On the Liberation of Gucci and Lip Balm.

On Fashion

Dear Readers, 

Welcome back to On Fashion. This week we are turning up the heat with shopping suggestions and getting into my favorite shoe company’s designer mixup. (Yes, I’m talking about Gucci and my small but very mighty collection of God's Greatest Loafers). Next week I am spilling all my curly hair secrets and talking to some of my favorite curly haired people. (If you are an eligible curly-haired man, hit me up, I’m still single). I am also introducing a new segment of the newsletter, On My Mind, where I will talk about things I can’t stop thinking about. Sit back and enjoy!

On the liberation of Gucci: That’s right! Gucci has finally parted ways with Sabato De Sarno who really brought that Target feel to Gucci. All personal opinions aside, I feel for Sabato. It was his first time being a creative director and after Allessandro Michele anything anyone would have designed would look bland. But it could have still looked good. There have also been executive changes at Gucci but, as Lauren Sherman said on her must-listen podcast, Fashion People, It's going to be ok. If you haven’t subscribed to Puck, you should and listen to the podcast! (I’m mentioned in one of the episodes so see if you can find it!) Now that Sabato is out, a new designer will have to step in! Who should that be? I am personally rooting for Simone Bellotti, previously at Bally, or Hedi Slimane who just left Celine. I think Hedi would bring back some of that sexual power that Gucci had with Tom Ford. If there is any brand I’d be happy to see go “heroine chic” as one of my fashion friends describes Hedi’s designs, I want it to be Gucci. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next take on the horse-bit loafer and until then, my one request is for them to continue with their exotic leather loafers. They are beautiful and I don’t have the means for them yet, so hang in there Gucci. 

On lip balms: My lip journey started as soon as I was born. I live in Massachusetts and if anyone lives in the northeast, you will know it's very dry there during the cold winters. I have probably tried over 50 different lip treatments. I’m here to tell you the best at every price point and for every occasion. I’d also like to make the point that this list is as much for men as it is for women. Throw away the Chapstick, boys! 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty you may be wondering what my credentials are. They are as follows. Once I was walking with my incredibly chic godmother, Marisa, in New York. She went into a bakery to get some cake and I went across the street to Diptyque. (I know, we have a perfect family dynamic). As I was waiting for the walk signal, a random woman stopped me and said “I hope you don’t find this weird, but you have the most amazing lips.” I think about that every day. Without further ado, here are my favorite lip products that I actually use. 

The Best Daily Driver: 

Smith's Rosebud Salve. This lip balm is INCREDIBLE. It smells amazing, works really well, has a beautiful tin, and gives your lips the slightest red tint. It is basically invisible, but makes you look 15 percent more “with it.” My straight and very good looking twin uses it so you can trust the tint isn’t too strong. (He actually has a better lip routine than basically anyone I know and that’s because he goes to school in ski country.) 

Best Stick Application: 

Boy De Chanel Lip Balm. I love this product. It's extremely matte and looks like you are wearing nothing. It is the chicest lip balm for men (or women) that want to look like they are naturally immune to chapped lips. It also lasts for a long time. It’s well worth the price. 

Best Lip Mask: 

LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask. My twin uses this too. This is the best and most easily accessible lip mask you can buy. Use it before you go to bed and it works miracles. I like the Vanilla version. The other flavors, like Sweet Candy, have a tint to them that I personally don’t love but my friends do!  

Best Drugstore Buy: 

Blistex DCT Jars. (But you have to get the ones with SPF) This product works great and it's really important to wear sunscreen. (Aquaphor also works, and there is an SPF 30, but I prefer this because it's a little lighter and works better in my opinion.) 

That concludes my rotation of favorite lip products. There are so many more but I love these. Of course I am always looking for the holy grail: prescription strength lip balm. (Find a doctor to prescribe it to me or any prescription strength skincare) 

On my mind:

My cousin Katherine (of course the Gucci love runs thick in our blood) sent me a picture of a Gucci Jackie bag in brown corduroy! (imagine how fabulous it would be with wear) I can’t stop thinking about it. And yes, we both have Gucci loafers, in fact many of my family members do. The addiction is also accessible for those who don’t want to go retail (me most of the time). You can find vintage ones at really awesome prices on The Real Real. I’m talking like 70% of the actual retail price. Take them to the cobbler for a glow-up and viola – the chicest, most comfortable loafers on the planet for a steal.

As always, thanks for tuning into On Fashion! Feel free to DM me  @Reidmcvey on Instagram or put all your fashion questions in the comments. They will be answered and maybe make an appearance on a future newsletter. Until next week, 

Reid McVey

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 Thanks to Sophia Palitti, and Violet Holah, 

Armour Magazine