My Mommyhood Sacrifices

I know this has been a long time coming and I've been absent for far too long, but things really have been busy.  I'm mindful as I say that of not assuming my life is busier than anyone else's.  I'm all too aware of the crazy pace many, if not, most of us live our lives at these days so I am sure you understand me when I say.

I had wanted to do a blog a while back about the things that I've given up since being a Mama in a financial sense.  And not in a moaning way, for I wouldn't change a thing in being a parent.  But if I had to name something that I have noticeably missed since welcoming my little one into the world, it would have to be nice beauty products.

Nowadays when I go shopping, I definitely tend to overlook myself and find a cute little garment for Miss T instead... but again, I think many mothers suffer from that affliction.  I guess also now being a Mum - or maybe it's just reaching a certain age and stage of life (?) I don't go out that much at night - the days of clubbing and parties is a long ago reality so my need for make up and beauty products is less than I once would have had.  But I do wear make up on a daily basis - a little concealer, blush, a sweep of shadow and a lick or two of mascara.

I have always been a M.A.C girl.  I don't know whether I love M.A.C so much because their products are so fabulous or because they all just look so pretty in their packaging.  Either way, this brand has always been my make-up of choice.  When I lived in LA I distinctly remember visiting the M.A.C store on Hollywood & Highland every Friday evening as I made my way home from work with my pay packet.  I'd buy a new eyeshadow and lipgloss for that night because they were so affordable and it was my weekly treat.  Unfortunately in New Zealand, the price of this brand makes it not so affordable and come to think of it, since returning home, I rarely treated myself even when working full time.   Fortunately for me, my best friend worked as a make up artist for M.A.C for a while and so every now and then I would receive beautiful parcels in the post of little pots of treasure and tubes of some sumptuous new gloss.  Sadly though, those days are over.  Although thanks to Facebook, I have recently found an amazing way to purchase authentic M.A.C products at wonderful prices so I may be back on the bandwagon again soon. Check out MAC Oh Licious for more! 

Due to my obsession with this brand and my complete and utter satisfaction with it, I never ventured to any others - except for a few items of Benefit Cosmetics, which you can't buy in NZ anyway.  I hadn't ever explored the pharmacy level brands because I was faithful to my one true make-up love.

Skincare was also something I used to spend a bit of money on and it was a sad day when my Dermologica supply ran out.  I've been a moisturiser whore since then and buy whatever looks good or smells good at the chemist or supermarket when my last batch has run out.

But all of this leads me to my actual point which is that I have made a recent discovery of a couple of products from a cheaper line of cosmetics that I am really very happy with and thought if you are in the same boat as me, with not as much disposable cash these days, you may wish to try.  Here is my wee review of them in case you're interested:

Covergirl have this fabulous new product called ShadowBlast.

It comes in a range of colours and is a double ended eyeshadow stick.  Because I often apply my make-up in the car, I find the best thing about this little product is that because you just sweep it on, there is no need for brushes or anything fussy in it's application.  One side is rounded and goes over your entire lid and the complementing colour at the other end of the stick is shaped to perfectly place in the crease of your eyelid.  Genius!

Apart from gloss, my all time favourite make-up product is Mascara.  I don't rate expensive mascaras above cheaper brands though.  I've bought the pricey, pricey ones but personally think they're over rated.  I generally go Maybelline, because let's face it, their jingle gets me everytime.   But this most recent time I removed the blinders and opted for this new Covergirl product called LashBlast.

The bright orange tube caught my eye and the size of the brush was alluring.  I gotta say, for a relatively inexpensive mascara, this one packs a punch.  I have long lashes anyway, so my main objective in securing a good mascara is all about the volume.  This one does not disappoint.  You don't even need to apply more than one coat, although I do if it's for a night out - like my weekend getaway with Mr S recently sans child.  But that's another story.

I hope to be back in touch soon with an overview of the recent Spring Gift Fair we attended - where we were totally and utterly overwhelmed by orders and rave reviews of our products.... especially our new and beautiful Lola dress.

Talk soon, have a great weekend and if you're in NZ, stay dry in this storm!