Your eyes are precious, so it’s important to keep ‘em as healthy and stylish as possible. On those supremely bright and sunny days, that means putting on a pair of trendy sunglasses to protect your delicate pupils from harmful UV rays, glare, dust — or paparazzi flashes when out with your digital camera friend.
We know that the world of shaded eyewear can be overwhelming, with sunglasses coming in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and widths. That’s why we put together this mini guide to the best sunglasses to look out for, categorized by style, lens type, and activity — and with options for every budget.
Whether you’re looking for a pair of statement sunglasses for your next vacation, prescription glasses to give your eyes a rest from contacts, or colorful frames to match your wardrobe, there are plenty of options out there. We’ve even got you covered with polarized styles, sporty shades, and designs for wider faces. So, if one style doesn’t work for you, we guarantee there’s another pair of sunnies around the corner that will. Now, go forth and keep those rays at bay.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
The Best Brands For Prescription Sunglasses
As any glasses-wearer will know, shopping for a new pair of prescription sunglasses is a major decision. Not only are you committing to a pair of frames if and until your prescription changes, but it’s a choice that will cost you a pretty penny. This is why we’re such fans of Pair Eyewear, a brand all about choice and customization at affordable prices. You can choose from a variety of prescription frames — all starting at $70 — and select from hundreds of customizable “tops”; aka magnetic, flat frames that cover the front of your glasses to instantly change their appearance. This means that using the same stylish frame as a base, you can switch seamlessly between eyeglasses and sunglasses, or between different colored and patterned options — ideal for matching your specs to your outfit! (There are also plenty of sunglasses-only options available, too.)
If you’re after a little more luxury, there are several other brands always on our rotation: Ace & Tate, Warby Parker, and Cubitts offer chic, stylish frames within the $100 to $300 price range.
Pair Eyewear The Payton, $, available at Pair Eyewear
Heard of polarized sunglasses but are not sure of their benefits? Polarized shades are especially crucial if you’re an outdoorsy, under-the-sun person. These sunglasses reduce that intense glare that usually appears on ocean water or crisp snow, making it much easier for you to see things in nature as they really are.
Polaroid 52mm Polarized Round Sunglasses, $, available at Nordstrom
Increasingly, more eyewear designers are taking note of face shapes and sizes, and specifying their styles as “wide” or “XL.” The glasses ahead are all from eyewear brands that offer wider fits — which means no more indents on your temples.
Eye Buy Direct Draft Cat EyeClear Yellow Sunglasses, $, available at Eye Buy Direct
Knockaround Matte Black/Smoke Fort Knocks, $, available at Knockaround
Sunski Shoreline Olive Amber, $, available at Sunski
The Best Brands For Statement Sunglasses
When all else fails in the sartorial department, you can always count on statement sunglasses to elevate your look. Don’t be afraid of being extra extra — this is your moment to go big and bold, playing with exaggerated sizes, interesting shapes, and vibrant colors.
Free People Cloud 9 Sunglasses, $, available at Free People
Jimmy Fairly The Lily, $, available at Jimmy Fairly
Eyeking Double-Lens Sunglasses, $, available at Anthropologie
The Best Brands For Tinted Lens Sunglasses
Want to literally see the world through rose-colored glasses — or maybe yellow, orange, or blue? You’re in luck, bright colors are dominating the runways this year, so a pair of vibrant lenses are at the top of our most wanted list.
Gucci Rectangle-Frame Metal Sunglasses, $, available at Selfridges
Free People Dara Oversized Square Sunglasses, $, available at Free People
Fendi First Oval Sunglasses, $, available at mytheresa
The Best Brands For Sport Sunglasses
Whether you’re an adventurer or just like looking the part, secure a pair of athlete-approved sunglasses that stay put during your summer exercises and activities. The polarized lenses are water- and oil-resistant, the frames are feather-light, and the grippy nose pads prevent droop, even when the sweat is pourin’.
Milkmaid dresses started going TikTok-viral last spring and fully took off in the summer thanks to fashion It girls like Sabrina Carpenter, Kaia Gerber, and Olivia Rodrigo. Typically characterized by structured bodices, puff sleeves, and A-line skirts, the romantic silhouette is sticking around this summer.
These sweet, ethereal styles — including Hill House Home’s beloved Nap dresses — remain a go-to summer dress trend for their breezy, throw-on-and-go ease. And with options ranging from casual minis by celeb-favorite Ciao Lucia to dressier maxis by TikTok-loved House of CB, there’s a milkmaid dress for just about every occasion.
Whether you’re dressing for daytime plans, vacation, date night, or a summer wedding, we’ve rounded up 25 standout styles — think florals, gingham, crisp whites, and pastels with delicate details like bowties and rosette appliqués — to bring a touch of vintage whimsy to your wardrobe this season.
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Welcome toMoney Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
Today: an administrative assistant who has an $85,000 joint income and who spends some of her money this week on toilet bowl cleaner.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via our online form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email.
Occupation: Administrative assistant Industry: Construction Age: 30 Location: Georgia Salary: $31,500 Joint Income/Financial Setup: $85,000. My husband J. and I share everything equally — all paychecks go into the same account and all bills come out of the same account. (To note: I used averages for our salaries, after tax/401k contributions, and not including overtime. So it’s like what we bring home on average if we both work 40 hours). Assets: IRA/401(k) accounts: $60,000 (combined); savings account: $5,000; house value: $330,000 Debt: Mortgage: $310,000 Paycheck Amount (Weekly): $1,650 (combined). Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses Housing Costs: $1877 (mortgage). Monthly Loan Payments: $0 Private School Tuition: $890 Medical Insurance: $275 Dental Insurance: $95 Home/Auto Insurance: $185 Internet: $105 Power: ~$250 City: ~$70 (water and trash). Phone Bill: $180 Kids’ Extracurriculars: $50 Security System & Subscriptions: $75 (SimpliSafe, Netflix, Disney+, two apps on the kids’ iPads). Tithe: 10% of our income.
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? Not necessarily. My mom made it clear that she wanted all of us to go to college or even technical school, but there was no major push. I went to a private college for one year (paid for with student loans) and dropped out. I always hated school!
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances? There was no education or discussion on finances growing up, sadly. My parents were not good with money. My father was an addict and spent a lot of our money very impulsively. My first and only education on money came from my economics class in high school.
What was your first job and why did you get it? I worked as a cashier at a grocery store at 17. I got the job so I could have my own money and buy cute clothes, lol. It was fun though. It was all high school kids in the evenings so we goofed off A LOT — I’m not sure we deserved the $7.25 and hour we made!
Did you worry about money growing up? Absolutely. Our phones and lights were shut off from time to time. My parents fought a lot about it so it caused a lot of anxiety and shame.
Do you worry about money now? Yes, it is something I think about more often than I should. Our mortgage is more than 25% of our income and that’s not ideal for me, but the housing market is just crappy right now and I’m scared of being house poor. Additionally, I would like my savings to be larger. It was $10,000 but car repairs and vet bills hit hard this year, but I am working on building it back up.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net? I became financially responsible for myself at 18. I went off to college at 18, met my husband, and we dropped out after a year, got married, then got jobs and moved into an apartment together. From the time I moved out for college, I had no financial assistance from anyone. (It’s certainly not a route I would recommend to anyone so young, haha! But we have a happy little life together.) In terms of a safety net, we don’t really have anyone who could help if an emergency came up, but we do have savings, and my husband works a lot of overtime, so he could get extra hours if life popped up.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain. I got $1,000 when my grandfather passed 10 years ago.
Day One: Sunday
7:30 a.m. — Today is beginning a little differently than most Sundays. I wake up much later than normal, but will still make it to the second half of the church service. We went to a theme park yesterday for the kids’ (P. and C.) spring break… The pollen count was high and it was super hot, so we all needed some extra rest today to recharge. I realize I have almost no groceries so I set up a grocery pick up for tomorrow morning and I talk my husband, J., into Starbucks — I get a coffee and ham and Swiss croissant and the kids want cake pops with their breakfast. $16.16
11:30 a.m. — After church (10% tithe included in expenses), we run by Ingles for sandwich stuff and a fruit tray I will need tonight for a BBQ. After lunch the kids get an hour of screen time. Meanwhile, I chat with J. while he packs for a week-long trip. $39.58
2:30 p.m. — I spend an hour leading a discussion on a book called You Are a Theologian by Jen Wilkins and JT English. This group of women is so special to me. After, I realize I forgot eggs for the cookies I planned to make, as well as some cash for a love offering being taken up at the BBQ, so I run by the store again on my way home. $5.55
5 p.m. — J. departs for his trip. I made him and the team some chocolate chip cookies for the ride to the airport. I always use Joanna Gaines’ recipe and highly recommend — they get loads of compliments! Me and the children head to a going-away BBQ for some of our dear friends. I slip a small gift of $20 into the card where money is being taken up to help them out on their move. It’s bittersweet but they have found a bigger farm in another state, so it is a wonderful opportunity for their family. They will be missed though! The adults mingle and the kids play. $20
8 p.m. — We get home late and I take the dog out, help the kids get bathed and ready for bed, and read them a story. After they fall asleep, I get ready for bed and waste a precious hour of my life on YouTube (I’ve been watching a lot of Financial Audit but Caleb Hammer is too mean sometimes — although I know that’s his thing!) and fall asleep past my bedtime.
Daily Total: $81.29
Day Two: Monday
7 a.m. — Sleep in! So, on an average day, I wake up at 5 a.m. for my morning routine — but this week is a little different. P. and C. are on spring break so I took PTO this week with the exception of four hours I have to work this afternoon.
9 a.m. — I pull into Ingles for my weekly grocery pick up. I get milk, yogurt, apple sauce, granola bars, apples, blueberries, grapes, chips, crackers, cereal, beef, sausage, cheese, noodles, creamer, pasta sauce, fruit snacks, mini doughnuts, English muffins, string cheese, paper towels, and toilet bowl cleaner ($119.16). I just know I’m forgetting stuff, but that’s a problem for later. It’s pouring rain and I feel so bad for the young lady putting up my groceries. I think of bringing her a gift card or something next time I come by. While we are out, we also swing by Chick-fil-A for breakfast, just because. I have a biscuit and iced coffee, the kids get minis and hash browns with chocolate milk ($19.83). $138.99
11 a.m. — Arrive at work with P. and C. I take care of emails, phone calls, appointment reminders, and tie up loose ends for my time off. My kids spend their time drawing, typing on a spare computer, playing with puzzles, and I indulge them with a movie on Netflix… They watch Vivo, it’s so cute, I catch myself watching several times before getting back to work! We packed sandwiches for lunch. I feel bad for them because my office is so boring. I am easily talked into a “treat” from the gas station next door (plus a Celsius for me). $12.52
5:30 p.m. — P. had a Little League baseball game scheduled this evening but it was canceled (it’s been raining since yesterday), so instead we go to our friends’ house for dinner. It’s nice to chat and the kids can play for a while as well. My offer to bring a dessert or side is kindly declined, so I make a mental note to host them in the next couple of weeks. We have chicken pasta, salad, and brownies with ice cream. Yum! C. drops one of their plates and it shatters. I feel awful and jokingly offer to bring them one of mine as we have the same set. They assure us it’s no big deal.
9 p.m. — After I get the kids in bed, I do my shower and bedtime routine, then do a little scrolling. I find a cute dress on Amazon that sits in my cart. It’s one of those cowl neck silk dresses that are popular right now. I tell myself I can wear it at least twice, when I take my grandma to the ballet in May and when J. and I go to Highlands for a “fancy” dinner in a few weeks, and I already have shoes to go with it. Despite my justifications, it stays in the cart. Perhaps I’ll keep watching to see if it goes on sale!
Daily Total: $151.51
Day Three: Tuesday
7 a.m. — Our dog L. wakes me up. She misses J. (every dog has a favorite human and I’m not it) and is super weird and restless without him. I miss him too! I have Greek yogurt, granola, and a blueberry English muffin for breakfast. P. has cereal and C. has mini donuts with blueberries
10 a.m. — After some chores and playtime, we get ready to go out (or as Southerners say “go to town”, lol.) I can’t control my impulse to buy an iced coffee ($4.27), it’s delish, but I feel guilty. It’s the last coffee purchase this week because my Nespresso pods are being delivered today! We end up at our favorite place… the library. I am currently reading Dinner For Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz, Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin, and The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak. My kids are bookworms like me, so they pick a few as well. I owe a fine that I take care of ($2.40). On our way out, I grab an info sheet on becoming a “Friend of the Library” donor to read later. $6.67
12 p.m. — We spend a chunk of time walking around our downtown area. We peruse the antique store (the kids and I take photos of things we like and that we will save our $$ for), pop in the book shop where my SIL works (she brings her baby to work so my kids play with their cousin for a while), then I swing by the local gift store to get ideas for a graduation gift for a sweet girl at church who volunteers in C.’s class! The kids ask for various items as well as lunch out. I hold tight to my original proclamation that we aren’t spending money, so we head home. We jam out to the Zombies 3 soundtrack and all is forgotten!
1 p.m. — On our way home, I stop by the store for a couple of things I need for dinner tonight: a rotisserie chicken, chopped salad mix, and sparkling water. Back at home, I make some processed mac and cheese. Mother of the year! $27.03
4 p.m. — We take a walk in our subdivision. P. and C. ride scooters. L. is so weird and territorial so I’m trying to socialize her. We do a couple of laps, which is not half a mile, but feels nice and refreshing. I get an email from P. and C.’s swim instructor for early sign-ups for past students. I stop what I’m doing to snag five class spots on the Google Sheet ($30 each — payment is due June 1).
6 p.m. — I end up keeping my niece for the evening so my SIL can visit her sister at the hospital (she had a baby!). She is soooo sweet and cute. Dinner tonight is chicken Alfredo. All the kids eat really well so I give them a scoop of ice cream and we watch my niece’s favorite show, Peppa Pig. Good news: My Nespresso pods were delivered, so no more purchasing coffee this week. Also, my exterminator left his business card on my porch, so that expense will be autodrafted soon… (Getting the outside of your house sprayed is an absolute must for summertime here.)
9:30 p.m. — I do a short workout on YouTube and then I end up scrolling for a bit after my shower and bedtime routine. I look at my cart and the dress again. I determine that I’m being materialistic and I delete it… I have plenty of dresses! I consider other things I should spend money on. We need new towels. I decide I will start buying one a week until we have a new set, so it doesn’t feel like such a commitment. I read my Emily Giffin book for a bit, watch YouTube, then go to sleep.
Daily Total: $33.70
Day Four: Wednesday
7 a.m. — Wake up. Food and potty for my doggo; coffee and Bible for me (creature of habit). My kids wake up and request cereal. I have Greek yogurt and a blueberry English muffin. I try a strawberry and white chocolate Nespresso. It’s…. weird. I throw a pod in my purse to take to one of my friends, L., for her to try and see what she thinks (she got her Nespresso machine after using mine at Galentine’s).
9 a.m. — We have a lowkey morning. I do laundry, unload the dishwasher, and steam mop (my hack is to put a couple of drops of lavender in the mop to make your house smell good, because kids and dogs can be smelly). Then we go to the playground for an hour or so.
12 p.m. — The kids request corndogs for lunch while I have last night’s leftovers. Then I play Pokémon battles with P. and Barbies with C. Then I chat with J. I’m unsure of what he is spending on his trip as he is using his credit card. We budgeted around $700 for spending money and food, but honestly I doubt he’ll spend that. He is very, very frugal and doesn’t spend much money on anything. So when he gets home we will get all of that paid off — we did the credit card debt thing in our young 20s and never, ever again! On another note, J. did say he got us souvenirs, so the kids are excited!
5 p.m. — Squeeze in another walk because it’s gonna start raining again tomorrow. We get four good laps. Early dinner because it’s church night: I make baked spaghetti (it’s one of my favorites, it’s so hearty and reheats good, too).
9 p.m. — We get home and get ready for bed. I read with the kids before they go to sleep. C. doesn’t read yet so I read a couple of chapters to her and P. will read a couple of chapters to me. However, he finds a booger in his book he checked out at the library so refuses to touch it, lol. We pick something from his shelf. He is my emotional, overthinking child so this is often the time we have our deep, life talks.
Daily Total: $0
Day Five: Thursday
7 a.m. — Morning routine. Today is payday. I check online banking to get the exact amounts of income and update the estimated amounts in my budgeting app, I just use Checkbook. Nothing fancy, literally a virtual checkbook but I really like it. I make waffles for P. and C. and have my Greek yogurt and English muffin.
9:45 a.m. — I am doing a thorough deep clean today because my sister, E., is coming to town! She is a teacher in another part of the state and is on spring break as well. She will be staying the night at our house so I want to be a great host. P. is supposed to have a baseball game tonight, but it’s raining — again. I’m waiting to hear if it is canceled. Thursdays are gymnastics nights as well.
6:30 p.m. — Game is cancelled again. C. has gymnastics practice anyways. E. gets to town, and we go to my grandmother’s house for dinner, some good ol’ southern fried food! After dinner, we go back to my house and all play board games for a bit and snack on the brownies I made, as well.
9:40 p.m. — The kids go to sleep and me and E. have a Topo Chico and sneak another brownie while we watch The Great British Bake Off. Eventually we go to sleep.
Daily Total: $0
Day Six: Friday
6 a.m. — Our power bill and home/auto insurance are due today so I take care of them while I am getting stuff taken care of before the kids wake up. I switched to this insurance group a year ago to save money and it keeps going up. I make a mental note to shop around. E. slept on the couch, which is comfy, but I wish I had a spare room. I have an unfinished basement and the goal is to finish it, but that’s a 10-year goal if I’m being realistic. I make breakfast sliders, Hawaiian rolls, sausage, cheese, and scrambled eggs. These are super popular in our house! E. has to head out early to take her dog to the vet.
11 a.m. — We have leftover baked spaghetti for lunch and then lounge. We end up having a very LAZY day and it’s nice! We’re always so busy. I also browse cars online; I’m looking at a Toyota RAV4. We made dumb financial decisions early on in our lives and marriage and, thank God, now that we are debt free (less the house), life feels way more relaxed. I do feel pressure knowing my current vehicle is on its way out… We have put over $4,000 in repairs this year. J. wants me to get a new car with a trade in and down payment and aggressively paying off the loan. It’s important to have a reliable family vehicle.
5 p.m. — C. has gymnastics recital pictures in her costume. It’s adorable with pink, fringe, and sparkles. The photos should be edited and ready to order next week. I’m super excited to see how cute they turn out! (I have this budgeted for this, I plan to order my favorite photo as a digital image.)
7 p.m. — Back home. Dinner tonight is pizza we have in the freezer. Easy peasy! I text some friends and we decide to meet up for glow in the dark bowling in the next town over ($18). Complete the evening with ice cream for P. and C ($4.47). Super fun! $22.47
Daily Total: $22.47
Day Seven: Saturday
7 a.m. — The kids have leftover breakfast sliders and I have an English muffin and apple slices. I clean bathrooms and change sheets today for my chores.
11:30 a.m. — I have a hair appointment today. Drop P. and C. with my mom (they’ll have lunch there). I have Girl Lunch: apple and string cheese. My one vain indulgence is to get my hair done every two months. I have very fine, thin hair so I budget for it and it makes me feel more confident! We end up staying at my mom’s house for a while before we head back home. $275
5:20 p.m. — We have grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner tonight. I can’t believe this is the last night of spring break 🙁 I am going to try to get them in bed a little earlier tonight so Monday morning isn’t too rough. We play with L. after dinner and do showers, etc.
8 p.m. — Reading and lights out. I promised them a “sleepover” while J. was gone and since he’ll be home tomorrow, this is the night! Essentially, I just move their mattresses in my room, but they think it’s awesome. I plan to read with my book light but end falling asleep while I wait for them to fall asleep.
Daily Total: $275
The Breakdown
Weekly Total $$ Spent: $563.97 Food & Drink: $248.57 Entertainment: $18 Home & Health: $0.00 Clothes & Beauty $275.00 Transportation $0.00 Other $22.40
Conclusion
“This was a super fun week. I’m so glad I got to take off work for my kids’ spring break so we could have us a little staycation! We got to spend time with friends and family and it was good for the soul. I feel like keeping this diary was good for me. I enjoyed seeing exactly what I was doing and spending my money on. I have worked really hard on being more disciplined and less impulsive and I see that coming through here. It makes me proud of how far I’ve come! My reflection is that I would like to spend less money on groceries and I will look into some hacks for that. I also question my hair appointments and if I can live without the vanity of extensions.”
Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
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Summer is finally here, and with it comes an inevitable surge of nail inspiration flooding our feeds. From pretty princess nails to playful beach manicures, there’s an abundance of fresh trends emerging already, but there’s always one shade that reappears every summer without fail: white. Timeless, clean, and effortlessly cool, white nails are synonymous with summer and always look impeccable. This season, though, there’s a twist: White nails are enjoying a soft-focus upgrade.
Say goodbye to the stark, bright whites of the past; this summer’s take is more about milky, sheer, and chiffon-inspired whites. Think creamy undertones, hints of pink and nude, and cloudy textures. The result is modern, elevated, and made for the sunshine season.
Ahead, we’ve got 11 of the best white nails to inspire your next manicure.
At first glance, this practically perfect white manicure by nail content creator Melanie Graves looks clean and simple. But look again, and you’ll spot a subtly pink, pearlescent hue that mirrors the iridescence of a sudsy bubble bath. Recreate it at home with Essie Gel Couture in Pre-Show Jitters, $13.
Manicurist Saskia Fenwick has declared it “seafoam season” with these elegantly pared-back nails. A popular choice among professional nail artists, Bio Sculpture’s Seafoam, $14.50, is a gorgeous milky white that feels fresh and modern.
Animal print nails have been enjoying a comeback for 2025, and croc print is going to be a huge trend for summer. This look created by nail artist Anh Nguyen for digital creator @buymechanel is so fun.
Beach nails are a huge trend for summer, and while lots of manicurists use an abundance of colors, textures, and embellishments, this pearly shell manicure by @prettydaintybykristine proves it works just as well in monochrome.
Proving it’s a classic summer nail look for a reason, manicurist Julia Diogo uses a classic, bright white to create this bold colorblock manicure. Try OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow, $11.99, to recreate it at home.
The humble French manicure is always reinventing itself, and this summer sees manicurists like @scaviar.nails switching the classic pink-nude base for a milky white hue. Paired with crisp white tips, it’s an incredibly chic way to wear white nails for the season.
Flipping her classic iced French manicure on its head, bridal manicurist Carmelina pairs a pearlescent base with a micro strip of bright white color at the base of the nail for an utterly cool manicure.
If a stark white manicure isn’t your thing, try seeking out warm beiges and soft chiffons for a more wearable, buttery manicure. Recreate this one by manicurist Paulina Juśkiewicz using Essie Nail Polish in Allure, $15.50.
Strictly speaking, this pretty half-moon manicure by Jaz does use a soft pink base, but it’s the striking linen-colored accents at the tip and base of the nail that make this a decidedly modern take on a white manicure.
Floral nail art is always a popular choice for spring and summer, and blooming gel in particular has really taken off this year. This design by nail artist Jadyn looks so pretty thanks to the soft white hue and touches of gold shimmer.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
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Summer’s arrival is the perfect excuse to finally act on your Pinterest board and switch up your hair color. Whether you’ve been waiting for the right moment to go blonde, add a striking twist to your brunette base, or go all out with a bolder hue, there are plenty of ways to zhuzh up your hair for the warmer weather.
This year, we’re in for a treat: expect everything from “golden hour” blonde (a sunlit take on the classic honey blonde) to “burnt sugar” brunette (a warmer, more caramelized take on brunette tones). Safe to say, there’s no shortage of options for all skin tones and hair types. Below, we’ve quizzed esteemed colorists to break down the best hair color trends worth bookmarking this season.
According to Samantha Cusick, hairstylist and founder of her namesake London salons, “burnt sugar” brunette is “rich, warm, and caramelized in all the right places.” Make no mistake — it’s far from your regular, one-dimensional brunette. Instead, she says, “It’s all about depth with golden undertones and subtle ribbons of amber that catch the light.”
Cusick also notes that this color works particularly well on olive and deeper skin tones, complementing them with “a natural, sunlit effect that feels effortlessly sophisticated.” We love these shades on Bella Maclean and Bree Colter.
In his summer hair trend report, hair artist Tom Smith shared that “golden hour” blonde will reign supreme. This is a true fusion of copper and blonde, says Smith, “intensely golden and full of depth and richness.” As seen on the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Abigail Cowen, Esther McGregor, and Gwendoline Christie, this color is a step up from the previously trending “sunflower blonde” as it strikes the perfect balance between warm and golden undertones. Take inspiration from this shade posted to Instagram by QUE Colour.
Cusick notes that this particular trend primarily focuses on strategic lighting placement. “It’s a smart way to go lighter without a full transformation,” she says, and it can be achieved through adding face-framing golden highlights through the mid-lengths and ends. As for the name? “This color creates a natural brightness that mimics that just-before-sunset glow,” she adds.
Bronde — a mix between blonde and brunette — is getting a makeover for summer. Enter: mocha bronde, “a monochromatic and muted” shade that suits a variety of skin tones, says Smith. Unlike the caramel hues that dominated summer 2024, Smith says this shade leans more neutral, and of course, it is influenced by the popularity of Pantone’s Color of 2025: mocha mousse. Think: coffee and mushroom-esque tones that seamlessly blend through the lengths. Cusick describes this shade as “rich, glossy, and low maintenance.” We love this color posted to Instagram by Caterina.
Babyliss ambassador and stylist Syd Hayes describes this shade as “a vibrant, head-turning burst of juicy cherry red.” Not to be confused with burgundy or auburn, Hayes specifies that it is a true, medium-bright red with cool, almost raspberry undertones. This look posted to Instagram by BLEACH London is the perfect statement red. “Red shades often intensify beautifully under sunlight, making them pop even more,” adds Hayes.
Spotted on Smith’s list of summer hair color trend predictions, and seen here on model Whitney Hayat, muted auburn offers a more wearable take on copper hair. The difference? It features earthy and auburn tones that will complement most skin tones without the intense orange-y hues, says Smith. To nail this shade, he advises topping up your hair with a color-depositing conditioner that enlists chestnut or soft copper tones. Try dpHUE Gloss+ in Strawberry, $38.
Smith describes this as “a bright and gleaming lemon sorbet tone,” and predicts this striking blonde will trend thanks to its edgy yet ethereal appeal. “If ‘golden hour blonde’ was the deeper, more copper-toned evolution of sunflower blonde, [then] lemon platinum is the brighter, fresher and cleaner alternative,” he says. You will have spotted this color on celebrities like Anya Taylor-Joy, Kirsten Dunst, and Kristen Stewart.
Meanwhile, Marley Xavier, stylist and celebrity colorist at Hershesons, describes this shade as ‘buttercream blonde’ — “creamy, soft and balanced; neither icy, nor overly warm.” Even better? It suits a wide spectrum of skin tones, adds Xavier. This shade on Mali-Koa, by BLEACH’s head stylist Jade Hart, is stunning.
“This isn’t your average all-over blonde,” shares Hayes. “It features strategically placed, bright blonde ribbons or panels hidden underneath a darker top layer,” he explains. This effect is particularly beautiful when your hair moves, or is tied up or braided, as it reveals “panel pops” for added dimension, adds Hayes. Even better? It’s pretty low commitment. “It’s perfect for those who want a playful surprise element for ponytails, beach waves, and updos,” he says. This color on Sofia Richie Grainge is gorgeous.
According to Xavier, honey-lit brunette is set to be one of the most gorgeous and multi-dimensional shades of the season. “Think late afternoon light melting into brunette tones; it’s sun-warmed,” he says. Xavier also specifies that this particular hue focuses on “hand-painted caramel or honey tones” throughout the mid-lengths and ends, which mimic the way natural sunlight hits the hair. He recommends it for those looking to enhance their natural brunette subtly. “It flatters warm and neutral undertones especially well,” adds Xavier. Take a cue from this shade posted to Instagram by Adequate Hair Studio.
“This is blonde at its creamiest,” says Cusick. “Think soft, cool tones with just a hint of vanilla that looks almost whipped in texture.” She recommends this color for those who want to be blonde without the typically harsh or icy finish. Already light? Cusick advises asking your colorist for a beige or a baby blonde toner to achieve the creamy effect. We love this color by Katie McKenna at Samantha Cusick Fitzrovia.
Blurring the lines between blonde and copper, this color offers a fun twist on good old strawberry blonde. Think of strawberry glaze as “a lighter take on copper with a subtle rosy twist,” shares Cusick. According to the pro, this color is perfect for natural redheads who want to elevate their tone, or blondes looking for something soft and summery without going too bold. Look to this shade by Imogen Rose for the ultimate inspiration.
That effortlessly cool maple brown color that you keep spotting all over Hailey Bieber’s Instagram? This shade is essentially that, with a summer spin. “Think warm, multi-dimensional brunette kissed by the sun,” says Hayes. “This isn’t just caramel; it’s a sophisticated blend of a rich, warm brown base with subtle, warm blonde ribbons woven throughout, mimicking natural sun-bleached pieces. It embodies effortless summer highlights while maintaining depth,” he adds.
Hayes applauds this color for its low-maintenance nature: “The regrowth is forgiving and as it warms in the sun, [you’ll] get even more dimension, preventing a washed-out look.” It’s also a universally flattering shade that will complement all skin tones, particularly those with warmer undertones. Hairstylist A Nack nails it here.
Ever think about rocking that LA-inspired, effortlessly chic blonde? Enter: “California blonde” — a foolproof choice for the summer. “Soft, sun-faded and totally effortless, California blonde blends golden highlights with a creamy base that looks like it’s been lifted naturally over long beach days,” shares Xavier. “It’s the epitome of low-maintenance luxury that suits warm or neutral undertones beautifully,” he adds. According to Xavier, the finish is relaxed, radiant, and distinctly West Coast, much like this color on Joana Lefebvre.
This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.
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There were two definitive points in my life when I remember Lewis having a huge impact on how I navigate this world. The first was as a little Black girl, watching her break down pop culture moments, discuss serious societal issues and interview some of my favorite celebrities. It was mesmerizing. Seeing her report, inform and entertain opened doors for so many coming up behind her. Of course, we had icons like Oprah Winfrey and the late Gwen Ifill making strides on-screen at the same time, but Lewis felt more accessible and relatable for millennials.
She commanded the camera naturally, infusing her own lived experiences into the questions she asked. Lewis connected with both her interviewees and her audience. In a male-dominated industry in the ‘90s and early 2000s, she challenged social norms and empowered women.
It was clear to me why she was a fixture on my screen: She made journalism cool. And though I didn’t yet know I’d be walking in her footsteps—or even that what she was doing was journalism at that time—I looked up to her early on. Her legacy was part of the reason I chose to attend Howard University (HU), where she, too, was an alum.
In 1999, Bob Kusbit, MTV senior vice president for production at the time, told The New York Times, “In the past our talent was sometimes just pretty people who could read cue cards. But when we brought Ananda to MTV, we decided we were going to do a lot more live television.”
And though I didn’t yet know I’d be walking in her footsteps—or even that what she was doing was journalism at that time—I looked up to her early on.
The second moment I vividly remember Lewis impacting me came in October 2020, when she shared her breast cancer diagnosis through an Instagram video. In the midst of a pandemic, when the value of public health became more urgent and evident than it ever felt like before, this woman I had grown up admiring revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
“I am sharing this with you because it’s the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have been fighting to get cancer out of my body for two years,” she said in her post. “For a really long time, I have refused mammograms and that was a mistake.”
From that point on, she made it her mission to educate and inform women about the importance of early detection through self-exams and mammograms. She shared Instagram posts and spoke openly with the press to raise awareness about regular screenings for early detection. “I need you to get your mammograms,” she emotionally declared.
Lewis also shared the holistic lifestyle changes she implemented after her diagnosis.
By the time her cancer advanced to stage 4, she was no longer able to get the double mastectomy she needed. Under COVID-19 guidelines, it was deemed a “non-emergency.” She told The Epoch Timesthat the disease had spread to her spine, hips and liver.
Even then, she didn’t let her condition dim her light. She used her platform to spread life-saving information for other women without letting cancer define her. Lewis died Wednesday at age 52, her sister Lakshmi Emory confirmed in a Facebook post.
We’re worse off without her physical presence, but better off because of how she chose to live her life. Her light and her legacy lives on.
Without a doubt, Lewis’ vulnerability and commitment to the truth made her such an impactful figure. If you look around at the current media landscape of Black women—names like Ivie Ani, Sylvia Obell, Taylor Crumpton, Danielle Young, Sidney Madden, myself and so many others— we all stand on her shoulders in some respect. The double whammy of losing Lewis and former MuchMusic VJ Juliette Powell in the same week is heavy.
In a 2024 interview with CNN, Lewis spoke candidly about how her diagnosis altered her life.
“The cancer diagnosis caused me to change things in my life I never would have changed otherwise, that I needed to change but would not change,” she said. “And those changes have allowed me access to more of my joy, more of the time.”
Lewis fought gracefully and with determination. We’re worse off without her physical presence, but better off because of how she chose to live her life. Her light and her legacy lives on.
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Whether vacationing in seaside hotspots like Saint Tropez, Santorini, and Positano, or sightseeing in cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, European destinations call for an aspirational (yet attainable) wardrobe. This might explain why the chic “European summer” aesthetic surged in TikTok views last year — and why it’s back for round two as people plan their vacation outfits.
While these summer styles often include minimalist wardrobe staples — think relaxed matching sets, flowy maxi skirts, and comfortable walking sandals — they’re not without a playful side (you’re on vacation, after all). This translates into silky printed scarves, retro swimsuits, and kitschy handbags, as well as designs that lean into the fisherman aestheticand “sardine summer” territory.
So whether you’re actually packing your bags for Europe or just want to channel the easy-breezy, laidback vibe for staycation outfits, we’ve rounded up the top fashion staples to help you effortlessly tap into the on-trend summer look.
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European Summer Essential: Linen Matching Sets
Matching sets are perfect to pack for vacation since they can be paired together or mixed and matched in various ways. But a linen set is even better, thanks to the breathable fabric (and the fact that the wrinkled effect looks natural — not like it was squished in your suitcase). From oversized button-downs and tank tops paired with matching shorts and loose pants, there’s a combo that can be styled for every scenario from sightseeing to beach walks, and al fresco dinners.
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European Summer Essential: Leather Sandals
When walking along cobblestone streets and up rocky cliffs, you’ll be grateful you packed a pair of sturdy sandals instead of stilettos or flip-flops. Look for leather flats with thick soles or supportive straps that are comfy enough for all-day adventures, yet stylish enough for nights out. Fisherman and gladiator styles are especially on-trend — and give off that handmade-on-the-side-of-the-road-in-Greece kind of vibe.
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European Summer Essential: Relaxed Sundresses
You’ll want a throw-on-and-go sundress in your lineup — something that works for a morning espresso, boat excursion, and on-the-fly dinner. Europeans have mastered the art of unfussy polish, and an A-line maxi or airy cotton mini fits the bill. Prioritize breathable fabrics and loose silhouettes that won’t cling or cause a sweat spiral.
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European Summer Essential: Woven Leather & Straw Bags
Accessories are where the real fun starts. While a belt bag or crossbody is great for travel days, a statement woven tote or raffia top-handle bag brings the full European summer fantasy. Pack one for beach days and one for dinners — trust, you’ll want both.
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European Summer Essential: Retro Swimsuits
Sure, you can keep swimming around in itsy-bitsy triangle bikinis. Or, you can lean into the romance of a holiday with nostalgic swimwear. Channel Old Hollywood in the riviera or Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” aesthetic with halter necklines, boy shorts, underwire bikini tops, and classic gingham or stripes.
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European Summer Essential: Printed Headscarves
Silk scarves are the perfect accessory to add color and print to otherwise minimal outfits, whether you tie one over your hair or around your neck to emulate Sophia Loren (or Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday). If it’s large enough, it can even serve as a scarf top or swim sarong. Go for playful styles in stripes, florals, and seashell prints that scream “summer.”
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European Summer Essential: Flowy Maxi Skirts
If you’ve already packed shorts, pants, and dresses, a flowy maxi skirt is your final must-have. Easy to dress up or down, it works just as well for beach lunches as it does for sunset drinks. Look for special touches like delicate eyelets, flouncy tiers, or fish prints à la the Mediterranean.
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Toward the end of Materialists, Celine Song’s exploration of the contradictions of dating and modern love, pragmatic professional matchmaker Lucy (Dakota Johnson) reaches an epiphany.
“When you love someone, it’ll be easy,” she says. “There’s no math.”
Until then, Lucy relied on a quantitative approach in determining matches for her clients — and herself. Her data-driven methodology also comes through in her professional aesthetic, full of straight lines and formulas of solid neutrals, as crafted by costume designer Katina Danabassis. But, as Lucy allows love into the equation, her wardrobe begins to bloom, sometimes literally with florals.
Lucy’s chic, straightforward lineup of suit separates and classic, fine-knit cardigans is partially informed by Song’s own experience working as a matchmaker in New York City — a fun fact that adds depth to the character’s style.
“It was important to convey that [Lucy] wasn’t stealing anyone’s shine when it came to her clients. It has to be professional, and appeal to a high-end clientele,” Danabassis, who led costume design for Song’s last (and very different) love-triangle film, Past Lives. “When you’re millionaire matchmaking, you have to look the part. But also not come across as someone who’s necessarily available.”
Lucy eventually allows herself to be available when confronted with two options: the seemingly-perfect financier Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her ex-boyfriend John (Chris Evans), a struggling actor who still lives with roommates.
Ahead, Danabassis takes us through how Lucy’s love story unfolds through her wardrobe.
Lucy’s Power Suit
Always focused, Lucy targets new clients as she commutes to work — and her outfits support the pitch. In the opening scenes, she confidently strides in a strong-shouldered Aritzia blazer and knee-high Paris Texas boots, nearly causing finance bro Robert (Eddie Cahill) to have whiplash as he walks in the opposite direction.
“I was really interested in the idea of putting her in a power suit,” says Danabassis. “Not only because it’s a little bit fresh, but also it seems to be something of a bygone era.”
Reflecting a NYC, always-on-the-move sense of dressing, the costume designer teamed the navy pinstripe blazer with a black, wide-striped mini skirt from a Versace suit and a white satin Banana Republic blouse. ”It just felt very New York; timeless, but powerful, modern, but throwback — and iconic,” says Danabassis, referencing a standout memory of a woman in a skirt suit and Dries van Noten-esque thigh-high boots strutting across Bowery Street in Manhattan.
Danabassis also dropped in an Easter egg.“It’s also a nod to Working Girl,” she says, referring to the 1988 classic starring Johnson’s mom, Melanie Griffith, whose character famously wore sneakers with skirt suits to the office.
Lucy’s Blue Gown
Lucy’s a top performer at work — with nine marriages to her credit. She’s even invited to the latest nuptials of two high-net-worth (and high-maintenance) individuals. Lucy opts for a strapless, draped Proenza Schouler dress in a striking peacock blue that attracts the eye of the viewer and Harry, the rich, swoon-worthy brother of the groom.
“We need something that pops. But simultaneously, it shouldn’t be something that’s going to steal any shine from the bride,” says Danabassis of her thinking, which led to the pairing of the “origami-style dress” with silver Bottega Veneta heels. “Also, the dress is not too fussy. In reality, yes, it was a fussy dress. We had to make sure that it was tied perfectly [at the back]. But it was really simple. Like, you can function in it.”
Lucy multitasks like a pro: crisis managing the bride’s cold feet, charming potential new clients, and slipping out of the opulent ballroom to reconnect with John, a cater-waiter at the reception. She also agrees to a steamy dance with Harry, in exchange for him agreeing to call her agency.
“It’s a work function, basically. She’s there to support, but not be a wallflower entirely,” says Danabassis. “Because she’s still a woman in New York and doing her thing.”
Lucy’s Date-Night Looks
She ultimately agrees to consider Harry — “a unicorn, an impossible fantasy,” as Lucy describes him — as a prospect for herself, and not her loyal clients. Over a series of dinner dates (where they strategically assess each other through their methodical view of relationships), Lucy wears refined, uncomplicated pieces, like a dark St. John blazer over a Leset tank and a strappy black halter dress from Laundry by Shelly Segal.
“She’s appealing to his sensibilities, which is just classic, chic, upscale, and a little bit minimal,” says Danabassis.
When a previously skeptical Lucy agrees to go all-in with Harry, she elevates her signature black monochrome with a sheer Simkhai top, layered over an Only Hearts bra, and a vintage double-breasted blazer. Her knee-length Another Tomorrow skirt, with dynamic tasseled fringe (a more fun take on the business-like skirt she wears earlier in the film), takes on a life of its own as she and Harry do a dance of sorts through the hallways of his sprawling $12 million Tribeca penthouse.
“We theorized that it should [evolve from] her not trying too, too hard to ramping up to, ‘Okay, I’m gonna do a little bit more here.’ But keep it very New York, chic, [and] clean,” says Danabassis. “That black outfit popped against the warmth of his apartment, and the Gucci shoes were amazing because of the shine and the metallic chain at the back.”
Lucy’s Flashback Florals
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 04: Dakota Johnson is seen on location for ‘Materialists’ on June 04, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)
A flashback reveals Lucy and John’s emotional breakup, occurring when they were both cash-strapped actors but chasing divergent goals and lifestyles. Lucy’s delicately ruffled floral Dôen top, Nili Lotan straight-leg jeans, and Loeffler Randall mules feel sentimental and hopeful.
“It’s that cute look that you put together for going out for your anniversary,” says Danabassis. “That’s not trying too hard or trying to match the same level as the guy. It’s really just her.”
Lucy also wears a sweet, thrift-store-bought heart necklace that reflects a differing mindset from her present-day sleek Spinelli Kilcollin rolo chain that telegraphs geometry.
“When she’s dating Harry, she’s in this city mode,” says Danabassis. “When it’s John, it’s more naturalistic, grounded, floral, and ethereal.”
Lucy’s “Reveal” Outfit
John finally lands a role in an off-off-Broadway play and invites Lucy, who brings her now-boyfriend Harry. Her outfit — a long ‘90s-style black leather jacket by Coach, white MNG cami, and Zara high-waisted, wide-leg jeans — fits the venue and post-show dive bar drinks.
“She knows what world she’s entering into, like a dingy Brooklyn playhouse thing. But Harry doesn’t know where he’s going. So he wears his ‘Oh, this is my country blazer,’” says Danabassis, about Harry’s ‘fit: a tweedy Ralph Lauren jacket, caramel-brown Zegna button-down, Hermès dark jeans, and Bottega Veneta oxfords.
But the casual-cool ensemble also feels like a slight reveal of her long-suppressed feelings for John — and harbinger of an impending divide with Harry.
Lucy’s Wedding-Crasher Dress
A traumatic event pushes Lucy to accept and follow her feelings, instead of crunching the numbers. She shows up on John’s doorstep with luggage packed for a now-canceled Iceland jaunt with Harry. Lucy and John then take a spontaneous drive upstate to crash a rustic wedding. Luckily, John keeps a cater-waiter suit in the trunk of his beat-up car. Lucy presumably plucks a floaty, buttercream yellow Dôen dress out of her suitcase and doesn’t change out of her black Nike sneakers. Although the dress — with a curved empire waistline, watercolor florals, fluttery ruffles, and floral appliqués — evokes country wedding more than the luxury vacation she was on her way to take.
“I mean, sure, she could have packed that for Iceland. Like, [Lucy and Harry] were going on a date somewhere, and she’s trying to do her special thing and get more in tune with herself. That’s the idea there,” explains Danabassis. “Really, it’s just a romantic dress that hits the hidden theme of flowers as a symbol of love that was carried throughout the movie.”
Kind of like completing a complex math calculation by maintaining all the variables along the way.
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Word on the street is that folks believe that romance and yearning are dead. But those of us who read Black romance novels know that both are alive and well in the pages of our favorite books.
As more Black women join book clubs and profess their love for romance novels on social media, it has become very clear that the demand for literature that depicts Black women as desirable, autonomous and fulfilled in their romantic lives is sky-high. That’s partly due to the still unfortunately limited representation of Black love stories we see today and social media chatter that often disparages Black women. Not to mention the trash dating pool many have to navigate today.
With romance novels, there’s a needed level of escape — and hope — that Black women authors, in particular, are providing readers. And ahead of summer 2025, authors are turning up the heat with spicy reads that give Black women the happily ever after their heart desires — and no two endings look the same.
We asked these authors about their latest Black romance novels, self-love, the importance of fantasy and the message they have for Black women navigating love and romance today.
Kennedy Ryan, author of Can’t Get Enough
On Can’t Get Enough:
“I wanted plus size women to see someone who is completely confident in her body and has an expectation of being desirable,” Ryan said at Amazon’s Book Sale Event in New York in April.
“I think there’s something really powerful about the expectation of the presumption of attraction, which I don’t know that we always see with plus-size women in fiction. [Hendrix] is a woman who [knows she’s] not ‘beautiful to be big,’ or ‘beautiful to be brown’ but just beautiful period.”
On centering self-love with her characters:
“It’s really important for women to know ourselves, preferably before we commit to a lifetime partner. If you don’t have a strong sense of self, it’s very easy to be shaped into what your partner expects. And that’s why a lot of my heroines are older. Hendrix, in this book, is 40 years old. She’s never been married. She doesn’t want children. And [she doesn’t] want a man for the sake of him just being in [her] life. I think the foundation of a romantic relationship starts with self-love. That’s why in Soledad’s book (This Could Be Us), All About Love, was a book that she really leaned into. If you don’t have that foundation of loving yourself when you get into a relationship, all those emotions can pull you into a shape that fits the person you’re with.”
On what she wants Black women reading her books to know:
“Not to settle. That’s easier said than done because we get lonely. And the temptation is to take whatever feels as close to what we’re looking for as possible, even if it might hurt us. Love where you are loved. I do think that waiting for the right thing is great, and if you can find somebody who is only for now and get some of those yearnings and desires satisfied, do that. But when you are in the market for something that’s permanent, it’s a different criteria.”
Tia Williams, author of Audre & Bash are Just Friends
On Audre & Bash Are Just Friends:
“Audre became a huge fan favorite in Seven Days in June,” Williams said via a Zoom interview. “She was the 12-year-old daughter of my female protagonist. She’s just like this wise-cracking, hilarious little lady, wise beyond her years. I would get all sorts of texts and emails and DMs like, ‘Where’s Audre’s story?’ So I decided to age her up four years and have her be a teenager and experience first love during one balmy Brooklyn summer.”
On the importance of romance novels:
“I think now more than ever, we really need escapism. We need to dream. We need to raise the bar and aim high. And read about women that are being outrageously loved. If you spend too much time in the wrong [social media] comment thread or listening to the wrong podcast, you would sort of start to feel that you’re—as a Black woman—not being appreciated or loved. We need to know that it’s real and worth fighting for and know why it’s important not to settle.”
On what message she wants Black women and girls to get from her work:
“Audre is a very rigid girl. She has goals and ambitions. But she hasn’t really slowed down enough to live her life and learn about what she wants and doesn’t want socially or romantically. This is her summer, where she’s learning how to live. And sometimes, you get the most important life lessons through play. I think that girls and women can kind of get the same takeaway that being on the path to success is a great thing. But you may be missing the best parts. Slowing down and allowing yourself to be seen and loved is a wonderful thing.”
Danielle Allen, author of Plus Size Player
On Plus Size Player:
“[Our protagonist] Nina has a roster of four men she is navigating, not putting the expectation on one man to fulfill all of her qualities. You get to see her navigating her life as a content creator while she juggles these men and the twists and turns of life. It’s also about setting your boundaries and not letting people disrespect them, as well as being clear in your communication. Even though it’s Plus Size Player, she’s not playing these men. She’s very honest about what she wants, who she is, and that she’s dating other people.”
On fantasy in Black romance:
“It isn’t a fantasy to be treated well, to be loved, well, to be respected. And, unfortunately, those things start to feel like a fantasy world. There’s a disconnect somewhere because those things that we are looking for are not ridiculous. It gets lost, and if you aren’t seeing it, then that’s when it becomes a fantasy because you feel like, ‘I’m asking for too much.’ But you are disconnecting yourself from that very real desire to be seen, heard, loved and cared for in the right way.”
On what she wants Black women reading her books to know:
“You are deserving of love and romance, no matter what it is that the media tries to imply. Everybody’s idea of romance looks different. Know who you are and what you want, and then ask for it. In my experience, Black women don’t ask for what they want in romance because it’s always presented to us as if we already don’t deserve it. So when we get a little crumb, we’re supposed to be thankful as opposed to us saying, ‘I’d like my meal, please.’ I want women to ask for what they want, to stand firm in who they are and know that they are worthy of love.”
Regina Black, author of August Lane
On August Lane:
“I very intentionally wrote a Black romance set in the South in a small town because I wanted to write about my experience,” Black said during a Zoom interview. “A lot of the content in the book, the experience August has, is based on my life. And it just so happened that Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter. Everybody has started talking about these things that I have been researching, reading and writing about all this time. And so I’m very excited [about it].”
On fantasy in Black romance:
“I do think it’s important to buy into fantasies. I think it conveys the message that it’s okay to pursue love, particularly for Black women. Many of the messages we receive focus on our strength or perseverance. But we don’t get as many messages about vulnerability or softness. But vulnerability is also a strength. Connection is also a strength. And this is what it looks like in this context. And this is what it should feel like when that happens. “
On what she wants Black women reading her books to know:
“The primary love in my books is self-love. Loving yourself is the key to loving someone else. All of the characters in my books go through this journey of forgiving themselves, loving themselves, getting to know themselves and that love story is the way they do it. They are seen by this other person in a way that allows them to heal. The message I always want to convey with my books is that this could be you, and the pathway, the map I’m drawing to that joy and that happy ending is self-love.”
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that our feeds were flooded with images of hyper-glowy skin that looked fresh (but never sweaty), with a healthy sheen. (Dewy makeup got so big, it even permeated pop culture; “my skin is gleamin,’” whisper-sang Ariana Grande in 2019’s “7 rings.”) Glow was the antithesis of the “Instaglam” look that predated it in the mid-2010s; think heavy highlight and contour, a full-coverage base, and bold, matte lipstick.
But if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that trends come, go…and find a way of coming back again. And sure enough, one word has been popping up everywhere in beauty launches lately: Blur. It’s not quite matte, but not quite glowy either. The blurred makeup trend occupies an interesting place between dualities that seems to be striking a chord these days. It delivers all the luminosity of dewy makeup with the diffused velvetiness of ultra-matte glam.
“The trend seems to be gaining momentum in response to the sharp makeup looks that have dominated social media for years,” makeup artist and Sephora Beauty Director David Razzano tells Refinery29. “Bold black cat eyeliner, graphic eyeshadow, intense contouring, and ultra-defined lip lines are beginning to feel a bit dated and overdone.” In comparison, ‘blurred’ makeup has a “fresh, effortless vibe,” per Razzano, that lends the skin a “filtered,” poreless effect. (I never thought I’d say this, but was Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse…ahead of its time?)
The more I thought about it, the less surprising the trend was. After all, digitally airbrushed skin via social media filters had given way to products like e.l.f.’s Poreless Putty Primer and Milk Makeup’s (sadly discontinued) Blur Stick. But the 2025 version of blurred-finish products isn’t just about poreless, diffused skin. Instead of bottling blur in primers and touchup products, the soft-focus effect has made its way into lipstick, blush, eyeshadows, and more.
Ahead, get the scoop on how to wear blurred makeup from lids to lips — and the pro-approved products to get the look this summer and beyond.
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Eyes
When it comes to eyes, there are several ways to achieve a soft, diffused wash of color. I personally find cream-to-powder eyeshadows like Glossier Skywash or Merit’s new Solo Shadow the quickest, most foolproof way to get a blurred finish. “The Sephora Collection PRO Eyeshadow Brush #18 is my go-to ‘blurring brush’ for both eyes and lips,” says Razzano. “It has a small domed tip, which can be used to blur eyeliner or lipstick out – just gently sweep on the edge of any area.”
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Skin
When I hear “blurred makeup,” I first think of a soft, creamy complexion resembling something from a Vermeer portrait. Foundations like R29’s Beauty Innovator Award-winning Huda Beauty’s Easy Blur and Covergirl’s new (and already sold out) Clean Fresh Blurring Skin Tint SPF 30 are great options for one-and-done coverage with a petal-soft finish.
You can also achieve a beautiful, blurred effect with your finishing products. Razzano loves Kosas’ Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder for lending a soft veil that reduces shine, not glow. “I’m obsessed with this powder! It sets your makeup in place while delivering an ultra-soft blurring effect, all while maintaining a natural, radiant finish,” he says. “This powder works particularly well when it comes to setting concealer — it blurs out fine lines and wrinkles, without creating dryness under the eyes.”
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Cheeks
The blush craze shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and the latest launches all seem to have blur as a priority. There’s the Dua Lipa-fronted YSL Beauty’s new Make Me Blush, which comes in eight candy-colored shades and contains squalane to lend an optical blurring effect on skin. Some of Razzano’s go-to’s include Lawless’ Pinch My Cheeks Soft-Blur Cream Blush, which our editors also loved for its longwear properties and beautiful pigmentation. Another fave comes in the form of Danessa Myricks’ Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, which also happens to be among my most-used products as well. “This formula is nothing short of pure brilliant beauty innovation,” Razzano declares. “Danessa created a hydrating balm-to-powder that instantly blurs the skin, while maintaining a hyper-natural look and feel. Plus, she has carried this formula into blushes and highlighters – so you can blur and add glow simultaneously.”
On the bronzer side of things, Makeup By Mario’s SoftSculpt Blurring Bronzer offers the same sun-kissed glow you’d get from a bronzing powder with ingredients like spherical powders that provide an optical blurring effect.
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Lips
Make it a summer of blurred kisses with products that have a soft, romantic finish that’s never dry or flat. “Refy’s Blur Liner boasts a domed tip, creating a natural, soft, and blurred look — an easy step in your routine,” Razzano explains. He also loves Prada Beauty’s Monochrome Soft Matte Blur Lipstick, which has the creamy texture of your favorite lippie but with a velvet finish. “No need to perfectly line your lips, since it softly blurs itself,” he says. “A few taps of your finger will blend it to perfection.” We also love Rhode’s Peptide Lip Shape crayons, which come in a variety of beautiful neutral tones with a soft matte finish.
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