My Personal Guide to Skincare

Because skin is in.

A year ago from today, I would have never imagined myself to be obsessed with skincare, of all things. I would also never imagine I'd be a rep for a skincare/beauty brand, a topic I would have then considered foreign waters. Then, I was severely dwindling my makeup usage, using the bare minimum to only cover my slight acne and make myself look presentable. A pressed powder by Laura Mercier (which apparently isn't sold anymore), a brow pencil by Benefit, Glossier's Haloscope in quartz, Covergirl Clump Crusher for my lashes which I've been using since it first came out when I was 14. And that was it. As for skincare, it was even more minimal—I used a face wash that I don't even remember the name of and that probably had those now illegal micro-beads in it, "day and night," but I usually only used it once a day, if I was lucky. And that was enough for me. If I was doing minimal makeup, why should I have to spend time and money on skincare?

Although my skin is nowhere near perfect, I had been turned off from skincare since the age of 16, when traumatizing appointments to the dermatologist to fix my acne, starting from age ten (yes, I was in fifth grade) would load me with expensive products that I would be too overwhelmed to use. I would rather live with a nose constantly covered in blackheads and a forehead that would always be red and bumpy than use those products. A bit too dramatic, no? By the age of 15, I had accepted my fate and realized I may live with acne for the rest of my life. So I gave up completely and instead of fixing the problem, I just covered it by wearing makeup almost equivalent to how much one should wear for stage makeup. And magically, my skin didn't cure itself, but, as I grew out of my hormonal, adolescent self, my acne began to clear. No products necessary! Unfortunately, this turned me off from skincare even more—if I didn't use any products to clear my skin, why should I start now? But fortunately, I did begin to reduce ten steps of makeup to eight, then six, then to four (which is where I was one year ago). Which only led me to the beauty that is skincare. However, it wasn't immediate—wearing less makeup meant I somehow felt I didn't have to wash my face, my clearer skin made me worried that adding any products would just bring back my acne (moisturizer, for example), and wearing less makeup ultimately made me more lazy in the mornings. No time for makeup, so also no time for skincare. Then, not to be dramatic, but I discovered Glossier and my entire life changed. It started with the purchase of their best-selling highlighter, then the rest is history. I was obsessed. I continued to buy every single makeup product they carried, then the purchase of my first skincare product from them, aka their Milky Jelly Cleanser, was my first step in being enamored by all things skincare. Who knew skincare could be cute?! And not have all those scary acids that caused my skin to practically peel off! I continued to buy all of their skincare products as well, and now, one year later, my zero-to-one-step skincare routine has turned into an almost ten-step one. And my skin, that wasn't necessarily suffering before I started this craze but could definitely need some support, couldn't thank me any more. What exactly is my routine, you ask?

My first step is always Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser—first thing in the morning, first thing when I start my nighttime routine, even first thing I do when I shower. Before this cleanser, I thought face washes had to be scrubs or at least have salicylic acid in them to work, but this gentle cleanser works even better for problem skin than those over-exfoliating ones. My face has never felt so soft and clear with this baby. Who knew you could have both at the same time?

Top left: Glossier's Mega Greens Galaxy Pack; top right: Glossier's Moisturizing Moon Mask; bottom left: Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask; bottom right: Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask

Then come the face masks, a step I won't do everyday but probably three to four times a week. My discovery of face masks came later than other skincare products, only about three months ago when I bought (you guessed it) Glossier's mask duo. The first one is a detoxifying clay mask that "balances and conditions pores while helping to calm skin," which are qualities that are found in so many Glossier products, and the second is a moisturizing mask that does exactly what it says—hydrates. After falling in love with these after my first try, I immediately bought more face masks from Origins—their charcoal mask to clear pores (so good for acne prone skin, like mine) and their rose mask to retexturize skin.

After I mask (or after I wash my face), I go straight to my serums. I discovered serums after my purchase of Glossier's Super Pure serum at the beginning of last summer, which is a niacinamide and zinc serum that is meant to "soothe redness and help calm blemishes," which was my biggest skin problem as an aftermath to almost ten years with acne. After one week using this, my skin looked so much better that I stopped using powder all together—I had nothing to cover up anymore! I then bought all three Supers (Super Bounce, which is a hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 serum that hydrates, and Super Glow, which is a magnesium and vitamin C serum that supposedly gives energy and glow to your skin). I used all three every day (Pure and Glow in the mornings, Bounce at night), realized I only loved Pure and Bounce, so I only continued to replen those two. I still love these two products, but my discovery of serums allowed me to find The Ordinary, a science-driven skincare company that sells similar serums (among others) for a super cheap price. We're talking under $10, and for double the amount you get from Glossier. Only a few weeks ago, I decided to try it out, and purchase the two serums that are identical to Pure and Bounce (niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% and hyaluronic acid 2% + B5), along with their 100% organic cold-pressed rose hip seed oil, which hydrates, brightens, and reduces scarring/dark spots, and their caffeine solution 5% + EGCG, which reduces dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. This is a lot, I know, so here's what I do: in the mornings, I first use Super Pure (I still have half a bottle left), then the caffeine solution under my eyes only, then the hyaluronic acid + B5 all over my face. At night, I use the caffeine solution again, then the hyaluronic acid + B5 again, then the rose hip seed oil (note: I use some of The Ordinary products twice a day because they're not as concentrated as Glossier's serums). Order is important, because some solutions are water-based, and some are oil-based, and messing up the order will make the molecules not as effective. After discovering all of these molecules, I realized that this was my skincare peak, and I had no idea where else I could evolve to in the world of skincare. Maybe chemical exfoliators are next.

Finally, I moisturize! Only eight months ago, I was terrified of moisturizers—if I have oily skin, why would I add more moisture? Little did I know that moisturizing daily actually reduces the amount of oil your skin naturally produces. It's similar to how washing your hair too much makes your hair oilier, as it strips its natural oils, making it produce more oil. Not allowing your skin to hydrate does exactly this, but producing the bad kind that clogs pores and causes acne. If only I had known this when I was 14. In the morning, I use Glossier's Priming Moisturizer usually mixed with a bit of Fresh's Instant Glow Luminizer to both hydrate and prep my skin before makeup and to add a bit of glow, especially when my skin is feeling dull and tired. At night, I use Glossier's Priming Moisturizer in Rich, which is like their original PM but is heavier and has lavender oil in it, making it perfect for a nighttime cream.

The rest of my routine is easy—I wear Glossier's Stretch Concealer under my eyes and on my blemishes/red spots (which have ultimately reduced due to my skincare), Glossier's Boy Brow on my brows, Glossier's Haloscope in Quartz on my cheekbones and in Topaz on my lids, Glossier's Balm Dot Com (my favs right now are rose and cherry) on my lips, then my OG Clump Crusher mascara, the only thing that has stayed a constant in my evolution of skincare and makeup, which is comforting, knowing that everything is continuously changing.

Like what you see? Feel free to ask me any questions about Glossier's products in the comments (or DM me on Instagram). Buy Glossier products through my link, and get 20% off your first order and always free shipping on 2+ items or $30+.

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Summertime (Is Over) Sadness

Summer coming to a close is the exact reason why my blog hasn't been too active in the past few weeks. The favorite season for some is almost gone, at least for the students like me, and it actually pains me to think that I'll be going back to school in 10 days. I've been cramming summer reading, my AP art work, and the end-of-summer required dance classes into the last few weeks of summer, so I've had no time to even think of ideas for a new post, or even go outside the house to find inspiration. And on top of all of that, I have to start preparing for school. Not by going to Staples and buying school supplies (I am way past buying those things before school starts; remember, I'm going to be a senior), but by preparing in the fashion sense. I'm one of the few people at my school who actually cares about "dressing well" for school, but it's still a major problem for many of us. This is also an issue for college students because many of you would rather not show up to every class in your pajamas. With the stress of mentally preparing for school, preparing your wardrobe adds yet another stress factor. I'm one of those people who plan their outfits for the entire first week of school, and this can be tricky when I haven't even had the chance (or money) to shop. Instead of buying all the newest (and most expensive) clothes, figure out what the latest, and even better, still unknown trends are, and use your current wardrobe to satisfy these trends. There are a few staple items that are almost necessary to buy in this back to school preparation, but other than that, leave it to your seemingly outdated wardrobe and brain to create a new look, just in time for school.

Here are a few tips:

Try some DIY action. This is the oldest trick in the book when you want your old wardrobe to look newer than ever. This is especially good for warmer weather (aka the first few months of school), because it is way easier to transform cold weather items into warm weather ones rather than the other way around. Take your favorite (but outdated) pair of jeans and cut them to make a homemade pair of denim cut-offs, and even distress them yourself instead of paying way too much for a small (and destroyed) amount of denim. Cut a maxi skirt into a midi skirt because we all know that midis are taking over the skirt world. And midis are also perfect for those schools with strict dress codes -- they're definitely long enough, but they're still in style and few people who are still in school attempt to pull them off (For some reason, they think they'll look like a grandma, even if they compliment you on wearing them... I still don't get it.) DIY is the free alternative to spending money on more clothes to pile into your closet and letting old ones stay hidden in the back.

Mix and match old basics to cater to new trends. This is another old trick in the fashion book, and this is definitely one I use the most. Many people think I'm constantly shopping, but I really just know how to reuse items to make them look new. All it takes is wearing them in a different way than you did before, and this may sound tricky, but it is pretty simple. For example: last year, I always paired this black sweater with jeans and boots in the colder weather, but once it started to warm up, I began wearing the same black sweater with skirts and sandals (seen here) to both cater to the higher temperature and "light layers" trend. Then there's the new "all blue" trend, which can easily be satisfied by pairing your blue items together instead of buying a new outfit just for that trend. No one but you will truly recognize that what you're wearing isn't new if it's worn in a completely new way. Just research the new trends, and use your current wardrobe differently than you used to to have a brand new look just in time for school.

Try switching up your beauty/accessories routine. Just a simple change in your makeup or accessories will make you look like a brand new person, regardless of the clothes you wear. Buy a few new lipstick colors to transform your look, or completely stop wearing the eyeliner you wore every day last year. Stop wearing those outdated earrings, or start wearing a few bracelets with every outfit. Just the small things can make all the difference, and it is way easier and cheaper to change this than to buy a whole new wardrobe.

And finally, go out and buy the things you actually need. Sometimes, it's not possible to completely transform your look with the things you already have. Using the above tips will add a change, but getting a few new things will definitely help. However, it's best to splurge on unique items that you will use frequently. Shoes, backpacks, a few special dresses, but that's it. It's okay to save up for a new expensive pair of sneakers, especially when you don't even own a single pair of sneakers (like me!). I've wanted this pair of shoes for forever, and after saving up, this one item can completely alter my entire wardrobe. The same goes for bags or backpacks -- one look at your new and trendy bag will make people fall for your entire look. Anything like this UNIF backpack will do the trick, and it's definitely worth the money. Rather than spending all of your money on new clothes, spend some of it on the stuff that really matters.

(Almost) Platinum Hair

One week later, I'm back at the salon... but this time, it's for color. My hair has been getting darker for the past two years, and the natural blonde color I was blessed with was starting to turn into a dark, dirty blonde, almost "bronde". A few years ago, I told myself I would never re-dye my hair blonde, but three months ago, I broke that promise by deciding to go lighter. I didn't want to go full on platinum, but I did want to go really light, and that's exactly what my stylist did. Honestly, I was so scared that it would not turn out how I wanted it to, but it looks just like the picture I showed her before she dyed it. This light of a blonde makes my skin look tanner and my bright lips look even brighter, which is a huge plus. Platinum blonde (and also a few shades below that) is definitely in this season, so anyone who tries this color will definitely be in style. 

The High Pony

When it comes to hair, I usually just wear it down. It’s easy, at least for my hair type, and I usually don’t have bad hair days. However, sometimes wearing it down every single day can get really boring and even make your overall style dull. It’s nice to change things once in a while, and that’s what I decided to do today. Usually, if I don’t wear it down, I only pull half of my hair into a pony-tail or messy bun. Today, I did something I never do -- I mastered the “high pony”. This style is hardly done anymore because it could look “childish” or bring back harsh memories from the ‘80s. But sometimes, it really can work in a messy, lazy but put-together, way. The key to making the high pony look decent is to make it look unkempt with a lot of volume -- add texture to your hair with texture spray, sleep on wet hair, do anything to make your hair not completely smooth and straight (if that’s what your hair is like naturally). Then, I know this may be going over the top with tacky accessories, but add a scrunchie! Some scrunchies, like the floral one I’m wearing today, is more minimal and actually has a design that’s not tacky. Never go for the huge neon scrunchies unless you want to look like you just stepped out of the “Let’s Get Physical” music video. Also, the scrunchie can make a dull pony way more interesting and add a cute accent to a style that is pretty hard to pull off. Finally, make the look more natural by pulling out a few strands from the front of your face (the ones that are shorter than the rest of your hair). This makes the style less polished but also adds more femininity so you don’t look bald from different angles. One of the biggest tips with this style is to be heavier on the makeup than you usually are (if you’re usually light with it). Hair pulled back can lose a lot of femininity in the face, and just those few strands framing your face really won’t do much. I applied winged-eyeliner to do the trick, and other methods could be to wear a bold lip color or even a colored eyeliner, like blue or purple. This hair style may seem less flattering on some, but if done right, it can make a simple outfit more interesting and add diversity to your hair styles. 

Trend of the Week: Spring Layers

(collared top -- Urban Outfitters; sweater -- Madewell; boots -- Steve Madden)

With spring (usually) comes warm weather, and it may seem impossible to find unique and varying outfits when there are not many things to experiment with due to the higher temperatures. However, layering is not just a fall/winter trend. It seems like a method to only keep warm, but during the warmer months, it can be used to create more interesting outfits with a less abundant wardrobe. Because I have not had the chance to go spring/summer shopping yet, I decided to find a few items that I have owned for a while and create a layered outfit that can actually work in the springtime. The collared shirt/tunic I’m wearing today used to be dress length on me, so in my freshman year of high school, I would just wear a white slip and the “dress” over it. Now, the piece has magically shrunken (either I grew a lot or the shirt shrunk in the wash), and I haven’t even touched this item in two years because I didn’t know how to wear it. A few days ago, I realized it would be possible with the help of beige shorts I own from Loft that I barely wear anymore. The shorts, although the top almost covers them (I bet you didn’t even know I was wearing shorts), makes the outfit more acceptable but also creates a more unique look that already adds a base layer to the layer-centric outfit. And because it’s still a decent temperature (about low 70s), I was still able to wear a sweater over the top to add a final layer to the outfit. The collar and drapey style of the top gives a simple shorts-and-sweater outfit way more style and character. As you all should know by now, layering is my favorite thing to do with creating outfits, and this look proves that it’s possible in the spring. The only “requirements” for a spring layered look are: the layers need to be light, avoid complete coverage of skin (in this case, the legs), and go for pieces that will give the outfit movement (like my collared top). With these three things in mind, I promise that you’ll enter spring with brand new and fashionable outfits that will look completely unique, even if they involve clothes that you constantly wear. 

In regards to the beauty portion of this look, I opted for a more natural look with a touch of bright lips. Although my hair looks completely natural, I had to add a few products to give it a beachy, natural vibe. What I did to achieve this look was to sleep on wet hair after I showered, and when I woke up, I took a few strands in the front and created waves by flat-ironing it in an "s" shape, but not as drastic as what my hairstylist did on friday. Then, I sprayed Alterna Stylist Ocean Waves spray through my roots and ends, which created a messy, effortless look that emphasized the waves. Finally, I scrunched Aveda Control Paste through my ends to hold the waves but to also add more texture to my hair (as you can tell, creating effortless hair really is not effortless). As for my makeup, I just  brushed on some YDK and Verve eyeshadow from my Naked 2 Palette, used an eyeliner brush to apply black eyeshadow on my waterline (just a minimal amount to make my eyes more noticeable), and I added a few layers of Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara to make my eyelashes noticeable but also natural. Finally, for the most important part, I wore Nars Heat Wave matte lipstick to add emphasis to a natural face and a neutral-toned outfit. 

I usually never talk about my hair/makeup, but I decided to do it for this post. Tell me what you think about me also talking about beauty (next to fashion, always), and I might start making it a consistent thing. 

My New Hair

It’s been 8 months since I actually cut my hair, and once I realized that when I straightened my hair, it went all the way down to waistline on skirts, I set up an appointment to get my hair cut. One of the few things I don’t put time and effort into is my hair (I literally shower at night, sleep on wet hair, wake up, and go out without doing anything to it), so I thought I would do something with it to give my style a new look and increase my self esteem (it works, I swear). I was scared to get anything done because I was a bit attached to my long hair, which is probably an unhealthy relationship. My sister kept telling me, “Hair grows back!”, so it really wouldn’t hurt to try something. Because my hair was so long, 12 inches of my hair would have to be cut off to actually make my hair officially “short”, so I had a long range of options to choose from to still keep medium-long hair. I decided to go right in the middle -- 6 inches. It seems like a lot, but it really wasn’t that much. All it did was lift a huge weight off my shoulders (literally). Also, my hair stylist decided to razor my hair (if you don’t know what that means, it’s where she takes a strand of hair, softly combs a sharp “razor” through the hair, which gives a textured/choppy look without cutting definite layers), which I’ve never gotten done before. My hair stylist also loves experimenting with different styles after she cuts, so she created the look of loose waves by taking a flat iron and pulling the hair through in an “s” shape, which gives the waves multiple directions/bends. It reminds me of the look that’s been on the runway this past fashion week with ‘70s-esque waves that I’m obsessed with. Hopefully I’ll be able to learn how to do that with my flat iron (and when I have time), but the razor still gives my hair a lot of texture and wave it didn’t have before. I’m so excited to try new styles with it, and I’m even more excited to get my hair dyed a lighter blonde next week (pictures to come!). 

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Monochrome + Red Lips

Sorry for the late post! Dance practice ran later than usual, so I wasn't even able to take the pictures until 9 tonight. 

Today’s look focuses on simple monochrome with small, contrasting accents. I’m finally able to wear this dress that I got in January from Urban Outfitters (it doesn't look too good with tights, so it needs to be warmer outside), and I wanted to create a basic look with it by using a similar color scheme. Instead of adding more accessories to a basic dress, I kept the look simple by just wearing my cut-out boots without socks to emphasize the cutouts and the black colors. Because my blonde hair is not enough to brighten an extremely dark outfit, I wore my bright red lipstick from Nars to create sophistication and add contrast to a seemingly dull look. I am a huge enthusiast of wearing all black (it’s literally the universal color that works with everything), and I still was able to slightly change the monochromatic scheme with the lipstick, which added just enough color.  Also, the femininity in the lipstick created a perfect balance with the more shapeless masculinity of the black dress. This Spring, I have decided I’m going to challenge myself to make outfits just as amazing by decreasing the amount of accessories and emphasizing simple items with bold lips or small but noticeable accents, and this outfit (along with Monday’s) has been extremely successful with that challenge. 

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