RECENT SUMMER BUYS
August 2026
Westman Atelier Hydrobalm Tinted Lipstick
My new not-really-a-lipstick lipstick - this Westman Atelier Hydrobalm Tinted lipstick is more like a lip balm (I guess that’s why they used ‘balm’ in the product name). Sheer, creamy, not at all sticky and like all Westman Atelier products, super flattering. This one is English Rose. The perfect neutral pink. Not too pink. Not too brown. Just the perfect in-between to make your lips look like your lips but just better - less dry and old womanish. Highly recommend.
And why have one when you can have two? I bought these tinted lipsticks while in London (sadly, we don’t have anywhere in Singapore to try the colours out so you’ll have to take a chance online with what you think might work for you). I was shopping with a friend who insists I need more colour on my lips (she is frankly horrified by my naked lips and makes it known to me at every opportunity as only a good friend can). So while I was feeling all kinds of happy with the above English Rose, she bullied me into buying this colour too - to push me out of my ‘I-don’t-wear-colour-on-my-lips’ comfort zone. I’m wearing it today and it’s also lovely. Coral but not crazy bright - just kind of a youthful subtle pop of colour. Very subtle.
Tilly Sveaas Small Gold T-Bar on Belcher Chain
A little request for my birthday this year - a Tilly Sveaas T-Bar necklace. I am old enough to remember when these necklaces were trendy in the early 1990’s - I always wanted one but never had the money. Now I’m all grown up with a budget for a T-Bar so it was high time to scratch that itch. It’s a preppy classic look that feels timeless. Tilly Sveaas has a beautiful collection of high quality jewellery and she has become known for her T-Bar necklaces. There are different chains and different sizes of T-Bar to choose from.
“A classic preppy necklace that works beautifully with a round neck t-shirt or open neck cotton shirt.”
VB Beauty Lid Lustre Shimmering Eyeshadow Pot
I have to say, I do love a little VB Beauty. Especially her eye makeup products - they all feel a little glamorous and are always in the best colours. I am a sucker for a little shimmer on my lids and this Lid Lustre Shimmering Eyeshadow Pot in Chiffon has all the lovely light reflecting glittery-ness without looking like you’ve strayed too far into Gen Z-music-festival-territory. Instead think classy. Sophisticated. It’s a creamy formula that you can put on with your finger (who can be bothered with fancy brushes when a finger will do?) and it stays in place. Big love.
American Vintage Eluabird Shirt in Blue Stripe
I know what you’re thinking - doesn’t seem very summery and maybe looks like a really boring recommendation. Not so my friends. This is a great shirt. What you can’t see from this image is how fine the cotton is - it is exceptionally fine, soft with just a hint of crispness to it. It also has a gorgeous cut - a little boxy, not too long / not too short with a great tuckable length that also works left untucked (given boxy shape). I’m leaning more and more towards a preppy look these days and this shirt fits nicely into that look (along with above new T-Bar necklace). I am a big fan of American Vintage - the neat freak in me loves how the stores are organised by colour and their quality is so good. Trust me on this one.
