5 Shoes For Braving This Disgusting Winter Slush Situation
It’s that very special time of year. If you live anywhere remotely cold and urban, the streets are a treacherous mess of exhaust stained, dirty, icy, sidewalk garbage snow. Crosswalks are impassable and the city is frozen tundra. Otherwise, as soon as the temperature begins to rise and you think you’re in the clear, the ice skating rinks that before encircled every street corner, have become moats. Our feet take the most abuse in this weather, testing the slushy waters before we make the great leap. It can be near impossible to look put together and stay warm in these trying times. But it can be done! My go-to she is a pair of Cole Haan charcoal grey waterproof leather oxfords, but they don’t make those no more, so I’ve scoured the web for an icy garbage snow shoe for everybody’s tastes.
Waterproof Oxfords to Keep You Dapper and Dry
These Ahnu waterproof Oxfords are perfect for keeping your feet dry with waterproof leather, neoprene and some other fancy scientific materials. They also come in a variety of colors.
Doc Martens for The Punx
These vulcanized rubber combat-style Docs have a high ankle to keep your legs dry in case you slip into a lake puddle, and come in both black and floral patterns.
Ballet slippers for inside your ‘Bean Boots
So Danca Adult Canvas Split-Sole Ballet slipper. $17.99 on Amazon
I had this great idea for when I’m going to class and I need to keep my feet dry without carrying two pairs of shoes all day. I bought a pair of split-sole ballet slippers to wear inside of my clompy winter boots. Now I just ditch the boots at the door and I don’t have to worry about dragging slush through the halls.
Hot Heels to Melt the Ice
If the idea of wearing two pairs of shoes at once is a little weird for you, these winter heels from Sorel are great way to transition from the Arctic outdoors to an indoor event. Warm, totally waterproof, and great traction make these boots perfect who is determined not to sacrifice a high fashion height to a little snow and ice.
Hiking Boots for the Urban Butch
Sometimes you just want a good winter hiking boot that doesn’t make you look like you’re about to scale Everest.
These “Winter Fancy” boots from Sorel are a great shape and color and classy silhouette. A no fuss boot for a no nonsense pedestrian. The Danner Mountain Light Cascade boots come in a beautiful tan leather that is water-resistant. Apparently they were worn by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Wild… so there’s that.
Happy puddle jumping my pretties!
Top 10 Things You Should Totally Buy Now That Hot Topic Is Our Affiliate
On 30 November 2013, I had a dream.
It was a serious desire to see this website that I hold so dear to my heart finally partner with an affiliate clothier that is more aligned to my personal style, that of a 31-year-old business goth with the fashion sensibilities of the 2nd guitarist from every high school Fall Out Boy tribute band.
I had high hopes. My passion for Hot Topic runs long and deep, and no one knows this better than our leader, Riese, who over the course of our lengthy friendship has been known to humour my various obsessions with Things From USA Culture. In 2008, we blew off an afternoon at South-by-Southwest in favour of heading to the suburban Hot Topic store miles from town, where we bought matching OMG WTF novelty tees while listening to Blink-182 songs that maybe probably weren’t as great as the live music that we were missing out on back on 6th St. We’ll never truly know.
In 2009, I successfully campaigned for Hot Topic to be included in the Autostraddle Hot 100 where it ranked at a respectable #94. The year after, I emailed Hot Topic head office about buying a franchise license for Sydney ’cause I wasn’t totally convinced that pop-punk was dead. Sadly I never heard back. Their loss, I’m sure.
So imagine my pure delight when a short 435 days later, she delivered:
Which brings me to:
Top 10 things you should totally, definitely buy now that Hot Topic is an affiliate of Autostraddle.com
A brief PSA, before we move onto shiny things with faux leather trim: Affiliates are a super easy way to support indie queer media while exerting ZERO effort. When you buy goods from many popular retailers via this link, a tiny cut goes into the pockets of the raddest army of amazing queer writers on the internet or anywhere else.
1 – 3. The Joan Jett x Tripp NYC Collection
When I heard that my #1 all time bad bitch Joan Jett was doing an exclusive fashion collaboration with my #1 favourite supplier of black clothing, Tripp NYC, I died. I’m still dead. I’m typing this sentence from heaven, where Joan wraps her arms around me and whispers into my ear about how that smokin’ hot moto jacket feels real nice.
Left: Joan Jett x Tripp NYC Black Twill Badass Moto Jacket ($51.60)
Middle: Joan Jett Bad Reputation Muscle Shirt ($19.60)
Right: An Asymmetrical Tank To Go With That Haircut ($12.98)
4. LOVEsick Kitty Stripe Faux Thigh High Tights ($10)
I can think of at least three people in my life who would rock these tights without a hint of irony, so I bet you know at least one. Adorably, they also come in Rabbit and Bear.
5. Black & Red Plaid Shirt ($23.60)
The placeholder text in my first draft said, “This is something Kristen Stewart would throw on to run to Wholefoods” and I haven’t been able to think up a more compelling reason to buy it than this.
6. T.U.K. Rainbow Combat Boot ($82.80)
You just know that these boots will take this year’s Pride outfit to a whole new level.
7. RUDE Indigo Hooded Cap Denim Vest ($35.60)
This rugged vest is probably the secret to gaining vest confidence and patch-sewing skills.
8. The Breakfast Club Sketch Plaid Muscle Shirt ($19.60)
Everyone who still looks fondly upon the 8os will go wild for this sketch tank with Bender’s signature red plaid on back. It’ll be anarchy. *fist pump*
9. Toddland Sliders Boxers ($19.20)
If sliders, or “small hamburgers” outside of the USA, are the way into your lover’s heart then these boxers will probably be your consensual way into their pants.
10. Silver 24″ Wallet Chain ($8.40)
1998 called to remind you that it was a big year for cool clothing and that if you’ve ever wondered if wallet chains could make a comeback then the answer is yes, definitely. It just takes one brave soldier. Be the chain that you wanna see.
Style is Style: Cupid’s Arrow Pointed Me to ASOS
Valentine’s Day. It’s essentially a capitalist ploy to sell thousands of Hershey’s Kisses (for drowning your sorrows or just blessin’ your boo). My general thoughts are: it’s a very ridiculous day for everyone, but I like telling people that I love them & I am a sucker for any sort of themed dressing. I’m not sure why, but I love the “challenge” of dressing thematically for any given holiday. This year it won’t be as literal as it’s been in years past (see: Cupid’s arrow through my head) but I’m jonesing for several of these Cupid-esque pieces. FYI: they’d be cute on you any day of the year.
Um… because plaid? Whether it’s a solo V-day, a party with pals or some sort of romantic soiree with a lover (or lovers), I’m pressed to find an occasion where plaid is not apropo. If plaid isn’t appropriate for Valentine’s, I don’t want any part in it.
This is not for the faint of heart. Sweeter than sweet, this co-ord set is absolutely on brand for Cupid Fanatics. Sweet-tarts not included.
Along the lines of Kaelyn’s palazzo love, I’m leaning towards a more relaxed leg this spring. Polka dot culottes are both fun to say and fun to wear, Valentine’s or not.
I love novelty socks. Like, a lot. So, these really get me going. You could wear them with anything!
These are gratuitous, a touch ludicrous even, but if matching phone cases is a thing that you and your partners are into, go for it. Even if it’s just you and your 3 iPhones.
I have a thing for frivolous accessories and these definitely fit the bill. Oh the places we’ll go!
I like milk and cookies. I like my crush. I definitely like want this tee.
I don’t have a real reason for including this except that it is a “Britney Spears” bra and that makes me think that it will come with an accompanying snake. I cannot confirm or deny whether it comes with a snake. I still love Britney.
There you have it kids: a bevy of V-Day goodies to bookmark for you or your bae. Excuse me while I order some nipple tassels!
Suit Yourself: Wildfang & Lucca Couture Are Bringing Sharp Tailoring to the Masses
all photos courtesy of Wildfang
Portland based retailers Wildfang have made a name for themselves as purveyors of tomboy fashion. Curating a selection of apparel made for the rough and tumble crowd, they’ve managed to remain decidedly fashion forward. Their latest venture is a collaboration with LA brand Lucca Couture on a set of tailored suiting. Following the lead of fashionable #galpals Cara Delevigne & Kirsten Stewart, suiting and matching sets are back in vogue for the non-business, strictly non-dapper set. Hell, I want a suit (and I never thought I would).
The Wildfang X Lucca Couture collaboration sees a collection of mix and match separates, in both slim and relaxed silhouettes. Tuxedo detailing and slim cut trousers are juxtaposed with wide legged tousers and double breasted jackets. If paired with a tee, these could easily head to the bar for a paddle of local craft beer. Throw them on with a collared shirt and tie and you’ve got more of consummate queer professional vibe. Either way, it’s a casually chic way to get dressed.
You can shop the collection at Wildfang.com!
This Shit Rules: My Skin Is Sensitive and My Hair Doesn’t Make Sense
I have thin skin — literally, and metaphorically. I’m not sure which of my many medical conditions have caused this situation. I’d initially blamed the steroid-based eczema cream I lathered generously on my shins and elbows throughout adolescence, but I recently bonded with a friend who, like me, has fibromyalgia, and we seemed to share many of the same skin problems. Who knows why I’m unable to scratch my dry legs without scarring for weeks while everybody else claws away with abandon? The world is full of mystery, and everything I do leaves a mark.
I’ve also been blessed with a bloodhound-esque sense of smell, and the ways in which I ensure everything around me smells like paradise has already been documented in Top Ten Products For Human Bloodhounds Who Need Everything To Smell Good. Today I will be discussing other items that I require to deal with my half-Jewish hair, my super-sensitive skin, and the fact that Margot Tennenbaum is my fashion icon.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
This shit truly does rule and is particularly useful for not disrupting your ph or whatever. When traveling, it doubles as face wash. If I wasn’t obsessed with smelling amazing all the time I’d probably use it for my entire body, but I am obsessed with smelling amazing all the time, so I use scented shower gel on my less-sensitive body parts and Cetaphil on the parts that are sensitive and would like to stay that way, just like Jewel.
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser
The best place to discover new products is a shower you share with 2-9 other women, as I learned in college and throughout my twenties. I don’t know which of the eight Kappas I lived with my senior year brought this fine item into the shower on a day that my own face wash ran out, but bless you dear stranger, this is a quality facial cleanser.
Nivea For Men Sensitive Aftershave Extra Smoothing Balm & Nivea For Men Sensitive Shaving Gel
I like the shape of my legs but the actual skin on my legs is a total disaster. Most of it I can’t do anything about — the eczema scars, the ruddy knees, its nearly transparent hue. Vicious razor burn was also one of those things until an ex-boyfriend suggested I try using men’s shaving products. It makes perfect sense: products for the face will always be less irritating because faces are pretty universally sensitive. It works!
Pantene Pro-V Smooth and Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner
My scalp psoriasis doesn’t make any fucking sense. I’ve tried pretty much every shampoo and conditioner on the market — including every expensive natural chemical-free option at Whole Foods and various hippie stores — and I’m not any closer to the truth. Shampoos made specifically for scalp issues of any kind or for psoriasis, from T-Gel to Head & Shoulders, usually makes matters worse. The most I’ve been able to figure out is that it helps to switch what shampoo and conditioner I use every month or so, and that usually, Pantene Pro-V is what I can use for the longest period of time without having a flare-up. Why? I have no fucking idea. The body is A MYSTERY. When I can afford it, I use the PHYTO PHYTOJOBA Intense Hydration Brilliance Shampoo, which is also gentle on me.
Biosilk Hair Serum
I smash some of this into my hair right after leaving the shower and then I blow dry and then my hair is smooth and silky like a mermaid’s. I’m half-Jewish which means my hair is frizzy, curly and poofy in spots, and then straight in other spots. It’s very confusing for my identity but Biosilk helps.
Makeup
L’Oreal Paris Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream: This is actual magic. I don’t know who invented this thing but it truly instantly makes your skin tone so much more even.
CoverGirl Perfect Blend Pencil Black Brown: Desert Island item.
Almay Clear Complexion Blemish Heal Technology: Acne medication usually makes matters worse but this concealer actually doesn’t… I mean… it sometimes even WORKS. It’s crazy.
Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base
It’s SO HARD to find face moisturizers that you can travel with — there’s always pumps or they’re too big to fit into a travel case. This is a really great makeup base that I use as a face moisturizer when I can’t use my own ’cause I’m on the road like a wild cowboy.
essie Nail Color: Naughty Nautical
I was formerly committed to black nail polish (Essie Licorice) for life, but then I changed my mind and grew and changed as a person, switching to a palette of blues and purples and greens. This one is my favorite.
Burt’s Bees Hand Salve
I’ve JUST discovered this and boy is it lovely! I’ll tell you why: ’cause it cannot leak and explode all over your bag. So it’s an excellent way to keep your hands moisturized (if they get super-dry in cold weather, especially) without turning your bag into a flash flood!
Winter Fashion for Staying Warm While Looking Hot
Feature image from shutterstock
If you live in region with seasons, you are probably all too familiar with winter, the bitter bitch of a weather system. As if decreasing daylight wasn’t bad on its own, there are inches of fluffy white flakes that are the equivalent to little middle fingers falling from the sky and winds cold enough to make you question if you even put on clothes today. These come paired with ice that you can’t see until you’ve already fallen prey to its horrendous practical joke and are now on your back wishing this day never existed. The only reason I could think to like winter weather is if you are a former cryogenics expert who suffered an industrial accident while attempting to cure your terminally ill wife, rendering you a human snow man.
from mashable
Unfortunately, we can’t just unplug winter and continue on wearing our tights and capes. No, we must survive, my friends. So here are a few of my own survival tactics.
The Open Embrace of Layers
Layering your clothing can be your best friend but also your self esteem’s worst enemy. Although you may be able to keep out the cold by wearing as many of the clothing items you have, you may just end up looking like this.
photo from Telegraph UK
So maybe scale back a little and think about really showing off each layer. Start off with your typical undershirt that no one sees but should still be appreciated, add a layer that comes to your neck such as a crew neck or henley, top it off with a button-up, and complete with coat. Not only does this keep you warm, it gives others the illusion that you are stylish and aren’t even worried that you can’t feel your face anymore. Pretty charming, eh?
photo from science fiction
The Incognito Approach
On the other end of the spectrum, is the super sneaky “you-have-no-idea-how-much-clothing-I-have-on-right-now-and-quite-frankly-i-want-to-tell-you-because-i’m-really-proud” look. Or more simply put: the incognito approach to layering. The key here is maximum body area coverage and thin layers. You might have put away your leggings and spandex pants in defeat but you’ll be needing them. Personally, I wear the UnderArmour pants I bought when I told myself we’d start working out more. Wearing thin but substantial layers beneath your typical clothing creates a barrier between you and the frigid cold, but you have to be consistent with the layering, top to bottom — no skin left uncovered. Cuddlduds is a great brand that offers soft long-sleeve crewnecks and leggings (Sonoma Life + Style Warmwear at Kohl’s is a cheaper alternative). To cover your feet and legs a little more, dig out those retired athletic socks from your sporting days. Knee-high soccer socks are a godsend in the winter and no one can tell the difference between them and dress socks! With this option, you’re still able to wear your typical style without much of a hindrance. You may look like an assassin getting ready in the morning but… no, no buts, that’s a pretty good motivator on its own.
original photo from Kohl’s
Burrito of Warmth
lenny in the best scarf from we heart it
If you’re a little less Scarlett Johannson and a little more Zooey Deschanel, have no fear you can bundle your way through the year. You want the bundle, or the closest you can come to be being a human burrito of clothing. We’re talking scarves, big sweaters, boots, leggings and knit hats. If you can convince your cat to serve as a muffler all day, go for it. The bundle is certainly more of a laid back, “guess-when-I-showered-last” aesthetic but still a good one. What you lack in preparedness, you make up for in the amount of textiles you are able to put on your body at once. Do not underestimate the power of a strategically placed scarf. The accessories are the aluminum foil of this Chipotle burrito: keeps in the heat and adds value.
And listen, no matter what, you will still be cold. It’s just a matter of how cold you’re going to be. Try a few of these out and find what works best for you; at least you tried. You can use that as support for your griping when your face hurts to move, your fingers are as useful as the claw in an arcade game, and you can’t actually tell if you’re walking in the right direction. Others have to listen if you have good support to back up your claims. If not, well… find an off-the-shoulder, powder blue, floor-length dress to wear every day until someone locks you up someplace warm.
photo from imgur
Three Looks Inspired By Kristen Stewart, She of Effortless Aplomb
Feature image via tumblr
Quite dashing and notoriously “gal pal”-ing, Kristen Stewart has been heavy on my mind of late. So, naturally, I’ve taken to stalking tumblrs dedicated to documenting her highly covetable (not to mention queer-friendly) style. A little secret: I find it very difficult to wear “normal” clothes. Kristen’s off-duty looks are essentially a master class in lookin’ delectable in simple basics. By some platonic female friend magic, K-Stew manages to be both relaxed yet on point in sneakers and band tees. Seemingly “normal” outfits like a white tee and jeans become instantly enviable. Apparently I should just be wearing a black crew neck and blue jeans every day, all day.
So how does one become a devastatingly tomboyish gal about town? No worries, you’ve got this. I’ve prepped a primer in mastering how to dress like Kristen. Spoiler: you probably already own all of these things and this will be so easy. I promise. Vacay in Hawaii avec gal pal not included.
Novice
photo from tumblr
I’m wearing a vintage anogora sweater, Old Navy jeans and leather Converse.
On this one I cheated a smidge. Instead of a standard cotton sweatshirt, I styled this look with a vintage angora sweater, which coincidentally has raglan sleeves This look is straightforward and easy to execute — you’ll look cooler-than-thou even if you are just poppin’ into the grocery store for some chowder.
Intermediate
photo from tumblr
I’m wearing a Topshop jean jacket, Old Navy shirt, thrifted leather tie, Old Navy jeans and thrifted lace up sneakers.
Although Avril Lavigne turned me off black ties for quite some time, this look was probably my favourite to recreate. The double denim gains a touch of formality with a button down and a simple tie. So goddamn comfortable, while still saying “I wear ties in the daytime, you know I’m the shit.”
Advanced
photo from tumblr
photo from tumblr
I’m wearing a thrifted blazer, Gap tee, Joe Fresh ponte pants and Joules oxfords.
Co-ords have been high on my must haves recently — there is something so sharp about having a look which features a very limited and specific palette. Kristen’s suited looks are eye-catching but still have that air of ease. Since I’m still on the hunt for a perfect pair of slacks, I styled my version with some tuxedo-striped ponte pants and a thrifted blazer that has fancy satin lapels. Toss on a white tee, some shiny oxfords, and you’ll be ready to hit up Stella McCartney’s latest presentation (or at least spend a night out on the town).
And there you have it: a starter’s guide to dressin’ like babe extraordinaire, Kristen Stewart. Do you have a favourite K-Stew ensemble that I missed? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
This Shit Rules: Goo For Scaly-Snake-Monster Season
It’s winter. Or as my skin likes to call it, Scaly-Snake-Monster Season. I imagine, of course, that people flee from me as I walk down New York City streets because, right about two weeks ago, I transformed into essentially a giant humanoid alligator. My skin gets so dry that I wander around my apartment and occasionally actual public places behaving like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkHyRTlXwkY
Oh you think I’m exaggerating. I’m really not exaggerating. I’m actually doing that on my office chair as I type this.
It does not help that my apartment is steam-heated to (and I’m just guessing here) one million degrees and is drier than a desert in June. I have no control over the thermostat. This would all be bad enough, except that my skin is also finicky—use one kind of moisturizer on my face uninterrupted for too long, break out. Season changes and keep using same face wash, break out. Planet alignment changes and I don’t change whatever the fuck product I’m using, break out. The result is that I use enough different kinds of goo to fill, like, three of these posts all with different themes.
So let’s get down to business on this one—here are the goos I have to use specifically when I transform into a Scaly Snake Monster.
Handmade Goat Milk Soap
During the summer, I can use vegan soap. During the winter, whatever magic vegan soap is made out of also drinks all the water from my skin like a thirsty Vampire. So, being that I’m not a vegan, I switch to something with a little milk up in it. Specifically right now, I’m using soap from Cats’ View Farm in Germantown. Right now in my shower, there rests a Pumpkin Spice bar. On deck is Black Rum and Patchouli.
Buy it from this tiny farm: $5.5o per bar or 4 for $20
Boscia Black Cleanser and Black Mask
Okay, so I live in New York City: land of soot and urine. I am SUPER DIRTY whenever I go out of the house, plus of course I have scales all over my face that shed whether or not I can manage to stay in my apartment for a full 24-hour period. This cleanser and mask are gentle enough that they don’t provoke my winter-skin. The cleanser warms and it’s 19 degrees outside, and the mask is peel off which harkens back to the days of peeling Elmer’s Glue off your fingers—extremely fun and satisfying.
Buy it at Sephora: $28 per 5 oz. cleanser, $34 per 2.8 oz. mask
Hope In a Jar Daily Moisturizer
An every day work horse, this is my new winter moisturizer after the moisturizer I’d been using in the fall started to make me break out when the weather changed. No doubt in two months I will have to switch back to the other moisturizer. And in summer I have to use a completely different one…
My skin is the worst, you guys. I’m holding out hope that this one works year round. It is called Hope in a Jar, after all.
Buy it on Amazon: $34 for 2 oz.
Fresh Lotus Eye Gel
Okay, so it might not be scientifically proven or anything, but this product is supposed to reduce the dark circles under one’s eyes. I honestly don’t care if it does or not, because what I care about is that it’s fresh and cucumber-esque and feels nice when my eyes are all sleepy-puffy (you know the feeling, don’t even pretend like you don’t). And I need this during this season because—and I’m super embarrassed to admit this—my itching wakes me up at night. Seriously. My skin wakes me up. Also this one seems pricey, but since a little goes a long way it’s actually not so bad given how long it lasts.
Buy it on Amazon: $48 for .5 oz.
Fresh Rose Face Mask
This was a treat-yo-self purchase last winter and I liked it so much that it’s made the regular rotation. It’s for those days when moisturizer alone isn’t cutting it—it’s super super hydrating. Plus it smells like flowers! This, like it’s counterpart the Lotus Eye Gel, seems really expensive. But a little goes a long way and it keeps me from wanting to rub my face against my graduate school’s concrete façade: worth it.
Buy it on Sephora: $62 for 3.3 oz.
Melt Earth Spirit Sugar Scrub
There is literally nothing that feels better than a sugar scrub when you are winter itchy. Literally nothing. It is the best damn feeling in the world. It is EXACTLY like rubbing your back against a tree in a bear-esque fashion. I use the Earth Spirit scent because I like the smell of sandalwood and it also makes the towel you dry yourself off with smell AWESOME—but Melt makes a whole host of other sugar scrubs if you’re not into that scent, and while you’re at it a whole host of other bath and body stuffs.
Buy it from Melt: $25 for 9 oz.
Coconut Oil
I don’t know if there are any special kinds of coconut oil that should be used on the skin or not, but as you can practically hear my skin make a slurping sound when I put it on it absorbs it so fast, I just walk to the grocery store on the corner and get the biggest jar of it I can find. And then I slather myself in it all winter.
Buy it on Amazon: $6 for 14 oz.
Burt’s Bees Outdoor Deodorant
There is another problem with winter in the city: heat. Everything is over-heated — stores, offices, apartment buildings, the metro stations: literally no one has access to their thermostat. I sometimes wonder what puppet master controls all of them. And I sweat. I sweat so much it looks like I’m melting. But I also don’t want to use something that will stop me from sweating, because sweating is a thing bodies are supposed to do. Enter this wonderful deodorant. It’s spray on, so it doesn’t leave any weird streaks on black tee shirts or dark sweaters. It’s made of entirely recognizable ingredients. Its first ingredient is alcohol, so the one place on my body I wish was dry is kept just dry enough. And it makes me smell like a lumberjack, or rather a lumberjane.
Buy it on Amazon: $26 for a three-pack
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
I must credit my fiancée with this find—she accidentally bought the Grapefruit and Ginger flavor instead of her usual Natural Mint and Shea Butter. She hated the Grapefruit and I LOVED it, so I received the cast-off! It’s perfect—it doesn’t leave your lips drier than before, like some lip balms do. And it has an SPF of 25 (sun still exists in winter, my friends, plus this makes it an extra good all year ’round product).
Buy it on Amazon: $7.50 per tube.
EarthLust Stainless Steel Water Bottle
I know, you’re like, “LOL ALI THAT’S NOT A PRODUCT YOU PUT ON ITCHY SKIN.” But I maintain that drinking water is the best thing we can all be doing for our skin, in good times and bad. In Scaly-Snake-Monster Season or during all other seasons. Drink some water. Drink that whole bottle and then fill it again. And then drink it again. Repeat. Your skin will thank you. This cute fish pattern is the same one I have, but there are others.
Buy it on Amazon: $20 for a 1L bottle.
This Shit Rules: Fabulous (and Squeaky Clean) as F*ck
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they couldn’t live without.
I kind of can’t leave the house without feeling fabulous, which means I allot myself time in the morning to lay about in a laissez-faire fashion with my dog and I’ve got all the products I use before, during, and after my morning shower down to a science. This is the stuff that makes it possible for me to face another day in the cruel, harsh, unforgiving world. Oh, and it leaves me feeling super-duper full of light. Inner peace is fundamental, people.
Naturelle HEMP Shampoo and Conditioner
I was drawn to Naturelle’s HEMP shampoo and conditioner for three equally important and valid reasons: it’s cheap, it’s au naturale, and it has a huge weed leaf on it. I originally tried it out because other brands were weighing down my mane when I wore an afro, but I never looked back. The bonus is that it has a super-fresh smell that is not explicitly gendered! Fist bump, amirite.
Buy It on Amazon: 1L Hydrating Shampoo ($14.01) / 1L Hydrating Conditioner ($16.95)
Neutrogena Shampoo
Once a week, in order to observe the majesty of my own hair, I use Neutrogena’s anti-residue formula shampoo to clear the dirt and oil out of it from the previous week real good. It puts the bounce back that even the most well-washed head of hair loses from any products you’re regularly tossin’ up there. It’s the kind of tough love your hair is yearning for.
Buy It on Amazon: 6oz ($7.72)
White (Unscented) Dove Beauty Bar
I really like bar soap, and I like keeping it simple. A white beauty bar is my everything.
Buy It on Amazon: 6 pack($11.56)
Liquid Neutrogena Face Soap
For some reason unbeknownst to even myself, I fucking love this shit. I travel with a small bar, but the liquid version is the best for everyday use and slapping it on really makes a person feel like wealth.
Buy It on Amazon: 8 oz ($7.02)
Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Scrub
I’m aware that by now you’re tired of me talking about Neutrogena, so let me just say that I switch between Neutrogena and CVS brand daily scrubs, each being orange in nature and kind of similarly citrus-scented, and have been known to travel with the infamous trial-size St. Ives peach scrub. It’s not Neutrogena, per se. I just like a scrub. They really wake you up, y’know? That, and they help you slough off all that dead skin and shit.
Buy It on Amazon: 4.2oz ($4.74)
Marc Jacobs Daisy
Every morning I douse myself in the stuff. (5 spritzes.)
Buy It on Amazon: 3.4oz ($52.99)
Urban Decay Prep Spray
If you wear makeup, this will be awesome for sealing off your pores before you invade them callously with a bunch of chemicals not legal for distribution in other countries. I like it because it keeps my face a little more oil-free. I’d be lying if I told you I actually use it every day, and would also be lying if I told you the one I’m using isn’t one I got for free and that me pledging to continue to use it for all of time is something I can fully commit to at this time, but I definitely keep it around for any time where I need a little extra squeaky in my clean.
Buy It from Urban Decay: 4oz ($33.00)
HealthySexyHair Soy Paste Pomade
People at hair salons are always talking about product. Do you use product? You should really use product. Lemme just throw some product in there. This product is for sale in the front. I hate product, and always have, because when I devoted myself to going natural I went hard. But when I got my hair super super short a new problem in my life emerged in which the buzzed part would get a little stand-offish before the top was so long it begged me to actually get it cut. This pomade, which I use because I found it laying around in my room, is the perfect solution. It keeps everything in place, but there’s no weird texture after a little while and your hair remains malleable and able to be touched up easily throughout the day.
Buy It on Amazon: 1.8oz ($16.42)
This Shit Rules: Honey and Almonds and Coconut Oil
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they can’t live without.
Sorry this is blurry, my phone is old and I can’t make a serious selfie face.
I work from home and often go days without leaving my apartment, which is great because I can wear things that reek of honey without offending co-workers. But even though many days the only person who sees me is me, I still like to feel fresh and clean and ready to leave at any moment even if I’m not going to.
Now Foods Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a semi-recent favourite for moisturizing any body part below my neck. I have had an ambivalent relationship with pure shea butter for years – I love the way it smells but hate how long it takes to soften before use and how long it takes to absorb after – and though coconut oil is a much milder scent I find my skin likes it a lot more.
It’s also an anti-fungal (so it can help with yeast infections or weird skin things) and, if you are not practising sex with barriers, is an excellent lube.
Buy it on Amazon: 7 oz ($7)
Burt’s Bees Radiance Day Cream
Above my neck I use Burt’s Bees day cream, which feels light and absorbs easily and doesn’t cause any trouble, especially on days I feel like getting fancy and using foundation. It’s not quite strong enough to use alone all the time though, so at night I cut it with (diluted) shea and honey butter.
Buy it on Amazon: 2 oz ($13)
Burt’s Bees Almond & Milk Hand Cream
This stuff smells really really good. It’s not particularly long lasting, so at night when I don’t need to touch my keyboard any more I use coconut oil instead, but it smells really good so reapplication is a joy. Side note: I did not even realize how many Burt’s Bees products I use until writing this post, I am not being sponsored (though Burt’s Bees people: I’m open to it) but my mom definitely bought this for me. I like it a lot but I do not have the disposable income for $36 hand cream.
Buy it on Amazon: 55 g ($36)
Burt’s Bees Shimmer Lipstick
I love wearing lipstick at all hours and this, though it’s called “lipstick,” is like the lovechild of a lipstick and a lip balm. It’s creamy and light enough to put on without necessarily needing to look in the mirror, it seems to last for a few hours if you don’t eat or drink or make out, and it has a minty tingle when you put it on.
Also unlike lip chap, I don’t find my lips getting more chapped with frequent use – I can use this for days in a row and totally forget about it and not notice with no ill effects.
Buy it on Amazon: 0.09 oz ($7)
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
I use this as body wash. I use it as face wash. I use it as sex toy cleaner. (Pair with something to sterilize if sharing between partners or just every so often as a matter of course.) It gets the job done, is scent free (for someone who likes things that smell like milk and honey so much I really hate when soap smells like anything besides soap or nothing), and comes in many sizes including travel sizes, which is just convenient. When I’m out of shampoo or am feeling extra filthy I also use it as shampoo and my hair seems to approve.
Buy it on Amazon: 16 oz ($16)
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo and Conditioner
The first time I ever got a hair cut in a salon it was an Aveda salon (which was also when I was informed my hair was curly and not — as I had previously and naively imagined from pulling it into tight buns all the time —straight), and so I have an especial fondness for the company’s products. These smell just strong enough to notice but not strong enough to be bothersome unless you stick your face in my hair, and do a better job than other curly shampoo/conditioner combos I have tried, and for the most part don’t make my hair feel greasy or weighed down.
Sometimes I switch up my shampoo during periods of brokeness or distance from a salon, and there seems to be only a tiny change, but if I use any other conditioner more than once my hair is a ruin. Luckily I don’t use a lot of either so they usually last me for about 10 months.
Buy them on Amazon: 8.5 oz of shampoo ($25) and 6.7 oz of conditioner ($23)
L’Oreal Nutri-Sleek Argan Oil
It doesn’t matter what happens to my hair as long as I use this oil. It can be windy or blowy or full of dirt or not get washed forever or get washed three times a day and using argan oil (this particular argan oil) makes everything silky and curly and bright again.
I love this stuff so much I’m including it even though it’s not on any of our affiliate sites. I am sure there are other oils that may work for you, and please go forth and investigate them. My hair and I will be over here feeling soft and sleek and not greasy and perfectly curled three days after a shampoo and stockpiling this stuff — which lasts forever anyway, though I have short hair — against the apocalypse.
Buy a poor replica on Amazon: You should really just go to your drugstore for the original, though ($6).
This Shit Rules: My Mostly Vegan Face, Pits, Skin and Lips
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they couldn’t live without.
Up until a few weeks ago, I was vegan and that included my face and body-ody-ody products. Being vegan for the past 10 years has introduced me to some killer (or, rather, humane) products that I might not have picked up otherwise. It has also proved beyond a reasonable doubt that vegan does not necessarily equal “more natural” or “better quality.” I may eat dairy and eggs again now, but I’m sticking with these perfect vegan products, suitable for carnivores or vegans or anyone in between.
LUSH None of Your Beeswax Vegan Lip Balm
If I, wanna try, a vegan lip balm tonight, it’s none of your beeswax! Squirreling away lip balm in every conceivable place is a good-bad habit of mine. My desk, every purse, my jacket pockets, my car. If your lips are dry, hit me up. I probably have some lip balm somewhere on my person. While I will settle for drugstore chapstick, I love this fancy LUSH lip balm. It makes your lips so soft and delicious with extra virgin coconut oil, murumuru butter and carnauba wax and a yummy citrus-vanilla flavor. It feels good on your lips, too. Smooth, but not greasy. Delish.
Buy It on Amazon: $19.99
JĀSÖN Nourishing Cocoa Butter Crème
You know this shit is good because it’s called “crème.” Seriously, though, lather up all your skins with this. It even makes my elephant elbows soft. I keep a jar in my desk at work for dry office building winters.
Buy It on Amazon: $7.45
Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Deodorant with Lavender Oil
This is a deodorant, not an antiperspirant. If you sweat and smell a lot and want your deodorant to keep that on lockdown, this may not be for you. I sweat, but not really in my pits that much and I’m not very smelly, so I don’t even wear deodorant on most days. When I do, I reach for this. It smells strongly of tea tree oil with light notes of lavender. The stick goes on totally clear and doesn’t rub off on clothes. The tea tree oil is really refreshing and kind of tingly. This deodorant also comes in a roll-on version.
Buy It on Amazon: $15.91
Mary Kay Gel Liner in Black
When I wear makeup, I wear almost exclusively Mary Kay makeup. Once upon a time, I sold their makeup, which was kind of a creepy pyramid scheme, lez be honest, but I got great discounts for my personal use! I was super disappointed when they discontinued their black liquid liner. How was I going to create perfect cat eyes?! They introduced a gel liner, though, and I am quite happy with it. It’s waterproof, smearproof, dries quickly, and glides on for precise liner looks. The pigment is a bold jet black. When I really need it to stay put, I set it with some black eye shadow or finishing powder and it is, truly, flawless. I once wore it for hours in the pouring rain and it didn’t budge. All my other makeup slid off, but my dramatic wings were on point. (MK is kind-of vegan. The products are free of animal ingredients and all products in the U.S. are cruelty free. However, MK doesn’t have a cruelty-free rating anymore because they have to allow animal testing on their products in China due to Chinese regulations.)
Buy It on Amazon: $15.00
Mary Kay Facial Highlighting Pen
Don’t worry. I’m not going to list every Mary Kay makeup product I use, but I have to give a shoutout to the facial highlighting pen. It sounds weird, but it really works to reflect light in your “shadowy” spots. I use it instead of concealer under my eyes when I am looking a little less than optimally well-rested (and can muster to strength to put on makeup). You can also use it to highlight your cheekbones and the sides of your nose and whatnots if you’re into that.
Buy It on Amazon: $7.00
Natur-Tyme Facial Wash with MSM & Alpha Hydroxy Acids
I special order this facial wash from a natural food store in Syracuse, NY. It is their store brand and it is the best face wash I’ve ever applied to my forward-facing epidermis. It exfoliates without being too harsh for my combination oily-dry skin and without those little bead thingies. It ain’t cheap, but a little goes a long way. I go through a bottle every 5-6 months, washing my face twice per day.
Buy It from Needs: 4 oz ($10.99)
Natur-Tyme Moisture Creme with MSM & Rose Hip Seed Oil
This is my favorite facial moisturizer from the same line as the Natur-Tyme facial wash. It is not even a little greasy, absorbs quickly, and makes my skin feel like a cupid angel baby’s butt.
Buy It from Needs: 4 oz ($15.19)
Aura Cacia Cleansing Tea Tree Oil
Just straight up tea tree oil, mmkay. I dab a little on a cotton ball and dilute it with plain ol’ water. I always have some on hand. I use it to freshen up after a hot day or as a natural alternative to deodorant. It works as an anti-fungal and antiseptic on small cuts, rashes, dandruff, and lots more. Some people don’t like the strong herbal smell (people like my partner), but I think it smells clean and fresh.
Buy It on Amazon: $7.99
Thayers Alcohol-free Rose Petal Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is magical. If you don’t want to spring for lightly-scented and alcohol-free Thayers, just get regular witch hazel from your closest drug store or grocery store. I use it as a daily toner and to treat acne and skin issues.
Buy It on Amazon: $9.29
Rock These Threads On New Year’s Eve: All-White Looks, Capes, Sparkles, Blazers
feature image from Nicolette Mason
It’s here. December 31, 2014. You’ve got the tickets to a sweaty dance party or an invite to a pal’s house for wine and cheese, and you are ready. It’s the eve of a new year, and the best way to get a headstart on a rad 2015 is dressin’ to the nines to say goodbye to 2014. Whether you are feelin’ dapper as hell or on a shimmering ethereal tip, we’ve rounded up some awesome threads to look #flawless in.
Caped Crusader
photo from nicolette mason
photo from here
The little black dress is anything but boring. Adding a cape makes a sleek companion to your evening (see: Janelle Monae), and it’s the perfect way to gain superpowers!
Laid Back and Suited Up
So you want to look dapper but a tie and collar combo has you feelin’ stuffy? Take some cues from Yasmin Sewell, who shows us how casual dapper is done. Just ‘cause you’re suited up doesn’t mean you can’t be laid back.
Shine Bright Like A Diamond
florence welch from vogue
rebecca the clotheshorse
Sometimes you have to get straight to the point. If you feel like being a sparkly unicorn this NYE, by all means go for it! Sequins mean you’ll have a glittery start to 2015, and who could argue that?
White Out
sweet suit from the whitepepper
Often times, NYE eventgoers will rely on all black ensembles to convey a formal environment. We say eff that! Wear all white and tempt fate. If someone spills on ya, I assure you everything will be quite all right.
I’m not sure where/what I’ll be in on NYE, but I know it’ll be something that makes me feel fancy free. What do you have in mind for your New Year’s Eve outfit?
Brrr It’s Cold Out There: It’s Time To Get You Some Boots
Feature image from Hudson
I’ll be the first to admit: I am a shoe fiend. My parents liked to call me Imelda Marcos, and I never seem to run out of occasions for a new pair of footwear. So, naturally, finding a new pair of cold weather boots is not a job I take lightly.
As far as winter footwear is concerned you have two choices: fashion or function. The two occasionally cross paths, but from my experience, a pair of boots will lean more to one direction. That doesn’t mean your choices are look cute and freeze or stay dry and sacrificing lookin’ winsome. Lovely human, you’ve got options.
photo from Avant Blargh
Heeled, flat, tall or ankle length, the co-parents of the modern boots came from a place of function and protection. In the beginning boots were made to protect the wearer from the elements, then eventually evolved into occupationally specific footwear (function)/fashion footwear (style). Luckily, these days most of us require both practicality alongside style, and companies are listening. With traditional working brands such as Dr. Martens & Frye holding a large portion of the market on durable but good-looking boots, there are many mid-range options/styles regardless of your climate/budget.
This is a shortlist for inexpensive to mid-range boots that aesthetically pleasing & durable. There are many, many more options than these, but it’s a good place to start.
- Red Wings
- Dr. Martens
- Frye
- Fluevog
- Tretorn
- Steve Madden
- Kodiak
- Blundstone
- Sorel
- Vagabond
- Shellys London
But Lyd, now that I’ve got them… how do I wear my boots? Here’s a mini “how to wear ’em” encylopedia!
Chelsea Boots
photos from tumblr and models.com
photo from Avant Blargh
A steadfast choice — classic, chic and timeless. They are super easy to style (they go with everything) and easy to put on.
Lace Up Boots
photo from Madewell Tumblr
I’m smitten with the look of lace up boots — a harkening to spending evenings at the skating rink in hockey skates. Although laces may be cumbersome or difficult to do up, there are many “laced” options with side zippers, which means these are much easier to get on than they look!
Knee or Tall Boot
photos from Clothes Horse and Kieko Lynn
Depending on how cold your climate is, these might just be necessity. But a sound option doesn’t have to be drab – have fun with hem lengths in tall boots.
Trend Conscious
photos from I Go By Frankie and Zero Style
Perhaps the most frivolous of the bunch, these are my personal favourite! Fun loving and hardly practical, these are less of an investment and more of an exercise in treatin’ yoself. Cut-outs, bright colors or interesting heels; anything eye-catching and/or innovative is the name of the game.
Tips and Tricks
Befriend a cobbler. Resole, polish, take care of your boots! If you treat them with love, they will love you right back.
Use non-aerosol weather resistant sprays, or if you are looking for non-chemical solution, beewax works as a protectant as well.
If you can save for a $100 pair versus $30, do it. You’ll end up replacing the $30 many times over, so keep cost per wear in mind with your selections. I have learned this lesson more times than I would like to admit…
Choose natural materials over synthetics! Wools, cottons and leathers wear better than PVC and other synthetics. You will get longer wear + more mileage from boots with made from natural materials. Not to mention leather ages so beautifully…
Each winter I fall in love — with a new (or old) pair of boots in my wardrobe. I’d love to hear which boots get you through the blustery winter months!
This Shit Rules: Keep It Simple, Keep It Clean
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they couldn’t live without.
About half the year, I’m obsessed with beauty products and rituals and slathering things all over my body in the hopes that they’ll be the latest miracle product to change my life. The other half of the time, I’m the laziest motherfucker around. I’ll shower every other day, wipe some lotion on my face, pin my hair back and fly out the door. But there are a few products that tend to stick around regardless of which phase I’m in. These are the things that took work to find but ultimately have allowed me to worry less about my routine — if I’ve got them, I don’t have to worry about how my skin or hair or nails are going to turn out. These are my old reliables. And I’m happy to share.
Yes, the clip is how I get my hair to do that swooshy thing.
Coconut oil
When this series first came up in our staff chat, I may have agreed to participate solely under the condition that I could talk about coconut oil. Luckily, everybody else is as crazy about this stuff as I am, so we agreed that everybody who uses it could include it on their list with their own favorite uses for it. Personally, I use coconut oil for as much as physically possible. I’ve used it as a hair mask, nail treatment, facial moisturizer, whole-body lotion, makeup remover and an inside joke with my girlfriend, whom I push the stuff on whenever she complains of anything. You can pretty much slap coconut oil on any part of your body, but for moisturizing purposes, heating it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds can be an extra treat. But one of my favorite things about coconut oil is that I can come home drunk and still manage to use it to take off all my makeup in 45 seconds or less; just swipe some on a cotton ball and wipe even mascara away. Also, you can’t beat $6 for a jar that lasts a year or longer!
Buy it on Amazon: $14.69
Lush Coalface
I’ve got chronic idiopathic hives, which means I’m often afraid to use strong/abrasive products on my skin in case they give me some bright red face itchy blotches in the morning. However, I also have oily skin and easily clogged pores, which means that exfoliation is key to keeping my skin from looking dull. Lush’s Coalface is Part One of my recently discovered Ideal Facial Routine because it’s a great exfoliator that doesn’t leave behind any oily residue, which is a problem I’ve had with cleansers that have those little environment-ruining beads in them. Coalface can be a bit harsh if you scrub it directly on your face, but I find that if you lather it in your hands and then rub the little rough bits onto your problem areas, it does a nice job of clearing you up without tearing the skin! It does smell a little metallic, which weirds my girlfriend out, but I actually like it. It’s nice to be able to wash my face without floral aromas flying around asserting my femininity.
Buy it from Lush: $13.95
Lush Imperialis
The first Lush moisturizer I used was Celestial, which smelled better than anything I’ve ever put on my face. Unfortunately, it was a bit too heavy for me once the weather warmed up, so I eventually switched to Imperialis. Its orange blossom-and-lavender oil scent isn’t as heavenly as Celestial, but its relatively light touch is perfect for my greasy skin. After a nice thorough wash with Coal Face, I use clean hands to massage a dab of Imperialis all over my face, especially my T-zone. Puts some nice moisture back in to replace all the gross oil my skin just insisted on producing.
Buy it from Lush: $24.95
Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle shampoo and conditioner
I’ve tried and failed to stop washing my hair so many times. I think I’ve finally given up on the no-‘poo dream, but failure doesn’t hurt quite so much when I’ve got this amazing shampoo. It’s cheap, lasts forever and, if you’ve got the energy to do a little scalp massage, makes your head tingle first thing in the morning. I’ve heard it’s a bit much for those with dry skin/hair, but the tea tree and mint combination is just the right solution for my greasy scalp. Seriously, this shampoo has given me the ability to basically quit leave-in hair products, which I previously thought impossible. Now it’s just lather, rinse, walk out the door.
Buy it on Amazon: $15.70 for both online, but these babies are $4 a pop in the store
Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara
I have fairly long lashes that stick straight out. I hate eyelash curlers and “curling” mascara wands that leave heaps of gunk all over my eyes. All I really want in life is a black-as-night mascara that isn’t too thick but has enough strength to pull my lashes up instead of out. This mascara is my solution. Its branding claims that it has some magical lengthening, curling, separating, volumizing and lifting powers, and while I don’t know about all that, it certainly does get my lashes looking right. It’s also probably the most expensive makeup item I’ve ever bought, but trust me when I say it’s worth it.
Buy it on Amazon: $28.76
This Shit Rules: Soft Skin and Rapunzel Hair
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they can’t live without.
I work from home and most days I talk to between zero and one other humans. This means that I don’t usually need to spend a lot of time thinking about the impression I make on others or appearing ‘professional’ or ‘showered,’ so I don’t spend a lot of time or effort on makeup or clothes. Being in my own home all day does, however, mean that I have the time to commit to a multi-step skincare routine and also spend a lot of time figuring out how I can make my hair perfect, aka like Mädchen Amick’s in Twin Peaks. What I’m saying is that I have a lot of skincare products and intense rituals around my hair. I’m a lot of fun to travel with. Anyhow here’s the stuff I use on my fragile human outer shell.
CeraVe Products
I think CeraVe is a really remarkably great line of stuff considering you can buy it at Walgreens and everything costs under $20. The moisturizers have really good ingredients that you can also find in high-end products, like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and CeraVe AM moisturizer has niacinamide in it, which helps fade scarring and hyperpigmentation. The only thing I’ve used of theirs that I’m not wild about is their sunscreen, but hey, nobody’s perfect. I use the big tub of plain ol’ moisturizer at night and CeraVe AM in the morning, and also the Hydrating Cleanser, which is like Cetaphil but I like it slightly more.
Buy them on Amazon: Hydrating Cleanser, 10.99; Moisturizing Cream, $13.77; AM Lotion, $10.97
La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen
I am firmly on board the Sunscreen All Day Every Day train, and when you’re on that train you need to find a sunscreen you really like because it sucks to wear something you don’t like that much every day. The only thing I’ve found that really works for me is Anthelios, which seems pricey but is pretty dope. It’s a physical rather than chemical sunscreen, it rubs in fairly quickly and easily, there isn’t really a greasy or product-y feeling on my skin after a few minutes, and it doesn’t leave a white cast even when I use a full 1/4 tsp (which is the amount of sunscreen you should be using for your face, otherwise you’re not getting the full SPF! Trust me, try measuring it out, 1/4 tsp is way more than you think it is).
Buy it on Amazon: 1.7 oz, $23.33
40 Carrots Vitamin Serum
Vitamin C and Vitamin A (retinol) are both good for making your skin glow like a baby angel’s, and also this stuff smells fresh and lovely like you’re romping through a Tropicana orchard in the dew. I put this on every other night before moisturizer. It also doesn’t have parabens in it, which I don’t actually care about that much but maybe you do. I feel like when I use this at night my skin looks hydrated and well-rested in the morning, even though I probably fell asleep on the couch drinking box wine at 2 am.
Buy it on Amazon: 1 oz, $15
St. Ives Exfoliating AHA Pads and Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid
Exfoliation is cool because it keeps your skin soft and can help with stuff like acne and hyperpigmentation, but physical exfoliation that relies upon literally scraping off the top layer of skin (like with scrubs or microbeads) isn’t awesome for you. It can create little tears in your skin and make tiny cuts on your face, which isn’t ideal. Chemical exfoliation, with an alpha-hydroxy acid or beta-hydroxy acid, is safer and more effective. AHAs and BHAs do different things but are both good for you, so I switch off and take turns using them at different times.
Buy them on Amazon: 60 pads, $5.09; 4 oz, $26
Yes to Carrots Conditioner
Right now as part of Living My Best Life as a curly-haired person, I don’t use any hair products that have sulfates or silicones in them. This conditioner doesn’t have silicones, smells nice, and works well; it makes my hair soft and shiny. Because it’s sort of thick-ish, I also use it as a leave-in conditioner and styling product; after I turn the shower off, I scrunch as much water as I can out of my hair and then use my fingers to comb some more conditioner in for super hydrated and defined curls.
Buy it on Amazon: 17 oz, $8.99
J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo
This neat little shampoo bar contains no sulfates or other surfactants (again, good for curly hair) and has lots of stuff in it that I know my hair likes, like castor oil and coconut oil. Even without surfactants, it makes a nice lather and my hair gets clean without getting dried and out and feeling like straw. The fact that it’s in a bar is also convenient for travel, whether it’s over to your boo’s apartment for the night or on the plane to A-Camp, where I inevitably have things confiscated because I accidentally packed too many liquids because I’m an idiot.
Buy it on Amazon: 3.5 oz, $5.99
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
I feel like people are in two camps when it comes to oils; either you’re obsessed with them and slather them all over your skin and hair or you think that’s really weird. I am one of the former, and I’m also trying to grow my hair out, and so I’m super into Jamaican Black Castor Oil which apparently helps hair grow for reasons that I don’t understand. I warm it up to use as a hot oil treatment for my hair once a week or so and will sometimes give myself a scalp massage with it if I’m feeling very “treat yo self.” People who are more motivated than me also brush it into their eyelashes and eyebrows so they can look like Cara Delevingne with false eyelashes on.
Buy it on Amazon: 8 oz, $9.99
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay Deep Pore Cleansing Mask
This mask is so serious. It’s a whole thing. I don’t use it as often as I should because it is, as aforementioned, a whole thing, but whenever I do my skin looks so great it makes me upset. You should use it with apple cider vinegar even though it says you can use water, trust me on this. One container also contains enough clay for about four thousand masks, so this is a super good deal.
Buy it on Amazon: 1 lb, $9.90
Long Winter Soap Co Houndstooth Perfume Oil
I don’t really understand the world of ~*fragrances*~, the idea of basenotes and whatever all seems very intense and I can’t imagine ever spending like a hundred dollars on a fancy bottle of smelly water. But I like these little rollerballs of perfume a lot, and they’re very affordable and the scent descriptions are pretty straightforward and easy for me to grasp. Houndstooth is sort of a “masculine” scent; technically it’s “leather, oakmoss, dark chocolate, and green tea,” but to me it smells mostly like lots of leather and also a sort of warm spicy situation that is vanilla-ish without smelling like a cupcake. If I went on a date with myself and was wearing this I would probably want to go on a second date with myself.
This isn’t on Amazon but is on their website: 0.3 oz, $9
Style is Style: A Date By The Yule Log
feature image from Shutterstock
Alright, alright. The tofurkey is in the oven, stockings are chock full of all-natural Hurraw lip balms and you’ve settled in the living room. It’s the perfect time to snuggle up with loved ones to take part in one of my favourite bits of the holidays: watching the Yule Log. Now I know that a burning log of wood on a TV screen doesn’t bring the same warmth as a real, live fireplace but there is something oddly comforting about watching a loop of a fire for a solid 4 hours. You can grab some cookies, whip up some boozy eggnog and catch up with pals. Or just take a nap.
What exactly does one wear to sit still for a solid afternoon? I’m glad you asked. Keeping in mind that the key here is comfort, ease is the name of the game. You can style a warm sweater with a laid-back cardigan or coat over top, some stretchy skinnies and a soft silk collared shirt. Textiles which will keep you warm (since that image of the yule log isn’t going to radiate any heat) and are also easy-going are my picks for this yuletide activity.
photo from calivintage
photo from fashion landscape
photo from j. crew
For me, I like to layer up in soft knits. My current leanings seem to be mohair sweaters and woolen outerwear, with a dash of dapper via a collared shirt. Lace up boots are a steadfast and classic choice, but I’m also loving a oxford Dr. Martens shoe lately. I find they add a necessary element of teen angst along with the opportunity to show a little ankle too.
photos from my instagram
So, pals, there you have it. I plan on gettin’ realllll cozy at my mom’s house, perhaps in the warmth of her real fireplace. You can bet I’ll be in some variation of this grandpa steeze. What are your yule log plans?
Holigay Gift Guide: Audiophiles and Music Nerds Rejoice
Audio-related gear makes for really great gifts for really great reasons. First and foremost, most people enjoy music. Even the ‘I’m not really a music person’ people won’t be disappointed in finding unicorn-shaped earbuds in their stockings. But also, audio devices aren’t known for having the longest of lifespans. Right now 1-in-4 of your friends and/or lovers can’t hear any sound out of their left earbud. We’re here to help you help them be happy these holidays.
Headphones and Earbuds
V-MODA Crossfade LP Headphones ($118)
This is probably the third or fourth time that these headphones have made it into an Autostraddle gift guide, they’re that good. In addition to sounding and feeling great, you can switch up the style by ordering different colored plates for the cups.
Unicorn Earbuds ($6)
I cannot attest to the sound quality, comfort or durability of these earbuds. I can attest to the fact that most, if not every, queer in your life will want them regardless.
SoundMagic E10 Earbuds ($35)
The first thing I noticed about these earbuds is that they have remarkably high Amazon reviews for the under-$40 price point. “Just wow. Pure magic,” a self-proclaimed ‘picky’ headphone consumer wrote. The other things I noticed were that they’re 100 per cent metal (\m/) and look pretty neat. I might buy them.
Sennheiser HD 203 ($35)
I keep buying these dudes for home recording, and if having a hilariously long cord doesn’t bother you (they’re actually mostly for DJing), I think they’re fantastic quality and pretty affordable. Mine just broke (my fault, not theirs), so if you wanted to buy me a new pair I’d really appreciate it.
Bose Quietcomfort 20 Earbuds ($299)
The Internet agrees that if you’re willing to drop a few hundred bucks on some noise-canceling earbuds, this is the pair that you want. Guaranteed to block out traffic and airplane noise, unsolicited conversation and mansplaining.
Speakers
JBL ‘On Tour’ Micro Portable Speaker ($24)
I impulse-bought this cheap speaker on my way to A-Camp with some fairly low expectations, as with most gadgets at this price point. I was stoked by its amplification, portability, and durability. It fits in a pocket and recharges easily. It won’t melt anyone’s face off but it will fill a hotel room or cabin in the woods with some nice sounds.
JBL Flip Portable Stereo Speaker with Wireless Bluetooth Connection ($89)
A friend of mine owns this little guy, and the sound quality is surprisingly excellent for its size and its price. Also it can connect to your phone or computer using bluetooth, which I still believe is magic.
Koala Huggable Portable Speaker ($40)
This is a koala that hugs your phone while playing music. I’m not sure what else I can tell you.
Ultimate Ears Boom Speaker ($180)
This is the perfect party speaker. Your music can be controlled wirelessly to 50ft and be amplified at 360 degrees around the room. You can pair up to 8 mobile devices via bluetooth for co-DJ’ing with your mates and even program an alarm to wake up to your favorite tunes. It’s water and stain resistant, comes in about a dozen colors and can probably blend cocktails, too.
Inventive Bluetooth Shower Speaker ($28)
You know those days where all you can really do to sooth your soul is sink to the bottom of the shower, cradle your head in your arms and wail softly along to “Mad World” until the hot water runs out? This shower speaker will enrich your next shower-cry tenfold.
Light Show Fountain Speakers ($50)
Are you really, really high? Probably you’ll enjoy watching multicolored splashes of water dancing along to your music. You’ll be the coolest dude in the freshman dorms (no, seriously, I’d really like a pair of these).
Everything Else
USB Mix Tape ($38)
A thoughtful mix will never stop being one of the greatest presents ever. This USB Mix Tape might be a cuter alternative to sharing a Spotify playlist or throwing mp3s into Dropbox. (NB: only ships to Australia and the UK)
Etymotic Ear Plugs ($14)
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like saving someone from tinnitus. These reusable ear plugs are a thoughtful gift and miles better than those cheap squishy foam bullets that fall on beer-soaked floors halfway through the first song.
VariGrip Hand Exerciser ($15)
ThinkGeek says this hand exerciser is great for musicians and gamers, with adjustable tension that you can customize for each individual finger. I mean, I can’t think of any reason you wouldn’t want the person in your life to have incredibly nimble and talented fingers.
Emergency Handcrank Radio ($80)
Maybe your loved one is a paranoid weirdo who keeps a bunker full of canned beans and other end-of-the-world supplies beneath your love nest? Or maybe you’d just like to have this neat little radio, which is impervious to inclement weather and ideal for being stranded on a desert island or whatever.
Spotify Gift Card ($10, $30, $60)
There are many music lovers who’d go wild for a few months of ad-free play. Spotify Premium is a no-contract service and so it’s perfect for all gift budgets—a $10 gift card will give someone one month of listening.
Gift Guide: Kitchen Things for the Person Who Already Has Every Kitchen Thing
You know this one friend or relative. The one that constantly appears with fresh-baked cookies and bread and just casually roasted a whole chicken when you came over last Tuesday. Every year you think “Well I’ll get them a whisk, or a loaf pan, or a mixing bowl.” But this year you realize you’re out of luck, because they already own literally every thing. They have a mixer, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, a roasting pan, another roasting pan, a blender and a food processor, a pastry cutter, multiple kinds of rolling pins, and a gravy boat. No worries, friend; your luck has not run out just yet! It’s possible that person has one or two things on this list, but I guarantee you they don’t have all of them. Go wild.
Pasta
Making your own pasta is great because it’s a way to turn what’s normally the easiest and quickest of weeknight meals into a complex multi-step upper arm workout that lasts for hours. These various accoutrements will make it easier, though. Probably if you get someone this they’ll make you a delicious fresh pasta dinner out of gratitude, so it’s a pretty smart move.
Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Spiralizer ($34.20), Brieftons Spiral Slicer ($10), Waring MG105 Professional Meat Grinder ($80), Manual Grinder, Mincer, and Pasta Maker ($19)
Spiralizing and Grinding
Sometimes there are foods that come in one form, but you want them to be in a really different one. For instance, you have a zucchini that’s shaped like a zucchini, but you would rather it be shaped like tiny strings. Or you have a big chunk of a pig that you wish was a bunch of tiny chunks instead. People who often fall into these categories are: vegans, raw foodies, gluten-free humans, and people who enjoy making their own sausage. So, Ron Swanson and people who are the opposite of Ron Swanson.
This Electric Milk Frother
This is for the rare person who wants a cappucino and already has a means of making espresso (perhaps they own this?) but they do not have a means to steam or froth milk. Someone out there knows that person, and while their predicament is unique, they are gonna be THRILLED when you give them this.
Bakers Gonna Bake, Bake, Bake
For the discerning baking enthusiast who has been thinking to themselves “My cakes, pies, and muffins are the toast of the town, but I still feel empty inside. How can I make things that are even tinier, cuter, and more worthy of Instagramming? Also, I wish I had an enormous spatula designed specifically for cake.”
This Thing Meant To Lift Poultry
I don’t understand this thing but I want someone to buy it and tell me everything.
A Very Tiny Spatula
I am obsessed with this and will not rest until it is mine. It’s small enough to scrape every last drop of everything you cook out of whatever you’ve cooked it in, even the stuff that your regular spatulas leave behind. Get bent, last of the gravy that I can’t get out of the saucepan.
These Stylish Winter Uniforms Make Your Dreary Days, Oh So Bright
feature image via rebloggy.com
Most people hear the word “uniform” and shudder; I hear it and smile because I’ve discovered this secret that no one wants you to know — finding your uniform means shopping and getting dressed become exactly one million times easier (trust me, I did the math). Because your uniform complements your look and lifestyle, you’ll know what works for you and what doesn’t, thereby severely limiting the trial and error that most people deal with on the daily.
Shopping is no longer the total stress-fest that it used to be because you know what works for you (and what doesn’t). You get to be adventurous within the structure of outfits and clothes that you already know look good, instead of wasting your time on the new version of the same slouchy sweater that you bought a year ago but never wore. Finding your uniform is such a weirdly freeing experience because a uniform gives you structure and then lets you go hog wild when it comes to colors, patterns, and textures.
Finding your uniform will take time, but here are a few questions to get you started:
- What pieces in your closet do you grab time and time again?
- What items do you actually end up buying whenever you go shopping?
- What are the pieces that you love so much that you can get down with spending a little more?
The answers to these questions should help you decide which pieces to buy and which you need to stop going back to. Hopefully they’ll teach you to be more conscientious about your clothing choices as you build your wardrobe around your freshly discovered uniform. You’re going to make mistakes along the way, but ultimately finding your uniform is going to make fashion so much more fun.
Broken down below are four different winter uniforms. These examples are meant to show you that although the clothing itself is specific, the uniform is not. A uniform gives you both structure and choice and the outfits below are a good example of that.
Boots + Skinnies + Graphic Tee + Sweatshirt
Nothing says effortlessly cool like skinny jeans coupled with a pair of boots. Top it off with a graphic tee and slouchy sweatshirt and you are definitely ready to fashionably get your brunch on with all of your cute queer friends. This uniform lends itself to any number of clothing combinations thanks to multi-hued skinny jean options, ankle boots and tall boots, and myriad sweatshirt options. It might be called a uniform, but it’s really about giving you more choices, not fewer!
Tip: Pair tan or mahogany boots with black skinnies to look extra pulled together.
Booties + Tights + Skirt + Striped Tee + Blazer
This uniform is for the more femme-inclined ladies. My black booties have been giving me life this season. Pair them with opaque tights and a full skirt for a more demure look, or fishnets and a pencil skirt to get all the queer hearts racing. Add a striped tee and blazer and you’re gonna be the most put together woman on the street.
Tip: Tights are going to be the best and easiest way to switch up the look of this uniform: opaque black tights are perfect for work, while tights made of intense colors and patterns lend themselves to the weekend.
High Tops + Jeans + Tee + Hoodie + Jacket
High tops are amazing, but are not often thought of as winter-appropriate footwear. I am here to put that sad thought to rest. High tops can be great in the winter, especially if you invest in some badass leather ones. The real trick is making sure that you don’t wear them on snowy days; as long as it’s sunny and above freezing, you are good to go. Use high tops as your winter uniform base and build on them with a nice pair of jeans, your favorite tee, and a super soft and slouchy hoodie.
Tip: The jacket you throw on over everything should compliment the look, so make sure it’s relatively casual.
Oxfords + Jeans + Button Up + Sweater
This is the uniform for those of you who want your look to say you have your shit on lock. The type of person I could entrust with my beautiful kitty whenever I leave town. The uniform itself is basic: oxfords with black or dark wash jeans, a crisp button up shirt, and a sweater. The best thing about it is how perfect this uniform is for trying out new colors and patterns. Yes, you know you’re going to wear a collared shirt under your sweater at work on Monday, but the thrill of “which piece to pair with which” will still make getting dressed in the morning an adventure.
Tip: Don’t always go for a white button up; fun colors like mustard yellow or hot pink make everything more exciting!
Regardless of personal style, a uniform can work for you. It doesn’t matter if you identify as butch, femme, queer, sparkly unicorn, or any other identity under the sun. It’s a matter of figuring out what works for you and what makes you feel good. You can do this!
This Shit Rules: Curly Haired Goddess Products
Welcome to This Shit Rules, wherein members of the Autostraddle team open up to you about the beauty products they couldn’t live without.
I feel like my curly hair is both a blessing and a curse. Under normal conditions, it ranges thusly:
Left: Queen Guinevere of the BBC’s 2008 Merlin adaptation
Center: Lady Morgana, also of the BBC’s 2008 Merlin adaptation
Right: Morgan Le Fay of the 1998 Merlin miniseries
I mean, honestly, I’d probably bang any of those options. But most of the time I prefer looking like royalty to looking like an evil witch. After 27 years, I’ve finally located a handful of products that get me in Queen Guinevere territory, like, 85% of the time. And for curly hair, that’s pretty good.
I woke up like this. Then I put a sparkly headband on and pondered what my first act would be as Queen regent of Camelot. …Yeah, I don’t know. I’ve just been watching a lot of Merlin lately. It’s fine.
Here’s what I use.
DevaCurl No-Poo, Conditioner, and Gel
I love DevaCurl! The “no poo” cleanser is better for my curly hair because it doesn’t use surfactants to make suds, which cause frizz. The conditioner is creamy and leaves my hair silky and moisturized. The gel is something I can pile on for control without worrying about flakes or stickiness. I used to use Ouidad (which is good too!) but I found I prefer DevaCurl’s sort of nice, light grapefruit-y smell.
The line is kind of pricey, but the shampoo (er, not-shampoo?) lasts a really long time. Or it does if you only wash your hair occasionally, like I do. (It keeps it your curls from drying out! It’s a thing!)
Buy It on Amazon: Trial Kit – 1 oz each of No Poo, One Condition and Light Defining Gel ($12.95)
Full Size – 12 oz each of No Poo, One Condition and Light Defining Gel ($49.16)
Swissco Microfiber Hair Towel Plus Shower Comb
I generally use my fingers to create my part, but if you want to be more exacting than I am, a wide toothed comb like this is perfect for making straight lines. Do it while you’re still in the shower with to avoid disrupting your hair’s curl pattern once its already set.
Once out of the shower, a microfiber towel is awesome for keeping curls intact. Supposedly the texture creates less friction on hair and therefore causes less frizz. I’m not 100% sure if that’s why it works, but I was seriously so surprised by how much of a difference this made when I switched to a microfiber towel instead of a regular towel to dry my hair.
Buy It on Amazon: 1 towel + comb ($7.08)
Tangle Teezer The Original Post Swimming Detangling Hair Brush
I have one of these in pink and it lives in my shower. The short, flexible bristles are perfect for detangling my hair without breaking it. The shape also feels nice in my hand, and it gives a lovely scalp massage.
Buy It on Amazon: 1 brush ($8.99)
Hot Tools HTBW1852 Curly-Q Tapered Nanoceramic Curling Iron
For curls that need a touch up, this is the best curling iron I’ve ever found. The tapered head makes natural-looking curls that blend right in with my real curls. I definitely don’t use it on a daily (or even weekly) basis, but when I need to make extra sure my hair looks good, this is my go-to tool.
Buy It on Amazon: 1 curling iron ($32.00)
Rhinestone Beaded Elastic Headband
Curly hair wants to be free! And sometimes, in spite of your most valiant efforts, it just will not do what you want it to. On days like these, I could use the curling iron to fix every last strand… but what I usually opt for is to pile my hair high atop my head and accessorize with a sparkly, beaded headband. I like it because it feels like I’m wearing a tiara, but it’s actually socially acceptable to wear outside of a sweet sixteen birthday party.
This look is best paired with a solemnly regal air and flashing eyes that strike fear into the hearts of men.
Buy It on Amazon: 1 headband ($6.99)