Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara review + Look

Currently still on vacations, enjoying lots of time away from internet and computers.

Somewhere between Paris and London, I was home and received the present from Robyn! Thanks so much again, you're such a doll! The black pouch with the satin ribbon made the difference from the beginning! Plus she sent her cute magnets, always welcome for my fridge!


Here comes the review: The *new* Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara from Maybelline

What it says it does (source) :
"It’s our first vibrating mascara. Transforms your lashes to perfection.

* Patent-pending elastomer brush vibrates 7,000 times per stroke
* Provides clump-free definition, intense color, and shine
* Waterproof; also available in washable formula
* Builds lash volume, length, and adds curl
* Buildable formula
* Ideal for All Skin Types
* Contact lens safe"

How it works:

The application is really easy. You simply press the button on the lid to activate the pulse and you release to stop. I didn't find uncomfortable that I had to keep pressing the button whilst applying the mascara on my lashes.


The brush is plastic with short bristles which gives thicker application.


First coat : After I curled my lashes I applied it with slow strokes from the base towards the tip.



Second coat
: (Excuse the bored look, the sun was coming on my face and I had to try keeping my eyes open)


The results
: First impression :
(+) Super long lashes! I was really happy about that, it actually looks better in reality compared to these pics.
Plus, (+) thick lashes without clumping.
Careful though, (-) don't try to put more mascara after your lashes are dry. In that case there's too much clumping.
(+) Keeps curl
(+) Lasts long
(+) Good for day and evening
(+) Easy application
(+) Easy to remove (mine wasn't waterproof)
(+) Good price. With a quick search this costs about 15 dollars in US and Canada (is not available in Europe yet). If you want to try a vibrating mascara among all the new ones that came out lately, that's a good and safe choise. Others available are Oscillation by Lancome and TurboLash by Estee Lauder both around 35 dollars.
(-) Hypnose by Lancome that I usually use, gives a more natural look since it gives thickness to the roots and not to each single lash.

And as requested, the look, using my mascara and the Sleek palette in Storm.
Deep blue all over the lid, grey on the inside corners, black on the crease, and beige as a highlighter.








And an outfit of the day spent mostly inside the house.

Top and earrings from Topshop
(Fake)Uggs from Asda just 8 pounds to keep my feet warm! Love them!


Overall very happy with the mascara! Have you tried it? Did you like it?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Fifteen, London Review

I've been following Jamie Oliver since I was 15, and his first ever cooking show was on tv every afternoon. Whatever I had to do had to wait. Cooking books followed and more shows, and after I started trying his recipes at home, he never dissapointed me in taste or anything else!

So, whilst in London, I HAD to go to his restaurant! We booked a table online about a month ago. There's the restaurant or the trattoria to choose from. We chose trattoria because it seemed more casual compared to a fancy dinner in the restaurant.

"The Trattoria, on the ground floor, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner where you can enjoy great food in the typical Italian style. The Trattoria is rustic and relaxed and the service friendly, making it a great place to meet friends at any time of the day. " source

Btw I heard it makes the best breakfast in London!

Fifteen is located in a quiet area (15 Westland Place, N1 7LP), placed in an old building, easy to find (free) parking just outside.
Going inside it's cosy, nothing fancy,but a nice atmosphere and decoration.


So, let's move on to food finally!
As a starter we took :
"A selection of today’s freshly prepared and dressed summer vegetables, olives from Puglia, Italian cured meats and mozzarella di bufala Campana." and "Insalata Caprese – Beautiful mozzarella with Isle of Wight tomatoes and sweet basil" which I don't have a pic from, but it's the simplest salad you'll see with the most amazing taste!


For the main course I chose "The lightest potato gnocchi with a rich Welsh mountain lamb ragu, shaved parmesan and flat leaf parsley" and my bf "Seared trout with orange, beetroot
mint and onions"

OMG I have to talk about my gnocchi....they were divine! I'm still dreaming about them! They were fresh and soft, with just the right amount of lamb and the perfect sauce on top.....I'm drooling whilst writing this, it's a MUST if you visit the trattoria!

As a side dish we took italian fresh beans with garlic. I don't love beans so I don't have much to sat about that. :)


Our dessert was the best brownie I had ever tasted in my life, with a cherry sauce, cherries on top and chocolate sauce.

The service was excellent, everyone is very polite and not on top of your head all the time like in other restaurants where they take it too far. Food came quickly. The kitchen was behind us and you could see the desserts on the front and a selection of meats and different stuff on wooden dishes. I don't drink but I have to mention they have a variety of good wines where you can choose from.
The photos didn't turn out the way I wanted but the light was soft and I didn't want to keep using flash in the restaurant.


The dress code was saying smart casual. I chose to go safe and wear skinny jeans with a tunic that seems kinda smart and heels. Although I have to say, people in general in trattoria were quite casual and relaxed. So you definitely don't have to worry about that.

Ah, I love our garden!!!! So much better than my lounge in Greece, right?

Skinny jeans : Zara
Tunic : Pull&Bear
My new loves, shoes from Berska I found in Paris with and amazing discount








Would I go again? Absolutely yes! I'm looking forward and the food is worth every penny I spent!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

First day in Paris

6 days, 1096 photos.. My small camera was not enough to capture the beauty of this place.

Saying bye bye to Greece...


and welcoming the cloudy Paris..






You can see a tiny bit from the top of the Eiffel Tower from our room!


Every single building is special. I was blown away by the beauty of this city!


Everything is pretty, from old buildings, to malls and shops.. Louvre with the well-known Pyramid.


...to tents by Seine river selling vintage books, cards, posters.


First thing you notice is the multiculturalism of the place. Beautiful thing to see different people, wearing different clothes, according to their traditions. I don't get this in my small town!


Bicycles everywhere, there are even public ones to rent (how did I never think of that?)


My first chocolat in one of the many brasseries-cafes.



Les Invalides, Napoleon's grave. There's no way you'll see a simple front of a building, they care a lot about that.


The perfect symmetry. People here LIVE. Everywhere you go there's green, everything around you is nice to look at, you're happy walking at these streets.












Eiffel Tower from Trocadero Square. I was enjoying myslef 'till the heavy rain started suddenly!






or the Elysian Fields, and the Arc de Triomphe.


Louis Vuitton baby!
Cheeeeesy!I took a picture infront of Louis Vuitton! No shopping this time, I 'll have to come again :D I was craving the big suitcases from the window!











Metro is a great way to check the Parisian people and their style.
I consider myself an expert after using it so much.




To be continued...