Podcasts, Palettes and Purple Shampoo: May Fashion, Lifestyle and Beauty Favorites

  This month I felt a little stagnant. With school ending I’ve had a lot free time to think. Not about what Ondaatje thinks of identity or how Dickens feels about society, but of who I am and where I belong. What’s new, right? On a superficial front, I wasn’t feeling my look. What is known as aesthetic, I felt that my outside didn’t match my inside…

…and so I cut my hair. This isn’t the first time I’ve had a late night dramatic Sky Ferreira DIY chop moment. Back in 2013, after my high school graduation, I had my first existential crisis that resulted in a similar blunt, shoulder grazing cut. The difference is, the first time I still didn’t fully feel like ‘myself’ – whoever and whatever that is. Now, I feel more comfortable with my outside reflecting how I feel who I am on the inside, and that I’ve “grown into myself”. So this brief soliloquial moment prompted me to do the same in other exterior facets. I’ve gotten a few new pieces and products and rediscovered some old ones this past month in honor of doing me which I’ve been loving.

Beauty:

The Drybar Blonde Ale Shampoo and Conditioner: Blonde ombre calls for much higher maintenance than my old blue-black hair. Finding the right violet hued haircare was a journey that finally reached a destination. Purple shampoo&conditioner cut the brassiness and warm tones my hair can naturally pull after being died. This stuff works like magic. Without any sulfates, parabens and phthalates, this stuff brightens and hydrates. It makes my naturally textured hair super soft with ingredients like lemon extract, chamomile extract and keratin. (perk: it’s also cruelty free).

Hurraw Lip Balm: As a self-professed lip balm connoisseur, these little tubes are made with moisturizing natural oils and food grade ingredients – and taste delicious.

Mac Warm Neutrals Palette: I’ve always been one for warm toned shadows. It brings out the natural reddish tones in my normally dark brown eyes. This palette will last me ages and ranges from golden browns to coppery pinks to burgundy purples. With mostly shimmery shades and a few mattes (Saddle being one of them) you can go for sheer washes of color or lived in smokey eyes. I won’t be needing anymore shadows for a good some years.

Nars Overheated: This is part of Nars’ summer 2016 release and is there take on liquid lipstick. I’m not one for bold lips so I prefer this neutral brown-nude shade. Since the slightly thicker formula goes on opaque, I prefer to blot it with some tissue and smudge it with my fingers to create a worn in stain. If you’re just as big a fan of Nars as I am, check this out and the other colors too.

Fashion:

Backless T shirt: I live in t-shirts, so finding the right cut and fit is essential. I prefer them to be looser and slightly oversized. I also LOVE anything that exposes the back. It’s subtley sexy and amps up an otherwise basic piece. The faded black t-shirt from Forever 21 was super affordable (~12), is slightly loose with cuffed short sleeves. Tucked into shorts, or layered over jeans, I’ve been living in this one.

Anine Bing Charlie Boots: I’ve had these beauties for a while and always loved them They remind me of Steven Tyler and Duckie from Pretty in Pink. The silver hardware strays from my otherwise gold preference, but it looks more effortless with the brushed silver studs. They hit me right about the ankle so I can tuck in my jeans or cuff them up to reveal some skin.

Western Belt: This seems to be a really trendy piece at the moment, but I don’t care. I used to have a belt like this from a random store in Ojai and wore it completely out. Now you can find these from any fast fashion store and I suggest you do. If you’re a cross between all black and bohemian, you’ll get a lot of wear out of this.

Gucci Wallet: …The newest love of my life. I know that my 8 year old self would love this but my 18 year old self wouldn’t. The entire Gucci Blooms collection gives me serious Lolita meets Jane Birkin vibes so of course I had to have a piece.

Lifestyle:

Podcasts: I can’t remember my life before podcasts. I listen to them while commuting, cleaning, working etc. Whether you listen for informative or entertainment purposes here are some of my faves:

• Pardon My French: If you’re totally immersed by the French girl mystique, give this a listen. Garance Doré converses with great creative minds (from Isabel Marant to Gad Elmaleh) about creativity, exercise, entertainment etc through light banter and easy discussion.
• #girlboss radio: My personal favorite, Sophia Amaruso means business when interviewing alike girl bosses. Totally enlightening and inspiring, if you ever feel incapable, give any of her episodes a listen.
• Lady Lovin’: If you ever watched The Hills then you’re familiar with good old fashion girl talk. Lo Bosworth and her two of her friends discuss pretty much anything and everything. This podcasts makes you feel like you’re a part of the discussion and each episode feels like a coffee date or slumber party. It’s all jokes, but also serious, with topics ranging all across the board – pretty much like every conversation you have with your friends. Love this for perspective on fairly quotidian topics.