When the words “Amazon” and “sale” appear together, it’s usually in the context of Prime Day, the two-day online shopping extravaganza that’s become an unofficial holiday. However, depending on how much time you spend scrolling new arrivals (no judgement, this is literally our job), you may or may not be aware that the retailer actually hosts sales year-round. They don’t happen especially often, but they’re definitely worth paying attention to.
Amazon has just kicked off its Big Spring Sale, and we wasted no time in investigating. Taking place March 25 through March 31, it spotlights seasonal items across categories like fashion, homeware, garden accessories, travel essentials, beauty, skincare, and more — all up to 40% off. The discount applies to big-name brands like Samsung, Shark, adidas, and Philips, and it’s open to everyone (though, Prime members can access additional, exclusive deals by looking for the “Prime Spring Deal” badge).
Keep clicking to see what R29’s savvy team of shopping editors are adding to their carts during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
“I love cooking, but it takes me ages to do prep work around the kitchen, especially when it comes to chopping. I’m a big fan of Great Jones’ vibrant kitchenware (I’m a proud owner of the Dutchess in Broccoli), and I’m excited to snap up this oversized cutting board in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale starts. (It also makes the perfect housewarming gift, fyi).” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Great Jones All Aboard Oversized Kitchen Cutting Board, $, available at Amazon
“I use Crest Whitestrips whenever I need a little self care or before I go to a party. They make my teeth look like I just went to the dentist. I cart up a box during every major Amazon sale, without fail.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects, $, available at Amazon
“I can never own enough sunglasses, and this retro pair from Le Specs caught my eye while browsing Amazon’s Shopbop sale section. For 25% off, it’s hard to pass them up — I can see them effortlessly complementing all my spring and summer ‘fits.” — Victoria
Le Specs Atlantis Sunglasses, $, available at Amazon
“I already own a 40oz Stanley that I keep at home to crush my daily hydration goals, but I’ve been looking to get a smaller one that’s more on-the-go friendly. This 30oz version is perfect for bringing along on errands and workout classes, and comes in tons of cute spring colors. I’m partial to this dreamy pastel mint hue.” — Karina
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler, $, available at Amazon
“I knew I was in my thirties when I decided I really wanted a Roomba. I’m pretty tidy at home and have recurring iPhone reminders for everything from changing bedsheets to washing my pup. When it comes to vacuuming my apartment, though? I simply can’t keep up, especially with my aforementioned dog’s shedding. (And mine, for that matter.) I’ve held off on splurging on one of these robot vacuums simply because they can be expensive, but thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale I can make that all important saving.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
iRobot Roomba Vac Robot Vacuum, $, available at Amazon
“Picture this: I’m in my garden on a sunny day, and I’m swaying softly in this hammock, with a stack of books lined up that I just haven’t had time to read yet, a playlist of all my favorite artists playing softly in the distance, and a cold drink of some sort by my side… Ahh, the dream! I just have to make it a reality, right?” — Esther Newman, Affiliate Writer
Amazon Basics Basics Double Hammock, $, available at Amazon
“Thinking ahead to my dad’s birthday, I have my eye on these Crocs. He spends all his time tending to his precious veg patch, feeding worms to the local robins, and chatting with his neighbors. As it starts to get warmer out, I know he’ll really appreciate a pair of sturdy yet lightweight shoes to throw on as he potters away.” — Esther
Crocs Unisex-Adult Dylan Clogs, $, available at Amazon
“I’m travelling to three weddings this summer, all for friends in the same group — that means I’ll be sharing mirrors with three other girls each time, all while trying to deal with dim hotel lighting. Here to save the day is this handy portable mirror, which I’ll be snapping up during the Big Spring Sale.” — Esther
Infitrans 3 Folds Lighted Vanity Makeup Mirror, $, available at Amazon
“I love all of Laneige’s lip products, and I always have a Lip Glowy Balm in any given bag. I wear it on its own for some juicy hydration, or overtop lipstick for a glowy lipgloss-like finish. While the vanilla one is my current go-to, I’m excited to try this peach scent while it’s on sale and fully embrace the upcoming peach season.” — Victoria
I’m not not eyeing these just because they’re named after Piper (pronounced in The White Lotus’ Victoria Ratliff’s iconic Southern drawl, of course) — but it sure doesn’t hurt! In all seriousness, I’ve been hunting for an elevated-yet-casual shoe for spring, and I think I’ve found the one in these pointed-toe Cole Haan mules. I can already picture them with jeans, dresses, and basically everything in my closet — and at 62% off? Total steal. — Karina
Cole Haan Women’s Piper Mule, $, available at Amazon
An airline recently misplaced my checked luggage, and it took two whole days to get it back. If you’ve ever lived through that nightmare, you know how crucial it is to travel with AirTags. They give you peace of mind — especially when the airline is radio silent about your bag’s whereabouts. With this 30% off deal, now’s the time to stock up before summer vacation season. — Venus
Nordstrom is home to some of the best names in beauty — think Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, La Mer, Nécessaire — all marked down for this extra-special spring sale: (A few brands and products are excluded, including Chanel, Dyson, Shark, Sisley Paris, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and more.) With pages of covetable beauty picks to sift through, we did the legwork and rounded up 10 must-shop finds from Nordstrom’s major beauty blowout.
If we had to choose one product from editor-beloved Nécessaire, it would be this one. This luxurious body wash comes in subtle scents like santal, hinoki, and eucalyptus, setting the stage for your ultimate everything shower.
TikTok made it famous, but Black Honey’s real power is in its universal appeal. The sheer, warm cherry-brown shade is truly a one-swipe wonder — no mirror needed.
A rare discount on La Mer’s iconic cream is no small deal. Infused with the brand’s proprietary Miracle Broth, this decadent formula leaves skin feeling softer, smoother, and naturally radiant.
Turn up the glow with Supergoop!’s highlighter-sunscreen hybrid. With broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection and a luminous finish, it’s a summer essential in shades like rose gold, champagne, and bronze.
It doesn’t get more posh than Dior’s Lip Glow Balm, closely resembling an objet d’art morethan a lip balm. Housed in a vintage-inspired tube, this pH-reactive balm delivers a sheer tint that adjusts to your unique tone — choose from pale pink, icy blue, tangerine, and more.
Olaplex’s bond-building magic now comes in serum form. Lightweight and hydrating, it shields hair from heat up to 450° while leaving strands smooth and nourished.
Cream blush done right. Gucci Westman’s Baby Cheeks blends like a dream and comes in a range of flawless shades — the perfect addition to your spring routine.
There’s a reason Charlotte Tilbury’s lip pencil has cult status — the ultra-creamy, long-wearing formula perfects your pout with precise, pigmented definition.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Refinery 29’s Global Fashion Director Irina Grechko knows a thing or two (or twenty-two!) about what makes a good fashion investment. Watch this space monthly to get answers to all your shopping questions, and insights on the season’s top trends and covetable styles, as Irina shares her shopping picks as if it’s her job… because it is.
After years of working in fashion and traveling everywhere from Japan to London and Iceland for work, I’ve got my packing down to an art — I rarely bring more than I need (if only so I have room in my suitcase for all the destination shopping). I have my favorite luggage brands (Rimowa and Away), my must-have travel jewelry and cosmetics cases (Tumi), and, most importantly, my go-to outfit formulas.
In terms of the latter, what has helped me streamline my packing is to identify the “theme” of the trip. If I am traveling for Fashion Week, I start planning outfits with shoes, which need to be comfortable — as I am constantly on the move and need to be able to jump on a subway or walk briskly when running late — but presentable. If I am going on a more leisurely trip, I will pick a few colors and plan looks around them for maximum outfit combos. Regardless of where I go, every piece of clothing needs to work with at least two other pieces in my suitcase.
Most recently, this technique has served me when I was away for 10 days in Paris during Fashion Week. Ahead, my go-to packing list.
Packing List: Shoes
As with every work trip, I started packing for Paris by deciding on the three pairs of shoes I would bring. All had to pass the on-the-go test, ranging from shoes comfortable enough to sleep in (not really but you get the picture) to evening shoes that I can walk and stand in for at least four hours. I settled on ultra-comfortable sneakers from a past Adidas x Bad Bunny collaboration for the busiest days (my second favorite “fashion sneakers” are from the Adidas x Wales Bonner partnership), heeled loafers from French brand Nomasei for the slightly less busy days, and my forever favorite knee-high stilettos from Larroudé for evenings.
Packing List: Pants
Next step is looking at the bottoms that will work with my shoes. When settling on a color palette for a work trip, I tend to stick to neutrals for maximum versatility and outfit options. For me, this tends to mean dark-wash, tailored jeans; a go-with-everything white denim midi skirt; and a pair of classic navy, black, or olive trousers (I went with navy this season).
Packing List: Tops
I don’t overthink tops when traveling, packing my favorite tried-and-true (if boring) tees, button-downs, and sweaters. In addition to the staples, I bring blazers that can also double as tops (see photo above), as well as turtlenecks for extra texture or a pop of color (Pleats Please Issey Miyake styles work great for this).
In the last two months, no top has gotten more traction in my closet than this Mango blouse. I throw it underneath suits (see photo below), leather jackets, and sweaters for an instant element of drama that elevates what could otherwise be perceived as a basic look.
Packing List: Suit
Speaking of suits, after years of bringing dresses that I would wear only once on trips, I began to pack skirt and pant suits instead. These are so versatile — not only can you wear a matching set together for a look that doesn’t take more than a few minutes to put together (great for mornings when you’re running late), but you can also sport them separately with other items in the suitcase. I love the look of a wool pant tucked into a high-knee boot, or a striped blazer over a more casual mariniere tee or an athletic polo shirt.
Packing List: Outerwear
Some fashion editors consider coats the most important part of the outfit during the cold-weather season. And while that’s true — when editors run from show to show in February, their outerwear is the only thing you see — if I were to bring a coat for every day of PFW, I would have to lug two suitcases and still not have room for anything else.
Instead, for versatility, I tend to stick to a few oversized outerwear silhouettes. That way, I can create layered looks underneath and cheat the image of more looks than I actually have in my suitcase by wearing the jackets open and closed. This waxed Barbour jacket (a signature of the brand for a very good reason) looks equally good with a sweater underneath as over it. Meanwhile, the Mango leather jacket with adjustable zippers that move both ways (photo below) can be worn to highlight the top or the bottom part of the outfit.
Packing List: Accessories
Shoes aside, my accessories are limited to three handbags — two medium-sized crossbodies and an evening-appropriate (and flat) bag that could range from an oversized clutch (see suit photo) to a small shoulder style (photo above) — in solid colors that go with every possible look, as well as a mix of chunky gold and silver earrings that can dress up a simple outfit.
After years of receiving scarves as gifts, and thanks to my Instagram algorithm that’s now filled with styling hacks, I’ve begun to take advantage of my collection and adding them to my must-pack list, not only wearing them around my neck but as ties, belts, headbands, and bag accessories.
Growing out my nails has never been my strong suit. Until recently, I could barely make it a few weeks before breaking one while doing something as untaxing as zipping up my jeans, let alone facing every nail’s nemesis: the ring pull on a can of Coke.
To give them a fighting chance, I’d take skin, hair, and nail supplements like they were going out of fashion, wear gloves while carrying out even the smallest of chores, and refrain from using my nails as tools to open my mail (we all do it). Frustratingly, none of those things worked. What I needed was some expert guidance.
Over the past year, I’ve collected tips and tricks from nail technicians, dermatologists, and even TikTok’s manicure obsessives. But I won’t gatekeep. These are the six simple, and most importantly, affordable, pieces of advice I was given for longer, stronger nails that actually worked.
I chose cuticle oil over nail hardeners
Dr. Dana Stern, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dana says that the cuticle is the nail’s natural protective seal. When it becomes dry and dehydrated, it’s compromised: “When this happens, water and moisture can enter the nail unit,” she says. “This causes all sorts of problems including redness and swelling,” and eventually, the nail could grow irregularly: “Think white patches, bumps, thickening, and discoloration,” she says.
While most nail technicians will trim or remove dead cuticle skin during a manicure for aesthetic reasons, using cuticle oil still offers multiple benefits for the remaining skin surrounding your nails as I’ve discovered: “Regular application of cuticle oil helps maintain hydration,” says Dr. Zainab Laftah, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson. “Hydration benefits both the nail and surrounding skin by reducing brittleness, enhancing nail health, supporting healthy nail growth, and preventing infections,” she adds.
Unlike nail hardeners, which can make nails a little too hard, session manicurist Ami Streets says that cuticle oil keeps nails flexible, withstanding everyday wear and tear. “Cuticle oil is the best product for growing nails — and my most recommended item to add to your beauty routine,” she says.
Dr. Dana recommends her Nourishing Cuticle Oil, $18, with jojoba oil and indigo naturalis, a Chinese plant known to repair and strengthen the skin barrier. Complete with a handy roller ball for easy, drip-free application, it’s an oil I can vouch for having used it down to the very last drop. Another of my favorites is Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil, $7.49, with moisturizing vitamin E and a dream team of nourishing plant oils. Streets also loves L’Occitane Shea Nail & Cuticle Oil, $22, which is twice as moisturizing as the impressive hand cream in the same collection, and Jessica Phenomenoil, $20.40, another oil we’ve both used up.
Besides ingredients, exactly how you use your cuticle oil matters, too. Streets says that a single drop on each cuticle is ample — and it’s best applied at night to give the oil time to absorb. Not only does cuticle oil hydrate deeper than hand creams, but Streets and Dr. Dana say that the massaging motion could help stimulate circulation and promote nail growth, too.
I switched from traditional gel to builder gel — or BIAB
Not all gel nail polish is created equal. On my brittle nails, most would chip quickly. I’d then pick off the polish and damage my nails even further. It wasn’t until a fellow beauty journalist recommended Builder in a Bottle — also known as BIAB or builder gel — that my nails grew long and strong. I’m almost a year in and I haven’t had a single chip or break. They’re growing so quickly, that I always ask my nail technician to cut them down.
“Builder in a Bottle is a specific type of gel that lends strength and structure to natural nails,” explains Streets. Thanks to its stronger base, Streets says that it’s a great option for those who want to reinforce their nails while trying to grow them, as they can last up to three weeks. Another great thing about BIAB is that it can be infilled, says Streets. This involves getting the grown-out gap near your cuticles filled in with more gel, rather than having to fully remove the polish each time. “This allows natural nails to maintain growth,” adds Streets, but she recommends a maximum of two to three repeated infills before having a short break to keep your nails healthy and happy.
Thanks to BIAB’s harder, more durable finish, Dr. Dana says that it not only serves as a “protective armor” for nails, but it typically has a forgiving, less damaging removal process by soaking off, so it tends to be more advantageous than other nail enhancements like acrylics. “I’ve seen patients who use BIAB and have very healthy nails in comparison to my patients who wear acrylics and do constant soak-off gels,” she says, adding that BIAB’s durable nature also makes it a good option for nail biters.
I addressed my vitamin D deficiency
When a blood test revealed that my vitamin D levels were low, I began taking a 2000 IU vitamin D supplement daily alongside my trusty omega-3, 6, and 9. While there are multiple health benefits to both, Dr. Laftah points out that they could have additional advantages for nails: “Addressing a vitamin D deficiency can improve nail health as low levels can result in brittle nails,” she tells me. Interestingly, one small study suggests that hapalonychia — a condition that causes nails to become soft and prone to breakage — has been associated with vitamin D deficiency. As for omega-3? “Incorporating omega-3 fatty acids into your diet may also benefit nails by providing essential nutrients that support overall nail strength and integrity,” Dr. Laftah says.
However, Dr. Dana points out that no robust studies prove that vitamins or supplements benefit nail health. However, since nails are made of keratin (a type of protein) she suggests that if your diet lacks sufficient protein, it may be worth considering protein supplementation to improve the condition of your nails. Streets also advises incorporating more protein into your diet and drives home the importance of staying hydrated.
Before adding supplements to your routine, consult your doctor to ensure they’re safe and suitable for you.
I took hand cream very seriously
Previously, I’d only use lotion when my hands were uncomfortably dry and on the verge of cracking. Over the past few months, though, I’ve taken moisturizing very seriously, and I’m convinced that keeping my hands adequately hydrated throughout the day has also benefited my nails.
I was right. For clients who want longer, stronger nails, Dr. Laftah recommends moisturizing regularly to maintain hydration. “Using a nourishing and hydrating hand cream can help,” adds Streets. “Not only does it keep skin in a supple and soft condition, but it can also act as a protective barrier against environmental stressors,” — like cold weather. Streets says that dry, cracked skin and cuticles can lead to infection or weak nail growth, so consistent daily use of a moisturizing product is essential.
If you want fast hydration without the sticky feel, I love Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Hand Cream, $15. If your hands are especially dry, my all-time favorite hand lotion is L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, $43. The silky soft feeling sticks around for hours — even post-hand-wash. “On application, make sure you use a massaging motion,” advises Streets. “It can help to boost blood flow to hands and cuticles, which supports new nail growth even further.”
I started using a glass nail file
Dr. Dana believes that many nail files, particularly traditional, rough emery boards, can be too abrasive for natural nails, potentially causing “microscopic tears” that lead to splits and breakage. That’s where glass or crystal nail files come in. On days when I gave my nails a break from BIAB, I’d file away rough edges with a glass file, which I’m certain is kinder on nails.
“In contrast [to emery boards], glass creates a perfectly smooth, split-free edge to the nail,” says Dr. Dana, who uses the Precision Glass File, $15. Likewise, Streets believes that a glass nail file is a worthwhile investment for at-home manicures: “They provide a finer and more controlled filing experience, and the smooth edges help seal the keratin layers at the nails edge, preventing splitting, peeling, and snagging that can occur when using a rougher emery board.” What’s more, Streets points out that glass nail files are non-porous and can be washed or sanitized between uses.
Lastly, I exfoliated my nails
With its ability to exfoliate the skin, leaving it smoother and brighter, glycolic acid is a staple in many skincare routines, but it can benefit your natural nails, too. In between BIAB appointments, I’ve often applied a glycolic acid toner to my nails and cuticles using a cotton swab, then followed with a glug of cuticle oil. The result? Fewer flakes and a stronger, smoother canvas for nail polish. If you’d rather not DIY, try the Dr. Dana Nail Renewal System, $30, a once-weekly, 3-step nail system that boasts glycolic acid, a nail primer, and a hydrating gel-oil to reveal healthy, hydrated, and shiny nails, fast. “It’s perfect for brittle, peeling, weak nails, post-gel damage, or if you simply want a gorgeous, healthy-looking shine without having to go to the salon,” says Dr. Dana.
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Incels, Andrew Tate, male rage and the menacing Manosphere: These are the images that come to mind when I think of the prominent themes grappled with in Adolescence — Netflix’s new hit show that has viewers in a chokehold. What doesn’t come to my mind, however, is an agenda to demonize white British boys and men. And yet, despite the series’ growing critical acclaim, countless social media users are in uproar over the series’ depiction of a very young, white male murder suspect — with some even stating that it should have been a Black boy instead. The series’ true message of preventing gender-based youth violence is at risk of being hijacked by reactionary rhetoric.
Written by Jack Thorne and British actor Stephen Graham, Adolescence tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a quiet, shy boy from a white working-class family in Yorkshire (played with haunting precision by novice actor Owen Cooper), who, one morning, is unexpectedly arrested on suspicion of the murder of his classmate, 13-year-old Katie Leonard. But unlike most shows centred around a mysterious murder, Adolescence is not a “whodunnit”, but a “whydunnit”, as Thorne describes it, and the aim of the series is to investigate the reasons why a teenage boy like Jamie brutally stabbed Katie to death.
The four-episode miniseries made its debut on March 13 and amassed 24.3 million views within its first four days, making it the streaming platform’s most-watched TV show in the UK right now. This isn’t surprising considering how masterfully the show explores the impact of social media’s “red pill” content on young boys, shaping misogynistic attitudes towards women and girls.
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The race debate is derailing much-needed dialogue about youth gender violence
Adolescence’s message is clear as day. It’s a show about the dangers the digital ‘Manosphere’ poses to the social development of vulnerable, disenfranchised adolescent boys, who are susceptible to being indoctrinated with misogynistic ideas. Writers Thorne and Graham have been very vocal about this, with Graham saying that he was inspired to create the show after reading about two instances of a teenage boy killing a teenage girl. They are even calling for the miniseries to be “shown in schools and parliament” to help prevent the escalation of youth gender violence.
Despite the creators clarifying Adolescence’s hard-hitting message — and politicians (and anyone actually paying attention) celebrating it — some have distorted this valuable, life-saving message into something sinister and calculated.
After finishing the last episode, teary-eyed from witnessing the devastating impact of Jamie’s actions on his family, I was surprised to see social media users criticizing the show. It seems their issue wasn’t with the acting or storytelling but with the decision to cast a white boy as Jamie. Some have claimed this choice was part of an “agenda” to demonize white boys and misrepresent them as the primary perpetrators of youth violence, especially because Graham was inspired to make this show after reading about the tragic 2023 killing of 15-year-old Elianne Andam, who was stabbed by then 17-year-old Hassan Sentamu in South London.
According to these critics, since Sentamu is Black, the show’s creators should have cast a Black actor to play Jamie to better represent the reality of gender violence trends. What they are omitting, however, is that Graham also said that he drew inspiration from the fatal stabbing of 12-year-old Ava White by a 15-year-old white boy in Liverpool’s city centre.
What’s frustrating is that, in 2025, we even have to recount such terrible tragedies just to make the point that youth gender violence is a problem across all communities in the UK.
One comment, which received over 5,000 likes, came from journalist and former Reclaim Party deputy Martin Daubney, who posted a bar graph from the Centre of Migration Control, which shows the nationalities of sex offenders. He wrote, “If Netflix & the government really want to address toxic misogyny in Britain, make a documentary based on facts?”, citing that foreign nationals were “71% more likely to be sex offenders”.
These claims ignore countless examples of white British men and boys who have committed atrocious crimes against women and girls like 12-year-old Ava White. In July last year, Kyle Clifford killed his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, and her sister Hannah with a crossbow after fatally stabbing their mother, Carol Hunt, eight times. Incidents like this prove that gender violence isn’t committed exclusively by men of color or immigrants. It’s a problem that knows no racial or cultural boundaries. What’s frustrating is that, in 2025, we even have to recount such terrible tragedies just to make the point that youth gender violence is a problem across all communities in the UK.
Honestly, who would ever have thought that in modern-day Britain, white people would be complaining about casting a white actor in a protagonist role? Oh, the irony. Wasn’t it just the other day that people were up in arms about Halle Bailey being cast as Disney’s ‘Little Mermaid’? Or that customers threatened Sainsbury’s with a boycott for releasing a Christmas advert featuring a Black family? (The horror!) Fast forward to today, when we have influential figures like Martin Daubney weaponizing well-meaning campaigns for diverse representation against Black people and using them to fuel reactionary politics. So, we can’t play mermaids or fun-loving families, but we most definitely should play cold-blooded murderers. It would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous.
How the far-right is blurring the lines between race and nationality to spread hate
As a British Nigerian, born and raised in London, I’ve always felt like my race supersedes my nationality. This country sees me as Black before it sees me as British, and that is a reality that I’m all too aware of. We saw indicators of this during last summer’s anti-immigration riots. Although far-right leader Tommy Robinson described the chaos as a result of “legitimate concerns” about migration (which, of course, isn’t exclusive to migrants of color), how come it was simply Black and Asian Brits — many of whom were born in this country — who bore the brunt of the violence through senseless mob beatings and Islamophobic attacks on mosques?
The interchangeable use of race and nationality is a tactic that is commonly used by bigots to vocalize their racism without the contemporary fear of being labelled the unutterable r-word: “racist”. To avoid being tainted with this forbidden word, they conflate race with nationality to disguise themselves as “true patriots” who are simply concerned about the socioeconomic effects of migration on their beloved Britain. We saw this play out after the tragic 2023 killing of students Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, and school caretaker Ian Coates in Nottingham when people took to social media to complain about the killer’s migrant background, while also making explicitly racist comments in the process.
Adolescence shows how commonplace youth violence, and in particular youth gender violence, can be in a society where boys and young men constantly have red pill content and narratives promoting toxic masculinity shoved down their throats by the Andrew Tates of the online world.
In a debate on GB News, former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle clashed with Martin Daubney, who claimed that Adolescence shouldn’t be shown in schools because it promotes the idea that “white working-class lads are rapists waiting to happen”, which, according to the bar graph from the Centre of Migration Control, he said was “far from the reality”. Russel-Moyle rightly called out Daubney’s interchangeable use of nationality and race. He said: “That graph has got nothing to do with race. White is a race, not a nationality. Get your facts right. Something like 95% of people in this country grew up in this country and go to the education system in this country, so these [migrant sex offenders make up] very small numbers in terms of the absolute numbers.”
He was right. If the argument is that immigrants are more likely to commit violent crimes against women and girls because of their lack of socialisation into British culture, then surely the emphasis shouldn’t be on the colour of Jamie’s skin, but on his nationality? By this (equally problematic) logic, Jamie’s character could have been written to be Polish, Turkish or Greek. He didn’t have to be Black, as many have suggested. Last year, Spanish-Brazilian national Marcus Arduini Monzo callously killed 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in a horrific sword attack that shocked the nation, yet his migrant background was barely highlighted in news reports and on social media. Why? Because he is white.
Why the conversations about Adolescence should focus on how we can protect young people
Beyond the obvious theme of murder and the suspenseful one-shot format (each episode was impeccably shot in a singular continuous take), what makes Adolescence feel incredibly chilling is the implausibility of a seemingly innocent Jamie being a cold-blooded killer. Spoiler alert: We find out at the end of the first episode, through damning CCTV evidence, that Jamie is guilty (as I said, the show is definitely not a whodunnit). But, up until that point — and honestly, I’m ashamed to admit this — until episode 3, there is a part of me that believed that he didn’t do it and they got the wrong guy. This obviously seems ridiculous, given that a figure who happened to look exactly like Jamie was caught stabbing Katie in 4K. Stupidly, I guess, I bought into his pleas of innocence in episode 1. I mean, he seemed so innocent and so sincere.
But that’s what makes Adolescence so powerful. It shows how commonplace youth violence, and in particular youth gender violence, can be in a society where boys and young men constantly have red pill content and narratives promoting toxic masculinity shoved down their throats by the Andrew Tates of the online world.
Youth violence is not an ‘us vs. them’ problem. It’s a societal problem that impacts people of all races and cultural backgrounds.
Preventing incidents like this is what we need to refocus our attention on. Youth violence is not an ‘us vs. them’ problem. It’s a societal problem that impacts people of all races and cultural backgrounds. By entertaining harmful anti-immigration rhetoric and false narratives about white victimhood, we risk not only a repeat of the violence against people of color during last summer’s riots but also the continued killing of young people, irrespective of the color of their skin. Now, this would be the real tragedy.
In a video about the making of Adolescence, co-creator Jack Thorne said: “We’re not trying to give answers. We’re not trying to lay blame particularly. It’s a really complicated time but we need to be talking about these things.” I think this is a key takeaway.
Contrary to what right-wing extremists would want us to believe, Adolescence is not trying to blame or “demonize” white boys. It brings to light a real issue with devastating real-life consequences for the families of both victims and perpetrators. It doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but at least it’s started a much-needed, long-overdue conversation. Now, all we need to do is keep it on the right track.
The CHULA Method is my way of adding sazón to the nutrition movement, and also helping you heal your relationship with food and your body. One day, I was on a one-on-one call with a chula (who happened to be a marketer and freaking Super Bowl producer!), and she said to me, “Why don’t you create a method? I mean, what you are teaching me is so valuable and you need to put a name to it.” I truly had never thought of it, but after our call, it all just fell into place for me—CHULA:
Challenge the negative thoughts
Honor your body and health
Understand your needs and body cues
Listen to your hunger and fullness
Acknowledge your emotions
Let’s begin with challenging those negative thoughts. As a woman, you no doubt contend with them everywhere! We have negative thoughts about our bodies, what we eat, how productive we are, even how good we are at parenting. Just about everything seems to be negative. But functioning in the negative is not for me, and it shouldn’t be for you either. However, I’d like to clarify that I am not talking about toxic positivity, because I do not believe we can just positively think our way into happiness. But when it comes to food and our bodies, when we add in food and exercise from a positive place, it helps us feel better.
When I was going to Penn State for my bachelor’s in nutritional sciences, I was the only Latina. I remember there being one Black girl and a few Asians. We were the outliers. My senior year was 2009–2010, peak Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign time. The fight against “obesity” was going strong, and as future dietitians, my classmates and I were in it. We were going to save everyone—at least that’s what I believed. Now, there is nothing wrong with the ideas in the campaign: healthier school meals, more physical activity, healthier families, better access to affordable and healthy food, public–private partnerships promoting healthful behaviors, and childcare improvements—those are all great things to strive for. The issue with this and many similar campaigns is that the people on the ground, the ones who really need it, don’t get the benefits. These ideas are too broad to actually fix the systemic issues, and unfortunately, diet culture ends up taking those healthy behaviors to the extreme.
“In my classes, all we learned was how to ‘fix’ my community, how to ‘fix’ the food, how to ‘fix’ the people’s health, and how to make them better, basically by erasing any inch of culture they had left.”
dalina soto
In my classes, all we learned was how to “fix” my community, how to “fix” the food, how to “fix” the people’s health, and how to make them better, basically by erasing any inch of culture they had left. I was inundated with negative thoughts about my community based on what everyone was saying. In every course, I was taught to tell people who looked like me to switch from white rice to brown because it was “better.” I was taught that Latine foods are higher in fat and mostly fried and therefore should be avoided. I wrestled with what I was learning because my lessons were telling me my mami’s food was bad. They were telling me that the community I grew up with was bad, that processed and fried foods were the issue. But not once did they mention how redlining prevented BIPOC communities from building generational wealth and how the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 disproportionately tore down BIPOC communities by routing new highways through their neighborhoods, often leaving them in food swamps, areas where fast-food restaurants and corner stores are more prevalent than places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. While growing up in Philadelphia, I walked those streets. I knew that those people did not have access to healthy food. And I knew something had to change; I just did not have the words for it.
I couldn’t grasp at the time that just because my foods weren’t being studied or showcased in my curriculum, it didn’t mean they were bad. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I could hear my abuela’s voice and feel her love for our traditional dishes. But in that moment, back in 2010, I genuinely believed that it was our food making my community sick—and I was going to be the one to “save” them.
Whenever I’ve been asked about nutrition by the media, or even when I was trying to land a book deal, the question has always been: Why do Latinas need this information? What makes your approach different from what’s already out there? My response has always been the same: because, to my knowledge, no one has talked about our comida and our comunidad in a positive light.
“When we aren’t focused on fitting into a mold that was never meant for us, we can focus on real nutrition.”
dalina soto
Every single article, research paper, media clip, Instagram post, etc., that I see speaks down on our foods. You can see it regularly on TikTok. One of my most viral videos is me speaking up against a Mexican cardiologist who told her followers that eating refried beans and tortillas (along with other food staples in the Mexican diet) was the reason that Latines have higher rates of heart disease. The media is always telling us that somehow, we are going to die because of the way we eat. We will dig into all of the stats and chronic diseases in Chapter 6, but in this chapter, as we begin our journey to authentic health, you need to learn to feel compassion for yourself and to challenge the negative thoughts around your body. Then, when we aren’t focused on fitting into a mold that was never meant for us, we can focus on real nutrition.
CHALLENGING BODY IMAGE IN OURLATINE COMMUNITIES
We live in a world that values thinness, that values a certain look. It values more highly a certain hair type, a certain color of eyes, and certain features. We know that if we are “beautiful” by the standards of society, for the most part, there is safety in that. Of course, misogyny is still there—no one can outrun it—but there is safety and comfort in knowing that looking a certain way brings us benefits. Being pretty and thin allows you to glide through without comments. I know this: I was the thin one, and often the pretty one. I never got comments about my body or weight. (Now, my hair, that was a different story.) But the truth is, challenging negative thoughts about your body is hard. And I will never, ever minimize that. I will never tell you that wanting to lose weight, change your body, or be accepted is wrong. Because it’s just a fact that it is easier to live in society when you fit a certain “type.”
However, what I hope to do is to point out some of the main issues that I see in our communities that drive this ideal, and then you, and only you, can decide what to do with this information. You can decide to embrace the body you have now and focus on health behaviors, or you can come back to it later when you feel like you are in a better place. Whatever you decide is fine.
I am a millennial, and I would like to set a scene showing how the teenage years of people in my generation might have gone and why we feel the way we do about our bodies.
The year is 2004, you are in high school, and RBD is playing at home every day after school. Let me tell you about Anahí, the star of Rebelde, aka Mia Colucci, telenovela character, who impacted us viewers and how we saw ourselves in our communities. Recently, with the RBD reunion, Anahí has been vocal about the pressure she faced during that time to look a certain way and how it led to her developing an eating disorder. She’s done a few candid interviews about how she was bullied on live TV by super-famous hosts and how it affected her. It affected her, and it also affected us.
They pushed her to be thin, to have blond hair, to speak English to seem cool, to talk like a stereotypical valley girl. We all wanted to be her, to not be the girls with the brown hair. This can plant the seeds of negative thoughts about our bodies. We were conditioned to want the flat stomach for wearing low-rise jeans, the “not too big, not too small” butt to fit the clothing, the “not too big, not too small” boobs for wearing a button-down shirt—basically an impossible standard that no one can achieve. Or if they can, they have to struggle to stay there and maintain it.
But before we discuss challenging thoughts around body image, we need to set some facts straight about the Latino community and its anti-Black beliefs. If me saying these words upsets you, makes you angry, makes you want to email me or DM me to tell me how wrong I am and ask how the heck I can sit here and say that our community is racist, then I need you to take a deep breath, journal those feelings, and do a simple Google search. The internet is free and you can get the history lessons there, or better yet, invest in Black educators who are doing the work of trying to end our culture’s anti-Black bias.
“The idolization of European features encourages diet culture and the development of eating disorders in our community.”
dalina soto
If you have heard the term “mejorar la raza”—“better the race”—you cannot deny the anti-Blackness in our community that stems from colonization. That colonization led the populations of many of our Latin American countries to idolize the European ideal because there was a time when marrying someone with lighter skin to move up in the caste system was the main goal in communities in every damn country. The idolization of European features encourages diet culture and the development of eating disorders in our community.
Something else that has just as large an impact on our perception of ourselves and stems from within the Latine community is telenovelas. When I was growing up, after school you could always find me watching the novelas in the living room as my mom cooked dinner and I was supposed to be doing homework. I have vivid memories of watching Agujetas de color de rosa, partly because I couldn’t look away from the drama unfolding on the screen and partly because I was an ice-skater at that time (which didn’t last very long).
Novelas have a special place in my heart, but I also recognize that they have done a lot of damage to how we view ourselves and our bodies through underrepresentation and tokenism, colorism, self-perception, and stereotyping.
Indigenous and Black actresses are historically underrepresented in leading roles in novelas. I tried to think of one novela, just one, that I could remember from when I was growing up that had a Black or Indigenous protagonista. I googled, and you guessed it, zero. I did, however, come across an article in Hispanic Executive—“Hisplaining: Why Most Mexican Telenovela Stars Are Güeros,”1 in which author Laura Martinez explains:
Growing up in Mexico City, watching telenovelas, and being exposed to a constant bombardment of TV commercials, I was convinced that most Mexicans were blue-eyed blonds. . . . [The] overrepresentation of white people in my country was a consequence of a harsh reality . . . colorism exists and is not limited to my birth country.
“The underrepresentation plus the colorism made many of us feel like we were not enough.”
dalina soto
And I can 100 percent say this is also true in the Dominican Republic. There is more diversity on locally produced TV shows, but the commercials? I was always so confused. How could these blondes be selling us this stuff? Truly mind-boggling, but not surprising. The underrepresentation plus the colorism made many of us feel like we were not enough. I never saw anyone who looked like me. No one with curly hair, and honestly no one with my accent, unless I was in DR watching a local show. The mainstream media looked a lot like America, and I am not talking about Ferrera.
The cultural obsession with the Miss Universe contest further promotes colorism. Many of the contestants are very fair-skinned even when their country of origin is comprised of mostly dark people, reinforcing the idea that lighter skin is more beautiful.
By watching these shows and commercials all the time, we were told who we should want to be. We wanted to be blond, tall, and skinny because let’s be honest, body diversity was not a thing then, and still is not now. Those of us who did not fit the mold had to try to achieve whiteness in other ways, and that often meant straightening our hair daily and dyeing it a lighter color.
On the rare occasions when we are represented in the media, the characters are stereotypes such as poor, uneducated maids. Never are we in the main storyline unless we are getting smacked around by the patrón.
Take one of the most popular novelas of all times as a case study: Yo soy Betty, la fea, or as many Americans know it, Ugly Betty.
“It’s just really sad that our cultural obsession with whiteness and thinness is embedded into our everyday lives by the media and our families.”
dalina soto
Betty, la fea was a novela I am pretty sure we all saw even if it was the Colombian version or the American version: the tale of an ugly duckling who turns beautiful and gets her Prince Charming, such a happy ending. But the issue with this trope and eternal storyline is that it says that women, trans people, nonbinary folks, and others are not worthy until they fit society’s idea of beauty. It’s always “Oh, she is so smart, so competent, but if she was pretty, she could really succeed.” And inevitably, Betty does. She goes full supermodel and gets the man and the company.
And we think it’s such a beautiful story. But why? We are literally teaching girls that they are worthy only if they fit conventional European beauty standards. Betty had to become skinnier before she could be worthy. She straightened her hair, got rid of her glasses, and changed the way she spoke, all to be more “professional.”
It’s just really sad that our cultural obsession with whiteness and thinness is embedded into our everyday lives by the media and our families.
I remember spending late nights as a kid when I used to sleep over at my tía’s house watching my prima order all the stuff from the infomercials. Classic 1990s stuff. One weekend, she bought a cast faja (girdle) that was meant to give you a Thalia waist, but we all knew that was probably not possible, since the rumor was that Thalia had had ribs taken out in order to get that slim figure (yes, I know, wild!). Nonetheless, that didn’t stop this prima from ordering it, and I am pretty sure she had to return it when it came in because my tía was not having it. To this day, we still crack up at all the infomercial crap she bought.
And although I think of these memories generally fondly because I was always having a good time with my prima, years later, I see more clearly how all these moments of desiring to be skinnier or to look like a certain novela star impacted our perceptions of ourselves.
“Now, we all know that nicknames like these are the norm. Whether its gorda, flaca, fea, linda, prieta, rubia, guera— they all have a physical connotation to them. And usually not a good one. We belittle our children with these nicknames, which then become their identities, often harmful ones. Ones that lead them to wanting to fit in, to no longer being gorda, to no longer being fea.”
dalina soto
The fat-shaming and discrimination doesn’t just come from TV and other media, it also comes from families. I had a video go viral in which I stitched Eva Longoria saying in a podcast interview that her nickname growing up was the prieta fea, the ugly black one. Now, we all know that nicknames like these are the norm. Whether its gorda, flaca, fea, linda, prieta, rubia, guera— they all have a physical connotation to them. And usually not a good one. We belittle our children with these nicknames, which then become their identities, often harmful ones. Ones that lead them to wanting to fit in, to no longer being gorda, to no longer being fea. And this leads to mental health issues and disordered eating habits to try to fit in. Hence the name of the novela, Yo soy Betty, la fea. She was fea until she fit the conventional beauty standards. And although she did it while still being herself, we know that that is not what women and girls learned from this show.
We can often pinpoint the development of our eating disorder or disordered eating back to these moments when we were at impressionable ages. I often think about quinceañera parties, for coming of age, and how diet culture is steeped into these traditions. I can tell you that most of the chulas I work with started dieting for their quinces because they needed to fit into the dress. So many went on to use diet pills, extremely low-calorie diets, and even surgeries to meet the expectations, most with the approval of their mamis.
I once posted about quinces in my stories and so many of you messaged me. I vividly remember one message in which someone told me that her mom got prescription diet pills for her to make sure she did not gain weight after her dress was altered. I want you to let that sink in: A mother purchased diet pills for her daughter so that the fourteen-year-old would not gain weight before a party. And I know that you know that this is not an anomaly.
I thankfully did not want a quinceañera because I was in so many of them that by the time it was my turn, I was like, Hell to the no. But this is a rite of passage for our community, and for many, this is where disordered eating begins because this is the first time your body will be placed on display for everyone to see, and it has to be perfect. And not to sound like a broken cantaleta here, but what is perfect? Thinness. Now, the term “almond mom” doesn’t feel right here, but “ensalada mami” might.
What I have learned from chulas’ stories without a shadow of a doubt is that this generational trauma needs to end. Our kids and the generations behind them deserve to live in a world where they are not judged by their appearance.
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H&M has been releasing exciting and showstopping designer collaborations for just over 20 years — the most recent collections being with Mugler, Paco Rabanne, and Rokh. The latest, however, marks a first for the brand by partnering with a Polish designer: Magda Butrym.
The Silesia-born designer and 2018 LVMH-prize finalist, known for her “signature blend of femininity, boldness, and intricate craftsmanship,” is celebrating her brand’s 10-year anniversary with a collection reinterpreting bestsellers like delicate 3D floral dresses and oversized structured coats, according to a press release.
Roses are at the heart of this collection as Butrym sees them as a “symbol of womanhood: both soft and confident, delicate and independent, arresting and ever-growing.” How poetic! It’s also intended to be a “celebration of femininity in bloom,” which couldn’t be any more apparent through the floral-printed catsuits, headscarves, and mini dresses (which model Vittoria Cerreti gave us a taste of) as well as the 3D rosette-covered bodysuits, gowns, and heels.
“I really see this collection as a chance to invite people into our world — and to celebrate femininity, and the flower,” said Butrym in the release. “Each piece brings its own sense of Slavic romance while paying homage to the history of our brand.”
While the collection has a classic and timeless appeal, it also maintains Butrym’s modern edge — aka the thing that’ll make you stand out (or bloom) from the crowd. Think: rosette denim corsets, rose-printed tights, and hat-headscarf hybrids. So whether you’re looking for meticulously tailored outerwear, sweeping sequin gowns, or cozy matching sets, the H&M x Magda Butrym collaboration has a mix of statement-making and casual styles that promise to elevate your spring outfits.
Click on to take a sneak preview of the H&M collection. Then come back here on April 24 to cart up the sought-after designer pieces, which always (almost instantaneously!) sell out.
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Refinery29, the leading media and entertainment company for young women and underrepresented voices, is proud to announce the return of its groundbreaking experiential platform, 29Rooms, in celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary. Returning with fresh energy and an evolved format, the 29Rooms Road Trip is a traveling pop-up series that will unfold throughout the year, bringing immersive, unforgettable experiences to cultural moments and communities across the country.
Kicking off this highly anticipated journey is The Lunar Lounge, an exclusive experience taking place in Palm Springs, California, from April 12-13, 2025. Set against the desert backdrop, Refinery29 is transforming a stunning Palm Springs villa into a fully immersive world where beauty, art, and wellness collide. Blending indoor and outdoor spaces, the event stays true to 29Rooms’ roots of creativity and interactive fun, featuring a mix of hands-on services, vibrant art installations, and transformative moments designed to leave guests inspired, recharged and connected.
“For two decades, Refinery29 has been dedicated to creating moments and offerings that resonate deeply with our audience,” said Rheanna Gaskin, Head of Experiential, Refinery29. “We listen to our community — leveraging data and insight — and translate what we learn into moments that matter. The return of 29Rooms is a testament to that commitment, offering immersive experiences and environments that celebrate individuality, spark creativity, and foster a real sense of connection.”
The Lunar Lounge: A Cosmic Recharge Experience
Inspired by celestial energy and cosmic themes, The Lunar Lounge invites guests to unwind, reset and connect through a series of engaging experiences curated in partnership with leading brands, all aligning with Refinery29’s dedication to self-expression and wellness.
Goddess of Glow with eos: Inspired by the Greek goddess Eos, this astral glow-up celebrates fragrance as a self-care ritual. Guests will refresh and recharge with fan-favorite eos products, leaving them looking, feeling, and smelling, one of a kind.
The Lunar Cycle with First Response: Taking women’s health from taboo to totally empowering, this space invites guests to engage in open, honest dialogue while relaxing in a dreamy, otherworldly haven designed for comfort and confidence.
Since its debut, 29Rooms has revolutionized the experiential marketing space, becoming one of the first large-scale immersive events to merge culture, creativity, and community. Powered by insights from R29 Intelligence, Refinery29’s proprietary research and data platform, 29Rooms is designed to reflect what audiences want most — experiences that are meaningful, inspiring, and community-driven. With hundreds of thousands of attendees and a global digital reach, 29Rooms has set the standard for how brands and audiences connect in real life.
Refinery29 also continues to curate a dynamic lineup of influencers, tastemakers, and performers, ensuring that each event is infused with the voices and talent that matter most to our audience. Through T29, our dedicated talent and partnerships arm, we identify and collaborate with the most influential voices shaping culture today. From beauty and fashion creators to music and entertainment figures, our activations amplify the personalities shaping culture today — reinforcing Refinery29’s authority in fashion, beauty, and beyond.
In 2025, Refinery29 is evolving 29Rooms beyond its original concept, taking the experience on the road to meet audiences where they are. Each stop on the 29Rooms Road Trip will tap into local culture, highlight regional voices, and offer new and exciting opportunities for attendees to engage with Refinery29’s mission of celebrating individuality, inspiring others, and connecting communities.
“This isn’t just a comeback — it’s a leap forward,” added Gaskin. “We’re honoring the past 20 years while looking ahead to the next 20, leading with innovation and connection.”
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The spring equinox and the astrological new year come with the sun’s movement into the zodiac sign Aries. Yes, that’s right, in astrology, we begin the calendar year with the Aries season, just like the ancient Romans, because the fire sign that adds vigor and passion to our lives.
From March 20th to April 19th, we’ll embrace our desires and put our personal needs first above everyone else’s. Not only that, but we will fight for what we want and take strides to attain greatness. Winning is everything now, so competing for first prize and a gold medal will occupy our time and our thoughts and take our strength and power.
Aries is a fire and cardinal sign, meaning it likes to start things. This sign does not sit by the sidelines. It’s usually the first to start a match and take on a project; however, this year, Aries season will be more aloof than usual due to the retrogrades and solar eclipse. We might opt to watch matters unfold rather than being an active participant.
Since Mars is Aries’s planetary ruler, it’s important to note that we are still dealing with the aftershocks of the last retrograde. Although Mars turned direct on February 23rd, it ends on May 2nd. Therefore, we might feel as though our libido, energy, and confidence are at a low. We won’t have the bravado we usually have during Aries season and may not be as confrontational as previous years. Repressed feelings are bubbling up, causing erratic reactions and meltdowns when pushed to the edge. The good news is that we are coming closer to detoxing these passive-aggressive vibes from our environment.
Adding Venus’s 18-month moonwalk to the mix will make matters more chaotic — particularly in our intimate relationships and emotions. Venus retrograde (from March 1st to April 12th) will make us needy regarding relationships. Aries isn’t a sign that likes to be codependent: it’s independent. As a result, we’ll want to cling closely to others and seek their opinion on everything — especially when Venus, the planet of love and beauty, backstrokes into Pisces on March 27th. The best cure to the moodiness and frustrations that occur at this time is self-love. Try to be extra gentle and kind to yourself.
The solar eclipse in Aries on March 29th invigorates our lives, reminding us to be selfish (which we all should be at times). It’s our moment to take charge and assert our authority. We can achieve anything if we put our heart and soul into it. The future is ours to create. Use this cosmic wakeup call to your advantage.
Mercury’s backslide in Aries to Pisces from March 15th to April 7th is going to reshape the way we see things. As the planet of communication moves backwards in the sky, we’ll have to slow down how we process our emotions. Use this time to assess feelings. Journaling can be a helpful tool to understand yourself better. Life isn’t moving at galactic speed, it’s becoming quieter. Relish in the soft energy.
The final major shift is Neptune’s temporary entrance into Aries from March 30th to October 22nd and then again in 2026. This planetary switch pushes us to be more aggressive and transparent with our ideas and emotions. We will try our best not to get lost in a moment and situation by seeking the truth. We won’t hide from dealing with matters. Realness gives us the energy to evolve and grow our aspirations. Like a fine wine, our dreams will be ready to come to fruition when the fruits of our labor ripen. The payoff will be extraordinary.
Important Dates:
March 20: The sun enters Aries, initiating a new season and elevating our intense feelings.
March 27: Venus retrograde moonwalks into Pisces, making us sensitive and emotional.
March 29: The solar eclipse in Aries pushes us to heighten our self-esteem.
March 29: Mercury retrograde re-enters Pisces, making communication ambiguous and unclear.
March 30: Neptune swims into Aries, elevating our spirituality and understanding of the world.
April 7: Mercury retrograde ends, clearing up technological issues, travel mishaps, and misunderstandings.
April 12: The Full Moon in Libra brings balance back into our lives through partnerships.
April 12: Venus turns direct, allowing our romantic feelings to flow.
April 16: Mercury moves into Aries again, combining vigor and gusto to our words.
April 18: Mars enters Leo once more, adding pep to our steps.
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Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find our editor-approved lineup of the best to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
Both awards season and Fashion Month have ended, which means leaving red carpet glam, eye-catching street style, and show-stopping runway looks in the rearview mirror. But, as the old cliché goes, when one door closes, another must open — and that’s certainly true in the world of fashion and beauty.
As spring weather approaches, nudging us out of our winter cocoons, a new crop of trends, buzzy campaigns, and launches are also emerging in the sunlight. Sabrina Carpenter is helping debut new Prada Beauty products, Refinery29-favorite brand Aligne is making its foray into bridal, and Glow Recipe is furthering its stronghold on the skincare-meets-makeup category with its latest cheek tints — and that’s just the start. Keep scrolling to discover more of the new fashion and beauty launches we’re excited about this month.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
The British brand known for its collarless blazers is set to walk down the aisle with the launch of its debut bridal capsule collection. Designed to be versatile, bold, and tradition-skewing, the line is made up of four pieces that can be worn during or beyond wedding celebrations: a satin mini dress with bows on the shoulders, a peplum top with ribbon detailing, a satin mini dress with puff sleeves, and, of course, a tailored satin blazer that ties at the front. Prices start at $165.
Rihanna’s latest Fenty x Puma collection is here — and it’s impossible to miss. The eye-catching, neon-hued line features two shoe styles: a new take on the classic Avanti LS sneakers and the Cat Cleat Jelly sandals, available in highlighter yellow and orange shades. Also on offer is the lime green mini Fenty x Puma Pocket Bag that can double as a crossbody, making it perfect for running errands or low-effort, essentials-only beach days. Prices range from $75 to $120.
Starface changed the game when it launched its fun, irreverent, andeffective star-shaped pimple patches. Now, it’s looking beyond spot treatments and expanding into skincare. The line boasts two salicylic acid-forward, acne-fighting products: a gentle foaming cleanser formulated for sensitive and breakout-prone skin and a lightweight, soothing, oil-free moisturizer that also contains shine-minimizing niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Both are available now for $15.99 each.
Reformation just dropped its spring shoe collection, and some of the It Girl-coveted styles are available exclusively at Nordstrom. Part of Nordstrom’s monthly “Make Room for Shoes” campaign — which pairs the retailer with popular shoe names like Birkenstock, Larroudé, and Sperry — the collection includes an array of ballet flats (including a covetable sheer pair with delicate floral embroidery), flat sandals, and versatile heels.
Rebecca Vallance is taking her ultra-glam occasionwear aesthetic and eye for sharp tailoring to a brand-new category. The Australian designer’s eponymous brand has just dropped its first-ever collection of denim, and it includes 15 pieces for a range of occasions — think high-waisted straight-leg jeans, cinched dresses, oversized jackets with cocoon sleeves, and a denim blazer. “Denim has always been a staple in everyday wardrobes, and I wanted to create pieces that can be seamlessly integrated into our customers’ existing collections while still offering the signature sophistication and elevated style that they expect from the brand,” Vallance said in a press release. Prices range from $285 to $570.
The skincare-meets-makeup trend continues to grow strong thanks to Glow Recipe’s latest twist on its bestselling Dew Drops. Enter: Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush. The tinted cheek serum combines the rosiness of a soft blush with skin-boosting ingredients, like brightening and smoothing niacinamide and calming centella asiatica to hydrate skin, refine the appearance of pores, and impart a natural flush. Available in two shades — peachy Watermelon Flush and warmer Berry Flush — the formula is also buildable, so you can opt for a dewy and sheer look or a more pigmented finish.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush, $, available at Sephora
J.Crew’s Spring Catalog
After relaunching it last year, J.Crew is back with the latest edition of its beloved catalog. This time around, the focus is on all things spring style and the American brand’s latest additions to its signature preppy, timeless offerings. Other than new pieces, inside you’ll find model Liya Kebede — 16 years after Kebede first appeared in a J.Crew catalog — and her daughter Raee, intimate snapshots of New York families, and so much more.
Fresh off of debuting its latest collection at Paris Fashion Week, Undercover designer Jun Takahashi has once again collaborated with the Uniqlo sister brand GU. “Silent/noise” — Undercover’s slogan that nods to embracing the discomfort — was the starting point for every piece, which the team has interpreted with playful, convertible designs that can be worn and styled in several different ways. The line’s first drop features playful takes on GU’s wardrobe staples — think relaxed trousers and blazers and T-shirts with signature Undercover motifs illustrated by Takahashi, like the “Noise Burger” character. GU x Undercover collection is available now, with prices ranging from $5.99 to $69.99; a second drop is expected next month.
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Cuyana’s dove-shaped Paloma bag has long been a fan favorite: it has sold out twice and has even been spotted on the shoulder of Meghan Markle. Now the minimalist brand is expanding the collection with the Paloma Tote. The new bag is inspired by the silhouette of the OG, and is made with the same Italian double-faced leather that softens as it ages — but now comes with more room, plus extra exterior and interior zip pockets.
When Beka Gvishiani, founder of the mega-popular fashion Instagram account Style Not Com, was approached by Zara, he started the conversation by saying: “Let’s talk about fashion.” That phrase is now at the heart of the resulting Zara x Style Not Com collection, which takes the account’s signature cobalt blue hue and bold white text and splashes them across a variety of apparel. Get meta with pieces like a baseball cap with the text “No, I’m not selling my hat,” a reference to Gvishiani’s signature hat; a hoodie emblazoned with “This is a hoodie without an idea;” or a T-shirt that says, “Life is a fashion week with some normal days in between.” Prices range from $10.90 to $69.90.
How do you launch a new product in a way that will make a splash? Well, if you’re Prada Beauty, you tap Sabrina Carpenter for the campaign. That’s how the Pradascope Lash Extending Volume Mascara was introduced to the world. Inspired by the brand’s durable Re-Nylon material, the buildable, clump-free product instantly and noticeably lifts and lengthens lashes for up to 24 hours. The mascara is also formulated with a hyaluronic acid complex to nourish lashes, while the 180° brush features nylon fiber bristles for easy application and definition.
A new season approaching is the perfect time to refresh your jewelry collection, if you ask us. It seems like the team at the popular jewelry brand Jenny Bird agrees — they spent the last month dropping new hoop earring styles. Highlights include the Mega Faye Knocker hybrids, the high-shine Mini Tomes, miniature versions of the brand’s bestselling Florence stacked hoops, and the chunky — yet still lightweight! — Gemma Hoops, all of which are available in gold and silver finishes.
California cool and Italian flair are coming together in the just-dropped Mother x La DoubleJ capsule collection. The 30-piece line brings La DoubeJ’s maximalist, ’70s-style prints to Mother’s effortless denim pieces, such as the Half-Pipe Ankle barrel jeans that are covered in illustrated dragonflies, a denim jacket with an embroidered tapestry of a goddess on the back, and a pair of flares with wave details at the hems. The collection isn’t all about denim either; also discover graphic tees, boho blouses, and flowy kaftans. Prices range from $130 to $1,290.
