Jazmine Loayza

Jazmine Loayza

Bio: Jazmine Loayza was born in Miami, FL and is a recent graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in English. Her undying love for writing was in part inspired by her military upbringing, which frequently brought her to new states, schools, and people from all walks of life. As such, she is fiercely dedicated to advocating for those who are considered minorities, disabled people, and members of the LGBT+ community. She is also passionate about the arts. Jazmine is honored to join the NYC Tastemakers team, where she hopes to flourish as both a writer and a professional.
Latest News

Indiana Medical Board Reprimands Doctor for Providing Abortion to 10-Year-Old

An Indianapolis doctor who spoke publicly with a reporter about providing abortion services to a 10-year-old Ohio rape victim was issued a letter of reprimand and fined by Indiana’s medical licensing board on Thursday.

Read More
Beauty

TikTok and Plastic Surgery: A Worrying Trend

When you look at the culture of cosmetic surgery promotion on TikTok, pushed heavily by arguably predatory plastic surgeons and influencers trying to push an unattainable standard, it’s not hard to see why so many people, teens and young adults in particular, are struggling with mental health and self-esteem. Getting cosmetic work done is a personal choice, and at the end of the day, you have the right to it–but for the sake of your self image, it’s always best to consider the nuances and consequences of social media’s influence on your desire for permanent change.

Read More
Fashion

3 Native Latino Designers Who Defy Oppression Through Art

One notable way that current-day native Latinos have expressed resistance to oppression is through fashion. With brands like Ralph Lauren that harmfully appropriate indigenous Latin American designs on the rise, supporting native fashion is more important than ever in amplifying native voices and culture. Here are just five native Latino fashion designers who defiantly express their cultures through art, and showcase the (rebellious) beauty of indigenous diversity.

Read More
Health and Wellness

Do You Really Need Protein Powder?

As a result of our ever-increasing health consciousness, protein powder (mostly in the form of protein shakes) has become a popular addition to people’s diets, with advertised benefits promising big muscle gains and reduced appetite. But does the average American just trying to stay fit truly need protein powder, even after a moderate workout? Science says: maybe not.

Read More
Beauty

4 Japanese Skincare Products to Check Out

The high standards of Japanese consumers have led to Japanese skincare companies using only the highest-quality ingredients in their oils, creams, and serums, earning some J-beauty products the title of being the best on the market.
I myself can attest to the quality of Japanese skincare, and I’d love for more people to realize its greatness. Without further ado, here are four popular Japanese skincare products that are guaranteed to leave your skin feeling brand new.

Read More
TV

Why Are Laugh Tracks Still a Thing? 

By the mid 1960’s, Douglass’ laugh tracks were eminent; shows like The Brady Bunch and My Three Sons are practically showcases of his work. But even at the time, the use of laugh tracks was derided by some creatives. Bob Unger told Billboard Magazine in 1955 that laugh tracks were a “necessary evil”, as at-home audiences still expected live studio audiences for their favorite shows. But as the years have gone by and comedy has continued to evolve, most of us now see canned laughter as an oft-grating relic of the past, representing a bygone era of comedy. So why do some shows still use it?

Read More
Music

Autism Acceptance Month Spotlight: A Brief Timeline of Autistic Musicians 

It’s April, which means Autism Acceptance Month has arrived. The past few years have reflected a growing awareness of what autism is and how society can better understand and include autistic people. Thanks in part to social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter, previously held–and harmful–beliefs about life on the spectrum are being challenged, giving a much-needed and validating spotlight on everyday autistic people and the autistic individuals throughout time who’ve made an impact on wider culture. In this article, I’d like to present a short timeline of four autistic musicians who’ve built a legacy for themselves in the world of music.

Read More
Food

KFC’s Iconic Double Down Sandwich Returns for a Limited Time

Rejoice, KFC fans: the fan-favorite Double Down sandwich is officially coming back for a limited time in March. The iconic sandwich was first introduced as a decadent April Fool’s creation back in 2010. It features bacon and cheese sandwiched between two fried chicken filets in place of typical bread buns, with the choice of either mayo or spicy sauce.

Read More
Beauty

3 Best Beauty Launches of 2023 So Far

It’s a new year, which means new beauty drops! While 2022 supplied us with plenty of glamorous and innovative products, ranging from 3D blush palettes to hydrating lip oils, this year’s lineup is shaping up to be just as good, if not better, than last year’s. From a new celeb-fave Charlotte Tilbury highlighter to a surprising Fenty drop, let’s dive into some of 2023’s best beauty launches thus far.

Read More
Sports

Jerry Jarrett, Legendary Pro Wrestling Promoter, Dies at 80

Jerry Jarrett, father of WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarret and a key figure in the Mid-South wrestling scenes for decades, has died at 80 years old. The promoter giant passed after a lengthy battle with esophageal cancer. Multiple figures in the wrestling world and colleagues of Jarrett have taken …

Read More
Latest News

New Boeing 747 Scrapped After Just 16 Flights

A Boeing 747-8 that was reconfigured as a VIP jet is being scrapped after the Saudi prince it was bought for died unexpectedly. The plane had spent just over 40 hours in service over 16 flights. The aircraft sat on the ground for 10 years at EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, which is situated on the borders between France, Switzerland, and Germany. There, it was meant to be fitted with a lavish interior, but after it failed to find a new buyer after its asking price was slashed to $95 million, the plane was eventually flown to Pinal Airpark in Arizona–an “aircraft boneyard” where retired aircrafts get dismantled for parts or stored indefinitely.

Read More
Music

How Video Game Music Can Aid Focus

Music is a special thing, and video game music is no exception. Even if you’ve only ever picked up one game controller in your life, you may already know that each video game comes with a unique score suited to its narrative themes, atmosphere, and game mechanics. These scores can range from incredible orchestral masterpieces to the 8-bit chiptunes you’d hear on an arcade cabinet, but they all share one thing in common: to help you concentrate on the task at hand, which can be a (literal) game-changer when it comes to working and studying.

Read More

Hey! Are you enjoying NYCTastemakers? Make sure to join our mailing list for NYCTM and never miss the chance to read all of our articles!