Gerard Cosmetics Haul 2

Hello Lovelies!

A little while back Gerard Cosmetics had a whopping 50% off their website to celebrate them hitting 1 million followers on Instagram. I hade been wanting to make an order for a while (see my last haul here) so this discount was the perfect excuse! Here's what I picked up....

L-R: Iced Mocha, Ecstasy, Serenity, Ruby Slipper

I haven't tried the Hydra Matte Liquid lipsticks so I picked up 4 in the shades Iced Mocha, Ecstasy, Ruby Slipper and Serinitu which is the colour Manny MUA created for the brand. The formula of these is one of the nicest liquid lipsticks I have tried,the pigmentation is amazing, the colour doesn't bleed I don't even have to put a lipliner with them and the biggest bonus is that they don't leave you with that 'but hole' lips look (LOL) like some liquid lipsticks do!! 

Next I picked up the Star Powder in the shade 'Marylin' which is a beautiful gold/warm toned highlighter, the above swatch does not do the colour justice. This highlighter is now my firm favourite, it is so super pigmented you barely have to touch your brush into the powder to get the most amazing pay off. I can't wait to get my hands on all of the other shades of the Star Powders!! 

The final thing I picked up is the Eternal Eyeliner in black, which is a liquid eyeliner. I love the applicator on this its so easy to use and creates a perfect winged line.  However I'm not 100% keen on the formula of the liner, once applies the liner dries with a sort of sheen to it, so to the eye the liner looks almost wet. It also dries to more a dark grey colour rather than a jet black so I tend to use this liner to get the shape of the wing and I then go over it with another black liner to deepen the colour. 

Have you picked up any Gerard Cosmetics products recently? I'd love to hear some recommendations of what you think I should try next!

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XOXO Sophie 

NSpa Purchases

I am obsessed with the nspa range but unfortunately I don't have an ASDA that near to my house and it can be a bit of a trek to get too. But today I was out and about with work which happened  to be near to ASDA so when I finished early I decided to make a sneaky trip to have a look through their beauty aisles. 

The nspa range seems to really suit my skin and I am particularly in love with the Moisture mask it leaves my skin silky smooth. So I nearly jumped with joy today when I got to the nspa section and saw their products were on 2 for £8. So here's what I picked up....

I have been dying to try sheet face masks for ever after seeing various different celebrities using them in Instagram. What I loved about these nspa ones is that they have three masks for your face and two for the under eye area. The masks are infused with Papaya and Papain enzymes and Vitamin C and promise to leave your skin feeling moisturised and radiant. 

The second product I picked up is this Facial Oil. Again I've been dying to try a facial oil forever as I feel the skin on my face gets particularly dry and sore so I'm hoping so ething as intensely moisturising as an oil could be just what I'm looking for. 

I'll keep you updated on my thoughts on these two products. Have you bought ant nspa goodies recently? 

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XOXO Sophie

Hello 2016

 

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Happy New Year beauties!

I cannot believe it is 2016 already, I feel like time is flying by.  Hope you all had a fabulous New Year's Eve and all celebrated in style! I spent the evening with my best friend and our families, we went down to one of the wine bars in my local village and then back to my friends house for a takeaway. It was the perfect start to the new year! 

Today I thought I'd share with you my goals and resolutions for 2016....

Blogging/YouTube 

For the last 2 months I have completely slacked off with my blog.  I went from posting 2-3 times a week to struggling to post once a month.  I don't really know what threw me off my game but I want to get back into blogging regularly. I've missed it so much as it is something I truly love and enjoy doing. So I've spent the Christmas period planning new posts and ideas of where I'd like my blog to go and I plan on getting back on the blogging band wagon. 

YouTube was something I tried my hand at in 2015 and I had completely underestimated the time/effort that is needed to film, edit and upload a video. But I actually loved filming myself applying makeup and creating different looks. So in 2016 I want to branch further into YouTube and create videos on a regular basis. I've decided to treat myself to a ring light (finally!) which will help with the quality of my videos/pictures massively!

Health/Fitness

Every year I make the resolution "this is the year I get skinny" and every year I fail lol. With my 'diet' plans this year I've decided not to set myself to unrealistic goal of 'getting a a body like Gigi Hadid in 1 month' instead I'm just going to continue to improve my choices which will lead to me leading a healthier lifestyle. Last year I signed up to the Body Coach's 90 day challenge and loved the plan, I've never found anything else that's worked so well for me. So I treated myself to the new Lean in 15 cookbook to give me lots of recipes and tips to help get my diet back on track. I also got the new Lauren Goodger fitness DVD to help me work out at home, I got to boxing/fitness style classes already but wanted to have something I could do at home for an extra workout. 

Positivity

Anyone who knows me would probably know I can be a bit of a negative nancy and I can struggle with feeling positive.  Last year I finally read The Secret and I can honestly say it changed my life. I read just one chapter and after was chatting to my mum who commented on the difference in my outlook on things. The book puts everything into perspective and helps you to understand your feelings of negativity.  Even though I've read the book, I like to keep it on hand to re-read as and when I find I'm struggling with feeling positive. Currently I find when I am reading the book or have just read it, I am so positive and can put my thoughts into perspective but I struggle to keep this positivity up all the time. So this is what I want to work on in 2016, I want to learn how to keep positive thoughts and outlooks continuously so I can lead a happier life!

What's are your resolutions and goals for 2016? 

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XOXO Sophie 

What I got for Christmas 2015

Hellos Lovelies!

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas and eaten way too much just like me!  One of my favourite parts of Christmas is seeing what everyone got for Christmas, I love being nosey and seeing what goodies you all got.  So this year I thought I'd write a post on what I got for Christmas! This is by no means me bragging about what I had, just a post for all of you who are as nosey as me!! So carry on reading if you want to see what my wonderful parents and Grandmother got me this year...

*I've tried to link all I can't buy some items are no longer available online. 

A few weeks ago my Mum mention she had got my 'main' present for Christmas off her and my Dad, which I had no idea what it was as I hadn't asked for anything.  So I was over the moon on Christmas morning when I opened up these personalised number plates!! I love the fact I'll have them forever, my brother also got some so we're like twins now haha!

Beauty 

I had this gorgeous YSL Black Opium gift set from my best friend April, it's my new favourite sent I've been dousing myself in it everyday since Christmas.

Phillip Kingsley 5 Little Wonders Gift Set - this gorgeous set has 5 mini hair care products 

Elnett The Catwalk Collection Hairspray - this is the best/only hairspray to use!

Elnett Heat Protect Spray - I'm so excited to try this as I love the hairspray so much

Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection Essentials - I haven't tried any of the bold metals collection yet so I cannot wait to try these

Clinique Moisture Surge - I have really dry skin so this moisturiser is perfect for me 

Pixi Glow Tonic - another must have which I have been dying to try

GlamGlow Face Mask - I have been DYING to try this forever

Sephora Makeup Bag - the slogan couldn't be more me!

Benefit Real Cheek Party Palette - this amazing palette comes with 5 box powders, what's up highlighter, They're Real mascara and eyeliner

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette - how insane is this, cannot wait to try it for New Year's Eve 

MAC Give Me Sun Bronzer

MAC 168 Brush

Autograph Golder Rose Highlighter - massive thank you to April for scouring the UK to get me this!

Maxfactor False Lash Mascara - it wouldn't be Christmas if my Mum didn't get me one of these

Bomb Cosmetics Giant Bath Bomb Cracker 

P.J's

River Island Slippers - these haven't left me feet since Christmas Day

Marks and Spencer light up bed socks

Boux Avenue Pyjamas 

Everyday Essentials 

New Look Watch - I asked my Mum for an 'everyday' watch for work and I love this one she picked out.  It's both silver and gold which means I can wear it with anything

New Look Studded Handbag - Mum also picked me up this stunning bag from New Look as my new work bag

Yankee Candle Season of Peace - my brother got me this lovely candle and the smell is gorgeous! 

Tasty Treats

Costa Mug - I'm always looking for a travel mug to put my tea in for work and I love this Costa one my parents got me, it's really big so will fit lots in 

Princess Mug - My Mum said she couldn't resist getting me this...says it all really lol

Absolut Giftset - I'll be cracking this open NYE

Drumstick Tub - my favourite sweets! 

Khloe Kardashian Strong Looks Better Naked and Amy Childs 100% Me - I can't wait to read these books in the new year 

Unicorn iPhone 6 Case - my best friend April knows me so well!!

I also had money from my Grandma and my other Grandparents. 

These two I didn't get for Christmas but thought I'd chuck them in anyway. I'd pre-ordered the Body Coach's Lean in 15 new cookbook back on Black Friday for half price of about £7.50 which is a complete bargain, the book is massive and full of new recipes and tips.  Usually I'm not one to but or be tempted by exercise DVD's but after seeing how amazing Lauren Goodgers transformation has been I just had to get her DVD.  They both arrived today and in good time, I've over indulged so much over Christmas I'm actually looking forward to cutting down lol.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I had for Christmas! I would love to see what you all got, please tweet me links to your posts so I can't have a read! 

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XOXO Sophie 

Kim Kardashian Holiday Inspired Makeup

After seeing this photo Kim posted of herself to her Instagram here, I instantly fell in love with her makeup - super glowy skin, gold eye and bold red lip - the perfect look for the upcoming holidays.  So when I headed out for a few drinks Saturday night I had try recreate this look.

Benefit Porefessional
Gerard Cosmetics BB Cream + Illumination
Makeup Forever HD Foundation 
Maybelline Eye Eraser Concealer in light
Illamasqua Loose Transulcent Powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit light to medium (Java)
Ben Nye Banana Powder
Milani Baked Bronzer #4
Nars Orgasm Blush
Carli Bybel Palette for highlight

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Carli Bybel Palette - eyes
Barry M Soft Eye Crayon in Bronze
Maxafctor Falase Lash Effect Mascara
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Red Cherry Wispie Lashes
Whitening Lightening Brow Bar to Go in Ebony

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Red
Amrezy Lipland Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Brooklyn

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XOXO Sophie 

Rezy

Hello Lovely's

I am so so sorry it has been so long since my last post, life just seemed to totally take over the last few weeks and unfortunately I just haven't been able to find the time or motivation to get blogging. But that's going to change now! I've missed blogging so so much these past few weeks and now feel ready to throw myself right back into it in time for the festive season. 

A couple of weeks ago it was Beaujolais Nouveau day in Swansea which meant a day off work to get super dressed up to go out and celebrate the first wine of the season being released. It's a massive occasion in Swansea but I don't know how widely celebrated accross the UK it is. So here's the outfit I wore along with the makeup look I created on the day!

Dress - Dollys Boutique Essex Online in black

Shoes - Public Desire 

Necklace - ASOS

Face 

Mac Strobe Cream

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation #7 

Mac Pro Long Wear Concealer NC20

LA Girl Pro Conceal in Beyond Bronze to contour

Ben Nye Banana powder to set under eyes

Illamasqua loose translucent powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in light

Milani Baked Bronzer #4

MilanJi Blush in Berry Amore

Carli Bybel Palette highlighter

Eyes 

Barry M Eye Crayon in soft brown

Carli Bybel BHcosmetics palette

Benefit They're Real gel liner

Maybelline Gel Liner in black

Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara in black 

Velour Lashes 'Carli lash'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip brow in dark brown

Lips 

Mac  'whirl' lipliner

Amrezy for Lipland liquid lipstick in Rezy 

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XOXO Sophie 

Statement Bling

I was so excited when I received my Mirina Collections 'Vivian' necklace last week that I had to wear it straight away and I had the perfect opportunity when I was going out for a meal on Friday evening.

As the necklace us such a statement I wanted to keep my outfit pretty plain and simple.  These are the only two outfit photo's I managed to quickly snap before I had to run out of the door but I managed to get a few makeup shots and close up's of the stunning necklace.

Jeans - ASOS Similar 
Body - BooHoo
Waistcoat - Primark
Shoes - Public Desire 
Necklace - Mirina Collections 'Vivian'

Face: 

MAC Strobe Cream 

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC30 

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20

Illamasqua Translucent Loose Powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in light

Milani rose blush in #2 Flora Passion

Makeup Studio Eyeshadow ilumiere in Ivory Gold as highlight

Eyes:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Courture World Traveller Palette 

Vegas Nay for Eylure lashes in Easy Elegance

Max Factor Flase Lash Effect Mascara in black 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown

Lips:

MAC Lip liner in Stone

Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick in Berry Smoothie 

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XOXO Sophie