Applying False Lashes: To Tweeze or Not To Tweeze?


For the past 8 years, I've been wearing false eyelashes to cover up signs of the fact that I have no real ones of my own. Trichotillomania has left me bald for pretty much all of my life, so when I discovered false lashes, it gave me a glimpse of hope that I could perhaps, for the first time, look normal again. As with all new beauty techniques, it takes a long time to perfect a skill- and after all this time I'm still far from being a pro at applying the falsies! However, practise makes perfect, as they say, and over time you will try new things and new ways of applying which will eventually lead to you finding styles and methods you are most comfortable with. In all beauty tutorials, the gurus always use tweezers to apply their lashes. This was a foreign concept for me, as I grew comfortable with applying them with my fingers. So which method really is better for applying them to bald lids?




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7 Ways To Treat Trichotillomania (And Make Your Life A Little Easier)


The tiniest amount of research online will enlighten you to the sad fact that, currently, there is no cure for trichotillomania. It may be disheartening to think that the cycle of pulling will seemingly never end, and, trust me, I've torn myself up over the idea of being stuck with this horrid disorder for life. However, hope is not all lost. Despite there being no magic wand you can wave and make those urges to pull instantly disappear, there are numerous ways to help control those feelings. Many people have wonderful success stories of going pull-free, so don't think that it's totally unachievable. So, if you're looking for potential ways to treat, stop and control trichotillomania, this post is for you.




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Get The Most Out Of Your Beauty Stash! Handy Storage Tips For Make-Up Lovers


Hands up, who loves make-up?! Hands up, who has way too much make-up and not enough space to store all this excess beauty that you'll probably never use?! Yep, my hand went up too. It comes to a point in a beauty lover's life where you stop, take a look around your bedroom/bathroom and think, 'how on earth have I accumulated this much crap?'. I had this epiphany recently as I was moving house. Packing everything up made me realise just how many lipsticks I had, and how rarely I used them. I'm always running out of places to store them, especially in places where I can see what I have; when make-up gets hidden, you forget you have it and it's out of date next time you look! So here are some handy storage tips that'll help you get the most out of that beauty stash.





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Get Thrifty! Money Saving Tips And Tricks For Students


Although many picture students as party animals who waste their student loan away on vodka, night-clubs and takeaways, for many, this image is so far from the truth. Being at university can be a testing time in many ways; educationally, emotionally and financially. While I've already given advice on how to get through your first year, students will know that hardships of any sort do not end when you move out of halls and fly the campus nest. This post will hopefully help give a little advice on how to make the most of your student loan, and little ways you can save yourself some dosh. I've been there and done that, so here is what I have learnt along the way.



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Bloggin' Ain't Easy: When Inspiration Runs Out


Blogging has become quite a competitive business recently. No-one can deny the power the blogosphere holds over industries and markets, and the influence blogs hold over their audience. I always go straight to blogs when researching a product I want to buy, as you are guaranteed a personal, honest opinion. People rely on blogs, but what about those behind the blogs? Blogging is a huge passion of mine; it keeps my brain ticking over when I have spare time, allows me to develop new hobbies and interests, you can meet so many amazing people and provides a fantastic creative outlet. In the broader sense, I love blogging. But when it comes to creating content all the time, sometimes inspiration can wear a bit thin.





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Blog Criticism: How To Handle Gobshites


It's inevitable in this day and age; if you put something online, there is going to be someone who disagrees with it. Whether it's 'trolls' or just those who disagree with a view point, the rapid expansion of social media means that it's easier than ever to be a 'keyboard warrior'- hiding behind a laptop facilitates a new generation of soapboxers and insulters. People don't need to slag someone off to their face- why take that risk when you can do it anonymously from the comfort of your own three-seater sofa with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio by your side?! When running a blog- a channel where you are constantly putting yourself and your opinions out there for the world to see- you are bound to run into the dreaded HATERZ at some point. It's a fact of life. But the part you do have control over is how you respond to them. Here's some advice from my personal experience...




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Trichotillomania: Drawing Eyebrows On From Scratch (And The Best Products To Use)


Not having eyebrows is hard work. Having to set your alarm half an hour early every morning just to set time aside for drawing them on is incredibly irritating (I'd much rather have the time in bed). Not only is it time-consuming- especially if they refuse to go right first time-, but it is disheartening, tedious and bloody difficult. Having to guess your natural shape and try and make them look like you haven't drawn them on with a sharpie is such hard work, and a task I'm still getting my head around despite having been stuck in this routine for about 5 or 6 years. This post is all about the best ways to draw your brows on naturally; from shape, to products and techniques, this is your bumper guide to trichotillomania brows.



brow products for trichotillomania

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Why The Summer Sucks If You Have Trichotillomania


Summer, summer, summer! It's everyone's favourite few months. The sun comes out, the tan is topped up, and everyone just seems to be ten times happier. But while many people are off gallivanting by the seaside or frolicking in sun-drenched meadows (people do that, right?), for trichotillomania sufferers, the summertime can often pose new problems within everyday life. This post is a little insight into how trich effects people's everyday lives, how it can restrict the things many people look forward to, how supposedly relaxing activities immediately fill us with extra dread, and, most importantly, steps sufferers can take in overcoming these anxieties.






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Getting Uni Organised: How To Get Your Sh*t Together In Final Year

University can be the most amazing time of your life, but it can also be a lot of bloody hard work. First year is full of fun, second year is a slow realisation that grades matter, and final year is when the panic sets in. The workload seems never-ending, and if you're not careful, drowning in deadlines will only prove damaging to your final result and personal health. As someone who is going through this final stretch of their degree right now, I thought I would pass on some advice I have learnt throughout my degree and the build-up to dissertation hand-in to ease your own anxieties or just prepare you for third year (she says, blogging rather than writing an essay).


advice for final year uni students organisation time


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Blogging 101: 5 Tips To Help Boost Your Photography

Photos are, in my opinion, so vital to blogs. A good, sharp image draws you in, inviting you to read the post presented to you. It frames an argument or review, can give you just as much information about a product as words and has the ability to captivate an audience. It's true that even if your post is well-written, a dark, blurry photo can turn your reader off; it doesn't exactly ooze slick professionalism. Before you say it, I know I'm not an expert in photography. My photos are nowhere near as amazing as some bloggers' are, but I have learned a lot in the past 7 months that could help a little bit. Here are 5 tips to help boost your photography:


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One For The Students: How To Juggle University and Blogging

Lately, I've been really struggling to juggle a heap of university work and posting three times a week on this site. Three posts a week may not seem a lot, but when you mix that amongst reading, seminars, lectures, dissertation, other assignments, and (of course) maintaining a healthy social life, it becomes tricky to come up with fresh content, photograph what needs to be photographed and edit. Before, I've found myself behind on reading because I'm too busy stressing out about which lipstick I should review, or worrying because the lighting isn't quite right in a recent batch of photos. I want this site to be successful, but I also want to graduate with a first and progress to further education. While sometimes, like at the moment, it is a struggle, I strongly believe it is possible to have both. Here's some bits of advice for you students who are finding it a bit tough to study and blog at the same time, from someone who is feeling the same!



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Is Blogging Suited To You? 5 Reasons Why You Should Start A Blog

The ever-developing and expanding bloggersphere has engulfed the way we use media in the past couple of years, and the increasing number of bloggers and readers doesn't intend on slowing down anytime soon. 2015 has been predicted by many to be the year of the blog, highlighting the sheer value and power the blogging community holds. Blogs have undoubtedly changed the world of marketing; the way we relate to brands, voice our opinions, and engage with debates. But with so many amazing blogs (with incredible authors behind them) out there on the world wide web, how would you make yours stand out? What could your views, writing and mind bring to the internet, and more importantly, your readers? Ultimately, what I am asking is, why start one in the first place?



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Hair Loss and Trichotillomania: How To Cover Up Bald Patches

If you've read my blog before, you might be aware that I suffer from trichotillomania. Since I was three years old, this anxiety disorder has caused me to pull out my eyelashes and eyebrows, leaving me with bald patches and other mental health and self-esteem problems as a result. I have written before about how trich makes you feel, how to deal with comments from other people, and how to cover it up using eye make-up, yet haven't ventured into talking about hair loss from the scalp. This is the most common manifestation of trich, but as I do not suffer from this form myself, I haven't really spoken about it. While I do understand the emotional distress of hair-pulling, I have not been able to offer practical advice. SO, I turned to Twitter and Instagram to gather up the best nuggets of advice (from fellow sufferers, to fellow sufferers) on how to cover up bald patches.



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Top Tips: How To Survive Your First Year Of University

Leaving home and starting university for the first time is an extremely emotional experience. Whether you're scared, worried or excited, the prospect of living away from home and finding your feet in a different town or city can be daunting. While you may not quite know what to expect at the moment, I can assure you it'll probably be the best time of your life. You will learn so much, not only about your course, you will grow as a person, and you will make incredible friends which you will keep for life. Here are some of my tips on how to survive the many challenges which uni may pose...

Me on 'moving in' day, 2012!

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