Pretty in Paris

Until this afternoon, I rather feared that re-stocking my make-up bag would be downright impossible.  I began to prepare for the worst.  I’d purchased some dark glasses for my eyes and a shawl to cover my face.  This was the temporary plan, at least.  Darth Vadar Style.  My beloved brands like No 7, Barry M and Max Factor didn’t seem to grace the Parisian periphery, and Maybelline was only available online.  Whatever would I do?  I’d already parted ways with Herbal Essences, but I wasn’t willing to part ways with my face too.  No, this simply would not do.

Paris, as I have previously lamented, doesn’t have a Boots.  Its semi-alternative is Sephora – which sells make-up that costs you an arm and a leg.  As much as my beauty regime is important to me, I’d rather not spend €30 on some mascara, just because someone decided to scribble Yves Saint Laurent or Estée Lauder across it.  I was beginning to wonder where people in this country actually buy their make-up.  Are they all insanely rich, or am I missing something?  Or perhaps they’re all so naturally beautiful that they don’t rely on smacking on layer after layer of foundation TOWIE style?   

One discovery I did find is that if you’re not fussy at all, you’ll find outrageously cheap beauty products in station concourses.  I went down this route the first time, chuffed at myself for finding €2 mascara.  Let’s just say, I won’t be going back anytime soon.  Not only is it making me look like I have one large eye-lash (shexy), it’s also so flat that it doesn’t give me any of the extra volume I was promised.  Rimmel’s “Get yourself the London look” never seemed a more appropriate slogan than right now.  Because apparently, the Parisian flaccid eyelash look doesn’t suit me so well.

Upon waltzing into Monoprix today on my way to spending yet another small fortune on a baguette, some frozen peas and a tangerine, I came across a blissful discovery.  Not only did I spot make-up galore, but I also couldn’t help notice exactly the same Maybelline mascara I’d be lusting after for so long.  It was like my eyes had finally been opened.  Literally.

And then I bought some Covent Garden mushroom soup because it was raining, and I fancied celebrating*.  Although I did buy some boeuf bourguignon from the Deli counter too, just to make sure I didn’t indulge too much in my roots.

Watch this space.

Montana

  
*I'd just like to clarify that this celebrating has to do with me finally purchasing mascara, not the fact that it was raining.