Last Saturday my friend was through in Glasgow and we arranged a wee catch-up over lunch. I'm not overly familiar with the Glaswegian city centre lunch scene but my flatmate had recommended Cup, however there was a queue at the door so we headed across Fratelli Starti, an Italian looking place just diagonally across. 

When we first walked in my friend said "this looks quirky" and it certainly did have a vintage Italian look to it, with loads of well thought-out clutter decorating the sides. We were placed in the second room where there were only two other tables occupied.

I'm fairly regular at Italian restaurants so for me there wasn't anything particularly new or exciting, however the menu was rather large and there was no dilemma for me as a vegetarian (Italian restaurants rarely cause that though). My friend eats meat and she was there for ages though! Certainly a lot to choose from, even if it was a fairly typical mid-budget Italian restaurant menu. 

Something I will give this place a 5 star rating for is its customer service. The staff were professionally polite, came over at just the correct time, food was made quickly and even though the person who brought our food was different from the person who took our order, he knew which place to put it down at. As a former waitress I know how difficult it is get these little details right and keep a smiling face when on your feet so I really appreciate a restaurant who will go to this lengths. We also got complimentary olives at our table. 

Overall I'd say it was a typical Italian restaurant good for a lunch at about £7-£12 for a main course. The price I paid felt correct for the food and service I received. I wouldn't say this was a special occasion place though - can't say I'd be blown away if someone took me here for a first date. But for a good lunch catch-up with a friend I thought it was just the place!

I've been aware for so long that primer should be an essential part of a make-up routine. However I have never had amazing luck with them. I really liked That Gal by Benefit but whilst it brightened my skin I don't think it made my make-up last any longer and then Benefit entered China anyway. I also tried an Avon primer and hated it (like most Avon products). I also review the MeMeMe Seventh Heaven Facebase in the summer which was alright but I stand by my word that it was probably more suited to dry skin. 

So when I was given the Arbonne make-up primer to try recently I was slightly cynical. But oh boy was I proved wrong. This added a thin matte layer to skin after application which does feel dry and reminded me slightly of the Avon primer. But after my foundation was applied on top (which right now is No7) you would have never realised there was anything between that and skin (unlike the Avon primer). The No7 beautiful Matte foundation I'm using right now doesn't have the awesomest staying power ever (especially since I tend to touch my face an lot). However this also helped my foundation not budge throughout my working day. I'd still reapply for a night out as let's be honest my make-up will still rub off a bit. But I was extremely happy with this product after trying so many duff primers. 

Completely recommended!

When it comes to living the cruelty-free lifestyle one of the hardest parts is knowing who tests and who doesn't. Occasionally it's easy (they sell in China) but sometimes it is hard (they have a parent company) and it makes me pout.

I have for some time on my brand list kept a list of brands who I just can't work out. This list could also be called 'I believe they do but can't find the absolute proof'. And I generally just leave it at that.

However I want to throw the issue of TopShop make-up out there. The reason is because I keep seeing them reviewed on cruelty-free beauty blogs and it has began to bug me. I've never blindly taken the findings of other cruelty-free bloggers without looking into it myself - not since discovering Benefit sold in China the day after purchasing their They're Real mascara. So I don't want to take this blogger approved stance as the final word (sorry!).

*clears throat and presents findings*

The TopShop website has a ship to China option, though it is possible to work around animal-testing if it's a finished product but this is still China we're talking about. I also can't tell if make-up can be shipped to China or if it is certain products only. It has been reported that Topshop is set to open a store in Hong Kong but Hong Kong has a different political system though what their animal testing stance is remains unknown to me. However even if HK doesn't upkeep this ridiculous law is this store opening the beginning of a big Topshop expansion across China? I also can't find in the news reports if this flag-ship store will contain make-up or just clothes.

You see where I'm getting confused?

The reason I am posting this is to get a real discussion on Topshop and China on the go and finally answer this question. The presence of Topshop cosmetics on cruelty-free beauty blogs indicates that maybe I have missed something. It might be something big that I was stupid not to spot or it might be something so small only someone who has a PhD in the topic would know.

I also keep reading rave reviews and really want to know if it's safe to join the blogger hype.