Tag: lifestyle

5 Beauty & Skincare Products That You Need This Season

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment

This article was originally published on February 12, 2021, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

Although there are so many new beauty and skincare products on the market, there are a few staples in my routine that I will never swap out! Read on to see what some of my favorite holy grail products are!

1. Glossier Boy Brow

The Glossier Boy Brow is a must-have! I love how it’s so easy to use, and with just a few swipes, the creamy wax visibly thickens, shapes and grooms brows into place. This product also lasts super long, so it’s perfect for warmer days!

2. Charlotte Tilbury Powder Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder

I’ve tried a variety of different powders throughout the years, but this Charlotte Tilbury powder is truly irreplaceable! The micro-fine powder gives off a truly airbrushed finished, and it doesn’t cake or sit in fine lines. It helps my makeup stay on the whole day, and it’s definitely one of my favorite purchases of all time! Plus, the packaging is super elegant.

3. Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish in Sheer Nirvana

Another favorite product of mine is this nail polish shade from Sally Hansen. The sheer pink mimics the natural color of nails, so that when applied, it makes nails look healthy and natural (with just a hint of understated glam), like you just got a manicure!

4. Beautyblender Power Pocket Puff

https://www.sephora.com/product/powder-puff-P434014

This next product is more of a beauty tool, but it’s still an essential for any makeup enthusiast, and it’s none other than the Beautyblender powder puff! Most of us are very familiar with the Beautyblender sponges, and I’m also a huge fan of them! I recently purchased their powder puff as well, and it truly makes such a difference in helping me achieve that poreless, airbrushed look! 

5. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex

https://www.esteelauder.com/product/689/77491/product-catalog/skincare/repair-serum/advanced-night-repair/synchronized-multi-recovery-complex

Last but not least is this serum from Estee Lauder. It’s fast-penetrating and helps to reduce multiple signs of aging. I’ve actually only been using this serum consistently for about a month and a half, and I’ve already seen noticeable differences in my skin. It looks more radiant, plump, and hydrated, and multiple fine lines have already faded, particularly the ones around my lip and the ones on my forehead.

That wraps up my recent beauty and skincare favorites! What are some of your favorite products?

Why Sizing Diversity Matters in the Fashion Industry

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment

This article was originally published on August 13, 2021, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

“What’s your size?”

This is a question that may seem harmless at first, but in reality, these words can be triggering to many—especially those who are suffering from an eating disorder or have negative feelings about their body. While the fashion industry has been trying to be more inclusive in recent years by hiring models of color to walk in their runway shows, the industry as a whole still tends to market its clothing to a generally slim consumer.

This is especially apparent when looking at high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, or Yves Saint Laurent, as couture and ready-to-wear collections tend to adhere to a “universal sample size.” From these brands’ perspectives, these design choices make it easier for them to have a quicker turnaround time for all of the pieces in their collections during times of high stress, such as Fashion Week.

However, what these brands fail to consider are the ramifications of this “universal sample size” that generally falls on the smaller or slimmer side of the sizing spectrum. When brands promote smaller sizes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they are encouraging society as a whole to accept it as the standard of beauty. This can have lasting negative effects since a generation of consumers will constantly and tirelessly strive to fit into an almost impossible standard of beauty.

Much like how fashion brands have started to diversify and include models of all races and ethnicities, it’s also crucial for the industry to start including models of all sizes. By promoting various sizes in important shows during Fashion Week, brands can start changing the way consumers perceive beauty and the standards of beauty. Though the change will be slow and can increase costs in the short run, in the long run, this change can positively impact our society as a whole and help a whole generation be more accepting of a universal truth—that all bodies and shapes are beautiful.

Female Owned Businesses in Los Angeles to Support

Elizabeth N. TranLeave a comment

This article was originally published on March 14, 2021, in 60 Seconds Magazine. As of June 3, 2023, 60 Seconds Magazine‘s website is no longer active.

It’s March, and that means it’s Women’s History Month! While we should celebrate the women in our lives everyday, I also wanted to take this opportunity to give a shoutout to some of my favorite local female-owned businesses in Los Angeles!

Republique

I’ve been a big fan of Republique for many years now! It’s the perfect spot for brunch, and the decor makes the experience of dining at Republique seem like a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Walter and Margarita Manzke own Republique and also serve as the chefs for the renowned restaurant, which is currently open for takeout and patio dining!

Nong La

Nong La’s take on traditional Vietnamese cuisine always makes me miss my grandma’s cooking! Siblings Elain and Victor Phuong opened the restaurant to honor their mother’s recipes, and all of the delicious dishes served at Nong La are reminiscent of the food found on the streets of Ho Chi Minh City!

Salt & Straw

If you’re in the mood for dessert, don’t forget to check out Salt & Straw, which is owned by Kim Malek. Salt & Straw has a very large presence in Los Angeles, since they have very unique flavors like Lemon Cheesecake Crumble and Cinnatopia Cinnamon Bun. The best part–the ice cream is sourced from family-owned Scott Brothers Dairy where cows are grass-fed and never given hormones or antibiotics.

Lavender & Honey

I love coffee, and one of my favorite female owned coffee shops is Lavender & Honey in Pasadena. Charlie and Melanie Porter started Lavender & Honey due to their love for cafe culture, and they have used their coffee shop as a way to make a difference in the community by sourcing their ingredients from local vendors.

What are some of your favorite female-owned businesses?