Blush Magazine - Spring 2014

blush MAGAZINE SPRING 2014

The First Annual

FIT Beauty Awards

Your Guide To

Feel Good Fashion

The

Empowerment

Issue

Dianna Mazzone

EDITOR IN CHIEF Victoria Vollo Creative Director Executive Editor: Joseph O’Brien Beauty Director: Alexandria Cott Art Director: Vivian Zhen Fashion & Style Director: Aaron Alonso Senior Photo Editor: Ashley Naftaly Senior Beauty Editor: Jordyn Ferriss Senior Fashion Editor: Aaron Valentic Senior Style Editor: Amanda Brohman Fashion Editor: Ashley Laderer Health Editor: Nicole Armeno Managing Editor: Julia Shoop Contributing Men’s Editor: Steven Rodriguez Social Media Editor: Emily Scott

Contributors: Rebecca Aschen, Samantha Ayala, Briana Badome, Monica Boylan, Micaela Burke, Kimberly Cardenas, Avanti Dalal, Juliane DeGiovine, Kathryn Farrell, Gemma Gibb, Carolina Jimenez, Sarah Langenbach, Sarah Larson, Mikayla Madigan, Nora McCarten, Nyasia Miranda, Olivia Morris, Quinton Mulvey, Collins Nai, Desiree Perez, Jaclyn Roberts, Monica Shelley, Joyce Xu

Teri Rosenberg

ADVISOR

What People Are Saying About Our

Winter 2013 Issue

By Desiree Perez

“IN ITS CONCEPT, EDITORIAL, AND PRODUCTION QUALITIES, IT IS TOTALLY PROFESSIONAL. IT WOULD BE RIGHT AT HOME, —AND ON SALE—ON A NEWSSTAND, ANYWHERE IN THE CITY.”

—DR .

J O Y C E B R O WN , FI T PR ESID E N T

“Congratulations on a terrific first issue—very impressive, and only more so given what I understand was a very short timeline.”

—LO R E TTA K E ANE , VIC E P RES IDENT F OR C O MMUNIC ATIO NS AND E XT ERNA L REL AT IONS

“FIT’s inaugural issue of Blush Magazine is a formidable contender for the avid fashionista’s reading list. The magazine showcases thoughtful editorial, slick photo essays and topnotch design, precisely targeted, and packed into a digest format that’s easy to tote and fun to read. Don’t be shy, pick up a copy and see what makes FIT Blush.”

—MIC HAE L C O K K INO S, P ROF ES S OR

“The size of the issue was cute and portable.

You did a good job on making it look and feel like a real magazine!”

—JE SSIC A Y E UN, AMC STU DENT ▲L IZ ZY B R OW N E L L O N T H E C O V ER O F O UR W I N TE R 2 0 1 3 D E B U T

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WRI T E U S AT:

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Spring 2014 The New Power Players THE MODERN CAREER WOMAN IS UTTERLY EMPOWERED— SHOULDN’T HER WARDROBE BE, TOO?

Fashion’s Freshest Face

WE SPOKE TO FIT GRADUATE AND DIESEL CAMPAIGN STAR JILLIAN MERCADO ABOUT THE CHANGING FACE OF FASHION.

False Advertising: Are You Guilty?

FAKE EYELASHES, CONTOURING, EXTREME PUSH-UP BRAS—IS SOCIETY GUILTY OF PERPETUATING FALSE FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

The FIT Beauty Awards

FOR OUR FIRST-EVER BEAUTY AWARDS, WE ENLISTED FIT STUDENTS TO DISH ON THEIR FAVORITE, CAN’T-LIVE-WITHOUT-EM MAKEUP PRODUCTS.

Contributors

By Quinton Mulvey

JORDYN FERRISS

AMC Major, Senior Beauty Editor

“I’d consider myself somewhat shy, but since being at FIT I have felt more confident in myself and my abilities. I’ve made a lot of great friends who motivate me not only creatively, but in a way that makes me want to be the best me I can be.”

Power Icon “Lorde! She continues to break the mold for young pop stars and is so intelligent and humble.

Also, the girl can rock a dark lip!”

Career Goals “I’d love to have my own cosmetics line.”

M I K AY L A M A D I G A N

Photography Major, Art Contributor

“FIT is for freedom. Freedom to be who you are, who you want to be and be your own style. It’s where people come to find themselves.”

Spring Power Accessory “My tan Ralph Lauren booties will be broken out of my closet soon!”

Power Jam “Banner” by LIGHTS

AARON ALONSO

Fabric Styling Major, Fashion & Style Director

“Being at FIT has taught me an incredible amount about myself. The experiences I have gone through and the people I have met certainly have empowered me and made me discover who I am and who I am not. And now working with Blush, I know this is the field I want to pursue in life.”

Power Icon “Diane von Furstenberg for the reason that she always knew the woman she wanted to be and understands who she is as a person.”

Spring Power Accessory Juste un Clou Bracelet

Letter from the Editor

W

e’ve done it again! For our second-ever

issue, we pulled out all the stops, asking some of life’s truly burning questions: Why do celebrity couples look so eerily similar? How can I wear my makeup to suit my earrings? Why do high heels make us feel like we can take on the world?

But in all seriousness, we’ve tackled a number of morethan-worthy topics in this season’s issue. “Life in the Slow Lane,” written and illustrated by Gemma Gibb, explains the value of the Slow Living movement in a society that moves at a million miles an hour. And Ashley Laderer’s “Are You Tricking Your Date?” poses a thoughtprovoking debate: Is our generation guilty of falsely advertising ourselves?

No matter the complexity of the question, we’ve got answers in this, our Empowerment Issue. Because, after all, knowledge is power.

Dianna Mazzone Editor in Chief

BreakingBoundaries FASHION BLOGGER and DIESEL CAMPAIGN STAR JILLIAN MERCADO

By Jordyn Ferriss

Good or bad, the world of fashion is always changing—but there’s one new trend we can totally get behind: Slowly but surely, it now seems that industry advertisements are starting to feature a broader range of individuals.

Coveted fashion brand Diesel created quite the buzz upon debuting their new #DieselReboot campaign, which featured unconventional, anything but stereotypical models. We sat down with one of the campaign’s stars (and FIT graduate!), Jillian Mercado, to get her insight on the fashion industry, Diesel’s groundbreaking campaign, and all things in between.

Jordyn Ferriss: What was your first thought when you got word that you would be in the new Diesel campaign?

Jillian Mercado: My first thoughts were literally checking to see if it was spam mail because I couldn’t believe it was true. Upon figuring out that it actually was true, I freaked out, had a cup of water, and came back to my computer and freaked out some more.

JF: Why do you think it’s important for more campaigns like Diesel’s to be created? Do you think using “non-traditional” models is a growing trend?

JM: It’s extremely important nowadays for more campaigns to follow Diesel’s footsteps because I think that people are noticing and realizing that models aren’t realistic to the everyday person. And also I think that some companies lose out on a lot of opportunities because they don’t think this way. You want to sell to everyone, so why not use someone that’s relatable? I think that using non-traditional models is slowly becoming traditional. Look at the American Eagle Aerie campaign—they used real models without photoshopping.

Again, making it more relatable to the everyday shopper.

JF: The campaign has made headlines across the nation—how would you describe this incredible reception?

JM: As a blessing, as something that I honestly get shocked at every time something new comes up, like an email from a Berlin company wanting to interview me. It’s something that has been hidden for too long and I am honored to open that world for people to see.

JILLIAN MERCADO (LEFT) WITH JAMES DAZZLE IN THE NEW DIESEL REBOOT CAMPAIGN

JF: Has this whole experience changed your outlook on any aspects of your life?

JM: Is it has made me even more proud of myself, which is sometimes hard to stop and think about and enjoy. It has made me even more humble and helps me enjoy life a little bit more.

JF: Have you found it difficult to work in an industry that promotes a singular ideal image for women?

JM: Yes, I think that an industry like fashion makes people fit into a mold that we obviously don’t fit in, and makes people change themselves just to fit in that role. But when someone like me comes around and encourages being yourself, it can be difficult at times to convince people that it’s okay. You have just got to keep fighting until changes are made.

JF: What did your time at FIT teach you, and how do you apply that to your present day experiences?

JM: FIT has taught me a lot of things—first of all, to push as hard as you can for what you believe you want to do life. It also opened up so many creative opportunities for me, and I am a lucky lady to be an FIT alumni. You will always use what you learn from going to a school like this one in real life, which has helped me a lot in my present day life, too.

JF: If you could give your college self one piece of advice, what would it be?

JM: That there will be days that will be tough, and days that you just want to give up, but life has some crazy adventures for you, so hang in there!

Find out more about Jillian on her website Manufactured1987.com, her tumblr jillypeppa. tumblr.com, and her Instagram @jilly_peppa.

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The Perfect Pair: Match Yo

By Julia Shoop | Illustrated by Gemma Gibb

Evoke your inner rock star with these House of Harlow earrings sure to add some edge. For a night out, deepen your eyes with a colorful twist on the standard smoky eye.

Sweep In A Flash (light silver) from the Two Faced Smokey Eye Shadow Collection on the inner third of the eye. Bring Smolder (deep navy) into the crease to smoke out the look, followed by Nice Ash (gunmetal) to blur the two colors together. Use Smokin Hot (matte black) on an angled eyeliner brush and line your lash-line. Then, use a light hand with a pale pink blush and lipstick to complete the look.

Don’t forget mascara!

TWO FACED SMOKEY EYE SHADOW COLLECTION, $36, AVAILABLE AT SEPHORA.

HOUSE OF HARLOW SUNBURST BUTTON EARRINGS IN NAVY, $35, AVAILABLE AT HOUSEOFHARLOW1960.COM.

KENDRA SCOTT SKYLAR SPEAR STATEMENT EARRINGS IN WHITE MOTHER OF PEARL/GOLD, $65, AVAILABLE AT NORD-

MAC EYE SHADOW IN GOLDMINE AND CRANBERRY, $15, AVAILABLE AT MAC.

With these beautiful white and gold mother of pearl earrings, Kendra Scott conjures modern elegance: perfect for a first date!

A romantic look complements this style: Start off with MAC’s shadow in Goldmine. Bring this shimmery gold color from the inner corner to the middle of the eye. Starting furthest away from the corner, bring MAC’s shadow in Cranberry toward Goldmine, lightly blending the two.

This look wouldn’t be complete without bronzed, dewy skin, and a gold highlight on the cheeks. Finish off with a nude lip gloss and you’re date-ready.

ur Makeup To Your Earrings ASOS PREMIUM LION POWER EARRINGS, $46.30, AVAILABLE AT ASOS.

These ASOS statement earrings are the definition of pretty powerful. Before starting the eyes, use your favorite concealer and setting powder to camouflage any purple undertones on the lids. Skip shadow and move straight to liner: For this vibrant look, first use Lime Crime’s eyeliner in Quill to create the purrfect cat eye.

Now, take Citreuse and trace above the line you just created. The contrast between the black winged liner and the neon are sure to draw attention. Add false lashes for extra drama.

LIME CRIME EYELINER IN CITREUSE AND QUILL, $14, AVAILABLE AT LIMECRIME. COM.

The Bold and The Beautiful

By Jordyn Ferriss

If you’ve been keeping up with the latest fashion and beauty editorials, you’ll have noticed a rise in models sporting crazy bold brows, lips, and cheeks. The question is, how can you tailor these looks to fit your everyday makeup routine? Here are a few suggestions to help you make an impact and truly be bold this season.

TH E DA RK L I P

In the past, dark lips were often seen in the fall and winter months of the year. But now? It’s a year round staple. Whether your vampy lip inspiration started with Lorde’s signature dark pout, or the recent spike in witch culture (thank you American Horror Story: Coven), there is definitely a shade for you.

T OP SHOP V ELV ET L IP S I N R AV E N, $ 19.99, AVA IL A BL E AT T O P S H O P. If you’re feeling extra bold, try out this awesome product from popular UK clothing store, Topshop. Velvet Lips is an extremely pigmented opaque gloss that dries like a powder: There’s no getting this off unless it’s with a makeup remover, so don’t worry about it staining anything.

Pair with a simple face to make these bold lips really stand out.

M A KE UP FOR EV ER A Q U A BR OW, $20, AVA IL A BL E AT S EP HOR A. Make Up For Ever is known for its various high end and high performing makeup products, and Aqua Brow is no exception. Applied with an angled brush, this gel will help define and enhance your existing brows, and help create a faux-brow for those with sparse hairs. Available in seven different colors, MUFE promises an all day wear time.

BE NE FIT HIG H B RO W GL O W, $ 2 0 , AVAILABL E AT SEP HO R A .

If filling in your brows isn’t your thing, or you simply don’t need it, this product is great to accentuate your already existing bold brow. The High Brow Glow is a shimmer champagne cream highlight for use on the brow bone: It instantly brightens the eyes while lifting the brow itself. Apply this on the inner corners of eyes for an extra glow-y look.

NA R S TR A I N BLE U VE LVE T MATTE LI P PE NCI L, $25, AVA I LA BLE AT NA R S. This beautiful shade is described as a “deep aubergine,” AKA a dark eggplant color. It applies like a dream and has mega staying power.

One application will surely last you all night, so go ahead and slap this on before a long day of class.

MA C SATI N LI PSTI CK I N CY B E R , $ 15, AVA I LA BLE AT M A C. MAC is a major staple in many makeup bags, so we had to include the ever-popular MAC Cyber lipstick. This deep red-purple shade is flattering on every skin tone. It’s the perfect starter for your dark lipstick collection.

TH E STRON G B ROW

The days of over tweezing, waxing, and threading have long since passed. A major trend in fashion and beauty right now is the strong and full brow. Some are lucky to have nice thick brows, but unfortunately not all of us are Cara Delevingne. Here, a few staple brow products to help accentuate or enhance your eyebrows.

A NA STA SI A BE VE R LY H I LLS DI PBR O W PO M A D E , $18, AVA I LA BLE AT SE PH O R A .

If you’ve been paying attention to the world of eyebrows lately, you’ll have noticed the buzz around this new product from legendary brow expert, Anastasia Beverly Hills. This water and smudge-proof brow color is an essential for brows that make a statement.

Available in five shades, with three more on the way, this product is a must-have.

T HE DEFINE D CH E E K

A major trend in beauty lately is described in two simple words: contour and highlight.

Whether you have prominent cheekbones or not, contouring and highlighting is sure to bring life back to your face after the long winter. Check out these easy and foolproof products that will help you create the ideal cheek this season!

T OO FACED C HOC OL AT E S O L E IL M AT T E BRO N ZE R , $ 30 , AVAI L AB L E AT S EPH OR A.

Not only is the name of this bronzer enticing enough (it actually contains real cocoa powder), but the fact that it blends easily into the skin makes it even more delicious. Gently buffing this into the hollows of your face will give you the cheekbones of your dreams. The matte finish will give you definition without the “look at me” sheen of other bronzers. If this shade is too dark for you, try its lighter counterpart: Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer.

H OU R GLA SS CO SM E TI CS A M B I E NT LI GH TI NG PO W D E R , $ 4 5 , AVA I LA BLE AT SE PH O R A .

This product is a must have for anyone interested in having flawless airbrushed skin (so, everyone!).

Available in six shades, this product is not only perfect as a highlight, but works amazingly well as a finishing powder. The light reflecting pigments help the skin look blurred, alleviating your skin of any imperfections and leaving you luminous and radiant.

U R B A N DE CAY NA KE D FLU SH E D , $ 3 0 , AVA I LA BLE AT SE PH O R A .

If you’re big on Urban Decay’s ever-growing NAKED product line, you’ve probably encountered their first cheek venture, NAKED Flushed. This bronzer-blush-highlight trio is perfect for contour beginners. Start with the bronzer in the hollows of your cheekbones, lightly layer the blush just above the bronzer, and finish with the highlight on the top of your cheek.

Voila, check out your newly contoured face.

Go Bold in 3 Easy Steps: ▼TWO Time to bring out those cheekbones! Blend bronzer into the hollows of your cheeks and up onto your temples. Add a little bit to the sides of the nose for added definition. Highlight under the eye and on the bridge of your nose to give your face a radiant glow. Jordyn used NARS Laguna to contour and Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light to highlight.

▲ONE Start with a fresh face, and define your brows any way you’d like. Some people find that filling in the brow completely gives them their desired depth of color, while some may prefer a lighter approach. Here, Jordyn used Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn to get her brows just how she likes them.

▲T H RE E Finish off this bold look with an amazing bold lip.

Don’t be afraid to go dark, and don’t knock it until you try it: Jordyn outlined her lips with MAC Currant Lip Pencil and layered NARS Train Bleu on top. Touch up any feathering around the mouth with concealer, and you’re all set to spend the day both bold and beautiful!

The FIT

FIT students are nothing if not decisive. So, we polled them to find out their ultimate beauty favorites. From less-than-lunch bronzers to spendy foundations, we’ve rounded up the top products to hit 27th Street.

Beauty Awards BE S T B R O N Z E R

—Rebecca Aschen

BE S T E YE L IN E R

—Jaclyn Roberts

$$$: BEN EFIT HOOLA BRONZE R , $28 What made Hoola the front-runner for best bronzer? For starters, Benefit’s slightly less orangey shade is far more universal, and thus prevents you from walking around looking like an oompa loompa.

Add to that the bronzer’s matte finish, which allows for beautifully natural contouring and shading, and you’ve got a winner! $: NY C SU NNY BRONZER , $2. 99 Fabulous matte bronzers are like the unicorn of drugstore beauty products: hard to come by, but when tracked down they can really knock your socks off. This incredibly inexpensive bronzer has a lovely matte finish, silky-smooth texture, and is an all and all ultra-flattering shade that can suit even fair complexions! Tack on the bargain price point, and we’ve got a hands down drugstore winner.

$$$: URB AN DECAY 2 4/ 7 GLI D E - O N E YE PE N CI L , $20 Say bye-bye to raccoon eyes with Urban Decay’s lasting glide-on eye pencil. This velvety-soft pencil makes application and blending a breeze. Achieve your desired smoky eye in half the time and still look like a pro. Make sure to keep an eye on this beauty next time you’re searching Sephora for the perfect eyeliner. $: E.L.F STUDI O CREAM E YE L I N E R , $3 Go big and bold with E.L.F’s smudge-proof cream eyeliner. Thanks to the slightly slanted brush that comes with every purchase, the perfect cat eye is finally attainable! The rich pigments are perfect for longlasting color that easily glide on and don’t clump. At only $3, you’ll just have to try all eleven of them.

BE S T N A IL PO LISH

—Katie Farrell

$$$: CHANEL LAQUE BRI LL A N CE E X TR È ME TO PCO AT, $2 6 Chanel lives up to its reputation with this incredible topcoat. Praised for its high shine formula, super fast dry time, and astonishing staying power, this unbelievable polish keeps your manicure chip free for days. You’re guaranteed nothing but clean and smooth strokes when applying this “glob-free” topcoat. With lightening speed dry time and incredible staying power this one is worth every penny. $: S A LLY HANSEN I NSTA- D R I A N TI CHI P TO PCO AT, $5 . 9 9 This inexpensive topcoat will keep your manicure chip free from start to finish. Along with drugstore convenience and a budget friendly price, the show-stopping feature of this polish is its dry time. Within 30 seconds, your nails are completely dry and ready to conquer the world (and your Instagram).

B E S T E YE S H A D OW

—Briana Badome

$$$: URBAN DECAY NAKED 3 PA L E TTE , $52 With 12 neutral shades ranging from shimmer to matte, this eye-opening neutral palette is anything but boring. Light pinks and dark browns take the bland out of traditional neutral shadow palettes and make getting ready in the morning a true creative process. Blending becomes second nature with these long-lasting and crease resistant shades — the possibilities are endless! $: REV LO N COLORS TAY 1 6- HO U R SHA D O W Q U A D , $7 . 5 9 Extravagant eyes are only a brush away with this inexpensive but super powerful palette from Revlon. Apply the four smooth shades to your lids and let go of any worries about creasing, with color lasting up to 16 hours. The best thing about these palettes? No matter your eye color, we promise there’s one that will work for you.

FI T B EAU T Y FA C T: 59. 57% O F F I T S TUDENTS BUY THEI R CH OICE MASCARA AT A D RUG STO R E , C O M PA R E D TO 42.55% O F S UR VEYED S TUDE NT S WH O WOULD RAT H ER PU R C HAS E T H E I R M A S A CA RA AT A S PECI A LTY RETA I LER LI KE SEP H ORA.

B E S T F O U N D ATION

—Jordyn Ferriss

$$$: HO URGLAS S I MMACUL ATE L I Q U I D TO PO W D E R FOU N D AT ION , $55 Finding foundation for oily skin can be difficult, as many foundations can leave you patchy and shiny by mid-day. If you’re willing you spend a little extra, Hourglass Cosmetics has perfected the “oily skin” foundation. The liquid to powder formula of Hourglass Immaculate Foundation leaves skin looking flawless and matte. The oil free formula absorbs existing oils in the skin, and camouflages imperfections, too. It’s perfect for blemish prone skin as well, with 80% of users reporting a visible improvement in acne scars. $: CO V ERGI RL CLEAN WH I PPE D CR E A M FO U N D ATI O N , $ 6 If you’re looking for an affordable yet amazing foundation, check your local drugstore for the new CoverGirl Clean Whipped Cream Foundation. Not only does this foundation apply easily and flawlessly, it’s also perfect for all skin types. Available in 10 shades, this lightweight air whipped formula won’t leave your skin dry or clog pores. For the best results, apply with your fingers or a buffing brush.

FI T B EAU T Y FA C T: T H E M A K EUP I TEM F I T S TUDENTS WO ULD CH OOSE T O AP P LY WH EN RUN N I N G L AT E , W H I C H , LET’ S BE HO NES T, I S Q UI TE O F TEN, WOULD BE CONCEALER, W HI C H E A R N E D 53% O F V O TES F RO M S UR VEYED S TUDENT S.

BES T B L U S H —Rebecca Aschen $$$: TA R T E AMAZ ONI AN CLAY B L U SH, $26 Regardless of your rouge preferences, Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blush line will more than likely have the perfect one for you! With an extensive 17-shade color range, each with varying finishes, the line leaves little to be desired in the color department. When it comes to the formula, these blushes perform like a dream thanks to the natural brand’s innovative use of Amazonian clay.

They go on silky smooth, are beautifully pigmented, and wear for the entire day. $: MILA NI BAKED BLUSH, $7. 99 For those looking for that lit-from-within glow, these Milani blushes are for you!

Each blush is pleasantly pigmented and smooth and stays rich throughout the day. Milani has also just recently introduced two new poppy matte shades to the collection, if you’re into less shimmery cheek colors! These blushes are sure to please, and definitely worth checking out next time you’re blush browsing.

BE S T L IP PR O DUCT

—Juliane DeGiovine

$$$: M A RC J ACOBS LOVEM A R C L I P G E L , $30 Marc Jacobs’ newly conceived makeup line has already made a name for itself in the world of high-end beauty —and for good reason. His Lovemarc Lip Gels are potently pigmented, even with just one application. The formula is so convertible that it can easily work as both a sheer lip/cheek stain, and as a standout lip color. Plus, the delicious vanilla scent doesn’t hurt either. $: REV O N COLORBURS T MATTE B A L M, $7 Revlon’s Colorburst Matte Balm is one of the best lip crayons on the market. Just one swipe is all it takes to find the answer to all of your lipstick-related beauty problems. Thanks to a variety of shades, you’ll find there’s a hue for everyone. The matte formula is mysteriously creamy, intense, and incredibly long-lasting. A tingly mint taste is an unexpected bonus, and we love that there’s virtually no flaking or dryness, even after hours of wear.

FI T B EAU T Y FA C T: W H E N A S KED HO W M U CH THEY S PEND ON COSMET ICS IN A Y EAR, 4 2 .5 5 % O F F I T S T UD E N T S S U R V EYED S A ID $ 2 0 0 O R LES S , WIT H 10.64% ON T H E OTHER E N D , S AY I N G T H EY S PEND O V ER $ 6 0 0 !

BE S T MA S CA R A

—Nyasia Miranda

$$$: G IV ENCHY NOI R COUTU R E 4- I N - 1 MA SCA R A , $30 As one of the highest luxury brands known to the beauty business, it’s only fitting that Givenchy creates one of the best mascaras on the market. Made with a luxurious formula that guarantees intense volume, a strong curl, and infinite length, the mascara alters the look of your lashes by improving strength after just one month of daily application. Its smooth texture allows you to effortlessly apply a glossy coating, leaving out the clumps and adding all of the glamour. $: C O V ERGI RL CLUMP CR U SHE R L A SH B L A ST MA SCA R A , $ 8 For those who love beauty on a budget, this mascara is for you! Guaranteed to leave your lashes clump free (even after multiple coats), this mascara stays true to its “clump crushing” name. A long lasting formula keeps your mascara fresh all day without the worry of smudging. The curved brush allows each lash to be coated evenly while fanning them out to give a longer and fuller effect.

FI T B EAU T Y FA C T: 43. 48% O F F I T S TUDENTS S UR VEYED S AY T H EY WEAR FACE MAKEUP ( FOU N D AT I O N ) 6 - 7 D AY S A WEEK , WHI LE 15.22% O F THO SE SUR VEY ED SAID T H EY ON LY W E A R F O U N D AT I O N 1 - 2 TI MES A WEEK .

BE S T H A IR S T YLING PR OD UCT

—Samantha Ayala $$$: I T ’ S A 1 0 MI RACLE LEAVE - I N , $28 The key to healthier, stronger, and overall better hair is definitely It’s A 10’s Miracle Leave-In. It’s perfect for restoring your hair to its natural beautiful state after straightening, color treatment, or blow-drying. But what we like best are the product’s natural ingredients: sunflower seed extract (to protect hair color), silk amino acids (for moisture and shine), and panthenol (to strengthen hair). Whether used alone or as a daily styling product, your hair will be a perfect 10 every time.

$: L’ O RÉA L ADVANCED H A I R CA R E TR I PL E R E SI ST U LTIM AT E S T RENGTHENI NG S OLU TI O N , $6. 99 If your hair has been looking a little weak lately, L’Oréal’s Advanced Hair Care Triple Resist Ultimate Strengthening Solution should be added to your shower routine. The formula promises less breakage, less stress, and less worries: It reduces hair fallouts by 64% and refortifies every strand with the protection of amino acids.

Mom Knows Best: Are Mom’s Beauty Tips Myth or Magic?

By Allix Cott

EVER WONDER HOW YOUR MOM ACHIEVED HER BEAUTIFUL RADIANT SKIN? WAS IT GENETICS, OR DO THOSE CRAZY REMEDIES SHE’S PREACHED TIME AND TIME AGAIN REALLY WORK? ON A QUEST TO FIND OUT IF MOM REALLY KNOWS BEST, WE PUT THESE AGE-OLD BEAUTY TIPS TO THE TEST. Myth or Magic?

USING PETROLEUM JELLY ON YOUR FACE TO PREVENT WRINKLES Myth In this case, the negatives rule out the benefits. Here’s why: Petroleum jelly has been around longer than your mom (and your

mom’s mom) and its uses are infinitely diverse, from lip balm to taming unruly eyebrows. The truth is, using petroleum jelly as a moisturizer on your entire face may not react with your skin in the most beneficial ways. Due to the excessive amounts of oil, petroleum jelly has been known to clog pores and even induce acne, even though it’s classified as non-comedogenic. Stick to an anti-aging moisturizer specified for your face, as these will be less heavy on your skin, and only use petroleum jelly on your hands, elbows, and knees when you need a remedy for those troublesome spots of dry skin.

Myth or Magic?

YOU SHOULD BE APPLYING SPF TO YOUR FACE EVERYDAY Magic The best way to prevent premature aging, dark spots, and future skin damage is to apply an SPF on your skin everyday—even when you’re just running across the street to order a soy latte.

Whether it’s already incorporated into your makeup or moisturizer, or

applied directly from the source, nothing will benefit your skin more than applying this little ounce of magic. Mom was definitely right, don’t leave the house without sunscreen.

Myth or Magic?

BRUSHING YOUR HAIR TOO MUCH WILL CAUSE IT TO FALL OUT Myth Most women love to play, touch, and brush their hair all day long. Mom always said that brushing your hair too much could cause the ends to split and, eventually, fall out. Sorry mom, we love you, but this just isn’t true. Damaged or unhealthy hair is caused by excessive dyeing and contact with high heat—also the cause of split ends and fall out. Stick to gentle brushing.

Myth or Magic?

APPLY COCOA BUTTER ON YOUR SKIN TO PREVENT STRETCH MARKS

Myth Preventing the appearance of stretch marks is a much harder feat than we thought.

The presence of stretch marks is formed from the breaking of elastic and collagen in the skin due to growth. These occur below the top layer of skin, where treatments like cocoa butter or olive oil are unable to reach. So talk to your derm about more heavy-duty treatments. Or, just embrace these road maps of growth and appreciate the skin you’re in.

Myth or Magic?

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT Magic What would you say if I told you that what you’re having for lunch today will affect how your skin looks tomorrow? Mom’s right—that’s exactly the case!

Refined sugar, the tasty stuff found in our favorite sweet treats, can cause breakouts, dryness, redness, and even dark circles.

Fruits and vegetables can actually improve the appearance of skin and reduce signs of aging. So the next time you’re thinking about that afternoon snack, reach for the healthier option and glow from the inside out.

The Lean Mean Green Cocoa Bean Machine

By Mikayla Madigan

Diet trends come and go like fashion does. Every time something new comes out, we see it everywhere—on television, social media and in news articles. Detox and juicing are among the popular fast weight loss trends. They are known to help you shed pounds after just one drink.

Yet, these methods are said to be unsafe because of concentrated calories and nutrients— nevermind the expense.

But now there’s a new pound-busting trend that appeals to many: Green cocoa bean extract.

Green cocoa beans in their purist form are said to contain chlorogenic acid, which has health benefits, such as heightened metabolism.

Essentially, they are coffee beans that have not yet been roasted, meaning they hold on to supposedly fat-burning chemicals. As such, the beans are being harvested into a pill that can be taken daily and results in weight loss without any change in diet or exercise.

If you’re thinking what we’re thinking, this sounds way too good to be true.

But, further research reveled that there are no noticeable or recorded side effects of the bean and by and large, it’s considered an excellent natural option. But, should you choose to investigate further, there are some important things to look for before purchasing the extract. First, make sure you pick one that’s 100% pure. Many supplements tend to have additives and unnecessary ingredients, such as caffeine. Some other things to look for are a chlorogenic acid level of 42% or higher, no added filters or ingredients, and a promise of being “made in the USA.” It is also recommended that the supplement is taken thirty minutes before each meal.

Participants in different green cocoa bean studies lost about 10% of their weight over 22 weeks. This is considered a safe amount of weight loss for this period of time. About 5% of overall body fat was also reported as being lost.

So who should take these mean, green, fat-burning machines? People that are considered overweight, obese, and have a BMI of 25 or higher. This supplement is not for people looking to lose just a few pounds—studies show it is only effective for those who need to lose weight for medical purposes. As always, talk to your doctor before integrating any sort of supplement into your dietary routine.

Embrace The Power

With These 4 Easy Workouts

By Nicole Armeno | Photography by Sarah Luttinger | Modeled by Lindsay Heney

We’ve all had that man-I-HAVE-to-go-to-the-gym-later feeling. But next time, try to think of your workout as something that’s for you, and not another daunting task that has to be crossed off your list. In the case that the gym doesn’t fit into your schedule, there are countless exercises that can be completed in the comfort of your room. Try these four simple at-home excercises featured below.

ONE Simple Sun Salutations – Doing these in the morning will wake you up and clear your mind for the day ahead.

A. Start with your hands together.

B. Next reach up and stretch your arms backward while pushing your hips forward.

C. As you stretch down to touch your toes try to keep your back as straight as possible.

D. Step one foot back and keep your knee raised off of the floor. With your chest up try to keep those hands on the floor.

E. After this step, your other foot back and go into downward dog.

F. After a few breaths in this position start to lower as slowly as possible toward the floor.

G. Once all the way down, stretch up with your hips on the floor and push your shoulders back into cobra.

H.Then push back up into downward dog.

I. Step your other foot forward.

(Sometimes it is hard to remember which foot to put forwarsd. so if you forget easily try to always start with your right foot first).

J. Hold this position for a couple of breaths and then step your back foot forward. Try to stretch your head toward your knees as your hands touch the floor.

K. Then as you stretch up, keep your back straight and stretch back one final time.

C. A. B.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H. I.

J.

K.

END.

TWO Fish Sit-Ups – Lay down and lift your legs straight

up in the air. Then put your arms up toward the ceiling as well and reach to touch your toes. Try to get your shoulders off the floor and touch the tips of your toes every time.

“Workout because it makes you feel good. Going into your workout with the right mindset will make it more of a stress reliever instead of an igniter.”

THREE Burpies – The ultimate pushup. This workout gets your body moving and blood flowing. You’ll be energized and ready for the day after a set of these.

A. Make sure you start with a jump.

B. Put your hands on the floor and jump those feet back.

C. When you do your pushup, keep a tight body.

D. Jump your feet back to your hands.

E. Stretch up to the ceiling and jump. Repeat.

B.

D. C.

A.

D.

FOU R Candlestick Leg Lifts - This workout helps your back and leg muscles and is great for those who are sedentary throughout the day.

A. Start sitting and roll up into candlestick. Your feet should be pointed toward the ceiling and your arms can support your back.

B. Then, while keeping one leg straight up, bring the other leg toward your face.

C. And then switch legs. Try to keep those legs straight as you switch them!

B. A.

C.

STREET

BEAUTY

By Monica Boylan | Photography by Mikayla Madigan We took a walk down 27th Street and stopped to snap our favorite beauty looks. And, in honor of our Empowerment Issue, we asked each of these beauties the same question: W HAT B E A U TY P RO D UCT EMPOWERS YO U ?

NAME Alexandra Gramp HOMETOWN Virginia MAJOR FMM “Clinique Chubby Sticks.”

NAME Erika Riches HOMETOWN Buffalo, NY MAJOR AMC “Prada Candy perfume.”

NAME Mallory Levy HOMETOWN Boca Raton, FL MAJOR FMM “Lancôme or Chanel red lipstick.”

NAME Miranda Boyd HOMETOWN Washington, DC MAJOR Fashion Design “Eyeliner.”

NAME Lindsay Komp HOMETOWN Upstate NY MAJOR FMM “Eyeliner.”

NAME Arushi Khosia HOMETOWN Williamsburg MAJO R AMC “NARS Red Lipstick.”

NAME Olivia Guarascio HOMETOWN Bronx MAJOR ITM “Eyeliner.”

BEAUTY

NEWS

By Sarah Langenbach

C ROS S ROADS: W H E RE THE RUN WAY AN D MAKE UP MEET

Fashion Designer Phillip Lim revealed more than just his dynamic designs at last month’s New York Fashion Week. Gleaming through the models’ sleeves was a sneak peek at one of the nine limited edition nail polishes the designer plans to launch in conjunction with NARS Cosmetics.

This deep purple-grey shade, named Crossroads, marks Lim’s first launch into beauty—but not his first partnership with NARS. Lim’s long history using NARS products on his runway models began in 2007. The forthcoming shades, inspired by Lim’s 2014 autumn/ winter collection, will be available for purchase later this summer.

T U RNI NG MASCARA UP S I DE DOWN

Think you’re seeing double? Check out Sephora’s latest reinvention of your favorite makeup product, mascara!

Sephora aims for length, volume, curl, and definition with its Upside Down Mascara, featuring dual brushes that coat lashes with 360° length. Upon application, customers claim that this mascara might be the darkest, thickest formula yet. To achieve perfect spidery lashes, sandwich your top lashes in between two loaded lash brushes, give it a squeeze, and simply pull out.

Although this sounds easy enough in theory, many reviewers caution against the streaks it leaves behind on your eyelid, which can be especially aggravating on top of your meticulously applied eye shadow. At $26, is the ideal doe-eyed gaze worth the hassle? You be the judge!

“ I WAN T TO F E E L L I K E M E, O N LY B ETTER ”

After years of showing women the wonders of makeup on TLC’s What Not to Wear, makeover guru Carmindy Bowyer announces her launch into the retail world with her cosmetics brand, Carmindy & Co. “It’s no longer about hiding and concealing and fixing, it’s about enhancing and empowering and embracing your beauty and using makeup to play that up,” said Bowyer. Wrapped in bright turquoise packaging, Bowyer aims to clear up the confusion about color cosmetics with her 5 Minute Face Collection ($59) which includes the Skin Zen Primer ($32), In Bloom Lip Crayon Trio ($32), Gamechanger Foundation ($35), and MesmerEyes Smokey Eye Kit ($36).

Featured on HSN’s “Beauty Report” last month, Bowyer revealed her line for the first time and demonstrated its quick and easy application for women on the go. Bowyer continues to connect with women through television and aspires to be “every woman’s beauty guru.”

Are You Attracted to Yourself ?

By Rebecca Aschen | Illustrated by Gemma Gibb I TS SA FE TO AS SUME THAT W E ’VE A LL SEEN THOSE ODD C O U PL E S THAT CO ULD PASS AS SI BLI NG S. W E L L , A S IT T URNS OUT, THESE D U O S, W HO M AT F I RS T MAY RA I SE A FE W E Y EBRO WS, COULD HAV E A CTU A L LY F IGURED OUT THE S ECR E T TO TR U E R O M A NT IC BLI S S. So you’re sitting on the 6 train, chatting away with your boyfriend when a fellow commuter from across the way interjects, “I just love to see siblings getting along so well!”

The instantaneous discomfort was palpable, as you and your BF instinctively slide a little further away from one another.

You both acknowledge the woman’s comment with a polite nod, and then proceed to timidly scan each other with an unfamiliar distance and uncertainty.

Now that you really think about it, you do both have similar complexions, light blue eyes, and…eek, chocolate-y brown hair.

And, upon further inspection, your jawlines do look eerily alike. He may even look the tiniest bit like… oh no, your older brother?

But, rest assured, it is extremely common for people to have a subliminal urge to find significant others that resemble family members, either in their personality or physical appearance, attractive. If I can get a little technical... and sexual with you: Many psychologists refer to a theory called the “Oedipus complex” in situations such as this. This complex is the brainchild of Sigmund Freud, and suggests that children can tend to desire relationships with their parents.

Kind of gross to think about, I know, but they do say you marry your father, right? Now, while this is quite an extreme and somewhat antiquated example, I will propose a more modern rationalization, that will hopefully help lessen your concern!

At this point, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all heard of the infamous Tinder and OKCupid

dating sites. And despite practically every user’s attempt to write off these apps, and just “test them out as a joke,” many of us have fallen victim to the alluring incentive of potentially meeting your one true love.

Now enter FaceMate: A slightly less conventional online dating alternative, this site uses facial recognition software to pair you up with individuals who have similar features to yours. The method may seem a bit… questionable at first, but believe it or not there’s actually some science behind it all.

The dating service is centered around the influence of the brain’s fusiform gyrus. Part of the brain’s visual system, the fusiform gyrus is located in the temporal lobe, and is responsible for processing faces. Coincidentally (or not so coincidentally), this area of the brain is located at the exact intersection of where the social, associative, and emotional brain regions all meet.

So, the theory is that when you see a face that’s similar to your own, it triggers a sense of recognition in the brain, which can also be perceived as ‘chemistry.’ Essentially, the visual portion of the brain signals our unconscious and we are innately drawn to people with features like ours. It’s kind of like our body’s instinctive security system.

Scientists have been able to successfully confirm through various studies that our brain’s facial recognition feature truly does selectively respond to faces that are similar to our own. Therefore, once a facial connection is made with someone who has similar features to us, the desire kicks in.

So there you have it! No need to shy away from your significant other, after all. Come to think of it, you should actually be quite proud of yourself; you’ve successfully listened to your instincts, and your trusty fusiform gyrus, and picked a real winner!

False Advertising: Are You Tricking Your Date?

By Ashley Laderer | Photoraphy by Ashley Naftaly | Makeup by Jordyn Ferriss

First dates (and second dates, and third dates) can be extremely nerve wracking. It’s natural for us girls to doll up for our dates, either to feel better about ourselves or to make our male victim more attracted to us.

What happens, though, when our dolling up becomes false advertising?

What if our gussying up turns us into a completely different person? Some of us are guilty of piling on makeup, strapping on push-up bras, and clipping in hair extensions until we no longer look like our true selves.

THE AUTHOR BEFORE AND AFTER ‘ENHANCEMENTS’ Today, it’s easier than ever to have access to products and means of transforming ourselves. There are hundreds of tutorials made by beauty gurus on YouTube that teach you how to contour your face, creating a sharp bone structure that isn’t even there. There are bras you can buy

from Victoria’s Secret that can grow your breasts by two cups sizes in two seconds flat: Just put on the Victoria’s Secret Bombshell bra and turn that B into a D! The bottom line is that with today’s products, it’s easy, almost too easy, to make yourself look unlike yourself. The question is, should you?

I surveyed 35 girls that attend FIT about “false advertising.” Twentyfour respondents, almost 70% of the girls, said that they do not commit false advertising on dates. However, 11 respondents said that they do. Of those who do false advertise, 70% said they do it to feel better about themselves, and 30% said they do it to make the male more attracted to them. As for the girls who don’t false advertise, I interviewed Kelsey Lafferty, an AMC major. It seems that Kelsey and others who don’t false advertise on dates are firm believers in being themselves. She said, “It’s better to embrace it from the beginning so you don’t have to feel the constant pressure to ‘fix’ yourself for someone else.” She makes a valid point: Be

it best: “I think that if you are able to embrace and love yourself for you who are naturally, then other people will too.”

She adds, “Just don’t over do it. I think people are attracted to and respect people who are not afraid to be their true selves.”

yourself from the beginning, or chances are, one day you are going to have to reveal what you really look like to your significant other. Of survey participants, 88% who false advertise said that those they have false advertised for have seen them looking natural. Chances are, your man will still think you look beautiful without makeup, but it will be stressful for you when he sees you like that for the first time. My take? If he doesn’t think you’re sexy without your falsies and weave, he’s definitely not worth your time, anyway.

all about ‘being you’ so I actually HATE when girls ‘false advertise.’ It doesn’t benefit anyone in the end.” Then, he added, “Let’s say you love buff men and you meet a guy who you think is nice and solid, just your type, and it turns out he was wearing a padded shirt that only made him look buff. How would you feel? At the end of the day, no one really likes to be tricked.”

Curious as to what guys had to say about this matter, I asked a couple of FIT’s males for their opinions. So listen up, ladies! Luca Schmitz, a communication design major, said, “There is no need to be covered in makeup or stuffing your bra or whatever. The more natural the better! Besides, on a date it would be nice to actually talk and not just look at the physical appearance.” Surprisingly, he isn’t the only one who has this mindset.

Seve Robinson, an FMM major, said, “I’m

“I think that if you are able to embrace and love yourself for you who are naturally, then other people will too.”

I’m not saying you should never wear makeup on dates or that you should throw out your collection of padded lingerie. My point is that even with all of your “enhancements” you should still look like you! Kelsey said

So why don’t we feel empowered being ourselves? Why don’t we feel sexy enough in our own skin? In the end, don’t we want our man to love us for who we are underneath our hair extensions, fake lashes, and push-up bras? Sure, it’s nice to look sexy, but as we have all been told time and time again, sexiness comes from within as a result of confidence…and that’s not something you can buy at any department store.

Life In The Slow Lane Written and Illustrated by Gemma Gibb

I

magine yourself fifty years from now. You’re sitting somewhere beautiful, and the sun is just about to set. You’re watching your grandkids run around on a big, green, open field. You think back to your youth and it seems stressful, blurry, naive. You feel a little unsettled by the years behind you, the ones you could have lived in a more enlightened state of mind.

We all have a desire to lead a more fulfilling life. The tempting mistress of life usually leads this craving astray, and we continue to live fast and furious lives. It’s usually those so distanced from fulfillment that need to stop and breathe for a moment. It’s the ones who crave the breathe that never stop to take it.

It’s not about doing things slowly, but at the right speed, at a pace that allows things to be done with time, love, and enjoyment. Mother Teresa once said, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.”

She is not alone in her thinking: the Italians have long embraced this notion. They spend their afternoons sipping on grappa and taking siestas, making time for their family and friends and to enjoy their meals. They believe in embracing the activity that we spend most of our lives doing: eating.

“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing.”

Now, I know there aren’t a lot of rose bushes springing up around the city, but one still has to ‘stop and smell the roses’ from time to time.

Slow Living embraces all aspects of life, from food to fashion. There are now movements for Slow management and leadership, Slow schooling and design, Slow libraries and research, Slow sex and relationships… the list goes on.

People are slowly (no pun intended) starting to embrace the Slow lifestyle, and as the world gets faster, the need to counter-act it grows, too.

We must understand that a homemade loaf of six-grain, Italian, gluten free bread is going to cost a little more than the packaged, bleached, white loaf that you bought from the local deli, which will most likely last a few months, maybe years in your kitchen closet. A cup of organic, cold-dripped, Ecuadorian, dark roasted coffee is going to cost more than a flavorless, bitter and possibly watered down Cup O’ Joe from Dunkin’ Donuts. Yet, articles with headlines such as “How To Cure A Cold In A Day,” “How To Last On A 5 Hour Sleep Cycle,” or “Make A Cake In 10 Minutes,” encourage us to speed past all the things that make these activities enjoyable, by taking out all the most important parts.

Here are some ideas on how to enjoy the journey of life: 1. PL A N T A F L OWE R OR G R O W B A SIL . WAT ER IT EV ERY MO R N I N G A N D L ET IT S OA K I N THE SU NS H IN E ON Y OU R W I N D O W SI LL .

2. O N A MOR E E XT R AVA G A N T L E VE L , SO M E F OL KS L IKE T O S E T U P FA R M I N T H E IR BA C KYA R D .

A L I TTL E VE G G IE G A RD E N WIT H VI N E S O F T OM AT OE S , ROOT E D B E E TR O O TS OR L E AV E S OF SPI N A CH CA N E A S ILY G R OW IN B R O O K LYN S OIL .

3. CO O K A M EA L . G E T S OM E FR E SH I N G RED IEN T S A N D M A KE SO ME THI N G C OL OR F U L A N D A R O MATI C, WH E T H ER Y OU ’ R E CO O K I N G F OR Y OU RS E L F OR E N TE R TA I NIN G .

Carl Honoré, author of In Praise of Slowness: Challenging The Cult Of Speed believes that Slow Living is a discovery of pleasure in a new substantial form, saying, “Everything has to be instant so we miss out on the joy of anticipation.

We lose the pleasure of striving to make something happen. I think that anticipation is a key ingredient in pleasure of any kind.” He sums it up well: It has become habitual to go through our lives in a speedy fashion. By living in the future, we are only concerned about what happens next. Honoré says that, “We are obsessed with the destination and have lost the art of enjoying the journey.”

4. TA K E A H OT BAT H A D ORN ED W I TH L AVE N D E R A N D ROS E PE TA L S, I N F U S E D WIT H E SSE N TI A L OIL S A N D D E CO R ATE D WIT H T E A C A N D L E S .

5. R I D E YO UR BIKE T H ROU G H A L E A FY N EIG H BORH OOD , O R A D VE N T U RE S OM EWH ERE YO U ’VE N E V E R BEEN BE F ORE. 6. R E A D A B OOK. D E D IC AT E 1 5 MI N U TE S TO EXP L OR E S OM E PA G E S B E FO RE Y OU G O T O S L EEP E VE RY N I G H T. 7. TA K E A M OM EN T T O EN J OY A CU P O F T EA , IN V E S T IN G I N D I FFE R E N T F L AV OR S A N D A R O MA S.

In Her Shoes

By Avanti Dalal | Photography by Ashley Naftaly

IN SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, THE CHARACTER ELINOR DASHWOOD IS DESCRIBED AS HAVING A “DELICATE COMPLEXION, REGULAR FEATURES, AND… REMARKABLY PRETTY FIGURE. HOWEVER, ELINOR’S SISTER, MARIANNE IS DESCRIBED AS “STILL HANDSOMER. H ER FORM, THOUGH NOT SO CORRECT AS HER SISTER’S, IN HAVING THE ADVANTAGE OF HEIGHT, WAS MORE STRIKING.” WHY DOES H EIGHT MATTER SO MUCH? AVANTI DALAL DISCOVERS WHY HIGHH EELED SHOES ARE SO ALLURING AND WHY WOMEN CONTINUE TO WEAR THEM DESPITE NAYSAYERS. After hilariously ditching her heels onstage during last month’s Golden Globe Awards, Emma Thompson paved a completely different path at the SAG Awards, confidently walking the red carpet in Christian Louboutin flats. This made me sit up and watch closely.

In between the sea of wedges, stilettos,

platforms and pumps, flat sandals at a major award show proved to be a refreshing change.

But then I thought about it some more.

Would I do it? Doesn’t it take guts? Is it worth the risk?

It’s no wonder that the entire fashion industry is fixated on the high heel shoe—a wardrobe staple that

has transcended trend, season, class, and price cycles. A source of mixed opinion, the high heel shoe has been seen as a symbol of authority, oppression, discomfort, confidence, and sex appeal all at once. High heels are synonymous with being strong and delicate, graceful and sexual, and powerful and exquisite.

These seemingly mutually exclusive ideals demonstrate the two very antithetical beliefs towards wearing high heels. One view of high heels refers to the 80s bombshell— the sex sirens, the girls that wanted to have fun à la Grace Jones and Madonna.

The contrasting view portrays women that wear high heels as ornamental 50s housewives with a Betty Draper gait and Grace Kelly wardrobe.

But now, in the present day, do they have to be one or the other?

Especially considering that modern women strive to be both.

On the heels of the Museum at FIT exhibit Shoe Obsessions, museum director Valerie Steele told Stylecaster, “Now we’re seeing a moment when shoes have temporarily eclipsed the It bag.” Her observation does not come without reason: Countless research attests to the socalled sexual power of

high-heeled shoes. A study from Westwood College showed that men find women most attractive when their legs are slightly longer than their torso. On a person of average height, this preferred leg length was found to be about 5% longer than a woman’s average leg length naturally. Another study, conducted by the University of Portsmouth, exhibited that women walking in high heels were perceived to be more attractive than those in flats because of the manner in which they walked. Stilettos caused them to reduce their stride and tilt their hips, which exaggerated their sexual appeal. But are men the only reason women put their feet through the ringer?

Most questionnaires disagree. Women wear heels to impress other women, to supplement their daily outfits or amp up their special ones, and to recharge their self-confidence.

But ultimately, fashion is about personal choice. It is about what you like and what you feel good in. It’s about feeling happy in your own skin—and the accoutrements with which you adorn it.

It is not about norms and gender related beliefs and clichés around femininity and sexuality. It is also not about pleasing men.

It’s about looking good and feeling good. So own it, love it, wear it, buy it, style it— because at the end of the day, you’re just five inches closer to where you want to be.

FASHION

By Micaela Burke

NEW S

TH E R E A L DE A L

There’s a new, game changing trend in fashion—and what is it? Being exactly as you are. More and more labels are making headway toward using real woman, men and couples to promote their ads. A prime example? Aerie, the popular lingerie brand owned by American Eagle. The brand has decided to nix all ad retouching, including even the most basic tweaks. “We left everything. We left beauty marks, we left tattoos, what you see is what you get with our campaign,” Aerie’s stylist Jenny Altman told GMA. Banana Republic has taken a similar stance. The globally known brand decided to follow suit and cast “real people” in its new campaign, specifically “real” couples.

The ads feature Nate Berkus, interior designer, and his fiancé, former Rachel Zoe employee, Jeremiah Brent. Catch them in ads for BR’s California Collection.

FA R E W E L L I N FA SHI ON

Many are familiar with the brand Helmut Lang, and its sister brand, Theory. A huge force behind the Helmut Lang brand has been the creative directors, husband and wife, Michael and Nicole Colovos, who have been a part of the company for the past eight years. The duo was responsible for rebranding and carrying the successful label to its current day fame—and the brand is sad to see them go. Andrew Rosen, chief executive offer of Helmut Lang and Theory told WWD, “I want to extend my sincere thanks to Michael and Nicole for their commitment to the house and its successful evolution into a leading force in the contemporary marketplace. I am confident in their future and wish them all the best.”

K AT Y CO L L A BO RAT ES

The rumors are true—Katy Perry is coming to Claire’s.

Although the retailer is most famous for its accessories targeted to girls three to eighteen years old, the brand has recognized that globally, Perry is the person who resonates most with their customers.

The line will launch in May, to kick off Perry’s two year long PRISM tour, and will be comprised of pieces inspired and made by the superstar herself. In the recent past, Claire’s has also collaborated with Dylan’s Candy Bar and Sophia Grace and Rosie, the two adorable British singers made famous by performing Nicki Minaj’s “SuperBass” on Ellen.

These collaborations, like that with Perry, will be found globally in more than 3,000 Claire’s stores, with over 1,590 stores in the US alone.

EDITO R

S KIRT FIT STYL E SH OP, PANTOR A B Y ANDR E A PI TTE R TOP FI T STYL E SH OP, TR AFAL U C B L AZ E R FI T STYL E SH OP, TR AC Y R E E SE SH OE S B E TSE Y J OH NSON ACCE SSOR IE S FI T STYL E SH OP

The New Power Players W H E T H ER YO U ’ R E A N AT H L E T E O R A N AC T R E S S , W I T H A N EM P O W ER ED S EN S I B I L I T Y, W H O S AY S YO U R C LOS E T C A N ’ T R U L E T H E W O R L D? Photography by Collins Nai

Makeup by Jordyn Ferriss Direction by Victoria Vollo Styled by Aaron Alonso, Amanda Brohman, and Aaron Valentic Model Kimberly David

TODAY

SWE AT E R TO P S H O P SKIRT MONKI S O C K S KOS H K A B LO U S E V I N TAG E COAT C H O I E S B O OT S M O D EL’ S O W N ACTRES S SH IRT M ONK I L I P S T I C K FI T S T Y L E S H O PJ ACK E T U NI QL O

J E AN S V I NTAGE SH OE S OW N R IN GS FI T STYL E SH OP

PO L ITIC IAN

TOP M I ND C ODE PAN TS ANTH R OPOL OGI E , L E I FSDOTTI R J ACK E T & OTH E R STOR I E S J E W E L RY FI T STYL E SH OP L IP STICK FI T STYL E SH OP

AT H L E T E

S HIRT F I T S T YL E S HOP S HORT S F IT S T YL E SH OP, LE V I STR AUSS SIGNAT URE J AC KET F IT S T YL E SH OP, SE R GIO VALENT ES (VINTAGE) S HOES STE V E MA DDE N ACC ES S O R IE S F I T STYLE SH OP

ENT RE P RE NE UR

D RES S F IT S T YL E SH OP, PANTOR A BY ANDREA P IT T ER B LA ZER F I T S T YL E SH OP, TR ACY R E E SE NEC K LAC E F I T S T YLE SH OP

1970 s

D R E SS FI T S T Y L E S H O P, J EN C A R N AT I O N ACC E SS O R I E S FI T ST YLE SHOP S H O E S M O D EL’ S O W N

Power To The People

No matter age, body shape, skin tone or even height, these three key empowering pieces deserve a spot in every woman’s wardrobe.

By Aaron Valentic

THE POWER SUIT When one goes into their closet in hopes of searching for the perfect extra little garment to throw on to feel great in, it can come as a rather daunting task.

Trying on countless articles of clothing, whether it may be shirts, pants, dresses, (the list can truly go on and on), you quickly become overwhelmed and feeling anything but empowered. This inevitably sends you into a spiral of torture and demise within your mind, simply because you cannot find something to wear that you feel good in.

Yet, there is no need to fear, for the spring fashion season is finally upon us. And, after careful diagnosis of the spring RTW collections, we’ve identified three key items to empower your wardrobe.

No one can make a pantsuit look as chic as Hedi Slimane for Saint Laurent. Each season, Slimane creates perfectly tailored, classically adorned pantsuits that appeal to women of all ages. Even with the skyhigh price points, if you are looking to purchase or even update a power suit, look to Slimane for tailored, no frill pantsuits that will remain a timeless member of your closet.

THE POWER BAG

When I see a woman walking down the street with a structured handbag that looks as light as a feather, I won’t lie… I get chills. For Spring 2014, Versace has done it again with the Versace Signature Collection Tote in a cool and sophisticated purple pastel color. Nothing screams empowerment more than a sharp, sophisticated tote in crocodile.

THE POWER SHOE

Finally, nothing gives a woman more confidence and more empowerment than a great shoe. Carolina Herrera’s Spring 2014 show featured ankle strap stilettos done in silk pastel and cream tones for an elegant edge. This specific style of shoe is available across the board at countless price points—the key is the feminine t-strap.

Men’s Spotlight: Which Product is Right for Your Hair?

By Joey O’Brien

“The Volumizing Look” Gel comes in a variety of hold strengths and when applied to wet hair, can leave it stiff and shiny. Go with a strong hold if you want stiffness or a lighter one if you want to emphasize waviness and make hair more manageable. But don’t squeeze the bottle too hard—some gels produce white flakes if you comb your hair after the it has dried.

If you think about it, hair is lazy. It never does anything on its own—unless you mean cowlicks and knots. So, we’re expected to own enough gels, pomades, and mousses to overflow our bathroom cabinets: until now. We’ve taken a good, hard look at men’s hair products to show you how to choose the right

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one for your hair—without buying out the entire haircare aisle.

“The Natural Look” Cream is the perfect product for thick, curly, or coarse hair s it contains moisturizing ingredients like olive oil and chamomile. It also tames those stubborn flyaway hairs without adding grease or sacrificing the hair’s natural look.

AMERIC A N C REW FORMING C REAM , $ 1 8 , AVA ILABLE AT GROOMING LOUNGE .

“The Sleek Look” Pomade was originally intended to create shine, but today, most have a water base for easier distribution: It gives the hair smoothness and definition without looking greasy. It’s also creamier than wax, so it’s the perfect choice for men with curly or thick hair.

MALIN+ GOE TZ POMADE, $20, AVAILA BLE AT MALIN + G OE TZ .

The Dapper and The Shoe

By Steven Rodriquez

DAPPER: to be neat and trim in dress, appearance, or bearing.

But what is any dapper man without the right shoe? Incomplete. Some see shoes as merely an accessary, but they play an essential role in any man’s look. Where the rest of one’s ensemble may lack, a shoe can make up with color, texture, and a dose of creativity. Most importantly, the shoe is an expression of style that dances to the beat of its wearer and reveals a truth about one’s own style. Although the term “dapper” refers to a man’s overall presence, one could say its true meaning resides in a man’s shoes.

We talked to Richard Ponce, owner/head craftsman at artisanal leather goods restoration company Cordwainers NYC, and all around expert on the perfect shoe.

Impeccably crafted from fine leather, these shoes will make a statement wherever you go.

Day or night with a trouser or jean, these shoes will add a level of sophistication that will have people talking.

Zara Tailored Oxford Shoe, $139, available at Zara.

Steven Rodriguez: “Cordwainers NYC” is a very unique name—how did you go about choosing it?

Richard Ponce: Cordwainers NYC came to me because cordwainers were the original shoemakers and were also part of a guild in England. So the idea was to try to bring back that old school artisanal workmanship, but give it a new twist.

SR: What does a pair of shoes mean to you?

RP: A pair of shoes to me is style, it’s comfort, and it’s

personality. You can tell a lot about a person by their shoe.

SR: What goes through your mind when you are restoring a shoe?

RP: In an ideal situation, when we restore a shoe, we try to bring back the same aesthetic that the manufacturer gave it.

So for instance, if it had leather soles, then we put back leather soles—unless the client wants something different, then we try to accommodate that person.

SR: What is the hardest part of a shoe to fix, and why?

RP: The hardest of shoes to fix would be the shank [the supportive structure between the insole and outsole], because to get to the shank, you have to take the entire shoe apart. You either have to replace the shank or fix it and then put the shoe back together.

SR: When touching up a shoe’s color, what are some of factors that you must consider?

RP: The finish is the first. If it’s suede it’s a completely different process or if it’s smooth leather we use a different type of chemical.

And so all of that goes into play in each restoration. Also the different types of colors are important. There are certain colors that are harder to match than others.

SR: How do you feel when a customer walks away very happy and satisfied with your work?

RP: It’s the best satisfaction you can get as a business owner to know that you’ve been able to rekindle that connection that person had with those pair of shoes or that bag. They feel like they’ve gone shopping when they come back to my store, because it seems like it’s brand new pieces they’re getting back.

Some are like “I can’t believe you fixed it!”

SR: What is your vision for Cordwainers NYC in the future?

RP: I would like to see Cordwainers with a couple other strategic locations in the city.

I think we have a really good concept, we do excellent work, and I would like to share my craftsmanship with the rest of New York.

For more information on the services provided at Cordwainers NYC, visit cordwainersnyc.com

Beautiful works of art and creativity, these chukka boots will breathe life into any look with a vibrant floral print.

Steven Madden Ikee, $159.95, available at Steve Madden.

QUALITY SHOE & HANDBAG REPAIR LEATHER RESTORATION LEATHER EXPERTS 10 % off on your first service OFFER valid thru March 31, 2013

5 Must-Have Apps For Every FIT Student

By Carolina Jimenez TRENDABL (FREE) Welcome to style’s version of Instagram, Trendabl! With its easy layout, you can take a photo, add a filter, and share your wardrobe with followers as well as tag things based on designer, color, or even price. This app can even be used as a shopping search tool for those looking for a specific brand or street style inspiration.

P S D E P T. ( F R E E ) As the Genius Bar for fashion, PS Dept. allows customers to access in-store experts at over 40 different luxury brands, including Stella McCartney, Diane von Furstenberg, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Theory. Why not have your own private team of fashion experts on call 24/7 with just the swipe of your fingers?

Whether you’re looking something specific or need style advice for a event, PS Dept. is there to answer your questions and concerns through pictures from their current collection.

STYLEBOOK ($3.99) With over 90 features, Stylebook brings your closet to the palm of your hand. You can mix and match with what you own, comparing new purchases to what you have in your closet, plan outfits you’ll wear on vacation or an event, and save all your favorite style inspirations in just one place.

Organization is the ultimate fashion accessory.

THINK DIRTY (FREE) Simply scan the barcode of any beauty product and Think Dirty gives a breakdown of the ingredients and how they impact your health. It’s the easiest way to understand the product, its ingredients, and cleaner alternatives. Through an independent source, this app allows you to compare products as you shop and rates them from 1 to 10 on a scale of safety.

BEAUTIFIED (FREE) It-girl and DJ Hannah Bronfman co-founded Beautified, the ultimate instant beauty app-ointment service. Whether you need a blowout, manicure, or facial, Beautified locates the nearest and readily available spas and salons. Just book and get beautified!

Love At First Bite: Bite Beauty’s SoHo Lip Lab

By Nora McCarten | Photography by Ashley Naftaly In a small space on Prince Street in SoHo, big things are happening in the Bite Beauty Lip Lab. The Toronto-based company, founded by Susanne Langmuir, creates stunning lip colors using ingredients so natural, they’re actually edible.

The Lab allows makeup junkies to experience the ultimate cosmetic adventure: creating a custom lipstick shade.

Store manager Melissa Colon spearheads the first and only location, and her passion for the brand and for the art of makeup shines through brilliantly.

Melissa led me through the process of creating my unique lipstick. During the color consultation, Melissa asked me what I was looking for and mixed pigments together to create my ideal shade. Once we discovered the right formula, she went on to melt several truffles of color and added drops of the essential oils I had selected for scent: vanilla and wild berry.

The mixture was then poured into the bullet molds and placed into the refrigerator. A few short minutes later, a beautiful and totally one-of-a-kind lipstick emerged. I didn’t think makeup could get any more fun than it was before my visit, but I was totally wrong! Next time I’m looking for an out-of-the-box shade (or just an afternoon of fun), you’ll definitely find me back at the Lab. O N E L A S T L O O K : Here I am

leaving with my custom shade, a personalized color card, and a recommendation for everyone to experience the Bite Beauty Lip Lab!

We can’t take credit for concocting these products, but we’re loving Bite’s new Agave Lip Mask and Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Satsuma.

Shades of Spring:

Ombré Nails

By Katie Farrell

Have you ever been scrolling through your Instagram feed only to find yourself admiring an amazing nail design that makes your heart flutter? Come on…we know you have.

Soon after, you realize that you have no clue how to recreate it. Well, lucky for us all, nail art is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps below to create salon quality ombré nails that’ll have your friends doing double takes. If you give this design a try, be sure to tweet us @blushmagfit for a chance to be featured in our next issue!

STEP ONE▼ Choose three of your favorite pastel nail polishes in the same color family and start by applying the lightest shade to your entire nail— after your base coat, of course!

STEP TWO▲ Next take your middle shade and drop a small amount on a palette or piece of paper, then take a sponge, grab some polish, and dab onto your nail. Aim to cover the bottom two thirds.

QUI C K TI PS Try to sponge on your next color while the previous shade is still wet.

This creates the best natural shading effect!

We used a section of a makeup sponge for this design— a tool any beauty lover will have!

STEP THREE▼ Now take your last and darkest shade and repeat the sponging technique, but to the last third of your nail. Using the same sponge will help with the gradient effect.

STEP FOUR▲ Last, but certainly not least, seal your brand new ombré design with your favorite topcoat to make sure the color stays put!

What’s In Her Makeup Bag

By Rebecca Aschen

SOON-TO-BE GRADUATE, LARYSSA STAHL, RECENTLY LET US TAKE A PEEK INSIDE HER WELL-CURATED MAKEUP BAG. WITH PLANS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY, THE AMC MAJOR’S MAKEUP BAG IS A TRUE REFLECTION OF HER PASSION FOR ALL THINGS BEAUTY. THIS GIRL SURE KNOWS HOW TO KEEP A FRESH AND PRETTY LOOK GOING ALL DAY LONG—AND YOU GET TO SEE HOW IT’S ALL DONE! What’s the one beauty item you wouldn’t want to live without?

The one beauty item I couldn’t live without is the Caudalie VinoSource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum. It’s a complete lifesaver for dry skin, especially during the winter months.

It has become a staple in my skincare routine. I put it on right before my moisturizer to give me that extra source of hydration.

What’s your must have product for a hectic day at school?

My must-have for a hectic day at school is the Smashbox Photo Finish primer.

This helps ensure that my makeup stays put all day without moving. It really does what it says.

I don’t have to worry about touching up my makeup throughout the day.

Do you have any hidden-gem/underrated products that you adore?

One underrated product is the E.L.F blush. For $3, they are such a steal! I have used mine in Candid Coral so much that I’ve hit pan. For me, that’s a big deal since I’m always buying new products, so to make it through enough to see the pan really tells you that I love it!

Are there any products that you repurchase over and over again?

Along with countless Urban Decay products, I also am always repurchasing the Clinique Superfine liner for brows in Soft Blonde. I have red hair so it’s kind of difficult to find a good eyebrow shade, but this one is perfect! The thin tip allows for precision and also to not make the lines look as harsh. This is a great product if you need help filling in sparse areas of your brows. Finish off with a brow gel or clear mascara and you have brows that last all day!

What product makes you feel like a million dollars when you’re having an off day?

The combo of a great lipstick and perfume gives me confidence.

I go for fresh, light scents that aren’t too overpowering. Ralph

by Ralph Lauren is one that I recently started wearing. I love that I can spray it on and even the next day when I’m throwing on my scarf, I can still smell it!

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