Student Exchanges = Cultural Experiences

You don't have to be a 20-something jetsetter to experience different cultures. In fact, you don't even need your high school to travel. The US Government has its own programs (see title link), such as the Youth Exchange and Study (Y.E.S.) Program which helps to connect families in cultural exchanges. Not ready to travel the world for a whole semester? You can experience a new culture in the comfort of your own home, by HOSTING an exchange student from another country. It could be a life-changing experience, not to mention a life-long friendship.

Lame Lessons of Love

A continuation of my anti-magazine love advice rant...

The other day I read an article that was particularly nauseating. Those "date mazes" that are currently present in every issue of every periodical appealing to adolescents (see title link). A sheet of paper should not make any decisions for me, let alone those regarding my fancies with others. I don't want to know when I should "Move On," which is just a nice way of saying "He Doesn't Like You." These columns are so transparent and so shallow that I find it difficult to understand why millions of teen girls find solace in them.

Love Stories? More Like LAME Stories

Teen magazines offer a lot of worthwhile advice for the average American adolescent female. But most of the tips given in the love department are anything but valuable. I don't want to read an entire page about boys' views regarding the pet name a hypothetical girl has given her ex in her cell contacts list. Taking the online quizzes (see title link) that reportedly give you real answers about your boyfriend are a waste of time as well.
So if you want to read these magazines, do so, by all means. But think twice before following its love advice. You may just crash and burn.

Mobile Games

Cell phones are the icon of the adolescent generation of 2008. I, too, feel that they are a necessity for my on-the-go lifestyle. Cell phones give us teens more independence. But what's the deal with these extras, such as ringtones, wallpapers, and games, that we find it crucial to download? These small purchases have become the latest fad, and before I know it, I've spent ten dollars on a couple of extra mobile perks.
For example: How many times am I really going to play that Truth or Dare game from Smart Logos (see title link) on my cell phone that I've spent five dollars on?
These obsessions are dangerous on our wallets. So breathe and think a little before downloading that ringtone you just have to obtain. Use your voice recorder to record it from YouTube and set it as the ringtone. Sure, it's of a slightly lesser quality, but you get the same effect!

Ado-Health: Stay Conscious

No product review today. Only a simple, important tip that I am uttering in an extremely hypocritical way: STAY HEALTH-CONSCIOUS.

There's a common myth out there that makes girls believe that they are invincible in their adolescent years. This is simply untrue, and it is important to stay aware of what you're doing and eating. Make sure to get ample exercise, and stop yourself from making any decisions that could be potentially harmful to your body (see title link).

There's always that image to look like the celebrity women that are thin as a rod. Although it's important to stray away from this peer pressure, make sure to look at healthy celebrities if you must search for a potential role model. Jessica Biel (pictured), for example, works out frequently while walking her dogs, making sure to stay healthy despite her hectic schedule. Even if we don't have the same perks (like a personal trainer!), we can stay healthy. So remember your body and don't neglect it. Without that, you have nothing.

Image courtesy of theblogyoulovetohate.com.

Curly-Haired Solution

Curly hair is often difficult to manage. I recently donated my hair and chopped off ten long inches. Despite my short bob, my thick, curly hair is still difficult to handle at times. What do I use to deal? I smooth an antifrizz cream from the roots to the ends after washing. The perfect product to use is Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk. I know what you're thinking: What's worse for thick, curly hair than a heavy, greasy cream (see title link)? On the contrary, the milk actually smoothes your hair without weighing it down, and helps to protect it from humidity! After blow-drying, hair will be tame, smooth, and beautiful. The milk is available at virtually any drugstore for just $4!

Come prom night, I'm going to have a perfect solution to that problem lying on top of my head. And so will you.

TRESemme!

So many teen girls are coloring their hair these days. In fact, it seems that a woman changes her hair color almost as often as she changes her shoes. Although it is healthiest to not color at all, it is important to keep your hair healthy if you do have the urge to change your look once in a while.

There is a plethora of shampoos and conditioners specially created for colored hair. But did you know that there is spray as well? To prevent fading, I recommend Tresemme ColorThrive Daily Color Lock in Spray. This is especially wise to use for darker hair shades, since it fades faster. If you heat-style your colored hair, this spray (see title link) is especially crucial to use, as it protects your locks from breaking. It's reasonable $5 price keeps it affordable, so check it out (pictured) at your local drugstore. It's a worthwhile investment.

Shine like a Star!

Always using hairspray that creates stickiness and only makes your hair look artificial? Try Sally Hershberger Star Spray, which actually puts a shine into your styled locks. The spray (pictured) feels extremely lightweight in your scalp, so it will never weigh your hair down. Plus, it helps to tame frizz. The best part? You can get it at Walgreens for a mere $13 (see title link). Now that's a win-win situation!

Sun-In Modeling Opportunity

Ever heard of Sun-In Hair Lightener? It's a harmless, alcohol-free spray that uses solar power to lighten your hair, perfect for a day at the beach. Branching out from their original product, Sun-In has now created a lemon flavor (pictured), which will make you hair smell great.

Each year, Sun-In partners with Seventeen magazine to hold a Go for the Glow Contest for young women ages 13-24 who make a difference in their community (see title link). All entrants must submit a photo and essay discussing their contribution to the community and the reasons why they can't live without Sun-In! The selected winner will get an all-expense paid three-night trip to an undisclosed beach location, where she will get the chance to be featured in a solo photo shoot for the monthly Sun-In Go for the Glow ad in Seventeen. Four finalists will get Sun-In and Seventeen gift-baskets!

There's no harm in entering and for those of you who help the world, this may be a deserving award! Try and enter the contest today! The deadline for entries is May 5, 2008.

Save the Environment AND satisfy your cosmetics craving!

Advertisements advocating environmentally-friendly apparel with burlap and recycled rubber. But did you know you can help save the Earth while purchasing makeup, too? Some brands donate a percentage of their profits to environmental organizations, while other try to manufacture Earth-friendly products. Here's my personal recommendation (pictured):

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Face Powder is amazingly effective on your complexion. The pressed powder (see title link) wears light on the face, so skin doesn't look cakey. Including a brush and a mirror, the compact is actually made of paper, so the total product uses 93% less plastic than most other compacts (statistic courtesy of Seventeen).
The powder sells for a retail price of approximately $14 in drugstores nationwide.

So do the right thing: Save the Earth while beautifying yourself every morning; it will make you feel beautiful on the inside, too.

Why can't we just be happy?

Statistics show that one of the biggest concerns girls obsess over is their hair. A typical conversation between two teenagers involves each ruthlessly insulting her own hair while passionately expressing envy of the other's locks. Girls with straight hair find it dull and wish for something a bit more exciting. Girls with curly hair yearn for a tamer scalp. Through this inner dissatisfaction, brands such as Conair make millions. Curly-haired teens by straighteners, and straight-haired females buy curling irons.

My parents' strict rules meant a restriction on unnecessary hair products. With my curly, infuriatingly frizzy hair, I needed a solution desperately. At 13, I went to my best friend's house daily to get my hair straightened (at that point, her parents were the coolest in the world because of their lax hair-product rules), trying as hard as I could to distract my parents when arriving home with my newly-sleek locks. One day, my BFF raised the heat to a particularly high level to quickly straighten my thick hair. She kept checking to make sure I did not feel a burning sensation. A few days later, I felt a bump on the side of my scalp. Six months and three dermatologist appointments later, I realized the dangers of hair-processing and vowed to remain with my natural, annoying hair. I, too, initiate the hair-insulting conversations with my friends with seemingly perfect hair. But it's time to break the cycle. If girls learned to appreciate their own unique look, the "perfect" hair standard would become extinct, and there would no longer be a single look deemed acceptable. Adolescents would be doing a favor for their scalps as well as their parents' pockets. The large-barrel curling iron pictured above is Infiniti by Conair's 1 1/2" Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron (see title link). It costs anywhere from $30-$35. Paying to damage your hair doesn't make any sense. So try to break the addiction; if I can do it, so can you.

Trendy Tunic Tops

Every day, I see women trying to pair their new tunics with stylish bottoms. One tip: try to balance the bulky top with skinny jeans on the bottom. It gives you a sophisticated look, and makes you look longer and leaner. Try darker colored tops, too. The pale colors of some tunic make the top seem bulky. Tunics with open necks are best; they highlight your shoulders and neckline. To prevent unwanted volume, select a shape that fits close to your body. Tunics are amazing to wear, especially if you wear them in a flattering way!

Plus-Size Chic

Are you always looking for that cute tunic top but just can't find it in your size at the department store? Go to Torrid, which sells the most classy clothes in sizes 12-26 for women. The shoes, accessories, and apparel all follow the latest fashions, and there are countless colors and prints available. No Torrid store near you? Shop online! Their website (see title link) is easy to navigate.

Be an Actionista!

If you're a teen girl, here's the perfect opportunity for you to make your opinions really count. You can join a special Actionista Panel, created by Seventeen Magazine. Fill out a short online survey (see title link), and your confidential answers will help them to make important decisions regarding content and story choice! This periodical is read by millions of girls every month, so you really can change the world with just a few clicks. Plus, you can be eligible to win tons of freebies! Try it and spread the word!

Nine West never fails to impress.

My post yesterday discussed the needless amounts of money that teen girls spend on designer apparel and accessories that lack originality and glamour. On the other hand, it is nice to splurge on that purse you've been eyeing at the mall after you've earned the cash. Here is a classic example of a piece that is worth its price. The handbag from Nine West actually serves as a two-in-one accessory. Going out for the afternoon? Carry the purse like a mini-tote; it's big enough to store all the necessities for a long day. If there's a semi-formal at night, simply fold the handle down and lock the two sides into place magnetically, and you've got a cute clutch that will hold all of your makeup for the night. Plus, the vibrant colors tend to match any outfit, and its subtle glitz help it to serve both casual and classy affairs. The price of this bag? A splurge-worthy $59. That's roughly one-fourth the price of other designer bags, and you will never need another again (although we both know that you will purchase more; after all, what teen girl doesn't love her handbag collection?) because of its multicolor, all-purpose asset.

This bag has been sold out twice and will be made available in July (See title link). Pre-order yours today!

Juicy? No, thanks.

Nearly every teenage girl in today's society aspires to own at least one designer item. In particularly affluent communities, Coach purses and Chanel sunglasses are not uncommon. Although I find this fad trivial and unnecessary, I too immensely enjoy looking through a Marc Jacobs store window at the dresses that catch the light in the most perfect, tempting way. My advice to those teens who want to dig deep into their (or their parents') pockets is: splurge on something worthwhile and eye-catching! For example, if you absolutely HAVE to own something from the Dooney & Bourke collection, purchase an especially pretty purse that is completely unique. Exhibit A: the picture on the left. This Juicy Couture dress (see title link) is quite pretty and perfect for a warm summer day. However, there is absolutely nothing special about it that would make it stand out in a crowd of people. In fact, I am sure you could find a carbon copy at your nearest Target store. The price for this casual, commonly-designed dress? $198!

So if you must invest two hundred dollars into one piece of apparel, do yourself a favor and buy something worth the investment. At least you will find some glory in it.

KEP Bangles

I absolutely love accessorizing, and bangles are one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. Perfect for teens, they're colorful, fun, and casual. Some brands take advantage of girls' love for casual jewelry and put outrageous prices on simple pieces. For example, KEP Designs (See title link) sells these and thicker bangles in a variety of colors. They're cute and classy, but they are hardly items that a girl can purchase in every color. Get this: these quarter-inch thick bangles are sold online for $35 apiece! Tack on a whopping $12 for shipping and handling, and you will realize that you can buy a whole plethora of bangles at Claire's or Target for half that price. These kinds of brands need to realize that gigantic-size prices will not attract a high adolescent fanbase.

RocaWear Campaign

There are hundreds of clothing companies out there that design apparel for adolescents. The select few, who stand out from the rest, try to reach out to their consumer base to try to make them better people on the inside as well as the outside. RocaWear, for example, has began a campaign called I Will Not Lose (IWNL). Their website (see title link) features stories of now-famous celebrities, who share their experiences overcoming adversity. Inspirational quotes are also on the site; for example, hip-hop artist Ciara says that "every struggle [she] faced was necessary because it made [her] a better person." Aspiring young artists, actors, singers, and dancers can read these messages and realize that they are not the only ones facing problems. Going one step further, RocaWear invites all teens to submit their own videos showcasing their own victories over adversity to win a chance to be featured in the RocaWear Spring/Summer 2008 Ad Campaign. What a wonderful way to bring self-esteem and hope to teenagers who may not be able to find it anywhere else. RocaWear, I applaud you.

Jergens: Natural is Best

In an era where more girls are making unhealthy decisions than ever, tanning salons are booming. Studies show that artificial tanning (and even excessive sun exposure without sufficient sunscreen protection) can cause skin cancer in the future. Thousands of teens contract skin cancer every year, and the number is steadily growing.

If you want that healthy, tanned look, go for a healthier option which is readily available in any drugstore. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer (see title link) gives you the same look as a tanning bed--in approximately 3 days. Unlike the beds, it moisturizes your skin and is available at an affordable cost. It even comes in three different shades to match your skin tone. The statistics don't lie; according to its website, 90% of women saw natural, sun-tan color in a study conducted by Jergens.

In today's world, you really don't have to compromise beauty for health. So take advantage of our modern innovations and do yourself a favor: try Jergens today!

Hair extensions? Definitely not.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Jessica Simpson. Who wouldn't be, with her amazing voice, role model reputation, and classic good-looks? Sure, many teen girls, myself included, appreciate her music. But there is also a little part of each of us who want to attain her level of effortless style. Her ever-changing hair, for example, is envied by one and all. Recognizing this, Simpson partnered with friend Ken Paves to create her own line of hair extensions, called hairdo (see title link), sharing her hairstyle flexibility with the rest of the world.
Hair extensions sound like fun--initially. But check out the prices on these pieces; just one hair clip-on from Simpson's line can cost you anywhere from $80 to $100 each. Most teen girls don't have that kind of money to spend on hair extensions, so the investment isn't really worth it. It seems a bit pointless to publicize the extensions in teen magazines, since most readers will probably never even consider the extensions because of their prices. Although I love the idea of a harmless way to dramatically change a look, I think Simpson and Paves could do better marketing their line for a different--and slightly more affluent--audience.

Roxy

If you're looking for a brand of clothing that's fun and effortless with a hint of sophistication, check out Roxy! (See title link) Its clothing seems to be inspired by the laid-back, California style that makes anyone yearn for summer (and the beach!). The look shown is a favorite of mine; it really exemplifies the classic Roxy look, with its vibrant colors and fun style perfect for teenagers.

Classy outfits are available, too. Basically, there's something for everyone at Roxy. The clothing is trendy without seeming trashy and the prices aren't outrageous. They carry everything from footwear to clothing to snow gear while making sure to sell merchandise of a very consistent style.

(Image: Courtesy of Roxy.com)

Clean, Clear, and Under Control

There are so many ads out there that attempt to entice teens with their flashy fashions and catchy logos. One of the most common (and most likely costly) methods is to use the celebrity: brands pay the newest teen celebrity to sell their product in their commercials. Although this may work for the tween (ages 11-13) age group, the slightly older adolescents don't find it all that exciting when they see a person their own age trying to sell a product. We'd rather see real teens sell the product: kids that have used it and genuinely believe in it. These kinds of people are more relatable to; if we see their enjoyment while using the product, we will feel like buying it, too.
That's where Clean & Clear comes in (See Title Link). Instead of having a bunch of seventeen-year-old Hollywood stars endorse their products, they put real teens in their commercials and let them talk about their products. The adolescent audience can easily see through a fake teen icon, and don't feel all that compelled to buy a product unless they see that it has worked on other people just like them. And the product doesn't exaggerate either: the quality of the Clean & Clear products is superb and they truly live up to their motto--Clearer skin in just 3 days. I would recommend checking it out for even the smallest of acne problems.