CURRENT BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Day to day, I go about my life completely make-up free. But for the days I do wear makeup, usually Friday and Saturday nights, these are the products that I am constantly reaching for. 

Whenever I start a makeup look, I start with brows. I use a mix of the ABH Dip Brow Pomade and ABH Brow Wiz both in the shade chocolate and apply using the ABH number 14 brow brush. Earlier this month, I was digging through my Muji drawers, stumbled across the Brow Wiz and decided to add it back into my brow routine. Why did I ever stop using this product?! God knows but it is back and here to stay. This combo is perfect if like me, you want strongly defined brows. 

So you know when you order off the Urban Decay website and you get the option to pick a free sample? I always hear people raving about their eyeshadow primer so I thought what better opportunity to give it a try. My order arrived and this sample went straight to the back of my Muji drawers. For NYE, I wanted my eyeshadow to stay in place and so I gave this a try and wow, just wow. It has a similar texture to the Nivea post-shaving balm and once you put eyeshadow on top of it, it does not budge. 

Being a WOC, finding a highlighter that compliments my skin tone and does not look ashy is the ultimate struggle. The struggle is no more since discovering the Betty-Lou Manizer. If you are someone who likes a warm-toned, gold coppery highlight, this ones for you!

And lastly, everyone's holy grail product for a night out, the Urban Decay all nighter setting spray. This stuff is amazing and does exactly what it says on the tin, keeps your makeup looking flawless all night. 

Products mentioned: ABH Brow Wiz | ABH Dip Brow Pomade | ABH Brow Brush | UD Eyeshadow Primer | The Balm Betty Lou Highlighter | UD All Nighter Setting Spray

Fran

GYM ANXIETY

We have all been there, wanting to go to the gym but feeling anxious about actually being in the gym. Gym anxiety is real and here's what I tell myself each session to overcome it. 

BUT I don't want to go alone. I always see people tweeting about how they wish they had a gym partner because they are scared to go alone. Truth is, you do not need a gym partner to go to the gym. Book an induction before your first session, learn how to use all the machines and from then on, plan out your workout prior to your session. This way, you will be knowledgeable on how a machine is used, what it trains and you will also avoid standing around thinking about what to do next, with a plan you will already have the next exercise planned out reducing unnecessary breaks between sets.

BUT everyone is looking at me. They really aren't. Unless someone finds you attractive and wants to ask for your number, no one looks at you because no one gives a shit about what you are doing. They are too busy concentrating on their workout.

BUT the weights room is full of men. True, the weights room is full of men but so what? You can not let a group of men put you off making them gains. Put on whatever gym outfit makes you feel confident, chuck on a pair of converses, the best shoes for weight training, and walk into that weights room. Start small, 5-10kg is a good starting point and each session increase the weight gradually.

Overcoming gym anxiety is coming to terms with the fact that everyone else in the gym is there for the same reason you are, to reach a goal. They are not interested in what you are doing, as they are focused on hitting their goals. Some people will look at you but this happens a lot less than non-gym goers think. Gym anxiety is experienced by everyone, male or female, tall or short, big or small, weak or strong, fit or unfit. You are not alone. 

How did you overcome gym anxiety?  

Fran