Issue 3: Perfectly Imperfect
10/17/2025
“Be so focused on watering your own grass that you don’t have time to check if someone else’s is greener”
Hi, and welcome to the third installment of “Pretty in Print”. Each week, we will explore the headlines, share the critiques, and romanticize our lives. So grab your chai, get comfy, and let’s dive in!
The Scoop
A second Minecraft movie is in development and is set to release in July 2027. (Source)
A live-action Tangled film is being revived, with Scarlett Johansson being eyed to play Mother Gothel. (Source)
Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers announce their engagement on Instagram following their decade-long relationship. (Source)
Netflix continues its ‘Monster’ series with the release of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, debuting at no.2 on the weekly top 10. (Source)
Musical pioneer D’Angelo passes away at 51 following health struggles. (Source)
Ace Frehley, lead guitarist for Kiss and solo artist, passes away at 74 (Source)
Chic Critique
You Need to Nerd Out
#Bringbackbeinganerd
Earlier this week, as I was scrolling on Substack, I came across an article titled “Personalize everything till everyone knows it's yours” by Rori ୨ৎ. The piece discussed personalizing everything to the point where it is uniquely yours. Reading it brought to mind the TikTok trend ‘you need to nerd out,’ where people shared their niche and unique interests they are passionate about, often labeling themselves as ‘nerds.’ And honestly, it was so refreshing to see in a generation where everyone is homogeneous.
It started with a YouTube video posted by ‘the zukie show’ two months ago, entitled you need to nerd out. At the beginning of the video, he commented on how society has lost the ability to be passionate about a topic.
As you scroll on TikTok, you see the same outfits, the same songs, the same everything. People are asking what water bottle everyone is using, so they can get the right one. Even the niches are starting to blur together. The people who claim to dress differently are still wearing the same styles and aesthetics. Everything is uniform; there is nothing that stands out. As a society, we have lost the ability to stand proudly behind what we like.
Embarrassment and a desire to fit in often take precedence over excitement when it comes to discussing one's favorite anime, movie, or K-pop band. Why are we so afraid of liking something that is not normal? There is no shame in knowing every character of a certain show. In fact, it is more admirable because it makes you, you.
Being a nerd is cool—reading all the Twilight books is cool, re-watching Glee is cool. And it’s cool because it makes you different, it shows you care. It shows that although society is moving left, you want to move right.
As a generation, we need to move away from judging people for their individuality, but instead embrace it. What's the fun in liking the same thing as someone else just because? The fun is being so knowledgeable in a subject that you can proudly tell someone else, and then they can share their interests with you. Or finding a fellow nerd and ‘nerding out’ together.
Moral of the story: you need to nerd out!
Pretty in Pink
Bleach, Please!
Pink! No, green! No, copper red! No wait, Magenta!
Last weekend, my friends and I decided we wanted to try something before our first homecoming: dyeing our hair. We thought it would be a fun way to prepare for the big week. I had never dyed my hair before or put any chemicals in it. So let me take you through the process of how I dyed virgin hair and kept it healthy in the process.
DISCLAIMER: I am by no means an expert. This is just what worked for me.
Choosing the color and style
Before any dye touches your hair, it’s best to have a clear plan. This means knowing what color you want to dye your hair and in what style you prefer. It’s also important to be realistic; you cannot dye your hair light blonde without using bleach, and you won’t achieve a baby pink hue on black hair. So be realistic with what your hair can handle. I decided on red because I knew I wouldn’t have to bleach my hair, and I opted to dye just my money pieces. Here are some more cool styles if you don’t want to dye your whole head!
Getting the Materials
The next step is to get the proper materials. Personally, I used boxed dye because it was the easiest option, and all the necessary materials came in one package. But if you plan on buying a dye by itself, here are some things you’ll need: a dye, 20 or 30 volume developer (depending on the color, the lighter you want to go, the higher grade developer), a bowl or bottle for mixing and application, a brush (optional) for more precise work, a deep conditioner, a neutralizing shampoo, and some clothes and towels you don’t mind getting dirty. You also need a cap to let the dye sit, but my friends and I just used plastic bags (we’re on a college budget).
The Process
The goal is to start with clean hair. It is recommended to wash your hair 24-48 hours before dyeing and to use a minimal amount of product. The process is simple; begin by thoroughly detangling and parting your hair. If you are dyeing your whole head, break it up into more manageable sections. Then follow the directions on your box or on social media to mix the developer and color. After mixing, apply the dye, ensuring complete saturation of your hair, and wait until the end to touch your roots. For more accurate instructions, please check your box/do further research. Once the dye is finished, shampoo twice with a neutralizing shampoo. Then, follow your routine, incorporating a hair mask or deep conditioner.
And that’s how I dyed my hair. It was fun, and I’m obsessed with the new look. If you're reading this, maybe it’s your sign to try something new. And don’t forget to give your hair that extra TLC after dyeing it. Good luck!
Sof’s Edit
Perfection Is A Myth
For most of my life, I believed I had to be perfect. It stemmed from elementary school, being labeled as “gifted.” That title is heavy on the head of an 8-year-old. It makes you believe you have to live up to that idea or else you're a fraud, not meeting expectations.
This ‘gifted kid’ mentality continued throughout my life, from middle to high school, where I always struggled being less than perfect. I thought, “Everybody expects this much of me, I can’t give less.” However, this mindset was toxic and would lead to an endless cycle of burnout. I was too concerned with pleasing everyone around me that I forgot to ask myself what I wanted.
My family and parents were always there for me, but the issue was that I refused to let them. I was supposed to be the perfect daughter who could handle everything on her own. She didn't need her parents' help; she was more than capable of doing it on her own.
But this mindset is draining, and after a certain point, you have to look in the mirror and think, “Am I really helping myself?” The answer will always be no. My mother always tells me, “Perfection is a myth,” and it’s true. Even though my friends at school would say, “Oh, you're the perfect student,” that was a myth because I would spend countless hours studying and feel sad because I couldn’t understand a topic.
It wasn’t until I told myself nobody is perfect, not online, not in real life, nowhere. Perfection truly does not exist; it is the flaws in us that make us humans. Those flaws deserve to be celebrated. Life is so much greener and so much more freeing when you start to accept yourself for who you are, rather than placing yourself in a box of who you want to be, but nobody expects you to be.
Perfection does not exist, and the quicker we accept that fact, the happier we all will be. You must water your garden for it to grow, and if you keep polluting it with weeds, its growth will be stunted. The best thing to do is water your garden and love all its parts, even the imperfect ones.
Thanks for tuning in to this week’s issue of Pretty in Print. This week’s Pretty Playlist Pick is Untitled (How Does It Feel) by D’Angelo.
love the chic critique ahahahh