Endear

Things To Consider Before Going Blonde

2015-03-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

Going blonde can be described in no other way but as an adventure. There's a lot to learn and consider on the way to all that fun. About a year ago (after a very brief, but exciting fling with raspberry red) I decided to embark on the journey to blonde. Here are some things I've learned from my experience and what you should consider before starting a journey of your own. It seems like a lot, but for me it was totally worth it!

It Is Going To Be Expensive
Going to a salon (which I highly recommend if you have dark hair because it is going to take a serious amount of bleach. Putting your hair in the hands of a professional is less likely to lead to an excessive amount of damage.) is going to cost you about $300+. Its most likely going to take multiple sessions (most hairdressers I know tell me they won't do multiple bleaches in one day, because hello, thats bad), and once its at your desired level, it will probably cost almost as much to maintain it on a monthly basis.

If you decide to do it yourself (and please, please at least have someone help you if you decide to do it yourself. Especially if you don't have any experience with bleach. Find someone who does. Please. For me, okay?) it will cost about half of that. But that's still a pretty hefty amount to spend on your hair if you're like me and spent the majority of your life with your natural color. Jumping from shampoo, conditioner, and styling products to having to constantly restock toning shampoo, conditioner, bleach, toner, developer, hair masks, leave in conditioner, and whatever styling products you wish to use is a big adjustment. So if you don't think you're up for spending big bucks to maintain your new color, don't do it. Trust me, it won't be worth it.

Its Going To Be A Lot Of Work
If you have the money to do this professionally, monthly trips to the salon are probably going to be your life now. Its going to take a few weeks to get there, and then its going to take a trip every four-six weeks to keep it there. If you can stand the roots enough to go longer than that, go you! But I know after about three weeks mine would start to drive me crazy.

If you're doing this yourself, make sure you only do it if you're someone that is willing to set aside the time to touch up. My hair is naturally almost black, and it takes me two bleaches to get a level light enough to tone it to my white/ash/Daenerys Targaryen blonde. Thats two bleaches of about 45-50 minutes each with a 30 volume developer. My toner takes about another 20 minutes. And I normally spend one or two nights a week putting a mask over my hair for a few hours at a time. I also only use a hair dryer and hot styling products for special occasions to keep from adding even more damage to my hair. Which means a lot of getting up early if I decide to wash my hair in the morning, and a lot of time spent waiting for my hair to air dry. This is the level of dedication you're looking at.

And you're going to need to do your homework. Read about products, read their reviews, read other peoples experiences, read, read, read, read, read. Don't just start slapping bleach all over your head without knowing what you're doing. Ask a hairdresser what volume developer she recommends and how long you should leave your bleach in. Ask your cosmetologist friend. Ask the employee behind the counter at Sally's. Watch those 50 youtube videos. Get as much knowledge about what you're doing as possible before you do it so you don't have to worry about making up for mistakes later. Give yourself the opportunity to get it right the first time so when you're looking at that beautiful, light hair in the mirror all you're thinking about is how frickin' gorgeous you look.

Your Hair Is Going To Be Damaged
There is absolutely no way to bleach your hair without damaging it. It is going to happen. Luckily you can do things to combat this, like treat your hair to some masks, some oil, maybe some leave-in conditioners, and opt to use things like soft or velcro rollers to style your hair instead of reaching for your blow dryer or your curling iron. I know it sounds like a lot of compromises, but its worth it, trust me. Who really cares what color your hair is if it looks fried?

Everyone Will Have An Opinion
All of your friends, family, and co-workers will have an opinion.. and a lot of them will share it without solicitation. It'll be great to hear the compliments the change is sure to draw in, but prepare yourself for the well-meaning (but really annoying), "I miss your old hair. This color doesn't really seem like you," and the "When are you going to dye it back?", because they will still be popping up well into your blonde adventure. Just know to take it all with a grain of salt. You look awesome.

And when/if you ever decide to go back to something closer to your natural hair color, know that the same comments will be said about how they miss you being blonde as well. Everyone has their own preferences. Luckily yours is the only one that really matters.

**Disclaimer**
I am not a licensed cosmetologist. This post is the product of my own personal experiences in the hopes that it will give people considering this drastic change a general idea of what they are about to deal with. Consult a professional before doing anything yourself. Do your research. Knowledge is power.

14 Things I Learned From 2014 (That Will Make 2015 So Much Better)

2015-01-03T11:12:00.000-08:00

14 Things I learned from 2014:

photo courtesy of: gubgib

1. Make plans based off what you want to do, not what you feel obligated to do. You don't owe anyone anything. And forcing yourself to be present somewhere you dont want to be is likely to result in pissing someone off anyway.

2. Posting pictures depicting a happy life won't make you happy.

3. Ask house rules BEFORE the game starts.

4. You have the right to change your mind about the things you like/dislike whenever you want. You don't have to still like all the things you did yesterday. We all change. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for that.

5. The most important thing to look for in someone is their belief in you. One of the most damaging things you can do to yourself is to spend a lot of time with someone that thinks (and treats you like) you're going no where.

6. Don't buy tickets of any kind as a surprise gift for someone. It never works out.

7. It still hurts sometimes even after its done healing.

8. Check your friend's car for all your belongings before you get out. Its not your friend's job to help you get your shit together.
(But the best ones will make three unscheduled trips in one night back to your house anyway.)

9. If someone really loves you, you'll know. You won't have to wonder if they do.

10.Don't make major life decisions around other people. There's no guarantee that they'll still be there after you move, after you sign a lease, or after everything falls apart. So make sure you're doing what you're doing for you.

11.There's a right way and a wrong way to love someone. Appreciation is the only right way. Don't let your jealousy or the expectations you have of that person get in the way of their happiness (or your happiness).

12.Sometimes there's nothing you can do. And screaming at the sky has never changed anything, but if it helps with the feeling of helplessness, do it.

13.There will be times in your life when you're just someone's ice cream and Netflix binge. Don't hold it against them when its over.

14. Everything is temporary. And if you live correctly, that statement doesn't have to be sad.
- LV

Time's Poll Proves We Can't Stop Talking About Feminism

2014-11-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

Photo: Time

Let me first begin by setting any possible bullshit straight:

1. I do not hate men. That would be completely ridiculous. In fact, despite the recent feeling Time has inflicted of me slowly losing my faith in humanity, I love people in general. Yes, love them. People have the ability to be and do beautiful, amazing things. And if I hated men I would be missing out on half of what this amazing world of ours has to offer. That is just not a compromise I am willing to make. And I'm willing to bet nearly all other feminists feel the same way.

2. By identifying as a feminist I am not putting men down (or trying to bring them down). Feminism is not a movement against men. I don't wish for life to be more difficult for them, nor do I want women to "come out on top" and reverse the roles. I just want to live in a world where my friends, my sisters, my future daughters, and the beautiful, hopeful women in the other corners of the world are given the same opportunities and the same pay. I want them to be able to walk to work without being afraid. I want them to feel like their ideas and their voices are as important as all the others in the room. I want them to live their life without situations that make them feel like they are less simply because they are of a certain gender. Being a feminist is not the same as being a misandrist. I repeat: Being a feminist is not the same as being a misandrist.

3. Feminism is about making life better for men, too. It is as much to do with femininity and the qualities our culture considers feminine (being emotional, crying, cooking, dancing, ect) needing to be more openly allowed to both genders as it does allowing women the same opportunities as men. Qualities should not belong to a particular gender. I've watched too many men that I care about repress their feelings or turn their sadness into self-destructive anger because that is more socially acceptable than crying. Emotion is not weakness. I'm a feminist because I grew up being told I couldn't do certain things because I'm a girl, but I'm also a feminist because I grew up with male friends who were told they couldn't make certain choices or act a certain way because it was "girly" or would make them look "weak". Because they had parents who unthinkingly reprimanded certain behaviors with "Don't act like a little girl". I'm a feminist because men deserve to have the option to be a stay-at-home dad without being criticized just as much as women deserve to have the option to be the breadwinners.

Photo: Womenscenterforcreativework.com

The point is, feminism is about gender equality. And its really unfortunate that there are so many people who are still so ill-informed about what that word actually stands for. From that interview last June with Shailene Woodley (Hello, again, Time.) to the girl standing behind me in line at Wal-Mart the other day that thought feminists were attention-seeking, trouble-making lesbians (yes, that was an actual sentence spoken in public as though it was educating the people around us); its amazing how misinformed so many people still are when information about the movement is almost everywhere.

And that is exactly why we can't stop talking about it.

The word "feminist" is outranking all the other words on Time's "Which Word Should Be Banned in 2015?" with a 34 point poll gap. And although Time claims to "have nothing against feminism itself", how can that really ring true when you are taking the name of such an important movement and throwing it in the same hat with "bae" and "basic" and "turnt"? Doesn't that kind of marginalize and belittle the movement and the women behind it? Doesn't it kind of take away from the amazing amount of progress we've made in the last 50 years and the seriousness of the issues that still exist?

And if the inclusion is really about "responding to trends in the media" as reporter Katy Steinmetz explained on Twitter early Wednesday morning, that is just as much of a problem. A prestigious publication like Time Magazine shouldn't be using its influence to reaffirm that its acceptable to look at "feminist" as an annoying, overly-used word or that its a label we can stick on someone and talk about them accordingly. Feminism isn't supposed to be a negative thing. Yes, the group has its extremists. And yes, those few are usually the loudest. But we can't allow the few to spoil the true meaning of the movement as a whole. Like I said before, being a feminist is not the same as being a misandrist.

And that is exactly why we can't stop talking about it.

DIY Plaid Lap Top Case

2014-11-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce myself, my name is Lauren and I write for trend-mixblog. Endear has been kind enough to let me contribute and I’m extremely excited! My blog features all types of fashion DIYs. Here is my latest one. Hope you enjoy!

Project: Plaid Lap Top Case

Trend: Plaid

Plaid is a huge trend right now! Besides being in fashion, plaid is also super comfy and cozy. I highly recommend this material because its just so soft and easy to work with. This is a great project for any level seamstress. Besides being a good project this laptop case is just really good to have, and it’s way cheaper than buying one. I made this case according to my macbook. If you have a different computer and want to know the dimensions you should cut, just ask me in the comments and I’ll do the sewing math for you. Happy sewing! J

Pinterest Worthy DIY Halloween Decor Ideas

2014-10-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

Halloween is just days away, and I'm sure you're just as excited as we are about getting your ghoul on (sorry). So here are a few easy, last-minute DIY's to put the finishing touches on your party. Try a few out and I bet your monster mash will be one to remember (not sorry).

Make some easy cuts to create these Glowing Eyes from Rust & Sunshine

Dress up an ordinary Keg with this Pumpkin DIY from Man Made

Use test tubes as a decorative way to hold candy like The Idea Room

Check out some of these awesome Printables via Hostess With the Mostess

If you're looking to make Halloween a little more elegant, try out these chic (and easily done) DIY candle holders that idiy found in Elle UK.

Endear Featured on this Weeks Links a la Mode

2014-10-26T12:24:00.001-07:00

Our How to Properly Care for Your Clothes article was featured on IFB's Links a la Mode this week! Be sure to check out some of the other fabulous blogs featured alongside us. They all make for a wonderful way to spend your Sunday afternoon!

Live Life

There’s nothing like the Day of the Dead and All Hallow’s Eve that gets you thinking about, well, death… but in a festive way. The all-out do everything you want to do, be everything you want to be, no matter how fantasical or insane. Then there are the people who lived the fullest, who touched our lives, made life for a lot of people better. This week as the fashion industry mourns the passing of Oscar de la Renta, we just have to stop and think for a second. How are we going to make our lives the most well-lived we can?

Links à al Mode: October 23rd

Affordorable: Would You Knowingly Buy a Knockoff?
An Old Story: 6 Creative Writing Hacks
A Sparkle Factor: 30 Lessons to Learn Before You are 30
Back2Blanc: Fresh Faced & Beautiful
D. Spencery: How to: Skirts & Sneakers
Endear: How to Take Care of Your Clothes
Everyday Starlet: Drugstore Retro Glam, Bombshell, Pin up Girl, Cat Eyes Mascara Review
Flower City Fashionista: My Struggle With Body Image
Hirvio Mur: DIY No Sew Raven Inspired Shirt
ModaVracha: On Combining Motherhood, Business and Blogging Skillfully
Ms. Fabulous: A Farewell to Oscar De La Renta
My Fashion S/ash Life: Tips on Styling Emerging Musiscians
Petite Career Girl: Shopping Haul: Petite Legging & Jegging Review
Petite Fille Modele: Betty From Archie’s Comics Costume Tutorial
Riva La Diva: DIY Blanket Scarf
Style Bizzare: Why I Stopped Buying Women’s Magazines
Style Buffalo: 4 Costumes You Already Have In Your Closet
TLV Birdie: Tzipora’s funny side up x Chanel Bagel Bag by Chloe Wise
The Rivaux: How to Tell if A Beauty Product Has Never Been Touched
Wild Beauty World: Smells Like Team Spirit: Does Your College Have a Perfume?

How To Properly Take Care Of Your Clothes

2014-10-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

Free digital Photos

Do you love your clothes? I love my clothes. And since we all spend a lot of money accumulating the perfect closet, shouldn't we be doing whatever we can to maintain the beauty of each our carefully curated pieces? Below are some basic (and often overlooked) ways to take care of your clothes. Happy closets surely pave the way for happier days.

Tags are there for a reason- read them
Follow proper cleaning instructions. Dry clean or hand wash your silks, don't bleach your jeans (unless you're trying out an awesome DIY of some kind), hand wash your cashmere, ect.

Let your clothes breathe
Make sure there's enough room in your closet for your clothes to breathe. Don't leave them all scrunched up together. This will help keep them wrinkle free and crisp (and away from another trip under a hot iron).

Don't wait to treat a stain
Stains should be treated immediately with cold water or seltzer. Just blot, don't rub. (bonus: White wine can also be used to remove red wine stains.)

You don't need to wash your jeans after every use
Jeans actually don't need to be washed every time you wear them. Most jeans today that are pre-washed and treated only need to be thrown in the laundry once they start sagging or you accidentally spill something on them. And jeans without the washes and fading (raw denim) shouldn't be washed for up to six months, as they need time to conform to your body (yes, that's actually a thing! They really do that.). You can steam them to keep them fresh in between wears, or hang them up in the bathroom before you take a shower. When you do finally wash them, be sure to do so inside out with cold water.

Invest in care for your leather
Leather items (leather jackets especially) should be treated with some kind of scotch guard to protect them from water and stains. Investing in a leather conditioner and getting leather items cleaned professionally once every twelve months will keep them looking beautiful for years to come.

Be gentle with your lingerie
Properly fold your bras to maintain their shape instead of just messily tossing them in your drawer. Hand wash them in cold water and a few cap fulls of mild detergent. Lay them flat on a towel to dry.

Don't ignore sweat
Any sweaty items should be hung up if you can't wash them immediately (though you should do your best to wash them right away to avoid stains and odor setting into the clothes). Bunching them up or throwing them into a laundry basket will only contribute to mildew. If the smell of sweat has already set itself into your clothes, soak them in the sink with one part vinegar three parts water for about an hour before washing. This should help eliminate any odors.

Opt for a front loading washer
If you're in the market for a washing machine, choose a front loading one. A top loading washer is generally tough on clothes and more likely to damage them.

Prepare for storage
Be sure to clean your seasonal clothing before you store them away for the following year. Moths are attracted to things like perfume, smoke, and food. Don't encourage them!

DIY Hair Mask

2014-09-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

Via Free Digital Photos

What You'll Need:
- a bowl
- Whisk
- Extra- virgin olive oil
- honey

Directions:

1. Pour about a third of a cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil into a bowl (You may have to double it if you have long, thick hair).

2. Adding a few drops of honey in at a time, whisk the oil and continue to add honey until you've thickened the mask, but it still runs smooth. Don't add so much honey that it becomes sticky!

3. Heat the mask in the microwave for about 15-25 seconds. You just want it to be warm.

4. Apply the mask to damp hair starting at the ends, working your way up until your hair is fully saturated.

5. Cover your hair with a shower cap or a grocery bag and let the mask soak into your hair for about 90 minutes

6. Be sure to rinse your hair thoroughly and shampoo. Using lukewarm or cold water to do this will help keep the shine!

4 Things You Didn't Realize Were Hurting Your Skin

2014-08-24T14:22:00.001-07:00

Under even the best circumstances, our skin takes a real beating on a daily basis. We burn it. We cover it with makeup, our sweat, and food. Its submitted to UV rays and air pollution. We subject it to germs, and then disinfect it with chemicals. We pop our pimples and scratch at patches.But there are three super-simple, no-brainer things you can start (or stop) doing right now to immediately improve the condition of your skin.

Disinfect your Phone
Would you want someone putting one of the human races most contaminated objects on you? No? Neither does your face. Your cell phone is probably picking up thousands of germs through out your day (think of all the places you touch with your hands, set down your phone, ect.) By disinfecting your phone your eliminating thousands of germs waiting to cause a break out. A Clorox wipe every once in a while could go a surprisingly long way.

Wash before you Sleep
Its surprising how many women don't actually wash their face before they go to bed at night. Some of us pile a lot of stuff on our faces in the morning- maybe even throughout the day. I know the occasional crazy night happens, but making your skin a nightly priority is the easiest way to improve its health and appearance ten-fold.

No Pain No Gain? No way..
There is no reason for you to be scrubbing the heck out of your skin when you wash it. Yes, its important to remove any dead skin (no one wants an excess of dead cells lying around all over them) but scrubbing too hard or too long can damage your skin, and you don't want that either. And whatever product you're using doesn't have to give you that burning sensation to work. So don't wait for the pain.. its our bodies way of letting us know damage is being done to it. Keep that in mind next time you wash up!

Be Sun Smart
Sometimes I can't believe the number of women I still see laying out in the sun when its 2014 and we're all well aware of the damage it does to us. Am I saying I think people should avoid the sun like the plague? Of course not (Vitamine D is important, yo). But when "laying out" and deliberately tanning you're causing some serious damage to your skin. Damage that will manifest in later years as dark spots, wrinkles, and leathery (and possibly cancerous) skin. You'll be thankful later that you took an extra few minutes to apply some sunscreen before heading out, or for purchasing some spf 15 makeup to use in the morning.

Summertime Radness: Summer Style Inspiration

2014-07-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Get the look:

Look one:
1. Chris Gold Mirrored Aviator Sunglasses from Lulu*s
2. Mint Green Crepe Oversized Blazer from Newlook
3. Tie Shoulder Tank from Ruum
4. Embroidered Faux Leather Shorts from Forever 21
5. Orion Layered Necklace from Alloy Apparel
6. Olivia Burton Woodland Butterfly Watch from Harvey Nichols
7. Steve by Steve Madden Rykie from Piperlime
8. Kendall & Kylie Madden Girl 'Dejah' Sandal from Nordstrom

Look two:
1. Owl Pendant Long Necklace from Bodycentral
2. Cutout Chevron Bangle from Sole Society
3. Cage Back Eyelet Dress from Delia's
4. Medium Clean Satchel from Topshop
5. ALDO Ocelanna Sneakers from ALDO
6. NARS Back Room Nail Polish from NARS Cosmetics

#RadiantWithAveeno Feels as Good As It Sounds

2014-07-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

Uneven skin tone is not the business. And although I'm pretty young and don't have to worry about age spots yet, my gene pool has blessed me with red, less-than-pleasant combination skin that I've managed to compliment with acne scars. "Good" days leave my uncovered face looking rudy and uneven. On bad days I should really be trying to seek employment up north, because I could give Rudolph a run for his money.

I've had the pleasure (and sometimes displeasure) of trying out quite a few different toners. A little over a year ago I was tipped off by a friend to a DIY lemon juice toner, and due to my "one packet of Raman a day" budget, that has been my go-to ever since. Two weeks ago, however, I was fortunate enough to a receive a package from Influenster containing Aveeno's Targeted Tone Corrector to test out. And I began using the product to see if I really would end up #RadiantWithAveeno.

What does a toner do?

A toner is an astringent liquid applied to the skin to reduce oiliness and improve is condition. Its typically used after a cleanser is washed off and before a moisturizer is applied. A good toner will help you cleanse and restore ph balance, all while hydrating the skin.

My experience with Aveeno's Targeted Tone Corrector

I started using the toner the day after I received it, applying it in the morning when getting ready and at night before I go to bed. It left my skin with a really fresh and clean feeling.. it smells that way, too.

I know that nothing works over night, but after a week without even the slightest change, I began to think that maybe this toner just wasn't right for my skin. But a few days ago (within the 14 days the packaging promises) suddenly my skin began to noticeably improve. After just two weeks the toner has been able to slightly lessen the redness of on my nose, cheeks, and forehead, and one of the acne scars I have on my chin seems to be fading. It also made my skin softer and smoother then it has been in really long time.

Application Tips

- Use in the AM and PM along with your regular skin care routine. Toners should be used after you cleanse and before you moisturize.

- A little of this product goes a long way. You don't have to glob it on.

- Have patience. It will take a little bit of time to see results.

Price: $14.99

Recommended: Yes

"First Kiss" Video Director Gets More Intimate With This "Undress Me" Video

2014-07-11T16:24:00.001-07:00

Remember the video that went viral featuring 20 strangers kissing each other for the first time? The director of that video, Tatia Pilieva, has created a more intimate version of anonymous people getting to know each other with this "Undress Me" video commissioned by Masters of Sex (The video was made as an advertisement for the TV show).

"I asked strangers to undress each other and get into bed. Nothing else. No rules," Says Pilieva in the description of the video meant to celebrate the research of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, who began asking people to undress for science in 1957.

The video is full of cute and awkward moments. The couples were well paired- each able to come up with sweet or funny things to say in order to ease the awkwardness of taking your clothes off in front of a complete stranger. Thank goodness they get sweaty hands, too, right?

What were your thoughts after watching the video? Do you think it has the potential to spawn a real-life couple as well?

Zac Efron "Wiggling" For Italy is Everything

2014-07-02T08:00:00.001-07:00

via @gianlucavacchi

Zac Efron and his host spent the weekend dancing on tables. He waved, he took off his shirt, and spent his time with Gianluca Vacchi living it up the way Italians do. Spend an evening then with lively Italian business men, dreamy American actors, and a great bottle of wine in one of the most romantic countries in the world sounds like it would be an experience to last a lifetime.
And this short video from Vacchi's Instagram feed featuring he and Efron dancing to "Wiggle" by Jason Derulo will definitely get us through the week.

Brand Throws Shade At Customer, Then Suggests Sale

2014-07-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

Photo via @itsmarziapie

Online fashion is a competitive industry.
These days it seems like everywhere you look there's an ad or a link to a new E-commerce shop that just popped up. And really its no surprise. At a day in age when most of us spend the majority of our time online anyway, it makes sense to bring the market where the money is and set up shop in a cost-effective way. Anybody and everybody has a chance to turn their products into something to make a living out of. And nearly everybody is trying. Because of this, brands have to do whatever they can to get attention and make themselves stand out with every post and customer interaction.

So maybe that is what Jac Vanek thought they were doing when they called out a customer on Instagram this morning, reposting a picture (since removed) of the well-known Youtuber, Marzia Bisognin, and claiming the dress she was wearing was a knock-off of their shirt, then suggesting she buy the real thing instead. While contacting a customer (well-known or not) privately and encouraging them to purchase and wear your product instead could have potentially had positive ramifications, publicly posting a picture of a much-loved vlogger with the attached message did not.

Jac Vanek was born from the music scene and named after its founder. It definitely embodies pop-culture, but Vanek's claim that "my brand is a fusion of my own personal expression" (as cited from the story section of her website) is a bit of a stretch. Like the expression featured on the dress in the picture above, most of the sayings on Vanek's products are unfortunately far from original, and remind us continuously of posts spawned from 14- year-old tumblr users that have already been circling the internet for months.

Even so, Vanek's obvious success and growing following proves that she is an intelligent business woman. And while its normally a good strategy to tie something you're promoting to someone who gets more attention than you (Marzia has well over 3 1/2 million subscribers), doing so in a negative way won't bring you the results you want. Especially when done in such a public way. Although Marzia didn't even seem to notice the stunt (she's probably too busy being adorable and loving her new dress) many of Jac Vanek's fans threw shade back at the brand for the negativity of the caption, causing them to take it down not long after it was posted.

Have you ever experienced a brand using negative marketing tactics? Share your stories in the comments below.

WATCH: Mockingjay's First Trailer Is Finally Here

2014-06-25T10:51:00.001-07:00

Today we stand together as one as President Snow addresses Panem via Capitol Tv. We all have to wait another FIVE MONTHS (I don't know how we're going to do it) before first installment of the last Hunger Games movie, and a word from the Prez on unity might be just what we needed to keep from starting up a riot or rebellion of our own.

It seems the beginning of the end is officially upon us, kids.

Update: District 13 has a message for us as well: The Mockingjay lives.

Pantene Reminds Women To Stop Saying Sorry

2014-06-21T10:35:00.001-07:00

"I'm sorry" is a sneaky phrase. It can be said with true sincerity when offering condolences or as an apology, and after a while it finds its way into everyday interactions. "Sorry, do you have a minute?" "Sorry, can I get one, too?" "Sorry, can I squeeze by?" And the worst (and the first example shown in the video): "Sorry, I had a stupid question." The word has been ingrained into our speech patterns almost to the point that its lost its meaning. And in my experience you know who we hear it from the most? Women. My friends do it. My sisters do it. I do it.

So why do we do this to ourselves? Why are women always apologizing? I think back to all the times I've said sorry when my boyfriend elbows me in his sleep, when I apologized before sharing an idea at work, or when I was in school and I would say I'm sorry every time I raised my hand with a question. Why are we so afraid that our ideas or our questions are going to inconvenience anyone? In my desire to be polite I've been contributing to a problem that causes our gender to appear to agree that we are lesser human beings. We can't be apologizing for having wants or needs. We can't be apologizing for having a voice.

Thank you, Pantene, for reminding us to stop apologizing for things we're not (or shouldn't be) sorry for. Empowerment is the best form of advertising.

Lupita Nyong'o Scores Her First Vogue Cover

2014-06-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

Vogue's July cover is sporting non other than the award winning (and heart winning) Lupita Nyong'o. The Prada flashing, girl-power captioned cover was also a first for photographer Mikael Jannson, who used this beautiful picture of Nyong'o as his American Vogue cover debut.

From Oscar awards, to Lancôme contracts, to Vogue- Lupita is the woman that "has it all" after just a matter of months.

How to keep your Summer Makeup from Melting

2014-05-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Longer days and warming temperatures get us giddy with excitement for the Summer season; right up until it melts our morning beauty routine off our faces, that is. Its going to be hot. And heat means you're going to sweat. But that doesn't have to stop you from enjoying the season, or looking like the totally rad, fresh-faced babe that you are. You spend way too much time concealing, evening, and lining (and possibly rationing your favorite shade of eyeshadow so that it will last just a little bit longer) to just let it melt off half way through your day. So here are some ways you can beat the heat and avoid the Wicked Witch act.

Rid yourself of the Oils in your life

Oily skin and oily makeup are both the prime culprits in this crime against beautanity. Oil based foundations and most cream based eyeshadows/blushes are going to melt faster in the summer heat, so ditch them for something in powder form instead. Also consider switching to an oil-preventing cleanser. Makeup is going to stay put for a longer period of time if you're applying it to an oil-free canvas.

Go Easy

Don't layer on the foundation- even if you're using a powder, sweat can still leave streaks and creases. The more makeup you have on, the more of a mess its going to be if it melts off. I would say to skip it all together, but if the sound of that completely freaks you out try to only use it where you need it. The same rule goes for concealer. BB and CC creams are also another great alternative.

If you can't go without

If you can't skip the full face of foundation, make sure you at least use a primer first and then finish everything off with a translucent setting powder. In fact, this is a great rule for everything: foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, all of it.

Avoid liquid makeup

I know what its like to be a liquid liner addict, but summer is the best time to finally admit you have a problem and begin to live life like any other normal living being. Liquid eyeliners and lipliners are more likely to smudge or run down your face when you begin to sweat. So try to opt for something else when you know its going to be hotter than hell outside. You can always stash it in your purse for when the sun finally goes down and things cool off.

Waterproof it, or stain it

For makeup that will stay all day ,switch your normal mascara out for a waterproof one and your lipstick out for a stain instead.

Carry blotting papers like you would emergency tampons

No seriously. If its ridiculously hot outside, blotting papers are going to be your new best friend. They're the best way to rid your face of sweat and keep your makeup looking fresh. Just make sure to blot, not rub.

MCM: A Story of all my Fangirl Feels for John Green

2013-12-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

John Green is, and shall forever be, my literary hero. I fell in love with the YA best seller and Youtube vlog extraordinaire back in 2008 when I stole my first copy of Looking For Alaska from a friend (well.. borrowed and then never returned. Sorry Zack.). Alaska Young was the first woman I ever fell in love with. And although I agree it might not be the best idea to romanticize her character (I don't think young women should strive to become "beautifully damaged"- being depressed and feeling broken are struggles we all go through. Its cool to triumph and overcome them, its not cool while you're going through it) I was amazed at how raw of an individual she was. She thought all the same things I had thought before but was too self-conscious to say. She did what she wanted when she wanted. And yeah, it certainly annoyed the crap out of people, but she didn't care. When I was 15 I honestly didn't even know people could be like that. It was so refreshing and comforting at the same time to find out that maybe I'm not the only one in existence to ever feel trapped.

The book also had a huge impact on me as a writer. The interaction between the characters could be so awkward, and I loved that. He taught me that in books, things didn't have to play out like they do in the movies. Thank you, John Green, for unintentionally karate kicking a bunch of cheesiness out of my writing.

For those of you that don't spend your entire life Tumblr and haven't been bombarded with hundreds of excited fanposts, you should also know that another of his award winning books, The Fault in our Stars, will be available for your viewing pleasure June 6th of next year. You may of heard all the backlash its been getting about its tagline "One sick love story". But personally I like it. Its cheeky, and obviously a great way to get the movie the amount of attention it deserves.

Its been so great watching Green's fanbase grow over the past few years, and I'm so glad to see him become as successful as has been. Here's to hoping it keeps getting better for you- love you John!

Check out John's Youtube Channel. Sharpie face is a thing.

DIY Lemon Juice Toner

2013-04-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Lemons are no secret. There are plenty of DIY beauty tricks out there with this magic little fruit sitting happily on their list of ingredients. So with beauty products and cleansers often adding up to big bucks, why aren't we taking advantage of an easy, super-inexpensive way to even, glowing, beautiful skin? Used as a toner every day (or every other day for those with dry or sensitive skin) they can noticeably improve your complexion by lightening dark spots, dissolving bacteria (which will prevent blemishes), and tightening pores.

What is a toner?

Toner: An astringent liquid applied to the skin to reduce oiliness

and improve its condition.Its typically used after a cleanser

is washed off and before a moisturizer is applied.

What to do:

By mixing lemon juice with water and applying it to your face sparingly with cotton balls (apply more on blemishes, scars, and dark spots) you will see a noticeable difference in your skins appearance within just 4-6 weeks. Try 3 parts lemon juice one part water. Feel free to adjust accordingly based on skin type (more sensitive skin might need less lemon). And remember: natural is always better, so freshly squeezed is ideal as apposed to bottled juice. Also feel free to add a few tablespoons of honey to your toner- its a natural antiseptic that can be used to soothe burns, heal acne, and moisturize your face!

What Lemon does for your skin:

Lemon juice helps to restore the pH balance (the measure of acidity and basicity) in your skin, which needs to be slightly acidic (and less basic). Skin with a balance that is slightly acidic is shown to to be clearer, less dry, and even ages slower in some cases. This is because a higher acidity helps the skins acid mantle (a barrier on the top of the skin) keep the bacteria at bay while keeping all the good things (like moisture) in. Lemon juice also helps to tighten the pores and make them less visible.

What honey does for your skin:

Honey contains alpha hydroxy acids: acids that increase elasticity and stimulate collegen production which help to decrease the effects of aging. It also helps to attract and retain moisture. Hydrated skin is happy skin!

The Last-Minute Beauty Guru Gift Guide

2012-12-19T10:45:00.004-08:00

We all have someone in our life who is all about the newest, the truest, the BEST beauty products on the market. They love their bathroom well-stocked with latest and greatest, and every bookmark on their computer is to an out of this world gorgeous makeup tutorial. What do you get for someone who is already so emersed in the beauty world? Shopping time is ticking away- but we found some great products (that you can get fast!) so that you'll have all the right things to place under their tree (or tuck into their perfectly fluffed stocking!).

Kate Spade New York "Pucker Up" Lipstick

Its like adding an exclamation to the end of your outfit. Super smooth, moisturizing color, all rapped up in a gorgeous little lipstick tube. Its Supercalifragilipstick!

Price: $24
Get it here.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan

Help the bronze goddess in your life keep up her golden glow all winter long. A sunless tan, is a wrinkle free one. She'll love you for it!

Price: $30
Get it here

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control

This is our all time favorite frizz control cream. Smooth tresses, a great smell, and no super-weird texture left behind on those gorgeous locks!

Price: $6
Get it here
(Or you could pick it up at your local CVS!)

Wet n' Wild Brow Kit

Beautifying your brows can change your entire face. If eyes are the windows to the soul, make sure your loved on has beautiful frames!

Price: $5.99
Get it here
(or you can get it at your local Walgreens or CVS)

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

A lip balm that fights free radicals, adds moisture, tastes great, protects your lips from UV rays, and has a great looking tube? Yes please! Go on: pick your shade.

Price: $22.50
Get it here

The Splurger:

Sultra's Temptress Power Dryer Mind Blowing Gift Set

The gift set comes with a Temptress Power Dryer and Flirts Smooth and Straight Flat Iron. Advanced Thermaheal drying technology, dual air speed on the dryer, and a two year warranty. Sounds pretty perfect to us!

Price: $195 ($330 value)
Get it here

10 Things I Learned from Taylor Swift

2012-12-05T15:48:00.000-08:00

Love Doesn't Necessarily Mean living in a fairy tale

Falling in love with someone isn't about fancy dinners, chivalry, or being a perfect couple. Sometimes its about passion. Sometimes its full of wanting, needing, wishing, and giving. You fall in love with the quirks and the crazy things. Sometimes its screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain. Sometimes its a roller-coaster rush. (That's the way I Loved You)

Sometimes You can Tell When They're Trouble

Some people give you that feeling from the first moment they step into your life. Don't ignore your gut when its telling you somethings off. Trouble is fun, but its only temporary fun. (Trouble)

Some people are going to be hard to let go of, even when you're the one who chose to separate yourself
You know that moment when you realize that someone in your life isn't good for you even if you love them? That feeling really sucks. But its a life lesson most of us aren't going to be exempt from. We all have to learn to let go. It hurts- trust me, I know. Every time I don't call him, I almost do. (Almost Do)

You have to be able to recognize the bad,
even when it looks good.
Sometimes a knight on a white horse just isn't the right guy for you. You may just want everything to eventually work out the way it did in your head with that person.. but its time to face the facts. That relationship might not actually be as nice as your making it out to be. My mistake, I didn't know to be in love, you had to fight to have the upper hand. (White Horse)

We're made up of the little things we take for granted
Its the little things like slamming of screen doors that make up who we are as people, and the relationships we have with others. Your ~~song~~ life if full of all of these wonderful things that we take for granted. Spend a little time enjoying them. (Our Song)

You learn from Experience
When you're fifteen, and somebody tells you they love you, you're going to believe them. As you get older, you'll collect more experiences, and you'll learn from them. And next time it happens, you'll know what to do. (Fifteen)

One person can Change your Entire life
Embrace the random people you meet on a daily basis. You never know who is going to come into your life change it forever. (Everything has Changed)

You Will Make It
Life can sometimes be really good at overwhelming us. It can feel unbearable. You can feel like you just want to give up. You can feel like you can't breathe. But that feeling will end. Remember that. You might feel like you can't breathe without them, but you have to. And you will. (breathe)

There comes a point when you have to stand up for yourself.
You should never be afraid to ask if you deserve better than what you're being given. There comes a point when you have to stand up for yourself and confront the people hurting you in your life. Don't hesitate when the time comes. (Tell Me Why)

Don't Be Afraid To Take Chances
Don't become jaded to life. We all have to go through hard times. And we will get through them. Don't forget that life's experiences make you a stronger, wiser person. And don't let them stop you from taking a chance at getting what you want in the future. (Jump then Fall)

Fashion Apparel Companies Graded on Child Labor, Worker Rights, and Traceability

2012-11-16T10:23:00.003-08:00

Photo via Not For Sale

Its crazy to think that in the 21st century, our favorite industry is still subjecting its workers to low wages, child labor, and the inconceivable thought of what is, essentially, modern slavery. And after reading Refinery 29's recent article highlighting Not For Sale's apparel industry trends, we are just as surprised as you are.

The companies were graded on multiple indicators (all having to do with monitoring, worker rights, and the traceability of the supplies used for their products) and given a "yes", "partial", or "no" for each one. After all of the indicators, the companies were given a letter grade based on their score. And I'm sure we are all disappointed to see that some of our favorite companies like Aeropostale, Ambercrombie & Fitch, Timberland, and Forever 21 received D's & F's. What is a beautiful dress, or the perfect scarf if made in these conditions?

But we were happy to see companies like Maggie's Organics, Good & Fair, and Hanesbrands; companies that lit up the board with yes'es and received A's. And H&M, Gap, and Adidas were among the companies scoring a B. So maybe there is hope for humanity (and the fashion apparel industry) yet. And perhaps we as consumers can change the current trend conditions by voicing our concern. Or even making a point with our purchasing decisions. (Not For Sale, Refinery 29)

6 Tricks to Bigger, Brighter Eyes

2012-11-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Makeup is meant to help us highlight our best features. Use it to your advantage with these six easy tricks that will help make those gorgeous eyes of yours look bigger and brighter. No fancy tools or makeup artist skills needed.

1. Highlight your inner corner

This is instantly going to make your eyes appear bigger and more awake. Just take a white, or very light colored shadow or liner and trace the "v" in the inner corner of your eye (pointing to your nose).

2. Curl your lashes

Curling your lashes will open up your eye, and help you look more awake. Everybody knows this, but its an easy thing to want to skip when getting ready in the morning. Start at the base of the lashes and "walk" your curler to the tips by releasing and pressing until you get to the ends. Wa-lah. Beautiful.

3. Line your Waterline in White

Instead of lining your waterline with your usual brown or black, swap it out for white. Then use a darker color inside, or just below the lash line.

4. Wing your liner, and your Mascara

When applying your liner, carry it a little past the lash line. The winged liner (cat-eye) will help draw the eye out further, helping it to look longer. When doing this you should start towards the middle of your eye and work out.
You can also wing your mascara by first applying normally, and then using the wand to add a second coat to the lashes in the outside corner, pulling them outward as you apply.

5. The Marilyn Trick

Too make Marilyn's eyes look bigger during photo shoots makeup artists would highlight the outer corners of her eyes with a white eye shadow or liner in the shape of a triangle. When it caught light, it helped the eye appear longer- giving her those large, sultry, almond eyes we're all envious of.

6. Get the Blues
Blue hues will cause the whites of your eyes to looks whiter, and your eyes to look brighter. So don't be afraid to swap out your usual picks for a blue eyeliner.

What are your go-to tricks for making your eyes pop? Have you already tried any of the above tips?

The Twitterverse: Is It Possible To Predict Trending Topics?

2012-11-06T12:31:00.001-08:00

What if you knew what was going to trend before it happened? If you're an avid tweeter, this could mean great exposure, and more followers. If you're a brand, this could mean a chance to grow your following and bump up those lovely little profile numbers, which means more potential to influence consumers. According to MIT, who recently created an algorithm that predicts twitter trends, it could very soon become a reality.

Trending topics are selected automatically depending on the number of tweets and how often the topic is being mentioned. MIT's new trend predicting algorithm is able to predict trending topics hours before hand with a 95% accuracy. Now is that awesome, or is it awesome? Yeah. We thought so, too.(source)

But if Twitter was suddenly so predictable, would it be as fun? As addictive? Or would the magic of the ever-changing social phenomenons die? Tell us what you think.