Sephora to make a comeback in the UK...? :)

So word is that Sephora and Marks & Spencer are in talks about operating Sephora within their stores. Mmm if it goes ahead it certainly would be a breakthrough, but something in Oxford Street or Regent Street on the scale of the flagship Champs Elysees store is what I'm praying for. You can join the Facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4356233675

Demand for Sephora in the UK would be huge because the shopping experience there is unique compared to Boots and even Space NK and the beauty halls of major department stores.

I'm lucky enough to visit my family in France every few months so I can hit Sephora for my fix then. But the thought of Sephora in the UK makes me wonder how minimal my French hauls would be :)

Bisous -x-

Elle UK

I get a lot of inspiration from Elle UK magazine's online beauty gallery. It features photos of catwalk and celebrity make up looks and hairstyles. Check it out at: http://www.elleuk.com/beauty

Bisous -x-

Shopping in London...

LONDON is my hometown and although I sometimes get jaded, it has the best shopping in the world in terms of HIGH STREET.

Probably 50% of my wardrobe is TOPSHOP. I wouldn't say there is a method to shopping there, I just randomly come across cool items that fit in with the rest of my wardrobe - most recently BRETON TOPS and a STUDDED SWEATSHIRT tres Gagaesque! I love TOPSHOP SHOES! You can find CLASSIC SHOES with a MODERN TAKE or STATEMENT SHOES. I occasionally also find some cool ACCESSORIES - BAGS, STATEMENT JEWELLERY and TIGHTS.

My second main shop is URBAN OUTFITTERS. Again my finds there are all very random - most recently STUDDED and LEOPARD PRINT BALLET PUMPS and JEWELLERY. I have got my eye on a SARA BERMAN PRINCESS COAT there. Bring on the sales!

I hit ALL SAINTS for DECONSTRUCTED KNITWEAR, ZIPPED ANKLE JEANS, BLAZERS and ACCESSORIES. I love DIESEL for JEANS. I hit AMERICAN APPAREL for T-SHIRTS and BASICS. And I make some occasional random finds in ZARA, H&M RIVER ISLAND and ASOS.COM

I like RUSSELL & BROMLEY, OFFICE and FRENCH SOLE for SHOES.

For HIGH END I hit SELFRIDGES and CONTEMPORARY I hit HARVEY NICHOLS.

For BEAUTY I go to BOOTS because I can get POINTS on my ADVANTAGE CARD for FREEBIES. If I can't find a certain product in BOOTS then I go to SUPERDRUG. SELFRIDGES has the best BEAUTY HALL ever and I love SPACE NK too.

Where do you shop in your hometown or places that you travel to?
SHOPPING IN PARIS coming up shortly. Bisous -x-

Review: Mac DSquared Sculpt & Shape Powders

I personally prefer the Accentuate/Sculpt duo pictured below. But I think I will get the most use out of the highlighter side of both of the duos, although it wasn't really necessary for me to purchase both. I think this product is perfect if you don't want to contour with a bronzer. It is winter now in Europe and I personally don't like to use too much bronzer in the winter.

Accentuate/Sculpt

(Pale peach/pink shimmer highlighter and cool matte brown contour powder)

Bone Beige/Emphasise

(Pale cream light shimmer highlighter and reddish brown contouring powder)

Mac Style Black & DSquared haul

Hey

I haven't been so excited about a Mac collection since Hello Kitty in March, but my wallet is feeling the pain. These collections are great for someone like me who likes to keep my look smokey and simple.

I bought a lot more than I thought I would from Style Black...


From L-R: Cream Color Base in Black, Gilt by Association eyeshadow, Young Punk eyeshadow & Greasepaint Stick.

So far I have tried out everything, except for Young Punk because I didn't take it to France with me. I love using the Cream Color Base and Greasepaint Stick as a base under Gilt by Association (or any other eyeshadow) or by themselves for a smudgy, smokey effect. Think morning after eyes.

Moving on to DSquared...

From L-R: Lip Erase, Sculpt & Shape Powder in Bone Beige/Emphasize, Sculpt & Shape Powder in Accentuate/Sculpt & 2 Feline Khol Powers.

I have always wanted to get my hands on Lip Erase. At the moment I am exprimenting with it. I haven't had the chance to use the Sculpt & Shape Powders yet. Feline Khol Power is one of my all-time favourite Mac products. I don't understand why Mac doesn't include them in their permanent line. But I read on Temptalia that they will be coming out again in a collection in December/January.

Bisous -x-

Salut from Lyon!

Salut!

Just to let you know that I have three hauls coming up... Style Black, DSquared and Sephora/French pharmacy.

I am enjoying Lyon very much, the weather is sunny, the food is good, the bars are just under the apartment and the shops are just around the corner... and the best thing...

This little cutie is Bassam. She is a two year old French Bulldog. She likes: homeless people, carrots, jumping from sofa to sofa, swimming in the bath & beating up her brother Berlioz. She hates: being ignored, pedicures & when Berlioz is mean to her.

Here is a photo of Bassam & Berlioz together with their portrait...

I am tempted to leave all my hauls in France to make space in my suitcase for these cuties :)

Bisous -x-

Update & In & Out No3

Sorry I haven't bee able to update my blog, I have been studying for a test last Friday. I am back to France on Saturday for two weeks. This time I will be staying in Lyon. Apart from stocking up on the usual goodies over there, the only other product I am interested in purchasing is Make Up Forever HD Elixir. Its basically a serum that is supposed to keep dry skin hydrated.

I'm waiting in anticipation for Mac Style Black & DSquared to launch in the UK. There is a lot I want from those collections so its going to hit my wallet hard :)

Here are the goods and bads of September...

In

I'm still hitting pans and using up all of the random hair and skincare products around my flat.

Reaching over £28 worth of points on my Boots advantage card - Chanel Eye Gloss is almost mine, for free! :)

A new haircut - my hair really damaged from going from brunette to blonde. So I'm following the beauty blogger mantra: "You've got to cut it to grow it."

Going on holiday of course :)

Out

Soap & Glory Hair Supply - this totally dried out my hair.

L'Oreal Telescopic Waterproof mascara - this did't have the same effect as the regular one.

Bisous -x-

Favourite drugstore products

Back in high school and college the majority of my make up came from the drugstore. Then once I started work I started buying high end brands and didn't really pay much attention to drugstore brands.

But over the last few years I have rediscovered the drugstore and found some hidden gems. Here are my favourites...

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in #002 Hazel - I have been using this for years. Its cheap (around £2) and does the job. I don't see the point in buying high end brand eyebrow pencils.

L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara - I love love love the lengthening effect this has on my lashes. Its 1000 times better than Diorshow Unlimited.

L'Oreal Kohl Minerals Eyeliner - I put this on top of pencil lined eyes to soften them.

Gosh Eyeshadow Base - Does the same job as Urban Decay's or Too Faced's one, but cheaper. My eyeshadow lasts all night without fail.

Bourjois Liner Feutre - I have tried many high end brand felt tip eyeliners and haven't been impressed with any of them. This one is easy to apply and lasts all day. It costs around £6.

Pure Cosmetics Artists Cube Eyeshadow in Night - This eyeshadow is so much more flattering and easier to use than Mac Carbon. Although Pure Cosmetics is sold in Boots, their products are about the same price as Mac products, but they are worth it.

Pure Cosmetics Kajal Eyeliner - I love this on my waterline. Its a good dupe for Guerlain Terracotta Kohl Kajal which was limited edition.

Barry M - I love Barry M's nail polishes, lip paints and bronzer brush. I use the latter everyday which only cost £5!

Bisous -x-

Babyliss Pro 200 Nano mini straighteners

I'm a frequent traveller and I dream of travelling light. I'm off to France again next month and my GHDs aren't joining in on the holiday fun because I bought these at Superdrug today for £15. They are also available at John Lewis. I can't believe I nearly forked out 50 Euros for some Sephora brand ones in Paris!

They feature a 200 degree temperature and come in four colours - green just happened to be the only colour on the shelf. I've tried them out and obviously being so small they take a bit longer to straighten my (long) hair but I'm happy with the end result. They are excellent at creating loose waves and styling my fringe. You just have to be very careful and keep your fingers on the finger rests so you don't get burnt.

All I need now is a mini heat mat - does anybody know where I can get one from?

Bisous -x-

PS: I plan to do some posts in the near future about what make up I take when I travel and make up for a long distance flight.

New shoes

£35 from Office... tres Chanelesque!