• photography & makeup Ela Strand
    all clothing Patricio Alarcón Molina

    //B A C K S L A S H// - An Interview with Patricio Alarcón Molina

    Written by Fashion Tales

    A quick chat with Stockholm based designer Patricio Alarcón Molina.
    He prefers working with couture, and one-off pieces and says he’s got no intention of creating collections “ I couldn’t live with myself mass producing my Designs” he strives to keep his ecological footprint as low as possible.
    I might be a complete fool but my philosophy is “Artistic freedom & environmental awareness before profit”

    What do you strive for as a designer?
    I aim to create extraordinary, timeless pieces of high quality and fit.

    How do you apply your environmental goals to your Design?
    I source my fabrics out of second hand findings and dead stock, my belief is that we can create anything and everything without the need to source new fibers and fabrics.
    “We already got everything we need”

    How would you describe your couture?
    The feeling of my pieces is dreamy and my aim is to portray the woman as a being, enigmatic, strong, innocent, and treacherous.
    For this project I chose to work with voluminous, sheer fabrics and heavier silks. This together with velvet to make a distinct contrast and balance.

    How would you describe the creative idea behind the collaboration between you and photographer Ela Strand in your story Backslash?
    // backslash // is a flashback of what has been, our fading memories, this story embodies the lost of innocence, the feeling of anxiety, and the melancholy in our present time.

    What does the word fashion mean to you?
    Fashion is everything fun in life, except mass production, overconsumption, and pollution.

    Take your responsibility
    //Patricio Alarcón Molina

    photography & makeup Ela Strand
    modell Tilda Liberg

  • The Summer Sunscreens: The Ultimate List

    Written by Yasmine M

    Is that time again, summer and sun exposure. With many of us using serums with vitamin c and acids as a part of our skincare routine, a good sunscreen is even more important. I have created a list with different sunscreens that are great for protection, sensitive skin and look good with or without make up. Read the list below! 

    Makeup

    Most of the sunscreens work under makeup, many on the list works perfectly under makeup as well such as Emma S, Supergoop! and Clarins sunscreens. But here is two more that are both smooth, easy to use and gives a perfect primer.

    SENSAI Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream For Face SPF30+, A water-resistant multi-protection sunscreen protecting against various damage and oxidation from UV rays while addressing signs of sun-ageing. It's also availble in SPF50+, if possible choose the one with a higher protection during summer. And SPF30+ during fall and spring. 

    Vichy Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ Ultra-light sunscreen against photo-aging with very high protection SPF 50+. Enriched with probiotic fractions, peptides and niacinamide. Prevents the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and oxidative stress of the skin caused by UV rays and impurities.

    Reapplication 

    It's very important to reapply sunscreen during sunny days. While I know it's hard to do, here are some really good alternatives, that don't destroy your makeup or need you to use your fingers on your face.

    Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50 A portable, glow-boosting, dry oil sunscreen stick for face, chest and shoulders. This Glow Stick is a travel-friendly SPF that you can pop into your handbag. It's totally invisible, majorly hydrating and perfect to use as a face or body highlighter, as it leaves behind a dewy finish without an oily residue.

    Clarins Invisible Sun Care Stick SPF50 This is one of the best products for reapplication. It smells lovely, and is super easy to use on the road. You only need a quick swipe over the face. Best part, it's not sticky or gives me that shiny look. Good for oily and combination skin. 

    Supergoop (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 If a stick is not for you, there is different ways to reapply sunscreen. This mineral powder is a way to do it. The 100% mineral, non-nano setting powder with SPF sets both your makeup and mattifies skin. Perfect for all skin types, and reduces shine. 

    Sport / Activity

    Emma S Hydrating Sun Protection Spf 50 Face One of few sunscreens that don’t get it to your eyes. A hydrating and very water resistant sunscreen that will give your skin a high and healthy broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection (Spf 50). It contains Hyaluronic acid, Squalane and Vitamin E that nourishes your skin.

    Dermalogica Protection 50 Sport SPF50, is a great body sunscreen for outdoor sport activities. It dosen't dissapear and not greasy.

    Sensitive skin + Body 

    For us with sensitive skin, finding good sunscreens can be a challenge. But with immense testing, I have found a few new favorites that works for all skin types.

    ACO Atoprotect Lotion SPF 50+, Intensely moisturizing sunscreen specially developed for dry and atopic skin. The sun lotion immediately protects against the sun's rays at the same time as it strengthens the skin barrier and makes the skin soft. It's a new favorite for this summer. 

    ACO Sun Kids Active Mousse SPF 50 Mousse believe it or not, I actually use kids sunscreens sometimes when it's super warm outside, since they are kinder to the skin and usually have a very good water-resistance. This new formula is simple and easy to apply and is quickly absorbed by the skin without smudges. Contains Triple Moist Complex which provides immediate, intense and long-lasting deep hydration in the skin, as well as panthenol which helps to strengthen the skin barrier.

    Eucerin Sun Actinic Control MD Sun Cream for Face & Body SPF 100 this is a sunscreen if you have very sensitive skin. The package is a bit smaller, so it's to be used on certain places on your body & face. It's a medical device with a high SPF, to help with sun protection and prevention of Actinic Keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer. Shake well before using and apply generously. 

    Eucerin Sun Allergy Protection Sun Cream for Face & Body SPF 50+ The new Eucerin Sun Allergy Creme-Gel SPF50 has a 3-dimensional superior protection system: UVA protection to help prevent premature skin ageing, UVB protection to help protect against sunburn and Biological Cell Protection to help strengthen skin cell’s own defences against the sun. Suitable for sensitive skin, even for allergies such as Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE). Eucerin also has great kids sunscreens that are even kinder on your skin - perfect for activities. 

    La Roche-Posay Anthelios Sun lotion SPF30 provides a high broad spectrum and high UVA and UVB protection. Water resistant. Leaves no white marks. The sunscreen is also very moisturizing, and gives a nice glow. The packaging is also 100% recycled and in a paper package. The Sun Lotion is also available in SPF 50+ 

    ACO Sun Ultra Light Face Fluid SPF 50+  is a good light weight sunscreen that is perfect if you are on the countryside working in the garden. Since it leaves a white cast, and good for reflecting the light. 

    The Body Shop, Skin Defence Lip Balm SPF 50+  an advice from beauty editor Elva, is this lip balm that makes the lips soft with a nice pepparmint scent. Protecting our lips is just as important. 

    Last advice and thoughts; For a sunscreen to protect against visible light, it must be visible on the skin. Inorganic filters (also known as mineral filters), namely, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are used in the form of nanoparticles in sunscreens to minimize the chalky and white appearance on the skin; as such, they do not protect against visible light. For darker skin tones, a perfect assistant is the tinted sunscreens – where you get the visible protection onto the skin for it to be reflected off your skin barrier.

    Filters with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide reduced the transmittance of visible light more effectively than untinted sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide alone or products containing organic filters. Currently available UV filters used in sunscreen products consist of 2 categories: organic (also commonly known as chemical) and inorganic (also known as mineral). These filters are designed to absorb, scatter, and reflect UV photons with wavelengths up to 380 nm but are not designed to reduce visible light–induced effects.

  • How to Optimize and Renew Your Workspace for the Summer

    Written by Yasmine M

    Let your personality show this summer. While many have returned to the office, some days of the week. We have realized how important our home is for our state of mind.

    Either if it's working, crafting or manifesting our passions; a suitable creative space at home is the way to go. To help us flourish everyday, optimize the area for your mind and soul - here are some ideas and tips! 

    Placement of the desk
    The first thing to look at is the location of your desk. In the guidelines of Feng Shui, place your desk further away from the door. Feng shui believes that a doorway is the opening of energy coming into a room, which means you don’t want to place your desk right in the middle of that stream of energy. It can also help you feel more at ease because you can see anyone or anything that might be approaching. The rule is that if you can’t see the door then you will miss out on opportunities. An interesting way to do it, is try to sit with the wall behind you and the desk out in the roo, and see how it feels. Another doorway to energy is the window, make sure you don’t have the window behind you, since the position means the energy from the window will not be towards you instead will hit you in the back.

    Separate Your Home Office From Your Personal Life
    While we have heard this before, many of us don’t even have the space to divide our workspace, and our personal life. It’s all combined. So instead of trying to keep your work/craft space separate, redecorate it when you are done for the day. Hide your computer and redecorate the space with something simple as a cloth. This will help you concentrate better, keep your home office physically separated from your private life. Not to mention, screening time – try to keep your phone only in the hallway or even leave it in your bag when you get home.

    Aromatherapy
    When you have find a good place for your space. A new thing for the summer is to try different oils that can have different effects on your mood. Grapefruit, oranges, lavender, and rosemary have all different effects on mental alertness.  Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. It doesn't need to be hard, The Body Shop, recently launched different oils that you can have on your desk to recharge and take a few seconds to just reload your mind.

    Decoration  Small decorations are a good way to renew your desk. From letter trays and pen cups to desk pads and boxes, desk accessories will help you get everything organized and easy to find - so take the time to find good boxes and pads. So you can spend less time searching for stuff and more time getting things done. Regarding decorating, if you have the desk facing directly towards an empty wall can become a block in your work. Make sure to decorate the wall with artwork, or a vision board that you find encouraging. 

    Effectiveness with Decor
    Adding decor that fits you will help encourage personal growth. Choose pieces that inspire you. Not to mention, technology can make life so much easier. So why complicate things? As the main tool in your work is probably online, and by a computer - ergonomic is super important. 

    To unleash our personality what better way than to go all-in with a POP of color. An important ergonomic detail is a great keyboard and mouse. Logitech’s POP Keyboard, is a wireless and modern keyboard that it’s a statement to your desk space. The Keyboard comes in three different colors, I use the pink shade which me excited for the day, but the best part is the function - helping me exceed my writing work. Having a great keyboard, instead of only working on your laptop keyboard, protects your hands and fingers with important well design ergonomics. 

    An amazing feature is the eight swappable emoji keycaps on the left side, an easy shortcut to your feelings. The Keyboard is not only visual attractive but functional working with both PC and Mac. Use it with the POP Mouse, that easily connects with Bluetooth. Again, a good keyboard takes care of your hands – we all know how we can feel after a whole day of writing on the laptop. Stop it! And invest in a great but also fun decorative keyboard and mouse. 

    Another smart gadget is the Google Nest Hub 2, it’s an incredible friend to have during your days at home. It helps you make those smart and quick changes – play music, reads the news, set reminders. It’s your ultimate assistant. As soon as I come up with a task I should do tomorrow – I simply say ‘’Hey Google, remind me that I need to email Jess tomorrow at 8.00’’, and it will remind me. Or just ‘’Hey Google, could you set a timer in 10 minutes’’. It even tells me when I would need to leave the house to make it to my train. The one small hope I have is that Google will make it wireless soon too, it would be amazing to move it.

    The Google Assistant, the software, is available in an limited range of smart alarm clocks as well. For example tech brand Lenovo has a Google Assistant on their new smart clock 2, which is smaller and connected to a wireless charger – perfect for the bedroom, so it wakes you up in the morning. The very smart thing is that you can connect the Google Nest Hub with the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 through Google – which make you have an assistant in both rooms. For that reason, a great advice is to have the Leonov in the bedroom and then the Nest in the living room – since the Nest have more features, louder speaker and bigger screen. 

    Blue-light
    After I started working 10 hours a day in front of a screen, I saw a rapid change in my skin – especially around the eyes. I learned quickly that it probably wasn’t my skincare routine that created my dark circles and small fine lines. It came from the screen and the small rapid movements throughout the day looking at the screen. Since last year, I have been on a HUNT to protect my eyes and skin. I started to use blue-protective glasses from swedish brand GLAS, which fits wonderful as well as making sure always to wear sunscreen and focus on blue-light protection. 

    Movement
    As we are working from home, we don’t get the same movement and activity as before. Personally, I try to find good ways to stay active, without luck. But I lately found the YouTube channel Growwithjo, which does easy and low-impact workouts – no jumping. For me this is perfect, if you are advance you might think this is to ‘’easily’’ but I promise you will be sweating at the end. And, I use my newly found friend Google to ‘’Play Growwithjoe on YouTube’’. Since, it's summer, just go out for a 10 minute’s walk if possible! Another idea is to get a jumping rope, the rope is a super way to easily get your heartrate up fast.  Hopefully your neighboors wont mind, but please be kind. 

    Greens Color is an easy way to apply Feng Shui principles to your home. It can also be the most effective Feng Shui adjustments because we humans are very visual. A good way to start your summer and change your mood is the color green. The color is connected to the wood element and stands for growth, healing, and vitality. For an instant wood energy hit, try working with clean, vibrant, and grassy greens - why not get some new plants. 

    Sometimes the little things make all the difference, changing the direction of your desk, getting new artwork on the wall, or getting iconic tech gadgets to save your day. Pay attention to the details in your home space — and try to reconnect with your surrounding.

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