Purchases from Boots

After a rather short February Favourites post, I decided to go into Boots and have a wonder through the aisles to see what's new on the high street. I don't know if it's because I only went to a local tiny Boots or if it's because nothing jumped at me too much, but I didn't find too much that took my fancy. I am however, excited to try these out:

Soap and Glory One Heck of  A Blot £12
I've heard such great things about tho powder so I couldn't believed I had never tried it. I love how this comes in a sturdy case with a compact mirror because it makes touching up on the go so much easier.
Soap and Glory Supercat Eyeliner £6
If you didn't know, I'm a jet-black, winged liner kinda girl, and since the Collection Fast Stroke liquid liner, I haven't found a drugstore one that does better. I've heard a couple of eyeliner enthusiasts like me talk about this product, so I'm excited to try this out and get back to you.

MaxFactor Wild Eyeshadow Pencil £5.99
I've actually already tried this today and i have to say, I am quite impressed. I have the colour 05 Caramel Rage which is a lovely shimmery gold colour. I love how easy eyeshadow pencils are because they save precious seconds in the morning: all you need to do is Swipe and Blend and that's all. I have found however, that this fades during the day so I might need to find an eyeshadow to set it with.

MaxFactor Creme Puff Blush £8.99
There's actually a whole range of colours, just that day I felt like buying this lovely deep berry mauve colour in the shade 30 Gorgeous berries. These are baked blush which have such good colour payoff and I love love love the shimmer in these. They definitely remind me of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders so if you like those, try these as an alternative option.

Bourjois Paris Happy Light Matte Serum Primer £10.99
Recently, I've been wearing a lot of mineral powder foundations, which I love because they make your skin look great but it means that if you have oily skin, powdering over a powder can look a little caked on. That's why I've been hunting for a nice matte primer so I'll definitely have to report back on this one.

Lots of Love,
Sophie
xxx

A Timeless Pink

I seem to have suddenly fallen in love with a pink lipstick completely out of my comfort zone. I'm not one to usually go for brights or pinks or mauves and the like- and so when I became absolutely infatuated with this lipstick, I thought it apt to dedicate a blog post to it:

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in SUSPENSE 80 £25
Let's start with the lipstick, since that's why most of you are here. I received this as a gift for Christmas but hadn't really worn it until recently, but I knew from the minute it reached my lips, I was going to be completely besotted by it. First of all, the colour is absolutely stunning; now, I've said I don't usually go for pinks of this sort- (they always look a bit cheap or distasteful) but this, this is quite something. I think it would suit so many skin tones and shades, cool or warm toned, fair or tanned, this colour will look elegant and sophisticated. I think the colour would be enough, but just as an added bonus, the formula of these is quite unique I think: it's creamy and glossy but the colour is still there, kind of like the Clarins Instant Light Perfecters, but with better colour payoff. I hadn't tried these before but I know a lot of people love them. And yes, I know it's expensive, especially for a lipstick, but you're really investing ing a quality product, so at least go and have a swatch in store.


 L'Oreal True Match Foundation £9.99
After much babbling on the lips, a lipstick like this deserves a great face to match. As it's so bold, a flawless base will really help you pull it off. This foundation is good, full coverage and there is such a variety of shades. This blends quickly into the skin and then stays all day, the texture is quite dewy so if you have oily skin like me, a powder will help to set it, but sometimes I can get away without one.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer £22
Since the foundation is pretty good coverage, I just take this concealer in the shade VANILLA to highlight on the eyes and on the nose. This acts like a highlighter so you don't need to add anything extra because for such classic look like this: the simpler, the better.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer £23.50
This has just been my go to bronzer recently; it's the perfect colour for my skin tone and so it's great for some serious cheekbone-faking. I think it just looks so model-esque, which matches perfectly with this lip.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in ON AND ON BRONZE £4.99
For the eyes, nothing too fancy, just take the maybelline colour tattoo in this lovely shimmery bronze shade and sweep all over the lids, blending well for a subtle wash of colour across the lids. Now it looks like you've made an effort but still doesn't take attention away from the lips.

Bobbi Brown Intensifying Long-Wear Macara £19.50
And finally, to top it all off, this Bobbi Brown mascara is one of my favourites for real definition in the lashes. The wand is so small so it lengthens the lashes without any clumps and it's great for the bottom lashes as well. I don't think this is declared as "waterproof" but it's pretty budge-proof; I can wear it all day without worrying about smudging.

I can't believe I've never tried this formula of lipstick before, any other colour recommendations?

Lots of Love,
Sophie
xxx

A Fresh and Simple Look

Apologies everyone, for I haven't left the confines of my bedroom for a week, which is why no post has come this past week. I had, unfortunately, been very ill- but now that I'm better, I thought I'd share with you a makeup look that is fresh and simple for when you are recovering from being ill, and want to look like you've had a spa weekend away.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum £10.99
An old favourite of mine but it's one I can always count on. It's a very light coverage gel textured foundation but it's so radiant and dewey it makes your skin look fresh and glowy in an instant.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer £22
Because the foundation was light coverage, I sometimes need a bit of concealer on any redness or blemishes. I have the colour Vanilla which is yellow enough for redness but also pink enough to counteract any blueness under the eyes. It immediately wakes up the face, which, trust me, is desperately needed while being ill.
Bourjois Healthy Balance Powder £8.99
The foundation is very dewy, which is nice for a fresh look, but on my oily skin, I look like a baby seal- not a good look. I like this powder because it balances the oiliness but still leaves a "lit from within" glow and you can touch up as many times in the day and it never looks caked on or overdone.
MaxFactor Clump Defy False Lash Effect £10.99 (waterproof)
For mascara, one that really defines the lashes will make the eyes look bigger and more awake. This has one of those plastic brushes so it really separates the lashes and adds extra length. The waterproof  formula is really good because it dries quickly and then doesn't budge all day.
Soap and Glory Peach Party £11
This is one of my favourite favourite products in the look. It's a shimmer brick with some pink and peach tones and also some copper/brown tones. This is a blush/highlight hybrid that will instantly perk up the cheeks leaving a fresh and natural shine. I think this would suit so many types of skin tones: the light pink shades will be great on porcelain pale skin, the peach and pink will suit warm and cool skin tones and the darker brown will add a lovely bronze that warms the face with a touch of shimmer.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer £23.50
If you're into a more contoured look, like me, the Hoola bronzer by benefit is the perfect balance between an ashy/shadowy colour and a warm orangey colour. It's the perfect shade for a light touch of shadow below the cheekbones which gives just a bit more definition to the face.
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus £5.99
Finally, pour le bouche, this tinted lip balm is a perfect rosy colour that will add colour while hydrating those chapped dried out lips that are the product of dehydration and staying in bed all day. Hibiscus is such a deep berry toned colour that's still easy to throw on and wear throughout the day.

And that's the final touch. Sorry again for the lack of posts, more will be coming this week.

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

First Impressions: Revlon Colourstay Foundation

Last week, I stumbled across this rather popular beauty product that I had never seen in Boots before. I've scoured the Revlon counter times-a-many but I never thought to try this before. 

So, anyway, here we go, first impressions:

I've been using this for a couple of days, and I've not really worn it for longer than 12 hours, but from what I can tell, it's going to stand a firm favourite on my makeup table.

This is a great colour match; it's also on the yellow side which counteracts any redness that I have. It's quite thin but I would say it's medium coverage. The only annoying thing is that it doesn't have a pump so everything just POURS out ... 

This says it's specially made for combination/oily skin, and I agree that it applies generally matte with just a hint of dewiness to add back that healthy glow. Sometimes i find that throughout the day I have to re-powder but otherwise I find it stays quite well.

I think they do a dry/ normal skin type and the different types so I think I'm going to try those as well.

Have you guys tried any of them?

Revlon Colourstay Foundation £12.49

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

Maybelline Mascara: VERY waterproof

Hey everyone,

Starting off with a slightly off topic story: I went to my friends house for the night and left my MaxFactor waterproof mascara there so I didn't have one; the next day, I was in boots when a certain pink bottled mascara caught my eye.

"Great Lash mascara" it said, "Very Black Waterproof" it said.

So I thought, why not? I took it home and tried it on. I felt that it was quite hard to apply, the formula was thick and did not go on smoothly (or maybe I was just being a bit clumsy that day) It kind of reminded me of the Benefit They're real mascara- same small tapered brush (perfect for coating all the lashes); the same thick fibre-y formula (great for building up volume), the only thing being, this is about one quarter of the price.

Anyway, later that day, I went swimming, forgot completely that I was wearing makeup at all. When I came out of the pool, I thought I'd like some beaten up panda, but, lo and behold, I looked fine. Apart from the occasional smudge under the lash line from when I had rubbed my eyes, the mascara hadn't smudged much at all.

After using a few more times, I realised that, when this mascara has dried, it really stays. When removing, you don't need a cotton pad drenched in remover; I just use a regular cleansing balm. It's because: after it's dried, it stays dry, it comes off dry too. When I look in the mirror while cleaning my face, it all comes off and all I get is a little bit of black around my eyelids.

This mascara is AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. It's just as good as the Benefit one and even though it's waterproof, it's not a hassle to remove.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara £4.99

Lots of Love,

Sophie 

xxx

Had Me Sold at "Rose Gold"

Woah, okay. 

Can we all just take a minute to admire these brushes in all their rose-golden glory.

When I saw these on the zoeva website, I grew rather wide-eyed at the rose gold handles and the elegant leather pouch, and I followed them all the way to the checkout whereupon I splurged £50 in a mindless instant...

These are the ROSE GOLDEN luxury set with 8 beautifully soft brushes. The Zoeva brushes are great quality and I didn't just buy this set for gorgeous colours, this is an all round great collection that covers all the bases of everyday makeup. There is not one brush that i wouldn't use.

Some of my favourites are the powder brush for, well, powder; the face shape brush for contouring and the concealer buffing brush for blending concealer. I like these because I've never had such a dense and rounded contour brush and never such a precise buffing brush, solely used for concealer.

These brushes are a dream to use and i really want to try some more from Zoeva.

Let me know what your favourites are...

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

Lost and Found #3- Cleansing butter

Well hello and welcome to another of my LOST AND FOUND posts.

In case you're new around these parts, this is a chance for me to explain to you what I'm looking for and what I've found. 

In the last edition, I mentioned I was looking for a cleansing butter because I was trying to get into them without splurging on the expensive ones. 

This is the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Butter. £12 This is one of the first I tried so it took a bit of getting used to. The idea is that you take some of clean fingers and massage into a dry face. You can immediately see it breaking down your makeup and I think it does a pretty good job at removing mascara too. I suppose if you're using EXTRA waterproof mascara then something like BIODERMA might be useful as this requires you to rub at you eyes and lashes. 

I really like this because it's a good one step makeup remover and doesn't strip the skin of any moisture. If you're a heavy makeup wearer, you might like to repeat the steps. Of course, after this, i still use an astringent or deep cleanser to keep my blemishes at bay.

Overall I really like this and would definitely repurchase until I found another one. Any suggestions?

Lots of love,

Sophie

xxx

Goat Milk Brush Shampoo

NATURAL BRUSH SHAMPOO £16.00

Don't worry, we aren't brushing goats or any of that type of thing- just merely a new discovery for me. Now, in terms of Brush Cleaning, i had never been much of a fan, until I heard a few beauty bloggers talk about this.

This is £16 if you purchase from Liberty online, is this expensive for a brush shampoo? I wouldn't really know, but at least this is more expensive than I expected. Anyway, I accepted the small splurge to try and test this out. 

This says it is a pure goat milk solid shampoo. The basic idea is that you wet the brush, swirl it round in here and work it into the brush, then, you just rinse it off. Simple, easy and quick. I find that this really cleans the makeup of my brushes and even my forever foundation stained, used-to-be white brushes have shown their true colours again- and boy, is it satisfying...

The goat milk is meant to soften the brushes and keep the bristles conditioned and strong and I use this for spot cleaning she I need a clean brush, or a whole day of brush cleaning. Either way this is great to use.

I recommend cleaning your brushes often: obviously it depends on the type of brush- foundation brushes probably need to be cleaned at least once a week and then maybe powder or eye brushes once every two weeks.

I think I might want to try a liquid cleanser. Any suggestions?

Lots of Love,

sophie

xxx

Empties NO.2

Another empties post... my last one was a while ago so, here we are again, not too many but  I just like to keep you guys updated :)

PANTENE PRO-V SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER
+recently loved this because doesn't harm hair
+keeps hair smooth/not frizzy
+nourishes hair and leaves it SO SOFT

LUSH IMPERIALIS MOISTURISER £12.95
+yes yes talked about it before but I've gone
though yet another tub
+just great all round moisturiser, suitable for
balancing combination/dry skin

BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX SERUM
FOUNDATION £9.99
+lightweight, great for summer
+light coverage but still evens out skin tone
+moisturising and dewy

BATISTE DRY SHAMPOO £2.99/200ml
+takes away excess shine
+great for adding volume
+makes hair easier to style
+smells AMAZING :)

Rimmel STAY MATTE POWDER £3.99
(I couldn't take a photo because all the writing had rubbed off so there was no point)
+takes away shine
+still looks natural/not cakey
+sets makeup well

Lots of Love
Sophie
xxx

Everyday Summer Makeup

Happy FirstMondayOfMySummerHolidays! Well I'm happy anyway...

So the weather has been amazing in England. It's been warm and we've seen the extremely reclusive sun everyday last week. And so, I thought it appropriate to do a Summer inspired makeup look
thing...

BOBBI BROWN INTENSIFYING
LONG WEAR MASCARA£19.50
+tiny brush for no clumps, extra volume
and separation
+makes lashes look natural but long
+doesn't smudge so great for summer
(not quite waterproof)
-a bit expensive but worth it

MAXFACTOR FACE FINITY 
3IN1FOUNDATION,
PRIMER AND CONCEALER SPF 20 £11.99
+has SPF so great for summer
+light to medium coverage/looks natural
on skin
+blends amazingly

SOAP AND GLORY KICK ASS 
CONCEALER/POWDER
£12.00
+mainly just use powder but it's
translucent so doesn't change colour
+doesn't go cake so great for touch ups

MAC LIPSTICK IN COSMO £15.50
+pretty pink/nude colour great for
everyday
+amplified creme finish so super
creamy
+glides on and not drying

BENEFIT BOI-ING CONCEALER £17.50
+highly pigmented, covers redness
+creamy so doesn't show dryness
+doesn't irritate my skin further

BENEFIT HOOLA BRONZER £23.50
+perfect warm colour for summer
+great for bronzing all round the face
+or for sculpting/contouring

Where's everyone going for summer?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx

June Favourites

Hey everyone, 

So another month has gone by and it's time for another favourites post.

MAC AMPLIFIED CREME LIPSTICK IN COSMO
£15.50
lovely pink, nude colour, easy to wear everyday
creamy and stays on the lips

SOAP AND GLORY KICK AS CONCEALER £10.00
great translucent setting powder, two concealers: one for redness
and one for under eyes

NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER £22.00
expensive but worth it, covers up blemishes well,
isn't drying and lasts forever

TANYA BURR LIP GLOSS IN SMILE, DREAM SPARKLE
£6.99
cute, nearly colourless pink with extra sparkle
goes great on top of COSMO

L'OREAL NUDE MAGIQUE CC CREAM £10.00
amazing AMAZING, comes out green to counteract redness,
then turns into foundation with full coverage, looks natural,
easy to apply, looks better throughout out day,
definitely try for all skin types

MAYBELLINE THE FALISES VOLUM' EXPRESS
£7.99
lengthens lashes, no clumps, no smudging, extra volume

What should i try for July?

Lots of Love,

Sophie

xxx