Barry M shimmer pots ...Quick review

Barry M shimmer pots have been around forever.

Priced under a fiver they are a lot cheaper than Mac pigments. Still £5 could add up if you wanted a few.

I am not usually a fan of loose powder products. This is because I am clumsy and I spill them, all over the carpet, all over my bedding and all over myself. Yes I sit on my bed and get ready. So what?

But I have been playing with a dark black smokey eye and I wanted a pop of black shimmer and Barry M had what looked like the perfect shade.

I am also testing out a dark blue Kiko shadow stick - again I wanted to add depth to the look and Barry M had a wonderful shimmery midnight shade.

On the left is a single swatch of shade 98 in the dazzle dust. It has a blue tone shimmer. 

On the right is a single swatch of shade 22 in the fine glitter dust. It's a black powder with a bronze glitter. 

The product is soft, bendable and highly pigmented. Obviously it gets everywhere. Its loose black powder. So I use a slightly damp flat eyeshadow brush. I just spray it with makeup setting spray.
I pat the product on first and then blend out with a fluffy brush. Alternatively you could apply with your fingers. I do not do this because I end up touching everything and leaving colourful finger prints all over my white walls.

These shadow pots could also be used as highlighter if you chose a lighter shade. Be aware that some of the shades have larger flecks of glitter.

Be warned a little goes a long way. Also make sure you put the lid on tightly.

Give these a go. They are worth it just be careful.

Sleek Ultra Mattes V2 Darks Palette Review

Good Day Slap Addicts

Im back with a review.

Ill keep this short and sweet.

Sleek eyeshadow palettes are the BOMB. Priced at a penny under £8 they are a bargain. 12 colours in each compact. They are highly pigmented and blend easily.

The fall out from this product is no different to Urban Decay Naked palettes. However, they are £30 cheaper!

This palette is perfect for creating a dark smokey eye. I have been looking everywhere for an all matte palette with cool and warm brown shades. Maple is the warmer brown shade and Paper bag is a more neutral brown.

The compact itself is not great. I have been using these palettes for 10 years and its always the same. The top breaks off within a week or so. I end up storing them in the card board box that comes with it. Be warned and keep the box.

The applicator that comes with it is a double ended sponge. Not my choice of applicator so I just throw them away. But I never keep the brushes that come with kits.


There are so many palettes to choose from. Im sure you will find one that you like.
Take a look online at www.sleekmakeup.com

Collection Glam Crystals.

Some people have really cool nick names. Or they have a name that can be shortened.

My name doesn't sound great shortened. I also don't do anything particularly cool or funny to warrant a decent nickname.

I had one friend who called me California which is actually an extension of my name.

Then my mother branded me Maggie. Yeah... Awesome. Not maggie from the Simpsons or Mrs Thatcher. No , Maggie like Magpie the bird.

Now its simple really. I always have and always will be attracted to sparkly things. I remember clip clopping around in my glittery princess mules. I always had bracelets on. Sparkly hairspray was pretty much purchased in bulk. As I grew I progressed to glitter body gel, then sparkly nail polish.

Now I just use it all, at times all at once. Much to my boyfriends dislike. Dislike is a an understatement. He HATES glitter with a passion. Not the look but more how it just sticks to everything. Poor guy goes to board meetings in a sparkly suit.

He tells me I'm BANNED from all that glitters. Well if you knew me you would know that I quaffed at such a demand. Firstly I do not take orders, secondly glitter is my life. I am simply a sparkly person.

However, I am not completely unreasonable or incapable of compromise.

So I've been searching online and in the shops for a way to wear my glitter and not ruin his day.

I came across Collection's Glam Crystals. Much like Urban decays glitter liners they come in a variety of shades. These glitter liners can be used as suggested, as a liner. Or you can apply it all over the lid alone or over eyeshadow to create a very bling effect. No fixing agent needed. No fall out. And it does not budge! 

I have gold and purple. At £2.99 I will be purchasing the other shades. There is a silver and blue that I need in my life. The Urban Decay glitter liners are over £10 more! Collection is such a bargain! 

Give these long lasting glitter liners a go. No glitter is not just for New Years Eve. Come join me in the magpie club. I promise you will feel brighter :-) 

Brushes - What is really necessary?

I see so many youtube videos and posts on instagram of beautiful people applying makeup and swearing by their fave makeup brushes.

They all have a discount code attached to their post and more often than not the products they are pushing are over priced.

It got me thinking, what do I really need?

Truth is, the all time greatest makeup artist recently awarded and OBE by the Queen for her contribution to the world does not really use brushes. She does most of her work with her hands.
This amazing woman is Pat Mcgrath. Have a google of her work and you will be in awe. Then look at the images and remember she is notorious for using her fingers to create the master pieces.

Now I'm not saying we should bin our brushes and take to using our fingers. We don't all posses the skills of Pat. But I really don't think we need 12 different contouring brushes.

Ive taken a look through my kit and narrowed it down to what I believe I really need and what I use on a regular basis.


1. Beauty Blender
You can use an alternative like the real techniques miracle completion sponge.
I like my Beauty Blender. I use it every day.
I use it to apply my foundation. I use it to blend out my concealer. I use to to apply liquid illuminator and I use to to blend out my cream contour. Thats 4 brushes in one.
I also apply the products in that order so I can use the sponge to apply a whole face without having to wash it.

Alternatively any foundation brush will do. Different types create different effects so choose the one that matches the finish you are trying to achieve. 

2. Angled Blusher brush

I like an angled blusher brush. But if you prefer a domed brush then use that. I like an angled one because I can use it as a blusher brush or a contour brush easily. I don't like cream blusher that much. I much prefer powder and a brush is best.

3. Small Angled Brush

This is great for so many things. I use it for my brows, eye liner and when doing a cut crease.

4. Flat synthetic brush

This brush is great for packing on eye shadow. It can also be used for applying highlighter down the centre of the nose and on the cupids bow. Synthetic brushes can be used wet or dry. Great for applying cream products. If you wet your brush before you dip it into the eyeshadow the colour pay off will be stronger. 

5. Fluffy Blending brush

You may want a couple of these but you can get by with one.
I use this for every shadow look I do. You use this to blend out the shadows. I also use this to apply highlighter on the tips of my cheek bones and on my brow bone. 

6. Small domed eye shadow brush or pencil brush. 

You could use a different shape. What your looking for is a brush thats more compact than your fluffy brush and fits nicely into your socket. This is also useful for applying and blending shadow on the lower lash line. 

7. Large fluffy face brush.

You may want to use this to apply face powder, bronzer or shimmer to your face, chest and shoulders.

I make that a total of 7 items that I can not live without when applying a full face of makeup.

Of course I still have more.
Also, I could use less. But I think 7 applicators is rather modest for a Slap Addict.

When it comes to where to buy your brushes please don't think MAC is the only place to get a decent brush. Just as the beauty blender at £16 can be substituted for the Real Techniques for under £6, so can brushes. Real techniques again offer some very decent alternatives.
Body shop do some great brushes as do a company called Ovoni. You can get a set of theirs for around £30. The set includes a lot more than the staples above and comes in a handy carry case.

When choosing brushes you may want a mixture of synthetic and natural bristles. You want brushes that don't shed and ones where the bristles are evenly cut. Some cheaper brushes shed and the hairs are uneven, this will make the application harder. If you are applying a shadow wet or a lip stick you will definitely want a synthetic brush. 

Remember you can use your fingers too! 

Let me know what brushes you can't live with out. 

Take care. XOXO 

Little and Often ...

How do some women look perfect all the time?

This is a question I ask myself regularly.

I'm a regular girl with a pretty normal life and I still look worse for wear on a Monday morning and each evening on the commute home from work. I spend most of my spare time in gym kit. Not because I'm exercising but as a replacement for pyjamas.

As I commute I regularly see very pulled together women. Immaculate chignons, manicures nails and a slick of lipstick. I wonder how they do it.

Ive come to the conclusion that they get up an hour and a half before they leave their houses and probably don't have young children.

That solution is not possible for me. There is no way I shall be getting up at 5am to get ready. Its just not happening. I would rather slap my foundation on my face on the train and sleep more.

However, it got me thinking of a well known saying "little and often."

I know its commonly said when referring to food as a way to keep your metabolism stable. But, I've decided I can apply the same thought to my beauty routine.
If I maintain a certain standard by doing small things every day then the next time my friends ask me out for drinks it won't take me 3 hours to get ready. Or worse still, I won't decline because I know I won't be ready in time.

So lets start from the bottom

Feet- I know its advisable to have a proper pedicure every month. I do not have the time, money or the inclination to go every month. I tend to stretch it out to every 6-8 weeks. I know plenty of people who have never had a professional pedicure or only go in the summer months. We use and abuse our feet. Plenty of us are guilty of leaving a polish on for months on end or just layering a new colour over an old one. This isn't ideal. It means the next time we want to wear our beloved peep toes or our sexy sandals we have a major melt down. The task at hand seems too great.
I advise to go and have a pedicure. Start from scratch. Then going forward keep a basic foot file near the shower. Every time you shower give your feet a little buff. No more than 30 seconds per foot. This will maintain the lovely job the beautician did and keep you looking fresh. Remember to moisturise your feet after your shower. Once a week or fortnight depending on how your nails grow cut them or file them down. Remember to cut them straight to avoid in grown nails. With regards to the colour. It tends to grow out rather than chip. You can get a good months wear out of a polish before it looks really bad. If it does please remove it. Even if you don't have time to re-paint. It means when you do want to show your toes the application will be easy.

Body - I'm not talking about exercise etc. I'm lazy and I am not one to preach. Although I am currently doing a 30 day ab, squat and tricep dip challenge. Don't worry this fad will pass.
I'm talking about your skin. What ever you do for hair removal - do it. I tend to shave on a regular basis which leaves my skin a tad dry. I am very good at looking after my face but not so hot when it comes to moisturising my body. I'm making myself cream up after every shower. It is already making a difference. The other thing I am doing is body brushing in the shower. Its a great way to boost circulation, decrease the appearance of cellulite and remove dead skin cells. I got a long handled brush from Wilko's . Its very inexpensive but it is fantastic. I use this every shower. If your skin is sensitive use with a light hand. Once a week I use a granular scrub to really polish my skin. I put an alarm on my phone for my Sunday shower. Just to remind me to do my weekly body and facial scrub. This takes all of 2-3 minutes to complete. Once you get into the habit its something you won't want to stop.

Tan - I can't stress enough how dangerous it is to use sun beds. They cause cancer and premature ageing. As an advocate for pale and interesting people I am baffled as to why someone would use something so detrimental to their health. So I beg, use a fake tanner instead please. I know they smell and can come out a bit streaky but its better than wrinkles and melanoma. I know plenty of people who will not go out if they do not have a tan. If you're one of these people I'm sure you already use tanners and gradual tanners regularly. If you don't, but want an immediate tan I suggest using the Sally hansen Leg spray. This is marvellous. I have used it a lot in the past and not just on my legs. You can use all over. Not only will it tan your skin depending on the shade you purchase. It is also a makeup. It will cover any bruises and blemishes you have and leave you with a very even colour. It takes about 10 minutes to apply and about 5 minutes to completely dry. Unlike tanning products that may take 4 hours and then require a shower. You could also try some instant tanners. These add a little glow to the skin. They can transfer onto clothing so make sure you let it dry before getting dressed. I'm currently using Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Instant Sunkissed Tint Body Lotion.

Hands - Use hand cream through out the day. Keep a little tube in your bag. Try to use it after each time you wash your hands. I keep some by my sink and use it that way. At least once a week
I sleep in these little white gloves filled with cream and give my hands some much needed hydration. Its not hard. Takes all of 60 seconds to apply the cream and the gloves before bead. In the morning I take them off throw them in the wash bin and carry on with my day. Nails, I work as a nurse so I am not allowed to have false nails or gel colour. I have to keep them short and clean. If one snags or breaks I instantly smooth it with a file to prevent further breakage. I give my nails a quick buff with a 4 way buffer once a week. It doesn't take me long, maybe 5 minutes. The buffer leaves my nails ridge free and super shiny. I have started applying cuticle oil after I shower ( when I remember) Again this takes about 30 seconds per hand. It keeps my nails healthy and strong. If you wanted to paint you nails I would suggest trying a gel type formulation to prevent chipping. Or using a simple clear nail strengthener every day to give them shine.

Face - Skin care regime. This is a place I do not cut corners. I did so for many years and it lead me to acne. The biggest mistake of my early 20's was taking for granted that my skin was young and beautiful. I have a long routine. I cleanse with oil, then with a face wash, then with an acne treatment. I use an acid toner every day and a facial scrub once a week. I use a serum followed by a moisturiser then an acne treatment. Every evening I use eye cream and I also use a mask once a week. Every day before I leave the house I slap on some SPF on top of my usual stuff. It sounds like a lot. I know. It sounds a tad OTT. I know. But it is worth it. It means I can cut corners with my makeup. I can use a tinted moisturiser instead of foundation which is easier to blend and takes less time to apply.
Once a month I tint my eye brows and I pluck them. I do this at home. I have written a blog previously on how to use an at home tinting kit. It takes 10 minutes. But it saves me time in the morning having to colour my brows in.

Hair - I wash my hair of an evening. I apply all of my products and I let it air dry. I have naturally dry wavy hair that doesn't like too much heat. By prepping my hair the night before it saves me precious time in the morning. Sometimes I will go as far as to sleep in my rollers or tong my hair the night before ready for the following day. Once a week I do a deep conditioning mask . Its simple, wet hair, apply product, wrap head, do some ironing, take my evening shower and voila. I treated myself to an indulgent hair mask whilst doing my chores. Of course you could sit and relax with it on. But who has time to do nothing these days.

The little additions to my daily routine have meant that my hands and feet always look maintained. My skin feels smooth and healthy and my hair is prepped and in good condition.

As a person I admit I do feel more organised. I definitely look it. I've had several comments from colleagues saying I look well. I think that is code for "oh you got up on time today." But ill take it.

Looking after yourself doesn't have to be a chore. Make it part of your routine and don't begrudge yourself "me time" how are we meant to look after everyone else if we don't look after ourselves?

Let me know if you manage to add anything to your routine and if indeed you feel a little more polished.

Take care Slap Addicts .

Trends for 2016 - My predictions

Its a new year and I think we will be taking a new direction when it comes to makeup.

2015 was all about ombre/faded brows, ombre/matte over drawn lips, strong contouring and sparkling strobing.

This year I think things are going to be softer.

Lips will be a big and bright. Liquid matte lips will still be in but I think its about time gloss came back. Glossy rich shades but also fresh shiny lips.

As for contouring  - I think it will be present but in a much more natural way. The mask like creations on Instagram will be replaced with a softer look. You won't be trying to morph in to a Kardashian you will be enhancing and showing the best version of yourself. Most of the big names on the catwalk adopted a very natural base with subtle shading and highlighting.

The next look will be the no makeup makeup trend. Lots of companies are offering products that can multi task. Cream blushes and illuminating primer/ highlighters are some of my faves. All which are great when creating a barely there look.

Blue eye makeup was big across the fashion houses. From blue sparkly liner to full on eye masks in baby blue hues. I Love it. Especially for brown eyes, blue looks drop dead gorgeous.

Skincare was all about the Korean 10 step routine. This is here to stay. Thank the universe for this!
I am a firm believer in prevention over treatment. Try to prevent wrinkles so you don't have to have injectables sooner.  If you have good, healthy, hydrated skin your makeup will look flawless and you won't have to work so hard covering up blemishes and pigmentation.

As for hair, I am a bit over dip dyed hair - I am sorry! Its personal choice. I prefer the balayage trend as it was softer and more natural. Also less damaging as less bleach was involved. The long bob was super trendy in 2015. Personally I think Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley rocked it. She looks so awesome. I like the mid length trend as it meant people could ditch the extensions and cut the dead ends. I am hoping in 2016 we see more healthy heads of hair. I'm trying my best to grown my hair so for me it will be a very boring one length cut.


My advice is try something new. Don't copy, adapt.  Catwalk trends are not always wearable but elements of them are. You may not want blue eyebrows - but you could take that blue tone and try it as a liner or add it to a smokey eye. Adapt the looks to suit your face shape and skin tone and don't be afraid to take a risk. The best thing about makeup is you can wipe it away and start again.



All of these images were taken from Vogue.co.uk/beauty from backstage at Spring/Summer catwalks.

Is your makeup making you look old?

When I was 15 I wanted to look older, more sophisticated.
10 years on and I want to look youthful and fresh.

Side note the picture is an old face app on my phone. I do not really look like this. 

Its funny how when we are young we are so desperate to grow up.

I love to people watch, in restaurants, shopping centres and on the tube. Living in London I am blessed to have so much culture surrounding me. Living in such a diverse city I see so many different styles. People wear what they want how they want to. I love that.
However, I have noticed a few makeup mistakes that really age us.


1. Too much concealer.
Or not the right one. In my opinion concealer around the eyes should be used with a feather touch. Add too much or to thick a product and it will sit and settle into fine lines and wrinkles, highlighting them rather than masking them .
My tip is to ensure the area is well moisturised. Use eye cream and use a primer under your makeup. Lightly layer your products and blend them well.

2. Black kohl on the lower lash line only.
Thick black liner on the lower lashes can draw the eyes down and make them look smaller. Its better if you line the upper lid on its own or both. However, just the lower lash line can be very ageing.

3. Blusher.
The wrong colour and poor application can spoil an other wise perfect application. Its often said you should smile and apply the blush to the apple of the cheeks. This may be ok when you are very young. But as we age our cheeks move. When we smile they rise, as we relax they fall. This means the blush is now lower than you wanted on your cheeks. Thus dragging the face down and making you look older. The wrong shade can also add years. A bronzer too muddy can make the skin look dirty and tired. Just as too much or too bright a blush can look dated.

4. Sparse Brows.
If you have naturally sparse brows or over plucked them it can add years to your face. I suggest getting them tinted or doing it yourself. Do not go too dark. Black shouldn't be the shade for everyone. Then fill in any gaps with pencil or powder and finish with a gel.

5. Lip Liner
When applied correctly it is your best friend. Wrong shade and too far over the natural line an you get in to dangerous territory. Dark brown liner and pink gloss has never been a good look. I know Kylie Jenner sparked a trend in 2015 for big fat fabulous lips. She claimed it was all down to liner, when in fact it was all down to fillers. If you over line your lips and then fill with lipstick the lipstick may bleed into any fine lines. If you line your natural lip line it will act as a barrier and stop the lipstick from bleeding. If you just use liner on your lips it can look very matte. This is a trend in its self. But if you have the first signs of ageing or dry lips it will exaggerate it. Wear your liners with lipsticks and glosses to keep it young and fresh.


My big tip is to blend, blend, blend. Soften harsh transition lines between eye shadows. Blend out your foundation down your neck to create an even base. Buff out your blusher and bedazzle the world with the very best you.

I hope this helps.

If you have any tips on looking younger pop them into the comments below.

Stay Fresh Slap Addicts x

Budget Makeup Kit...

One problem I face when it comes to beauty is the cost of it all.

Like many, I watch youtube videos and follow blogs. A lot of the time the products used are very expensive. This isn't a problem for the big names online as they are paid to use the products or given them free to sample. But when it comes down to us regular consumers it becomes very expensive to keep up with the latest trends.

However, it is not necessary to spend a fortune to look a million bucks.

Cosmetics have come a long way over the years. High street brands offer so much choice and great quality at a more affordable price.

Some of my favourite products come from high street brands.

Mascara - For me its always Bourjois, the 1 seconde mascara is fantastic £9.99.

Eye brows  - I adore the sleek eyebrow cube £8.49. They come in several colours and is a dupe for the benefit one.  I only use the clear brow gel from Hema. Its very inexpensive but does a good job, it costs about £4.

Lips - I really don't think you need to spend a fortune on lipsticks. For matte liquid lip sticks I love the ones from MUA £3. For glossy liquid lipsticks and general bullets I get most of mine from KIKO £6.90 and Natural collection £2. Plumping lip gloss has to be Soap and Glory £10.

Cheeks - Bourjois blushers are wonderful. They are highly pigmented, not too powdery and come in a range of shades £7.99.

Highlighter - Seventeen skin wow primer/liquid highlighter. I LOVE THIS, as a primer, mixed in my foundation or simply buffed on to my cheek bones. I can't get enough of this. £5.99

Eyes - Sleek eye shadow pallets are great. They are highly pigmented, come in a variety of colours and are very inexpensive at £7.99. If you have read any of my previous blogs you will know that I am a fan of the shadow sticks from KIKO. They are brilliant and the simplest way to achieve a smokey eye. I always keep one of these with me £6.90.

Eyeliner - Water proof liner from KIKO. I like this one because it is pigmented and lasts well. It is also a twist up liner so I don't need to carry a sharpener. I adore the liquid liner from Rimmel, the applicator is similar to a felt tip but it is designed like a brush. Meaning that the applicator dips into the eye liner. One problem I find with felt tip liners is they dry out. You don't get that problem with this one £5.29.

Foundation - I'm not one to regularly use high street foundations but I do like Maxfactor and L'oreal. Around £10 each.

Concealer - I like the Wake me up concealer from Rimmel London. £5.50. Ive discussed this product in several of my other blogs. It is a liquid concealer with a wand applicator. Its long lasting and comes in several shades. Probably better for light to medium skin tones.

All of the products I have suggested are under £10 each. I have all of these in my makeup bag and choose these regularly over high end cosmetics.

You really don't need to spend a fortune. Of course, there are many expensive product that are amazing and I'm sure there are plenty of products even cheaper than the ones I've suggested.

If you have any bargain buys that you can't live without please put it in the comments below.


All of the prices in this blog are accurate as of Jan 2016. All prices were sourced from Boots, Superdrug and KIKO websites.

KIKO SALE!

KIKO LIQUID LIPSTICKS

Its no secret that I am a fan of Kiko Cosmetics. The Italian brand provides every Slap Addict with a high end experience at a low end cost.

I am a fan of their lip and eye products.

My newest obsession is their DOUBLE TOUCH LIPSTICK.
Its a long lasting liquid lipstick. A double ended wand applicator. One end the highly pigmented smooth lipstick and the other end a high shine gloss.

These are wonderful. MAC used to sell something similar but they discontinued it.
There are plenty on the high street but these are currently on sale for £4.80. Usually priced at £6.90 thats a saving of 30%. Its not often that you get a decent reduction on makeup. Kiko currently have up to 50% off!

There are 16 shades to choose from, pinks, nudes and reds. I chose 3 in shades
101- Natural Rose  - This is a neutral brown shade with a hint of gold shimmer.
113 - Black Cherry -  Exactly as described. Looks like the juice from a cherry.
115- Rhododendron Pink -  Solid bring pink floral shade.


The shades are all highly pigmented and smooth. They don't crumble or crack. They claim to last 10 hours. I eat and drink a lot... so these don't last 10 hours perfectly. They start to come off at the corners of my mouth. In no way do the disappear, I have to use an oil to remove these. My normal makeup remover does not budge the colour.

When applying the lipsticks ensure the lips are clean and dry. Apply a thing layer and let it dry. If needed apply another thin layer and again, let it dry. Once dry apply the gloss to seal in the colour.

I am ADDICTED to these. I wear a face mask for work so usually lipstick is a no no unless I want it smudged on to my nose and chin. Every time the mask moves the lipstick transfers. However, with these I can stay smudge free all day.

3 liquid lipsticks under £15... Bargain!

http://www.kikocosmetics.com/en-gb/make-up/lips/lipsticks/Double-Touch-Lipstick/p-KM00201011

New Years , New Me?

I wish each and every reader a healthy and happy 2016.

Ive decided to discuss the ever popular resolutions that the online world have assigned themselves. And the reasons why I shall be doing things a little differently this year.

Why is it that when we are at our lowest point we set unachievable goals? January is depressing for most people as the climax of Christmas is over. Winter weight is creeping on, the weather is miserable and your bank balance is likely to have taken a beating. If you work in the UK there won't be another bank holiday till Easter and pay day is a treacherous 4 weeks away.
So why do we decided to challenge our selves further? Most status updates, tweets and memes I've seen revolve around loosing weight, cutting out food and making complete life changes.
Why do it at a time that is most difficult and most depressing?

Why not reflect on the year that has passed and carry on the good work you have achieved so far?

For me one of the biggest changes was kicking Acne's butt and finding a routine that works for me. However, to maintain what I have achieved in 2015 I need to follow my regimen religiously. This is something I should be able to do. Its something I enjoy and I know I will get results from it.

Another simple change I made was brushing my teeth 3 times a day ( rather than 2) and flossing twice a day. Again this is not a big deal. I just brush my teeth at lunch and working at a dentists means there is no stigma to carrying a toothbrush. But even if you work in an office, brushing your teeth in the bathroom really isn't that strange. It will make such a difference to your oral hygiene. Now that we are all living longer we really need to ensure our teeth see us through to the end.

The other change I made was with how I care for my hair. I stopped wearing hair extensions and I swapped to Redken products. I stopped using permanent hair colours and reduced the amount of styling. I really took care of my hair and its growing back beautifully. It looks really lovely now. It took a good 18 months to get it this healthy. This is when I need to remember the hard work I put in and not go and have a head of highlights and bonded extensions.

The last change that I made this year that I shall choose to continue is meditation.
I'm not saying I know what I am doing or that I am a yoga master. I purchased a few meditation apps and once a day I take 30 minutes to myself and I meditate. It helps to keep anxiety low and I feel very peaceful. Its good for clearing my mind and preventing the dreaded " over thinking."

By setting myself these mini goals of continuing good work I am celebrating my triumphs from the year before not punishing myself.

I'm not saying don't make a resolution or don't make positive changes. What I am saying is be kind to yourself. Don't punish yourself and throw yourself into a ridiculous work out routine and restrict your calories so much you become exhausted and give up. Be realistic. Try smaller goals first. Make simple changes that you can continue throughout the year ahead and your life. Swap regular coffee to decaff or drink more water. Walk to the train station and take the stairs. Then, as January passes and life feels brighter add another change, up the ante. Remember to reflect on your achievements no matter how small and pat yourself on the back.

Take care Slap Addicts!