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.
With any luck, the arrival of May should usher in the type of weather that’s just right. In other words, perfect for those delicate linen sets and lightweight trench coats we’ve been desperate to bring out of hibernation for an entire year. This Goldilocks-style forecast makes spring one of our favourite seasons for putting together an Instagram-worthy fit. Aside from some much-needed sunshine, though, May is also synonymous with the biggest event in the sartorial calendar: The Met Gala.
This year’s theme, The Garden of Time, produced some awe-inspiring looks. Think Elle Fanning’s glass gown courtesy of Balmain and Cynthia Erivo’s petal-adorned tuxedo by Thom Browne. Then there was the Met’s Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibit, which produced some of the most inspired makeup looks of recent galas. Beauty went bold thanks to Zendaya, who accessorised her Maison Margiela Couture dress with paper-thin blonde brows, glossy skin and a vampy lip, not to mention Ariana Grande, who embellished her eyes with petal wing appliqués.
Our invite may have got lost in the post, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t looking to pull together some similarly influential looks this month. If you’re equally as inspired, here are our top fashion and beauty picks to help you on your way.
Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation
It’s safe to say that since Fenty stepped on the scene, foundation has never been the same. Setting the bar for extensive shade ranges, the Riri-owned makeup company is back with an all-new formula, this time focusing on luminosity and hydration. Perfect for warmer weather, this foundation boasts long wear and medium coverage, promising a “golden hour glow”’ that lasts through sweat and humidity. Available in 50 shades, the non-greasy, lightweight formula is built to feel comfortable on the skin while still delivering that all-important luminous finish thanks to hydrating cyperus papyrus leaf cell extract and skin brightening kakadu plum extract.
Shop now at Sephora
Fenty Beauty Soft’Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation, $, available at Sephora UK
Mansur Gavriel x Stamperia Pascucci’s Limited-Edition Capsule
Designed in New York and created in Italy, Mansur Gavriel is the embodiment of accessible luxury. This season, the fashion brand known for its bucket bags embarks on its sixth collaboration with hand-printed canvas connoisseurs Stamperia Pascucci to create a beach-ready capsule collection, inspired by all things seaside. Including striped ballet flats, totes and a sailboat-print beach towel in blue hues of the Mediterranean, this capsule has dolce vita written all over it.
Shop now at Mansur Gavriel
Mansur Gavriel x Stamperia Pascucci Pascucci Ballerina, $, available at Mansur Gavriel
The Ordinary Launches Non-Acid Exfoliating Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
True beauty aficionados know that The Ordinary is one of the best budget-friendly skincare lines in the business. From its famous AHA + BHA 2% Peeling Solution to the armpit-friendly Glycolic Acid, the company is known for high-grade ingredients that work. This looks to be the case once again with the launch of its new non-acid exfoliating toner, which uses N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG) to promote gentle surface exfoliation. Unlike an acid, this sensitive-skin friendly approach to exfoliating is all about harnessing the power of yeast ferment technology for smoother, hydrated skin. While this might sound super-sciency, the milky toner promises to reduce the look of dark spots, smooth skin texture and minimise the look of dark pores without the risk of acidic irritation, and for only £12.40, we’re sold.
Shop now at The Ordinary
The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner, $, available at The Ordinary
Coachtopia is launching an upcycling campaign
In recent years Coach has (once again) skyrocketed in popularity thanks to the viral Tiktok videos of bloggers restoring vintage bags from the brand . This interest in giving designer bags a new lease of life is explored in the new campaign for Coach’s eco-minded sister brand, Coachtopia, featuring the work of four designers with a love of upcycling. Some of the pieces include UK designer Tade Kayode-Newman’s version of the cult Ergo bag covered in recycled PET plastic spikes and NYC-based designers Anna Molinari’s and Zizi Zeng’s eyelet-embellished and lace bow-adorned bags, respectively. However, if handbags aren’t
your vibe, the collection also includes a cute cherry graphic tee by designer Sabrina Lau.
Shop now at Coach
Uniqlo x Marimekko Summer 2024
Though it might not seem like it right now, hot weather is on the horizon. This means it’s time to plan some picnic ready looks, and luckily the new UNIQLO x Marimekko has arrived just in time to inject colour into our warm-weather wardrobes. Inspired by the bright, bold patterns of the ’60s and ’70s, the collaboration is all about wearable maximalism, with block-printed tees, wavy midi dresses and floral shirts. For those obsessed with the viral UNIQLO bag, the Japanese retailer is stepping beyond its solid colour designs with graphic prints that the Finnish brand is famous for, as well as offering matching kids clothes.
Shop now at Uniqlo
Uniqlo x Marimekko Linen Blend Skirt, $, available at Uniqlo
ILIA Launches Lip Sketch Hydration Crayon
For those who find a lipstick bullet too chunky and instead opt for drawing in all-over lip colour with a liner, this product is for you. ILIA’s new Lip Sketch Hydration Crayon is all about a nourishing feel with long-wear results. Unlike other lip crayons, this version can be sharpened just like a lip liner (big win), while still offering a thicker diameter for easy application. Plus, the formula has hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil, so lips can stay looking luscious all day long. It’s available in 12 different shades (the blue toned crimson is our current fave).
Shop at ILIA from May 14th
ILIA Beauty Lip Sketch Hydrating Crayon, $, available at ILIA Beauty
Levi’s 2024 Spring/Summer WellThread® Capsule
Jeans are one of the centrepieces of every wardrobe, and it’s even better if that denim is sustainably sourced. Continuing its initiative to reduce the chemical, energy and water impacts of clothing production, Levi’s is launching its latest WellThread capsule collection, which utilises transitional cotton (cotton in the process of becoming organic) and plant-based dyes to create more planet-friendly denim designs. Our favourite pieces include the ceramic white boxy trucker jacket and the washed denim wildflower dress. However, the most eye-catching piece in the collection has to be the ’80s mom shorts featuring a diffused botanical print made from plant-based indigo ink.
Shop now at Levi
Levi’s WellThread® Trucker Jacket, $, available at Levi’s
Glow Recipe Launches Dew Balm SPF Stick
If you think of Glow Recipe, it’s likely that your mind jumps straight to the Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops. The glowy serum has become a cult product online, thanks to its hyperpigmentation-reducing ingredients and shelfie-worthy bottle. Now, just in time for the summer heat, Glow Recipe has released a sister product in the form of a broad-spectrum SPF serum stick. Made to be the perfect day bag companion, the dewy formula is made for on-the-run sunscreen touch-ups, promising ultra hydration and SPF 30 (PA+++). Formulated with niacinamide, the stick aims to help even out skin tone over time while ingredients like hyaluronic acid hydrate the face and squalane soothes skin while still giving a glowy finish.
Shop now at Cult Beauty
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm SPF Stick, $, available at Cult Beauty
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
The Best Looks At The 2024 Met Gala
How I Styling Gingham For Spring
What Is The “Correct” Amount To Spend On SPF?
