Refinery29 Loves: Our Favorite Fashion & Beauty Buys From August
Welcome to Refinery29 Loves, the monthly news bulletin where you’ll find the best things to shop and see in fashion and beauty right now.
August is always a bit confusing — especially when it comes to what to wear. It’s still very much summer (in many parts of the country, we’ve seen record triple-digit highs), weekends are still spent sneaking away to the beach or a friend's wedding, and we’re squeezing every last drop out of the season. Yet somehow, fall is already creeping into our carts (and coffee shops, thanks to PSL’s earlier-than-ever arrival).
Suddenly, we’re thinking about darker, moodier fragrances, transitional wardrobe staples, and beauty products that can take us from one season to the next. Which brings us to the latest edition of R29 Loves, our monthly roundup of the fashion and beauty launches that had our editors clicking “add to cart” all month long.
This month’s assortment is a little summer, a little fall, and all very much worth knowing about. Ahead, discover the beauty and fashion finds that made August more fun — from Old Navy’s new must-have denim to the plum perfume we’re already predicting will be everywhere this fall.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Zara Plaid Jacket
"Shacket season is upon us, and I’m so excited to have fun with fall layering. This lightweight jacket is perfect for those unpredictable days when it’s cool in the morning, blazing in the afternoon, and chilly again at night. I plan on wearing it open over my go-to tank tops with jeans or trousers, then tying it around my waist to bring a little extra interest to my casually cool fall looks when temperatures heat up. I also love that the plaid pattern gives an outfit that quintessential fall feel without looking too predictable. Plus, this is the kind of cute, checkered piece that looks great completely on its own. Button it up and suddenly it doubles as a top, which means the styling options are virtually endless." — Alexis Bennett Parker, Director of Shopping Partnerships
Zara Plaid Jacket, $, available at Zara
Danessa Myricks Glosswork Plumping Lip Gloss
"I own perhaps a concerning number of lip balms and glosses, but hearing Danessa Myricks talk about this plumping gloss at a recent makeup masterclass convinced me to add it to my collection. I’m not exaggerating when I say it has since replaced everything else. The 4D Ultra Shine is primarily a plumping gloss, but it’s nothing like the chilli-infused versions we all know — and fear. There’s no uncomfortable ingredient here, just a blend of hydrating, moisturizing, and volume-boosting polymers and peptides. Still, I’m taken aback every time I apply it: it’s like my lips double in size. So much so that I don’t even feel the need for lip liner. It feels so comfortable — cocooning, even — on my lips that I find myself smacking them together with joy whenever I wear it, which has been every hour of every day since I discovered it. My favorite shade is Red Velvet, which is like Rhode’s Raspberry Jelly, but with maximum staying power. What a smart launch this is, seriously!" – Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Danessa Myricks Beauty GlossWork 4D Ultra Shine Plumping Lip Gloss, $, available at Sephora
KJH Microscara Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara
“I already knew Katie Jane Hughes was a makeup genius, but this launch confirms it. Microscara is unlike any other mascara I’ve tried; as the name suggests, the brush is seriously tiny. But don’t freak out: That’s actually the secret to reaching every lash with surgical precision. (I especially love using it on the outer corners to create a doe-eyed effect, and the wand is the perfect size for placing product exactly where you want it.) It’s also a game-changer for bottom lashes, which can go from zero to goopy mess with a thick, oversized wand. Then there’s the formula itself: I love a tubing mascara for its smudge- and flake-proof properties, not to mention how easy and gentle it is to remove — all it takes is warm water and a little rubbing. And not for nothing, it takes guts to turn the mascara world on its head. Hughes absolutely nailed it.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Beauty Writer
KJH.brand Microscara Volumizing & Lengthening Tubing Mascara, $, available at Sephora
Ellis Brooklyn Plum Tonic Eau de Parfum
“I love fruity scents, but many of the ones in my collection skew more spring-summer than fall; that’s where Ellis Brooklyn’s new Plum Tonic Eau de Parfum comes in. I predict plum scents will be everywhere this fall, and this one is a big reason why. Juicy plum nectar and bright mandarin give the fragrance an almost mouthwatering quality, while deeper notes of amber and skin-like musk add just enough warmth and sensuality to make it feel decidedly autumnal. The overall effect is elevated and chic, but still youthful and sexy — more cool-girl date night than cozy candle. It’s been on repeat ever since I got an early bottle last month, and every time I wear it, I find myself wondering why I don’t smell like this all year. For now, though, I fully intend on making it my signature scent this season.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Beauty Writer
Ellis Brooklyn PLUM TONIC Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora
Quay Felt Cute
"I’m a big sunglasses girl, with at least 20 in my collection, and my newest (favorite) addition is this Quay Felt Cute design. The oval shape is super classic, they’re super lightweight, and they’re versatile for everyday wear. While I have a limited-run navy blue colorway, there are still a few neutrals available to cart up that give French-girl chicness." — Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer
Quay Felt Cute, $, available at Quay
Olaplex Shape Set Hair Repair & Frizz-Control Flexible Hold Hairspray
"What do you think of when you hear the word hairspray? Crispy, crunchy, stiff. Maybe all of the above? Olaplex has always known we deserve better, which is why it’s been beavering away to bring us one of the smartest and most inconspicuous hairsprays out there right now: Shape Set. A clever mix of polymers helps lock updos, slick-backs, and waves into place, while moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and dimethicone prevent strands from drying out and keep hair flexible. As you’d expect from Olaplex, it’s also packed with the brand’s bond-building technology, which helps fuse disulfide bonds back together to minimize the appearance of dryness and split ends caused by damage. Even better? It provides heat protection up to 450°F. I used it to perfect a slicked bun a few days ago, and when I brushed it out, my hair felt just as soft and smooth as it did when I’d first washed it. Genius!" – Jacqueline Kilikita, Beauty Director
Olaplex Hair Repair & Frizz-Control Flexible Hold Hairspray, $, available at Sephora
Old Navy The Arc Barrel Jeans
"In celebration of Old Navy’s celebrity-approved denim campaign, I got to try the brand’s new Arc style. The barrel-leg jean has quickly become one of my favorite pants in my wardrobe. While it’s intended to be mid-rise and fall below the ankle (and is available in petite, standard, and tall lengths), I was only able to acquire it in a “regular” proportion at the time, so it sits more like a high-waisted, floor-grazing fit on my 5-foot-3-inch-tall frame. And I absolutely love them. I opted for a size 14, and the waistband somehow feels tailored to my body and the hem falls just above the floor when paired with a wedge or heeled boot. I find them comfortable and versatile, and at just $50, a steal." — Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer
Old Navy The Arc Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans, $, available at Old Navy
Kosas Hotliner
"I love a good lip combo, but dislike so many of the lip liners I’ve tried. They’re either too dry or fade away quickly, and I’ve never understood why they don’t work well on me. But when I got to try Kosas Hotliners, it all changed. The contouring lip liner goes on creamy and dries matte, and then it doesn’t budge, so I don’t have to reapply it throughout the day. I love the shade Beyond for an everyday rosy-mauve look and the shade Supreme for a rich chocolatey brown fall lip. And you know what’s even better? The opposite end of the applicator has a hidden brush to blur the liner and a mini sharpener to freshen it up!" — Victoria Montalti, Senior Fashion Commerce Writer
Kosas Hotliner, $, available at Kosas
Lenox & Sixteenth The Prep Pads
“An exfoliating wipe hates to see me coming — and I think I may have found my new favorite in Lenox & Sixteenth’s The Prep Pads. I didn’t think I could love a product more than the brand’s Laser Serum, but these dual-sided pads truly feel like a facial in one easy step. Lactic acid gently sloughs away dead skin cells, while soothing allantoin and beta-glucan help hydrate and calm. (And that textured side isn’t scratchy at all: It’s actually silicone, offering gentle manual exfoliation.) After cleansing, I swipe one over my face for a bit of hydration and exfoliation before going in with serum and moisturizer. In the weeks I’ve been using them nightly, I’ve noticed softer, smoother, brighter skin — without the burning or tingling I’ve experienced with harsher peel pads. Pro tip: I also use these on my body to help prevent buttne and smooth KP bumps on my arms.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Beauty Writer
Lenox and Sixteenth The Prep Pads, $, available at Lenox and Sixteenth
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