lip gloss

Paris - Le Haul part one

I spent a lovely few days in Paris last week with my friend Kelly and we had a ball. Lots of eating and walking the streets ... and lots of shopping too of course! I didn't go crazy but I did pick up a good few bits and pieces in Sephora and Parashop, my French pharmacy of choice. Here is what I got.

Guerlain Météorites - described as 'Light Revealing Pearls of Powder' they are light diffusing powder balls which are shaped by hand and used to minimise flaws and add brightness. I have been intrigued by these for a long time and when I came across them in Sephora I thought 'when in Paris ....'. I went for colour number 2, Light. It comes with a puff but is much better applied with a fluffy powder brush. And they smell absolutely divine. You can buy these on Sephora with UK shipping available here

YSL Rebel Nudes in colour Fuchsia Tomboy - ever since Sephora sent me that lovely sample these have been on my list (see post here). It was so hard to choose a colour but I had bought a fuchsia top in Galleries Lafayette earlier that day so I decided to get something to match. The texture of these is strange - cool on the lips at first. The staying power is amazing and that is something that is hard to find in a gloss format. 

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 869 Vie D'Enfer - these were everywhere in Paris. Dior have obviously spent big on advertising for this campaign and it worked on me! I bought this to compare to the YSL I bought above. I went for a classic red. It is part gloss, part lipstick. I can't decide which I prefer but I may just have to give it to YSL on the angled brush applicator. 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Ro(cocoa) - is it possible for an eyeliner to be too soft? This may be the case with this one. At times the soft texture is a dream as it glides on with absolutely no tugging, however when you try to tight-line with it on the upper lash line it is a little too soft. Evidence of this can be seen in the picture below where the point of the pencil has worn down. It is supposed to have a built-in sharpener which I can't seem to locate. Any ideas? I love the colour though and as with all Marc Jacobs Beauty products, the packaging is luxe.

I picked up a few little handy Sephora brand things that I thought you might be interested in seeing. The first are these cool eye-remover swabs that look like a simple cotton bud but have eye makeup remover in the middle which runs into the bud as you snap the top. So handy for traveling! The second handy this is this reusable wipe for removing makeup. No more cursing when your hotel does not provide flannels to wash your face, just whip this out and you are covered. It dries hard like a chamois but becomes soft when wet. I take my makeup off with Bioderma first, then used this cloth with a cleansing balm to get everything else off. Unfortunately I can't seem to find this product online to link it in this post. I also got another small bottle of their makeup brush cleaner because it is easy to transport and works a treat.

In my next post, Le Haul part two I will show you what I bought at Parashop. And don't worry, it is not the usual Bioderma and Nuxe lip balm that you have read about a thousand times before. I'm not that predictable!

My Favourite Things - November

As the weather turns even colder here, this is very a much a northern hemisphere centric selection. I can't wait to be in Sydney in a few weeks where my next month's favourites will no doubt be a lot more summery!

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Bobbi Brown Rich Colour Gloss in Ruby Red - this feels and looks like a gloss but has a longer staying power so it wears more like a lipstick. The colour is like cherry-chocolate and looks good enough to eat. £18.00 / $44.00

Bobbi Brown Rich Colour Gloss in Ruby Red

Bobbi Brown Rich Colour Gloss in Ruby Red

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Rose - a lovely all-in-one creamy blush and lip colour that comes in an easily transportable pot. It is more of an Autumn/Winter colour for me so I will be leaving this at home when I fly to Sydney in 12 days (not that i'm counting). £19.00 / $44.00

Jo Malone perfume - I needed a scent that was more wintery so I decided to go with Black Vetyver Cafe Cologne which is another favourite fragrance that Jo Malone is discontinuing**. My husband actually bought me this perfume just before we got engaged, so each time I smell it, it reminds me of being 28 and on holiday in Copenhagen. Lovely.

Pixi Beauty Wide Awake Crayon - top is 'Brighten', bottom is 'Lighten'

Pixi Beauty Wide Awake Crayon - top is 'Brighten', bottom is 'Lighten'

Pixi Wide Awake crayon - this is a double ended highlighting super-tool. One one end you have the 'Brighten' end which is a matt peach - this is great for using on the lower waterline and under the eye. The 'Lighten' end is a shimmer peach which is a lovely highlighter on the cheek bones, arch of brow and cupid's bow. Amanda Bell did a great mini-tutorial on using this which you can view here. £14.50 with free international delivery here.

 

 

 

 

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Weleda Lavender Milk Bath - i'm trying to hold off investing in another one of my favourite Aromatherapy Associated bath oils as I felt I couldn't justify the expenditure right now. Instead I bought this from Ocado and had it delivered with my weekly groceries so it was practically free (right?). It is a lovely bath milk for the price and i'm enjoying using it on Friday evenings when my kids are in bed. I will probably go back to my beloved bath oils next time around, but this is a lovely alternative for now. £11.95 / $29.90

** I just tried to link this with the Jo Malone website and it appears this fragrance has already gone from the online store. Boo-hiss.