3 Items to Keep You Comfy and Trendy in Class

Let’s face it: although college provides you with way more freedom than high school in terms of what classes you take and when, you may still end up with the occasional 8 a.m. class. Personally, I find myself wanting to be comfortable in the early hours yet still trendy and put together. Below you’ll find a few pieces of clothing you’ll want in your wardrobe for those pesky early morning classes.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Basic T-shirt

I live for basics because they’re so easy to dress up or down! You can buy these from virtually any major retailer or boutique and are available from fast-fashion brands like Forever 21 to high-end designers like J Brand.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

2—Straight leg jeans

Although denim doesn’t sound too comfortable, a pair of straight legs jeans are as good as it gets! These type of jeans are neither too form fitting nor too loose, making them the perfect balance when you want something in between a skinny jean and a wide leg jean. Also, they’re one of fall’s biggest it items, so you’ll want to snag a pair for this season. I’m totally obsessed with Levi’s 501 jeans.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Track pants

Track pants and joggers are everywhere this season. Again, they are comfortable and perfect to slip on before the sun rises. I’ve seen them on celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, and also on trendy girls on campus. This pair from Adidas is perfect for when you aren’t in the mood for the same old denim jeans.

What are your favorite clothes to wear to early morning classes? Show us on social media and tag @cfashionista!

I Washed My Face with Oil for 6 Months—Here’s What Happened

While scrolling through Pinterest one fateful day, in the midst of all of the DIYs and healthy cookie dough recipes, I stumbled upon an article about the oil cleansing method (OCM). Now I’ve been to dermatologist offices, so I’m aware of the bad reputation that oil has in the acne industry. Even so, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.

PHOTO: Cassidy Clark

I researched more about the method and found pictures of glowing skin and rave reviews. Some fans of this method had managed to clear cystic acne, and others hadn’t purchased a traditional facial cleanser or moisturizer in years. Some of you may be wondering what the heck the oil cleansing method is. This method is a skin cleansing regimen in which you smear oil all over your face, then place a warm washcloth over top to open up your pores. You massage the oil into your skin, wipe away the excess, and you’re done. The idea behind this is that the oil you put on your face dissolves the bad oils in your skin. This will supposedly leave your face clear and moisturized. I grabbed some olive oil from my kitchen and proceeded to forego traditional face wash for six months.

My research suggested that I would go through a transition period, where I’d break out before things got better. This period typically lasts two to three weeks, and then supposedly my skin would be glowing. It’s safe to say that in all my six months I never made it to this light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, there were days when my skin would look and feel great, but for every one of those days there would be two or three where I’d be sprouting pimples like crazy, and it was not a good look.

I figured that I may just be using the wrong oil, so I began to invest in a few different kinds: jojoba, rose hip seed, coconut, and castor, just to name a few. Nothing worked, and I began to feel my skin grow oddly dry and even more zit-infested.

In an act of despair, I drove to the drugstore and picked up the chemical-laden cleanser I had been using before my OCM journey. And you know what? It worked. Soon after, I discovered my holy grail face wash, black African soap, and I’ve never looked back into my greasy past.
In conclusion, this method didn’t work for me. There are obviously people who it does work for, though, so if you feel inclined, try it out! You may regret it, but you might love it.

Do you have any crazy beauty tips? Let us know on social media @Cfashionista!

Additional photos by Cassidy Clark.

5 Reasons You Should Incorporate Yoga Into Your Workout Routine

As we start the new school year, everyone is eager to hit the gym and sweat out their stress. The workload is crazy, and we all need time to ourselves to release some of that energy. Read on to see why you should incorporate yoga into your daily routine:

yoga

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

1—De-stress yourself

We all need something to give us a little break. Maybe you have three tests coming up or you’re preparing for a big interview—whatever the case, you need to unwind and relax. That’s where yoga comes in. Whether you have time for an hour-long class or only a 10-minute video, that’s all it takes to feel calmer, relaxed, and ready to take on anything the day throws at you!

2—Get a sweat session in

Some of you may read this and think, “Yoga, as a workout?” Well, I’m here to tell you that you can very well break a major sweat during a yoga session (my sweaty mat during hot yoga is proof enough). Simply look up the class schedule at your gym to see the different variations of classes. Vinyasa, power flow, hot yoga, etc. are some examples. Then just pick which one works best for you! All you have to do is go, be present, and sweat it out!

yoga

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Meet some new friends.

Joining a fitness class is a great way to make friends. Maybe take some time before or after class to get to know the person on the mat beside you. Your yoga teacher is almost always very willing and excited to talk after class about anything, from constructive criticism to just getting to know you a little bit better! If making friends on the fly isn’t your thing, you can always grab a buddy or two to take with you and make it a shared experience. The more, the merrier!

4—Embrace the zen

A yoga practice is your time—and your time only—to get in touch with what you’re feeling that day and clear your headspace. This can be achieved in a class or on your own. Shavasana (also known as corpse pose), often done at the end of the class, is the perfect time to appreciate your body’s abilities, and to reflect on yourself and your attitudes. Even five minutes can really brighten your outlook!

5—Wear cute workout clothes.

You didn’t think I’d end this post without mentioning the endless array of yoga leggings, did you? Attending a class is the perfect excuse to wear leggings all day and own the athleisure look. With plenty of cute and comfy options for everyone out there, you’re sure to rock the yoga studio all day long!

Lastly, yoga is not about judgment or comparison. It’s about self-improvement and getting in touch with your mind and body. So I encourage you to attend a class, and see for yourself how amazing it is!

What’s your favorite way to break a sweat? Let me know in the comments below!

The Athlete’s Guide to Going-Out Attire

When you’re an athlete, you’re constantly on the go. Whether you are literally running to class or finishing up several sweaty (and smelly) hours at the gym before a night out, freshening up after workouts is not easy. In fact, our busy athletic schedules sometimes deter us from socializing afterward.

Being the Fashionistas that we are, however, we shouldn’t have to choose between working out and going out! Here are some quick and simple tricks every athlete should use when transitioning into going out attire.

PHOTO: Rachel Zuckerberg

1—Dry shampoo

While taking a full post-workout shower is ideal, time does not always allow for this to happen. Depending on how sweaty you are, you may want to rinse off your body—but, keep your hair dry! This is where the dry shampoo comes in. Rather than waste time drying your hair, spritz some dry shampoo over your tresses instead. To use, shake the bottle and hold it a couple inches away from your head before applying. If you hold it too close, your hair may look powdery. Aim the spray towards your roots, and try to get under the different layers of your part. The dry shampoo will soak up the grease from your hairline, and give you the volume that your workout took away.

PHOTO: Amber Sudra

2—Comfy shoes

There’s nothing worse than jamming your aching, post-workout, toes into a pair of pumps or stilettos—except maybe dancing in them afterward. Thankfully, there are many comfortable (and fashionable) shoe options that can be worn going out instead of heels. Athletes can opt for supportive shoes, such as lace-up booties or stylish sneakers. Depending on where you are partying, these may be better options anyway! Parties are known for being shoe-destroyers, so regardless of your athletic status, it is best to leave your favorite heels at home when attending a party.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

3—Sleek ponies

The ponytail is every athletic girl’s best friend. Chances are, you were wearing one during your workout—and, with a few tweaks, you can reuse the style at night. A ponytail is a great style for going out because it smooths away flyaways and even masks the appearance of greasy hair. Ponytails are a particularly trendy look at the moment and have even been worn on the red carpet by multiple celebs, including J-Lo, Blake Lively, and Reese Witherspoon. Additionally, pulling your hair back gives you more opportunities to accessorize. Try fun earrings or a bold lip color for some flare.

Whatever you put on, don’t forget to wear it with confidence! You’ve worked for it (literally).

How do you get ready on-the-go? Let us know in the comments or tag @Cfashionista on social media!

6 Items Even Minimalists Should Keep in Their Bathroom

The term “beauty product” probably means something different to all of us. Everyone has their own definition of what counts as a beauty product, and everyone has their own preference for how many they own. For example, I own about 10, but my sister owns at least 100. Whether you’re more like me, or more like my sister, there are a few staple items I think everyone should own, or at least keep in their bathroom “just in case.”

1—Candle

The first is something simple and relaxing—a candle. I’m a candle enthusiast; I always have one in my bathroom, one in my bedroom, one in my kitchen, one on the balcony, etc. Even if you aren’t so into the idea of candles, the bathroom is the perfect place to start! Choose from aromatherapy, citrus, fresh linen, vanilla sugar, and so much more. There is a scent for everyone, and I promise it will make showers, baths, or even just getting ready in the morning better!

PHOTO: Amber Sudra

2—Face Mask

These are a staple item for me. Even though they’re not something I use daily, I always have one lying around. The best part is that there’s a mask for whatever you need—healing, moisturizing, rejuvenating, sleeping, you name it! Not only are they relaxing but they are so good for your skin as well. Your face will thank you.

3—Eyeshadow

If I’m being completely transparent, I am not an eyeshadow artist. I know so many people who are really good at it, but unfortunately, I am not one of those people. However, I do think that eyeshadow is fun to experiment with, and can dress up any look in a matter of seconds.

 

PHOTO: Daisa Harris

4—Facial Spray

This stuff is a game changer. It’s starting to become more and more popular, and I can see why! Whether you choose makeup setting spray, hydrating protection spray, or the ever so popular Mario Badescu Rosewater Facial Spray, you’re bound to feel like a new person after just one use.

5—Perfume

I’m sure this one seems like a given, but I still wanted to mention it, as it is a staple item. I also wanted to share a little beauty hack I recently learned! If you rub a tiny amount of Vaseline on your neck before spraying your fragrance, the smell will last longer!

PHOTO: Emily Truong

6—Bath Bomb

Last but not least, the bath bomb. Similar to candles, I am a sucker for these. I didn’t really get into bubble baths until last year when I finally had my own bathroom and decided to try one of these bombs that were all the rave. However, now I’m really into them. They’re perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day, or even just to relax in the afternoon.

Do you have a favorite beauty product? Share it with us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @cfashionista!

Add This Podcast to Your Fall Semester Playlist

During my junior year of college, I took a listening class where I had to listen to seven hours worth of a material from a podcast. I thought it would be the most dreadful assignment I would ever have. Strangely enough, I became hooked on the podcast series Pop Fashion. Podcasts are like magazines for your ear. All the content you need is available without having to stay focused on one item. You can listen to them straight from a website or application, or you can download and have the ability to listen to them offline. Listening to a podcast can be mesmerizing. Hearing someone’s voice and having them put expression into it makes the story really come to life.

PHOTO: Daisa Harris

If you’re not listening to this podcast already, you should be! Pop Fashion is described as a podcast for fashion, news, trends, business, and fashion crime. They air on a weekly basis, and each episode tends to be in anywhere between 54 minutes to an hour. More importantly, I enjoy the fact that they don’t stick to the basics of fashion. They are smart and insightful. For instance, they touch upon retail, politics, food, and e-commerce (since everything ties back to fashion).

PHOTO: Daisa Harris

The hosts of the show, Lisa and Kaarin, are hilarious! They keep you entertained and tell you honest facts without sugarcoating the news. Kaarin and Lisa don’t have voices that put you to sleep or are super obnoxious that after five minutes of listening you wish you never hit play. You will get all the facts and they keep the information simple and easy to follow along. You don’t have to be an expert Fashionista to keep up with these ladies.

Add this to your weekly agenda and sync this to your Bluetooth speaker while you’re lounging at home. What other podcasts are you listening to? Comment your favorites below!

Additional photos by Daisa Harris.

How Goal Setting Can Lead to a Successful Semester

Heading back to school after a relaxing summer can seem chaotic and overwhelming, and settling back into a daily routine sometimes takes a while. Whether you’re juggling a job with clubs and classes, or just focusing on academics, it’s important to consistently keep your 20/20 vision in check with goal setting and planning.

Planning

Using a planner is extremely helpful for organizing daily, weekly, and even monthly events and deadlines. Writing out your schedule of classes, work, and clubs helps to visualize how much free time you have. It’s suddenly much easier to make time for school work, friends, and most importantly, yourself, once everything is laid out.

Some great planners can quickly get on the expensive side, but that shouldn’t deter you from organizing and planning your little heart out. You can always create your own scheduling or to-do list templates on a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or even Google Sheets. Creating your own planner will encourage you to keep up with it, and even allow your creative juices to flow every once in a while. All it takes to create your dream planner is a few clicks and colorful pens.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

Goal Setting

While using a planner is great for the smaller picture, goal setting is just as important. Planning for the future can be intimidating and overwhelming, but setting up a plan for achieving your dreams makes it much easier. The most important step in goal setting is writing them down. Whether you keep them on your computer, journal, or hang them up in your bedroom, it’s important to be able to look at them on a daily basis. Whenever you’re struggling, simply think back to your goals to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing and give yourself a little pep talk.

Breaking down your goals into manageable bits makes them much less intimidating. Your goals should always be specific, measurable, challenging, and timely. For example, if you want to work towards an active lifestyle, challenge yourself to exercise at least three days a week. Once that becomes too easy, start working your way up to six days a week, or simply increase the amount of time you spend working out. Always keep a record of your progress to remind yourself how far you have come from wherever it is you started (and don’t be afraid to occasionally reward yourself.)

PHOTO: Madison Paloski

Above all, your goals should be achievable. Don’t try to make the big leap at once because it’s easier to lose motivation that way. Start with the smaller steps and create a schedule for yourself, no matter how long it takes. Once you set your goals, write them down, plan your timeline, and you’ll be able to take on this (and every) semester with a clear vision and a new dose of productivity.

What goals are you currently working toward? Tell us all about them on social media by tagging @Cfashionista.

Additional photos by Emily Truong

5 College Girls Get Real About Apartment Roommates

College is all about making lifelong friendships, but sometimes it can be hard to navigate the social scene once the days of orientation and residence halls are over with. As a disclaimer, I do still live in on-campus housing. If it means trading total freedom for loosely enforced quiet hours and the occasional floor meeting, I am putting off paying actual rent for as long as possible. I live with three roommates in an apartment with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom, and two double bedrooms. It is also a ‘wet’ building, so it might as well be a full-fledged apartment without dealing with the hassle of a New York City landlord.

Living with roommates is difficult as you progress through college.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

As we progress through college, whether living on-campus or off, it becomes a major challenge to meet new people and adjust to living with new roommates. Although you might think having an RA who makes you fill out roommate agreement contracts is a pain, it really is comforting to know there is someone to go to if problems arise. Getting older though, the disagreements are no longer just minor annoyances about alarm clocks and unmade beds, but instead, they are often about washing pots and pans and keeping the bathroom tidy. To combat anxieties about getting along with roommates in an apartment, I’ve gathered some advice from some of my most trusted friends on their best tips and tricks for a successful year.

PHOTO: Rachel Zuckerberg

1—Communication is key.

“My best advice is being open and honest right off the bat. Don’t let anything that’s bothering you fester, just have open communication with everything upfront.” -Lauren, ’18

2—Make cleaning a habit.

“Clean a little each day so that you’re not left with a huge mess at any given time. This way, there are never marathon cleaning sessions being done by any one roommate.” -Katherine, ’18

PHOTO: Anna Coke

3—Always be considerate.

“I think the most important part of sharing an apartment is being considerate. In the kitchen, for example, being aware of what you use and making sure you’re keeping things clean is a great way to avoid conflict between roommates.” -Annie, ’18

 

4—Take advantage of the extra space.

“If you’re going to be up late doing homework, go into the common room to do it that way you don’t disturb your roommate who can sleep. Also, everyone has pet peeves about kitchen, bathroom, and how they like things kept, so before living together, make a list of this so everyone is aware of them.”  -Gabriella, ’18

PHOTO: Daisa Harris

5—Ask before you host.

“One of my biggest pet peeves is roommates assuming every hour is social hour. I think a great rule of thumb is to always ask before inviting friends over, as you never know who might be studying or heading to bed.” -Antonia ’18

 

Have any other tips for living with roommates in an apartment? Leave us a comment or let us know on social media @CFashionista!

5 Ways to Rock Denim Jackets and Jeans this Fall

Denim is such a tried and true fashion trend that I genuinely believe it will never go out of style. However, denim is constantly evolving. Because of the constant evolution of denim, Fashionistas are always finding new ways to rock denim jackets and denim jeans. Here are five innovative ways that you can rock denim on your campus this fall.

1—Denim on denim. While denim on denim was once considered a fashion sin, denim on denim is now considered trendy. The rise of denim on denim is primarily because of the other various trends from the 1990s that are making a comeback! When wearing denim on denim, it is best to wear two different shades of denim. For example, wearing a light wash jean jacket with dark wash denim jeans. By wearing two shades of denim, you can create a trendy two-toned look.

PHOTO: Cassidy Clark

2—Patterned denim. If you want to add a little flair to your denim, patterned denim is the way to go! Patterned denim has been popping up at a variety of stores. One way to wear patterned denim is to wear a denim jacket with a floral pattern. This look combines two major trends, floral and denim, for a cool and casual vibe.

PHOTO: Ali Bell

3—Fringed denim. While distressed denim will never go out of style, one of the latest denim trends I have noticed is fringed denim. This trend involves denim jeans or a jacket that is fringed at the edges. This trend first became popular in Spain, but it has made its way to the United States. Fringed denim jeans with a pair of heels are the perfect look for a fall day.

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

4—Patched denim. A new street style trend that I have noticed this fall is patched denim. This fresh look adds different patches to a regular pair of denim pants. A pair of patched denim jeans and a cool band T-shirt would create a hipster look for a chill day on campus.

 

How do you plan on rocking denim this fall? Let me know below in the comments your favorite way to rock your denim! 

How to Master Power Dressing According to a Stylist

Just like how standing with your arms on your waist in a Superman pose for two minutes can boost your confidence, dressing in the right blazers, shirts, and pantsuits—aka power dressing—can do the same. Many S/S 17 designer collections including Prada, Céline, and Louis Vuitton reintroduced us to officewear that is no longer boring and conventional, but modern, bold, and statement-making. We’ll continue to see more power pieces for next season. At Tom Ford’s S/S 18 show, blazers with shoulder pads in hot pink, white, and black were slung coolly over models’ shoulders.

Even if power dressing may seem like a passing trend, it is in fact here to stay and highly political. Power dressing surfaced in the ’70s as a means to let women establish authority in the workplace which was dominated by men. Today, more women are in leading positions, and younger graduates and millennial women are eager to take on similar roles. There’s never been a better time to show your ambition through your clothing. To help you channel your inner power goddess, I asked New York City fashion stylist and producer Jessica Wu on tips to master power dressing and how you can dress the part now before you land your dream job.

PHOTO: Harleen Sidhu

1—Accessories are key

When it comes to power dressing, accessories can make or break an outfit. Wu says casual and dramatic accessories can be paired with power pieces to complete the look: “If I were to wear a pantsuit, I’d wear it with some chunky athletic sneakers or add a flashy or brightly colored bag.”

PHOTO: Harleen Sidhu

2—The blazer is your best friend

Don’t underestimate the power of the blazer. This versatile piece can be styled in a number of ways for a number of occasions and is a great power piece for college students. Wu says a longer blazer can be worn as a mini dress, oversize blazers can be layered with knits and blouses, and more fitted blazers can be dressed up with complementary bottoms or dressed down with boyfriend jeans.

PHOTO: Harleen Sidhu

3—Less is more

A good blazer is important, but what’s underneath can be just as powerful. Modern power dressing has seen a mix of traditional masculine styles and more wispy, baring feminine styles. Under your blazer, Wu suggests to “keep it bare so you don’t look too covered up—wear a silk camisole, crop top, or bralette.”

PHOTO: Harleen Sidhu

How do you style power pieces? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.