Category: Reviews

I Found The Best Luxury Silk Pyjamas at Larolas And I am Celebrating It With A Give AWay

Mulberry silk pyjamas give away

Have you ever felt like you were looking for that perfect piece of clothing forever? That’s exactly what I experienced for the last two months while looking for the one pure silk pyjama set that would finally make my skin feel amazing. The one pyjama set to rule them all.

The story began last March during one of my casual chats with a friend. We were talking about how your typical cotton sleepwear always seem to leave sleep marks all over your body and how this is one of those unavoidable curses that come with age. It’s a bit of a bummer, really: one day you are in the flower of your youth, all flawless skin, and the next you got sleep marks all over your face and body, and you look like the victim of an ancient Egyptian jinx. As a consequence, if you are anything like me and a bit of a drama queen, there is a good chance you spend five minutes every morning complaining about it because #SOUNFAIR. Guys, I wished I was joking here. I am not though and Sebastian can tell you about ALL the morning moaning while I apply my skincare…

At some point, I got sick of it all and after a fair amount of research I decided to give silk a go due to its well-known anti-aging properties.

I tried it all guys: I searched in every online sleepwear shop I knew, spending an amount of money I would prefer not to admit publicly in what seemed to be the search for the saint pyjamas grail (and Indiana Jones thought he was on a challenging quest, tsk…). I tried high street brands at different price points and I only got more and more dissapointed.

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And as I was about to give up though, I received a message from the wonderful people at Laloras, asking me if I would like to test one of their 100% long-strand pure Mulberry silk pyjama sets. And although in all honesty I was quite sick of the whole thing at the time, I decided to give it a final go. And guys, I am so glad I did!

They kindly ordered the Tina Washable Piped Silk Pajama Set in cupid rose for me, together with some of their sleepmasks and scrunchies. One week afterwards, I got the parcel in the mail and decided to test the products right away and see by myself how much of a difference (or not) could I find. As the sceptic creature I am, my initial plans consisted in trying the sleepwear for a couple of weeks before allowing myself to form an opinion on the matter.

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With all of this in mind, I prepared for bedtime on the first night (a.k.a ‘experiment session number one’ if you fancy) and, to my surprise, I noticed that the fabric did feel notably softer when compared to the bunch of pyjamas I had already tried. There is something about pure silk that makes me think about water since it’s so soft and light to the touch.

The watery texture is due to the composition of their products which is mulberry silk, considered the highest quality and most expensive silk. (Fun fact: in case you don’t know, mulberry silk comes from the Bombyx mori silkworm, a species whose diet consists exclusively of mulberry leaves, making it one of the rarest and more exquisite fabrics in the world. So yeah, you are totally authorized to feel like an empress when wearing it. Actually, feel free to call me Sissi from now, as far as I am concerned…)

Silk luxury sleepwear give away

Next morning, I woke up and headed to shower and I got shocked by the fact I could not find a single sleepmark in my body. I repeat: not  a single one. What kind of witchcraft was that?

So, this bad boy is not only hypoallergenic, breathable, 6A Grade 100 percent pure mulberry silk, but also woven of silk charmeuse, which feels lighter and drapes incredibly well. HA! You see where I am coming with this, right? I was so impressed, the sceptic planning went out of the window as soon as experiment session number two… (And now you know why I never made it as a researcher at the WHO. Oops…)

But the whole point is, the two-month-long Indiana Jones style quest in search for the perfect anti-aging pyjamas was finally over and I would feel good enough on my skin to rest—and in style too.

Guys, we made it to the end of this review already, so it’s time to talk about our give away. To spread my love for their sleepwear, I am partnering with Larolas to offer a lucky winner a prize of silk accessories. Head to my Instagram account today for a chance to win before Sunday the 30th! I promise you will no regret a thing.

Good luck all contestants!

 

 

Allegra Caro11 Comments

I Tried The Pillow Talk Instant Eye Palette And These Are My Honest Thoughts About It

Over the years, I have made a number of confessions in this blog. Like, the one that involved an embarrassing number of Vogue magazine issues, or the one about my strange hunting habits. Hence, it won’t be a total surprise if I reveal another one. So, here it goes guys. Ready? When it comes to makeup, I am weird.

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This might require a bit of clarification, though. I don’t mean I enjoy painting my face green or drawing a clown smile around my mouth (no, the lockdown hasn’t made me lose my senses quite yet). What I mean is I can be rather peculiar and picky about makeup. Let me illustrate with an example.

As a teen, my friends and I would visit the closest drugstore together. They would spend a little fortune there every single time, getting as much mascara and blush their pocket money could buy. As for me? I would spend one hour looking for the perfect berry lipstick and leave the place with my wallet intact and the heaviest disappointment. So at the end of the day, I would spend the money on the movies or another book simply because, in my mind, those things were easier to get.

For starters, the young me did not understand a thing about skin undertones or chromatic palettes (as much as this might surprise you, I wasn’t very girly as a teenager) but my issue with makeup was deeper—as a matter of fact, I wouldn’t choose a lipstick simply because none was special enough. All those inexpensive plastic tubes looked the same on the shelves, and so did the never-ending variety of cheerful red shades. Everything was dull and, funnily enough, felt colourless too.

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As I grew up, this feeling never disappeared and I made it all the way through my early twenties owning an eye pencil and half a dozen lipsticks that spent most of their life forgotten on a dusty vanity bag. I didn’t apply foundation until I was about twenty-five and didn’t even enjoy it that much back then.

In my mid-twenties and during a casual conversation, an old friend from my uni days suggested that the reason I could not find anything I liked was I was probably looking in the wrong place. “Drugstore makeup it´s all well and good”, she said, “but it’s not for everybody. Have you tried high-end makeup? ” And guys, I hadn’t. As a matter of fact, it hadn’t even crossed my mind until she mentioned it but at that moment, something clicked in my mind.

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Now, I am not suggesting the moment I entered a high-end store my attitude towards makeup changed overnight. However, I felt more and more attracted to certain brands and products and, eventually, I started buying makeup on a regular basis. To this day, my tastes are still quite rare but as time goes by, I have built a solid relationship as a customer with a few brands and my makeup collection has benefited from it.

 

Over the years, Charlotte Tilbury has become one of my favourite brands and I totally trust her as a customer. Not only does the packaging and design offer that wow factor I was always looking for, but their product range is unique, and they feel truly good when applied.

I’ve always been fastidious about eyeshadow palettes, specifically. Like, I always find a way to hate at least half of the colours a palette displays. As a consequence, I rarely can justify the expense of a good palette because I do know I will only use half of the colours (and by that, I am being very generous here…). So I was shocked when Charlotte Tilbury launched their Pillow Talk Instant Eye Limited Edition Palette and I loved every single colour. For a moment, I thought I was suffering a stroke or something.

instanteyespalette

Charlotte Tilbury’s website describes the palette as follows: “From the shimmering rose gold, peachy-caramel and dreamy champagne pink eyeshadow shades of the Day and Desk looks to the soft tawny brown, shimmering rosy pink and blushed berry-rose of the Date and Dream looks, create a Pillow Talk gaze that takes you ANYWHERE”. It brings four different looks—day, desk, date, and dream, each of them designed for a different occasion.

The first thing to catch my attention was pigmentation. All the colours are super intense and you need very little product to finish every look so, I can feel this palette is going to last for ages.

Regarding texture, the shadows come in a shining and matte finish, leaving a soft and light feeling when applied. I have very sensitive and dry skin and even so, I didn´t notice any discomfort or creasing around the eyes area which is always a nice extra touch. When it comes to eye powder, most products don’t look good on me—and by that I mean I usually end up looking like a white walker, only OLDER— but to my surprise, I haven’t experienced this issue with the Instant Eye palette.

As for lasting power? I applied my make up at 10 in the morning and took these pictures about three in the afternoon. It looked exactly the same at that point. I removed it about 7 that evening and by then you couldn’t say there was much of a difference.

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Overall, I would say this is a new favourite of mine so I am going to give this guy a 5/5.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I am impressed in terms of packaging and presentation, chromatic palette, pigmentation, and lasting power. Actually, I am already checking the Charlotte Tilbury website looking for other palettes and guys, the young me might not have given a damn about her makeup collection, but this thirty-something woman is about to expand hers… Beware of the beauty category extravaganza coming your way.

What about you? Any interesting beauty purchases lately?

 

Allegra Caro20 Comments

The Cloud Bag review: What I Got for Christmas

This Christmas many things were different at home: we couldn’t visit our family in Spain, spent the holiday on Tier 4, and had to make last-minute arrangements as a consequence. But even so—and as many people out there—we did our best to keep the festive spirit up.

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Hence, we cooked a delicious dinner, had a Skype board games family meet up on Christmas Eve, and exchanged presents, as usual, the next morning. Maybe, it wasn’t the kind of celebration we had in mind but, against all odds, it was truly nice.

To be a hundred per cent honest, I was expecting it to be a bit Dickensian due to the whole Christmas cancellation drama here in London (in case you do not know, the prime minister played the Ebenezer Scrooge card and forbade any celebrations a couple of days before holidays, which left us with the slight but undeniable feeling of being trapped in some weird version of A Christmas Carol, really). However, we came to terms with it by deciding that a simpler Christmas did not mean a sad Christmas, necessarily. After all, it’s not like we were eating gruel on rags or anything…

But back to the topic, one of my favourite things about the holiday is Christmas morning. I love preparing a bottomless festive breakfast and sitting comfortably afterwards, looking at Sebastian’s face while he opens his presents. This year though? This year, he decided to be the one surprising me.

I was given several amazing gifts (the guy does know how to hit a nerve) but he left the cutest for the end. And guys, I was in awe!

The Cloud Bag by The Cambridge Satchel Company Review

Sebastian did know I’ve always had a thing for The Cambridge Satchel Company partially because I am all about everything handmade and craftmanship, and partially because their bags have got a certain vintage vibe I cannot resist. Also, I’ve always admired the fact they started the company at their kitchen table with a £600 budget, and only two years later, they were working with Comme des Garçons. Their bags have been featured by the Italian Vogue, wore by style icons such as Alexa Chung or Lady Gaga, and the company has worked with Vivienne Westwood and Melissa among others. To me, they are the indie equivalence of a Birkin, and their image as a brand it’s all about reflecting on freshness, youth, and the cool factor.

As a result, every time I pass across their London shop in Seven Dials, I stop and spend a good half an hour looking at the never-ending selection of leather goods. I can tell you this: I would get their whole catalogue keenly and not regret a thing. A couple of weeks ago, we passed across the shop again and Sebastian realized there were huge sales inside so, while I was inside drooling over their pieces, he made a secret list from my favourites.

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On Christmas morning, I received the beautiful Cloud Bag in pale lilac (in the pictures it looks more like blush pink but I promise it is the most delicate lavender tone you can ever imagine), with pale gold hardware, and gorgeous Celtic grain. This specific model is one of their best-sellers and usually out of stock, so I was over the moon he managed to find it in my favourite colour option. How awesome is that?

Another amazing detail is the company offers the possibility of customization for every piece so, Sebastian went the extra mile here and engraved it with my initials in gold foil. In case you wonder, he won the prize for the best husband in 2020. Period.

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I can tell you guys, this bag is the new love of my life and I cannot wait for things to go back to normal, so I can wear it everywhere. I am dying to see how many Spring outfits I can get out of this cutie. (I’ve got a dress in mind it will totally work with…)

In terms of size, the bag is small but still fits my phone, keys, wallet, lipstick, and cardholder. So it’s not only aesthetic but also a practical addition to my collection. Win-win situation!

If, like me, you are in love with the bag and planning to get it (I might be playing with the idea of starting a little The Cambridge Satchel Company shrine at home, given the number of nice models they produce…), the good news is they have got a 30% discount sales at the moment, which applies not only to the Cloud Bag but to most lines. So hurry up, before they are gone…

And well, at this point I wrote almost eight hundred words about the bag—we all know I have a thing for long bag reviews when I love my purchase— so I am going to leave it here for now and let you go and stalk The Cambridge Satchel Company website for a while. You are welcome!

Have you heard of T.C.S.C. before? What did you receive for Christmas?

 

Allegra Caro10 Comments

The best Satchel in all the land: Michael Kors Mercer Gallery Leather Satchel

Do you believe in soulmates? Personally, I don’t but I do believe in bag mates.

Bag love is totally a thing: when you find the one, you know it. In my opinion, it is pretty much a long-term commitment—if you are lucky enough to choose the right piece, the relationship may last a lifetime. And I am being quite literal here. This cutie is nothing but solidly made!

My love story with the Michael Kors Mercer Gallery Medium Leather Satchel began last August. During my annual birthday trip to Budapest, I went for a shopping spree at Andrassy Avenue. Once I entered the local Michael Kors boutique, I spotted the Mercer immediately. It was love at first sight. Do you know when your average romantic comedy girl sees her love interest for the first time, the time slows down and all of a sudden, she hears Tom Jones music playing in the background? (Ok. Maybe not Tom Jones. But it is MY romantic comedy, right? I shall have my sip of absurdity, thank you very much.) That’s how I felt, anyway.

 

Mercer Mercer Pebbled Satchel

Continuing with the burgundy theme I have adopted lately and which I don’t plan to put aside any time soon—if you were expecting me to stop this monochromatic madness once Fall is over, you’re going to feel very disappointed. Sorry about that…—I had to go for the oxblood colour option, obviously. It is classy, it is timeless, and it elevates any Autumn outfit instantly.

The Mercer Gallery Medium Leather Satchel is a luxury handbag specifically designed for the twenty-first century cosmopolitan busy girl. As a matter of fact, it’s one of my go-to choices for mostly every occasion: from long weekend plans to hectic working days packed with endless business meetings. In these pictures, I am wearing the middle size and let me tell you that I feel like I found the Mary Poppins bag. For a satchel of its size range, its capacity defies physics. It is THAT good. Generally, I’d never expect something this stylish to be also functional, but Michael Kors cracked the code with the Mercer bag.

 

Michael kors handbag review

Michael Kors mercer gallery leather satchel in oxblood

the mercer gallery satchel oxblood review

The interior is divided in three sections: a zipped compartment with pockets for your more sensitive personal belongings (wallet, phone, keys and the such), and two more for the rest of your stuff. Believe it or now, I usually carry a cardigan and an emergency scarf since the extra room is so generous. The zipped space includes a key leash. No more digging through your bag to find your keys! Genius.

 

the best satchel bag this autumn

Being the kind of person who will carry everything but the kitchen sink with her, I am truly amazed about how much you can fit in this bag. On a regular day out, I can easily fit my wallet, ebook, phone, keys, transport card, makeup pouch, emergency manicure set, flats, cardigan, umbrella, headphones and snacks in the Mercer satchel. Not bad for medium size, right?

Oh, and did I mention you can monogram it too? I learned about this option too late, but will definitely go for it when I get my next Michael Kors. (Hello, Nouveau Hamilton! I am looking at you, gorgeous thing…)

Definitely, this is one of the best additions to my bag collection so far, and I am sure more Michael Kors goodness will arrive to my closet soon. (But I can’t promise it won’t be bugundy too…)

What is the latest addition to your own bag collection?

 

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wearing

Blazer: Axes Femme (sold out, alternative here) / Bag: Michael Kors

Skirt: Zara (old, alternative here) / Shoes: Primark

Cashmere scarf: Thrifted (similar at Burberry)

 

 

Allegra Caro10 Comments

The best high tea in Budapest: Herend afternoon tea at the Four Seasons Hotel

There are two types of people — those who like afternoon tea and those who don’t.

Being an obsessive foodie (and although I find the term painfully cringe-worthy), there is no need to say I belong to the first group. Yes, I love my food. And yes, I have a sweet tooth too. But to be honest, that is not all about it.

To me, there is something vaguely ritual about the whole tea-time experience: the idea of dressing in your best best to share good food and a lovely conversation with someone you appreciate; the endless succession of spongy scones, coated in a decadent foam of jam and custard, immaculately presented in the finest china. Afternoon tea represents the luxury of quality time — winding down from our usual fast-pace everyday routine.

As soon as we decided to visit Budapest last month, we booked the Herend Afternoon Tea experience at the Four Seasons Hotel as a birthday present for me. We’d had a nice time there the previous Summer and were looking to upgrade the game. And guys, I am so glad we did!

Four Seasons is located a the Gresham Palace, a 1906 Art Nouveau building which offers enviable views over the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Danube. The palace itself is a true national treasure and it is worth a visit, even if you only go for a coffee. But let’s talk about Herend Tea.

five stars hotel tea in budapest
Me happily standing in the lobby after all the delicious food

Afternoon Tea is served every day from 15.00 to 18.00 in the hotel lobby and tea lounge, where you can listen to a live piano concert. An elegant Herend porcelain table is set with bountiful bites and a cup of Gresham Tea, setting the ultimate mood for an afternoon at the Gresham Palace. The china service is one of the most beautiful sets I have ever seen in real life, decorated with dainty colours and floral details. Next time, I would love to purchase a set for our personal collection (the hotel offers a specialized porcelain boutique for customers).

Herend Tea experience at the Four Seasons

The tea selection includes white Yea Long, superior Oolong, Finest Shizuoka Sencha, Superior Gyokuro, Golden Assam, Earl Grey, Yunnan Black Mao Feng and Massala among others. If you are a tea lover, you can’t miss the chance to taste some of their available range (when in Budapest, I enjoy paying them a daily visit just for a cup of tea and to rest from shopping and city sighting).

But the absolute winner here is food. Afternoon tea is served both with a sweet and savoury offer: from Tramezzini (a bold smoked trout, mustard and dill sauce bite) to their absolutely delicious triple chocolate cake, everything was simply divine. My personal favourite? Their confit duck sandwich is to die for (and I really mean it, some days the craving is still HARD, let me tell you. Like waking-up-at-three-in-the-morning-wih-a-craving kind of hard).

Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Budapest

Not only the food quality is fantastic, but also the quantity is very generous: Sebastian and I are both good eaters, and even so we barely managed to try every delicious piece. (As you can see in the photos, I was wearing a flowy dress that day. Thank heavens I did so: none of my trousers would have fitted afterward comfortably…)

The staff working there is truly kind and well-mannered and they would explain to you everything about the different types of snacks and drinks provided, assisting you at all times.

Finally, the price for the afternoon service is around twenty euros per person, which can be slightly increased if you choose to enhance the experience with a cheeky glass of Kreinbacher Sparkling Wine or Veuve Cliquot Rosé N.V. (and c’mon, we all enjoy the occasional champagne glass, right? Actually, every meal would be better with some champagne, if you ask me). But overall, the price-quality relationship is impressive all things considered. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or just enjoying your city break, I would recommend the experience to anyone.

Are you into high tea? What is your favourite afternoon tea experience so far?

 

(Disclaimer: To be crystal clear here, this post is not sponsored in any way. We paid for the whole event and this post shows my honest opinion as a customer strictly.)

 

 

Allegra Caro23 Comments

My pool-side and Summer holiday reading list recommendations

In my memory, books have been always connected with all those fragrant, endless sunny Summer days. As soon as June arrived, I would store my schoolbooks on the closet, only to pile up children’s novels and short stories in my nightstand. I was probably the youngest with a library membership in the school, and guys, I was not afraid to use it.

As I grew up, my thirst for books did too. When I was a teenager, it wasn’t unusual to find me reading in a corner during the classes break. Then I went to college and graduated in English. During all those years, I would spend the extra spare time in Summer to catch-up with my list and this is a habit that has endured thus far.

But the truth is that once you become a functional adult, the chances to keep your reading rhythm decrease – work, children, household, social life… Pickup your poison.

I enjoy buring my nose in a book every evening before bedtime but sometimes I am so tired I fall asleep with the lights on (raise your hand if you are familiar with the associated frustration). Hence, the holiday season turns into the perfect period to indulge.

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This year, my reading marathon started during my trip to Spain in June, and since then I am proud to say I am back to track. Partially, thanks to all those relaxing pool-side mornings I am enjoying lately. As a consequence, I thought I could share some of my latest favourite reads with you.

Before I proceed, please notice that all the selected works were written by women and that is not a coincidence: as Kamila Shamsie stated on a genius article back in 2015, gender imbalance is a reality when talking about publication or literary prizes. Examples are countless but I find this one quite enlightening: Pulitzer across the Atlantic has had no female protagonist among its 15 winning books. Beautiful, right? Surely, this is a topic that deserves an entire post but I left that for another day and decided to give you a clue of all those fantastic women writers I have been reading lately.

These are my recommendations for 2019 Summer reads.

Don’t Look Now and Other Stories by Daphne du Maurier

I don’t know if I have mentioned this before but I have a thing about ghost stories. Like, the kind of thing that makes you read every book and watch every movie you encounter. I am not joking when I tell you that there is a special folder on my eBook called “Books About Ghosts and Other Cool Uncanny Stuff“. Yeah, that’s me. Please, don’t unsubscribe…

But the thing is, I also love Daphne du Maurier and Rebecca is one of my absolute favourite books AND movies (seriously, how often is the movie as good as the book?) So, when this short stories collection landed in my lap, I knew it was meant to be. And it really was.

Most of the tales are set in Europe during the Summertime and tell the stories of English-American people who, one way or another, experience something unnatural during their holiday in the Mediterranean coastline. Yes, you can still smell a tiny tiny bit of colonialism there maybe, but I assure you that the tales are awesome and a Summer must.

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Girls in Their Married Bliss by Edna O’Brien

Edna O’Brien is a bit like Doris Lessing and Iris Murdoch had a daughter together – in other words, her prose is astonishing. Girls in Their Married Bliss is the third part of the Country Girls trilogy but I had no problem to follow the plot, even without reading the previous episodes.

The novel goes into the story of Kate and Baba, two Irish county girls who move to Dublin in the hope of making the most of it. Splashed with loads of humor and sympathy, O’Brien explores how religiosity affects women both emotionally and sexually. If you are into meaty fiction, make yourself a favour and purchase a copy right now.

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The Handmaid Tale by Margaret Atwood

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for a couple of years, there is a good chance you’ve already heard of it. The Handmaid Tale is a masterpiece which will give you all the feels (I will neither confirm nor deny that I binge-read it in the course of one day, making good use of an entire tissue pack and having to go for a late evening walk to process it all…)

However, this is not only an emotional narrative but a political one: Atwood brightly sections the innate danger to blindly follow leadership, as well as the chaos generated by fundamentalism of any sort. Dystopian fiction as its finest.

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Guys, just so you know, this novel is so good this is the second time I read it (and I am quite sure it will not be the last one). Beloved is the story of a former slave called Margaret Garner who escapes and establishes herself in another state. Unfortunately, her pain is far from gone: very early in the plot, we come to know her house is haunted by an unknown but demanding revenant which will affect her daily life as well as her family’s. (You see? I was not joking about the whole ghost stories thing, was I?)

Main topics mastered by Morrison include family relationships, psychological ramifications of slavery, loss coping and manhood definition among others.

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The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Considered a modern literature classic, the novel tells the story of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who ambitions to become a professional writer. Once she wins an internship in a fashion magazine, her dreams seem to come true but depression knocks on her door as she struggles with relationships and a vain society which will not take women seriously.

Personally, I have always considered The Bell Jar the female literature equivalent to The Catcher in the Rye – an initiatory tale with a darker and maturer tone. The style is light and smart, notwithstanding, which makes the novel a perfect pool-side lazy afternoon read.

What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations we can all benefit from?

 

 

Allegra Caro6 Comments

Game-changer Summer skincare (that actually works)

My 2019 Summer skincare regime

The arrival of Summer means sandals, sundresses, and for the most favoured even eating gelato by the seaside in Capri – but unfortunately, it also means that our skin goes all the way down to Dryland. Fun times, aren’t they? No need to mention every potential reason: the burning sunlight, together with the exposure to swimming pool chemicals is enough to quickly spoil the results of our careful skincare regime during the cold season. But what can you do to improve your general skin condition over the warm months?

Especially, if your skin belongs to the dry type Summer may become a challenge and not of the best kind. For years, it has been my Achilles heel but with a good dose of patience, experimentation and yes, some investment, I am happy to say I have managed to find products that really work for me. Hopefully, they will work for you too.

This is my game-changer skincare routine in 2019.

 

Clinique moisture surge

Clinique dramatically different moisturizing gel

Moisture is king

This should be obvious, shouldn’t it? And even so, quite frequently we don’t pay enough attention to such a basic step. Finding a product that works for your specific skin type and needs is everything. Guys, I am not gonna lie: It took me a number of rights and wrongs to find something which could keep my Mojave dessert-dry skin hydrated all day long but once I did, there was no way back. My absolute two favourite products happen to be Clinique.

  1. Moisture Surge, 72 hours auto-replenishing hydrator

To me, this is like magic. I tend to apply it either as a five-minute mask or just before my makeup routine. Not only smooths the skin but it also feels shooting for a long time. The product is supposed to target fine lines and although I cannot confirm on such a radical difference, after only a few uses it became one my forever-in-rotation basics.

    2. Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

Raise your hand if you are looking for a 12 hours moisture barrier fix. Because that is exactly what you are getting. I apply it first thing in the morning and the skin feels fresh, and flexible until my evening routine. Yes, in Summer too. Over the years, I have tried many different solutions but for me, this is the one.

 

Le lift creme CHANEL

Anti-aging

Since skin hydration levels go down during the warm season and sunlight is harsh, the chances to get fine lines do increase. As a consequence, I take more precautions during this period. A few months ago, my sister kindly recommended Le Lift Créme by CHANEL to me. It doesn’t only treat lines but also improves firming. After almost half a year using it, I can confirm that my skin feels far better in both departments and no new lines have appeared.

The ordinary Lactic Acid

Peeling and eye puffiness

Since my skin is more exposed to the effects of the external factors, I try to keep up to date with a rigid peeling program once a week. On Sundays, I usually stay indoors so this is a good occasion to apply acids.

  1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

Is it legit to marry a beauty product? Because I am totally marrying this one (with the permission of Louboutin Velvet Matte of course), I don’t care what you say. I like to mix two/three pumps with my moisture gel in the morning and let it do its thing. After about four weeks of usage, I started seeing an obvious difference in the texture on my skin. And not even Mr. Summer can change that.

    2. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG

Another collateral effect of hot weather is that my eyes tend to look a bit puffier than usual. Fortunately, when consistently applied morning and evening, The Ordinary Caffeine Solution reduces any signs of redness around my eyes – and also sorts out dark circles, win-win here.

And these are my personals tricks for better skin during Summer.

Have you got any holy grail product secrets you want to share?

 

Game-changer summer skincare

Allegra Caro2 Comments

A Colourful Revolution: Mary Quant, the V&A retrospective

 “London was dead. Fog permeated everything. Fog was a smell. Fog was a colour.”

In the context of a grim, black and white post-war London, the work of Mary Quant bloomed like a Winter Rose – an unexpected crimson brush-stroke in the snow.

No one in that colour-blind world could have foreseen it but when the suburban Goldsmith schoolgirl opened her first experimental shop in Chelsea, she was meant to start a vivacious revolution. Back in the day, couture embodied the rigid war generation mindset, deeply related to subjects such as traditional gender roles and a narrow elite class access to fashion.  Baby boomers not only failed to empathise but also refused to do so: they were eager for freedom. “Fashion should be a game,” Quant wrote once, a motto an entire generation lived for.

When wandering about the V&A halls at the Mary Quant exhibition, one can easily come across ladies who look at the dresses with a nostalgic smile. “I had a dress very similar to this one,” 73-year-old Mary Brighton says, “I was only 14 then. My parents didn’t like it but they hadn’t much to say. I would work every Saturday on a tiny Carnaby Street shop to save the money.” Her friend Betty Wilkes nods her head: “Everything was grey then: the rain, the streets, the boring schooldays… And suddenly, she showed us the idea of hue. It was a bit like Technicolor, only better.”

 

Mary Quant OBE dress
1966 OBE dress

This image deeply resonates with Quant’s work. Chromatism was used wisely as a part of an elaborated concept – to deconstruct British tradition by empowering women. Significant examples (sometimes, in the form of iconic dresses; sometimes, in the shape of lustrous raincoats, shoes or tights) are visible: if you take a minute to visit the ground floor, the OBE Dress must be admired. In 1966, the designer was appointed Officer of the British Empire, a medal awarded for her contribution to the UK fashion export trade, supporting the national economy. For the occasion, Quant created a bright cream gown to stand out in the crowd in a gloomy November afternoon. Her beret was designed to look like an English schoolgirl hat, the entire outfit recalls the Victorian boarding school institution but she gave her a fresh and modern twist. The short skirt shook Royal protocol.

Another quintessential example is to be found on the first floor. The 1967 tartan dress was deliberately made on Victorian-inspired patterned cloth and conservative bodice. However, the new hemline, as well as the usage of synthetic materials such as rayon with Lurex thread, helped to create a sparkling party dress – The Swinging 60s paradigm.

Although Quant is mainly credited for making mini-skirts popular, it could be argued that her most impressive achievement was the capacity to anticipate and capture the new age sensibility. Hence, it is no shocker that other visionary legends of the period like former Vogue creative director Grace Coddington (then a promising model) embraced Quant’s philosophy and wore her pieces.

Quant tartan lurex dress
1967 Tartan Lurex dress

But what makes Quant work bewitching is her own fascination about modernity. When new materials first came out, she was eager to experiment with them. “One day, a new fabric appeared on the scene,” she said, “PVC was shiny, waterproof, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.” Her revolutionary usage of plastic for the 1963 Wet collection was a turning point in fashion. She conceptualized practical clothes to brighten gloomy weather days, sure, but the choice of a watery material and a simple, natural pattern has a lot to do with her early prediction of the deconstruction process: By rejecting perpetuation of the highly structured Dior silhouette, Quant seems to anticipate Zygmunt Bauman’s liquefaction concept. The 50s corseted designs are inevitably connected to highly hierarchically organized structures such as family, social class, and gender roles, all of them early refused by the Baby boomers generation who started moving from a solid, heavy society to a more fluid one.

Mary Quant PVC raincoat
1963 Wet Collection

It is quite significant that the V&A team decided to hold Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams and Mary Quant exhibitions at the same time, confronting both visions. On the subject, Quant once declared: “I always designed clothes from a very young age because I didn’t like the way they were. They were paralyzing; they were stilted.”

Paralysis is deeply connected to the topic, indeed. Women were frozen, a dragonfly on amber, trapped in a forced passive role conceived during the Old Regime times. With the second wave of Feminism in the 60s, themes such as reproductive and work rights became socially relevant. By giving women freedom of movement and rethinking gender stereotypes (her androgyny designs are worth to mention still today), Quant significantly contributed to the new cosmological vision. Hence, we can shamelessly affirm her work transcended the mere fashion substance to achieve a cultural patina of grandeur.

Certainly, Dame Quant also owned a natural genius for marketing and audience understanding: among many other fascinating moments, the exhibition portrays her elaborated plan to promote London as an avant-garde destination for the emergent American cosmopolitan class, while visiting New York in 1965. The Youthquake tour not only put London on the map but also succeeded to create a fan phenomenon over the brand, which sold out collections overnight.

 

Mary Quant tuxedo dress
Overdraft waistcoat and cheque book skirt (1967)

Curators Jenny Lister and Stephanie Wood have worked hard to bring together more than 200 pieces for the exhibition, many of them never displayed before. This is the result of a brilliant strategy: a public call-out to track down rare Mary Quant garments. Through hashtag #WeWantQuant people are still sharing their experience on Instagram. Many of the original owners’ stories are presented –together with their gowns– on a memorabilia masterpiece which is a page in the fashion book, as well as in the English history.

Now you have the opportunity to experience it: the exhibition opened on April the 6th and will run to March the 8th, 2020.

When leaving the V&A building, springtime drizzle falls across the grey London streets and a few colourful umbrellas pop here and there. And at the end of the day, the 21st-century woman writing this cannot help but bless Mary Quant for that.

 

Allegra Caro3 Comments

My experience in Vogue: Studying at Condé Nast College

I was only twelve and trapped on puberty drama the first time a Vogue issue fell into my hands.

Since then, the magazine and I were involved in a long-term relationship: we dated, we broke up and as time went by, we came to terms. In case you wonder, we enjoy a healthy friendship now — the sort you have with your oldest school days comrades.

But leaving romantic metaphors aside, the truth is that the publication has been present for most of my adult life. Once I matured, I shared my attention with other mags: Vanity Fair and The New Yorker started catching my eye, since my interests fluctuate from fashion to arts and literature, and their editorial line is designed accordingly. However, Condé Nast was always the benchmark for me, no matter what. Some of their best articles live on a special folder on my laptop, where I can come back to them for reference.

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voguehousevisit

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A few months ago, already involved in my current blog project, I discovered that Condé Nast College was offering a wide range of new courses, including intensive seminars for fashion writers. The point is, I had been considering to extend my formal education on creative writing with some specialization on journalism and this looked pretty much like the perfect opportunity. So, I finally reunited the courage to enroll and booked tickets for London in April. (Or so I like to repeat myself because the truth is that I panicked, decided to go ahead, and panicked again before I really booked my place in the seminars. Performance anxiety anyone?)

But let’s focus on the essential: How was to study in such a celebrated editorial institution? What about visiting Vogue House? In short? It was a blast. That’s it. You can now click away (just joking). But let me tell you the story from the beginning.

The first day of classes, I arrived early and the staff kindly proceeded with my registration. The building is located in the heart of Soho which made it really easy to find it (even if, like me, you are awful at Googlemaps skills…), as well as convenient in terms of commuting options. I would love to provide you with some more details on my first impression of the place but I was so nervous I can’t even remember whether it was sunny or gloomy.

Afterwards, I was given a tote bag containing the latest Vogue issue, pens (in case I wanted to write notes), and some mineral water, which was very kind of them. Then, all the students were introduced in the main conference room for the welcome and orientation chat. It was nice to see that everything was organized in a timely manner.

The first thing that caught my attention was the incredible international environment: I had the privilege to share the classes with a great group of people from the most diverse countries: Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, Switzerland, The Emirates… Everywhere. I feel this was one of the most enriching factors from the whole experience since it allows you to have a glimpse of other cultures and perceptions by sharing a genuine passion.

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After the introduction discussion, we proceeded with the first journalism lecture, mainly focused on providing basic notions. To be completely honest, I should point out that my personal interests lay in practical classes and creative writing seminars. Hence, maybe this first session was not my favourite one. I am quite sure other students found it relevant and useful, though.

However, the best part was to arrive on the second day. Early in the morning, we enjoyed a very useful seminar with the Philippa Morgan, Planning Editor at Vogue International. Listening to someone who can provide you with some serious insights into the industry is probably one of the most awesome things that can happen to you.

But this wasn’t the only highlight of the day: after lunch, we were kindly invited for a group visit to Vogue House at Hanover Square. Our group was welcome to the press room, where we could listen to specialists in the different departments, instructing us on a variety of topics, from copywriting to edition, and from photography to production. It was truly informative as a whole, and it was inspiring to hear that many of the professionals in this editorial group made it through effort and will power. After a good hour of chatting, questions, and comments, we left the place. The only part I missed from the whole experience as a writer was the chance to have a glimpse of the editorial department since I was truly interested in seeing the work-flux on a normal working day. Nevertheless, I understand the staff must be very busy on a daily basis to attend students, so I was OK with that.

The next few days were a bit of a whirlwind constituted by master classes, creative writing workshops and even more importantly, specialized human resources advice which provided a unique glance on what skills and profiles are frequently targeted by the industry.

We engaged in some group projects as well, working for long hours in the amazing library. In there, we could enjoy the read of hundreds of books dedicated to the story of Haute Couture, as well as getting access to an unlimited number of magazine issues from their archive. I only wish I could have spent some months there, feeding my curiosity with all of that wonderful bibliography. But, oh alas, time passes by quickly when you are having a good time, and before I realized it was Friday and our final project was delivered on time for the closure session.

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As a sum-up I would say the seminars were the most interesting part (especially those about conducting interviews, creative ideas development and catwalk reviews writing, which I found truly specific and helpful). Teachers were nothing but brilliant and they assisted us with feedback and advice at all times.

But as much as I learned from the whole academic experience, I would say that my favourite part was to be able to make new acquaintances and contacts from all around the world. After all, I was expecting to wide my perspective and that is simply the best way to do so, isn’t it?

Allegra Caro10 Comments

Is Louboutin Velvet Matte lipstick worth the price tag?

There seems to be something indefinitely mystical when it comes to high-end beauty launches – a certain feeling of excitement, almost the trance on oblation to cosmetic gods. When Louboutin announced the release of their lipstick range back in September 2015, it caused a commotion: from make-up amateurs to top influencers, everyone strived to bite the forbidden fruit. Wearing Louboutin iconic red on the lips? The concept was indeed very tempting.

I remember reading the announcement on Vogue, then enduring the same agitation. At the time, I spoke about it with every beauty addict I knew (I also told my siblings, Sebastian, and the window cleaner…), and we waited for weeks only to learn it would not be available in Spain. Oh, the disappointment! Buying online was not easy either, the product sold out in most European retailers immediately. I even tried to get the lipstick via my kind beauty mules flying from New York on Christmas but without any luck (once again, Velvet Matte was gone). As time went by, new launches overshadowed Louboutin’s and I gave up.

Louboutin Djalouzi

Christian Louboutin Beauty

Louboutin Lip Definer and Lipstick

And then, during my last holiday, a friend of mine who works in the industry casually said he could send me some new products from their catalogue, which included Christian Louboutin Beauty range. (Just to be clear and, this is not a PR gift, but I purchased the items with a disscount.) No need to say I jumped out of my seat. And a few weeks later, when I finally opened the parcel in the most anticipated mail day ever, I got both the bestseller Djalouzi Matte Velvet and Lip Definer (and guys, I must admit I kind of experienced that vague sacred excitement I mentioned before by looking at the polished packaging).

Allegra Caro testing Louboutin Beauty

Allegra Caro testing Louboutin Beauty
Lipstick Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte in Djalouzi, after first coat.

For a start, the presentation was as good as expected, if not better. The box is flawlessly designed but the real magic is inside – once you open it, you will find a golden metallic lip case which feels heavy and expensive. The pack also includes a little organza bag to carry lipstick in your handbag conveniently. Well, I am not going to lie: at this point, I was already sold on the concept. A lipstick that looks like a jewel? Where do I sign up?

Design and packaging: 5 / 5

However, a part of me was still sensitive enough to refrain early celebrations and wait to test the product quality. I tried it on my forearm at once. With the first swatch, I got a solid brilliant tone. By applying a second coat, you obtain a vibrant colour although slightly darker. I would say I was quite satisfied with intensity.

Pigmentation: 4 / 5

Obviously, next step was applying the product on my lips – the crucial test, if you please. Before I continue, I should disclose they are kind of dry (by this I mean Mojave Desert is wet, in comparison…), and this has always affected the way most lipsticks look on me. As usual, I exfoliated any dead skin in advance and applied a reasonable quantity of balm. Given the fact we are speaking about a matte formula, I was expecting the same heavy feeling I usually experience with similar lipsticks. A favourite of mine is Mac Diva but I only use it during weekends, when I know I will have the time to prepare my lips and touch-up, if needed. When first applied, the product is almost light. Once again, keep in mind we are not speaking about a sheer shade, but about a matte colour. Hence, I was shocked when I realised it felt even a bit nourishing on my lips! This is, in my opinion, its main strong point and what I like the most about it.

Texture: 5 / 5

Louboutin lasting power

Louboutin Lipstick Lasting Power
Lipstick Rouge Louboutin Velvet Matte in Djalouzi, after a generous lunch. (I am afraid no decent closer photos were taken that day).

I decided to try it on a Saturday morning and I wore it for the whole day. Our weekend date consisted on a nice walk, followed by food and movies. Hence, I spent 7 hours out and about, approximately. Checking my lips after dinner, I noticed some wearing on the central section, so I can’t say the lasting power was impressive. However, my meal consisted on a giant brie and apple burger and some sweet potato fries (I girl needs to eat, ladies…), which most brands are no match for. Even so, discoloration was not that bad and I didn’t need to reapply immediately. The product wore out quite decently but it gets the lowest punctuation in this department.

Lasting Power: 3 / 5.

Once we got home, I noticed no major changes in its appearance: the colour was still there, although not as vibrant as in the first part of the day. I could easily remove it by using a little pump of my usual Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm.

My two cents

In general, my opinion is quite positive – presentation is flawless, pigmentation and texture are surprising. Its weak point is doubtlessly the lasting power but to be fair, it wasn’t designed for this specific purpose. Let’s go ahead with conclusion then.

Is Louboutin Velvet Matte lipstick worth the price tag?

The answer is yes, as long as you value design and comfort.

If you are looking for a morning-to-night product though, I would recommend to look for something specific. Personally, I would repurchase and I will probably try some of the other available shades (Sevillana, Rococotte, I am looking at you girls).

Louboutin lipstick before and after

But what is the last product you have tried?

Would you recommend?

Allegra Caro10 Comments
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