I had no idea this was coming, so when I came face-to-face with Maybelline’s new Pulse Perfection oscillating mascara in the aisle of my local Walgreens, I gasped outloud. While oscillating mascara technology has been available in department stores for about a year, the launch of Maybelline’s new product is a first at mass and a majorly (sorry, I had to use that word)huge development for beauty junkies like me. There is so much fun technology out there in beauty- and it is becoming increasingly more available at inexpensive prices. At any rate, the mascara is terrific. It vibrates very lightly when you press a small lever on the cap of the wand and this slight vibration serves to separate your lashes while the wand stretches them. Lashes are long and defined in rich black. I am in love!

I am in Paris this weekend literally soaking up the flavors and fashions of this city. I had about 2.5 days in this amazing city when all was said and done (taking into account way to much sleeping due to massive attack of jetlag) and am heading off for London tomorrow morning. The ’80’s are alive and well in Paris and, contrary to what you might think, I am not hating them. Everyone is wearing ripped jean shorts, boots, and leather jackets. It sounds awful but somehow it looks amazing on these slight french frames. The jeans hang just right, the jackets slouch perfectly too. This is not something that I can pull off. I just don’t have that minuscule body- like a hanger- that makes these styles look good. Other trends? Longchamp and Vanessa Bruno’s ubiquitous sequined bags are still popular among the ‘tween set. Women are wearing slouchy leather hobo bags. Of note, there is not as much smoking here as there used to be (even 2 years ago when we lived here for a bit I felt that smoking was still de rigueur. Now, it seems more and more people have kicked the habit.) In regard to beauty trends, I am seeing lots of self-tanned skin and dark eyeliner. I was inspired by all of the bronze, and I picked up a fun spray tan from L’Oreal at Monoprix. The L’Oreal offerings are much more fun and expansive here in Paris. I also find that many of the colors work really well on my skin. It could be that I am Italian and tend to have similar coloring to the French. At any rate, as per usual, I can spend an hour perusing the makeup at Monoprix and determining my must have Euro make-up purchases. Before I jump the train tomorrow I plan some last minute shopping. I fear that London will be far too expensive for much impulse purchasing. Another fun fashion plus to being in Paris this weekend? Michelle Obama, my latest fashion icon, was at the Louvre this afternoon and we caught a brief glimpse.