Desert Island Essentials

The Poodle has the pleasure of an upcoming holiday in the Indian Ocean, where the sun never ceases to shine! Being an active sort of a pup, I am looking forward to surfing, sightseeing and exploring temples to tea plantations. With so much to do, I'm asking a lot from my current make up bag. Naturally, along with my wardrobe, the makeup I'm going to be bringing also requires intensive planning.

First and foremost, waterproof mascara and anti slip foundation are must haves. The Paris Poodle is in the midst of deciding between dozens of waterproof mascaras, eye liners and SPF make up... here's my shortlist so far, but if you know of any other make up miracles which can survive intense heat, and an action packed holiday agenda, tell this Paris Poodle - share your treasured desert island finds...



Let's start with eyes.... for your pretty peepers, waterproof mascara and eyeliner are essentials- so that you can look photo shoot worthy at any given moment. Who knows where you could be papped next? My old faithful Max Factor False Lash Effect Waterproof mascara with a massive plasticy bristled brush is very reliable when it comes to having luscious lashes in sun, heat and sea. It's affordably priced (check it out on http://www.amazon.co.uk/ where it is only £7.99) and stays on wonderfully.

A close contender is Urban Decay's Big Fatty in Waterproof. The name says it all. Big fat brush means lovely separated glossily coated lashes. The 60's inspired packaging is absolutely irresistible as well! I want this in my make up bag come rain or shine!

Waterproof eyeliner is notoriously difficult to find. However, after parading across Paris, visiting different outlets and beauty parlors from La Defense to Montparnasse, I have concluded that MAC's liquid last eyeliner in black is the one to stay put until you say so. Obedient and reasonably priced at £13.50, this is a dependable little eye liner that can survive water, tears and tiredness.

SPF make up is essential for sunshiny days, holidays and everlasting youth... therefore, I am going to be using Clinique’s Almost Make Up SPF15 which gives a natural hint of colour, with a sheer, lightweight finish that won't weigh your skin down in the heat.

For lips and cheeks I want to keep it really simple- and have discovered the good quality make up of Eyes, Lips, Face - elf http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/. Their Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF15 comes in a multitude of delicious colours - Juiced Berry and Goddess are personal favourites of mine..! For rosy cheeks, the Poodle recommends Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Cream Blush as it gives cheeks a dewy, healthy glow and won't clog your pores; powders are a definite no no!

What are your favourite holiday make up must haves? Tell the Poodle!

Vampy Vampire Essentials!

The Paris Poodle would like to wish you all a very Happy Halloween! It's a great time to throw a party, loose your angelic inhibitions and let your inner demon come out to play! And what better way to start the ghoulish celebrations than with some blood red nails, heavy death black mascara and thirsty blood stained lips? Think extreme, exaggerated and excessive - think Thriller! This is the one opportunity to embrace being British or American (aka unashamedly seduced by over commercialised holidays) its Halloween for goodness sake - it’s supposed to be cringe worthily naff!

Having recently fallen in love with all of the Cullen’s (a secret I can only reveal on a day such as today) this Poodle insists that women everywhere dress as vampires this year - which essentially means that you have to look as beautiful, impeccable and pale as possible!

Here are some of the Poodles Halloween essentials:

Blood red nails

Guerlain's Terracotta Paduka Nail Varnish Kerala Sunset £16.00 is a deep glossy red which was formulated to be the perfect colour next to a golden tan. Being Halloween I recommend wearing this with a ghostly white complexion to emphasis your pale ghastliness. Ultra bright with a long lasting shine this nail varnish will keep your talons looking petrifyingly perfect long past midnight!

Deepest Black Mascara

BADgal Lash Mascara from Benefit Cosmetics has a rich formula that builds horrifyingly hot lashes that are irresistible, flirty and filthy! The extra big brush is oversized to help achieve a dramatic lash effect so you look like you have very big, white eyes -combine this with some heavy black eye shadow and you will be well on your way to hypnotizing your victims with your killer lashes!

Blood Thirsty Lip Stain

Urban Decay Lip Envy in Envious is a great gel based lip stain which as well as being very hydrating, and long lasting, it dries to a semi-matte inky crimson finish. I recommend building up several layers and powdering your lip line so that the lip stain sinks into your lips and creates that 'just drank a cup of blood' look that Bella Swan does so well. Scented with vanilla and made with green tea and ginkgo biloba extracts this lethal lip stain postures as an innocent gloss, when really it gives you the poisonous lips of a French femme fatale.

Halloween isn’t a big deal over here in gay Paris...tomorrow is Tous Saints which is a national holiday that celebrates the dead, which is basically Halloween repackaged - and being French Tous Saints sounds more somber and respectful and sophisticated. And you certainly won't catch anyone dressing up as pumpkins or zombies. Plus in true French fashion Tous Saints is a national holiday! Too bad it falls on a Sunday this year!