A body ramble!

To be completely honest with you, I’m not 100% sure where this blog post is going. You see, everyone knows that most women have body issues, but what we don’t tend to talk about is how big they are and how much they effect our every day life.

So many of us believe In positive thinking, meaning you tell yourself a bunch of  sentences  that sound like they came from a self-help book  like “you must respect your body for what it can do for you” and “if you don’t love you no one else will” and I think here lays my problem.  I’m not a fan of clichés, even though in most cases they are true. Another thing I’m not a fan of, and I hate myself for saying this is, the hole idea of women should be kind about other won because I really do believe in it, I really do, but when I’m having a bad day and I see some other woman I know looking naff, it makes me feel a little better (yes boys and girls, I’m a shallow petty woman underneath it all!)

As women you are told and in many ways brought up to not be “up yourself” but then as you get older, you are expected to be “kind” to yourself and “love the skin your in” and truth be told, I’m confused. I see these women who are so self-assured, calm about weight and in some cases just don’t care about their looks and I can’t help but wonder is it real? Is that self-love and appreciation real? Some say it comes with content, others say it comes with age but really I think it comes with willing to believe that like the L’Oreal adds say, your worth it. Many women I know have told me that at first glance, I come across very confident and someone has even told me I came across like I “loved my self” ( so not the case I can assure you) but the truth is like I said, women love to hate other women and the reason I come across like that is because I really make an effort. I don’t go to the super market bare-faced and in jeans and an old jumper, and if I go out I do dress up (more than most, which people find really funny) but it’s not because I love myself, it’s more a case of loving getting dressed up and made up and wanting to feel good about myself.  I know how to in most cases, pull myself out of the “I’m feeling fat” mood and move on, but it does effect me. No one understands really, most defiantly not men. I love my boyfriend to bits but when I’m feeling like that he can’t see what my problem is and just looks at me and on a good day  says “I think your perfect” and on a bad day says “stop going on there’s nothing wrong with your thighs!”  (and I am aware that I’m lucky in that area, a few girlfriends have told me lately that their men will tell them they are getting bigger and I think I’d be really upset if mine told me that!)  I know I’m not an overweight huge beast of a woman, I just have a little more flesh that I would like…..but that’s the trick. To trick yourself out of your overweight huge beast moments in any way it takes. A good tip I like to focus on is when you are feeling too fat for sex (don’t look shocked at your screen I know you all feel it sometimes and this is a safe zone!)  Try and focus on things like being totally fuzz-free, soft silky smooth skin and a touch of fake tan……….it really works and if worst come to the worst, just put the lights off! Lol.

I’m think I’ve rambled on way to much now and this post may not make much sense but I think just honest talking is so therapeutic, and I love talking to you all about our complex body-issues.

Take care,

xxxxx

foundation review- MUFE mat velvet +

Time for another foundation review ladies! And this time it’s a little more positive as well……..Make up forever mat velvet+ is a product I have been pretty confused by for a while now. When I fist got it I didn’t really like it as I felt it was a little heavy and the tone of it was not perfect. My skin has been looking pretty bad lately, not in terms of spots or anything like that but around this time of year my skin tends to get very red and just looks a little lifeless. S o I have been reaching for this foundation for about a moth now and I’m really enjoying it

MUFE describe it as a matifying foundation that is oil-free, easily blend able, water resistant and long lasting on the skin. My skin is pretty oily and by the end of the day no matter how much I powder or use blotting sheets, I look a little shiny so I do tend to pick foundation that claim to be matte if I’m looking for something to last all day long and still look good after a day’s work.

The coverage- this is pretty full coverage for me……but I’m enjoying it at the moment!

The finish-this has a really lovely, almost finely milled powdery finish that looks natural and not too matte. I like the face to still have some life in it and this really looks grate on the skin.

The application- this is on of the best parts about this product. For such a full coverage product, it’s a dream to work with. I think it needs a stiff, rounder style of brush to work it in to the skin (like a MAC 189 for example) but as the name suggests, it has a really lovely velvety texture and is super easy to blend.

The shades- you have 16 shades to choose from so you are pretty sure to find a good match the only thing is I think the tones a ever so slightly orange…..

The Price- as there not many places in the UK  that stoke MUFE I got mine from a friend in the US and she paid $30 for it, so it’s not cheap but I do think it’s worth the price. Only problem is in the UK you will have to find a shop that stokes it, or buy it online.

the longevity of the foundation- it does last pretty well on the skin, and stays  looking good all day….it’s not totally oil absorbing, and you may still need to powder during the day but you will not get super oily. As for it being water resistant (which I find a rather strange concept to be honest….) it is easy to remove with makeup remover, not with water alone.

The packaging- I really like it…….it’s plastic, but good quality plastic and you can always get out just the right amount.

So as you can see, I’m pretty happy with this foundation at the moment. It’s pretty much ticking all the boxes for me and I do really love the finish of it.  It’s a grate buy if you are oily and want something that looks polished, velvety  and will last all day.

What do you think? 

Foundation review- Rimmel stay matte foundation

I’m a total foundation junkie. For some strange reason, that is the thing I’m always on the look out for, and love the polished look it gives me skin. For that very reason, I’ve ended up over the years trying so many that I think it’s about time I put my knowledge to good use!

Rimmel stay matte foundation is that type of product I would go for everyday, having oily skin the word “matte” is key for me. Rimmel claim that this foundation helps calm the redness in the skin, purifies and stays matte for 12 hours. There is also a few mentions to the chamomile, cotton and cucumber extracts used in the foundation. My problem with brands that use things like that is that the amount of those actual ingredients is actually tiny, yet they can still use it on the packaging to make you think it’s an extra hard working product! Annoying.

I’ve been testing it out for a while now and can safely say that on a scale of 1-10 it’s about a 4. The key things you need to know about this:

The coverage- pretty sheer….you can build it up but you will still need concealer.

The consistency- this is the main thin I dislike about this foundation. It has a very creamy, thick consistency for an oil -free foundation and slips al over the place when you try to blend it in, there for not grate if you like to use a brush to apply your foundation. This is defiantly hand job!

The shade range- there are only 5 shades to pick and they are all too pale or too pink for my skin tone.

The price- this foundation costs around 6 pounds which is a good price for your average 30 ml bottle.

The packaging- this foundation comes in a tube which is god because it’s not heavy like glass and won’t break as easily, but it’s not my cup of tea in terms of design.

The finish- this my friends, is the weird part. The words “stay matte” make you think it will deliver a matte finish but the truth is, it’s a pretty glowy finish for a oil-free foundation and it does not set matte or stay matte, but does look fairly natural.

Over all I think it’s an ok product but not will I will be buying again. So that means the search for the perfect foundation is still going on……..i think the next review will be of one I am really loving at the moment.

My very own thinspiration!

Before I stat this post I just need to say that when I say thinspiration, I don't mean it in that sick, eating disorder websites way. I mean it as in a photo that will inspire you to lose weight, and to make it even more body friendly, I have decided that taking a super model as your  inspiration  is unhealthy and will only make you feel worse because you are NEVER going to look like that.

I want to lose a little bit of weight and am finding it really hard at the moment to feel inspired and want to put in the effort........So I have found a few photos of me at the weight I want to get back down to, and have hung then up (I’m not crazy, it works!) on my fridge. I'll share the photos with you:

As you can see I was so much slimmer here than I am now but the strange thing is, around the time these photos where taken I really felt like I was a fat huge cow! And now looking at them I realize I was (for me anyway) pretty slim! So many of you lovely readers have told me you think I look grate the way I am  and should not lose any weight, and that is such a sweet thing to say! (Although is you saw me in real life you may feel differently….) but I know I need to do it for me because I want to feel and look like the best version of me. I know I’m never going to gt down to 7 stone and be super skinny and I have finally let go of that and know that it’s ok. I need to just look like the me that makes me feel good….not that I walk around feeling bad everyday, some days I feel pretty good even! But the truth is right now, I’m a little to big for me, to big to feel like the best version of me. By using my self as my “slim-down-roll-model” I’m not telling myself I need to get down to an impossible weight because I know I can do it.

What do you feel about the idea? Have you even used yourself as your own “thinspiration?"

My New Year beauty, life and fashion resolutions

It does feel rather strange sitting here knowing that next Friday it will be a new year. This past year has gone by so fast and in many way was a pretty big one for me, and so much has changed. But one must always be true to ones self and that is why I have decided to write this post. I'm a firm believer in new year resolutions and I don't think they are made to be broken, they are just a small way of making a commitment to yourself. Some of the things I am going to say are things I do already so I will just make a mental note to myself to keep up the good work!

*Lose weight- A total no-brainier I know,  and is top of most people's list (That and stop smoking, but I don't smoke so that will not be featured on my list)  But in the new year I would like to lose about 2 and a half stone and reach a weight I am happy with.

*This will sound odd, but wear lovely matching underwear everyday. I don't do this because I tend to stick to things that make my chest look bigger, my tum &bum look smaller and no VPL. This is not a sexy look I can assure you...it must be fixed as I think it gives you a sexy boost of confidence. 

*Always take my makeup off before bed. I'm totally religious about this already but must be sure to keep it up!

*Always be sure to get a bikini wax every 3\4 weeks. I tend to do my own bikini waxing, but I find if it's left up to me because I'm so busy I tend to just put it off until I can no longer bare the idea of being such a hair monkey! That is not a sexy feeling girls, so that is why I will book one once a month to make sure I stick to it and make me feel no so monkey-like!

*Stay away from the razor.....I'm pretty good with this one and only ever shave my under arm area.

*Be sure I use my beloved (Yea right) epilator once a week to make sure my legs are always super smooth. 

*Make sure I use a good body scrub twice a week.

*Body brush every single day......we want smooth skin right?!

*Use a hair mask twice a week to make sure my hair is in tip top condition.

*Wear high heels more often.....I do wear them most days because I'm short (That is what I tell people anyway, the truth is because I adore heels!) but must try and wear them more.

*Drink more water. I'm pretty good at drinking water, but I have not been very good lately....

*Treat my skin to a good face mask twice a week.

*Work out everyday.

*Go for long, lovely walks outside

*Eat better

*Brush my teeth twice a day....I always do this anyway, but like I said we must keep up the good work!

*Always have a good pedicure.....dry feet are not cute on anyone! 

And I think that is pretty much it....There may be a few more I'm not thinking of but I'm sure it's ok. Let's just hope I can stick to them all!

I hope you all have a fab new year and let me know what your new year resolutions are!

My everyday face

A few of you have asked me to do a post like this and truth be told I love reading these types of posts, they are like a semi-tutorial but no need to worry about things like angels and lighting.


So here it is, my everyday face routine:


1)I am not the type of girl to be faithful to one foundation, I switch them to go with what I need that day and how my skin is feeling. At the moment i'v been using NARS sheer glow in the shade Barcelona. The reason I tend to reach for this is it a grate NATURAL looking winter foundation. I always feel I need more coverage during the cooler months as my skin tends to look a little dull and NARS sheer glow gives you lovely coverage with a natural, my skin on a perfectly polished day look. I apply this using my QVS stippling brush. 
2)Next step is concealer. this is one product i'm pretty faithful to and I use the laura mercier secret concealer  in shade 3. This very expensive but it is a HG product, a little goes a long way, it's super creamy and easy to blend and covers dark circles like a dream. 
3)I am an oily skin girl. So sadly, this next step is a must for me......yes we are talking powder. I have loved this powder for years and it's the RIMMEL silky loose powder. This truly is like no other powder I have ever used. It is so finely milled, that is leaves no powdery residue (a pet hate of mine) and looks and feels invisable on the skin.
4)Next we have bronzer.  Bronzer is a must for me because my face is always slightly lighter than my body due to my religious spf application on my face. I use to bronzer to just warm up my skin tone, and lightly contour my fat face and fake the appearance of  sexy cheek bones. The bronzer i'm loving at the moment is the  MUA bronzer in shade 3 because it has a slightly cooler tone that works well with my paler winter skin.
5)I am a brow lover. I realize you will be reading this thinking "Avia, you strange girl you....making such a statement" but I really think brows are the unsung hero's of the face. A good shaped brow will add so much definition to your face and  help show off your eyes, make your face look slimmer and  just really help your face look polished. Basically I love them. I love a good strong, thick yet well defined brow and use a matte brown shade by benefit and an angled eye shadow brush to fill them in and then set them with a clear MUA mascara.
6)Now it's all about eyes. I always use a MAC paintpot to prime my lids and atm i'm loving bare study which is a pale shimmery shade. After patting that on with my finger I start with my eye shadow. I NEVER use the same eye look everyday because I get bored with is, but it's pretty much a neutral shade all over the lid with a darker brown in the crease. I don't use liner as I feel it doesn't suit  my eye shape but I do love plenty of mascara. At the moment I'm using MAXFACTOR flase lash effect fusion (Which btw, I don't love i'm just trying to be a good girl and use it up) on top and bottom lashes (After curling them of course!).
7)This is the part where I apply a pretty, fresh shade of blush. I'm a firm believer in blush because it simply makes you look more awake and pretty, and who doesn't want that?! I don't really tend to use the same exact blush everyday (the boredom factor yet again) but most of my blushes are in the same family of shades- pinky/peachey colors.
8)Almost done! I love using benefit eye bright pencil on my cupid's bow (Above you lip) to really make them look fuller and just under my brow bone to make them look more defined. If you are not doing this as part of your routine it's a must day because it really does make a huge difference! 
9)Last but not least lips: I apply a little lip liner just to help shape my lips and use a shade that matches my lips perfectly by NO 7 in nude and then apply my lipstick of choice. This changed on a pretty much daily basis but atm I seem to be reaching for MAC'S way to love lipstick (LE but if you can get hold of it do, it's a beauty!) most of the time.


And that is it! It may seem like lots to you but this is second nature to me and takes me 5 mins to do in the morning and it's the part of my routine I love the most. I love feeling made up yet natural and ready to face the world!


What is your everyday face? are you always loyal to your old faithful's?   

Body battles

I am currently sat in my living room watching  TV and the rain is hitting the roof pretty hard and it got me thinking that so many of you love my weight/body issues related videos but those are unfortunately  the  kind of videos I have to be really feeling in the mood for, so I felt maybe a little blog post would do......


I don't love my body. there I said it. I read so many books and see so many experts (Gok Wan anyone?) talking about how we should love and appreciate what we have but seriously, how any women do you really know who really, TRULY love their body and treat it with love and respect? you here sayings like " if you don't love you no one will" and yet I always end up thinking you are missing the point! in my opinion, you are not meant to LOVE your body, you are meant to learn to respect it but that need to improve it , that need never truly goes away. I don't love my body and there are around 10000 things I would like to change about it but if I really wanted to change it that badly, surely I would starve myself  and be down the gym 24/7  but i'm not. And why is that you wonder? because I have come to realize that no matter what I do i'm never, ever going to look like Elle Macpherson, but that does not mean I stopped caring....I think I will always want to better myself in some way or another but the difference now is unlike  5 years ago, I have learned to (semi, still a long way to go!) respect my body.


What do you think?