A little plain speaking

This blog is used for the sole purpose of having a big old girly (and guy-y) fashion conversation with people I both know personally and don't.

And I realize that a lot of people who either are in fashion/design school or are graduates spend their time reading my little product/fashion rants and raves (which, by the way, makes my day. And month. And year). I've been getting a lot of questions over the past few years about fashion design courses, grad schools (not like I know much about that, but I'll be able to tell you all in a bit), freelance work and jobs.

In no way am I saying I am some guru who just imparts wisdom and information to the masses.

I'm still young, and in no way have I 'made it' in any way that my Life Check List prescribes.

But.

I realize that there are some many experiences that I have gone through that have taught me a LOT. And I want to share some stuff with you guys, especially people in and around my field.

This is not a rant, just a post I feel like I need to make to be able to help you guys make better choices. If you want to disregard this and make new mistakes, PLEASE DO. No one ever learns, otherwise. I, for one, listened to no one about anything, made some really interesting choices and ended up going WTF after most of them. It's okay. At least it helped me make this blogpost :P

Where I am now: Now, I graduated in 2014, and I've held only one proper day job and an couple of internships, so no, the job market is not my area of expertise :P. 

So, over the past 5 years, studying and working (sorta) in fashion, graphics and illustration, this is what I've learnt.

1. Always set your boundaries and terms before a job starts.

    This is something that I think I totally had the wrong end of the stick for. I've been freelancing in some way or the other since I was 15-16. And I realized that the jobs that usually go the best, are the ones where a timeline, direction (if it's an art or illustration job) and pay is discussed before you even open the Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop/whatever else window. This means that your employer has allocated some sort of budget towards this job, and knows when he/she wants it. Don't go into a job over enthusiastically and then sit and whine when the payment is late when nothing has been discussed before hand. If you can get them to write an email, so that it's all in writing, nothing like it. 

There are a lot of people who do not take design grads seriously, because it isn't an 'academic' field. Make sure there's clarity BEFORE the job. It's very hard to negotiate after it, because people change what they've said, say 'See, we never discussed that...'. And will say they'll get back to you and never will. If you're an employer and you've ever done this, shame on you. But design/art peeps - don't set yourself up for this. 

2. Graphics are not a joke, and also, should not be done for free just because you said you find drawing fun/easy.

  I am lucky enough to have worked, and hopefully work even more in the future, at something that I find extremely enjoyable. Fashion and Illustration are things that I do not find to be work at all. This doesn't mean that any of you should work for free, just because people know you've converted your hobby into a career. You still have bills to pay!

3. Freelance doesn't mean free.

This does not mean however, that you do not have the right to help your friends/family if they want some stuff done for free. Remember, the skill set you possess is yours alone, and if you want to use your powers for the good of mankind a.k.a free work, then so be it. Some random startup/employer cannot come to you and go, 'Hey, but you did their stuff for free? Come on, man. Not cool!' and expect you to extend everyone the same courtesy. I've personally done a lot of free work, and regret none. I do it out of love, or friendship, or because I know the company simply cannot pay me. And this cannot happen every single time, or I can never pay my parents back for anything. And I'll be financially independent when I'm 80.

  

4. 'We're a startup, we can't really afford to pay you this time. Maybe next time?'

   I get it. Startups are on a tight budget. It's probably a lot of money out of your own pocket/borrowed cash. But never employ someone unless they understand YOUR situation and offer to help you out at a reduced rate, or for free. That is completely the decision of the artist/designer. And they have the right to reject the job, also. Don't promise them an amount, then say sorry, no can do because we're broke right now. Your credibility will go down to 0. And honey, there will BE no next time.

5. Legalities and shit.

    No company is allowed to alter/use your graphics for something else other than what they've paid for. Especially alter. This also means they can't SELL your graphics. Sharing AI/source files involve an extreme amount of trust. So don't be an *insert explicit here*, employers. It's illegal, but it's very hard for someone to prove that that heavily altered thing on some other site was theirs initially. So don't expect justice or compensation. You can only hope that the person on the other end has work integrity.

6. Don't let your employers take you for a ride.

    So let me lay it down for you. For whatever reason - *cough* media - fashion designers are looked at as a bunch of bimbos who have trust funds (and therefore don't need to be paid for work), an IQ of about 20, are confused by big words and party day in day out. 

People who are just starting out at work - make sure you get the respect you deserve. But also make sure you actually earn it. There are a lot of employers who will really pile on the work just because they want to see how well you perform under pressure. And when you prove yourself, it's smooth sailing. They know what they're doing. If they keep doing it because they can, and just want to extract even more work out of you, they're just being unfair. Know the difference. Always know who you're working for, and don't let people cloud your judgement just because they had a bad experience at a certain place.

7. Having said that, don't expect a 6 figure salary at your first, second or even third job.

    In a field like this, experience really is invaluable. It's all about on the job learning. Make sure you take the best things you can from every company you work with and never stop learning. You're not going to turn into Anna Wintour in a year.

8.. Lastly. Don't be afraid to quit.

    If you're in a bad job, where you're treated badly, and are not given recognition for your work ( 'It's all for the company' , 'there is no I in team', etc), and are not being given a decent pay for what you're doing, do not be afraid to quit. I am not encouraging you to be a quitter.  If you don't like your situation, change it. But only after you have done EVERYTHING you could to make it work.

A Bronzed face and Berry lips

I recently had the pleasure of  having my makeup done by my best friend and MUA Shrutilaya a.k.a Shlaya - visit her blog here. Okay, no one really calls her that but any of you who read her blog, you'll know who I mean.

This whole situation was for some work that she needed to get done, so as I have absolutely nothing to do these days, I was like OK PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP = SELFIES.

Clearly, I have my priorities down.

But I ended up being absolutely obsessed with the look she did on me. It was this clean bronzed face, with some strobing (basically a highlighting technique that is very much in vogue, you end up looking like someone lit you up from within. So glowy and pretty) and a nice berry lip.
I think this is something that I'm going to be wearing a lot, perfect for both day and nighttime makeup, depending on what kind of lip you go for.

She used a bunch of pro products on me, which I am probably never going to own, but I thought, for the benefit of myself and my readers - I asked her for breakdown with products that you can definitely find in and around your area/online.

Foundation - L'Oreal True Match - I've used this personally and they have the most amazing range of shades, so the chances of getting almost an exact match are pretty high. I love the finish. Definitely try it in stores before you buy it online, though.

Highlight - To highlight under the eyes, cheekbones and forehead, use the Maybelline Dream lumi Touch Concealer a.k.a the broke girl's Touch Eclat.
Use the Revlon Highlighting Palette in Bronze Glow as your bronzer/highlight mix on your cheeks and for any contouring that you need.

Also, use setting powder only under the eyes and around the nose. We don't want that dewy glow to go away! 

Eyes - Use the darkest shade in your Revlon Highlighting Palette on your eyelid, and the lightest shade on your inner corner. Finish with some generous coats of mascara to really open your eyes up, on the top and bottom lashes. (I personally love L'Oreal Paris Volume Million Mascara)

Lips - There are two suggestions that she gave me that'd work with this look, MAC Rebel and the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush. But you can literally wear any berry lipstick/balm/stain that you think would work!

I know have additions to my 'Things to buy when I'm not broke' list.
Sigh.

Have a great weekend!

All you 20 somethings...

Till I turned 19, I was a face-wash and moisturizer girl. I (touch wood) never really dealt with acne or break outs. Sure, I had the oil build ups and the big fat zits that would grace my face during school and college. But I think having eczema most of my adult life really got me into 'grown up' skincare a little earlier than most girls did. Lengthy consultations with dermatologists and loads of internet research taught me that the skin on our face is so different from the rest of our body and requires that much more care. And when my 19th birthday rolled around, I decided to build a simple beauty regimen for my face.

Also, your face goes through 'skin cycles' which change every 7-10 years. From a pretty oily faced person in middle school, it went pretty dry during college, and now it's transitioning to combination. But it's been (dare I say it) pretty well behaved over the past couple of years. And I've been giving it a simple, yet strict regimen in terms of what I do, even if I switch up products along the way.

Here is what I learned along the way. And I think because of the regimen, I am cautiously enjoying skin on my face that behaves. Most days.



*Disclaimer* I am not a dermatologist in disguise. This is just what I've been doing and it has worked for me :P

1. Know your skin. Go to a dermatologist. Or a friend that is skincare savvy. Or the interwebz.
The first step to being able to build a skin care routine revolves around knowing your skin type. Don't be afraid to ask around!

2. Remove makeup before bed. Always. 
Even if it is mascara and kajal/liner. Take a cotton pad and baby oil and take it off, even if you don't have makeup remover. Sleeping with chemicals in and around your eye is toxic.

3. Use a cleanser every night.
 A cleanser is an essential step that I have forced into my routine post 19. Face-wash is sometimes not enough. You need to go in and cleanse your pores to remove any impurities. If you use a night     cream after this, and haven't cleansed, you're essentially locking in all those pollutants, oils and impurities in your skin for the night.

4. Find a facewash that is right for YOUR skin
There are a gazillion face washes on the market these days. And some of the budget ones do a          
brilliant job, rivaling the more pricey buys. Don't go for the prettiest bottle, or the nicest smelling liquid (guilty as charged). A lot of face washes have active natural ingredients that really target the   problem spots on your skin. Make sure you do your research! And don't be afraid to invest in a good one.

5. Exfoliate
Thrice a week, exfoliate. It'll help circulation and take off the dead skin that your face-wash wont.

6. Take the time to do masks (natural home DIY ones or store-bought) once a week
Always, always make time for yourself. Maybe on a weekend, or a midweek session. To pamper yourself and indulge in some extra skin-care time. There are loads of really fun face masks you can   make at home. Invite some girlfriends, rope in your boyfriend, get your mum involved! It's fun, I swear.

7. Invest in a good, basic day cream with SPF
Day cream for you ladies is a must. Sure, when we were younger, slapping on whatever moisturizer we used (if at all) on our bodies on our faces was acceptable but now...no. A day cream is lighter in formula, most target imperfections and brighten your complexion. And SPF. Always.

8. Sleep and hydration, people.
I am not the poster girl for either of these things. My college schedule was probably the most   demanding thing I have ever gone through, and sleep was a luxury. And I know, that that isn't something that we can control sometimes. But try and get a good night's sleep when you can. That next PLL/GOT episode can wait till tomorrow. And I thought the whole hydration thing was a myth. Till I realized just how much of a difference it makes. Water flushes out your system and keeps it nice and hydrated. Trust me. Set a reminder on your phone. Get a tattoo. Get that app. Hydrate.

A Tiny June Favorites Round-up

I realize that off late, since I've become a grown up and shit, I do tend to try out new products every month. Because I'm now willing to experiment and sometimes, new products find their way into my makeup/washbag/bathroom cabinet.

And I'd like to share.

The first thing I want to rave about is this palette my UK-return friend MUA got for me. It's the much talked about Collection Eyes Uncovered Nude Bronze Palette. I've been stalking it on Youtube and people say it's the best thing since sliced bread. The pigmentation was said to rival the Naked's, for gods sake. So when she came back with this I was ecstatic. The color payoff is insane, and when I used them wet, they looked like a MAC paint pot colors, I kid you not. If anyone has access to it now, buy it. If you're not in a place where you have access to it, make friends with someone who does, and buy it. Did I mention it's 3 GBP/4.73 USD/300 INR? For 6 amazing shades?

I used to be a die-hard user of Dove shampoo back in the day. But suddenly, it stopped working. My hair started falling out and it just made it SO DARN FRIZZY. But over the past year, I've been loving it. It's really been working with my hair, making it super soft and manageable. When I saw that they had come out with the new Dove Nutritive Solutions Oxygen Moisture I was desperate to give it a try. And oh wow, does it work. It's a clear blue shampoo (different from the signature opaque liquid) and it actually volumizes and softens! There are so many claims that shampoos make these days (I think I've tried something from every brand and have been thoroughly disappointed through the years) but this, I feel actually DOES something. I bought the tiny bottle to try it but BIG SALON SIZE WITH PUMP HERE I COME.

I've been on the lookout for a starter night serum for a while now. I wanted to know how my skin would react to having something other than cream put onto it at night. When I was browsing Purplle.com at 3am, as you do, the Richfeel Skin Logix Advanced Night Repair Serum popped up. It had some rice protein in it's formula, and was a tiny bottle (245 INR for 25ml). Apparently, washing your face with rice water, it makes your skin softer and firmer. I did some Googling and the reviews  for this product were good. My face has been giving me pretty much no trouble but I have noticed that it's becoming pretty dull. So this had claims of brightening (I hate the term whitening) and I was like, gimme.
It has a little droplet applicator, and I dot it over my face post wash. I gently massage it in till it absorbs (it takes about 20 seconds). I will say that it is not the most amazing smelling serum. It is not unpleasant, but I think it's the rice protein that makes it smell like well, wet rice. Just bear with it till it sinks in.
I am happy to report that my poor sunburnt post-Andamans face is more or less back to normal, with some added life thrown in. Really happy with this.

Lastly, I've already raved about this in a previous post, but the Maybelline The Colossal Liner (on sale!) had to be thrown into this post. I've been using it every time I require liner on my face. And it's brilliantly jet black and matte, no half hearted charcoal grey situation.

So that was some rambling. I hope you guys have a great week!

Drawing the Line

I recently had someone ask me what the best liner for summer was. And when I thought about it, I realized that for the Indian climate/any other hot and humid place where your make up is likely to sweat off, you DO need something with staying power. And even I, subconsciously, switch up my liner during these months as well.

So here are my two favorite liners at the moment.

So the Maybelline Colossal Liner is something that I've been wanting to try for a while now. I'm not the biggest fan of felt tip liners, but this had claims of it being the 'blackest liner' ever. And I needed it. And I am happy to report that these claims were true. It is incredibly easy to use, very VERY black and makes my morning cat eye a painless job. I will say though, that this one isn't waterproof, if that is what you're after.

And for you ladies that have are tormented by the oily eyelid syndrome - check out the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner. It is a tiny little brush-felt tip hybrid (a flocked tip, is what they call it). It is VERY long wearing. The only downside to this for me, was that it wasn't a matte liner, which is something I prefer for everyday use. But if you're down with a bit of shine - go for it. It dries really quickly and lasts ALL day. And one thing that I personally like about this is that at the end of the day when you're taking off your make up, this comes off very easily - it almost flakes off with water. So no panda eyes.


What liners have you guys been loving this summer?

Lolita.

Anyone who knows me from college knows that I'm a sucker for Lolita fashion. I would dress like a Gothic Lolita all day every day if I could. But, in Chennai, under a corset, crinoline and layers of tulle, I may just die. So when my friend gave me this dress she got me from Forever 21, I just had to slip on a pair of heels and my big fat cross belt and feel kawaii.

I adore the back neck on this. And the fit, is perfect. Makes me happy. The print is this adorable tiny floral repeat that I feel is apt for pretty much any season.

I can feel this becoming my go-to dress this fall/winter. With or without the belt. Anyone else into Lolita fashion? PLEASE tell me I'm not crazy and not alone.

The Maxi Dress Fix for Petite Girls

As I sit up, watching Korean cooking videos, I reminisce to a time where my life wasn't always baggy tees, shorts and huge cups of tea, in the comfort of my bed. Don't get me wrong, I love it. It's like a huge holiday from adult life, with some freelancing thrown in, before I kick it back in to first gear. 

But once upon a time, when I was fun and shit, I realized that I wanted a maxi dress. My best friend's wedding was coming up, and I had ALWAYS wanted one. So I thought hey, perfect occasion! I'm short. Very short. Like 5"2 short. So I was scared that maxi dresses would make me look even smaller. Or worse, like a child playing dress-up. My nickname given to me by my wonderful best friend is Tiny, for god's sake. He isn't even that much taller than I am...

But when I started trying on styles in stores, it wasn't that bad. Once I popped a pair of heels on, I felt taller. I realized it was just trick of the eye stuff. 

Longer lines that hug your body make the eye feel like you're taller and slimmer. Someone looking at you wouldn't think that you're as petite as you are. Because there's so much fabric length for the eye to take in, you can cheat and distract people from your actual height.

I adore this red number I got at Splash in Bangalore for 2500 INR (original price was 5000 but it was on sale. It was a sign from God.) It's a halter neck, with some slight pleated detail on the front. I ADORE the fall. The material is this drapey synthetic knit, so the weight makes it flow really nicely. It's an XS, and  it's a teeny bit loose at the back but it hangs really nicely on my body without the occasional aunty asking me if 'Beta, don't you eat?'. Like woman, I can demolish a medium pizza, a large coke and fries and ask for dessert. It's just metabolism. 

So girls from the 4'10 - 5'3 range who wanna wear something different for your next formal event? Try a maxi. It will change your life.

Thank you to Shrutilaya for taking these shots. I'm going to slyly insert her blog here so you guys can check her out.

Happy Wednesday!
-A