Posts Tagged ‘Miles21’

Leggings and Skinny Jeans

Leggings and Skinny Jeans:
These super-fitted pants are the most prevalent trend in young adult fashion for a reason. They can be worn up or down depending on the outfit and accessories one pairs them with. Leggings are also a great way to show off ones legs without showing skin, which makes them ideal for colder weather.
1969 always skinny jeans - medium washmatte-legging

Keep them if:
Unfortunately, these pants will inevitably go out of style one day. You should keep them regardless if you have invested in high-quality leggings such as Lululemon’s or Athletica. They are charging more and more each season for leggings and one day you will be happy you kept these nice pants. As for jeans, it is best to keep them if they are classic denim because they will rarely be out of style.
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Toss them if:
There are details that date them back to a specific era. This can be a specific wash, or anything meant to decorate the pants. Bright colors that work now, might not be in style in a few years.
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Skin Care

The key to perfect makeup is having a clean slate to start with. Foundation is a magical thing that can cover a huge number of flaws, but having nice, smooth, and unblemished skin definitely makes the process faster and easier. One’s skin care routine can make all the difference.

One simple thing, that actually isn’t as easily done as said, is to resist touching your face.
Although this seems like a small thing, in reality it can make all the difference. One’s hands (yes yours in included) are covered in bacteria that can be transferred to one’s face if one touches it. Dirt can get trapped in one’s pores and may lead to an unsightly cluster of pimples. It may seem unrealistic to not touch your face, and it is certainly difficult. If you must, it is best to wash your hand thoroughly before doing so, or to use oil-absorbent blotting paper instead.

The next step is to determine your skin type.
This is very important because it allows one to pick and use the appropriate skin care products.

  • Normal skin- Normal skin is ideal and it does not get too oily or too dry. It is generally smooth and only gets the rare blemish.
  • Dry skin- Dry skin (something I am plagued with) usually feels quite firm, especially right after a shower or washing your face. Sometimes skin can become try enough that is becomes flaky, but for the most part this can be fixed with a deep moisturizer.
  • Oily skin- This is perhaps the easiest of all skin types to spot. Some people will notice that their skin feels slightly wet to touch or looks shiny (especially in the sun). This skin type is the most prone to blemishes; however, this can be solved or eased by toning and exfoliating.
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This is pretty self explanatory, but NEVER pick, or squeeze pimples.
Everyone does it, but in the long run it will just hurt and leave a scar. Most of the time, it even looks worse than before you did it.

Use gentle products.

As someone with relatively non-sensitive skin, I have never had a problem with skin care products. However, it is always best to use products that are not harsh on the face regardless. The best products do not use excess chemicals. A good way to tell if a product is too strong is if your skin feels too tight or dry after cleansing.

Stick to a routine

Your skin takes time to adjust to new products. Switching products excessively can lead to bad results, as well as giving up on a product after one or two tries.

Halloween NO’s

It’s officially Halloween!

Personally, I absolutely love Halloween and seeing everyone get creative with their outfits. However, there are definitely a few costumes that should be avoided.

First, the “Sexy Ebola” costume:
Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 2.00.53 AMI honestly don’t understand why this even became a thing, but I have seen this all too much so far (even at PSU). Ebola is a dangerous and tragic epidemic that, unfortunately, is being exploited for Halloween costume in bad taste.

Ray Rice:
21-ray-rice-reddit-costume.w245.h368.2xOkay sure, lets dress up as a guy who abused his wife and dragged her out of an elevator. This topic has been all over the internet and social media, therefore it is a given that people (who lack decency) will follow suit by imitation. I can’t imagine that this costume will be going away any time soon.

Sexy ISIS:
mainAlong with the Ebola costume, many different variations of ISIS costumes are taking over social media. CNN says “ISIS is known for killing dozens of people of people at a time and carrying out public executions, crucifixions, and other acts.” I think the fact that people are sexualizing something like this is truly disgusting.

Robin Williams:
mrs_doubtfire_2_by_arcitenens-d54s8xeBecause suicide, is not, and will never be funny. It’s one thing to dress up as Marilyn Monroe, but this is just simply “too soon”.

People complain a lot about “basic” halloween costumes, but I would much rather see one more bunny, nerd, or nurse than any of these highly insensitive costumes. Halloween is a fun holiday that should not be ruined by people who, for lack of a better word, enjoy being assholes.

Do’s and Please Don’ts

Do use mascara:
Mascara completes a look by making lashes look fuller and darker. Without it, it is very possible that your makeup will look incomplete or sloppy. In addition, when used correctly, it can make one look more alert and less tired.
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Don’t apply a fresh coat over an already dried coat:
You do not want to be that girl who either has a super clumpy mess of mascara, or has the scary spider-lashes. Both of these things tend to happen when girls apply fresh coats over previously dried coats. I would recommend, instead, to apply multiple coats of mascara while still wet.
thumbDo highlight and contour:
This is perhaps my favorite beauty trick. No one will ever know if you have a naturally round face if you master the art of contouring; you will always look perfectly chiseled. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I prefer cream stick foundation, as powder can make one look muddy or dirty.
19129495081259475579Don’t forget to blend:
Contouring and highlighting can be tricky because it involves the use of shades of foundation that are lighter or darker than one’s natural skin. This can be problematic if it is not blended properly. Some common mistakes are the “drag queen cheekbones” and the “reverse raccoon” under eye.
Eva+Longoria+Parker+QoFQHFqXhVmmDo fill/shape in your eyebrows:
We have all seen those photoshopped pictures of celebrities without eyebrows…and lets be honest, if Anne Hathaway can’t pull it off, none of us can. Eyebrows frame your eyes and help set the structure of your face. Therefore, it is very important not to neglect them. Filling in your eyebrows allows you to get rid of any natural gaps or scarceness.
brow-Don’t OVER-fill in your eyebrows:
This isn’t anyone’s goal…enough said.
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Coastal Fashion War

In my last fashion post, I mentioned that I had not lived anywhere other than California. The change in weather was not the only thing I had to adjust to; in fact, I found that my entire wardrobe was not “in style” in State College. I had heard about the East Coast vs. West Coast style debate previously, but had not paid it much attention.

Here’s the breakdown:

West Coast Style:
Fashion seems to veer towards a more relaxed and effortless look. Even when dressing up, style is more bohemian and, in general, most people could pass for a festivalgoer at all times (If you’ve ever been on Pinterest, you’ve seen pictures of Vanessa Hudgens at Coachella and know exactly what I’m talking about). West Coast style can be truly summarized by their “California cool” reputation. It’s all about looking casual and innovative but chic at the same time. Cream and black are the staple colors, and tribal and floral prints are thrown around like it’s nobody’s business. Crochet and fringes are “in” right now and the more textures in an outfit, the better. With jewelry, you can expect to see a lot of mixing and matching. It is not uncommon to see someone wearing multiple necklaces varying in different lengths and prominence.

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East Coast Style:
Style is definitely more structured and sleek on the East Coast. There seems to be a brighter color palette overall, and people are not afraid to color-block. The theme is navy, white, bright pinks and greens—often in patterns. I would have to say that the fashion is more serious and professional than the opposing coast, and the smart-buttoned up look runs rampant. Every accessory makes a statement, and they are not just thrown on without thought. That being said, it makes sense that bigger jewelry such as statement pieces are seen more often. The weather might help explain some of the differences, such as layering. On the West Coast there simply isn’t a need for too much layering—this gives the East more room to be creative with different components of an outfit. I have not come across too many people who mismatch, as the use of bold colors has been made into an art.

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So which is better?
In the end, this all comes down to the fact that both styles are so completely different. Neither side is willing to let up, and why should they? Both fashions are awesome in their own regards. In my opinion, they completely represent the respective cities and people’s outlooks; to pit them against each other would be doing the fashion world a disservice.

Looks like its a tie!

 

 

What Makeup Team Are You On?

Frosh Makeup:
You pride yourself on being a natural beauty, five minutes is all you’re willing to spend in the mirror in the morning, and you probably feel weighed down by a full face of makeup. If this sounds like you, you are on the Frosh Makeup team!

Bare Minerals is for you! I was a slight skeptic of Bare Minerals initially, purely because I was convinced that it was not possible to get “flawless coverage with a no-makeup feel” all the while “promoting healthier skin.” I was so wrong. The foundation comes in three main forms: loose powder, compact powder, and their new liquid foundation. I have tried all three, and I would have to say that my favorite by far is their compact. There is a huge difference between sheer coverage and a foundation that is just too thin, and unfortunately I found the liquid foundation to be the latter. In addition, although it goes on quite smoothly when applied (one perk of its thinness) the product tends to separate and needs to be vigorously shaken to avoid it from doing so. The loose power works quite well for many people, I however, am too much of a mess in the morning to use it without it flying everywhere. The compact provides a happy medium of the two, and is my go to product when I am in a rush. I am also a huge fan of their “Flawless Definition Curl & Lengthen” mascara for a more natural look. As someone with very sensitive eyes, it has never caused a problem for me and will always remain a staple.

http://www.bareescentuals.com/bareMinerals-READY-SPF-20-Foundation/USMasterReadyFoundation,en_US,pd.html

http://www.bareescentuals.com/Flawless-Definition-Curl-Lengthen-Mascara/USmasterflawlesscurl,en_US,pd.html

JV Makeup:

You definitely know what you are doing with a stippling brush, and a little bronzer doesn’t scare you. However, you might not be ready for a 30 minute (minimum) commitment every morning. Welcome to the JV Makeup team.

So you’ve mastered the basics of a simple face, and you’re ready for some eye drama. I am absolutely in love with all three of the Naked palettes, but I think the Naked2 has my heart. It’s really hard to beat a classic, but somehow this palette has done so. The original Naked has a wide range of nudes (as the name would suggest) and is great for everyday wear. The Naked2 has similar shades, however they are more suited for semi-dramatic makeup, as many of them have shimmer. The shadows are also very pigmented, so a little goes a long way and your $54 are well worth it! To finish off a great smokey eye you will need some eyeliner. Before coming to college I had been using the Sephora Brand liquid eyeliner, and never had any problems. In fact, it goes on very dark, smoothly, and lasts for hours (which is hard to find in an eyeliner). However, sometimes in crowded parties I would notice it start to smear, so I have gathered that it does not do well in the heat. Recently I have been using a drugstore alternative, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Thick & Thin Eyeliner. This product has worked very well and will not smear no matter what (sometimes it’s even a little challenging to get off when you’re trying!)

http://www.urbandecay.com/naked-2-palette-by-urban-decay/282.html#q=naked2&start=1

http://www.sephora.com/colorful-waterproof-eyeliner-24-hr-wear-P384877?skuId=1551910

Varsity Makeup:

You know the in’s and out’s of makeup and you are not afraid to experiment with your daily routine. If contouring is your middle name and Sephora is your best friend, welcome to the Varsity Makeup team!

Contouring Contouring Contouring! We’ve all seen those twitter collages where it looks like the girl has undergone plastic surgery with her makeup; well thats the power of contouring. There are many ways to achieve this more “chiseled” look. Some people like to do so with bronzer, however, I tend to feel like it makes the face look dirty. This is because a lot of the time, bronzer has some shimmer in it; and the hollows of your face should be kept matte. This is why I use the NARS Matte Multiple. This is an interesting product because it can be used as lipstick or for one’s face; this is why it comes in a variety of colors. If you use the bronze colors to contour, it leaves the face looking slimmer and clean!

http://www.sephora.com/matte-multiple-P384868?skuId=1577436

Winter Clothes Wishlist

At the age of eleven I fell absolutely head-over-heels in love with Penn State. From the prestigious academics, to the amazing athletics and quality of life, it had everything I wanted from a university and so much more. The day I got my acceptance letter was most definitely one of the happiest and proudest of my life. There was only one problem. Snow.

I was born and raised in California, and the idea of snow legitimately scared me. I mean my idea of “cold” was 65 degrees. When I visited campus for the first time, in mid February, I unfortunately discovered I was right to be frightened. As I participated in the accepted students campus tour, all I could think about was the actual physical pain my body was undergoing due to the harsh conditions. This is when I decided that my cotton Victoria’s Secret leggings, skimpy sweater, and Converse were not going to make the cut for my first winter in Happy Valley. Naturally, I did what any “cheimatophobic” Californian would do and hopped on The North Face website immediately and purchased the warmest ski jacket and gloves they had to offer. All jokes aside, the other day I was sitting in my dorm rummaging through my closet in search of outfits I could potentially wear in the winter when I didn’t want to look like a walking marshmallow. After an hour I gave up with my West Coast wardrobe and I turned to Pinterest (and ended up with a much thinner wallet after a few hours of online binge shopping).

I came upon four things right away: snow leggings, sweaters, coats and scarves. These are definitely basics (especially for all of you East Coast natives) but for me this was groundbreaking; certainly much different than the dresses and occasional tights that would be sufficient back home.

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Anyway, back to my Pinterest hunt. In the pictures above the girls are wearing outfits with similar fundamental pieces, but they achieve different looks. The left seems to have a comfortable and cozy appearance, and the right reminds me of a day in the city. Either way, both are adorable and it is evident that oversized cable-knit sweaters and chunky infinity scarves are a must.

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Ahhh, leggings; every girl’s weakness. I am all for the saying “beauty is pain,” but when it comes to the choice between leggings and jeans, leggings will win any day and everyday. The only problem is that they are so thin! This isn’t the case with these Snow Angel Doeskin leggings. The soft under layer keeps the lower body warm while keeping its sleek look without bulky.

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I had never been one for coats because I thought they were too preppy. After my online shopping extravaganza it is safe to say I have completely changed my mind. The girl above is bundled up in a chiffon white blouse, beige sweater, and button down coat. Layers really seem to be a girl’s best friend.

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Finally, I just had to throw these cute cable knit headbands into this week’s post. What a perfect way to keep your ears warm and accessorize an outfit at the same time.

Hope you enjoyed this post everyone 🙂

Liquid Foundation Essentials

Finding the perfect foundation can be a daunting task. Whether you are strolling through the isles of your local CVS or exploring the majestic world of the legendary Times Square Sephora, the seemingly endless choice of formulas, brands, and finishes is enough to drive a woman insane. I, personally, have lost count of the amount of products on my “must try” list that have turned out to be too dry (resulting in a “cake-face”), too oily, or just a general disappointment. One might wonder why we even bother—why not just pick up the first product we see that is wrapped up in pretty packaging? Women are willing to scour the entire world for the perfect foundation because it can truly act as a canvas for the rest of one’s makeup when applied properly (not to mention it’s almost magical powers to erase blemishes and even-out one’s skin tone).

Unfortunately, there is no single foundation that will work for everyone. This is because finding the perfect foundation is a very intimate process. Everything about it, from the consistency to the amount of coverage, has to be chosen specifically to suit the customer’s needs—I mean this will be going on our faces everyday right? This is why there are so many types of foundation available; the main seven are: liquid, cream, tinted moisturizer, whipped foundation, stick foundation, powder, and mineral. Since there is such a variety, today I will just be covering liquid foundation in greater depth. Since the majority of my readers are college students on a budget, I have tried to include mostly drug-store brands, which are generally affordable, in my “top four” list.

4) Maybelline FIT
This is a tricky product to review. Despite all the negative comments about the foundation, I just had to try it out for myself. This is definitely not a product I would recommend for anyone with skin on the oily side. It has an extremely dewy finish and tends to look too shiny on anyone whose skin is not naturally dry. That being said, this product worked quite well on me, and consistently left me with summery glow. This foundation is great for sheer coverage and is most suitable for younger skin.

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3) Neutrogena Healthy Skin
The Neutrogena Healthy Skin liquid foundation is best for those who are looking for light to medium coverage. Many have asserted that this product and the more expensive NARS Sheer Glow have similar qualities, and I have to say this holds true in my own experience with the two foundations. Healthy Skin works well on dry/combination skin and leaves a dewy finish. In addition, it has an SPF 20, which is great for mature skin. The only downsides I found to this product were the limited shade variety and its sheer coverage (as I personally prefer medium to full).

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2) Revlon Colorstay
For those who constantly have to worry about their faces “melting off,” this is the product for you! Yes, there are some clear downsides such as its heaviness and chemical smell, but for the summer humidity, I have not found anything better. Applying this foundation can be a little difficult because of low “blendabilty,” but once it is on, it stays matte all day and leaves you with a flawless finish.

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1) Revlon Photoready
I almost have nothing negative to say about Photoready (great job Revlon!). This foundation has buildable coverage and is great for medium to full. Unlike many Revlon products I have tried in the past, it does not appear orange or cakey. In fact, it actually leaves a very natural glow for a healthy-looking appearance. Ironically, the only downside I have found is that it is a little too dewy on its own in pictures! However, using some translucent power on top easily solves this. Overall, this has been one of my favorites for quite some time.

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Hope you all enjoyed this post—until next week everyone!

Introduction to Passion Blog

I heard “passion blog” and my mind instantly turned to makeup and fashion. When I was young I used to constantly get caught red-handed shuffling through my mother’s makeup drawers, often while wearing a good number of her clothes. It was an instant fascination, I vividly remember spending hours at a time, almost everyday, watching YouTube videos made by makeup and fashion gurus—desperately trying to imitate their flawless looks.

Once I entered high school, and I was actually permitted to wear makeup, I practiced every single day—on myself, and the others unfortunate enough to be within a 500-foot radius. After a couple of years I got pretty good at it and I would often do my friends makeup for special occasions like junior prom, senior ball, or even just a night where they wanted to feel extra pretty.

My love of clothes probably started around my sophomore year of high school. For the previous year I had been working very hard on general “self-improvement,” and as a result, lost a decent amount of weight. I was feeling very good about myself and decided I needed to step up my clothes game. My mother, another clothes enthusiast, was thrilled. From that point on I have been following almost every major clothing magazine targeted towards teens and, for the most part, have tried to implement that knowledge in my daily wardrobe.

For this blog, I plan to make videos teaching my viewers how do some of my favorite makeup looks, do makeup hauls and write reviews on my favorite and least favorite products, write about trends in fashion and my opinion on them, and find the “best Penn State outfit of the week” and interview the girl wearing it.

Have a great day everyone ☺