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AESPA’s new MV fashion decode

We’ve got all the fashion #Inspo you need from the K-Pop group’s latest MV

When SM Entertainment announced that they are launching a new band in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, that was the good news all K-Pop fans were waiting for. AESPA delivered and how with their debut track, Black Mamba. After many more hits, the girls are back with a bang with their latest track, Girls. The music video is what the fans expected, with the girls serving a few fierce looks, great hair colour inspirations, and not to forget, a catchy beat. The samurai swords are optional, of course. The video and fashion are futuristic with a lot of sheen on fabrics and very few colours used (with black and white featured prominently). A few of the prominent current trends featured in the video are corset tops, cut-outs and miniskirts.

While the makeup is mostly simple, two of our favourite looks from the video are on Winter, with her double braids with hair rings and a graphic eye look that makes her look straight out of an anime show. Winter wears not one but two corset tops, one being a twist to a jacket where the sleeves are worn almost like gloves in a deconstructed way. Ningning makes a case for relooking at wardrobe basics with her version of a white shirt worn as a bodysuit with a deep cut for the legs forming a cut-out. She wears another dress with cut-outs which are having a moment currently in the fashion world.

Her soft powder pink hair is perfect too. Giselle shows how you don’t need to go shopping for a new look by wearing a corset top over a formal blouse and turning it edgy. Giselle also sports shoulder cut-outs in her second look. Lead Karina loves miniskirts as she is seen sporting not one but two in different fabrics. Her choice of footwear is a rather comfy pair of loafers worn with socks. This video makes a great case for how you can up your fashion game by just mixing a few of your classic wardrobe pieces. So girls, are you ready to try more from the girls of AESPA?

All the blow-dry tips you need

If you are blow drying your hair regularly this monsoon, here’s all you need to know to save your hair

Come rains, chances are that your hair refuses to dry soon and you have to rely on a blow-dryer to get you ready quickly for work or college. If done right, a blow-dry can up your look and give you bouncy hair that is shiny too. All you need to do is give the right heat protection and care for the hair cuticle.

For starters, never blow-dry hair that is soaking wet. It will increase your getting-ready time and even damage your hair as you will have to use the heat tool longer and it will eventually lead to frizz. So, dry your hair at least 70 per cent with a soft fabric and then blow dry.

Here’s how you can blow-dry different types of hair.

Wavy hair

Squeeze and scrunch your wet hair with a microfiber towel (it cuts down on frizz), then spray Livon Damage Protect Serum through your waves. Let your hair air dry until 80 percent dry before grabbing your blow dryer. Working with three-inch sections of hair at a time and starting at the roots, brush, wrap, and glide the brush through your slightly damp hair. Twist the warm section around your finger to encourage a curl and allow it to cool in that shape before raking through it. Once done, you can use Livon Shake and Spray Serum to add gloss and remove any leftover frizz.

Straight hair

Straight hair dries pretty straight normally too so play your cards right and add some volume instead. Detangle your hair and wait until it is 50 to 80 percent dry before bringing out the hair dryer. Use Livon Damage Protect Serum regardless of your hair type to shield your hair from the heat then make sure to work in sections when you do dry, starting from the bottom and unclipping sections from the top as you work. Hold your round hair brush vertically and roll it away from your face. Once the section is totally dry, twist your hair with the brush as you pull it out, rather than unwrapping the hair from the brush. This will give the hair a nice little curl for that bouncy blowout look. To create volume and lift at the crown of your head, hold the brush horizontally and lift it straight up as you blow-dry the section backward. Run your fingers through your hair to finish.

Curly hair

Air drying curls might be your go-to option but you cannot always be late for the sake of your curls. For this, first, use a styling cream through your curls. Dry your hair with a soft towel and gently scrunch with some gel. Blow-dry your hair when upside down and use a diffuser, gently cupping sections of your curls. Flip it from side to side without touching them or separating them as they dry. Once your hair is 95 percent dry, remove the diffuser attachment and use the regular blow dryer on a low-speed setting to dry just your roots and add volume.

Foot care for monsoon

Love monsoons, but hate itchy, smelly feet that come with it? Here’s what you should do

Monsoons aren’t just about love and warm cups of coffee. Because when you are rushing to work or college and get caught in a downpour, there’s a lot more that you could wish for instead. Monsoons also mean that your feet often get wet or you are stuck in damp socks while commuting. Sadly, fungus loves moisture. And soaked clothes, wet shoes and socks can all lead to fungal infections. Wearing tight, closed-toe shoes, keeping your feet wet for a long time, and getting minor skin or nail injuries on your foot are common causes of fungal infections of feet.

Fungal infection of the feet is also called athlete’s foot. Common signs of athlete’s foot are cracking and peeling of the skin, commonly on soles or in between the toes, itching, stinging, or burning of feet, skin peeling on the soles or sides of feet, discolored thick toenails, etc.

Ideally, you should wear open footwear as much as possible. Since that is not always possible, it’s important to wash your feet with soap and water after exposure to rainwater, regardless of what you are wearing. Apply antifungal dusting powder before putting on socks and apply an antifungal ointment at night. If the condition does not improve, consult a dermatologist.

Smelly feet are also common during monsoon as the feet are damp and this leads to bacterial infections which cause odour. Soft, macerated skin on the feet is due to prolonged wetness in closed footwear. The skin of the sole and sides of the toes becomes soggy, pale, and peels off easily.

Here’s how you can avoid foot problems in monsoons:

Increase feet blood circulation: Put your feet up when you are sitting or lying down. Stretching if you've had to sit for a long while. You could also take a warm foot bath.
Wear the right shoe: Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot ailments and cuts, which can lead to infections in rain. Ideally, wear special waterproof footwear during the rains.
Let your feet breathe: Wear open-toed footwear whenever possible. Keep a pair at the office to change into. Air exposure is essential to avoid the growth of microbes.
Sun is important: Don’t keep your shoes and sandals under the bed or inside the shoe rack when they are wet. This gives birth to bacteria. Sun is one of the effective medicines to kill bacteria and destroy the chances of foot infections.
Apply a paste of henna leaves in the affected crevices between the toes and leave it until the pack gets dry and cracks to heal.
A paste of turmeric which is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties can be applied effectively around the toes to get rid of fungal infections.

Dress your inner doll

Time to get pink, as Barbiecore is one of the biggest fashion trends this season

Not just Fuchsia pink but many shades of pink made for one of the hottest fashion trends this summer. Pink pants, pink hair, tiny pink bags, all things pink are in. And halfway into the year, this obsession with pink has taken another turn, with Barbiecore being a must-try trend this season. And the announcement of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie has only added to the buzz.

Tones of purple and lilac were bound to be seen on the red carpet this year due to Pantone announcing Very Peri as their colour for 2022. Laverne Cox had purple hair to match her eyeshadow which popped even more with thin, drawn eyebrows as you would see in the '20s. Our favourite was Chloe Bailey's purple metallic smoky eye. Singer Yola too opted for purple from hair to toe.

So, what exactly is the Barbiecore trend?

While we wore neutral colours and comfy clothes when at home during the lockdowns, the post-lockdown world meant that we wanted to show off our personality and fashion game to the world, and bright colours such as pink are perfect for this. And that’s what makes Barbiecore popular. Older examples of this style would be Reese Witherspoon in the Legally Blonde movie series, and a high ponytail look of Paris Hilton during the Y2K era. And it’s not just pink, you can look at mixing colours such as orange, purple, yellow and powder blue.

Another inspiration is rapper Nicki Minaj, who is often seen in Barbie-style wigs in not just blonde but pink too (who can forget her Barbie nameplate necklace and her Insta bio still reads Barbie). Not a fan of too much pink? You can also try following Barbiecore by carrying fun accessories in bold colours. Such as a tiny purse in a pop colour or chunky plastic earrings.

Pink dresses are the unsaid favourite, you can wear a pink shift dress with a blazer on top to work, and just take the jacket off and change into solid white heels for an evening out. You could also pair your dress with boots, as Barbiecore often includes mixing two styles such as Punk and all things girly. You can do a metallic version and opt for metallic shades of pink too. Suits and co-ords are other great options to try Barbiecore for work or a casual day.

To make any look a Barbie inspiration you need a flowy high ponytail with bouncy locks. A glossy pink lip with matte blue eyeshadow on the eyes is another classic way. You can create doll-like lower lashes by clumping mascara with tweezers on the lashes..

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