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

Trip To Harrogate

Hey There! 

So I thought I'd do a short travel post about my trip to Harrogate. 

Located just 30 minutes from Leeds, Harrogate is a perfect destination for a day trip. It is a beautiful spa town, which has preserved all of its old-fashioned charm and the true essence of Yorkshire.

Our first stop was at Betty's Tearooms - a must-visit for everyone who visits this delightful little town. 

With an incredible selection of teas, coffees, and of course the vast array of fresh cakes and deserts, it is a treat that everyone should allow themselves. They also offer a traditional high tea, with a selection of miniature pastries, scones and sandwiches

I decided to go for an open faced Waldorf Salad sandwich and a jasmine tea with honey - delicious! And of course, being a total sucker for chocolate I could not resist desert. My choice of a raspberry and dark chocolate rich cake did not disappoint! 

The town is not only a gastronomical heaven for the foodies out there, but also a treasure chest of culture and history.  There are also a number of ancient castles in the Harrogate area, some of which dating back as far as the XI century – definitely worth a visit for those interested in British history. 

It was a truly wonderful day and I had such fantastic time! Definitely recommend it if you're ever in Yorkshire

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