Hy everyone!
It has been quite a while since I last posted because I've actually been really busy! I haven't even had time to choose what course I'm going to start in June!
My sister is taking part in the Debs and Squires fundraising campaign for her school which requires that she raises a certain amount of money before she is allowed to attend the dance; so the last two weeks I have been up to my elbows in flour and cocoa and other baking essentials. It was fun for the first day or two but gets rather tedious when you're doing the same thing over and over every day. I'm usually so tired that I'm in bed by 22h00 - I know you're thinking that it sounds idillic, but it really isn't!
Also this week I managed to get struck by a nasty bout of bronchitis which my sister brought home from school. Karen, my dad and myself spent the greater part of last week taking handfuls of tablets, coughing and sleeping. All in all, I just haven't had the time or the energy to post much.
In December, I cut my hair REALLY short. All off. Gone. For a while it was great, especially since I did it in the spirit of starting my life over, new beginnings and change, but now I miss my long hair! I'm very fortunate to have healthy, shiny hair that doesn't require much work. In fact, most mornings I could just wash and brush it and not worry about it again for the rest of the day. Basically, I just want it back!
Thus, I did a little research. I Googled how to make your hair grow longer and faster, I watched videos, I read magazines and I even asked my stylist. And eater all that, the answer was: nothing. Every body has tips and tricks to make your hair grow HEALTHIER, but alas it is not possible to speed up the growth of your hair without spending excessive amounts of money on "products".
The tips that I did take notice of are:
1. Massage your scalp gently two/three times a week to increase the blood flow which will in turn bring more nutrients to the roots of your hair.
2. Don't wash your hair every day.
3. Don't style your hair every day.
4. Don't blow dry your hair, leave it to dry naturally.
5. Deep condition your hair once a month.
6. Brush your hair upside down, this will also increase blood flow and ensure that your hair's natural oils are spread over your hair to protect it. (No, it does not make your hair oily and greasy).
7. Vitamin B and biotin are essential for hair growth, taking supplements will actually help!
8. Last but not least, a healthy diet is super important to keep hair (and nails and skin etc.) healthy!
I'm trying all of these tips as of this week, and I'll let you know whether it worked and how well it worked.
I will post more frequently again as from now, I promise!
Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram (@lynxvzyl) and send me messages and comments and stuff, I'd love to hear what you have to say and how you make your hair grow long and healthy?
Chat soon, xxx
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Odds and Ends
Hey guys!
Today's post is just a quick update about what's going on at the moment.
Firstly, I went to see a guidance counsellor about what to study. She made some very helpful suggestions and I would definitely recommend the idea to any body who may be stuck and doesn't know where to go from here. It seems that I will be looking at something sciencey, but more towards the natural and environmental sciences than medical sciences for example.
There was a bit of a storm here last night and we woke up this morning to find that this had happened literally meters from our gate!...
The last few days I've been reading a book that one of the teachers at my sister's school gave to me, it's called "Cause of Death" and was written by Patricia Cornwall. I love her books so much, they're exactly the kind that I enjoy! This one is a mystery/suspense novel, the seventh in a series about Dr Kay Scarpetta who is a medical examiner. I have yet to read the others, but I most definitely will as soon as I can find them!
On Sunday afternoon I was in the mood for something sweet, and just last week a friend gave me a recipe for cinnamon buns so I just had to try them! They turned out to be the most divine things I have ever made! Thank you to Taryn for suggesting them and sending the recipe to me! This is a tried and tested recipe but if you want to have a go, there are hundreds of recipes for different kinds of cinnamon buns available on the Internet! These didn't have yeast in them so they were really quick and fairly simple to make.
And while we're on the topic of baking, my dad and I made bread today! It had risen this much in just an hour...
That's all for now, I just thought I would tell you guys what I've been up to recently and maybe inspire you to do something yummy and different on the weekend!
Comment below if you would like the recipe for either the bread or the cinnamon buns or with ideas that I should try next time!
If you enjoyed this post, please be so kind as to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER; I will follow back and chat to any- and everybody!
You can also follow me on Instagram, my username is lynxvzyl, but I have no idea how to link that in a post yet.
Thank you so much for reading, xxx
Today's post is just a quick update about what's going on at the moment.
Firstly, I went to see a guidance counsellor about what to study. She made some very helpful suggestions and I would definitely recommend the idea to any body who may be stuck and doesn't know where to go from here. It seems that I will be looking at something sciencey, but more towards the natural and environmental sciences than medical sciences for example.
There was a bit of a storm here last night and we woke up this morning to find that this had happened literally meters from our gate!...
The last few days I've been reading a book that one of the teachers at my sister's school gave to me, it's called "Cause of Death" and was written by Patricia Cornwall. I love her books so much, they're exactly the kind that I enjoy! This one is a mystery/suspense novel, the seventh in a series about Dr Kay Scarpetta who is a medical examiner. I have yet to read the others, but I most definitely will as soon as I can find them!
On Sunday afternoon I was in the mood for something sweet, and just last week a friend gave me a recipe for cinnamon buns so I just had to try them! They turned out to be the most divine things I have ever made! Thank you to Taryn for suggesting them and sending the recipe to me! This is a tried and tested recipe but if you want to have a go, there are hundreds of recipes for different kinds of cinnamon buns available on the Internet! These didn't have yeast in them so they were really quick and fairly simple to make.
And while we're on the topic of baking, my dad and I made bread today! It had risen this much in just an hour...
That's all for now, I just thought I would tell you guys what I've been up to recently and maybe inspire you to do something yummy and different on the weekend!
Comment below if you would like the recipe for either the bread or the cinnamon buns or with ideas that I should try next time!
If you enjoyed this post, please be so kind as to FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER; I will follow back and chat to any- and everybody!
You can also follow me on Instagram, my username is lynxvzyl, but I have no idea how to link that in a post yet.
Thank you so much for reading, xxx
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Prime Time
Hi guys!
I hope you're all doing really well and enjoying the heat or the cold depending on which hemisphere you're in right now. It's been crazy hot here the last couple of weeks, but this is South Africa so it's not something that we aren't used to. I love the heat and much prefer summer to winter; probably because I'm more of an outdoorsy person and get really bored if I'm stuck inside for too long. Leave me a comment or tweet me your favourite season and why?
As you may have guessed, thanx to the title, this post is all about primers. Face/skin primers, eyelid primers and lip primers. What's the deal? Why are they suddenly so popular? Are they really necessary? When are they necessary? Do I have to go and buy one today? ... Actually, I don't even know what a primer is? HELP!
So, I went and did a little research for you guys. I know, you're welcome. Here's what I learnt...:
What Is Face/Skin Primer?
Face primer is a gel or a lotion which you apply after moisturiser and before foundation, like a second coat of moisturiser except it is deemed to have some other "magical" abilities. The whole idea behind primer is that it evens out your skin tone (that is if you're using a tinted primer) and hides fine lines and wrinkles by filling them out. Some primers are said to have collagen in them to 'lift' your skin before applying foundation.
Face primer's most important function is that it acts as a defence-mechanism for your skin. During the day, your skin breathes and if you are wearing any sort of foundation, powder, blush, bronzer or concealer, your skin is going to slowly absorb it over the course of the day. A primer's main function is to prevent that from happening and thus keep the impurities out of your skin and pores despite your extended wear of make up.
It's other function is to act as a base coat for any other make up that you may apply. Just like a base coat on your nails, primer gives the make up something to cling to during the day and prevents your make up from running or smudging or just disappearing in its totality. Primer is applied just like moisturiser or foundation with a brush or with your fingers.
Fair enough. So, What Is The RIGHT Primer For My Skin?
The type or primer that you should use really depends on your skin type; in other words normal, oily, dry or combination skin.
1. Normal Skin. If you have normal skin, you are one in a million and all other girls are jealous of you. You don't require a heavy primer since your skin will probably be pretty flawless and your foundation won't be a full coverage foundation either. In your case, primer will only be used to keep your skin clean and act as a base coat so a light, creamy formula will work best for you. Also, try to go for a colourless primer since you probably don't have much redness or blotchy patches. Lucky you!
2. Oily Skin. If you are a teenage girl then unfortunately this is the type that probably applies to you. Your most important task is to find a mattifying primer that will keep your skin matte (duh) for a longer period of time. It's essential that your primer does not feel heavy and cakey on your skin because that inevitably means that it's blocking your pores from breathing which will only lead to more oil! And trust me, if you already have oily skin that is the LAST thing you want.
3. Dry Skin. Quite simply you have to, I repeat, HAVE to find a primer that is plenty moisturising without any silicone. Silicone lifts your skin to make you look younger so it may seem tempting to give your skin more life, but it will simply rub off (along with any other make up that you apply afterwards) because your skin cannot absorb it without the help of a little oil.
4. Combination Skin. I'm afraid every article that I came across simply said that combination skin types will have to find a primer that works for each individual personally. It's best to stay away from silicone but mattifying isn't a great idea either. Make use of a light, creamy formula primer to keep both areas of skin happy.
Last but not least, 5. Sensitive Skin. If you have skin that becomes inflamed or irritated easily, your best bet is to use a water-based primer that does not contain silicone, oil or fragrance.
I looked through plenty of pictures of face primers to find one to post here but there are so many different types that I thought it best not to post one so that I didn't appear to be favouring one type if I haven't even tried it myself. Once I have tried a few brands, I will post pictures of my favourite.
Now I know which one I should use, but Is It Really Necessary?
So far, the research that has been done into face/skin primers suggests that a primer is not necessary for every day wear. Having said that, it is however going to vary depending on what your "every day" consists of; for example if you spend a lot of time in front of people or on camera, a primer is a very good idea to keep your make up from running. If you live in a very hot and humid climate or are very active throughout the day but have to (or want to) wear make up regardless, a primer might be necessary every day once again to keep your make up from running during the day. Lastly, a primer is a must for special occasions like weddings or matric farewells since you don't really have time to reapply or do touch-ups to your make up once the event is in full swing, but you want to keep looking your best right until the last moment.
I feel like I've been doing a lot of talking now and you guys have had to do a lot of reading so I'll keep this bit short and simple.
As with face/skin primers, eyelid and lip primers are used to keep the make up firmly in place all day. Personally, I feel eyelid primer is only necessary on special occasions when lots of photographs are going to be taken and you want to look your best the entire time. For every day use, simply applying a small amount of concealer on to your eyelid can achieve the same effect for a smaller budget. Even better, the exact same principles apply to lip primer. Concealer works really well as long as you've blended it in to your skin fairly well so that it doesn't begin to smudge after a couple of hours.
Some times I think that lipstick actually sticks to bare lips better than it does to concealer or primer, because both can make your lips very "wet" causing the lipstick to rub off easily when you eat or drink anything.
As with all my posts, this is merely my opinion after having done some research on the topic and I am by no means an expert, nor am I claiming to be one. If you feel differently about primers, leave me a comment so that we can all learn from each other. I appreciate all of your opinions and will take them in to account when leaving a reply.
On the personal side of things, tomorrow I'm going to a guidance counsellor to talk about my future. I'm actually pretty nervous so please think of me in the morning! Also, I know this was way too much reading, so if you are seeing this thank you for sticking around!
I photographed this little van in the minute town of Williston on our way down to Langebaan last year:
I thought it was just too cute and it is now my wallpaper on my iPad.
Thank you for reading all of that, I really hope that it helped to inform you a little more on primers! Comment anything you like and I promise to reply as soon as I can!
Also, TWEET ME! I follow back and reply to everything. (Yes, I do spend more than half my life on Twitter.)
Aaannnd, follow me on Instagram @lynxvzyl! The same applies to comments and following back.
Have a smashing Tuesday! Chat soon
xxx
I hope you're all doing really well and enjoying the heat or the cold depending on which hemisphere you're in right now. It's been crazy hot here the last couple of weeks, but this is South Africa so it's not something that we aren't used to. I love the heat and much prefer summer to winter; probably because I'm more of an outdoorsy person and get really bored if I'm stuck inside for too long. Leave me a comment or tweet me your favourite season and why?
 |
| http://ww2.valdosta.edu/~drcollins/fourseasonsnexticon8.jpg |
As you may have guessed, thanx to the title, this post is all about primers. Face/skin primers, eyelid primers and lip primers. What's the deal? Why are they suddenly so popular? Are they really necessary? When are they necessary? Do I have to go and buy one today? ... Actually, I don't even know what a primer is? HELP!
So, I went and did a little research for you guys. I know, you're welcome. Here's what I learnt...:
What Is Face/Skin Primer?
Face primer is a gel or a lotion which you apply after moisturiser and before foundation, like a second coat of moisturiser except it is deemed to have some other "magical" abilities. The whole idea behind primer is that it evens out your skin tone (that is if you're using a tinted primer) and hides fine lines and wrinkles by filling them out. Some primers are said to have collagen in them to 'lift' your skin before applying foundation.
Face primer's most important function is that it acts as a defence-mechanism for your skin. During the day, your skin breathes and if you are wearing any sort of foundation, powder, blush, bronzer or concealer, your skin is going to slowly absorb it over the course of the day. A primer's main function is to prevent that from happening and thus keep the impurities out of your skin and pores despite your extended wear of make up.
It's other function is to act as a base coat for any other make up that you may apply. Just like a base coat on your nails, primer gives the make up something to cling to during the day and prevents your make up from running or smudging or just disappearing in its totality. Primer is applied just like moisturiser or foundation with a brush or with your fingers.
Fair enough. So, What Is The RIGHT Primer For My Skin?
The type or primer that you should use really depends on your skin type; in other words normal, oily, dry or combination skin.
1. Normal Skin. If you have normal skin, you are one in a million and all other girls are jealous of you. You don't require a heavy primer since your skin will probably be pretty flawless and your foundation won't be a full coverage foundation either. In your case, primer will only be used to keep your skin clean and act as a base coat so a light, creamy formula will work best for you. Also, try to go for a colourless primer since you probably don't have much redness or blotchy patches. Lucky you!
2. Oily Skin. If you are a teenage girl then unfortunately this is the type that probably applies to you. Your most important task is to find a mattifying primer that will keep your skin matte (duh) for a longer period of time. It's essential that your primer does not feel heavy and cakey on your skin because that inevitably means that it's blocking your pores from breathing which will only lead to more oil! And trust me, if you already have oily skin that is the LAST thing you want.
3. Dry Skin. Quite simply you have to, I repeat, HAVE to find a primer that is plenty moisturising without any silicone. Silicone lifts your skin to make you look younger so it may seem tempting to give your skin more life, but it will simply rub off (along with any other make up that you apply afterwards) because your skin cannot absorb it without the help of a little oil.
4. Combination Skin. I'm afraid every article that I came across simply said that combination skin types will have to find a primer that works for each individual personally. It's best to stay away from silicone but mattifying isn't a great idea either. Make use of a light, creamy formula primer to keep both areas of skin happy.
Last but not least, 5. Sensitive Skin. If you have skin that becomes inflamed or irritated easily, your best bet is to use a water-based primer that does not contain silicone, oil or fragrance.
I looked through plenty of pictures of face primers to find one to post here but there are so many different types that I thought it best not to post one so that I didn't appear to be favouring one type if I haven't even tried it myself. Once I have tried a few brands, I will post pictures of my favourite.
Now I know which one I should use, but Is It Really Necessary?
So far, the research that has been done into face/skin primers suggests that a primer is not necessary for every day wear. Having said that, it is however going to vary depending on what your "every day" consists of; for example if you spend a lot of time in front of people or on camera, a primer is a very good idea to keep your make up from running. If you live in a very hot and humid climate or are very active throughout the day but have to (or want to) wear make up regardless, a primer might be necessary every day once again to keep your make up from running during the day. Lastly, a primer is a must for special occasions like weddings or matric farewells since you don't really have time to reapply or do touch-ups to your make up once the event is in full swing, but you want to keep looking your best right until the last moment.
I feel like I've been doing a lot of talking now and you guys have had to do a lot of reading so I'll keep this bit short and simple.
As with face/skin primers, eyelid and lip primers are used to keep the make up firmly in place all day. Personally, I feel eyelid primer is only necessary on special occasions when lots of photographs are going to be taken and you want to look your best the entire time. For every day use, simply applying a small amount of concealer on to your eyelid can achieve the same effect for a smaller budget. Even better, the exact same principles apply to lip primer. Concealer works really well as long as you've blended it in to your skin fairly well so that it doesn't begin to smudge after a couple of hours.
Some times I think that lipstick actually sticks to bare lips better than it does to concealer or primer, because both can make your lips very "wet" causing the lipstick to rub off easily when you eat or drink anything.
As with all my posts, this is merely my opinion after having done some research on the topic and I am by no means an expert, nor am I claiming to be one. If you feel differently about primers, leave me a comment so that we can all learn from each other. I appreciate all of your opinions and will take them in to account when leaving a reply.
On the personal side of things, tomorrow I'm going to a guidance counsellor to talk about my future. I'm actually pretty nervous so please think of me in the morning! Also, I know this was way too much reading, so if you are seeing this thank you for sticking around!
I photographed this little van in the minute town of Williston on our way down to Langebaan last year:
I thought it was just too cute and it is now my wallpaper on my iPad.
Thank you for reading all of that, I really hope that it helped to inform you a little more on primers! Comment anything you like and I promise to reply as soon as I can!
Also, TWEET ME! I follow back and reply to everything. (Yes, I do spend more than half my life on Twitter.)
Aaannnd, follow me on Instagram @lynxvzyl! The same applies to comments and following back.
Have a smashing Tuesday! Chat soon
xxx
Saturday, 2 February 2013
Don't Do It
Hello everybody!
This week has been another roller-coaster week.
I'm only going to apply to start studying again in the middle of the year to give myself a chance to make up my mind about what it is that I really want to do with the rest of my life. No big deal. No pressure. I'm freaking out! For now however, I'm just looking for a student job.
I want to make a special mention of a beautiful young girl who took her own life on Thursday evening.
Simphiwe Sibanyoni was a student at The University of Pretoria and was one of the House Committee members for Huis Jasmyn while I was staying there. Simmy was always full of life, cheerful, vibrant, vivacious and willing to help anybody who asked. She could bring a whole room to life with her stories and laughter. A truly incredible young lady, you will be missed by all who met and knew you. What has happened is between you and The Lord now, may you find eternal peace and happiness and may God bless and keep your family and friends in this awful time.
Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they come to terms with the death of this gorgeous lady.
Another young boy known only as "Yogi" also took his own life during the last week and I ask that you keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers too.
In conjunction with that I would just like to tell every single one of you that although I may be giving you tips on make up and beauty, it does NOT mean that you are not beautiful to begin with. Each and every person shines with their own unique light; and just like gemstones are not all the same, neither are we. It does not mean that we are any less precious than someone else just because we are not the same person. Meeting only one type of person for the rest of our lives would be awfully boring. You are unique and special and loved by so many people for being exactly who you are.
Please don't give up. If you need someone to talk to visit www.suicidehotlines.com to find the correct helpline number for your country. It's never too late.
On a lighter note, how freaking cool do my nails look?! (It's a big deal for me since this is the first time that I've ever been able to paint my own nails without having to apply falsies first!)
It's really hot here in sunny South Africa at the moment and this post's tip is short and sweet: when it's really super hot, don't try to "compensate" by wearing too much deodorant/body mist/perfume. One can end up smelling a bit like the inside of a girl's change room and that is way less attractive than a subtle yet clean scent. Rather than applying your scented whatever-it-may-be every half an
hour, try not to apply more than one quick spray every three to four hours, depending on where you are and what you are doing during the day. (Obviously this excludes sport, camps and other similar activities!)
Be scent-sable! ... You're right, that was lame. Sorry.
I'm already working on my next two posts about primers (all kinds) and foundations, concealers, bronzers, blusher and powder; be sure to check them out if you're interested and want to know a little bit more or if you just want a couple of tips and tricks!
As always, leave me as many comments as you possibly can. Tell me what your favourite summer scents are or ask me a question, I promise to read and reply to all of them. Also, follow me here and on Twitter to receive all the updates!
My Twitter handle is @lynxvzyl (I'm not posting this from my computer which is why that is not a direct link to my page.)
And as of recently, you can follow me on Instagram too @lynxvzyl!
Be back soon, xxx
This week has been another roller-coaster week.
I'm only going to apply to start studying again in the middle of the year to give myself a chance to make up my mind about what it is that I really want to do with the rest of my life. No big deal. No pressure. I'm freaking out! For now however, I'm just looking for a student job.
I want to make a special mention of a beautiful young girl who took her own life on Thursday evening.
Simphiwe Sibanyoni was a student at The University of Pretoria and was one of the House Committee members for Huis Jasmyn while I was staying there. Simmy was always full of life, cheerful, vibrant, vivacious and willing to help anybody who asked. She could bring a whole room to life with her stories and laughter. A truly incredible young lady, you will be missed by all who met and knew you. What has happened is between you and The Lord now, may you find eternal peace and happiness and may God bless and keep your family and friends in this awful time.
Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they come to terms with the death of this gorgeous lady.
Another young boy known only as "Yogi" also took his own life during the last week and I ask that you keep his friends and family in your thoughts and prayers too.
In conjunction with that I would just like to tell every single one of you that although I may be giving you tips on make up and beauty, it does NOT mean that you are not beautiful to begin with. Each and every person shines with their own unique light; and just like gemstones are not all the same, neither are we. It does not mean that we are any less precious than someone else just because we are not the same person. Meeting only one type of person for the rest of our lives would be awfully boring. You are unique and special and loved by so many people for being exactly who you are.
Please don't give up. If you need someone to talk to visit www.suicidehotlines.com to find the correct helpline number for your country. It's never too late.
On a lighter note, how freaking cool do my nails look?! (It's a big deal for me since this is the first time that I've ever been able to paint my own nails without having to apply falsies first!)
It's really hot here in sunny South Africa at the moment and this post's tip is short and sweet: when it's really super hot, don't try to "compensate" by wearing too much deodorant/body mist/perfume. One can end up smelling a bit like the inside of a girl's change room and that is way less attractive than a subtle yet clean scent. Rather than applying your scented whatever-it-may-be every half an
hour, try not to apply more than one quick spray every three to four hours, depending on where you are and what you are doing during the day. (Obviously this excludes sport, camps and other similar activities!)
Be scent-sable! ... You're right, that was lame. Sorry.
I'm already working on my next two posts about primers (all kinds) and foundations, concealers, bronzers, blusher and powder; be sure to check them out if you're interested and want to know a little bit more or if you just want a couple of tips and tricks!
As always, leave me as many comments as you possibly can. Tell me what your favourite summer scents are or ask me a question, I promise to read and reply to all of them. Also, follow me here and on Twitter to receive all the updates!
My Twitter handle is @lynxvzyl (I'm not posting this from my computer which is why that is not a direct link to my page.)
And as of recently, you can follow me on Instagram too @lynxvzyl!
Be back soon, xxx
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