Shopping

Lip balm: matte or gloss?



Lip balm review - Clarins Extra Firming Lip and contour balm

I’ve become quite the lip balm connoisseur in the last year, progressing from Burt’s Bees and Blistex (effective and affordable) to the upper echelons of lip moisturisation, courtesy of Chanel Hydra Beauty Nutrition and Creme De La Mer The Lip Balm. In all honesty, the cheap stuff is great and definitely does the job. But I can’t resist the lure of something as utilitarian as lip balm taken to the heights of poshness. (more…)



Gentlewoman style: Uniform Wares launches the C40 watch



Uniform Wares C40 watch

How handsome are these new C40 watches from Uniform Wares? I’ve been trying out a ‘smart watch’ recently and I can’t help thinking that an electronic device will never replace a classic watch in my world. These unisex watches are the latest addition to the Uniform Wares Swiss-made stable. (more…)



Buy it now: Karl Lagerfeld X Maison Michel



Kendall hat by Karl Lagerfeld for Maison Michel

I’m surprised how much I love these hats by Karl Lagerfeld for Maison Michel. Each named after one of his celebrity model coterie (there’s Kendall, Poppy, Anja, Karlie and Cara), the shapes are classic Maison Michels, with added flourishes by Karl. (more…)



Making transitions



transitional dressing for Spring

So the clocks just went forward and April is in sight but I’m still welded to my winter woolies. April is a transitional month for me, when I want to break out lighter, brighter colours but I’m not quite ready to detach from my cashmere layers. Plus, it still rains bucketloads, so a sensible top layer is non-negotiable.

Some things I swear by: Hanro vests and camisoles (there’s a new one out – ‘Ultralight’, 70g of mercerised Pima cotton, half the weight of the classic Hanro camisole. Can’t get enough of these), Levi’s 501s (there are the new C&Ts if you want the fashion version, or the old school ones in mid-blue are my go-to), cashmere socks (in pastel colours, from Paul Smith or Johnstons of Elgin) and Church’s shoes (new service launching soon – take in an old pair and get £40 off a new pair or a repair).

But on my transitional want list are J W Anderson merino knits, a Tim Coppens jacket, Charlotte Olympia’s kitty bag and the signature J Crew lipstick.

Words: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl
Main image: Miranda July by Stella Berkovsky