What is "Cruelty Free"?

Once upon a time, I blindly thought that expensive meant good. I had heard about animal testing, mental images of sweet, fluffy bunnies strapped to metal gurneys in science fiction - type laboratories while evil scientists poked and prodded and covered them in noxious chemicals, and I believed that if I bought the more expensive, well known brands, I would be safeguarding those poor bunnies. I would not be a part of the problem.

Wrong.

Barry M - Flawless Finish Foundation (Matte)

I love makeup. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved being able to use different colours and tools to create whatever look takes my fancy. I've gone from sweet and innocent, to full on goth, to a little bit edgy, and back to fairly tame. But it always has to be good quality makeup.

Did you know that the chemicals in your makeup enter your bloodstream less than 30 seconds after you have applied the product to your skin? Worth thinking about.

Ten things I wish I knew when I was 18

I often lay in the bathtub and ponder life. What might have been, what I did wrong, what I got very right, what might happen in the future. I have some regrets, I have some triumphs, I have some "oh God just don't even think about it"s. Bathtub pondering is one of my favourite things.

Lately, I've been wondering what would have been helpful to have known at 18 (when my life took a very different direction than it might have), and whether it would have made any difference to where I am now.

Growing up and looking back

When I was younger, all I wanted to do was be a grown up. I saw being an adult as a huge sense of freedom, power, and the ability to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

So growing up came as quite a shock.