March Favourites

Hey there.

Guys and gals, I am so sorry. I have been so lazy lately. My brother got married last Friday, and it was Kris' first week off in almost 6 months. at's my excuse for every other week before that? I couldn't tell you! I have had plenty of time to decide on a few favourites for you at least!

Skincare:
I have been using these items since January,but when it comes to skincare it honestly takes me at least 3/4 months to decide if I really like something, and if it actually adds to my routine. Both of these tick the necessary boxes.

How you can tell this is truly well loved!

What can I say about this? It's a pore refining facial scrub, smells faintly pepperminty, and actually reduces the size of my pores with daily use. For my oily/combination skin, it's gentle enough to use once daily, and let me stress again, it actually reduces the size of my pores on my nose. Can also be gotten in Boots, and Soap & Glory are generally part of some 3-for-2 offer.

Used and abused!

These face masks are everything. The Glycolic Instant Fix Mask has glycolic acid in it, funnily enough. This mask brightens and tightens my skin, reduces the size of my pores and evens my skin tone. This mask is ideal the night before I go out, to get my skin ready for a full face of make up. The Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Mask is a godsend for a  night after drink. It plumps and hydrates my skin, and really gives you a beautiful glow, a must have after your weekly dose of Fear. It contains hyaluronic acid, which aids the hydrating and plumping effect. I've been using these since the last week of December, at least once a week each, and I have 'til the end of the month at least. A little goes a long way, just for the love of God wash your hands before going near your eyes. They sting so bad! (I am an idiot I know). They're also available in this insanely handy two pack set.

Make Up:
Any one who watches my Snaps will know that it's beyond obsession with these. Actually it isn't. It's a raw and filthy desire.

0.5 in foundation and Light Warm in concealer

My oily/combination skin oxidises like an absolute mofo. Oh you want to be pale and creamy and beautiful? Here's some jaundice. There is absolutely no need. I have quite a bit of discolouration across my face and have always found it hard to match my pale chest, as I prefer. Until I found this pink based skin saviour. 0.5 I've never been fonder of a foundation. ILY bbz. As I'm so pale I don't really like to use an even paler concealer under my eye. It seems a bit redundant. I've been using the accompanying concealer in Light Warm, and not only does it conceal my ever growing dark circles, it also highlights in a brightening manner, rather than looking like Tipp Ex. It's going to take a lot to make me even consider straying from this combination.

Hair Care:

True Love in a bottle.

You may remember from a previous post that I've been using the LOC Method to keep my hair happy and hydrated, and that involves using an oil to seal the moisture in. I have been so obsessed with this Tan Organic Multi-Use Dry Oil. It smells so fruit, and really locks in so much moisture. I'm going to be heartbroken when this runs out- I was gifted this so I don't know if I can splurge so much on it. Knowing me I'll use coconut oil, miss this more than words and splurge in the dead of night when Kris won't know!

These have been a few of the products I've been obsessively using the last few weeks. I'm going to aim to do a monthly favourites post just to keep you all up to date with the products I'm using on a regular basis. What are your favourites from the past month? Feel free to let me know here, Facebook, Instagram or Tweet me!

Love,

MyBuzzyBeauty

Slimming World - A Beginners Guide

Hey there.

September 2014

So last week I asked you guys on Snapchat (MyBuzzyBeauty) if you'd like my own take on Slimming World and I got a few snaps saying yes. If this helps even one person make better choices to stay on plan, I will be delighted. Making a conscious decision to do something about your weight is scary. Do you have the will power? Do you have the support of those around you? Will you be happier? I've struggled with my weight my entire life. Since having Eloise I can now admit to myself I was too heavy, and I didn't want to be that way anymore. I'd heard quite a bit about Slimming World from a friend so I said I'd give it a go.

I joined the first week of  May. It was a bit daunting, but I sat down to the New Members talk and knew I had made the right decision. Everyone was so lovely, welcoming and supportive. If you've had a bad week every single person there wants to help pick you back up. And if you've had a great week every single person there is overjoyed for you. There's a real sense of community to the classes.

June 2014

The plan sounds complicated, but it is honestly simple. You have 3 main groups of food:

Free Foods:

• Speed foods- 95% of fruits and veg fall into this category. They help to speed up your metabolism, are filling, and quite a lot can be used instead of Free Foods (Will come back to this below).
• Protein- chicken, fish, eggs, any lean meat under 5% fat all fall into this and are free.
• Free foods- potatoes, dried pasta, couscous, rice, some yoghurts; basically all those filling things you've been told to stay away from.

You can eat your fill of the above, the only golden rule is to fill your plate with a third of each. You can have seconds, but you need to fill your plate with speed foods. They really do make all the difference.

Healthy Extras:

• Heathy Extra A- this is your dairy allowance. You don't need to have your full allowance everyday if you don't want to, but you can't carry it over to the next day. This group breaks down to cheese and milk basically. You can have varying amounts, from 40g of reduced fat cheese to 1 litre of unsweetened almond milk. If I don't want cheese that day I really like 250mls of dark almond milk, split between cereal and coffees for the day.
• Healthy Extra B- your fibre allowance. 35g of porridge or 2 weetabix or 2 slices of wholemeal bread from a 400g loaf or a 60g wholemeal roll. Most breakfast cereals can be used for a healthy extra, and so can some nuts, but I don't eat these so I'm not sure of the exact amounts. Ryvitas and Hi-Fi bars also fall into this category, and are so handy for a Grab-and-Go option.

You need to weigh/measure/count these out, to protect your own weight loss. These are the foods I would find the easiest to overeat. 35g of porridge is not a whole lot. You honestly won't believe how little it is when you measure it out. Once you get used to weighing these out it will become so second nature that it really isn't a hassle.

Syns:
Everything else! Chocolate, alcohol, oils, avocados (yes they're healthy, but they are still very high in fats), crisps, wine, gin, cider- all the good stuff! You get 15 syns a day. I'd generally aim to use 12 a day, just to protect my weight loss if I haven't measured something properly. Syns are there to be used, and are all about being creative. I only go out once a month usually, so the alcohol doesn't really affect me, but I do have a serious sweet tooth. I usually save as many syns as I can for the evenings to facilitate my need to pick.

March 2014

Top Tips:

• I was a major cheese hound, so I completely cut it for the first 4 weeks, until I could trust myself to weigh it out and not cheat. This may seem harsh but it really worked for me.
• Try to do a different HexB every week and assess how you felt after each week. I find that the bars and cereals worked best for me. I felt bloated and sluggish by the end of the wholemeal bread week. 
• Plan, plan, plan! Weeks I've done out a proper shopping list/meal plan have been my best weeks, for losses and staying on plan.
• Stay for the meetings. Slimming World offers amazing support, but only if you put yourself out there and accept the help being offered. 
• Don't be too hard on yourself- so you were 100% on plan and you had a maintain. This happens. It's a dose and makes you feel like a goose. Keep going. 
• Experiment and try the recipes. There are thousands of SW recipes available online. I've done 40 or 50 at this stage, and there's only been 3 or so we haven't liked. 
• Change it up. Use Speed instead of Free foods. Roasted butternut squash is lovely instead of potatoes, or courgetti noodles are amazing instead of anything!
• Always put 1/3 Speed on your plate. Even if you're doing a 100% vegetarian curry, boil/roast/spirialise some veg for your third speed. 
• Snack on whatever you want, but always have some Speed with it. 
• If you go off plan on a Tuesday, that's your Tuesday over, not your week and not your diet. Get back on plan. 
• Stock up your spice press. Dried spices, passata, tinned beans (in water), stock cubes, Lea and Perrins, these are all free, all delicious, and all so easy to use to add flavour. 
• Be proud of every pound you lose. 

Just as an example, I'm going to give you a kind of sampler menu, for some idea of the range of foods I still enjoy on Slimming World.

Breakfast:

• 2 weetabix (HexB), crushed up and mixed with a Toffee Muller Light yogurt (FF), 4 strawberries (SF). A green tea (F), an apple and a mandarin (SF).

Snack:

• A plum and an apple (SF) and a Benefit chocolate fudge bar (3 syns).

Lunch:

• A two egg (P) omelette, with mushrooms and peppers (SF), sweetcorn (FF) and a side salad (SF). Maybe some couscous (FF) too if I was very hungry.

Snack:

• A mandarin (SF) and a Benefit chocolate fudge bar (3 syns).

Dinner:

• Spaghetti Bolognese (Completely Free, with a lot of Speed), whole wheat spaghetti (FF), boiled broccoli (Speed).
• Fruit salad (SF) maybe an hour after dinner.
• Microwave 100 cal popcorn.

Now this isn't set in stone. Some days I'd have half a honey dew melon after my breakfast. And if I'm on my period, or hungover, I'm a ravenous beast and would need a second dinner in place of a lunch. But for the most part this would be what I'd eat.

When I started the first week of May, I weighed 15 stone 4 lbs, and as of last week I weighed 12 stone 5.5 lbs. I've lost almost 3 stone already, and am hoping to lose another stone, just because I figure 11s 4lbs is a healthy weight for my height (5'5"). This could all change as I get closer to my target, but I'm happily working away to that goal for the moment. And in typical me fashion, I an't find any of my Awards! Bloody typical!

January 2016

I'm going to throw up a recipe tomorrow for my Spag Bol tomorrow, so if you have any questions please feel free to ask me here, on Insta, Facebook or Tweet me! Would you like me to upload a recipe here every couple of weeks? Please let me know, because I'd only be too happy to!

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty

Tender Loving Care for Happy Hydrated Hair

Hey there.

Guys and gals I'm so sorry. I have been neglecting my blog so much, since Christmas. I promise I'm going to try and have a new blog post once a week. I was thinking every Tuesday? What do you guys think? I work weekends now, so ideally one of Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday would suit me best. Being back to work is actually great, gives me a balance I've been missing the last few months. I would spend every moment I could with Eloise, but it's important to hold on to some of your pre-child identity. At least for me it has been. Ok I really need to stop with the DMC's I know!

I'm getting married in September 2017 and if sheer determination could make my hair grow it would be down to my knees. I've always had fine hair, but since Eloise it is definitely thicker than it was, all thanks to Holland and Barrett! I have been showing my hair a lot of TLC the past few months so I thought I'd share some of my tips and tricks with you all.

Since I've had Eloise I really only wash my hair every 3 days if I can. I say it's for colour longevity but it's honestly laziness. It took maybe 3 weeks to "train" my hair but it was worth it. For at least 15 years I washed my hair everyday, because it was so greasy. The reality is if you wash your hair everyday you're stripping your hair of its natural oils. Basically using dry shampoo in your hair is similar to using a cleansing oil on your face, you're allowing oil to combat oil and helping your skin/scalp find it's own harmony. I've tried multiple dry shampoos and I always return to Batiste. I spray it in sections all around my head, throw my hair up and leave it absorb the oil for at least 30 mins. By this time it is so much easier to brush out of the hair. I use my Tangle Teaser in the morning and a boar bristle brush at night, to get the naturally occuring oils from my scalp down the lengths of my hair. I've been wearing my hair in a plait every night to bed for the past months and have definitely noticed a decent reduction in breakages. You're minimising friction against the tips of your hair follicles, and so reducing the possibility of damage while you sleep. My hair used to be so oily that, even if I washed it that morning and was going out that night, I would have to wash it again that evening. Training your hair really is the way forward for all my greasy gruaig lads and ladies. You will never look back!

I put more effort into the night before I was my hair than I do for a date night! I had a beautiful balyage from my natural dark brown into a beautiful blonde before I opened my arms and accepted copper into my heart and soul. Both colours involve bleaching. Bleaching is not good for your hair or your pockets, and made my fine hair coarser than it had ever been. I stumbled across the LOC method of hair care while stuck in a YouTube void one evening. I'm not in anyway comparing my coarse hair to natural hair, but it is an extremely effective way of getting moisture into you hair. I've modified it sightly for my hair. Oil forms a barrier, not allowing moisture in or out, so I do Liquid, Cream, Oil. I start with any leave in conditioner I have (I don't use them on a daily basis, so I haven't invested in an expensive one. I really do like the Mane 'n Tail one though, and it smells so nice!)

Next up is the most important part, to me. I use the Mark Hill MiracOILous Hydrating 2 Minute Mask as my leave in conditioner. Imagine you were curling your hair, but instead you're rubbing a small bit of the conditioner into those sections. Be warned, this does smell like Jagerbombs, so avoid when hungover. The reason the first step, Liquid/Leave in conditioner, is so important is because if you start with dry hair you use twice the amount you need to. But if it's already partially saturated and has some moisture in it, so will need less Cream. Your starting point has a higher level of moisture, so can absorb less of the Cream.

Lastly, it's time for the Oil. You need this step to seal all the moisture in. I've been using argan oil and I'm obsessed. It smells nice and my hair has been responding so well to it. I comb through my hair and put it in a plait for the night.

Now just as a disclaimer, you do not need to use these products. These are items I had hanging around the house and wanted to use up or put to good use. When I finish the argan oil I doubt I'll repurchase, just because it's quite expensive and you use quite a bit. I will be buying and using organic coconut oil. It's multifunctional beauty-wise, and I can use it to cook Eloise's meals.

I honestly feel like my hair has gotten softer since I've started this routine about 4 weeks ago. And my hair has grown a quarter inch in the past 3 weeks. This is huge growth to me. I know this is just as much down to my silica tablets and fish oil, but it looks longer and I have no split ends and next to no end damage. Most importantly, I'm really taking pride in my hair. I'm excited to think about possibilities for my big day, rather than trying to think of the best way to have it up and out of my way, and worrying if it'll look awful in pictures. I'm even half considering wearing it down, but those thoughts are still very fleeting!

If you're around the Cork city area and thinking of a hair transformation I suggest you get onto Shane Markham, he is the only person I'd trust with my hair, and so good at what he does. He's also outrageously handsome and was a Colgate model in a past life!

Ok, these are all my hair secrets! Have you any hair secrets you want to share with me? Leave me a comment here, on Facebook, Instagram, or even Tweet me! Oh and I'm now on Snapchat too! My handle is: MyBuzzyBeauty - I love interacting with people on it, so please add me if you want to see what I get up to instead of cleaning my house!

Love,

MyBuzzyBeauty

TMI Tag: 50 Random Questions!

Hey there.

So I'll be back to doing more beauty based reviews over the next week, but for today I thought I'd do this tag. I've seen a lot of Snapchatters doing it and it seems so much fun, so when Melissa at Lipstick and Louboutins did a blog post answering it and tagged her readers I really wanted to do it! I love asking people random questions and listening to their responses, it's a great way to get to know someone. So hopefully this will help you feel like you know me a bit better. I've also changed one or two of the questions, just to shift the focus from YouTube to a blog. OK, 50 is a lot, so we better get started!

1. What are you wearing?
I am wearing Penneys workout pants, an old Tshirt and my oversized old man cardigan I got in Forever21 when I was in Liverpool last October. I'm not being totally basic, I did a 10 minute kettle bell work out earlier!

2. Ever been in love?
With each and every person I make the time to see and talk to on a daily/weekly basis.

3. Ever have a terrible break up?
No man other than Daddy would ever deal with me before Kris, so no!

4. How tall are you?
I am somewhere between 5' 4" and 5' 6".

5. How much do you weigh?
Last Tuesday I was 12 stone 13.5 lbs. This Tuesday I'm hoping for much less!

6. Any tattoos?
I have a black and white flower with 6 petals on my left foot. It means absolutely nothing to me, got it almost 7 years ago and I am far too indecisive to even consider another. If I hadn't of been so impulsive I definitely wouldn't have this one!

7. Any piercings?
Have a scaffold and my inner conch done on my left ear, have my snug, my tragus and my anti-tragus on my right ear. Have both lobes pierced and my left nostril, and I used to have my pinna, my lobes a second time and my tongue pierced. I like piercings!

8. OTP?
This means one true pairing - a couple who are destined for one another. Piggy and Kermit!

9. Favourite show?
Anything on Netflix. Can I change my answer to question 8? It's actually maternity leave and Netflix. AHS; Hotel is phenomenal this season. Lady Gaga is a revelation. And Denis O'Hare goes from strength to strength with each passing season.

10. Favourite bands?
I'm very bad, I'm really not into music that much. I went to see Little Green Cars before Christmas and they were amazing!

11. Something you miss?
Sleep ins. My family. Not having to pay for the weekly food shop.

12. Favourite song?
Generally anything any other person would be embarrassed to be caught singing, or annoyed it's stuck in their head, that is my kind of song. Click if you dare. This is also a quality song. Last one.

13. How old are you?
I am 26, I'll be 27 this April.

14. Zodiac sign?
Aries.

15. Quality you look for in a partner?
Patience! And must be able to make me laugh.

16.  Favourite quote?
I don't think I have one. I have no idea why either.

17. Favourite actor?
John Lovitz. Tartlets.

18. Favourite colour?
Blue. I find it very relaxing and soothing.

19. Music - Loud or Soft?
I love choons, so loud.

20. Where do you go when you're sad?
Anywhere with food. I am 100% an emotional eater. Why talk about it when I can eat it?

21. How long does it take you to shower?
If it's just a body shower, 5 minutes. If I have to wash my hair it's usually 25 mins. If I'm hungover add and extra 20 mins to each of those times.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Once I've cleansed, toned and moisturised I'm good to go. I can be up and out in 10 minutes. I can also take my time and have a shower and get my face painted in about 1 hour. Depends on my form and what I'm doing.

23. Ever been in a physical fight?
I have 3 brothers. Yes.

24. Turn on?
I have no idea. Generally it's a combination of small things rather than one thing.

25. Turn off?
Being rude to people in retail or the service industry.

26. The reason you started your blog?
I love writing, I love beauty products and Dale finally managed to convince me to start one. Only took about a year of her trying to make me!

27. Fears?
I'm frightened of all the usual stuff. Right now my biggest fear is introducing new foods to Eloise in case she has a reaction. Absolutely no reason to suspect she has allergies, other than being a nervy person in general.

28. Last thing to make you cry?
When I was hungover yesterday I started bawling crying because I'm so happy Kris and Eloise are such good friends. Absolutely no need.

29. Last time you said you loved someone?
Today, and everyday, to Kris and Eloise.

30. Reason behind your blogs name?
Kris calls me Buzz or Buzzy, and I'm hoping to blog primarily about beauty products!

31. Last book you read?
'The Silkworm' by Robert Galbraith. Enjoyed it so much more than the first, great series.

32. The book you're currently reading?
'Follow You Home' by Mark Edwards. Really enjoying it and quite memorable, which is very handy when I generally only get around to reading once a week.

33. Last show I watched?
Jessica Jones I think. The last show I purposely put on anyway. Please watch, it's amazing.

34. Last person you talked to?
Kris. He's generally the last person I speak to every day.

35. The relationship between you and the last person you text?
Emma. It was to trade screen shots.

36. Favourite food?
Pizza. Actually garlic mayo. The pizza is just a vehicle for the flavour sensation.

37. Place you want to visit?
Japan! I'm just fascinated by how well culture and tradition can balance with the fast paced lifestyles associated with larger cities like Tokyo.

38. Last place you were?
Over in Dawnie's, getting my brows fleekified.

39. Do you have a crush?
See question 17.

40. Last time you kissed someone?
Kris when I came home from Dawn's!

41. Last time you were insulted?
I honestly can't remember. I try not to dwell on anything that annoys me or else I'd get nothing done.

42. Favourite flavour of sweet?
Raspberry bon bons.

43. What instruments do you play?
I'm like a country child version of a Billy Barry kid. I can play the tin whistle, the keyboard and piano, and the black button accordion. All very poorly.

44 Favourite piece of jewllery?
I have two. My engagement ring, which was my mother's before me, and a silver heart necklace Daddy got me for my 21st.

45. Last sport you played?
I'd say Gaelic football about 8 years ago - I was a pretty decent goalkeeper.

46. Last song you sung?
An absolute banger my friend.

47. Favourite chat up line?
Before Kris I would be too drunk and gone home by the time it would be late enough for chat up lines on a night out.

48. Have you ever used it?
See above.

49. Last time you hung out with anyone?
I'm hanging out with Kris right now. He's watching the American football as I'm typing.

50. Who should answer these questions next?
Everyone! Especially my bestie Dale - she's hilarious!

As always, please like, share and comment! I love getting any feedback from you guys. Would you like more tags like this in the future? Do you have any tags for me? Have you any quality choons for me to hear? Contact me on Facebook, Insta or Tweet me your cheesy bangers.

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty

What Have I Been Up To?

Hey there.

I am so sorry for my long absence. What have I been doing? I have been as selfish as possible.

I've become as much of a social recluse as I could. I now wash my hair every three days, just so I don't have the annoyance of Eloise shouting at me to hurry up. I no longer make plans with people, just so I can wear tracksuit pants and old t-shirts everyday. I don't wear make up at all really (I've reached the point where I'm essentially drawing on my brows, the shape has well and truly gone out the window). I've been dealing with an increasingly fussy child, who doesn't like to nap, or sleep at night. And some days just isn't hungry. I've been exhausted. And disheartened (Hunger strike? Ah yeah, grand so).

And that's just a fraction of it. I've been catching up and spending time with my friends and family, who are my life. I've been planning a wedding while living three hours away from home (where I'm getting married). I've been binge watching 'Making A Murderer', much like the rest of the Irish nation (I've also been introducing Eloise to Pókemon, because I'm a good parent). I've been cooking up a storm, some things delicious, some things not so much, but I've been making a good effort. I've lost 2.5 stone through Slimming World, and I'm not finished yet.

This festive period has been very much about me, with Kris and Eloise coming up home to spend our first as a family with my family. And you know what? I deserved it. The last 9 months have been hard. I was so pregnant I couldn't stand, sit, walk or lie comfortably. I had a very painful 13 hour labour (Fun Fact: I thought labour only started once I'd gotten my epidural, don't ask me what I thought the 6/7 hours of screaming in pain in bed was. Yes, I am a dope.) We had a new baby, and had no idea what to do with her. I quickly got overwhelmed and didn't really have anyone to talk to. We found out I had Post Natal Depression. I got the help I needed. I had to come to terms that any negative feelings I had about or towards Eloise weren't my own, they were a hormonal imbalance. I found out I had the will power and determination to lose 2.5 stone with a life style change that suits me and my family.  I found out we had created the most amazing child, equal parts sweet & innocent with devious & bold! (She's recently mastered the gammy up-and-down wave and is working on clapping her hands now!) I've realised every day is 24 hours for a reason, some days are easier and some days will soon be over. I can go to bed and know that tomorrow is another day and a new chance for my happiness to grow. I've never been happier or prouder of myself, and I know I should be. I've worked hard to get where I am emotionally and physically. I'm no where near where I want to be, but I'm so grateful for how far I've come.

So yes, I've had sleepless nights and more pj days than strictly necessary, but I've also had Netflix to keep me company and a reason to buy new pyjamas. It would be very easy to focus on the bad, and God knows I've spent enough time wallowing, but I've also had a chance to improve my character and focus on my happiness.

I've been trying my best to see the opportunities rather than the difficulties. Sometimes it seems easier than others, sometimes I think I'm a cheesy fool for using imagery like this. Either way I'm getting there. I was going to make this a New Years Resolutions post, and I started typing and I realised how negative posts like that can be, so I'm going to list some things I like about myself that I'm carrying through to this year.

• I'm a much better mother than I ever expected or hoped to be. She's happy and healthy and I've done that. Not alone, but I've been a major factor.
• I have no words to express the love and gratitude I have to Kris, my family and friends for having the patience and love I've needed the last few months. 
• Myself and Kris make an effort to have conversations. We are also massive eejits fairly effortlessly, so we laugh quite often.
• I respect and love my family a lot more now I have my own. My Daddy has always been my hero, and now I know he deserves that title.
• I started taking much better care of myself, through my diet, and I'm hoping 2016 is the year I sort my fitness. Kris got me a kettlebell for Christmas (I asked for it!), and I started using it last night. Thank Christ for YouTube!
• I find the time to do the things I love and relax me, whether it's binge watch all of Netflix or write my blog posts.
• I get to watch Eloise grow and explore.
• I also enjoy going on a night out and don't need to text or ring Kris 40 times to see if she's ok.

Selfishness is a dirty word. But without selfishness there is no balance, and without balance you do not have good mental health. Please please please, talk to someone sooner rather than later if you need to. If anyone suggests you need help, please don't be offended. Take their help. Don't rob yourself of your happiness any longer. I spoke to my GP and haven't looked back, but if you can't go to your own GP, for whatever reasons, there are so many options online now.

I know this was quite heavy, but I promise I'll be back next week with a much lighter topic, maybe the TMI tag? Contact me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter if there's anything you'd like me to do a post about? And give me a follow too!

Love, 

MyBuzzyBeauty