I choose you

So these are just some things I think that need a shout out - whether it be because they are un known or just receive my seal of approval!

 Skincare Product

The lush face masks - I mentioned them in my previous post but you don't often here about them and they are all natural and work on a specific issue so you can tailor them to your needs and they smell amzing and I cannot reccomend them enough!!

 Makeup Product

Now this product is definetely not under rated because nearly every beauty blogger in town owns it but the 'Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer' cannot be not in your essientials. It is a miracle worker and literally the only concealer that has really worked and really impressed me! 

 Beauty Tool

I am not very up to date with beauty tools I have a pack of fcuk brushs which are nice and then I bought the qvs dual ended foundation and concealer brush which I love - I prefer the concealer end but an all round good egg if you ask me!

 Nail Polish

I am currently your nude kinda gal I think Topshop nail varnishs are fab and I just think Topshop make up is sometimes forgotten and that makes me sad because it is so nicely packaged and the colours are to die for. The nail varnish I want to shine the spotlight on is Topshops 'Big Smoke' soooo pretty!!

 Haircare Product

Now those of you super savvy savers will be pleased with me here!!! I am showing you this product as it is 99p and better than any other hair mouse I have tried!!! It is the Alberto Balsam Intensive Conditioning Treatment with honey and almond extract. It smells gorgeous, it leaves your hair so so so soft and it is a BARGAIN!!! If you live near a poundland or family bargains or savers run run run and pick up this bad boy as it is too fabulous to be ignored!!

 Scent

I picked this scent as I don't think that people would think to look here for I scent. I picked the body shops coconut body mist and I know for me the body shop is a bath and shower and I just wouldn't link it to actual perfumes but I was in an outlet and it was on sale and omg I cannot stress how yummy it smells. I love it and I wouldn't want it to be forgotten because of its home!!

Food

Now I do not think these are world wide but simply reserved for British mouths - however if you are from the UK please do not forget how good kids cereals are!! Screw healthy options go all out! My personal recommendation would be coco rocks as they are quite simply heaven in a bowl!

Book

I don't know how many of you will of even heard of this series but if you like trashy teen books which for me is an essential if I am relaxing and I don't want anything to deep as they are are an easy read, funny and always have a cute friendship and relationship not far from you own then I would recommend The Mate, Dates series by Cathy Hopkins!

Music

I don't think you will have heard of these guys but I went to a gig last year and they were amazing!! So please check out little comets! If you like Bastille then they should be up you street!

Film

Ooh I know! So near me there is a super duper cheap dvd store ( do not fear it is legal ) but the films are a few years old and it is 3 for £5 and we picked up the most hilarious film! It is called baby mumma and it is really funny, not tooo chic flicky but still a hint of rom com to make it my kind of movie! I would defiantly recommend a watch!

Laugh
The sloth section on the Ellen show - I cannot help but cry with laughter everytime I watch it!

 Photo

Ahaahahha I found it lost within the depths of a comedy blog!! If someone breaks your heart always remember this!!

Quote

'Don't kill yourself today, wait, let this be a reason to wait for things to get better'

So I hope I have inspired you to check out some of these things you may not have even heard of before! I tag you all to do the same!

lots of love

Soph

xox

When you wish apon a star

Hello my lovlies!

So whilst Minka jets off to the U S of A I am stuck here revising :-( So in order to avoid Philosophy que cards I thought I would share with you my current wish list!

Now this list is always far to long and I never complete it! Some of these I will by, some I am considering and some there is no way I will ever own it but I love it so here goes..:

Zara Office City Bag

I can tell you now I so so so so want to buy this and I am pretty sure I am going to get it next week because omg it is perfection. Now there has been a huge hype around this product and I know I have see tons of bloggers and youtubers who have purchased it and I am in total agreement. It is really like the classic Prada bag and it has a laptop/ipad padded section and the choice between a crook and shoulder strap. I love it!! I think it will be a really good hand luggage bag, sleepover bag but also good for transporting work around so yes I really hope to get my hands on this bag boy asap.

Urban Decay Naked Palette 2

I mean lets be honest who wouldn't want this?! I am very much your gold/brown/highlight girl and it just offers every colour that I could possibly want! However I am getting a MAC make over curtosy of my auntie next week and I guess I will probably choose some goldy eye shadows then so I may hold off until prom kind of time to get this beauty!

Essie Sand Tropez

Now I am very behind on the Essie band wagon. Don't ask me why because me and my sister are both very nail varnishy people however between us neither of us own a single shade of Essie! We have made a pact to both bye a colour to ensure we do not miss out! I am currently loving either really deep purple or nude nails so I have had a look through the shades and slightly fallen in love with Sand Tropez - which is ironic as the video that inspired me to look through the colours told me that it wasn't very nice. However personally concrete beige really suit my hands so I think it is the one for me. 

Polaroid Camera

Sadly this is just a lust product - theres no way I can justify paying one pound a picture plus the camera! However I just think it is the cutest thing and I love the idea of capturing a moment and having it there and then! Plus the camera looks gorgeous! *sigh* goddam money

Lush Face Mask

(You wouldn't even believe the struggle I have just had with these pictures ) 

But any how but currently I am the biggest bath person in the world - this is because I am not really watching tv when I get home in order to get work done and learn scripts etc and limiting myself to evening shows. But disappointingly there's not been an awful lot I am into so I have taken to watching series online and watching an episode in my bath on my laptop ( I am currently going through pretty little liars from the start ) So I have that little bit more time so I am getting into face masks and hair masks. Now I have an on off relationship with lush - I cannot stand a lot of the products because they are SO SO strong and bright but then there are some that I adore and are all time favourites. There masks are definitely something I love, they are so fresh and smell amazing and they all have a different task so I can choose whatever is suited to me that particular month. I have 5 pots so I can get myself a free one this time round! But they are so worth it!

Mac Lip Stick

As I said I have my MAC make over to look forward to this holiday and I am looking for a nudey lip - as we all know MAC is the queen of the lips so I am excited to get myself a good quality lipstick!

Real Techniques

I cannot watch another tutorial and here about these brushs and not own them!!! They are so widely loved I feel as if I am missing out and I need to add these to my collection for sure

So the list goes on and on but these are just a few that are quite high up!! If you have any recommendations for Mac shades let me know and tell me what you think of my choices 

Lots of Love

Soph 

xox

March faves!!

We are nearing the end of March... so it's time for a favorites post!

SONG

This month I have fallen in love with thins song. I know it came out quite a while ago, but it is extremely fun to dramatically lip-sync to....

PRODUCT

Last week I was looking for something in my bathroom cupboard when I came across this:

I KNOW. I nearly cried. I had completely forgotten that I owned this (I received it as a present a couple of years ago I think....and clearly lost it), it has 77 colours - so so beautiful I have been having tonnes of fun with it.

ITEM OF CLOTHING

If you live in England am sure you're aware that the weather has been very temperamental and disgusting for the most part... EVEN THOUGH IT IS SPRING. It makes me very annoyed.

Anyway, I have got a lot of use out of this Urban Outfitter's scarf consequently.

I love the grey / purple tones, and it is unusually short which is... erm unique? That is it's only downside.

MOVIE

In the lead up to my New York trip I have been trying to watch films set there. My favourite of the one's I've watched over this month, has been "The Devil Wears Prada". It's just a classic and Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway are a match made in heaven.

RANDOM

You are probably aware that it was Mother's Day this month, and when I was in Marks and Spencer's buying my Mum some flowers I bought myself this oh-so-cute pink potted plant (yes I realise it's very odd that a bought a plant for MYSELF from the Mother's Day section...). I have no idea what sort of flower it is, but it's very pretty and is giving me hope that spring is on the way despite the snow which is currently outside my window!!! I do not have a green thumb, but so far so good my plant is still alive... lets hope it stays that way for a while longer!!

Minka x

New York, New York!!

Since I was little it has been my dream to visit New York....and on Thursday I will be boarding a plane and doing just that!!
As a surprise for my 16th birthday (which was in January) my parents arranged for my Mum and I to go on this extremely exciting trip - I am a very very lucky girl!

I really really cannot wait to get there, and I thought that before I go I would give you a sneak peak of what I'm hoping to get up to. 

I will only be there for four days, so I have planned a schedule to make sure I have time to do the things I most want to do.

Obviously top of my list is shopping, as I have been saving up for this! I have planned specific shopping trips to 5th Avenue, the Soho area, Macy's, Bloomingdales.... and Dylan's Candy Bar. 

I'm sorry but I don't think I can go to New York City and not go in there... especially when it's Easter and there is going to be a lot of chocolate for sale.

Top of my 'New York Bucket List' are these activities:

*go up the Empire State building

*buy a t-shirt like this:

*have lunch in Grand Central Terminal

*read a chapter of my book in the New York Public Library

The other very very very exciting thing is that as part of my birthday present, my Mum is taking me to see a broadway show of my choice. I am a huge musicals fan (if you read my 50 facts about me post you will see that I wish my own life was a musical) and so I have booked to see Chicago as it is one of the few musicals I have never seen! I'm sure it is going to be fantastic!

an excited photo of me with my guide books and schedule

I will of course do a post when I'm back, with some photos and most definitely a haul!

The other thing which I am really looking forward to is... THE DAY I GET BACK I WILL BE SEEING LA BLOGMATE!!!!!!! 

Minka x

Make-up snooping.....

On Wednesday night, I was supposed to be staying in our flat in London... however I had no windows in my bedroom due to them being in the process of getting replaced.

Therefore I popped over next door to stay with one of my bestest friends (I cannot tell you how perfect it is to live next door to your best friend).

The next morning she left rather early so I did a very very cheeky little snoop across her dressing table and documented a few of the things I was tempted to steal.....


I am slightly obsessed with her Urban Decay NAKED 2 palette. I am in love with it. Just look at the pretty colours I could play with it all day!!! 

It is definitely the product I am most jealous of... and she knows it. I will admit I had a little go with one of the colours, 'Chopper' - it's a perfect shimmery gold AND I WANT IT!!!!

She has a very beautiful nail polish collection, so I just chose my two favourites to show you. OPI 'French Quarter For Your Nails' and Topshop 'Stolen Sapphires".

The OPI is a gorgeous light stone grey. I thought it was a slightly unusual colour but I can imagine that it looks really nice on - I am a big fan of grey shades!!

I only own two Topshop nail polish's but I adore them and so when I saw this deep blue shade I felt heavenly. I know that these polish's work well and don't chip too quickly and it is such a pretty colour, omg I might just have to go out and buy it.


The last thing I picked out (she does have a lot of lovely stuff could I just add), was this foundation brush from Stila. 

I found a little collection of these: for liner, eyeshadow, power and lips too, I think. I love the colour of the handles and the brush tip as well. I don't actually own a foundation brush but I am very very tempted now that I have seen this.

I know that my dear best friend reads this blog - she will either love me or kill me now... but nonetheless I enjoyed my snooping immensely.

On a different note I have made an account on "We Heart It" and am love love loving it!
I think I may be a bit late getting this but for those who don't know it is basically like tumblr. If you would like to add me as a friend, my username is: minkas_world  (Soph also has it: soph_29 and her tumblr is naturu-l.tumblr.com)

So if you would like to enjoy looking at photos of cute animals, marilyn monroe, make-up, shoes, fit boys and other pretty things, do add me! 

Have a wonderful day,

Minka x

Slap wrist.. tut tut

ahh I am so sorry I feel I have deserted my baby!

In my defense I have had two plays, exams AND I have been poorly..
And even now I am going to be lazy and do a tag but I have to write an essay and have a bath and eat..
PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

Now that is quite enough of my pathetic apology, so without further ado I present to you...

My 10 Most Worn Beauty Products

1. most worn lipstick+lipgloss:

It has to be my Rimmel 'soft coral' My siblings gave it to me for Christmas and it is peachy corally shiny heaven!

2. most worn eyeliner:

Maybelline master precise *maybe it's maybelline*

3. most worn nailpolish:

Ah this is tricky... Maybe my Nails inc 'disco ball'? I have quite a few favourites

4. most worn eyeshadow:

I am not overly exciting when it comes to eye shadow - I have a gorgeous pallet from H and M with so many colours similar to that of mac and the naked pallet so I am set up! 

5. most worn concealer:

Collection 2000 lasting perfection. (absolute life saver)

6. most worn foundation:

Bourjois Healthy mix serum - love love love love

7. most worn (finishing) powder:

I do not even have remotely oily skin and it is so unneccesary for me to wear one so I have a natural collection uber cheap pressed powder! It doubles up as a foundation if my skin is doing well in summer!

8. most worn blush:

Rimmel match perfection 003 so so so preddy!! It has 3 shades that can be used separately or combined and are gorgeous. It doesn't come out too dark which is something I personally love because too pink cheeks is a nightmare!

9. most worn bronzer:

NYC terracotta tan - It has two shades and uber dark orangy colour that I avoid unless I am really tanned when I mix it with power so soften the colour but the neighboring colour is beautiful shimmery bronze and perfect for contouring all year round!

10. most worn mascara:

Clinique High Impact mascara - however I have just bought seventeens 'dolled up mascara and I am loving it!!

I hope I have inspired you to offer you own attmept at this post as I must admit it is a cheeky way to offer up a quick blog post when you are rushed off your feet!!

Lots of Love

Soph

xx

What's in my bag?

Topshop Clean Bowling Bag - £40

I always watch Youtube video's of "Whats in My Bag" so I thought I would do my own on here! This bag was a recent buy and I believe it comes in a couple of colours. It has a a phone holder inside, and a small zipped pocket too. 

Pink Umbrella 

Urban Outfitters fingerless gloves - I love love love these, they keep my hands super warm as they have a fleecy lining and they look so cute!

Paperchase Travel Card holder 

Topshop purse - I bought this a while ago, I just adore the Topshop purses I would buy them all if I could.

Paperchase Pencil

Kleenex Tissues - I do not go anywhere without a packet of tissues.

Earphones

Topshop sunglasses and floral case - I like to be optimistic and prepared for all types of weather... I do realise it is not likely to be sunny in winter months yet these live in my bag.

Red Diary - this is such a lifesaver. My Dad gave it to me as he got given it for free somewhere and didn't want it. I will be buying one exactly like this for next year because it is so useful.

The pages  look like this so there is plenty space to scribble lists and notes relevant to the week, as well as an address book at the back, and even more plain notes pages. Diary, I love you xxxxx

This little 'essentials pouch' lives in my bag - it contains stuff I might need whilst out and about and I will add to it the lipstick I'm wearing that day or some spare concealer if my skin is not behaving.

Carex Antibacterial Hand Gel - I am the tiniest bit OCD

Les Divines Alcoves Amoureuse In Love Stick Perfume - there is more about that in my perfume post:  click here to read it.

Mini nail file

Olbas Oil - I am a bit obsessed with this at the moment as I am suffering with a blocked nose due to my tree pollen allergy. I adore the smell of it (though it is really quite strong); I put some on my pillow at night which is especially useful.

M&S Peppermint Breath Spray - I don't like to chew gum so this is my alternative to having a nice minty taste all day long

Accessorize Love Compact Mirror

Glasses Wiper - this looks like a very strange contraption... in fact it is for cleaning the lenses of your glasses!

Cath Kidston Honeysuckle Hand Cream

Nivea Lip Care Pearly Shine - this is a lip balm but comes out a very light glossy pink on your lips. A nice subtle alternative to lipstick (which often makes my lips quite dry)

The final thing which you would normally find in my bag is a book:

I have just finished this (hence it not being in my bag), and it was really good, though I do love the Jodi Picoult books. It's quite emotional and hard hitting but a good read nonetheless. 

Jodi Picoult - Handle With Care

And that's all folks! I must depart as I have English Coursework to be doing (*silent tears fall from my eyes*).....

Hope your day is full of sparkles!

Minka x

P.S.... I have found this mini version of my bag IN PINK. I am desperate to own it!!!

Easy Peasy Nail Art

Hello!
I thought I would share with you a really simple nail art design which I am wearing at the moment!
With this black and white colour combination (of course you can choose different colours if you wish), it pulls off the monochrome look which is apparently very 'in' this season... and it also reminds me of the '60s which I consider to be a fun and wacky era!

1) Paint your nails with a base coat 

I have several good ones I use for different reasons, starting from the left:

Sally Hansen Double Duty - just the standard top coat and base coat in one.

M&S Growth Booster - I am victim to the hideous habit that is biting your nails... the only way I can stop myself is by wearing nail varnish, and Growth Booster helps my nails to recover and grow whilst I am not biting them.

Sally Hansen Miracle Cure - I must be lacking in some sort of mineral (I'm thinking calcium maybe?) my nails break and peel very very easily. Miracle Cure is helping to repair them and make them stronger, and I use this most often as a base coat. 

2) Paint the colour

I have used this Nail Tip Whitener from Rimmel to do this. I don't think you are meant to use it all over your nail as a polish like I have, but oh well it was the best I could find!

3) It's stripe time!

I chose a black colour to do this - Aubin and Wills is the make I used. 

I suggest you make sure that the white paint is properly dry before you do this!!

Very simply, you just paint a stripe down the middle of your nail, making it as thick as you wish. Of course it is harder to paint with your weaker hand but with some Q-tips at the ready to tidy up any mess you should be ok with a bit of practice! 

4) Use a top coat

I always use Sally Hansen Double Duty (see above). I think it is really good and worth spending money on - it is quite chip resistant which is very important. 

I have received lots of compliments about this look and I am sure I will be wearing it more often, and be experimenting with different colours as well!

Minka x

Beauty Tag!

Hello!
I'm pretty sure this is an old tag but I really wanted to do one and this took my fancy!
Do comment if you've done it yourself, or if you are going to do it and I will definitely have a look!

What's your favorite make up look?

At the moment I’m loving the what-I-call “peaches and cream” look. I have very pale skin and I am enjoying using peachy blush colours and coral / peach lipsticks.

What is your must-have beauty product?

For me, an under eye cream is really important. Right now I’m using Laura Mercier’s “Secret Concealer” which is really helping to hide the dark circles under my eyes!!

What part of your body do you love?

I am very blessed to have thick, fairly long hair. It is a strange colour (goldey, brownish, sometimes a tiny bit ginger), but I am often complimented on it and I am lucky that it has lots of volume too.

Personally, I think I have nice teeth! I had awful, horrendous baby teeth, but my adult ones have turned out to be fine and I have had braces so they are perfectly straight....a smile is so important to me!

Who is your beauty icon?

I have a fair few “beauty icons” or “beauty envy’s”... here’s the first ones that spring to mind:

Marilyn Monroe - I’m sorry how could you think she isn’t beautiful?!

Adele - always envious of her perfect eyeliner and amazing nails

Katy Perry - sometimes she’s a little OTT but can pull off the glamourous look I absolutely love so amazingly.

Emma Watson - Generally she has the perfect natural look

Zoella - yes I have a slight obsession!!

What beauty product makes you feel instantly good?

Recently I have gone a little bit crazy about lipstick so I will go for that... it makes me feel a little more glam! (yes I am wearing some today even though I’ve got trackies on and I’m not leaving the house...)

How do you look after your skin?

I am incredibly lucky to have non-troublesome skin, obviously there’s the odd annoyance but overall it’s pretty good so I don’t spend too much time looking after it. I’m using the Bare Minerals Deep Cleansing Foam at the moment which my Mum gave to me because she got it in a set (I think) and didn’t need it. I also moisturize frequently and occasionally use a face scrub or some form of pore cleansing thing. 

What is your signature scent?

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

What is your hair care secrets?

I brush my at least twice a day (sometimes more because I find it quite enjoyable) and wash it every other day with Herbal Essences shampoo / conditioners. I never blow dry it myself and rarely ever straighten or curl it because I can’t be bothered... so it doesn’t get much heat exposure!

How do you pamper yourself?

I love a nice bubble bath and do enjoy a “mini pamper evening” of being in there for ages before applying a nice body butter and using a mask or cleansing my face whilst it soaks in. I will then sort my nails out as they are often in awful condition because I bite them. I AM SO JEALOUS of Soph’s nails... they are Perfection with a capital P.

What is your beauty annoyance?

The thing that annoys me most is when people use far too much foundation and look completely orange. I really don’t think it’s necessary, it’s not a very good look and is probably not great for your skin.

What would your desert island must haves be?

*A good book

*A few cartons of apple juice

*Some ice cream

*the playstation game Singstar with all my favourite songs on it.

*A bag of make up I can "play with"

*suncream

*sunglasses

*A bikini

*a pretty dress

*my hairbrush

*Someone fun to keep me company (la Blogmate is an ideal candidate)

(I have probably exceeded the limit on this question!!!)

Finally, do you have a beauty philosophy?

I don’t have a “beauty” philosophy but I do try to live by this quote from Marilyn Monroe:

Minka x