Sad News and Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara Review

I'll begin this blog with some sad news. On Friday evening (12th December), my husband and I got home from work at about 6.20pm. Our neighbour was sat on the road just outside our driveway, with a bundle of towels by her side, with our eldest cat Zeus inside. Her boyfriend had run him over with his van. They called the RSPCA just before we got there. My hubby and I sat with Zeus for a few minutes, trying our best to comfort him, but he was in so much pain that he passed out. I thought he had died right there on the street, so I started to cry, but he came to after a minute. I decided that I couldn't wait for the RSPCA, so I rang my local vet and told them it was an emergency. We got Zeus into a box and we drove as fast (yet as gently) as we could (the vets is only a four minute drive). When the vet checked him over, he gently shook his head and told us that Zeus' pelvis had been crushed. Zeus had to be put down quickly, to minimise his suffering. My hubby stayed with Zeus whilst he was being injected, stroked his face and spoke to him as he passed away. I couldn't face watching him go, I was crying too much at that point. 

Zeus was just 7 years old, he was a lovely cat, friendly to strangers, loved to eat Pringles, cheese, even bananas. He was our first pet cat, and his untimely death has broken my heart. 

I knew that work this weekend just gone would be hard. I own just one waterproof mascara as I am not a huge fan of them, but as my tears didn't seem to stop flowing, I had no other choice. 

I like the wand, with the plastic bristles which separates the lashes quite well. The formula is quite wet, which normally spells disaster for anyone that really needs to curl their lashes like me. 

BUT! Keep looking, dear readers... 

After two lavish coats of mascara, my lashes stayed curled and set that way. I went to work, a snivelling, crying wreck, and I cried on and off, all day, for 10hrs. When I got home, I cried even harder. I thought my heart might break with the pain and loss that I felt. I looked in the mirror as I took off what remained of my makeup, and was astonished to see that despite my tear-stained face and red eyes, my mascara had remained exactly where it was and my lashes were just as perfect as they were 12hrs before. 

I decided that people should know just how wonderful this mascara is. And for anyone that has really watery eyes or has a funeral or wedding to go to, then please check out this mascara, as it was a life saver for me. 

This is for Zeus. August 2007 - December 2014. Rest In Peace xxx

Love and Beauty Don't Always Go Hand in Hand

If you have read my blogs or know me at all, you'll know that I love makeup. Love. I breathe-eat-sleep-dream makeup. I love how it makes me feel, I love to make my skin look more flawless, I love playing with eyeshadow colours, the whole shebang. BUT! This is not about me, this is about people's opinions on whether or not you like wearing it or like to see it on other people. 

Y'see, sometimes, people say things that I find upsetting. For example, not so long ago, a guy told me that he wished his new girlfriend would wear makeup like me because makeup made her "more attractive". I was thoroughly shocked, as I sat, trying not to let my mouth open in horror. Why couldn't he just love her the way she is, naturally? Why is he already on a quest to change her? Why did he think - just because I wear makeup every day - that I'd agree with him? I tried to (unsuccessfully) tell him tactfully that he shouldn't tell her that - ever - and he quickly changed the subject. But y'see, now I know how he thinks about his new girlfriend; he thinks she's not attractive enough. He's used to prettier models of women, I'm sure, but sometimes the right fit comes along, and you have to overlook your ideals, surely? 

My husband knew me well before my addiction to makeup began. He knows my bare face, spots, scars, freckles, fat and all. He loves me with and without makeup. Yes, I understand how lucky I am, I truly am blessed, but sometimes it makes me wonder why can't some people just accept who their partner is and stop trying to change them? 

I think that people that don't wear makeup look more naturally radiant and more alive. Their skin looks more real, their perfections and imperfections shine and I love that about bare faced women and men. 

But I also love makeup, I love the almost flawlessness of skin that has foundation and concealer and powder, the perfect arched brows, the sculpted cheeks and gorgeously long, mascara'd lashes. 

Here's the thing. I love people for who they are. I won't try to change someone, just because I'm not keen on their appearance. I wouldn't ever tell my husband to shave or wear different clothing. All I care about, whether you wear makeup or not, what clothes you wear or car you drive or where you live is that you are who you are (and of course that you're happy and healthy). And if you're my friend, I'll love you for being a friend to me. I accept that not everyone will see my point of view, and that is fine; I'm not going to try to change your mind if you think I'm wrong. 

Please, just remember that love - unlike beauty - is not skin deep and can last a lifetime. 

Top pic: me with a bare face (sorry that it's black and white, I couldn't find any other bare face selfies on my phone). 

Bottom pic: me with a face full of makeup.