Money may be tight but that won’t stop girls night. Hanging with the girls doesn’t always have to break the bank. There are plenty of options for getting together with the crew on a budget. Here are three ideas under $30 to help you get started.
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Scroll through the Beauty Line-Up of Tallahassee-based beauty-lover + digital creator, Brittany!
What’s your name + city you live in?
Hello my name is Brittany Seville and I currently live in Tallahassee, FL for college.
Beauty is all about being comfortable in your own skin + expressing your vibe. What are 2 beauty trends you’re loving this year?
Beauty is all about being comfortable in your own skin + expressing your vibe. two beauty trends I am loving this year are Graphic and over the top eyeliner looks and wearing blush (or any red color eyeshadow) under my eyes.
If you had only 15 seconds to grab 3 beauty products, what would they be?
I would Grab my Brown lip liner, My eyebrow pencil (of course), and my concealer.
Beauty inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate beauty icon OR what inspires your makeup looks + why?
I can’t say that I have a beauty icon but I definitely pull the majority of my inspo off of pinterest! I am often inspired the most by the looks that have more of a futuristic and colourful vibe.
A mixture of everyday glam and bold colourful eye makeup.
How does your makeup reflect your personal style?
My makeup reflects my style in a way that shows that I take risks but sometimes like to stay safe, just in case.
What’s one beauty must-have that lives in your bag?
I would have to say my “club hopper” NYX LIp Liner. I honestly don’t go anywhere without it. She and I are one.
What’s your number 1 beauty rule?
My number one beauty rule is to do whatever makes you feel like the best version of you. you don’t need to follow trends or stay safe just because you feel like no one else is looking like you. The best part about a beauty routine is that it’s customizable to each individual person. I always say “if I go out and look like everyone else, how are you supposed to spot me out from the rest.”
Follow more of Brittany’s looks here:
Natural Beauty In The Age Of BBL
Written by Naya Solomon
BBL Problems. BBL Behavior. The BBL Effect. DO any of these phrases ring a bell?
A couple monthss back, a viral video had Twitter in pretty high spirits- the clip
showed a line of recent BBL patients looking to board planes as wheelchair passengers. Accompanied by lighthearted tweets from account owner @MuvaofGotti, stating things like, “-it’s 28 wheelchairs coming off this flight from DR and Delta losing their minds-” the internet found it hilarious, ridiculing the seemingly innumerable women lined up like dominoes after subjecting themselves to the same procedure.
A few others chimed in to express their mild concern, disbelief, and comedic sentiments for the surgeons responsible for making these women’s dreams come true. That following month, another twitter user came forward with a surprising letter from an unnamed Hotel, expressing their inability to accommodate so many post-operative stays.
It seems we as a people have reached an emotional impasse in regards to the BBL(Brazillian Butt Lift) Epidemic that has very clearly taken the country and its impressionable young women by storm. Despite its lighthearted presence online, what goes on beneath the surface is a bit more sinister.
As successful surgical videos circulate online and grace the eyes of young girls, teens, and women trapped in the house and online, we have to wonder what the effect of all this one-sided media will have.
Tiktok has given us “The BBL Effect,” an insanely popular trend started by creator @Antonibumba poking fun at the caricature that is the young woman with a bbl- she’s a socialite that uses apple pay at the deli. She drinks with a straw even though it’s bad for her lip-filler. She needs all her clothes altered. With her lips pursed and hair tossed over her shoulder, she is the moment. See: Kylie Jenner and Stassie Baby types. We see young people of all sorts imitating their favorite bbl-toting baddies.
Antonio’s latest video under the tag very casually addresses the viral tweets, suggests they be safe if planning to undergo the surgery, and almost quickly enough to dismiss it, mentions that the procedure was giving “life threatening vibes,” noting that their aunt died from one only six months prior.
The threat that bbl’s pose on the body is easily overlooked when the culture makes it palatable and popular. Now, no shade to Antonio they’re hilarious and we love and appreciate our black content creators- but this is an excellent example of how something so serious can become trivialized.
“BBL surgery” in the tiktok search bar will show you hundreds of patients documenting their experiences, some as young as nineteen years old- an age at which the body hasn’t finished developing.
So many of us have been online for so long we’ve forgotten how to log off. When faced with other women on social media so frequently, we forget that everything is strategically planned, our bodies are posed, our hair is coiffed, and nothing is ever as it seems. Naturalness isn’t a crime. Our perceptions of what is beautiful and attainable has been skewed by social media stunts and capitalistic endeavors. If lots of people make something popular, society begins to cater to it. As this surgery gained massive popularity, terms like “BBL Fashion” were coined, and it was suddenly easy to see what kinds of stores have always catered to the unattainable looks that wear on our confidence: Fashion Nova, Pretty Little Thing, clothes pulled tightly on mannequins shaped like coke bottles.
It’s painfully easy to fall victim to insecurity when society makes it palatable, but it’s not the only route to take. Perhaps it’s time we looked past our insecurities and at who and what preys on them. There’s nothing wrong with you at all, and there never was.
~ By Naya Solomon
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Twenty four hours. That’s how much time we have in one day to do everything that needs to get done. And sure, that seems like a lot at first, but once you’ve realized how many things you actually need to do, twenty four hours a day just seems insufficient. That being said, a lot of people, myself, included, focus on knocking tasks off their list and begin to discard items deemed “unimportant” like sleep.
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Multiple scientists have stated many times that the minimum amount of sleep needed in order to function correctly is somewhere between seven to nine hours. Now, you may be saying, “Well, I have other things to do! Homework to catch up on, and people to talk to; I don’t have seven hours to spare!” But you see, that’s the issue right there. The moment you tell yourself you don’t have the time for it, you start thinking you don’t need it, and that is not true… at all. Sleep is basically what your body uses to recharge, kind of like how you plug in your phone so that it doesn’t die. Much like a phone–or any other piece of technology really–the body begins to shut down or become sluggish when it’s battery starts to shut down. There’s many things that can happen if you don’t get the right amount of sleep.
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It’s very important to sleep, not just because of the effects that it has on your body and mental health now, but because of what it can do to you in the long term. For example, sleep deprivation has been linked to hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes, as well as obesity, diabetes, melancholy, and anxiety. It has also been linked to diminished brain function, memory loss, a weakened immune system, lower fertility rates, and psychiatric illnesses, it can even cause skin problems! On top of this, the risk of being involved in a car accident also increases. You see, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drowsy driving causes almost 100,000 traffic collisions each year, resulting in more than 1,500 deaths and 70,000 injuries. Sleep is something that, simply put, you absolutely need. Which is why keeping a sleep schedule is so important!
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One of the best ways for this to happen is to go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. This might sound hard to do, especially if you’re the kind of person that usually has a very hectic and uneven schedule with classes. But, the easiest solution to this problem is simply to allow yourself to shorten the list of things you have to do in one day. It’s okay to feel stressed or anxious with the amount of things you need to get done, but what isn’t okay is to give up your health because it seems “unimportant”.
Your health, and sleep, are two things that aren’t worth the bargain.
~ Teen blogger, Claudia Lopez
What’s your name + city you live in?
If you had only 15 seconds to grab 3 beauty products, what would they be?
Glossier future dew, Elf wow brow, Milk makeup blur liquid.
Beauty inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate beauty icon OR what inspires your makeup looks + why?
My ultimate beauty icon is Yara Shahidi. I love how fun and youthful her makeup looks are!
How does your makeup reflect your personal style?
I’m very laid back. I love natural beauty so I try to keep my look fresh and simple. My goal typically is to look moisturized. Sometimes when I’m feeling adventurous, I like to add a cute detail like a sparkly lid, freckles, or pastel eyeliner.
What’s one beauty must-have that lives in your bag?
One beauty must-have in my bag is my sunscreen. It makes a perfect primer & base for makeup, protects my skin, & is the secret to that beautiful glow. I really like the brand Black Girl Sunscreen.
What’s your number 1 beauty rule?
Always remove your makeup before going to bed!
Scroll through the Style Line-Up of Philly-based fashion-lover, Azaila!
By Teen Blogger: Claudia Lopez
Healthier Habits, Healthier Life
Being healthier is perceived as a very difficult task sometimes. Well, to tell you the truth leading a healthier life isn’t as hard as it seems. One of the easiest ways to lay the foundation for a more wholesome life is by creating healthy habits.
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Being healthy is a lifestyle. So your habits just don’t necessarily have to be about “eating healthier” all the time. It could be to start a self-care routine, clean your room every morning, or even simply to read books!
The best way to create habits is to start off with small goals. For example, if your goal is eating better, you can simply start by eating three meals a day and drinking lots of water! Then as time passes, slightly increase your goal to switch out the not-so-healthy foods with better options. When creating these habits it is crucial that you don’t just jump right into the deep end of things.
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You also need to make sure to give yourself a break. If you break the cycle of your habits that is okay! Don’t give yourself a hard time for being human. Just make sure you get back up and start again where you left off. This is important because if your habits begin to cause you stress or makes you feel bad, you more than likely will quit altogether.
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Good habits are essential for our day-to-day lives. Once you have gotten used to the feeling of doing them, it will come natural to you!
~ Teen blogger, Claudia Lopez
Follow more of Claudia HERE
Scroll through the Style Line-Up of Tulsa-based fashion-lover + blogger, Avery!
What’s your name, age + the city you’re from?
Hey y’all! My name is Avery, I’m 18 (soon to be 19) and I’m from Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Style is showing who you are without having to speak! If you had to line–up your top 3 trends you’re feeling this season what would they be?
Neutrals are probably my favorite trend from the winter, especially brown and grey since they’re such versatile colors. Besides that, I really live for collars under sweatshirts for that ultra preppy look, and I love plaid shackets (shirt/jacket-hybrid).
Describe your style in 3 words:
I would describe my style as feminine, fresh, and ever-changing because I’m always shopping for the newest trends!
Style inspo is everything! Who’s your ultimate fashion icon + why?
My ultimate fashion icons are easily Blackpink. I love their onstage wardrobe SO much. Their outfits really embody a good mix of masculinity and femininity, and their individual styles always complement one another. I want to raid their closets so bad!!
Getting ready in the morning can be fun but stressful if you’re in a time crunch, what’s your go-to outfit if you’re in a rush?
Hmm..my go-to currently would probably be my white turtleneck, ripped mom jeans, white forces with white socks, topped off with a gold necklace + hoops.
What’s your number 1 rule when it comes to style?
My number one rule is to wear what you want as long as you’re comfortable. Somebody is always going to have something to say about your clothes, whether you wear what you want or not. So just do what you want with your fits anyways. Life is short!
Follow Avery here!
(Interview by teen bloggers: A’Yanna Rouse, Sidney Charlemagne + Kiarra Charlemagne)
Tori Nichel is a fashion designer and entrepreneur who has carved out a major lane for herself in the fashion industry! Growing up in Detroit Michigan and throughout her childhood, she had a passion for fashion and sketching. After dedicating her time apprenticing with a retired designer, she later attended Michigan State University and Fashion Institute of Technology where she earned multiple degrees in Fashion Design. She went on to design and played pivotal roles in the fashion industry such as Senior Designer at Kenneth Cole and Head Designer at Tibi. She was also a contestant on NBC’s hot show, Fashion Star where she competed against other talented designers.
Having a passion of expressing herself, Tori launched her own business and label that represents her style and aesthetics!
She is currently also the Design Director for Kohl’s New York Design Office, she has led design teams to collaborate with numerous brands and celebrities like Jennifer Lopez.
Although she is one of the few African Americans in her position, she is committed to paving the way for the next generation of Black design talent through coaching, mentorship and career development.
Let’s get to know Tori a little better…
What inspired you to have a passion for the fashion community?
When I was about seven years old, I knew that I would be a fashion designer. All the women inspired me in my family; my mom was the oldest of six, which included four sisters who were all fashionable. I always chose to hang out with them because they were always shopping. I believe that this somewhat inspired me. Also, seeing pictures of my grandmother, my mom, and my aunts inspired me. They were so stylish and would wear gloves and hats while going to church which I absolutely loved.
From your website, you mention about helping the next generation and helping invent brands, what does it mean to you to uplift others and help others stand out?
I genuinely believe that you have to reach behind, pull someone with you, and pass the baton. It is important, and many reasons why I am passionate about this is I didn’t have that trying to navigate the fashion world. No one in my family knew what to do with me in the fashion industry at all. When I got to New York, and when I got into the industry, I realized no one looks like me. It is so important to take the learnings, the opportunities that I have been able to explore and pass that on to the next generation. I know how important it is because when I was creating my business, it was very hard, and it felt like it was only one of me. If I only had one source where I can rely on, that was only half of the battle. I want to be that resource to give others what they need to be in their career.
I learned early the importance of building relationships and the importance of nurturing your network as well. It is also important to have representatives of black women and to make sure that we share our resources with our community and setting everyone up for a successful future.
FASHION STAR — “Sex Sells” Episode 202 — Pictured: Tori Nichel — (Photo by: Tyler Golden/NBC)
What inspired you to start your business?
I felt like the movie Mahogany! I just wanted to have my own business. I set my goal, and I achieved it, and now I think, “now what do I do?” I was very strategic in the jobs that I took because I knew that was my endgame. I had great professors and people. I would go to a lot of speaking engagements and just listen to people talk on businesses. Work for somebody and learn the in’s and out’s of that business on someone’s elses dollars before you spend your limited funds. As I got into those roles, I took on more work to learn all aspects of the industry. For my second job, I shadowed many other fields like PR, production team, etc., and it worked for four and a half years. Then I changed from a big corporation to a small company because I needed to work hands-on to learn how to start my own business. For people who know, I think I was an entrepreneur before a fashion designer. I still want to be an entrepreneur, and I think there is nothing better. If I can contribute that to my community and leave a legacy, that would be wonderful.
What is your proudest project, and why?
My proudest project would have to be launching my namesake collection Tori Nichel. It had always been a dream of mine ever since I was a little 7-year-old girl, and to be able to live my dream was remarkable truly. I sometimes still pinch myself!
What are the steps that you took to become successful and the women that you are today?
One of the things that definitely helped me at a younger age, shape myself as a designer was getting into sketching, dedication, and being curious. Although I didn’t have anyone to teach me sketching, looking at magazines definitely helped me. One thing that was very pivotal in my career was that, from high school to my junior year in college, I started apprenticing with a retired designer, model, and professor from the Art Institute in Chicago. By doing this, I learned pattern making and draping as well as professionalism. Later on, I got accepted to FIT and that foundation helped build the person I am today.
What is your advice for someone that wants to follow in your footsteps?
First and foremost, own your truth, own every ounce of that authenticity that you were given by your family, and why you are here on earth. Do not let anything stop you from achieving your goal. Show up in your truth, own who you are with any stage that you are given. Be fearless; if you don’t engage yourself and ask questions you’ll never know the opportunities that you can have.
What are the responsibilities that you have on a daily basis?
I am the design director for Nine West at Kohls and my day usually starts around 9 in the morning. Typically I have 3 fittings a week. I also guide and present various ideas to my team at meetings for seasonal clothing so that we can receive a sign-off from our merchants and leadership. Usually, a couple of hours of my day are spent discussing details with my designers and guiding them on development.
What qualities do you think an entrepreneur should have and why?
Passion and love. Whatever your business is, you’ve got to love it! There are going to be times where you are on top of your game and times where you are down and wondering “what did I get myself into”. You’ve got to love it because, on those harder days, your love and the passion alone is going to get you out of those hard days and back on level ground. Also it needs to feel like it’s not work because you love it so much. Hence, discipline, because as an entrepreneur you don’t have a boss, so you have to give yourself a structure and stay on track. Be curious and willing to learn as well.
Follow more of Tori’s journey here:
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