Thank me later, yeah I know what I said. But later doesn’t always come so instead, it’s okay, you could thank me now.

dirty things

Clean brushes are essential for hygiene and avoiding infections like conjunctivitis like I got once before, you can read about it here. Anyway, it's advised to keep your brushes as clean as possible to not only keep bacteria from spreading and being applied to your eyes, but to keep your make-up products lasting longer. I usually clean mine weekly or fortnightly (slap on the wrist) however I do wipe them with a make-up wipe when I finish using them on a daily basis. Here's my 'step-by-step' guide on how I keep my brushes clean:

I usually clean mine in the handbasin in the bathroom after I've cleaned and disinfected it, you can get a bowl or plate if you wish I just find it more convenient in the basin as well as the fact I don't like mixing food with my beauty products as such. Any who go ahead and wet (with luke warm/cold water heat may affect the glue in the fennel) the bristles of the brush be sure not to get them too wet.

Then squeeze a little brush cleaner (I use Johnson's Baby Shampoo as opposed to olive oil and washing up liquid or any high end brush cleaners, I find it works just as well and it smells great) onto the side of the basin (bowl/plate)

One by one take your brush and dip into the product (you only need a small amount)

Then take you brush in backwards and forward motions (being gental) work up a lather, add a little water and keep lathering, finish with a rinse through until the water runs clear. Once all brushes are done shake out the excess water.

On a spare towel, I've used an old dishcloth before I put it to wash, again brush backwards several times to soak out as much water as you can

Shape the bristles with your fingers , if you have a brush case this may help shape the brushes too

Lay them on the towel to dry, I roll up the side of my towel so that the bristles point down. You shouldn't allow water to get caught up in the fennel as it may affect the glue and bristles may fall out, by having them point in a downward motion water will travel in the direction of gravity away from the fennel.

Just leave them for a few hours to dry and voila! Squeeky clean brushes :)

How do you clean your brushes?

Paint brushes

L-R E35,E40,E30

I do apologise with not posting this as soon as I received them however I not only was moving and travelling but I also wanted to use these properly so that I could review these properly. So lets begin with the general points; all of the brushes are synthetic, however for the prove they are amazing quality, bristles are soft and the handle is sturdy. Additionally the fennel is well glued - out of the couple times I'd washed these barely anything has come off them and they retain shape well, with the blending brushes they do need a good a thorough rinse though!

Onto the brushes themselves; the E35 is just the right size for blending around my little eyes, however the E40 is slightly too large, I find; so I've now used the E40 as a highlighter brush instead.

E30's bristles are amazingly sturdy enough to pack in colour right in the Outer V and loose enough to blend out a little, also the perfect shape for smudging and shading on my lower lash line. Since I've got this I don't believe there's been one day that I haven't picked this up to use for one reason or another.

When I ordered these they took about 12 days to ship which I was pretty impressed with, I was expecting it to take about a month or so to the least! The only thing that did worry me was above the package it said I had only ordered one brush worth $11; but fear not they all came intact

To order some for yourself, go to Sigma's Website :)

Have you tried Sigma's brushes? What do you think?

disclaimer: these were brought with my own money prior to being an affilate

Good Morning Good Night

A lot of the time I get numerous compliments about my facial skin's smoothness to which in some situations people gather and stroke, yes - stroke! my face. I'm not claiming that I do have amazing skin, however as I have been asked to: here is my face routine!

Morning/Day Routine

Warm Water

To begin my day, I always wash my face after brushing my teeth by running a cotton face towel (can be brought anywhere - nothing in particular) under warm water and wringing it out before wiping my face with it. I don't like using cleansing products when I wake up as the oils produced at night are good for your skin additionally, providing you cleansed well the night before. There shouldn't be that much dirt on there to begin with! The warm water and flannel trick is gental enough not to remove too much oil yet can effortlessly wipe away any eye bogeys or slobber from your face. After this step you should feel awakened and refreshed ready to start the rest of the day!

Eye Cream

I could not stress more about eye cream, as this is one of the thinnest parts of skin around your face; it's more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. To prevent this the best way is to keep it moisturised to enhance elasticity, however you can't use your regular facial cream as it's too thick and will clog up the pores creating milia (the small white spots), so something thinner and lighter is needed. The best one - that I always stick to (and gutted I've lost in the midst of moving) is Clinique's all about eye. I love the gel - like formula that dries to a silky smooth touch. This can be found at your local House of Fraser/Debenhams/Boots for about 25GBP a tub, for a cheaper dupe - you can always opt for Soap and Glory's Supereyes for just under 8GBP.

Moisturiser

I use these 365 days a year, regardless if my skins needs it more or less in the changing seasons. You need to change you moisturiser every few months so your skin doesn't get used to one product, it's like consistently taking medicine - your immunity would adapt to it. One of my favourite affordable's would need to be Garnier's Day Cream, out of all the day cream's I've tried they're all of oily texture that leaves me feeling clammy and oily all day, these gel-like formula's dry to a silky smooth leaving me still feeling fresh for the day.

Night Routine

Make Up Remover

Don't be alarmed by the pot, it's only Boots Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover (3.05GBP), I used to swear by Clinique's Take the Day Off (14.50GBP) looking at the price difference you could probably tell why! I start by applying a bit onto a cotton pad and hold them onto my eye's (where I apply most of my make up) for about 20 seconds each allowing the product to soak in, then genitally swirl around the eyes and then sweeping it lightly over my lashes, I'll then sweep horizontally across my forehead, down both sides of my nostrils, then in an upwards and outwards motion around my face, then down the neck area. the key to this stage is being gental and patient with it, as this is the first stage of cleaning you want the product to soak into the make up to loosen it for the next stage.

Cleanser

Second stage! After removing the make up I trust your face is all oily and discomforting, so wet your face with warm water to open up the pores and swirl some gental foaming cleanser on your face - you don't want to use overly powerful cleaners on your face as you'll strip your face from it's natural nutrients, yet you want to wash away any remaining make up as well as dirt and grime from the day away, I used to love Clinque's Liquid Facial Soap (13GBP), until I discovered Simple's Kind to Skin Moisturising Face Wash (3.05GBP) again (major price difference). It was hard finding something similar to Clinique's as other cleansers either made my skin so dry it felt tight or clammy, these leave me feeling cleansed but not too dry. Additionally, I do suggest to find a daily cleanser without beads in as these will exfoliate your skin (which is a good thing for smoother and softer skin) just not on a daily basis, as you'd be consistently removing skin cells regardless of their health and again removing all the natural oils from the skin, on the other hand I do suggest using one of these:

Cleansing pad

You can find these for a real cheap price, mine's from Soap and Glory I cant find the price but it was a couple of pounds I assure you, you could also get them from one of the Loreal's Face Wash's after you're done with them! After you've lathered up your face all foamy, go over the face again with this pad in circular motions starting from the centre of the face to the edges, deep cleansing isn't within the power of the washing - it's the time and patience gone into it, a good cleanse should take about a minute for the full face! This doesn't mean spend hours on your face though because that can be equally as bad, another common mistake people do is to neglect their necks, so make sure you clean there too front and back! Rinse again with warm water so the pores are open, then spritz some cold water on the face to close them.

Toner

I don't have much opinions or enough experience with toners to say much, mine's currently Botanic's Rose Water Toner, after using cleanser this stage nicely sweeps up any leftovers the other two stages hadn't reached.

Spot Treatment (optional)

Applied once in a blue moon at this stage if and when I feel a tingle or a spot has developed to dry it out and heal quickly, Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil (5GBP) does this job to the T.

Skin Treatment (optional/weekly)

I'm sure you've all heard of Bio Oil's wonders in evening out skin tones, and fading scars, about once a week I drip a couple drops into my palms and rub them until my hands are warm and pat my face with it.

Eye Cream

It's equally important to apply this in the night as it is in the day, I don't think I need to say any more.

Night Cream

Day creams and night creams should be different as they both serve similar but equally different services as well as under different conditions. Day creams protect the skin against weathering as well as keeping the skin moisturised throughout the day. Night creams, on the other hand bring back the nutrients washed away from the deep cleansing and preps your skin for the next day ahead. Unlike my day cream, I don't mind my night creams being thicker in formula as I'll be unconscious for the majority of the time it's applied.

Alternate Night Routine

(Done once weekly, after cleansing stage - these are all optional)

Shaping Mask / Massage

This mask I had brought from Sukku in Selfridges a while back and does cost an arm and a leg, I haven't seen much results from it but it still resides as a good base for the Gankin (face) Massage which basis around circular upwards and outward motions to promote blood flow and firming of the skin around the face. This will not only reduce wrinkles, an improved blood flow will even skin complexion and reduce the pigmentation in dark circles.

Skin Detox

To keep the skin clear, I use a Tea Tree mask for a natural skin cleanser that will open up my pores to remove impurities whilst giving it a cooling sensation, helpful for removing the tacky residue from the sukku mask.

Moisturising Mask

With Laneige's Water Sleeping Pack as a gel formula after applying a thin layer to the skin it'll dry to a slightly tacky but silky residue, but fear not as once you wake you will feel the difference, I use this once a week as well as any other times my skin feels malnourished and dry.

Sheet Masks

Other than the sleeping pack I would sometimes switch it up for a sheet mask instead for some downtime whilst watching TV, out of the one's I've tried the ones that stuck out to me the most were the ones from My Beauty Diary. I believe there are enough raves about this online and this is just going to add to it, I love how they fit nice and snug without having to do much adjustment and they wont slip off that easily; this and the moisturising and tightening effects (variant on the mask used) on my face.

Eye Masks

There are different masks on the markets with specialist tasks such like nose strips etc, but the other main masks that I do not fail to stock up on are eye patches for my puffy under eyes, regardless if they work or not my peepers deserve to be pampered after all they get the most slap and work the hardest throughout the day, a nice eye patch just gives it a nice final soothing touch.

Spot Mask

Clear patches, I use this as often as I do for tea tree oil as a supplementary "night" mask for them as the patch stops me from touching said spot (dirt from fingers/nails irritating it further) as well as treats it further (patch also contains tea tree oil). Be warned, they are see-through and will look silly if you forget to remove it before you leave the house!

There you have it guys and girls (yes - skin treatment is vital for men too!) hopefully this really long blog post has made up for my absence, I've been meaning to do this for a while but couldn't have done in the midst of moving and travelling.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of these companies, they've been selected and chosen as they have particularly struck out to me from use - you do not have to follow what I use for guaranteed smooth skin as everyone's skin types are different and will respond to different products differently, for those asking my skin type is dry/combination skin which means I'm not spot prone, touchwood, however I am prone to dry skin but not so bad as getting eczema.

What's your daily facial routine?

On that crack

So you remember before when I tried the Barry M crack polish and I was love/hate with it? Well I've now found my peace with it, when only applied to a couple fingers and having the rest a plain black polish they look amazing x

Barely There

The make up I used for the Gallery's Private Industry viewing, beautifully natural that would work on a everyday, casual, formal, and work basis. I've been rocking this look for the past few weeks now with different variations of shadows from the same palette (explained later) amazingly wearable for all eyes.

Here's how to replicate the look! The exact same products aren't required but I've listed what I used:

Face

Hanskin Magic BB Cream (foundation)
Lightly applied by rubbing between hands and patting on the skin. Using your fingers dab extra on forehead, nasal, cheek, lip area's for extra coverage if required
E.L.F Studio Under Eye Concealer (medium)
Pat a few dots under the eye and dab with ring finger to blend out
E.L.F complexion perfection (finishing powder)
Swirl a powder brush into the powder and dab all over the face from the middle outwards blending as you go
Sleek Face Contour Kit (Light)

(more prominent cheekbones) Using a fluffy brush sweep a line about a third of the way from your ear canal towards the corner of your mouth, use your middle and ring finger to blend
(slimmer sharper noses) Again with the fluffy brush apply a small amount to the sides of the nose up the bridge towards the start of the eyebrows, blend again with middle finger - be sure to blend well on this as too much product will look silly

NARS Blush (Gina)

Swirl you favourite blush brush into this (for those using the same product a little goes a LONG way - be warned) and sweep just above the ear canal towards the nostrils and back and forth blend a little on the apples
E.L.F Studio Mist and Set
Spritz a little onto a flat top kabuki brush and dab all over face to set everything, this will not only take away any over powdering/caking, it will moisturise any dry patches as well as blending out any contour / blush that was overdone

Eyes
GEO Angel Brown Contacts

optional

UD Naked Palette
Outer 3rd can be filled with Smog/Toasted then blended
Outer V to be defined using either Darkhorse/Hustle
Finish upper lid by patting Virgin/Sin/Sidcar/HalfBaked (different choice gives different look results)
Outer 3rd lower lid run a little Darkhorse/Hustle (doesn't need to be the same as the Outer V)
MAC Gel Liner (Black Track)
Line eyes to preference, for this look I feel the thinner the better, be sure to get between the lashes to make the look fuller and thicker
Koji Curving Eyelash Curler
Clamp lashes at the roots, centre and tips
Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Mascara
Coat Lashes

Lips
THIS CAN BE ANYTHING YOU LIKE
Revlon Nude Delight
Loreal Glam Shine Everlasting Melon

if i asked you would you elope with me?

So recently I learnt that moving somewhere to live wasn't eloping, eloping is to wed someone. As per usual I digress again. So you may or may not me aware that I've moved recently from the capitol to a town/city. Anyway for those looking to visit London, or currently still there here's the things that I will miss from the capitol:

Tinsel Town

First introduced to me by my cousin, which is when I fell in love with their Oreo cookie milk shakes, I don't think you can find anything comparable at 3am! This promptly became a tradition for me an one of my close friend's when they came in to visit

Hi Sushi Salsa

I was initially brought here by my boyfriend at the time, the food is fresh with a choice large choice of sushi (arguably the best affordable quality) as well as sides. A bonus is that they also do a buffet for about £15 a head!

Misato

Amazing food, large portions for affordable prices

Shisha

Cafe East Vietnamese Cuisine

Wasabi Seaweed Unagi
Snog
Arang
Patisserie Valerie
Candy Cafe
Beard Papa this one's no longer available in the uk

Tower Bridge, Namco Views, Canary Wharf

best places I feel for taking a breath and just relaxing and enjoying the views, imo they're best at sunrise/set and

Epsom Downs, Boxhill

Both situated on high ground with amazing views of the night sky and city lights

Camden Town

in this area of London you'd find some extraordinary boutiques, if you look above the shop line you'd also see how shop windows and decorations span further than the eye level. I love how individual and alternative this area is.

Carnaby Street

home to a more urban version of Camden Town, comprising with more

Shoreditch

also known as Brick Lane, home to creatives in london, where you can find little cafe stalls and markets

I've realised it's mainly food

Things/places that you can get elsewhere but not where I am:

Primark

Selfridges

Louis Vuitton

Kareoke

Short trips to Brighton/Bournemouth - sun&moon bathing

Places I wish I went:

Portobello Market

Kew Gardens, Richmond Park

The little things

Shoreditch

Shirt - H&M
Strap Top - H&M
Leggings - Topshop
Sandals - Korea

Ring - ASOS
Bracelet - Links

Making Links

Meet Link x

numbers or values

Social networking has become a hot topic as of late; people having mixed opinions, friend removals and so forth, the main question is whether you are individually comfortable with someone, you are an acquaintance with or someone you used to be close to but are no longer in contact, having access to your information and you current activities.

There's this large craze of 'sharing' everything and anything with people on a digital basis which is beginning to become a superficial connection as well as an 'easy' way to keep in touch with people however it's becoming more of a stalker cult as you can keep up to date with someone without going through the effort of having conversations with.

In true honesty is that a real friendship?

shooting for the moon

google image

端午節, the 'dragon boat' festival just past, not many people know the true meaning behind it; it's not just about racing boats across the river. The festival stems from a suicide of a Minister who died jumping into the river to make the King hear him out, the villages made dragon boats to warn off fish from eating the Ministers remains whilst the glutinous rice wrapped in leaves (粽/zhong) were chucked into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of the minister, and to this day oriental cultures race across rivers and make 粽 to commemorate the act.

More to the point, when a individual or minority go against the majority it tends to spark up a lot of attention whether in a positive or negative manner.

be sure about one thing.

it's one way to stand out from the crowd