THINK PINK: Makeup Rules Meant to be Broken

Unsurprisingly, my personal time has been very limited ever since I started my new job. Hence, my makeup experimentation through the beauty counters has been limited, but I did make some truly out of my comfort zone, rule braking purchases through the internet. 

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Eye Concealer

My mum’s first piece of beauty advice was never to buy cheap perfume, foundation or concealer. It’s neither savvy nor cool to smell cheap or have a cakey makeup base. However, rules are meant to be broken with Maybelline’s popular, lightweight, super- hydrating formula that blends in nicely, does not crease on my fine lines and will not disappear a few hours into the day. It’s a budget friendly concealer, disguising lightly my under-eye circles and mild blemishes. Though, it’s not its forte hiding my angry spots.  Its dome-shaped sponge gives me mixed feelings as it makes under-eye application so smooth and easy, but when it comes to blemishes, the hygiene is an issue. No complaints. It gets the job done and is ideal for my everyday makeup routine.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss

Although I am not a big fan of lip glosses, I find a sheer wash of moist colour is a pretty office look for someone like me, who loves to snack throughout the day making almost impossible to endure lipstick. Tanya Burr (the famous Youtuber, you silly….) has created a grown up, lipsticky gloss. Highly pigmented without being too thick in consistency, moisturizing, comfortable on the lips, evenly applied via  a sponge-tipped flat applicator (I hate brushes), looks and feels much more expensive. I love the Picnic in the Park shade.

THINK BIG: Books on my Nightstand / The Goldfinch

It was THE book that everyone was talking about in 2014. The “It book” that despite its volume became a famous beach read and a great conversation starter at any occasion. It has been an international bestseller, selling millions of copies, attracting rave reviews and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I thought that its 864 pages would be a great christmas holiday reading companion, as it would require a substantial investment of time.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is a long and rich Dickensian novel, while being a thoroughly modern work about terrorism in the modern world, the trauma of loss, friendship, love, companionship and the power of art. “You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture for a second and think of it all your life”  

I started reading the Goldfinch with enthusiasm and its brilliant opening section kept me engaged, but as my reading was progressing I started losing my interest and I grew impatient for the hero’s adventures in Las Vegas to come to an end. There is no shortage of continuing misery and annoying self-pitying throughout the book, but these fine moments of drama are tempered by hope, humor and massive revelations that kept me awake for several nights. “ Why am I made the way I am? Why do I care about all the wrong things, and nothing at all for the right ones?..... A great sorrow, and one that I am only beginning to understand: we don’t get to choose our own hearts. We can’t make ourselves want what’s good for us or what’s good for other people. We don’t get to choose the people we are.” p. 852

Having heard this novel as a literary triumph and no matter how much I tried, I did not LOVE the Goldfinch. Nevertheless, I have already picked up Donna Tartt’s other slightly shorter, but equally acclaimed novel, The Secret History, as I have been charmed by Tartt’s writing style.

Now it’s your turn! Please let me know of any books you highly recommend.

Have a good read!

THINK FAR: Cult Beauty from Abroad

There is something exhilarating about getting my hands on and experimenting with cult beauty products from abroad that are unavailable in Greece and too expensive to buy online. Here are 3  products to spice up your beauty routine with international beauty.

UK : Batiste Dry Shampoo

I am a busy chic and I do not have anymore the time or the energy to wash and style my hair every other day, as I used to. Batiste dry shampoo has been an absolute game changer since I discovered it in the UK and recently the most used item in my walk of shame kit. It is my sebum control soul mate, fantastic in refreshing my second day hair and giving them an instant volume boost in a couple of shakes. It gives my lifeless hair an instant and inexpensive (2.99£) makeover without any water. Be aware though of the powder-head situation till you have the time to wash those locks!

Available at British drugstores (Boots, Superdrug) and online here

FR :  Serozinc Toner

I am secretly hoping that one day will discover this magical product to keep my hormonal and stress related acne at bay. Anything that can prevent my PMT skin tantrums makes me absolute thrilled and therefore Serozinc, the miracle worker, the magical zinc-sulfate solution in the blue bottle that every beauty guru is raving about, had to be transported from Paris to me. The miracle though did not happen. For me, Serozinc’s beauty lies on soothing my dried out, irritated skin during the cold winter months and preventing excess oiliness during hotter months, ensuring my complexion feels fresh and comfortable any season. 

Available at French pharmacies - City Pharma, a beauty addict's paradise in Paris, is full of fabulous French skincare products in great prices. 

DE : Alessandro Hand!Spa Hydrating Hand Cream

It’s not too often that I am excited about a hand cream. I first laid eyes on Alessandro Hand! Spa products, when in desperate need to soothe my cracked hands from cold during my Berlin visit. It is a dreamy, lightweight, luxuriously smooth, intensive moisturizing hand cream with pearl protein extract and macadamia oil, gorgeous to smell. Definitely worth the splurge!

Available at Douglas