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By Amy Zhang June 9, 2017 in Fitness, Lifestyle 10 Comments

What is HIIT Class? Plus My Favorite Edgy Workout Wear

What is HIIT Training Plus My Favorite Edgy Workout Wear | by The Luxi Look

Fresh off a 7 day Barry’s Bootcamp challenge (yep, that’s 7 classes in 7 days). I literally cannot move, my body is so sore. I didn’t think my body would be able to handle 7 days in a row of such intense exercise! While I’m happy I was able to push myself to complete the challenge, I’m actually pretty relieved it’s over. Back to my 3x/week workout plan, haha! I will say that Barry’s Bootcamp is the best workout I’ve ever done for my body, and since starting to take classes (at first sporadically, now somewhat more consistently), I’ve been able to see a real change in my body.

Read: slowly maybe gaining some muscle definition? Anyway, for those of you that aren’t familiar with Barry’s Bootcamp, it’s a form of HIIT. What is HIIT, you ask? HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training. It has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to lose weight and tone up fast! With swimsuit season HERE and intimidating as ever, if you’re looking to shape up quickly, you definitely want to be doing HIIT.

What is HIIT?

HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training, is an exercise method in which you alternate between periods of high intensity exercises (read: really hard) with low intensity exercises. For example – sprinting on the treadmill for 30-60 seconds, followed by walking or jogging for 30-90 seconds.

Why is HIIT effective?

By switching between high and low intensities, HIIT has been shown to burn more calories and fat than steady state exercise and boost your metabolism. It’s effective and allows you to shorten your time at the gym with all the benefits and then some. If you hate the thought of an hour on the treadmill or the elliptical machine, then you definitely want to incorporate more intervals in your life! I’m heading to Europe in two weeks and in anticipation of being in a swimsuit 24/7 I’ve definitely been trying to ramp up my workouts. HIIT is a great way to do so!

And of course, one of the best ways to motivate myself to hit the gym is by buying a new gym outfit. Whatever it takes, right? ; )

Look cute while training with my favorite edgy workout wear picks:

Cropped Star Hoodie

As you already know, I have a huge soft spot for anything with stars on it. This cropped hoodie is perfect for throwing on over a sports bra and running to the gym, going on a hike, running errands, or even just laying around the house.

My Favorite Sports Bra for HIIT

This sports bra has gotten me through the toughest workouts! It’s especially great for high intensity workouts as it provides medium support (for small to medium chests) which is perfect for anything from weight lifting to spin to pilates class.

The BEST Leggings Ever by Varley

Love the material Varley uses for their workout clothes, not to mention they always come in the coolest prints and most flattering shapes. You probably already have 10 pairs of basic black leggings, so opt for a pair with some mesh detailing. (Black + mesh panels = super slimming pant!).

Get To-and-From the Gym in this Mesh Jacket

Very into mesh details right now, can you tell? This jacket is simple yet edgy (love both black and white versions!) and at $25 (!!) is the ideal breathable layer to bring with you as you go to and from your workout this summer. I have the black version and I love it!

A Must Have Printed Cut Out Sports Bra

As you can tell, Strut This makes some of my favorite workout clothes. This cut out sports bra is different than the usual basic sports bra so you’ll be sure to stand out at the gym.

Light as Air APL Sneakers

These sneakers really are SO comfortable! One of my favorite bloggers, Marianna Hewitt wears these all the time. I knew I had to snag a pair for myself. The all black is classic. It goes with everything, but these light as air sneakers come in so many fun colors; including rose gold, my fave!.

How are you shaping up for summer?

By Amy Zhang June 3, 2017 in Recipes 11 Comments

YES WAY FROSÉ

Stop what you’re doing RIGHT NOW. Have you heard of FROSÉ? If you have, then you’ll want the recipe below to make at home. If you haven’t yet, you’re welcome : ).

Rosé has been the ‘it’ summertime drink for years now – there’s nothing better than a chilled glass of dry, crisp Whispering Angel during the warmer months (although let’s be honest, rosé is acceptable any time of year in my book). The term “summer water” is very accurate.

Now imagine the frozen slushy version of rosé, known as frosé.

Frosé is arguably the best drink of the summer. Think I’m crazy? Then you need to try it for yourself. The frozen and slightly versioned of rosé is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can find it at bars across the country, OR you could make it yourself at home. You can probably imagine how excited I was when I stumbled upon this frosé recipe from Bon Appétit.

Disclaimer – I am not the best in the kitchen, but this I can handle. You’ll definitely want to drop everything you’re doing and make this right now.

Frozen Rosé aka Frosé Recipe from Bon Appétit

1 750 ml bottle hearty, bold rosé (note: stay away from the usual dry, crisp rosés that are good for easy drinking, like your Whispering Angels or Miravals. Be sure to choose a darker, pinker, sweeter version of rosé – the flavor will be diluted when you make the frosé)
½ cup sugar (substitute with any sweetener you prefer)
8 ounces strawberries, hulled, quartered (+ more for garnish)
2½ ounces fresh lemon juice

Put rosé in a pan or Ziploc bag (we opted for a bag) and place in freezer. Wait impatiently for rosé to freeze. It took about 4 hours for a bottle to almost solidify in our freezer.

At the same time or in advance, make the simple syrup! Sounds fancy but it’s really just taking the sugar + 1/2 cup water and mixing together over low/medium heat until it dissolves completely. Take the syrup off the heat and add strawberries for 30 minutes before draining out the seeds. Yep, you just made fancy STRAWBERRY infused simple syrup.

If you’re feeling lazy/don’t want to commit to becoming a mixologist, you can also buy premade simple syrup or just make the syrup and then purée strawberries and mix them together. Or not use any sugar at all. Totally up to you!

Take frozen rosé, lemon juice, and simple syrup (add to taste, although the recipe calls for 3 1/2 oz) and blend in a blender. Add ice and continue to blend until you’ve achieved the optimal slushy consistency.

Pour into glasses, garnish with a strawberry or wedge of lemon, and serve! Enjoy!

Make it for yourself + all your friends and thank me later. Hope you love frosé as much as I do!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang May 22, 2017 in Lifestyle, Style 22 Comments

Stressed Out? Here’s What I’ve Learned About Surviving Anxiety

Currently on my way back to LA after spending a week in my hometown in Minnesota. To say the Midwest is different from the west coast would be a total understatement, but it was a much needed break. I took the opportunity to disconnect completely and it did wonders for my anxiety. Lately I have been really, really anxious. I try not to dwell on negative emotions, but avoiding the topic entirely feels fake – like I’m hiding something or pretending as though my life is perfect (which no one’s is). With that said, I know anxiety is something many people suffer from. I’m still dealing with my own, but I wanted to talk about my journey surviving anxiety and how I’ve learned to deal with it.

I guess I’ve always been slightly anxious.

Being Type A and a constant planner, it’s typical to think about the future/unknown and get stressed. But I never really let it bother me – I figured the anxiety drove me to work harder towards my goals and was a healthy motivator. It wasn’t until fairly recently that consistently feeling anxious became more normal and something I’ve struggled to overcome.

A little over a month ago, I received some bad news about a close family member which was a total shock to me. It made it next to impossible to focus on my job, my personal life, and my blog. Especially the blog. It didn’t feel right to talk about outfits and trends and topics that suddenly felt incredibly superficial when there were other more important areas for me to devote my attention to. As much as I am huge believer in the power of positivity, my energy levels were completely drained.

Yes, it helps to smile when you’re having a bad day and release any negative emotions. But sometimes it’s too hard to just let go – and that’s ok too. Learning to be okay with negative emotions and anxiety was a huge lesson for me.

The reason why I share this is because I know so many of you have been through or are going through similar experiences.

Here’s what I’ve learned about surviving anxiety

We all take different approaches to dealing with stress and anxiety. I try to turn to healthy practices, which I’ve found to have a noticeable impact on my mind and body. Friends and family have recommended the same practices, saying they’ve experienced immense benefits from them.

Exercise

My #1 release – there’s nothing better than a good sweat to let go of your problems and focus on yourself for an hour. I’ve been turning to my favorite spots in LA and making sure to remind myself that despite everything that may be going on, it’s still important to take care of myself. The rush of endorphins is one of the things I look forward to most every week.

Meditation

As important as it is to nourish your body, something I haven’t always practiced consistently is the act of nourishing your mind. We’ve all heard of the endless benefits of meditation, but do we actually make the time to practice in our daily lives? Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference (I love the app Headspace). A yoga class does wonders as well – especially the shavasana at the end of the class.

Communicate

Talk to your family and friends. Journal. See a therapist. Communicate in a way that feels wholesome and fulfilling to you. If you’re a private person, try writing down your thoughts and tracking them over time. You may find it to be more satisfying than holding everything in.

Get away

Even if it’s just a day trip or a staycation. Going to see my family and unplugging from social media allowed me to refocus, get past my creative rut and writer’s block, and go back to real life ready to tackle the week. Travel is always one of the best ways to grow, disconnect, and unwind. With summer basically here, I cannot wait to get away for some trips this summer.

Hope everyone has a beautiful week! I’m excited to get back to a regular posting schedule and enjoy the sun and upcoming long weekend. Who’s with me?

xx, Amy

jacket: blank nyc | romper: flair the label | shoes: marc fisher

sunnies: ray-ban | bag: zara

By Amy Zhang May 11, 2017 in Beauty 9 Comments

Talking to Lash Guru Amanda from Iris + West on Everything You Need to Know About EYELASH EXTENSIONS

Iris + West Lash Co Amanda Robinson Interview | by The Luxi Look

Dying to learn everything you need to know about eyelash extensions and see for yourself what they’re like?

Trust me, I was too. I heard from friends who got them how life changing they were. How they totally open your eyes and let you waltz out of the door in the morning with barely a speck of makeup. How they made you feel instantly pretty everyday. On and on they sang the praises of lash extensions.

For the longest time, I held off. The process sounded way too high maintenance and costly. How was I supposed to carve out time for fills? What if my natural lashes got ruined permanently? What if I became addicted and could never go back to my normal routine of extreme mascara layering because nothing would ever be good enough?

Then I heard from Amanda from Iris + West Lash Co. You could say she’s a bit of a lash guru. SO – I went to find out for myself, first hand, what the fuss is all about.

You guys – the hype is real.

Lash extensions really are kind of life-changing. Yes, they’re expensive and time-consuming to maintain. But all the good things you hear about them are true. The key – as with any sort of beauty service you’re having done – is to find a skilled technician. More of an artist, to be honest. After visiting Amanda, I’m (not so) embarrassed to say I’m totally hooked.

The process was totally painless and honestly felt like a breeze.

Most girls say they fall asleep while getting lashes done, and I can totally see why. It’s strangely relaxing and therapeutic to close your eyes and either nap or disconnect from the rest of the world for a couple hours. Once I was done, I was surprised by how comfortable the extensions felt on my natural lashes. I honestly couldn’t tell a difference at all.

And the results? I like a dramatic lash (LOTS of mascara) when I go out, but for the most part I’m a no fuss, light makeup kind of girl. Getting lash extensions has made getting ready for day and night such a breeze. For daytime – a little swipe of brow gel and I’m good to go. For nighttime – foundation, brows, bronzer, highlighter, and a bold lip.

I knew I just had to interview Amanda for the blog. SO if you’re curious at all about lash extensions (and just Amanda’s story in general – she’s a total badass entrepreneur!), read on.

Introduce yourself.

Hi! I’m Amanda, the founder of Iris +West Lash Co.

How did you get into the business of eyelash extensions, and how did Iris + West originate?

I started my career as a hairstylist and makeup artist in Seattle, Wa. which is also where I learned how to do eyelash extensions. During that time I became really passionate about creating easy beauty regimes that require minimal steps and effort but left my clients looking and feeling polished. Lashes fit perfectly into that attitude, and I fell totally in love with extensions.

What inspired you to start your own boutique lash studio?

When I first started working in L.A. four years ago, I was seeing a lot of bad extensions and hearing that a lot of women were having bad experiences with their lashes. I started Iris+West because I’m obsessed with giving my clients eyelash extensions that are not only comfortable and easy to wear but that are safe for their natural eyelashes. (<< she really is amazing!)

What has been the biggest challenge in owning and operating a boutique beauty studio in a city filled with big names and companies?

Valuing my own time and work. Being a small business owner means doing all sorts of jobs, not just applying eyelash extensions, so I have to check in with myself a lot to make sure I am putting my energy towards the most important task at hand.

How did you go about growing Iris + West?

Mostly word of mouth and social media. I have a very loyal clientele and they are the best advertisement! Instagram has also been a great platform to showcase the work that comes out of the studio, and the diversity of our clients. (<< SO COOL. Love seeing businesses grow from social media.)

I’ll be honest, eyelash extensions totally intimidated me for the longest time! What’s the key to finding the right technician and the right set of lashes for your face?

Do your research, and don’t compromise quality for a cheaper price. Look for good reviews, and check out their website and social media for pictures.

Top 3 care tips for eyelash extensions?

1. Don’t pick or pull at them 2. Avoid oily products on or near your eyes. 3. Brush them a couple times a week.

Can you still wear eye makeup? Take showers normally? Work out?

Yes, yes, and yes. Just make sure you are using an oil free remover to take off your makeup. You should also try to avoid getting your extensions wet for the first 12 hrs after you’ve had them done, but after that you should definitely wash your face and eyes like normal.

True or false: eyelash extensions make your regular lashes fall out.

100% FALSE! Your natural eyelashes shed, just like any other body hair, so when it’s time for a natural lash to come out, the extension just comes off with it. The only reason extensions would ever pull your natural lash out is if they’re being applied incorrectly.

True or false: lash extensions are addictive (ha!)

True! Jk, but because they are so easy, and simplify your beauty regime most clients never want to go back to their “pre-lash life”.

What are your favorite LA spots?

I try to hike up to the observatory a few times a week. It’s really peaceful early in the morning and I love being able to disconnect and spend some quiet time on my own. I also LOVE a good cup of coffee, and my current favorite is the Tesora blend with a splash of almond milk from Philz Coffee.

Beauty trends/lash trends do you see in the next year?

I think that soft, fluffy, dimensional lashes are always on trend. I’m hoping to see more fresh, dewy skin and graphic eyeliner. My favorite artists to watch for makeup trends are @violette_fr and @katiejanehughes (following them now!).

Be sure to check out more of Amanda’s work on Instagram! And for my LA babes, if you’re looking for a lash artist/expert – go see Amanda at Iris + West!

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang May 5, 2017 in Beauty 12 Comments

At Home Spa Day: Face Masks That Make You GLOW

Face Masks That Make You Glow | by The Luxi Look

Minor confession: I’m a total sucker for skincare products. My bathroom is a mess and my boyfriend hates it, but I can’t help it. I love testing and trying new products (even though I’m fiercely loyal to my favorites) and let’s be honest – there’s nothing better than a little at home spa day. Even though I recently discovered the wonders and benefits of finding a trustworthy esthetician and getting regular facials, I still like to do a little mask session every week at home.

I swear at this point I’ve tried almost every mask on Sephora and the various K-beauty sites and these are my absolute favorites. Some that I thought would love turned out to be overhyped and too expensive (*cough SK-II*), but some clear front runners eventually emerged. I swear these are the face masks that will make you glow!

At Home Spa Day: Face Masks That Make You GLOW

Fresh Rose Face Mask

If you have dry skin, this mask by Fresh will be a godsend. This hydrating mask is good for anytime and is full of ingredients your skin will love – rose petals, cucumber extract, algae, and aloe vera. I’ve had really good luck with this mask (goodbye, dry and flaky skin!) and love using it after traveling or whenever my skin isn’t feeling particularly fantastic. This one’s a heavy hitter in the regular rotation.

Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment

Another one my thirsty, thirsty skin loves. If dryness isn’t your problem, no problem. Whatever your skincare woes are, Glamglow has a mask to solve them. This one goes on in a thin layer so sometimes I’ll put it on before bed and let it absorb into my skin while I sleep before rinsing off in the morning. Your skin will literally glow after using this : ).

Too Cool for School Egg Cream Mask

I’ve had luck with all sorts of sheet masks – you can generally expect to spend between $5-$15 bucks a pop on these babies. Usually I’ll just go on a beauty site and snag enough to last me several months, but I always make sure to include a couple of these masks. These “egg cream masks” are a good price and work really well in hydrating and brightening dull skin. I haven’t worn these on an airplane yet but I’m always tempted to, especially on particularly long flights. A sheet mask once a week keeps my skin happy and if it isn’t in your rotation yet, it should be (if nothing else for the frightening photos and reactions that ensue).

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Mask

Have a little too much fun in the sun? Nothing is worse than getting sunburned, but it’s especially awful on your face. Soothe any red patches with this cooling and moisturizing cucumber mask to help your skin recover ASAP. Keep in the fridge for added comfort and relief. This one’s a must have with summer coming up.

Korres Greek Yoghurt Mask

This mask feels SO luxe and nourishing – slather on before bedtime and wake up to smooth, supple, and hydrated skin. It’s a major lifesaver in the winter!!

xx