Fun websites you need to know about

Posted by spriglet On Tuesday 27 November 2012 21:08 0 comments
Isn't the web great? You can shop on it, date on it, talk on it... who knows what you'll be able to do next. Eat on it? Sleep on it? 

Who cares, because there is plenty more to keep us entertained pretty much forever. Here's a little round up of websites that I forget about easily, but shouldn't because they are just so brilliant it hurts. Or maybe I am just easily pleased...

Gizoogle
Because why would yo ass wanna read normal English when yo ass can have phat English?
http://gizoogle.net/

Intellisult
If you're going to insult someone, do it properly. 
http://intellisult.com/

Emergency compliment
Because everyone deserves a compliment, at least once a day. Or just keep clicking until you feel better, because your hair really does look great today.
http://emergencycompliment.com/

Fuck I'm in my 20s
If you are in your twenties, or at least remember them well, you'll 'relate'. 
http://fuckiminmy20s.tumblr.com/

Oatmeal
Everyone knows this one, but it's always good to remember their best bits. Their recent comic on working online is my favourite. 
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/making_things

Draw a stickman
Who doesn't want to create their own man? Draw one and see him come to life. 
http://www.drawastickman.com/

Any others I should know about?

Dating sites: are they worth it?

Posted by spriglet On Sunday 25 November 2012 15:03 0 comments
You've got mail! So pay up...
It's no secret (unfortunately) that I've been giving the online dating thing a go since the summer. I can't say it's been all that successful but I haven't let that stop me from browsing. It's a bit like shopping, only you have to buy before you try - and you don't get a refund if it doesn't fit. 

After being on one site for a while and enjoying it but wondering if 'my type' is out there on a different money-making love machine, I took a look around at some other sites. I have to say I was surprised and disappointed, so much so that I thought I'd share the pros and cons...

Guardian Soulmates
I read the Guardian. I like the Guardian. So I thought that maybe, my Mr Right likes the Guardian too and is lurking in their mini dating site. Whether or not he is, their site is pretty brilliant. Setting up a profile is easy, and you can browse first without signing up if you're as indecisive as I am. 

The best bit though? You can see who's viewed your profile and read your messages without paying a penny. Because why on earth would you want to pay if you have no idea if the people interested in you are people you're interested in? You can even send little automated messages like 'Tell me more' or 'I'm not subscribed yet' if you don't want to pay but don't want to leave them hanging. Such good manners. 

Match
Oh Match, your annoying adverts almost got me. After a few vinos I signed up, without really realising that's what I was doing, to this maze of a site to see if maybe my ideal man was hiding in there. I'm sorry, but this site is the most annoying site to ever be made and I really should have seen the signs given their awful advertising which makes me want to poke myself in the eye. 

The profile details take ages to fill in, even if it is mostly multiple choice - but where's the fun in that anyway? You can even search for men by the trait they've given themselves like 'confident' or 'sociable' - I really don't see value in that at all. Most infuriating though, is that you cannot click on who's 'winked' at you (I've always said, I hate a winker) or see your messages, or even who has viewed your profile, without paying. And it's not particularly cheap. How does anyone find romance this way? Not wanting to wind up broke, I declined, hoped that none of the winkers or viewers were my dream man and deleted it (which took about a dozen clicks). 

Plenty of Fish
Ah, the free one. If you haven't heard of this site, where have you been? Getting married or something, probably. The free dating site is just as you would expect a free one to be. It's fairly easy to use, the profile pages are pretty simple and it has a lot of members. Before I get too cynical, I do know of a few people who have actually got a relationship out of it - so it can't be all bad - but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of frogs to be avoided first. 

I don't know if this works the other way, men seeking women, but all I can say is of the unluckier ones I know who use the site, there have been plenty of cases of photos being sent over. Of naughty bits. It's fair to say the men on this site are pretty forward. Which is funny, because given that it's free, they've got all the time in the world to find their perfect match...

Each to their own of course - I've also heard OK Cupid is worth a go and I'm sure eHarmony sees very little sexting or whatever the online equivalent is. There's also newer site Doing Something, Zoosk (again with the annoying adverts) and My Single Friend which I tried once and gave up on, despite thinking it was a decent setup. 

I think I'll go back to my gut instinct and stick with the site I liked in the first place before all the dating nonsense started...

New girl

Posted by spriglet On Saturday 24 November 2012 10:00 1 comments
Remember back in April when I said I wanted to do less talking, and more 'doing'? Well, since then I've done a lot of both. The talking, though, has been with great friends who have advised me, listened to me and generally inspired me (I know how cheesey that sounds, sorry) to get back on track. 

I've got mates who try to tell me that running is easy once you know how (jury is still out on that one but I will give it a go), ones who tell me not to compare myself to others - something that's all too easy in this industry - which is definitely worth listening to, and mates who have been there when I felt like just giving up on the dream. 

One such friend once said to me that life is a balance of three things; your home life, your personal life and your work life. Since that optimistic post earlier this year, it's fair to say then that my whole life has been turned upside down and shaken about like a little snow globe. 

In just the past three months, I have moved house (the most stressful move I have ever experienced; and that includes the one when my parents lost their house), I have got back into dating (and mostly failed, but still it's good to try), I have been to my first funeral to say a very sad goodbye to my wondeful nan, and I have left my job at Wahanda, where I've been the last four years. I feel pretty shaken up if truth be told (damn you anxiety) but it also feels like the dust - or glitter, gotta love a metaphor - is finally settling and it's time for a new start. 

As of next week I'll be working for a fabulously stylish new site called Get the Gloss, where I'll be production editor and, of course, the new girl. I haven't been the new girl since this time four years ago when I started at Wahanda, and it wasn't half as scary because I was an intern so I couldn't massively break anything or be rubbish because I was just there to learn. But learn I did, and now it's time to take everything I've absorbed and go and use it over at GTG to help build an amazing resource for expert beauty. And I can't wait.

So, since that little post seven months ago, I've taken Emma's advice and made things happen to make myself happy. I finally live by a tube so I don't curse Southeastern Trains on a daily basis, I have (almost) got over my nerves when it comes to dating, and I've taken my next step on the career ladder towards being what I want to be. I think that's quite enough for 2012...



Nailing the textured look

Posted by spriglet On Friday 23 November 2012 16:43 0 comments
Yesterday I spotted Jane (British Beauty Blogger) tweeting about a new 'leather' nail polish and, given my slight addiction to nail news, was planning on getting my mitts on some pretty quick and blogging about them. 

But it seems leather isn't the only new texture to get excited about - we've had crackle, we've had velvet, we've had caviar, and now the textured trend is continuing with some even more wearable and fun looks. Here's what's coming up this December...

Leather






The leather look I mentioned is by Nails Inc, and I have to say I can't wait to give it a go despite preferring that super-gloss feeling that you usually get from painting your nails (especially with gel effect manicures... I can't get enough of them). 

Check out Jane's post complete with photos here - I'll be looking out for this one next month!









Rubber
Image from Illamasqua

This shouldn't work on paper, but I can't wait to try it - Illamasqua have launched a range of Rubber Brights, which are exactly as they sound; gorgeous bright polishes with a rubber finish. I imagine that means they'll attract dust and goodness knows what else no end, but we have to suffer for our beauty right? 

Apparently they're inspired by the rubber boot girls of Berlin in the 1920s... now Mr Ashman my history teacher certainly didn't tell us about these but a bit of Googling told me these are ladies of the night (cough) who wore colour coded boots based on their specialities. Interesting source of inspiration! These are available from December. 

Concrete

Yes, because who doesn't want their nails to resemble the pavement? I'm not so sure about this one. Nails Inc (again) have been busy and created a concrete-effect polish with a 'rugged, concrete finish'. 

Having had dry nails since the dawning of time and forever catching little 'catches' on my nails on various things, I'm not convinced this will feel nice unless it's a very very smooth concrete. I like the look of the bold shades though so we'll see. Also available from December. 



My makeup must-haves: 2012

Posted by spriglet On Thursday 22 November 2012 20:56 0 comments
I was trying to decide on my favourite beauty product earlier, and found myself torn between the best mascara in the world and my ultimate moisturiser which I consider a high achiever given that I have incredibly sensitive skin. So for inspiration I stumbled across a post from 2009 on my makeup heroes - the products I just can't live without. It surprised me that a few have changed, so I thought I'd do an update. Well, in a few years time I might need to look back after all...

I still swear by the Urban Decay Primer, Bourjois Stretch Eyeshadow (which I now buy on eBay as it seems to be missing from the counters), 17 Concealer Stick and L'Oreal Khaki eyeshadow - but here are my new makeup bag regulars:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation - This product converted me into a foundation wearer. I only wear it for my 'best' days or evenings out, but this super smooth gel foundation sinks into skin to give a natural glow that doesn't look like thick makeup. The coverage isn't flawless, but I top up with concealer and it's perfect. Check out my full review here.

MaxFactor Masterpiece Max Mascara - I've moved on from False Lash Effect (though I still have it as a back up for extra length) because Masterpiece Max suits my lashes so much better. It gives the same fluttery length as the Falsh Lash Effect but it also adds volume and I find it looks darker or glossier somehow. I can't leave the house without it.


Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - Much like the foundation from the same range, this concealer is a face-saver. It's ideal for undereye circles but also covers redness and imperfections too. I find it blends really well, with no dryness (though I do always moisturise beforehand).

Avéne Micellar Lotion - It's no secret that I bloody love the Avéne range. I can't live without their moisturisers and though this isn't makeup you can't have  makeup without something to remove it, right? This clear and gentle cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin and leaves it feeling so very soft and clean that it's convinced me to ditch the face wipes (most nights, anyway). 

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner & GOSH Long Lasting Eyeliner Pen - Liquid eyeliners are my weakness when it comes to beauty loyalty. I still love the L'Oreal one but the product runs out far too fast for my liking. The Rimmel liner is incredible for a really glossy, dense black line with precision; it travels with me in my handbag-makeup-bag everywhere I go and is ideal for top ups. The GOSH eyeliner is a dream to apply and lasts a long time (oh look, hence the name) so I'm sold on both.

What makeup products can you not live without? Do you have some that have stood the test of time like I do?
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