“Makeup is there for you to have fun with, it should never feel like pressure…never feel like a uniform” – Rihanna
A bit about Fenty Beauty
There’s been a whole lot of talk about Rihanna’s new beauty range and it’s overall amazingness so I decided to try it for myself!
The inspiration behind Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range was to create a make up line where “women everywhere would be included.” It focuses on producing products that perform across all skin types and tones, and she didn’t disappoint. Rihanna’s Fenty range launched with over 80 products including an incredible 40 shades of foundation, 30 different highlighters and contour sticks and a universal lip gloss. Talk about inclusive. To top it all off, Fenty Beauty is also 100% cruelty free.
The best thing about the Fenty range is that it stays true to it’s vision. The Custom Match Stix Trio is the perfect example of this. This product is completely personalised in that you select your choice of two Matte skinsticks for concealer and contour and one shimmer skinstick for your highlight. This means you can pick the best colours for your skin type. I chose the colours Linen, Amber and Stardust. If you find you need some help choosing your skinsticks, Fenty Beauty recommends the handy tips below:
STEP 1 – CONCEAL: Choose your exact skin tone match to conceal blemishes. For under-eye darkness and hyper-pigmentation, go for 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone.
STEP 2 – CONTOUR: Choose a color that’s 2-3 shades deeper than your natural skin tone.
STEP 3 – HIGHLIGHT: Light up any way you please.
Coverage and Colour
Fenty Beauty boasts a makeup range that is designed to be effortlessly layered, delivering buildable coverage while still keeping skin looking natural.
I was so excited to try the products that when I applied them for the first time, I was a little disappointed. I found that the coverage of the concealer was good but not as good as I’d hoped and the contour blended so well that it seemed to blend to non-existence. I was slightly disappointed because I didn’t notice a dramatic difference in how my face looked normally.
THAT WAS UNTIL…
I saw my boyfriend later that afternoon and the first thing he said to me was “You look very pretty today!”
So I guess it does work. And looking back on my photos, I do look fresh faced and somehow naturally flawless. Reflecting back, I guess that’s the whole point of Fenty’s Beauty range. The formulas are designed to be seamless to the point where it’s difficult to tell where the skin ends and make up begins.
One regret I do have is not selecting a more pigmented highlighter. When applied, the Stardust highlighter is virtually clear in pigment, but produces an amazing shimmer. Although shiny, I felt a little naked without some colour on my cheeks.
Like the highlighter, the Gloss Bomb lipgloss delivers epic shine and shimmer – like diamonds have been crushed onto your face. The gloss comes in one colour called “Fenty Glow” which is a nude rose colour handpick by Rihanna. This colour is supposedly so magical that it looks good on everyone. This lip colour is perfect for a natural looking lip.
Best suited to
Most skin types. I have oily, acne prone skin and this makeup didn’t frustrate me much.
Application
Match Stix
The Match Stix Trio glides on fairly easily, but work better when warmed a little. The concealer and contour blend really well into each other creating a very seamless blend. The highlighter on the other have is a bit more difficult to blend and can look patchy.
The make up itself is really lightweight and doesn’t make your skin feel like it’s suffocating.
Lipgloss
I really didn’t like the feeling of this one at all, but I rarely like the feeling of glosses. Like most glosses it’s sticky. The formula is suppose to also make lips look fuller, however I didn’t notice a significant change.
1. Unblended contour and concealer 2. Blended 3. Finished off the look with highlighter and lipgloss
Long Lasting
Overall I found the Fenty products last quite long. My skin did get a bit oily after a couple of hours which was easy to fix with a bit of powder.
Packaging/Design
Fenty Beauty’s packaging is unique. I particularly love the hexagon design and the fact that the ‘Match Stix Trio’ is magnetic, which makes them super easy to find in your handbag.
I was however expecting a little more glitz and glam from the packaging and overall look of the products, especially because Rihanna is so glamorous herself. The Match Stix themselves feel like chunky crayons to hold, which is kinda cool, but it does make it hard to apply the concealer in the hard to reach places like the nooks and crannies of your eyes.
Have your tried Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range? Tell me what you thought in the comments below, or leave a “readers rating” above.
Do you remember when you were a child and the days were so long? When a year took forever to complete and Christmas was too far away?
Have you ever been so caught up in a moment that time stopped? And then in a second it’s over, never to repeat again. Maybe it was a moment of triumph, of accomplishment, or maybe it was a moment missed.
Each year I miss the Cherry Blossoms here in Sydney but this year I made sure to go see them! I also combined it with a shoot featuring this gorgeous playsuit from Alice McCall, one of my favourite brands. Very fitting with the Cherry Blossom theme this piece features delicate and intricate lacing which I love.
I want to take a moment to talk about moments missed. I find that life often throws you choices and opportunities that you only get a split second chance to seize, before you lose them forever. I’ve learnt that if you’ve found someone special tell them and don’t let them go because finding a good person is rare. Or if you have the chance to travel or take on a new business venture, just do it. You’ll gain so much more from taking the chance, than not and always left wondering about the what ifs.
Was there a time when you let a moment slip through your fingers?
“Anyone who has seen Paris, but hasn’t seen Cassis, hasn’t seen anything” – Frédéric Mistral (1830-1914)
Quiet and still, the fisherman’s boats rock gently along the Port. As the sun greets the water, the colourful houses burst into life with the freshest catch of the Côte d’Azur on full display. Bouillabaisse, Soupe de poissons and seafood served with a side of tapenade can be found within the restaurants that kiss the port, cooked in traditional Provencal style.
Admiring the port while strolling down the esplanade, a small cobblestoned passageway captures your curiosity asking to be explored. Here you find remnants of Cassis’ historic past, gorgeous boutiques and artisan food – each store specialising in it’s own delicacy – gelato, handmade cookies and biscuits, vinegars, wines, oils and fresh produce.
But, do not be fooled by appearances, for this sleepy town is home to an adventurous heart. Framed on one side by France’s highest sea cliff Cap Canaille, and the Calanque national park on the other, Cassis is food for any adventurers soul.
Welcome to Cassis
I’m so happy to finally share with you my favourite destination of my trip to France. I loved Cassis from the moment I stepped off the bus. Cassis has a bit of everything that I consider to be ideal in a place, in fact I’ve already got dibs to retire here (haha).
On top of the hill, you’ll find modern apartments, good internet and gorgeous views of the Mediterranean and the town below. There’s lots of nature, the weather is gorgeous and the beaches? Postcard perfect.
Walking towards the town, the wide modern roads collide into small cobblestone passageways that snake through the historic village. The village itself has a whole lot of charm with all passageways leading towards the town’s centrepiece, the port surrounded by colourful fisherman buildings.
With delicious food and the Calanque National Park to boot, let’s explore Cassis!
How To Get There
Travel from Paris to Cassis is fairly easy. There is a direct TGV from Paris to Marseille St Charles, then it’s just one transfer from Marseille St Charles to Cassis. The journey takes approximately 4 hours.
I travelled to Cassis from Nice, which is approximately a 2-3 hour trip. Like travelling from Paris, there are two transfers required
Nice Ville to Toulon
Toulon to Cassis
When you arrive, Cassis train station is located about 5km away from the village centre. Catch the bus called “Marcouline” located at the station’s exit to Cassis’ town centre. As I was staying at an Airbnb, I got off at the stop called “Belsunce” located just before the town centre.
As mentioned in my other travel posts, I recommend booking your transport via Trainline – it will work out the entire journey under one ticket, plus you can download the app and have everything stored on your phone in one place; super handy when you have multiple tickets from travelling all over Europe/France.
Where to Stay
I stayed at a wonderful AirBnb in Cassis which I highly recommend to everyone. The apartment is large, spacious, modern, comfortable and owned by the lovely, Sophie.
As a lone traveller I was a bit hesitant to stay in an apartment with the owner because I love my space, but it actually turned out perfect. Sophie was wonderful, really friendly and could speak English which was a bonus. She also knew all the best local places to recommend and could help me out with anything difficult, such as transport. She was also very respectful of my personal space which was great!
The apartment itself is in a wonderful location being very close to the town centre, beaches and the National Park where you can trek to the Calanques.
Best of all, each morning she set up a gorgeous breakfast which was amazing!
Sophie’s Amazing Breakfast!! There was fresh fruit, granola, artisan jams, bread,teas and more!
What to Discover
Port de Cassis
If you’re looking for the picture perfect postcard place you can’t go past Cassis Port. Picturesque and beautiful, the port is spotted with local fishing boats and framed with the colourful homes of fisherman. On the esplanade, there are a number of delicious restaurants specialising in local delicacies, particularly seafood!
City Centre
Walking through the historic streets was one of my favourite experiences of Cassis. I absolutely loved the city centre here. In quintessential Southern France tradition, the city centre diverges into numerous winding streets and cobblestone pathways lined with artisan shops, restaurants and colourful architecture decorated in vines and pot plants.
La plage du Bestouan
Probably the most pristine beach I saw during my travels – La Page Du Bestouan is GORGEOUS. Imagine just living in the house in photo?? Pure paradise. I discovered this beach on the way to the Calanque National Park. It’s only a short walk from Cassis city centre.
Plage de la grande mer & cap canaille
Cassis most popular beach is Plage de la Grande Mer, located at the centre of town and crowned by Cap Canaille; the highest sea cliff in France and one of the highest across Europe. If you’re adventurous enough, Cap Canaille features a tough, steep hike to the summit, but the view from showcases the long stretch of the Mediterranean sea, Cassis harbour and even the Calanques.
TIP: For an easier journey up to Cap Canaille, ask for the ‘Route des Cretes’ which is considered the tourist trail.
Plage de la Grande Mer & Cap Canaille
The Calanque NATIONAL PARK
My main reason for visiting Cassis was to see the Calanques. While doing research for my trip, I stumbled across a picture of the Calanques and knew I had to visit.
I had read on the internet that the hike to the Calanques was difficult, but I think I underestimated how difficult. Hiking all the way to Calanque d’En Vau (the third furthest Calanque from Cassis) and back took all day and I was exhausted by the end of it. My feet hurt and my legs were jelly! It’s tough, but totally worth it – one of the best experiences of my entire trip.
There are a few challenges on your hike to the Calanques. The first is signage. It’s terrible and then eventually non existent.
The second is that there are two ways to descend into to the Calanque d’En Vau The first way is a steep decent that’s quite tough, but doesn’t require you to be an experienced hiker – you can slide down on your bum for the difficult parts. The other is a more tourist friendly route, but it takes a lot longer to reach the Calanques and at times can be confusing to navigate. It’s also the route you end up taking on the way back, regardless of if you descended down the steep cliff face or not.
TIP: If you want to enjoy the beaches at each Calanque, you need to hike. Most boat tours I researched don’t go close enough to the shore and Calanques can only be viewed by the boat.
Calanque 01: Port-Miou
Just a short walk from Cassis, no hiking is needed to visit this Calanque. Calanque Port-Miou is beautiful in that it is lined with the fishermen’s sailing boats.
Calanque 02: Port Pin
Port Pin is the first Calanque inside the national park. Altogether, it takes about 30 minutes to walk there, so if you’re not keen on a whole day hike to En Vau, I recommend at least visiting Port Pin.
Small, intimate and not crowded, Port Pin’s clear emerald waters are beautiful and perfect for a swim! The walk to Port Pin is easy and clearly marked.
Calanque o3: En Vau
TIP: There are no toilets, food or rest stops inside the national park so you need to come well equipped for the day if you’re planning to hike to En Vau. There’s also limited shade so make sure your sun protected!
From Port Pin onwards things get a little tricky. The hike starts getting tougher and signage virtually becomes non existent the further you travel into the national park. En Vau is approximately a 3 hour hike from Port Pin.
Because I hadn’t travelled to Cassis during peak season, there were significantly less travellers visiting the national park than usual and this meant getting lost was quite easy…in fact on my way back I was DID get lost for about an hour inside the national park…that’s how bad the signage is.
If you think I’m exaggerating, take a look at the image below. This is an example of signage that was actually clear and obvious. Most of the time you walk for long stretches of time before seeing another of of these markings and some markings are even hidden off track.
By the time I reached En Vau the sun was starting to set, so I didn’t get to see the crystal blue waters, but it was still beautiful! The water was freezing as I travelled just as summer was transitioning into winter so I recommend going during the summer months.
Steep cliffs that surround the Calanque
More national park shots…
This was the terrain of the national park. Different to what I had imagined!View of the Cassis vineyards from the national park.
Where to fill the belly
Restaurant Le Chaudron
Overall rating: ★★★.5
This restaurant caught my eye straight away because of how beautiful it looked on the outside! I was given a beautiful seat on the terrace which was perfect on a summer’s night. The staff were very friendly and tried their hand at English which was very helpful.
I did the usual French 3 course meal special. Overall food was good, but didn’t make me go wow.
On my second night I ate here and unfortunately didn’t take any photos! I chose the 3 course menu for 23,50€ and chose the fish soup, followed by the Filet de rouget accompagné de sa tapenade d’olive verte and finished with a Panacotta type desert. The Provincial dish I had for my main felt very homely and it was great to taste a traditional French fish soup!
This little shop is so awesome, I can’t believe I can’t find anything written about it on Trip Advisor or the like. The amount of artisan goodies in the store is enough to make my mouth water just remembering it. I loved the whole concept of selling handmade cookies and biscuits, out in the open to pick and choose as you please.
There were also handmade lollies, flavoured oils, regional wines and more. This place is a must visit and a must eat too!
Sleek and lightweight, this powerbank is perfect for when you’re on the go. A great size to fit snug into your handbag, this powerbank comes in a stylish white colour. With two additional USB ports as well as a micro USB output, this is the perfect powerbank if you need to charge multiple items on the go. Best of all, it recharges super fast which significantly helps reduce the likelihood of ever running out of battery!
On the flip side, the powerbank is slightly heavier than other products on the market. It also comes with 2 LED lights which can be switched on and off, however I couldn’t really find a use for that feature.
PERFORMANCE
With 50000mAh of POWAAAA this powerbank is by far the longest lasting that I have ever used, which means longer battery life for me! I have always been quite disappointed with how little powerbanks have actually recharged my phone. More often than not I find the powerbank dies before being able to recharge my phone significantly. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of iphonecase’s powerbank.
Customer Service and Shipping
Dealing with iphonecases was so pleasant. The staff were friendly and very prompt with their handling as well as email replies. As a result, shipping was super fast and I received my product in two days! Record time!
Value for Money
Compared to in store prices in Australia, this Powerbank is priced around the same as others. To give you an idea of pricing, I bought a 40000mAh Powerbank for around about the same price of $39.90. This Powerbank however is slightly better value offering 50000mAh.
A beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, walkin’ in a winter wonderland… And psst… I know exactly where you can catch your own winter wonderland right here in Sydney! Escape the winters blues for a beautifully magical night under a sky adorned with over 4000 fairy lights. Enjoy rustic meals while sipping on mulled wine and let the world go drifting by…
SETTING AND ATMOSPHERE
The East Village Hotel has unveiled the perfect escape from the cold, with a winter wonderland themed rooftop garden and delicious winter inspired menu.
Located on a quiet street in Darlinghurst, The East Village hotel looks like your typical Aussie pub upon first glance. But don’t be fooled by appearances, for the hotel’s rooftop holds a secret only shared with those that venture inside.
Making your way up six flights of a winding staircase, a winter wonderland awaits with stunning decor, a warm and cosy atmosphere and a night sky filled with fairy lights. Inspired by the extravagant light displays in Europe throughout winter, the team at East Village hotel have worked hard to ensure their representation was as accurate as possible – and they succeeded. There is something so lovely about being able to experience a winter night outside in such a magical and cozy setting with views of the CBD skyline. Simply perfect.
FOOD
Serving modern Australian cuisine, the team at The East Village Hotel accompany their Winter Wonderland setting with a deliciously rustic and hearty winter menu.
But first. We need to speak wine. Mulled wine to be exact. Ordering the Gluhwein is a must and has got to be the best mulled wine I have ever tasted. This home brewed recipe is so perfect that a myriad of spices and winter berry flavours fill your mouth upon each sip. It’s complex, layered and delightfully sweet, without being sickly sweet.
To eat, start the night with the Grilled Haloumi Skewers. They are fantastic with perfectly balanced flavours. The saltiness of the cheese is accompanied by the sweetness of honey and balanced with a freshly squeezed lemon. Yum!
For main, I couldn’t go past the Honey Glazed Ham Board served with spiced pear chutney. This dish is delicious and just oozing with the essence of winter. Having invited the boy with me (he’s vegetarian by the way – I know how is a foodie to cope?) I was extremely delighted to see a number of vegetarian options available. He decided to go for the Zucchini Flower and Mint Orecchiette which was nice, but I was soooo badly hoping there would be some stuffed zucchini flowers on top!
Finally, we finished the night with the Hot Doughnuts. They were gorgeously crispy on the outside and amazingly soft on the inside. So soft in fact that they melted in your mouth – I kid you not. Coated in cardamon sugar and served hot with a dollop of Chantilly cream, they are the perfect indulgence for winter.
Gluhwein – Mulled wine with Claret, Tawny Port, Martell VS Cognac, spices and winter berries | $8Grilled Haloumi Skewers – Honey, lemon & oregano | $14Honey Glazed Ham Board – Hand carved ham, spiced pear chutney, grilled sourdough | $19
Zucchini Flower and Mint Orecchiette – Shell pasta, pesto, broad bean, asparagus, pine-nuts, feta (v) | $20Hot Doughnuts – Cardamon sugar, orange and honey syrup, Chantilly cream | $12
SERVICE
Really friendly and attentive. Service was a little slow at times (and sometimes forgetful – our second serving of mulled wine never came) but hey we’re all human and it definitely didn’t deter from the beautiful night! I’d definitely go back!
In the midst of Newtown kitsch a coffee-cafe was born, striving for the perfect grub and coffee fix, their combo was second to none. With the perfect nook to cache, Ella and Ibby released their dreams to you, and so the tantalising of tastebuds began and the perfect coffee hit did too. Callooh Callay come eat today, like cabbages and kings!
Setting and Atmosphere
The heritage site of Newtown station provides the perfect facade for Cuckoo Callay to nest. Heavily inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Jabberwocky” (also the author of Alice in Wonderland), the quirkiness of this cafe begins with it’s interior.
Like the Queen of Hearts herself, Cuckoo Callay is lush and lavish decorated with royal blue button-backed seating, wooden tables and chairs and hot pink and gold trimmings – for some quirk, of course. It’s cosy, yet spacious and if you’re looking for a nice hit of sunlight, you’ll find comfortable seating outside.
FOOD
If the setting is anything to go by, the food at this cafe also brings it’s own quirky flair. Going cuckoo for bacon, this cafe specialises in creative bacon dishes with the goal to encourage Aussies to support local farmers who raise happy, healthy pigs.
And if you’re not a fan of bacon? Never fear, there are many bacon free and vegetarian options too.
Brunching at Cuckoo Callay is exciting, especially if the thought of unheard of flavour combinations gets you all giddy. My absolute favourite dish on the menu is the Sideways Shuffle. It’s different. Blue swimmer crab for breakfast, different. Every unique element of this dish compliments each other despite consisting of quirky flavour combinations. There’s the crab cake with corn and avocado salsa combined with crunchy watermelon and cucumber and lemon jelly. There’s also a slight kick of chilli somewhere in there too. All very different, all very unusual. And yet, it works. Excitingly well actually.
If your tastebuds prefer to play on the safe side, try the “Tribute to the Greatest Reuben.” This dish combines mouthwatering house made wagyu with gruyere cheese and Russian dressing, spiked with a cheeky kick of chilli. Ah-may-zing!
To wash it all down, you can’t go past the “Exotics” freshly squeezed juices. Perfect for an early morning, these juices have all the charm of a cocktail without the alcohol. Looking fantastic, they come in three delicious flavours – The NewZealander, One Night Stand and The Love Affair.
Freshly Squeezed Juices – Exotics: From left to right The Newzealander: kiwi, apple, basil and lime. The Love Affair: strawberry, rose water, apple, mint and chia seeds. One Night Stand: passionfruit, raspberry, orange and chia seeds. | $8ea
The Sideways Shuffle: Blue swimmer crab cake with corn & avocado salsa, watermelon, cucumber & lemon jelly with a 63° poached egg | $24Tribute to the Greatest Reuben: House-made wagyu corned beef, Gruyère cheese, Russian dressing and watercress on sourdough | $20
Service
Polite and prompt. One particular quality I have noticed at this cafe is that the food is served consistently throughout the entire cafe. I’ve also found food remains consistent on my repeat visits (i.e. dishes are served and taste the same).
Value For Money
The dishes here are definitely on the pricier side in comparison to most brunch places. In saying this, I love some of the dishes here so much that I have gone back and indulged more than once!
Run by two travel and lifestyle bloggers, The Hidden Thimble focus’ on creating truthful and in-depth travel guides, food & beauty reviews. Enjoy drool-worthy photography from around the world!
