Mold makes an appearance in beauty products more often than we like to admit, whether it’s a brand that has formulated its moisturizer without preservatives (they’re essential for keeping bacteria at bay) or storing your makeup in a hot and steamy bathroom (the optimum environment for microorganisms to thrive in). And while mold can turn up pretty much anywhere, you’d assume that your skin is safe. But that hasn’t stopped TikTok from falling down something of a rabbit hole lately.

Whether you’re a chronic scroller or open the app every once in a while, you might’ve seen this viral video posted by content creator Kaley aka @allthingskaley. An enormous 21.8 million people already have, and the phrase “hair mold” is trending as a result. In the clip, Kaley says that she blow-dries her hair as soon as she gets out of the shower so that she “doesn’t get mold”. At first it caused confusion but then came a handful of comments from people who do the very same. The common school of thought? That air-drying your hair — or going to sleep with wet hair — can encourage mold to grow on your scalp.

@allthingskaley Have you heard of hair mold? I’m actually terrified now 😳 #hairmold #preventhairmold #howtopreventhairmold #whatishairmold ♬ Funny video “Carmen Prelude” Arranging weakness(836530) – yo suzuki(akisai)

As expected, TikTok began to panic. “What does hair mold look like????” asked one commenter. Another wrote, “I have never heard of hair mold until now…I’m also terrified!!!”

Can mold grow in your hair and on your scalp?

In my 10 years of beauty experience, I’ve never come across hair mold. So is it really a thing? And should you be worried? I put the question to a trichologist and a dermatologist with a specialism in hair.

First of all, it pays to understand what mold actually is. Molds are fungi, which feed off moisture. They can be harmful, and people with health issues may be sensitive to certain types. In moist environments, mold can technically grow anywhere, but is air-drying — or sleeping with wet hair — likely to cause it on your scalp or in your hair strands?

“In short, no,” says Dr. Sharon Wong, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson. “Mold that you find in the air or on damp walls and surfaces is caused by a variety of different fungal species, and they are not the same as the yeasts that live naturally on human scalps,” she says.

What is malassezia — and how does it affect the scalp?

Before we get into the nitty gritty, it’s important to note that said yeasts are totally normal. A common yeast that lives on our scalp is called malassezia, explains trichologist Eva Proudman FIT IAT. It’s different from mold but, says Dr. Wong, “The combination of damp hair together with the heat emitted from the scalp surface creates the perfect warm, moist environment that encourages overgrowth of malassezia.”

Proudman explains that when the malassezia yeast becomes overactive (usually the result of excess oil on the scalp), it can lead to dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis, a type of scalp eczema. So what’s the difference? “Dandruff causes loose white flakes that fall easily onto the shoulders, and in many cases does not itch,” says Proudman. “Seborrhoeic dermatitis causes the flakes to turn yellow as they feed off of oil, and for them to sit on the scalp and within the hair,” she continues. “Seborrhoeic dermatitis is also usually itchy and causes inflammation on the scalp.”

While there is no “cure” for dandruff, washing your hair more frequently — and starting off with an anti-dandruff shampoo like Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Daily Prevent Shampoo, $15.88, or Verb Dandruff Shampoo with Salicylic Acid for Dry and Flaky Scalp, $22 — can help. Regularly washing your hair is also recommended to treat seborrhoeic dermatitis, as it thrives in oily environments.

Can mold grow on your pillow?

While it’s very unlikely that mold can grow on your hair and scalp, your pillows and pillowcases are not exempt, says Proudman. “[These] will absorb moisture and become damp from wet hair, which can lead to the fabrics becoming smelly and developing mold,” she says. If you do sleep with wet hair, Proudman recommends changing your pillowcase daily and ensuring that the pillow is always dry. If you head to bed with dry hair, Dr. Wong suggests changing your pillowcase once a week.

Is it best to air-dry or blow-dry your hair after washing?

Ultimately, whether you blow-dry your hair, let it air-dry or sleep with it wet is entirely down to personal preference, but from a dermatologist’s point of view, it’s best to dry hair thoroughly before going to bed. “Not just for better scalp health,” says Dr. Wong, “but also because your hair is at its weakest when wet and therefore most prone to breakage in this state.” Proudman agrees: “Wet hair can easily be broken, so I always advise to go to sleep with dry hair for both scalp and hair health.”

Depending on your length and hair texture, Dr. Wong considers air-drying to be time-consuming, but it’s also impractical for a lot of people, especially if you wash your hair in the evening. She has a trick for mopping up water, though: “I would advise using a microfibre towel to dry the hair first, as this significantly increases water absorption and therefore [reduces] the time needed for any subsequent air-drying or heat drying.” Try Kitsch Extra Large Quick-Dry Hair Towel Wrap, $26, or the Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel, $30, if you have more to spend.

What’s the best hairdryer for no heat damage?

If it’s heat damage that’s preventing you from blow-drying your hair, consider a smart blowdryer like the Shark SpeedStyle Pro FLEX 4-in-1 High-Velocity Hair Dryer System, $179.99. I also love the clever Dyson Supersonic Nural Hairdryer, $499, which uses sensors to tweak both airflow and temperature, minimizing the chance of burning your scalp and protecting hair strands in the process. If you’d rather spend less, try the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Compact Folding Ionic Dryer, $84.99, which boasts impressive airflow. And remember: Heat protectant spray exists for a reason.

Lastly, if you’re air-drying your hair, consider a targeted air-dry cream to reduce waiting time. Try JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream, $28, with smoothing squalane and moringa seed oil. Also try Briogeo Style + Treat Air Dry Hair Styling Cream, $26, with deeply moisturizing shea butter and glycerin, and Curlsmith Weightless Air Dry Cream, $27, with castor and jojoba oil, both of which are perfect for curly hair but can be used on all hair types.

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Besides sunscreen, I firmly believe that no matter how many expensive serums, masks, or moisturizers you use, a cleanser is the single most important step in any effective skincare routine. Don’t just take my word for it. Whenever I’ve seen a dermatologist, facialist, or esthetician, their first question is always about which cleanser I use.

About a week ago, I got a bit of a scolding from one of those experts. The rich cleansing balm I’d been enjoying was actually breaking me out, and the fruity fragrance — thanks to a handful of essential oils — was completely stripping my skin. I was under strict instructions to pare things back. My mission? Find a gentle, fragrance-free cream cleanser that I could use for double cleansing in the evening (a must for removing all traces of makeup and sunscreen), and refreshing my skin in the morning. So when The Inkey List’s Hydrating Cream To Milk Cleanser, $19, landed on my desk, it felt like I’d hit the jackpot.

At first pump, this face wash feels like a lotion, but it transforms into a lightweight milk on contact with water. Just don’t underestimate its cleansing power — or its skincare benefits. One of the standout ingredients is 5% rice milk, a staple in many Korean skincare products that usually cost two or three times the price. Ideal for dry, flaky skin, rice milk helps soothe and soften while supporting the skin barrier, the outer layer that keeps moisture in and bacteria out. Beyond rice milk, there’s hydrating hyaluronic acid to counteract that tight, uncomfortable feeling post-cleanse, plus ultra-moisturizing glycerin and shea butter — two ingredients I actively seek out in skincare, particularly moisturizers.

The Inkey List Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser, $19

I usually have two or three cleansers in rotation in my shower, but I’ve shelved them all for this. Just a couple of pumps are enough to melt away the multiple layers of mascara, sunscreen, and foundation I wear every day. My skin feels surprisingly clean after the first cleanse (I always count one minute), but doing a second ensures everything is properly removed and that my skin is prepped for the rest of my routine. Beyond its cleansing power, it’s so moisturizing that I actually forgot to apply moisturizer one evening after using it — and didn’t even notice until the next morning. Normally, my skin feels like it might crack if I skip moisturizer. That’s how hydrating it is

I’m always keen to hear what my fellow beauty editors think, but when I put a call out on Instagram for other fans, I didn’t expect nearly as many replies. Beauty writer and Refinery29 contributor Vanese Maddix was first to extol its virtues: “Despite vowing to myself that 2025 would be the year I stopped having multiple skincare products open at once, every so often, a new launch comes along that completely throws me off guard and right now, that product is The Inkey List’s Hydrating Cream-to-Milk Cleanser,” she said.

Maddix swears by the brand’s Dewy Sunscreen SPF 30, $16, and Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, $20, (a favorite of mine, too), so it’s safe to say that she trusts the brand with her face. “Its founders, Mark and Colette, certainly know how to make a good skincare product,” she added, “so when I heard the brand was launching a cream-to-milk cleanser, I couldn’t have been more excited. As someone with a normal-to-dry skin type, my face laps up anything with a milky texture, and this one did not disappoint.”

Like me, Maddix found that the intensely hydrating formula removed SPF and makeup effortlessly: “I often wear blue mascara, which can be a pain to take off, but this cleanser is up there with some of my favorite cleansing balms and oils as it removes every trace so quickly, without stinging or drying me out,” said Maddix. “I’ve tried my fair share of cleansers that say they don’t leave your skin feeling tight or dry afterwards, but this one genuinely doesn’t. After almost a month of using it, my skin continuously feels soft, moisturized, and hydrated after each use. That’ll be the 5% rice milk and hyaluronic acid doing their thing.” For Maddix, using it to the very last drop — and adding it to her repurchase list — is a “no-brainer”.

Beauty editor Lucy Abbersteen is equally enamored: “I love a cream cleanser so much and this got promoted to my bathroom cabinet after first use,” she told me. “The texture is such a dream, and it wipes off clean every time.” Beauty editor Madeleine Spencer said that she “adores it,” adding, “It’s so gentle and doesn’t leave my skin angry.” Likewise, beauty editor, trend forecaster, and brand consultant Louise Whitbread said that it’s great for double cleansing and especially gentle on her acne- and rosacea-prone skin.

You’re probably thinking, It’s just a cleanser. But not cleansing your skin properly — especially at night — means anything you apply afterwards (think potent retinol serums or exfoliating acids) won’t absorb as effectively. If you ask me, that’s a waste of both time and money.

Better still, you get a surprisingly generous amount of product for just $19, and it seems we’re all stocking up for the summer.

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

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As I’m typing this, I can’t stop looking at my fingers gliding over the keyboard. Each nail is glossed to perfection (some even have dazzling glitter) in a gradient of luminous sunset tones. And the best part: I did them all by myself.

I’ve dabbled in the trend of at-home gel — and have proved quite capable with a lamp and solid polishes. But when it comes to nail art, I’m no artist. I love press-ons for gorgeous designs with zero dry time, but I struggle to keep them on for more than a few days. That’s  where Ohora’s gel nail strips come in. (I’m wearing the Carmel set here.)

If you’re old enough to remember nail wraps (basically, nail polish sticker sheets that you could apply directly to the nail and set with any top coat), Ohora’s strips work in a similar way. The K-beauty brand makes its strips from a semi-cured gel that finishes curing under a UV lamp. I actually discovered them at a drugstore in Japan, but was delighted to find them online at the brand’s Amazon storefront for $16 per set. (Great news for my nails, bad news for my wallet.)

Ohora Semi Cured Gel Nail Strips, $16

Ohora offers a wide variety of solid and nail art designs (including ones for your toes), plus seasonal options for the holidays, Valentine’s Day, and more. Each pack comes with 28 gel strips in various sizes. (I usually get two manicures per box before running out of sizes that fit my nails.) Since the nails are on clear sheets, you can visually “try on” which size fits best by holding it above your hand. Before starting, prep nails with the included pad (or, once you run out, I also love Dazzle Dry’s Nail Prep on a lint-free cotton pad) to remove oil from the nail surface.

Now for the fun part: If I’m not doing a solid color, I plan out my accent nail(s) accordingly and start with my left hand (I’m right-handed), beginning with the pinkies and working my way to the thumb. Doing it in this order helps avoid sticking nails together since the strips are longer than my natural length. After making sure each strip is evenly adhered, it’s time to finesse the shape. I like to follow a general rule of clipping 90% of the excess length and filing 10%, using downward strokes across the free edge to help it seal. I used my trusty SUNUV UV3 lamp and cured my nails for two minutes. (I tried 60 seconds for the first time and it wasn’t enough.) Repeat the same steps on your other hand, and voilà, your mani is done!Now this last step is optional, but I highly recommend sealing your work with a gel top coat (I use this one from Amazon) for that hyper-glossy shine and extra protection against wear and tear. To give you a peek behind the curtain, I did this mani on Wednesday, I’m writing this article on a Monday, and my nails still look perfect. As in, not-a-single-chip perfect. And mind you, I’m gearing up for a cross-country move and spent the weekend packing boxes and cleaning every inch of my apartment. I did dishes, laundry, cooked, worked out… and they’ve held up impressively well. If that’s not a stress test, I’m not sure what is.

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There has never been a better time to shop for a skin tint. A slew of new options have hit the shelves recently, each promising to impart a natural, “your skin, but better” finish without any streakiness. Some feature buzzy ingredients with skincare benefits (MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Gel Tint, which contains brightening niacinamide, comes to mind). Others, like Merit’s The Uniform, pull double duty by offering SPF protection, guarding the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The latest to join this ever-expanding product category? e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, $18.

If you’re familiar with e.l.f. Cosmetics, you’ve probably already heard of the brand’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter Foundation, $14. This bestseller has cultivated a dedicated following as a more affordable alternative to Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation, $49. Now, the brand promises to bring the same glow-boosting benefits in a featherlight format which also includes SPF 50 protection.

After wearing this new skin tint over several hot summer days, our editors share their honest thoughts on whether it lives up to its glowy promises.

Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

She tried: e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, $18, in shade 6 Light Cool

“Sound the klaxon! I think I’ve found the best skin tint for girlies with light olive skin. Most shades lean too yellow or too pink for me, but 6 Light Cool is just right. It makes me look fresh and alive. Texture-wise, it applies more like a light-coverage foundation than a typical tint, which in my experience tends to be a bit more watery. This one’s got more substance; it easily covers breakouts and acne scars, yet still feels like minimal makeup. I blend it in with a fluffy brush in seconds, and my skin just drinks it up. So much so, I actually look forward to using it every morning. I love the finish too: matte and glowy in all the right places. I’m always pleasantly surprised when I check my makeup in the lift mirror at the end of the day — it’s still perfectly intact, with hardly any movement or creasing. I already know I’m going to use this down to the last drop. In fact, I’ve shelved or given away every other tint in my makeup bag. This is the one.”

L’Oréal Blackett, Unbothered UK Editor

She tried: e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, $18, in shade 11 Tan Warm

“I now have a lovely collection of skin tints, after years of not quite trusting the shade match of many tints on the market. They’ve now replaced my foundations as the makeup I wear daily, so e.l.f. Cosmetics’ new skin tint had a lot to live up to. This is a very light formula but with buildable coverage. It’s sheer enough to feel lightweight on the skin but helps to even out the skin tone. My skin tone is gradually shifting to its summer shade, so if you’re my ‘shade twin’, I would pick a few shades darker. The result isn’t my perfect match — but close — and I feel good that there were plenty of other options for me in the shade range, from ‘tan’ to ‘deep’ with options of cool, neutral and warm undertones (this amount of choice is always a win for an affordable brand). The formula is sheer enough to blend into my skin and look undetectable. It feels just like skin. All in all, this is a great skin tint at an accessible price point — and a handy one to pack in your hand luggage for your next holiday.”

Venus Wong, senior writer

She tried: e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, $18, in shades 6 Light Cool and 8 Medium Neutral

“Let’s start with the positives: I’m very impressed by the formula, which melts right into the skin and casts a healthy, glowy filter. I wore shade 8 Medium Neutral to a party and got non-stop compliments about how lovely my skin looked. I attribute this to niacinamide, an ingredient that helps brighten the skin and reduce oil production. The coverage is sufficient enough to blur some of the spots around my temples and even out patches of discoloration without feeling like an oil slick, which is always a bonus when I barely feel like wearing makeup in the summer. It has a slightly thick texture, so the application looked far more natural when I stippled the product with a foundation brush, compared to just using my fingers (this is worth keeping in mind if you prefer using your hands). The one letdown for me has to do with the shade: For some reason, Light Cool was far too fair on my skin, while Medium Neutral appeared almost orange. I’ve seen creators like Golloria and The Lipstick Lesbians discuss their struggles with the shade range, saying that the product can oxidize and appear more orange on the skin. Medium Neutral looked great after I mixed it with my go-to highlighter drops (Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Hue Drops in Rosy Glow), but I definitely think the brand can benefit from a shade expansion.”

Karina Hoshikawa, senior writer

She tried: e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50, $18, in shades 5 Light Warm and 7 Medium Warm

“Many skin tints and foundations claim to have a skin-like finish, but e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Skin Tint has exceeded my expectations with flying colors. It’s truly undetectable on skin, even when I build up coverage. While anything with ‘glow’ in the product name tends to read as greasy on my oily skin, this stuff miraculously looks incredible. It has a filter-like finish that blurs imperfections but looks like I don’t have any makeup on. I mix shades 5 and 7 to get a perfect match, but I could definitely use either one alone based on the time of year and how tanned I am. The fact that it has SPF 50 protection (it’s mineral, but doesn’t appear ashy on my skin) easily makes this my new go-to complexion product for summer. If it came in a Costco-sized jug, I’d be the first in line to buy.”

This article was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

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The “locking in” side of TikTok is unrelenting. Early morning alarm clocks followed by a montage of to-do lists, meal-prepped oats, and speed typing on the latest MacBook Pro. Sound bites from motivational speaker Mel Robbins play in the background. “The bottom line is, no one is coming,” she says. “Unless you understand that you’ve got to push yourself, you’re not gonna make your dreams come true.” If you’re familiar with the above, you’ve seen how people swear by “locking in”.

Locking in, for the uninitiated, is a trend which sees TikTokers pursue discipline, cut out distractions, and chase long-term goals with near-military focus, be it in their professional lives, academic careers, or simply their workout routines. From dopamine detoxes to grind playlists, locking in marks a sharp pivot from the “soft life” trend that once dominated feeds. Soothing videos promoting slow mornings and self-care are now completely outnumbered, with all-time figures showing there’s just over 460 thousand posts using the soft life hashtag on TikTok compared to millions using locked in and locking in. The question is, what triggered this collective switch?

“I think a big part of this shift is economic reality finally catching up with softness,” says Hali, a 22-year-old from Minnesota. “Rent is up, [school] tuition is wild, and social mobility feels like it’s shrinking, so naturally there’s this urgency, especially among young people, to do something about it.” For Hali, who’s built a following of over 130,000 followers on TikTok by sharing career, lifestyle, and personal development videos, locking in means aligning her actions with the life she wants. “It’s not just about working,” she tells me, “it’s about reclaiming power in a system that often leaves us feeling powerless.”

Although she’s always been productive, Hali “amplified” this nine months ago. With a growing list of responsibilities (see: school studies, running a new business, and creating social content), she realized that “coasting was not productive” and there was more “potential” to be unlocked. “I live by my Google Calendar,” she says of how she applies herself to achieve this. “I time-block everything – from classes to content editing to deep work on my projects. I wake up early, plan my weeks, and treat my goals like they’re due tomorrow.”

@haliijama I said this before and I’ll say it again!! Do the hard work now so future you can live off the fruits of your labor. You are never going to be this energized, motivated & young again and it’s better to work on these things now rather than later. #discipline #selfdiscipline #motivationalvideo #lifeadvice #chooseyourhard #motivationalclip ♬ original sound – Hali Jama

Hali isn’t alone in that thinking or way of life. “With the unending uncertainty of the world, economically, politically, and culturally, I believe people are turning inward and focusing on what they can control: their mindset, their habits, and their goals,” says Chloe, a 26-year-old from Los Angeles who locked in two years ago – well before the trend made it to our TikTok feeds. After a series of job swaps and a failed business venture, Chloe reached a “turning point” and took a “hard, honest look” at her situation. “I knew I had to change the way I was living – starting with my mindset and daily habits.”

Fast forward to 2025 and things are totally different for Chloe, who’s now a qualified personal trainer and founder of a start-up. “I’ve been deeply committed to personal growth,” she says, pointing to the “transformative” practices – like meditating, journaling, working out, and meal-prepping – that help her be “a little kinder, hotter, smarter, and richer, and more radiant every single day.”

“In periods of scarcity or instability, we often react by narrowing our focus and over-indexing on behaviours we can influence, like budgeting, working harder, or hyper-planning our futures,” explains Samantha Rosenberg, behavioural economist and co-founder of wealth-tech platform, Belong. “This urgency is also driven by anticipatory regret: the fear of looking back and wishing you’d done more, earlier.”

“Self-discipline becomes a kind of psychological safety net,” she adds. “It’s why we’re seeing a shift from ‘treat yourself’ to ‘train yourself’. It feels safer.” With that in mind, it makes sense that so many people are resonating with this stricter approach to life, and a quick look at Google Trends backs this up. Over the past three months, searches for “locked in” have shown a steady increase globally, particularly in the UK (with a growth of over 30%) and the US. Meanwhile, searches for soft life have plateaued.

@samiadotcom Then I’m locked in for hours 🌟 #fyp #studytok #unilife #studytokaesthetic #dailymotivation #growthmindset #dailyreminders #motivationalclip #youcandoit #smallcontentcreators #successful #successmindset #goaloriented #studentlife #academicsuccess #academics #academicweapon #samiadotcom ♬ son original – 🎧Lyrics🎶☁️

“The ‘soft life’ was about rest and protecting peace, but I think a lot of us realized that soft living isn’t sustainable long-term without some structure or achievement to back it,” says 23-year-old Samia, a London-based student. The soft life doesn’t lend itself goals that require some level of grit to achieve. “Eventually, I felt stuck,” agrees Weirong, a 25-year-old communication expert and podcaster who swapped the ‘soft life’ for one that’s ‘locked in’. “The pause that once felt like healing started to feel like avoidance,” she continues. “I noticed myself delaying goals in the name of ‘alignment,’ when really I was afraid of failing.”

“‘Locking in’ became my way of honouring the growth from the ‘soft life’ while re-engaging with the world, this time with clarity and purpose,” Weirong adds of this lifestyle transition. “I show up with consistency even when it’s uncomfortable – I wake up earlier to journal, prioritize deep work, say no to distractions. It’s about combining self-awareness with strategy.”

Since ‘locking in’, all four women say they’ve noticed financial and professional improvements. Hali tells me of her business’ growth and the brand deals she’s secured, Samia points to the quality of her academic performance, Weirong is celebrating new projects and a podcast while Chloe says she’s found “true purpose” in her start-up. This sounds great, but has it come at a cost to other areas of their lives?

Dr Audrey Tang, a psychologist specializing in resilience, burnout, and performance culture, tells me ‘locking in’ can be positive when it means “listening to what your body needs and feeding your soul in a healthy way,” but that’s not always the case. She explains that when behaviours become “performative” and “inauthentic”, we see instances of burnout.

This idea of performance ties directly into the online worlds we occupy, where our behaviours are increasingly shaped by what we see and how we want to be seen. “We’re constantly exposed to curated versions of success, which can trigger what we call ‘relative deprivation’ and fuel an internal race to catch up,” adds Rosenberg. “Our brains aren’t wired for this kind of always-on comparison. Even rest becomes performative – so these social platforms amplify both the extremes of self-care and hustle culture.”

@chloeegaynor and I’m LOCCCKKKINNNGGG in. who’s locking in too 😉 #lockedin #mindset #wellness #fitness #health #sprint #routine ♬ Let it happen by Tame impala – Elldzs★

Chloe admits she’s felt this at times. “I started locking in to build a life I was proud of, one where I didn’t have to work myself to total exhaustion. But I’ve experienced burnout from being too locked in,” she says, explaining this caused her to “miss out on joy, peace, and time with loved ones.” Now, Chloe makes an effort to carve out time for the things she enjoys day-to-day, as well as long-term. “I make it a goal to do at least 20 minutes of something I thoroughly enjoy every day,” she points out. “Even when my schedule is packed, I do my best to stay consistent, and lately I’ve been more intentional about making plans, taking trips, and allowing myself to feel excitement.”

Similarly, Samia says locking in too much triggers feelings of guilt. “You feel like you’re falling behind if you’re not productive every minute,” she says. “I’ve been there and I’m still trying to find my way around it, but I’ve learnt to build flexibility into my schedule and to reframe rest as part of the process, not a sign of weakness.”

“Being self-aware is important,” advises Dr Tang. “If you find your reaction to missing a workout (or whatever your routine is) is out of proportion to the event itself, then you would do well to engage in self-reflection to see if ‘motivation’ has turned into overly rigid discipline, which may not be healthy.”

“The key is knowing when to push and when to pause,” adds Samia, “Rest isn’t a reward but a requirement,” adds Weirong, who points to the soft life lessons she still holds on to. “Locking in, for me, is soft life with purpose – it includes rest, but also requires discipline. It’s the integration of stillness and structure.” To that end, here’s a reminder that purpose doesn’t have to be punishing, and peace doesn’t mean giving up. Yes, your career might skyrocket during a season of locking in – but if it comes at the cost of your mental health, relationships, or happiness, it’s worth asking: success by whose definition?

The pursuit of success is seemingly driving the collective shift toward structure, however that looks for individuals). “When people sense that long-term opportunities – like home ownership or financial freedom – are slipping out of reach, doubling down on discipline offers a sense of agency,” Rosenberg reminds us, adding that by focussing on “immediate actions” we feel like we can “shift the long game.”

Both the soft life and locking in trends offer that illusion of control, and these social media-friendly frameworks promise fulfilment, even if by different routes. But they risk becoming performative obligations than actual choices. Perhaps, then, we needn’t choose a side, but step back from the cycle altogether and accept that a successful life doesn’t have to be optimized, aesthetic, or For You Page-approved. A successful life is whatever you make it.

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The first New Moon of the summer is going to be energetically exhausting. The lunation — which occurs on June 25th — is going to rock us to the core, leaving us needing a vacation from life to repair and mend our hearts. Let’s jump into the messiness, shall we? Remember: The only way out is through.

Being that the New Moon in Cancer (which occurred last summer) often highlights security, relationships, and emotions, it’s safe to say that these will be major focuses of our attention during this lunation. Chipping away at the protective shell and armor we have on isn’t a simple task. Trust must be earned and proven. Rushing matters and feelings could blow up, since we have to work on creating meaningful relationships — especially the one we have with ourselves.

Jupiter in Cancer delivers expansion and a worldly philosophical view that results in a sense of  freedom. The caveat is that Saturn in Aries restricts us from transforming and flourishing. Mars in Virgo invigorates stamina, pushing us toward change even though Saturn is encouraging us to stand still. Neptune in Aries illuminates our fears — even making us somewhat delulu in our ways of thinking.

During this new moon, there will be pushback from others and we might not want to see the truth. We’ll take matters into our own hands, which could lead to arguments. Tempers are at a fever pitch, so don’t poke people or engage in drama. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s in your best interests.

The day before the New Moon, during the Waning Crescent Moon, Jupiter connects with the sun in Cancer, while both planets share a minor frustration with Pluto in Aquarius. This might make you feel powerful, strong, and able to take on the world. Conversely, it can lead to situations that evoke jealousy and fury. Choose your battles wisely. Not partaking in potentially stressful matters is an option, even if it means having an ego hit. Mercury in Cancer aspects the centaur Chiron in Aries, which can help us heal from the day. Going into the New Moon with this energy is useful because it can allow us to start afresh with others and ourselves.

The day after the New Moon, during the Waxing Crescent Moon, Mercury in Cancer and Uranus in Taurus offer a fresh perspective. The Cancer sun and Mars in Virgo energize our auras. Venus in Taurus links up with the Nodes of Destiny, offering us a choice in how we want to partner. Also, Mercury enters Leo, making communication heartfelt and intense. Something to note is that Mercury begins its pre-retrograde shadow in Leo on June 30th, with the retrograde beginning on July 18th. If you manifest this week, make sure to do so before the pre-retrograde zone begins to ensure that they stick. Knowing these aspects is key because we are bringing in information insight. This New Moon will be tough, but remember you will be gaining control and confidence the following day.

Although it may be challenging to comprehend the takeaway from the New Moon in Cancer immediately, the goal is to live and let live. Because only time will tell how people choose to behave in the future, we can only give them (and ourselves) the chance to begin again. Most importantly, we must allow ourselves to transcend, grow, and evolve from the knowledge and wisdom the New Moon gives us. Forgetting is hard, but forgiving ourselves and others is vital. Don’t look back in anger.

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