Ombre Update And New Products

Well it seems my Ombre post was my most popular ever! Thought I'd keep you up to date with how it's doing, the semi permanent dye seemed to fade reeeally quickly so I popped on some L'oreal dye, Excell 10 in Frosted Blonde. A few of you have asked so here is what I would recommend doing, but this is a personal process so I do recommend reading my previous post for more details

1. Test a strand with bleach mixture, find the correct time for you by washing off the bleach and then blowdrying the hair (because who really has the time to air dry?!), if not light enough apply for a bit longer and wash and blowdry again.
2. Add a blondey light brown (turns out ashy shades work quite well) to counteract the brassy gingeryness
3. If you like it, do it to the rest of your hair!

I was asked if I applied the blondey light brown dye all over, no, I just applied it to the bleached ends, but I did take it a bit further up so it looked more gradual

Here it is a few weeks on...

And those products I've been loving??

 The Porefessional and Rimmel's Lasting Finish Foundation

I used to hate the Porefessional but it works quite nicely with this foundation

 MAC Cream Colour Base in Luna

I LOVE this so much, it looks quite dirty but it makes the perfect highlighter, love it especially with the foundation!

Natural Collection Apple Blossom and Max Factor cubey lipglossy thing in Soft Rose

On their own these products (for me) are a bit nothingy but I love the combination they make together. It really reminds me of YSL's Rouge Volupte in Sensual Silk (which I have but I have to ration it because THEY DISCONTINUED IT!) and MAC Hue. I'll do a comparison post soon! 

Here's all the products together, taken using hipstamatic

I'm loving brown smokey eyes at the moment, maybe I'll do a post on that too!

Love 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

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

Lash Accelerator Update: A Bit Impressed. .

Hey lovely ladies :)

Okay. I hold my hands up, I would be the first person to dismiss this mascara as stupid, totally useless, wouldn't work. But for some reason, I can't really admit to that. 

Last week, when washing my face I noticed that my outer corner eyelashes on one of my eyes (it's hard to explain which one, what's left to me is right to you!) were a bit short, shorter than usual. Which I have to admit is kind of why I picked up this mascara in the first place. Today I noticed that these eyelashes are now the same length and I am so so impressed. Have a look for yourself. . 

Before

Can you see how on the eye on the left (click to zoom) the lashes are a bit short? Have a look at the after shot

After

And a zoomed in shot, the red arrow shows how short my eyelashes were before

Photographic evidence! 

I do have to admit though I've been using this mascara as a base coat, and applying 17 Wild Curls on top, as I find it lengthens but doesn't give me the volume I like. When used after curling your lashes, I find Lash Accelerator is great for giving that 'fanned-out' look.

What do you think? I know I'm impressed.

Love Sophie xx

Review: Rimmel Lash Accelerator

Hello lovely ladies

I bought this mascara yesterday because well, I'm not really sure because I'm not feeling it's claims. Let's have a look at what this bad boy promises. .

A mascara and lash treatment in one that promotes natural lash growth for beautifully long and remarkably strong lashes - naturally.

Works both instantly and over time. Our advanced Ultra-lengthening formula delivers upto 80% longer instantly Used daily over 30 days, our innovative Grow-Lash complex promotes natural lash growth to create lashes that appear fuller, lusher and up to 117% longer. Clinically Tested. Containing Grow-Lash Complex known to have looking lashes

3 superior lash enhancing benefits:

1. STRENGTHENS - Helps minimise lash loss

2. NOURISHES - Supports lashes to grow strong & long 

3. RENEWS - Helps repair & restore lashes 

Yeah, maybe. Who thinks of this crap? 117% longer in 30 days? 117?!

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara - £8.99 (currently £2 off in Superdrug)

  I will be using this for the next 30 days and we'll see if my lashes really are lengthened by 117%. I actually can't get over the 117%. It's so ridiculous. 

First Impressions

Not too bad a mascara, nice consistency, does lengthen but doesn't really add volume. Easily layers without clumping, easy to use on bottom lashes. Works well with 17 Wild Curls/L'oreal Voluminous (although I didn't use these in the picture below)

Would I recommend it? Not sure yet.

Would I repurchase? Nope. It's not THAT great and I like volume more than length 

Have you seen this mascara? Think you'll try it?

Love Sophie xx 

Loves And Hates Of August

Wowee I can't believe I've been blogging for over 3 months! Anyways, on to my loves and hates

Loves

Models Own Nail Polish in Purple Grey - £5

I bought this in the Models Own Sale they had last week, and I love it. I love the colour (it's apparently a dupe for Paradoxal, not quite but not far off) Quite a bit of tip wear, that's after one day, but they did endure a long day at work. I wouldn't pay the full £5 as the fact they can sell them for £2.50 in the sale shows that they're not worth that much

Rimmel Pro Matte Top Coat - £4.49

I bought this with my advantage points so it was essentially free. AMAZING product, goes on shiny and dries super fast to a beautiful matte finish. And so smooth to touch!

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse - £2.49

So totally deserving of the hype, this product is so so good. It's a greeny browny mousse that looks like chocolate and gives an instant brown tinge. After an application (well, my idea of an application is do it, let it dry, do it again, sleep and hope for the best in the morning) this is what it looks like compared to my natural skin colour (my legs the pale one), NO ORANGE IN SIGHT!

L'oreal and Prestige Lip Pencils - between £3 - £4

I love love love these. Nude lip pencils are so much easier to come by than a good nude lipstick, as there are much more pinker tones which suit me more. Also I have a slight loss of pigmentation around my lips so these are great to fill that in

Hates

Garnier Pure A Intensive Night Gel - £4.49

Ah! I thought I would persist with this, but it has made NO difference whatsoever despite all the rave reviews on Ciao. I bet Garnier uploaded them. . 

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mist - £2.49

I couldn't get on with this. I had to use it in the shower and I felt like Ross in Friends with the spray going everywhere (love that episode!) And it didn't rub in. In fact I was so scared of it drying streaky I washed it off. The mousse is a billion times better.

Benefit The Porefessional - £23.50

 I won't go on too much about this, as I've already done a post. All I'll say is that's £23.50 I'll never see again

Let me know if you've got any loves or hates, and if you love or hate anything I do!

Love Sophie xx

I Need Your Help (AGAIN!)

Hello lovely ladies

As I'm sure you're aware, I have a fairly English Rose complexion. This is why I cannot get a high street foundation to work for me without me going 'ooh, a bit yellow' (in the words of a House Of Fraser MUA). It's also the reason why I can't really pull off nude lippie

So I came up with my own 'nude' lip, and I really want to know what you think of it on me. Do I look a bit weird? Do you think it suits me?

I personally quite like it, but I was wondering if I looked like a 90s throwback. You know, just watch ANY American film from that era and you'll see what I mean. . 

Oh and if you were wondering, I used

L'oreal Infallible Lipstick in Golden Grape
Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Heartbeat
L'oreal lip liner

Oh and this really made me giggle

Let me know what you think of my alternative nude!

Thank you, Sophie xx

FOTD

Hey lovely ladies

This is actually the face of last night, I went to my friends 18th but it's actually the same as todays so yeah

Eyes

• Mac Paintpot in Bare Study
• Rimmel Glam Eyes Eyeliner, my first go at using liquid in SO long
• but then I had to go and use Mac Fluidline
• Rimmel Wild Curls*

Lips

•  Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Heartbeat (the new one, review soon)

Face

• Collection 2000 Perfect Minerals Foundation
• Benefit It Stick
• MAC MSF Natural in Medium/Dark
• Topshop Cream Blusher in Nutmeg
• ELF All Over Stick in Persimmon (I think?) 

Do I need to do more adventurous looks? Or do you play it safe like me?

* Sophie's eyelashes were styled with lash inserts for an even lashline ;)

Love Sophie xx

Loves and Hates of July!

Hey everyone!

Wowee can't believe we're going into August! This year is going by so fast, don't you think? A couple of loves and hates for you, not a very hateful month this time as I'm trying to buy things that will actually work!

Loves

 17 Wild Curls Mascara - £5.99

I got this about a week ago, and I actually quite like it! I like the brush and I find that despite it not being THAT volumising I think it holds the curl, so I may have to add a couple of coats of L'oreal Voluminous on top. Here are my lashes with it with 2 coats. What I do like about this mascara is that it stays black all day. You know how some mascaras, by the end of the day you might as well not put any on in the morning? I hate that, but it's not the case with this.

Marks and Spencers Ladder Resist Cooling Open Toe Tights in Sun Tan - £4

Recently, Grazia did a feature on skin coloured tights so I thought I'd treat myself to a decent pair considering the recent drop in temperature, and how can you resist that sheen? How moisturised does that look? Hoping I can get away with the open toeness with my new sandles! 

Hates

Eyelash Curler as part of gift set with Wild Curls Mascara - £Free

Now I know its free and all, but it took me FOREVER to work out how to use it, and it looks like a weapon of torture. It gave an alright curl when I figured out how to use it (flip down the bit at the back?!) but it was so awkward to use I'm sticking with my Body Shop ones (an ultimate love, see my review here)

Rimmel Glam Eyes Mono Shadow in Spicy Bronze - £4.49

I'm a bit on the fence with this one. The price is a bit high for the quality and when I use it my eyes either look really nice or a bit bruised. It's a shade that needs eyeliner. I wouldn't say I hate it, but I think there are eyeshadows that are much better quality for the same price. On the other hand, the sponge applicator it comes with is actually quite good, it has two different sized ends for different application techniques.

What do you think guys? Got any of these products? What are you loving and hating? Let me know!

Love Sophie xx

Yay for Zooey!

Hey ladies

You've probably heard already but Zooey Deschanel is going to be the face of Rimmel's new mascara, Lash Accelerator. I'm a total fan of Zooey so I may just have to buy this! (Or at least enter Rimmel's competition for it which will no doubt come out soon)

Here's a sneak peek of the mascara, what do you think? Do you reckon all these mascaras that promise lovely lashes are a load of rubbish? And what do you think of the packaging? I'm not a big fan of the yellow but I think the ruler marks on the side are a nice touch!

Let me know what you think,
Sophie xx

PS Quick Inglot update, I can see the bottom of the pan in my foundation, only 2 weeks in! See my original post here

1-2-3 Looks!

Hey ladies!

So the other day I saw a suspicious looking package with my name all over it, and with a self-imposed buying ban it couldn't be anything I'd ordered?

So I opened it, and inside there was the 1-2-3 Looks Mascara, which Rimmel had sent me! This was really exciting, and I got it in the Brown shade.

Ok, I know you all want to see does it reeeally have 3 different looks? Have a look at these;

This is look number 1 which gives '3x more volume, for chic day-time volume' 

Now personally, when I'm doing my mascara I want the most volume, the thickest lashes so this isnt reaaally a look for me. I think it's nice enough, but it's a bit nothingy really.

So apparently if I turn to 2 I'll get 'up to 5x more volume, for more voluptuous volume'

 Now there's more volume for sure, and I think this makes quite a good lengthener too. This is a much nicer look than no.1 but still, not enough volume!

So the look I've been waiting for right? Turning to 3 you're promised 'up to 10x more volume, for dramatic volume'. And to be fair I'm actually really impressed, especially considering that this is a brown mascara.

Hehe you get both my eyes for this one! It's not quite L'oreal Voluminous, but I really really like it, and although the adjustable looks thing is novelty, I'm surprised to say it actually works. However, just one tip guys, if you think you could give up black mascara (even though personally I can't see much of a difference!), buy this in brown! I have the black version and it crumbles down my face throughout the day, by the time I got home in the afternoon I had a rather sooty nose! Not a good look. . 

Comment, follow :)

Sophie xx