Cart Curator #28 - Celeboween
Our recap on the best celebrity Halloween costumes, a Skims dupe and the bandaids you need for sandal season.
Hi CC friends,
We’re back! Did you enjoy Chelsea’s takeover last week?
Last weekend Jess spent some time away in Byron Bay eating, drinking, reading and bike riding. It is such a nice time of the year to squeeze in a beachside getaway if you can, especially as we race towards the holiday period (and my birthday!).
Nicole is getting well and truly ahead of her Christmas present shopping, of which we should mention that we are currently planning a CC Holiday Gift Guide. This will be a special bonus edition, so make sure you are signed up to receive this issue straight to your inboxes.
I’m sure we’ve all seen the devastating news of Matthew Perry’s passing and as Friends mega fans (this is our comfort show) this one hurts.
Enjoy,
You Asked For It
Our YAFI this week comes from a CC reader who is after nail polish recommendations for Summer. Like many of us, she is looking to switch out the darker tones for something bright and fresh.
Firstly, we just had to start with red. We mentioned this as one of the key colours of the season a few weeks back and briefly noted that one of the easiest ways to incorporate this trend into your daily outfitting is on your fingers (and toes!).
BTW all images of hands look creepy when we copied them into the newsletter, so either click through to the linked websites to see what they look like applied, or do a quick Google Search.
Starting with none other than OPI’s iconic Cajun Shrimp. The colour appears more orange in the bottle, but when applied to the nails is the perfect blend of red, orange and pink.
Next is another OPI colour in Blinded by the Ring Light, a sorbet-esque baby yellow shade that we’re betting will be big this summer. This is one of those rare colours that works on all skin tones.
If you’re like us and keen on embracing a bare nail aesthetic this summer, then we have two “your nails but better” suggestions. Put it in Neutral or Baby, Take a Vow are our top picks, both coming up slightly sheer for a natural finish.
You’ve probably worked out that OPI is one of our go-to’s. We love their wide shade range, but more specifically they’re universally recognised - which means you can request their shades in-salon for both standard and gel polish and most of the time they will be available, or they can recommend a similar shade.
We know that quick-dry is very popular (for obvious reasons). Busy Beeline by Essie, another pastel lemon shade, and Crave the Chaos, a bright pink, are our selects from their Expressie range.
We’re also very intrigued by the Manicurist line recently launched into Mecca, which is essentially a DIY at-home gel kit. The shade Poppy Red is the perfect bright colour, or for something a little different Light Blue is a muted Mediterranean-inspired colour.
As always, keep your YAFI’s coming. We’re open to answering any of your burning questions about beauty, fashion, homewares, single brand edits, how to style certain pieces and more! Get in touch directly at cartcuratorsubstack@gmail.com.
Popshop
Our favourite pop culture or industry moment of the week.
We personally don’t get around Halloween (I mean, we live in Australia and have no emotional connection to the holiday), but we do love to judge celebrity costumes - so here we are.
Icons supporting icons.
No matter what you think or say, Hayley and Justin are adorable as a couple.
A clear trend to get your children involved. North West is a future fashion icon and we won’t hear otherwise.
We’ll let the comments on this post do the reviewing for us…
Hayley again, iconic. Here’s hoping that is Justin behind the mask in the other carousel imagery.
As much as we love the movie Factory Girl, this is meh.
Note the absent sister.
A bit tongue-in-cheek Mrs Bieber?
Kendall reinforces the “there are two types of girls on Halloween…” stereotype.
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Honestly for us this is the true winner. How did we not think of this before.
Make-up is *chefs kiss*.
Is this the soft launch of a truce between Kourtney and Kim?
THE MOMENT.
Heidi Klum is undoubtedly the queen of Halloween, continuing to both terrify and impress us yearly.
Add to Cart
What’s sitting in carts, or what’s been checked out.
Jess
Cotton On Sleep Recovery Romper
As a wannabe lady of leisure, I love all things comfy and usually look to Skims for super soft basics. This led me to discover their Cotton Rib Onesie, but after an unfortunate incident involving my dog Maisy and my last Skims purchase (after the first wear may I add) I can’t bring myself to pull the trigger at $142.
While browsing Cotton On I discovered the Sleep Recovery Romper which is made from bamboo and feels unbelievably soft. The best part? It’s $49.99 full price and I snagged this for 30% off during their recent site-wide sale. Having since worn this, I can say it feels incredible on and I feel like the cut may even be better than the Skims version which seems to be longer in the legs making it look more like a high school wrestling fit.
Cotton On have been producing some great pieces lately so let us know if you want us to run through out picks!
As you well and truly know by now, red is the colour of the moment and in keeping with this theme I wanted to share these super fun heels from Billini. Incorporating red into your accessories is a great way to jump on the trend without overcommitting and I love how Claudia Angelop has styled these on TikTok below with a mix of high/low pieces including this dress from Anna Quan.
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Nicole
I picked up an anklet on my last travels, and have started to bring it back out as I’ve transitioned from boots to sandals. They are such an underrated jewellery piece, especially in the warmer months when your ankles are frequently on show. I also think there is something so chic about pairing this piece with a more formal look, such as with a pair of strappy heels, or alternatively with Birkenstocks and a swimsuit.
This paperclip chain anklet from Medley is a much more elevated version than the one I’m currently wearing, and I’ve had my eye on it for a while so I think it is time to add it to my jewellery box.
Another option is the Dixon Anklet from Alana Maria Jewellery, which is a more dainty chain link style but equally chic.
This recommendation should really be around scarf tops in general because in true CC fashion, I can’t stop with just one recommendation. I’ve taken the liberty of providing some differing colours, patterns and most importantly - price points.
Whilst I absolutely adore this Sir Scarf Top, of which the artwork was designed by American artist Frankie Tobin, the $190 price point for essentially a piece of fabric could be tricky to justify. On the affordable to mid-range end is this striped Dissh version & this Seven Wonders version on The Iconic. Meeting Sir on the upper end is this Venroy Silk Scarf, in which I am a big fan of the motifs.
Alternatively just do what I’ve done in the past and track down a larger silk scarf at your local thrift store to fashion into the shirt.
Beauty Counter
Prod of the week.
Jess
Band-Aid Advanced Footcare Blister Cushions
As much as it pains me (quite literally), the Alias Mae flats I mentioned in a previous newsletter do an absolute number on my heels every time I wear them so I have become quite well acquainted with the bandaid section at Chemist Warehouse. I’ve discovered an absolute winner in the Band-Aid Advanced Footcare Blister Cushion
Nicole
Whilst I love my Juno Sponge if I’m doing a full-face of makeup, for speedy day to day application of a skin tint or foundation this Zoeva brush is my go-to. It takes literally seconds to blend my product in, which is perfect when I literally have 60 seconds to shower and get ready after a lunchtime gym session. I’ve used quite a few different types of foundation brushes and this is by far the most even in its application and doesn’t leave streaks on the face, even when you’re swiping not dabbing with the brush.
Although the Zoeva version is only $49, we’re realistic here at CC and if you’re chasing a cost-of-living approved price point the Morphe M6 Buffer Brush looks very similar and is only $25. I can’t vouch for the quality or the finish of the Morphe, but at face value it looks quite similar.
One to Try
Recent openings and discoveries.
CC favourite Mejuri has finally arrived in Australia with a pop-up in Sydney. Hosted in partnership with Incu, the one-month long pop up shop can be found in The Galeries, opposite Incu’s own store.
Here you can shop their range of classic, elevated everyday staples and impactful bold pieces available in-person for the first time ever in Aus until November 15th.
We know we will be making a journey into the city to check it out.
Lottery Win
A girl can dream.
When I tell you these sunglasses occupy my (Jess) mind 24/7 it is no word of a lie. I quite literally had a dream about these last night. Definitely predicting that these will be the new it pair of sunglasses following the sell out status of the Triomphe Metal Sunglasses (don’t forget their dupe!). I love the minimal shape and the smaller gold brand detailing on the sides - I think these would look super chic with oversized earring and a slick bun.
IYKYK
Super specific recs and niche hyper-fixations.
Corey Ashford Holiday House Incense
If you know me (Jess) you would know that I have an obsession with all things Corey Ashford, in particular, the Brass Oyster Incense Holder (I have two oops) paired with the Holiday House Incense which can only be described as what I would imagine a light, airy, Hamptons house would smell like. Think sandalwood, cedar and pine.
If you’re new to Cart Curator, take a read of some of our recent editions.
Cart Curator #27 - In collaboration with Chelsea Williamson
Cart Curator #26 - We’ve Got AI-nxiety
Cart Curator #25 - Djerf and the Dupes
Cart Curator #24 - Have the Angels lost their wings?