Medication | My Story

This post is a hard post to write as I've never really spoken about my diagnosis with anyone except close friends and family.

Rewind about a year and I started to realise that I was not ok... and that enough was enough.

I was fed up of feeling the way I had been... physically being sick in the morning at the thought of leaving my house... never saying no to anyone as I felt horrendous if I did... having to have things in the right place or ordering things in a certain way.

It all came to a head when I realised I was struggling to leave my house.

I had a loving, caring boyfriend that I lived with, two gorgeous kittens and my family and friends... so what was wrong with me? What was happening to me? I couldn't understand it, and actually it made me feel worse.

I don't really remember what happened next, with regards to the whys and wherefores. All I know is that I blurted out to my GP about how I was feeling and that I wasn't coping very well.

He was amazing, and went through a lot of options with me. This was the day that he prescribed me my first lot of tablets.

I had always brought into the stigma of people who take tablets are crazy, they aren't for normal people like you and me. How wrong was I... I'm not normal... no one is.

But I was also wrong about how much tablets can help.

At the time, my Doctor presumed I had slight anxiety and advised the 10mg he had given me would help immensely and I should be back to my "normal" self within a few weeks.

This was not the case.

My tablets were upped to 20mg within those few weeks and then doubled to 40mg which is where I have stayed.

Don't get me wrong, the side effects to start with were horrible and I still struggled, and actually... I still do. Tablets are not a 'quick fix' and anyone who thinks this must be lucky enough to not have had to go through this or know anyone who has.

It's a lengthy process.

I was also referred to counselling/therapy which I know has helped keep my tablets at this level. I strongly believe they work hand in hand.

I was lucky enough to be able to be referred very quickly as I have private health care through Jack's employer. So, since August I have been travelling an hour and half to see my therapist, give or take a few weeks for illness, holidays and more recently, the snow!

I was super anxious and nervous my first time especially as I hate talking about myself, but my therapist put me at ease straight away. She picked up my 'tells' straight away...some of which I hadn't ever thought about.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no where near finished, but I feel like we are making progress each week in some way, shape or form.

I also never realised how many people close to me suffer with anxiety or similar whether it be a big or smaller part of their lives now, they have been kind enough to share their experiences with me with has helped me massively, so I hope to do the same for you.

I plan to brighten your days and nights with funny moments during this process as well as be 100% real with you, dig deep and share some more unhappy moments too... because that's life.

So, I am proud to say that I have Anxiety, Obsessive Disorder and Panic Disorder. They are part off me and what make me the person I am.

I am doing something about it by taking my medication every day and seeking therapy, with the hope that one day I will understand my triggers better and be able to deal with them in a more productive way.

Please be nice... I know this effects more people than I could even know. This is just the beginning of  my story.

Much Love,

Products I Can't Live Without | Bronzers

I think I started using bronzer when I was about 15...ish...

Probably ending up with a look that was not becoming, especially teamed with my favourite blue lipstick (it was the fashion then ok...)

In recent years, as contouring has become more and more popular I use mine for various things.

Contouring, Bronzing and even eyeshadow!

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer

I'm pretty sure this is a staple in most make up lovers make up bags, not just mine. This is the perfect shade for majority of skin tones and looks like a chocolate bar. 

It's matte and slightly smells of chocolate which is obviously a massive plus point!

It's perfect for bronzing when you don't want shimmer, and just as good for contouring too.

I have taken this with me to use as a triple threat before to save space:

• Bronzer
• Contour
• Eyeshadow

To use as eyeshadow I usually just use my finger and then blend with a fluffy brush into the crease. To be honest, I am guilty of using loads of my bronzers for this when I'm short of time or when I'm away from home. 

It retails for £7.99.

No.7 Match Made Bronzer

This was a present from my Auntie last Christmas and I love it!

Again I use this as a Triple Threat. 

It comes with a handy mirror too, which is great when you are out and about. I generally use this more for contouring than bronzing. 

It is also a matte bronzer and is in the shade Maple.

It retails for £12.50

Younique Beachfront Bronzer

This bronzer is great having a matte side as well as a shimmer side so you are able to mix and match as and when you want. 

This is in the shade Sunset, and as you can see, I need to repurchase rather rapidly, especially with summer approaching.

I love to use the matte side to contour and then the shimmer on top of my cheek bones to give that summer shimmery look. 

It retails for £25.

Products I Can't Live Without | Brows

So I'm a massive fan of using pressed powders to do my brows rather than pencils as I prefer the look they give me, plus I find them a lot easier to use!

I thought I'd do a mini review on the products I use now and that I couldn't live without.

I used to use a MAC eyeshadow with a 216 Brush, but that was in my make up bag when I lost it and I haven't got round to replacing them yet! 

MUA Quad: 

At the moment the High Street brow set I've been using is the MUA quad.

I really like this set, it comes with two brow shades, a highlight and a wax to set them. It also comes with a tiny brush which you definitely have to get used to using!

Although it's handy as it is double sided, so I use one side for the shadow and the other for the wax if I use it... Which I rarely do to be honest.

There were some dinky tweezers in this set when I brought it... Where they are now however is another question entirely! They weren't very easy to use and although the idea is great that you have everything in one palette, I think I may have got frustrated with them falling out and chucked them into the depths of my room... Oops!

This set is great especially for the price of £3.50.

The shades are really pigmented, the highlight is a nice matte and the wax is great to set them if you need to. I generally don't need to, and if I do, use my brow gel instead as I feel that it's a more natural look on the brows.

Younique Palette 2:

Although this is not packaged as a brow kit, back when Younique didn't have much in the way of brow products, I used 'Cocky' from Palette 2 and haven't looked back.

It's the perfect colour for my brows, and I use my Real Techniques brow brush. Don't get me wrong, for £38 it's probably rather a lot for a brow shade, however, the rest of the colours in this palette are beautiful so it is well worth it.

The colour is super pigmented and is really easy to use for my brows. I love to take this if I'm staying anywhere overnight or getting ready elsewhere as it means I have something for my brows as well as eyeshadows and highlight.

Benefit Gimme Brow:

I have two colours of this, to get the best colour for my brows.

I prefer using this to go over the top of what I end up creating with my quad or the Younique palette to set them.

I do like using these products, but I think I'm a powder and brush girl when it comes to my brows unfortunately.

For £16.99 it's great for what it is, and It's perfect if you are in a rush and don't have time to take time on your brows with powder as it fills them in and gives them good definition in half the time. 

What are your favourite high street and high end brow products?

Much Love,

T, x

Younique | Powder Lipsticks

Happy Wednesday! We are officially half way through the week, well done!

If you have been reading my blogs or following me for a while, you may know of my friend Emma by now.

She is a Younique presenter and therefore I end up with sneak peaks to new products which is amazing.

Unfortunately, these were a limited product and are no longer available for purchase - but I wanted to show you how amazing they are... sorry!

These are the most bizarre product I am yet to try from any company! They confuse your mind and make you question everything you have every known about lip products and make up in general!

I first tried them with Emma on a Facebook Live that she did for her customers. 

I then purchased my favourite two out of the pack to show you guys how insanely good they are.

The colours I got were Captivating and Curvaceous - and they are a powder consistency... strange I know.

Upon applying, I ensure to take the excess product off the applicator as it is very easy to think you should tap it as you would do with most powder products. I do this to try and keep as much product in the container as possible.

The applicator itself is really easy to use and is a great shape. When the powder goes on your lips, it gives a slightly warming feeling, which takes a little getting used to.

The products are super pigmented and are true to the colours above.

They are great colour and look amazing on, so I'm sorry you are unable to purchase them. Here's hoping they will bring them back!


Much Love,

Tk xxx

New Vlog Up | Pottering

Hey Guys,

New vlog is up, which is basically me pottering around, playing with my kittens and doing my make up.

Give it a like and subscribe if you can.

Much Love,

Tk xxx

Products I Can't Live Without | Concealers

To celebrate my 100th published post on my blog I have decided to start a series on my blog of 'Products I can't live without'

I will be posting these once a week on a Friday and hope you guys get involved too. Comment and let me know your favourites or products you can't live without.

To start, I'm going to do Concealers as that's what I tend to start with when doing my make up routine, however, my posts may not follow this trend going forward, just to warn you!

First Up...

Collection 2000

This is an oldy but a goody... anyone who loves make up will know about this concealer but I couldn't not include it as it's a product I can't live without.

I tend to use this for under eye circles more than anything else, and this is probably the millionth tube I have repurchased.

Retailing for just £3.99 it's super affordable and easy to pick up at most high street stores, such as Boots and Superdrug.

Younique

I have two of the Mineral Touch Skin Perfecting concealers by Younique. One in the shade Scarlet and the other in Organza. 

I tend to use Scarlet for under my eye to brighten and Organza for any blemishes. It is super thick and has insanely good coverage.

Retailing for £23, it may seem expensive, but it is sooo worth it and lasts forever! This can be purchased here. 

Benefit 

I have been using Erase Paste for as long as I have been using concealer. It is a great concealer for pretty much every use you could wish for. 

This isn't as thick as the Younique one but I still like to warm it up a bit on my hand before applying to ensure I get the most from it and don't waste any product.

This retails for £17.50 and can be found online and in stores. 

Favourite Summer Perfume

So as it is now officially spring, or near as damn it...

Naturally I want to talk about all things summer!

I have quite a few perfumes at the moment, but a few years ago my Gran purchased this for me and I loved it.

I found this cure little set in Boots recently for something ridiculous like £11 for both the perfume and the candle.

I had to pick it up as like I say, summer is just around the corner and this is my fave scent to use throughout summer.

It has rose and moroccan orange flower as well as jasmine, violet and patchouli to give it an amazing scent. If you haven't tried it before I would suggest doing so!

The Ghost Eclipse is a 30ml bottle within the set, so I will save this until summer really hits! 

Then you also get this super cute candle in the same colour ways as the perfume and it says 'Day Dreamer' on it which I love. It smells exactly like the fragrance and I can't wait to get it burning. 

Do you have a favourite summer perfume?

Much Love

TK xxx

p.s. If you haven't seen my most recent video, I show you what I got for my Birthday albeit in horrendously bad lighting, please don't judge, click here.

Nail Varnish | Sort Through

So, if you don't follow me on social... (if not why not?!)

Tweet me: @tklou7

Insta: @Tklou

Youtube: Tk Lou

Facebook: Tklou7

You may or may not have seen that I'm currently not very well. Being signed off might be the best thing for some people, but I hate being ill, missing out on things I need to be doing at work and not being able to even do anything here.

Today... day two, I decided to sort through my nail varnishes as I was so bored and have been putting it off for a good few years.

Knowing when we move back to Jack's parents we won't have masses of space has clearly kicked my butt into gear.

So I decided to try and do some stuff from my sick bed.

I had this rather large box to get through...

I really thought about colours I actually wear. I get my nails done with acrylic quite regularly so it's very rare that I actually paint my nails, so I wanted to keep colours I would actually use on these occasions rather than the puke hello that has been hiding at the bottom for probably 3 years...

I also wanted too ensure I had some for my toenails as I paint these a lot more regularly, but tend to only use nude colours unless I'm on holiday, so made a point to remember that too.

After going through them all I now have a box of colours I love as well as being a lot more compact.

I also have a small pile of colours to give away - the rest were old and horrible! I will see if any of my cousins want them.

This is the pile to throw away! To be fair, some of these are about 5 years old if not more... It was time...

I also decided to paint my nails while I was sorting through as, well, why not?! This is the colour Marshmallow and is a rather nice shade of pink.

Next up to be sorted will be my make up and clothes I think - as I can do them from my bed too.

Hope you are all well.

Much Love,

Tk xxx

High Street Eye Liners | On A Budget

I've compiled a list of my favourite high street eyeliners at the minute for you all!

Gel Liner

I used to love using Gel liners and haven't used any in a while. I asked Jack to pick me some bits up last weekend as we were going out and he did very well in choosing this.

It's the Rimmel Gel Liner and is only £7.99 which is a bargain.

These Gel Liners last for ages and once you get the knack, are super easy to apply.

I love that they stay on for ages, so are great for a day out or for a night on the town!

It comes with a brush but I actually find it easier to use the Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush, but each to their own.

No.7 Liquid Liner

This was a back of the drawer review find!

I have a drawer crammed with new products to review and had a look through the other day as I wanted a liquid liner and couldn't find any of my others.

It is a super easy nib to use and gives a nice line, great for a cat eye or winged eye look.

Costing just £8.50 its a great price.

Collection Extreme Pen Liquid Liner

This is one of my all time faves. 

I purchased this a while back and this is my 2nd or 3rd re-purchase. 

It is just £2.99 and is so easy to use. I love it. It is definitely a staple for any girls make up bag!

For under £3 you can't go wrong really. This would be great for anyone who is afraid of liquid liner to practise with too. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Pencil Liner

This is super cheap and is one of the best pencil liners I have used in a while.

It's really pigmented and doesn't drag on your eye, even if using it on the lid... as long as you remember to sharpen it obviously!

At only £3.99 it's great for anyone on a budget too.


What are you favourite high street eye liners?

Much Love,

Tk

xxx

30 Before 30

So a couple of weeks ago I turned 29 and it started me thinking about all the things I have done so far in my life.

• I am finally in a job that I love and that challenges me every day.
• I have the best family and friends around me who know how to make me laugh and to pick me up when I'm down.
• The biggest challenge in my life so far was when I went travelling to Australia for almost a year on my own. It was the best thing I ever did, and I always advise people to go if they can!

But I feel like I need to do more before the big 3-0.

So I have come up with a list of things I want to do, some small and others rather large!

I do feel like some may be slightly unachievable but I love a challenge.

So here goes... (no specific order)

• Walk over the O2 Arena
• See a show on Broadway 
• Drink a pint of Guinness in Ireland
• Go to Gay Pride in Brighton
• Have a girls holiday                      
• Swim with Sharks/Shark Diving
• Buy a Designer handbag.               
• Take part in a cooking class     
• Spend a day at Spitalfields Market
• Visit Scotland
• Visit an Ice Bar
• Break a world record (this was a suggestion from a work friend...she's finding one for me apparently... !)              
• Start to learn Turkish (I was always horrendously crap at learning languages in school, but I go to Turkey every year at least once and have done for 13 years as my grandma has an apartment there so I figure I should probably learn some!)
• Learn more about cars (I'm seriously crap when it comes to cars and as I use one every day I should learn a bit more!)
• Take more pictures and learn more about photography. 

• Actually get a proper skincare routine in place and stick to it! 
• Go to a Disney Afternoon Tea
• Visit Harry Potter World in Florida
• Finish 100 Books in the year
• Save a deposit for a house
• Sing at an Open Mic Night (Super scary! although I used to do musical theatre, I don't like being able to see the audience!)
• Make more memories with my family and friends. 
  
• Start Pole Dancing (I've heard it's great for fitness!)
• Move up in my job
• Enjoy a Sunrise and Sunset with Jack
• Lose 4 Stone (I have started Slimming World and am on it!)
• Reach 1,000 followers across my Social Media
• Reach 1,500 unique visits a month on here
• Reach 100 subscribes on my Youtube channel
• Be on the radio - (I have actually completed this one- I was on Radio One's 'Whats my age again' last week!)

Did any of you have a list like this? Did you manage to complete it?

Much Love, 

Tk xx