MLBB Lipstick

This one isn’t in Nina’s One Hundred, but it is essential and it can be very hard to find.

The perfect My-Lips-But-Better lipstick doesn’t make your lips look paler or more dramatic or darker or anything else, but just that much better and maybe a bit brighter and healthier.

A MLBB lipstick is not necessarily a “nude”. I have yet to find a good “nude” lipstick, primarily because all of them have so far looked chalky on me. Nars’ Napoli, for instance, is too light on me; it promises lightness and brightness in the tube, but transforms into an apricoty shade of blah once it reaches my face. MLBW, much worse.

Nars’ Dolce Vita (described as “sheer dusty rose”), Becca’s Vendela (“rosy nude”) and Revlon’s “Rosy Nude” lipstick (yes, I see a pattern forming, too) are my current favourite MLBB lip colours. I am going to buy many, many tubes of these. Due to their perfection, they are bound to be Discontinued (at least, that’s my theory).

Missoni Knit

Nina extols the many virtues of Missoni knits, primarily their beauty and timeless art. I like their glowing colours, comfort and drape, but I wince at their frequent 70s echo. I have seen a simple pale Missoni knit on Net-A-Porter which I think is the ideal summer holiday item, but I’ve not yet had a burning need for something like that.

I have to admit, I’d be terrified of getting the knit caught on something. And summer holidays can involve travel, and travel can be rough on body and wardrobe. Yes, once again, when faced with the glory of knit and fashion perfection, all this hairshirt can think of is, “Will I wreck it travelling on the train?” Sorry. I can’t help myself. I’ve ruined so many items of clothing one way or the other that the thought of risking damage to such a beautiful thing makes me cower inwardly.