Bye bye 2014, London, Hair stuff and Cuir de Russie (spoiling myself!)

Hi everyone,

Today I just realised that time went so quick that I din't take time to sit and share with you all those very special girly moments that made life so much more enjoyable!
Things have been hectic ( in a very positive way) so have only taken a few snaps for my Instagram and Facebook page. Maybe I should stick to a monthly post?

This one will definitely be my last one for 2014 though.

Just to recap a few things:

I am now working in the heart of London and am surrounded by lots of gorgeous places that I will definitely share with you in the future. Xmas lights were an absolute delight and full of magic . I have found a few windows and streets that I will try to capture and share with you in the future. PROMISE!

Hair is growing! AND I have found a great shampoo at Boots that DOES make a real difference to my dry
frizzy hair. It is called ELVIVE Extraordinary Oil by L'Oreal. Bought the shampoo and the conditioner for a couple of pounds as it was a test price and believe me, I am going to use this again as it REALLY WORKED! My hair is super soft and my curls are firm and shiny. Those who know me, know the struggle I have been through with my hair since I have moved from France. Since I have lived in England, my very looooooooooooooong and wavy hair has turned into something that looks like a giant bird's nest on my head so I had to have it cut. Then, I had a very short hair cut when I didn't expect it. So now, I am trying to grow it again. I want to be me again!!!

 Oh dear...how can hair change someone so much?

Got myself a few treats from Chanel, Dior and Guerlain but my definite treasure for this end of year is Cuir de Russie one of the exclusives by Chanel . Not only an exclusive, it is one of the original frangrances created by Ernest Beaux in 1924 for Mademoiselle Chanel. 

I have to confess that I have paid a few visits to the Chanel boutique in Selfridges and sprayed myself with a couple of the exclusive fragrances. My first impression of Cuir de Russie was that it felt too ashy. But it was in the Summer and I am not sure I was in the mood for something like this at the time. I had set my heart on 31 Rue Cambon which is lighter and more feminine. However, when I went again to the boutique a few days ago. I gave Cuir de Russie another try. I have to say that I was suprised by the floral notes that I didn't really notice the first time and the ashy/woody note felt just right at this time of the year! I wished I could have gone for the 200ml bottle but little wise me chose the 75ml ( £103! and this was with 10% Sales off !!). The service was immaculate and the fragrance specialist placed the fragrance in a box for me. Since it is my birthday very soon, she placed a beautiful little box with the most delightful diorama and a mini n5. I will treasure this for ever as I am also a miniature and fragrance enthusiast!

There will still be a lot to share with you in the new year. Nails, makeup, perfume and a little tour of London. I will be happy to discover what you have to share in 2015 and I wish you lots of Happiness, Health, Wealth and LOTS of GIRLY MOMENTS!

See you in the new year!

Patricia.xxx

Givenchy makeup swatch ( video)

Have you ever tried Givenchy makeup?

My first makeover was given to me by a Givenchy makeup artist when I was seventeen and they had only just launched their first Prismes. It was in 1989 and I used to live in the lovely town of Angers ( pronounced as in ANGEL) which is where I grew up after we left Paris. I was on my own shopping when I saw there was a new launch in one of my favourite perfume shops.

The reason why this day will remain in my mind forever is because I had never been allowed to wear makeup. Not even nail polish. I imagine that my fascination for the subject grew from that time. I remember that my parents hadn't noticed my makeup once back home. The makeup artist had done such a great job with perfect delicate shades for a girl of my age. But I remember I loved it because I still looked like me but only a little improved.When I give a makeover, this is what I want to share. I like when women are surprised yet still feel it is them they see in the mirror.

Anyway, I have just acquired a selection of Givenchy makeup and couldn't wait to share this with you.

In this video, you will see swatches of the following products:

-Ombre Couture, Rose Dentelle

-Healthy Glow Powder, Croisiere

-Le Prisme Yeux, Khaki Egerie

-Le Prisme Blush, In Vogue Orange

-Le Vernis , Grenat Initie

If for some reasons you cannot see the video, here are pictures of the look and of the nail polish.
I hope you will enjoy the review and let me know when was your first makeover?

Rendez Vous With ROSA by Acqua di Parma at the Cafe Royal in London

 On a beautiful Summer's day, I arrived in the heart of Piccadilly Circus at the entrance of an iconic place once a favourite of Louis Armstrong, Rudyard Kipling, Oscar Wilde and Lady Diana: the Cafe Royal.
Although surrounded by the morning buzz of the early tourists and the turmoil of growing traffic, the wide entrance was promising an experience of another time. I had a rendez-vous with ROSA the new born of Acqua di Parma.

Once in the hall of the legendary building, it seemed that time had stopped in an era where things seemed simple and yet so sophisticated. There was a rich contrast of classicism, history and modernism.

Up the long marble staircase behind a wooden door was an ocean of flowers, a captivating scent in the air and an explosion of feminine grace that was opening wide its arms to welcome you.

And there was Rosa about to reveal the secrets of a delicate pink juice encapsulated in a bottle designed in a time where the Great Gatsby would have thrown the most enviable parties.

And in a " PSssHT!" the droplets fell one by one liberating notes that started turning around such a light silk shawl in the hand of a twirling ballerina.

The fruity warmth of the mandarins complimented with a hint of pepper was gently saying hello before introducing you to the rich and delicate centifolia roses that were wrapping around you more and more only just to come and caress your nose with a tail of ambergris enriched by the musk and cedar wood promising a loyal and long lasting romance.

And in an instant, I was under the spell of Rosa.

Oh, what a magical encounter and what a magical day! All senses were awakened; smells, colours, flavours and music had come to enhance the experience.

And even after leaving the extraordinary venue, at the very end of the day, the soft enveloping shawl of roses was still delicately wrapped all around me, while a melancholic song of a Diva was whispering a passionate story  that made me strongly feel I was in Italy.

And this is how, on a very hot Summer's day, in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, I had my first rendez-vous with the elegant, feminine and sophisticated Rosa of Acqua di Parma.

Budgeting Beauty Tag

Hello everyone,

I was recently tagged by the beautiful Elizabeth of 22 Fashion Engineers.

You can check Elizabeth's channel right here

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbaWKdUobILQjGY2rAXPwVA

It is all about how we budget our beauty products.

If you want to join in on your blog, feel free to participate! here are the questions:

Q1: Do you have a weekly/ bi-weekly/ monthly etc budget?
Q2: Do you save to buy or do you buy on impulse?
Q3: Knowing what you know now about cosmetics, if you had all the money you spent on your collection, would you buy it back (as is)?
Q4: If you had an unlimited budget, what would you splurge on?
Q5: You get a gift card to your favorite cosmetics store. What do you spend most of it on: Nailpolish, Eyeshadows/ Palettes, Eye products, Face Products, Lips Products, Skincare or Fragrance?
Q6 If high end brands wouldn't be as expensive, would they be as appealing to you?
Q7 What is your most expensive product that's totally worthed?
Q8 What is your least expensive product that totally surprised you?
Q9 Do you build your collection with a plan or do yo just buy items and help for the best?
Q10 What are your tips and advice for not breaking the budget?

I have tagged a Youtuber on the video but would be delighted to tag 2 blog friends as well:
There is Marghe of Zauberin Zebulon who does gorgeous makeup combos. I love how she uses colours!
Check her blog right here http://zauberinazebulon.blogspot.co.uk/

The other person I would love to tag is Julie of Just Julie. Because she has an AMAZING blog and is always trying and discovering great new products! Don't miss her blog right here http://www.justjulie.co.uk/

And if you want to join in , please feel free to leave a comment and I will pay a visit to your blog asap!

Bye for now!
Patricia.x

Have you ever had a bad experience at a hair salon?

Have you ever had a bad experience at a hair salon?

If you live in the UK, you have probably noticed that as it has been unusually hot lately so I thought it was the perfect time to refresh my very thick hair that was getting more and more difficult to tie and tame lately.

I have always had my hair very long but decided to change 2 years ago for a more modern yet classic feel.
Always been to the same hair salon group the last 2 years since they've always understood what I wanted...until yesterday...

The bob has been a favourite lately ...

...however, I wanted something different with less hair around the face and ears, a diagonal fringe and volume at the back since I am not very fond of my head shape and profile....( yes...we all have a few things we don't like in us...grumble mumble and super big sigh...).

At the salon, I insisted the hair had to be long at the back so I can bring it back under my ears for a  great camouflage softer effect on my (lack of ) jaw line.

When I was saying volume at the back, I had something like this in mind...

...with a bit more length along the neck. for the "soft effect" around the ears...

Since I am no hair expert, I showed two pictures in a magasine I was carrying in my bag to the stylist so she could see the fringe movement , the round the ear thing and the volume at the back : one on long hair, the other one on short hair. Never did she offer to give me a hair style magasine for a more accurate example.

" You need a bob if you want to attach your hair up" she said.

" No!not a bob...I don't want to attach my hair either!I would like my hair shorter around the ears and long at the back. I need volume at the back" I replied and showed again the picture with long hair ( for the volume) and the one with short hair ( for the around the ears effect). 

So then she sits and starts cutting. I feel relieved since she starts the usual casual conversation. She has understood . Then, I notice that she is cutting EXTREMELY and DANGEROUSLY short...which I tell her straight away but she keeps on doing it.

" I really need to have it long at the back" I insist.

" But it is going to be longer than what I am supposed to do anyway" she replies.

I knew something had gone wrong and I could feel that little ball of fear and stress growing in me. Little did she seem to hear when I was talking about length or only was she starting to argue with me until she showed the picture with the very short hair....

" It is going to be a bit longer than this" she said showing the picture of the magasine...

She was giving me the short hair cut which I had used to try to explain....she hadn't listened to a word I had said nor seemed to understand...only copying the Anne Hathaway tom boy-ish haircut style.

"How do I cut your fringe?" she asked.

" No...leave it as it is please, the rest will grow back" I said coldly.

" And by the way...when you want longer at the back...it IS a bob..." she threw this at my face with such coldness. She knew what she was doing...she knew...She never offered to explain nor demonstrate. She went for the short hair cut knowing I wanted them long...

I have no idea how I have managed to live the salon without letting the French fury come out of me. I chose to keep the British stiff upper lip which proves that I am doing as the Romans in Rome, right?

Today, only a ton of water and spray managed to make me happy-ish as it gave me a jazz style look a bit Josephine Baker like.

But with the heat, my frizzy hair didn't give a stuff about water and spray...

My oh my...hadn't been so miserable for a long time...I know it will sound completely childish since I have had (we all have) to face REAL problems in  life but I cannot get over it. Not yet.

Now it is going to be months having to face the world with an embarrassing haircut. I feel like I have been stolen all my confidence in a few snips.

Do you think I will get used to it since we are little creatures of habit?

Has this ever happened to you?

Any solution would be welcome as well.

Thanks!

Bye for now.

Patricia. x

UPDATE: It has been 2 weeks since my hair was cut and I still feel traumatised by this experience. I spoke to the salon's manager who was offering not real help and I had to ask for my money back which was done on the spot. 

Not happy at all.

Summer favourites: perfume,lips and nails

Hi everyone!

The heat wave has taken us by surprise in the UK and we don't miss a chance to stay ( reasonably) in the sun and adapt some of our beauty products for this season.

When it comes to SPF, do not forget to reapply during the day for a better sun protection.

In the Summer, we like to switch to fresher fragrances and here are my favourites.

Miss Dior Cherie is an  fragrance which has been changed a couple of years ago. I love Miss Dior Le Parfum in the Winter but Miss Dior Cherie is nowhere to be found anymore and I am not sure why. Anyway,I absolutely love this one and will keep my bottle as I believe it is now collectible . It is incredibly feminine with floral touches and a hit of sweetness. 

No 5 Eau Premiere really took me by surprise! I wear the iconic fragrance No 5 from time to time in the colder seasons but the modern formula has kept the floral tones of the legendary perfume with a touch of je ne sais quoi which makes it more crisp and fresh. Absolutely perfect for the Summer.

Colonia is a true classic and elegant cologne which gives you an instant fresh and "clean" feel with its Italian citrus notes, the bergamot touch combined with the classic lavender. I also love the sleek Art Deco look of the bottle which makes it stand out of my perfume collection.

3 by Sisley is the one I like applying first thing in the morning , after the shower, just before doing my makeup ( yes...exactly in this order....). The freshness of the eau de toilette gently stimulates my senses ( it takes me ages to wake up since I am not a morning person) and the elegant and light feel of  vanilla and benjamin  makes me feel sooooooooooooooooooooooooo feminine!

When it comes to lips and nails, I like pinks and corals.

As you can see, I tend to pick up similar shades and I NEVER finish my lipsticks. Do you?

I find Dior, Chanel and Sisley lipsticks well pigmented and they don't dry out my lips.

For a better result, it is important to gently exfoliate your lips and moisturize them. When the lips are chipped, the pigment highlights the chip and it doesn't look smooth so, make sure not to forget this step if you want to go for a bright colour and make your lips pop. 

Swatches on my ( olive) skin.

Since we all have different natural lip pigmentation, the lipsticks won't look the same on you or me. My lips are rather beige and purple-ish. Make sure you try it on before buying.

My two favourite lip pencils: Phyto lip perfect by Sisley in Rose Passion and Chanel gorgeous pink Rubellite.

It helps get more definition and help the lipstick last a bit longer. I mix them with differnt shades for different finishes. I haven't swatched the results but play around and layer and see what you like.

The Phyto Lip Perfect by Sisley is extremely soft on the lips. The application is a real delight! It is my favourite of the two to be honest with you.

Favourite nail polishes and gels: Chanel, Essie, CND Shellac and OPI. I still stick to pinks and corals as you can see. With nail polishes, you can layer shades as well for different effects. Some work better than others so, once again, do not forget to play around. 

Here are the swatches for you!

Whatever you apply, do not forget to apply cuticule oil to help strenghen your nail matrix and have beautiful nails all year long. You will also notice that they tend to grow quicker in the Summer dur to the natural vitamins given by the sunshine.

So, voila! 

And you?

What are your Summer favourites?

Patricia.x

Dior Rosy Tan 754 swatch

Swatch in the sun
You can see that 1,2 and 3 are more silky whereas 4 and 5 are the "glittery" shades.

Swatch in day light

Lip gloss

Here is the whole video with the application step by step. I mainly use my fingures and a smokey eye brush by Laura Mercier.

I hope you will like it.

The final look.

I find it very natural yet sophisticated.