Hello there!
I am the infamous Hanibee! You may have seen my stunning face around here, in the photos of my amateur attempts at unique eye makeup, on previous posts. I am here at the request of the lovely lady Sammi, to contribute to her wonderful blog and write about my experiences of makeup and more specifically, my obsession with Nail Varnish and the colour Purple.
Let me first begin by saying that when I use the word 'obsession', I do not mean this lightly. Growing up I had well over 200 bottles of varnish in my various and numerous makeup boxes, that cluttered my parents' house.... However! Before I set off for university my Mother made me throw out all of the varnishes I did not use, all the ones that had turned into gloop and all those that were duplicates. This ordeal left me with a mere 10 bottles, my absolute favourite of which, was the gorgeously deep, sanguine red No 17, 'Dragon's Blood'.
I loved this varnish, so very, very much. It was dark, gothic and had the word DRAGON in it's name, it was perfect. So when it came time to apply the last remnants of my beloved Dragon's Blood, I decided that instead of accumulating hundreds of varnishes, that would be left unloved and unworn, never to be mourned when the bottle needed to be tipped to cover the brush enough to apply even one nail... I would be more strict with myself and I would treat all my varnishes as I had my Dragon's Blood.
Five years later and I think I've done pretty well, my collection is only 40 bottles big (yes this may seem like a lot to some but to me it is a tiny number) and consists of mainly purples, blues and reds. Now, some of them may not be my absolute favourites and yes, some of them I really do need to use more, but how can a girl forgo a new and glorious purple for a green she bought on a whim!? Preposterous. Purple is just far too seductive to me, it can be light and happy, dark and gothic, deep and regal or if I'm feeling particularly feminine, bright and girly. There is simply no colour that matches it in beauty or versatility. J'adore Pourpre!
And therein lies my problem, how do I keep strict with myself when it seems that purple is getting a real look in now in terms of varnish? It's just not fair. Well, there is hope, that being that my involvement in this blog and my continuing rants about my obsession, will not only distract me from buying new varnishes before I have used my existing ones, but it will also help me pay some much needed attention to the long forgotten colours at the bottom of my makeup bag.... Like yellow, green, even sparkly pink! *gasp*
Hanibee out! <3
Friday, 10 September 2010
Thursday, 9 September 2010
I believe they call it Vampire Chic?
That's the new term for what has previously been labeled "gothic", "victorian", or "smoky" in the past XD. Yet again the blackened velvet shades of my youth have returned for their autumn revival. Not that i'm complaining of course, Autumn always puts me in mind of blackberries, velvet, plums, crisp bronze leaves and of course, the icy pathway to that most glorious of seasons...CHRISTMAS ^_^.
In this spirit I thought I'd share with you the deliciously decadent Bobbi Brown collection that my magpie eyes spotted around the blogosphere.
TADAAAA!
With scrumptious names like "Black Chocolate", "Black Cherry" and "Black Maple", I'm reminded of Clinique's infamous "Black Honey" almost lipstick, of which I am a sworn devotee. Indeed, the colours in this collection do have the same blackened berry hues, but Bobbi offers us a veritable plethora of finishes and textures to adorn ourselves with. I'm definately excited about the colours and range, but most of these will be a little out of my price range, for someone on a student teacher budget, this is more a statement piece event.
In this spirit I thought I'd share with you the deliciously decadent Bobbi Brown collection that my magpie eyes spotted around the blogosphere.
TADAAAA!
With scrumptious names like "Black Chocolate", "Black Cherry" and "Black Maple", I'm reminded of Clinique's infamous "Black Honey" almost lipstick, of which I am a sworn devotee. Indeed, the colours in this collection do have the same blackened berry hues, but Bobbi offers us a veritable plethora of finishes and textures to adorn ourselves with. I'm definately excited about the colours and range, but most of these will be a little out of my price range, for someone on a student teacher budget, this is more a statement piece event.
Urban Decay Ink for Eyes review
Today I received an Urban Decay Ink for Eyes in shade Binge, a lovely dark blue, as a gift from the wonderful Hanibee.
I've been apprehensive about trying liquid eyeliners in the past, I always end up with a smudgy mess, but hearing HausFrau and Hanibee's assurances, and given the - to die for - shade of blue, I was excited to give it a try.
As it's late at night please forgive the stock photo. (All credit to Urban Decay.com)
The packaging as you can see is long and thin, it's about 10cm long by and Inch wide and has a gorgeous peacock image emblazoned on the case. I don't find the mirror inside particularly useful for application, I like to see my whole eye when applying eye make up, but some might find it useful, and It's a nice thoughtful inclusion.
One of the best things about Urban Decay products, is that the default tools found within their sets are always high quality, and this is no exception. In fact I found this brush easier to use than others I've purchased specifically for purpose.
The ink itself is softer than expected. I applied one line across my upper lids with ease, it came out straighter than I've ever achieved with even pencil liners, but would require two, three or more coats to get an opaque line. While I'd prefer a more defined line initially, the subtlety of a single coat can't be under-sold. For a softer day-time definition, or to add a little interest to a work look, I can see the soft blue line coming in very useful, and I'm glad the option is there.
After building up just a little you get a good density of colour. The blue is a surprisingly warm shade that works well with my irritating skin tone where too warm colours leave me looking dirty, and too cool makes me look washed out.
After playing around with this product for just a few minutes I've managed to line my eyes neater and faster than pencils have ever achieved. Given half a chance I'd grab this in every colour going. Fingers crossed that the currently US exclusive iridescent glitter shade crosses the ocean and into my waiting grabby hands soon!
Urban Decay Ink for Eyes can be found at many online stockists including Debenhams (Where there is currently a SALE), House of Fraser, and Boots.
I've been apprehensive about trying liquid eyeliners in the past, I always end up with a smudgy mess, but hearing HausFrau and Hanibee's assurances, and given the - to die for - shade of blue, I was excited to give it a try.
 |
| Shown in Green (Mine is Blue!) |
The packaging as you can see is long and thin, it's about 10cm long by and Inch wide and has a gorgeous peacock image emblazoned on the case. I don't find the mirror inside particularly useful for application, I like to see my whole eye when applying eye make up, but some might find it useful, and It's a nice thoughtful inclusion.
One of the best things about Urban Decay products, is that the default tools found within their sets are always high quality, and this is no exception. In fact I found this brush easier to use than others I've purchased specifically for purpose.
The ink itself is softer than expected. I applied one line across my upper lids with ease, it came out straighter than I've ever achieved with even pencil liners, but would require two, three or more coats to get an opaque line. While I'd prefer a more defined line initially, the subtlety of a single coat can't be under-sold. For a softer day-time definition, or to add a little interest to a work look, I can see the soft blue line coming in very useful, and I'm glad the option is there.
 |
| One thin coat, no mascara. |
After building up just a little you get a good density of colour. The blue is a surprisingly warm shade that works well with my irritating skin tone where too warm colours leave me looking dirty, and too cool makes me look washed out.
 |
| Again I apologise for the lack of mascara. |
After playing around with this product for just a few minutes I've managed to line my eyes neater and faster than pencils have ever achieved. Given half a chance I'd grab this in every colour going. Fingers crossed that the currently US exclusive iridescent glitter shade crosses the ocean and into my waiting grabby hands soon!
Urban Decay Ink for Eyes can be found at many online stockists including Debenhams (Where there is currently a SALE), House of Fraser, and Boots.
Upcoming reviews, rant
I've got some lovely recent buys to review, my clinique three step skin care system, Olay 3 point super serum, a sample of a fab looking clinique serum, Ellis Faas creamy lips and Urban Decay ink for eyes! Lovely Jubly.
I'm also going to be running a polish review with the delectable Hanibee, so look out for that.
Rant time:
It's no secret that I'm not skinny. I've always been "chubby" even when I was slim when I was younger, that's in part thanks to genetics, I'm never going to be waif like, and partly because I like cupcakes. With breasts that put Jessica Rabbit to shame no matter my dress size, it's easier on my balance, and therefore - back - if I'm a bit on the heavier side, and for the most part, I'm ok with that. I eat well, I'm vegetarian and enjoy mixed fruits and veggies, I exercise, though I should do more and I'm not unhealthy.
Taking this into account, I get really quite peeved when I visit the doctors for something like a chest infection, or broken toes and am told I'd be healthier if I lost a little weight. Now, I know we are all supposed to be more healthy now, that's fine, but these are doctors who know full well that nigh on two stone of me (yes you read that right) is breast that DID NOT reduce when the rest of me did. Doctors who know that since turning vegetarian I eat far better than most and Doctors who know that my job involves more exercise than most people take. Doctors who know, I might add, that I want to talk to them about the problem I came in with, now I don't know about you, but I tend to go to my doctor with a purpose, with a specific ailment, I don't ever recall ask "so what would YOU like to talk about today doctor?"
In short, I don't need someone with six years of medical training to tell me my cheeks are chubby and my thighs could do with shrinking. I can walk into any council estate and I'm sure I can find a yob who will tell me this for merely the price of my taxes paying his dole money. Bargain! As it stands, Barry the Chav is offering me better value for my taxes with his diagnostics than Peter the Doctor. Surely it isn't just me wondering if the doctor thinks I come in for fun, why, why, WHY would I come in to ask about something I can diagnose by virtue of HAVING EYES? Why would I do that? Pro tip - If I'm coming in to see you Mr/Mrs Doctor (something I HATE doing) it's because I can't diagnose it myself. Have a good long think now, If Barry the Chav is astute enough to notice my butt could be smaller, there's a pretty good chance that I've managed to work that out on my own.
Little note here Doc, I know that I should move more and try to eat even better, that's why I do those things. When I come in to talk to you about my lung infection, it's because I can't prescribe myself antiobiotics and I can't diagnose my specific infection. It may come as a shock to you, but I am perfectly capable of diagnosing "should exercise more" all by my very own self. I've accepted that I'm never going to be slender and delicate, even you admit that my health isn't affected, lets move on from this now shall we?
It's lazy doctoring. Seriously guys, how lazy are you? The number of people I know who are diagnosed BEFORE THEY HAVE SPOKEN with "eat more" or "eat less" just beggars belief. That's why it pisses me off. Being a bit heavier than you or I would like "probably isn't helping" my broken toes, I agree with you, but believe it or not, I didn't come in to ask you for "probably" or your opinion or judgement, I came in to *inform* you of an ailment, most of the time it seems one that I can diagnose faster than you can (you've paid for medical school, put it to good use man and stop taking diagnostic advice from fat or not.com), and to ask what I should do about that ailment. If I want probablies I'll go to a wise old woman.
Disagree with me all you like, but you can't tell me that using people's weight (whether it be slightly over or under) as an automatic diagnosis for all ailments before you've even thought about it, is a good use of years of medical training.
For the record dudes, if you want to know why I'm so mistrusting of your kind it's because when my breasts were causing me chronic back pain, when I was depressed and upset, when I was 16 and comfortably fit in my size 10 jeans - your only suggestion was to "lose weight" ignoring the weight I'd ALREADY lost while my breasts remained the same, ignoring the extra weight that they themselves added to me. Really helpful, thanks for that. In case you were wondering, no it didn't help, so I gave up. It's far easier for me to carry these around with a bit more weight on me, I'm more balanced. Sure I'd like to be slimmer, most women would, but I don't see the point in working out to be smaller than I naturally would be on a good diet and exercise plan only to be told I'm still heavy, regardless of my measurements. Strap a few bags of sugar to your chest, carry it round for a few days, see what it does to your weight and your back Dr unhelpfull.
I'm also going to be running a polish review with the delectable Hanibee, so look out for that.
Rant time:
It's no secret that I'm not skinny. I've always been "chubby" even when I was slim when I was younger, that's in part thanks to genetics, I'm never going to be waif like, and partly because I like cupcakes. With breasts that put Jessica Rabbit to shame no matter my dress size, it's easier on my balance, and therefore - back - if I'm a bit on the heavier side, and for the most part, I'm ok with that. I eat well, I'm vegetarian and enjoy mixed fruits and veggies, I exercise, though I should do more and I'm not unhealthy.
Taking this into account, I get really quite peeved when I visit the doctors for something like a chest infection, or broken toes and am told I'd be healthier if I lost a little weight. Now, I know we are all supposed to be more healthy now, that's fine, but these are doctors who know full well that nigh on two stone of me (yes you read that right) is breast that DID NOT reduce when the rest of me did. Doctors who know that since turning vegetarian I eat far better than most and Doctors who know that my job involves more exercise than most people take. Doctors who know, I might add, that I want to talk to them about the problem I came in with, now I don't know about you, but I tend to go to my doctor with a purpose, with a specific ailment, I don't ever recall ask "so what would YOU like to talk about today doctor?"
In short, I don't need someone with six years of medical training to tell me my cheeks are chubby and my thighs could do with shrinking. I can walk into any council estate and I'm sure I can find a yob who will tell me this for merely the price of my taxes paying his dole money. Bargain! As it stands, Barry the Chav is offering me better value for my taxes with his diagnostics than Peter the Doctor. Surely it isn't just me wondering if the doctor thinks I come in for fun, why, why, WHY would I come in to ask about something I can diagnose by virtue of HAVING EYES? Why would I do that? Pro tip - If I'm coming in to see you Mr/Mrs Doctor (something I HATE doing) it's because I can't diagnose it myself. Have a good long think now, If Barry the Chav is astute enough to notice my butt could be smaller, there's a pretty good chance that I've managed to work that out on my own.
Little note here Doc, I know that I should move more and try to eat even better, that's why I do those things. When I come in to talk to you about my lung infection, it's because I can't prescribe myself antiobiotics and I can't diagnose my specific infection. It may come as a shock to you, but I am perfectly capable of diagnosing "should exercise more" all by my very own self. I've accepted that I'm never going to be slender and delicate, even you admit that my health isn't affected, lets move on from this now shall we?
It's lazy doctoring. Seriously guys, how lazy are you? The number of people I know who are diagnosed BEFORE THEY HAVE SPOKEN with "eat more" or "eat less" just beggars belief. That's why it pisses me off. Being a bit heavier than you or I would like "probably isn't helping" my broken toes, I agree with you, but believe it or not, I didn't come in to ask you for "probably" or your opinion or judgement, I came in to *inform* you of an ailment, most of the time it seems one that I can diagnose faster than you can (you've paid for medical school, put it to good use man and stop taking diagnostic advice from fat or not.com), and to ask what I should do about that ailment. If I want probablies I'll go to a wise old woman.
Disagree with me all you like, but you can't tell me that using people's weight (whether it be slightly over or under) as an automatic diagnosis for all ailments before you've even thought about it, is a good use of years of medical training.
For the record dudes, if you want to know why I'm so mistrusting of your kind it's because when my breasts were causing me chronic back pain, when I was depressed and upset, when I was 16 and comfortably fit in my size 10 jeans - your only suggestion was to "lose weight" ignoring the weight I'd ALREADY lost while my breasts remained the same, ignoring the extra weight that they themselves added to me. Really helpful, thanks for that. In case you were wondering, no it didn't help, so I gave up. It's far easier for me to carry these around with a bit more weight on me, I'm more balanced. Sure I'd like to be slimmer, most women would, but I don't see the point in working out to be smaller than I naturally would be on a good diet and exercise plan only to be told I'm still heavy, regardless of my measurements. Strap a few bags of sugar to your chest, carry it round for a few days, see what it does to your weight and your back Dr unhelpfull.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Lush Skincare Event
As promised the lush skincare event review! ^_^ Hurrah!
Location: Lush Hull store
Our group's consultation began at 6pm, we headed in a little early and were greeted straight away by a cheery staff member who presented us with lovely envelopes with our names on and sealed with a lush sticker! Exciting! As one or two people from the earlier appointment were finishing off we browsed the shop and were delighted to see a range of RetroLush products laid out for us to sniff and play with, including the flying saucers showergel/bubble bath that I hadn't seen before.
Soon after, the other happy customers left and our group remained. We were seated on comfy chairs and given a detailed consultation of our skin care worries. We each chose whether we would prefer a facial treat or a foot treat.
First any long hair was tied back in a lovely pink ribbon before our faces were scrubbed lovely and almost porelessly clean....(tbc)
Location: Lush Hull store
Our group's consultation began at 6pm, we headed in a little early and were greeted straight away by a cheery staff member who presented us with lovely envelopes with our names on and sealed with a lush sticker! Exciting! As one or two people from the earlier appointment were finishing off we browsed the shop and were delighted to see a range of RetroLush products laid out for us to sniff and play with, including the flying saucers showergel/bubble bath that I hadn't seen before.
 |
| Lovely RetroLush! |
Soon after, the other happy customers left and our group remained. We were seated on comfy chairs and given a detailed consultation of our skin care worries. We each chose whether we would prefer a facial treat or a foot treat.
First any long hair was tied back in a lovely pink ribbon before our faces were scrubbed lovely and almost porelessly clean....(tbc)
 |
| Lovely pink bow |
Monday, 30 August 2010
No. 5
Oh Chanel No.5 I try to hard to like you. I spray you at pulse points, on clothing, I even tried you in my hair. I've tried the perfume and the EDT but to no avail. You are just too strong for me, you shoot straight up my nose and smack me in the head and bring on a headache at first sniff. I will say that your lasting power is amazing though, it takes a good scrub to wash you off.
FOTD
Nothing special, i'm far too down for that. I do have the Lush event to go to today though so I have to try to look presentable at least. I'll update for the Lush event later on this evening.
List; Clinique superpowder, Sleek Kohl, Bourjois liner effect mascara,
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