Review Time: How To Be Prepared

REVIEW TIME


For a majority of the architecture students at my uni, the last week was a grueling, stressful nightmare, fighting time to finish our projects. Studying architecture, for every project we have a final review and for those who don't know, this is when our studio tutors critique our response to a brief which the whole year is given. I found that I coped pretty well with the deadline, but I know that people using computers to draw up their designs struggled, especially when they were new to the software.

Throughout the reviews you could definitely tell who struggled and who was prepared, and I'm not going to lie, my mind got a bit sidetracked and started thinking how people could have avoided this. I know that being organized isn't as simple for some than it is others, but I feel that by reminding myself of certain things I need to do, people in similar positions might benefit (maybe somewhat?!).

Things I do to prepare myself, usually in this order are...

1) Write a list of things I need to do 
You can never have enough scrap paper set aside for lists

2) Set reasonable achievements
If you think something will take a certain time, add some more time, it'll usually take longer with procrastination and all

3) Keep up with your course mates
Living with other architect students who all work at different paces, I find that knowing I'm at the same level as someone else re-assures me that I will finish in time

4) Tick things off of your list!
When I see how much I've achieved I feel really good about myself

5) Eat healthy (and don't stop taking vitamins!)
If a deadline is approaching, you don't need to be ill and spending a day in bed, getting more stressed about the work you need to do

6) Get a good nights sleep & get some me-time
When we're tired, we don't want to make decisions, we just want to sleep. Also, you don't want to present your project zombie-style


Those are the things which I have found keep me sane when coming up to a review or an important deadline, and I know everyone works different and these are probably things people have said before, but they really do work!! 

If all else fails, at least be proud and confident about the end result, then you can fool anyone.

Simples!

Instagram of Final Review Layout

Review: Real Techniques Brushes

REAL TECHNIQUES

vv

Expert Face Brush & Powder Brush

Hello Internet!

On this lovely Saturday morning, the sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky, and I'm still in bed, wanting to make up for a lack of posting since I started this blog.

The Real-Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman (one half of Pixiwoo on Youtube) are raved about by everyone and anyone who have tried them, and my opinion is no different. Though I don't have much to compare them to (cheap H&M make-up brushes and an M&S set), on first view, the brush looks professional, and the bristles look thick and full, which is definitely enough to make me take it off the shelf and have a look!

When I opened the packaging on both of these, the first thing I noticed was the softness of the bristles (it was just difficult not to touch them!). However because they are used for different purposes, I will go into detail about each.

POWDER BRUSH 1401

As you can see from the first picture in this post, the size of this brush is considerably larger. For me, this is great for the amount of product it picks up and spreads evenly over my foundation. It doesn't make powder look cakey and thick, like if you were to use a more dense brush, but leaves a micro-thin layer, producing a much more natural look. 

I use this brush to apply setting powder, however it can also be used for a sweep of bronzer all over the face, and for a light mineral foundation (if you're not looking to build up coverage). 

The bristles are synthetic, though I'm not sure what the difference would be between real-hair bristles and these. They definitely don't feel like real hair at the base, but the end of the brush feels nice to the touch, and not itchy like my H&M 'budget brush'. 

I've used this brush with 3 different powders so far, and as long as they are the right shade (I bought a powder in a hurry... don't out to be a bit orange!), it produces great results and is easy to work with.

EXPERT FACE BRUSH

 In comparison to the powder brush, the bristles on the expert face brush are much more firm, and densely compact. This makes it good for applying any liquid based foundation or BB cream, because it is able to pick up a substantial amount of product, but then blend it out well with the tapered edges. 

The size of the brush is much smaller than the powder brush, which allows the user to focus on areas, and apply in all the nooks and crannies on their faces (or at least that's how it works for me!).

When applying foundation though, one thing i found was that you have to work with the brush, then it will blend seamlessly. I used to not spend a lot of time blending my foundation, haphazardly using my fingers, thinking a brush would hold too much bacteria, and just make my pores clogged. When i first tried this brush, foundation was still 'streaked' across my skin, (clearly not applied properly), but it definitely produces better results with a bit more time spent. 

Overall, both of these brushes provide quality and value for money. They fulfill their purposes, and have improved my understanding of how to apply foundation minus the use of fingers. 

I read some reviews on these brushes before I bought both of them, and I saw one comment about the bristles falling out after washing them, however this hasn't happened with me, and I've washing them both plenty of times. To wash them I use a facial cleansing soap bar, and basically scrub all the dirt out of them! I could be a bit more gentle to them, but I like knowing that I've tried my best to get them as clean as I can, and it definitely hasn't changed the quality of the bristles from when I first opened the box. As for drying time, I usually thoroughly ring them out before leaving them, and then they'll take about a day. I also leave them next to the window so they've got a bit of a breeze (don't know whether that helps or not).

 I know we've only just got into November, but they would be great as a Christmas gift for a girl just getting into make up or someone looking for good quality brushes to expand their collection!

Another added bonus, they stand up on my dresser, great for displaying them in all their glory!

Prices at Amazon

Real Techniques Powder Brush £10.99

At the moment on Amazon they are £8.66, which is a great bargain  then you could go on to use Super Saver Delivery if you went and bought another brush and spent over £10!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99

On Amazon at the moment at £6.66, so another bargain there!

Prices at Boots

Real Techniques Powder Brush £12.99

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99

However Boots sometimes have Buy One Get One Half Price deals which apply to these brushes. It's all about getting the good bargain at the right time and doing your research!

First Review! SOAP AND GLORY: Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara

SOAP AND GLORY

Thick & Fast Super Volume Mascara

Hello Internet!

I thought I'd start this blog on a good note, with a very pleasing product.

The main things I look for in a mascara are:

1. No smudge under the eye
2. Lengthen lashes
3. Volume
4. Ability to paint bottom lashes

There is little fuss made on the packaging, which at first forced me under estimate the product, and the shape makes it practical (it can stand up on display on my vanity!). The brush has a thick, fat, natural bristle comb, with the ability to hold plenty of product (as seen in the picture below, in comparison to a Maybelline product). The packaging design makes the handle sturdy, simple handle, that I'm not likely to drop and ruin my top for the day.

Left: Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Volume
Right: Maybelline The Colossal Volum'
Express Cat Eye

Now onto the product: here's photo evidence of the mascara's performance! (Bearing in mind I didn't use curlers on that day)

No Mascara

One Coat Applied
1:52pm

Two Coats Applied

Approx. 3 Hours Later
4.46pm

Approx 8 Hours Later
1:11am

It's what it says on the tin, the formula seems thick, and seems to get better the longer you own it, which just doesn't seem right! Volume and length balance each other, and the colour creates drama on my short and lifeless lashes! 

An added bonus to the mascara: even when I don't use a curler with this mascara, it makes my lashes look as if they've been curled! My lashes don't respond to curlers too well; the curl never holds, or they get clumped together.

The proof is in the pudding (or the pictures). I've owned the mascara since Christmas 2012, and I know you're meant to change your mascara every 4-6 months, but now I've found something that works for me, I won't let that get in my way! Definitely worth the price compared to cheaper brands, lives up to its name, and stands the test of time too.

RRP £10

Available at Boots in black only