Benefit Roller Lash

If you weren't aware, this week’s edition of Elle magazine has a free sample of Roller Lash from Benefit inside (Praise the lawd!) and as it was Valentine’s Day last Saturday, I decided to treat myself (and my sister and mother) to this new edition to the Benefit family.

As I follow (stalk) Benefit on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I felt very up to speed with what the Roller Lash mascara was about and what is was created to do, but if you are not let me try to enlighten you. Roller Lash is the new edition to the fabled Benefit collection and is designed to enhance your lovely lashes by ‘curling’ them (I think it has something to do with the new fandangle wand and it resembling old hair curlers?…anyway...)

As a self-confessed eyelash curler extraordinaire (I even carry a spare eyelash curler in my handbag…eep) I didn't hold out much hope this newbie. Don’t get me wrong, I love Benefit products and I cannot fault their ‘They’re Real’ mascara, but I just didn't think anything could compare to the good old faithful eyelash curler.

Application

This is not your standard, flick a bit of ‘sarca on and be done type of deal; there’s a process and a lot of dedication to be had. You really have to work this product into the bottom of your lashes and wiggle your way up, whilst separating and maneuvering along the way. But trust me; the results are instantaneous and very dramatic.

Now, I'm no wilting wallflower, so I decided to apply two coats and see what the effect was. Though there wasn't a huge difference from the first application, it definitely improved the first attempt and covered more of the lashes and moved lashes into my desired place.

Longevity 

Whilst a lot of mascaras seem to lose their va va voom throughout the day, I can happily say that Roller Lash keeps your lashes curled much longer than most mascaras I’ve tried. Throughout the weekend I had several compliments on my lashes and I’m super impressed that other people actually noticed them.

Removal

If you have ever used the Benefit They’re Real mascara, you will know the removal struggle is real. The hard work and perseverance you needed to remove that product was something to behold…it is intense stuff! However, I found Roller Lash easier to remove and even came off with a drugstore eye makeup remover!

Overall

I am in love. I’ll admit it. I want the world to know. My lashes fan out more, they’re curled more, it has a long lasting effect, there is definitely a ‘wow’ factor and I felt like fluttering my eyelashes like a flirtatious Disney Princess. 

The only negative I can muster is that my lashes are curled so much that I did get some transfer of product on to my brow bone throughout the day. But if you’re like me and have oily as hell skin, you can easily wipe that stuff with some tissue and no one would ever know.

So if you haven’t already, you can pick up an Elle Magazine today for £4 and receive a free sample of this magnificence and mighty mascara. 

February Catch Up

Where on earth have I been?

I meant to do so much blogging this month.  I had so many posts planned and so much hidden up my metaphorical sleeve (that sounds gross) but alas all of that has got pushed aside as per usual and why? I have zero idea.

I thought I’d do a quick catch up and post an easy blog, which I LOVE doing as I'm a lazy bugger; I get to recap on the last couple of weeks and clear out my phone of hundreds of photos (and cat selfies) I’ve taken.

So here it is, the last two week in photos <3

February has been cold

Really cold. 

I currently don't have a car (yet) so I've spent a lot of time walking to work and meeting up with friends and spending a lot of time with Mr Jack Frost. It hasn't been pleasant and realistically there aren't too many positives to the cold weather but the only one I can think of is cold and frosty mornings. I absolutely love it when the sun is beaming down on the crisp frosty ground and there's a slight fog in the air; there's something very ethereal about it all and maybe it's just me but I think it's the most magical weather/time of year we have.

Dieting

Ahh, this dreaded word. 

I've never ever dieted before as I've never felt the need to (as I'm lazy and love food too much) but lately I've had this overwhelming desire to really push myself this year and get as trim and buff as I possibly can.

Maybe it's because of all the hours I spent trawling through instagram and stalking fitness fanatics or maybe it's because of all the beautiful men at my gym right now. I can't quite put my finger on it.

Currently I'm following a few 'guidelines' I've slung together myself to help me make this whole body modification go as smoothly as possible.

1. Eat smaller portions - girl, you do not need seconds, sit yo' ass down

2. Do not treat myself for having a good or bad day - Stop associating food with feelings!

3. Do not eat late at night - pretty self explanatory 

4. Do not eat sugar (this is a very lax guideline, I still eat it, just only about once or twice a week)

5. Count those dreaded calories - a great app for this is My Fitness Pal

6. Workout 4-5 days a week, each day focuses on a different body part/area - get that booty!
7. No white rice, white bread, potatoes etc - Ban those naughty carbs 

8. Plan meals - failing to plan is planning to fail

9. No takeaways or fast food - They're never as good as you imagined anyway

and probably the most important one 

10. If you really, really, really, desperately want to eat something bad, like a cookie or a cake or something naughty and delicious, have it. 

It's fine. 

I don't want to punish myself and then end up having a massive binge because I've been dreaming about a Big Mac for two weeks, I'd rather eat that one bad thing then know I can work it off easily.

Smoothies!

After getting a Nutribullet at Christmas and using it every day for a month, I cannot emphasise how amazing this thing is. Boy, does that thing pack a punch! Every morning for two weeks I've had a smoothie for breakfast. It's quick, simple, tasty and healthy which means I'm getting all my five a day in one drink. How do you like them apples?

The main ingredients I use in all my smoothies are:

Spinach

Kale

Blueberries

Lemon

Dash of honey

Dash of orange juice

On top of those ingredients, I can add any one or more of the below:

Avocado

Apples

Mango

Papaya

Strawberries

Blackberries

Cranberries

Pineapple

Here, have four photos of delicious green slime.

Spring Clean and ear lobes

After having a good sort out of my room, I finally got all my tunnels together in one place. At last! It's only taken around ten years.

Whilst sorting these out, I made a very snap decision to reduce the size of my ears from 22mm to 18mm (maybe even 16mm, I couldn't read the ruler). So after about five years of having them at 22mm, I've shrunk them, which was a really sad and momentous day for me, even though no one else even noticed! I don't think I'll go any smaller for now but equally, I'd never go above 22mm...I don't think my lobes could take it.

During the spring clean, I also realise I have a lot of samples to use...woops!

Birthdays

It was my best mates birthday last weekend, which could only mean a couple of things; food and drinking. And by gosh, we did him proud.

This was the birthday cake I made for him, a cheeky little GOT reference...

And I don't know how this happened but my mate whose birthday is was, ended up making me dinner?!? Worst friend award goes to me...

If it helps, I made the guacamole there on the left. What? It didn't help? Oh...

A few nights later we then went out for his birthday drinks and I probably had one of the best nights I've had in ages. There was a massive group of us, people were dancing, everyone was merry (drunk) I got a few free drinks from a lovely barman ;) and it was just a great night full of happiness and zero drama.

As you get older, these kind of nights come fewer and further between so when they do eventually rear their beautiful head, you will be very glad you were out!

All in all, it was a fabulous night full of stupid dance moves, serious conversations, booze and love. 

 

Such a happy birthday boy

I would just like to point out that this selfie was taken at 5am after the night out. I'm feeling super proud of myself and the 700 makeup touches I did throughout the night were clearly worthwhile.

And finally, I will leave you with this beautiful hazy blue sky (yes, that's the sky) at 5pm a few days ago. It was the first day I've left work and it was still light out...get in! Spring/Summer is nearly here and I cannot wait! There are a lot of things I have planned and are currently in the works. 

Roll on the longer days, warmer climate and fun filled adventures!