Hello everyone! Hope you're well.

Today I'm going to do am empties post. I haven't got too much to show but I have been using this

products like crazy and love them a lot. In fact, I've already repurchased 3 of the products already!

Hope you enjoy!

Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion (Fair/Medium Skin)

In the winter I become quite fair so, to put a bit of colour back into me I just moisturise with this after I show and

it gives me a bit of a glow. I've used it for quite a few years and always loved it. It gives a very natural glow to the

skin. It's great for anyone who is a bit afraid of fake tan! I've already repurchased it because I love it so much and

go through it way too quickly.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair

If you watch Youtube or read blogs as much as myself, then you know this concealer is the bomb.com. It's just

so inexpensive but the best coverage ever. I've repurchased two already because it's always sold out so a get a few

when I have the chance!

Elegant Touch Rapid Dry Spray

I'm quite impatient when it comes to painting my nails. I only just found out about this at the end of last year and

I've loved it ever since. I can't paint my nails with out it. It just cuts down the time of them drying a ridiculous

amount. If you have thick nail polish it still takes a little more time but this definitely help speed up that process!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

I've raved about this spot treatment a lot of my blog so, I wont go on and on but it is pretty much amazing. It lasted

me quite a while. Probably about 6 months I wanna say. I use it quite often too. I've had to repurchase this because

I just can't lie with out it now. I put it on any nasty blemishes and within 2/3 nights, it's practically gone.

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

I find it hard to get a good mascara as I have quite short lashes. This one is really great for length and volume

for me personally. I try to use it along with the Subversion primer to get the full effects of it. It doesn't dry out

quickly and lasts quite a while. It definitely is better when you use it with the primer as opposed to using it alone.

I'd like to buy a new one at some point but it is a bit pricey unfortunately. That's probably the only real downside.

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

My Top 40 Beauty Tips & Tricks

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well.

If you're like me and love finding out new beauty tips and tricks to try out then, I've got 40 of my favourite ones

listed here. Some you might have already heard, and some you might discover today. You don't need to be a pro

make-up artist, or even massively into make-up to need to know these. I personally think these are things every

girl should just know to then pass on to their girlfriend or daughters or nieces and so on.

1. NEVER wear make-up to bed.

2. Drink 2 litres of water a day. Probably the best yet most simplest beauty tip of all time.

3. When washing your hair, concentrate shampoo on your roots and conditioner on the mid and ends of your hair.

(It helps it from getting greasy quickly)

4. Never skip eye cream.

5. Try using less heat on your hair by drying it overnight naturally and plating it over night for natural waves.

(Especially if you're trying to grow it! It also helps keep hair in better condition and less dry)

6. For a closer and smoother shave, use baby oil instead of shaving cream.

7. Invest in multi-tasking products to save money

(I.e. bronzer for face and eye shadow)

8. Put vaseline on wrists/neck then spray perfume on top to keep it lasting longer.

9. If you run out of dry shampoo, use baby powder or bronzer instead.

10. It's very important to know your skin type because buying skincare products.

(To get help finding out place like Sephora, The Body Shop or high end skincare brands can help you.)

11. Never squeeze your spots - It only makes them worse.

12. If your eye liner is crumbling, freeze it for 15 minutes before use.

13.  Massaging your face with ice helps reduce fat cells, acne and wrinkles.

14. Apply SPF daily! (You'll thank me when you're older.)

15. To set your brows, use an old tooth brush and hair spray.

16.  Remember to exfoliate your skin to get rid of dead skin cells (But don't over exfoliate!)

17. Just because your skin is oily doesn't mean you can't you face oils.

(My favourite is Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil)

18. Clean your make-up brushes weekly to prevent bacteria build up. It can lead to unwanted blemishes.

19. Finish blow drying you hair with a blast of cold hair to help set it in place.

20.  To prevent lipstick on teeth, put your lips round your finger and pull. It'll get rid of any lipstick that could reach your teeth.

21. Try showering in warm water rather than hot/boiling. It dries your skin and hair out otherwise.

22.  Replace your razor head every month.

23.  Get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks to keep it healthy.

24. Using a white eye lined in your water line can make you look more awake.

(It can also make your eyes to appear bigger.)

25. Try to wash your pillowcase every week.

(Especially if you use a lot of skincare products at night)

26. Don't forget to apply your skincare to your neck and chest as well.

27. For longer lasting lipstick, fill in your lips with a lip liner before you apply lipstick.

28. Apply moisturiser and primer before foundation so it last longer.

29. Don't sleep with you hair tied up.

(If it really bothers you, try plating it to create natural beach waves the next day)

30. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste as a spot treatment, or a mask to help blemish prone skin.

31. Sleeping on a silk pillow can help reduce wrinkles.

32. Don't over pluck your eyebrows. (Go to a professional if you're new to it)

33. Be aware of what you're eating. After you, you are what you eat!

34. Start thinking about anti-ageing products before you even have signs of ageing to prevent it early on.

35. Wash your hair every 2-3 days. Washing it too often can make it dry out.

36. Don't touch your face too much as, you touch so many different things and your'e just spreading bacteria and germs.

(Eventually causing break outs.)

37. Same goes for your hair. Touching it too much will just make it greasy quicker.

38. Moisturise as soon as you get out the shower. (Especially in winter)

39. Take one evening a week to take care of yourself, (Paint your nails, do a face/hair mask, whiten your teeth etc.)

40. Less is always more. (I.e. less make-up, less products. Keep it simple.)

I hope you guys enjoys reading my favourite beauty tips and tricks.

If you have any of your own then I'd love to know about them!

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

My Favourite Reads

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well.

Recently I've been reading more books, mostly to do with health and beauty. I'm trying to be healthier inside

and out and these books I've been reading have helped me so much so, I wanted to share them with you. I also

love any books to do with make-up and I got the Bobbi Brown Beauty book for Christmas and have been

loving it.

The Body Book by Cameron Diaz

I heard so many great reviews of this book and have wanted it for so long. Not long ago I just bought it, as I'm so

sick of how little I know about food and nutrition and how it affects my body in the long run. In this book,

Cameron really teaches you what you should and shouldn't be eating/drinking/doing. It's not necessarily about

wanting to lose weight. For me personally, I want to feel healthier and my skin to look healthier. It also effects

your mood and other parts of your life. By changing your diet and adding in exercise really can change the way

you feel as well as the way you look. This book gives you knowledge which, ultimately gives you power.

Be Body Beautiful by Lucy Mecklenburgh

This book is similar to The Body Book. This one I just picked up on a whim when I saw it in Tesco. I hadn't heard

a thing about it. I knew this she was on TOWIE and now has her 'Results with Lucy' programme. I had a flip

through the book and saw that it teaches you a bit more in depth what food you should be eating. It teaches you

that you shouldn't diet or exercise every so often. You should be changing your diet completely and make

exercise part of your lifestyle, and once you do that you can become healthier and happier. This book has taught

me so much, and really recommend it for any woman out there wanting to lose weight or just be healthier and

have more energy and a better lifestyle.

Bobbi Brown Beauty

This is the ultimate beauty guide for all women. I'm going to be training to become a make-up artist so always

welcome tips and tricks. Especially when it comes to skincare. I'm obsessed with it and think its the perfect base for

all make-up. This book teaches you how to help women look beautiful from the inside out. It's not all about make-up,

but about being naturally beautiful.

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

This book is more to do with make-up and and how to perfect your skills. It teaches you how to master your

make-up skills from your skincare to getting the perfect brows. It's perfect for any woman of any skin tone with any

skin problem. It helps you pick out the best shades for your skin, and products for any skin problem including,

acne, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. If you love make-up or like me are going to studying make-up

then, this is such a great book to read for great tips and help you build new skills.

If you have any great reading books similar to please, I'd love to know!

Hope if anyone buys these books they love them as much as I do!

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

How I Clean My Make-up Brushes

Hello everyone! Happy Mother's Day!

Today I'm doing a quick post about how I wash my brushes. I was sat looking at my brushes last night and just

thought, 'I really need to wash them!' So though I should do a post showing you how I do it. It's very simple and

easy and I literally use one product. I also pot clean them as and when I need to with my Mac cleanser. I like to

deep clean them every week - or when I actually remember!

You will need..

- baby shampoo

- a clean flannel

- dirty brushes! ;)

I firstly gather all my dirty make-up brushes and line the up by the sink ready to shampoo.

I'll start with the bigger brushes to get them out the way.

I put a small amount of shampoo in my hand and start swirling the brush in my hand and cover

it in soap.

I then squeeze out all the shampoo from the brush and leave it on the flannel.

(I don't have many brushes so they are only like this for 30 seconds to a minute)

After all my brushes are all soapy, I rinse them all.

I them leave them on my desk over night on a flannel drying flat.

And that's all I do!

Tips..

Always hold you're brush downwards or flat so the water/soap doesn't get down the brush

and ruin the glue inside.

Try to wash them once and week to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Use warm water. Not too cold or too hot.

Reshape the brush when it's wet so it dries to it's natural shape.

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

50 Blog Post Ideas

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well.

Today I'm just doing a quick but hopefully very helpful post. Sometimes, like a lot of bloggers I get a bit stuck

for ideas on what to blog about. when I'm in my most creative mood, I'll write down idea on what I can write about.

I've gathered a list of 50 ideas for you guys if any of you other bloggers need help! I hope these help and inspire you!

Favourites

Product Review

Brand Focus

Empties

Morning/Night Routine

Skincare Routine

Everyday Make-up Routine

Get Ready With Me

Top 5 Products

Wish List

Make-up Tutorial

What's In My Bag

Healthy Recipes

20 Facts about Yourself

Outfit of the Day

Haul

Hair Routine

Behind the Scene of your Blog

Disappointing Products

Favourite Shops

Workout Playlist

Splurge/Save

Fake Tanning Routine

Top Budget Buys

Why you started your Blog

Pamper Night Routine

Dupes

Interior Inspiration

Home Haul

Workout Outfits

Favourite High End Products

Gift Ideas

Must Read Books

Travel Essentials

FAQ

DIY Beauty

Products to Invest In

Top Make-up Brushes

Make-up Storage

Desk Tour

Contouring Routine

Top 10 Blogs to Follow

Nail Post

How to style ___ (i.e. white t-shirts)

Face of the Day

Fitness & Health Tips

How to Stay Organised

A Day in the Life

Room Tour

TMI/Girly Post

Camea: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

My Night Time Routine

Hello everyone! A few posts ago I did my morning routine - today I'm going to be doing my night

time routine. I use quite a lot more products in the evening than I do in the daytime as  I like to keep my

skincare simple when I'm wearing make-up on top and products sinks into the skin better as you sleep.

Enjoy!

A lovely au naturel picture of me before bed..

Garnier Pure Active Micellar Water

Firstly, I remove all my make-up with this micellar water. I used to use the original one from Garnier but, this

one is fairly new and is designed for combination/skin. I prefer to use this one as it cleanses my skin and helps

with my combination skin at the same time.

Tea Tree Facial Wash

Then I'll go in and wash my face with this tea tree wash from The Body Shop. It get rid of any bits of make-up I

missed and also helps with any blemishes I have. It feels really refreshing on the skin and my face feels so clean

after using this!

Tea Tree Facial Toner

After washing my face I'll go in with my tea tree toner. It helps to clear up blemishes without drying out my skin.

Tea Tree Night Lotion

Every other night I will use this tea tree night lotion. It helps fade any marks blemishes have left and also helps

clear up my skin. I saw results after the first night of using it!

Alpha-H Liquid Gold

On the night I don't use my teat tree night lotion, I will use my absolutely favourite product! It's very strong so I

can only use it every other night. I wont tone if I'm going to use this and I feel it might be too much to do both.

This product helps to resurface the skin and also helps get rid of wrinkles, pigmintation and sun damage. It's also a

really effect acne treatment. I highly recommend it!

Check on my review on Liquid Gold here!

Origins High Potency Night a Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream

Sometimes I switch up my routine and instead of helping to fight against blemishes, I like to use moisturising

products to help plump my skin and give it glow. I use this when I feel my skin is looking really dull. I wake up

the next day with radiant and plump skin!

Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil

I really love using this rosehip oil! It' the best all rounder. It helps reduce redness, fade marks, hydrate my skin

and you can use it all over as well!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

BEST SPOT TREATMENT EVER. - That is all.

Mavala Eye Lite Double Lash Night Treatment

This is a fairly recent purchase. I've been using it about a week now for my brows and lashes. Over time my lashes

have become small and weak and I also wanted bushier brows. I feel I would be more confident with out make-up

if I had better skin and better brows. They aren't too bad but they are a bit sparse and thin towards both ends. So

far I have't seen a dramatic difference yet but, I hear it takes a few weeks to see a difference. Will keep you updated!

Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub (not pictured)

Sorry I forgot to add this in! I use it about once or twice and week, to get rid of any dead skin cells and brighten to

skin with out over drying. It goes perfectly with my other tea tree products.

Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion

Usually, I shower before bed and I can't shower with out moisturising after. I have quite dry skin if I don't moisturise.

This is the only one that saves it and keep it moisturised for at least a few days. It sinks into the skin so nicely and

isn't sticky and actually smells very nice (like oats!).

Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion Fair to Medium Skin

I like to apply this gradual tanner every other night to give my skin a bit of colour and glow. I'm pretty pasty in

the colder months unfortunately. This just gives me enough colour to look like I'm actually alive!

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

February Favourites

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well.

Today I'm doing my February favourites and I have quite a few products to show you.

I went of a few shopping sprees as there was so many products I had on my list to try out.

Hope you enjoy!

Elegant Touch Totally Bare Oval 002

I'm just getting into long nails and I wanted to try something not as permanent as acrylic. These are perfect for

that! They look so real and natural and are so incredibly easy to apply. They come in a white/opaque colour so

it's easy to apply any nail polish you want. I applied a nude polish on top and I got so many compliments and

no one knew they were fake!

Bold Metals Collection by Real Techniques 301 Flat Contour

I bought this a month or two ago and I'm really loving it. It's the best contour brush I've used and for such a good

price. I love the look of these brushes as well and look so pretty sat on my desk!

Bold Metals Collection by Real Techniques 200 Oval Shadow

I just bought this brush and have only used it a few times but it's such a great staple brush. It blends shadow so

easily and quickly and is just a dream to use.

Maybelline Colorsensational Elixir Lip in Caramel Infused

I've finally found my perfect nude gloss! I'm quite fussy when it comes to nude lipsticks/glosses as only certain

ones suit me. This one I didn't swatch,  just picked it up and took a chance on it and I absolutely love it! It's so

natural and simple and goes with any make-up look.

Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation in Cameo

As soon as I saw the advert for this foundation, I went straight out and bought it. I just loved the sound of it. The

fact is looked natural but also gave a flawless finish. It definitely lives up to that. It's slightly dark for me but can

easily blend it in to my skin and gives my skin a flawless look with glowing skin. I really enjoy using it.

LOreal Paris Nude Magique Eau De Teint Foundation in 110 Warm Ivory

Another foundation I've been loving! This one is more natural and gives a lighter coverage. I wear it on days where

I can't be bothered to wear much make-up. It feels like you're wearing nothing on your skin and although it's liquid

it has a powder finish to it on the skin so it helps with my oily t-zone.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush Palette in Hot Spice

I've been wanting to try out a blush palette from Makeup Revolution for ages and every-time I went into my

local Superdrug, they were always out of stock. I finally got my hands on one. It has very warm and natural colours

in it. It has 2 baked colour 3 glittery colours and 3 matte. I'm not a fan of glitter/shimmer in blushes but you don't

notice it too much when it's actually on the skin. The colours are so pretty and I love that it gives my cheeks and

beautiful and natural look.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Night Lotion

I use this lotion every other night and it has definitely helped fade any blemishes/scars from old blemishes. It sinks

really easily into the skin and I started to see results after about a week of using it. I don't think I can be with out this

lotion any more after the results it's given me!

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash

I have combination skin so I wanted a facial wash that helped with that. It helps keep my oily t-zone at bay and also

gives moisture back into the dry areas.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream

I saw a lot of god reviews on this moisturiser and wanted to try out a new one anyway. I really enjoy using it

before applying my make-up as it gives my skin moisture and sinks so quickly into the skin, so that I can apply

make-up almost instantly afterwards. The smell isn't amazing but it's not terrible. It's definitely replaced my Cetaphil!

Matalan Letter S Glass

I love anything with my initial on it and I thought this would be perfect to store my Bold Metals brushes on my desk!

Elegant Touch Totally Bare Oval nails with Revlon Checkmate nail polish

Camera: Canon EOS 700D

Photography by Sophie Ford

Thanks for reading!

Sophie X

Review: Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation

Hello everyone! Hope you're all well.

Today I'm going to be doing a review on the New Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation.

I want to do more reviews on products and more make-up looks as I really enjoy it and I always look at

reviews before going out to purchase a products - especially if it's expensive! So I hope this helps

some of you guys!

(Sorry for the terrible no-make-up picture! But I wanted you to see how good the foundation is compared to my natural skin)

Maybelline Dream Flawless Nude Foundation in Cameo

This is before I put any foundation on at all. All I have on here is moisturiser and I've always done my eyebrows.

I'm looking quite pasty these days and along with the bit of flash from the camera, I do look washed out but, you

can see I do have some blemishes on my face before putting any make-up on.  My skin tone is sometimes uneven

and red in some places where I've got/had blemishes.

I haven't got a massive review to write out as I feel this foundation is just very simple and easy and doesn't need

a long review on it as I feel the review should be as simple and easy as the foundation. So I've written out simple

sentences I like or dislike about the product.

I applied this foundation with a damp make-up sponge.

I don't care too much for the applicator as it's slightly awkward but I can get over that.

It doesn't have a strong or overpowering scent to it at all.

It gives great coverage and evens out skin tone but it isn't full coverage and only slightly hides blemishes.

Dries quickly (almost to a powder form) and isn't oily or cakey.

Easy to apply and blend into the skin. 

It gives lovely natural/flawless look which, is what the product is designed to do.

It doesn't feel heavy on the skin at all and doesn't really feel like you have foundation on which, again, is the

point of the product.

Over all I really like this foundation and think it gives a clean, flawless and natural look. I think it would suit

all skin types. I would just advise people with dry skin to moisturise before hand and people with oily skin to

apply a primer or some sort. The only dislikes for me on this product is the applicator. It's supposed to be 'fuss-free'

but I don't find it any easy to apply this than any other foundation I own. Otherwise I'm really happily surprised

with this foundation and have used it everyday since I got it!

It retails for £5.99 at the moment in Boots and Superdrug and there's also 3 for 2 on Maybelline!

After my full make-up is applied.

Camera: Canon EOS 700D
Photography by Sophie Ford
Thanks for reading!
Sophie X