Confessions of a shopaholic... my version...

Until I have some real products reviews in mind, I'm just going to post stuff about what's going on, what are my thoughts..etc. It also makes it a bit easier. I am finding it difficult to keep in touch with my friends and catch up, so whoever is interested in my daily/weekly jibber jabber can read these posts. :)

So because I am not a very frequent church goer, let's just treat this as my confessional about my addiction...and of course I will try my hardest to justify it all...haha.


Yes I do have other hobbies and I know life is not just about material things, but there's just something about having a bit of a shop that is so special. Lately for me, I have become addicted to nail polishes, accessories and of course cosmetics (makeup and skincare). Is it just me who get so excited over this stuff, or do I need to go to a doctor? Honestly sometimes I think I should...

Between researching (fashion, beauty) blogs, reviews, tutorials etc, and just seeing all the cool and beautiful people here in London (and all over the world), I find myself always inspired! This feeling of inspiration then makes me curious and I start to become a child again...going to my imaginary world where I am able to imagine having those cool things I see on others...they seem so cool and interesting...I want to be like that too... I'm so gullible!! Whatever... I don't care, it makes me happy!

I think women should never have to explain to anyone why they make purchases especially not to men! There's something about the way WE do it that is so magical, almost ceremonial! The anticipation, getting all dolled up, going through the shops, picking up stuff imagining the possibilities how you can use it with your existing stuff at home...Ahhh..already makes you feel all happy doesn't it? :)

Don't get me wrong there are some rules like (applies to all categories):
If it's on the sales rack, there is a reason why it's there and you should probably leave it.
If you aren't 100% sure then walk around with the item for a bit... 5-10 minutes...I usually end up NOT getting it.
Harmony between quality/fit and price.
When in doubt ask a stranger's opinion. Don't listen to the sales person, they will try and sell it to you even if it's unsuitable.

I have gotten smarter with purchases but...I still can't resist sometimes! :) Especially since working in retail and having to wear all black all the time, you will see, I HAVE TO have tons of accessories and nail polish haha... I have been behaving quite well when it comes to buying hair and beauty items, I think it's because I know more about the products so I am more aware of the products value, and if I do truly need it or not.
I did get a GHD recently and invested in the macademia oil hype for hair...It was totally worth it!

With makeup and skincare I've been a good girl...I am going to wait a bit, I have tons already and now with MAC starting...better try and pace myself!


There's a couple of pictures of some recent stuff (my faves at the moment), they make me happy and perhaps you will like them too and feel inspired as well :)

At the moment I am crazy about these:

Fashion and general "OMG she is fantastic!" : http://blog.nelly.com/fannylyckman/

Beauty, hair and nails of all shapes colors and sizes: http://www.preen.me/

Fave Magazine I freaking LOVE: http://www.company.co.uk/

Fave YouTube Channels:
The Diva: http://www.youtube.com/user/TymetheInfamous
The Entertainer and person I would love to meet: http://www.youtube.com/user/grav3yardgirl
Most Creative: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UChldAnY1xDHQivmKsw3pCZw

And here are my pictures :)
Enjoy! :)

LIFE AND THOUGHTS

I just feel like ranting a bit. It doesn't have much to do about makeup, but it does have to do with well being...and I am sure that down the line somewhere it affects "beauty".

You know those days, when you wake up, look in the mirror and either
a) WALK away as fast as possible because you feel your blood boil
b)Stand there and asses the situation that in fact YES you look like shit
Either way for ME it ends the same...I get so upset and angry that I walk to the kitchen and make some nice calorie filled breakfast to crawl back in bed with.

That's it, I am  set for the day. Just another day of total lack of enthusiasm and motivation.
They say it takes 90 days to make and break a habit...I know I have made a terrible habit by now...When did this happen? A few years ago I felt so good about myself...and I felt like it showed as well...I felt like my skin was great too, meaning I hardly even noticed any of my past acne scars or anything.

Now it's like...eww. Where is that girl who worked out every day, was up for a challenge and felt good about herself? Where the heck is she and when is she getting back?!

Now, I don't know how it is for you all, but for me I don't get motivated easily. I'm lazy, I like food preferably sweets,and carbs...Junk food in plain english, and looking at images of models and society "ideals" does not make we want to change or make changes. It has no effect on me...maybe because I just am focused on the face and makeup so much, or perhaps I have learned over the past 10 years that no one is perfect and even models aren't perfect...I'm so used to them.

I think I like to play the blame game. Blame lack of motivation on lack of money, living conditions,work, " I don't have anything to wear", my hair is nasty,my skin is nasty...etc

The only way I know I will get fit again is if firstly I have a home gym and secondly I get angry or I want something very much, so much that I don't even think about anything else... and they only work together.

It's a rare combination. Overall whoever knows me will say I am more than content and stubborn as hell. So for me to get angry, it takes a lot , equally for me to want something so much that it takes over everything else in my life ( I am stubborn in my ways that I usually find a way to get what I want because I know if it's unrealistic I don't even bother...hence the fact I usually get what I want ) it has to be something that I know I will have and get but I just have to put a bit of effort.
Also the home gym thing...let's just say I don't see it happening when I have to share a flat with other people...no space and I am sorry but I would be mortified. I can't help it. AAARGH!!! Now you see my dilemma!

Then comes the next part. When others get involved. I hate it. When others remind me of living and eating healthy , I know they mean well but it just makes me even more demotivated! I OBVIOUSLY know when I am not doing or living the best health lifestyle... I KNOW I own a mirror and I have eyes...and every time I eat some lovely cheese or a yummy cookie I think I shouldn't but I want it! It's the only happy thing I have at that moment! I need more happy stuff in my life. I need to be constantly happy. Is that selfish? Many people are in a much worse position than I am...why am I moaning?! I come from a good family actually a great one...(ok it's not perfect, everyone has issues and things but it is actually a pretty great family), I have lived in many cool places, worked in many exciting events, I'm not a complete idiot and I know what I am doing at least... I also am happy in my personal life...I am just not happy in my mind. I'm not depressed or anything I know that...
I think I'm just fed up and just a bit off track.

Arrgh!! Why??? Why am I where I am? Why do I feel like others are so much more ahead? I hate them.Okay I don't hate them I just will admit I am envious and this is what I think then eventually ties into beauty. No matter how much foundation or cream or what brushes you use or whatever...if internally you are off... you will be off. It shows in the mirror. I hope it doesn't show when others see me at least. Actually I am sure it doesn't! Everyone is so insecure all the time and so preoccupied with their own flaws we never notice the other person's flaws. I know that's a fact after working in an industry where I am like 5 inches away from someone's face and they will say their skin is horrible, then I point out my "war wounds" and they'll be like "Oh I didn't even notice"...I know people don't notice my flaws as much as I do... but I do and it makes me mad and irritated and angry. IS THAT SELFISH???

So what to do next is my question...what to do? Sulk in my pjs all day long? Make excuses?Wait to have constant happiness in my life so I don't feel the need to eat/buy/indulge in momentary happy impulses?

It takes 90 days to BREAK and MAKE a habit...
TOMORROW will be day 1.

Catching Up...

Hey everyone!

So I think I owe everyone some insight on my past year...and why I went completely "here today, gone tomorrow" on you all.

Full time, retail sales and services in London's busiest area for one of the Top 3 Beauty companies in the World. It doesn't matter which one. It's more just the rest. I am actually just going to leave it at that, those who can relate will get it and those who can't wouldn't get it anyway! Plus it would be totally unprofessional to go into it.

Now I have changed my circumstances a bit, new company, part time and overall more exciting and creative...let's just say, it's more up my alley.

Over the past year of course, I have come across many new products and different trends and routines.

1. EYEBROWS
NEVER underestimate the importance of your brows...just look at Cara Delevingne... I remember seeing in magazines (years ago now) all the hype about fuller brows... I was always kind of like..yeah fine whatever, surely there are more interesting trends at the moment then measly brows.
Now I am at the point where I HAVE TO DO THEM EVERY DAY!! Makes a huge difference!!

WELL ladies and gentlemen, it is NOW time to go grab the following :

• flat angle brush + matt medium brown powder OR Brow pencil with spoolie ( The color doesn't matter, it's just so you can mark it out for now)
• some long, straight, thin utensil, like a pencil or cotton bud or another brush.
• a mirror, preferably a standing one, you will need your hands.

Face straight into the mirror.
Take your utensil and line up the dip of your nostril to the brow bone. DO NOT LINE IT UP TO YOUR TEAR DUCT NOR THE OUTER CORNER OF YOUR NOSE! Mark the area where it hits the brow bone with a line!! (Yes, use your coloring tool). By lining up from the dip of the nose it will SLIM DOWN your nose line... Hello nose job for the broke, like me! Haha.

To get your arch move the utensil from the outer CORNER (not dip) of your nose and look at YOURSELF in the mirror while you line up to the brow bone. Now this is where you can go two ways... either have your utensil go through the center of the pupil OR (and this is the way I prefer it) just along the outer corner of the pupil... The difference is the first version will give you a bit more of a smaller brow and the second version will make it just a tiny bit longer... Do whatever you prefer. Mark the area again with your color tool.
You arch is going to lift the eye area (instant eye lift) and also flatter the high point of your cheeks.

The length of the brow is the easiest, well it's all pretty easy when you think about it ( "Doh" moment ), just line up the outer corner of the nose to where it hits your brow bone and mark it the same way as the previous ones. Hello framed eye area! :) REPEAT ON OTHER SIDE.

When it comes to filling in there are MANY different ways and techniques. I'll do a separate post about just brows and products. Every one likes them differently, I like mine a bit ombre-d, some like them fully colored, angular, rounded, thicker, thinner... etc... for now just play with the markings... and I prefer powder..I think it just looks better to have a shadow behind the brows and no waxy texture pasted on the hairs themselves.

2.PRIMERS
So yes, I have always been a bit mad about textures and always was one to focus more on getting the base right so the foundation portion could stay quite "light".
Well, I have become EVEN MORE obsessed with this now... which makes my routine even LONGER than it was...but hey...if people are going to say I look 23, when I'm actually going on 28...It's SO worth it!!
At the moment I use a minimum of 3 different types...(Conditioning/calming+Smoothing+Illuminising).Will do a separate post on these too... probably a "Basic face makeup routine"...Basic?! HAHAHA whatever, to me it is, but you can just take whatever you want from it...
I mainly am into using them not because "it will keep my makeup on longer" because I don't cake it anyways, but more so I can get away with using less foundation and face powder (which I still HATE on myself).

3.FACE COLOR (contouring, highlighting, blush...etc)
I cannot even tell you how important these steps are...For the past few years now I find myself deviating away from doing bold eyes and/or lip colors/looks...The face itself is the BIGGEST feature of the face SO I kind of think it's top priority. So again, just some more technical bits I am more and more obsessed with...
I am seeing a lot of girls doing some great makeup looks but because the face looks unfinished, there is no harmony and it just looks...unfinished.
Don't get me wrong, you don't need to do all steps of tranny makeup, but if you are doing a strong eye look and your face looks like your just going to the grocery store... ummm no!!

 

4.BRUSHES BRUSHES AND MORE BRUSHES
I now have tons and tons of different brushes, but I still feel like I need more! I don't think I have done a specific post about what brushes are great for what, but I no doubt have plenty now, to show you guys which ones are going to be best with various textures and skin types... and by the way REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSHES are my hands down faves!! Not so much the eye ones, I feel like they are kind of clumsy, but the face ones are to die for...Will try and get my hands on some of the limited edition ones...hope they aren't sold out yet.

5.FOUNDATIONS
Because one just isn't enough...need I say more?! Will do a post on my faves and application!


IN THE MEAN TIME
Let me know if anyone has any specific questions or ideas of what they would like me to write about or which topic to start off with.
I also thought of this: Are there any products or collections you are maybe wanting to try out but don't want to just go out and buy it yet, or maybe you don't have it in your country?! Let me know, and I will go and research it for you! :)

I feel like it could take me a while to get back into the routine of making these posts... so bare with :)

Will probably be doing more makeup reviews this time around, which I know I always enjoy researching on other peoples blogs...