NOTD: sublime/ridiculous

From the sublime, the perfect deep cherry red for WOC, Bourjois So Laque in Rouge Diva, a gorgeous deep red creme with a jelly-like consistency that makes it really shine:

to the ridiculous, the colour I'm wearing on my toes - GOSH Wild Violet with one coat of OPI Mad As A Hatter on top (this is actually a cropped picture of my nail, I'm not going to show you my horrible winter feet!):

I quite like wearing very bright and silly polish on my toes, stuff I'd never wear on my fingers, and particularly when I'm wearing something quite grownup on my fingers.

A set of mini product reviews

Well, I wanted to post a NOTD, but blogger isn't playing ball. So here are some reviews of new products I've tried recently, some of which have worked and some that haven't,

Boo

Botanics Soothing Cleansing Balm

I ran out of my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish last year and couldn't afford to replace it, and hoped this would be a good alternative. Unfortunately this is too greasy for me and despite being described as soothing, it irritates my sensitive cheeks, leaving them sore, red and blotchy. I also hated the plastic-coated "cloth" that comes with it - it is very scratchy and went straight in the bin. A muslin cloth it really is not! This would be an up side if it worked for me, but: it lasts an AGE! I'm trying to come up with inventive uses for it because I hate throwing things out. So far - to line my hairline when dying my hair. Thassit.


Meh

Organic Surge Tropical Bergamot Shower Gel

It's fine, but I don't love it, nor does it leave me particularly well moisturised. Thus no desperate urge to repurchase this. Nice citrussy smell though.

Boots Extracts Brazil Nut Scrub

This comes in a BIG tub and retails for £7.50. It smells lovely (a nutty, vanilla-y scent) but I just don't find it scrubby enough. It's practically one of those Radox smoothie shower gels with bits in! If you like a gentle scrub, you might love this, but I need a scrubby one like The Body Shop's Cocoa Butter scrub to keep my KP (keratosis pilaris, or chicken flesh - nice - ) at bay.

Yay

Waitrose Organic Moisturising Shampoo

It leaves my hair very soft and I've had no scalp itchies since I switched to it. I think it might drain the dye from my hair, but hey, you can't have everything. It's probably too moisturising if you have anything other than very dry very thick hair like mine, but on this, it works a treat. Unfortunately, you need quite a lot because of its SLS-free formula and it's got a bit of a funny smell, but nowt I can't tolerate for a scalp that doesn't itch and bleed plus soft hair. At £3.90 it's also one of the more reasonable SLS-free shampoos on the market.

Aussie Luscious Longlocks Conditioner

Now my staple! It also leaves my hair soft and shiny and is the only high street conditioner I've found that manages this (yes my hair is THAT dry).

Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion

Just call me Itchy Itcherson. Along with my dry scalp, dry hair and dry cheeks, I have the driest, itchiest skin. But this has really helped to keep it at bay! I'm not a fan of the slight tackiness it leaves when you apply it at first, but I guess that's just an indication of how moisturising it is. It's the only lotion I've found whose moisturising properties actually do almost last 24 hours.

a list of things I'd like

Lots of links!

• the Glee soundtrack - I'm waiting for the show to go on hiatus next week, when I'll be lost and pouting for its return
• OPI Pamplona Purple, after my gorgeous friend Naima sent me a pic of her mani from NY!
• pretty much the entire Art Supplies pencil collection from MAC (so relieved I have built up some vouchers for this!): particulalrly Greengrease, Slick Black, Dirty, Below Ground, Black Line and Undercurrent!
• Misa Dirty Sexy Money, a murky sea green polish, as I want to up my non-purple shades
• Also China Glaze Emerald Sparkle (even though Bartimaeus is DEFINITELY going to call me Grotbags when I wear it!)
• and China Glaze Atlantis
• and Poshe topcoat because I think Seche Vite is ruining my nails
• OPI Nail Envy to sort this out
• a bando style hairband with a cream lace corsage - the way I'll be doing the Chanel monochrome look this season on the cheap
• a roomy but not huge leather cross-body bag (one I can put a book in!), have been considering a Cambridge Satchel Company satchel in red
• some pretty new dresses with quirky prints - nearly tempted by this dress with hot air balloons on it but it's blue which doesn't suit me 
• to reread A Suitable Boy after Vikram Seth's wonderful talk and news there's to be a sequel, A Suitable Girl(!)
• quality time with friends and family
• some luck for my beloved and brilliant Bartimaeus

What's on your list?

My Golden Bangla, Rich Mix, March 26th

Yesterday Bartimaeus and I trekked from Surrey to Bethnal Green on my insistence that we attend the above event, a showcase of British Bangladeshi talent to commemorate Independence Day. The line up was as follows:

• CUTS - by Robert Streeter.
  An exhibition exploring a generation’s unique style.
• STATE OF BENGAL & PABAN DAS BAUL: Tana Tani (Real World Records)
  "a folk culture over 500 years old meeting this digital soundscapes of the 21st century" Song Lines mag who nominated it as best global album of the year.
• Musical Alchemy.
  ARUN GHOSH (Clarinet) IDRS RAHMAN (Sax) KISHON KHAN (Piano)
  featuring voclist Labik Kamal Gurob & Mithun Chakraborty (Tabla) These 3 rising talents, have been causing a stir in the contemporary jazz scene. All 3 are accomplished musicians with their own distinctive style, bands & acclaimed genre-defying albums, effortlessly journeying through Jazz, Afro-Cuban, dub & their Bengal folk heritage. My Golden Bangla brings them together for a collaboration featuring one of the rising contemporary stars of Bangladesh
• ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION, EXCLUSIVE.
  Original ADF line up come together in this one off event to perform their tribute to the revolutionary poet Nazrul Islam; Rebel Warrior.
• DEEDER ZAMAN & DR DAS ( bass )
  Sneak preview of ADF’s original front man Deeder’s new album 'Pride of the Underdog', produced by the legendary Adrian Sherwood of On U Soundsystem. Dr. Das also features on 'Pride Of the Underdog' & is currently touring with his album / live show " Emergency Bass Sound System."
• AMINA KHAYYAM - The Rebel ( Bidrohi )
  A Tribute To Kazi Nazrul Islam, The National Poet of Bangladesh. Choreographer & dancer Amina delivers a powerfully emotive piece set to contemporary music & reading, by actor & storyteller REZ KABIR, from Nazrul's infamous poem The Rebel (Bidrohi)
• A GOLDEN AGE - Dramatic reading of Tahmima Anam’s award winning novel in a musical juxtaposition by actress LEESA GAZI and musicians SOHINI ALAM / OLIVER WEEKS. Adapted & directed by Leeza Gazi.
• SARAH SAYEED - Spoken word artist & fierce lyricist brings her unique & quirky blend of powerful writing & vocals in a soulful, hip hop live set with Badeshi.
• NAGA - BBC Blast & SLAMbassadors winning lyricist.
  Spitting from an Asian perspective, Naga performs his own beats & strong conscious lyrics outlining his life in the East End.
• SH8S - One of the original (ex) founders of Desi Movement, Sh8s gives a 2-track sampler of his fierce lyrics rising from the streets of Brick Lane.
• Dj BADESHI- "World wide & between the tempos" DJ / producer Badeshi mixes his blend from Dubstep to Baul Soundscapes.
• + Video Installations by Hamja Ahsan 

I've been buzzing about this since I first learnt of it a few weeks ago. I've been a fan of Asian Dub Foundation since their second album Rafi's Revenge (which I used to pump out of my room as a fresher much to my corridormates' chagrin - who were into stuff like the Spice Girls and Bewitched at the time) and I was so, so excited to see them back together again. Unfortunately the event predictably ran late and I, like a Home Counties Cinderella, had to leave to get my last train less than half way into the event. Pout. If Southern deigned to do night trains it would've been an amazing night.

However, I did get to see a beautiful bamboo flute performance by an artist who's not on the lineup (this was very resonant for me because my dad played the instrument), listen to the first Badeshi set, Sarah Sayeed, watch the Golden Age dramatisation and the Amina Khayyam piece, check out the exhibit, as well as catch the first part of the Arun Ghosh/Idris Rahman/Kishon Khan collaboration. Not bad eh?

I'm so glad I saw the pieces I did. In particular, the dance piece and the dramatisation of an extract from Tahmima Anam's fantastic novel A Golden Age were incredibly moving. Sohini Alam sang songs used in the movement for Bangladesh as well as our national anthem beautifully, with warmth and grace, and moved me to tears. (I listened to these songs every day for months whilst writing about them in my thesis, and it left me with goosebumps to hear them sung so well live for the first time in years. I admit I sang along - very quietly!)

It was a perfect way to celebrate Independence Day, because it left me swelling with pride in my Bangladeshi identity. I was gladdened to see how many members of my generation, born and brought up in the UK, are enthusiastic, passionate participants and contributors to Bengali culture. It's not easy for us, with our stumbling, English-inflected Bengali, limited access to specialist music/dance tuition and sheer distance from the homeland.

An illustration of the challenges: I remember going to see Zoe and Idris Rahman perform their beautiful album Where Rivers Meet at the Purcell Rooms at the Royal Festival Hall, where I was dismayed to hear older members of the audience heckling Zoe for her poor Bengali pronunciation, despite her fluent musical interpretations of Bengali classics and folk songs. At that time, I felt that there was such a chasm between our generation and our elders and the homeland, that nothing we did would ever be judged as "good enough." Yesterday was the opposite: witnessing the richness of second generation contributions and the many cultural crossings-over taking place between London and Dhaka, I felt that if such a chasm exists, it can also be bridged, and in exciting, enriching ways.

Red and Green (or Subho Bijoy Dibosh)

should oft be seen, contrary to the saying,

in summer:

in winter, as modelled by one of my favourite bloggers, The Freelancer's Fashionblog

and especially, if you're Bangladeshi like me, today:

                                     Fedrik Rubensson

My outfit to go to the Rich Mix later for their Golden Bangla event will thus incorporate these today to comemorate Bangladesh Independence Day/;

Subho bijoy dibosh, my fellow Bangladeshis!

20 Questions

This tag's going round:

1.What can't you leave the house without?
Keys, phone, wallet and Ventolin inhaler (the one time I didn't, I had a psychosomatic asthma attack!)

2. Favourite makeup brand.
MAC. Love NARS too but it's a bit pricey for me.

3. Favourite flower?
Lavender roses and tuberoses.

4. Favourite clothing store?
Hmm, not sure right now! Possibly Warehouse and H&M.

5. Favourite perfume?
Victor and Rolf Flowerbomb is my signature scent

6. Heels or flats?
Flats. I'm short and proud!

7.Do you make good grades?
Yes. I am an uber-geek!

8. Favourite colours?
Purples - but specifically plum.

9. Do you drink energy drinks?
No - far too sweet for me.

10. Do you drink juice?
Yes - I love cranberry and mango smoothies (and lassis!)



11. Do you like swimming?
No, and haven't learnt how! I hate getting water in my ears.

12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
Depends.

13. Favourite moisturiser?
Olay Multiradiance.

14. Do you want to get married?
Yes.

15. Do you get mad easy?
No. I'm generally very chilled.

16. Are you into ghost hunting?
No, I'm an atheist.

17. Any phobias?
Spiders, heights, escalators, crowds, water.

18. Do you bite your nails?
No.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
No.

20. Do you drink coffee?
I used to, a lot, but gave it up a few years ago when it started making me feel sick and get the shakes. I can't live without tea though.

I tag:
Witterings
The Front Cover
Lou
Geeky Weirdo Chick
Style And The City
Butterfly Wings
Lionloving Tiger
Tunics and Tamarind Chutney

FOTD: Bronze/teal

Well, what a difference a day makes. As you can see from the shadows on my face, unlike today's rain and greyness, yesterday the weather was just beautiful - clear, warm and sunny, and I was inspired to wear an appropriately sunny look to see Vikram Seth at the LSE speak beautifully on poetry and friendship.

I'm wearing:

Base:
MAC Moisturecover Select concealer
Urban Decay Primer Potion

Eyes:
Urban Decay YDK shadow over lid and lashline
MAC Delft paint pot as liner
GOSH Let's Twist Eyeliner in Blue Grass over it to intensify
MAC Vanilla pigment in inner corner of eyes as highlighter and on browbone
YSL Faux Cils mascara

Face:
MAC MSF in Dark
Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour (Peony I think)
MAC Springsheen blush

Lips:
YSL Golden Gloss in in Golden Amber (No &7)