I'm back after a long hiatus that was filled with reading, studying, more studying, and midterms. I hate to say so, but I even broke one of my own fashion rules by showing up to class in sweatpants (gasp)!
This week I did have some time to experiment with some new makeup looks, and this combination was my favourite. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of what the look looked like on me, but I have some similar pictures and I'll list the details on the products I used.
Again, these are just random pictures I found on the Internet. The look consists of a golden bronze in the inner corner to about the middle of the eyelid, and then purple from the middle to the outer corner. I originally got the inspiration for this look from an old issue of Seventeen magazine (I don't remember exactly which issue).
Here's a list of products that I used:
Rimmel London eyeshadow quad in Romantic Cool
Prestige eyeshadow in Golden Retriever
Loreal One Sweep Eyeshadow in playful for brown eyes
Rimmel London soft kohl kajal eyeliner pencil in Purple Passion
Covergirl Lashblast Luxe Mascara (number 845)
Now for the look:
1. Mix the lightest shade (an off-white) in the Rimmel quad with the Prestige eyeshadow on a medium-sized eyeshadow brush and sweep it from the inner corner to about the middle of the lid. Do the same underneath the eye.
2. Line the lash line (middle to outer corner) with the purple eyeliner. You can also line the rest of the bottom lash line, but don't be too harsh. Don't line the water line, like the picture on the right. The look we're going for here is a subtle, everyday look.
3. Take a small smudging brush and cover it with the darkest purple shade in the Loreal trio and sweep it over the liner and up to the crease.
4. Take the small eyeshadow brush and blend any harsh lines (the gold should blend into the purple).
5. Curl your lashes and apply one to two coats of mascara.
6. Finish off the look with clear (or light pink) lip gloss.
I love this look for fall because it blends together two of my favourite colours to use on my lids. To switch it up you can put the gold all over your lid and the purple in the crease and line with black liner.
Stay stylish (even with your makeup!)
As promised, here are some outfits with the fall trends I mentioned last week.
I've been wanting to write this up since my first day of class two weeks ago. But, like any fashion expert, I had to make sure all my first-day assumptions about University fashion were true (they were). So here are some general observations about fashion on campus and some fall trends that just happen to coincide with what I've seen.
The first thing I've noticed is that most students dress up for class. There are people from all over the world that come to study in Ottawa, and they bring with them fashion trends from their city, province, or country. It is a whole lot different from high school, where the basic jeans and t-shirt was the unofficial uniform. There are, of course, the people who wear sweats and flip-flops to class, but I'm guessing that's because they live on-campus and only have the one class that day (or because it's Friday, in which case dressing down is fine).
Now let's get down to the specifics. Sure, I've seen everything from jeans to skirts to dresses, but there are a few items that have been popping up more than others. First, the leather (or fake leather) jackets. These come in a variety of different colours, but most people stick with black or brown to get the most use out of it. They are usually short and light, with interesting details like studded or zipped pockets.
Next, I've seen an outbreak of scarves as the main accessory (especially since last week was a little chilly). These come in many different styles, weights, lengths, colours, and patterns. They can be worn many different ways and instantly dress up the jeans and t-shirt look from high school. Plus, they're a major trend for fall!
Even though it's not quite fall yet (or winter), I've already seen (and worn myself) all different kinds of boots. I know what you're thinking: boots are for winter!!! Why are people already wearing them??? They are an accessory. I mentioned this in my last post: the shoes you put on when you leave your house are the same shoes that you wear all day. They have to work with your outfit. I've seen ankle boots, heels, knee-highs, and even Uggs (which I think it's still too early for). Again, they come in different styles and colours. To touch in with the trends, riding boots are in fashion this fall.
To note some other fall trends (that I've seen here and there), plaid is still in style. Again, there are numerous styles and colours available, from cozy laid-back flannels to crisp, preppy collars. Also, blazers are still a major trend. They are good for the days when it's not cold enough for a jacket.
What did I wear for my first day of class? I paired dark denim flare jeans with a plain white t-shirt, and accessorized with a grey blazer, green water-coloured scarf, and black shoes. My friends called it "University chic." :)
That's all for now, but stay tuned for my next post for outfit ideas featuring all these trends!
I hate to admit it, but in less than two weeks we will all be hitting the books again. For me, it is the start of University, which is scary but a little thrilling at the same time. I'm sure you've heard it before that when you look good, you feel good, which is why it's important to look your best even if you've been studying all night or just failed a test (I hope not).
Campus fashion needs to be practical. Who wants to sit through a three hour lecture in too tight pants or dash across campus in three-inch heels? I've put together a list of practical and classic pieces of clothing that will get you an A in Fashion 101.
- Comfortable footwear. In high school, it was easy to just keep a few pairs of shoes in your locker if it was raining or if you didn't want to stay in your boots all day. However, on campus, you are pretty much stuck with the shoes you put on in the morning. I suggest Pumas, Converse, or Keds for sneakers, as they are lightweight and go with pretty much everything from skinny jeans to skirts. In the winter, a thick pair of boots work well for cold days, and one or two others for fashion and warmth. Personally, I think the look of skinny jeans tucked into knee-high boots is very chic. And who doesn't like shopping for shoes?
- Outerwear. In the past, a coat or jacket would be shoved into your locker at the start of the day, and taken back out at the end. Unless your campus has underground tunnels or atria linking every single building, outerwear will become your newest fashion accessory. Even in the winter, it gets hot walking around campus, so something not too bulky, but still warm is the ideal jacket. I suggest either a faux leather jacket or a sweater-material coat for those days that aren't too warm or cold (October/November), and a pea coat for the winter months. Make sure that your coat has a hood to protect your perfect blow-out from wind, rain, or snow.
- Sturdy backpack or purse. If you're in science, I suggest you get a carry-on luggage for your books. Just kidding. A good bag is essential for University. If you choose a backpack, make sure it has lots of room and compartments for your wallet/cell phone/Ipod, etc. Your bag also depends on whether or not you want to bring your laptop to class. If so, make sure your bag has a separate compartment, or buy a smaller bag that will only fit your laptop. You don't want your books smashing your laptop! Purses are a bit more complicated, as there are more styles and sizes available. Look for one that has a cross-body strap as well as handles so the weight of your books isn't all on one shoulder.
This book, entitled "Cool Hair: A Teenager's Guide to the Best Beauty Secrets on Hair, Makeup, and Style," presents a wide variety of information on hair types and styles, as well as a chapter on skin and makeup. However, I did not come across anything on personal style or fashion, just advice here and there.
At first glance, this book seemed a little outdated. When I read that it was published in 2003, I thought, okay, it's not too old. That changed after I read the first few chapters. The book gives off a strong vibe that teenagers should experiment with their hair as much as possible- dye it, perm it, curl it, straighten it- because it will grow back. It overemphasized the fact that teens should be a little rebellious and try new things, which gave the writing style a dated feel.
Overall, this book did provide a great deal of information. It went through the different hair types and recommended new styles to go for and products to use and avoid. It stressed the importance of finding a good stylist who knows what will work (and what won't) with your hair.
The other sections of the book provided tips for healthy skin and the basics for makeup. It stressed the importance of a good diet to maintain a healthy complexion (this also goes for great hair). There was a breakdown of skin types and what products to use for each, as well as a section on dealing with acne. The chapter on makeup listed the essentials for a makeup bag. This includes foundation, concealer, powder, blush, lipstick (or gloss), eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, as well as brushes, a pair of tweezers, an eyelash curler, and Q-Tips. There was also a quick run through of how to apply your makeup in the morning.
Overall, "Cool Hair" was a little outdated, but it did have some essential tips and tricks that even I forget! The main theme of this book was that if you look good, you feel good, which I believe is true.
Stay tuned for more book reviews!
I recently found a simple picture of a smokey eye, but with a subtle twist: jade green eyeliner on the bottom lash line. I find that it tones down the boldness of a smokey eye and adds a pop of colour, since the other colours used are in the grey colour palette. There is also a hint of purple on the outer corner of the eye, which looks great with the grey and green.
Since the eyes are so dramatic in this look, it is always best to keep the rest of the face neutral- here I showed a light pink, almost nude lipstick.
As for the outfit, I decided to go with a prom-inspired A-line dress with a neat flower/vine pattern. The burgundy accessories complement the waistband and trim of the dress.
Hey fashionistas! So I was just playing around on http://www.polyvore.com/ and I found that there were many different templates to use if you're looking for inspiration. Here are some of the templates I used to create different looks:
