How To: Not Get Anything Done

Yep, this is the 4th 6th time I’ve sat down to write this post.
Life, and by life I obviously mean the internet, seems to just get in the way.

Procrastination is rife thanks to Facebook.
It has nothing to do with who you are as a person.
Trust me, the fact that you leave everything to the last minute is the internets responsibility.

I blame it entirely for this yarn in which I will pass on to you, the internetual gems that have stitched up any chance I ever had of bringing you some quality content.

1. The first thing that led me astray is this, the Hauraki Bhuja boys and Jacinda Ardern interview.
   Leigh Hart and Jason Hoyte are the greatest. Of all time.

   http://www.hauraki.co.nz/video/hauraki-tv/bhuja-interviews-labour-leader-jacinda-ardern/#.WbYACJkw0Ps.link

2.  Bloody Gordan Ramsay teaching me how to make fondant potatoes
   Great now I’m hungry.

   https://www.facebook.com/luxuryfoodlondon/videos/1573421276049661/

3.  This cute Simba shit

 

4. This quiz that solves your existential crisis

https://www.buzzfeed.com/alexzakon/what-species-of-party-animal-are-you?origin=filqui&utm_term=.enLr5YowK#.ikNDLByld

But what I really should be filling you in on is Maverick is now offering 20% off all our L.A. Girl products!

L.A. Girl is a cruelty free brand that is all about providing high quality makeup to all!
I love that they are so reasonably priced and cater to everyone whether you’re a makeup junkie or just starting out in Makeup Land.
Haven’t heard of L.A Girl?

Here. Allow me to help you procrastinate even further:

Wanna get amongst and try them out for yourself?

This sale is for a limited time and there is limited stock so get in quick babes!
And if you’re like me, good luck getting shit done.

Keep being you

Megan x

Megan is the CEO of Maverick Cosmetica
Maverick is a New Zealand online makeup store out of Megan’s home on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast.
All orders $50+ receive FREE shipping NZ wide
Buy any 2 Antipodes products + receive a free Reincarnation exfoliator or Grace facial cleanser while stocks last xx

The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Lash Extensions.

I’ll admit it. I’m getting lazier and lazier each year. So although makeup is fun, sometimes I just can’t be bothered with it.
Mascara is definitely a MVP when it comes to feeling good about myself.
So the solution here was to find a way to get great lashes while doing sweet F.A.

Lash extensions sounded like the best bet. But I had seen a lot of bad experiences in a Facebook group I’m in about girls losing their natural lashes in the process, allergic reactions and having their eyes glued shut.

Nightmare.
The lazy side of me won and I decided to try them anyway.
I love supporting ladies who are changing their lives to follow their passion and start their own business! I noticed someone I recently met had just qualified and set up her own Lash Extension business so I was immediately motivated to support her and get them done!

Nicole from NikkiNu Lashes is based in Lower Hutt, although sometimes she ventures up the coast to Kāpiti.
So luckily for me she came to my house for my appointment!
I wanted to get some good tips out of her for the blog so we sat down and had a chat.

How long have you been doing lashes and what training have you taken on?
I’ve been doing lash extensions for one month now and I am a certified Nouveau Lash Extend Technician. Nouveau Lash is a company based in the U.K and they are entirely cruelty free. The course included in-depth study of the anatomy of the eye aswell as contraindications of the eyes that may stop people from being able to get lash extensions, as you have to be aware of how the eye works for safe application.

How did you get into it?
I’ve been studying since the start of the year and I finally decided to just go for it! Working from home is ideal especially for when kids come into the picture.
Next, I’ll be doing spray tans (aswell as lashes)!

That’s so exciting! What are your best tips for sustaining lashes after the appointment?
Don’t pick your lashes! And don’t rub your eyes. Use a spoolie to brush through instead of adjusting with your fingers if you need to because oils from your fingers get to the adhesive which loosens it up. This is why you should use oil-free products and makeup remover aswell.
If you wear glasses, check with your lash technician before application because you don’t want your lashes flapping against the lenses of your glasses!
Your natural lash length is a good guide for how long your extensions should go.

When should I get the lashes infilled?
Every 2-3 weeks. Ideally, 3 weeks because this coincides with the end of your lash cycle so you will get better results which is more cost efficient.
It is also ideal to replace the whole set after 12 weeks for hygiene purposes and you may feel like a change of style!

Is it like acrylic nails in the sense that you should not remove them yourself?
You can, there’s a safe home removal kit in the pamphlet that you can order through me. Some people prefer this way as it is more flexible for them.

What can I expect after this appointment? Like, when will the lashes fall out?
The only reason the extensions will fall out is when your natural lash falls due to its cycle. You’ll know because your natural lash will be attached to the extension.
You lose 2-3 lashes each day on each eye. Sometimes people think they are losing more when they have extensions because they are far more noticeable, but it is completely normal.

True, can I wash my face as normal? How about eyeliner removal?
Be really gentle! Try not to use cotton pads on the eye area, the cotton fibres will get caught in the lashes. You can use your fingers but have a light touch. Always use oil free makeup remover on your eyes. Check any other products that they are oil free such as eye creams etc.

So with that info down I was feeling confident and we got started!
I got a C curl lash and I opted for more volume and longer lashes on the outer corner of my eyes for a cat eye effect.
I also purchased a cruelty free black sealant from Nicole to keep my natural lashes healthy and maintain the adhesive of the extensions.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXeRecgFkTY/?taken-by=nikkinu_lashes

I was so stoked with how they looked!
It’s been several days since my appointment and I’m super impressed with how the lashes have maintained!

I sleep on my side and with an eye mask on which seems to really help protect my lashes from my slumber. So I would recommend wearing one!
I apply the sealant every day and use a spoolie to comb my lashes. As I mentioned, the sealant is in black and it does give a liquid eyeliner effect so if you would like a more natural look, the clear sealant is definitely your best bet.
I apply the sealant in the morning and then remove at night.

I would also recommend taking note of your habits before getting extensions. If you like to rub your eyes, like me, then you ought to be mindful of this. I wear contacts and when I take them out I’ve caught myself about to give my eyes a good rub and have had to stop myself just in time!

The lashes have endured the elements and I’m really impressed! I was walking down to the post shop yesterday to drop off orders and I got caught in a massive downpour and hail! But my lashes prevailed!

I coincided my hair wash with my appointment because I did not want to get my lashes wet or amongst steam for the first 24-48 hours! The longer you can push this the better because you will give the adhesive it’s best chance to fully cure (set) for longevity.

I’ve been cleansing with cotton tips and my fingers using an oil free micellar water which has worked really well!
A couple of lashes fell out on Wednesday (3 days after appointment) while cleaning which is normal and wasn’t painful, as to say they weren’t pulled out, and there are no gaps from this occurring.

I’m really loving my new lashes and think this is such a great way to wake up feeling awesome! I reckon if you have to wake up early to get to work, these will help cut your getting ready time down which is never a bad thing.

Nicole is an absolute babe who makes you feel super comfortable and is more than happy to answer your questions. She also provides top banter throughout the appointment and will safely guide you to your loo halfway through your session because you had to meet your 3-litres-of-water-a-day target. A true legend.

I hope this blog has helped any of you who are thinking of getting lash extensions!

Keep being you

Megan x

Megan is the CEO of Maverick Cosmetica
Maverick is a New Zealand online makeup store out of Megan’s home on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast.
All orders $50+ receive FREE shipping NZ wide
Buy any 2 Antipodes products + receive a free Reincarnation exfoliator or Grace facial cleanser while stocks last xx

What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?

I’ve heard this question being asked many times and after a conversation with my partner in the car yesterday it shone some light on how I would answer this…
With the help of my good friend Lauren Conrad xx

1. People try to bring you down because of their own fear and insecurities.
   You are just a mirror showing people what they’re doing or NOT doing and people may be threatened by that.
   If you are having a great time and using skills you are developing to be creative and you want to pursue that, you may show people that they aren’t making the best of their time.
   So they may make jokes at your expense to cut you down.
   This is the classic Tall Poppy Syndrome.
   As hard as it is to hear, some of your friends may not want you to do well. They may want you to be happy, but not happier than them. They may cheer you on and hope you succeed, but not more successful than them.
   So if your friends take the piss out of you, just laugh with them. Because in the future, your skills will be being put to good use while they will be sitting on the same couch they have been for the past decade.
   This is sad but I can guarantee you, you won’t regret getting good at something and making something of it.
   Value the friends who genuinely love seeing you ascend and tell you, you inspire them. They’re the lights in your life.

2. You’re allowed.
   
   To be happy, to love yourself, to dance in front of the mirror, to sing terribly, to like the way you look, to be proud of your achievements. You is fine.
3. Empathy is important.
   
   Not just for understanding your friends and helping them through any tough times they may be experiencing, but also for understanding why someone may be treating you unfairly.
   Taking the time to ask yourself what kind of day they may have had (or even what you know about their life) will help you to not take things so personally.
   If you genuinely believe you haven’t done anything wrong and someone is bringing you down, they may just feel threatened or jealous as they are comparing their deepest self to your projection of who you are.
   They don’t truly know you so they cannot truly judge you.
   If something someone says to you pushes a button and “hits home” then don’t feel the need to attack them in defence but instead think about why that matters to you so much.
   Is it something that you don’t like about yourself? Something that you do outwardly as an action that you feel contradicts your core beliefs?
   Then take that as an opportunity to change and to grow as a person.
   It may seem cheesy but the only person you should be better than is the person you were yesterday.

4. Stop shopping at Supré.
   
   Just. Stop.
   
   
5. Be mindful about what makes you happy.
   
   When you feel excited about something and motivated by something, take note! Because these things make up who you are. You are most beautiful when you speak about what you’re passionate about.
   If you don’t, you will lose that and completely forget what made you happy.
   The question “what do you like to do?” will draw a daunting blank space in your mind. You will have no idea.
   Knowing what makes you feel good is so important for self care and also for what you may want to pursue as a career option.
   Follow and listen to your heart and you’ll never be lost.
   
   
6. You’re allowed to say no to things you don’t want to do, it’s fine.
   
   
   Self care is the most unselfish thing you can do.
   If you take the time to make sure you have a calm mind and healthy view of the world, everyone you come across will feel that from you.
   You will greet people with a smile and you will shine your light on them and that can help people who may be in a dark shadow at that time.
   If you can leave people feeling better than when they met you, then you’ve cracked it.
   Every time you leave the house you cast a stone into the world and you cannot measure the distance or power of this ripple effect.
   So best to put your best self forward.
   
   
7. You’re not that funny.
   
   You don’t have to say everything that comes in to your mind. Shutting up once in a while will do you good.
   
   
8. Take no shit.
   
   In saying all that, don’t be a doormat.
   Don’t make excuses for friends to the point where they can just treat you like their emotional rubbish bin and after every interaction you feel used and exhausted.
   If they are too far up their own ass and only want you to be a “yes-man” and tell them they are always right then this is a red flag.
   These are the types of people who just dump their issues on you.
   If when you try to show them to another point of view, so they can gain understanding that may help solve their problem, they attack you and hurt you deeply, tell them. Because you don’t need to conform. You are merely disagreeing and standing up for what you believe in.
   In this instance there’s no need to attack them, just communicate.
   Just say it.
   This is brave to do and even though they’re your friends (and they should know you aren’t trying to hurt them) they still won’t like it.
   But it’s better than bottling shit up and people having no idea they’re hurting you until you erupt and just cut them off.
   Give them a chance to change like you would want them to do for you.
   However, if you find every time you try to tell them how you feel, they attack in defence, you’re better off distancing yourself.
   You don’t need that shit.

   

9. You’re not fat.
   
   But you will find out what that really is so stop making shit up and learn to like running.
   
   
10. You actually do become like the people you hang out with.
    And that should concern you.
    Be selective about the types of people you let in to your inner circle.
    Because once they’re in there, they can hurt you deeply.
    Be careful what you tell people.
    Not many people actually care about your best interests or helping you work through your current issue so that you feel better.
    They just want a story to tell.
    
    

11. If anyone makes you feel like you’re not good enough or you’re an embarrassment to them, leave.
    

You don’t need to perform for them. Ever.

Thanks for reading! Until next weeks blog..

Keep being you

Megan xx

Megan is the CEO of Maverick Cosmetica.

Maverick is a New Zealand online makeup store out of Megan’s home on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast.
All orders $50+ receive FREE shipping NZ wide
Buy any 2 Antipodes products + receive a free Reincarnation exfoliator or Grace facial cleanser xx