Angela Pham // Photographer, Billy Farrell Agency

Angela's selections 1. Gilly Hicks underwear 2. Alexis Holiday 2013 3. Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid lipstick 4. Nars bronzer 5. Stila Stay All Day liquid eyeliner 6. The Perfect Panna Cotta recipe

In high school, my search for an identity is best encapsulated through my myriad of changing hairstyles. I experimented with angular bangs, neon colors, and finally settled in senior year for the most audacious look of all: a faux hawk. I had hair that length-ed down my whole back, so essentially the whole top of my head had been mowed.

I admittedly gleaned this look off of Tila Tequila, as this was 2006, and Ms Tequila reigned Myspace, but I still felt wildly individualistic. Now people could look at me and just automatically perceive I was "alternative" and maybe even perhaps "did drugs/drank" (although I certainly did not), and that was the most important thing, what other people thought. I went to a magnet high school with lots of studious asians aiming for Harvard, and I wanted every facet of my being to scream "I'M NOT LIKE YOU!", even though, like them, I religiously obsessed about my GPA and spent weekends studying for my SATs.

The realities of having a mohawk were really prosaic. I had to devise different ways to keep my hair erect: hair glue, super strong hair spray, waxes. At 16, I was working at a pizza shop, making the pizzas, but I was always touching my mohawk to ensure its structural integrity, and that was definitely unappetizing for patrons to witness. By the time college began and I moved to New York, I had given up on being drastic and let my hair grow out. I haven't changed my hairstyle ever since then and am pretty content with looking boring. - @phamgela

Instagram Round-Up

This week’s round up of our favorite Instagrams from our friends and fellow inspiring Asian muses (girls AND boys) all over the world. In easy, digestable bites. And be sure to look out for some in future SME features…

1. Japanese model @mona__offi previews an editorial look.
2. Chinese model @wanwan_lei looks downright cinematic.
3. Photographer @phamgela lounges around in Norma Kamali during Art Basel.
4. Supermodel @soojmooj chills out in Miami in a Reformation hat.
5. Makeup artist @hungvanngo creates a vivid eye look on Soo Joo.
6. Last Magazine’s @tenzinwild making a rare, handsome selfie appearance.
 7. Musician @jihaemusic sex’ing it up for the debut issue of 25 Magazine.
8. Supermodel @liuwenlw is the new face (and body) of lingerie brand La Perla.

Jessica Dang // Studio Manager, Kenneth Willardt & Blogger, Single Girl Dinner

Jessica wears a shirt by Jcrew, Acne jeans, and Van Cleef & Arpels necklace

I like to keep my makeup fairly straightforward as I’ve recently relocated from New York to ranch living in California. Even though I’m technically in the middle of nowhere, I still like to look polished yet not overdone. My routine starts with a thin layer of Origins’s Smarty Plants CC SPF 20 Skin Complexion Corrector to even out my skin tone, finished with Chanel’s pressed powder along the T-Zone because that’s where I get shiny by midday.

 For a healthy glow, Chanel’s Les Beiges is my secret weapon. I use No. 50, which looks dark in the compact, but, when you brush it on, it’s literally a whisper of color that somehow transforms your entire face. I like to add a touch of Giorgio Armani’s Blushing Fabric in Translucent Strawberry on the planes of my cheeks for that “just-pinched” look. Cream blushes are great to have in your bag because you don’t need a brush to apply it, and this one has a silky texture that blends easily.

The filling in of eyebrows is especially important, as mine are practically non-existent. Lulu tells me that it makes my face look more interesting and that if I had perfect brows, it’d be boring. I’m currently using the eyebrow pencil by Hourglass in Blonde, which gives a softer look.

When it comes to lips, though, I stick to a combination of Nars’ Honolulu Honey lipstick (classic nude) with a slick of YSL’s Glossy Stain in Brun Glacé (a reddish brown) on the inner lip for everyday. I’ve been wearing it that way for years now.

 That’s pretty much it.

Admittedly, there are times where I do crave a bit of glam at the ranch. It’s funny how something as simple as extending your eyeliner a little further than usual – (“No, further… Further… A little more…”) – can make such a statement. The trick to keeping it modern, as I recently learned from Lulu, is to keep the line straight and tapered, but not flicked up at the end like a traditional cat-eye. And that’s just enough glam for me. - @singlegirldin 

 For Jessica, we experimented with lengthening her eye. First, I had her draw a basic thin cat-eye (ie: “straight and tapered”), starting from the mid-eye and out using a combination of liquid and pencil (any will do). She lined her whole bottom eye with a very, very thin line starting from the tear duct. And when I thought Jess’ cat-eye didn’t go far enough, I demanded her to make it longer.

 Now, here’s my trick, it’s Kevyn Aucoin’s Curling Mascara in black. This mascara is all about separating; and the shiny, lightweight, narrow red tube is pretty to the touch. A good separating mascara is crucial when we apply it to the outer half of Jess’ lashes. This is something I do all the time when I don’t necessarily want my eyes to appear larger and doe-eyed… more like, longer and cat-like. And you can see the side-by-side results in the last photo. Meow. - @_luluchang

Jessica Mau // Model, Ford LA

Jessica wears Acne leather jacket

Maybe it’s the tomboy in me, but I’ve always wanted a black leather jacket. I love the ease of throwing on a classic jacket over jeans and a t-shirt for a complete look. It’s almost been a uniform for me lately. Really, it’s all I ever wear. Just jeans, a cotton tee and a pair of flats… done. I guess in the end I just wanted to look like Marlon Brando in the Wild Ones.

 When I started looking for the perfect leather jacket I knew I wanted something that would age well, something made out of quality leather that I would wear for years to come. And since a good leather jacket is kind of an investment, I knew I had to get the right one. I searched and searched online then finally narrowed it down to either a Theyskins’ Theory, Madewell, or Acne jacket. They were all great options but I ultimately decided on the Acne ‘Mape’ jacket because of its classic cut (not too long, not too short) and buttery soft lambskin leather. I love it! And now I will never need a black leather jacket again. - @jmaumau

Lulu Chang // Founder & Creative Director, Show Me Everything

Lulu wears Margiela bodysuit and Current Elliott jeans

What is sexy?

 The realization that I had a different definition of what is sexy came when the Director of Advertising for one of the world’s largest, most iconic brands deemed my style “too intellectual” to fit in with their sexy image. I swear, I wasn’t wearing any Margiela that day!

 But as someone who considers themselves a creative, rather than a model, it was difficult for me to accept. Even designer Phoebe Philo vamped it up for the cover of The Face. Because, after all, fashion can expand beyond our personal style. And if Phoebe is any indication, the eyes have it.

 I guess I’m a fan of sub-text. Since I moved to Los Angeles, about a year and a half ago, my general impression of sexy girls in LA has been that there is none. To show skin is to show skin. If you’ve got massive tits, flaunt ‘em. That doesn’t seem too fun to me. I mean… who doesn’t like a good chase?

 My favorite sexy piece of clothing is a nude bodysuit (YES! BY MARGIELA!). The material is spectacular because it molds to your body hiding all of your imperfections. The result is similar to real life air brushing. I like to wear this underneath boyish jackets or loose fit jeans. It looks like you’re wearing nothing at all except you’re actually completely covered and incredibly warm. It’s the tension the suit creates and the ease in which you wear it that oozes sex appeal. See? Intelligence is kind of hot. - @_luluchang

Jen Karigan // Special Events Coordinator, Bollare

I keep it simple and I like to be able to get ready fast. Before applying makeup, I wash my face, with something gentle like Cetaphil. To prep my skin, moisturizer is a must. I start with Kiehls’ Rosa Arctica cream, it has a light-weight, minimal, clean scent and doesn’t irritate my skin. Moisturizer helps me blend everything in naturally. Next, I use Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer. It has the SPF for protection, but won’t clog your pores and keeps your coverage flawless. I don’t like heavy foundations or cake-y make-up that covers everything up. 

For the face, I like a healthy, warm glow all year round. After all, this is LA. I tend to bronze the spots that sunlight naturally hits, like the forehead, swoop over the nose and brush over cheekbones and neck. For daytime and a more natural look, I go for a matte bronze, my go to is Bobbi Brown. For night, a slight bronzed, shimmer and blush in Nars’ duo Orgasm and Laguna is perfect. Since I will never have those bushy eyebrows like Cara or Bambi, I define and fill in my eyebrows with Smashbox’s Brow Tech - everything you need to have polished brows. 

For the eyes, eyeshadow primer is a must. I hate smudging and without it, I always get black creases. I use Urban Decay primer, its ultra sheer, nude, and my eyeliner lasts all damn day. I’m a huge fan of the cat eye, it accentuates the almond shape. Sephora is my go-to for long lasting, liquid eyeliner. To finish the eyes, I love my Shu Uemura eyelash curler - it makes such a difference! Mascara is probably the longest part of my beauty routine, I paint lots of layers. Not shy to play up the volume on my lashes, but I don’t do lash extensions, seems like such a hassle. Smashbox’ Full Exposure mascara is the best, it does wonders for volume and curl. 

Lastly, I cannot live without MAC Ruby Woo lipstick - longest lasting lipstick. Literally, it will not move (eat, drink, anything… no touch up required) and the color is like none other. Voila! - @jenkalllday

Raych Nguyen // Blogger, That’s Chic

Raych wears silk top, lace cardigan, and jacket by Raquel Allegra

Eyeshadow is foreign territory to me. No amount of YouTube videos I watch can convince me that there is a technique to make eyeshadow look good on me. So if I ever get around to playing with eye makeup, I do it in a way that isn't so conventional. Most days, this means mascara and maybe a little eyeliner.

Good brows are the perfect accessory to naked or dressed eyes. After years of trial and error, I finally found something that worked for me: $1 clear mascara gel from E.L.F., Bobbi Brown dark brown/ grey shadow, and an angled brow brush. The gel helps the eyeshadow stick onto the brow all day. This works so much better than pencils and lasts much, much longer. - @thatschic 

For Raych, we ditched the eyeshadow in favor of an unconventional "wet look" smokey eye using Kevyn Aucoin's eyeliner pencil in black. Simply line your eyes with the pencil (in this case, it should be a little messy), apply a small amount of Aquaphor to the smudgy end of your pencil or cue-tip, and go around your eyes again. - @_luluchang

Kat Matutina // DJ, Donuts Party

Kat wears The Fashion Club shirt

Kat Matutina - DJ, Donuts Party As much as I’ve always found dark, black shiny hair (especially on Asian women) to be beautiful, there was always something really exciting about the contrast of such light hair on Asian women.

When I was younger, I lived in really Caucasian towns where I was made fun of for being Asian. People called me names like gook, nip, chink, and would say stuff like “Go Back to China!” even though I spoke perfect English and was born in America. Being surrounded by mostly blonde, blue-eyed classmates, I used to wish I looked like them. I would lighten my hair with highlights and even wore colored contacts for a year in high school to feel “pretty”. It wasn’t until I moved to cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York after school did I realize that many people actually appreciated my “ethnic features” and black hair. For years I had jet black virgin hair as I embraced my Asian features.

I started seeing more Asian girls with blonde, caramel and honey colored hair this past year. I was always getting compliments on how pretty my long black hair was so I was really nervous about bleaching it and damaging it. I was also afraid my hair would fall out and I wouldn’t be able to have long hair. My beautiful Korean-American friend, Sharon Choi, told me she could lighten my hair with minimal damage if I took care of it and used the right products. I saw tons of her clients with blonde or ombre hair (most of her female clients were Asian!) and was sold.

I decided to not go full platinum blonde because it would be more damage to my dark hair, and instead, decided to go the ombre route where they don’t bleach your roots. This way there is a bit less maintenance because you don’t have to worry about covering your roots as soon as they grow out. I use Inphenom Shampoo, Inphenom Treatment (a deep conditioner), Inphenom Mist, and Deesse’s Elujuda FO Fluent Oil for Fine/Normal Hair. All of these are from Japan and are made for damaged, but fine hair like mine so it keeps it silky without weighing it down which is perfect for “blasians”.

Do blondes have more fun? I have noticed that people are much more talkative with me because I think they find me more approachable, easy-going and fun. Guys flirt with me more, and women chit-chat with me more. The hair requires a little more maintenance, but I like the change for now. It’s cool being a chameleon. - @pickpocketparty

Nicki Wong // Copy Writer, Nasty Gal

Top: Nicki wears Hudson jeans from Satine and her mom's sweater
Bottom: Nicki wears Hudson jeans from Satine and her own vintage top

Unlike other relationships in my life, my relationship with denim has been unwavering. I remember times when it was all I ever wore. I used to have a stack of Lee's denim shorts, and eventually graduated to a pair of Bongos. In the 6th grade, all the popular girls started getting into flares, which were essentially low-rise bell bottoms, and the skaters wore saggy, ultra wide-legged JNCOs. I remember thinking "pants" were synonymous with "jeans" because nobody ever wore anything else, except for the occasional khaki. 

My mom tried to get me into skirts and dresses and I remember a particular occasion when she took me to the mall and absolutely insisted on buying me a hideous dress that I swore to her I'd never wear. It had a black velvet bodice, with cap sleeves, and a long metallic green organza skirt--worst of all, there was, of course, a giant bow sash to be tied around the waist. I'm not sure why she insisted on buying it for me, as there was no particular formal occasion in mind, most likely there was a sale and it was during one of our classic pre-teen mother-daughter power struggles. True to my word, the ugly green dress hung in the back of my closet for years. I think we eventually gave it away, my having outgrown it by half a decade, and when we did, I'm pretty sure I gave my poor mother a "See? I told you so!" face as I pranced to the Goodwill in my skinny jeans. 

Second hand shopping was a whole other point of contention. Luckily, my mother never complained about me borrowing her clothes and I have her to thank for my interest in style and fashion, as well as my innate sense of stubbornness and independence! I love you, mom! - @nickiwong

Welcome

"Oftentimes, women are led to believe, if I can be prettier, richer, and more famous, I’ll be okay. But strip away the excess and keep only what draws you in. Is she alluring? Mindful… or provocative? Is she someone I truly want to be? Fashion is a subject which is always in flux. But unlike fashion, style is unwavering. It is who you are, a little imperfect, with a touch of chic insouciance. This is my digital redux for the modern Asian muse."

- Lulu Chang - Founder & Creative Director, Show Me Everything