Review de Parfum

Tea glorious Tea

reviewdeparfum — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:57:57 +0000

I made a foray into my favourite retail haven over the weekend – Liberty. I don’t even mind fighting the gangs of “I Love London”-clad (I mean, I love London too, but I don’t feel the need to brand myself like a teenager in lust) crowds to get there, as I know that what lies behind those doors will pick me right up.

My second favourite room in the lovely Liberty (the first being the perfumerie – have pledged my love for this before) is the tea room – a mouth-watering array of teas and stunning cakes await the parched shopper.

Liberty isn’t just a mecca for the fashion-worshipper, but a little oasis of calm in the middle of Oxford Street madness.

Bliss.

Lust haves: Michael Kors – Very Hollywood

reviewdeparfum — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:34:50 +0000

If a bottle could talk, this perfume would say “I’m hot!” But for me, this bottle doesn’t need to say anything – I just look at it and want it – Michael Kors, Very Hollywood is the very next item on my lust have list!

RdP xxx

I’m loving…

reviewdeparfum — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:24:38 +0000

Normally jewellery-wise I am a fan of Freedom at Topshop, Accessorise and Primark for chuck-away faves. I’m normally put off by big “blingy” jewellery, but this collection from Toranj London really caught my eye.

Maybe it’s the company’s founders’ Persian links, or maybe it’s the pretty floral designs but I’m particularly loving this Toranj Golbarg Cocktail Ring (£4,600) – I think it would make a great statement accessory with a chic LBD, or a block-colour shift dress.

Make an appointment to go into the Toranj London offices at 55 Park Lane (www.toranjlondon.com) to take a look at their high-end collections and be blown away.

RdP xxx

Anthropologie comes to London

reviewdeparfum — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:16:03 +0000

Very excited that the London fash-pack will be flocking to the stunning new Anthropologie store on Regent St tomorrow.

My spies tell me that it’s fab – even the shopping bags are stylish!

RdP xxx

Style Slave: M&S

reviewdeparfum — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:20:07 +0000

M&S have really upped their style stakes recently, particularly with the introduction of the Limited Collection range.

Favourites of mine are the accessories – the handbags are everywhere at the moment! This gold one, below (£35) is gorge – I’ll be slinging it over my shoulder very happily!

RdP xxx

I’m loving…

reviewdeparfum — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:08:06 +0000

MULBERRY!

I’ll admit it, I’m addicted.

My favourite lust-have at the moment? The Mulberry smudged leopard Bayswater. See below. Swoon!

RdP xxx

Beauty trend alert….Red lips are back

reviewdeparfum — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:56:23 +0000

Pillar box, scarlet, crimson, damask, coral, vermillion – it’s not just “red” anymore (well, it never was, but now we’re more aware!).

Winter is the perfect time to start wearing bolder lip colours – red lips are stunning at a Christmas party or atop a chunky-knit; and with winter steadily creeping in, why wait to jump on this trend?!

I’m loving Mac’s Russian Red – a stunning depth of colour, a deeply textured matte finish all wrapped up in the iconic sexy Mac packaging (reminds me of a bullet) – for £12 you can’t get any better.

Winter is definitely here, and I’m all over it!

RdP xxx

Tried and tested: In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon

reviewdeparfum — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:39:41 +0000

A friend of mine is an Avon fan, she raves about the stuff! Having never tried any products before, and being something of a fragrance addict I agreed to sample one of their newest scents – In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon.

Celebrity fragrances normally turn me off before I’ve even unstoppered the bottle, so I will admit I wasn’t excited!

However, this scent is a light, sweet and fruity hue with great staying power! I spritzed on a little when getting dressed in the morning and still smellt yummy as I went to sleep after a particularly arduous day of shopping.

Overall a great summer perfume – too light for Winter. However, I wouldn’t want to keep the bottle out on the side – it’s a teensy bit ugly with the huge plastic rose on the stopper!

RdP xxx

Tried and tested: mascara

reviewdeparfum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:05:59 +0000

Here at ReviewDeParfum we’re always on the look-out for beauty must haves, whether high-end or high street

This week it’s mascaras….

Now normally I’m of the opinion that more is more when it comes to make-up – I will happily spend about £30 on a foundation – the high end brands just give you better results!

However, this week i put my Givenchy and Chanel to one side and tried out a few high street faves…..

1. Bad Gal Lash – Benefit £14
I love the big fat wand they give you, as with all Benefit products I love the packaging and clever marketing, I even love the smell!

The only draw back is – it doesn’t work! Well, the black version doesn’t – the wand is SO big it leaves you with unsightly black rings around your eyes. I’m a girl who luckily doesn’t suffer from bags under the eyes an I don’t really want to have them drawn on as an added extra to my mascara!

In the plum version however, this “added extra” actually looks quite nice -gives you a pretty, yet rocky, pinkish red tinge around the eyes.
Still, all in all a little disappointing.

6/10

2. No. 7 Extreme Length Mascara £11.50

I decide to buy this one as you get a free set of gorgeous eyeshadows with it (smoky purples and greys – very Keira Knightly). To be honest I don’t really pay much attention to the mascara itself.

I get it home, open it up (I like the sparkly tube – good start), and find an…interesting bendy plastic wand.
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the plastic wand, but ireserve judgement til I get it on my eyes at least.

I like the length it gives my lashes, and the volume isn’t bad; however the wand is so fat I can’t get to those essential-for-the-open-eye-look corner lashes. I end up daubing brown war paint on the side of my nose. Disaster.

After several failed attempts I’ve given up with it. Love the smoky eye shadow though!

5/10

3. L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara £9

Oh god, another plastic wand. I’m getting disheartened now – my favourite Givenchy is calling out to me saying “come back to me! I always give you perfect, long, curly lashes!”

But no, I persevere with my experiment and, boy am I glad I did!

The, albeit plastic, wand is slim and riveted to catch all your lashes, even those hard to reach corner ones. It gives them fantastic, Penelope Cruz style length and the brush is slightly curved to give them a slight upward turn too. Perfect.

9/10

Verdict: contrary to my long-held belief, it seems the less you pay for a mascara the better! I’m sticking with my £9 plastic wand!

A guinness, please…

reviewdeparfum — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:47:32 +0000

Daphne Guiness’ eponymous perfume, produced for the fashion label Comme des Garcons is everywhere at the moment!
I like to think a perfume bottle tells you a little about the scent you will find inside; and if I’m right about this one, then I’m in for a treat when I do spritz a little on….
The bottle is a beautiful ocre colour, reminding me of late summer evenings in the long grass of a corn field. I expect it to be a sweet, yet heady fragrance.
I’m excited to try it, so watch this space!

RdP xxx