Man Repeller X Superga

Infograph: Dresses Worn by Best Actress Winners

IMPACT: more than just the font

Impact has made a huge comeback in the past few years-- and I'm not just talking about the block lettering. Mesh, neon colors, beanies, wedged sneakers, sweats; for lack of better words, I think intimidation is quite on trend this season, but I don't mean that in a bad way. 

Jeremy Scott Ready-To-Wear, 2014

Two or three years ago, my college campus was filled with double-breasted pea coats and brown leather riding boots. There were Revas aplenty and almost all of the beanies were crocheted or knit. And don't even get me started on Le Pliages. Though these items have not been fazed out completely, there has undoubtedly been a surge in louder and more "in-your-face" fashion. Colors are louder. Tops are cropped. Prints are verbally abusive. 

But is that really a bad thing? Poise and demurity have had their time in the spotlight. Maybe it's time for grunge's less-angsty, more-kickass twenty-something year old sister to join the ring. 

There are a few no-brainers for this trend. From the start of his career in the late 90s, Jeremy Scott has always been known for his louder and more outlandish designs. In 2008, his collaboration with Adidas really put him on the map (I'm sure you've seen it-- the sneakers with wing flaps... or bones... or teddy bears). Though he's had his share of controversy, Jeremy Scott is definitely one of the first names that pops into my head when I think of this trend, and is definitely a source of inspiration for many of the trending pieces right now. 

 McQueen, NYFW 2014

 McQueen Ready-To-Wear, 2014

Another more established, but equally in-your-face name in the fashion world is none other than Alexander McQueen. In a word, his 2014 collection is unapologetic. Black leather, white fur, wide cuffs, chunky footwear-- oh, and everyone's wearing helmets. If this doesn't scream Sparta!, I don't know what does.

The beauty of fashion is that, with each and every trend, there is a multitude of interpretations; one is bound to catch your eye. This spring, the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection had a calmer inspiration, with many of his pieces coloured in earthen tones and natural patterns. The shape of his pieces-- boxy and masculine-- exude that same sense of edge. He used combinations of transparent, thin and silky materials to form a more mature, but just as sultry response to the ever-popular crop top. Black mules, bedhead hair and iridescent metallic makeup completes Lim's equilibria between delicacy and nerve. 

3.1 Phillip Lim, NYFW 2014

Images obtained from jeremyscott.com, style.com 

The Blowout

Finally, after years of failed attempts and one particularly scarring round-brush incident, I have successfully used a hairdryer-- might I emphasize, only a hairdryer-- to style my hair. That's right-- the elusive blowout. Performed by hairstylists countless times a day, but a seemingly irreplicable task at home, the blowout is a coveted skill, capable of masking otherwise mundane haircuts till the dreaded first post-salon shower. 

I have no one else to thank besides Anna Lee Fiorino (annarunswithscissors) and her ever-informative Youtube video. 

FYI, I used CHI Silk Infusion as my styling product and different round brush (though I would not recommend it). I'm definitely interested in the round brush Anna Lee recommends, but I would have to check it out first, and perhaps give myself a few months/ years of solemn coveting, before I can take the leap and invest in one. 

Peter Pilotto X Target Collection

Behold-- the newly released LOOKBOOK for the forthcoming Peter PilottoXTarget Collection.

The collection will be released February 9, so if you're interested, you better set your alarms-- early. The 3.1 Phillip LimXTarget Collection was chaotic, with its most prized inventory being cleared out within minutes in my nearest Target.

The lookbook is an eye-full: geometric patterns, neon colors, and on-trend cut-outs and silhouettes. Also, as many of the recent designer-Target collaborations have been, this significantly more affordable line manages to exude the quintessential Peter Pilotto style.

(Peter Pilotto Spring 2014: London Fashion Week) 

Though the models certainly pull it off, I don't think I am capable of wearing much more than one piece from this collection per outfit. The patterns, being loud and strikingly geometric, call for little to no accessories-- making it easier for us lazier girls to look put together. 

Quite honestly, this lookbook does not excite me as much as the Phillip Lim 3.1, Prabal Gurung or Jason Wu collaboration-- ah well: you win some, you lose some. My faves from the collection: swimsuits, some of the tops, maybe the heels? 

Lust List: 1.19.2014

Hello, my name is Mel, and I have a far too expensive taste to live reasonably within my means. It is for this reason that I have lust lists. It includes just a few of the things I would frivolously purchase once my wealth is comparable to Smaug's.

left to right; top to bottom:

• SHISEIDO: Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion+ Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ For Face/Body
• I've been using a sample of this product for a week now and I have not broken out-- a keeper! What I like most about this product is its watery consistency. Since it is not as thick and creamy as most sunscreens, it blends well into skin, affecting neither your natural color nor texture. Just be careful pouring it, as it can easily spill! 

• BENEFIT: The Porefessional
• All my Youtube-idols are talking about it, so it must be awesome, right? I'm not a big primer person (I just have one mini-tube of Smashbox photo ready) but I really enjoy the idea of becoming a big primer person... Also, I've recently developed a complex over my nose pores. 

• GLAMGLOW: Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment 
• I've never tried it, but this product has been catching my eye for quite a while now... Everyone raves about it, and I've run out of the mask I used to use weekly. Apparently, the Glamglow treatment is 

• BOBBI BROWN: Eye Blender Brush
• I've heard that this brush is amazing for applying creamier concealers. As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I have recently purchased a MUFE creamy concealer palette. I've tried every brush and sponge I have but, so far, I have not found an applicator that is better than my finger. I don't think that method is particularly hygienic though, so I really want to give this brush a try. 

• BUMBLE AND BUMBLE: Color Minded UV Protective Styling Balm (recommended by Shar)
• As evidenced by my latest post, I've recently colored my hair! Since it was a double-process job, my hair is particularly damaged. I've been switching between color-protect Pantene and Bedhead products for shampoo and conditioner, but I do not have a special color-treated hair styling product. It might do me some good, since my newly damaged hair does not have the same form and texture as it used to. 

• ORIBE: Surfcomber Mousse
• One of my most trusted beauty Youtube gurus recently posted about this mousse, and described it to be incomparable to anything else in the market. She also double-processed hair, and her hair is beyond amazing. 

I know, I know-- the things in this list are not really too expensive, as they are all less than $100. The thing is, I know there are cheaper options, and if you know me, you know that I am frugal to a fault. Although I splurge occasionally, I'm typically the girl who is outraged by the price Publix vegetables. 

Bleaching That Asian Hair

Presenting... the final product!

Asian hair is notoriously difficult to dye. As it is typically dark brown or completely black, any drastic change in shade typically requires double process color, in which the hair is first bleached to remove much of the hair's natural pigmentation, then dyed to render the desired shade. Given this, it's a big no-no to endeavor dying your own hair when bleach is involved. Though I have never bleached my own hair, I have bleached a friend's. The color began changing within minutes, my friends and I freaked out, and we all ran to the nearest bathroom in our dorm. Needless to say, that friend had to go to a professional soon after.

So I went to a professional. After showing my stylist, Jenn, a few pictures of what I wanted, I asked for her recommendation, based on my skin tone and her own experience coloring hair like mine. Due to my yellow undertones, she advised that I stray away from too much red (as I had originally wanted) and opt instead for an ashy color. She also told me that I probably shouldn't lighten my hair too drastically. Rather, we start off with a lighter brunette shade, add in some highlights, and see what I think; if I wanted it lighter, she told me she had no problem adjusting it free of charge. 

However, after she had dried my hair and styled it, I was more than satisfied. Jenn did an amazing job and I am SO happy I had gone to see her and taken her advice.

  

In case anyone was wondering, I had my hair done at Adore Hair Studios by the amazing Jenn Hipp.

Adore Hair Studios
Inman Park
245 N Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
404. 522. 0336
Adore Studios Website