Author: Halle Olson

7 Fall Beauty Trends That Are Perfect for Your 8 A.M.

We all know how hard it is to wake up for that early morning class since studying and homework keep us up at night. This makes trying to do your hair and makeup seem almost impossible. But it doesn’t have to be. These seven beauty trends, straight off the fall runways, are perfect for when you just can’t deal with that early morning class.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Vampy Lips

Probably always a given for fall, vampy lips are still trending. The great thing about this look is that it requires minimal makeup on the rest of your face. Just grab a berry shade of your favorite lip product and swipe away. Only 10 seconds or less of your time and you look like you actually tried to get ready for class this morning.

PHOTO:  Julia Michael

2—Deep Side Parts

Early classes mean that sometimes there’s just no time to wash your hair. Deep side parts are here to rescue you and your greasy strands. Just smooth your hair down with a brush and tie it into a messy chignon or low bun.

3—Monochrome Makeup

Millennial pink ruled spring and summer fashion and now it’s ruling fall beauty trends. Monochrome makeup is a great way to quickly do a look that appears like it took much more effort than it really did. Trendy multi sticks are perfect for applying a wash of color to your eyelids, cheeks, and lips in a matter of seconds. Smudge out with your finger and you’re out the door and on your way to class.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

4—Braids for Days

The messier, the better when it comes to braids this fall. Just braid your hair however you like before bed, sleep on it, wake up, and head to class. Add some texturizing spray before you head out the door to play up the texture.

5—Clean Complexions

Heavy face makeup for fall? No way. The focus this season is on skin care. Good news, right? Just sticking to your normal routine and having clear, glowing skin is enough to get you to class in the morning without all the fuss. If you can’t leave without at least a little concealer, pick a natural one to spot conceal any problem areas like under eye circles or blemishes.

PHOTO: Madison Paloski

 

6—Statement Hair Accessories

Another way to disguise that second—or third—day hair is with statement accessories. Headbands, ribbons, scrunchies, you name it. Just throw one in your hair to hide the grease. People will think you really put in some effort before that 8 a.m.

7—Highlighted Inner Corners

Finally, highlighting your inner corners is an instant way to make it look like you actually got more than a few hours of sleep last night. Skip the rest of the eyeshadow and just focus a brightening color on the inner corner of the eye. Add some mascara and you’re ready to go!

 

Which beauty trends are you trying out this season? Let us know in the comments below!

3 Small Ways to Rock Fall’s It Color

We now find ourselves at the start of another season, and with that season comes new trends. While spring and summer were ruled by millennial pink, fall’s It color is red. This hue can sometimes be intimidating to wear head to toe like millennial pink, especially when you’re heading to class. The key to pulling off this shade with ease this season is incorporating it in small ways for your everyday looks. These three tips may be subtle, but you’ll be looking like the street style stars on campus in no time.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Paint your nails

Nail polish is always a great way to incorporate a color into your look. It’s also an easy way to test drive a shade before wearing it in the form of an accessory or a piece of clothing. Just grab your nail file, a base coat, your chosen red—my favorite is a bright, fire engine hue—and a top coat and paint away.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

2—Swipe on a red lip

This is another easy and quick way to add some red to your look. This is by far my favorite way to add some of fall’s It color to my neutral wardrobe. The great thing about this method is that you can tailor the lip product to your liking. I personally enjoy a matte lip, especially for the fall and winter, but reds come in everything from glosses to stains. With so many options, you’ll be able to find the perfect product for you.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

3—Accessorize

By far the easiest of the three ways, accessorizing is a 10-second way to add red to your jeans and T-shirt uniform. I’ve been obsessing over a pair of boots from Zara, but jewelry, bags, scarves, and belts can also add a pop of color to your neutral looks.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

The great thing about these three tips is that they can all be combined in one look. Just be sure your shades match so your look doesn’t clash.

How will you be rocking fall’s It color? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

You Need to Add These 3 Runway Trends to Your Fall Wardrobe

We all know that ready-to-wear can sometimes be far from actually ready to wear, but we can still find plenty of inspiration in the themes we see across several shows. Sometimes, these themes can be a little more out there than others. For example. a full metallic look is definitely not for day and pantsuits to class are a risk. Nevertheless, these outrageous trends can be incorporated into your fall wardrobe with just a few simple tricks.

1—Sci-fi style. Now you don’t want to look like you stepped out of the latest Star Wars movie, but metallics can add some extra shine to your fall style. When you wear that outfit full of maroons, blacks, and olive greens, try to add in one metallic piece. Boots are always an easy option but go outside your comfort zone this season with a metallic top. Just layer it under a chambray shirt and oversize cardigan for a more relaxed daytime look.

2—Out there outerwear. For those of us in colder climates, we know that warm—and fashionable—outerwear is a necessity. It’s normal to want to stick to black, gray, and tan for your outfit toppers, but it’s all about taking fashion risks this season. Try a pastel coat instead of a basic one. Just be sure to keep your bottom half neutral so the look isn’t too overwhelming for that walk to class.

3—Cool corduroy. Don’t play it safe in a corduroy mini this fall. Instead, play up the ’70s influence with a pair of flared pants and an off-the-shoulder blouse. Finish off the look with some platforms. Be sure to keep everything neutral so your look is modern instead of dated.

What trends are you going to incorporate into your fall wardrobe? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The Value of Self-Promotion on Social Media

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t see “link in bio” at least once in someone’s Instagram caption. Our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook feeds are filled with links, promotions, and content. Some tend to find this very annoying, and it can be at times. But it’s also so important that users take part in self-promotion over social media.

First off, your social media is your life to the outside world—specifically potential employers that are looking to see what kind of person you are in the online space. While everyone tells you that it’s important to be mindful of what you post, it’s also important to utilize self-promotion. This may seem self-centered or narcissistic, but how will others know about your work if you’re not putting it out there? Promoting articles, blog posts, collaborations, etc. via Instagram and Facebook is how I drive traffic to these pieces of content. People would have to find my content organically without social media. This is difficult to do when you have a small following in a space filled with content.

This self-promotion also shows that you are proud of your work. It’s a kind of digital confidence. Knowing that there’s a bigger audience to share my work with keeps me focused on perfecting everything I put out there. Even if I’m not directly promoting a piece, people can still find my work through the websites I produce for, so that means everything has to be the best it can be.

How to Shamelessly Self-Promote

To create the perfect self-promotional post, it’s important to be very selective in your photo choice. What image is the most interesting or relatable to your audience and story? If they like the photo, chances are they’re more likely to click on your link. After choosing your winning image, create a concise caption that encapsulates your content in a sentence or two. Hashtags are helpful to reach people outside of your followers—consider adding these in a comment instead of the main caption. This keeps your main post clean and free of distraction.

Pick a time of day when most people will be scrolling through social media. Early morning, lunchtime, and the evening always seem to garner the most attention. If this is a piece of work that you want a lot of people to see, try promoting it a few times over the span of a week. Be sure to change up your photo and caption so your feed isn’t filled with the same content.

Now, go ahead and start self-promoting. You never know who will see your work next and like it, like a potential employer.

So how do you self-promote on social media? Let us know in the comments below!

3 Tips I Learned From an Esthetician That Changed My Skin

I recently got a facial for the first time in several years. I’ve always been into skincare, but I just never had the money to splurge on a full-blown facial. Luckily, I was gifted a facial by someone. The experience itself was amazing, but the tips I learned from my esthetician were even better.

1—Watch out for chemical exfoliators. When we were trying to figure out the cause of my breakouts, my esthetician discovered I was using chemical exfoliators on my face morning and night. This was news to me—I had no idea to even check for these things in my facial cleanser. Because my cleanser contained several acids, I was stripping my face and breaking down the protective layer of skin. This was the cause of my recent breakouts that just didn’t seem to go away. Regardless of what skin type you have, it’s important to watch out for ingredients like tartaric acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid because they exfoliate the skin. Instead, grab a gentle cleanser that gets the job done without stripping your skin.

2—You don’t need to wash your face in the morning. If you wash your face at night, you can skip a morning cleanse unless you feel like you absolutely need it. My esthetician said I could simply rinse my face with water and follow up with the rest of my skincare routine. This includes a water-based toner, a serum or two, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Be sure to apply your sunscreen after your moisturizer so it doesn’t clog your pores.

3—Start a regimen. Getting regular facials is important to maintaining great skin. She suggested getting a facial every three-four weeks, but this can sometimes be hard on a college budget. Find out if there’s a membership program that gives discounts on basic facials. These are really all you need as long as you’re taking care of your skin at home. If you still can’t make it work, do your own facial at home. Start with cleansing your skin. Follow with a detoxifying mask for 20 minutes and then a soothing mask for another 20 minutes. Finish with serums and a moisturizer or face oil for brand new skin from the comfort of your bathroom.

While it’s only been a few weeks since my facial, following these few simple tips have changed my skin. I’m already seeing improvement in my breakouts and pore size, both huge problems for my oily, acne-prone skin. These tips were not hard to incorporate into my routine, but they’ve made a huge difference.

What other tips have you learned that have changed your skin? Let us know in the comments below!

Literally Everyone Can’t Stop Talking About This One Product

During our time at The CF Clubhouse, we made numerous visits to the Sephora Collection Beauty Bar. The Beauty Amplifier products kept us looking fresh all day. The Cream Lip Stains were there for touch-ups and color changes. But there was one product we couldn’t stop using, and raving about to everyone we know.

I will admit that I was nervous at first to spray my face with a highlighter, but after seeing the Sephora Collection national artist, Helen Philips, use this during the beauty night event, I was sold. The Perfection Mist Nude Glow is a must-have product for summer… and really every season. With just a simple spray, you can get a highlight that will blind almost anyone (in the best way possible) and melt easily into your skin.

In just a few short weeks, I’ve gotten both my sister and sister-in-law hooked on this product. They, much like the rest of us at CF, want to spray this everywhere on their bodies. Is there such a thing as being too highlighted? Definitely not.

How to Achieve Your Perfect Glow

The key to applying this product perfectly is spraying it in a C-shape around your cheek and brow bone. Also be sure to hold it far away enough from you face so you don’t spray it directly in your eye. We’ve done that a few times, and trust us when we say it’s not fun.

Once you’ve applied the product, set with a translucent powder—or a powder highlighter if you’re looking for some extra glow—as the product can be slightly sticky. After that, you’ll be left with the perfect summer glow that only took a second or two to achieve.

If highlighting your cheeks isn’t enough, spray it on your shoulders next time you wear a sleeveless or off-the-shoulder top to enhance that sun-kissed summer skin.

Have you given this product a try? If not, we suggest you run to your nearest Sephora to check it out. Get your glow on and share a photo on Instagram! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

I Shopped the Nordstrom Sale at 3 A.M. To Make Your Life Easier

I’m somewhat of a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale fanatic. After shopping it last year for the first time, I was counting down the days until it came back around. With a full credit limit and an excitement that woke me up at 3:30 in the morning, I went deep into the items available for early access shoppers. I came out on the other side with some rad fall pieces and these two trends you need to know about when shopping for your back to school wardrobes.

Velvet Revival

Just when you thought velvet was so last year, it’s back and better than ever for the sale. Slipdresses, T-shirts, and accessories are all being done in this fabric for fall. If you didn’t grab any velvet pieces last year, here’s your chance.

BP. Velvet Sport Tee ($35) ($22.90)

The perfect top to wear for that first tailgate back at school.

CRISTABELLE Crystal & Velvet Choker ($38) ($24.90)

The perfect on-trend accessory to add a small touch of velvet to all of your fall looks.

Topshop Crushed Velvet Midi Slipdress ($55) ($35.90)

Your new go-to dress for everything from class to parties this season.

Rebecca Minkoff Medium Julian Velvet Backpack ($245) ($163.90)

Rebecca Minkoff comes out with an exclusive iteration of her Julian backpack every sale. Trust me when I say that this pink velvet version will sell out fast.

(Faux) Leather Lover

Leather is always an essential for fall. The sale is chock full of leather pieces at every price point to add to your wardrobe. Grab a piece or two to add some edge to all of your looks.

Trouvé Faux Leather Leggings ($79) ($52.90)

Ditch those basic black leggings in favor of this faux leather pair. They will make every swear and T-shirt you own look that much cooler.

Leith Faux Leather Longline Bralette ($59) ($38.90)

One of the most versatile pieces you can pick up for fall. Layer over a T-shirt for class or pair with high-waisted jeans for a night out. Everyone will want to copy your look.

Levi’s Faux Leather Moto Jacket ($150) ($89.90)

Do you really need another faux leather moto jacket? Of couse you do, especially at that price.

Rosanna Girl Boss Leather Card Holder ($30) ($19.90)

Because you’re a girlboss and everyone should know it.

The sale opens up for everyone on July 21 and runs until August 6, so be sure to grab some brand new fall pieces before they all sell out.

What do you think of these trends? Will you be picking them up during the sale? Let us know in the comments below!

How to Wear a Dress Over Jeans Like a Pro

Ever see those girls on Instagram who can effortlessly pull off the dress-over-jeans look? Me too. If you’re like me, you’ve been wanting to try this style but are nervous about how it’s going to look. Luckily for all of us, this trend is easy to pull off with just a few simple tricks.

First thing’s first, you have to pick the perfect pieces to pair together. Simple dress silhouettes work best for this. I chose a wrap dress from the Who What Wear collection at Target, but this look can also work with a button-down dress. Just button the dress down to the waist of your jeans and then let the rest flow. I find that midi and maxi lengths look best for this look.

Choosing the right jeans is also very important. I picked a pair of mom jeans from Topshop since they were fitted, cropped, and high-waisted. The wash is very standard as well. This is important when choosing your pair—pick a neutral wash with no distressing for your first try at this trend. I find that pairing simpler pieces together makes this look easier to pull off if it’s your first time wearing a look like this. If you’re wearing a bright-colored dress, black jeans would also work.

Shoes should be kept simple, too. A strappy pair of heels in a neutral color is perfect if you’re going for a dressier look, but if your dress leans more on the casual side, sneakers are a great—and comfortable—option.

Keeping your hair and makeup looks simple helps keep the focus on the outfit. Go for a little bronzer and a bright lip and you’ll be summer-ready.

If you’re wearing a wrap dress similar to mine, try tucking one side into your jeans. This will show off the jeans underneath. But if the fabric is heavy, you might have to keep retucking throughout the day. You could also leave it down like normal and wait for that perfect gust of wind to pick up the hems and blow them back. The good thing about this trend is that you won’t have to worry about any unexpected Marilyn Monroe moments.

How are you rocking this style? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

5 Makeup Products Every Oily Skin Girl Needs This Summer

I love summer; it’s my favorite season of the year. Between the warm weather and rad outfits, there’s nothing not to love… unless you have oily skin like me. The one thing I can’t stand about summer is the constant layer of oil that sits on my skin. It always seems to ruin whatever makeup I have on. Each summer I spend my days searching for the products that can take the heat. After years of searching, I’ve finally found the five best makeup items to get me through the hot and humid days.

1—Primer. Even if I’m not wearing makeup one day, a mattifying or shine control primer is always necessary. A primer will help control oil throughout the day, but will still leave your face feeling light and fresh if you’re not looking for maximum coverage.

2—BB Cream. If you want a little more coverage, a BB cream is the only way to go in the summer, at least for me. Piling on full coverage products is just asking for the sun to melt them away, so sticking with something light—and matte, of course—will keep your oil at bay and your confidence levels high.

3—Dewy concealer. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and embrace your natural dewiness. By using a dewy concealer, your shine looks purposeful instead of a result of constant sweating.

4—Translucent powder. Oily girls know that powder is a must during any season of the year, but especially so during the summer. Loose powder is fine if you’re only using it at home, but I like to grab a pressed powder as well to throw in my bag for touch-ups throughout the day when the oil inevitably begins to break through my makeup.

5—Setting spray. Don’t let all your hard work prepping your face for the heat go to waste. Give your face a few spritzes of a mattifying setting spray to lock in everything before you walk out the door.

Oily skin girls: what are some of your favorite summertime makeup products? Let me know in the comments below.

WHAT TO WEAR: Strange Spring

This season has been nothing if not unpredictable. It can be within the high 60s or low 70s for a few days and then drop to 40s and rain the next. It’s almost impossible to plan looks each day because the weather can change in an instant. Like everyone always says, layers are key to being prepared for the changing weather and adding some extra interest to an outfit.

By using an entirely black base and adding an oversize olive green jacket on top, this Fashionista is ready to face the colder weather we’ve been experiencing on North Central College’s campus lately. This duster style has been really popular lately, and it’s perfect for spring because it’s lightweight and made for that in between weather we’re having right now. For an even more spring-ready style, try out a denim duster on top of your look.

In terms of the base in her outfit, she kept it simple with an all-black look: a long sleeve top, basic jeans, and classic booties. As the weather continues to warm up, the top can be replaced with a short sleeve or sleeveless blouse. Keep the jacket, though, for those chilly mornings and then lose it in the afternoon when the sun is out and it’s actually warm. The jacket will also come in handy for those cold classrooms.

The jeans can also be replaced with shorts or cropped pants, whatever you’re feeling that day and whatever the weather will allow you to wear. Swap out the booties for sandals and swipe some bright nail polish on your toes to officially welcome the warm weather season.

Weird weather can have you scratching your head trying to figure out what to wear, but by sticking with basics and switching them out based on the temperature, you’re sure to have a look that works for whatever surprise Mother Nature decides to send us.