Kiko Cosmetics Review - My new favourite!

Hey, recently I discovered Kiko cosmetics and wanted to spread the word. Whilst at work I got into a discussion with a student about make up and beauty and she had just purchased some products from the shop nearby. Now, I don't speak French but luckily the student told be what the sales assistant had told her. Otherwise I would not have understood or found out anything!

Apparently the company doesn't advertise or use models or celebrities to promote their brand. The idea being that it is good enough to be promoted through word of mouth. Well safe to say it worked for me! She showed me her products and then told me the price - it was all so cheap! I went the next morning before I started work to have a look and I do have to say that it was lovely in their. Such a small store on Rue de Rennes but well organised and professional looking. To start with I have bought a lipstick for around 4€ and a colour correcting powder for 12€.

Another bonus is no animal testing and its available in France and the UK! I think I saw one at Stratford Westfield but never went in as I, if I'm being completely honest, was probably being a but of a make up snob. Now I have discovered it I will definitely be browsing the store from time to time to add to my collection!

The powder and lipstick! 

I chose a pink lipstick of course!

Glossy lipstick that is easy to apply! I wear it almost everyday at the moment!

Simple packaging - quality product!

Purple and green powders to combat redness and blemishes, Neutral for warmth and 'yellow' for highlighting!

Sephora September

One bonus of living here in Paris (one of many) is that I can shop in Sephora. Love this shop dedicated to beauty with brands of differing prices and for various tastes. C'est parfait!
Recently I bought a few products and now that I have used them for a few weeks I have decided to review them.

I bought a 'Head to toe hydrator' which, for 8.50 for 125ml, is great value. It literally can be used everywhere so it's very practical for travelling around! I use it on my face at night, regularly for my body and hands and I use it in my hair if I run out of conditioner or I'm staying away from home. It moisturises well, smells nice but not too strongly of perfume and does the job. Completely recommend this if you can get a chance.

I also purchased a new Waterproof eye makeup remover for 5.90 for 125 ml. You use with cotton wool pads and wipe across your eyes to remove mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow. You need to shake it gently to mix the formula and it is slightly greasy but it performs well and takes maybe 30 seconds for it all to be gone!

Lastly I bought a new blusher as my Benefit Bella Bamba had ran out. I love Benefit but wanted to try something new and a little cheaper. I then bought a Sephora branded powder blusher in Coral Flush. I love the colour and it's perfect for me. It seems as though it will last me a long time too as I don't need lots to get the correct colouring! Excellent news for my face and my purse!

Let me know if you have any recommendations or questions on Sephora products. 

Bonne lecture!

Essex girl in Paris continues...

6 months!!! I have been living in Paris for 6 months! It seems so unreal, but the good sort of unreal. I am starting to realise how much I have done, and what I have achieved since I've been here and also how difficult it has been. 

I've managed to find an apartment, 2 jobs and many friends. I've visited a variety of places. Eaten and drunk alot! Had a shitty time and an incredible time. Begun to learn a language which six months ago I could say nothing and now I can have conversations. I'm probably more confident but definitely none the wiser!

Here are some pictures to show you some of my life in the past few months...

Difficult to see but this is me and 2 girls in the Galerie des Glaces  at the Chateau de Versaille. It is beautiful there and I really recommend going! It is the room used when the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end WW1 and also in the J'adore Dior advert with Charlize Theron.

Outside view from the Pompidou Centre. Interesting art and a back drop of the city!

The Eiffel Tower by Delaunay at the Pompidou

Me as 'art' at the Pompidou

Another Delaunay at the Pompidou

Eiffel Tower from Pompidou

Sculpture outside the Pompidou

From Pont Bir Hakeim

A street carnival near Nation in July - lots of noise, music, dancing and people!

Fun fair in the tuileries!

Me and my friend outside Odeon for Fete de la Musique - It's a free musical event all over the city where people fill the streets play music and drink! It is packed and I recommend attending one year. A city full of partying!

Cocktails were needed at Fete de la Musique!

Relaxing in the Luxembourg Gardens

An almost beautiful view... If only I could see where I work!

Luxembourg

Me and my friend in the Luxembourg

Sunbathing at Paris Plage!

Many people at Paris Plage and the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Great idea but not so good for relaxing!

Work aka Montparnasse Tower - The tallest and ugliest building in Paris!

Me at Paris Plage

The Arc de Triomphe on my way to work!

Night out with work colleagues!

Dancing and drinking at Tino Rossi by the Seine - Perfect

I had been drinking!

Crazy dancing man!

 So... there you go. A few pictures of the many things I have done so far in my little adventure. Who knows what the next 6 months will bring...?

Summer Nail Art

Orange and gold tips

Hi, here are some of my nail art ideas that I used throughout the summer. Hope you enjoy them! I managed to get my nails really long in the summer so was really happy with the shape, unfortunately now I have managed to break the lot so back to square one ... This is however what happens when you grow your own nails instead of having falsies. Although I have spells where my nails break, I still believe my nails are healthier than if I had ever had fake nails.

Pink Leopard Print

3 colour split (Taken in the Jardin de Luxembourg)

Pink and Blue Mismatch

Gold with pink polka dots.

Red with one 'heart'. These were my nails as a bridesmaid in August!

Pink Matte with glitter

Parisians - observations on a different culture!

I've been thinking about writing this for a while now and I'm sure I'll add more to it in the future. Making observations, listening to conversations and having conversations with the Parisians. I've noticed a few things that the Parisians have in common and seem to be considerably different to England. Here we go...

• Scooters - To be more precise adults on scooters. Not the motorized ones, the push style ones. They seriously consider it to be a useful transportation method. Serious business men in suits, mothers and children, young, not so young. So many people use them! Anyone above the age of 9 should reconsider unless severely drunk or playing with children!

• Black - so much black!! The clothes are so safe here with lots of neutral tones and black, classic dressing in black, summer clothes in black. I may be over exaggerating a little but it is definitely common to be neutrally dressed. Many French have commented that my clothes are very colourful and different. However in England I would consider myself a 'safe' dresser. But then it's also often commented that Londoners are ... Eclectic with their clothes. For me eclectic is ok. Parisian chic is ok. But I think some colour and patterns are good. Too many, not so good!

• Imaginary spitting. This sounds gross but I can't come up with another way to describe this. Whenever the French don't know something they shrug their shoulders and pretend to spit/make a popping sound with their lips. It is so common I've started to do it!!

Sunday Morning in Paris

Lots of people romanticise about places they've visited and think they're amazing and I'm sure some of the time it's not too different from where they live. I probably did that with Paris before I came. With just two trips, totalling 5 days, and countless movies I decided this was the place for me. 

There comes a point when you have to admit things are not all rose coloured and perfect. And whilst it has been difficult to move to another country sometimes I'm reminded why I did move here. 

This morning I woke up at 7:30 (a recently unheard of hour) and after my healthy breakfast of yogurt honey and oranges I decided to go for a walk. I left at 8:15 to wander in a very quiet Paris. 

People out running, buying baguettes and croissants in boulangeries, the homeless moving to their begging spots ready for the people still without breakfast. As I got closer to the centre some restaurants are open with one or two people having breakfast. It's so quiet! 

I then walked along part of the seine from the expensive tour d'argent restaurant (not sure on spelling) to the park behind Notre Dame cathedral. I've never been in the park before as it always looks hideously busy with tourists. I try and stay away from tourists in general, like I have in any place I've lived. 

I'm glad I came. The sun is out but it's too early to be boiling. Not a cloud in the sky. A few early morning tourists. A few people just sitting around like myself. A busker playing peaceful guitar music. It's perfect. Earlier the bells of the cathedral went and I remembered I was in the centre of a capital city. 

So, in conclusion, yes Paris is not always perfect and living abroad can be hard as hell. But, sometimes, it's beautiful. 

Diwali Paris - Jewellery Store Review

Diwali Jewellery Store - Paris

Since I have moved here I have done very little shopping (being a part time worker in an expensive city) but I have done lots of window shopping. You might even say 'Je suis Le expert'. 

One shop I have discovered in this city full of Chanel, Dior, Tiffany and H&M (pronounced 'ash ay em') is Diwali - Paris. It is a cute little jewellery store that I have fallen a little bit in love with. As the name suggests the jewellery is Indian style with lots of sparkle, gold, colour and patterns. Which is exactly why it is my sort of store. That and my general love of jewellery. Additionally I think that it is reasonably priced, prices seemed to be around 5-20 euros.

They sell necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, slippers and other trinkets all beautifully presented. The stores I have been in are always so tidy, it is how I would set out my jewellery cupboard if I was a billionaire, and the staff are very friendly. I enjoy the fact my necklaces will only get in a tangle once I'm home and not before I have bought one!

When my Mum came to visit me a few week sagos I was lucky enough to be treated to something and I had to choose the bracelet. It's definitely one of my favourite colours, although I nearly got the pink one as they had a few colours, and the beads were really nice. I've worn it loads since I bought it so I'm sure I made the right choice. Usually if I'm in a jewellery store like accessorize etc I try and buy as much as I can afford so choosing just one took some doing! Once you have bought an item they put it in a cute little bag which I now use to store my stud earrings as I have a tendency to lose them. 

I definitely recommend a look if you are in Paris and looking for some pretty costume jewellery. Not too cheap and not too expensive. Perfect!

My lovely bracelet!

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