How to Get Your Longest Lashes… Ever.
I have a confession to make: I have the shortest lashes known to mankind. Well, maybe not, but I’m the kind of girl that needs to wear mascara just for them to show up and I dream of Latisse on a daily basis. While I have neither the skill nor the patience to put fake eyelashes on every day, I did buy my first tube of mascara at the age of 12.
Over the past six years, I’ve amassed enough tips and tricks to make even the stubbiest lashes look luxuriously long. Read on to learn how to get super long lashes yourself.
Step 1: Curl Your Lashes
Curling your lashes is the one thing that can completely brighten up your face in five seconds. I’ve been using the Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler ($19) since I was 16 and I absolutely love it. It’s a bit pricey, but this $19 investment will last you years. Before I clamp it on my lashes, I warm it up using my blowdryer for about three seconds. Think about it: You wouldn’t curl your hair with a cold iron, would you? The heat might feel a little foreign on your sensitive eyelids, but trust me, this small step makes all the difference and your lashes will stay curled all day.
Note: Some girls SWEAR by applying a coat of primer and then curling your lashes. While I don’t particularly think think this makes a difference, it might just be the trick for you!
Step 2: Primer
I think that mascara primer is seriously underrated. Whether you buy it on its own or it comes as an attachment with your usual mascara, this step is KEY. My personal favorite is the primer that comes with Maybelline XXL Volume + Length (about $7.) After curling my lashes, I apply a thick coat of it. I like to let it dry while brushing my teeth/changing the song on my iPod/scrambling for my Comm notes. Don’t forget you have it on! I’ve made the unfortunate mistake of leaving my room for the day with white lashes. That is a beauty statement that I’m not prepared to make!
Step 3: Mascara
Once your primer is dry, it’s finally time for the main event: Mascara! If you used a primer + mascara combination, then I’d suggest using the mascara side for your first coat. If not, some of my favorite mascaras include DiorShow Black Out ($24,) Maybelline Define-A-Lash ($7.49) and L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara (about $15). Start by getting the wand as close to the base of your lash line, and then make a zig-zag motion with your hand as you move the mascara till the tips of your lashes. This allows all of the mascara on the wand to spread evenly and prevents clumps from forming. I also never put anything on my lower lashes because 1, it makes my eyes look smaller and 2, I inadvertently rub it off sometime during the day and end up looking like a raccoon. Also, some makeup artists recommend bending the brush 30 degrees in order to reach more lashes, but I’ve found that it doesn’t really make much of a difference for me.
Step 4: Separate ‘Em
For this step, I like using a wand from an old mascara that I’ve cleaned and washed. While lashes are still wet, I run this clean brush from base to tip (again, in a zig-zag fashion) in order to de-clump and separate lashes. This is especially great if you have an older mascara but don’t have the time or resources to go out and buy a new tube!
Once you’ve completed Steps 1-4, repeat steps 3 & 4 till you’re satisfied with your results. I like to layer different types of mascara for each coat to promise the longest/fullest/most voluminous lashes possible. Usually, two coats are enough for class, while I put on four or five before I go out at night. Whether I just want to look more put-together in class or more doe-eyed for a night out, longer lashes are always key when making me feel more confident.
What do you guys think?
Do you have any other tips for long lashes? Tell me in the comments!
Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Dior Show, eyelashes, How To, L'Oreal, mascara, Maybelline, Shu Uemera
How to Change Your Style & Still Feel Like Yourself
Have you ever felt like you were in a style rut, just bored with your wardrobe? Made a big change where a wardrobe transition seemed necessary, but you didn’t know how or where to start? Or, just spent time admiring other people’s outfits and wanted to give yourself a makeover? This article will show you how to do just that!
If you’re dying for a new look but afraid of losing yourself in the process, these tips will help you make a successful transformation!
- Study different looks. If you know you need a change but are unsure of where to begin, fashion books, magazines, and websites are great start. Print out or rip out looks that inspire you – this will help you get a picture of the type of style you like most!
- Find a fashion muse. Whether you want to emulate a certain celebrity or a stylish friend, studying different looks for inspiration can be a huge help. If you aim to dress more like your best friend, raid her closet! If you’re into Rachel Zoe, read her book or watch her TV show. No matter whose looks you like, try to get a complete sense of their fashion persona and find ways to make it your own. The goal is to create a look that is influenced by your muse, but is also distinctly your own. Take what you learn, but stay true to yourself! Not sure who you want to emulate? Check out How to Find Your Celebrity Fashion Muse for some ideas!
- Make a list of defining pieces to purchase. There are always a few key articles that totally embody the look you’re going for, so take note! Whether it’s cowboy boots, scarves, or skinny jeans, write them down, pick your favorites and get shopping! This is also helpful if you’re thinking in terms of color. Does your new style include a pastel pink or a vampy red? If it epitomizes your style, write it down! You’ve got yourself a list of must-haves.
Example Essentials for Different Styles
Edgy
Product Information: Gold Studded Bangle Set, Dorothy Perkins. Leather Mix Biker Jacket, TopShop. Siwy Shredded Ankle Skinny Jeans, shopbop.com. FLoral Fishnet Tights, American Eagle.
Boho
Product Information: Tiered Chiffon Maxi Dress, Arden B. Minnetonka Moccasin Calf Hi 3-in-1 Boot, Piperlime. Bohemian Scarf, alloy.com. Coin Chandelier Earrings, Charlotte Russe. Turquoise Cluster Bracelet, fantasyjewelrybox.com.
Preppy
Product Information: City-Fit Surplus Chino, J.Crew. Kelly Street Cable Sweater, Vineyard Vines. Poplin Oxford Shirt, ae.com. Lauren by Ralph Lauren 8mm Pearl Earrings, Piperlime. Camila Thick Tortoise Headband, hairboutique.com. Prep School Stripe Ribbon Belt, fourpreppypaws.com.
Glamazon
Product Information: Diana Sequin Shift Dress, johnlewis.com. Miss KK Peacock Feather Necklace, moxsie.com. BCBG Girls Rimy Booty, Zappos. Boyfriend Blazer, fredflare.com.
Even More Style-Changing Tips:
- Shop some new stores! Whether they’re vintage boutiques, thrift stores, or mall shops, try to branch out and shop at some new stores! Online shopping is a great way to do this because you can preview the merchandise of a certain store and see what you like before you go in and try things on. Try browsing online stores you’ve never been to, or discounted stores you usually pass by. You may be surprised with what you find!
- Start small! Try adding one or two new pieces in with the things you already wear. For example, if you’ve been a pretty conservative or traditional dresser and you’re going for a rocker vibe, try swapping your flared jeans for black skinnies, or topping your outfit with a leather jacket for some edge. This way, you’ll get a dose of edgy style, but still look and feel like yourself.
- Proceed with caution. There’s nothing wrong with slowly creating a new look! In fact, easing into a style change is one of the best ways to make your transformation genuine. The best style changes don’t happen overnight! Incorporate new pieces little by little, until they become second nature is a key part of developing your new personal style.
- Never stop expanding your collection! If you buy clothes that fit into a bunch of different categories, you’re always going to have something cool to wear on the days you feel sporty or the days you feel like a trend-setter. Go ahead and mix and match! Who says you have to have a fashion uniform 24/7? Try anything and everything out!
As you continue to make these subtle changes with your style, you’ll eventually evolve your style into something totally unique and YOU! Remember, a confident girl can get away with wearing almost anything, so if you’re ever feeling unsure about your outfit, tell yourself you look amazing and fake it until you feel it!
Sound off!
Have you ever totally changed your style? How has the way you dress changed from high school to college? Do you have tips of your own? I’m excited to hear your thoughts and read your comments!
Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Boho, Edgy, How To, Personal Style, Preppy, Style, Trendy
Spending and Saving in New York City: Part Three
Editor’s Note: This is part three of Noel’s ongoing series about her adventures navigating the NYC sample sale world, adjusting to life without total financial support from her parents, and learning where to spend and save to support her love of fashion while staying within budget! In case you missed them, see Spending and Saving in New York City: Part One, and Spending and Saving in New York City: Part Two.
“I can’t believe I spent more than you,” remarked my suitemate as we sat at the counter, eating Crumbs Bakery cupcakes and watching the passers-by ogle our giant cupcakes.
We had spent the entire day wandering SoHo and the West Village — two neighborhoods that are known for their designer boutiques and not for their college student budget-friendly shops. The two of us were determined to find suitable winter gear for the North East, as I am from California and she is from Texas. I was used to wearing sandals in December back at home, after all.
I introduced my suitemate to Uniqlo, a popular Japanese retail chain store that I have been obsessed with ever since I ventured into the SoHo store during the summer of 2008. Uniqlo sells high-quality basics and casual wear from Japan for a much more student budget-friendly price than American Apparel. Additionally, the retail chain has collaborated with a variety of contemporary fashion designers, such as Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim.
The store in SoHo is also their only store in North America. You can imagine how eager I’ve been to convince my fellow Columbia students to venture downtown for the sake of Uniqlo.
Photo Credit: 1
The moment we entered the store, I walked towards the shelves of denim. You see, I only have one pair of jeans in my wardrobe — the black Uniqlo skinny jeans that I bought two summers ago. Being so short, it’s difficult to find properly fitting jeans. After that fateful summer day when I discovered that Uniqlo sells size 0 jeans and tailors them for free, I didn’t bother wasting my time buying jeans elsewhere. If I’m going to buy jeans, I’m going to buy them at Uniqlo for less than $50 — why bother spending $200 on a pair?
I was in desperate need of pants for the winter. Skirts and dresses with stockings were perfect for the Mediterranean climate back home, but I was already shivering in October in New York City. So, I bought a pair of dark gray skinny jeans for $30, a pair of black “Satin Leggings” that look like high-quality pants but only cost $20, a pair of legwarmers for $10, and a woolen beret for $10. $70 for practical gear? Not bad.
I then ventured into Madewell, which is owned by J.Crew and is still only fractionally cheaper than its sister store. I bought a pair of black stirrup leggings for $32 — oops, I was not aware of the 15% student discount, which I discovered shortly after writing an article about student discounts for the Columbia Daily Spectator’s weekly features and arts magazine, The Eye. Ah, dear store associate, could you not tell that I was hesitant about spending $32 on a pair of fairly opaque leggings?
Photo Credit: 1
Still, $100 for three new pairs of bottoms and two winter accessories is not a bad deal, and my suitemate was equally satisfied with her new purchases — including a beautifully retro umbrella for only $8.
Of course, we wandered around the boutiques in SoHo and the West Village (I had to introduce my suitemate to an oversized Stella McCartney clutch I was eyeballing at Intermix, after all), but we decided to relegate our indulgence of the day to cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery. Only $3.75, and almost just as satisfying.
What is your favorite place to get basic pieces? Have you experienced the amazingness of Uniqlo yet? Do you have any favorite NYC shopping spots? Let us know with a comment!
Filed Under: College Life / Tags: Money, NYC, Shopping
Would You Wear… Oversized Flannel Button-Downs?
Trends from the 80’s have been making their way into our wardrobes for the past few seasons, but today’s trend is pure 90’s grunge. Plaid itself is a huge fall trend, and the oversized flannel button-down is the hottest way to wear it.
Fashionistas have been borrowing from their boyfriends’ closets for a while now, and this trend is another example of the “boyfriend” phenomenon. Celebs like Mary-Kate Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Biel and Ashley Tisdale love their plaid button-downs, as they are laid back pieces that can still look effortlessly chic.
So does this mean that the oversize flannel is only for girls who can work the chic messy look? I’m not sure.
I was talking to my friend about who can and cannot pull off the flannel trend (I’m convinced I can’t) and she said something that stuck with me: it all depends on how you wear it. I was so absorbed with the distressed denim and messy hair that I failed to take into account how put-together Jessica Biel is, in her tunic version with a polished leather jacket and leggings.
Outfit Inspiration
I’ve created two outfits this week, one with a more messy and unkempt appearance in mind and one with a more structured overall feel, using the same oversize flannel button down by American Eagle (which you can find here).
Grunge it up
Product Information: 1. Chanel Nail Color, 2. Wet Seal Leggings, 3. AE Denim Cutoffs, 4. Charlotte Russe Boots, 5. Ray-Ban Wayfarers
Pull It Together
Product Information: 1. AE Leather Stud Belt, 2. H81 Boyfriend Jeans, 3. Modcloth Oxfords, 4. Melie Bianco Hobo, 5. AE Classic Cardigan
What do you think?
Now I want to get your take! Would you wear a flannel button-down, and if so, how would you wear it–would you grunge it up or pull it together? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
Filed Under: Would You Wear? / Tags: Ashley Tisdale, Flannel, Jessica Biel, Kirsten Dunst, Olsens, Plaid, Would You Wear?
Inspired by…(500) Days of Summer
(500) Days of Summer is a great love story with a twist. Our muse for fashion inspiration is Summer Finn (played by Zooey Deschanel). Men flock to Summer, whose mysterious ways and apathy towards relationships and love takes viewers (and her suitors) on an offbeat ride. The best part about Summer is that her style is very relatable and down-to-earth.
With so many cute outfits in this movie, I have decided to focus on two major fashion motifs in this film: the little blue dress and vintage-inspired separates.
Summer’s LBD: The Little Blue Dress
I love the motif of the little blue dress in this movie because it is totally a reflection of Summer’s eccentric character. The little blue dress is a great alternative to the classic black version, and if you’re really keen on Summer’s interpretation, I would recommend vintage-inspired versions that feature feminine details, such as lace, bows, or a whimsical print.
Here are my favorite little blue dresses that are all available for purchase right now! (With the exception of the Arden B dress – sadly, it just sold out.)
Product Information: Kimchi Blue Taffeta Ruffle Dress- Urban Outfitters, Lianna Shirtdress- Delia*s, Satin Babydoll Dress- Arden B, Signature Solid Dress- Tommy Hilfiger (available at Zappos), AE Bustier Dress- American Eagle, Tara Halter Dress- Delia*s
Separates with a Touch of Vintage
Separates are always great for college students because mixing and matching is key to getting the most bank for your buck. I am especially biased towards the high waisted navy blue shorts because earlier in the semester I bought a pair from a local Savers for $3! Thrift stores can be a great place to find vintage pieces and if you’re feeling a little lost, be sure to check out Michelle’s regular posts on vintage-inspired items!
For my inspirational outfits I really had a lot of fun playing online dress up! I hope you like my picks and can see the versatility in these items!
Oufit 1: Vintage Blouse + High Waist Shorts
Product Information: Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, High Waist Sailor Short- Arden B, Crinkled Leatherette Flat- Go Jane, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Medium Barrettes- Kohl’s
Outfit 2: Vintage Blouse + A-Line Skirt
Product Information: Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Tullia High Waist Skirt- K Karl Lagerfeld (through theOutnet), Crinkled Leatherette Flat- GoJane, White Key Charm Bracelet- Max & Chloe
Outfit 3: Vintage Blouse + Feminine Oxfords
Product Information: Suedette Pump- Forever 21, Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Five Pocket Skinny Jean-Arden B
**All photos from www.imdb.com**
Are You Inspired?
Are you a fan of Summer’s style? Would you try a little blue dress? How about vintage-inspired separates? How do you mix-and-match vintage pieces? Also, where do you find your vintage pieces?! Leave us a comment! We’d love to hear from you!
Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: (500) Days of Summer, Little Blue Dress, Movie Inspiration, Vintage, Vintage Separates, Zooey Deschanel
