The August 2020 shopping guide

This is my regular “self-partner” guide but this phrase is not SEO-friendly. However, “shopping” is much loved by Google Chrome.

As I was researching this blog, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu. It was only yesterday that I was recommending what to snap up in the sale.

Increasingly, etailers, are having sales in perpetuity, with “70%+EXTRA 25%” replacing the bog-standard 25% discount. One cannot help but notice the massive margin these discounts represent. The Indian in me is offended by the profit margins of make-up products. However, the Sonam Kapoor/Alia Bhatt, in me wants to snap up as many eyeshadow palettes as I can, and tweet about “my privilege.”

Enjoy and see you in September.

Lipsticks

Lipstick sales have taken a battering and, this has surprised no-one including Pat McGrath and Huda Beauty, the co-CEOs of Lipstick Inc. Selfridges has a large selection left, and if you don’t open the lipstick, they should stay fine in a cold, dark, dry place for at least 12-24 months.  

I am hoping by then, and face masks will have disappeared.

These are a few on my radar.

Pat McGrath nude lip balms

These are 3 for GBP 44 or GBP 14.70 per fullsized lipstick.

Huda Beauty’s Bullet lipstick

Finally, all hail the inexplicably priced Tom Ford lipsticks at 30 per cent off

This is a limited edition golden case lipstick. I agree that the novelty value is about 30 per cent, as no girlfriend is going to be saying, “I need this now” through your Zoom call. But I love it! (See also Which is the most expensive lipstick?)

A device of focus

I am finding it hard to get into the rhythm of my day job. At any one time, there are too many moving parts and demands on my time and energy.  

I am hoping this wearable device will help. It is designed to measure focus and help you improve it through its suggestions.

Did I mention the device through its app also measures data? With data comes the opportunity to see more graphs. If you are thinking this is a Godsend, so am I.

The Minnie mouse figurine

There are thousands of whimsical Disney character pieces, but I have never owned one. This version is in “Pantone” (Selfridges’ trademark yellow) or just yellow. If you are going to commission pop-art for a brand, its still narcissism when the artwork is in the brand’s colour.

Nevertheless, this makes me smile from the inside, and while I’m unlikely to be a Disneyland troop, I know I have made my peace with that.

The book

For the African-Indians amongst you, I highly recommend the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I suspect the author has not spent much time in Africa, but he inadvertently captures the simplicity and honesty of living in sub-Saharan Africa with perfection. It is the Africa of my childhood. I want spoil the series for you.