About Me

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WELCOME TO MY BLOG :) I'm a self-taught make-up artist with over 13 years experience currently living and working in London. Combining a life of a freelancer with working for the best make-up company MAC Cosmetics. I created this blog out of pure PASSION FOR MAKE-UP and started writing it while I was taking some time off from my travels and staying in my hometown in Slovakia and continuing it now from London, (where I settled down for now), enriched with my MAC experience. I really hope you like it. Please don't forget to subscribe and share the page with your friends that might be interested. I'm looking forward to your comments. XOXO SOPHIA

Thursday 27 March 2014

WEEKEND PARTY MAKE-UP

" I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WEEKEND TO BEGIN "

Hi Ladies,
It doesn't happen often in retail world that we get a weekend off. But this weekend is my weekend off and then (Oh how lucky I feel ... I'm off for holidays, visiting my family and friends back home in Slovakia) 
Enough about me though....
Are you planning going out this weekend and are stuck for ideas for make-up???
There's a make-up look I wore a few days back. Hope you like it. 

PRODUCTS I'VE USED:
Moisturiser: Mineralize moisturiser 
Primer: MAC Natural Radiance in Radiant Pink
Base: Mineralize liquid foundation in NC20
Powder: Mineralize loose powder in Medium
Contour: Matte Bronze bronzing powder
Highlighter: Lily White loose pigment from Fantasy of Flowers collection (available in stores now) 
Eyes:
Base: Painterly Paintpot
lid: Extreme dimension limited edition Silver Dawn eyeshadow in inner and outer corner. Or any kind of shimmery grey-black eyeshadow that you have would do. 
Center of the eyelid: Vanilla loose pigment (I love this little baby), also used as a brow highlight
Pencil: in the waterline Definely black Pro-longwear pencil
Lips: Fashion Whim Creamsheen glass. 





XOXO SOPHIA 


Saturday 22 March 2014

MOTD March 21st - VIVAGLAM

Another Viva Glam Friday at MAC Cosmetics in White City - London

It started out as a simple look but I vamped it up a bit to look more like Rihanna. To read all about the amazing benefits of buying a VivaGlam Lipstick click here ... 

Products I've used:

Dermalogica Skin Smoother moisturiser
Primer: MAC Natural Radiance - Radiant Pink 
Foundation: Mineralize liquid foundation NC20 (my winter pale)
Concealer: Pro-long wear NW20 applied on my imperfections and under eyes (it was an early start, please excuse the puffy eyes ;) lol 
Powder: Mineralise loose foundation - Medium 
Contour: Matte Bronze bronzer
Cheeks: Fairly Precious Extra Dimension Skinfinish
Highlight: MAC Fantasy of Flowers collection Loose Pigment in Lilly White, top of the cheekbones, under brows, inner corner of the eye. 
Eyes: Painterly paintpot as base
Red brick crease of the eye and Coppering on the lid
Mascara: In Extreme dimension 

Later on I added eyeliner - Fluidline in Blacktrack
and the new Rihanna Viva Glam lipstick and lipgloss. Firstly I framed my lips with Beet lipliner and then applied lipstick all over my lips and finished of with lipgloss in the centre. 











This look is a similar look as I've used the same lipstick. 












XOXO SOPHIA 

Monday 10 March 2014

A FANTASY OF FLOWERS NEW MAC COSMETICS SPRING'14 COLLECTION

My dear Ladies,

Spring is here.... at least it feels like it in London. MAC Cosmetics has launched a new collection among other few bits and pieces last Thursday. The collection is called A Fantasy of Flowers. Bursting with colours like green, pink, violet, soft yellow - all the colours of spring. It features pigments, blushers, lipsticks, mineralised skin finish shimmers all beautiful and soft. 
There are two main looks featured in this collection and it's green and pink. I've created my own twist in both. Our team at White City in London have had the most fun launching this collection as we all got to wear a splash of colour on the saturday after the launch. Please see the looks below.


GREEN LOOK

Products used:
Primer: Natural Radiance - Pink
Foundations: Prep&Prime BB Cream in Light Plus
Concealer: Pro-long wear NW20
Powder: Mineralize loose foundation in Medium
Contour: Matte Bronze bronzer
Blusher: Mineralize Blush - Azalea in the Afternoon
Highlight: loose pigment in Lily-White
Eyes: Base: Painterly
Eyelid: inner and outer corner Humid with Freshly Minted (discontinued, sorry guys); centre and brow highlight - Lily-White loose pigment; crease: Wedge; 
Mascara: In Extreme Dimension
Eyebrows: Stud eyebrow pencil 
Lips: Heavenly Hybrid - blotted away so it looks like a stain
I love my dewy skin ;)))


green look - no filter 

green look with a filter




PINK LOOK 

Products used:
Primer: Natural Radiance - Pink
Foundations: Mineralize liquid foundation in NC15
Concealer: Pro-long wear NW20
Powder: Mineralize loose foundation in Medium
Contour: Matte Bronze bronzer
Blusher: Mineralize Blush - Azalea in the Afternoon
Highlighter: Cream Colour Base in Luna
Eyes: Loose pigment in Pink Pearl with a bit of Coppering in the middle (excuse my puffy eyes you can't see it ;); brow highlight: Luna cream colour base if you're feeling adventurous you can use Currant lip pencil in your waterline or Bordeauxline eye pencil
Lips: Heavenly Hybrid blotted away


pink look - no filter 

Pink look with a filter

Me and my lovely Azryah (the Viva Glam ambassadors of the White City store in London)

playing around with my veil ;) 

A couple oflooks that go with this collection: 








XOXO SOPHIA 

Sunday 2 March 2014

MOTD February 28th inspiration for the weekend

Hi guys,

Sorry for being quiet for a bit. I was busy with my modelling work as I've walked the British Plus Size Fashion weekend in London this February. I'm putting in a link to my model page and a couple of pics from the event just for you. xxx

I created a fairly simple look with loads of blending for you. I hope you like it.


Products used (all MAC Cosmetics) :
Primer: Natural Radiance
Foundation: Prep&Prime BB Cream in Light Plus
Mineralize loose powder in Medium
Contour: Matte Bronze 
Blush: Fairly Precious, Extra Dimension Skinfinish
Highlight: Cream Colour Base in Pearl 
Eyebrows: Eyebrow pencil in Deep Dark Brunette
Eyes: Painterly (paintpot)
Crease: Prolong wear eyeshadow in Uninterrupted, Embark, Red brick
Lid: Loose pigment in Tan, 
Under eyes: Embark and Uninterrupted
Waterline: Teddy eye kohl and Black Swan pearglide eye pencil
Liner: Blacktrack fluidline
Lips: Viva Glam 2 with Plum lip liner and a bit of clear gloss in the middle
Lashes: 36 











XOXO SOPHIA 

Thursday 26 December 2013

Boxing day new purchases


New lip products (a flashback from the late 1990's) 


After a manic day at work I decided to treat myself to new lippies. 

There was this beautiful nude Cremesheen glass called Calipso Beat with the Temperature rising collection this July and I used it all summer as it was a limited edition I wanted to replace it … The closest thing to it was Fashion Whim Cremesheen Glass - on the first picture. I used to love Toni Braxton back in the days and I would love to bring back the Toni Braxton lip. I framed my lips with (it's an eye pencil but the effect is great) Bountiful Brown and put the Fashion Whim Cremesheen Glass on top. 

The second gloss I chose is Paper Lantern - it has a bit of a shimmer that I love… 




Fashion Whim Cremesheen Glass plus Bountiful brown pencil on the bottom picture 

Paper Lantern Cremesheen Glass










I'm ADDICTED TO FRIENDS I watch it non-stop anytime I feel a bit down I just put on an episode and keep watching. I love the colour of Rachel's lipstick. I'd describe it as a deeper nude, more in warm tones - brown, orange, … 

Mocha Satin lipstick suits my skin tone ;) 


Mocha, Satin Liptick


All my today's purchases; top: Paper Lantern, Fashion Whim, Mocha, Coppering (eyeshadow)



XOXO SOPHIA 

Sunday 22 December 2013

MOTD December 22nd

GREEN AS GRINCH …. 


Christmas is in 2 days…. whoohooo…

I hope the shopping doesn't stress u out too much… I certainly have full hands with customers these days… 

Anyway the products I've used are
Foundation: Revlon Photo Ready 005 Natural Beige
Highlighter Dare to Bare mineralize eyeshadow
Blusher: Raizin and Melba
Eyes: 
Minted Kohl pencil all over the lid topped up with Plumage eyeshadow and Cork in the crease
Minted in the waterline and under eyes then Plumage over it. 

I'll be back with some more stuff to inspire you for New Years Eve.

Enjoy your Christmas… Hope you get to spend it with your loved ones. 


XOXO SOPHIA 




Saturday 14 December 2013

MOTD December 14th

A bit of Raizin on the eyes

I've seen some of the MAC girls I work with using a blusher called Raizin on the eyes and I had to get it… Loving it so much.

I put a bit of fake tan on last nite, but I'm out of practice so thanks God no one is going to see my back ;) 

Our annual Xmas party is tomorrow so I wanted to pimp myself up ;) 
There will be more pics I promise.

I used Natural Radiance as a primer (first time so I'm gonna test it out and see how it works with my skin)
I used my old foundation that I used to wear a lot before starting with MAC it's Revlon photo ready in number 5. I love this foundation.
I prepped the eyes with a bit of Paintpot in Painterly. Applied Raizin on the outer corner and used a bit of Embark (eyeshadow) to deepen it at the crease. Then I applied a pressed pigment in Day Gleam on the lid and ta daaa it was done. I used In Extreme Dimension mascara and when it dried I curled my lashes with eyelash curler. 

Contoured with Bronzer - Matte Bronze and uses Raizin and Margin as blushers (in the order I named them). Highlighter Mineralize eyeshadow in Dare to bare. 

Hope you like it. 








XOXO SOPHIA 

Monday 9 December 2013

MOTD December 9th

Loving the pressed pigments - JET COUTURE 


Just a bit of Folie in the crease and pressed pigment Jet Couture all over the lid. Shroom on the brow bone. 

Have a great monday guys ;) 

XOXO SOPHIA 




Sunday 8 December 2013

MOTD (Make-up Of The Day) December 8th

SLIGHTLY OBSESSED WITH ORANGE, RED AN COPPER TONES ;) 

There only one difference to the base (foundation) I chose Hone Rose Magically Cool Powder as a highlighter, otherwise the same products - Face Base Visage, Studio Sculpt NW20, Studio Finnish NW20, Mineralised loose powder Medium, Margin - blusher, Matte Bronze - contour.

Eyes:
Base: Camel Coat Paintpot
Outer Crease: Corduroy and Embark
Lid: Coper Sparkle loose pigment
Eyeliner: Blacktrack fluidline
Mascara: In extreme dimension
Lips: Cremesheen Supreme in Sheer Mandarin





HAPPY SUNDAY

XOXO SOPHIA 

Saturday 7 December 2013

MAKE-UP OF THE DAY December 7th

Red lip and pressed pigment

The same base as yesterday:

I used my beloved Studio Sculpt NW20 as my foundation, topped with Mineralise loose powder in Medium 
Highlighter: mineralised eyeshadow Dare to Bare
Contour: Bronzing powder in Matte Bronze
Blusher: Margin 
Eyes: 
Crease: inner and outer corner Embark and a little bit of Red Brick, and pressed pigment in Day Gleam in the middle. The same underneath the eye. 
Lashes: False Lash Mascara and I curled my lashed with a lash curler after applying the mascara and letting it dry - this way they stay curly all day ;) 
Lips: lipstick Just Bitten from the Indulge collection, and Cherry pencil 


I'm off to work now. If you're in London come and see me at MAC Cosmetics in Westfield, Shepherds Bush. 

Hope you have a great day. 








XOXO SOPHIA 

MAKE-UP OF THE DAY December 6th

VIVA GLAM FRIDAYS AT MAC

Every Friday me and my colleagues rock a Viva Glam lipstick to boost the sales for one of the best causes out there - to support the MAC AIDS Fund that helps millions of people suffering from AIDS/HIV around the world. One Viva Glam lipstick can truly save lives. As all of the proceeds go towards the MAC AIDS Fund. For example when you buy one Viva Glam Lipstick the 15 pounds you spend on it is enough to save lives of 2 newborn babies that are diagnosed with HIV. As we know HIV virus attacks the immune system so when a baby is born with HIV they are more likely to conduct any kind of virus (may it be as simple as flu) and die because their immune system is not strong enough to defend itself against the virus. The price of one lipstick is enough to buy medicine that will help boost the immune system of two newborns therefore their chance to live is rapidly higher. 


The look of the day was a natural eye and Viva Glam lip 

I used my beloved Studio Sculpt NW20 as my foundation, topped with Mineralise loose powder in Medium 
Highlighter: mineralised eyeshadow Dare to Bare
Contour: Bronzing powder in Matte Bronze
Blusher: Margin 
Eyes: 
Base: Paintpot - Painterly
Crease: Wedge, I applied it underneath the eye as well. 
Lashes: False Lash Mascara and I curled my lashed with a lash curler after applying the mascara and letting it dry - this way they stay curly all day ;) 

Lips: Viva Glam 3 with currant as a lip liner all over. I applied the lipstick first and I used the liner to sharpen the edges and make it even. 


Thursday 5 December 2013

MAKE-UP LOOK OF THE DAY DECEMBER 4TH

The Easiest black glittery smokey eye - really 5 minutes tops 

I realised I should start writing about brushes I use too. I love my 217, 239, 224 and 219 from MAC but the loves of my life are Real Technique brushes developed by the lovely Samantha Chapman - you might know her and her sister Nicky from their youtube videos as Pixiwoo make-up tutorials. I've learned so much from them. I have the face set from them (see the blogpost about it London Essentials blogpostand I love them. They are available in Boots Real Techniques at Boots

Ok back to the look.

The same as always
Strobe cream, Face base Visage,
Foundation: Studio Sculpt NW20 (my newest favourite) 
Powder: Mineralize loose foundation in Medium
Blusher: Margin
Brows: Dark Deep Brunette

Eyes: 

I used my 219 pencil brush to create a horizontal V shape with Carbon eyeshadow in both the outer and inner corners of my eyes and left the middle without any eyeshadow. I used a pressed pigment in Jet Couture in the space I left clean of any eyeshadow - I used my finger to blend the pigment and the eyeshadow. I used 217 to apply a bit of dark brown (Embark) in on the crease to soften the black. 

White pencil in the waterline and mascara only on the top lashes.

That's it really. 5 minutes






XOXO SOPHIA

MAKE-UP LOOK DECEMBER 1st

SOMETHING MORE ADVANCED 

I got so used to doing makeup everyday that even when I'm not working I feel like I wanna practice or just be creative. 

The first 3 pics are the day before I wore the make-up at work and theres a slight change in the glitter I chose to wear for work the following day. 

All the products are MAC, if they aren't I will write the name of the brand. 
Strobe cream as a moisturiser
Primer: Face Base Visage
Foundation: Studio Sculpt NW20 - my new favourite foundation. 
Powder: Mineralize Foundation loose in Medium - buffed in all over Highlighter: mineralised eyeshadow Dare to Bare (sounds like an odd choice but it looks incredible on pictures - very Kim K. 
Contour: Bronzing Powder Matte Bronze
Blusher: Margin
Eyebrows - the usual Dark Deep Brunette pencil
Eyes: 
Paintpot Camel Coat as base
outter crease Cork (brown), Smut (matte dark cool green)
rest of the lid Nocturnals Christmas pigment collection - the green-gold pigment Vintage Gold I guess. The rest of the pictures is on the day I wore it to work, and I replaced the new pigments with permanent loose pigment called Old Gold 
Browbone - Shroom - shimmery light creamy colour
Waterline - Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Undercurrent 
Under eyes: Cork
Lips - on the first 3 pictures just a gloss, the rest is bit more advanced
Lipsticks: Diva 3/4 of the lips and Lady Danger - in the middle of the bottom lip
Lip pencil: Currant - I love Hombre Lips ;) 








XOXO SOPHIA