Babyliss Curl Secret

Hola Dalimoos,

If you could look in my hair tool drawer you would be disgusted with how many different apparatus' I own that all do the same job!  But I am a sucker and when Babyliss released the Curl Secret.  I just knew it was something that was right up my alley, so for my birthday in October I asked for it.

Ok it does seem a bit gimmicky...you put a strand of hair in, it sucks it up and "tada" you have a perfectly formed curl!  But if you are someone that is useless at curling your hair with your average tongs or using heated curlers then this is the thing for you.

The instructions say that it should not be used for really long hair (hair no longer than your bust).  My hair is just on top of my shoulder so would say it is more on the short side than long.  The effect on me isn't really a curl but a wave, which I like but for this post I wanted to show you the effect on longer hair.  I used my daughter for this and as you can see her hair is at her shoulder blades.

It comes with 2 heat settings and 3 timer settings which gives you different tightness of curls.  For me I use the hottest heat setting and the longest timer setting but when I used this on my daughter I used the lowest heat and number 2 timer setting.

Once I had finished I waited for the hair to cool and then with my finger tips shook the hair as my daughter wanted a loose wave.  I really loved how it had turned out.

There are a couple of negative points for me and that is:

1.  The curl secret has taken some time to get used to because of having to keep the same side facing your head at all times so going round your head proves pretty tricky.  However, using it on my daughter was so much easier! 

2.  It is pretty pricey at £120 even though now I have used it I would say it is worth it, but to be honest it is easy for me to say that now as it was bought for me as a present for my birthday!

However, if you can look past my two negatives this is a pretty great piece of apparatus and it is one I have used continuously since getting it and if you can afford to get one or you have a birthday coming up then get it, you won't be disappointed!

Anyway my lovelies, until next time 

Ciao for now xxx

Happy 2014

Hola Dalimoos,

So we have made it to 2014!  I wish you all a great 2014 and hope your wishes and dreams come true and want to thank all my followers/readers for your support these past 6/7 months.  I am definitely going to be more involved in the community this year as I can be aloof and stick myself to myself which can be pretty lonely I suppose!

2013 was not very eventful for me.  I have had my ups and downs like everyone else but nothing really to write about!

What are your resolutions for 2014?  Do you do resolutions? I am not really someone to do resolutions as it puts unnecessary pressure on you and then they get broken!  I believe that if you need to change something don't leave it to the first day of a new year to change just do it.

Even though I don't make resolutions I have been doing a lot of thinking this past couple of months and reflecting over the past year and things I want to change etc...

There are a few things in my life at the moment that I am not really happy about and things I want to achieve and there is no time like the present to set the wheels in motion.  I won't call them resolutions as I am not going to pressure on myself but I am going to look at it as making my life better.  The hardest thing will be motivation but may be sharing them, some of you could help motivate me and I could help motivate you?!

1.  Stop Spending unnecessarily:  This is the most important thing to me and is something I have battled with for many years and will continue to battle this year and hopefully I can conquer it this year and that is my spending habits.  Since I was 18 and got my first loan I have always been in debt.  I was debt free for six months when I first turned 30 but since then its spiraling considerably.  It's not got as bad as it was when I was in my early 20s but I can see it getting there if I am not careful!  This is the hardest thing to change as I am so used to spending but a few changes here and there may change my habits....I don't know....just thinking out loud really!

2. I want to learn:
(i)  I got my Ukulele for Christmas so will definitely be learning to play that this year.
(ii) I also want to learn to dance.  Ballet interests me and it is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid but never got the chance.  There is adult beginners classes close to me so may enrol!
(iii) I want to qualify in something.  I loved to learn when I was a kid, I loved school but I never did the whole college/university thing as I wanted to earn money so got a job straight from school.  The only thing is I don't know what I want to do.  I need an epiphany.  A calling of somesort. help?!

3. I want to move:  I need an extra room so need to move.  I don't like where I live very much but in general I do love my area.  I have a 2 bed property but need a 3 bed as my son and daughter are sharing rooms!  The problem is I am in a council property and like the security that gives me and with the way things are in general I don't want to buy, you have no security especially if you lose your job.  Personally the amount of money houses are selling for it's just bricks and mortar and it is not worth the asking price! To buy in London, for me, is a no go, it is just too expensive (I need to win the Lottery).  I am a city girl at heart and the prospect of moving out of London scares me.  My job is in London, my kids' school/nursery is in London, my friends are in London.  Even though I like the idea of living out of London I think it will probably something I would consider more seriously when my kids have grown up and I want a slower pace of life.  So for now I need to get a mutual exchange, but my aim is to get myself advertising etc and hopefully by 2015 I could be in a new home.

4. Holidays: I want to go abroad this year with the family.  Pre-kids I went on holiday abroad practically twice a year.  In June I went on a long weekend away to Spain with a couple of mates (first time in 7 years) and it made me realise what I have been missing.  I am already looking at holidays for August.

5. Blogging:  I want to continue blogging.  My aim is for better content to appeal to more readers.  My blog is fairly new and I am still trying to find my feet.  But thinking of content that is interesting to read is pretty hard.  This is where you, the reader, come into play.  What sort of things do you enjoy reading?  What could I do to make the blog more appealing to you?

I know the blog is mine to do with how I want, but I also want to know that the things I am writing about is worthy but pointers and constructive criticism is never a bad thing and it gets me thinking!!

So this is what I want to change in my life at the moment and I am pretty sure as the year goes on there will more added to the list.  I hope before that happens, I can say that I have accomplished my aims above.

Here is to a life changing 2014...

Anyway my lovelies I hope you enjoyed my ramble.

Until next time

Ciao for now xx

  

My Acne Woes Part II

Hola Dalimoo's,

Back in May of this year I did a post on my Acne woes and on starting Roaccutane.  It has now been over 6 months and I am on my last week of my course and I think it is now the best time to talk about my experience on Roaccutane especially if you are thinking of going on it yourself.

As mentioned in my first post I have suffered with Acne since my teens.  I had what they call Acne Vulca and it never let up.  Certain contraceptive pills did help but had to come off those because of reoccuring migraines and pregnancies.  To not go over the whole story again, please go back to  my last post to catch up *link*.

For the first month or so I never really saw much of a change, if anything my acne had got a tad worse.  I knew this would happened so preserved with it.  Once I got to my second/third month I started noticing a real change in my skin.  Mostly a lot of negativity: the side effects.  Some people are lucky and have a couple, some are worse and have them all.  I had some I felt were pretty extreme but each person is different.

My side effects...

I became sensitive to the sun.

I started taking Roaccutane in June so I was on it in the height of the summer!  I couldn't sit in the sun not even with a sun block on as I burned.  I did get some funny looks walking around with long sleeves, a big hat with big glasses just so my skin wasn't exposed to the sun!

My whole body started to peel.

Imagine a snake shedding its skin - it was like that.  At one point I could peel a whole layer of skin of my legs.  I got really itchy all over and no amount of cream helped.  But after about a month the peeling eased and so did the itching.

The dryness got worse.

I got a horrible scaly dry scalp and had to use oilatum shampoo for a while.  But once that was under control I stuck with L'Oreal Expertise Ever Riche Nourishing shampoo and conditioner which has done wonders for my hair and haven't really had much dandruff recently.

My lips and eyes got painfully sore.

For just over three months I have not been able to wear lipstick as my lips have been so so dry, chapped and so sore.  Some days it looked like someone had given me a "chelsea smile".  No amount of lip balms or lip creams helped and believe me I have used up so many.  I have never needed to moisturise my mouth so much, in the past I would only on the odd occasion use a balm of some sort.  In the end the surprise product was nipple cream that I got from Mothercare.  It is 100% lanolin and that stuff was my absolute saviour and for the last couple of weeks my lips are practically back to pre-reoaccutane and I have started wearing lipstick again.

My eyes however are a different story.  I suffered from dry eye and light sensitivity for years but my optician has never done anything about it.  But for the past few months I have been suffering with  my eyes so bad that I have to wear sunglasses outside on overcast days!  There are days when i cannot keep my eyes open, my eyes stream continuously and they are so scratchy and sore I cannot relieve them.

It got so bad my optician had a look in my eyes and said my they were severely dry and cornea had been damaged.  So he has given me gel drops for night time and watery drops to use during the day.  This has helped immensely but not enough.  If there was any reason to be happy to stop the tablets it would be for the dry eye!

Mood swings.

I can suffer mood swings (history of depression) but it was more than usual...thank god for an understanding boyfriend!

No Sex Drive.

Sorry TMI I know but this was one I wasn't expecting but apparently is one of the side effects and that is the loss of my sex drive.  Don't get me wrong it hasn't disappeared completely but I could go without it! Anyway leaving that there....

Dry Face

The biggest thing I have noticed is how dry my face has become.  I had extremely oily skin before, especially on my T-Zone and never really wore foundation because of this and constantly having to touch up through the day.  I spent so much money trying to find that wonder product that would stay on my face for more than an hour or two before slipping and sliding or oxidising!

I don't really think that is a downside as I am really happy with my dry face.  Okay the dry patches can be a pain in the but if I exfoliate it isn't too bad.  I now use two serums and a heavy day moisturiser and at the moment happy with the results I have.  The best thing is I don't need to touch up during the day.  Even on a night out my face make up is still intact...absolutely MARVELOUS :oD

Three months onwards...

My Acne started clearing up.

I have had the odd pimple, not acne spots just odd small little pimples that would go after a couple of days!  My back still got breakouts but I haven't had any fresh breakouts in the last month.

Now that I am just over six months in and finishing the course I have to say that I am more than happy with the results and even with how bad the side effects were for me I would not hesitate going on these again if I ever needed to.  There were some low days when my lips and eyes were so sore that I felt I couldn't go on with the course, but seeing how clear my skin had become I couldn't give up and so glad I didn't.

I am now worried about what is going to happen when the tablets have left my system.  Will my acne come back or will I now be acne free forever?!  Only time will tell I suppose.

I have nothing but recommendation for these tablets and would say go for it!  As long as the hospital is aware of your medical history they will watch you closely.  Also tell friends/family that you are on it so they can keep an eye on you - especially as depression is a side effect.  But if like me, acne has brought you down, made your confidence really low then please seriously think about it.  I do not need to wear make up all the time now, I have no more rediness and my acne scarring has almost disappeared.

Below is a before and after picture of me, please be kind as it has taken a lot for me to show you a picture of what I looked like before the Roaccutane.  But I hope this helps make the decision easier for you.

Before:  This was NOT at its worse!

After:  This was taken today make up free

I hope my story helped you.  Have you ever tried Roaccutane?  What do you think of it?

Just remember it can only get better...

Until next time my lovelies


Ciao for now xx

The Versatile Blog nomination

Hola Dalimoos,

OK I have to apologise for the sheer lateness of this post!  The lovely Amy from http://faceitamy.blogspot.co.uk nomintated me for a versatile blogger award quite a few weeks back and I haven't had the chance to do this post.  I would like to thank you Amy for the nomination I am so chuffed you enjoy my blog enough to nominate me :o)  Please can you all go and show Amy some love on her blog x

Ok so there are some rules to the nomination/award and that is I:

• have to display the award certificate on my blog (look above)
• have to announce my win/nomination and thank the blogger that nominated me (done!)
• have to present other bloggers with the award (see below)
• have to post 7 interesting things about myself (see below)

1. I done a bungee jump many moons ago in my 20s.
2. I have a serious addiction to all things internet.
3. I have an unhealthy obsession with notebooks and lists.
4. I want to learn to play the ukulele and I got one for Xmas!
5. I only got into make up/beauty in a really big way once I turned 29.
6. I suffer with anxieties pretty bad and border agoraphobia.
7. Only a handful of people in my "real" life know I blog!

and for the exciting bit my nominees, please go and check them all out, this was hard to whittle down and have decided to stick with 5 as it seems a more rounded number!  These are all blogs I follow and read without fail.  Please do not be offended if I read your blog but haven't chosen you it is nothing personal :o) :

1.  teapartybeauty.com
2.  yummy2010mummy.blogspot.co.uk
3. missbudgetbeauty.co.uk
4. beautiesunlocked.blogspot.com
5. prettypleaseprettyplease.blogspot.se

Please go over and have a look at their blogs and tell them that I sent you over.

Until next time

ciao for now xxxx

Haul: nail varnish

Hola Dalimoos

I was in superdrug the other day as I needed to get some cotton wool pads and 'came across' the make up aisle! I wasn't going to buy anything, that was until the sparkle dazzled me!!

Now I don't know if it is just me but December is a sparkly month and I go crazy for glitter and when I saw these I had to pick them up!

I have a couple of big nights planned this month and these fake press on nails are so divine I couldn't walk past without putting them in my basket*

 L-R: foil flash, woven skyline and knitted gold (Maybelline) Frosted Plum (GOSH)

I also picked up 3 maybelline nail varnishes from the brocades collection.  I was intrigued by the last one from GOSH as it is a matte glitter and is such a pretty colour I can't wait to see what the effect is on my nail being a matte glitter and all!

*since purchasing the fake nails I can say they are a disappointment.  These are press on which isn't too bad but you need to stick the press on pads to the fake nail yourself which is just too much bother before a big night!  They don't stay in for more than five minutes before they ping off!  I won't be using the other pack :(

Anyway my lovelies, until next time 

Ciao for now xx

L'oreal Revita Lift Laser Renew Serum

Hola Dalimoos,

I recently bought L'Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew facial serum whilst it was on offer in Boots as I do love serums, they are a great to use before your moisturiser for added hydration and especially now I am in my 30s!

It is a pearliscent creamy gel and one pump is more than enough to do your whole face.  It is sinks in beautifully and leaves your face feels so soft after, if you don't have seriously dry face I say you could possibly get away with actually using this as a moisturiser too - 2 in 1!  

I really love this product and even though it is expensive to buy when it is not on offer I would purchase it again.

Anyway my lovelies...until next time

Ciao for now xx

No 7 Beautiful Skin Hydrating mask

Hola Dalimoos,

As most of you are aware I have been using Roaccutane for the last six months (yes I am in the process of doing a blog post!) and my skin has been extremely dry.  I had a voucher for £5 off for any No7 skincare/make up product so thought I would use that and this caught my eye and as I need real moisture put into my skin these days I thought I would try it.

It is whipped with cream and a gel but when it is pumped it is mixed to a pale/creamy coloured cream.  

Once you have cleansed and dried your face you apply a thick layer all over your face and leave it for up to 10 minutes.  It starts to sink in then once your time is up you wipe it off with some tissue or cotton wool and then rinse the excess.

When I first put this on to my face it tingles but that passes after 30 seconds or so.

It does sink in pretty well with only a little excess.  I personally find that even once you have rinsed and dried your face I feel I have a residue left on my face but my face does feel soft and moisturised.

I don't love this product but I do like it.  It does what it says but its the feeling of film on my face that actually puts me off.  I still use it once a week as I do not like to waste product if I can help it!

You can buy this for £12.50 from Boots

Anyway my lovelies, until next time

Ciao for now xx