High End Beauty Wish List

As a make up obsessed person I constantly have a wish list and most of the things on it I get eventually when I have money but some are higher end items I just can't really afford but I thought today I would share them with you...

Tarte Tartelette Eye Shadow Palette $44 - This unfortunately I don't think is not available in the UK and I so wish it was because it is such a pretty palette, It has 12 matte shades from neutral to darker tones. I have seen so many reviews on it and its seems like a great palette to have so please if anyone knows how I can get it comment below! 

Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour in 402 Adrienne-  £26 - This is from the new collection of lipsticks by Chanel and every single one looks beautiful but the colour Adrienne stood out to me as it is a really pretty nude shade and something I would love to try.

 Mac Eye Shadow in Wedge £10 - I recently made a Mac order with a voucher I got for my birthday and I was going to get this eye shadow but it was out of stock so I chose a different one (more about that coming soon) but I still really want it. It is described as a soft muted beige taupe and is a matte shade. I feel like is essential to have a nice matte colours for the crease.

Mac Lipstick in Coral Bliss - £15.50 - I recently saw this shade on a Top 10 Mac lipstick video on You tube. It is a slightly frosted soft coral pink colour. I think it would be perfect for spring and summer.

 Benefit Roller Lash Mascara - £19.50 -  I have wanted to buy the full size of this mascara ever since I got a sample in Elle magazine back in February. (Review here)  It is really amazing and have never liked a mascara so much! I am thinking of buying it with my Boots advantage card points.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick - £15 -  I saw these a while ago and ever since I tried the Sephora Lip cream (Review here) I have realised how good liquid lipsticks are! These Stila ones are supposed to be really good and come in 10 different shades but the one that stood out to me is Fiery which is a bold red.

Real Techniques Bold Metals Brushes Review

I love Real Techniques brushes and now I don't use any other because they are so good so when I saw a few months ago there was going to be a new collection I knew I wanted some for my birthday. 

There are 7 in the collection but I decided I wanted to get the ones I don't have anything like so I got the contour brush and the angled liner brush. I am not going to lie but the fact the handles are so pretty persuaded me to spend the money, especially the rose gold ones!

They are all priced between £10-£25 and in my opinion they are so worth the money! Not only have they got really soft bristles like all the Real Technique brushes but they are designed so they don't roll off the table and are also weighted so you can hold them easier.

The contour brush is perfect for contouring your cheeks as it is the perfect shape and the angled shape of the eye liner makes applying gel liner so much easier as you get get a really good point on your flick.

Photo of make up using both brushes

Contour Brush 301 - £22

Angled liner brush 202 - £10

Real Techniques Bold Metal Brushes are available from Boots, both in store and online and also the Real Techniques website

My Online Portfolio

If you haven't read my blog before or didn't already know I am a second year Fashion Design with Textiles student. I study in Huddersfield and this year was a very important year for me as my course offers a year out doing a work placement. Although they offer support with this it is your responsibility to find it. I was extremely lucky and got a place at a children's wear company not too far from home. My university said it would be a good idea to have some kind of portfolio to show to the companies you apply to and so I decided to start a Pinterest to add photos of my work on and today I thought I would share the link in case any one reading this is interested...

 https://uk.pinterest.com/sophiesykes22

So far I have only added some work from my first year and some of the work from this year's Sample Development class but I will continue to add to it for future reference and applications.

Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Grey Palette Review

I am pretty sure that nearly every  beauty bloggers has seen these by now, and if you haven't you need to get to Boots! The new Collection Eyes Uncovered Palettes come in three different colour selections which include, Nude, Nude Bronze and Nude Grey. They are all really pretty and it was hard to decide which one to get but then again for £3.99 I could always get another one and it wouldn't break the bank!

The Nude Grey one that I got has some really nice shades and some are ones I don't have anything like. The colours from left to right are Parchment, Rubble, Under the Moon, Drift Wood, In a Nutshell and Eclipse,The colours are really pigmented and stay on really well with an eyeshadow primer. Although the product is really good I do think the packaging could be better as the magnetic close isn't very strong but its not something that would stop me buying another one.

This is a look I created the second time I used it. It is using the colours Under the Moon and In a Nutshell. I did a a really simple look with Under the Moon shade all over and then the darker shade In a Nutshell in the crease and blended it really well so it was suitable for everyday wear.

It can be bought in store and online at Boots for £3.99

Boots Beauty Wish List

So like most beauty obsessed people I love Boots! I am always in there and when I go in for one thing I always end up coming out with something else too and lately there have been so many things I want so today I thought I would share a few of them with you...

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner In East End Snob £3.99 - I have seen so many bloggers talk about this and I really want to try it. Its such a pretty pink shade for everyday and apparently a dupe for a Charlotte Tilbury lip liner.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Don't pink of it £8.99 -  I have been wanting one of these for ages and for some reason I still haven't got one! But I am glad I have waited as they have just released 3 new shades and I love the look of the one called Don't pink of it which is a nice neutral pink shade and I think it would suit me.

Essie Nail Polish in Fiji £7.99 - I don't currently own an Essie polish, I have tried them before in some mini ones I used to have and I really liked them. The colour Fiji is a really pale pink and is a colour I don't own.

Bourjois Colourband 2 in 1 Eyeshadow and Liner £5.99 - I first saw these on Lily Pebbles' You Tube channel and thought they looked amazing! I did a few swatches of these in store and they are so pretty, quite shimmery but I like that and the colours are so nice. The ones I want are Mauve and Brun Dadaiste.

Maybelline Colour Drama Lipstick £4.99  - I have been looking at these since they first came out and I fell in love with the colour Nude Perfection. I don't have any nude colours so I think this would be great to add to my collection.

Bourjois CC Cream £9.99 - One of my friends mentioned this product to me a while ago and I had forgotten about it until recently I saw Estee from the You Tube channel Essie Button using it and it looked so nice. It looked like it gave just enough coverage and corrected imperfections really well. I think this would be really nice when I don't what to wear my usual foundation.

Do you have any opinions on these products? If so leave a comment I would love to know what you think

A few of my favourite things - Tag

I have seen this tag on quite a few blogs lately so I thought I would do it to as I quite like doing tags...

1.Products - Mascara, micellar water, The Body Shop shower gels
2. Foods - Ferroro Rochers, pretzels, cheese on toast
3. Places - Home, Paris, Greece
4. Things you'd miss - family, friends, home
5. Things you do when you are bored - eat, blog, watch you tube
6. Things you enjoy when its sunny - sunbathing, cold drinks, reading a book in the garden
7. Films - Hairspray, Finding Nemo, The Holiday
8. Songs - The Fray - How to save a life, Ed Sheeran - Tenerife sea, Hozier - Take me to church
9.Brands - Topshop, Kiko,  Cath Kidston
10. Oudoor things you like - Been in the sun, shopping, barbecues
Events - Birthdays, meals out, holidays
Cartoons - (when I was younger ) Arthur, Phineas and Ferb, The Cramp Twins
13. Buildings - The Lourve, Somerset House, Liverpool One
14. Anything in everyday life - Tea, food. make up
15. Traits in a person - kind, funny, caring
16. Influences - ?
17. Drinks - Tea, wine, vodka
18. Experiences - college, university, going up the Eiffel Tower
19. Things to watch - Coronation Street, films, The Great British Sewing Bee
20. Youtubers - Estee, Gabriella, Lily Pebbles

Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick Review

I have mentioned these Kiko long lasting eyeshadow sticks on my last post (here) but today I thought I would do a little review...

Currently I own two of these and I really love them! They are from the brand Kiko which is turning into one of my favourite make up brands. One of the reasons is that it is the quality of high end make up but the prices are more like Boots and Superdrug prices. It is very affordable and these only cost £6.90 each. I also love the store itself as it makes you feel you are in a higher end store.

The ones I own are 05 Rosy Brown and Burgandy 37 but there are so many colours to choose from and more I want to try! They are such an easy way to do quick eye make up and can be blended on their own really easily or other eyeshadows can be blended over the top if you want to add to it for a more smoky eye make up look. 

This is a make up look I did using the Burgundy 37 eyeshadow stick. I applied it and then blended it with my Real Techniques base shadow brush. I then added a bit of a dark brown eyeshadow on the outer v and then a pale highlighting shade in the centre of the lid and on the brow bone. Also I added the burgundy eyeshadow stick on the lower lash line and blended for a simple smoky look. I then tight lined with a black kohl eye liner for a bit of definition and added mascara. I really think it suits my green/brown eyes. (Also in case you are wondering what lipstick I have on in the photo it is Mac's Brave)

The eyeshadow sticks can be bought in store or online at www.kikocosmetics.co.uk

It was my birthday so I am allowed to shop

At the weekend I went to Leeds with my friend from university. We went for a girly shopping day (and a Wagamama's for lunch!) and that meant I could spend some of my birthday money! So I thought I would share what I bought...

From Boots and Kiko I bought:

Boots Metal Nail File £1.80 - I needed another one as my other one broke and I like this type of file.

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush In Seductive Pink £8.99 - I needed a new blush and I had seen a lot of reviews saying how good these were. The colour I chose is a very pretty light pink and slightly shimmery as seen in the swatch below.

Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick in 37 £6.90 - I have already got one of these in a different colour and I have been wanting number 37 for a while. It is a really nice burgundy colour.

Kiko Colour Up Long Lasting Eyeshadow £3.00 (in the sale was originally £7.90) - This is simlar to the other one but it was in the sale and I think it was part of a A/W collection. Ii would descibe the colour as a goldy mauve colour.

Swatches of the blusher and eyeshadow sticks. I haven't tried the eyeshadows yet but they should be long lasting because I struggled to rub the swatches off my hand!

The last think I bought was this floral top from Primark for just £2 in the sale (originally £5)! I really like the shape and pattern and the fabric feels nice considering its from Primark.

Oh also I got a new fleecy blanket for my bed which can be seen in the background of the make up photos above. It is grey with stars on and was only £6.

I had a really nice day and got some lovely things but now I can't wait to get online and spend my Mac voucher!

This has been my February 2015

I was inspired to write this post as I have seen many other posts that are very similar. I wanted to look back the last month through my Instagram photos.

February is by far the best month of the year as its my birthday month! I turned 20 which I actually can't believe because it means I am no longer a teenager! But before I tell you about my birthday celebration posts, I actually started the month celebrating for a different reason! The reason was is that I got a work placement for part of my course at university. I am taking a year out
gaining experience which is so exciting, so I went out for few cocktails with friends to celebrate!

The second thing to happen in February was I went to Paris! This was part of my university course and was such a good trip, I really enjoyed it! We did all the usual tourist activities but you can read all about it in my other post (here). After Paris I had reading week which  is just a week to catch up on work and it was nice to have rest too as I went home to see friends and family.

The first event of the month was of course Pancake day! This year they actually turned out quite good which surprised me because they never do but this year I decided to have a go at american style pancakes and they were so much better than previous years.

During that week I had at home I had an early birthday meal and cocktails with my two best friends which you can read all about where we went on my friend's blog (here). It was really nice to catch up and celebrate since I had to travel back to university on my actual birthday.

Then in between the meal and my birthday I went to the hairdressers and decided to have my hair cut the shortest I have had in years! I was inspired by the You tuber Essie Button. She had recently changed her hair and looked amazing and it made me want to change mine to so I did and I really love it! And Essie did too because she tweeted me which made my day!

Then to end my February I had my birthday! I had two birthday cakes, I got money, Mac vouchers, some of the new Real Techniques Bold Metal brushes, some Benefit make up, some earrings and a 3D pug photo which is amazing! I feel so lucky that I have such generous family and friends and can't thank them enough!

If you would like to see more of the things I get up to and my fashion and textiles work then 

Follow me @soph022