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By Amy Zhang January 14, 2021 in Style 2 Comments

Skincare Commandments for My 30s

I’ve officially entered my 30s (!!) and while I truthfully don’t think turning 30 is that big of a deal, it is an exciting time to reflect and think about all that is to come. I truly believe that the best is yet to come, and I’ve shared before how optimistic I am for this new year and truthfully a new decade of my life. As with all things there are downsides of course, I’m well aware 30 isn’t old but I do want to prioritize wellness and self-care more than I did in my 20s. The first area I want to start with is skin – skincare is so important, and I feel like your 30s are the time to start really investing in the long term.

I feel like I didn’t take skincare super seriously in my 20s because I was fairly blessed with normal skin. Obviously I try a lot of products through blogging, but I admittedly spent way too much time in the sun in my teenage years and would sometimes not wash my face before going to bed after a night out. Those days are behind me now. But I wanted to lay a foundation of good skincare habits and commandments for myself as I enter my 30s.

Skincare Commandments for My 30s

+ Nail the non-negotiables

These are your basic commandments: sunscreen everyday, drink a lot of water, always remove your makeup before bed (ALWAYS). I definitely let some of these slide in my 20s, but NO MORE. At the bare minimum, these are things that need to happen everyday.

+ Focus on glowing from within

Cliche I know, but you really are what you eat, and these days when I inhale a pizza or too many spicy margaritas, it shows on my skin the next day. I get bags under my eyes, everything is puffy, and my skin gets splotchy and irritable. Really not cute. My goal is lots of greens everyday and easy on things that irritate my skin and gut (mostly dairy).

+ Bring in the experts

I want to make regular appointments with my dermatologist a thing (if anyone has any great recs in LA I’d love to know!). Your dermatologist also has access to products and treatments you can’t get from your local Sephora. I also have nothing against Botox or fillers – you do you!!! – but I personally would like to hold off as long as possible, and will try every product and treatment under the sun before I go that route.

+ Research ingredients

Knowledge is power, and it’s important to know what’s actually in your skincare and working for you. In the past, I spent a lot of money on packaging and branding that doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. Your local drugstore has tons of dermatologist recommended products, and many high end skincare products are truthfully more hype than they’re worth.If you’re going to spend a lot of money on skincare, you want to make sure it’s actually doing something. The key is active ingredients. A few ingredients to look for in a high quality product – vitamin C (serum), hyaluronic acid (serum), retinol/retinoid (ask a derm first).

+ A sheet mask once a week

At least. I have dry skin and live in Southern California, so hydrating sheet masks go a long way in keeping my skin hydrated and plump (aka less likely to wrinkle – maybe this is just in my head, but I’m convinced dry skin is more likely to wrinkle). It also fits into my efforts of pursuing more self-care, and “me time” to do nothing. And what better way to do nothing than to do a little at home spa session? My favorite sheet masks are these (more affordable) and these are my ultimate faves, albeit a splurge.

+ Regular facials

In keeping with a theme of more self-care, I want to find an esthetician I love and commit to seeing her regularly. At a minimum, once every season. It’s an investment, but I’ve noticed the few times I got facials regularly, my skin was the best (clear, smooth, glowy, hydrated) it’s ever been. Some of my favorites are the Hydrafacial and the Triple Crown Facial at Joanna Vargas.

Friends in their 30s… what are your best skincare tips and tricks?!

By Amy Zhang November 15, 2020 in Style No Comments

Black Friday 2020 Wishlist

Farfetch Black Friday Wish List | The Luxi Look

With Black Friday less than two weeks away, I’m planning on doing all of my personal and holiday shopping online this year. You can get some of the best deals of the entire year between Black Friday and the end of the year. So now is a good time to bite the bullet if you’ve been eyeing something for a while. And after the year this has been, I think we’re all due to treat ourselves. Some of my favorite purchases ever have been made during Black Friday. Including a brand new Givenchy Pandora I snagged from FARFETCH a couple years ago for over 60% off. Their Black Friday handbag deals are honestly insane.

Ahead of sales coming out, I’ve put together my personal end of year 2020 wishlist and the items I am secretly hoping on going on sale over Black Friday. This year being quarantined and at home has really made me rethink shopping and the items I buy. My mantra now is to buy better, not more. I’ve really been trying to purge my closet (selling as many clothes I don’t wear anymore as possible!) and focus on only buying pieces I know I will wear and use repeatedly.

Black Friday 2020 Wishlist

My wish list items these days aren’t as *exciting* as they used to be . But they’re classic pieces that I know I will grab in a heartbeat if I find them on sale!

+ Paris Texas Knee High Boots

I’ve had a pair of Paris Texas boots on my wishlist for a long time! In white, black a fun/funky color, or all of the above will do!

+ Combat Boots

Now that we’ve established combat boots are here to stay, I have my eye on this pair. The leather looks so delicious and the subtle details are everything you would want in the perfect combat boot.

+ Rubber Sole Boots

Admittedly one of the trendier items on this list, but one that would certainly still get a lot of use over the winter!

+ Saint Laurent LouLou Bag

I swear you can never have too many black bags, in particular I am looking for one that can be used everyday and doesn’t need to be babied as much as say, a Chanel bag.

+ Barefoot Dreams Throw Blanket

Have heard so much hype about this blanket, I’m about to buy multiples of it to keep around the house. I also love the solid colors as well as the Kardashian beloved animal print version.

+ Feather Trimmed Pajama Set

My personal prediction for 2021? There will be more loungewear, long before there is less. Might as splurge on a set of fancy PJs to make staying home feel all the more luxurious.

By Amy Zhang March 26, 2020 in Style 1 Comment

Stay Home in Cozy Loungewear

The only clothing pieces I’m even considering purchasing at the moment are loungewear. I’m still adjusting to working from home, but one thing is certain – comfort is key. Staying at home is fitting for athleisure – one of my favorite trends for years. For those of us that have to video conference, it may be time to upgrade our sweats. If you’re going to buy any clothing right now, I would wholeheartedly recommend loungewear. You’ll wear it all the time while we’re social distancing, and then for months to come. As far as cost per wear goes, sweatpants are a clear winner. That doesn’t mean you have to look like a slob, though! See below for my favorite cozy loungewear sets for you to work and hang from home in.

Stay Home in Cozy Loungewear

Cozy Loungewear Under $50

Monochrome Loungewear

Tie-Dye Cpzy Loungewear

Follow me on Instagram for more updates.

By Amy Zhang February 10, 2020 in Style 4 Comments

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Designer Handbag

When it comes to handbags and accessories I love a good bargain, but I’m also willing to spend more on quality. So often, we talk about designer bags and accessories as investments, but the truth is most of them are not (and should not be viewed as such). Most designer handbags do not retain their value well, and you are likely to lose a lot of money when it comes time to resell them. This doesn’t mean you should never buy a designer item – it just means you need to be smart when shopping and make sure it’s the right fit for you. Read on for important questions to ask yourself before splurging on a designer handbag, and how to go about reselling it when the time comes.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Designer Handbag

Can I get this item on sale?

Why pay full price when you don’t have to? Most bags, with the exceptions of classic bags (Chanel flap or boy bags, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, etc.) or the “it” bag of the season (past season Gucci and Dior, this season Bottega Veneta), go on sale. If you’re willing to be a little patient and strategic, you can get a lot of designer bags for 20-40% off. Another great way to buy a bag is to buy it abroad – with the VAT refund, you can save some serious money shopping abroad.

Do I plan on keeping this bag forever?

Everyone’s opinion on this is different, but you should have a general idea of how trendy or timeless a particular item is, as well as how functional it is. Of course, our tastes and preferences change over time and we may change our minds, but this is a good starting point. It’s totally ok to buy a trendy bag with the intention of trying to sell it down the road – but try to do some research in advance on potential resale value (more on this below).

How often will I use this bag?

Again, personal preferences come into play here. Some people might want to spend more on a work tote and less on a going out bag, and others vice versa. Others don’t want to overspend on something they’ll chuck around or put on the floor, and will only spend on special occasion items. Personally, I find myself reaching for small to medium-sized bags most often during the day, so I am happier to spend on these pieces and use them as much as possible.

I also find certain designers and styles to be too formal and less wearable for day-to-day use – for example, Chanel flap bags are often regarded as “holy grail” bags, but in actuality, they are not the most practical bags for day to day (depending on your personal style). I know I don’t frequent red carpet events, so I haven’t splurged on a small clutch for black tie events. It’s really up to your personal tastes.

How would I feel if I stained or damaged the bag?

Are you the type of person to baby your bags, or do you believe in the philosophy that your belongings are meant to be used, and a little wear and tear show character? When evaluating a bag, think about if it is something you can afford to replace if something happened to it, or if you’d be willing to pay to have it repaired. Also keep in mind that if a bag is too precious, you might end up babying it and never wearing it (which could be great for reselling!).

Do I anticipate trying to sell this bag in the future?

This is tricky, because obviously the more used a bag is, the lower its resale value. If you plan on buying a bag and wearing it into the ground, you probably won’t think about reselling it. But if you’re after a trendy piece and looking to sell it after a few seasons, you may want to be more careful with how you use the bag. Dustbags come with purchase for a reason!

If you’re looking to sell your bag, there are steps you can take to maximize the amount you recoup.

How to Sell Your Designer Handbag

Looking to resell a designer handbag? You’re in luck. The secondhand designer market has erupted over the past few years, with more resellers than ever before. Gone are the days of having to scour high-end vintage and thrift shops for hidden treasures. These days, many high-end consignment shops have their own physical locations and websites that are incredibly intuitive to use. Here’s where you may quickly find that designer handbags are not an “investment,” as more often than not you will lose money on reselling (between depreciation and sellers fees to platforms, you’re looking at recouping 30-60% of a handbag on average).

I sold my Gucci Marmont and Chloe Nile bags (both trendy pieces, in my mind) about a year after I bought them, and was able to recoup about 50% of each bag back. Could I have made another $100-$200 per bag? Maybe, if I was more patient and invested more time and energy into reselling them. I sold both on Poshmark, which takes a 20% cut of all purchases. Sites such as Tradesy, The Real Real, and Rebag take even more.

Some Tips

Apart from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes, you aren’t likely to make money off of a used handbag – and even then, you might find yourself taking a slight loss. Personally, I consider most Chloe and YSL bags “trendy,” and the amount you can resell for varies a lot based on several factors. In general, black tends to have the best resale value, followed by neutrals. This makes sense, but we can only have so many black bags. If you bought a colorful bag but fall out of love with it, unless it’s a highly sought-after color or limited edition piece, you might find yourself getting less back than you anticipated.

The secondary market is also constantly fluctuating. Whereas you could resell a like-new Gucci Marmont a couple of years ago for almost retail price (keep in mind if you sell it on a marketplace you’re not going to get that full amount back), today that amount is much lower. Remember the Balenciaga city bag? Those are going for $400-500 on resale sites currently. However, sometimes you can get lucky! Before Dior reissued the Saddle Bag, they were going for around $200 on eBay. When the bag was re-released, it sold for upwards of $3k. Now that the hype has died down a bit, you can find it online for around $1,000.

However, with the increase in designer consignment and resale also comes the chance for fraud. Always be sure to authenticate items yourself before purchasing, and not necessarily going off of the site’s authentication (certain sites are known for having lax policies and allowing fakes onto their sites – eek!).

Are you a handbag lover? What’s your philosophy on buying handbags? xx

By Amy Zhang February 4, 2020 in Style 7 Comments

I Tried Rent the Runway Unlimited. Here’s My Honest, Unbiased Review.

“I have nothing to wear.” Words that literally come out of my mouth every week. Let’s face it, we’d all love to have a brand new wardrobe with rotating options for every brunch, date, dinner, conference, wedding, etc. As much as I am a proud repeat outfit offender, my dream closet would enable me to never wear the same thing twice. Believe it or not, you can basically have this for $159 a month. You may have already heard of Rent the Runway Unlimited.

“Unlimited” is the subscription service of the popular one-time clothing rental company Rent the Runway (reviewed here before). Rent the Runway Unlimited’s tagline is: “Buy less, wear more, see the difference.” It’s really the best of both worlds – buy fewer pieces, spend less money on your closet, never feel like you have nothing to wear ever again, and save some money (and the environment!) while you’re at it.

How Rent the Runway Unlimited works:

For a monthly membership fee of $159 (there are other tiers, but I recommend this option to get the most bang for your buck), you’re able to rent out 4 pieces at a time, hold on to them as long as you want, and when you’re ready, return them in exchange for new pieces. I’d always been curious about the service, but it wasn’t until my month of flying between LA and NYC that I realized I really needed a rotating closet.

Let’s face it, “business casual” means two different dress codes on the opposite coasts. Not to mention it really helped me cut down on how much I packed in my carry on every week. I was totally on board with the idea of more than doubling my wardrobe while not spending my entire paycheck on buying a bunch of new clothes I’d only wear once or twice. So here’s my honest take on Rent the Runway Unlimited. There are aspects of the program I LOVE, and some that could be improved.

The good…

+ Variety of brands and items

As someone who loves designer clothes but doesn’t love the price tag that goes along with them, I was initially most intrigued by Rent the Runway’s value proposition (and the promise of no dry cleaning!). The best part is you can find something for every occasion. Have a special black-tie event? Your Unlimited Membership covers it, so you don’t have to shell out $300+ for a dress you’ll wear once. Going away for a trip in the middle of the winter? Check out the resort section for all of the warm weather clothes and accessories you need. Want to refresh your work wardrobe? There’s something available for every office dress code.

Even though my first foray with Rent the Runway was through their special occasion dresses, I found myself using the Unlimited service for blazers, jackets, and dresses for work more than anything. I’ve never received so many compliments on my work wardrobe!

Although I wouldn’t say everything available for rental was exactly my style, I was able to still find several pieces that I really loved. I thought the service was really great for on trend pieces – such as this gingham oversized blazer (worn in these photographs) or a leopard printed Equipment blouse. I know that if I were to purchase any of these items, I would probably only wear them a few times over a season and then they would start collecting dust in my closet. I’ll say I loved trying new styles, fits, and trends through Unlimited. The program also helped me redefine what pieces in my closet are actually basics or essentials – the pieces to buy and make sure they’re high quality, because you will wear them over and over again.

+ New inventory added regularly

To the point above, it seemed like new items were being added to the catalog every single day. This is great because as the program continues to grow, they will need to have sufficient inventory on hand to make sure women of all different sizes and personal style are able to find exactly what they need. You have to be a bit of a hawk on the app (more on that below), but if you check the app regularly, you can oftentimes rent brand new items with the tag still on.

+ The app

I found the app to be seamless and super easy for me to favorite items so I could save them for a future date, organize them into different occasions, and exchange returned items for new pieces. On this note, be sure to save items you have your eye on (popular items tend to be unavailable, and when they appear in your size you want to be ready to snag them!). There are so many items available now, you do have to do some digging and have a good amount of backup options ready to go when it’s time to choose new pieces.

+ NYC Flagship Store

If you live in NYC and haven’t tried Unlimited yet, I highly recommend it!! Their brick and mortar retail store in the city makes it so easy to pick up and return items. Not to mention if you don’t want to wait for something to be shipped to you, you can shop directly in the store! Inventory is slightly limited, but it’s honestly perfect if you’re in a pinch. You can drop off items in the morning and pick up in the afternoon – no dry cleaning necessary.

+ NYC + East Coast Experience

In general, Unlimited is best on the east coast. Logistics have been locked down to a T and shipping turnaround times are super fast. If you plan accordingly, you can really maximize the number of items you are able to rent and exchange every month, making the program as cost effective as possible. (If you rent 4 items a week every week = 16 items/month = $1,600 – $5,000 in clothing and accessories a month, while only paying $159.)

+ The Price

This one may be a con, depending on your monthly shopping budget today. If you enjoy contemporary and higher-end brands that are often found in boutiques and department stores, chances are purchasing even just one item a month (on sale!) will run you more than $159. Doing the math quickly, it’s easy to see how an Unlimited membership would help you save on clothes. On the other hand, if you don’t spend as much on clothing, you might have a hard time justifying spending $159 a month and not having anything to show for it. It really depends on your budget and lifestyle.

…& the bad

+ West Coast shipping times

While I loved Unlimited in NYC, it’s an entirely different story on the west coast. With the shipping times as long as they are today, I have a hard time justifying the cost. I’ve had several shipping/logistic errors that have made the wait times in between items even longer. In fact, the very first order I submitted from Unlimited ended up being canceled multiple times (!!) due to items being out of stock after I had placed my order and received a confirmation. Resulting in a week-long wait before I received any items from Unlimited.

At this rate I would be able to receive two shipments a month – which really isn’t worth the $159/month price tag. I felt like I was waiting for items to arrive more often than I was actually wearing them. I know improved shipping times are in the works, so I am holding out hope that this will improve.

When I know I have a lot of events in a month, it’s still worth it to me to use Unlimited, even if I know I’ll only get a couple shipments. It all depends on your schedule and what you’re looking to get out of the clothes!

+ Out of stock items

A lot of styles that I had in my “favorites” were always out of stock. Yes, there is a lot of inventory, but if you’re slightly picky or particular about what you wear, you may have a hard time getting pieces you truly love from the program.

+ Customer service

This is a tough one to write, but I honestly have not had great experience with the customer service. It’s a bummer, because there were times when I really did feel like the company messed up and offered no apology. Again, this doesn’t take away from the overall experience so much – I’ve learned to maximize my Unlimited membership for ME and still find a ton of value in it.

At the end of the day, I really enjoyed Rent the Runway Unlimited. I also really look up to and admire their founders – Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss. If you have the chance I highly recommend Jennifer Hyman’s episodes on How I Built This. She is SO inspiring.

If I lived in NYC I would highly recommend the program. Hopefully, they figure out how to ship items to the west coast more quickly ; ). If you’re on the fence, I would definitely recommend trying it out. You can use my code RTRAMYZ for $100 off a 30-Day Trial of Unlimited and give it a try yourself. Let me know how you like it!