While I love getting dressed as much as the next fashion person, I tend to have a deficit in one particular clothing category: tops. I don't know about you, but I'm always on the hunt for a range of beautiful tops to mix and match with my go-to wardrobe items. If you're in the same boat, then I have great news. I've recently browsed Nordstrom's newest arrivals and found many amazing tops—from versatile, elevated basics to cool, head-turning statement pieces—worth shopping. Don't worry. I included a list of my top selects below just for you.

In the mix of the best Nordstrom top arrivals, you can expect pretty fabrics and fun constructions. Pieces from top brands like Reformation, COS, and Mango also make a splash. If you're looking to add a bit of freshness to your closet for the months to come, shop these amazing Nordstrom tops.

Shop the Best New Tops at Nordstrom

They say mothers know best, so when my mom first told me of her love for Drmtlgy—a medical-grade skincare brand shaped by dermatologists—I immediately took note. Ever since trying the Needle-less Serum six years ago, she's been hooked. She's purchased almost every product the brand has ever made and keeps her countertop as well-stocked as Ulta. After my particularly bad bout of contact dermatitis two years ago from repeatedly testing new skincare formulas in the dead of winter (the woes of a beauty editor with chronically dry skin), my mom lent me her Drmtlgy Barrier Repair Mask. Within days, my angry red splotches and flaky spots were gone. With that, Drmtlgy made a fan out of me too.

While my career exposes my skin to plenty of subpar formulas, Drmtlgy's products have yet to fall out of my favor. So when I heard that the brand was launching its version of a peel pad—a gentle, sensitive skin–friendly alternative to chemical peels—both my mother and I jumped at the chance to try it ourselves. Between my 26-year-old complexion and her 54-year-old skin, we gave the Drmtlgy FacialRX Daily Peel Pads a fair trial, testing them for a week at the height of summer to see how our similarly sensitive barriers fared.

Toner pads are nothing new to the world of skincare, but this new wave of gentle peel pads, from Dr. Dennis Gross's famous Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads to Innbeauty Project's Skin Prep Exfoliating Pads, takes the category a step further. While I've enjoyed using other brands' mini chemical peels in a jar, I ultimately found them best for degunking my skin at the end of the day versus overhauling the entire surface. I can't say these acid-soaked pads will deliver the same results as an office-level chemical peel, but I can promise they offer a comparable glow. In fact, I was caught off guard by my own reflection on the very first day I used these because I'd completely forgotten that I'd started the day with one of these little pads. My skin looked unnaturally ethereal and glowy.

The pads themselves are textured with seersucker-like ridges, offering an element of physical exfoliation along with chemical: a combination of lactic, mandelic, salicylic, and succinic acids. With slow, circular motions, the pads slowly release the acid-soaked formula into the skin, working in real time to sweep away dead skin cells and reveal the glowing layer beneath.

"They actually tingled a bit," my mom texted me after trying them for the first time. "I definitely couldn't use them every day—maybe twice a week max." Her guesstimate would be right, as the brand instructs people with dry and normal skin to use them two to three times maximum each week, and those with oily or combination complexions can use them up to twice daily. If you're sensitive like us, you'll be fine to begin using them once or twice per week—allowing several days in between—before increasing frequency. However, you should consult your dermatologist if you are unsure whether this product will be too strong for your barrier.

While my mom felt a bit of initial discomfort when applying these pads to her mature skin, she feels that the benefits far outweigh the small inconvenience. "My skin did feel very smooth, with a nice texture and glow the next day," she reflects. "I know with continuous use, they would make a difference."

In as little as one use, both my 20-something and her 50-something complexions shone exponentially brighter and possessed a healthy, lit-from-within radiance. I didn't even use foundation the evening after my first try! Within a week, we noticed other changes: Our texture was nearly indistinguishable, our tones looked far more even—a feat under the summer sun—and our skin looked and felt smoother to the touch.

Like most of Drmtlgy's products, these peels are reasonably priced at just $38, which is partially why my mother and her friends continue to turn to this brand over others time and again. If effective, cost-efficient products are up your alley, keep scrolling to discover the other Drmtlgy products my mom and I use to stock our shelves, and don't forget to nab the FacialRX Daily Peel Pads before they inevitably sell out.

Shop More Drmtlgy Products My Mom and I Love

With Couture Fashion Week in full swing, I've turned my attention to Paris to see exactly what the city's chicest dressers are wearing right now. As editors, buyers, models and celebrities descend on the French capital, I've taken note of every summer silhouette cropping up again and again.

From the shoe trend dominating the front rows to the simple wardrobe basics seemingly every model is reaching for right now, read on to discover the five key summer trends emerging from Paris right now.

5 Chic Summer Trends Taking Off in Paris

1. Denim Capri Pants

Style Notes: The capri pants trend is alive and well this summer, but Paris's chicest have taken a more elevated approach to the trend. Rather than the leggings styles dominating elsewhere, the couture crowd is giving the trend a distinctly French twist by opting for denim capris in blue, black and white washes. Slightly more casual—and, in my opinion, far more interesting—these retro-inspired jeans have been styled with the city's favourite ballet flats and loafers all week long.

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2. Two-Tone Heels

Style Notes: You only had to glance down at the pavements around the Grand Palais this week to know the Chanel show was taking place. Chanel's signature two-tone heels peppered the fashion crowd during Matthieu Blazy's presentation, but the timeless shoe trend continued to appear long after the show had ended.

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3. White Tank Tops

Style Notes: Given the French knack for making wardrobe basics look impossibly chic, I wasn't surprised to see crisp white tank tops everywhere during Paris's Fashion Week heatwaves this week. Uncomplicated and always cool, the chicest French women styled theirs up with skirts, jeans and trousers to stay comfortable in style.

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4. Pastel Pink

Style Notes: I expected to see some of the season's more divisive colours—chartreuse or royal purple, perhaps—dominating Paris this week. Instead, the standout shade was the prettiest pastel pink. Worn as an accent or styled head-to-toe, it's an elegant colour trend worth considering if you're looking to hone a Paris-worthy rotation.

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5. Sporty Shades

Style Notes: Paris has developed a growing affinity for sporty styling, and nowhere is that more apparent than in its eyewear choices. Swapping '90s-inspired sunglasses and oversized bug-eye frames for sleek wraparound styles, the city's best-dressed attendees fully embraced the sporty shades trend this week.

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If you're a fan of the illustrious Lupita Nyong'o, you'll be pleased to know that we spoke to her in an in-depth interview for our July cover story. The full story dives into her dual role as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra in Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated The Odyssey. As a preview, we have a sound bite of what your read will be like, as we take Nyong'o through some quick-hitting, lighthearted questions.

In the video, you'll get Nyong'o's thoughts on her most iconic characters and costumes, from Black Panther's Nakia to her role as Viola in William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night opposite her real-life brother Junior Nyong'o, who played Sebastian. She also dives into the moment she found out Beyoncé, your favorite celebrity's favorite celebrity, name-checked her in her renowned song "Brown Skin Girl," telling us, "I was name-checked in a song about embracing our complexion, which is legacy-building that I didn't know I was going to be a part of." Watch the full video below.

Watch Our Video Interview

Read Our In-Depth Profile

Click here for our Who What Wear cover story and photo shoot with Lupita Nyong'o.

Anticipation continues to build for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey, a thrilling adaptation of Homer's legendary Greek epic. Notably, this project marks the first feature film shot completely using IMAX film cameras. Also, the mastermind behind acclaimed hits like Oppenheimer, Inception, and Interstellar has assembled a star-studded cast for it, including Lupita Nyong'o, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron.

Among the talented group, Nyong'o is drawing significant attention for her challenging task of portraying Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra. Nyong'o told the press that Nolan wrote these parts specifically with her in mind—an unusual approach for the director. While she views that as an immense honor in her already-celebrated career, she revealed in an accompanying interview with Who What Wear that she attributes this massive opportunity to her performance in 12 Years a Slave.

The 2013 biographical historical drama, adapted from Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir, served as Nyong'o's feature-film debut and definitive breakout role. Her powerful portrayal of Patsey, a resilient enslaved woman on a Louisiana cotton plantation, earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—a rare triumph for a debut performance.

Reflecting on her career, Nyong'o expressed shock and gratitude at how things have unfolded. "It's unbelievable that it happened that way, but I'm so glad it did because it happened before I had a chance to want it, and now, I get to be grateful for the rest of my life," she noted. For her, the Oscar win was more than just a trophy; it laid the groundwork for future opportunities. "I would not be in a Chris Nolan film were it not for that," she admitted while also acknowledging she couldn't foresee how to follow an Academy Award debut. Ultimately, that foundational role paved the way for her presence in The Odyssey, one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, scheduled to hit theaters on July 17.

After a series of summers being claimed by a specific fruit (tomato girl summer), tinned fish (sardine girl summer) or a Nancy Meyers-inspired matriarch (coastal grandmother summer), this season feels refreshingly devoid of a specific archetype that everyone is chasing.

That was until Jennifer Lawrence stepped out yesterday in New York City. The actor’s off-duty wardrobe is a masterful combination of bohemian maximalism, quiet luxury and vintage pieces, resulting in eccentric ensembles that always look luxurious and artistic, albeit accessible. And after a few years dominated by a collective obsession with stealth wealth of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy-inspired minimalism, it’s a welcome change to see a member of the celebrity style set borrow from different genres and sartorial moods when pulling together their looks.

It sounds trite, especially given how the majority of us wouldn’t ever think about the provenance or aesthetic of the item of clothing we’re wearing, but where street style can sometimes feel so prescriptive, you can’t fault the Oscar winner for stepping out in something you know a stylist didn’t meticulously curate for her. This is precisely why we should all be trying to have a Jennifer Lawrence summer this season.

Instead of adhering to a set formula or micro trend, the most chic amongst us are using the warm months to experiment with unexpected silhouettes, referencing different decades and taking cues from random places from art, film and literature. Take her latest look, for instance.

Whilst running errands in Manhattan, Lawrence stepped out in a pretty standard formula of denim shorts, white T-shirt and balmy sandals. However, to make the look feel more aligned with her own personal tastes, and by direct correlation more authentic and therefore aspirational, she subverted these basics by opting for graphic touches, vibrant colourways and refined shapes.

The look in question was centred around a pair of elongated denim Bermuda shorts. Long and loose, the soft shape casually grazed her knee, invoking the blissful elegance of Brigitte Bardot wandering through Saint-Tropez. But rather than feeling too Parisian-on-vacation, she paired the look with an oversized T-shirt of dolphins swimming in São Jorge in Portugal. It’s the exact thing you might buy ironically as a tourist from a hotel gift shop, but when paired with a Marty Supreme orange croc bag and polished T-bar sandals, the look felt instantly elevated.

Still, she didn’t stop there. On her face, she opted for The Row’s oversized Maud sunglasses, which are a bug-eye shape beloved by the likes of Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz. Of course, if you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ll be aware of how much Celine’s ‘60s-inspired shades are dominating fashion spheres. Here, Lawrence is wearing something that can only be described as Jackie Kennedy by way of Miami Beach with a touch of French Riviera refinement. Now, try to summarise that into three viral words…

Shop White Denim Shorts with T-Bar Sandals:

Lupita Nyong'o arrives to lunch at Sukh, her go-to Brooklyn Thai restaurant, in incognito mode: dark glasses and a black pashmina looped around her head like an Old Hollywood starlet. But when the Oscar-winning actress sheds her scarf and shades, her cover's blown. Standing in this quaint dining room in a denim micromini, a white oxford shirt, and beaded necklaces from her native Kenya, Nyong'o is—unmistakably—the most beautiful woman in the world.

This month, Nyong'o plays Helen of Troy, the mythic face that "launched a thousand ships," in Director Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated, much-shrouded summer blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey. As arguably the industry's most influential director, Nolan makes movies that are not so much theatrical releases as Cultural Events. (Remember "Barbenheimer?") Nyong'o is part of an all-star cast: Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and many more. Opening-weekend tickets are largely already sold out, some a full year in advance.

Yet on the Tuesday in June when we meet, Nyong'o herself has not been consumed by bubbling Odyssey mania. "If I could be very honest with you, I haven't been in New York," she says shortly after sitting, nothing but waters and menus on the table. "I've actually been recuperating from a surgery, so I've been away, in nature, taking care of myself."

In May, Nyong'o underwent her second myomectomy, a major surgery to remove more than 50 fibroids, or noncancerous tumors, growing in the lining of her uterus. Her first myomectomy came after she was diagnosed with fibroids in 2014, the same year she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave. Nyong'o shared her private struggle with fibroids in public for the first time last year: the "seasons of constant pain"; the heavy, prolonged periods in which she lost "dangerous amounts of blood each month." Earlier this year, she revealed her fibroids had returned.

The surgery is still "very fresh," Nyong'o says. She's not quite ready to talk about it yet. First, she suggests, "let's warm up."

Many women struggle to take a simple compliment. Nyong'o is not many women. When I ask how it sits with her to be cast as the most gorgeous minx of all time, she replies with an enthusiastic "Really well." Nyong'o laughs a little, but she's not kidding: "No, I do love this for me."

Here in our snug corner booth, Nyong'o is wholly owning the role.

"Listen. I'm not going to be mad at anyone calling me beautiful," she tells me. "I grew up feeling kind of like an ugly duckling." She references her 2019 children's book, Sulwe, inspired by her own experiences with colorism: "It took me a lot of conscious work to get rid of my insecurities and to free myself from the discrimination of my skin color."

Regal, striking beauty is inextricable from Nyong'o's public identity: as Nakia, the warrior/spy and love of the late Chadwick Boseman's King T'Challa in Black Panther; as the first Black face of Lancôme and a suited Chanel ambassador. The "jarring" attention started when Nyong'o moved to her birthplace of Mexico to study Spanish at age 16: "I was like, 'Wait a minute. I'm odd enough here. I'm singular enough that people are translating it as beauty.'"

At 43, Nyong'o speaks with the steady, almost mesmerizing conviction of a woman who has done the work. "When people compliment me these days," she adds, "I embrace it."

Early Odyssey discourse has been so preoccupied with Helen, it's largely glossed over that Nyong'o pulls double duty as her sister, Clytemnestra, the tortured queen who murders her husband, Agamemnon (Benny Safdie), as payback for sacrificing their daughter to the gods. It's a role that Nyong'o first played as a student at Yale School of Drama in a class called The Greeks. "Her story is so tragic," she says. "It's hard to forget."

In some versions of The Odyssey—including Nolan's, Nyong'o reveals—Helen and Clytemnestra are twins. She immediately agreed to play the more storied sister during her first meeting with Nolan. ("I never ever thought that I would be offered a chance to play Helen of Troy.") When the Oppenheimer director doubled down with Clytemnestra, Nyong'o "almost fell off the creaky chair [she] was on," but it helped that she'd already played doppelgängers in Jordan Peele's psychological thriller Us.

"I had the reassurance that I had done two roles before," she said. "My role in Us, I was the Odysseus. It was more of a heavy lift to do Us than it was to be a really, really valuable and pivotal part of Odysseus's journey."

To tackle the twins, Nyong'o knew she had to craft key physical and vocal distinctions for each character, an approach she says "Michael" (as in Michael B. Jordan, her Black Panther costar and the Oscars' reigning Best Actor for playing twins in Sinners) has also discussed. How, specifically, did Nyong'o approach Helen versus Clytemnestra? "I can't tell you that," she says slyly.

Inevitably, we've reached the point in our interview when Nyong'o must maintain the mystique of a new Nolan film. The director famously rejects the modern movie-marketing machine, a gauntlet of appearances, interviews like this one, and a deluge of TikToks and Instagram Reels promoting—and potentially overexposing—the project. When Nyong'o and I meet in June, there have been no glimpses of her in character as Helen. Two Odyssey trailers have dropped, neither of which feature her. Journalists typically screen the film their celebrity subject is promoting; not this time.

"I actually think that a lot of filmmakers want to be guarded about what they're making, but the industry doesn't allow them to be," Nyong'o says. "Chris has that power. He is that power."

Nyong'o is a director's darling, consistently working with the new masters, including Peele and Black Panther's Ryan Coogler. Even so, the mythology (pun intended) around Nolan felt different. "There's so much lore that goes with the Chris Nolan experience," Nyong'o says. In reality, she found him to be remarkably open, inviting her into three-way discussions with him and the costume, hair, and makeup departments. She praises Nolan's no-phones-on-set policy and the fact that he didn't coddle The Odyssey's constellation of stars.

Even before The Odyssey, Nolan's and Nyong'o's careers were creatively aligned. Both have a way of elevating blockbusters, bridging the gap between Best Picture and box-office hits. The Oscars have toyed with adding a "popular film" category, but between Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight (Nolan) and Black Panther, Us, and I, Robot (Nyong'o), the synergy between art and commerce is already being realized.

For Nyong'o, filmmakers like Nolan and Coogler mean she doesn't have to view her career in terms of the old industry juggling act of "one for them, one for me" (projects that pay and others that feed your soul). "They do work that means something to them. They're not just collecting a paycheck," she says. "That's a gift, to have artistic convictions that happen to correlate with a popular movie." She could just as well be talking about herself.

Nyong'o has gravitated to iconic IP (Marvel, Star Wars), but her meteoric, Oscar-winning debut came in a comparative indie. In Director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, she played Patsey, a young enslaved woman immortalized in the memoir of the same name. I wonder how it's impacted the rest of her career, to get everything she's supposed to want, upfront, at age 31.

"That is the only life I know, right? The version of life where I won an Academy Award for the first movie I ever did," Nyong'o says. "It's unbelievable that it happened that way, but I'm so glad it did because it happened before I had a chance to want it and now I get to be grateful for the rest of my life." Some say it's a curse, but Nyong'o credits the Oscar's weight, and not just because she sometimes uses hers as a dumbbell. "I would not be in a Chris Nolan film were it not for that," she says. "It legitimized my presence in an industry that has a very short attention span."

Growing up, she never dreamed of acting as a viable career path. She can't seem to stress this part enough: "I come from a very different world, Michelle." The daughter of a Kenyan politician/professor and a public health advocate, she was raised between Kenya and Mexico City, born in the latter after her family fled political unrest at home. "My options for what I could be were very narrow," Nyong'o says. "I had internalized that women were secretaries and business women." But her mother, Dorothy, clearly saw her potential, signing her up for public speaking, improv, and poetry recitation classes.

"I remember seeing Whoopi Goldberg in more than one movie, and I was like, 'Wait, you could do this?'" she reenacts her childhood enlightenment. Especially "because she was dark skinned, I really took note of her." It's moving now for Nyong'o to imagine her career providing the same kind of recognition for a new generation: "I feel very honored to be anybody's Whoopi."

Still, Nyong'o's bright-burning breakout was not without complication. "The years after winning were very challenging for me, psychologically, because I was riddled with the question of, 'What does up look like from an Academy Award?'" She aimed to give herself permission to fail.

"That's what got me to a place where I was eligible for an Academy Award, because I approached 12 Years a Slave with courage," she said. "It cannot be about the accolades. It has to be about the boldness with which I go about my work."

Maybe it's because Nyong'o grew up a world away from Hollywood that she's managed to approach its gilded trap with grace. "Trying to maintain other people's regard of you is not sustainable," she says. "The Academy Award was external validation, but it cannot be the prerequisite for self-appreciation."

Nyong'o knew too well that winning an Oscar isn't a cure-all. Fans saw her in plunging, powder-blue Prada, statuette in hand. Behind the scenes, 2014 was coupled with the crushing low of her first fibroids diagnosis: "It was just a very brutal reminder that no number of red carpets will protect me from poor health," she tells me.

Over her colorful salad and my plate of branzino, Nyong'o is ready to go there. She's been listening to Lena Dunham's memoir, Famesick, and relating closely to the story of a buzzy young star privately grappling with a chronic health issue.

It's tempting to write that Nyong'o has suffered in silence, but she now describes her experience with fibroids as something more specific, something all too female: She did not recognize her suffering was remarkable at all.

Though her period was going longer and she was experiencing cramps, abdominal pain, and clotting—all fibroid symptoms—"I didn't know I was sick," Nyong'o says of the lead-up to her diagnosis in 2014. "I didn't know there was an alarm to sound."

It was only after she insisted to doctors that the toughness in her abdomen signaled a deeper problem that an ultrasound confirmed she had 30 fibroids growing in her uterine lining. "I blamed myself because it had been a stressful year, and fibroids grow in a stressed-out body," she said of the dizzying high/low. "I was the thinnest I've ever been, and that was not by design. There was not enough time to eat, and I didn't have an appetite. My diet was cortisol and adrenaline."

Nyong'o says no one could explain why her fibroids had developed or if they'd return. Doctors repeatedly shrugged at a lack of research. Despite affecting 80% of women by age 50 and disproportionately affecting Black women, fibroids were—and largely remain—"under-researched, underfunded, and routinely dismissed," according to a piercing description by health policy nonprofit The Commonwealth Fund.

Nyong'o's treatment options sounded more like an ultimatum: surgically remove her fibroids or continue to suffer. She says hysterectomies—the only certain cure for fibroids—have too often been recommended as an extreme first course of action. Facing her first surgery, "I felt very alone, and I also felt like I had to deal with it in private," she recalls. Overnight fame was disorienting enough without publicizing her medical records. After a myomectomy that removed 23 fibroids, Nyong'o continued to grind. Ten days after the procedure, she honored a prior commitment to speak before 10,000 women in Boston. "I didn't know that I could say no, and I think a lot of women do that," she says. "Taking care of their bodies is not on the agenda, because the world does not create an environment where your pain is considered."

Post-op conversations about prevention felt similarly bleak. Nyong'o recalls two options: go on The Pill, which can alleviate symptoms but isn't a cure, or accept that it would only be a matter of time until her fibroids returned. "I lived praying that my fibroids weren't coming back," she said, "so when I learned that they were, it was this inevitable tragedy."

Nyong'o was mostly able to live her normal life in the years since her first surgery, but over time, her symptoms flared. "It wasn't until my period lasted more than 30 days that I finally crumbled," Nyong'o said. In early 2023, she learned her fibroids had returned and more than doubled: There were over 50 tumors, the largest being the size of a peach. This time, she was almost a decade older and full of fiery resolve: "I realized this system has failed me, and I got to try and understand the female body for myself."

Playing a cancer patient in 2024's A Quiet Place: Day One proved a turning point. "That movie where I had to look ill actually made me more well," Nyong'o said. To safely lose weight for the role on a short timetable, she worked with a healthcare facility that dialed into her nutrition and bloodwork. She learned that fibroids feed on estrogen and eating iron-rich foods could improve her liver function and, therefore, her hormonal balance; that getting vitamin D via sunlight and supplements could inhibit fibroids from growing (which is notable for Black people, who can be vitamin D deficient, as the melanin in their skin decreases sun absorption); that reducing stress and inflammation can make your body a less-friendly host for fibroids.

Nyong'o approached her second myomectomy this past May empowered by information. "Last time, I felt completely helpless and at the mercy of the medical industry," Nyong'o said. This time, "the fibroids don't have the same power over me."

Instead of racing back to the grind, "I went away for a month, and I stayed in the countryside, and my mother came and she took care of me," Nyong'o shares. She ate well, walked every day, and got tons of sunshine, "like a wounded cat." Nyong'o is still healing, including discomfort and pain from the surgical wound, but she says her body seems lighter already.

Even on set of The Odyssey, she strove for sleep, rest, and maintaining her anti-inflammatory diet.

Nyong'o doesn't feel alone after this second surgery, either, in part because of the community she's created by going public. Nyong'o has established herself as a truthteller. In 2017, she lent her voice to the #MeToo movement, alleging in a stinging New York Times op-ed that Harvey Weinstein made sexual advances on her while promising to boost her career. When she broke up with boyfriend in 2023, she skipped the typical, pat statement, instead vulnerably writing on Instagram about "a love suddenly and devastatingly extinguished by deception."

She decided to share her fibroids story last year. "Honestly, I just had it," she tells me. Part of her advocacy is awareness. "Why is this thing that's so common a mystery?" Nyong'o asks. "We should know about fibroids as much as we know about impounded wisdom teeth. Every single girl should know about the risk of fibroids in their teens when they're learning about their period and their reproductive system."

In March, she announced a Make Fibroids Count campaign with the Foundation for Women's Health, creating a grant to research less-invasive treatments; it has surpassed its $200,000 goal, raising more than $230,000. "I would love for there to be more solutions for women than just cutting us open," Nyong'o says.

This is the true beauty of Lupita Nyong'o: her resolve to do something productive with her pain, and her fame. "It's the delight of my soul," she says.

The Odyssey is in theaters July 17.

Photographer/Creative Conception: Kenny Germé
Creative Director: Natalia Sztyk
Stylist: Jan-Michael Quammie
Hairstylist: Vernon François
Hair Assistant: Batiseol Gomis
Makeup Artist: Nick Barose for Exclusive Artists using Chanel
Makeup Assistant: Naruedom Putipan
Manicurist: Bagir Hasanov
Set Designer: Lane Vineyard
Video Director: Sarah Al Slaity
Entertainment Director: Jessica Baker
Producer: Nick De Bellis

If you ask any Who What Wear editor where to look for outfit inspiration, their first answer will always be the streets of Paris. This is because there's an inexplicable stylish aura that Parisians radiate, and no matter the time of year, you can find a chic celebrity in front of the Ritz Paris wearing an elegant ensemble. The latter is especially true right now as Paris Couture Week wraps up. The latest A-lister to give us a lesson in good style is Jennifer Lopez, who is showcasing an unexpected but fresh way to style Bermuda shorts.

Spotted just this week, the actress and singer stepped out in chic black Bermuda shorts, which she paired with a short-sleeve white textured jacket—a complete look from Michael Kors's F/W 26 collection. She styled her outfit with her go-to accessories: oversize sunglasses and a Chanel bag. For shoes, though, she skipped her usual PVC heels and opted for peep-toe heeled mules instead.

On Jennifer Lopez: Tom Ford Bronson Sunglasses ($350); Giuseppe Zanotti Intriigo Cocktail 90 Heels ($1050); Michael Kors F/W 26 top and shorts; Fope bracelets; Chanel bag

Bermuda shorts, from classic tailored wool styles to trendy satin ones with drawstring waists, are trending right now. I've seen the silhouette on my Instagram feed and with my own two eyes in person. Actually, the other day in the Who What Wear NYC office, four editors, including myself, wore Bermuda shorts, all styled in myriad ways, proving their versatility among those with very different fashion tastes.

If I had to recommend just one piece to invest in for comfort and style right now, it would be Bermuda shorts. Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best pairs, and if J.Lo has inspired you, I've also included a selection of peep-toe heels.

Shop Peep-Toe Heels and Bermuda Shorts

I’ve always had a slightly complicated relationship with shorts. Denim pairs have a habit of riding up, whilst shorter linen styles never seem to hit quite the right spot on my legs (the realities of being 5’2”). For years, I’d simply avoid them altogether, reaching instead for linen trousers, slip skirts or easy summer dresses. That was until one particular silhouette started appearing everywhere I looked: the Bermuda short.

Not so long ago, Bermuda shorts felt more practical than polished. They were firmly in “dad on holiday” territory. This summer, however, they’ve undergone something of a fashion rebrand. Thanks to minimalist tailoring, relaxed proportions and fashion people styling them with romantic blouses, crisp shirts and simple tank tops, they’ve become one of the coolest pieces you can own. Less countryside hike, more Copenhagen Fashion Week.

What makes them so appealing is their versatility. Cut just above—or sometimes below—the knee, they offer a relaxed silhouette that feels effortlessly elegant, whilst the extra length makes them surprisingly easy to style. Whether paired with a fitted tank and leather flip-flops, an oversized linen shirt and woven tote, or a pretty embroidered blouse and ballet flats, they somehow make every outfit feel more directional with very little effort.

After spending far too many hours scrolling the high street, I’ve noticed three brands consistently getting Bermuda shorts right: COS, Zara and H&M. COS excels at clean, minimalist tailoring, Zara has embraced elevated details like embroidery and tie-waists, whilst H&M continues to produce the affordable linen pairs that fashion editors return to every summer. Keep scrolling for the very best Bermuda shorts to shop now.

Shop The Best Bermuda Shorts at Zara, COS and H&M

I have a closet full of black shoes, and minimalism will always have a place in my wardrobe, but lately, I've found myself embracing color again. I recently wrote about vibrant clothing being the one summer trend I didn't expect to love, and now, that same shift has extended to shoes.

Red has always been the color family I've gravitated toward outside of neutrals, but lately, I've also been loving turquoise, royal purple, and even hot pink Gimaguas ballet flats. As vivid, playful dressing continues to trend, fashion people are adding personality to their wardrobes by opting for fun pairs over basic sandals this season. The styles I keep seeing over and over include jelly flats (I bought a pair for $28 from Los Angeles Apparel), bright ballet flats, beaded sandals, and colorful wedges.

Below, shop the fun shoe trend that's everywhere this summer from brands like Ancient Greek Sandals, Christopher Esber, Khaite, and more.

Shop Fun Summer Shoes

Jelly Shoes

Bright Ballet Flats

Beaded Sandals

Colorful Wedges

Some among us are loyal to a specific candle scent in their homes and will never stray. I think we all have a Diptyque Baies, Le Labo Santal 26, or Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir devotee in our lives. And then there are others, such as myself, who are always on the hunt for the buzziest and newest-on-the-scene candles to add to our collections—in addition to the tried-and-true favorites, of course. As someone who purchases pretty much everything I own online, I place a lot of blind candle orders, but you'll typically find me searching far and wide for reviews before doing so. This time, I'm the reviewer.

I'm a luxury-candle aficionado, and there have been a few standout candles on my radar this year. Some are brand-new, and others have held on to their buzz. As you can imagine, I was more than happy to be a guinea pig and test them in my house, and in doing so, I have something to back up my recommendations. Among the highly coveted brands I tried IRL were Trudon, Loewe, Diptyque, Flamingo Estate, Le Labo, and LAFCO. Without further ado, scroll on to read my thoughts on and shop some of the chicest, most sought-after candle scents of 2026.

Trudon Figuerie

Having one of the legendary French fragrance house's candles in your home is a signal of good taste, and the scents are as elegant as the vessels they're in. Many brands make their version of a fig-scented candle, but I've yet to encounter one that's anything like Trudon's newest release Figuerie.

My review: Trudon's Figuerie candle is far from the fruity fig candles you may be familiar with. It's an earthy, woody fragrance inspired more by the actual fig tree than the fruit itself. The prominent fig-leaf note is mixed with hyacinth, tasuki patchouli, and sandalwood, adding depth and a powderiness I didn't expect. This is fancy fig, through and through, and the sage-green vessel is stunning, especially when lit. It's a lovely option for the warmer months and is highly giftable, as everything Trudon makes is.

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Diptyque Shiso and Rhubarbe

We all know and love Diptyque's iconic candle scents. Feu de Bois, Baies, Roses, Figuier, Tubéreuse… The list goes on. The wildly popular brand releases limited-edition scents throughout the year and occasionally adds to its permanent collection. The two I tested are permanent ones that Diptyque released to coincide with its new ribbed-glass vessels, which are stunning, by the way.

My Shiso review: I wasn't familiar with shiso prior to receiving this candle, but I'm happy to now be acquainted with it. It's a Japanese herb in the mint family that gives off a light, green scent with a hint of spiciness. Diptyque added almond notes to balance out the herbal scent. It's a very refreshing scent, which makes it ideal for summer. Because it's a bit subtle, I'd recommend burning it in a room that's on the smaller side.

My Rhubarbe review: Rhubarbe is a bit tricky to describe in a way that does it justice, but I'll do my best. This is a vegetal scent that's inspired by rhubarb stalks with a sweetness to it. It's in the green family, similar to Shiso and Figuier, but a bit stronger. It's combined with patchouli notes, which are very subtle. I've enjoyed burning this candle in the kitchen, day or night.

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Loewe Pistachio

I'm not sure that any candle could appeal more to a fashion lover than a Loewe one. The glazed terra-cotta vessels alone are worth the investment, but the fragrances are equally special. All of Loewe's Home Scents are pure and concentrated. They're scents you'll notice in the air throughout the day, even when unlit. Pistachio is the latest to join the brand's lineup of found-in-nature candles.

My review: If you prefer gourmand candles, you're going to love Loewe Pistachio. It's creamy and sweet but not overpowering. There's nothing fake or cloying about it. When lit, it gives off a warm, milky scent, which I would've thought I'd prefer during fall and winter, but it hasn't been off-putting in the least on even 95-degree days. The only drawback is that it's almost too pretty to burn.

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Le Labo Cyprès 21 and Ambroxyde 17

I find Le Labo candles to be among those with the best throw and most unique scents on the market, and they're housed in minimalist vessels that couldn't be chicer. Every time I try a new one, I claim that it's my favorite. It's also tricky to know what they're going to smell like based on their slightly ambiguous names, so you'll have to trust me when I say that Cyprès 21 and Ambroxyde 17 are two you won't regret adding to your collection.

My Cyprès 21 review: Based on the name and description of the candle alone, I assumed that Cyprès 21 would be undoubtedly wintery, but it's the freshest woodsy candle I've yet to come across, making it perfect for every season of the year. There's a bit of spice to it without the usual smokiness of woodsy candles. It's an incredibly relaxing scent and has turned out to be the one my husband keeps requesting we light. FYI: There's also a limited-edition version of the candle in a blue glass vessel, which is very giftable.

My Ambroxyde 17 review: I'm a huge fan of Le Labo's Another 13 perfume, and Ambroxyde 17 is said to be the candle version of that scent, so I ordered it sight unseen. It's almost impossible to describe the mesmerizing, complex scent, but the primary note is ambroxide, which is a synthetic version of musky ambergris. You'll also smell notes of jasmine and woods. Trust me—it's intoxicating.

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LAFCO Midnight Cactus and Tomato Season

LAFCO is known for its distinctive hand-blown glass vessels and candle scents designed for every corner of your living space and every occasion. You'll get many hours (90, in fact) out of the clean-burning, high-quality candles. LAFCO routinely adds new scents into the mix, and I opted to try two popular additions: Midnight Cactus and Tomato Season, which couldn't be more different from each other.

My Midnight Cactus review: With top notes of prickly pear and wild raspberry, Midnight Cactus is subtly fruity. I say subtly because it's balanced out by notes of amber, cactus blossom, rose, cedar, and musk. It's a highly versatile scent that makes sense for any season and any time of day. It's a calming, well-balanced scent that's creamier than most fruit-forward candles. A+.

My Tomato Season review: First of all, let's take a moment for this stunning red-and-white vessel. Tomato candles are certainly having a moment, but a few that I've had are just too vegetal and, well, literal for me. That's not the case with Tomato Season. It greatly benefits from the addition of basil, citrus zest, sage, and cucumber. The herbal notes add depth to the fresh tomato scent. It's the perfect candle for a hot summer day.

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Malin + Goetz Strawberry

I find something very appealing about candles named simply after a single fragrance note, as Malin + Goetz's are, but contain complementary notes that enhance the primary one.

My review: There's nothing cloying or artificial about this strawberry candle, which is a far cry from the fruity ones I favored at the start of my candle obsession many years ago. In the minimalist, classic glass vessel is a fresh, reimagined version of strawberry with notes of bergamot, jasmine, musk, and pink pepper. The resulting scent is bright, happy, and unique.

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Flamingo Estate Prinsesstårta

Flamingo Estate is a newer entry on the luxury-candle scene but has quickly risen in the ranks thanks to the array of lovely, garden-inspired scents that'll transport you to another place. I've tried a few candles from the Los Angeles–based brand, all of which are exceedingly lovely, but Prinsesstårta intrigued me the most.

My review: Prinsesstårta is a departure from the aforementioned garden-inspired scents that Flamingo Estate is known for. The limited-edition candle is actually inspired by the famous Swedish Principessa Cake from Sant Ambroeus in New York. To create the scent reminiscent of the lemon, almond, and vanilla flavors of the cake, Flamingo Estate used notes of amber, oakmoss, cinnamon, heliotrope flower, and lemon peel, to name a few. It's a decadent scent that isn't heavy or overly sweet. It's one you just need to smell to truly understand it.

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Sidia Braless

I kept coming across Sidia Braless products and obviously needed to see what the hype was all about. Sidia's fragrances are named for states of being, so that should tell you something about Braless before your nose even does.

My review: The name of this candle may be slightly vague, but the scent certainly is not. If you like warm, smoky, woodsy scents, you'll love Braless. With notes of leather, musk, patchouli, vanilla, and black pepper, among others, it's an excellent candle to enjoy with the beverage of your choice at the end of a long day. It's a sexy scent that truly thrives during cozy fall and winter nights.

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Baobab Collection Tournesol Girasol

Baobab Collection makes some of the most beautiful candles on the market, hands down. Each of its vessels is practically a work of art. Each year leading up to summer, the brand introduces a highly anticipated hand-crocheted, raffia-wrapped candle. I was lucky enough to get my hands on this year's iteration, Girasol.

My review: With notes of orchid, sea salt, and ylang-ylang, Girasol is one of the most floral-forward candles I tried. It's exactly what a summer floral candle should look and smell like. It has a strong throw and is successful at eradicating household smells thanks to its refreshing aquatic notes. A word of warning: It's quickly selling out.

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With the arrival of summer, I've been feeling inspired to add some fresh pieces to my wardrobe. I'm being influenced by lace-trimmed details, sports attire, and touches of satin that are appearing in the latest drops and new-season finds. Scrolling through Reformation's just-in arrivals, I already made mental notes of the pieces I'm planning to add to my summer wardrobe, so I'm rounding up my favorite finds.

I went on a deep dive to uncover the coolest pieces that align with how I want to get dressed right now. The standouts include everything from a turquoise linen A-line skirt to taffeta pants for an upcoming vacation. Whether you want to add trend-forward pieces or timeless staples to your summer 2026 wardrobe, these are the top pieces I'd recommend. Take a look at my summer Reformation shopping finds, including the top standout buys.

In the summer, I rely heavily on elevated basics for easy dressing when it's too hot to think. I can't live without white tanks and tees, breezy linen pants, and versatile thong sandals. Recently, there's been one understated and simple basic that I've been spotting everywhere, and it's the perfect piece to invest in, as it will take you from summer to fall seamlessly. I'm talking about long-sleeve white T-shirts. Yep, the simple staple has been low-key making its way into the spotlight thanks to a whole host of cool celebs and fashion people sporting the tee with everything from shorts to cargo pants and slip skirts.

Dua Lipa recently styled a long-sleeve white tee with a pair of denim shorts and Chanel ballet flats, elevating the casual cutoffs in an instant. I've also spotted the basic on celebs such as Hailey Bieber, who styled it with her go-to relaxed straight-leg jeans and flip-flops. I can't wait to wear the tee with a pair of lace-trim shorts or trendy track shorts to add an of-the-moment touch to my casual looks. This season, I'm seeing slightly more relaxed, oversize styles take center stage, but if you're into fitted styles, they'll also look so chic paired with low-rise poplin pants and skirts.

If you want to get your hands on a long-sleeve white tee, then you're in luck. Below, I'm highlighting my favorite styles I recently found at Nordstrom. The best part? They're all under $100. Many of them are discounted during the epic Nordstrom Anniversary sale, so it's the perfect time to scoop one up.

Shop the best long-sleeve white T-shirts from Nordstrom:

I’ll just come out and say it. The baby-doll dress is a bit polarizing. Due to its whimsical nature, it isn’t always considered chic. However, it is gaining popularity among the fashion set, especially Gen Z. We can thank Olivia Rodrigo for bringing the trend to light after she was spotted on stage wearing one. It’s also become mainstream because of Bohemian aesthetics coming back into the trend cycle and the fashion world’s affinity for nostalgia. Either way, when styled the right way, a baby-doll dress can, in fact, look quite chic.

The outfit formula most It girls are turning to is a baby-doll dress with a pair of flats or flip-flops and a summer bag. Think bold and colorful bags or raffia bags. This outfit formula makes the baby-doll dress look less like a sleep dress and more like one you can wear on a day or night out. If you’re still on the fence and need more convincing, keep scrolling to see how fashion connoisseurs wear the baby-doll dress and shop similar items.

Shop Baby-Doll Dresses

Shop Ballet Flats and Flip-Flops

Shop Summery Bags

We’re halfway through the summer, which means a closet refresh is in order. While temperatures keep rising, new go-to basics and a few statement pieces are all I can think about to stay cool without compromising style. One place I always turn to for chic, playful, and functional clothing is J.Crew. As a Gen Zer, I know the brand doesn’t always come to mind, but it’s the most reliable source for summer-friendly, stylish clothing.

J.Crew’s new arrivals have been on my radar as of late. I’m shopping for pieces that I know are long-lasting, high-quality, and fashionable all in one. I’ve compiled the best of the crop with bright, bold, and sellout-worthy items that I know will be gone before the month’s end. If you don’t want to miss out, keep scrolling to shop all the chic, Gen Z–approved summer new arrivals from J.Crew.

Eugénie Trochu is a Who What Wear editor in residence known for her transformative work at Vogue France and her Substack newsletter, where she documents and shares new trends, her no-nonsense approach to fashion and style, plus other musings. She's also working on her upcoming first book that explores fashion as a space of memory, projection, and reinvention.

I love florals. In fact, I think I've worn them every summer for as long as I can remember. Yet this season, I've realized that my taste is heading in a rather different direction from what most brands seem to be offering.

Everywhere, there are light, delicate, almost translucent flowers. Prints resemble watercolors, pastel bouquets are scattered across cream backgrounds, and dresses look as though they were picked from an English garden at first light. It's charming, obviously, but I've caught myself craving exactly the opposite.

At the moment, I'm only drawn to exuberant florals—huge orange peonies, fuchsia dahlias, red roses that look almost artificial—and prints that are intensely colorful and deeply retro, evoking a 1970s grandmother's wallpaper more than a romantic cottage in Kent. The more "pop" they are, the more they appeal to me.

There is something profoundly uplifting about these flowers. They are not trying to flatter. They are not trying to be timeless. They are sometimes a little kitsch, often excessive, but they have character. They remind me of the fabrics in the holiday homes of my childhood: printed tablecloths, curtains faded by the sun, family photographs whose colors have gently softened with time. They possess a warmth and generosity that I do not always find in more contemporary prints.

I'm currently looking for a dress to wear to a wedding in Italy, and unsurprisingly, I keep coming back to this kind of pattern. I want a dress that is very simple in its cut yet covered in gigantic, colorful flowers, something that looks a little like an Italian sofa from 1974, in the very best sense of the term.

With flat sandals, a few gold jewels, and my hair pinned up, it feels like exactly what I want this summer—not something discreet, something that immediately gives the impression that the holidays have begun.

How to Wear Bold Florals

To wear bold florals without looking as though you've stepped straight out of a deleted scene from Austin Powers, a certain amount of discipline is required.

When the print is this bold, everything else should step back. The simplest sandals possible, very little jewelry, a discreet bag, hair tied up or left natural. No sophisticated makeup, no dramatic heels, no accumulation of accessories. The idea is not to add glamour to the print; it already handles that perfectly well on its own.

These florals work best when treated with a degree of nonchalance. Otherwise, there is always the risk of drifting into "wealthy Sicilian heiress on a never-ending holiday" territory or becoming a little too much like Tanya McQuoid on the yacht in season 2 of The White Lotus. This may be an admirable reference on-screen but is considerably more difficult to pull off on a Tuesday morning in the city.

Framed by rich drapery, layers of outdoor-printed scenery, and regal solid backdrops, our July cover star, Lupita Nyong'o, sparkles. Whether she's decked out in head-to-toe Chanel or a bold yellow-and-black uniform of Luar, the star of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey commands attention, and her collaborative, highly engaged spirit shines brightly. You can read the Oscar winner's full cover feature here, but I'm spending time with Nyong'o's hairstylist Vernon François and makeup artist Nick Barose to discuss all of the behind-the-scenes beauty details, from expert hairstyling and makeup application tips to specific product IDs. Below, we're diving into all of the glamour.

"My inspiration for Lupita's hair was rooted in celebrating versatility while allowing each look to feel authentic rather than performative," François tells me right off the bat. "Lupita has an extraordinary ability to embody completely different energies while remaining unmistakably herself, and I wanted the hair to reflect that. Some looks felt sculptural and architectural, while others embraced softness, texture, and movement." Across all of them, François noted a sense of confidence, elegance, and quiet strength. Rather than the hair being the dominant fixture, he wanted the actress's strands to become another layer of storytelling that could work in harmony with every creative element.

"Any look I create begins with understanding the intention behind the image," says François when I ask him to reveal his prep and styling process. "Before I touch the hair, I'm thinking about silhouette, proportion, movement, and how the hair will interact with light, wardrobe, and the story we're trying to tell." Of course, preparation is everything. Healthy, well-conditioned hair responds beautifully, so he always begins by ensuring the hair is hydrated and protected. From there, he tailors each technique to the specific look—whether that involves sculpting, defining, stretching, or creating softness and movement. "Throughout the shoot, each style evolved organically while maintaining the integrity of Lupita's hair and the kinky-straight Afro wig we used," he adds.

For products, François relied on Olaplex's No.5L Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner ($34) to hydrate and protect the actress's strands, the No.10 Curl Defining Frizz Reducing Hair Gel ($32) to create definition and hold where needed, and the No.7 Bonding Oil ($32) to add lightweight shine and polish. He says he uses these three products on practically all of his celebrity clients and recommends them to just about anyone due to the excellent foundation they create for healthy, versatile styling regardless of hair texture.

Styling tools were equally important, and François's arsenal included a rattail comb, a wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, brushes, a diffuser, and a medium-sized Olivia Garden curling iron to create shape and movement. "My hands remain my most important tool," says François. "They allow me to respond intuitively to the hair and refine each look in a way that feels effortless rather than overworked." According to François, it's always important that hair isn't treated as an afterthought. "Hair has the ability to communicate identity, emotion, culture, and personality before a word is even spoken," he adds.

When it comes to Nyong'o's makeup, Barose tells me that he always wants to make sure that the actress's beautiful natural glow can show through the makeup, even when it's super dramatic. "The skin is never suppressed by heavy, opaque foundation or powder that's too matte," he says. "When the skin looks fresh and touchable, the rest of the makeup will always look better."

To prep Nyong'o's skin for our cover shoot, Barose massaged Chanel's Sublimage Le Sérum ($560) into her face and neck. Once it absorbed, he added a small amount of the brand's Sublimage La Crème ($505) to her complexion in addition to eye cream, the Sublimage La Crème Yeux ($320), and lip oil, Sublimage L'Extrait Huile Lèvres ($365). He shares that it's necessary to let all of the skincare sit and absorb for about five minutes before patting away any excess.

"For dark skin like Lupita's, it's important to make sure the T-zone stays matte but to leave any glow that's on top of the cheekbones," Barose explains. "There's a Mehron Makeup product made for the stage that I love called TouchUp Anti-Shine Gel ($15). I used a tiny bit of the Dark Tint on Lupita's forehead and T-zone, which allows me to rely less on powder and to control any extra shine." For foundation, Barose used Chanel's Les Beiges Foundation in B140 ($69) and Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in B140 ($61). He prefers to apply liquid foundation with a dense goat-hair brush, like the premium handmade Japanese Hakuhodo model S5555 ($173). This brush is ideal, he says, because it allows more control so you can effortlessly layer or sheer out foundation. To create a beautiful pop of color, Barose reached for Chanel's Joues Contraste Intense Cream-to-Powder Blush in Grenat Profond ($56), a rich, deep red, on the apples of Nyong'o's cheeks.

Since the actress's wardrobe was quite dramatic, Barose didn't want the overall color palette of the makeup to get too vibrant or too busy, which would compete with what Nyong'o was wearing. Instead, he complemented the wardrobe by mostly using neutral brown tones to define and sculpt Nyong'o's features, which he loves to play up.

"I especially like to emphasize her eyes, lips, or both," he tells me. "I love Chanel's Le Crayon Yeux in 01 Noir Black ($36), which is a rich, pitch-black eyeliner that doesn't turn gray on dark skin like most black eyeliners; Chanel's Inimitable Extrême Mascara ($40), which adds volume and length in just a few coats; and I-Envy Cluster Palette Lashes ($8), which look so natural and are easy to use." Last but not least, Barose used Lisa Eldridge's Elevated Glow Balm Concentrate in High-Key Light ($38)—a favorite from the brand's new Marilyn Monroe collection—as a topcoat for eye shadow.

For Nyong'o's lips, Barose's product arsenal included Chanel's Le Crayon Lèvres in 192 and 194 ($37) as well as Lisa Eldridge's Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Sorcery ($28) and Chanel's Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss in 448 Opulence ($45) to add shine.

Barose and François agree that the strongest editorial work comes from authentic collaboration. "Every department brings a unique perspective, but the goal is always the same: to create one complete and visual story," François tells me. "Working with artists who trust one another allows everyone to elevate the final image. It never feels like individual contributions competing for attention. It feels like one creative language."

Throughout the day of our cover shoot, Barose and François stayed in constant communication, sharing ideas and making small adjustments as each look evolved. Sometimes, François explains, that meant softening the hair because the wardrobe was making a stronger statement or adding more structure because the makeup had shifted the overall mood.

"We looked at the clothes and discussed with Lupita, and since I frequently work with Vernon, we just try to complement each other's work," adds Barose. For example, when he noticed François was going bigger with the hair at one point, he adjusted Nyong'o's eyeliner to be longer and thicker, even adding lengthier false lashes to ensure everything stayed balanced.

"Working with Lupita is always inspiring because she's deeply engaged in the creative process," concludes François. "She welcomes exploration and thoughtful collaboration, which allows every look to feel considered rather than simply styled. When everyone on set shares that same intention, the final images become more than beautiful. They tell a story."

I've spent the past few months side-eyeing mule sneakers. Somewhere between sneakers and slip-on clogs, they've slowly become a part of every brand's catalogue. I can't shop for sneakers without coming across a pair. They're designed for people who prioritize comfort without sacrificing style and want to slip on shoes and go. I understood the appeal in theory, but I wasn't convinced they'd actually work in my own wardrobe. From my perspective, they were errand shoes—never meant to have a fashion moment—but then I started to notice a few chic styles pop up on the market.

I found myself reaching for my easiest shoes to wear on busy mornings more often than not, and suddenly, the trend started to make sense. Mule sneakers offer the ease of slipping on sandals with the support of sneakers, so I became intrigued. I decided to put the trend to the test. After wearing a pair for several days, I have thoughts. Ahead, I'm sharing my honest review, the outfit I'd actually wear them with, and the best mule sneakers worth shopping if you're ready to try the trend yourself.

Let's Talk About It

After I browsed the options, the pair that ultimately caught my eye was Rag & Bone's Retro Runners. They look anything but lazy, come in the most appealing color combinations, and are lightweight with a touch of vintage inspiration. I gave them a go over the last few weeks and am ready to share my thoughts.

My honest review: I'll admit that I expected mule sneakers to be awkward, and truthfully, they took some time to get used to. During the first wear, I had to break them in to feel the same comfort and security I do when wearing regular sneakers. From the start, I recognized the simplicity and ease of the slip-on style. My one tip to anyone who is trying them on for size is that it's a good idea to size up to make sure you have plenty of room in this style.

Once I got used to them, I found them to be a lot more comfortable, and I love how they provide style while also giving me the comfort to walk anywhere and everywhere. I'd say the biggest surprise was just how stylish they are, elevating every outfit I've paired them with. My takeaway is that I can't wait to try more styles in this silhouette because they were that good.

A few pairs I'm considering are below.

Let's Shop It

When it comes to summer dressing, comfort and ease are at the forefront of everyone's minds. There are arguably few pieces that work harder in a summer wardrobe than a good pair of shorts, and whether they're worn with a matching top, basic vest or broderie anglaise blouse, they’re a versatile option that combats the heat whilst still looking stylish—a win-win for us.

However, when it comes to styling a petite frame, finding a flattering pair can be quite the task. It all comes down to balanced proportions and styling them in the right way to ensure they are a chic option you can confidently wear without overthinking. Petite frames don’t have to be restricted to one style of shorts either; the right pair of short-shorts or mid-thigh length can still elongate your legs as they lengthen your lower half. And, for those that prefer a longer length, opting for a higher waist creates the illusion of a more balanced frame, so you aren't drowning in fabric.

My top tip for petite shorts outfits? If you’re wearing a more oversized style, pair it with a fitted vest. For a matching co-ord option, tuck the shirt into the shorts to create the waist definition. And, adding a belt is a quick and easy way to bring accessories in whilst also, again, defining your waist. Sound good? Well, I’ve pulled together an edit of the five biggest shorts trends for petite frames in summer 2026 so you can find a shape, length or cut you'll love.

1. Striped Shorts

Style Notes: I know what you're thinking: "Stripes for petite frames? Groundbreaking." But they are a fail-safe option for a reason. The eye naturally follows vertical stripes, creating the illusion of longer legs and naturally elongating the frame. This summer, stripes are back on the agenda with less nautical energy and more of a quiet-luxe neutral spin, so add your favourite white shirt and wear on repeat with a pared-back leather flip-flop.

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2. Lace-Trimmed Shorts

Style Notes: They might not be the obvious choice, but lace-trimmed shorts are a great option for petite shoppers. Their delicate, soft silhouette doesn’t add extra bulky fabric that would overwhelm smaller frames, whilst the lace hems draw attention without making legs appear shorter. Whilst the market is starting to lean into longer, Bermuda-length styles, we love classic crop for a polished daytime look that strikes the balance between elegant and effortless.

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3. Tailored Shorts

Style Notes: When it's too hot for wide-leg trousers, tailored shorts are my go-to recommendation for petites. They give a polished finish and feel more "grown up" than denim. Pleated fronts give a lengthening effect, whilst linen is an obvious choice in summer. Just keep an eye out for high waists to make sure that the hem falls above the knee.

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4. Sporty Shorts

Style Notes: Sporty shorts are so on-trend this summer (just ask Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz), and they're another great option for all bodies. Most track-style shorts have some form of vents on the side, which draws the eye down, whilst a drawstring waist is endlessly comfy. Take tips from the A-list (and style influencers) and pair with a long-sleeved tee and flats for an off-duty look that's ready to go at a moment's notice.

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5. Denim Shorts

Style Notes: Let's face it: just like jeans, denim shorts are a classic style in any wardrobe and a timeless option that works with just about any top they're paired with. Follow the proportion "rules" to ensure you're getting the most out of your look, and they're a pair you’ll reach for every year.

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If I was asked the dreaded "what are your favourite hobbies?" question during a job interview, "travelling" would be my top answer. I don't know about you, but having fun adventures to look forward to is key. Be it the Caribbean (the dream), a European adventure or a trip to explore the UK coast, I'm happiest by the sea. So of course my favourite season, and outfits, are all things summer adjacent. Over the years I've gone from being a serial over-packer, to someone who has a small edit of pieces that always come on a hot-weather trip, and a refined edit of swimwear always goes in to my suitcase first.

While team Who What Wear UK has already crowned the best bikini brands this summer, I want to show you the one pieces that never fail to make me feel my most confident. And of course, some of them are tapping into key swimwear trends already dominating the season. Whether it's Zimmermann's bow-detail styles, unlikely colour combinations at & Other Stories or the collaboration on every fashion person's radar (hello, Hunza G x Burberry) these are the 8 swimsuit brands that I, a holiday-obsessed fashion editor, doesn't go on a trip without.

The 9 Best Swimsuit Brands I Always Rate

1. Away That Day

Style Notes: I own the exact Away That Day swimsuit that Anisha is wearing, and for the last two years, it has been the one I wear every time I want to feel my absolute best. Made by women, for women, the London-label never fails to deliver on cinching silhouettes and smooth lines across its swim and resortwear offering.

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2. Monday Swimwear

Style Notes: I've only recently tried Monday Swimwear, and at once, I was hooked. Once you figure out the sizing (it measures by letters, luckily there's a handy size guide online) you'll be able to find the dream fit. I love that each texture or print created by the Aussie label comes in a whole range of different swim silhouettes, colours and co-ordinating pieces.

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3. & Other Stories

Style Notes: When it comes to high street swimsuits there's few that I, and most other fashion people, rate more than & Other Stories. It's the attention-to-detail, prints and statement-making necklines that always get my attention. This summer, I'll be going for brown and blue colour pairings or sunshine gingham. The only downside? They have a habit of selling out faster than most brands.

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4. Hunza G

Style Notes: Pretty sure I don't need to tell anyone about the joys of Hunza G. If you've tried the 'one size fits all' shirred swim then you'll know how 1) comfy they are, and 2) how they never fail to make you look and feel effortlessly put together. Something that not all swimwear brands have managed to do. If it isn't the Burberry collaboration you'll want this summer, it's the new beaded iterations.

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5. Eres

Style Notes: Founded in the '60s, French fashion label Eres has had a good few decades to secure themselves as one of the chicest swimwear brands of all time. And for 2026, this still stands. With the premium quality you would expect from a Parisian designer, there's no expense spared when it comes to styles you'll wear on heavy rotation for years to come, and I would add any of these ones below to my forever one piece edit.

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6. Youswim

Style Notes: Youswim creates fuss-free minimalist swimsuits that'll go the distance; you know, the suits you'll pack for every destination and the one you'll want to buy in multiple colours. Luckily, each one of its 11 designs is made in around 12 colours, in two sizes, designed to be stretchy and suit UK sizes 6-16 and 18-28.

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7. M&S

Style Notes: I tried the M&S chocolate cookie cup this week and can confirm it's 10/10. But we're not here to talk about the picky bits, all eyes are on the new swimwear drop. The high street brand always manages to get the technical elements right, as well as the aesthetic, of course. From cup size one pieces (up to GG) to tummy control, the designs just always hit different.

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8. Zimmermann

Style Notes: Sometimes the best swimsuits are the ones that have the power to command attention. From playful floral prints to bow details and cut-outs that add instant interest, Australian label Zimmermann never misses with its swimwear collection—or clothes, bags and shoes, for that matter.

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Whenever I open Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest, my feed is dominated by cool Gen Z creators all wearing what appears to be the colour of the season. Turquoise. Soft pastel shades have been sidelined for the bright, colourful hue, and it's everywhere from clothing to accessories and even makeup. However, this summer, it's an overarching nail trend, too. Take a look at your favourite nail artist's account, and I almost guarantee they've been creating some stunning turquoise manicures as of late. I tried the trend out myself, and as soon as my friend saw my nails, she said, "It's giving mermaid". If that's not a compliment, I don't know what is.

Whether you're planning a hot summer getaway or simply trying to survive the UK heatwave, this is the perfect nail colour to add a little bit of fun to your look. It looks incredible on its own, but the best bit about this trend is that it also lends itself incredibly well to nail art such as striped nail designs or French tips.

Below, I've rounded up some of the best turquoise nail looks I've spotted this season, along with a selection of fun turquoise nail polishes to help get the look at home. I highly suggest you keep on scrolling...

Turquoise Nail Trend Inspiration

These turquoise French tips are instantly elevated thanks to the addition of brown polka dots.

If you want to keep things simple, this colour looks amazing all on its own.

Told you it worked well as striped nail art, too. Combine with brown and yellow shades for a stylish look.

I love this slightly softer take on the trend.

Studs + turquoise nails = a Gen Z approved manicure.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to this colour.

The Best Turquoise Nail Polishes

And just like that, the butt is back. You may have spotted low-slung True Religion jeans with floss-like thongs peaking above the waistband, or backless maxis dresses sporting a healthy dose of Tom Ford-at-Gucci-era butt cleavage, either way, underwear as outerwear has become this season's biggest trend.

If you were around in the noughties or just a lover of archival fashion, I’m sure that you’re aware that showing off your thong is by no means new—I mean, Sisqó wrote one of the most iconic songs of all time about it. The 2000's were the decade that gave us Britney Spears' bedazzled G-string at the MTV Video Music Awards, Paris Hilton's fluorescent pink undies at the Lloyd Klein AW'01 presentation, and both came only a handful of years after Alexander McQueen introduced the "bumster" trouser that deliberately exposed the wearers crack. The "whale tale" wasn't just a trend; it was a cultural movement.

After falling out of favour amid the rise of quiet luxury, bearing ones backside is back. In an era of personality-driven maximalism, the trend feels tongue-in-cheek (pardon the pun). It's less Kim Kardashian circa 2018, and more a glorious celebration of all things anti-fashion. Style and sex appeal are no longer "polished", and take on a carefree nonchalance—one that feels instinctive rather than overly styled. Unsurprisingly, some of Gen Z's most eclectic dressers have embraced the look in droves, proving that showing your pants can be inherently cool and surprisingly subversive.

But the butt didn't just make a comeback this summer—it had been quietly re-entering the conversation for quite some time. Back in 2024, Susamusa's Meadow skirt became a hit amongst the fashion set. Yes, the polka-dot print tapped neatly into the trends of the time, but it was the skirt's almost-nude-but-not-quite fabrication that made it irresistible.

Simultaneously, the rise in popularity of Addison Rae, Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter, musicians who lean into lingerie to tell a story, made underwear as outwear this season’s hottest commodity. With fashion people matching their pants to their outfits and It girls like Bella Hadid and Alex Consani jumping onto the trend, it show sno signs of slowing down this summer. Scroll to shop statement making underwear below.

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Holiday packing has always been an exercise in clever editing, but nowhere is this more evident than in a beauty editor's hand luggage. When your job is to test the industry's newest beauty product launches and discover and recommend the formulas that are genuinely worth the hype, every product that makes it into your carry-on has more than earned its place, and this is really evident when you see those essentials laid out in an airport security tray, stripped back to the few products that are considered truly indispensable. From the hydrating skincare that combats cabin air at 34,000ft to the summer fragrance that will recall memories of the trip once we're home (a perfume postcard, if you will).

So, what will you find in a beauty editor's carry-on? I asked our beauty team to unzip their bags and reveal the products that they will never travel without. You'll find clever travel-sized miniatures, multipurpose products that save on space and formulas designed to work hard in the sun. Consider this your curated packing list of beauty products that multitask, travel effortlessly and deliver a sense of familiarity and joy, wherever in the world you happen to be. Scroll on to peek inside the airport security trays of our discerning beauty team, and feel free to take inspiration for your own ultimate carry-on edit.

Shannon Lawlor, Beauty Director

"If I’m being honest, as a beauty director who spends a lot of time discovering the best beauty products the world has to offer, my feet are rarely on the ground. It means that, over the years, I’ve become a total pro at packing my hand-luggage-only essentials, so summer-holiday packing isn’t too much of a stress for me. These are the products set to make it into my bag for every single trip I’ve got planned this summer." — Shannon

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Eleanor Vousden, Beauty Editor

"I’ve got a summer full of city breaks this year, and I like my carry-on to feature a tight edit of minimalist yet hardworking everyday essentials that won’t take up too much space in my case or my handbag when I'm sightseeing. I love picking up local beauty finds whenever I travel, so I always make sure I have extra space for new discoveries. too. But for the most part, you'll find me packing multi-use products and minis of my favourites that are functional but sleek—I'm a total magpie for a beautiful beauty product!" — Eleanor

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Grace Lindsay, Deputy Beauty Editor

"When it comes to summer beauty, I don’t mess around. The minute the sun comes out, you’ll find me spritzing my favourite holiday perfumes, applying SPF like there’s no tomorrow and slathering on the best cream bronzers to get that sought-after glow. So, it’s no surprise that my airport beauty essentials reflect this. I have a couple of trips coming up, and this is exactly what I’m packing in my carry-on." — Grace

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Brittany Davy, Junior Writer

"As someone who runs naturally warm and therefore very much feels the heat, in summer, I’m always on the hunt for the most scaled-back makeup routine that doesn't feel overly complicated or leave me a sweaty mess at the end of the day, and this is even more true when I’m on holiday. Whether I’m on the plane, sitting by the pool or exploring a new city, my go-to travel products very much fall into the low-effort, high-reward category; they make getting ready quick and simple whilst still giving me that holiday-like glow I yearn for." — Brittany

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Photographer: Lucy Robinson for Who What Wear UK
Prop Stylist: Chris Hobbs
Beauty Editor: Eleanor Vousden
Fashion Editor: Remy Farrell

Is anyone else swerving social media at the moment in a bid to avoid everyone else's holiday pictures? I don't know about you, but whenever I look at Instagram or TikTok, it seems as if everyone is having a "Euro summer", whilst I'm stuck at my desk, enjoying the heatwave from my laptop (not). That being said, as a beauty editor, I know the power of the best perfumes, and there's no denying that a holiday scent can transport you to whatever destination you desire. Creamy coconut, tropical tiare flower and lively lemon are just some of my favourite summer fragrance notes, and this season, there's a wide range of luxury scents that scream "out of office".

These holiday perfumes are so good that one spritz has me feeling as if I've been whisked away to crystal-blue waters and white-sand beaches, all without an airport security queue in sight. Dior, Miu Miu, Loewe and more; I urge everyone to have these summer scents on their radar. So, whether you're jetting off to that sought-after destination or simply getting the Tube to the office and need a bit of escapism, keep scrolling for the standout fragrances of the season and the destinations they'd smell right at home in.

The Best Holiday Perfumes of 2026

1. Miu Miu Fleur de Lait X Milos

From its quaint fishing villages to the famous moonlike landscape of Sarakiniko Beach, Milos has overtaken Mykonos as the Greek island to know about this summer. An It-girl destination deserves an It-girl fragrance, and for me, that has to be Miu Miu Fleur de Lait. Not only does the blue-and-white bottle exude Grecian charm, but the soft, summery scent feels as serene as the scenery in which I plan to wear it. Juicy notes of mango are grounded by velvety osmanthus and creamy coconut milk. The result is a sweet, subtle, whipped delight that settles on the skin and whispers promises of warmer days.

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2. Jo Malone London Frangipani Flower X Bali

If you're looking further afield to the beaches of Bali, let this Jo Malone London perfume be your sign to book that flight. Frangipani Flower is a delicious concoction of lemon, ylang-ylang, frangipani and sandalwood. It's the kind of perfume that immediately grounds you in a warm, calming embrace. It's tropical, fresh and luscious thanks to its citrusy, floral aroma, but it has this comforting undertone that'll make you never want to come home.

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3. Dior Paradise X Cap d'Antibes

When I think of the South of France, I think of mornings on a sun-soaked balcony, wearing a white linen co-ord with a coffee and almond croissant in hand. Dior Paradise is the olfactory equivalent of this, with a mouth-watering blend of mandarin, almond and tonka bean. At first, it almost feels like the notes are fighting one another, but once it settles on the skin, the fresh mandarin perfectly offsets the sweet almond undertones for a balanced finish that feels warm yet luminous. This gourmand perfume is truly a work of art. Seeing as it is inspired by Château de La Colle Noire, Christian Dior's Provençal escape where hundreds of almond trees bloomed, I wouldn't expect anything less.

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4. Maison Margiela Replica Chasing Sunsets X Rio de Janeiro

Orange skies, golden sands and a vibrant energy like no other; it can only be Rio de Janeiro. Inspired by Ipanema Beach at sundown, when the sky turns to dazzling shades of gold, Chasing Sunsets by Maison Margiela Replica bottles that buzz in a tropical mix of mango and white florals. Whilst these notes have been used in many daytime fragrances over the years, this is an evening perfume through and through thanks to warm, woody undertones of sandalwood. Every time I spritz it, my senses are enveloped by the radiant aroma.

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5. Loewe Aire Sutileza Elixir X Ibiza

I think we can all agree that nowhere feels quite as free-spirited as Ibiza. Whilst some pay a visit to party into the night, I prefer the slow-paced side of the island, and this intense iteration of the classic Loewe Aire Sutileza scent is like a breath of fresh Ibizan air. It's fruity, floral, clean and musky, yet every time I wear it, the overwhelming feeling is akin to that first dip into salty blue shores. It's like bathing your body in the sparkliest of seas, with a crisp blend of pear, lemon and jasmine. Truly sublime.

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6. Bvlgari Eau Parfumée Thé Impérial X Venice

Some scents can be hard to place, but Bvlgari's latest fragrance has a clear destination in mind. If you've ever been lucky enough to visit a Bvlgari hotel, then you may be familiar with the luxurious fragrance that scents the air (and, more importantly, the bathroom amenities). Created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier in 2017, the scent was so popular that the brand has now bottled it, so you can have a little bit of luxury with you wherever you go. The light, elegant aroma features notes of black tea and citrus, enveloping you in a spa-like cloud of sparkling goodness. Whilst some might save this scent for a visit to Rome, I personally envision myself wearing it on a gondola, floating down the waters of Venice whilst sipping a Bellini.

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7. Glossier You Soie X Palma

If Mallorca is on your mind, Glossier's latest creation will bring the cobbled streets of Palma straight to your dressing table. You Soie may be a skin scent, but its solar appeal makes it stand out as one of the best escapist perfumes of 2026. Ask me to describe it in just a few sentences, and I'd say skin slathered in suncream, balmy beach evenings and salty sea air. Creamy rice milk, tiare water, jasmine and ambrox all come together to create a soft yet lingering fragrance that will evoke memories of your trip long after you leave.

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Miles Davis once said, "Man, sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself." I think the same is true of appearance; sometimes it takes a long time to look like yourself, too. For me, it started with a dramatic haircut at the age of 16. Previously, my dark blonde, wavy hair fell long past my waist. At that time, I was deep into a fierce obsession with the 1970s, and I genuinely believed my long, beachy hair was paying homage to Iggy Pop, or perhaps, on a good day, Stevie Nicks. My wardrobe reflected this fantasy too; I had become especially enthralled by a pair of gold leather Fiorucci trousers. Suffice to say, if the outfit didn't look like an ageing rockstar, I didn't want it.

But by the time I turned 16, my relationship with my hair began to change. I was studying, and my world was expanding. I was submerged in philosophy, English literature and film. I was discovering the things that would shape the intricacies of who I am: books, clothes, ideas and the people I admired. I was becoming the sort of person I am today: someone who would rather elicit a laugh than a compliment on my appearance.

The women I admired seemed to possess a different kind of beauty. I adored the crispness of a perfectly cut suit; seeing women wear Bella Freud tailoring made my heart sing. There was something about what it projected, perhaps the professionalism and seniority it represents. The appeal wasn't separate from their minds, nor was their identity centred on appearance alone. Increasingly, I felt my long hair didn't represent any of that. By that point, I wasn't so much concerned with following conventional ideas of what was "pretty", or, as my dad liked to remind me, "fanciable". He was convinced boys preferred girls with long hair. I only cared about being chic.

The turning point was when my love affair with French culture started to bubble. I was obsessed with French films, music, men—and dare I say, cheese. Then I watched Amélie (2001). The moment I saw Audrey Tautou, that was it; I was sold on the idea of cutting my hair into a bob. If I could get close to Amélie, or at the very least, Margo in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), I would be happy. Like most decisions I make, I was decisive. I booked an appointment and cut all my hair off. As the lengths fell around me in the hairdresser's chair, everything felt strangely right. I remember vividly how different it felt to lie in bed that night without my hair spilling across the pillow, and how strange it was to run my hands through it in the shower the next morning. But from that day forward, I knew I would never grow it long again—I was me.

Now that I’m older, it's striking to think just how monumental that haircut was. What I realise now is that I wasn't rejecting femininity; I was trying to invent a different version of it to become the woman I wanted to be. The bob felt deliberate. Long hair, in contrast, felt conventional and, to me, carried associations I didn't particularly want, to a version of womanhood that prioritised softness or prettiness. Of course, hair doesn't determine personality, but the bob seemed to suggest the alternative.

Hair historian Rachael Gibson explains, "Through most of history, white women in Western countries have been associated with long hair. It's inextricably linked to long-held ideas of femininity and beauty standards, so anything that challenges it remains connected with ideas of strength, freedom and modernity." Perhaps that's why the haircut felt so significant.

Of course, these meanings aren't universal. Gibson stresses that the symbolism of hair changes dramatically across cultures, religions and histories. In many Black communities, for example, hair carries entirely different political and personal meanings, shaped by histories of colonialism, discrimination and cultural pride. Across South Asia, East Asia and Indigenous cultures, long hair has often symbolised spirituality, ancestry or strength rather than passive femininity. The idea that long hair simply equals traditional womanhood is largely a product of white Western beauty ideals, and I recognise that my relationship with the bob belongs to that particular cultural context, not a universal one. Gibson points out that when women first adopted bobbed hair in the early twentieth century, it represented much more than a trend. "Short hair represented a shift in women's liberation and all the freedoms that came with it," she says.

Of course, I wasn't making a political statement at 17 or thinking about first-wave feminism, but that doesn't mean the cultural baggage wasn't there. The bob haircut has always carried a particular set of associations. Looking back at Louise Brooks in the 1920s, Vidal Sassoon's sharp geometric cuts of the 1960s or the power bobs of the 1990s worn by women like Anna Wintour and Linda Evangelista, again and again, the hairstyle appears on women associated with authority, creativity and independence. As Gibson puts it, "We tend to associate shorter hair with a certain type of woman: someone strong, someone cool, someone independent." And certain women have indeed become almost inseparable from their bob, whether that's Wintour or Alexa Chung.

Sam McKnight MBE, hairstylist and founder of haircare brand Hair by Sam McKnight, explains it perfectly. "The silhouette is a powerful thing. You instantly recognise someone by their silhouette. Think of Anna Wintour, Marilyn Monroe, Cleopatra! A bob has all the complexities that women do; the cut can be strong yet feminine, alluring yet commanding, strong [yet] soft and romantic."

He notes, "Alexa [Chungs]’s bob is always at the top of the Pinterest board because she knows when to make small tweaks and it feels instantly new. Whatever version of a bob she has, the essence of her is always there." Perhaps that's why the bob has endured for more than a century. It isn't one hairstyle, but hundreds. A sharp chin-length bob with blunt ends projects authority and precision. A softer French bob suggests creativity and insouciance, whilst a longer, shaggy version feels artistic, slightly rebellious and less interested in perfection. The silhouette remains recognisable, but its style can be ever-evolving. Like tailoring, it's endlessly adaptable; you can make it clean, romantic, or rock and roll.

At 17, I wanted all of those things at once. I wanted to seem intellectual without being boring, attractive without being accommodating, feminine without being conventional, in the same way as Elastica’s Justine Frischmann. The bob felt like it held all those possibilities. For a while, I genuinely believed that if I looked like those women, I might become them, but what happened instead was something better. The haircut became part of my identity as Eve, a kind of shorthand for the person I wanted to be: curious, opinionated, funny, ambitious and hopefully, just a little bit chic. Looking back, I realise I wasn't trying to look like Audrey Tautou or Justine Frischmann forever; I was borrowing confidence until I found my own, and that's what style so often does. We imitate before we individuate. Eventually, the references fall away, and what remains is you.

Years later, I still have my bob, and I've learnt that there is something deeply valuable about allowing yourself to become who you are. I think it is so important for women to believe in themselves, to take risks and see whether that next step leads them a little closer to who they are. Sometimes it won't, sometimes you'll get it wrong, but occasionally you make a decision that feels less like becoming someone new and more like recognising someone who you were all along.

Last week, a sales assistant in Tom Ford looked at me and said, "I'm from Jamaica, from a family of spiritual women; we know things. You have power. I can tell you're going to do big things. I mean, look at you, girl, with your Anna Wintour bob." I laughed, but I knew exactly what she meant. The bob has always carried cultural meaning. For more than a century, it has been associated with women who refuse to do what is expected of them, women who choose themselves. As McKnight says, a bob provides "a true sense of individuality, a rock-and-roll, devil-may-care rebellious streak. And we all love a rebel."

To consider the most era-defining beauty aesthetic of the 2020s would leave many in a spin. Over the past six years, beauty microtrends have had us in a collective chokehold. We've seen the rise (and demise) of glass skin, latte makeup, boyfriend blush, skincycling, siren eyes... and so the list of fleeting beauty moments goes on, each with its own name carefully crafted for hashtag greatness. And this seemingly never-ending churn of TikTok-optimised aesthetics has made it hard for any decade-defining trend to stand out.

But when you step back from the #glazeddonutskin, #milkymanicures and #slickedbuns of it all, it's easy to see that most of these mini movements have one very important thing in common: they all feed into the clean-girl aesthetic. Yes, it is somewhat unarguable that the "clean girl", complete with her polished skin, preened hair and minimal approach to makeup, has proved the poster child of the 2020s beauty agenda. But adhering to the sky-high standards of clean-girl minimalism has weighed heavily on us, particularly come summer. Our patience for having to maintain seemingly flawless skin, flyaway-free hair and precisely positioned pigment is wearing thin. This summer, the clean girl's reign as we know it is over.

For summer 2026, much of the pared-back blueprint remains—glowing skin, brushed brows and flushed cheeks are still here—but the looks themselves champion the "imperfect". Skin gleams with gloss, lashes have impact, cheeks are dusted with red-hued blush to mimic sun-kissing and hair is left to humidity's devices to lean into the overarching sense of summer nonchalance. This summer, beauty looks lived-in.

For inspiration, makeup artist Marie Bruce shows us how it's done with Givenchy Beauty.

Buttery cream blushers are traded in for punchy powders in deep, sun-kissed hues to create a truly convincing swathe of flush. Skin is prepped with a moisturising base to leave complexions sheeny and dewy (a broad-spectrum SPF lotion works wonderfully). If coverage is your MO, opt for a serum-based foundation that puts glow first.

The key to this look is all in the blush placement. Going against the current status quo of blusher dotted onto the high points of the cheekbones and blended up into the hairline, the key to the ultimate sun stripe is keeping pigment contained to the centre third of the face. A fluffy brush drapes rich-toned blusher from the tops of the cheekbones, over the apples of the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose.

Finish up by brushing brows through for a soft, fluffy finish, curling lashes and patting a soft-focus balm into the lips for a low-maintenance summer look that gets better as the day goes on.

The beauty of the lived-in summer makeup trend is that it doesn't sit exclusively in the realms of no-makeup makeup. Maximalist looks champion gilded finishes, blacker-than-black lashes, silky, candlelit skin and statement lips.

For eyes, look towards shimmering bronze, long-wear pigments that apply like butter and set like steel. In the evening, apply matte-finish browns into the crease for a subtle, smokey finish. Create volume in lashes with deep-black mascara wiggled into lash roots and dragged up through the tips. Opting for a formula with 24-hour wear is sure to lower the risk of heat-induced smudging.

A candle-lit finish that doesn't scupper glow is achieved with high-performance powders applied lightly over skincare-infused foundation. Keep powder placement to the outer edges of the face and along the T-zone so that the skin's natural glow still shines through where it matters most.

No summer beauty look is complete without gloss, and new-gen formulas create a wet-look finish that floods lips with non-tacky moisture. Go for tinted hues that deliver a just-bitten finish. Pair with dewy skin and very little else for a day-to-day look that allows for reapplication after reapplication.

The pièce de résistance to any lived-in summer makeup look? A subtly clumped lash (achieved by layering mascara and allowing it to dry between coats) with a soft wash of shimmer over the lids that twinkles under warm sunlight.

Whilst blush might sit at the heart of any clean-girl beauty look, it's bronzer that makes lived-in beauty looks sing. Look to buildable formulas that contain glow-boosting pigments and apply liberally into the hairline, underneath the tops of the cheekbones, below the chin, down the neck and over the décolleté, before finishing off with a light dusting across the bridge of the nose.

For a low-fuss, maximalist take on bronze, lids can be kept bare to instead draw focus to the lips. Opt for deep hues in long-lasting matte finishes for a statement look that won't budge.

Shop the Looks

Photographer: Arved
Editor-in-Chief: Jane McFarland
Beauty Director: Shannon Lawlor
Makeup Artist: Marie Bruce using Givenchy Beauty
Hairtylist: Laura Swaine using Bumble and bumble and Babyliss Pro
Manicurist: Ami Streets using Kure Bazaar
Model: Anna Littlefield at Select Model Management
Stylist: Remy Farrell
Makeup Assistant: Hirono Sakamoto
Hair Assistant: Makoto Hyashi
Photography Assistant: Andreas Parper

Sadie Soverall is a daydreamer. The sort of summers she yearns for were spent at her grandma’s bungalow in Guernsey, where she’d head out into the garden and lie on the warm floor of a dilapidated greenhouse, making up stories amongst the tomato plants. "It felt like a magical place, my own little world. I talked to myself a lot as a child," she says, smiling at the thought of her 10-year-old self.

She’s speaking to me from her bedroom in London on a sweltering day, and when we both appear on screen in matching tank tops, we giggle conspiratorially. Soverall still spends a lot of time cocooned in her imagination, she tells me. "Talking to myself is how I get into my characters; testing out how they sound and finding their voices. I even have a little altar to one of the characters I’m prepping for in the corner of my room." She can’t say what the role is just yet, but if her current trajectory is anything to go by, it’s going to be major.

At 24, Wandsworth-born Soverall is booked and very busy, not long off a sold-out run of John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court Theatre, and now starring in Every Year After, the YA romance that’s captured our love of yearning so deeply that Prime Video has already announced a second season. Soverall was still in school when she landed her first major role in Netflix show Fate: The Winx Saga, and she soon caught the eye of director Emerald Fennell, who cast her in Saltburn as Jacob Elordi’s university love interest. She held her own amongst titans including Barry Keoghan, Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike, her character Annabel all pouting privilege and noughties waist belts.

"I was really lucky on that set because they had us in the background in a lot of shots, so I got to spend time just watching Barry and Jacob work. They are both incredible at what they do, and I became absolutely obsessed with Alison Oliver [who plays Venetia Catton, sister to Elordi's Felix]. I think she’s one of the best actors of our time," says Soverall. The masterclass continued behind the camera, too. "It was fascinating to see how creative Emerald’s process is. She’d come up with little ideas in the moment, or she’d write a new scene at night, and we’d shoot it the next day. It was just so exciting to have a brilliant, intelligent woman at the helm of this thing."

Soverall, who gently rebuffs any hint of praise with a warm humility, admits Saltburn felt like a turning point. Her childhood dream of becoming an actor—sparked by a love of the 1976 musical Bugsy Malone and fed by a primary school teacher called Mr Vince, who’d write mini plays for her to star in—was no longer just in her head. But she says that nothing has made her success feel more real than playing Percy in Every Year After; the sun-soaked, swoon-worthy adaptation of Carley Fortune’s best-selling book. In it, two childhood best friends who spent summers together in the lakeside town of Barry’s Bay are torn apart by betrayal, then thrown together again in their twenties. The tension is painful and totally delicious.

It’s the latest in a string of book-to-screen blockbusters that have sent our desire for tales of yearning off the charts, from The Summer I Turned Pretty and My Life with the Walter Boys to Heated Rivalry and Off Campus. With an already dedicated (and vocal) fandom attached, does a role like this come with extra pressure? "I think it’s lovely that these books and shows have such devoted fans, but I feel the same amount of pressure as [with] any other character I play," says Soverall. "Of course, it’s an adaptation, but to my mind, the book is there and perfect, and this is just an expansion of that world. The thing about written stories is that they’re personal—we all have a specific, special version of it in our heads that can never be replaced."

Like me, she’s a lovergirl, so she understands innately why tales of young love resonate with people of all ages and are coming to define this current era of entertainment. "Partly, the escapism and levity they offer are exactly what we need in the world right now. But I think there’s also something about social media impacting the way many of us relate to each other, and the instant nature of it. We’re yearning for these real-life, slow-burn interactions," she muses. "When I was younger it was cool to be nonchalant, which was really hard for me because I wear my heart on my sleeve. But I think it’s swinging the other way, and that’s really lovely. Being able to talk about how you feel is a joyous part of being human."

Soverall says she drew a lot of inspiration from Meg Ryan’s roster when preparing for Percy. "I watched a lot of Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and especially When Harry Met Sally, because it captures that specific feeling of seeing someone significant after a long time apart," she says. "Meg Ryan is my favourite rom com queen; she’s fun and a bit messy, and her characters make mistakes. She’s so exciting to watch because she’s not perfect, and because of that, she kind of is perfect."

This leads us onto her own relationship with imperfection and the journey she’s been on to embrace parts of herself that she once wished away. "As a mixed-race person who’s Trinidadian, Scottish, Irish and English, I always felt a bit different as a teenager. The only thing that was cool and attractive at my school was having straight, blonde hair and blue eyes, and when I was going through puberty, my hair would just be huge and frizzy no matter what I did," she shares.

When the boy she liked said that her hair made her look "like a witch", she saved up her pocket money to get a straightening treatment. "I immediately regretted it. I looked in the mirror and realised I’d done this permanent thing based on a very small group of people’s opinions about me," she says. "There was a period when I was trying to be someone else, but I can look back and have compassion for that version of myself. Now I love my hair, and I love all the features I got from my Trinidad side; they’re beautiful and special. And I think it’s really cool that I have my big hair on this cover. It’s like, in their face, you know?"

I do know; the tussle with our hair almost feels like a rite of passage for mixed women, but it’s glorious to see Soverall own exactly who she is, especially when, despite her impressive score sheet so far, she’s really just getting started in her career.

Is she planning to take her foot off the gas anytime soon, or is it still full steam ahead? She sips her iced coffee, thoughtful for a moment. "I’ve been wanting to work all the time, but the summer sort of forces you to slow down. It’s a time for being with friends in the sun and having fun and looking after yourself. So I’ll do some of that, then I’ll get back to it." She smiles slyly, as if she doesn’t even believe this herself.

Her eyes flick in the direction of the altar she’s made to her next character, and I suspect she’s ready to head back to her happy place: her own imagination. I wish her sweet daydreams and sign off, safe in the knowledge I’ll meet her again on screen many more times in the future.

Photographer: Natasja Fourie
Hair Stylist: Christos Bairabas
Makeup Artist: Faye Bluff at Agency of Substance
Manicurist: Ami Streets
Stylist: Remy Farrell
Editor-in-Chief: Jane McFarland
Beauty Director: Shannon Lawlor
Art Director: Natalia Sztyk
Executive Director, Entertainment: Jessica Baker
Writer: Meena Alexander
Video Editor: Natasha Wilson
Digital Technician: Kayla Middleton
Lighting Assistant: Luké Simmonds
Production: Town Productions

It feels like we’re in a never-ending heatwave here in the UK, and finding warm-weather outfits that both keep me cool and look polished has been a real challenge. Because of this, I’ve been on the hunt for some easy but elegant outfit ideas to see me through until early autumn. And one unexpected place I’ve found some very chic inspiration from is celebrities.

As much as I love the flashy red carpet ensembles and haute couture getups we often see them in, this doesn’t typically translate into wearable everyday looks that can be easily replicated. However, after a quick search, I’ve found that most of my favourite stars' off-duty outfits are comfortable, stylish, and, most importantly, easy to copy. Think relaxed tank tops, pretty dresses and lightweight but sophisticated tailoring—all clever but straightforward styling tricks that will make dressing in the hot weather much easier.

And luckily for you, I’ve rounded up the best of the best below. Keep scrolling to discover the five easy but elegant celebrity outfits I'm recreating in summer 2026.

5 Easy-to-Copy Celebrity Summer Outfits

1. Tank Top + Jeans + Ballet Flats

Style notes: Only Zendaya could make such a basic outfit formula look so chic! When I want to make my jeans warm-weather-appropriate, I'll be following her lead and styling them with a classic white tank and ballet flats.

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2. Midi Dress + Mules + Headscarf

Style notes: It doesn't get more classic than a linen dress in summer, and opting for a black iteration like Alexa Chung has will ensure your outfits look polished and put-together. Finish off the look with a bold-coloured bag and tonal accessories.

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3. Mini Dress + Leather Flats + Bucket Tote

Style notes: It's officially mini dress season, and Emma Watson's floral embroidery iteration styled with chic leather accessories has given me major inspiration of what to wear on casual days around the city this summer.

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4. Linen Suit + Tank Top

Style notes: Linen can often be a bit too relaxed for more formal occasions, so for summer 2026, I'll be taking a cue from Victoria Beckham and opting for tailored silhouettes that feel dressy enough for the office and more formal summer events. Not to mention I adore the contrast of the blue linen with burgundy accessories.

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5. Halter Top + Capri Pants + Flip-Flops

Style notes: Once considered a controversial trouser style, capri pants are back in the forefronts of fashion people's summer outfits. Leading the pack? Lori Harvey, with her chic halter top, capris and heeled flip-flops ensemble.

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There's no escaping this summer's heat wave, and the only item that really matters this season is a pair of shorts. While black shorts are usually a go-to because they pair seamlessly with everything, It girls are swapping them for a much bolder, more fun hue. The most recent celebrity to endorse said brightly colored shorts is none other than Zoë Kravitz.

While walking alongside Harry Styles this week, Kravitz was photographed wearing a laid-back but eye-catching outfit: a delicate black Cou Cou Intimates tank top, black leather flats from The Row, and a pair of athletic shorts in not red, not purple, but vibrant blue. This bold shade of blue broke up her otherwise all-black outfit in the most effortless way. Kravitz often wears black outfits with a pop of color, and this might be one of the coolest iterations for summer 2026.

If you're not one to wear much color, try re-creating Kravitz's look as practice, and shop similar items below.

How Zoë Kravitz Styled It

On Zoë Kravitz: Gentle Monster x Maison Margiela Wraparound Sunglasses ($420); Cou Cou Intimates Bralette Tank ($54); The Row Round Flats ($890)

Get the Look

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Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast. Think of it as your direct line to the designers, stylists, beauty experts, editors, and tastemakers who are shaping the fashion-and-beauty world. Subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

If you grew up obsessed with Legally Blonde and have spent the last two decades wondering exactly how Elle Woods became Elle Woods, this episode is for you. Sara Byblow is the costume designer behind Elle, the new Legally Blonde prequel series that takes us back to 1995, when a 16-year-old Elle is trading Bel-Air for Seattle and figuring out who she is—in pink, plaid, and everything in between. For the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Byblow shares how she sourced upward of 70 looks for young Elle, how she used different shades of pink to track Elle's emotional arc throughout the season, and how she found enough plaid to dress an entire cast of Seattle high schoolers—plus those iconic pink heart shoes.

To read excerpts from the full conversation, scroll below.

When did you realize you wanted to work in fashion and costume design specifically?

I've always kind of been in clothing. When I was really young, like 13, I was as tall as I am now, which isn't very tall—I'm only about 5' 3 1/2". I was scouted to model, so I did that for a very short time, and then they realized I wasn't going to grow at all. But I loved being on set and everything to do with that, so I went to school for fashion. After that, I started working in retail at a clothing store for a while, and I had my own clothing line on the side.

It was actually while I was working one day that a friend of mine, who worked on the production side of things, came in and started buying multiples of everything—like three of the same shirt. I asked her what she was doing, and she said a designer friend of hers needed help, and she didn't know what she was doing. I told her to give the designer my number—I was always down to help. I got a call about a week later to come work on a show, and it just kind of snowballed from there.

Can you share how you landed on that pink dress for Elle's entrance at her sweet 16 party?

That pink dress is so special to me—it might actually be my favorite look of the whole season. Sophie de Rakoff, who designed the original movies, and I came together while we were prepping the show just to talk about the character. It was so important to me to understand why she and Reese chose what they chose for the movies, so we sat down together and actually designed that dress side by side. It was before any of the costume team had even started—just the two of us sketching and showing each other pictures back and forth. We did five or so iterations before we landed on the one, but when we finally had it, we knew: This is it.

We brought it to our producing team, our director, and our creators, and every single person in the room immediately said, "That's the dress"—the same one we'd been hoping for. It was such a special moment because the movie is so iconic; it meant everything to do justice to it. In a way, Reese was passing the torch to Lexi to bring Elle Woods to a new generation, and I felt like Sophie was passing the torch to me to take it and run.

Were there specific parameters for building out her wardrobe, beyond the feminine silhouettes?

There weren't really parameters, because Elle Woods is a singularity—she's so herself, and in a way she's eclectic. Looking back at the movies, she wore things from all over the spectrum. I don't think Elle ever looked at a designer and thought, well, it's this designer, so I have to wear it. She's drawn to whatever makes her feel good, and that was the goal when we were sourcing. There are archive designer pieces throughout but also vintage things we found where we don't even know the brand—we just knew this felt like Elle Woods. There are contemporary pieces and things built specifically for her. It was less about needing an exact designer piece and more about going on a treasure hunt for things that felt true to her, then putting the pieces together from there.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

No hate to basic high-rise leggings, but it's about time a fresher silhouette entered the chat. While I think there will always be a need for a pair of classic black leggings, I'm noticing a massive shift in the activewear that all the It girls in L.A. are actually wearing to Pilates and yoga classes and on hikes and matcha runs. The style they're all gravitating toward instead? Fold-over leggings, especially styles with flared-leg silhouettes.

After Hailey Bieber posted a workout selfie to her Instagram Stories—wearing a pair of the CSB Form Invisible Scrunch Flare Foldover Leggings that Dua Lipa also owns—I started noticing similar styles on all the best dressed women on the West Coast. Elsa Hosk, for one, paired her fold-over leggings with a camo tee and ballet flats for a casual-cool outfit that I'm already jotting down for my next coffee run, and Devon Lee Carlson wore a printed-waistband pair on a recent hike. All in all, high-rise leggings aren't truly over, but if you want your activewear outfits to look more forward, I highly suggest swapping them for one of these fold-over flared-leg styles.

Below, see how all the best dressed It girls, from Bieber to Hosk, are wearing the fold-over-legging trend and then shop the best pairs.

How L.A. It Girls Wear the Trend

On Hailey Bieber: CSB Form Scoop Tank($65) and Form Invisible Scrunch Flare Foldover Leggings ($100)

On Elsa Hosk: Lioness Layover Pants ($100)

On Dua Lipa: CSB Form Invisible Scrunch Flare Foldover Leggings ($100)

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If you don't already follow Kelli Anne Sewell on Instagram and TikTok, I highly recommend doing so—like, right now. The NYC-based makeup artist and content creator regularly shares expert application tips and tried-and-true product recommendations with her combined 625K followers. She also shares in-depth tutorials and master classes on her app, Makeup by Kelli Anne. She juggles all of that while her celebrity clients count on her for red carpet makeup. I'm talking about names like Alex Cooper, Madison Beer, Alix Earle, and Kelsea Ballerini, among others.

Today marks a milestone in her career. Sewell just launched a brand-new makeup-brush collection in collaboration with Real Techniques, and she's on a mission to educate everyone on how best to use them to elevate their makeup routines. Yes, that even goes for makeup-sponge loyalists.

As with the rest of Real Techniques' portfolio, these makeup brushes are affordable and accessible, which is why this collaboration makes so much sense. Sewell is a makeup artist for the people, translating top-level techniques and insider expertise into digestible, easy-to-follow advice. Meanwhile, Real Techniques takes high-quality materials and luxe-feeling bristles and offers them at a budget-friendly price point. The intersection seems obvious.

I caught up with Sewell ahead of today's launch to talk about the brush collection, the TikTok beauty trends she loves and hates, and the one makeup tip she wishes everyone knew. Below, read our exclusive interview.

Talk to me about your partnership with Real Techniques, why it was such a good fit, and why you wanted to release a brush collection.

When I was approached for this opportunity, it was a no-brainer. I'm a self-taught makeup artist, so as I was building out my kit of tools and brushes and things that I could use to teach myself, I was walking into Walgreens, Target, or wherever it was, and I was picking up a Real Techniques brush.

I've had brushes from the brand in my personal collection for over a decade. It's so nostalgic. You think of the hot-pink packaging or the orange packaging, all of the bright colors. I found videos of me using them from 2017 and 2018. I was like, "Now, I'm going in with my Real Techniques brush." I've always loved them because they've always felt like really high-quality brushes, and the price point is incredible.

I'm being exposed to so many amazing resources and connections, and I'm learning so much. I've always wanted to channel my artistry into the hands of the everyday girl, and that's what I do on my app. I want to educate. I want to take everything I'm learning as a celebrity makeup artist and funnel that to anyone who loves beauty. So I feel like partnering with a brand that is so accessible to so many was, once again, a no-brainer. It's allowed me to put my artistry into the hands of everyone, and I love the idea that you don't need to spend $70 on a brush to be able to look and feel your best. I'm so excited for this because they're such a good price point, and the quality is insane.

I don't know if this is hygienic or not, but I have Real Techniques brushes from when I was maybe 16, and I'm in my 30s now.

As long as you're washing them, who cares?

As a celebrity makeup artist, was it easy to envision an essential brush kit, or was it deceptively difficult? How did you choose which brushes you wanted to be a part of this?

It was honestly daunting. For our first meeting, they were like, "I want you to show up with 30 brush ideas." I felt like the stakes were high because this is my first time really putting something out into the world that isn't a video.

I want these brushes to land with the makeup artist, but makeup artists want entirely different things out of brushes than the everyday girl wants. So I was really like, "How can I—knowing the struggles of the everyday girl when it comes to learning makeup and then the gaps in the market when it comes to being an artist—blend those two to create what I have?"

You'll notice throughout the collection [that] certain things appeal to the everyday girl, and then certain things are a nod to the makeup artist. Through communicating via DMs, at my master classes, and really talking to my community, I think girls feel really overwhelmed with what to use their brushes for. Two things that I was super adamant about with the brushes were, one, there is a brush for every step in your routine, and it clearly labels what it is. You have your skin-prep brush. You have your foundation brush. Another educational point was whether it's for creams or for powders.

My whole theory behind the brushes is that you have one for every step in your routine and that each dual-ended brush allows you to do your cream side and your powder side. The cream side has a little diamond indicator. You're able to pick up and, in two seconds, know what you're using it for.

I think my audience on social has definitely caught on to this, but I'm a big "light layers" person, which is the thought process behind what we're calling the Light Layers Premium Set ($65). If you want really natural, long-wearing makeup, you work in light layers. When you break that down even further, it's a lot of switching between creams and then a light layer of powder and then continuing to build from there.

Then we have two individual SKUs, which are called the Everything Brushes. These are to appeal to the minimalist girl. You could pick up these two brushes and do a full face. You can travel with them because I don't like traveling with a ton of brushes. They're sold individually, and I think that if I were someone who was new to makeup, this would be a little less overwhelming.

Definitely. What are a few standout brushes from the collection that you're really proud of?

There are two brushes that I think fill such a gap. The one that I'm the most proud of is the first-ever Skin Prep Brush. It's the only silver one in the collection. I'm really big on the idea that your makeup is only as good as your skin prep. I also love doing lymphatic drainage on myself, so I was really adamant that I wanted a brush that would allow me to sculpt my face while I'm putting on my moisturizer. It pushes fluid out while you're using it. There are videos of me in the Real Techniques office, where we're on the third iteration of this brush, and I was taking scissors to it in the office, being like, "No, it needs to angle like this."

A lymphatic-drainage Skin Prep Brush is brilliant.

And you flip it around and do eye cream. You basically just apply your moisturizer, and it sculpts your jawbone, the cheek… You can feel it moving and helping with de-puffing. You obviously have to drain the fluid down your neck and practice all the lymphatic principles, like opening your lymph nodes, etc., but I love that this brush will allow you to do that.

My second favorite brush is the Lip Contour Brush. I cannot go a single glam without this. One side looks like a normal flat brush, but it is the thinnest, most precise brush, and I like to use it in two ways. I prep my client's lip with a lip mask, but at the end, I'll actually work concealer into this, and it cleans up the lip really nicely. The best part, though, is the little blur brush on the other end. It's meant to blur out the edges after lining your lips. It's the perfect shape.

I'm still not over the lymphatic-drainage Skin Prep Brush. Some people are intimidated by the thought of using makeup brushes if they're used to only using, let's say, a makeup sponge or even just their fingers. What are the benefits of using a brush, and how can it elevate one's routine?

That's such a great question. It really is personal preference. I get it. Some people are so used to using a sponge, but what I always say about sponges is that I think it's just a different type of makeup application. People that like sponges are the people who are using way too much product. What a sponge does is absorb the product off your face. That's why it softens the look of things on people who are using too much product. Using a sponge is actually a makeup-artist technique to remove and take things off.

The whole point of my artistry and what I want people to understand is that it's easier to slowly build makeup on your face. You don't need to go in with 10 pumps of foundation. You don't need to draw on everything with your concealer. Once again, if that is your technique, I understand the sponge, but how I like to do makeup and what I encourage everyone to do is work in light layers. I think it's really achievable with these brushes to slowly build up the coverage and to really treat yourself like you're Picasso.

I love that.

Because of the softness of the bristles, you're not going to get brush streaks. I actually have been doing this technique with the Adjustable Powder Puff ($10). You get two of them. I actually used one on a client today.

With the old powder puffs I was using, I felt like I always had to pinch them to get that really nice roll. If you're a makeup artist, you're always putting them on your pinky so when you're working on a client's face, you don't get fingerprints, and you can steady your hand. These puffs would fall off because they're so big, so we basically made a little "bra strap" on the Powder Puff so you can adjust it. It won't go off your hand, and it gives this little roll.

At the end of doing my makeup, let's say I look in the mirror, and I'm like, "There's a little too much coverage" or "I'm too matte" or whatever. I'll actually take the Rhode Glazing Mist ($30) or any sort of hydrating spray, and I spritz the puff. Pressing it right into the skin at the end gives it the most hydrated blur.

This is so intentionally designed. I know you mentioned using the Powder Puff on a client, but have you had a chance to use and test all of your brushes on clients?

Oh yeah, I've been throwing them in there. I want to see what brushes I'm gravitating toward in a sea of them. I've given them to clients as touch-up brushes. I've been trying to get them in the hands of people that I work with and hope to see them using them.

Okay, let's talk foundation application specifically. I've always struggled to apply full-coverage foundation with a brush because it reads so heavy on me.

Let's say I'm using the M.Ph by Mary Phillips Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation ($49). She's the queen of underpainting, and a huge part of her underpainting technique is the last step: foundation. She likes to take a fluffy brush and almost feather it on the face. So for me, as a makeup artist, with the Foundation Brush, I see it as a way to apply foundation in two different ways.

Let's say you wanted the most coverage. I would use the denser cream side and really just stamp it on and buff it onto the skin. You're going to get really nice coverage. But say I was underpainting and I wanted to just feather on a really lightweight, sheer wash of foundation. I would use the other side of the brush. Basically, the denser the brush, the denser and more compact the coverage. With something fluffy and large, you're getting a fluffier and more sheer finish.

This makes so much sense. It's opening up a whole new world for me. I love a sheer, natural-looking foundation, so I'll have to try this.

If I were you and I had a full-coverage foundation but I wanted to get a more natural look out of it, I would take a tiny pump. You could even add in a pump of moisturizer to sheer it out from a formula standpoint, but then I would take a really fluffy, big brush, and I would work it into it, and then I would literally feather it over the skin. You will get the softest wash of the product.

I'm going to try that immediately. What's another makeup tip you wish everyone knew?

I think understanding the difference between bronzer and contour is a huge unlock. A lot of people think bronzer and contour are the same, and they're not. Even with our brushes, there is a very clear difference between the contour brush in terms of shape and density versus the bronzer brush.

If you think about where you would apply bronzer, it's where the sun hits you, so [it's] where you look sun-kissed, which is why you want something that has more of a warm undertone. … You can have a more generous placement, in comparison, with contour. With contour, you're carving and creating shadows, so the placement is actually super precise and more in the hollows of your face.

I think that powder has gotten a bad rep because people [don't] apply it lightly enough. I think everyone needs powder. It actually extends the longevity of makeup and makes your makeup look more natural. A lot of us get caught up in all these dewy products, putting them all over our faces, and then we look oily. Your natural skin finish is not overly dewy everywhere; it's a little bit matte in some areas and highlighted in other areas. Learning how to layer your powder in strategic ways and with a very light hand—hopefully with my brushes because that's what it encourages—makes you look more natural, and your makeup can last way longer.

One hill I'll die on is that powder blushes are just as good as dewy ones. I feel like everyone just wants a dewy blush right now.

It's like how we're seeing the trend of mousse products. Everyone's getting sick of all the dewy stuff. A mousse basically dries down to the texture of a powder. It blurs over your imperfections and makes you look poreless, and that's what powder does. Powder is forever going to make you look more airbrushed, especially in the summer when people are like, "My makeup's melting off my face!" I'm like, "Are you setting your makeup with powder?" They're like, "No." Why do you think that something liquid would not melt off your face?

There's a video on my app called Sweat Proof Base. I was in Mexico at a wedding, and it was the hottest and most humid climate I had ever been in—worse than Miami. I have to do 12-hour makeup because I was a bridesmaid. So I did this layering technique of powders to last me this long.

Are there any specific TikTok makeup trends you love?

I'm obsessed with Aussie girl glam. ... I feel like I've seen a lot of no mascara. I love a no-mascara look. And mousse makeup! We all did the overly matte, and then we all did the overly dewy, and now, I think mousse is that perfect hybrid. It blends like a cream, works for all skin types, and blurs and finishes like a powder, so I feel like it's approachable for everyone. I'm sickly obsessed with the Prada Touch Cream-to-Powder Soft Blur Longwear Blushes ($42). Westman Atelier just came out with a mousse-like bronzer. I'm seeing it everywhere.

On top of that, I feel like people are really allowing themselves to create again and have fun with makeup. I think people are so tired of wearing the same look every day. Self-expression is always going to stand. We're seeing grungier eyes, even on the fashion runways, per Gucci. Those always lead to these looks and movements, like party girl—smoky eyes, fun lips, etc. It's all about not taking life too seriously. Obviously, all of this works together, fashion and beauty trends. It's like you need to go out and live life. It's okay if you're hungover on a Saturday and your eyeliner is smeared—make a look out of it.

Shop Kelli Anne Sewell x Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

If you're also summering in the UK, you'll know that this run of heatwaves hasn't made getting dressed much easier. When you're trying to wear as little as possible whilst still looking polished, you may be struggling at this point. Your tanks and white tees are likely already on heavy rotation, but the denim shorts you've relied on for summers past are likely feeling a little less refined. Fortunately, the recent spell of warm weather has coincided with the rise of a fresh shorts trend that's significantly more elegant than its predecessors.

Spotted just this week on Charlize Theron in Paris, the actor stepped out in a chic pair of satin shorts, styling them with towering silver heels for one of the chicest takes on heatwave styling I've come across.

Crafted from light-catching satin, this shorts trend brings an inherent elegance to a summer outfit that denim can't replicate. The fluid finish gives the shorts a dressed-up feel, making them the perfect choice for warm-weather occasions when you want to look polished.

Whilst Charlize teamed her Tom Ford shorts with a glossy satin blouse in a beautiful butter-yellow hue and a neat black blazer from the same label, I've also spotted this particular shorts trend styled in much more relaxed ways by fashion people throughout the season.

It's also one of those few trends that's been adopted by a range of fashion groups. I've seen women in their 20s embracing the shorts just as much as those in their 50s. Offering easy elegance alongside the lightweight finish that heatwave dressing demands, it's become one of the chicest warm-weather buys of the season.

If I had to recommend just one piece to invest in for comfort and style right now, satin shorts would be it. Keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best pairs below.

Shop Satin Shorts:

As we settle into this week's heatwave and the sun-soaked month of July, I’ve been frantically analysing my summer wardrobe to ensure I’m making the very best use of it. After combing through what I consider a very carefully curated edit, I’m positive my clothes are in a good place (I've stocked up on enough pretty blouses and lightweight linens to make it until August); but it wasn't this that made me take pause. No, the issue arose when I looked at my footwear—more specifically my flip flops.

As a fashion editor who believes comfort and style should work in conjunction, I must admit, I’d fallen short when it comes to sandals. After poorly investing in cheap impulse buys, the pairs I do own were rigid and unforgiving, wreaking havoc on my legs and feet with every wear. Luckily for me though, Archie’s Arch Support Flip Flops (£35) suddenly popped on my social media feed. With 124,000 positive reviews and a loyal following amongst the fashion girls of London, New York and LA, I couldn’t help but wonder what all the fuss was about.

Designed with the brand's signature arch support, the contoured footbed and deep heel mould to your feet, reducing foot strain (in short, no more aching ankles). With a seamless all-in-one construction and finished with thick, supportive straps they’re reassuringly durable—so worrying about a snapped toe-thong or a pushed-out plug is a thing of the past. And in the comfort department, the girls on my FYP have reaffirmed they come second to none. Thanks to their stretchy toe-post, “scrunching your dogs" to keep your flip-flops in one place will happen no more.

As if Archies couldn’t get any better, they’re backed by some of the chicest, flip flop-wearing celebrities too. Jennifer Aniston has long ditched her ‘90s Havaianas for a number of the brand's 16 colours (and if there’s anyone with a breadth of flip-flop knowledge, it would be Jen Ann. Pairing well with your summer rotation of midi skirts, leggings and linen trousers, it's crazy to think one little switch will make a world of difference. Scroll down to shop Archie’s Arch Support Flip Flops below.

Shop Archies Arch Support Flip-flops Below:

The beauty industry has long promoted the idea of longevity. Whether through topical potions or ingestible supplements, there are seemingly endless options on the market today that promise noticeable hair growth, firmer skin, and improved collagen production later in life. As a beauty editor, I'm a bit skeptical of these claims. After all, which string of proteins or peptide chain can stall the hands of time? But after noticing my first signs of aging (slight crow's-feet and etches below my eyes worsened by purple circles from an unstable sleep schedule, stress, and travel), I suddenly found myself paying these products a bit more attention.

The state of our skin is often one of the first indicators of age: Lines begin to streak across our complexions, under-eye volume slowly fades, and a dark haze settles below our orbs. While aging is inevitable, skincare can help slow the effects of time tremendously—especially when you factor in a clinically tested eye serum as potent as the one I've been using for the last 20 days.

You may recognize its name if you've walked along the walls of French department stores and premium beauty retailers, but its contents are entirely new. Meet the Clarins Double Serum Eye, an upgraded version of the "age-defying concentrate" that marries the latest findings from Clarins's seven years of longevity research—hyperfocused on delicate under-eye skin—and the technology behind the brand's beloved Double Serum. After picking up this product in the South of France and learning to implement it into my routine the French way (more on that later), my skin was undeniably transformed.

What is the Clarins Double Serum Eye?

To say that the Clarins Double Serum Eye is new would be a false statement. The brand added the concentrated serum to its top-selling Double Serum family in 2021. But much like how the French beauty brand occasionally releases new versions of its iconic Double Serum as its hungry team of researchers discovers new ingredients and advancements, the same happens with the Double Serum Eye. The modern result is this hot-from-the-lab formula that addresses several hallmarks of aging at the cellular level; targets every millimeter of the eye contour, from frown lines to bags; and includes an underappreciated Mediterranean skincare ingredient that makes all the difference.

This new and improved serum features two different formulas nestled inside the golden bottle—a hydric solution and a soothing emulsion. The chambers are kept separate so the ingredients can perform at the highest level, working best together on the skin instead of being mixed inside the bottle. You can see the separation in each drop: a dash of white cream inside a splash of hydrating gel.

How It's Different

The original Double Serum Eye boasted turmeric and organic wild chervil, an herb that visibly reduces signs of aging. Much like the new iteration, the packaging is largely made from recycled materials and includes a single-shot dispenser. However, the 2026 upgrade features a bevy of new ingredients that take this formula to the next level, including plant-based caffeine for puffiness, niacinamide for dark circles, and marjoram extract (the star of the show!) for epigenetic balance.

Clarins's team of researchers knew that it needed to look backward in order to move forward in the fight for longevity. "We study ethnobotany—how different populations, like Chinese and African populations, used these plants decades and centuries ago," Nathalie Issachar, the director of global research and development at Clarins, tells Who What Wear. After testing more than 908 plants in extensive research labs, marjoram was found to produce collagen fibers by way of wound-healing, which later proved to counteract the natural decrease in collagen production after one's mid-20s.

Though collagen production drops earlier in life, a press release detailing Clarins's studies shows that 85% of human genetics are affected by lifestyle, not the mere passage of time. In short, it matters more what you are doing for your skin as you age rather than your age itself, which is why the team conducted an exclusive study on 60 monozygotic twins (siblings with the very same DNA) to analyze the differences. While one twin implemented Double Serum Eye into their routine, the other did not.

"With the same DNA, you should age the same, and this is how we wanted to demonstrate biological age," Issachar explains. In the end, the differences were stark: noticeable pores, slightly saggier skin, and deeper wrinkles on the twin who did not use the Double Serum Eye compared to the twin who did. When utilized by someone with a healthy lifestyle, the formula can perceptually shave four years off one's age by reducing the appearance of crow's-feet, frown lines, and wrinkles and improving under-eye brightness. (No, it is not the fountain of youth). During a busy summer that threatens to make my skin look older than I am, I jumped at the chance to try it.

How I Tested

Eye serums and creams have long created issues in my daily routine. Some don't absorb fast enough or at all, causing unsightly pilling when I blend my concealer. This discourages me from using them as often as I should, so the dark circles and fine lines continue to worsen. This featherlight formula, however, absorbs into the skin quickly, offering a quick hit of hydration under and around the eyes before melting into my barrier like butter.

Dispensing the product was easy. One single-shot pump delivered the perfect amount of product for a broad temple-to-temple sweep. Whether I tapped it into my skin or swiped in delicate strokes, the formula bathed the thin skin of my under-eyes in a light, refreshing wash. Within a minute, I could begin my makeup routine without worry, and my nighttime routine was even easier. Right after washing my face and using a gentle toner, I could apply this luscious eye serum and seal everything in with a night cream. Et voilà!

How to Apply Eye Serum Like the French

While you can apply your eye serum to the under-eyes and upper lids and see impressive results, Issachar recommends swiping it from temple to temple to reap the most benefits. "We advise the consumer to use it from here to here," she explains, drawing a finger from one temple to the other. "It's good to use on the lion line too," pointing to the small line that can form between one's eyebrows.

If you want to use this potent formula like a pro, you can even apply it to your smile lines. In fact, according to Clarins's clinical trials, 87% of testers saw a decrease in visible signs of aging around the lips when they multitasked with the Double Serum Eye. "Jacques Courtin-Clarins, the founder of Clarins, said that the way we apply product is very important. When we are developing an application method, we are using a lot of touch—not really elongating or displacing the skin—in order not to disrupt the fibers," she says, faux-tugging on her skin for dramatic effect. "This is what is creating the signs of aging, especially wrinkles, because it's breaking down the collagen fibers." In short, be gentle on your skin, and let the pricey products do the work you paid for.

Is the Clarins Double Serum Eye worth it?

Speaking of price, after 20 days of testing this product, I can confidently confirm that this eye serum is worth the $86. This action-packed formula totals just $2 higher than its predecessor despite being reinvented with new technology and more effective ingredients. In fact, the brand's consumer tests show that 100% of users experienced a noticeable improvement from the original Double Serum Eye to this upgraded version.

Aside from its buzzy consumer data and line-diminishing properties, I could see a visible difference in my skin's tone and texture in just one week. The caffeine offers a nearly instant brightening effect, and a hydrating mixture of avocado oil and horse chestnut tree extract imparts a glass skin glow.

Though the formula has a noticeable "clean" scent that I'd liken to a ritzy New York City hotel, it has yet to irritate my sensitive skin. I'm muscling through a bit of stress-induced sleeplessness this summer (frequent travel, busy weekends, and apartment searching in NYC will do that to you), and this serum has kept my slowly aging skin looking and feeling healthy and well-rested on my most fatigued days.

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