5 things I loved this month
My Tokyo tiger face, some hair and face and lash stuff and - possibly - your new favourite bag lady
Shrew
Rachel pops up in the comments here once in a while1, to let me know when she thinks I’ve done a good job.
We’ve been friends for decades and lived together a couple of times, the first of which was in Manchester, when she was in her final year of her degree in fashion design. She was by some distance the most talented in her year2, IMO, and I was gutted when she quit fashion in pursuit of a quieter life.
She remained endlessly stylish and is one of those Effortlessly Cool Girls who should be terrifying, but isn’t remotely scary.
After 2 kids and One Of The Handsomest Dogs That I Know3, she’s started her own range of leather bags and accessories, that she handmakes (every cut and stitch) at home.
She doesn’t know I’m doing this - surprise Rach! - but you should check her out. Her stuff is beautiful, sustainable and made with love from a happy place4.
Fino Premium Touch Hair Treatment Mask
How this crossed my radar
Over a decade ago, when researching Japanese cosmetics before my first Tokyo trip. I remembered it during my current mission to rescue my beach-frazzled hair and repurchased.
What I want you to know about it
Fino is a subsidiary of Shiseido. This is, consequently, a pretty luxe product at a decidedly non-dramatic price.
I like Fino WAY MORE than the Shiseido Tsubaki range.
It’s a deep conditioning treatment. Leave on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse out.
Why I love it
THE SMELL. This smells so ridiculously good. I waft about for around 3 days afterwards radiating salon vibes.
Oh, and it works 😊. A little goes a long way and my hair is immediately smoother and silkier to both look and touch.
BUT THE SMELL, I TELL YOU… THE SMELL IS THE THING.
Lola’s Lashes - Pre-glued Lashes
How this crossed my radar
I have oft-written about my love of eyelash extensions, but I’ve also written about why they’re a pain in the arse and about my incredibly traumatic experience in the pursuit of lashing.
So I’ve been on the lookout for an alternative and finally did some research into these. It was between Lola and Lashify and Lola were cheaper…
What I want you to know about it
These are pre-glued lash clusters that you stick under your natural lashes and they last 5-10 days.
There are an array of lengths and volumes available
You can be pretty cack-handed5 and still get this to work in minutes
You don’t need mascara with them on but you need to be careful removing eye make-up so you don’t wipe these off - it’s basically all the same rules as having lash extensions but with more frequent breaks between applications and significantly less expensive
The first time you buy, you can get a little kit that includes a couple of tools that make application easier. I recommend you do this.
I also looked at Silly George (constantly in my Insta ads), but the reviews for Lola’s were better, both for longevity and lash selection
Why I love it
Same reason that I love lash extensions: I just look much, much prettier in the mornings with more lashes.
And these were very, very easy to use. I’m reasonably good with false eyelashes, but these were much less faffy.
Lashify (UK and US, the OG home lashers)
Rare Beauty Highlighters
How this crossed my radar
Becca were my highlighter manufacturer of choice for about a decade, but Estee Lauder bought them and then closed them in 2021, to much wailing and gnashing of teeth. I’ve been looking for an heir(ess?) ever since6.
The Rare Liquid Luminizer got a slew of rave reviews, so I decided to try it on for size. I bought a powder option from the brand as well. For funsies7.
What I want you to know about it
I prefer a liquid highlighter in high humidity, but powder usually works better than liquid if you’re planning to use face/setting powder on your face.
Why I love it
Both of these provide beautiful sheen without being glittery or brash
The textures of both are glide-on delightful
I carted these around for about 6 months and the packaging looked as good on the last day as the first
ISEHAN - Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner
How this crossed my radar
As I complained recently, Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner has been reformulated to the point of irrelevance. I was on the hunt for a replacement and remembered I had a couple of these Heroine liners knocking about from the last time I was in Tokyo.
At the time, it wasn’t as dense as the KVD, but I picked some up8 after a rigorous testing process.
What I want you to know about it
Heroine is a very well known drugstore brand in Japan, famous for their mascaras and liners
Unlike some of the more elusive Japanese products, their stuff is readily-available on Stylevana, Amazon and Yes Style.
Why I love it
It pisses all over new-formulation KVD
It’s deep black
The tip is yet to fail a single wing
It is incredible value
Everything I loved this month
Periodic reminder not to pay more than you need to for any of the above
Until the next time x
Not as often as I’d like 👀😂
And I can say this because none of the others read this
Right?
I love her house. Partly because she makes the greatest tea on Earth. I don’t know how. People who know me IRL know that I hardly ever drink tea. I don’t think I have ever refused a cup of tea made by Rachel. Her talents are unknowable.
This may be too British for the rest of the world. This will help, if so.
Because I HAVE A SHOPPING COMPULSION.
See footnote #7