Make nose straight without surgery - a review of

I have a deviated septum and I’ve had it all my life. Some people get deviated septums as the result of injury, not me. Unfortunately, I was born with the defect. 

Deviated septum is basically when the cartilage in your nose is not lined up properly and blocks the air flow into your sinuses. In my case, the cartilage blocks my left nostril, but breathing is still possible for me. Also, the tissue inside both my nostrils is always swollen.   

Here are the symptoms of having a deviated septum:

• Blockage of one or both nostrils
• Nasal congestion, sometimes on one side
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Frequent sinus infections
• Facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip

On really good, allergy-free days, I could breathe out of my right nostril and a little bit of my left nostril.  I saw an Ear Nose Throat doctor last month and he recommended nasal septoplasty (fixing the cartilage) and interior turbinate reduction (cutting away some of the overgrown tissue inside my nose).  I had done some reading online a while back and read really positive stories about it. However, I’m a quite hesitant to go under a knife. I’m not that sure I would like to have something on my face altered. So I decided to look if there’s an alternative to surgery.

While doing my research, I stumbled upon some blogs talking about a device called the Perfect Nose Straightener Pro. has a patented HTEB (Hyperthermic Elastobasaltic) silicones that emits an optimal temperature of 110°F(43°C) upon contact on 6 external nasal focal points and 4 internal nasal focal points that is proven to align the entire nasal structure from the top bridge to the tip of the nose including the nostrils. The Polyvinyl Chloride frame exerts a pressure of 45 mmHg on both the external lateral side of the nasal bridge as well as the internal medial septum of the nose for nasal cartilage and bone reshaping. The device uses heat and pressure in reshaping the nose safely and effectively.

I purchased one online to try and see if it could do something good for my nose. It is very easy to use. You just have to hold the device with your thumbs and index fingers and separate them gently while inserting the inner HTEBs of the device inside the nostril up to the point of comfort. After 20 days of using the Perfect Nose Straightener Pro, I have seen that my nose, particularly the nasal bridge, became straighter. I can also breathe better than I did before. I think I don’t need to get nasal septoplasty anymore. The device already did the right job for my nose.

If you are curious about the Perfect Nose Straightener Pro, you can check out their website at http://www.perfectnosenonsurgical.com 

Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon

It’s been a long time coming that I’ve needed to purchase something from Charlotte Tilbury. I’ve read numerous reviews and spent plenty of time on the website swooning over various bits and pieces. So, I finally caved and bought a few bits. One of which being the Colour Chameleon in Champagne Diamonds.

I specifically took the trip to Selfridges in Oxford Street so I could get my swatch on. Unfortunately it was absolutely rammed at the CT stand and I had to fight my way through a hoard of people just to catch a glimpse at the brown and gold packaging. When I’d finally made my way through the tsunami of people (using mainly my elbows and a very loud ‘EXCUSE ME’) I grabbed the eye shadow pencils and swatched away. Once the back of my hand resembled that of a multi-colored zebra I pondered over which was my favourite colour. They all looked gorgeous and glided on so beautifully. I wanted them all. After some serious thinking I decided that the champagne colour was best as it would be brilliant for every day. Also, at further investigation the champagne colour is recommended for to those with blue eyes…it was clearly meant to be.

I’ve only tested this out once so far, and it looked amazing. There is a generous amount of sparkle and glitter in the product giving it a very glamorous effect. The glitter did travel slightly down my face, but not to the extent that I looked like I’d bumped uglies with Edward Cullen. The staying power seemed to be pretty damn good. No creases, no smudging and certainly no fading. I’ll be interested to see what the others shades look like and will be 100% buying some more.

MAC TOLEDO: KINDERGARTEN RED AND VICTORIANA

Suddenly living near a MAC Counter is taking its toll on my purse.

I mentioned in my last Toledo Haul I felt the need to also own the red blush. The third one, the peachy one, was completely disappointing in pigmentation and was not allowed to come home with me.

I’m sorry to blab about a MAC LE from last month when everyone is already three LEs farther. But I’m super not interested in all that super duper limited stuff and the Toledo LE was right there and I really like the packaging.

So what I got was the ombre blush in Kindergarten Red, the lipstick in Victoriana and the Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Trust in Red (regular lineup, not part of the LE). I guess you could say I’m having a red phase.

Here’s Kindergarten Red in all its glory! While the outer carton packaging had red going around, separating it from Azalea Blossom with its black packaging, the actual blush packagings are identical on the outside. On the inside Kindergarten Red goes from very pale pink to a mid tone red.

Swatches. First the pale pink, barely visible, but there. Then the red from the bottom. Last swatch is once swirled through. The combined color can be easily influenced lighter or darker depending on where you pick up the most powder. The whole blush is softer than the other two, making it easier to pick up color. Of course that means I have to be more careful in application. The top stripe also makes for a good non-shimmery highlighter.

Victoriana lipstick. The packaging feels satiny.

Swatch of Victoriana. The finish is matte. It’s not retro matte like Ruby Woo, but matte enough. The usual warnings about matte lipstick apply here: lips must be prepped, lipstick is drying etc etc. Wear time is good, but not perfect. (To be honest, the L’Oreal ones last a little bit better.) Application is very easy, it glides on nicely and takes a second to set, so I can correct mistakes. That makes it a lot easier to apply than Ruby Woo.

The color of Victoriana is a red with blue undertones.

Color comparison swatch left to right: L’Oreal Blake’s Red, Victoriana and the lip liner Trust in Red. Both Blake and Trust are more pinky than Victoriana. I don’t have Ruby Woo, but I swatched it in the store and Victoriana has more blue than Ruby Woo. (The reason I’m mentioning that one so often is that I meant to buy Ruby Woo, but changed my mind while swatching.)

The Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Trust in Red is pretty much the same color as the Kiko lip pencil in Fire Red. I got the MAC one in hopes of it bleeding less than the Kiko one. I’ll have to do some more testing but I do think it works. Trust in Red is a red pencil with strong blue undertones. That means I still need a true red one.

So I went on a berry spending ban only to end up with tons of reds. Oh dear.

Bargain Brands : Stargazer

A bargain brand I’ve wanted to try for a while is Stargazer. A few years ago it was mentioned in the blogging world and I didn’t really pay any attention so I thought now was as good a time as ever to have a bit of a splurge. Everything I bought was under £5 and there was a huge range of products on the website. I tried to get a bit of everything without going too crazy. I’ll certainly be ordering some more bits from the brand and experimenting with some more vibrant colours (something Stargazer really specialises in). Even if you don’t order anything it’s worth taking a look at their fantastic range of costume eyeslashes and theatrical make up looks.

Lipstick in 102 & 120 £3.50 // I chose only two lipsticks from the huge variety of colours ad I’m not sure I picked the best two. 102 is as neon as you can get and I am determined to wear it at least once this summer. 120 is a peachy shade with a silver sheen running through it. This shade is far more wearable but slightly too pale for me. I will certainly be buying a few more lipsticks as they are super creamy and moisturising on the lips.

Blusher in 12 & 5 £3.50 // As as self proclaimed blush hoarder I struggled massively to pick only two shades of blush when ordering this haul. Both shades are hands down the most pigmented blushes I’ve used. The pinky/purple shade is just a vibrant on the skin as it is in the pan and the peachy shade creates a super healthy glow.

Eye Shadow in Flat Purple £4 // This bluey purple toned shadow really isn’t as pigmented as I had anticipated. It’s a nice creamy shadow that blends well but isn’t the vibrant shade I was hoping for. It makes a great transition shade when I want to add an understated pop of colour to my look.

Star Pearl Eye Shadow in Groovy Gold & Peach Flush £3 // These shadows look just as pretty on the eyes as they do in the pan. Both are richly coloured and have an iridescent finish.

I didn’t swatch the next two products are they are semi-permanent and I didn’t fancy having make up down my arm for the next couple of days.

Semi-Permanent Eyeliner in 1 £4 // The longevity of this was the most impressive factor. I struggle with itchy eyes and often find my liner has completety worn off around my tear duct, this stayed put all day no matter how much I rubbed my eyes. It isn’t as black as I’d like it to be and I did find myself adding some of my favourite liquid liner over the top to really make it black.

Semi-Permanent Lip Stain Pen in 7 £4 // This pen truly does stain the lips, for days if it’s not scrubbed off well enough. It’s pretty much the same as a standard felt tip pen, making it really easy to draw onto the lips. I was concerned about it being drying but it isn’t at all. I’ve worn this alone and with lipstick and gloss over the top.

KIKO LIPSTICK SWATCHES

As promised, today I’ll show you my newest Kiko lip products. I got two new liners and four lipsticks.

The liners are Smart lip pencils in 709 Magenta and 710 Rouge Noir. I’m on a liner trip and Magenta will go nice with my berries, while Rouge Noir will go with the very dark lippies.

The lipsticks are, from left to right: Smart Lipstick 923 Peony Purple, and three Luscious Cream Lipsticks in 522 Black Cherry, 524 Taupe and 500 Shell Rose. I almost picked up 523 Black as well, but I figured I can always get it later.

The smart lip pencil has a normal packaging, but the Luscious lipsticks come in a really annoying packaging where you have to push at the top first before you can pull it apart. Pushing at the top always feels like I’m breaking off my nail. :( (edit: actually broke my nail later on. only open this with knuckle!)

Swatch time. Lipsticks in the same order as above, first Peony Purple, which is a shiny sheer violet color. I checked it and colorwise it is a dupe for MAC Heroine, but Heroine is of course matte and opaque.

Underneath is Black Cherry, which is a dupe for MAC Cyber, both in color and in finish. (Pfft I had typed Smoked Purple first. But that one is matte. Both Black Cherry and Cyber are creamy!) Black Cherry is very creamy and very dark. It’s easy to accidentally end up looking like Marilyn Manson had slept with makeup on.

Then there’s Taupe, which is, well, taupe. It’s certainly a unique shade of lipstick to have. It ends up darker on the lips than in this swatch and very obviously grey, I feel very witchy wearing it.

Last is Shell Rose, a very pale nude. I think it’s an ultra sexy nude, but the color is very unforgiving of any redness in the face.

All lipsticks are creamy and as such not drying at all. (Although I gotta admit for the intense colors I would have preferred them to be matte.) They don’t have the lasting power of a matte, but they manage four hours even with drinking and small snacks. Not a full meal, though.

The squiggles underneath are the lip liner swatches. The darker one is Rouge Noir, which is still not all that dark if you ask me. And the inner squiggle is Magenta. I like the smart lip pencils, they are super cheap and very long lasting. I’m not 100% sure about the colors though. I meant to wear Rouge Noir with Black Cherry, but now I’m thinking I have to buy MAC’s Cyber World lip pencil after all.

Out of all these my biggest recommendation is the nude 500 Shell Rose. It wears well and is the most normal color out of these, haha. It goes so well with intense eye makeup. If you like Heroine but wish it was sheer, check out Peony Purple.

Maybellinne Colorshow Bouquet

I put on a layer of Maybelline‘s 430 Bouquet as an accent nail atop of Essie‘s Stones n’Roses. I thought the colors would go well together. Bouquet is a glitter topper with medium sized and small white, pink and rose gold hex glitter in a clear base. The colors are so cute and would go with so many bases. However, application was difficult. I had to fish for pretty much every piece of glitter, which, considering that the glitter is not so big in the first place, is pretty annoying. Then I couldn’t drag it on, I had to pat it in places and it would still try to clump in one place! And then it dried to a matte finish, which made everything really patchy! So I slapped on glossy top coat (Essie Good to Go) and called it a day, which is why it doesn’t look very impressive up there. Sorry.

I am disappointed in this glitter, it is just as terrible as the L’Oreal glitter with exactly the same issues, except at least the L’Oreal glitter readily jumped onto the brush. If you want easy to apply glitter with good glitter payoff and shiny finish, look elsewhere (essence or OPI for example); the only reason to get this one is if you really want this exact color combination.

Lush Review

As a self-professed skincare junkie, I waver between being fiercely loyal to my 10 or so favourite skincare products and being willing to try just about anything to achieve flawless skin.

Serums seem to be the mode du jour of the skincare world, and I figured I would hop on the bandwagon. I purchased Lush’s “Full of Grace” facial serum on a whim thanks to a charming shop girl and the reasonable price tag of 14.95 CAD for a 20 g bar.

My first impressions were that the 20 g solid bar appeared somewhat inconvenient to use- Lush’s massage bars never impressed me, so I was skeptical of the format. The girl in the shop convinced me that this product was exactly what I needed to complete my skincare routine, showed me how to apply it with ease, and claimed the product to be long-lasting and at least worth a try.  Sold.

I have been using this serum every second night for two weeks, and I must say I am very impressed! Before bed, I simply wash my face as usual, apply my eye cream (Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado), my moisturizer (Simple’s Replenishing Rich Moisturizer) and then finish with a generous application of Full of Grace. To apply the serum I simply rub the bar between my hands for a few seconds to warm the product, once there is a substantial amount on my hands, I then apply the product directly to my face. This product leaves the skin with a dewy (read: shiny) appearance, but fret-not, it will soak in as you sleep. I woke up after the first use with noticeably brighter and softer skin. Since then, I have not noticed a huge change in results between the first use and now, but I have woken up consistently with glowing skin, and I am incredibly pleased with this product overall!

On Lush’s website, Full of Grace has a 4.6/5 rating, as well as a 95% recommendation rate.

Worth-noting, is the richness of this product. I recommend only using this product at bedtime, or on a day you are simply lounging around the house. This is not a light enough formula to go underneath makeup.

Overall, I recommend this product to those with normal, dry, or sensitive skin, as well as those with concerns such as uneven skin tone, as someone who seems to “collect” acne scars, this product has been a huge help. Even if you are simply looking to pamper your skin from time to time, this product may prove to be a fantastic addition to your skincare regimen!