The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 22

February 16, 2021 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 6 Arts & Entertainment Spring 2021 fashion trend predictions Filled with fun colors and comfy streetwear, the spring 2021 fashion catalog is definitely one to look forward to. With the upcoming season at the brink of blooming, many people, much like with spring cleaning, are taking out the old and bringing in the new by embracing their style through the latest trends in apparel. The thought of amping up your wardrobe might seem daunting because of how expensive fashion usually is, but I bring fairly good news. After sifting through articles of elite fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, the one thing that these magazines appear to have in common with their trends is functionality. Lots of casual clothing that has already been in style are back to stay with an extra kick of high-fashion that will leave you looking as crisp and modern as ever. Let’s take a look at what’s to come in the world of fashion. Exaggerated shoulders: The 1930s craze for puffy shoulders has returned yet again, and this time it’s a wardrobe staple. This simple adornment is guaranteed to add that extra touch of femininity to your outfit. Bra tops: As the weather gets warmer, wearing less clothing to keep cool is inevitable. Why not make it fashionable? If paired with a timeless skirt, some high-waisted pants or a semi-casual pullover, your bralette can give off a dapper look that’s up with the times. Sporty with an urban twist: Athletic apparel can indeed be worn outside of the gym and be considered chic. Track shorts and hoodies stamped with a designer label are now being styled with elitely tailored garments to create a balance between practical and elegant. Feather frenzy: This super festive accessory makes a simple outfit “take flight.” Whether it be a small trim on your hand bag or a beautiful array of faux feathers displayed on the collar of a sleek button-down, feathers are a sure way to make your outfit flourish. Sheer thing: Airy and light is what you’ll feel in this material brought in with the spring showers. It’s a casual, fun way to layer without all the bulk, providing the fresh feeling of being clothed while not too warm. From the trench (coat) to the runway: A trendy trench coat is a must-have this spring season. With new-aged designers investing in this reborn clothing article, there are now a vast array of new patterns, fabrics and colors to choose from. Pretty in pastel: This upcoming season, throw out your dark blacks, greys and dark shades and think cheery and pastel. The combination of a sweet and soft color palette creates impeccable versatility for any occasion. I used customized hair care for three months… and this is how it went Last fall, I started the long and tedious process of trying to update my haircare routine. I’ve gone through a lot of phases with my loosely curly hair, and all of this bouncing back and forth has left it fairly damaged.Admittedly, I’ve never made shampoo & conditioner my number one priority — I often used products I foundwithout really looking into themfirst, just searching for keywords and vague descriptions among shelves of products that promised the same things. I did some research, watched a few videos and read blog posts on managing curly hair. More than once, I saw ads or read reviews for customized hair care, a trend I had heard about before, but never thought I would get into myself. Enter: Function of Beauty. Function of Beauty claims to be “the world leader in customizable beauty.” What stood out is that their products are cruelty-free, vegan and sustainability-focused, all things that are important to me. I read a few reviews, took their quiz and (importantly) found a coupon code. The process The quiz was actually kind of fun — you get to select up to five hair “goals” and even customize the color and scent. I set my goals as anti-frizz, curl definition, deep condition, hydrate and strengthen, although there’s plenty of other options for a lot of different hair care needs. I took the “hair quiz” inmid-October and received the 16 oz. shampoo and conditioner in early November. I got an email about a week after the order confirmation telling me my custom formula was being filled individually, hence the wait time. Note: you can complete the hair quiz to see all of the options without having to create an account or purchase the products. The products I used the Function of Beauty shampoo and conditioner almost exclusively over the following three months. Upon receiving the products, I loved the presentation and packaging. The scent (eucalyptus) was strong and fresh and the light-green bottles came with customizable stickers andwere printedwithmy name on them. I recently cut my hair pretty short, although it is still considerably thick, so while the products lasted for around three months for me, I could imagine they might get used faster for someone with longer hair. The review Honestly, I don’t know if I actually wanted to like these products. I considered them pretty expensive ($49.99 for the 16 oz. shampoo and conditioner) and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to the subscription of spending that much money. I think I was secretly hoping I wouldn’t want to keep using them so I could go back to using my relatively cheaper products from the store. However, after a few weeks, I started to see notable differences in my hair. The products had essentially done everything I had asked — my hair was softer, less frizzy and the ends that were normally dry were hydrated. I started wearing my hair down more often, without having to put too much effort into doing so (with curly hair, this is often not an option for me). I noticed some “definition,” but I don’t think the shampoo and conditioner replaced all of my other curly-hair products that I keep in stock. However, it was a good starting point for adding more products after. When it came time for reordering, I went through with it. I had to justify it to myself by comparing prices with other companies, but ultimately, I decided the customized products were worth it especially considering how long they lasted. I liked the products and I was really starting to love my hair more than I had in years—but it came at a cost.Although my inbox has gotten coupon codes repeatedly since I made my first order, I’m still trying to keep a budget. If you’re in a rut and don’t really know what to try next, I would recommend looking into customized products and deciding what’s best for you. Personally, I’m glad I made the decision to try Function of Beauty and I’m looking forward to the next three months. By: Isabella Gómez Contributing Writer By: Madelyn Rinka Co-Editor-in-Chief PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY M. RINKA Customized products might be the solution to your bad hair days, but it comes at a cost.