the most fashionable outfit to date on GingerSteps

Yeah, admittedly our previous outfits were subpar. So Hamela and I put our heads together to bring you the most breathtaking outfit to date. It's simple but outstandingly chic, extraordinarily stylish and above all, cute.

Is it this?

No. We've done that before.

Ok, then you must be thinking...this?

No, we didn't like that one enough to post it.

Instead, I present to you something 100 000x better: Onesie Fasion

The subtle grey tone really compliments that hand gesture as well as that complicated model squat. And that hood! No need to style your hair with this, and no accessories needed.

haha, we're only joking, but not really

- Ginger

Onesie: Urban Planet
Sneakers: Rebok

Bleaching Hair

So I finally got around to bleaching my icky faded blue hair. Because so many people are wondering how it's done, I just decided to write a quick tutorial-esque post. So first things first: you need the bleach powder AND developer. The developer is what activates the bleach. You need a brush. Let me clarify again. YOU NEED A BRUSH. It’s crucial for even application of the bleach. You also need to be wearing a fugly t-shirt that you do not care about, and strips of aluminum foil.

Step One

In a bowl, mix your powder bleach and your developer. I purchased by bleach and developer from Shoppers Drug Mart. I’ve also used some brands from the States, and the piercing booth in front of Bang On in Metrotown actually sells you the kit. If you have lighter, finer hair get the lower volume (30-40) and if your hair is relatively dark then get higher volumes (40-50). If you’re a beginner consult the vendor. Also, if it’s your first time, then you might want to start off with Volume 30.

Moving on…I pour in my developer first and then the bleach after – this will insure that all of the bleach has contact with the developer. Mix it very carefully either with the end of the comb/brush or any wooden or plastic stick you have. It should be thoroughly mixed and make sure that the bleach hasn’t just settled or conglomerated at the bottom. Don’t skimp out on the developer: usually it’s one packet of bleach to one bottle of developer.

Step Two

Okay! Now it has been thoroughly mixed. Next I divide my hair into two sections, and then into strips. If you’re doing your entire hair, the thickness of each strip is not that crucial, all you need to do is make sure that your hair is evenly coated. If you’re doing just the bottom like me, the strips are more important because you can control how much you want to dye. Don’t be lazy. Make sure your strips are nicely varied but relatively uniform at the same time (talk about contradictory). The strips will keep your hair from getting a visible, straight line and will allow your bleached hair to blend better.

you can already see the green stripped from my hair

So with your brush you take a strip of hair and apply the bleach to one side, then comb. Then flip it and apply + comb the other side as well. Then wrap it up in the aluminum foil and then clip it up! Repeat with the rest of your hair. Once you’re done, leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour. Keep checking regularly though!

Step Three

Check to see if you have achieved your desired colour, and go back to apply more if you missed a spot. Once you’re done go wash your hair and voila!

NOTE:

Do not exceed an hour. If you need to, bleach your hair more than once. You most likely will have to if you have black hair. I bleached my hair 4 times before it was light enough so that I could dye it blue.

Help is great. Help is actually highly recommended at first.

If your hair is already lighter at the bottom, bleach the darker parts first and then go back and do the lighter parts later.

Bleach can make your hair just fall off or break off, but it won’t unless you royally screw up and keep it in for like two or three hours.

Make sure your hair is dry. Just like you don't want to straighten/curl your hair when it's wet, you don't want to bleach/dye it when it is either.

Have fun!

- Ginger

longing for your warmth

I regret not belting this maxi. How cute would that have been? I love this cardigan because it's comfortable but it also brings some life to this piece. No extra jewelry needed (except maybe a belt!)

 

Admittedly, this dress is a tad too long for both Ham and me, but that is why we paired it with these cute boots from Aldo (or Spring).

- Ginger

Maxi dress: Winners
Cardigan: Tobi
Boots: Spring-Aldo

Beauty Inside and Out

It is getting co-o-o-o-ol here, but the last two days displayed some amazing sunshine and it was warm enough for Hamela to wear these torn leggings. We decided to take our dog out on a walk while we were out shooting photos, and the outfit proved to be both comfy and warm. 

Hamela has been living in this sweater for the entire week, I swear it's beginning to smell like sour yogurt (joking). I thought that it would be really cute if she threw a jean jacket on top and topped it off with a washed out pair of blue high tops.

THE LEAVES HAVE FALLEN

Hamela took worn leggings, took some shears and cut (with much caution) a bunch of horizontal lines. We also got the idea to wear the jean jacket inside the sweater to give off a cool, laid back 70s effect.

fixing her hair

and voila! I actually think this outfit is even better.

our lawn needs maintenance!!

For accessories, I paired these long, black cross earrings with my mom's old gold ring. I don't know what the stone is, but I do really like it! As for the bag, we just chose my maroonish leather messenger bag.

Wine Not! (:

There you have it! We know how to be cool.

will you ever get to see his face?

...and my elusive dogs says au revoir! See ya again on Thursday and Saturday.

- Ginger

Sweater: Illest

Jean Jacket: Forever21

Leggins: DIY

Converse

Earrings: Aldo

Ring: mom's

Lipstick: Wine Not

sweater weather

I guess this is a trend that you've noticed: Ham and I are not really big on accessories. Except if we had to, we would have paired this outfit with our pair of snake earrings from Urban Outfitters that I cannot seem to find right now. Alas, for dangling earrings they are pretty small so they're not that noticeable anyways. This is our transition piece into fall. We wanted to look cool and casual while still being able to retain some sort of heat in the evening.

Ham's boyfriend made the shirt for her. He took a plain black crew neck and sewed a patterned piece of fabric for the breast pocket. I love the twist of dorky with chic. The sweater vest was indeed from the men's section, and it was probably meant for grandpas, but what's wrong with getting inspired by our elders? :P

So I guess we've finally acknowledged Fall's arrival. Hello, there. Feel free to stay for a bit (or leave).

- Ginger

Shirt: handmade
Vest: Thrifted
Jeans: Winners
Boots: Aldo or Spring (same company)

save me one last summer

Summer is gone now, and last week we experienced the infamous Indian Summer. It was sweltering, but my pool was not clean because we hadn't used it for a good week or two, so I had no good means of cooling off. Ham decided to embrace the warmth and went with a cute skirt-and-bustier combo.

our landscape really needs some work haha!

Again, there is quite going on here with the floral prints on both the bustier and the skirt, so we kept everything else minimalistic. The only jewelry Ham has on are her default braided bracelets that she never takes off.

Anyways, I guess this is really our last homage to what I call the perfect summer. The perfect weather, the perfect times with friends. You were real good to me, summer. Come back soon.

- your Ginger

Bustier: Wilfred (Aritzia)

Skirt: LoveHate

Flipflops: Old Navy

to the edge of the earth

Summer is nearing to an end, so my sister Ham and I took a bunch of photos of our summer outfits as well as some of our transition outfits to fall. First off: Ham and I do not own a huge wardrobe with the trendiest pieces. Rather, we own a modest closet (that we somewhat share - as in she always wears my stuff) with clothes that we feel like reflect us the best. I chose my sister to showcase the outfits because, well to be frank, she wears clothes much better than I do. She also puts in a lot of effort to look nice, whereas you'll find me in sweats and a t-shirt most of the time.

Ham's crop top is pretty much a statement piece, so we paired it with simple, washed out powder blue shorts from Forever21. We wanted to go with a summery feel so we went with our default gold old-navy flip flops.

After we shot this, we realized that we forgot to add accessories, and by that time it was already dark. To be honest, I don't think that there is really a need for it, but I guess a nice simple gold bangle or a simple chain necklace would do (gold please)!

- your Ginger

Crop Top: Topshop
Shorts: Forever21
Flipflops: Old Navy
Braided string anklets

Steph’s Morning Skin Care Routine (Fall 2013)

Just a little disclaimer: I am no skincare expert, nor do I have the best skin ever. I have some acne scarring, and I occasionally break out. However, my friend, M, requested that I write this blog. Didn’t know what else to write this week, so here we go. My morning routine for the fall.

Every now and then I need to change up my routine, depending on the weather and my skin condition. Fall involves more moisturizing and calming products as my skin tends to get dry and RED! Sadly, Vancouver is cold most of the year and I’m still trying to find the perfect combination of products to defeat the winter harshness while not irritating my sensitive skin. So, for my mornings, I like having a clean, bright, and moisturized feeling on my face to battle the dry weather of Raincouver.

 Estée Lauder Perfectly Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser

This product makes my face feel like a clean slate in the morning so that I can easily absorb my skincare, and effortlessly set my make up if I decide to put some on that day. I love using this in the morning because of its super fresh and awakening scent.

H20+ Face Oasis Dual-Action Exfoliating Cleanser

If I plan on going out for a long day (weekends), I’ll use an exfoliating cleanser. I realize my BB cream sits better with this on. However, I’m still not quite satisfied with this product as I feel like my pores have not really become less noticeable. So, if anyone has any good recommendations for pore-minimizing exfoliators/cleansers, please let me know.

Simple Soothing Facial Toner

I picked this product up this summer because I’ve heard that this brand is well received from people with sensitive skin. After using this product, I’ve gotta say this is one of my current favourite skin products. It does the job a toner should do without (FINALLY) leaving my skin irritated. Another great thing is that it’s a drugstore product which is great on my credit card bill.

Estée Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator

I don’t really wear face make-up so I try to achieve a glowing/bright look with just my skin care products. So, in the morning I use this brightening serum. Since using this product, the redness in my skin has greatly decreased and definitely brightens up my face (as in I feel like I don’t even need to use a highlight).

Estée Lauder DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème Broad Spectrum SPF15

I apply this a few minutes after the serum so that I can let it soak in first. This moisturizer is another one of my favourites because it just feels so light, yet very moisturizing. Not to mention the smell. The faint cucumber scent is a great way to start the morning.

Origins Ginzing (Eye Cream)

So, I’ve been using this product for 1-2 months now, and I still don’t really know what to make out of it. It’s supposed to be a brightening and de-puffing eye cream. Sometimes, I notice the results instantly, which the product claims should happen. However, at other times I feel like it’s just a pearlescent sheen over my dark circles. I don’t know if it’s because of how I apply it. Sometimes I get lazy and don’t apply eye cream “properly.” Nevertheless, I will confirm that, personally, it has definitely helped with the puffiness over time.

Kiehl`s Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50

ALL TIME FAV! I picked up this product as soon as it came out a couple years ago. Since I’d been a Kiehl’s fan for a while, I decided to give this product a try since no other sunblock was working on my face. My face gets extremely irritated and red with other sunblocks, but THIS DOESN’T DO IT TO ME! <3 The scent, the light and quick-absorbing texture, the application are all so freakishly amazing. This is seriously my holy grail during the summer. It may seem a bit expensive, but seriously, a little goes a loooong way with this product. I’ve been using this on my face every day for the past six months and I still have a third left? (I don’t always use this product during the fall since my cream/BB cream already has SPF in it, I just see how the weather is gonna be that day.)

Kiehl`s Lip Balm #1

Another one of my long time favourites is also a Kiehl’s product. Although, I don’t always use this lip balm in the day time, it is one that I tend to grab right before I leave my apartment during the colder seasons. I’m a bit of a lip product junkie, so perhaps I’ll write a separate post for it.

Cheers!

-          Steph

Another Disclaimer: All the products were either gifts from friends or purchased with my own money. 
I’m too much of a noob to be sponsored LOL.

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