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MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 27: A guest wears black sunglasses, a black leather bag, black leather wedges and a red long sleeved turtle neck mini dress outside Sportmax show during the Milan Fashion Week – Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026/2027 on February 27, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images)
The most coveted trend of the moment isn’t leather bomber jackets, sheer layers, or even suede sneakers—it’s nostalgia. From CBK-inspired tortoiseshell headbands to tiny shoulder bags, shoppers are gravitating toward sentimentality and retro charm.
Milan Fashion Week proved as much, with Dolce & Gabbana’s fall 2026 collection leaning into vintage glamour and Fendi reawakening a love for old-school tailoring. And while the past is sometimes best left behind, era-defining pieces have the potential to reinvigorate our sense of style—much like wedges.
Originally popularized by Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo in the 1930s, embraced in the 1940s for wartime practicality, and adored in the 1970s, the wedge is a classic footwear choice for a reason. Today, it’s most closely associated with bold Y2K fashion, offering a playful wardrobe addition reminiscent of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
But the sculptural shoe doesn’t look the same as it did 26 years ago. While the throwback appeal remains, fresh touches like peep-toe cuts, PVC straps, and resin heels are revamping the silhouette for a contemporary era, proving archival pieces can feel effortlessly current. However, knowing how to style the footwear for 2026 is just as essential.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Gala Gonzalez wears black sunglasses, black leather wedges flip-flops, a brown leather bag, a beige gilet, a beige oversized jacket and beige bermuda shorts outside Max Mara show during the Milan Fashion Week – Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026/2027 on February 26, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Valentina Frugiuele/Getty Images)
Already an It girl favorite, platform heels are being paired with clean-cut capris, oversized blazers, and wide-leg jeans. Tailored shorts and a simple tank make for an easy duo, while a chic maxi dress or knit blouse lets the shoes transition between occasions. A closed-toe variation is also brilliant for an outdoor spring wedding, while a laid-back espadrille is perfect for grabbing a bite at a neighborhood bistro. Best of all, each of these looks can be achieved with wedges available at every price point, from everyday brands to luxury labels alike.
Put a modern spin on the vintage style and peruse a lineup of the most in-demand wedges currently up for grabs—including spring-ready hues, moody suede, and posh details.
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.
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“Nothing in this Netflix documentary will shock me,” I turn and say to my partner, sitting upright on the sofa after a long workday, before we’re led by Louis Theroux Inside the Manosphere for 90 minutes.
Six years ago, when I was a writer at British Vogue, I interviewed Laura Bates, author and founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, about her latest book, Men Who Hate Women. I had sought out a copy, curious to read what I didn’t yet fully know of. Bates had entered the manosphere for her book, posing as “Alex”, spending just under two years conducting undercover work in toxic online communities. It was my first time inside it, and it was more chilling and horrifying to read than any Stephen King novel. In it, she met with incels or “involuntary celibates” who fantasised about murdering women who wouldn’t have sex with them. I found myself panting with rage and disbelief that I needed to keep pausing, pressing the opened book against my chest. “The more I uncovered, particularly around grooming and radicalisation, and realizing the extent to which they were infiltrating young men’s networks online, the more it felt like there was a sense of huge urgency,” Bates told British Vogue in 2020. “I had to keep going, I had to write this book. There’s this huge threat to our society really, and particularly to women, that nobody even knew existed…”
Now, in 2026, some of us know the manosphere exists. As I sat on my sofa watching the inside of it, Theroux puts it to us: “We are all increasingly inside the manosphere, and it’s up to us how we get out”. It’s hard to imagine getting out of it when it’s clear from Theroux’s documentary the tight grip it already has on society, particularly young boys. These young boys know that being part of the manosphere it to be “red pilled” (a topic we’ve covered at R29 through the lens of relationships). Taken from the movie The Matrix, it’s the concept of waking up to the realities of the world, while the likes of you and me are “blue pilled” or “normies” (incels are “black pilled”). I wonder if that’s why Theroux chose to head inside the manosphere now? Is it because its effects are already taking hold of young boys across the world? Is it because we’re all still talking about Netflix’s Adolescence? Or reading recent reports like that almost a third of Gen Z agree a wife should obey her husband (according to a global study conducted by King’s College London)? It’s necessary now because it’s thriving.
In it, we meet 23-year-old British influencer Harrison Sullivan, known as HSTikkyTokky, while he’s in Marbella in Spain. I’ll admit I’d never heard of him, but many young boys have. Coming up to Sullivan on the streets, these young impressionable minds seem to adore him. And his content, which seems fuelled by misogyny, violence and hypocrisy, is made for clicks and money. The main agenda being pushed to these young boys is how to be more successful and more attractive by being aggressive, in every way. At one point, he says: “I dictate when I wanna put my dick in you, bitch … Women love guys like this, that tell it like it is.”
Sullivan’s not the only one, we also meet Justin Waller, Myron Gaines and Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (known as Sneako). Influenced by the likes of Andrew Tate — and let’s just say as a female journalist, I’ve felt the effects of Tate’s followers firsthand — these influencers have millions of followers, gain millions of views on their content — and there are more of them. This patriarchal network rooted in misogyny also gives way to more extremist views which we watch play out on camera with racist, homophobic and antisemitic slurs being hurled. It’s horrific to see.
All of them verbally echo the same statement, telling Theroux: we love women (aka no, no we couldn’t possibly be misogynists). So where are they? Throughout the documentary, we hear from wives, girlfriends, female colleagues and mothers in small, controlled soundbites. For many of them, we see and (barely) hear from them in one scene and then never again. To Theroux’s credit, he tries for more, but is pushed back by the influencers. There’s no doubt about it, the documentary needed their input, their voices and their stories. Their little involvement sums up the main aim of the manosphere though. You see, women know this is a tale as old as time: men linking love to submission so they gain and retain full control of women. The influencers are given so much airtime, at points you wonder if it’s helping or hindering their own platforms? I’ll hope for the latter because so many people need to see this documentary, they need to see inside and now outside — so we can all get out, together. As I predicted, shock didn’t consume me while watching Inside the Manosphere, but an urgency to escape and stop it did. The same urgency Bates sounded the alarm on years ago.
Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere is now available to stream on Netflix.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 for confidential support.
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In my opinion, the hair hall of fame simply isn’t complete without these three iconic products: Living Proof’s PhD Dry Shampoo, Kérastase Huile Ultime Oil, and Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector. Whenever I have a nosy around friends’ and family members’ bathrooms (who doesn’t?), I almost always spot the latter perched on the side of the tub or tucked into the shower tray. Thanks to its ability to make parched hair look and feel brand new, it’s become something of a staple among blondes and anyone who heat-styles their hair — and you’d be hard-pressed to find a colorist who doesn’t sing its praises.
So when Olaplex announced to a room full of beauty directors back in January that it was discontinuing the product, we all fell silent. Getting rid of the treatment that has single-handedly saved our strands? Bold move. But it’s because it was making space for something new: Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment.
What is Olaplex No.3 Plus and what are the benefits?
Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Hair Treatment is a souped-up version of the original pre-shampoo treatment we all know and love, with a few welcome tweaks. First off, No.3 Plus is still a pre-shampoo treatment, and like its predecessor, it features bond-building technology in the form of a very special ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate. This single-molecule bond builder helps repair broken disulfide bonds in the hair.
I asked Afọpẹ́ Atoyebi, a trichologist and cosmetic scientist, what typically causes this. “Exposure to chemical treatments [like bleach and dye], high heat, UV radiation, or repeated mechanical stress [over brushing or blow-drying] can disrupt this network of bonds, leaving the hair weaker and more prone to breakage,” she explains. Bond-building treatments work by targeting damage within each strand. “This helps to restore stability, strength, and resilience to damaged or weakened hair,” Atoyebi adds.
So the star bond-building ingredient remains, but the new and improved version packs even more moisturizing power. First, there’s shea butter, which deeply nourishes dry hair, leaving it soft and glossy. Then come a handful of nourishing, shine-boosting oils, including avocado and sunflower seed oil. Finally, there’s sodium PCA, a potent humectant that draws in moisture and naturally hydrates strands, helping to reduce dryness and frizz.
Besides the upgraded ingredients, No.3 Plus also takes a snip of the time. While the original needed over 10 minutes to work its magic, No.3 Plus transforms hair in just three minutes. I expect a lot from my hair products, but I’m impatient — and the thought of going back to the OG No.3, when this works so quickly, isn’t appealing.
I can also confirm that the results are so much better. I wash my hair every day and style it using a heated blowdry brush, but I’m terrible at remembering to use heat protection (I know, I know), so my hair often becomes split, dry, and frizzy. After one use of No.3 Plus, my lengths looked and felt brand new. I totally understand why Atoyebi calls bond-building products “scaffolding” for hair. Mine no longer feels weak, like it might snap if I brush it, and my hair looks much better styled with heat. It’s glossier, softer, and even looks thicker. Sorcery or science?
Atoyebi says that most people can benefit from incorporating bond-building treatments into their routine. Happily, No.3 Plus works on all hair types, including coily, curly, wavy, and straight hair: “Bond builders are particularly beneficial — and in some cases arguably essential — for hair that regularly undergoes chemical, thermal or environmental stress,” she explains, adding, “This includes hair exposed to bleaching, coloring, frequent heat styling, or chlorinated water.” Since bond-builders help reinforce weakened areas of the hair fiber, this supports the hair’s ability to maintain smoothness and retain moisture, says Atoyebi.
Even better, Olaplex is confident that the new product helps with length retention. I’m trying to grow my hair long, but I don’t want a haircut to undo all my hard work, so I’m making sure I use this consistently.
What to know about Olaplex No.3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
• A three‑minute pre-shampoo treatment featuring Olaplex’s patented bond-building ingredient, alongside nourishing shea butter and oils for added shine and softness.
• It will take the place of the original Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector.
• Works on all hair types — coily, curly, wavy, and straight — to strengthen and reinforce hair exposed to bleach, dye, heat, or environmental stress.
How do you use Olaplex No.3 Plus?
Like the original, Olaplex No.3 Plus is meant to be used every one to three washes. Once I’m in the shower, I drench my hair and apply it generously from root to tip, using my fingers to rake the product through evenly. That’s when I use my cleansing balm to break down the day’s makeup, shave my legs, or wash my body — anything that gives it a little time to work. Then I rinse it out and follow with my trusty shampoo and conditioner.
My hair feels so great afterward that I often skip my leave-in products altogether, though I know that if I want to grow my hair, I still need some form of heat protection. Olaplex Volumizing Hair Heat Protective Weightless Blowout Mist is lightweight and never leaves my fine strands feeling greasy or dull.
What’s more, a few of my beauty director peers with bleached hair are just as enamored with the product. I’ve also given a bottle to my mom, who dyes her hair and fries it with straighteners every day — and she’s already asked for another.
Where can you get Olaplex. No.3 Plus?
First, a note on the original formula: it will be available on the brand’s website for a limited time, essentially until it sells out completely. After that, only No.3 Plus will be available, but the brand is confident that fans of the OG will love the new version even more — I already do.
The past couple of years have popularized the idea of understanding your attachment style, identifying a partner’s perceived narcissism or ranking their emotional intelligence. But perhaps one of the most useful patterns in human behavior that we can apply to our relationships touches on a subject that is inherently fraught: how we argue.
The first thing to establish here is that arguing is perfectly common. Conflict is an inevitable part of life: We are all different and therefore do not all think in the same way or hold the same opinions. But the way in which we argue can drastically change how we communicate and understand one another, which has a knock-on effect on our relationships.
Holly Roberts, a counselor from the relationship support charity Relate, gives the example of someone who is confident and assertive having an argument with someone who’s a bit more introverted. “That kind of argument is always going to end in the introverted person feeling like they’ve lost because they couldn’t express themselves well, while the other person may think they’ve ‘won’ but actually it feels like an empty victory.”
In scenarios like these, whatever issues you’re arguing about are unlikely to be resolved as neither side is able genuinely to put their point across or hear what the other is saying. If the point of arguing is to try and make someone else understand what you feel, then, as Roberts explains, “When it becomes argumentative and conflictual, the point of the argument is lost, and it’s just about he who shouts loudest.”
This is why understanding the different argument styles can be key to learning how to communicate better and actually argue better (read: in a healthier way).
What are argument styles?
In a workplace or business environment, argument styles are called ‘conflict management’ styles, according to the Thomas Kilmann model, and fall into five clear camps: competing, avoiding, accommodating, collaborating, and compromising. While these have very clear-cut definitions, Beverley Blackman, a psychotherapist and Counselling Directory member, suggests that there are various roles into which people fall in the context of a personal relationship.
“There are a number of different roles that people fall into during arguments, and often this argument style is formed early in life, generally through modeling by parents or other authority figures such as teachers,” Blackman says. This role often becomes ingrained and unless we observe how we respond in times of conflict, we often remain unaware of it. While no one has a set role that they adopt all the time, we can loosely identify four main types.
Attacking or “conflict-prone”
This argument style, which can also be described as “conflict-prone,” relies on pointing out things that others are doing “wrong” and is motivated usually by feelings of anger or annoyance.
“It can come across as aggressive and accusatory,” Blackman explains, “usually starting sentences with ‘You…’ For example: ‘You never put the washing away’ or ‘You always leave me to deal with the child’s teacher.'” This argument style can certainly help you express annoyance and anger at your partner but it doesn’t necessarily tell them what you want or need from them. And because it’s accusatory and the accusations are about your partner’s actions, it leaves them open to arguing back, which is when things can get heated. Because of this, attacking isn’t always the best way to resolve conflict.
A defensive style
This comes out in all scenarios, but particularly if you are on the receiving end of an attacking argument. In those instances it’s natural to want to defend yourself and attempt to offer explanations or deny the accusations — usually stemming from a feeling of upset or rejection. “While defending yourself against an angry onslaught is a normal thing to want to do,” Blackman says, “it is something that doesn’t go very far towards solving the argument because these two styles are conflictual on a very closed, ‘Yes-No’ level, and leave little room for looking for resolution.”
Withdrawn from and/or withdrawing
Withdrawal can affect the argument in two ways, depending whether you are being withdrawn from or are the one withdrawing. If it’s the former, there will often be an urge to pursue the withdrawer in order to keep making your point or to try and resolve the argument. The background emotion here, Blackman says, is “usually one of frustration or feeling unseen or unheard. While it’s great to want to resolve the argument, the difficulty is that you are not paying attention to your partner’s response or need to step away, so it is likely to heighten their emotion and make them more resentful towards you.”
If you are the one who is conflict-avoidant, it usually stems from feelings of fear or anxiety. “You don’t want to engage in the argument in any way and you will often want to emotionally detach from your partner if an argument is on the horizon. This can both frustrate and upset your partner. Again, it isn’t the best way to resolve conflict, especially,” Blackman adds, “if you fear that opening the topic up again later will result in your partner being angry again.”
Roberts adds another iteration of withdrawing: when someone deliberately sits on the fence and remains passive. “They may still argue back but they will try and argue to keep the peace,” Roberts says. This can mean agreeing with whatever you say and never attempting to get their own point across, which can add irritation to an argument.
Being open
And then of course there is the holy grail of argument styles: being open and able to consider the whole situation from different perspectives while remaining calm. “This encourages your partner to think about the conflict and the way you are both reacting,” Blackman says, “and it is often productive if the partner feels listened to and understood — you may not agree with what they are saying but it helps if you can see their perspective. This serves to move the argument past the conflict phase and on to looking at ways in which you can both resolve the difficulty.”
How can identifying argument styles help relationships?
These argument styles are in no way fixed — the one you are most drawn to is likely to be one you became familiar with through the adults around you in your formative years. However, the person you are arguing with and the context you are in can influence how you argue, too. The way you argue with a colleague or a boss will feel different from arguments with a partner or a sibling or a friend.
You can recognize the style you’re most drawn to by noticing what is happening in your body during a conflict. Roberts says: “Try to almost press pause on what’s going on and take a minute just to check in with yourself. Do you notice your heart racing? Do you notice your legs feeling twitchy because you want to run away from the situation? Do you feel so angry that you don’t even know what you’re saying?” Spotting these cues in your felt experience will give a clear indication of whether your response is driven by feelings of anger or anxiety or a desire to escape.
This can help you to argue in a more productive way, which can, in turn, help your personal relationships. To do this, Roberts says, you have to be mindful of what you are feeling and saying and owning your own behavior. If you are conflict-prone, for example, and really want to ramp up into a big argument, you know that it is not the other person making this happen but you. “If I know that’s me that’s doing that and I’m owning this behavior, I have the capacity to change that, because I can change myself,” Roberts says. “And if I understand it, then maybe I can be a bit more responsive or have a bit more flexibility.”
This is particularly useful for relationships if you can identify the argument style of your partner, Blackman says. “While you will still get into arguments, you will both have ways of being able to dial down the emotions more quickly and be able to focus on the problem at hand,” Blackman says. “If you can discuss your respective argument styles with each other (when you are both calm!) and explain how the other person makes you feel in an argument, it allows them to take it on board and consider it when it comes to conflict.” This helps you find a mutual way forward and makes space for your own feelings without resorting to accusations or defensiveness.
Ultimately, the goal in an argument is to feel heard and understood. Stepping away from your instinctive argument response can create that space where you can feel heard and, crucially, you can listen to the other person as well, which will mean less time spent arguing and stewing, and more time spent enjoying each other’s company.
This article was originally published in June 2022 and has since been updated.
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Created by the brilliant Mara Brock Akil, Forever is a reimagination of Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel of the same name. The series, which arrived on the streamer in May 2025, reunites childhood friends Justin and Keisha, who fall for each other in high school and experience the joys and heartache of a first love that changes their lives forever.
With Justin and Keisha ending Forever Season 1 as exes, the big question now is: will we see them back together as a couple? Now that they’ve gone their separate ways, viewers are eager to watch both characters grow individually with the hope (fingers crossed!) that their journeys may lead them back together.
As we wait for answers, here’s the good news: we’ll be seeing more of how Justin and Keisha’s story unfolds as the second season is set to begin filming soon. Read on for everything we know about Forever Season 2, including what you can expect and what the cast has said about the upcoming season.
How did ForeverSeason 1 end?
At the end of Forever Season 1, Keisha and Justin reunite for one last time since breaking up toward the end of their senior year of high school.
Two months after graduation, they run into each other as Justin is leaving Rodney’s music studio and Keisha is walking into her cousin’s beauty salon. In their somewhat awkward encounter, they briefly caught up after going two months without contact. Justin tells Keisha that he has spent the entire summer working with Rodney on making beats and that he’s taking a gap year to pursue his passion for music instead of attending Northwestern University right away. Justin also shares that he’s working at CVS to pay for his enrollment in a music production and engineering course that will certify him in a year. Keisha lets Justin know that she’ll be off to Howard in a week.
Before they go their separate ways, Justin asks Keisha to take her out to dinner as a way to properly say goodbye before she leaves for college. The exes reconnect at a ramen spot later that evening. While at dinner, they reminisce about the good times they shared, as well as Justin taking a moment to thank Keisha for giving him the courage to be honest with his parents and himself about his future.
After their date ends, the two face each other for a final time and share an emotional moment that ends with Justin kissing Keisha on the forehead before they go in their opposite directions.
What is the plot ofForeverSeason 2?
While the season’s official logline hasn’t been released yet, we know that Justin and Keisha’s love story is far from over. Without revealing too much, Akil spoke with Deadline in December, 2025 about what lies ahead for Season 2, confirming that it’ll still focus on Justin and Keisha.
“I’m excited about not revealing too much about where we’re headed for Season 2 until it’s time to,” she said. “I’ve been cooking in the kitchen, as the kids say, I’ve been cooking for over 25 years. And I have served up a lot of hit shows, and I just want people to trust me and to show up when I ring the dinner bell, knowing that I want to serve you the best meal. I want to cook that dish, make that TV show that you can’t get enough of and you want more of, and will show up when next time I make it.”
She continued, “I can offer this — we will be following Justin and Keisha, as opposed to moving to a new couple. I think we have more to say with them before we pivot in a new direction.”
Is there a trailer forForeverSeason 2?
Not yet. But thanks to Netflix, you can watch Cooper and Simone reacting to the most dramatic and unforgettable moments from Justin and Keisha’s love story.
What has the cast said aboutForeverSeason 2?
One of the most exciting parts that fans are highly anticipating in the new season is witnessing a deeper exploration of Justin and Keisha as they navigate the intricacies of young adulthood. But according to Simone, the first season was the calm before the storm.
“You’ll be gooped and gagged,” Simone told Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29 Unbothered’s senior entertainment director. “You guys are in for a storm. A storm is coming. I love it for the audience. I love it for me.”
As a coming-of-age story that has resonated deeply with audiences, particularly Black women, Simone has expressed how Forever stands out for its portrayal of a softer, more nuanced side of young Black love, one that welcomes vulnerability, emotional depth, and joy.
“Forever shined light on a story that hasn’t been told about Black women that we don’t usually get recognition for,” she continued. “And that is our softer moments in our more traumatized moments. Through Keisha, we’re seeing Black women in a different light. We’re seeing her get over and through things in such a graceful way, which is so nice for young girls and women who are of color.”
Alongside challenging mainstream stereotypes, Cooper says he looks forward to continuing to portray Justin as an authentic, emotionally complex Black man who wants nothing more than to feel seen, heard and loved.
“A lot of people felt deeply seen and moved towards Justin, his struggles and what he was going through,” Cooper added. “I’m blessed to be the vessel that was able to bring it and represent.”
When willForeverSeason 4 be released?
Netflix officially renewed Forever for a second season on May 14, 2025. A bona fide hit among audiences, the renewal announcement came one week after the show’s Season 1 premiere on May 8, 2025. While no official release date has been announced, Cooper confirmed to Unbothered that they are on track to begin filming soon.
“We’ll be shooting soon,” he said on Feb. 28 at the 57th NAACP Image Awards red carpet. “I’ve read scripts. Mara [Brock Akil] texted me and said, ‘Do. Not. Say. Anything.’ I can’t say anything, but it’s really good, and I’m excited for ya’ll to watch.”
While you wait, you can rewatch Season 1 of Forever on Netflix.
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Welcome toMoney Diarieswhere we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last dollar.
This week: A associate producer working in advertising who makes $75,000 per year and spends some of it on a thrifted winter kimono.
This Money Diary was written in the summer of 2025.
If you’d like to submit your own Money Diary, you can do so via ouronline form. We pay $150 for each published diary. Apologies but we’re not able to reply to every email. Please note: We are legally unable to publish any diaries that have been written with the use of AI.
Editor’s note: After a short hiatus, we’re back once a week! Thank you for your patience. We’ll be honoring Money Diary submissions we received during our break by publishing them in the coming weeks. There’s more to come soon — stay tuned.
Occupation: Associate Producer Industry: Advertising Age: 32 Location: New York, NY Salary: $75,000 Joint Income/Financial Setup: n/a Assets: HYSA: $53,126.09 401k: $69,367.68 In a brokerage invested in ETFs: $9,581.44 Checking account: $8,165.74 Savings account: $5,472.57 Debt: $3,313.62 currently owed on my credit card (currently awaiting reimbursement for $2.8k in expenses from business travel); $3,813.71 in student loans. Paycheck Amount (2x month): $1,839 after taxes and benefits. Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs Rent: $1,407 (for my half). I’m in a rent-stabilized apartment that I share with one roommate. Internet: $37.78 (for my half). Gas: $13.11 (for my half). Electric: $57.97 (for my half). This was the highest electric bill of the year because it was summer.
Other recurring monthly expenses: Loan Payments: $208.15 (student loan) Classpass: $51 Gym membership: $32.66 Phone: $30 phone payment to my brother (we’re on a family plan). 401k: I contribute 14% of my pre-tax income in my 401k. My employer’s match is discretionary and this year it was incredibly low (25% of the first 2%).
Was there an expectation for you to attend higher education? Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, it was a given that I would attend college. I attended a private liberal arts college, and was very lucky to receive a large amount of need-based financial aid from the institution I attended, along with a few thousand dollars in Pell Grants. I had a small amount of federally subsidized student loans. In total, with all my aid, my tuition/room and board ended up being about the same cost as if I had attended an in-state UC. Even then, my parents took out a second mortgage on their house to pay for my education. I had a small savings account from lifeguarding in high school so I didn’t need any money from my parents for lifestyle things like books, groceries, clothes, etc.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s) educate you about finances?
My parents never gave me any financial advice, but they did take me to the bank to open a savings account. This was around first or second grade when I started doing chores for allowance.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I wanted to go on a class trip to France the summer after eighth grade and my parents agreed to let me go if I could earn half of my way there, so I got a job working at a snack shack at a local swim and tennis club. I think my mom had to sign some waiver about me getting hired since I was only 13. The snack shack never trained me to use the POS system so I never worked the window; I worked in the kitchen preparing the food.
Did you worry about money growing up?
I would say my parents made a lower-middle-class income and I have three siblings, so sometimes the financial stress felt palpable. I grew up in an affluent suburb in the Bay Area, and from middle school onward, I definitely felt aware of the financial disparities between me and my classmates. My dad is self-employed and my mom worked as a part-time teacher’s aide at a public elementary school, so they did not have health insurance. This was pre-Obamacare and so I do remember my mom buying Groupons for me to get dental cleanings, and at a certain point as a teenager she decided I really only needed to get a doctor’s check-up every other year. We always had food on the table and were usually able to take a road trip vacation every summer. The 2008 recession hit my parents really hard and I had to do away with some extracurriculars like dance class, summer camp, and violin lessons.
Do you worry about money now?
I recently made a decision to live with only one roommate instead of two and use the third bedroom as an office, so I’m paying the most rent I’ve ever paid in my life. I do feel a little stressed about this big increase in housing costs without getting any salary increase, but so far, things have been okay.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
I needed help with rental payments my first year after graduating, since I could only find part-time work teaching swimming and an internship on a TV program. Once I finished the internship, I found a permalance gig at age 23, which, when combined with the weekend swim lessons, was enough to cover all my costs. My current position, which I started at age 26, is the first job I’ve had with a full benefits package.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.
No.
Day One: Friday
11:30 a.m. — I’m awake and it’s a holiday weekend, thank god! I have cold brew with almond milk and make myself two eggs cooked in a leftover root vegetable hash. My new roommate E. has been living here for a month now and we’ve invited some people over tonight for dinner to celebrate her moving in. I chat a bit with her about the game plan for dinner and what we need to buy.
1 p.m. — I put on my swimsuit and walk down to my gym, where they’ve been having summer Friday open swim in the afternoons from 1-2 p.m. The gym pool has weird limited hours because of all the community groups that use it, and this is my last chance to make use of the Friday afternoon swim before it stops next week. The water feels great. I only rinse off afterwards as I prefer to shower at home since the gym is only about a ten min walk from my place.
2 p.m. — On my walk home I stop at the bougie grocery store and spend $7.99 on gluten-free burger buns since I mostly eat gluten-free. $7.99
3 p.m. — I shower, change, and heat up leftover lamb and eggplant for a late lunch. Then I get to work making the dessert for the night. I make plum marzipan bars from Smitten Kitchen, except instead of marzipan, I use some canned French chestnut cream I’ve been sitting on for a few months. The bars smell great!
5 p.m. — I slice tomatoes and basil to make a Caprese side salad. I got a bunch of shiso leaves in a CSA that I’ve been perplexed by, so I muddle them with lime and brown sugar to make shiso mojitos. E.’s boyfriend is bringing the rum. I realize we’re almost out of coals so I dispatch E. for a last-minute run to grab another bag. I scroll Reddit for a bit and notice BeautyPass Free Gift Friday is doing full size Tatcha Matcha Face Washes today! I love their Rice Wash so I order one. It’s not really a free gift when you pay $12.95 shipping but still a great deal for this pricey cleanser. $12.95
7 p.m. — My friend N. comes by, followed by E.’s boyfriend M., my friend T., and her husband A. N. brought a bottle of wine and A. and T. brought veggies for skewers, corn, chips, and guac. We have a small weird little roof in my building that’s only accessible via my unit, so I keep a small grill out there. It’s so fun to have my friends crawl out the window and we all sit around the grill as I make burgers, skewers, and corn. It’s great to get to know E.’s boyfriend and everyone is getting along. I get stressed a lot these days about when my friends start to have babies that we won’t be able to have these languid late dinners and long hangs, so I really cherish that I’m still able to have nights like this. The dinner and dessert are a hit, the plum bars are so good!
10:30 p.m. — We clean up and head inside. A. and T. head out and N. leaves about 20 minutes after them. Brush teeth, wash face, lights out around 11:30 p.m.
Daily Total: $20.94
Day Two: Saturday
11 a.m. — I check my phone for a bit and then rise around 11:30. I make two scrambled eggs and two Trader Joe’s chicken sausages for breakfast. I make small talk with E. and her boyfriend before they both head out around 12:30. I brush my teeth, wash my face, and get dressed.
1:30 p.m. — I hop on the train and head two stops south to meet my friend H. in front of her building. I suddenly get thirsty waiting for her so I run over to a bodega and grab an Essentia bottle of water for $2.75. We’re going shopping at a fun non-profit thrift shop in a kind of out-of-the-way location so she orders us an Uber. $2.75
4 p.m. — We really get lost in the thrift and spend so much time there. So much to browse! I end up spending $19.42 at Big Reuse on a winter kimono and a copy of Elementary Particles. The kimono needs some patching but it will be a great casual jacket in the winter. $19.42
5 p.m. — I’m really hungry and we decide to walk about a mile away to a Mexican place where we order chips, salsa, margarita, and tacos. H. picks up the check.
6:30 p.m. — I propose we go get a drink at a lesbian bar that has a backyard so we walk back another mile and a half. I get our drinks, a margarita for me and a draft beer for H., plus $3 tip comes to $27. $27.00
8 p.m. — H. is texting one of her friends who said he’s going dancing with some out of town friends. I looked up the DJ lineup and realized I know one of the DJs and I’ve been meaning to see her DJ! So I text her and she tells me to use a plus one on the list. She isn’t on until 11 so H. and I Uber back to her place to hang and get ready. I borrow one of her skirts and leave my thrift finds to pick up another day. I almost never smoke weed but H. makes it seem very tempting.
11 p.m. — I find myself drunk and high in our Lyft to the venue. I have to pay to check in my tote bag because the bouncer said it’s too big. Her friend and his friends meet up with us and after some chatting outside and swerving around all the bros, I convince everyone we need to hit the dancefloor. My DJ friend is killing it! $20.44
1 a.m. — We step outside for air and I realize I need to go to the bathroom, drink water, and go to bed ASAP. I do the first two at the club and then order a Lyft home. I take a quick shower to rinse off the sweat, sunscreen, and bug spray from the day, and then collapse into bed around 2 a.m. $12.59
Daily Total: $82.20
Day Three: Sunday
11 a.m. — I wake up and am pleasantly surprised to not be hungover — I guess that’s the power of weed. Same breakfast as yesterday, I noodle a bit on a NYT Magazine crossword I’ve been noodling on for a few weeks now. I’m so close to being finished but this puzzle’s theme of Star Trek is throwing me as I’ve never watched.
12 p.m. — I’ve told myself today will be my productive doing-stuff-at-home-day so I vacuum and Swiffer the living room, and change my sheets. I have some really wilted basil that’s not going to make it another day so I salvage what I can and make a really mediocre pesto. I make a quick lunch of sauteed squash blossom quesadillas and then I gather a pile of books on my floor and get on the bus one neighborhood over to a used bookstore.
2:30 p.m. — The bookstore takes three books and gives me $14.50 in store credit. I’m rich! A hardcover of A Far Cry from Kensington catches my eye. It’s a first edition, which is cool. It’s $15 and the cashier tells me she’ll call the 50 cents I owe a wash. On my walk home I drop off the books they didn’t buy at a Free Little Library.
4 p.m. — N. had texted yesterday about seeing a screening of the 1970s Italian movie Love and Anarchy. I finally get back to her and say sure why not. I then take a little nap. E. is out of town and I love to take a couch nap when roommates are gone.
5:30 p.m. — I get up and in the tune of Day of Productivity, I pay a $25 bill from the gastrointestinologist. I make gluten-free pasta with the pesto I made earlier today, and then I’m out the door. $25
7 p.m. — I buy a $17 movie ticket at the theater. I didn’t bother to read about the movie beforehand, so I’m really pleasantly surprised by how funny and thoughtful it is. $17
9 p.m. — After the movie N. and I walk over to a nearby Target. I grab unsweetened vanilla almond milk, Simple Mills cheddar crackers, Lesser Evil popcorn, a six-pack of up&up toilet paper, and a Target tote bag for $20.61. We take the same train home since we live near each other. $20.61
10 p.m. — Back home I put on the last episode of Paul T. Goldman, which I’ve been watching with a free Peacock trial. I put down a yoga mat and foam roll and do some physical therapy exercises while watching TV. This is episode six of six, so once it’s over, I hop in the shower. I’m going to the beach tomorrow so I roast a zucchini for a sandwich. After just a touch of fruitless online window shopping, I make myself go to bed around 12:30 a.m.
Daily Total: $62.61
Day Four: Monday
9 a.m. — I set an alarm this morning since N., T., and I have planned to take a beach day on Long Island. I eat the last of my chicken patties and two eggs. I make a sandwich with the roasted zucchini, burrata, some leftover pesto, and a leftover gluten-free bun from the BBQ. I pack the popcorn I bought yesterday along with leftover plum bars.
10:31 a.m. — We meet at a nearby station for the Long Island Railroad, where the ticket from Nostrand Avenue to Freeport is $21.50 round trip. The train ride is pretty straightforward, but we’re a bit confused trying to find the bus to Jones Beach, which is supposed to be the last leg of our journey. We see there’s a 15-minute wait for the bus, so T. orders us an Uber. $21.50
11:30 a.m. — We make it to the beach and it’s not crowded at all! The weather is a perfect 77 degrees. T. brought canned cocktails and Pirate’s Booty so we get a bit tipsy and have a lot of fun swimming in the water and hanging out on the sand. Around 5 p.m. we decide it’s time to pack it in and T. found a waterfront seafood place for us to go to get dinner. It’s about a 12-minute drive so we order another car.
5:45 p.m. — At the restaurant, we order swordfish tacos, tuna tacos, three corn on the cobs, and a fried seafood platter. I get a $14 aperol spritz and club soda, not sure if I was charged for the club soda or not. The sunset on the water is gorgeous and feels like a lovely way to end the last weekend of summer. I order us the Uber back to the LIRR train station, and divided by three my portion of the ride is $8.63. $22.63
9:30 p.m. — Home and the shower feels amazing. T. sends me a Venmo request for $35 for 2x Ubers and dinner, minus the Uber I ordered. I wasn’t expecting my roommate E. back until tomorrow so I was caught by surprise to hear her come in while I was using my Solawave on my face post shower with the door open. Thankfully, I was wrapped in a towel! $35.00
10 p.m. — I throw together a fridge clean-out gluten-free pasta salad to take to work tomorrow. Boo! Hate that I have to go to the office. I open up the TooGoodToGo app and I order a surprise bag from a gourmet grocery store in the Chelsea Market as a little treat for myself for $7.99. I brush teeth, get into bed, and read a bit of my book, Cloudstreet by Tim Winton — something an Australian date recommended to me. Then it’s lights out around 11:30 p.m. $7.99
Daily Total: $87.12
Day Five: Tuesday
8:10 a.m. — Ugh, I was tossing and turning all night and am not happy to hear my alarm go off. In case it’s not clear already, I’m not much of a morning person. I press snooze over and over until 8:50, when I really have to get up. I’m a master at rolling out of bed and getting ready in 20-30 minutes.
10:15 a.m. — I get to work late as I often do, but in my defense, I answer emails on my phone while on the train! My office has a free breakfast spread on Tuesdays and the only gluten-free option is yogurt, so I grab a raspberry Siggi’s yogurt and add a big spoonful of almond butter. I pour myself a cold brew concentrate from the fridge and then sit down and try to refresh myself on everything I was doing before the holiday weekend.
12:30 p.m. — I eat my pasta salad in the office kitchen and browse my computer for about 20-30 min. Back at my desk, I spend the rest of the day managing the multiple projects I have going on right now.
5:20 p.m. — I head downtown to grab my TooGoodToGo bag from the Chelsea Market. This place, in my opinion, is mostly a tourist trap, but it is also home to an out-of-this-world vegan soft serve, so I had an ulterior motive in coming here. I get my TGTG bag and then buy a chocolate and tahini swirled soft serve topped with a halva pistachio crumble (!!!) for $8.71. I go to sit out on top of the High Line to eat my soft serve and rifle through my grab bag. There’s a bunch of fun British snacks and sweets in it, including two bags of potato chips, two bags of fudge, a small box of pralines, marmalade, and a jar of mincemeat. The weather is fabulous and I wish I could eat this soft serve every day of my life. $8.71
6:30 p.m. — I walk back over to the subway and head home. At home, I roast some radishes, blister shiso peppers, and make two small quesadillas. I’m so proud of the fridge clean-out meals I’ve been making the past few days! I am desperately trying to leave my job, so after dinner, I open my laptop to browse job postings, but E. comes out of the home office and we end up chatting for a long time. We’ve been watching old seasons of Top Chef and she asks if I want to start a new one, so we watch the first episode of the New Orleans season from 2013. We call it after one episode and I hop in the shower. I was going to read some of my book but instead I find myself scrolling my phone in my bed. Sigh. I have to be up earlier tomorrow morning so 11:15 p.m. is lights out.
Daily Total: $8.71
Day Six: Wednesday
7:30 a.m. — I’m up earlier than normal today since I have a doctor’s appointment at 9:15 a.m. A little over a month ago, I was treated for an H. Pylori infection and this morning I’m doing a follow-up test to see if the treatment was successful. It has to be done in a fasted state, so I take my zoloft with a bit of water, brush my teeth, and am out the door on an empty stomach.
9:15 a.m. — I get to the doctor’s exactly on the dot, but the waiting room is already a bit backed up. The test involves blowing air into a bag, drinking a solution that tastes like lemonade, waiting 15 minutes, and then blowing into another bag. All said and done, I’m out of the office at 10 a.m. The doctor’s office is about a 15-minute walk from my office, but I have a 10 a.m. call that I join from my phone. Thankfully, I don’t really have to talk much since it’s really a briefing between a creative director and video editor, so I pull over at a coffee stand and get a $5.99 cold brew with almond milk. $5.99
10:25 a.m. — I get to the office with five minutes to spare before my next call, which is a weekly status meeting for a new account at the agency. Once that wraps at 11 I can finally eat something, so I go into the kitchen and grab an apple and a Made Good oatmeal bar.
12:45 p.m. — I didn’t bring lunch today so I walked over to Naya, a local Mediterranean bowl chain. I recently moved offices from SoHo, where we didn’t have Naya, to Midtown, and I love to try a new fast casual bowl. I buy a chicken shwarma bowl and a Diet Coke for $17.15. The weather is perfect outside, so I walk up to Central Park and eat my lunch on a park bench, which is really nice. $17.15
1:30 p.m. — Back in the office and I spend the next few hours emailing, reviewing video and audio files sent to me, and looking over bids and costs for things. I call it a day around 5:15 p.m. I’m so sleepy I head right to the train after work. When I get home it’s time for another fridge clean-out meal. I’ve got a mix of greens, I think one is some type of bok choy. I’m not sure about the other, so I wash ‘em, chop ‘em, and sautee ’em. I add in the last of my lamb and eggplant leftovers, and the end result is a pretty good stir-fry. I flip through a new copy of The Cut that came in the mail today while I eat.
7:30 p.m. — E.’s boyfriend is over and while they make dinner I cede the living room to them and try to work on a watercolor still life I’ve been doing of tchotchkes from around my house. I really overwork it and am unhappy with the way it looks so in a last-ditch effort to feel satisfied in painting something, I paint my toes. This also looks like crap! What can you do? While waiting for my toes to dry I call my mom. My parents are in California and my mom is setting the table for dinner, so I just told her to call me back later. I browse my phone for a bit and then decide to hop in the shower.
10:30 p.m. — Out of the shower, still in my towel, my mom calls me back after she had finished dinner. We chat for a bit just to catch up and then I tell my parents I’ve got to go since it’s getting close to 11 p.m. I get into bed and end up scrolling my phone before falling asleep.
Daily Total: $23.14
Day Seven: Thursday
8:10 a.m. — My alarm goes off, but I’m back on my bullshit this morning pressing snooze until 8:50 a.m. My new office means a longer commute so I keep on getting into work late. I should really try to get up earlier, but I’m just so sleepy in the mornings. When I get in around 10:15 a.m. I head to the office kitchen, pour a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, and make myself a cold brew. My morning is a bit chaotic catching up on all the emails and messages I’ve received in the past hour and a half.
12 p.m. — We get free lunch served in the office once a week and this week happens to be Naya, but I really enjoyed my lunch yesterday so not mad about it! I fill up a chicken shawarma bowl and take it back to my desk to eat while getting in another hour of work.
1 p.m. — A lot of really big changes have been afoot in my workplace, and there’s a merger between my company’s holding company and another advertising holding co, so today there’s a town hall to talk about all the changes. A lot of people are upset about how things are going, particularly the fact that there’s a freeze on raises and promotions for the rest of the year. I haven’t gotten either in over two years now and it’s definitely hurting morale. I speak up during the open questions/comments section and I feel my heart racing. I get really upset and feel pissed off for the rest of the day. There are going-away drinks for a co-worker at 5 p.m., but I don’t really know her and I definitely am not interested in sticking around today so I hightail it once things seem to be wrapping up around 5:15 p.m.
6:30 p.m. — I normally have therapy on Thursdays but my doctor texts to cancel, saying she suspects she has Covid. The good news about my shitty mood and newly opened schedule is it does fuel me to go swim laps at the pool and try to get out some of this anger and anxiety. I have a small snack when I get home, and then pack a swim bag and head over to the gym.
7:45 p.m. — I got in about a 45-minute swim, which was SO needed. My gym has showers but I prefer to shower at home where all my lotions and potions are. After showering, I grab a Trader Joe’s frozen green curry from the freezer and heat that up in the microwave. My week of fridge clean-out meal genius has finally come to an end. I watch a few more episodes of Top Chef New Orleans.
10:30 p.m. — I get in bed and tell myself I’m going to READ and RELAX tonight, so I spend about 30 min reading Cloudstreet. I end up having to take one of my small dose klonopin pills to quiet the physical anxiety I’m feeling and unwind enough to fall asleep.
Daily Total: $0
Conclusion
“I definitely had a super social holiday weekend with a lot of spending, but I also was able to really stretch my groceries, so I’d say the spending for the week ended up being about average. I think recording my costs definitely made me mindful of not excessively indulging my whims.
It was fun to reread this months later and remember what a nice week it was! I actually did end up having an H. pylori infection successfully treated and was able to go back to eating gluten after I wrote this diary. And the merger did go through shortly before the holidays, morale has been really low in the workplace as a result.”
Money Diaries are meant to reflect an individual’s experience and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day. For more Money Diaries, click here.
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From so-popular-they-sold-out styles by Free People, H&M, and Etsy to Lululemon’s We Made Too Much section and tons of editor-tested beauty products, readers seemed to be refreshing their spaces, transitional-weather wardrobes, and cosmetics cases with new picks. Think: Summer Fridays' new lip tint (February’s most-purchased product!), a splurge-worthy HigherDose red-light showerhead, and deeply-discounted Old Navy jeans.
Ahead, we're sharing all the February bestsellers you couldn't resist adding to cart for yourself (or to gift to someone special). Whether you're in the market for something exciting (or just curious about what everyone else is buying!), consider this your curated guide to February's standout finds.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
If you gravitate towards something between a lip balm and a matte lip stain, we present to you Merit’s new lip product, which Beauty Director Jacqueline Kilikita describes as a “sheer, matte lipstick with a moisturizing balm-like feel.” Several readers carted up this lippie from Merit’s website and Sephora throughout the month.
We’ve officially entered “goth girl spring” and that means leather jackets will be the unexpected go-to layer. And already, this Agolde style has garnered the attention of R29 readers. The cinched waist and peplum-like hem add a feminine flair to a typically boxy or stiff silhouette.
With notes of cardamom, citrus, masala chai, milk, and sandalwood, this Prada fragrance has been vetted by Senior Beauty Writer Karina Hoshikawa as one of her top perfume picks of 2026. She says: “It lingers all day long, and dries down to a cozy, woody scent that has a nostalgic feel to it,” and readers clearly like the sound (and smell) of that.
Prada 3.3oz Infusion de Santal Chai Eau de Parfum, $, available at Ulta
Mother The Reifler Jean
Straight-leg and cigarette jeans have been declared a major 2026 denim trend, and readers are already taking that info and running with it. These ‘70s- and ‘80s-inspired Mother jeans — “with a straight leg with a bit of a kick” — were a top-performer for February.
It’s clear that Jacqueline Kilikita’s glowing review of Summer Fridays’ new lip stains convinced our readers to cart some up too, because it was the top-purchased beauty product in February. Praised for its easy application, moisture, and long-lasting formula, this $22 stain-meets-tint-meets-liner is an easy yes. (The brand’s Essential Lip Kit was also a favorite.)
Summer Fridays Flushed Lip Stain 12HR Long-Lasting Lip Tint, $, available at Sephora
Free People Quilted Carryall Bag
Readers were shopping everything from matching sets to wedding guest dresses at Free People throughout the month, so much so that most of those styles have sold out. But one tried-and-true product that remains in stock is the Quilted Carryall bag, currently available in 16 colors. Shoppers likewise gravitated towards the Quilted Duffle Bag, available in spring-ready pink.
Free People Quilted Carryall Bag, $, available at Free People
HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter
In addition to being a personal favorite, this red-light showerhead was also a top-reader pick from our Valentine’s Day luxury gift guide. Whether it was to treat themselves or spoil a loved one, readers spent February investing in tools to upgrade their wellness routines and create an at-home spa-like environment.
HigherDose Red Light Showerhead Filter, $, available at HigherDose
Le Labo Violette 30 Eau de Parfum
Luxe fragrance brand Le Labo dropped a new perfume in February, described as: “Powdery violet, lush rose, all-encompassing incense, and heady patchouli make it a scent that demands attention, while delicate white tea and creamy cedarwood linger softly on the skin as the day goes on.” And if you run into any R29 readers on the street, you may just smell it in person.
Le Labo 3.4 oz Violette 30 Eau de Parfum, $, available at Bloomingdale's
Quince Organic Turkish Waffle Robe
Both a popular holiday gift and Valentine’s Day gift among R29 readers, Quince’s waffle robe has become a tried-and-true pick for lounging luxuriously and cozying up around the house. But when it came time to leave the house, many readers also carted up the brand’s 100% Australian Shearling Earmuffs for braving the cold in February.
Quince Organic Turkish Waffle Robe, $, available at Quince
Medicube Zero Pore Pads
After going viral on TikTok, Medicube caught our beauty director’s attention. She was the most excited to try the toner pads, and the exfoliating and hydration-soaked cotton rounds impressed her. And lucky for you, they’re even on sale during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty deal event.
Lelo’s luxe sex toys were certainly a February favorite because of the brand’s month-long Valentine’s Day sale, but guess what? The popular Sona 3 Cruise vibe is still on sale for 25% off. The bestselling clitoral massager has several intensity levels and can be synced with the Lelo app for more modes and long-distance play.
Suzanne Kalan 18k Fireworks Gold Diamond Double Band Ring
Whether they were shopping for Valentine’s Day gifts or wedding proposals, it seems that several readers gravitated towards this unique $8k diamond band. This Fireworks style features “starburst-set baguette diamonds,” according to Shopbop, and makes for a stunning gift.
Suzanne Kalan 18k Fireworks Gold Diamond Double Band Ring, $, available at Shopbop
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion
A product that looks and feels like a milky serum but is actually a moisturizer, and can both “quench dry patches and deliver hydration without a greasy feel” is exactly why Jacqueline Kilikita loves this new product from The Ordinary for combination skin. And from the looks of our shopping data, it seems that many readers wanted to experience the product for themselves too.
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion, $, available at Sephora
Branch Daily Chair
Post-January-refresh-your-space season, readers continued to peruse our home office chairs roundup to upgrade their WFH setups, and this Branch adjustable rolling chair — with a 4.6-star review from over 1K shoppers — reigned supreme.
Old Navy was consistently a crowd-pleaser from our best weekend sales roundup throughout the month. And from the wide-leg jeans to the Straight Pants and Vintage T-Shirt, these most-purchased products are all still in stock and on sale!
Old Navy Mid-Rise Wow Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans, $, available at Old Navy
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid
Following the wildly popular Charlotte Tilbury Flawless setting powder and setting spray, the brand has launched a Flawless concealer, and R29 editors (and readers) love it. It’s lightweight yet full-coverage, blurring, super hydrating, and comes in 34 shades.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, $, available at Ulta
Cuyana Mini Heart Case
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Many shoppers looked to Refinery29 (and Bellesa Boutique) for pocket-sized suction and vibration sex toys last month. Both the bestselling AirVibe and Pebble vibes are waterproof and offer pressure wave technology, plus are beginner-friendly TSA-approved.
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Latex Sculpting & Lengthening Mascara
TikTok-Viral, editor-approved, and reader-purchased, this new YSL mascara needs to be in everyone’s makeup bags. “I let out an ‘ooh!’ when I swiped this on for the first time, because it really did cling to my lashes as promised,” says Jacqueline Kilikita, while Karina Hoshikawa adds: “It’s basically a lash lift in a tube."
Yves Saint Laurent Lash Latex Sculpting & Lengthening Mascara, $, available at Sephora
Viski Meridian Crystal Martini Glasses
These martini glasses were spotlighted in our January lifestyle editors’ picks roundup for being compliment-worthy companions to any cocktail. And luckily for you, the under-$60 glasses are just one click away at Nordstrom or Amazon.
Viski Meridian Crystal Martini Glasses (Set of 2), $, available at Nordstrom
Parfums de Marly Athénaïs Eau de Parfum
Highlighted as a February fragrance drop and an editor-favorite that’s bound to be a defining 2026 scent, Parfums de Marly’s new blend of neroli, bergamot, jasmine, orange blossom, amber musk, and vanilla is drawing in tons of shoppers.
Parfums de Marly 2.5 oz Athénaïs Eau de Parfum, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
Z by Zella Whisper Knit Easy Crew Sweatshirt
Nordstrom Rack always has sales going on, and this classic crewneck sweatshirt was a top pick among deal-searching readers. Currently discounted at 48% off, we can understand the intrigue.
Z By Zella Whisper Knit Easy Crew Sweatshirt, $, available at Nordstrom Rack
Revolution Beauty Juicy Peptide Lip Balm
Peptide lip treatments have been trending, and from our editor-tested and loved products, readers most carted up this Revolution Beauty balm this February. From the Clear Ice Y2K shade, grapefruit scent, hydrating oils, and under-$10 price tag, this pick is bound to become your favorite too.
Revolution Beauty Juicy Peptide Lip Balm, $, available at Ulta
Fantasy For Her Ultimate Pleasure Clitoral Pump Vibe
While the reader-favorite “luxury edition” of this top-rated oral sex toy has sold out on PinkCherry, its sister product is still available, and is currently on sale! Use code FIFTY at checkout to get mega deals on this three-in-one vibe.
Fantasy For Her Ultimate Pleasure Clitoral Pump Vibe, $, available at PinkCherry
Mystery Pleasure Box Sex Toy Subscription
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Mystery Pleasure Box Sex Toy Subscription Box, $, available at Cratejoy
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