about

Hello! I am studying esthetics at an Aveda Institute after spending years in retail. I am proof that nothing turns out how you think it will, and that's a good thing. When you think you've got it figured out, you don't. Life would be boring otherwise, right?
Makeup, skincare, and psychology are my passions and I'm also happy to give advice on relationships, particularly for teenagers (so many things I wish I could have told myself a decade ago!) I'm happy to help fellow abuse survivors as well.
I'm a diehard SF Giants fan and also enjoy watching the Sharks and Niners. Addicted to music, especially The Gaslight Anthem. Oh, and my name is Krista. :)

advice

I texted my boyfriend asking him how the bus was, and he said, "It's cool. Looking at other girls breasts. They're pulling them out of their shirts." My sensitive side took over. I instantly got upset. I am a very sensitive person, and he knows it. We've been dating for three months now and I know I shouldn't take his playful attitude so seriously, but he went too far. He knows I am insecure and emotional and easily upset but he says those types of hurtful things that make me want to cry.

In a way I know I should accept his teasing and quirky jokes, but my emotional side takes over me. I told him I don't like how he jokes like that and he needs to stop. I don't know what to do. I'm happy with him and I don't want to lose him because of my paranoid mind. Help?

You're not being oversensitive- that's really not an acceptable thing to say to your girlfriend, especially when you haven't been together very long. It's not a 'playful attitude', it's immaturity and jerkiness, and chances are that if you don't make it clear to him that disrespectful comments like that are not ok, he'll just keep doing it and making you miserable.

[view]

16/f

So I don't have a job and I feel kinda pressured to get one soon. Only because I'm planning on going to college out of high school. I'm a junior right now and graduating when I'm 17.
The college I'm planning to go to is out of state and probably like somewhat over 8,000 for the whole year.
If I got a job now would I have enough money by the end of my senior year?
If I don't get one now and get one during my senior year do you think I'll still get enough money?
I live in California if that helps for anything. Thanks so much!

Honestly? No. If you're working a part-time job, let's say 16 hours a week (which is generous, some jobs won't give you that many every week), after taxes you'll make around 3 or 4 thousand a year...and of course there will be other things you need money for.
Of course, get a job- it's important to do, always nice to have a paycheck, and if you wait until you're 18 it's gonna be near impossible to get one with no experience. Save at least half of every paycheck.
However, you definitely want to look into financial aid options and loans, as even a community college is really hard to pay for yourself. (Just the books are often hundreds each.)

[view]

Hi

You answered my question about the birth control pills haha

well I went to planned parenthood like you recommended and they put me on the pill. it worked out so great! it didn't cost me anything and plus the doctor there was very nice and answered all of my questions.

I only have 1 more question though. I got 3 packs of the pill (so i'd have them for 3 months) but here's the thing.. my parents don't know i'm on the pill. They are also very snoopy sometimes. My mom is a neat freak and cleans my room a lot and i'm scared she will snoop through my things and find them. She is very against the pill and doesn't want me to have sex haha.

so i guess my question is, how exactly do i hide this? the doctor at planned parenthood said i need to take the pill every day at the same time. (i picked 12pm/noon because its the easiest to remember and its during my lunch hour) so i'm planning on taking 1 of the packs with me in my purse to school. but where should i hide the other packs? I don't really think my room is a good place because like i said, i have snoopy parents and i could get in big trouble. my house is not a great place to hide things because most likely my parents WILL find it sooner or later. i was thinking about just keeping them in my school locker until school gets out in the summer? but i'm not really sure.. another idea was keeping them at my boyfriends house (his parents dont snoop in his room) so they would be safe there, but again i'm not sure if thats a good idea or not.

What are your opinions and do you have any other ideas how i could hide it? Thank you so much!

Glad that worked out for you :)

Yeah, that's hard, isn't it? I had the same problem...I don't know what your room looks like, but is there a weird, out of the way place you could hide them? For me, I have a top shelf in my closet with boxes full of clothes, and I put them at the bottom of one of the boxes. If you keep shoes in your closet, maybe all the way (like at the toe) inside a pair of boots? Or in a ziplock bag taped to the underside of your bed or the back of a piece of furniture?
If there is nowhere in your room, I think your locker at school is a good idea for now. Just make sure they're in a bag or something so they don't go falling out and embarrass you haha.

And one other thing: if you find it hard to take it at the same time every day (it's harder than it seems, esp if you're busy or on weekends when you're not at school), the best thing to do is set an alarm on your phone to go off at the time you're supposed to take it every day. (On vibrate's probably best so no one notices.)

If you didn't already, make sure you read the packet of information that came with your pills- I know it's long and boring, but it's super important to read the list of "rare but serious side effects" where you should see your doctor if so-and-so happens. Don't let it freak you out- chances are, you'll be fine and nothing bad will happen to you- but it's important to know just in case. (Reason I say this is I had a problem- nothing life-threatening, of course- for months and didn't know why until I thought to check the fine print. It went away as soon as I switched to another kind so don't worry too much.)

Best of luck!
-Krista, 20/f

[view]

what color of under shirt goes well underneath a yellow shirt?

White, definitely- maybe even a dark brown, depending on the shade of yellow.

[view]

18/f. My boyfriend and I are starting to think about sex. We have been dating 7 months and are in love. This is a question about preventing pregnancies, so please don't lecture me on "saving my virginity" because I already had sex once and it's what I want. I do realize the consequences. Getting pregnant and STI's. But my boyfriend and I have agreed that we are going to be safe and careful.

Here's my question

Ive never had birth control before. The first time we had sex we used a spermicidal condom and a few days after that I saw an article about teen pregnancies in a magazine and in a tv show. I started to freak out and get really scared but he didn't cum in me and also he wasn't deep. Only like 2 inches. Do you think its possible for me to get pregnant if he did that?

Anyways, after my freak out we had a talk and decided I should get birth control. But heres the catch, my parents can't find out. And also I have no idea where to get any. Do I have to take exams in order to get some birth control?

Last question. Do you think it's safe to have sex without the pill? Like if we used a spermicidal condom and Super careful. We know the proper way to use it and how to check for leaks and tears. Like do you think if I didn't get the pill, would the condom still prevent 98% of pregnancies?

Also my boyfriend mentioned the morning after pill (plan b I think?) how effective is that? If I didn't get the pill and just used condom and then morning after pill if there was a leak, would that be ok?

1 more question- could I get pregnant if we used a condom but the condom doesn't break, is there a chance of pregnancy?

Oh and I prefer not to use any other female protection method. I don't want to use a cup or anything.

Amy more advice or tips? Thanks!!

Your best source for birth control is Planned Parenthood- they keep it confidential and you don't have to have a physical 'down there' exam haha.
The thing about condoms is that the 98% statistic is in an ideal world, under perfect factory test conditions. The actual percentage for human usage is pretty different. And the morning after pill is definitely a terrible idea- I mean, of course, once is ok if you have to, but take it from someone who took it many times in one year- it really screws with your body and is not good to have a lot. And the more you take it, the less effective it gets.

Basically, if you are going to have sex, there is always a chance of pregnancy, no matter what method you use. However, birth control pills are definitely your best, easiest, safest option. Planned Parenthood is really great, they will explain everything to you, keep it private, and not charge a ton.

[view]

My daughter is 13 and I'd like for her to start paying for her new clothes, accesories, and basically everything. Of course I would still pay for her food and keep a roof over her head. She doesn't have a job but she gets $5 a week for allowance. Do you think it's okay to make her start paying for stuff?

I'm sorry, but that's not realistic- 5 dollars a week won't go very far and it isn't really fair since she is too young to get a real job. I agree with the person below me, having her do chores or work around the house for money/new clothes is a much better option.

[view]

I'm a male 22 I've been using dating websites for almost a year now with no success I've emailed hundreds of people and never get a single reply. My profile's are normally simple, honest and to the point. I'm wondering what I can do to better improve my chances of at-least getting reply's. what would help me the most is an idea of what women look for in a guys profile or emails before they decide weather that person is worth giving a chance or not.

As someone who used to be on a dating site...when I had an account, I would get literally 20-30 messages per day (and keep in mind I'm not super attractive or anything lol). Some days I just wouldn't feel like looking at any of em...on others I would look at the guys profile, and if he wasn't the right age, didn't live near me, or we didn't have much in common, I wouldn't bother. I got very, very picky. I hated messages like "Hey", "Hey how's it going" or "What's up".
The one message I did answer? From a guy in my town who sent me an actual, interesting message- first he introduced himself, then started conversation by asking questions about some things in my profile and, in some cases, relating them to him. (I.e. things we both liked.) His profile was interesting and funny...It wasn't the same old crap, and so I did end up actually going on a date with him.
The lesson I learned and why I left the site(s)...there is a reason that people are just dating online. I found that most of the guys were the kind that couldn't get a girl in real life- either they were super creepy or insanely clingy or some other problem. It might sound harsh, but it's true, and I'm sure the same thing goes for girls on there. You're not getting the best. I know it can be very hard to meet someone in "real life", and intimidating to approach a girl...but I promise you'll see much better results and it's so worth it. :)

Hope that helped.
-Krista, 20/f

[view]

I just bought some lip plumber, foundation and waterproof mascara. What else should I buy that would enchance my beauty features??? Girls answer only!

It really depends on your facial features, but pretty much everyone looks great with eyeliner. And of course that foundation won't stay on if you don't set it with a powder.

[view]

What classes do I need to take if I want to be a cosmetologist? What about a secretary?
thnks (:

Ps. Im in high school.

I don't know anything about secretaries, but being a cosmetologist means you will be a professional in hair, skin, makeup, and sometimes nails. This requires going to beauty school, of course, and often passing your state's licensing exam. If your high school has career readiness programs, they might have one for this area- worth looking into. There aren't really any classes in high school that will help you with cosmetology...however, for any career, it's worth taking some psychology, as it's pretty much a given that you will be working with people. All you need for most beauty schools is a high school degree or GED. Hope that helped :)

[view]

Every time I try and do my eye makeup, I always use two different colors. I put it on my eyelid & crease to make like smokey look. But at the end of the day both colors blend together & it just looks black. Why does this happen? is there a way that I can add two colors and not have them get mixed together.?

First of all, are you starting with an eye primer? It's the most important step to keep your makeup staying where it should and looking good all day.

Also, proper application is important- are you using good quality eyeshadows? (Doesn't have to be expensive) And make sure you're applying with makeup brushes, not fingers.

Here's a basic how to for a smoky eye:
- Start with an eye primer. Urban Decay Eden, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and MAC Paint Pots are all good.
- Optional: Apply a nude eye color (close to your skin tone) lightly all over the eye area, up to the brow...you don't have to do this, it will just make it a little easier to blend.

- Apply your medium tone (for instance, a medium gray) all over the lid, concentrating the color more on the outer half. Blend/fade it out onto the crease for a gradient effect.

- Apply a light, shimmery highlight shadow ( a white or cream shade) under your browbone and on the inner corner/inner third of your eye.
This is optional, too, just opens up the eye and makes it not so dark.

- Take your dark shade (dark gray or black) and apply in on the outer third of your lid in this shape:
< (the point is the outer corner of your eye, obv switch it for the other eye). Blend it out.

- Apply eyeliner, set with eyeshadow if you want, you can also blend the dark color under your lower lashline. Curl lashes and do mascara.

Here's a smoky eye video, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgzzm220tCg

Hope that helped :)

[view]

I'm 16, turning 17 in six months, and a junior. I'm in a class mixed with sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Apparently, all of them thought I was a freshman because I look so young.

I'm 5'2", very thin, and I don't really wear make up. I'm not going to go changing my wardrobe and begin wearing pencil skirts with high heels to look 25 at school, so I'm thinking it may be my (lack of) make up that makes me look younger.

I have very fair skin, green eyes, and brown hair. Mascara and eyeliner usually would do the trick, right?

Just some easy eye definition will make a big difference. :)

Start by lining your rims, including the inner rims, then set it using an eye brush and a black or dark gray eyeshadow so it stays on all day. Using an angled brush is your best bet, just go right over where you put the liner.
An awesome eyeliner is the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama gel eyeliner. It comes with a great, easy-to-use brush and stays on really well! Black would be best for everyday, and plum would really make your green eyes pop. (Of course, you'd want to set the plum with a matching eyeshadow).

Next, curl your lashes- this really opens up your eyes, only takes a minute and helps a lot. Apply a mascara- I love L'oreal Double Extend Tubes. (The red and white one). You first apply the white base coat, then the black top coat, and it makes your lashes look amazing. It stays on but isn't impossible to get off- just hold a washcloth with warm water over your eyes or take a hot shower.

Both products I mentioned are available at drugstores, Walmart, and Target. :)

If you want, you can finish your look with a pinky nude lip gloss.

If you wanna start experimenting more with makeup, you could try using a tinted moisturizer or some cream blush.

My favorite makeup artist has some videos on easy, fast makeup:

1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSVta42Wp60
2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmbsHCzN5lM&feature=related

[view]

What would you say are some classic books that no-one should go without reading? I recently bought The Count of Monte Cristo, any other suggestions?
thanks :)

Lolita and Anna Karenina.

And for a future classic, Neil Gaiman is incredible, I highly recommend American Gods. (It's not the most exciting book ever at first but gets really good.) If you wanna start with something shorter, Neverwhere is also really good. :)

[view]

how to get water out of your cell phone

I've rescued multiple phones from being dropped in the toliet/bathtub (yes, i'm a dork sometimes), and here's what I've found works:

- As soon as it happens, act quickly, take it out of the water and take it apart as much as you can (battery out, etc.) Dry it off very well with a towel or paper towels.
- Then as soon as possible, you need to put it in a sealed ziplock bag of uncooked rice. Leave it there at least a day, then put it back together, turn it on, and see how well it's working. If it's still not working right (had that happen), put it back in for another 2 days or so. If after a week, it's still not working right, it's a goner.
The rice thing sounds weird and I doubted it at first but it totally works. I had a phone that would turn on but the buttons didn't work right, and the rice totally fixed it.
Best of luck!

[view]

What are interesting some interesting topics psychologists have been researching pertaining to the life span for the past 5 years? I am looking for topics to do my project on.

Positive Psychology is a (fairly) new field that studies, basically, the things that go right in life- how people can become happier, why acts of heroism happen, etc. You could look up some positive psych stuff and see if there's anything that interests you. (And bonus, probably no one else will have that topic!)

[view]

What is a good teeth-whitening product that actually works?

Note: I'm a broke college student; it needs to be affordable.

Plus White five minute tooth whitening gel- you can buy it at Walmart for super cheap.
The trays it comes with suck, so just pick up 2 of those cheap athletic mouthguards (they're like a dollar) and follow the instructions on them- usually you have to boil water, stick them in, let them cool a little, then put them in your mouth to form them to your teeth.

Here's a video on how to do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqjPKja8VTk

(ignore some of the dumb comments, they're trolling. I've tried this with no problems. If you experience tooth sensitivity just use it less or take a break for a while.)

Hope that helps :)

[view]

hi i turned 18 and im trying to geta credit card to establish my credit but all these companies are rejecting me because i dont have enough successful history. how do you get credit history if you cant even get a card?? its stupid. does anyone know a company i can get one with that wont give a problem? and not those ones where you got to pay a deposit to get. like a actual credit card.

Before you get a credit card, you have to have had a bank (checking) account. It also helps to have had a debit card with no history of overdrawing or problems.

[view]

Okay, well I found out today by my teacher that we have new Zodiac signs, and my boyfriend is upset because his birthday is July, 30th which he was a Leo, and he doesn't want to be a Cancer like me.(July, 22) haha So, is all this true? I believe in the zodiac completly, but I've dated a cancer and he cheated on me and he wasn't a good boyfriend. :/ Well, and leo's and cancers are a perfect match because I study this stuff..so will anything change because I don't want my boyfriend to change. Will these new signs change there personality?

The person below me is right...I'm sorry, but the horoscope stuff is bs.
Regardless of whether or not you believe in it, though, the change in Zodiac signs doesn't affect you- only people born in 2009 and after. If it's changed at all...you should probably read this:
http://healthbistro.lifescript.com/2011/01/13/6593/

[view]

Heyy
Ergh basically! Every brand/make of foundation i wear..DOESNT stay on my face. I dont know how.. i dont know why! Like i'll do my make up and i'll go to the mirror after 45 or so minutes,and its just disappeared, and my blusher! I dont know how it all just "wipes" off my itself. I even try putting powder over my foundation because that apparently helps to keep it lasting. But it doesnt! I would by a primer..but im 16 so i havent got alot of money..looking for a job! haha! But seriously, im sick of buying realllly expensive foundation when it comes off straight away, what do i do? Ive tried allll different brands of foundation!

I'm a huge makeup junkie...here's how to make your foundation stay all day:

First, start with a clean, moisturized face.

If you want to use a primer, that's probably the best thing you can do to make it stay. There's lots of good (if expensive) ones, and I think some drugstore brands make them too- definitely worth checking out.

You don't have to buy a really expensive foundation- there are a few cheap ones that are just as good. L'oreal True Match is great quality, pro makeup artists use it, and it's only around 9 bucks. If you really want your makeup to not budge, I've heard good things about Revlon Colorstay Foundation.

The most important rule of makeup, to keep it staying on and looking great all day, is to always set creams with a powder. In terms of foundation, this means applying a loose, translucent powder (not the colored ones) all over your face with a fluffy brush for the most natural look.

Finally, if you're going to a special event or are willing to spend the money, a makeup setting spray would be a good option for you. Urban Decay and Skindinavia make good ones, and there's all kinds of formulations.

Hope that helps, and let me know if you have any more makeup questions!

-Krista, 20/f

[view]

i want to make a deserert or some thing sweet. do u have any ideas of some thing good , awesome,special or unique recipes i can use?

Super Chocolate Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are my absolute favorite. Not hard to make and soo good. Here's what you do:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line your cupcake pan. A few hours before you make them, leave out a stick of butter and an 8oz package of cream cheese to soften.

Boil 1 1/2 cups of water.
When it's boiling, mix together 1 cup of the boiling water and 2 cups of regular granulated sugar. Stir it for 3-4 minutes until a syrup is formed with absolutely no granules left. It's best to do this in a bowl.

In a big mixing bowl, put:
- 2 cups flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder (I use Hershey's or Ghiradelli)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking soda (not baking powder!!)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup canola (vegetable) oil
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup whipping cream
It's best to use an electric mixer (handheld or standing) for this. Mix it on low for a few minutes until it's all nicely combined.

Now take the syrup you made earlier and add it into the batter. Mix it some more.

Fill the cupcake pan cups about 1/2 to 2/3 full, depending on how big you want them to be.

Set the timer for 22 minutes BUT check them at 18. Do the toothpick test- stick a toothpick into the middle and if it comes out clean (with no wet batter on it), they're done. Even if they don't look like it.
Let them cool for an hour or so- until they don't feel warm to the touch. While you're waiting, you can make the frosting.

For the frosting:
Take the stick of butter and 8oz package of cream cheese you softened earlier, and put them in a big mixing bowl.
Mix with an electric mixer for a while.
Add 2 tsp vanilla and 2 cups of powdered sugar (you might wanna add it gradually so it doesn't get everywhere) and mix some more.
Add 1/4 cup whipping cream and mix for 2-3 minutes until fluffyish.
Cover and put into fridge.
If you'd like, you can also add some food coloring (I like making it pink).

When the cupcakes are cool, frost them, add sprinkles or whatever you want and enjoy :)

*** I can't take credit for this recipe- it's Kandee Johnson's. She's a makeup artist/Youtube guru, and I learned how to make these cupcakes from this video of hers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3gPUFduKd8


If you'd like more recipes- I also have a really good one for snickerdoodles- let me know in the feedback.

[view]

Well for some reason my skype is not working. i try to sign in but it says that it couldnt connect. then it told me to leave it for a couple of minutes so that it could reconnect. but i restarted my computer and it is still not workin. and its not just me. my boyfriends skypes isnt workin either and it wont connect. Please help!! Skype is the only way i can talk to my bf cause its long distance. thank you so much!! any advice would help me out lots!

My Skype is doing the same thing right now...I think they're just having problems, only thing you can do is wait it out.

[view]

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>
eXTReMe Tracker