Travel More, Pack Less

Winter break is just around the corner and many of us are packing our bags and heading out for vacation, family reunion, etc. For me, I’m excited to be spending my Christmas in the beautiful, sandy, sunny Mexico (yes Mexico definitely requires 3 adjectives.) I will be staying there for about a week with my parents and my friend’s family. As for traveling to Mexico, we will be going by plane, which means I have to pack a weeks worth of things into a carry on. Not only will I need to make sure I have enough room for my clothes, but I also like leaving a bit of space in my suitcase for the things I buy in Mexico. If you’re like me and like to over pack, here some tips to make sure you can bring the essential items without over packing!

If your only bringing a carry on suitcase and a backpack like I am, make sure all your liquids are less than 4 oz. I would pack all my liquids, makeup products, and hair products into it’s own bag and sandwich bag to make it easier during security check. I would also put those items into a bag/suitcase where you can easily take it out so you don’t have to spend time searching for you liquid items.

When packing for clothes, find clothes you can easily layer! This can save you on the amount of those you have to bring and you will look like you aren’t wearing the same outfit everyday. Cardigans, flannels, jackets, and skirts can easily layer into different outfits, so be sure you have some of these items into your suitcase! If your going to a warm place like Mexico, pack summery clothes, but also remember to bring a jacket and long pants just in case it gets cold or if your out at night.

My usual trick to pack less is to first pack everything I will think I will need on the trip. Once I have everything I can possible think of bringing into my suitcase and realize it’s overflowing, then I start to take away things I don’t really need. By doing this, I have a smaller selection to choose what clothes and items I want to bring on my trip instead of an entire closet. Then you can really compare different clothing items and choose which one is more essential to bring on the trip! Hope my advice helps and hope you all have a wonderful and safe flight. Bonjour!

Eyebrows on Fleek

Eyebrows are so important. If I could put makeup on one part of my face, it would be my eyebrows. I know what your thinking, really Nina? Eyebrows? YES eyebrows. A lot of people put on makeup and forget to fill in their eyebrows and that can change a look from hot to not. Eyebrows are the essential item for creating a structured face look and yet it’s the most underrated part when it comes to putting on makeup.

Eyebrows outline your face shape and give it structure. It brings more dimension to your face to make it more 3-D. Since most eyebrows are darker than a person’s skin color, it also can bring more contrast to one person’s face with light and dark. That being said, eyebrows can really make or break the makeup look.

So how to do your eyebrows so they can look “on fleek?” Simple. First be sure trim or groom your eyebrows to the desired look you want them to be. Whether you want to have a high arc, straight, thick, or thin eyebrows, that’s up to you! You can either use tweezers, mini shavers, or even go to get them done. After you achieved the desired look you want them to be, then you can fill them in! I recommend using a powder eyeshadow to fill them in because it doesn’t harsh line like a pencil would. To choose the perfect color for your eyebrows, just choose a color that’s 2 shades darker then your hair. If your hair is dark, say brown or black, choose a color that’s 2 shades lighter then your hair color. I like to use a dark brown to fill my eyebrows in because I like my eyebrow color to be slightly darker.

Begin filling in your eyebrows from the bottom of the eyebrow. First outline the shape of your eyebrow then continue to fill up from it. Use light strokes across your eyebrow to create the most natural look. Once they are filled in to your liking, use a spoolie to brush it out to create a more natural look. If you want to take a step further, use a brow gel like Benefit’s“Gimme Brow” to seal in the hairs and provide more color.

If you haven’t tried out filling in your eyebrows, I advise, no beg, you to try it out. At first, I was hesitant to fill out my eyebrows thinking the effect wouldn’t be that great, but now I can’t stop. Of course, if you already have thick, perfect looking eyebrows, then you already live the perfect life and never have to do your eyebrows. But for my other non-perfect eyebrows ladies, try it out!

Picture: http://www.keikolynn.com/2013/11/makeup-monday-how-to-get-perfect-brows.html

Skincare 101

Finding the perfect foundation is important, creating a sultry smoky eye is vital, making sure your winged eyeliner looks the same on both eyes is crucial, but making sure you care for your skin is at the top of the beauty list. Without a clean, moisturize, healthy face you’re harming your skin by putting more makeup on it, plus you just won’t look as good! Think of your face as a canvas and your makeup as your paint. If you have a clean, blank canvas to paint on, your art will be more vibrant and clean. If your canvas is dirty and wrinkled, it’s hard to create the next Mona Lisa. Your skin is the same way, be sure to care for it daily, so you can be confident in your healthy skin and always have a beautiful canvas to paint on.

Everyone’s skin type is different, there are people with oily skin, or dry skin, or even a combination of both. Be sure that when you buy skincare product, mainly moisturizers, it fits your skin type. I have combination skin, where some parts of my face are dry and some are oily, so I like to use more water based moisturizers. Water based moisturizers are better for oily and combination skin because they won’t leave as much oil onto your skin, while oil based moisturizers are better geared towards dry skin. My favorite moisturizer to use is the Shiseido IBUKI Refining Moisturizer, this moisturizer isn’t too heavy on my skin and can still make my skin smooth and hydrated, plus it doesn’t contain any parabens or sulfates. The Shiseido skincare products are absolutely amazing and I would seriously recommend all of them. Though they are on the pricier side, it’s so worth it when it comes to caring for your skin!

Finding the right cleanser can also be different for everyone. For cleansers, you have to look at what you want from the cleanser. You can choose acne cleansers, deep cleansing cleansers, makeup removing cleansers, etc. I recommend having both a morning cleanser and a night cleanser because then you can make sure you have a clean face after you put on makeup. For morning cleansers, I use the Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser because it not only can wake me up in the morning, it can exfoliate my skin as well. At night, I like to use the Shiseido Pureness Deep Cleansing Foam because it can take away my makeup I had on all day and target any blemishes or imperfections I have as well. Many people also like to use a cleansing brush or sponge to clean their face. I, personally, have a Clarisonic Mini to help cleanse my face, but I don't use it that much. I think the product just gets stuck into the brush head and it just is too time-consuming to clean out the brush. I think hands work just fine! 

While I love to put on makeup and create a whole new unique look, it's not good to always put so much makeup on everyday. Let your skin breathe a little. The best solution to having perfect skin is to let it be. I can promise you I'm guilty for always putting on makeup, but I will always limit myself. If I feel like my skins not at it's best, I just skip foundation and just apply some mascara and fill in my eyebrows. Remember, you skin doesn't look beautiful after you put on makeup, your skin should look beautiful on its own. Love and care for it!

Yes I am a Feminist. Yes I Love Fashion.

In today’s society, we must label everything. We perceive anything with only one thought, “She’s smart,” “He’s strong,” “They’re scary,” “She’s pretty.” In our minds, we somehow only think a person can only be good at or represent one thing that describes them. We also have formulated specific details that describe a person just by what he/she believes in, participates in, looks likes, etc. For example, an Asian is known to be smart, plays an instrument, and eats rice. A gay man is suppose to act flamboyant, know how to twerk, and love Kim Kardashian. A cheerleader is supposed to be stupid, blonde, and skinny. But are any of these true? I mean, sure maybe these personalities do fit some people, but there are 7 billion people in the world! There’s no way everyone can fit into a perceived stereotype society has made.

A controversial topic (why its controversial, I have no clue) that has surfaced our media and attention is feminism. You see more and more tweets, posts, pictures about women and men supporting the equality of men and women. And I think that’s great! Women deserve the same opportunities as men! Women should be treated the same as men! Women are awesome!! But of course, there’s now a stereotype of women who support feminism. Because if I believe in something, I’m automatically going behave and act the EXACT same way as those who believe in the same I do, right?

Feminist supporters are now perceived to be independent, despise men, and does the exact opposite of what a perceived “normal” woman should do. Feminists don’t shave their arms, feminist hate wearing makeup because men don’t, and feminist are just angry. All the time. The word feminist has now become a negative connotation in society because the already placed stereotype on women demands women to be happy with life as long as they have a husband.

I am a feminist. I think everyone should be a feminist. I think everyone should want the equality of both men and women. But here’s the thing, I love fashion and beauty. I love wearing makeup and trying out new makeup looks. I love shopping and buying the latest trends seen in Vogue and Elle. For goodness sake, I am a pageant girl. I see evening gowns and I just want to cry with happiness. But I am also a feminist. And yes, I can be both a feminist and a fashionista because in no way will I ever follow some stereotype placed on society.