Thursday 28 May 2020

Easy Zombie Makeup Tutorials

Well, after many years, and many people asking me to do makeup tutorials, I have finally put two together. The first one is a very easy zombie look, using only four different eye shadows, eye liner, lip pencil and lip gloss. The second video is a sequel to the first, creating a "special effect" of protruding zombie eye sockets using just spirit gum, cotton balls and the same eye shadows as before. I filmed these about six weeks ago and, after much procrastinating, ending in a very rushed study of iMovie earlier today, I have finally published them. 
 

Please note, these are NOT in any way professional. These tutorials are real-time videos of me doing a makeup look with the tools I have to hand. I say Umm a lot. And ramble about past Halloweens and other looks I've done. Previously, when I have searched for ideas online for past makeup looks, I was often annoyed by the materials and tools that were used. Not everyone has liquid latex or an air brush in their makeup arsenal! I am unwilling to spend $$$$ on makeup, so I use what I already have. Apart from the Spirit Gum, you most likely have access to most if not all of these items already too, or can find them very cheaply. 


Well, here you go. I hope you enjoy. If people like these I might be brave enough to do more. After all, it's only 156 days until Halloween!

Saturday 23 May 2020

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #12

Hello my lovelies, for my Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation tip for today, I want to talk about combining necessary tasks with having fun. For example, like I said in the video, I have not done laundry in over two months. Not because I'm taking advantage of not seeing anyone and being gross and lazy, but because I genuinely have SO many clothes that I don't need to! And what is the point of creating extra work for yourself? 
So I have been going through my clothes and dressing up in fun, random outfits at home, and also making note of what I don't need and am unlikely to wear again. So once I sort through everything, I can donate all the excess to a good cause. I'm amusing myself, but also being productive. 


The same concept could be applied to your food cupboards and pantries. Do you have a bunch of ingredients that you're not sure what to do with? Why not cook something, Chopped style, and see what you can create? Have a clear out of old craft supplies and create a fun activity for your family to enjoy! I know some of you live very neat, minimalist lives already, and kudos to you, but for those of you, like me, that don't, this is a good opportunity to assess what you have and downsize. 

Thursday 14 May 2020

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Did you know that May is Fibromyalgia Awareness month? And this year, 12th May was the official Fibromyalgia Awareness Day! I wrote a fairly lengthy Blog post a couple of years ago about my experience with this disease, which you can find HERE.
You can show your support by wearing a purple ribbon and/or a butterfly, in honour of those who fight Fibromyalgia daily, as well as those fighting for a cure.
I have Fibro Awareness Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings and Bookmarks available in my Etsy Shop, OriginalSinArt. (link in Bio)
PLEASE NOTE, 25% of the cost of these items will be donated to the NFA, the National Fibromyalgia Association, who fight to raise awareness and find a cure for this debilitating disease that is still so misunderstood. This is a cause very close to my heart since I too, am a Fibro Warrior. Please check out www.fmaware.org to find out more.

Wednesday 6 May 2020

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #11

How are you all coping with the craziness my lovelies? I must admit, I’ve been struggling with things lately. I am so very grateful to my wonderful friends and family for checking in on me and making sure I know they’re there.

So for my official Introvert’s Guide to Self Isolation tip for today, I want to talk about looking after your mental as well as physical well-being. Make sure you stay in touch with your loved ones, even if you can’t see them in person right now. Check in on them, have them check in on you. It is okay to admit that you’re having a hard time dealing with things right now. We all are! This is a crazy, scary, insane time and no one was prepared for the impact it is having on our general well-being. So be kind to yourselves. Take those naps. Eat the comfort food. It’s perfectly acceptable to not be functioning at your highest peak right now. Do what you can, when you can, and don’t worry about the rest. Stay safe, and look after yourselves and each other. 


An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #10

Hello my lovelies. It’s been a while since I posted an Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation, and I actually forgot to post this one here a couple of weeks ago, although you may have seen the first video on my Instagram or Facebook feeds. The mask was the result of a recent poll I did, haha!


I’d like to talk about marking special occasions, even if you can’t be with the people you love to celebrate with in person. I have lived abroad for 15 years now, and find it especially difficult around my birthday, Christmas, and other special occasions, being so far away from home. Lately I have heard from so many people who are struggling because they can’t be with their loved ones right now. That’s even harder on special occasions, when all you want to do is celebrate with your friends and family. I empathise! But I feel we are extremely lucky to live in a time where technology can help to keep us close. Seriously, what would we do without the internet, without FaceTime, without WhatsApp, without Zoom?
Birthday costume changes! Because, why not??
Yes it is so hard being apart from all our loved ones, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun together! So for my birthday I dressed up in something pretty, (Actually, several somethings. There were costumes changes!) and drank, and listened to music, and shared all of that via my Facebook party. I think this is a great way to break the monotony of lockdown, and forget our troubles for a little while. I’m sure most of us are tired of being stuck at home by now, so use any excuse to dress up and make it a fun occasion! And share it with your friends! There is no reason you can’t have a remote cocktail party, or play games, or listen to music, or watch a movie together!



Wednesday 15 April 2020

Day 369 of self isolation...

Day 369 of self isolation. My transformation into a zombie is complete. The sofa has begun to absorb my rotting flesh and the stench of hopelessness mingles with decay. The carrion birds are circling. I can’t feel my legs. Send more snacks.

Wait... What do you mean you don’t dress up like a zombie to scare the neighbours?? What have you been doing with your quarantine time?? Come on people, you’re letting the side down! 

Okay, in reality, I decided to film a gory makeup tutorial to amuse myself, so here’s a sneak peek. It’s definitely a look that should keep people at least six feet away from you, don’t you think?!
Hopefully it won’t take me too long to figure out how to edit the tutorials. If anyone has a particular EASY app they use, please let me know.




Thursday 9 April 2020

An Introvert's Guide To Self Isolation #9

Happy Thursday everyone! How are you all coping with the craziness? I am on day 28 of not leaving the house, and honestly haven’t noticed much difference! Introverts truly do have an advantage right now!

My Introvert’s Guide To Self Isolation tip for today is: If you’re working from home, try to get up and dressed and keep to some kind of schedule as much as possible. Yes, everything is going to be more lax, and your boss won’t know if you indulged in a liquid lunch, but you might find your productivity levels are better if you get up and dressed and work at your desk. 


I know it is so tempting to just lounge about in your pjs all day, and I think everyone deserves those kind of days from time to time, but for the most part, try to stick to a regular routine. I am very lucky to be able to work from home and choose my own hours, since with five autoimmune diseases (at last count...) I would really struggle to be out in a regular workplace. So my daily commute from my bed to my office is not far, and I can wear whatever I want, (including unicorn costumes if I so desire!) but I do find that I get a lot more done when I am dressed in regular clothes.

And you’d be surprised how much fun you can have doing your regular work while dressed up in silly costumes and listening to some of your favourite music!
... Then again, maybe the cabin fever is getting to me?