Emi on Beauty.

This is Emi. She grew up in San Francisco, is one of the most individual and confident people I know, learns a new sport every semester, and loves dancing. Our friend Adrienne likes to say she is a tiny person with a BIG attitude. Emi took some time to talk to me about what inspires her, her personal style, and what's she's most excited about in life.

When do you feel most beautiful?

The times I felt most beautiful was when I hadn’t showered for a good 4 or 5 days, and had been camping. I was covered in ten different layers of sweat, dirt, and grime. In Africa. I turned on this gnarly shower, and I turn and look into this mirror and said “Hot damn, I’m fine!” It was a combination of getting back into touch with my body and feelings and not looking at myself in the mirror for a really long time. IT is so easy for me to get caught up in the routine of blow drying my bangs in the morning and putting moisturizer on that you loose what is truly great about yourself in the every day rush of things. So when I looked into the mirror and saw how beautiful I was after that camping excursion I realized how energizing and amazing it was, and that’s when I felt the most beautiful.

What do you find beautiful in other people?

I associate beauty with self-confidence and rocking your own style. I always notice people’s eyes, lips, and teeth. With boys and girls, people who have their own swagger and confidence are beautiful. I really like natural looks for the ladies. And foundation detracts from everyone’s beauty. I am a firm believer in no foundation. There’s a huge difference between self confident and cocky, and cocky is gross.

How do you make yourself feel better after having a bad day?

Dive into bed and watch the L word or any other T.V. show. I love watching T.V. in my bed all by myself with my little Christmas lights turned on in my room. I call my mom four times a day and would definitely call her. If it’s been a really bad day then I’ll go for a run, or exercise in general just makes a bad day better.

How do you feel about eating, exercise, and body image?

I think the topic of body image is infinitely complicated. It makes me really deeply sad when I think about my peers and women growing up in this day and age where there is so much negative energy around food and exercise and body image and I think it’s a really tragic thing that affects more people that I’d like to think about. I was lucky that my best girlfriends in high school loved food and had great body image -I think they’re rock stars.

How do you see your own body image?

I’m a curvy lady and I love my boobs and my butt. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not affected by body image shit. I think that I like to feel really healthy and in tune with my body so when I’m not exercising or eating right I just feel out of sorts and icky.

Tell me about your personal style.

I love black. I love tights and little black dresses. I have a blue sweatshirt that I always wear inside out. I love black leggings and I hate jeans. I just bought these black leather boots that have a little bit of a heel. I wear them all the time, day and night. Just last weekend I was wearing them with some black leggings and a long sleeved black shirt and two girls told me that the look was very sleek and sexy (I was very flattered!!). I also love BIG gold hoops. I used to wear a bear tooth on a gold chain but sadly, it broke so I can’t take it out anymore.

What’s your go-to look when you need to look good in a hurry?

Black tights and a little black dress. And mascara and eyeliner. And big gold hoops.

What’s your philosophy on makeup?

Foundation is silly. I think that a little can go a long way. I love eyeliner. My philosophy is never too much, always a little less than you think. And I don’t believe in blush.

Why?

It scares me…little clown cheeks.

What are the most inspiring places that you’ve been and why?

Mongolia because I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to visit a country that is still half nomadic and it blew my mind. Not being able to communicate with anyone for days at a time was really scary but when I got there it was really mind blowing to see how humanity can cross so many different obstacles and how language is largely insignificant in the matter of communication when you get down to the crux of things. Africa is my second place. I was traveling with a group of all women in a very patriarchal society studying women’s issues. Africa showed me a generosity that I hadn’t encounterd in the united states. I also met a lot of inspiring women who were doing a lot of awesome things. I studied female genital mutilation which is still an ongoing practice in a lot of places in Africa. Talking to women from other countries about women’s issues was powerful. It also showed me an inner strength that was beyond my grasping before I had traveled there and there’s nothing cooler than knowing the extent of your own personal strength.

Where do you love to shop?

The mission of San Francisco. My girlfriends and I used to go to the thrift stores in the mission. I love Vintage by the Pound on Valencia. American Apparel makes my favorite little black dress and leggings. The thrift stores all have these sections just for rhinestones and sparkly things and I cannot get enough. It has turned into a really big problem.

Do you wear perfume? If so, do you believe in a signature scent or changing it up based on your mood?

Yes, and I believe on changing it up based on your moods. Origins Ginger is my every day perfume. It’s not overpowering but you can get little whiffs of it and it’s down to earth but sultry. If I am feeling a little friskier but it’s still day time I go with Marc Jacobs, and I keep the roll on in my back pack for a perk up. If I’m going up and I’m feeling really sexy I go with my Paul Smith Rose and I get a ton of compliments on it.

What are your favorite beauty products?

My most favorite beauty product for all eternity is Pomega 5 face moisturizer. Its so expensive, 60$ per container, but its 100% natural and it makes your face feel absolutely incredible. My other favorites are Jane Iredale black eyeliner and mascara, both all natural, a little pricier but they go on really smoothly and easily and it doesn’t pull your eye, and isn’t bad for your skin or eyes. I just bought my very first lipstick: Laura Mercier, Pink Champagne. And Burt’s Bees above all else. The peppermint chapstick. And I’m not happy unless my toenails are painted bright pink and I have my toe rings on.

What are you most excited about in life?

Traveling the world, whatever that may mean in my future. I’m very excited. Also I think it would be very cool to have a family one day and wake up next to the same person every morning. I also can’t wait to hang out with my mom and dad when I’m older. I think they’re the coolest people on the planet.

Thank you, Emi!