Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Film, Brown Lipstick and Retro Snacks Shape This Lifestyle Roundup
This roundup shares thoughts about a film, a lipstick, and some snacks.
The film The President’s Cake is about a girl in Iraq during the first Gulf War.
She must find a way to bake a birthday cake for Saddam Hussein.
The story shows how difficult life was under a strict ruler.
One reviewer says the film should also make viewers think about Iraq’s difficult present.
The lipstick is a brown shade that can look different depending on how much is applied.
It can also be mixed with other colours or used as blush.
The snacks come in old-fashioned tins that can be saved and reused.
The President’s Cake follows nine-year-old Lamia, who must bake a birthday cake for Saddam Hussein during the first Gulf War.
A review by Nabil Salih argues that the film’s focus on Iraq’s past may overlook the country’s ruined present.
Kay Beauty’s Dialogue lipstick offers brown shades ranging from nude to burnt caramel and chestnut.
The lipstick can be layered, mixed with pinks or reds, and used as blush.
The 1970 Shop sells sweet and savoury snacks in retro tin boxes, including atta biscuits.
- Who
- The roundup features writer Shephali Bhatt, makeup enthusiast Jahnabee Borah, and writer Somak Ghoshal, along with characters and reviewers connected to the film.
- What
- It discusses The President’s Cake, a brown lipstick called Dialogue, and retro packaged snacks.
- When
- The experiences and observations were described as recent, while brown lipstick is identified as a current trend.
- Where
- The film is set in rural Iraq and is available on Netflix; the lipstick was found in a Kay Beauty aisle, and the snacks were ordered online.
- Why
- The writers share cultural recommendations and personal responses to a film, makeup product, and snack packaging.
- Film
- The President’s Cake, an Iraqi film available on Netflix
- Film setting
- Rural Iraq during the first Gulf War of 1990–91
- Film protagonist
- Nine-year-old Lamia
- Lipstick
- Kay Beauty’s Dialogue, a brown shade
- Lipstick uses
- It can be layered, mixed with pinks and reds, and used as blush
- Snack shop
- The 1970 Shop sells sweet and savoury snacks online
- Packaging
- Orders can be sent in retro-style tin boxes