#31in31 : Sophie Wants MAC : Challenge Complete!

I set a challenge for myself at the start of January to make an effort with my makeup everyday, if I did it then all makeup unused would be thrown away and I would get my first MAC lipstick! 31 days was surprisingly difficult at times and it really showed me how much I stick to the same styles, but I did it! You can search Instagram #sophiewantsmac if you want to see all my looks, bar two in which I forgot to take pics! 

What went well?

I really liked perfecting what works for my general look, how to do it quickly but well and what products work for me. I also liked it when I tried something new for work and received lots of compliments especially as I had assumed that lipstick would be too much! A pleasant surprise! 

What didn't go well?

I did get a bit bored, for sure if it wasn't a public pledge I could have easily let it slide. I also became a bit bored of taking a selfie everyday! How does Kim K do it?

What could I do better?

I think if I did it again I would do something like a different colour/theme a day, just to keep things fresh and push myself a bit more. 

What did I learn?

That I have hoarded loads of crap makeup and how freekin good it was to get rid of it! And how annoying it is having to take off a full face of makeup everyday. Also, thank God for Pintrest when I was running short on ideas!

I have made two YouTube videos on my hero products and what I got rid of! So keep an eye out for them! I hope you enjoyed the challenge and maybe you could try it too! And yes, SOPHIE GOT MAC! A beautiful red lipstick in Lady Bug. 

#31in31 : Sophie Wants MAC Challenge

Hey hey hey, Welcome to 2016!

I will be posting my resolutions soon, but I thought I would start with doing rather than writing! I've decided to try and set myself monthly challenges that will in some way improve my life! So I'm starting with my #sophiewantsmac challenge! 31 make up looks, one everyday! Then at the end of January all makeup that has not been used WILL BE THROWN AWAY! 

I can be sentimental about makeup, despite all the hygiene risks blah blah blah... But these days I am into streamlining and my bathroom is getting so cluttered so it's time to say bye bye birdy! And what better than actually seeing what it laying dormant and unloved like a Ru Paul reject.

What's in it for me you say? I want to do more of what I love and I love beauty so why do I roll out of bed with two minutes to spare and shove on some Poundland eyeliner! I am intending to set the alarm a bit earlier and indulge in making me look like the best me I can be! And lucky you, by following me on Instagram (@stylish_tom ) you get to see it!

My prize? What is a challenge without a prize! I will go and buy my very first MAC lipstick, which for me is a pretty big deal! I am seriously excited and hopefully I will be motivated on those days when I am only reaching for the poundline eyeliner!

I hope you like the idea, but I will do it either way! Do you have any challenges you are doing or any ideas for me for the coming months? Let me know below or on the Instagram! 

Happy new year 💋

What's in my make up bag :

After yesterday's heavy post I thought I would lighten the mood with a what's in my make up bag post, as I really like reading other bloggers make up bag posts. I'm simple like that!

There is a lot of No. 7 in here as, just prior to returning to work I decided that I should be more grown up as I am a mother (? Blame it on the hormones not settling yet!) and so I bought some grown up makeup! It was also on a 3 for 2 day at Boots, with a combo of a voucher and boots card voucher I ended up paying around £13 for the lot! Madness!

My actual make up bag is by Happy Jackson and was a birthday present from my sister, to which I'm now obsessed with the brand as they all have cute little sayings, so this has 'Kiss + make up' on the front. It's a small/medium size so you can pack a fair bit in but don't end up lugging Boots around with you! 

I have a set of Real Techniques brushes that I bought on sale in Asda after Christmas, it's a basic set but a good starting point for building up a decent brush collection. I use the foundation brush for concealer as I don't really use foundation on a day to day basis, I would love to say it's because I have good skin but really I think it's because I'm lazy! The set also has a lovely eyeshadow brush, no guesses what I use that for! And a powder brush which I use for bronzer as it gives a good dusting without caking it on!

Next is my No. 7 Creme Touch powder, I have combination skin and can get a bit oily this isn't the most exciting thing in the world but it balanced me and looks fresh and clean. I like to think that sometimes things not being exciting and just doing what they are supposed to is really refreshing! 

The other powder is my beautiful No. 7 Shimmer Pallet bronzer compact, in the most beautiful rose gold case with a honking great mirror to boot! It's one of those with strips of gold, rose gold and more of a brown, packed with shimmer but not so much that you look like a disco ball! It goes on well and really lasts. I've also been known to use individual shades as a summery eyeshadow.

I thought I'd group my eye bits together. First up, the No. 7 Extravagant Volume mascara, I had been a die hard fan of They're Real by Benefit, but I was getting itchy feet so I thought I'd give this a crack. Boy am I glad! I think you get the same result of thick, long and well defined lashes, but you can actually get it off! And it's much less clumpy. I would really recommend it.

I also have two of the No. 7 Stay Precise liquid eyeliners, in black and chain mail (like a gunmetal grey). These eyeliners area great formulas, runny enough to shape how you want, quick drying and they last. I especially love the brush as its long, fine stands rather than a rubber of foam point, I find this offers more control and definition.

Lastly, the No. 7 ( told you there was lots!) Beautiful Eyebrows Sculpting Pencil. The pencil has the little twirly comb on one end and a triangular shaped pencil the other which I presume is to mimic the natural hair shape. The formula is just the right amount of waxy and has a good hold and a natural finish, I feel made up but not Towie made up!

Both Natural Collection items are concealers. I really like the formula they use, they are cheap and cheerful but they work and the fair shade is actually fair which is more than I can say for lots of other brands out there! 

The blush is Bourjois (seriously - does anyone know how to pronounce this without feeling like a twat) is cream to powder and is a nice subtle colour, an English rose. I got this as part of a beauty box (the Glamour one maybe?) and I am happy with it. I do prefer Benefit's Coralista but it's a ball ache to carry around where as this is lovely and compact. 

Lastly is this little gem. I wouldn't have normally owned an Avon pallet but again, my sister bought it for me! It's a perfect little pallet, small enough to take up no space and the shades can do a petty neutral or a smokey eye! It gives good colour payout with minimal fallout. I really have no complaints except that I put off using it as I was being snobby about Avon, shame on me!

I hope you have enjoyed the post, pre Tom, I used to love makeup and would have had lots more, but these days it's a much simpler life! 

Let me know your go to staples!