to be totally honest, it will be harder for you. I’d be doing you a disservice if I was like “tra-la-la, things will be fine.” you’re going to be competing against people who’ve had internships, people who have networked extensively, and people whose dad’s sister may be the cousin of the fashion editor’s dog walker’s hairstylist (aka they have an “in” somehow). so my advice to you would be: *start networking now. contact your college/sorority house/anything’s alumni office and see who works in fashion. it doesn’t have to be at a super high fashion designer. even locally! do informational interviews and try to secure an internship *work for the school paper and start a blog. demonstrate your writing ability, especially in the fashion realms *don’t despair. it’s definitely doable, you will just have to hustle a bit harder and play catch up! 

there are few things in life that I’m maniacal about—recycling, bubble tea, sending thank you notes—and cleansing happens to be one of them. living in NYC (especially during the summer), skin just gets grimy. my routine is more involved than most people’s so take from it what you will: *morning—I use a gentle cleanser, non-foaming, something like a Cetaphil, Dior Cleansing Milk, or Ren Calming Facewash. nothing too intense or stripping. *evening—first, I use a cleansing water like Klorane or Lancome’s as a “pre-cleanser”. then, I use a foaming—but gentle—face wash like Jurlique’s Brightening Wash.  twice a week (or almost every night in the summer), I use my Clarisonic Mia with a basic foaming face wash (Neutrogena Naturals)  *special occasions—if I’m flying, I pack makeup remover wipes (Aveeno, Yes to Carrots, or Almay) and remove makeup before we take off, then I put on a hydrating serum (like Dermalogica’s Overnight Repair). I recleanse and moisturize (with SPF if landing in the daytime) upon landing. I always take off makeup before working out and then use another face wipe after! is your mind swimming from all this information? ^.^ I will say this—I would spend the least on cleansers (I use fancy ones because I often get them gratis. save your money for an amazing serum or concealer). it’s less important how much they are and more important how regularly and diligently you do it!

sigh. my heart is breaking for you right now. I can’t say I was bullied in high school, no, but I didn’t have a super-easy time in middle school. I was called the opposite of fat—I was super, super skinny (not in a good, modelly way either). people called me stick insect! chicken legs! evan (har har, get it? because I looked like a boy)! and, sadly, racial slurs that I just don’t think should be okay in this wonderful country of ours. so, even though I wasn’t the most bullied in school, it still wasn’t the most pleasant experience and I switched schools for high school (and was lucky to have an amazing experience there). here’s what I have to say to you: I’ve looked at your blog, you have a fun aesthetic (love the theme you used) and a great eye. find solace, happiness, and joy in fashion and developing your writing voice and editor’s eye. you are way more evolved than the thugs at your school. people who pick on others do so because of a deep inadequacy they feel about themselves or lack of understanding of their pea-brained selves. you are way smarter than them—it’ll get easier and you will come out on top, I promise. keep your head up and stay strong