Turns Of Fate - Art Documentation

So the horrors of the Lyrica reduction are over and I will wait till I'm on holidays before going down another 25 mg.

So I'm happy and healthy enough, and more trivial things can bug me :p

Whenever I get into a really busy period at University, I get the overwhelming urge to make art.
My studies have nothing to do with art, this is counterproductive.

I'm thinking it is time to invest in a folio. Somewhere I can draw/write/plan out pieces so I can get them out of my head and know they are safe until I have time to return to them.

And while I know most of my work won't be worth much/ survive past my own lifetime (and I doubt it will ever be famous), documentation is important.

Looking at you Till, you better have some documentation.
(I know you don't, and it bugs me. It won't hurt you, but it will hurt your work's future. Perhaps you don't care, but I do.)

This blog documents art I have completed since I started blogging, but save for my oil painting, there is little being recorded before and during the time of creation.

"Mush!"

Perhaps one day someone would like to see my ideas the did and didn't come to fruition...

Then I can focus on my studies with a easier conscious and memory capacity.

Model Co - Lash & Brow - Growth Stimulator

Yep, another brow growing attempt! But this time, I am the guinea pig XD

The instructions are to apply it once nightly for 28 days. 
So here are the before and after shots:

As I used it, I felt my brows looked better and thought they were growing. 
But looking at the photos, I can't see any significant difference.
The benefits I perceived were most likely from the serum lining my eyebrow hair up and making them a little darker/thicker because they had the serum on them.

I liked how the serum was translucent, it make it look like it contained more (as opposed to the Lacura version which was clear).

It had a spicy/clinical smell, which was faint.

I really liked the packaging, a sleek silver bullet with a good weight to it.

But at the end of the day, it didn't work.
You would get the same benefit from buying a (no-doubt cheaper) lash gel.


Price: 2/5 ($24.oo for 7 mL)
Scent: 1/5
Effectiveness: 1/5

Garnier - Olia - Permanent Hair Colour - 7.40 Intense Copper

My bff really liked this brand of hair dye so I thought I would give it a try.

First thing I noticed was the teardrop shaped bottle, kind of cute.

Second, it didn't stink like other hair dye, which is good.

So here is the before:

And the after:

As it washed out, I noticed the runoff was cloudy... perhaps being an emulsion/ oil-based?

Verdict: Love it! But the end result isn't anything you can't get with another permanent dye.

Price: 1/5 (RRP $16.95)

Scent: 3/5

Effectiveness: 5/5

The Body Shop - Colour Crush - Nail Polish - 120 Relish The Moment

Honestly I though the nail polish from The Body Shop would be terrible. Like it was just something to tack onto their inventory to make a quick buck,

I was wrong.

This is fabulous!

The colour intensity is great, one coat gives you the colour you see in the bottle.
Two coats will give you full opacity.

It dries quickly, lasts at least 3 days without chipping (sans top coat), and goes on soooooo smoothly!
The packaging is fairly common but the brush is great (a must for nail polish).

I got this in the advent calendar and if I didn't already have SO many nail polishes, I would buy more colours.

Price: 3/5 ($9.95 for 6.8mL)
Scent: 1/5 (don't sniff it)
Effectiveness: 4/5

The Body Shop - Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue

This is sold for feet, but I used it all over XP

It smells like a sweet peppermint, such a delicious scent! I love it!

It does have a cooling effect, common for menthol-containing product.
I kind of regret using it in winter, but it was nothing a fluffy robe couldn't fix.

And I have the fluffiest of robes!

It is a rich body butter with a cute pink hue. 
It absorbs well and (as mentioned before) it smells amazing.

I liked it so much that I got some for sister unit 1 for her birthday (she loves peppermint)

Price: 2/5 ($18.95 for 100mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Masquerade! - Sephora - Algae Sleeping Mask

So this mask is a cream that you put on before bed and is washed off in the morning.
Of course I got the algae one (you know, because in my head I'm a water nymph).
It had a marine, nitrogenous scent. 
It also has the colour of aquamarine! <3

I'm not sure if I like this over normal night creams, so I may just use this as a nap mask XD

Soap & Glory - The Righteous Butter - Body Moisturizer

This notes that it is a formula for 'very dry skin' and given it is a body butter, I can see that.

It didn't irritate my skin despite my fears it would (the packaging makes it look cheap, cheap = lower quality ingredients).

It smells buttery and soapy, not the best scent, but it isn't a strong scent either.

It was good, but I wouldn't buy it (I got it as a gift)

Price: 3/5 ($21 for 300mL)
Scent: 1/5
Effectiveness: 4/5

Turns of Fate - Rough Times

First of all, let me say I am super happy with my physical health at the moment. 
My arm is feeling better and the pain is mostly absent.
I feel blessed.

On the other side of the coin, my mental health has been taking a beating.
It sounds kind of stupid writing it down.
There is uni, then work (where I often feel unappreciated), then the last few weekends at home with my parents have been so tough.

There is nothing vicious or aggressive happening, but it is just repeated instances of them not communicating or listening to me.
And I only have so much reserve. It breaks me down.
I get depressed, I can't study, and I loose the weekend trying to keep myself moving enough to get into the next week.
I am struggling so much, I feel like I'm being pushed around from all angles and there is no place of respite.

I feel like no one wants to hear me, to listen to me.

I have been through worse, fought bigger and more powerful monsters, but pain is pain.

I just want to be heard, to feel happy enough to be able to study and enjoy it.

I hope next weekend is a non-confronting one.

Ideally: I would be able to fall into the arms of someone I feel calm and safe with. Who I can just talk and have them listen. Then laugh with them and move into more happy head space.

Unfortunately, there are very few people who I feel actually listen when I talk (people have different styles of communicating and only a few people I personally know match me on this).

What I can do: Make sure people who talk to me feel like they are being heard (I don't want others to feel like I do at the moment). 

Side note: I am coming off Lyrica at the moment, which is known to cause depression and suicidal thinking. But as one of my friends put it "You may be making mountains out of molehills, but the molehills are still real." (This was really nice and balanced to hear).

Masquerade! - Sephora - Lavender Foot Mask

I was really impressed with the design of these! The two booties were attached together in such a way they wouldn't leak until ready for use.
The outside of the bootie is an impermeable plastic that wont let the serum leak out. 
They also secure closed with a decent sticker.
The serum scent was great, a true lavender, and was pooled onto the bottom of the booties on a sheet mask like material.

These are great! Especially for travel or after a big night out. 

D.I.Y hasn't this been done already?! - The Bathroom Window

This is a new segment where I fix things around the house that my parents haven't thought to do anything about for ~30 years.

Here is the window before. As you can see, there is no blinds or frosting.
PU2 is acting as a villain/ burglar/ monster/Sandhill crane.

So for this project we need some glass frost spray paint:

This is the window before I fixed it. It is perfectly clear and anyone can spy on you while you use the shower/facilities.

I taped up the edges and fan

And ran into a problem:

WTActualF!?

So I used a piece of metal wire to jab into the would be nozzle area.

This gave a bit of a drippy end result :c

I guess I could put some fish on it and call it an ocean theme XP

And here is the after:

I don't even need to hide PU2's face!

Verdict: I'll get a new (not dodgy can) and give it another coat, but I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Masquerade! - Lacura Spa - Cloth Face Mask - Hydrating

This mask contains hyaluronic acid in the serum, so best used at night.

The smell is very clinical, but tolerable.

HI FI Healthy Inside - Daily Fibre Supplement - Orange

I got this thinking it would be like Metamucil... IT IS NOT!

OMG! This is revolting! It is made from orange rind and by George, it damn tastes like orange rind.

The container it suggests you can add it to smoothies... this will RUIN your smoothies!

I didn't want to throw this out (that's just wasteful), so I came up with a solution by which I can still use it, but can't taste it:

Thanks ebay!

Price: 3/5 ($14.29 for 200g)
Taste: 0/5 (SO REVOLTING!)
Effectiveness: 1/5 (I shouldn't have to make it into pills)

The Body Shop - Lip & Cheek Stain - Pink Hibiscus 001

Initially I wasn't impressed with this, but to be fair I still had lip balm remnants on my lips when I first tried this.
This is very much water based and you need clean lips if you want this to absorb at all. 

It gives a sheer pink tint to the lips. 
Here is a very direct comparison:

And a swatch:

The scent is very faint, sweet and floral.

Now that I know how to use it, I quite like it.

But would I buy it again, probably not (I have lipsticks that stain better).

Price: 1/5 (RRP $24.95 for 7.2mL)
Scent: 3/5
Effectiveness: 3.5/5

Thompson's - Skin, Hair & Nails - Dietary Supplement

These are my preferred vitamin supplement.
I like these ones because they (unlike so many Hair, Skin & Nail supplements contain selenium, not just silicon).

Now before we go any further, be warned.
There is a FINE LINE between selenium RDI and the amount that will 'uck with your shi' (including death)

Ok, this is for fish, but you get the idea.

Having said that, I know what to look for in terms of overdose symptoms and what is a safe dose.
And I can take 2 of these tablets a day and be fine.

(Also please be careful with any mineral or vitamin supplement, it is possible to OD on many things. Be nice to your body and ask your (MD) doctor)

When I take them, I notice my nails are stronger/grow faster and my hair grows faster.

I already take pretty good care of my skin (or else it's a jerk), so I don't notice much of a change in that department.

I would recommend taking these with food because the taste can 'repeat' on you otherwise (you burp and can taste them up to 2 hours later).

Price: 2/5 ($39.95 for 90 capsules)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real smell)
Effectiveness: 5/5


******************************************************

PSA

As with any supplement, please also check that it isn't a homeopathic 'remedy'. These are basically just water and DEFINITELY a scam.
Save your money.

The Body Shop - Moisture White - Shiso Overnight Triple Boost Serum

I got this on sale because they are changing/ they changed the packaging.

I applied it at night, after cleansing but before moisturising.
It was lightweight, absorbed quickly, has a very slight shimmer, and has a clean/ fresh scent.

And you KNOW how I feel about shimmer!

My skin was RADIANT after using this for a week!
Noticeably radiant!
I used it leading up to going overseas (so I felt like a damn queen!)


Price: 2/5 (RRP $49.95 for 30mL, now Drops of Light serum)
Scent: 4/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Same Product, Different Scent - The Body Shop - Body Butter - Shea

This was rich, absorbed well, and didn't have a overpowering scent (which is good because I don't like the way shea butter smells).

9/10 would use again

Podcast Review - The Andy Daly Podcast Pilot Project

The premise behind this show is that Andy and his co-host are reviewing podcast proposals sent into their podcast producer (who I won't name) in the hopes they will be picked up as regular shows.

There are about 8 'pilots' (read: episodes) and each go for over an hour.

Honestly, I only found the first 'pilot' funny. 

There is a line between saying things to be shocking-funny and just being misogynistic.
I know that wasn't their intent, but they just keep coming back to this idea of abusing/killing/hurting women and it isn't funny.
It becomes distasteful and unimaginative.

Also, the comedy quickly becomes formulaic and predicable. 

I honestly hope no-one listens to this podcast, there is better stuff out there that isn't so distasteful.
If you must listen to this show, ONLY listen to the first 'pilot'. It only goes downhill afterwards.

They also say many of these characters have been on another show (which I won't mention), which I now have no interest in looking into if this is the calibre of comedy that it hosts.

I'm not going to link the website because I can't endorse this.

Category: Comedy
Rating: 0/5

Nu Skin - Epoch Glacial Marine Mud

I was quite skeptical going into this, I have used mud masks before and they have never cleaned my pores.
In fact they just tore my natural oils out of my skin, making it red and me disappointed.

But this has been going around of late as a really good pore cleaner.
I have seen a number of videos singing its praises and thought I would give it a try.

So here is the before photo:

Little kitty whiskers and all!

During:

Goopy and blurry!

After:

Verdict - No difference! It did nothing!
Pores still just as blocked!

This is useless unless you call your wallet a pore! (hahahaha, I'm so funny XD)

Price: 1/5 ($48.50 for 200g)
Scent: 2.5/5 (no real scent)
Effectiveness: 0/5

Masquerade! - The Face Shop - Real Nature - Lemon

This was used on the flight back from Germany. 

Flights = dry air = dry skin.

It was great! It smells like fresh lemons and had a good sheet thickness. 

Same Product, Different Scent - The Body Shop - Body Butter - British Rose

This came to Germany with me <3 and I was glad to have it travel with me.

The formula is thick, absorbs well, and smells amazing!

It also has a slight, iridescent shimmer (which may or may not make you feel like a nymph)

...ok, it makes me feel like a nymph.

Metamucil - Fibrecaps

Why am I reviewing this? 
I went overseas and on planes you get dehydrated. I talked about how to protect your face from this, but you need to look after your body.

Less fibrous plane food and dehydration can leave you constipated and bloated, which sucks a lot.
You want to have fun when you travel, not feel unpleasant.

These were good in the sense that you don't need to measure things out or mix it with water.
Also, it is just dietary fibre, not a laxative (you want to avoid laxatives, they are not your intestine's friends).

The only annoying thing is you are meant to take 6 capsules a day (which seems like a lot), but for travel it's not so bad.

Price: 3/5 (RRP $29.99 for 160 capsules)
Scent: 0/5
Effectiveness: 5/5

Podcast Review - The Flop House

So it is called, so it shall be!

My sister, who usually gives good recommendations, insisted I try this one... and I hate it!
(Sorry sis)

It is meant to be a podcast about bad films.

They don't explain anything about the film they watched (and often I haven't seen).

The audio quality is terrible, ideas aren't fleshed out, and they all talk over each other.

And instead of editing the podcast into any listenable form, they just typed the layout into the description (which is just lazy).

I can't honestly recommend this and don't see it's appeal at all.

Catagory: Film Review
Rating: 0/5

John Frieda - Go Blonder - In Shower Lightening Treatment

Ok, so being the ham that I am, I didn't take before and after photos...
But I did notice a shade difference before and after!
A noticeable shade lighter.

It was easy to use, smelled like hair bleach, but didn't feel rough on my hair/scalp.

As a once off treatment before an event, this is a good option.
(And at the price it is, you wouldn't want to do it too often)

Price: 1/5 ($14.99 for 34mL, one round)
Scent: 1/5 (don't sniff)
Effectiveness: 3/5

Original Source - Daily Scrub - Blood Orange

This is the body wash I took with me to Germany, S and I both used it and it lasted for two weeks (which is pretty good). And no one said we smelled bad! :p

The scent is AMAZING!
It smells so much like oranges (but not too acidic).
It contains orange extract and limonene which probably explains a lot.
The scrub component appears to be made up of sweet almond shell powder.

Price: 4/5 ($4.99 for 250mL)
Scent: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5