How to Take the Perfect Selfie

Hi everyone!!
Today's post is going to be ALL ABOUT SELFIE! :D

For those of you who don't have a single clue about selfie (I doubt there is, though), here's a short explanation of what it is and what it has become in this digital age:

Selfie (n.): "A photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website."
-Oxford Dictionaries

Familiar with this pose?

No?

How about this expression? ↓

Hehehe #duckface

I'm sure every one of you has taken at least 10 selfies in your life lah! Thanks to social media sites, it has become a phenomenon that even Oxford Dictionaries gave it a place in the dictionary (yes, Selfie is officially a word of the English language), and it's not even the best part!

The best part is...

It has been chosen as Word of the Year 2013 by Oxford Dictionaries!!! How awesome is that?!

Ok ok, enough of the theory, let's move on to the practice! :)

♡ HOW TO TAKE THE PERFECT SELFIE ♡

1. ANGLE

You MUST know the best angle of your face! Is it left? Right? Above? Below?

Well, I think it's safe to say that the most flattering angle for a selfie is 45° degree angle.

Either tilting the camera or your face to that angle will work! Why is it the best? Because it will make your face looks slimmer. xD

2. LIGHTING
I cannot stress this enough: Good lighting is everything in taking the perfect selfie! I understand if you want to hide some flaws, but the thing is, bad lighting itself is already so unflattering. And no, no amount of filter can improve the quality. So, no matter how pretty or handsome you think you look in a bad-lighting-photo, it's still a bad photo. You want your selfies to be bright, clear and sharp. :)
Let's see the comparison:

Good lighting vs Bad lighting

Even if you try to brighten it up using some apps, it will only be grainy and hideous, like this:

3. BACKGROUND
Ok you're already so gorgeous and your hair is perfect, but an interesting background will give you another plus point! If you can't find any, just keep it simple, like walls or curtains. :)

4. BE SHAMELESS
Just because you are in a public place, doesn't mean you can't take selfies! Good lighting? Checked! Interesting background? Checked! Camera? Checked! So, what are you waiting for? Nobody is going to watch you anyway, well maybe just for a few seconds, no biggie! Be confident and have fun!! XD Take multiple shots so you can pick out the best one to post later!

Had so much fun taking these selfies haha xD
The sunglasses from my upper left photo is from GOWIGASA.

5. CAMERA
The camera you use to take selfies is a very important aspect in producing good photographs. My favorite selfie-camera has always been my own mobile phone's front camera, well of course because I can see my face first before I snap it. Besides, it's really troublesome to bring two gadgets everywhere! That's why it's really important for me to have a mobile phone with a good camera, and I was so very happy when I found out about this happening Lenovo VIBE X! It has a 13 MP rear camera, aaaand 5 MP front camera!!! NOW this is the kind of technology I like!! XD
Furthermore, the design of this phone is very aesthetic and stylish, you can see it for yourself:

↑ Before you start abusing the snap button, you have to set the "beautify" effect first (range 0-7). Yes, it has its own beautify effect, so you no longer need any of those apps to smoothen up your skin :D ↑

↑ Set it to 3 cos I don't like my skin looks too smooth. ↑

↑ Pose and snap! Ah yes, I always tap the shutter button using that part of my finger lol. ↑

↑ Love the sparkling effect at the focus box hahaha ↑

So stylish!

↑ The effects you can apply instantly to your photos when you are using the rear camera. ↑

↑ Look at how thin it is!!! No wonder it is sooo light!♡ ↑

Another selfies of me taken with this amazing phone☺:

 Me and My Tea selfie! #meandmythings

↑ Grid Chiffon Shirt Mint (as outer) from GOWIGASA ↑

↑ Wearing GOWIGASA Kanye West Top Grey ↑

 ↑ Me and My Fresh Lemonade ↑

↑ Acid Washed Denim Jacket from GOWIGASA, Headband from Topshop ↑

↑ I look so mature here wtf ↑

↑ Last one, I promise! Wearing my favorite Peter Pan Collar Denim Top from GOWIGASA :) ↑

OK, HERE'S THE FUN PART!

Now, that you've learned how to take the perfect selfie, why don't you post your own selfies and get a chance to WIN this freaking cool VIBE X? ♡

The simple rules to join:
1. Follow @LenovoMobileID on Instagram (click!) and Like Lenovo Facebook Page on https://www.facebook.com/LenovoMobileID
2. Upload your own selfies to your Instagram account (multiple entries is allowed) and don't forget to tag #MyVibeX and mention @LenovoMobileID

For more info about Lenovo VIBE X and the competition:
WEBSITE: http://MyVibeX.com <<< complete info!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LenovoMobileID

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lenovomobileID

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lenovoMobileID

*All selfies in this post were taken with Lenovo VIBE X.

HAPPY CAMWHORING GUYS!!! HAVE FUN :D

X O X O,

Elle Yamada

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Warm Color Palette

What I Wore: GOWIGASA Mustard Dual Pocket Sleeveless Button-Up Shirt and Green High Waisted Hummingbird Printed Shorts | Forever21 Dark Green Blazer and Brown Heels | Topshop Necklace

Today I wanted to play with a warm fall color palette, but I tied up my shirt to give that summer feel because, y'know, it's always summer in Indonesia :) Although lately we get rainy or at least cloudy day every day, sigh. I hate it. Well, mostly because I can't take good photographs when it's dark outside. Good light is VERY important to get good results- especially outfit photos, and daylight is the best♡

Sometimes Often, I woke up to a beautiful sunny morning thinking, "Yay, I can take some outfit pictures today!" then I hurried into the shower, put on full makeup, did my hair, and dressed up. Then, all of a sudden, the sky became dark and rain was pouring down WTF, stop giving me false hope please! #firstworldproblems

Anyway, I just watched 'Frozen' tonight with Jess, mom and bro, and we loved it!
[Spoiler Alert]
My favorite scene was where Elsa escaped to the mountain and finally had the courage to just be herself. It was just beautiful and whimsical when she built her very own ice castle! She also became much more beautiful when she (finally) smiled joyously with her blonde hair down. Not to mention THE dress, omg! I WANT.

I also found the scene where Anna was ridiculously in love with Hans so amusing and wtf haha..

Another thing that I loved from this movie was it taught us that true love is not always between two lovers. It can be between siblings, and in this case, sisters—which I can very much relate to :)


If you haven't watched it, go watch! And if you have, tell me what's your favorite scene in the comment section below or maybe what you don't like hehe, I'd love to know! :D

X O X O,

Elle Yamada

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Elle and Jess Back to Black

So..? What do you think? ^^

Okay, first of all, yes, those are wigs. Few days ago, when we posted our pictures wearing them for the first time (see it here and here), some people thought they're for real lol. Well, they do look and feel pretty real to us, too. AND as you might know already that changing your hairstyle could really change the way you look, our dear brother was dead stunned when he saw Elle walking out of the elevator. Jess' bf didn't even dare to greet her when he picked her up at our apartment lobby. Both of them thought they saw someone who look completely similar with us, only with different hair lololol.

On Elle: GOWIGASA Black Artemis Bag

Viparo Dress | June and Julia Shoes

On Jess: GOWIGASA Black Floral Dress and Sheer Black Stocking

Swaychic Heels

Well to be honest, it felt like a looooong time since the first time we coloured our hair (circa 2011), so maybe because of that, when @nonataliashop offered to sponsor us, we both picked these black ones in a blink, without even telling each other beforehand! Talk about telepathy.

Both our wigs have the same color: Jet Black. Even our natural hair color is not as black as this lol. Maybe because we did a lot of outdoor sports back then.. But THIS jet black color totally gave us a shock when we first tried it on. "So this is how we'd look like with @bellevalencia's* hair..." we thought.

*our cousin whom shiny-healthy-always-perfect hair should really be insured

We think black gives you this cool-mysterious-girl look, which is why we paired it with these outfits. But you know what, after this sudden Back to Black session ﹣even though some people convincingly said that we look better in black, we actually got ourselves *even* reassured that we look better in our colored hair.

Ah well, it's all simply a matter of taste, right? ;)

X O X O,

Elle and Jess

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- - -

And e way, to all of you GOWIGASA fans, we're launching our New Collection TOMORROW - Monday, Sept 16 2013 at www.gowigasa.com . Stay tuned on our Instagram & Twitter anddd see ya there! ;D

Again with the 90s + GOWIGASA Giveaway Winners #2

What I Wore: GOWIGASA American Flag Midriff Top, Commes des Fuckdown Beanie, Rayray Sunglasses, Spiked Bracelet | ZARA Ripped Jeans and Heels | Topshop Lipstick in Rio-Rio

I've been re-watching FRIENDS for God-knows-how-many-times, and I really love the style they wore back then, which was the 90s.

So for today's outfit, I opted to channel my inner 90s kid... A cropped top or the belly shirt, ripped jeans that make it appear like you've been through a fight, and a pair of red lips :)

Is there a certain trend from the 90s that you really love?

I know one trend that I hope won't make a comeback, that is Biker Shorts.

Oh, and butterfly clips.

Anyway, in case you didn't know, we were hosting the second Gowigasa Giveaway on our blog, and today we are so happy to announce our giveaway WINNERS!!

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Patricia Hidayat, Ceilla Aj, and Nerissa Tan

YAYYYYY!!!

To claim your prize, please email us at heyellejess@gmail.com

Thank you very much to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for our next giveaway!! :D

X O X O,

Elle Yamada

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So Long and Goodnight

What I Wore: Topshop Turtleneck Crop Top and Necklace | GOWIGASA Green Plaid Shorts, Grey Oversized Coat, and Luna Bag | June and Julia Mustard Heels

My sleep pattern has been totally screwed up lately, I don't get to sleep until 4-5am and get up at 3pm. You might think it's nice to sleep for like 10 hours, but no no no, too much sleep actually makes you feel tired! It can also cause puffy eyes wtf.

I'm trying to find ways to straighten it out, so if you have any suggestions to adjust your sleep schedule, please comment down below! Thank you very much :)

X O X O,

Elle Yamada

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