Spring Has Sprung, Apparently.

The sun is shining, birds are singing, and a multitude of blog posts have emerged announcing the return of light foundations, pastel nails and bright lips. It's happened, spring has arrived.

Seasonal change doesn't particularly affect the way I wear my makeup. In fact, I've been reaching for Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the shade Black Cherry far more than is probably appropriate of late. I'm also well known for only wearing black come the summer months, something that the Boyfriend finds highly amusing.

There are, however, some products that I deem to be quintessentially spring. And, conveniently, here they are...

When it comes to bases, I'm currently into keeping things light. Between NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser SPF 30 in the shade Alaska and the Dr Jart+ Waterfuse BB Cream, I should be able to keep things covered. Powdered into place, these provide a long-lasting yet dewy and fresh base, and the former is my current go-to. To add a little bit more glow, because let's face it, you can never have enough, I opt for Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in the shade Pearl, although Opal is also on my hit-list. This is literally glow-y-ness in a bottle. It rocks.

For cheeks, I present two powder options and a cream blush. Benefit Box O Powder in the shade Dandelion provides a fresh hit of brightening pink to the face and is an old favourite of mine. NARS Blush in the shade Douceur may be new to my collection, but I haven't been able to stop myself from applying it. It's very effortless, and isn't that what spring is all about? If you're more into your cream products, however, then the Bourjois Cream Blush in the shade 2 Bonne Mine may be a good option to try. The formula isn't too sticky or slippy, has great pigmentation and doesn't highlight textural issues.

I'm a big lover of bright lips any time of year, but the Revlon Colourburst Matte Balms are outstanding. I've already raved about their excellent levels of pigmentation and moisture, but the bright hit of colour really would be a perfect pick for this time of year. If you prefer things a little bit glossier, then I'd recommend the Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in the shade 639 Riviera for a glossy punch of orange red. This has been in my makeup bag for two years now and I love it as much now as I did back then. I've already said in this post that I can't seem to leave the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in the shade Black Cherry alone, and I really can't. A small amount smudged out over lip balm is just so darn pretty. As intimidating as it is in the tube, it sheers out to a 'just-bitten' cherry stain.

For eyes, I always seem to go back to the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette this time of year. The wide selection of cool-toned lighter shades that are amazing at brightening the eye area holds a lot of appeal for me. It's a bit of a classic, and for good reason.

So now that's spring done, bring on summer...

Line Up, Line Up

I love a good lick of eyeliner. Sadly for me, I was not blessed with the ridiculously full lashes that some ladies are lucky enough to possess. As such, a little bit of extra definition never goes amiss. There are a few in my arsenal that I go back to time and time again to add a hit of definition with minimal effort.

I don't opt for a classic kitten flick that often - having slightly hooded eyes means that it's not the most flattering look for me - but when I do, I prefer gel eyeliner. On the go at the moment is B. Defined in the shade Black. It's not the best formula, as it takes a couple of layers to reach the desired intensity, but it's not bad either. The lasting power is great and it came with a rather good brush too, if memory serves.

If I'm looking for something a little bit softer, or to smoke out a cream eyeshadow look, I have two options up my sleeve. The first is Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in the shade Black Gold. This has a really smudge-y formula, which means that it's absolutely perfect for adding drama, but isn't so great as a traditional eyeliner. It's still one of my most-used products, however, and I wouldn't want to be without it. When I don't fancy the gold-flecked intensity of that particular eyeliner, I tend to go for a warm, golden toned kohl. Currently in my stash is a now-discontinued little nub of one from 17, which is awesome... But not much use for anyone but me. Saying this, Smashbox have some lovely-looking offerings, as do Sephora, so they may be worth checking out if this sounds up your street.

On minimal makeup days, I take a small amount of the Laura Mercier Crème Eyeliner in the shade Violet and run it under my top lash line. This vivid purple isn't the most pigmented and doesn't look like much in the packaging, but can easily be built up to held define the eyes. What's more, the purple pops against my green eyes, to add a little somethin' somethin' to my otherwise plain makeup.

What are your favourite eyeliners, and what do you think is the best way to wear them?

Shrek It Out

What is it with me and green face masks? If it's not the inevitable Mask of Magnaminty from Lush, it's this: The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask. Aimed at blemish prone skin (i.e. mine), this is a bit of a find. I've used the tea tree range at TBS before, but find some of the products to be a bit drying. This however, takes down the redness and size of my spots, but doesn't dry them out.

Containing kaolin clay and tea tree oil, both of which are bloomin' awesome when it comes to fighting blemishes, this mask packs a serious skincare punch. Whilst also allowing you to continue to practice your best Shrek impression, obvs. The creamy texture applies easily, and isn't as messy as some other masks of a similar variety. It doesn't dry down, meaning that if you want to leave it on for a longer length of time, you can do so very easily.

At £10 for 100ml, you can't go too far wrong with this one. Plus there are normally offers galore in The Body Shop, so whilst you at it, you may as well treat yourself...

Tidy Blog, Tidy Mind

If you've recovered from reading the mammoth post below, have yourself 10 points on me. Good work, trooper. Sophie Makes Up now has an easier way of finding posts that may interest you. I've actually labelled my posts properly. Looking for some L'Oréal loving? You can now find all posts that mention that brand in one go. Not exactly revolutionary, I know, but it should make your experience on this site a hell of a lot better. Go, read things!

Paring Back Round 2: They See Me Haulin' (Again)

Remember how I was going to implement that 'one in, one out' policy? Yeeah, it's not really working for me. Payday came, payday went... And a whole lotta makeup came with it, much to the Boyfriend's distain. Having not had a high-end splurge since January, things got a little bit cray, but nothing has been a disappointment as of yet.

There were three major crime scenes: Escentual.com, SpaceNK (duh) and, somewhat inevitably, Boots. Some purchases were made for nostalgic reasons, some because I have two jobs now so why the heck not (girl logic at its finest, I believe), and some to test out blogger hype. But enough of the rambling - let's get to the good stuff. Brace yourself for a rather word-y post here.

Escentual.com - AKA the online French Pharmacy

Sometimes, a girl's just got to stock up on her goods. This was one of those times. Throughout March, Escentual.com has up to a third off of its French pharmacy brands, including one of my all time faves, Caudalie. I mentioned in my latest wish-list how I was craving their Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, and oh boy, it is good to be reunited. I may have stocked up on two bottles due to a price reduction of 20%... And I may be planning to stock up on a couple more later this month. It's a fantastic serum, considerable better than the much-hyped Indeed Labs. Hydraluron, with which I don't particularly get on very well. Within one use, my skin is calmer, softer and generally happier. This with a lick of Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm (which also entered my shopping basket) = a happy, hydrated Sophie.

Also from the Caudalie Vinosource range came the SOS Morning Eye Rescue. My eyes can be crazy puffy, which isn't the easiest thing to mask with makeup - trust me, I know. I was expecting this to be a gel formulation for some reason, but it is, in fact, a light cream. I've only been using this a for a few days, but so far it seems nice. Nothing revolutionary, perhaps, but maybe I expect too much. It's hydrating and cooling on the eyes, which is always a relief, it sits really nicely under makeup and has a pleasant cooling effect. So far, so good.

Next on my hit list was a new cream cleanser. Don't get me wrong, I've really been missing my Aurelia Miracle Cleanser, but I wanted to try something new. Enter the Clarins Extra-Comfort Anti-Pollution Cleansing Cream. This has been doing the rounds on the blogosphere of late, but I can easily see why. This stuff is lush. I like my balm cleansers a lot, but I find them to be a bit heavy when used repeatedly day in, day out. Cream cleansers are a bit lighter, it seems to me, but have similar effects. Not only was this £5 less than the RRP of £25, it's a massive 200ml, so should last for a while. On application, it feels like a heavy moisturiser that won't absorb, meaning it can easily be massaged into the skin. It feels uh-mazing. Again, we've not been together long, but so far I'm enjoying using it as my morning cleanser and to take my makeup off at night, as it is so bloomin' gentle on the skin.

I also popped the Crabtree and Evelyn 60 Second Hand Fix in Citron Honey and Coriander as a little Mothers' Day gift, and although can't report back on that for obvious reasons, it must be said that the packaging is adorable. Within the cute little box, you can find their Hand Recovery and their Hand Therapy. I don't honestly know what the difference is, but I shall get my mother to report back with the results.

Space NK - AKA the beauty lovers' Spiritual Home

I'm always wary to take a list with me into Space NK, or else I get tempted by just about everything, actually. This time around, the list served me well. First on my list was an old favourite I had been missing: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser in the shade Light 2 Alaska. This was the first high-end base I ever bought, so it holds something of a special place in my heart. It's a brilliant tinted moisturiser, in my opinion, and I prefer it to the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturiser SPF25. It's sheeny, light, has a slight burring effect and covers well, not to mention the broad spectrum sun protection and SPF30. My only gripe is the colour range. The next shade up, Finland (which I used to wear, gooo anaemia) is too light, whilst Alaska is a little on the dark side. It's not a deal breaker, however, and the Boyfriend has given it his seal of approval ("You look very glowy and it matches the back of your neck"), so it's become my new base of choice, for the time being, at least.

Next up on my list was the NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer in the shade Custard. Sadly, it was sold out, so no joy there... But I've signed up to be notified when it next becomes available. Someday, we will be together.

My consolation prize? NARS Blush in the shade Douceur. This little pan of joy has been on my hit-list for well over a year now, but due to it's somewhat 'meh'-ness in the pan, it got overlooked in favour of other goodies. But no more. This stuff is just the bomb. It's so beautiful on the cheeks. I use it where I would usually use bronzer to add a bit of life to my face. It's difficult to say what this does, exactly, but it just looks good. The matte formula doesn't draw attention to the textural issues on my cheeks, flatters my skin tone and adds a touch of contour and definition when used with the right brush. I don't honestly know how I coped without this stuff for so long. I haven't touched my bronzer since I bought it, and that, my friends, is saying something.

Lastly from Space NK came a terrybly naughty purchase. By Terry has long been a brand that, for me at least, captures what luxury beauty should be. Unfortunately, this is reflected in the price tag. However, I couldn't resist their Ombre Blackstar "Color-Fix" Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 4. Bronze Moon. Holy cow, this stuff is the shizz. Long-lasting, smooth, complex in colour and hella pricey to match, I'm in love with this little stick of wonder. The colour is comparable to the Maybelline 24h Colour Tattoo in the shade On and On Bronze, but infinitely more beautiful. It just looks very sophisticated, elegant and understated when worn with nothing but a lick of mascara. More please.

Boots - AKA the beauty lovers' budget Spiritual Home

3-for-2. Why are you doing this to me, Boots? This trip was mostly stocking up on basics, with a couple of exciting things thrown in for good measure. Namely a second No7 Shade and Define Eyeshadow Stick in the shade Glistening Ray and the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush. The formula of the former lives up to its pinker counterpart, Pink Pearl, which has already earned its place in my stash. Slightly on the sheer side, this provides a golden champagne wash of shimmer across the lid, and works exceedingly well when pared with it's By Terry cousin. The latter, although used only once thus far, has already proved itself. The Tapered Blush Brush picks up just the right amount of product to create a light wash of easy colour. Maybe not an essential brush, but I'm glad I have it.

Soap and Glory was my next stop, and shower gel was the target. I find that theirs last for months and they just smell amazing. I picked up Sugar Crush Body Wash, with its sweet and zesty lime scent, for my gym bag, and Foam Call for at home. This smells like hot buttery popcorn to me, so it should be enough to get me out of bed in the morning.

I also repurchased the L'Oréal Fibrology Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner. Certainly not the most exciting purchase ever, but its testimony to how good these are. My hair is noticeably thicker and fuller for having used these and I would recommend them to anyone with fine hair.

So that's that. I had to pull out a couple more MUJI drawers to fit this lot in, but it was worth it. I'll try and do some more in-depth individual reviews in time, but this should wet your palette a bit... Until the next haul, keep my purse away from me.

Oil Me Up Pt. 1

Just in case you've been living under a rock for the last couple of years, facials oils are having a bit of a moment. Coming in various blends, forms and price brackets, adding an oil to your regime is a relatively simple way to eek a bit more efficiency out of your products, without necessarily having to splash out the big bucks. Adding a drop to your regular moisturiser can make a surprising difference to the tone and quality of your skin, and using oils alone creates gives the skin a bit of a - dare I say it - effortless glow.

A personal favourite of mine, which I have also inflicted given to my mother, is rosehip oil; I use the one by Triology, although Pai's offering is on my radar next. This stuff is gooood. A multi-tasking oil that tackles pigmentation, acne scarring and an uneven skin tone, whilst also helping to prevent those much-dreaded signs of ageing, whatever they are. It's not too heavy on the skin, feels very luxurious and lasts bloomin' ages. You only need a couple of drops for your entire face and neck, so it's a relatively economical purchase. 

It may not be an essential, but it's a welcome addition to my skincare routine. My mum fell over on her face the other day (I come from a very clumsy family, don't ask) and has been using the Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil on her cut and it's clearing up a treat. 

Great for scars, great for improved clarity and great for your wallet. What've you got to lose?

Simply Miraculous

Does anyone else every get that feeling with a product, when you only really appreciate how bloomin' good it is once it's gone? I do, very often, in fact. Half the time, it's nostalgia playing tricks on me, and my skin can no-longer tolerate a once much-loved product... But the other half? That's how I know I'm onto a winner.

And that's just what's happened with the (much under hyped, in my opinion) Aurelia Miracle Cleanser. Ignoring the so, so, so high price point, it really does live up to its name. I picked mine up back in November and it's lasted me through until March, but sadly my little tub of goodness has run out. Will I be picking up another one? You betcha.

It's hard to say what makes this such a standout product for me. Yes, the packaging is beautiful and yes, it's well marketed; niche, but not too niche, with a probiotic formula to back up its claims. On paper, it sounds like a posh Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish... They both contain rosemary, eucalyptus and chamomile, and both feel like heavy moisturisers when worked into the skin. But there's something about the Aurelia offering that has a little more oompf.

I've already waxed lyrical about its moisturising effects, but there is a visible difference in my skin since I've had to stop using it. As much as I love my REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, it is very drying used over a long period of time, and the Miracle Cleanser rectified the issue perfectly, with out the claggy-ness of the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm. Aurelia also win out on having the shortest name - 10 points. 

My spot scars were less visible, the texture of my skin was noticeably better (even the Boyfriend noticed) and it just felt good to use. If you're looking for a new cleanser, this would certainly be worth a try. Go on, you know you want to.

Nailed It

First and foremost, I owe you all an apology for the hideous stream of puns that have been hitting this blog of late. Things are actually looking really peachy for me at the moment in a lot of ways, so between that and the fact that the Boyfriend is one of the punniest people I know, they're sort of inevitable... My apologies.

Moving on swiftly... Today I present for you my top nail picks for Spring. To contrast yesterday's post, in which I wrote of my love for high end products, all of these lacquers are actually from the drugstore. Safe to say that I'm fickle, then. I don't know if it's because I went through a ma-hoosive nail painting fad when I was about 15/16 (we're talking in the 100s here, I'm not ashamed to say), or because I'm not allowed to wear colour on my nails at work, but I just don't see the point in buying high end polish just yet. It's not that I don't crave a cheeky Chanel polish in my stash - trust me, I do - it's that I can wear it for a maximum of two days a week and my nails are so flaky that there just isn't much point anyway.

This aside, I'm more than happy to go a bit crazy in Boots when there's a 3-for-2 offer on and grab some seasonal hues. For this spring, I've opted for some 'is it summer yet?' orange-y tones, a minty fresh off-white and a vibrant pink. The damage? Minimal.

From left to right, I am wearing:

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in the shade Papaya - One of my favourite colours in one of my favourite formulae. These little beauties rock. They last relatively well, have a high shine and the colour selection is bloomin' awesome. This, for me, is a beautifully delicate pinky-orange. The name suits it well. I find it to be an elegant choice that goes well with casual outfits.

L'Oréal Paris Color Riche in the shade Pistache Drage - L'Oréal seems to be having a but if a moment on the blogosphere, but this really is a stunner, this one. It needs a good three coats painted on thinly, but holy smokes is it pretty. The lasting power isn't the greatest on my nails, but then again I don't use a base or top coat (bad blogger *slaps wrist*) as I can't wear nail paint for more than a couple of days anyway because of my job. This is the colour of pistachio ice cream, which brings back memories of being in the south of France with my friends this sort of time last year. It's very lovely and a little bit unusual, definitely one for mint lovers like myself.

Essie Nail Lacquer in the shade Status Symbol - This isn't a shade that gets much attention online. I think it gets overlooked by Watermelon, which is a shame to my mind as this is an awesome colour. It's not quite neon, but it's damn close. It reminds me of when I was in school and would colour my nails in with highlighter (that's how much I was into painting my nails) because we weren't allowed to wear any paint. It's a proper in-your-face sort of colour, but it's soo pretty. I actually find this to be a good great formula on my nails, but I know it's not great for everyone. Either way, it fits in with the orchid/pink trend you'll be seeing a lot of this spring/summer, so it's definitely worth taking a look.

Rimmel Salon Pro in the shade 115 Happily Evie After - I don't really get the name of this particular polish, but the colour? Now that, I get. It's a true beaut. A bright red-orange comparable to the infamous Chanel le Vernis in the shade Holiday. A brilliant transitional colour going into the summer with an amazing, amazing one-coat-wonder formulation to match. If I could only have one, it would be this.

So there are my top picks for this spring. I'm a little bit self-conscious of posting hand photos, as a) I have dermatitis/eczema on my hands and b) my toes look like thumbs (don't ask - just google Megan Fox thumbs and you'll know what I'm going on about), but it really is the best way to show a polish off. In case you're wondering, my ring is from a Siren Stacking Ring in Green Onyx from Monica Vinader and it is awesome. It can be found in various colours here.

What colours are on your radar as the weather heats up?