Tag: Beauty

This Simple Beauty Routine Can Do More Than Save Time

Three years ago, I started to do the unthinkable—wear only the bare necessities for makeup. This was before the simple beauty routine was actually popularized by Glossier and fresh-faced models. My decision to begin this no-makeup makeup routine required no complex thought process; it was simply a result of saving time in the morning. While I didn’t realize at the time that this change would result in anything more than a shorter morning routine, the benefits started pouring in. If you’re on the verge of cutting your beauty routine in half but are still unsure, keep reading below to see the hidden perks nobody tells you about. P.S.—your skin will thank you.

PHOTO: Cassidy Clark

1—You’ll focus your energy on your skincare routine

A lazy beauty routine implies putting minimal effort into your routine, but who says this applies to skincare? When I spent 30 minutes on my makeup every morning, I had zero skincare products. Fast-forward three years later, and now I own too many to count. Cutting back on beauty products that block your skin allows you to actually stop and care for the largest organ on your body. I now moisturize at least twice a day, use vitamin serums, and try to use a face mask on a regular basis. You know that meme where skincare can magically cure all of your ailments, even if every other aspect of your life is crashing and burning? I can confirm that to be 100 percent true. Just as Glossier says, skin is in.

PHOTO: Natalie Miller

2—Makeup will become a tool to enhance your features, not hide

Using only three to four beauty products makes it nearly impossible to hide your flaws, and will enhance the features you love. Like your cheekbones so much that you want to make them glow? Use a dewy highlighter. Have naturally bushy eyebrows but want to make them just a little more defined? Apply a simple brow gel to your brows. This technique not only saves money, but it also allows you to realize the features you love about your face. Say hello to a huge boost in confidence.

PHOTO: Jordyn Wissert

3—You’ll have more time to do, well, everything

It’s clear that a simple beauty routine will literally cut minutes of time, but the free time will show up in more ways than the obvious. Time to decompress and take care of yourself will increase; instead of spending 20 minutes on eyeliner, you could meditate every morning. You won’t be worried about always looking your best when you leave the house, and this automatically gives you the energy to worry about more important aspects of your life, like your future summer internship. You’ll learn that makeup is only a tiny detail in your life instead of its basis—as it should be.

How has turning to a lazy beauty routine changed your life? Leave your response in the comments!

Additional photos by Amber Sudra and Lex Kelly.

3 Makeup Brands That Double as Skincare

Although the new year technically begins in January, students, teachers, and Vogue would argue that the year really begins in September. In elementary school, back-to-school season meant a new composition book and shiny new Mary Janes. In middle school, it meant a fresh haircut (remember side bangs?) and a new L.L. Bean backpack. In high school, it meant a new black eyeliner pencil (to match the teen angst) and a pair of Converse. Now that I’m in college, my back-to-school essentials have upgraded to include sheet masks and makeup that doubles as skincare.

Even though I’m fully aware that by November I will be rocking a paper bag to class, it doesn’t stop me from putting effort into my appearance at the start of the semester. However, since Tulane is basically in the swamp, the humidity makes it impossible to wear regular makeup. Instead of layering on foundation, my go-to is light and airy makeup that actually improves my complexion—which in turn lessens my need for makeup. Here are three makeup brands that double as skincare.

1—Glossier

Glossier prides itself on being a beauty brand inspired by what girls want in real life. Their mantra is “skin first, makeup second.” Every one of their products is built to enhance natural beauty as opposed to hiding flaws. Emily Weiss, the founder of the beauty blog Into the Gloss, founded Glossier in 2014. The cult favorite product is Boy Brow, which is a mascara wand meant to fill in and define your brows. Other fan favorites include the Milky Jelly Cleanser, Stretch Concealer, and the Moisturizing Moon Mask. In addition to arriving in the most aesthetically-pleasing millennial pink packaging ever created, all the orders come with an array of stickers and posters.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

2—Milk Makeup

Milk Makeup designs their makeup for “the girl-on-the-go, who spends less time getting done up and more time getting stuff done.” Their products are multi-functional, eco-conscious, and easy on the skin. Mazdack Rassi, Zanna Roberts, Georgie Greville, and Dianna Ruth founded Milk Makeup in 2015. My favorite product is the Blur Stick. I find that with just a tiny amount of product, it evens out my complexion. Their other lauded products that I want to try are their Cooling Water and Holographic Stick.

PHOTO: Natalie Miller

3—Dr. Brandt Skincare

While the line by Dr. Brandt does contain a few makeup products, the core is skincare (after all, Dr. Brandt did get his start as a dermatologist). My favorite of his products is the Pores No More Primer which instantly evens out my complexion and mattifies. While the primer is designed to prep the canvas before layering on the foundation, I prefer to wear the primer alone like a BB Cream on days where I’m just running errands or going to class.

Have you used any products from these brands? Share your experiences on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Featured photo by Lex Kelly.

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.

Think Skincare and Makeup Are 2 Separate Things? Think Again.

Loving makeup is nothing new, but as time goes on we as a society have become more conscious of what our skin doesn’t like. Over time, makeup can make you feel more oily and dry based on your skin type and even cause more breakouts.

Here’s the good part: we don’t have to sacrifice makeup for skincare! Shocking, right? But here’s the thing; there are healthy ways to take care of our skin while still having an everyday makeup routine.

 

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

Keeping Clean

First, never sleep in your makeup. Giving your skin a good scrub at the end of the day is always a good idea. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, and it deserves some time to breathe. A great way to refresh your face at night is to use an all-natural cleanser, like Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser. This brand specifically goes by the phrase, “Skincare first. Makeup second,” so they are super credible in their intentions when it comes to healthy skin. Another great way to leave your face feeling extra fresh is doing a fun face mask. I’m a big fan of Yes To’s face masks. The ingredients check out, and they offer so many great options in their products.

Makeup That Helps

Another tip in taking care of your skin is to try to use the best makeup for it. You’re essentially feeding your skin, and just like food, some things are healthier to digest than others. This is why some beauty products leave you feeling oily while others don’t phase your skin after removal at all. Glossier carries an array of awesome products, all putting skincare first. I feel safe using these products, and you totally should, too. Glossier isn’t the only brand that cares about your skin’s health, of course. Some brands carried by Sephora that also value being all-natural are BITE Beauty, RMS, Lilah B., Antonym, and my personal favorite, Milk Makeup. Some of these natural products I would highlight are the Holographic Stick and Cooling Water by Milk Makeup and the Certified Organic Baked Blush by Antonym.

See? It’s easier to take care of your skin than you probably thought. Beauty companies aren’t out to hurt our skin; in fact, many want to help us! Just be cautious of what products you’re using, and stick to a skincare routine that works for you.

Let us know on Instagram what beauty products work wonders for your skin, and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista. We can’t wait to see your beautiful faces!

Additional photos by Lex Kelly.

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.

Mastering the Under-Eye Eyeshadow Trend

Recently in the beauty industry, it’s been all about bringing in bright colors into makeup looks. The previous makeup trend used to be all about neutrals and shy colors on the eyes, but recently people are becoming more welcoming of bright, popping colors on the eyes. More specifically, popping colors on the under-eye.

PHOTO: Samu Sibiya

It’s all about keeping the top eyelids clear and bringing that pop of color to the lower lash line. This instantly makes your eyes pop, sort of in the same way an eyeliner makes your eyes pop.

People are bringing in bright colors such as yellow and pink on their lower waterline and actually blending out the color to the lower lash line. Now, the question is: how does one achieve this look without it watering down into your eye creases? I’ve found a way that avoids that smudged appearance that tends to come off as messy.

1- Prime the eye. First thing’s first, make sure the area is clean to ensure the color is in its purest form. Prime the under eye with concealer to make the under eye a blank canvas. This ensures that the colors will not water down into the eye creases and ensure that the colors last longer. Think of the concealer as a glue that keeps the eye shadow in place.

2- Eye shadow. Now you can apply the colored eye shadow to the lash line—ensure that you use a small brush to keep the shadow as close to the lower lash line as possible that way you avoid it from watering down.

3- More eye shadow. Add about two layers of eye shadow to keep the color popping and intense. If you ever decide to use a shimmer shade on the lash line, make sure to spray some fixing spray on your brush before you dab it into the eye shadow. Again, this keeps the shimmer in one place and intensifies it.

There you have it, it’s as simple as that! This is a creative way to bring in a touch of color to your makeup look if you are someone who usually shies away from using bright colors.

Now go on and try this color trend. Don’t forget to take some selfies for the world to see and tag @Cfashionista on social media!

5 Guidelines for the Ultimate Fresh-Faced Beauty Look

The fresh-faced beauty look is all over the place right now—on the runways, on the streets, and even on campus. If you don’t have a ton of time in the morning, the fresh-faced look is perfect for you. Even if you do have a lot of time and just want to rock this beauty trend, here are five simple and easy guidelines to follow to achieve a fresh-faced look in minutes.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Don’t neglect your eyebrows

Your eyebrows are important; they frame your face and balance out the rest of your beauty look. Even if you don’t do anything else to your face, just doing your eyebrows will make a huge difference. The goal is to enhance your existing eyebrows. If using a pencil is too harsh for you, I suggest using a tinted brow gel or lightly filling in your eyebrows with a brow powder. Pro tip: eyeshadow works great if you don’t have a dedicated brow powder product.

2—Keep it lightweight

This may sound like a no-brainer, but keeping your face makeup on the lightweight side is ideal. If you have freckles, let them peek through. Try a tinted moisturizer or just a mineral powder for the ideal fresh-faced look. The idea here is to elevate your natural beauty—the less coverage the better. If you can still see some imperfections on your face after application, then you are doing the fresh-faced beauty look correctly. Add a natural-looking flush of color to your cheeks with a liquid blush.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

3—Highlighter is essential

Highlighter can be intense, but when used sparingly it can add the perfect amount of luminosity. The goal here is to give your face a glow, not a shine. Highlight the high points of your face to keep the eye on your best features. Your cheekbones, Cupid’s bow, and brow bone are a good place to start. For an even more natural and glowy look, try using a liquid illuminator under your face product.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

4—Feature your lips

You should always prep your lips for a lip product. A lip scrub is your best bet, but a lip balm will be sufficient. Once your lips are prepared, add a pop of color. This is the step where you can be bold. Reds and oranges are the perfect pop for the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

5—Mascara makes all the difference

Focus on making your eyelashes stand out; this is the step that makes your fresh-faced makeup look come together. A few coats of a volumizing mascara will have all eyes on your eyes. If you use an eyeliner, I suggest a super thin light brown line across the lash line for some subtle definition.

What is your go-to makeup product for a fresh-faced look? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to share your looks with us on social media by tagging @Cfashionista! 

Top 5 Beauty Products for Back to School

With summer coming to a close, it is time to begin back to school shopping. Now is the time to stock up on new makeup products that you have been wanting to try! I have put together a list of my top five beauty essentials that would be great additions to any Fashionista’s makeup collection.

Top Five Beauty Products

1—Primer. Primer is an important product. Makeup will look smoother, giving you flawless-looking skin, but most importantly it will help your makeup last all day. Whether you have dry skin, oily skin, or normal skin, there is a primer out there for you. One of my all-time favorite primers is the Mario Badescu facial spray with aloe, herbs, and rosewater. I like this product for many reasons. One, it is a skincare product, so it is going to be treating dryness by adding hydration and glow. Two, it serves many purposes. You can use this product not only on your face but on your body and hair. Tip: Spray this into wet hair to add extra shine.

2—Foundation. Foundation allows you to create different makeup looks depending on the type of foundation that you use. For example, if you are going to the beach and want a natural look, I would choose a CC cream or medium-coverage foundation. This will cover most imperfections but let your natural skin peek through. When doing a night look, I tend to amp up my makeup. I will use a full-coverage foundation that will provide more coverage. One of my favorite full-coverage foundations is the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer 2 in 1. This is great because even though it is full-coverage, it still feels very light on the skin.

3—Foundation applicator. Whether you prefer a beauty blender or foundation brush, I think a foundation applicator is crucial for a makeup look. A foundation applicator helps smooth the foundation over the skin. One of my all-time favorite brushes is the Foundation Buff Brush from Clinique. This brush melts the foundation into the skin, giving a natural look.

4—Bronzer. This is a great way to add a sun-kissed glow to the face without having to lay out in the sun. You want to apply bronzer to the points on the face where the sun would naturally hit: your forehead, temples, cheekbones, and jawline. I love applying bronzer with a fan brush. This application allows you to have a light hand to enhance more of the natural look. I have used many different bronzers but one that remains in my collection is my Laura Geller Bronze-N-Brighten in the shade medium. This bronzer gives the appearance that you have been relaxing in the sun.

5—Highlighter. If you love the “glowing from within” look, then a highlighter is just the thing you need. Highlighters can add so much luminosity to the face. I am a fan of the Becca highlighters, specifically Champagne Pop or Opal, but if you want more a natural glow, try the Too Faced highlighter in the shade Blinded by the Light. This adds the perfect amount of radiance to the skin but is also very buildable if you prefer something more intense.

I would love to know what your favorite beauty essentials are so tag @Cfashionista the next time you post on social media!

Creating a Signature Scent Had to do With More Than Smelling Good For This College Student

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t find the right perfume? What if the alcohol content of a perfume just rubs you wrong? Additionally, being Muslim meant I couldn’t use alcohol-based perfumes, and while there are alternatives, I’ve never connected with them. I wanted to explore the world of scent-making and make something that would remind anyone, with one whiff, of the essence of me. Which is why I turned to making my own scent:

1—A base note. This is the musky and heavy, long-lasting scent that remains on you. Essential oils used as base notes are usually characterized by having a large molecular structure and high density.

2—A middle note. This is considered the heart, or bouquet of the scent. It is what will really come through as your scent. It remains for a few hours, and there are a wide variety of them.

3—A top note. This is the first scent that hits your nose. This usually goes away after the first few minutes so make sure you don’t base your entire scent around that first whiff!

You will also need a dropper or pipette, a small jar to mix the product in, a perfume bottle, and a notebook to record your steps and measurements. As a general rule of thumb, follow the 100 drops rule to easily split up how many drops of each oil you add. Too little or too much can completely unbalance your scent!

Fragrances usually follow a 20/80 ratio. 80 drops of the carrier oil and 20 for the essential oils. Within these 20 drops, you can create your own ratio of how many drops of which you want to add!

1—My palette. I used coconut oil as my carrier oil. My middle note comprised of lavender, and my top note was peppermint. I was going for a floral and slightly warming scent, something that reminds me of home but also has an adventurous side to it.

2—The base note. I added in 13 drops of rosemary total. After putting in an initial 10 drops, I adjusted it later on as I added the other oils in.

3—The middle note. I wanted to balance the middle and top notes as peppermint and lavender could both be used as top notes. However, lavender had a slightly more deep and settling smell so I decided to use it in the middle.

4—The top note. The top note was peppermint, as it had a sharp initial smell that soon faded away. I wanted to have the perfume perk up and then settle, so the order was perfect.

In the end, I had a warm spicy smell I call Spicy Lavender, as the sharp smell of peppermint fades into a lovely, warming coconut and herb mixture. The scent, more than jolting or intoxicating, is a calming and happy scent that works perfectly with my personality.

Do you have a particular scent you want to make your own? Share with us on social media, and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

5-Step Routine To Take Care Of Your Skin Before Bed

A basic skin care routine before bed is essential to have good morning skin! Sometimes, we do not realize how important it is to take care of it. We are always outside in the pollution. Therefore, it’s vital to follow the next five tips to have a good caring of your skin before ending your day.

1—Remove your makeup

I know it can be hard, and sometimes we feel lazy after a long day of studying. But, this step is the most important of every night. Besides, using a makeup remover that takes care of your skin is essential. Make sure to choose one specially designed for your skin type. Dry skin does not have the same needs as oily skin.

2—Wash your face with a special soap

It’s a big mistake to use hand soap on your face. Also, be sure to choose the right cleanser for your skin type and remove it with tepid water.

3—Don’t forget the facial toner

This might be a new term for you. Not everyone knows it, so I will explain what it’s all about. The function of a toner is to complete the cleaning of your skin, eliminating dust and impurities that can still remain after washing your face. Also, it rebalances the skin and helps increase the effects of the moisturizer.

4—Moisturizing

Applying a moisturizer daily before going to bed is obligatory. Moisturizing keeps your skin hydrated, thus preventing it from ageing. It has what your skin needs to rest all night.

5—Beauty sleep

Sleeping is really important to maintaining healthy skin. Getting enough sleep allows cell regeneration, reversing the damage caused to skin during the daytime. It leaves the skin to have the rest necessary to wake up the next day.

Do you have a skin care routine? We would love to hear about them! Let us know in the comments below!