APRIL THRIFT HAUL

1. STEVE MADDEN BOOTIES

Poshmark

$22

These are the first Steve Madden’s I’ve ever owned and they are so sleek and sexy. It took me a while to find clear-heeled booties because most of them are too high. I’m all about comfort, which is why I always wear wedges and booties for nights out. They add height, but still allow me to walk and dance all night long. The ankle section of these boots are skintight, so I wouldn’t be able to tuck jeans underneath. Even then, I like its modern shape, since it makes me feel like some kind of superhero. 

2. VICTORIA’S SECRET BRA

Poshmark

$5

At 25-years-old, I’ve finally gotten the memo on how to wash bras. My mama never told me not to put my bras in the dryer, so I’ve been doing it wrong my whole life. It took shredding my “everyday” bra and shrinking my sports bra, this month, to realize that. Bras are such delicate little garments, especially since they’re made from fine fabrics, like lace, silk, and satin. Although I rarely wear them, I like owning one, just in case. There are certain clothes and occasions where my pasties won’t do justice. After ruining the one padded bra I own, I bought this one from Poshmark. The velvet and deep jewel tone is what caught my eye, but this secondhand find is nowhere near perfect. It has a tiny hole that the seller conveniently failed to mention. Now that I’m going to start hang drying my bras, hopefully this one will last, even with its hole.

3. ATHLETA LEGGINGS

Poshmark

$15

My boss bought a pair of Athleta leggings, and I was so amazed by how soft they were. For years, I’ve been wearing cheap Forever 21 leggings. I’m on my third black pair, since the $3.90 price tag definitely reflects the durability. These will last one to two years, before they start ripping and I’ll have to replace them again. When I felt my boss’ leggings, I was convinced to invest in a pair of higher quality ones that will last. I’m tired of constantly having to buy replacements, since it’s so bad for the environment. Black leggings are also the bottoms I wear most, so why shouldn’t I buy the very best? I was really excited when I saw these reversible Athleta ones on Poshmark. Athleta leggings are normally in the $100 price range, but I paid $15 for two-in-one. On one side, is a greyscale ombre and on the other, is a solid black. These are by far, the most comfortable leggings I’ve ever owned. I’ve only known Forever 21 leggings, and these are much smoother than any of them.

4. CHEAP MONDAY SKIRT

Asos

$32.50

While writing my blog on Cheap Monday, I browsed what was left of their final collection and saw this skirt. I first saw this style, on Pinterest, and was searching everywhere for it! Most denim skirts have a rectangular silhouette, so I really liked this high-low cut. The Pinterest link led to Tumblr, so I had no idea what brand it was or if it was even available for purchase. It could have been a DIY, for all I know. When I saw this similar version on Asos, I couldn’t believe the odds. I discovered the pin, over a year ago, but had no luck finding the skirt. Now that I was shopping a brand that was closing down, I saw exactly what I wanted. It originally cost $89, but it was marked over 50% off.

5. RUFFLE TODDLER BLANKET

Free Birdees

$26 (for employees only)

My work just launched a line of bamboo kids clothes in January, and our material is ultra soft. Our pajamas don’t come in my size, so I wanted to buy a blanket, since the hand-feel is so amazing. These are toddler blankets, but my boss made them 60” long to accommodate adults. Sometimes my legs get really itchy, at night, and no matter how much lotion I apply, it doesn’t help. Once I take off my pants and cover my legs with the blanket, it immediately soothes my skin. Bamboo is especially good for hot summer weather, since it’s so breathable. Our blankets come in 5 solid colors and 8 prints. I helped design these prints and select our colors, so you should check them out! We actually just released our second collection on Endangered Animals, so there are a lot of fresh products on our website.

6. H&M HOODIE

Poshmark

$8

I had an identical version of this, from Romwe, but I accidentally ripped it this month. I know I have a big ass head, but Romwe’s clothes run very small. Whenever I shop there, it’s either a hit or miss. I bought that sweatshirt over two years ago, in a medium, but it fit like an extra small. The neckline was really tight, so I’ve finally ripped it, while tugging it over my head. I’ve been wanting an upgrade, anyways, since the mesh was so stiff and itchy. This H&M one looks practically the same, but is much softer and stretchier.

7. GYMSHARK CROP TOP

Poshmark

$28.95

I don’t know what it is about me and expensive black crop tops, but this is the second one I’ve bought this year. This one is a lot cheaper than the other one I got, but $30 is still out of my norm. Although I thrifted this on Poshmark, the resale value of Gymshark is barely lower than the retail price. According to the seller, this top was also brand new. I really wanted to try this brand, since I’ve been weightlifting for over two years and it’s very popular amongst weightlifters. I bought the top in a size small, but it fits more like an extra small. It’s stretchy, comfortable, and flattering and will be perfect for hiking and weightlifting. Because of the tight fit, I won’t be able to use it for high intensity workouts, though. Even if I raise my arms to do jumping jacks, the top would rise above my chest…

xx

Dana

LADY LAMB

Nothing is more difficult to thrift than a good quality jacket. Tops? I have so many that I’ve created a selling/donations pile. Bottoms? I’ve collected all sorts, from skirts to shorts to jeans. Dresses? I always end up lugging an armful to the fitting room. Shoes? Your girl is an average size 7, so that’s never an issue.

Outerwear is a tricky category because the ones I see at thrift stores are often too big or too heavy. I want to stay warm, but I don’t want to be weighed down. Most of my coats and jackets are actually hand-me-downs because I can’t bring myself to splurge on them. I rarely find anything in my budget that’s worthwhile, and thrifting has proven to be a challenge.

It took me months, if not a year, to find a jacket, like this. I was infatuated with shearling after seeing my favorite YouTuber, Jenn Im, feature it on her channel. Her jacket is from a Korean brand, called K-styleme, which has unfortunately been discontinued. I got this similar version, from Poshmark, which practically looks the same. They both have biker collars, silver hardware, and all-over white shearling.

My jacket is by UNIF, which is an edgy streetwear label based in Los Angeles. It prides itself on scarcity and limited styles, and its outerwear sells from the mid to high $100 range. When I spotted this on Poshmark, it was already listed below $100, but I bargained it down to $60. The material was in mint condition, so the price was more than reasonable. Still, this is probably the most I’ve spent on a jacket because I’m the stingiest shopper, ever.

This fluffy piece has been with me since fall 2016, and it always keeps me warm and toasty in the winter. Whenever I wear it, I don’t even need to carry a bag because there are enough pockets for all of my essentials. It has two regular side pockets, two upper breast pockets, and a camouflaged bottom pocket that I failed to notice until last month. I like packing light, and this oversized jacket can hold my phone, wallet, keys, and lip balm. It allows me to be hands and hassle free, which I love.

+ Jacket | UNIF (Poshmark)

+ Crop Top | Forever 21

+ Leggings | Forever 21

+ Tote | Leonisa (MAGIC Trade Show)

+ Flats | Urban Outfitters

+ Earrings | Romwe

Photography | Adam Redfield

xx

Dana

FADED

Going from black to blond hair is not easy. Believe me, I have had my share of fuck-ups. On both attempts of going lavender, my hair turned blue because it was not platinum enough. I love experimenting with color, but before going for round three of pastels, I wanted to perfect blond, first. It took me two sessions to achieve this shade, but there are still touch-ups that need to be done. This is my transition from brunette to blond, along with what hair routine works for me.

PHASE I

Last summer, I dyed my hair dark brown and continued lightening it, using Sun-In hairspray. This is what it looked like hours before my first appointment.

PHASE II

The first session took 5.5 hours, and three were dedicated to bleaching. After the foil started heating up, my stylist shampooed my hair with No Yellow Fanola. This turned the brassy color into a dirty, ash blond. She then applied toner to reduce any unevenness. There was a thirty minute wait, followed by a second set of shampoo and conditioning. She left my roots unbleached, since I wanted them to gradually blend to blond. This will save me from needing any touch ups, once they grow.

I did like the finished look, but it had zero resemblance to the picture I sent. Instead of an overall blond, I had a series of highlights. I wanted to trust my stylist’s judgement, and I knew that first sessions were never flawless. Even though I prefer having a grey tone over a golden one, I still expected the blond to be more prominent. The color was also uneven, but that’s typically the case in the beginning.

PHASE III

Three months later, I finally booked my second appointment. I wanted to get this done much earlier, but my schedule didn’t line up with my stylist’s. She repeated the same exact steps, but this time it took 4.5 hours. I’m very satisfied with the result, but my roots still need to be toned. Right now, the top portion is brassy, but a few washes with purple shampoo should fix this. The most important thing is that my hair isn’t dead and still looks healthy.

GOING BLOND // DO'S AND DON'TS

RESEARCH

Choosing the right stylist is critical, especially with Asian hair. I don’t recommend going to a white salon because the employees are probably not as familiar with dying black hair. Ours is much trickier to work with than blonds’ and brunettes’. I was referred to, Lan, by my friend, Angela. Her pricing is more affordable than other colorists’, who also specialize in Asian hair. In the Bay Area, there are many options in San Jose, but most of those stylists charge over $400 for one session. This is more than what I paid for both of mine, combined. I went to Precision 8, in San Anselmo, which is in Marin County. If you schedule an appointment, here, be sure to contact Lan, for coloring, since that’s her expertise.

PATIENCE

In the past, I found ways to squeeze a long and expensive process into one to two sessions. Consequently, I chose damaged hair over a damaged wallet. When going blond, you must accept the fact that it can’t happen in one day. For the first few weeks you will have to endure orange or yellow brassiness. Take this time to moisturize and condition your hair before bleaching it, again. The first time I bleached mine, I tried going lavender in one sitting. Not only was this unhealthy, but it was impossible, to begin with. After baking my hair for over ten hours, it turned extremely slimy, and I lost a lot of strands, that day. Those that remained, completely fried up. This is what happens if you rush the many stages, so don’t make the same mistake I did.

CONDITION

I’m sure there are fancy conditioners designed for dyed hair, but my priority is just to condition. I don’t think it matters which brand you buy, as long as you use it after every wash. When I have lightened hair, I apply a little more, and I let it stay longer than usual. The bleach will dry up your hair, so it’s essential to nourish it, as much as possible.

NO YELLOW FANOLA

In order to avoid brassy hair, I use No Yellow Fanola shampoo, just like my stylist did. Fanola is a pricey brand, but its hair products really work. As the name suggests, it prevents yellow tints by using cool tones to lift your color. The shampoo is a deep violet and is ideal for grey, blond, and purple hair. Similar to conditioner, the product should sit in your hair for five to ten minutes before being rinsed. I like to mix a drop of the purple shampoo with regular shampoo. The purple shampoo, alone, does not have that hydrating, foamy lather.

HAIR TREATMENT

I use Biosilk’s Silk Therapy to soften my hair, since bleach causes knots, split ends, and course hair. This treatment makes brushing a lot easier, since the oil helps loosen tangles. After showering, I rub a nickel-sized amount into my ends, and it leaves my hair with a really nice scent. This brand can be found nearly anywhere, including CVS, Ulta, Amazon, and Marshalls.

+ Hoop Earrings | Claire’s

+ Stud Earrings | Old Navy

+ Crop Top | Forever 21

+ Sweatpants | Missguided

xx

Dana

BLACK + TAN

I carry a little piece of my mom with me everywhere I go. There isn’t a day where I’m not wearing at least one of her clothing items. My mom was the one who got me into thrift shopping, and, like me, most of the clothes that she owned was secondhand. Growing up, I would always browse through her closet and borrow her clothes. Once I reached high school, we were practically the same size, so it gave me an even greater excuse to do so. After she passed away, I inherited a lot of her clothes and accessories. The tribal printed vest I’m wearing is one of the many garments that I inherited from her. When I was little, I used to always give my mom shit for wearing too much black and brown. These are ironically two of my favorite colors to wear now, and I hate anything that’s too bold or bright.

This month I also got another tattoo that pays homage to her. I got a dainty tattoo of my mom’s signature on my finger. Whether it’s through art or fashion, I’m constantly finding new ways to keep her memory alive.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Paramount

+ Necklace | New Look

+ Vest | hand-me-down

+ Dress | Stylenanda (dumpster dived)

+ Shoes | Forever 21 (hand-me-down)

Photography | LB Photography

xx

Dana

TRASH | TREASURE

Living on a college campus is great for dumpster diving once the school year ends. I have no shame in snatching up free things that other people don't want. Last year I literally found a paper bag full of trendy clothes from brands, like Nasty Gal, Topshop and Zara. It was just lying in my apartment’s trash room, so I ended up with 10 new clothing items that day. In that bag was the black romper that I’m wearing underneath my skirt. This is a backless romper by the British label, Glamorous. It has a caged back that reminds me of the lingerie and sportswear company, Chromat.

The other “trash” item that I’m wearing is my MRKT heels from DSW. These are a pair of shoes that I found lying in my trashcan. Throughout college I’ve been blessed with roommates who give me the clothes that they don’t want. One of my old roommates tends to do a lot of closet cleaning, so I would occasionally come home and see cute stuff in our trashcan. These are the perfect shoes for any occasion, and my favorite part is how comfortable they are. The neutral color matches with anything, and it works with both casual and formal outfits.

+ Lipstick | MAC’s Hang-Up

+ Cardigan | Forever 21

+ Romper | Glamorous (dumpster dived)

+ Skirt | Wilster (Marshalls)

+ Heels | MRKT (hand-me-down)

+ Choker | Amazon

+ Statement Necklace | Forever 21

Photography | Anand Patel

xx

Dana