Following my style analysis (see previous post) I sent off for some of the make up advised in the guide as well as some other purchases.
Palette
I’ve used the obsession range for a while and already had a small palette I’d filled myself. Ended up purchasing the larger palette so I can carry everything in one palette rather than the two. Taking on board the advice given in the guide, I’ve opted for a blush in a bronzier shade and and a more golden palette with regards to contouring and highlighting. Lip shades also slightly more coral than normal choices. This cost me roughly £8, including the palette. Alongside the inserts I already owned, the palette now contains all my contouring, 3 shades lip ‘stain’, brow powder and 3 shades eyeshadow. So much easier but highly doubt it will mean my dressing table will be any less messier.
Foundation and Base
I’ve worn Estee Lauder double wear for a few years now and for the time being plan on sticking with it.However, it was advised in the guide to try using a stippling brush to apply it. So here we go. Looking forward to trying it, if you have any tips please let me know.
Picked up a ‘bronzier’ shade of baking powder too as the one I purchased recently was slightly ‘peachy’ giving me a pink tone which I really disliked. Also purchased a camouflage green and lilac to help sort the recovery dark circles and rosacea. I’ve trialled on the back of my hand and they seem quite thick in terms of coverage and blended well – so fingers crossed!
Eyeshadow
This was one of the recommended palettes and the pigment is amazing!! Just gave a few dabs to the back of my hand and they are super vivid – I seriously can’t wait to try these out.
Thoughts
Honestly, if you haven’t tried revolution make up before I highly recommend! This isn’t my first order and it certainly won’t be the last.
If you had seen my previous post, you’d have seen that I purchased a style analysis by Susie Hasler and her company Styled by Susie. It arrived whilst I was in hospital but I’ve finally had a chance to nosy on through it.
Why a style analysis?
If you have seen my mental health awareness week post, based on body image, you’ll have read how much I enjoyed following Susie on facebook and insta. This is because she is all about dressing for you. I get how having a style analysis whilst stating that my body is my own to love is slightly hypocritical so I feel I need to explain.
I need to start loving my body and it hasn’t been an easy ride the past twenty seven years and I’m still not certain I like it. The style anlaysis gives me an overview on what clothing style, cut and colour is most suited to my body type. I think seeing myself in clothing ‘deemed’ suitable for me should start to allow me to actually like what I see, and let’s face it I have to start somewhere!
Initial Reaction
Susie was so complimentary! I felt like she really took the time to ready my questionnaire and my worries etc. I’d mentioned how work clothes had been an issue recently for me and she’s specifically advised items of clothing that could help me there. She also took time to look at a collage of clothing I’d felt happiest in from last year and explained how these outfits worked for me. I felt really at ease before I’d even opened the attached pdf!
My Shape and Season
I am officially a Spring Apple.
An apple tends to carry more weight on tummy and waist (which I do) and has a less defined waist (also, something I’m aware of). I’ve had a capsule wardrobe and body shape analysis which gives me an in-depth look at what cut clothing, in particular necklines etc, that suit me. Some of which I think I was already aware of and so it’s good to know I was on the right track.
Spring colouring was a complete surprise to me! I was sure I was summer or winter as I thought I had cool undertones, but Susie took a good look at my bare face in natural light and… I’m Spring! It’s quite exciting taking a look at my colour palette and seeing some bright colours that I normally wouldn’t bother looking at. I also received a make up guide with this pack too. I’d never really been happy in the dark tones of lipsticks I’d been using and now I realise why!
Where to begin?
I started by reading all the documents and, if I’m honest, felt slightly overwhelmed. It’s an awful lot to take in. I thought it best to start with make up – mainly because I really enjoy trying new make up.
Over the weekend I placed an order with Revolution Beauty. I started with ordering a new shade of setting powder as my current one is slightly ‘orange’. It was also advised to use a stippling brush to apply foundation so I added that too. I was then surprised to see one of the advised eyeshadow palettes for only £6 so added that to my basket along with some ‘other’ things.
I also placed a few orders at ebay for some jewellery – Susie is big on accessorising. Bagged myself a leopard print scarf, some tortoise shell bits and a long necklace or two. If there’s any of the items you like below, just comment and I’m happy to share the seller’s link.
What next?
My plan now is to reread my body shape analysis along with the Basic Bitches guide I purchased and make a list (because let’s face it – I love a list!) I’m hoping to then use this to help me out when I head out for a big shop once I’m feeling better and up to spending a few hours out.
Was it worth it?
Somebody asked me if the £40 was really worth it for a few pdfs. For me? Yes it was. I’m excited by the new bits and bobs I’ve already purchased and I’m also excited to head out clothes shopping – something I haven’t been excited for in years! I think it’s given me a bit of my mojo back and for that £40 was a steal!
Over here in the UK we are currently amidst Mental Health Awareness Week.
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 13-19 May 2019. The theme this year is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies. Body image issues can affect all of us at any age. During the week we are publishing new research and campaigning for change. #BeBodyKind
Mental Health Foundation
Finding your feet in your own skin.
I’m sure we’ve all seen an image similar to that of above. These illustrations, quotes, videos and images are often seen plastered everywhere in hopes that this is enough encouragement for women and younger girls alike to feel comfortable in their own body shape and skin. If only it was this easy, eh?
Whilst these images are thoughtful and encouraging, they fall flat amongst the world we currently find ourselves in. A world where photoshopping still remains rife, where beautiful women are airbrushed to hide the details which should in fact make them proud of their own bodies. It’s a world where make up allows us to totally transform our identities, where celebrities are slaughtered for gaining a mere ten pounds in weight and a world where 53% of us think that we need to alter our online life to suit the people we communicate with.
Despite my words, I am not one of these loud and proud body confident women. Oh how I wish I was! I wish I had the confidence to throw caution to the wind and wear a skirt that shows a roll or two, or a bikini revealing the overweight stretch-mark tarred tummy beneath it – but I don’t. I’m realistic. I know my body type isn’t something a young girl wishes for as she ages, it isn’t one men will drool over as I walk the shoreline on my next holiday but soon I hope that I’ll happy with saying that. My body isn’t for anyone else. It’s for me.
How do we see change?
I don’t claim to have all these answers. I’m not sure. The recent changes in shopping online, whereby real models are used with what we hope is no airbrushing, is promising. Take this article for example.
People are thanking ASOS for showing a model’s stomach rolls
Metro UK
Yes, it’s great. It’s lovely seeing the model in her own actual skin. But should I be thanking the company for it? Not really. Everywhere I look I should see real women. I expect them to have rolls, scars, freckles, love handles and so forth. I think the ‘thanking’ of this company, despite my adoration of them for actually doing it, is still sending the wrong message. This should be the norm. This should be what I see every time I shop online.
Media, the glossy mags and crumpled papers, have a lot to answer for. Take a look at some of the covers below, let’s consider what some of my initial thoughts would have been.
“10lbs in 10 days!”
Brilliant, I weigh more than Jessica Simpson did at the beginning – which means I probably need to go on that diet for 50 days.
“Extreme plan to be sexy again”
Well I thought I was sexy when I ordered new lingerie the other week – clearly I need to be doing more.
Best and WORST beach bodies.
Well it’s saying something when the worst beach bodies are what I dream of getting to.
There’s so much work that needs to be done on the media’s wording and presenting of issues. Can you imagine being one of those celebrities found in the worst beach bodies section? I don’t think I’d ever show anyone my body again, and all because I wanted to spend time at the sea in the sun. It’s completely uncalled for.
Choosing your influencers
This is where I think it’s important to begin to take a look at who your influencers are. I don’t mean the people you surround yourself with, I’ll get to this in a moment, but those people you follow online, the celebrities you catch glimpses and long to be like. It takes a lot of effort to look at your influencers and it’s vital that you take something as simple as following them on instagram seriously. Are they going to just post crop top pics with a vegan shake? Brilliant – if that what your lifestyle is or needs! For me – it isn’t! I decided I needed people who were confident in their body, be they a size 0 or 24, and who expressed their love of body confidence. Some major names who are pushing for body confidence amongst all include BodyPosiPanda, NadiaAboulhosn, TessHoliday and a brand I love following is SwimsuitsForAll. These are just some of the huge influencers out there who are rooting for us. A lady I most definitely have to mention here to is Susie Hasler. A personal stylist who’s realistic in her approach. She’s all about facing the fear and dressing for you. Dressing for your body and it’s glorious shape. If you’d like to know more about this, you should totally check out my recent post.
Your inner circle
It’s also the people you surround yourself with. I have never felt more confident in my body than I have with my boyfriend in the past two and half years I’ve been with him. Despite the many influencers who claim that your worth shouldn’t be based on what others (including partners) think of you, I strongly believe that when you find that person – the other half – there is nothing more important than having them love your body. It wasn’t until I realised that someone else could love it, that I even began thinking about liking it myself. Soon you realise, that if your inner circle love you as you are – why can’t you?
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
Rachel Zoe
I love my clothes. Take a look in my wardrobe and there’s plenty to choose from. Except for when I’m getting dressed. Then, then I have nothing to wear. I truly believe in dressing for me, my style and who I am and although I enjoy ‘being on trend’ I only purchase what I like and what I think will suit me and my body shape. Recently, however, I’m feeling slightly lost with my clothing, and with hopes of booking a holiday later in the year I’m seeking out some advice.
Online Community
I have been part of the Styled by Susie online facebook community since the beginning of the year, following an invite from a colleague. Can I just start by saying how amazing this online group is! They are so kind and so supportive and, even though I’ve yet to post personally on there, I throughly enjoy checking out the OOTD most days. If you would like to be added to the facebook community page, pop me a message and I can send you an invite.
The Stylists
Meet Susie Hasler and Sarah Lilly. It all began with Susie! She noticed a gap in the market in 2012 and went for it. Their belief is that we dress with style and not for fashion. Things in our wardrobes should be worn more than once and we should be able to style it up wherever and however we want. After taking a peek at my colleagues analysis, as well as reviews from clientele in the online community, it’s clear to see how she aims to make any and everyone feel confident and happy in their clothes and more importantly their own bodies. As a plus size, I so need this right now. To find out more about Susie, Sarah and their hair stylist Fiona, check out the stylists’ page.
Style Analysis
There are many packages to choose from. Not only do they offer a four tier style analysis, but those close to Susie and Sarah can opt for a personal shop in Bluewater also. There’s a hair style analysis, make up guide even help choosing glasses for the shape and colouring of your face. Amongst these, Susie also offers guides and toolkits. I’ve previously purchased a basic bitches guide, which attempts to help you find your style with the most basic items found in your wardrobe and have found it useful already.
The Silver Package
I’ve opted for the Silver Package. I found this to be affordable and really what I needed. The gold and platinum offers many other services, but I enjoy shopping and hunting for things and I think that the silver package gives me the tools I need right now.
I purchased the package this morning and within minutes I had received my online style questionnaire. I need to give an overall description for my colour analysis, things such as natural hair colour, eye colour, dyed hair colour etc along with a close up image of my face – make up free (I dread this). Then I’m to give my tops and bottom size, along with a few other things and more photos. Finally, which I love, I’m to give a hint of personality. I think this is great, because we should be expressing our personality in our clothes. However, I think I may struggle slightly. I don’t really know how to sum myself up if I’m honest. Well, I’ll have to see how I get on I suppose. I’m then to wait for the ten day turnaround, which I think is a fair amount of time!
The waiting game.
So now I guess I have to wait. I’m going to send my form later on this evening, when my partner is back from work and he can help take my dreaded photos. As soon as it’s back I’ll be sure to review, with my colouring and body shape and hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to post many of the Styled by Susie purchases.
Simply Kelly 