Monday 17 November 2014

Christmas tag!!



So it's that time of year again!! And what better way to kick it off than with the Christmas tag, if you read this then I tag you to to do it aswell!

1 - What is your Favourite Christmas Movie(s)?
Miricale on 34th Street and many others!  I will literally watch anything Christmas based this time of year. ( I will be doing a post on my top 10 Christmas films soon)

2 - Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Day!! On Christmas Eve we put all the presents under the tree, Hollywood film style, so I don't want to spoil the look too soon!!

3 - Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
When I was 8 my parents wrote a thank you letter to my brother and myself form Santa for the mince pie and milk complete with plenty of glitter.  We were so excited!! Then we noticed a trail of glitter leading out of the living room to the bathroom.  My parents had even put glitter on the toilet seat!! We felt so special that Santa had actually used our toilet!!

4 - Favourite festive food?
Mince pies!! But I don't let myself have them until the 1st of December,  once I start it's a slippery slope!

5 - Favourite Christmas Gift?
Anything that's a surprise!  I'm so easy to please that I've loved everything I've ever had.

6 - Favrouite Christmas scent?
I love a bit of cinnamon, give me a cinnamon candle and I'm happy for the Christmas season.

7 - Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
As a child we had to put the mince pies, carrot and milk out for Santa, now it's put on new pjs, pop a Christmas film on and get to bed!!  Don't want to stay up to late just incase Santas real!

8 - What tops your tree?
We have a angel that had been on top our tree for as long as I can remember, we've had to blue tac her head together a few times but it just wouldn't be Christmas without her.

9 - As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you asked for but never received?
I never asked for anything crazy, it was always my brother with the crazy list to Santa!  As soon as we were told to write our letters he would get the Argos catalogue out, writing everything he wanted including the price and product code to make sure Santa got the right one! This year is a bit of an extravagant ask for a new camera, I've not picked it yet so any suggestions are more than welcome!  

10 - What's the best part about Christmas for you?
A day off work!! But this year I have a 'new' little brother so me and my 'original' little brother get to do Christmas with all the over the top trimmings and of couse a visit to Santa!!

So there you go that's my Christmas tag!  As I said I tag you all! Let me know in gte comments if you've done it so I can have a read.  

Happy Christmas season everyone!

Winter warmer nails


So this time of year a lot of blog posts on nail colours are on deep reds and purples, but unfortunately 
with my pale colouring I look like I'm preparing for halloween.  So here are my winter warmer picks ...






Urban purple and Raspberry may look like pretty much the same colour, so your probably wondering why I would put both if these in this post?  Urban purple is a much warmer tone on the nail, and the brush is amazing!! It goes on so easily and one coat is all you need, while Rasberry is a cooler tone, with a thinner brush but I love both the same!
301 is a matte nails colour from Topshop.  I'm not usually a fan of orange nail varnish but with it being matte it's just perfect especially for this time of year.
My final winter warmer pick is another Topshop one, Powder.  I bought this at the beginning of summer but seems I've only just fallen in love with it! It's a really soft pink but with flecks of silver that give your nails a festive sparkle.
I'm always on the look out for new colours to try, do you have a favourite colour? Let me know!







Winter ice nails






While many of you are reaching for the beautiful plum colours that are so popular right now how about a different take on our winter nails?  These are my six winter ice favourites, now wishing for snow will only get any of us so far but with these colours we can all have a lil bit of snow and icy sparkle this winter.

Barry M - Pure Turquoise 
Nails inc - Cambridge Terrace 
Topshop - Beleza 
Maxfactor - Prussian Blue
Barry M - Cobalt Blue
Barry M - Blue Moon 


I can't seem to go wrong with a Barry M nail colours they always go on so well and last!!  And with the amount of colours they have you will always find the right colour for every occasion.
Some metallic colours can go on a big patchy and take a ridiculous amount of coats to look just ok, but Cambridge terrace from nails inc is amazing, it's the one I always recommend if someone is looking for a beautiful silver.
I love the little Maxfactor nail varnishes!  Their just so so cute!!
And last but not least is a Topshop glitter varnish in Beleza, you get so much glitter on your nail without having to add layer after layer, it's perfect over all of these other colours to add a little extra sparkle or simply on its own.

I'm always on the lookout for new colours, if you have any suggestions let me know in the comments!









Sleek palette looks

So, here as promised are some looks using the Sleek Au Natural palette that I bought a few weeks ago.  I've used this everyday and have worked out a few of the issues I found in the first week with some of the colours, and now they are all pretty amazing on.

As I said in my palette review they are not the most pigmented shadows I've ever used but with a little patience and the right brush they blend really well.  Some of the darker colours (with the exception of Noir, build this colour up or you look like your getting ready for Halloween) can be patchy when applied using the applicator in the palette but I have be using a eye shadow brush from h&m only £1.99 that has worked brilliantly.  It's very similar to the e.l.f blending brush but it is a bit fluffier so it dusts the eye a bit more, meaning when you build the colour up it doesn't end up patchy.  If any of you do decide to go out and purchase this palette or any of the the others in the range do keep in mind the price, it is only £7.99 so it isn't going to be out doing your Urban Decay naked palettes anytime soon, but it is a really good palette and the price is a bonus.

- sorry about the picture quality, I had to take them on my ipad.




These are my go to work/lunch looks (obviously not at the same time), I don't often use eyeshadow during the day but these are the two looks I tend to go for. On the left I have only used Taupe and on the right I have used a base of Nubuck, Bark in the crease, a light dusting of Taupe over the whole eyelid and a small amount of Mineral Earth over the crease colour. You can see it better below -


The next is a look a tend to go for if I'm going out to dinner or something like that. I've used a heavy layer of Taupe with Moss in the crease, I would normally wear eye liner with this look but only a subtle brown -
 


The final look is one that goes with pretty much everything, for this I've used Cappuccino as a base, Moss in the crease with Toast over to lighten the colour, this is a really good colour for this time of year -


All of these looks took under a minuite to do, I don't usually use just one palette in a look but I wanted to show what this palette can do.  Hope you liked this post, have any of you done reviews on this palette or others in the range? Let me know!




Saturday 25 October 2014

One lovely blog award!



So I was nominated for the one lovely blog award - thank you to http://littlewhiteroad.blogspot.com
Check out her blog it's got a bit of everything!

The rules for the One Lovely Blog Award are:

1. Name and thank the person that nominated you and leave a link to there blog 

2. Share seven things about yourself 

3. Nominate fifteen or so other bloggers 

Seven facts about me:

1. I hate tea but love to buy cute tea cups.

2. I love Tortilla - spanish omelette.  As soon as I touch down in spain I find a cafe and get me some tortilla!! It never comes out the same when I make it at home.

3. I graduated in Fine Art and think I actually know less about art now than I did when I started.

4. I make it my mission to find Vogue in every country I go to, whether I understand anything in it or not, it's always full of pretty pictures anyway.

5. I love a game of bingo on a Sunday night and I am not ashamed.

6. I love to travel and will one day be living in Spain, hopefully Palma, need to practice my spanish a bit more before then though.

7. As much as I love design and fashion my favourite job has been as a recreation assistant, basically a lifeguard but with a lot of cleaning. 

Ok so these are the blogs I am nominating, I love all of these blogs!  You should definitely check them out.  

1. rhiannontalksfashion.blogspot.co.uk
2. rose-gold-blog.blogspot.co.uk
3. penneystoprada.blogspot.com
4. Jen-theblondeblogger.blogspot.com
5. abigailtom97.blogspot.com
6. prettyperfectxoxo.blogspot.co.uk
7. lasidy.blogspot.co.uk
8. simplysophhh.blogspot.co.uk
9. emmaxoxobeautyblog.blogspot.co.uk
10. littleditsydaisy.blogspot.co.uk
11. pinkrosebeautyy.blogspot.co.uk
12. wearemonochrome.blogspot.co.uk
13. daisayy.blogspot.co.uk
14. cupcakesandcandyflossblog.blogspot.co.uk
15. ellasbeautyoasis.blogspot.co.uk




New posts

B



Over the past few months I have been a little bit everywhere attempting to find some inspiration for some new design projects, which I can now happily say I have!!  

I'm sorry for the late replys to messages and comments but I think I have replied to you all now, if I have missed you I'm so sorry and feel free to comment and tell me off!! 

This is only a quick post to say sorry for not posting regularly but that is all changing!! I have lots of photos ready to use in post I have in mind.  There will be posts on design, starting a buisness, travel and of course reviews on beauty, fashion and holidays!!  I will be posting a few looks using the Sleek palette I reviewed the other day on Wenedsay so please check that out.

If there are any posts you would like to see let me know!

Also you can follow me on ...
Instagram - www.instagram.com/sophi_arose
Twitter - www.twitter.com/sophi_arose

-x-


Tuesday 21 October 2014

Sleek palette review

  Sleek makeup - i-Divine eyeshadow palette - Au natural





Last week I went on a lil cruise and needed some new natural eye shadow colours to take with me.  I had seen a few reviews on this palette so decided to give it a go myself.  I chose the palette in Au Natural, it has a really nice mix of matt and metallic shadows which was just what I was looking for.

The palette is in a matt black that looks more expensive than it is, it comes with a double ended shadow applicator and it has a really nice big mirror inside which is perfect. 

This palette works for both day and night, any occasion and it's so affordable only £7.99 from boots for 12 colours.  The metallic colours Taupe, Conker and Mineral Earth are really pigmented and don't have glitter in!!  The other 5 colours in the first row are not that pigmented so you do need to layer it up a bit, but they are perfect as base colours or just to add a lil something during the day.  Again the colours on the bottom aren't as pigmented as more expensive brands but for the price they are so so good.   The colours are also perfect if your just starting out with your makeup colletction or experimenting with new looks as they are really good colours for blending and you can't go far wrong whichever colours you put together.




I found them so easy to use in lots of different looks, my go to at the moment is a base of Cappuccino layered with Taupe and a lil bit of smoky eye using the Bark colour.  But they also looked amazing doing a subtle summery eye and a bold smokey eye.  I will definitely be buying this again and will definitely want to try out two other palettes in the range 
- Oh So Special which are cool colours in pinks which will be perfect for this winter
and
- Storm which has a mix of cool and warm colours in blues, pinks and purples

If you want to see any of these colours in a completed look let me know.

-x-

Cruise essentials




Cruise Essentials -

Ok so there's no point pretending that this is all I took with me - I could barely close my makeup bag - but I thought I would just do a quick post on what I found the most useful.  

If you've booked any excursions you are pretty much going to have to leave the ship early 8-9am, which after a night partying or playing bingo is not ideal.  

Make up wipes were my friend as I fell into bed, and the boots eye gel made everything look better the next morning.  

I used both the nivea moisturiser with SPF 15 and the BB cream in light also with SPF 15, there nice and quick to apply doing you sun protection, moisturiser and make up in one!! The Maybelline highlighter just adds a little more finish to your look.

For eyes the sleek eye shadow palette was all I need day and night!! - I will be doing a review on this so check that out.

And finally hair!!! As I mentioned there are plenty of early mornings and the batiste dry shampoo will be your best best friend!! It doesn't leave your hair sticky, just looking and feeling clean and nobody would know you were being lazy!!
I have thick wavy hair so a cabin hair dryer just doesn't cut it, I would be stuck there for hours!  So I use the John Freda original Frizz Ease.  It has heat protection so all I do is apply it to wet - but not dripping - hair and blow dry about 25% and leave to dry naturally.  I find that my hair drys quicker with this on than without and it leaves my hair looking shiny and wavy.

So there you go!! Those were my cruise essentials hope they help you with packing for any holiday.  If you want reviews on individual items let me know.

-x-

Monday 6 October 2014

Autumn tag...


                                  
                



I know that pretty much everyone has already done this tag but seen as this weekend I still went down to the beach in shorts and flip flops I didn't really feel ready to admit summer was over, but I've got to admit my toes were a lil numb by the time I got home so this post is me admitting that summer has well and truly left me and you can get a lil insight into me! Enjoy!


1. What is your favourite seasonal drink from Starbucks/Costa/Nero?
  I absolutely love starbucks signature hot chocolate with cream!!  I also love grabbing one to go to keep my hands warm while doing my Christmas shopping.

2. Accessories - what do you opt for? Scarves, boots or gloves?
  I love them all!  But if I had to pick it would be scaves I buy a ridiculous amount of them throughout winter and stock up on them in the sales ready for the next year.

3. What music do you prefer in autumn?
  I tend to stick to summer dance songs until it's appropriate to play Christmas songs all day everyday! I like Christmas.

4. What is your favourite perfume for this time of year?
  I actually don't wear perfume as such I find that they always smell so weird on me kinda like potatoes.  I thought I was just imagining it but everyone I've explained this to has agreed.  But during the colder months I do like to spritz something on my scarf this year it's Nina Ricci L'Elixir.

5. What candle will you be burning this year?
  I actually don't know yet but probably something with cinnamon and most definitely from Yankee candle.

6. What do you love most about Autumn?
  The excuse to buy a new wardrobe!! I love buying a few to a lot of new things to brighten up what I already have and shopping for Christmas decorations of course.

7. What are you looking forward to this Autumn?
  Christmas shopping!! Yay!!  Wearing all the new warm clothes I'll be buying!  And of course the excuse to be snuggled up on the sofa ridiculously early just because it's dark out. 

8. What is your favourite Autumnal make up look?
  I like to stick with the nude makeup look but adding darker tones on the eyes and a warmer blusher.


So that is all for the Autumn tag hope it was mildly enjoyable to read.  If you haven't already done it go and do it now!  It really gets you in the Autumn/Winter spirit.  I love to read these kinds of post so if you do one please comment and let me know so I can be nosy.

Happy Autumn everyone!!  x

Sunday 5 October 2014

Topshop nails

                               


                                               Topshop - matte nails - candy fox
                                                     Topshop - Heart of Gold


I am loving these two colours together at the moment everything I buy seems to be pink or gold!! 
These nails varnishes are perfect together using the gold as a minimal statement nail colour. And the matte nails vanishes are amazing I have bought so many of them.  I think everyone needs to try them out.  I can't normally pull of a baby pink nail but in matte in makes it so much more grown up, perfect for any occasion.

New blog

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