My New Lease Of Life

Before christmas 2016 I discovered the world of mindset.

I only dipped into it as I saw lots of influential people using this technique within their lives and businesses.

Up until January, this was the month I really wanted to delve into self development and connecting with myself more spiritually.

Ive not only watched and heard people talk more about this amazing adventure of life but also met people along the way, which are actually local to me. 

The perfect time to introduce you to Buckso. This woman has really made me see another light in this as she is really deep into her spiritual connection and no this is not all woo-woo witch craft stuff haha, this is genuinely connecting with yourself on a deeper level and discovering/manifesting the future of your life but also keeping yourself presently grounded.

Every time I meet Buckso I love chatting about what she's been up to and how things have appeared or changed in her life with any of her actions through her mindset.

For christmas I wanted a book called 'The Desire Map' I thought this would be a great start to creating a path in my mind which is focussed on myself and how I want to lead my future.

I then led onto purchasing books such as '4 minutes to change your life', 'She Means Business - Carrie Green and I'm currently on 'The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Berinstein' Im in love with this one by the way, its a great starter…

I then decided to add Meditation as a daily ritual. My brain really is in overdrive most of the time and I just can't switch off. Which I also think a lot of people can relate to.

At first I found it a little boring and my mind began to wonder off into what I needed to get done or something I needed to add to my shopping list for example. 

But no I decided to stick it out and keep doing 10 minutes of meditation every morning when i wake up. Now I can sit their for 15 minutes and really relax my body and mind into a peaceful state where i can unwind for those few minutes. 

I do listen to the guided meditations still as Im still learning a way to entertain my mind to this state and I enjoy the guidance and imagery that I begin to picture through my process. 

BARE WITH ME…

Right this post is not all about my mindset and mediation. What I really want to tell you all is what I have discovered lately and it has taken me the 5 months to train my mind and connect with myself and the universe!

So that was a little intro for how it all started, now after 5 months I felt excitement for the FIRST time from this amazing process!

After books and mediation my friend introduced me to the fabulous little podcast app that we all have already downloaded on our iPhones! (just go onto your homepage and its the little purple mic)

I was on my way to a week on holiday (just 2 weeks ago) and she said 'Im going to listen to a few podcasts'. 

I was like wait, what! How have I missed these little gems.

So I found a few of my favourite authors and motivational speakers along the way and got myself stuck in.

This was just TODAY! I found a podcast from 'Connie Chapman' on Awaken Radio. It was a show called 'How to manifest your desires by following your intuition' 

Now I didnt think to deeply into it, it just caught my eye and i listened. She spoke about her issues and the desires she wanted to manifest and thats when it clicked!

I realised my true passion and desire from not only what I want out of my business but how I want my business to be!

For so long now social media in the makeup world has become huge! Especially in the UK with artists such as the fabulous P.Louise and many more talented people.

But this podcast made me realise, this isn't me?

I have been focusing on creating looks to this standard and learning new techniques to make my business appear the way other peoples do just because its so loved by people like yourselves.

And even I know from experience that my clients actually don't want looks as dramatic as them but why hadn't I clicked before now?

So I'm taking Makeup by Sophie Downing right back to where is began for me, back to inspiring artists like Pixiwoo, Bobbi Brown and many others. 

You know why? Because thats where my passion and talent lies.

I don't want to be creating looks to just wow I want to create looks that my clients can relate to and inspire their own makeup to be.

Overall that comes under NATURAL BEAUTY 

I rave about how natural skin products are the top of my list, so why doesn't my makeup correspond?

My creativity is always there no matter how light or heavy a makeup look is but my skills bring out the passion of natural beauty and enhancing what you have!

I don't want to change faces, make someone look like a celeb. Deep down we don't want that, we want to look the best versions of ourselves and flaunt what we already have.

After my amazing experience whilst eating breakfast with headphones in this morning I finally new what was missing. What that little gap was for how i can progress in life and my business.

Over the next few weeks I want to focus on a business clear out and really re-programme what it is i offer.

My services won't change of course, because what I do every day is always what Ive just described, its in my mindset that I'm thinking different.

Connecting with myself, mind and body has really added up those dull 5 months into thinking nothing was happening into realising my whole future and I can't wait to see what the future brings.

Its goal setting time ladies!

I would LOVE to know if you read any mindset books or listen to podcasts?

If you don't, then I hope i have inspired you to open up to this side of life.

I would also be honoured to answer any questions about this or even post more blogs on this subject if you were really curious about these things.

Either comment or email me at - makeupbysophiedowning@yahoo.co.uk

Have a fabulous bank holiday weekend.

Sophie xx

References - 

Buckso - @feelbetterwithbuckso

Connie Chapman - www.conniechapman.com

My services- 

www.makeupbysophiedowning.com/price-list

May Holiday Makeup Bag

Ive told you my Sun Protection collection, now I'm sure your more interested in my key goodies which I took to Mallorca with me.

Lets call it my 'Spring Face'
Cause I have my August holiday to come, and I'm sure i will have a change of products for this holiday!

I could sit and write up the whole makeup bag I took with me but to be quite honest I hardly used any of it, I wanted to create makeup looks every night like i usually do but my body and mind was constantly screaming REST WOMAN!
My job is my hobby and I don't feel like I 'work' its just all fun and games in the makeup world (apart from the paperwork) but this holiday was a total lazy week which I took over advantage of.
4 books read, yes 4!!

So makeup looks didnt really happen but 6 key products were sure used every night!
Here they are…

MAC Strobe Liquid
I seem to always grab this little beauty and decant it into a pot as you really don't need much.
As your skin does tend to get dry on holidays from the sun my strobe liquid just perks up my skin and gives a lovely glow under any other product that I apply to my skin.
The iridescent dimension sits perfectly on any toned skin, although MAC has now brought out multiple shades of the strobe liquid with colour correctors in, so you have plenty of choice.

Guerlain BB+ Hyrda 
I was adamant that I was NOT wearing foundation on holiday! I always am to be fair, although sometimes i only wear it to even my skin tone out. I dug this out of my kit, knowing that this has always been to dark from me from when i got given this product when i worked for guerlain I could never make the most of the luxurious BB cream on my own skin. So my eyes lit up when I knew I was getting some sun exposure.
This BB cream has the most amazing hydrating ingredients in, nourishing your skin with natural water which is made to make your skin absorb every drop! It really does, anyone with dry skin, you need this in your life.
I also love the finish of this as it keeps your skin looking and feeling moisturised for the whole duration of using this products.

Nars 'Laguna' Bronzer
There is a few forms of this no.1 selling bronzer, compact powder and liquid are the ones I own in my personal and work kit depending on your skin type or what finish you are wanting.
I knew that I was using my moisturising BB cream so I decided to take the pressed powder with me to take away any unwanted shine and also use as my contouring.
I love how this bronzer is matte enough with a natural, complimenting shimmer on the face and its the perfect shade for all skin tones, you honestly can't go wrong!

Nars 'Copacabana' Multiple Stick
Again I own a few of these stick, they have so many shades for all different purpososes. With 'Copocabana' I use this more as a highlighter and to bring out any high points on my face such as cupids bow, cheekbones and brow bones. This shade really is mid way for all yellow and pink undertones skin, and there really isn't many highlighters that can be used on both.
The glow this gives is just POPPING! You can use it from the stick or tap onto the areas and build up in your own pace.

Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer
I use this EVERYDAY, from snow to sun this concealer will be under my eyes!
It it literally crease free and doesn't set with a powdered finish which I hate in many concealers but it gives the maximum coverage under the eyes to make your look so awake and alert.
I always go 2 shades lighter in my concealers which I have the shade 'Vanilla'

YSL Kiss and Blush 
And finally a great multi purpose product from YSL which i used on my cheeks and lips.
This creamy, satin texture is so luxurious on the skin and lips and really keeps the application looking smooth and even.
Cream blushes are my go to on holidays and in summer as it just gives my that summer feel knowing that my skin will just look smooth and products glide on like a breeze, especially on the cheeks, you don't want that build up in one area of powdered pigment thats decided to hold in one area and wear off of the rest.
This product again comes in various shades, I chose shade 07 as i wanted that peachy undertone and coral effect with my chosen makeup looks this holiday.
I did of course take other lipsticks so I could mix my outfits up but a coral lip in Spring/Summer will never date.
It shouts 'Summer Time' don't you think ;)

Theres my top 6 products for my spring holiday face.
Have you tried any of these?
Are any other my products on your 'summer makeup list'?

and finally, the only thing i haven't spoke about is my Holiday Skincare Routine, comment below or let me know if you would like to see this on the blog next week.

Love Sophie xxx

Holiday Sun Protection Favourites

You may know I just got back from my holiday in sunny Spain just last week.

Let me tell you, reality kicks straight back in! haha

But my weeks break in the sun really was what I needed, just to clear my head, relax and think about NOTHING! Yes we all need it.

I knew I needed that break just before wedding season really kicks in at the end of May!

I thought the perfect post to kick start back into May for you all was my 'Holiday Sun Protection Favourite' 

To be quite honest we all just go to our closest Boots store and grab our usual sun protection from 8-50+ but we don't really think about the other factors of what a suncream really does for our skin for every minute of that sun exposure.

Yes protection in NUMBER 1 on the list to why we need this but this year I decided to really put more focus into what I wanted from my tan and the feel of my skin.

LANCASTER!

Have you heard of this sun care brand?

'Prepare, protect and prolong your tan, with or without the sun' 

Doesn't that sound too good to be true!

Well my first usage of this was a face cream which I purchased for my holidays last year as I don't like using the same cream for my face and body just due to the ingredients in a body cream is very different to one focused for the face only.

I used to break out horribly from these body creams on my face, and a mix of sweat of course.

So i brought Lancaster Face Protection learning from my beauty experience that this brand is focussed on - 

- Overall Sun Protection 

- Gaining a sun kissed, healthy, even tan by helping release the melanin to a higher surface of the skin

- UVA (Prevention of lines and wrinkles - A is for Ageing)

- UVB (Prevention to burning rays - B is for Burning)

- Infrared Technology (Goes deeper than UVA & UVB as it helps keep the skins firmness and elasticity - which is proven that to much sun exposure makes skin feel and appear loose as time goes on)

I have literally never found a brand with such beneficial factors, so I knew I needed to experiment with more!

I want to explain to you what factor i used and how the products felt on my skin throughout my holiday.

Lancaster Sun Beauty 

Velvet Touch Cream - Radiant Tan for the Face 

SPF 30

From using this cream last year it never failed me a second time around! 

In fact I hadn't brought a new tube this was purely half full from last year so I may as well use it again.

For a SPF 30 this face cream is not as thick as you may expect, as soon as its applied and worked into the skin it soon sinks in leaving a smooth, non-sticky finish.

This product is a silky texture which glides on and thoroughly protects this skin as I have not had any Burning issues when using this face protector as I used to always seem to burn my forehead where I pull my hair up out of the face and a popular nose burn like lots of people seem to get. 

Which does not look nice with ANY makeup over the top!! haha

Lancaster Sun Beauty 

Melting Tanning Milk 

SPF 15 

Now this one was a new-be, I have never used a Lancaster body cream before now and let me just say, i will NEVER by any other!

My skin was constantly smooth, silky and baby soft throughout my whole holiday!

Usually i can get quite dry with the sun drying out on my legs and elbows always seem to harden up when i go away, but using this beauty my skin contained so much moisture and hydration it makes me want to wear its everyday!

Infact I really am tempted to moisturise in this haha! 

The texture was finer than the face cream but thick enough to feel protected and moisturised.

I had the 400ml bottle just because it was a better price than buying a small one, when i know I'm going on holiday again in a few months so i knew it would last me.

I would say i used around 100ml so I have plenty left and proves i didnt need to use so much.

I on average applied suncream over my whole body 3x in a day.

Which really may be recommend 3-4 time a day to keep the highest protection, but I sure am a sun goddess, and was soaking it up every minute of the day.

And again i didnt burn ANYWHERE in the whole week i was there!!!

I would highly recommend this amazing sun cream to anyone going away.

Lancaster Sun Beauty 

After Sun Tan Maximiser 

For Face and Body

This product I have brought for the past year every time I've been a way.

After a shower in the evening there is nothing worse than no aftersun and leaving your body to feel dry and dehydrated so of course I purchased a new bottle of this as I really did want to buy all the products so that I could reap the benefits of this brand.

Yes it worked!

I came home with a lovely warm, sun kissed tan with my healthy yellow undertones leaving my skin nicely tanned and even.

This product is described to be used after sun exposure and when you get back from your holidays to pro-long  your sun tan and keep it long lasting even when back in rainy england.

I think I read or heard around a month of prolonged tan when sticking to using it, so I'm still applying this after every shower.

The aftersun, is a lightweight texture so it does not feel thick when you apply or after it has soaked in which can be a hit or miss for some people depending on what they prefer.

I actually really like it as i do love apply body oils on my skin throughout the week so they really went hand in hand.

One thing i will say is the smell of this product is quite a sting, prominent, musky smell in my opinion but once it has soaked into the skin the smell does fade, so you can easily apply fragrance over.

But again I have always seen a difference with my tan and how long it lasts when using this is the past.

Im just hoping it will be even better now i used the suncream with it on my holidays too.

Last but not least

BURTS BEES LIP WAX 

Ok so this one does not contain any SPF but i grabbed this last minute for my packing as my lips were so dry and chapped before i went away and I do love a lip balm or crayon around the pool in the day to keep them moisturised.

I absolublty LOVED this lip wax, it was honey and peppermint, which was so refreshing and my lips became smooth and hydrated through the holiday.  Im still using this now, although i do love a good lipstick everyday back at home but it still works under or over any lip colour.
You can also get this in different types such as Coconut, Pomegranate, Strawberry and many more.

Have you tried any of these products on your holidays?

Or are you now curious to try these products yourself?

Stay tuned for next weeks blog post on 'May Holidays Favourite Makeup Products'

Love Sophie x