Sheer Black Tights
I’m afraid this is going to be one of those ‘solution’ posts most people think solves nothing. I’m sticking to my guns, however, as this has been a hard-won victory. I’m not a very vengeful person by nature, but I have a strong sense of justice: as child, I ..
Jallab Syrup
It is said that one of the great joys of getting older is knowing yourself better. And indeed, I have recently had a moment of absolute self-knowledge: as soon as I read the ingredient list of Jallab, I knew I had to have it. Date and raisin syrup, rose wate..
Scents of the Day: Part 5
Last year, I did a project called Scent of the Day. For a month, every day, I talked about a scent on Facebook. I have been asked by friends to make these musings available on the blog, as it’s impossible to find anything on Facebook. So I’ll copy my mini-re..
Lumi Moisturizing Cleansing Milk
If you have been here before, you might already know I have a thing for proper cleansing and good cleansers. I have about ten of them in regular rotation and I’m very picky about the quality, with Eve Lom, Omorovicza, Tata Harper, Sunday Riley and Tatcha cle..
Why I Read Blogs
Reading is my poison. This is how I like to get my information, my entertainment, my emotional and intellectual kicks. I don’t think it’s superior to other methods of doing these things, it’s just what I prefer (OK, maybe I think it’s a little superior, but ..
Completely Normal
As a general rule, when people have nice photos taken of themselves, they go for a look that’s more dressed up and dramatic than their everyday outfits. For me, however, it has been the other way around: both proper shoots that I’ve done recently have been a..
13 Items of Korean Skincare I Have Just Bought
Yeah, I know. Thirteen. There are some mitigating factors, however: several of these come in trial size and there are quite a few individual sheet masks that I’ve also counted. And I didn’t really buy it all on the same day. But still, 13 skincare items is a..
Maleness in a Bottle
There is only one fragrance, ever, that I’ve bought solely for the bottle, and it happened last weekend. It’s not a Serge Lutens bell jar or an austerely beautiful Byredo or even a classic Chanel or Guerlain – although they all have bottles I covet. It’s a m..
Pomegranates
Some people say that the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge was not an apple but a pomegranate (although according to Wikipedia, it may also have been a fig, a carob, an etrog, a pear, a quince, a datura or possibly some grapes or mushrooms). I perso..
Chanel Stylo Eyeshadows
One of the biggest mysteries of the universe – right after the meaning of life and the Higgs boson – is why Chanel doesn’t make its Stylo Eyeshadows a permanent part of its make-up collection. Stylos appear now and then as limited editions, sell out in 7 sec..