Python Persuasion

Jeans – J Brand, Baseball Jacket – Maison Martin Margiela, Shoes – MMM for H&M, Bag-‘Dioific’ in Python photos by my beautiful lil sister.  March started weeks ago and at one point it was boiling, the next moment it’s still March and freezing again. How on earth did that happen?? You could only find this kind of weather fluctuation in London, honestly. Being smashed with uni work yet still enjoy the nightlife and staring into the depths of the Ukraine’s crisis on a perpetual caffeinated high probably screws with the body’s time perception abilities. I try to keep myself busy all the time these days, whether with business or with pleasure. Regardless, I’m super ecstatic for Spring, the lighter layers (and the better mindset) that come with it, fresh blooms, and more vitamin D. On a more outfit-y note, i have never owned a Dior bag before but this python baby definitely won my heart over. Have a productive week everyone! With love, N ❤

& other stories: "Applebloom Pink" Total Tint Stick Review

Buy it here !

On my stroll through Berlin’s Mitte, it was impossible to avoid the recently opened & other stories in Neue Schönhauser Allee. The second & other stories store in our capital, and surely not the last one, is just as well designed as the first one, and all other ones out there. They do it so well. Making their goods appeal to me in every way possible. I simply couldn’t walk out of that store without buying anything. Even though I didn’t want to buy anything ! I ended up going home with a small tube of hand creme, eye cream and this tint stick. I didn’t need any of them, but somehow ended up buying them, because i simply couldn’t not buy anything ! I love the packaging of & other stories beauty products so much, so I didn’t even try to resist.

I love the idea behind this tint stick. It’s an all-rounder. You can use it for your cheeks, your lips and your eyes. Applebloom Pink is a very pale pink with a little bit of glitter, that highlights and gives your skin a pretty glow. There are also other colours available, which are more vibrant, but I didn’t think they’d suit me, so I got this one. Iam not a beauty or make-up geek, so I love the fact that I can walk around with this one stick and use it in different ways. It’s so useful when Iam late for uni, and just look very dull, but don’t have the time to do my eye make-up. I apply it on my eyelids, cheeks and I look much rosier instantly. The shit thing about it is, that it doesn’t seem to last very long though. Because when I get home from uni, I feel like the pinkness is gone, and there’s only glitter left. I really wish the tinting bit was more long-lasting. Because there’s no point in using it, if it doesn’t even stick around for a few hours. I never wear any make-up, so I don’t know how long it lasts with foundation and stuff on. Or maybe I just have to apply more and more layers. Do any of you guys know similar products that I can try ? Recommend them to me, and I will make a review video ! I really want to make more beauty videos, even though I don’t know much about make-up. Iam eager to learn though, so you can follow me as i make progress. As for this product, I will continue using it on my without make-up days, but I doubt I will buy it again.

Ruhepool Berlin: A Japanese Bath

It was so cool sitting in these. I want one in my home !

100% sea salt as body scrub.

Ginger tea provided next to the bath tub.

A spa is considered something rather luxurious in my circles, because going to a spa is connected with a price range that we can, but not easily, afford. Unlike in Vietnam, where you can get massages and spa packages at as little as 20€. So it’s not wonder that my friends and me, while in Vietnam, go to the spa and for massages all the time, while in Germany, spa and massages are subjects that never cross our minds. And after having stumbled upon the German blog I love spa, and going through her spa experiences in the capital city Berlin, I started wondering, why actually ? Why don’t I treat myself for a massage and pure relaxation time once in a while, when I actually love love love getting massages and spa treatments like facials ? You are supposed to live your life doing whatever makes you feel good, and if some time off at the spa makes me feel good, isn’t it worth a consideration ? If I just save one Euro a day, I can afford getting a professional massage once in two months. That is better than once a year. In Vietnam. Isn’t it ?

Because I grew fond of that idea, I decided to become a more regular spa visitor. Thanks to Jenny from i love spa, who has tested most of the spas around Berlin and writes very generously about her experiences, I decided on Ruhepool Berlin. Ruhepool, because they have this treatment called a Japanese bathing ritual. The little Japan freak inside of me couldn’t resist, I had to try it !

Ruhepool is located in Prenzlauer Berg, and looks nothing like a spa outside. It looks more like a hairdresser/interior shop, because its interior is really nice ! And they offer hair cuts as well. I made my reluctant boyfriend come with me, and at first it was really awkward. You get into a seperate room with two boxes of hot water, with a temperature of your choice, and the really nice receptionist explains everything to you in detail. And then she leaves, and it feels awkward. It’s like going to the sauna for the first time. Getting naked somewhere, which is not your home. But eventually you get used to it. The water was freaking hot, even at the lowest temperature possible of 39 degrees. I sat in there and I was sweating. Sweating, drinking ginger water and playing around with the provided sea salt and bathing milk. We were supposed to stay in the water for half an hour but only endured fifteen minutes. Like sauna. Just that you are sitting in hot water instead. I felt like having run a marathon afterwards, and just laid on the daybed for the rest of the time, until we were called for our massages. Boyfriend doesn’t like massages so he got a facial instead. All in all, I was pretty satisfied. I came out glowing and feeling very relaxed and all. I wouldn’t do it again though. Because I don’t think it’s worth the money. The setting and the idea behind it is nice and all, but we didn’t get rid of the feeling that it was just bathing after all. And for just bathing, I can also stay at home, you know. No next time for me, which doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. Just not worth my money. Try it, if you want to bath in a cool tub outside your home and get a massage afterwards though. It will make your skin feel fab !

Any of you guys having recommendations for me, which spa in Berlin I should visit the next time ? And maybe what treatment to get ? I can never decide.

Ruhepool

Winsstraße 69, Prenzlauer Berg, 10405 Berlin

+493041717374 

info@ruhepool-berlin.com

Tram: M2 Knaackstraße

Opening Hours: Mon – Sun 11am – 9pm

Hoishi Coupe Berlin : no more orange

top – COS / earrings; bracelet – Floralpunk photos by Phan Nhat Minh

Often before I even get to blog, I have spread news all over my other social networks already. Just like in real life, I just can’t keep happy news to myself. I have to share them, like right away and immediately. That’s why the moment I stepped out of the hair salon, I was getting my phone out of my bag, taking selfies already, to post it on Facebook. My new hair color ! I know many people out there despise such behavior but to me it simply has become a part of my life. Sharing bits of my life with the world. Irrelevant stuff like the fact that I love my new hair colour.

It was some proper shit orange before, because I had dyed them with an ash blonde tone, to get rid of the orange tone I had before. It turned out just more orange though, and I hated it. So I decided to spend a good 10 times the price of drugstore hair dye, to get my hair dyed by a hairdresser. Quite happy with the result so I won’t complain about the price. It was so worth it. It’s the same salon in Berlin, where I got my hair cut in spring. I think I will stick to that salon form now on, even though it is not super cheap. Quality comes at a price, besides I don’t go to the hairdresser once a week, so it’s affordable. In fact it’s way cheaper than my Japanese hairdresser in Munich before. I had to pay 44€ for the whole-head coloring with a student discount. Since it turned out to be pretty much the color I wanted, I think it was worth it.

Hoshi Coupe has several branches all over the world. The one in Berlin is right off the S-Bahn station Hackescher Markt, so it’s very convenient to get there. Make an appointment, and be prepared to speak English. I noticed that only few (or none?) of the girls there speak German. I personally didn’t mind, since they do speak English, even though it’s with a heavy Japanese accent. I got my hair done by Sayuri, and I loved her massage ! When you go to a Japanese hair salon you get a massage every time someone washes your hair. I love that. Juts like Vietnam. Just better ! Sayuri was really nice in a reserved way. All in all I was very satisfied when I left the salon. My hair looked so healthy and lovely. The photos were taken right after my appointment. Better than the orange, no ?

Stil in Berlin also blogged about Hoshi Coupe once, in case you need more positive feedback. See here.

Hoshi Coupe
Garnisonkirchplatz 2, 10178 Berlin
+493027891720
S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 11am – 7pm

Gel Eyeliner Tutorial

Several girls have asked me about my eyeliner, here is a quick tutorial ! Please watch it in HD, otherwise it will look really low quality.

I have to admit, I didn’t have a good eyeliner day that day, so my eyeliner in the video isn’t the best eyeliner I have to offer, but it serves the purpose. 

The product aim using is the Maybelline gel eyeliner, the only one I had at home at that time. It’s an option, but not my favorite. I’d rather go for a MAC or Kate gel eyeliner.

Maybe it does help some of you, but don’t worry if my style doesn’t work on you. Everyone has a different eye shape, so everyone draws their eyeliner differently : )

Oh Victoria

shot by me, using a Canon 600 D

This morning, i attended my second show at NYFW ( the first was Alexander Wang yesterday)  and yes it was the sensational Victoria Beckham’s.The interpretation of shapes and how to apply them both literally and conceptually was her principal theme this season. The runway was flowing with geometric shapes, color blocking, strong, sporty and sexy silhouette. To me, this is her strongest collection yet as the progress of exploring proportion really allowed her set those boyish elements against a sense of femininity that is demonstrated through every single pieces showcased. Not to mention the best front row of the day which included her beautiful husband ,baby Harper and a (smiley) Anna Wintour, Victoria did her best in showing her very own aesthetic for Spring/Summer. Check out my video on Instagram, caputirng the finale. Stay in tuned for my A.Wang impressions.

With love, N

L’oreal Super Liner Gel Intenza (review)

By now everyone should know that my make-up is basically just eyeliner. It took me years and years to perfect my eyeliner drawing skills, and I want to share the experience with the gel eyeliner from L’oreal with you. I have tried plenty of different gel eyeliners over the years, from the regular drugstore brands to the luxury brand products to the most hyped in Japan. I know exactly how to draw my eyeliner, and what I look for in an eyeliner. It must be creamy but should not smudge. For black eyeliner, the blacker the better. It’s a no-go for me if it fades or smudges over time.

Super Liner Gel Intenza. Whoever came up with the name for this  L’oreal gel eyeliner definitely does not use this eyeliner, and does know how to combine appealing words. I decided to give this drugstore eyeliner a try, because besides Maybelline and Essence it is the only low-budget gel eyeliner on the German market (i think), because the L’oreal Super Liner Perfect Slim pen liner is really good and because the packaging looked so promising. While the pen liner kept all the expectations I have for an eyeliner, the gel one left me disappointed and with unnecessary extra minutes applying it. It is not super in my opinion, yes it is a gel liner, and regarding the intenza, if they were trying to refer to an intensive black or intensive opacity, it’s not the case with this gel eyeliner.

The black is not intense enough, it easily smudges while applying and the drawing process itself just doesn’t go as smooth and well covering as I would like it to be. Even with several layers I don’t get a deep black finish. It looks a little faded from the beginning. And it doesn’t stay smudge proof even after drying down. 

If I compare to the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, the L’oreal Super Liner Gel Intenza is less dramatic and less black. They are in the same price range, between 7 and 10€ I think, but the Maybelline is longer lasting and more intense on my lids, even though not all too smudge proof as well. I probably wouldn’t buy from L’oreal again, because there are many better eyeliners out there, and since gel eyeliner is the essential product in my make-up routine I don’t mind investing in pricier products from luxury brands or Japan.

Do you see how it rubbed off on the top of my lid ? No go ! I don’t even have oily skin or lids, and didn’t do anything special all day. If I had gone clubbing or if I were in Vietnam, I don’t want to know how I would look like after these 10 hours.

Or is it just me ? Do you have any experience with this eyeliner ? Has anyone tried the gel eyeliner from Essence ? Iam looking for the best drugstore option when it comes to gel eyeliner.

Bobbi Brown x Elle Vietnam

Thanks to our sweet web editor i got the opportunity to be the model for a Bobbi Brown make-up video. She sent in my pictures and i cant believe they chose me ! I rarely ever get my make-up done so i was really excited about it. Plus i love Bobbi Brown products, above all the gel eyeliner of course ! See all the things they brought for the shoot ?! Sick ! 

I didnt do much besides sitting there and smiling. The make-up artist Kai was really nice and complimented my skin. Actually iam really proud of my skin, i usually dont have to use make-up. Actually i never do use make-up. He gave us a lot of very useful tips and i can finally apply blush nicely ! 

It was all a cool experience and i loved the goodie bag they gave me ! There was gel eyeliner in there of course and a couple other Bobbi Brown products like creme and blush ! They wrote me a really nice card as well but as i dont have a camera right now i couldnt take pictures of it yet. 

Elle Vietnam has provided me many awsome opportunities and iam very greatful for every each of them.

Today is my last day and iam going home in 16 days from now. Three months have passed so fast.

Btw our giveaway ends today, doesnt it ! Well stay tuned for the winner of the giveaway !

candy floss.

pictures via tumblr/weheartit

Everyone please do agree with me, when i say pink hair is the shit !! I have always wanted light pink hair ! Ever since i can think properly. I remember the first time i read Paradise Kiss, my favourite Manga of all times, and was introduced to Miwako’s story. She was my favourite character, i always wanted to be like her. And she had fluffy, light pink hair. Even though there are barely any coloured original pictures of her from Ai Yazawa, i just knew she had light pinkt hair, like candy floss. She was my idol, i loved her style, cute, girlish, punk at times, adorable hairstyles. The older i grew the more i realized that i’d never be like her though haha. A devastating feeling. I would never be that skinny, id never be that cute and id never have light pink hair, because it simply doesnt suit me. And because id kill my hair tryin. If you dont know Paradise Kiss, read it. Lovely story. I still read it every now and then, and start dreaming again. 

btw, im going to London again, to kick my co-bloggers ass because she hasnt posted anything ever since i left London last time ! haha. 29th this month ill be back to where i belong ! AND, did you know Pamela Love is doing a collab with Topshop ? Well i didnt until two days ago and i just wanted to share the news. I adore Pamela Loves jewelerry, but could never afford. This might be my once in a lifetime chance ! (kiddin, im aiming high !) No, im really looking forward to this collab ! Unfortunately i wont be in London anymore when it will be released but i will try the online way if possible.

and, for my Paris impressions check www.xanga.com/fu_btch !