Bright – CollegeFashionista

3 Tips for Brightening Up Your Summer Wardrobe

Believe me when I say I’m the first person to want to rock an all-black ensemble. Recently, I’ve been learning to put away those dark pieces and step out of the box. While exploring with splashes of color, I’ve learned to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to fashion. Developing a habit of wearing dark and earth-toned colors can get extremely comfortable, but It’s time to switch it up a bit.

1—Figure out what color schemes you like best. When picking shades, I go for colors that work best for my skin tone to make it stand out. I went for a neon halter top. Neon colors are fun because whether you’re going to a small get-together or a festival, this summer you’ll be on-trend.

2—Find complementary pieces that go well with your brights. Of course, you can style any piece of clothing however you’d like. Pieces like medium wash skirts or shorts are my favorite things to pair with vibrant colors. I’m wearing a button-down denim skirt from H&M. I’ve been loving these skirts lately because you can style them with literally anything. In addition to these items, I wore leather cut-out boots to give this outfit an edgy flare.

3—Last but not least, accessories, of course! Okay, I have to admit, these gradient sunglasses have been my staple all summer. I wear them with everything. I’ve been noticing that this kind of colorful lens glasses has been everywhere, so I had to snag a pair. Even colorful accessories can tie a cool and colorful look together.

What are some of your favorite vibrant colors to wear? What colors have you been dying to try out? Let us know on social media or in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

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The Pretty Popping Comeback of Pink

Major summer trend alert: pink has officially made its comeback, after being in the background for so long. In the early 2000s, the color pink was popular exclusively in some form of a sparkly camisole and has been forever remembered to have only been pulled off “correctly” by the iconic Elle Woods. However, it has made its comeback, and there’s officially no wrong way to think pink! From fuchsia to mauve, the choices are endless, and no matter what you chose it will undoubtedly have you turning heads this summer.

Like the weather, my current personal favorite shade of pink is hot, hot, hot; though I am also a huge fan of a dusty pink as well. My fashion tip to conquering the color with confidence is to remember that pink looks great with lots of texture and depth. For this look, I am wearing a sheer, flowy off-the-shoulder top. It is studded with buttons down the middle and Swiss dots on the bodice. The off-the-shoulder sleeves and sheer texture add an extra level of boldness to the outfit, while the dots and buttons are more subtly sweet.

I chose to pair this top with a short denim skirt and chunky white platform wedges. The faded blue in the denim allows the hot pink to really shine. Black jeans also look great with lighter pinks, and white really complements burnt pink. Same goes for the shoes; I like how bright the white looks with the pink, but you can mix and match with tan or even black. With a color so versatile, it almost seems like you can’t make a wrong choice with how to wear it.

Jewelry is another fun topic when it comes to pink. Because it comes in so many shades, you can wear any of your precious metals. I am a jewelry minimalist; small earrings, rings, and maybe a dainty anklet are the most you will get out of me. So for this look, I chose light gold pieces that kept the focus on my top but still complemented it. You can add a silver or black choker for an edgier vibe or keep things classy with pearls too! Pink goes with any type of personal style. This summer’s color is here to stay so let us be pretty, pink, and powerful in every way.

How would you wear this pink trend? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista

5 Tips to Master the “Barely There” Makeup Look

Makeup is fun to play with and experiment with, but you don’t always want everyone to know you are wearing it. Sometimes, like for work or school, you just want something light and fresh that will highlight your best features and cover up any you aren’t as big of a fan of. The “barely there” makeup look can be a go-to all year long, and it is perfect for whenever you are in a rush. Here are several tips for achieving this simple, flawless look for yourself.

1—Use your fingers. The most unappreciated makeup tool, your fingers, are great for “barely there” makeup looks. The warmth from your fingers blends products more flawlessly into your skin than any other makeup brush. Plus, you can get your makeup done a lot faster!

2—Don’t apply foundation everywhere. It can be tempting to just blend your foundation all over your face when you want to cover up imperfections, but try to shy away from that because it can look like you have caked on your makeup. Instead, apply only to any problem areas. Have some acne or acne scars on your chin or forehead? Dab your foundation lightly just on those areas.

3—Use cream products instead of powder. A powder can easily be spotted on the face by makeup experts or rookies. Instead, go for cream or liquid products. To add some color and dimension, use a cream bronzer lightly around the perimeter of your face. To add some glow to the top of your cheekbones, dab on a liquid highlighter with your fingers.

4—Match your cheek and lip color If you want to add some color back to your face, multitask and use the same color on your cheeks and lips. When the two match each other, it looks like more of a natural flush to the face. Take your favorite Your Lips But Better lipstick and dab it onto your lips. Then dab a little on your cheeks and blend it out.

5—Use a lengthening and separating mascara instead of a volumizing one. I never skip out on lashes when I do my makeup. I think it adds the biggest difference, but it can look so natural. To keep with the “barely there” theme, hold off on your super, extra volumizing mascaras and opt for a mascara that lengthening and separates instead. This will brighten up your eyes and make them not look too intense.

What are your favorite “barely there” makeup products? Comment below!

Bright and Bold—Easy Music Festival Makeup

Where are you headed this summer? For some, it’s one of the most anticipated events of the year: a music festival! Whether it be Lollapalooza, Spring Awakening, or even Ultra—festival-goers look forward to the music, dancing, food, and attire. I am also a part of this crowd, so when the time gets closer, I love to brainstorm what I should wear and how I should do my makeup. I’ve created two easy music festival makeup looks to inspire you at your next festival. Grab your favorite makeup brushes and palettes and let’s get started!

For both looks, I used The Jaclyn Hill Palette, as seen above. I was drawn to the high pigmentation and variety of colors. Feel free to use any similar palette in your collection.

Bright in Color

In this first look, I wanted to use a lot of sparkle! To start, I used neutral tan/brown shades to act as transition colors. This preps the eye for future shadows to blend seamlessly. In the crease, I used a fiery-red matte shade to complement the outer corner, which is a dark, smokey red/purple shimmer. Going from the outer corner to the inner corner, I wanted to focus on an ombré effect. I wanted the entire lid to pop with shimmer and shine. The key to a fierce look like this is making sure you are using a blending brush to eliminate any harsh lines. I used bronze, gold, and teal shimmer shades all over the lid for a splash of color. These colors are universal for multiple skin tones, which means any of you can rock it! I smoked out the lower lash line with a pencil brush and added three dots on the wing using an eyeliner pencil. Finally, I topped it off with a thin coat of jet-black eyeliner.

Bold in Blue

I have been head over heels for a bold blue color, so when I saw this gorgeous teal shade, I knew I had to use it! I wanted to make it the star of the show! Again, I stuck with neutral tan/brown shades to act as transition colors. I used warm red shades in the crease to compliment the lid color. Don’t forget that blending is key. I used a flat brush to apply the teal shadow all over my lid. As far as the lower lash line, I brought back the same red shades from the crease and used them again there. I added a pop of white in my water line using an eyeliner pencil for added glam.

There you have it! Two simple and easy musical festival eye looks. Even if you aren’t attending any festivals this summer, try these looks on your next night out! You will be turning heads so much that you’ll have to spill your makeup secrets.

Do you love these bright and bold music festival makeup looks? Show us how you rock these fun colors and tag us, @CFashionista, on social media.

Set Your Summer Makeup Ablaze

With the hot weather rolling in, I’m oh so bored with my basic makeup routine. While it’s simple and complements anything I wear, I feel like a classic jam stuck on repeat. Truly, I’ve been crushing on the bold makeup looks all over social media. Strobed skin and colorful eye makeup, first seen during S/S 17 runway shows, inspired me to rock a look with colored eyeliner. So, I grabbed a couple friends to see how we could get the look ourselves and found it’s super easy. By adding a couple things to my beauty bag, I kissed my beauty routine blah bye-bye in no time.

Bright Eyes

Honestly, I’m a sucker for a great liquid eyeliner. I stumbled upon the NYX Vivid Bright Eyeliners at Ulta and decided to give them a shot.They’re a total drugstore gem; available in a rainbow of eight shades, surprisingly pigmented, water-resistant, and fun for about $7 each.

We used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($42) for Ana-Maria’s orange smokey eye and gave her a wing with the Vivid Sapphire eyeliner. The combo worked great to bring out the blue-green tones in her eyes. For Kendra’s look, the Vivid Petal eyeliner paired perfectly with shimmery pink shadow from the same palette to really pop against her green eyes. For my look, I chose the Vivid Delight eyeliner layered over a purple shadow look. I loved how fun and flirty the pairing came out! The colorful liners are a fun, easy update on a classic look.

Get Glowing

Since the eye makeup chosen was so intense, we kept the rest of the face clean and simple. Create a smooth base with foundation and powder, moisturizer on the lips, easy with the mascara, and bronzer. However, I couldn’t resist keeping my favorite part of my daily makeup routine, which is highlighting my cheekbones, nose, etc. Normally, I opt for something shimmery and close to my skin tone. This summer, I’ve decided to take things up a notch for a more sun-kissed glow. I picked up the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Sun Dipped ($40), it gives me just what I want with a buttery-soft application and has four shades to choose from. Kendra is wearing the shade Moonstone which gives off a smooth, rose gold tone. For a little extra glow, we dusted the highlight onto our collarbones and shoulders.

Overall, we all love how our makeup turned out. It’s a gorgeous, almost effortless way to break away from the same old, same old and step up your summer beauty routine. Remember, there’s no shame in checking out current trends to get some inspiration for new makeup looks to try out, you might just find something you love!

What are your beauty must-haves this season? Share them with us on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Wednesday Bleak Turned Très Chic

Summer is in full swing, and the best way to beat the summer heat is a cute look for work! With a busy day full of meetings, desk work, lunch dates, and deadlines, there’s no better way to make your mark professionally, from the boardroom to the streets, than with a sharp, Parisian-inspired look! We’re matching our big city ambitions with our big city dreams, and there is no better way to do this than with a cosmopolitan look. There’s something so elegant yet bold about this Fashionista’s jacket, and we can almost picture her taking it from the Metro to the Pierre to the Champs Elysees.

This Fashionista’s twill jacket, which she purchased at Mango, is blue and white tweed and is the ultimate chic statement piece. The jacket, similar to this one by Lafayette 148, is elegant yet understated, just the look for business casual days to elegant cocktail casual nights. The blue dress that this Fashionista wears is the perfect summer look, whether it’s paired with the twill jacket, or on its own. The simplicity of the color pop is sure to send anyone dreaming of summer walks along the Seine! Her statement necklace provides amazing contrast with the cool colors of the blue with it’s orange and blue contrast!

This look is inspiring, iconic, and Chanel-level fabulous. We’re ready for a weekend trip to the Riviera on a cool summer day or a trip to our cubicle on an average Wednesday. With a look like this, though, any day can be exciting, fun, and fashionable. Say goodbye to the humdrum desk job blues, and say hello to your new favorite summer blues!

How do you keep your work clothes chic? Let me know in the comments below!

Hidden Gems in the “City of Brotherly Love”

Though tourist attractions and historical monuments are an important part of Philadelphia, the city boasts much more than those two options. I found recently with a little help from a local Fashionista that the city holds many hidden gems in its colonial buildings and cobblestone streets.

Many of these gems are found on South Street in Philadelphia. South Street is a hybrid of Brooklyn and SoHo, perfectly blended with mosaic walls, quaint cafes, and vintage boutiques. It is a Pinterest board come to life, full of vivid colors and creativity all around. The first stop or gem in the city that my guide showed me was a quirky coffee cafe called Milk and Honey. The exterior of the location had neon patio furniture while the inside was blooming with various plants, paintings, and pastries. The only thing better than the atmosphere was the breakfast/lunch menu, that contained delicious sandwiches, pastries, and specialty coffee drinks. After our brunch in the café, my Fashionista tour guide showed me the art pieces that this section of the city is known for.

Our next stop was the former house of mosaic artist, Isaiah Zagar, now converted into an antique/clothing shop, called the Eyes Gallery. The gallery`s walls were adorned with mosaics, tiles, bright paintings, flowers, and tiny trinkets. The store had three floors. Each had rooms with different sculptural, ceramic, and paper-mache art pieces on display. Even the light fixtures were of candy color hues to match the cheery atmosphere of the shop. Though the shop is known for its art, the vintage clothing pieces, jewelry, and handwoven bags are not to be forgotten. The Eyes Gallery may be the primary spot of mosaic art, though the streets of South Street are filled as well with mosaic tiling and wall graphics.

Similar to the colors and easy vibe of South Street, my tour guide and local Fashionista friend was adorned in her best boho clothing. She wore a pair of light blue boyfriend jeans that complimented the ease of her dark blue cotton tank top. On top of her tank top, the Fashionista wore a maroon zip-up hoodie. Her shoes were black and white Toms. The Fashionista`s accessories were the main pieces that brought together her look. For jewelry, she wore a delicate gold necklace and her patterned bag embroidered with celestial patterns, which contained all the colors in her look.

The final spot that my guide brought me to was a shop that sells a treat prominent in Philadelphia. This spot was Rita`s Italian Ice stand. Here we savored on baby blue, cotton candy water ice, to cool off on a blistering day.

My local Fashionista friend showed me, and now you, that there is more than meets the eye when traveling to Philadelphia.

I hope you visit and enjoy these gems, just like I did! If you do visit, let me know in the comments!

Future So Bright, You Need Shades

As the beautiful summer weather is quickly approaching, it is time to break out those shades and get ready to spend most of your days enjoying the warm sunshine. Before hitting the beach or walking around downtown, however, you need to protect yourself against blinding beams of the sun. Not only are sunglasses essential for that bright sunlight, they are a perfect staple piece for any outfit. This season’s trend is colored lenses, matching every garment and spicing up your summer look with a pop of color. So why be boring with the same old black shades when you choose from any color in the rainbow?

Colored lenses add a little fun to an accessory that mainly is used for survival against intense rays. When lenses now come in hot pink, baby blue, light purple and every other color in between, it is hard to choose exactly what shade would fit best in your wardrobe. Whichever one you choose, you know they’ll be a head turner and have people stopping you on the streets asking “Where can I find a pair?”

This Fashionista is rocking these colored shades like a boss. Starting with the star of the show, these bright blue tinted shades scream summer. This Fashionista can wear these sunglasses while walking around boutique shopping or while sunbathing at the beach on a hot summer day. The versatility and ease of these shades make them a true beauty investment (or at least that’s what I like to think when buying them in every color available).

On this beautiful day, our Fashionista went with the ready-to-wear look to accompany her stylish shades. Since the sunglasses are the main “wow” piece, the rest of the outfit needs to compliment but not outshine the shades. She paired them with a fun floral romper and classic denim jacket, a must on a hot yet windy day. The pink rose print adds another level of color to this garment and the denim goes along perfectly with the blue summer theme. To complete the head to toe look, our Fashionista wore white -T-strap Tommy Hilfiger sandals that tied the outfit together perfectly. Not only is this Fashionista blocking out those harsh summer rays, she is doing it in style.

What are your favorite color lenses and how do you wear them? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

7 Easy Steps to Get the Hottest Make-up Look

When it comes to makeup, I absolutely love to play around with the different colors and shades that allow for every eye color to pop. I have a very specific routine for my day-to-day make-up. Of course, I didn’t always used to have a routine so I had to figure out where to start and what order everything needed to be done in. I began to build up my knowledge by reading beauty blogs and watching YouTube channels of make-up artists and beauty bloggers.

I’ve decided to show you all the how to get this hot summer look that makes your eyes pop while letting your skin glow as well. Here are the steps!

1—The first step to my make-up routine is to, of course, start out with a freshly washed face that allows for a new start and no clumping of pervious make-up. After washing I like to use a lotion to moisturize my face because my natural oils were just washed away. The moisturizer allows for an even coverage.

2—For all of you out there with blemishes, dark under-eyes, and anything else you would like to have covered up; I use concealer and foundation next. Foundation is applied to even out your natural redness of the skin and allow for a natural look across the entire face. Tip: When deciding on the foundation you need to apply a sample of the color to the inside of your forearm.

3—The next step, which I enjoy the most, is highlighting and bronzing your best facial features to make them stand out. First, you add the bronzer right below your cheekbones, below your chin, along your neck, sides of your nose, and on the two corners of your forehead. Then you begin by highlighting the inner corner of your eyes, under the eye to above the cheek bone, tip of nose, and middle of forehead. This allows for a more defined face and greater definition.

4. Eyeshadow and eyebrows are next! Everyone wants to have that perfect “on fleek” eyebrow (is that still a thing?). I use my eyebrow cream and brush to outline my eyebrow to define it and fill it in with a brown eyeshadow to give it depth. Eyeshadow is next of course and this is my favorite part because it allows for you to get creative. For this summer look, I recommend using lighter colors to bring out the pop of your nicely tanned skin and bright eyes.

5. I decided to do a purple/pink ombre look for my eyeshadow this summer. To start off you need to add a primer base over the eyelid and then apply your medium toned base color for the overall eyeshadow look. I like to do my darker outer color to allow for the smoky eye effect next, followed by a reapply of the base tone over the eyelid. Lastly, I place my lightest color in the corner of my eye covering a small portion of the base color.

6—Eyeliner is always done after applying eyeshadow because if done before, the eyeshadow could cover up the perfect wing you could just get that once- am I right ladies? I chose to do a little wing to give my eyes some depth. I would recommend buying a pen eyeliner with a point tip because it allows for an easier winged effect.

7—We have the eyelashes last of course. Apply any mascara you see as fit and if you would like for a fuller look you can use an eyelash curler and then apply eyelash gel first before the mascara. Mascara is best if put on from the bottom of the lash and then upwards. Jiggle the brush as you move up to separate any lashes that have been stuck together.

What other make-up ideas do you do that you would like to share? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Summer Trends You Need In Your Closet

Summer is finally here, and with it, an abundance of new trends for you to try! From bold ’80s inspired looks to luscious sheer fabrics, the catwalks of London, Paris, New York, and Milan Fashion Weeks were bursting with spectacular, new style ideas.

Here are four major trends we spotted on the runways that are absolute must-haves in the summer wardrobes of fashion-lovers all over the world!

1 —Blast From The Past. At the top of the list is quite literally a bright reminder of the past! Last summer, the fashion trends of the ’90s made a comeback, but this season, the bold colors of the ’80s have reclaimed the runways! Electric shades of pink and yellow lit up the spring/summer 2017 shows of Gucci, Celine, and Valentino, leaving us confident that the forecast for this season is undeniably bright!

Trend Tip: If you’re looking to really step outside of your comfort zone this summer, try mixing and matching bold colors. This is another runway trend, which if done in moderation, creates a glamorous, season-appropriate look! Try pairing pink with yellow, red with blue, or turquoise with coral for a look that blends ’80s vintage and modern runway style.

2 —Pattern Perfection. Whether geometric shapes, ’70s retro prints, or staggering stripes, this summer’s style is featuring funky patterns everywhere! This flood of unique patterns has dazzled the runways, and is no doubt, a hot summer trend.

Trend Tip: Of these stylish patterns, statement stripes seem to be the most fashion-forward. Straight from Mulberry’s s/s 2017 runway show, stripped, patterned looks are a must-have in your summer wardrobe!

3 —Fabulous Florals. The notion of wearing floral prints in the summertime is not exactly groundbreaking, but this season, the trend is in full bloom! In fact, this look is so fabulous that designers have chosen to dress their models in head-to-toe floral designs. At the forefront of this flower power takeover is Michael Kors, whose s/s 2017 collection is bursting with vibrant floral arrangements!

4 —Sheer Beauty. Semi-opaque dresses rocked the runways of London Fashion Week declaring it a summer 2017 staple! For this playful look, you’ll want to find an opaque slip and pair it with a sheer overlay as featured in the s/s 2017 collections of Molly Goddard and Alexander McQueen.

This list only contains a few of the season’s most fashionable trends, so keep your eyes peeled for more, and comment them below. Ruffles, slogan-wear, and unique takes on the classic trench coat are also very “in” this season, and we would love to see your take on these looks. Show us on social media, and be sure to tag @Cfashionista!

We can’t wait to see how you incorporate these looks into your summer wardrobe!