Buyers - Beware of imitation mascaras!

Okay so that may be a slight exaggeration on the issue I want to discuss… however, attention is needed… and in BIG BOLD SHINY LETTERS! (Similar to those displayed all over the packaging of my latest purchase.)

Mascara!

The topic of new mascara is something I’ve realised I feel this pretty strongly about. Even more so – after the recent confirmation I had - that mascara should most definitely not be bought on a whim, and that saving on price means compromising on quality, which should never be done when choosing new make-up products.

I was visiting Carrefour again 3 days again (Woolworths/Big W/Target equivalent here in France) and on the top of my list was... you guessed it! A new mascara.

The thing about mascara shopping is, it’s not just like ducking into the store and picking up a loaf of bread or carton of milk. It’s a purchase that takes time… and an investment that requires a lot of before-you-buy research!

Of course money starts to play a role in the decision process, along with the patience you have for way-too-brightly-lit make-up counters. However, if you don’t go in with a clear mind, lets be honest, it’s awfully tempting to grab for something new, different or… well… half the price! And this is where it all begins to go terribly wrong…

Now I know… I know what the ads tell you… and I know what you’re thinking… the zoomed and enhanced picture of the girl on the inside cover of that magazine you just read… really does have longer, fuller and curlier lashes! WOW!

But you may need to take a seat while I let you in on a little secret… It’s called PHOTOSHOP.

And NO your lashes will sadly not look EXACTLY the same as Penelope Cruz’s, should you spend an hours worth of your pay package on ULTRA BLACK & CURL – which, as it turns out... and unfortunately so... is not quite as black or curly as the ads would have you believe.

And yes you will go home and be completely dissatisfied when you look in the mirror and realise you look nothing like Scarlet Johansen - in that latest TV commercial where her lashes look JUST FABULOUS – and that in fact your lashes are still short, thin and now… lumpy with clumps! AND……… tragically......... I know you know what I’m talking about!

You see, as much as I’d love to believe in what the genius’ behind these glossy campaigns are selling, my credit card bills and the bag in the bottom of my wardrobe, which is almost full, of near-brand-new mascara sticks would prove to any normal person otherwise.

I guess that means they’re doing their job right… but what a shame for the rest of us!

I’m not saying all mascara is bad mascara but I do believe, just like finding a life partner… the perfect mascara is out there for you and once you find it – it is highly recommended you not let it go.

Price and distance is irrelevant when a bond is real. And taking a newer version for a test run will only be thrilling before it’s time to buy. Cheating with the competition will only bring you down and will most definitely not live up to expectations!

I guess what I’m trying to say here – speaking from experience – is... don’t wait until it’s gone to realise what you had… and definitely don’t be fooled by price-cut-promises or flashy new packaging – it’s just a stage and you WILL grow out of it!

Stick to what you know… and what won’t let you down. The real deal costs for a reason… and you can’t put a price on picture perfect lashes.

So you see… I think I’ve learnt something here… and not that I’m adverstising or anything but… … I’d rather spend 17 euro a pop on the lovingly loyal lashes I get from LOREAL’s double extension beauty tubes than spend another minute being bummed out by the 10 euro imitation (shall remain nameless) wands that are clearly only POSING as mascara.

Who would have though huh? Me – paying for quality? I guess there’s still hope yet…

The only downer now is… I’m going to be 27 euro out of pocket instead of the 17 euro I’d have been out – had I never doubted my true love in the first place! Lesson lived… and learnt!

I’ll never doubt you again baby – Because I’m worth it.... and for the record, so are all of you!

I'm late but... The Office??? Nice!

Okay, so I know I am a little late on the band wagon… but living in France - as I am at the moment - … there aren’t as many TV viewing options as one would hope and especially not until we get our phone/internet/TV box set up – hurry up bank details!

So anyway, I decided to join the Media Library that they have here in Reims. It’s good because it’s just around the corner from our apartment and you get one-hour free Internet everyday. Although the French keyboard is so annoying and weird that it takes me nearly the full hour just to reply to one or two emails.

Anyway, overall… the Media Library is a really cool idea and I thought “Bingo! Free DVDs!” Catch is though you’re only allowed two DVDs every 3 weeks… so I thought a TV series was the way to go. Unfortunately they didn’t have ‘One Tree Hill’, which is what I was looking for and to be honest, the DVD area was looking a little worse for wear.

The options of TV series were fairly limited and nothing was catching my eye. Then I spotted ‘The Office’, which I’m pretty sure I’ve heard my brother talk about before. Of course with Steve Carell in it, how could it not be good?

However, one of my pet peeves is watching a TV series mid season. If I’m going to start a new series… it HAS to be from the beginning. This is the reason why I wasn’t going to take The Office home with me. Then I realised, with the boy gone from morning til night for the next 2 weeks, I’d need SOME form of entertainment… so I took it with me. Season 1 & 2, Discs 3 & 4.

And I’ve got to say I’m finding it hilarious. In fact, I wish I had more. This usually happens once I start. I get addicted and find it unbelievably hard to step away from the TV… and when the DVDs run out, I’m close to heart failure.

Yes, I understand, I’m beginning to show a little more my freakish/geek side but it’s true. I’m quite the TV series addict.

Although this may not be of any real interest to the most of you… or those of you who’ve known about this show since the beginning of time, I felt it necessary to at least pay tribute to what has given me my chuckles for today. For that, I am very grateful and highly recommend it to those who may have also been hiding in the closet of the uninformed for so long – like myself.

Seriously though – Check it out. It’s a good time.

Hooray for 'The Office'!