Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
While the sun might still be hiding behind the clouds some days, the temperature has risen to warm and sweaty, meaning our makeup and fashion looks for the month ahead have to be sticky commute-proof.
When it comes to beauty, we’re leaning into the power of tinted sunscreens, which act as a hydrating foundation alternative with lightweight formulas that provide just enough coverage to skip a heavy base. We’re also giving ourselves the ultimate at-home pedicure for the start of bare feet season (mesh ballet flats count, too) and investing in a summery scent to usher in the lazy, hazy days.
On the style side, we’re looking to flirty skirts, with Y2K bubble skirts and Wimbledon-inspired tennis skorts topping our list of picks. For those who prefer a trouser, the capri pant is holding its own, with cool-girl brands like Sandy Liang and Mirror Palais producing some of our fave iterations. And we can’t ignore the ever-growing cult of cowgirl clothing, with lace skirts, scarf tops and cowboy boots remaining sartorial summer staples for another year running.
To discover more beauty products and wardrobe winners that caught our eye this June, click through the slideshow ahead…
Shopbop Releases Exclusive Capsule Collection With 3.1 Phillip Lim
For the first time ever, Shopbop — and its fashion director Caroline Maguire — has co-designed a collection, and the online retailer tapped New York-based brand 3.1 Phillip Lim to help make it happen. The resulting capsule release features eight pieces and includes collegiate-inspired graphic T-shirts, khaki joggers, rugby sweaters, and more. Prices range from $195 to $650.
Shop now at Shopbop
Shopbop x 3.1 Phillip Lim Cut Off Trompe Loeil Rugby Sweatshirt, $, available at Shopbop
Shopbop x 3.1 Phillip Lim Deconstructed Skirt, $, available at Shopbop
Converse Unveils Run Star Trainer
There’s a new sneaker vying for a spot in your summer rotation: the Converse Run Star Trainer. The new silhouette, which borrows design cues from more than 20 designs from the brand’s archives, is equally stylish and sporty with a nylon upper, suede and leather accents; a comfortable foam interior; and a rubber outsole with gripping traction. The Run Star Trainer is available in five colorways (black, white, blue, red, and yellow) for $90.
Shop now at Converse
Converse Run Star Trainer, $, available at Converse
Melissa x Marc Jacobs
Brazilian footwear brand Melissa — known for its nostalgic rubber shoes — has teamed up Marc Jacobs for a second collaboration. This time around, the Melissa x Marc Jacobs launch includes three styles — the Becky platform sandals (with the logo wrapped around the soles), the Melissa Mule in polished and matte finishes, and the Ruby ballet flat which is available in translucent and metallic colorways — made from recyclable PVC. Prices range from $150 to $295.
Shop now at Melissa and Marc Jacobs
Melissa x Marc Jacobs Melissa Mule, $, available at Melissa
Tommy Hilfiger x Sofia Richie Grainge Edit
Unofficial quiet luxury ambassador Sofia Richie Grainge has curated a summer-ready edit for all-American brand Tommy Hilfiger. The 12-piece collection highlights warm-weather essentials, including a crochet midi dress, linen suit, white Oxford shirt, and a reversible bikini. “To me, summer is all about relaxed vibes, breathability, and a sense of playfulness,” Richie Grainge said in a press release. “I love it when I can mix-and-match statement pieces with a wardrobe staple, not only making vacation packing easier, but also never compromising on my personal style. I think summer is such a fun time to show your personality through your wardrobe.”
Shop now at Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger Solid Stretch Oxford Regular Fit Shirt, $, available at Tommy Hilfiger
Catbird x The Met
We’re revisiting the 2024 Met Gala — sort of. Jewelry brand Catbird has teamed up with New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art for a five-piece collection inspired by The Costume Institute’s latest exhibit, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion,” which was also celebrated at the star-studded fashion event in May. With prices starting at $98, the line evokes the exhibit’s themesof the passage of time with pieces like a pearl plum charm, a still life art-inspired oyster ring, and a gold chain necklace with moonstone bubbles. Catbird and The Met previously collaborated in 2020 to celebrate the museum’s 150th anniversary.
Shop now at Catbird
Catbird x The Met Moonstone Bubble Stud, $, available at Catbird
Catbird x The Met Still Life with Oyster Ring, $, available at Catbird
Catbird x The Met Pearl Plum Charm, $, available at Catbird
Catbird x The Met Moonstone Bubble Necklace, $, available at Catbird
Catbird x The Met Cloud Stacking Ring, $, available at Catbird
APL Celebrates 10 Years With TechLoom Pro X
Footwear brand APL is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its popular sneaker, the TechLoom Pro, with a new twist on the style. Called the TechLoom Pro X, the shoe is now available in five new colorways: black/white/silver, black/gold/silver/mélange, tan/ivory/black, white/glow-in-the-dark, and bleached pink/burgundy/white. Of course, everything that made the OG sneaker so beloved — its woven knit fabrication, which allows for a breathability and ventilation, ultra-soft soles, and lightweight design — remain the same.
Shop now at APL
APL TechLoom Pro X, $, available at APL
Looking for a more eco-friendly way to add to your warm weather wardrobe? Look no further than The RealReal’s new collaboration with NYC designer Ian Allen Greer. The 24-piece collection is made up of upcycled garments crafted from items unfit for sale from the online retailer’s inventory. Find summer-ready dresses, tops, shorts, shawls, and more, all made from cotton and linen, that Greer hand-dyed using plant-based pigments sourced from flowers, plants, minerals, and repurposed food waste from local restaurants. Prices range from $175 to $500.
Shop now at The RealReal
The RealReal x Ian Allen Greer Tie Died Cashmere Shawl, $, available at The RealReal
The RealReal x Ian Allen Greer Indigo Shibori Slip Dress, $, available at The RealRealPhoto: Cobey Arner
Kosas Launch Blush is Life
Though liquid formulas have dominated the blush space in recent years, the power of powder is undeniable — especially for oilier complexions. This month, Kosas is launching a new selection of baked, single-pot blushes for the summer season, aiming to both brighten the face with long-wearing color and add dimension. The silky formula even contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and oil-balancing squalane. When it comes to the shades, each two-tone baked blush mimics the look of a natural flush, ranging from a cool baby pink to a fiery blood orange and an even deeper mauve. Plus, the formula is vegan and talc-free.
Kosas Blush is Life, $, available at Kosas
Collina Strada x Baggu
Giddy up! New York fashion brand Collina Strada and Baggu have teamed up to create a whimsical 18-piece collection that includes a crossbody bag shaped like a horse. Other pieces include Baggu staple silhouettes — such as a cargo shoulder bag, nylon crescent bag, and shopping totes — in trippy, maximalist prints (chrysanthemums, puppies, and plaids). All bags are made with at least 59 percent recycled material, with prices ranging from $16 to $70.
Shop now at Baggu
Baggu x Collina Strada Horse Bag, $, available at Baggu
RIXO x Ciao Lucia Collaboration
British brand RIXO is teaming up with Los Angeles-based label Ciao Lucia this month, bringing a slice of West Coast sunshine to the classic English countryside. The 12-piece capsule collection aims to mix occasion dressing with everyday wear, with floaty cotton midi dresses available alongside silky, lace-trimmed maxis. If you’re looking for something more casual (and warm weather-friendly), the collection also features a series of minidresses, including a vintage-inspired, powder-blue collared shirt dress with silk ties. The real show-stoppers are the printed dresses with an angelic cherub design, hand-painted by RIXO co-founder Orlagh McCloskey.
Shop now at RIXO and Ciao Lucia
RIXO Seraphina Midi Dress, $, available at Rixo
Victoria Beckham Beauty FeatherFix Brow Gel
Bold brows defined the past decade but in 2024 the consensus seems to be working with our natural brows to create face-framing, fluffy goodness. While this can be achieved through a number of methods, the most effective way is with a strong-hold brow gel. Happily, VB has devised one just in time for a sweaty summer. Combining the silkiness of a serum with a hairspray-like hold, the product promises ultimate staying power alongside actual haircare, thanks to a biotin formula that aims to promote fuller-looking brows. It’s available in four shades as well as a universal clear for barely there brow-brushing.
Shop at Victoria Beckham Beauty
Victoria Beckham Beauty FeatherFix Liquid Lifting Brow Gel, $, available at Victoria Beckham Beauty
Dear Frances Pre Fall 2024
Choosing footwear for a summer in the city can be a complicated task. A flip-flop might be the simplest way to combat the heat but the clean girl in us craves the safety of a closed toe, making the ever-popular ballet flat an ideal option. For those looking for a luxury offering, Dear Frances has reimagined its Balla mesh flats for summer, adding a dainty strap for running to and from meetings (or, let’s face it, brunch). There’s a riviera-ready raffia design, patent leather looks and even a diamanté-encrusted accent pair. If you’re after a little more height, the collection also includes a selection of structured heels — the silver metallic pair is made for wedding season.
Dear Frances Balla Weave, $, available at Dear Frances
Milk Makeup KUSH High Roll Defining + Volumizing Tubing Mascara
Tubing mascaras continue to have a loyal fan base thanks to their long-wear formulas. Coating and sealing each individual lash in polymers (like a cover for each separate lash), they have been hailed as a lengthening alternative to fiddly falsies. Now, Milk Makeup is backing the hype by upgrading its famed KUSH mascara with a clean tubing formula that promises to provide maximum volume and definition. Free of alcohol, the formula uses vegan waxes and hemp seed oil to condition lashes while avoiding flaking or dryness throughout the day. If makeup remover irritates your eyes, you can simply soak your lashes in water for 30 seconds, then massage the mascara away, meaning no need for stinging cleansers.
Shop now at Sephora
Milk Makeup KUSH High Roll Defining & Volumizing Tubing Mascara, $, available at Sephora
NARS Limited Edition Laguna Ultimate Face Palette
If you’re lucky enough to be travelling this summer, you’ll know the stress of having to pack your makeup into a teeny tiny suitcase. This is why we have our eye on anything that can shrink that stress into practical, compact products — thankfully, NARS has the goods. Released as part of the brand’s Seductive Summer Collection, the limited-edition Laguna Ultimate Face Palette is built around the iconic bronzer shade, famed for its silky texture and subtle sculpting capabilities. Featuring a mix of four shimmer, satin and matte eyeshadows, two bronzer shades and a glow-inducing highlighter, the palette may be made with a tropical beach in mind but works just as well for high summer in the city. It comes in two separate colorways to suit lighter and darker skin tones.
Shop now at NARS
NARS Laguna Ultimate Face Palette, $, available at NARS
Rhode Pocket Blush
Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint is one of the brand’s most talked-about products but we suspect that the new Pocket Blush might just give it a run for its money. Known for her minimalist makeup and rosy cheeks, Hailey Bieber is bringing a set of six blushes to the market this June, with colors spanning from baby pink (Piggy) to a deeper reddish-brown hue (Toasted Teddy). Suitable for both cheeks and lips, the wind-up blush tubes are creamy and contain tamanu oil and peptides for a hydrating feeling. You can apply the product straight from the applicator but tapping it on with fingers is recommended for an even distribution of pigment and a natural, glowy flush.
Shop at Rhode
Rhode Pocket Blush, $, available at Rhode
Peachy Den SS24
Putting the London girl aesthetic on the world stage since 2019, Peachy Den has found fans in superstar Brits like Raye and Olivia Dean, alongside global It girls like Bella Hadid, Gabriette and Kaia Gerber. Known for its ’00s-inspired style, this summer the brand is drawing inspiration from the British seaside in its latest capsule campaign, with new colourways of the drop-waist seersucker Cindy frill dress, alongside a retro tunic and short co-ord set. Coinciding with the label’s five-year anniversary, the collection also includes classics like ’50s-inspired swimsuits, sheer cardigans and checked maxi dresses for the ultimate beach day (come rain or shine).
Shop now at Peachy Den
peachy den The Cindy Frill Dress, $, available at peachy den
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