Gothic Americana and Argan oil awesomeness

(top-H&M, shorts-thrifted, hat-H&M, shoes-thrifted, belt-thrifted, vest-flea market in Japan, necklaces- thrifted and Buffalo Exchange, jewlery-thrifted)

You know what? This outfit made me really happy because it utilized two things in my closet that I treasured yet never knew what to do with, namely the red shorts and fringe vest. I contemplated for a long time about cutting the studs off the vest-- every time I tried to put this vest over something the studs looked cheap and garish and the red shorts always seemed too bright and baggy. Now, I'm glad that in some getting-ready haste, I put these two items together and it makes me really want to DIY some studs onto the shorts. I am so thankful my style crisis is finally amended and I believe the one magic wonder that truly makes this outfit work goes to Va Va Violet by Revlon!

I don't usually wear lipstick or that much makeup in general but I am now seeing its tremendous impact on the vibe of an outfit. Makeup is a total accessory and you know what else? I probably wouldn't have realized that without blogging. I am one of those do-my-makeup-in-the-car types. I usually just stab myself with some eyeliner and brashly brush on some mascara while stopped. Since I am always running late, rushing to do my makeup during traffic and at stoplights probably isn't the wisest. Blogging is actually making me get ready like a big girl adult! You know, like washing my face every night. Yes, I also used to sleep in my makeup! Gross, right? Now I realize the impact of my wayward ways as I'm reaching the age where pore care is CRUCIAL!

So, I'd like to share a little exfoliating trick for all the ladies whose skin tends to be dry. This is cheap and completely natural.
1. Put a small teaspoon of sugar into the palm of your hand. I use regular white table sugar, you can use the coarser pure sugarcane sugar if you want but I think it works better the finer the crystals are.
2. Put a couple drops of argan oil in with the sugar. Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of Argan trees, which is endemic to regions of Morocco, meaning it grows nowhere else in the world. It is a highly prized oil, used in cooking and on the skin in their traditional bathhouses called hammams. It is rich in natural vitamin E which is great for fading scars by enabling the skin's natural response to heal. Other oils to use would be olive oil or just vitamin e oil which is easily found in drugstores. I bought my argan oil at Whole Foods but you can also find it online. Another cool thing about argan oil? All argan oil sold today is produced by a women's cooperative that shares its profits with the local women of the Berber tribe. The money provides healthcare and education for the local women while also supporting the entire community as a whole. This cooperative also works with UNESCO to ensure protection and reforestation of the precious trees so the supply and income for these women will never run out. <3
3. Form a paste. Rub in small circular motions all over your face. Rinse. Apply a light moisturizer to seal. Admire.
I recommend performing this beauty ritual at night so your skin will have time to absorb the oil and you wake up with a soft velvety face that is free of any oily feel. Trust me!