The Reluctant Stylista
Nov
1
2010

Because Vanity Makes No Excuses

What is The Reluctant Stylista?

You know how it is, fashion is intimidating to most people.  Either they claim not to care about it, or they’re afraid any attempt to spruce up will fail miserably. Yes, fashion is intimidating–but it doesn’t have to be. Forget all your preconceived notions about the well-dressed because style is not a privilege.  Everyone deserves to look good and be able to define that for themselves.  Fashion is supposed to be about fun and expression when you get to the bare bones of it, and The Reluctant Stylista wants to do just that. This is, after all, pretty much a sandbox for my styling endeavors.  It’s not a bible, it’s a diary of a not-quite-so-little girl who discovered she likes playing dress up.

Who is talking about what?

I’m Alexandra Lapa, a full-time freelance stylist, part-time writer, Creative Director, and occasional web designer.  I was interested in fashion photography when I was still in college taking up Multimedia Arts.  I loved preparing my own shoots, planning the concept, look and mood.  That’s when I started getting interested in fashion itself, particularly in styling.  When I tried learning more about it, I became frustrated that not many people were talking about it, not even online.  Maybe because it’s a fairly new occupation or hobby, I don’t know.  But I yearned to know more and wondered if others did, too.  Hence, I put up something that would chronicle adventures (as well as misadventures) in the world of styling so people could learn more about it.

I was a regular tomboy when I was a kid.  I’m still one, pretty much–only now I appreciate looking good as opposed to the childish protestations to make-up and frills I used to possess.  People get this idea that if you’re boyish, athletic or adventurous and free-spirited, that you automatically don’t care much about your looks.  I was like that, once.  And I must admit, it was partly due to people’s expectations that I naturally turned away from anything that would make me look vain.

“I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back.” –Miranda Priestly’s scathing reply to Andy Sach in The Devil Wears Prada

But the truth is, no girl–when left to her own devices–will pass up the chance to look prettier.  Every girl has that inner cheerleader, Victoria Secret Angel or Dita Von Teese.  Whatever she may be, unless she wanted a sex change, is NO exception.

What other people might consider frivolous and vain, I view as a smart choice and investment.  You’ve heard complaints that pretty girls get all the perks?  Well pretty AND smart will pay off so much more.  That 10 minutes you’ve been reluctant all this while to add to your morning routine will get you pretty far in anything like you wouldn’t believe.  It doesn’t even cost as much time or money as you think it would.

And if, like Andy Sachs, you might be thinking “Oh I don’t want to primp because I want to be taken seriously.”  But hey–if you really wanted to be taken seriously, then you have to look like you mean business.

So go ahead, pick up that mascara.  You know you want to.

22 Responses to “Because Vanity Makes No Excuses”

  1. alvin says:
    August 18, 2009 at 12:47 am

    I liked “The Devil Wears Prada.” It’s one of the few chick flicks that I enjoyed. It had nice metaphors that parallel fields other than fashion.

    And Anne Hathaway being smoking didn’t hurt either :P

    Reply
    • leki says:
      May 18, 2012 at 8:27 am

      Actually, yeah. I don’t care what they say about Anne Hathaway being in another ugly duckling role. I loved Meryl Streep there (soooo many quotables)! She makes other boss-from-hell characters seem cliche and over the top.

      Reply
  2. Kat Chua says:
    February 25, 2010 at 11:47 am

    hi! stumbled on your site while surfing, and i’m super glad i did :D

    Reply
  3. Bea says:
    June 21, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Lots of quotables in that movie. LOVE!

    Reply
  4. tammy says:
    October 20, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    agree with you there. if confidence can be aided by fashion, makeup, and looking the part, then by all means go for it. inner beauty is further aided by outer beauty. so no, striving to be beautiful and confident is not superficial vanity, it’s intelligent effort and investment in one’s self. great insights there! :)

    Reply
    • Alexandra says:
      October 21, 2010 at 8:06 am

      Well said, Tammy! I only learned that a little later, that the right kind of confidence really makes the difference even if one isn’t the standard beauty. After realizing that, everything was much easier. :)

      Reply
  5. Zen says:
    February 25, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    Hi!

    I just stumbled on your site. It’s great!

    Reply
  6. Kla says:
    June 8, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    Amazing how one post can bring someone to her senses (i.e., me.), so I thank you for this!

    Reply
  7. Nick says:
    August 21, 2011 at 6:36 am

    Great reviews you have here. I’m really glad to find your blogs after researching since I decided to switch from the harsh chemical products to organic products. I’d probably follow you if you tweet. :D

    Reply
  8. Elaine says:
    November 15, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Wow i just come across your site and im loving it!! am really digging everything you post in here!! I think ill be a regular ;) Like you i am also this tomboyish girl before and so afraid to try some girly stuffs but as i grew up things turns so different and it is very cool, started to like make-ups and girly stuffs..recently i’ve been liking red lippy and i really find it nice on me yay!! (thanks to a friend hihi). You’ve been a great help to those who isnt confident enough to strut their stuff and im glad that people like you are an inspiration to us. Thank you :)

    Reply
    • Alex says:
      November 27, 2011 at 8:00 am

      Oh, thank you very much! I really think every girl can really take some time for a bit of vanity, even when they’re tired and stressed. Especially if they’re feeling that. I succumb to those days, too, but I try my best never to go out of the house without at least a token effort–the red lippy is a favorite instant glam-up choice!

      Reply
      • Elaine says:
        November 29, 2011 at 3:36 pm

        Your much welcome!! yup red lippy is a must have for me nowadays. i really wanna try NYX products too. Recently got Sephora makeup set and a Benefit Bad Gal Lash, a pasalubong from my cuz from US and im so loving it..Just sharing haha. can i follow you on twitter??

        Reply
        • Alex says:
          November 29, 2011 at 6:26 pm

          My favorite is the really bright pink like Nyx’s Louisiana! I never even liked pink before haha. But it’s the first lipstick I’m close to finishing. Sure follow me on Twitter: rstylista :)

          Reply
          • Elaine says:
            December 5, 2011 at 10:04 pm

            I wanna try din sana pink lippy but i dont know if bagay and im still looking for a perfect pink one.. and i never finished any lipstick at all hahaha good for you ur close to finishing yours already…

        • Alex says:
          December 8, 2011 at 9:44 am

          You can still try a safe pink like Tea Rose and work from there. Sometimes it’s fun to layer different colored lipsticks to see what you can come up with. :)

          Reply
  9. Irene Enriquez says:
    January 8, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I was also kind of a tomboy when I was younger. I despised other girls who wear makeup and act all girly. But that’s a long time ago. Now, I’m in love with makeup, fashion, and anything in between. Of course, I’m still a geek. But you’re right, a girl always want to look and feel good. :)

    Reply
  10. Lyza says:
    February 16, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    Hi Alexandra,

    Just a quick question, are you from Cebu? I just saw your link in stylecebu’s featured blogs and so I was wondering if you reside in the area? I hope you could get back to us on this as we have a proposal for you :)

    Reply
  11. ria de guzman says:
    April 22, 2012 at 1:04 am

    hi ms lapa! i heard you do styling for engagement shoots. Kindly email me your rates please, i can feel you’d make me adn my fiancee prettier on our prenup pictures :) By the way, awesome site! :)

    Reply

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