Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet - Thread part deux

[TossDaily]

New thread for those of us who would like to let a little je ne sais quoi into our lives...

Boldly I'm getting on really well with my new Chanel red lipshine.

It's very moisturising but a good true colour - not really sheer like some balm-type lipsticks are. And if you blot and reapply it lasts quite well.

It's Rouge Coco Stylo in Memoire.

Thank you, Toss. I'll see if I can track some down.

bo that is still quite a weird dress! I think it would be more flattering without the crop top bit on either tbh.

methen, thank you, I had asked about denim. I had bought some cheap and some mid-range denim, that literally came apart, splitting around the bum/crotch area without even any stress on the fabric. I will have a look at Karen Miller and also TKMaxx. I'm loathe to spend lots when price doesn't necessarily correspond with quality. I read somewhere that you need to make sure that it's at least 95% cotton, but I'm not sure if that's true or not.

Hi everyone :) I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks but feeling too unstylish to contribute. However, have now been sent here from another thread after I expressed a long felt desire to wear red lipstick before I'm 60. So that would be in 6 weeks. Ive recently lost 4 stone, and am starting a new retirement career so I'm doing a complete reinvention. I am so tired of pinky-nudes! I'm a HoC summer (I did buy the HoC lipstick that my consultant said was 'my red' but I don't like it, it seems to go patchy very quickly). I am happy to go expensive for this, I just need some suggestions of ones I can ask to try because I didn't have much luck at the counters. I have easy access to a big HoF with all the big brands. I need some French chic in my life!

quirky, I think it's extra weird on the model as that one is unlined and looks like we should be aiming an arrow into her thigh gap. I'm guessing it's also one of those dresses that's really intricate and impressive up close but less so with a bit of distance.

Interesting about 7 For All Mankind, I've never gotten on with them so it would make sense that narrow hips do. So in that vein, Iro jeans and Cheap Monday make a mockery of me so perhaps they work well for an IT? The stretch thing is definitely something to consider when buying on the high street, in premium denim, it's a better quality and won't disintegrate within months. Generally, I need some sort of stretch but on the high street, I need higher percentages to achieve a good fit (which makes it such a false economy) whereas, for example, my MIH jeans have minuscule amounts but plenty of stretch. I do think the straighter fits from MIH would suit IT well though, but it's only a guess. Cheap Monday isn't massively expensive and I would guess some of the Weekday styles (they're many with low stretch) would work well too. Yoox usually has quite a bit of 7FOM but I think it's more popular on there so perhaps the prices don't drop as low.

Ilovecherries, on the back of your username alone I'm very tempted to say Tom Ford Cherry Lush but it's a blue toned red that leans slightly pink, not sure if that's HoC Summer suitable as I'm unfamiliar with it. I thought there were three variations of that, but maybe I'm making that up on the spot? What's your colouring like, cool/warm/eyes/hair/etc.?

I think you may be right that there are variations of HOC summer, Botemp, but unfortunately my 'consultant' clearly couldn't wait to get us out the door, and didn't tell me which I was (and I didn't know to ask). I'm fairly cool colouring, grey eyes, hair ashy brown with some white starting to appear at the temples. I'm pale skinned, burn easily. Suit blues, clear pinks, navy, grey, look awful in brown, khaki, yellow.

I just had a look at the makeup they sell per season on the HoC website and it seems to be all pinks/raspberries, so actually, the TF Cherry Lush is not a bad guess as you'd want a cool red that leans pink

Other options besides TF CL:

Chanel No. 01 Rouge Allure Intense (Limited Edition for Christmas in red packaging, really lovely though). Chanel in general a good counter for these shades.

Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge

Hourglass Icon

YSL Le Rouge (1) Rouge Pur Couture (more neutral red than cool, may be pushing it too far)

Dior 999 is worth a go, 520 would probably suit you well too but it's more of a pink and 743 is a good neutral red of theirs that could be worth trying.

Guerlain KissKiss - 523 Exces de Rouge - would probably be my best pick for you, it has good staying power and fades into a pink stain as it wears so a good way to lean into a red by not committing the entire day to it.

Kiko, start with 113 in the Gossamer Emotion editions and work down 112, 111, to 110 (which gets rather plummy)

I believe some of the Rimmel Kate Moss ones are good cool red/raspberries too, but I don't know which ones.

There are a few at MAC (Russian Red and Ruby Woo) but I'd steer clear. I don't want to assume, but generally mature lips do not get on well with their drying formulas.

If you're finding it hard to get on with a true red I'd go for a slightly raspberry/pink one but get a lipliner that's red but still close to the lip colour to bring out the red without it overpowering you.

Oh, thank you so much, Botemp! That was like having my own personal analysis. I will hit the counters next week with a list to try. Yes, you are completely correct, I don't think dry formulas do me any favours these days. For some reason the smell of all the Rimmel Kate lipsticks make me feel queasy - I think they trigger a smell association from when I was sick for the entire duration of my last pregnancy, and there was an air freshener they used on the ward that made me gag. And I'm embarrassed to admit that I also like beautiful packaging for my lipsticks - something immensely cheering about taking them out to reapply throughout the day. So any of the other brands you mention would meet that criteria :) (shallow, I know).

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Let them eat cake

A slight deviation, but I could not ignore the old Austrian import. Yes, the historic pedants will point out it was originally 'brioche' not cake, and it probably wasn't even Marie-Antoinette who said it but it reveals the French and their secret love of excess regardless.

Anyhow, the easiest way to befriend a French woman for life is with cake, more specifically chocolate cake, it's about as excessive as it gets for them. It's a better lubricant than wine I promise you. This is my favourite recipe from Pierre Herme's Pastries it's a wonderful book that puts side by side the complicated refined pastry to the original inspiration. I was mad enough to make and source all the exotic ingredients of the Buche de Noel one Christmas (pic 3), and a stunning thing that it was, this simple cake is much nicer and much easier. I've made it in the past with almond meal instead of flour to make it GF friendly and it worked fine, it was just a bit denser and fudgier and it needed a few extra minutes in the oven. Do get some nice quality chocolate of at least 70%, the ingredient list is short so there's nowhere to hide dodgy quality. I'd say it's even nicer the next day.

Suzy’s cake

250g dark chocolate (70% or above. PH recommends Valrhona Guanaja which is ace but probably not available in every supermarket)
250g unsalted butter, room temperature
200g sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
70g all-purpose flour

Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 180ºC. Butter a 24cm round cake pan that is at least 5cm high, line the bottom with parchment paper, butter the paper, and dust the inside of the pan with flour; tap out the excess and set the pan aside.

Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over – not touching – simmering water and heat until the chocolate is melted; or melt the chocolate in a microwave oven. Set the chocolate aside to cool; it should feel only just warm to the touch when you mix it with the rest of the ingredients.

Put the butter and sugar in the bowl of a mixer and beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl frequently, until the butter is creamy and the sugar well blended into it. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for about 1 minute after each addition. Reduce the mixer speed to low, pour in the cooled chocolate, and mix only until it disappears into the batter. Alternatively, you can fold in the last of the flour with a rubber spatula. You’ll have a thick, smooth, satiny batter that looks like old-fashioned chocolate frosting.

Scrape the batter into the pan, smooth the top, and slide the pan into the oven. Bake for 26 to 29 minutes or until the cake rises slightly and the top has lost its sheen. The top may crack a bit and the cake may not look entirely set in the center; when you test the cake by inserting a slender knife into the center, the knife will come out lightly streaked with batter, which is what you want. Transfer the cake to a rack to cool.

When the cake has cooled, chill it in the refrigerator for an hour or two to make it easy to unmould. Turn the cake out, remove the parchment, and invert the cake onto a serving platter so that it is right side up. Allow the cake to come to room temperature before slicing and serving.

Serves 6-8

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Well, the Chanel limited edition is definitely pretty packaging, and all the allure lipsticks have that springy action thingy going for them.

If you like a bit of vintage the Diorific are particularly interesting but could equally be seen as gaudy, the Dolce Vita colour is worth a try.

Guerlain has that hefty packaging in general, all of their lipsticks have interesting packaging, the Rouge G series has a little mirror compact integrated in it, they're quite an impressive sight.

I don't own any lipsticks from them but I always feel that Givenchy as a makeup brand is always overlooked, quite unfairly. I like the look of their lipsticks, just from a packaging perspective but it's the other end of the spectrum. I think it's leather or faux that makes up the black.

Nars is quite addictive in minimalist matt black with a magnetic snapping closure that's stupidly satisfying...

Sisley lipsticks are quite understated in their elegance but I really like Sisley as a brand, they don't do a lot and it's all mega expensive but it's all really impressive. The lipsticks are great but I don't have any reds from them strangely enough.

That cake looks delicious. I used to go to a cafe which served tiny cups of delicious valrhona hot chocolate (basically melted choc). Hadn't thought of it in years

Still loving this thread - thanks Toss! - and amazed at how much you know Bo!

I found a korres lip balm that goes on a dark red, but my lips feel dry today, despite wearing it a lot, which is odd (I usually prefer balm to lipstick because I talk a lot and my lips get dry!).

That recipe, if made with ground almonds to be gluten free, would be very similar to Nigellas flourless chocolate brownie, and I would highly recommend to anyone who can't eat wheat!

Hope you find a gorgeous lippie Ilove.

I second the Chanel and Guerlain lipstick love, it's been years since I bought a Dior lippy so can't really comment on them. YSL lipsticks are fab too, i have YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 16, it's a satin finish orangey red and very flattering.

Mmm, chocolate cake. That looks delicious! I have a french chocolate cake recipe that we used to use that came with a children's baking kit (courtesy of my parents who live in France). French patisserie in general is soooo good.

bo thanks for all the denim recommendations lots to digest, I think I've bought jeans with lots of stretch in the past which means they've literally disintegrated, despite not being super cheap. The best pair for lasting, we're an old gap real straight pair in black, but I'm not sure they make them like that now. I must reread all the advice about Yoox on the last thread.

ilovecherries I'm a "summer" too, but had an independent analysis, some of my best colours are actually winter colours but I need to watch the contrast ie. not too much colour in one outfit. I had already decided I needed to go back to red lipstick, and managed to snag a free one from No 7, which they offered me with a colour match to my skin tone. I've got the brick red (badly named) which looks true red, but much more of a blue red when you blot it. Quite dry as it's a long staying one, but I blot and add lip balm. I'm probably going to keep with that and when it runs out (at this rate soon) I will look at a more expensive option.

Hi, delurking to join in with the body shape discussion and ask about leather leggings (again). I can't justify the Helmut Lang ones at £950 but bought some iris and ink ones £395 from the OUTNET ... now the problem (s)

I like the fact they have an ankle zip (the HL ones don't and I want them to be tight as possible at the ankle)
They are too long (of course) but that's not the main issue
I bought a size 6 uk - firstly I am about a stone overweight at the moment so I know I'm not a 6!!
They fit (or are almost too big even) at the thighs and hips which is odd
They are then too tight on the calves!
They have a seam horizontally on the upper calf which digs in and creates a lump as I have large calves in proportion to my size
Really annoyed, needless to say I'll be returning them

I'm a pear shape with a long torso and short legs. The thickness of my lower body unfortunately extends all the way down to my calves and ankles. Will I ever be able to dress parisienne?

Any tips gratefully received

Yesterday whilst wandering round town I popped into a flea market and there was the most wonderful blue peacoat, pure wool, vintage, Fenwick. I loved it on, it suited me. I had never thought about getting a coat like that, but now I REALLY want one.
The one I tried on yesterday was too big on the shoulders. I was so sad.
Denim-wise I have mostly Levis , the ones with 95% + cotton. I find they last pretty well. Not as thick denim as it was years ago mind, but better than a lot out there.
I have had success with some Gap trousers. I have a pair of skinnies that I bought nearly 2 years ago and have worn to death.

They still hold their shape very well. Gap is hit and miss though. I don't feel it has the quality it once had.

When I went out yesterday for lunch in town I did make an effort make-up wise, but I look so bloody tired that any effort to cover up my bags and dark circles just makes them look worse! They are beyond help at the moment!

Oh and I attempted to balance my pear shape look by getting my boobs done about 10 yrs ago. I'm more in proportion but just tend to look fatter overall than when I was flat chested!

So I am 32C/30D with a 24 inch waist and hips I suspect around 39 inches (35 when I'm at my slimmest). I'm 5'5" (168cm) and 63kg (usually 57kg / 9st).

Also wedge trainers a la Isabel Marant - yay or nay?

Proper I think I will have to look at the cotton composition, I am quite fussy with fabric with tops and think I might need to be with jeans too. I might look again at Gap (realistically more likely after Christmas atm), my black Gap jeans I had for years but I they definitely changed the real straight shape, I was not amused. I know Justine likes Levis and I still have some old 501s, but they are not very comfortable.

GrumpySquirrel how annoying about the Iris and Ink leather leggings! Not leather, but I have just bought the Allsaints faux leather ones (£128) which are gorgeous, disclaimer: I'm not a pair but found them super flattering on, I tried them on with a shortish, fitted jumper and they still looked great. I wish I could afford leather ones, especially HL!

*pear

Good morning, I popped back for a catch up, what a treat this thread is. Thanks for the post about redheads Bo, it is true that you can feel less attractive due to a lifetime of negative comments. I used to dye mine, but a few years ago decided to be red and proud, I'm fortunate to have thick hair that does what it's told so I look after it with six weekly cuts. It's now my 'thing' I'm a size 16 and heading towards 50, but I love having fab swishy hair.

quirky, I had a yoghurt cake recipe off the back of a yoghurt pot in France once. Sadly misplaced it and been sad about it ever since

I'd wait for after Christmas with Yoox too at the moment, I just sent back my order (mostly down to me, I thought I needed one size down the size I already owned as all my jeans are getting a bit loose but I needed two sizes down) but it took forever to dispatch due to overwhelming amounts of orders (it's a huge company, I've never experienced it like this before but they're merging the Outnet and Yoox into one logistically and I think they picked the worst time to do it) and one of the trousers still had an alarm on not really an issue as I've returned them and notified them and they were quick in response and I have no doubt it'll be rectified for the next customer but the slow shipping and Holger receiving a completely different pair of shoes makes me think it's best to wait a bit with them till they have things sorted again.

Grumpy, is it just when you gain weight that you go pear shaped, pun not intended? Waist stays the same or does that go smaller in proportion?

I'm unfamiliar with the Iris & Ink ones, it seems very odd that it would be loose on top and tight on the bottom. I'm just going to have to write them off as a bit odd. At that price point I'd look at COS/other stories/H&M. Sometimes they get them in at the Outnet but J Brand leather leggings are good for pears but you need to size down quite a bit with those leather ones, they come in jeans sizes. The 24” is about a roomy 8.

If anyone is interested in HL leggings I'm getting ready to sell some things on Vesiaire and I promised a friend to sell some of her things as she can't be bothered with the hassle. It includes a pair of purple suede HL leggings, sounds horrid but they're rather nice, look a bit more like velvet and it's a really dark deep purple and it's only the front. Think it's as US 8 or 10 so quite a big size as they tend to fit big. I've already told her not to expect much for them and VC take a hefty commission so her loss could be your gain, don't think it was worn much, she likes buying things more than wearing them.

Thanks Bo no I'm pear shaped all the time but it becomes more obvious when I gain weight as my bottom half is where all the gain goes (waist stays same size, arms and face are last to gain).

Thanks for the tips I'm going to look for j brand ones on the OUTNET. It's crazy that the iris and ink ones fit like that - it's like they were made for someone with carrot legs!

I'm well jell Chango