I'VE MOVED TO LONDON!!

Welcome back! That's not just a welcome for the people reading my blog but also to myself as I'm aware I've been MIA on the blogging scene lately. They say that the biggest life changes are 1. Moving House 2.Changing jobs and 3. Divorce, I've just done two of those changes all in one month! New City, New job, New College. And it's taken me about a month to finally sit down if I'm being honest (hence the lack of blogging). London is a hectic, fast-paced and lively city but it is filled with so much creativity and I'm thrilled to finally be here. I always post about makeup & fashion but I thought I'd write something more personal to celebrate the fact I hit 10,000 views this month! Thank you so much to everyone who ever reads this blog & supports me <3

Wandering around Regents Park

Smashbox Studio Store Stratford

Smashbox Studio Store

Beginning of September Smashbox opened their FIRST ever free standing studio store. Now this is a very big deal, I mean the first store in the freaking world! Before LA, before New York or even Dubai it's here in London. When I got the call offering me the job I was literally over the moon, when I joined the brand a year and a half ago, I only dreamed of getting an opportunity like this. Smashbox embodies everything I stand for with makeup, being creative, inclusive and just having fun with it really. The best part of working in the store for me is the team, it's so inspiring to be working around such talented makeup artists, I've only been there three weeks and I already feel like my makeup skills have improved so so much. If you're ever in London I 100% recommend checking the store out, not only is it beautiful with incredible products but we have a selfie light! So I waved goodbye to my lovely little counter in Bristol (you will be missed) and hello Stratford.

The Stratford team love a good selfie!

Getting to do the models makeup for Cosmo Fash Fest UK has been a huge highlight

The Fashion Retail Academy

After careful consideration I decided to finally get back into my studies this year. After dropping out of university in 2014 I hit rock bottom, I had no job and no idea what I wanted to do, subtly had a mid-life crisis at age 18. I was so wrapped up in the idea of going to uni, then getting a job, like that perfect life plan which gets drilled into you at College, wish I could go back and shake myself! The Fashion Retail Academy was founded by Sir Philip Green and is pretty unique, offering one year industry based courses specialising in Fashion. I went to see it in March and instantly felt like this was the right thing for me. I'm studying Fashion marketing & business because I love fashion but lets be real, I'm never going to be a designer! We cover a range of topics like, Marketing, PR, Digital, Visual Merchandising and Retail Management. Already i'm enjoying it so much and pleasantly suprised about how many opportunities the course offers, we've already had lectures from brands like Victoria's Secret, Topshop, MAC and the X-Factor styling team. 

Biking around Battersea park

So that's just a snippet of all the things going on in my life atm! Yes I'm always tired and no I don't have a lot of money but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Now that's enough of me rambling on about my life I can get back into beauty blogging now.

Thanks for reading, dolls.

Sadie xoxo

Ultimate Summer favourites

I've recently been really focused on creating makeup looks, whether its a celebrity or the season I seem to be obsessed with finding inspiration for new ones. Which means I've been trying out a lot more products... then it dawned on me, I've been so set on the makeup pictures that I've barely reviewed any products! Although I adore all the products I use I thought it would be better to go into more detail and hopefully help someone make a decision whether to buy a product or not. I mean who just buys a product impulsively these days? We want to feel like we're spending our money wisely and with all the amazing beauty blogs out there why wouldn't you read all the info? Here's the products I've been using the most over the summer.

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit- Gleam

I know, I know I'm a walking cliché! Anastasia Beverly Hills brought out their first highlighter kit and I get slightly weak at the knees. Me and half of the females on instagram. But it's for a very good reason as these kits are BEAUTIFUL! Probably my best makeup buy in a long time. Features four highly pigmented and buttery highlighters that glide on so smooth for a glow that even the moon would be jealous of. There are a few different colour glow kits but I opted for the more pink version 'Gleam' simply because most of my highlighters are gold and I wanted something different. 100% recommend this to any highlight fanatic and considering how little product you actually need, they're great value for the money.
Beautybay.co.uk - £39

2. Smashbox Be Legendary lipsticks

So back in April Smashbox launched 36 new lipstick shades, which was completely overwhelming as I loved so many of the colours it made deciding which one to wear everyday so difficult! (I do work for Smashbox but all opinions are my own). If you want a lipstick that lasts all day and has incredible colour pay off, these will definitely be for you. The pigment is crazy, the matte ones just don't budge and the cream ones give a beautiful lasting sheen. The colour range is amazing I'm confident there;s a colour in there for everyone ranging from edgy Greys to subtle nudes. The colours I have been wearing most are Famous, Audition,  Safe Word, Pinch Me and Fireball.
Smashbox in Boots- £17.50

3. Loreal 'Miss Hippie' Mascara

I've never purchased a Loreal mascara I didn't like, so I didn't think twice about trying out the new Miss Hippie Mascara featuring a chunky wand promising to give lots of volume. The mascara trend coming into fashion now is huge messy lashes which were worn in the 60's (hence the name). This mascara does exactly that and more. It really lifts lashes and gives them a sexy deep black colour. I noticed the difference from the first coat I put on, hardly needing a second. I honestly don't think I'll change mascara for a very long time now, this is the one that gets the most compliments and people asking what I'm wearing which is always a good sign!

Loreal- £7.99

4. Make up forever HD foundation stick

This is the perfect summer foundation! It's in a creamy stick from so glides on so smooth and blends into skin seamlessly given you a natural dewy finish. What's great is you can adjust the coverage making it easy to transition makeup from day to night. If you like something flawless and full coverage without feeling like your skin is caked up then this is the one for you.
Debenhams- £29

5. Cocoa Brown 1 hour tan

I am a complete tan fanatic, I've tried so many different brands and had so many tan disasters (my colleagues could tell you some awful stories, like this one time when I forgot to tan one arm!) and I could never find the ultimate fake tan and just when I was about to give up and accept the pale life forever I found this gem. Brought on a whim as i'ts only £6 in Primark and I liked the packaging I didn't expect much but I was completely surprised! It has a beautiful airy mousse consistency that blend really easy into your skin, dries quickly and develops fast. As the name implies it will be ready to wash off in an hour if you like a light tan but the longer you wait the richer the colour is, making it accessible for every skin tone. I obviously leave it overnight and it is honestly such a dark beautiful colour. Had barely any disasters and it lasts the good part of a week! Couldn't recommend this enough!
Super drug or Primark- £6

6. Smashbox photo filter powder foundation

 I have to admit I used to really hate powder, I guess because I have dry skin and was scared I'd end up looking like a desiccated coconut. However during the summer months and because my skincare routine has improved my dryness I have found myself getting oily! Introducing my new love of mattifying powders! This Smashbox one makes skin look flawless, literally reduces pores and almost blurs skin almost like an instagram filter for your face (who doesn't want that right? I'll take Valencia please). All whilst keeping it matte and in place all day. I now find myself using a light dusting to set makeup everyday and I really feel it's improved my base routine. People with oily skin will adore this product.
Smashbox in Boots-£29

#TACKLE THE TREND Pastel eyes

This was probably the trend I was most apprehensive to try, pastel eyes. They just seem so childish, barbie-esque and the colours always look like they came straight out of a five year old's makeup set. Putting all judgements aside I got out my brightest eyeshadow palette and played around, the results were pleasantly surprising! Colour doesn't have to be scary, I've found a little goes a long way and is actually really wearable. Perfect to wear for a festival or summer night out. It's really pretty and immediately gives you mermaid vibes which is always a bonus! Pinks, lilacs, blues and aqua greens are the most flattering.

Here's some beautiful pastel eye looks I took inspiration from.

Product details

Keep skin fresh and glowy to accentuate the youthfulness of this look, a pink toned highlighter looks amazing. Go pastel on the lips as well to really tie everything together and a pinch of pink blush on the cheeks for a healthy flush. Two-toned eyeshadow is great for pastel as it's simple but very effective.

Face

Primer: Smashbox photo finish- £26

Foundation: Double wear light 3- £29.50

Concealer: Smashbox studio skin in Fair- £20

Blush: Mac Desert Rose- £17

Highlight: ABH glow kit in Gleam- £39

Contour: Smashbox contour kit- £35.5

Brows

Benefit Ka brow in 5- £18.50

Eyes

Primer: Collection 2000 lasting perfection concealer- £4.99

Mascara: Loreal Miss Hippie- £8.99

Liner: Smashbox limitless liner pen- £18

Eyeshadow: Mac purple x9 palette- £25

                     Smashbox Art Love Colour 

Lips

Lipstick: Smashbox Paris Pink matte- £17.50

Lip Liner: Rimmel exaggerate in Tiramisu- £2.99

Look out for the next #TACKLETHETREND on my blog, coming next week.

Sadie xoxo

#TACKLE THE TREND Super bright lip

For the last two years the beauty world has been taken over by the era of the Nude lip. Thanks to Kylie Jenners matte brown pout and Mac's velvet teddy lipstick sales soared higher than ever. Although mega flattering and leaves the focus to eye makeup is anyone else just getting a little fed up with the same old nude lipsticks? I honestly never thought I'd say this as I own about 20 different nude lipsticks in both matte and sheens. I was a self confessed nude addict and I'd consider any other colour on myself hideous! But 2016 Summer trends have already shown the rise of the bright lipsticks, catwalks had very natural eyes with all the focus on a vivid coloured pout. Not only does it look super sultry and inject old hollywood pin up glamour to your look but most of all it's fun! I've found myself wearing Lilacs, Pinks, Reds and Corals, and actually liking them. So it's time to ditch that safety nude you always wear and opt for something wild and out of your comfort zone, because 2016 is the Summer of the bright lip.

Freedom Pro-lip melts £3 each

Celebs and makeup artists approve of the bright lip trend.

Product details

With a super bright lip I tend to keep the eyes simple with a big liner flick to keep the attention on the lips, however you can add a complimenting colour eyeshadow and lots of mascara for a really glam look. 

Face

Primer: Smashbox Pore Minimising- £28

Foundation: Mac studio Fix fluid in NW20- £21

Concealer: Mac Pro-long wear in NC15- £17

Contour: Freedom Pro Sculpt palette- £10

Highlight: Mac Mineralize Soft & Gentle- £24

                 Benefit Whats Upp- £24.50

Eyes

Primer:  Maybelline 24h cream shadow in Creme de nude- £4.99

Liner: Smashbox gel pigment liner- £18

Mascara: Loreal telescopic- £10.99 

Eyeshadow: Morphe 35W palette- £15.50

Brows

Pencil: Smashbox brow tech Matte in Dark brown- £16.50

Wax: Smashbox brow tech gloss in Brunette- £16.50

Lips

Freedom Pro-lip melts £3

Deep red- TGIF

Orange- Sold out

Blue- Just Do It

Pink- Applause

Lilac- Wanted

Which colour are you going to rock for the summer? Racy red, Preppy pink or Cute coral... or maybe something completely crazy like blue or lilac! Let me know your favourite in the comments below and I hope you're enjoying my tackle the trend series so far.

Sadie xoxo

#TACKLETHETREND Blue smoky eye

There is honestly nothing sexier than a smoky eye, it enhances your eye colour and gives you instant 'come to bed' eyes. Such a simple way to glam up your makeup. However one can get a teensy bit bored with the classic black and grey smoky eyes. Many 2016 catwalk shows incorporated graphic blue hues into the models makeup, including Marc Jacobs and Giambattista Valli. Also seen on a very iconic photo of Kim K on instagram. Blue looks insanely beautiful on deep brown eyes but can also accentuate green and blue. So if you're looking to inject some colour into your makeup routine this could be a great way to spice up a night out look.

                                        Here are some of the best smoky blue's on social media.

Product details

For a statement eye like this I usually advise to keep the rest of the makeup pretty neutral, nude glossy lips and lightly contoured cheeks fit perfectly. Also I personally feel smoking out and softening all the edges of blue eyeshadow looks a lot nicer and is easier to do than a more structured look,

Face

Primer: Smashbox Luminizing primer- £25.50

Foundation: Smashbox studio skin in 2.4- £29

Concealer: Smashbox studio skin concealer in Fair- £20

Contour: Freedom pro strobe palette- £10

Highlight: Freedom pro highlight diffused- £3

Powder: Smashbox photo filter in 01- £29

Brows

Anastasia Beverly hills dip brow- £15

Lips

Liner: No7 nude lipliner- £6.75

Gloss: Freedom pro-melts lip gloss in D-ream- £3

Eyes

Primer: Maybelline 24h Tattoo cream shadow in Creme de nude- £3.99

Cream: Kiko cream crush shadow in Electric blue- £6.90

Shadow: Smashbox double exposure palette- £38

Liner: Smashbox limitless liner pen- £17

Mascara: Maybelline push up drama-£7.99

So that's my second 'Tackle the trend' and i'm really loving getting out of my comfort zone and trying new looks. Would you wear a blue smoky eye, or do you prefer classic black? Let me know in the comment section below!

Thanks, Sadie xoxo

#TACKLE THE TREND Faux Freckles

I feel like summer is the time to experiment with makeup, its a time where we go to festivals, gigs and garden parties, which are all great opportunities to be more creative with your look! I have a 'safe' everyday makeup look, one I wear mostly because its fuss-free and I can do it in under 15 minutes. But I feel it is time to finally put down the classic nude lipstick and be a bit more bold with my makeup! I mean we only live once so why not have fun? because that's what makeup is. Each week I am going to be tackling a new SS16 trend straight outta Instagram and the wackiest cat walk shows, interpreting them in my own way to make them more wearable.

TREND #1- Faux Freckles

Seen at the Emanuel Ungaro show, models faces were splattered with faux freckles giving the skin a sun kissed youthful look.

I think there's something so ethereal and innocent about this makeup look, like an un-kept, pared back vibe! I've always found freckles beautiful but haven't been lucky enough to ever get any no matter how long I'm in the sun...

Instagram also approves, here's some of the best faux freckle looks I've seen.

I quite like the innocent freckles paired with extreme glam makeup, it contrasts beautifully.

#HOW TO ROCK IT

You can create faux freckles using your eyebrow pencil and a brow pomade or gel. I first lightly dotted them all around my nose and cheeks (where freckles naturally form) then darkened some up with a brow pomade. The way to make them look most natural is vary the size and colour of freckles, they never form in perfect dots its more of a splatter. I also found lightly patting them in with fingers after blurred them out a bit more. 

Bushy brows and dewy skin seemed like a perfect match for freckles. Also lots of peach tones on eyes, lips and blush to give the effect of being naturally kissed by the sun.

Product details

Face

Primer: Smashbox primer oil -£28

Foundation: Smashbox Studio skin in 2.4- £29

Contour: Freedom Pro-sculpt palette- £10

Concealer: Bare Minerals stroke of Light

Blush: Freedom Pro-blush palette in Peach n Baked

Highlight: ABH glow kit in Gleam- £39

Brows

Freedom Brow pomade in Dark brown- £2

Smashbox gloss stick- £16.50

Loreal artiste brow plumper- £5.99

Eyes

Mascara: Loreal telescopic

Liner: Bobbi Brown gel pot

Eyeshadow: Mac

Base- Naked lunch

Inner corner- White frost

Crease- Taupe

Outer V- Swiss Chocolate

Transition- Freedom Peach blusher

Lips

Liner: No7 nude lipliner

Lipstick: Freedom pro-melt in D-ream- £3

Freckles

Pencil: Smashbox matte brow pencil- £16.5

Pomade: ABH pomade- £15

So the question is, would you rock faux freckles? Comment below! 

Thank you for reading and watch out for next weeks #tacklethetrend any suggestions be sure to let me know,

Sadie xoxo

Freedom Makeup Haul!

I AM FREEDOM MAKEUP AWARDS 2016

I recently entered the Freedom makeup awards and to my absolute surprise, got through to the final 30! To enter we had to film a YouTube video of our signature makeup look which you can watch here.

Winning the first challenge not only means I can continue onto the next challenge of the competition but also that I get a huge box of Freedom makeup to use in my next video!

For those who haven't heard of Freedom Makeup they are the same brand that created Makeup revolution, really great on trend professional products at affordable prices. Freedom makeup is all about being free with makeup, allowing people to create and inspire others.

I'm so shocked and happy at how incredibly generous Freedom have been, sending me £270 worth of goodies! Opening the box I was like a little child at Christmas! So many beautiful products it's overwhelming. I've done a little break down of exactly what they sent me but of course watch my next video in the challenge to see them in action!

Eyeshadow

The pro-artist pads filled with so many different colour choices! Packaged beautifully to easily fit in a freelance kit, the pink one includes a contour kit and a highlighter. The glitter shadows have incredible pigment.

• Pro artist-Studio to go (pink)- £15
• Pro artist- Black Arts- £15

These are the pro-12 palettes. In an array of different colours from neutrals to the brightest eye shadows I own! I love the colour arrangement and I cannot believe the price!

Pro-12 Audacious 3- £4

Pro-12 Dream catcher- £4

Pro-12 Chasing Rainbows- £4

Eye essentials. Primer, Mascara and Liner

Cheek Colour

Pro baked blush palettes have every shade of blush you would need! Pink, peach and bronze. I wore a peach one yesterday and it felt so pigmented and glided on smoothly, lasting all day. Also including some beautiful glittery highlighters, I am such a sucker for multi-use palettes.

Pink and baked- £6

Peach and baked- £6

Bronze and baked-6

How beautiful are these highlighters?? The baked packaging is so pretty and reminds me of some higher end highlighters. The colour range is brilliant with pink, silver, gold and nude. Plus the product comes out so strong, which is exactly what I like from my highlighters!

Pro-highlight: Brighten- £3

             Glow-£3

                   Ambient- £3

                  Diffused-£3

Contouring

Freedom are definitely running the game with there contour products! They have such a huge range and the quality is exceptional for a drugstore product. These palettes have to be my favourite out of the whole range, (I may be biased because I love contouring). It just has everything you need in a contour palette, matte, shimmer, warm and cool shades. Even the sculpting brush it comes with is incredible. Top marks Freedom.

Pro Powder strobe palette- £10

Pro Cream strobe palette- £10

These are your no fuss contour kits, small and sweet. You have your contour powder and your highlight, but for £3.50 how can you go wrong really? Perfect for beginners.

Medium 01

Medium 02

Contour sticks are great for that fresh dewy natural contour and this has a 2 in 1 contour and highlight shade. These are so easy to apply so amazing for beginners or to wear underneath powder for extra drama.

Medium 01- £5

Medium 02- £5 

Brows

OMG the brow range is literally phenomenal! Not only do they do really creamy brow pomades (my fave) but they do brow books with a range of shades. I recently started doing more freelance makeup and realised I don't have enough brow colours, this completely solves my problem as they gave me both colours fair and dark! I love how it comes with a brow wax and highlighter too.

Pro- HD Brow palette fair/medium- £10

Brow palette medium/dark- £10

Pro Brow pomade- £5

Duo brow powder- £3

Lipsticks

These pro lipstick kits are so cute, you get five in a pack and they're a really creamy formula with a huge colour range. How am I going to choose between 30 lipsticks! I think these are great if you want to try a new colour or to add to a freelance kit. Only £5 each thats £1 a lipstick!

Red

Bare

Vamp

Now

Far Away

Pink

These are stunning. Pro Lip melts, beautifully pigmented liquid lipsticks, very true to shade. I love all the colours, I even want to wear the blue! £3 each.

Face

These priming and setting products are on point! I love the silver packaging aswell it looks clean and fresh. Everything you'd need to either start a matte or dewy look... I've wanted to get my hands on a strobe cream for a looooong time!

Pro Fixing spray- £5

Priming water- £8

Fixing Spray (anti-shine)- £5

Oil control Base- £6

Strobe Cream- £8

Concealer palettes are great because you need a few different colours for under eye and face. Also this matte foundation for a full coverage look.

Pro- conceal & correct in Light- £5

Pro- Matte foundation- £2

Who doesn't need a giant bronzer to help fake a sunkissed look?

£3

Skincare

And to finish it all off with some lovely skincare from super drugs range B.