MAC 187: How I Use Mine

The MAC 187 was the very first "expensive" brush I ever bought. It cost £29.50 and I purchased it from Selfridges on a trip to Manchester this summer. Extensive research went into my buying of this brush, as I have bought several make up brushes in the "classic" shape, just like the MAC 190, and have been extremely dissatisfied by it. I found my make-up got clumped in the fibers too quickly both wasting product and requiring constant cleaning. Grrr. :(

I have quite bad skin in that it's all different colours, pink/reddish and yellow-ish in areas,

as well as extremely sensitive. After effectively making my skin oily and spotty for years using Elizabeth Arden compacts, I switched to No.7 (UK brand available in Boots) Mousse foundation in Almond. I highly recommend it as it combines coverage with the foundation without being heavy on the skin. I must point out, though, it is NOTHING like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.. *shudders*

Plus, bargain price also of €15! It can be a little cakey if applied with your fingers but it's perfect with a brush. Enter my beloved 187.

The official MAC blurb is:

"A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments. Use to create soft layers or add textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres."

- www.MacCosmetics.co.uk

The lovely white bristles on the brush do not remain perfectly white for long at all though, regardless of extensive cleaning! :(

Anyway this is how I make maximum use of my 187, for both foundation and blush - in one sitting!

Firstly I apply the foundation to the brush, then apply to my face.

Then, I take my pack of Primark Beauty 4 in 1 Deep Facial Cleanising Wipes

*N.B. I would never use these wipes to remove make-up or on my face in any way. I tried them one weekend when I had no cleanser with me. Major breakout alert! I think they're far too harsh on skin (they even smell all chemical-ly) yet at the bargain price of €1.50 (£1?) for a two pack they are perfect for cleaning brushes.

Then I just wipe the remaining product off my brushes using them.

You'd be seriously surprised about the amount of product remaining. Imagine if that was carried over to your next application- stale make up... Yuck!

Next, I have two choices. If I want a bright cheek colour I keep the brush in its damp state and apply my blush to it. If I'm going for a more demure look I rub the brush against a towel to dry it.

*The shade used in the picture is MAC powder

blush in Fleur Power.

Then repeat the process with a fresh wipe.

Hopefully one day I will be able to purchase the 188, a mini version of the 187 for my blush *sighs*... until then... :o).

Cheeky!!

Hannah xxxxx

Acrylic Nails: Are They Worth It?

I ADORE nail varnish. For as long as I can remember I've been stealing my Mum's nail polish and definitely for the past few years I have ALWAYS worn nail varnish of some sort. My preferred brand is Barry M as their colours are always on trend and very inexpensive.
However for a recent wedding I made the decision to treat myself to a set of Acrylic nails. My friends all prefer Gel nails as apparently they're not as bad for your nails. However I figured that your nail being completely covered for 3 weeks plus was not going to be good for them regardless. So, swayed by the promise that they'd last longer than Gel I chose Acrylic.
I found the process not so much painful as aggravating, like the feeling your teeth get when nails are scratched down a blackboard. My nails were buffed to oblivion before the tip was applied, cut down then the acrylic solution was applied.

The manicurist even applied a real dried flower to two nails and I was delighted with the results. A the time of application, I was told the nails would last 3 and a half weeks, as a full set if I was lucky.

However 3 weeks came and went, as did 4 and 5 until my baby fingernail started lifting from the base. I got worried that it would rip off so i put a plaster around it to hold it in until it grew off itself. Well, that was my intention! I took the plaster off to show my friend one day and forgot to replace it. Several hours later I was in my college library and I swung my handbag over my shoulder and caught the nail and it 3/4 ripped off. I just saw blood and the fact that there was a huge rip out of the nail and freaked! I actually didn't look at it properly i just put it back best i could and walked home and replaced the plaster. The next day, though my friend told me the way I had left it meant it was very prone to infection with an open wound so I had to brave it as she cut away at the acrylic nail. Eeeeekk!!!!

Anyway, the exact same thing happened with the other baby nail and eventually the rest of the nails became slightly loose so I figured it was time to remove them. I searched the

net and found the best advice at http://www.ehow.com/how_2003351_remove-acrylic-nails.html. I completed the process to find my original nails, previously long an

d strong, in a state in which I have never found them before. (See before and after above!) :(

I have started using Sally Hansen Hard As Nails polish to help strengthen them and after a week and 2 applications I have noticed a slight difference. However I'm too scared to paint them incase it stains them in the exposed part of the nail bed. My nails look disgusting in the picture all yellowed, ew :(.

I gave myself a Mini Manicure now as my nails have thickened (more or less) using this product as a base .

I'm very happy with the results now and 3 weeks later they're almost back to normal :o)

Any similar experiences?

Thanks for reading :o)

Hannah xxxxx

Hello There!

After admiring YouTube vloggers and beauty gurus for around a year now, but lacking the confidence to make videos myself I have decided that the best place to start for me is BLOGGING! :o)

I am 19, and a Corporate Law student in my second year at NUI Galway in Ireland. I originally lived in Manchester, UK but my family and I moved here seven years ago. I own the most gorgeous puppy also, a King Charles spaniel named Oscar.

I hope to blog all about what I'm loving products-wise, what I have been purchasing (Clothes, Make Up, Accessories etc.), the occasional Haul as well as miscellaneous rambling about my life and I. To begin, I have set myself a challenge to complete the following blog topics to get the ball rolling (so to speak!); Make up Tips/ How To, Make Up tools, Nails, Product Reviews, Drugstore finds, fragrance, Hair care, Skincare, Fashion and Beauty Hauls and MAC make-up.

I 100% encourage feedback and comments, I would love to hear from you guys!

Also please feel free to follow me on Twitter :

twitter.com/hannahbanana295

For now I will leave you with 25 random questions :

1. Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have a lovely King Charles Spaniel named Oscar, right here ---->

2. Name 3 things that are physically close to you.

My laptop (obviously), the Sky HD remote control and my iPhone (plugged into my laptop).
3. What's the weather like right now?

In a word, miserable! It's pretty much entering into winter mode here.
4. Do you drive? If so have you crashed?

Yes I have driven since my 17th birthday. I have never gotten into any major collisions but I h

ave bumped into a pillar in a multi-storey car park. Luckily the dent could be "popped out". Oh, and also this one time I accidentally ran over my best friends foot. Oops!
5. What time did you wake up this morning?

This morning I woke at 8am, surprising as it is a Saturday morning. So I read for a while and

eventually fell asleep for another hour!

6. When was the last time you showered?

Yesterday before I went to work and I plan to again right after I finish this post.
7. What was the last movie you saw?

Mean Girls. It was repeated on tv one night this week and I watched it with my housemates at College.
8. Who was your last phone call from?

It was from my Mum :)
9. What's your ringtone?

My ringtone is "Barbie Girl". Terribly tacky but I absolutely love it!
10. Have you ever been to a different country?

Yes, I have been on holiday around Europe every year for as long as I can remember. I have been incredibly lucky the past 12 months. My boyfriend and I have visited Paris, Edinburgh, Manchester and Spain!
11. Do you like sushi?

I really do not. I hate fish at the best of times so raw = my worst nightmare!
12. Where do you buy your groceries?

In College we drive over to the local Tesco around twice a week!
13. Have you ever taken medication to help you fall asleep faster?

No, I luckily I have never had any problems falling asleep. I love my sleep!
14. How many siblings do you have?

I have one younger brother.
15. Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?

I have a laptop, a navy HP that I got this September replacing my old pink Dell Inspiron (RIP)
16. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?

I will be 20! aargh!! :o)
17. Do you wear contacts or glasses?

I used to wear glasses, but I guess my eyes "healed" themselves!
18. Do you color your hair?

Yes, I have been highlighting my hair blonde since I was around 11 years old!
19. Tell me something you are planning to do today.

This evening I plan to go to my boyfriend's house and watch the X Factor. Saturday is my one day off with no college or work!
20. When was the last time you cried?

I'm quite the crier so it happens quite often!
21. What is your perfect pizza topping?

Chicken, spicy! I love anything spicy! Also the Chicken Tikka Pizza from Dominoes.
22. Which do you prefer-hamburgers or cheeseburgers?

I honestly didn't know there was a difference but I love the cheesy ones.
23. Have you ever had an all-nighter?

No, I love my sleep waaayy too much!
24. What is your eye color?

Its a bluey-green with a hazel fleck in one eye.
25. Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?

Yes, as all I will drink is Diet Coke, preferably from a can.

Can you think of any more questions? If so, comment away! :o)

Thankyou for reading,

Hannah xxxx