Brands/Products Round-up

All things shopping and mood-board related.

For gorgeous marketing and equally gorgeous products:

Uni. Instagram @weareuni Site https://weareuni.com

I first came across this brand in SpaceNK. I saw a photo of a woman’s sun-kissed body glistening with nourishing oil and I was immediately enraptured. Uni feels more like an experience than a brand. Their gallery of luscious images whisks you away to a vast beach, on the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. You can palpably feel the tantalising grit of sand-encrusted skin, you can taste sea salt on your lips and smell suncream — all from a photo. Uni taps into the most fundamental human desires: sensuality, attraction, swimming in fresh-water, feeling sand between your toes, and losing track of time beneath a parasol, book in hand. Their body serum is sensual and glowy, and reminds you that all of your skin deserves love and pampering, not just your face.

With Nothing Underneath. Instagram @withnothingunderneath Site https://www.withnothingunderneath.com

Adjacent to Uni in terms of imagination-capturing marketing. I could spend hours scrolling through their Instagram, daydreaming about long summer days spent between the croquet lawn and the tennis court of a second home in the British countryside. I can envision starting a beach day by slathering myself in Uni body serum before throwing on an oversized WNU shirt and loose-fitting denim shorts. I first discovered WNU via Instagram, and I immediately became enamoured with their vibe. As direct proof that visual marketing works, my love affair with the brand led to purchasing their Navy and Cornflower Blue Stripe Devon Jumper. When you buy from WNU, you never just buy an item, but a portal into the kind of life you aspire to, your dream, your vision. Plus, that jumper is my most complimented item of clothing. The chunky neckline is absolutely to die for.

For trusted favourites:

Caudalie. Instagram @caudalie Site https://uk.caudalie.com

Well-established, and nothing new, but a firm favourite. I have a strange self-made rule that all of my skincare must be the same brand. I don’t know if that’s visual — seeing the logos satisfyingly lined up in my bathroom cabinet — or psychological, creating a sense of purity which one most desires when thinking of skin health. Still, when putting all of your eggs into one basket to such an extreme, it is of vital importance to trust the brand, and with Caudalie, I feel just that, a sense of trust. What’s more, their points and gifting system is unmatched, offering free samples with every online purchase, and giving away generous helpings of complimentary products when you spend over a certain amount, or buy multiple times. If you earn VIP level points, you can even unlock a free 50 minute facial/spa treatment. Yes please! I have tried a vast range of their products, and I honestly love them all. My firm favourite would have to be their suncream which never feels greasy and never leaves a white cast.

For cool and cosy:

Boii Studios. Instagram @boiistudios Site https://boiistudios.com

When in Copenhagen last Winter, my culturally on-the-ball friend,

Marie

(@marieebdt) steered us on a shopping extravaganza, in which we graced a range of perfectly curated boutiques (like Dora), stylish scandi-style clothes stores (see striped tees from https://www.madsnorgaard.com) and classics such as Tekla and the Ganni outlet store. My favourite stop on the consumer tour was undeniably Boii Studios, where I immediately gravitated towards and subsequently got my hands on their Cajsa Forest jacket. Think: autumnal, canvas, corduroy, earth tones, and the cutest silhouette. Whilst I was there, I tried on their Olga Navy/Red Jumper and fell in love. Bank account and hand luggage restrictions meant I had to kiss goodbye to my beloved and leave it on the rail. After months of looking back at photos of it in my camera roll, I decided I had to finally be reunited and I bought it online. The shipping from Denmark was prompt and easy and I am actually wearing it now as I write. Even in June, there is a time and a place for a chunky knit, especially when you live in England!

For affordable:

M&S Ballet Flats

When did M&S become cool? No longer the stuff of frumpy (sorry) older women, M&S has quietly crept onto the radar of young 20-somethings who are looking for comfort and style in equal measure. Not to mention, high-street prices. This summer, I jumped on the trend and have been wearing and loving the Red Bow Flat Ballet Pumps. I have also got my eye on their Brown Suede Flat Mary Jane Ballet Pumps and their Dark Red Woven Ballet Pumps.

H&M Double-Breasted Blazer

I bought this in Autumn and loved how well it pairs with dark jeans and a white tee to elevate a casual outfit. Super versatile and cool. The subtle pin-stripe adds texture and detail whilst still remaining within the remits of understated.