ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: The Mohawk

The ever famous mohawk hairstyle is not only reserved for those into the whole punk rock scene. This cutting-edge style has come a long way from its roots at the punk rock subculture to its place in modern day fashion. Nowadays, numerous celebrities — like David Beckham, Rihanna, and Josh Duhamel — sport this edgy hairstyle. The partially shaved haircut has successfully made it way into mainstream fashion.

The mohawk hairstyle is identified as a hair cut wherein both sides of the head are shaved but a strip of lengthy hair is left at the center of the head. Currently, there are countless variations of this cut. Take this week's Fashionisto for example. His mohawk is not completely shaved at the sides but because of the height of the hair in the center of his head, his hairstyle still passes as a mohawk. Even the term “fohawk” was coined because of these variations of the mohawk, today. A fohawk is basically a mohawk minus the shaving part. The fohawk is achieved by collecting a bunch of hair at the center of the head which creates the illusion of a mohawk.

This week's Fashionisto adds effortless edge to every outfit with his stand out hairstyle. He sports a simple graphic t-shirt, a pair of camouflage pants, and a pair of navy plimsolls but his mohawk emanates his unique personal style.

There are two ways to recreate the Fashionisto's mohawk hairstyle. One way is to simply have the sides of your head shaved. Of course, not everyone can pull off the partial baldness look or are brave enough to get their heads shaved. Fortunately for them, there is an alternative way to  acquire the mohawk. Another way to recreate this look — without shaving — is to gather most of the hair at the center and style it upwards. This will create a similar illusion to the mohawk hairstyle. To keep the hairstyle in place, styling products like the L'oreal Studio Line Special FX Texturizing Wax or the Bench Fix Styling Water Creme will do the trick.

Take it from this week's Fashionisto, stand out with an eye-catching hairstyle.

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Sexy Cat Eyes

Hiram Powers once wrote, “The eye is the window of the soul”. I have no idea where the American sculptor got this idea but if it were true then this was our cue to shift focus to the eyes. At this day and age, it is crucial to make one's eyes presentable. The first feature people usually notice are the eyes. There are various ways to accomplish this, of course. Applying eyeshadow, eyeliner or mascara have a great effect on the overall look of the eye. Even something as simple as grooming one's eyebrows will have a big impact on the look of the — as Powers calls it — window of the soul.

This week's Fashionista flaunts her captivating stare with a little help from pencil liner. The natural round shape of her eye turned into a defined cat eye with the application of black eyeliner. Achieving this look is actually quite simple. Just trace the edge of the top lid of your eyes and add wings — directed upwards — to the outer edges of the eyes. Doing so would result in sharp eyes with a gorgeous sultry feel to them.

This form of eye art is not only found in the streets but it is hitting up the runways, as well. For this season, The Blonds matched seductively futuristic makeup to mesh well with their new Spring-Summer collection. The sex kitten makeup focused on the eyes. Everything else was kept neutral while adding gorgeous drama to the eyes. This drama was added by applying thick eyeliner and big wing tips to the edges of the eyes. A line of black liner was also added to the bottom part of the eyes which, of course, added to the sharpness of the eyes. Applying eye liner to the eyes is a simple but effective way to highlight one's eyes and add subtle sexiness to the look as well.

Take it from this week's Fashionista, give your eyes a chance at striking beauty by tracing them with eyeliner.

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Full on Bangs

Say goodbye to those boring one length haircuts and make way for layers, layers, and even more layers! Applying varying layers to one's hair results in a lovely silhouette of texture and shape. For the Fashionista's who are not fond of the former mentioned style, do not fret. Obtaining a layered haircut is not the only way to enhance one's hairstyle. The various ways to adorn one's crowning glory are endless. What am I talking about? I'm talking about those interesting details that can take hairstyles to a whole new level. One of the ways to enhance one's hairstyle is to get bangs.

This week's Fashionista sports exactly that. She got a layered haircut and topped it off with full bangs! The layered cut accentuates the shape of the face and the Fashionista's natural features, while the bangs add a playful touch to the look. Speaking of playful touches, the Fashionista applies a certain youthfulness to her outfit pieces as well. The vibrant coral color balances out the serious vibe of the blazer while the stripes add an adorable touch to a simple loose dress. The animal print loafers give the outfit an edgy look with its striking leopard print design. This week's Fashionista was able to incorporate a touch of playfulness to both her hairstyle and outfit choice. Not to mention how these styles accentuated her facial features and the overall look of the outfit.

Celebrities like Heidi Klum, Vanessa Hudgens, and Dakota Fanning have sported the full bangs hairstyle at one point. The full bangs style looks great on women of all ages and hair colors. Of course, not all types of bangs look good on every facial type. Take women with square shaped faces for example, full bangs can soften the edginess of their facial features, while elongating the symmetrical shape of the face. On the other hand, women with oval shaped faces can sport any type of hairstyle and style of bangs. To know more about matching hairstyles to face shapes, check out Atique's article on Zimbio.

Take it from this week's Fashionista, enhance your facial features and add youthfulness to your personal style with a touch of bangs!

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Sultry Beach Waves

The beach-y waves hairstyle is one of the hottest trends of the season! Celebrities like Gisele Bundchen and Kate Beckinsale sport this textured and tousled hairstyle everywhere — on the streets and on the red carpet. The beach wave style is a cross between the big and puffy glamorous hairstyles and the loose laid-back style. The mix of these contrasting styles result in a casually chic beach hair style that can be worn with the most casual of outfits or the most formal ones.

Coming up with this sensationally textured look can be a tad tricky without a trip to the beach. after all, it's the whole vibe of the beach that produces this style of hair — naturally. The wind in your hair, sun on your face, and sea water at your midst is the perfect setting that will bring about those loose vivacious waves. Not everyone has a beach at their disposal so Fashionistas resort to the next best thing — hair products.

This week's Fashionista recreated the sultry beach waves look with the use of the TRESemme Flawless Curls Extra Hold Mousse. She achieved this look by applying the curl enhancing mousse to her damp hair. She then scrunched up sections of her hair to sculpt it into the shape she desired and voila, beach waves! The Fashionista's outfit goes oh so well with the hairstyle. The luxe feel of the hair balances out the hard feel of the blazer. The gorgeous beach waves added to the casual chic vibe of the Fashionista's ensemble.

I recommend the L'Oreal Texture Expert Curl Satin Rich Definition Mousse to achieve high textured curls that shine. The TIGI Bed Head Foxy Curls Extreme Mousse is another great curling product. It works great with all hair types, plus it's simple to use. For more tips and tricks on how to achieve fabulous beach waves, check out Patty Mendoza's post entitled Easy Summer Hairstyles. This blog post also includes a simple recipe for “beach hair” spray.

Take it from this week's Fashionista, give your hair a boost of volume and texture for that gorgeous beach waves hairstyle!

 

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Sun-Kissed Skin

Residing in a tropical country has its perks — the sky has a striking vibrance, fruits are at its freshest, and beaches are just around the corner. The best part about living in the Philippines is, of course, the ever-present sun. Besides providing light and warmth, the sun makes it so much easier for anyone to achieve sun-kissed skin. Merely basking in the sun, for a few hours, does the trick.

This week's Fashionista struts her beautiful summer tan with a chic mint dress and magenta lipstick. Kudos to this bronzed beauty for incorporating multiple trends in just one outfit; striking lip colors are rampant on the runways while mint is one of this season's trending colors. What a remarkable play of pastels; the Fashionista's outfit palette compliments her sun-kissed skin so well.

Of course, not everyone can live in a tropical country, but that does not mean they can't achieve this beautiful bronzed beauty look for themselves. For this year's Spring/Summer show in New York, Michael Kors showcased his collection of ready-to-wear pieces with make-up inspired by the sun-kissed bronzed beauty look. All of the models were brushed with deep bronzer in certain areas of the face — forehead, cheeks and nose. The application of bronzer highlighted and defined the model's facial features. For that healthy summer glow, golden highlight was applied to the upper part of the cheekbones. This goes to show that anyone from every part of the world can produce this Fashionista's look.

The simplest way to get the sun-kissed skin look is to get a tan, of course, but for those who don't have the time or enough sunlight to do so, there are numerous alternatives to achieve the same effect. For a quick fix, dust bronzer powder on the forehead and cheek hollows. Doing so would result in a beautiful beach glow for the skin. I recommend the Superbalanced Powder Bronzer from Clinique. This mineral make-up balances the skin's moisture and is filled with anti-oxidants. For those with a bit of time on their hands, dropping by the nearest tanning salon will do wonders. Another great way to achieve this look is to do as Dick Page, make-up artist for Sheseido, did for the Michael Kors show. Instructions and tips can be found at Redonline.

Take it from this week's Fashionista, exude confidence with gorgeous sun-kissed skin.

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Painted Pout

Audacious lip colors are taking over the runways this Spring season. Shades like tangerine, red, and hot pink are combined with pristine make-up looks. The clean or subtly colored make-up is the perfect mode to emphasize a bold painted pout.

This year, Nicole Farhi's Spring Collection for London Fashion Week comprised of colorful pieces, interesting prints, custom embroidery, and brilliant embellishments. The collection is best described as a playful yet modern look with a touch of rogue geometry. To translate this chic sporty look on to the facial facet, Charlotte Tilbury came up with a polished make up look with a pop of color.  High shine was brushed on top of the cheekbones and the eyelids to add to the freshness of the look and to highlight specific portions of the face. For a lush feel, the brows were filled in. To top it all off, the very chic matte coral pink lip gave the look that needed burst of color.

This week's Fashionista brought Nicole Farhi's Spring collection to the streets. She wore a lovely combination of chic and sporty pieces. The frilly top is the chic aspect of the outfit while the light pink pair of shorts added a sporty and playful element to the look. The best part of the outfit is her fuchsia lips, of course. The Fashionista applied Ever Bilena Extreme Shine 708 to her lips and voila – a gorgeous pop of color!

An array of lipstick shades can be found just about anywhere – from local drug stores to high end boutiques. The Fashionista bought her lipstick from Watson's, a local drugstore in the Philippines, for just 60 Php ($ 1.42) – what a steal! Ka'oir Cosmetics carries 26 vibrant lipstick shades. The Ooh la-la, Red Roses, Pool Party, and Truly Outrageous are my top picks. For those who don't mind splurging a little, I recommend the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in British Red. Always remember to test if the lipstick matches your skin tone before you buy it – to avoid regret. Take it from this week's Fashionista, emphasize that gorgeous pout with gorgeous bold colors!

ALL ABOUT BEAUTY: Ombré Locks

From the breath-taking ruffle Versace gowns to the wide array of dip-dyed pieces at shopstyle.com, the ombre trend has truly come a long way. Even so, its success doesn't just stop there; the Ombre trend has moved north – way up north! That's right, this multichromatic trend has made its way to a woman's crowning glory – the hair.

This fashionista sports a gorgeous mix of blonde and brunette hair. The combination displays a unique contrast of dark and light colors but, at the same time, a polished look for the hair, not to mention the hairstyle compliments her sun-kissed tan.

With eye-catching hair like this, one can put those bold pieces aside and put together a more laid back ensemble. This is exactly what this Fashionista had done. She took a simple white tee – knotted it at the front – a pair of solid colored high waist shorts, and chunky  kicks and topped it all off with her Ombre locks. The beach wave effect of the hair is the perfect finish to the look. It adds a touch of grunge to the outfit as well as volume to the hair. To successfully pull off a similar look with ease, one must have an eye-catching beauty element to bring out the self-expression of the overall look.

The easy way to achieve this look is to have it done in a salon, but there are also alternatives to this; anyone can create this look with a box of hair dye, a handful of time, and this tutorial video. For those with dark hair, I recommend the Clairol Nice 'n Easy Born Blonde Hair Color 1. It's just $ 9.86, and it provides maximum blonding for even the darkest of hair. For light hair, I recommend the L'Oreal Couleur Experte Express Easy 2-in-1 Color 6.3. The great thing about the Ombre trend is that it doesn't require perfection so it's perfect as a D.I.Y. Venture.

It's amazing how, at first, ombre clothing pieces merely graced the runway but it is now applied to just about everything. Ombre works of art pop out all over the place! Nails, lips, and even pastries are getting into this trend.

Style Guru Bio: Adi Amor

My name is Adi Amor and I am ecstatic to start another semester as a Style Guru for College Fashionista. I am a simple city girl who does what she wants, likes what she does and forever thirsts for new experiences. I am inspired by people who are able to leave a mark by simply doing what they love and I hope to one day do the same. I still don't know where my life is going but I take comfort in the fact that it's going somewhere.

When it comes to the ensembles I create – besides the usual beautiful, put together and well-fit aspects – I always incorporate an unexpected element to them. What can I say? I like surprising people – myself included. Defining my personal style is challenging because I haven't fully established it yet. Well, not unless bipolar is an acceptable classification of style. The looks I create depend on my mood. Sometimes, I just wear a t-shirt and shorts or I go all out. There was a time I went to the mall all dolled up. I slipped into my favorite cocktail dress and heels. I know it's a bit much for the mall but I just felt like dressing up that day. My personal style matures along with me; my ever changing lifestyle and various experiences continue to influence the way I dress as well.

Shopping is my one true love; I shop all over the place! My sources of clothing range from the usual department stores to specialty shops and even bazaars. I also have this new obsession with buying everything online. I go crazy over cheap thrills!

Out of all the things I have pursued in my life, fashion has always been a constant venture. To me, fashion is a realm that provides beauty, not just conventional beauty, with the appreciation it deserves. It provides an avenue for designers to heighten their talent and showcase their art. It also allows by standers, like myself, to have a glimpse of the various art forms of different countries. Fashion is so important to me that simply loving it and patronizing the industry's products is never enough. I also appreciate the beauty, art, and soul that designers put into their products. The awe-inspiring world of fashion is an industry I seek to break into someday. Marilyn Monroe once said, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” I'm still trying things on for size.

FASHIONISTO SPOTLIGHT: Ira Giorgetti

Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to experience those rare moments of humidity the Philippines can offer. When that happens, seize the opportunity and whip out your favorite pieces that are made for the cold weather. That is exactly what this week’s Fashionisto had done. He went all out with his favorite leather pieces. Ira sported a chocolate colored leather jacket embellished with wool trimmings, a pair of gray acid-washed pants, a studded leather murse (man purse) and a pair of black leather ankle boots from Topman. The combination of the various leather pieces — jacket, boots and bag — made the outfit truly stand out. Take it from this week’s Fashionisto, dig out those pieces you wouldn’t normally wear to come up with an eye-catching ensemble.

Name: Ira Giorgetti

Major: Bachelor of Arts in Film

Year: Sophomore

CollegeFashionista: What inspired your outfit?

Ira Giorgetti: I wasn’t inspired, i just dress like this.

CF: Where do you shop?

IG: I like Topman and People are People. 

CF: How would you describe your personal style?

IG: My personal style is a little hipster, social deviance with personal comfort.

How To: This outfit is all about the leather. Leather pieces result in a chic but daring outfit. To come up with this stand out ensemble, splurge on leather pieces! This beige hued leather jacket from NET-A-PORTER puts a lighter spin on leather pieces while this black studded leather jacket, also from NET-A-PORTER, adds that needed edge to any ensemble. This pair of gray leather lace-up booties from Bluefly.com is a practical but still fashionable style of footwear. For Fashionistas, I love leatherette leggings because it effortlessly combines comfort and fashion. This pair from CherryClubWear.com is a steal at $24.

FASHIONISTO SPOTLIGHT: Javi Campos

The iconic Hampton style is not limited to those of the West; Southeast countries dabble in this laid back but clean cut style as well. Vintage meets preppy is shown in this simply stylish outfit of this week’s Fashionisto. Javi took a simple white polo and tucked it into a straight cut pair of jeans. He then topped this with a knotted yellow sweater and matching accessories — chocolate colored belt, gold watch and a pair of brown leather shoes. Tucking in the polo, folding the sleeves and tying a sweater across the shoulders allow casual pieces to give off this clean cut look. As a whole, the outfit is simply chic and is a mark of a high class gentleman. I can picture this week’s Fashionisto in a country club or in a polo match. It is refreshing to come across a young man who takes adult style and adds a youthful spin to it. Take it from this week’s Fashionisto, take those casual pieces and prep them to complete a clean cut ensemble.

Name: Javi Campos

Year: Sophomore

Major: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

CollegeFashionista: What inspired your outfit?

Javi Campos: I want to look decent and proper.

CF: How would you describe your personal style?

JC: Old school American prep.

CF: Where do you love to shop?

JC: Ralph Lauren, Gap, Fred Perry and Faccionabe

How To: To come up with this Hampton style, it’s all in the styling and those little details — folding sleeves, tucking in shirts or draping a sweater over your shoulders. This white crisp cotton polo shirt from American Apparel is a must because it is the most basic type of polo. You don’t have to stick to plain colored polo shirts, go for interesting textures as well. This gray polo shirt from ASOS is an interesting piece. As for the draped sweater, this bright blue sweater or this lime green wool sweater from shoppingsweaters.com will surely add a playful touch to any ensemble. I recommend this symmetric print sweater from shoppingsweaters.com because it exudes an aura of seriousness and playfullness at the same time.