World Alzheimer's Day - 21st September 2014

 

 

The 21st September was World Alzheimer's Day,

if you have read my previous post about my Nan you would know that she had Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of Dementia.

Nearly twice as many women have Alzheimer's as men do.

Heart disease can raise the risk of getting Alzheimer's.

The more education you have, the lower your risk of getting Alzheimer's. Doing group activities or interacting with others also may lower your risk.

Alzheimer's Australia is the national peak body and charity representing the more than 330,000 Australians living with dementia and the estimated 1.2 million Australians involved in their care.

 

 

My nan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a couple of years ago.

It didn't seem too bad, but I do know that it starts off slowly then progresses quite fast. Unfortunately she passed away on the 12th September 2014,

not from the Alzheimer's but from a fall and then complications in hospital.

 

For anyone who has dementia or knows someone who has it I am sending positive vibes your way. I know it's a difficult disease to ...deal with.

Just please be understanding toward the person, don't get mad if they repeat themselves, they can't help it. I often just acted like it was new info and got excited, even though she'd just told me like three times hah.. It makes them feel better about themselves.

 

 

To donate to Alzheimer's Australia please visit their website

>> www.fightdementia.org.au <<

Kidney Health Australia - 21st September 2014



Hey everyone,

My next awareness look is for Kidney Health Australia.
On the 14th September 2014 was the Big Red Kidney Walk,
I couldn't attend, but I thought why not do a makeup look for it anyway.

My boyfriend, Mathew, was told in October 2013 that he has a kidney disease called IgA Nephropathy. What the hell is that you ask?!
Well, from what I know, and correct me if I'm wrong, when you eat red meat, it produces a waste product called Urea, people who have kidney disease, the urea builds up in the kidneys wearing down the filters. The filters do not recover, you can just maintain them. To do this, you have to change your diet, lose weight, and keep your blood pressure within normal range.

It was a little tough when he first found out he had kidney disease,
he weighed 153kg at the time and works 6 days a week, had never been to a gym and we ate whatever was in the house (still living with my parents)
As soon as we found out, I told Mum that we have to eat our meals separate from them (Mum & Dad), because they eat a lot of pre-packaged foods and that was no good. He was put on blood pressure medication and since then it has come down.

We started eating salad for dinners and if we chose to have meat we would have a smaller portion. We were doing well with our diet and we were walking 3-4 times a week. Then the weight loss stopped.  But we've gotten back on track and have both started working out a few times a week with a PT..

Mathew now weighs 132kg, he is doing so well and I'm extremely proud of how far he has come. His next appointment with the Nephrologist (kidney doctor) is on the 8th October 2014 so fingers crossed all goes well.

Now you may be wondering how he found out he had kidney disease in the first place.
Well....

Mat was told a couple of years ago that he had high blood pressure, he took his medication, but as he is a male... and a Taurus... he's quite stubborn.
He stopped taking the meds and assumed he was fine.
A few months after he stopped he started getting a sore neck and shoulders, then the headaches came and sore eyes.
Me, being a big worrier told him to go straight to the doctors, but as if he'd listen to me lol...

A few months went by, then one day he got really dizzy while at work so I went and picked him up and brought him home, he slept all afternoon. The next morning he got up and I took him to work, he rang me at 8am and said he was dizzy again, so I came and got him and brought him home, I told him to go to the doctors but again he said no.
I went to university, when I got home he was hurled over in the bathroom vomiting into our vanity sink. That was enough, I told him to get in the car, and I took him straight to emergency. The nurse took his blood pressure and it was 208/123 (woah).. She said it was high enough for him to have a stroke, after a few hours he got a bed up on the ward and the next day, after a few tests including urine tests, they came to the conclusion that he had kidney disease.

so yes, this is our story and the beginning of our journey, I will update you all at a later date.

 As a tribute to Mathew and all of the other sufferers of Kidney Disease and IgA Nephropathy out there I did a makeup look inspired by Kidney Health Australia.



 

If you would like to donate to Kidney Health Australia, please click the image below;

 

 

In Loving Memory of Norma Marjorie Shepherd - My Nan - 12th September 2014

So, 12th September 2014 at 12:45am my Nan passed away.

 

Norma Marjorie Shepherd

Aged 84 Years

 

Nan was the only grandparent I got to meet, my Nan and Pop on my mum's side passed away before I was born. I was never allowed to meet my Pop on my Dad's side, so I was left with Nan. She was an amazing woman who went through a lot in her life. She always remained happy and cheerful. She found joy in the smallest things, we'd buy her a new lipstick or a ring from Avon and she would think it meant the world. She would be so grateful and she'd thank you like a million times. We'd travel two and a half hours to see her and she'd be so excited to see you, her face would light up as you opened the door.

 

Since I was born, 1990, Nan has been old and fragile, from what I've heard she wasn't always that way. But that is what made me think she would live forever, she just kept on keeping on. In the last few years she found out she had Dementia. To me it was never really that bad, she remembered who I was and who my family was, she just struggled with day-to-day sentences. Nan would repeat the same sentence like 5 times within 10 minutes, that's when you knew it was time to go because she'd ran out of things to say. She often felt bad for repeating herself and would apologise if she realised. Not that I minded I often just acted like it was new information that I hadn't heard before.  

 

The last time I went up to see her, 28th August 2014, I opened the door and again her little face lit up, and she said "ohh hello love". I walked in and realised she was watching a blue screen on the TV, I said "Nan! Why are you watching a blue screen?" and she pointed at the remote and said "oh I don't know how to use this thing love, there's too many buttons" I picked it up and changed it back to normal TV from AV lol... Something so simple to me, seemed so complex for her. It's strange to think just how much generations have changed over the years.

 

Nan never bought us grandchildren many Christmas or birthday presents, there were just too many of us. But last year she bought me a little coin purse and at the time she gave it to me my heart just melted. It was the first real present from Nan and it's now something I will cherish forever.

 

 

Norma Marjorie Shepherd aged 84 years old.

 

Mother of;

Gary

David

Brian

Robert

Michael

Linda

Nan to so so many lol:

Kathi
Geoff
Kim

 

Kirstin

Albert

Samantha

 

Catherine

Ricky

Amy

Jodie

 

Renee

Benjamin

Jaimilee

 

Wayne

Suzzanne

Annette

Christine

 

James

Lauren

 

Great grandmother to a growing number of children <3

 

 

I love you so dearly Nan, you were and always will be embedded in my heart. You meant so much to me, I hope you're now peacefully resting with no pain, just sweet memories of an amazing life lived. You were a wonderful mother who cared and loved your children so much, you often would recite the names of every grandchild, and even started reciting the great grandchildren's names. You were a wonderful, caring and loving person who saw only the best in everybody. You were dearly loved by our whole family, and many friends you met along the way. We will all miss you so much, you were the rock of the Shepherd family and I will cherish that memory in my heart forever. I say goodbye, not with sadness, but with happy memories and positive thoughts that you're now resting in peace. 

 

I love you Nanny <3

xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RUOK? 11th September 2014

Hello again, these are becoming a regular occurrence.

So today is RUOK? Day..

 

 

So my theme for the makeup is very similar to yesterday being that it is suicide prevention.

 

Have you got a friend or family member that seems a bit different lately? Maybe a little down? lack of motivation, not interested in any hobbies they once loved? or maybe they're acting a little antisocial.. why not take some time to ask if they are ok? a conversation could be just what they need to get started on their journey to happiness.

 

 

RUOK? Is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2009.

Their vision is a world where we're all connected and are protected from suicide.

They want to prevent lack of connection (or lack of belonging).

By inspiring people to take the time to ask "are you ok?" And listen, we can help people struggling with life feel connected long before they even think about suicide.

It all comes down to regular, face-to-face, meaningful conversations about life.

Asking "are you ok?" Is a great place to start.

 

PRODUCTS USED:

Face:

- Chi Chi Fabulous & Flawless Foundation Ivory 1

- Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder Natural

- Hoola by Benefit

- NP Contour & Highlight Kit

 

Eyes:

- BH Cosmetics Lip & Lid Primer

- BH Cosmetics 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette 2nd Edition 
- Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Crème Brulee and Vanilla Bean

- e.l.f liquid eyeliner in black

- MakeUp Store Australia Black Pencil Eyeliner upper lashline

- Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara

 

Brows:

- NYX Retractable Eyebrow Pencil Dark Brown

- Nutrimetics Eyebrow Kit

Lips:
- e.l.f Long-wear Lipliner Pencil in Natural Blush
- Rimmel Liquid eyeliner for lettering 

 

 

If you would like to donate to the RUOK? please visit their website

by clicking the image below

 

 

 

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2014

Today's makeup look was made to create awareness for Suicide Prevention.

 

 

If you've read my previous blog, you'd know that I have depression and anxiety. I think it had been gradually getting worse without me really noticing, but then all of a sudden I had thoughts about suicide. I can tell you now, that is definitely not something I usually think about. But this particular week I had thought about it a few times.

 

Basically, for me, it started off as me just feeling upset, just in general. I'd had an argument with my partner over something really trivial and it escalated from there. I went into a room by myself and cried for hours. I felt so low that my own brain was making up reasons why no one would care and/or even notice if I wasn't here anymore.

 

Now, ten weeks later, I understand that this is not true at all. But when you're feeling that low, it is hard to tell your brain otherwise. It's really hard to find a positive with all of that negativity floating around in your mind, like a big rainy dark cloud hovering over your head.

 

At the time I'm not quite sure what made me stop crying but something did and I didn't go ahead with it, many people aren't that lucky. A few days later I was worried about it, because I had scared myself. I understood that I was shy so ringing any help lines was out of the question, so I contacted Beyond Blue online. I chatted to a lady online and described my feelings and she asked me a few questions and it all went from there. I booked to see my GP and she asked me more questions and after a couple of sessions she informed me I had mild depression, anxiety, and I am also suffering from grief still.

 

I am still struggling to come to terms with it all, and each day is a major struggle, not so much the depression, but the anxiety. It can take over at any time, it can make you antisocial, it can make you sick to your stomach. Its such an odd mental illness to understand. I am still undergoing treatment so that I can learn how to deal with these feelings, I will keep you all updated on my progress as time passes.

 

But for now, here is the makeup look I did for World Suicide Prevention Day 2014

 

 

I used yellow to represent a few things, the first being

the yellow awareness ribbon for World Suicide Prevention Day,

and also to symbolise a new beginning, the happy days, the goals met,

the friends and family you have, and also positivity.

 

The black smoky eye represents the dark days, and how they feel as though they're taking over your life. It also symbolises the depression and anxiety that causes such feelings.  

 

 

PRODUCTS USED:

Face:

- Chi Chi Fabulous & Flawless Foundation Ivory 1

- Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder Natural

- Hoola by Benefit

- NP Contour & Highlight Kit

 

Eyes:

- BH Cosmetics Lip & Lid Primer

- BH Cosmetics 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette 2nd Edition 
- Makeup Geek Eyeshadow in Corrupt, Crème Brulee and Vanilla Bean

- e.l.f liquid eyeliner in black

- MakeUp Store Australia Black Pencil Eyeliner

- Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes Mascara

 

Brows:

- NYX Retractable Eyebrow Pencil Dark Brown

- Nutrimetics Eyebrow Kit

Lips:
- Avon Glimmerstick retractable black eyeliner to line and fill in my lips
- e.l.f Liquid Eyeliner in black
- BH Cosmetics 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette 2nd Edition, for the yellow

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you ever are feeling worthless, or feel as though you don't belong here, talk to someone, anyone! A friend, a family member, or call;

Lifeline - 13 11 14
Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

If you'd like to donate to World Suicide Prevention Day p
lease visit their website by clicking on the image below

 

Requested: Vitiligo Awareness Makeup 6th September 2014

The next look was requested by a beautiful girl named Tayma,

she has a disorder known as Vitiligo.

 

 

 Vitiligo is a condition that causes depigmentation of parts of the skin.
It occurs when skin pigment cells die or are unable to function.

 

 

World Vitiligo Day (25th June) is an annual day specially dedicated to people with Vitiligo, it aims to increase awareness of Vitiligo and raise funds needed for research and education. 

 

Tayma noticed my post, on the Facebook group 'The MakeUp Social',

about PCOS and found me on Instagram.

She then requested I do a look to raise awareness for Vitiligo,

which I had never heard of. I went online and researched it a little more,

found out what the awareness colours are and went from there.

 

I would just like to say Tayma, you're a beautiful person.

I can't thank you enough for your time and effort writing about me in a blog post.

Random acts of kindness can change someone's whole day.

 

Starting this journey of creating awareness is something I have thought about for a long time, but never really thought it was possible.

Anything is possible, if you remain positive and keep smiling.

I am so glad I pushed my anxiety and low self-esteem aside and just went for it.

I love to help people, it's something that makes me feel good, as well as them.

I hope you all enjoyed this look and learnt something new today,

I also hope I create inspiration inside of you to do something to help someone else.

Please check out Tayma's blog and her post about Vitiligo
http://bloodtintedbeauty.blogspot.com.au/
 If you would like to donate to World Vitiligo Day
please visit their website
>> www.25june.org/pages/donate <<

Batman Mask Makeup 26th August 2014

The next look was inspired by my friend, Ben, who passed away in 2012.

He loved Batman and I thought I would re-create the Batman Mask.

 

 

First, I used Chi Chi Fabulous & Flawless Foundation in Ivory as a base

Then I used a silver face crayon to draw the outline of the mask

 

 

Next, I used my BH Comsetics 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette

for the orange and yellow glow.

Then I used Black Face & Body paint to outline the mask and fill it in.

Then I did a yellow and orange smoky eye using the 120 palette again,

I applied some Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara and put

NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu on my lips and that's it :)

 

I hope you all enjoyed this look. It would be fun to wear to a costume party or perfect for Halloween. Something quick and easy to achieve as well as affordable.

 

Have fun, Stay Safe.

 

Love Kimmy

xx