This week we're diving into Amaarae’s newest release, the power of a red Lip, styling our favorite Leo musicians, and more!  ☆

By: Kaley C.

GET READY TO DANCE, SEX, SWEAT!

Afro beats star Amaarae dropped her sophomore album “BLACK STAR” over the weekend and we’re so here for it!

Her newest project is fun, experimental, clubby, and will definitely make you want to dance with features from PinkPantheress, Charlie Wilson, Bree Runway, and Naomi Campbell!

The album truly captures that feeling of dancing your heart out in the dark with strangers, the sweat cooling on your skin as the bass thunders through your chest.Just think if Charli XCX and Tyla had a baby, it would definitely be her!

My top picks so far are “ms60” (reminds me of “365”) and “Kiss Me Thru The Phone pt 2” - I love PinkPantheress and their cute little chipmunk voices together!

“BLACK STAR” is all about going back to your roots and celebrating who you are, and being unapologetic about it. “I’m taking my culture and I’m synthesizing it in a way that feels unique and fresh to me… I wanted to take a genre that needs to go back home to its roots and merge that with my African roots and hip-hop and create a new world,” (via Rolling Stone)

In conclusion, new Amaarae just dropped one of the hottest albums of the year and it’s time for everyone to get sexy NOW!!!

1) CLAIRO

After releasing her new album “Charm,” Clairo’s style began to lean towards a feminine style with a vintage Her Instagram posts showed her wearing laces and polka dots

Dainty, cute dresses, kitten heels, and flats were commonly worn by her on tour for the album

“Charm’s” usage of animal imagery became a part of her aesthetic as well

2) CHARLI XCX

Her party girl vibe and label had been confirmed even before her album “Brat” began topping charts Charli is rarely spotted without a pair of sunnies or some heeled boots

Every outfit she is seen is, whether it’s on tour or out and about, gives off the impression that she is about to spend a night clubbing

3) GLORILLA

GloRilla’s music is bold and confident which is an accurate description of her style

She is known to wear tight fitting dresses or tops that accentuate her body

Fabrics include stretchy mesh and cotton jersey A jewelry stacker especially with pieces including rhinestones

Almost always wearing a statement shoulder bag and heels

4) LIL UZI VERT

Lil Uzi’s outfits emphasizes their free spirit personality with some “scene” influences

This is clear to see with their accessories including studded belts and spiked jewelry

Their outfits consists of fur and eclectic graphics They are know for their style exploration while

discovering their gender identity

Uzi strays from trends and societal boxes

I’m sure you’ve seen them. You know, those Vibram shoes. According to Lyst’s Q2 2025 Hottest items list, which reflects what people are searching, saving, and buying, Vibram’s V Soul Flats shoes come in at number five - other items include The Row Dune Sandals, Adidas Adicolor Classics Sprinter Shorts and Miu Miu Suede Loafers. There have been varying explanations as to why they have made such an impact. Perhaps they are an extension of the ugly-feet obsession, a trend that seemed to start with the Tabis. Whether you “get it” or not, they have made an impression. It’s funny, I distinctly remember my dad owning a pair years ago. And (at the risk of revealing I may not actually “get it”) I was horrified. Needless to say, I’m not not a fan, but I do appreciate them. However, they have got me thinking: how else can we express boldness in our fashion choices during the summer months? With what feels like less opportunity. to layer multiple layers of clothing and textures during the summer months, I think there are three categories worth exploring: nails, teeth, and feet.

Nails

As a recovering chronic nail-biter, I’ve always had an interesting relationship with my nails. They have moved from snack, to source of shame, to a reflection of self-investment.

Nails and nail art have been a long-standing form of self-expression. I won’t give you a full history here, but let’s time jump:

What seems to have persisted from the 1980s to now is that anything nail adjacent - be it art, care, or maintenance, like makeup, acts as a marker of self care. Both have the power to boost confidence and self esteem, given that they are both rooted in the intentional act of choosing to care for yourself. Fortunately, nails today are no longer bound by gender. Long or short, intricate designs or single colors, they’ve become both a source of comfort and an avenue for self-expression, and ultimately a great way to express a different side to your personality during the summer.

Teeth

Teeth seem to have become “a thing” again. There was a time when I can admit I took mine for granted - I won’t reveal just how much here - but in the past few years, teeth have re-emerged as a point of conversation. Whether it is talk of naturally good teeth, suspiciously perfect teeth (veneers), or the idea of “British teeth”, there is a renewed awareness of their importance. Writer Tori Crower attributes this revival partly to the “Zoom boom”, that dark pandemic period when constant video calls made everyone ‘zoom’ in (i had to, sorry) on small details about their appearance, sparking a new market of insecurities. Now, it seems we are in the midst of a second wave: a recognition of teeth not just as a health marker, but as a new type of accessory

Like nails, tooth jewelry has a long history. In fact, the use of tooth gems can be traced back to the Mayan and Aztec civilisations, where stones such as jadeite and quartz were used for both cosmetic and spiritual reasons. In the latter case, gemstone tooth inlays were believed to symbolically connect the wearer to their deities and the forces of nature, subsequently enhancing spiritual responsibility. Interestingly, despite common misconceptions, tooth jewelry at the time was not exclusive to the traditional elite classes, with many people opting for tooth jewelry.

Today, tooth jewelry - whether you are talking about tooth gems or grills - feel like a year round accessory, though they feel especially suited for summer. While grills are often seen as the bolder choice, due to their size, price point and hip hop lineage, both grills and tooth gems offer a way to add a bit of personality to your smile.

Feet

Finally, onto feet: “candy for the eyes, poetry for the feet, icing on your soul,” as described so eloquently by Mimi Pond in 1985. Shoes are arguably one of the most traditional forms of self-expression, with the prominence of footwear being written about and explored time and time again. Shoes carry their own stories - scuffed and well worn in shoes can reveal the places you have travelled or the trust you place in said pair.

Russell Belk, a consumer behaviorist, writes that shoes are not only an extension of the self (an indication of taste, preference, etc) but also a repository of meaning in our lives. How seriously you take that idea is up to you, however from your dependable “everyday” pair to your slightly unconventional “fun shoes”, can reveal the depths of your sole and personality (again, sorry for the horrible pun).

As I mentioned at the start, Vibram shoes have recently gained popularity, thanks to their bold shape and unconventional design. Whether you are a sneaker-head, a heels obsessive, or somewhere in between, your shoes also speak to your purchasing power - and if you have the luxury, why not go bold?

For some, summer is a time when the rules are made to be broken. The days feel longer, the possibilities seem endless - and, for the purpose of this article, the old advice to “keep it simple for summer” doesn’t apply. So, go forth and embrace whatever you deem to be bold!

It is worth noting that many of the examples of “boldness” mentioned here lean toward the higher end of the price scale. Take the Vibram shoes I mentioned at the start, although prices vary, they can easily exceed £100. This was not intentional, but it does point to a broader conversation about the barriers to entry for certain trends and how they can function as social signifiers - however, that is a conversation for another day.

The point of this piece is not to tell you to buy Tabis or get grills, but to show that there are countless ways to express boldness in your style. For you, going bold with nails might mean simply painting them red rather than getting intricate acrylics. Ultimately, there are endless ways to show personality during the summer. Your hands are (likely) the first thing you see in the morning. Your shoes are the last thing you check before leaving the house... so why not make those choices loud?

There’s a ritual to it.
You’re tired, a little teary-eyed. A breakdown ticking like a bomb, a smile hiding a barely-there sense of control.

Everyone disappears, the noise quiets, and time turns to a stop as your hand reaches into your bag and your fingers wrap around your red lipstick — bold, matte, and a little chapped at the edges.

You do what you do best: a master artist creating her masterpiece.
You swipe it on. And just like that, something shifts.

Because a red lip doesn’t judge you.
It doesn’t ask too many questions.
It just shows up for you — loud, proud, and pulled together — even when you won’t.

More Than Makeup

Throughout history, the red lip has rarely been just cosmetic.
In 1912, suffragettes marched through New York in protest, wearing crimson lips as a symbol of defiance. During World War II, it was considered patriotic — women were encouraged to wear red to boost morale.

It has never been subtle. That’s the point.
From the taint of crushed gemstones and carmine beetles in Ancient BCE, to today’s carefully curated combos for channeling inner strength and control — the red lip is legacy.

Where gloss whispers, the red lip declares.
Where bare lips blend in, the red lip arrives.

And for women — especially Black and brown women — who are often told to shrink, soften, or stay small, red is resistance. Red is performance. Red is power.

Why It Still Matters

Because sometimes, putting on a red combo is the most control we get to have in the chaos.
Because there’s something sacred in choosing to show up — glossy, gorgeous, and grieving.

Even if you’re about to fail that test, miss that ride, or text your ex again,
you can still do it in red.

A red lip doesn’t fix everything,
but it gives you something to wear when everything feels out of your control.

So, wear it.
Even if your voice shakes.
Even if your heart is anxious.
Especially then.

Because you, babe, are a walking revolution.
And the red lip?
It’s your war paint.