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 catching our eye this June, click through the slideshow ahead…
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 colour 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.
Shop now at Kosas
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 cofounder Orlagh McCloskey.
Shop now at RIXO and Ciao Lucia
RIXO x Ciao Lucia Seraphina Midi Dress, $, available at Rixo London
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 from 18th June
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.
Shop now at Dear F rances
Dear Frances Balla Weave Strap, $, available at Dear Frances
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 Cult Beauty
Milk Makeup High Roll Mascara, $, available at Cult Beauty
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
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 colourways to suit lighter and darker skin tones.
Shop now at NARS
NARS Laguna Ultimate Face Palette I, $, available at NARS
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 colours 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 from 20th June
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