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Cosmic beings, we’ve entered the first full week of Mercury moving direct in Pisces after a three-week retrograde that may have left conversations feeling hazy, motivation inconsistent, and your own thoughts a little harder to anchor. While there’s still a post-shadow period lingering for the next couple of weeks, you may already feel the fog slowly lifting, replaced by a quieter trust in your intuition after all the second-guessing this transit brought up.

This week becomes one of the most supportive moments of the month to sit with your intentions and take them seriously. You have until about March 28th to define what you’re calling in, especially when it comes to releasing limiting beliefs that may have felt very real during Mercury’s retrograde. Now, with Aries energy encouraging boldness, there’s an invitation to move forward even if you don’t have all the answers yet, trusting that clarity can come through action rather than waiting for certainty.

As the week begins, the moon moves through Gemini on Monday and Tuesday, bringing a more curious, mentally active energy. It’s a powerful time to reconnect with your ideas, your voice, and the conversations that help move things forward. You may feel called to respond to messages or revisit connections that had been sitting in the background, but the key here is focus. Gemini can easily scatter your attention, so notice what truly matters and give your energy there, rather than getting pulled into distractions that feel productive but don’t actually shift anything.

By March 25th, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer marks the first turning point since the new moon, bringing emotions closer to the surface and asking you to adjust where needed. There may be moments of sensitivity or doubt, but this phase is less about stopping and more about refining your approach so your intentions can actually take root. Then on March 28th, Saturn in Aries forms a supportive sextile to Pluto in Aquarius, oﬀering a quiet but powerful sense of momentum. If you’ve taken even small steps, you may begin to notice subtle confirmations that something is working… not fully formed yet, but real enough to trust.

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

Aries Sun & Rising:

Aries, the week begins with the moon moving through Gemini, activating your communication sector and gently nudging you back into conversation with your ideas, your voice, and the ways you express what you’re calling in next. With Mercury now in its first full week direct, there’s a noticeable shift in how clearly you’re able to articulate yourself, especially compared to the fogginess of the past few weeks.

At the same time, you’re still working with the energy of the recent Pisces new moon in your spirituality sector, which may have stirred deeper reflections about your inner world, your healing, and the beliefs you’re ready to release. This is a powerful moment to set intentions that bridge both spaces, trusting your intuition while also giving it language. That might look like journaling your thoughts instead of keeping them in your head, having a conversation you’ve been postponing, or even being more honest with yourself about what you truly want, without filtering it through doubt.

By Wednesday, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer brings the first emotional checkpoint, landing in your home and roots zone and asking you to slow down and pay attention to what’s been building beneath the surface. You may notice a sensitivity around family dynamics, living situations, or even your sense of emotional safety, especially if there are conversations or truths you’ve been avoiding. There can be a temptation to brush things oﬀ or stay busy instead of going there, but this moment is less about disruption and more about realignment. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s support for growth here, even if it starts with something as simple as naming what you feel. Let yourself respond instead of react, and trust that facing what’s uncomfortable now creates a much stronger foundation for everything you’re building next.

Taurus Sun & Rising:

Taurus, are you ready for your financial revolution? The week begins with the moon moving through Gemini, activating your money and self-worth zone and inviting you to approach your finances with a little more curiosity and flexibility than usual. This doesn’t have to feel heavy or restrictive… in fact, the more you treat it like something you get to experiment with, the more momentum you create. That might look like reworking your budget in a way that actually feels supportive, exploring new streams of income, or simply having more honest conversations with yourself about what security really means to you right now.

With Mercury in its first full week direct and the recent Pisces new moon still fresh, there’s also a deeper layer unfolding around your community and the people you surround yourself with. You’re not meant to figure everything out alone. Setting intentions around who you collaborate with, who you learn from, and who you allow into your world can be just as powerful as any financial plan you put in place. By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your communication sector, bringing up a more emotional undercurrent around how you express yourself.

You may notice moments where you hesitate before speaking, especially if it requires vulnerability or saying something that feels a little too real. There can be a tendency to keep things surface-level or protect yourself by holding back, but this phase is gently encouraging you to lean in instead. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available through honesty, even if it feels unfamiliar at first. Opening up, asking for support, or putting words to something you’ve been processing internally can lead to feeling more understood than you expected. The lesson here isn’t to have perfect communication… it’s to allow yourself to be seen in the process.

Gemini Sun & Rising:

Gemini, did it feel like your brain was buffering for the past three weeks? Because with your ruler Mercury finally direct and settling into its first full week forward, it’s giving clarity is back online. You may notice your thoughts flowing more easily, your words landing the way you intended, and that sense of “wait, what was I even doing?” slowly being replaced with actual direction.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon activated your career sector, so there’s something quietly but powerfully shifting in your professional life. If motivation felt low or things felt stalled during the retrograde, this is the week where your spark starts coming back. You might find yourself updating your résumé out of nowhere, thinking more seriously about asking for a raise, renegotiating your role, or even imagining what it would look like to work for yourself. Let yourself dream a little bigger here… not in a delusional way, but in a “why not me?” kind of way. You don’t have to have it all figured out yet, but you are allowed to start moving differently.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your money and self-worth sector, and this is where a small emotional speed bump might show up. It could look like questioning whether you’re really ready for the next level, hesitating before asking for what you deserve, or even something external, like an unexpected expense or a conversation about money that hits a nerve. Sometimes it’s not even about the actual situation, but the story it triggers… “am I doing enough?” “am I worth this?” That’s the real work of this phase. Instead of spiraling or pulling back, see this as an invitation to reconnect with your value in a more grounded, embodied way. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available here, especially when you choose to respond with self-trust instead of self-doubt. You’re not starting from scratch… you’re adjusting your footing so you can actually receive what you’ve been working toward.

Cancer Sun & Rising:

Cancer, can you feel it? That quiet shift between retreat and expansion happening at the same time? The week begins with the moon in Gemini moving through your spirituality sector, so there’s still a part of you that wants to rest, reflect, and stay in your own little world as you process everything the past few weeks brought up. But underneath that, something bigger is calling you forward.

The recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, activated your expansion sector… the part of your life connected to travel, entrepreneurship, new opportunities, and saying yes to experiences that stretch you beyond your comfort zone. So even if you’re moving slowly at the start of the week, your intentions are meant to go far. This is a beautiful time to get honest about what kind of life you want to grow into next. Maybe that looks like planning a trip, exploring a new career path, investing in learning something new, or even allowing yourself to believe that more is possible for you than what you’ve been settling for. Let your quiet moments guide your bigger decisions.

By midweek, the energy becomes more personal as the First Quarter Moon lands in your sign, and you may feel that shift immediately. Emotions rise a little closer to the surface, and you might find yourself more sensitive to your environment, your relationships, or even your own expectations of yourself. This can feel like a moment of pressure… like you know you’re ready for something new, but you’re still shedding old versions of yourself at the same time. Maybe you question whether you’re doing enough, or you feel torn between staying where it’s comfortable and stepping into something that asks more of you. But this is exactly where your growth is happening. With Jupiter now direct in your sign, there’s expansion available when you trust your instincts, even if they’re leading you somewhere unfamiliar. You don’t need to rush the process; just honor what you feel, respond with care, and let yourself evolve in real time.

Leo Sun & Rising:

Leo, are you ready to be seen in a whole new way, and actually receive what comes with it? The week begins with the moon in Gemini activating your friendship, technology, and social network sector, facilitating a lightness that encourages you to put yourself out there a bit more. You might feel more inspired to post, share your ideas, reconnect with your community, or simply be more visible in spaces where your voice matters. But underneath that outward momentum, there’s deeper work unfolding.

The recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your sector of intimacy, shared resources, and transformation… which is really about trust. Trusting yourself to discern what’s aligned, trusting others enough to collaborate or open up, and most importantly, trusting that you’re allowed to receive what’s meant for you. So if opportunities start coming your way, whether that’s attention, invitations, or new connections, the lesson isn’t just to chase them — it’s to slow down enough to choose wisely while still letting yourself be supported.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your spirituality zone, and this is where things may feel a bit quieter, even if your external world is picking up. You might notice a need to pull back slightly, to rest, or to process everything that’s coming in, especially if you’ve been more visible or energetically open than usual. This is your reminder that not everything requires an immediate response. In fact, part of your growth right now is learning how to protect your energy as much as you share it. There may be moments where you feel overwhelmed, unsure of what to say yes to, or even tempted to overextend yourself, but this is where your boundaries come in. Giving yourself space to reflect, to check in with your intuition, and to move at your own pace will help you stay grounded in the middle of all this expansion. The more you honor your inner world, the more aligned everything outside of you becomes.

Virgo Sun & Rising:

Virgo, can you feel things clicking back into place, even if it’s happening quietly at first? With your ruler Mercury finally direct and settling into its first full week in forward motion, there’s a sense that your mind is coming back online after a period that may have felt confusing, emotionally layered, or just harder to navigate than usual. At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon activated your partnership sector, bringing fresh energy into your relationships, both romantic and professional, and inviting you to reimagine what alignment with others truly looks like for you.

As the week begins, the moon moves through Gemini, highlighting your career and public image sector, so there’s a beautiful connection happening between how you show up in the world and who you choose to build with. You might feel more ready to communicate your ideas, reconnect with professional contacts, or take visible steps toward something you’ve been sitting on. Setting intentions around collaboration, visibility, and the kind of support you’re open to receiving can go a long way right now… especially when you trust that you don’t have to do everything alone.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer activates your social network and community zone, and this is where a subtle shift may occur in how you relate to others. You might notice moments of emotional sensitivity within friendships or group dynamics, or feel a bit more aware of where you truly belong and where you don’t. There can be a tendency to overthink your place in certain spaces or question whether you’re being fully seen, but this phase is less about pulling back and more about refining your connections. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available through the people you align with, especially when you allow yourself to be more open and emotionally present. This is a chance to invest your energy into communities that feel supportive and reciprocal, rather than draining, and to trust that the right people will meet you where you are.

Libra Sun & Rising:

Libra, are you ready to take your life more seriously, without losing your sense of possibility? The week begins with the moon in Gemini activating your expansion sector, opening your mind to new ideas, new paths, and bigger visions for your future. You may feel pulled to learn something new, plan a trip, explore a different career direction, or simply think beyond the limits you’ve been operating within.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your health, routine, and service sector… bringing your attention back to the small, daily choices that shape your life. There’s a powerful connection between your habits and your long-term growth. This is a beautiful moment to set intentions that bridge both worlds… not just dreaming bigger, but actually building a lifestyle that can support those dreams. Maybe that looks like creating a routine that feels nourishing instead of restrictive, taking your work more seriously, or committing to something that requires consistency, even if it’s not immediately glamorous.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer lands in your career and public image sector, bringing a moment of visibility and, with it, a bit of emotional pressure. You might feel more aware of how you’re being perceived, question whether you’re doing enough, or feel pulled to prove yourself in some way. This can show up as a moment of doubt or even a small challenge in your professional life, but it’s really an invitation to step into your role with more confidence and emotional intelligence. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s expansion happening in your career, even if it requires you to show up more vulnerably or take yourself more seriously than you’re used to. Trust that what you’re building is being seen, even if the results are still unfolding, and let this be the moment where you choose to rise to the occasion rather than shrink back.

Scorpio Sun & Rising:

So, Scorpio… are you finally ready to loosen your grip a little, or are you still trying to control the entire plot? The week begins with the moon in Gemini moving through your depth and merging sector, which can bring up themes around intimacy, trust, shared resources, and the emotional contracts you have with others… and yourself. But instead of it feeling heavy, there’s something lighter, almost observational about it. You’re able to notice patterns without immediately diving into them.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your true love, creativity, and inner child zone, which is a much softer, more playful part of your chart. So the real work this week isn’t to overanalyze every connection or try to decode every interaction. It’s to let yourself enjoy what’s unfolding while still being discerning. You might find yourself attracting attention, deeper conversations, or even opportunities that feel a little more aligned than what you’re used to… and the lesson is to receive without overthinking it. Yes, you can be selective. Yes, you can trust your instincts. But you also don’t have to interrogate every good thing that comes your way. Let some of it be easy.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer activates your expansion realm, and this is where you may feel a slight stretch when it comes to your bigger plans. This could show up as a travel plan that needs adjusting, a career or business idea that feels exciting but overwhelming, or even a moment where you question whether you’re ready for the next level you’ve been envisioning. The key here is not to spiral or shut down, but to stay connected to your intuition and take things one step at a time. Cancer energy reminds you that you don’t have to have everything mapped out perfectly to move forward… you just need to feel your way through it. If something feels like a temporary roadblock, treat it as a redirection, not a rejection. The more you stay solution-oriented and emotionally grounded, the easier it becomes to turn uncertainty into momentum.

Sagittarius Sun & Rising:

Sag, are you ready to stop running from your feelings… or at least stop pretending you’re not catching them? The week begins with the moon in Gemini lighting up your relationship sector, so your attention naturally shifts toward the people in your life… romantic, platonic, professional, all of it. Conversations pick up, connections feel more active, and you may notice who you’re drawn to and who’s drawn to you. You’ll feel a curiosity and desire to understand others more deeply, but also to be understood in return.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your home and roots sector, bringing your emotional foundation into focus. So while you’re engaging with others, there’s also this quieter question underneath it all: do I feel safe here? Do I feel at home with this person, or even within myself? This is a powerful week to set intentions around the kind of connections you want to build, especially ones that feel both expansive and grounding, where you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your depth and shared resources zone, and this is where things may feel a bit more intense. You might notice emotions surfacing around trust, vulnerability, or even financial entanglements with others, whether that’s splitting costs, sharing responsibilities, or navigating expectations in a relationship. There can be a moment where you feel slightly exposed or unsure of where you stand, and your instinct might be to detach or make a joke out of it (classic Sag), but this phase is inviting you to stay present instead. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available when you allow yourself to go deeper, even if it feels unfamiliar. You don’t have to give everything all at once, but you do benefit from being honest about what you feel and what you need.

Capricorn Sun & Rising:

Capricorn, are you ready to get your life back in order, but this time in a way that actually feels good? The week begins with the moon in Gemini activating your work, routine, and wellness sector, bringing your attention to the day-to-day systems that keep your life running. You may feel more mentally active, thinking about your schedule, your habits, your productivity, and what needs to shift so things flow more smoothly. But this isn’t about perfection or overloading your to-do list. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your communication sector, helping you find clearer ways to express yourself, organize your thoughts, and reconnect with ideas that may have felt scattered during the retrograde. This is a great week to set intentions around how you manage your time, how you communicate your needs, and how you create routines that support your long-term goals without burning you out in the process.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your relationship sector, and this is where your focus shifts toward the people in your life. You might notice a moment of emotional tension or a need for deeper understanding within a partnership… whether that’s romantic, professional, or even a close friendship. This could look like a conversation that feels a bit more vulnerable than usual, or realizing that something needs to be addressed instead of brushed aside. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available through your relationships, especially when you allow space for honesty and emotional presence, not just practicality. You don’t have to solve everything at once, but you do benefit from meeting others halfway and being open to where the connection wants to evolve.

Aquarius Sun & Rising:

Aquarius, are you ready to take yourself seriously, but still have fun doing it? The week begins with the moon in Gemini activating your creativity, romance, and self-expression sector, bringing a lighter, more playful energy into your life. You may feel more inspired to share your ideas, flirt a little, create something just because it feels good, or reconnect with the parts of yourself that don’t need everything to be productive to be valuable.

At the same time, the recent Pisces new moon, along with Mercury now direct, has been activating your money and self-worth zone, which adds a deeper layer to all of this. This isn’t just about having fun, it’s about recognizing that what you enjoy, what you create, and how you express yourself can also be sources of value. This is a beautiful week to set intentions around monetizing your talents, asking for what you deserve, or simply treating your gifts as something worth investing in. You don’t have to choose between joy and stability… the two can actually support each other right now.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your work and wellness sector, and this is where reality gently checks in. You might notice a moment where your routine feels a bit off, your energy dips, or something in your schedule needs adjusting. It could be as simple as feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, or realizing that your current habits aren’t fully supporting the version of yourself you’re trying to become. But this isn’t here to discourage you but rather to help you refine your approach. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available through consistency and care, especially when you listen to your body and honor your limits. Small, intentional shifts in how you work, rest, and take care of yourself can have a much bigger impact than trying to overhaul everything at once.

Pisces Sun & Rising:

Pisces, can you feel yourself coming back to life a little, or at least back to yourself? With Mercury now direct in your sign and settling into its first full week forward, there’s a sense that the fog is beginning to clear after a period that may have felt emotional, introspective, and at times a bit disorienting. You’ve been doing a lot of internal processing, whether you realized it or not, and now there’s more space to move with intention.

At the same time, the recent new moon in your sign marked a powerful personal reset, inviting you to redefine who you are and how you want to show up in this next chapter. As the week begins, the moon in Gemini activates your home and roots sector, bringing your attention to your inner world, your living space, and your sense of emotional grounding. This is a beautiful moment to set intentions that support both your identity and your foundation: how you care for yourself, where you feel safe, and what kind of environment allows you to truly thrive.

By midweek, the First Quarter Moon in Cancer moves through your creativity, romance, and self-expression zone, and this is where things begin to open up again. You may feel a pull to share more of yourself, to create, to flirt, or to reconnect with what brings you joy, but there can also be a moment of hesitation, leaving you wondering if it’s “too soon,” or if you’re fully ready to be seen in this new version of yourself. That’s the edge this phase is asking you to lean into. With Jupiter now direct in Cancer, there’s growth available when you let yourself follow what feels good, even if it doesn’t make perfect sense yet. You don’t need to have everything figured out to begin expressing yourself more freely. In fact, the more you allow yourself to play, to explore, and to trust your instincts, the more aligned everything else starts to feel.

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If you’ve been thinking about ocean waves, the golden sun, and Mai Tais, you’re not alone. Spring break is upon us, and many will be jet-setting off to tropical destinations like Miami, Cancun, and St. Barths. But the planning doesn’t end with booking a ticket—a versatile vacation wardrobe is just as important.

If you fail to plan ahead (or accidentally skip a whole section of your packing list, like yours truly), you’ll end up stress shopping instead of lounging in a poolside cabana. I’ve learned my lesson, and now gather inspiration ahead of time by scrolling through my favorite style stars’ feeds.

Hailey Bieber, Paloma Elsesser, and Kendall Jenner have all give us major inspiration, showing us what a chic resort-ready rotation looks like. The secret is stowing pieces that work across multiple plans (think: a white maxi skirt that transitions from exploring local shops to dinner). Not only does it make getting ready a breeze once you land, but it leaves extra space for souvenirs. Best of all, a few key outfits can cover your entire itinerary—from brunch to beach.

But just because they’re multi-purpose pieces doesn’t mean they’re boring. In fact, many pull from this season’s latest trends, including woven handbags, two-tone jewelry, see-through silhouettes, and wedge heels. They’re not just for your trip, either—each style seamlessly integrates into your everyday spring collection.

Whether you’re packing your bags or simply manifesting sun-kissed vibes, the below five spring break outfits are worth snagging. They’re practically begging for a vacation photoshoot.

Breezy Brunch

The right outfit is just as much a part of brunch as your favorite matcha latte. A billowing maxi skirt and coordinating mini blouse keeps the look elegant and versatile, while simple thong sandals ensure comfort.

Sand And Surf Style

The ultimate beachside duo? A mesh dress and barely-there bikini. Elevated accessories like a woven tote bag and rectangular sunglasses add the perfect finishing touch.

Island Shopping Spree

One of the chicest ways to wear lace-trimmed satin shorts is with a graphic tee—while a pair of sandal pumps takes the look to a whole other level.

Tropical Dinner Date

Wine and dine your style with a draped scarf top and pleated maxi skirt. This unexpected combination is both sleek and relaxed, carrying you through whatever spring break plans follow next.

Paradise Cocktail Hour

Lean into the glitz and glamour of it all with a sequin blouse made for turning heads. Easy, straight-leg denim and strappy sandal heels complete the look.

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For most of us, the reality of owning makeup brushes is a cycle of daily use and perpetual procrastination when it comes to cleaning them. From my teen years through college, I followed a circa-2010 Michelle Phan tutorial to degunk my tools. Then, I switched to a simpler method involving a solid soap — Beautyblender’s Blendercleanser was my go-to for years. More recently, I discovered Sephora Collection’s Daily Brush Cleaner, an express method to clean bristles between wash days — basically, dry shampoo for your brushes.

All that’s to say, I’ve tried just about every cleaning method out there — and I didn’t love any of them. Did they work? Sure. But I was convinced there had to be an easier way that didn’t involve rubber-banding handles upside down. Enter an unlikely hero.

Amazon is rife with all sorts of bizarre beauty gadgets (hello, eyelash comb that looks like a medieval torture device), so when I came across the Ricris Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner, I was curious but skeptical. However, I was inspired to order it after seeing a coworker demo it on her Instagram Story. Her before-and-after photos were seriously impressive; I added it to cart and awaited its arrival.

As I unboxed it, I realized the Ricris brush cleaner isn’t the most intuitive — but don’t let that deter you. The kit includes a clear plastic bowl, eight silicone collars (more on those in a second), and a handle that can run on batteries or be plugged in. It’s not quite IKEA-level, but there is a bit of setup involved: Attach the handle to the connector, then secure your applicator handles into the silicone collar that best fits — the eight sizes are designed to accommodate everything from chunky powder Kabukis to small, precise eye tools.

After you’ve done that, it’s time to get cleaning: Fill the bowl up to the line with lukewarm water, and add a couple of drops of your favorite brush shampoo (I use e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Clean Queen Liquid Cleaner). (I know all that sounds like a lot of steps, but the whole thing takes less than five minutes to set up.) Now, it’s time for the fun part.

One by one, I dip each dirty brush into the bowl and press the handle to start the spin — think: a mini immersion blender. It whips up a splash-free lather (thanks to the max fill line), and once the water turns cloudy with makeup, you know it’s working. When the brush looks clean, slowly lift the handles above the water while the handle still spinning to start drying. About 30 seconds later, the bristles should be completely makeup-free and dry to the touch.

The whole thing is deeply satisfying — and not just because I’m a Virgo who loves this sort of stuff.

Yes, it’s a slightly more involved setup, but the Ricris Makeup Brush Cleaner solves just about every brush-washing pain point I’d experienced for decades: it’s mess-free, efficient, and way less labor-intensive than hand-washing. (One enthusiastic Amazon reviewer put it best: “I had a field day and started cleaning all my brushes for fun.”) Best of all, it’s made me not dread wash day, which — considering clean brushes help prevent acne-causing bacteria buildup — is a win. With over 20,000 Amazon reviews at press time and a $27 price tag (currently on sale for $22), it feels more than worth it, IMHO. And the oddly-gratifying benefit of seeing all that gunk come out of the bristles? Priceless.

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Content warning: This article includes descriptions of domestic violence. Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) started with a swinging scandal, and it may be ending with a scandal of a much more serious nature. On March 20, ABC announced that they would not air Season 22 of The Bachelorette, after video of the season’s lead, and SLOMW star Taylor Frankie Paul, attacking her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, was released by TMZ. The thing is: Paul’s season of the hit reality dating show was set to premiere later this week on March 22…meaning the release of this video and ABC’s subsequent cancellation came a mere three days before her journey to find love. This is an unprecedented and shocking move from ABC and the fallout has been swift.

In a statement from Disney Entertainment, who owns ABC, a spokesperson said: “In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family.”

If you’re reeling from this news, not to mention the complex and upsetting nature and specifics of the allegations, you’re not alone. The internet has been alight since allegations first surfaced earlier this week, with fans online and off calling for The Bachelorette to postpone or cancel Paul’s season. Below, everything you need to know about the controversy, and why so much of the online discourse is aiming blame in the wrong direction.

Who is Taylor Frankie Paul?

Unlike many previous Bachelor franchise leads, Paul was entering the popular dating show with star power already behind her. Since 2024, Paul has been the lead of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which follows a group of Utah-based #MomTok influencers, who came to prominence over the pandemic for sharing their daily lives — and dances — on social media during the pandemic.

ICYMI, the show — and #MomTok — first blew up in 2022, when Paul, already then a star on the TikTok app, took to social media to share that she, her then-husband, and a group of other Mormon influencers in their group were “soft-swinging.” It was, to put it lightly, a really big deal, putting Mormonism on the pop culture map and making us all question what the heck was going on in Utah.

What are the allegations being made against her?

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Paul and her ex-partner Mortensen are part of an ongoing “domestic assault investigation” by Utah police tied to an incident at the end of February. The couple share a son, born in 2024, and Paul has two children from a previous marriage.

While little is available regarding the currentallegations that were made, both TMZ and People reported that Mortensen has filed an order for protection against Paul, asking for temporary custody of their son and alleging Paul was physically violent with Mortensen in front of their children.

**What does The Bachelorette Have To Do with This?**

What complicates this entire situation even more is the fact that Paul is the lead of the upcoming Season 22 of The Bachelorette. Season 4 of SLOMW followed Paul as she prepared to take on the mantle of the hit dating show — a decision made by ABC in what was clearly a bid to reinvigorate the dying franchise and bring in massive ratings.

If anything, the initial reports of a domestic dispute, only days ahead of her season’s premiere, spoiled the upcoming season, revealing that — at least as of the end of February — Paul was most likely not with a suitor from her season.

Is this Taylor’s first altercation with the law?

No. This isn’t Paul or Mortensen’s first encounter with law enforcement and there have been multiple allegations of domestic violence in their relationship. In February 2023, Paul was arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child after a fight with Mortensen. The arrest and subsequent fall-out — caught on police bodycam footage — was shown in the very first episode of SLOMW.

Paul later struck a deal, pleading guilty to one count of aggravated assault and had the other charges dismissed. The couple’s on-and-off relationship and subsequent pregnancy, in the wake of this arrest, were chronicled throughout the first season of the SLOMW series. And because people love mess, it helped to make the show an instant hit.

On March 19, video from this 2023 altercation was leaked by TMZ, seemingly showing Paul attacking Mortensen; eventually throwing several metal barstools at him. One of Paul’s children can be heard in the background throughout the video and close to the end of the clip can be heard yelling after Paul throws a barstool.

Does this mean Taylor is the only aggressor?

Not necessarily. While reports this week take aim at and show Paul’s behavior specifically, it’s important to note that the 2023 clip only shows a few minutes of footage. Meaning we don’t know exactly what occurred before or after Mortensen began recording. As many people have pointed out online, the timing of this video being leaked to the public is suspicious at best, given the proximity to Paul’s Bachelorette premiere and with rumors of an alleged custody battle between Paul and Mortensen. Not to mention SLOMW fans have seen four seasons of the couple interacting, with Mortensen exhibiting his own problematic behavior. Plus, Paul has alleged years of violent abuse at the hands of Mortensen.

It’s important to also consider similar examples of domestic violence we’ve previously seen where the woman is seen as the “aggressor” when she’s the one experiencing a cycle of psychological and physical abuse (see: Amber Heard and Gabby Petito).

Two things can be true. Frankie was absolutely wrong in the leaked video and needs to be held accountable… and the allegations of Mortensen’s abuse need to be taken seriously. Let’s not forget that there are children involved and their safety should be the priority.

In a statement to People magazine shortly after the video was released, a spokesperson for Paul said: “It’s sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child. Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their son’s birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior. Thankfully, the public has seen this act before and knows who he is and sadly, many will recognize this pattern of manipulation, both in his actions on the show, and from their own experiences.”

Later that day, Mortensen released his own statement, telling US Weekly: “As anyone who has seen the video will understand, this is a deeply upsetting situation. I am, unfortunately, used to these baseless claims about me and our relationship, which I categorically deny. I am focusing on our son and his safety, and hope that Taylor will do the same.”

When questioned about this video going public the week of Paul’s Bachelorette premiere, a spokesperson for Mortensen defended him, seemingly denying any involvement with the leak, saying that while Mortensen knew there was a possibility the video could come out, he was not going to be the one to proactively. “He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that.“

There’s obviously nuance here and two things can be true. Frankie was absolutely wrong in the leaked video and needs to be held accountable for her actions, and the allegations of Mortensen’s abuse also need to be taken seriously. But let’s not forget that there are children involved and their safety should be the priority.

**What does this mean for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives?**

Whether or not this recent news has an impact on SLOMW long-term remains to be seen, but it’s definitely impacting the Utah #MomTok community in the immediate present. On Monday, March 19, shortly before news of the investigation into Paul and Mortensen was revealed, reports emerged that filming of Season 5 of the hit series had been put on pause. This was allegedly initiated by fellow cast members, who wanted to halt filming until Paul’s situation was sorted out. In a social media post on March 18, SLOMW cast member Mikalya Matthews addressed the pause, saying: “It was a decision that all of us girls came up with. We didn’t feel comfortable filming with everything that was happening.”

What is Taylor Frankie Paul saying about all of this?

Initially, not much. Shortly after reports of an investigation into the former couple and the news the SLOMW was halting production, Paul appeared on Good Morning America on March 18 to promote her upcoming season of The Bachelorette. When asked about the pause in filming, Paul told GMA it had been “a heavy time to see the headlines.”

After confirmation that her season of The Bachelorette would no longer be airing, a spokesperson for Paul told The Hollywood Reporter, “Taylor is very grateful for ABC’s support as she prioritizes her family’s safety and security. After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm.”

**What should we really be talking about?**

While we undoubtedly should be talking about Mortensen and Paul’s behavior and what is clearly a toxic and extremely harmful relationship, what can’t be overlooked is The Bachelor franchise’s role in all of this. As many people have pointed out online — this messiness is exactly what the franchise was clearly looking for when they tapped Paul to be their lead.

Not only were Paul’s initial domestic violence charges public before she was cast, but her toxic relationship patterns and clear inability to engage in a healthy relationship was as well. And so were her allegations against Mortensen. Since the premiere of SLOMW, Paul has been open about her struggles with mental health; specifically the ways in which her relationship with her birth father, and feelings of abandonment by him, have impacted harmful decision-making in relationships.

Which isn’t to say that anyone who’s had questionable relationship patterns in the past should be disqualified from finding love in the future, but does mean that if that person is still entrenched in toxic behaviour, putting them in an environment where they’re forced to date 30 different men probably isn’t going to help. And that’s probably the point. As writer Kathryn VanArendonk wrote in a piece for Vulture about the controversy, entering her experience on The Bachelorette, Paul was clearly not ready to take part in the experience with “an open heart,” sleeping with ex Mortensen the night before she left for filming the series, as was documented in the Season 4 finale of SLOMW. ABC producers would have known that, and inarguably bet on that adding to ratings — with clearly little care for the impact that would have on Paul and those around her.

As former Bachelorette lead Charity Lawson noted in a TikTok video shortly after the news of an investigation into Paul was revealed, “You would think that’s almost common sense at this point, but we as a society have really normalized enjoying/ridiculing chaos and confusion over essentially prioritizing and celebrating healthy examples of love and what someone who is emotionally available for love should represent.”

And inarguably, leaning into the chaos is what the franchise was doing — because they’ve done it before. Whether intentional or a case of bad screening, The Bachelor and Bachelorette have been known for casting unhealthy, and potentially dangerous, contestants in the past. In 2024, it was revealed that Devin Strader, a contestant and the eventual winner of Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette had a restraining order filed against him in 2017. When The Golden Bachelorette aired later that summer, people online discovered two contestants with restraining orders against them. As Lawson aptly pointed out in her TikTok video, increasingly, it’s becoming clear that the mental health of contestants is being compromised for ratings.

It also shouldn’t be overlooked that ABC stayed silent on the most recent allegations against Paul until the 2023 video was released on March 19. And we seriously have to ask, would that have been the case — or any of this even been a thing — if someone who wasn’t a white woman like Paul had a similar history?

In many ways, this feels like The Bachelorette and ABC bit off more than they were bargaining for — with pretty devastating consequences.

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We’re officially entering wedding season, which means tons of bridal showers, bachelorette trips, weddings, and honeymoons on the horizon. And whether you’re a bride, groom, or member of the bridal party, the annual Skims Wedding Shop is your one-stop shop for bridal dressing.

The Skims Wedding Shop just relaunched today, offering Skims bestsellers like matching pajama sets (perfect for getting ready with bridesmaids) and Fits Everybody underwear (in new bridal colorways) as well as product debuts like sticky bras and invisible string thongs to ensure seamless looks under any dress. The shop also offers a range of mesh and lace lingerie, silky mens’ boxers, cotton robes, and even accessories.

Ahead, shop the Skims new arrivals that are making everything from lounging around the bachelorette Airbnb and bridal suite to unwinding with your partner on the honeymoon a bit more stylish and comfy.

Skims Underwear & Bras

From matching intimates sets and comfy Fits Everybody underwear packs to styling solutions like convertible longline bras and “invisible” thongs, the Skims Wedding Shop has everything you’d need for pre-wedding activities to the actual big day and night of.

Skims Shapewear

Skims is known for its shapewear, so if you’re looking for a bodysuit, slip dress, or shorts to help you feel your best in your wedding gown or bridesmaid dress, peruse the Wedding Shop for Skims’ tried-and-true neutral shades or new bridal white styles.

Skims Pajamas & Robes

When it comes to group bachelorette trips or getting ready the morning of the wedding, it’s a no-brainer to get matching pajama sets for the group. Whether you’re the bride looking to gift Skims pjs to your bridesmaids or a wedding guest looking to gift the bride a new robe, there’s a range of styles in bright-whites and “something blues” to consider.

Skims Lingerie

Amongst the many intimates brands that offer bridal lingerie, Skims has quickly found itself at the top of the list as a fan-favorite. From matching sets and separates (like garter skirts and corsets) to slip dresses and teddy bodysuits, the Skims Wedding Shop offers a ton sensual and sweet designs covered in romantic lace and mesh.

Skims Mens

Skims has extended its mens’ offerings to more than just boxers, but the underwear is certainly the focal point of this new collection. Pick from satiny neutral shade or a baby blue with wedding doves (because why not?!). Theres also a matching set for sprucing up their pajama drawer for special occasions like the wedding and honeymoon.

Skims Accessories

The cherry on top of any bridal look is the accessories. And Skims is here with veils (for bachelorette parties or the wedding afterparty), hair clips and fluffy slippers (for getting ready in the bridal suit), and garters and stockings (that only you and your partner will enjoy).

Shop the full Skims Wedding Shop

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The opening scenes of Bridgerton Season 4 make its intentions clear. The family’s loyal housekeeper, Mrs. Wilson, descends from the polished upstairs rooms, where staff dust pianos and fluff pillows, to the chaotic underbelly of the estate, where cooks, maids, and footmen rush around seasoning raw chicken and discarding dead flowers. The foreshadowing isn’t subtle: this season is about class.

As a student of intersectional feminist theorists like Angela Davis, this both excited and perplexed me. We live in a world in which race and class are interwoven in a societal tapestry, one thread only becoming free if the other is undone simultaneously. And while Bridgerton takes place in a reimagined post-racial representation of Regency England, the historical British Empire shared a similar fabric. As I was watching this season, I kept going back to this question: why is it easier for us to imagine Regency England without racial hierarchy than without class hierarchy?

Bridgerton. (L to R) Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek, Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton in episode 405 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025

The class divide came into sharper focus through the season’s central romance, which follows aristocrat Benedict Bridgerton as he falls in love with his younger sister’s lady’s maid, Sophie Baek. Their romance is in some ways sanctioned, but only as man and mistress rather than man and wife, revealing the limits of social mobility within this fictional world.

But as I watched their fairytale play out, I was also watching two real-life dramas about the peculiar and messy relationship between race, class, and representation unfold. The day before the season premiere, Nicki Minaj joined President Trump on stage at the U.S. Treasury Summit, and the weeks following led to think-pieces and podcasts about her proximity to whiteness through wealth. Weeks after this, FBI Director Kash Patel was filmed partying in the U.S. men’s national hockey team locker room after their gold medal win, followed by scrutiny about the use of tax payer dollars for private jets and spraying champagne.

Until this season, the extravagance has just been a backdrop but now that class has become the focus, the real world implications of the Bridgerton family wealth (and whiteness) is hard to ignore.
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This gave my viewership a new lens and in turn a new question. If the show can reimagine who belongs at the top of systems of power without dismantling those systems themselves, is this fantastical representation of the past actually a glimpse into our future?

Bridgerton’s Post-Racial Fantasy

Bridgerton doesn’t take place in a world where race simply doesn’t exist, but instead one in which the racial integration of nobility occurred decades earlier when Queen Charlotte, a Black woman, and King George, a white man, married. But in Netflix’s prequel series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, the explanation of race comes untethered from its use as a weapon for exploitation. The vast majority of Black people in historical Regency England were valets, footmen, and domestic servants, as these were some of the only options for the formerly enslaved and their children.

In Bridgerton’s fantastical retelling, while there are elements of bigotry and hints at social stratification, even before the “Great Experiment” of integration, people of color could be well off if not noble — and there were enough wealthy POC to fill half the church for the Queen’s wedding with only hours notice. For the most part, racial tension in the Bridgerton Cinematic Universe boils down to simply “one group thinks they’re better than another because they are different looking” and that was solved through a monarch with some melanin.

While that is still how some see race, this analysis is devoid of the economic reasons for which race, and particularly whiteness, exists today.

***Bridgerton*, Empire and the Invisible Foundations of Wealth**

While watching Bridgerton, we are only able to suspend disbelief about race while maintaining the visual opulence that defines the genre because the creation of that wealth relied on a racial hierarchy that happened so far off screen: outside the grand halls, beyond London and England, across oceans and deserts in Asia, Africa and the Americas. In real life, the British Empire’s arms spanned 24% of the globe, pillaging and coercing both raw goods and labor from their colonies. Yes, Bridgerton is a fantasy, but since it’s pulling from real-life historical events (Queen Charlotte may have really been Black), it’s hard not to think of the context in which its characters would exist.

Before Violet Bridgerton carefully oversees the placement of pastries on tiered platters, the sugar dusted on top of them is produced through a brutal plantation economy in the Caribbean. Before Daphne or Francesca visit the modiste for new dresses in which they will make their debut in society, the flowing empire-waist gown traveled through global textile networks stretching from Indian cotton fields. Up until this season, the extravagance has just been a backdrop but now that class has become the focus, the real world implications of the Bridgerton family wealth (and whiteness) is hard to ignore.

And it is for this luxury that whiteness was invented by European imperialists in the first place. At the beginning of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and quest for global domination, they were able to defend their enslavement and exploitation of other human beings because those people were heathens. But as more of the exploited Black and brown populations that upheld European empires converted to Christianity, another reason needed to be formed to justify this abuse. So while Bridgerton may exist in a post-racial world, its chandeliers, pearl necklaces and horse drawn carriages, very much do not. They are the material comforts that allow someone like Benedict Bridgerton to drift through life as an artist and romantic, buffered from the labor that makes such leisure possible.

Why Class Cannot Be Imagined Away

Sophie and Benedict exist at the other end of this system of exploitation. While one side of the violence that generated that wealth often happened far from England’s drawing rooms the other existed inside of them. Unlike colonial exploitation, domestic labor is immediate, visible and intimate. Servants lived inside aristocratic households. They dressed the elite, cooked their meals, and maintained the everyday rituals of wealth.

Bridgerton. Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in episode 406 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025

Benedict Bridgerton, the second oldest Bridgerton son, meets Sophie Baek, the illegitimate child of a nobleman and a maid, two times. They first meet through a Cinderella-esque plotline at a masquerade ball in which Sophie is impersonating nobility, after which Benedict searches for the mysterious lady to no avail. The second time, he finds her outside of a country estate where she is defending her colleague from the harassment of wasted noblemen. In other words, Benedict falls for Sophie twice: once as fantasy, and once as labor. Yet even after meeting the real Sophie, he is hung up on the masked noblewoman. Why? Because the latter fits neatly into the culturally constructed frameworks of caste, while the former exposes the framework itself.

Even when Benedict gestures toward defying convention, he never seriously considers surrendering the privileges that define his place in society. While he doesn’t want Sophie to be a maid, he still wants maids.
trish hosein

After grappling with this, Benedict then makes two attempts at integrating Sophie into his life, first by asking her to be his mistress, and then by proposing a somewhat hidden marriage and life on his country estate. Still, Sophie is ultimately always required to absorb more risk, because, like the Black and brown youth that continue to get sent to fight wars for old rich white men, risk absorption is one of the roles of the lower class.

While for Sophie, discovery of their relationship threatens her livelihood and security, for Benedict the dangers are largely emotional rather than material. And even when he gestures toward defying convention, he never seriously considers surrendering the privileges that define his place in society. While he doesn’t want Sophie to be a maid, he still wants maids. He does not want economic precarity for the woman he loves because to some degree he sees her as an extension of himself. But he does want this insecurity for others because his way of life depends on it. As men of privilege are apt to do, he is not functioning from a mindset of equity but rather exceptionalism. And as a society, we operate similarly.

So while this end of systemic exploitation cannot be pulled at too hard without revealing racial colonialism and thus disrupting a post-racial fantasy, it also cannot be erased on screen as it is part of the aesthetic of affluence that we crave. Because even as a culture that claims to value equality, we are also one of temporarily embarrassed billionaires, a working class that identifies with nobility over servants despite our bank accounts saying otherwise.

It is for this reason that part of our enjoyment in shows like Bridgerton is that we enjoy seeing the wealth inequality of the time.

Because we see ourselves as Bridgertons, not as Baeks.

Bridgerton Holds Up A Cultural Mirror

When we say we want equality, too often we really mean we want equal freedom to exploit. And this is why we are witnessing the rise of multicultural MAGA with people like Nicki Minaj and Kash Patel. On the surface, it may not be immediately clear how this connects to a show like Bridgerton. But think of it this way: the show presents a world in which Black and brown people are represented at the top of society, yet the systems that produce wealth and maintain hierarchy remain untouched. Kathani “Kate” Bridgerton, née Sharma, hails from India — a country whose labor, taxes, and resources fueled the grandeur of the British Empire, from cotton and spice plantations to the looted sapphires that decorated aristocratic wardrobes. What does it mean to celebrate an Indian character joining the nobility of the largest empire on earth while the real historical wealth a family like hers would have enjoyed also would have forced her countrymen into poverty? Similarly, Minaj and Patel operate within powerful cultural and political systems. They are visible, celebrated, and sometimes emulated, but their prominence does not challenge the structures that allow exploitation to persist.

Bridgerton. (L to R) Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich in episode 406 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025

Their prominence demonstrates how racialized figures can be welcomed into proximity with power so long as they endorse the system that produces it. Whiteness, after all, has never been a fixed biological category so much as a flexible political one, expanding and contracting to accommodate those who can help stabilize existing hierarchies. Wealth and status may not grant full entry into that category, but they can bring someone close enough to benefit from its protections.

Take Minaj, a Trinidadian immigrant in the U.S. with lyrics ranging from “I’m a Republican, voting for Mitt Romney” in 2013’s Mercy to “Island girl, Donald Trump want me go home” in her 2018 song Black Barbies. For most of her long career she has kept her political views opaque, leaving her ability to play both sides open. That changed when her shift to the right was solidified at Turning Point U.S.A. AmericaFest conference last year, where she regurgitated right wing talking points, no doubt for a large sum of cash but likely more so for winning favor of the fascist regime in power.

Representation is important. In fact, Bridgerton’s ability to lull me into a sweet dream in which women of color are so vibrantly represented has, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, healed parts of my younger self.
trish hosein

Similarly, Kash Patel has risen to prominence within the conservative movement as one of its most loyal and aggressive defenders. As an Indian American figure operating at the highest levels of a political project that has often trafficked in nativist rhetoric, Patel embodies a similar paradox: his presence signals diversity while the policies he champions reinforce systems that disproportionately harm racialized communities.

These are two people of color who used representation to their advantage only to support the anti-DEI platforms of the Trump administration. Patel, for example, participated in the American Bar Association’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program at Pace University in 2003, a diversity initiative aimed at underrepresented groups in law. Minaj, meanwhile, undoubtedly rose to fame through her lyrical talent and musical versatility, but also by utilizing the aesthetics of Black beauty culture through her fashion, style, and persona to dominate cultural space. Yet in a recent interview with Erika Kirk she framed the growing celebration of Black beauty as unfair to white women, suggesting it amounted to a kind of reverse discrimination rather than progress toward racial equity. In doing so, she transformed representation into both personal power and political leverage, without challenging the systems that produce inequality.

This is not to say that representation is not important. In fact, Bridgerton’s ability to lull me into a sweet dream in which women of color are so vibrantly represented has, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, healed parts of my younger self. As a child of the ’90s, who, like Minaj, immigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad, I saw few reflections of myself in the media. Being of South Asian, East Asian and West African descent, I found kinship in all the Black and brown characters I saw on screen, most of which were not usually the main characters, but instead their sidekicks. It was from this that I too learned to be a sidekick to the blonde girls in the schoolyard, the Miranda Sanchez to the Lizzie McGuires, to shrink in my own life in order to fill a role that was written for me. Part of my deconstruction of racial hierarchy has been in an effort to deprogram that learned part of myself, too. Seeing women like Yerin Ha (Sophie Baek), Simone Ashley (Kate Bridgerton) and India Amarteifio (young Queen Charlotte) as lead love interests in these series, and Golda Rosheuvel (Queen Charlotte) and Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury) reach the highest levels of influence in its world, is something I wish I had as a child.

But for those of us who have longed to be represented, it can also be a blind spot. Representation can play a pivotal role in helping marginalized people see ourselves in roles of greater agency, notoriety and freedom. It can help us dream. But if we don’t utilize the power it bolsters us to achieve to challenge the systems that oppress us in the first place, then it actually becomes a tool for the oppressor. We are living in a time of greater wealth inequality than the Gilded Age, and representation alone does little to address the living conditions of racialized people within the United States, and certainly not much for those outside of the U.S. Empire.

Similar to how we can ignore the off screen realities of Regency England in order to accept the post-racial premise, we are still able to ignore the exploitation occurring in the very same regions that make our comforts possible today. We can look away from the Cambodian sweatshops in which our fast fashion is made, and the Chilean clothing deserts to which they will end up, but, like the Bridgerton staff, it’s harder to divert our eyes from the shift workers at our local Big Box store who are unable to afford healthcare and whose employers find every loophole not to give it to them. We see the less viscerally cruel end of this system, while the more vicious side stays out of sight, easing our continued participation in it.

Is Bridgerton Giving Us A Glimpse Into Our Future?

So while Bridgerton is a fictional representation of the past, maybe it is actually an accurate depiction of our current and our future, one in which people of color are both represented and continue to be exploited. In which celebrities like Minaj speak loudly in white supremacist spaces but don’t utter a word on behalf of the Trinidadian fishermen extrajudicially bombed by the U.S. as part of a greater ploy for Venezuelan oil. Where Kash Patel is probably shotgunning a beer somewhere with Logan Paul while women in India watch hundreds of hours of violent imagery in order to train AI so we don’t have to.

Bridgerton. Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich in episode 405 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2025

The Bridgertons ultimately decide to do something similar: circumvent social rules rather than dismantling them. Though Mrs. Mondrich, new lady in waiting to the Queen, makes a passionate plea for Her Highness to accept Sophie as Benedict’s betrothed even though she is of the lower classes, Bridgerton matriarch Violet has another plan. She blackmails Sophie’s stepmother, Lady Araminta, into falsely testifying that Sophie is nobility, and thus gaining the Queen’s approval. In this way, the Bridgertons make no real sacrifice to their social standing, and Sophie is now forced to live a lie. And while an unsatisfying resolution, I realize now that there was no other way the story could have ended. The class barriers in Bridgerton cannot be destroyed without destroying the show itself.

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“March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb” might have been about the weather forecast, but it could just as easily describe what’s happening in fragrance right now. With the official start of spring nigh (March 20, for those counting down the last grey days of winter), it seems we're shelving the heavy, cloying gourmands for scents that skew a touch lighter.

As your resident perfume obsessives, we've been keeping tabs on it all. Think surprise drops hitting our social feeds and collabs that just make sense (Floral Street x Bridgerton? Yes please). We're seeing an uptick in scents that convey rebirth and romance; think juicy strawberry, cozy vanilla, and even solar smells that hint to summer to come.

But it's not exactly soft girl spring. There are new arrivals from storied perfumers like Penhaligon's and Maison Francis Kurkdijan featuring grounding, woody notes like oud and palo santo — fragrance’s version of a subtle smoky eye. Ahead, discover March’s latest perfume drops ranging from fruity body mists to new interpretations of iconic favorites, whatever your taste or budget.

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.

Tom Ford Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum

Tom Ford’s latest olfactive masterpiece takes inspiration from the scenic cliffs of Taormina in Sicily. Fresh, citrusy notes of green mandarin, Sicilian blood orange, and lime meet floral orange blossom petals and spicy cardamom for a sensual, sweet duality. Tom Ford colognes is notoriously long-lasting, and the dry down reveals a woody base of earthy oakmoss, patchouli, and oceanic, skin-like musk.

**Tom Ford** Taormina Orange Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora

Chanel N°5 Eau de Toilette Spray

Chanel No. 5 has been reimagined for a new generation of fragrance lovers. Introducing: No. 5 Eau de Toilette. The fashion house describes it as a “modern, abstract floral composition,” built around lush rose, creamy jasmine, and beachy ylang-ylang. Yet the signature soapy aldehydes, greener sandalwood, and fizzy, sherbety vetiver keep it feeling lighter — and so right for 2026.

**Chanel** N°5 Eau de Toilette Spray, $, available at Ulta Beauty

Christian Louboutin Lavande Fétiche Eau de Parfum

Lavender can go from zero to matronly deceptively quick, but there’s nothing old-fashioned about Christian Louboutin’s new Lavande Fétiche. Powdery lavender clashes with smoky leather to create the ultimate juxtaposition that defies traditional feminine and masculine scent cues. Early fans liken the juice to “a sweet cigar,” or incense, and several have called out the impressive longevity: “One or two sprays will last you at least eight hours and will leave a scent trail behind,” writes one reviewer.

**Christian Louboutin** Lavande Fétiche Eau de Parfum, $, available at Nordstrom

Jean Paul Gaultier Divine Couture Eau de Parfum

The latest interpretation of Jean Paul Gaultier’s iconic Couture range comes in the form of Divine Couture, a fruity floral scent with delectable, dessert-like notes of raspberry and sugary meringue. The addition of golden benzoin (a tree-derived resin with candied notes of caramel or vanilla) further leans into the gourmand profile, for a warm, juicy scent that’s utterly irresistible.

**Jean Paul Gaultier** Divine Couture Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora

Ellis Brooklyn ISLA SIRENA Eau de Parfum

If *The White Lotus* were a perfume, it would be Ellis Brooklyn’s Isla Sirena. Tropical, resort-inspired notes of sweet coconut water, buttery papaya, and zesty lime meet decadent gourmand notes of brown sugar and Blue Java banana (also known as the “ice cream banana,” for its naturally sweet, custard-like flavor profile) for the ultimate vacation-in-a-bottle scent experience.

**Ellis Brooklyn** ISLA SIRENA Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora

Dedcool Mineral Milk Fragrance

Oceanic notes are quickly emerging as a breakout trend this spring, and Dedcool’s new Mineral Milk combines it with another powerhouse fragrance category: Milk scents. Top notes of warm golden nectar and juicy passionfruit meet middle notes of fragrant lavender and salty ocean air, and a base of warm amber milk, woody cedar, and sandalwood for a comforting, nature-inspired scent that’s as cozy as a scenic stroll along the Pacific coastline.

**DedCool** Mineral Milk Fragrance, $, available at Dedcool

Kayali Eden Sweet Peach 35 Eau de Parfum

R29’s beauty director, Jacqueline Kilikita, has been looking forward to this launch for months — and says that if you like Phlur’s Peach Skin (an equally sweet yet spicy peach), you’ll absolutely adore this. The peach is ripe and syrupy, but it’s offset by earthy oakmoss, warm amber woods and rich praline, which lend it a more grown-up edge. It's not your typical fruit-forward scent that disappears quickly. As with all Kayali fragrances, you can expect this one to last well into the evening, thanks to clean, skin-like musk and warm woods that linger and grow cozier as the day goes on.

**Kayali** EDEN SWEET PEACH | 35 Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora

Kayali Eden Plush Pear 23 Eau de Parfum

It’s the orange blossom that first caught our beauty director’s attention, but the crisp pear really sealed the deal. This is one of the sexier fruit-forward fragrances out there, thanks to creamy sandalwood, musky cashmere woods, and vanilla caviar. It’s not actual caviar, of course, but the tiny seeds scraped from inside a vanilla pod — which makes for one of the most potent and comforting vanilla notes around right now. Airy freesia and milky lily of the valley add a fresher lift, keeping things from tipping too saccharine.

**Kayali** EDEN PLUSH PEAR | 23 Eau de Parfum, $, available at Sephora

Moroccanoil Lumière du Jour Eau de Parfum

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking — no, but *actually*. Moroccanoil's sophomore fine fragrance combines effervescent jasmine, and heady tuberose with Mediterranean-inspired green notes of lush fig leaf and juniper for a balanced, fresh take on a traditional white floral perfume. A base of soft blonde woods, amber, and musk add an element of sensuality that lingers on skin long after spritzing.

**Moroccanoil** Lumière du Jour Eau de Parfum, $, available at Moroccanoil

Fable & Mane Hair & Body Fragrance Mist Kerala Coconut 3/24
Any fragrance that evokes beach days gets our vote — including this brand-new hair and skin mist from Fable & Mane. Ripe, floral papaya, creamy vanilla, and quenching coconut water lend it a sunscreen-esque quality that we’re not mad about. Anything that calls to mind brighter, carefree days has our approval. Spritz it through your lengths and onto your skin to conjure those memories.

DKNY Be Delicious Latte Pistachio
DKNY’s Be Delicious dynasty has welcomed a handful of new additions, including Be Delicious Latte Matcha and Be Delicious Latte Vanilla, but none have piqued our interest quite like Be Delicious Latte Pistachio. It’s the fragrance equivalent of an affogato, with notes of café latte, vanilla and, of course, toasted pistachio — the latter lending a subtle smoky depth. While it sounds rich and indulgent, zesty bergamot and Seville orange cut through the sweetness, making it effortlessly wearable — and compliment-worthy.