DECEMBER 2016
Dressing Up vs Dressing Down
Which is better for class? Rock a
Red Lip This Holiday Season
Vol. 1 No. 3
Jharrel Jerome On Moonlight and what he’s got planned for the future
Best Holiday Looks
Breaking Boundaries in the Beauty World
Letter from the Editor EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sara Belcher
Welcome back to Ithaca College’s very own Distinct Magzine!
FASHION & BEAUTY EDITOR
Unfortunately, this is our last edition for the Fall 2016 semester — but don’t worry, because we’ll be back next semester with even more for you! As we always say at the beginning of every magazine, we’d like to thank you all so much for all of your support. An entire semester’s worth of magazines isn’t possible without some amazing support from the campus community. So, again, thank you all so much.
Sara Belcher
LIFESTYLE EDITOR Courtney Yule
CULTURE EDITOR Annika Kushner
HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR Courtney Yule
LAYOUT EDITOR Emma Noblesala
CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Emma Noblesala Stephanie Cordova Rodriguez
I especially want to thank my dedicated writers, whose bylines should start to seem familiar to you. They’ve consistently produced content for us, taking extra time out of their already busy schedules to help make this magazine amazing. Without our writers, producing this magazine would be impossible. My first semester as Editor-in-Chief was an amazing experience, and I am so very grateful for every moment I was able to spend working on this magazine. I am beyond proud of everything we’ve done in four short months. Again, I have to thank my amazing team for being there to work alongside me, and figure it all out with me.
SENIOR EDITORS
We’re looking forward to another amazing semester, with even more hard work and creative ideas to lay out between these pages. See you all April 2017.
COPY EDITORS
Sincerely, Sara Belcher Editor-in-Chief
Sara Belcher Annika Kushner Danielle Gazda Annika Kushner
FACULTY ADVISOR Katie Marks
DISTINCT dis • tinct /dә'stiNG(k)t/ 2
merriam-websters definition (adj) presenting a clear unmistakable impression
our definition
(n) a fashion and lifestyle magazine that celebrates the idea that beauty is inherent in individuality of expression
CONTENTS FASHION Dressing Up vs Dressing Down 4 Inclusive Nudes 6 Men’s Holiday Lookbook 9
BEAUTY Holiday Red Lips 14 Is Short Hair Unfeminine? 16 Holiday Palettes 17 CoverGirl’s Cover Boy 20
JHARREL JEROME 22 LIFESTYLE Write a Realistic New Year’s Resolution 28
HEALTH & FITNESS Sleep Better 30
CULTURE When to Say No 32
Distinct || DECEMBER 2016 3
D r e s s i n g Up v s . Dressing Down Is it really a big deal?
Written by: Andrew Phillips | Photography by: Andrew Phillips
When it comes college, most people recognize it as a time of freedom and expression. No one is telling students what to do or not to do, and they are certainly not telling them what to wear. Ultimately, it is their decision what they will put on each day for class. So this poses the question: To dress up or dress down? First impressions are everything. While some argue that it is about what is on the inside and not the outside, as human beings we cannot help but recognize what we see first. Someone who dresses nice will most likely catch the attention of the room more than someone who does not. I agree that there is importance in being an individual and not doing things just to match what society wants, however, in this instance, it is in your best interest to give in to the stereotype that dressing better can improve your life.
Scenario:
It’s 8:15 AM and you’ve just hit your snooze button for the second time even though you have class at 9. You know you should really get up and get ready but it’s just so comfy under those bed sheets. Finally, you decide to roll out of bed at 8:30. Maybe you have time for a shower, maybe you don’t, but you’re just not feeling the whole school thing today so you grab your favorite hoodie, pull on a pair of sweatpants and stumble onto class. 4
So what is the problem with this? You feel nice and comfortable wearing these clothes and it’s just class so why should it matter what you’re wearing?
The big question
So what does dressing down or up really mean? While opinions can vary from person to person, here’s what I would consider to be dressed down: Sweatpants, slippers, hoodies, t shirts, athletic shorts, slide flip flops Not all these items are restricted solely to this category. If a t shirt or a hoodie is paired with a nice pair of jeans or pants, it could pass as casual. Really what it comes down to is the way in which these items are worn. If they are simply old, mismatched, (possibly workout clothes) and thrown on because someone is lazy, then that would be dressing down. Dressing “up” is where things get a bit hazy. Some people would consider anything that’s not listed previously to be dressing up while others would consider formal wear to be dressing up. Obviously it is not necessary for people to wear a suit and tie to class, but the issue arises because the term “dressing up” is used to describe several things. Let’s consider dressing up to mean semi-formal and formal, and anything that’s between dressing down and that to
FASHION be called dressing “nice” or “neat.” With this clarification, what I would consider to be dressing nice or neat can be any of the following items: Jeans, chinos, casual button downs, sweaters, nicer t shirts, casual shoes, etc. So why am I an advocate for this kind of wardrobe instead of the other?
First and foremost: First impressions
On the first day of school, you don’t want to be known as the person who wears sweatpants to class. By doing this, it gives people the notion that you don’t care even enough to try on the first day of classes. The thing about first impressions is that you can only make them once. So if there is ever an instance to not dress down, it’s the first day of class, because you want to provide a great first image to your new professors and new fellow students. However, first impressions do not only happen on the first day of class. You can meet new people or have unexpected events when you least expect them. Say you run into someone attractive that you have never seen before on your way to the dining hall one day. The first thing they are going to notice is what you look like, or what you are wearing. You might feel more prepared about starting a conversation with them if you are well kept. What goes hand in hand with first impressions is that dressing nice makes you more approachable. People make premature judgments all the time based on the way others look. It is unavoidable and inevitable. You don’t want to be the person people associate as always looking like a mess. Being cheerful and outgoing will get you pretty far, but having a nice outfit on can make it more comfortable for those people who are more shy to approach you. Lastly, dressing nicely gives people confidence. When people give official presentations, they often wear formal attire (business casual). The reason why is because it makes them look presentable and in charge. Pulling a perfect fitting suit (or dress) over your body is a great feeling, which can make you feel more confident. This works with all different ranges of clothing as well. The nicer you dress, the better and more confident you feel, so why not put in a little effort if it is going to be rewarding?
When it’s okay to dress down
If you cannot commit to dressing nicely every day because it’s just too much for you to handle, then there are some occasions where dressing down can be accepted. However, I do not recommend that you do these too frequently because it may cause you to slip into bad habits. 8 am classes every once in awhile We understand. A class that starts at 8 am is early for any college student. Yes, the same rules still apply just like any other class so it is not recommended that you dress down for every 8 am class. That would just send the “I just got out of bed and am going back to sleep after this class” message. However, every now and again, if the early morning just isn’t your thing, a break is okay. You’re going to the gym immediately after class Sometimes it is just more convenient to be ready to go after class because going back and forth to your room would be a waste of time. In this instance, it would be acceptable to wear your workout gear to class. Notice I said after class. Don’t reverse the order. Exams during exam week Many times I’ve heard someone say they want to be comfortable while they sit down to take their finals. If that works for them, then so be it. If your exam is really early then it’s okay to get some extra sleep to be ready for your exam. There is of course the confidence argument that if you are dressed nicer you might perform better but for an exam, it’s up to you. People will be focused on passing their class more than on what you are wearing.
The takeaway
Dressing nice does not need to be anything more than putting a bit of effort into what you put on each day. The more that you do it the easier it becomes and the harder it is not to. Once you understand that dressing nice doesn’t have to mean “dressing up,” it can actually become your new normal. By simply raising your standards, dressing neat can become a lot easier.
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Inclusive Nudes Growing up mixed in a predominantly hispanic and white community, meant that I was aware, at a very young age, that I was different. I didn’t look like the majority of the other kids in my classes. Although there weren’t many blonde and blue eyed kids, most of them had a lighter complexion and straight hair. I, on the other hand, was “caramel” colored with black curly hair. I was aware I looked different, but it wasn’t much of an issue or a hardship— until it came to the dance and performance world. I started dancing at the age of three and competed and performed for many years. The dance world is where I would ultimately realize, with much frustration, how “different” I really was. A lot of necessities in the dance world, and ultimately products used by more than just dancers, were tailored to those who were white or had a lighter complexion. Everything from makeup, to tights, to shoes, even underwear has a “nude” shade, but
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Written by Alyssa Curtis
more times than not this shade was only considered nude for those who were white. Nude tights did not look nude on my legs, nude shoes looked more like beige shoes, and nude lipstick just made my lips look discolored and chapped. Slowly,companies are realizing that the standard nude shade is only truly nude for a small portion of women who use these products. I don’t understand why it has taken this long— because women of all colors have always existed and used these items— but nevertheless, it is finally happening. Companies of all types are coming out with more shades to include women of color and to ensure that complexions ranging from very light to to very dark are recognized in their “nudes.” Women all over the country rejoice! These companies are changing their idea of what “nude” really means.
Louboutin
The famous, high fashion shoe and accessory brand has come out with a line of nude ballet flats that come in a variety of shades. The line includes seven nude shoe options, ranging from the first and lightest shade, “porcelain,” to the darkest shade, “deep chocolate.” People are praising the well-known company for making inclusive nudes, which will hopefully inspire more high-fashion brands to follow suit.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
The beloved makeup brand has recently come out with it’s newest product - stick foundation. Along with this new product comes three contouring sticks and a highlighter. The foundation colors are broken up into seven categories: Very Fair, Fair, Light, Medium, Medium Tan, Dark and Deep. With these seven categories comes 26 foundation shades ranging from Alabaster to Earth. Each foundation has different undertones to ensure that their customers can find a shade that works for them and best fits their skin tone.
Nudz
The undergarment company strives to “banish beige” as the go to shade for nude, becuase nude for one woman does not mean nude for another. The founder realized that this wasn’t just a problem for women of color but women of all colors of the spectrum. The
FASHION company’s mission is to “redefine nude and banish beige as the default standard in the intimate apparel industry.” Nudz has come out with a collection called “The New Nudes.” Inspired by 10 celebrities, the undergarment collection includes shades ranging from ivory to cocoa, and allows all women to have not only pieces that match their skin tone but also fit them well.
Neutrogena
In February, the makeup brand expanded its shades to include more colors not only for women of color but across all shades. Neutrogena created 11 new shades for it’s foundation collection and 10 new colors for its MoistureSmooth Color Sticks. It’s important to note that not only did they add shades in their foundation products but also their lip products. Often, many women of color don’t look the same in certain lip shades such as light pinks or some browns as other women do, and tend to prefer different lip colors. Neutrogena has realized this and taken action.
Nubian Skin
Created in October 2015, Nubian Skin creates lingerie and hosiery for women of color, so every woman can now have the necessary basics at their disposal. The company believes “a nude bra and skin tone hosiery are the basics of every woman’s wardrobe” and makes that a possibility for women who might not have been able to have those basics before. Their products are available online and at select stores such as Nordstroms. All products are available in four different shades: Berry, Cafe Au Lait, Caramel and Cinnamon. Not only is it inclusive but it is also affordable- the panties in the nude line range from $16 to $25, while their bras are a little more pricey, selling for about $55.
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Mahogany Blues
The dance apparel company, Mahogany Blues, launched in 2015 with the mindset of creating a product for girls who have been dismissed and forgotten about by an industry who has been color blind for so many years. So many dancers have to resort to dyeing their apparel because there has never been a color of tights, leotards or shoes that accurately suit them. Mahogany Blues strives to be a solution for that dilemma. Their mission is to “provide nude dance apparel in shades reflective of every dance experience ensuring that no dancer is left behind.” Their leotards come in four colors- Amina, Jasmine, Tiana and Mulan.
Makeup Forever
The well-known makeup brand has recently launched new shades in its Ultra HD line, both in foundation - liquid and stick - and in concealer. Makeup Forever now has 40 shades in its Ultra HD liquid foundation ranging from Alabaster to Dark Brown. The stick equivalent- Ultra HD Stick Foundation now has 15 shades ranging from Ivory to Brown, and the Ultra HD Concealer now has 10 shades ranging from porcelain to chocolate. So whether you need full face coverage to just a light touch up, Makeup Forever most likely has your shade, whether you’re a person of color or not.
Skin
Habiba Da Silva, a 22-year-old blogger and designer from Birmingham, recently launched an inclusive line of hijabs to represent women of all skin tones. Hijabs don’t have to be nude, but creating the option for women celebrates their differences and allows them to choose. The hijabs can also be worn as scarves by men. Da Silva has also made sure to use diverse models to show off her creations. Although some customers perceive the price to be a little high - 20 pounds or about 25 US dollars- the company has expanded and has been well received. She plans to create more shades to become more inclusive.
It has taken way long for the makeup and clothing industries to not be colorblind and realize that women of color not only exist but also use the same products as everyone else. Now that they have, women of color can finally rejoice and take advantage of the ever changing society in which “nude” is not just nude for one type of woman.
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*Images are stock images
FASHION
Men’s Holiday Lookbook Styled By: Jenny Gil & Katie Ly Photography by: Lanise Starnes
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Bold Lip for the Holiday Written by: Madeline Strauch | Photography by: Lauren Ruth
A red lip is a great way to make a bold statement wherever your holidays take you this year! And red lips look killer on every skin tone; there is sure to be a red shade out there perfect for you. Some reds may flatter you more depending on what undertones your skin and the lipstick have. Reds with a blueish-purple undertone have a cooler undertone and pair perfectly with cooler complexions. And reds with a more warmer, orange base go great with warm complexions. A red lip slays in any form! Red lips can be worn by way of liquid lipstick, a rich gloss, a creamy color stick— the possibilities are endless. My personal favorites are a matte red lipstick or a red lipstick with a glossy clear lipgloss over top. Red is a classic color around the holiday season and a bold red lip will tie in with any red decorations. A red lip, although beautiful, can be tricky to apply at first. Here are a few tips for the perfect application!
1 2 3
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Start with exfoliated lips if possible, this way there are no dead skin cells for the color to cling to! Lightly hydrate the lips with a lip balm. Some people like to conceal their lips to start with a blank canvas, however this step isn’t absolutely necessary and you can always add concealer to the edges later.
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Find a great red lip liner that matches the shade of your red you will be applying. Line the lips slowly and fill in the lips lightly with the liner.
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Take whatever red lip product you will be using and apply it to the lips, trying not to fill in outside the lip liner line.
BEAUTY
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If you are using a matte red lipstick or if you want to make any finish matte, take a tissue and place it between your top and bottom lip. Next, take a brush with any finishing powder and pat it onto the tissue that is on the lips. Remove the tissue and press your lips together a couple times. This should help maintain the matte finish! If you want to go for a glossier look, apply a lipgloss over top. Some like to put the gloss all over the lips (such as myself) while others like to place the gloss in the center of the lip for a highlight and to make the lips appear fuller. If you notice the red has bled outside the lip line have no fear! Concealer to the rescue! Take any concealer and apply it around the outline of your lips to clean up any mistakes. Then apply a powder lightly over the concealer. Now you’re done, go out and own your red lip!
Red lips will never go out of style, so no matter how familiar or new this look is for you, wear it with confidence and you are sure to shine as bright as the holiday lights!
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Why is Shor t Hair D e eme d
“Unfeminine”? Written by: Kendall Palmatier
There are a lot of questions going around about what defines femininity. Some people might think it’s whether you wear makeup or not, or what kind of clothes you wear, or the lengthof your hair. The misogynistic stereotype that women with short hair are lesbians is simply not true. There have been a lot of famous actresses who have, or have had short hair, and have rocked it (i.e. Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Watson, and even Millie Bobby Brown from the hit series Stranger Things). When a woman takes something that society deems as “feminine” and then abandons it, it is very powerful. She isn’t going to please everyone, but she knows that, and is perfectly fine with it. More and more women are starting to cut their hair short, not because they want to make a statement (although that may be the case for some), but because they want to do it for themselves. Styling your short hair plays a big factor in how feminine your hair is perceived. There are many ways to style all types of short hair, like really short pixie cuts or the longer bob style. All Things Hair is a website that has links to a bunch of articles and tutorials to help you find your style and ways to make your hair what you want it to be. Author and blogger Rita Arens said in a post on Blog Her entitled Hair and Femininity: I Cut My Hair and Opened My Eyes, “I do feel different since that first big cut. It’s not less feminine or less sexy -- it might actually be more.” A lot of people have different opinions about short hair but there have been more trends popping up that have been convincing more women to do it. One trend some women with short hair partake in is dyeing their hair bright colors, like blue, purple, or pink. There is also the “rainbow” hair trend, where the hair is dyed different colors in layers to create a blend of colors, and sometimes it’s even ombred. Guy Tang is a hairstylist who has a YouTube channel where he posts videos of his hair “creations” from his own studio, Salon West Republic Hollywood. He also has a line of metallic hair dyes through Kenra Professional. If you ever start to have thoughts about dyeing your hair crazy colors, his channel has some great examples for inspiration. He has a lot of videos where he dyes hair of all lengths different colors and has also experimented with undercutting on his models. Undercutting is a trend that used to be popular among men, but more and more women have joined in on the fun. An undercut is when a part of the head is shaved or cut really close and then made into a pattern of some sort. There are a lot of options when it comes to undercuts, from a shaved side of the head to striped designs. Whether or not you decide to cut your hair short, dye it a funky color, or get an undercut, make sure you’re doing it for you. You really aren’t going to please everyone but as long as you enjoy it, that’s all that matters. Remember, your femininity isn’t measured by the length of your hair.
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Courtsey of
rman
ke Marissa Zuc
Sarah Ch aneles
ding
Jess Schra
Katie Siple
BEAUTY
Holiday Glitz and Glamour Written By: Missy Birnbaum
It’s that time of year again, snow’s falling on the ground, fairy lights are covering the houses, and our favorite makeup brands are releasing their holiday palettes! This year, some brands are slaying the makeup game, while others are falling flat. But don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you guessing. Here’s a full list of what to look for at your local Ulta and Sephora this holiday season! Tarte Cosmetics is releasing two solid holiday palettes this year. The first, named “Pretty PaintBox,” includes 24 eyeshadows, four cheek shades, a mini mascara, an eyeliner, and a mini lip gloss all wrapped up into one adorable makeup case. This kit is retailing for $59, which seems expensive, but for all the product you get,I personally think this is a steal. The second palette, is called the“Tarteist Paint Palette,” and it features 24 eyeshadows, three cheek colors, a mini mascara, a mini lip gloss, and a crease brush .This palette is really cool because the cheek section is able to be removed from the palette and carried as its own, smaller palette. This product retails for $49, and again, I think it’s 100% worth it. Do I think you need to run out and get both? Absolutely not! Personally I would buy the “Tartiest Paint Pallete” because it’s less expensive, and has the same amount of eye shadows. Also, this palette comes with a brush, and you can never have too many brushes. It comes as no surprise that Too Faced Cosmetics is absolutely slaying the holiday palettes this season. Not only are they releasing five holiday sets, every single one of them is BEAUTIFUL. The packaging: adorable. The eyeshadows: scented. The value: incredible. What more could anyone ask for? The big product this season is called the “Grande Hotel Café,” and it features three holiday coffee scented palettes. Each palette has six eyeshadows and a cheek color, and the kit also includes a sample size of the famous “Better Than Sex” mascara. This gem retails for $49, which I personally think is mainly because of the extravagant packaging, but it’s just so adorable. The second eye palette is called, “Merry Macarons,” and it features 12 vanilla macaroon scented eyeshadows and a sample of their “Better Than Sex” mascara. This product retails
Tarte Cosmetics “Pretty PaintBox”
Tarte Cosmetics “Tarteist Paint Palette,”
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for $39, which I would say is pretty standard for a palette of this size. Aside from the palettes, Too Faced also released three holiday kits. The first being the “Merry Kissmas” lip set. This set includes three mini melted lipsticks and one mini melted matte lipstick, retailing for $25, and considering the fact that the individual minis are being sold for $12 each, I would say this isn’t a terrible price. Next up is the “Let it Glow” highlighter and- blush kit. This kit features three cheek products, a blush, a highlighter, and a bronzer as well as a little heart shaped kabuki brush. Retailing at only $25 for six products, I would say run to the store and get this kit before it’s gone. Last, but certainly not least, is the “Naughty Kisses & Sweet Cheeks” set. This set is super cool because it features three duos of their “Lip Injection” lip glosses and “Love Flush” blush all packaged separately. This means, you can gift this to one person, or three people if you chose to split it up. Or you know, you could get it for yourself too. Retailing at $36, I would for sure put this on my shopping list. Congratulations Too Faced, you have officially won the holidays.
Too Faced “Grand Hotel Cafe”
Too Faced “Merry Macarons Palette” Too Faced “Merry Kissmas” lip set!
Too Faced “Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks 18
Too Faced “Let It Glow Highlight & Blush Kit”
BEAUTY
If you know anything about Buxom Cosmetics, it
should be that they have some of the prettiest lip glosses on the market, so when I heard they were releasing a holiday lip gloss set, I may have teared up a little. This set is called “6 Degrees Below Sexy,” and it contains six mini plumping glosses. Retailing for $32, the great thing about Buxom plumping lip glosses is that they don’t sting, they just feel kind of minty. As a superfan of these glosses, I would recommend getting this kit so you can try out a lot of colors at once. Out of all of the holiday palettes this year, I would have to say that Smashbox’s “Light It Up” three palette set is most practical. This set contains a six color eyeshadow palette, a six color lip palette, and a three color bronzing and contouring palette. The great thing about having three palettes is that the products will stay separate from each other, ensuring that fallout from the powders won’t get into the cremes and shimmers won’t get into the matte contour shades. Each of these palettes are compact and travel friendly, and retailing for $39 dollars, I would say this is a really good deal.
Buxom Cosmetics “Buxom 6 Degrees Below Sexy Plumping 6 Pc Mini Full-On Lip Polish Collection”
SmashBox “Smashbox Light it Up 3 Palette Set”
There are so many great options this holiday season for any makeup lover on your gift list, or yourself if you want to treat yourself. So many other companies also are releasing holiday collections, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any new announcements, and stalk your local makeup stores for the deals.
*all images are stock images
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CoverGirl:
Breaking Boundaries
In the Beauty Industry Written by: Serena Weiss
CoverGirl is demonstrating how the beauty industry doesn’t need to be gender exclusive. The makeup brand recently announced their new ambassador named James Charles, a 17-year-old senior in high school and a makeup artist from Bethlehem, N.Y. He creates iridescent makeup looks and epic transformations on his YouTube channel. Announced on Twitter on October 11, Charles is the first male face for CoverGirl in the brands nearly 60-year history. CoverGirl is creating space for males in the fashion and beauty industry by rejecting traditional gender stereotypes. Prior to having the opportunity to be a CoverGirl, Charles has gained popularity amongst Internet users. He has a little over 143,000 subscribers on YouTube and he has 826,000 people following him on his Instagram –jcharlesbeauty. Male makeup artists on YouTube have gained popularity over the past year. Other famous YouTubers include Patrick Starrr, Manny Mua, and Jeffrey Star who are breaking gender boundaries. The makeup lover gained attention in early September when he posted a picture on Twitter about retaking his senior photos. His highlighter on his cheekbones wasn’t as blinding as he wanted it to be. According to his tweet on Twitter, Charles wrote, “So I retook my senior photos and brought my own ring light with me so my highlight would be poppin.” This was serious business for him. He wasn’t playing any games. CoverGirl also recently announced another new brand ambassador named Nura Afia, a Muslim beauty blogger/YouTuber from Denver, C.O.. She will be the first CoverGirl to represent the brand wearing a hijab. In an interview with Glamour magazine, Afia said, “I never thought I would see Muslim women represented on such a large scale.” She is also a mother and wife, and is all about expressing her authentic self in life. Afia wants to show individuals the transformation and power of makeup. Since launching her YouTube career in 2011, the beauty guru has acquired a 20
BEAUTY
little over 213,000 subscribers and has over 300,000 followers on her Instagram account. She shares makeup tutorials and stylish ways to tie a hijab. Whether it might be a sparkly pink eye to go with a bright pink hijab or a beautiful golden look to match a yellow one, the YouTuber likes to match her hijab to her eye makeup look. Both Charles and Afia will be featured in CoverGirl’s upcoming campaign titled, #LashEquality and will accompany other CoverGirl ambassadors such as Sofia Vergara. They will appear in a commercial and on a billboard in Time Square in New York City. In the brands caption on Instagram, it wrote, “At COVERGIRL, we’ve always stood for inclusive beauty that supports any and all types — from skin types to lash types.” Once again, CoverGirl is showcasing that many different faces represent beauty. Previous CoverGirl spokespeople for the brand included a diverse group of women such as Ellen DeGeneres, Queen Latifah, Katy Perry, Zendaya, Pink, and many more. CoverGirl demonstrates that “easy, breezy, beautiful” is attainable for anyone and everyone. Keep striving CoverGirl!
*all photos are screencaps from social media accounts, and are not Distinct Magazine original content
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Jharrel Jerome was just starting his freshman year at Ithaca College last year. A boy from the Bronx, he came upstate to study acting in the Theater Department. After spending less than two months in the department, he landed the dream of many — a roll in a movie. Jerome performed the roll of sixteen-yearold Kevin in Moonlight, the movie that is now nominated for six Golden Globe award — and also has already accumulated a laundry list of awards. But his work doesn’t stop there. Jerome recently wrapped filming for the 2017 movie Monster, and also recently released his own single on Soundcloud. Sara Belcher, Distinct Magazine editor, talked with Jerome about his passion for acting, his experience in his first-ever movie, and some of his upcoming work.
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Jharrel Jerome
Sara Belcher: What made you choose Ithaca College? Jharrel Jerome: I was born and raised in New York City and I thought That ithaca was definitely a place completely different from the city and that’s something I definitely needed growing up. I felt like I wanted to experience something outside of the city— experience life in a more natural environment. I visited with my aunt and when I got here I just fell in love with the place. I fell in love with the nature, I fell in love with the trees, I fell in love with the student body, everybody seems so friendly. It just seemed like a place that could become a home away from home. Belcher: Do you think Ithaca helped shape you in any way in terms of your acting? Jerome: The teachers at Dillingham are all amazing; they’re all professional, they’re all experts at their craft and they know exactly how to guide a student in the right direction. As soon as I got here I felt a very great sense of family, a great sense of tradition and background. It was kind of easy to fall in line and to work with the students here. It felt like family, because we were all there doing what we loved. So being here definitely shaped me as an actor and continues to feed my love to the craft because it gives me reasons to continue doing what I’m doing.
like I grew up very sheltered around the same friends, around the same community, that I kind of wanted to branch out. I always wanted to grow up a bit different, and I didn’t know what it meant at the time, but my aunt was like “Try acting” and my mom and I looked at each other and was like “Okay, maybe yeah.” I signed up for one acting course, and while I was at the course the acting teacher told my mom that she saw natural talent, and that was the first time somebody saw something in me in terms of what I wanted to do in the future, and right there it kind of clicked. It was like maybe this is something I can really do. I picked up a monologue that my mom went and bought. I learned it with her and in the span of two months I auditioned for four different performing arts schools, and each of the four schools accepted me. So it really felt right. Belcher: How did you land the Moonlight gig? Jerome: That all started really with me getting represented by my managers— they are phenomenal. They signed me right out of high school after seeing me in two productions, and when we spoke and met for the first time we really made a connection. And I knew that they were people who were definitely going to benefit me in the long run, and we went through months of auditioning. Basically they read scripts, and according to whatever they read in the scripts… if there’s a part that fits my description they’ll send it over to me and I’ll go ahead and read a script and i’ll say “Yeah, I like it” and then I’ll go out for it. I’ll put myself on tape if I can’t go in live and see them personally. So I’ll go on what’s called a ‘self tape,’ so when it came down to Moonlight it was around October— it was actually October 9th, 2015, which was my 18th birthday. The morning of my 18th birthday, I get a script sent to me, and it’s Moonlight, and it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. I go ahead and I put myself on tape and I’m excited. I spent two hours in the West Tower lounge just putting myself on tape with my friend Damiano and after two hours of “No, no, we have to do this again, it’s not right, my voice is weird,” and blah blah blah, I went ahead and I put in something that I felt was pretty good. And a week later, I get a call from my managers and they say I booked the part. I was actually with my friends on fall break [in New York City], I get the call and they tell me and I just lean back on the closest wall and I started to cry. It was just an overwhelming feeling because it was my 23
“I just lean back on the closest wall and I started to cry”
Belcher: When did you know that you wanted to get into acting? Jerome: It actually started pretty late. It started around 13, so I didn’t grow up performing. I found my love my freshman year of high school. I went to [Fiorello H. LaGuardia] High School and I didn’t really know much about acting, didn’t know much about monologues about scene work. They accepted me after I auditioned in the eighth grade, and I auditioned only two months after I picked up a script for the first time. But as soon as I got to LaGuardia as a freshman, I learned new things about the trade and the craft; I learned how important it was not only to people doing it but to the world, and that’s why I fell in love with it, as a freshman and then continuing on my next years in school. Belcher: What made you apply to a performing arts school if you’d never acted before? Jerome: It was as simple as this: I didn’t want to go to a regular high school. I grew up in the Bronx, I felt
first project, it was the first time I had been auditioned for a few months. And you get close sometimes, and it’s nothing; and you get close another time, and nothing. And then that one time, you get a yes, and it’s the greatest feeling in the world. Belcher: How did you juggle all of this and school work? Jerome: I’m still currently juggling everything— it’s insane. Basically last year it was pretty easy because all it took was two weeks. I was filing in Miami from late October into the beginning of November only, and so I was able to leave school for two weeks and the teachers at Dillingham were very okay with it. They were proud. They were like “Yeah, go have your fun and do your thing, make sure you make up your work.” Last year it was kind of a breeze. It was amazing. I felt like I was cruising. And then reality hit this year, because this year was sort of the aftermath of last year. Moonlight went through its festival phase in the past month throughout October [of 2016]. I missed a whole lot of school in October, so that’s why I’m a part time student now and I have to take a leave from the drama department simply because I was just missing too many classes. And it was bittersweet and it was something that was hard to do but at the same
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time I understand things are really looking up. The theater department is so very proud of me… It’s been hard having to juggle school work and then the real world. Belcher: Did you ever see yourself getting involved in films and movies? Or did you think you would do more of the on-stage productions? Jerome: So in high school it was solely theater training for me; I only took one film class when I was a junior and other than that it was all stage production. So while I was training in theater, I realized I loved acting— I did love performing, but I was watching too many movies and I was in love with too many film actors and I realized that film was something that I wanted to do. And when I took that one class my junior year I completely fell in love with film acting, and it only took one semester out of my four years of high school. It wasn’t actually until got to Ithaca where I got to be in a lot of short films. Me and my friends created films in high school, little films for me to act in, but it was only that. When I got here I got to perform in the Park school then I did a couple of those projects, and being in front of a camera has always felt more natural to me. I love the intimacy of the camera, I love the feeling of the cast and crew coming together in this
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small circle and creating a project and then creating it for an audience later on, not right now. So when I did Moonlight, it was honestly one of my first few times on a real film set or on any film set actually. But it felt so amazing and it felt like something I was wanting to take part of and I am wanting to take part of from here on out, yknow? Belcher: What was it like being a part of a big movie shoot? Jerome: Everything’s just larger than life right now, and it’s almost hard to grasp. Sometimes I sit back and I try to think about it, but it’s so much to think about that I get lost in it and I just stare into a space and someone has to snap me out of it because it’s incredible. Last year when I was on Moonlight I was very nervous at first. As soon as I landed in Miami I kind of just went straight to the set and I met Barry Jenkins [the director], I met his crew members. And at first I was really nervous because everything was so large scale— especially in my world— but as soon as I met Barry he gave me such a warm hug and it felt like I knew him for so long. As well as the rest of the crew, everyone was so welcoming, everyone was so honest and helpful, they didn’t treat me like a newbie, they didn’t treat me like the rookie, they treated me as if I was a partner of theirs — as if I was an artist coming together to work on a project. And that feeling alone felt very good. That allowed me to get comfortable with the crew, get comfortable with the cast so that when the first time Barry called action, and the camera was in my face for the first time... the nerves were there, but I felt as though this wasn’t something that I should be scared about. This wasn’t the audition— this was the job, this was the real deal. And that also carried on to the other projects that I 26
continue to work on. It’s so amazing to see that in the real world there are still real people, and they’re not robots bossing you around… And after seeing me on the big screen? *chuckles* I don’t know, it’s like I grip onto the chair and I take a deep breath because half of me says “Here it is, you got it, you made it,” and the other half is like “Everyone is watching you right now, how do you feel? How are you supposed to be?” It’s unreal. Belcher: What’s the overall reaction that you’ve gotten to your part in the movie? Jerome: It’s been a lot of amazing feedback, it’s almost overwhelming. It’s so amazing to see so many people react so positively to one thing. As for me my family is completely in love with the project and in love with my character, and that’s such a good feeling this year. They go “Wow I didn’t even know that was you that was nothing like you.” It’s always a good feeling to see that your job has been done. As for critic reviews and all that, that’s amazing. It’s highly anticipated that we can get nominated for best picture, for best director, for best writing. Just feeling that, to know that I’m in a project like that… Belcher: Do you have any advice on how to handle criticism? Jerome: I did mention all the positive feedback, but at the same time there is a ton of negative feedback there. The project is very controversial and my role in specific is a very, very controversial role in terms of him dealing with his homosexuality in such an environment that isn’t okay [with homosexuality]. I’ve actually seen comments on Facebook, comments on vine disrespecting me, my character, the project. Things like “Why do they have to shove this gay agenda?” and that sort of thing. You just got to really read those comments
and understand that people will be like that. And no matter how much positivity you throw into the world, there will always be [people like that]. And you almost have to sit there and accept that will won’t accept it and continue [to keep] spreading the love, continue showing the love and continue trying to make your own difference, regardless of people not willing to change. In terms of receiving criticism, I think criticism is the best way to learn. I think the best criticism comes from those that are hard on you, those who see the fault in you… It’s almost better to learn from someone who’s completely bashing you, than someone who thinks you’re great, because you become stronger off those comments. You become stronger off those who disagree with what you do. Because either you change, or you say “No this is what I’m going to continue doing.” Belcher: What do you think is your favorite thing about acting? Jerome: I think my favorite thing is — it’s the part where I step out of character. I think the most common answer is stepping into character, becoming someone else, for me it’s that feeling when I have [finished.] I just became someone else and now I’m [stepping out] and I’m realizing that this is a passion, this is my craft, this is what I love to do. And then when I step back into the character I’m totally immersed in them and I just get lost in it, and that feeling of getting lost and then coming back into the real world and seeing how the audience feels, seeing how you feel, seeing how it feels to have lived in that character… is really your passion.
love writing songs, I love telling stories in music, I love creating flows and [creating] word play for people to just munch on for a little bit. I’m just really into art, and I think there’s a lot of different ways that art can tell any story, and acting is one way, and for me music is another way as well. I definitely hope to have a career in both acting and music. I don’t just want to be considered an actor, I also want to be considered a musician and artist in terms of music as well. Belcher: What other projects are you working on that you can tell us about? Jerome: I am very happy to say that yesterday I found out that I’ve been cast in a TV series called Mr. Mercedes. It is based off a Stephen King novel titled Mr. Mercedes, and I’m actually playing Jerome, which is a very great character in the book. I’ll be filming in South Carolina from January to May this coming semester. So that’s incredible. That’s something I’m extremely excited for so that’s almost just throwing me into an extremely intense experience out of nowhere— but I’m extremely ready and I’m so excited. I was filming in Harlem, alongside ASAP Rocky and Jennifer Hudson in a project called Monster and that was being directed by Andy Mandler and it’s based off a book by [Walter Dean Myers], entitled Monster as well. So I’m doing a lot of projects based off books, that seems to be the theme going on.
“It’s almost better to learn from someone who’s completely bashing you, than someone who thinks you’re great”
Belcher: I see that you released a new single on Soundcloud. Do you think music is something else you’ll explore in your career? Jerome: Most definitely. Music has been a part of my life before acting was a part of my life. I grew up listening to Hip Hop and R&B, Jazz, Folk— I grew up with a lot of influence in music. And when I was eleven I actually started freestyling, and that allowed me to start writing around the time that I was fourteen/ fifteen. By the time I was in high school I was just considering myself a rapper. I love making music, I
Belcher: Do you have any suggestions for those trying to make it in the acting business? Jerome: Patience is a virtue. I think that’s my best advice that I can give to you. Especially young artists who are hungry for the throne, and really want to succeed, really want to reach stardom. A lot of people want to get to places of fame and places of success, but that comes in time. I feel that comes in practice, and that comes in rehearsals, and sometimes it takes one performance that’ll get you to the top, or sometimes it’ll take several. Patience is a virtue, and I think it’s not about chasing the success, it’s about working your way up to the success, and letting the success come to you.
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How to: Write an
Achievable
New Year’s Resolution Written by: Sara Belcher | Photography by Sara Belcher
New Year’s resolutions — those things that everyone says they’re going to do the following year, and then gives up on by January 3rd. By now, you’ve probably considered just not making any resolutions at all (you’re just going to give up on them anyway). But maybe the problem isn’t your lack of drive, or that New Year’s resolutions are stupid; maybe you’re just approaching them the wrong way. Maybe, you’re just not making your resolutions realistic for yourself, setting yourself up for failure from day one. But can you actually write a realistic New Year’s resolution? Yes, yes you can. Your resolutions can be accomplish — just follow these easy steps to writing an achievable New Year’s resolution.
1.) Think of something you really want to do/accomplish Maybe it’s time to pull out that bucket list that’s collecting dust. Think of something (or somethings depending on how long you want your list to be) that you’ve always wanted to do. Things like travelling to a different country, running a marathon, and writing a novel are all big bucket list items that are great to spark ideas for New Year’s resolutions. If this doesn’t work, think back on the previous year, and on what you weren’t so happy with. Maybe you were stressed out a lot, and felt constantly unorganized; or maybe you feel like you had too many helpings of pizza at the dining hall. 28
LIFESTYLE
2.) Make that goal realistic Obviously, you won’t be able to run a marathon if you get winded walking up the stairs. And you won’t write a best selling novel if you haven’t put pen to paper in months. Start small. Shoot to run a 5k, or write the first five chapters of your book in the new year; that way you won’t feel partway through the year that your goal is simply not realistic. Even if your resolution is not based on your bucket list, this still applies. Don’t make the goal to avoid being stressed out for the next year (let’s face it, that’s impossible) — make it something simpler, like you want to become more organized. Don’t say you’re going to cut out pizza completely and lose 50 pounds; while this may seem somewhat realistic, it’ll require massive dedication and change to your lifestyle, so only agree to it if you’re 100 percent sure you want to commit to it.
3.) Make a plan for how you’re going to accomplish your goal You can’t actually achieve your goal if you don’t give yourself a plan to accomplish it. Set up days you plan to train, or go to the gym; or set up specific times of the day to dedicate to writing. Give yourself short term goals throughout the year to shoot for. This will ensure that you stay on track to achieve your goal by the end of the year, and so you don’t start to feel overwhelmed.
4.) Write it down Put it in a journal. Make a goal board. Write it in the notes app on your phone. Whatever works best for you, just make sure you document your goals. If you don’t write them down, how are you going to keep track of how you’re doing?
5.) Don’t tell people about your goal Writer and entrepreneur Derek Sivers revealed in a TED Talk that telling people about your goals actually makes you less likely to achieve them, because it trick your brain into thinking you’ve already achieved your goal. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to keep your goal a secret from everyone you know; you can tell your friends and family about your goal, but do it in a way that inspires them to help you achieve it. For example, don’t say: “I’m going to run a 5k by the end of 2017.” Say: “I want to run a 5k this year, so I need to run at least three times a week. Don’t let me slack.” You can use them to hold you accountable, but don’t brag about what you’re going to do if you haven’t actually done it yet.
6.) Don’t give up This is probably the most important factor in any successful New Year’s resolution. You’re going to face many roadblocks throughout the year, that are going to make you want to give up on your resolution — there are 365 days in a year, and not all of them are going to be good days. There will be setbacks, and days where you feel like you just want to give up; be stronger than those days, and remind yourself why you wanted to achieve that resolution in the first place. As long as you don’t quit, you’re more than likely to achieve your goal by the end of the year.
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Get a Better Nights Sleep Written by: Sara Belcher Graphic by: Sara Belcher
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Sleep. That moment at the end of the day we all look forward to. The main hobby of many a college student. And the first thing to be shortened when we’re stressed for time. When classes, extracurriculars, and finals get the best of us, the first part of our day we put up on the chopping block is our sleep. All nighters and coffee-fueled days are a regular for the involved college student. But at what cost? The New York Times published an article all about sleep, and reported that getting less than six hours of sleep a night weakens your immune system, and those that get less than seven a night are at a higher risk for heart disease, depression, and “premature death.” It’s also suggested that the brain uses your sleep time to expel toxins from your brain, and acts as a sort of reset. Even if you don’t consider the long term effects of not sleeping, there are more immediate risks to your body from lack of sleep. Don’t even consider getting behind the wheel after pulling an all nighter, because driving drowsy is just as dangerous as driving drunk, and lack of sleep was the cause of almost 275,000 workplace accidents in 2012. Sleep is important, and getting a good night’s sleep is more than beneficial; that’s why it’s important to make your sleep a strict and important part of your daily schedule. The first step to feeling well rested when you wake up in the morning is to set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Try and go to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every day (yes, even on the weekends). Both the Mayo Clinic and the National Sleep Foundation recommend this as the first step to feeling well-rested. It’s also a good idea to set up a bedtime ritual, to let your body know that you’re going to go to bed soon; this can be something as simple as taking a shower, or a skin care routine. Whatever it is though, try and avoid involving electronics, as they’re known to have a negative effect on your sleep. According to Sleep. org, everything from your laptop to your smartphone emits light that tricks the brain into thinking it needs to be awake, making it harder to fall asleep. They also suppress melatonin, which controls your sleep cycle. Any activity you do on your smartphone or tablet also keeps your brain awake and engaged, so try and cut your Netflix binge a little short. Making your bed a comfortable place meant only for sleeping is another tip suggested. We know it seems
HEALTH & FITNESS next to impossible with the college-provided mattresses, but try and make your bed as comfy as possible; add extra pillows, and maybe even a mattress topper to make your college bed a comfortable place to rest your head at night. Also try and make sure that you’re only using your bed to sleep in, meaning you should avoid doing homework or even watching TV in your bed. By doing this, every time you get into bed you’re telling your brain that it’s time to relax for the night. If you find that you struggle falling asleep at night, maybe think about what you’re doing some time before bed. Try and make sure you’re not eating too close to your bed time, but that you’re not hungry either, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Cutting down on caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol before bed are also good ideas, as they affect your ability to fall asleep. It’s also best to avoid late afternoon naps, as they can really mess up your sleep cycle. If you find that you’re continually having problems falling asleep or staying asleep at night, consider contacting your doctor. You could have insomnia, sleep apnea, or other sleep-related problems, and they’re the best people to help get you treated. No matter the pile of homework you have, sleep is important, and should become a priority in your daily routine. Stop cutting sleep to make room for other activities, and try to get at least seven hours of sleep a night. By following the above tips, you should begin to feel more well-rested and awake in no time! You never know — you may even become a morning person!
Driving drowsy is just as dangerous as driving drunk
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W h e n to S a y NO When resume building gets in the way of your personal health.
Written by: Sara Belcher
You’re sitting in the library, you’re on your third cup of coffee for the day, and you’ve only written a third of the essay that’s due tomorrow. You feel stressed beyond belief, and you’re not quite sure when you’re going to actually get some decent sleep. Then you get a text from your friend, asking if you do the lighting for her film she’s shooting for class — meeting during your only free time this week. You groan as you contemplate your options; you would really like a break, but helping with this project would add to your list of experience, and would help build your portfolio. So what is it: sleep, or resume? College is the ever-busy realm, filled with endless resume-building opportunities, and constant reminders of what’s expected of us in the real world. The looming job market and questions of “What are you going to do after college?” leave many students filling their plates with more than they can handle in an attempt to be the most appealing candidate after graduation. But when does it all become too much? While being the overachiever that is expected of many students, we tend to neglect our mental health. It may seem like nothing at first — sure, you pull one or two all nighters that week, and maybe have coffee for lunch one day, it can’t be that bad, can it? 32
Signs You’re Over Stressed -Frequent headaches -Trouble falling asleep -Mood swings -Feelings of loneliness or depression -Stomach aches -Fatigue -Tense muscles -Rapid heartbeat -Purposely avoiding others -Frequent colds -Decreased sexual desire
CULTURE Stress can have a negative impact not only on your mental health, but on your physical health in general. According to WebMD, physical signs of stress are headaches, insomnia, feelings of loneliness or depression, stomach aches, and so many more. All of these symptoms can make it harder to concentrate on your work, and ultimately affect your productivity. Being overly stressed also weakens your immune system, according to the American Psychological Association. When you start to experience the above symptoms, you become more susceptible to diseases, such as the cold or flu. And let’s face it: You’re not as productive when you’re sick. So when do you actually need to say no? When it starts to affect your physical health is a good starting point, but you don’t always need to wait until you get there to justify saying no. Listen to yourself and your body, and when you pay attention to when enough is enough. Your school life shouldn’t be limiting your social life — meaning you shouldn’t continuously turn down time with friends to do homework and other obligations. If you’re missing out on sleep and are starting to feel overly tired all the time is another indicator that it might be time to take a break. If you’re stuck in a situation where saying no isn’t really a viable option, then try different ways of managing the stress. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, there are simple things that you can do every day to help manage your stress, and avoid breakdowns. Taking breaks and stepping away from your stressor can help clear your head, as can focusing on your breathing and counting to ten. Also focus on eating healthy meals three times a day, avoiding caffeine, and getting enough sleep. All of these can help make you feel at least a little better when you can’t avoid the stress. Being a college student is stressful, and can easily take a toll on both your mental and physical health. Pay attention to how your body and mind are reacting to the amount of stress you’re putting yourself through, and acknowledge when you’re doing too much. And remember, it’s okay to say no sometimes, especially when your health is on the line.
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