BEAUTY | Anja Rubik's Original

doesn't happen all that often on this blog anymore that you would see a traditional review of just one product on its own. Do you miss it? I don't really to be honest with you - blogs which focus on reviewing individual products are definitely one of the hardest & most elaborate to write - I give credit to everyone who's got the patience because I lost it less than a year into blogging. Today I thought we'd go back to backs and all that and I'd tell you my thoughts on a single perfume bottle - Anja Rubik's brand new EDP Original. And you know why? Because this one deserves it.

This scent is a soul baby of Anja Rubik - a model originally from Poland which is now one of the highest paid models in the world walking for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Michael Kors. The back story is that Anja worked on this scent herself, trying to achieve a subjective scent which would portray her own femininity and chic. Now the argument of numerous reviews is that this scent is not original at all, smells boring, annoying even. Although I'm all for online reviews and when majority doesn't like it, it's probably pants, but this one, this one I will argue. Before you give it a sniff in Liberty, let me tell you what I think about the scent itself.

The scent is very crisp - at first you get very strong, almost androgynous wood & pepper notes. It's all very French & unisex to me up to the point where it develops into a very strong scent of white bitter lilies. Original is a sophisticated every day scent to me which makes me feel a little classier even in a pair of sweats and tee. It will be absolutely lush as a transitional summer-autumn scent. There.    

Oh - just gave Shaun a sniff and apparently it smells like a fruit bowl. Sigh. My conclusion? It's called Original because to every single person it just smells different. Absolutely bloody different. FACT.

7 Polish Fashion Blogs to Follow Right Now

Travel set prepared by Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia. Photo: courtesy of blogger

From girlish blondes with minimalistic tendencies to eclectic divas and edgy glam rock beauties, discover 7 fashion bloggers you may not be following yet, but definitely should. Also, it so happens they’re all from Poland. This lucky 7 not only dictates fashion trends on the Eastern European blogger scene; they make waves all around the world.

Poland, as a former Communist country, might not be perceived as a fashion power. Polyester tracksuits, dresses with puffy shoulders, chequered flannel shirts and trashy jewellery combined with backcombed hair sum up how Easter European style is perceived in general. This is based on a few stereotypes, for example that Poland doesn’t have access to global fashion brands or that everywhere east from Germany people walks around in traditional costumes whistling folk songs from the nineteenth century.
That has to be said straight up: Poland is the motherland of many amazing designers, not to mention top models like Anja Rubik o Monika Jac Jagnieciak. And like everywhere else, blogs are becoming the number one providers of hot new trends.

Make Life Easier 

Kasia Tusk from Make Life Easier. Photo: courtesy of blogger

Make Life Easier is one of the most controversial blog in Poland. Not because of its content, but because its author, Katarzyna Tusk, who established her blog in early 2011, is the daughter of Donald Tusk, former Prime Minister of Poland. At the time, Polish media saw the blog as an element of the politician’s PR strategy before the parliamentary elections in September 2011.
Time proved them wrong. Katarzyna Tusk created one of the most powerful fashion blogs in Poland. To describe Katarzyna’s style in one word is easy: classy. This blogger believes in the power of simplicity and utility, but this doesn’t mean that she wears potato sacks. Quite the opposite: Make Life Easier’s style is very girlish, inspired by Parisians and beauty icons like Audrey Hepburn and Brigitte Bardot.

Alicepoint 

Alicepoint. Photo: Magdalena Zielasko

Alicja Zielasko started posting as Alicepoint in 2008. Since then, her style evolved from glam rock to high fashion urban outfits. Alice mixes common brands with top designer pieces. Presently the blogger lives and works in London, where she is considered an ambassador of Polish style in the UK. Apart from presenting her own outfits she also photographs street fashion and documents fashion events.

Jessica Mercedes 

Jessica Mercedes, editorial for Viva! Photo: Marcin Kempski / I LIKE PHOTO GROUP / source: official facebook profile

Glamour, glamour and more glamour. Jessica Mercedes’ style is pure luxury and tinsel. Doesn’t matter if she is attending New York Fashion Week or Woodstock Festival, she always looks perfect.
Even though Jessica writes her blog in Polish, is still visited by millions of people around the world each month. Besides outfits you can enjoy beauty tips and analyses of celebrity style. Jessica Mercedes is a true star: her looks appeared in magazines like Teen Vogue, Joy, Glamour, etc.

Raspberry and Red 

Raspberry and Red and her daily outfits. Source: official facebook profile

Weronika Załazińska entered the fashion blogosphere when she was 14, in 2009. The internet fell in love with her at first sight. Why? Because Weronika is twice unique.
Once because of her modesty and unconcealed rejection of the vanity and superficiality that rules most of the fashion industry. She says:

“I write about simple things – I want my blog to be a site to read and relax to, where people can have a good laugh.  So I chit-chat with my readers and talk to them the way I would talk to my friends”.

Twice, because her posts are complex and well written, especially when she writes about her travels. Among her outfit descriptions, you’ll find many detailed trips descriptions, as well as useful tips and entertaining observations.

Maffashion 

Maffashion. Source: official facebook profile

Maffashion, Julia Kuczyńska’s creation, is highly recommended to street style lovers. Also known as Juliett K, this internet sensation’s fan base counts almost a half million followers.
Maffashion has a bit of a bad girl edge. Her looks change from baggy trousers to tight dresses and high heels. She cooperates with prominent fashion brands and runs her own shop online. Juliett writes her longer posts in Polish, but her daily looks have English captions. You can follow her on lookbook.nu/juliettk, Instagram, YouTube and snapchat.

Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia

Jestem Kasia / I am Kasia daily look. Photo: courtesy of blogge

The stylish girl next door of the fashion blogosphere. Kasia shares her life and style with audiences in the most modest way. She strives towards prettiness rather than beauty. On jestemkasia.com you won’t see extravagant outfits or provocative make-up.
Kasia puts on simplicity and adjusts world trends to her own liking, not the other way around. Her outfits were featured worldwide in leading print and digital fashion magazines.

Macademian Girl 

Macademian Girl in her casual outfits. Yes, she's from Poland. Photo: Karolina Roszak

Last but not least. Macademian Girl is a true phenomenon, and she is almost impossible to describe. Tamara Gonzalez Perea was born and raised in Poland, but in her veins flows Panamanian blood. She is the most extravagant, eccentric and colourful personality on the Polish streets. Each of her outfits is unique. She combines colours, textures, lengths in baroque arrangements that only she can pull off. She is especially noteworthy in the context of the minimalist wave that took over fashion recently.