M.I.A

King's Cross // Wine and burgers

  

Breakfast in bed // 3 for 2

Cinema // Forbidden Corner

North East // Train necessities 

Lumiere // Liquid lunch

What have you been up to recently?

DAILY WANT

Zara City Bag - £59.99

The amount of bloggers I have seen carrying this bag around is unreal and I can see why. It has a separate padded section especially for laptops and the aesthetic is beautiful.

Although black is chic and goes with everything...variety is the spice of life so I would opt for this grey toned version. 

But until I have bought everyones Christmas presents bags are low on my 'to buy' lists. Window shopping can still be fun though, right?

LA VIE EST BELLE

After receiving a fair few compliments on my current perfume I decided to write about it here and inform you all of it. La Vie Est Belle (translation 'Life is beautiful' [French degree coming in handy there] is by Lancôme and is an eau de parfum and therefore a little stronger. It is a unique scent that was put together by three of France's leading perfumers. 

Initially it smells quite sweet, a few people have said when they tried it the scent was too sickly for them. However, once it is absorbed and mixed with my natural scent it creates an elegant allure. Having top notes of jasmin, orange blossom made it perfect for Summer and I may have to find a muskier/spicier scent for this Winter. However, the real selling point for me is the staying power. Just a few spritzes of this is enough to last all day and maybe even to the next day if I am wearing the same top. 

Retailing in Boots for £54 for 5oml is quite a bargain compared to the likes of Chanel or Gucci. Could this be my new scent? 

BOTANICS EYE MAKEUP REMOVER.

There have been mixed reviews about this product and I can see why. When visiting a few friends in London this weekend I rummaged through my friends beauty stash (and was impressed and jealous - Emma Hardie cleaning balm?!). She leant me some of this stuff and I was pretty impressed from the word go.

Pro #1: Speedy

The Previous to this purchase I had been using Bioderma to remove my eye makeup and it was a slow and tedious process which ruined many towels. However, a few wipes with a soaked cotton pad and my eye makeup is gone!

Pro #2: £££

Compared to  the price tag of the more high-end products (Clarins and Lancome) this seems refreshingly kind to the purse. Purchased for only £3.99. After all, it is November...the month of saving in time for Christmas shopping.

Pro #3: Packaging

Yes, this may seem like a superficial and silly reason, but I am a sucker for packaging. My skincare collection is aesthetically pleasing and this really has to fit in with Origins and Estée Lauder packaging...thankfully it does. Is it strange that the nicer my skincare looks on my shelf, the more likely I am too use it? 

Con #1: Formula

Having read a few reviews I have to agree..this does sting the eyes slightly. Of course, no one opens their eyes when using something to remove their eye makeup and it just means you have to be extra careful. The first time I used it I did curse the name of Botanics but I learnt my lesson quite quickly. No pain no gain? 

Con #2: Oily Residue

This is not the biggest con ever, to be perfectly honest. It does leave an oily residue which people could find irritating but I always wash my face after removing my eye-makeup so it's a moot point really. 

What are your thoughts on this product? Did you use it before the re-formulation?