17 Concealer does not hide the fact you are no longer 17...

Well, first things first... the interview went fabulously! It wasn't as formal as I had expected and the staff interviewing me were so friendly and nice. The interview was in an office just off Oxford Street but I found it really easily and managed to arrive early, looking not too windswept. They have basically told me that as soon as the General Teaching Council in England approve my registration (you must have this to be allowed to teach in a school) I can start teaching, and they have plenty schools for me to go to. I'm so happy today – literally have not stopped smiling!(getting very strange looks on the tube). 

Right, now on to the massive update! I was toying with the idea of either doing a mammoth post, or splitting it up into smaller ones – I've decided to just go with the biggie, so if you don't fancy a long read, you can scan the few the photos and be off... :P

Starting off with my review of the 17 products, I must say I wasn't that impressed. Apart from my most favourite lippie (see previous), I don't think I'm going to become a massive fan like I was in my youth. The Hide Away concealer is really dry and doesn't blend into my skin well at all. Obviously this could just be because I have temperamental skin, but I doubt it. I've tried it a few times now, before moisturiser, after moisturiser, before and after foundation, applying with my finger and applying with a brush – it just aint happening. It's really noticeable when it's on, and dries too quickly, therefore not blending correctly into the skin. For 3.99 I guess I shouldn't have been expecting miracles, but I think they might need to have a rethink of the formula and make it a bit less chalky and more blend-able. For now, it's a no no. If anyone else has tried this and has a similar or different opinion please comment below. The Shine Control Pressed Powder wasn't as bad, but I'm still not to keen on the one shade fits all. Shine-controlling? Yes. Flawless finish? Sort of. I think if this came in a wider variety of shades it might be a little more perfect for me, but I guess I wouldn't really know unless I tried that out. However, saying all that, it did prevent a shiny-face mid-afternoon and stayed put relatively well. For a budget option it's definitely a winner but I think this one will take a few more wears to win me over completely. It comes with an applicator but I've been applying it with a brush which makes it appear a lot less 'caked-on'. I'll continue with this a little longer and see if the product grows on me.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation is surprisingly good and gives a nice even coverage, albeit the formula is a bit thick. I've been applying this with a foundation brush from The Body Shop and today I added a little moisturiser, which made the product go on a lot easier. I think I've chosen a shade darker than I should have, but the foundation itself is really good. I've been a fan of Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid for well over a year now, but I would consider using Match Perfection as an alternative. I'm going to keep using this bottle until I get paid, and might try a lighter shade to see how that goes. Verdict – reasonably priced, good coverage, best applied with a brush.

If you're still reading after all that – waaaayy! Your attention span is great! Next on the agenda... a huge collection of images from the past few days:

Nails: No7 and Barry M

Faces from the past few days:

Clothes: Dress - Primark

              Cardi - Primark

              Tights - Topshop

              Bird Necklace - gift from my gran

Interview Outfit: Dress - Primark
                            Tights - Asda
                            Shoes - Primark
                            Clover Necklace - Gift from a friend

I invested in some new shampoo and conditioner, after seeing it mentioned on another blog, and will be updating on that tomorrow. So far so good, I must say...

Again, a massive thanks to everyone who has been reading and following – I really appreciate you taking the time and if you want to know anything/see anything on my blog, I'm all ears... :)

Haitus Over!... and I have a new name...

I completely forgot I even had this blogging account and a whole year has passed since I've logged in, but I can now safely say, I'm back in business. Since I last posted I have become a graduate - I have letters after my name and everything! I never thought I'd be one of those people who would write those letters next to their name, as proof of their brilliance (always thought it was a bit big-headed and in-your-face-ish) but I actually think I'm turning into one of them! Not becoming big-headed-and-in-your-face-ish, but just, proud really that I achieved something, and like, it's kind of who I am now. In case you were wondering, the new addition to my name is in the form of B.Ed (Hons). The (Hons) past is necessary - it's a whole other year added onto the B.Ed part, so it would be rude not to include it. So yes, I'm now officially a teacher and and no longer a student (I hate paying full price in Topshop/Cineword, but not so much as to give up my B.Ed (Hons) unfortunately) which means job hunting!

I am, as I type, getting ready to move to London for several months in the hope of finding a teaching job! Bold move from a recently graduated Glasgow Gal, but a highly necessary one given the current job market, especially in teaching! I hate to sound like one of those people who moans about the government, but to be honest, they are pretty much ruining this country right now and with it, a lot of innocent, decent folks' lives. I have spent the best part of three months 'job hunting' (and by that I mean literally applying to every available job going and handing out millions of CVs) only to have an inbox full of "Thank you for your application, unfortunately..." e-mails alongside the blatant non-response from employers. It's been less than delightful I can tell you. At present in Glasgow, and I'm probably right in saying Scotland as a whole, there are no teaching jobs. Not a single vacancy. On top of that, there are several hundred (probably more) teachers out there currently unemployed, or living on irregular supply work. This situation is not restricted to the teaching profession either, and worryingly, councils are announcing cuts and subsequent job losses every day. The rate of unemployment in this country is growing at an alarming rate and Mr Cameron/Clegg's wonderful solution... cutting benefits, raising taxes, cutting council budgets and therefore jobs, and to top it all, telling us all to get off our backsides and get a job! Well Mr Con-dem... where are these jobs we're meant to be doing? The majority of unemployed people I know are very actively seeking employment, are very willing to get off their backside and are very sick of the leaders of this country kicking them when they're down and being completely ignorant of the lives of everyday British people! I just wish the people in charge of this country would for once, think about the people they are being paid to serve and who voted (not me though) them in! Give us all a break eh?

With that little rant out of my system, I leave you with my newly painted nails, and the thing that inspired them...