The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang September 5, 2018 in Travel 1 Comment

Things To Do in Mallorca

The last destination of our summer trip that I’m recapping is actually the first one we visited – Mallorca! I’ve been dying to visit the Balearic Islands for years, and this year we finally made it to Mallorca and Ibiza. To be honest, I debated whether it was worth going to both since they’re so close and similar. If you’re asking yourself the same question, I would say absolutely YES, both are worth visiting as they are so different and special in their own unique ways. As tempting as it is to cram a million destinations into an overseas trip, the older I get, the more I appreciate taking things slowly.

My travel preferences have definitely changed over the years, and I’m so much more about stopping to smell the roses than I was in the past. Mallorca was such an incredibly beautiful island that I highly recommend visiting if you haven’t yet. It’s an easy flight from Spain or other parts of Europe and just absolutely stunning. During the week it didn’t feel so crowded, but on the weekend it started to feel more chaotic. Luckily, we got out then!

There are so many different sides to the island, it really has it all! It just depends on what you’re looking for. We stayed in Palma, and despite my initial hesitations, I ended up being extremely happy we stayed in the old town. However, if you’re looking for something more secluded or romantic, the coasts and northern part of the island may suit you better.

We had almost a full week on the island, and here are the things I would recommend most from our time on the island.

Things to do in Mallorca

+ Beaches

Beach days are the best days on Mallorca! The island is filled with calas, or coves that are just waiting for you to discover them. They get incredibly busy in the summer because of high season, but some of them are so beautiful it’s worth making the trek anyway! The further away from Palma you get, the quieter and more secluded the calas will be. Calo des Moro was the most stunning beach, but very packed. Be sure to get there early, or go slightly off season.

The northeastern side of the island has beautiful, quiet coves. Cala Ratjada, Cala Millor, and Cala Murta were highly recommend. I personally loved the northwestern side of the island. Must sees include Cala Tuent, Sa Calobra, and Cala Deia. If you’re looking for a more private and tailored experience, I really recommend checking out Mezzo Magic private boat tours – just be sure to book way in advance.

If you want to earn your meal, be sure to hike down to Ca’s Patro March for some of the best sangria and paella on the island. You can only reach the restaurant by boat or by hiking down. So, I tricked my boyfriend into walking 10 miles one day by promising him the best paella ever!

+ Explore the island via car

Although we made Palma our home base, a rental car came in extremely handy as it allowed us to explore the car and take several day trips. Note – the default car rental has a stick shift, so if you don’t know how to drive a stick, be sure to request a manual car. We drove up to Deia and Soller, stopping along the way for wine and tapas. The countryside is absolutely breathtaking, and feels much more tranquil and private than Palma. If I were to visit Mallorca again, I would consider staying in Deia or Soller.

+ Dining

I’ve always loved Spanish cuisine, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the food in Mallorca! There are several Michelin starred restaurants on the island. We dined at Zaranda (which is located at the most stunning castle, Castell Son Claret deep in the countryside). It was honestly one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

Our favorite tapas restaurant in Palma was Tast Club. We went several evenings in a row to enjoy a nightcap and small bites.

If you’re staying in Palma, be sure to walk slightly west and grab a drink or dinner in Santa Catalina. The prices are cheaper and the vibe is much younger and hipper. We loved walking around after the sun went down and exploring the neighborhood.

That’s not all there is to do in Mallorca. There’s shopping, plenty of casual restaurants, beach clubs, and more. We saw so many families, couples, groups of friends on holiday, bachelorette parties – there really is something on the island for everyone!

Have you been to Mallorca? What would you recommend? xx

Map provided by Wanderlog, a travel planner on iOS and Android

By Amy Zhang August 26, 2018 in Travel 7 Comments

Travel Diary: 72 Hours in Milan

Despite what some people may say, Milan is not a city that should be missed! Yes, its city center is smaller than other big cities, and there are not as many tourist attractions, but to me that is a huge part of its charm. I certainly did not get the sense that it was like “any other big city” – although to be fair, I do love big cities. We personally loved the metropolitan feel of Milan and, thanks to a good friend, had wonderful recommendations on where to stay, what to do and see, and (very importantly) what to eat. Although we only spent a few (much needed) relaxing days in Milan, I’m already looking forward to my next visit back. Honestly, any excuse to go shopping in Milan…

72 Hours in Milan: What to Do and See

How to Get There:

Milan is easy to get to from the states, as the main airport in Milan is a popular entry/exit point for Italy. Once you’re in Europe, it’s even easier to get to Milan by plane or train. Once you arrive at the airport, you can easily take a taxi or bus into the city center.

When to Visit:

Although I was concerned Milan would be extremely hot in July (don’t get me wrong, it was definitely hot out!), I didn’t find the heat to be unbearable. Yes, the buildings seem to trap the heat more than when you’re by the coast, but I personally enjoyed the sun and prefer fewer people. I’ve been told the city is lovely in spring and fall, and can get cold during the winter.

Where to Stay:

We absolutely adored the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, which was conveniently right across the street from the train station, towards the northern tip of the city center. If you’d prefer to stay closer to the Duomo (center of the city), we also heard great things about the Westin, Armani Hotel, and Bvlgari Hotel.

What to Do (& Eat):

I could have easily spent another week in Milan, leisurely exploring the art galleries and boutiques, and spending afternoons at the many cafes. We got so many wonderful recommendations for Milan that made it incredibly easy to fall in love with the city.

+ Shopping:

When in Italy, shop Italian designers! They will be cheaper, and you can convince yourself they will make a convincing souvenir to take home ; ).

+ Cafes:

Every day began with a daily espresso run at Pave. Wes Anderson designed Bar Luce is perfect for an espresso, pastry, and Instagram moment.

+ Galleries:

Milan has an incredibly vibrant style and architecture scene. Fondazione Prada, Camparino in Galleria, Villa Necchi Campiglio, Galleria Carla Sozzani were just a few that came highly recommended. You can’t go wrong with any of the exhibits or galleries.

+ Aperitivo:

not just happy hour, but rather a way of life in Italy. Visit Ceresio7 or 10 Corso Como (anything along Corso Como, really) for a peak at Milan’s fashion crowd. It will inspire you to up your style game. Luckily, the boutiques are not so far away! For a beautiful sunset along the canals of Milan, walk to Naviglio Grande and sit outside for a cocktail. I could have easily spent every single night at Mag Cafe.

+ Eat:

We didn’t have a bad meal in Milan, but we especially loved Da Giacomo (best seafood pasta), Bice, and Cantina Della Vetra for dinner. If you’re looking for traditional Milanese fare, be sure to try the veal Milanese, osso bucco, and saffron risotto. Note – these dishes are on the heavier side, but worth trying at least once! We ate pasta every day in Italy (and we were there for a week), and I had zero regrets. I’m convinced the ingredients are so much higher in quality and the portions are small enough (especially if you split a dish), and honestly did not gain any weight.

Oh, and the gelato at Il Massimo del Gelato is not to be missed! (Hint: more kinds of chocolate gelato than you can count. You’re welcome). If you have time, I would also check out some of the street food vendors in Chinatown – they’re absolutely delicious, and much easier on the wallet.

wearing the julia dress by realisation par

What are your favorite spots in Milan? xx

Map from Wanderlog, a road trip planner on iOS and Android

By Amy Zhang August 26, 2018 in Style 2 Comments

Line I Love: Hot as Hell

Like many people, I often discover new brands and like to shop through Instagram. My obsession with Hot as Hell started when I saw photos of their Queen 4 a Day dress on Instagram a few years ago. Fast forward to today and I have the dress in two colors and several other pieces from their swim and clothing collections.

I just had to share them on the blog because not only do they have the dreamiest and “hahtest” brand. Everything is sustainable and no-fuss, meaning you can bring it anywhere and toss it in the wash whenever. Their line is “easy wear, easy care,” which is exactly up my alley. I took dresses, kimonos, bikinis from Hot as Hell on my recent trip to Europe and it was just a complete lifesaver. If you live in Los Angeles, be sure to check out one of their warehouse sales for discounts.

Take their signature “Queen 4 a Day” dress, which is pretty much everything you could want in a dress. It comes in a variety of colors (how gorgeous is that red?!), and is lightweight, machine washable, and packable. I love that despite how comfortable the dress is, it’s still perfect for day or night – just depends on if you want to dress it up or down. And it comes in a bodysuit version as well, which I’m eyeing right now…

By Amy Zhang August 18, 2018 in Beauty 3 Comments

The CONS of Using Dry Shampoo

If you’re a fan of washing your hair less (like me), you’re also likely a fan of dry shampoo. These days, I see so many women relying on dry shampoo to bring life back into their hair and add volume and texture in between washes. Many women are also trying to shampoo their hair when wet less and less. I personally try to wash my hair one a week. Dry shampoo has truly been a godsend for my beauty routine since I hate using shampoo every day. Once you find one you love (looking at you, Oribe dry texturizing spray <3), you won’t be able to look back. The perfect dry shampoo freshens up your hair, preserves your style, helps manage excess oil on your scalp, and smells amazing. Of course like many things in life, too much of a good thing can actually be bad. So I started looking into the pros AND cons of dry shampoo, and believe it or not there are actually cons of using dry shampoo!

First, what does dry shampoo actually do?

Dry shampoo is usually alcohol or starch based. These ingredients essentially “soak up” oil and grease in your hair. While it doesn’t actually clean your hair the way wet shampoo does, by absorbing the oils in your scalp, it gives the appearance of a cleaner hairstyle. So while your hair may look cleaner, it doesn’t actually replace a good old shower and shampoo.

There are a lot of benefits to using dry shampoo – these include:

+ Convenience. If you’re on the go and not able to shower and wash your hair everyday, dry shampoo lets you go longer in between washes.

+ Dry shampoo can make your style last longer. Want to extend your fresh blowout by a few days? Dry shampoo is the answer.

+ Get ready faster. Don’t have time to wash your hair? Want to squeeze in a quick workout before going into the office or out for drinks? Dry shampoo will be your new best friend.

+ Volume – dry shampoos add volume and texture to your hair, which can be perfect if you’re trying to achieve a certain look.

+ Decreases the frequency of using heat to style your hair – this one’s simple. The less often you wash your hair, the less often you’ll use a blowdryer, straightener, or curling iron. Heat is bad for your hair, so the less often you use heat tools, the better for your hair!

+ Conserves hair color. Colored hair is much higher maintenance than natural hair, and it’s best to wash your hair less to preserve your salon highlights. Dry shampoo helps!

The pros are great – but is dry shampoo healthy for your hair? While it isn’t necessarily bad for your hair, there are some cons to using it too often, and you may be making mistakes you didn’t even know when it comes to using it!

The Cons of Using Dry Shampoo

Unfortunately, dry shampoo can’t be used as a replacement for actual shampoo. At the end of the day, you still need to wash your hair. If you don’t, the actual dry shampoo will lead to buildup that traps bacteria on your scalp. Dry shampoo also leaves leftover residue in your hair – if you have a dry scalp or dandruff to begin with, this can be exacerbated by dry shampoo, leading to flakes on your head. If too much dirt, oil, and bacteria gets trapped on your scalp, it can also lead to pimples on your scalp. Using it too often can also lead to hair loss – yikes!!

Dry shampoo also only temporarily makes your hair look better – eventually, you will need to wash your hair. Only using dry shampoo will make your hair look dirty and greasy. Also, beware of toxic chemicals (aluminum) in cheap brands of dry shampoo!

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to your favorite dry shampoo, but there are some things to keep in mind when you do use dry shampoo!

Tips for using dry shampoo:

+ Use it sparingly. Don’t use it every day! Because so many dry shampoos are alcohol based, this can really dry out your scalp and hair.

+ Only spray dry shampoo on oily areas – these are the places that actually need it. If you spray it everywhere, it’ll dry out your hair.

+ Make sure you keep the bottle at least 6 inches away from the scalp. This ensures an even spray, and you won’t get too much concentration of dry shampoo on one part of your head.

+ Brush out the dry shampoo on your scalp – make sure you distribute the product down the roots. If you spray it on the top of your head, gently massage it in. Avoid the ends of your hair – this tends to be the driest area!

+ Choose the right formula for you. Avoid using anything that’s too heavy for your hair type – experiment with different powders and sprays until you try one that works for you.

The Best Dry Shampoos

Not all dry shampoos are created equal. These are my favorites that I’ve tried –

+ Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
(not technically a dry shampoo, but it does many of the same functions – really, it’s my favorite hair product of all time.)

+ Living Proof Dry Shampoo

+ Klorane Dry Shampoo

+ IGK Charcoal Dry Shampoo

+ Playa Pure Dry Shampoo

What are your thoughts on dry shampoo?

By Amy Zhang August 13, 2018 in Style 4 Comments

Adjusting to Change and How to Find a New Routine

Happy Monday! It’s been a crazy few months to say the least… I’ve taken a step away from blogging and posting to focus on other changes in my life. If it seems like I’ve been distracted and my mind has been elsewhere, it’s because it has been! I started a new job at the end of June and then took a much needed vacation in July (still have so many blog posts I need to share from the trip). Now that I’m back, I’ve been mostly focusing on work and finding a new routine. Change can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! I’m a firm believer that change is a positive thing, and you can only grow and get better by pushing yourself. As much as I love blogging and the opportunities it’s given me, I’ve always remained focused on my career. Of course, juggling both has its pros and cons. As I’ve been adjusting to changes in my life (hello, new commute!), I’ve been working on finding a new routine as well. Here’s some of the best advice I’ve received.

Adjusting to change & finding a new routine

+ Don’t be so hard on yourself.

It takes time to adjust to change! Your body and mind are in shock and trying to adjust – it usually takes at least a few months to get into a new groove. If you’re starting a new job, going to school, or moving to a new city, big changes take a lot of time to get used to. Your daily routine will be different – and that’s ok!

+ Make time for yourself.

If you’re feeling stressed (or even thriving on change!), it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re going through a whirlwind of events. It’s ok to stop and make time for yourself – even if it’s something small. Lately I’ve been gravitating towards very restorative yoga classes (think: not heated, not intense at all – just long, deep stretches to relax the mind) as a way to unwind and take care of myself. If you’re into massages, or maybe a little retail therapy, that’s ok – treat yourself!

+ Learn to say no.

In the same vein, it’s ok to say no every now and then while you adjust to change. Before you know it, you’ll be in a groove again and ready to jump back into the swing of things! On that note, I’m learning how to balance my new job with my personal life and the blog. : )

Also, you can now shop my looks on Foray! I am loving this new shop-by-influencer platform that features so many of my favorite brands. Full outfit details are below.

How do you adjust to change in your life?

swimsuit: tularosa (sold out, similar) | shorts: re/done | belt: b-low the belt sunglasses: similar | shoes: steve madden