Lolita Charm: December 2009

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Beautiful Boys

This year I've been lucky enough to meet many new lolitas, and even find the rare gems that aren't quite what you expect. These are the brolitas, our brothers-in-lace, who doll up with us and share petticoats. Brolita is the slang term that means a male cross dressing in lolita clothing, with all of the hair and makeup and other accoutrement.

A friend of mine, who sometimes cosplays as a female character, recently told me that he wanted to try wearing lolita. After presenting him with probably hundreds of pictures, it became apparent that gothic lolita was more to his taste, rather than the sugary stuff I tend to wear - which makes sense, as he usually prefers wearing metal band t-shirts.

So Miss Lumpy and I invited him over for a day of dress-up and study, which we dubbed Princess Day. The following is what ensued.

A Crash Course in Brolita from thecharmchannel on Vimeo.

You'll notice this is not hosted on the Charm Channel by Youtube. Due to Youtube's new copyright laws, this particular video is hosted by Vimeo instead. The Youtube version is live but has no audio.

When asked why he wanted to dress lolita, his answer was striking to anyone who has ever donned the frills: "I want to feel pretty. There's a feminine part of me I want to express." I think any lolita, no matter gender or appearance or orientation, has said they just want to feel pretty or wear things they find pretty. It is the ultimate basis of lolita fashion, like a car's engine: without it, there's no drive.

I'm so proud of Dave. He boldly went where no man had gone before (well, this particular man) - into the poofdom. And he's really quite beautiful. I hope this encourages all the other beautiful boys in this world.

Labels: boys, charm channel

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy Holidays from Lolita Charm!

Here's a photo from the branches of my Christmas tree!

Have a restful, safe, and happy holiday this year. May all your wishes come true.

Labels: holiday

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Nutcracker Ballet

This Saturday I went to see the Woodbury Ballet perform the Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre. Tchaikovsky is my favorite composer and I grew up listening to the Nutcracker or watching it on video cassette (blast from the past - VHS?!) so this ballet has a special place in my heart. Of course I decided to dress up, with the theme of Land of Sweets!

Please excuse my usually mori-girl boots, we were expecting two feet of snow that evening!

Skirt, bustier: BABY the Stars Shine Bright
Blouse: Angelic Pretty
Boots: London Fog
Pony Purse: Pink Macaroon!
Hairbow: 6% dokidoki
Tights: Marshall's

And finally, photos wearing my Shirley Temple mermaid onepiece! This is a favorite of mine, it's cute and yet easily casual.

The mirror smears are lip prints with glittery gloss, which as a little girl my sister told me was some kind of divination. I'm still not sure what they tell me...

Dress: Shirley Temple
Pink pearls: a present!
Hairbow: Baby the Stars Shine Bright
Tights: Marshall's
Shoes: Kohl's

And yes, there is a second loop on the other side of my head!

Labels: event, outfit post

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

30 Things Every Lolita Should Have

(photo courtesy of We ♥ It)

a few sheets of cute stickers, for adding to cards, notes, or envelopes;
printed notepaper with a cute style;
a lipgloss in her favorite color, to apply when she might meet someone fabulous;
a simple, comfortable dress to run errands in;
a pretty pair of headphones or earbuds for walking by herself;
a tiara for adding to luxurious hairstyles, for special events;
one excellent makeup trick that always wows her friends;
the perfect parasol for sunny days, or alternately -
a wonderful friend who will share hers;
a tripod and camera, for taking her own daily outfit shots;
one completely different outfit that is for her alter-ego, for being in disguise;
the know-how to plan a meetup;
a notion of using public transport, like subways, buses, or trains for getting her where she needs to go;
a list of things she loves about herself tacked to her mirror;
a pair of shoes that make her steps feel princess-like;
a conglomerate of style icons she can refer to when she feels out of creativity;
the trick to applying false eyelashes;
one excellent wig for when her hair just won't do what she wants;
the knowledge that settling is for lesser spirits;
a classic book for when she doesn't want to meet the eyes of people staring in public;
a Tide-to-Go pen for rescuing dream dresses;
a nest egg for buying the perfect item for herself, by herself;
a shopping service she trusts;
a purse that seems to have a black hole in the bottom, willing to accept anything from cameras to entire coats;
a coat trimmed with fur, to be complimented on whereever she goes;
a look-book of street snaps and photos she admires, with a list of items she wishes to own;
a name for her own personal style, which she alters as she wants;
the ability to take the advice of the Internet, but also to turn it off and do her own thing;
a petticoat guranteed to give you model-worthy poof;
one photograph of herself in her first dress to remind her how far she's come, and one photograph of herself in her best dress that reminds her why she became a lolita in the first place.

Inspired by Maya Angelou's Every Woman Should Have and 30 Things a Woman Should Have By the Time She's 30.

Labels: inspirational

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Holiday Shopping Meets Lolita

Perhaps you've got your secret Santa to shop for, or a last-minute present for your favorite princess - but would prefer not to break the bank while you do it. All of these fanciful pretties can be bought for $25 USD or under, and are sure to warm any darling lolita's heart.

For the lolita in the go, snoop around Strapya World for adorable tag-a-long sweetness. A princess-y cellphone strap with roses and crowns, a compact mirror, or a tiny mp3 player that resembles a slab of chocolate.

Lolita clothes take maitenance, so get your friend out of a tight spot with a lolita emergency kit. A Wisp toothbrush, Tide-to-Go Pen, needle and thread, and a little flavored lipgloss for fun can be all packaged up in a pretty makeup bag.

If you're in the northern hemiphere and getting chilly, pick up something warm! These musical earmuffs are comfortable and useful, especially when paired together with a 'hokkairo', or re-usable hand warmer. Before you ask, yes, they come in pink and heart-shape.

I love getting books for the holidays, too - to read over winter break. The classics are always to be recommended - Alice in Wonderland, Kamikaze Girls, the Secret Garden, or A Little Princess. If you've got all those read already, try Diana Wynne Jones' Time of the Ghost, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, or The Rose and the Beast by Francesca Lia Block. I'm also a big fan of the beautiful picture book, a Princess Primer.

Or for your very stylish friend, faux bow hair is very up-and-coming. Glittery extensions are also nice, or decorative hair pins to finish off those loose strands.

Still stuck? I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like a plate of cupcakes or cookies, or try making your own hot-chocolate-on-a-stick. But I'm sure that whatever you dream up will be simply sweet!

Labels: holiday

Friday, December 18, 2009

Pink Please!

I've had a lot of requests to do a basic primer on dying your hair pink and having pink hair, so I've decided to fufill these wishes in favor of the holiday season :)

Making the Commitment

Dying your hair an unnatural color of any kind is big decision. For one, it is not a low maitenence style and needs a lot of upkeep; for another, it may attach to you a social stigma you don't want.

Like any color, your roots will eventually come in, so you'll need to be able to go to the salon for touch-ups or have the expertise and time to do the job at home, probably about once a month (twice for the daring, but I really don't recommend longer than that. Hair with roots can often look greasy or piecey, even when it's clean). If you're not able to bleach your own hair (and I don't blame you, it's not for the faint of heart) you will also have to go to a hair salon for the whole head, which can be expensive. If you are not naturally a white blond, you will need bleach anywhere you want the unnatural color. Unnatural hair dye is semi-permanent, meaning that instead of penetrating the strand, it is more sitting on top. It's also almost sheer - like cellophane, it shows up best on a white background.

You'll also need to get the dye. I buy mine locally, but this is pretty rare. You'll most likely have to order it online. I prefer Special Effects, which is $10 a bottle (two bottles covers my whole head). There are other brands as well, like Manic Panic, Fudgebox, and Directions.

So next let's talk about bleach. I get mine professionally bleached because I don't trust myself with one pair of eyes and a bottle of chemicals, but I know plenty of hair-savvy girls who do it themselves. Make sure to test your skin, as your scalp may be sensitive. There are many different opinions on bleach volume, but it's enough to say that bleach is not good for your hair. It can make it dry, brittle, easily breakable, and 'fried'. I'll talk about working with your hair quality later in this post.

To cap off, it's a big commitment. It requires a lot of extra care, time, and money, and shouldn't be something you really do on a whim.

Social Aspects

Next let's talk about being a 24/7 pinkhead. Lots of girls own pink wigs that they can wear for lolita, even myself - I like that it's pre-curled with perfect bangs. But wearing pink hair constantly isn't quite the same. The public will make assumptions about your personality, no matter what you're wearing - whether they think you are a delinquient, a raver, or a freak. I've had guys says they find my pink hair unattractive, I've been asked by stoner kids if I 'rave', and plenty of otakus assume that I'm their favorite anime character come to life. One woman today even told her daughter that I was wearing a wig!

You may also find it hard to be taken seriously with pink hair. I've often worried about getting a job, being on good terms with professors, or simply under scrutiny from family. You will stand out and get attention (though if you're a lolita, you're probably used to this!), both positive and negative. There is plenty of positive attention, too: little girls are in love, many people like the look, and it's impossible for me to be forgotten by professors or potential employers. If you have unnatural hair, it'll also be easy to meet like-minded people: those will be the people who like your look. But it's not like lolita - at the end of the day, you can't take it off. If you want to be pink only sometimes, invest in a wig.

The Process

First, you'll need to bleach your hair. As said, I prefer a salon, and I'd recommend you do that if you're not experienced with hair. It will cost you somewhere in the area of $70+ to bleach the entire head, however, so be prepared for price. Afterwards, make sure to treat the hair with a deep conditioner - either by yourself or ask your stylist. This will go a long way to repairing the damage you just did.

The dye should be applied to dry hair, from root to tip, and let sit for at least half an hour. Make sure to wear gloves, because otherwise you'll look as if you killed a Hello Kitty. If you do get any on your skin, you can remove it with alcohol. To preserve areas like your ears and hairline, swipe on Vaseline or petroleum jelly as a shield.

Afterwards, rinse with cold water until you don't see any more tint to the water. Cold water seals the hair follicle, whereas warm water opens it. After you first rinse out the dye, you may find that you shed color on your towels or clothes. Some people have reported staining constantly, others very little. I only recently started staining small things, like the backs of collars and the pearls on my necklaces. There isn't really a way to prevent this, but it does come out of clothes and other items.

Aftercare

Unnatural colors fade fairly quickly, typically within the first few washes. There are ways to prevent this, however. First, wash your hair in cool or cold water. Heat is really one of the big agents to pulling out color. The other is to switch from shampoo to baking soda, as I recommend in my previous post about cosmetics. Color-protectant shampoo is for permanent colors, and is designed to strip out colors that aren't natural - not what you want! A blonding shampoo, for example, cuts out all of the colors that aren't blond. Baking soda doesn't have harsh chemicals, is natural, and fairly inexpensive. You can read more about the benefits of baking soda here.

Make sure to condition, especially your ends especially (as they get the most damage and are most vulnerable). A glaze can also repair a lot of damage as well. Try to limit how much heat or product you use on your hair, and be kind to your ends with the curling iron if you can. I curl my hair often, but I'll often skip the spray or mousse so that it doesn't require scrubbing or washing to remove it.

Links

Pinkhair community

Dyed_hair community (great memories!)

Gala Darling's Guide to Unnatural Hair Dye

(photos of pinkheads from We ♥ It!)

Labels: cosmetics, tutorial

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

International Lolita Day: '09 Winter Edition!

International Lolita Day has come and gone again! Only lolitas would ever invent a holiday that comes twice a year instead of once - the first Saturday in December and the first Saturday in June. While the last ILD was a celebration with Miss Lumpy and I alone, this time we attended a beautiful holiday tea party in New York City with our new friends the New York City lolitas. Our hostess, Amber, made sure the locale was gorgeous, the company was plentiful, and the food was damn good.

Despite a sudden spat of a snowstorm, we lolitas met at the elegant Rose House tearoom in Flushing, Queens. This place lives up to its name - from the rose-shaped, velvet chairs to the rose-scented atmosphere and decorations. The buffet had green tea custard with shredded rose petals, rose-flavored cake, and rose cheesecake. Hot fruit tea and milk tea were both served as well. Even better, they have revolutionized the savory - by providing a platter of sweet glazed fried chicken that received an enthusiastic reception!

The theme of the night was princesses, so everyone got dolled up royally with furs and tiaras. Miss Lumpy and I decided to twin in the pink and wine colorways of Metamorphose's Swan Lake series. You can also see my wonderful new present from Pink Macaroon - a unicorn purse prototype! I've named her Flosty Starchaser Glitterphonic (I just love long names!) and she was quite the belle of the ball.

I met so many wonderful girls, including some from Connecticut! I hope to see you soon!

What did you do for Lolita Day?

More photos at littlest_asian's Flickr

This photo courtesy of Pretty Wonderland, our latest Blogging Beauty! Currently there is an interview with yours truly in her blog spotlight!

Labels: event, holiday, international lolita day

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Lohashill BB Cream Review

For a long time I've been hearing about BB (blemish balm) cream, rumored to be the miracle substance to absolutely anything with your skin (as shown in their above photo, it's what makes Korean celebs sparkle. Personally, I think they just Photoshopped these to lighten and added twinkle brushes, but there you go.) I was a little skeptical and a little wary - supposedly it whitens, tightens, fixes scars, blemishes, acne, wrinkles, and just over all brightening. So I decided to pick up a tube from prettyandcute.com and see if the hype was true. I bought the Lohashill cream over the others as it was one of the cheaper ones and I'd prefer to try it before slapping down much more. This particular brand cost $18, but I've seen them run up to $35 or so. Currently quite a few of the brands are on sale at prettyandcute.com, as well.

The back of my bottle is in Engrish, to an extent. It claims to 'minimize the visibility of dryness and covers fine lines and imperfections.' It also says it helps hypersensitivity in skin from outside irritation, pollution and stress. The directions suggest you apply a thin layer, possibly several times a day, and before bed. Since it seems to be an actual makeup, similar to a lightweight foundation, I recommend you put it on under your makeup and then take it off before bed.

Some brands of BB cream come in two shades, a darker and a lighter beige. Since they're made for Asian skin tones, I recommend you have a yellow or neutral skintone rather than a pink-based one if you'd like to use it as makeup. If it doesn't match your skin, however, I'm sure there'd be nothing wrong with using it as spot treatment.

I also got mine with whitening, which not all BB creams have. This claims to fade skin with long term use, so it shouldn't bleach your skin in one go. It doesn't seem to be at all harsh on the skin, either. If I come up looking like MJ one of these days from using it, you'll be the first to know. It does seem to make my skin appear paler when I'm wearing it, but it's hard to say if it's actually faded the skin on my face. If you have pale skin and are interested in playing that up, this seems to be a pretty foolproof way to do it, at least while you're wearing the makeup.

So I squeeze out of my tube something about half the size of a pea, and that gets me over most of my face (make sure to blend along the sides and under the chin). You really don't need much of the product to cover your face, so don't get crazy. I find that it does have a fairly decent coverage that doesn't feel heavy or cakey. When I use it, I also skip concealer for most of my face and wear signifigantly less on my undereye circles. It gives a really smooth base and evens out the skin tone. It does seem to brighten, as well, attracting light to the face.

The best part is that when I remove it, my skin feels incredibly clean and soft, like it's been freshly treated. I've also noticed some of my deep-entrenched acne (hiding out in my T-zone) is minimized, and it actually is treating a would-be scar on my nose as well. It remains to be seen if extended use is the key to this product, but so far it works well enough that I continue to wear it as a makeup base.

If you're looking for a makeup base with a light feel and light coverage, I would say it wouldn't hurt to give BB cream a try. It seems like it'd be especially good for summer, as it means skipping a heavier, oilier foundation.

Bubbi's Video on Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream

BB Cream Queen

Labels: cosmetics, review

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Skin Deep?

Dolls. The little things we emulate, with brilliantly wide eyes, tiny mouths, and tip-tilted noses. We've jumped from lipgloss to false eyelashes to eyelid glue to wigs, forever in search of that feature that will make us seem absolutely dolled up - looking perfect. And it's not exactly easy that the majority of our models for the fashion are just that - models. Even the street snaps in magazines are chosen because the girls are cute as well as well-dressed. Seeing real girls in lolita in real life is harder to come by - though our few locals and the community daily_lolita can help. But as you close the magazine, can you help but feel the bar is raised a little high?

Apparently many girls do feel that pressure. This week's loli_secrets had a sad confession: a girl that felt she'd never be a beautiful lolita due to her dark skin. Asian beauty standards and Victoriana both put stock in whiter skin, which can lead girls with darker tones feeling left out in the cold. But however much we draw on these cultures for inspiration and style, we must remember that they are not our world. Victorian or Rococo periods are things to be drawn on, not copied to the letter. We have come forward in history, hopefully past the notion skin color can stop a girl from being considered beautiful. And even though we are influenced by the Asian cultures that we take our cues from, they are not our world either. Western lolitas are uniquely created - with Western ideals, but also with the adopted beauty aesthetic of the style. I would like to think that our ideals triumph over looks, that we would prefer to mold the style to suit us instead of the other way around.

Is it purely cultural? What about our culture, as part of Western society? Where nip/tuck is fairly common, and no one bats an eyelash at a girl getting a new nose for her 18th birthday? I certainly don't suggest that either culture is better than the other - one could go on about the failings of Western beauty ideas for an entire blog's worth of articles, on everything from anorexia, bulimia, race, Playboy, hair... the list goes on. Nobody has the upper hand here. In some countries, women get their eyes made rounder. In others, women want their eyes to look more cat-like. Some girls bleach, some girls tan. It's not about who does what. We all peer at ourselves in the mirror and say, well, if it was just a little different...

And I admit, I'm no stranger to that. I've had my own weight problems, I get my roots done, and I consider the shape of my nose, maybe with a touch of disdain. Nobody's perfect. Nobody is quite there yet.

I think that beauty should be about loving - and enhancing - what you have. Take care of your skin, and lavish it with the food it needs, like moisture and vitamins. Make sure to remove your makeup before bed, drink lots of water, and try (I know it's hard for me!) to get enough sleep. The better you treat it, the more it will do for you. No matter the color, skin that glows with health is beautiful. Even when you're not sure, even when loving yourself - which to many girls can be today's impossible task - seems harder than anything, it's one of those small braveries. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and try.

Like the small bravery of going out in your frills.

Yes, lolita is a fashion and certain look we try to achieve through hair, makeup, jewelry, and our clothes. The end goal is to fufill your idea of what is beautiful, which you have already narrowed down to subset of fashion. But it isn't only what you look like - you can't see yourself, after all. You can only 'feel' what you look like, and how that impacts your emotions. Lolitas over the world agree that 'lolita is pretty' and 'lolita makes me feel pretty, makes me feel good'. That's the bottom line of why people choose to dress in the style. If it didn't give you that feeling and you only did it for those looking at you, you probably wouldn't bother.

So maybe you're not a model, or at the least, don't feel like one. Maybe at times your hair is a askew, or you worry about spots, or the hem of your skirt gets caught under your petticoat. Do you feel happy? Do you want to keep learning and evolving in this style? Little by little, you'll learn not only the fashion, but confidence in your own skin.

And that is a beauty that goes much farther than skin-deep.

Labels: culture, discussion

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December Style Tips

Get a box of paper whites and start growing the little bulbs inside. It's pleasant to watch them grow, and they remind of both spring and snow.
If you don't have a cellphone strap hook to put all those adorable straps, consider looping them on the handle of your bag. I recently put a brown Swarovski decorated bear on my Candies purse, which adds a little cute interest.
If you haven't got them already, get some gloves! Colored leather is pretty, but soft, thick ones are also pleasant to pull on before letting your hands get raw in the cold.
Speaking of raw, pick a hand cream to use this winter in your favorite scent. Preferably with some kind of built-in anti-bacterial to keep your from getting sick. I like my hand creams with lavender, because lavender always reminds of lavender ice cream, a local flavor.
Learn the art of camping out. Whether you find yourself with spare time at school, work the airport, or a waiting room, learn how to get comfortable for the long haul. Some essentials include: a delicious munchable snack; a music device and set of headphones; a book; and a lounging position.
For melancholy, otherworldly stories of romance, try reading A Collection of Beauties at the Height of Their Popularity by Whitney Otto.
If inspired, begin writing your own pillow book in the style of Sei Shounagon. You can read her original work here.
Wear a nude lip with a layer of clear gloss for a dewy, chilled look. Cover the lips with lip primer (I like Aromaleigh's, suitable for both lips and eyes) and then add a product like MAC's Lipglass.
Switch holiday ornaments. If you always get a real tree, get one made of metal and tinsel or in human colors. Or if you usually go for more avant-guard styles of, say menorahs, switch back to something traditional. This is the first year I decided to get an artificial tree - pink, of course.
Spend too much time at the mall, enjoying fairy lights and things that glitter.
Wear silver jewelry this month until the day of the winter solstice, then use the holiday to triumphantly wear gold and remember that spring is, in fact, coming.

Labels: style tips

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