A Guide to Paris

Hello world!

I just came back from a 5 day trip to Paris and I absolutely loved it. Apart from the crappy weather which kept fluctuating from sun to rain (mostly rain), the sights and food made up for it. 

Today, I would like to share a few things I learnt in Paris with you guys if you ever get to visit this gorgeous city.

Although the most common airport is Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Ryanair only flies to Paris Beauvais Tille Airport. The bus into the city costs 17 euros / head and takes about 1h 15 mins, stopping at Porte Maillot. That wasn't a problem at all as I needed all the sleep I could get. The bus ride was comfy and safe too.

We found a nice quaint place right smack in the middle of the city with the nearest metro station, Châtelet, being 3 mins away. We found the place through airbnb and paid about £81/night excl. service fee (always annoying). But the place was extremely central, with pubs and shops located right below our house (including an AWESOME crepe place). The place was a storey house, with the bed being on the upper floor. It was small but it sufficed.

I do advise people booking through airbnb to liaise with your host on several occasions. E.g. where to meet and get the keys, directions to the place. I've encountered an incident where my host never got back to me on when/where I could collect my keys 2 weeks before my arrival. Thankfully, I was able to have a full refund. 

Metro signs are located with an 'M' or the world 'Metropolitan' which are easy to find and are almost everywhere.

These are metro stubs that can be bought in booklets of 10 for 13.70 euros. Technically speaking, you can buy the reduced fare (under 10 years old) for a slightly cheaper price without anyone noticing as nobody really patrols the metro to check your stubs. As we walked a lot and were quite central, we only bought the booklets twice.

Now, the most important part - The metro itself. This was taken around 10am so there wasn't much of a crowd, but it gets extremely packed during peak hours (around 4-6pm). I have heard stories of people being pickpocketed in such places but thankfully, I never encountered that myself. I did however see two gypsies (they are normally dressed in flowly clothes with a head dresses and come in pairs of 2 or more) entering the metro and sticking really close to both my boyfriend and I, even when there was space around us. 

Me, being extra kiasu, padlocked my bag so that noone could open it without my knowing. It definitely worked, and although it might have been a bit tedious, it paid off. And luckily, they got off 2 stops after (I think they realised we weren't their ideal targets :p)

The metro itself will also have maps indicating where which stations are. I took the RER once (however I don't know if you can use the same ticket, it did work for mine) but mostly used the metro. 

Several attractions like the Effiel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Montmarte are key areas for pickpockets and gypsies to try to rip you of your money/steal. There were several times I encountered perusian women coming up to us with a petition board and asking us to sign a petition. They would walk towards you asking if you speak English and usually leave if you say no. They travel in groups too.

There was one incident below the Montmarte where there were a bunch of dark skinned men blocking both exits of the main entrance up/down and would stop you, saying they want to put a 'bracelet' around your hand and repeatedly mentioning they aren't bad people. Even when my boyfriend said no, he grabbed his shoulder forcing him to stop. My boyfriend got so pissed he shoved him away. I'm not saying all men like these are bad, but if your gut tells you something is wrong, there probably is.

My friend experienced one of them putting it on her wrist (especially if you're a girl) and cornered her, forcing her to pay an exorbitant amount before they left her alone. 

My one advice to girls who wish to travel alone - Have a guy along with you. Paris isn't the best place to travel alone.

--

We have all heard that the French are snobbish people who turn their noses up when they see you don't speak their language. While not all are like that, it is mostly true.

It's important to know basic French. I made an extra effort to learn how to speak the basics. I used this app called Duolingo which teaches you the abc's of French. Trust me when I say this app helped me A LOT. Although I did use other resources, if you keep up with this app you're sure to learn French within 2 weeks. You get to match the words to the French words, speak French to see if you're fluent and learn through pictures! Best of all? It's FREEEEEEEEEEEE.

I noticed if you start off with a simple 'Bonjour', many become much friendlier to you. If you can't speak in complete sentences like I, ask a simple 'parlez-vous anglais?' and most would say yes and help you out with a friendlier tone. I believe France is one of the countries where if you're willing to learn, they're willing to help.

So this is all I have to offer you guys! My foodie post during my time in Paris will be up within the week (obviously we need food yes?) so keep a lookout for that:)

Stay beautiful, x. 

Review: Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask by Lush

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask, 75g - £6.25 

A calming and moisturising fresh face mask packed with blueberries, calamine and chamomile, rose, and almond oils to soothe and soften the skin. We use wholesome blueberries as they are rich in vitamins and minerals, including the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E that help to protect the skin from damage. Smoothe a generous layer of this mask onto clean skin and leave for 10 to 15 minutes.

I've always loved the after effects of a lush face mask. It leaves your face moisturized, bouncy and as smooth as a baby's butt! I'll definitely be trying out more of their face masks when the need arises.

I was not paid nor sponsored for this product review. The review was written entirely in my opinion.

Review: Regen 2 Step Synergy Effect Mask - Pore Care

Hello beautifuls!

I thought I'd share my two cents worth on how I found the Regen: 2 Step Synergy Effect Mask that quite a number of people have found to be effective.

As much as I love how elegant a V-shaped face is, I never really bothered to search for masks that produce such a result. When a friend of mine recommended I try this out, I contemplated between the 'pore care' or 'moisturizing' mask but ended up purchasing 'pore care'.

Regen 2 Step Synergy Effect Mask (5 in a pack) - USD26.70 from Honestskin

The instructions are all in Korean (and for people like me who only understand half of korean dramas) I had to google the instructions. That wasn't a problem as you can easily find them online!

The mask comes in 2 stages:

1st Step - Apply the mask to the top of your forehead, ending above your lips. It is said to contain calendula flower extract which controls excess sebum production, shrinking pores to deliver tighter, more refined skin. The mineral rich alpine water also maintains the moisture in the skin!

2nd Step - Apply the mask across your face from ear to ear whilst using the side 'loops' to hook across your ears. There are extracts called halophyte, which help in reducing bloating and water retention. The pressure apparently lifts out excess water that bulks your face, resulting in a more defined V-shape.

Exhibit A. I have no idea how this picture became much more blurrier but I assure you no photoshop effects were used! (My boyfriend commented saying I could pull off as someone who had just undergone surgery -_-)

So you leave it on for 20 mins and once done, remove and massage the remaining contents into your skin.

This bare face was taken the next day (excuse the morning i-need-more-sleep face). My skin definitely feels much smoother and more evenly moisturized. My pores feel tighter but not to the point where my skin is dry. How much more can I praise this product? It delivers, it even leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated and bouncy!

However I didn't notice my chin becoming way more 'defined' or V-shaped. And even if it did, the result isn't life-changing, but negligible. It's not a big deal to me though. Perhaps with constant use, it would leave better results.

Would I repurchase this? Yes. I'm keen on trying out the different types of masks and will do so once I'm done with these! :) The price might be a tad steep but I believe taking care of your skin is extremely important, especially for women in their 20's.

Stay beautiful, x. 

I was not paid nor sponsored for this product review. The review was written entirely in my opinion.

LUSH Haul!

LUSH. I'm completely in love with Lush. The overwhelmingly sickly, sweet scent that hits you when you enter the shop, the friendly assistants who help you with everything and anything.

I have always been a big fan of lush's soap bars. Although the only con about them are that they are bars, they do permeate throughout the room the whole night and leaves a slight hint of that magnificent scent you used in the bathroom.

From left to right: Dream Cream Hand & Body Lotion, Aquatic Toothy Tabs, Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mash,  Breath of Fresh Air Toner Water, Bath Bomb in Think Pink

Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion, 240g - £11.50  

I'd rate this... 2.5/5

This was sadly, a disappointing product for me. I'm a huge believer in body lotions, and I use them religiously. However this body lotion left my body sticky and uncomfortable. I usually look out for lotions that get absorbed into the skin quickly, while leaving the skin smooth. This didn't do any good for my fidgety body (I need to move about a lot) and decided to swap this for another product the next day. 

Breath of Fresh Air Face Toner, 100g - £3.95

I'd rate this... 4/5

Apparently the most refreshing of all our toner waters, this toner is packed with mineral-rich carrageenan seaweed extract and rose absolute to tone and balance the skin. Described as 'This is perfect to use as a spritz in the summer to cool down, or any time of year when you want to feel refreshed', the rose absolute will help to reduce redness whilst patchouli oil is cooling and astringent on the skin.

I got this product after watching Jennim from clothesencounters mention about how she'd been in need of a new toner and bought this. I love how it comes in a little spray bottle, which makes it easy to bring around when I'm going to London and back. It works very much like the Avene spray bottle, which refreshes the skin and leaves it clean and radiant. 

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask ,75g - £6.25 

I'd rate this... 4.5/5

If you haven't tried Lush's face mask, (and if there's anything to take away from this post), it is to get yourself a face mask. I have tried almost every single Lush face mask there is that is suitable for my skin and I LOVE it. Catastrophe Cosmetic calms, cleanses and moisturizes the skin, leaving it supple and smooth. Because Lush's face masks are made with the freshest ingredients, they only last for a maximum of 2 weeks. However, this mask can be used once every two days without dehydrating the skin -yay!- 

Aquatic Toothy Tabs, 12g - £2.50

I'd rate this... 2/5

Described as a solid alternative to toothpaste, toothy tabs is said to be filled with essential oils and spices for fresh breath and a sparkling smile. I have never used solid toothpaste before, so this was something new to me. Sadly, I didn't like this at all. The taste was odd and strangely bitter, the 'toothpaste' was difficult to spread throughout my mouth and it left a dull, flat aftertaste. My breath didn't feel any fresher and I was left disappointed with an odd smelling breath. Bummer.


Bath Bomb in Think Pink (Pictured above) - £2.50  

I'd rate this... 4.5/5

Ever since I realised my temp house had a bathtub, I went crazy buying bath bombs from Lush. I have tried a few of theirs and I've also come to love Think Pink. It has a sweet vanilla and tonka fragrance that fills the bathroom and at the end of it all, you'd be left with rice paper confetti hearts that slowly melt away as you sink your troubles away. It also has a hint of lavender that balances and relieves the mind.

-------------------------------

So I hope you guys liked this post. Do leave a comment on what you love at Lush best or what you felt was a disappointment for you. I'd love to hear from you guys:)

Stay beautiful, x. 

I was not paid nor sponsored for this product review. The review was written entirely in my opinion.

Recipe: Bak Chor Mee Inspired Noodles

Hello beautifuls!

I'm back with a new recipe - Bak Chor Mee inspired noodles :D Now who doesn't love this God sent dish.

I've recently been missing the food back in SG and started using my time hunting for recipes that were easy yet reminds me of the cheap, delicious food you'd find in hawker centres. One of my favourite foods back home is, you guessed it, bak chor mee. $3.50 could give me a HUGE bowl of goodness that I would devour within minutes. 

So without further ado, here is a list of what you will need!

Soak dried shitake mushrooms overnight. Once soaked cut into slices. Boil the choi sam and set aside after. Fry the mushrooms with normal vegetable oil with a dash of salt, pepper, splash of black vinegar and about 1 tsp white sugar. Fry till soft and tender. Taste and add any more ingredients if needed. 

Once done, add it to the sauce you have prepared in a bowl. I added a mixture of ketchup and sambal as I like how they both complement each other. So please taste:)

*It is VERY important that you have every ingredient mentioned in the sauce!

In the mean time, boil minced pork (I just used pork belly as it was all I had) till done and set aside. Use the same water to boil the noodles for about 3 mins. Take the noodles out and add a splash of the water into the bowl for added flavour. 

Add noodles into the bowl and mix, mix, mix! Top with choi sam and wantons (you can find my recipe for wantons here) and you are DONE:)

I hope you guys enjoyed this. If you did try this out, do leave comments and let me know whether you liked them! They might not taste like the most legit bcm, but it sure tastes like home:)

Recipe: Minced Pork Wantons

Hello beautifuls!

I've decided to deviate from blogging about beauty products to something we ALL love - Food! C'mon, we all have a fat kid inside us who wishes we could eat all the food in the world without developing heart problems or being overweight ;) I know I do.

Today I'm here to share with you something I recently picked up - Wanton wrapping! It's a therapeutic thing in my opinion, and is a great way to kill time while watching your favourite TV show -ahem- orange is the new black season 2 OMG.

Minced Pork Wantons (Adapted from tofoodwithlove)

Makes about 25 pieces

Ingredients:

250g mince pork
5 shitake mushrooms, soaked overnight and diced
20g dried shrimp, soaked and finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tsp ground white pepper
1 heap tsp corn starch
Wanton wrappers

In a frying pan, fry the dried shrimp and garlic till fragrant and set aside. In a large metal bowl, add all the ingredients as well as the fried dried shrimp and garlic and mix till well combined.

Place about 1 1/2 tsp of the mix onto wanton wrapper, wet the two sides with water and fold it into half. Press all the air out and stick the two ends together. It can be quite tricky at first but you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

In a pot of boiling water, drop the wantons in and boil for 8-10 minutes or until the wantons start floating at the top. Take them out and you're done!:)

If you're wondering yes, these are freezable however do make sure you don't put too many in one bag as they tend to freeze and stick together.

Thanks for reading, and let me know how these faired for you guys!

Stay beautiful, x. 

May Favourites 2014

Hello June:)

I'm still adjusting to the fact that HALF A YEAR HAS PASSED (say whuuuuut?) Although I did enjoy the first half of the year tremendously I still find it incredulous that I'm going to turn 22 in just a few months time (okay let us not complain how old/young I am)

Anyway, today I will be sharing with the items that I've fallen in love with during the month of May. I've been using some of these for quite a while now and I feel the need to let you all know how great these products are.

Starting from top left: Chanel Le Blush Creme De Chanel in Affinite (65), No 7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum, YSL Touche Éclat in #2, Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF 50+, MaxFactor Whipped Creme Foundation in Beige, Roses De Chloé Eau de Toilette 

-----

Chanel Le Blush Creme De Chanel in Affinite (65) - £24.08 from Nordstrom

I've been an ardent fan of cream blushes for the past few years. Although I do use my NARS Orgasm blush from time to time, a cream blush gives a more even blend to my skin especially when I don't have any foundation on, which is pretty often.

I've been switching between Topshop's cream blush and my newest 3CE buy (read my previous review here) but when I was at the Chanel counter window browsing, I swatched their cream blush and was amazed by how pigmented and rich the colour was. I don't believe in splurging on expensive beauty products unless they are worth the hype and money, and after much contemplation (and a 20% off) got it.

The colour leaves your cheeks a gorgeous flushed colour and lasts a whole day for me. I have used this about 3-4 times the past month and I can say I am glad I bought this product.

No 7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum - £23.95 from Boots

I have never put much effort into my nightcare routine. But as of late I have had an epiphany (or rather an outbreak of dry skin) that maybe this might be the time to replenish what has been lost. Afterall, many say that our skins start to form wrinkles at the age of 25! Boots was having a 3 for 2 sale earlier this month together with a £5 off voucher I had for No 7 facial products.

I was looking for a serum and tried this on the back of my hand with pleasantly surprising results. My skin instantly felt smoother and left a light hint of fragrance, nothing too overpowering. This might be a little steep for a small tube but I hope this does last long for me as I can tell I will be using this for quite a while.

YSL Touche Éclat in #2 - £25.00 from YSL

How much do I love this? So much that I have recently bought yet another tube (yay!)

The YSL Touche Éclat is exactly what every woman needs on a daily basis. It doesn't budge, it doesn't leave weird streaks all over the face and it blends beautifully into the skin, leaving it glowing and radiant. I used to be on the hunt for a good highlighter and initially tried powder ones, but they kept wearing off throughout the day especially in a humid weather like Singapore. Application is simple. All you have to do is press the button at the end of the product and apply it whereever you wish. Blend with your fingers and you're done! 

Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF 50+, 50ml - Only available in Asia

I have been using the same sunscreen for about a year now, and I have no intention of changing any time soon. I was in Hong Kong last year and I was running out of my previous sunscreen when I purchased this. 

Where do I begin? Normally after washing my face I apply my morning moisturizer (which leaves my face rather oily) and in order to rectify it, I use the Shisedo UV Protector. This thing works like MAGIC. It sucks up the leftover oil and leaves your face with a glowy smooth finish. I thereafter apply my foundation and yes, it glides on perfectly.

The sad thing about this is that it can only be found in Asia and I'm currently on the other side of the world and running extremely low on this product :'(

Maxfactor Whipped Creme Foundation in Beige (55) - £9.99 from Boots

If you love the texture of some mousse foundations but hate the way they can cake and flake on drier areas, whipped creme is set to save your look. The whipped, non-oily formula glides over skin, to create a flawless, demi-matte finish. 

Can I say how taken aback I am by the lasting power of this baby? It has lasted a good 12 hours for me (with a finishing powder) and stays perfect. All day. For the price you pay for, I'd say this is one of the best drugstore foundations I have purchased to date.

Roses De Chloé Eau de Toilette, 75ml - £53.95 from FragranceDirect

Ah, where do I start with this? Floral, playful, alluring. The Roses de Chloe is a delightful scent composed around roses, with hints of lychee and a very faint musk. If you aren't into the Chloe EdP (Which I am not), I'd highly recommend this. It's a light, youthful scent that stays on for about 4-5 hours before having to reapply. 

Stay beautiful, x. 

I was not paid nor sponsored for this product review. The review was written entirely in my opinion.