the search for the purple lipstick

since seeing this picture a few months back... i've been on a mission for a lipstick of that hue. blue toned fuschia ... pretty much a bright purple. i've been through a fair few shades and brands to find one, but i think i got there in the end!

so from top to bottom...
l'oreal rouge caresse lipstick in 203 - rock n'mauve
topshop lips in straight ace
stargazer lipstick in 133
look double hit lipstick in berry blast
sleek true colour matte lipstick in exxxagerate 792

my favourite has got to be topshop's straight ace, limited edition colour. it's the perfect shade and consistency i was looking for. it also leaves a coloured stain to your lips even if you've wiped it off - which i love. a close second is look double hit lipstick in berry blast, it's versatility and lighter blue/lilac pigment is perfect for a more subtle look and creates a more edgy look to an outfit.

a bit of beauty

a cutesy little post of various beauty bits i've acquired over my past month and a half of working at tank magazine! i've finished my internship there now.. it went so so so fast! i met some amazing people and got to do so much with my time there, assisting and observingn fashion shoot and films, helping write an article for their online site and attending press days on their behalf! i'm truly appreciative and thankful to bobby, elizabeth, sara, naomi, ellen and gemma!



this keith haring inspired - limited edition of DKNY's infamous apple bottle 'fresh blossom' is the best thing ever, with a much stronger take on floral than the original along with the best graphic packaging in the world - it was screaming for me to pick it up.


i'm also slightly in love with this lipstick from estee lauder. its a vibrant shade of pink with a sheer matte finish - it stays put for the majority of the day and i've found that it's a handy shape to find in your bag too! i would definitely purchase other shades of this lipstick too - it's pretty amazing.

i also picked up this ciate nail polish - it's dark colour and pigment called to me and reminded me of a more vibrant version my favourite polish and blog's old name sake 'baby goth girl' by MAC.

i'm yet to use this protection spray, as i'm horrible to my hair and never even condition it let own protect   it from the insane amounts of heat abuse it gets. however, the packaging is amazing - i'm such a sucker for illustration on anything - however, i'll hopefully report back with reviews in due course.

my easter treats - (a week late!)

the first image is the cute little floral box of treats i was sent in the post from my mam, OPI nail varnishes and cuticle treatment with three little lindt chocolate bunnies!

and above is the aftermath of the easter egg hunt that carl made for us girls in our house! he left us clues all over the ground floor on easter sunday with cute little baskets of mini eggs - and when we found the final clue we found malteaser bunnies, malteasers and a chocolate orange!

OPI nail varnishes in 'suzi's hungary again! and 'you're such a budapest' as well as OPI avoplex exfoliating cuticle treatment. i love the colours, they got me all excited for spring and summer! the blue toned pastel purple if my favourite though - such a lovely colour and the finish is beautifully bold.

personal project: operation hair

this year... i think i'll start publishing more of my own creative personal and fashion projects on here than i have done in the past. this one is strictly for fun and for my friends. in my friendship circles and family.. i'm always the person roped in to to peoples hair and make up! for some reason people just seem to ask me to plait their hair, do their eye make up, style their hair, dread their hair and even cut their hair for them - and i don't mind one bit. secretly, i love to do it and i get more practice for my own barnet!

so recently i've started to take pictures, particularly of the hair projects i've done for people, and it's making a cute little personal collection of photographs. i may start being more adventurous with phoography, styling etc - but these one were really rough and ready!

hope you like them! feel free to try any out and report back to me!

PORTFOLIO & OTHER PROJECTS: HTTP://SOPHIELOBBAN.TUMBLR.COM

a few christmas presents

i had a lovely christmas this year! i'm currently in the middle of my two week holiday from university and work and i'm back home in the north of england. it's been lovely spending time with family and time with friends from back home. here are a few things i was given on christmas day - i'll do another post of items soon.

i didn't really ask or anything so i got money as a main present. i'm still undecided if i should buy an ipad mini or not?! i went to the store and asked an apple guy if there's any difference between an iphone and an ipad... but they don't do anything different from each other - it's just the size! i have an iphone, so is it worth it? ahhh i cant decide.

i got the lovelyyyyy signorina perfume salvatore ferragamo, the vice palette by urban decay, an amazing camera shaped hip flask from my brother and coldplay live to name a few!

merry christmas and happy new year everyone! xox

lazy oaf dress, that wasn't meant to be...

im rather sad that this dress had to go back to lazy oaf.. it was way to big for me. i bought it on a whim and i couldn't really afford it anyway. i took a few snaps as i tried it on though.. just for blogging's sake!

i love the lazy oaf brand and aesthetic - it's quirky, bold and a little bit cheesy! when i head back to london in a fortnight i'll definitely be heading to carnaby street again for a browse in the shop! the packaging was so cute aswell.. with little bones, lazy oaf stickers and goggly eyes all over the place.

the dress itself is a dropped waist tunic with a pleated skirt, with pockets! it's such a shame i didn't order the S/M first time round because i think i would have kept it. however, i don't want to pay for postage and packaging twice because i'm stingy.

silver cuff: h&m, leopard print belt: new look

nails: rose pink UV gel polish & models own nail art pen in 'black' for the polka dots, rings: sterling silver by debenhams & a gift from athens.

my spotted nails were a happy coincidence, as i got a bit sick of the same pink nails and i had no acetone to soak off the gel polish, so i made them more jazzy with some black polka dots!

i'm so excited to be heading off to leeds festival in the morning for the full sunday there! no doubt there will be lots of pictures to come!

soph x