tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47137577501763529042024-03-18T02:59:16.091+00:00Pretty and PolishedA lifestyle/ beauty blog.Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-40352799278603823182020-02-29T09:17:00.002+00:002022-12-28T19:35:21.472+00:00Lash Review: Ardell Natural '172'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2X6pq7OqqpkqQon7EcQcnGLoxvCpE1YdFDZdC1kHo-4d34JX7ooRWNBSNhrCtNuOeL3RffatSIosbo2necMU8E36_nJMK-uWRjKS4YF8HOpP8jwD2XJS_mj-C4AN1_aYg9U1bsWxfA/s1600/ardell+172+wispies+review+hair+loss+trichotillomania+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2X6pq7OqqpkqQon7EcQcnGLoxvCpE1YdFDZdC1kHo-4d34JX7ooRWNBSNhrCtNuOeL3RffatSIosbo2necMU8E36_nJMK-uWRjKS4YF8HOpP8jwD2XJS_mj-C4AN1_aYg9U1bsWxfA/s1600/ardell+172+wispies+review+hair+loss+trichotillomania+%25285%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>So....I guess it's been 3 whole months since I last wrote a blog post! I used to ramble about anything and everything that came into my brain, but blogging has become such an effort that I'm only leaving it for the <i>really </i>important rants, or the products that are truly deserving of a place on this site (and the hours it takes of my life to review them). One of these said products is a style of false lash that I've discovered recently that has CHANGED MY WORLD. The Ardell lashes in style 172 were suggested to me after I posted on Instagram asking for recommendations. Not only have I been wearing them non-stop since, but I think they've become my no 1 lashes for trich. Yep, they're <i>that</i> good.<br />
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I typically haven't liked Ardell lashes. Their baby demi-wispies always looked like the perfect lashes for covering hair loss and I desperately wanted them to work for me. Whilst aesthetically they were perfect, they were just too heavy to wear on my bald lids. With no lashes underneath to support them, they drooped a lot and prevented me from getting the natural 'these are my own lashes' look that I wanted. Perhaps great for those with a few gaps here and there, but not ideal for those with nothing at all! As such, I've spent the last 10 years wearing Kiss and Eylure's natural styles that are far more lightweight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-XasbBc7HXuYGmcKny1VC3GhWUBCcLP0Dx02tejtY0JEGFkty-LZFMRzWL5XXAAYu0iJZpuQ4ouKh6C1wTCsrZBv-nraeagV4fW8SmQ5o1y6RJJoskgi6b1gN4_0mACHUE_Z01nlFQ/s1600/ardell+172+wispies+review+hair+loss+trichotillomania+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-XasbBc7HXuYGmcKny1VC3GhWUBCcLP0Dx02tejtY0JEGFkty-LZFMRzWL5XXAAYu0iJZpuQ4ouKh6C1wTCsrZBv-nraeagV4fW8SmQ5o1y6RJJoskgi6b1gN4_0mACHUE_Z01nlFQ/s1600/ardell+172+wispies+review+hair+loss+trichotillomania+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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As you can tell, the Ardell 172s look very natural; similar to the baby demi-wipsies but with a bit more going on and added overlapping of lashes (great for blocking view of any baldness underneath!). The ends only needed trimming ever so slightly to get them to fit the length of my lid, which I find is pretty standard, and I haven't tried the Ardell glue because I don't trust anything other than Eylure and Kiss to do the job properly. Maybe one day I'll be brave.<br />
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Whilst the layering, angling and overlapping of the lashes isn't anything new (<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/03/kiss-blooming-lash-collection-review-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kiss' Blooming Lashes do this superbly</a>), they are all important factors in finding a great pair of lashes that look like your own. Ultimately, this is what us folk with trichotillomania / hair loss want. We don't want anything dramatic or that adds length, we just want them to look like our own lashes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58jjfmr6rqq5hHM5D1kl5FAIneuF56vbfkthR0ToSHGEP1gvDtklKKePO3e5RDvamqOc-t43aQ6uLuK_jiNj41qNp_VcUIPWC9KuAtEAFfxidrM6QivMvTdfXO4bF1LEtPxtQNgBv5g/s1600/20200229_081420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58jjfmr6rqq5hHM5D1kl5FAIneuF56vbfkthR0ToSHGEP1gvDtklKKePO3e5RDvamqOc-t43aQ6uLuK_jiNj41qNp_VcUIPWC9KuAtEAFfxidrM6QivMvTdfXO4bF1LEtPxtQNgBv5g/s1600/20200229_081420.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural 172s with finished everyday makeup. Added gerbilarium in the background. I never claimed to be professional. </td></tr>
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What's also great is that these don't feel heavy like other Ardell lashes. I first tried these when I had a few gaps, loved them, but thought 'are these going to work on completely bald lids?'. About a week later, I'd pulled my remaining lashes so had the opportunity to find an answer to my question (silver linings and all, right?). I was so surprised that they looked the same as before- they didn't drop at all! I'm not sure if it's just this style, with them being part of a more natural range, or if Ardell have changed up all their lashes to make them more lightweight, but I was very impressed.<br />
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So, if the Ardell 172s have all the same 'natural lash' features as other brands, why are these so special? I think these lashes would be great with <b>only</b> the features I've just mentioned. What takes them to the 'god tier' of lashes is the length. This is what so many lashes I've tried in the past have been missing (or rather, had too much of). Because most false lashes are marketed at those with lashes of their own, they're designed to be slightly longer than your lashes to add that fluttery effect. Unfortunately, us guys and gals with hair loss don't really come under the radar and we're often left with some great styles that just look that little bit too long. Where they look fab, but you can tell they're still false lashes. These Ardell 172s are the PERFECT length and exactly what I've been looking for. They look like your lashes with some added mascara; a bit ruffled, a bit overlapped, not too 'perfect', not too long. My bald prayers have been answered! I've added a lil video below so you can see how they look, unfiltered & unedited.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0TTyfNpFal1z3Z3yrpgheJ-SmcwPGTTAqIpxGmBSkiXysQWxNw3pMIElrMBNcvl0dVoPSkrX2WlHKlt5Etw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The pack I bought from Superdrug was actually packaged as a limited edition 'Wispies' style that has since been discontinued, but upon research (following a panic that I won't be able to stock up on my new fave lashes) found that they are being sold on sites like Amazon and Sally's as 'Natural' 172. So if you want to try some, search for Natural 172 and <i>not </i>what's in these photos! If you don't have any eyelashes and are looking for a new style to try, or are even trying lashes for the first time, I'd 100% recommend trying these. They are up there with the best (if not being <i>the</i> best) lashes I've tried for covering trich damage....and I've tried A LOT of lashes!<br />
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<b>Some posts you might like:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/11/lash-lift-lvl-treatment-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How LVL Lash Lift Helped My Trichotillomania</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/10/new-eylure-pro-magnetic-lashes-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Review: Eylure Pro Magnetic Lashes</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/03/c-lash-eylure-range-designed-for-hair-loss.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">C Lash- False Lashes Designed For Hair Loss</a><br />
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</div>Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-61639819427910811762019-11-09T10:59:00.000+00:002019-11-09T10:59:14.889+00:00Lash Lift: How The LVL Treatment Has Helped My Trichotillomania<br />
During the summer, I pulled all of my eyelashes out. It took them just over 2 months to grow back (so much longer than usual that I had those panics of 'is this it?! Are they just never going to grow back now!?'), and I managed to leave them alone and allowed them to grow long enough to have the LVL treatment. Since <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/04/nouveau-lashes-best-styles-for-hair-loss-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">working with Nouveau Lashes</a> and seeing their amazing lash lift results on other bloggers, I've been desperate to try this treatment out myself. However, trichotillomania means that it wasn't so easy as just booking an appointment. I was always waiting until they were a certain length, worried about the sparseness or gaps, going to book and then worrying I would rip them out in the time between then and the date of the appointment. How I experience trich is so unpredictable and so I gave up on ever having the treatment.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRoNeVA8OYqqDXrDGXzJoPiHAD4mtAiuvM31nZ8ULNCi8dsy1D65nM62JPobVT7YzCVPyuRCgS4EzvRYK12cmFmg_MRocPD6-kVvqXMnFBj2P2t037ne4d6X4oRaVJuixn13WzIYQkQ/s1600/LVL+treatment+trichotillomania+review+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRoNeVA8OYqqDXrDGXzJoPiHAD4mtAiuvM31nZ8ULNCi8dsy1D65nM62JPobVT7YzCVPyuRCgS4EzvRYK12cmFmg_MRocPD6-kVvqXMnFBj2P2t037ne4d6X4oRaVJuixn13WzIYQkQ/s1600/LVL+treatment+trichotillomania+review+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Since then, I have managed to keep my lashes for quite a while the last few times they have grown back. A few people have asked how, and to be honest...I really don't know! All I can think of is that I love having them and being able to wear mascara/not having to wear false lashes, and so that excitement makes me not want to pull. Because I had managed my pulling sprees a bit better, I felt a lot more confident in finally booking that appointment. And that's exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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LVL is essentially a lash lift (standing for Length-Volume-Lift). A serum is put on the root of the lashes and the lashes are lifted up onto a little shield/pad on your upper eyelid; the formulas encourage the lashes to curl upwards in this shape and then the lashes are tinted to give the appearance of mascara. A bit like a perm for your lashes! The lashes are separated and curled individually to give an incredible wide-eyed effect...and also makes it look like you have way more lashes than you might have!<br />
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<a href="https://www.inthefrow.com/2017/06/expect-lvl-lash-lift-step-step.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In The Frow has written this great post</a> about what to expect from the treatment, step-by-step, which explains a lot better than I probably can. The whole treatment takes about 45 minutes- the pads can feel slightly strange and your eyes are a tiny bit open the whole time, giving you fuzzy vision, but you could easily fall asleep during the whole thing. Isn't that self-care at its finest? Perfect lashes <i>and</i> time for a power nap! The treatment lasts up to 8 weeks and is incredibly low maintenance (the only thing to bear in mind is that you cannot get water on them for 24 hours).<br />
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Because the lashes are lifted individually, they look incredibly uniform. They are all (pretty much) the same length, they are all tinted the same colour, they are all pointing in the same direction. They all <i>feel</i> the same when touching them. There are none that stick out of place, although a couple of mine do criss-cross over each other very slightly because of the way they've grown back. However, I don't feel tempted to pull them because it would a) create a huge, noticeable gap right in the middle of my lash line and b) ruin the overall look. Because I loved the results so much, I don't want to go near my lashes for fear of ruining them!<br />
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I barely find myself going to touch my lashes in the first place, perhaps because of the fear of causing damage to the lash line, but also because I know none are 'out of place' so I don't feel the need to go searching for them. I don't have that anxiety that there might be one that feels a bit different and so needs to be removed. If finding lashes that feel or look different is a trigger for your pulling, then I would definitely recommend this treatment. Not only has it helped with my pulling and the behavioural patterns that lead to the pulling (e.g. the feeling through my lash line), but it's made my lashes look amazing...and now when I look in the mirror, the growth is so noticeable that I can't help but be proud of what I've achieved. And that reminds you that you can have those little wins with trichotillomania and pushes you that little bit more into a positive mindset.<br />
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Even if your lashes are sparse, damaged or really short, you can still have the LVL treatment. I was tempted to go when they were just coming through, forgot to book, and let them grow a little more- but really you can have the treatment at any stage. You should speak with the salon if you have any doubts, but the treatment shouldn't damage your lashes at all. This was a concern for me (as I do enough damage to them myself) but they feel really healthy and a serum is applied after the treatment to help nourish your lashes. If it helps me to not touch my lashes for 8 weeks, then that's 8 weeks pull-free that I may not have had otherwise!<br />
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So it's only been a couple of weeks, but the change I have seen both physically and in terms of my pulling and self-esteem has been huge. I'm excited to see how this continues and will report back if anything changes!<br />
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(The photos show the LVL treatment on my natural lashes and then with one coat of primer on).<br />
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<i>I had the treatment done by Kimberley at <a href="http://www.onyx.gettimely.com/#home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Onyx Nails & Beauty</a> (in Southwick, West Sussex) and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.</i><br />
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<b>Some posts you might like:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/02/why-i-will-continue-to-have-my-eyebrows-microbladed.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why I Will Continue to Have my Eyebrows Microbladed</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/04/mocking-hair-loss-is-never-ok.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mocking Hair Loss is Never OK</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/10/what-not-to-say-to-people-with-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What Not to Say to People With Trichotillomania</a><br />
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-53262171726304166912019-10-20T19:51:00.000+01:002019-10-20T19:51:37.856+01:00NEW Eylure Pro Magnetic Lashes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlskaqM9aBuRmeQIkeP4ONggBnodLDAiCTv4y-uMnIvbVfCATaFBQYGwRcG-X-MC8MK1pZv-3893z6-RJJRwIz9bZUnRoOz49DSv675llOGWbsFrSN2-7vji3iihyphenhyphenoEZjSx3ZVCQ66iA/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+lashes+hair+loss.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlskaqM9aBuRmeQIkeP4ONggBnodLDAiCTv4y-uMnIvbVfCATaFBQYGwRcG-X-MC8MK1pZv-3893z6-RJJRwIz9bZUnRoOz49DSv675llOGWbsFrSN2-7vji3iihyphenhyphenoEZjSx3ZVCQ66iA/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+lashes+hair+loss.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>There's been quite a lot of change recently at Eylure, one of my all-time favourite lash brands. Not only have they re-branded with a new logo and sleek, modern packaging design but they've also launched a new lash range, <a href="https://www.eylure.com/uk/pro-magnetic/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Pro Magnetic lashes</a>. The latest range from the busy bees at Eylure head the trend for magnetic lashes (I've since see quite a few brands launch their own!). Although magnetic lashes have been around for a little while, they were never hugely successful and a bit of a flop. However, Eylure seem to have revamped the trend with a range of three different styles (accent, wispy and volume) that offer something for everyone.<br />
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Following on from the success of their<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/03/c-lash-eylure-range-designed-for-hair-loss.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> C Lash range</a>, Eylure seem to be on a mission to make false lashes more and more accessible, as the Pro Magnetic range claims to allow you to apply lashes with ease- no faffing around with glue, easy to remove and lasting for up to 15 wears. I found the concept so interesting; the lashes have four small magnet blocks attached to the strip and these essentially secure themselves to the magnetic eyeliner, which you receive within the pack. As someone who suffers from hair loss (if you didn't know by now!), I wondered how these lashes would fare for those who had no eyelashes whatsoever.<br />
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Wearing false eyelashes is something that becomes easier with practice, but I remember when I was first starting out. The glue was a complete faff and (back in the day) wasn't ever strong enough to keep the lashes secured in place all day without the corners pinging up. It took a while to get used to the placement and build up a portfolio of little tips and tricks to help the application easier, as it can be even more difficult when you have no lashes underneath to hold the lashes up. The Pro Magnetic range offered potential as a new breed of false lashes that could revolutionise this area of beauty for hair loss sufferers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mExipKAXoHzyNuL8OsVNCZdYTSEj2purzEL0olBkJKjkGy9OhRCVeblHXMFA-DPzbHPko1GLPcSU-Hqp7pjcmA2px3tz05JmlndV_hsVHxzmxtIvBgViWd9as8NL-ysDNGUoIp7uQw/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+new.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mExipKAXoHzyNuL8OsVNCZdYTSEj2purzEL0olBkJKjkGy9OhRCVeblHXMFA-DPzbHPko1GLPcSU-Hqp7pjcmA2px3tz05JmlndV_hsVHxzmxtIvBgViWd9as8NL-ysDNGUoIp7uQw/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+new.jpeg" /></a></div>
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When these initially launched a couple of months ago, my lashes were non-existent. It was the perfect time to try these out and see how they worked. The instructions say to apply 3 coats of the eyeliner, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. The eyeliner itself is quite runny and applies quite thick- I found it difficult to get a precise line. This isn't a huge issue, as when you apply lashes over the top there is always room to tidy the look, but it does mean that you do have to smooth things over with a separate liner once the lashes are in place. Other than that, I have no problems with the liner and it is a gorgeous jet black colour.<br />
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The next step was to apply the lashes. I found that the lashes were far too long for my lash line and desperately needed trimming down. But, because the magnets are secured in four equal distances along the strip, if you cut the lashes you will be removing one of the magnets and leaving a large section of the strip at the end with nothing to secure it down with. However, the lashes were just too long so I had to cut them, not only to make them fit properly, but to make them comfortable to wear. I think these lashes would have a lot more potential if they didn't need trimming (although I guess it's never going to be perfect as everyone is different!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4qZu7AuUooapn0OXwS73ZrYiHKaxfoSfjXWy3LDQV6zChFNTO_FMxF9BGzqvyzxSa8PH0axSMhDL8xQNaBFCDIs6vEDbj43d37ZVoxjZln-Ucr5hk7BFTUQfB6D_-kOgUZRAtVkQdw/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+eyeliner.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4qZu7AuUooapn0OXwS73ZrYiHKaxfoSfjXWy3LDQV6zChFNTO_FMxF9BGzqvyzxSa8PH0axSMhDL8xQNaBFCDIs6vEDbj43d37ZVoxjZln-Ucr5hk7BFTUQfB6D_-kOgUZRAtVkQdw/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+eyeliner.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Despite adding more layers of the Pro Magnetic liner, bending the lashes to try and make them more flexible, and angling them every way I could, I just couldn't get these to stay down. Because of the positioning of the magnets on the strip, you need to apply the band flat to your lash line; but in doing so, the lashes droop down with nothing to hold them up! When I did get two out of the three magnets secured, the other would be pinging up with no hope of getting it back down. I tried many a time with no luck whatsoever, leaving me a bit disheartened as I couldn't even take photos to show what they looked like on...because I couldn't get them on in the first place! I had never had this with a set of lashes. I would definitely not recommend these if you wanted a set of false lashes to cover baldness.<br />
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Fast forward to now and I have managed to grow back a full set of lashes that, at the time of writing, can be curled, mascara'd and fluttered. I saw the Pro Magnetic packet sitting on my dressing table and thought about whether I would have better luck applying them when I have my own lashes there to support the false ones. I applied one coat of mascara first and then the three layers of Pro Magnetic eyeliner...and managed to get the magnetic lashes to stick for the first time! Success! I did have one hiccup where one of the inner corners didn't quite want to stick down. If you do need to re-position the lashes or move them at all, you will have to take them off again and go in with yet another layer of the eyeliner. But even with doing this, that one inner corner didn't click into place, but just about barely clung on to the eyeliner. It didn't look secure, but it was the best I was going to get so just worked with it.<br />
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One thing that I found helped loads was, because of the angle of the magnets, to apply a coat of the eyeliner along your eyelashes as well as along the lash line. It seemed to give them a bit more staying power. I was nervous that they would be pinging off at any given moment, but they actually felt a lot more secure that I expected; even with wiggling them around they didn't come unstuck. I'm not sure how they would fare on a night out though...I think I would stick with glue! As with all Eylure lashes, these felt lightweight, and removing them was a doddle. Instead of having to peel away the glue with the lashes (and then pick the glue off the strip in order to re-use them), they just came away from the eyeliner with no mess or residue. This was a huge plus, and they can be re-used for some time as it's easy to keep them in good condition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyqrxJxzkNCLJwONnFlpqZXlVHd-Sq-hqPMM7ITsubbsszsp7wL25IRBo2L79dbuy5RRtqC_Jc65CHp_mHJBu7IidEyvSMhnyNSkgMyATpKfCjy_F68Ma3rbYmk6IskOlQ_FUe63e4w/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+lashes+on+review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyqrxJxzkNCLJwONnFlpqZXlVHd-Sq-hqPMM7ITsubbsszsp7wL25IRBo2L79dbuy5RRtqC_Jc65CHp_mHJBu7IidEyvSMhnyNSkgMyATpKfCjy_F68Ma3rbYmk6IskOlQ_FUe63e4w/s1600/eylure+pro+magnetic+lashes+on+review.jpg" /></a></div>
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Overall, the Pro Magnetic range is innovative and a really exciting launch within the lash world. However, you absolutely need to have eyelashes in order to wear them (hair loss sufferers- stay clear!) and even then, they feel as though they are mainly secured by sitting on top of your lashes. I don't know how good they would be for more than an hour's wear as ultimately I don't think the magnets are strong enough. The eyeliner, whilst thick, is bold and doesn't smudge, but be wary that it can peel away with the lashes when you take them off or re-adjust. Each pack costs £19.95, which in theory could be quite cost-effective as you can far more wear out of each set then you do with regular lashes, but I think regular lashes are a safer bet. I love the idea of the Pro Magnetic range and truly thought it could be a game-changer, but unfortunately they weren't quite up to scratch for me.<br />
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Some other posts you might like:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/05/new-kiss-naked-drama-lashes-review-hair-loss.html" rel="nofollow">Kiss Naked Drama lashes</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/11/eylure-fluttery-false-eyelashes-new-trichotillomania-review.html" rel="nofollow">Review: Eylure's Fluttery range</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/07/new-eyeliner-flawless-lashes-by-loreta-review.html" rel="nofollow">Perfecting the cat flick with Flawless Eyeliner by Loreta</a><br />
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This post features press samples, however, as always, opinions are my own honest ones.</div>
Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-73125098250569184852019-07-06T18:41:00.000+01:002019-07-06T18:41:43.857+01:00Latest In Beauty - Summer Style Essentials Beauty Box<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxYm19xzOXGyMP3E6Uh20kyWZVw-VQQ9KN7laCV9EBwXHukbBOMLE5qhOUrmqODVHgMn_9TUCYuHmOOEO5xDKUWZHS2VWfWDM54n-ud3Zdv9vNo1vQqnKgl5BgITqeV0uzgbTlFuC4w/s1600/latest+in+beauty+sunday+times+style+beauty+box+review.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxYm19xzOXGyMP3E6Uh20kyWZVw-VQQ9KN7laCV9EBwXHukbBOMLE5qhOUrmqODVHgMn_9TUCYuHmOOEO5xDKUWZHS2VWfWDM54n-ud3Zdv9vNo1vQqnKgl5BgITqeV0uzgbTlFuC4w/s1600/latest+in+beauty+sunday+times+style+beauty+box+review.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>It feels like forever since I last wrote a blog post (3 whole months, in fact!). I've been finding it far easier to post little trichotillomania and beauty posts / updates over on Instagram. Life has been increasingly hectic and blogging is like a part-time job; I feel as though there is less and less time in the day to continue with the hobby and it just becomes yet another thing I need to juggle. A quick snap and sharing my thoughts in a caption is almost all I can muster these days, which is a shame as I used to love updating my little corner of the internet! This post has come about after I splashed out and <i>actually treated myself for once</i> to a bundle of beauty products in the form of the <a href="https://www.latestinbeauty.com/collections/style-summer-essentials" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new Latest In Beauty box of Summer Style Essentials</a> in collaboration with the Sunday Times Style. And boy is it a good one...so good that I had to log back onto my old, rusty laptop and share it with you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjSGkyEGJSUg8lQTGLnM8_E96owtF_6aZ7RCWuESrfL6kvLeqxjgu9HYx8ozScRkBPV-GxCcCX3N2gP3-HEWgorTgYDU96utKRKy4tvFkhys34UqwfgnWshyRf8dINnpNG4YBtE2oOw/s1600/latest+in+beauty+summer+essentials+box.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjSGkyEGJSUg8lQTGLnM8_E96owtF_6aZ7RCWuESrfL6kvLeqxjgu9HYx8ozScRkBPV-GxCcCX3N2gP3-HEWgorTgYDU96utKRKy4tvFkhys34UqwfgnWshyRf8dINnpNG4YBtE2oOw/s1600/latest+in+beauty+summer+essentials+box.jpeg" /></a></div>
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This beauty box costs £46.00 (plus delivery) and contains 16 products worth a whopping total of £229.00 (with 6 of them being full size), so straight away I was drawn in by the incredible value for money. I've been put off by beauty boxes in the past either due to the unknown element of what products you will receive, or only liking a couple of the products on the list; most of the products in this box sounded like things I would love, or were brands I use/have used and enjoy, so I knew that I would actually put most of these to good use and they would be well worth the money. None of the products in this box feel like 'space fillers', which is a good sign!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVYJrvDFoLZwrt1AccqyfS4yg2myr9fn1YxGsGFuAKKEgc7VnJL1PWa4msfrxAZQ1gyJnUlTsVkUnNvzdrUT1zzj9qPREFRReq_pZKVLcTTxamYCE_xZ0AWhm2P_0vHsl_nRFQ4AaRw/s1600/bareminerals+barepro+glow+highlighter+free.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVYJrvDFoLZwrt1AccqyfS4yg2myr9fn1YxGsGFuAKKEgc7VnJL1PWa4msfrxAZQ1gyJnUlTsVkUnNvzdrUT1zzj9qPREFRReq_pZKVLcTTxamYCE_xZ0AWhm2P_0vHsl_nRFQ4AaRw/s1600/bareminerals+barepro+glow+highlighter+free.jpeg" /></a></div>
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The products you receive in this box are (* are full sized):-<br />
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<li>Elemis Peptide4 Plumping Pillow Facial (hydrating overnight mask)</li>
<li>* SUQQU Designing Color Eyes eyeshadow palette (four shades- the shades vary from box to box)</li>
<li>Bumble & Bumble Invisible Oil (Heat/UV Protective Primer)</li>
<li>Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder spray (twist the nozzle for more or less oomph to adjust your look)</li>
<li>* Aveda Hand Relief Moisturising Cream</li>
<li>* OPI nail varnish in 'Don't Cry Over Spilled Milkshakes' (a gorgeous white shade for summer tans)</li>
<li>* BareMinerals BarePro Glow Highlighter Drops (I got shade 'Free' but there are 4 different shades available in this range)</li>
<li>Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder</li>
<li>* MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in 'Sultry Move' (a nude tone)</li>
<li>* CODE8 Precision Liquid Eyeliner in 'Carbon Black' </li>
<li>Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam (shade 'dark')</li>
<li>Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum</li>
<li>Clinique Take The Day Off Make-Up Remover</li>
<li>Kiehl's Calendula Serum-Infused Water Cream (gorgeous and lightweight!)</li>
<li>Smashbox Super Fan Mascara (I can't wait to try this once I have eyelashes!)</li>
<li>Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc Eau De Parfum</li>
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Whilst I am yet to try a few of these, I've given most a go (I was so impatient that I started using them all before I had the chance to photograph). Here's some products that I have a few words to say about:-<br />
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<b>SUQQU palette</b><br />
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This palette is just stunning to both look at and use. The shades I got in my palette are all very neutral (perfect for me as I'm quite boring with eye make-up) and shimmery...so everything I usually go for! They blend perfectly and are quite pigmented with little fall-out. Very easy for everyday wear and the palette itself just feels so luxe. I've seen other palettes also contain some red tones but I think for the most part these quads will offer something for everyone. (These retail at £46.00 alone, so the cost of the whole box!)<br />
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<b>BareMinerals BarePro Glow highlighter</b><br />
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When I first use this I had zero expectations or knowledge about the product. So when I first opened and pumped the highlighter onto the back of my hand, a dribble of very runny product came out! This liquid highlighter is oil based and needs a good shake up before use (remember to keep the pumped locked by twisting), but the results are quite stunning. <i>The photo below is the product <b>after</b> having been shaken...still quite runny! </i>The shade I received, 'Free', is a beautiful champagne colour. Although you've got to work quite fast, it does blend well with both a brush or fingers. So far I've only used it as highlight on my cheekbones (together with the other usual light-catching spots) and the result is a lovely, dewy glow. You can also mix a few drops in with your usual foundation or BB/CC cream for an all over gleam. It's one of those products that you've got to learn to use, and whilst the shimmer is fab, I think I still prefer my powder highlighters just for their ease!<br />
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<b>MAC Powder Kiss lipstick</b><br />
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I've only ever tried one MAC lipstick and I was totally underwhelmed given the associated hype and price tag. I've steered clear of the brand since but was intrigued to see how round two would fare when I saw that one was included in this box. It turns out, my reaction has done a 360 and this lipstick is one of my favourite pieces from the whole box! I've never been a lover of matte lipsticks (which is what this one is) but I will forgive the slightly drier feel for the long-lasting wear and the perfect nude shade of 'Sultry Move'. It matches my skin tone to a tee and is so easy to wear...I have a feeling this is going to be one of those products that never leaves my bag.<br />
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<b>CODE8 liquid eyeliner</b><br />
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This is a new brand to me, and this was one of the products I was most excited to try. I'm a bit of an eyeliner hoarder as I'm always on the look-out for products that will help cover my bald eyelids due to my battle with trichotillomania. It turns out that the perfect liquid eyeliner is difficult to come across, so I've stuck to what I know works for my hair loss needs over the years. I thought this could be a game-changer as it looks set to tick all the boxes; carbon black, super fine-tip brush for precision, water-resistant...but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be my wonder-product on first use. Whilst the above is accurate, it seemed slightly too watery for my liking and didn't give that instant jet-black look that I was after. As you went over the liner to re-define, it wiped the remaining product away and it just became a bit of a faff to use. I gave up in the end and haven't returned to it. Perhaps it's one of those products you need to persevere with...<br />
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Overall I think this beauty box has done so well at creating a capsule of some really cracking products for summer. I'm looking forward to really trying each one out more (as these are just my first impressions), and it was such a great way to treat myself to something new that I knew would put a smile on my face after a rubbish few weeks; a bundle of products, each exciting in their own way, that I would look forward to using every day for ages. And obviously the sheer value of this box tipped me over the edge into that <i>I'm buying this NOW</i> frame of mind. You can browse (or buy) this beauty box <a href="https://www.latestinbeauty.com/collections/style-summer-essentials" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you so wish....you won't regret it, I promise you that!<br />
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Some other posts you might like:<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/04/my-current-skincare-regime.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Current Skincare Routine</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/01/are-we-over-beauty-subscription-boxes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Are We Over Beauty Subscription Boxes?</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/07/why-makeup-is-so-important-for-my-mental-health.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Makeup Is So Important to my Mental Health</a></b><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-14024707048121828892019-05-04T14:12:00.000+01:002019-05-04T14:14:23.529+01:00NEW! Kiss Naked Drama Lashes<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I'm currently in that awkward in-between phase where my eyelashes are starting to poke back through but are too short to properly wear mascara. It seems as though they've taken forever to grow back this time, and I'm so looking forward to being able to wear mascara again! (My aim was to have them back for my holiday next month...fingers crossed!). In the meantime, I'm continuing to wear false eyelashes; not only to cover the baldness/few stubby lashes that are there, but also as a deterrent to pulling them.<br />
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Back when I was 16/17 years old, I first discovered Kiss lashes. I still remember how they made me feel; my awe that I had finally found a product that made me feel confident, normal, like me. I looked like I had lashes of my own, despite the baldness they served to cover. Since then, I've continued to use the brand and always look forward to new products and developments. They've created some styles that just work so well for covering trichotillomania; the tapered ends, layering, natural textures...not to mention the glue which actually keeps them secured for a decent amount of time despite the lack of lashes underneath!<br />
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The busy bees at Kiss have created yet another new range to add to their Lash Couture collections, <a href="https://www.kissusa.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=naked+drama" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">called Naked Drama</a>. The past few ranges from Kiss have been quite 'big' lashes; great for dramatic, going-out looks, but not so perfect for day-to-day wear when you want them to look like your own lashes and as natural as possible. This 7-piece range continues this trend, but still sports many of the features that made me fall in love with Kiss lashes.<br />
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Each of the new lashes are super fluffy, full and textured; it's difficult to photograph but instead of just a row of lashes on the strip, they are layered on top of each other to create a super natural, three-dimensional look. 'Lacey' and 'Tulle' are probably the fuller, darker styles, 'Eyelet' and 'Veil' provide length, 'Chiffon' is a mix of everything (best for those with lashes) and then 'Organza' and 'Voile' offering a more natural look; 'Organza' is the style I tried.<br />
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'Organza' features quite a lot of gathered lashes near the strip which cross over each other to create oodles of texture and also disguise any baldness underneath. I've tried a lot more natural looking lashes in my time, and get really paranoid about any gaps between the false ones; when you look down you can clearly see your baldness underneath, so this layered look is perfect. The tapered ends are almost a signature of Kiss lashes; they do this so well and really makes them look like real eyelashes (rather than flatter ends which are a giveaway that they are false and also look cheaper in my opinion). The only negative here is that these lashes were quite long on; in order to make them suitable for office wear I had to trim the length down and in doing that I lost the gorgeous tapering. If Kiss brought out a range of lashes like these that were a shorter, more natural length they would be <i>perfect</i>.<br />
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The band on these is slightly thicker than usual and reminds me of heavier, more luxe lashes. These aren't heavy to wear and still felt just as comfortable as other Kiss lashes, but you can see them in your line of vision because they have that bit more volume. I can wear most other lashes without realising they are there, and it is difficult to describe but I could almost see overhang at the top of my vision (even though they didn't droop at all)....<i>does that make sense to any other hair loss sufferers?!</i> As with most lashes they were slightly too long for my lid so I had to cut the end section off- nothing new there though!<br />
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One thing I do want to add is the lift they give. Normally I have to angle other lashes upwards and carefully apply with tweezers; whilst I still used tweezers (as that's just what I'm used to!) these are very lifted so you don't have to worry about getting that perfect angle. If you struggle with getting lashes to sit up without drooping down because there's nothing underneath to hold them up, these would be great as there is no skill needed! The only thing that comes with this is that it makes them look super long (hence my need to trim them)....we can't have everything! This lash style is also by far the shortest of the collection, so if you try the others I can imagine they might need quite a bit of trimming to make them a natural length.<br />
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The Naked Drama range only costs £7.99, so very affordable for lashes that can be re-used (because the band is slightly thicker they would be easier to keep in good condition). It's another cracking range from Kiss...I just wish they would come out with a range of slightly shorter lashes that all of us hair loss sufferers are calling out for. Kiss, if you ever happen to read this....<i> please please please make them!</i><br />
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Some other posts you might like:<br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/12/tips-for-applying-false-eyelashes-to-bald-eyelids-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top tips for applying false lashes to bald lids.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/03/kiss-blooming-lash-collection-review-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kiss Blooming Lash collection- review.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2019/03/c-lash-eylure-range-designed-for-hair-loss.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eylure C-Lash: a range designed for hair loss.</a><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-62142967286599832772019-04-12T08:30:00.000+01:002019-04-17T20:40:55.027+01:00My Current Skincare Routine<br />
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<a name='more'></a>So, after my life continuing to be a bit of a whirlwind after starting a new job and moving house, I think I'm finally starting to settle into all of the newness. <i>I think</i>. I've had so much on my mind of late (my anxiety is not doing great with all of this change) that I haven't really given any time to this site. I've even only sporadically <a href="http://www.instagram.com/prettyandpolishedblog" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">posted on Instagram</a>- shock horror! During the house move, I had a proper good sort out of all of my beauty products, resulting in a shit tonne (technical measurement) being chucked out- half-used products that I fell out of love with, hand-me-downs that just weren't right for me and more products than I care to admit that had passed their 'PAO' date (period after opening- the beauty equivalent of 'best before').<br />
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What I had left was still a mountain of beauty products, but ones which I knew I would use. The cut-back got me thinking about the products I <i>really</i> love and what gets used on a regular basis, forming the staple of my beauty regime. Currently, I'm using a select few skincare products that I'm finding work really well for me during a time where my skin, body and mind have all been under a lot of stress. So, naturally, I thought I would showcase them in this post.<br />
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<b>Merumaya Melting Cleansing Balm (£18.50)</b><br />
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I have a bit of a thing for cleansing balms; in fact, it's one of the only form of cleanser I use! My skin can get quite dry in places, and I find <a href="https://merumaya.com/products/melting-cleansing-balm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this cleansing balm by Merumaya</a> is so nourishing and gentle on my skin. I swear the formula used to be thicker (my latest tube feels ever so slightly thinner and 'Vaseline-y' in texture), but regardless it works amazingly to remove all traces of makeup and leave my skin feeling not only clean but soft and not stripped of any moisture; plus it's also vegan! The balm melts when worked in your fingers and massaged onto your skin into an oil texture that I just can't get enough of. If you love cleansing balms, this is a MUST TRY!<br />
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<b>PIXI Glow Tonic (£18)</b><br />
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I mean, when is this <i>not </i>going to be a staple in everyone's beauty arsenal?! This <a href="https://pixibeauty.co.uk/products/glow-tonic-250ml" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cult product by PIXI</a> has been written about so many times before (including by myself- <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/03/pixi-glow-tonic-holy-grail-beauty-product.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full review found here</a>!) so I feel as though I don't really know where to start. The alcohol-free toner contains 5% glycolic acid which helps to work away dead skin cells, gently exfoliate skin and leave behind an incredible glowy complexion. I use this a couple of times a week, almost as a treatment after my cleanse just to give my skin a radiance boost. It really does live up to the hype and is one of those products that gives super speedy results.<br />
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<b>Kiehl's Iris Extract Activating Essence Treatment (£38)</b><br />
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This product is one I stopped using for a little while, and when I came back to it wondered how I ever lived without it. As the formula feels essentially like water, you only need a few drops to cover your face- meaning this humongous bottle goes a very long way! I use this every night after cleansing and before my moisturiser, and find it a great little skin pep in between skincare steps. <a href="https://www.kiehls.co.uk/skincare/iris-extract-activating-essence-treatment/884.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I discovered this product </a>after popping along to Kiehl's in Brighton; my skin was going through a very dry, temperamental phase (probably due to change in seasons) and I was desperate to try something new to try and combat the flare up. This treatment is so light, gentle and fast-absorbing but makes such a difference to my complexion. It brightens and, most importantly for me, deeply nourishes. I never knew I needed this product and doesn't seem like your obvious choice for a hit of moisture, but it really does the job well.<br />
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<b>Sond Midnight Feast Night Cream (£38)</b><br />
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This is the newest bit of skincare to my collection, and I'm really enjoying using <a href="https://www.sondskin.co.uk/products/midnight-feast-night-cream" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this Sond night cream</a>. My beauty clear-out saw the majority of my day and night creams be chucked away, and I didn't really know where to start looking for a new cream that would suit my needs. This night cream is quite thick in texture so works well as an overnight treatment so it can work it's magic. The Midnight Feast cream by <a href="https://www.sondskin.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sond</a> is suitable for all skin types (even those with sensitive skin) and after using this for the past month or so have found that it helps to soothe my dry t-zone (which seems to have been aggravated somehow by my brows being microbladed) and also leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated. It needs a bit of working in because it is so rich and takes some time to absorb (it leaves a slight greasy texture on my skin for a little while, so definitely not a product to be used in the morning), but I quite enjoy having the excuse to take that time to massage the product into my face as opposed to just slapping it on. It's slotted perfectly into my night-time beauty routine and I'm excited to see the long-term effects.<br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/08/New-Hall-Lavender-skincare-sussex-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Luxurious Lavender Hall skincare- reviewed!</b></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/10/top-gentle-eye-make-up-removers-for-sensitive-eyes-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Top gentle eye make-up removers (that work well for trichotillomania)</b></a></div>
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This post features some press samples, however, as always, opinions are my own honest ones.</div>
Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-6932618791024453452019-03-17T11:01:00.000+00:002019-03-17T11:19:06.261+00:00C-Lash by Eylure: A Range Designed For Hair Loss<br />
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It is estimated that up to 3% of the population will suffer from trichotillomania at some point in their lives. It's also estimated that around 2% are at risk of developing alopecia, and 38% of us are likely to be diagnosed with cancer. Add to that a number of other factors, such as stress, and you start to realise that it is not uncommon for people to suffer some form of hair loss. And yet for so long there have been very few products available to us that have been designed with our needs in mind. That's a whole lot of people crying out for wigs, lashes, and remedies to help make their lives a little easier!<br />
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Eylure have recently become one of those brands that have, after a long time coming, used their status to release a product that is designed specifically for hair loss sufferers. Enter, C-Lash! This new range of lashes, sporting three different styles and available exclusively to Boots online and in store, have been created and designed by an incredible lady called Codilia Gapare.<br />
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Cody was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and with the fight and treatment came the loss of her lashes through chemotherapy. Having never really worn false lashes before, she struggled to apply the lash strips we are accustomed to seeing; they can be tricky to apply anyway, but trying to apply them to bare lids with no lashes to hold them up can be gruelling. She started to conceptualise her own lash range, and from hereon-in C-Lash was born.<br />
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This range is unique in its design. The lashes themselves are reminiscent of Eylure's natural range, but it's the lash strip where the real difference can be found. What would be a normal pair of lashes is secured to a section of tape; in order to apply, you simply peel back the tape and secure this straight onto your eyelid. Pretty innovative, right?! I have quite a lot to say about these lashes so I'm going to break it into the pro's and con's for hair loss....get ready for a long post!<br />
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</b> <b>CONS</b><br />
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</b> I struggled to apply these lashes. The tape makes them inflexible; I am used to putting glue onto the lash strip, applying to my lash line with tweezers and angling them upwards slightly to give that natural lift and prevent drooping. Once these are on your lid, there's no wiggling them up to give them lift- they don't budge. This, of course, makes them incredibly secure, but I personally don't like the inflexibility and prefer to place the lashes how I want to try and maximise the natural look.<br />
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The tape itself does seem quite bulky. It looks fine when in the packet but when you go to apply it to your lid you realise how much of your lid it actually covers. The tape is also covered with a very slight texture (which I think it made up of tiny dots). Even with makeup over it, this texture still comes through and makes you look like you've got a bumpy eyelid, which in turn makes it obvious you are wearing false eyelashes.<br />
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These lashes also droop, <i>a lot</i>. I found after a couple of times that there is definitely a knack to applying these. They have the same, if not more, curve as normal lashes (in that the lashes drop and pick back up in almost a 'u' shape). If you apply the tape to the lash line (like I did at first), they droop down so much that half of my vision was covered. You do not apply these like normal lashes! Instead, I found that lining up the lowest point of the curve to my lash line was the only way to get them to sit right....the only issue with that was that the tape had to be placed so high up my eyelid. That in turn made it look like I had eyelashes sprouting out half way up my eyelid. I think I would prefer to look bald. The only way to cover this was to fill in the gaps with dark makeup, which is just not my style at all. The inflexibility again really works against you here.<br />
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The lashes themselves are pretty styles; I really like the lengthening style and the natural isn't too bad either. The volume style has gaps in between each lashes which isn't something I personally go for as when you look down the baldness underneath becomes tell-tale. I'm not sure how re-usable these lashes are either as the tape may lose its stickiness (it's not a case of removing the glue and going again).<br />
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<b>PROS</b><br />
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Although I personally didn't get on with these lashes, I think it's because I've spent 10 years becoming a pro at applying normal ones; that's what I'm used to, and these are so different to apply that it just threw me. For someone who has never had to apply lashes before and have lost their own suddenly through illness (like Cody herself), or for those just starting off with false lashes and are worried about getting the knack of applying them, these could be a great stepping stone. If you haven't picked up the habits of applying normal lashes, I can see how these can be a doddle to apply for any lash virgins out there.<br />
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The tape itself is actually really comfortable; something I was really surprised about! After a little while the tape almost melts into your skin to the point that you don't even realise it's there. The lashes, as all Eylure ones are, are super lightweight. The lashes are also a really great length and width- mine didn't need to be trimmed at all.<br />
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You can also apply makeup over the tape section to really help blend them in and create a finished look; concealer and eye makeup both sit well over the tape and don't transfer.<br />
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Once these lashes are on, they really don't budge. They feel very secure- much more so than when you use the lash glue with normal lashes. This means you don't have to worry about the ends pinging off or having to carry glue around with you; you can go about your day freely knowing your lashes will be in place all day. These are also retailing at £5.95 so they are so affordable too.<br />
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It really is amazing to see such a huge brand like Eylure listening to the hair loss community and designing a product with our needs in mind. It's something that's never really been bought to the high street before and hopefully will generate some much needed conversations about why some people wear lashes and help break some stigma around hair loss. I feel like a huge step has been taken in a very positive direction.<br />
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I was actually part of the C-Lash campaign and was asked to speak about my form of hair loss, along with some other incredible ladies. We all had our own reasons for wearing false lashes; some though trichotillomania, some alopecia and some through chemotherapy. You can catch our videos on the Eylure YouTube channel here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxKdkHiB0vY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxKdkHiB0vY</a><br />
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<i>Although I was part of this campaign, I wanted to disclose that I have not been paid to do so- it was to raise awareness about trichotillomania- and this post is not sponsored. The lashes were gifted to me, however. As you probably all know by now, I review all products completely honestly and the fact that these items were gifted has not swayed my opinion in any way....as you can likely tell!</i><br />
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Some other posts you might like:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/11/eylure-fluttery-false-eyelashes-new-trichotillomania-review.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Eylure Fluttery range- reviewed!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/12/tips-for-applying-false-eyelashes-to-bald-eyelids-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Top tips for applying false lashes</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/01/my-all-time-favourite-false-eyelashes-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My all-time favourite false lashes for trichotillomania</a><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-68792725750124547232019-02-28T15:08:00.000+00:002019-02-28T15:08:02.576+00:00Soap & Glory Make-Up Bits For Trichotillomania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a name='more'></a>Hi! It me. Still alive and well. Life has been incredibly hectic of late; at the end of January I found out my firm was closing down and the redundancy process was started. The past few weeks in that environment have been hell, mix in trying to find a new job at such short notice <i>and</i> having to move house in order to accommodate the new job....it's been a bit of a whirlwind. I'm currently having a week off (my statutory notice period) to recover and am slowly finding my feet again- which means being able to give a little bit of attention to this blog! Woohoo!<br />
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Now to the beauty...I actually got this Soap and Glory 'Glitz and Make-Up' gift set for Christmas and have been trying out the products on and off since. You can't go wrong with their gifts- even if you do end up with 20 tubes of Thick & Fast mascara! I soon discovered that this set contained some gems that I hadn't tried before....gems that turned out to be really useful for covering trichotillomania / hair loss and I wanted to share these and give the low-down. (<a href="https://www.boots.com/soap-and-glory-glitz-and-make-up-gift-set-10249196?cm_mmc=bmm-_-Google+Soap+&+Glory+(Global)-_-PLA%7CSoap+%26+Glory%7CP7+Hero-_-Soap+%26+Glory%7CP7+Hero&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgOvdvtPe4AIVR4XVCh0ZjAe-EAQYASABEgJnr_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow">It's currently half price at £25 in Boots- link here if want it!</a>).<br />
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So in the set you get the Thick & Fast mascara (obviously), Love at First Blush, the Supercat eyeliner, a mini Sexy Motherpucker and another metallic gloss, an Archery brow pencil, the Lid Stuff eyeshadow palette and a black Crazy Sexy Kohl twist-up eyeliner. I've written in the past about some of these products, and in particular the Supercat eyeliner. It's such an easy-to-use eyeliner pen that's inky, jet black and makes winged eyeliner a doddle (it's one of my go-to looks for covering hair loss). Mine was running low so it came at a perfect time! <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2015/03/perfect-cat-flick-soap-and-glory-supercat-review.html" rel="nofollow">You can read my previous declaration of love for the liner here</a>.<br />
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The Lid Stuff palette is right up my street too, offering a selection of pinky-nude tones packed with shimmer. The shades go perfectly with a smudge of kohl or a sassy cat flick; not necessarily one to mention in relation to hair loss, but more so because it's so damn pretty.<br />
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For a good while I've been <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/09/soap-glory-archery-pencil-best-brow-product-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow">a huge fan of Soap & Glory's Archery brow pencil</a>. I usually use the one with the crayon and tint ends as when combined together you can create a really natural looking brow from scratch (the tint allows you to draw on the hair strokes and add depth to the brow). When browsing in Boots recently I noticed that there were some additions to the Archery range that I hadn't seen before (they could have been out a while...I'm a bit oblivious to new launches). One of them was this double-ended product which sports an angled crayon and a setting gel. Although the setting gel is redundant for me as there are no brow hairs to swipe it through, the crayon is absolutely dreamy! Its the same kind of texture as my previous favourite- not too soft that it smudges but hard enough to create hair strokes. It's as though the brow pencil and tint and <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/06/new-benefit-goof-proof-brow-pencil-review.html" rel="nofollow">Benefit's Goof Proof pencil</a> had a lovechild...a winner in my books!<br />
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The last one I wanted to mention is the Crazy Sexy Kohl. I don't tend to wear kohl too much as I prefer to go with a winged liquid liner look, but as my lashes are starting to grow through I've found this great for making my lash line look a bit fuller and covering smaller gaps. It's got a lovely creamy and smudge-able texture- although may not be precise enough to fully cover a bald lid. I've been wearing this a lot on my lower lash line (which is completely bald) and love the subtle distraction from the hair loss it provides.<br />
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<b>I find that some Soap & Glory products can be quite average, but the kohl pencil, Supercat liners and Archery range is pretty spot on for most hair loss needs. Let me know what your favourite Soap & Glory products are below!</b></div>
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-88230234123904714602019-01-25T08:30:00.000+00:002019-01-25T08:30:06.707+00:00The Only Hair Tool You'll Need: The Instyler Max 2-Way Rotating Iron<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdapsa_1Xpmwlcv0xmnrFVepeMhrxPhVVDscL2Vfv8RaPmzpzpCQp5Q1Dmul5EekZaPw9UbnBRdsSclErw1OzPM6er8gVZ98f4vWk07GPkhChd8ubSDIUSfAxchYzmlWp7U2ziRATb_Q/s1600/instyler+max+rotating+curlers+review+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdapsa_1Xpmwlcv0xmnrFVepeMhrxPhVVDscL2Vfv8RaPmzpzpCQp5Q1Dmul5EekZaPw9UbnBRdsSclErw1OzPM6er8gVZ98f4vWk07GPkhChd8ubSDIUSfAxchYzmlWp7U2ziRATb_Q/s1600/instyler+max+rotating+curlers+review+%25283%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Like so many, I'm not a fan of my natural hair. If I don't blow dry it or style it, I'm left with slight waves with a frizzy and course texture (no, I'm not a horse). It's put straight up and hidden in a pony tail or bun when in this state, and so I almost always have to blow dry it straight. I absolutely love my hair curled (and am jealous of anyone who has naturally curled but easy-to-manage hair) but it usually takes me forever and the curls fall out around 2 hours later, despite the amount of hair spray I spritz on!<br />
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I always catch up with my cousin's blog regularly (<a href="http://hayleyhall.uk/">hayleyhall.uk</a>) and was swooning over how great her hair has been looking. She'd been using this tool called the Instyler Max and mentioned how fab it was; given that we have the same kind of hair, I desperately wanted to try it out. And when I saw that it was half price in Boots (£44.99 down from £90.00!), I put on my 'treat yo'self' hat, fell into Boots and went home with a new hair styling tool that day.<br />
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Curling my hair takes a lot of effort; sectioning parts off, wrapping the strands around the wand, awkwardly trying to hold the wand behind your head and do some sort of hair-styling yoga until your arms ache. Although I love the results, I am too lazy to be dealing with this faff on the regular, so never bother to do anything exciting with my hair. Apparently this Instyler tool was a doddle and didn't come with the above faff...too good to be true right?! Wrong!<br />
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Before I get into how amazing this tool is, I wanted to say that my first ever go with it left me wanting to cry and return it to the store. It was frustrating, and I spent almost 2 hours trying to get that perfect 'fresh out the salon' look. It just wasn't happening and I couldn't get the hang of it. There is a knack to using this tool which I'll try and explain below (a lot of people have found it difficult to use, but once you get it, it's the best thing ever), but it is definitely worth persevering with. I found watching YouTube videos useful so I could actually see how others were using it, and <a href="https://www.hayleyhall.uk/2018/12/how-to-achieve-a-salon-blowdry-at-home-with-instyler-max-prime.html" rel="nofollow">Hayley's blog/insta video</a> was also very helpful....don't rely on the instructions that come with the tool as they provide very little practical help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj056GhZOwWu15Ku9620LPdpCjL5wRvsmJd2elEAZCeG77aA93aa5yTiCh3Ue3W2qJYBfvkXsoQ8g68Jfwe-TUFbd-FPKr5wUccGoh_Vj_v01GHq4FYN4nixqSAg8_n2PT0-4onq3KmDw/s1600/instyler+max+rotating+curlers+review+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj056GhZOwWu15Ku9620LPdpCjL5wRvsmJd2elEAZCeG77aA93aa5yTiCh3Ue3W2qJYBfvkXsoQ8g68Jfwe-TUFbd-FPKr5wUccGoh_Vj_v01GHq4FYN4nixqSAg8_n2PT0-4onq3KmDw/s1600/instyler+max+rotating+curlers+review+%25282%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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So once you plug that tool in and switch it on, four bars will light up in orange; these are the different heats. The tool heats up within 30 seconds so you can get to work asap. To lower the heat one at a time, just press the 'on' button, although I usually keep it on quite a high heat. The Instyler Max comes with a heat protection mat which is very handy- another great feature is that these turn off automatically after 45 minutes of non-use (although plz don't leave it to chance and try to unplug them after using!!). As you will see in the photos, there are two main parts to this tool; the brush and the ceramic iron (32 mm). You might have guessed from the name (spoiler) that the barrel rotates. This 2-part tool means that the rotating iron does the curling part whilst the brush smooths out hair, leaving you with a sleek and de-frizzed look. The iron starts rotating when the tool is switched on and two parts are pressed together; a big part of using the Instyler Max is the direction the iron is rotating, so to flip-it-and-reverse-it, just tap the brush and iron together twice.<br />
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So, now we've gone through the basic mechanics, let's get onto the technique! After hours of experimenting, I found that the best way to get curls was as follows:<br />
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<li>Section hair off as you usually would (I clip back the top part and curl the lower sections first).</li>
<li>Make sure that the iron is rotating <i>away</i> from your face (so for the left side it would be a clockwise direction, for the right side, anti-clockwise). This is key! Again, tap twice to change the direction and minimise faffing and hair-curling-yoga. </li>
<li>Grip a section with the Instyler near-ish the root, making sure the brush part is on top and the iron is behind. </li>
<li>Whilst still gripping the hair, turn the tool away from your face (do a full 180 for proper curls, less so for a more 'blow out' look). </li>
<li>Pull the tool down through the hair...SLOWLY! Don't rush through each section or it won't curl properly! </li>
<li>Wrap the freshly curled sections around your fingers just to define the shape of the curls, then release. </li>
<li>Repeat for the rest of the sections, spritzing on some hair spray as you go just to hold those curls. </li>
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Once you've practised this a few times, it does get easier...I promise! And once you get the hang of the technique, it really does become a doddle and by far the easiest way to style my hair that I've found to date. I absolutely adore the results; this photo is from the second time I used it. And remember how I mentioned my curls only usually last 2 hours (even with strong-hold hair spray)? Well these curls lasted THREE WHOLE DAYS without having to retouch them at all. They may have lasted even longer but I unfortunately I couldn't face going into work with super-greasy hair. </div>
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The Instyler Max is such a nifty little gadget and I am so glad that I persevered with getting the hang of the technique. This tool isn't just for curling; you can create Kate Middleton-esque blow dry results and even straighten your hair using this (which I accidentally discovered during my first try when trying to get curls...oops). It's revolutionised my hair styling 'routine' and made me excited to actually make an effort with my hair for once...and who <i>doesn't</i> love a multi-functional product?!</div>
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<b>Have you tried the Instyler Max? Let me know if you have any other tips or tricks for using it! </b></div>
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-14983752128979758362019-01-17T09:00:00.000+00:002019-01-17T09:00:06.431+00:00My First Experience with Clairvoyancy<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I have always been interested in the supernatural. Although I've never had any personal experiences, I am fascinated by all things paranormal and spent a lot of my spare time listening to podcasts, reading stories and watching documentaries on the topic. I've also always believed in some form of afterlife (although still haven't formed complete opinions on what it consists of), and my intrigue has led me to want to explore this further by going to see a medium or clairvoyant for as long as I can remember.<br />
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A couple of family members had seen a psychic near my old home town of High Wycombe, but as I moved away for university when I turned 18, I never got the chance to see this lady who had always seemed very accurate in her readings. After six years of wanting to go and see someone but never getting round to actually doing it, I finally booked in to see someone in Brighton at a place called Mysteries. Interestingly, I couldn't find too many clairvoyants near me by way of Google search (which I found strange for such an open-minded place like Brighton) and had no personal recommendations to go by, so I settled for this place I had seen many a time wondering through town. Part of me was sceptical, especially given that in Brighton this kind of thing likely serves to reap that easy tourist dolla, but it was the best I could find for now so I took the plunge and went in with an open mind.<br />
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One thing I was very wary about was giving too much away. I have heard of the 'tricks of the trade', so to speak, and so wanted to be a closed book, as much as I could, and not give too much information to feed off. As I've mentioned, I am a believer when it comes to all things spiritual and so didn't go in with a completely negative mindset. However, the more the session went on, the more disappointed I was getting. The mediumship side of things (connecting with spirits from the 'other side') didn't bring anything I could relate to; I didn't expect anything, but deep down hoped that I would get to connect with loved ones that I had lost....as naturally any person would. And to be honest, the distinct lack of accuracy made me realise just how generic the statements being given were.<br />
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The same goes for the tarot cards, which was also a first for me. I couldn't relate to a single thing that was said- if there was an inkling of resemblance, I think it was my mind trying to desperately find a link to salvage what I could from the reading. In fact, many things that were brought up were the complete opposite of what the reality is in my life. One conversation I found funny went like this: 'do you have any pets?' '<i>yes</i>', 'a dog?', <i>'no'</i>, 'a cat?', <i>'no'</i>,...'what is it then?', as if this were a complete guessing game. Near the end of the reading, I gave up and mentioned things that have happened in my life that I may want guidance on, and the reading started to be morphed into whatever could fit my story, as though I was being told what they thought I wanted to hear. To top it off, we finished up with the clairvoyant insisting on a hug before kissing me on the cheek for far longer than seemed necessary or appropriate, which left me with an overall 'WTF did I just experience' vibe when I walked out of the room and out of the building. In some ways, I expected nothing less!<br />
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I am genuinely a bit disheartened by the whole experience; to feel almost scammed by something I was so interested in. Although all clairvoyancy and belief in something other than this world may be seen as foolish to some, this kind of thing comes down to personal belief. I went in with faith in something spiritual, and whilst this experience wasn't the best way to start my dabbling with psychics, it hasn't changed my core beliefs. It's such an incredibly personal thing, and I don't think I would be put off by seeing a clairvoyant again...although next time I might wait for some personal recommendations rather than going in blind and choosing somewhere right in the centre of a very touristy town. If you know of anyone in the Sussex area that may be able to help me out, please do hit me up! In any event, if this reading was accurate, Stewart is going to propose in 4 weeks so stay tuned for a big announcement...<br />
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<b>Have you ever seen a clairvoyant or medium? I'd love to hear your experiences, whether you are a believer or sceptic!</b></div>
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-43981385206627780302019-01-12T09:00:00.000+00:002019-01-12T09:00:04.371+00:00Are We Over Beauty Subscription Boxes?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7-M9BN-q7guzc4HqkZovZEQFD_ScHWKTUEjdRU4OcB8u3FZ_hwtKucFucDYa1_YwX-_hgTeqnF289bwBrCvmVv9BAQsgQw2YwYydNSHbxBo0AEThb7QmJNpiHI9YPN_AflKCuJ9GGg/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7-M9BN-q7guzc4HqkZovZEQFD_ScHWKTUEjdRU4OcB8u3FZ_hwtKucFucDYa1_YwX-_hgTeqnF289bwBrCvmVv9BAQsgQw2YwYydNSHbxBo0AEThb7QmJNpiHI9YPN_AflKCuJ9GGg/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25286%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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<a name='more'></a>They've been around for years now, but somehow I only tried my first beauty subscription box in December. When Birchbox ran a Black Friday offer that was too good to resist (two boxes for £5 plus delivery... when one box usually costs £10!), I signed up for my first subscription to see what the fuss was all about. The cost and 'unknown' element of these boxes had usually put me off, but given that it was such an awesome offer it seemed the perfect time to see what kind of service and products you receive each month.<br />
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As it was such a bargain, a lot of other people clearly got on board; with the overwhelming demand came delays with shipping the two boxes. A few 'sorry for the delay' emails later, the boxes finally arrived just over 2 weeks later (which was kind of like receiving a nice little early Christmas gift to me, from me, as I had almost forgotten about my order by then). With this aside, I opened the package and inside were two gorgeous boxes. Each design, for Birchbox at least, seems incredibly unique and stunning- so much so that I've just had to keep them to try and find a way to re-use!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14cspGBW3u5hUH6geyrZ-Do_nKDIP3FYHTWnLX46-8RciOfxuE1TjAK4Rqg0UZU-x6JLDWqPsK3qAkGb8pq5v-kQ0gq12s03-ZTfu2rRLDk_6exj9dvc5F0tTa0UNz40YBQyJle80Kw/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14cspGBW3u5hUH6geyrZ-Do_nKDIP3FYHTWnLX46-8RciOfxuE1TjAK4Rqg0UZU-x6JLDWqPsK3qAkGb8pq5v-kQ0gq12s03-ZTfu2rRLDk_6exj9dvc5F0tTa0UNz40YBQyJle80Kw/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25281%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEbSwWRQuEFX0DtawBm7xBdQJJPXqhW9TuuOIpfRzthhiefsATrLRMMaXArxx-ILL0uJyyAhzYM3dKF9iH6rdwI9u7WLahRuDTLJBuQxLuk2U1CKRrDW1sQIhma2PMMq1gl7c1BGQgw/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25284%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEbSwWRQuEFX0DtawBm7xBdQJJPXqhW9TuuOIpfRzthhiefsATrLRMMaXArxx-ILL0uJyyAhzYM3dKF9iH6rdwI9u7WLahRuDTLJBuQxLuk2U1CKRrDW1sQIhma2PMMq1gl7c1BGQgw/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25284%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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Inside each box was five sample sized products; so if you get the normal subscription the overall cost averages to £2.60 per product. This is significantly cheaper than if you were to buy the miniatures in store, so value for money appears to be a tick. However, with this brings a point which leaves me still undecided on whether I'm sold on these beauty subscription boxes.<br />
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On the one hand, if you're in a bit of a beauty rut it's a great way to discover brands you've never heard of and products you never knew you needed. It encourages you to try new things and subsequently experiment a bit more with beauty looks. You can fill out a questionnaire on the Birchbox website, outlining your skin type, preferences and what you're looking to get out of the subscription, which all help to curate your monthly box. One thing I loved was that the boxes contained some sample sizes of brands I can't really afford otherwise. Some particular gems included an Eyeko eyeshadow crayon in a gorgeous smokey grey, a BalanceMe serum for congested skin and a product by Mannakadar called 'Diamond Dust' whose pink shimmery tones can be used as an eyeshadow, highlighter or dabbed onto lips for a glitzy finish. You can't go wrong with a multi-functional product!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7gR6D-VxLFE5CwP4pUGHXsQy1iGAOr0WcsjGwfodsNTy64XRRtoVzlPET4Miw1vkZblPR4Gu0evsEIrf6xgRR-hlZiSmMRJoe7N4p5FGbevbuPcbth-7-3mo0kyObYxJdd91BamOyA/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25288%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7gR6D-VxLFE5CwP4pUGHXsQy1iGAOr0WcsjGwfodsNTy64XRRtoVzlPET4Miw1vkZblPR4Gu0evsEIrf6xgRR-hlZiSmMRJoe7N4p5FGbevbuPcbth-7-3mo0kyObYxJdd91BamOyA/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25288%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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That said, when I first opened the boxes, I wasn't wow-ed by the selection. I guess I was expecting more make-up; I've heard that subscription boxes do tend to fill out more with miniature skincare samples (which you tend to get less uses from than make-up). That said, I'm a huge skincare lover so this wasn't a deal-breaker for me. I think I also expected more big-name brands that I knew of- again, not a deal-breaker as I guess the whole point is to discover new things, but it's nice to also be able to receive samples of those big cult products that you otherwise couldn't afford to try out. I just wasn't <i>excited</i> by the variety of products presented to me. They seemed a bit like a random mish-mash of leftover products they had in the warehouse that needed using; not bad products, but not <i>wow</i> enough to make me want to receive them every month. As such, I put most of the products aside; it's only now that I've started properly trying each one that I've grown to really love a few of them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHun-7bGn_cXeTuXijN7vQm1XU2TNwPLt8yI9XRyerPGArPpG9k_LKA8jCOAr7fgFnTq_ccBbt8w1f2PuwvmKLzrYT6cu4c7c8Dx9zmHi1aY6e9SXnn6jU-YWSBO18F9nFJPZchjW_pg/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25289%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHun-7bGn_cXeTuXijN7vQm1XU2TNwPLt8yI9XRyerPGArPpG9k_LKA8jCOAr7fgFnTq_ccBbt8w1f2PuwvmKLzrYT6cu4c7c8Dx9zmHi1aY6e9SXnn6jU-YWSBO18F9nFJPZchjW_pg/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25289%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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I think the element of surprise with beauty subscription boxes can work two ways; you either discover gems that work really well for you that were otherwise unknown, or you can open the box and be very disappointed. It's essentially a lucky dip, so if you are open to and actively wanting to uncover new brands and products, I think they can work really well and are relatively affordable. I have moments when I think would rather spend £10 or so on a full size product (or two) that I have chosen and know I will like, but then think that if you get a box with products that you enjoy then the subscription is worth the money. It's almost a gamble...and I'm still not sure whether I'm the gambling type!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf-dMiBRpg84e7uSyVeNlKAfY2g_N94BTrVvDtmr8S5c06vdZoEjuOD8JtfEwEzgkruHWSg3XBg7YsOfMe3EOnCfX3khveUAA3PA-wmO4Hts-3wy-mAR0T6aofyC7YdUdt9a4bmL-_w/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf-dMiBRpg84e7uSyVeNlKAfY2g_N94BTrVvDtmr8S5c06vdZoEjuOD8JtfEwEzgkruHWSg3XBg7YsOfMe3EOnCfX3khveUAA3PA-wmO4Hts-3wy-mAR0T6aofyC7YdUdt9a4bmL-_w/s1600/birchbox+beauty+review+%25285%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>What do you think of beauty subscription boxes? Which ones have you tried and loved?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>Yes, it's me. I do still exist, somewhat, on the internet and post on this blog every now and then when I remember. I hope everybody had wonderful Christmas and New Years celebrations! Now we're on the 6th day of the New Year, the copious amounts of chocolate have just about been finished off, the permanent hangover has started to subside and the first short (but soul-destroying) week back at work has been completed. It's time to settle back into the post-festivities old routine, and it's around now that I start really thinking about my goals for the year, and what resolutions I want to make for 2019.<br />
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Last year, I only made one resolution- to walk to work. It's about an hour and a half round trip, but come rain or shine I managed to stick to it and not get the bus! The fresh air and time to myself came to be one of the best parts of my day, and this small but do-able resolution allowed me to actually see out the year having achieved my goal for one of the first times ever.<br />
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Previously, whenever I had made a New Year's resolution it had always been the same thing; to stop pulling my eyelashes and finally kick trichotillomania's butt. And a couple of weeks into January each year I would spectacularly fail. Because it was such an unrealistic, far-fetched dream of a goal, it was never achieved. It left me even more disappointed in myself and led me to just never making resolutions come the New Year.<br />
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After making smaller goals that could actually be achieved, my mindset towards resolutions changed. I feel so much more positive about making them this year; although I've made more goals to aim for, they are still things which I can tick off throughout the year. Aside from a career aspiration and hitting my next savings goal, my resolutions this year are largely focused on mental health- but not the same as I used to make!<br />
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Last year I made a <i>huge</i> step to seek help for something I have never spoken about and which remains a massively unresolved and damaging part of my life. Whilst the waiting list is so long that I won't receive counselling until summer 2020, I've promised myself that in the meantime I will take better care of myself to help ease the mental pain.<br />
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So, my two main resolutions this year are:-<br />
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<ul>
<li>Listen to my mind and body. </li>
<li>Be kinder to myself.</li>
</ul>
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I tend to push myself with every aspect of life, and put a lot of pressure on myself to do the best I can. That's fine...until it's not and my mental health starts suffering and then I start to get the physical consequences of this (fatigue, nausea, headaches etc). I became quite physically unwell last year which made me realise just how much your mental well-being can affect your body- something I had never really experienced much further than the physical aspects of trichotillomania. I learnt to become more in tune with what my mind and body are trying to tell me and I want to carry on this practice throughout 2019; whether this be to slow down, ease off the pressure, eat a bit healthier, treat myself to something new if I need a pick-me-up, or take an evening for 'self care'. I've always been the kind of person to just push through whatever I'm feeling or experiencing, but I want to make an effort to be kinder to myself and not punish myself for trying to look out for number one. I want this year to be the year where I really turn my focus more inwards; it sounds selfish, but I've spent a lifetime looking out for others and I've realised I cannot give them love and support without giving this to myself too. And as these are vaguer goals, here's hoping come 31st December I can say to myself that I've stuck by them!<br />
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<b>What are your goals for 2019?</b><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-16632853461276790822018-12-08T14:16:00.003+00:002018-12-08T14:16:22.123+00:00Meet The Whole RapidLash Collection<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It's no secret that RapidLash is one of my number one beauty loves. I've mentioned the wonder-product a good few times already on this site (I swear to god none of it is sponsored....I just adore the serum!), and it truly is one thing that I can turn to to help actually make a difference to my hair growth. When I'm bald, I start religiously applying it every day and genuinely notice a huge difference in how quickly the lashes grow back through. And when I have lashes, I still use it to keep the hairs in top condition to help prevent fall out and breakage (all that picking and pulling leaves some long-term damage!).<br />
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Whilst the only product I've mentioned on this blog is the RapidLash Lash Enhancing Serum, there is in fact a whole range of RapidLash products out there and so I want to showcase the rest of the family! The products vary in price depending on where you're shopping (I've always found Amazon/eBay the best places to buy), but in the run up to Christmas loads of shops may be doing their own offers on the range.<br />
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So I'll start off with bae- the Lash Enhancing Serum. I won't go in to depth about this product because you can read my full reviews (/raves) <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2015/08/RapidLash-serum-hair-growth-secret-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow">about it here</a> and <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/05/rapidlash-my-go-to-trichotillomania-product-hair-growth.html" rel="nofollow">also here</a> if you so fancy. This is my go-to out of the collection mainly because of the applicator. The other products have a mascara wand, however this one doesn't, meaning that it's super easy to apply to bald lids- there's no need to have lashes to apply it to in the first place! I find I get incredible results with this product after only a few weeks and think it makes my lashes grow through much faster when I use this every day. It's the best one for hair loss and trichotillomania in my opinion. There's currently<a href="https://www.feelunique.com/p/RapidLash-Eyelash-Enhancing-Serum-3ml" rel="nofollow"> an offer on Feel Unique</a> where this serum is down to £31.50 (from £40)!<br />
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Next on the list is RapidBrow- another bestselling product of theirs that I know a lot of others rave about. Whilst this one does have the mascara wand (so not the best for those with hair loss), the unique Hexatein 2 Complex helps to ensure that your brows are kept in top notch condition. It's not so much aimed towards <i>hair growth</i> but more like conditioning and enhancing the hairs already there. The Complex contains a blend of polypeptides, keratin and biotin (usually found in products used to boost growth and strengthen hair) and Vitamin B5, apple fruit cell extract and sweet almond extract which serve to improve the appearance of brows (leaving them looking nourished and healthy). It's priced at £37 and I can't find any current offers, but keep an eye out for discounts on places like Feel Unique, Boots and Look Fantastic.<br />
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RapidShield serves the same purpose as RapidBrow, but for eyelashes. For use as a conditioning treatment, this product also has a mascara wand and can be applied both in the morning (sitting comfortably under mascara as it dries so quickly) and evening. It can also be used in conjunction with the Lash Enchancing Serum if you want to go all out! The ingredient list (which is similar to RapidBrow) is all aimed towards improving the appearance of lashes, keeping moisture locked in and nourishing them to keep them looking as healthy as possible. The healthier the lashes, the less they break/fall out, and this in turn gives you with a fuller lash line. This product is one of the cheapest from the range at £28, and again it's worth looking out for any discount codes for the sites mentioned above!<br />
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Until recently, I had no idea that the company had branched out to skincare- and I was immediately impressed! I first tried the RapidRenew product out when received by the brand after a day of filming and it came at the perfect time for me. I had problematic skin, and was looking around for an exfoliating product that would tick all the boxes. This Skin Perfecting Polish comes in a 72g on-theme purple tube and leaves skin feeling so soft (the ones in the photo are dinky sample sized tubes). Again it's packed full of unique ingredients which blend to create a product that is a super fine exfoliate; my skin feels incredible and looks radiant after using (if I do say so myself). There's a strange eucalyptus type scent which makes skin feel cooled and slightly tingly- odd at first but I've come to love it! In my opinion it is pricey at £34.99, and it's not the best if you have sensitive skin, but it's a random find that I've come to adore.<br />
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Other additions to the range include a RapidEye (another skincare product in the form of a firming wrinkle smoother) and RapidHair which is a hair volumising formula meant to leave you with a shiny, bouncy mane. I haven't tried either of these products so can't report on them in full....but they exist, for your information!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This post features press samples but, as always, my opinions are always 100% honest.</span></div>
Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-29793094091888953392018-11-25T13:01:00.000+00:002018-11-25T13:01:03.907+00:00NEW! Fluttery False Eyelashes by Eylure<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Since starting my new medication a month ago, my anxiety has sky-rocketed. And as a result, my picking and pulling has been unprecedented. I managed to go through a 'good stage' of trichotillomania (if there is such a thing), where I could actually grow my lashes to the point of being able to wear mascara and keep them for a decent amount of time (save for the odd lash being plucked here and there). I had even managed to grow my lower lashes in for the first time in four years. Things seemed to be on the up, until this whole increased anxiety thing kicked in. To cut a long story short, I am now bald again. Both my upper and lower lashes are completely gone, the mascaras have been packed away, and I have turned to my stash of false lashes to help see me through.<br />
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It seemed to be perfect timing when, a few days after a pulling spree, I saw Eylure posting about their new range on Instagram. <a href="https://www.eylure.com/uk/fluttery/" rel="nofollow">The 'Fluttery' range</a> seemed to arrive at the best time for me; a collection of light, natural-looking lashes that could help cover the baldness day-to-day, and give me an excuse to treat myself to something new in order to lift my spirits. Out of the 6 new styles, I picked up number 171 and 175- the two which I thought looked best to help with hair loss. The whole range looks stunning, but there are a some which looked slightly too long (173 and 177), a bit too dramatic (178) or 3/4 length style (170)- I tend not to get these styles when looking for something to cover trich as you don't want them to <i>add</i> to your lashes, you literally want them to <i>be </i>your own, natural lashes.<br />
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So, let's start with style 171. I think out of the two I bought, this one is my favourite. They aren't quite as full as the other pair, making them look really natural and light. The length isn't too bad either; my ideal lashes would be shorter than this, but let's face it, false lashes are designed to add length to your own so unless we are ever blessed with a range specifically designed for us in mind, falsies are generally always going to be a tad longer than what we would like. There is a good amount of lift to these lashes and the differing lengths add to that natural feel. I would like to see more texture to these to 'rough them up' and make them look less 'perfect', but after a few wears and some mascara they look pretty good.<br />
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Style 175 is a darker, fuller look but with a length very similar to 171. Because of this, I thought I would be able to get away with using these for everyday wear (especially with some mascara on my lower lashes). However, now my lower lashes are gone, it does make these lashes look extra bold- something to bear in mind depending on where your hair loss affects you. I actually wore these on Halloween and these were the perfect 'going out' lashes for me. Dark, fluttery, lifted with lashes tightly packed at the strip to hide signs of baldness underneath....but just a bit too much for wearing into the office every day.<br />
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Overall, when I look at this new range I can't help but think how gorgeous each of the new designs are. Each in their own right tick so many boxes, but there just seems to be one box left unticked for every one. They are definitely worth trying out if you're looking for something new (and they have all of the usual Eylure features of them being flexible, lightweight, long-lasting and comfortable), but style-wise, they just don't enter my 'all time favourites' list. Eylure do better lashes in my opinion that work far better for covering hair loss, such as <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/10/review-kimberley-walsh-eylure-false-eyelashes.html" rel="nofollow">these lashes from the Kimberley Walsh range</a>. These Fluttery lashes look the part, but when it comes to it, fall ever so slightly short of the mark for trichotillomania.<br />
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</i> <i>The lashes from Eylure's new Fluttery range cost £5.95 each but Boots and Superdrug are often running promotions that are worth looking out for. </i><br />
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<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/01/my-all-time-favourite-false-eyelashes-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow"><i>Click here to read my list of favourite false lashes for covering trichotillomania.</i></a><br />
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-30039985206705749562018-11-18T11:26:00.000+00:002018-11-18T11:26:28.376+00:00How Blogging Affects My Mental Health<br />
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<a name='more'></a>HI! It's me again! Yes, I haven't given up on this blog altogether. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prettyandpolishedblog/" rel="nofollow">I posted over on Instagram</a> last night about my brief absence. Essentially, I finally went to the doctors again about all sorts mental health related and decided I was ready to give medication a go again. In the past I've written briefly about my experiences with anti-depressants and anti-anxiety tablets and, spoiler, it hasn't been great. I could never get past the awful side effects, but I felt like I was in a good place to try them again after going through a bad spell and fearing having to go through it yet again. Lo and behold, these new ones are also making me feel rubbish and my anxiety has been sky-high, so I thought it best to step away from this site for a short while whilst I let my mind and body adjust. But being away from the blogging scene has got me reflected on just how it affects my mental health....<br />
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Back in 2012, I started this blog as something to keep me occupied in the long summer between finishing Sixth Form and starting university. I've always been the kind of person who needs to be constantly on the go, doing something productive (I really struggle to have a chill-out day where I slob around and do nothing). If I don't, I feel like I've wasted the day and that I'm a failure for letting that time slip away without making the most of it; blogging allowed me to channel the need to show that I've been using that time wisely. That in itself, which I am now fully aware of, is a problematic mindset. We need to allow ourselves that down-time- we <i>need </i>that down-time of doing nothing and being kind to ourselves, listening to our minds and bodies and easing off the gas now and then.<br />
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My struggle with BFRBs also manifest when being idle. I start pulling at my lashes, sometimes without realising, when just sat watching TV or listening to a podcast. Letting my mind wander often leads to bloody cuticles or baldness, and so staying focused on a project and keeping my hands busy by typing became my go-to deterrent! Instead of confronting the anxiety which led to the picking, I kept busy and buried and ignored the problem; which, to be fair, is totally justified after finding no way to ease it after 21 years of suffering.<br />
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The struggle to stay relevant in the blogging community is something which bothers me a lot. Algorithms and 'competition' breed the stress to post on Instagram daily with perfectly edited images which fit into a nice uniform theme in hope that, if you stick to it for long enough, you might eventually gain some extra followers. The need to post on Twitter often, publicising your latest posts for fear that people will forget your blog exists otherwise and your hard work will go unread. Desperately searching for inspiration when nothing will come to you. Scouring shops for new products that you could do a feature on, props that would look cute in photos, constantly thinking of recipes to try and ensuring you photograph the goods before you get to try them. You find that your whole life ends up revolving around what would make good content, worrying that you need to post something online, rather than just enjoying life. Doing or buying something for the gram, instead of for you.<br />
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All that said, blogging has given me that focus and drive that just about kept me sane through some of the worst times of my life. Turning to my laptop and rambling online became cathartic and a welcome distraction from everything else going on and gave me a creative and productive outlet for my buzzing, overwhelmed brain. I found refuge in a supportive trich community where I discovered there were other people like me, who are there to support me even though we had never met or they lived on the other side of the world, where we could openly discuss our struggles without judgement and offer advice and empowerment. I've come across some incredibly inspiration people who have allowed me to come to this point of reflection and start the journey to treating myself better (<a href="http://mylifeoflearning.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Sian, I'm looking at you</a>).<br />
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Taking a step back has allowed me to realise just how much time I spend worrying and stressing about these things. And for what? I love this little corner of the internet that I've developed, but it's not the be all and end all. There is more to life than this. Instead of living life for blogging, I'm going to live life for me, and if I feel like posting about it then I will. I'll carry on with the same theme on Instagram for now, but only post when I fancy it or have something to say rather than just for the sake of it. I'm going to worry about myself first, and content less, and start <i>trying</i> to give myself the same love and attention that I give this site.<br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-92079657729322303962018-10-20T10:10:00.002+01:002018-10-20T10:10:47.962+01:00BFRB Awareness: Story #4<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Howdy! So the #SharingOurStories series is well underway, and this week I'm sharing the experiences of Cynthia. Cynthia suffers from trichotillomania and dermatillomania, having had troubles with skin-picking for as long as she can remember and pulling her hair for the last two years. It is surprisingly common to have more than one BFRB, and Cynthia shows this in her story.<br />
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Reflecting on when she started pulling her hair, Cynthia says "I started on my legs. If I missed a spot shaving, I would just pluck the hairs out. That turned into sitting in the bathroom for half an hour pulling hairs out. Then I started elsewhere, including my scalp." She explains that she started pulling here as a result of developing a fear of body oils getting in her hair. "I constantly wore my hair up", she continues, "and any hairs that touched my face, I would pull out. Then it turned into any hair that I felt was 'bad', being any spot of my scalp that felt sore, bumpy or abnormal".<br />
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The desire for uniformity is another really common theme and trigger with trichotillomania. Speaking of triggers, Cynthia mentions, "I tend to pull more during times of stress, as I have the tendency to touch my face and scalp more during these times". She says she feels a huge sense of relief through pulling the hairs, leading to usually more than just one hair being pulled. When she feels an 'out of place' one, she <i>has </i>to pull it out. "If for one reason or another, like if I am in the car, I get even more anxious until I get home and can take care of it. I worry I didn't get the 'right' hair, so I just continue pulling hairs out until I have a bald spot".<br />
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Interestingly, she is fully aware when she pulls, or picks at her face as a result of her dermatillomania. Cynthia has now shaved her head which she says has "helped tremendously" with trich, but says that measures such as being mindful of when you pull and trying to find ways to calm yourself during these times helps. "I found fidget toys like koosh balls to be helpful", Cynthia continues, "Being in front of the mirror was always hard for me as I tend to linger and look for spots to pick or pull. I try and have something planned for right after I shower to avoid this, such as watching my favourite shows or working on a crochet project".<br />
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Speaking of the disorder, Cynthia says, "I think it sucks, quite frankly. I think it is especially debilitating for women, who have a lot of pressure to look nice. It makes me feel badly about myself. I don't feel attractive, especially after an episode of picking or pulling. I would try and hide it by putting my hair up in a certain way so people couldn't see my bald spots, but it got to the point that I couldn't hide it anymore as I had more bald spots than I had hair. That's when I decided to shave my head. I struggled with the idea for a few weeks. I came up with the idea to turn what felt like a negative experience into something positive. I decided to shave my head as a way to raise money for kids with cancer through One Mission's Buzz Off events. So, I spent a month getting sponsors and raising money, then shaved my hair off and have kept it short since."<br />
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Cynthia mentions that it is frustrating that many don't understand that we cannot help our pulling, but awareness needs to be raised about the fact that "trichotillomania is a mental health condition. It is not a bad habit, it is a diagnosable condition. People cannot stop the urge to pick or pull any more than someone can stop the urge to scratch an itch. Please be kind!"<br />
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If you have the disorder, Cynthia urges "get help sooner rather than later. It's OK to ask for help. Picking and pulling are just a symptom of something larger going on. There are a lot of loving, supportive people out there, but there are a lot of ignorant people who may say or do something harmful, and not always on purpose." But ultimately, it's important to remember, "you are not alone. You are more than your diagnosis. Don't give up. You got this!"<br />
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Thank you so much to Cynthia for sharing her experiences on this blog, and what a total inspiration she is.<br />
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-47713670096531982472018-10-13T08:30:00.000+01:002018-10-13T08:30:10.423+01:00BFRB Awareness: Story #3<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The official BFRB Awareness Week may be over, but I want to continue sharing stories in hope that they help others with the disorders, and aid in spreading the word about BFRBs. Today's story comes from Ruby; a huge thank you to her for speaking about her battle with trichotillomania and allowing me to share it on this site.<br />
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Ruby was around 11 years old when she first started pulling her top set of eyelashes. She reflects, "I only used to pull out a couple of eyelashes, then it ended up being chunks at a time until I had no top eyelashes at all". Whilst she doesn't pull her bottom lashes at all, she later progressed to pulling her eyebrows until she had none left. Around 2 years ago, Ruby started pulling from her scalp too. "I suffer from anxiety and depression so at my most anxious/ lowest points is when I pull the most", she explains. "I can sit for hours at a time and pull strands of hair out. I always seem to feel around for hair that feels uneven or thicker, or eyebrows and eyelashes that are out of place because when I pull these types of hair, there's a bigger sense of relief".<br />
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It's interesting how trich is such a secretive disorder for many. Ruby mentions how she always tried to hide the bald patches because she didn't want anyone to find out. "My Mam noticed one night that I had no eyelashes and confronted me about it, but as I would always use false eyelashes to cover my bald eyelids I blamed the eyelash glue and said that it pulled my eyelashes out. It wasn't until months later that I came clean about it to my parents and close friends. They hadn't heard about it before so it was (and still is) really difficult to explain why I do it and why I can't stop."<br />
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Even now, she isn't open about her struggles, but if people ask her about it she will happily talk to them about it. "I am still pretty sensitive about my trich but I've accepted it's a part of me. I do get a bit offended when I hear loads of people saying things along the line of 'I'm so stressed I want to rip my hair out' etc, but I understand that not many people know that trich exists. When I have no make-up on or talk about hair loss, people assume that I have alopecia."<br />
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Speaking of covering gaps, Ruby uses make-up to hide the bald patches. She loves the new Kat Von D lash liner, saying it's waterproof and lasts all day, even on her waterline. She also uses the Anastasia Beverley Hills DipBrow Pomade to draw on her brows, and Batiste dry shampoo in dark to make her hair look thicker and darken the scalp where she has thinner patches of hair. That said, at the end of last year she had her eyebrows microbladed. "It's fading already and is fairly expensive to upkeep, but for months it has been really useful as I haven't had to worry about getting up early to perfect my eyebrows before going to work". In the 9 years she's had the disorder, she's tried many ways to try and stop pulling without success. "I do think by keeping a bobble on my wrist, if I play around with it it keeps both hands occupied and stops me pulling", she notes. A deterrent that's worth a try!<br />
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It goes without saying that the effects of trich are both physical and emotional. Discussing the physical impact, Ruby explains "I always have to spend a long time making sure my hair is styled a certain way so that it covers any thinner areas. I've considered extensions, but I'm worried in case I would pull them too. I would love to know if anyone else has used extensions and their experience with them." Also, she mentions that her eyes are now extremely sensitive to sunlight and wind as she does not have lashes to protect them.<br />
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"I have found that not only does it affect my confidence (for years I wouldn't even go without makeup in my own house), but it's affected relationships. I don't like making eye contact in case people notice my lashes, and I won't stay over at other peoples' houses due to the thought of having to take my makeup off and someone seeing me with no lashes or brows."<br />
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A really common theme is not knowing trich is even a thing; "I hadn't heard about trichotillomania or knew that it even existed until a few years after I started pulling, when I was probably 15. I thought I was weird and that if I told anyone they would think that I was a freak. After I researched it and discovered that a lot of people do suffer from it, I didn't feel alone or that I had to be as ashamed." "I wish I had spoken sooner about it as I now know that it's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's better to talk to others about what you're going through rather than suffering in silence."<br />
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Thanks again to Ruby for discussing her story with trichotillomania and sharing it with us!<br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-82857273051382588712018-10-09T08:30:00.000+01:002018-10-09T08:30:05.646+01:00Top Tips For Saving Money<br />
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<a name='more'></a>We all have at least one goal we work towards. My goal is to own my own house with a nice garden, and fill it with dogs. Stewart and I always talk about how the day we get a dog will be the best day of our lives, and we need our own place to facilitate that, so we are working towards saving for a deposit. Living in Brighton where rent is very high and wages don't reflect the increasing cost of living, saving money towards the approximate £30,000 we need is pretty tough. However, we are determined to get that pupper, so we've cut back where we can and have learnt little tips for saving where possible over the past couple of years...so I thought I'd share in case they are useful!<br />
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<b>1. Transfer a set amount into a savings account as soon as your wages come in. </b><br />
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When I started working full-time, my mum gave me this little tip and it is probably the most useful one of all. It has allowed us to know our savings are steadily growing regardless of what else we spend that month. As soon as that money comes in on payday, transfer or set up a direct debit for however much you realistically think you can afford to put away that month, whether it be £50 or £250. Having that money set aside in an account that you can't dip into (save for emergencies), means you know you'll always have that amount to fall back on.<br />
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<b>2. Batch cook and plan out your meals. </b><br />
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We have a weekly planner whiteboard on our fridge, and it is both a blessing and a curse. God I hate thinking of meals that aren't repetitive or boring, but it does really help us to focus our shopping list and only get the things we need for those meals, rather than buying a load of things we 'fancy' but don't actually go together in a meal. This minimises food waste and also saves money in the long run. We often make a two or three of those meals 'batch meals' during the week; it's only the two of us so making a family size meal means that Stewart has leftovers for his shift meals (saving money on Tesco meal deals and snacks!), or we can freeze them for a quick dinner another time. Instead of paying for Dominos or a ready meal, we can dip into the freezer for free!<br />
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<b>3. Cut out the morning coffee trips!</b><br />
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Caffeine is a must for me- I can barely function without a cup or two of the good stuff in the morning. However, if you're someone who gets a latte to go every morning, this could be £15-20 saved every week....up to £80 a month, just by cutting this out and opting for making your own coffee at work or taking in a travel mug.<br />
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<b>4. Bring lunches into work.</b><br />
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I absolutely hate having to prepare our lunches each day. It's boring, but the organisation is key for saving a bit of dolla here and there. (Note: batch meals are very handy for this, and if you're super organised then you can even batch plan your lunches for the week....that's a bit too much effort for me though). You can save around £100 a month just by bringing in a lunchbox instead of heading to the supermarket every day come 1pm. I also bring in my snacks for the day (fruit pots, yoghurts, popcorn etc) so that I know I have healthy food there to eat rather than feeling the need to nip out and get chocolate and crisps. Don't get me wrong, sometimes chocolate is necessary if you're having a really crap day...but preparing your work food does help towards those savings!<br />
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<b>5. Walk wherever you can. </b><br />
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I know this won't apply to everyone, but I for one am lucky enough to live within walking distance from work. I used to get the bus there and back, but my New Year's resolution this year was to ditch public transport and walk the hour and a half round trip in a bid to be healthier. And I've actually stuck to it! Not getting the bus saves me about £80 a month, gives my legs a stretch, and gives me some 'me time' in the morning as I stroll along listening to my podcasts (plus the fresh morning air wakes me up on my journey). I've grown to love it and it's one of my favourite parts of my day. Even when going into town or visiting Stewart's parents, we try to walk when we can. It's a chance for us to have an undistracted chat and work off the brunch on a Saturday morning.<br />
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<b>6. Look at different bank accounts.</b><br />
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I had never moved my money around until last year. I'd stuck with the same savings account I'd had since I was around 18, offering no interest or perks at all....but I was convinced that switching bank accounts would be a faff so I put it off (for 6 years, lol). Stewart is on it when it comes to these things, so luckily he helped me shop around and find a savings account that offers a good interest rate. You do have to move money, shop around and look out for offers, but it is worth it once your savings start to grow. Any interest on your savings is better than none and it all helps!<br />
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<b>7. Give yourself a set amount for treats. </b><br />
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All this effort going into saving money is great, but it's so important to remember to reward yourself too (<a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/08/money-talk-my-battle-with-spending-vs-saving.html" rel="nofollow">I recently wrote about my struggle with this...check it out here!</a>). Another nugget of wisdom from my mum is that you should set aside an amount for you to enjoy each month (with the amount depending on your budget). I'm still not very good at this, but I'm slowly starting to chill out and splash some cash on myself. Usually, my monthly treat allowance goes on 'date nights'; Stewart and I will go to the cinema, out for a meal, or go on an adventure, but within this we will look for any deals or offers we can take advantage of. There's no point working so hard if you can't enjoy it!<br />
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<b>8. Discount cards!</b><br />
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I don't know where I'd be without these; my 16-25 railcard saves me so much alone as I get the train to visit my family quite a lot. The railcard costs £30 per year but saves you 1/3 on all tickets, so if you travel a lot by train it is definitely worth it. Trains to see my family would be £30-40 a pop usually, so I make this money back after 3 visits. If you qualify for one, NUS cards are also incredibly useful and can save anything from 10% to 20% in loads of different shops; again, you easily make up the cost of one through what you save, so get one if you can!<br />
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-59431956811315783452018-10-06T08:30:00.000+01:002018-10-06T08:30:03.024+01:00BFRB Awareness: Story #2<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Hello! The next story in this blog series comes from the lovely Sian. I have a lot of time for this lady, who I actually met though blogging. She has been so incredibly supportive, from the very first trichotillomania post I ever published and always radiates positivity and kindness. It's people like her which make me so glad I ever decided to start this site, as I probably would never have had the pleasure of being introduced to such a wonderful human being. She also has a brand new blog, found at <a href="http://www.mylifeoflearning.co.uk/">www.mylifeoflearning.co.uk</a>, where she shares her journey of learning to be kinder to yourself. Please go and check it out if you're looking for inspirational words of wisdom and a regular ray of sunshine in your life. Anyway, enough fan-girling, here's Sian's experiences with BFRB's...<br />
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Sian suffers from trichotillomania and has been pulling her eyelashes and eyebrows since she was around 7 or 8 years old. One of her first memories of trich, she explains, was "watching a TV advert, presumable for mascara, where the actress pulled off her eyelashes (false ones, as my older brain now appreciates)". For Sian, there is no one reason why she pulls; "the longer it's gone on, the stronger the habitual connections in my brain have probably become. One thing that is for sure, is that none of my family or friends nor anyone I associated with had any coping mechanism like this, so I didn't 'learn' it".<br />
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A common theme that many of us hair-pullers can probably relate to is succumbing to the urges when we're idle. Sian's experiences are similar, saying "it seems to happen most when I am trying to force myself to focus on something (such as reading, studying or working on the computer", but also adds "I pull when I perceive there to be a risk of being a disappointment (not learning quickly enough, not writing something accurate...) and when there is a time limit, that also fuels the fire. In a nutshell, it's pressure related. The intense phobia, almost, of disappointment". As someone who also pulls under these circumstances and never linked it to the idea of disappointment, her comments are hugely interesting to me. But she says, if she could go back she would tell herself you're "allowed to feel anxious, under pressure, upset...you don't <i>have</i> to be <i>anything</i>, nor is there any pressure for you not to disappoint others".<br />
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Her description of pulling itself is something I just totally get. She says "it's a sort of comfort to relieve the pressure of getting rid of the 'bad' hairs, such as ones that are growing straight or pointing downwards, stubby ones, ones that aren't completely black, and then I become obsessively over-focused on making them <i>all</i> feel or look 'right' or 'perfect'. But, given the nature of how hair grows, Sian admits that "the only way of making them all look the same, is to have absolutely none".<br />
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Speaking of what having the disorder has taught her, Sian mentions the beauty industry, and how central eyelashes and eyebrows seem to be, and how a lack of them makes you feel so "alien and ugly". "I constantly wear eyeliner, without fail, and have so many pencils stashed everywhere". The impact on how not having hair makes is feel is clearly incredibly profound, and one of the most critical elements of trichotillomania. "I won't read around others for fear they will see my side profile or from the front with me looking down", Sian explains, "which is the reason why hosting meetings, having someone in the car whilst I drive, or ever having to sit near anyone for any reason is a fear-evoking experience."<br />
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I, for one, am glad that I am not the only one who experiences paranoia about what trich has done to my appearance, as Sian says, "I constantly wonder if people notice, I won't go swimming, going to the hairdressers is a scary experience and I can't join in conversations about mascaras or eye makeup. I won't go to any beauty related events and struggle with opportunities like spa days. I don't like sleeping in the same room as anyone else in case my eyes look weird when I'm asleep". There are endless little restrictions that trich brings that most people don't even think twice about, but they can have a profound effect on our lives. Although Sian is open about the disorder now, for a long time, she hid trich and now reflects on how it "constructed [her] as a liar" because of all of the excuses she had to give in order to avoid those activities that would potentially reveal her trich, or make her feel uncomfortable.<br />
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Although trich has taught her how to be a whizz at applying false lashes, on a serious note she comments that it is "tremendously isolating...I feel ashamed for 'doing it to myself' and not being able to stop, and am desperate to know what it feels like to put mascara on to a lovely full set of eyelashes. It frightens me to think that may never be achievable". That said (and I totally agree), she recognises that battling the disorder can bring positives to your life. "I have far greater humility, acceptance and compassion for the struggles of others (and in more recent times, myself), and it's connected me with some incredible people".<br />
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Whilst combatting BFRBs are so personal, Sian shared some of her top tips with me that help her in her day to day battle. She says speaking to others about it rather than keeping it stuck inside her head has proved to be quite therapeutic for her, and the potential for educating others gives a greater positive focus. "Anything I can do to occupy my hands is a great help"....such as cuddling one of her (<i>incredibly cute</i>) dogs, and jotting down any mini achievements helps break her thought cycle. But most of all, "kindness and compassion; these two concepts are the biggest contributor to me maintaining even a sparse scattering of eyelashes and eyebrows. I would highly recommend reading Paul Gilbert's 'The Compassionate Mind'". The last point is probably something we can all do with! From a beauty perspective, Sian's a gal after my own heart as she loves false lashes. Kiss 'Shy' and Eylure 'Solitaire' lashes are two of her faves, and she loves Revlon's 'dark' glue and GOSH's Velvet Brown eyeliner pencil.<br />
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All in all, Sian emphasises that "you are not the condition. You are managing it as best you can and it <i>is</i> valid, it <i>is</i> credible as a medical issue, and finally, you are absolutely, completely not on your own. We fight this battle together".<br />
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A mahoosive thank you to this wonderful woman for allowing me to share her story, which I hope will resonate with many of you! If you wanted more Sian, find her at the following:<br />
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Website: <a href="http://www.mylifeoflearning.co.uk/">www.mylifeoflearning.co.uk</a><br />
Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/mylifeoflearning" rel="nofollow">@mylifeoflearning </a><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-587573393601257732018-10-03T08:30:00.000+01:002018-10-03T08:30:00.141+01:00BFRB Awareness: Story #1<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Following on <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/10/bfrb-week-sharing-our-stories.html" rel="nofollow">from my last blog post</a>, I'm so happy to share the first of many BFRB stories that hopefully many of you will connect with and will bring awareness to two specific BFRBs- dermatophagia and dermatillomania. Today I'm sharing Sarah's story; an incredibly inspirational woman and fellow blogger who I've been following for quite a while now. She writes openly about life with a chronic illness, and her discussion posts on disability are so informative and empowering, and her love for lipstick is something I can 100% get behind...I would thoroughly recommend having a peek at her site, <a href="http://www.fromsarahlex.com/" rel="nofollow">www.fromsarahlex.com</a>.<br />
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Sarah not only suffers from hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), but has recently spoken out about her battle with dermatillomania (skin picking) and dermatophagia (skin biting). Speaking to Sarah about these two disorders, which she has had for 22 years, she says, "I was around 10 years old when I started picking and biting. I bite and pick at my lips but am worse with my fingers. Around my nails is the worst, they're constantly red and sore looking. I also pick my face, my arms, my legs; literally anywhere there's any kind of bump or rough bit of skin". It appears with many BFRBs, interestingly it's the parts that stick out that are the root of most triggers.<br />
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Talking about when she started noticing the compulsive urges, Sarah continues, "I have chronic pain and that started when I was a child. I think the stress it led to me starting picking and biting. To this day, stress is a massive factor for me, as is boredom and anxiety." Like so many others with BFRBs, Sarah is often completely unaware when she is picking or biting, sometimes only realising when she's hurt herself and made a particular area sore or bleed.<br />
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As I'm sure is the case with so many of us, Sarah didn't even know the disorder was a legitimate thing until recently. She says, "I've always been ashamed of it and not liked my hands being on display. I've had people comment on it, but it's taught me to take a look at why I'm so anxious and deal with that". These BFRBs are still a struggle for her, both physically and to some extent emotionally. She explains "I dislike how my hands look, I dislike the lack of control and that I can't switch off the impulse. <i>I don't do it because I like it, I just do it</i>". It's not that easy to just turn away from the urges; "no matter how many times you tell me to stop, I can't. I might stop as soon as you tell me, but I'll carry on again almost immediately because I don't know I'm doing it".<br />
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On a practical note, Sarah shared a few tips and tricks that do help her in her daily battle with BFRBs. From "disgusting tasting lotion to wearing gloves" (I can totally relate to those ones!), she's tried techniques to try and stop over the years. She says, "when I am on a really bad turn, I put plasters on my fingers; it's not pretty but I physically can't get to the skin around my nails and that is a massive help. I also play with a Tangle or stress ball when my hands are not in use". These are great tips for those who find that sitting and watching TV, or reading are big triggers for them. When it comes to her dermatophagia, Sarah explains that wearing lipstick can also help be a deterrent to biting (when her lips aren't too sore), saying that "having lippie on subliminally tells my brain that I'll ruin the lipstick if I bite".<br />
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Alongside the practical pointers, Sarah also emphasises that "it's okay, and that you're not alone". "For almost twenty years I thought I was the only person that did these things to myself and it was a very lonely time. I was embarrassed and I wouldn't want anyone else to feel that way. Reach out to me, to others that talk about it and exchange stories and tips. You'll be okay."<br />
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I want to thank Sarah again for speaking out so openly about her life with these BFRBs to raise awareness through this blog series, and also for all the incredibly supportive and important work she does on her own site and social media to help bring the chronic illness (or 'spoonie') community together and break down stigmas. You can follow Sarah at these following places- please be sure to follow her for more BFRB chat:-<br />
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<b>Blog:</b> <a href="http://www.fromsarahlex.com/" rel="nofollow">www.fromsarahlex.com</a><br />
<b>Twitter:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/fromsarahlex" rel="nofollow">@fromsarahlex</a><br />
<b>Instagram:</b> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fromsarahlex/" rel="nofollow">@fromsarahlex</a><br />
<b>Facebook:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fromsarahlex" rel="nofollow">From Sarah Lex</a><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-54159084269811520122018-10-01T08:30:00.000+01:002019-03-17T11:13:25.021+00:00BFRB Week: Sharing Our Stories<br />
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<a name='more'></a>You may (or may not) be familiar with this blog by now. The TL;DR is that I talk a lot about my experiences with BFRBs (body focused repetitive behaviours); the main one being trichotillomania (pulling out my own hair), but I also struggle with dermatillomania (skin picking). For the past 4 years, my online rambles have been incredibly cathartic and helped me come to terms with the anxious whirl of thoughts that are constantly whizzing around my brain; it's allowed me to accept who I am with these BFRBs, grow as a person and gain a better understanding of the disorder and how it affects me. And, I hope, that it's helped some of you not to feel so alone!<br />
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But aside from its personal effects, sharing my random rants on the internet has led me to an incredible online community that I never knew existed. There is a world (wide web) of amazingly supportive and like-minded people out there, all going through similar things. Being connected to these people who will message saying 'I know how you feel', 'you'll get through this' or 'I'm experiencing the same at the moment' when I say I'm having a bad trich day gives me so much encouragement on a daily basis. My loved ones have always been greatly supportive, but being in touch with people like you, who just <i>get it</i>, is utterly invaluable to my well-being. To know there are others like me, to know what I'm doing isn't weird, to simply know that I'm not alone.<br />
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Today marks the start of BFRB Awareness Week; a time I am seeing as an opportunity. When I'm chatting to others with BFRBs about the disorders and I learn about how, why and what they do in relation to their BFRB, my understanding of the disorders and myself grows. I write <i>a lot</i> about myself on this site, and I want to start showcasing these other experiences over the next few weeks in an attempt to educate and bring further awareness, empower those with the disorder to unashamedly own their stories, and show others that there is no 'right' struggle. If there's one thing this has taught me, is that there is an enormous amount of similarities (almost to the point where other stories sound exactly like my own), but also a wealth of small differences in each of our stories which make us and our struggles so unique. And each of the similarities and variations are totally OK.<br />
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I think there can be great strength in collectively speaking out about experiences and sharing knowledge, so I really hope that the next few weeks can at least help reassure some of you going through a hard time right now that it is OK to struggle with a BFRB and that you're not going through this on your own. So, bring on the posts...and if you wanted to share yours (anonymously or not), please email me at prettyandpolishedblog@gmail.com.<br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-66522053983337510572018-09-28T17:47:00.002+01:002018-09-28T19:49:49.066+01:00Fudgy Rocky Road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl1Ux9A0cwv9ggZCFSFDBy2nOgcOSU3wgRBFUyW_adil5QCQcpd_EwShUR6ozlJzCdZSeDCZEM-DiffXPvCesvoB2j-D_kQZXD6tFSh9cOdypQ68kdFbiQ1gXnoXHpFhcIIJ0Q6bK6A/s1600/salted+caramel+fudge+rocky+road+easy+recipe+%25284%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrl1Ux9A0cwv9ggZCFSFDBy2nOgcOSU3wgRBFUyW_adil5QCQcpd_EwShUR6ozlJzCdZSeDCZEM-DiffXPvCesvoB2j-D_kQZXD6tFSh9cOdypQ68kdFbiQ1gXnoXHpFhcIIJ0Q6bK6A/s1600/salted+caramel+fudge+rocky+road+easy+recipe+%25284%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Hi! There's been a bit of silence from me over the past couple of weeks as I've been away on my (late) summer holiday; life was super busy in the run-up and I just didn't have the energy/ wasn't organised enough to schedule any posts for while I was away. Hey ho, these things happen! I've not long been back in the UK (literally a few hours) but really wanted to share this recipe. I made this batch of rocky road a few weeks ago and OHMYGOD I cannot wait for an excuse to make it again- that's the sign of a winning recipe!<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I love baking. But there is a lot of scope for things to go wrong when you have to precisely measure things and involve an oven. I'm definitely a 'chuck things into a bowl and hope for the best' kinda gal, so this rocky road recipe is right up my street. No baking necessary (the fridge does all the hard work), minimal ingredients and a deliciously chocolate flavour that just melts in your mouth.<br />
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It includes all of your standard rocky road ingredients (chocolate, butter, marshmallow, biscuits, and more chocolate), but I decided to also chuck in some salted caramel fudge pieces for good measure. I spotted the new baking goods in Aldi (possibly one of their Special Buys...I can't remember as I just grabbed multiple packets in excitement and ran for the tills) and knew they'd fit perfectly into this recipe. It went down a treat with Stewart's police colleagues on their long night shift; I left a few aside for myself but they had mysteriously disappeared by the time I got home....living with boys, eh?! The recipe it makes 20-ish pieces (depending on how big you cut them) so you'll need a large baking dish. The only bad thing about this recipe is that it's best to leave them overnight to set in the fridge....I'm too impatient for that!<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> 125g butter (or baking spread)<br />
300g dark chocolate<br />
3tbsp golden syrup (or honey if you don't have any syrup)<br />
200g biscuits (rich tea or digestives)<br />
80g mini marshmallows<br />
30g fudge pieces (this is approx- the packet weighs 100g and I chucked a good portion into the mix. You can add more or less to suit your taste!)<br />
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<b>1. </b>Lightly grease and line a large baking dish with baking parchment.<br />
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<b>2. </b>Break the chocolate into pieces and melt this together with the butter and golden syrup in a heatproof bowl over a simmering saucepan. You can also melt them together in the microwave- use a low heat and check on it every 30 seconds or so, stirring each time.<br />
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<b>3. </b>Once these have melted together and combined, pour just over half of the mixture into a separate, larger mixing bowl and set both chocolate-filled bowls aside to cool slightly.<br />
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<b>4. </b>In the meantime, pop the biscuits into a freezer bag and seal- then bash them with a rolling pin to both break them up and simultaneously have a therapy session whilst you cook. You want there to be some crumbs and some larger pieces to give the rocky road some texture, so don't go too wild with the crushing.<br />
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<b>5. </b>Fold the biscuit into the chocolate mix that was poured into the larger bowl, and also add the marshmallows and fudge pieces. (Side note: you could also add pieces of your favourite chocolates, such as the 'bite size' pouches or some dried fruit to jazz things up if you don't fancy fudge).<br />
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<b>6. </b>Once this has all been gently folded, pour the mixture into the baking dish and smooth it out so it falls evenly across the dish, making sure to pack it in and press into the corners. Pour over the remaining chocolate mix (the one in the original heatproof bowl) and again just smooth over the top, making sure the dish is evenly covered.<br />
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<b>7. </b>Pop in the fridge ideally overnight, but if you really can't wait that long a few hours should do the trick. Once completely set, cut into squares and serve. These should be kept in the fridge...and I'm not sure how long they last because they were gone within a day when I made them!<br />
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<b>Let me know if you make this easy-peasy recipe! What are your favourite no-bake desserts?</b></div>
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-91941449733406291122018-09-03T08:30:00.000+01:002018-09-03T08:30:03.975+01:00Trichotillomania: What I Would Say To My Younger Self<br />
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<a name='more'></a>A personality trait of mine which is both useful and a curse is my tendency to over-analyse and reflect on the past and present (and also over-think future possibilities). Something that I mull over a lot is my relationship with trichotillomania- which is why you can find so many whitterings and ramblings <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/search/label/trichotillomania" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">about the topic on this blog</a>. For the most part, I see the disorder as a hindrance- an illness that I so frequently dream of being without. But, having lived with the disorder most of my life (I started pulling aged 3), not only have I grown as a person, but I have grown <i>with</i> trich. How I view myself and the world have, as you would expect, changed over time, and with this so have my thoughts on the disorder.<br />
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Whilst I would love to be trich-free, I've come to learn that this is probably never going to happen and have accepted myself for who I am- this includes totally accepting the fact that I will battle BFRBs for the rest of my life and likely still be wearing false eyelashes aged 80. It's not the ideal situation, but it's the one I'm faced with and I have to just get on and deal with it. Now I have finally reached that 'acceptance' stage of my life, I often think about all those years gone by spent feeding the negativity of the disorder and letting it be a detriment to the way I lived my life for so long. As someone who naturally reflects on things <i>a lot</i>, I thought I'd write down some of the things I wish I could go back and tell my younger self- partly as a cathartic exercise, but mostly in case it helps someone out there!<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2016/09/personal-experiences-with-therapy-for-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sometimes therapy doesn't work</a>, and that's OK. It may be trial and error and at least you gave it your best shot- sometimes these things just aren't meant to be. Everyone is different.<br />
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2. It's difficult, but try to be kind to yourself. Berating yourself will only negatively impact your mental health and possibly make trich worse. A little self-care goes a long way in combating the emotional element of the disorder.<br />
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3. Be proud of who you are- don't let trich force you to hide. It is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. Trich will help shape the person you will become, and that person is awesome.<br />
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4. <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2015/04/trichotillomania-dont-judge-others-appearance.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ignore those who make rude comments</a>. Or try to educate them about the disorder (if they'll listen)!<br />
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5. Most people won't even notice your bald patches or judge you so don't stress about whether your eye make-up looks perfect. People are generally very understanding and those who aren't aren't worth your time.<br />
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6. Doctors probably won't even know what the disorder is, unless you have an amazing GP. Be prepared for many frustrating appointments spent explaining the disorder and telling them that you can't 'just stop'.<br />
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7. It can take some courage, but try and be as open as possible. <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2015/10/coming-out-about-trichotillomania-helps.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Talking can help an incredible amount</a> and also promote understanding and awareness; for others and yourself. <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/03/we-need-to-talk-about-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Talking about the disorder has really helped me</a> to understand my own thoughts and feelings and how my mind works, and was one of the main steps in coming to accept trich for what it is and myself for who I am.<br />
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8. Try keeping a 'trich journal' to help pinpoint your triggers. Being more self-aware and recognising where and when you pull can help in managing the disorder.<br />
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9. Your nearest and dearest will love you no matter what- eyelashes or no eyelashes. Don't waste your time on those who aren't prepared to do so.<br />
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10. You are not alone! The disorder affects so many people and there is a whole community there for support and advice. I wish I found it sooner.<br />
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11. <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/10/are-there-good-elements-of-having-trichotillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It's not all bad</a>. Yes, there will be lots of upsets, frustrations, guilt and anger, but <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/06/the-joy-of-lashes.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">there are also good moments too</a>. They go hand in hand, so ride the wave as best you can. For example, the feeling of having grown back your lashes is amazing. Take to good moments while you can and appreciate them.<br />
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<br />
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<b>If you could go back, what would you say to your younger self about BFRBs?</b></div>
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-90899386712886205092018-08-26T08:30:00.000+01:002018-08-26T08:30:10.383+01:00Money Talk: My Battle With Spending vs Saving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<a name='more'></a>I know it's seen as arrogant to talk about money, but I think it's such an important thing to be open about. My relationship with money has very much changed over the years since I started my first job, but I have always been relatively good with watching the pennies. I grew up in a family where for generations we've never been 'well-off', but my grandparents and parents would always ensure there was enough money set aside so that we would never go without.<br />
<br />
My mum in particular has always had such a sensible attitude towards money, so perhaps the emphasis on saving has been ingrained in me from a young age. When it came to having to pay for rent, bills and food in the real adult world (I never had a clue how expensive cheese was- perhaps one of the biggest shocks), their approach to fund-management had me prepared and I am incredibly grateful for being raised in a way to appreciate the value of money.<br />
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My unfunded Graduate Diploma was spent working myself to the brink of a mental breakdown just to keep financially afloat, and while I now work full-time (although my salary is basic and Brighton rent immediately eats up the majority of my wage!), that fear of not having enough money has stuck with me. I verge on stingy, and try to save money in every way possible, just so that I have funds to fall back on if me or my family did ever need them. I am fortunate enough to be in the position where I can put a little bit of money away, and I of course appreciate that this isn't the case for everyone. But the way my finances work is that once the basics are paid for, the rest goes straight into my savings account.<br />
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Stewart and I are at the stage in our relationship where we dream about buying a place of our own, so this adds to the need to save cash wherever possible. We are very slowly building our deposit fund, but I increasingly feel so guilty when I spend money on myself. I work hard for my money, so why shouldn't I be able to enjoy it while I can? There is a mental block for me- I am so driven by my goal to own a house that I completely forget to actually enjoy my earnings and reward myself along the way. My nan is always telling me to buy myself new make-up and clothes and to 'enjoy my youth', and I so want to listen to her. The guilt of treating myself to these nice new things leaves me feeling horrible, but so does the idea of being money-oriented.<br />
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When my cousin came to visit last weekend, she reminded me that it's all well saving that money, but you need to find a balance of enjoying it now and keeping enough for the future. I think it's a hard balance to find, especially when you've always been so focused on only buying things you <i>need, </i>and not purely what you <i>want</i>. It's difficult to break those old habits! But after a girly day out filled with brunch, sight-seeing and perusing the shops of Brighton, I went home and bought myself some new things. Then I bought some more in the following days. And it felt so liberating to actually treat myself to something; they may have been purely material things (purchased under the excuse of 'I need them for our summer holiday'), and all total sale bargains, but it did make me happy to think that I had worked hard for them and that <i>I deserved them</i>.<br />
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It's all well working hard for a future distant goal, but it's also important to not be so harsh on yourself and to reward that hard work. It's definitely going to be work-in-progress for me, but a journey entwined with 'self care' that I am excited to start.<br />
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<br />Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4713757750176352904.post-49717672703960913672018-08-19T17:17:00.001+01:002018-08-19T17:17:08.827+01:00Favourite False Nails To Help Fight Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9cp-qlNH7jLyd6QJCBeTwgjuUCcBwuYs74cydUdflba7QZJrGWr6tBIbXfXNTfLdIh2sWWYDKv97W9YU1txXs55-kpI5EMMb-5NeAm6vqptIS5IZNF4iEvOzxRzdbVINsUPUd5aHnA/s1600/false+nails+to+help+trichotillomania+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9cp-qlNH7jLyd6QJCBeTwgjuUCcBwuYs74cydUdflba7QZJrGWr6tBIbXfXNTfLdIh2sWWYDKv97W9YU1txXs55-kpI5EMMb-5NeAm6vqptIS5IZNF4iEvOzxRzdbVINsUPUd5aHnA/s1600/false+nails+to+help+trichotillomania+%25283%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a>In my 21 years of having trichotillomania, I have never found a way to beat it. The fact that there is no 'cure' per se used to really get me down, but I've since accepted my trich for what it is and started searching for short-term solutions to help fight the urges when they get particularly bad. Whilst it is important to get to the root of the mental health side of the disorder (if you can), it can be equally useful to find little practical ways to curb the physical picking.<br />
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One of these ways I've found is wearing false nails. I've written about how I have used them in the past <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2017/11/a-few-words-about-dermatillomania.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">to help combat dermatillomania compulsions</a> (the skin-picking equivalent to trichotillomania) and also how they've <a href="http://www.prettyandpolished.co.uk/2018/06/ways-to-prevent-pulling-after-eyebrow-microblading.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">stopped me picking at eyebrow scabs after microblading</a>, and they continue to be one of the main ways I try to keep my BFRBs under control. (BFRB stands for 'body focused repetitive behaviours'...an umbrella term for the disorders).<br />
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There are certain styles that help me the most- they have to be longer than my own nails and have a slightly pointed design- rounded nails also work but I find I can still pick with square nails. These styles essentially prevent me from being able to physically grab hold of the hair to pull it out, whether this be lashes or brows. Yes, I can always use tweezers if my urges are super bad, but the initial prevention is often enough for me to stop and realise what I am doing and try and make a conscious decision to stop. Without this barrier, I can pick and pull at the hairs and create unlimited damage without even fully realising what I am doing- having that physical barrier gives me time to come to my senses! Over the years I've been trying out false nails, I've found three main brands that I tend to use. There's not one that I use more than the other- they are all equally good at doing the job I want them for! They are....<br />
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<b>Elegant Touch</b><br />
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This brand do such an amazing range of false nails that are probably the most durable out of the three listed here. With the styles ranging in price from around £6.50 to £10.00 they are so affordable, especially considering you can get around two week's wear out of them! The designs can be a bit jazzy (some a bit blingtastic for my liking) but the majority are stunning and really well-made. Elegant Touch also mostly do the pointed style of nails which I find best for preventing pulling, so I don't have to searching far for a design that I know will work for me. The nails also fit my own nail bed perfectly which is always a plus! You can find them in Boots and Superdrug (currently 3 for 2!). The nails in the photo are part of the Prima Donna and Fantasy ranges.<br />
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<b>Kiss </b><br />
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They are my faves for false lashes, but their nails are pretty top notch too! Their Gel Fantasy range (around £7.00) offer some great styles for trichotillomania, but it's their Impress collection that really has me swooning. There is so much more choice with the Impress range- <i>so much</i> choice. They are also great if the pointed styles aren't for you; whilst they help me the most, aesthetically I actually prefer slightly shorter, rounded nails and the majority of the Impress nails offer this style. What I love most about these nails is the minimal effort required. There's no faffing around with glue and pressing down each nail until it dries....these are all pre-glued and ready to go! All you have to do is peel off the clear plastic tab on the back of each nail and press onto your own nails. Super easy, and they only cost around £8.00 from Superdrug (currently 1/3 off)...the only downside is I find they only last around a week.<br />
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<b>Primark</b><br />
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Ah, you can't beat a bit of Primarni. I haven't tried much of their beauty range since it launched and they revamped it, but I have been brave enough to try out the products you can't really go wrong with...such as nail varnish and false nails! Their nails aren't the best quality (they can bend quite easily and perhaps aren't the sturdiest) but they certainly do the job. I've bought some that have ended up being far too long and claw-like, but they can easily be cut and shaped down to how you like them. I always use the Kiss or Elegant Touch glue to stick them on with so they last a bit longer, but for 50p to £1.00 a packet you can't go wrong. They have so many different shapes, styles and designs to, all for so cheap!<br />
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<b>Which false nail brands to you use? Do you have any short-term tactics for overcoming the urges?</b><br />
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Sophie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14578069737386553963noreply@blogger.com0