I was meant to post this weeks ago, better late than never.

I was 15 in 1980, but I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up until I was 16 (thanks dad). So, on my 16th birthday off to Boots I go (with my mum of course). I was only allowed the basics, so I got face powder (no foundation, she said I was too young), eye-shadow, eyeliner, and lippy – all in a sludgy brown colour. But it didn’t take long before I was off and buying my own, and being the 1980’s I had so much inspiration, Boy George, David Bowie, Steve Strange and Toyah. I loved it, early 80’s very New Romantic and experimental. Late 80’s all strong women, shoulder pads, power suits and HUGE hair, and my hair was enormous, so glad we didn’t have phones with cameras back then.

My make-up, and nails had to match and be colour coordinated with the outfit and accessories. Blue outfit, blue eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara, pink shiny lips and nails. Purple outfit, purple eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara, lilac shiny lips and nails and if the outfit was black, grey eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara and the reddest lippy you have ever seen, my fave was from Miss Selfridge – Doris Karloff. My fave lippy of the 80’s was another Miss Selfridge one Copper Knockers. When I did get my hands on the foundation, oh my, it was fabulous – Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish in Toasty Beige. It was thick, I’m sure you could have artexted the ceiling with it. I don’t think it was called cake foundation cos it was in a cake, I think it’s because we caked it on as thick as we could get away with.

In the 80’s, the bigger the hair the better, I was so lucky, I’ve got naturally curly hair, so no perm required. All I needed was a tin of VO5 mouse, a hairdryer with a diffuser and a tin of insette hairspray. I used about half a tin of mouse, head was flung upside down and diffused to within an inch of its life, and then as much hairspray as was needed to keep the hair in place. Mine didn’t move, ever. My nephew thought I poured beer on my head when I went out, thats why my hair was hard and sticking up when I’d been out. The only other variation to the hair was the colour, it was red, many, many shades of red, sometimes brown, and once, just once it was blonde (why didn’t anybody tell me).

The finishing touch was the perfume, my perfume of choice was Poison, I loved it, my mum hated it. I wasn’t allowed to touch anything in the house once I’d put it on, funnily mum and dad were the ones who bought it for me. I also loved Opium, all the heavy fragrances, thick heavy and horrible, no wonder I got migraines.

So, it was on with the 3inch heels and off I went. I never left the house without any of it, even if I was just of the shop for ciggies.

I’m glad to say I relaxed the make-up and heels as I headed into the 90’s. Lighter foundations, toned down the eyes and lips, still kept the nails, but I’d discovered acrylics and was never seen without a huge set of talons.

Somewhere between the 90’s and now I’ve totally fell of the vanity wagon. I dont wear make-up at all, unless I’m going out, then it’s the bare minimum. The hair is grey and tied up in a bun/pony, when I go out its wash and go, I wash it, squirt of anti frizz cream and go. Heels are a no no, its flats or trainees, I dress for comfort these days.

I love colour, orange is my favourite. I had to wear an overall for work, they’ve been some lovely colours, blue, grey and black for the last few years. The whole work outfit was black, trousers shoes and overall. The only good thing about wearing an overall is I didn’t have to think about what to wear for work, lovely, all black, hair tied up, no make-up. #mrsfrump

Well no more, as of 30th August I am no longer employed at Liverpool University, I am a Student there. I’m a little bit terrified and a whole lot excited. So I’m getting the eyebrows sorted, I’ve cleared my make-up bag out, am sure there was stuff in there from the 80’s. The hair has had its grey bits got rid of (with a bit of help from Davina and Dan). I’ve bought some new clobber. Been out and about a bit this week, it is Welcome Week, the rest of this week is gonna be busy, welcome fair, collect the student card (need it for student discount), and Lunch with the Irish Studies buddies.

Probably the best thing, is meeting new friends. I can be a bit anti-social. I do put walls up, am a bit wary for letting people in, so the new me is embracing new people and experiences. I’ve gotta say, I am loving it, and I think the next 3 years are gonna be some of the best years of my life. But I know, keeping my feet on the floor, and always there when I need them, are the girls, the girls who have always been there for me, and I know they always will be. So buckle up ladies, I’m taking you with me, and we’re gonna have the ride of our lives.