Hello 2018 - I'm still here

I didn't think I would find myself posting on here anytime soon. Truthfully at the beginning when I started this blog I did not think I would be absent for this long.
So where have I been these six years?

Working
I found my lost in a job I had no interest in career wise (I am still there now almost five years later). Initially I needed a job, any job to get by financially (I am grateful in that sense). As time wore on I found that I was losing myself physically and feeling mentally absent. I did not recognise myself in either sense anymore.

Health
For a period of time I found myself struggling with insomnia. My doctor tried to find the source of my stress, was it work? No. while the job was draining it wasn't mentally challenging, in fact I found the monotony and mundaneness left my brain wired at night, well because it hadn't really been exercised much during the day. My body and my brain were out of sync with each other. I stopped taking my prescribed sleeping pills after the first course. I would fix this myself.

Education
I enrolled myself into classes in order to stimulate my brain once again. I started off with Korean language classes. Korean dramas and variety shows had become a steep slope that I gladly threw myself down #noregrets. Putting my brain back in learning mode really helped in turning my inability to shut down my brain at night. While language classes have been taking a backseat lately, the watching of KTV has not.

Learning Korean went on hold due to me re-enrolling at university. Now in my third and final year I hope this year brings long awaited changes. I have always loved writing and the creative arts, to be able to move my life in that direction would be the ultimate goal right now.

Reading
I really wanted to throw myself back into reading during 2017. I am required to read as part of my uni course but I really wanted to expand my range. I set a reading goal of 50 books, which was probably too ambitious to start of with but I finished the year with 30. For me books are journeys to lands, people and times that would be otherwise impossible. I want to be able to see the world in as many ways as possible.

Finally
I leave you with this. I come across many quotes all the time but this one is the one I think back to when I worry about how much time has passed to get where I want to be.
Cue those inspiring clouds and text images.

I have seen many blogs disappear in the time I was away. So I don't even know if anyone will find their way over to this cobwebbed blog. As long as there are people who read there will be a place for those who love to write, right?

Wishing you all a 2018 full goals and dreams that turn to reality. 

Autumn Favourites 2012

Hello everybody it’s been a while, *cough*...over a year actually eeeek!

Admittedly I have been a blogging hermit but I have dusted off my keyboard, ready to slip on those blogging shoes once more. Hurrah!

Really can’t believe how fast the summer has disappeared. To be replaced by chilly days and fallen autumn leaves that did look good for a while until it rained. They now resemble a lovely brown mush.

What better to start posting again with some autumn favourites.

Boots Soltan face SPF15

Yes really, the temperature may have gone down but the sun is fond of being a tease by shining down upon us occasionally. This does a great job of adding a subtle glow to dull skin without the grease factor.

Collection - lasting colour lipstick in Queen of Hearts

I’m going to throw it out there, this has to be one the best red lipsticks on the high street. Certainly rave quality in my opinion, expect a dedicated post to follow.

Rimmel - lasting finish lipstick in Heart Breaker

The most flattering pink I have come across. Discovered this a few months ago, definitely a cross seasonal colour. It’s the catalyst for my statement lip obsession. Blog coming up.

Boots 17 – blush powder in China Pink

Dabbed on the apples of the cheeks it provides the perfect doll pink to give my cheeks a cool winter glow. Beautifully pigmented with a hint of shimmer, despite having used this for a while there’s barely a dent made.

Rimmel – Lycra Pro in Celebrity Bash

I have a thing for polishes of the blood red variety. It looks good in any situation. Whilst i reluctantly tore myself away from this during the summer it is now back to stay.

Barry M – Nail Paint in Indigo

Picked this up on a whim in Superdrug. Usually I’m disappointed by how different a colour appears once it’s on the nails. Surprisingly it looks even better once applied. It just oozes indigo richness. Instant love.

Collection - Lasting perfection concealer

After countless raves coming from left right and centre, I just had to try it out for myself. Verdict? A pigmented creamy consistency that covers my late night dark circles a charm without feeling too heavy. Basically a repetition of everything everyone has said before. I too can now shake my tube on the bandwagon. :)

What are your autumn faves?

A Coral Affair

Having a complexion devoid of any kind of natural flush I love a bit of blusher to make me look less zombie and more alive.

My favourite blusher combination at the moment is Benefits ‘coralista’ and Sleeks blusher in ‘coral’.

Left: Benefit 'coralista'    Right: Sleek 'coral'

For days when I want a more satin look I will just apply (using the MAC 188 brush) the ‘coralista’, which by the way smells divine. Not so sure why that is necessary, I don’t find myself in any cheek smelling situations but it’s a nice touch nevertheless.

Now for days I want to go for more colour over shimmer I will layer some sleek coral with a little ‘coralista’. The ‘coral’ adds a depth of colour without the extra shimmer, while the ‘coralista’ gives that little bit of a glow.

Sleeks ‘coral’ is my go to blush to pair with dramatic eye looks, especially if they happen to be of the green variety. It’s also a brilliant blush to check out if you have tanned or a darker skin, it gives the prettiest flush of colour while looking very natural. It has looked amazing on everyone I’ve managed to coerce into being a test subject.

Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion for sensitive skin

Over the years this is the one skincare product I have always repurchased. It’s one those products you don’t realise how much you rely on until it has finished. I’ve come to notice that my breakouts become a bit more erratic when I don’t use this.

I have no idea why it’s called a lotion when it’s more of a cleanser/toner type product.  You certainly don’t want to have this near your eyes. It also has quite an astringent smell to it (which I’m used to now) so sensitive noses be aware.

I have oily combination skin that is dictated by hormonal outbreaks and once they are gone the scars can take weeks to fade. Having you skin break out like a teenager can be frustrating and affect confidence at the best of times, especially when you’re no longer a teen.

My skin isn’t sensitive but I don’t like the idea of using stronger products on it. I use a few drops on a cotton pad and wipe across my t-zone and usual break out areas twice a day or more if I’m having  a particularly ‘shiny’ day.  It does the job removing excess oil and dirt from my face without completely stripping it of moisture.

If you too suffer from oily skin take refuge in the fact that your skin will stay looking younger for longer so erm...I guess a thank you is in order for Mum and Dad for passing down that gene.

On another note I’ve been trying to be a good blogger and post more often but my brain has been refusing to connect with my typing fingers :/

Bye Bye Split Ends

Hair dressers afraid of hair???

Anyone with long hair will understand how frustrating going for a haircut can be. As soon as hairdressers see long hair they get a look of slight shock across their face followed by the need to snip snip snip.

Now it is inevitable that long hair will have split ends and this is main reason for sending hairdressers into scissor frenzy despite the fact you just came in for a trim. As a lover of long hair I will suffer a few split ends for long locks and the product to help me along is Herbal Essences “beautiful ends split end protection cream”.

I use this after I’ve washed my hair while it is still damp. I use 1 pump and apply it to the ends, any excess I run half way through my hair. I usually leave my hair to dry naturally. The cream has that distinct fruity smell associated with Herbal essences products that lingers on the hair for about a day and a half.

My hair is left feeling soft with no residue. The damage my hair has suffered over the years (bleaching, colouring, heat styling) appears to have disappeared. It doesn’t ‘fix’ all the split ends but the majority have been taken care of. It also helps protect ends from further damaged, an attack on 2 fronts, brilliant!

That’s one issue sorted now just don’t get me started on the ‘long hair charges’ that some salons apply...what is that all about anyway???