Author: Alexandra Grana

A Simple Morning Makeup in 6 Products or Less

Whether you’re looking to cut down on time spent in front of your mirror in the morning or just keep makeup to a minimum, having a tried and true makeup routine makes life much easier before class. Here’s how you can cut your everyday makeup down to only a few steps with six products:

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

If you are going to wear any makeup, then reach for brow pomade and mascara first. Defined brows bring shape to the face and mascara brightens the eyes, plus it saves you from dealing with the dreaded “are you sick?” when you walk out the door totally barefaced. My personal go-tos are Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade and Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara.

A quality primer is a staple to any makeup collection. The Becca Backlight Priming Filter is my current fave to achieve that dewy, your-skin-but-better look. An added bonus for this particular product is that you do not necessarily need to add foundation over it, as it blurs pores and adds luminosity to the skin.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

If you want a very natural makeup look, using a primer without foundation is the way to go. But if you do have the extra minute in the morning, BB cream applied with a damp beauty sponge or stick foundation with a stipple brush give the best well-rested skin finish. These methods hide discolorations without being heavy or cakey.

If you have dry skin like me, cream products work wonders on your skin. I use Stila Convertible Color in shade Petunia to brighten and bring shape to my round cheeks. It also doubles as a lip color, which is great for a monochromatic chic look.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

The product you pick to finish the look off really speaks to what level of extra you’re going for: translucent powder, bronzer, or highlight. Do you want to make sure your makeup does not move on a day running across campus in the heat? Or sculpt the face and add warmth during winter months? Or would you rather look like a glowing goddess with blinding highlight? Genuinely, you can’t go wrong!

Let us know what your go-to morning makeup routine is, and be sure to tag @CFashionista on social media!

Featured photo by Lex Kelly.

How I Incorporated More Art Into My Style

High fashion is no stranger to breaking down gender boundaries. The street style at this year’s Men’s Fashion Week is characterized by guys in skirts to beat the heat. The haute couture runway was one of the first places to free the nipple. Now, even Vogue writes about the influence of the drag scene! As a member of the LGBT community, I wanted to incorporate more of its art into my own summer style.

I came out to my parents last June, and the sense of freedom that followed has not left me. It might sound like a cliché, but coming out allowed me the freedom of self-expression. I can unapologetically draw style and makeup inspiration from drag queens and other gay artists because my family now understands that the artsy LGBT community is my community. I don’t sport a Frida Kahlo unibrow or even draw one on with my beloved brow pomade like Sasha Velour, but I have learned to contour like a pro and style monochromatic outfits, both mainstream fashion trends that have origins in drag. Graphic eyeliner has become an everyday must. Givenchy’s F/W 2017 collection, Alexander McQueen, and America’s Next Drag Superstar have iconic red monochrome looks that inspire my style.

High fashion and art go hand in hand. The daring choices made in fashion resonate with me because they remind me that how I want to express myself is not some unattainable thing, that it’s being done now by people who feel like me. It does sometimes feel that incorporating this form of art into my life makes me stand out. How many people really do wear vintage earrings or Henri Matisse headbands every day? Instead of letting that make me feel distressed, I turn it into a source of comfort. This style connects me to my favorite artists and a community I am proud to be part of. Fashion is not just the latest trend, fashion is an art and so I want my style to reflect that.

Be sure to let us know how you work art into your style by showing us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

How to Make Your Cannes 2017 Favorites Wearable This Summer

The 70th Cannes Film Festival wrapped up at the end of last month. Lucky for girls like me, this year’s red carpet trends easily translate into everyday wear. Especially the signature color—Cinderella blue. And while I wish I had a red carpet opportunity to rock a gown like Aishwarya Rai, Elle Fanning’s street style offers more attainable inspiration. Recently, I have challenged myself with wearing more than my favorite little black dresses, and I’m here to give you some inspiration for these colorful trends.

My dress mixes two hot trends: off-the-shoulder and pastel blue. Honest-feeling graphic T-shirts and color blocking are on trend this summer 2017, but a French street style dress is a wardrobe essential. This dress is perfect for breezy summer afternoons and evenings. It’s light enough to keep you cool while still looking chic. The sophisticated French minimalism paired with the whimsical color is what drew me to the dress. Especially since I wanted to expand my wardrobe beyond LBDs. For the full Cannes effect, pair with minimalist jewelry and nude flats.

If you want something bolder but still want to emulate this year’s Cannes style, try embroidered tulle. Floral is a spring staple but this year it is sticking around for summer. This dress is reminiscent of Elle Fanning in Christian Dior Haute Couture or Jordan Dunn in Elie Saab Couture. The unique textured tulle is reminiscent of the ’70s, the decade inspiring much of American street style this summer. It is a great option if you want that French sophistication paired with Americana flair.

The best thing about these trends is that they are easy to dress up or down. Pair pastel blue with chunky orange jewelry for a color blocked look perfect any summer day or night. Wear embroidered tulle with flats to lunch or heels for a night out. However it’s styled, these trends are a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

Let us know how you wear your favorite film festival trends in the comments below or show us on social media by tagging @Cfashionista!