LIFE AS A HUMAN https://lifeasahuman.com The online magazine for evolving minds. Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:25:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 29644249 Healthy Ways of Styling Type 3 Hair https://lifeasahuman.com/2025/arts-culture/fashion/healthy-ways-of-styling-type-3-hair/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2025/arts-culture/fashion/healthy-ways-of-styling-type-3-hair/#respond Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:25:19 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=407232&preview=true&preview_id=407232 Type 3 curly hair, known for its bouncy and defined curls, is a beautiful asset that deserves just the right care and attention. While styling curly hair can sometimes feel like a challenge, it doesn’t have to be. Achieving healthy, stunning styles becomes easier with an understanding of how to work with the natural texture rather than against it. The key is to prioritize health, hydration, and gentle techniques that maintain the integrity of your curls. In this article, we’ll explore some ways to style Type 3 hair while keeping it in optimal condition.

Prep Your Curls with Gentle Care

The foundation of any great curly hairstyle starts with proper hair care. Cleanse your curls using a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping natural oils and follow up with a hydrating conditioner. Curly hair tends to dry out quickly, so maintaining moisture is essential for keeping it soft and manageable.

After washing, use a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt to gently scrunch out excess water instead of rubbing. This reduces frizz and protects the natural curl pattern. Detangle your hair when wet using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, starting from the ends and working your way up to avoid breakage.

Styling with Minimal Heat

Heat styling tools can damage curly hair if overused, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve polished looks. To style without excessive heat, consider techniques like braiding damp hair for a stretched-out wave or setting curls with soft rollers. Air drying or diffusing on a low heat setting can also enhance your curls while minimizing heat exposure.

For special occasions that require heat styling, always use a heat protectant spray. Additionally, opt for ceramic tools with adjustable heat settings to keep your hair protected.

Hydrate, Define, and Protect

Using the right products can make a substantial difference in how your curls look and feel. Lightweight leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and gels help enhance definition and fight frizz. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and glycerin for extra hydration.

Protective styles, such as braids or twists, are great options when you want to give your hair a break from daily styling. These styles help prevent tangling and preserve hair health—ideal for maintaining strong, resilient curls.

No-Product Styling with Accessories

Sometimes, there are days when adding extra products just isn’t necessary. Using accessories like scarves, hair ties, or a headband for curly hair offers quick and stylish solutions that are both gentle and protective for Type 3 curls.

Wrapping a colorful scarf around your head or tying it into a turban can be a chic way to protect your hair from environmental factors like humidity or wind. Scarves are especially useful for bad hair days, as they help tame curls while keeping your hairline smooth. High ponytails, pineapple buns, and half-up styles are also great options that take only minutes to achieve. Use spiral or fabric hair ties to avoid pulling or snagging your hair, and keep the tension light to prevent stress on your scalp. A padded or fabric headband can keep curls off your face while adding a touch of elegance to your look. These are perfect for casual and formal events alike and require no additional effort to style. Decorative clips or minimalist barrettes can create polished styles without the need for excessive tools or effort. They also work well to accentuate your curl pattern while keeping your hair secure. Experimenting with accessories allows you to change up your look effortlessly while giving your curls a rest from products.

Nighttime Care for Longevity

Styling curly hair isn’t just about what you do during the day; nighttime care is just as important for keeping curls healthy. Sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase prevents friction, which can cause frizz and breakage. You can also secure your hair in a high ponytail or use a satin bonnet to maintain curl definition overnight.

Type 3 curls have an innate beauty that shines when cared for properly. By prioritizing gentle techniques, occasional heat-free styles, and thoughtful accessory use, you can maintain the health of your curls while exploring a range of looks. Whether styled with moisture-rich products or accessorized with headbands and hair ties, healthy curls are versatile, timeless, and effortlessly captivating. With the right tools and approach, every day can be a great hair day!

Photo Credit

Photo is from Pexels


Guest Author Bio
Rachelle Wilber

Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s in journalism and media studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, on the beach, or at the gym.

 

 

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5 Easy Ways to Spice Up a Boring Outfit  https://lifeasahuman.com/2022/arts-culture/fashion/5-easy-ways-to-spice-up-a-boring-outfit/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2022/arts-culture/fashion/5-easy-ways-to-spice-up-a-boring-outfit/#respond Sat, 12 Feb 2022 12:00:35 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=403307 Getting ready for the day and unsatisfied with your outfit? 

Sometimes all that’s missing to bring an outfit together are the right accessories and some pops of color.

Here are five simple ways to spice up a boring outfit.

1. Trending Jewelry

Chances are you already own some stylish jewelry. Now is the perfect time to pull out those tassel earrings you’ve been hiding away. Big hoops are also in and go with any outfit, whether you’re wearing something casual or more formal.

Watches are another favorite, adding a touch of sophistication. If you don’t own a trending watch, look for online retailers like precisionwatches.com. Beautiful watches from the luxury watch brands will bring any bland outfit to life—and if you get them pre-owned, you can even save money while leveling up your style!

2. Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a great way to protect our eyes from harsh UV rays and, according to experts, you can and should wear them all year long. They also do wonders hiding unsightly undereye bags. 

We all have those days where we go to bed much too late and wake up in the morning with terrible dark circles around our eyes. Play this off by adding a touch of chic to your look. 

3. Layer on a Jacket

Adding layers to your outfit is a great way to add personality and create a whole new outfit. The best part? You can wear jackets year-round.

  • Spring. Consider a water-repellent trench coat. They’re stylish and will protect you from those rainy days.
  • Summer. This season is the perfect time to pull out that lightweight denim jacket that looks good with anything from jeans to jumpsuits.
  • Fall. This season is all about cozy cardigans paired with blue jeans and booties.
  • Winter. These coats are heavy and great in the colder months. Go with a coat that’s both stylish and practical.

4. Wear Some Lipstick

Which lipstick shade goes best with your outfit? Consider the colors you’re wearing. 

If you’re wearing neutral colors like whites or nudes, go with a pale pink or peachy lipstick. If you’re rocking a bright yellow blouse or dress, wear equally bright lipstick like red or pink. If you’re wearing blue, orange has always been a complementary color. And finally, if you’re wearing a darker shade like black, any lipstick shade you have will work. 

5. Add a Bag to the Mix

On the days you’re rushed, let your bag be the statement piece. If you’re wearing a solid-colored dress, for example, go with a bag that offers a bold pattern. If you’re wearing a simple white t-shirt with denim jeans, consider a bright bag to spice things up. And, if you’re attending a fancy event, you can’t go wrong with an evening handbag to steal the show.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to include all five tips mentioned above; one or two will be plenty to spice up your boring outfit. Whether it’s putting on some trending jewelry or adding some color with a bag, these go-to tricks are lifesavers in livening up your look.

Photo Credit

Photo is from pixabay


Guest Author Bio
Russell E.

Russell is an ex-Marketing Journalist. He lives in Utah with his family and is a keen aviation enthusiast in his spare time.

 

 

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In with the Old: Why Companies Are Using Older Models in Their Advertising https://lifeasahuman.com/2021/arts-culture/fashion/in-with-the-old-why-companies-are-using-older-models-in-their-advertising/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2021/arts-culture/fashion/in-with-the-old-why-companies-are-using-older-models-in-their-advertising/#respond Fri, 09 Apr 2021 11:00:09 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=401898 For decades, older women had been ignored as a demographic target by the fashion and advertising industries who were busy catering to the coveted 18-to-34 demographic. However, lately, we’ve seen an increasing number of fashion brands feature women over 50 in their runway shows, magazine spreads, TV ads, and billboards. Does this mean an end to an advertising era that originated back in the Mad Men days when age defined interest? Perhaps, but not only.  

In recent years, some of the biggest fashion brands have been using models over 50 in their marketing campaigns. Back in 2014, Donatella Versace featured Madonna, who was then 55, in her spring line, making a powerful statement about women being themselves and “how we can do what we want, and get what we want, and do so for all of our lives.”

This bold move of a beautiful and powerful woman in her 50s taking the spot of the typical in-demand 25-year-old model shifted the status quo and was picked up by a number of big designer brands. Today, we can see some of the most famous fashion houses and retailers use older models in their presentations and campaigns. And brands from other industries like Wildz are following in their steps, too. 

It would appear that the advertising industry is finally paying attention to an age group of women that had been ignored in the past. Millennials are not the only ones who are interested in fashion, luxury goods, and an active lifestyle. Today, older women have not only the means but also the desire to look and feel good and live life to the fullest. They are healthier than in previous generations and have more time and means to spend not only during their retirement years but even before that. 

As companies now realize the commercial potential of women in the over-50 bracket, they want to feature models that will look like that targeted demographic. These models show an attitude that’s different from chasing youth and perfection; instead, they look like real women who are enjoying life.

This turning of the tide in fashion and advertising has also ushered in a new era for influencers. When you look at social media platforms from a few years ago and compare them to today’s feeds, a change in style and aesthetic becomes instantly evident. There has been a new wave of influencers who are reinforcing a new, natural, unfiltered aesthetic and providing an honest insight into their lives. Today, fashion and beauty influencers over the age of 40 are not a new concept, as people on social media are already looking for more authenticity and less airbrushing.

In the new big data paradigm, all age groups can influence the cultural zeitgeist. Today, 34 percent of the US population is aged 50 and over, with these numbers rapidly increasing as the baby-boom generation ages. Similarly, people over 50 now make up 40 percent of all consumer spending in Britain. Naturally, brands are waking up to this demographic group’s potential and are realizing that women’s interest in fashion and style doesn’t just end when they reach a certain age. But these changes in advertising and social media also portray a more profound message – one of representation and empowerment. 

Photo Credit

Image by Russell Clark from Pixabay


Guest Author Bio
Awais Dar

Awais is passionate to write about health, tech , education , finance as well as for business fundamentals.

Website: https://www.ebzpro.com/

 

 

 

 

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Spring 2019 Fashion Trends For Kids: Lace, Denim, Mixed Prints And More! https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/fashion/spring-2019-fashion-trends-for-kids-lace-denim-mixed-prints-and-more/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2019/arts-culture/fashion/spring-2019-fashion-trends-for-kids-lace-denim-mixed-prints-and-more/#respond Fri, 15 Mar 2019 11:00:58 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com/?p=397634 We love our kids looking, and feeling as gorgeous as we do, and keeping up with upcoming trends is a must-do item for many moms! Whether it’s outfits for school, or day-to-day activities, or formal wear for weddings, trends change, and we have to stay on top of them if we want our girls looking Instagram ready!

Lovely Lace

Lace has really been making a comeback recently, and it will be no different when it comes to Spring 2019 trends. We will see it in casual fashion as well as formal designs, and we don’t mind because it always looks gorgeous!

For casual wear, lace overlays on tops are on trend for Spring 2019, and these tops paired with a cute pair of tights and short jackets will look super cute.

When it comes to formal wear such as flower girl dresses, lace has never really been out of fashion as it gives a lovely, ethereal quality to outfits for little girls. Lace flower girl dresses look beautiful in any color or length and look absolutely stunning with a faux fur wrap over the top.

Daring Denim

Denim is a mainstay of fashion primarily because it is so versatile and one piece can be used to convey many different looks. Whether it’s denim jackets or denim jeans, it’s the other clothing items or accessories that determine whether it is merely casual or smart-casual.

For Spring 2019, tights, dresses, and skirts with a denim jacket are strongly on trend. Tights and a t-shirt are great for day-to-day wear, whereas pairing it with a dress will be more of a smart-casual look – perfect for neighborhood or birthday parties.

If you are looking to try a more daring look with this trend, put a printed dress, lace-up boots, and denim jacket together for a little bit of a rebellious look, and add a pair of brightly colored tights to jazz it up even further.

Mixed Print Perfection

Many of us were raised to believe that mixing two prints was a fashion faux pas, but Spring 2019 says goodbye to that ‘ole rule! If you think you can’t have a printed dress mixed with patterned tights, think again!

Printed skirts worn together with a patterned top are also quite alright with this new style. It’s probably best not to overdo the mixed prints too much so if you do go for this look, use a plain jacket, shoes, and tights with them.

Other Great Tips…

The best part of Spring 2019 fashion for kids is that it is quite frankly about having a bit of fun and mixing things up a little. Instead of a conformist attitude to style, it’s okay to show a bit of personality and definitely use some color!

With the current upcoming trends, there has finally come a time when you can stop worrying about your daughter’s weird and wonderful combinations and let her have at it! With a truly anything goes attitude, Spring 2019 will be easier than ever to navigate.

Photo Credits

Photos is unsplash creative commons


Guest Author Bio
JJ’s House

Founded in 2007, JJ’s House is the global leading online retailer for wedding gowns, special event dresses, wedding party dresses, and accessories. Customers can browse the vast online selection and choose their favorite dresses with great satisfaction. JJ’s House prides itself on exceptional customer service, high quality and affordable prices.

 

 

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The Magic of Steampunk From the Eyes of a Steampunk Artist https://lifeasahuman.com/2017/arts-culture/fashion/the-magic-of-steampunk-from-the-eyes-of-a-steampunk-artist/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2017/arts-culture/fashion/the-magic-of-steampunk-from-the-eyes-of-a-steampunk-artist/#comments Sat, 13 May 2017 14:00:34 +0000 https://lifeasahuman.com?p=393145&preview=true&preview_id=393145 An alternative future is a favorite sub-genre of science fiction and fantasy forms of art. Cyberpunk, atompunk, dieselpunk and others generally define this inspired era, reflecting the level of technological advance. However, none of them have reached the popularity of steampunk, the fantasy based on the Industrial Revolution and Victorian Era.

I personally fell in love with steampunk several years ago and have been doing steampunk designs for the past two years. It started as a hobby, but now I am occasionally selling my stuff and dreaming of doing this as a full-time job.

What is so interesting about steampunk? I will try to share my personal thoughts here which, I believe, are shared by many other steampunk enthusiasts.

A Revolution So Understandable

Yours Truly in a Steampunk LookFirst, the technological perspective. The Industrial Revolution, as the name suggests, was an unprecedented big step for mankind, laying the first stones on the path to mass production. The major invention leading all others was the steam engine, a much more majestic power than that of humans and domesticated animals. The use of steam power (and later electricity) enabled us to build machines of enormous size. However, the mechanics of the era is quite easy to understand and emulate for today’s common man, with cogs, steam engines, strings, pipes, pendulums and Newtonian laws of physics. Arranging a few cogs and some brass rods, which look like pipes, in a nice setting is enough for a steampunk look. In fact, if you put in a little more effort, you can create a gadget, which makes people ask “Does it work?” This is not that easy with other ‘-punk’ genres.

Furthermore, even though these machines were a great leap in terms of production means, they still relied heavily on humans to operate. Also, most of the new machinery still included elements of hand craftsmanship, mechanically or aesthetically.

Putting it all together, the Industrial Revolution symbolizes the equilibrium point for me, during the ages of long transition of production from human to machines.

USB Stick - Box - by Emre Yalçın

USB Stick – Box – by Emre Yalçın

 

A Fascinating Look

Besides its technological aspect, steampunk is also very visually alluring. From the perspective of color theory, copper and brass seamlessly fit in with the brownish atmosphere of steampunk, which is due to all of the industrial smoke. Moreover, when they shine, they create a wonderful contrast within this dark atmosphere. This brownish color palette also includes most hues of wood, which usually makes a great frame or outer-box for a steampunk design.

Box - by Emre Yalçın

Box – by Emre Yalçın

On the other hand, Victorian fashion is already very striking, even without a fantasy element. Moreover, top hats, long coats, lace, heavy fabrics, corsets and long skirts present a wonderful playground for designing fantasy clothes. One is not completely bound by Victorian fashion either. You can throw in some leather or some early aviation gear or even move across the Atlantic, to have a Wild West version of steampunk clothes.

Steampunk creates a fantasy world of men and women clad in very cool clothing, living in the time of a great but understandable technology. That’s the magic of steampunk for me and for many others as well.

Photo Credit

Photo by Emre Yalçın – All Rights Reserved

 


Guest Author Bio
Emre Yalçın

Emre lives in Ankara/Turkey and is just starting to build a career in freelance writing based on his experience over 18 years. He is an amateur artist, designer, bass player and full-time father.

 

 

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Dressing for the Life You Want – A Balance Between Fit and Fitness https://lifeasahuman.com/2017/arts-culture/fashion/dressing-for-the-life-you-want-a-balance-between-fit-and-fitness/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2017/arts-culture/fashion/dressing-for-the-life-you-want-a-balance-between-fit-and-fitness/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:08:55 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=392485 People are always trying to change the way they look. Whether it is putting on makeup, sweating away at the gym, or getting a new hairdo, there always seems to be a gap between the way we are and the way we want to be. Fitness is omnipresent in the cultural conversation, often exalted as the highest virtue attainable by the average person. And once again, it all comes down to appearances. There are other kinds of benefits to being fit – feeling good, being more healthy, having more energy throughout the day. But the #1 reason people exercise is to lose weight and look closer to their best image of themselves.

We will certainly not condemn the impulse to get healthy or eliminate excess fat, but it’s important to emphasize that there are other ways to achieve the appearance you want, without subjecting yourself to draconian diets and extreme weight loss regimens. For most of modern human history, people achieved the appearance they wanted through proper tailoring of their clothes. While some people still make clothing fit a priority, it has certainly lost its place in the average person’s life.

Properly fitted clothes can make anyone look good. We have only to look back at style icons such as Orson Welles to see how proper fitting can make even heavier people look distinguished and elegant. During the last decade of his life, it is generally accepted that Welles’ weight was over 400 pounds. However, due to impeccable tailoring (and a healthy dose of confidence and style sense), Welles never looked anything less than dashing. This sort of styling won’t work for just anybody, but it’s a model of how tailoring and perfect fit can have even greater results for a person’s appearance than peak physical condition.

Welles at the press conference after “The War of the Worlds” broadcast (October 31, 1938)

Sixty years ago, sewing was a commonplace skill for most people to have. There was typically one or two members of every household who could take in a shirt, hem a pair of pants, or repair beloved old clothes that became damaged. Today, these are skills that have been lost to many. For some budget fashionistas, the lost art of sewing is being reclaimed.

Even if you don’t sew, and don’t care to learn, it’s important to find a way to achieve clothing fits that compliment your natural frame, whatever your level of fitness. Finding a great local tailor or other alterationist is the best way to accomplish this for people who don’t sew. For affordable prices, tailors can take clothes that fit so-so, and make them fit perfectly. It is a generally accepted maxim among tailors that fit has more to do with looking good in your clothes than color, material, or style.

It’s important to remember that in the quest to look your best, physical fitness is not the end-all be-all. It’s important to live a healthy lifestyle with regular attention to strength and agility. But humans also wear clothes for a reason – we want to be able to control our appearance without having to change our bodies. When we pay attention to both fit and fitness in our personal lives, we’ll look and feel a lot better, perhaps without having to strain and sweat quite so much.

Photo Credits

Sewing – pixabay public domain

Orson Welles – Wikimedia public domain


Guest Author Bio
Stephen Jacobson

Stephen Jacobson is a freelance writer for ModestMoney.com. In addition to writing about finance he also covers a wide variety of other topics.

 

 

 

 

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Book Review – Greenies in Stilettos https://lifeasahuman.com/2013/arts-culture/fashion/book-review-greenies-in-stilettos/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2013/arts-culture/fashion/book-review-greenies-in-stilettos/#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2013 12:00:13 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=361044 GreeniesinStilettos_3DCover_editMy council library recently held an author’s talk by local model and confessed greenie Carolyn Donovan. As I once considered myself to be a middle-class hippie (and for the record, I do shave my armpits, wash daily and don’t take drugs – no stereotyping please) and the talk was free, I decided to attend.

Carolyn was promoting her latest book “Greenies in Stilettos – How to Save the World Without Really Trying.” I felt so enthused by her talk and her passion for environmentally friendly fashion that I went home and read her book in one sitting. I now feel so totally elated, inspired, empowered and re-energised to save the world and reinvent my wardrobe that I thought I should share my enthusiasm for this wonderful book with others.

Carolyn’s book is divided into 5 sections – fashion, beauty, being ecologically friendly inside and outside the home and buying based on ethical and social justice criteria. The core message throughout this book is that every individual can make a positive difference with little effort and without making drastic changes to our daily lives. “Recycle, reuse, reclaim, repurpose and reimagine your life. Your actions really do have the power to save the world.”

Carolyn underlines the fact that the developed world produces the highest levels of waste. For instance, every Australian produces one tonne of rubbish every year. Our carbon footprint is excessive and our greenhouse gases are contributing significantly to global warming. We need to do something now to reduce our impact on the environment.

Fashion
At the talk Carolyn Donovan wore a cream dressing gown with a black belt over a top and black pants. Tall, slim and attractive, she looked glamorous and “absolutely fabulous, darling!” I’m not sure I could pull that off; I think I would just look as if I was wearing a dressing gown. But the point she was making was to rethink your wardrobe. Do a wardrobe audit. What do you have in your wardrobe that you rarely wear? Think of ways to revamp these clothes and make them lovable again- change the buttons; add lace, frills, or patches; cut off sleeves; add a brooch to change the shape or hide a stain; add a panel if a dress becomes too small; make a top into a bag or scarf or wear a belt as a bracelet. Her book is filled with numerous ideas for “upcycling” your wardrobe. And what a wonderful term that is – upcycling. So much better than saying recycling, which sounds grungy.

Donovan also promotes the uses of cold-water washing in earth-friendly detergents, swapping clothes with friends even if only for a month, air drying instead of dry cleaning, buying less but buying better, i.e. buying things you will wear often, that are of high quality and not produced in sweat shops with dangerous chemicals.
Every wardrobe should have these basic garments: black pants and skirt, white tee and sheer black jacket, all suitable to wear for any occasion.

Beauty
Donovan emphasises the notion that natural products are better for our skin. Bicarbonate of soda, natural oils, and honey are great natural moisturisers and cleansers. If you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin. Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin. Her book is full of natural beauty tips.

Being Ecologically Friendly Inside the Home
Donovan recommends
– Bringing plants inside your home to reduce pollutants
– Using natural cleaning products like bicarbonate of soda, lemon, vinegar and tea tree oils.
– Recycling and composting household waste.
– Putting on a jumper rather than turning on the heater.
– Buying products with less packaging
– Fixing or restoring old furniture.

Think about the products you bring into your home – are they biodegradable, repairable, over-packaged or made by exploiting foreign labour?

Being Ecologically Friendly Outside the Home
Donovan suggests carpooling or riding a bike, buying produce from local growers or growing it yourself, and driving more fuel efficiently. Designing your garden to naturally cool your home or designing your homes to use grey water and natural lighting.

Ethical Consumption
Donovan advocates buying fair-trade coffee and chocolate. Consider whether the clothes you are buying are made from organic cotton, hemp or bamboo. Is the latest technology we snap up made in sweat shops with poor working conditions and wages? Is child labour being used to make our goods cheaply? Are we recycling the technology that becomes out-dated so quickly? How can we reduce our waste and stop chemicals leaching into our water table?

Donovan’s parting message is that knowledge is power. We can make the world a better place by demanding more ethical and environmentally friendly products and spreading the word to raise the awareness and standards of our manufacturers. We can be more minimalistic, more conscious of the waste we produce, more creative with upcycling and thus reduce our carbon footprint without really trying. As consumers we vote with our dollar to support products that are ethically made and boycott the rest where possible.

Greenies in Stilettos is a very inspiring and passionate book full of interesting ideas, too many to mention here. It’s also easy and enjoyable to read. So come on all you middle-class greenies: do something today to make the world a better place!

 

Image Credit

Image used with the permission of Carolyn Donovan

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Do Women Really Spend More On Clothing Than Men? https://lifeasahuman.com/2012/arts-culture/fashion/do-women-really-spend-more-on-clothing-than-men/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2012/arts-culture/fashion/do-women-really-spend-more-on-clothing-than-men/#respond Sat, 08 Sep 2012 10:00:13 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=354678 The stereotype has almost become conventional wisdom: women spend more than men on beauty. Indeed, who has not heard that women spend more on haircuts, on cosmetics, on body care, and on clothes? Statistically, this preconceived idea seems to hold. You ought to know, however, that this gender gap is slowly closing…and here is why.

The Quest For Beauty Is Not The Monopoly Of Women … Anymore

Last year, 2,000 British women were polled about their cosmetic expenses. The conclusions produced by the study were unbelievable: over the course of their life, British women are bound to spend around 100,000 pounds on make up! This is a whole lot of money; no one would disagree with that.

But what people don’t know is that in 2009 alone, American men spent close to 5 billion dollars on grooming products, up 50% from the 1997 figure. As far as British men are concerned, they apparently spent 66% more money on beauty treatments in 2011 than in 2010: 30% of men in the UK currently go for hair removal, 18% for nail care, and 17% for tanning!

The same comparison can be made with plastic surgery: while women still account for the vast majority of these medical interventions, the percentage occupied by men has not ceased to grow over the past years. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, men underwent 9% of all procedures in 2010, up 2% from the previous year.

The popularity of some types of intervention is actually growing more rapidly among men than women in the United States: eyelid surgery, liposuction, and soft-tissue fillers are increasing at a faster pace for men, and it should also be noted that hair transplantation, which is essentially practiced on men, was performed 13,000 times in 2010.

A Similar Trend in Clothing

The above seems to provide evidence that a sense of self-consciousness is rapidly growing among men. A survey by Superdrug seems to support this idea as it shows that British men spend 83 minutes a day on personal grooming, while women spend 79! Peter Baker, chief executive of the Men’s Health Forum, even said that there is an increasing feeling of anxiety about men’s body image that is in part due to magazines’ depictions of the perfect man. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

There is another key element which further supports this thesis: men’s clothing statistics exploded last year in the United States as sales grew faster than in the women’s clothing business! Indeed, men’s clothing sales rose 4% in comparison with a rise of 3% on the women’s side. Even though it is undeniable that women still spend more – in absolute terms – then men on garments such as coats, shoes, tops, and the likes, men seem to be slowly catching up.

It is not only that men bought more t-shirts than women in 2011. They also spent considerable amounts of money buying dress clothes, showing that they care about the image they project. Maybe men are just starting to experience a little bit of what women feel. But it should neither be taken for granted that men are exposed to a level of body image-related anxiety similar to that of women, nor that they are anywhere close to spending the same amount of money on beauty than women.

The gap may slowly be diminishing, but it seems quite clear that women are still overrepresented in cosmetics sales, beauty treatments, and plastic surgeries. Similarly, if men’s expenses on clothes in 2011 grew faster than women’s in terms of percentage, the same rationale does not hold in terms of dollars. The 2006-2010 Consumer Expenditure Survey showed that men spent $304 on clothes in 2010, while women spent $562. Since sales rose 4% for men in 2011, it means that they spent about $12 more on average; the 3% rise in women’s sales, however, equals $17 more!

Photo Credits

Photos Are From The Microsoft Office Clip Art Collection

 

 

 


Guest Author Bio

Alexandre Duval
Alexandre Duval Alexandre Duval is a freelance blogger.

He is also currently completing his master’s degree in political science at the University of Quebec in Montreal.

 

 

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Wiggin’ It https://lifeasahuman.com/2011/arts-culture/fashion/wiggin-it/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2011/arts-culture/fashion/wiggin-it/#respond Thu, 14 Apr 2011 04:08:03 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=197183 What kind of hairstyle have you always wanted? Phyllis Wilson takes readers shopping for wigs.

A friend of mine, Annette, is an active single parent who has more than 75 wigs. Every week she sports a different one! Short, medium, long, curly, straight, pink, blue, braided, her wigs range from 100% real human hair to synthetic and even blends. Now mind you, she has a very full head of hair that is her own so I asked her why she always changed her hairstyle and she said, “I love wiggin’ it!”

A woman shops for wigs at Zara Wigs.

A woman shops for wigs at Zara Wigs.

Celebrities have set the trend for wearing wigs/alternative hair. Today, anyone can instantly and temporarily change their look with minimal effort. So I asked Annette share her expertise with me and take me wig shopping because I was in the mood for a change, a new look, a new style. I wanted an alternative hair option that would allow me to enjoy a hairstyle that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve with my own hair.

Off to her favorite wig store we went and all the sales associates greeted Annette by name. She explained to them that she wanted to adorn me in a new wig or two. My eyes got large as I was whisked to a chair and my hair brushed back to begin the wig extravaganza.

I perused the store where there were over 1,000 styles of wigs: women’s wigs, men’s wigs, children’s wigs, African American wigs, cancer wigs, headband wigs, 3/4 wigs, medical wigs, half wigs, top wigs, costume wigs, Halloween wigs, hairpieces, men’s hairpieces, and men’s toupees. For hygiene purpose, I had to don a nylon stocking wig cap and then Annette began to canvas the shop for the perfect wig. I tried bobs and braids, poufs and ponytails, extensions and front lace wigs. I even tried afro wigs, dreadlock wigs, and salt and pepper wigs! I tried Twiggy wigs, Dora wigs, Elan wigs and Bonita wigs.

As each new style was pulled and tugged and pinned, I took on a new personality. I even pranced around the shop gazing in the mirrors at my new looks. Giddiness filled the hair as I finally decided on three: Jackie, Rina and Celia. I loaded up on accessories: wig spray and shampoo, wig brush and comb, pins, and Styrofoam heads to hold the wigs.

Apprehensive, of course, I struggled while trying to decide when to first don my new style. I decided to venture to the movies with my girlfriend, Kim, wearing Celia wig, a side-parted bob with feathered layers. As I waited nervously in the foyer of the theater, I saw Kim walk right by me. I grabbed her arm and said, “Don’t you recognize me?” She looked startled and said, “Do I know you?”

I told her I was Phyllis and she gazed at my hair and replied, “What have you done to your hair? I did not recognize you.”

We both laughed because I had definitely gotten a new look — a new style just by wiggin’ it!

 

Photo Credit

“A woman shops for wigs at Zara Wigs”

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Rosie Bitts Brings You Burlesque Fashion https://lifeasahuman.com/2011/arts-culture/fashion/people-in-rosie-bitts-neighbourhood/ https://lifeasahuman.com/2011/arts-culture/fashion/people-in-rosie-bitts-neighbourhood/#comments Thu, 03 Feb 2011 05:09:09 +0000 http://lifeasahuman.com/?p=187038 When you’re a burlesque darling like Rosie Bitts, you meet the most fascinating people.

Rosie talks with another one of the wonderful people in her neighbourhood. Rad Juli of Rad Juli Custom Design — and music and burlesque fame — is a multi-talented renaissance women who always has a multitude of projects on the go. Rosie takes a peek in her studio and gets to see some of her most recent project.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GWwAjPJ0Hs


Rad Juli Custom Design Collection

 

Pink and red ostrich leather purse from Rad Juli Custom Design


Fringed leather gloves from Rad Juli Custom Design



Black leather purse from Rad Juli Custom Design


Photo Credits

All photos © Rad Juli Custom Design. All Rights Reserved.

Video Credit

Keith Sonic www.sonicshoots.com

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