Tag: Fashion

Believe it or not, it’s been 20 years since Who What Wear came to be, and we have a lot to show for it, especially in the arena of celebrity style. Whether you’ve been a reader of ours for years or weeks, you know that we have our finger on the pulse of what celebrities are wearing at any given moment. Over the past two decades, we’ve covered countless celebrity looks on the red carpet and off, but there are a select few that truly stand out for being the most influential and dictating what’s cool, wordlessly deciding which trends will take off, and sometimes even launching their own brands or collaborations.

In celebration of Who What Wear’s 20th anniversary, we invite you to peruse our list of the 20 multitalented celebrities who have defined the past 20 years. These actors, musicians, supermodels, and multi-hyphenates have had numerous memorable style moments over the years and, in many ways, shaped what people around the world wear. We can’t wait to see how their style evolves over the next two decades.

Rihanna

Risk-taking, bold, experimental—they’re all words that sum up Rihanna’s style. There’s a theatrical element that we expect from celebrities—especially musicians—and no one fills that expectation better than Rihanna. She’s the unofficial queen of the Met Gala, always arriving on the red carpet at the eleventh hour wearing the most dramatic, high-fashion look of the night. In the late 2010s, Rihanna started Fenty Beauty, along with a fashion arm of the brand, proving that the entrepreneur is as influential off the stage as she is on.

Shop Rihanna’s Style

Hailey Bieber

It’s safe to say that Hailey Bieber can turn anything she wears into an It item in an instant and can make any trend she endorses go viral overnight. She’s touched many brands over the years, routinely proving that she can sell anything. From creating a $1 billion beauty brand in Rhode to collaborating with or serving as an ambassador to brands such as Miu Miu, Gap, Saint Laurent, Wardrobe.NYC, and Mango, her influence in the modern-day fashion world is apparent. Not only that, but also she’s one of the most-covered celebrities of modern-day Who What Wear.

Shop Hailey Bieber’s Style

Jennifer Lopez

If we had to sum up Jennifer Lopez’s style in one word, it would be glamorous—both on the red carpet and off. Fur coats, sky-high heels, statement-making designer bags, body-con pieces, and dramatic eyewear are some of her trademarks. Even when wearing leggings and sneakers or Ugg boots for casual outings, she turns heads. It’s easy to see how much she loves fashion and that she enjoys getting dressed for every occasion, which is inspiring to say the least.

Shop Jennifer Lopez’s Style

A$AP Rocky

Avant-garde, dapper, and retro is how we’d describe A$AP Rocky’s present-day style. His aesthetic has evolved over the years, becoming more tailored, but he still seamlessly incorporates elements of the streetwear-inspired looks he primarily favored a decade ago. His fearless, gender-fluid style has made him the celebrity every brand wants to work with and every fashion-minded guy wants to dress like.

Shop A$AP Rocky’s Style

Jennifer Lawrence

We know an It girl when we see one. We’re proud to say that Jennifer Lawrence was the subject of Who What Wear’s very first editorial shoot in 2010 and equally proud to see the street style icon she’s become. She’s regularly spotted on the streets of downtown NYC wearing chic off-duty looks that are trend-forward in the most laid-back of ways. In every season, she uses color and playful accessories to add personality to her looks. Her red carpet looks are elegant yet cool and unexpected.

Shop Jennifer Lawrence’s Style

Dua Lipa

Fans of Dua Lipa admire her as much for her style as they do her music. She’s the fashion person’s fashion girl. Everything she wears is breathlessly discussed across the internet and launches one trend after another. Like a true pop star, she never shies away from attention-grabbing, trendy looks. Not only that, but you know you’re an A-list fashion icon of our time when Matthieu Blazy designs an embellished, feather-dusted wedding dress for you.

Shop Dua Lipa’s Style

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung’s whimsical, eclectic style has been making us all want to dress like a cool British girl such as herself for years. She was wearing baby-doll dresses with ballet flats and trench coats long before everyone else was. Chung has always stayed true to her signature style while still evolving to embrace current trends. The first of her wildly popular collections with Madewell launched way back in 2010 and was resurrected 15 years later to equal fervor.

Shop Alexa Chung’s Style

Sarah Jessica Parker

From the day Sex and the City premiered, Sarah Jessica Parker became a fashion icon. What’s interesting is that she’s equally admired for her personal style as that of Carrie Bradshaw, the fashion-obsessed writer she portrayed for so many years. Both Parker and Bradshaw made the Fendi Baguette the designer It bag of the early 2000s (which Fendi has recently reissued), and they turned Manolo into a household name. Parker’s quirky, high-fashion outfits may not be all that accessible, but she showed people how to express themselves via fashion and that it should ultimately be fun.

Shop Sarah Jessica Parker’s Style

Zendaya

There’s no press tour like a Zendaya press tour. With the help of Law Roach, her looks for each are on-theme for the project she’s promoting but not in a costumey way. Her looks for Challengers were tennis- (or tennis ball–) inspired; for The Drama, subtly bridal-inspired; and for The Odyssey, they channeled the Greek goddess Athena, whom she portrayed in the film. Method dressing, if you will. Her off-duty style is far more casual, but not without an avant-garde It item here and there.

Shop Zendaya’s Style

Bella Hadid

One day Bella Hadid is wearing a custom Schiaparelli Haute Couture sheer gown on the red carpet at Cannes; the next she’s wearing a cowboy hat and low-rise flared jeans, and she looks equally comfortable in both opposite-ends-of-the-spectrum looks. A true supermodel, she’s a chameleon on and off the runway. Her outfits regularly include vintage and archival pieces that delight fashion followers.

Shop Bella Hadid’s Style

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen haven’t taken the most linear of career paths, but in one way or another, they’ve been shaping our style for years. While we may not get as many sightings of the duo as we used to, their influence is ever present. The Row, with its signature minimalist aesthetic, has become one of the most sought-after brands in the industry, constantly shaping what people wear and what other brands design.

Shop Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s Style

Beyoncé

There are celebrities, and then there’s Beyoncé. No one shuts down a Grammys red carpet like her or elicits as much buzz at the Met Gala. Also known as Queen Bey, she has a regal wardrobe to match her nickname. She’s given us countless eras throughout the years, and her most recent, the Cowboy Carter era, can largely be credited for the rise in popularity of all things Western in recent years. It’s just one example of her vast influence.

Shop Beyoncé’s Style

Zoë Kravitz

Simply put, Zoë Kravitz is the ultimate cool girl. Over the years, her looks have become more minimalist (thanks in part to her go-to brand, The Row) but never without a hint of the edge she’s long been known for. For events and the red carpet, she’s a Saint Laurent devotee (and a longtime face of the brand) and routinely proves how interesting an all-black outfit can be. It’s safe to say that if we get a glimpse of her wedding dress for her eventual nuptials to fiancé Harry Styles, it’ll influence bridal looks for years to come.

Shop Zoë Kravitz’s Style

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner’s face is one you’ve seen often on Who What Wear over the years, as pretty much every outfit she’s photographed in is quickly posted about. Of the influential celebrities on this list, her style is one of the most evolved. In the earlier days of her career, her looks were trendier and bolder than they are today. Fast-forward to post-2020, and she’s embraced more of an elegant, luxurious aesthetic, made up of pieces from her go-to brands such as The Row, Toteme, and Khaite.

Shop Kendall Jenner’s Style

Kate Moss

The influence of ’90s supermodels continues to have a hold on what we wear, and no one exemplifies that better than Kate Moss. As you may recall, her collaboration with Topshop circa 2007 created a shopping frenzy that went on for many years, and none of us will forget her iconic Calvin Klein ads. Her outfits from decades ago are still as relevant as they were then, and she continues to inspire with her present-day looks, which include a mix of styles from decades past and the trends of today. No one can make a pair of skinny jeans, boots, and a flowy blouse look cooler.

Shop Kate Moss’s Style

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie has been a Who What Wear girl in every way from the day we launched. (Fun fact: She even filmed an episode of her reality show Candidly Nicole at our office.) With her ruffled dresses, denim miniskirts, floppy hats, oversize ’70s sunglasses, and low-rise jeans, she deserves much credit for making the boho look a thing. Her current look is more sophisticated and elegant, but it’s not without her signature effortless, carefree vibe.

Shop Nicole Richie’s Style

Harry Styles

Harry Styles may not be completely responsible for making quirky menswear cool, but he’s certainly played a significant part. His gender-bending on-stage and red carpet looks have a permanent place in the minds of many of us, and his off-duty outfits, which regularly include handbags, neck scarves, short shorts, workwear jackets, and retro sneakers, have followers of his style thinking outside the box more than ever.

Shop Harry Styles’s Style

Kim Kardashian

It goes without saying that Kim Kardashian has had countless memorable style moments over the years. She favors avant-garde pieces and formfitting silhouettes, the latter of which led to the formation of her wildly popular brand, Skims. Aside from that, we’d be remiss not to mention that she famously wore Marilyn Monroe’s most iconic dress to the 2022 Met Gala, in a move that’s likely to go down in Met Gala history.

Shop Kim Kardashian’s Style

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller was a boho-style icon in 2006, and she continues to have that distinction in 2026. That said, she has a more polished approach now—one that never feels dated. If Miller wore skinny jeans and Chloé Susanna Boots, we all wanted to wear the same. Her red carpet style since she rose to fame has always been cool, a bit quirky, and never boring. Over the years, she’s worn flapper dresses, romantic ruffles, sheer empire-waist silhouettes, crochet, tie-dye, feathers, and sequins, always standing out among a sea of LBDs at any event she’s attended.

Shop Sienna Miller’s Style

For fashion and beauty lovers, September is basically New Year’s. Rife with fresh, “back to school” energy, it represents a special shift: vibrant nail colors make way for moody polishes, breezy linens step aside for cozy fabrics, and dewy, glossy finishes hand off their crown to diffused, soft-matte textures. Concerning the latter, it’s not uncommon to complete a fall-inspired audit for your makeup bag and focus on velvety, autumnal heroes—and that, dear readers, is where Dior comes in. The house recently debuted a new addition to its Rouge Dior On Stage collection, one that’s so gorgeously fall-coded that I think it may usurp the popularity of its viral Lip Glow Oil. There, I said it.

Introducing the Rouge Dior On Stage Ink, a liquid lipstick with a beautifully blurred finish, buildable color, and 24-hour wear. With a combination of gel pigments and blurring polymers (plus, ahem, Jenna Ortega as the face), it lends a soft, diffused finish that doesn’t sacrifice comfort. It actually stays malleable all day, despite the no-budge technology, and the formula is intentionally thin, so you can layer it endlessly without any fear of cakiness. That fine, made-to-layer application is directly inspired by Korean beauty techniques, Peter Philips, Creative and Image Director of Dior Makeup, shares during a brand preview, which hinge on “very sophisticated, very delicate applications.”

“[K-beauty] mastered that technique, which now is a worldwide recognized lip style,” he adds. “This formula lends itself in a very easy way to get that makeup result. You can do a soft [application] all over, let it set for a second, and then go a little bit deeper in the center of your lips and have this beautiful degradation, like a soft-stained blurring effect.” Dior Beauty is already quite buzzy in the Korean market, says Philips (“The Oil is very popular,” he adds), so he expects this new formula to make just as big of a global splash. And because it’s blurring—not matte, there’s a difference!—it melts into your foundation effortlessly, resulting in a fluffy halo of pigment that looks like your lip color naturally extends from the lip line.

I can personally attest to that smoothness; while most soft-matte formulas leave my lips screaming for moisture, this one is so thin that I honestly forget it’s even on. I’ll apply the doe foot directly on the center of my bottom lip, then swipe it with my fingertip until the entire surface is coated in a soft wash of color. Just that one dab is truly all I need for an effortless, everyday blur, but I will sometimes opt for another round or two to increase the intensity and eschew all other makeup—the perfect French-girl beat. Rosewood Star (a deep, pinky-brown) has been my staple du jour, especially as fall rolls around, but even bolder shades (like the brand’s legendary 999) don’t feel as intimidating with this easy, foolproof application.

“I do like the effect of a classic, matte red lipstick, and 999 is one of the most iconic reds around,” Philips adds. “So I do love my 999.” That said, you really can’t go wrong with any of the elegant shades, which you can snag by scrolling ahead. Your romantic fall makeup routine awaits.

Shop Dior Rouge Dior On Stage Ink

Welcome to 10 Things to Buy, a monthly shopping list that helps you shop smarter by focusing on the 10 key items to add to your cart that month if your wardrobe is in need of a boost. As a Who What Wear editor for the past 12 years, I’ve spent many hours advising people on what to shop for during any given season, so you’re in good hands. Whether you’re shopping for cold weather, warm weather, a vacation, or a wedding, I’m here to offer up the most seasonally appropriate suggestions. Be sure to return at the start of each month for more.

Something about me: I certainly don’t hate trends. In fact, I love them, but what I do hate is investing in things that feel overplayed and stale a year later. This is exactly what I used to guide my selections of the top ten things to buy this September. The items highlighted below will make your outfits look fresh (and like you’re in the know when it comes to fashion), but not like you’re simply buying the most obvious trends that you see everyone else wearing.

So, without further ado, scroll to shop the ten chic items that I recommend adding to your wardrobe this month, none of which will make you look overly trendy or dated.

Brown Jeans

Colored jeans may be a bit off-putting to someone who is trend-averse, but trust me—brown jeans are low-key and wearable; classic, but very 2026.

Two-Tone Shoes

Matthieu Blazy made us all re-fall in love with two-tone shoes. Now a slew of other brands are adding cool versions of the timeless style to their fall collections, following in Chanel’s footsteps (no pun intended).

Rollneck Sweaters

J.Crew singlehandedly made us all want to wear a vintage-y rollneck sweater, and I consider it to be the perfect casual, cozy way to make your outfits look up-to-date right now.

Eel-Effect Accessories

We’ll always love croc embossing but the new elegant accessory trend people are swapping it for is eel effect. If your all outfit priority is looking expensive, eel effect is an easy way to do it.

Chartreuse

One of the easiest ways to avoid looking dated each season is to wear a fresh color trend. A favorite for fall is chartreuse, which makes a big impact even in small doses.

’90s Minimalism Dress

If you’re not into trends, seeking out dresses characterized by ’90s simplicity is a smart way to think. You’ll look chic and polished in your dress of choice.

Peplum Jacket

Jacket season is upon us, and the most flattering style you can buy this year is a peplum one—hands down. It elevates even the simplest jeans outfits in an instant.

Crewneck Long-Sleeve Tee

When in doubt this fall, wear a long-sleeve T-shirt, exactly like Kendall Jenner just did, with a pair of high-waisted jeans. She’s just one of the many It girls who love this highly versatile .wardrobe essential

Calf Hair Bag

One of the chicest, subtlest bag trends for fall is calf hair. The texture makes any bag style look chic and interesting.

Striped Button-Down

There’s nothing groundbreaking about a striped button-down shirt, but they feel especially fresh right now, and can look quite luxurious when incorporated into a layered fall outfit.

Hailey Bieber’s skin and makeup routines are chock-full of Rhode staples (well, duh) but the beauty mogul isn’t afraid to give other brands their flowers. Case in point? She praises Kosas’s brightening concealer and Kylie Cosmetics’s soft-mauve lip liner. Whenever she does drop these pearls of information, I can’t help but take note—and add said product swiftly to my cart. After all, the products she puts her stamp of approval on tend to sell out. In seconds.

So when Bieber posted an Instagram Story of her “summer musts” consisting of not one but two unaffiliated bodycare staples? You better believe I dropped everything to share the news. Scroll ahead to shop the exact items she swears by.

First up, we have this firming body lotion from Gente. Eagle-eyed fans will know this isn’t the first time she’s endorsed the Brazilian-inspired body care brand, as she previously praised its Lymphatic Drainage Oil. (“Obsessed with lymphatic drainage massage and obsessed with these oils,” she wrote in an Instagram Story.) This lotion, though, has extra skin-firming powers thanks to drosera ramentacea extract, which has been shown to reduce fat tissue—a 12% visible reduction, to be exact, according to the brand’s four-week clinical trial.

This likely goes without saying, but allow me to make it crystal clear while we’re here: There is nothing “wrong” with cellulite (or stretch marks or any sort of skin dimpling). If you are a living, breathing human, there’s a solid chance you have it! There is also no topical that can 100% eliminate it forever, but if the texture does bother you, creams like this can temporarily ease the appearance. Firming abilities aside, this cream also evens tone and, of course, deeply hydrates, which also makes it a worthy end-of-summer buy.

Then we have Bieber’s second staple: Nuxe’s SPF 30 spray. French pharmacy fans, you likely know and love the brand for its Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil, which drenches your limbs in a non-greasy glow and smells downright heavenly. Editors always make sure to pick up a Nuxe staple (or three) whenever they find themselves in France, and it seems Bieber also falls into that camp. Alas, the SPF spray isn’t available stateside just yet, but I did find a cream version at Walmart you can buy in the meantime.

She of course plugged a few Rhode essentials, too. Find them all below, along with more beauty items that earned Bieber’s blessing.

Shop Hailey Bieber-Approved Beauty Products

Given the fact that testing and reviewing beauty products is a significant part of my job, I’m privy to buzzy launches several weeks—oftentimes months—before they officially become shoppable. It’s definitely a perk, and to this day, my heart skips a beat whenever I get a secret, unlabeled lab sample in the mail. It also poses a slight problem, though, namely with fragrance. You see, whenever someone tells me I smell good (my favorite compliment) and demands to know what perfume I’m wearing, nine times out of 10, it’s an unreleased potion I have to keep under wraps for the time being. I’ll try to describe the notes without giving away the brand or name, but even that requires mental gymnastics.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve tested a lot of these gems, but I’ve had to be patient until now to make my official endorsement. Well, here it is: my list of exciting fragrance launches that stood out among the flood of press releases, blew me away at first spritz, and garnered plenty of “You smell amazing” comments. If you’re looking for a new perfume for fall, trust me. These 10 are not to be missed.

The Best New Perfumes to Wear in September

1. L’Objet Alento Eau de Parfum

2. Voluspa Saddle Up Santal Eau de Parfum

3. Le Labo Shiu 25 Eau de Parfum

4. Sidia Braless Parfum & Strike

5. Guerlain L’Heure Bleue Eau de Parfum

6. Chloé Le Nectar Parfum

7. Valentino Vendetta Donna Eau de Parfum

8. Old Navy Suede Embrace Hair & Body Mist

9. Vacanza Portofino Eau de Parfum

10. Ex Nihilo Demon Dancer

Why Trust Who What Wear

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we’d truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

I spent most of the fall/winter 2026 fashion month staring at shoes instead of the clothes they were attached to, which either makes me extremely good at my job or means I have a real problem. I’m going with the former. As someone who’s quite the clothing person, this is a relatively new development for me. I’ve always been able to appreciate a good shoe, obviously, but this season, I found myself remembering the shoes long after I’d forgotten what was happening above the ankle. Maybe it was the styling, maybe it was the sheer number of genuinely good options, or maybe we’re entering a very good era for footwear. Whatever the reason, I was paying attention.

Five trends kept turning up no matter which show I sat through, from Milan to Paris, and what made them stand out was how wearable they actually felt. These aren’t the kind of runway trends that require six months of convincing, a completely new wardrobe, or a very specific fashion-person personality to pull off. They’re shoes you could realistically start wearing now—and, more importantly, actually want to wear. Here are the five that have officially caught my attention.

Jazz Shoes

Introducing the lace-up, low-to-the-ground flat replacing your ballets. Celine, Bottega and Prada all sent their versions down the Fall 2026 runway introducing a new it-shoe. The structured toe and lace-up detail give them more presence than a ballet flat without losing the comfort, and they work with a trouser just as well as a slip skirt.

Moccasins and Slippers

Miu Miu and Loewe sent this soft, house-shoe-adjacent shoe style down the runway this season with several other labels designing moccasin-leaning loafers. The common thread is comfort that still reads intentional, nothing about these looks like you gave up.

Cap Toe

Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel may have quite the waitlist, but he’s not the only designer creating two-tone cap toe shoes this season. It’s a small design detail that does a lot for an otherwise simple pump or boot, dressing it up without adding any extra hardware.

Panel Effect

Speak of two-tone, there’s more than one way to do it. It has been a Chanel signature for decades, but it was remixed with paneled and color-blocked styles everywhere from Isabel Marant to Ferragamo. The panels do the work a print usually would, adding visual interest without turning the shoe into the loudest thing in the outfit. An ‘80s feel really comes into play here.

Vintage Inspired Wedges

Wedges are back, but the version showing up this season leans sculptural instead of summery, more ’40s-inflected than boardwalk. Sportmax and Diesel all sent structured wedge silhouettes down the Fall 2026 runway, and the satin and leather versions translated easily into a fall outfit.

Let’s get stylish, okay? I know you’re already stylish, so what I really mean is let’s add some chic items to that wardrobe. Zara is a great resource to uncover the modern staples to create fashionable outfits.

Below, you’ll find an edit of the best new fall arrivals from Zara. Forward jackets? You better believe you’ll find everything from cool funnel-neck styles to leathers. What about versatile basics? You’ll absolutely find standouts, along with gorgeous shoes, knits, and more.

I’ve always had a bit of a lip balm addiction. There’s always one on my bedside table, one (or three) in my handbag, a couple in my desk drawer and, much to the frustration of my husband, a few more scattered chaotically around the house. And whilst autumn’s arrival feels like a natural time to talk about the best ones—traditionally the weather starts to cool, and the air feels a little more harsh—I’ve found that dry, chapped lips can be just as much of a summer problem as they are an autumn and winter one. Emerging from a season of pretty intense heat and sun exposure, I’ve found that my lips are already feeling chapped, tight and flaky. Which is why I’ve been on a quest to find the best lip balms for dry lips.

For me, a good lip balm is less of a nice-to-have and more of a daily beauty essential, and the best ones are those that genuinely make a difference to the condition of my lips long-term. Plus, I’m fickle, so while they do need to deliver on intense hydration and rich moisture, I’m partial to ones that also smell amazing and look great too. I’ve tried hundreds over the years, but before we get into the ones I’m willing to pay genuine lip service to, I wanted to know exactly what causes dry lips and how we should be looking after them.

What Causes Dry Lips?

Unsurprisingly, dry lips are one of the most common skin issues. “It’s because the skin on our lips is much thinner and doesn’t have the same oil glands as the rest of our skin, so it loses moisture more easily,” explains aesthetic nurse and founder of R&R Aesthetics, Caroline Hall. “Cold weather, sun exposure, air conditioning, dehydration and repeatedly licking your lips can all make it worse.” However, Hall does mention that if you are experiencing persistent or extreme dryness then it could point to an underlying issue like an allergy (to skincare or even toothpaste) or a condition like eczema. “Lips that are continually cracked, sore or inflamed are worth getting checked rather than simply applying more lip balm,” she advises.

How to Choose the Best Lip Balm

It seems that the key to choosing an efficacious lip balm is to spend a bit of time looking at the ingredients list. Hall recommends choosing a balm that contains ingredients that both add moisture and help to seal it in. Her top pick? Good old-fashioned petrolatum: yes, that’s Vaseline. “Petrolatum is one of the simplest and most effective options for reducing moisture loss, while ingredients such as shea butter, ceramides and squalane can help soften and support the skin barrier.” For daytime use, rather than an overnight treatment, Hall also suggests looking for a lip balm with SPF to combat UV exposure, which can cause dry and damaged lips.

As for any ingredients to avoid? “I’d be careful with anything that makes your lips tingle, sting or feel particularly cooling. Ingredients like menthol, camphor and some fragrances may actually irritate already dry or cracked lips,” Hall explains. She also recommends avoiding lip scrubs or exfoliators when lips are very dry. “If the skin barrier is already damaged, repeatedly exfoliating it can make the problem worse,” she says.

The Best Lip Balms for Dry Lips

• Best Overall Lip Balm for Dry Lips: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume Lips (£9)
• Best SPF Lip Balm: Mecca Cosmetica Lip De-Luscious SPF20 (£20)
• Best Plumping Lip Balm: Alpha-H Peptide Lip Perfector (£23)
• Best Everyday Lip Balm: The Ordinary Squalane & Amino Acids Lip Balm (£9)
• Best Overnight Lip Treatment: Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask (£27)

1. La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume Lips

When my lips are really struggling—particularly during instances where I’ve been unwell and I’m dehydrated, or I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors—then this is the lip balm that I always come back to. Rather than a glossy balm or tinted formula, it’s a real barrier-focused product that feels like it really tackles repairing compromised lips and helps restore their health. It has quite a thick texture that really coats the lips and helps to take the sting out of any particularly dry or uncomfortable patches, yet it isn’t sticky in the slightest. It’s a great option to keep by your bed and apply generously overnight, just because it does have that thicker consistency that makes it feel more like a treatment, but it would make a decent everyday option too if you really struggle with dry or very chapped lips.

2. Mecca Cosmetica Lip De-Luscious SPF20

I’m a big believer that lip balm should ideally come with SPF, particularly because it’s an area that’s very easy to forget when applying sunscreen. And as someone who has actually burnt their lips in the past, I am well aware of just how sore they can be. Mecca Cosmetica’s Lip De-Luscious is the balm that I’ve been reaching for most during the heatwaves this summer for that very reason—it contains SPF 20. Plus, it’s also packed with shea butter, plant oils and vitamin E so it doesn’t compromise on hydration either. It’s moisturising yet feels lightweight, and delivers the prettiest pink sheen to lips so I tend to skip my usual lip glosses and lipsticks when I wear this. The pot is robust enough to chuck into handbags and beach bags too, yet it’s pleasingly weighty so feels quite luxurious when you take it out to reapply too.

3. Alpha-H Peptide Lip Perfector

I’m always sceptical of lip products that promise plumper-looking lips, and have always hated those intensely tingling glosses that practically burn your lips into looking more full. However, this one from Alpha-H has only recently landed on my doorstep, but I’ve been wearing it every day since. While the peppermint oil does give a slightly refreshing tingle, it’s the science-backed peptides that really do the heavy lifting when it comes to plumping and smoothing lips. Plus, it uses plant-based lanolin sodium hyaluronate to deeply hydrate, so not only do my lips end up looking subtly more full and juicy, but they feel genuinely moisturised too. It’s great worn alone, but I particularly love it as a base for lipstick to get that really cushioned, smooth look.

4. The Ordinary Squalane & Amino Acids Lip Balm

5. Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask

6. Rhode Peptide Lip Tint

Even if it’s just a subtle wash, I rarely step out of the house without some kind of tint on my lips so I’m always going to be tempted by a lip balm that offers both hydration and colour. And, like so many other people, Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tints have become a staple for those days when I want to feel more put together without actually wearing lipstick. Packed with peptides, shea butter and vitamin E, the formula feels nourishing and glossy while the tint provides a sheer pop of colour that can easily be applied without a mirror. I particularly love Jelly Bean, a sheer and slightly shimmery pink, and Colada, a summery pink-bronze shade.

7. CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment

Although this isn’t purely a lip balm, I’m including it here because it’s one of my favourite multipurpose products for tackling seriously dry skin—and that includes lips. When mine are flaky, tight or in need of some serious TLC, I like applying a generous layer of this before bed and letting the hardworking formula do its thing overnight. It feels rich and protective, thanks to pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum, ceramides and hyaluronic acid, without needing to constantly reapply. And I love that I can also use the same tube on dry hands, cuticles and other rough patches. It’s definitely not the prettiest lip product in my collection, and the texture is much more ointment-like than a traditional balm, but when it comes to rescuing dry lips, it delivers.

8. By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Balm

9. Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm

I’m now 37, and getting older is undoubtedly a factor in how dry my lips can be. As collagen production naturally drops, my lips are looking less smooth and don’t have quite the same fullness that they once did. This gloss balm from Paula’s Choice is great for days when I need more than just hydration. It’s more of a treatment than a traditional lip balm, combining three tri-peptides with shea butter to hydrate whilst supporting collagen production and smoothing out the appearance of fine lines and dry patches. It’s a great option if you’re noticing fine lines or changing texture around your lips and want something that feels like skincare rather than just a balm.

How We Tested

I have used lip balm every day for the best part of two decades, so I have included some long-term favourites as well as testing some new lip balms for dry lips for this piece. Plus, I sought out balms containing the ingredients that Hall recommended too. The balms that have made the cut offer deep hydration, moisture without stickiness, and look and feel good on the lips too.

And if you’re worried that your lips will become dependent on balm if you wear it every day, then fear not—it turns out that this is a beauty myth. “Your lips don’t become physically dependent on lip balm or lose their ability to moisturise themselves because you’re using one regularly. What can happen is that you become used to the feeling of having balm on your lips, so you notice dryness more when it’s not there,” says Hall.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.

September is the ultimate in-between month in both fashion and beauty—not quite summer and not yet autumn—which can make choosing a transitional nail colour tricky. Fortunately, this year’s September nail trends offer plenty of middle ground. “September is always an interesting month for nails because we’re transitioning from summer into autumn, so clients tend to want colours that feel richer without going completely dark,” says nail artist Ashleigh Bamber. “I think we’re going to see a lot of glossy finishes and saturated shades that still have a bit of brightness to them.”

And she isn’t wrong. From gemstone-inspired jewel tones and deep, almost-black cherry to unexpected pops of sunny yellow and juicy peach, this month’s standout shades are anything but one-note. “There’s definitely a move towards colours that feel really unique and intentional,” Bamber says. “Whether that’s a rich chocolate brown or a bold yellow, people are being a little more adventurous with colour whilst still keeping the overall manicure polished.” Below, I’ve rounded up the six September nail colours that I predict will be everywhere this month.

1. Jewel Tones

Think emerald green, sapphire blue, amethyst purple and rich ruby red—colours that feel saturated and expensive without automatically reading as festive. “Jewel tones are such a great way to add depth to your manicure,” says Bamber. “They feel bold, but because they’re inspired by colours you’d naturally see in nature, they still look really sophisticated.” Keep things simple with one shade across every nail, or lean into the trend with a subtle magnetic or high-shine finish to really bring out the dimension.

2. Deep Cherry

A classic red manicure will never go out of style, but September is the ideal time to take things a little darker. Deep cherry sits somewhere between a true red and a rich burgundy, making it a particularly good option if you’re not quite ready to go full wine or oxblood. “I love deep cherry because it can look almost black in some lights and then reveals that beautiful red tone,” says Bamber. The key is to keep the finish incredibly glossy, which gives the shade that almost lacquered, glass-like effect. Wear it on short, neat nails for something timeless, or on an almond shape for a slightly more dramatic look.

3. Sunny Yellow

Yellow may not be the first colour that comes to mind when you think of September, but I think it’s the perfect nod to the end of summer. Rather than the softer butter and pastel shades that dominated earlier in the year, think brighter, sunnier yellows that feel like one last hit of warm-weather optimism. “September doesn’t have to mean putting away every bright colour you own,” says Bamber. “A sunny yellow can look so good at this time of year, especially when paired with a really glossy finish.” If a full yellow manicure feels like a little too much, try it as a French tip or incorporate it into a simple nail-art design.

4. Juicy Peach

Warmer than a traditional nude but softer than a bright orange, peach strikes exactly the right balance for this sometimes awkward in-between season. “Peach is one of those shades that can look really fresh and healthy on the nails,” says Bamber. “I think the key is choosing a slightly warmer, juicier tone rather than anything too pastel.” A sheer, glossy peach is particularly chic if you’re after a low-maintenance manicure, while a more opaque version offers a subtle but still playful alternative to your usual neutral.

5. Chocolate Brown

Chocolate brown has already proved itself to be one of 2026’s biggest nail colours, and I don’t see that changing any time soon—in fact, I think it’s perfect for autumn. And, as an added bonus, it works beautifully across every nail length and shape. “Chocolate brown is such an easy colour to wear because it still acts almost like a neutral,” says Bamber. “It looks great on its own, but you can also use it for French tips or pair it with a sheer base.” My preferred way to wear it? Short, rounded nails and an ultra-glossy top coat.

6. Khaki Green

If bright summer greens feel a little too playful for September but you’re not quite ready for a deep forest shade, khaki is the answer. Earthy, muted, and surprisingly versatile, it brings something a little different to the usual rotation of reds, browns and berry tones. “Khaki green is a really nice transitional shade because it has that earthy autumn feel without being too dark,” says Bamber. “It also looks amazing with a shimmer finish, which keeps it feeling modern.”

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.