Sleek MakeUP - Power Plump - Lip Crayon - Berry Burst

A lip colour from the April Glossybox!

This is a really nice medium brown-pink colour! 
It's not too warm or too dark for me.

It also applies really smoothly and is pretty opaque, you can wear it without a lip liner.

Unfortunately it is in a plastic pencil, which is going to be a pain to sharpen to get more product.

Also, bigger issue, the 'plumping' aspect literally makes it feel like it is burning!
You can put a sticky lip gloss underneath as a barrier, but it sucks hard.

The first time I used it I thought I was possibly giving me a chemical burn.

I have used lip plumping lip colours and glosses before and none have hurt like this one!

Why is this nice shade ruined by this awful burning sensation?!

And it is basically because of the irritating components that I can't recommend this.

Price: 3/5 ($11.20 AUD for 3.6g)
Scent: 1/5 (a faint mix of metal and marshmallow... metal is not a pleasant smell)
Effectiveness: 1/5

2016 

This was a pretty bad year for a lot of people.
I had a lot of people on my Facebook saying it was the worst.

For me, it had it's ups and downs.
We lost David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Prince, and George Michael (four people I admired).

Less than a week left and death couldn't help itself!

I developed neuropathy in my dominant hand and contemplated a life of invisible pain.
And a bunch of things happening in the world that suck.

On the up side, I no longer have neuropathic pain, I feel stronger and happier, my babycat is still alive, I traveled, made some new friends, I found a new partner, and I have loved more (even more than 2015).

Yes, there is even more love in my heart.
For myself, my friends, my family, life itself.

I think 2017 will be a good year, not just for me but for many people.

My song choice to lead you into 2017 is to remind you say a flat 'no' to the bad and that you are worth so much more:

My bff better learn the words to this before 2017 is over!

Also, it's super catchy :)

Happy New Year!

And what happened

So, I did my exam (which I didn't ace because let's be honest, I haven't been great).
At least its over! (until I have to repeat the subject)

So, what was this super bad news I was referring to?

Well, as you may or may not know, I have had severe to moderate nerve pain since January-ish.

Electric blue is the damn nerve pain. Red is the subsequent muscle pain. Yellow is Hades' cat hair, he didn't cause the pain, he is just trying to help.

I went to a neurologist that my doctor recommended. This doctor foolishly said "They will be able to solve your problem. It will be run of the mill for them." and I like a damn fool believed him.

Through the neurologist, I found out:

1) I have an inflamed nerve originating from the C7 verterbrae.
2) I have muscular atrophy in my right arm.
3) I have lost the reflex in my right triceps tendon.
4) I had a MRI and it showed no compression/physical abnormality.

That last one sounds great... until you realise that means that surgery is not an option.

The medication doesn't work and my only hope for a real cure was surgery.

Like if Princess Leia's message never reached Obi Wan because he was dead and R2-D2 blew up.

There is nothing they can do for me. I only have pain ahead of me.
They say it usually resolves itself. But that could be months. That can mean years.

I was devastated. I stayed in bed for a week after that appointment and didn't go to work. (My work was really understanding about it.)

Now days I have tried to reset to a new 'normal'. I hate thinking about the future, I have to keep it to a week at a time or I get too sad (although something great is coming up for me in July). 
Some days are good, recently it has been playing up again.
I take Valium to ease the pain after my night walking (I can't live in a world without walking), but that can't be used too much without losing effectiveness.
I am currently covered in Deep Heat Arthritis strength.

My current plans for my gamy arm include:

- Acupuncture (first session today, it feels pretty good right now).
- Creating and proposing a pain medication cycle that will reduce the risk of addiction and loss of effectiveness. I don't know if my doctor would be open to that, but he is usually pretty receptive to new ideas.
- Find a muscular masseur (preferably brunette) and marry him.
- Trick people into rubbing my shoulders (dressing like a cat may help with this plan).

This post is long and sad, so lets cheer it up a bit:

This is Seamus and Angus. They are on Instagram and are amazing.

Better!

Also, if you want to help, post a comment of something that makes you happy :)

Zostrix - Capsaicin 0.025% w/w

This was one of the many things I've tried for my nerve pain.
It is a topical capsaicin cream, like pepper spray for your skin. Although to my disappointment, it doesn't burn much.

Don't put it on your food.

In terms of effectiveness for nerve pain, it seemed to work alright. It took the edge off.
I was tempted to try the 0.075% cream, but cost put me off.

It also leaves a residue on your skin which can get on your clothes.

<  I wish i could put a better solution hear, but I can't :'(  >

Price: 2/5 (RRP $19.99 for 45g)
Scent: 2.5/5 (none)
Effectiveness: 3.5/5

And I'm back!

I've been on oxycodone, codeine, meloxicam, paracetamol, and antibiotics and my arm still isn't 100%. :'(

I also have tried Deep Heat and Zortrix (capsaicin cream)... I wouldn't mind if it was just the arm, but the pain goes up the spine and into my brain 

But enough about my perpetual misery and pain, on to the products!

Sorry about the missed post :( 

It's not lupis

My stupid shoulder is playing up again

I have some strong pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs but I know that this journey isn't finished yet.
I need a more permanent solution to this nonsense

So after the post on the 12th, I'll be on break again until April 1st 

Sorry eggs :c 


*******
In the meantime, have a think on anything you would like me to try/make :) All suggestions welcome

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser

I got this as a sample with purchase from Chemist Warehouse (love them) and I am glad it was just a sample and I didn't buy it, because it tore my face TO SHREDS! Let me say that if you have normal skin, this would probably be a good, thouogh cleanser.... But if you have delicate, sensitive skin like me, you are in for a world of hurt! After one use, my face was red and sore for hours and the skin gods shunned all my peace offerings of moisturiser. 
I get that people have this idea that oil in one's face is bad, but my face needs some, not all of it has to go :(
So if you have delicate skin, STAY AWAY!!!

On another note, just want to say I love the Biore pore strips. They work brilliantly!

Price: 5/5
Effectiveness: 5/5 (but in a bad way...killed me, may not kill others)
Odour: 3/5 (not strong, good)