Happy Holidays

Ahh so here we are, amidst the festive holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, the whole world shares celebration for the coming of 2015.

I did have a couple of Christmas posts planned but, I was unexpectedly on holiday *not that I'm complaining* and I just didn't have time to write the posts. So I guess this is me wishing you a very late 

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I thought that you'd all be spending time with family and friends so blog-reading can be put on hold until the Christmas lights come down.

I am in fact, right now in snow Switzerland and will be staying here till the new year, so in case I don't get to say this later:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT START TO 2015.

Would any of you want to see my trip to Switzerland in pictures? I will already be doing some "What I got for Christmas" type thingies too... maybe some travel makeup or packing tips, we'll see, we'll see.

*Be expecting some cringe worthy new years posts in the near future!*

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

First Impressions: FAB Blemish Patrol Pads

While browsing through the pages Sephora for the perfect gifts for my friends, I saw this; and I thought, well it's not exactly like I can buy this for someone else, so I'll just have to buy it for myself then.

First Aid Beauty Blemish Patrol Pads £22

I've been using this for just over a week now, and it's unfortunate to say, that I'm just not impressed.

I'm still seeing new blemishes, and although old ones are fading, I don't think I can put it down to this because obviously old blemishes are clearing up every day, and it hasn't been sped up at all.

Also, after using this, it leaves my skin very red and irritated so I wouldn't recommend this for sensitive skin.

I'll keep using this because I've heard good reviews and want to give it a proper go but so far, I can't see it doing anything for my skin. I have to say, I'm kind of disappointed because it was £22 and it doesn't say much for the rest of the brand.

Is there anything worth trying from the First Aid Beauty range?

Lots of Love,
Sophie
xxx

A Festive Violet

As Christmas approaches, we all sit apprehensively by the windows, all waiting for some sign of a white christmas. But while hoping for snow is all very festive and puts everyone in high spirits: snow means ice and ice means it's too cold to even think about going outside.

Fortunately for us, this rather festive shade of purple defrosts our hands and adds a little Christmas-sy warmth to our grip around the eggnog. 

 Ladies and Gentlemen: Nails Inc. in Kensington High street £14 (I couldn't find the non-gel formula online)

This is a lovely deep pink/purple colour which is perfect for the winter holiday. I have and olive toned medium skin colour and the deep pinkish side really compliments a darker, warmer colour. I also think that this would look great on fair skin but probably towards the neutral-yellowy side of the spectrum.

As all Nail Inc. Nail polishes are, this is a great formula and hasn't chipped for me after  almost a week of wearing it. (This is using a Barry M top/base coat). Because the colour is so dark, I had to use two coats to even it out, but I think you could easily just do the one.

Oh, and mine has these purple rhinestones on-I don't really know why, I thought it might've been for better grip, in which case is a smart idea because the lid is quite wide, or maybe it's just to look nice. Hm well- what do you guys think?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

x

How to Control Oily Skin: Tip #5

Well hello there and welcome back to my fifth and final edition of How to Control Oily Skin- this week: CLAY MASKS

So there are loads of different masks, all claiming to be the best for your skin, but in terms of oily skin, a clay mask is the best choice.

This is one example of a clay mask I find that works great for me: Super Facialist Tea Flower Clay Mask £8.99

Clay masks are literally masks made of clay, and though it seems a daunting thought, the benefits are endless: unclogs pores, purifies skin of toxins, rebalances skin balance, refreshes skin, etc. This one in particular has Salicylic acid which unclogs congested skin which is great for people with oily skin, it has Dead Sea Mud which is rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron which can help skin build barriers against unwanted substances, honey which is a great anti-bacterial, as well as loads of oils including avocado which are rich in vitamins which refresh and rebalance the skin.

I would recommend using this regularly, and not just when a those blemishes appear. A few months ago, I started using this all the time and my skin was looking better, but then I got a bit cocky, and just stopped using it, and then it went bad again. *sigh* Don't go through that and just keep using it, it's not expensive and laziness it not an excuse.

Hope this series was helpful. Any other suggestions?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

x

Monthly Thoughts #5

I'm doing this a bit late this month, but y'all know how it is: christmas shopping, tree decorating, party going etc.

So my teacher hands me this: "Meeting to discuss project on 8th January 2015"

I mean, I'm sure you're going to be reading a lot of these "oh how quickly years go by" posts, but honestly, 2015?! 

But before we head off into the new year, reflecting on the year gone by is a good place to start. Half way through this year, in June actually, I started this little thing I call a blog, since then I've written 55 or so posts and gained 40 or so followers, but most importantly, I've realised a newly gained respect for those who write those incredible blogs with interesting posts everyday. When I started this blog, boy, I didn't know how hard it would be: to be consistent, to write good quality, interesting posts.

I know a lot of people are just starting off, and I think it would be great if we all supported each other.

Would love to email and talk to some of you if you have any ideas for how to improve my blog or if I can help with yours.

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

Perfect Winter Lip

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the up and coming season of WINTER. And what better way to welcome it with the perfect soft lip to warm up your smile.

This is the L'Oreal Colour Riche in 302 Bois de Rose £6.99 and the Rimmel Exaggerate lipliner in Eastend Snob £3.99

I love that these products are both so affordable on the high street. I actually bought these two separately, but one day, while rummaging through my drawers to decide what lip colour to indulge in that morning, my fingers fumbled across this heavenly duo. I have been wearing this everyday since last week.  

The lipstick from L'Oreal is a deep, rosy nude-y pink, which goes great with a warm or darker skin tone. The lipliner from Rimmel is really great because it's got a tiny tip that can give you the precision you need when lining your lips. I mainly just enhance my cupid's bow and then the corners of my lips to create an illusion of fuller lips.

I like to use lipliner because, I dunno, my lips don't end, they kinda just bleed out- anyone else with me here? no, okay, well even if lipliner's not really your thing, try this and you'll completely be converted.

In fact, I really want to scout some more, any suggestions?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

November Favourites

I sat down, as every other month, and began to plan my monthly favourites. I left it till late because I didn't really think that I had any new products that I'd been loving this month and none worth talking about. Ha- I was wrong... all I needed to do was open that drawer on my dresser and products were practically jumping out at me for a place in my much awaited favourites post.

Revlon Colourstay Foundation £12.49

I reviewed this foundation more in depth here but basically this is an all round great full-coverage foundation suitable for combination/oily skin.

The Body Shop Cleansing Oil £10

Any old-time reader of my blog will remember that a few months back I was obsessed with the cleansing butter from the Body Shop, this is the same kinda drill, just in oil form. I don't really notice the difference other than the fact that the oil is less milky/creamy when water is added. This removes any makeup from your face and is really great at breaking down waterproof mascara or pigment and is great for dry/ sensitive skin.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara £4.99

Now this, this is one hell of a mascara. It tops the list of my trustee mascaras: builds great volume, adds length, not clump and so waterproof you could literally go swimming in it. (oh yes- I've tried) This kind of reminds me of the Benefit They're Real because they have the same small wand and same fibres in the formula that add volume.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in 302 Bois de Rose £8.19

Bois de Rose- Rosewood- in french if my french classes serve me well. Don't quote me on that. I've not tried these colour riche lipsticks but honestly, the formula is great: it's matte but not drying, in fact, surprisingly creamy and smooth. This colour, this colour, it's me in a lipstick. Its so so so gorgeous, a perfect deep nude pink colour, ahhh I could rave and rave. It just makes the lips look so full and perfect, ahhh, if one could marry a lipstick, I'd be mrs Rosewood.

Nuxe Rêve De Miel £9.50

Shall we try the French again?- I believe it's something like "Dream of Honey"- or not... anywayyyyy, this lip balm is the creme de la creme of lip balms. I've heard of this before, obviously, every beauty blogger and her dog has raved about this but I could just never find it anywhere. But the other day, as I was scouring the shelves of Mark&Spencer when I found this little pot. Just sitting' there, all pretty like and I just pulled it into my basket. This is so moisturing and creamy and I literally put so much on and it still looks good under lipstick.

I'm actually really interested in the Nuxe brand. Any recommendations of products I should try first?

Lots of Love,
sophie
xxx