Welcome to Style Signatures in the Wild, a personal collection of my musings of how my style signatures translate IRL and how my lifestyle influences and shapes my closet. This is an in-depth into who I am and how I see the world through the lens of style and beauty.
Did anyone else just wake up one day in February and decide “2025 is the year I become prettier, sexier, hotter” or was it just me? Regardless if it’s because of Venus in [insert whatever astrological house/degree/position] or I’m just over my own BS, I’m ready for a complete overhaul.
Transformation is actually quite ugly—hideous even—and requires more than a glow up plan to make viable change (though I have created my own). It requires vulnerability, discipline, consistency, and most importantly, purpose to ensure it’s executed even when times are rough.
I have had my treks with Glow ups in the past–in 2021 I was definitely a victim of the soft life Ponzi scheme–but even with all the designer, Sephora hauls and bi-weekly appointments with my service providers that could rival that of the most infamous celeb glam squads, I always felt a certain level of emptiness. No matter how much I adorned my body with skincare, painted my cheekbones with peachy blush, or contoured my body on Solidcore reformers, in hindsight, I realize I was solely living in my head and not in my body. And as a woman, living at peace in our bodies is paramount to our health, wellness, and happiness. No wonder my soft girl lifestyle with luxury unboxings and French 75s lasted less than a year and ended with me burning it all down by quitting my job, doing a solo Sedona van life trip with my dog, and eventually moving back in with my parents. I had to figure out who I actually was.
It’s approaching 3 years since the day I sat on the phone with my former manager, crying as I delivered the news of my resignation. Naively, I thought the resignation would usher me into another period of glamour that topped my red carpet days as a journalist or my long hours on movie sets as an assistant unit publicist. Instead it positioned me into a long period of isolation where I had to face myself and all my inner workings. My deepest point of shadow work. The quintessential makings of a first Saturn return.
When I first got the spark to create the Style Revolution Challenge, it served as a personal foray back into all the things I previously loved about style through the lens of beauty. Admittedly, my personal style and beauty practices have been quite minimal in my pursuit to heal and reconnect with my own authenticity. Even the creation of this Substack was the scratch to the itch gnawing at me to finally refocus on the external again. At some point of my introspective journey, external adornment felt trivial, so needless to say, creating a blog surrounding style—regardless if it’s rooted in sustainability—made me question if the call was made from my lingering 2021 ego. Enter in perfectionism.
What started as a 5-week style challenge meant to help me reclaim some of my beauty rituals has turned into an entire lifestyle plan for 2025 which in turn, has expanded into a mind, body, and soul overhaul. And to think, I just wanted to write about the cobalt blue eye paint I’d been feining over and the edgy bangs I finally made a reality from my mood board.
The Fabric Snob Inner Circle is having an open house! Access to the Style Revolution and the worksheets are now available to all for a limited time! The Signature Scent post is still locked—not sorry, I have to gatekeep my fragrance wishlist— but the worksheets are still available to all!
Overall, I’ve decided my theme for 2025 is Put Myself Out There. It’s easy for me to hide behind my words and Substack posts giving style advice but I want to be more vulnerable and show up in a way that builds authentic connection and community. This new series, Style Signatures in the Wild– a collection of my musings of how my style signatures translate IRL and how my lifestyle influences and shapes my closet–is my first step in that direction. My intention is to not only share some of my style favorites, but to also share updates on how my wardrobe is taking shape and my overall personal transformation. Beauty and style updates will take place here where as my mental, fitness, career and everything else that’s not as aesthetic will take place on my other blog Her Progression. Hopefully we can find community in the beauty (and challenges) of the process.
Whew. That was a lot. Are you still with me?? I hope you don’t mind my vulnerability. I’m a deeply sensitive being as much as I’m funny and witty, and by sharing, I’m learning to honor both, publicly.
Okay, okay. Now for the exciting updates on my own Style Revolution….
Style Signature: Flawless Skin & Nails
Supple Skin
Sephora got me again! For my birthday gift in December, I tried the Youth to the People skincare duo and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to tap into the magic of this brand. YP has been on my radar for its simple, clean ingredients and glass packaging but I’m always a bit hesitant to try new skincare products in fear of disrupting my skincare barrier. However, the Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser and Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask are absolute must-tries.
The Cleanser feels light, so I prefer to use it in the morning for an a.m refresh. The Superfood Air Whip Moisture Cream is also nice but since I tried it in the winter and prefer a thicker formula for the colder months, I think this moisturizer’s light texture will be excellent for the summer and my oily prone skin. But the product combination that I will fight to the end on a hill for is the Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream paired with the Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment. I kid you not when I say my skin felt and looked so supple and plump. And the tiny bumps I sometimes experience on my cheeks vanished. I was absolutely gagged!
Here’s the exact skincare formula I used for the results:
Cleanse with Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser (I used it for the P.M since I knew I would be chemically exfoliating)
Tone with the Tower 28 S.O.S Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Exfoliate with Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment
Moisturize with Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream (the texture of this mask is perfection! It reminds me of when I whip my raw shea butter- light and airy)
Let me know if you try it and how it works for you!
Paper Thin Nails
The Style Revolution Challenge had me so pumped to reconnect with some of my coveted beauty practices that I ended up second-guessing myself with my birthday nails by getting an SNS set. Talk about major regret, as I KNEW I wanted to try builder gel but had yet to find a nail artist I trusted who offered the service. As a result, the nail artist I did go with drilled down my nails to get a flat surface for the SNS, and now I’m in the process of growing out my nails. ;(
They were cute though so all was not lost!
It’s been 3 months since that fateful decision and my nail beds are almost back to normal, but in the meantime, I’ve been trying out different alternatives to nail art. Question: How do the press-on divas do it? No matter how many times I’ve tried, I can’t seem to get a full press-on set to last beyond 24 hours. Is that typical? Has marketing got the best of me with TikTok videos convincing me press-on nails are a viable option for a lasting manicure? Or am I just a little too rough on my hands? Maybe it’s a bit of both.
If you’re a press-on diva, send help in the Fabric Snob group chat, ASAP!
Style Signature: Beautiful, Big, Bouncy Iconic Hair [line]
Chic hair begins with health. As I shared in the original Style Revolution hair post, my hair journey was beginning with rehabbing my hairline and I’m happy to report… I GOT MY EDGES BACK!
I’m a wellness girl first and foremost so if there’s something I want to improve physically, I always begin holistically before aesthetically. I know the Mary Ruth’s hype is inundating (at least on my fyp), but I must say it lives up to its praise. However, instead of starting with the Mary Ruth Hair Vitamins, I opted to start with the iron liquid vitamins, as I know after many years of trialing with hair supplements, the new follicles never stay around for long if they don’t have the nutrients to support its new growth– and that begins with iron.
Between my daily iron supplements, and treatments with the Bondi Boost Hair Growth Spray and derma roller, my edges have made a comeback within 3 months! Now that I’m on a consistent supplement regimen that benefits not only my hair line but my entire body, I feel confident to take the next step of incorporating minoxidil without the fear of the “minoxidil shed.” Will report back later on further progress!
Style Signature: The Niche Details - An Avid Reader
The fact that we’re half way through March, and April is knocking, is mind-blowing! Regardless, my Notion book shelf is already full and I just have to share some of my reads from this first quarter.
January: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (3.8 ⭐️), The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Build, or Manage a Business by Martha Stewart (5⭐️)
February: Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi (3.8 ⭐️), Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss's Glossier by Marisa Meltzer (4⭐️)
March: The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis (Currently Reading), Audition by Michael Shurtleff (Currently Reading)
I’m thinking of starting a digital book club for my other blog, Her Progression. What do you think?
Housekeeping
Champagne Taste on a Sparkling Water Budget
You all seem to love my style grids but it’s no secret that majority of the links shared on The Approved List are pricey. I create the grids with my dream wardrobe and budget in mind and for outfit inspo, but investing in our closets doesn’t have to only look like high-ticketed items. I’ve recently found myself wanting to shop not only sustainably and luxuriously, but also fiscally responsible via vintage pieces–hello The Real Real and Japanese eBay. Luckily, vintage shopping also plays into my need to not look like everyone else. So far from what I’ve learned, shopping vintage and second-hand are less about sharing links and more about learning techniques and seller patterns so I plan to share more of “how to” learnings, rather than direct links to finds.
Alternatively, when investing in a contemporary piece that retails over $1000, my personal rule is it has to be on my wishlist for ATLEAST 6 Months. When you allow an item to sit on your wishlist, you’re able to audit if you truly want it or if it’s just an impulsive desire. Plus that extra time usually allows for it to go on sale. Because luxury items on sale are in high demand, one has to be constantly keen on the best places to shop sales–or atleast know the people who do. Enter creators like
. Jarrod is consistently sending out notices of popular luxury items that can be found under retail pricing from big and smaller retailers, including deals for contemporary brands like Loewe, Rick Owens, and Jacquemus. Subscribe to his Substack for the insider deets, and chances to enter his giveaways of incredible bags he purchases from these said sales.
Connecting with personal shoppers online are also a great source for finding luxury pieces under retail. A lot of my luxury pieces were purchased via sale notices from a particular personal shopper. Unfortunately, she no longer provides the service, as keeping up with sales is a true sport and can cause you to burn out. All the more reason to support and uplift the creators who bravely accept the calling to create and share content surrounding luxury under retail. It’s hard work.
As a luxury sustainable style creator myself, I am privy to notices of sales (private and public) and discounts and don’t mind sharing them with the Style Society community. For example, Saks Fifth Avenue is hosting its Friends and Family promotion 3/18-3/25! Within the sale you’re able to get 25% OFF New Arrivals and 20% OFF Select Jewelry. Of course you’re able to check out the retailer’s site for additional details and finalized sale inclusions.
In general, Lilac Reign is less about consumerism itself but learning the psychology of your personal style and cultivating your style muscle to shop smarter and sustainably. Nevertheless, I wanted to share some of my resources and techniques for finding luxury under retail pricing so you can add them to your own shopping arsenal.
Fabric Snob Inner Circle
Fabric Snobs, our subscription membership is currently having an open house! Yaaaay! Within the Fabric Snob Inner Circle, you have full access to Approved Lists, Style Challenges, notices of luxury retailers private sales and discounts, as well as the Group Chat hosted on Substack. During the open house, you currently have access to all of these membership features, including links to the downloadable worksheets of the Style Revolution Challenge. Umm, so what are you waiting for?? Hop on that ASAP!
The Group Chat feature is fairly new for me but I’m hoping we'll connect by talking updates within our own style journeys, dropping links to fab finds, asking each other style questions, and maybe dropping some OOTD pictures. Let’s be style besties!!!
2025, We’re Locked in
At the beginning of the year, I told myself 2025 was the year of long form content (for me atleast). That means a strong emphasis on Substack, YouTube, and the Podcast. I’m trying out different posting schedules so please stand by as I stumble my way into consistency. You can also keep up for more consistent posting on Instagram and TikTok. I have some new series coming soon over there for those who love visuals!
Okay Fabric Snobs, as we can see, I am a true yapper! I try to keep it cute and concise in the other series in the newsletter but like I said, vulnerability breeds connection, so my fellow yappers understand.
But let me know what you think about this new series! Is there anything you resonated with in today’s post? Sound off in the comment section below! And don’t forget to like the post as it helps the Style Society in the Substack algorithm by introducing our community to other like-minded Fabric Snobs!
Talk soon!
xoxo,
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