Saturday 29 August 2015

I'm a #MirinaGirl

Happy Saturday Loves!

Recently I was contacted on Instagram by the brand Mirina Collection to become one of their brand ambassadors.  After a bit of research into the company and the collection they had to offer I decided to become a #MirinaGirl.


About the brand:
Mirina Collections is a family owned business based in Miami, Florida.  They specialize in handmade, collection piece necklaces which no two are the same.  They also sell other pieces of jewellery including earrings and bracelets, as well as clothing, swimwear and accessorize.  Prices range from $7-199, so their is something affordable for everyone!


I was contacted by Brit, the founder and designer of Mirina Collections and she very kindly let me chose one of their 'Famous Necklaces' for myself.  I have to say everything on the site is BEAUTIFUL and I had such a hard time choosing which necklace I wanted to receive.  Eventually I settled on the Bohemian Statement Necklace 'Vivian' in Silver, which I have included a picture of below.  


As each necklace is a collection item they take around 2-3 weeks to be made, but for something that is 'one-off' I do not mind the wait!!  Once I receive mine I will be posting a complete review.


In the meantime though, the lovely Brit has given me my own exclusive discount code to offer to my readers and followers.  I'm so thrilled to start to be able to give back to everyone who reads my blog and watches me on YouTube.  So if you used the code 'Sophie20' at the checkout you can save 20% across the ENTIRE site!!  Shop Mirina Collections here

I have a few codes to offer all of you at the moment so I have included them in the 'discounts' section of my blog :)


I'd love to see your what you chose to purchase from Mirina Collectiosn (that's if you want to purchase!).

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XOXO Sophie


 

Friday 28 August 2015

Khloe Kardashian Inspired Makeup

I'm sorry I have been so MIA from my blog lately and haven't posted in almost two weeks!  Its a crazy busy time for me, mainly because I have a new job so am in the process of leaving my old one as well as preparing for my upcoming holiday.  I am off to Ibiza on Wednesday for a week and it literally couldn't come at a better time.


I actually filmed this makeup look around two weeks ago when I initially saw the below image of Khloe Kardashian on the Daily Mail and instantly wanted to create the look.

Showing some skin: The 31-year-old's LBD also featured sheer panels

Source


To be honest I almost didn't post this video as I'm so unhappy with the lighting in it.  I filmed super early one morning and as I'm in an attic room the light was super bright and harsh which hasn't done the makeup (or my face lol) any justice.  But anyway after much deliberation I decided to bite the bullet and upload as I really enjoyed creating this look.

This is the makeup that Khloe wore to Kylie's 18th Birthday party a few weeks back and I immediately fell in love with it!  She had bronzed glowing skin, bold blue eyes and a glossy nude lip. Colour on the eyes is something I usually shy away from, I think due to my early teen days when I used to plaster the most vibrant shadow in my collection all over my eyes, but after creating this look I think I'm converted.

I hope you enjoy this look, I have included a list of products used at the bottom of this post and if their are any looks you would like to see me create, please let me know.





Face:
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation in #7
Maybelline Eye Eraser Concealer in Light
LA Girl Concealer in Beyond Bronze
Illamasqua Translucent Loose Powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in Light (Fawn/Havana to Contour and Banana to set concealer)
Milani Baked Bronzer in #4
Estee Lauder Heatwave Highlighter

Eyes:
Urban Decay Original Primer Potion
Urban Decay Vice 3 Palette - DTF (transition), Freeze and Bobby Dazzle
Anastasia Beverly Hills Shadow Couture World Traveler Palette - Azure
Velour Lashes 'Doll Me Up'
MaxFactor Flase Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara in Black
Rimmel Scandalize Nude Eyeliner
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in Dark Brown

Lips:
Rimmel Lip Liner in Tiramisu
Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Nude
Dior Addict Lip-gloss in 236


I hope you enjoyed this look! Please subscribe to me on YouTube for lots more makeup looks!

XOXO Sophie

Thursday 13 August 2015

Maybelline The Nudes Palette

Maybelline is the latest drug store brand to jump on the Naked dupe band wagon with their 'The Nudes' palette which was released earlier this year.



My lovely friend Katie got me this palette along with some other lovely makeup goodies for my birthday in June and I have been loving it ever since.  Its been the palette I've been reaching for most days due to its versatile shade range and amazing formulation. 




Like a lot of the drugstore eye shadow palettes the packaging is nothing special, and is very similar to that of the Makeup Revolution palettes.  A simple but relatively sturdy plastic case with no mirror and a dual end sponge applicator.  To be honest packaging doesn't bother me too much, don't get me wrong I do love the prestigious high end packaging, but as long as it doesn't fall apart within the first week I am more concerned with the quality of the product inside.




The Maybelline palette is made up of 12 bronze, beige and taupe shades and are of a matte, shimmer and satin finish.  Each are highly pigmented and have a soft, buttery texture which makes blending a dream.  The texture of these shadows remind me of the Morphe shadow's for comparison, unlike the Urban Decay Shadows these do not have any large flecks of glitter through them, which means there is no messy fallout which is a massive plus for me.






What I love the most about this palette is the shade range - I feel it incorporates a bit of all three of the Urban Decay Naked palettes as it has some warm, cool and rose gold tones in it.  This is a great palette for if you were going away as you can create so many different looks with it including a soft bronze eye or a full smokey look.





The palette is currently on offer for just £7.99 (RRP £9.99) in Boots which is an absolute bargain for this dreamy little palette, I couldn't recommend picking it up enough!


In the above photo I have used just the Maybelline palette on my eyes and in the below photo I have used a mix of MAybelline and Naked Basics 2.  Catch up with these looks on my YouTube channel, links in previous posts. 



Have you tried this Maybelline palette?  What drugstore eye shadow palette would you recommend me to try next?

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XOXO Sophie 

Monday 10 August 2015

OMG Detox

For as long as I can remember I have always been on some diet or another but the last few months I have come to realise that no 'diets' as such work, instead it is key to live a healthy balanced lifestyle.
I recently completed the Body Coach's three month plan (read my cycle 1 review here) which completely changed my outlook on diets and educated me into the correct way to be eating.  I no longer weigh myself, count calories or think of myself as on a 'diet'.  I cannot recommend checking out Joe Wick's aka The Body Coach enough!

I had been following daily.detoxing on Instagram for a while, their pictures are beautiful, and when I saw the brand OMG Detox were looking for brand ambassadors I knew it was something I'd love to be involved with. 


My detox arrived about two weeks ago but I only managed to take the detox for a few days before I was struck down with tonsillitis all last week.  So I started again on my 28 day detox this morning and will be taking it right up to my holidays in three weeks.


Basically the OMG detox is a powder like formula which it is recommended that you add to water and drink on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.  So far this is the only way I have tried the detox but it can also be added to smoothies and on top of porridge etc.  I dont find the detox has an offensive taste at all and the fact it is mixed in so little water its gone before you know it.  OMG detox has a really pleasant taste compared to some other detox tea's I have tried plus it has have no dodgy side effects either!

On their website the detox is described as "a revolutionary detox made from the rarest and nutrient-dense super foods on the planet", which is made up of the ten following super foods:

  • Acai Berry
  • Maqui Berry
  • Goji Berry
  • Chai Seeds
  • Camu Camu
  • Maca 
  • Lucuma
  • Guarana 
  • Cranberry
  • Strawberry
I'll be honest I hadn't heard of half of the ingredients before starting this detoxing but after some research the benefits of all of the foods are freally impressive.

The detox promises to help rid toxins from the body, aid weight loss, restore mental clarity, curb cravings, increase energy, banish dull skin and get the balance back in your body.  All of these benefits are super appealing to me especially with an upcoming bikini holiday lol!

I have been mixing two teaspoons of the detox into 200 ml of water every morning and drinking before I have anything else to eat or drink.  At the moment I feel I haven't tried the detox for long enough to be able to comment on any benefits I have personally seen so I will keep you updated every few weeks on my progress!



The lovely Natalie who is the founder of OMG Detox has kindly provided me with a discount code for all my lovely readers which I feel so lucky to be able to offer!! Use the code 'SOPHIE20' to get a massive 20% discount off either your 14 day or 28 day detox's, shop here.

If you decide to embark on the detox with me I would love to know your progress and the benefits you feel!!

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XOXO Sophie 


Sunday 9 August 2015

Gigi Hadid 'How Deep is your Love' Inspired Makeup Look

Hello Lovelies :)

I am so sorry for the lack of posts this week but I have unfortunately been stuck in bed with Tonsillitis which has meant everything has taken a back seat whilst I've had endless duvet days and Prison Break marathons, lol.

I thought I would make my first post back a good one and its a YouTube video/post combined.  If you didn't know I posted my first YouTube video last week (see here) and am now loving this different aspect to blogging.


One of my current celebrity obsessions is Gigi Hadid, I love her cool, effortless and chic style.  Gigi seem's to be everywhere at the moment and when I heard she was going to be in the music video for Calvin Harris's new song 'How deep is your love' I knew she was going to look stunning.  Gigi usually keeps her makeup minimalist and simple, emphasizing her natural beauty but when she posted the below look to Instagram account taken from the music video I knew this was the look I wanted to recreate.


Patrick Ta was the artist who worked on Gigi for the music video and he has worked with various other artists including the Kardashian/Jenner's.  I have followed Patrick on Instagram for ages and his work is flawless, check him out here.





This look I recreated is a super smokey matte eye, with glowing bronzed skin (no contour) and a nude glossy lip.  The key to the eye is to gradually layer the colour and blend, blend, blend - until your arm falls off haha!

Here is a list of the products I used to recreate this look:

Urban Decay Original Primer Potion
Mac Tete a Tint Eyeshadow (not online but any warm caramel shade) w/ Crown Brush Deluxe Crease
Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 - 'Cover' w/ Dior Eyeshadow Brush
Maybelline The Nudes Palette - Last shadow on op row w/ Crown Brush LG Angle Fluff Brush
Naked Basics 2 'Undone' w/ Crown Brush Angle Shadow
Crown Brush Pro Blending Crease Brush

Clinique Moisture Surge Mosturiser
Benefit Porefessional
Mac Strobe Cream mixed with Makeup Forever HD Foundation #35 w/ Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush
Maybelline Eye Eraser Concealer in Light w/ Primark Stippling Brush
Illamasqua Translucent Powder w/ Mac 150 Large Powder Brush
Ben Nye Banana Powder w/ Real Technique Expert Face Brush
Mac Sharon Osborne Mineralise Skin Finish Duo w/ Real Technique Blush Brush
Milani Baked Bronzer in 04 Glow w/ Crown Brush Tapered Blush Brush
Makeup Studio Eyeshadow Lumiere in Ivory Gold w/ Crown Brush Pointed Blender
Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner Pencil in Onyx
Ardell 101 Lashes
Maxfactor False Lash Effect Mascara in Black Waterproof

ModelCo Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner
Gerard Cosmetics Shimmer of Hope Lip Gloss


I hope you enjoyed this video and look I have recreated!  I love making these makeup video's, so if you have any requests of looks you would like to see please leave me a comment below :)

Please dont forget to subscribe to me on YouTube and follow me on Bloglovin!

Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend :)

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XOXO Sophie



Sunday 2 August 2015

My Contour, Highlight and Baking Routine

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that last weekend I did something completely new for me and filmed a YouTube video.  I have toyed with the idea for a long time but have always come up with some excuse not to do it.  But seeing as I love playing round with different makeup looks and techniques, I found trying to show how I created these looks through just photo's to be difficult.  So last week I bit the bullet, sat down, set my camera and just had a go at filming.

For my first video I decided to do my contour, highlighting and baking routine.  This has been at the top of my blog post to do list for months, so I thought instead it would be perfect for my first video.





Baking is a new technique I have added into my contour and highlighting routine since seeing it blowing up all over Instagram and with other bloggers.  It is where you pack a yellow tone or translucent powder anywhere you have put your cream highlight (concealer) and leave it 'bake' for between 10-20 minutes.  The heat from your face allows the powder to set into the cream base to give a flawless, bright and crease-less finish.  This is not a new technique by any means, it is actually one which is favoured by drag queen's!!  The 'baking' powder can be applied with a damp sponge or beauty blender sprayed with Mac Fix+ or I like to use a velour puff.


Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel, I am hoping to be uploading a video at least once a week now.  If there are any looks you would like to see me create please leave them in the comments.  I am still finding the whole editing the video hard to get my head round and I still haven quite cracked how to add my own thumbnail lol, but please bare with me I promise I will improve ha ha!


Products Used:
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation in #7
LA Girl Pro Conceal in Light Ivory and Beautiful Bronze
Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer in Light
Illamasqua Translucent Loose Powder
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in Banana/Vanilla and Fawn/Java
Milani Baked Blush in Berry Amore
Estee Lauder Heatwave Highlighter - Dupe here
Maybelline 'The Nudes' Palette
Red Cherry 'Wispie' lashes

Tools:
Original Beauty Blender
Bobbi Brown Pro Face Brush
MAC 150
MAC Large Paddle Brush
Velour Puff
Real Technique Contour Brush
Crown Brush C138 Round Contour
Crown Brush C105 Tapered Blush
Smashbox Fan Brush


I hope you enjoyed this video, please ignore the fact I keep looking up at the screen rather than into the lens I promise I will work on this lol! I am also hoping to get some lighting soon so the quality of my makeup will show up better :)


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XOXO Sophie