Benefit Roller Lash Mascara Review

Hey there!
So I have been seeing reviews of this mascara literally everywhere, and it's been getting some fairly positive reviews!

So when I realised I was running out of mascara (and that's a serious emergency for someone with blonde eyelashes), I decided to pay the Benefit counter a little visit. 

I was feeling a little sceptical about it at first because I usually don't go for over-publicised makeup items as I feel like usually they tend to be overrated. Plus, over the years I've found a number of favourites that I just keep coming back to time and time again.

But I decided to be brave and branch out a little

So here is my review of the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara.

The mascara is relatively pricy at ‎‎‎£19.50 in the UK, however it corresponds with regular benefit prices. For a good quality mascara that will last you quite a long time it is a fairly reasonable price.

The mascara claims to be able to replace eyelash curlers by giving your eyelashes a visible lift, whilst curling them and visually opening the eyes. 

The wand is quite a small one, with a slight curve and silicone bristles. This is the main reason I was unsure about the mascara - I tend to prefer thicker brushes with bristles. But hey, I'm all about trying new things lately. The curve seemed to be perfect for the effect the mascara claimed to offer - lift and curl. 

So here is a demonstration of the mascara on my lashes. I naturally do not have very thick or long lashes so the mascara makes a fairly visible difference. 

This is the result of applying 2 coats of mascara. I feel like it does curl them a fair amount, whilst giving them some thickness and lift. 

I do wish it separated the lashes a little better, but since that's not one of the claims Benefit makes for it I can't blame them. Just a personal criticism. 

For everyday wear, it is dramatic enough to wear on its own without eyeliner, but paired with nice eye-makeup it would make a great evening look as well. 

I will definitely continue using the mascara, and see if it wins my heart over completely. For now though, I do think it is money well spent as it does what it promises you and seems to stay on for a long period of time (which is very important if your lifestyle is anything like mine and involves being out and about most of the day). 

What do you think? Does it do what the package promises? Will you be buying the mascara any time soon too? 

Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, 

Sofia xx

Get to know me tag!

Hey there!

So I thought I haven't written a blog post in while because of all my university deadlines.

And since I'm still terribly busy most of the time, I thought I could do a fun 25 questions tag thing in which I can hopefully tell you guys a little bit about myself. 

Here it is:

1: Do you have any pets ?
Sadly, no. Since I am at university we aren't allowed to keep pets in the house, but hopefully one day I'll be able to get a puppy!

2: Name three things that are physically close to you?
My phone, a cup of hot chocolate and a Yankee candle

3: What’s the weather like right now ?
Terrible! It's really rainy and cold outside so I'm having a nice night in.

4: Do you drive ? If so, have you crashed?
I do! I managed to finally get my driver's license in January, and thankfully haven't crashed yet.

5: What time did you wake up this morning ?
Around 11, I thought I'd allow myself to have a nice lie in this morning

6: When was the last time you showered ?
This morning :)

7: What was the last movie that you saw ?
I have been mainly watching TV shows recently, so the last film I saw was "50 Shades of Grey"
(click link to read my review of it!)

8: What does you last text message say?
"No worries" to my housemate.. not too exciting

9: What is your ringtone ?
The classic iPhone ringtone, although my phone is always on vibrate

10: Have you ever been to a different country?
Yes I have, and I used to travel quite a lot when I was younger, hopefully soon I can start travelling more again!

11: Do you like sushi?
LOVE sushi. Genuinely one of my favourite foods.

12: Where do you buy your groceries?
I'm a poor student so I order most of my stuff off ASDA, but I do try to buy fruit and vegetables from the local market.

13: Have you ever taken any medication to help you fall asleep faster?
I have, mainly to fight jetlag or when I'm feeling very anxious about something.
Question 14: How many siblings do you have ?
None :) I'm an only child

15: Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
Laptop

16: How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
20, which terrifies me! I do not feel that age

17: Do you wear contacts or glasses ?
Neither, I am very lucky to have perfect vision

18: Do you colour your hair ?
No, my hair is naturally very blonde and whilst I've considered dying it a different colour I don't have the guts to do it

19: Tell me something you are planing to do today
Work on my French presentation and cook myself a yummy dinner

20: When was the last time you cried?
Sometime this week, it was a very emotional Vampire Diaries episode.

21: What is your perfect pizza topping?
Ham and mushrooms and a LOT of cheese

22: Which do you prefer, hamburger or cheeseburger ?
Cheeseburger, is that even a question?

23: Have you ever had an all-nighter ?
A few times

24: What is your eye colour ?
I'd say hazel, although loads of people think they're brown

25: Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?
Yes. Pepsi tastes like deceit.

Until Next Time, 

Sofia xx

50 Shades of Red | Finding The Perfect Red Lipstick

Hey There!

So today I thought I'd write a post on finding the perfect red lipstick. 

Finding the perfect shade can be difficult, especially considering how many options there are out there: the blood red, the cherry red, the burgundy, the matte, the glossy...

But a red lipstick can really enhance your makeup look and add a pop of colour when you need it. This is especially relevant in the winter months where amongst the darkness and the greyness of the surroundings all you really want is that splash of colour. 

Now, I am very pale in the winter months, and that's when I wear my red lipstick the most. I feel like it contrasts well with the white slate that is my skin. 

In the summer, I tend to go for lighter colours and more natural looks. But if I do feel like spicing up the look a little bit, a bright red is my best friend.

So below I will show you some of my all-time favourite shades. 

1. MAC's matte lipstick "Diva"

Ok, so this one is an absolute winner for me. I spent the longest time searching for a dark red lipstick colour that is matte, stays on well and doesn't smudge. Diva does all of those things and looks great with a light eye-makeup and a natural contouring. 

2. NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in No. 704 "Flamboyant Red"

This one makes the list mainly because of its colour payoff and its easy application. It is a bright glossy colour, but it does smudge quite easily. 

3. Lancome Colour Lip Fever in No. 120 "Red en Vogue" 

This is one of my oldest red lipsticks, and I still absolutely love it! The colour is rich, a very "true" red. It looks amazing paired with with a neutral eye makeup and a peachy blush. 

4. NYX Round Case Lipstick in No. 545 "Hero" 

This one is a little bit different to the rest of the lipsticks in this post. It is more of a berry red, rather than a true red, and I came across it when I was trying to find the perfect dark red colour (See MAC Diva above). Although this wasn't quite the colour I expected judging by the packaging, I grew to love it!

So there it is - my top 4 red lipsticks!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post and that it helped some of you discover your perfect shade!

Let me know your top picks in the comments!

Until next time,

Sofia xx

10 Things Living in Leeds Has Taught Me

1. There's no such thing as being "underdressed"

Seriously though. I could go out to a club in my pyjamas and still not be the subject of any weird looks. Most people would just assume I was part of a social for a sports team, or on the infamous Otley Run.

2. Dressing like a tramp makes you "edgy"

In the first few weeks, I had witnessed the biggest transformation happen on campus. Herds of preppy kids gradually resorted to baggy jumpers, scrunchies and a lot of tie dye. It was as if the 90's had returned, and not in a good way like a "Friends" reunion episode. More like, stop raiding the vintage shops. Lesson learned - the worse you dress, the "edgier" you are.

3. High heels are horrible

Before I moved to Leeds, going out was synonymous to wearing a pair of high heels. As a girl, I'd suffer but get through the night as best as I could. Now, going out attire is complete with a pair of Nike Blazers, Doc Martens or Vans. And I love it. You actually begin to enjoy the experience, you dance the night away and are no longer worried about twisting an ankle or falling over leading everyone to think that you're drunker than you are. Not a good look.

4. What lies beyond the city centre is a big mystery

I won't lie - living on campus meant I didn't have to leave it very often in my first year. When I did leave, it wasn't far beyond the City Hall or Trinity Shopping centre. In my second year, my knowledge of the city has expanded to the Hyde park/Headingley area.

5. The Uni vs. Beckett (Met) Hatred

We don't actually hate each other. But we love to pretend we do. Whilst in reality most of us have at least one friend in the nemesis university, when it comes to serious events such as Varsity we show no mercy. Which leads me to my next point:

6. Rugby is a big deal

Before coming to Leeds, I barely had any idea what rugby really was. (I still don't really know the rules but that's besides the point). But when Varsity came around, everyone went to see the big game at the end.

7. Locals are an entirely different species

Whilst I am sure that the locals of Leeds are lovely people, students don't seem to mingle with them. There is an unspoken line that divides us. And everyone knows which nights out are for the locals, and which are reserved exclusively to students. All in the spirit of keeping up the great divide.

8. Which means you don't hear the Yorkshire accent as much as you thought

Before coming to uni, I had a number of people ask me how I'm going to understand people with such a strong accent. But that never became an issue because it looks like upon graduating from school, the whole south of the UK migrates up north. I don't know whether they're just trying to get as far away from home as they can, but there are a lot of Londoners in Leeds.

9. Hyde Park is nothing like its namesake

Hyde Park in London - lovely walks in the park, Winter Wonderland, family fun. Hyde Park in Leeds? Burglaries, rape stories, and lack of street lights. Yet it still remains one of the more popular areas for student living. Oh the student life...

10. But at the end of the day, the city has it all

Sure, it can be strange at times. But Leeds has everything you need for the perfect student experience - amazing night life, astounding food selection, and all the culture you desire.

Hey there!

So I thought I'd start this blog by introducing myself.

I'm Sofia, 19, a Russian who spent half of her life in Spain and is now living and studying at the University of Leeds. As an international student, I'm a bit of an alien in the UK and this makes for some fun experiences and observations. 

I've always had a passion for writing, and after a lot of hesitation I decided to finally take the leap and start a blog to be able to express myself. I want to be able to document my thoughts and share them with you guys, as well as having something to look back at in the future (and hopefully not cringe at past me). 

Let's see how this turns out. 

So here is it: 'Life For Sofia'. I want this to be a lifestyle blog covering things like food and travel, fashion and makeup, and anything in between. 

Until next time! 

Sofia xx