Mochi Magazine

Perspective: Shoes in the Dorm? No Thanks!

Catherine Zaw — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:34 +0000

Growing up in a traditionally Asian home, it’s almost second nature for me to kick off my shoes the moment I reach the carpet in my dorm room. In fact, living in eternally sunny California, I’ve resorted to tossing off my flip flops whenever I get the chance—in class, at work, at my friends’ dorms—and I always take the opportunity to go solely on my soles for as long as possible.

I enjoy the feeling of a clean floor or carpet under my feet, so having a personal shoes-off policy is a win-win on my part. Preventing extra dirt from getting into the room in the first place saves an extra couple swipes with the vacuum, and even though I don’t enforce this shoes-off policy with my roommate and visitors, the room remains tidy because I clean to de-stress.

Of course, some people just don’t like feet and prefer to keep their shoes on until they crawl under the covers, and others switch to dorm-specific slippers once they get through the door. I’m sure there’s many a sanitary reason to keep foot rubbers on—you are living in a college dormitory, after all.

A friend of mine reports that he takes at least his shoes off in his room whenever he remembers. “It’s not like it matters whether I do or not, it’s just that I’m not going to let my feet ferment more than they have to in my shoes since they stink already.”

“It’s just dirrrty,” another friend said, giving me a frown of disapproving disgust when asked why she entertains a no-shoe policy. She has even invested in a shoe rack that sits right by the door, a steadfast reminder that everyone should take off their shoes before stepping foot into her apartment.

I wondered about the general public opinion of footwear in dormitories, and conducted a quick survey within my college. Out of the 55 people that answered my survey, 73 percent didn’t wear shoes inside. Of those that chose to remove shoes and/or socks in the dorm, 43 percent did so for comfort, 20 percent did so for cleaner floors, a small 4 percent did so for cultural reasons, and the remaining 28 percent cited other reasons for doing so.

What about you? Are you a barefoot soldier trekking your way to the bathroom and back? Or do you slip on socks to get by? Maybe for you it depends on the weather outside, or perhaps you’re chill with everything and let your roommate decide how it’s going to be? (Whatever the case, wherever you are, I hope that you feel at home.)

Tell us about your shoe statutes in the comments!

Image credit: mollybob via Flickr

Cover Girl Jamie Chung Gets Coveteured

Tiffany Ayuda — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:20:52 +0000

Former Mochi cover girl Jamie Chung has come a long way from her Real World San Diego days. Since starring in two blockbuster films, Sucker Punch and The Hangover II, and the independent flick Eden, Chung is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s it girls, with paparazzi following her during shopping trips to Juicy Couture and her attendance at a Alice + Olivia dinner party at the Chateau Marmont. So it’s no surprise that she also caught the eyes of the folks at The Coveteur. In her feature, we look into Chung’s L.A. home, which she shares with fellow actor and boyfriend Bryan Greenberg from the HBO series How to Make It in America. Swoon. But even as her fame grows, Chung remains grounded, remarking on how she bought her first pair of leather leopard Louboutins for half-off. Aside from Chung’s penchant for fashion (i.e. her enviable collection of designer bags and shoes), we learn that she is also a great cook! From spicy soba noodles to truffle asparagus and jalapeno cauliflower, Chung isn’t afraid to experiment in the kitchen. Check out the story here.

Makeup Mondays: Fun Updos, Acne Scar Solutions, and Sandal-Worthy Toes

Nicole Chiang — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:45:22 +0000

This week, we’ve got Frieda Pinto’s adorable Cannes hairdo, tips for ensuring your toes are sandal-worthy all summer long, May’s best beauty launches, and a guide to eliminating pesky facial scars. What beauty tips are you excited to test? Tweet us at @mochimag #makeupmonday to share!

The best of May

Credit: Birchbox

In the beauty world, new collections and products pop up all the time. Luckily, Birchbox has got our backs. They’ve rounded up seven of the best May launches, including everything from YSL’s tie-dye top coat (so cool!) to Rihanna’s collaboration with MAC. If you don’t have the patience to search for May’s hottest collections, stick with this perfectly curated list and you won’t miss a thing.

No more scar face

Credit: Chick RX

When you were younger, maybe you picked one (or more!) pimples, only to be haunted by acne scars. Chick RX has demystified some common facial scar issues and offers advice on how to perfect your complexion for good. Of course, the best way to ensure a scar-free face is prevention. When you get a pimple (or have a scab), just wait it out and don’t pick at it. After all, isn’t it a lot better to be called Rudolph for a day than be scarred for life?

So cute for spring

Credit: Glamour

I’m loving how Frieda Pinto wore her hair at Cannes. At first glance, it’s just a gorgeous updo, but in the back, she’s got little sequined butterflies (or moths?). The little clips are a playful surprise that add to an already flawless updo. This would be a cute look to wear to a graduation or even prom. Are you inspired by Frieda Pinto’s hairdo? (via Glamour)

Summer-ready feet

Credit: Allure

In the past weeks, I’ve shared some bronzers and self-tanners that I’ve been hoarding in preparation for summer… but sandals and pedicures are one of my favorite summer essentials! BellaSugar shares tips on how to get your feet sandal-ready for the season without a budget-breaking salon pedicure. One tip? Slather your feet with oil to fill in cracks and diffuse the appearance of calluses in a pinch. These tips will keep your toes in tip-top shape throughout the season!

Katie Chang’s The Bling Ring Premieres at Cannes

Tiffany Ayuda — Fri, 17 May 2013 01:53:01 +0000

Do you remember our triple-threat cover girl Katie Chang? The last time we spoke to Chang, she was gearing up to star in Oscar-winning director Sophia Coppola’s new film, The Bling Ring, a Hollywood interpretation of the pack of high school students who orchestrated mass robberies in celebrity homes, such as Paris Hilton and Rachel Bilson. The highly anticipated film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival today with positive reviews. While the film reveals the obvious effects of superficiality and the desire to be rich, famous, and fashionable, it also sheds light on the true fears and personalities of the characters. In the end, the bling ring does get caught and they’ve essentially become famous for their crimes. But just how much would you pay the price (between life and life in jail) for your 15 minutes of fame?

Booboo Stewart on “White Frog”

Elaine Low — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:40:54 +0000

Lovers of indie flicks and Asian Am cinema, today’s the last day to watch “White Frog” on the big screen in L.A. Starring Booboo Stewart (of the “Twilight” series), the movie centers around Stewart’s Nick, a high school freshman with Asperger’s syndrome who must learn to cope with life after the tragic loss of a family member. Written by mother-and-daughter duo Fabienne and Ellie Wen, the film also stars Harry Shum, Jr., Joan Chen, and BD Wong.

In a brief interview with us, Stewart chatted about his role and what motivated him to take on this project.

“What a great opportunity for an actor,” said Stewart via email. Asked about his favorite experience during filming, he said, “I would say just trying to figure out my character—his quirks and just how he sees the world.” The greatest challenge? “Honestly and correctly portraying someone with Autism.” And to Mochi readers who are aspiring actors and writers, he sends this message: “NEVER GIVE UP.”

Head to the TCL Chinese Theatre 6 in Hollywood or the Laemmle Playhouse 7 in Pasadena through today, May 16, see it at FilmOut San Diego on June 2, or catch it on Netflix.

Makeup Mondays: Beauty Chemistry and Summer-Lovin’ Bronzer

Nicole Chiang — Mon, 13 May 2013 14:51:05 +0000

Now that finals weeks are almost over for most of us, summer feels closer than ever, so I’m stocking up on new beauty essentials. I’ve discovered Laura Mercier’s Matte Radiance Baked Powder, which I swear is the only bronzer I’ll need all season. I’m also doing “research” for a summer-friendly moisturizer via this periodic table from Refinery 29. And as addicted as I am to beauty products, I can’t imagine shelling out $75 for a single tube of lipstick. Would you? How much do you spend on beauty products? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us at @mochimag #makeupmondays.

Olivia Wilde’s classy mani

Credit: Deborah Lippmann via Instagram

By now, you’ve probably already seen the punky looks from Monday’s Met Gala, but have you seen this close-up of Olivia Wilde’s manicure? The fresh look of white nails is perfect for sunny weather, although it can be a tricky color to pull off. Wilde, however, pulls it off perfectly. To complement the actress’s custom Calvin Klein gown, celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann gave Wilde a modern French Manicure. Recreate this elegant look at home by painting your nails in Deborah Lippmann’s Amazing Grace ($17), a gorgeous pure white, then tracing your tips oh-so-thinly in Face to Black ($17). How’s that for an easy, glam look?

Study this chemistry

Credit: Refinery29

Bookmark this gem ASAP. Refinery 29 put together a Periodic Table of Beauty Elements to help you navigate the many ingredients found in skincare products. Gorgeously illustrated by Niky Roehreke, the interactive chart details everything from vitamin C to caffeine to Retinol. Click on an element to learn more about its properties—and more importantly, what it can do for your skin. It’s super cool to see what these ingredients are doing in your skincare products. Plus, developing a better understanding can help you shop smarter. For example, if you have dry skin (like me!), look for a product rich in glycerin, vitamin E and/or glycolic acid when you buy your next moisturizer or serum.

A new favorite bronzer

Credit: Laura Mercier

While I love trying and testing new products, I love discovering new vanity staples even more. This week I’ve found a bronzer I won’t be abandoning. I’m confident I’ll be faking my summer glow with Laura Mercier’s new Matte Radiance Baked Powder ($36) all season long. Accommodating all skin tones, the five shades of the powder (which can be used as a bronzer or highlighter, depending on the shade) provide a gorgeous matte finish with a soft hint of luminosity that make the skin look flawlessly radiant. Infused with vitamin E and jojoba oil, the lightweight formula effortlessly blends into skin allowing you to control the color build-up. So perfect for faking my fresh-faced summer glow!

A bank-breaking lipstick

Credit: Serge Lutens

Would you spend $75 on a lipstick? What about if it were the only lipstick you’d ever use again? Serge Luten’s Refillable Lipstick ($75) is available in nine shades and the matte formula intensely stains the lips. Plus, the shape of the column makes the color easy to apply without a brush. Still, $75 for a lipstick (and $55 for a refill)?! That sounds exorbitant, even to me. I wouldn’t be able to use the color enough to make myself feel un-guilty about the purchase. How about you? What’s the most you’re willing to spend on a lipstick (or any beauty product for that matter?) (via The Cut)

Shay Mitchell Asks Girls to “Embrace What They Were Born With”

Mochi Magazine — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:35:20 +0000

It’s a given: A quick perusal through the fashion magazine stand will lead to some sort of how-to article on how to emulate a celebrity. “How to Look like Sarah Jessica Parker” reads a recent Huffington Post headline. “Get Victoria Beckham’s cover look” reads another. As Asian Americans, it’s hard to look beyond the gloss and try to replicate a celebrity look without the same features. But maybe we shouldn’t focus too much on what we can do to look like someone else and start looking within ourselves. In a Teen Vogue interview, Shay Mitchell, who plays Emily in ABC’s Pretty Little Liars, says that people should “embrace what they were born with.” Mitchell, who’s part Filipino and Caucasian, grew up in a small Canadian town, where most people had blonde hair and blue eyes. Like most high schoolers, Mitchell wanted to fit in, so she would wear colored contacts, straighten her hair daily, and avoid tanning.

Since then, Mitchell has learned to embrace her unique features, which has helped her character in the show who struggles with self acceptance. In Pretty Little Liars, Mitchell plays Emily Fields, a star athlete who recently came out to her friends and family. While Emily Fields may not “look” like your typical high school sweetheart, Mitchell rebuffs and says, “Who’s to say that I’m not the girl next door?”

It’s really comforting to see someone who has gained so much success in Hollywood shy away from the predominant standard of beauty and make her own mark. When fans come up to her and tell her how much they want to look like her, she tells them, “You want to look like you, because you’re unique and beautiful”. She adds, “You were made like that for a reason. It’s tough being a girl. I think we need all the support we can get.”

I hope that girls, not only those of Asian descent, will live by Shay’s words and look and feel their best self. Catch Mitchell in a new season of Pretty Little Liars on ABC Family on Tuesday, June 11.

Introducing Leslie Kwon’s New Film, If You Lived Here

Mochi Magazine — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:18:00 +0000

If you didn’t already know, May happens to be Asian American Heritage Month. In honor of celebrating our culture and people, we’ve got our eye on Korean American Leslie Kwon’s latest project, “If You Lived Here,“ a fictional movie that documents the story of two strangers who meet each other when they decide to get rid of old furniture. A relationship develops between the two characters over the most mundane task, but the interesting part of the film is that it broadens the conceptions Asian American identity for women. Kwon created the film in partnership with Cafe Vita, alongside art director Cindy Ho (from The American Reader), and costume designer Tess Kim (Tess Money). The main character is played by Japanese Australian actress, Siho Ellsmore.

To help raise awareness and further fundraising for the film, visit this Kickstarter page,

Newport Beach Film Festival Highlights the Latest in Asian Cinema

Mochi Magazine — Tue, 07 May 2013 05:42:56 +0000

Film festivals are usually the sort of thing I’ve always read about celebrities and socialites attending—not college students like me. But with the Newport Beach Film Festival so close to UC Irvine, how could I pass up an opportunity to attend? The festival ran from April 25 to May 2, featuring films from all over the world. The Asian showcase featured one film apiece from China, Japan, and South Korea. In recent years I’ve become a fan of Korean cinema, so TAO Event Coordinator Sheryl and I chose to watch “A Werewolf Boy” after catching the trailer on YouTube.

Unexpectedly, “A Werewolf Boy” completely blew us away. Only after watching it did I realize why it is a best-selling melodrama in South Korea. Now that the “Twilight” brand is almost always attached to anything “werewolf” and “vampire,” I’m sure people had reservations about this movie’s potential, but it is beautifully composed and scored. Many of the scenes were filmed in an organic atmosphere (e.g. in the fields during “golden hour” right before the sun sets), and is often framed so that the characters are enveloped in a warm halo of soft light. Gentle piano melodies subtly accompany scenes, which are sometimes lighthearted, somber, and of course, romantic. “A Werewolf Boy” displays a playful innocence and familial love that is sometimes lost in American films these days. Without giving away the storyline, the film is wonderfully endearing, charming, hilarious, and definitely heart-warming. It’s rare for a movie to make me both laugh and cry, and believe me, there was a symphony of sniffles throughout the theater during the last segment of the film.

The after-party took place at the Koi pond inside Fashion Island, and the sponsoring restaurants (Pick Up Stix, Ten Asian Bistro, Rude Awakeningz Catering, and Mochilato, to name a few) catered mostly Asian fare for the guests. And, of course, there was the open bar, sponsored by Stella Artois and Absolut Vodka (which was a hit). A live DJ kept the party going, in addition to performances by local student groups (including UC Irvine’s own Jodaiko drumming group, UC Irvine’s Vietnamese Student Association Lion Dance and Cal State Fullerton’s Wushu Martial Arts, and a traditional Korean choir group). Amidst the pastel parasols, white lanterns, colorful koi, and a dragon ice sculpture, the performances and décor resembled a Lunar New Year celebration.

I would like to thank Mochi Magazine and Mochi staffer Amy Lee for reaching out to UCI’s Taiwanese American Organization and extending the opportunity for us to attending the film festival and allowing me to be a guest blogger. It was definitely a grown-up experience, and now that I’ve been to one, I’m sure I’ll be attending next year’s Newport Beach Film Festival!

Guest blogger Victoria Lee is the 2012-2013 Internal Vice President of Taiwanese American Organization at UC Irvine.

Makeup Mondays: Get Those Bright Eyes and That Summer Glow

Nicole Chiang — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:10:35 +0000

This week was all about discoveries. Allure taught me that May is Better Sleep Month, and right around finals week, these tips on how to get a better night’s sleep couldn’t have come at a better time. Other new obsessions? Nail art site Chalkboard Nails (bookmark this!) and Josie Maran’s Self Tanning Body Wash. Maybe I should hit the library and study things that will actually be on my final exams. What have you found (or learned or tried) lately? Tweet us at @mochimag #makeupmondays.

Get bronzed… in the shower

Credit: Josie Maran

Achieving a lust-worthy glow is no easy feat. It’s a long process that starts with exfoliating in the shower (to avoid an uneven tan) and ends with prancing around naked to avoid color transfer. And then there’s always the danger of the dreaded oompa loompa look. Luckily, Josie Maran has our backs this summer. Last Thursday, she launched her new Argan Glow Self Tanning Body Wash ($34.98). The time-saving two-in-one body wash and self-tanner gradually creates a gorgeous, natural-looking, sun-kissed tan. With each application, the body wash promises to build and maintain color while moisturizing your skin. Sounds like a good deal to me!

Artsy eyes

Credit: MAC

Have you seen MAC’s latest collection? Entitled Art of the Eye, the colorful collection enables you to create an endless array of bold looks. The eye-centric lineup features five bright shadows (think magenta and orange), two shadow quads, two new glitters among mascaras and pencil liners. The Chromagraphic Pencil in Process Magenta ($16), a vibrant hot pink liner, is super fun for summer. If crazy colors aren’t your thing, try the warm, versatile colors in the Rimal Dahabia Palette ($40). Or tone down bright hues by layering a dark gray or black pencil over or under the magenta. Summer is all about messing around, right?

Don’t forget Mom

Credit: Bath & Body Works

Mother’s Day is this Sunday (I cannot believe how quickly this year is going by!) Have you found a Mother’s Day gift yet? If you’re still looking, check out these deals: Get 20% off Bath & Body Works with code BBWMAY13 (expiration unknown), 20% off Elizabeth Arden purchases of $80 or more with code RETAILMOM20 (expires May 12), 20% off Skinstore.com with code 4MOM (expires May 7), and, if you’re speedy enough, free shipping at Kiehl’s with code WELOVEMOM (expires May 6). Take advantage of the sales and get yourself a little treat because well, why not?

Newly obsessed with these nails

Credit: Chalkboardnails.com

I may be a little late to the party on this one, but last week, I discovered Chalkboard Nails, a website full of nail art inspiration. I love the wide array of looks, the high-quality photos, and the specificity of the brands and shades used. Click around to find new nail brands by browsing through the archives—have you heard of Different Dimension, Candeo Colors, or, my personal favorite, Big Ruby Nail Tattoos? I love finding new websites and brands, and this week (amidst my finals “studying”) I did both.

Tell me: What’s your latest newly-discovered addiction?