Benefit's #curlsbestfriend Parlour Press Launch

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited along to the Benefit Curl's Best Friend Pop-up parlour press launch (phewww, that was a mouthful). I was so excited to see what the parlour had to offer, and even more so because visiting with me was my gal pal Kirstie (also a fellow blogger- check her out HERE). The pop-up is basically a combined beauty parlour, make up store and bar, and will be open for just a month. It has been designed in order to celebrate the launch of Benefit's new 'it' product: Roller Lash Mascara, and to honour its other best selling mascara They're Real. 
Upon entering, myself and Kirstie were given a lovely warm welcome and handed a glass of bubbly. We were given a tour of the three story shop, and had time to take some snaps and chill out. The bottom floor of the parlour is a place to relax, indulge in a cupcake (or 12...they're super mini ok), slurp down a cocktail and gossip: perfect. Up the stairs lies the beauty parlour, in which you can book yourself in for a make upper, brow wax and tint or faux-blow. Up in the 'attic' is the biggest and best hidden treasure of the entire store: the Noir Bar. With mood lighting, plush seating and a cocktail list as long as my arm, this is the perfect place to finish your visit. Just be careful of the pesky winding staircase- I managed to knee Kirstie on several occasions on the way up (much to her discomfort and my, well, amusement). 
I can honestly say the Benefit pop-up parlour launch was one of my favourite press-preview events I have ever been to, and I was taken care of so well by the seriously fantastic staff. From the very kind DeVries Slam PR people to the hilarious Benebabes who worked on my hair and brows, everyone I met was really lovely and willing to go the extra mile. Kirstie and I spent lots of time getting our hair, makeup and eyebrows done, feasting on cutesy mini cupcakes and having a laugh in the photo-booth. The goodie bags were also glorious, the contents of which you can see above. And yes, we even met the Benefit dog (rollers in hair and all).
 To sum it up, we had a really fun night. For this reason, I would definitely 100% recommend checking out the stylish pop-up parlour before it closes in a month's time. I think it's just such a genius idea, combining 3 things most young 20-something women love: makeup, cocktails and chilling out with friends. It would therefore make a super Friday night out after work, or could even act as a mid-week treat to rejuvenate and kick back. The parlour itself is also decorated so fabulously, from the hairdryer-style lighting (DIY on steroids) to the wall cabinets chock-a-block full with mascara.
The parlour is open now and you can book in to visit by ringing 020 3620 4747 or by downloading the curl's best friend app. It is located on 26 Greek Street, Soho, W1D, and it's open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-11pm (Noir bar open from 7pm). Book yourself in now as it won't be around for long! 

The Mascara Mission

The Mascara Mission (def): the ultimate hunt for the perfect lash lengthening, volume boosting, eye defining mascara; usually undertaken by beauty bloggers and fellow makeup maniacs. 

Please tell me you relate? I am seemingly on a never-ending mission to find the perfect mascara. I want one that makes my lashes look dramatic but subtle enough for day time wear, lengthens but doesn't make them look freakishly long, and boosts volume whilst defining the eye. My ultimate favourite mascara of all time has to be Estee Lauder's Projectionist; introduced to me by my friend Jenny at the tender age of around 15. I had been wearing it ever since then until last year, (to my absolute horror) it was discontinued. My devastated reaction must have worried the lady in Boots, as she quickly rushed to fill my mascara void by offering me their newer alternative: Magnascopic. This, along with 3 others, has slightly helped to ease my pain since Projectionist-gate, and here's why: 

Estee Lauder Magnascopic mascara, £20.50: This has very nearly filled the void that Projectionist left. It has a nice natural brush which picks up the perfect amount of product, and is best at lengthening lashes. This may be my favourite of the bunch. Estee Lauder really excels in mascaras so if you're looking for a new one give theirs a whirl! 

Chanel Le volume de Chanel mascara, £24: Chanel's latest mascara offering (which only came out this summer) is one of their best yet. At first I didn't think I was going to be a fan when I realised it came with one of those plastic-y brushes, but I've really got on with it well and in my eyes it's probably a close second to Magnascopic. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a more dramatic eye; it is much better suited to evening makeup rather than a subtle day-time look. 

Benefit They're real mascara, £19.50:  This is seriously worth the hype it's been getting over the past few months as it gives the perfect volume boosting lash effect which is supposed to make people ask, 'Are your lashes real?' Although the mini version is shown here, I have actually owned the full sized They're real. I would however recommend buying the smaller versions which they sell because the product tends to dry up very quickly and so a full sized tube doesn't last as long as it should. 

Clinique High Impact Mascara, £16.50: Despite sounding very dramatic and dark, I have found this mascara to be subtle enough for daytime wear also. It's a good all rounder and definitely worth picking up if you want to try something new as it lengthens and boosts effectively. It also comes in lots of other versions, but I am yet to try these. 

What's your favourite mascara? 

B.