Category Archives: HOMEPAGE – STYLE

Check, Mate: Chess Gets its Sexy Back

Stop swiping randomly right and left on your smartphone for just a second. Why not try a new twist on an ancient concept of conquest instead?

There’s a niche for everyone to embrace chess at its purest or self-expressive forms. Critics say two recent screen gems – Pawn Sacrifice, starring Tobey Maguire and Liev Schreiber, and The Dark Horse, starring Cliff Curtis (Fear the Walking Dead) – should spark major interest in this game of strategy that has literally torn families and nations apart and driven prodigal geniuses crazy. At the cutting edge of virtual reality, chess fanatics compile and share lists of the world’s sexiest chess players. Sites for chess singles who only date their own kind are mushrooming.

A nice chess set can serve as a conversation piece or an aphrodisiac these days. Go head-to-head, eye-to-eye and hand-to-hand over a chess board if you really want to feel intimate and empowered with somebody. Here are seven chess sets that could take your game up another notch.

Glowing Chess Set

glow chess set

Cue up the Teddy Pendergrass soundtrack, dim the lights and get busy with this LED Glow set. The pieces don’t stop glowing until they’re captured. The polished playing board is powered by a plug-adapter or AA batteries, so there’s always a flicker of hope that events will unfold in your favor.

 

Sets From King-Sized to Micro

life size chess setAwe your opponent with the expanse of your devotion to the game with a King-Sized Lawn Set. Pieces as tall as 12 feet are hoisted and moved across boards landscaped to wide open space perfection. Or, make them green with envy through subtle or grand gestures on a Micro Planter set  – where seeds cunningly sprout from  3D-printed pieces. Players must maneuver pieces planted with tiny herbs and succulents around the board.

 

Shot Glass Chess

shot glass chess

Play on a Shot Glass set to ease the pain of getting out-witted at every move. On this tempered glass set, players make opponents pay not only with the loss of a captured piece but with a jolt of libation as well. Each piece’s volume is measured by its value in the game: Pity the fool who loses the queen. With 16 pieces per side at risk, losers should probably think twice about demanding a rematch.

 

African Challenge

african chess set

Tame the other “player” in the midst with an African Challenge set. The pieces are hand-carved from soft sese wood to mimic monuments in Ghana; and the board is covered in tooled leather. The rules of the game remain the same, but sets like this offer a home field advantage in terms of style points.

Wobble Set

wobble chess set

Note the difference between your queen getting tipsy versus getting toppled with the Wobble set from Umbra. The round-bottomed walnut and maple wood pieces are cupped by concave squares on the board.  As players waiver and waffle over their next moves, the pieces wiggle it just a little bit. Blame it on the board, in case it seems like your playing hand’s trembling.

Wood Travel Set

wooden magnetic chess setBring your A-game everywhere you go with a folding, Magnetized Wood Travel Set from The House of Staunton. This self-contained set made of rosewood and maple tucks away as easily as an airport newsstand paperback. Turbulence? No problem: The board and pieces are so highly magnetized you can play upside down.

 

Minimalist Chess

bauhaus chess set

Apply your basic instincts with a block-shaped Bauhaus set. The pieces’ minimalist design dates back to the austere 1920s. stressing function over ornate forms. This set makes the simplest of statements: Like any other game, chess is more mental than physical. And yes, size does matter.

 

5 Thrifted Items you MUST Own

Take a look around. What do you see? Bell bottoms? Fringe? Moto Jackets? All are being sold in stores in 2015. And are we to be daft enough to believe that this is the first time these styles have graced store windows? No!  We, my friends, are the style gifted! And if you’re not, you will be after today. That is to say, not only do we know that these styles have come and gone and come again, but we also happen to be filled with the wisdom of where to snag these boomerang style items for much, much less.

So where does our sartorial treasure map lead?

The Thrift Shop!

Much like Macklemore aptly reminds us, we sometimes find ourselves “being tricked by a business.” Sure, sometimes there are items that we just want, and, doggone it, we deserve them solely because of our desire to have them. But other times, we are blinded by brand names and the popularity of the item. The bottom line is that the exact same item exists elsewhere, possibly even a better quality version and certainly with a better story. There is a way to enjoy both the feeling of starting your own style story and continuing someone else’s. Here is a list of vintage thrift shop items that you can add to your clothing repertoire while adding a unique spin to your look.

 

Fedoras

A well-made hat can cost a pretty penny. If you’re looking to add to your hat collection, a thrift shop is the frugal way to go. You’ll find that a vintage fedora originally sold by a hatter will last much longer than a hat that has been made by a machine. These old school fedoras have been made with love by a milliner whose aesthetic calling is to fashion a hat that will look good and last.  And don’t be deterred by a slightly beaten up fedora, this can add character to your look.

 

Photo Credit: R/DV Flossy’s Suitcase, Highland Park MI

 

Bags

Boy, has the fashion industry outdone themselves with such a diverse array of bags. So many of these bags are colorful, bold and can add just the right touch of historical meaning and beauty to your outfit. These days a bag’s job is twofold. On one hand, it acts a vessel to transport items like phones, keys and money. But on the other–much more fashion forward–hand, it acts as an additional element with which to tell your personal story. Bag thrift shopping gives you a chance to take some style risks by allowing you to mix and match from different fashion eras with more current pieces.

 

Photo Credit: Feathers Boutique Vintage 

 

Oversized Sweaters

An oversized sweater is a wardrobe staple. Any thrift store in a place that experiences winter will have rows and rows of women’s and men’s sweaters for a fraction of the price that retailers are selling them for today. Mohair, wool, cashmere are typically all available for the taking and usually with a sub ten-dollar price tag. Give yourself some time to try each sweater on. Give it a good once over to check for fading, missing buttons and irreversible damage. All it takes is one or two trips to the thrift store to rack up on light and heavy sweaters for the fall and winter seasons.

 

 

 Photo Credit: Sarah Collins Photography for Highway Robbery Vintage

 

Denim

Even the fashion inept understand that denim will never go out of style. And it is for this very reason that thrift stores provide an inordinate amount of value where denim is involved. Styles come and go, but denim sticks around like a stalwart sartorial soldier. A really good thrift shop will offer up racks upon racks of denim from the 70s, 80s and 90s all riddled with a host of distressed features. Give yourself an hour and go home with a denim piece from every decade.

 

A photo posted by Pink Suede (@pink_._suede) on

Photo Credit: pink_._suede

 

T-Shirts

Oversized and over-worn are the two characteristics to look for when you pick out your t-shirts. A funny saying or an old school band is always preferable to plain, but the feel and versatility of the t-shirt is just as important. In order to be a successful vintage tee shopper, flip through the t-shirt rack relentlessly asking yourself if you can see yourself wearing the t-shirt with everything. Would you be cool with wearing this t-shirt with your favorite pair of jeans? How about that black tulle skirt you own? And those overalls? If you can say yes to pairing this t-shirt with most items in your wardrobe, it’s a keeper. Move on to the next t-shirt in line and repeat. You’re sure to acquire a hefty collection of vintage tees in no time.  

Photo Credit: Penny Lane Vintage

 

So, get out there and start thrifting! Once you’ve acquired pieces that you absolutely love, you can begin pairing them with the rest of your wardrobe. Then take your thrift store fashion to the streets. And when a stranger taps you on the shoulder, compliments your distressed Levis and asks you where you got them, you can respond apologetically, “Oh these old things? They’re thrifted!”

 

11 Chic Ways to Bring Copper into Your Home Décor

Copper is the black blazer of home décor. Put it against anything and it instantly adds a touch of polish and sophistication. Less gaudy than the brass of the 80s and more inviting than the chrome of the early 2000s, copper is the metallic of the moment. Dulux, the British paint brand, named Copper Blush the Colour of the Year 2015. Its popularity shows no signs of waning, and with good reason. The warmth and grace of rosy copper, along with its reflective properties, add a little shimmer to any situation.

Whatever your budget or style, we’ve got ideas for how you can bring some sophisticated bling into your interior spaces.

 

1. Bright Lights. Big Impact.

Copper is at its most elegant, most potent and most electric when in the form of an elegant globe lampshade. Emanating light from within and reflecting it on the outside, a copper lamp puts the material on full display. No one does it better than Tom Dixon. The British designer is the visionary behind some of the chicest restaurants, lobbies and interiors of the world. If one of his pieces isn’t in your budget, don’t worry. There are plenty of odes to his work at more approachable prices elsewhere.

 

Amanda Nisbet Design
Image Courtesy: Amanda Nisbet, author of Dazzling Design | Designer: Tom Dixon

 

2. Functional Copper

In our eyes, beautiful objects are even more beautiful when they serve a purpose. Sure, there are some gorgeous tabletop sculptures and decorative balls out there, but many of us live in small spaces where we have to make every inch count. Enter: copper accents with a function.

 

Copper Paul Leobach
Image Courtesy: Kontextur via Kenneth Schiller

 

Copper Candles
Image Courtesy: Target

 

3. A Copper Wall

A little sheen goes a long way, but a lot goes even farther. If you’re ready to make a long-term commitment to copper, an entire wall of the shimmery material is the way to go. Architect Jeff Sherman, of Delson or Sherman Architects, outfitted the two-story wall of his master bedroom in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with multiple copper panels. He chose copper because he knew that “it would improve from contact with skin over time, rather than smudge like a painted surface.” He did the installation himself, which was no small feat. Because it’s heavy and very ductile, working with the ribbons of copper was like working with “a 25 pound fettuccine.” The effort was clearly worth it. We love the way the copper is reflected in the mirrors across the room and knowing that it will only look better over time makes it even more appealing.

 

Copper Wall
Image Courtesy: Jeff Sherman of Delson or Sherman Architects PC

4. Copper Prints

If an entire accent wall isn’t in the cards, you can still enliven your walls with a copper print. This ethereal moon phase calendar is available from Little Lark’s shop on Etsy. Once 2016 has come and gone, you can cut off the bottom portion and keep the upper square as a timeless portrait of the moon on its own. If you’re not as inspired by celestial bodies as we are, check out other sources for affordable prints online like 20×200  and Society 6 .

 

Moon Print
Image Courtesy: Christy Nyboer of A Little Lark 

 

5. Charger It Up

Do you know about chargers? They’re purely decorative plates that peek out flirtatiously from beneath dinner plates, protecting the tablecloth from spills. Perhaps you remember a version of them in brass on your aunt’s Thanksgiving table in the 90s when they became popular. In reality, they’ve been around since Biblical times, and they’re an easy, affordable way of dressing up your table without investing in a whole new set of tableware.

 

Williams Sonoma
Photo Courtesy: Williams Sonoma

 

6. DIY Copper Ladder

An elegant copper ladder is no farther away than the plumbing aisle of your local hardware store and a weekend afternoon. Brittany Cramer, the mastermind behind the blog Brittany Makes, pulled together this beautiful piece to occupy an awkward wall space in her newly renovated kitchen. The result is stunning, but functional. Even the staunch non-DIYers among us will be inspired by her ingenuity. For instructions and more photos, visit her blog.

 

Copper Ladder
Photo Courtesy: Brittany  Cramer of Brittany Makes 

 

7. Bling-y Books

While we don’t advocate judging a book by its cover, we’re willing to make an exception for those that are truly beautiful. A big book with a copper foil cover makes an intellectual statement for your coffee table. This cheeky leather notebook by Nuuna pushes the envelope with its message that “You Are So F**** Special.” If you don’t care to leave your inner thoughts out for all to see, you could turn the journal into a guest book, asking visitors to leave a favorite quote or musing.

 

Nuuna Book
Photo Courtesy: Nuuna

 

8. Copper-colored Window Treatments

What better way to enjoy a rosy-fingered dawn than through a rosy copper curtain? This semi-transparent copper-hued fabric from the legendary Création Baumann catches and refracts the light as it enters. We would also love to see the cocktail dress Maria von Trapp would fashion out of these.

 

Copper Window
Photo Courtesy: Création Baumann

 

9. Copper Throw Pillows

Embrace the softer side of copper with metallic throw pillows. It’s another way to explore the copper trend with minimal commitment and expense.

 

 

 

10. Don’t Forget the Bathroom

A copper accessories set is an instant facelift for your bathroom. No demolition required. The beautiful thing about copper with a rosy hue is that it plays well with other metallic colors, so whatever fixtures you have now, a copper soap dispenser will most likely only enhance it. We love the sleek simplicity of this set from Anthropologie.

 

11. In The Closet

If you’re not ready to take the copper plunge in the more public rooms of your home, then opt for sleek hangers in your closet. Like wearing beautiful lingerie, only you and your loved one will know they’re there. Ooh la la.

 

Copper Hangers
Photo Courtesy: The Modern Shop 

How to Bring Autumn into Your Home

The chill of autumn is in the air even while the warmer tones of fall are here to cozy up our living spaces. Here’s a list of simple ways to bring the season indoors and spruce up your home with the accents of fall.

 

Make an Autumn Simmer Pot

Immerse your surroundings in the scents of the season by tossing some apples and cinnamon into a pot of hot water and simmering to create an inviting olfactory atmosphere. Periodically add water and feel free to experiment with fruits and spices of your choice for a warm welcome at every entrance.

 

apples and cinnamon

 


 

Wrap Your Favorite Candles

A super easy décor treat that can double as a hostess gift: scented candles. Well, sort of. Start with bought candles in thick, column shapes and use a ribbon and glue to surround them with cinnamon sticks for a fresh scent at every flame. The results are lovely to look at and sweet to the senses.

 

candle and cinnamon sticks

 


 

Press Flowers and Leaves

Stroll your yard or the local park to collect interesting fall foliage, berries, twigs, and flowers. Almost anything can be pressed if you stack enough heavy books, so get out those dictionaries and delicately place your flowers in the middle sections. Close, stack with more heavy books, and wait at least a week. Arrange your pressed treats on canvas, or board with a little glue, and you’ve made lovely objets-de art to decorate on an autumnal theme.

 

pressed flowers in a frame


 

Adjust Your Color Scheme

To switch up your home for autumn in the easiest way possible, simply add textiles in fall colors. This season’s interiors are going beyond the burnt oranges and espresso browns of past trends to add mauves, crisp whites, greys, and yellows to the palette.

Experiment!

 

colorful leaves

 

Most of the fun of interior design is to indulge your own personal visions about the spaces you inhabit. So just remember to keep it simple and use these basic guidelines to get your home into fashion in a weekend.

Dressing “Outside of the Box” When You Work in One

Many of us work in a stale, dank, bordering on depressing, office. Every day, we drag ourselves into work hoping for a glimpse of excitement, an ounce of dynamism, a tidbit of color. But instead, we’re met with a cubicle that feels more like solitary confinement and an underwhelming outfit that fits right in with the dull surroundings. It’s easy to feel like you have to act and, ultimately, dress like the people you work with in order to be taken seriously.

It’s actually the opposite. Expressing yourself differently in an environment where the majority dresses the same can be a great way to start a conversation and break the ice. It’s even possible that, through your style bravery, you may be giving someone else the courage to express themselves as well.

Here are some ways to liven up your wardrobe and feel confident in your work environment:

Get Lippie

Maybe you’re not quite ready to wow your colleagues with your pattern mixing abilities, so instead opt for a neon-colored lipstick. There’s no need to showcase a full face of make-up if that’s just not for you. A simple touch of mascara and a bright lip color is more than enough to add some color into your wardrobe for the day. In the winter, instead of a dark red lip color, grab a dark green, or a dark gold color. These lip colors will keep your colleagues guessing and give you a reason to talk more at meetings.

Get Lippy blue lipstick

Shun the Boring Shoe

There is no better conversation piece than a funky shoe! Shoes have been known to start lasting friendships and spark newfound obsessions. Slipping on a pair of fun and attention-getting shoes will immediately give you a pep in your step. Just make sure you feel good in them. Wearing a pair of six-inch stiletto heels that you can’t walk in may be attention-getting, but it won’t act as a confidence booster and will absolutely become fodder for the naysayers.

fun and funky shoes
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Dress to Shock

For those of you that just want to blow your colleagues out of the water, this is the phase for you! No more beating around the bush. You love turquoise lipstick, patterns, feathers, fringe, lace, and emoji shaped purses. And you’ll be damned if any workplace inhibits you from shouting it from the rooftops. If you fall comfortably into this category, then you know about the naysayers and couldn’t give a flying Fendi monster baguette about them. But for those of you who have just gained free admission to the “Express Yourself” cruise, sailing daily you should know that there are petty, passive-aggressive piranhas in your midst…

Dress to shock
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Beware of The Naysayers

Most people are too afraid to represent themselves honestly because they are worried about the repercussions, and rightly so. It’s scary to show yourself so openly, to then receive what feels like a vicious verbal attack solely because you chose to express yourself. Just be aware that these reactions are inevitable and have nothing to do with you. Any snide, passive-aggressive, or blatantly obnoxious remark flung your way is really just the flinger’s way of repositioning their understanding of the “normative.” In other words, you’ve just blown their minds and they’re trying to make sense of it all. Unfortunately, something as simple as a neon pink lipstick can lead to demeaning comments being hurled your way. My advice is to come up with a sound bite that you use in these situations like,” I can see that my [insert fashion-forward item here] makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, but when I wear it, I feel like a million bucks! “ Then execute your best catwalk strut back to your cubicle. They’ll get the point. And you’ll be standing up for what you believe in– freedom of style!

Beware of naysayers
Photo Credit: Sean Stachowiak

Encourage the Style Curious Colleague

Although you may hear some negative responses, you may also hear some that exhibit an eagerness to follow in your footsteps. These feelings can be disguised in comments like, “I love that on you, but I could NEVER pull it off.” These are the moments when you can help your colleagues build their own style confidence. Recommend some items they may feel comfortable trying and if they are brave enough to try them, shower them with compliments as soon as you see them. Your workplace, although maybe not your happy place, should at least be a place where you can be yourself and feel happy doing so.

Style and Fashion

Health and Beauty Do’s and Don’ts from Vintage Educational Videos

Meet Don and Sue. They’re neat, attractive young adults who’ve got it all figured out. They’re the kind of people you’d like to know, at least according to the narrator of “How to Be Well Groomed.” Produced by Coronet Films in 1949, this vintage educational video was part of a new wave of “social guidance” films that were meant to teach the public how to be well-adjusted, attractive, healthy and even popular.

They’re funny little time capsules of social norms from another era. Maybe it’s the perky background music, stiff acting or the outdated advice, but we laugh every time we watch them. Yet, maybe there’s something to be learned from them? Have standards of grooming and self-care changed all that much since the 40s? We took a closer look at “How to Be Well Groomed” to see if it stands the test of time and pulled out some “dos” and “don’ts” that you can apply to your own life in the new millennium.

 

“How to Be Well Groomed”

DO: Keep your clothes pressed and mended.

Our hearts melted a little when Don starts ironing. This un-heteronormative expression of self-care was completely unexpected in a film made in 1949. Whatever your gender, clean clothes make a difference, and getting them ready the night before helps make mornings less stressful.

pressing clothes

DON’T: Only stick with clear nail polish.

Poor Sue. Sue thinks she has “stubby hands.” She avoids red nail polish so as not to draw attention to them. We disagree! Sue, your hands are beautiful. You should wear whatever color nail polish makes you happy, whether it’s red, black or none at all. Today, women (and men) are expressing themselves through elaborate nail art more than ever before. It’s a relatively inexpensive and temporary way of trying out a whole new style.

 

get your beauty sleep

DO: Get eight hours of sleep.

While every body is different, the National Sleep Foundation suggests that most adults get 7-9 hours of sleep per night to feel rested and stay healthy. Sticking to a sleep schedule (even on weekends), practicing a relaxing bedtime routine and sleeping on a comfortable mattress all help with sleep hygiene. Don and Sue don’t need to think about turning off their smartphones at bedtime, but we all should. The light from electronic devices can affect your circadian rhythm and make it harder to fall and stay asleep.

beauty sleep 2

DON’T: Stick to conventional fashion choices.

Check out the fantastic print on this buttondown! Sadly, Don chooses a rather dull version to pair with his trousers instead. We think he should embrace the idea of “jolie laide,” the French term for “pretty ugly” that means taking fashion risks and even wearing clashing prints. Why not? Life is short. Make a statement.

fashion choices

DO: Clean your fingernails in private.

Absolutely. There’s no excuse for clipping nails in public. Ever.

clipping nails

DO: Choose a hairstyle that looks right on you.

The “right” hairstyle doesn’t have to be conventional or boring, though. Sometimes going blue is just as “right” as staying natural.

dying hair

DON’T: Stress over breakfast. 

Recent research has debunked the modern belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Based on the results of two new studies, it turns out that eating first thing in the morning has inconclusive impact on weight loss or general well being. Some people are breakfast people and others simply aren’t. Gretchen Reynolds of the New York Times, sums it up nicely: “if you like breakfast, fine; but if not, don’t sweat it.”

 

hearty breakfast

Ask a Pro: What’s the Deal with Makeup Brushes?

They come in all shapes and sizes and cover all price points. You can find them pretty much everywhere and you likely use one or more in your daily makeup routine. But how much do you really know about makeup brushes? We wanted to get the scoop on which brushes are the best and for what uses, so we consulted professional makeup artist Tiana Holiday and here’s what she had to say.

You must have good quality brushes and they must be clean. You can invest in a brush cleaner and use it with a paper towel daily, but along with that, cleaning them weekly with warm to hot water and a gentle liquid hand soap or baby shampoo will do the trick.

I am a huge fan of MAC brushes, although they have a steep price. Just know that I have had some of my favorite brushes for over 15 years. Remember, the better the bristles, the better they apply the products. And in general, when it comes to selecting brushes, the darker the color, the smaller the brush you should use.

girl makeup brushes

I prefer the Fluffy brushes, like MAC #217, which is my eyeshadow holy grail. I use it in a circular motion to blend the colors and I use a different brush for each color.

Other main eyeshadow brushes are the MAC pencil brush #219 to smoke out the bottom eyeliner and apply a crease color.


For foundation and concealers, I love the Beauty Blender. You can get one at Sephora, or even online from Amazon. MAC brush #168 is my go to for highlight and contour powders. Stila has the best powder brush that I use for bronzer. You can find it online . I also love MAC #182 Kabuki Buffer brush for powders.

MAC #208 is my favorite eyebrow brush. Lastly, as an Artist, I have to use MAC mascara brush #205 on my clients.

 

Tiana Holiday is a professional makeup artist with 17+ years experience in the industry working with celebrities, on music videos and commercials, weddings, private clients, photoshoots and fitness models. She is the owner of Tiana Rae Artistry.

Nutrition for Healthy, Glowing Skin

It’s true, the skin is the biggest organ in the human body. It also plays a key role in detoxification. Dealing with skin problems, particularly as an adult, isn’t just frustrating; for many, it’s embarrassing and can have profound effects on our self-esteem and confidence.

Acne is a major problem, and not only for teenagers. I see an increasing number of adult clients complaining of skin issues and desperate to find solutions. Aside from acne, other common and troublesome issues include psoriasis, eczema, rashes and hives, and athletes foot. Unfortunately, the conventional mindset for addressing all of these skin problems is often missing the mark. While topicals, ointments, gels, lotions, and cleansers might be able to help with symptoms temporarily, the real goal must be getting to the root of the problem.

So what is at the root of poor skin health? It is important to understand that if you are experiencing a skin condition, this is a sure sign of another underlying problem.

Some common triggers of skin conditions:

  • Undiagnosed food allergies/sensitivities
  • Excessive past or current exposure to environmental toxins
  • Reactions to personal hygiene products
  • Excessive sugar in the diet
  • Dehydration
  • Lack of healthy gut flora

Here are seven essential steps to treating skin from the inside out.

Hydrate!

Simple hydration is not to be underestimated in both causing and treating skin conditions. Simply put, we cannot detox properly without adequate hydration. Water flushes toxins from our body, and if there isn’t enough of it, skin problems are far more common. Shoot for half of your body weight in ounces per day, and opt for clean, filtered water whenever possible. If you are a coffee/caffeine drinker, your quantity of water should be increased, as these beverages act as diuretics, which are substances that increase urine production in the body, which promotes dehydration.

girl drink water

Discover Hidden Food Allergies or Sensitivities

Acne is a very common symptom of a food allergy or sensitivity. The foods to which we most often react include gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs and grains, although an individual can be allergic to just about anything. A food elimination diet is the best (and least expensive) way to begin uncovering potential sensitivities. This involves eliminating commonly allergenic foods for no less than one month, and systematically reintroducing them in order to pinpoint which might be problematic.

raw egg in plate

Eliminate Dairy

Particularly if you’re dealing with acne, eliminating dairy in the diet should be step number one. A 2005 study released by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found a positive correlation between dairy intake and teenage acne, but this goes for adults, too. Dairy includes primarily milk, cheese, and yogurt, and some may or may not do well with butter. (Ghee, a clarified butter, is a great alternative.) Eliminate dairy completely for at least one month, and see if you notice changes. If not, move on to the more extensive elimination diet described above.

Cut Out Sugar

A close runner-up to dairy, refined sugar is a major player in skin issues. The main reason for this has to do with hormones, as excessive sugar in the diet leads to blood sugar imbalance, which negatively affects our hormone levels. Instead of refined (table) sugar, opt for maple syrup, raw honey, and naturally sweet foods such as whole fruit.

honeydew

Focus on Fats

Fortunately, our society’s obsessive fear of fats is slowly but surely dissipating, which is great news for our skin. It is true that commonly used cooking fats such as canola, soy and corn oils, along with deep-fried foods, are oxidized (rancid) before even leaving the supermarket. These fats can wreak havoc on our body systems and skin, as they create free radicals that are damaging to cells and a leading cause of systemic inflammation. However, a focus on nutritious and skin-healthy fats such as coconut, olives, flax, walnut and avocado oils, avocado, grass-fed butter, ghee, and raw nuts and seeds can be very beneficial.

coconut oil

Go Easy on the Alcohol

This can be a tough one but is extremely important in order to achieve healthy skin. Since alcohol converts to sugar when consumed, it creates problems similar to those described above with refined sugar consumption. Furthermore, alcohol congests the liver, which is our primary detox organ. Proper detoxification is essential to clearing up skin problems.

Include Probiotic-Rich Fermented Foods

Every qualified nutrition professional knows that healthy digestion is at the root of most skin problems. If our digestion is impaired for any reason — leaky gut, undiagnosed food allergies, lack of digestive enzymes or sufficient stomach acid, or an improper balance of gut flora — this can have profound effects on our skin health. Including probiotic-rich fermented foods on a daily basis is a great place to start, and the best options are raw sauerkraut, kimchi, coconut kefir, and kombucha tea.

sauerkraut

While some skin conditions might not respond to these dietary changes and could require the guidance of a nutrition or integrative medicine professional, many of my clients find that their skin issues, especially acne, clear up after several months of these changes. Remember, skin issues are rooted in an underlying problem, and discovering which problems are affecting you is the key to achieving healthy, glowing skin.

Ask a Pro: Is Drugstore Makeup Just as Good as Expensive Brands?  

With a lot of makeup products, there is a huge difference between higher end and a drugstore brand. But in the last four years, drugstore brands have been stepping up their game. They are closing the quality gap and are still charging a lot less. The question of whether designer makeup is worth double or triple the cost of its drugstore makeup counterpart – products sometimes called “dupes” in the industry – comes down to more than just one factor.

Knowing when to splurge on high end products and when to try out a drugstore brand is becoming easier with social media. Youtubers are pretty honest about comparing the top products and their dupes. Also, Instagram is a huge resource for beauty product reviews. If you want to know more about one, research the hashtag of that product. (Just be cautious of people pushing products because they are getting paid to “review it”.)

Here are some of my favorite products, both high end and drugstore dupes.

Blush

I love MAC blushes because they have great colors, great pigments and last long. My favorites are Melba, Warm Soul and Dainty. I also love Nars Orgasm blush, but I don’t like the packaging – it gets sticky for some reason. The drugstore brand Milani has amazing baked blushes; Luminoso is unreal but all of them are great tones.

 

Mascara

I would say go for a drugstore brand of mascara because they’re cost effective and there are so many options. Also, mascaras should be thrown out every one to three months. Period. I love Maybelline Great Lash and Loreal. My favorite high end mascaras are Dior Show and MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash.

 

Lipsticks

Choose higher end lipsticks because the color payoff is better, they smell better and they last longer. MAC matte lipsticks are my favorite but I love the new line Melt lipsticks. Also, Jefferey Stars Liquid Lipsticks beat everyone on the market. I want my lipstick to stay on and with these brands, it does.

 

Lip Gloss

I love certain companies’ lipglosses but as a whole, I would push drugstore brands lately. NYX Butter Glosses are giving me life right now. Revlon Balm stains are used daily in my kit.

 

Concealer, Powder, and Foundation

I would go with a higher end concealer and foundation because of the artist’s ability to match you and get you exactly what you need and want when you purchase. In this case, you are paying for quality products and the companies’ makeup artists’ training and knowledge of the products. I use MAC, Armani, Loreal and Burts Bees.

 

Eyeshadows and Eyeliners

This is a true toss up! I can blend anything if I have a good base product and the right brushes, but I mainly use MAC, Melt stacks and Armani. I like them matte and with a lot of pigment.

 

If you’re a diehard fan of your favorite designer blush, that increases the product’s worth to you. Still, just because you purchased something at a department store counter doesn’t automatically make it superior to something you could purchase at a drugstore. You might just be paying for the pretty packaging when a drugstore dupe would work just as well.

 

Tiana Holiday is a professional makeup artist with 17+ years experience in the industry working with celebrities, on music videos and commercials, weddings, private clients, photoshoots, and fitness models. She is the owner of Tiana Rae Artistry.

tiana holiday
Tiana working with a client.

Brands of Yoga Clothes You Need in Your Practice (and Your Closet)

For anyone who regularly attends yoga class, you’ve likely had the experience of being lost in a sea of Lululemon lycra. And while it is as great a brand as any to move and sweat in during your yoga practice, there are some excellent (and fashionable) options out there that you should know about.

And who knows? One of these other fashionable lines might just show off your unique style, both in and out of the studio. Not to mention, some can save you money while still providing an extremely high-quality product.

Here are the top eight fashion yoga brands not to be missed this year:

Beyond Yoga

Made for women by women, Beyond Yoga prides itself in producing high-quality sportswear for not just yoga, but for everyday life. As opposed to some criticism over the sizing of some other popular yoga brands, Beyond Yoga makes a point to only use non-retouched photography and comes in sizes XXS-XXL. They also take pride in their philanthropic endeavors, so you can feel good about how your money is being spent. Orders are all placed online.

beyond yoga clothing
Image courtesy of Beyond Yoga
Beyond yoga clothing
Image courtesy of Beyond Yoga

Onzie

Onzie was created by a 20-year-old Bikram Yogi and describes its look as “active apparel that is functional, flexible and flattering.” Made in California and on the more affordable side, Onzie creates no-frills yoga and daily wear that is made not only to sweat in, but to last. With everything from sports bras to loungewear, Onzie also offers free priority shipping anywhere in the United States. 

onzie yoga clothing 2016
Image courtesy of Onzie

prAna

With seven stores across the country, prAna offers affordable and unique clothing to meet just about any active-wear need. Started in California, prAna products are stylish, versatile and sustainably made. From yoga to rock climbing to grocery shopping, you’ll find truly unique and sexy styles to choose from. Aside from their chic look, prAna clothing is made from sustainable materials such as hemp, organic cotton and recycled wool.

Teeki

Made with love in the USA, Teeki is certainly edgier and sexier than your average yoga wear. If you’re looking to express your individual style, this is the brand for you. Teeki also makes Eco-friendly clothing not just for yogis, but for surfers, dancers, athletes, and gym-goers. They even include recycled water bottles in their materials!

Lorna Jane

Said to be the next Lululemon, this designer Australian brand has hundreds of stores worldwide. Founded by a fitness instructor in 1989, Lorna Jane produces clothing for women wanting to “lead her best life through active living.” On the pricier side, Lorna Jane also prints inspirational slogans on many of their items (which may or may not be something you like). Be aware that they only accept returns for exchange or store credit, not for “change of mind purposes.”

Zella 

Zella is a Nordstrom line of active wear, and looks fairly similar to the design of Lululemon, while generally being a fraction of the price. Actually, some of Zella’s products are so similar to Lululemon because the same product manager was hired in the design. The fabric feels a bit thinner and lighter than a pair of Lulu pants,  and their design is classic and sensible while still being highly fashionable.

Zobha 

Zobha integrates fashion and fitness in a sexy way , and is perfect if you’re looking to feel comfortable and flirtatious in your yoga class. Zobha prides its brand in catering to women who are “edgy, modern or urban” and who want to “effortlessly infuse fitness and fashion.” They are an online company, but offer a 30 day no-questions-asked refund policy.

Mika Yoga Wear 

Mika Yoga Wear doesn’t stop at yoga, but also specializes in active wear for pole dancing, hot yoga and swimming. This family owned company produces their goods in Peru, and describes their brand as “fresh, flattering and feminine.” Their prices are  competitive, and you can also find some great deals in the sale section of their site.

You don’t have to dress the same as your fellow-yogis. By exploring some of these lesser-known but super fashionable yoga brands, you can choose what speaks to your style and personality. Also, check out this artsy and locally made option for yoga mats and accessories by Magic Carpet Yoga Mats. Next time you’re on the market for fashion-friendly yoga gear, try some of these fun, unique and stylish alternatives.

*Featured image courtesy of Onzie