Welcome to Magical Moda, the column that specialises in the latest fashion gossip. I’d love to go on for pages and pages, but alas I am restricted only to these four sections below: new makeup launches, trends of the month, seasonal fashion, and last but not least, the magical happenings on the beauty scene!

So sit back and relax, dear Hogwarts students, and let’s dive straight into the tome of trends.

NEW MAKEUP LAUNCHES:

August 19th ~ N.Y.X. Cosmetics ~ Beetlejuice Collection
Inspired by the iconic movie coming out on September 6th, Nyx Cosmetics partnered to create an incredible collection of makeup! Consisting of: Colour for the Recently Deceased Palette, Shrinker Makeup Sponge, Beetlejuice Gloss, Dead Cold Reusable Under Eye Patches, Afterlife Passport Cheek Palette, Sandworm Swirl Butter Gloss, and the Pinstripe Duo Liner, this spooky collection promises to send you straight to the afterlife.

August 4th ~ Blake Brown Beauty
Technically…not a makeup product. Not a collection either. But Blake Lively’s newest baby launched early this month and it’s definitely reeled in hundreds of thousands across the globe. Blake is known for her highly-coveted hair, which she flaunted in Gossip Girl and It Ends With Us, her newest release. Blake Brown Beauty is available now and has a variety of delicious-smelling hair products that promise heaven.

August 13th ~ Tower28 Beauty ~ GetSet Pressed Powder
A talc-free translucent powder that blurs your face like your TikTok filter is on, this gorgeous powder is available in sheer shades of pink, banana, honey, and completely clear. It’s available on Sephora and during its release had a promo for two beautifully soft powder puffs. Unfortunately, the promo’s ended, but the hype hasn’t and neither has the stock, so go GetSet with Tower28!

August 9th ~ Fenty Beauty ~ Suede Powder Blush
Let’s be real for a second here. When our girl Riri releases something new, whether it be music or makeup, we know it’s about to get good. Fenty’s new Suede Powder Blush is no exception - bold, silky, and blendable, this looks like something I need STAT. Dropping simultaneously is the 155 blush brush, designed to work seamlessly with the powder blush, and with the Suede Powder Blush coming in gorgeous shimmery and matte shades, my wallet had better hide because it is getting a good withdrawal!

August 19th ~ Beauty of Joseon ~ Relief Sun Aqua-fresh
Venturing into skinful territory now, the popular K-beauty brand Beauty of Joseon has come out with a beautiful sunscreen formulated with rice seed water and panthenol to give you glowing glass skin, complete with SPF 50+. There’s no white cast or blue undertones and it blends seamlessly to give a shining glow to your pretty skin while moisturising it and protecting it from harmful UV rays.

TRENDS OF THE MONTH:

THAT’S THAT ME ESPRESSO:
Ah, a cup of warm espresso. Just what I need to start my day…along with Sabrina Carpenter’s divine vocals in her smash hit Espresso, which is one of her most viral songs. But Espresso has morphed from not just music and food to also makeup! Warm espresso is lined up to be one of the most viral looks of Autumn, rich brown tones and chocolatey makeup bringing in the style and elegance that black looks do, but with a hint of softness to compliment the beautiful autumn coming up.

It’s a dark grungy kind of beauty complemented by dark coffee-bean coloured shadows and a moody aesthetic. In Espresso Makeup, the eyes are really the main focus - you should make them pop with a smokey eye with cocoa-shaded eyeshadow and a sleek wing of eyeliner. Smudge eye pencil on your eyes too - get it to that messy, yet perfect, sort of look, grungy and yet effortless. As for the rest of your face, keep it simple and soft - natural skin tints work wonders and a brown or nude lip is definitely the perfect accompaniment. The goal, I guess I could say, is to look like you’re working late (‘cause you’re a singer!)

BEACH BLOSSOMS:
Yet another classic 90s staple has been brought into the limelight, notably worn by Rachel Green (or Jennifer Aniston) on the iconic set of our favourite show, Friends. Influencers are going completely gaga over this trend…can you guess what it is? Well, they’re the beautifully vibrant flower claw clips! Girls all around the world are falling in love with this classic, gorgeous, and easy way to create a stunning hairstyle.

The famous clips have been featured not only on social media but also on popular shows like Love Island. The trend now is to have clips in the shape of a Frangipani or a Hibiscus, with vibrant colours as though they were fresh blossoms that lay prettily on the shores of Bali. You can buy these exotic and delightful accessories anywhere, at this point: Urban Outfitters, Amazon, Temu, really any app for shopping that you can probably think of.

THE IN-BETWEEN MANICURE:
Now we all know one of the most classic mani colours ever. Red. Once the most popular colour on the market, our girl has stayed near the top for so, so long. Now, it’s having its moment once more as we come to that awkward stage in between Summer and Autumn and have the thought-provoking question: what do I do for my nails? After all, at this point, vibrant summery colours are fading whilst deep autumnal Hallowe’en-esque colours just aren’t vibing right. Solution? It’s our baby Red.

Celebs like Selena Gomez, Cardi B., and Jenna Ortega, are already rocking the colour in several different shades including blood, wine, and cherry. The colour is set to lock in before it warms into orange just in time for peak autumnal season during late September to October, too.

SEASONAL FASHION:
As we move through August, it’s time to transition your wardrobe from high summer into early fall. For our Northern Hemisphere chicas, think about incorporating lightweight layers like a chic kimono over your favourite summer dress or pairing denim shorts with an oversized, breathable knit. Earthy, warm, tones are in, with burnt orange, vermillion red, olive green, and soft browns leading the charge. Sandals are still a go-to, but you might want to start mixing in some ankle boots as the nights get colder.

In the Southern Hemisphere, where winter is in full swing, opt for cosy knits in neutral tones. Statement scarves are a great way to add a pop of colour to your outfit. Pair your favourite jeans with chunky boots, and don’t forget to layer up with a tailored coat for those chilly mornings. This is also the perfect time to experiment with darker lip colours and bolder makeup looks as you prepare for the transition into spring.

MAGICAL MODA:
It’s finally become a trend to truly be yourself…at least in the Wizarding World. Luna Lovegood has been spotted in Diagon Alley wearing a cape adorned with enchanted moonstones that shift colours depending on her mood, a perfect nod to the adorable whimsy that all of us were completely entranced by. Her husband Rolf Scamander has been seen wearing Muggle…cargo pants, I believe? Baggy as ever with plenty of pockets (every girl’s dream, to be honest!) it’s the perfect blend of style, comfort, and practicality. The two of them are quite a pair - but the real reason they’ve captured the Wizarding World’s hearts is because of their unique ability to truly be themselves and believe in the unknown.

On the topic of venturing into the unknown, ice and snow has been dominating the markets. Fur is back in stock too, so now I really have to ask: are Elsa and Cruella making a deal of some sort? I have to check. But seriously, the fits are truly beautiful and the wintry motifs can be perfectly personalised towards one’s own taste, much like a snowflake.

The last shockwave is the increasing size of accessories. Disco ball earrings are going a bit far now - who decided that we should have golf balls hanging from our ears? Ladies and gentlemen, please don’t ruin your ears for this. It’s become a popular Wizarding trend for tight robes and oversized jewellery and I really do have to admit it’s a vibe. I find it quite cute…except for the ear torture.

Enjoy, my lovelies, and read onward for more delights!

Written by: Sara Rowan