May 2017

Skin Care: 5 tips for healthy skin- including sun protection and gentle cleansing — can keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Published on May 30, 2017July 5, 2018 by Crystal LeeLeave a comment

Don’t have time for intensive skin care? You can still pamper yourself by acing the basics. Good skin care and healthy lifestyle choices can help delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Get started with these five quick and easy tips:

1. Protect yourself from the sun

One of the most important ways to take care of your skin is to protect it from the sun. Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increase the risk of skin cancer.

For the most complete sun protection:

I generally use the Maybelline New York dream BB Fresh Cream that has SPF 30 but you can use sunscreen too if you like. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and apply the sunscreen/BB Cream generously.
Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Protect your eyes with sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays. When UV light is strongest are between 10 am and 3 pm (standard time) or 11 am and 4 pm (daylight saving time).
Try to plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays are less intense. But, if you can’t avoid the sun between those time then wear long sleeved clothes. Try to wash your clothes with a UV -repellent laundry detergent .
Drink plenty of water

2. Don’t smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health.
Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.

If you smoke, the best way to protect your skin is to quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3. Treat your skin gently

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on your skin. To keep it gentle:

Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm — rather than hot water.
Avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.
To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.
After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin.
If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

4. Eat a healthy diet

I know it is hard, trust me I deal with this battle everyday. But try to find something that motivates you to eat better. Start cutting things out and eating smaller portions. It is all about starting somewhere.

For example: Lately I’ve been drinking soda a lot but I don’t eat candy anymore.

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. The association between diet and acne isn’t clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

5. Manage stress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy. The results might be more dramatic than you expect.

Focus on the positive things that is going on in your life now
Live your life for yourself
Eliminate the negative people out of your life. Your space, your bubble, and etc is very important. Choose wisely who you let in.
Exercise
Smile and laugh
Get social support, Talk about your problems
Meditate, yoga
Use your time wisely
Eat a healthy diet
Make time for hobbies
Take a breather and relaxed
Take control
Get more sleep
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine
Start Writing, it doesn’t have to make sense. Writing helps me to heal and it makes me a very happy girl.
Soothing bath
Develop healthy responses
Establish boundaries
Drink a cup of water
Ditch the “should”
Go for a walk
Take a break from technology, Take a break from people
Use positive self-talk
Focus on right now

LAURA

Published on May 17, 2017March 1, 2018 by Crystal Lee3 Comments

laura9

INTERVIEWED BY CRYSTAL LEE

1. What inspired you to become a graphic designer?

” I’ve always had a talent for art, I’ve been drawing and painting since I was three. But I didn’t decide on it as a career until my second year of college.

2. What have you learned during this journey?

” I’ve learned that failure is an option. In order to know what success feels like, you have to fail a few times. Pick yourself back up and keep on pushing for your goals.

3. What do you define as beauty?

” Beauty is what you define it as. For me, beauty is not only on the outside and how you carry yourself, but also what you put out into the universe to bring light to others’ lives.

4. How do you deal with your own insecurities and what advice can you give other women who have them?

” Embrace your insecurities. Instead of me hiding my cellulite, for instance, I show it off, because that is just the human body and we all have one.

5. What are some of the worst decisions you’d have made, how have they affected you and what did you learn from them?

” This may sound shallow, but I think the worst decision I’ve made is trying to conform to beauty standards with my hair. I wanted so bad to have straight hair as a child. Looking back, I should have embraced my uniqueness. My hair was always huge back in the day, but due to chemicals and straighteners, it’s nowhere near its lush beauty. With my decisions in life, I wish I hadn’t been so naive. It probably would have saved me a lot of heartbreak.

6. What advice can you give to young women who are interested in following your footsteps?

” Do what you want to do. Don’t let the system hold you back. If you want to start modeling, take pictures. If you want to enter the fashion industry, start styling. Invest in yourself. Go with your gut.

7. Growing up what did you struggle the most with and how different is that today?

” Growing up I struggled most with my trusting of people. I was extremely naive. It wasn’t until my 20s that I began to take people as they are, rather than expecting a fairy tale love or friendship.

8. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? What goals do you want to accomplish?

” In 10 years, I’d love to have a steady income from fashion blogging, but will definitely still be designing full-time. I also see myself in a bigger city out west.

9. Do you have any beauty routines and if so, what are they?

” I try to stick with all natural products for my skin. I wash my face morning and night, tone my skin with apple cider vinegar, and use lavender oil from glowwgoddess.com before applying makeup. I also stick to vegan and nontoxic makeup. I love to exfoliate a couple of times a week as well. It’s great for the whole body! I usually use a sea salt exfoliant or make my own with brown sugar.

10. Do you have any upcoming events or plans we should watch out for?

” I have several exciting projects coming up in the near future. Definitely keep an eye out on Instagram and my blog, lyfeaslars.com!

11. Where do you find peace?

” I always find peace in the gym. It’s a great place to get my thoughts together and plan out my goals. I also find peace when I’m alone with my sketchbook.

12. What are some beauty tips you can give to our girls?

” I try to stick with all natural products for my skin. I wash my face morning and night, tone my skin with apple cider vinegar, and use lavender oil from glowwgoddess.com before applying makeup. I also stick to vegan and nontoxic makeup. I love to exfoliate a couple of times a week as well. It’s great for the whole body! I usually use a sea salt exfoliant or make my own with brown sugar.

13. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?

” The most significant barrier to female leadership would most likely be society’s views of women. Honestly, we should be on a pedestal. We give life to everything on this planet. Start treating us like queens.

14. Is there anything you’d like to share that you wish someone had shared with you?

” Stop caring about what people think. What do YOU think? If you are satisfied, great. If not, keep pushing until you reach that goal. Get rid of toxic people. Get rid of insecurities. Get rid of any negativity that stunts your growth. You are more than you believe.

15. How would you describe yourself in one word?

” I would describe my self as a daydreamer

16. What do you do for fun?

” Well, my fashion blog is something I do for fun, definitely. I also love traveling, eating at hole-in-the-wall diners, working out, and getting any art done when I can.

17. Does your family and friends support your dream?

” I think my family and friends support me, yes. I’ve received nothing but love for my successes.

18. What is success to you?

” Success to me is happiness. When you achieve happiness in your mind, you’ve made it. Only then can you excel at reaching for bigger goals.

19. When did your love of fashion begin?

” My love for fashion began after college. I was finally able to afford something other than bread and crackers, haha!

20. Who is your celebrity crush?

” I don’t dabble into celebrity obsessions, but if I had to pick, Rihanna. She just embodies the strong, independent woman.

21. Is there any woman who inspires you? Why?

” Tons of women inspire me! All the gorgeous ladies I’ve found on Instagram starting new businesses and becoming the queens they are meant to be, just truly inspirational. I love working with girl bosses.

22. Who would you love to collaborate with if you had the opportunity?

” I would love to collaborate with BIG name photographers and magazines one day. I mean modeling for Balmain is every girls’ dream, right?!

23. I see that you are also a model, do you have a role model that is in the modeling industry? If so, Who and why?

” I truly appreciate women like Zendaya and Ashley Graham. Both so different, but with the same message—don’t take shit from people. Be yourself and live your best life. Its great to receive a message like that from two completely different looking models.

24. You have extremely gorgeous body and gorgeous skin. Do you have any tips on how to get and keep clear and healthy skin? Do you workout and if so, what are your fitness routines?

” Thank you! I definitely have the occasional blemish and especially during my cycle, but my tips would be: eat clean—no dairy, fruits and veggies all the way; exercise daily; ALWAYS wash your face morning and night; and use all natural products—no drug store chemicals. My fitness routine is pretty intense. I work out at least 5 days a week. Two to three days a week I do fasted cardio. Later in the day I’ll do my weights: 2 leg days, shoulder day, arm day, chest/back/core day. Also see #9.

25. What was the biggest change you had to make in life?

” My diet and my mindset were the biggest changes I’ve had to make so far. For my diet, I had to switch to an all natural lifestyle. I have the occasional cheat meal and drink, about twice a month. It started for medical reasons, but now I love it. For my mindset, I had to really define what happiness was for myself. Was happiness a bundle of material items? Or was it something that I had to search for in my brain? It was like a finally turned on a switch and decided that positivity is all I want for myself and the people around me.

26. How do you feel about surgery?

” If women want to enhance their physicality with surgery, by all means, do it and own it. But don’t be a “Kardashian” and act like it’s “all natural”, because baby boo, we know it’s not.

27. What do you think is holding this generation of women back?

” I think the system is holding this generation of women back. We need to get rid of the old white men in power and take it for ourselves.

28. Are you dating? What is your type?

” No, I’m not dating.

29. Do you consider yourself as a role model?

” I don’t consider myself a role model, but then again, I’ve never thought of it. I do express myself in my style in ways that I want all women to express themselves. Just don’t be afraid of what others think. Don’t be afraid of your nipple showing because society says it’s disgusting, or whatever. It’s the human body. Own it and do you, boo!

30. What made you decide to become a blogger?

” I became a blogger after peer pressure from my college mates. The older I got, the more into fashion I became, and they urged me to get on Instagram, which prompted my website. I was so inspired by other bloggers, I decided to give it a try.

FUN FACTS:

I was born and raised in Louisiana with a French-Cajun/Creole heritage
I have five siblings
I’m on a vegetarian diet
I’ve heard I do a great Britney Spears impression

↣Instagram-@lyfeaslars

↣SnapChat-lpfluff

↣Blog-lyfeaslars.com

Time Tested Beauty Tips

Published on May 15, 2017February 17, 2018 by Crystal LeeLeave a comment

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years only grows.

Sam Levenson

JULIA ROSE

Published on May 11, 2017March 1, 2018 by Crystal Lee12 Comments

INTERVIEWED BY CRYSTAL LEE

1. What inspired you to become a model?

” I love being able to work with different photographers to make art come to life. Modeling allows me to travel and to see new place and meet new people while working.

2. What have you learned during this journey?

” I have learned that some days are going to be better than others. Some days you wake up feeling confident and beautiful and other days you don’t feel like getting out of bed. But pushing through it and learning to love yourself through the process is important.

3. What do you define as beauty?

” I define beauty as being confident and loving every inch of yourself. I know it sounds cheesy and I know it’s way harder than it sounds but learning to love yourself, even your scars…that’s beautiful.

4. How do you deal with your own insecurities and what advice can you give other women who have them?

” I embrace them. Most people try to hide their insecurities but I feel like our insecurities are what makes us stand out and be individuals. A model can feel insecure about something that ends up booking her a job. For me, it is my jaw. I have always had a HUGE jaw…and was made fun all through out high school, I mean kids would sing the JAWS theme song when I would walk down the hallway, but as I get older I have learner to embrace it and it ends up being the highlight of some of my photos.

5. What are some of the worst decisions you’d have made, how have they affected you and what did you learn from them?

” Some of my worst decisions were not being honest in certain circumstances and being scared of what people would think. I learned that you can’t make everyone happy but it’s always better to disappoint people with the truth rather than entertain them with a lie.

6. What advice can you give to young women who are interested in following your footsteps?

” I would give them the advice to not follow my footsteps but create their own. Every model has to take a different path to their goals and dreams. But always, always believe in yourself and use people telling you that you can’t do it as fuel to prove them wrong and to do it.

7. What made you decide to do Are You The One? Would you ever do “reality” TV again?

” I decided to do AYTO because it was an opportunity to spend a month in a Hawaii and its an opportunity that not a lot of people get to have. I thought it was going to be ALOT different from it was. At this point, I am not sure “reality” TV is my thing. You have to have a lot of drama in order to keep people entertained, and right now I am really focused on my career and I am trying to separate myself from all the drama.

8. Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? 20 years? What goals do you want to accomplish?

” In ten years I see myself being a published model. I hope to have my first book published within the next couple of years along with appearing in Sports Illustrated. 20 year…oh goodness I would be 43! Probably settled down with a couple of little Julias running around. Overall I want to accomplish happiness, and knowing that I put in a lot of hard work through out my life; while helping a lot of people in the process.

9. Do you have any beauty routines and if so, what are they?

” I have had trouble with my skin in the past so I live by drinking a big glass of warm lemon water right when I wake up and drinking as much water as possible through out the day. Also rubbing coconut oil on my face before going to sleep.

10. Do you have any upcoming events or plans we should watch out for?

” I will be in New York May 19th for my Sports Illustrated casting call so I have a feeling there will be much more to come after that.

11. What keeps you motivated?

” Honestly, my boyfriend Stephen. There are so many days I don’t want to eat healthy or go to the gym but he is always there pushing me to work harder and telling me I can do it.

12. What are some fitness tips you can give to our girls?

” DRINK LOTS OF WATER. I know people say it all the time, but it makes such a different. Also, mix up work out routines and keep things interesting. Even getting up and hiking, or 15 minutes of cardio is better than nothing.

13. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership?

” I think the most significant barrier is each other. There are so many girls that are mean to other girls when they know how hard it is to be a girl. We should just realize that we are a team and that we should be uplifting each other, not trying to be better than one another. More compliments, less criticism.

14. Growing up did you play any sports? If so, can you name them?

” I played softball pretty much from the time I could walk all the way through college.

15. How would you describe yourself in one word?

” Strong. I have been through a lot and I am always working on picking myself up and learning to be better.

16. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?

” I love to camp! It has recently become one of my favorite things to do, along with going to the flea market.

17. Does your family and friends support your dream?

” Most of them. I grew up in the south so my family is pretty conservative (especially my grandma) but they are just looking out for me.

18. Are you dating anyone?

” I am…Stephen from my season of AYTO.

19. Name 2 of your guilty pleasures:

” CHOCOLATE and sleeping in.

20. How have being on Are You The One changed your life?

” It has definitely made my private life more public, but it has opened many doors for me and allowed me to meet so many different people.

21. Is there any woman who inspires you? Why?

” Lana Del Rey, she just embraces being unique and embraces being a woman. I love her outlook on life and struggles.

22. Who would you love to collaborate with if you had the opportunity?

” The same as answer 21 lol. I would love to collaborate with Lana Del Rey, she is a woman who has had her own set of struggles with society but is so strong and mysterious at the same time.

23. What is your favorite candy?

” anything covered in chocolate.

24. You have a gorgeous skin. What is your skincare routine?

” I know I have said it many times, but drinking plenty of water and moisturizing with coconut oil at night really does the trick.

25. What was the biggest change you had to make in life?

” Moving from Texas to LA by myself without knowing anyone was very hard, but it was one of the best decisions of my life.

26. You seem like a genuine person with an amazing soul, how can we be friends? Lol

” We can be friends if you have a cute puppy.

27. Name 3 fashion trends that you think shouldn’t come back?

” Overalls, those platform flip-flops that were like six inches tall, and wearing jeans under dresses.

28. What is your favorite beauty product?

” COCONUT OIL for sure.

29. What book has inspired you the most? (OR What is your favorite book?)

” Anything by Ellen Hopkins. She has such a unique writing technique and writes about real life issues rather than some facade love story.

30. Are you friends with anyone from your season or that was on Are You The One?

” I mean obviously Stephen is pretty much my best friend but other than that, I talk to some of the others every once in a while… like Kay or Asaf. I even talk to Cam sometimes.

31. Since being on the show, who have you worked with?

” I have worked with so many different brands like Go Jane, HoneyPunch, Femmebot, Arsenic, and so many more.

32. What is your favorite beauty page/blog?

” Honestly, I don’t really have one. I am much more into fitness blogs like bagsandbunnies.

33. You get compared to Minka Kelly a lot, are you over it now? And, have you met her yet?

” No, if anything it is a major compliment…I have not met her yet but who knows what the future holds.

34. I like your tattoos, how many do you have? And, was there a meaning/story behind them?

” I have three. “Just Breathe” on my ribcage reminding me that when life gets tough to just breathe and remember its going to be okay. An arrow on my side to remind my that life is like an arrow.. you have to be pulled back in order to be shot forward. and an anchor on my ankle because I was eighteen and my friends all paid for it.

Tell us 4 facts about you.

– I am from the south and can make the best buttermilk pie ever.

– I can throw a football better than most guys can

– I will never love anything as much as my dog.

– I can lick my nose

↣Instagram: @its_juliarose