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Welcome to Launch Digest, where we bring you the latest and greatest product launches to hit the market across the DTC universe. In need of a beach bag refresh? You’re in luck. This week is bringing the heat with SPF that’ll make you glow (I mean this literally), beach towels that work as well in Malibu as they do in Marseilles, and plenty of sales and collaborations to outfit yourself in a manner that shows off your fabulous new tan.
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The UVA Index Is Rising, Do You Know Where Your SPF Is?
Gone are the days of choosing between two chalky drugstore sunscreen lotions to ruin your vibe while protecting your skin. It seems like nearly every week a new sexy SPF enters the scene that promises to make your skin glow while concurrently keeping it nourished and protected against sun damage. Vacation might be responsible for half of these launches (but I’m not complaining – my beach bag consists of this lotion, this spray, and this lip oil). This week, the brand introduced a “Black Tie” sunscreen, a Shimmer Oil featuring SPF 30 protection in tandem with pearlescent gold mica that coats skin in an iridescent glaze. It’s also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it an ideal plus one for lounging luxuriously by a rooftop pool or that destination summer wedding.
For the skincare addict with a sensitive complexion: might I point you to Dr. Loretta? After studying the effects of UVA on skin, dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo set off on a long path of clinical practice and formulation that eventually led to her eponymous brand. The Universal Glow Daily Defense SPF 40 is the best evidence of this dedication: a hybrid between a lightweight moisturizer and a blendable mineral sunscreen, fortified by Zinc, antioxidant Lipochroman, and multifunctional Ectoin. All of Dr. Loretta’s product line has proven botanical ingredients that address pollution, light, climate toxicants and irritants – key contributors to skin damage and aging. The Urban Antioxidant SPF – which packs Indian ginseng to block the skin from both blue light and sun – fights these environmental aging factors, and simultaneously targets fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles. And if you needed another reason to support science-backed skincare, the brand is run by Dr. Loretta and her two daughters as CEO and Vice President. (And yes, they all have amazing skin.)
‘Tis The Season…For Collaborations?
I thought we had reached collaboration saturation last week, but it appears I’m a fool! Here are plenty more for us to peruse:
Uniqlo and J.W. Anderson are not sleeping on the success of their Challengers run, but instead are serving a strong backhand. The two labels – which have a long history of happy partnership since 2017, being not new to this but rather true to this – have just launched a three-way collaboration (double entendre intended, at least in my book) with Roger Federer. It’s inspired by vintage tenniswear of the 70s and 80s, but you don’t have to be a player to sport a polo.
Urban Outfitters saw an opportunity so obviously of-the-moment, it’s almost shocking they’re the first to do it: a reproduction of the iconic Kate Spade canvas baguette of the early aughts, made exclusively available at UO. Sub-$200 and perfect in rainbow stripe, polka dot, or black.
Ciao Lucia and Rixo brought their brilliant design minds together for a capsule that’s so summer-ready, I’m rushing to shop it before you do (I’m sorry to engage in scarcity mentality, sometimes things have to get ugly when the pieces are this good). Browse: beautiful silks with floral embroidery and cheerful bias-cuts that marry the silhouettes and sensibilities of each brand in equal part.
LA’s favorite home fragrance brand P.F. Candle Co. is getting musical. Last week, they launched YOUR APARTMENT, a limited-edition candle made in collaboration with LA-based band Wallows. It’s nostalgic, clean, and sun-soaked, with top notes of marine air and sea minerals, middle notes of jasmine and yes, cannabis, and base notes of bonfire smoke and patchouli. Basically it smells like your dreamy Malibu boyfriend who is rocking a puka shell necklace in 2024! Sign me up.
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Grill, Tan, Shopping
…Is the new gym-tan-laundry. If you’re planning to park it by a grill from Father’s Day through September, you’ll need Flamingo Estate’s new Summer Grilling Set, crafted with Russ Faulk, “Resident Grillmaster” of premium grill brand Kalamazoo. (How many more times can I use the word grill before Labor Day?) The set comes with EVOO from Ojai, Citrus Cilantro Jalapeño Salt for zhuzhing your favorite vegetables and steak, Morita & Calabrian Chile Salsa Macha, and four printed recipe cards.
Tekla launched Beach Towels and Bags and aptly captured the campaign in Marseilles. Only the Danes could make me contemplate spending $320 on a canvas bag. (It’s just so chic…and the colorways so pristine…)
While you’re here, let me use your time wisely and tell you about every sale you should spend the next few hours panic-shopping (I’m only teasing – please don’t let this spike your cortisol, or at least take a few capsules of SuperYou before you super-shop). Net-A-Porter’s sale is now up to 80% off, no longer invite-only, and ready to compete with Saks’ 75% off of more than 28,000 styles. The SSENSE sale continues to march onward, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t remind you to peruse the “Everything Else” section, where you’ll find hidden plateware gems and Tekla wool blankets for almost half their original price. Please also don’t miss: so many fun things from Rachel Comey’s summer sale (at 40% off and proposing some statement footwear that could redirect the pressure from your wedding guest dress to your wedding guest shoe) and now up to 70% off Matches’ Designer Sale (if you’ve been flirting with Nodaletos, act now or forever hold your peace).
Happy shopping. Email me directly – zoe@thequalityedit.com – with any launches you’d like to see in the spotlight, or DM us over @thequalityedit.
