OMG Your Epidermis is Showing!

What is too much skin?

Plunging necklines, cropped tops, and booty shorts get a bad rap, yet are still constantly worn about. The allure of just plain old epidermis is confusing and controversial. Do you walk the line of getting slut-shamed by showing your belly button? Do you submit yourself to double-takes by revealing your bra?

 Is there a difference between where you should and should not show excessive skin? Or is the question based on HOW someone shows skin, and what they're wearing?

In high school, girls strut through the halls in belly shirts and skin tight leggings. Although both belly shirts and leggings are fashionably acceptable, is the slut-shaming coming from the pairing of the two? Jealous looks at that one girl who can pull it off and sympathetic nods towards the girl who should really look in a mirror all can arise from the same outfit. So is one stylish and the other shocking? Or regardless, should these outfits stay in the back of our closets (because I know every girl has a belly shirt and skin tight leggings, even if she claims she doesn't)?

In fashion, belly shirt trends are revamped and reused time and time again in many different styles. They're chic as shit, let's be honest. It's a cute way for young girls to show off their tiny waists. I say why not? The actual probability of an adult having a flat stomach and/or washboard abs is pretty slim, and even so, at that age- why are you wearing a belly shirt? Wear it while you can while you're young. I am pro-belly button exposure and shock.

But what about legs?

Is it just the same to show all five miles of your legs on a regular basis? Or is it worse? Understanding what looks good on your body type is the basis of fashion and style, so booty shorts where a good portion of your saggy butt is hanging out, may not be the smartest choice for a day at school with that one old, creepy teacher who calls on you way more than anyone else... But I digress in respect to the girls yelling at their computer screens questioning my sanity. "Like, wtf? My butt is kicking."

Vogue's Elizabeth Gilpin says that pulling off a pair of shorts depends on their silhouette and the shoes you pair it with. For example: high waisted shorts usually look better with higher or clunkier shoes, something to offset the lack of torso you'll be pretending NOT to have. Any voluminous shape- either on your feet or over your shoulders- compliments the tiny bottom your trying to pull off.

I think shorts really depend on how you wear them and where you're wearing them (i.e. don't make me stare at your buttcrack in your desk chair). But again, this is completely up to interpretation and how you wanna do you.

Let me know if you think any skin is too much skin or if you love showing off your epidermis so much you should be put in a nudist colony. Comment below!!

Umm... yeah.

Flip This Weave

The summer, for me, is the worst when it comes to my hair. I'm in the ocean or pool or lake too often to continually straighten it or keep it pretty, so I tend to braid it or throw it up in a bun to keep out of my face. But as the day closes and I pull my hair down, it's horrifying. Knots and curls and frizz take over my head, also taking away any chance I had to comb it and possibly leave it down. I've been trying to find cute and easy ways to keep my hair at bay while also out of my face. Eliminating a top-knot would be eliminating so much hassle and annoyance, so I've tried to find some other alternatives.

I love Free People's beauty blog because they offer easy solutions to hair and makeup problems, while highlighting the endorsement of natural products and herbal remedies (which I LOVE). Ditching chemicals and choosing the eu naturale look is so critical for your body and your mind. I'm a huge believer in natural products- especially Origins- and truly think your skin and body breathe a sigh of relief when you stop layering on loads of makeup and chemicals.

Aside from their beauty installments, Free People has awesome easy-to-do hair styles that range from festival looks to casual messy do's. I've found some favorites (and some extras not from Free People) that will definitely help me this summer, hope they solve all of your hair troubles, too!

Creative Ponytails- The ease and simplicity are there, but then with an added flair. High ponytails are nice because they keep your hair away from your face, but this Free People pony includes small braids to elevate the look. Another tip they have is to use beaded hair elastics or other fun hair accessories to make your drab tail a fabulous hair do.




Braid Ins- Adding style to a normal braid, Free People weaves "braid ins", leather already made braids, into your hair. They create a beachy look with absolutely no trouble or difficulty. In addition to braid ins, I think ribbons or feathers would be a really cool addition to any braid whether it be during the day or at night.

Braided Fishtails- Instead of a tight braid or an organized fishtail, why not be creative and do both?! Just start with a normal braid but finish it off by fishtailing the bottom. I'm basically braid challenged, so if I can do
this hairstyle, you can pull this off easily.

Double Ponytail (not pigtails)- I've actually done this hair style once last year. I think it came out pretty cool, and its so, so easy. Take about 3/4 of your hair, or the crown of your head, and high ponytail it. Then, take the extra hair at the bottom of your head and ponytail that a few inches below your high ponytail. Fluff up the top ponytail to cover over the lower one. Your hair looks double the length and stays in a cute, sporty ponytail.

And of course, there is the Urban Outfitter's "lived in" rope braid tutorial that I posted on my most recent Best of the Web post. 

There are so many easy hair do's to try out and experiment with this summer! If there are any other easy, summer hair do's that you love, share it with me in the comments! 

*I take no credit for these photos. All photos found online.*

The Best Bathing Suits

Finding a cute, affordable bathing suit that doesn't ride up your ass, stretch out in two weeks, or fall off completely once hitting the water is very difficult to find. There are the common bandeau tops and halters, but now there are crazy bathing suit tops held together by some of the coolest designs. Included are some websites and brands of the cutest and coolest bathing suits with (hopefully) great sustainability. (Click brand name titles to be taken to their swimwear sections!)

Nasty Gal
My one friend has always bought things- from mint studded heels to angelic lace dresses- from Nasty Gal but I've never been on the site until it was suggested for my best bathing suits search. The swimwear is very cute, very out there, but also very pricey. The websites I've been perusing have been very expensive- $128 for JUST the top?!- so affordability is factoring into the best bathing suit search, as well. The Nasty Gal swimwear collection is very cool and fun, but it doesn't win best bathing suit.

American Apparel
Most of my friends think American Apparel is weird and very eccentric, but I have always been a firm believer. I love the way American Apparel fits every body type and uses real people, not made-up anorexic models for ads. AND... drum roll... the swimwear is so affordable! There are some prints and styles that are a little daring, but there are so many cute bathing suit tops and bottoms that can be easily worn and won't drain your entire life savings.

Zumiez
By far the most modern-meets-surfy bathing suits I've stumbled across. The price points for Zumiez women's swimwear is pretty reasonable, not as cheap as American Apparel but definitely not as expensive as Nasty Gal. These suits are neon bright and fun to wear, but if you're spending your days at a country club pool and not surfing the ocean, maybe Zumiez is a bit too flashy for you. Other than that, go for it! I think Zumiez is really fun and sporty chic. Lots of fringe, braids, and macrame.

Zinke
Another Z for swimwear. I LOVE Zinke, my cousin knows the creator and owner of the site and introduced me to it a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, it too is very expensive for just one part of a bathing suit. Zinke style though is my favorite out of all the sites and stores I've mentioned. The classic, chic styles and patterns are girly and practical. If only.... *sigh*.

Roxy
Price points smack dab in the middle of it all, but always known for its cute swimwear. Roxy swimwear is the epitome of surfer girl chic and will always be known for such. Roxy needs no introduction, it's worth it.

Billabong
Easy to wear and simple to rock, Billabong- like Roxy- needs no introduction. It's simple surf styles are a staple of the summer and swimwear in itself. Lots of Aztec prints and thong-inspired bathing suit bottoms. Not my favorites but definitely very cute swimwear and reasonable prices.

Triangl
Once Kylie Jenner Instagram-ed herself sporting a black, faux leather Triangl bathingsuit, the world fell in love. Or, teenage girls on Instagram at least. Known for their basic styles but array of cool color combos and fabrics, Triangl is becoming a huge trend all over. Pricer than most but not as bad as Nasty Gal or Zinke. I love Triangl and really wanted a bathing suit but once I saw about four friends of mine on Instagram showing their own suit, I knew it wasn't for me anymore. Still- one of my favorites and a top contender for best bathing suit.

Of course you can always shop at Victoria's Secret and buy one bathing suit that thirty thousand of your friends will also own, but why not shake things up a bit and stand out?

What is YOUR favorite bathing suit brand? Cast your vote to the right!
Any bathing suits I missed? Let me know in the comments!
Hope everyone's spring break is sunny and warm! xox