In a beauty editor’s world, being forced to declare a favorite beauty category is like choosing a favorite child — you si...

In a beauty editor’s world, being forced to declare a favorite beauty category is like choosing a favorite child — you simply can’t expect us to pick. But we make no apologies for admitting that fragrance holds a very special place in our lives (and our routines).

A compliment on your perfume can be incredibly affirming, but there’s something even more poignant about fragrance’s ability to transform how you feel when you wear it purely for yourself. For us, fragrance is a constant: at the office, at the gym (controversially), and, yes, even at home when no one else can smell you. With that in mind, we take our fragrance very seriously here at Refinery29. Over the past few years, we’ve made it our mission to sniff out, test, wear, and discuss the latest launches alongside the classics — so we can recommend the ones that are truly worth your time, money, and shelf space.

That’s why we wanted to give the very best of them their moment in the spotlight with our Fragrance Awards 2026. From niche, under-the-radar houses to the biggest names in perfume, these are the 29 scents we’ve spent the past few years smelling, spritzing, and talking about with our friends and colleagues.

Who knows? You might even discover your new signature.

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Best New Fragrance: Byredo Future Memories Eau de Parfum, $235 for 50ml

“Mark my words: Future Memories is going to become the fragrance Byredo is best known for, even usurping cult classics like Bal D’Afrique and Gypsy Water. At first spritz, it’s a generous pour of vanilla-steeped whiskey, but the intoxicating boozy notes soon unfold into tobacco-like iris butter, cozy orange blossom, and salty, skin-like musk. If a 1920s speakeasy were a fragrance — all cigar smoke, strong cocktails, and perfumed lapels — it would be this, despite the “future” in its name. And the staying power! I sprayed it on a jacket over a month ago, and it’s still as hypnotic as it was on the first day.” Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Luxury Fragrance: Penhaligon’s Halfeti Eau de Parfum, $330 for 3.4 fl oz.

“I would say the enduring popularity of Halfeti needs to be studied, but the reason is obvious: Nothing smells as expensive and seductive on my skin as this does. Even ten years after its launch, I have a hard time comparing it to anything else. Warm, cozy saffron, cardamom, and nutmeg jump out at first, but over time, creamy sandalwood, cocooning amber, and comforting musks come into their own, making it nuzzly and inviting. I love wearing it on my neck and wrists, and whenever I pull someone in for a hug, they never fail to compliment me. In fact, anything from Penhaligon’s is the epitome of luxury to me, but Halfeti trumps them all.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Drugstore Fragrance: Le Monde Gourmand Tomate Bébé, $30 for 30ml

Le Monde Gourmand is known for its vast array of affordable eaux de parfums, and this past spring it added Tomate Bébé to its roster. The fragrance, made in collaboration with iconic Los Angeles restaurant Jon & Vinny’s, is everything an aspiring tomato girl wants to smell like. As the name suggests, it’s a vegetable-forward blend of green pepper, tomato leaf, and fresh basil, but with citrusy lemon verbena, skin-like ambrox, and a whisper of dessert-like caramel. The result? A perfume that’s good enough to eat — almost.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Niche Fragrance: Ex Nihilo Demon Dancer, $180 for 50ml

Ex Nihilo is one of those brands perfume enthusiasts talk about in hushed tones, as if keeping it to themselves will help them gatekeep it — it’s that good. I’ve tried pretty much every scent from the niche perfume house and found favorites in Blue Talisman and Fleur Narcotique (the latter said to be adored by Hailey Bieber), but I think the latest addition to the brand’s burgeoning fragrance dynasty blows them all out of the water. Tart rhubarb, zippy peppermint, and sharp, green blackcurrant give it such an intriguing edge that you can’t help but smell yourself — the notes practically dance off the skin — while vanilla-esque tonka and warm musks ground it, making it the perfect everyday scent.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Designer Fragrance: Miu Miu Miutine Eau de Parfum, $108 for 30ml

“Strawberry scents had a big year (see: The 7 Virtues Strawberry Jam and Phlur’s Strawberry Letter), but I’d argue that no fragrance has captured the fruity note quite like Miu Miu’s Miutine — the house’s first new scent in six years. With notes of juicy strawberry, heady gardenia, warm brown sugar, and cozy vanilla, it’s everything the Miu Miu woman is: playful, feminine, and a little offbeat in the best way. And can we have a moment for the bottle, please? Inspired by Miu Miu’s iconic matelassé leather goods, it’s every bit as chic as the juice inside.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Celebrity Fragrance: Billie Eilish Your Turn II Eau de Parfum, $70 for 30ml

“Billie Eilish: Grammy-winning recording artist, Gen Z style icon, and…the front-runner in the celebrity fragrance game. One of her more recent drops, Your Turn II, is a darker, woodier interpretation of the original fresh-fruity scent. (In a 2025 interview, the singer actually revealed that Your Turn II was an earlier fragrance sample she’d loved but hadn’t ever seen the light of day.) I personally love the blend of more feminine perfumery with accords more commonly used in colognes. Case in point: jammy fig and cassis clashing with zesty vetiver and resinous olibanum. (Not to mention, the lasting power of this rivals some of my most pricey perfumes.) Safe to say, with it emerging as a fan-favorite, she made the right call rescuing it from the vault.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Genderless Fragrance: Lore Somewhere but Nowhere Eau de Parfum, $92 for 50ml

“I rarely ambush my husband with fragrances, but I’ll never forget the first time I sampled Lore’s Somewhere but Nowhere — and immediately knew I had to smell it on him. It cites Americana as its north star, but to me, it smells like home (or your person — more or less the same thing, really.) Its heart of cedarwood mixed with creamy cardamom and black tea (and a barely-noticeable touch of whipped vanilla cream) makes this one that I love as much on him as I do on me. Which means one thing: We’re going to need a larger bottle.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Everyday Fragrance: Merit Retrospect L’Extrait, $92 for 30ml

“Merit had no business going this hard with its fragrance debut, but hey, we’re certainly not complaining. The inaugural scent, Retrospect, is exactly what you’d expect from the makeup brand that mastered minimalism: Effortless yet impactful, and with a certain mysterious quality. No one note really stands out; you just smell really good. However, we can reveal the notes in the warm, sheer scent: Bright notes of citrusy bergamot and fresh pear meet a floral bouquet of jasmine, rose, and violet. The secret sauce, in my opinion, is in the base of warm vanilla, skin-like musk, and leafy moss, giving it a familiar finish. And because it’s an extrait (a more concentrated form of fragrance), you can expect this one to last all day long wherever you apply it.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Long-Lasting Fragrance: Diptyque Orphéon Eau de Parfum, $260 for 2.5 fl oz.

“During a closet clear-out recently, I pulled out a coat I hadn’t worn in over a year, and the scent that greeted me was unmistakable: Diptyque Orphéon. It’s the perfect paradox. Juniper berries give it a strong gin-and-tonic edge — a tall glass tumbler loaded with ice — while cedarwood, jasmine, and tonka bean evoke a church foggy with incense. The dry down is so special: powdery and comforting, like a blush compact from the ’90s. It’s the one perfume all my beauty editor peers agree on, and the staying power is truly second to none.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Compliment-Earner: Glossier You Doux Eau de Parfum, $82 for 50ml

Glossier You Doux has earned me so many compliments; it was a front-runner for my wedding-day scent. (I ended up wearing it at my rehearsal dinner.) It’s easily the most wearable, romantic take on a woody fragrance I’ve tried, and like all of the Glossier You scents, it has a musky ambrox base that truly works on everyone. Along with toasted palo santo, it features delicate violet, spicy frankincense, and smoky myrrh. The result is an effortlessly alluring scent with truly unparalleled mass appeal.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer 

Best Travel Fragrance: Dior J’adior Solid Perfume L’Or de J’adore, $109

“We’ve all seen Charlize Theron exiting a pool of liquid gold (or more recently, Rihanna sauntering through Versailles), but Dior’s solid perfume iteration, L’Or de J’adore, somehow makes the iconic scent feel more luxe than ever. Housed in a tiny gold compact that’s basically begging to double as a bag charm, this travel-friendly solid makes it easier than ever to bring your scent on vacay — without fearing it being confiscated by airport security. With notes of heady jasmine, sweet rose, and elegant violet wrapped in a warm, nectar-like finish, I think it’s bold, iconic, and unforgettable.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer 

Best Office-Friendly Fragrance: D.S. & Durga I Don’t Know What Eau de Parfum, $225 for 1.7 fl oz.

“There’s a fine line between wanting to smell good at work and causing perfume cloud-induced headaches from two cubicles away. Here’s where D.S. & Durga’s I Don’t Know What comes in. It’s subtle but noticeable, with a clean, woody, skin-like quality that somehow smells like you — only better. The formula is built around a mix of bright bergamot, iso e super (a synthetic fragrance molecule with moody, amber-like notes), herbaceous vetiver, and musky ambroxan, creating an airy, balanced scent that lingers all day long on skin and clothes without alerting Brenda from HR. In other words, it’s office-appropriate without being boring, and transitions seamlessly to after-hours.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer 

Best Wedding Fragrance: Commodity Milk Orchid Expressive Eau de Parfum by @Perfumerism, $115 for 50ml

Commodity’s Milk Orchid was one of the most anticipated perfume launches of 2025, but the formerly limited-edition fragrance recently became a permanent fixture in the brand’s collection. Content creator Emma B, aka Perfumerism, collaborated with Commodity to create a gourmand floral that feels elevated yet universally appealing. Creamy notes of fig and coconut milk swirl with orchid to create the perfect light-yet-impactful scent for your big day. This is truly special-event and signature-scent worthy!” — Sophia Dennis, head of programming and brand strategy for Refinery29 & Beautycon

Best Date-Night Fragrance: NOYZ Only Human Eau de Parfum, $85 for 1.69 fl oz.

“Some fragrances can’t help but take center stage. By contrast, NOYZ Only Human is more about making people lean in closer in a “What perfume are you wearing?” kind of way. Which is exactly why it’s taking home our award for best date-night scent. Warm, woody, and subtly sweet, it blends creamy cardamom, comforting sandalwood, dessert-like vanilla, and sultry musk into a skin-like scent that feels intimate yet totally effortless. It’s the kind of fragrance that smells even better up close. Conveniently, right where you want it for date night.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer. 

Best Skin Scent: Cyklar Flora Veil Roll-On Perfume Oil, $24

“If you find traditional floral scents annoyingly loud, you have to try Cyklar’s Flora Veil. It bypasses the heady, garden-in-full-bloom intensity entirely, redefining what a floral profile can be. When I first took a whiff of it, I instantly thought it smelled like me fresh out of the shower, but even better. It earns top honors in the skin scent department because of how masterfully it wears throughout the day. It starts with a delicate (not overly fruity) whisper of crisp raspberry that has just enough brightness to intrigue you without feeling sweet, and it melts seamlessly into a grounding, velvety musk base. Rather than sitting heavily on top of your skin or taking over a room, the oil formula literally warms up with your natural body chemistry, creating your own little bubble of a delightful-smelling aura. What makes Flora Veil so addictive — and why I grab it the most — is the I’m-not-trying-too-hard confidence it gives.” — Alexis Bennett Parker, Refinery29 director of shopping partnerships 

Best Hair Fragrance: Initio Atomic Rose Hair Perfume, $105 for 50ml

“I first smelled this hair perfume on a friend as I leaned in for a hug, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I had to buy one for myself, and now I reach for it more than my eau de parfums. Most hair perfumes apply with a whisper and disappear in the breeze, but this clings to strands like an extrait. Lush Bulgarian rose and powdery Turkish rose are heady and mesmerizing, while zingy bergamot cuts through with a hit of freshness. But it’s the vanilla that really sticks around — you’ll find yourself wanting to smell your hair throughout the day. Perhaps an odd habit, but one I can’t kick when I wear this.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Body Mist: Being Frenshe Matcha Me Hair, Body, & Linen Mist, $16.99 for 5 fl oz.

Body mists are having a major comeback, and when I got a sneak peek (whiff?) of Being Frenshe’s new Matcha Me scent in the Hamptons this summer, I knew I’d found a new favorite. (I’ve been keeping the lab sample in my purse for mid-day touch-ups, and am glad to no longer keep it a secret.) It’s fresh, soft, and uplifting — just like your favorite matcha latte. Alongside the namesake tea note, there’s a hint of soothing vanilla (a favorite of founder Ashley Tisdale French, who also includes it in Vanilla Cashmere) and a soft musk that gives it a cozy, clean quality without veering sugary. Even better, it’s formulated to softly scent everything from your skin and hair to your linens and room for the ultimate relaxing mood.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer 

Best Scented Body Wash: LOoPHA Oud + Amber Hand + Body Wash, $24.50 for 400ml

“Life’s too short not to make every shower a great-smelling one. LOoPHA (aka The Ordinary’s sister body care brand) has arguably mastered the art of the body wash, elevating the humble shower gel with its liquid and powdered body cleansers, which come in three scents: Oud + Amber, Chalk, and my personal favorite, Broadleaf Forest. There’s not a bad one in the bunch, but I can’t get enough of how crisp and clean (not medicinal) Broadleaf Forest smells. It’s cozy, grounding, and makes every shower feel like a moment of calm.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Scented Body Moisturizer: Brunel Pearl Glow Body Oil, $53

“Capturing that signature, sun-kissed Jasmine Tookes glow has been pinned to the top of my beauty mood board for years. Actually achieving it? Pure chaos. Traditional body oils often turn into a slippery mess, ruining fine silk and making crisp white linen an absolute no-go. But Brunel’s Pearl Glow is the holy-grail pivot. Pearl Glow smells effortlessly high-end. It opens with a bright burst of crisp red apple and warm solar notes that instantly transport you to a golden-hour beach day. As it settles into skin, it unfolds into a lush heart of jasmine petals and creamy almond, before drying down to a grounding, velvety sandalwood base that gives it a bespoke luxury perfume feel. What makes it an absolute award winner, though, is how seamlessly it balances top-tier perfumery with real-life practicality. You get that enviable, lit-from-within sheen without feeling heavy or sticky. Best of all, its dry-touch finish absorbs quickly with zero transfer onto white clothing, meaning you can finally bathe your collarbones in supermodel radiance and walk out the door completely stain-free.” — Alexis Bennett Parker, Refinery29 director of shopping partnerships 

Future Classic Fragrance: Parfums de Marly Delina Exclusif, $265 for 1 fl oz.

“Some fragrances have their moment before fading away; others feel destined to have one for years to come. Parfums de Marly’s Delina Exclusif falls firmly into the latter camp, earning our Future Classic award for its unapologetically luxurious take on the iconic fruity-floral Delina. A richer, moodier sibling to the original scent, it layers juicy lychee and crisp pear with Turkish rose, spicy incense, warm vanilla, and woody oud for a multifaceted, versatile scent that’s sweet but not saccharine. It’s the kind of perfume that instantly feels iconic — and I, for one, wouldn’t be surprised if, years from now, we’re still talking about it.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer 

Best Alcohol-Free Fragrance: Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky Eau Parfumée, $195 for 2.4 fl oz.

“Maison Francis Kurkdjian is known for fragrances that smell expensive and sophisticated (hello, Baccarat Rouge 540), but the luxury perfumer is far from a one-trick pony; Kurky Eau Parfumée is a literal and metaphorical breath of fresh air, thanks to its bright, fruity profile. It opens with juicy raspberry and peach mixed with soft florals, light-as-air musk, and creamy sandalwood. And unlike the vast majority of my perfume collection, this formulation is alcohol-free. (“Eau parfumée” literally translates to “scented water.”) As such, it feels less drying on skin than a traditional alcohol-based fragrance, and I also love using it as a hair mist to add scent and a hint of shine. The result is playful yet elevated, proving that an alcohol-free fragrance can have just as much personality as a traditional eau de parfum.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Fall Fragrance: Phlur Vanilla Canyon Eau de Parfum, $99

“To me, most vanilla perfumes are usually way too sweet, aggressively artificial, or smell like a walking dessert table, which is an instant pass. But Phlur Vanilla Canyon completely flips the script, taking the usually cloying note to grown-and-sexy territory. If you’re already obsessed with Vanilla Skin, consider this its darker, cooler, big sister. It has a smoky vanilla DNA that doesn’t read as buttercream. Think smoldering amber and intoxicating depth that feels grounded. What elevates Vanilla Canyon to true award status is how easily it grabs attention without ever feeling overpowering or suffocating. It gives you that warm, sultry vibe that stays close to the skin, kind of like a plush cashmere sweater, making people instantly lean in to ask what you’re wearing. It takes a note we all thought we knew and reinvents it into a masterclass in modern, mysterious perfumery.” — Alexis Bennett Parker, Refinery29 director of shopping partnerships 

Best Fresh Fragrance: Frédéric Malle Par Acne Studios Eau de Parfum, $295 for 50ml

“Fresh perfumes have somewhat faded into the background, both literally and figuratively, as deeper, heavier gourmands have come to dominate the fragrance conversation — and they’re not exactly known for their staying power, either. But Frédéric Malle Par Acne Studios refuses to be overlooked. It opens with a slightly soapy, aldehydic laundry note, but as it dries down, the magic happens. One whiff and you’re whisked away somewhere that feels as pure and weightless as a fluffy cloud, while still being sharp, crisp, and refreshing.” Sophia Dennis, head of programming and brand strategy for Refinery29 & Beautycon

Best Gourmand Fragrance: Brown Girl Jane Chalet, $102

“Gourmand fragrances are built around edible, dessert-like notes, and Brown Girl Jane’s Chalet is like stepping into a high-end patisserie in Paris. Think white chocolate truffle offset by slightly bitter dark cocoa, plus ripe, syrupy plum and a dash of vanilla essence for good measure. But I think that the effervescent champagne note cuts through all that richness, making it surprisingly wearable rather than tooth-achingly sweet. It’s one of my most complimented perfumes.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Woody Fragrance: Maya Njie Nordic Cedar, $156 for 50ml

“I first came across Maya Njie’s Nordic Cedar in 2018, and it has been a linchpin in my perfume rotation ever since. If you like Phlur’s Father Figure, you’ll absolutely adore this. Crisp, green cedar and grassy patchouli are warmed up with a dash of cardamom spice and amber, while musk helps it melt into the skin, becoming an extension of you — like the natural scent of freshly washed skin after a long bubble bath. The bottle may be simple, but the juice inside is anything but. It’s layered and intriguing, equal parts fresh and sexy.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Floral Fragrance: Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid, $188 for 3.3 fl oz.

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid was the first floral perfume that I, a longtime floral perfume hater, genuinely loved. And if you suspect that florals simply aren’t for you, allow me to introduce you to the exception. Gucci Flora Gorgeous Orchid takes the traditional, occasionally stuffy perfume category and gives it a modern, gourmand-leaning twist, blending pâtisserie-like vanilla with airy ozonic notes (synthetic accords designed to evoke the atmosphere after a rainstorm) and a subtle vanilla orchid accord. It’s proof that a floral fragrance doesn’t have to smell like a flower shop — and that even a floral perfume skeptic can find their match.” — Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29 senior beauty writer

Best Green Fragrance: Prada Infusion de Rhubarbe Eau de Parfum, $190 for 3.4 fl oz.

“If you like nothing more than a stroll through the farmers’ market on the weekend, Infusion de Rhubarbe will be right up your alley. Think tangy, crunchy stalks of rhubarb — green leaves and all — freshly pulled from the ground, still earthy and warm. Zingy bergamot, verdant green mandarin, and bitter orange oil add to its bucolic quality, balancing the rose note so perfectly that even those who think they dislike floral scents (me!) will fall head over heels for this. I love the fresh, airy cloud that follows me when I spritz it through my hair.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Oud Fragrance: Kayali Oudgasm Milky Musk Oud Eau de Parfum, $140 for 50ml

“Kayali’s entire Oudgasm collection is a total compliment magnet, but if you ask me, the most special and memorable scent of them all is Milky Musk Oud. It’s like a second skin, or pulling on your favorite cashmere sweater after a long soak in the tub. It’s all down to earthy suede, indulgent whipped cream, soapy white musk, and creamy sandalwood, with strawberry and, of course, oud — a fragrant, honeyed tree resin — adding a peppy sweetness. Unlike other oud scents, oud is the supporting actor rather than the star of the show, but it still has plenty of depth without being overpowering. I can guarantee people will ask what you’re wearing.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

Best Fruity Fragrance: Ellis Brooklyn Plum Tonic Eau de Parfum, $115 for 50ml

“Forget banana, strawberry, or coconut for a hot minute. The fruity note I’m reaching for this fall is purple plum. There’s something rich and brooding about it in all its ripe, syrupy glory, making it feel like a grown-up alternative to the saccharine — and, to be honest, a little juvenile — fruity fragrances out there right now. Plum Tonic is the antidote. It’s still sprightly and energetic thanks to sweet mandarin, while cool, cucumber-like violet leaf, acidulous acai, and warm, enveloping amber crystals give it the rich, complex depth I look for in a fruity fragrance.” — Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29 beauty director 

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Olivia Rodrigo may only be 23, but the pop star knows exactly who she is. The young singer has been vocal about supporting w...

Olivia Rodrigo may only be 23, but the pop star knows exactly who she is. The young singer has been vocal about supporting women’s rights since she was a teenager, and recently held the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival — inspired by Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair — raising $20 million USD for women’s charities. During a press conference for the festival, where she announced an initial $10 USD million donation, Rodrigo made waves by stepping out in a Palestinian-designed dress by Nöl Collective. At a time when Palestine is suffering under Israeli occupation, wearing a garment made on the ground with symbols of freedom on it was a strong statement.

“It helped say, ‘We are still here; we have not been forgotten’,” designer and founder Yasmeen Mjalli tells Refinery29. “It meant the world to us.” Mjalli isn’t sure how Rodrigo or her team discovered their fashion brand, but says they were honoured to be chosen, and stayed in contact with her team throughout the process. While the singer’s team suggested some general ideas for the silhouette that aligned with her classic style and the colour pink, Nöl Collective were given more free rein than one might imagine. “We had a lot of creative freedom in the details, such as the shade of pink — a soft and dusty rose — the type of material we use[d], raw silk, [and] details like the flutter sleeves, frilled neckline, the embroidery motifs and the embroidery colours,” the designer explains. “It was so much fun to be given the creative freedom to bring something to life that honoured Olivia’s style while also reflecting our own identity.”

The symbols on the dress are also more than just decoration. While the garment is beautiful, Nöl Collective knows the power that Palestinian embroidery can hold; representing a political reality, the natural world, and our dreams. The design house chose specific motifs to tie into Rodrigo’s ethos and what she stands for. “The flowers spoke to the theme of the Daisy Chain Fields festival. Flowers are incredibly important in our world; they decorate the land after rains, [provide] beauty after a storm, [support] ecosystems, [feed] wildlife, and sometimes [contain] medicinal properties,” Mjalli says. “In this particular instance, the daisy chain symbolizes the power of a united world in the face of adversity.” The dusty rose dress also featured embroidered birds, a clear representation of freedom — not just for Palestinians, but for all those who need it around the world.

It helped say, ‘We are still here; we have not been forgotten’.

Yasmeen Mjalli On olivia rodrigo choosing Nöl Collective To Design Her Dress

Nöl Collective’s garments are handmade in Jerusalem, Gaza, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, and the fashion brand places a strong emphasis on showcasing the entire process. Mjalli knows fashion is inherently political, regardless of where a garment is made. “70% of garment workers in the world are women; it’s a women’s rights issue,” she says. “[And] because fashion has unfathomably detrimental effects on the environment, it’s also an environmental issue.” Fast fashion has been widely criticized for human rights violations and environmental impact, but it’s so easy for consumers to compartmentalize or ignore these issues.

“When you show how the garment is made, you humanize the process and close the gap that separates the consumer from the creator. The hope is that people are more mindful when buying because they can see how much time, labor and love go into a garment,” the designer explains. “We hope that for every garment we put out in the world, you can picture the hands of the women who made them — the same hands which brush hair, pick fruit, and hold children and grandchildren.”

It’s impossible to talk about Nöl Collective without acknowledging the impact the Israeli occupation has had on them. For Mjalli, it’s incredibly hard to put into words how difficult the process of creating garments has been. Moving between cities and towns now takes much longer due to military checkpoints, shipping orders is challenging due to border closures, and customs can destroy shipments at their discretion.

It was so much fun to be given the creative freedom to bring something to life that honored Olivia’s style while also reflecting our own identity.

Nöl Collective founder Yasmeen Mjalli

The fashion house uses natural fibres that it is unable to source locally, so it relies on shipments from overseas. Last week, a large shipment of naturally dyed and hand-woven wools from Indian artisans was rejected. “[It was] destroyed last week, simply because of who we are. This was devastating, because our production had already been delayed for months, meaning the collection would be released much later than needed,” the founder says. “We still had to pay the cost of shipping and for the fabric itself because the artisans still need to be paid for their labor, and then we still needed to buy replacement fabric.” The fashion house ended up having to start a GoFundMe to cover the excess costs because fashion and art matter, and it’s a form of resistance to keep going.

Mjalli wants people to understand how vital it is to support Palestinian businesses, especially those on the ground. “We are creating under impossible circumstances,” she says. “Every day, a door slams shut in our face, and we keep searching until we find another door to keep going. So many talented artisans here don’t get a chance, so supporting artisanal work on the ground here can profoundly impact the community.”

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FX’s Adults is one of the buzziest new shows around. It’s a show that embraces the realities of life as a Gen-Zer in this chao...

FX’s Adults is one of the buzziest new shows around. It’s a show that embraces the realities of life as a Gen-Zer in this chaotic world, and although it’s a laugh-out-loud comedy, it doesn’t shy away from real-world topics. In Season 1, there was an episode devoted to the cost of healthcare in the US, and the cliffhanger saw Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) struggle to immigrate as a Canadian citizen. Season 2 examines even more real-world issues, including language use, fear of aging as women, and our digital footprint. Lucy Freyer, the Australian star who plays Billie Schaeffer, tells Refinery29 that this could be why Adults resonates with so many viewers. Season 2 spoilers follow.

In Season 1, Issa Damani (Amita Rao) takes in a young teenager, Annabelle, who needs an abortion. Due to reproductive laws, she’s had to travel to New York to receive healthcare. The episode escalates, with Annabelle portrayed as an unlikeable, whiny character — but the point is clear. Everybody should have the right to reproductive healthcare, even if they’re annoying. “All of these ideas are packaged in this way that is sort of fun and easy. But when you think about it, you’re like, oh. [There’s] actually a lot to think about,” Freyer laughs.

In Season 2, Episode 7 “C Alert”, Anton Evans (Owen Thiele) gets in trouble when dropping the word “cunt” (complimentary) in a corporate setting. Many people from the LGBQTIA+ communities have taken back this word and use it in a positive way — see PEDESTRIAN.TV’s “cunty” moment with Pedro Pascal here — but it becomes a whole thing with the older, predominantly white NYC executives.

“When we read it, I was like, ‘Oh, it’s so brilliant!’,” Freyer recalls. “It’s about the evolution of language. David Foster Wallace has this essay that he wrote, which is actually a book review of a dictionary called Authority in American Usage and it’s about language.” She goes on to say that some people allow language to evolve, while others hold on to an idea of the traditional use of language. It’s these types of storylines that make us think deeper and keep us hooked.

One of Billie’s biggest hurdles this season is ageing. It sounds laughable, since her character is only 25, but it’s so easy to feel like you’re fighting an invisible clock. Again, it’s relatable. Freyer says she turned 30 while she was filming that particular episode, and was faced with an actor who played a younger version of her. “She’s so lovely and young, and [I thought], this could spin me out. But you know what? I’m exactly where I need to be, this is great,” Freyer says. “I think now ageing, especially for women, everything is happening later. It doesn’t matter. You don’t have any specific timeline… it used to be this idea of life ends when you turn 30, but [now] it’s like life feels like it’s just beginning, and in a big way.”

I think now ageing, especially for women, everything is happening later… [there] used to be this idea of life ends when you turn 30, but [now] it’s like life feels like it’s just beginning.

Lucy Freyer

Part of the reason Freyer thinks the “ticking clock” conversation isn’t as relevant now is due to health technology advances like egg freezing and IVF — another big storyline in Adults Season 2. “Specifically for women who want to have [biological] children, there is that biological clock that sort of starts to play into the way you think about your existence after you turn 30,” the actor says. “I think now with egg freezing, it’s opened up a world for women to be like, actually, you know what? I’m going to throw those things on ice and live my life the way I want to live it, and not [have it] dictated by that timeline.”

The other big drawcard for Adults is that friendship sits at the heart of every episode. Friends are your chosen family, and seeing what Billie and the gang get up to in each episode can either give you nostalgia for earlier days or something to look forward to. “To be able to live with friends when things sort of don’t matter that much is the greatest joy you can possibly have in life,” Freyer declares. “Especially friendship when proximity is easy.”

The actor notes that when you get older, it becomes harder to have regular, quality time with your friends, even just because of location and schedules. But the sweet spot for Adults is the setting: when you still have housemates and can be so entrenched in each other’s lives. “When you’re living with your friends, and you don’t have things on in your life that matter that much, friendships can be the centre of your life,” she says.

“Issa and Billie’s relationship in this season, the way they explore it and how we end up sharing a room… I think that it’s such a beautiful depiction of friendship in your 20s.”

Adults Season 2 is now available to stream on FX.

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Besides a pilot, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone as well-traveled as Gabriella Karefa-Johnson . From the winding street...

Besides a pilot, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone as well-traveled as Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. From the winding streets of London and the cobblestones of Paris to the glittering sands of Jamaica, the New York-based fashion editor and stylist — who made history as the first Black woman to style the cover of Vogue — has amassed a lifetime of memories, experiences, and, naturally, scents from the destinations that have shaped her work. Getting there, however, hasn’t always been smooth sailing — or flying.

“It’s difficult to exist sometimes in marginalized bodies,” says Karefa-Johnson, “so when you’re in this kind of like, rarefied air — as some might call first class — it can feel alienating, like there are eyes on you, like you’re not supposed to be there.” One thing she’ll never do? Shrink. “Or camouflage,” says Karefa-Johnson. “I’m going to be me wherever I am, and I think that that’s why I feel so comfortable in these places, because I bring myself authentically.”

London — in particular the eclectic melting pot that is Brixton — is one such place where she can truly be herself, with the surrounding scents creating memories that linger long after the vacation ends. But beyond the powdery, soapy blend of cashmeran, musk, and patchouli that makes the iconic Rosewood Hotel’s pillow mist so unforgettable, it’s the city’s everyday food smells that stay with her most: “Think fish and chips all wrapped in a newspaper, so you have that paper smell,” says Karefa-Johnson.

Ultimately, though, nowhere smells as good as home. “I want to be smelling like — honestly and truthfully — my mom,” says Karefa-Johnson. “I haven’t seen my mom in a really long time [but] I want to go back home to hug her more. I want to be around her enough for her brilliance to rub off on me. And I want to prioritize being with my family that is all in LA; I miss them dearly.” So what does that feeling of comfort smell like? EOS Vanilla Cashmere 24H Moisture Body Lotion, Body Wash, and Body Mist, of course.

Listen to the full podcast episode, where Karefa-Johnson joins Nose Dive host Asia Grant — an NYC-based independent perfumer and creative director — for a conversation about taking up space and being unapologetically herself, the best-smelling London hotspots, and the scents she’d avoid wearing on a plane.

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In the depths of sorrow, we turn to music. I know what each of my heartbreaks have sounded like. I know every song that has p...

In the depths of sorrow, we turn to music. I know what each of my heartbreaks have sounded like. I know every song that has picked me up off the bathroom floor and every artist whose voice has been the unknowing soundtrack to my grief — due to loss, love, and everything in between. Those sonic moments of comfort — the ones that reach through the speakers and whisper that your loneliness isn’t singular — are so personal, shared between you, your headphones, and your tears. Dolly Parton has been with me for some heavy shit stuff (censored out of respect to Dolly, who hated cursing). Fittingly, since she couldn’t have kids of her own, Parton has helped me through my own journey with infertility. After my first pregnancy loss, I’d go on long walks by myself to cry, scream at the trees or God or whoever was listening, and grieve. I listened to a lot of Dolly (and Whitney and Aretha and all the divas whose voices have transcended their time on earth). What I remember most about those walks was that I listened to the WNYC podcast series Dolly Parton’s America.

In it, host Jad Abumrad walks listeners through Parton’s impact, from her poor Appalachian upbringing to her country roots and Dolly iconography to how borderless her influence became — how the themes of her folk music stretched from Appalachia to West Africa, from “Nashville to Nairobi”, the show charts Parton’s global appeal. Like many have pointed out since her death this week, Parton was the last thing we all agreed on. She was universally beloved when the concept of being “universally beloved” doesn’t really exist anymore. She was an elder who adapted to the times when so many of her generation reject change. She was a celebrity who spoke her mind and loudly stood up for the less fortunate when stars of that ilk are becoming increasingly rare. She was a rich white lady who could have been a billionaire and chose to be a philanthropist instead. She led with empathy. Now, being empathetic is denigrated as a weakness. She embraced her femininity while being fiercely feminist, proving the two aren’t mutually exclusive. She said she wasn’t political but her actions showed us her politics clearly. Parton wasn’t perfect and she held multiple contradictions at once, but there was one thing she was, unequivocally: good. 

That goodness stretched from Parton’s Imagination Library, which provided hundreds of millions of books to children, to her support for LGBTQ+ and Black communities, to how she carried herself, to her philosophies on life and the cards it dealt her. Oftentimes, we value women by our reproductive systems. Society will say that motherhood is where we show our worth, that a woman’s most virtuous achievement in life is giving birth. None of that is true, of course, but even in death, when Parton is being remembered for her vulnerable songwriting, unmatched artistry, impeccable comedic timing, and her many charitable contributions, we’re also talking about the fact that she had no biological children. It’s a conversation we wouldn’t be having if she were a man (case in point: we’re not talking about the late Tim Curry, who also passed this week, in the same way), which makes it unfair to a point, but I also think that Parton’s views on motherhood are important to excavate. She spoke about motherhood the same way she did life: with irreverent honesty, wit, wisdom, and humility. 

I think it probably was [God’s] plan for me not to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine. And they are now.

dolly parton

There isn’t much in the Dolly Parton’s America podcast about Parton’s struggle to conceive — she and her husband Carl tried for years — and her ultimate decision to be at peace with never having children, so there are quotes of her talking about her views on motherhood that I hadn’t seen until now that our timelines are full of Dolly Parton tributes, like this one she said to Andy Warhol for Interview Magazine:

“I couldn’t have children, I tried to for years. I’ve never been pregnant in my life. When I was a girl and fooling around, I was scared to death I’d get pregnant, and then when I got married and wanted to have children, I couldn’t have any. But I don’t miss it. I did for awhile, but I realize that I am everybody’s mother. I’ve raised five of my younger brothers and sisters, and now their kids call me Aunt Grannie. I’m like the grandma and the aunt.”

Last week, for the third time, a positive pregnancy test made me believe I’d finally become a mother. Once again, it didn’t work out the way I wanted. Despite growing up going to church, I don’t pray much anymore. What could possibly be the divine reasoning for the harrowing highs and lows of infertility? My husband and I are still trying, but over the past few days, I’ve been reckoning with the idea that it may not happen for us, that maybe I will never carry a pregnancy to term and raise a child who inherits a big forehead like all of us Newmans on my mom’s side of the family have. Parton has picked me up off the bathroom floor a lot this week. I’ve been inconsolable. Turns out, the third time wasn’t a charm. That fact has been a devastating reconciliation of expectations versus reality.

So much of the social media surrounding fertility journeys show the happy ending. There’s the hard fought battle for a baby, but it always ends with a baby. For Parton, it didn’t. And somewhere along the way, she and her husband decided that was for the best. She decided that providing books to hundreds of thousands of children was enough. She decided that helping raise her younger brothers and sisters was enough. She decided that being Aunt Dolly (most famously, to her goddaughter Miley Cyrus) was enough. A godmother, an auntie, a philanthropist, a caregiver. It was all enough. 

TOPSHOT – US singers Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus perform osntage during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

In the past week, many writers have taken on the impossible task of eulogizing a last-of-her-kind icon who cannot be put into words. How do you describe the defeat, hurt and humor laced in the melodies of “Jolene”? How do you explain the spiritual experience of listening to “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” for the first time? How do you illustrate that Parton was the closest thing we had to an actual saint on earth while also being a complex cultural figure who loved to tell a dirty joke? How do you sum up that she birthed every country female singer songwriter currently reigning the charts? When Ashley Fetters Maloy from The Washington Post tried to tribute Parton, her piece “Why it matters that Dolly Parton wasn’t a mother” was met with backlash. People took offense to the publication’s post on X that read, “Parton’s lack of children demonstrated that the world could in fact love a woman who wasn’t a mother.. She was proof that a person could be an advocate for children while choosing against parenting.”

I actually understand and agree with Fetters Maloy’s sentiment about how the world sees women. See: when JD Vance disparaged “childless cat ladies” or how the internet reacts when a woman dares to get pregnant past the age of 40 or, god forbid, decides not to have children at all and expresses zero regret for that choice (Oprah and Tracee Ellis Ross may be applauded now but they have faced an onslaught of judgment). And with the tradwife movement on the rise, choosing to be childfree is radical. The whole piece is worth a read, not just the poorly-worded social post. Maybe it is a nice narrative to push though, that Parton was a progressive badass who chose to be childfree decades before it was cool, and in true Dolly fashion, there are cheeky quotes to back up that framing (“We don’t want children of our own… we don’t want the total responsibility” Parton told the BBC in 1978), but the reality is more complicated. Parton suffered from endometriosis resulting in a partial hysterectomy. She was unable to have children of her own, then chose not to become a parent by other means, and devoted her life to helping kids anyway, and raising them in her own way. I think it does Parton’s story a disservice to leave out the fact that infertility isn’t a choice, and that she spent years dealing with the devastating disappointment of a dream unrealized. 

“God has a plan for everything,” Parton said on the Today show in October 2017. “I think it probably was his plan for me not to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine. And they are now.”

These quotes have been hitting me in the gut. I had an appointment at a new fertility clinic on Wednesday. It was scheduled months ago. I didn’t know when I booked it that I would be dealing with another unsuccessful pregnancy, or that Dolly Parton would be dead. When I walked in, “9 to 5” was playing on the speakers in the brightly lit office. As my doctor rattled off my medical history from her notes (including a fibroid removal surgery last year I am still mentally and physically recovering from), I listened to the faded sounds of Parton’s iconic anti-capitalist hit: “They let you dream just to watch ’em shatter/ You’re just a step on the bossman’s ladder/ But you’ve got dreams he’ll never take away.”

Infertility will have you questioning every choice you’ve ever made, especially ones that involved putting your career above starting a family, wondering why you spent years pouring cups of ambition, striving for titles that don’t mean much to you anymore. Some of that is just the web of bullshit grief spins in your brain, scrambling your sense of self, but, in that moment, I found it fitting that Parton’s pro-union pop masterpiece was playing in the background. Like Parton, I am an auntie and it’s the title I am most proud of. I have four perfect nieces and nephews (the youngest just turned six), and I’m grateful to be a surrogate auntie to my friends’ kids. I know that I have so much space in my heart for the children in my life, and if the maternal love I have to give goes to my community instead of a biological kid of my own, I think I can be OK with that — just like Parton was.

When I shared the above Parton and Andy Warhol quote on social media, the post (which has over 800,000 views and 83,000 likes) was flooded with comments affirming Parton’s status as a mother to the world and some testimonies from people whose aunts helped raise them. “I had a great aunt like this and she was and is one of the most important people in my life,” one commenter wrote. “The most motherly person in my family is an aunt of mine who has no children,” posted another.  

I have friends who have chosen to never have kids and they are some of the most caring, nurturing, and loving people I know. My own godmother, my mom’s best friend of almost 50 years, raised me just as much as my parents and big brothers did. She’s a striking, loud, Caribbean lady from St. Vincent who would never be caught without dark lipstick. She showed up to my cousin’s funeral with purple lips, head-to-toe polka dots and a wide brimmed fascinator. She taught me to dress boldly (I still raid her closet for bright prints and statement jewelry), to live fearlessly (she once stopped a mugger by whacking him with her purse), and how to be a loyal friend (my mom wouldn’t have survived my parents’ divorce without her). My godmother has kids of her own, but I’ve always felt like hers. I know intimately that you don’t have to give birth to someone to become their favorite person. And yet, I needed the reminder this week. I needed to remember that for all the years I was uncertain about having children, I knew that being an Auntie — by blood or through friendship — was the honor of a lifetime. Thinking of the women in my life who are nurturing kids who will grow up and write comments like the ones above made me replace sobs with happy tears. 

In death, Parton has provided me with something I didn’t think was possible a few days ago: hope. Not the hope that precedes the certainty of getting what I want, but hope that one day I’ll be able to accept whatever happens. Dolly Parton didn’t have her own kids, but that doesn’t really matter. She was a mother. In every sense of the word, she was maternal. Since the announcement of Parton’s death on Tuesday, stories of her generosity have filled our timelines. To millions of kids, she was the lady who sent them books. To her niece Rebecca Ann Seaver, she was her “most trusted confidant” and “best friend.” To Cyrus, she was “an angel.” Parton knew what it meant to value community, and to be a part of the village that raises a child. The most impressive thing about Parton wasn’t just that her music connected her to the world, it’s that her life was a testament to the value of kindness and community, to treating every child as your own, and to seeing humanity in everyone and knowing that empathy is our greatest strength.

Dolly Parton and I have the same birthday, over 40 years apart. A big-haired, big tittied, spunky blonde from Appalachia and an anxious, small chested Black girl from the suburbs of Ontario, Canada don’t have much in common on paper, but the fellow Capricorn was one of those fixtures in pop culture who felt like family. That may be a little parasocial, and I’m sure I’ve been projecting the trauma of my infertility onto her this past week, but sometimes, that’s what art and celebrity does. What we consume can be a mirror that reflects more about ourselves than the artist. Projection or not, I know that Dolly Parton’s legacy — more than the Grammys, the chart topping hits, and Oscar-nominated roles — will be that she was a good person doing good in the world. I may never be able to be a mom, but I can be good. I can try my best to use my privileges to benefit others. I can provide the children in my life and beyond with all the love, protection, and respect I can muster, just like Aunt Dolly.

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R29 babes, you made it through the eclipse threshold , and this week is about slowing down enough to understand what just cha...

R29 babes, you made it through the eclipse threshold, and this week is about slowing down enough to understand what just changed. In the days after the Pisces lunar eclipse, emotions may still be settling and certain realizations may need time before they make complete sense. As August ends, Jupiter in Leo forms a supportive fire trine with Saturn in Aries, bringing the planet of luck and expansion into harmony with the planet of discipline and responsibility. This is the universe reminding us that bold dreams and practical effort can exist in the same room, and that the work we’ve been doing is creating real protection around the next chapter. Opportunities may feel more solid, confidence may return, and something that once felt risky could suddenly seem much more possible. Take the win, cosmic beings. You survived the emotional group project, and now the cosmos is handing everyone snacks.

The beginning of September is relatively calm, with no major transits until the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini on September 4th. Last Quarter Moons are checkpoints of release and recalibration, helping us decide what still matters after the Full Moon’s revelations and what can be left behind. A week ago, we were deep in our feelings; now the Gemini Moon offers perspective, peaceful detachment, curiosity, and enough playfulness to remember that one difficult chapter does not have to become our entire personality. Laugh when you can, and let yourself view the eclipse story from a little farther back. What a difference a week can make.

Read your horoscopes for your Sun and Rising signs for the most in-depth forecast.

DashDividers_1_500x100

Aries Sun & Rising:

Aries, August ends with the kind of cosmic support that helps you remember what happens when confidence and discipline work together. Jupiter in Leo is energizing your romance, creativity, fame, fate, and inner child realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in your sign, making it easier to turn inspiration into something real. The ideas, risks, relationships, or creative goals that survived eclipse season now have stronger foundations beneath them. Put yourself out there, accept the invitation, share the work, or make the first move. You don’t need to choose between being bold and being responsible this week; the more seriously you take your joy, the more momentum it can create.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini activates your communication and mindset zone, helping you process everything that shifted over the past week. A conversation, thought pattern, or piece of information may look very different now that the emotional intensity of the Pisces eclipse has settled. Let go of the need to explain yourself perfectly, replay every exchange, or turn one uncertain moment into a permanent conclusion. The Gemini Moon brings perspective, so change your mind where needed and choose the words that create movement instead of keeping you stuck in the same mental loop.

Taurus Sun & Rising:

Taurus, August ends by helping you strengthen your inner foundation before making your next move. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your home, family, roots, and emotional security realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your solitude and closure zone. This can bring progress around a move, family decision, healing process, or the private work you’ve been doing to feel safer within yourself. You may finally understand that creating a better home life also requires releasing old fears, guilt, or habits that keep you emotionally stuck. Clear out a room, set a boundary with family, rest without apologizing for it, or make one concrete decision that gives your future self more peace.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini activates your money and security sector, helping you reassess what’s actually worth your time, energy, and spending after eclipse season. A financial concern may feel less overwhelming once you look at it with fresh eyes, or you may realize that one expense, subscription, or income plan no longer makes sense. Review your budget, follow up on a payment, sell what you no longer use, or brainstorm a more flexible way to earn. The Gemini Moon wants options, so release the belief that there is only one path to stability and let yourself experiment with a smarter one.

Gemini Sun & Rising:

Gemini, you made it through eclipse season, and August ends by reminding you that your voice can open doors when the right people are listening. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your communication, writing, learning, and media realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your friendship, community, and social network zone. A conversation, introduction, collaboration, or idea shared online could lead somewhere substantial now, especially if you have been consistent about showing up and refining your message. The vibe is less “crying in the notes app” and more “wait, this could actually work.”

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in your sign helps you step back and recognize how much you’ve changed since last week’s Pisces eclipse. You may feel ready to release an identity, expectation, look, habit, or personal storyline that no longer fits, especially if you have been shape-shifting to keep everyone else comfortable. Gemini energy gives you permission to update the narrative without turning it into a full press conference. Keep what still feels true, let the rest expire, and enter the weekend with more curiosity about who you’re becoming than attachment to who you used to be.

Cancer Sun & Rising:

Cancer, you made it through this month’s eclipses, and August ends with real momentum around money, purpose, and the career structure you’ve been building. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your income and security realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your career and public image zone. This can look like a financial opportunity becoming more stable, a professional decision finally making sense, or greater confidence in what your work is worth. Use this week to take one serious step toward the income level you keep envisioning. The emotional fog’s lifting, and the universe is saying “okay, now let’s make it sustainable.”

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your spirituality, closure, and subconscious realm, giving you space to process everything the Pisces eclipse stirred up. You may notice that one fear, regret, or mental loop has less power over you than it did a week ago. Release the need to find a perfect explanation for every feeling, and give yourself permission to rest, journal, pray, unplug, or sit in silence without turning solitude into isolation. The Gemini Moon helps you loosen your grip on the story and keep only the lesson.

Leo Sun & Rising:

Leo, you made it through eclipse season, and August ends with your confidence returning alongside a much clearer sense of where you’re headed next. Jupiter in your sign is expanding your identity, visibility, and personal goals while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your travel, education, publishing, and expansion realm. A bold idea can start feeling much more realistic now because you’re finally willing to give it structure. The universe is supporting the version of you who dreams big and also reads the fine print, which is growth.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini activates your friendship, community, and social network zone, helping you reassess who belongs in this next chapter. One week after the Pisces eclipse, you may have more perspective on which friendships feel reciprocal, which group dynamics have become distracting, and where you’ve been seeking approval from people who aren’t even paying that much attention. Use this week to clear out the stale group chats, follow up with the collaborators who inspire you, and release the pressure to be everywhere at once. Your next era needs community, Leo, but it does not need an audience of random spectators.

Virgo Sun & Rising:

Virgo, how does it feel to come through the final eclipse of the year during your own birthday season and realize that you’re entering this new chapter with a very different understanding of yourself? Jupiter in Leo is expanding your spirituality, healing, and behind-the-scenes realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your intimacy, transformation, and shared-resources zone. This can help you make sense of the emotional, financial, or relational weight you’ve been carrying and see where greater trust, structure, or support is finally becoming possible. You may feel ready to close out an old fear, become more intentional about what you share with others, or make a private decision that strengthens your sense of inner stability.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini brings a checkpoint to your career, reputation, and long-term goals. One week after the Pisces eclipse may have shifted your perspective on relationships, you could now feel more aware of how much your public life has been shaped by trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. This weekend may leave you wanting to rethink the way you present yourself professionally, refine a goal that has become too rigid, or step away from a role that no longer reflects who you’re becoming. Give yourself room to experiment with a new direction and let clarity build through movement.

Libra Sun & Rising:

Libra, now that you’re on the other side of the Pisces eclipse, you may be realizing just how much your daily life affects the way you show up in relationships, work, and even your own body. Jupiter in Leo’s expanding your friendship, community, and long-term goals realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your partnership zone, creating a rare sense that the right people can actually help you build something lasting. A friendship may become more serious, a collaboration may begin to feel reliable, or a relationship could start aligning more naturally with the future you want. This is a strong moment to notice who follows through, who brings substance to your ideas, and where support is becoming mutual instead of symbolic.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your travel, education, publishing, and expansion zone, helping you step back from the emotional intensity of the past week and look at the bigger picture. You may find yourself reconsidering a trip, course, belief, or long-term plan, especially if it was shaped by pressure rather than curiosity. This weekend is less about locking in one grand answer and more about letting your perspective become flexible again, so give yourself room to explore, ask different questions, and remember that changing your mind can be part of moving forward.

Scorpio Sun & Rising:

Scorpio, now that the Pisces eclipse has stirred your heart, creativity, and inner child, the end of August helps you turn what you felt into something you can actually build. Jupiter in Leo’s expanding your career, visibility, and long-term ambitions while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in the area of wellness and daily responsibility. This can bring a rare sense that your professional growth is no longer competing with the structure your life requires; the two can begin supporting each other. A goal that once felt too large may now seem achievable because you can finally see the practical steps between where you are and where you want to be.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your intimacy, shared-resources, and transformation realm, helping you gain perspective on an emotional or financial entanglement that felt heavier during eclipse week. You may find yourself reconsidering what you owe, what you share, how much access someone has to you, or whether a bond still feels reciprocal beneath the intensity. Gemini energy gives you enough distance to talk through what’s been difficult to name and consider more than one solution, rather than assuming everything must end in a dramatic all-or-nothing decision. Let the weekend show you where a lighter agreement, clearer boundary, or more honest conversation could release pressure without requiring you to shut down.

Sagittarius Sun & Rising:

Sagittarius, the emotional weight of the Pisces eclipse may still be settling, especially around home, family, or your sense of belonging, but the end of August helps you remember that your life is still expanding beyond what feels uncertain right now. Jupiter in Leo is energizing your zone of travel, education, and long-term vision while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your creativity, romance, and inner child realm. This is a beautiful reminder that your biggest dreams can become more real when you give them shape, discipline, and time. You may feel called to recommit to a creative project, take a romantic risk with greater maturity, or finally treat an idea you love like something worth building rather than something you visit only when inspiration strikes.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your partnership zone, helping you look at your closest relationships with more perspective and less emotional fog. One week after the eclipse may have brought up questions about where you feel at home and who helps create that feeling with you, this weekend could lead to an important conversation about expectations, reciprocity, or the future of a bond. You may also notice that you’re ready to release the need for every relationship
to fit one fixed definition. Let curiosity guide the conversation, listen for what’s changed, and allow the connection to evolve without forcing an immediate verdict.

Capricorn Sun & Rising:

Capricorn, the Pisces eclipse may have left you with a lot to think about, but the end of August gives you a much stronger sense of what needs to be handled privately before you can move forward with confidence. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your intimacy, shared-resources, and transformation realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your home, family, and emotional foundation zone. This can help you make meaningful progress around a shared financial plan, a housing decision, a family responsibility, or a deeper conversation about trust and support. You may realize that the stability you want cannot come only from holding everything together by yourself. The more honest you are about the support you need, the easier it becomes to build a life that feels secure on every level.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your work, wellness, and daily routine realm, helping you release some of the pressure that’s accumulated around being productive all the time. You may find yourself wanting to reorganize your schedule, rethink how much you take on in a single day, or create more flexibility around habits that have become too rigid to be useful. This weekend’s a good time to notice where your routine supports your energy and where it simply keeps you busy, because the lighter Gemini influence can help you find a smarter way forward without turning every adjustment into another serious life overhaul.

Aquarius Sun & Rising:

Aquarius, the Pisces eclipse may have brought a financial or self-worth realization that’s still settling, but the end of August reminds you that the right relationships can help you move forward with much more confidence. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your partnership realm while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your communication zone, making this an excellent time for honest conversations that lead somewhere constructive. A romantic partner, collaborator, client, or close friend may help you clarify an idea, strengthen a commitment, or see a possibility you had been too overwhelmed to recognize during eclipse week.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your creativity, romance, fate, and inner child realm, bringing a lighter checkpoint after such an emotionally charged month. You may realize that a crush, creative project, or personal dream has become burdened by too many expectations, and this weekend gives you permission to reconnect with the original spark that made it exciting. Let yourself experiment without needing every idea to become a business plan or every romantic interaction to become a life decision. The more playfully you approach what comes next, the easier it’ll be to recognize which desires still feel alive and which ones you’re ready to release.

Pisces Sun & Rising:

Pisces, last week’s lunar eclipse in your sign may have left you feeling like you shed an entire version of yourself overnight, and the end of August helps you understand what this rebirth is asking you to build next. Jupiter in Leo is expanding your work, wellness, and daily routine zone while forming a supportive trine with Saturn in Aries in your money, security, and self-worth sector. This is the kind of energy that helps you turn a personal realization into a more sustainable life, whether that means creating healthier habits, asking for better pay, restructuring your workload, or becoming more disciplined about where your time and energy go. You may still feel emotionally tender, but this alignment reminds you that small, responsible choices can protect the new version of you that eclipse season just revealed.

Then, on September 4th, the Last Quarter Moon in Gemini moves through your home, family, and roots realm, helping you reassess what you need to feel emotionally safe and supported. You may find yourself wanting to change your space, have a family conversation, release an old childhood narrative, or become more honest about where you no longer feel at home. Gemini energy brings perspective, so you don’t have to make every feeling mean that your whole foundation is falling apart. Let yourself consider new ways of creating belonging, and allow home to become something flexible enough to grow with you.

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