Tag: Neutrals

How to Do a Smokey Eye for Beginners

When it comes to makeup, I seriously have no idea what I’m doing. When it comes specifically to eye makeup, forget about it! All I have to say is thank God I came across this beauty guru, as she taught me how to perfect a simple smokey eye look.

First, this Fashionista wets her eyeliner brush so the tip is pointed, making applying the eyeliner easier.She then dips her eyeliner brush into the L’Oréal Espresso Liquid Eyeliner Paint Pot. With small strokes, she applies the eyeliner to her upper lash line from the outside in.

Next, this Fashionista rolls Batter Up Eye Shadow Primer over her eyelids. (Who knew there was a primer for your eyelid? Not me!) For this look, she did a simple smokey eye using a Naked palette. First, she applied the color Sidecar onto her entire eyelid.

Next, she applied the color Smog onto the outside corner of her eye and brushed it up in the eyelid crease, slowly blending it in with Sidecar. Then, she applies this same technique with the color Darkhorse, just not as far up into the crease.

This Fashionista finishes up her eye shadow with the color Creep and brushes it in the very outer corner of her eyelid, blending it slightly upwards so it’s not too dark. This technique provides a gradual color change from light to dark as you go from the inner eyelid to the outside of the eyelid, thus appearing “smokey.”

Last but not least, she applies Better Than Sex Mascara to her eyelashes. This mascara is great due to its infrequent tendency of clumping and has extra volume.

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial on how to perfect a beginner’s smokey eye! Comment below to share your favorite smokey eye tips and details!

Black and White Chic

We all have those moments where we need to get ready quickly but struggle with deciding what to wear. We want to wear something fashion-forward but easy to put together. When this happens to me, I always go to my black and white section of my closet. Pairing black and white pieces can be styled quickly and look so chic.

With my first outfit, I chose a monochromatic look. I paired together a white eyelet off-the-shoulder top with white skinny jeans. A monochromatic base gives the outfit a sleek look but allows you to be creative with your accessories. I wanted to dress up the outfit, so accessorizing with black was the perfect touch. The black studded buckle heels added some texture, while the satin neck tie added some elegance. I couldn’t leave the house without a pair of sunnies, so I grabbed my red cat-eye sunglasses to add a pop of color to the outfit.

For my next outfit, I wanted something more causal. I used the same white skinny jeans in the first look paired with a black top. I am a huge fan of the ruffle trend this season, and the ruffle detail on this black top adds some pizazz to my outfit. I wanted the top to be the focal point of this outfit, therefore I kept the accessories very minimal. I went with a pointed-toe, black ankle bootie, a black and silver western belt, and my go-to black Celine sunglasses. These accessories added the perfect touch without overpowering the outfit.

The last outfit was my personal favorite because I combined some of my favorite pieces. Again, I used the same white skinny jeans paired with a black lace trim top. Dainty lace tops have been very in this summer and add an extra detail to an outfit. I am loving blazers this season and thought this white blazer would be a great layering piece. My platform espadrille wedges are the comfiest shoes ever. I wanted to have fun with this outfit, so adding a black bandana was a perfect choice!

I hope this gave you some inspiration on how you can get ready in minutes just by pairing black and white pieces. I would love to see how you style similar looks on social media, so tag @CFashionista the next time you post!

All About the Neutrals—Minimalistic Bedroom Décor

Interior decorating is one of my favorite hobbies. Scrolling through home décor Pinterest boards and walking through the aisles of Home Goods are typical ways I spend my free time. I am beyond excited when I have the opportunity to decorate my college dorm or just redesign my bedroom.

When decorating a room, I think it’s important to make sure you are designing it according to your likes and personality. Your room is your own personal living space and it needs to reflect who you are.

This year, my family rebuilt our summer home, which means I finally have a new room to decorate! I couldn’t be happier to shop in my favorite home stores and design my room according to my style.

How I Decided to Decorate

Although my room is down on the Jersey Shore, I wanted it to be a bit rustic, with a touch of modern. I started out with a classic white blanket as my bedspread since there is no need to have a thick duvet for warm summer nights. I topped the bed with neutral colored fluffy pillows and a blanket from Home Goods. For wall décor, I followed the new trend of a photo gallery above my bed. To the left of my bed when you walk in, I placed a small desk from Home Goods. This doubles as my vanity where I store both makeup and desk supplies. I paired the desk with a small stool from Target and added desk accents from Home Goods and Urban Outfitters.

Above my desk, I added a helpful calendar and bulletin board. I purchased white curtains from Pottery Barn for my sliding doors, then added a fur stool and full-length mirror next to my closet. Lastly, I purchased a rolling cart from Home Goods to display all of my jewelry. My inspiration for decorating came from wanting a neutral and minimalistic feel in the space.

As you can tell from the pictures, a simplistic feel is portrayed, but I am still not nearly done decorating. It’s only been a month, and I feel I acquired a lot of basic pieces. I plan on adding more wall décor and a wooden or iron headboard. Overall, I cannot wait to pull the room together with some little pieces that will bring the space to life.

Is interior decorating one of your favorite hobbies? If so, leave some tips in the comments below on how I should finish decorating my space!

Professional Wardrobe Must-Haves

Having the summer off from school, usually means getting a job to relieve the burden of debt from the previous year at college. I know for me, having extra money around is always an excuse to go shopping so why not make practical purchases while doing so? Many of us have already had an internship or are looking for one in the upcoming school year so I asked this Fashionista for her top tips on how she shopped smart when building her professional wardrobe.

1—Invest in a few neutral blouses that can be mixed and matched with many outfits:
Thrift stores are always a good way to find classic blouses for a great price! This one was thrifted from Eddie Bauer. You can always add a cami under any top too, if you are worried about it being see through.

2—Find some well fitting pants that can be worn year round:

These gingham pants are super trendy right now but they will not be going out of style anytime soon. They can be dressed up or down which makes them a great transitional piece for any season.  Loft has a ton of great options and they always have sales going on!

3—Add a watch for some sophistication:

A watch can instantly make any outfit look a lot more put together. Check out Target and Asos for some watches that look a lot more expensive than the actually are. Add some fun bracelets for some personal flair and your jewelry is all set.

4—Find a few pairs of comfortable yet stylish black shoes:

Flats are a great staple because of their comfortable fit and professional look. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, add a pair of mules instead to make your outfit a little bit more trendy. Forever 21 and H&M always have tons of cute shoes for under $25.

Before hitting the stores to shop for these items, always see what brands are having sales at the time. Building your professional wardrobe does not necessarily have to break the bank! Making practical purchases and investing on items that will be around for many seasons is a great way to save yourself a lot of money.

Where have you found some of your professional staple items? Leave a comment below!

How to Style Jeans for Summer

Summer is a time for dresses, shorts, and T-shirts, but some of us don’t like to have our legs out all day, every day. It can be hard to look cute in the humid summer months, and it’s even harder if you’re not a fan of shorts. Believe it or not, jeans are a great wardrobe staple in the summer!

Skinny jeans are on their way out, making way for funkier boyfriend and flare-leg jeans. Boyfriend and straight-leg jeans are perfect for the summer because they don’t cling to your legs and feel sweaty or restricting. Also, a ton of designers and stores sell cropped and ankle-length denim. These are also perfect for summer because your whole leg isn’t covered and you can wear cute lace-up sandals. Lighter washes are a good look for summer too. They are a great backdrop for colorful and patterned tops, and they brighten up outfits and make them look more summery.

It can be hard to find cute tops to wear in the summer months because it’s too hot to wear anything other than a bathing suit. Off-the-shoulder tops are perfect to wear with jeans to look cute and stay cool. Most off-the-shoulder tops are a looser fit, which is great because it doesn’t feel like your clothes are stuck to you. Linen and gauze-like fabrics are great for summer because they are breathable and add some texture to an outfit.

Chunky sandals are the perfect shoe to wear with jeans in the summer. They are really comfortable and easy to walk in, but still cute and trendy. Chunky-heeled sandals are also great because they are casual but can also be dressed up. They look great with jeans and a graphic T-shirt during the day, but you can also style them with jeans and a flashy off-the-shoulder top to go out.

How do you style your jeans in the summer? Let me know in the comments below or on social media, and make sure to tag @CFashionista!

How to Stay Chic This Summer

It’s all about perfecting that chic neutral look.

Most Fashionista/os have the urge to explore the vibrant side and deter from the neutral color palette during the summer months, but I disagree, and I am here to tell you why. Neutrals are our friends when it comes to staying chic especially during the most colorful time of the year. Chic is simplistic, and by being simplistic, we are able to hone in on details, which is what truly matters when it comes to a perfect outfit. Details are what make a simple color palette pop.

Here’s how to achieve that ultimate summer chic look.

A Light Colored Top

This Fashionista has found the perfect shade of crème and top to go with the color. She has decided to wear a flowy crème top that has just a hint of darker shades to offset the neutral tones. Look for a solid color top, and dress it up with feathers, gold, and a little sparkle.

Envelope Skirt

Wear a skirt that is under the right color palette but has a unique look. When wearing an envelope skirt, the eye is looking at all of the different angles. As a result, it’s a show stopper because of the many levels put together.

Powerful Pair of Platforms

For this Fashionista, most of her outfit consists of the idle classic look but her platform heels add a bit of edginess. By using elements of class and edge, you will always be a trendsetter. Because of the combination, these super tall heels incorporate an idle look for anyone.

How do you wear your chic neutral look? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

Summer in the City: A Layered Look

It’s all about the layers.

Classes are out and the search for part-time employment and/or credit-filled internships is in full swing. That comes with a little twist… what to wear?

While layering definitely isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about warm weather, I implore you to reconsider your options and expand your seasonal preconceptions. Instead of sticking to the daily uniform of cut-off shorts and quasi-experiments of what’s currently the biggest summer trend, try the classic professionalism of softer hues through a layered look. Layers in the summer create an extra punch of individuality with a touch of put-togetherness. Layered looks are also a safe bet for the freezing temperatures in your internship office, take it from personal experience!

The Layered Look

I stuck to a mix of light and dark neutrals for this look, layering a silver and beige crop top with button details on the back over a white ruffle sleeve blouse. Both are staples in my closet and once paired together, they create a dimensionality that isn’t openly seen in the summer. I paired those lighter hues with basic black jeans and black accessories. The main focus of this outfit is the combination of the two blouses, everything else just leads up to that.

This outfit has just enough layers to go from your typical 9-to-5 internship to summer gelato with the squad. All the pieces needed can probably be found in your closet already.

Have a fun summer in the city with a layered look!

How would you recreate this look? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Accessorizing with Metals

Florals, pastels, bold prints, and other colorful options always make their way into spring and summer fashion. While I love a good floral sundress on a hot summer day as much as the next girl, my everyday outfits are much more neutral. Maybe it’s the gray Wisconsin winters that inspire me, or simply a preference for minimal and monochrome (all-black outfits? Guilty!).  Either way, if you’re like me, then opt for a cool alternative to summer frills and flowers: metals.

The metal look is great because it works like any other neutral and can be mixed and paired effortlessly. I paired a basic gray tee and black pants with metal-heavy accessories like my zippered bag and chain choker. The cool metal tone and sheen add a dimension of texture and luster. For added shine, I used a shimmery eyeshadow. These metal accents provide a little glam while remaining true to my neutral palette.

To incorporate some hardware into your wardrobe, look for jewelry sets and statement pieces. By letting your shining accessories be the focus, you don’t have to worry about your neutral outfit feeling flat. Layered chains, dangly earrings, and chunky bracelets are the way to go. Don’t stop at jewelry: Wire rimmed sunglasses, studded jackets, and flashy phone cases are also great ways to keep shining.

There are also tons of metals out there to mix up your look. I recommend getting a variety so you are prepared for any outfit and any mood. Gold is classic and adds luxury to a look. Rose gold is popular and a good choice for a sweet, modern look. Coppers and bronzes are perfect for summer with their warm hues. Silvers, nickel, and stainless steel read as cold and tough and are my personal favorite.

What’s your favorite metal accessory? Show it off on social media and tag @CFashionista.

3 Outfit Ideas for Your Next Concert

Summer break is time to hang out with friends, explore new places, and go to as many concerts as your wallet will allow. This also means that music festival season is here, which calls for bold prints, lots of glitter, and chunky sandals. You can throw on your wildest, most creative outfit and look festival ready. So now that we have festival fashion down, what does one wear to concerts? Concerts are a time to wear your most edgy and daring outfits. You can finally wear those heels hiding at the bottom of your closet and that body-con dress you knew you’d never wear but couldn’t resist buying. You can combine your favorite jeans with a fun pair of heels and call it a look.

Below are three looks I’ve complied that are perfect for any concert.

Outfit 1:
An oversized denim jacket has the ability to make any outfit cool and trendy. When paired with this black pinstripe minidress, the two give off major 90s vibes. I paired them with this unique purse made of 45 records and black ankle sock booties for the off-duty model look.

Outfit 2:
The duster coat is a trend celebrities have been loving over the past year. Throw one on over jeans and a T-shirt or even a cocktail dress to create an effortlessly chic look. Here, I paired the coat with a plaid minidress and lace pumps, a look that can go from day to night with just a quick change of shoes.

Outfit 3:
For the jeans and T-shirt kind of girls who just want to amp it up a little bit, this suede fringe jacket is perfect. Pair it with bell bottoms for a 70s vibe, or a lace bralette with chokers for a trendy and comfortable look.

So there you have it: My three basic-without-being-basic concert outfits. From the oversized denim jacket and the celebrity-loved duster coat, to the 70s suede fringe jacket, any of these looks is perfect for your next concert.

How do you dress for concerts? Give these looks a try and show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

June, July, and Jumpsuits

If you’re anything like me, you love everything vintage. Lately I’ve been taking that love to new levels by channeling my inner ’80s girl. My personal favorite from the past few seasons? Jumpsuits! Not only are they insanely comfortable, there is such a variety this summer when it comes to choosing a jumpsuit to add to your wardrobe. Whether you’re spending the day outside or getting ready for a night out on the town, jumpsuits are the perfect option for that effortless-chic vibe that gives you killer confidence.

Who knew jumpsuits would ever be as fashionable as they are today, especially looking back at where they originated? Jumpsuits were worn mainly for sport and workwear throughout the early 1900s. All fashion trends go in and out of style, and that is exactly what happened with jumpsuits. In the ’80s, jumpsuits were much bolder and brighter than today’s jumpsuits, but this toned-down version is here to stay this summer.

Today I wore an open-back, neutral-colored jumpsuit with a pair of vintage-inspired mules. I spent most of the day outside, so my black sunglasses were a must, along with basic jewelry and a sun hat. Another trend that I’ve been really into lately is a pop of color with a neutral outfit. I decided to do this by adding a bright pink shoulder bag.

Summer is one of my favorite times to change up my style and try new things. This is definitely the perfect summer to do just that!

What are your favorite summer trends? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.