Beauty is what you buy

It’s 8:30 on a Tuesday morning at JFK’s Terminal 4, and Amanda Batula is between coasts — again. The Summer House star, Loverboy creative, and founder of Amanda Batula Swim is about to catch a flight to L.A., her second of three cross-country trips in less than a month. “I’ve been doing an insane amount of traveling,” she says, settling into a couch at the Marshalls Upgrade Lounge, a free pop-up space offering travelers snacks, a beauty bar, and a chic break from airport chaos through Memorial Day weekend. “I’m actually really surprised with how well I’ve handled it. Normally I crash after a trip, but I’ve just been on the move lately.”

That momentum is something Batula doesn’t take for granted. Not long ago, even routine parts of travel — packing a bag, getting out the door, and making it to the airport — felt paralyzing. “I’d back out of things, or just lie in bed telling Kyle [Cooke] I couldn’t even start packing because I was so overwhelmed.” After being diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 2023, Batula began working with a psychiatrist and taking antidepressant medication. Now, tasks that once felt insurmountable have become manageable, which means Amanda is saying yes to events, trips, and work opportunities that she would have previously passed on. “I don’t get overwhelmed, it doesn’t take me a full day to pack. I can throw together a bag. It’s just so much easier,” Batula says.

Between destination weddings, business opportunities, and influencer engagements, Amanda is a certified frequent flier — which makes her partnership with Marshalls feel especially well-timed. “The most stressful thing about traveling is getting to the airport, getting through security, and then rushing to your gate,” she says. “It’s nice to have a place where you can just come and feel zen, especially if you’re like me and don’t have access to other [paid] lounges.” In addition to the Upgrade Lounge pop-up, the retailer offers an online shopping hub that features a collection of travel-friendly fashion and lifestyle finds curated by Batula to make packing and on-the-go style feel a little less stressful.

The reality star, now in her eighth season of Summer House (Batula joined the cast full time in Season 2), is well-accustomed to splitting her summers between NYC and the Hamptons, and is starting to embrace being a bit more strategic about what she puts in her suitcase. “Kyle and I are notorious for bringing our whole closet, especially back when I was working corporate,” she says. “Now I try to stick to a few staples and plan according to the weekend. We’ll get a heads up about what the events are and then do a little shopping.”

As for sharing clothes with her castmates while filming? “I’m always willing to share. Paige [DeSorbo] will only pack for the weekend, so she doesn’t really have any other options to share, and Ciara [Miller] will always order clothes to the house and if you need an option she’ll give it to you.”

Batula and I are meeting the day before the Summer House Season 9 finale aired, and naturally I ask about what’s next for the series, which typically films from July through August. Bravo fans and cast members alike have been speculating about the show’s future, including potential cast shakeups, but Batula doesn’t have much to offer in terms of clues.

“There’s no news yet… but no news is usually good news,” she says. “We typically hear from production the week before filming starts, and half the time we get the address to the house the day of. You don’t even know what house we’re driving out to.”

If past seasons are any indication, fans will have to wait until after the reunion episodes, which begin airing next week, for any concrete answers about Season 10. For those in-the-know, the reunion seating chart — and who sits next to host Andy Cohen — can be a subtle signal of who played a central role that season. Batula didn’t think much of it going into this year’s reunion, which filmed on April 24, until she showed up on set and saw where she’d been placed.

“I was told by one of the crew members, ‘Oh, Amanda, you’re going to like your seat,’ thinking that like I was on the end, because that would be somewhere that I’d like to be sat,” Batula laughs. “And when I walked out, like being right next to [Cohen], I was like, I’m either in big trouble and I did something really wrong or I’m being rewarded. I think I was more shocked than everyone else that saw the leak of the seating arrangement. It was crazy. I was not expecting to sit there… but it was great for me. I had a great time.”

The Upgrade Lounge by Marshalls is open May 21 through May 28 in JFK’s Terminal 4. Exclusive amenity kits will be available for visitors while supplies last.

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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.

While the solstice may mark the formal start of summer, Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff of the warm-weather season. The holiday weekend brings the return of whites, leg-baring dresses, and seasonal accessories like open-toe shoes and trendy sunglasses. If you’re in the process of flipping your closet from spring (or, if you’re a hopeless procrastinator like me… maybe even winter), now’s the perfect time to reassess your summer wardrobe and decide which seen-better-days basics need replacing — and which fresh-off-the-runway trends are still missing.

But filling those wardrobe gaps doesn’t have to drain your paycheck. Plenty of reader-favorite retailers are offering this season’s best summer trends for under $150. Ahead, our favorite fashion picks for every summery occasion, from vacation to wedding season.

Summer Fashion Under $150: Wardrobe Staples

Update your basics with luxe, versatile additions: soft, breezy sweaters to unwrap from your shoulders during sunset beach walks; go-with-everything cotton tees; pants that go from plane to sightseeing; and foolproof denim. If you’re investing in one sneaker trend this summer, make it a slimmer, retro-inspired pair. Add soft flats for packing ease. Finish any outfit with classic hoops (and a swipe of red lipstick).

Summer Fashion Under $150: Vacation Wear

This season is packed with fun prints — think fruit, stripes, and sea motifs. On the flip side, monochromatic linen sets remain wardrobe heroes, with endlessly mixable pieces. No matter your vibe, let your accessories do the talking: nostalgic jelly shoes, statement bags, and bandanas that double as tops or handbag wraps (if Labubus aren’t your thing).

Summer Fashion Under $150: Work Wear

A 9-to-5 wardrobe doesn’t have to be a boring one. Look for staples with a twist: collarless blazers, asymmetrical shirting, and Bermuda short suits. For those who wear jeans year-round, a denim dress is an easy office win. Suede-like textures are still trending, too, especially in slouchy bags and buttery-soft shoes that’ll earn their fair share of compliments.

Summer Fashion Under $150: Wedding Guest

If your weekend calendar is packed with weddings, don’t burn your budget on one-and-done looks. Reach for dresses, jumpsuits, or separates that can be styled up or down for multiple dress codes. Then let high-impact accessories do the heavy lifting — no one’s noticing a repeat when your shoes and earrings are stealing the spotlight.

Summer Fashion Under $150: Trend Must-Haves

If your closet needs a trend refresh, summer 2025 has you covered. Think retro polka dots, boho ruffles, east-west bags, and thong kitten heels. European summer and fisherman-core are still holding strong, as are butter yellow and the barrel-leg jean— just in case you’re fashionably late to the party.

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Thong kitten heels may not be new, but this season, they’re everywhere. The ‘90s-inspired style has been circulating for a while now, riding the wave of minimal nostalgia — but 2025 is teetering into full-on mania thanks to elevated takes on the flat flip-flop (thank you, The Row). Think ultra-slick leather in black, brown, and beige; playful pops of yellow, ice blue, or red; and even bold patterns (hello, zebra print).

The appeal is obvious: It’s the perfect heel when you don’t want to wear heels. A subtle lift that elongates the leg and feels a touch more dressed-up, without veering into try-hard territory. Whether paired with jeans or styled with your favorite breezy sundress, thong kitten heels are the cool-girl alternative to the expected block heel. Easy. Comfortable. Fancy-free.

Ahead, the 22 topping our list right now.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

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Any seasoned online shopper will have Memorial Day weekend bookmarked on their calendar. The long weekend falls on a sweet spot when it comes to planning your shopping list — the perfect window of opportunity to nab all the discounted goodies you need heading into summer, and it’s generally a less overwhelming time to shop than Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

More and more brands are offering Memorial Day markdowns that are comparable to Cyber Week, so if you can’t wait till the end of the year to stock up on your favorite perfume or are in desperate need of a new mattress for less, this is an excellent time to strike.

To make sure you don’t miss out on the hottest deals, we have asked the most in-the-know shoppers — aka, the Refinery29 Most Wanted team — to share the on-sale products they will be carting come Memorial Day weekend. From Lululemon deals to designer bags, read ahead for all the purchases our editors are setting an early alarm for. We will keep this story updated as more sales become available (and more discounted products pop up on our radar), so watch this space.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

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Finding the perfect skin tint takes a lot of trial and error. A good one should offer lightweight coverage and a natural finish that subtly enhances your skin, without sitting heavy or erasing your features. Add reliable SPF protection (which can complicate the texture of the formulation) to the list of requirements, and the search gets even more challenging. So when Merit Beauty unveiled The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, a tinted mineral sunscreen that offers both sheer and buildable coverage, not to mention broad spectrum UV protection, we were quick to take notice.

This new launch is a labor of love from the brand by all accounts. It took two years of development and more than 50 formulation attempts to get the consistency and finish just right. The sun protection comes from zinc oxide, a mineral filter that shields against UV rays by scattering and reflecting them away from the skin’s surface. Also featured in the ingredient lists are moisturizing plant-derived emollients (in place of heavy silicones) and ultra-fine natural powders for a weightless and even application.

We got our hands on this highly anticipated launch and have been wearing it as our go-to SPF over the past month. Read ahead for our honest thoughts on why it deserves a top spot in your summer beauty routine.

Jacqueline Kilikita, beauty director

She tried: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, in shade 24

“I don’t say this lightly: this is hands down the best tinted sunscreen I’ve ever tried. It’s replaced my foundation — and even my concealer. The texture is like a lightweight lotion, and whether I use my fingers or a brush, it melts into my skin easily, offering medium coverage that blurs dark circles and the marks left behind by breakouts. The finish sits in a cozy space between dewy and matte, so I don’t need to powder over the top, and the staying power is excellent. I can go a full day at work — in office air, no less — and come home to more or less immaculate coverage.

“On my hand, shade 24 skews a little pink, so I was apprehensive it wouldn’t suit my green undertones. But once on my face, it blends seamlessly into my light olive complexion, giving it a more uniform appearance without erasing my features. If I wanted to wear this on its own without blush or bronzer, I absolutely could, and it wouldn’t look like I was wearing a mask. One thing to note: it’s important to use a dedicated sunscreen first. Yes, this contains SPF 45, but it’s well known that we rarely apply enough SPF makeup (a teaspoon or two finger-lengths for face and neck) to properly protect ourselves from UV damage. So I layer it over my trusty sunscreen — it’s like insurance for my skin.”

Venus Wong, senior writer

She tried: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, in shade 22

“To me, the hallmark of a truly great sunscreen will always be whether I’m willing to wear it on an unbearably hot day. Anything that feels too heavy and icky breaks me out and will promptly get the boot. I took The Uniform out for a whirl on my recent travels around Asia, where temperatures hovered around 90°F with super high humidity, and I’m happy to report that it passed with flying colors. Out of all the sunscreens I’ve tried, this one has one of the most imperceptible textures. The carefully calibrated formula has definitely made a difference here; it feels very light and powdery and spreads evenly across the skin. There were days I almost forgot I’d put this on, if not for the flattering glow it imparts. For me, shade 22 provides the ideal level of coverage: just enough to neutralize redness and blur blemishes while maintaining a genuine skin finish. When it gets really hot this summer, I feel comfortable ditching all my other makeup and just wearing a layer of this tint, with my trusty Dr. Jart+ SPF stick as the final touch.”

L’Oréal Blackett, Editor, Unbothered

She tried: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, in shades 10 and 12

“I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to skin tints with sunscreen. With a medium-deep skin tone and a golden to neutral undertone, some skin tints tend to leave me with a grey-ish, dull finish — a familiar story for anyone with brown skin. This is not the case with Merit’s tinted sunscreen. This formula blends with my skin beautifully, slightly evening out my skin tone and leaving a fresh glow. It’s barely perceptible and doesn’t look like I’m wearing any makeup, but that’s the point. It is very lightweight and perfect for everyday wear — I’ve even been wearing it to the gym. However, I still need to go in with a concealer as it doesn’t blur my dark undereyes and blemishes.

“This is not for the full coverage-loving girlies. I wear other skin tints that offer me more coverage, such as Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint, $38 (shade 18 for my shade twins!), and Beauty Pie’s Luminous Mineral Skin Tint with SPF 40. Still, I love that Merit’s tinted sunscreen offers some of the highest sun protection and is a great shade match. I also have a darker shade of the skin tint on deck for my upcoming travels; I get significantly darker within five minutes of being in the sun and love that the tint contains SPF 45 and can help me prevent pigmentation issues. I typically wear a full-coverage foundation or no foundation at all, so this gives me a nice, reliable in-between option.”

Vanese Maddix, contributing beauty writer

She tried: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, in shade 8

“The Uniform has quickly become a staple in my routine. The formula is lightweight and blends effortlessly into the skin. As someone who prefers her skin tints and foundations to sit on the lighter side, this ticks all my boxes. While I typically dislike when brands describe their shade ranges as ‘flexible’, I was pleasantly surprised to find I could actually switch between shades 6, 8, and 10, depending on the look I wanted. I also appreciate that the deeper shades are numbered first (a thoughtful detail that didn’t go unnoticed, and one I wish more brands would adopt).

“My only critique is the packaging: The tube has a gray-ish tint, which makes it harder to see the true shade without swatching. The cap also falls off quite easily. It’s worth noting that the brand has created a shade range that corresponds with The Minimalist, its bestselling complexion stick, so finding your perfect match is a lot easier when you happen to own the latter. This product has shot straight to the top of my makeup bag thanks to its lovely finish and genuine lightweight feel. I wouldn’t rely on it alone to meet my recommended SPF protection, but it has become my go-to for layering over a trusted sunscreen.”

Tanyel Mustafa, senior writer

She tried: Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 45, $38, in shades 22 and 24

“Let’s start with the positives. This is a lovely formula. The tint gives just the right amount of coverage, and it dries down on skin while still appearing hydrated and fresh. I love how easy it is to apply with fingers. Where this product falls down for me, though, is in the very pink-leaning shade range. As a yellow-olive girlie, I found all of the shades I could make work too pink. Even the shade that corresponds to the Merit foundation stick I have (which I’ve used for years) is more pink. With this new product being a tint, the off-undertone shade isn’t a dealbreaker. Once it’s blended out with the rest of my makeup, it looks fine. But I wish I could apply this more confidently and without other makeup to offset the wrong undertone. Merit team, if you’re reading this: The yellow-olive girlies would love a shade expansion!”

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Year in and year out, the most popular summer nail colors have one thing in common — they’re bold. I get it. The arrival of sunshine season means that from our mood to our outfit choices, everything tends to get a whole lot brighter. When the chances to get our toes out are few and far between, it makes sense to opt for a pleasingly vibrant pedicure color.

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But for summer 2025, it seems like the tides are turning. Sure, there are still some eye-catching brights and more unexpected tones that are set to prove popular for the season ahead, but the dominating feel is a whole lot more subtle.

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From milky finishes to barely-there blushes, all of the nail experts that I spoke to seemed to point to a preference for calm, clean, and quiet shades that make for a pleasingly versatile base for both glamorous beach getaways and chilled summer afternoons in the city.

Scroll on for their favorite pedicure colors this summer.

Pastel French

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A fresh and playful twist on the classic French, pedicure master Milly Mason predicts that switching white tips for pastel hues will be huge this summer. “It’s so fun but chic at the same time,” says Mason. Opt for shades like mint, lilac, and baby blue like Mason’s sorbet-inspired pedicure here.

Almond Milk

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Creamy whites and translucent neutrals — think almond milk — are dominating for summer. “Milky pedicures are my go-to and I’m seeing them everywhere on my feed for summer ‘25,” explains global manicurist and Bio Sculpture nail technician Julia Diogo. To recreate something like this polished pedi by Elim UK, Diogo suggests seeking out a “sheer, creamy white as opposed to a harsh one”, like Bio Sculpture’s Seafoam Polish, $14.50.

Soft Lavender

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Pastels are reigning supreme ahead of summer, but this delicate and dreamy shade of purple is going to be especially popular. “Soft shades like lavender always complement sun-kissed skin and really capture the fresh, playful energy of the season while still looking contemporary,” says session manicurist Ami Streets. This glazed pedi by manicurist @nailsxbymilena is the perfect example.

Sheer Pink

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Much like the white T-shirt of pedicure colors, a soft pink is effortless and looks good on everyone. “Something like Essie Ballet Slippers, $10, is so soft and elegant and works perfectly for those who like a minimalist look,” says nail artist Iram Shelton.

Aqua Splash

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Consider this the wild card color for summer. While matcha and pistachio greens have been huge for spring, things are getting punchier for the season ahead. Aquamarine, cyan blue, and turquoise will be making a splash on toes, like this statement pedi by The Nail Atelier.

Black Gloss

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Black might sound like an unexpected choice for summer, but trust me, it’s the coolest pedicure of the season. “An ultra-glossy black pedicure pairs perfectly with a colorful sandal and is a year-round favorite of mine,” says Mason. Recreate her stylish color block pedicure at home using OPI Nail Lacquer in Black Onyx, $11.99.

Fiery Red

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“You can’t escape summer without a vibrant red on your toes,” says Shelton, and tomato red is the shade of the season. “It’s bold, fiery, and looks incredible against sun-kissed skin.” Recreate this crimson pedi by Bombnailz Bay Area at home using a high-shine shade like Essie Gel Couture in Rock The Runway, $13.

Iridescent Glow

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Soft shimmers, opalescent finishes, and pearly chromes are having a moment for summer — and we can’t get enough. “They give a luminous, barely-there glow that catches the light beautifully and makes a great choice for those who prefer a more low-key pedicure,” explains Streets. Manucurist Active Plump, $19, adds a pearlescent sheen to nails while hydrating and plumping.

Butter Yellow

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Light, bright, and instantly cheerful, butter yellow is like sunshine in a bottle. If you want to dip your toe into a colorful pedi, but aren’t a fan of summer neons, then this makes a great alternative. Try Gucci Nail Polish in 218 Cecilia Ivory, $33, to recreate the subtle golden warmth of this pedicure by Alisa.In_.

This story was originally published on Refinery29 UK.

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