Due to a mixture of stress and maybe a thyroid problem, in November- early December I’ve lost my eyelashes. It literally happened over night, one day i was fine the other, had nothing to put mascara on. Well not really nothing, still have some of my top ones but the bottom are gone.

Behold the evidence:

GONE!

Now this is no stranger to me, since i was a child my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes fall out when im stressed. Don’t know how to translate the condition name in english, but yeah I’ve lived with it all my life. Thankfully no one can notice, or so ive been told, when i have my makeup on. And no, fake eyelashes are not a solution for my everyday life.

Anyway, this is what ive bought to tackle the issue:

RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum (€50)

A cult product for lash growth, been reading about it for ages on blogs and was amazed by the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures. Was a bit worried about the side-effects, apparently it can be irritant for some people, change the eye color (!?!) and promote a mild pigmentation on the lids. It should be used for approximately 8 weeks.

How to use: every night, apply RapidLash at the base of the eyelashes. Its very easy, just like applying liquid eyeliner (well minus the messy evidence)

So far i have been using it for 2 weeks and these are my preliminary thoughts:

a) no irritation, stinginess, redness or other nasty side-effects. Also my eyes are the same green/hazel they have ever been.

b) no growth whatsoever. Nope, my bottom lid is as bare as the dessert.

NB. I will continue to use it until the 8 weeks are up, i was just hopping ill see some results in just two weeks.

Talika Lipocils (€20)

The Lipocils was recommended by my eyebrow threading specialist, to grow my eyebrows. It is meant for lashes, but really cant see how this will work at all. The brush is so big and it appears drying, like there is nothing on it when you try to comb your lashes. When used on the eyebrows, i can tell that there is a gel-like texture on the wand.

Again i only used it for two weeks, only on my eyebrows. No massive difference yet.

Mavala Double Lash (€10)

This product i have been using all summer and im still using it daily in the morning time. To be honest i don’t even know why im using it still, no difference whatsoever on my lashes and this was in the times i had luscious, long lashes (ah…memories). Think its more a lash conditioner rather then ‘lash growth’ product. Im applying it in the morning before my mascara.

As a natural remedy, i have tried the castor oil every night on my lashes for a month or more (in Nov/December) but no luck. Usually this cure made the trick in the past, but this time nope.

Also ive started taking Perfectil and Silica supplements. Really cant do more then im doing, just pray for growth lol. Oh yeah, i could have a ZEN attitude!

Any lash growth remedies/products that i should now about? I would try anything!

- to be continued after 6 weeks -

I owe you guys a review of my week of following the Celebrity Slim diet (here). I managed to use up the whole started pack and follow the guide lines, even though i cheated with a meal on Valentines Day. Can’t really blame a girl to enjoy a glass of pink champagne and chocolates, could you?!?

Pro’s

• didn’t feel hungry at all, didn’t have any major cravings.
• large selection of flavours, soups, bars. My favorite shake was the mocha-coffee flavored one.
• suited my lifestyle perfectly, as i don’t have a major breakfast in the morning (don’t feel hungry at all, apparently my metabolism slows down in the morning and its more active in the afternoon)
• had my shake for lunch, which was grand…again, felt full and active.
• for dinner had my usual meals: soup, meat and veg, humus with salad, chicken fajita etc.
• the shakes are ok, nothing terrible but i would label them delicious either.
• the most important, lost about 3 pounds (1.5kg) in a week!

Con’s

• its not a long term diet, should only be used on a short term basis. I used it just for a quick fix and break the junk eating cycle.
• towards the end, felt bored of the taste despite the variety.
• i know it will sound odd, but i didn’t feel i was clean eating. Just the thought of mixing powder and water to create a meal, made me feel like i was depriving my body of nutrients.

Overall it is an effective diet, i have friends who lost about 6 pounds in a week combined with exercise. I used Celebrity Slim as a quick fix, didn’t prolong it further then a week, as for me it reached its purpose. I would recommend following the diet maybe before a holiday, big event etc as it will deliver results and help you feel lighter.

At the moment I’m reading two books about diet: The Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution and the Dr Perricone one as I am trying to follow a low carb diet. Also started exercising so please God i should look good for summer!

NB. Don’t use Celebrity Slim Program if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication. Please check with your GP before starting the Celebrity Slim. Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under 16 years of age. I payed for the product myself.

I always say that. Oh i will start being good from Monday, i will lose weight from Monday or i will exercise from Monday. Monday never comes. Or if it does, i am good just for a day, sometimes even half a day and then what the heck I’m living once…gulp gulp there goes the chocolate and the pie. Its not pretty, i assure you.

What it seems to work for me are easy plans, don’t confuse me with complicated meals that need 100 ingredients or with loads of snacking. For my lifestyle its just not sustainable. Gosh, I’m not saying that its not healthy to have a diverse diet or that snacking its bad, no I’m definitely NOT saying that. Its just that my work shifts are not regulate, I’m not a 9-5 desk person with a fixed lunch at 1. I’m sick of eating junk and sweets all day long, i need a clean break to sort myself out.

That’s why i decided to give a go to Celebrity Slim again. I have been following the diet last year for two weeks before my holiday and it went great. I lost a bit of weight, without feeling hungry and i haven’t put it back on. Well, until Christmas anyway.

Celebrity Slim consists in replacing two of your main meals with their shakes or soups, while having one remaining main meal with real food and two healthy snacks. Easy peasy.

The shakes are ok, i will even venture to say that they are tasty and come in a variety of flavours: chocolate, strawberry, caramel, cafe latte (my favorite!), banana and vanilla, so i don’t get bored. The soups are nice too, i got in the starter pack two sachets of country beef and roast chicken soup. I’m saving them for dinner.

In the starter pack you also get one plastic shaker, a cute little diary and a Celebrity Slim program guide with meal plans, calorie counting and helpful tips.

It costs about 40 euro for the starter pack and then it about 32-36 euro for the shakes and 17 for the soups to continue. Honestly, I don’t find it that expensive as I’m replacing two meals, i would spend more on them usually in a week.

I have weighted myself today and took my measurements, so we’ll see what happens in a weeks time. Next Sunday ill write a review of my first week with details of what i eat on my meals and snacks. My goal is to lose one stone, not all on this diet but to have a kick start and to stop eating junk. Hope it goes well, day one almost gone and im not feeling hungry at all.

NB. Don’t use Celebrity Slim Program if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication. Please check with your GP before starting the Celebrity Slim. Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children under 16 years of age. I payed for the product myself.

Reebok EasyTone Trainers are a new generation of sport shoes meant to help people get the most of their workout. The blurb is: “EasyTone helps tone key leg muscles. How? Balance pods are built-in under the heel and forefoot of the shoes. The balance pods are designed to create natural instability with every step which forces your muscles to adapt and encourages toning.” (source Reebok EasyTone leaflet)

Apparently it increases muscle activation up to 28% in gluteus maximus (bum), 11% hamstrings (back of thighs) and 11% calves.

As you know from my last post, i have started a spring body cleansing. That means i will ditch the junk food in favor of fruits and vegetables, get over my sugar addiction and start exercising more. The exercising more part is what brought me together with the EasyTone shoes.

I don’t like going to gym, i find it quite boring personally and i am lacking in motivation to go every day/week. Tried it before last year, spent 160 euro on a 3 months membership and only went 2 times. So i suppose its just not my cup of tea.

What i do enjoy is walking, rain or shine i don’t really mind as long i have my ipod with me and comfy clothes. So to start my walking programme i decided to walk up and back from work (20 min walk one way) everyday and three times per week have a longer walking session.

So here are the wonder shoes:

I have been using them for about a week and i honestly can say I’m noticing that is something different. To tell you bluntly, I’m feeling soreness in muscles that i didn’t know i had. The walking is more pleasurable, they are extremely comfortable and i have noticed it helps with my posture as well. I don’t know if they are meant to help with posture or not, but even if its just the placebo effect I’m still pleased.

I am placing them on the same league with MBT`s and Skechers Shape Ups but with a more fashionable look and affordable price. Mine were 85 euro, i know they are not cheap but compared with the MBT`s (about 200 euro) they are very reasonable. Also because they are black and i can wear them at work everyday so I`m getting good use out of them.

The range of colors is very limited, you can choose from white with blue stripes or black with hot pink stripes. I suppose they will bring more models in the future, i know in America you can find them in silver as well.

Also the promotional add is brilliant, loads of beautiful models parading in hot pants and EasyTone shoes. I hope my legs will look like that or i want a refund!

Anyway, add or no add the shoes are a good investment if you are a novice in exercising like me.

xo xo xo

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Reebok, I am just a happy customer. I have purchased my trainers with my own money.