Ooh La Lolita

Ohayou Fashionistas!

That would be “good morning” to you in Nihonggo. If you are wondering why the sudden shift to the eastern language, it is because you will be reading on today’s blog one street fashion that had swept the streets of Harajuku.

Japan is well known for a fashion sense beyond compare. Oh, we love them alright. I lived in Japan for a year. The Japanese people are the epitome of innovation, experimentation, and all out confidence! They wear whatever they want to wear and with that kind of virtue, their culture had given birth to a whole new breed in fashion that is forged all around the globe.

One of these trends would be the Lolita Fashion. To put it simply, Lolita Fashion is all about elegance and spunk. This subculture was born from the inspiration of the Victorian Era and the Rococo period. That’s right: petticoats, stockings, headdresses-- the grandeur of m’lady and milord’s everyday life.

The trend started in 1970 and had ever since loved and fancied by both young and old. It was so popular that specialty fashion boutiques all around the world such as Milk and Pretty, Pink House, Baby the Stars Shine Bright, and Metamorphose temps de fille, were never enough to sustain the general public. Outside Japan, the Lolita fashion can be seen at concerts and anime conventions throughout North America, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Poland, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the rest of the planet. The style is not mass marketed outside of Japan, though small stores have emerged, including "One Day in Paradise" in central Melbourne, Australia. Talk about a worldwide invasion!  

Not only that, bands from all over the world had created a musical genre intended for the citizens of this movement. It is a whole new revolution! The Lolita Fashion also gave way to androgyny as cross-dressing and flamboyant costumes, hairstyle, and makeup are not limited to the female enthusiasts. Truth be told that the prettiest lollitas were men!

The Lolita fashion had indeed made it big and had branched into different genus. So which kind of Lolita would you like to be?

Classic Lolita

This kind of Lolita is more mature and focuses on Rococo, Regency, and the Victorian styles. It is the median between the dark gothic Lolita and the sugary sweet Lolita. This is considered more cosmopolitan with its small and intricate patterns and muted colors on the fabric. It uses basic Lolita silhouette and sometimes defies into A-Lines and Empire waists. Intricate designs on jewelleries can be observed but the overall feel of the look maintains its simplicity as it is considered less whimsical and more functional.

Punk Lolita

As the name suggests, this type of Lolita fashion integrates punk concepts into the whole ensemble. Tattered fabric, safety pins, screen-printed fabrics, plaid, androgynous hairstyles, and the likes! Common footwear includes boots and oxfords with platforms. A splash of color here and there and you get this type of Lolita fashion which is known for its do-it-yourself nature.

Princess Lolita

The look is inspirited by the European aristocratic style. The Princess Lolita is accented by a tiara and a Rococo bustle back skirt.

Ōji Lolita

Oji’s literal translation is “prince” and as the name suggests, this type of Lolita takes its roots from the Victorian male fashion, particularly the young men. This genre includes blouses, shirts, knickerbockers, knee-high socks, and newsboy caps. Hooray for the fact that this is not limited to just men. This is one fashion that is so flexible that it knows no gender.

There are a lot of other forms of Lolita genre that has yet to be named and honestly it doesn’t end just yet. As long as there are individuals fond of visual experimentation, this particular style will continue to evolve. Nevermind the eccentricity of the whole look! After all, we dress according to our whims, and their fancy is much more curious than ours. Why not take that leap as well?     

 XOXO,

Nikki ♥

Peeper Keepers

Oh Fashionistas!

If you've ever dealt with dry scaly eyelids, you know just how uncomfortable they can be. What a troublesome lot! Occasionally the condition can also be unsightly, particularly if the thickened skin is difficult to conceal. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to deal with this issue. But as they all say, prevention is better than cure! Bust the problem at its earlier stage!

What are the symptoms?

It's not just the obvious dryness and scales that define this annoying condition. You may find yourself dealing with a number of other aggravating symptoms too, including itchiness, discoloration of the skin, swelling, and soreness. It's not a guarantee that you'll deal with all of these problems if your eyelids are dry, but depending on the cause you may find that your eye feels quite irritated.

There are a few different conditions that can cause dry eyelids. The most common is known as eyelid dermatitis or eczema. This is quite similar in appearance to atopic dermatitis or contact dermatitis on other parts of the body. Eyelid dermatitis manifests itself as an allergic reaction to something that has direct contact with the eyelids. The reaction may be caused by any number of products, including cosmetics, hair dye (the ingredient p-Phenylenediamine is usually to blame), shampoo, cleansers, food that you eat, and eyelash curlers particularly the nickel metal body and grip.

Though some of these culprits may seem a bit surprising at first, they're actually not so unusual.

It's not uncommon, for example, for an individual to eat something, neglect to wash his or her hands and touch the eyelids at some point. Shampoos and other cleansers that touch the face can easily irritate the eye area, as can cosmetics. Most of the substances that cause irritation to the eyelids are transferred by the hands, and since the skin in this area is so thin, it's important to exercise caution and avoid touching the eyes with unwashed hands.

Managing your dry scaly eyelids is important because your eyelids are delicate and damage to them can lead to problems with your eyes. It is a good thing that this condition and discomfort is easy to treat. Washing your hands frequently and not touching the eyes or face is a good start. Removing makeup every night before going to sleep is another. Giving solution to this condition however requires caution since any harsh products could cause irritation or damage to your eyes. But it also important to get a diagnosis from your physician before treating yourself - for example, using eye cream in blepharitis would not be helpful.

When dry skin occurs anywhere else on the body, the first line of defense is usually moisture - and lots of it. Applying a hydrating lotion can make a big difference in the skin's condition, supplying it with the vital moisture it needs to renew and recuperate. However, the skin around the eyes is different. It's thin and delicate, and therefore it requires specialized treatments and care. This is why companies manufacture creams and gels formulated especially for the eye area. However, moisturizers may not be helpful for eyelid conditions like seborrheic dermatitis. In order to effectively treat your eyelids, you need an official diagnosis so you can treat the underlying condition that is causing the scaly lids. Following your doctor's advice may be the best thing you can do to care for your eyelids. After all fashionistas, there might be some things that are left to be cured further. We care for you this way :)

Don’t leave your peeper-keepers drying out like prunes! Certainly you would not want to have that effect on your eyes that would make you seem older. This may be a small area of your face that we are discussing but these matters! As I have repeatedly emphasized, being beautiful does not depend on how you look alone. It considers the health behind the beauty.

Say beautiful, fashionistas!                

XOXO,

Nikki ♥