Who made us thank them for their Heavenly Bodies and who made us cry for their sins.
Ah the Met Gala. That first Monday in May reserved for all the brightest stars to show up and show out at the most important fashion event of the year. The theme being “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” I expected opulence at its finest. A lot of people fell short (mostly the guys), which is expected at an event like this. But those whose showed out, SHOWED TF OUT. With literal centuries of inspiration to draw from, there was no doubt in my mind that Met Gala vets would show up in their Papal best. Heavenly Bodies was a perfect opportunity for drama and excess and even a little bit of sin. Most people, however, pulled up to the biggest theme party in the world looking like they were going to a parent teacher conference or, Lord help me, prom.
I’m tired.
As a whole, the theme was relatively well followed by the women who attended. Ariana Grande looked like an actual renaissance painting. Zendaya literally showed up as Joan of Arc. Cara Delevingne was dressed as a confession booth (A+ for inspiration). Solange wore a du-rag emblazoned with the words “My God Wears a Du Rag” AND carried a bottle of agua de Florida (be still my Cuban heart). Lana Del Rey looked like a living saint in Gucci. And Rihanna, well….sis wins every year. It doesn’t make up for the fact that some of these women (I’m looking at you, influencers) didn’t even try. All it takes is a quick google search in one of your three iPhones to find inspiration for probably the easiest Met Gala theme of the past five years. With all that money and access so the best of the best in the industry, someone really had the gall to show up in a powder blue, Grecian style chiffon gown like she was going to her high school homecoming. It’s a slap in the face to Anna Wintour and the Gala’s legacy. And if I were Miss Wintour (hey girl!), I’d disinvite every person who didn’t even attempt to follow a theme as obvious and easy to draw from as this one.
Seriously though, where were the chalices?! The martyr bodies DRIPPING in gemstones?! THE STIGMATA?!?! Catholicism inspired half the art that takes up the Met museum itself!! I’m tired of these influencers showing up to these events, and treating them like a sort of Instagram photo-op. The Met Gala is meant to showcase fashion in its purest form: as art. But half the youngins that show up don’t even take the time to learn the theme. You can still be pretty and in theme, girlies. Look at Priyanka Chopra if you don’t know how. To me, all that shows is how uncultured and downright boring some of these influencers are. To all the guys and gals who were invited to this event and decided to play it safe and pretty, Anna Wintour herself saw you as worthy enough to take up one of the highly coveted spots, be respectful of that. This was a chance to get a little sinful, a little more dramatic than normal. An off-the-shoulder sweater and wide leg pants does not, I repeat does not, meet those criteria.
The Visual Merchandiser at KITH Miami on her oily skin, signature scent, and her future purchases.
“Hey S.O.S. readers, I’m Myriam (@myri_yum) and this is a little intro to get to know me. I’m half Cypriot, half Colombian, born and raised in Cyprus but have been living in Miami for 5 years. I’m the Visual Merchandiser at KITH Miami, and this last year that our store has been open has been insane. The good insane. Between playing around with product placement, from my apartment, to my job, pulling looks for my clients, adding to my shoe collection, expanding my magazine and books and instinctively styling myself, it’s safe to say I’m a victim of consumerism. And I love it.
Being busy is way more exhilarating than being bored, so I start my days at 8 a.m. After a 50 minute workout and 30 minutes of yoga, I jump in the shower which is where my skincare routine starts. I exfoliate 2-3 times week with Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating cleanser. A little definitely goes a long way with this product, you don’t need more than a dollop! I use Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash after – my face feels squeaky clean after this. I’ll never stop buying it. I hate seeing flaky, dry skin so I always make sure to hydrate. During the day I use Kate Somerville’s Daily Deflector Moisturizer, it feels like silky Greek yoghurt which probably doesn’t sound appealing but I love it since my grandma used to do yoghurt face masks on me. There are 3 brands of face masks that I alternate during the week. My new found love is Drunk Elephant’s Sukari Babyfacial. I’d been seeing it a lot online and decided to give the tester size a try. I was sold the minute that manuka oil touched my face! Thankfully, Sephora had a 20% sale when my tester size bottle ran out and I bought the real deal. My other frequent mask, mainly because it’s so easy to wash off, is Kate Somerville’s EradiKate mask. It’s frothy and fun and that’s something my skin likes. My third mask is Origins Charcoal Mask – any Origins products I’ve tried thus far has become a staple in my routine.
My skin is oily and I remember being so insecure about it being shiny. I’m so thankful for “dewy skin” being a look because any skin type can achieve it! I try not to wear makeup on the regular, only for birthdays, special occasions, COURT. My go-to products are simple and cute: Laura Mercier oil-free tinted moisturizer, Fenty Beauty concealer match stix in Bamboo (I used to use Dior prior and have admittedly switched over!), Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz then I normally touch up my brows with Benefit’s brow gel. I have this amazing duo bronzer from Makeup Forever which they don’t make anymore so I try to limit my usage! I find that the bronze and gold looked great on my skin – I was so devastated when I couldn’t find this product again. My lips are always moisturized and if not my boyfriend always reminds me to (thanks, babe). I use Vaseline lip butter in cocoa for about 6 years now, Dior Lip Maximizer and I just recently picked up the Dior Lip Glow which I love!
The scent I’ve been wearing for about 3 years now is Balenciaga’s Florabotanica. I’ve recently been feeling overwhelmed by people’s heavy perfume scents, so I now just use Miss Dior hair mist after I do my hair. I’d rather someone remember me by my style or personality, than scent, the strongest sense in our body. I don’t take care of my hair as much as I should. I chopped it all off after I turned 21 and have just been letting it grow back after I noticed how much heat damage I had. After my shower I use The Ouai’s hair oil, just 2 pumps! I swear by IGK Hair products. I know Franck and Leo personally and I trust them completely. I use IGK Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel for my curls and it’s magical. I also ONLY use IGK’s Jet Lag Dry Shampoo, I’ve never used another brand and probably never will. Franck gave my boyfriend IGK’s Glitter Strobe Hair Spray and I’m trying not to use it unless it’s a dressy event, because if you know me, you know I love glitter, and I’d spray that sh*t on every day.
Any time I buy a new piece, whether it’s Zara or Dior, I must wear it no later than the next day. I’m sure most NORMAL HUMANS feel this need. It’s just a beautiful urge to know you obtained what you wanted, especially when you know how to dress the piece and yourself. My style has evolved over the years and I can’t wait to see what I’ll be buying in the future! I’ve always had a less feminine look compared to my friends – not just because of my sneakers. But, I’m confident and excited that in the beginning of next year I’ll explore my girlier side! My next big purchase will be the Chanel sling back sandals aka the grandma shoe. When I’m in ANY place (good or bad) in my work and personal life, you can tell from what I put together. And I’m not just talking about dressing myself. I choose the mannequin looks for KITH Miami and it reflects there to. That’s why I’m glad my decisions need to be approved!
I always think I have more prized possessions than I actually do. One of my rapper clients was recently asked what he can’t leave the house without and he said jewelry. I’m currently wearing two yellow gold 18K necklaces which I haven’t taken off since I graduated high school. It would feel weird without them on, I’d have to replace them with bigger, better, more intimate pieces. There’s this vintage bag I own from a store in Cyprus, I’d die without it. I hardly use it, but I love it because it reminds me of something my grandma would wear. A gift which I’ll cherish forever is a pack of Michael Jackson collectible cards that my boyfriend got from the Brooklyn Flea – you know the really old packs that came with a stick of gum too. Just so cool. The King of Pop and I share the same birthday, I listen to him on that date every year. My final cherished item is a baby’s hand I’d sculpted in High School for my IB exam. Its so delicate and life-like, creepy to some people, but the theme at the time meant a lot to me.”
The model and mom on self care as it relates to her beauty and fashion routines.
“Hey guys! My name is Jaycina Almond (@jaycina) and I currently live in Atlanta. I am a 22 year old model and writer but above all, I am a mom. When I happen to have some spare time I love to read and find new music on the interwebs!
All of my self-care routines have to be quick and easy so I can get them done with minimal crying from my daughter so for me it really starts with my diet! I drink a ton of water and try to avoid dairy at all costs so I can have healthy skin and hair.I have combination skin, I have an oily T-zone and then pretty normal everywhere else so I cannot go without my Clarisonic Mia brush! I wash with Derma E Purifying Gel Cleanser that I get from whole foods - I rinse my face with hot water and put a dab of cleanser on my brush then wash my face until the brush shuts off. Around 2 mins. Second step is astringent/toner, I use Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion for oily skin first then end with Dr. Thayer’s Witch Hazel which can also be found at whole foods. Third step is to moisturize! I usually use plain old grapeseed oil BUT this amazing company named Bahi Cosmetics recently sent me their Sunflower Sweets Serum and I AM IN LOVE. That’s really all there is to my skincare routine - I do the same thing day and night. I try to do a facial steam and do a mask at least one night per week however!
I don’t usually do my makeup everyday but when I feel like looking cute I’ll throw on foundation and mascara and some gloss! I use Make Up for Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick as foundation - if I have any spots I want to cover I use the Fenty Beauty Match Stix in Wheat as a concealer first then apply the foundation and use a flat-top kabuki brush I got off amazon to blend it all! Then I swipe on Blinc Mascara and finish with a clear lip gloss you can find at any local beauty supply store! I make sure to set it all with Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray! If I’m going out for the night I’ll add Colourpop’s Super Shock Highlighter in Wisp to my cheekbones/brow bones/cupid’s bow/inner eye and then set everything. I like to look really natural when I do my own makeup since I’m always getting my makeup done for work!
Hair for me is super simple - I use a tea tree oil shampoo you can find at target then condition with Shea Moisture’s Boabob and Tea Tree Oil Conditioner. While I still have the conditioner in I will detangle my hair then rinse and that is it! I will usually use a bit of whatever curl defining creme I have on hand then blow dry with a diffuser - I usually just let my hair do its thing then wash about every 4 days but if I just don’t have time to do a wash n go I’ll spray my hair with Carol’s Daughter Curl Refresher Spray and go!
I would say my personal style is a tomboy meets edgy party girl meets bohemian mom. LOL. I really love loose flowing silhouettes and that is what I gravitate towards on daily basis because it’s easy to do oversized layers and be cute and comfy with minimal effort; but I also really love to get dressed up and feel super sexy! I feel like Rihanna is everybody’s fashion inspiration, and if she isn’t then she should be!! On that same note I adore Fucci - I think he got his big break by being noticed by RiRi for styling! AND on that same note I adore Neha! She is another amazing stylist - her and Fucci are friends! Big inspirations right there! When it comes to shopping I have a few like go-to places: ASOS for basics or something quick because I have their two-day shipping thing. Depop for vintage designer and the fye vintage tees. Re/Done for vintage levis - my go to denim. And then Revolve for quality basic pieces. All these are online because I actually hate shopping in store, I get so overwhelmed with all the choices! I need to be able to look at every single item then decide what I want! It’s a problem! I really love Gucci, too. I think they are killing it right now. For me it’s just about putting on something that makes me feel good - if my outfit doesn’t give me a certain feeling then I won’t walk out the house in it. I truly believe it could ruin my day.
The 5 things I own that are significant to me and my personal style are as follows:
“6” necklace - My daughter’s name is Syx so I rarely take it off.
Gold pinky ring - I got this ring while I was still in the first trimester of my pregnancy and I haven’t taken it off since, it is actually a baby ring so the idea is to wear it until Syx is big enough for it.
Chapstick - I feel like this is self-explanatory. Chapstick is a must-have.
A signature scent - I think this is really what I am missing, my grandma has worn the same perfume my whole life and anytime I smell it I am instantly transported back to childhood. I haven’t found the right one yet but once I do it’s over!
Self love - If you don’t love yourself and feel confident without the clothes, the makeup, the jewels, then nothing will mask that. I think it’s very important to master self love before anything else.”
All about her favorite beauty products and natural hair care routine feat. her holy grail deep conditoiners.
My name is Gloria Ann (@imgloriaann). I'm 26 years old and I love to create things. I currently work at a casino and I enjoy ice cream, plants, animals and creating beauty and style videos on the internet.
Since my work, film and travel hours are crazy and intertwined, my skin has become my first priority. Stress can really take a toll on my skin and it shows up on my face in the form of dryness and acne. I've finally found the perfect skincare routine for my combination/dry/sensitive skin that ACTUALLY WORKS. For my morning routine, it’s really simple. First I go in with my favorite PreCleanse from Dermalogica. It's a deep cleansing oil that melts impurities and any leftover makeup that you didn't quite get from off your skin the night before. Then I follow up with my favorite cleanser by DermaE. It's the Purifying Gel Cleanser with Activated Charcoal, to be exact. It's a great skin detoxifier, it's vegan, and it doesn't leave my skin tight after cleansing. It's for sure one of my holy grail products. Next up is my toner. If I'm having a bit of an acne problem due to stress, or it’s that time of the month, apple cider vinegar and water are the bae's. Take some apple cider vinegar and dilute it with a bit of water and your troubles are GONE. Other than that, my favorite toners would be the Radiance Toner by DermaE and the Multiactive spray toner by Dermalogica. I switch between the two because I love them equally and I'm a little indecisive. Don't judge. My last step is moisturizer. I love my Mineral 89 skin booster by Vichy. Issa holy grail. It's super moisturizing, and it has hyaluronic acid which keeps my skin plump and hydrated. If I'm feeling bougie, I go in with my Hydra Life by Dior. Listen, that stuff is literal life.
My nighttime routine is almost like a 5-7 min personal spa treatment. I remove my makeup with raw coconut oil. It never fails to get rid of all makeup, while leaving my skin super soft. Then I go in with my holy grail cleanser I mentioned earlier which is the Purifying Gel Cleanser with Activated Charcoal by DermaE. Next up, I exfoliate. I have so many exfoliators that I use. Some are gentle daily ones, and some you can only use every 2/3 days. My favorite one is the Daily Superfoliant by Dermalogica. Holy Grail product number 3. I love it because it purifies my skin, leaves my skin so fresh and so "clean clean" without the tightness, and it helps fight biochemical and environmental triggers known to accelerate skin aging. After I exfoliate, I go in with either my Radiance Toner by DermaE or Mulitiactive spray toner by Dermalogica, then I moisturize. I’ve been loving the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, followed by the sister product, the Revitalizing Supreme + Creme.
My daily makeup routine is all about enhancing my natural beauty. First, I prime my skin. My holy grail primer at the moment is the YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer. It does a great job at minimizing my pores, keeping my makeup in place all day, it illuminates my skin and it's moisturizing. If I want, I could just wear that and be out! After priming, I go in with either my Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation or my Nars All Day Luminous foundation. Next up is my sparse eyebrows. I like to fill them in with my Goof Proof Pencil by Benefit Cosmetics in the color 6. It's my holy grail brow tool and it keeps my brows snatched all day. I like to brighten my under eye area with my Cushion Complexion 5 in 1 concealer by Julep. I love this concealer because you don't have to set it and it has turmeric in it as an essential ingredient. After brightening, I like to bronze my face with my Becca Cosmetics Maui Nights for more warmth. I'd rather bronze for the day and contour for the night. After adding warmth, I highlight. My holy grail highlighter is the MAC Gold Deposit. She always wins. Gold over champagne for me ANY DAY! My favorite setting spray is MAC studio fix plus and I literally drench my face in it. Try it and you'll see why! Then last but not least, I pop on some They're Real mascara by Benefit cosmetics. Oh wait, I forgot the lips! For a daytime look, I keep the lips extra simple. I like to line my lips with NYX expresso then go in with whatever lip gloss is in reach. Now for the night time look. It's almost the exact same EXCEPT, I go a little ham on the contouring and I throw in eyeshadow and lashes with a bold, feisty lip.
I love my hair care routine because it keeps me smelling like a nice little fruit bowl. I love fruit. Let's start with wash day. I like to co wash with either Jamaican Black castor Oil (JBCO) or Olive oil. I find that when I co wash my hair, my hair stays moisturized longer, it’s shinier, stronger and so much softer. I follow that up with shampooing with the Shea Moisture JBCO Shampoo and conditioner, then I deep condition. My 2 holy grail deep conditioners is the Honey Miracle Mask by TGIN and the Don't Despair, Repair mask by Briogeo. I deep condition once a week, by the way. I leave my deep conditioner on for 10-20 minutes and then I wash it out and prep for styling. I love to rock a bomb, moisturized, bouncy twist-out majority of the time. After washing, I go in with my Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner by Alikay Naturals, followed by their Shea Yogurt. I two strand twist my hair, let it dry overnight, then take it down that morning. It's beautiful.
My personal style is very minimalistic. My ideal wardrobe consists of small crossbody bags, crop top shirts, high-waist jeans, oversized shirts, Maxi Dresses, 4-inch heels, Air Force Ones and oversized jean jackets. It sounds all over the place, but that's because I dress according to my mood. Fall is my FAVORITE season, not only because I'm a fall baby, but I love to layer. I'm always inspired by Rihanna (she can slay anything). My favorite spots to shop is Zara, TopShop, Fashion Nova (My code is GLORIANNXO), Missguided, ASOS, H&M, Steve Madden and Urban Outfitters.
There are 5 items that play a big role in my wardrobe. The first one is my pic. My pic goes with my everywhere. You'll never know when the wind might knock your fro out of place. Second is my thin gold necklace that I bought from Macy's a while ago. I only take it off to clean it. It goes perfectly with any outfit effortlessly, and I love when it peeks through material. Next is a watch that was gifted to me from Daniel Wellington. It's gold, small, very minimal, and it complements any outfit that I put together. Fourth would be my small gold earrings. They aren't that noticeable, but they add to my look. My small gold earrings compliment my face structure. It sounds weird, but they allow my eyes to stand out more. I love my small earrings because they aren't overpowering. Last but not least, my Pandora necklace from my fiancé. It's a pink ball with crystals covering it, hanging from a chain. Every time I wear it, it reminds me of him and he's my best friend.”
Sharing her oily skin routine, dealing with curly hair in college, and the power of bodysuits.
“My name is Gabriela Anderson (@gabrielaanderson_). I am a 19-year-old, Puerto Rican young woman from a little city called Hartford, CT. I was raised as an only child. However, I have an older brother. I was raised in a very cultured household. I could only speak Spanish in the house and was allowed to speak English at school or of course with my friends. My parents raised me in a household in which I was told that my education always, always came first. So, when I started modeling at the age of 13 years old, my dad never allowed me to move to LA or NYC because he wanted me to make sure I finished my education. I had talent agencies in both LA and NYC wanting to work with me. However, it was a dream that involved many risks that my family economically could not face. Fast forward four years, I wanted to further my education and decided to attend a liberal arts college in Massachusetts, Wheaton College. I am currently a sophomore, and majoring in Hispanic Studies and minoring in International Relations or Economics (still deciding lol). I am still modeling and I visit NYC every now and then. When I do go to NYC, I do my best to do a lot of photoshoots; I want to take advantage of all the photographers who are there. I also hang out with my friends and the special people in my life, I love them very much.
My skincare routine is very simple since being away at college. I have insanely oily skin, and it is very hard to control the shine in the summer. Before college, I would make sure that I would carry a pack of blotting sheets. Not only does it remove the oil on my T-zone (where it's most common) but it helps me avoid future breakouts! I highly recommend carrying a pack in your purse, backpack, wallet, honestly wherever. Now that it's getting colder, my skin is enjoying it very much. In the daytime, I wash my face with the Neutrogena Face Cream Cleanser/Mask with Benzoyl Peroxide. This cream helps control the oils on my face. I then moisturize my face with Aveeno Facial Lotion. It’s so light and doesn't clog my pores like many moisturizers do. I care for my face more during the night time. I wash my face with the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. I do my best to squeeze a facial mask (Shea Moisture Black Charcoal with Tea Tree Oil) at least two times a week. Afterwards, I use the Lush Facial Spray Toner called Tea Tree. Tea tree oil helps with controlling the oil on my face and eliminating the breakouts that had arisen already. Finally, I use my Curology Lotion and apply it where ever my face has broken out. This lotion from Curology CHANGED my life completely, and 10/10 recommend it to anyone who is having issues with their face and feel hopeless. I've been there loves, this lotion will change your life.
My daily makeup look is very minimal. Since I’m a college student, I don't have much energy or time to have a full face of makeup on my face all day. Once I wash my face and apply my moisturizer, comb my eyebrows. I am a strong believer that once I have my eyebrows filled in; you can go about your day. I use the Elf Eyebrow gel and powder compact, in the shade Medium. If I didn't get much sleep the night before (which is very often lol) I apply a little of Laura Mercier BB cream with SPF 20. I just recently learned how important it is to wear sunscreen every day. That is it for the weekdays. My routine completely changes during the weekends. I tend to party with my friends and listen to great music. I enjoy dolling up during the night time, especially since I can go as dark as I want to. I usually go in with the Maybelline Foundation FIT me in 270. This is the only foundation that doesn't clog my pores and makes sure my face is matte all night (oily skin problems). I like to wear glitter on my eyelids lol, so I use the Wet and Wild Gold Glitter eyeshadow and apply a heavy amount on my lids. The fall out is insane, so be prepared to have glitter all over your face. I also like to use my Fenty Beauty Lipgloss; it's honestly the BEST lipgloss I have ever owned. She's such a queen.
For my hair routine, it is a tough task to deal with curly hair in college. To all my curly hair sisters, I praise y’all. It’s very difficult to maintain your hair and deep condition your hair without seeming like you're showering three times. My routine begins in the shower; I wash my hair every three days with Shea Moisture Superfruit Weightless Shampoo. Since my hair is very light, it helps with improving the thickness in my hair. I carry on with the Shea Moisture Coconut Oil conditioner. This product so bomb, it changed the texture of my hair and is so thick and moisturizing that I was able to finger detangle. Finger detangling is so essential for curly hair because it avoids split ends and you don't shed as much hair as you were if you used a comb. Afterwards, I use the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner. This is only of my Holy grail products, it makes my hair so shiny and never disappoints me. For any days that I am too lazy to refresh my curls, or my curls are just not working for me that day, I turn to updos. I usually twist both sides of my hair and create a bun in the back of my head. Other days, I use my comb and slick back both sides of my hair. Both styles require a gel; I use my Curls Goddess Curls Gel and lots of bobby pins.
It is very hard to describe my style. I dress according to the weather and how I’m feeling that day. I usually like dressing very “basic” during the weekdays, some days I do try to look pretty and wear a unique shirts I found at Marshall's, but most of the time, you can catch me in a white sweater with ripped jeans and a green jacket. Sometimes I pair my outfits with gold chains and gold hoop earrings. Other days, I can be seen with Adidas joggers and black shirt with my white Adidas sneakers. Some days I can be seen as a normal girl, a girly girl (wearing a shirt or dress) and other days I’m wearing my New York Yankees Hat with joggers and a tank top. I enjoy mixing and matching with comfy and casual clothing to create a nice outfit. On weekends, bodysuits are my go-to outfit tops. They are so quick and make any outfit look hot. I 10/10 recommend using bodysuits. I would say that gold hoop earrings are a necessity. I’m a gold gal, so all my small chokers and rings are all in gold. My fashion inspirations are Rihanna and Zendaya. They are both girls that do not care how they look and rock their outfits with confidence.
My first item that means the world to me is my gold chain. This chain is passed down in my family for every young woman, and my mother gifted it to me when I was in the 10th grade. Ever since I received it, I always wear it. Till this day, it is a staple in my outfits and you can almost always see me wearing it. My second staple item would have to be my Adidas superstars. These sneakers match with any outfit and are just the comfiest shoes Adidas has created. If you can’t tell already, I’m an Adidas fan and only Adidas (NO Nike lol). My third item would be my iPhone lol. Such a millennial response but it is the best. I have the iPhone 8 Plus, and the camera quality is amazing. In addition to the camera quality, I can do all my work on the small phone, print out documents and send out emails anywhere. My fourth item is my gold hoop earrings. Hoop earrings are a huge staple in my outfits and just had so much sass to any outfit. You can buy yourself cheap ones; mine are from Forever 21, and they have yet to rust after five months. Simply don't shower with them because that's how they rust. Finally, I would have to say that my last item that I always have with me is my black book bag/purse. It’s the comfiest way to carry my wallet and personal items I need when I go out. I think it's so essential when traveling to NYC, it helps me pack very light."
Gabriela Anderson interviewed by The Site of Style
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know about Birchbox, the beauty subscription service that sends you curated samples every month based on a fleshed out profile they help you create. I’ve heard sooo many great things about the service, but I was hesitant to sign up because a) I thought it was going to be expensive and b) I thought they would send one-off products that they assume will work for everyone. Well….I was wrong. But I’m okay with being proven wrong when the outcome is positive! This is actually the third box I’ve received (I got two boxes in October for some reason???), and I’m going to break down some of the products from all three boxes that I absolutely loved and some products that I could have done without.
DAVINES Love Shampoo
I avoid shampoo like the plague. My hair is naturally dry as f*ck and shampoo makes it even drier, so I condition as much as I possibly can. But this shampoo...wow. In my 23 years, I’ve never used a shampoo that made my hair feel like silk after rinsing it out. My hair is also naturally frizzy as f*ck, and this helped control that, even in humid weather. It’s formulated for frizzy and coarse hair (of course) and there’s a ton of olive extract, which is amazing for scalp health. 10/10, definitely buying this.
STILA Huge Extreme Lash Mascara
MY VICE!!!! I swear I’ve tried at least 100 different mascaras in my life-- this one is top 5. I love all-in-one mascaras because they just make life easier. My natural lashes are pretty long and curly as it is, but one coat gave me DRAMA. The brush is little wild and the formula tends to clump if you don’t wipe off some of the excess. It’s not a huge downside though, because the results are ridiculous. I probably won’t buy this again, but it holds a solid place in my favorite mascaras ever.
LAQA & CO. B’lighter
Thank you, Birchbox for introducing me to this dope ass brand. First impression: the packaging was adorable and the color inside was a beautiful peachy-pink. And then I put it on my face...holy shit. It’s essentially half blush-half highlight, so naturally I was gonna love it. It’s perfect for a natural, healthy glow, you know “lit-from-within.” It’s really nice and I highly recommend.
KLORANE Shampoo with Mango Butter
It has sulfates….so that’s a no for me. I just ranted about how dry shampoo makes my hair feel, I can just tell this wouldn’t work for me. It smells amazing, though!
AVENE Hydrance Serum
Finally!! The chance to use this French drugstore brand I’ve been eyeing for months!! They sell this at Duane Reade, which has lowkey become a high end pharmacy over the past few years??? I guess it’s always been, but their cosmetics section is usually really intense now. In any event, this serum is lovely. I put it on before bed for extra hydration while I sleep. My skin is really bouncy and soft after just a few uses. It smells nice too. It reminds me of my aunt’s old house in Connecticut: sweet, clean, and comforting.
OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil
This stuff is fabulous. Normally, I stay away from oils because they’re….well, too oily. This one absorbs really nicely into your skin. I was skeptical to use it in my hair, but I put just a dab right after straightening and it tamed my flyaways nicely. It smells delicious, it feels delicious, 100% would buy.
[comfort zone] Hydramemory Cream Gel
I’ve been wearing this $60 moisturizer under my PMR for a few days now and it’s everything. Lots of hyaluronic acid (if you know me, you know I love me some hyaluronic acid) and moringa oil. The texture is delicious and it melts into my skin without any greasiness, plus it looks beautiful under a thin layer of PMR. Sometimes products like this are worth the price tag.
The artistic director of Tnmot-Aztro shares his choice skincare brand, the importance of crystal jewelry, and his style journey.
“My name is Arien Wilkerson (@ariaztro) and I am ageless. Well, 26 years young, not old-we don’t believe in that. I’m from the north end of Hartford, Connecticut. Elmer St. is where I was born and raised. I’m the artistic director of Tnmot-Aztro, it’s a performance art and dance installation LLC. I’m the founder and artistic director of that...I’m an artist. What do I enjoy doing? I enjoy having sex ya’ll; if I could do that as a pastime for many hours at a time, I would. Less eating and more having sex!
For skincare, I love Age Into Beauty, by my good friend Azua Echevarria. I have to get more of her stuff but she makes the best oils and soap scrubs and face masks and detoxifying masks. I love the JuJu oil; it’s supposed to bring prosperity and money into your life. It’s all natural and ayurvedic. You can put it all over your body; in your hair, on your private areas, pretty much everywhere and it’s really fucking amazing. She’s local, too. I use a lot of her oils. I love exfoliating. I’m addicted to whatever that means in life. I enjoy brushes for your face; they’re godsent materials. Those are a key to life. I don’t break out a lot, but because I use oils and have kind of dry skin, it feels so good to get all that shit out of your face. I feel like it makes you look brighter too; it’s important to really scrub it all out. I enjoy flossing, too. A lot. I used to be scared of it, I would be like “...this hurts,” but now I love it. I love going to the dentist, too. My dentist loves me; he always tells me how I never freak out. I’m going for my next deep cleaning in February! I’m trying to get some cosmetic stuff done, like getting my teeth whitened. It’s a little expensive but it’s worth it. I definitely feel like the first thing rich people do is get their teeth fixed, you know? That’s that as far as a regimen is concerned. I wake up, wash my face, and I take a shower maybe every other day. Sometimes twice a day if I’m really sweaty. In the summer, I shower pretty much only at night. Showering in the summer is so tiring; just go out and get sweaty and shower when the time is right. I like deodorant, but I won’t really participate in deodorant use as much as I used to. The best thing in the world for me is Dove soap.
For the hair aspect, I really really really really love being bald. I don’t really cut my hair unless I know I’m doing it for a specific thing. And also, because I’ve been bald my whole life-I started going bald when I was like 14-so I’ve always rocked the bald head. My hair doesn’t have a hairline, so it just grows back wherever it wants. I love taking a razor and shaving it off. To be a male dancer, you have to wear makeup. I’ve actually survived a pretty long time without having to wear too much makeup. Maybe mascara here and there, but I’ve never really applied makeup to myself. And it wasn’t me being against it, but I had very chubby cheeks and I was chubby as a kid, so it never felt like the right look.
I’m happy to be unpacking this right now. This is the first time anyone has ever asked me about my style and I’m so excited to put it out there. I guess I should start with how everyone else saw it. Everyone always said I was like “hobo-chic” when I was a kid, because I used to just wear whatever the fuck I wanted; wrinkled or not wrinkled, and things that people thought didn’t match, I thought matched, so I was always kind of in that realm. I think I kind of adopted my own concept, so style icons weren’t really a thing for me because I was always trying to figure out dancing and queerness, and I was too busy emulating other people that I didn’t really know what my own style was. Before, it was very masculine; it was before I started wearing dresses and skirts and playing with my gender more - that was when I was like 21 or 22. It was always simple, but dressy. I was always into Marc Jacobs as a kid; he was a big point of reference for me. African design was also very cool to me because of all the costumes we got to wear for African dance workshops and performances. I would google African designers as a kid and admire the designs and the patterns and the framework. It would really help me get into that mentality. And with Marc, he invented grunge and that was something that was kind of like that hobo-chic thing my friends said I was doing. Then when Usher dropped “Yeah,” I was like “oh, I’m Usher now.” I was focusing on trying to be a backup dancer for Madonna or something, I wasn’t really focusing on fine art and making more serious art. Also, when I went to Africa, that was amazing too because you weren’t allowed to have style so it kind of crushed the whole concept to me. I was just like “oh shit, I want to do all these stylistic things” but they shot it down. They have fashion and shit, but no name brand anything because if you do, you’re gonna get your shit stolen. And the kids who did bring name brand shit, in fact, got their shit stolen. It was such a different lifestyle, but that kind of influenced the feeling of clothes not being so real to me. I was really into M.I.A. at the time; Pharrell too! Anything he would wear, I would try to wear too. He definitely shared that frame of mind with the colors and stuff, but I wasn’t a skateboarder so I knew it wasn’t really my thing but there were certain nuances. You know, to make a t-shirt or a belt or shoes look fly, that was Pharrell for me. M.IA. was like patterns, jumpers, in-your-face colors--she definitely influenced me a lot. Roisin Murphy is another artist too, she’s from London. Her fashion has always been insane. If I had to list really cool wild people, there’d be Bjork, Grace Jones, Jamiroquai.
I was always a lowkey London head with some bellbottom-y type of vibe. I won best style in high school, actually. In my senior year, I showed up with purple skinny jeans, grey Converse that had colorful zippers all over, a vest, a crazy colorful t-shirt, and a fucking porkpie hat. I was taking it there by then. But hands down, Shamel Pitts...style influencer, creator, mentor...he’s the reason I went to Israel. To me, fashion is art. That’s how I felt when I was working for Hartford Denim Co. I invented my lane there and built their trust enough to where I managed their store and it was real learning experience. It was a bit weird because I was dressing like me, but I was working for this worker-wear, denim brand where everything is heavy duty, I was trying to create new and old things with it. I worked on some of the lookbooks and on some of the fashion shows, so for me it was all about telling a story and making art through the clothes. I knew that my identity and my sense of style mattered, but I saw it as something to tell a story through.
I think everyone should always have a pair of Converse to just slide on your feet. They’re so important. They hurt your toes, but you gotta get used to them. Layers and colors...I have to have color in my life. Jumpers, too! And crystal jewelry. I think those things really round out my personal style.”
On her oily/combination skin, curly hair favorites, and must-have accessories.
“My name is Demi Shokry (@demishokry), I'm 18 and I recently moved to San Francisco for college. I'm studying Visual Communications and Design in hopes of becoming a celebrity and editorial stylist. In my free time I enjoy recording videos for my Youtube channel and exploring my new city!
I keep my skincare routine pretty simple, I need something easy to stay consistent with. I use Rodan & Fields' line of products called "Unblemish" for my Oily/Combination skin. I use Biore's charcoal facial strips to keep my blackheads under control, and I indulge in a Lush face mask from time to time as well! I also apply a little bit of castor oil to my lashes and eyebrows before bed to keep them thick!
Lately I prefer very light, minimal makeup. I've been experimenting with a few different foundations, but my favorite light-to-medium cover foundation is Too Faced's new Peach Perfect foundation. It feels weightless, has a decent amount of coverage, and is just matte enough to protect my oily skin from getting shiny throughout the day. My Nars Radiant Creamy concealer, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer, Laura Mercier translucent setting powder, and Becca Champagne Pop highlighter are my holy grail products that I use everyday! For an everyday look I usually go very natural, slightly bronzing up my face, applying a little bit of highlighter and mascara (Diorshow Iconic Overcurl), and finally using my Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme lip gloss. When I want a more dramatic look, I reach for my Modern Renaissance palette, because I love the way the orange and gold shades compliment my eye color. And I always line my waterline with my Marc Jacobs brown eyeliner to add definition to my eyes.
My main struggles with my curly hair are hydration and definition! To keep my hair from getting too dry, I try to limit wash days to 3 times a week. I wash my hair with OGX's Coconut Curls shampoo and conditioner and comb out my hair with a wide tooth comb in the shower. For styling, I use Shea Moisture's style milk to keep my hair hydrated and Devacurl Coconut Curl Styler to keep my curls defined! When I have time, I dry my hair with a diffuser to give it life and volume.
Fashion is my favorite form of self expression. It allows me to be whoever I want to be, depending on how I feel that day. When I dress myself, I'm channeling a part of my personality. I can be a business woman, a biker, a model off-duty - anything I want all in the same week, just by changing my outfit. When I'm confident in what I'm wearing, I make better eye contact, speak more directly, and overall carry myself with confidence. I would describe my style as a cross between high fashion and streetwear. I take inspiration from strong female figures like Rihanna, Rox Brown, and Lil Kim. My favorite fashion season is fall, mainly because of my love for boots and dramatic faux fur coats. My ideal wardrobe consists of a variety of boots; long, short, leather, suede- all of it, various unique coats and jackets, sunglasses of all shapes and sizes, and, of course, a collection of bags. I love to accessorize. My favorite places to shop are Urban Outfitters and Topshop. Occasionally, I find a gem in Forever 21. It's not about where the clothes came from or how much they cost, it's about the way you wear them. Style is about working with what's available to you and seeing the potential in the piece.
I hardly ever leave the house without wearing an evil eye of some sort. I wear it on my jewelry and I have one hanging in my car. To me, the evil eye is a symbol of my culture, and my culture is what makes me who I am. My hair and eyes are often the first things that people notice about me. They are features that have always made me stand out, and they complete my overall look. My clothes and accessories are interchangeable, but my features can never be replaced. My nails are also something that I feel top off my look. They make my hands look dainty and delicate, while making me feel and look powerful. Whatever car I'm driving is also something that I consider an accessory. It's what I show up and leave in, the first and last thing people notice about me. It adds character to my look and who I am, but I also give it character.”
On his skincare routine for dry skin and his go-to shops for the best in men’s fashion.
“My name is Marvin Contreras (@marvizzzzle), I'm 19 years old and I live in Farmington, New Mexico. I graduated from high school this past year and I'm currently a freshman at the community college in Farmington. After finishing a semester or two here I will transfer to a 4 year University to get a degree in Journalism/Communications, and after that I plan on transferring to a fashion tech university to study fashion design or fabric styling. I am currently working a part time job as a host at Red Lobster (I know, very glamorous ). I love to go thrift shopping, I love blogging about fashion, I LOVE to listen to music, I love online shopping as well, I like to eat fast food (super bad habit), I enjoy watching Netflix very much, and I also love to read fashion magazines!
It took me a long time to fully understand the importance of a consistent skincare routine, so when I started I was a little lost but quickly found products that I adored. I guess I'll start with my nighttime routine because it's the more rigorous of my two. First, I cleanse my skin using my favorite cleanser, Neutrogena Naturals Pore Clarifying Cleanser, and my Foreo mini Luna face cleansing brush. When I first found the cleanser I was skeptical because I'd heard mixed reviews about Neutrogena, but the naturals brand is truly a gem. I love how gentle and refreshing the cleanser is while still being effective. I love the mini Luna because it allows me to really get deep into my pores and the vibrating feature feels so cool but also gives a great tightness to your skin when you're done. Next, I apply some type of acne spot treatment. I say "some type" because I'm currently in the process of choosing a permanent product. I've tried three so far and they are, Neutrogena Naturals' Acne Spot Treatment, Murad's Rapid Acne Spot Treatment, and Neutrogena's On the Spot Acne treatment. My skin is very dry and very acne prone due to stress and a terrible habit of touching my face, so that's why an acne treatment is crucial in my routine. So far I've really fell in love with Murad's Acne Treatment because it's the one that's given me the best and fastest results! It's definitely the most pricy of the three, but I believe that investing in good skincare is completely ok! So after the acne treatment I will put on my Caudalie Radiance Serum which I recently got as a birthday gift from Sephora, and I ended up loving it! I think it smells amazing and gives my face a nice glow after use. Then, once I've applied my serum & treatments I moisturize which is uber crucial for any type of skin! I use Ponds Dry Skin Moisturizer and it's most definitely my lifeline! I love how a little goes a long way and also how much it's helped my skin! When I've finished all of this I like to do a spritz of either my Mario Badescu Rose Spray or LUSH's Eau Roma Water. Both products give you a refreshing feeling and I think any kind of face spray is honestly just a good finishing point to a solid skincare routine! Side note: a big pet peeve/necessity of mine when washing my face is always having a clean towel...ALWAYS!
For my morning routine, it's definitely a much simpler and to the point process. I must say, I'm not the best at washing my face everyday but I try my hardest! So first I cleanse again using the Neutrogena Naturals Pore Clarifying Cleanser. Then I moisturize using the same Pond's moisturizer and that's it for the morning! I'm usually in a rush so I try to keep it as quick as possible. In terms of skincare I'd say my holy grail items are: Mario Badescu Facial Rose Spray and the Kate Somerville's Eradi-Kate mask (it's to die for!)
For my "beauty" or make up routine, I don't go crazy at all. I like to give my brows a little bit of life so I usually begin by tweezing and perfecting any spots that need to be polished. Then I brush them out with a spooly brush and finish off by using Benefit's Gimme Brow gel in clear. I love the natural yet polished look it gives my brows, which is why it became my go to! I would really love to try Glossier's Boy brow in clear, and honestly I think I'm going to order it this week. Another thing that I'm passionate about is my lips. I have a pretty big set of lips so I like to keep them healthy and smooth! My lifeline is Vaseline's Cocoa Butter lip balm, it's honestly the best thing to ever happen to my lips! I NEVER leave the house without it.
In terms of fashion, this is where I have the most fun. My personal style is (I'd like to think) eclectic, adaptive, yet classic. Fashion is one of the most important things in my life and I try my hardest to make that present in my outfits. You can always tell how I'm feeling by my outfit. Sometimes I'll be feeling fierce and throw on a sexy cropped top and high waisted denim and other days I feel lazy and just wear a t shirt and Levi's. One thing you need to know about my personal style is that it's all about denim for me. I am an all out denim fanatic! Everything about denim makes it my "right hand piece" if you will. I love the endless amounts of options there is with denim. If I had to choose a Top 5 list of my fashion icons (bc there are way too many to name any less than 5) they would be, 1. Beyoncé: she's my inspiration for everything, but fashion would be a big one because I've always admired her sense of style. It's very fun with lots of quirky twists, yet she manages to look SO chic! 2. Bella Hadid: the minute she burst onto the scene, I was hooked. In the world of models, it wasn't very common to find someone badass yet glamorous, until Bella came along. I absolutely love the way that Bella can add an effortlessly chic feel to any and all of her outfits. I love her versatility and the way she can wear one thing one day, then something completely different and new the next. 3. Solange Knowles: like her big sister, Solange has such a fun and whimsical sense of style, but can still end up on Vogue's best dressed list! I draw so much inspiration from her Insta feed alone, but when I see her outfits anywhere I feel a sense of joy. Anybody that can pull off monochromatic outfits of all colors and proportions like her , is someone I want to be like! 4. Camille Cherrierre: if you don't know who Camille is, you're missing out on worlds of inspiration. She is a British blogger who I've followed for quite some time now, yet I still haven’t gotten tired of her amazing and ingenious outfits. She brings a certain effortless and fresh element to the fashion world and that's what I love about her! 5. Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen: it shouldn't be any surprise that these two princesses are on my list. I have loved and adored everything about these two since I was a child watching "Full House." But it wasn't until they really grew up and began to make a name for themselves in the fashion world that I started to draw inspiration from them. Their laid back yet uber chic senses of style have inspired countless outfits of mine, and it will continue like that. There's something about their minimalistic vibe that almost makes me want to own just two pieces of clothing (but not really, lol).
When I shop, I'm almost never looking for anything in particular. I literally just shop to shop. And the same goes for the places I shop at. I never have a specific store in mind, I simply just search up whatever store comes to mind and hope for the best. Although that doesn't mean I don't have some favorite stores! Some of my favorites are H&M (I love their message and mission, but also the prices & pieces are spot on), ZARA (also love their pieces and prices, good for designer dupes), Urban Outfitters (always been a fan of their vibe and I looooove the variety of brands and pieces they have), Mango (they have a unique variety of clothes at great prices), Grailed (it's an amazing site for great designer pieces that are being resold at much lower prices), and lastly I get basically all my denim from Thrift Stores. I love the experience of thrifting and I love that you find something new every time! Thrifted denim is honestly such a beautiful thing because the jeans have so much life when I find them, and I love adding my own story to them. Fashion. What a beautiful and alluring thing it is. I love the way that a good outfit can make me feel. I love that fashion is able to be shifted and manipulated to fit an individual's personal style. Fashion is my life and forever will be.
If I had to choose 5 items that are my absolute favorite, I'd say (in order) they'd be:
My vintage Levis denim jacket, I got it for $2 at a yard sale and I've been infatuated ever since.
Every single pair of Levi's 501's that I own. I have about 8 pairs of 501's and I'm in love with each and every one of them. The fit is my favorite and all of them are vintage so they have the amazing vintage fit that is everywhere right now.
My Hanes x Karla Welch white tee is my absolute favorite of my expansive white tee collection. It's crazy soft and clearly made of the finest of materials and it was only $30!! How can you say no to that??
My H&M white leather sneakers are my go-to shoe. When I got them I knew that I'd get the most use out of these. They're the perfect staple shoe and I love how they easily go with any outfit!
My ASOS leather pants are my lifeline during the cold months. I'm obsessed with how they can make any look feel sleek. Eventually I'd like to invest in a much more high quality and durable pair, but these were under $40 and they certainly do the trick!
All of these pieces are significant to me because they define my signature style. They're not only my favorite because of how they look, but how they make me feel. When I'm wearing any of them I feel like I'm at my best.”
The London life and style blogger on where she pulls fashion inspo and her evolving hair care routine.
“I’m Maeve (@maevewp) and I’m 21. I’m Nigerian and Irish and I was born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria but I’m currently based in London. I’m a life and style blogger on maevepepple.com. My blog is kind of like my creative diary. I love being able to create content that has the potential to inspire people, whether it be through my style or my writing – I usually ramble on about life on there. Aside from my blog, what I love doing for fun is reading - I recently created a mini book club with two of my friends. I used to write poetry a lot but not so much anymore; I’m thinking of getting back into it. I also love video editing and I’m looking forward to doing more of that as well as photography. I love traveling and experiencing different places and I also watch an inappropriate amount of tv shows.
I actually don’t have a skin care routine right now. I really need to take care of my skin better. My makeup routine needs an update. Keep an eye on my blog and Instagram page because I might do something about beauty on there.
I wish I could actually develop a consistent hair care routine but I change my hair so often. Since my big chop last October, I can never stick to one hairstyle for long. So far this year I’ve tried homemade wigs, self-taught marley twists, braids, homemade ponytails and occasionally my natural hair out. When I do have my natural hair out (which is a mix of 4b/4c hair – shrinkage is so real), I wash it with the Cantu sulfate-free shampoo and deep condition with olive oil hair mayonnaise. After I finger comb and wash that out, I dry it with a cotton t shirt. Following up with some Cantu leave in conditioning cream (MY HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT - I use this everyday when I have my natural hair out. It’s lightweight & really hydrating), and finger comb in sections again. Then I use an oil (almond, coconut or castor - anything that’s on hand) and lock in the moisture with shea butter. If I want some more sheen to my hair, I’ll add some oil after that as well.
My style I would say is quite tomboyish and eclectic. I like anything oversized. Oversized coats, trousers, t-shirts, sweatshirts. I wear skirts now but as a kid I hated wearing skirts, I much preferred to wear jeans or shorts. I noticed from a young age that I wasn’t really into wearing what everyone else was wearing at the time, which is kind of how I am now. I find myself gravitating a lot towards, and being inspired by bloggers who have more of a sporty edge to their looks like @alealimay – her style is everything. I also really love Zoe Kravitz’ blasé style and Ryan Destiny’s tomboyish edge. My favourite fashion season used to be summer but I have so many outfit ideas for Autumn/Winter and I’m really excited to layer up and create a myriad of looks. I shop a lot online because, ironically, I hate shopping. I hate walking around stores in hopes of finding something that catches my eye. I usually go to a shop and come back with nothing in hand but I’ll have like 50 items in my Asos saved list. I shop a lot on Asos and I ADORE Zara. I think my personal style is still developing and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Things that are significant to my personal style are my personality, my hair, my oversized leather jacket and my environment. My personality definitely influences my style as I’m quite laid back about most things, I like wearing outfits that are super comfy. I also feel like my hair influences my style because I try to match what I’m wearing to my hair style. My oversized leather jacket is probably my most worn item in my closet. I live in London and I’m constantly inspired by London street style and other London bloggers. London is such a melting pot and it’s easy to be inspired here.”
The Site of Style’s Editor in Chief shares her curly hair secrets, bomb beauty products, and how not to fall victim to fast fashion.
“My name’s Alexa (@iconicsoul__) , I’m 23 and I was born and raised in New York City. Let me start this interview by saying that I'm so grateful for each and every one of the readers on the site. I came to Kara with the idea for this series while going through a lot in my personal life and it's been a dream come true for me to work on this and have it be everything I envisioned and more. I love talking about beauty and I love to hear others talk about it, too. Thank you for giving us the space to do so. Growing up in New York has taught me everything I know about about fashion and beauty and how to appreciate it. There’s a lot to look at and take in in New York; you’re always getting inspiration from somewhere. I like to think I’ve mastered the ubiquitous beauty routine. It’s become a personal joy of mine to talk about and try different things with makeup and skincare. I’m wearing a face mask as I write this.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had pretty okay skin for most of my life. My mom really only dealt with adult acne and my dad has never had a pimple a day in his life, so thanks guys!! I personally deal with hormonal breakouts or stress breakouts, which I’ve (kind of) learned to control. I’m obsessed with Lush’s Coalface cleanser; I use it morning and night. Then I tone with Witch Hazel, followed by a nice layer of Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturizer. If I’m wearing makeup, I apply a thin layer of Priming Moisturizer Rich as a primer. It looks really beautiful under makeup. I tone with Pixi Glow Tonic at night maybe twice a week, to help fade scarring and to brighten my complexion. It has glycolic acid, which is great for hyper pigmentation, anti-aging, and brightening overall. It burns a little, but I kinda like it. I use the Hydro Boost serum for extra hydration (lots of hyaluronic acid; good for keeping your skin supple), then a thick sexy layer of Priming Moisturizer Rich. It’s everything. I love the Mask of Magnaminty from Lush, and Catastrophe Cosmetic. I’ve tried just about every sheet mask from The Face Shop; their “Solution” line is crazy. I have keratosis pilaris on my arms (aka KP, aka chicken skin; it’s not as serious as it sounds) so I’ve been using Lush’s Buffy bar. It’s a game changer. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter is and forever will be the only body lotion that matters to me.
Doing my makeup is almost as therapeutic as my skin routine. Even though it’s simple, I take it very seriously. I try to only do it in natural light because it’s the most realistic. I want to look as natural as possible, but still kind of extra. I start by mixing Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint in dark and deep, because that’s my actual skin tone but I live in a place with real weather. Then, I put a little Stretch Concealer under my eyes. Just a little, though, because trying to hide my dark circles is futile at this point so I’ve accepted them. They’re kind of sexy in a bedroom-y sort of way. I always wear a ton of mascara; I like gaudy lashes, what can I say? Better Than Sex is my go to, but I’m using Tarteist Lash Paint right now. I used to do eyeliner everyday; I love blue eyeliner because it enhances brown eyes really nicely. I use Boy Brow on my eyebrows. I don’t let anyone touch my eyebrows ever; I don’t even touch them that often. Their natural shape is perfect to me. Pink or coral blushes are my go to, like the Pixi Multi Balm or Cloud Paint. I love Colourpop highlighters; the formula is buttery and the pigment is really intense for only $8. Forget Me Not and Butterfly Beach are my two favorite shades. I'll put a little on my finger then spray my Pixi Glow Mist setting spray on it, then pop it on my cheekbones. It makes the highlight blinding. I never wore lipstick until college, which was where I tried my first dark lip, and I haven’t looked back since. I’ll try any color once, though; I wore purple lipstick (like purple purple) to a Beyonce concert (love you, Bey). Again, Colourpop because their lipsticks are fantastic too and also very inexpensive. Their greatest hits for me are: Love Bug, Toolips, Lost, and Stingraye (RIP). Cruella by Nars is my favorite red. I pretend to know a lot about makeup, but in reality, I know jack sh*t but fake it till you make it, right? Contouring, baking, all that, it’s a higher art form I don’t really have the patience for but I still admire watching others do it. That’s why I like to keep it as simple as possible and only wear eye shadow once a year.
My hair is, to put it lightly, a lot of f*cking work. I have a mass of curly hair that does what it wants when it wants. I’ve been doing braid outs since the beginning of summer and it’s honestly been a game changer. My hair has grown immensely, especially now after the haircut I gave myself. That and I’ve FINALLY found products that really work. I wash with Organix Extra Strength Argan Oil conditioner. Sulfate free shampoo and conditioner is so important, especially for curly hair. And because of my hair’s texture, it has the tendency to look and feel very dry, so I don’t want to use products that strip the oils away. I dry my hair with a cotton t-shirt to reduce frizz and then apply Organix Penetrating Argan Oil to my ends. I follow with a nice, even coating (code for: a sh*t ton) of Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk, then Curl Enhancing Smoothie, then I braid it. Deep conditioning is essential; their Jamaican Black Castor Oil masque has changed my hair for the better, as well as the serum. For slicked back styles, I use the Raw Shea Butter conditioner as a leave-in, some Queen Helene styling gel, a very old hairbrush that will forever be in my possession, and a lot of hope. When I straighten it, I make sure to deep condition before, because if I’m going to burn it between two extremely hot metal plates, I might as well give it some tender love and care first. I use L’Oreal Straightening Balm that acts as a heat protector and it also smells like candy, which is nice. My flat iron was all hype, but it’s by Remington. Once it’s straight, I wrap it into two low buns, put on a headband, and MOST IMPORTANTLY sleep with a satin bonnet. It lasts about 4 days.
CLOTHES!! Aw man, I love shopping, I always have; my grandma and I used to spend hours in Lord and Taylor and Macy’s and Century 21 when I was a kid. My family always let me take the lead on picking the clothes I want, which has definitely helped cultivate my champagne tastes on beer budgets. I’m sooooo picky when it comes to my clothes. I love anything easy, minimal, kind of lazy but still put together. When I shop, before I spend my money on anything, I always ask myself “will I see something like this on the rack next year? What about 5, 10 years from now?” If the answer is yes, I'll buy it. Fast fashion has sort of become this vortex of really corny fads, but if you look hard enough, you can find gems that can be timeless. I shop at Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo the most. Uniqlo’s jeans are the best jeans for me. I don’t wear a lot of color. That’s not to say I don’t like color, it’s just not what I gravitate towards. I’m very appreciative of the timelessness and simplicity of the t-shirt and jeans; so simple, yet so much can be done with it. It’s my uniform. High waisted anything is for me, especially jeans, and especially ones that hug my curves perfectly. Florals and stripes are the only patterns I really f*ck with. Give me ankle boots over any other type of shoe, or give me death tbh. I’m a shoe snob; I feel like Cher from Clueless when she says how picky she is about her shoes even though they only go on her feet. I’m a bag snob, too, unfortunately. I get it from my mom. Lately, I’ve been carrying a classic Coach backpack. My aunt gave it to my mom as a gift years ago, and now my mom has given it to me. I wrapped a vintage scarf from Spain around the top handle to add a personal touch.
My everyday jewelry is essential to my personal style; I feel naked if I go out without it. I wear: 5 rings (friendship knot, mermaid, arrow, snake, number 3), a Miansai screw cuff, a pastel stone bracelet (thanks Allyson!!!), a mal de ojo and red string (both blessed and given to me by my superstitious Cuban grandmother), a watch, earrings, and two necklaces. I mix gold and silver because I don’t follow the rules.
My Dolce Vita ankle boots from Urban that I found on a fluke visit. Kind of metallic, very pointy, just perfect.
I have a 100% silk robe my aunt bought in Hong Kong. It has a dragon embroidered on the back and two smaller dragons on the front. I wear it while I get ready; it makes me feel fucking fabulous.
Having a signature scent is very important; you don’t want to smell like everyone else. I’m hesitant to name the exact scent I wear, but it’s by Nest. It’s woody but floral, sweet but a little spicy. Overall very, very sexy. No one wears it like me.”
On her curly hair journey and the beauty in keeping things simple.
“My name is Nazareth Mendez, also known as cherry (@thehomiecherry) on Instagram. I am 21 years old, both my parents are from the Dominican Republic, but I was born and raised in Massachusetts until I was 10 years old, then I moved to New Jersey. I am going to a university in my state right now and I am majoring in Communications. I really enjoy writing, I have been writing ever since I was 8 years old and it is the most therapeutic thing ever for me. I also make YouTube videos and I absolutely love sharing my experience going through the curly hair journey and I love giving others advice, I love reminding others that they are not alone in their struggle.
I am very simple, minimal person, so when it comes to my skin care I focus on keeping my skin clean, which is what everyone is trying to do. But right now I am using Lush's Tea Tree Oil toner to cleanse my face. I use this product in the morning and at night, I have dry skin, so I also exfoliate with African Black soap and my spin brush once a week. I moisturize with Nivea's moisturizing lotion and that's pretty much it, very simple.
When it comes to makeup I am a complete amateur, I have always been a bit of a tomboy, so I never paid much mind to makeup until now. I don’t wear makeup on a daily basis, but when I do go out, all I wear is my $8 Maybelline Better Skin concealer on my dark marks, my ELF highlighter, and my Victoria Secret lip gloss. I think even if I knew how to put on makeup properly I would also go for the natural glowy look, I love that 'sun kissed fresh glow' makeup look a lot of makeup guru's show on YouTube.
It took about 5 years to get my curls to the healthy state they are now. My hair was heavily damaged from heat and relaxers, so I am very proud of myself for taking care of my hair and bringing it back to life. Right now, my hair routine consists of me washing it twice a week with a sulfate free tea tree oil shampoo. For leave-ins, I use Devacurl Light defining gel and their Volumizing frizz free foam; this combo is made up of literally some of the best products I have come across! A holy grail product I always go back to is Kinky Curly Knot Today leave-in; this product never fails to do great things for my curls.
My personal style is really simple, I'm a jeans and a cute t-shirt type of gal. I also love simple pieces like a bodysuit and cute track pants. I see that that is really in style now and I absolutely love that look because it is so comfortable, but yet can be dressed up. My fashion inspirations are Karrueche Tran, I love how she keeps her style minimal, but still fashionable. Another one would be Rihanna, she takes so many fashion risks, she's a lot of fun to keep up with when it comes it her wardrobe because you never know what to expect. I usually shop at Forever 21, H&M, FashionNova, or local stores in my city. When I was a little girl I used to also love how Kim Possible (yes the cartoon lmao) dressed. I loved her baggy cargos and crop top, she just looked like a boss!
5 things that are significant to me are: my checkered Vans, I love Vans you can dress them up or down and I feel like they will never go out of style. They also describe who I am, I'm not much of a flashy, heel type of person. I like being comfortable. My name necklace, which I got about 10 years ago, I think it's so important to me because when I was a little girl I always wished I had a "normal" name because people had a hard time pronouncing my name, but once I got my necklace I noticed how people would always be so fascinated by how unique my name is. My hair, I learned a lot about patience during my transition to natural hair, I learned how to love myself, I learned to be happy with my untamed hair and not to care about my culture's idea of "beauty.” I also learned that my beauty doesn't stem from my hair, I am not just my big curly hair, even though it has given me a lot of confidence along the way I learned that it is not the only reason I am beautiful and I could shave it all tomorrow and I will still be a confident strong woman. My oversized jean jacket, I love anything oversized when it comes to jackets, I love feeling like I’m being swallowed by my jackets--I don’t know why, but I just do. I love how they look too and you throw a jean jacket on any outfit and it just completes it. And lastly my photo albums, I have a ton of photo albums with throwback pictures of myself, my family, I love looking back at them and remembering those moments, especially because I lost my father when I was 8 and I love looking back at his pictures and knowing he will always be here with me even if it is just in memories. I'm pretty sure these pieces literally describe me, I'm nothing too complicated.”
