise, the foundation comes in a jar (no handy pump dispenser here, like my usual MAC Pro Longwear) and the concealer features a traditional doe foot applicator, a la my normal Maybelline Pure Mineral concealer :)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF10 in 1W1 Bone

I was colour matched for this foundation a good couple of months ago and the Estee Lauder make up artist was kind enough to give me a little pot with a sample shade in it and some mini spatulas to apply it with. I couldn't believe it when she swatched me in the lightest POSSIBLE shade! I mean, I know I'm pale, but I'm half Italian so I thought I have a slight natural tan... obviously NOT, lol.

I was given this same shade for Christmas, and luckily my skin colour hasn't changed significantly and so the colour match was exact. It is VERY pale but it makes a perfect base for applying bronzer and blusher, etc. I do think I will need a darker product in the summer months, and so I'm thinking of purchasing the Estee Lauder Doublewear Light when the weather heats up a bit!

The issue I have with this product is the application. I do find that I waste quite a lot of product due to its lack of pump applicator. What I tend to do is dip a cotton wool bud in the top of the jar and then make little dots around my face, before using my MAC 190 Foundation Brush to blend everything in. It works well but I still have some leftover product on the bud :-(

In terms of longevity, it certainly lives up to the hype and lasts alll day! Fab for people like me who go to the gym etc during the day. Its finish is lovely and dewy, it covers up all spots, blemishes and redness to create a flawless base. I do find it's slightly drying, but I've found it to actually be a positive for me, as it dries out my spots! Lol. So overall, a fab foundation that stays in place all day and is worth every penny.

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place Makeup is available for £26.50 from Boots, Debenhams and other major retailers.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer SPF10 in 01 Light

I also purchased the matching concealer to the foundation. I was colour matched for this product a couple of months ago too and I was matched to the lightest shade (AGAIN lol - 'Light'!) Since I was colour matched, the product has actually been adjusted slightly - they've added more shades and added 'Flawless Wear' to the name lol so I'm assuming the product has been improved for a more seamless application!

The application for this product is much better, you can apply it straight to your face using the applicator provided. Sometimes I blend this product in with my No7 Concealer Brush, other times I simply rub it in with my fingers (depends how much of a rush I'm in lol!) I wouldn't say this product is as impressive of its foundation counterpart; it is very handy for covering under-eye circles as the formula is very brightening, but it's not really suitable for covering up spots and blemishes. For that, I prefer to use a creamy pot formula that you can easily blend in with your fingers - I'll be using MAC's Studio Finish Concealer during the day and Benefit's Boi-ing Concealer at night.

Estee Lauder Doublewar Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer is available for £19.00 from Boots, Debenhams and other major retailers.

So here's how I rocked both products!

FOTD:

FACE:

MAC Fix+ to prime

Estee Lauder Flawless Wear Concealer (01 Light)

Benefit Boi-ing concealer (02 Medium)

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay-in-Place makeup (1W1 Bone)

NARS Laguna bronzer

MAC Fix+ to finish

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck all over lid

Urban Decay baked e/s in Smog all over lid

2 coats of Cover Girl lash blast mascara

Soap & Glory SUPERCAT carbon black eyeliner along top lid

Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick (brown) along lower waterline

LIPS:

MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo

Overall I am really impressed with both products, the foundation slightly more so than the concealer :-)

Have you tried Estee Lauder's Doublewear range? Or do you have a drugstore dupe?

Let me know!

Love,

Sophia

xo

My recent haul at MAC Westfield and my MAC FOTD!

Good evening peeps!

I hope you're all having a lovely, relaxing evening! :-) I'm catching up on Idol - Love it! Now you may remember I took a little trip to a certain Westfield Shepherd's Bush last week... Well I made a few sneaky purchases in none other than... MAC!!! *swoon*

Can I just say, I received the most amazing, professional service at this particular MAC store. I guess I had quite low expectations in terms of service, but it was about 4pm on a weekday and I just walked right in and a MUA was ready to see me straight away. I can't remember his name but it was a bloke and he had tattoos up his arms? Anyway he was so helpful, answering all my questions, getting me everything I asked for and giving me loads of useful advice!

So without further ado, here's what I picked up...

(clockwise L-R: Studio Finish Concealer, Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, Mini Fix+, Fluidline in Blacktrack, Impeccable Brow Pencil, 266 brush)

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - Light

I must be the only blogger in the world who doesn't use powder? Everyone always talks about setting their foundation with powder, but it's something I've just never done! I don't know why!

I decided I needed to kick the bad habit and purchase my first "powder." There was no point getting a drugstore substitute when the powder on everyone's lips is MAC's Skinfinish Natural!

I explained to the MUA that I just wanted to use this product as a powder, not a bronzer, and so he decided on either the shade "Light" or "Light Plus" for me. We went with Light as I really am rather pale! I recall him buffing in this product with a stipple brush but I use that particular brush for cream blush, so I just use a big fat powder brush instead which seems to do the trick :) just a few swipes over the face and it sets my foundation a treat without making me appear too ghostly white, woop!

MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is available for £20.50 on the MAC website here.

Studio Finish Concealer - NW15

Next on my list was their acclaimed concealer, which I've tried before in MAC's concession in Selfridges London, but it just didn't seem to do anything for me then! I entrusted the MUA this time in choosing the right shade for me!

I explained that I'm NC15 in their Pro Longwear foundation, but when we tried that shade in this concealer, OMG it looked awful! It just looks really yellow against my skin, horrible. So we went for the NW15 instead which looked much more natural, it had more of a pinky tint to it and blended in much nicer.

It's a really lovely, creamy consistency that's very easy to apply. The MUA applied it using a concealer brush but IMO that's too much hassle & so I end up just using my fingers instead! Naughty naughty.

The problem with this shade for me is that, although it's the exact same colour as my skin, it's just too light for me to use in the evenings when I'm caked in bronzer & highlighter! So I will have to continue buying my Benefit Boi-ing concealer, which is another another £16, d'oh! Also, I'm going to try and use this concealer only for blemishes and redness, and use my new Estee Lauder Doublewear concealer for under-eye circles (which is more what it's suited for!)

MAC's Studio Finish Concealer is available for £13.50 on the MAC website here.

Impeccable Brow Pencil - Dirty Blonde

I explained to the MUA that I used to own their Eye Brow pencil in the shade Lingering and I LOVED the shade, seriously, the shade was spot on! But... the end kept falling off! It was a twist up pencil and it just kept breaking off, I wasted so much product and I couldn't deal with that trauma again! Lol. So he recommended me their Impeccable Brow Pencil instead which is actually a pencil formula that you can sharpen, rather than a twist up pen that you can't!

He chose the shade "Dirty Blonde" for me which is similar to Lingering, if a little lighter.

Here's a swatch without flash...

& with flash...

At first I thought the shade was a little too light, but it really is the exact same colour of my brows! Trouble is, my brows are REALLY faint lol and so I think I will keep using my Ruby & Millie Brow Enhance set when I want a really "defined" brow ie. Scouse Brow!

MAC's Impeccable Brow Pencil is available for £11.50 on the MAC website here.

Mini Fix+

OK so this isn't actually a purchase. You may remember I blogged about this product back in September as I was looking for a handbag sized alternative to my full-sized Fix+. However it's been broken for quite a while; you know Fix+ is supposed to be a mist, right? Mine kept shooting straight out and it just wasn't working. So I brought it with me (without a receipt!) and they exchanged it for a brand new one for me, thank God! Now I can actually use this product - yay!

MAC's Travel Sized Fix+ is available for £7 on the MAC website here.

Fluidline in Blacktrack / 266 brush (bought as gifts)

These weren't purchases either, but I received them as presents at Christmas from my lovely sister and I haven't reviewed them yet soo... :)

As far as I'm aware, MAC's fluidline gel liner is the holy grail of liquid liners! I really really really wanted to try this!

I was slightly dubious about the 266 brush as, being a gel liner newbie, I was concerned that the brush would be too "fat" for me and it would go all over my eyelid, you know? But the MUA assured me that, as a gel liner newbie, the 266 brush would be best for me! The 210 brush aka the pin-point brush requires a really steady hand that a gel liner newbie like myself just doesn't possess! So I stuck with the 266 and he taught me how to apply gel liner like a pro :)

The 266 brush is a small, angled brush; I learnt you are supposed to work with the 'point' of the brush, working outwards, which will definitely require some practice but I hope I will eventually master it :-)

I was very surprised by how SMALL the pot of gel liner is! It's literally like smaller than a 10p coin in circumference lol, I guess I was expecting it to be much bigger! I was also very surprised by its pigmentation, it's SO condensed, a real "blacker than black" type black!

Here's a swatch without flash...

& with flash...

It just glides on so effortlessly, it's so smooth, but SO powerful! It really does have amazing staying power as well, lasting all day!

MAC's Fluidline in Blacktrack (£14.00) and the 266 brush (£16.00) are both available on the MAC website here.

Here's a pic with all the eye products used...

Studio Finish Concealer, Fluidline in Blacktrack, Impeccable Brow Pencil in Dirty Blonde, Paint Pot in Painterly (not pictured)

& finally a couple of face shots using all the products mentioned!

I also wore my MAC Paint Pot in Painterly & my MAC Amplified Creme lipstick in Cosmo... My MAC face :-)

Next on my list is their Powder Blush in Harmony. The MUA used it on me, along with one of their blush brushes, omg it looks so natural but sculpted my face brilliantly... Gotta get it!!

You can view my other MAC hauls here, here & here!

Have you done any MAC hauling recently? Any items on your wishlist?

Love,

Sophia

xo

OOTN, FOTN & NOTN: A few drinks ft Revlon's LE Facets of Fuchsia nail enamel!

Hey ladiesss!

Hope you all had a fabulouso weekend :) I can't believe it's Monday AGAIN! You know what they say/sing, "just another manic Monday!" which is def how I'm feeling right now!

So anyways over the weekend I went out for a few drinks with some friends. I opted for quite a glam ensemble, I don't know about you but I would rather be dressed up than dressed down.

So here's my look from the weekend...

FASHION:

(excuse the glum face)

• Black faux leather top - H&M (blog!)
• Burgundy bodycon skirt - eBay seller (link!)
• Black tights - TOPSHOP (link!)
• Black suede ankle boots - eBay seller (link!)
• Black oversized clutch - Dorothy Perkins (blog!)
• Gold chain necklace - Vintage

MAKE-UP:

• FACE: Benefit That Gal primer, Some Kind-a Gorgeous Foundation Faker (02 Medium), YSL Touche Eclat (#1), Benefit Boi-ing concealer (02 Medium), Benefit Dallas bronzer, Clinique Up-Lighting Liquid Illuminator (02 Peach).

• EYES: Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original), Urban Decay baked e/s in Buck (all over lid); Gunmetal & Creep (used to create smokey eye), Soap & Glory SUPERCAT carbon black eye liner (top lid), Avon Color Trend Kajal Stick (black) along lower waterline, 2 coats of CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara (Black). Ruby & Millie Brow Enhance (Brown).

• LIPS: LUSH bubblegum lip scrub, Rimmel lip liner, Revlon lipstick in Cherries in the Snow (new! see blog post)

FYI, I think it's really important to apply lipstick correctly. My lipstick routine takes less than 5 minutes and guarantees your lipstick stays on alll night! Here's my routine...

1. Prime your lips using a lip scrub (I use LUSH's bubblegum lip scrub as I get to lick it off after!)
2. Line your lips using a pink lip liner (if you have one - otherwise use a nude one)
3. Using a lip brush, blend the lip liner into the lips so it kind of stains your lips and acts as a base for the lipstick
4. Now, using the same lip brush, apply the lipstick in short swipes on the lips, blot, repeat.
5. Finish your lipstick with a coat of colour-sealing lipgloss or a few coats of Lipcote...

sorted :)

NAILS:

I recently bought this nail colour from Boots, along with the Cherries in the Snow lipstick & nail enamel, as it was on a 3 for 2 offer. Unfortunately, this nail enamel wasn't available at the time, so the lady ordered it in for me (only took a couple of days) and I was still entitled to the 3 for 2 offer! Did you know you can order ANYTHING that's on the Boots website into store for FREE? Amazing!!!

I bought this nail colour after seeing it on a couple of my favourite blogs and knew I had to have it! I love a bit of glitter me. I used my obligatory OPI Nail Envy as a base and then applied a coat of this. I was really taken aback as the formulation was really runny, and also kind of grey? I let it dry then applied another coat... Resume normality :) 2 coats was all it needed to create the effect above! I applied my Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat and then it was lovely and glossy, woop! :)

You can buy Revlon's LE Facets of Fuschia nail enamel for £6.49 from Boots.

What did you wear this weekend? Send me all your links!

Love,

Sophia

xo