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Breakups are hard, but what comes after is harder. The heart-in-your-throat sadness, denial in the form of scrolling past their story like you didn’t already watch it three times (six if you count the times you told your friends to stalk their page), and the sporadic bursts of anger looking back at past conversations. Finally, there’s acceptance. And for a lot of Black women, healing often means change, and that usually starts at our roots with a hair transformation.

The breakup hair change is more than a cliché. For Black women, it’s a ritual. A reset. A quiet rebellion. Whether it’s a buzz cut, blonde box braids, a fresh silk press, or a full return to natural kinks and coils, the post-breakup hair transformation says more than any goodbye text ever could.

Hair has always been loaded for Black women; it’s political, personal, and oftentimes policed. So it makes sense that in moments of emotional chaos, we turn to it for clarity. Changing our hair isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about healing. 

Unbothered has explored the intimate connections between breakups and hair transformations through the lens of Black womanhood. We hear from Black women about the choices they made after breakups — the drastic cuts, the color changes, the protective styles — and what those choices meant. Some wanted to shed the version of themselves that was in the relationship. Others wanted to feel seen again. For many, it was simply about starting fresh, and there’s something undeniably Black about turning heartache into a beauty statement you have complete ownership of. Because sometimes, the most revolutionary thing a Black woman can do after heartbreak is decide who she wants to be next.

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Lydia, 27, London: “Dyeing my hair made me feel daring.”

Lydia’s breakup had forced her to confront something bigger: how little she had been willing to settle for. “I realized I was waiting to be chosen instead of choosing myself,” she says. That clarity sparked a chain of events. She quit her job, applied for a teaching role abroad, and moved to Thailand—all within weeks. “That hairstyle became symbolic of a whole new chapter.”

“I just didn’t want to look at how I was feeling,” says Lydia, reflecting on the moment she walked out of the short but emotionally significant relationship. Instead of spiraling, she booked an appointment and chose something she’d never done before, long, burgundy soft locs.

“It was my first time getting that style and going that color,” she says. “It made me feel cute. It made me feel good, like new hair, who this?”. Lydia wanted to feel like herself again because she says she was beginning to look unfamiliar. “I’d been living safely, comfortably. But dyeing my hair that color made me feel daring. I was finally doing something I’d only talked about.”

For Lydia, the hair came first, but the woman who emerged after was completely transformed.

Tahirah, 34, Brooklyn, New York: “Cutting my hair was the most empowering thing to do.”

“I just went balls to the walls, full Britney Spears buzz cut because it was the easiest thing for me to do at the moment,” says Tahirah.

After a painful six-year relationship that was a huge part of her youth, Tahirah found peace in the impulsive decision to cut her hair late at night with a pair of red scissors. “I was feeling really insecure and neglected… cutting my hair was the most empowering thing to do.”

For her, the buzz cut was about regaining control over her life. “Cutting my hair and going into that buzz cut moment was allowing me to have visibility,” she explains, highlighting how her identity as a Black woman shaped her relationship with her hair. “My beauty is not defined just by my hair; it’s about my aura, how I choose to show up.”

Through her cut, she gained renewed confidence, attracting both new opportunities and compliments. “I felt power. It was a moment of release, but also a power move for me. I didn’t care about the hair because it always grows back,” says Tahirah. This candid reflection highlights how, for most Black women, hair is deeply intertwined with their identity and, in some cases, defines who they are, shaping how they are seen, understood, and received by the world.

Remi, 31, Milton Keynes: “Red is loud and signifies a new chapter.”

“Red is loud,” says Remi, staring into the camera during our video chat, “but it was also me playing it safe because red was the only color that my hair had ever been when I was younger, other than my natural hair color.” She hadn’t worn the color since her early twenties, a time when she was a freer and more joyful version of herself. After a major breakup in her late twenties, she returned to the familiar deep red to signal a new chapter.

 It was more than just color; she opted for a leave-out weave, a drastic shift after years of wearing braids. The color “reminded me of a time in my life where I just enjoyed my experience and the things that I was doing and the way that I was living,” says Remi.

Everyone processes a breakup differently; some burrow into deep, dark depression, and some snap out of it in the blink of an eye, like the relationship never happened. For Remi, it wasn’t only the hair change that helped her move through her emotions, but writing about it was also an unexpected emotional release. She surprised herself by writing and sharing a deeply personal project called Crying Over Breakfast on her Instagram.

Split into three parts —heartbreak, hurting, healing— the series gave her space to reflect on the relationship, her emotions, and her growth. “The heartbreak was very raw and very honest and very unfiltered. And then the hurting was more me settling into where I was at, based on what had happened. Not so much the impulsive like being upset, but  just sorting through the whole relationship and everything that happened, and then the healing part was just focused on, okay, what was I doing to heal myself?”

Her hair change was just one piece of healing. She also focused on trying new foods, going out with her friends, and going to art galleries. The weave and red color marked a change, not because they were new, but because she chose them for herself.

Ray, 32, London: “My blonde bob has brought a different energy.”

Ray had locs for five or six years; they were a part of her identity, but they carried the energy of two major relationships. Following the end of her most recent one, she felt the weight of what hadn’t been processed. “Your hair carries energy,” she explained, “and I knew I needed to do something.”

With the help of her mother, Ray spent three daunting days carefully unraveling over a hundred locs. Each strand unwound like a thread from the past, the process becoming both ritual and release. “It was a labour of love,” she said, thinking back on the memory. Funnily enough, this exact process was spoken into existence by her ex-boyfriend’s mother. “She’s been trying to get me to brush out my hair because we broke up,” says Ray. “She’s very spiritual and she’s always like, you need to go into your next stage of life, and this will be great for your mental health.”

Locs are a serious commitment; they take time and care, they’re not something you choose to start lightly. So, what does a woman who had them for over five years choose as her next hairstyle post-breakup? A custom blonde bob wig, that’s what. “I’m a Bob girl,” Ray says with a smile. “It commands respect. And I needed to remember I was the planet, not the moon.” This was significant because she had shared that she had made her ex-boyfriend her entire planet, forgetting she could be one herself.

The blonde wig was Monroe-esque and glamorous. “I felt fully in alignment. That blonde bob brought a different type of energy, attention, and confidence.”

Ray’s hair transformation mirrored her emotional one. Post-breakup, it wasn’t just about changing her look — it was about a complete return to form.

Nuna, 32, London: “Shaving my hair off was like, you can’t tell me anything anymore.”

Fresh off a year abroad in Toronto, 22-year-old Nuna returns home to London reeling from her first serious relationship. A toxic on-and-off two-year experience that left her feeling lost. The breakup prompted a dramatic change where she shaved her head completely. “I went down to the skin, it wasn’t even a pixie,” says Nuna. This act wasn’t just about aesthetics; it marked a turning point in how she saw herself.

“I grew up in Peterborough, which is predominantly white. I remember going to my friend’s houses after school, and they’d do my hair, and it never looked right.” Nuna often mimicked European beauty standards, straightening her hair excessively and relying on damaging slick-backs. In her relationship, this cycle of trying to fit a specific look persisted due to her partner’s critical comments. “I was constantly trying to look how he wanted me to,” she says. “Shaving it off was like — you can’t tell me anything anymore.”

The haircut was a gateway to self-discovery. She began experimenting with wigs and even learned to make her own after a disappointing salon experience. “I was spending £400 on bad wigs. I had to learn to do it myself,” she explains. Over time, this led her back to protective styles like braids and a deeper understanding of her hair.

Now in her early 30s, she reflects on the haircut as a pivotal step. “It didn’t solve everything, but it started something,” she says. For her, the big chop was both an act of release and reclamation — a way to cut ties with damaging ideals and step into a more authentic version of herself.

Tolu, 32, Walthamstow, UK: “The mullet is a symbol of my freedom.”

I just felt relieved,” says Tolu, remembering how a blonde mullet wig unexpectedly became her post-breakup armour. The relationship had run its course, and while the end wasn’t devastating, the transition still called for change. While many would expect heartbreak to bring on tears, Tolu’s reaction was the opposite. “I really didn’t give a fuck. I was so happy it was over.” The mullet was a symbol of freedom. “It felt like coming back to myself,” says Tolu.

Having always used hair as a form of expression, she wasn’t new to switching up her style, but this was different. The wig was unlike anything she’d worn before. It was short, in your face, blonde, and defied the age-old myth that dark-skinned women “can’t pull off blonde.” She could, and she did. “It just marked the end of something and the beginning of something else,” says Tolu reflectively.

Though she rarely wears the wig now, what it represents still holds weight. “I don’t hate it, but it sits in a weird space of time. It reminds me of the past,” says Tolu. The wig wasn’t about reinvention; it was about alignment. She didn’t need to reclaim agency; she already had it. The mullet simply echoed what she already knew, she was ready to move on — and she did.

Liz, 26, Manchester, UK: “I needed to let go.”

After ending a toxic relationship, Liz bravely chose to cut off her hair completely. “Hair holds a lot of energy,” she says. “I needed to get rid of it.” The breakup coincided with a move back to Manchester, and the timing felt right to start over. “I’d been neglecting my hair for so long. Letting go of the hair was like letting go of something that no longer felt like me,” says Liz.  She was 22 when she met her ex and 25 when the relationship ended.

Sitting in the barber’s chair, she felt lighter spiritually and emotionally. “It was one less thing to think about while moving on.” We met in the middle of lockdown, and over those two and a half years, I grew up fast. Mentally, I changed so much. Leaving felt like a Phoenix-rising moment,  like I was finally coming back to myself,” says Liz.

As a Black woman, the decision to cut her hair came with extra scrutiny. “People asked what my boyfriend would think. I didn’t have one anymore—wasn’t that the point?” she says. Her hair had always felt like a performance. She relaxed it to fit in, braided it during the natural hair wave, and even wore wigs, though she hated wearing them. Now, for the first time since childhood, she’s growing her hair naturally and learning how to care for it without trends dictating her choices.

Her relationship with her hair mirrored her relationship with herself; both had suffered. “I wasn’t eating or sleeping well. My hair was fucked. I wasn’t happy.” Shaving off her hair put the power back into her hands. “Everything felt out of control, but this one thing was mine.”

Romana, 30, Birmingham, UK: “Cutting my hair was like a spiritual purge.” 

Two weeks after her breakup, Ramona walked into her hairdresser’s salon and asked for the chop. Not a trim, not a bob. A full reset. “I wanted to shave it all off and do a proper Britney Spears,” she says, half-joking, “but I thought that might be a bit too radical.” Instead, she opted for a shaved-back bowl cut.

The decision wasn’t spontaneous – she’d been thinking about cutting her hair for over a year. But it took the unraveling of her relationship to make the move. “I didn’t lose myself,” she says. “I betrayed myself.”

Cutting her hair felt like “a spiritual purge”, says Ramona. “There was so much trapped in it that I needed to let go of it”.  Watching her hair fall was scary and safe all at once. The terror that settled in while she was in the hairdresser’s chair shifted and made space for newness.

Post-breakup, she looked in the mirror and saw a version of herself that felt powerful. The haircut didn’t give her confidence; it revealed it. “Hair grows back,” she says. “You can start over as many times as you need to. There are no rules.”

This article was originally published on Unbothered UK

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Trigger warning: The article discusses rape, sexual violence, assault and harassment. 

Alex Cooper, of the Call Her Daddy podcast, recently alleged in her new documentary, Call Her Alex, that she was the victim of sexual harassment during her time at university, at the hands of her soccer coach. The coach, being a woman, would interrogate Cooper about her sex life, her relationships, repeatedly instigate moments so that they’d be alone, and would comment on her looks, Cooper claimed. Since then, other women have come forward about sexually inappropriate behaviour that took place within that same soccer team, again with the abuse allegedly happening at the hands of a (different) woman. Boston University will now conduct an external review into the claims, all these years on. If the idea of a woman being a predator is difficult to swallow, think again. There are plenty of reasons these stories rarely come to light. A small study sample used for research on female-perpetrated sexual violence found that often people don’t disclose what’s happened to them, and they struggle to label it as sexual assault until retrospect kicks in.

When women report acts of rape, assault and harassment, most times, we’re talking about male perpetrators. Although the statistics show men are far more likely to incite this kind of violence than women, that doesn’t mean women aren’t assaulting women.

By outdated definition, rape involves a penis. As a lesbian who experienced rape by another woman while at university, Harriet* (name changed to protect identity), 28, struggled to make sense of what happened to her. It was only seven years later that she felt able to call it what it was. The fact that a woman that had done this to her left Harriet confused as to how to define it. “I was 18 and having the time of my life, getting drunk, partying and having too much fun. There was a girl on my course who was a little bit older than me. We flirted from time to time and had kissed on a night out, but that was it really,” says Harriet. “One night we bumped into each other at the bar on campus and spent the evening hanging out, drinking and eventually making out.” The bar closed so they went back to one of their flats. “I hadn’t been there long before I passed out from being too drunk,” continues Harriet. “I had laid down on her bed fully dressed, with everything fastened correctly but when I woke up my top was lifted and my trousers were unzipped and the waistband of my pants was twisted, like someone had tried to pull them up. My vagina also ached internally. When I realized, immediately I felt gross and very anxious but also very conflicted. In my heart I knew something wrong had happened, but she’d always seemed so sweet and gentle, so I tried to persuade myself that this was okay, that she wouldn’t do anything violent toward me.”

For the next three years, Harriet had to see this woman frequently. “She was always friendly and acted like nothing had happened,” she says. “If she had violated me, surely she wouldn’t be acting like this? This happened 10 years ago, then last month she sent me a friend request on Facebook.” Harriet only processed what had happened to her three years ago while in therapy after struggling with disassociating during sex, something that began, she was able to pinpoint, after that act of violation. “My therapist affirmed I had been raped, which in a strange way was comforting to name it but also completely horrifying. I’d never named it that, mainly because she was a woman, but I was penetrated without consent within the framework of how I have sex as a lesbian, so what else could it be?” Even so, Harriet still sometimes feels as though the word “doesn’t belong” to her. She still gets heart palpitations. “I make myself believe that she didn’t realize she’d raped me, because how could she when she’d looked me in the eye and smiled in my face for the three years afterwards? When she seemed a bit confused when I withdrew from her? But when the delusion thins, I do get flickers of rage.” It took Harriet many years to tell people what she experienced, including her wife. She was afraid that friends might minimize her experience because her abuser didn’t fit the classic profile associated with these crimes. “She’s quite petite, smiley, knew lots of people… she didn’t give off the vibe that this would ever be something she’d be capable of.”

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In 2023, a Springer Nature journal published a piece focused on the Republic of Ireland, in which researchers wrote: “Female-perpetrated sexual assault is under-represented in sexual assault research, and indeed possibly an underreported crime.” Of those studied to inform this research, many knew their attacker already. They might have even been friends. This is common in cases of male-perpetrated sexual violence, too.

When rape or sexual assault happen at the hands of a woman, it can be very disorientating for the victim. Ana Flores Reis, a therapist specializing in trauma and abuse, says gendered assumptions can play a huge role in how someone might process their assault. “Most dominant cultural narratives frame men as perpetrators and women as victims, and while this reflects the majority of cases, it leaves little room for alternative experiences,” she explains. “As a result, when women do perpetrate abuse, their actions are often minimized, dismissed, or reframed as less harmful, playful, or even flattering. These reactions are rooted in gendered assumptions about harm, power, and agency in sexual violence.” Victims can end up isolated, holding the belief that what happened “doesn’t count”, Reis adds. “Many may internally minimize the abuse because it doesn’t match mainstream representations of sexual violence. In LGBTQ+ contexts, this can be further complicated by concerns about reinforcing harmful stereotypes or being disbelieved within one’s own community.”

When someone’s experience of sexual assault isn’t validated for years, there are many ways it can play out. It can affect their mental health, how they view the event and themselves. Possible outcomes include internalized doubt, shame, compounded trauma, low self-trust and worth, depression, grief, dissociation and anxiety. This goes no matter who perpetrated the crime. However, imagine coming to terms with not only what happened, but the added confusion of processing who enacted this.

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Of the limited research out there on female-perpetrated sexual violence, much of it references child abuse. Frankie* (real name withheld), 36, from Northern Ireland, experienced this at the hands of her aunt, aged four to 10. Her aunt was around the age of 18 at the time. When acts of sexual assault were instigated, her aunt would refer to it as “playing that game”, which involved being touched and kissed. Frankie didn’t realize what exactly happened to her until her teenage years, when she confided in a friend who had also experienced child sex abuse. “It made me question my sexuality as a teenager, not in that I was attracted to women, but because a woman had done this to me,” says Frankie, who is heterosexual. “It made me have a lot less respect for myself with sex. I definitely slept with a lot more people than I would have liked to through university. I think a lot of that was almost like for me to try and reclaim it for myself.” Frankie also went on to experience sexual assault at the hands of men, because her perception of “normal” had been skewed before even understanding sex. She at one point joined a sugar daddy dating app and was having sex for money, because sex had such little personal and psychological value to her at that point in time.

“I feel annoyed that she would never be assumed to be a perpetrator,” Frankie says. When she told her parents what had happened, she wondered if her mum would have been more sympathetic had it been her uncle instead of her aunt. Her dad was more sympathetic and still wants her to go to the police about what happened, but for Frankie, “there is still that shame attached to it, I think, because it is a woman.” She isn’t confident she’d be taken seriously.

Public perceptions of sexual violence go completely against what these women describe. Sherianne Kramer, PhD, author of Female-Perpetrated Sex Abuse, says we implicitly are taught that men are aggressors. As a result, “a lot of people who are victimized by women don’t necessarily see it as sexual”. When Kramer started researching in this field in 2008, there were only 14 articles on the subject worldwide. Although much of that research claims that 1-8% of sexual violence cases are perpetrated by women, Kramer believes it’s closer to 25%. “It’s very difficult for people to fathom a raping woman,” she says. “I’ve worked with people who were victims of both male and female-perpetrated sexual violence and they tended to report the male sex abusers rather than the female ones.” This was because people didn’t have the language for what had happened when it was done by a woman, and they feared police wouldn’t believe them. “The system validates that feeling,” says Kramer, “because of those [that I worked with] who did report it, the police laughed and said that wasn’t possible.”

Kramer had spent some time working in correction facilities in South Africa between 2009 to 2016, and what she witnessed there reinforced how widespread these attitudes are. When women were there for sex crimes, they were often given “gender realignment therapy”, because the act of committing rape was unwomanly. Instead of targetting the issue of sexual violence, the system works within the constructs of gender, “invisibilizing the possibility for women to be sexually violent.” There’s this idea Kramer has witnessed that if you experience sexual violence at the hands of a woman, it can’t be anywhere near as damaging as having experienced it by a man. The repercussions can deeply impact a person’s psychological wellbeing. “Once someone is abused sexually, it is likely to happen again,” Kramer adds, which is why it’s so vital that people who go through it at the hands of a woman are validated and understand the reality of what’s taken place.

“It’s really important to me that we talk about sexual violence as something that can happen to anyone by anyone — anyone can hurt anyone else using sex as a mechanism. That way, no victims get left out,” says Kramer. That is the very least we should be taking away from the conversations Cooper’s documentary has sparked. We owe it to all the women whose experience of sexual violence happened to be instigated by another woman.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.

If you have experienced sexual violence of any kind, please visit RAINN.

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This is the week we say goodbye to Cancer season’s tender tides and step boldly into Leo’s blazing light. The sun shifts into Leo on July 22nd at 9:29 a.m. EST, and two days later, the Leo New Moon hits on July 24th at 3:11 p.m. EST. That’s a lot of fire. And while Leo energy is often focused on the self, self-expression, self-celebration, self-love, it’s arriving at a moment in history when the world is screaming for collective attention. Pluto in Aquarius is watching. The tension between the self and the system is real. We’re seeing injustice unfolding everywhere — from Congo to Haiti to Palestine to the United States and its brutal immigration and incarceration practices — and the question becomes: how do I stay connected to my truth while staying plugged into the world around me?

This week, the answer isn’t to turn away, but to choose one thing you can act on. Leo reminds us that courage is personal. That leadership begins inside. So whether it’s posting about a cause you’ve been too afraid to speak on, signing a petition, organizing a fundraiser, confronting your boss, correcting your friend, or saying no to someone abusing their power… this week is about showing up where it matters most to you. You don’t have to do it all. You’re not meant to fix everything. But silence is no longer an option. Not in this Leo season. Not while Mercury is retrograde in Leo and Pluto is dismantling old systems in Aquarius. You want change? Be the spark. Speak up. Say the thing. Start the shift.

The first half of the week is the dark of the moon, and with that comes a heaviness. Not just emotionally, but cosmically. We see the shadows more clearly now: In ourselves, in society, in each other. The urge to be loud, to be right, to be “seen” might feel amplified, but check yourself. Is it ego, or is it impact? Leo Season isn’t about proving. It’s about embodying. Especially with Mercury retrograde already in full swing, this is not the time to call people out just to feel powerful. This is a time to call yourself in. How are you showing up in conversations, in care, in conflict? Don’t forget, we just left Cancer Season. That softness still lives in your body, so bring it with you. Don’t let Leo’s fire turn you rigid. Let it turn you radiant.

By the time the Leo New Moon arrives on the 24th, the second half of the week becomes fertile ground for visioning and rebirth. This lunation is your invitation to get bold, get real, and get unapologetically loud about what you want to create, in your life, your art, your relationships, your platform. Leo governs the heart, so ask yourself: What has your heart been trying to say all year that your mind has silenced? This is your time to bring it to the surface. Whether it’s a creative project you’ve buried, a dream career you’ve feared pursuing, or a part of yourself you’ve dimmed to make others more comfortable. Let it out. Let it shine. Mercury retrograde in Leo isn’t blocking your power, it’s helping you remember the parts of yourself you’ve been postponing for years. This next six-month cycle could change your life if you let your joy lead.

Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.

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Aries Sun & Rising:

Aries, this week starts with a humbling pause that you didn’t ask for, but you probably needed. With the dark of the moon creeping through your fellow fire sign Leo, your sector of creativity, romance, and inner child is activated, and not in a fireworks way. It might feel like your usual zest is dimmed or redirected inward, like you’re questioning what (or who) actually sparks your joy. Maybe a project you were once obsessed with suddenly feels stale. Maybe you’re side-eyeing your current situationship like, “Wait… is this even fun anymore?” That’s the Leo shadow: craving to be seen or validated, but unsure if you’re even aligned with your own desires. Don’t freak out. This phase is here to help you reflect on what you’ve been pretending to enjoy versus what your heart is actually craving. And the beauty of this contrast? By Thursday, when the Leo new moon lands, you’re reborn, not in some dramatic, phoenix-from-the-flames kind of way (okay, maybe a little), but in a way that reminds you what passion feels like when it’s real and yours.

Once the Leo New Moon strikes on July 24th, it’s go time, but it’s not about the hustle. It’s about the heart. This is your moment to set intentions around what lights you up from the inside out. You’re done creating for clout or chasing people who don’t reciprocate your fire. Mercury’s retrograde in this same sector is your cosmic cue to slow down and fine-tune what you want to say, make, love, and share. Be bold about your artistry. Let your romantic standards rise. Redefine what joy looks like for you and make sure it’s not performative. This isn’t about returning to the old you. It’s about getting clearer on the true you that’s always been trying to emerge beneath the noise. Your creativity, your pleasure, your voice? They deserve a front-row seat in your life now.

Taurus Sun & Rising:

Taurus, Leo Season has officially entered the chat, lighting up your sector of home, roots, and emotional safety. But before you start romanticizing a full-blown nesting era, the week begins with the dark of the moon in this same sector, asking you to confront the shadows that linger behind the walls you’ve built, literal or emotional. You might feel unusually introverted or moody, suddenly second-guessing where you feel most safe and who feels like “home.” That’s not a sign that something’s wrong; it’s a sign that something’s ready to evolve. Are you holding on to outdated family dynamics or ways of caretaking that drain you more than they fill you? This is your pause. Let yourself feel all of it. And as the Leo new moon approaches, a new vision of what safety looks and feels like will start to emerge, one built around you, not obligation.

Once the Leo New Moon lands on the 24th, the energy shifts from emotional fog to intuitive clarity. This is your cue to set intentions around your living space, family relationships, and what belonging really means. With Mercury also retrograde in Leo, don’t rush to fix or change everything. Instead, revisit past patterns and ask, “What am I recreating out of habit, and what am I consciously choosing?” Maybe it’s time to reimagine your home environment, heal ancestral wounds, or finally prioritize rest without guilt. Your inner world is getting a whole glow up, Taurus, just make sure your nervous system is leading the way.

Gemini Sun & Rising:

Gemini, Leo Season’s arrival turns your focus to communication, curiosity, and expression. All the things that make you feel most alive. But the week kicks off with the dark of the moon in this sector, and instead of being your usual bubbly, quick-witted self, you might feel like you’ve momentarily lost your voice or like no one’s really hearing you. Don’t panic. This shadow phase is teaching you how to listen… to others, sure, but mostly to yourself. What truths have you been glossing over or leaving unsaid? Is your mind moving faster than your spirit can follow? Slow it down. This is a divine reset for your nervous system. It’s also a reminder: you don’t have to share every thought to be valid. Sometimes, the most important conversations happen in silence — or in your journal.

When the Leo New Moon rises on the 24th, it brings with it a fresh wave of mental clarity and inspiration. If you’ve been wanting to write something, launch something, or finally speak your truth, this is the moon to plant those seeds. Just remember: with Mercury retrograde in Leo too, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s alignment. Double-check details. Reflect on past ideas you abandoned too soon. Reclaim your voice, not for applause, but because you’ve got something real to say. You don’t need a viral moment to be impactful. You just need to speak with intention, from the heart.

Cancer Sun & Rising:

Cancer, Leo Season is here to remind you of your worth. But before you go manifesting new income streams or flexing your talents, the week begins with the dark of the moon in your sector of self-worth and security. This might bring up some “Am I enough?” type thoughts, or feelings of comparison, especially if you’ve been hustling without seeing immediate rewards. Take a breath. This phase is here to help you shed the false narratives that make you undervalue yourself. What are you doing just for external validation? What would it feel like to root your confidence in being instead of constantly doing? These are the questions to sit with as the Leo new moon approaches. Let the doubts come. They’re not the truth, just outdated echoes.

By the time the Leo New Moon strikes on the 24th, you’re being asked to reset your entire money mindset. Yes, this lunation can bring financial opportunities, but more importantly, it invites you to claim your inherent abundance, the kind that starts from within. Mercury retrograde is also in this zone, which means money convos, contracts, and career pivots require extra discernment. Don’t rush… Reflect. What past idea or talent are you ready to monetize on your own terms now? This is your chance to build a new relationship with value: Yours, and the value you offer to the world. You don’t have to prove anything, Cancer. You are the proof.

Leo Sun & Rising:

Leo, welcome to your season. There’s so much to celebrate: your solar return, a new moon in your sign, a chance to step fully into your main character moment. But first, you’ve got to wade through the shadows. The week kicks off with the dark of the moon in Leo, meaning your sector of identity and self-image is up for review. You might feel more insecure than expected or even question your path, don’t gaslight yourself into ignoring it. This is your annual ego cleanse. Let the doubts surface. Ask yourself: are you embodying the real you, or are you still playing a role someone else cast you in? This quiet before the new moon is sacred. Let it soften you. Let it strip away what isn’t aligned. That’s how your radiance gets real.

Once the Leo New Moon hits on the 24th, it’s your time to plant seeds for the next six months of personal evolution. Who do you want to be, Leo? Not for the ‘Gram, not for your family, but for you? With Mercury retrograde also in your sign, it’s a perfect moment to reclaim pieces of yourself you left behind. Maybe a creative dream, a relationship with your younger self, or simply the confidence to say what you mean. You don’t have to shout to be seen. You just have to show up as yourself, fully, unapologetically, even when you’re unsure. This is your cosmic birthday wish. Make it count.

Virgo Sun & Rising:

Virgo, Leo Season is your deep retreat zone, and honestly, you’re not mad about it. You’ve been doing the most for others lately, and the stars are now giving you full permission to opt out, out of social obligations, of toxic cycles, of overthinking. But the week starts with the dark of the moon in this very sector of solitude and healing, so you might feel an eerie mix of peace and discomfort. Maybe old memories creep in, or dreams get weirdly intense. That’s the shadow work kicking in. You’re not broken, Virgo, you’re just finally slowing down enough to feel. Let it come. Let it pass. This isn’t about isolation; it’s about regeneration. And by the time the Leo new moon arrives, you’ll know exactly what your spirit needs to be replenished.

The Leo New Moon on the 24th invites you to set sacred intentions behind the scenes. This isn’t about making big announcements. It’s about choosing silence as a strategy, rest as rebellion. Your ruler Mercury is retrograde in Leo too, helping you untangle past karma, past wounds, and past dreams you maybe filed away as “impractical.” What if they’re not? What if this new moon is the reset button your soul has been whispering for? Start small: a new meditation practice, better sleep habits, or simply forgiving yourself for what didn’t work out. You don’t need to figure it all out. You just need to trust the quiet voice inside… it’s louder than you think.

Libra Sun & Rising:

This week begins with a call for discernment, Libra. Leo Season has officially arrived, activating your sector of friendships, social networks, and collective causes. But as the dark of the moon lingers in this same area, it may stir some unspoken tensions or illuminate where you’ve been pouring into others without being replenished. You may start questioning who actually sees you, supports you, or even knows the real you. That clarity might feel unsettling at first, especially for someone as harmony-driven as you, but it’s also empowering. Trust what’s revealed in the quiet moments. You’re clearing space for more reciprocal relationships and truer community ties. Not the performance of connection, but the real thing.

Then comes the glow-up. The Leo New Moon on July 24th brings a surge of radiant, magnetic energy that helps you attract the kinds of friendships, collaborators, and dreams that align with your next era. This is a powerful time to plant seeds for long-term visions — especially ones that uplift others and bring people together around shared values. But with Mercury still retrograde, don’t rush to send invites or make grand declarations just yet. Let this week be about inner alignment before outward expansion. If you’ve been dreaming about joining or starting a movement, this new moon whispers: start small, start from the heart. You don’t need a massive audience to create massive impact.

Scorpio Sun & Rising:

Scorpio, Leo Season begins this week, meaning it’s your time to shine, especially professionally. It activates your sector of career, public reputation, and long-term purpose. But the week begins with the dark of the moon in Leo, and that might hit a little differently. You could feel burned out, disillusioned, or unclear about why you’re pursuing what you’re pursuing. Are you building this life for yourself, or for the applause? Pride, pressure, and ego wounds might all bubble up, especially if you’ve been hiding behind your work or achievements. This is your midyear checkpoint. You’re allowed to ask, “Is this still what I want?” and be honest with yourself if the answer has changed. Even ambition needs rebalancing.

Once the Leo New Moon strikes on July 24th, clarity comes rushing in. You might have a sudden realization about a project, purpose, or pivot you’re ready to claim. And while Mercury’s retrograde means the rollout might be slow, don’t underestimate the potency of your ideas. This is a perfect time to revise your website, realign your goals, or take a social media sabbatical to tune out noise and tune into truth. You don’t have to grind for the title or push for visibility, the recognition will come naturally when you’re acting from purpose. This lunation supports you in defining success on your own terms, not society’s.

Sagittarius Sun & Rising:

Welcome to Leo Season, Sag! The sun in Leo is hitting your sector of expansion, adventure, and higher learning. But with the dark of the moon happening in this same area, things may feel less like a road trip and more like a delayed departure. You might be questioning your beliefs, doubting your path, or wondering why that “next level” still feels out of reach. That’s okay. You’re recalibrating what freedom really means to you. Is it about running away from responsibilities? Or about building a life that reflects your soul’s actual truth? Give yourself room to revise your philosophies, and know that doubts are part of growth, not signs of failure.

The Leo New Moon on July 24th reignites your fire. You may feel a pull to enroll in a course, plan an international trip, start writing a book, or speak your truth more boldly. This lunation is here to remind you: the world is still wide, and it still wants you in it. That said, Mercury’s retrograde cautions you to double-check your itineraries, revisit old passions before diving into new ones, and most importantly, trust divine timing. You’re not behind — you’re re-aligning. Set new moon intentions this week that reflect your evolving beliefs, and let your desire to learn and grow lead the way.

Capricorn Sun & Rising:

Capricorn, Leo Season is here, activating your sector of intimacy, transformation, and shared resources. And this week’s dark moon in Leo asks you to sit with what’s been hard to admit. Maybe it’s the control you’ve tried to maintain in relationships. Maybe it’s financial fears you haven’t spoken aloud. Or maybe it’s grief, slow-burning and unprocessed, that’s surfacing now. The dark of the moon reveals the hidden contracts you’ve been upholding: the silent deals, the power dynamics, the fears you keep tucked away. But here’s the truth, you don’t have to carry it all alone. This week is an invitation to unburden, reflect, and reclaim your energy.

And then the Leo New Moon on July 24th turns the page. Think of it as an energetic inheritance: the ability to release what’s no longer working and invest in deeper, more nourishing bonds. Whether it’s with a partner, collaborator, or your own self, this lunation supports rebuilding trust, sexual healing, and financial regeneration. Yes, Mercury is still retrograde, so contracts and shared money matters require caution, but the emotional clarity is undeniable. You don’t need to do everything “perfectly” to receive abundance. You just need to know that you’re worthy of it. Let this new moon be your moment of soft power: deep, quiet, and lasting.

Aquarius Sun & Rising:

Aquarius, Leo Season highlights your sector of partnerships, and while that might sound romantic, the dark of the moon in this same area might feel more like a reckoning than a honeymoon. You’re seeing patterns in your relationships: where you overcompensate, where you avoid confrontation, where you compromise too much or not at all. This isn’t about blame; it’s about noticing. With Pluto in your sign, transformation is already underway, and this dark moon asks: are you bringing your full self to your connections, or a curated version of you? Let the emotional discomfort guide you, not to run, but to recalibrate.

The Leo New Moon on July 24th offers a chance to rewrite your relationship stories. Whether single, dating, or partnered, this is your time to decide what kind of connections you want moving forward, and what you’re willing to do (or stop doing) to cultivate them. This isn’t about perfection or performance; it’s about showing up with honesty. With Mercury still retrograde, miscommunications are likely, so slow your roll, clarify intentions, and don’t take things too personally. The new moon wants to help you build something real. But first, you have to name your needs, clearly, lovingly, and without shame.

Pisces Sun & Rising:

Pisces, Leo Season wakes up your wellness sector, and the dark of the moon in this same area might start off by showing you where things feel off-balance. Have you been ignoring signals from your body? Stretching yourself too thin? Or maybe you’ve been feeling disconnected from your routines, unsure of what your body and spirit even need to feel good. The first half of this week invites you to pause and tune in… Let the silence be diagnostic. It’s not about fixing everything overnight, it’s about listening to your systems (emotional, physical, spiritual) without judgment.

By the time the Leo New Moon arrives on July 24th, a wave of clarity begins to form. You might feel inspired to recommit to a movement practice, reset your sleep schedule, journal more often, or say no to burnout culture once and for all. This is a prime time to set intentions around your lifestyle and your habits — but make them joyful. Leo energy isn’t here to shame you into discipline; it wants you to shine from the inside out. With Mercury now retrograde in Leo, ease into new routines rather than forcing change. And remember: the most sustainable systems are the ones built with love.

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Love Island USA needs to figure out what it wants to be before returning for Season 8. Sunday night’s finale was proof. Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales’ historic win felt like the best case scenario for an ending featuring a break up (Huda and Chris), a couple brought together by production and audience influence (sorry, Nicolandria truthers), and a couple that seemed to be folks’ least favorite despite getting enough votes to make it to the finale (Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia).

Season 7 of Peacock’s No. 1 reality dating show was a hot mess, naturally, but it also felt like an identity crisis. And Sunday night’s two-hour season finale was a reflection of a series of questionable production decisions, weird audience engagement tactics, overzealous parasocial relationships, and problematic behavior. None of which are unique to this show, but this season’s record-breaking success played a huge role in both the peaks and pits — as contestant Nic Vansteenberghe would call them — of the stateside franchise.

Let’s review.

Love Island Season 7: There Were Some Peaks.

Amaya and Bryan became the first Latine couple to win Love Island USA. Them winning over fan adoration was a late twist as the two bombshells entered the villa at different points during the season and formed a connection a week prior to the finale. Their victory was largely due to Amaya’s popularity which rose astronomically throughout the season despite her sometimes over-the-top theatrics (LOTS of crying) that in the past have turned audiences off of contestants.

Once the season hit a point where there weren’t many couples with a genuine connection to root for, her authentic energy, bubbly personality and consistent one-liners made it easy to see that she would win it all no matter who she was paired up with. Bryan stepped in to defend her during the tension-filled “Standing on Business” challenge. This set him up to couple up with Amaya.

Season 7 earned record-breaking viewership with it becoming the second most-watched streaming original title, The Wrap reports, with new viewers making up for 39 percent of its audience. The show garnered over 1.2 billion minutes viewed across nine episodes in just its second week, according to Luminate’s streaming data. That was reflected on social media as well with a 232 percent increase in TikTok engagement compared to last season. Its success created waves beyond virtual spaces, too, with numerous watch parties popping up across the country.

Love Island Season 7: The Pits Were Aplenty. 

Out of the gate, it was evident that the show was chasing its own success after the happy accident of casting the perfect set of singles that made Season 6 a cultural phenomenon — so much so that the cast earned a spinoff, Love Island: Beyond The Villa. Many of the Season 8 contestants were content creators with sizable followings before they headed into the villa. Many islanders left social media handlers to take over their accounts while they were on the show, disconnected from the outside world.

The beginning of the six-week experiment felt like any other season packed with attractive singles, steamy conversations, jealousy and challenges that remind you why this show isn’t on cable. But viewers had an unprecedented amount of power this season, dictating which bombshells would break up couples and digging up old videos and posts of contestants —  Yulissa Escobar and Cierra Ortega — using racist language.

Audience influence was partly to blame for a lukewarm finale. None of the original couples from the show’s early days made it to the end. Amaya and Bryan were the only remaining couple who committed to each other. Only three of the eight contestants — Nic, Olandria Carthen, and Huda Mustafa — were islanders who entered on Day 1 with a majority of the finalists being bombshells.

Season 7 of Peacock’s No. 1 reality dating show was a hot mess, naturally, but it also felt like an identity crisis.

taryn finley

One of the most talked about moments from the episode was Huda and Chris Seely breaking up during their final, hard to watch date. Their 11th hour split was a first for the show — though predictable for the rocky relationship that began after Casa Amor. Chris slept in Soul Ties instead of in the bed with Huda the final night, which may also be a first for the show.

While the drama was entertaining enough, it’s not the direction the show should be headed in. The show is, after all, called LOVE Island and this season lacked the thing the reality series is sold on: singles finding genuine connections and romance. We know most of these couples don’t last, but the final three couples from Season 6 are still going strong and part of the joy of that season was watching their relationships blossom. If producers and the audience had their way last season, who knows if Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi would be together?

What Should Change For Season 8? Less Viewer Intervention

The truth is that Season 7 just did too much. In an attempt to make this season bigger and better, production pulled out all of the stops. They sent the girls to Casa Amor for the first time, which was fine. But bringing everyone back from Casa into the main villa and having 24 people in the villa at the same time was chaotic and nearly impossible for viewers to remember who was who.

What really set off a spiral was producers giving viewers the ability to couple up bombshells with whomever they pleased. This created a canon event that split up Huda and Jeremiah Brown and gave the islanders the unspoken validity of kicking off those lucky enough to find someone they like enough to be with for more than a few days. Love Island became more about exploring everyone possible until the options were depleted (maybe also a reflection of real world dating). And if those decisions were based on strategy, it didn’t work for anyone hoping to make it to the end.

The audience had a lot of say outside of the voting windows as well, which led to only Yulissa and Cierra’s departure despite other contestants posting and reposting derogatory things about other races. There seemed to be a double standard in who was getting punished and who wasn’t.  Moving forward, producers have to do a better job of vetting show candidates while also clearly defining what they find unacceptable. Love Island’s official stance on what moral standard their contestants need to meet isn’t clear since they have never explicitly stated their policy  on racist comments and actions and only left viewers to assume.  Plus, given the show’s history with racial bias — and this season’s edits — their Black singles and other contestants of color have gotten the short end of the stick.

Audiences stereotyped Olandria and Chelley Bissainthe as mean girls based off of editing bias and harmful tropes. Just last week, Buzzfeed Tasty shared an Instagram post stating that they would give Chelley a “knuckle sandwich,” promoting violence against a Black woman. If Love Island is going to stand up against bullying, then they need to be specific and call it what it is with their whole chest: racism.

A big appeal for viewers isn’t just the real-time factor of the show, but that they have a say in what goes on in the villa. And though this may be just a show to those watching at home, there are some real ethical questions it brings up as we’re ultimately playing with these people’s feelings with the click of a button. The producers already have enough of that power. Maybe it’s best to keep the voting process very straight forward in the future.

Amaya and Bryan’s victory — as well as Kordell Beckham and Serena Page’s win in Season 6 — are indicative of what kind of stories win big on Love Island USA. It’s those that are between authentic individuals who have a genuine connection. Though most Love Island couples typically don’t stay together long after, it is, after all, the kind of escapist entertainment that should make us feel more positive emotions than negative, not the other way around.

My hot take is that Love Island USA should take a year off and figure its shit out before coming back. But after its most successful season to date, that’s very unlikely. Besides, the islanders could barely get out of the villa before the Season 8 call to audition was posted.

Like last season, viewers will get a chance to find closure with a Season 7 reunion, airing on Peacock on August 25. It will be hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen. Hopefully by then, we’ll know a little bit more definitively what the hell we just spent the last six weeks watching.

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To paraphrase Lana Del Rey, there’s something special about hot summer nights in July. Whether it’s sipping a spritz on a sunny balcony with friends or reading in the park after a day at work, the warm nights are here — and we’re cherishing every single one.

The most glamorous place to be enjoying the sun, though, has been Men’s Paris Fashion Week, with hordes of celebrities flocking to the European capital for a slice of summer style inspo. From Jacquemus showing its Spring/Summer 2026 collection in L’Orangerie at the Château de Versailles to Dior borrowing paintings from the Louvre for an art museum-inspired extravaganza for Jonathan Anderson’s creative director debut, the shows have been attended by some of the industry’s most famous faces.

For the latter, the guest list included fashion It couple ASAP Rocky and Rihanna, with the pregnant A-lister styling a mint waistcoat and classic white shirt with pearls, yellow-lensed sunglasses, and a wavy updo. Sabrina Carpenter was also in attendance, opting for a preppy skirt suit set and a side-swept fringe complete with a statement barrette.

But it was perhaps Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton show that caused the biggest stir on the internet, when Beyoncé arrived in a full Cowboy Carter-inspired double denim outfit, accessorized with a big blond blowdry, cowboy hat, Western buckled belt, and feathery brown jacket.

While our invites might have been lost in the post, there’s still plenty of serious fashion and beauty moments to get involved with over the coming month. To take a look at all the best launches coming up this July, click through the slideshow ahead.

Rixo x Billie Bhatia

Get ready to discover your new go-to summer dress in the Rixo x Billie Bhatia capsule collection. The British writer and Spill podcast co-host has brought her cool and vibrant sense of style to the print-forward fashion brand with a 16-piece line full of breezy dresses that will look just as at home at a vacation resort as they will running errands in your hometown. Think little black dresses with embroidered floral details, tiered maxi dresses with pretty frills, and long-sleeve halter-neck gowns in hand-painted prints inspired by Ibiza. “Creating a collection of pieces that I know every woman in my life would look and feel their absolute best in is more than I could have imagined,” Bhatia said in a press release. “This collection is sartorial serotonin, it is freeing and fun and created to enable good vibes only.”

Shop now at Rixo

Rixo x Billie Bhatia Alina Midi Dress, $, available at Rixo

Prada Balm in Banana Yellow

Inspired by the banana print in Prada’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection, the fashion house is now bringing the sunshine yellow motif into its beauty lineup. Teased in Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” music video, the bright yellow bullet offers a sheer but sunny look, with the golden flecks effortlessly creating a juicy finish on lips or dewy cheeks depending on where you apply it. Enriched with moisturizing jojoba oil and infused with a sweet banana scent, this balm is about to be the coveted handbag staple of the summer.

Available at Prada

Prada Lip Balm Prada Frosting Care in Banana Yellow, $, available at Prada

Uniqlo Launches Third Studio Ghibli Collaboration

Back in 2022, Uniqlo and cinematic powerhouse Studio Ghibli joined forces to create their first collaborative collection. Now, the popular Japanese label is back with a third drop showcasing artwork from some of the studio’s most beloved films. Featuring 14 pieces, the collection includes a T-shirt with leafy bird imagery from The Boy and The Heron, a gray My Neighbour Totoro sweatshirt, and a pink ombre Tale of Princess Kaguya T-shirt. Bonus: The collection has a matching kids collection for those shopping for little ones, too.

Available now at Uniqlo

Uniqlo x Studio Ghibli Sweatshirt | Kiki’s Delivery Service, $, available at Uniqlo

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil

It’s summer and that means one thing: juicy lips. If you’re searching for a nostalgic hit, look no further than Charlotte Tilbury’s latest offering — a squeezy tube lip gloss. Available in six fruity fragrances from strawberry to coconut water, the lip oils lend a sheer tint and contain skin-boosting ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid, moisturizing vitamin E, and antioxidant-rich fruit oils that also give a shiny, hydrated finish to the lips. Our favorite is Juicylicious Cherry Glaze for a subtle just-bitten lip look.

Available now at Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil, $, available at Charlotte Tilbury

Dior x Louis Hamilton

 
Superstar Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has teamed up with heritage fashion house Dior for another capsule collection (their first debuted last fall), inspired by Afrofuturism. Pieces showcase tailored jackets (including a short silhouette inspired by the 1968 Miss Dior line), slouchy knitwear, and the sporty B44 Blade sneakers in new colorways. “I [was] inspired to imagine the future of Black culture. The way we tell stories through art, science and philosophy is really special. Seeing these ideas brought to life through color and movement inspired me,” he said in a press release. “For me, fashion has always been about self-expression and embracing all the different parts of yourself. Being authentic to your style and communicating yourself through clothing is such a powerful feeling.”

Shop now at Dior

Dior x Lewis Hamilton Necklace, $, available at Dior

CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Cleanser

From the spot-busting SA Smoothing Cleanser to the creamy Hydrating Cleanser, CeraVe’s face washes are affordable and effective. Now, the wallet-friendly brand is launching the Balancing Air Foam Cleanser, which pulls oil, dirt, and impurities out of the skin “like a magnet.” Using glycolysine cleansing technology, the foam formula promises 24-hour hydration (thanks to ceramides and allantoin), meaning it won’t strip the skin barrier — all while providing eight-hour oil control.

Available to shop now at Ulta

CeraVe Balancing Air Foam Facial Cleanser, $, available at Ulta

Cecilie Bahnsen x Asics SportStyle Gel-Cumulus Shoe

As part of a new Signature Series, Asics has chosen frequent collaborator Cecilie Bahnsen as the first designer to reinterpret an iconic silhouette from the sportswear brand. Known for her hyper-feminine puff-sleeved dresses and full skirts, the collaboration sees the Danish designer add her ethereal touch to the Gel-Cumulus 16 SSCB sneaker. Available in three colorways (black, gray, and butter yellow), the design combines transparent materials, floral prints, and a flower lace toggle.

Available to shop at Cecilie Bahnsen

Cecilie Bahnsen x ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 16 SSCB SNEAKERS, $, available at Cecilie Bahnsen

Pleats Please Issey Miyake to Launch Brand New Day


Issey Miyake’s Pleats Please Brand has launched a new series called Brand New Day in collaboration with illustrator Hikaru Ichijo. Available in stores only, the limited-edition collection puts the artist’s work — which explores everyday scenes — on the brand’s signature pleated dresses, tops, and tote bags. If you’re in NYC, you can also see an interactive installation that brings the Brand New Day illustrations to life from July 10 TO 24.

Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain

A well-defined lip is a must and nothing takes the chore out of application like a felt-tip brush. Huda Beauty’s new Lip Contour Stain is easy to use, delivering a long-lasting lip stain that can be worn neatly as a liner, a blurred lip blush, or even as a full matte stain. Available in eight different shades, the product contains moisturizing argan oil and promises 12-hour wear thanks to its highly pigmented formula. Our favorites are Cinnamon, a rosy taupe shade, and Soft Nude for a “your lips but better” look.

Available to shop now at Huda Beauty

Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain, $, available at Huda Beauty

Levi’s Brand x Nike

This summer, Levi’s and Nike are joining forces to make the (now sold out!) shoe of the summer: Air Max 95s in distressed blue denim. Additionally offering the iconic silhouette in ecru and black (complete with red Levi’s label), the collaboration also includes a light-wash trucker jacket and baggy jeans with Nike swoosh embroidery. Plus, the shoes come with red, black, and white laces so you can choose the look that fits best with your aesthetic.

Available at Levi’s

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda 2x™

The Dyson Airwrap did to hair tools what TikTok did to the internet: it took over. The latest iteration of the beloved styler is powered by Dyson’s fastest and most powerful motor yet: the Hyperdymium™ 2. Giving users twice the air pressure (helping to wrap hair more easily), the new tool also promises to dry hair as fast as a full-performance hairdryer — but it’s the brand’s most lightweight design yet. Even better, there are six attachments for different style options, and each one connects to the MyDyson™ app with the new i.d. Curl™ feature. This helps deliver consistent curls by automatically adjusting heat and airflow.

Available to shop on July 8 at Dyson

Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x, $, available at Dyson

Asos x Adidas Capsule –

Embargo 3rd July

Blending bespoke fabrics, embroidery and new colorways, the new Adidas x Asos collaboration puts a streetwear spin on the former’s key archive silhouettes. Comprised of 18 apparel pieces, our favorite from the collection is the cream Firebird track jacket with burgundy piping and floral prints — a perfect layering piece for summer nights in the city.

Available to shop July 15 at Asos

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Welcome to New Arrivals, where R29 editors test out the latest pieces from their favorite brands and share their top looks. Whether you’re overwhelmed by the number of places to shop or trying to hone in your personal style, come along as we explore ‘fits, fabrics, styling potential, and more by sorting through the virtual and IRL shelves at our go-to shopping destinations. 

Ever since Damson Madder burst onto the fashion scene, there’s been a “Damson Maddening” at Refinery29, with at least one editor wearing a piece from the brand at the office at all times. Founded by Emma Hill in 2020, with a slower and more ethical approach to fashion, the brand has since become a go-to source for dopamine dressing. After becoming disillusioned with the high-street category, Hill wanted, as she told Refinery29 last year, “to have a dress or blouse with extra things that are exciting. I wanted people to look and say, ‘Oh my God, where did you get that lovely piece?’ [but] I was disappointed by the quality of the product and the lack of responsibility taken.”

Since then, the brand has gone from strength to strength, and today you can’t go to any buzzing brunch spot, weekend market, or beer garden without seeing the label’s exaggerated collar blouses, quilted vests in funky prints, or milkmaid dresses. Known for its playful and vibrant style, the brand has gained popularity among celebrities, influencer,s and fashion insiders, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Emma Roberts, and Olivia Rodrigo all regularly spotted in Damson looks.

The brand’s summer 2025 collection includes plenty of Damson trademarks — denim, playful prints, bows and bold colorways — updated for the moment. You’ll find trending cherry red, fruit prints, and corset-inspired lacing on the brand’s clothing, with sizes ranging from 6 to 20. Here are our picks for the warmer months ahead. Bonus: Many of the picks are currently on sale.

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Damson Madder New Arrivals: Skirts

Depending on your height, the effortlessly cool Charlotte could be a midi or a maxi. (As someone petite, it’s the latter on me, which I am all for; I’m a sucker for a long skirt.) The sky blue version is ultra-feminine but still laid-back (my sweet spot).

Close up, you can see the embroidery-style flower details on the silky fabric, which is a lovely touch. The ruched panel at the waistline offers multiple points to adjust the fit — something all skirts should have — so you can alter the look and feel depending on the day and look. Pair with a simple white tee and sandals, and you’re Aperol-in-the-park ready.

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Damson Madder New Arrivals: Pants, Shorts & Skorts

The utilitarian skort that I used to sport back in high school has been given the Damson treatment. While I wasn’t at first sold on the design, the lightweight denim in a pale wash is not only extremely flattering but also fun to wear. With the appearance of a wrap skirt and practicality of hot pant shorts, the Rory is perfect for a park chill, bike rides, and balmy summer evenings.

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Damson Madder New Arrivals: Dresses

I, like many of the brand’s fans, fell in love with Damson Madder for its dresses. I have never received so many compliments, been stopped in the street so many times, or felt as comfortable as I have in a Damson Madder dress.

The Angelina midi is my new obsession. Made from 100% organic cotton, it features a fitted, laced bodice and voluminous skirt that creates a satisfying sway with every step. Feminine without feeling saccharine, it includes every girl’s favorite dress feature: pockets. Yes, yes, and yes!

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Damson Madder New Arrivals: Swimsuits

If festival season style is anything to go by, bikini tops are now just… tops. In the sweltering heat, why opt for anything other than a swimming top and gym shorts? (We can thank Charli XCX and the Brat Pack for this one.) Made from organic and recycled materials, this bow-adorned bandeau is that kind of bikini top that can be worn as part of a matching swimsuit set or on its own. Structured for support, with a playful design, it begs to be taken to the Italian Riviera — or, in my case, to Spain.

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Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is officially open to the public, and you know what that means: epic deals on designer fashion, chic home decor, and so, so much more. However, it’s my professional belief that the most compelling deals happen to be in the beauty space — not that I’m biased or anything.

Unlike any other beauty event, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is packed with sale-exclusive value sets on makeup, skincare, hair, fragrance, and beyond that you can only 1) find at Nordstrom and 2) shop for the duration of the sale. We’re talking rarely (if ever) discounted brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Dyson, Westman Atelier, and Byredo, among many other treasures. For your haul, we’ve cherry-picked the 29 most stellar (and likely to sell out fast) deals that you’d be remiss not to cart ASAP.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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L’Occitane Showered in Almond Set

If you have yet to try a shower oil, L’Occitane’s is an excellent place to start. The sweet, subtle scent cleanses and gently scents skin, rendering body lotion optional. (This set even comes with a refill bottle to save you a trip to the store once you use it to the last drop.)

L’Occitane Showered in Almond Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Dyson Airwrap i.d. Multi-styler and Dryer Straight+Wavy Hair

You have to add this extra-special deal to cart in order to reveal the savings, but once you do? Get ready to shop Dyson’s sleek hair tools at a rare discount.

Dyson Airwrap i.d.™ Multi-styler and Dryer Straight+Wavy Hair, $, available at Nordstrom

Nécessaire The Body Wash

The only thing better than a bottle of Nécessaire’s luxurious, eucalyptus-scented body washes? Buying it on sale.

Nécessaire The Body Wash, $, available at Nordstrom

Byredo Mojave Ghost Trio

Byredo’s highly coveted colognes are basically never on sale, so don’t miss out on trying one of their most treasured scents in EDP, hand cream, and perfume oil form — and at an amazing value.

Byredo Mojave Ghost Trio, $, available at Nordstrom

Ilia Minis for Any Mood 3-Piece Set 

Always wanted to try Ilia’s clean beauty favorites? This trio includes three of the brand’s most beloved products — Limitless Lash Mascara, Lip Sketch, and a mini Multi-Stick — all for under $30.

ILIA Beauty Minis for Any Mood 3-Piece Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Dr. Dennis Gross Glow, Brighten & Smooth Kit

This value set includes months’ worth of Dr. Dennis Gross’ bestselling exfoliating peel pads (both the OG and extra-strength formulations), and at a serious steal.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Glow, Brighten & Smooth Set $245 Value, $, available at Nordstrom

Tom Ford Beauty Shimmering Body Oil Set

These luxe body oils, which contain olive and jojoba oils, don’t just hydrate your bod — they bestow a hint of ethereal shimmer and lingering scent for gorgeous, glowing skin.

Tom Ford Beauty Shimmering Body Oil Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Dior Natural Glow Makeup Set

Calling all fans of unapologetically bougie makeup: Dior’s beloved Lip Glow balm and lash-beautifying mascara are all you need for a flawless look — and best of all, it can be yours for a steal of the à la carte price.

Dior Natural Glow Makeup Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer Duo Set

Iconic makeup artist Bobbi Brown is known for creating lit-from-within radiance. The secret? A flawless, hydrated base that acts as the perfect canvas — or worn alone.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer Duo, $, available at Nordstrom

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Couture Mini Eyeshadow Palette Duo

Is it too early to start thinking about fall makeup? Perhaps. Regardless, these neutral taupe and smoky rose eyeshadow quads are the stuff of cozy autumn dreams.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Couture Mini Eyeshadow Palette Duo, $, available at Nordstrom

Lancôme Définicils Duo Mascara Gift Set

Mascara lovers, assemble: This duo of Lancôme’s cult-favorite Définicils mascara gets you two full-sized tubes (plus a mini tube of lash primer) basically for the price of one. We love beauty math!

Lancôme Définicils Duo Mascara Gift Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Elemis Jumbo Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm

Have you ever loved a product so much you wished it came in Costco size? Well, Elemis has got you with this jumbo version of its bestselling makeup remover, which offers serious value for folks hooked on the stuff.

Elemis Jumbo Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, $, available at Nordstrom

Supergoop! Spray To Play SPF Trio

Not that you needed an excuse to restock your sunscreen, but we’d be remiss not to shout out Supergoop! This trio of full-size SPF 50 Play Sunscreen mist, which will be your summer MVP.

Supergoop! Spray to Play SPF Trio, $, available at Nordstrom

T3 Airebrush Blow Dry Brush

Get your best blowout at home with T3’s volumizing hot brush, which dries and styles your hair in a single step.

T3 Airebrush Blow Dry Brush, $, available at Nordstrom

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Lip Kit

The British makeup artist’s signature nude lipstick is iconic for a reason: The rosy-brown hue is universally beloved, and often replicated but never imitated. Sample it in three formulations — cream lipstick, gloss, and lip pencil — for a long-lasting, kissable lip look.

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Original Lip Kit, $, available at Nordstrom

Prada Beauty Mini 3-Piece Lip Set

Hello, Prada Beauty on sale! This lip trio includes minis of the Monochrome Hyper Matte lipsticks, so you can try shades ranging from pale pink to moody mahogany.

Prada Beauty Mini 3-Piece Lip Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder & Brush Set

This isn’t just another loose powder; Hourglass’ formula leaves a luminous, soft-matte finish to your makeup, in addition to extending its wear — especially during the sweatiest months of summer.

Hourglass Veil™ Translucent Setting Powder & Brush Set, $, available at Nordstrom

RevitaLash Cosmetics Lash & Brows Conditioner Set

This Nordstrom-exclusive duo is the best way to try RevitaLash’s fan-favorite lash and brow conditioners at a major discount.

RevitaLash Cosmetics ADVANCED Eyelash Conditioning Duo (Nordstrom Exclusive), $, available at Nordstrom

MAC Nightmode Lipglass Air Lip Gloss Duo

This tried-and-true brand is a mainstay for a reason, and we are all about this better-together duo of super shiny, never sticky glosses in two summer-ready shades.

MAC Cosmetics Nightmode Lipglass Air Lip Gloss Duo, $, available at Nordstrom

Laura Mercier Effortless Eyes Caviar Stick Eyeshadow Trio

Laura Mercier’s creamy, blendable eyeshadow sticks are perfect for adorning lids with a wash of color — and take all of 10 seconds to apply.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eyeshadow Trio (Nordstrom Exclusive), $, available at Nordstrom

Nars Orgasm Matte & Glow Talc-Free Powder Blush Duo

Blush blindness? No such thing. This Nars two-pack of full-size powder formulas includes two of the brand’s most famous shades: shimmery-coral Orgasm (which needs no introduction) and Orgasm Edge, a matte version of the iconic punchy, peachy pink.

NARS Orgasm Matte & Glow Talc-Free Powder Blush Duo, $, available at Nordstrom

La Mer Mini Miracles Moisturizing Cream Skincare Set

We don’t make the rules, we merely enforce them, one being that few things are as luxe as La Mer. Whether you’re a novice or longtime devotee, this Nordstrom-exclusive kit is a perfect way to treat yourself to some of the brand’s bestsellers.

La Mer Mini Miracles Moisturizing Cream Skincare Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Westman Atelier The Lip Edition Set


Celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman’s Westman Atelier products are rarely discounted, so this trio is a true treat for any beauty lover. Inside, you’ll discover a mini Lip Suede Matte Lipstick, Lip Shape Lip Liner, and Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm in the summer’s prettiest pink shade.

Westman Atelier The Lip Edition Set, $, available at Nordstrom

NuFACE Trinity Complete Microcurrent Toning Device Set 

Folks swear by the NuFACE for its snatching abilities, and this starter kit (currently 33% off) is sure to be a hot sale item this year.

NuFACE Trinity+ Microcurrent & Red Light Facial Device Set, $, available at Nordstrom

Anastasia Beverly Hills Ultimate Brow Essentials Kit

There’s a reason ABH’s brow products are a top seller year after year: the precision tip and long-lasting formula transform even the sparsest brows into things of bushy beauty. (Paired with this brow-enhancing tinted gel, nothing can stand in your way of brow domination!)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Ultimate Brow Essentials Kit, $, available at Nordstrom

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Duo Set

Looking for effortlessly messy, cool-girl hair? This tried-and-true Oribe spray is it. (And a twin pack means you won’t run out for a long time.)

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Duo, $, available at Nordstrom

Slip Pure Silk 10-Pack Skinny Scrunchies

Slip scrunchies are one of those  “if you know, you know,” beauty gems. Sure, an ordinary hair elastic will get the job done, but there’s something so fancy about throwing your strands up in a top knot secured with soft, gentle-on-hair silk.

Slip 10-Pack Assorted Skinny Silk Scrunchies, $, available at Nordstrom

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Moisturizer

Few things feel more indulgent than fancy body lotion. Our advice: stock up on a bulk-sized bottle (and refill pouch) that’ll easily last you a year.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Moisturizer, $, available at Nordstrom

Moon The Teeth Whitening Device System

This travel-friendly (and dare we say, cute?) teeth-whitening system from Moon can brighten your smile up to 12 shades, and couldn’t be easier to use. Simply apply the (dissolvable!) strips to your top and bottom rows, keep the cordless LED light device in your mouth for five minutes, and move on with your day.

Moon The Teeth Whitening Device System, $, available at Nordstrom

Parfums de Marly Women’s Signature Fragrance Trio Set

This ultra-luxurious set contains a travel-friendly trio of Parfum de Marly’s most beloved scents: Valaya, and two interpretations (eau de parfum and parfum exclusif) of the iconic floral Delina.

Parfums de Marly Women’s Signature Fragrance Trio Set, $, available at Nordstrom

The Ordinary The Skin Support Set

Getting two full-size serums from The Ordinary for under $13 is as close as it gets to a BOGO deal. This barrier-boosting duo contains two brand favorites — Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 — for your healthiest, glowiest skin yet.

The Ordinary The Skin Support Set, $, available at Nordstrom

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