As the final days of summer approach, it’s the perfect time for balmy rooftop nights, crushing our Goodreads list by the pool and making the most of our warm-weather style opportunities. (Although this author would argue that “hot girl summer” is a year-round state of mind.)
Being a Refinery29 shopping editor means clocking hours diligently testing and reviewing an endless number of products to make sure you, our dear readers, never have to experience buyer’s remorse. (Unfortunately, we can’t really help when it comes to trying a new M&S snack that doesn’t hit.) But truthfully, we also love to shop after hours.
Every month, we scroll our order histories to reveal the highlight reel that we would be remiss to keep quiet about, with everything priced at under £50. (No gatekeeping here!) From comfy flip-flops you can walk all day in to hydrating hair masks and plushie keychains, peruse ahead for the eight best purchases Refinery29 editors made in July.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Uniqlo Wide Pleated Midi Skirt
“This pleated skirt from Uniqlo has moved to the top of my wardrobe rotation as a breezy yet put-together piece I can wear to the office. The flat waistband gives enough stretch to tuck my shirt in, and the mid-calf length looks flattering on my 5’1″ frame. The fabric has a bit of weight to it, but I can still move around comfortably in it on a hot summer day, and I’d imagine the olive green colour will go very well with my autumn and winter outfits, too.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Uniqlo Wide Pleated Midi Skirt, $, available at UniqloPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Color Wow Speed Dry Blow-Dry Spray
“I haven’t tried many Color Wow products in the past, but since I ran out of my It’s A 10 leave-in-conditioner-meets-heat-protectant after I had just dyed my hair, I needed a product from my local Sephora in a pinch. The staff highly recommended this product, which magically removes excess water from your wet hair and decreases blow-drying time. It’s become a game-changer for me because I can dry my hair much faster now, and therefore put less heat and strain on my dyed strands to help preserve the colour for longer.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Color Wow Speed Dry Blow-Dry Spray, $, available at SephoraPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
NiuYichee Water Absorbent Diatomite Coasters
“I moved recently, and my kitchen sink is installed in the centre kitchen island. Cute, but also means that things could get messy (read: wet) while doing dishes. I saw a TikTok ad for these stone, splash-proof trays for your dish soap, and my life is forever changed. They’re visually chic and work like a total dream. Splashes of water absorb and dry within seconds, and my counter has never looked cleaner. And did I mention that a pack of two is only £11?” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
NiuYichee 2 PCS Water Absorbent Diatomite Rectangle Coasters, $, available at Amazon
FitFlop iQUSHION Ergonomic Flip-Flops
“Come summer, I’m not a huge fan of sandals. Flip-flops, though? I’m all about them! These IQUSHION Ergonomic Flip-Flops from FitFlop are so comfortable you’ll want to wear them for far more than just a trip to the pool. Not only do they look great, but they also offer the kind of support and cushioning that you don’t typically get with regular flip-flops. I’ve worn them for hours on end while strolling around and haven’t had any issues. As for the price point? They’re hard to beat.” — Kristine Romano, Art Director
FitFlop iQUSHION Ergonomic Flip-Flops, $, available at FitFlop
Glossier Lip Glaze
“I recently had the pleasure of speaking with international pop girl group Katseye, who are the new faces of Glossier and modelled for the brand’s launch of Lip Glaze, a lip oil-gloss hybrid. After seeing how lovely it looks on the girls, I had to try it for myself — and I’m so glad I did. Chilly, a cool baby pink, enhances the natural colour of my lips with a luscious shine that doesn’t feel too sticky. I enjoy the minty sensation and the doe foot applicator, which distributes just the right amount to coat my lips.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Glossier Lip Glaze (Chilly), $, available at GlossierPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Monchhichi Bearchichi Plushie Keychain
“After being totally entranced by Labubu keychains and diving into the whimsical world of character plushies, I also discovered Monchhichis — a slightly less contentious toy that looks more like a little bear than a large gremlin. So when I dug deeper and found this Monchhichi with a pink bib on Urban Outfitters’ website, I knew I had to have it. I like that this one isn’t a mystery design, so I knew exactly what I was getting. The palm-sized toy is also perfect for wearing as a bag charm on small bags, without it completely taking over. And £16 is definitely worth sparking some joy every time I look down at it.” — Victoria Montalti, Associate Fashion Writer
Monchhichi Bearchichi Plushie Keychain, $, available at Urban OutfittersPhoto: Courtesy of Victoria Montalti.
Sacheu Peel Off Lip Liner STAY-N
“Ever since sampling a handful of shades of the viral SacheuPeel Off Lip Liners, I’ve been hooked. Nothing I’ve tried works better to give lips a long-lasting, weightless stain that doesn’t move or transfer. But like the rest of the world, I’ve been patiently waiting for its most popular shade, nOO-Hde, to be restocked. Well, fam, the day finally arrived this month, and I wasted no time in buying one at Ulta. It was worth the wait, and then some. It’s truly the perfect MLBB (that’s “my lips but better”) warm hue that I will be wearing daily until further notice.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Sacheu Peel Off Lip Liner STAY-N, $, available at BootsPhoto: Courtesy of Karina Hoshikawa.
Rahua Smoothing Hair Balm
“I’ve tried a lot of products to tame my stubborn flyaways, but most of them either make my hair too crunchy or greasy. This balm is the rare exception. It contains rahua oil, a natural ingredient from the Amazon that boosts shine, hydration, and overall scalp health. The floral scent is just lovely, and the compact size means it’s great to carry around for last-minute touch-ups.” — Venus Wong, Senior Writer
Rahua Smoothing Hair Balm, $, available at RahuaPhoto: Courtesy of Venus Wong.
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes Patches
“I’ve sworn by Hero Cosmetics’ Mighty Patch as my first-line defense for breakouts, but until recently, I was sleeping on some of their other patch solutions — namely, this under-eye set. This pack contains three pairs of patches infused with three forms of hyaluronic acid, as well as niacinamide, panthenol, and allantoin to visibly soothe, hydrate, and brighten even the most sleep-deprived eyes. (Pro tip: Keep them in the fridge and enjoy even more cooling, depuffing benefits.)” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes Patches, $, available at Ulta BeautyPhoto: Courtesy of Karina Hoshikawa.
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-LAMINATE Brow Styling Gel
“I’ve tried countless clear brow gels, but none like Grande Cosmetics’ GrandeBROW-LAMINATE Brow Styling Gel. It sort of reminds me of the soap brow trend of 2019, but so, so much better. This gel isn’t crunchy or stiff whatsoever, but holds its shape unlike any other brow product I’ve tried. And can we talk about the included brush? The head itself is quite tiny, but I actually like that it allows me to wield it with better precision and get the product just where I need it. I haven’t noticed any considerable growth yet, but I also have pretty bushy brows to begin with, so it’s not a major selling point for me. I know the brand is best known for its brow and lash serums, but let me tell you — this sleeper hit is the real deal.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-LAMINATE Brow Styling Gel, $, available at Amazon
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