DIY – Page 2 – CollegeFashionista

3 Easy Dorm Room Decor Ideas

Looking for some easy ways to decorate your dorm room? I always look to Pinterest for inspiration! First, start a board, find your own style, and pin some cool ideas. Keep reading for three dorm room decor ideas that are college budget friendly.

1—Plants. Literally liven up your space with plants! Since you can’t really have any pets in your dorm room, just become a plant mom and surround yourself with beautiful plants and succulents. Plants add natural beauty and color to your room instantly! Plus, they cleanse the air of toxins so it’s a win, win! If you don’t have a green thumb, cacti are easy to take care of and don’t need a lot of natural light. Also, check out this plant hanger! This is super cute and you could easily DIY it too!

2—Lights. Most dorm rooms have less than desirable lighting—either it’s too dim or too bright. That’s why I opt for string lights to make my dorm room feel cozy. These lights are easy to set up and come in different colors and styles. I can’t get enough of these fairy lights! Adding some lights in jars, on the wall, or with a canopy bed are a few quick ways to make your dorm feel more “lived in”. Another plus is that you can control the brightness!

3—Photos. Displaying photos of feel-good memories or adventures keeps you surrounded with happy vibes. Having photos of people you care about or things that make you happy definitely make your dorm feel much more welcoming and personal. You can use picture frames, string lights, a photo board, clothespins or any other design you can think of to decorate your room with pictures. Get creative with this decor idea! You could even print some Polaroids or lightly stain your photos with coffee or tea to give them a vintage look.

What do you think of these dorm room decor ideas? Let me know in the comments below or tag us on social media @CFashionista!

The Glitter Lip Everyone’s Wearing

Gone are the days when glitter was for crafts, kids, or divas. The S/S 17 shows in New York proved sparkle is way cooler than we had thought. Fashion houses like DKNY, Mason Margiela, and Fendi had models sport glitter lips on the runway.

Fendi’s creative director, Karl Lagerfeld was inspired by the cartoon Vanellope von Schweetz from Wreck-It Ralph, writes Vogue. Makeup artist Peter Philips used clear glue and finger-pressed glitter flecks backstage to make it look like the models had “bitten into a donut full of glitter.”

The trend isn’t too surprising as it’s been a popular few years for lips and lip kits. To recap, let’s start with the phenomenon that is Kylie Jenner’s lips. In 2015, we saw people post selfies of their swollen lips for the Kylie Jenner challenge to mimic the then 17-year-old’s cosmetically-enhanced lips. When Jenner revealed she had lip fillers, inquiries for the procedure surged practically overnight. Let’s not forget Kylie Cosmetics, the youngest Kardashian-Jenner member’s multi-million dollar makeup line, that broke Google because the rest of us couldn’t wait to get our hands on her lip kits.

Then Pat McGrath Labs, by editorial and runway makeup artist Pat McGrath, released Lust 004, a collection of three microfine glitter lip kits in August of 2016. The lip kits, inspired by the Versace fall 2016 runway were an instant hit. Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen and Shay Mitchell sported the collection. Lip kits sold out and shimmery pouts became the new Instagram selfie—for a little while at least. As if one collection wasn’t enough for the year, Pat McGrath Labs returned with Metalmorphosis 005, a collection of glitter pigment kits in November. The hype was real and it all repeated like clockwork.

For those of us who couldn’t get our hands on Pat McGrath’s popular lip kits, our glitter dreams don’t have to end here. To achieve the runway glitter lip, all you need is clear or colored lip gloss and loose glitter. The steps are simple.

1—Apply a layer of clear or colored gloss to your lips.

2—Pat or sprinkle on glitter as desired.

Glitter lips weren’t the only iridescent beauty look on the runway during S/S 17, glitter nails were also a thing. I finished my look with a coat of high gloss glitter-flecked nail polish.

If there’s one thing we should take away from the shimmering runway this season, it’s knowing that you’re never too old to sneak a little fun into your beauty routine.

Whether you’re applying your favorite liquid lipstick or kicking it up a notch with a glittery lip, embrace your #RAD pout and show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

This Simple Hack Spruces Up Your Space For Less Than Your Latte

There’s nothing more summer than florals and flowers. They are beautiful and fragrant and can add some much needed color to any space. But flowers can be expensive, especially arrangements from the florist when you are on a college budget. But while you may not have the extra cash to buy an assortment of fresh roses, that doesn’t mean a little bit of flower power is far from reach. Read on to find out how you can brighten up your living space with less than $10.

1—Skip the florist. The florist may have the widest assortment of flowers, but they tend to have the highest prices too. Head to your local market to buy your flowers instead. A bunch of $15 daisies from the florist will probably be $5-$7 at the grocery store. Your options may be more limited but you that does not mean you will not still find a nice variety to choose from.

2—Avoid bouquets. Buying a bouquet skips the process of making your own arrangement, as well as provides a wider assortment of flowers, but it also heightens the price by double or more. A bouquet at the florist can start as high as $40, and even at the grocery they are often $25 dollars or more. Buy two (or more) $5 bunches and create your own assortments to get the most for your money.

3—Don’t worry about the vase. Unless you are making floral arrangements for a gift or special event, use whatever cute container you have lying around at home to house your flowers. Something as simple as a glass or a travel mug is perfect for small arrangements for your desk or bedside table. However, if you are in need of a classic vase or, perhaps, some cute mason jars, check out the stock at your local dollar store before taking a trip to the home goods store.

Have any extra tips? Share with us in the comments below! And, don’t forget to share your arrangements on social with #stylegurulove.

DIY Dorm Room Decor on a Budget

As August approaches, all we can think about is going back to school. We think about our friends, classes, and, of course, the dorms we’ll be living in for the next nine months. Considering you live in your dorm 75 percent of the year, it would only make sense to make your room feel homey! So why not DIY dorm room decor by yourself?

What’s the perfect way to do that? Surround yourself with canvases that make you smile the moment you wake up! I know what you’re thinking. Room decor can definitely add up and in the midst of buying your necessities, you might not have enough to spend on decorations. That’s why I recommend to DIY dorm room decor. It saves so much money. Here’s how I started.

Triangle Shaped Canvas

1—Buy a plain canvas, tape, paint, and brushes from your local arts and crafts store. You can also use some products you have on hand like old makeup brushes or never used fashion tape.

2—Then, take the canvas and use your tape to create triangles on your canvas! (It looks super cute if they’re different sizes and not symmetrical.)

3—Now start mixing the paints you bought and painting each triangle. (It’s okay to be messy!)

4—Let the paint dry for a couple hours. (Perfect time to start your next DIY.)

5—Finally, start taking off the tape from the canvas.

6—Once you’ve taken them all off, you’re done!

7—Optional: If the lines aren’t as smooth as you hoped, take white paint on a brush and clean up the edges.

Ombre Quote Canvas

1—Buy a plain canvas, paint, sticker letters, and a sponge brush from your local arts and crafts store.

2—Then, choose a quote you’d like to put on the canvas.

3—Use the stickers to write out the quote.

4—Start with white paint and add a little bit of blue until you reach the first color.

5—Start sponging on the paint to create a textured look.

6—Keep adding blue paint to the white to achieve the ombre look.

7—Once the whole canvas is covered, let the paint dry for a couple of hours.

8—Peel off the sticker letters and you’re done!

It’s just that simple and easy to make your dorm look super cute! I chose blue for my theme because it was my favorite color, but you can use any colors you have on hand. With this DIY dorm room decor, your room could not get any homier and for a cheap price! What’s better than waking up to your very own creation and a quote that never fails to make you smile?

Now it’s your turn to show off your artistic skills! Show us your creations by tagging @Cfashionista!

Here Are 3 Hacks for Creating a Chic Apartment on a Budget

Summer is swiftly coming to an end (I know, I’m crying too) and that means it’s back to school! In late August I will be moving into my first ever apartment with my four best friends, and I could not be more excited. One of my favorite parts about moving is getting to decorate a new space. This year, I wanted to create a more mature, grown-up space as opposed to my past dorm rooms. The only thing standing in my way was my ever-shrinking budget. Over the summer, I gradually collected things for our apartment. After all the hunting, I found ways to make an Urban Outfitters aesthetic out of a thrift shop price. If you love decorating and want a chic apartment but don’t want to spend a ton of money, look no further.

1—One man’s trash is your treasure. Thrift stores and garage sales are a haven for amazing furniture just begging to be repurposed. I found some adorable place mats, table cloths, and décor items at garage sales. I also found a coffee table that needed some love. With a fresh coat of copper spray paint, it looks like something you would find at West Elm!

2—Be creative. When it came to décor, I knew I wanted to try making things myself instead of buying them online. Using Adobe Photoshop, I made some graphic wall art. I printed six prints out at Office Depot for a whopping $2 and bought a few $2 IKEA frames to hang them on my wall. Additionally, I love using cheap plants that are easy to care for, like succulents and cacti. I finished things off with a DIY neon sign and some throw pillows.

3—Put money aside gradually. There were some items that I just couldn’t find in a good enough condition at a thrift store. These items like my dresser, desk, and bed were pricey and not something I could buy all at once. I put aside 25 percent of each paycheck to get each item gradually. It cost the same as buying it all at once but felt like a lot less since I took my time buying them. Let your space be a true expression of who you are inside. For me, I wanted it to be cozy, aesthetically-pleasing, and clean. What are the attributes of your perfect space?

Did you try any of these ideas? Tag us in your photos @CFashionista!

I’ve Tried All The Natural Teeth Whitening Hacks. Here Are the Ones That Actually Work.

Okay, so I don’t know about you but I drink way too much coffee for my own good and, frankly, my own teeth. For those of you who are huge fanatics of soda and caffeine, you know you have this problem too when you feel like your teeth are no longer pearly whites. The white strips are questionable and getting your teeth professionally whitened is a luxury a college budget really can’t afford. Luckily, you can have your coffee and pearly whites too utilizing some natural products you already own.

Here’s exactly how to naturally whiten your teeth in the comfort of your own home.

Oil Pulling

This method has been extremely popular for a very long time, and the reviews are absolutely positive. This method involves using just a spoonful of coconut oil (or sesame oil) and swishing it in your mouth, back and forth, for anywhere from five to twenty minutes before spitting it out. You could even just add a couple drops onto your toothbrush and scrub away. There are numerous other health benefits to this, so feel free to look them up, but this is great for cleaning your gums and keeping your overall oral health up to speed.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has also been an effective and well-known way to whiten your teeth at home by making a DIY paste. Simply mix baking soda with water to form a paste, and scrub your teeth with your toothbrush with this paste for only one to two minutes. You can repeat this every other day for about a week or two, but don’t over do it because this can make your teeth very sensitive, so alter accordingly.

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has always been a hot product to fix and treat a variety of things, but this product is most well-known for its acne healing abilities and anti-microbial properties. However, apparently this method is also popular for whitening your teeth! You can either dilute it with water and swish in your mouth for ten to twenty minutes or put some on your toothbrush and scrub away. And, don’t forget to rinse.

Banana Peel

This is a method that is not well known but definitely worth giving a shot. Simply take the peel from a ripe banana and rub it on your teeth for at least two minutes. This gives the minerals such as Calcium and Vitamin D in the actual banana peel to start promote whitening. Afterwards, brush your teeth with some toothpaste, rinse, and you are done!

Lemon Rinds

This is probably the best smelling option out of the five methods here. You can either choose to use the lemon juice from the lemon or simply use the skin. If you are using the juice, dilute with some water and apply using a toothbrush for about one to two minutes before rinsing. If you are using the rind, just rub the skin on your teeth for about two minutes and rinse. Do not do this more than two to three times a week!

Have you tried to whiten your teeth using any of these methods? Let us know in the comments below!

4 Different Ways to Style Denim

Denim is back and better than ever. Every girl has struggled with the situation of lacking pockets. Even necessities like lip balm must be left home when traveling without pockets. If we don’t abandon items at home, we are forced to carry around bags. This travesty ends as soon you decide to sport some denim on denim. The more pockets the merrier. With a variety of ways to make a success out of denim, here’s how to get you started and looking better than ever. In whatever way you express your style, the possibilities are endless. So grab some denim, and get creative!

1—Use denim as a neutral. You can pair denim with an infinite number of colors and patterns. Denim acts as a great base for any hue you can imagine. If you are more of a pattern person, don’t fret. Whether you decide to show off some houndstooth or checker print, you are guaranteed to look great and stylish.

2—Experiment with non-blue denim. You may be thinking that all blue denim is not for you, but that is not a problem! Denim comes in white, black, and so many other variations that you can mix and match to create a combination that best represents you. A black pair of jeans with a white denim jacket is guaranteed to look chic. If you want to stick to blue, mix and match dark and light blue for a beautiful blue scale.

3—Experiment with different denim pieces. Denim comes in all shapes and sizes which means more choices for you! A denim skirt mixed with a denim jacket is always a great choice. If you are not a fan of skirts, you can never go wrong with a denim jacket and jeans. Overalls are a fun way to rock denim from top to bottom if you desire. Denim dresses are also growing in popularity, and they’re guaranteed to make you look fabulous when paired with a sleek denim jacket.

4—Reinvent your plain denim jeans. If you decide that you are tired of your plain old jeans, there is room to be creative and put more of yourself into the look. It is so simple to manipulate denim. You can use bleach to make more dynamic jeans or take scissors to them if you decide you want to show a little skin. If you are adventurous, you can take jeans and make them into shorts with the simple snip of your scissors. Also, iron-on patches are a sure way to boost any denim item.

Show us how you’ve experimented with denim on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The Guide to Summer Intern Wear

For most college students, summer months are not just filled with beach resorts, pool parties, and barbecues. Rather, there is an added stress to obtain a top-notch internship—one that will provide us with work experience and pave the way towards our future careers. Once given this opportunity, there is always a concern about what to wear. Not knowing your future coworkers or the way they dress may pose to be a problem for some, but don’t fret! This Fashionista has come up with three easy and trendy outfit choices that will allow you to dress to impress on your first day, no matter where you end up working.

1—The DIY jumpsuit. Anyone can agree that wearing a jumpsuit to work will leave you looking chic and sophisticated. However, jumpsuits are sometimes expensive and hard to find. This Fashionista pulls off her own DIY jumpsuit by choosing to wear a simple black spaghetti-strap blouse, tucked into her black slacks. The key to this inventive look is to make sure the colors of your top and bottom are the same shade so that the outfit is uniform for the “jumpsuit-like” look. To make an impression, she has also added a long tasseled silver statement necklace and complemented the outfit with a pair of black chunky sandals.

2—The blazer. Opting for a more “smart-casual” look? This Fashionista pairs her go-to black pants and chunky sandals with a crisp white spaghetti-strap blouse, adding a gray cotton blazer on top. To add a pop of color to the outfit, she decides to wear a turquoise rectangular-shaped statement necklace. Picking out the perfect necklace is central to emulating this look; the addition of this single accessory will immediately transform your ensemble from basic to elegant.

3—The floral dress. Floral prints are always a summer staple, so why not integrate the pattern into your internship attire? This Fashionista chooses to wear a red, black, and white rose printed dress, a cold shoulder style that is accented with delicate black lace along the collarbone. The secret to pulling off any dress at work is in the length; always make sure it is not too short and you will be good to go!

What are you wearing to your internship this summer? Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Step Away From the Screen and Bring Social Media to Life

These days, anyone can get on social media using a computer, smart phone, or tablet. Social media is all around us, and it affects and consumes our lives. Do you ever want to try something different to bring social media to life? Here are three simple ways to do so.

1—Write a letter. Tired of only communicating with your family via Facebook? Try a more personal approach and write them a letter! Seeing a handwritten note instead of a pixelated status update will brighten their day. Get creative and use fun paper or stickers for an added element. You can include pictures with your letter just like you would on Facebook. Your family will not only be able to read about your latest trip or spontaneous adventure, they will also be able to physically see it and keep it.

2—Fill a photo album. Do you have pictures on your phone that you absolutely love but wouldn’t dare post on Instagram because it would ruin your theme? Well, print them out and put them in a photo album. Take it a step further and use one that has space to write about what is pictured. It’s just like posting to your favorite photo app, but better. Don’t worry about including the embarrassing pictures, they make for great stories to tell and memories to look back on!

3—Make a collage. Do you love Pinterest but get bored staring at a computer screen? Make a collage from all those magazines that are lying around your house. Flip through the pages, and stop to cut out anything that catches your eye. If you want to go a step further, create a themed collage. For instance, make one of only neutrals to go with your white and marble themed room. It’s the same as pinning an image to your Pinterest board but in real life! Once you have found all your images, glue or tape them to a sturdy piece of paper. Lastly, frame your new art piece and hang it above your bed for inspiration.

What other ideas do you have to bring social media to life? Let me know in the comments below.

When You’re in a Rush, Lipstick is a Must

You normally take hours to do your makeup, but suddenly you’re in a rush, and you only have five minutes. You wonder to yourself, “is it possible to do an hour’s worth of makeup in that short amount of time?” If this situation sounds familiar, you’re like me, and the answer is, surprisingly, yes. My mom always says that “lipstick is your whole makeup,” and the looks I show you below prove just that, by using only lipstick and some handy tricks!

1—Pink and Peachy. For this first look, I used this bright pink lip tint from Benefit Cosmetics to create a more natural look. This is a great everyday look for school or work because it gives off a cute and pretty vibe.

2—Red Hot. For this look, I used this lip tint to create a natural but “I still did something” look. This look gives off a more fresh, lively vibe and is great for those days when you’re looking a bit dull and want to spice it up.

3—Sophisticated Scarlet. This third look uses this YSL lipstick to give a more sophisticated appearance. This look is a go-to for a classy, elegant atmosphere, like a dinner party or a nice date.

4—Shimmery Sheen. The last look is created with the same lipstick I used for the previous look. This toned-down version gives a subtle look that gives off a cute, feminine vibe. I used the ombre technique to achieve this gradient lip, which has been trending on runways and social media lately. To achieve this lip look, apply the lipstick of your choice to the inner parts of your lips, and then apply a lighter or nude shade to the outer parts. Where the two shades meet, blend the color together using a lip brush, and voilá!

Are you running out of time? Go grab your lipstick and recreate your own look using these techniques. Make sure to share it with us on social media @CFashionista!