Fall2009 | Vol. 9, No. 1 unc.edu/kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope
™
Fashion Magazine
Her Way to Your Way
Steal designer looks for cheap
Behind the Boutique
What Chapel Hill’s local boutiques have to offer
Stylists’
Choice
Kaleidoscope staff picks trendy looks for fall
Obsessed with Anti-Aging? Is 19 too young to use anti-aging serum?
Letter from the Editor Editor-in-Chief:: Marisa Staton
Public Relations Director:: Kelsie Murdock
Executive Editor:: Jessica Cruel
Styling Director:: Elizabeth Graper
Design Director:: Mina Liu
Treasurer::
Kinsley Parsons
Web Editor:: Justina Chen
Webmaster:: Sarah Riazati
Assistant Editor::
Ariel Lynn Butters
Assistant Public Relations Director:: Nicole Holmes
Design::
Danielle Cushing | Kaitlin Hall |Kelsey Isenberg Anne Krisulewicz | Mina Liu | Sierra Piland | Sarah Riazati | Christina Serrano Elizabeth Trent
Styling::
Samantha Brody | Carolina Early Elizabeth Graper | Aly Mackenzie | Kristina Walker Katie Wood | Lilly Zhang
Writing::
Justina Chen | Jacqueline Scott | Annie Arntz MaryAnn Barone | Jessica Cruel |Kelsie Allen Ariel Lynn Butters | Patricia Laya |Diana Holoman Travis Styres
Publicity:
Evanne Allen Kati Blaylock |Atembe Fonge | Lauren Hafezi Nicole Holmes | Katie Musgroves | Kinsley Parsons Tricia Thompson
A
hh! Fall is my favorite time of year, and not just for its perfect weather. This season’s fashion includes some of my favorite things—chunky jewelry and pops of rich color, making this fall fab instead of drab. To see what Kaleidoscope’s stylists love right now check out Stylists’ Choice, pg 14. At the top of my must-have list for this season is a leather bomber jacket and pair of peep-toe booties. This year Kaleidoscope is stepping it up with more events, more editorial and more fun! Check out unc.edu/kaleidoscope for exclusive articles that aren’t in the magazine and weekly blog posts on everything from fashion to health. In this issue you’ll find spotlights on local boutiques (definitely check out Martin & Mary’s, it’s new and awesome!), pg. 20, our new and improved health page, pg. 5, and information about campus organizations that are for women, by women, pg. 6. Kaleidoscope stepped out in style at A Red Carpet Affair, our annual release party, at East End Martini Bar October 14th. If you just missed it, and don’t want to miss out again, become our fan on Facebook or follow Kscopemag on Twitter to stay in the know. Still to come this year is Kaleidoscope’s annual fashion show, bar nights and fundraisers, and I hope to see you all there!
Photographer::
Love, Marisa Staton
Blog Contributors::
Editor-in-Chief
Matthew Koester
Mark Sabb | Linda Zhang
contents lifestyle health
Nutrition, fitness, relationship, and medical advice 5
features
project dinah
Get the scoop on the campus organization 6
page 07
behind the boutique
Get to know the local boutiques in Chapel Hill 20
beauty lady in red How to wear bright red lipstick 7
obsessed with anti-aging How young is too young to use antiaging serum 22
fashion her way to your way
Steal designer looks for cheap 10
stylist’s choice
Kaleidoscope staff picks trendy fall outfits 14
in every issue letter from the editor 2
what’s in her closet? STV style of Perrine 8
on the cover Photography & Photo Editing: Matthew Koester Model: Charlotte Ekberg Stlying Directors: Elizabeth Graper Contributing Stylists: Samantha Brody, Aly Mackenzie, Caroline Early, Kristina Walker, Katie Wood, Lilly Zhang
page 20 page 22
505 Meadowmont Village Circle Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517 919.933.8647 martinandmarys.com
HEALTH
The Skinny on Campus Dining
By Annie Arntz ensure that students receive the freshest food. Vegetarian dishes and the salad bar are good ways to incorporate veggies into a meal, and both Ram’s Head and Lenoir serve fruit, yogurt and cottage cheese as salad bar options. Lactose-free frozen yogurt is a new, healthy addition this year. If you have a sweet tooth, try out the yummy desserts suggested below. The nutritional information is located next to every food station in Ram’s Head and Lenoir, so find the tastiest-looking treat and double check its calories to portion properly. Bon Appétit!
Food that is healthy and delicious can seem like an oxymoron. But this year, living on campus is made easier by healthy options in campus dining halls. Director of Dining and Vending at UNC-Chapel Hill Scott Myers says what every good nutritionist will say: “Part of being healthy is eating a good breakfast. Students often shop with their eyes,” said Myers. “So having fresh food is the key to getting students to eat healthy. “ The university is required to have at least three vegetables at each meal, and UNC-CH buys local to
Calories Protein (g) Banana Hot Cakes (2)
Total Fat (g)
341.62
8.79
4.21
Turkey Sausage (1)
41.91
2.8
3.25
Pepporoni Pizza (8-sliced)
277.13
15.47
9.72
Turkey Dijon Lavish Wrap
277.82
15.51
11.18
Grilled Rosemary Chicken
154.28
17.8
8.61
Peach Cobbler
136.59
2.94
4.1
Sugar Cookies
230.22
3.44
6.77
Work Out To Your Own Beat By Kelsie Allen If you who hate lifting weights or running on the treadmill – this one’s for you. Exercise doesn’t have to be something you dread. In fact, it can be whatever you want, and finding a group fitness class that
Zumba
ON CAM
PUS!
A fusion of Latin and International music and dance themes creates a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness system. The routines feature aerobic interval training with a combination of fast and slow rhythms that tone and sculpt the body. The dance steps are fun and easy-to-follow! • The SRC or RHRC • Visit http://campusrec.unc.edu for the group exercise schedule
you love is the first step to getting in shape and having fun while doing it. Check out either of these two non-traditional classes, where you can get your groove on and shake the pounds off. By Kelsie Allen
Language of Tribal Belly Dance Tribal belly dance interweaves elements from various dances and practices on top of a belly dance foundation that highlights feminine strength. This class combines yoga, pilates, and calisthenics to build strength while seeking to release stress and emotions. • Balanced Movement Studio, • $12 per class • Mondays, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Keep Your Old Friends Close
By Travis Styres Even though we’ve made the transition to college, it’s still important to stay in touch with your best friends from high school. Here are a few tips that can help:
1 2 3 4 5
Skype, a free downloadable program, will let you see and talk to your best friend anytime. It may not be the real thing, but it’s pretty darn close. Pick a special event to experience together, like a movie premiere or a rivalry game. Make sure to alternate locations so your old friends can meet your new ones. Use Hallmark’s website to stage a Funniest E-card Competition! The winner receives a special package for all the participants. Is your bestie across state lines? Plan a getaway during school breaks! Don’t let the opportunity to spend time together pass you by. If your best friend is on campus, designate one night a month as date night! Whether you go shopping, have a relaxing meal, or just host a study night, you will experience college together instead of growing apart.
The Swine Flu and You
By Diana Holoman Not only has swine flu taken UNC-Chapel Hill by storm, but hundreds of universities across the country are suffering as well. Meanwhile, Campus Health Services is doing all that it can to educate students on H1N1 and how to prevent it. Their website assures students that if they have roommates that are infected that they are still able to go to class and dining halls as normal. However if you start to feel sick, you should consider going home to recover. Symptoms include high fever, body aches and coughing very much like a common cold or flu. But H1N1 patients have also complained of diarrhea and vomiting. You can be sure by scheduling an appointment with campus health for an official diagnosis. The disease is incredibly contagious, and students are urged to wear masks when entering the building for such appointments. The virus is spread through contact with particles in the air as well as touching infected objects. A campus health representative for UNC-CH said that the new H1N1 vaccine is not yet available and it is unclear when they will receive it. Walgreens is currently offering seasonal flu shots; however, the H1N1 vaccine has not arrived yet. The vaccine is expected to hit North Carolina TIPS FOR clinics and doctors’ STAYING HEALTHY offices during the first • Wash your hands religiously week of October. For • Take a lot of vitamin C more information, visit • Get plenty of sleep campushealth.unc.edu.
4 Women @ UNC:
By Jaqueline Scott
Project Dinah Who: Project Dinah, a UNC women’s safety and
empowerment initiative, seeks to end all sexual violence on campus and in the community through education and advocacy. Named Project Dinah (pronounced DEE-nah), the organization got its name from Dinah, the daughter of Jacob and Leah whose rape story is told in the Book of Genesis.
Why: “Near the beginning of the fall 2004 semester, Alison Rose, Hannah Gutterman, Samantha Stiles, and Alyssa Kate were first-year students walking to NC Hillel,” co-chair of Project Dinah, Sara Isaacson said. “Hannah had read in the paper that a female student at another UNC system school had been sexually assaulted in her own dorm room.” Rose, Gutterman, Stiles and Kate were adjusting to college life on their own and feared they, too, could fall into the same position. After some discussion and research, the friends were shocked by statistics on the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses, so they decided to take action. They met with Or Mars, then Executive Director of NC Hillel, who harnessed their dissatisfaction with the lack of activism on campus for women’s issues. Mars helped the four friends apply for a Student Initiatives Grant through International Hillel. They received $1500 – enough to distribute safety whistles and resource cards on campus as a way to lay the groundwork for Project Dinah. With the contributions of Emily Dunn, Stephanie Berman and Jenn Lande, Project Dinah continued to grow, and currently has about 20 active members.
What: Project Dinah works closely with the Carolina
Women’s Center and the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, the UNC Safety and Security Committee, Campus Health Services, the Dean of Student’s Office and various other organizations. Previous programs have included “Take Back the Night”;“I o Female Orgasm,” an informative and humorous sex education event; and self-defense seminars. Project Dinah also sponsors the Halloween Fashion Show where individuals don costumes and hold posters that declare their right to space or demand an end to inappropriate grabbing, groping and other contact. In addition, during events and on the side, Project Dinah distributes safety whistles, “You will be believed” or “Got Consent?” t-shirts, and bookmarks with information on stalking, intervention and other violences. Although it was originally founded with the help of NC Hillel, the organization has no religious or political affiliation.
How: You can become involved with Project Dinah by attending meetings on
Mondays at 7 p.m. in Bingham 101. You can also visit their website at projectdinah.webs.com or subscribe to the listserv by e-mailing projectdinah@unc.edu.
BEAUTY
LADY IN RED
By MaryAnn Barone
Red lipstick is a guaranteed way to stand out from the crowd, and can be more versatile than you think! A steady hand and a healthy dose of confidence are all that’s needed to pull off this look. When picking a color, look to your skin tone for guidance. Warmer skin tones will look better in lipsticks with golden undertones, while more fair skin tones should stick with blue-based reds. Whether you want to be professional or flirty, red lipstick can acheive the look you want.
Professional>>
Rosario Dawson
Pick a red with a matte finish—a glossier version may be too distracting for a professional setting. For a more precise application, invest in a lip brush and apply the product using short brushstrokes. Keep the rest of your makeup simple with a natural powder blush and mascara. You want your lips to do the talking. TRY: Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Red Hot, $14, or Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red, price varies by store
Megan Fox
<<Flirty
Audrey Hepburn
Pick a deep red for a retro glam look and be sure to layer your lip color to help prevent color feathering. First, use a lip balm to smooth any cracks or ridges. Then, apply lipstick and blot with a tissue. Repeat this process until you reach the color intensity you want. Then, pump up the shine with a bit of gloss that complements a night on the town. Complete the look with a flirty cat eye, extending liner up and slightly out above the lash line. Now you’re ready to bat your eyes and pout your lips to perfection! TRY: Nars Lipstick in Manhunt, $24, or Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipcolor in Very Cherry, price varies by store
Marilyn Monroe
2009 Fall
7
In her closet:
STV Style By Patricia Laya
And a Sneak Peak Into Perrine’s Random/Coordinated/Bright/Diverse Wardrobe
Last year Perrine DeShield and a group of friends donned black and headed to the campus cemetery, where they formed a circle and exchanged parting words - for a skort. Perrine’s friends weren’t just ordinary friends, they were “The Fierce Force,” and Perrine wasn’t just your average girl, she was acting out a skit for the pilot of a show she founded, Carolina Style. “No one should ever wear a skort,” said Perrine. “Unless you’re, like, less than twelve-months old.” But Perrine was already making fashion statements from an early age with the help of her fashion-savvy mom. “She dressed me well,” she remembers. “Even on wacky tacky days at school.” Perrine’s first label crush was Limited Too – so much so that she scribbled the brand name on the bottom of her nonLimited Too t-shirts. But it was during her senior year in high school when Perrine started developing her own style, and she immediately received positive feedback. “I wanted to be different and mix things up,” she said. “My friends can never expect what I’m going to wear.” The compliments were so recurring that Perrine thought she would put her original style to use, and her long-time wish to create and produce a TV show materialized on UNC’s campus. With the help of a few fashion forward-friends she calls “The Fierce Force,” she created Carolina Style. It’s a show about expressing individuality
through style and fashion while shopping on a college budget that premiered in the spring of 2008 on STV. “Carolina Style is who you are and what you wear,” she said. “There’s no bad style.” Even though she names Isaac Mizrahi as one of her top designers, Perrine herself centers on affordability. She uses the looks from runway shows as inspiration when combing through racks at Forever 21 or Goodwill. Once she even went into her mom’s closet, grabbed a hot pink polo that was a few sizes too big, belted it, popped the collar, added tights and called it a day. “I’ll almost wear anything,” she said. “I’ll make anything work for me.” The senior journalism major from Greensboro likes to go from preppy to punk, defining her style as random, but at the same time coordinated and diverse. She likes to pair her favorite dark blue jeans from Ross with basic V-necks, a colorful scarf and one of her two favorite bags: a turquoise treasure from Nine West and a structured red snake-leather handbag. Still unsure about fashion design school, Perrine is only certain that she wants to work in a fashion related field. For right now, what she really wants out of her senior year is adventure. “I want to see more people on campus take risks with fashion.” Be sure to check out Perrine’s picks for fall trends and must-have pieces on Carolina Style, airing everyday at 6 pm on STV.
“I’ll almost wear anything.” -Perrine DeShield
8
Fall 2009
This was during winter 08—I love all kinds of cardigans b/c you can wear them a million ways! Those were my fav. Cowboy boots from Time After Time, they’re really really vintage, and scuffed, I liked the “worn look” accessory when paired with more of a conservative outfit.
I won the 2009 Miss Krimson and Kreme pageant sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and I loved my coral evening gown! It was cut low in the back and had strategically placed sequence. I also got it from Ross (for a low price…)
I love colorful skinny jeans— they add a pop to your outfit! I got these yellow ones from Rue 21. The vintage Woodstock v-neck went well with the long necklace and my sun/ moon sack bag. (Yes, I’m in an Ehringhaus elevator…lol)
This belt has saved my outfits several times! It added shape to this loose fitting sundress while adding a color focus. ed
This was another one of my “random” dressed moments. I got the turquoise vest from Goodwill, and I’m wearing a black v-neck with some light blue jean shorts. My aunt got me that huge sack bag from Gap—I loved getting things lost in it.
I love taking basic things like t-shirt/v-necks and pairing them with bright accessories. This yellow scarf is PERFECT for that. It makes my outfits that may seem simple, “pop!”
I paired my purple polo with a long chain necklace and cut off shorts for a more edgypreppy look.
Charlotte had its first Fashion Week last year, and I wanted to be different and wear something vintage. I got this great red dress from a thrift store and paired it with my favorite cheetah belt and gold jewelry.
I <3 the vintage dresses at Clothing Warehouse—not so much the prices…I did purchase one that day as I looked very hippie/ sunflower child-ish with my sundress and gold headband.
This is my “jeans and a t-shirt” interpretation! Just a comfortable v-neck with dark skinny jeans. The necklace adds more color and the light-weight jacket makes it seem more dressed up. 2009 Fall
9
FASHION
HER Way to Y
Rag & Bone Fall ‘09
Forever 21 Button-down shirt, $15; Forever21.com Arden B. “Charm” twist back vest, $38; ArdenB.com
Jigsaw London linen knit scarf, $42; Jigsaw-London.com Charlotte Russe Pleated tweed shorts, $25; CharlotteRusse.com
Nordstrom Sweater-knit tights, $10; Nordstrom.com
Steve Madden “Tuxedo” oxford flat, $80, SteveMadden.com
10
Fall 2009
Topshop Ribbed ankle sock. $6; Topshop.com
Marc Jacobs Fall ‘09
YOUR Way
Steal runway styles and score the designer look for less.
Topshop Padded shoulder detail top, $50; Topshop.com asos Statement faux agate linked necklace, $33; asos.com
asos Faux-croc vintage-style wide belt, $22; asos.com
asos Extra long leather gloves, $55; asos.com Nordstrom Microfiber tights, $4; Nordstrom.com
Forever 21 “Cornelia” solid knit skirt, $15; Forever21.com
Melissa “Ashinati” pantent-leather ankle boot, $137; asos.com 2009 Fall
11
Milly Fall ‘09
Topshop Jacquard zebra print blouse, $70; Topshop.com Forever 21 Tweed mini skirt , $13; Forever 21.com
Love 21 Canvas textured knit sweater, $30; Forever21.com
Nordstrom Sweater-knit tights, $10; Nordstrom.com Topshop Frill top ankle socks, $8; Topshop.com Forever 21 “Suedette” pump, $25; Forever21.com
12
Fall 2009
Tracy Reese Fall ‘09
Fred Flare Nylon-polyester gray boyfriend blazer, $64; FredFlare.com
Annie Greenabelle Floral-print dress, $58; Topshop.com Forever 21 Faux-leather skinny belt, $6; Forever21.com
Deborah Graves Designs Matte black layered necklace, $70; MaxAndChloe.com Bakers “Orion” peep toe ankle booties, $90; BakersShoes.com
J. Crew Solid knee-highs, $13; JCrew.com
2009 Fall
13
How the Kaleidoscope fashion team is stepping into the top 6 trends for fall
Stylists’ Choice The Fringe Vest
“Heidi” Vest, $35, Torn by Ronny Kobo, Shopbop.com
“
Channel your inner cowgirl with this suede fringe vest. Make this look ’09 with a pair of destroyed skinny jeans that are rugged, yet refined.” Kristina Walker
Styling Director: Elizabeth Graper | Stylists: Samantha Brody, Aly Mackenzie, Caroline Early, Kristina Walker, Katie Wood, Lilly Zhang |Hair & Makeup: Kelsie Murdock | Photography & Photo Edits: Matthew Koester | Model: Charlotte Ekberg
“ Old-Hollywood meets Material Girl with a classic silhouette in an eye-popping hot pink.” Katie Wood
The Hot Pink Dress
Satin Bustier “Glamor” Dress, $90, Bebe, Bebe.com
2009 Fall
15
“
This one-shoulder dress is soft but drapey in all the right places, and screams, ‘look-at-me’ in a bold color.” Lilly Zhang
The One-Shoulder Dress Silk One-Shoulder Dress, $383, Elizabeth and James, Uniquities, 919-933-4007
16
Fall 2009
The Sequin Mini $44, Wow Couture, Need Supply, Co., NeedSupply.com
â&#x20AC;&#x153;
Stop traffic this fall with a flashy sequin mini paired with a flirty t-shirt and chain-link accessories to pump up the drama.â&#x20AC;? Elizabeth Graper
2009 Fall
17
The Acid wash Jeans
“ 18
Fall 2009
Acid-wash jeans, Kill City, Vintage
“I’ll wear these with a pair of funky sneaks for an edgy, daytime look.” Caroline Early
â&#x20AC;&#x153;
Exposed gold zippers and a corset top make this little black dress anything but basic.â&#x20AC;? Samantha Brody
The Exposed Zipper Dress Double-zipper Tube Dress, $275, Loefler Randall, Refinery29Shops.com 2009 Fall
19
Behind the Boutique I
By Justina Chen
n these economic times, shoppers and economists have begun to question the relevancy of the boutique. Boutiques can’t offer the same prices as department stores, and few can provide a complete shopping experience: you can’t always walk into a boutique and find a cocktail dress for a party, a gift for the hostess, and a serving platter for those deviled eggs. So why do we keep going back? Two stores in Chapel Hill – Martin and Mary’s in Meadowmont and Uniquities on Franklin St. – think they have the answer: a one-stop shop experience with specially catered merchandise. Martin and Mary’s, owned by Martin Estok, carries contemporary casual clothes with a Los AngelesBohemian chic vibe, think Free People and Hard Tail. Julie Jennings, owner of Uniquities, says, “We don’t want to be a glorified dress shop… we want to be wardrobe people.” A Franklin St. staple since 1992, Uniquities stocks brands like Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, and Trina Turk – quality pieces that never go out of style. While both stores always carry a few basic brands, keeping up with the latest trends is a huge part of the job for both Jennings and Estok. There are many ways to follow fashion today: magazines, trade shows, runway shows, style forecasting companies, and of course, the internet. But weeding through all the information takes time. Jennings reads Women’s Wear Daily, an industry trade journal that covers everything from new trends, models, and designers to the rise and fall of company stocks and profits. She also attends trade shows in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, where she can shop by hand for the store. But deciding what to buy isn’t as easy as it sounds. For example, in September, Jennings was placing orders for holiday and resort, but attending shows to look at spring clothes. “We’re always in multiple seasons at once, that’s why it’s not that simple – it’s how each season evolves to the next,” explains Jennings, “you might think that one trend would be good for spring, but it might come in December, not February.”
Above: Design History Mutton Sleeve Cardigan, Splendid Pocket Tank Top, J Brand 14” Low Rise Cord, Frye Paige Studded Boot, Tolani Bolt Scarf (Uniquities)
Estok of Martin and Mary’s used to attend trade shows, but given the state of the economy, as well as the store’s recent relocation, he hasn’t been to one in over a year. Instead, vendors email pictures of their products, and he chooses what to buy. Estok likes to buy cut-to-order clothes, where the company only manufactures the amount ordered,
Bottom Center: Elizabeth & James Crushed Fur Jacket, James Perse Long Tank in Black, Marcia Moran Circle Necklace (Uniquities) Bottom Right: Alice + Olivia Asymmetrical Belt Dress in Teal, Private Label Necklace, Jeffrey Campbell Attic Python Heels in Black (Uniquities)
Bottom Left: Jeffrey Campbell Attic Python Heels in Black (Uniquities)
Above Left: MK2K Jersey Pull Top Without Closure, Kensie Tank Dress, Rachel Leigh Necklace, Steve Madden Wedges (Martin & Mary’s)
so customers can be sure they won’t find their clothes in a T.J. Maxx somewhere. The biggest challenge for any small business is staying afloat, a challenge that is especially difficult in this economy. For Jennings, this challenge translates into keeping track of expenses and making sure that everything she brings in is important: “Maybe before we carried five designer handbag lines; now we carry three. It’s really about trying to keep the supply in line with the demand.” However, as a mother of three young children, her challenge is two-fold: maintaining a balance in her life and spending time with her family is equally important as her business. For Estok, every day is a challenge. But the reward, “…building relationships with customers, and finding something, knowing they’ll like it before showing it to them, and being correct,” makes the challenge worthwhile. Similarly, Jennings exults, “When you buy something, and you get it in the store, and people get really excited about it, you’re like, ‘Wow that was like a homerun!’ – that’s probably the most exciting thing.” In addition to employing a stylish staff and providing personal assistance unlikely to be found at most department
stores, Uniquities and Martin and Mary’s try to accommodate their UNC customers by carrying UNC gear that you won’t find at Student Stores. During football season, Uniquities carries extra Carolina blue dresses and t-shirts. Martin and Mary’s always stocks Retro Brand college gear, a line of t-shirts and shorts made of quality material with a vintage look and feel that’s perfectly fitted for women. At the same time, both stores maintain their appeal to a wider audience; Estok boasts that seventy-year-old ladies from the assisted living community next door visit his store, and find clothes they like! And while both Jennings and Estok love Chapel Hill and are proud to call North Carolina home, they acknowledge that trends generally take longer to take hold here. In New Jersey, before moving to North Carolina, Estok wore Ed Hardy as early as 2000, but the style has only recently caught on. Skinny
jeans are another trend that emerged years before gaining popularity in North Carolina. But to continue on the forefront of fashion means stocking these trends from inception to full-blown popularity; Jennings waves off this potential problem saying, “It doesn’t matter if it’s everywhere, we’re still going to do it from our point of view.” Very Top Right: Steve Madden Wedges, Rachel Leigh Necklace, Kische Pleated Top Shirt, MK2K Halter Vest, Fidelity Denim Flares (Martin & Mary’s) Above right: Alice + Olivia Floral Dress, Jeffrey Campbell Attic Python Heels in Black (Uniquities) Bottom center: TOMS Shoes, M. Clifford Black Handbag, Trunk Ltd. Beatles T-Shirt, Bobi Long Sleeve Crewneck, Genetic Denim Recessive Gene Bootcut (Martin & Mary’s) Model: Chloe Wang Photographer: Matthew Koester Clothes picked by Nicole at Uniquities and Martin at Martin & Mary’s
D ? E g S gin
S E
S th i B w O By
Ar
a i t an n
Lyn iel
rs tte u B
Anti-oxidants in Vitamin E help protect skin from UV rays and free radicals
O
22
Fall 2009
ver the summer, a friend of mine came to visit for a few days. I quickly found myself out of toothpaste and too lazy to go to the store, so I asked my friend if I could borrow hers. While stumbling around in her toiletries bag for some Crest, I found a rather baffling item in this 19-year-old’s arsenal of beauty supplies: anti-aging cream. Specifically, my friend had invested in “wrinkle-reducing collagen filler.” Even more confusing to me than the product itself was my immediate reaction, which was to be startled. I, myself, purchased an anti-wrinkle serum when I found a distracting wrinkle underneath my favored beauty mark last year. My 53-year-old, wrinklefree mother lectured me on being too obsessed with my appearance and countered, “It’s a laugh line!” I proceeded to only frown for the next week, in hopes it would balance
out the damage apparently created by joy. It’s natural to cringe a bit at the idea of twenty-somethings lacquering their faces with products meant for sixty-somethings, but is there really anything wrong with it? A study performed in May found that girls in Denmark reached puberty two years earlier than the average in the 1990s. Because this is not the only study that says women are aging much more rapidly than in the past, is it fair to say that if a 35-year-old could use anti-aging creams in 1970, that a 25-year-old could use them in 2009? A September article in The New York Times claims, “recent research suggests that a third of women under 25 years old regularly apply anti-aging products meant for the 40-plus crowd.” Carly Buch, a UNC sophomore, entertains an idea as to why very young women are suddenly obsessed with staying that way. “You see commercials for
Non-comedogenic moisturizing sunscreens are a good alternative to heavy anti-aging creams.
under 25 years old
“
“
A third of women
regularly apply anti aging products meant for the 40-plus crowd
wrinkle creams with models and actors that are just not very old,” says Buch. “Maybe it makes women think they need to start with anti-aging products earlier. Young stars are getting Botox and collagen injections and it seems to contribute to the trendiness of anti-aging products.” Aside from our ever-present obsession with being beautiful, what are the effects these products have on young women? The same Times article claims that British dermatologists are saying to young women, “stop worrying about getting old- it’s bad
for your skin.” Heavy creams meant to improve the texture of more mature skin can actually cause youthful glows to age faster. In addition, many of these products increase sun sensitivity, clog pores, increase oil production, and often cause itching and flaking. Despite this information, women continue to buy retinol-packed products. “Almost half of the anti-aging serum we sell, we sell to very young women,” says Laura, a sales associate at Aveda at Southpoint. “I’m not going to tell them not to buy it, but I definitely raise my eyebrows. These
girls have such beautiful skin! Why weigh it down with unnecessary product?” Sure, this makes sense to me, but what about that wrinkle on my right cheek?! While some age reversal products come in the form of heavy masks and creams, many of them are lightweight and chock full of vitamins and minerals. When asked if using anti-aging products is a problem in young women, Buch states, “Honestly, I think it’s fine to use anti-aging products when you’re young because a lot of them just promote healthier skin like reversing sun effects, so what’s wrong with starting to take care of yourself earlier?” The best solution to this dilemma would result in women who take pride in their maturing skin, but who also feel beautiful... probably not the most reasonable expectation. According to the Mayo Clinic, the best skin regimen for women under 30 to prevent signs of aging are, “protect your skin from the sun, choose products with built-in sunscreen, use moisturizers, and don’t smoke.” For non-comedogenic, moisturizing facial sunscreens, try Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 or Eucerin Extra Protective Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30. And remember: don’t let the fear of laugh lines keep you from smiling.