August & September | Instagram Photo Diary.

I loooove me a photo diary, possibly because I'm a little Insta obsessed but y'know, aren't we all?! The past 2 months have just flown by haven't say?! So annoying that I always say this, but it will soon be Christmas and I'm definitely not financially ready for that ahah.. 

I finally took the time last month to go through my makeup collection and bin the products that didn't make it through the summer, and I gave away an awful lot.. it occurred to me that a lot of the makeup I own is either pink, or comes in a pink packaging?! This is becoming a reoccurring problem and I probably should stop buying things purely because they're pink.. 

If you're a regular on my blog you'll know that my pal bought me this Too Faced highlighter in September, I won't go on about how much I love it as it has it's very own post which you can find HERE. How bloody BEAUTIFUL is it though?!

I made a HUGE Lush order in September because they came out with all of their christmas and halloween products, I bought so much. Annoyingly though, I've used pretty much all of this already and it's not even been a month yet?! How I'm managed that I've no idea- I'm thinking of placing another order but all of this cost me over £60 and it really doesn't last me very long, so good though. & that giant golden wonder was friggin gorgeous in the bath, I was a glittery goddess for an afternoon, the clean up though was pretty horrendous haha. 

Alfie is 10 weeks old today and I genuinely cannot get my head around the fact that in 2 weeks he will be 3 months old?! I remember posting when he was born and It doesn't feel like that was almost 3 months ago.. I hate how quickly he's growing but he's such a clever little lad now. Theres rarely a time when he isn't giggling which is lush, and he's now trying to roll over?! He's so advanced for his age I can't quite believe it. Love him to bits. Ive also signed him up to a nursery today ready for when I go back to work in March, which will no doubt come around super quickly :(

The end of August and the beginning of September, means doing a makeup shift around. Away go the pinks and oranges, & out come the reds purples and berry shades, which are actually my absolute favourites. Ive been living in MAC's Diva throughout September as I usually do.. but I really must get round to wearing the others, I own so many lipsticks that often they don't all get used, but I'm making it my mission this year to use them all.. a different shade every day maybe?! haha.

Here are 6 of the pinks that sadly have made their way into a drawer until spring, am I the only person who does this because I feel like it's a really silly thing to do?! But I have so many shades that if I kept them all out my bedroom would just look ridiculous. If you're wanting to know the shades I've listed them on my IG HERE.

I'm currently trying to write up Alfie's 2 and 3 month update, but as I'm sure you can imagine it's taking a little while as he's just so needy and demands all of my attention haha.. but it's on it's way, promise!

Soph x

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*all products in this post we're bought by myself, and all opinions are my own*

Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells Lipstick | A New Purchase!

Ive only gone and done it again haven't I, another Charlotte Tilbury lipstick to add to my ever growing collection.. Ive pretty much fallen in love with it, so I had to share my new purchase with you. 

Whilst browsing the Charlotte Tilbury website, which I should add, is incredibly dangerous when you've just been paid, I 'accidentally' stumbled upon the lipstick section, and we all know I'm a sucker for CT lipsticks.

Initially I was looking to buy the shade Glastonberry,which is a really dark purple matte shade. But I opted for Hel's Bells as its a smidgen lighter, don't get me wrong theyre incredibly similar however Hel's bells is slightly more berry toned, in fact it's actually described as being a magenta-mulberry shade, which is pretty accurate. 

I absolutely love the look of Charlottes matte revolution lipsticks and this one hasn't disappointed, the shape of the lipstick, and the print on the actual stick itself is just so beautiful. Ive always been a girl who likes to wear dark vampy lipsticks and I'm so so looking forward to using Hel's Bells when Autumn starts to make an appearance, which actually, won't be too far away now! I won't lie though, I'm still eyeing up Glastonberry.. a girl can never have too many berry shades.

What do you think? Have you fallen in love with it too or is it a little too dark for you?!

Sophxo

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*items in this post were purchased by me, and all opinions are my own*

June & July 2017 | Photo Diary

Do forgive how early but also how late this post is going up.. I majorly failed with Junes photo diary, and I just know with baby due any day now, July will probably be a fail too, so here we have a mix of the two! What a fab blogger I am, the absolute best. 

Despite being heavily pregnant to the point where baby could arrive any second, I still somehow have time for the bath bombs, bubble bars, and candles in my life. Sigh! Bunny Cake has been my absolute favourite to burn in the living room throughout June, it smells like vanilla icing and who doesn't like a bit of that!?

I rediscovered my love for the beauty that is MACs Mariah Carey collection lipstick in the shade Mcizzle, completely heart eyed over all that glitter. But of course, I still haven't brought myself to actually using it, I can't bring myself to ruining its perfect prettiness!

Having moved out just before the summer began, it meant I actually went through all my makeup and brushes and gave away the bits I didn't use, it was hard to do but I'm so glad I did it because it reminded me of all the products/brushes I have that don't get much use, this being one of them. Too Faced products are my absolute favourite, not only because they're so bloody pretty, but the quality is amazing. This brush honestly feels like teddy bear fur, I kid you not, and how pretty is the baby blue and gold combo?!

The only good thing about maternity leave.. I'm home long enough to create amazing milkshakes - this one was galaxy chocolate favourite and honestly, looking at this photo now is making me want another, it was too good, and probably seriously unhealthy but we'll skip past that..

A cheaper alternative to the ever so popular Tom Ford lipsticks, these little beauties have been a part of my collection for over a year now but were rarely used because I just own too many lipsticks. Thankfully though I parted with the ones I don't use too much and these are now sitting proudly on top of my dressing table, which is where they thoroughly deserve to stay because they are just beautiful.

& finally, strawberry picking has been a love this summer. Being the whale that I currently am, I didn't think id be able to go this year, but luckily the strawberries were grown on tables which meant I didn't have to bend at all. Which was a good job really, as I really don't think I would be able to get back up again haha. I wrote a post a few weeks back on the whole day out as I loved it so much, you can read that here.

All of the above photos have been taken from my Instagram @sophcullen

I hope you're all having the best summer, 

Sophxo

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My Entire Lipstick Collection.

This morning I decided to take on the task of sorting through my lipsticks. I didn't think I had that many, I mean I have more than your average person at approx 35, but compared to a lot of people this will seem like nothing. I guess we all have something we 'collect' as such, and apparently lipsticks seem to be my thing! So in sorting them all out, I thought this would be a good opportunity to show you the ones I have. 

To pre-warn you, this post is going to be very photo heavy, I won't be going into detail on each shade as I'm sure you can imagine I would be here until next week! I'll be naming the shades from left to right in each photo if you're unsure; & I did begin to do swatches of each shade but my arms just aren't long enough haha. 

Enjoy x

TED BAKER.

Annoyingly, Ted Baker lipsticks don't seem to have names or numbers!? so unfortunately I can't give you the names of these, but they were purchased in a set from Boots. 

MAC COSMETICS.

All Fired Up - Flat Out Fabulous - Relentlessly Red - Morange - Diva

MAC COSMETICS. 

 - Pink Plaid - Mehr - Cremecup - 

H&M.

- Sakura - Pomelo Juice -

REVLON.

- Pink In The Afternoon - 

RIMMEL

- 01 - 03 - 111 - 

TOPSHOP

- RioRio - 

L'OREAL.

- Blakes Pure Red - Naomi's Delicate Rose - 

CHARLOTTE TILBURY.

- Carina's Love - Hot Emily - Tell Laura - Miranda May - Electric Poppy - Hel's Bells - 

CHARLOTTE TILBURY.

- Bosworth's Beauty - Kim KW - Liv It Up - Super Cindy - Kidman's Kiss - Secret Salma - 

Soph xo

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Mac Lipstick Newbies | Mehr & Pink Plaid

I know, super late to the party here, but in all fairness my MAC lipstick obsession has only recently returned in full force.. not that I really needed any more anyway!

If you know me well, you'll know I'm very much so a dark lip kind of person, I loveeee dark berry shades, like Diva for example, and bright reds. My new found love of nudes and pinks suddenly came about when I fell in love with Creme Cup from MAC a few years ago, ever since then Ive never looked back, and here I am, with a slightly larger collection than your average person. 

Whilst shopping in town yesterday for gifts for 2 of my close pals, I accidentally stumbled into MAC and purchased 2 new lipsticks.. for myself. This always happens when I plan not to spend money on myself, of course. 

Initially I umm'd and ahh'd over Velvet Teddy, this was what I actually went in searching for, but seeing it in the tube (I know, shouldn't judge a shade without putting it on) it seemed a little darker than i'd imagined. Right next to it I spotted Mehr, which had me sold completely as it's the perfect bluey pink shade. I try to go for pinks that are slightly darker as I find really pale pinks wash me out- so Mehr seemed like the perfect option, and being a Matte finish too I feel like it's now going to be my go to lipstick for everyday wear. 

Whilst walking to the till to pay was when I spotted Pink Plaid. Sigh. It's like it was calling my name haha. Like Mehr, it's described as being a blue toned pink, both shades are quite similar actually but I find Pink Plaid to be that little bit brighter. Im slightly worried that it might wash me out a little, I'm sure it will look fab on lighter skin tones, but I'm naturally quite tanned so I'm curious to see if it'll look silly.. ill be sure to report back with that one! Again, like Mehr, Pink Plaid is also a matte finish, I sense a slight pattern here..

Im constantly on the lookout for nudes/pink shades that would compliment a slightly tanned skin tone, so if you have any staples please do let me know as I'll no doubt pick them out, but at £16.50 per tube it could take me a little while maybe..

Soph x

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Charlotte Tilbury Kidman's Kiss Lipstick | Worth The Splurge?

If you have followed my blog for a while now, you will know I am absolutely in love with Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks. 

I've raved about how brilliant they are for a pretty long time now, but the price tag? Not so brilliant. Just one of these lipsticks would set you back £24.00. That's an awful lot of money for just one lipstick, when I could happily spend £5 on a decent drugstore lipstick that gives the same sort of effect. 

The shade I've been loving recently is called Kidman's Kiss, it's been my go to throughout May when I want a pop of colour on my lips that isn't too drastic or in your face. 

Kidman's Kiss, which is named after the gorgeous Nicole Kidman, is described as being a "rose petal pink matte lipstick", anything that's named rose petal pink instantly draws me in, I'm a sucker for pretty pink products! It's the most perfect shade of pink for my skin tone, I find it quite tricky wearing pale pinks as my skin tone kind of makes it seem as if I've just slapped a load of foundation on my lips.. not really the look I'm going for. However this shade being a touch darker than my usual pink lipsticks instantly stops that and complements it well. What's also pretty fab is that Charlotte Tilbury doesn't just show product photos on her website, but also has an array of images of girls with different skin tones, all wearing the same shade of lipstick. How handy is that? 

Just to look at, I am completely obsessed with the lipstick, the rose gold packaging, the pretty detailing on the stick itself, it's so effortlessly beautiful - you wouldn't believe how long it's taken me to ruin the 'perfection' of it. Even the shape of the lipstick makes it so much easier to apply than any other brand I own, with the sharp edges I find no need to use a lipliner, of course the option is still there, but I haven't found the need to. 

Is it really worth the splurge?!

Honestly, yes. The quality is like nothing else I've ever tried, being a matte lipstick you would assume that it would be drying, it's really, really not. Quite the opposite in fact, it applies so smoothly, doesn't drag at all, and is super creamy. If you can look past the price tag, and focus on the incredible quality, and beauty of it, I would 100% recommend the splurge. Or if anything else, it looks gorgeous on your dressing table!

Soph xo

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MAC Lipstick Collection

I don't know about you, but there's just something really satisfying about buying a new lipstick. I won't lie, it takes me a good few weeks to actually ruin the 'perfection' of a new lipstick, but once I do i'll be wearing that certain shade daily.

MAC has been a brand that I've loved for quite a long time actually, initially it was the vast amount of different colours that drew me in, well that and the packaging. I just think the black and silver go really well together, and looks quite expensive. But now after repurchasing them for a few years, it's the quality that keeps bringing me back. I recently repurchased another tube of MAC'S Creme Cup, I want to say its the third tube?! That must tell you how much I love the shade and how well it lasts on. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved my drug store lipsticks too- but there's nothing like purchasing a new one from MAC.

I don't have the biggest collection, in fact, it used to be a lot bigger. Truth is I have over 60 lipsticks from different brands at the moment (yep, I know, extreme) so I'm trying to not buy any more. However the shades I do have from MAC are my absolute favourites, so I thought I would share them with you, and how I store them.

Back Row - Relentlessly Red - Diva - Flat out Fabulous 

Front Row - All Fired Up - Morange - Cremecup 

Relentlessly Red - Retro Matte

I love this one, especially in the summer months. It's perfect on a night out as it just doesn't budge from your lips. 

Diva - Matte 

I won't lie, if this shade wasn't a matte I definitely wouldn't love it as much as I do. It's so easy to apply because it just doesn't bleed, being a darker colour that's something you definitely don't want. This shade often comes out in the colder months but I have been known to wear this through the summer in the evenings too. The only downside is it can be a little drying if you aren't prepared before hand (wearing a lip balm!)

Flat out Fabulous - Retro Matte

One of my most daring shades, a bright purple. This is the second tube I've repurchased because I love it so much, although saying that I do find it really hard to match with outfits so I don't wear it as much as I should do. First world problems haha.. I haven't actually touched this colour since I bought it around 3 months ago, hopefully i'll make use of it this summer. 

All Fired Up - Retro Matte 

This one is really similar in photos to Relentlessly Red but if you're a true lipstick lover you'll be able to tell that it's slightly darker. Matt laughs at me for saying that because he can't tell the difference, but if you know you know right?! 

Morange - Amplified 

My all time favourite holiday shade. I wore this every single evening when I went to Mexico as this shade looks incredible with a tan. I do love me an orange lipstick, and Morange is probably my favourite. Again, it's build-able, so if you're not keen on sporting a bright orange lip it'll still work well for you. 

Cremecup - Cremesheen

If you're new to MAC or lipsticks in general then I'd say Cremecup is the perfect beginners shade, it suits pretty much every skin tone, and is the most perfect pale pink shade. Being naturally tanned (ish) I thought this would look like I'd put foundation over my lips, (remember that trend?!) but it doesn't thank the lord, it's one of my fave nudes; I reach for this shade when I want a more subtle every day look. & this is actually my 4th tube!

You can probably tell I do love my bright bold colours, I never used to be this brave.. In fact I used to be the kind of person that only used to wear a lip balm. Now look at me, owning bright orange's and reds haha. The good thing with these is that they're build-able, so even if you aren't that confident with wearing such a bright colour, you can still get away with wearing them.

Storage wise, I keep the lipsticks in a acrylic lipstick holder, I think I bought mine from Tiger around 2 years for £4 each, they still have them and they're the cheapest ones I've found. Ive had mine for a while now and they're still going strong! I wouldn't store them any other way because, well whats the point of buying nice lipsticks if you can't have them on display on your dressing table, right?!

Soph xo

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Kylie Cosmetics vs Barry M's Matte Me Up | Liquid Lip Kits

For a while now, or so it feels, liquid lipsticks have been the be all and end all in the beauty world and I do have to agree, bloody love um. 

I do have to say though, what I don't enjoy is having to fork out a fortune on a lip kit for it to then be shipped over from America TO THEN having to pay a fortune for a customs charge. No thank you. 

Don't get me wrong, Kylie Cosmetics has been my holy grail when it comes to a decent liquid lipstick, I don't think I've really found another brand I'm even semi pleased with.. and that's not just because I'm fussy, or maybe I am, I dunno. Even so, as we all know Kylie is the queen of lip kits. Or so I thought, until I saw a post on Barry M's Instagram, showing a sneak peak of their brand new lip kits. *excited squeal* 

I loved Barry M anyway so to say I had high hopes was a slight understatement. I picked up the shade Runway from Superdrug, for around £5 ish I think, annoyingly the actual lip kit isn't on the website anymore, but I popped into my local store 2 days ago and its still there! Pretty sure they were a limited edition thing but you're still able to by a singular lipstick and then the lipliner separately. The lipsticks are £4.99, and the liners £2.99, how amazing is that considering a Kylie Lip Kit is £23.00?!

Anyway..

 I can't fault the packaging of both of them. I LOVE the matte detailing on the Barry M tube, definitely something they should've done to Kylie's, I think it'd look a lot better personally! However the Barry M one does look a lot cheaper, I don't really know why, or just because I know it was cheaper, if you know what I mean?

The Kylie applicator, (oh, this is the shade Candy K if I haven't already said) is the perfect size but actually looks quite messy. I think for a while the Kylie ones didn't have a stopper so the product would get really messy & all over the place, not fab. Mine however does have a stopper, but even so product does still get around the top of the tube and down the applicator, maybe I'm just being really rough or something haha who knows.

I think you can kinda see what I mean here, Ive used this Barry M one a fair few times now and it still looks in perfect condition, it isn't too messy and I dunno, do you know what Im trying to say?! It just looks in pristine edition still, like it hasn't been touched. The end isn't as fluffy as the Kylie one, which may make a difference, but I don't notice it when using it. 

The lipliners as essentially, pretty identical. Both matte black, both have silver lettering. Ive found the Kylie one quite tricky to keep sharp, I feel like I'm constantly sharpening it because it's so soft, and getting that sharp point is quite tricky. I haven't yet used the Barry M lipliner, but I've used other colours from the brand and I love them. For £2.99 I haven't found a better, softer, affordable lip liner. So I have no doubt this will be the same. 

 Kylie's Candy K Swatch.

Top, Kylie's Candy K.

Bottom, Barry M's Runway.

Overall..

I never thought I would say this.. but I much prefer Barry M's liquid lipsticks. There we go I've said it, my holy grail Kylie lip kit has now made it's way to the back of my drawer. Don't get me wrong, I still love it, the packaging, the quality, but the price.. nah. I feel like I'm paying for a name more than anything. To find a liquid lipstick like Barry M's, that is the same long lasting, opaque quality, for over half the price, I have to stick with that option. 

Why spend more money on something when you can find an alternative cheaper option that's equally as good? 

Hooray for Barry M, bloody love you! xo

Soph x

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