Posts by Sarah Louise Stevenson
Break Up Advice Anyone?!
1I am by no means an expert on relationships, but wanted to share some tips that have helped me over the last year. Enjoy! x
Spring 2012 – Soft Focus Fashion
0I’ve been so excited reading my favourite magazines lately, as they are full of fashion and make-up looks which I have loved and adopted as my style for years, so to see them truly come to fashion makes me smile (yes, easily pleased).
Spring 2011 saw a hint of pastels in the form of florals and lace, but they come to light more so in 2012 coupled with a few dashes more of white, and yet even more softness with a powdery feel.
The key item that you will see as being most prominent in mags and blogs,is the pastel skinny jean. Late last summer, I bought some bright coral Diesel skinny jeans (bargain at £20 from TK Maxx) but never actually dared to wear them outside my own home! Now, I adore the new pastel jeans and am a fairly confident girl but I am really unsure whether I would be brave enough to wear baby pink jeans to work or shopping in Leeds! Perhaps on holiday, somewhere like Italy teamed with patent nude heels, a white vest and a hot man – sorry…getting carried away!
You can still embrace the pastel trend without having to be too brave. If there’s a trend I love but think it may not be around too long or perhaps I am not feeling very wealthy, I always just buy a few accessories and add to a classic outfit. For example, cute mint socks or a pretty lilac scarf can instantly update your classic blue jeans and white vest look – even one of Models Own pastel nail colours can bring you up to trend. Or, for a more toned down look for work, pale grey/silver looks gorge with nude, peach or a pale strawberry shade.
For clothes, the key pastels colours include faded shades of rose, coral, purple, lemon, blue and green teamed with light greys or tan/beige shades. For make-up, you just need to be a little careful as certain pastel lipsticks or eye and cheek colours can wash you out and make you look pasty. So, you have two choices – either pick carefully or tan! Now I love my weekly fake tanning sessions and am pretty dark skin toned anyway, so don’t need to worry too much but there are certain baby pink blushers that make me look more poorly than pretty. I think the key is to test on the back of your hand and look for shades that make your tone look brighter not greyer.
I will be filming a Spring 2012 make up look/how to video once all must have items have hit the stores; until then here’s my 2011 one to give you an idea of what to expect http://youtu.be/l9Td_hu1E_s
Enjoy! And let me know what your fave pastel item is for this Spring; whether its clothes, accessories or make up x
Fake Bake Boutiques
0It was back in November 2011, that I was invited to the launch of the 1st Yorkshire Fake Bake boutiques. The event was held in Selfridges, Manchester and I got to try relaxing treatments, amazing products and meet the wonderful James Read.
I can only apologise to my PR contacts working on this event for only just blogging about this 
At the time of the event I was 6 months into singledom at 30 (which sucked!) and whilst the event itself perked me up, I have not felt up to blogging at all since. I am determined to have the best year yet in 2012 though so wanted to share my experience with you all and hope it’s not too late!
The idea behind these boutiques are for busy ladies to get great quality beauty treatments on the go. They provide a one-stop to beauty shop ideal for preparation before a night out or big event. It completes a perfect girly shopping day – with champagne on arrival and a chance to put your feet up and be pampered.
I was lucky enough to sample a few treatments. First of all I had a simple, but always needed and loved, manicure and nail paint. I chose a gorgeous natural nail colour by Leighton Denny and the beautician added delicate diamanté at the tip of each nail. The manicure lasted up to 10 days so I was really pleased with that.
I then tried some permanent lashes as I wouldn’t usually experiment with these. Having naturally black hair means I have dark lashes and they are fairly long so mascara usually provides the impact I need for nights out. As lashes become increasingly popular, and as a beaut blogger, I felt it only right to test and review these. It was a relaxing treatment that lasted about 1 hour. The beautician slowly and delicately applied individual lashes which were glued (using semi-permanent glue) to the base of each natural lash. The outcome was amaze! When I went to work everyone noticed (yes, even the guys!) but yet all agreed they looked completely natural. Almost 3 weeks passed and they were still looking great – and with such large lashes I didn’t need eyeliner or mascara so my make-up application time was reduced which was an added bonus. The lashes slowly started to shed after 4 weeks but I made a stupid mistake by removing my eye make-up after a rum too many with Vaseline forgetting it would dilute the glue and remove my lashes. So, I experienced a little disaster when my natural lashes came out at the same time leaving me feeling very bare! I missed my lashes after only a few hours so went to Mint Nail and Beauty Spa in Leeds to be rescued! The girls there were great and simply added a few thick, individual lashes to the gaps I had. These lasted around 2 weeks and provided me with enough time for my natural lashes to grow back. So, overall girls, I would highly recommend lash extensions but warn you to be prepared to spend extra care when removing make-up (purchase wipes specifically for false lashes or at the very least choose products with no trace of oil) and do not – however much you are tempted – remove the extensions at home. You really do need a professional to apply lash removal gel and careful take them off without damaging your natural lashes.
Finally, I was lucky enough to spend some quality time with James Read. We chatted about my skin type and fake tan techniques, and he demonstrated some of the Fake Bake tanning products which I am now a huge fan of. My favourite is the Flawless Self Tanning Liquid which ticks all the boxes of easy to apply, natural (yet dark) colour, nice scent and long lasting. I use this probably about every 14 days or so and I find it fades so naturally you can’t actually tell it is fake tan. I apply this with the tanning mitt and do find it creates a much smoother and streak-free result – as well as limited stained hands and fingers!
Overall, a great experience I was lucky enough to attend and something I will certainly visit the next time I’m shopping in Manchester. We just need one in Leeds now!
Hello 2012…
3Hello everybody, and a very late Happy New Year! First of all, I wanted to apologise to all those who have been contacting me wondering where I have gone! The reason for me not updating my blog or You Tube channel as regularly as usual, is that my boyfriend and I split up last June and I haven’t really felt up to anything to be honest. It was a fairly complex and upsetting break up – especially as his little daughter was such a huge part of my life. However, it is a New Year and a new start and I feel more confident and happier than ever now – so I am back!
I would love to schedule regular videos each week, however with my full time job time is limited and very precious so I will have to record as and when I have the time. My aim is to do at least 2 a month on a weekend and I want to produce videos that you find most useful, so please let me know whether you prefer random updates, product reviews, how to tutorials or anything else beauty related.
I am thinking of including more fashion and style related posts also this year as my ‘Primark Haul’ videos have been very popular. In addition, I am thinking of a series of ‘break-up advice’ videos – what do you think?
My Top Beauty Essentials
1A few people have recently asked me what my favourite foundation, lipstick and body creams are…which got me to thinking, I’ve never actually created a list of all my faves in one place for you all to nosey at!
So here goes… I have given a couple of options per category to cater for when you’re feeling rich or struggling with the pennies. Oh, and i’ve made all products mentioned into hyperlinks so you can view the products online for yourself. Enjoy.
Umberto Giannini – Backcomb In A Bottle
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Wow…am I glad I tried this?! After gaining a £5 haircare voucher from Boots the other week I thought i’d try something new. I was tempted by the packaging which looks very glam and would suit my bedroom make-up table! But also loved the smell…very sexy and perfumed but not overpowering.
I paid my £0.49 towards this and was hoping I’d made the right purchase with my voucher. Oh my, did i! I like my hair to look full of body and volume, and tend to rely on dry shampoo and other powders to lift my hair. I tried this on dry, finished hair and simply sprayed upwards into my hair, ruffling with my finertips…the look was amazing! Full, lifted, matte, messy…very on trend.
I now use this everyday instead of a hairspray or wax. It can be used throughout the day too if you want a perk. I can’t recommend this enough…you must try it! Oh, and I think Boots have 3 products for £10 on this range at the moment so why not shop there. I can’t wait to try their other ‘glam hair’ products.
Have you tried it?
30 Beauty Tips Learnt in 30 Years
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I am now officially 30 years old, although I feel 24! I’ve been using make-up and picking up tips and advice for over 16 years now so thought this would be a great opportunity for me to share some of the things i’ve learnt along the way with you all.
Bobbi Brown DOES stay put all day
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As any of you who regularly read my blog and watch my You Tube videos, I am constantly on the look out for eyeliners and eyeshadows that last all day long – no smudging or fading.
Vaseline – The Miracle Cure
4Well, who would’ve thought it? Vaseline – the most basic, cheap beauty product happens to double up as an acne cure!
I’ve been suffering from hormonal acne for weeks now since coming off Yasmin. It’s been so upsetting I’ve contemplating going back on the pill, but I feel so much better health-wise that it’s just not worth it.
Aromatherapy Associates Dreamy Bath Time!
0I was lucky enough to be sent the mini collection of Aromatherapy Associates bath oils to try and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time! I had just come down with a sore throat and was feeling very tired indeed. It had been a long day, week in fact, so the first thing I did when I got in that evening was run a steaming hot bath!
Testing Your Shades
1We all know how difficult it can be finding the right foundation shade, right? And don’t you find that when you do you tend to stick to it for years?! Well, I have. I use two Revlon colorstay foundations and have done for a loooong time! Switching and mixing between the two dependant on the time of year and whether I have a tan or not.
After recently visiting the MAC counter at Harvey Nichols, Leeds I discovered I am a NW20 which is opposite to what I thought I was (warm tone).
Lumie Clear – Helping real girls (interview)
1I have been using the Lumie Clear for over 4 weeks now, as part of a 12 week trial. The aim of the trial is to gain a glowing, clear complexion and ultimately cure the hormonal acne I have suffered with this year.
Halfway through the trial, I was contacted by a girl named Nina via Facebook. Nina had seen my videos on www.YouTube.com/SLStevo and wanted some advice about acne, skincare and of course the amazing new product from Lumie.
A Natural Tan & Ultimate Pick Me Up
2As you all know, I am a huge lover of fake tan. Perhaps it’s because my hair is so dark that I feel the need to avoid looking like something out of a horror movie, or the fact that I’m a keen beauty blogger?! Who knows!
I’ve tried so, so many tans over the years and do have my favourites for different occasions and times of the year, but this new found gem is something I will be using week in week out throughout each and every year, for sure!
Welcome
0Welcome to my blog shop!
Here you will find my unwanted impulse buys and products sent for review that have been used once or twice, as well as duplicate items I have at the moment. Items include make-up, skincare, hair products and lots of clothes & accessories! (even the odd homeware product!)
All have been used or worn only a few times (some not at all!) and are available to you at a fraction of the original price. UK P&P is £2.50 (see T&C’s below).
Check back regularly to see new items added! This isn’t a one off sale – enjoy & happy shopping! x
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