My First Tattoo Experience (#21)

I've always wanted a tattoo. My mum got one when I was about 6. It's an R (her daughter, mum and dad's names all start with the letter) on her arm, but when she moves her arm, it turns into a bird, dolphin and sea to symbolise where she grew up. I love tattoos that have meaning to the person, with symoblism. I would hate to have a tattoo and see someone walking down the street with the exact same one. It's all about being unique I suppose.

I seeked a lot of inspiration from online and people on the streets.I had come up with a few ideas over the past couple of years, but there was nothing I had fell in love with and thought 'that's the one'. It wasn't until a few months ago that the right idea came to me. As soon as I thought of it, I just knew.

I spent a year in Japan when I was 10. In a small town, no one else at my school spoke english and I was immersed into the culture and language. Being only 10, I picked up the language very quickly, and was fluent by the end of the year. Anyway, that may have to be another post! I wanted something to symbolise Japan, and cherry blossoms (sakura) do. They also symbolise a new beginning, which is very relative to my life at the moment.

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I roughly drew my idea and a couple of weeks ago I took it to one of the few remaining tattoo stores in Christchurch. Within a few days my design was ready to go and have a look at. I had originally not wanted any colour on it, purely black. The tattoo artist recommended having some colour in the cherry blossoms, as it would look better. When I saw it, I agree. It was perfect, I loved it, and booked a time for early the next week.

After work yesterday my boyfriend picked me up and we went to the tattoo store. I wasn't too nervous. I have a pretty high pain tolerance for that kind of thing, and I knew the design was what I wanted. I was a bit sweaty (haha). I was a little early, but the tattoo artist was ready anyway.

I lay down on the chair, and put my arm on the arm of the chair (I got a bracelet on my wrist). The tattoo artist asked me if I was stressed about the pain etc, but I said I was fine. He cleaned and shaved the area where the tattoo was going and then put the transfer onto my arm to get the sizing/placement right. Once I was happy he got the needles ready and the ink. He put some cream on the area and began tattooing.

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Many people say it's hard to descrive the feeling of it, as it is different to to everyone. Some people say it hurts a lot more than others, and some people say it's an 'annoying' feeling.

I'm not going to lie, it hurt. But like I said, I have a high pain tolerance, and I don't have any fear of needles etc. I agree with it being annoying. I always turn the vibrate option off when I play playstation etc because I can't stand it. It was basically a vibrating sensation the whole time, and sometimes made my hand/wrist feel a little numb. The parts that hurt most were on the sides of my wrist, near the bone and further down my forearm.

Straight after I got it done. As you can see, it's very red!

It was worth the pain though, after an hour it was all over and I had a gorgeous tattoo that I love! I didn't have to bandage it because I hardly bled at all, I just have to keep it moisturised. It hurt this morning in the shower (like having a shower with sunburn), and it still stings a bit if I touch it. But that is just because it's healing.

Photos taken in the studio at my work. Much less red now!

If you are contemplating getting a tattoo, don't just rush out and get it. Think about it. Leave your sketch or idea for a while, come back to it in a few weeks, or even months and if you still love it....get it. As long as you've made your mind up, and you know it's what you want it's worth it. Yes, it hurts, but it's going to be on you forever.



Symbolism: As mentioned, I lived in Japan for a year growing up. The Kanji means 'River' in Japanese and the cherry blossoms, are of course Japanese, and symbolise a new beginning.

Pain: I have a pain tolerance so I would say 4/10. Some places hurt a lot more than others.

Price: Very good! I had a $20 voucher, so it only cost me $120. I thought it was going to be a bit more.

Beauty Review :: Bare Minerals - Vintage Peach Blush

I recently posted a cosmetics wishlist, so of course later that day, the website I buy from had a 10% sale on all of these items. I chose 3 (I didn't want to go craaazy!). So over the next week I will do a review of each one. Today's review is Bare Minerals - Vintage Peach. (Blush)'

I have only been wearing blush for about a year and a half now, and I use it everyday. I recently bought NARS - orgasm, because I've heard a lot of good things about it. However, it's a little too dark for me.

Bare Minerals foundation is my favourite foundation ever, so I just had to try one of their blushes.

I love the packaging, it is the same as the foundation pottles, just a little smaller.

The one thing which I love about this product and wish my foundations did is being able to open and close the "lid" on the inside.

This is fantastic, because it prevents it from spilling everywhere and it's easier to get the right amount of product out. I can't wait for the foundations to have this lid. Hopefully they do soon.

Bare in mind I'm new to swatches.

The thing I like about this blush is that it is quite subtle and a nice shade of pink. I would say it is much more pink than 'peach'. It is quite sparkly, almost having a glittery look to it.

I'm wearing the blush today, it is easy to blend and looks subtle on my cheeks but is easy to build up.

Price: Average (I paid $27.99 NZD online)

Quality/Value: High, you don't need a lot for a subtle look either, so I think it would last quite a while.

Packaging: High, I like the look of the Bare Minerals collection, and they're quite compact. I also love the added addition of the ability to open/close the inside lid.

Overall: It may not be the best blush out there, but I think it's perfect if you just want a subtle look. The glitter isn't as obvious when blended into your skin, but gives it a nice glow. A FOTD featuring Vintage Peach will be coming soon.

Beauty Review :: Loreal Casting Creme Gloss (Brownie)

Loreal Casting Creme Gloss - Brownie

Yesterday I dyed my hair (well, I got my mum to, I'm not very good at dying it myself!). I like this brand, and have used it before. It has no ammonia and has a really nice deep conditioner for when you wash out the dye. This dye also only has to be in your hair for 20 minutes which is good.

It looks a lot like the colour on the box, perhaps a little more red, but I don't mind that. I also know that these dyes fade quite quickly compared to most, but I quite like that because it's not as damaging to your hair.

I've always liked my hair dark, even though it's naturally blonde. I definitely won't dye it black again (I did for about 3-4 years), it was such a process and so much money to get it back to blonde!

I know I should probably get my hair dyed at the hairdressers, but it costs too much money, and I think at-home hair dyes are coming a long way! I would use this colour again, I would only recommend it if you want a lot of red tones in your hair. Loreal Casting Creme Gloss is one of the more expensive at home hair dyes, but it is my new favourite brand.

Price: High (more expensive, but worth it)

Quality: High (love the deep conditioner!)

Packaging: High (very clever way of mixing the colour and creme by having a built in holder in the box)

Overall: 

This is my new favourite eye combo at the moment. Silver, dark grey and a spot of pink in the corner for colour.

Silver: Unknown brand

Dark Grey: BYS palette

Pink: Sweet Candy #28 (Sephora)

Eyeliner: Australis eye pencil in Blackest Black

Mascara: Anastasia

I also got my eyebrows done yesterday afternoon. Waxed and tinted, it was definitely overdue! I can take my makeup off now and actually still have eyebrows (they are naturally blonde).

Wednesday Wishlist :: Cosmetics

This pay I bought some new clothes. Next pay I think I'm going to splash out on some makeup. Last year I found a wonderful website which I can buy all sorts for cheap, NZ prices that aren't sold in retail stores in New Zealand. It is my favourite online shopping store.

Here are a few of the items I'm lusting over (this post has the potential to get rather long!)

Eyeshadows

MAC Eye Kohl - Teddy: I've just bought a cheap eyeliner for the meantime, so it will be a while before I get the MAC one - I definitely will try it one day though!

Bare Minerals - Rocker Eye Tutorials: This pack comes with 2 x eye colours, 1 x liner shadow and 1 x double ended brush. I definitely need the brush, I want to try a liner shadow and you can never have too many grey/black/silver eyeshadows! This ones a little pricey for all it is though, so it might have to wait.

Too Faced Galaxy Glam Smokey Eyeshadow - Moon Beam: This looks great. It's got a hint of greeny/blue in it, and can be used as an eyeshadow or liner for a smokey eye effect. This one is pretty affordable too. This collection has a lot of different colours, and I'd love to try them all! So far, I'm going with this one.

Lips

MAC Dazzleglass - Moth to Flame: I like the colour of this, but I think I'd need to see some reviews to see if it actually colours your lips, or just ads shine (which I don't want). One of the more expensive ones.

Bourjois Lovely Rouge Lipstick - #11 Rose: I want to try a bright pink lipstick. For a change. Pretty good price too.

NARS Lip Lacquer - Diablo: I've never tried a lip lacquer, and I like red lips. I have a feeling this would be quite subtle to, to give a nice 'cherry red lips' look. Rather expensive, but I think it might last quite a while?

Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lipgloss - Glazed Donut: This is such a pretty colour! Similar price to the MAC one. I think I prefer this colour though.

Smashbox Lipgloss - Mood (Shimmer): This one is cheap, but I have the same concerns as the MAC one (that it will just go on clear).

Face/Blush

NARS Cream Blush - Gold Member: I've never tried a cream blush before, and I'd like something different than pink blush. A bit expensive.

i.d Bare Minerals Blush - Vintage Peach: This one is a really nice colour, and being a fan of the bare minerals range I'd like to try one of their blushes. Still on the more expensive side.

Bare Minerals Foundation - Fairly Light (N10): My foundation of choice, won't be too long before it runs out and I need to replace it.

Bare Minerals Beauty on the Go Refillable Compact with mirror and compact buki brush: I love this, and definitely need it for work. The only thing I want to know is if my foundation would fit in it, or if I have to buy a different one? Need to research this. Pretty good price too.

So that's what I'm lusting after at the moment! Hopefully I will have some of these items in the coming weeks!

A couple of non-makeup items I want:

I'm loving Jessie J's music at the moment! I really want this CD.

I also want to get Avril Lavigne's new album, I have all of her others, and while her last album was a bit disappointing I want to get this one too.

Beauty Review:: Moisture Milk - Marc Daniels

Moisture Milk - Marc Daniels

Leave in hair treatment - first aid for hair.

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I bought this product quite a while ago, but only used it for the first time yesterday.

I only used a small amount on my medium-long hair. I just scrunched it through the ends of my hair after it was towel dried it, and then 'styled as usual' (blow dried it a bit, then left it).

"Moisture Milk is a revolutionary leave in repair treatment. Intense conditioning treatment, and a deep moisturiser for you hair. An easy to use, deep treating and deep conditioning leave in treatment that allows hair to moisturise and rehydrate thoroughly." (I think they could have worded themselves better than that?

All day I had convinced myself that it hadn't worked. I couldn't notice a difference in my hair. But then, after I got home and put my hair up, it was a lot naturally straighter than it normally is, and more silky. It is still like this today.

Overall, I don't think I would buy it again. But maybe the next time I use it I need to use a bit more of it for my hair length. If I notice a big difference, I'll update this review.