Mini City Pharma Haul

               

I come to you now from Paris, just off Champs-Élysées, in fact! Being in Paris, I couldn't resist a trip to City Pharma just a couple of hours after arriving and checking into my hotel.

It was an absolute blur- from the outside it just appeared like a normal French pharmacy but upon entering, I realised it was a lot more. There were shelves upon shelves of Bioderma, Vichy, La Roche Posay and many more! It was a beautiful sight, I just admit. 

There were so many people in its narrow aisles, so it was difficult to move around and have a browse. I could barely handle it so I just got my 4 desired products and ran for the till.

                              

I got the limited edition L'Wren Scott Caudalie Beauty Elixir in the full size, as my mini is running out and I really liked it as a refreshing mist. This would cost over £30 in the UK but was just €26, about £21!

                           

I then purchased the La Roche-Posay Serozinc, which is a toner that aims to soothe yet cleanse, specifically for sensitive skin. I've heard a lot about this and I'm excited to try it out!

How could I leave Paris without trying the infamous Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm? It's a really thick and ultra-moisturising balm and I was happy to find out that it doesn't overpower me with the smell of honey (a smell I hate). I can see this little pot lasting me a very long time. 

                             

I've heard a lot about Phyto and I've wanted to try them for a long time, but with such a large product range I just didn't know where to start. In one of the discount baskets, I saw this mini Phytokératine set for just €4.99, a perfect way to try the brand for my weak and frizzy hair. 

As I was leaving the cashier handed me some samples, which I, of course, was very glad to receive. A couple of sachets of Darphin Anti-Age Smoothing Fluid. I do't need anti-aging products but I'm sure my mum will be happy to take it from me!

I then got a couple of mini bottles of Uriage Hyséac K (which I think is meant to be very similar to the Effaclar products) for oily skin with blocked pores. 

I'm sure this is just the first haul of many more to come, however I'm sorry about the bad quality photos/writing. I decided to take a break from my laptop, only bringing my phone, and so this is currently my blogging device. Hopefully the elegance of Paris will shine through in my posts? Ok then, maybe not..

Some things crossed off my list, but I'm still hoping to grab a few more things- Sephora, I'm coming for you. 

Le Blanc de Chanel

Le Blanc de Chanel - £31

I found this little gem while poking around through my mum's makeup stash a while ago and she offered to let me keep it- thanks, mum! At first I wasn't completely sure as to what it was, I just knew it smelt like what makeup used to smell like- one whiff and I was taken back to my childhood- and I was meant to put it on my face. After a bit of research I finally came to the conclusion that it was a primer/highlighter hybrid.

I like the packaging from an aesthetic point of view as it's sleek and looks lovely in my collection, however it's quite impractical. The opening is very wide, and accident-prone me will probably spill it sometime in the near future. My mum tossed away the spatula that came with it a while ago so I have to tip it onto the back on my hand.

I apply it before foundation, giving a certain level of luminosity to my skin, without looking like I've just been dunked in a pile of glitter. It's a very thin liquid but a little goes a long way, making the price tag a bit easier to stomach. I absolutely love the finish this gives my skin, as well as making my foundation last that little bit longer.

NARS Orgasm/Laguna Duo

L-R Orgasm blusher, Laguna bronzer

 My first delve into NARS' cheek products has to be an exciting one, with the holy grail Laguna bronzer and the Orgasm blusher. This is just a mini duo that came with the Sephora Superstars set, but it's more than enough for me!

With the classic NARS packaging this is a sleek little compact which is easy to take on the go- literally small enough to throw in your handbag. 

Orgasm is described as a "peachy pink with shimmer" and is a truly beautiful colour. It adds a lovely pink glow to the cheeks, without looking like you've just been on a run. Similarly, Laguna, though it has some shimmer in it, works really well to add warmth to the face but not too overpowering. Laguna is raved about by many a-blogger and YouTuber, and I certainly was not disappointed. I was a little apprehensive because of the shimmer in it but it doesn't really show up, or if it does, I haven't noticed it! 

The first thing I noticed upon swatching these was just how soft they are. They're so easy to blend and apply, which is an especially good trait for Laguna to have, because an unblended bronzer can just look quite dirty on the skin.
They also last for so long, literally all day. I don't know what they do or how they do it but NARS have definitely got this down!

The only real downsides are how dirty the packaging gets, but it's something I can learn to live by. I mean, really, does anyone mind that much if there are a few finger marks on your makeup? It's small price to pay for the good quality of the product!
As this is a mini I can sometimes find it hard to get a brush into the actual pan without going into the pan next to it. It requires some manoeuvring which is a little annoying but, again, nothing I can't deal with.