30 Jan '17

How To Keep Your Hair Frizz Free This Winter

4 Tips To Avoid Winter Damaged Hair

Woman Wearing Winter Hat | ISA Professional

Winter is a time to break out those OTK (over the knee) boots you were itching to wear or that cute, fuzzy scarf you got for your birthday. It’s also a great time to wear that dark plum or raisin hued lipstick you splurged on a couple of months ago. Even though winter fashion can be so much fun, it can also wreak havoc on your hair. The cold weather is a nightmare for your strands, leaving you with dry, limp and dull hair. If that wasn’t enough, you also have to worry about frizz, especially with all those cute scarfs, hats and coats you’re planning to wear! You may think that frizzy hair in the winter is inevitable but I have great news, there are ways to fight it! Having shiny, healthy and beautiful hair is possible in the colder months but you have to put in the effort and do your research. Luckily for you, I’ve already done that and am here to share it with you! We all know that skin care is very important; from SPF to serums, there are plenty of products that help your skin look its best. Just like you put in the effort for your healthy skin, you need to do the same for your hair. Follow these tips to see a huge difference in your locks during the colder months and pair that awesome winter outfit with beautiful hair!

Stay Away From Hot Water

Man Washing His Hair | ISA Professional

I know this is a tough tip to follow...when it’s so cold outside, all you want to do is take a nice, hot shower or bath, right? Well, unfortunately, this is a no-no because the heat only damages your hair and fades your hair color even quicker! I would normally suggest using cold water, since it’s the best option for color treated hair that helps fight frizz but since that’s almost impossible in the winter time, just stick with lukewarm water. Hot water dries your hair even more and that only leads to damaged, frizzy hair. Another tip to remember is to avoid washing your hair every day because it strips away your natural oils and leads to, you guessed it, more frizz. The less you wash your hair with shampoo, the better your hair will look!

Dry And Brush Hair The Right Way

Woman Brushing Her Long Hair | ISA Professional

Drying and combing your hair may seem simple and straightforward but it actually holds a lot of weight when your hair health is concerned. When you’re done washing your hair with lukewarm water, dry it in patting motions and use a microfiber towel or a soft t-shirt. A traditional towel is fine for your body but you need a softer material to avoid static in your hair. Once you’re done patting your hair dry, you’ll need to have two different types of brushes for your winter hair needs (you probably already own one); a plastic brush and a metal brush. Why two? A plastic brush is the perfect choice for wet hair thanks to its flexible teeth that help you detangle without harming your strands. A metal brush is the perfect choice for dry hair thanks to its material acting as a conductor, helping you keep static at bay. Remember to start at the bottom of the hair and slowly work your way up to avoid split ends!

Give Your Strands A Moisture Boost

Woman Applying Deep Conditioner | ISA Professional

Just like you use heavier moisturizers during the winter for your face and skin, you should be doing the same for your hair. The cold temperatures dry your hair out, leaving you with dull, lifeless and brittle strands. The best way to avoid this problem is to give your hair a serious moisture boost and that’s where deep conditioning comes into play. Pick whichever conditioner you prefer and soak your hair starting at the tips and working your way up to the scalp. Wear a cap over it to avoid any mess and just relax for as long as you want to give that conditioner a chance to do its work. I like to do some double duty by adding some argan oil to the conditioner; this not only adds shine but also leaves my split ends looking much better. Honestly, 100% pure argan oil has to be my #1 product during the winter months; not only do I apply it to my hair, I also use it on my face, nails and legs, it’s just that amazing! Moisturizing is essential during the cold months so make sure you’re diligent in taking care of your hair and you’ll definitely see the results. No more winter hats needed to hide that brittle mane!

Dryer Sheets Are Your New Best Friend

Woman Wearing Winter Boots With Large Purse | ISA Professional

Now this tip may seem a bit weird, but bear with me here. Dryer sheets are an amazing way to get rid of static in your hair and they’re so easy to use. All you have to do is swipe a dryer sheet over your hair and watch how the fly aways get under control! Another method is wiping them on your pillow sheet; this will help your hair stay sleek and beautiful while you sleep. I like to keep a dryer sheet in my purse in case I need to get my hair to cooperate while I’m outside and it works like a charm!

Woman With Healthy and Shiny Blonde Hair | ISA Professional

What do you do to keep your hair healthy and frizz free during the winter months? Am I the only one that uses a dryer sheet to control static, or do you use one too? Let me know in the comments!

24 Jan '17

Fashion-Forward China: The Present and Future of Chinese fashion

The Present and Future of Chinese Fashion

Fashion - it’s not just a trillion dollar industry, but one of the most basic ways by which humans express themselves. Our fashion choices shape how the world sees us, while couturiers show the world what they see via their art. Fashion is a global calling, with every country and culture nurturing their own fertile fashionistas: this week, on the doorstep of Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rooster, we’d like to highlight a few of our favorite Chinese fashion designers.

Christine Lau

Liu Qingyang, also known as Christine Lau, is the independent and elegant creator of Chictopia, one of the most popular homegrown fashion labels in China. Born in Beijing and educated at Central State Martins College in London, Christine started her own label at just 24 years old. Over the last eight years, her general popularity and industry profile have only grown - in January 2012, she was the first Chinese designer to make the cover of Vogue China. The accolades haven’t stopped there, and she also has a very fruitful relationship with Lane Crawford, bringing her clothing to stores from Hong Kong to Chengdu and more.

A photo posted by Fashmuse (@fashmuse) on Sep 10, 2015 at 1:11pm PDT

Christine’s fashion sense is refreshing, proving to be elegantly modern with an energizing retro feel - not to mention her own brand of quirkiness. Since Christine has a strong background in textiles, she puts special focus on the fabrics used in her designs - striking out with innovative decisions, from digital printing and embroidery and embossing to laser cutting and composite coating. All of her printed fabrics come from her own designs, where she is inspired by her culture, by fine art (from Matisse to Frida Kahlo), by the adorable. In her latest collection (Resort 2017), you’ll find roosters honoring the beginning of the Year of the Rooster, along with a variety of enormous flowers in bright colors.

Masha Ma

Masha Ma is the chic creator of futuristic and/or industrial femininity, redefining “made in China” while splitting time among Paris, London, and Shanghai. Masha also graduated from Central State Martins College, working with such fashion luminaries as Alexander McQueen along the way. She launched her personal label in 2011, and worked with other Chinese designers to found their own manufacturing facility in Shanghai by 2012. This way, she is able to commission small orders of quality fabrics, making “made in China” a point of pride rather than a global punchline. Over the last five years, Masha’s incredible work has been featured in Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, L'Officiel, and more.

A photo posted by MASHAMA PARIS (@mashamainsta) on Jan 5, 2017 at 2:20am PST

Masha’s signature designs incorporate opulent, often shiny fabrics into silhouettes with bold edges or romantic curves. Her SS17 collection is a parade of columned femininity and color contrast - between black and bright yellow, bright yellow and silver or grey, black and white - and then color coordination in the watercolor softness of white, greys, and purples. This collection is modeled by Milla Jovovich in the most recent issue of Vogue Taiwan.

Guo Pei

Guo Pei is arguably one of the finest haute couturière’s in China. From struggling to learn embroidery to opening her own atelier, she has been a pioneer in the Chinese fashion world. Her deep appreciation for beauty and her nation’s history are what drive her creations; she started learning to sew at 2 years old (to be useful to her mother) and her imagination fired on bedtime stories of fine imperial dress told to her by her grandmother. With the support of her husband Jack (Cao Bao Jie), who imports fine European textiles, she forged Rose Studio into one of China’s favorite houses for homegrown couture.

A photo posted by Guo Pei Couture (@guopeiofficial) on Oct 18, 2016 at 3:37am PDT

Guo has been creating opulent, intricate gowns for events and weddings for decades, but only recently skyrocketed into the international scene thanks to Rihanna. The glamorous singer appeared at the MET Gala in a 55-pound golden cape gown of satin and fox fur finished with a profusion of embroidery - designed, of course, by Guo Pei. Since, Guo has opened an atelier in Paris and been invited to Paris Fashion Week - she just finished her first year of seasonal collections. Her FW16 collection, Encounter, was as full of striking, sumptuous gowns inspired by her culture, and evoking fairy tale romance as we could have hoped.

Vivienne Tam

Vivienne Tam is an internationally established Chinese designer. Born in Guangzhou, she studied fashion design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Her fascination with fashion was born early, with Vivienne making her own clothing and dressing herself and family by the time she was 8. She ultimately settled in NYC and began her own company - originally East Wind Code, now Vivienne Tam - and she’s been a successful East-Meets-West fashion designer for decades. Beyond couture and ready to wear, Vivienne has also collaborated with jewelry and technology brands and more.

A photo posted by Vivienne Tam (@viviennetam) on Jan 13, 2017 at 10:47am PST

Vivienne’s early career was strongly rooted in Chinese culture, with focal points on Chinese prints and designs; in her many decades of design, she’s since expanded to truly embrace her Instagram mission statement of “The Original Authentic "East-Meets-West" Luxury Lifestyle Brand.” She often includes Chinese art and forms - from murals to the Zodiac to the cheongsam - in her designs, while also saturating herself in her latest Western inspirations. For SS17, that means Houston, TX, and the space program - her runways strut with gingham, fringe, butterflies, rodeo motifs, spacesuit silver, the NASA logo, and so much more.

There are so many more excellent Chinese fashion designers out there, but we’ll stop with these few favorites for now! In the meantime, drop into the comments and share your favorite Chinese couturiers or specific pieces with us. We can’t wait to see what you love!

17 Jan '17

Superheroes Save Us from the World

Superheroes to the Rescue

Representation matters.

You might have heard that a time or two. Even if you haven’t, you innately understand it.

Representation matters especially in the entertainment that we consume, particularly when we’re children; y’know, all impressionable minds and open hearts. The movies we watch, the books we read, all of these stories we consume are the building blocks of who we are. They define our world, building it character by story by stereotype. Who you are is what you understand the world to be.

A photo posted by Marz Stardust (@marzstardustcosplay) on Jan 12, 2017 at 9:02pm PST

I grew up with superheroes. Some of my earliest memories are of wanting to be Talia, going on adventures with He-Man… until I discovered She-Ra, and then I understood I could be the center of the adventure. Rainbow Brite also taught me a girl could save the universe from the back of a rainbow-maned horse. Then came the X-Men, and I met Jean Grey, who was intelligent and gifted and then the drowning heart of a god. She taught me the importance of humanity, of the core of self. By the time I found my way to comics, I was lucky enough to discover Generation X - full of complicated girls my age, trying to learn their powers and also better the world. Girls like M, a woman of color, self-possessed and confident. Husk, a down-home country girl with a spine of steel. Jubilee, with all her pluck and dedication, and Penance with her boundless sorrow and inability to communicate (an early avatar for my understanding of depression).

I grew up in a world that told me, as a girl, not to be - don’t worry about your brain, you just need to look good. Don’t eat… so much, anyway. Why do you wear pants so often? Why don’t you smile? Girls shouldn’t read so many books. Don’t worry about going to college too much, it’s just to find an up-and-coming professional husband. Keep your legs closed. If you must start a career, just let it occupy you until you get married. It’s a good thing I had superheroes as a counterbalance to all of that - my mom*, She-Ra, Jean Grey and others kept me sane. They gave me the horizon.

A photo posted by PhotoWork (@photodesignworks) on Jan 8, 2017 at 8:10pm PST

I went to college. I smiled only when I felt like it. I explored the world, moved to Tokyo, became a writer, and walled my apartment in books. I only got married when I was good and ready - which turned out to be over halfway to 30 and to my best friend whose only plan for me is to be me.

Superheroes who are women can be our lifelines in a world that tells us to be less, but they can also betray us: for every character I found to identify with, I found two who alienated me by their mere presentation - a problem created by the minds and hands behind the comics. I never found out if there was a real character inside the pages of titles like Witchblade or Power Girl or Vampirella because the covers confused me. The superheroes were grossly hypersexualized, waving a flag to attract a very different gaze from mine. Their proportions were as unrealistic as their outfits were generally unsuited to their jobs.

Some of you may be doubting how much these unrealistic depictions of female superheroes can truly impact our way of thinking about ourselves. I can understand where you’re coming from, and you don’t have to take my word for it. I invite you to check out “The Problem with Female Superheroes” over at Scientific American, which discusses one study researching how hypersexualized superheroes may not negatively impact our beliefs on gender parity, but do degrade our opinions of our physical place in the world.

We’re lucky. The world we live in is changing - that change is coming with great pain and terrible turmoil as so many disenfranchised people stand up and demand to be recognized. But the struggle, while hard, is producing genuine results. We’re holding creators accountable. Women, People of Color, people with disabilities, those who are neuroatypical, those who are not heterosexual, they are all demanding a voice and using that voice.

A photo posted by IronHeart RiRi Williams (@iron_riri) on Jul 17, 2016 at 3:17pm PDT

And now? We have Moon Girl, a black girl and supergenius who is saving the world with her partner Devil Dinosaur. We have Faith Herbert, a fat woman who is saving the world and being fabulous because “overweight” doesn’t mean anything. We have Kamala Khan, a modestly dressed Muslim who is Captain Marvel. Riri Williams is now Iron Man (and her ‘fro is amazing), and Thor is an office held by Jane Foster (who is also currently a breast cancer survivor). So many people, previously voiceless or shouted down, are now finding themselves on brightly colored pages as their heroes, saving the day and changing the world. There is still so much farther to go, but we have begun. We’re transforming our stories and saving ourselves.

So now you get it. Representation matters. When we see ourselves in popular stories, in our comic books, we truly understand that we matter. Our stories are worth telling, which means we are worth acknowledging. Recognizing ourselves in the world gives us the confidence to discover what we can accomplish, and the wisdom not to diminish our own horizons. Superheroes don’t just save the world - they save us from the world, and let us create a new one.

*My mom has seen things you wouldn’t believe, and saved more souls than you can imagine. She’s a real-life superhero, flaws and strength and all.

13 Jan '17

New Year’s Resolutions Get Real

The Truth About New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year, one and all! 2016 has been put to bed, and 2017 is still a gleaming, hazy dream full of possibility. This is it! The time has come to dump off all your bad habits, and transform into fabulous paragons of grace and wit and success! Throw aside your glasses, everyone - all us Clark Kents are going Superman 24/7.

Oh, wait, you need those glasses to see? Shoot, me too. Did anyone see where mine landed?

Okay, so maybe we shouldn’t race toward complete transformation. What we’re looking for is leveling up, right? Becoming our best selves is a worthy goal - so maybe less Clark Kent or Superman, and more Kal-El.

That’s a much better idea, because…

A photo posted by Martyna Wojciechowska (@martyna.official) on Jan 6, 2017 at 11:18am PST

New Year's Resolutions don't work

Successful New Year’s resolutions are the exception rather than the rule, and anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something. (Yes, yes, I know that last bit’s a line from The Princess Bride. Still super-accurate.) According to the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, for example, over 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions and only 8 percent of them manage to follow through on their goals.

Those aren’t encouraging numbers, but they make sense. Too often, people go hog wild over resolutions and make too many at once - and they’re not small, sensible resolutions either. No, it’s quit smoking, get up at 7 AM to run every day, and no more processed sugar! Or no more red meat, a kibosh on caffeine, and work out at the gym daily after work! Even one of those is a hard goal to make every day, and you’re positioning yourself to feel defeated when you stumble.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use the New Year as a springboard to improve yourself - far from it. It’s a great demarcation point to springboard off of, but you must be realistic, set specific goals for yourself, and start small.

Real Change Starts Small

A photo posted by NikkieTutorials (@nikkietutorials) on Jan 9, 2017 at 3:34pm PST

“千里之行，始於足下” is often translated as “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” and that’s the perfect metaphor for anybody trying to do anything ever. To succeed at a hardcore resolution - like cut out red meat or stop smoking - or even to learn a new skill, you must start small. Oh, and rewire your brain.

You didn’t know this was going to get into mad science, did you? Well, the references to comic book characters in the first paragraph should have been a clue. If “rewire your brain” makes you think uncomfortably of Tesla coils and operating slabs in creepy labs, just think of it as “changing your thinking” instead. Which we just did with this paragraph: discomfort gone, open-mindedness in.

Seriously, though, changing a habit or learning a new one is all about changing the way you think. Instead of defaulting to a smoke when nervous or tired or just because, you redirect yourself to another activity - like sucking on hard candy, coloring, or exercise. Make those new choices often enough, and they become the default. Psychology Today has some more great information on choosing and creating real change with your New Year’s resolutions.

Choose to Learn New Skills

A photo posted by Natalia (@raynok) on Jan 9, 2017 at 4:56pm PST

So many of our New Year’s resolutions focus on changing who we are, without necessarily taking into account who we want to be. We make resolutions based on who we think we should be, and that’s no good for anyone. Remember: we’re not interested in pretending to be Clark Kent anymore, or endlessly performing as Superman. We’re looking for our Kal-El. Okay, forget metaphor: we’re looking for ourselves.

Alongside any health improvement changes you may be considering - worthy goals indeed - let me suggest a new kind of resolution. Learn a new skill. Something that makes you feel engaged or beautiful or competent. Start learning a new language, or how to knit. Better yet, teach yourself to give killer manicures or learn a new hair braiding style. Finally figure out eyeliner or develop your fashion sense and style. Focus on being creative and having fun, and you’ll find yourself along the way.

Think you can never match your beauty inspirations online? First, never try to match someone else. Do your own thing, and own it. See above about creativity and fun. Then, start small. Like with manicures and nail art: start with getting in the habit of keeping your nails healthy and shaped. Once you’re regularly oiling and filing, gradually add color - just one, at first, until polish-application is easy for you. Then it’s time to start playing with more colors or decals or incredible nail art tutorials you find online. And if you discover your hands just aren’t steady enough, or you don’t have the patience for regularly-painted or decorated nails? Then you source some killer nail wraps, and learn something else.

It’s your life. Live it.

Now hit the comments and tell us what you plan to learn in the New Year.

09 Jan '17

Stylish Ways to Wear Winter Scarves

It’s scarf weather, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Some don’t put much thought into these innocuous little textiles, and that’s really a pity. Scarves come in as many beautiful patterns and luxurious materials as any other piece of clothing we wear - they’re fabulous, versatile, and perfect for stylish experimentation. Instead of wrapping your scarf a couple times ‘round your neck and calling it good, let’s look at what creative and smart ways you can rock this simple accessory.

The Full Bundle

For those of us in the coldest climes, we tend to work with the heaviest of scarves: we’re talking bulky materials, like chunky wool knits or voluminous blanket scarves. This can limit your options as far as intricate scarf style goes, but there’s still plenty of room to groove out with some surprising wraps.

You can turn your scarf into a cowl, with a drape in front of your neck, the ends wrapped around your throat and then pulled flush with the bottom of the drape - it falls charmingly, and stands ready to be pulled up over the bottom of your face when the wind’s being a jerk. You can do a short braid with a chunky knit scarf that looks stunning, or go modern with a man’s tie knot.

A post shared by @darkesst_sunlight on Jan 19, 2018 at 7:22am PST

With a big enough scarf, you can go completely off-script and turn your scarf into another garment entirely: fold your blanket scarf into a triangle and drape it over your shoulders like a shawl. Then simply belt it over your clothes. (This is also a great look with a large, colorful silk scarf and a thin belt - that’s not going to keep you safe from the cold, but it’s a great decorative look.)

The Comfort Knit

Welcome to the comfortable middleman between desperate-for-warmth heavy scarves and the super sleek fashionable style! This level of scarf tends to be in the traditional oblong shape, and made of soft woven wool or dense cotton or synthetic materials. It’s easier to work into more complicated drapes and knots:

Wendy Nguyen has an amazing and comprehensive scarf tutorial on YouTube, covering 25 ways to wear scarves of this thickness. She employs a number of techniques from rolling to loops to tucking - and they’re all as easy as they sound! Let her inspire you with looks from the classic to the snuggly.

There’s so much more you can do with these scarves - your opportunities for creativity are endless! You can tie and twist two scarves together for a DIY infinity scarf, combining colors or patterns as you please. You could be daring, and tie an enormous bow at a jaunty angle to your throat - a potentially perfect look for arriving to a holiday party!

There are also many tutorials out there for a necklace style using these types of scarves - generally, it involves tying a decorative knot in your scarf with the ends hidden away so it drapes just like a pendant. More structured necklace looks include multiple knots, or braiding your scarf so it circles your throat more closely. (Actual scarf necklaces are a whole other, gorgeous thing and you should look them up on Pinterest when you have some time. Some serious time.)

The Sleek Wrap

While these tend to be the least effective scarves for keeping toasty warm, they still pack some insulating power - particularly scarves made of silk and wrapped snugly. These thin scarves also tend to be the most like brightly-colored plumage, so many jewel tones and daring patterns ensnaring and enchanting the eye.

Everything you can do with a bulkier scarf, you can do with more finesse and intricacy here. Your braided styles get tighter, your knots sleeker, and the kerchief knotted at your throat makes you the personification of flirty chic. Wrapping a long silk scarf tightly around your neck lends you statuesque modernity, while tying a bisous bow tie gives you a touch of luxurious whimsy.

A post shared by Emily Anderson (@emily.marie.anderson) on Jan 19, 2018 at 2:05am PST

The utility of these scarves doesn’t stop with being wrapped around your neck or shoulders either! A cleverly folded silk scarf becomes a coquettish belt, or a charming headband. If you’re cleaning or feeling retro, tie your scarf over your hair a la the 1940’s (like Rosie the Riveter). There are also so many culturally-specific headwrap styles that can inspire you, so don’t be afraid to draw on and honor your heritage.

Feeling pretty excited about those scarves now, right? We’ve got the bug, too. The only limit is your imagination, so show us what you got: tag us on Instagram with your best scarf styles, or jump into the comments!

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