Trichotillomania Update (And Why It's OK To Not Be OK)


I did something bad. I was doing so well, had a full set of lashes, and then received some bad news. I cried, my heart broke, and my eyelashes were destroyed. All of that time and hard work trying to grow them back through, and my happiness at being able to wear mascara and ditch the false lashes...all disappeared in one ten minute splurge. I hated myself for ruining my eyelashes yet again, for forcing myself back into the routine of covering up the ugliness, and once those ten minutes passed I was filled with utter disappointment, guilt, regret and self-loathing. I used some bad news as an excuse to pull out my hair, but was left feeling heaps worse than before.



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Going Blonde? You Need These Pro:Voke 'Touch Of Silver' Treatments!


After having really dark hair for ages (I always thought life would be more fun as a brunette), then trying to fade and grow that colour out for over 6 months, I finally took the plunge and bleached my hair for the first time. Because I wanted to try and get back to my natural dark blonde colour, I entrusted Betty Lou salon in creating a gorgeous ombre/balayage effect on my hair, leaving the ends far lighter than the rest. While it isn't *that* light, I found that my hair took on quite a yellow-y blonde hue. Disappointed, I turned to Twitter to see what would be the best home remedy to my brassy woes. Silver shampoo was the unanimous response.




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A Tasty, Natural Way To Improve Your Health With Teagime


I don't have an issue with my weight. I'm comfortable and happy with the body I love, but we all have those days where we look at ourselves and want to change part of it. Being a student, my diet pretty much only consists of bread and pasta (which really bloats my stomach and makes me look 5 months pregnant). Juggling uni, a job and this blog often catches up with me, and, even when I attempt to improve my diet, the stresses of life leave me feeling lethargic and the effects become visible on my body and skin. We all remember a short while ago when weight-loss teas were the coolest new thing, but instead of shedding pounds in the short term through those awful, laxative teas, I wanted something which would benefit my health and well-being more generally. Let me introduce Teagime.



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3 Beautiful Products To Make Your Bath-Time Even More Relaxing


Baths are so underrated. Whilst showers are great for speed and efficiency in the morning, there's nothing better than stepping into a hot, bubbly bath with a cup of tea (or glass of wine) to unwind in the evening. Although it's not quite as nice in a grubby student house, there's always something so relaxing about baths. Whether it's the allocation of some time to have to yourself, a moment to just wallow in water and think about blissful nothingness, or a chance to try a plethora of products to pamper yourself with, it's always seen as a little bit of indulgence after a hard week. There are so many products you can pop in your bath to make it even more luxurious, but these three have all your needs covered.




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Kissed By Mii: The Perfect Gradual Tan For A Subtle, Sun-Kissed Glow


Send me on a two-week holiday to the Caribbean and I won't tan at all. Whilst I'm so used to being horrifically pale that it doesn't really bother me anymore, it is nice to have a hint of healthy glow every now and then rather than looking permanently translucent. I've tried spray tans in the past and loved the results, but it's not something I can justify getting regularly due to a tight student budget. I apply self-tanning products far too clumsily, leaving myself blotchy and orange, and find that at-home tanning mist washes off far too quickly. While they're great for a quick fix, these gradual tanning lotions which are part of the Kissed by Mii range have filled the gap in my fake tan repertoire quite nicely.



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My Life-Changing Experience With Eyebrow Tattooing: Creating Brows From Scratch With Sian Dellar


Before trichotillomania got hold of them, I never in the slightest comprehended just how important eyebrows would become to me. Many people don't even give a second thought to the two hairy slithers that sit above their eyes, but that completely changes when you are left without them. Imagine having no eyebrows at all, and imagine having to guess where to draw them (and draw them well) every single day. It's tiring, frustrating and incredibly time-consuming. You stare at your bald reflection and recoil at just how bizarre your face looks without them, paranoid that anyone who sees would immediately look at you with those same feelings of disgust. You try your best to hide behind your daily veil of make-up, but really you still believe that people are seeing through your dodgy-shaped and poorly-drawn disguise.





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Going Nude With Kiko Nail Lacquers


So, it seems that nude is the new 'colour du jour' in the beauty world and every brand is making the most of this trend. Whilst it may traditionally be seen as boring, it's comeback coincides with a call for classier, more wearable tones which compliments your look rather than making a statement. I don't know about you, but I always feel a bit naked without wearing nail varnish; my beauty look just isn't 'complete' without it. However, sometimes you just don't want to wear a bold pink or classic red and something a little more understated is needed. While many brands have offered their own selection of barely-there colours, I always believe Kiko gives the best range and quality for your money.






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I Just Love It: Quirky, Personalised Gifts For Those Who Have Everything


You may have seen on my social media that last Thursday I went to London to make pizza with gift gurus, I Just Love It. The whole idea of the marvelous evening was to make personalised pizzas in line with the brand's notoriety for personalised gifts. Genius, eh?! Aside from stuffing our faces with carbs and washing it down with bubbly, getting to grips with the products they sell was just as big a pleasure. It can often get quite tedious trying to think of original, thoughtful presents for occassions like Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, so a helping hand from brands such as I Just Love It is always welcomed!




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The Lightweight Overnight Miracle Treatment: The Body Shop Vitamin E Serum-In-Oil


If there's one piece of skin care advice which I have truly lived by in the past year, it is regularly using a face oil. For anyone, like myself, who has temperamental and often dry skin, these oils can be an absolute saviour in replenishing that moisture and leaving an abundance of radiance. However, face oils can be quite heavy (especially on young skin), even when used sparingly, so I only reserve them for use a few times a week as a special pick-me-up skin treatment. I love the glowing, youthful look oils leave my skin with after I use them, but I am wary of overloading my skin too much on a daily basis. This is where The Body Shop steps in with their miracle Vitamin E serum-in-oil.



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Why Is Our Perfume Gendered?


It's another scheming way to get us to pump more money into the ever-expanding beauty industry; buy this perfume because it's for women, this is a men's only scent. From when we first start spending whatever shrapnel we have on beauty products that might make us look or feel a little fancier than before, we are told that women have a certain category of products, while men have their own designated list to choose from. While these differences may potentially have some sense behind them when it comes to, for example, skincare (due to the slight structural differences in our skin), it is far less certain when it comes to fragrance.





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