Look Who's Back In Your Dashboard: Made For Me Naturals Lipstick

Bet you weren't expecting me any time soon? 

Thought I'd come back with a bang for my 100th post (okay not really a bang, but I've got some nice lipsticks to show you?)

These lipsticks are the L'oreal Made For Me Naturals (I think they're part of the Color Riche range?) and I love love love them. They don't get much loving on the internet (absolutely NO swatches anywhere) so I thought I'd do a post.

235 Nude on the left and 240 Dune on the right

After some Googling for a nude lipstick (and by nude I mean flattering and not concealer coloured) I thought I'd give these a try. If you watch Coronation Street, I have been lemming after Carla Connor's lipstick for a long long time. I'm terrible at finding things that match my skin tone, so with this range I reckoned not much could go wrong. I originally bought 240 Dune from Boots for around £8 so they're not cheap, and it's the lightest (I think) lipstick in the Dark Brunettes range.

I apologise for the poor photo conditions, I've just taken them and it's pitch black outside. This has a slight shimmer but it looks lovely with brown smokey eyes.

And that is where my love affair with these lipsticks began. I watched a video where L'oreal shows you how to get 'glamorous lips' and after much pausing and peering I noticed that they use the lipstick 235 (which I later found out was called Nude) and fell in love with the shade. However Boots being Boots didn't stock it so it was up to Ebay, and I managed to get my hands on it for less than half the price I paid for Dune.

This lipstick is (I think) for Blondes, but the model in the video is Brunette so I don't care. It's more pink than Dune and has more of a satin finish. 

I really recommend having a look through these (and then buying them off Ebay)

Let me know what you've been up to, and here's hoping I don't disappear again

Love Sophie xx

Vaseline On A Stick

Who else was genuinely excited at the prospect of whipping out a tube of Vaseline? 

Oh just me then?

Haha well I'm sure you all know about the 4 new chapstick-style Vaselines but I got my first the other day and I love it!

I didn't succumb to the cocoa butter Vaseline tin because um, it didn't taste like chocolate. Neither does this but I wanted it anyway! I really think this cocoa butter range tastes just like original Carmex.

I love love love this, it's great to see the look on people's faces when they see a stick of Vaseline and I know I'll be picking up the rosy one too

Have you got yours yet?

Sophie xx

Want 20% off at ASOS but don't have an NUS Card?

Just enter

GRAZIANOV

at the checkout to get 20% off until 17th November

and don't forget there's FREE delivery!

Already ordered me some beaaautiful nude heels. What will you buy?

Love Sophie xx

Cleaning Brushes?

My name is Sophie and I'm incredibly lazy.

There I said it.

Therefore I need a super easy way to clean my favourite brush ever in the whole wide world

It's the Sigma F80 and it is AMAZING

But its a bit of a mess :(

Cheap and easy ways to clean brushes por favor? Preferably with things I'll already have in my house?

And while I'm here, what's your favourite ever ever brush?

Sophie xx

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks

Hey everyone, I'm back! You've probably forgotten what I look like, right?

But anyways I somehow managed to end up with 2 of the Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks, one in possibly the lightest shade they've got, and one in the darkest. I'm not sure how much they are now but I paid £3.99 each

If you've seen the advert, it's of Zooey Deschanel covering a room with paint (I think), you would never in a million years associate that advert with these lipsticks. After the beautiful packaging of the Moisture Renew lipsticks these are a bit of a disappointment. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks in Asia and Starry Eyed

I do really like these lipsticks. Asia is a kind of browny-pinkish nude and Starry-Eyed is a purplish red. I love how you can easily mattify these lipsticks with tissue and they don't dry out your lips. 

I'm not sure what the claim is but they're NOT that long lasting and they taste a bit strange (kind of like the Maybelline Color Sensationals?)

Have you tried these lipsticks? Are you a Rimmel fan?

Sophie xxx

All That Style

You know those girls, the ones that look amazing whatever they wear, always look beautiful, yeah well I hate them.

Haha only kidding (maybe..) but if you're anything like me and spend hours looking through fashion blogs and Lookbook then you'll love Nadine's blog

I hope you love it as much as I do!

Click heeere to have a look 

Love Sophie

(favourites post coming soon I promise!)

Youtube Subtitles

Okay, I think I have quite a bit of time on my hands, but if you're stuck for something to do, I totally recommend watching a video on Youtube and using their 'subtitles'

Just click there

and when fifty vote?

nope, she actually said in 150 Buff.

I love it!

Some more from this video:

It's just a very very dark cream eyeshadow: She and the eighth cretien

I'm going to use that in the waterline: Anthony you work for

I've got my top lashes in place: I've been crying

Seriously, Youtube??

Have a lovely evening

xxx

Embracing The Pale

This is a much requested post that I've been meaning to do for ages!

As I'm sure you all know I am quite pale, half the foundations I own are called Ivory! However I do have freckles and fortunately (even though I hate them!) they do warm up my face a bit. Yet in these winter months I always feel as if my skin is grey and that I have really uneven pigmentation on my face. Which is why I am a foundation addict.

I don't use foundation to cover up my skin, however I do like a heavier coverage. In recent months however, there has been a definite increase in brands offering sheer yet 'flawless' foundations, and I'm rather partial to those too!

For the time being though, I'm going to be discussing the following foundations, and most of them are in the palest shades available. I would love to do a post on foundations for darker skintones, but I don't know much about that do I!

At the end of the post I'll be showing rubbed in swatches and other alternatives which I love

Revlon ColorStay in Sand Beige

I love this foundation, despite buying a shade too dark. It lasts ages and is quite high coverage. I mix this with Healthy Mix

Revlon Beyond Natural in Light and Light/Medium

This foundation is a sheerer one. As you can see the pale is really pale and the medium is quite, orange. I think it's because these two are really old, but the white turning to your ideal shade is a bit of a gimmick. Wouldn't really recommend.

Rimmel Stay Matte in 100 Ivory

I do like this foundation as it does keep you matte without the need for powder but the shade is so OFF. It is nowhere near ivory, quite orange and I'm disappointed in Rimmel for this :( Medium to high coverage.

Bourjois Healthy Mix in Vanille Clair 51

Possibly my favourite foundation ever. I've repurchased this many times (it's currently £6.99 in Boots) and I even bought the matching concealer which if I'm honest, I prefer to Touche Eclat. Medium coverage but it's buildable and doesn't cake. I LOVE THIS!

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid in Ivory

I really liked this foundation, but it is still a bit too orange. It's one of those ones that looks fine at first, but whilst out you realise you have a severe case of different colour face to neck syndrome. Medium buildable coverage and feels lovely to the touch.

Max Factor Lasting Performance in Pastelle

The packaging on this one makes me shake my head in disapproval. It's so . . cheap! Fairly pale and quite heavy coverage but not that flattering.

MAC Face and Body in N2

 You all know I love this one! It sets like jelly. Haha that was a really bad metaphor but what I mean is it sets really nicely. Oily girls might need a bit of powder though but I love this.

Here are all the foundations rubbed in a bit

Other Foundations I Like

• The palest Face and Body is great for mixing with foundations that you find too dark
• Sleek offer the lightest and darkest foundations you'll find in Superdrug

Let me know what your favourites are!

Love Sophie xx

Guess The Brand + No7 Vouchers Giveaway

When I saw this in my friend's box of nail varnishes I had to use it!

And now I want you to guess the brand of it!

 

I'll give you a clue, it's high end!

I also have a few No.7 £5 off vouchers (you know the ones) that I really shouldn't use, so if you fancy taking one off my hands include your email with your guess

To make it fair, I won't publish any of your guesses until the 'giveaway' (pah!) closes on

Friday 29th October at 11am

Get guessing ladies!

Sophie xx

PS Nice long blogpost coming up on foundations for paler skintones!

Winter Face

I don't know about you, but my make up routine completely changes when the days get shorter and the temperature drops

Not only do I pile on the moisturiser I tend to find I wear more on the lips and less on the eyes. I think this is probably the opposite of what EVERYONE else does, but you know me I'm a strange one!

I love a pale face in Winter, I always dye my hair a few shades darker and I think I'll always be a pale face dark hair kind of girl

Oh and incase you were wondering

Face: Revlon Colorstay, Touche Eclat and NYC Powder, Topshop Cream Blusher

Eyes: MAC Brule and L'oreal Voluminous (yes, really just the two products)

Lips: Topshop Lip and Cheek Tint

The lip and cheek tint is back in stock, I know lots of you went looking for it

it's here and I think it's also on sale in larger Topshops if you don't want to pay the RIDICULOUS £4 delivery charge.

What's your winter face? I tag you all to do a post and link it to me here

Sophie xxx 

Oh Hello Free Make Up!

Hey lovely ladies :)

I've been a terrible blogger lately but I wanted to tell you about this, this is one for all you Benefit/Elle lovers out there!

I love Elle magazine and I buy it every couple of months, as it is quite expensive. So when I saw the offer of 6 issues for £6 + free Justine Case travel kit I had to subscribe. My Justine Case arrived 6 days after I ordered (I reckon the people at Elle have a thing for the number 6!)

The offer ends on the 10th November and it is payable by Direct Debit


So until March I'll be enjoying my £1 Elles (and making sure I cancel the Direct Debit of £16.80 for the next 6 before then!)


Click here to view the offer



Have a lovely evening
Love Sophie xx

Eyebrows

Morning lovely ladies!

Eyebrows. You either love them or you hate them. Now I am in love with eyebrows.

I love asking people how they do their eyebrows. I appreciate a well groomed eyebrow. I also appreciate a thicker eyebrow. I love a good arch, and I love dark ones.

How do I do mine? I pluck them, I thread them, and I pencil them in like a mad woman. All because I love a good thick arched brow. 

A really bad photo showing you how I like my eyebrows!

Click for sources

How do you like yours?

Love Sophie xxx

Review: Revlon Colorstay

Hola Chicas!

Now do I really need to do a review on this foundation? It's well known for it's amazingness but I thought I'd add my 2 cents :)

Revlon Colorstay Foundation - £11.99

 

Now I have a love/hate relationship with heavier coverage foundations. I love the way they make my skin look clearer and more of an even colour. I hate the way they can be so drying and cakey and generally quite orange. 

However I think this foundation is a bit different. This foundation promises flawless coverage. If I see the word flawless the product could be absolutely rubbish but I'd still buy it. I mean it says flawless! 

Now this is flawless stuff, it makes you glow! Not in a woops I fell in the chip pan now I look shiny way, but in an I've swallowed a candle way. 

Bad points? Um bit tricky to get out of the bottle as there is a lack of pump, but it pours quite well on to my Sigma F80 (review soon!) and the price is a littttle bit steep for drugstore. But I don't mind I love it :)

I also love that you can buy it according to your skin type. If you love a heavier coverage, you will LOVE this. 

What foundation do you use?

Love Sophie xxx

Quick Update + AMAZING bargains

Hi everyone!

Super speedy post for you but just to let you know ASOS have a mid season sale on at the moment, they actually have some crazy bargains

You can pick up Posie Tint for £14, that's £8 off normal price!

There's also plenty of reduced Illamasqua available

With FREE delivery, what are you waiting for?

Click HERE to see all the make up they have reduced

Sophie xx

Also ladies, if you look over their on the right, you'll see I've got a new page dedicated to your questions, leave any questions you've got here and I'll answer them asap :)

Loves And Hates of September

Sorry I know it's a bit late but I lost my memory card, I was so upset at losing it I even dreamt about it :(

But I've found it so I can get on to doing my loves and hates of September. 

Loves

L'oreal Voluminous

Can you believe I only recently bought this? I have the original grey tube version but it pales in comparison to this. I love black black eyelashes as I'm quite pale and the greyish tone that the other voluminous had did me no favours! This is so much nicer

L'oreal Super Liner

Why is it that every other range in Boots seemed to have a 3 for 2 except L'oreal? Either way I love this eyeliner it is so so easy to use, lasts ages (even in the rain) and I'm just in love with it! Perfect and quite cheap too (£5.99 I think)

 NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder

I did a post on this quite recently and I'm still showing it some love. I think its great in that it's translucent so it doesn't look patchy. And a super huge bargain at around £2.50

 Neutrogena Concentrated Hand Cream

This stuff is AMAZING. It lasts forever as the tiniest blob can cover your whole hand. I use it on dry patches of skin and on my lips. It's perfect to put on your lips before using matte lipsticks as it's not a cream as such, more a gel so it dries quickly and isn't greasy.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Virgin

I love love love this colour. It is so heavily pigmented it's unbelievable. If you put it on top of black eyeliner it turns your eyeliner silver and as a testiment to how pigmented it is, it can pretty much blank out Mulch.

Hates

Okay I use the term hate loosely, I don't hate these products, they're just not getting much use lately

 
MAC MSF Natural

I love this powder I really do, but after getting back into my NYC powder this just feels too expensive, and not in a Tom Ford luxurious kind of way, but a why did I spend so much money on THIS kind of way. It's also a bit orangey for my liking.

Bourjois Smoky Eyes Trio Eyeshadow

These eyeshadows look really pigmented but they're not. Use a brush with these and you might as well not be using them at all. And I hate sponge applicators! Really nice idea and I love the packaging but the quality isn't that great. Also when I followed the instructions on how to get the smoky eye it was just so WRONG. No crease work, nothing. The darkest shade is to be used on the lash line. Dear me, that's what eyeliner is for!

Link me up to your monthly favourites!

Hope you had a lovely weekend,

Sophie xxx

Hello Winter + Aviator Jacket

A bit of a clothes haul for you today which I think is my first? But I got paid on Friday so thought I'd treat myself to some new things :)

H&M Aviator Jacket - £24.99

Possibly the biggest bargain all year? Crazily difficult to get hold of (they sold out on the website in under an hour I think) so if you see it, grab it!

Boots from New Look, Heels from Primark

New Look currently have 20% student discount, not sure until when but it's not for long so get down there! As you can see I love my neutrals and my *ahem* sensible shoes

 H&M 3 Way Dress £24.99

Can I just say, I am IN love with H&M's current collection! They've got some amazing pieces that rival Topshop's for a quarter of the price. Trust me, this dress does not look £25. The material is amazing and I also love the way it can be worn with both straps, one shouldered, or strapless. Amazing, super flattering, it's just a shame I wore it to my friend's 18th and accidentally spilt my drink down it. Woops.

Have you picked up any bargains lately?

Love Sophie xx

Big Bouncy Curls Overnight With No Heat. .

for less than £10?! It's possible. . 

(but be prepared for a very long picture heavy post showing you how!)

excuse the lack of make up, took the day off today as I was feeling so ill but had to get this post done!

 What you'll need:

Hairspray

4 Velcro Rollers

less than £4 at Superdrug

 

4 Sectioning clips or grips

 Sectioning Clips available at Superdrug for around £1

A hairband

5 perm rods

Perm Rods available at Boots/Superdrug for less than £2

 Take the top section of hair, the two side sections and a back section and wind them around your velcro rollers. Secure with the grips/sectioning clips and spray with hairspray until you get something like this

Make sure you try and roll the rollers so that all 4 are on top of your head so that if you sleep on your side you're not sleeping on top of them (not very comfortable!)

Next tie the rest of your hair into a ponytail and taking inch wide sections (basically splitting your hair into 5 or so sections) roll them around the perm rods. It doesn't have to be neat but remember the less hair you wind around them the more ringlety style curls you'll get. I prefer to use thicker sections of hair to get more of a wave

Et voila! In the morning take out the rollers and the rods and style your hair. I usually like to wear this with my hair to the side or in a side ponytail. 

As you can see there are tighter curls from the perm rods but unless you practically dip them in hairspray they will drop out to lovely big waves during the day.

What do you think? 

Love Sophie xx

It's a Cracker!

Well that wasn't a naff title. .

So I'm stuck a home with the nastiest cold (it's not fair!) so of course I got browsing and somehow ended up on Barry M's website.

Look at this! I'm so excited for this product, but I know it will be a bazillion years before my local Boots/Superdrug has it in stock

Barry M Instant Nail Effects Nail Paint - £3.95

And the video makes it look pretty easy too

Will you be picking this up?

Sophie xx

PS Let me know what you think of the new header?