To say that selfies have taken over our lives and our iPhone screens would be an understatement—and, whether or not that's questionable for our mental health, it's true. I'm also not going to argue that in order to be a positive, self-loving person you have to completely rid yourself of apps that help brighten, sharpen, and smooth your photos. If having a well-edited image will make you feel good, so be it. That being said, I'm not on board with the overly airbrushed, unrealistic cyborg-like selfies that have very little basis in reality.
So there has to be a middle ground, right? A way to keep your photos well-lit and still look like you. I asked a few women around the office to give up their best selfie app secrets, ones that don't take things too overboard. Below, find their best tips.
Aemilia Madden, fashion editor at Who What Wear
"When it comes to selfies (and Instagram in general), my favorite editing app is VSCO. It allows me to adjust the brightness and general tone of my photos so that they have some uniformity. I try not to go too crazy with editing, because at the end of the day, I want internet me to look like me IRL."
Faith Xue, editorial director at Byrdie
"I hate to say it, but nothing beats Facetune. The blur tool has smoothed out my shiny forehead on many an occasion, and I also love the whiten tool to make the whites of my eyes brighter (I'm crazy, I know). The detail tool is a more subtle way to bring out features than contrast, so that's a feature I love as well. Snapseed is also great for adjusting lighting—the ambiance feature is great for lowering yellow tones and upping contrast."
Hallie Gould, senior editor at Byrdie
"To be honest, I only recently learned how to take a good selfie. I was against them for a while in favor of pictures taken by other people (it felt more effortless, I guess). But I'm not embarrassed to admit I've changed my tune. Sometimes there's nothing better than a good selfie. I don't do much to my face, I really do like to make sure everything remains true to reality, but in the case of an annoying breakout or weird discoloration, I'll patch it out using Facetune. I think pores and lines are necessary to keep your face looking like you. Why would you want people to be disappointed when they see you in real life? That's an insecurity-inducing thought for me, and I'll keep my under-eye circles and forehead creases to avoid it. Other than that, I use Snapseed to work with contrast and brightness and VSCO to help add warmth if the light wasn't great. The best answer? Natural light and knowing your angles. Those two things are better than an app will ever be."
Maya Allen, assistant editor at Byrdie
"Nowadays everyone's on this whole 'natural' wave when it comes to photos, which I fully support. But I'm also not against bumping up a photo for my personal satisfaction. The trick is to edit your photos in a way that looks like you didn't do a thing. I found VSCO in college, and it's been my go-to editing app ever since. A little goes a long way with this app—the key is to brighten, sharpen, and contrast a tad to enhance your features even more. The filters are so quality and not grainy—it legitimately makes your photo look like it was taken on an expensive camera."
Erin Jahns, assistant editor at Byrdie
"I actually just got Facetune for the first time a month ago. To be honest, I much prefer to play with brightness and filters to create a more vibrant and luminous photo. However, if I've been running on less sleep or just am having a not-so-great makeup day (happens to the best of us, right?), I love how easy it is to blur makeup creases, dark circles, or an annoying pimple with just one light swipe. Again, I'm not a huge proponent for editing photos, but this is for those emergency situations when I just don't feel like staring at my pimple on social media in addition to the bathroom mirror."
Lindsey Metrus, managing editor at Byrdie
"While unconventional, I love using the Instagram Story filters as my 'selfie-editing app.' Jessica Alba once said in an interview that her trick is to use the 'pretty filter' (the one with the little diamonds around the face) with the flash on for the most flattering pictures (even when the camera is turned around). I've now started to use this filter as often as possible but personally prefer to take a picture facing a window for natural light. I find that this smooths out my under-eyes, makes my eyes look greener, and my teeth whiter."
Monday, November 13, 2017
Monday, October 2, 2017
From Hair-Whipping to Chanel Fashion Shows
Willow Smith, like her actor parents and superstar brother, has been in the spotlight since childhood. Over the years, we've watched the now-17-year-old grow from a vibrant girl to a blooming young adult, and her style over time has evolved just as much. Though recently Smith frequents a more mature and high-fashion vibe than that of her younger days, her clothing choices have never gone unnoticed. Here, we take a look back at some of her best looks, from the singer's hair-whipping days to now.
March 2010
Willow Smith arrived at Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kid's Choice Awards on March 27, 2010 in Los Angeles wearing a pair of Daryl van Wouw Converse hybrid shoe-pants, a cropped white leather jacket and matching white sunglasses (for added coolness effect, obviously).
July 2010
Willow Smith supported her brother Jaden Smith at the premiere of 'Karate Kid' at Potsdamer Platz on July 19, 2010 in Berlin. The young starlet wore a standout plaid head-to-toe ensemble.
September 2010
Willow Smith wore a unique punk-rock-inspired outfit consisting of boots, lace-up and pierced leggings and combat boots to the Emporio Armani Womenswear Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Sept. 25, 2010.
2011
Willow Smith hosted the "Whip Your Skates Back and Forth" party at Fleetwood Roller Rink on Feb. 21, 2011 in Illinois wearing a turquoise Adidas sweatsuit with bedazzled baby blue Reeboks.
2013
Willow Smith attended the 'After Earth' premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on May 29, 2013 in New York City looking sleek in an androgynous Saint Laurent ensemble.
2014
Willow Smith attends the Roc Nation Pre-Grammy Brunch Presented by MAC Viva Glam on Jan. 25, 2014 in Beverly Hills in a Dimepiece LA "Ain't No Wifey" tee, fringe skirt and booties.
May 2016
Willow Smith arrived for the 'Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology' Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2016 in New York City in a classy satin cropped-pant Chanel suit.
July 2016
Willow Smith stylishly attended the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016-2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 5, 2016 wearing a futuristic matching set in iridescent turquoise and designer Karl Lagerfeld's iconic fingerless motorcycle gloves, paired with white and maroon oxfords.
December 2016
Willow Smith looked sultry in a light and feathery Chanel ensemble as she attended 'Chanel Collection des Metiers d'Art 2016/17 : Paris Cosmopolite' Show on Dec. 6, 2016 in Paris, France.
2017
Willow Smith attended the CHANEL Metiers D'art Collection Paris Cosmopolite show at the Tsunamachi Mitsui Club on May 31, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan in another Chanel outfit consisting of satin wide-leg trousers, a sheer top, jacket and red purse.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Get those pink lips, naturally
Most of the girls have been looking for ways to keep lips pink and soft with natural ways with some ayurvedic home remedies. I would like to tell that some edible products like beetroot juice, lemon juice or some almond oil with moisturisation, scrub/exfoliation, milk cream treatment and rose petal remedy are a few beauty tips that can make your lips naturally pink and soft.
Lips, like the eyes, add character to the face. They are the focus of attention when we speak. The lips also add balance to the face, along with other facial features like the eyes and the nose. As far as beauty is concerned, appropriate lip makeup can enhance the beauty of the face.
Taking care of the lips is important for lip makeup. The skin of the lips is thin and delicate. It does not contain oil glands. That is why it becomes dry and chaps easily. After washing the face, rub the lips gently with a soft towel to remove dead skin.
Apply cream of milk (malai) daily and leave on for an hour. If the lips are dark, add a few drops of lemon juice to the cream of milk. At night, apply pure almond oil or an almond cream daily on the lips and leave on overnight.
Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to dry, chapped lips. Sometimes, even cracks may develop. Vitamins A, C and B2 are important for the lips. So, foods like citrus fruits, ripe papaya, tomatoes, carrots, green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains, oats, and milk products may be included in the diet.
Of course, it's best to take your doctor's advice before making changes in your diet, especially if you have any medical condition. Use glossy lipsticks and lip balm.
For fuller lips take the help of makeup. Light colours and glossy lipsticks make thin lips look fuller. For a pout, apply lipstick all over the lips, leaving out the centre. Then, apply a light coloured lip gloss on the centre.
To make thin lips look fuller, first apply foundation, which is one shade lighter than normal skin colour. Apply powder lightly. Wait for a few minutes. Then outline the lips just outside your normal lip line. Use the same colour lip pencil as the colour of your lipstick. Then apply light coloured glossy lipstick on the lips, using a lip brush.
Always use standard quality lip products as cheap quality lipsticks are made of chemical products and can make your lips dark and pigmented. When going out of the home in open sun for a long time then you should apply good quality lip balms and do not forget to remove lipsticks while going to bed at night. Apply lip balms daily at night to keep them hydrated.
Here are some natural remedies for the lips:
Honey draws moisture to the skin. So, apply honey on the lips to soften and moisturise them. Leave on for 15 minutes and wash off with plain water.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Glamour and silver screen stars
Alia Bhatt says there was a time when she wanted to bring down the curtain on designer Manish Malhotra's show. That was before she made her acting debut.
In 2014, Malhotra made her dream come true. And then this year, she returned to the fashion gala donning a long train dress that was decorated with floral designs. She completed the bridal look with a bun under a veil and red lips.
If she upped the beauty quotient, Ranveer Singh took the energy level to a great height when he hit the ramp in a black and grey pants with layered kurta and a jacket.
The collection, 'Sensual Affair', mostly saw lehengas and gowns with long trains and ample shimmer. He extensively made use of luxurious fabrics like silks, velvets and satin.
Breaking the monotony
Young and vivacious Disha Patani added glamour to the Manav Gangwani's show when she walked for the designer as a showstopper in black trousseau with 'maang tikka' adding drama to her looks.
"I think 'Maang tikka' gave a different look to my personality and it also broke the monotony. I love 'maang tikkas', it just adds so much to your face," Patani told.
Celebrating fantasy
Gaurav Gupta's couture collection that took references from the "sculptures found in the realm of a mythological forest", looked even more dreamy when actress Aditi Rao Hydari closed the designer's show.
Couture mostly means bridal in India, but the definition of bridal wear has changed, and Gupta proved that through latest collection, "Moondust".
"This collection is extremely couture. It's inspired by nature, forest, almost like a parallel world which is happening on the moon in a fairytale way.
"It is all these art like sculptures made into garments which are wearable sculptures. It's just about celebrating fantasy," Gupta told.
"We got mesh from Italy. We developed laces from scratch. That's what makes this collection haute couture," he added.
Royal all over
Dia Mirzaclosed Anju Modi's show by sashaying down the "environment friendly" runway in a traditional outfit, which is a part of the 'Sunehri Kothi' (Golden chalet) collection.
"Thank you for making me part of this as I am a complete nature lover. I can't imagine art, motifs inspired by nature. This collection really depicts that," Dia said while praising Anju.
"She (Anju) has been responsible for safeguarding our heritage. She has taken handicrafts and textiles to the next level. I felt exquisite today wearing this beautifully handcrafted outfit.
"It's delicate, intricate and has resonance of an era gone by," added the actress, who looks up to her mother for style.
"I took inspiration from the miniature art of 16th Century Rajasthan, especially Kishangarh. Dia looks like a princess from Rajasthan," said Anju, who used cow and deer motifs for her collection.
Calm textures
Bhumi Pednekar added glamour to ReynuTaandon'sshow.
Remaining true to her roots, Taandon in association with Rajnigandha presented collection titled "CYAN", which was inspired from the mysticism of peacock blue hues.
She showcased bold undertones of the Indian monsoon, intricate detailing and beautiful thread work that gently weaved in the magic and mysticism of peacock blue hues. Her collection was the perfect balance of traditional hand work.
Bhumi turned out to be a perfect showstopper in blue outfit. "I felt so comfortable walking in this outfit and I can wear this at any point of my life," she told.
Princess diaries
Athiya Shetty dressed up in a glittery outfit looked no less than a princess for designer-duo Shyamal and Bhumika's maiden show.
"I have always been an admirer of Shyamal and Bhumika and been inspired by Indian art and craft. Seeking inspiration from the rich Indian heritage and history from the ancient culture, Shyamal and Bhumika create couture collections relevant to modern day sensibilities," Athiya told.
"The play of colours and the silhouettes in their designs are stunning and it is my absolute pleasure and honour to be the showstopper for their first ever association with India Couture Week," she added.
Shyamal and Bhumika took inspiration from rich Indian heritage and history and used its precious crafts and artisanal techniques to create couture collections relevant to modern day sensibilities.
Wonder of the cock
Arjun Rampal transported fashionistas back to his super modelling days when he hit the ramp in a black bandhgala and pants with designer Rohit Bal's newly introduced cock motif.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Model reveals the truth about prostitution in the fashion industry
Jazz Egger, 20, who is based in London, believes that there is a dark and seedy undercurrent to the fashion world.
The Austrian-born beauty, who has more than 35,000 Instagram followers, first caught the attention of agents last summer.
After going to an exclusive London club, she was offered a modelling job where she'd be invited to party on a Greek yacht alongside millionaires.
Sensing something dodgy about the offer, Jazz decided to give it a miss.
But the following week, she claims she was approached by another man who asked her to go for dinner with a "famous actor" at a fancy restaurant.
Jazz Egger shared screenshots of the propositions she has received via Whatsapp with FEMAIL.
In one of the messages, an agent known only as George offered to pay her $3250 AUD for a "private meet" that would last one to two hours.
During this date with a "young handsome Iranian guy" she would be required to engage in some "natural intimacy".
The job advert didn't go down well with Jazz, who responded: "I'm a model not an escort!"
Jazz, who has been modelling since she was 13, alleges that this agent then went on to justify prostitution in the fashion industry.
He apparently replied: "Everyone enjoys having sex especially with good-looking guys. What is the shame."
Jazz claims that George then added: "That is how the fashion industry works ...
"Most models get to where they were through something like this."
Worryingly, the young model says that these sort of propositions are rife in the fashion industry.
The former Germany's Next Top Model contestant also commented that her friends are often inundated with similar unsolicited offers.
Jazz told the MailOnline: "I know some models that have done escort work and experienced unwanted sexual advances.
"When I shared the article, many of my model colleagues messaged me, telling me about their experiences. It was sad to see that it's such a common and usual thing.
"There's so much wrong with this industry and I am going to do whatever it takes in order to change it. It might take centuries, but you have to start somewhere."
Monday, September 4, 2017
Traditional Mexican, Central American huipiles showing up in shops
"It was an item you had to get from Mexico," she said.
Comfy and versatile, huipiles now make up the majority of her wardrobe.
They're similar to the clothing worn by her grandmother, an indigenous woman from a small village near the Veracruz-Oaxaca border in southern Mexico.
"It's my way of honoring her and connecting with her," said Mendoza, a Sonoma State University senior majoring in Chicano studies and sociology. "It's a form of identity and connecting with my roots."
Increasingly, Latina students and young professionals throughout the state are embracing huipiles and other traditional clothes, including the tehuana dresses and adelita skirts — long, flowing garments once worn by the military women of the Mexican Revolution. It's a way to showcase their culture and show resistance at a time of intensifying anti-immigrant rhetoric in the United States, says Roseanna Garcia, founder of Los Angeles-based Latina Fashionista.
While she's seen the clothing reemerge in the last two years, she said it's really picked up since January. She's seen more Latinas showing up to pro-immigration and women's marches in the attire.
"I'm happy to see Hispanic women, young women, not be afraid to show who they are, their culture and their race, by expressing it through fashion," said Garcia, whose organization is dedicated to boosting the number of Latinas in leadership positions in the apparel industry.
Young Latinas aren't the only ones gravitating towards to the embroidered blouses, dresses and skirts. They're making onto the racks of large apparel companies — some opting for Chinese-made or boho chic imitations.
It can be hard to compete with the cheaper imitations, said Margarita Reyes, a Santa Rosa resident who sells huipiles, adelita skirts and other clothing at the Sebastopol flea market and online. Still, she prefers to buy her inventory directly from the women who make the clothing in Mexico. The clothes comes from Oaxaca, Puebla and Tlaxcala, areas recognized for their embroidery, weaving and textiles.
"This is authentically Mexican. It's made by hand," Reyes said of the merchandise at her stall, where dozens of bright-colored floral skirts, dresses and blouses swayed in the wind one breezy afternoon.
Reyes said she has been selling the clothes about two or three years ago. She started with just a few blouses before business began to pick up and customers started to request items.
Blanca Caishpal offers similar clothing at her specialty dress shop, Novedades Blanqui, on Sebastopol Road in southwest Santa Rosa. She started carrying the clothing after seeing a growing interest.
"It has to do with television. All of a sudden, movie stars started wearing them," she said while showing off a black dress with multi-colored flowers embroidered along the neckline and a large peacock on a bottom corner.
Women purchase the dresses for special occasions, including college graduations, said Caishpal, who has owned the shop for 11 years. A lot of students from Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University have come into her store for the dresses and blouses, she said.
The clothing typically is made with "manta," a natural cotton commonly used by Mexico's indigenous because of its affordability and availability, said Anthelma Acevedo de Arellanes, a Windsor resident and clothing designer. Each village or region has its own unique embroidery, she said.
Originally from Oaxaca, she's been adding design elements traditional to her state to her formal wear. She's added embroidery typical of Oaxaca to gala dresses made from chiffon and charmeuse — a vision she's had for years.
Latinas aren't the only ones buying huipiles. Caishpal said Anglos also are drawn to the vivid colors and detailed hand-made embroidery on the huipiles, which Frida Kahlo often wore and depicted herself wearing in paintings.
While she's a respected figure, the clothing's growing popularity has little to do with Kahlo and more to do with honoring one's roots and ancestors, said Maria Aviña Patiño, a Roseland Elementary School counselor who holds a master's in counseling with a pupil personal service credential from SSU. She's done presentations on education and mental health throughout Sonoma County and the Bay Area.
"Frida used to dress this way, but it came from the indigenous people," she said.
At school and throughout town, she's always seen wearing huipiles, adelitas and rebozos — large, colorful shawls. Sometimes, she said, people stop her to ask why she's wearing a "Frida dress" and if there is a Mexican festival going on. She takes those opportunities to educate people about her homeland.
"If I don't dress like that, I don't feel like myself," said Aviña Patiño, a native of Jalisco, Mexico. "We have to be proud of where we come from."
It's a message she delivers to her students, particularly those who are immigrants. Seeing her dressed in traditional outfits also has motivated some students to wear theirs to school.
Mariana Martinez first started wearing the huipil when she was an undergraduate student at Sonoma State. Now as a Chicano and Latino studies professor and Santa Rosa Junior College board trustee, they've become part of her regular attire.
"It was a consciousness, reclaiming who I am — the brownness," said Martinez, who's always on the hunt for a beautiful huipil. Although they're becoming more widely available in the Bay Area, she sometimes buys them online or friends pick them up while in Mexico. She also finds them at Latina professional conferences. Martinez attributes their popularity to the accessibility.
Monday, August 28, 2017
The Outnet Sale Has the Best Designer Deals You'll See All Week
If you're looking to score big on your favorite designers, now is the time to hit up the online luxury outlet, TheOutnet.com. Starting today, you can shop its Summer Clearance Sale and choose items from over 350 designers including Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Jason Wu, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang and more, all for up to 85 percent off.
Amazing, right? We know.
You can find everything from clothing and shoes to handbags and accessories but you have to act fast – the hottest items are already selling out and every minute counts towards scoring your favorite designer pieces.
We've already added a few must-have styles to our shopping carts, such as a Proenza Schouler shirt dress and a romantic Emilio Pucci lace blouse. Scroll down to check out these and more designer deals we're scooping up before they're gone.
Modern Shirt Dress
This modern shirt dress is a fresh take on the ultimate summer dress style.
Embellished Pumps
Dress up any outfit with these party pumps. Pair them with your favorite jeans on the weekend or a sexy slip dress for a special occasion.
Pleated Maxi Skirt
This gorgeous metallic emerald maxi is perfect for any occasion. Pair it with your favorite crop top and statement earrings for summer or sweater and booties for fall.
Statement Earrings
These turquoise and blue earrings already have us planning our next summer soiree.
Lace Blouse
The delicate lace and voluminous sleeves make this romantic blouse a must-have.
Satin Box Clutch
This satin and acrylic box clutch is the ultimate wedding season accessory.
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