In the first edition of the Smooth Brain Top 10 – we’ve got everything from beauty and TV recommendations to the best purchase I’ve made in a LONG time. There’s also a few more obscure things along the way like the two Taylor Swift songs I can’t stop playing as well as a number I keep seeing everywhere and what that might mean for me…
I’ve written a bunch this week, so you’ll need to click “View entire message” at the bottom to keep reading. If you have thoughts/feelings/opinions re this week – please leave a comment, or DM me on Instagram - I love hearing from you. All my love!
1. Milk Makeup
I’ve long loved Milk – they do ‘no makeup’ makeup + glowing skin to perfection. When I was in NYC, I caught up with my lovely friend Katie Millington (who looks after the brand’s PR amongst other things) and she kindly stocked me up on some products that are new to me/new releases:
The Future Fluid all over concealer – as the name suggests, this can be used all over, or just as a concealer. It makes an absolutely stunning base, gives great coverage, all while feeling nice and light.
Lip + cheek stick – shade Muse. This is the most beautiful berry shade blush. The website describes it as a deep burgundy. In the tube it looks a little dark – but it applies sheer enough that you can build. It’s HEAVEN. I love it on my lips too.
Sculpt cream contour stick – so easy to use, foolproof! Their cream bronzers are also A+.
Rise waterproof mascara – great lift, looks natural but still like you’ve done a little something – Katie was wearing this when we caught up and I thought she wasn’t wearing mascara and had had a lash lift. It’s good!!! Also no smudge and easy to remove.
Kush Brow Lamination Gel – as Katie described to me – there will be no brow dandruff (IYKYK) when you use this. Good hold, doesn’t make the brow hair stiff – if that’s something that bothers you.
2. The Summer I Turned Pretty
I’m really just a 32-year-old teenage girl and this show is my whole world right now. I binged the first season last winter at home and while I found some bits at the start a tad cringe, after probably 15 minutes, I was hooked. In anticipation for season 2, I actually rewatched season 1 twice. Once by myself and a second time with my mum while we were in Los Angeles and she loves it as well.
Now we’re watching the second season together as we travel. It’s the perfect teen drama romance; cute boys (do not arrest me, the actors are over 18, this isn’t illegal!!!), good plot, GREAT soundtrack (heavy on the Taylor Swift!!), ‘will they won’t they/love triangle/who will the lead girl end up with’ vibes, and deeper storylines around family, friendship, life + death etc etc and I can’t get enough.
Eps are now dropping weekly - Stream it on Amazon Prime.
3. Formula 1
If you’ve been near me at any point in the last 18 months – I can guarantee I’ve brought up Formula 1. Ever since watching Drive to Survive (on Netflix) at the end of 2021 / start of 2022 this sport has taken over my life. It’s a surprise to most just how much I love it. It even surprises me. I lived in Melbourne for 5 years before moving to Sydney and come time for the Australian Grand Prix I would complain for a whole week about the noise (I could hear it from my place in Prahran). I don’t even know how to drive / have my licence but now I’m reading every article about what upgrade Aston Martin has coming this week. Race weeks are now sacred to me. I watch every practice, qualifying and race (I try my best to watch these live but in Australia this means waking up at all hours), follow my favourite drivers, teams and team principals on social media and I listen to a minimum of 4 podcasts a week about it. It’s been tricky to keep up while travelling but a highlight was watching the Budapest race at a London pub with my best friend, Elle.
After Elle saw Charles Leclerc it wasn’t hard to convince her to keep watching Drive to Survive. I’m a Daniel Ricciardo girlie so now that he’s back on the grid after 6 months off – I have a reason to live again. I’m trying to convince my husband that we should go to the Japanese Grand Prix in September. It’s on my birthday weekend so I think it’s meant to be…
4. Taylor Swift
I’m a Swiftie. I just about exclusively listen to Taylor Swift. I got into 1989 in 2014, fell off a little, then fell hard for Folklore in 2020. Now I’m immersing myself into Taylor’s entire discography bit by bit and the TaylorVerse (is there an actual name for this?) in general. At the moment, I can’t stop playing Marjorie. I’d listened to Evermore a bunch in 2020 (not as much as Folklore but still) but came across Marjorie while I’ve been away. I love it. Another one I can’t get out of my head – Cornelia Street from Lover. I made sure to walk down Cornelia Street, while listening to it when I was in Greenwich Village a few weeks ago. I’m listening to it now as I type this. No, I didn’t get tickets to her Australian tour but I know they’ll find their way to me.
5. Dragon Diffusion - Is anyone else loving these bags? I have my eye on a few styles but can’t pick a fave. Help me choose…I’m leaning towards either a brown or green!
Or
I love this style too:
6. The Mesh ballet flat
I can’t open Instagram without seeing a Dear Frances Balla Mesh ballet flat targeted ad.
It’s been this way for months! Mesh ballet flats in general have a chokehold on me. They’ve been in my face for months and I still haven’t pulled the trigger – I thought I’d find a pair of ballet flats similar on my USA/Euro trip. Styles from The Row, Khaite and Christopher Esber are all beautiful and have caught my attention too.
While not quenching my mesh thirst, I did find these Aeyde lilac cuties and bought them so that might tide me over.
I also bought the Alaia crystal ballet flats too. Do we think the Mesh trend will linger for a while?
7. Canon G7X Mark III – This camera (and the Mark II) was near impossible to track down, I called about 10 different stores, tried to order online multiple times to no avail – a result of it going viral on TikTok. But a few days before I left Australia, I got lucky at Georges Cameras in Sydney CBD. I wanted a light, easily portable no fuss digital camera for my trip (and beyond) and I think it’s the best thing I’ve bought all year. I take it in my bag with me everywhere and absolutely love the quality of the images. Can’t stress how easy it is! Prices vary online - I paid $999AUD for mine.
8. The number 23 - It’s 2023 and my birthday is September 23 so the number is always on my radar but in the last few months I keep seeing it EVERYWHERE. So I googled what it might mean:
2 results that came up:
I’m into it.
9. La Mer Soft Moisturising Cream – There are many opinions of La Mer out there in the world – some love, some hate etc etc. The price tag of the products is a real talking point. But, like everything, someone’s experience is someone’s experience; it’s personal. My personal experience with the new Soft Moisturising Cream is that I’m obsessed with it.
I have combination/oily acne + congestion, dehydration prone skin and it’s been the perfect product as I travel through varying summer climates. It’s not broken me out, but kept me hydrated and happy. It’s absolutely exceptional under makeup and on a number of occasions before bed, my mum (I am travelling with mum at the moment FYI) has commented on how radiant my skin is.
10. TikTok/Insta fashion girlie discoveries - For me, one of the best things about TikTok has been discovering new style creators. It’s inspired me to put outfits together in new ways, get creative with what I already have, shop vintage more – just generally make fashion and style more fun! Here are some women I’ve discovered not so recently but in the last 3-6 months that I’m into – ie when they post, I pay attention!
Elizabeth Bennett – follow (Instagram + TikTok) for great, unexpected style. I love how she pairs vintage, high + low pieces in a unique but still classic way – she’s really funny too, her commentary on anything always has a unique spin. Her style feels authentic/inherent – like she’s setting the trend, rather than following it.
Ilana Torbiner – follow (Instagram + TikTok) for classic forever pieces to add to the wishlist. She is chic to the core and reminds me less really can be more, pared back style is exciting too.
Courtney Grow – follow (Instagram + TikTok) for that effortless cool girl vibe. I didn’t realise when I first followed Courtney that she’s actually a mum of four! That’s not a huge focus of her content (from what I’ve consumed anyway), but just a point of difference to note. She makes me want to buy the Row, Khaite and Doen at all times.
That wraps up the Top 10. If you’ve read this far, thank you – I hope you enjoyed!
More Smooth Brain Thoughts next week,
Ali xxx
Surprised Rush by Troye Sivan didn't make it in.
What a special post I love this.