I love to wear a bit of make-up and do so daily. I find that it adds polish and definition to my physical features. That said, I’m not a make-up gal. I do not enjoy browsing make-up counters and am not in the slightest bit enticed to try new products. I am loyal to my make-up products, and will wear and replenish the same items for years. The only times I change up my products is when the colour or item is discontinued, or when I’ve discovered a new need. Then I haul myself off to a make-up counter — usually Nordstrom or Sephora — and try to find the next set of make-up products that I can run with for as long as I can.

The colours of my Laura Mercier and YSL lipsticks were discontinued, and I eventually found a replacement. Urban Decay’s Vice Lipstick in a shade called, “Sheer Liar” is the winner. It’s extremely subtle and looks like a soft gloss, taking on the exact colour of my lips. I love the waxy and moisturizing texture. It does not leave a pigment on your lips. I like a very subtle colour on my lips because I prefer to define my eyes more strongly, and don’t want to sport a bold lip and a bold eye.

I usually don’t use facial powder because I prefer my skin to look shiny or dewy, instead of matte. But my recent fringe growth, and the use of hair product on my long fringe, has caused a little too much shine on a small section of my forehead just behind the fringe. I went straight to the Laura Mercier counter to ask if they had a gentle product that would prevent the shine. Laura Mercier’s Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder for the win. It’s colourless, invisible, and effectively blots up the shine without a matte and powdery visual effect. A GREAT product.

I like Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks, although I only use it on my cheeks. It’s moisturizing for my dry skin and also quite subtle. My favourite shade “Rasberry” was discontinued, so now I’m using “Rose.”

Here are all of the make-up products I use, and most of them for a very long time because things don’t need fixing when they aren’t broken. I’d much rather look at handbags and shoes, than stroll through the make-up counter.

Nordstrom

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick

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8

Nordstrom

Laura Mercier 'Smooth Focus' Pressed Setting Powder

$35.00

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4

Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks

$30.00

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3

Nordstrom

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

$32.00

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4

Nordstrom

'Tightline' Cake Eyeliner

$25.00

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16

Nordstrom

#46 Push Eyeliner Brush

$28.00

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11

Nordstrom

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

$44.00

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22

Nordstrom

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Perfect' Brow Pencil

$23.00

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13

Over to you. How have you updated your make-up products this year?

I commit to only one pair of sandals for the season because I prefer to wear closed-toe shoes in the Summer. I like the protection, and my feet get cold at the drop of a hat, especially in air conditioning. I wore my last pair of flat white Naturalizer sandals into the ground so they were on my list to replace this year. 

My feet are very hard to fit for sandals because they are extremely low volume. I need a US6.5 in a narrow width, and even then, they can be too wide. I started looking in February, and after lots of online ordering because they do not sell narrow widths in stores, I committed to Bella Vita’s Luc Sandal. They are what I call a no-nonsense Euro sandal with their simple broad straps, baby wedge, and statement hardware. The leather was quite soft and so was the footbed. They are made in Italy and fit fairly well in US6.5N. I tested them at home, and they were fine. I loved the way they looked. Modern, crisp and simple. I put them away until the weather warmed up.

I was set to take the Bella Vitas on their first outing a few weeks ago. When I put them on my feet started complaining immediately. Out of the blue, they seemed less comfortable than I remembered. Not as stable on the foot, not as soft, and a little wide. This concerned me because I often walk more than 18,000 steps a day in the city. So I went straight back to view Naturalizer sandals online because, bless them, they stock narrow widths.

The Naturalizer Wendy Sandal was one of the styles I ordered, and they fit like a glove. They fit better than the Bella Vitas and were more comfortable too. Softer leather, a more cushioning footbed, and a secure fit on the foot. My oh-so-fussy pinky toes felt good too. But I wasn’t in love with the way they looked. The huarache vibe is not one I am drawn to, and since aesthetics matter a great deal to me, I was torn.

Nordstrom

Bella-Vita Luc Sandal

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22

Zappos

Naturalizer Wendy

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29

I refit both the Bella Vitas and the Naturalizers over and over again at home with dresses, pants, skirts and jeans to compare aesthetics and comfort. The Bella Vitas won the style prize, but the Naturalizers won the fit and comfort prize. The huarache-esque detailing on the Naturalizers looks a little like lace, which I adore, so I made peace with the fact that they are just pretty enough. The Naturalizers earned a place in my wardrobe.

I don’t often choose comfort over aesthetics because I’m sufficiently patient to continue searching for the item that ticks off all the boxes. But since I find sandals extremely hard to fit, don’t want to change my walking lifestyle, need sandals for upcoming hot Summer trips, and will absolutely not compromise on foot comfort — I now bat for Team Huarache.

I put the huaraches through their paces last week walking the streets of Salt Lake City flat, and they are AMAZING. Extremely comfortable, lightweight and supportive, and not one blister in the blazing heat. My like for them grew into love, so much so that I’ve duplicated them for next year.

Over to you. How often do you choose comfort over aesthetics?

• Asos has pledged to ban silk, mohair, cashmere and feathers from its website from January 2019.
• Lingerie brand ThirdLove just added 24 more bra sizes to their collection, this latest size expansion encompasses bands up to a size 48 and cups from AA to H.
• Designer Kate Spade has died at the age of 55.
• “The Kimono Refashioned: 1870s – Now!”, a new exhibition at the Newark Museum will explore the impact of Japanese aesthetics on global fashion.
• Nordstrom is partnering with the Whitney Museum of Art to support the museum’s commitment to emerging and contemporary artists.
• A documentary about French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, known for his space-age designs, is in the works.
• Activewear brand Outdoor Voices is branching out into swimwear.

Fun Fashion Quote

I really like what Stella Blackmon’s says in her Week of Outfits feature on Cup of Jo about wearing clothes that work for your lifestyle and for who you are as an individual:

“You know how people say that kids always remember the times they threw up? I remember every outfit in my life that drove me nuts. Like my blue Mary Janes I had in fourth grade that pinched my heels unless I walked on my toes, or the cargo pants with five rogue zippers. Or the homecoming dress I had to casually hold up the entire night with one hand. What was I thinking? The clothes that let you do you are where it’s at. Now I know.”

Skinnies continue to rule the world because they fit every body type as long as there is a stretch component in the fabric. They are also the easiest and most practical silhouette to pair with comfortable shoes, like casual flats, boots or sneakers. 

Wearing cropped skinny jeans in Summer makes perfect sense when the weather is mild, when temperatures cool down at night, when you work in air conditioning, or when you run cold. That’s why I’ve collected four easy casual looks without heels. It’s been hard to find examples of outfits without tucked or semi-tucked tops, but feel free to keep tops untucked if that’s more your thing.

1. Smart Casual

Combine skinnies with a dressy sleeveless blouse and layer a fluid cardigan over the top. Finish off the look with dressy loafers, mules, ballet flats, baby wedges or sandals, and a structured bag like a satchel, tote or clutch. Choose any colour palette. Here, I love how the black loafer bookends the model’s hair and picks up the colour of the blouse. The high neckline and bow work on a larger bust because of the model’s long neck. Smashing look.

2. Romantic Comfort

This vibe is dead simple and very comfy. Combine a soft, billowing blouse with a pair of skinnies in any colour palette. It’s important that the blouse is fluid or oversized to contrast with the skinnies. The skinnies add structure to the outfit, as does showing bits of forearm and part of the foot. Wear the blouse semi-tucked or untucked. Add flat slides, mules, sandals, d’Orsay flats, loafers, espadrilles, or ankle strap flats.

3. Trendy Classic

Apart from the trendy slides, all of the items in this outfit are a trendier version of a classic. Combine skinnies with a tee and blazer in any colour palette. Semi-tuck or untuck the top. Here the tucked top lengthens the leg line from the hips upward, which tempers the length of the long blazer that shortens the leg line. Add trendy slides if you like, or any other comfy flat. Personally, I like how the white tee, shoes and bag lighten the outfit, add a crisp touch, and make it pop.

4. Moody Graphic

Combine cropped skinnies with an oversized knitted top like a sweatshirt or the like. Finish off the look with sneakers and a statement bag. Stick to black and grey if you want to keep the vibe moody. I like the addition of the white sneakers but you might prefer grey, silver or black. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.