Monday 12 November 2012

Three reasons for the lack of posts...

I've disappeared again haven't I?....sorry.... here's my 3 best excuses, all true...

  • I am really busy with life, setting up the new house still (I've just moved the last of my stuff out of my parents and now I have to put it all somewhere), also, coming up to summer in a Sea Side town it's wedding/formal/festive season approaching, that means lots of makeup needling applied.

  • I STILL don't have the internet at home, after a lot of running around and making phone calls I have discovered there is no cabling on my side of the road to get phone and/or internet, so until they do that I won't have it, work is scheduled to start on the 16th, fingers crossed because taking photos, then mass writing when I get near the internet is just not helpful.  This is also why I've been a bit absent on Twitter, but also for the above reason.

  • I've just invested in an air brush, so I'm trying to practise that on anyone that will sit still for long enough. Which doesn't leave much time between being a mother, working 40+ hrs a week at my day job and then whatever is left for makeup......
Once I have internet it means I'll be able to post whenever I feel like it, as soon as I've taken pictures rather than -take photos-resize on lap top-put onto flash drive-go to mum's and use internet-repeat.

Scout honour (no, seriously I can do that) once that cabling is done and my house is online, I'll be back up to speed, and (trying) to keep you all entertained.

Because of all of the above reasons I'm also really slacking in reading blogs too, so please prepare for mass commenting on what will be ages old posts by the time I'm able.

:)

Sunday 4 November 2012

Tag, taggy, tag, tag

The every so lovely Sophie from Born To Buy tagged me in a rather run post about Blogger Confessions, so without further ado...
 
1. How many hours a week do you spend planning/writing/uploading posts?
At the moment due to not having internet at home I'm having to do massive sessions, so in the past week I haven't written a thing, because the week before I wrote 10 posts and scheduled them, knowing I wouldn't have regular access to the internet.  I spent about 4 hrs on those, including pictures.  I'd say I average 30mins-1hr inc taking photos, resizing etc and the actual writing.
 
2. Are you a spender or a saver?
My mother always told me that money burns a hole in my pocket.  Not so good with the saving!
 
3. When is it easiest for you to write your posts?
When I have access to the internet! Prior to moving out of my parents I have access but no time, now I have time and no access...In the evening I guess, and quiet at my kitchen table.
 
4. What makes writing posts comfortable for you?
A good seat, a comfy desk and usually a drink of some sort, tea, water etc.
 
5. What's your worst make up/hair habit?
I really don't give a shit about my hair...it's like hard work trying to figure it out, so I don't bother, until very recently I washed it every day.  I met the lovely Christina from Hair Romance who told me I didn't have to be good with hair, just learn to style and learn to love dry shampoo.  I'm trying.
 
6. What's one quote you wish the world would live by?
I agree wholeheartedly with Sophie saying 'Treat Others as You Wish to be Treated' I also like 'An Eye for an Eye will leave the Whole World Blind'
 
7. How long do you spend getting ready everyday?
About 20 mins including a shower.  When you start work at 7:30, it's important you have you're whole routine down to a fine art.
When I'm not working I like to take lots of time on my makeup, not much else.
 
8. What's your favourite post on your blog?
It actually wasn't on my blog, but Makeup Utopia- which we all know I write for too, about Dirty Makeup Brushes I think it's my fave because it mixed my love of science with my love of makeup, and even I was shocked by the results. Other than that, I really like playing with tags and making them my own, like 10 items I would repurchase after surviving a Zombie Apocalypse
 
9. Who is a beauty blogger that you think deserves more subscribers that they have? 
I'm really slack about knowing how many subscribers a blog has, I couldn't tell you anyone's, I hate that there is so much 'competition' in blogging, like some people hold their cards close to their chest, what's the point? we're all in the same arena, but playing different games, we should support each other, we write differently about different things and I don't care for snobbery. Who ever you are, OR however many subscribers you have! 
You know that saying about having 1 good friend over 10 fakes? I feel the same about my readers, I would rather have 10 people who LOVE my blog and enjoy what they read and interact with me in the comments section or on Twitter, than 250 subscribers who 'are too lazy to unsubscribe'- rant over.
 
10. What's one this you're excited about in the coming year? 
In the next 12 months? Well, I'm about to start learning how to do airbrush makeup, next year I'm hoping to study a Diploma of Specialist Makeup part time, AND for my dad's 65th Birthday, my family (as in my bother, sister in law, nephews and the +1 who is on the way- all of whom live in England AND my parents, and my sister and of course my son) are going on a holiday to Bali.  I'm REALLY looking forward to it.
 
11. What's been your favourite blogging moment? 
Without a doubt Beauty Blogger's Utopia, it was a fun filled few days, the most exciting thing was meeting everyone. 
You probably wouldn't realise it, but I am HORRIFICALLY shy, I fear being judged and I am paranoid about what people think.  To overcome this I play the uber bubbly card, I don't care what people think, but I would prefer it to be positive.  In a world where we (as bloggers) literally focus on beauty, I was terrified. Scared I'd get lost in Sydney, Scared people wouldn't be interested in me, Scared people wouldn't care who I was (this blog is tiny, but Makeup Utopia is not, I am proud to be a contributor) because I'm 'just a contributor' WELL, all that effort of thought was pointless, everyone was lovely, the people who I was most excited to meet were in fact some of the loveliest. It was a great weekend.
 
12. How long does it take to prep for a post?
Depends what it's on, how many pictures I need, what the light is doing etc.
 
13. Are you wearing jeans/skirt right now or are you wearing pajama bottoms?
Corporate work pants....
 
14. What are you most proud of in your life?
Among others, not limited to, and in no order:
Graduation, being a mum, owning my own home, calling myself a makeup artist (which even though I have the certificate, business cards, clients and the tools, I still feel like a bit of a fraud, I think because I have always wanted this and now I have it, even I don't believe it)
 
Right, I tag you, if you have a blog, please leave a link, if not, please leave an answer to a couple of the questions!

Saturday 3 November 2012

New Essence Shadow Swatches

It's not secret I love Essence Shadows, for the price, you can't beat them, I picked these up a while ago, but I'm only getting to them now... slack!


 Kermit Says Hello, Hyped up and Happy hour.  The above swatch is with out a primer/base.

Seriously loving Essence shadows, and did you know they are also Really easy to depot if you don't like the packaging or find it too flimsy?

Thursday 1 November 2012

What's in my Makeup Bag?

I generally don't carry a makeup bag, when I do, its for emergencies more then touch ups, you know, like when you think your eyeliner is perfect then get in the car, drive somewhere, check your mirror and realise it looks uneven?
My bag is one my mum bought me as part of a Lancome set, it has an expander zip, so you can make it bigger or smaller, oh, and its purple!

I'm pretty good at Tetris, so I get loads on here:


Like I say, it's more for emergencies than full touch ups, so with that:

A mirror, a powder, a teeny tiny perfume and half a nail file- my dear son snapped it, but it still does the job.


Blotting paper and makeup remover wipes, because you just never know.


A double ended mascara and liquid liner- black, of course.



2 small Palettes with shadows, blush, gloss and bronzer.

Annnnd it wouldn't be me without a mini brush set!

There we have it, pretty simple, if I'm going out I will take any particular item too, but these are the staples I run with.

What's in your makeup bag?