The Luxi Look | LA based fashion and lifestyle blog

By Amy Zhang May 1, 2017 in Style 35 Comments

What’s Your Story?

We all have a story to tell. Someone at work told me that our careers (and our lives) are more of a mosaic than a ladder, and I realized it’s so true. What he meant is that it’s not one clear cut path of one step to the next that has brought you to where you are today. Rather, the combination of all of your life experiences together creates the image and story of who you are today. I’m still trying to figure my story out – what experiences I want to have, the kind of person I want to be known as… and that got me thinking. What’s your story? Have you ever given this question some thought?

What’s Your Story?

By definition, a story is an “account of events” and varies by person. There is the truth, but there are also lies and embellishments. Always remember, there are two sides to every story : ).

So tell me: what’s your story?

The way you tell your story matters. Whether we like it or not, we live in an age where everyone can be their own publicist thanks to social media. If you’ve ever had to write your own bio or gone to a job interview, you know what it’s like to craft your own narrative. Beyond personal stories, every brand has a story to tell.

Beyond personal stories, every brand has a story to tell.

How your craft and tell your story is very, very important. Even for brands and small businesses! When it comes down to any business, branding is everything.

Do you know the stories of your favorite brands?

The other day I listened to this podcast featuring Michael Mente, the founder of Revolve. If you have the time, it’s a must listen. (A little tip – sometimes I listen to my podcasts on 1.5x speed on my iPhone.)

Obviously, Revolve is super successful. Even though I have shopped at the site for almost a decade, I never knew the backstory of how the massive retailer got started. Hearing Michael’s story of how he built Revolve to what it is today was so inspiring and mind blowing.

All businesses have to start somewhere. Which is why I love shopping and supporting small businesses. The amount of passion, hustle, and grit that it takes to get something off the ground starting from nothing is unimaginable to most people. And they always have a story to tell. If you know a small business owner or watch Shark Tank (LOVE!) you know what I’m talking about.

That’s why it’s so important to shop small (and local!). These brands really need your support and business, and every little bit helps them. Next time you stop by a neighborhood shop or boutique, stop and ask what their story is. It might blow you away!

Two brands (both owned by badass women!) that I’ve been able to work with and support:

Flair the Label and Sticks + Stones. Learning about these brands and hearing the stories behind them taught me how much passion has to go into a passion project. Every piece is made with love and there are literal blood, sweat, and tears involved in starting a new brand from the ground up.

Bloggers are often eager to work with big brands – they’re established, have budgets for influencers, and have a lot to offer you. Lately, I’ve taken a step back and focused more on working with smaller brands. Letting go of my ego and personal agenda, and truly collaborating with others in a way that is not only mutually beneficial but also fun.

That’s a huge part of what I want my story to be: building genuine relationships and collaborations. Giving more than I take and adding value to the brands I choose to work with.

SO – definitely check out Flair and Sticks + Stones. And ask about their stories : ).

xx, Amy

romper: flair | necklace and bag: sticks + stones | shoes: botkier

By Amy Zhang April 30, 2017 in Style 18 Comments

Line I Love: MINKPINK

It’s time to get ready for summer! I’ve been in major spring cleaning mode and trying to check off as many things from my to-do list as possible while also trying to get into shape. I’ll be the first to admit I’m trying realll hard to cut down on the sweets and avoid skipping workouts. Beyond my health and fitness goals, I like to do a little spring/summer closet refresh. If you’re looking for some new, cute summer styles – check out the brand MINKPINK.

This Aussie label (seriously, why are Aussie labels SO GOOD?!) is always on point. Especially for print lovers! You will totally love everything in the current summer collection – matching sets, jumpsuits, dresses, and super cute (and affordable) swimsuits!

The best part? Almost everything is under $100!! << honestly a big reason why I started shopping the brand when I first discovered it in college.

Everything MINKPINK is a little flirty and sassy, but still casual so you don’t look like you tried too hard. You can shop my jumpsuit HERE and my off the shoulder dress HERE.

Other MINKPINK picks in my shopping cart:

This floral midi dress

This nude twist jumpsuit

The perfect striped cold shoulder top

This printed tie one piece swimsuit

I’ve rounded up all of my favorites below – Revolve’s selection of MINKPINK has everything you’ll want.

Stay tuned for more posts on getting summer ready this month!

xx, Amy

Favorite Summer MINKPINK Picks

By Amy Zhang April 28, 2017 in Beauty 12 Comments

Beauty Products on Repeat: My Holy Grail Items

Beauty Products on Repeat: My Holy Grail Products | by The Luxi Look

Let’s talk about holy grail products. I learned about this term from watching beauty gurus on YouTube years ago and it’s one that is not to be taken lightly! Seriously – HOLY GRAIL PRODUCTS. These are all products I’ve purchased and repurchased for myself at least ten times. They’re beloved even after many years and testing other alternatives. No matter what, I always come back to them and keep them in my bathroom. (Sometimes multiples.) I would never recommend a product I don’t love and stand by wholeheartedly. These are my tried and trued, repeat purchase, holy grail products.

Shop my beauty products on repeat

Glossier Boy Brow

Glossier products have my heart. They’re cute, come in fun packaging (hello, STICKERS!), and actually work well. Perfect for the minimal, fresh faced look. But the one product I buy again and again is BOY BROW. Trust me on this. If there’s one Glossier product you need in your arsenal constantly, it’s this. Swipe on for perfect brows in under a minute. The gel is just the right consistency and goes on smoothly and flawlessly, filling in and shaping your brows to perfection. Sometimes I add some powder or pencil if I’m going for a more dramatic brow at night, but usually Boy Brow is my daytime go to (I use the shade “brown”). If you’re interested in trying Boy Brow or any other Glossier brows, use this link for 20% off your first order.

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara

Trust me, this is the best mascara I’ve tried. I’ve gone through countless tubes of this mascara. It’s pricier than drugstore but totally worth it. I won’t go anywhere without this mascara (especially when I travel) and I always get tons of compliments on my lashes and it truly multiples their length and volume.

Kopari Coconut Oil

So you’re probably thinking, can’t I just use the coconut oil from the grocery store? Trader Joe’s was my go-to for a long time, but after trying Kopari’s Coconut Melt, I’ve been 100% converted. Turns out there is a difference in food grade vs. beauty grade coconut oil and you really can feel the difference with Kopari. The coconut oil from the grocery store worked well for me as an eye makeup remover but always felt too slippery and didn’t absorb into my skin as a moisturizer. This coconut melt works well as a moisturizer, hair mask, makeup remover, shaving cream… the list goes on and on.

Becca Highlighter

THE BEST HIGHLIGHTER. Becca’s Champagne Pop gives the perfect glow. Just a little bit goes a long way – I really love the way it photographs and how build-able the color is. The only problem? I will admit it the powder breaks easily, so you do have to baby the compact a little bit. But it’s worth it! I’ve tried so many other highlighters but this color is my favorite by far.

Nars Tinted Moisturizer

Foundation for girls who don’t love foundation. Buildable coverage that creates a glow from within – and has SPF!! I love this foundation so much, I bought a couple shades so I could mix and match when my skin inevitably gets darker in the summer. Definitely a go-to daytime foundation that won’t make your skin break out and will protect you from the sun.

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum

Bonus points because it smells soooo yummy, but this serum has done wonders for my skin. The hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture and stay plump. Plus, Eminence products are all natural and organic so you don’t have to worry about nasty add ins that you’re putting directly on your skin everyday.

What are your “holy grail” beauty products??

xx, Amy

By Amy Zhang April 26, 2017 in Style 23 Comments

In Defense of Social Media

Sometimes it feels like social media has taken over the world. Don’t get me wrong – I use social media all the time and rely it on everyday as a blogger. But as they say, every rose has its thorn. And social media can be a thorny little guy. Ask anyone about their opinion on social media and you’ll get an opinionated answer. To some it’s the best thing ever, to others it’s the devil. As someone who has been on both sides, I’m coming out in defense of social media (with a few caveats, of course).

In Defense of Social Media

Let’s talk about the obvious cons of social media.

– Shorter attention spans.

Using social media programs our brains to constantly feel the urge to check in on our accounts and see the notifications we’re receiving. This 60 Minutes segment blew my mind – our phones are actually programmed to be addictive.

– It cultivates and rewards narcissism.

Studies are actually linking social media usage to narcissism. It can especially have a huge impact on teenagers in their developing years. High school is tough enough, but now there’s the added pressure of living the “perfect life” where every moment is captured and shown to the world. Which leads me to my next point…

– It’s not real life.

You shouldn’t compare to your behind to scenes to someone else’s highlight reel. It’s easy to forget sometimes, but social media is NOT real life. No one is showing 100% of their life on social media and they are most likely leaving out a lot of the negative stuff. Still, it’s hard not to look at an image and think – why can’t I look like that? / why can’t I live that life? / why can’t I have that?

– Social media can lead to insecurity.

Constantly being bombarded with images of people’s perfect, happy lives can be tough on your own self esteem. After all, comparison is the thief of joy. Especially when the comparison is being done through the screen.

– You end up living your life through the screen.

Isn’t it more important to be present and enjoy the moment we are in with the people we care about? When did going to concerts and festivals become all about taking the perfect shot and Snapchat story instead of enjoying the music? Why do we care so much about curating our life to share with others?

– Fake news.

Enough said.

I totally get it. Social media can be all consuming. But I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum. Before I started a blog, I think I posted to my personal Instagram account once a month, max. I didn’t care about my social media accounts and I never thought about posting photos at optimal times or curating the perfect feed. Until you’ve walked a mile (or more) in someone else’s shoes, you have no idea what it’s like to be them. After blogging for over a year, here are my arguments in defense of social media.

Social media can be tough on our self esteem and productivity. But I think it also fills some holes and can be used for good. Which can be really, really cool.

Why I’m in defense of social media:

At the most basic level: social media connects us. It connects individuals, groups, brands, and businesses around the world. It allows us to stay in touch with the people we care about, interact with strangers that share similar interests, learn about new brands and trends, and meet new people.

The start of Myspace and then the introduction of Facebook allowed us to stay in touch with people near and far. The discovery aspect of Instagram has changed the way we consume content, learn, shop, and in general live our lives. With the rise of each new platform comes innovation in the way we conduct business and live our lives and, in many ways, benefits all of us.

+ Small businesses have grown.

Social media marketing is often times the only form of marketing small businesses can afford. With the rise of tools such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, businesses are able to be created with nothing more than a social media strategy. I know several small business owners that rely entirely on word of mouth and a social strategy in order to grow. It’s crazy to think that many people depend on social media for their livelihood, but it’s an incredibly powerful tool that allows business owners to market and put their product in front of people that may have otherwise never heard of their brand. That’s pretty freaking awesome.

+ Artists have a platform to share their work and jobs have been created.

Bloggers obviously benefit tremendously from social media. But there are entire industries that have been propped up by the rise of social media. And now there are so many forums for everyone to share their art – whether it’s written, visual, audio, whatever.

+ Creative art and news are more accessible.

It’s so much easier to discover new content and creators thanks to social media. It’s opened up a world of possibilities and completely democratized the way content is created. Social media is one of the engine that fuels creatives, small business, and brands. It allows breaking news and information to travel across the entire world quickly. We’re all more plugged in than ever – and while there are some downsides to that – there are some cool benefits as well.

What are your thoughts on social media?

xx, Amy

sweater: minkpink | shorts: redone

By Amy Zhang April 24, 2017 in Lifestyle 11 Comments

Blogger Lisa Linh on Passion, Hustle, and Patience

Need some Monday Motivation? Then you have to meet boss babe and blogger Lisa of By Lisa Linh. I first came across Lisa on Instagram and instantly knew I wanted to connect with her. Her messages and images were no-nonsense, motivational, and powerful. No BS here – only passion, hustle, and patience. I love going to her blog for stunning editorial stories (the photography is SO on point) and creative writing. A few years ago, this boss babe made her side hustle her full-time job and hasn’t looked back since. If you’re in a creative rut or looking for a swift kick of motivation, read on.

Meet Blogger Lisa from By Lisa Linh

Introduce yourself and your blog.

My name is Lisa Linh and I’m a lifestyle, fashion, and travel blogger based in Los Angeles. By Lisa Linh was started in 2014 and is dedicated to inspiring, motivating, and encouraging readers to follow their dreams. My blog specializes in lifestyle editorials with topics allowing me to focus on vulnerability and honesty in everything that I write/publish.

How did you get into blogging? You used to work full time – how did you make the transition from that into blogging full time?

I’m a writer first before anything else, so when blogging was introduced, I immediately jumped on using Blogger/Blogspot, then WordPress, and now my website lives on Squarespace. Creative writing is what I love best and combined with my interest in fashion, thanks to my aunt and grandfather, I was able to combine the two together.

I worked in the corporate world for over 10 years and quit April 2015. It was a decision I made unexpectedly and one I didn’t plan for, as I didn’t have a back-up plan, savings account, or family I could fall back on. I was on my own and that hit me harder than ever, realizing I had no excuses and no one else to blame but myself for failures. This ignited my passion even more and despite working more than I used to, I’m happier than ever and cannot complain about a thing.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The opportunities I’ve received so far have been absolutely amazing! Being able to travel and set my own schedule, be my own boss and work towards my own dreams is the best feeling. However, above all, the people I meet and work with, from brands to other bloggers is my favorite part.

Your messages and posts are always so powerful and badass. Where do you find your inspiration?

I’ve gone through a lot of shit growing up, not anything too crazy but I suffered a lot of emotional damage. The inspiration honestly just comes from all the crap I went through and overcome. I try to be as transparent as possible with my followers and let them know that they are not alone – in whatever battle they are fighting. (<< love, love, love this!)

What does a typical week look like for you?

It honestly changes every week. Sometimes I have showroom appointments, events, and end up chained to my desk editing photos, creating proposals, answering emails, etc. Other weeks, I’m traveling, hotel hopping, or on the road shooting an editorial for the blog.

Any advice for girls that are trying to do the same thing?

3 key words: passion, hustle, and patience. (<<SOTRUE!!) You need all three to survive because this business doesn’t grow overnight and you need thick skin to handle the bullshit that accompanies any career you get into – especially fashion!

Meet Lisa on Passion, Hustle, and Patience

How do you find balance and manage your time?

I’m still trying to learn how to manage my time better, but balance is easy. If I’m uninspired, exhausted, and not feeling it overall – I stop. I don’t force myself to write because I know the blog post will be half-assed and that’s not my style. I learned to worry less about the amount I produce and focus more on making sure I feel 100% about anything I publish. Also, I have an amazing and supportive group of friends and boyfriend that remind me to relax here and there 🙂

(Totally obsessed with this self-love message and couldn’t agree more – it’s ok to feel uninspired and give yourself a break!!)

You’ve been traveling a lot this year! Any favorite destinations?

Cabo is one I would love to revisit, that was hands down the best birthday I ever had. Miami is always gorgeous and fun! Canada will be a first for me as I’m heading out there soon so can’t wait for that trip. Asia at the end of the year is the big one that I’m looking forward to the most!

What’s on your travel bucket list?

What’s not on it? Zip lining through a forest, eating street food in the streets of Vietnam, visiting the robot cafe in Tokyo, and more.

How do you stay healthy when you travel?

I try to hit the gym wherever I am. I don’t always have time, but quick workouts help. And I do a ton of exploring when I travel so I walk a lot too. I also do keep in mind what I eat, usually light meals and occasional savory dinners. All about balance!

What are you most excited about right now?

Life in general! Being able to wake up, do what I love, and see the world during the process.

Be sure to check out Lisa’s blog and Instagram. xx