The Weekend Wrap-Up #2
Autumn shoes, beauty Advent calendars, hot new launches, Kate Winslet styles her own hair for the red carpet, and more.
Hello, happy Saturday! How are you?
WELCOME to all those who have joined us since Tuesday, I’m thrilled you’re here! And a big thank you to the lovely for so kindly including the MBE along with some wonderful reads on Substack, in her post Because of you … this week.
The Weekend Wrap-Up is, as always, free for all subscribers. On Tuesdays, those who sign up for a paid sub will also get the weekday edition, devoted to a theme or topic—this week, we took a deep dive into midlife brows—with product recs for all budgets, insider tricks, and expert interviews. However you subscribe, I hope the MBE feels like a welcome, glossy treat in your inbox!
OK, straight in with shoes. ’s brilliantly practical post—with videos!—on what autumn footwear works with what couldn’t have been better timed for me—maybe you, too?
I’ve just sent back my second unsuccessful pair of new season hopefuls, FitFlop’s Chelsea flatform boots. I have exceptionally tricky feet (wiiiiide, high arches, and funny heels that rub in EVERYTHING), and FitFlop boots have worked in the past, but I could tell straight away these weren’t going to. So, it’s back to the drawing board, yet feeling VERY inspired, thanks to Melissa’s calming tone and fabulous suggestions. Mary Jane’s as the new ballet flat, you say? Consider me influenced.
While we’re on style, can I quickly recommend this gorgeously cosy, almost shawl-like scarf from M&S?
I just hopped onto the site to get the link, and now I’ve seen this, too 🫠 - new in this week. The fact that the shade is called CONKER seals the deal - is there anything more nostalgically autumnal-sounding?
Imagine that with a BIG chunky rollneck!
Onto Advent Calendars! Beauty ones, at least.
One of the lovely things about Advent 2024 is that it actually begins on 1 December this year, on the church calendar—not to go down a rabbit hole here—and falls on a Sunday, which just makes it feel extra special.
More on these to come, but got us off to a head start this week with ten of her top picks. I love the look of the L’Occitane and Anthropologie ones—far less splurgey than some—and the John Lewis scented candle calendar. The latter is one of the 12 day options, which could take you from Christmas Day until Epiphany (when the Wise Men officially make an appearance in Nativity scenes. Unless you have a cat that’s OBSESSED with hiding crib characters in people’s shoes, like ours, and gets in there first. No shepherd is safe).
Fragrance writer (and Substacker) has been doing some great sneak video peeks of new perfume Advent calendars, too, on Instagram (including Harvey Nichols’ first 12 Days Of Fragrance Advent Calendar, Diptyque and Acqua di Parma).
Speaking of scent, Merit—creators of Flush Balm, the midlife beauty favourite loved by the MBE guests Caroline-Caroline’s Circuits-Idiens, here, and NEOM’s Nicola Elliott—is launching its first fragrance.
Retrospect launches on 22 October. There’s a waiting list for the concentrated extrait de parfum, which has been described as “a complex, layered scent that runs counter to the linear, one-note scents dominating today’s fragrance market,” according to Beauty News Daily.
Gwyneth gets into retinol
In other beauty firsts, Goop has unveiled its foray into retinol skin care, with a serum Gwyneth claims the brand formulated to address associated issues such as redness and flaking.
“I’m in my 50s, and this addresses my sun damage, wrinkles, and even laxity,” GP says of t 3x Retinol Regenerative Serum.
It’s another Bobbi drop!
The limited ed. kits are coming thick and fast from Jones Road. is celebrating four years of Miracle Balm magic with The Bobbi Kit 4.0, which includes the new Gel Liner in Brown—and a mini you-know-what (pick your shade).
On the subject of eyeliner, this week Chanel published the lowdown on the makeup used backstage at its Spring/Summer 2025 runway show in Paris.
The star of the show? SEQUINS. “LE LINER DE CHANEL was used to draw a thick line on lids before matching black sequins* were placed on top for an understated yet surprisingly intricate result,” Chanel Beauty shared.
Also, this piece by at is a super-interesting, beauty insider’s take on the new wave of Gen-X celebrity hair care launches (and now I can’t stop remembering the smell of Bliss’ Lemon + Sage Body Butter. You’ll see).
Midlife style in the wild
If anyone’s going to prove that stars can do their own hair for the red carpet themselves perfectly well, thank you very much, it’s going to be Kate Winslet. Lisa Eldridge, who did Kate’s makeup for a screening of LEE this week at the Zurich Film Festival, shared that the actress’ up-do was all her own work.
Also, note the brows (back to them again - but these brow groomers will help boost thinning arches), and how lovely is that nude lippie? It’s Lisa’s own Baume Embrace in Epanoui.
Minnie Driver was interviewed by Kirsty Young on Young Again, the BBC Radio Four podcast, this week. I’ve yet to listen—apparently, it’s a hugely moving interview—but how sweet is this shot of Minnie and her pup on Insta a few days ago?
Finally, a couple of scenes from The New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala on Thursday.
Brooke Shields, wearing a dress her mother once wore to meet The Queen.
SJP shines, with Sarita Choudhury and Nicole Ari Parker.
See you on Tuesday! Thanks so much for reading, and for hitting the ❤️ Like button below posts, which really helps with visibility on Substack (and means so much, too).
Have a cosy weekend!
I vote Kate Winslet for Queen (I know that’s not how it works). And thank you for the lovely shoutout! So glad I found you here, Jenni.
Thank you for the mention Jenni! 💜💜💜