Hey Lei Loves! On Instagram, I am always getting questions ranging from hair products, marriage, how I stay inspired, blogging, etc. so I thought I would round up some of your frequently asked questions in a blog post. Without further ado…
How do you edit your photos on Instagram?
I use a few different photo editing apps because they all serve different purposes. Primarily, I use the Lightroom app. I created my own preset (basically a filter that can be applied to your photos to create that cohesive look). After the preset is applied, I will use an app called Snapseed (if needed) to adjust the lighting and shadows. I prefer my photos to have minimal shadows so I typically increase the exposure on any dark areas in this app. I prefer using Snapseed over Lightroom for this task because you can concentrate on a specific area, rather than brightening the entire image. When I want my photos to have a vintage aesthetic, I will use Afterlight to add a distressed look to the photo with the ‘dusty’ feature. And finally, if I need to remove unwanted signs, pedestrians, cars, etc I use the patch tool on Facetune. Long story short, there is a lot of behind the scenes editing that goes into the final photo that I publish on my Instagram feed 🙂
How long have you and your husband been married / How did you meet?
We have been married for almost 2 years! Our Anniversary is 10/28/17. We met back in ’98 when we were about 6 years old. His mom was my dance teacher, so he and I just became friends since I was always around the studio (and I let him talk me into doing the dumbest things! LOL) We have grown through every stage in life together, and I think having that foundation set the tone for our friendship, relationship, and eventually- marriage. While we respect each other immensely, we also make fun of each other constantly and refuse to take ourselves too seriously, which is another huge factor in why we work so well together.
What are some things you do to stay motivated when running your business?
To be honest, I’m currently in a bit of a rough spot in the motivation department. The one thing that comes to mind when I’m feeling uninspired or experiencing a lack of motivation is consistency. I try to plan content even when I’m not necessarily motivated to do so. I keep working at it until I get out of the slump. Having a job in social media leads to extreme burn out, so I find that I need to be really intentional about the time I spend on those platforms. Mostly because the comparison game is real, y’all. And there is a fine line between being inspired by someone and not feeling good enough. Comparing myself to other people on Instagram is one of the most draining things I can do as a creative. When I start to feel like I’m measuring myself against someone else, I know it’s time to take a step back, readjust my focus and determine what actionable steps I can make to propel my own brand.
What’s your fitness routine like?
I go to barre! (No, not the bar) But barre- specifically, Studio Barre. The 60-minute class combines Pilates, yoga, weight training, and stretching and it kicks my butt every time. I love it because it’s so challenging that all I can focus on is the workout, and I see results quickly. I also love how strong I feel when I complete a class. I find that I do much better in a group-fitness environment because I push myself more than if I were working out at the gym alone.
What is your curly hair routine? / What products do you use?
Easily my most frequently asked question! So, let’s start with my curly hair routine. First I wash my hair with Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Shampoo. For curly hair, you always want to stick to a sulfate free shampoo, and I love how clean this makes my hair feel without stripping it or leaving it too dry. I follow up with the conditioner and once a week, I apply this hair mask. After washing, I wrap my hair in a twist-towel like this. To style, I split my hair into 2 sections. I detangle one side at a time with this Tangle Teezer comb. Next, I use a spray bottle like this to re-wet my hair (the curls can get frizzy and dry after detangling, so this step is important in helping the curls to stick together). Here are my favorite products to use for styling:
-click any product below to shop-
Any advice for someone wanting to start a blog?
I would say DO IT! But, also understand that there is far more work involved than most people realize. You are your own PR rep, web designer, content planner, photographer (at times), and bookkeeper. As with any entrepreneurial career path, there is no rule book for success which can get frustrating. Another recommendation is to make sure you identify a purpose for your blog. People often forget that blogging should provide a service for your audience, so it helps to keep that in mind when you craft your content. And finally, make sure you stay authentic. In a saturated market such as blogging, it’s easy to fall into the trap of replicating what others are doing. Stick to your voice, stay true to your passions, and figure out what it is that sets you apart from everyone else.
What are your go-to beauty products?
Here are my favorite products that I constantly restock:
How do you and your husband travel so much?
The best thing I can tell you about travel is to just GO. Kuinise and I make it a point to take an International trip at least once a year, and a few domestic ones throughout. Jot down a list of a few places you’d like to travel and start researching flights. It’s not as expensive as you’d think and if you are flexible on dates, you can score some amazing deals. We start by deciding on a location and then book the plane tickets. We usually shop around for hotels to find the best prices between a few different sites. A helpful tip is to always book with your browser on ‘private mode’ to ensure that you are getting the lowest rates (with certain web settings, the prices will increase for flights/hotels you are frequently searching).
Where is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled?
So far, Bali. I just loved the people, the location, the food- everything. (Travel guides coming soon- I promise!) My favorite city in the whole world, however, is Manhattan.
What is the best way to dress for your body type? / How tall are you?
I am considered petite- standing 5’1 and weighing in at about 115 lbs. Because of my scoliosis, my body proportions are slightly off: my torso is extremely short and my legs are extremely long. I’ve definitely learned a thing or two about dressing for my body type. When trying to dress for your body, it’s helpful to first determine what your body type is. Hourglass, Pear-Shaped, etc. Once you know that, you can dress it accordingly. Additionally, think about some of the areas of your body you want to highlight. Do you have amazing arms? Great! Opt for a sleeveless top or jumpsuit. Do you want to camouflage your midsection? Reach for options with patterns and material that won’t cling. And finally, make sure that you know what your actual size is. Many times, the issue lies in the fact that you are simply buying the wrong sizes. Try things on and don’t be afraid to get things tailored if need be.
Thanks for reading lovelies! If there are any more questions you have, feel free to ask them in the comment section below or on my latest Instagram post.
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