The Dark Side
Three buys that prove you can't go wrong with black.
It may be spring, but black remains my go-to hue. Black feels elegant, modern, powerful and sexy all at the same time, and I’m so glad we’ve moved on from outdated rules about what it can and cannot be paired with.
I’ve always worn a lot of black and have been adding more and more and more black accessories to our current home. As for beauty, I’ve come a long way from the days my eyes looked like I lined them with Sharpies, but you’ll still find a touch of noir in my routine.
The three black products in this week’s edition are anything but gloomy. Each item is sleek and full of expert details that will make you say, “Ah, that’s what I needed.”
Time to embrace your dark side.
1. Sweed Beauty Lash Lift Mascara (£22)
For my everyday makeup look, I tend to skip eyeliner and go for long, full lashes. So I’m always looking for a mascara that will lengthen and separate them, doesn’t smudge and has a true black hue. This one from Sweed Beauty, the brand founded by makeup artist Gabriella Elio, does all those things, staying put all day. The wide-tooth comb applicator took some getting used to, but this mascara gives me bold lashes that make me look more awake in an instant. I will say it can be tricky to remove—you’ll definitely need to double cleanse to get it all—but it’s worth the effort.
2. Left On Friday Sunday Suit ($170)
I went on the hunt for the perfect black one-piece a couple years ago and I still believe this swimsuit from Left On Friday is it. Available in multiple lengths and sizes, the sides aren’t too high, the back isn’t too low, it hugs your curves and you get just enough coverage where you want it. I also have LOF’s Hi Tide Bottom and Pool Days Top and adore them as well. These suits from the brand launched in 2018 by former Lululemon execs Shannon Savage and Laura Low are so comfortable and keep their color and shape after repeated wear.
3. Urban Apothecary Oud Geranium Scented Candle (£35)
I like my candles moody. The smoky, musky scent of this one from Urban Apothecary is just that in its simple black glass vessel. There are notes of patchouli, amber, vetiver and praline in the mix, and I liked that it burned down completely, compared to more expensive candles I’ve purchased that I seemed to throw out half of. Urban Apothecary was founded by Tajinder Banwait, a perfumer-alchemist and Niche Magazine Businesswoman of the Year in 2020, and the line includes candles, diffusers, hand washes and more.
Something to think about …
With the summer months approaching, many of us will be heading to the ocean. So, let’s look after these vital ecosystems while we’re at it? Oceana is a global organization that works to protect the world’s oceans and their inhabitants.
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